Stories from Wednesday, June 18, 2003

MARMADUKE -- After a nine-year hiatus Kevin Reddick, the assistant boys basketball coach at Marmaduke High School, is coaching the Paragould American Legion baseball team again. Reddick said, "I first coached here in 1992-94. I didn't know if I would coach here again but I am back now after a long rest."...

A special election will be held Tuesday, July 8, for Rector School District residents to decide a proposed millage increase to meet state educational standards. High school Rob Louder, who will officially become Rector superintendent July 1, said the election had originally been scheduled for late July but was changed since state law mandates it must be completed before the second Tuesday of the month...

The annual Marmaduke Independence Day Celebration will be held Friday, June 27, and Saturday, June 28, at Legion Park in Marmaduke. Gospel singer Squire Parsons will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, June 27. A fish fry will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday's activities begin with the parade at 9 a.m. Lawrence Hamilton will serve as this year's grand marshal...

Challenged by Helen Keller at their 1925 international convention to become "knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness," Lions Club members around the world took up the call and began to offer services for the blind. Lions now are recognized worldwide for their service to the blind and visually impaired. Today, in addition to their international SightFirst program, Lions extend their commitment to sight conservation through countless local efforts...

Rector School Board members enjoyed a delicious catfish dinner Monday, June 9. The dinner, catered by Parkside Restaurant, was held in honor of retiring superintendent Kelly Scobey's last school board meeting. All board members were present at the meeting and expressed their appreciation for the excellent job Scobey has done as superintendent...

Esther M. Letbetter, 79, of Marmaduke died Sunday, June 15, 2003, at Northeast Methodist Hospital in Live Oak, Texas. She was born March 12, 1924, in Clay County, the daughter of the late Nolan Oliver Clayton and Irene Dowdy Clayton. She was a homemaker and a member of Marmaduke First Baptist Church...

Norma E. Dollins, 87, of Paragould died Saturday, June 14, 2003, at Piggott Community Hospital. She was born March 3, 1916, in Hart, Ark. Mrs. Dollins was a co-owner of Dollins Furniture Store and Dollins Gifts for over 44 years. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and Mary Jenkins Circle at FUMC...

The sixth annual Dr. Pepper Bash that was held at Rector's Jeremy McDaniel Complex this past weekend was a rousing success. Susie McCarroll, one of the event's organizers, said, "I bet our concession stand served 400-500 different people this weekend. ...

One of the highest honors any high school senior athlete can achieve is being named to the state All-Star team and being invited to participate in the annual All-Star game. That accomplishment was recently achieved by PHS 2003 graduate Mandy Cale. Cale was the only athlete chosen from this area to be named to the state all-star volleyball team...

Being the strongest athlete on a football team can certainly be a major factor for one who wants to provide a leadership role to his teammates. Being talented on the field, knowing how to use that strength and being well-liked by teammates are even more important factors. Those are the qualities of Piggott senior Lee Whittley...

Mary Louise Glasgow, 72, of Memphis died June 17, 2003, at her home. She was a retired registered nurse from Memphis Mental Health Hospital. Ms. Glasgow was of the presbyterian faith. She is survived by two daughters, Phyllis Glasgow of Memphis and Linda Gumm of Memphis; two sons, Mitch Glasgow of Maryville, Tn., and Frank Glasgow of Mt. View, Ark.; one brother, Leonard Lindsey of Heber Springs, Ark.; and six grandchildren...

The annual Piggott Fourth of July Parade will be held at 9 a.m. Friday, July 4. The theme will be "America the Beautiful." This year's grand marshal will be State Sen. Tim Wooldridge. The parade will line up at the First Baptist Church on West Main and will travel along Main Street to the elementary school. The color guard, bands, antique cars and political speakers will turn into the picnic grounds...

CORNING -- Providing better quality health care and caring for the elderly was discussed by a panel of health care, legislative and financial officials assembled Friday afternoon during the East Arkansas Area Agency on Aging's annual health fair. The discussion was moderated by Cathy Smith, administrator of the Randolph County Health Department...

The second annual Creative Writing Day Camp for high school students, held June 9-13, at the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center in Piggott, produced Tell-Tale Hearts, a collection of writings by the participants. Eleven talented writers pursued their individual interests in prose and poetry each day...

Roger D. Watson, 70, of North Little Rock, formerly of Piggott, died Thursday, May 29, 2003. He was born Sept. 19, 1932, in Piggott, the son of the late Russell Dale (R.D.) Watson and Lou Haywood Watson. He was united in marriage to Glenda Sue Blocker on Nov. 23, 1956. To this union two sons were born...

Norma E. Dollins, 87, of Paragould died Saturday, June 14, 2003, at Piggott Community Hospital. She was born March 3, 1916, in Hart, Ark. Mrs. Dollins was a co-owner of Dollins Furniture Store and Dollins Gifts for over 44 years. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and Mary Jenkins Circle at FUMC; a B.E.E.S. ...

Flossie Walker Parrott, 97, of Piggott died Saturday, June 14, 2003, in the Piggott Community Hospital. She was born November 30, 1905, the daughter of the late George Washington and Melissa Hardy Walker. She was united in marriage to Poolie Parrott in 1923, he preceded her in death in 1973...

Anna Greenway Bell, 87, of Kennett died June 14, 2003, at National Health Care in Kennett. She was born March 26, 1916, in Paragould to William and Renda Choate James. She worked as a beautician. She was preceded in death by her husband, Barney L. Greenway, Sr., on April 16, 1971; her parents, William and Renda James; one brother, William "Bill" James; and four sisters, Helen Glenn, Melissa Samples, Louise Provence and Mary Potter...

Carlene Scheffler, 67, of Festus, Mo., died Tuesday, June 17, 2003, at her residence. She was born July 18, 1935, at Greenway to Vernon D. and Nora Williams Featherston. She was united in marriage to Everett D. Scheffler. Mrs. Scheffler was a homemaker and a member of the Second Baptist Church in Festus...

Representatives of the Arkansas Department of Economic Development (ADED) and the Delta Center for Economic Development at Arkansas State University met with Piggott's economic committee last week to discuss how to form a plan for business and industrial development in the city...