Local Food Pantry Help!  Several years ago My wife and I talked about the need we saw here in the local area which happens to be Mountain Home, Arkansas.  I am sure that your local area is much like ours...even though I also know that we all live and work in diverse areas.     While shopping for grocery items that we thought we would deliver to some folks we knew to be in need...we bumped into 3 other Realtors from my Board here in town.  We are competitors...but we all had the same idea...to help those less fortunate than ourselves.   We put our heads together and the North Central Board of Realtors contacted Feed The Children,  A charity that at the time was in very high regard!  The founder...Larry Jones was married to a sister of a local woman, and she agreed to help us.   The first... 12/06/2010

An American Tradition Deer Season Opens in Arkansas and Missouri tomorrow morning!  Modern gun Deer Season opens at daylight tomorrow morning in both states.  The Gun Deer Season is so popular that schools adjust schedules in some districts to allow students to take off today to go to deer camp. Hunters will hit the woods starting today getting ready for the annual hunt.  Here in the Mountain Home area the harvest is expected to be abundant.  The deer are plentiful and healthy.  An American Tradition Deer Season Opens in Arkansas and Missouri this weekend! 11/12/2010

Recognizing a "Nice" act.  Can be very simple and require nothing more than a Thank You or it can be very elaborate.  I wrote a blog last week about a "Nice" act that a past client of mine had done.  The Clayton's own Nature's Way Health Food Store on the square in Mountain Home, Arkansas.  The piece I wrote focused on the fact that they are involved here in their adopted community and wanted to help!  They are not newcomers to the Mountain Home area, I sold them the store and a home years ago.   I got a call today from Mr. Clayton thanking me for the blog article.  I had called the store the day after posting it to let them know that their store was showing up on the first page of the Google search telling the world how "Nice" they are!  I was very happy that he was pleased. He tells m... 11/08/2010

Christmas Wish Program from Nature's Way Health Food Store, Mountain Home, Arkansas. Shown in the photo are Jack and Ruth Ann Clayton presenting a check and Cash to Cathy Neider the Volunteer Coordinator of the Baxter Bulletin's Christmas Wish Program and Janelle House the Managing Editor of The Baxter Bulletin here in Mountain Home.                                   The Clayton's offered to match up to $5000 on any contributions brought in to their Nature's Way Health Food Store, located on the Square downtown.  The donations were tallied and Jack and Ruth Ann turned over $9216.40 for the Christmas Wish Program.   Jack and Ruth Ann are active throughout the community and stated "We are very pleased with the turnout in the Twin Lakes community, because so many people came in to be invol... 11/04/2010

The Frosty Festival, The Shopping Event of the Season at Mountain Home, Arkansas!  The Frosty Festival is put on by The Junior Auxiliary of Mountain Home.  This years' event will be the 8th annual.  All Proceeds to Benefit Local Children!   This Years' Frosty Festival will be held at The Baxter County Fairgrounds in Mountain Home Friday November 5th from 9:30 am to 7:00 pm and Saturday November 6th from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm There will be Over 50 Merchants!  Take this opportunity to shop for seasonal stuff...Lots of Great Christmas ideas...Even photos with Santa! 11/04/2010

Where to Retire...Mountain Home, Arkansas!  I get calls from all over the country from people that are just discovering Mountain home, Arkansas.  For years, Mountain Home was listed in Where to Retire magazine as a great place to retire and live.  I have not seen this years version yet. Outdoor Life Magazine listed Mountain Home, Arkansas as a great place to live for Outdoors people.  Last year, Field and Stream magazine did the same thing. The word is getting out.  I read in a blog this morning "Prime Time for Fort Smith Real Estate" a members only blog by Ellie Glidewell that Kiplingers Slide Show listed Fort Smith recently as #1 among 10 U.S. Cities With The Lowest Cost of Living.  The average home price of $223,885, While here in Mountain Home...decidedly NOT a city but rather a gre... 11/03/2010

Mountain Home Marching Band Exhibition Show Tonight! At Mountain Home High School Stadium.  The Junior High Marching Band will start the show and parents, family and fans will have the opportunity to let the musicians know how they are appreciated! The Award winning Mountain Home High School Marching band will perform it's award winning show for Parents , family and fans to enjoy.  The Band will be led onto the field by the Award winning Drum Majors.   There is no admission charged for this extravaganza, and the public is invited! Mountain Home High School is Regionally recognized for it's excellence.   The Junior High Band is directed by Mr. Bill Maxwell, and the High School Band is directed by Mr. Tom Chentnik. Go Bomber Band!  11/02/2010

