Stories from Wednesday, July 15, 2009

It's official. The Rector High School Helping Hands Foundation's second annual benefit concert Aug. 4 is now a sellout. With more than 1,500 tickets sold and the concert date now just under three weeks away, both organizers and ticketholders are excited and looking forward to an unbelievable night of music at the new RHS gymnasium...

Popular country music entertainer Dolly Parton has signed several of her Cracker Barrel limited-edition pink rocking chairs, and Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, based in Lebanon, Tenn., has donated one to the Rector High School Helping Hands Foundation, to be given away at the Foundation's second benefit concert here Tuesday, Aug. ...

The Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center will celebrate its 10-year anniversary, July 1999 to July 2009, with a public reception from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Thursday, July 30, in the Hemingway Barn-Studio...

The Rector City Council heard a complaint Monday night from a local resident about the possible danger posed to young children at an active intersection in town. Robbie Edwards told the gathered council members and Mayor Ron Kemp that the intersection of First and Phillips, which is near Edwards' home, remains a dangerous area for the numerous small children who play in the area throughout the day and evening. ...

The Matilda and Karl Pfeiffer Museum at Piggott recently received, on permanent loan, specimens from NASA and outer space from the collection of Kenneth Renshaw, local astronomer and NASA Solar System Ambassador...

Rector mail carrier Jane Fennell will be honored Saturday, July 18, with a party in celebration of her birthday. All of Jane's many friends are invited to share in the joy of the occasion, set from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Rector Community Center...

Two wars, with casualty lists coming in every day from Afghanistan and Iraq. The solutions for these conflicts seem far off and a little too complex for the average Joe to understand, this writer included. More troops? A surge here and enduring diplomatic efforts over yonder? Sure...

I have a hot topic this week. It's all about hot dogs. After all, this is National Hot Dog Month in America. All over America people are eating hot dogs and having hot dog eating contests. I understand that Piggott had a hot dog eating contest over the Independence Day weekend...

Charles William Clatfelter, 83, of Marmaduke passed away July 11, 2009, at Evergreen Health Care in Rector. He was born April 11, 1926, in Marshall, Ill., to Paul and Nona Clatfleter. He served in the U.S. Air Force and was a World War II veteran...

Phillip Allan Gordon, 61, of Rector died Sunday, July 12, 2009, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was born April 29, 1948, to the late Allan and Ava (Cullen) Gordon. Survivors include his wife, Denise Gordon of the home; two step-daughters and sons-in-law, Krystal and Michael Polk of Jonesboro and Jodi and Shane Wood of Paragould, and five grandchildren, Lauren, Katy and Jackson Polk and Fisher and Ally Wood.. ...

To the Editor: I cannot find adequate words to express in my heart the appreciation and gratitude for all the people who have given their service, time, gifts and money for the displaced children in The Children's Shelter in Walnut Ridge...

To the Editor: We, here in America, have been blessed with another Fourth of July to celebrate and enjoy our freedom. This comes with a cost from so many of our soldiers and their families. Are we beginning to get a little slack in remembering?...

It goes without saying that the last several decades have been difficult for small towns in rural America. The agricultural revolution has led to bigger farms, bigger equipment and a significantly reduced need for farm labor...

Several of the newest members of the Crowley's Ridge College Pioneers baseball team took part in a workout held at the Paragould college this past Thursday. Rector signees Logan Buck and James Bradshaw joined the newest acquisition from Marmaduke, Jacob Mason, in a workout designed to not only test their abilities, but also that of some other potential teammates, as well...

The 77th annual Pollard picnic, to benefit the upkeep of the New Hope Cemetery and the Pollard Picnic grounds, was held Saturday, July 11, in that community. Despite the threat of showers, a good crowd was on hand for the event. ...

The annual St. Francis Picnic, which benefits the Hall and Gravel Hill cemeteries, will be held Saturday, July 18, in that community. Activities at the picnic grounds will get underway at 9:45 a.m. with the welcome address by Bro. Don Houston, pastor of the St. Francis Baptist Church...

The city of Piggott, and specifically the PHS class of 1979 reunion, hosted a special visitor over the holiday weekend. Ryan Arthun, a research assistant from the University of Montana, traveled to the city as part of an ongoing project titled "Return Migration to Geographically Disadvantaged Communities of the Rural United States."...

The city of Piggott, and specifically the PHS class of 1979 reunion, hosted a special visitor over the holiday weekend. Ryan Arthun, a research assistant from the University of Montana, traveled to the city as part of an ongoing project titled "Return Migration to Geographically Disadvantaged Communities of the Rural United States."...

The Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center will celebrate its 10-year anniversary, July 1999 to July 2009, with a public reception from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Thursday, July 30, in the Hemingway Barn-Studio...

The Matilda and Karl Pfeiffer Museum at Piggott recently received, on permanent loan, specimens from NASA and outer space from the collection of Kenneth Renshaw, local astronomer and NASA Solar System Ambassador...

Ralph Fredrick Waller, son of the late Joseph Andrew Waller and Clara (Rothley) Waller, was born June 5, 1921, in Holcomb, Mo., and departed this life July 11, 2009, at the age of 88 years, one month and six days at Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center in Kennett...

Nolan Braden, 88, of Pollard, died Saturday, July 11, 2009, at the V.A. Hospital in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He was born March 1, 1921, in Senath, and was the son of the late James Oscar and Jennie (Nuckolls) Braden...

Marian Sue Tate, 59, died July 9, 2009, at the General Baptist Nursing Home at Campbell, Mo. Formerly of Piggott, she was born in Detroit, Mich., October 11, 1949, to the late Julos and Flora (Reagan) Owen. She was of the Baptist faith and worked for the Area Agency on Aging...

Ila Marie Crow, 91, died July 8, 2009, at her home in Sterling Heights, Mich. She lived in Sterling Heights for 21 years and in Warren for 30 years. She was born in Piggott on August 16, 1917, to the late Harvey Gower and Grace Truman (Warren) Gower. She was a member of Parkview Church of Christ and retired from Martain Place Hospital in Madison Heights as a Housekeeping Executive...

I have a hot topic this week. It's all about hot dogs. After all, this is National Hot Dog Month in America. All over America people are eating hot dogs and having hot dog eating contests. I understand that Piggott had a hot dog eating contest over the Independence Day weekend...

1969 A total of 49 campers attended MOARK Youth Camp near St. Francis recently; camp director was Rev. Otto Freeman. Also in the news, Gerald Vaughn, Thelbert Holifield and Darrell Binkley attended the state FFA leadership conference from the Piggott chapter. ...

The Piggott seven and eight year old All-Stars took first place in the state tournament at Mt. View over the weekend, after taking second in the district at Piggott.

The local girls fastpitch 10 and under All-Star softball team traveled to Pine Bluff this past weekend to take part in the state tournament, and brought home the state title. Despite playing in temperatures of 105 degrees, the young team proved they were hotter than the weather as they went undefeated and advanced to the championship game in the winner's bracket...