New Edinburg Column For This Week: May 16

Luke 18:1-8 “1And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.  6And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”
Prayer list this week includes: Joyce Briant, Max and Lorene Dyer, Sue McClellan, David McClellan, Frank and Agnes McClellan, Lizzie Mae Martin, Gerald Totty and Libby Metcalf.

Birthdays this week include: Amber Spears (May 19), Marnell Parker (May 19), James Norris (May 20), Alaina Sims (May 21).

Mrs. Macel Loomis visited with her sister Peggy in Fulton all last week.

My aunt Jessie Noble from Little Rock visited me Sunday afternoon.

For those who didn't know: the Clements-Stewart Hotel Building is open for tours every Saturday and Sunday afternoon from 2pm to 6pm. After you've visited there, come to the old school house and see the New Edinburg Museum every Sunday afternoon from 1pm to 5pm. Starting in June, I'll be opening the museum on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for the same time period. Both places are greatly appreciated by those who stop to see the sights.

Visitors to the museum this past Sunday included: Royce Wolfe, Mr. and Mrs. James Atkins, and Mr. and Mrs. George Noble.

I spent a pleasant Friday afternoon visiting with Mr. and Mrs. Pat and Rita Parham in their home. Mr. Parham is a goldmine of information and town history from the 1920s through the 1940s and I learned a lot.

A lone horseman, whose name I did not hear, passed through our town Saturday afternoon. His path is taking him from Booneville, AR, to Greenville, MS where he first met his wife. The traveler is 72 years old; he took lunch at McClellan's Country Store and his meal was prepaid by a couple of ladies who would prefer to remain nameless.

Mrs. Norma McCoy and her sister Martha Cook visited cousins last week in Amarillo, TX. On their return, they stopped in Oklahoma City, OK and the OKC Monument.

If you have items of interest that you'd like to see in this column, feel free to call me at 870-308-4608, email me at JamesCBoney@gmail.com, or see me in person before 5pm Monday in order to get it in that week's edition. Go Eagles.

We Are The Eagles: May 9th Edition

Britt, here's the column for this week. Please send back that you received it. Thanks. James

Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Prayer list for this week includes: Joyce Briant, Max and Lorene Dyer, Sue McClellan, David McClellan, Frank and Agnes McClellan, Lizzie Mae Martin, Gerald Totty, Libby Metcalf, and the family of Audrey Roebuck.

Birthdays this week include: Daniel Bryant (May 9), A. J. Moring (May 9), Kayla Herring (May 10), Kim Emerson (May 10), Michael Rawls (May 11), Devlyn Moring (May 11), Bobby Thompson (May 11), Patsy Spears (May 12), Mark Wagnon (May 13), and Marie Lash (May 14). Thanks to all who expressed birthday wishes to me last Saturday.

I hope all mothers everywhere had a great Mother's Day last Sunday. Mrs. Ollie Moring said almost her entire family of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were at her home that day. Mrs. Jean Parrott reported a good visitation from her family as well.

There will be a baby boy shower for Toby and Carrie Johnson at Macedonia church at 6pm on May 14. Macedonia will have its communion service Sunday night on May 15.

If you wish to donate to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, please bring any material items such as clothes, toys, canned food, etc to Kristen Skelton at McClellan's Country Store. Monetary donations must be mailed to: SE AR American Red Cross, 211 W. 3^rd Ste. 250, Pine Bluff, AR 71601. Their office phone number is (870) 534-7312. Any and all help is sorely needed.

I supposed many have heard the tale of the two mysterious tombstones in the woods off of Banks Road. I roamed those woods as a kid and never saw them so they were placed there sometime after the late 1970s/early 1980s. Mr. Lee Jones discovered them about seven years or so back on the land of Marvin King. Mr. King took down the names carved thereon and gave them to me. One stone held the mark of Proctor Funeral Home in Camden, so I called that place and was informed that one man was buried near Camden and the other was buried in south Bradley County. There was no legitimate reason for either stone to be in the middle of the woods here.

