Rain Totals

Rain from last week has been estimated at 8-9 inches over two days.  I didn't have my gauge out, so I can't say for sure.

Judge Spears told me today that the back roads were a mess, and work would begin this week to clean them up.

If you haven't seen much news here lately, it's because there's been little to report, but keep an eye here.

Shooting on the Tolefree Road

County and State police responded to the report of a shooting on the Tolefree Road early this afternoon.  The news that reached me is that Toliver Blackmon got into an altercation with another man by the name of Weather at the Methodist church in that area.  Toliver went home, retrieved a firearm, and returned to shoot the other man in his car.  Kingsland Marshal, several County Deputies and up to six State Troopers arrived and took Toliver into custody.  The victim was transported to Little Rock for treatment, and as far as I know is still alive.

For Those of You Wondering...

...yes, the ambulance had to pay another visit to our house today.  My father got dizzy, fell and cracked his head on an antique cast iron heater.  The blow lacerated him about an inch and a half across the back of his head requiring five staples to close up.  He's home, he's fine... a little groggy, but fine.

James Hornaday 1941-2009

Former town resident James Hornaday passed away Wednesday.  Funeral arrangements can be found at the link below:

http://www.webfh.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=280115&fh_id=11300

Oma Mae Brown 1919-2009

 Oma Mae Brown, widow of Bud Brown, passed away this morning.  Funeral details can be found at the link below.
http://www.webfh.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=279871&fh_id=10298

West Saline Community Center

The WSCC Board will hold its December meeting this coming Monday, Dec. 7th, at 6pm. All area residents are invited to attend.

More Houses for the Tour

Two more families have signed up for the Christmas Open House tour: Tracie Breshears (on the Marks' Cemetery Rd) and Angela Childress (on Hwy 189).  This brings the total to six.

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

Santa will be in town to see the local kids.  He will be at the Sugar Shack on December 19th from 5pm until the last kid leaves.

Christmas Open House Tour

The homes so far signed up for the Open House Tour are:

1. Bobby and Linda Jones on the Russell Rd.
2. Brian and Christie Dorrell also on the Russell Rd.
3. Blake and Amber Spears on the Mt. Lebanon Rd.
4. Jeff and Wendy Johnson on the Mt. Elba Rd.

The tour will take place on December 19th from 5pm until whenever.  If you'd like to sign your home up on the circuit, contact Melody Spears.

Maxine Clements: 1922-2009

Maxine Clements of the Mt. Lebanon community passed away last Friday night. She was 87. Funeral information may be found here: http://www.webfh.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=276607&fh_id=11300

Majorie Cathey Miller: 1922-2009

Majorie Miller passed away today at the age of 87. Many will remember her for several reasons, notably the cafe she and her first husband Cletis ran in town for years. Funeral information may be found here: http://www.webfh.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=276674&fh_id=11300

Baby Shower

Levi Miller hosted a baby shower this Saturday afternoon for family member Samantha Miller at the community center. Approximately 30 people were in attendance.

Modern Gun Season Starts Tomorrow

The woods around here will be filled with hunters eagerly seeking that trophy buck. Good luck to all hunters and please be safe. I don't want to report any hunting accidents.

Class Photos

Mrs. Rachel Jones gave me a copy of the Class of 1949 photo. We'll see about getting it blown up and framed for the community center walls.

Thanks to Mrs. Jones for this fine relic of our past.

Visits

Clara Parkman was visited this weekend by her niece Monica Hogue along with Monica's husband Rodney and children Dakota and Haylea. The Hogues came down for the Youth Deer Hunt and will return for modern gun season.

Clarence Dupree

I regret to report that Clarence Dupree died in a head-on collision with a log truck yesterday afternoon. It is suspected he had a heart attack and passed away at the wheel. Please remember his family in prayer.

Remember: you are mortal.

Computer Equipment Donations

Another flurry again today. Mr. Wayne Beck dropped off several useful items, and someone left an anonymous donation behind my truck seat. My thanks to both, and if the anonymous donor would share his or her name, I'll be sure to give them credit here for it.

Community Center Meeting

The West Saline Community Center held its November board meeting this past Monday. Board members present were: Jerry Langford, Willie Rainey, and myself. Mrs. Norma McCoy attended and made several helpful comments and suggestions. As of this month, I am the person to contact when reserving community center space for events. My phone number is 870-352-3739 and my email is JamesCBoney@gmail.com. If you plan to drop by my house, please try to do so after 10am.

Willie Rainey noted that several people have contacted him after my last blurb in this column about re-opening the gymnasium for several events such as pee-wee basketball, volleyball and other indoor events. If you're interested in helping out with that, he is the person to approach. His number is 250-0249. There's actually not much stopping us from doing it; the place basically needs cleaned out and a little maintenance performed. That means a little time and a few people. Look for more about that soon. Personally, I'd love nothing more than to walk in there some evening, buy some popcorn and coke, sit down and watch some amateur basketball like we used to do, and I'm open to doing whatever it takes to make it happen.

