Black History event set in Dumas
A Black History forum entitled “Who is the Real Target?” will be held at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Dumas Community Center, 18 Belmont Drive, in Dumas. The event opens with a reception.
Dale Charles, former state president of the NAACP, will be the keynote speaker. The forum will be moderated by the Rev. Arthur L. Hunt Jr., and other panel members.
“The forum format is to reveal in open discussion about what’s happening in Dumas, Desha, the Delta as it relates to things that are unjust and need to be called out. It’s about who is the real target,” Hunt said in a news release.
Registration is not required. If you wish to be on the program or confirm attendance, send email to: allofdumasunited@gmail.com.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
UAM to launch trap shooting team
The University of Arkansas at Monticello is set to launch a trap shooting team in the fall 2025 semester.
Trap shooting is a shotgun sport where players shoot clay targets launched into the air from a spring trap machine.
The event tests accuracy and reaction time. The sport helps develop discipline, teamwork and mental focus among participants, according to a news release.
“The decision to establish a trap shooting team comes as part of UAM’s broader initiative to diversify its extracurricular activities and provide students with unique opportunities that encourage personal development, foster a sense of community and cultivate valuable life skills that extend beyond the classroom. With the increasing popularity of shooting sports at the collegiate level, UAM is excited to join other institutions that have successfully integrated trap shooting into their team offerings,” according to the release.
UAM Trap Shooting will practice weekly and compete in statewide competitions, including those organized by the Association of College Unions International (ACUI) and the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA).
“We are thrilled to bring trap shooting to UAM,” said Chief John Kidwell, director of the University Police Department and team sponsor of UAM Trap Shooting. “We’re looking for students, especially duck and bird hunters, to join us. Trap shooting is gaining popularity across Arkansas, and we welcome high school competitors looking to continue to compete at the collegiate level to be part of our team.”
The team is currently seeking sponsors for various needs such as ammunition, team vests, clay targets and other essential equipment.
“We are excited to offer a new opportunity for our students to engage in a growing sport,” said UAM Chancellor Peggy Doss.
“The addition of a trap shooting team is another example of how UAM continues to provide diverse and dynamic extracurricular experiences that support our students’ personal growth and leadership development. We look forward to seeing how this new team will thrive and represent our university.”
UAM Trap Shooting representatives will be present at Weevil Welcome: College Preview Day on March 3, in the Gibson University Center on UAM’s Monticello campus to provide more information to interested high school juniors and seniors. Details: Chief John Kidwell at (870) 460-1083.
Donate to 4-H on March 17
Even for a program symbolized by a four-leaf clover, “It takes more than luck to succeed,” said John Thomas, managing director of the Arkansas 4-H Foundation.
To give luck a bit of a boost, the Arkansas 4-H program uses March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day) — a day filled with green and clovers — as an invitation to support its youth development mission through donations, according to a news release.
“People see our youth wearing their green 4-H clovers, they know good things follow. Our 4-H’ers have a tremendous track record of community service,” Thomas said. “Each year, we see St. Patrick’s Day as a way to remind people to help Arkansas 4-H.”
This will be the fifth annual giving day. Thomas said this year’s goal is $45,000.
“Since we started this giving day in 2021, it has become the day that more and more people rally around to support the Arkansas youth we serve through the 4-H program. We’ve raised over $100,000 since we started and it all goes directly to the youth we serve.”
Each year, Arkansas 4-H distributes more than $150,000 in college and activity scholarships to its members.
“Your donation goes to a good cause,” he said, “We hope you will support us.”
Thomas said donations can be made online, or donors may text AR4H to 44321. He notes that when texting, donors will be asked to give a $44 default gift or donate a custom amount.
Arkansas 4-H members can attest to the personal growth opportunities the organization offers. There are more than 130,000 youth involved with 4-H in Arkansas.
Nominations open for historic places
Preserve Arkansas is seeking nominations for the 2025 list of Arkansas’s Most Endangered Historic Places.
The annual list highlights historically and architecturally significant properties throughout the state that are endangered and worthy of preservation.
Anyone may nominate buildings, structures, sites, and other places in Arkansas to be considered for inclusion in the list.
The nomination deadline is March 31. Preserve Arkansas accepts nominations year-round, but those submitted after March 31 will be considered for the following year’s list.
Nomination information, program guidelines, and an online nomination form may be found at PreserveArkansas.org. Details: (501) 372-4757 or info@preservearkansas.org.