Recently, Mr. Lee Jones showed me the tombstones. Through the thickest of thickets we waded until we found them almost covered by leaves and other debris. I took some pictures for my own curiosity. Both markers looked like temporary jobs which were likely replaced by more permanent markers later. In all likelihood, these two markers were found in a trash heap and placed where they are now as a Halloween prank or perhaps spook time for some kids. Who knows? Well, obviously someone knows and I have a theory, but there's no point in discussing it three decades later. It's yet another example of the strange and funny little things that go on in this town when you never see.

I appreciate any and all who contact me with information for this column. If you have stuff you'd like to see here in print, please get it to me before Monday 5pm for inclusion in that week's column. My phone number is 870-308-4608, my email is JamesCBoney@gmail.com, or get it to me in person or on FaceBook. Go Eagles.

New Edinburg Column For This Week: May 2

Ecclesiastes 3 ¹To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: ²A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; ³A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; ⁴A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; ⁵A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; ⁶A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; ⁷A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; ⁸A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Prayer list this week includes: Martha Jean Morgan and Libby Metcalf.

Birthdays this week include: Jacquline Huddleston (May 1), myself (May 7) and Tina Sanders (May 7). A belated happy birthday goes to Morgan Searcy (April 28).

Far ahead notice: Emmaus Baptist Church will be hosting its Vacation Bible School June 13^th through the 16^th 9am to 12pm for grades pre-K through 12^th.

I have a single topic to write about this week, and I'm going to bring this up one time only.

When I started the New Edinburg Museum roughly one year ago in memory of my father, I put something like $500 dollars of my own money into it... for example I had to deep clean that room after the students from the alternative school destroyed it, about $250 of paint, about $75 for new light bulbs, paint supplies and tools such as a new power drill that would drive into the block walls in order to hang pictures, paneling to cover the windows and make the place more secure, printer cartridges at $20 a pop, photo paper at $20 a bundle, and so on. That was my own money well spent.

Over the last couple of months, I undertook a campaign to raise money in order to keep the place financed and improve it. At first I asked for donations, and one person gave. I then spent my own time going to people with hat in hand. The results were great. Many people gave, some couldn't because of their own financial condition (which is understandable), and a tiny few flatly refused to help even though they could.

It was brought to my attention this Monday afternoon that a rumor is spreading that I'm in fact pocketing the donation money for myself. Ladies and gentlemen: if I were out to make money for myself off of this, I wouldn't start a history museum... I'd start a Razorback museum. Then I'd make thousands of dollars, have hordes of adoring friends and probably a lawsuit from UA.

Unfortunately, the museum is getting me none of the above. The answer to the rumor is “no, I'm not.” In one instance, I used part of a donation to put gas in my truck in compensation. That's it.

Normally, this rumor would be funny, except it's an example of a bigger problem that's been around at least all of my life. There is a select few around here who get things done, and there's another select few who are content to sit in the back of the store or on a church pew and criticize and spin stories on other people.

In answer to this rumor, let me make three points: 1) If you have donated money to the museum, and you think you have been wronged, then come to me, face to face, and tell me you think I'm a crook and you will be compensated more than you ever dreamed. If you have not donated or even darkened the door of that place, then it's not your business. 2) Even if I were pocketing donations, who's to say that I can't be compensated for the initial sum I invested? 3) Slander is actionable in court and I aim to make an example of the person or persons who started this for future generations. Hand on Bible. Who ever is spreading it, I advise you to stop. 

On the brighter side of things: the following items were donated over the last week: a picture of the old Carmical House (courtesy of Elaine McDougald), a picture of the branch of the Thompson family I came from (Marnell Parker), an antique whiskey bottle (Otus Clary), and Harvey St. John's checkbook (Rick St. John). The following businesses donated: Benton Funeral Home, Main Street Antiques, Bob's Barber Shop, Holt Building Supply, Word's Clothes, A-1 Motors, Russell Car Dealership, and Fordyce Floral & Gifts. The following individuals donated: Otus Clary, Jim Reaves, John L. and Sue McClellan, Joe Watson in memory of my father, and Barbara Finley in memory of her mother Gladys Attwood McManus. Thank you.

Okay, next week's column will have nothing to do with the museum. Promise. Get what you want in it; if you have items of interest or upcoming news, share it with me before 5pm Monday in order to get it in that week's paper. Go Eagles.

