September 2022

Hello again! So, have you been to the grocery store lately? Our grocery bill for Kerry and I and our two dogs is over $400 per month. That is higher than my house payments a short time ago.

POCAHONTAS, AR On August 29-30, BRTC president Dr. Martin Eggensperger, Vice President for Institutional Advancement Karen Liebhaber, and BRTC Foundation board member and executive director of the Northeast Arkansas Regional Intermodal Authority Graycen Bigger attended the Arkansas Economic Developers & Chamber Executives’ (AEDCE) annual meeting in Little Rock. The AEDCE conference brings chamber and economic development leaders from Arkansas together to help improve the state’s economy.

The Corning Beautification Committee announced the September Artist of the Month as Susan L. Green. Green learned to enjoy painting when she signed up for classes at the community center a few years ago. “Our teacher and ladies were so fun and helpful. Techniques were mentioned to capture the art of oil painting. After that class ended, I signed up for watercolor painting. That class was unique because the water does the work for you.” In the photograph the paintings in the front are oil paintings. The three paintings in the back are watercolors. Susan appreciates having her artwork selected for display at the M.B. Ainley, Jr. Community Center.

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1st Choice Healthcare broke ground on a new facility in Pocahontas on Monday, August 29. Brigitte McDonald, CEO of 1st Choice Healthcare was joined by Pocahontas Mayor Keith Sutton, Joshua Mullinix, representative for Sen. John Boozman, Charles Landrum, representative from Sen. Rick Crawford’s office, State Senator Blake Johnson, State Representative Trey Stimmel, Dr. Carrie Hunter, healthcare professionals and community guests during the groundbreaking ceremony. The new location of the community healthcare clinic will be on McQuay Drive in Pocahontas. The currently location at 141 Betty Drive opened in 2000.

Wayne Gearhart, Randolph County resident and formerly of Corning, is the recipient of the first landowner appreciation award the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission recently bestowed for conservation measures. Stephen O’Neal, Stream Team Biologist with AGFC, stated, “I think he was one of two private individuals in the state that received a landowner participation and appreciation award for his conservation efforts there on the Eleven Point River. Wayne and his wife, Carolyn have been a fantastic conservation partner with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission for many years. And they’ve proven themselves to be very much an ecologically minded couple and wanting to do conservation efforts there on their property that borders the Eleven Point. And we just want to acknowledge their efforts and their partnership with the Game and Fish Commission.”

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