RECOLLECTIONS
50 Years Ago Pea Ridge Graphic Vol. 4 No. 46 Thursday, Nov. 13, 1969
Breaking a 12-year silence on politics, Razorback Coach Frank Broyles began a tour of Benton County high schools last Wednesday by speaking at both Bentonville and Pea Ridge. Personal letters were sent to local football players, urging them and their parents to attend, but the meeting was open to the public. At the close of Broyles’ appearance, David Musteen won the coveted football that contains the signatures of all the Razorbacks of the 1969 team. Bob Cheyne, former athletic publicity director at the U of A who introduced Broyles, presented the football to Musteen whose birthday was closest to that of Broyles. He was promptly dubbed “Lucky” by his high school friends.
A near-capacity attendance, an enthusiastic set of officers an board members, good entertainment and an excellent dinner, set the Pea Ridge Chamber of Commerce annual dinner meeting in the outstanding category. Thy included 14 retired residents, a number of visiting officials, and members of 27 Pea Ridge businesses and services. In making his report for the year 1969 and in projecting plans for 1970, Fred McKinney gave the Industrial Development Committee top billing. He discussed its formation early in 1969, its efforts to try to bring payrolls to Pea Ridge in the form of industry and its continuing program along this line as planned for 1970.
40 Years Ago Pea Ridge Graphic Scene Vol. 14 No. 46 Wednesday, Nov. 14, 1979
The City of Pea Ridge’s total allotment of revenue sharing funds, $10,648, was voted to be applied to police salaries for the coming year, 1980, at the public hearing on the funds Thursday. The only other department of the city which had requested revenue sharing funds was the library, which had requested $2,000 to be spent for library utilities and supplies, $500, and for books, $1,500.
Pea Ridge City Council accepted the streets of Country Acres No. 2 subdivision Thursday at the regular meeting, received the preliminary budget for 1980, considered a request from the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission and handled other routine matters.
Many Pea Ridgers were among those registering Monday night for the Spring 1980 semester of North Arkansas Community College. Donna Cooper, of the NACC Rogers office, reported that it was the largest first night registration in the school’s history, with over 160 enrolling. Cooper says all three classes offered in Pea Ridge appear to have enough enrollment to endure that they will be held as scheduled, at the Pea Ridge High School. All classes are offered tuition-free to those over 60.
30 Years Ago The TIMES of Northeast Benton County Vol. 24 No. 46 Thursday, Nov. 16, 1989
The Pea Ridge School Board and school superintendent Marvin Higginbottom firmly supported High School Principal Tom Chew and the district’s assertive discipline program. The issue arose from the concern of three parents over a spanking their children received in October and the force of the whippings. Board president Ronnie Foster said, “We are not going to intentionally hurt anyone.”
The $1 million dollar, one-year state Highway 265 project was officially completed and the highway officially opened Wednesday in a dedication ceremony. Mayor Mary Rogers provided the welcome and Charles Womack, pastor of First Baptist Church of Pea Ridge, gave the invocation.
Pea Ridge High School principal Tom Chew said parental sentiment appears to favor a lower grade school for students. Parents participating in parentteacher conferences last Thursday and Friday were asked to register their opinions about whether to retain the existing grade scale or lower it. Chew said that 30 percent of the parents participated.
20 Years Ago The TIMES of Northeast Benton County Vol. 34 No. 46 Wednesday, Nov. 17, 1999
Veteran’s Day 1999 at Pea Ridge High School brought young and old alike to their feet several times during a stirring ceremony honoring the sacrifice the members of our nation’s armed forces made to preserve our freedom. Attendees were asked to wear their uniforms if possible and several did. Approximately 175 veterans and their families attended.
For Pea Ridge native Joe Pitts, a simple signature from a sport’s star was not even close to his accomplishments. Pitts managed to become personal friends with several of the biggest names in professional baseball at first as head of security and then clubhouse manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 80-yearold Pitts was born on his family’s farm located near the Elkhorn Tavern, on what is now the Pea Ridge National Military Park. His love for baseball was formed early thanks in part to “hometown” hero, Clyde “Pea Ridge” Day. Pitts says that although friends with many of the athletes, probably his favorite baseball player was Roberto Clemente.
10 Years Ago The TIMES of Northeast Benton County Vol. 44 No. 46 Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009
Thanksgiving is all about “having fun and doing stuff,” according to the 4- and 5-year-old’s at Kids Academy in Pea Ridge. What do they like to eat at Thanksgiving dinner? Chicken and ice cream. When asked how to make a Thanksgiving turkey, the kids said they already made one, and pointed to the wall with colored turkey pictures. The whole class knew, however, the Indians taught pilgrims to fish and hunt, as they colored a picture of Squanto with a pilgrim. One little girl said her family gets together to eat sandwiches, turkey and burritos on Thanksgiving.
The Pea Ridge Elementary School art gallery web site is currently holding the top overall ranking in the state of Arkansas as well as holding high rankings nationally. Schools receive rankings based on the amount of artwork published online, the number of people joining fan clubs of the respective artists and the number of positive comments left online by gallery visitors. Art products purchased online with Artsonia also counts for points in the competition. The web gallery was launched in late February of this year and as of Nov. 15, the site has attracted nearly 83,000 visitors from all across the United States.