Stories from Thursday, November 26, 2009

Rector boasts 4 in ASU's 100 Voices (11/26/09)
Four Rector High School graduates are among 100 Arkansas State University alumni recognized this month in an Arkansas State University Alumni Association special publication "100 Years, 100 Voices," presented as part of ASU's centennial celebration...

Watkins share his love of music (11/26/09)
Making music has always been a part of Clyde Watkins' life. The 61-year-old picker has been playing music on his own since age eight and as part of a band from the time he was 11 years old. He learned to play the guitar, banjo, mandolin and bass, showing not only his love for music, but an outstanding natural ability, as well...

Writers' Retreat held at HPMEC (11/26/09)
The Hemingway-Pfeiffer Creative Writers' Retreat was held Nov. 2-6 at the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center in Piggott. "The Works Writers Create" is a collection of stories and poems by the 12 writers who attended the retreat...

Voices of thanks (11/26/09)
Two beautiful songs by the Rector High School choir were a highlight of Rector's ninth annual community Thanksgiving service, held Sunday evening, Nov. 22, at the Community Center. Directed by Judy Hargrave, the choir sang "American Hymn" and "United We Stand," earning a standing ovation from the large crowd. ...

Clay officials take part in earthquake response exercise (11/26/09)
Clay was one of 10 regional counties that took part in an earthquake response exercise Wednesday, Nov. 18. The Arkansas Shake, Rattle and Roll Earthquake Functional Exercise was designed to focus primarily on preparing emergency responders to effectively react to a catastrophic quake. And according to Office of Emergency Services coordinator Travis Boyd, the local effort went well...

Tickets still available for Night of Chocolate (11/26/09)
Tickets will be available through Sunday, Nov. 29, for the Clay County Arts Council's annual Night of Chocolate, set for 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Rector Community Center. This year's event features The Usual Suspects of Kennett, a popular band which includes Sheryl Crow's dad, Wendell Crow, on the trumpet and rhythm guitar; Jim Baker, vocals and lead guitar; Ken Williams, vocals, harmonica and drums; Daryl Wilcoxson, vocals and keyboards; Gary Wilcoxson, vocals and bass guitar, and Memphis music veteran (and former Kennett resident) Dunk Carter, vocals and lead guitar.. ...

Cougars top Armorel in first win of season (11/26/09)
The Cougars picked up their first win of the season Friday night, topping Armorel, 59-44, in Rector. The Cougars started the game off with a 12-0 run that had their foes backing up early. Brandon Stevens started the spree, burying a three-pointer from the top of the arc. ...

Lady Cougars handle Trumann (11/26/09)
The Lady Cougars improved their record to 3-2 overall with a 46-40 win over Trumann Monday night in Rector. Rector led throughout: 7-6; 21-13; and 34-29. While the Lady Cougars struggled offensively early on, they were able to force Trumann into 17 turnovers on the night...

It is time to give thanks (11/26/09)
We hear an increasing number of people expressing the view that Thanksgiving is their favorite holiday of the year. Of course, it could have something to do with the turkey and dressing, rolls and gravy, pumpkin pie and on and on...

Practice safe sun (11/26/09)
Last week on those nice spring like days, people were getting outside, raking leaves or giving their yards a last time mowing before winter sets in. Some headed for the surrounding resort lakes and more sunshine...

Litany at Thanksgiving (11/26/09)
For summer shade, and a roaring hearth when blow the winter's winds, For gifts of gentle rain, a flaming leaf, a drift of virgin snow. The awesome majesty in thunderhead clouds, a bank of moss, For nights illumined by a single star, and high tide running full,...

RAYMON BYRON LAWRENCE (11/26/09)
Raymon Byron Lawrence of Thayer, Mo., formerly of Rector, passed away at the age of 73 on Nov. 17, 2009, at Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. Raymon and his twin brother, Laymon, were born July 19, 1936, to the late Floyd and Nillie (McLeskey) Lawrence in Rector, Ark...