Things to See: Point Cedar News
In my news of Wed, Feb. 3, I mentioned that State Trooper Ron Ball spoke at the Point Cedar Methodist Church when on duty and in uniform. Later he spoke to our group on an Easter Sunday when he was off-duty and was accompanied by his wife and daughters. The first time when I asked him to speak, he stated he was on duty but assigned to the western part of Hot Spring County and would check with a supervisor. Permission was granted for a short time to be in the church. When he walked to the pulpit, he informed the congregation that if he were needed his radio would alert him and he would leave at once. Everyone learned from his presentation, and were glad there was no call. He was kind enough to be photographed with the ladies. The men were hiding Easter eggs for the children.
Maybe I can mail photographs to those who attended services at the church over the years and keep only a few records for the church. Some things will be shared in this column.
I’m also clearing my Barksdale AFB LA files, but still receive a newspaper from the Military Officers Association. A photograph showed two bald eagles high on a tree branch at the large area behind the flight line and buildings of the main areas. I was working at the base when Flag Lake was formed from a stream of water where there is still a bayou, with crocodiles. The reservation has thousands of acres, and the base receives money to keep weeds from growing in the water in order that there will always be fish for the eagles. The area is almost never open for viewing, especially during the hatching season. Evidently the birds adjusted to the noise of the jets which fly in and out of the base.
Some of my Burton relatives, the Shirley Family of Little Rock and Jacksonville areas, might have been related to Belle Star, born Myra Belle Shirley, in Carthage, Missouri. In 1848, Belle moved to Texas with her family as the Civil War engulfed the Ozarks. Later years found her using Fort Smith AR as her headquarters. Still later she moved to Youngers Bend, near Eufala OK, which was to be her final home. Her daughter, Pearl, by Cole Younger, was born while Belle was living in Siloam Springs AR. Each of these places boasts many stories and tales of her exploits. Henry Starr was born in 1873, a half-breed Cherokee and the son of Hop Starr, a brother to Sam Star, who was the common-law husband of Belle. In 1915, Henry was jailed for three years for a bank robbery in Stroud, Okla. His fame as one of the last outlaws of the horseback era and his handsome appearance resulted in a brief involvement in the motion picture business. He returned for his final bank job at the Peoples National Bank of Harrison, Ark, on Feb 18, 1921. As he and three others filled pillow cases with cash, a customer who had been the bank president, remembered he had placed a rifle in the vault. He fired and seriously wounded Starr who died four days later. The body was embalmed and put on display in a store window for viewing.
Clara Charlene Kidd, 77, Hot Springs, was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Velma Norene Wood Hardin, and husband, Ronald W Kidd. The survivors include daughter, Darlene Cannon (Johnny), and grandchildren. A private graveside service was held at Oak Bower Cemetery. http://www.caruth-hale.com
Tom Short, 85, Bismarck, passed away recently. Graveside services were held at Mount Tabor Cemetery. http://www.davis-smith.com
Many celebrity people have died recently. Cicely Tyson, 9, was praised as a role model in Black history. Her memoir, “Just As I Am,” was published recently. In “Roots,” the 1977 miniseries, she played Binta, mother of Kunta Kinte, played by LeVar Burton. I wish that would be shown again.
Hal Holbrook, 95, toured the world for more than 50 years as Mark Twain. He was in so many movies as a character actor.
Sunday, Feb 14, is Valentine’s Day, followed by Presidents’ Day on Monday, Feb 15. There will not be mail service on that date. The weather is predicted to be extremely cold next week.
Science recommends regular exercise, plus a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables, nuts, fish, beans, and olive oil.
During your schooling you learn about geography, history, and the sciences. After you leave school, half of those facts become dated, and you forget the other half. But it doesn’t matter. You have changed irreversibly for the better and can now live in a civilized world. That’s education, not schooling.