Note that all community center board meetings are open to all area residents to come and hear what's being done, what's said, and to voice their opinions or suggestions.

Norris Great-Grandchild

Mrs. Evelyn Norris reports:

We have a strapping new baby in our family! Praise God, both Mom and baby are well at this point. He is my great-grandson, one of many!

On Oct. 30th 2009, Wyatt Oliver Hunter weighed in (out?) at 8 lbs. 15 oz. Parents are Cheryl Marie and Jake Hunter who looks exactly like his new son. He was born in the Baptist Hospital in Little Rock, shortly after midnight on Oct. 30th.

His maternal grandparents are Mary and Myles Parker of Warren. Paternal grandparents are: Brenda and Bruce Hunter of Warren. Wyatt's home will be in Bauxite. Great-grandparents are Evelyn and James Norris of New Edinburg.

Hello, Baby! We waited long enough for you! Welcome to our world!!

Community Center Meeting For November

The next meeting of the West Saline Community Center will be Monday, November 2 at 7pm at the WSCC. All area residents are invited to attend, hear what's said, and voice their opinions. All WSCC meetings and events are completely open to the public and advertised well in advance.

NEHS Senior Class Photos

Now added to the collection are the classes of 1953, 1954, 1961, 1963, 1964, and 1965. I'll publish a full list of the years collected so far in this week's Herald and here later.

Jackson Family at the Community Center

No, not those Jacksons, but our resident Jacksons. Emerson and Reatha Jackson held a family dinner at the WSCC this Sunday evening with the following family members in attendance: Linda Warner, Jerry Warner, Princess Warner, Termedia and James Jackson, Virginia Brown, Brenda Lester, Shumbreka Broughton, Ranell Wright, Christina Robinson; Parthenia, June, Knight, and Lee Jackson of Las Vegas; Katrina, Ashia and Amiya doherty of Fordyce, Marilyn Finks of Fordyce, Brandon, Corey and Annette Jackson of Rison, Bernice Hampton of Hermitage, Carolyn Finks of Fordyce, Ardella Bluford of Hermitage, Prentis and Rejoice Smith of Fordyce. This party left the place looking better than how they found it.

Smith Chapel Halloween Activities

Smith Chapel Church of God will host a Family Fun Day on October 31st from 10am to 3pm at the church's family life center (that's behind the church building). All families are invited, though children must be accompanied by an adult. There will be inflatable houses available as a play area for the kids, and games oriented for the whole family. Food will be on hand, and admission is free. Come and go as you please.

Rick's Vacation

Rick St. John spent six days (returning today) at the Rusty Wheels Old Engine Club in Harrison, where he added to the museum his oil field engine. The RWOEC displays its toys twice a year, in June and October.

Along the way, he spent a night in Mountain View where he took time to listen to the music that's always going on around the courthouse there.

His daughter Patricia and her daughter Casey spent the weekend here clearing his front yard of the damage from last week's storm.

Attwood Reunion

My Dad and I enjoyed some righteous barbecue this evening courtesy of Mary Jane Attwood who brought it by our house. The pig escaped from the Attwood Family Reunion, which was this afternoon at the Breck Attwood Farm. There was a good many in attendance. The pig did not, however, escape the clutches of the Boneys.

No Deer Kills Checked At Spears

Gary Spears informed me today... much to my shock... that no deer kills are being checked at the store or at the camps. Apparently, the AG&FC has a new rule and kills are phoned in.

I don't hunt, but all of my life it has been a tradition to go to the store at the start of a deer hunt and look at the kills brought in.

Is No News Good News?

I haven't been posting much because, after the storm, there's not a lot going on... but keep an eye here from time to time!

Electrical Outages

As far as I know, power has been restored on the Banks Road. They're working on the Tolefree Road and others right now. FINALLY trucks are in town doing what they should have been doing Saturday.

Edit: Mt Elba Road has power, and I think Farm to Market does as well. I haven't checked mt. Lebanon Rd, though Judge Spears told me this morning that it would probably be sometime tomorrow before they saw lights down there.

It's my understanding that the Tolefree Road is being worked on now.

NEFD Meeting

I attended tonight. It was all pretty tame as meetings go. All Cleveland County Fire Departments are having problems with radio reception. That's hopefully going to be fixed soon. The NEFD is looking at getting a GIF grant to help pay for a new tanker truck, since the old one is... as Alan May put it "a death trap." Meeting times are now at 6:30 pm every other month with the next one December 10th.

Fire Department Meeting

the New Edinburg Volunteer Fire Department will hold its October meeting Thursday at 7pm at the fire station. All area residents are welcome to attend.

