Stories from Thursday, August 27, 2009

It's catch 22 for consumers. Analysts say that consumer spending accounts for more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity. Consumers must begin to spend money for the economy to improve, they say. But consumers have become frugal, afraid to spend. Or else they just don't have it...

It has been written that "old men will dream dreams, while young men will see visions." So it is that this superannuated writer can go back with the alacrity of an afternoon nap to recall the events of a lifetime ago. The waning days of August are made for such a review...

We have watched more than our share of the "town meetings" regarding the ongoing health-care debate. While one can draw several conclusions from the give-and-take, a glaring contradiction has emerged in the position of the group which generally can be described as the moaners and hecklers...

Arkansas State University's 196-member marching band will be featured in the 2009 Labor Day parade in Rector. The large band's participation in the parade is sure to add a new and exciting dimension to an already-popular event which attracts thousands of spectators each year...

Several Clay County agricultural producers gathered Wednesday, Aug. 19, to take part in the annual field day held by the Clay County Cooperative Extension Service. The field day serves a vital purpose for Clay County agriculture, giving area growers a chance to see the results of different seed varieties grown on local soil. ...

Rector Public Schools educator Gail Burns is one of two inductees into the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) Hall of Fame for 2009. The induction ceremony will take place Saturday, Sept. 12, at the EdTA annual conference at the Anaheim (California) Marriott...

Anyone who has spent much time in Rector likely has seen Demetra Shultz at one time or another. The Rector native has long been a beloved, active part of the community. She has volunteered at numerous community functions and events, working alongside generations of Rector residents...