On My Honor I Will Do My Best To Do My Duty To God And My Country starts the Scout Oath.  I had the Honor and Privilege yesterday of participating in Quinn Hill's Eagle Scout Court of Honor!                            Quinn and his brother Grant (also an Eagle Scout) grew up with, and are good friends of my sons Chris and Bobby (Also Eagle scouts).  As a long time Scout Leader it is with great joy and pride that I help announce to the community that Quinn had accomplished his goals and recognize him with the celebration that took place yesterday. I won't bore you with a page of statistics, but I do recognize that the latest numbers from the Boy Scouts of America in 2009 show that only 5% of scouts attain the highest rank in scouting...Eagle Scout. Congratulations Quinn! The Scouting pro... 11/01/2010

Indian Creek Open House Saturday 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at 1408 Cresswell.  Indian Creek is a premier subdivision in Mountain Home, Arkansas.  The Price is a very reasonable $159,900  This 3 Bedroom, 2 bath ranch is on almost 3/4 of an acre with all city services! New flooring throughout, New Vinyl Windows, New Vinyl Siding, Fresh Paint.    This home has been extensively renovated!  New Prefinished Hardwood in the Great Room.  A Brand New Kitchen with wonderful Island Bar! Come by and say hello.  This House may be Your next Home! 10/29/2010

A Free Flu Shot Clinic was held today in Mountain Home by The Baxter County Health Dept. at The Baxter County Fairgrounds exhibition building.                                                                    The County had folks directing traffic at the fairgrounds which made it much easier to get parked and headed in to get the free flu shots.  The coordinators were standing by with the proper documentation and form for the people to fill out.  I was then directed to a table to make sure that I filled the form out correctly and then into the very capable hands of the nurses waiting to "give the shots".   I was in the door and out to the parking lot in less than 10 minutes!  Fantastic!  A great job by the Baxter County Health Department and the Baxter County Sheriff's office! 10/27/2010

We are enjoying A Fall to Remember here in the beautiful Mountain Home, Arkansas area!  I will leave the reasons for the annual flaming fall revue to the experts.  I have come to really look forward to the beautiful colors the Lord has blessed us with! I took this photo last week from a homesite that I just listed.  We can have a huge variation in colors here depending on which side of the lake or river you may be on...rainfall, heat, etc...  I don't worry about it...I just try to get out and enjoy it!  I hope you get out and have A Fall to Remember! 10/27/2010

MDA Lockup is today!  I am actually excited about helping The Muscular Dystrophy Association today!  I got the phone call a couple weeks ago....One of my Co-Agents hear at Century 21 LeMac Realty had been tapped to be locked up.  He gave them my cell phone number....Yeah, call me a sucker....I said yes and I have been trying to raise money to make my bail. I have written checks to bail out friends in the past, but I am looking forward to the whole process today.   Help the kids by making a donation if you care too.  Better  yet.... Get involved in your community.  If not this cause, find one dear to your heart. I have made my living from Real Estate here in the Mountain Home area for 25 years.  I try to make sure that I can give back. 10/06/2010

Special Olympics fishing day was held Saturday 9/25/2010.  We try to have a special day for the athletes every year here in the Mountain Home area.  We were able to go back to Our favorite place for this  year!  We took the athletes down to The White River to fish for trout. We had approximately 22 volunteers to help with registration, fishing, baiting, and yes even cleaning the fish!  First Security Bank was kind enough to donate medals and ribbons for each athlete to commemorate the event.  The grill was fired up and all were treated to hot dogs and hamburgers!   There were awards for the first fish, the largest fish, smallest fish, the most fish, and maybe even the cutest fish!  The North Central Board of Realtors would like to thank the Arkansas Game and Fish dept for stocking the C... 09/28/2010

