Clay County Times-Democrat: Stories from Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Torch Run for Special Olymipcs (05/27/09)
Members of local law enforcement agencies joined forces Wednesday, May 20 to sponsor a torch run to benefit Special Olympics. Special Olympians from Piggott Schools and local law enforcement representatives on hand for the occasion included, from left: Front--Addison Book, Steven Tate, Cody Whitten, Taylor McGuire, John Hedrick and Aaron Desherlia. ...

Operation Lifesaver visits Piggott (05/27/09)
A special Union Pacific passenger train is visiting Arkansas this week to promote highway-railroad crossing and pedestrian safety through the Operation Lifesaver program. The train made several stops in Piggott on Tuesday, giving local officials, the media and members of the public a chance to ride on the train and observe motorists at grade crossings...

RC Spring Fun-Fly set in Piggott (05/27/09)
The Piggott Radio Control Modelers will host the 14th annual Spring Fun-Fly and competition at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 7. The event will be held at Mayo Field, which is located three quarters of a mile east of the Piggott Swimming Pool...

Remembering those who served (05/27/09)
Those who have served their country in the armed forces were remembered during Memorial Day weekend, even though Rector's annual memorial service Sunday was canceled due to heavy rain. Small flags at Woodland Heights Cemetery mark the graves of hundreds of veterans, such as Les McKeel, who served as a Master Sergeant in the Army during World War II. ...

The Isaacs show passoin for helping others (05/27/09)
The Isaacs will be bringing their unique, popular musical style to Rector as part of the Aug. 4 Rector High School Helping Hands Foundation benefit concert at the RHS gymnasium. As a frequent part of the Gaither Homecoming series of concerts, the Isaacs are known for their blend of gospel, bluegrass and country music. ...

HIPPY play date held at library (05/27/09)
The Cat in the Hat recently made an appearance at the Rector Public Library for a HIPPY play date. The emphasis for the morning was "Reading Awareness and the Importance of Reading to Your Preschool Children."...

Cavaness retires after 25 years (05/27/09)
Kathy Cavaness has been a fixture at Rector Elementary School for 25 years. In her time as a teacher, Cavaness has worked hard to reach countless students in order to help them recognize the skills needed to succeed in adulthood. Now, after a quarter century as an educator, Cavaness is retiring...

Art show winners announced (05/27/09)
The Clay County Arts Council recently hosted its annual art show for area youth. Winners are: Division I (11th and 12th grade) -- senior Shelby Gossett of Piggott, first place, "Techno Flowers"; junior Harmony Cagle of Rector, second place, "Ghosts"; senior Kaitlin Morgan of Piggott, third place, "Blue Power"; senior Kayla Hampton of Rector, honorable mention, and junior Harmony Cagle of Rector, honorable mention, "The Living Tree."...

Local dealerships survive GM cuts (05/27/09)
The doors will remain open at the Glen Sain dealerships in Rector, Kennett and Paragould, and for most local folks, it's time for the celebrating to begin. Glen Sain owner Danny Ford said his local dealerships were not among the 1,000 to 1,200 that recently received notice from General Motors their contracts would not be renewed for 2010...

Bradshaw signs with Crowley's Ridge College (05/27/09)
James Bradshaw of Rector is taking his love of baseball to college with him, having signed with Crowley's Ridge College at the school's library in Paragould Tuesday. Bradshaw is coming off a 2009 Cougar baseball season wherein he hit for an impressive .405 average and was an All-Conference selection. ...

Taylor signs with Crowley's Ridge College (05/27/09)
Marmaduke's Ray Taylor will have the opportunity to further his education while playing the game he loves. The two-time all-conference selection signed with the Crowley's Ridge College Pioneers during a ceremony held at the college's library in Paragould last Wednesday...

Letters are welcome (05/27/09)
There is no question that the letters-to-the-editor section of the newspaper is one of the most widely-read each week. One of the most basic functions of a community newspaper is to provide a forum for its readers to express views on a wide range of topics -- both local and more far-reaching. ...

The mystery of love (05/27/09)
On Sunday morning while the morning dew was on the grass, I went out on my back patio to check on the birds. I've been watching a mother robin sitting on her nest. She built the nest on a rafter where her babies would be protected from rain and sun and predators. The metal roof over the nest offers protection from the elements...

It happened, years ago (05/27/09)
1969 Former Piggott Mayor John Wesley James died suddenly 40 years ago last week. James, a native of Ravenden Springs, was survived by wife Mary Francis, son Johnny Mack James and daughter Nancy Shanklin. In other news, three Piggott teachers will retire this year and take with them a wealth of experience. The include--Mr. H.O. Hawkins with 23 years, Mary Gambill with 39 years and Bertha Edwards with 46 years in the classroom...

Letters are welcome (05/27/09)
There is no question that the letters-to-the-editor section of the newspaper is one of the most widely-read each week. One of the most basic functions of a community newspaper is to provide a forum for its readers to express views on a wide range of topics -- both local and more far-reaching. ...

The mystery of love (05/27/09)
On Sunday morning while the morning dew was on the grass, I went out on my back patio to check on the birds. I've been watching a mother robin sitting on her nest. She built the nest on a rafter where her babies would be protected from rain and sun and predators. The metal roof over the nest offers protection from the elements...

Mary Francis Henson (05/27/09)
Mary Francis Henson, 66, of Plainview, Ark., formerly of Piggott, died Monday, May 18, 2009 at her home. She was born August 30, 1942 in Clay County to the late Frank Gower and Nola Elizabeth (Conley) Parker. She attended Jesus Name Pentecostal Church in Plainview, and for many years she and her husband operated Henson Bait and Tackle Shop on Nimrod Lake...

Denver Oxley (05/27/09)
George Denver Oxley, 91, of Piggott, passed away Saturday, May 23, 2009, at the Piggott Community Hospital in Piggott. He was born November 7, 1917, and was the son of the late N.D. and Ida Mae (Hall) Oxley...

Billy J. Vowell (05/27/09)
Billy J. Vowell, 88, of Southgate, Mich., died Tuesday, May 19, 2009, in Southgate. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor. Survivors include daughters, Debbie (Gary) Apkarian, Kim (Joe) Nucci, Linda (Dennis) Riley, Sandy (Perry) Harrrison; sons, Marty Vowell and David (Cathy) Vowell; brother, Ray; 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild...