Stories from Thursday, February 24, 2011

Recently-released U.S. Census Bureau data for Arkansas revealed what already was anticipated -- most communities in the delta region of the state experienced population decline in the past 10 years. As a whole, the state's population grew at approximately a nine percent rate. That trend was not reflected throughout most of Eastern Arkansas...

Growing up, we were repeatedly told and retold the fable first started by a Parson Weems. This man created the story about young George Washington, whose joy it was to receive the gift of a hatchet for his birthday from his doting father. The story goes on to relate how the youngster promptly used it to chop down one of his father's prize cherry trees. ...

When I was a child, I loved fairy tales. Some of my favorites were Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and The Three Little Pigs. Also Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and Cinderella, a folk tale. I also liked Little Black Sambo. They all had a story to tell of conflict and victory...

Lessie Geraldine Crockett, 79, of Rector passed away Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011, in the Walnut Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Home. She was born May 30, 1931, to the late Earl and Lettie (Maricle) Eaton in Rector. Preceding Geraldine in death were her parents; her husband, John L. Crockett; two brothers, Hollis and Cecil Eaton, and three sisters, Effie Lawrence, Alma Kennedy and Norene Barlow...

Florence Mae Bruff, 86, of Piggott, Ark., passed away Friday, Feb. 18, 2011, at the Piggott Community Hospital. She was born April 21, 1924, in Ullin, Ill., and was the daughter of the late Andrew and Bettie Mae Hinchcliff Osman. She was united in marriage to Pirl Bruff on May 30, 1940, and to this union four children were born...

Bonnie Lee Anderson, 87, of Paragould, died Monday, Feb. 21, 2011, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was born Nov. 5, 1923, in Cardwell, Mo., the daughter of the late William and Bertie Harrison Thorn. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Coy Andrew Anderson; daughter, Brenda Jolly; brothers, Cecil Thorn and Marvin Thorn, and...

Rual Bishop Coomer, 91, of Greenway, Ark., passed away Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011, at the Piggott Community Hospital in Piggott. He was born March 11, 1919, in Greenway, Ark., and was the son of the late Jesse James and Martha Alma Dycus Coomer. He was united in marriage to Maudie Mae Graddy on July 12, 1938, and to this union four children were born...

Ivan "Pop" Meade, 87, of Ash Flat, Ark., formerly of Piggott, Ark., passed away Monday, Feb. 21, 2011, at the White River Medical Center in Batesville, Ark. He was born on July 31, 1921, in Piggott, Ark., and was the son of the late Robert "Bob" and Anne May Lindley Meade...

Curtis James Blair, 86, of Piggott, passed away Friday, Feb. 18, 2011, at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He was born June 10, 1924, at Crockett, Ark., to the late Druey Allen and Effie (Scarbrough) Blair. He was united in marriage to Lila Ann Copeland on Aug. 4, 1951, and to this union three sons were born...

In the loud cramped space of a dim-lit downtown Jonesboro restaurant, it is a busy Friday night. In the corner is a small stage set-up for one person to fit on. The musician of choice for the nightly entertainment sits his tip bucket out and calmly tunes his guitar. He is conservatively dressed and has a look on his face as if he doesn't know there is a crowd; he is focused. Before he starts his set he takes a drink of water to clear his throat and looks up to scan the audience...

To some the Clay County Farmers Market has seemed like something of a myth. With some of the most fertile land in Arkansas, local growers should be able produce an abundance of vegetables and fruits, yet no one seems to know of set place to sell their goods. However, in Piggott there is a farmer's market; this will be its fourth year to be open, if they can get enough interested vendors to sell their produce...

Reach Out Christ's Kingdom (ROCK) Ministries soon will celebrate its first year. Services were held at the ROCK Ministries worship center, located at 371 N. Moore in Piggott, for the first time on March 13, 2010. With that first assembly, pastor Chris Shelton and the members of ROCK began an ongoing effort to introduce the messages of Christianity through outreach...

Fresh back from Hollywood, Piggott teen Sharmarie Burdin still can't believe she won a contest which took her to the Los Angeles to meet one of her favorite stars and take part in a video shoot. Burdin will appear on televisions across the country alongside teen sensation Selena Gomez in her latest music video "Who Says."...

The beginning of this week marks National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Week. This organization was founded in 1928 and brought together students, teachers and agribusiness to help support education in agriculture. Since 1928, the FFA has thrived and grown throughout the nation. It remains committed to students and provides a path to achieve leadership, personal growth and a career success...

As winter begins to fade and the promise of spring approaches, the Mohawk baseball team prepares for the start of the season. Hopes are high for the Piggott squad, who return all but one player from last year's state tournament-qualifying group. Still, the players and coaches know the world of high school baseball is tumultuous...

Piggott Little League Baseball and Softball organizers are currently holding sign-ups. Players ages four to 18 are encouraged to sign-up for their respective divisions from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24 and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26 at the Piggott Community Center. Persons seeking additional information may contact Toby McGuire at (870) 598-5206 and Forrest Taylor at (870) 324-1106...

Rector battled its way into the regional tournament for the second straight season with a hard fought 40-38 victory over a talented Cross County Thunderbird team Thursday night in the semifinals of the 2A-3 District Tournament at Caraway. Rector jumped to an 8-0 lead to start the game before Cross County fought back to pull within two with 2:51 left in the first quarter. ...

It stands to reason the further a team advances into the postseason, the more difficult the competition faced will be. By advancing to the quarterfinals of the 3A-3 District Tournament in Piggott Thursday night, the hosting Mohawks reached the regional tournament play-in game, with either Piggott or opponent Earle earning the right to advance to the next stage with a victory...

The Accomplishment -- Upsetting Marked Tree, 69-50, in the quarterfinals of the District 3-2A girls basketball tournament on Wednesday of last week at Caraway. The Result -- The Rector Lady Cougars qualified for the regional tournament this week at Marmaduke...

The Lady Cougars squared off against a solid Cotter Lady Warriors squad in the 2A North Regional Tournament at Marmaduke Wednesday. Rector, the 2A-3 fourth seed, fell to Cotter, the top team from the 2A-2 side of the bracket, 56-43. Rector trailed by double digits for much of the second half, but was able to close to within three points due to a surge at the start of the fourth quarter. Back-to-back three-pointers by the Lady Warriors midway through the frame halted the Rector rally...