Emma Melby is 28-year-old visual artist who recently relocated to Eureka Springs. "It's such a vibrant little town," she shared, "I’m surrounded by the arts." Melby made the move to Eureka from Des Moines with her senior cats, Luna and Apollo, last winter. "Everything was so beautiful when it was snowing late last year, and I enjoyed just staying home - cooking up cozy foods," said Melby.

The following story about strawberries was researched and written by Lynn Brown, editor of “Oak Leaves” which is a part of the publication of the Boone County Historical and Railroad Association. The “Boone County Historian/Oak Leaves” is published 3 times a year. This particular story is a “sneak preview” of the spring issue which currently is at the printer and will be released the last week of May. Since even now good ol’ Ozark strawberries are hitting the farmer’s markets and parking lot pickup truck beds, the timing seems just right for this wonderful nostalgic story of an Ozark specialty. As Lynn Brown so aptly puts it, “Now where can I get some shortcake?” [Jeff Middleton, Museum Musings and Historian editor]

An informal group of citizens will be hosting petition signing opportunities for Arkansas’s November ballot initiatives on the Harrison square, by the gazebo, on Thursdays 2 p.m - 6 p.m. and on Saturdays 7 a.m.-Noon.

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas lawmakers adjourned this year's session without approving a budget for the Game and Fish Commission on Thursday, putting the state's hunting and fishing programs in limbo if the Legislature doesn't return for a special session by July.

LITTLE ROCK — A federal judge has ruled Arkansas cannot prevent two high school teachers from discussing critical race theory in the classroom, but he stopped short of more broadly blocking the state from enforcing its ban on "indoctrination" in public schools.

Harrison City Council held a committees meeting on Thursday, May 9. The council heard from the city's code enforcement officer, John Morgan, regarding a property located at 810 South Hickory. According to the County Assessor's online database, the property is owned by David E Fitton III and Robert McCorkindale II.

The Boone County Clean-up will be from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday May 18th, 2024 at Methvin Sanitation on Industrial Park Road in Harrison. This Community Service is staffed by the Boone County Road Department. If there are any questions, please call Road Supervisor James Still at (870) 391-9809 or the Boone County Road Department at (870) 741-8611.

During the City Advertising Tourist Promotion Commission (CATPC) meeting on April 25, Mayor Jerry Jackson mentioned three new eateries opening in downtown Harrison but was not allowed to divulge further details at that time. The commissioners were very excited and anxious to hear all the details.

The Batavia Friendship Club met at the Batavia Baptist Church on May 6. There were 15 ladies present. We enjoyed a potluck lunch together.The Mexican decor was hosted by Patricia Wray, Betty Marrow and Josephine Perry.

THE LIBRARY WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY, MAY 13 FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. SORRY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS MAY CAUSE.

Happy Mother’s Day to all. I have been blessed with my beautiful daughters. I have so many wonderful memories of my own mother who instilled in me the love of these Ozarks.

Thursday’s meeting of the Harrison City Council committees saw discussion of a dangerous and prolific weed pervading the region — hemlock. The city is looking at options for controlling the spread of the plant on city properties, working in consultation with Boone County Conservation District.

Stephanie McGarity opened her own business, Beauty Rewind in November 2023, and loves the direction her business has taken.