New Edinburg Column For This Week: April 25

Luke 1: 76-79 " 76And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;⁷⁷To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, ⁷⁸Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, ⁷⁹To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."

Prayer list this week includes: Libby Metcalf, Ronnie McClellan, and Ollie Moring.

Birthdays this week include: Erwin Dyer (April 24), Cecil Sanders (April 26), Steven Linzy (April 26), Geraldine Sanders (April 27), Jeanette Thompson  (April 27), Norma Thompson  (April 28), and Billy Bryant (April 29).

Happy anniversary to Bill and Judy Perry (April 24).

As I write this, we're in for another bout of bad weather.  We've been fortunate this Spring to have minimal damage due to storms, and we hope and pray it stays that way. The honeysuckles are blooming and the whippoorwills are loose at night, so I guess we're deep into Spring now.

I hope everyone had a great Easter last Sunday. Macedonia Church had 142 in attendance Sunday morning. Since the church seats roughly 180, that's a remarkable crowd.

Willie Carroll and Wanda Livingston were in town this weekend.

I attended the Cotton Belt Festival last Saturday... something I don't often do, but I went to see the Civil War re-enactors.  Many of them are friends of mine and are a great source of historical information as well as being just down home sort of guys and gals (yes, gals too... the ladies dress up in period dresses and look quite the sight).  Since the invading Yankees were short several people, I was drafted into their artillery (complete with borrowed cap and blue coat) and enjoyed myself even though my cell phone went off mid-battle (which amused the audience and embarrassed me).  This, of course, being something sort of like the Battle of Marks' Mills, all of us Yanks were killed or captured.  The gunnery officer gave me part of a friction lanyard, which is used to fire artillery pieces, as a souvenir and it's proudly attached to my cowboy hat.

 Concerning the airstrip that was allegedly in Ruff Hall's pasture: I've been remiss in mentioning the latest: since I like to confirm stuff like that with another witness, I was informed by several people that a) yes it definitely existed, and b) there's no way it existed.  I'm not looking for the Sasquatch, just an airstrip. However, the man who actually built it, Jim Granderson, confirmed that he made it at the instruction of the County Judge in either 1951 or 1952.  Ruff Hall was involved with leasing land for oil claims, and he had the strip built so that the bigwigs from the oil companies could fly in on little two-seaters and inspect the leases.  Jim's word is good enough for me in this case.  I own an aerial photograph of the town made in 1964 (which hangs in the New Edinburg Museum as a reference map), and you can make out what's left of a strip oriented exactly as Jim described it.

Speaking of the Museum, it will be open for the public this Sunday afternoon from 1pm until 5pm.  Feel free to drop by and see it.  Admission is free.  It's located in the West Saline Community Center (which is the old school building).

If you have items of interest you'd like to see in this column, feel free to contact me by email (JamesCBoney@gmail.com), by phone (870-308-4608) or in person.  Go Eagles.

New Edinburg Column For This Week: April 18

^{1 John 1:1-4 "1}That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;  ²(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
 ³That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
 ⁴And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full."


Prayer list this week includes: Bob Kleinbeck, Libby Metcalf and the family of Tommy Livingston.

Birthdays this week include: Vickie Miller (April 18), Paschal Parham (April 21), Clara Parkman (April 21), and Kim Allen (April 22). A happy belated birthday to Bobbie Moseley (April 14).

Last week saw storms leaving a much needed 2.3 inches of rain at my house with varying amounts in other places around town.  More rain is forecasted off and on this week.

The "new" tanker truck for the fire department has minor problems which are being handled one at a time. No fires were reported this past week.


Visitors to the New Edinburg Museum last Sunday included: George Young, Odus Clary, and Richard and Laurie Beckner.  I enjoyed talking with each one about town history and learned a lot in the process from each of them... which is one reason I founded this museum.

Last week I visited with: Marie Lash (who is in much better shape), Betty Green (doing much better as well), and Jearline Thompson (who is doing quite well).

Congratulations to Mrs. Jean Warner who is now enjoying her retirement from St. John's Place.

I have six kittens, five of which will need a good home in the next few months.  Make you reservations now while supplies last.

