Holidays in Rector full of fun

There is a myth that small towns are boring and offer nothing to do for fun. But if one looks at a schedule of holiday events in Rector, well -- it's easy to see this town is anything but boring. In fact, one could easily find something interesting to do almost every day and night -- especially during the holiday season.

In addition to the many Christmas parties hosted by clubs, civic organizations, businesses and friends, there are lots of activities scheduled that are open to all.

Kicking off the fun for the entire community will be Rector's annual Christmas parade, set to begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3. The big parade will follow the same route as the city's Labor Day parade, starting at the corner of Main and Third Streets, traveling south to Highway 49, turning east to the Rector Community Center and then south again briefly for a loop through the Rector Nursing Center drive so residents there also can get caught up in the spirit of Christmas.

The parade lineup will include colorful floats, beauty queens, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, antique cars, horses and lots more.

The Chamber of Commerce will award $100 to the parade's most outstanding float, and the Chamber also has challenged local businesses and homes to decorate. The best decorated business and best-decorated home will receive $50 each.

Following the parade, the entire community moves into the Community Center's multi-purpose room for a party like no other. There will be cookies, smiles, hot chocolate, laughter, egg nog, visiting and fabulous music programs by Rector school student choirs and Rector school bands, from elementary through high school. This year's event also will include the auction of a beautiful painting by Rector native Joel Boyd with proceeds going to the Rector Woman's Club for its arts scholarships.

The Clay County Arts Council's annual Night of Chocolate will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Community Center. As if the temptation of lots of chocolate were not enough, the event also will offer a fabulous dinner catered by The Traveling Whisk, music by the Usual Suspects, recognized as one of the area's top bands, a holiday fashion show and a lively dance competition.

Rector's junior and senior high Lady Cougars will meet Paragould in home games beginning at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, at the beautiful new RHS gymnasium, and the RHS choir, directed by Judy Hargrave, will present a concert of Christmas music at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, in the school cafetorium. The concert is free and open to the public.

Local fans will have a chance to support the senior Lady Cougars and the RHS junior and senior high boys in games Friday, Dec. 11, against Marked Tree, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the gym.

There will be a full day of activities Saturday, Dec. 12, starting with a Rector Lions Club pancake breakfast for the public from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Community Center dining room. At the bargain price of $5 a person, the breakfast will include pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, juice and coffee.

The Lions Club's annual Breakfast with Santa for area children will begin at 9 that morning in the Community Center multi-purpose room and continue through 10:30 a.m. At just $10 per child, the event includes a pancake breakfast, photos with Santa (and a chance to tell him Christmas wishes), face painting and lots of fun on a number of inflatable jumping toys, provided by Delta Cotton Coop.

Rector Elementary Gifted and Talented Students will present their annual Talent, Art and Project show beginning at 6 p.m. that night (Saturday, Dec. 12), in the elementary school multi-purpose room. All 37 elementary GT students will participate in some way.

Crafts, art projects, baked goods, science and educational projects will be featured in the first part of the show, followed by clever and very entertaining talent acts.

Rector junior and senior high Lady Cougars will host East Poinsett County Monday, Dec. 14, for games beginning at 6 p.m., and the RHS boys will host EPC at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15.

Christmas programs at Rector Elementary School will be presented on the morning of Tuesday, Dec. 15.

Area children are invited to the Rector Public Library's annual Christmas program at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16. That event will feature music, reading and a visit from Santa himself.

Rector Elementary class parties will be held Thursday, Dec. 17, and RHS girls and boys teams will host Turrell for both junior and senior high games Thursday, Dec. 17, beginning at 5 p.m. Local teams will participate over the holidays in the annual NEA Tournament at Arkansas State University's Convocation Center in Jonesboro.

James W. Graves Head Start, Rector Preschool and Rector High School all are holding food drives to provide non-perishable food items for many needy families in the area and all who can are urged to drop by donations which not only help others but bring a feeling of warmth in Christmas giving.

Yep, there's no chance for boredom here -- and local residents are urged to mark all of these events on their calendars so as not to miss a thing. And Merry Christmas to all!