Gravette Features

— Sally Sings With A Song In Her Heart

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” she said as she fingered the plastic case that contains a disc of her voice harmonizing inspirational gospel music.

Sally Shorter of Gravette recently realized her dream of recording her songs, a dream she felt led by God to follow.

Her gospel song CD, completed after a year and a half of work with backup and encouragement from many friends and family, especially her son Jeremy, is now getting air time on KURM and KVBA on Sunday mornings, she reports.

Sally’s “A Song In My Heart” album includes many of her original compositions as well as two by her sister, two well-known songs by other authors and one, particularly important to her, “Keep Me Close In Thy Heart”. That song her mother, Elsie Sharp, sang to Sally when she was a child.

The CD opens with Sally’s original interpretation of the simple word, “Allejuah”, which she calls her “shower song” and which she presents in her own compelling rendition.

Other original Sally songs include “I Belong To Him”, “Chosen One” and “This Chance to Sing”. Their words and those of others echo with deep sincerity and inspiration.

Most of the recordings were completed at Icthus Music Studio in Fayetteville and by her son Jeremy who lives in Phoenix, AZ, where he will soon graduate from Collins College with an Associate of Arts Degree in Film Production.

Jeremy, a 1994 graduate of Gravette High School, has authored several books and has released severalCDs of his own. “I especially thank him for believing in me,” said Sally, her eyes filled with love as she spoke.

Backup accompaniment for the 13 selections on the CD is provided by several local musicians: Kurt Maddox, Sharon Golaway, Bob Baker, Linda LaFevers, Matt Croxdale, Joe Hook, Teresa Flory and Sally’s son Jeremy. Backup vocalists include Tammy Huffman, Sharon Golaway, Jason Watson, Jessica Watson and Jeremy.

Sally has been singing since she was three years old and, she mentioned, “I won an amateur contest when I was 13.” Her early years were spent in California but her family moved to McDonald County, MO, in 1971, where she graduated from high school.

Coming from a singing family, Sally was part of “The Sharp Family Singers” group which performed throughout the area. Though the family’s name was Sharp, “We sang in D-flat,” she laughed.

Sally, who is a teller at the Bank of Gravett, admits she doesn’t read music. She just composes on tape which her accompanists utilize for the background melodies. “I have only one song with its notes actually put down on paper,” she said.

None of that affects her ability to harmonize, a talent that is one of the highlights in the album.

Persons may purchase Sally’s “A Song In My Heart” for $12 at the Jabez Health Food Store in Gravette or they can be ordered directly from Sally Shorter, Box 363, Gravette, for $14 which covers postage and handling.

Blood Drive Monday At Gravette Hospital

Community Blood Center of the Ozarks will conduct a blood drive Monday, October 19, at the Ozarks Community Hospital in Gravette. Hours will be from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

It takes about 275 donations per day tomeet the needs of the 36 hospitals that use CBCO products, the agency said. “Your donation is needed to help save lives,” a spokesperson said. Donors must weight at least 110 pounds, be in general good health and present a required ID.

Planning Commission Has Three Vacancies

The Gravette Planning Commission is seeking to fill three vacancies on the commission. One member may live outside the city limits but within the planning jurisdiction area and two must be from within the city limits.

The commission meetsonce a month. The meetings seldom last more than one hour and begin at 6 p.m.

If you are interested in having an active part in the future of our city contact commission chairman Mike von Ree at 787-7138.

Cowboy Church Announces Services In Gravette

Cowboy Church, located at 703 Main Street in Gravette, invites person to attend the 6 p.m. singing and worship service Saturday, October 17, at 6 p.m. The church is located at the home just west of the Gravette Post Office.

Pastor Cal said, “We are a nondenominational organization and would like for you to join us to hear God’s word.” Call him, 479-936-1469 for information.

Mackey-Davis

Wedding Plans Told

Pamela Kay Mackey of Siloam Springs and Matthew Rogers Davis of Decatur plan to marry at 2 o’clock in the afternoon October 17, at the Old Town Park in Gravette.

The bride-elect is the daughter of Roger and Kelley Mackey of Colcord, OK.

She is the granddaughter of Dee and Gary Daugherty of Westville, OK, and Henry Mackey of Siloam Springs, AR. She is employed at the Decatur General Store in Decatur.

The prospective bridegroom is the father of Colton Davis of Decatur andRobin Davis of Decatur. He is the son of Virginia Davis of Decatur and Debbie and the late Owen Davis of Hot Springs, AR. He is the grandson of the late Arlis and Betty Ammons of Prescott, AR, and the late Owen Davis, Sr. and Paul and Irene Cagle of Mt.

Ida, AR. He is employed at McKee Foods in Gentry.

Friends and family are invited to attend the ceremony and a reception to follow at the Decatur Community Room. In case of bad weather, the ceremony will also be held at the Decatur Community Room.

News, Pages 2 on 10/14/2009