Stories from Tuesday, August 24, 2010

The newspaper fraternity lost a talented and dynamic member last week with the tragic death of Wally Lage. And we personally lost a great friend. Lage was killed in a drowning accident off the coast of Maine while on an outing with several of his longtime friends in the industry...

Lucille McDaniel Walters Mills, 73, of Rector, died Tuesday, Aug. 17 at her residence. Mrs. Mills was born April 3, 1937, to Rufus Lee and Wilma A. McDaniel. She was a homemaker and a member of the White Oak General Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband, Alvin Leroy Mills of the home; two stepsons, Robert Mills of Kansas and Keith Mills of Texas; a stepdaughter, Teresa Mills of Texas; and three grandchildren, Courtni Mills of Texas, Brittni Mills and Mary Mills of Kansas. ...

The ship's announcement system carried this electrifying moment from Captain to crew "NOW HEAR THIS: NOW HEAR THIS: THE WAR IS OVER!" Two hundred twenty men created a pandemonium of shouting and whooping when he added, "We have received orders to get underway: Destination Tokyo Bay."...

Is this how it begins, mama? You lie curled in bed, just the top of your head showing from under the piles of blankets. Your hands, posed as in prayer, cup your face against the pillow. And, of course, there's the white crumpled handkerchief that is your security blanket...

Rector has garned much attention over the last three years. The word is out that this tiny community has hosted an amazing group of the nation's top gospel and bluegrass artists in expertly produced shows usually seen only in large cities. But it's not just the unbelievable artists, music, lights and sound that have people talking. ...

For the last 16 years, Ron Kemp has led the City of Rector as mayor. In the annual Labor Day festivities Monday, Sept. 6, Kemp will lead the parade as Grand Marshal. He was selected for the honor by the Woodland Heights Cemetery Commission. "I want to thank the cemetery commission for honoring me with this," Kemp said. "I think it's a really nice honor. I also appreciate them asking me to have my three granddaughters ride with me. They're very excited about being part of the parade."...

One little girl is sharing her love of films with the whole community through a very thoughtful donation. Six-year-old Elizabeth Long, like so many other children, has always had a fond place in her heart for the fun, colorful characters found in the world of cartoons and kid-friendly movies. Her adoration for these videos was such that her collection of VHS cassettes and DVDs grew to number well into the hundreds...