Any news items of interest you want in this column... birthdays, anniversaries, visitations and other events... are welcome here subject to good taste.  You can drop it by my house, reach me by phone (870-308-4608), by email (JamesCBoney@gmail.com) or on Facebook.  Go Eagles.

New Edinburg Column For This Week: April 11

Matthew 7:24-27 "²⁴Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: ²⁵And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. ²⁶And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: ²⁷And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it."

Prayer list for this week includes: Libby Metcalf, Kaydeen Bloackmon and the family of Marjorie (Langford) Askew.

Birthdays this week include: Sheila Currier (Apr. 13) and Buddy Reaves (Apr. 16).

Monday saw another storm system roll through the area.  I read 0.6 of an inch in my gauge while others reported a little more than a quarter-inch.  Kingsland was reported to have received an inch and a half. Whatever the amount, we needed it and more.

I came across three gentlemen at Marks' Mills Park Saturday afternoon. One of them, Marvin Stukey of Panama City, FL, was visiting his two nephews Kyle Gean and Chuck Powers of Little Rock, and wanted to see the battlesite area. Mr. Stukey's ancestor, one Joseph Stukey, was enlisted in the 77^th Ohio and saw action at Marks' Mills where he was captured and later treated to some Southern hospitality down in Tyler, TX. I gave them the general layout of the battlefield and then they joined me at the museum to view some of the relics from that site. Mr. Gean and Mr. Powers, we later discovered, were former students of Mr. Marvin King at Watson Chapel. It's a small world.

Saturday evening, Mrs. Mildred Childress gave me copies of two unique photographs... one was of the Waldrop family circa 1900 which showed Pat Waldrop as a child, the other being an aerial shot of the Floyd Waldrop farm roughly 1950.  Both have honored places in the museum now.

I can't say switching the museum day to Sunday afternoon was a roaring success, but we'll keep it up for awhile to see what happens.  Donations, both material and monetary, were good last week and provided for improvements. Many thanks to all who have helped along the way; you know who you are. Come by Sunday afternoon from 1pm to 5pm and take a small look at New Edinburg's past, for free, and chat with each other and me. You won't leave disappointed.

New Edinburg Volunteer Fire Department received zero call outs last week.  That's a good thing, considering the dry weather and high winds.  That suggests to me most people know not to burn outside in such conditions. I heard through the grapevine one day last week that someone refused to pay the $25 per year fire dues, despite the fact it would lower his/her house insurance dramatically, because the NEVFD takes too long to get to a fire.  Those harboring such an opinion are invited to join the fire department and show us how it's done. Please do, but I don't think there's any danger of that happening.

The dogwood are blooming, in case you haven't seen one lately.  They are brilliant in combination with the first bright green of the woods and lawns that comes this time of the year.

Don't forget the New Edinburg Library in the back room of the store.  It's open whenever the store is open and has lots of reading material and DVDs for check out.

What ever lowlife dropped off the pregnant cat at my house a couple of weeks ago: the cat and her kittens are far better off with me than with you. Anything would be better off with me than with you. Abandoning a helpless domesticated animal to its fate is not only against the state law, it's against the laws of God's creation.  What goes around, comes around, but whatever the case may be, you provided me with a little buddy who is probably a better conversationalist that you are.

If you have news items of interest for this column, please feel free to get them to me by Monday evening in order to get them in that week's column. My phone number is 308-4608 and my email address is JamesCBoney@gmail.com. My mailing address is: James Boney, 5580 Hwy 8, New Edinburg, AR 71660. Go Eagles

New Edinburg Column For This Week: April 4

1 Peter 3:10-11 "¹⁰For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: ¹¹Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it."

Prayer list this week includes: Libby Metcalf, Daisy Blackmon, and Bob Kleinbeck.

Birthdays this week include: Joel Miller (April 9).

This Monday saw a powerful storm sweep through the state.  We weren't immune from the effects; a tree across the Mt. Lebanon Road cut power to that community for several hours.  Trees were downed in several other places, but I haven't heard of any serious damage or injuries. I counted 0.9 inches in my gauge after it was over.

The New Edinburg Fire Department received its latest tanker truck right in the middle of the storm.  It's a used reclamation truck that will need small modifications to serve its purpose.