Investment in this communities future is a positive thing for sure!  The Mountain Home area is fortunate to have a brand new Library!   The Donald W. Reynolds foundation graciously donated the money to build this state of the art facility that will benefit the Mountain Home Arkansas area for generations to come.   My wife and i walked through the facility last night and I was amazed at the way everything is there.  There are meeting rooms for the community to use, classroom space, study rooms, computer access, magazines of course, and many many treasures that will be unlocking imaginations for years to come.  The lower level is accessed by a wide stairwell as well as an elevator!  The lower level is for children or youth.   The upper level has wide walk ways, quiet areas to reflect and ... 09/24/2010

September Potluck here at Century 21 LeMac Realty in Mountain Home!  The timing on this post is critical as I do not want to post too soon and risk the good stuff being squirreled away be interlopers....and I don't want to to wait too long and miss out on getting to the "good stuff". I am a firm believer in...Life is Short...Eat dessert first!   We try to have a Potluck here at the office for agents and spouses 4 or 5 times a year.  The food is always fantastic!  What talented folks we have that share their culinary skills with us!  Trust me, the photos do not do this feast justice! I have fed more than one potential client from our feast and they seem to know how to find us again when we let them know it is happening! We enjoy the fellowship of coming together for a pleasant meal of gr... 09/21/2010

Friday Nite Lites...Not football this time, but We could have taken in the Mountain Home Bombers football game.  We chose the Baxter County Fair Friday evening.  The weather was perfect.  A bit warm with the promise of cooling as the sun set.    The young people were milling about totally excited about the midway...they were jostling for positions to get their tickets for the rides that just had to be ridden. We wandered through the exhibition buildings checking out the prize winning produce, chickens, rabbits, pigeons and even turkeys.... The commercial exhibits are always fun as well.  I have lived here in Mountain Homefor over 40 years so it is hard to not run into an acquaintance or really good friend.  I Love Small town America! 09/19/2010

It's Fair Time Again!  Here in Baxter Countywe take the county fair serious!  You will find everything from baby kissing politicians to Prize Bulls....hmmmmm Maybe they are not all that far apart after all. The county fair kicks off again with the annual Fair Parade tonite at 5:00 pm through downtown Mountain Home! There are always great exhibits from the best in canned beans to the fanciest fowl.  The Livestock judging is always a big favorite! The Cummins Prison Band starts the live entertainment on the Outdoor stage for the public benefit.  Join Me down at the fairgrounds Friday evening and we will catch up!  That is half the fun of a county fair.  Seeing the neighbors that we don't always get to see on a daily basis.     09/15/2010

Dry Run Creek Fishing Accessis a public access just below the Norfork Dam just south of Mountain Home, Arkansas.  The Dry Run CreekAccess was recently upgraded with extensive walkways and ramps for handicap access and drainage control.  The creek is the outflow from the Norfork Fish Hatchery.                 The really neat thing about this place is that the Huge Brown trout and Rainbow Trout that were hatched/ raised at the hatchery tend to run up this creek...The access is for kids....and handicapped folks.  Barbless hooks, artificial bait only...no worms.  Most of the anglers will be flyfishing...Absolutely facinating to watch young people discover the art of fly fishing! 09/08/2010

I recently closed the sale of a home on the banks of The White River.  After doing the final walk through the morning of the closing, I stopped on the bridge and snapped this shot of the view of this White River Beauty. The name is "The White River"  The river is part of a chain of rivers, dams and tail-waters.  This photo was taken from the highway bridge (highway 341) at roughly 8:30 am.  The reason for the fog on the water is that the river is released through the electric generators at Bull Shoals dam and the temperature is roughly 50 degrees.....yes...chilly, Perfect for Rainbow Trout!  Located just south of Mountain Home, Arkansas. Visit this beautiful part of the Ozark Hill Country and experience this White River Beauty for yourself! 09/07/2010

A break in the weather has finally come to the Mountain Home area!  Here in North Central Arkansas in the Ozark Hills we are used to hot weather in August.  We are also used to it being dry this time of the year.  We had a little cold front pass through the area this afternoon. When I left the office at 4:00 pm to deliver some earnest money it was roughly 87 f.  I just came in from being out on my deck grilling brats and it is a heavenly 78 f.  Wow, this is priceless here in August.  What a refreshing break.  They are actually talking about low 60's possibly high 50's here in the morning. This is a very welcome relief for those that work outside for a living.  Everything is Air Conditioned here in this part of the country, but not everyone gets to enjoy that.  The construction workers w... 08/25/2010