Stories from Wednesday, May 28, 2003

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Thomas Sneed of Piggott, a Vietnam veteran, was the honored military veteran at this year's Memorial Day service held Sunday afternoon at Piggott Cemetery. He and Dewey Holcomb, commander of American Legion Post 38, and Ed Thompson, commander of VFW Post 4517 placed the wreath at the cemetery's memorial...

The first annual Golfers for God Three-Man Tournament has been scheduled for Saturday, June 14 at Sugar Club Country Club in Piggott. Tee-off time is slated for 8 a.m. for a total of 30 teams. According to a spokeman for the event, there are currently 14 teams signed up to particiapte. Currently there are 16 spots that remain open...

Last Tuesday evening the Rector High School faculty beat the Piggott High School faculty 97-87 in a benefit basketball game at the Rector High School gymnasium. The proceeds from the game were split between the two schools to benefit each school's athletic department...

Every Memorial Day weekend for the last 12 years area anglers flock to Heritage Park to participate in the annual Fishing Rodeo and every year the event has continued to grow this year was no exception. In absolutely perfect mid-70's weather and a clear blue sky above, over 230 participants both young and old, baited their hooks and cast their lines hoping to reel in the big fish of the day or a least a string of good eating to take home...

Venus Christine Sherman, 48, of Delta, Ohio, died Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Highland Park, Mich., on Aug. 5, 1955, to Howard and Betty (nee Parker) Cain. She worked for Swanton Health Care and Retirement Center for the past 15 years as a rehabilitation aide...

Mattie Lee Thrasher, 89, of Rector died Thursday, May 22, 2003, in the Franklin Health Care in Rocky Mount, Va. She was born April 3, 1914, in Van Buren County, Ark., the daughter of the late Joe and Rosa Cates Dillard. She was united in marriage to Thomas Thrasher on Feb. 5, 1932, to this union four sons were born...

Robert W. Parker, 75, of Piggott died Friday, May 23, 2003, in the St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was born Oct. 11, 1927, in Piggott, the son of the late Henry Clay and Ethel Ward Parker. He was united in marriage to Erma Nell Byrd on Oct. 8, 1949. To this union one daughter was born...

LITTLE ROCK The crowd of thousands cheered as the final structural beam was put into place at Clinton Presidential Library Friday afternoon on the river front. Former President Bill Clinton was on hand to add is signature to the hundreds of names of Clinton Foundation members, who have contributed to the contruction of the William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park...

Piggott is working to lower its ISO rating, which will result in a savings on property insurance premiums. ISO ratings assessment personnel were in Piggott last Wednesday to evaluate the city's fire fighting and water supply capabilities. Chief John Harlan of the Piggott Fire Department said Piggott is currently at 6, a rating it has held since 1994 when the last assessment was completed...

"Thunder on the Byways" kicks off in Piggott with a cook-out on Friday, May 30, at the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center in Piggott. Motorcyclists from throughout the state will be participating in the ride, which begins in Piggott and ends at Lakeport in southern Arkansas. The event is certified by the American Motorcycle Association...

As the Rector Cougar football team was in pads last week for their spring football practice, it was an opportune time for the Clay County Democrat to find out how the team is faring now and a chance to obtain a brief summation of what to expect next season...

Mattie Lee Thrasher, 89, of Rector died Thursday, May 22, 2003, at Franklin Health Care in Rocky Mount, Va. She was born April 3, 1914, in Van Buren County, Ark., the daughter of the late Joe and Rosa Cates Dillard. She was united in marriage to Thomas Thrasher on Feb. 5, 1932. To this union four sons were born...

Robert "Bob" Ingram, 70, of Rector died May 21, 2003, at his home. He was born Nov. 28, 1932, in Patterson (Clay County), the son of James K. Ingram and Cleo Mae Ingram. He was a retired funeral director and manager of Mitchell Funeral Home of Rector for 28 years. He was also a farmer and was of the Baptist faith...

"Thunder on the Byways" kicks off in Piggott with a cook-out on Friday, May 30, at the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center in Piggott. Motorcyclists from throughout the state will be participating in the ride, which begins in Piggott and ends at Lakeport in southern Arkansas. The event is certified by the American Motorcycle Association...

Rector VFW Post 10480 and its auxiliary placed flags on veterans graves last week at Woodland Heights Cemetery for Memorial Day weekend. They were joined by local volunteers and Rector High School students, including members of Linda Waldron's G/T class...

Tickets are still available for the annual Rector Area Chamber of Commerce banquet, which will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 29, at the Rector Community Center. Tickets are $12.50 each and are available from any of the chamber board members and officers or at the Clay County Democrat office...

A Rector woman was injured when her car was hit by a Union Pacific train last Wednesday at the East Fourth Street crossing in Rector. Cpl. Allen Earnhart of the Arkansas State Police said Leonore J. Staggs was westbound on East Fourth in a 1993 Chevrolet Lumina and was attempting to cross when she was hit by the southbound train around 9 a.m...

Although the skies were grey and a cool wind was blowing, the citizens of Rector did not allow the weather to keep them away from the Memorial Day Service at Woodland Heights Cemetery, which was held Sunday afternoon. Tommy Huggins, commander of the Rector VFW, welcomed all those in attendance to the service and presided over the program. Jessica Hill sang the National Anthem which was followed by Don Parmenter leading the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance...

This year's Rector Senior Babe Ruth baseball season starts its season Thursday at Paragould. Their Coach James Parrish said, "We will be playing in the Paragould league. There will be five Paragould teams in the league plus Corning and us." When asked about his team's prospects this season Coach Parrish replied, "If these kids play the kind of ball they are capable of playing, they should have a good chance to win the league championship. ...

Last Tuesday evening the Rector High School faculty beat the Piggott High School faculty 97-87 in a benefit basketball game at the Rector High School gymnasium. The proceeds from the game were split between the two schools to benefit each school's athletic department...