Visitors to the New Edinburg Museum this past Saturday included Mrs. Rachel Jones, Mrs. Allison (Jones) Dallen and Ms. Madison Grider of Cabot.  Wiser heads have advised me that a Sunday afternoon opening for the museum would be better and I'll heed that advice.  Starting this weekend, the museum will open from 1pm to 5pm on Sunday afternoons.

Connie Shaw and Annette Luff spent last week visiting their cousin Kelli Archaletta in Las Vegas.  On the trip they did some sightseeing and visited the Hoover Dam and the Red Rock Canyon.

If you have news items of interest for this column, please feel free to get them to me by Monday evening in order to get them in that week's column. My phone number is 308-4608 and my email address is JamesCBoney@gmail.com.  Go Eagles.

We Are The Eagles: March 28th edition

Mark 3: 22-26 "²²And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. ²³And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? ²⁴And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.  ²⁵And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. ²⁶And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end."

Prayer list this week includes: Kaydeen Broughton, Frank and Agnes McClellan, Bob Kleinbeck, Libby Metcalf, and the family of Joe Paul King.

Birthdays this week include: Major McClellan (Mar. 28). Raymond and Mildred Brown will be celebrating their wedding anniversary this week though I haven't heard which day.

The weather here took a turn for the cooler this past few days, but slightly warmer temperatures are scheduled for this weekend. I'm glad I didn't plant anything sensitive.

Deputy Sheriff Major McClellan participated in the Saturday morning funeral of the late Sheriff Joe Paul King who passed away last Thursday.

Matthew Gill and Meredith Steelman were married at the Kingsland Missionary Baptist Church last Saturday afternoon. The newlywed couple will reside on Banks Road. Congratulations to both.

There will be a baby boy shower at the home of Daymon and Dianne Parker on April 9^th at 2pm for Jennifer and Brandon Burks. They are registered at Wal-Mart, Target, and Babies R-Us.

Norma McCoy and her sister Martha Cook joined Peggy Towery on a trip to Mountain Home for a few days. Peggy visited her son Preston while Norma and Martha visited Martha's son Chuck Cook. Norma reports they had an excellent time.

Henry and Rachel Jones were visited last weekend by Deb Jones, Meridith Armstrong of Arkadelphia, and Holly and Cole Hanry of El Dorado.

New Edinburg Fire Department assisted County Line Fire Department in a chicken house fire off of Thompson Road near Emmaus Church last week. Fortunately, the damage was minimal since the fire was quickly extinguished.

We had a great time at the New Edinburg Museum last Saturday with many curious visitors, including Steven Linzy who took several pictures of the displays. The museum will be open again this Saturday from noon to four. Actually, if you ever see my truck parked behind the building, that means I'm inside piddling around so feel free to stop by.

History item: I was told last week that Ruff Hall once had a dirt airstrip in the pasture behind his house. So far, no one else I've asked remembers this. If you can confirm this story, please contact me. Over the decades, New Edinburg has had many stores, a railroad station, a barber shop, multiple cafes, several doctors, a candy store, a telephone office, two movie theaters, a future serial killer, and a hotel, so an airstrip is certainly not out of the question.

If you have news items of interest for this column, please feel free to get them to me by Monday evening in order to get them in that week's column. My phone number is 308-4608 and my email address is JamesCBoney@gmail.com. This column will appear Monday night on the internet at http://WeAreTheEagles.blogspot.com. Go Eagles.

New Edinburg Column For This Week: March 21

Jude 1:14-15 “14And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 15To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. “

Prayer list this week includes: Frank and Agnes McClellan, Libby Metcalf, Jessie Hogancamp, Bob Kleinbeck.

Birthdays this week include: Eugene Boney (March 20), Jerry Langford (March 20), Jason Hall (March 20), Jim Granderson (March 21), David Harper (March 21), Melody Spears (March 23), Lila Beth Benson (March 25). Eugene Boney turned 91 this past Sunday and Jim Granderson turned 88 on Monday.

Welcome to Spring. The weather here in southern Arkansas is warm and looks like we're going to shift right into summer if it gets any warmer. If you're into planting by the moon signs, then the first week of April is the time to do it.

Emmaus Baptist Church will having a dessert and silent auction next Sunday night (March 26) following their nightly services.

