RECOLLECTIONS

50 Years Ago Pea Ridge Graphic Vol. 2 No. 25 Thursday, June 22, 1967

Paul Garrett and his wife have been three years developing Garrett’s Botanic Gardens on U.S. Hwy. 62 north of Garfield. The formal garden contains snapdragons with is the final part of the planned tours of the gardens. Visitors are guided over a woodland trail that leads, in season past banks of azaleas and wild fern, beside a lagoon fed by several springs, beneath a canopy of dogwood and over rustic bridges. Left as nearly as possible in its native state, the trail has been enhanced by the addition of many new plants. It leads, finally, to a plateau on which is located the colorful formal garden laid out in a great circular shape. The gardens were opened to the public.

The Pea Ridge Lumber and Hardware Co., a longtime business in Pea Ridge was started in 1950. The assistant manager, Alvie Johnson, joined the firm the next year, and the manager, Wayne Buttry, the next. The business occupies the old telephone office building in the north end of Pea Ridge’s business section. It handles a complete line of lumber, paints, hardware and other building supplies. When the business started 17 years ago, Pea Ridge had no lumber yard, although one had existed many years before. The earlier lumber business was operated by J.J. Putman and stood where the community building is now located.

40 Years Ago Pea Ridge Graphic-Scene Vol. 12 No. 25 Wednesday, June 22, 1977

Koels Antiques will be a new addition to the Pea Ridge business community when it opens next month in an expanded building behind the Old Putman house next door to the Presbyterian Church on Davis Street. The owners and operators will be Herbert and Beatrice Koel who recently moved into the Putman house. They are presently working on expanding the building behind the house for use as a showroom and shop. Originally from Iowa, the Koels have been in the antique business in Arkansas for the past 12 years. Their home is furnished with pieces they have accumulated over 25 years of collecting. Their new home is the perfect setting for such a collection. The two front rooms of the house were the original J.J. Putman General Store which was once located where Cooks Auto Parts is now.

A veterinary practice in rural farming country such as northwest Arkansas usually consists of administering to the ills of horses, cattle, dogs, cats and other common domestic and farm animals. The cages and stalls of Pea Ridge Veterinary Clinic occasionally echo with sounds quite different from the usual ones, however, for when Earl Tatu’s big white truck drives up from Holiday Island Exotic Animal Park, the common barks and meows at the clinic may be mixed with anything from the squeal of a tiny brocket deer to the whinny of a zebra. Tatum has employed the skills of Pea Ridge’s Dr. Gary France on numerous occasions for treating the wide variety of exotic creatures which live at the Holiday Island facility north of Eureka Springs.

30 Years Ago The TIMES of Northeast Benton County Vol. 22 No. 25 Wednesday, June 24, 1987

Lt. Col. James A. Lake, commander of the U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion, Little Rock, announced that Wesley Wilkerson and Melissa Gibbens, both students at Pea Ridge High School, have won this year’s U.S. Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete Award. The Army Reserve annually presents its Scholar/Athlete medallion, similar in design to the Olympic medals, to the top scholar/ athletes in high schools all across the country each spring. Wilkerson and Gibbens combined superior academic performance with outstanding, athletic ability to win the honors. The awards were presents by S/Sgt. Charles Hatten at the Annual Awards Banquet May 4 at Pea Ridge High School.

This year’s Pea Ridge Community Fair Parade Saturday, July 11, will feature four categories of entries, according to Fair co-chairman Pat Patterson. Floats and other entries will be judged for Most Humorous, Best Children’s Entry (including decorated bicycles), Best All Around, and Most Original. The parade will be the culmination of Fair Week, which begins Wednesday, July 8.

20 Years Ago The TIMES of Northeast Benton County Vol. 32 No. 25 Thursday, June 19, 1997

Dawn Bell of Pea Ridge has been named librarian of the Pea Ridge Community Library. Mrs. Bell, a Pea Ridge resident for 25 years, said, “Right now, we’re getting everything organized.” She said planning for summer activities is also underway. She said, “We’re having our open house on July 12 from 9 a.m. to noon.” The open house will be an opportunity to show off the recently renovated facility. It is pretty much a new library. Mrs. Bell and her husband, Clint, have two children, Alexander, 9, and Stacy, 13.

