Lincoln 2017 Highlights: New Harps, Bell Pharmacy Closes, Poultry Champions

FILE PHOTO Harps opened a new store in Lincoln in 2017. The ribbon cutting drew a large crowd from the Chamber, store employees, the community, city officials and customers.
FILE PHOTO Harps opened a new store in Lincoln in 2017. The ribbon cutting drew a large crowd from the Chamber, store employees, the community, city officials and customers.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Lots of news happened in Farmington, Prairie Grove and Lincoln in 2017. While all three have many top stories, The Enterprise-Leader is highlighting some from each community.

Harps Opens New Store

Harps, which first opened in Lincoln about 25 years ago, moved into a new building in June on West Pridemore Drive, just west of Lincoln Post Office. City officials said the growth of Lincoln took a leap with the opening of the new store.

The new Harps has 22,500 square feet, a bakery, deli, gas station and pharmacy. The new store employs 65 people, double the number in the old building.

Bright Futures Shines

Bright Futures Lincoln was one of the bright stars at the national organization's fourth annual conference held last spring in Siloam Springs.

Courtney Cox, vice president for Lincoln's advisory board, received the Community Champion award, along with a nominee from Pleasant Hill, Mo. Lincoln was one of three finalists nominated for the Affiliate of the Year award.

Lincoln kicked off its Bright Futures program in May 2015, and since that time has met thousands of needs, from providing shoes, socks and underwear to helping seniors buy graduation materials to assisting families who have lost their homes through fires.

National Poultry Champions

The Future Farmers of America Poultry Judging team of Kali Brewer, Shayla Fox, Shylynn Osborne and Lacie Carte, brought a National Championship home to Lincoln.

The team, representing Lincoln High School's FFA Chapter, won a national championship while competing in the 2017 FFA Poultry Judging Career Development Event during the National FFA Convention & Expo held Oct. 25-28 at Indianapolis, Ind. That title came on the heels of a state championship in April which qualified them for nationals.

The Lincoln team competed against state champions from all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Farm Family Of The Year

Allen Moore, his wife Cindy and their three sons were named the 2017 Washington County Farm Family of the Year. Allen Moore with Moore Valley Farms in Lincoln is a third generation farmer but he is farming differently than his parents and grandparents.

About six years ago, Moore sold all his cattle and began growing row crops full-time, with soybeans his main crop. He is one of a few farmers in Washington County growing row crops.

Moore Valley Farms has 515 acres of soybeans and 50 acres of field corn. Moore uses another 130 acres for hay and grows bermuda grass for bale hay on 30 acres.

Chamber Awards

Lincoln Area Chamber of Commerce named longtime residents Bill and Marietta Morris as recipients of the 2017 Bud Cox award, a recognition given at the annual Chamber banquet to an outstanding citizen who has given back to the community.

The couple has selflessly donated countless hours in serving others since they moved to the city of Lincoln more than 30 years ago.

Lincoln High School senior Shylynn Osborne received the first John M. Harvey Outstanding Youth Award, a new honor named after John M. Harvey, who passed away in January 2017.

Bell Pharmacy Closes

After 50 years on historic Lincoln Square, Bell Pharmacy closed its doors June 6 and pharmacist and owner Luke Hall began working in the pharmacy at the new Harps Food Store.

Bell Pharmacy was started by Larry and Betty Bell about 50 years ago. Hall and John Lykins purchased the business in October 2004.

Hall said the decision to close was a hard one. His decision was based on the fact Lincoln cannot support two pharmacies, he could focus on just being a pharmacist and the move would give him more time to spend with his family.

LMS Named School Of Innovation

Lincoln Middle School's application to be named a School of Innovation was approved by the Arkansas Department of Education. As a School of Innovation, the middle school will have three pathways of learning to reach students. The pathways include traditional classrooms, I-School and the Wolf Learning Academy.

Another key part of the program is that students will have the opportunity to be involved in additional activities as incentives and rewards.

The goal is for students to participate in their education, learn how to learn and to learn to embrace creativity. Teachers want students to look beyond graduation.

Apple Festival Vendors Increase

The Arkansas Apple Festival continues to draw record crowds and record vendors. The 42nd Festival had about 120 vendors taking up 138 spots, the most in the past 12 years. Thousands of people came to Lincoln over the three-day event, always held the first weekend in October.

Major Drainage Project Completed

Lincoln Consolidated School District completed a major project to improve drainage on the high school campus during 2017. The cost of the project was more than $450,000. The school has dealt with drainage issues since it opened in 2012.

School Receives $110,000 Grant

Lincoln High School is using a $110,000 grant to help young adults become certified in certain skills and trades so they can go to work in higher paying jobs. United Way of Northwest Arkansas in 2017 awarded 38 two-year grants totaling about $2.9 million to 31 organizations in the area.

The funding is part of United Way's program called Children Living in Poverty. Its goal is to create a pathway out of poverty for every child in Northwest Arkansas. Lincoln received $60,000 the first year and will receive $50,000 in 2018.

New City Attorney

Lincoln City Council hired Steve Zega as city attorney in December. Zega replaces former city attorney Steven Parker, who resigned Dec. 7 after serving in the position since 2006. Zega has served as Washington County attorney and as a city prosecutor for both Lincoln and Prairie Grove.

General News on 01/17/2018