Stories from Thursday, August 28, 2008

Looking at his early work, including a deer overlooking a vista, painted on the lid of a shoe box from Clyde Mack clothing store in Paragould, it is clear that Paul Wiley Frets possessed a real talent for art, even in his teens. Knowing his roots -- that he is a "Rector boy," part of a family for years anchored in this community -- that is exciting...

Flags and banners are going up all over town, weed eaters are buzzing and volunteers are hard at work making preparations for Rector's 68th annual Labor Day Picnic. Thousands will again gather for this unique homecoming which brings together classmates, friends and family members for great food, lots of fun and a full weekend of activities...

Glenn Leach was sworn in Tuesday morning by Mayor Ron Kemp as new Rector chief of police. Leach has served as interim police chief for the last month. Former police chief Tommy Baker announced his retirement last week...

Tina Russell is the new ninth and 10th grade resource teacher in the Rector School District. Russell is a 2005 graduate of Arkansas State University. Prior to joining the faculty at Rector, she worked with students with special needs at the Paragould Pediatric Day Clinic...

Local racing fans soon will have another unique event to enjoy. The Boydsville Lawnmower Racing Team will present "Backwoods Mowdown" beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, at the Boydsville Arena on Highway 90, 13 miles northwest of Rector...

Hazel Narine McLeskey, 64, of Lafe, died Friday, Aug. 22, 2008, at her home. She was born Aug. 7, 1944, in Clay County. She is survived by her husband, Douglas McLeskey; three sons, Steven Ray McLeskey and wife Paula of Lafe, Kenneth Dean McLeskey and wife Lesa of Paragould and Dale Allen McLeskey of Lafe; her mother, Eulale Cameron of Paragould; a sister, Jo Ann Hoots of Rector, and two grandchildren, Ashley and Kirtis McLeskey...

Vera Lois Thomas, 82, of Corning, died Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008, at the Arkansas Methodist Hospital in Paragould. She was born March 11, 1926, in Pollard, the daughter of the late Henry and Annie (Ozier) Dunlap...

Amande Stuetzer, 79, of NHC Healthcare in Kennett, Mo., formerly of Rector, died Saturday, Aug. 23, 2008, in Kennett. She was born Nov. 7, 1929, in Germany. She was a member of the Rector First United Methodist Church...

I think I'm in the maintenance stage of life. At least I'm taking enough maintenance drugs to qualify me for maintenance olympics. You know what I'm talking about. It's those prescription drugs we must take on a regular basis, such as high blood pressure medicines, diabetic pills, or high cholesterol doses. ...

We all realize that poll results ebb and flow and the only one that really matters doesn't come around until Nov. 4. But it is interesting to see how opinion changes out in America -- even when one is absolutely flabbergasted by the results...

This week, the Democratic convention erupts in Denver, and to round out a fortnight of fun and chicanery, the Republicans start theirs a week later in St. Paul. When these affairs bring to an end their remainder of the summer of politics, the real campaign for the presidency will shift into first gear. ...

I think I'm in the maintenance stage of life. At least I'm taking enough maintenance drugs to qualify me for maintenance olympics. You know what I'm talking about. It's those prescription drugs we must take on a regular basis, such as high blood pressure medicines, diabetic pills, or high cholesterol doses. ...

1968 The Piggott Chamber of Commerce heard from Steve Bell of Sikeston at their meeting 40 years ago last week, on the benefits of cable television. Bell is currently trying to work out a deal to acquire a cable franchise for the city of Piggott...

The deadline for candidates to file for the upcoming municipal elections in Arkansas was noon Tuesday, Aug. 26. In the city of Piggott alderman races all four of the seats are up for election and all four incumbents have filed their petitions seeking new terms. Of those four incumbents, two will face opposition in November...

For the last 13 years, Clay County farmers have been aware of the hard work and dedication of Clay County Extension agent Andy Vangilder. Following a recent ceremony, more people around the country have had the opportunity to learn about Vangilder and why he is such a valuable part of this region's crop production...

The sights and sounds of another era will once again visit the Matilda and Karl Pfeiffer Museum and Study Center in Piggott on Saturday, Sept. 13, as the museum hosts its fifth annual Native American Day...

Vera Lois Thomas, 82, of Corning, died Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008, at the Arkansas Methodist Hospital in Paragould. She was born March 11, 1926, in Pollard, the daughter of the late Henry and Annie (Ozier) Dunlap...

Robert F. Hall, 75, of Piggott, died Friday, Aug. 22, 2008, at the Piggott Community Hospital. He was born Oct. 17, 1932, in Boydsville, the son of the late Randall and Nova (Duckworth) Hall. He was united in marriage to Carolyn Davis on April 17, 1986...

Michelle Renee (Pogue) Whalls, 49, of Plano, Tex., formerly of Piggott, died Monday, August 25, 2008. She was born May 9, 1959 in Jonesboro to R.E. and Jacquelyn Pogue. She is survived by her husband, Mark; a step-son, Marc Whalls; her mother, Jacquelyn Pogue; sisters, Mary Lee Lytle and husband Joe of Little Rock and Melanie Pogue of Piggott; her mother and father-in-law, John and Donna Emmerton of Chicago; father-in-law Tom Whalls of Nebraska; brother-in-laws, Tommy Whalls and wife Jean of Chicago and Anthony Whalls of California; sister-in-law Cathy Scharesh and husband Greg of Daniel, Wyo.; nephews, Booker Mason Lytle and Nicholas Morgan; nieces, Grace Lytle, Jillian Whalls and Megan and Amanda Harrison; a granddaughter, Katriana Whalls and many other relatives and friends.. ...

Hazel Narine McLeskey, 64, of Lafe, died Friday, Aug. 22, 2008, at her home. She was born Aug. 7, 1944, in Clay County. She is survived by her husband, Douglas McLeskey; three sons, Steven Ray McLeskey and wife Paula of Lafe, Kenneth Dean McLeskey and wife Lesa of Paragould and Dale Allen McLeskey of Lafe; her mother, Eulale Cameron of Paragould; a sister, Jo Ann Hoots of Rector, and two grandchildren, Ashley and Kirtis McLeskey.. ...

Prior to Monday afternoon's season kick-off at PHS, Lady Mohawk head volleyball coach Melissa Williams was non-committal on how her young team might fare in the coming season. "Ask me tomorrow," was her only comment...

Coming off one of its most successful seasons, the Piggott High tennis team will be looking to re-load this year in an effort to remain one of the top 3A programs in the state. The boy's and girl's teams, under the direction of long-time coach Paul Seegraves, placed two players in the meet of champions last year as both junior Hillary French and senior Blake Burkman qualified. ...