Stories from Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Concert smashing success
More than 1,500 attend for benefit of Rector Helping Hands Foundation (08/12/09)
"Wow, what a show." "WOW, WHAT A SHOW! Everyone who attended the Rector High School Helping Hands Foundation's second annual benefit concert Tuesday night, Aug. 4, seemed to have the same reaction to a night of music by internationally-known artists Dailey & Vincent, The Isaacs and Guy Penrod...

Gatewood celebrates 20 years after life-threatening tumor (08/12/09)
For the last 20 years, Jeremy Gatewood has shown that no matter how difficult the challenge, a determined person can overcome nearly any obstacle. On Aug. 9, 1989, Jeremy noticed the symptoms of what turned out to be a large brain tumor. Only 15 at the time, the young man and his family endured two months of rigorous testing and treatment...

Morse has become more than just a fan (08/12/09)
Over the last 11 years, Dorothy Morse of West Branch, Mich., has become like family to former Gaither singer Guy Penrod and his family. A faithful Gaither fan, she has attended every Gaither concert in Michigan in the last 10 years and regularly travels to the Gaither Praise Gathering, held each year in Indianapolis, and Family Fest, held annually in Gatlinburg, Tenn.. ...

Declining enrollment major concern for Rector School District (08/12/09)
Declining numbers are a major concern for the Rector School District. In a School Board meeting Monday night, superintendent Rob Louder gave board members a form showing the district's total number of students over the last eight years...

Committee approves contract for development of veterans statue (08/12/09)
A contract for the development of the centerpiece bronze statue was approved Tuesday of last week by the Veterans Memorial Park Committee. The committee authorized chairman George Barker to enter into the contract with a Colorado sculptor to produce a statue of a World War II combat soldier for the park. ...

Organizational meeting held to discuss upcoming picnic (08/12/09)
The annual Labor Day Picnic is just around the corner and an organizational meeting was held Thursday at Rector City Hall to focus on details. The picnic is under the jurisdiction of the Woodland Heights Cemetery Commission and all members were present at the meeting -- Don Robinson, Teresa Roofe, Richard Simmons, Ethel Cox and Betty Essman. ...

Helping hands abound (08/12/09)
It's getting rough out there. This down economy is taking its toll on the common man. With factory shutdowns and layoffs, even here in Northeast Arkansas, times are hard. As country singer Steve Azar sings, "There's too much month at the end of the money."...

Here's an idea: look at the issues (08/12/09)
A key to the success of a democracy is educated and reasoned positions by the electorate on important issues. Judging by the reaction and, especially the tone, of recent "town hall meetings" on health care reform, one cannot be optimistic about the direction in which we are heading...

Diane Evelyn Francis (08/12/09)
Diane Evelyn Francis, age 55, of Marmaduke passed from this life on August 10, 2009, at the Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis. Diane was born September 24, 1953, at Artesia, California, and moved...

Dana Jeanne Busby (08/12/09)
Dana Jeanne Busby, 53, of Tuscan, Arizona, originally from Rector, died on August 5, 2009. She was preceded in death by her mother, Jeanne Pratt; stepfather, Tom Pratt, and father, Daryl Busby. She is survived by her spouse, Ralph Horner; three brothers, Christopher, Randy and Michael, and cousins, nieces and nephews...

Carter gives praise to Rector (08/12/09)
To the Editor: I am so proud to have been born and raised in Rector, Ark. The benefit show the other night was an overwhelming success with a sold out crowd, and who do I thank -- absolutely everyone who played a role. No matter how small a part, the event would not have been such a success without them...