Local author writes book
Pine Bluff resident Jimmy Marshall has written a book entited “Acceptance: Time.”
This book falls under the self-help genre, dealing with addiction, recovery and some of the issues it took to get his life back to normalcy.
Raised in Sherrill, Marshall, 73, has lived in Pine Bluff since 1972. He was a radio personality in the early ’70s and worked more than 30 years for Union Pacific Railroad wher he retired in 2005, according to a news release. Marshall said he’s seen a lot of changes to Pine Bluff through the years and became part of that change in the late 80’s as he got caught up in the “crack epidemic.”
“I feel this brought about a big change to the city as well as myself,” he said. “My novel is the tale of an addict’s struggle and redemption. This novel is about my addiction and my battles within the walls of Highland Ridge, a rehab center in Utah. It’s about how I was seeking forgiveness and reclaiming control over my life. Faced with the harsh aftermath of rehabilitation, unpaid bills and strained relationships, I found strength among fellow seekers with unity and spirituality.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“Addiction: Time” explores the power of choice, resilience against life’s unpredictability, and the hope of second chances in the journey toward inner peace and transformation.
“There are people out here that need hope and help. I am hoping my book conveys that message. My story is not fiction, but it may sound a little crazy or mundane. It’s all true concerning me. My book was a 20-year project. There were times I nearly threw the manuscript in the trash, but my spirit would not allow me. Never give up your dream. I believe my words in the book carry a lot of hope for someone who is struggling or someone who is living with someone who may be dealing with an addiction,” he said.
“Acceptance: TIME” was released May 16 and is available on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles and eBay. Details: Jimmy Marshall at shross1@yahoo.com.
Duck Stamps to be unveiled
National leaders from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bass Pro Shops, U.S. Postal Service, Ducks Unlimited and other partners will officially unveil the 2025-2026 federal and Junior Duck Stamps at Mack’s Prairie Wings in Stuttgart on Friday from 10 a.m. to noon.
Ducks Unlimited Chief Conservation Officer Karen Waldrop; Jerome Ford, Fish and Wildlife Service assistant director for the Migratory Bird Program; stamp artists and other dignitaries will be on hand to celebrate the first stamps of the year that will be for sale at the event, according to a news release.
“The Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp — commonly known as the Duck Stamp — plays a critically important role in wildlife conservation. Since 1934, sales of this stamp have raised more than $1.2 billion to conserve more than 6 million acres of wetland habitat on national wildlife refuges nationwide,” according to the release.
“Federal Duck Stamps, while required by migratory bird hunters as part of their annual license, are also voluntarily purchased by birders, outdoor enthusiasts and fans of national wildlife refuges who understand and value wildlife habitat conservation,” according to the release. Details: www.ducks.org.
Council seeks Small Works entries
The Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of Arkansas Heritage, is accepting entries for the 2026 Small Works on Paper juried art exhibition. Entries can be submitted at www.arkansasarts.org through July 25. Artists whose work is selected for the exhibition will be notified in September 2025. The 2026 exhibition will open in January at the Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, 701 S. Main St., in Pine Bluff. The tour will then make stops in Russellville, Fort Smith, Bentonville, Batesville, North Little Rock, Stuttgart, Helena-West Helena, West Memphis and Forrest City. Artists may submit up to three works of art on paper for a fee of $15 for the first entry, $20 for two entries or $25 for three entries. The exhibition is open to all artists who reside in Arkansas and are 18 years old or older, according to a news release.
“Art is an essential part of Arkansas’s cultural heritage, and Small Works on Paper gives us the opportunity to honor that by highlighting the work of local artists,” said Shea Lewis, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. “By touring the exhibition across The Natural State, we’re making it easier for Arkansans to experience and connect with the arts in their own communities.”
Small Works on Paper is a competitive art exhibition featuring artwork no larger than 18 x 24 inches. An out-of-state, independent juror selects up to 40 pieces to tour the state.
All submitted works must have been completed within the last two years. Some works will be selected for purchase awards and become part of the Small Works on Paper permanent collection. Up to $2,000 will be granted for juror-selected awards. The award amount matches the purchase price set by the artist at the time of entry.
The 2026 juror is artist and educator Kelli Scott Kelley. She is an art professor at Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge, specializing in painting and drawing. Kelley holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from LSU and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.