By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
Fall is approaching, and with it comes everything associated with the season: School, football -- and in Forrest City, the Shops of La Petite.
"This is the 26th year for the Shops of La Petite," said Jamie Foust, who is co-chairing this year's Forrest City Junior Auxiliary-sponsored event. The annual two-day sale of special items, previously known as the Arts and Crafts Fair, is the Auxiliary's major fund-raiser of the year.
This year it will be held Saturday, Sept. 15, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 16, from noon until 5 p.m.
An estimated 34-50 exhibitors are expected, offering a wide variety of gift items.
"It's going to be great this year," said Foust. "It's a wonderful way to do your Christmas shopping."
Once again, the ever-popular La Petite Cafe will be open. On the menu will be the famous Italian cream cheese cake, along with chicken salad, fruit salad, fudge cake, Frito chili pies, nachos, baked potatoes and hamburgers.
Funds raised by the annual event go to the Junior Auxiliary's child-centered charitable projects. These include:
*The Angel Tree project, held every Christmas season, during which the community is encouraged to purchase gifts for needy children.
*Discovery Room, held annually at the St. Francis County Museum, exposes kids to science, nature and the arts. "We just had a really great Discovery Room this year," said Foust. "We had some neat things going."
*The Extra Special Person project helps a needy family, chosen anonymously through the schools. "We try to help in any way we can, from school supplies to heating bills," she said.
*Reading is Fundamental is a program by which the Junior Auxiliary provides every third grader in the Forrest City School system with a free book, three times a year.
*The Bookmobile is new, and travels to the different schools.
*The Health Carnival is held every other year.
*The Clothes Closet project provides winter clothing for needy children from kindergarten through the sixth grade.
"And anytime the St. Francis Area Developmental Center needs anything, we try to do it," said Foust. "That is kind of how they got their start, through the Junior Auxiliary, and now they're independent. It's amazing where it's gone. But we still try to help any way we can."
The admission will be $2 in advance and $3 at the door. Children aged 6-12 can get in for $1, and children younger than 6 who are escorted by a paid adult get in free.
Advanced tickets can be purchased at the following businesses: Antique Rose, Chez Weenie, Dixie Furniture, Edwin Houston, Parker Furniture, Ruby's Flowers and Gifts, Southern Furniture and Taylor Casbeer.
"It all goes to the children of our community," said Foust. "And without the help of the people of Forrest City, we wouldn't have the Shops of La Petite, and the kids wouldn't have the things they need. So here's a big thanks to Forrest City."
Recent rains are helping farmers in the area, even if prices continue to be low.
"Prices are still terribly low," said Margy Cannon, St. Francis County Extension agent. "But this rain will really help the later planted soybeans and soybeans that were double cropped behind wheat. That will be good."
Cotton is just beginning to open, according to Cannon. Early last week, some extremely early open cotton bolls were found.
"It was really early to find an open boll. That was ahead of most of the fields," she said.
The corn harvest is under way, and milo harvest will probably get started in a big way by the end of this week.
"It (milo harvest) has already started in some early fields, but just a fraction has been harvested," said Cannon. "It may be in full swing by the end of this week."
"Early planted soybeans have been and are continuing to be harvested," Cannon said.
The East Arkansas Community College Honors Program is now accepting applications for students for the fall semester 2001. Limited to 15 students a year, the small size of the Honors class is meant to provide an opportunity for a variety of learning experiences in an environment to challenge superior students.
Honors sections are transferable general education courses required for most post-secondary academic programs. Students are able to register for classes from the college's selection of course offerings in addition to those courses required for Honors Program participation.
One of the unique aspects of the Honors curriculum is the Interdisciplinary Seminars, or IDS. The course is a one-hour, special topic course that is required for all Honors Program students. The class studies one topic in depth each semester, with topics ranging form the Civil War to the Holocaust.
A favorite "perk" of the program is the opportunity to travel outside the classroom to a variety of cultural events, seminars and related enrichment activities. Students in the Honors Program have traveled to Dallas, New Orleans, St. Louis, Memphis, Atlanta and other cities to explore museums, attend cultural and sporting events, and many other interesting and educational experiences.
The program awards students a full two-year scholarship that includes tuition and the use of books.
"If you have a strong academic record and are committed to the pursuit of excellence, you are invited to apply for acceptance into the Honors program at EACC," according to a press release. For more information, contact the Honors Program Chair at 633-4480, Extension 264.
The Palestine Post Office was broken into over the weekend, according to Palestine Police Chief Stanley Barnes.
According to Barnes, the perpetrators gained entry into the post office by prying open the front door to the main office.
"It had been ransacked," said Barnes. "The only things stolen were from the stamp machine. They broke into the stamp machines and took about 3,000 34-cent stamps and a small amount of change. The rest was just vandalism."
Barnes said the Rich Medve, a postal inspector from Little Rock, was currently investigating the incident. Barnes said there were no suspects at this time.
All kindergarten and preschool students in the Forrest City School District will be given the Early Intervention Test in the school to which they have been assigned to attend.
According to a press release, the purpose of the test is to "help the teacher get to know the child early, so provisions can be made for a solid foundation of learning during the year."
It also helps the teacher become better acquainted with the child's parents.
Parents of these children will be given a time and date of testing during the district's open house, which is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 16.
"Parents are urged to keep the appointed time and bring their children to the assigned school," school officials said. Parents should bring their children for the testing, rather than simply sending them.
Parents of kindergarten students who have not yet enrolled are encouraged to enroll their children immediately so they may be included in the testing. Kindergarten students needing to register for fall classes should be brought to the superintendent's office at 845 N. Rosser so an enrollment application can be completed. After receiving an assignment, parents need to report to the school to complete the registration process.
August 20-24 will be the days for testing all kindergarten and preschool students. The first full day of school for these children will be Monday, Aug. 27.
For more information, parents may contact their children's teacher during open house or call the school.
Sales tax receipts for June have been reported by the Arkansas Municipal League.
St. Francis County government received $137,653.20. Towns in St. Francis County received the following: Hughes, $27,282.22; Forrest City, $215,890.49; Wheatley, $5,435.98; Palestine, $10,828.14; Madison, $14,422.90; Caldwell, $6,794.98; Colt, $5,377.54; Widener, $4,895.32.
In addition, towns with their own sales taxes brought in the following: Forrest City, $151,871.19; Hughes, $7,775.67; Madison, $2,053.16; Palestine, $5,194.88; Wheatley, $4,629.93.
Demonstrations will be an addition to the activities at this year's St. Francis County Fair. From Monday through Friday of the Fair, different organizations and individuals will be demonstrating various crafts and skills.
On Monday, Sept. 3, the art of quilting will be demonstrated by the Caring Touch Circle of First Baptist Church. The demonstration will be held from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m.
On Tuesday, Sept. 4, Angie Laster will demonstrate silhouette cutting and nail painting from 6-9 p.m.
On Wednesday, Sept. 5, Piñata making will be demonstrated by Cissy Smith, from 6-9 p.m.
Face painting will be demonstrated from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 6, by Ruth Ann Haycroft, Naomi Williams and Geralldine Powell.
Friday from 6-9 p.m., Al Cullum will demonstrate ceramics.
Three city councils are scheduled to meet tonight in St. francis County. The Widener council meeting begins at 6 p.m., the Madison council meeting begins at 7, and the Hughes council will meet at 7:30.
On Tuesday, the Forrest City Advertising and Promotions Commission is scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce office.