Stories from Thursday, December 2, 2010

Anticipation is building for the first annual Rector High School Sports Hall of Fame Basketball Classic set for this weekend at the Rector gym. Action will get underway Friday with the Peewee Lady Cougars starting things off at 4:30 p.m. The Peewee Cougars will also be in action, taking the court at 5:30 p.m. Friday. The opening night will conclude with the Senior Cougars squaring off against Valley View in the nightcap at 6:30 p.m. Friday...

The Lady Cougars were downed in a heartbreaker Monday in Rector, falling to the visiting Lady Rebels of Riverside, 51-47, in 2A-3 conference play. The Lady Cougars saw a three-point lead vanish late, as Riverside put together a 12-4 run over the final 3:31 of the contest. ...

Each year, the churches in Christendom have traditionally adopted to set aside a time for penitence before celebrating the Nativity of our Lord. With vestments of purple, the clergy in the "high" church all this period "Advent." I believe it marks our recognition that our Redeemer was sent by the Almighty to atone for the sins of humankind, and that the liturgy should reflect or penitence in terms of Christmas music in its role as healer...

Compassion is not weakness, and concern for the unfortunate is not socialism. --Hubert Horatio Humphrey We've heard a lot of references to "compassion" as a factor in the political and social process in our culture. Certainly, this is one word that will evoke varying responses depending upon one's political or moral compass...

Ms. Senior Arkansas Judy Hargrave of Rector will be Grand Marshal of Rector's 2010 Christmas parade, set to begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2. Hargrave, who has been the choir director at Rector High School for the last 19 years, wowed the judges in an early June contest with not only the required style and grace, but also her performance of a classical rendition of "Jesus Loves Me" on piano. ...

The arrival of one little dog has made a difference in the lives of Danny and Gail Ford and the entire staff of Glen Sain Motors at Rector. Cady -- short for Acadia, the General Motors Acadia sport-utility vehicle for which she was named by the Fords' granddaughters -- is a tiny bundle of love who has found a home at the family-owned and operated dealership. Customers and employees alike are friends to the young Shih Tzu, whom many feel has "never met a stranger."...

When people grow old, they begin to view things in a different way. Though the appearance changes outwardly, often the older person feels young inside. Jokes and bumper stickers speak for the elderly sometimes. A recent bumper sticker read, "I'm retired. I was tired yesterday. I'm tired again today."...

Rector will kick off the Christmas season with its annual parade, set to begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2. Christmas lights are sparkling all over town, and local merchants have decorated their windows to celebrate the holidays. Leading the parade will be Grand Marshal Judy Hargrave of Rector, Ms. ...

The Lady Mohawks picked up their first win of the basketball season Monday night at home, topping Weiner, 59-48, in the first round of the Pre-Holiday Tournament. "That was huge for us," head coach Alan Rabjohn said. "We got our first win and got that big monkey off our back. Hopefully, we can build some momentum from there heading into the rest of the year."...

Alan Morris is happy to be back in Piggott. The Piggott native was back in his home safe and sound Tuesday, Nov. 23, much to the relief of family, friends and himself. A mission trip to Haiti with 10 other members of the Christian Motorcycle Association (CMA) was supposed to feature fellowship with Christian pastors in Haiti and work on constructing a shelter for widows, but the trip turned into something with much more sinister undertones. ...

A special kickoff party will be held for the Clay County Relay for Life from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 6 at the Piggott Community Center. The event is open to returning teams who are raising money for cancer research and awareness, as well as anyone who would like to show their support for this great cause...

The Traditional Women of Piggott are hosting the annual Christmas Open House from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5. This year's featured homes are the residences of Don and Marlene Parton at 4001 County Road 450 and the Delane and Tobey Burns home at 1680 Clay Street in Piggott...

When people grow old, they begin to view things in a different way. Though the appearance changes outwardly, often the older person feels young inside. Jokes and bumper stickers speak for the elderly sometimes. A recent bumper sticker read, "I'm retired. I was tired yesterday. I'm tired again today."...

Laurence William Sanders, 64, of McDougal, Ark., passed away Monday, Nov. 22, 2010, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was born Jan. 10, 1946, in Saginaw, Mich., and was the son of Raymond and Elise Summerfield Sanders. He was united in marriage to Ruby Shipman on Dec. 27, 1969...

Judy Knauts, 63, of Piggott, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was born Nov. 25, 1946, in McDougal, and was the daughter of Woodrow and Mamie Rigdon Adams. She was united in marriage to C.W. Knauts on May 10, 1990...

James R. McGhee, 82, of Palmetto Bay, Fla., passed away Nov. 23, 2010, in Florida. A graveside service will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, 2010, at New Hope Cemetery with Kevin Murray officiating. Hoggard & Sons Funeral Home of Piggott is in charge of arrangements. Visitation is from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home...

Wendell E. Hutchison, age 70, of rural Marion, Ill., passed away peacefully with his family by his side at 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26, 2010, at his home. Wendell was born Aug. 8, 1940, in Campbell, the son of Earcie Sherrill "E.S." and Elsie Ruth (Vaughn) Hutchison...

James Cleties Calhoun, 86, of Piggott, passed away Nov. 27, 2010, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was born June 23, 1924, to Olie and Gerthie Ann (Burns) Calhoun in McDougal. He was united in marriage to Bonnie Virginia Sprouse on Feb. 18, 1943...

Glenda Clark, 55, of Piggott, passed away Thursday, Nov. 25, 2010, at UAMS in Little Rock. She was born May 29, 1955, and was the daughter of Bill and Virginia Evelyn Fithian Kimbrel. She was preceded in death by her mother, Virginia Kimbrel; brother, Michael Kimbrel, and sister, Deborah Nelson...