Stories from Wednesday, May 14, 2008

(Editor's note: This message to graduates was written 10 years ago by David Cox, who at that time served as publisher of the Cherokee Villager newspaper. His words apply as appropriately to the Class of 2008 as they did to the Class of 1998)...

"Do I have enough flex points for a Snickers bar?" I teased a friend. She laughed. I was referring to her new weight-loss plan. Seems like everywhere you turn, there's a plan or advice on how to lose weight...

The quote attributed to the great New York Yankee catcher Yogi Berra may have had its origin in a question directed to him with a tie score in late innings: "when will it be over, Yogi?" A similar situation is taking place today and on until the presidential primary season is finally and mathematically finished. ...

For the 10th year in a row, the Piggott area will come to life this weekend with the sights and sounds of the annual Rod Run and SuperCruise at Heritage Park. The event has already attracted a record number of advanced entries and organizers are expecting hundreds of cars and trucks. Over the course of the event's decade run, it has slowly grown into the largest car show in the state of Arkansas...

Commencement exercises are scheduled for 7 p.m. this Friday, May 16 at PHS as the class of 2008 is set to graduate. School board president Shawn Parker is set to hand-out diplomas to 68 senior members of the class..and thousands of dollars in scholarship money will be awarded...

Early voting will continue through Monday, May 19, in Clay County for the May 20 Democratic and non-preferential judicial primaries. This spring brought with it several contested races in the county, while a number of others are facing no opposition...

"Do I have enough flex points for a Snickers bar?" I teased a friend. She laughed. I was referring to her new weight-loss plan. Seems like everywhere you turn, there's a plan or advice on how to lose weight...

1968 The school year was drawing to a close 40 years ago this week. Piggott High would hold their junior-senior banquet and prom May 17 and baccalaureate services May19 with graduation set for May22. This year's valedictorian at PHS is Robert Fry Jr. and salutatorian is Susan Throgmorton. Meanwhile Greenway High School will graduate 25 seniors May 17...

Carrie Shipley Bolton, 84, of Piggott, died Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Born April 7, 1924, in Greenway to the late Elvis and Elsie Loveless, she was a homemaker. She also was preceded in death by her first husband, Henry Shipley; one son, Paul Shipley; one daughter, Cathy Marie Trosper; three brothers, Obie, Estes and George Loveless, and one sister, Martha Harris...

Carl T. House, 71, of St. Francis died Wednesday, May 7, 2008, in the Piggott Community Hospital. He was born April 4, 1937, in Pollard, the son of the late Sidney and Mattie Shepard House. He was united in marriage to Mary Bennett on May 30, 1962, and the couple had two daughters...

The Piggott Junior boy's track team won their district tournament at Jonesboro High School last week, as they edged past Corning 178 to 168. Despite their lack of experience the outstanding athleticism of the Piggott participants propelled them to a number of wins...

The 2008 Piggott Mohawk football schedules have been released, and both will feature some new opponents and a much tougher line-up. The senior boys kick things off with their season opener on Friday, Sept. 5 as they host the Valley View Blazers, while the junior boys will open the following Thursday, Sept. 11 as they visit the Corning Bobcats in a non-conference game...

According to Pat Malone, R.N. and certified diabetes educator, the clinic will help those with diabetes self-manage their disease, help new patients learn more about the disease process, medications, complications and risk factors, as well as raise public awareness and educate the community about diabetes...

High school days will come to a close for the Marmaduke High School Class of 2008 when the district's commencement program is held at 7 p.m. Friday, May 16, at the school gymnasium. Valedictorian of the MHS Class of 2008 is Taylor Rhea Grayham. Salutatorian is Shawna Marie Spurling...

That is the motto of the Rector High School Class of 2008, which will share an emotional farewell to high school days in commencement exercises at 8 p.m. Friday, May 16, at the school gymnasium. Parents, grandparents, other relatives and friends will be present to witness the presentation of diplomas and to give the 43-member class a warm sendoff for the future...

Democrat News Staff Rector was buzzing with activity during the weekend, as some of the most talented players in the state came to town as part of the 2008 2A State Softball Tournament. The tournament games were treated to near-ideal weather, as warm days filled with sunshine provided great conditions for a day at the park. ...

The Marmaduke community was rocked Thursday, May 8, with the indictments of three former school employees. Former superintendent and community leader Jerry Don McIntosh, 62, Ray Mike Graham, 53, and James Mark Graham, 53, are facing charges stemming from alleged improprieties involved with fraudulent employment claims...

Democrat News Staff A new, faster way of contacting parents was approved by the Rector School Board at Monday night's meeting. The School Reach Program, which already is in use at some other area schools, provides a message service that school officials can use to contact hundreds of parents in minutes...

Four members of Rector's Arkansas Downtown Network board attended a two-day Main Street Arkansas Downtown Institute last week in Little Rock. They are, from left: community development director Cyndi Corkran, Clay County Democrat editor Nancy Kemp, city administrative assistant Betty Benson and city superintendent Todd Watson...

In the three games which Marmaduke played in the 3A State Tournament in Searcy, the Greyhounds showed three different styles of winning. Friday they had to come from behind in extra innings to win, 4-3, over Pea Ridge. Saturday, they had a hitting circus as they blasted Mayflower, 18-2...

Dierks struck for seven runs in the first two innings and went on to post a 13-3 five-inning victory over Rector in the first round of the 2A State Baseball Tournament Friday afternoon at Taylor Field in Pine Bluff...

Born April 7, 1924, in Greenway to the late Elvis and Elsie Loveless, she was a homemaker. She also was preceded in death by her first husband, Henry Shipley; one son, Paul Shipley; one daughter, Cathy Marie Trosper; three brothers, Obie, Estes and George Loveless, and one sister, Martha Harris...

Charles Donald Martin, 76, of Jonesboro, died Friday, May 9, 2008, at Paragould. He was born May 20, 1931, in Rector to the late Fred and Vera Martin. He was self-employed in the floor covering business with Larry Newman...

Born Nov. 28, 1926, in the Corning area to the late Benjamin and Edna (Galyean) Ward, he retired after farming in the Blue Cane community for many years. His passion in life was raising cotton and for many years owning and raising horses for family and friends to ride...

The Rector High School students celebrated Prom Friday evening May 9 with much fanfare. The theme for the event was 'Midnight in New York' and everyone was dressed for the occasion. Here, we've included a few photos for your enjoyment.