Donations were good for the New Edinburg Museum last week. Jim Granderson gave me a wooden maul owned by Horace Cathey that goes with the frow previously donated by Lee Jones. Together they make a great display. Patricia Huddleston and grand daughter Kennedy spent a while in the museum last Saturday. It will be open again for public display this Saturday from noon to four, so feel free to drop by.

Jessie Hogancamp visited with relatives Randy, Whitney, Kayla, Kassi and a grandbaby from Cordon Indiana last Sunday afternoon at the Sheridan Community Center.

I had a pleasant time visiting Monday morning with Mrs. Mathilda Wynne. She's one of the last of the true southern belles.

New Edinburg Fire Department and Rison Fire Department assisted Kingsland Fire Department with extinguishing a very bad house fire on Oak and 2^nd streets in Kingsland last Friday afternoon. The house is not completely gone but is now unlivable. Fortunately a lot of personal possessions, clothes and photos were salvaged.

If you have news items of interest for this column, please feel free to get them to me by Monday evening in order to get them in that week's column. My phone number is 308-4608 and my email address is JamesCBoney@gmail.com. This column will appear Monday night on the internet at http://WeAreTheEagles.blogspot.com. Go Eagles.

New Edinburg Column For This Week: March 14

John 7:16-18 “16 Jesus answered them and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. 17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. 18 He that speaking of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.”

Prayer list for this week includes: Frank and Agnes McClellan, Leonard Huddleston, Sue McClellan, Lizzie Mae Martin, Betty Thompson, David McClellan, Max and Lorene Dyer, and Karen Russell (daughter of Rita Parham).

Birthdays this week include: Sue Sanders (Mar. 14), Jarrod Langford (Mar. 15), Jackie Harton (Mar. 15), Tonya Snider (Mar. 17), Andrew Grider (Mar. 17). A belated happy birthday to Charlie Thompson (Mar. 10).

With an occasional storm rolling through, the weather is warming up nicely for the garden season. I've been talking with several local farmers and we're all anxious to get more stuff in the ground. The old adage of “late Easter, early Spring” seems to be holding true this time. I hope everyone remembered to set their clocks forward last Sunday and not be late for church.

There will be a bridal shower for Tara Farmer and Thomas Green on March 19 at 6pm in Macedonia Church's fellowship hall. The couple are registered at Wal-Mart and Pennys.

The New Edinburg Fire Department held its quarterly meeting last Thursday night. The main topic of business was voting on the purchase of a truck in Tampa, FL, for the use of a tanker truck. The FD's present tanker truck has several crucial problems (mainly no baffles in the tank which makes driving it dangerous) and needs to be replaced. The members present voted to purchase the Tampa truck which will be delivered here soon and will be modified to meet our needs. The funds for the purchase will come from the FD's bank account and a grant from the Forestry Department through the county government. I heard today, but have not confirmed, that County Line FD has purchased another tanker truck too.

I made an effort these past few days to beg item donations and financial support for the New Edinburg Museum, and folks were very generous. The following people made financial or material donations: Evelyn Norris, Rick St. John, Jean Parrott, Clyde and Bobbie Moseley, Norma McCoy, Paschal and Rita Parham, Alan and Charolette Quimby, Henry and Rachel Jones, Lee Jones, Allen Searcy, Billy and Mickie Bryant, Tim Shaw, and Deena Jarrett of Crossett. Items donated include: picture frames (which I sorely needed), blue mason jars, a ceramic milk jug, a frow (and if you don't know what that is, come and see it) which probably belonged to the late Olaf Parkman, antique oil cans from the various railroads in this area, assorted farming equipment and tools, all shadows of our town's past. Perhaps the most unique items donated were the glove and training T-shirt of Allison Jones who played on our girls' softball team back in the late 1970s. I had an excellent time visiting with several people who helped me get the time line of area history straight in my head. Much thanks to everyone who is helping make this project grow and succeed. What a privilege it is to have been born and raised in this town.

Remember, this museum isn't just about school history, though there are a lot of school related displays; it's about New Edinburg history and the folks who have gone before us. I'll have the place open again this coming Saturday from noon to four, so feel free to drop by.

