RECOLLECTIONS

50 Years Ago Pea Ridge Graphic Vol. 2 No. 35 Thursday, Aug. 31, 1967

A common sight in Pea Ridge is Alvin Greene riding his son’s quarter-mare, Boots. She is owned by Green’s son, Walther Lee (Buster) Greene. Buster broke the mare, then enlisted in the U.S. Navy, leaving Boots in his father’s care until his return. Now stationed in Rota, Spain, aboard the USS Canopus, Buster will complete his four years service next February, the same month that Boots expects her first colt, sired by Bill Smith’s registered quarter-horse, Highman.

For the last camp-out before the beginning of school, Pea Ridge Boy Scout Troop 113 went on an overnight camping and fishing trip near the town of Beaver on Table Rock Lake Friday and Saturday. Participating were 18 boys along with Scoutmaster Virgil Green and Assistant Scoutmaster, Jimmy Glasscock. Each boy was required to set up his own campsite and prepare his own meals for inspection. Some of the boys had freshcaught fish for supper. On Saturday morning, a brisk hike and exploration of the surrounding area was enjoyed. Overnight visitors at the camp included Rodger Hickman, Billy Jean Hickman and the mayor of Pea Ridge, Jack Musteen.

40 Years Ago Pea Ridge Graphic-Scene Vol. 12 No. 35 Wednesday, Aug. 31, 1977

Kedzie Transmission captured the first place trophy in last week’s Women’s Softball Tournament held in Pea Ridge and sponsored by Pea Ridge Little League Association. Kedzie won the trophy after a final 5-0 win over McClinton Brothers Saturday afternoon, ending the week-long fast pitch fete. The little League Association presented Gary Raymer with a plague in appreciation for his efforts as umpire during the tournament.

Two separate marijuana raids took place in the local area last week. Marijuana plants growing in a field about three miles northeast of Pea Ridge were confiscated by Benton County Sheriff ’s deputies in a raid Friday. That case was still under investigation early this week and arrests are expected in connection with it, according to Detective Don Rystrom who is heading the investigation. In another raid early Saturday morning on a Pea Ridge residence, two men were arrested. The raid was conducted jointly by the sheriff ’s office and Pea Ridge Police Department. The raid conducted Friday on the field where plants were growing northeast of Pea Ridge was done in conjunction with a similar sheriff’s department operation near Siloam Springs, Rystrom said. He said approximately 50 pounds of plants, some of which were 12 feet tall, were confiscated in the two raids.

30 Years Ago The TIMES of Northeast Benton County Vol. 22 No. 35 Wednesday, Sept. 2, 1987

Blackhawk sophomore Brad Alvarez, who broke his leg and knee cap in a scrimmage against Berryville at Berryville last Thursday, is home and in good spirits according to his father, superintendent Bill Alvarez. The backup player, who was playing on the offensive line at the time, suffered two breaks of his femur about 2 1/2 inches above the knee and a cracked knee cap. Doctors told him that he was lucky, though, because at his young age the knee cap broke instead of ligaments being torn. Ligament damage would have taken much longer to heal. Brad was in school half day Monday despite his toe-to-waist cast, but stayed home Tuesday. Unfortunately for the ’Hawks, who are short of backup players, he is out for the season.

Dr. Kay Morgan began her practice Sept. 1 with Dr. Dorothy LeBoeuf at the Pea Ridge Medical office. Dr. Morgan, a Rogers native, has completed her residency in family practice in Belleville, Ill., at St. Elizabeth’s and Memorial Hospitals. She is a graduate of University of Arkansas, Little Rock Medical School. Morgan says she began as a music major, playing bassoon, before she made the decision to go to her real love, medicine.

20 Years Ago The TIMES of Northeast Benton County Vol. 32 No. 35 Thursday, Aug. 28, 1997

Students as Pea Ridge Elementary School had a little excitement on Wednesday, Aug. 20, as the result of an electrical fire on the roof. The school was evacuated about 2:40 p.m. after it was discovered that a SWEPCO electric line entering the building at the weather head caught fire. The line goes into the main building, said superintendent Roy Norvell. He said, “No part of the building caught on fire. What burned was the insulation on the line.” He said that the alarm was a good drill for the students. Norvell said, “Even though there wasn’t any danger to students, they at least knew it was serious.” The power to the building was turned off. Students were allowed to re-enter the building to get their belongings and then were allowed to go home by bus or car since it was so near time for dismissal at 3 p.m. SWEPCO was called and subsequently repaired the line. The Pea Ridge Fire Department quickly responded to the alarm.

Pea Ridge Blackhawk Head Coach Rob Bray said last week that Shiloh and Greenland are the teams to beat in the conference this year. Bray said that he believes the Blackhawks will be one of four conference teams to make the playoffs. “We’re getting better,” he said, but “no experience. We have a crew of seniors but they haven’t had to step in and play yet.” The Blackhawks will field 20 varsity players, Bray said, adding, “Everybody should have an opportunity to play.”

10 Years Ago The TIMES of Northeast Benton County Vol. 42 No. 35 Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2007

More than $1 million is ready for the city to use in widening Weston Street, according to Mayor Jackie Crabtree, who said the bond council had called about the bonds sold for the project. “It’s available right now,” he said. The city plans to widen the one-mile stretch of road from Slack Street to Pickens Street. The junior high school fronts the road on the north end and children often use the route to walk to school. Beginning the regular City Council meeting Tuesday, the mayor honored Sandy Button, city recorder/treasurer, honoring her 30 years of service to the city.