10 Years Ago: Macfarlan places third in National Oratorical Contest
50 Years Ago From the Herald and Democrat in 1967 Dale Akins, Standout Center for the Siloam Springs Panthers during the previous two years and leading scorer for the previous year, signed a Letter of Intent to attend JBU. Along with Dale off of the Siloam Squad came Charles Dee Willis, 6’2”, forward. Coach Parker felt that both of these young men have the potential to make outstanding contributions to the program. Dale has some of the best moves around the basket of any High School boys I observed all year and also, he is capable of playing some fine baseball. Dee excels in some other sports also, namely tennis and track. Their academic work is well above par as well as their character, he said. The Golden Eagles looked forward to having two home-grown products in their fold.
30 Years Ago From the Herald-Democrat in 1987
The West Siloam Springs Speedway celebrated its official Grand Opening Sunday, July 5, and over 1,300 enthusiastic racing fans turned out for the occasion. The 1/4-mile dirt track located five miles west of Siloam Springs on Okla. Highway 33 opened with their first night of racing on Sunday, May 31.
Events at the Grand Opening included a 25-lap late model feature race, 20lap IMCA and street stock races and a 15-lap enduro race. Eighty-six cars competed for over $5,000 in prize money.
Children’s bicycle races for ages 6-12 were featured at halftime and many prizes were given away.
10 Years Ago From the Herald-Leader in 2007
Ginger Macfarlan delivered her speech, Saltwater Tea, at the Sons of the American Revolution National Oratorical Contest in Williamsburg, Va., on July 8. Ginger began her road to Williamsburg by presenting her speech to the SAR in February. She then advanced to the State of Arkansas competition in March. Her first-place finish there earned her the honor to represent Arkansas at the SAR national contest. She placed third in the national contest and was awarded a $1,000 cash prize.
Editor’s note: Ginger wrote a column for the Herald-Leader for several years and her speech was printed in her column that week.