Ice Storm, fie top stories for 2009

Ice storm brought down power lines, poles. [Click to enlarge]

As 2009 winds down to a close, area residents no doubt reflect on some trying times they hope to never again experience -- and many times of happiness and joy.

Few moments in the history of this area have had the impact of the ice storm which struck Tuesday, Jan. 27. A thick blanket of unyielding ice covered much of the area in just a matter of a few hours, resulting in unprecedented conditions. Most residences in town were without power for more than a week and many rural homes were blacked out for over three weeks. More than 700 workers from all across the country came to northeast Arkansas to aid Entergy and Clay County Electric in restoring power.

The weight of the ice snapped utility poles and limbs by the thousands and the full force of Mother Nature was clearly on display for all to see.

Yet, in those desperate moments, something perhaps even more remarkable occurred. The Rector community, as well as surrounding communities, united in the face of adversity, coming together to make certain neighbors, loved ones and even relative strangers were safe during what could have easily been a great tragedy. Dozens of volunteers gathered at the Rector Community Center to turn the site into a high quality relief site. In those early days of the ice storm, it was the response of these volunteers, officials, local businesses and the school which took decisive action at a time when it was desperately needed. Hundreds of residents were able to get a warm meal at the center, while many others, driven from their cold, dark homes, found a warm refuge made possible by a caring community.

Help also came from outside sources.

Members of the Arkansas Army National guard were able to set up a staging area in Rector and made their way into the rest of the county in an effort to provide aid.

Larry Kautz, a truck driver from Pine Island, Minn., had driven through Rector many times in recent years making deliveries to Missouri and was so moved by the storm's impact on Rector that he began a relief effort in his hometown. Within a week, the visitor with a heart of pure gold returned with supplies he'd gathered for a town where he knew no one, yet felt connected.

Through all these efforts, Rector emerged from the ice storm scarred, yet intact.

A July Fire consumes Rector's historic lumber shed. [Click to enlarge]

In late July, a part of Rector's history was lost in a roaring blaze, as the lumber shed at the corner of South Main and West Fifth Streets was consumed by one of the largest fires ever recorded in this area.

So intense was the inferno, with flames reaching more than four stories into the sky, that additional help had to be called in from five other fire departments to help wage war against the burning building. With the firefighters' efforts, the blaze was contained and did not spread to other structures.

The site, owned by Charles Davis of Greenway and operated as a pallet factory, had been a part of the community for more than 80 years and still was commonly referred to as Brewer Lumber Company, the name under which it first rose to prominence.

Davis has said he plans to rebuild at the location.

On a happy note, Rector was host to one of the region's biggest musical events in August. Rector's second annual concert, benefitting the Rector High School Helping Hands Foundation, featured internationally-known performers Dailey & Vincent, The Isaacs and Guy Penrod. Gaither artist Kevin Williams returned to the event as emcee, and the Rector stage was turned into a stunning, world class area through the expert lighting of Allan Branton, known as one of the top in the world in his field.

A crowd of more than 1,500 attended the special event at the Rector gymnasium, raising more than $34,000 for the Helping Hands Foundation and its goal of providing scholarships and other essential items to disadvantaged Rector students.

Rector native Bill Carter contacted the artists through his work as a producer for the Gaither Homecoming video series. Carter is co-founder of the Helping Hands Foundation, seeking to give back to the community which had an important role in his life.

The 2009 concert provided an evening which will be long remembered by those who were there, while ensuring assistance will be available to the young men and women who will lead the Rector community into the years which follow.

Here are some of the other events which shaped 2009 in Rector:

January

Rector native Gerald McClung is sworn in as Clay County Sheriff..Legendary Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards autographs a beautiful pearl guitar for the Helping Hands Foundation to auction in appreciation for his work with Bill Carter, who represented the band in the 1970s and 1980s...Hillary Calhoun is named the 2008 Rector basketball homecoming queen...The Clay County Humane Society enters into a lease agreement with the City of Rector in an effort to expand the current kennel facilities...Local members take part in the annual Girl Scout Cookie program...The RHS Drama Department presents a female version of Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple"...The Cougars top Riverside, 50-48, in senior boys basketball to win their homecoming game...Dalton Shaw received the Brandan Burlsworth High School Football Award in recognition for his performance both on and off the field...Ariel Dooley and her family visit Walt Disney World in Orlando after her wish is granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation...Keith Hill, owner of Rector Drug and Medical Supply, donates a defibrillator to Rector High School as part of his Community Health and Wellness Program...President Barack Obama declares a major disaster in 23 Arkansas counties, Clay included, following the ice storm.

February

Longtime fire chief Claude Fielder, who served in the position from 1942 to 1964, dies at age 91...Melanie and Allan Haywood purchase Rector Flowers...Maurice Bateman and Rosettie Allison are named the 2009 Valentine King and Queen at Rector Healthcare...Phillips Toombs opens a Subway restaurant in Marmaduke...Glen Sain GMC earns its third consecutive Customer Satisfaction Leadership award among the 55 dealerships in its zone which included Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee and Mississippi...Rector officials meet to prepare an emergency plan in the aftermath of the ice storm...Paula Hodge of Rector, an RN at Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center, is named the Health management Association Nurse of the Year.

March

The annual FFA dinner and auction raises more than $7,500, despite an evening of heavy snow...The Lady Cougars basketball team advances to the regional tournament at Newark, but is defeated by host Cedar Ridge in the first round...Former Lady Cougar Hannah Parsley is named to the TranSouth All-Freshman Team as a member of the Freed-Hardeman Lady Lions basketball team...Mary Linam is celebrated as the Rector Woman's Club Honored Lady for 2009...The Rector School District announces it will receive more than $250,000 in stimulus package funds...Elementary and junior high Gifted and Talented students from several area schools take part in the 2009 Business Expo at the Rector Community Center...Rector native Jeff Bracken and his J.B. Tree Service crew return to Rector to help clean up downed limbs...Several Rector senior citizens take part in the 92-day Senior Challenge wellness program at the Bert E. Sigsby Senior Center...Marmaduke School District approves a plan to construct a safe room on campus...Crowder Disaster Recovery is awarded the clean up contract for the City of Rector...Rector Blackcat coach Jess Bucy is the first person inducted into the Rector High School Sports Hall of Fame during a special luncheon featuring many of his former players...The City of Rector receives a 90/10 matching grant for $328,590 for the rehabilitation of the Rector Municipal Airport runway...Drew Henderson and Morgan Garner are Crowned Little Mr. and Miss RHS.