By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
For the second year, Forrest City will the be host site for the Circle of Friends Intertribal Native American Pow Wow.
The event will be held at the Wiley T. Jones Fairgrounds Friday, March 28, through Sunday, March 30. The event will offer residents in the surrounding area the opportunity to witness a piece of Native American culture and history through dance and demonstrations.
Laura Mazzanti, director of the St. Francis County Museum, which is a sponsor of the event along with the SFC Judge's office and the Circle of Friends Pow Wow Council, described some of the activities that will take place this year.
"Last year was my first year in helping with the event, and I really enjoyed it despite the rain," said Mazzanti. "Of course we are hoping for better weather this year, but the event will go on rain or shine. Native Americans from all over the country are expected to attend the event along with people from all ethnic backgrounds to watch the dancing and demonstrations."
"Those in the audience are sometimes invited to dance inside the circle. It is a unique experience that most have never had." Mazzanti said. "It is a family event, and one that is a rare experience."
Frank Brent, a Chickasaw Indian, is a member of the COF and is also one of the founders of the event. Brent says the Pow Wow began when he and his wife moved to the Marianna area.
"My wife and I have been putting on similar events for 15 years in Ohio," stated Brent. "We saw a lack of Native American events in the eastern Arkansas area and founded the Pow Wow four years ago. We have a lot of people here of all races who are part Indian and have not had much exposure to that side of their heritage. This Pow Wow can help them learn about a part of their past."
According to Brent, a request for recycling eventually brought the event to SFC.
"We asked SFC Judge Carl Cisco for a suggestion on a company for recycling," recalled Brent. "The event was held in the Marianna area in 2000 and 2001, so this is actually the fourth year. When the Judge came to help set the system up, he heard about our event and attended all three days. He then asked if we would consider moving the event to St. Francis County.
"We are very pleased with the support we have received from the museum, the SFC Judge's office, the Forrest City Advertising and Promotions Commission and the people of St. Francis County. We plan to hold the event here for years to come."
Gearldene Clark, who lives in Forrest City, is a registered Cherokee Indian of the Northern Cherokee Nation of the Old Louisiana and Arkansas Territories. She is also a proud participant in the event.
According to Clark, whose Indian name is Eye of the Deer, the Pow Wow has many purposes.
"It is partly to educate people about the Native American culture, but it is also a way for us to get together in the old and traditional way," said Clark. "It is a way for several different tribes to gather and honor our heritage."
Clark says her Indian heritage has deep roots in the east Arkansas area. "My grandmother was born in St. Francis County, we believe it was in the Colt area, in 1875. She was at least half Cherokee, and my mother, Goldia C. Ledbetter, was born in 1908 in Lepanto. My mother even wrote a book called The Three Orphans, which is about her and her two brothers growing up in the area."
The Circle of Friends Intertribal Native American Pow Wow will be held in the field next to the Wiley T. Jones Fairgrounds on Highway 1, three miles south of Forrest City.
Admission, parking and camping are free for the event, and pets are welcome, provided they are on leashes. If it rains during the event, all activities will be held in the Kountry Kitchen located on the fairgrounds. For more information, contact the SFC Museum at 261-1744 or Brent at 298-2276.
A North Carolina man was arrested on drug charges following a routine traffic stop on Tuesday.
According to the police report, Onolfre Juarez-Serano, 25, of Cary, North Carolina, was issued a warning for improper lane use. The officer reported smelling new paint on a toolbox and received permission to search the vehicle.
Inside a false compartment in the toolbox the officer discovered about 30 pounds of marijuana, along with some cocaine and methamphetamine.
Juarez-Serano was charged with three counts of possession with intent to deliver, for the marijuana, cocaine and meth.
A new restaurant will open this week in Beck Spur.
Westbrook's, a family restaurant, will open Friday, March 21, in the former Catfish Corner location on Highway 70 West.
Westbrook's is owned by Cindy Reeves, previous owner of The Curve in Palestine.
"We will serve a variety of country food in a relaxed atmosphere," Reeves said. "Customers will be able to order either our plate lunches or off of the menu." A fish buffet "in the great Southern tradition" will also be available, Reeves added.
The restaurant will be open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
"We want to serve good food at a reasonable price and offer our customers a relaxed atmosphere with a personal touch," Reeves said.
The Times-Herald is running its annual Home Improvement section in today's edition.
The section will feature hints on improving one's home, outside and in, from the garden to the kitchen to the living room to the bedroom.
The section is sponsored by the following businesses:
A/C Services, Arkansas Concrete Company, Balentine Home Sales, Chez Weenie, CMC Construction, Cummings Heat and Air Repair, Delta Lawn Care, First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas, First National Bank of Wynne and Forrest City Bank;
Forrest City Plumbing, Forrest City/St. Francis County Abstract, Forrest City True Value, Imperial Real Estate and Property Management, JH Construction, Kerby's Home Improvements, McCluskey Insulation, Miller Fencing and Decks, National Carpet One and Parker's Best Brands Plus;
Perdew Construction Company, Phil's Honey Dew Service, Pike's Roofing Company, Quality Plumbing, Qualls Construction Co., Ridout Lumber, Sears, Shelter Insurance, Sherry's Outlet and James Smith Construction;
Southern Furniture Company, Steam Max, The Title Company, Inc., Vaccaro Lumber Co., Western Auto, Martha Wilson Realty and Woodruff Electric Cooperative Corporation.