RECOLLECTIONS

50 Years Ago Pea Ridge Graphic Vol. 2 No. 34 Thursday, Aug. 24, 1967

The possibility of seeing a kindergarten started in the Pea Ridge vicinity may depend upon the interest shown by parents of children eligible for enrollment, according to Mrs. Franklin Miller of Pea Ridge. Mrs. Miller explained that a qualified kindergarten instructor living in the Pea Ridge vicinity would start a kindergarten here if sufficient interest is shown.

The new pastor of the First Baptist Church of Pea Ridge will assume his duties Sunday, Aug. 27. He is the Rev. Forrest Wicks, who is coming to Pea Ridge from Altus, Okla., where he has pastored one of four Baptist Churches. This announcement was made this week by Fred Abbot, chairman of the pulpit committee for the church.

40 Years Ago Pea Ridge Graphic-Scene Vol. 12 No. 34 Wednesday, Aug. 24, 1977

Pea Ridge football coach Ray Hoback smiles like a man who can see into the future and likes what he sees. The reason for his cheerful demeanor is a bunch of high school football players who could be in the running for the Ozark Conference championship this season. “We are blessed with more depth in all areas than we ever thought about last year,” Hoback said. A record number of 36 players signed up for the team this year, compared to 22 last year. More were expected to join the team after school started this week. The roster includes a solid base of starters returning from last year and a group of outstanding athletes who won the junior high conference championship last year.

30 Years Ago The TIMES of Northeast Benton County Vol. 22 No. 34 Wednesday, Aug. 26, 1987

The Pea Ridge School Board approved a tentative 1987-88 budget of over $1.6 million, hired a new high school principal and an elementary teacher, approved a physical therapy contract, and granted two transfers out of and four into the district. The budget shows assessed valuation in the district rose about $400,000 to an estimated $12,100,000 for 1987.

Twenty stalwart ’Hawks are preparing to go to battle on behalf of Pea Ridge during the upcoming gridiron season. The ’Hawks have dedicated themselves to redeem their first round loss in the state playoffs last year. The gains they’ve made by the year’s effort in the weight room are impressive. The ’87 version of the ’Hawks shape up to be bigger, stronger and faster at every position than the ’Hawks of a year ago who went 8-2 in regular season play. Polls around the state heavily favor Pea Ridge to win their conference and consistently rank them in the top 10 in the state.

20 Years Ago The TIMES of Northeast Benton County Vol. 32 No. 34 Thursday, Aug. 21, 1997

The Pea Ridge School campus was burglarized last week for the second time in a month. Superintendent Roy Norvell said that someone broke into the High School and Elementary School offices and gymnasium concession stand. He said that nothing apparently was missing. Last month, someone burglarized the High School library and stole electronic equipment. This time, Norvell said, “they damaged some doors and glass, especially in the Elementary School office.” He estimated damage at “a couple hundred dollars, mainly the locks and some doors.” “I don’t know if it was related to the previous burglary,” he said. Norvell said, “It appeared to me they were looking for loose change or money. “Of course, we try not to keep any of that around, so they didn’t get any of that.” He said all damage has been repaired.

Two Pea Ridge men are leading an effort in the area to constitutionally eliminate property taxes and replace them with a sales tax. The men, Joe Hart and Jack Kelly, are distributing a petition to place the question on the 1998 General Election ballot as an amendment to the Constitution. The movement is being led statewide by the Arkansas Taxpayer’s Rights Association, headquartered in Fort Smith. The association needs 72,000 valid signatures for the question to be placed on the ballot.

Opening day of school Monday went smoothly, said Pea Ridge superintendent Roy Norvell. The only abnormality, he said involved a school bus, which got stuck in the ground where a water line had recently been buried. Norvell said that 1,039 students were registered on Monday kindergarten through 12th grade. That compares with 1,020 on opening day last year, he said. The school district now employees a total of 127 personnel, Norvell said.

10 Years Ago The TIMES of Northeast Benton County Vol. 42 No. 34 Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007

One of the main changes Pea Ridge Postmaster Jerry Robinson wanted to enact was to open during the lunch hour for customers. After being here more than a year, that has happened. Beginning Monday, Aug. 27, the Pea Ridge Post Office will be open from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturdays. “I’ve wanted to do this since I came here a year ago,” Robinson said. Robinson also said that the vending machines will be removed from the lobby this fall following a decision at head-quarters.

Since Aug. 1, 1977, there have been four mayors and many city employees, but one thing has been constant — Sandy Button has been on the job. Button, first hired to “help with typing” is currently the city recorder/treasurer and court clerk. Previously, Button was the secretary to the Daisy Manufacturing plant manager, Sheldon Baker. While on maternity leave, she received a call to help with a little typing. “Thirty years later, I’m still typing,” she laughs. “Technology has changed a lot,” she said, adding that in the late 1970s water bills were figured on the number of bathrooms in a house. “I knew how many bathrooms there were in every house. You were billed $1.50 for a onebathroom house or $2.50 for a two-bathroom house.” Button’s expertise eased the way for current Mayor Jackie Crabtree, who was elected to his first term 13 years ago. It was during his tenure that the position became a full-time position. Other mayors under whom Button has served were Lester Hall and Mary Rogers Durand.

Boundless Grace Baptist Church

AWANA Bible Club for kindergarten through sixthgrade students will start Aug. 30.

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

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.

Free Will Baptist Church Pea Ridge

The Pea Ridge Free Will Baptist Church will celebrate its 50th anniversasry this year. Members are asking for anyone of photograph of past church events or of the church please share them for the celebration. To share a photograph or for more information, contact Don Deckard 479640-0590, Ritchie Jackson 417-214-7990, Chrissie Doyle 479-619-6425 or Billy Hamilton 479-841-2526.

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.

Messiah Lutheran Church Pea Ridge

A Mighty Fortress Back to School family celebration is set from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at Messiah Lutheran Church, 15315 N. Ark. Hwy. 94. There will be games, crafts water play, usic and lots of fun while learning that “In Jesus the victory is won!” All children and families in the community are invited. Dinner will be provided from 6 to 7 p.m.

Westside Baptist Church Pea Ridge

AWANA Club meets