Community Center Donation

Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Brown dropped off at my house two class photos for the community center walls. The photos were the classes of 1964 and 1965, of which they were graduates. Thanks to the Browns for their help.

Kids Who Create

I like them.

Mrs. Jean Parrott reports her great-granddaughter Dixie Martindale won Best Show Pumpkin at the Cleveland County Fair and won first place for her drawing. Dixie is the daughter of Jack and Donna Martindale of New Edinburg

West Saline Community Center

The WSCC board meeting is tonight at 7pm. All area residents are welcome to attend and hear what's said.

Another Hardware Donation

This time from Mrs. Peggy Towery of the Smith Chapel community... Mrs. Peggy gave me a printer that has quit working. I'll see what the problem is and perhaps get it fixed up.

An interesting aside: I had a pleasant conversation with her this evening. She is well acquainted with many people from my younger days such as Orrie Word, Bill Stewart and many others. I had read in the UAM magazine article that New Edinburg once was home to roughly 1500 people at a time, and I asked her if she believed that. Mrs. Peggy explained that there were many more houses around here than there are now. My, my... how things change, but I also believe in the cyclical theory of history, and perhaps that might happen again some day.

Weekend Yard Sale

There will be a big yard sale at the home of James and Evelyn Norris this weekend. The planned time will be Friday and Saturday from 7am until whenever. This all hinges on if the weather holds out. At least three families will have stuff for sale, so there should be plenty of good items. If you don't know how to get there, here are the directions: take the Mt. Lebanon Rd which is north of town. The first dirt road on the left is Adelle Lane; take that road until you see the sign on the right.

Ticket Sales Delayed

No scratch off lottery tickets at the store today... Blake said there was a delay in the paperwork but he was expecting a delivery any day now.

Rumor Control

Straight from the man himself: Mr. Willie Carroll Livingston assured me today that, despite what you may have read, he has no intention of turning the old hotel into a Bed and Breakfast Inn.

Meeting Reminders

Two upcoming meetings in town:

West Saline Community Center's October board meeting will be on October 5th at 7pm at the WSCC in the cafeteria. All area residents are invited to attend, hear what's going on, and give their input. All WSCC meetings are open to the public and advertised well in advance.

The New Edinburg Fire Department will hold its monthly meeting on October 8th at 7pm at the fire station. All area residents are invited to attend. The NEFD is in need of members, particularly those able to fight fires.

Hardware Donation

Mr. Wayne Beck answered my call for used computer equipment by dropping off at my house this morning: two broken computers, a printer in fine condition, assorted mice and two keyboards. Thanks goes to Mr. Beck for his generosity.

Old Computer Equipment

If you have an old computer that you're going to junk, give it to me instead. I'll fix it up and find a home for it. Call me at 870-352-3739 or email me at jamescboney@gmail.com

Orphaned Dishware

Mrs. Bobbie Moseley called this afternoon and told me that she has some orphaned dishware at her house left over from Jerrell Parkman's wake. Someone brought a pecan pie in a dish and two serving spoons that appear to be part of a set. She would like to get the dish and spoons back to their rightful owners. If they belong to you, then please call her at 352-2539 either early in the morning or after 8pm and describe them.

Memorial Donations

A donation jug is on the counter at Spears' Store for the Charles Evans family. His daughter, Alaina Michelle Evans, died in route to Little Rock on the 19th. She was less than a month old.

Fire On Hwy 189

A young lady and her infant escaped a burning vehicle before it exploded late last night on Hwy 189. The New Edinburg Fire Department was quick to respond and put out the fire. Fortunately, both occupants were unharmed.

Hotel Photo Spread

The latest UAM Alumni magazine has a nice article about Mr. Willie Carroll and Mrs. Wanda Livingston and their renovation project. Scans of the magazine spread can be found here and here.

The Broughton family held a memorial supper this evening for departed family members. The supper was enjoyed by roughly thirty family members and friends at the community center from 4pm to 6pm.

County Fair News

Judge Spears told me this morning that the County Fair and Rodeo might be delayed due to rain damage at the rodeo arena. The arena itself has been redone, but large amounts of the dirt has washed off with the recent rains. So far, the date for the fair is still the 24-26th of this month. If I hear about it changing, I'll put the new date here.

Horse Raffle Update

The drawing for the raffle will be this Sunday at the Rough Branch Ranch trail ride, either before of after the event.

The State Lottery

Technicians are at Spears' Store today to begin installing the satellite and modem necessary for the sale of lottery tickets. Gary told me they'll start selling scratch-off tickets on September 28th, though it will take until the end of October for the actual PowerBall lottery tickets to come up for sale.

Latest estimates for some jackpots are close to $500 million.