If you have news items of interest for this column, please feel free to get them to me by Monday evening in order to get them in that week's column. My phone number is 308-4608 and my email address is JamesCBoney@gmail.com. This column will appear Monday night on the internet at http://WeAreTheEagles.blogspot.com. Go Eagles.

New Edinburg Column For This Week: March 7

Jonah 2:1-2 "1 the Jonah prayed unto the Lord his Gd out of the fish's belly, 2 And said, "I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice."

Prayer list this week includes: the family of Vera McClellan.

Birthdays this week include: Joshua Brown (March 6), Meta Wright (March 9), Dorothy Shepherd (March 11).

Anniversaries this week include: Coy Ray and Dianna Martin (March 7).

Mrs. Jean Parrott visited her sister Edna in Pine Bluff last Wednesday.  Mrs. Patricia Huddleston was visited all last week by her daughter Sheila Long from Indiana.

West Saline Community Center held its quarterly meeting last Monday night at 6pm.   The New Edinburg Cemetery Board held its yearly meeting the same night at 7pm.  The Fire Department will have its quarterly meeting this Thursday at 6:30pm at the fire station.

The New Edinburg Fire Department responded to a grass fire on Farm to Market Rd. last Wednesday.  Fortunately, Deputy McClellan had the fire out before we arrived.  County Line Fire Department rolled on that fire as well.

Macedonia Church's Youth Group went to Little Rock for Winterjam last Saturday evening with 39 in attendance. There will be a baby girl shower for Tara and Jared Davis on March 12 at 6 p.m. at Macedonia Church fellowship hall.

If you have items of interest you'd like to see in this column, feel free to share with me before Monday evening in order to see them in that week's column.  This column will appear Monday night on the internet at http://WeAreTheEagles.blogspot.com.  Go Eagles.

New Edinburg Column For This Week: Feb. 28

Revelation 18:1-5 "¹And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. ²And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. ³For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. ⁴And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. ⁵For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. "

Prayer list for this week includes: Vera McClellan, Jackie Huddleston, Patricia Hagins, Frank and Agnes McClellan, Becky Howard, Sue McClellan, Max and Lorene Dyer, Tim Shaw, Leonard Huddleston, Betty Thompson, and Elizabeth Parker. Dylan Dunlap, son of Eddie Dunlap, is serving in Iraq and is asking our prayers be with him.

Birthdays this week include: Tim Reaves (Feb. 28), Sam Miller (March 28), Patricia Huddleston (March 28), April Brown (March 1), Shelly Grider (March 1), Jeremy Thompson (March 2), Heather Van Duren (March 2), James Keith Lassiter (March 4), Angela Wagnon (March 4), Hope Veorster (March 5), Jacob Emerson (March 5).

Anniversaries this week include: Odus and Mabel Clary (March 3) which will be 32 years of holy matrimony for them and Frank and Rita Martin (Feb. 28).  Congratulations to both couples.

Jackie Huddleston is recovering from a broken arm sustained in a fall.

Rick & Peggy Iliffe from Canada visited Jim & Michelle Reaves last week.

The storm last week wasn't as bad as predicted for this area, though we did lose power afterward from 3am to about 10am.  A second storm rolled through Sunday night in tandem with a 4.7 earthquake centered in Greenbrier.   It's getting bad when natural disasters start doubling up. I didn't notice it because I'm used to the bomb blasts from East Camden and have learned to ignore sudden shakes, though others in the area reported feeling a slight tremor.

Sightings of a UFO flying over town during the night of the first storm turned out to be an airborne trampoline.

Emmaus Church had the Senior adult Valentine banquet last Saturday night with a great turnout.  Upcoming events at Macedonia Church are: baby girl shower for Tara and Jared Davis on March 12 at 6 p.m. and a bridal shower for Thomas Green and Tara Farmer on March 19 at 6 p.m.  As the false and shallow system we've allowed to be built around us slowly crumbles (see the above scriptural quote) , it's delightful to see people congregate around churches and other institutions of community to enjoy each others' fellowship... not for worldly pleasure or money or fame, but wholesome fellowship with one another.

Visitors to the New Edinburg Museum last Saturday included Sammy Pipes, Kim Pipes Emerson and her daughter and husband (with names I'm sorry to say I didn't catch).  We had a good time talking over old memories and maybe making some future plans.