Reldon Bray’s dog Britches has come a step closer to being selected as the Purina Dog Chow Great American Dog. Bray of Garfield was notified that Britches is among five finalists for the title from among the 50 semifinalists. Bray and Britches will receive an expense-paid trip for two to Washington, D.C., for selection of the grand prize winner. If Britches wins the grand prize, Bray will receive $10,000, a $100 savings bond and Britches will receive a lifetime supply of Purina Dog Chow. In describing the best friends relationship he shares with his dog, Bray wrote, “Britches and I are nearly inseparable. When I start my pickup or four-wheeler, he is ready to go; I couldn’t imagine my life without him.”

10 Years Ago The TIMES of Northeast Benton County Vol. 42 No. 25 Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Area residents enjoyed reminiscing, viewing old cars, visiting, eating and purchasing work from firefighters during Saturday’s Firemen’s Benefit Auction and Car Show. Ken Cough, a radio announcer for 25 years, donated his time as disc jockey and announcer for the benefit. Several firefighters volunteered to be “auctioned off” and were purchased for “light work” John Nichols provided four hours of bulldozer work as an auction item. Co-coordinator Gail Simpkins said, “We made about $5,800 overall, but the total is not in yet.”

Boundless Grace Baptist Church

Vacation Bible School will be held nightly from 5 to 8 p.m. July 17-21. The VBS theme this year is Passport to Peru.

S.L.A.M. — children’s summer activities, are 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Youth and Adult Bible study is from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Sunday school is at 9:30 a.m. Sunday worship service is at 10:30 a.m.

Brightwater Memorial UMC

Brightwater Memorial UMC and Pea Ridge UMC welcome the new pastor, the Rev. Dr. Scott Stewart and his family to Pea Ridge. His first services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, July 2, 2017, at Brightwater UMC, 14108 E. U.S. Hwy. 62, and 11 a.m. Sunday, July 2, at Pea Ridge UMC, 1205 N. Davis St., Pea Ridge. Visit bit.ly./bmumc for information or call 479-451-8161 or 479-451-1616.

First Baptist Church Pea Ridge

Wednesday night services include 5:15 p.m. dinner, 6:15 p.m. Kids Gospel project, 6:15 p.m. the Point student and 6:30 p.m. adult Bible study.

Faith Riders meet the second Saturday of every month and have weekly Thursday night dinners.

Episcopal Church Pea Ridge

Angel’s Share food pantry is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the second Saturday of each month at 1300 N. Davis St.

Westside Baptist Church Pea Ridge

AWANA Club meets from 5:30 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday for children ages 2 years old to eighth grade. Come early to register children. A hot meal will be served at 5:30 p.m.; classes are 6:30-7:30 p.m. Playtime is at 7:30 p.m. and dismissal is at 8 p.m. For additional information, call John Garrett at 479-7212824.

Adult Bible study and worship service is at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

Sunday service starts at 10:45 a.m. and Sunday school at 9:45 a.m. Come and join us for breakfast served Sunday mornings at 8:30 a.m.

New Life Christian Church

Bella Vista

Sunday morning services are presenting a journey through the entire Bible with “The Story.” Sunday services are at 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11:30 am. New Life Kids’ Programming is held during all three services.

A Bible study and dinner for college age adults is held from 6-8 p.m. on Thursdays in the church’s Student Center.

A summer ladies’ Bible study “The Daniel Prayer” is held at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays. Women of all ages are welcome to attend.

The church will offer a Discover New Life session from 9:45-11:15 .m. on July 9 & 16 in the church. This will be an opportunity to learn more about New Life Christian Church’s mission, vision and beliefs. Register online at newlifenwa.com.

CIY “Move” for Sr. High Students will be July 17-22 in Longview, Texas. For registration and information on each event, visit the website at newlifenwa. com.

Little Sprouts Preschool is now enrolling 3- to 5-year-olds for the fall. To meet the director and take a tour, contact 855-1616.

New Life Christian Church is a non-denominational Christian Church located at 103 Riordan Rd., Bella Vista, AR 72715. Phone is 479-855-1616. Office Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. •••

Editor’s note: Please send church news by Friday to prtnews@nwadg.com.