West Saline Community Center

The county road department cleared off the ruins of the old administration building today and covered the hole. It makes the place look a lot better. Our thanks to the CCRD for the work.

For The Benefit of Clara Parkman

Benefits for Clara Parkman, the widow of Jerrell Parkman, are being held in two venues.

A horse is being raffled off. Go to Spears' Country Store for raffle tickets... $2 for one ticket or $5 for three. As soon as I get the raffle date, I'll post it here on WATE.

The 2nd Annual Rough Branch Ranch Trail Ride will be on September 20th at 1pm. The spot is 9 miles from Fordyce on Hwy 274 towards Tinsman. The ride and the menu are free, but donations are being taken to help Clara out. This is a family oriented, kid friendly trail ride, so no alcohol or profanity. Coolers will be checked at the gate, and a negative Coggins test on all horses is required. The after-ride menu will be BBQ, burgers, hotdogs, chips, drinks, desserts and all that goes with it.

Clara's in a tight spot; give her a hand.

This Afternoon's Shower

Predicted at less than a tenth of an inch, we got 2.2 inches instead.

Jerrell Parkman's Funeral

I went to it this morning. Very nice it was. I estimated roughly 70 people there with three ministers handling the service. It was enormously hot right out in the sun even by 10am, but we all managed to make it through without anyone dropping.

If you can, make a point of visiting Clara now and then to make sure all is well.

Prayer Request

Daisy Blackmon is having eye surgery on the 14th of this month. She asks to be remembered in everyone's prayers.

Thompson Family Reunion

The Thompson family reunion was started in August of 1982 with 155 attendees. I remember going to it with my parents and my grandmother Cary Thompson Boney. Mrs. Ollie Moring reports that this year's reunion was held at Reaves Cemetery on August 22 with 106 present:

Gene and Pat Thompson, Robert Lee and Elizabeth Barker, from Wills Point, TX; Mac Thompson and Cody Scoggins from Richardson, TX; Phil and Kaye Cooper from Killen, AL; Dewey Brown from Mt. Ida; Sue Watkins from Royal; Cheryl Bynum from Perryville; Nancy Richard from Monticello; Glenda Appleget from Rison; Beth Childress from Mabelville; Bobby Thompson from Sheridan; Deborah Cockwell Morales from Monticello; Kala Moring from Redfield; Terry Nolan from El Dorado; Herschel Thompson from Dreco; Calvin and Brenda Thompson from Sheridan; Joanie Ozment from Crossett; Vicky Irons from Pine Bluff; Stephanie, Kaitlyn and Lauren McBurnet from Star City; Ronnie, Stacy and Morgan Bates from Star City; Grey, Shannon and Kolby Reeves from Star City; Eloise Weeks, Ronda Thompson, Heather Rice, Anthony Pevey, Larry and Donna Pennington from Star City; Jeremy, Shelly, Andrew and Madison Grider from Cabot; Jimmy, Deborah and Haly Thompson from Haskell; Jimmy Don and Joann Thompson, Kendia Thompson, Elizabeth Large from Kansas; Jack Brooks from Jacksonville. Matt and Cristy Cathey, Dylan, Colby and Hayden; Tyson Thompson; Cecil and Lorece Thompson; Clyde ("Buddy") and LaVerne Thompson; Wayne and Phyllis Stedman; Kaitlyn Green; Floyd and Nell Brown; Charles and Dot Doss from Warren; Conway Thompson; Vickie Word; Alene Erwin; Marshall and Marnell Parker; Herbert and Ollie Moring; Judy Moring; Cheryl, Hanna And A.J. Moring; Vester Thompson; Leona Thompson; Gene Briant; Sybil Brown; Ervin and Bobby Dyer; James and Bernice Pennington; Danny, Melinda and Brent Huddleston; Aubrey and Janet Huddleston; Randy and Vicki Thompson; Brianne, Logan and Landon Smith; Raymond and Mildred Brown; Michael and Christy Russell; Robert Dale Thompson; Frank Martin; Joey Martin.

West Saline Community Center Meeting

The WSCC had a short board meeting tonight with Jerry Langford, Daisy Blackmon and myself present. Items discussed were general building maintenance and storage rental fees.

Curtis Huddleston (1940-2009)

Curtis Huddleston passed away last night. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6PM until 8PM at Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce. Funeral services will be 2 PM Wednesday at the Benton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Dewayne Ashcraft officiating. Burial at Reaves Cemetery.

Jerrell Parkman (1933-2009)

It's sad to start this blog on a down note, but it's necessary. Jerrell Parkman passed away this morning. Visitation will be Tuesday 6pm until 8pm at Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce. Graveside services will be 10:00 am Wednesday at Shady Grove Cemetery with Rev. John Kidwell, Rev. Tim McClellan and Rev. Mark Rivers officiating.