UAPB alumna earns new military role
Brigadier General Tomika M. Seaberry, a University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff graduate, has been assigned to the Military Deputy Office of the Chief Army Reserve G-3/5/7 (Individual Mobilized Augmentee), Office of the Chief Army Reserve at Fort Belvoir, Va.
The announcement was made by the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army.
A 1997 UAPB ROTC Program graduate, Seaberry most recently served as commander (Troop Program Unit), 4th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) at Joint Base Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
“Brigadier General Tomika M. Seaberry, a native of the West Side of Chicago, is a shining example of women’s history in the making and the potential that can be realized through dedication and hard work,” according to a news release.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
She was commissioned through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) into the Transportation Corps. She earned a Master of Arts in Performance Improvement from Grantham University and a Master of Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College.
Seaberry’s awards and decorations include: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4 Bronze OLC), Army Commendation Medal (1 Bronze OLC), Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (1 Bronze OLC), National Defense Service Medal (1 Bronze Star), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal Ribbon (M Device), Overseas Service Ribbon, and Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon.
“Brigadier General Seaberry’s commitment to the future of the military community is evident in her active membership in the UAPB Commissioned Officers Association (COA). She generously shares her knowledge and experience, often returning to campus to mentor current cadets as often as her military duties allow, inspiring hope for the next generation of leaders,” according to the release.
Seaberry is married and has three adult children.
Retired teachers group to meet
The Jefferson County Retired Teachers Association will meet for lunch at 11:30 a.m. March 20 at the Donald W. Reynolds Services Center, 211 W. Third Ave. Brian Thomas, CEO and president of Jefferson Regional Medical Center, will speak to the group.
Reservations are required for the $12 luncheon catered by Ms. Dee’s Diner, according to a news release.
Members are asked to bring canned soup or canned beans with pull tabs to be donated to Neighbor to Neighbor for local families in need. For details on JCRTA and to make luncheon reservations, call Lura Campbell at (870) 543-0127.
Thornton plans Hogskin festival
Thornton will kick off the Calhoun County Hogskin Holidays Festival at 3 p.m. April 5 at the Thornton Fire Station/Community Room in Thornton.
The event will feature live musical entertainment by the “William and Friends Band'” and “Aaron Courtney,” as well as a barbecue dinner held until 6 p.m. Tickets may be purchased for $12 each for the barbecue. Carry outs will be available. Door prizes will be awarded throughout the event.
The kickoff for the Calhoun County Hogskin Holidays Festival is sponsored by Thornton Step-By-Step Inc., an organization working in conjunction with the city of Thornton, that focuses on community improvement and improving the quality of life for its citizens. All proceeds generated from the kickoff barbecue will remain with the organization and will be managed and used to help bring about the needed improvements, according to a news release.
Everyone is invited to attend. A special invitation is extended to all politicians and governmental officials. There will be an opportunity for office holders in government on all levels to be exposed to the audience.
For tickets or details, call Levenis Penix (870) 352-8241, Sharon Scott (870) 352-7968, or Thornton City Hall (870) 352-3576.
Seminar to cover keeping family farms
Keeping the family farm in the family can be more complicated than many realize. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is working to help farm families and other interested Arkansans plan for the inevitable with a second succession planning meeting.
The session will take place at 6 p.m. April 14 at the White County Extension Office in Searcy. The cost to attend is $25 per person, which includes dinner. The deadline to register is April 7, according to a news release from the Division of Agriculture.
Sherri Sanders, White County agriculture extension agent for the Division of Agriculture, said reaction to the first session, held Feb. 25, helped shape the upcoming meeting agenda.
“Our first session got the conversation started,” Sanders said. “It’s emotional, it’s hard. You’re coming to terms with your death or retirement from your farm that’s been in the family for generations. Most people just don’t talk about it, and they think they’re OK because they’ve got a will — but a will isn’t a succession plan. It doesn’t lay out who gets what, or how the farm will be run.
“This second session is still for farmers and ranchers, but the information can really apply to anybody who wants to plan for their estate,” she said. “Because estate taxes, power of attorney and living wills affect everybody.”
Rusty Rumley, senior staff attorney for the National Agricultural Law Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas, will be the meeting’s featured speaker.
“People know they need to find an attorney, but they don’t know what to be prepared for at that first meeting,” Sanders said, noting that attorneys typically charge by the hour. “Rusty will help them understand how to prepare to meet with that attorney.”
To register, visit http://uada.formstack.com/forms/succession_planning.