Zeta Phi Beta to honor retired educators
Epsilon Zeta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. will honor 12 retired educators during their 36th Retired Educators Banquet at 7 p.m. March 1 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center.
The chapter welcomes their 36th Finer Womanhood Observance as an opportunity to commend educators for their initiative, loyalty, devotion, courage and endurance, according to a news release.
The retired honorees are recognized for providing their students with a wealth of knowledge necessary for them to pursue their endeavors in life.
The theme, “Recognizing Dedicated Service to Education,” acknowledges the honorees and their contributions to education in Pine Bluff and neighboring communities. The banquet will also feature a video presentation of each honoree.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The honorees and years of service are: W. Andranette Anderson-Gragg (19 Years), Tessie Bullock (27 Years), Bonita Corbin (48 Years), Taffany Davis (28 Years), Bettye Fields (41 Years), Carson Fields (46 Years), Lisa Hayes-Wesley (24 Years), Frankie Hemphill (53 Years), Napoleon Hilson (36 Years), Ferdinanda Shepherd (32 Years), Lois Shorter (37 Years) and Kathy Tatum (39 Years).
Honoring these educators has been a major project of the chapter for 36 years. This idea was conceived by sorority members, Lula B. Gray, Sharon H. Fletcher and the late Vivian M. Kelley.
Zeta Phi Beta was founded in 1920 at Howard University at Washington, D.C. This year the sorority celebrates one century of service. Nastassia Merriweather is the Epsilon Zeta Zeta Chapter president.
Banquet tickets may be purchased from members of the chapter or by calling Genevia Thomas at (870) 489-1262.
Opera singer’s appearance rescheduled
The Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation will host its Distinguished Laureate Lecture Series XIV featuring internationally renowned opera star Kristin Lewis at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Clinton Presidential Center’s Great Hall in Little Rock. The event was originally set for Feb. 20 but was changed because of the wintry weather.
The program is free, but registration is required at https://www.clintonfoundation.org/events. “Join us to celebrate Black History Month in partnership with the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame,” according to a notice on the Clinton Center website.
Sigma Gamma Rho offers scholarships
The Alpha Chi Sigma Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. extended the deadline for its scholarship applications to March 21. The sorority is offering a scholarship to to one graduating student at Friendship, Pine Bluff High and Watson Chapel high schools.
Applications are available at the counselor’s office at school. Applications must be postmarked by March 21. For details, email Mary Harvey-Evans at alphachisigma1945@gmail.com.
Rice board meets Tuesday
The Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board will meet at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Grand Prairie Center in Stuttgart, according to a news release.
For those wishing to join the meeting via Zoom, the topic is Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board Meeting. Use Webinar ID: 892 8497 7698, Passcode: 301311 and link https://arkansas-gov.zoom.us/j/89284977698?pwd=SVCB8pu5HSSQHTYLQTauRIMdKbZd4Q.1 . For use by phone, call +16469313860,,89284977698#,,,,*301311# US .
Agency sets ombudsman training
Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas will host volunteer ombudsman training from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 13 at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Center, 211 W. Third Ave. A volunteer ombudsman is an advocate for residents in nursing homes. After training, candidates will become certified ombudsmen. Details: Brenda Brown or Lauren Bland, at (870) 543-6300.
Lock 4 to be closed for work
Boaters are advised that Emmett Sanders Lock and Dam (No. 4) in Pine Bluff will be closed to traffic from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Feb. 26. The lock closure is required to facilitate ongoing work on the hydraulic system, according to a news release. Details: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Little Rock District Office, (501) 324-5096 or CESWL-OP-OM@usace.army.mil.
Local on Dean’s list in Kansas
Wichita State University at Wichita, Kan., named students to the WSU Dean’s Honor Roll for fall 2024. Paul D. Peacock of Pine Bluff is among honorees, according to a news release. To be included on the list, a student must be enrolled full time (at least 12 credit hours) and earn at least a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale, according to a news release.
Area Agency tells menu
Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas offers lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. weekdays at the senior centers. Next week’s menu includes:
Feb. 24 — Creamy chicken spaghetti, peas, Capri blend, bread stick, cake with icing, and milk.
Feb. 25 — Cheeseburger pie, creamed peas, herbed potatoes, wheat bread, pineapples, and milk.
Feb. 26 — Pinto beans with ham, spinach topped tomatoes, cornbread, lemonade pie, and milk.
Feb. 27 — Spaghetti with meat sauce, Italian mixed vegetables, tossed salad with low fat Italian dressing, brownie muffin, and milk.
Feb. 28 — Sliced turkey with gravy, sweet potatoes, cream-style corn, roll, apple crisp, and milk.
Locals graduate from Harding
Area residents graduated at Harding University in Searcy during the fall 2024 commencement ceremony Dec. 14, according to a news release.
Keiosha Jones of Pine Bluff graduated from Harding with a Master of Arts in Teaching in early childhood/special education.
Grant King of Rison graduated with a Doctor of Pharmacy.
Rhonda Klinedinst of Sheridan graduated with a Master of Arts in Teaching in special education K-12.