Stories from Wednesday, September 6, 2006

The clock turned back 40 years as members of the 1965 and 1966 Rector Blackcats basketball teams gathered for a reunion at the new Rector gym and elementary library. Legendary Rector coach Jess Bucy met with former players Bob McKeel, Allan Pruett, Alan Williams, John Mack, Garvin Gatewood, Rick Gatewood, Tom Pruett, Ted Glaub, Sam Cossey, Billy Cossey, O'Dell Rogers and Dr. Ronnie Hardin...

The Junior Cougars helped make history last Thursday night in Valley View, as the young squad took part in the first Blazer football game. However, it was a far more memorable night for the home team, as Valley View picked up the 22-0 victory. The Junior Blazers scored on their opening drive, as they marched 40 yards for the score. Quarterback Taylor Lindley snuck through the final four yards on a keeper up the gut. After a successful conversion, Rector fell behind 8-0...

It was a hard night on the gridiron for the Cougars in Corning last Friday, as the team was handled 48-7 by the hosting Bobcats in their season opener. The larger school had the advantage across the board, as the combination of size, speed and sheer numbers was too much for the boys from Rector to overcome...

Leveeda Whitehorn, 83, of Hot Springs, formerly of Rector, died Saturday, Aug. 19, 2006, in Hot Springs. The daughter of the late Cynthia Nettles and Charlie Williams, she was born Aug. 18, 1923, in Clay County and was married Jan. 12, 1945, to Raymond Whitehorn, who preceded her in death March 1, 1995...

Jerry Carl Huffstutler, 64, of Paragould, formerly of Rector, died Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2006, at NEA Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born June 20, 1942, in Rector to the late Carl and Vinnie Hopper Huffstutler, he was a security guard and a member of Apostolic Pentecost Church in Manila...

LaVonda Benson, family and consumer science teacher at Rector High School, was among 50 Arkansas teachers attending "Take Charge of Your Finances," a family economics and finance training session Aug. 2--4 in Conway. The training was conducted by the University of Arizona Family Economics & Financial Education project...

Early estimates of gross revenues for Rector's 2006 Labor Day Picnic are $66,646.47. Officials noted that amount includes only monies taken in Monday at the picnic grounds and does not include early t-shirt sales, pageant fees and more. Firm totals should be available for next week's edition, which will feature a full story about the 2006 picnic...

The Rector Labor Day Picnic always has been an important venue for political candidates focusing on the general election about two months away -- and Monday's big event was no exception. Candidates were an integral part of the big parade which started at 9 and they kicked off the proceedings at Memorial Park about an hour and a half later...

Rector Sportswear, which has manufactured quality clothing in Rector for 41 years, will close its doors permanently in November, according to an announcement last week by the Hartmax (HMX) Company, which has owned and operated the facility since 1967...

The Junior Mohawks football team hosted the Junior Bobcats of Walnut Ridge on Thursday, Aug. 31, for the team's season-opener at Parker Field. The Junior Mohawks were defeated by the Junior Bobcats by a final score of 12-0. "Our inexperience showed tonight, but we will be better," coach Michael Harrell said. "We never give up."...

The PHS Senior Mohawks' football team began their 2006 season on a high note Friday night at Parker Field, soundly defeating the Portageville Bulldogs, 35-7. The first quarter began with the Bulldogs in charge of the game. With 7:40 on the clock of the first quarter, the Bulldogs entered the end zone for the first score of the night. The extra point attempt by the Bulldogs was good, leaving the score 7-0...

Alberta Mann Gartman, 88, died Friday, Aug. 25, 2006, at Pioneer Community Hospital in Adberdeen, Miss. She was born Dec. 22, 1917, to Albert Pillow and Agnes Daniels Pillow in Clay County. She had lived in Abderdeen since 1956, where she worked as a store clerk for McDuffie Drug Store. She was a member of the Aberdeen First Baptist Church...

Harold D. Clayton, 71, of Oscoda, Mich., formerly of Pontiac, Mich., died Friday, Aug. 11, 2006. He was born Feb. 12, 1935, in Tokio, Ark. Clayton moved to Pontiac in 1957 and began a career that spanned 30 years with General Motors at the Truck and Bus plant. He served with the United States Army from 1958-1960 and later married Marie A. Brimhall on July 10, 1970, in Indiana. They moved to Oscoda in 1995, where he enjoyed hunting and fishing...

Bobby G. Webb Sr., 69, of Piggott died Aug. 31, 2006, at his home. He was born Sept. 21, 1936, in Corning and was the son of the late John Henry and Lola Gunnels Webb. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandson, Charles Travis Hosea, and a great-grandson, Austin Tyler Higdon...

Murphy Health and Rehabilitation is home to a newly crowned beauty. Merlie Mosley recently won the National Healthcare Association District 4 beauty pageant in Jonesboro. There, she competed against represenatatives from other healthcare facilities...

Piggott will join cities across the nation in hosting "America Supports You Freedom Walk" on Monday, Sept. 11, to mark the fifth anniversary of theattacks against the United States. The Piggott event will convene at the elementary school gymnasium at 6:30 p.m. ...

Anticipation is on the rise as construction is currently underway on the Piggott School District's newest addition. The new building, which will contain a gymnasium, cafeteria and three classrooms, has been under construction since May. The site is located on the closed portion of Court Street behind the high school...