Stories from Thursday, December 16, 2010

Mama loved Christmas. She could hardly wait until Christmas morning to open her gifts. Actually, she didn't always wait. I've known her to secretly open the end of a package, peek inside, then carefully retape the wrapping paper. She was always like that...

Bernie Leroy Whitaker, 94, of Rector died Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010, at the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. Mr. Whitaker was born in Rector on Aug. 4, 1916, to Norman and Calva Whitaker. He was a farmer and a World War II veteran and a member of the First United Methodist Church in Rector...

Teachers and personnel of the Rector School District will benefit from the recently approved federal jobs bill. In Monday night's regular meeting, the Rector School Board approved using a portion of money the school will receive -- essentially stimulus funds in the amount of $192.38 per student enrolled -- to provide bonuses for school employees. ...

Rector Elementary School gifted and talented students pulled out all the stops Saturday night for their annual Christmas Talent, Art and Project Show, demonstrating a degree of creativity, imagination and hard work uncommon among students so young and, at the same, time, raising money to help underprivileged Rector elementary students...

The magnificently beautiful voice of Gary Morris, often heard in many of the world's greatest concert halls, thrilled a large Rector audience Friday night. In grasping for ways to describe the depth of feeling Morris' songs inspire, one is again and again led back to a quote from the Dallas Morning News: "There are voices that transcend seasons and settings. They are the kind of voices that through sheer beauty and unbridled passion soar above others. Gary Morris has one of those voices."...

The Cougars were able to withstand a late surge by host Cross County Friday night in Cherry Valley, holding on for the 62-59 victory. Rector jumped out to a 20-11 first quarter advantage and led 32-23 at intermission. Cross County fought back to make it a 50-44 Cougar advantage going into the fourth. The hosts got as close as two points in the fourth, but Rector made three of four free throws down the stretch to preserve the win...

The Lady Cougars fell to host East Poinsett County in Lepanto Monday night, 64-56. Rector trailed, 14-13, after the first frame before the hosts built a double digit lead in the second, taking a 30-19 advantage into intermission. The Lady Cougars were behind, 44-39, through three quarters...

Faculty absences continue to be an area of concern for the Piggott School District. In a meeting Monday night, the Piggott School Board continued discussion regarding the amount the district is paying for the use of substitute teachers. Current reports indicate the school is spending an average of approximately $2,000 per month through their contract with SubTeach...

The Piggott Public Library has added a new piece of equipment in its efforts to offer visitors a better glimpse into the past. A new microfilm reader/printer was delivered to the library last week. The machine will allow visitors to view older documents -- such as historic censuses and old editions of the Piggott Times and Piggott Banner newspapers -- which the library has saved on microfilm...

Two house fires resulted in extensive damage to Piggott homes this week. Tragedy befell a Piggott family Sunday, as the holiday season was interrupted by a devastating fire. The Piggott Fire Department was called to 673 North Garfield at approximately 3:15 p.m. Sunday. According to fire chief Bradley Scheffler, the structure was fully involved when emergency crews arrived at the scene. The report was called in as a grease fire...

Barbara June Wheeler, 72, of Piggott passed away Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010, at the Piggott Community Hospital. She was born Nov. 21, 1938, in Piggott, and was the daughter of the late Herbert and Loreties Busby Lang. She was united in marriage to Marshall Wheeler on Jan. 23, 1959, and to this union two daughters were born...

Seventy-five year old Herbert Locke, Jr. of Corning died Monday, Dec. 6, 2010, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was born Aug. 5, 1935, in Knobel to the late Herbert Forehand and Emma Locke. He was married to Joyce Phillips on May 16, 1963, in Corning...

Felix P. Stahl, age 82, of O'Fallon, Ill., born Nov. 13, 1928 in Piggott, the oldest of seven children, passed away Friday evening, Dec. 10, 2010. Felix enlisted in the US military July 22, 1946 serving in the Army until 1949, then serving in the Air Force until Dec. ...

Mama loved Christmas. She could hardly wait until Christmas morning to open her gifts. Actually, she didn't always wait. I've known her to secretly open the end of a package, peek inside, then carefully retape the wrapping paper. She was always like that...

The Mohawks were in a hostile environment Monday night, facing default home team Gideon in the Reindeer Classic at Clarkton. Piggott struggled on the evening, falling to Gideon, 78-67. Gideon was able to spread the floor, shooting lights out from beyond the arc to connect on eight of 17 three-pointers...

The Lady Mohawks were downed in a pair of difficult matchups over the past week. Monday night, the girls fell to host Harrisburg, 65-42. Piggott struggled early, managing just seven points in the opeing frame, falling behind 15-7 to start things off in the game. Harrisburg took a commanding 36-13 lead at the half and was out in front, 26-27, going into the fourth quarter...