West Saline Community Center will have its quarterly board meeting next Monday night (March 7) at 6pm in the cafeteria.  All area residents are encouraged to attend.

The New Edinburg Fire Department will have its quarterly meeting next Thursday (March 10).  I'll post that again next week as a reminder.  The Department needs more firemen!  The training regimen isn't hard at all.  We need able bodied young men and women who don't mind eating a little smoke now and then. Contact Roy Chambers, Jean Parrott or any fireman you know if you're interested.

This column is for you.  If you have notable bits of news you'd like to see in print here then get it to me by Monday night in order to see it in that week's paper.  Contact me on FaceBook, my mail, by email (JamesCBoney@gmail.com), by phone (870-308-4608).  This column will appear Monday night on the internet at http://WeAreTheEagles.blogspot.com.  Go Eagles.

New Edinburg Column For This Week: Feb. 21

2 Corinthians 11: 12-15 "¹²But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. ¹³For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. ¹⁴And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. ¹⁵Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."

Prayer list for this week includes: Patricia Love McClellan, and the family of Maudie Groves Ross.

Birthdays this week include: Dena Chancellor (Feb. 23), Chad Sanders (Feb. 23), Liz Linzy (Feb. 24), Barbara Reaves (Feb. 25), Kirsten Emerson (Feb. 26).

Anniversaries this week include: Johnny and Freda Green (Feb. 20).

This week we continue to see some early Spring weather with bouts of rain.  Let's hope the upcoming blackberry winter will be mild and we can get some plants in the ground with minimal fuss this year.

Mary Jane Attwood and company visited Jim Granderson this past weekend.

Mr. and Mrs. Willie and Wanda Livingston were in town this past weekend from Texas working on the Clements hotel building.  Miss Wanda said they had been snowed in down there for a solid week, so I guess we got off light here.

Saturday night saw police officers from Cleveland and Dallas Counties arresting one wanted man on Mt. Elba Rd and being forced to conduct a manhunt for a second one.  The second suspect fled to the woods and was apprehended late Sunday morning after outsmarting tracking dogs brought from Pine Bluff.  I'm sure more details will appear elsewhere in this paper.

I'll have the New Edinburg Museum open this Saturday from noon to four in the West Saline Community Center.  Feel free to drop by and visit.

If you have items of interest you would like to see appear here, feel free to send them to me in person, by mail, by email (JamesCBoney@gmail.com) or by phone (870-308-4608) by late Monday night in order to get it in that week's edition.  This column will appear Monday night on the internet at http://WeAreTheEagles.blogpot.com.  Go Eagles.

New Edinburg Column For This Week: Feb. 14

John 9:39-41 "³⁹And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. ⁴⁰And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? ⁴¹Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth."

I know of no one for the prayer list this week; perhaps you know of some and you should keep them in mind.

Birthdays this week: Allison Jones Dallen (Feb. 18) and Diane Howard Langford (Feb. 18).  A belated happy birthday to Rachel Jones (Feb. 11).

Anniversaries this week: Tully and Norma McCoy (Feb. 13).

I hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day.  We're warming up here with gorgeous weather all week and into the foreseeable future. Snow totals in this area last week ranged from 3.5 to 5 inches, and it took a couple of days for back roads to completely clear.

County Line Fire Department and the Forestry Department responded to a big grass fire on County Line Rd. last Sunday. Fortunately, it was quickly handled.

Mrs. Jean Parrott, secretary of the New Edinburg Fire Department, reports this year's fire dues are coming in.  Paying fire dues to your nearest fire department will reduce your home insurance and it only costs $25 a year, so if you're interested then contact. Mrs. Parrott.

New Edinburg Baptist Church hosted a bridal shower Sunday afternoon for Meredith Steelman.  Meredith, the fiancee of Matthew Gill, was attended by many friends and family.  The couple will wed on March 26th at Kingsland Missionary Baptist Church and then reside in New Edinburg.

If you have stuff you'd like to see in this column, feel free to send them to me by mail, email (jamescboney@gmail.com), by phone (870-308-4608) or in person.  This column will appear online tonight at http://WeAreTheEagles.blogspot.com. Go Eagles.