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.

New Edinburg Column For This Week: Feb. 7

Matthew 16:2-4 "²He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. ³And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? ⁴A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed. "

Prayer list for this week includes: Anna Kidwell, Norma Hensley, the family of Inez Word, and the family of Lois Parker.

Birthdays this week include: Chuck Brown (Feb. 8)

Anniversaries this week: Jerry and Frances Langford (Feb. 12).

We're looking at yet another winter storm to come this week.  I hope it's the last one of this season, and that Spring like weather will come in soon.

Norma Hensley spent some time in the hospital last week, but is home and doing better.

Mrs. Inez Word passed away last Tuesday in Fordyce at the age of 92 after spending the last year in St. John's Place.  Miss Inez was a quiet person who kept to herself and was an active member of Mt. Lebanon church for decades.  She was one of my Sunday school teachers and one of the best.

I'm hearing reports of scrap metal being stolen from remote places throughout the area.  If you have a clue who is doing it, please contact the Sheriff's Office.

I had a good time visiting with Mr. Lee Jones yesterday; we recalled residents and events long past.

If you have items of interest for this column, feel free to share them before Monday night in order to get them into that week's edition.  Contact me by phone (870-308-4608), email (jamescboney@gmail.com), by mail, or in person.  Go Eagles.

We Are The Eagles: Jan. 31th Edition

Mark 2:16-17 "¹⁶And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? ¹⁷When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. "

Prayer list for this week includes: Theresa Thompson-Brown and the family of Jim Hopson.

Birthdays this week include: Sue Bratton (Jan. 30), Hanna Moring (Feb. 3).

With several great days behind us, we're moving back into some winter weather according to the weather man.  It's time to get early garden vegetables out.

The New Edinburg Fire Department held a fire drill last Saturday which included a short class on operating the truck pumps and building interior safety.

A local woman who wishes to remain anonymous received a scary telephone call one morning last week when an unknown caller posing as a federal law officer contacted her.  The caller told her there was a federal warrant out for her arrest for drug trafficking, but paying the $15,000 fine up front could "make it all go away."  The woman in question didn't fall for the scam, and contacted the Sheriff's office and the FBI.  If you receive the same call, note the Washington DC phone number it will come from, hang up, and contact the nearest FBI field office.

David Pipes and his wife Quin visited the New Edinburg Museum last Saturday afternoon.  David has since been sharing some old photos with me in which many people cannot be identified.  I'll be inquiring with others in this area to see if I can't get the photo subjects figured out.

Macedonia Free Will Baptist Church hosted the Fifth Sunday event last Sunday night.  Several FWB churches get together for fellowship every month that has a fifth Sunday.  This event's schedule included singing and a teen puppet skit followed by a felowship meal.  The teens in the puppet skit were Chrissy Dyer, Brianna and Tiffany Hamilton, Wesley Kleiser, Casey Jones, and Jeff Brown also participated with the youth.

If you have items of interest for this column, feel free to share them before Monday night in order to get them into that week's edition.  Contact me by phone (870-308-4608), email (jamescboney@gmail.com), by mail, or in person.  Go Eagles.

We Are The Eagles: Jan. 24th Edition

Hebrews 1:1-4 "¹God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, ²Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; ³Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high: ⁴Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they."

Prayer list for this week includes: Laverne Grice, Theresa Thompson Brown, and the family of Fabron Gullett.

Birthdays this week include: Stacey Thompson (Jan. 23), Jessie Noble (Jan. 24), Suzanne Wagnon (Jan. 26), Sue Bratton (Jan. 30). A happy belated birthday to Matt Shaw (Jan. 21).

The weather continues to go up and down with some slight snow predicted for this week.  Personally, I think we've been pretty fortunate this winter.

Patricia Huddleston loaned me a picture of her father, Henry Crawford, so that I could make a copy of it for the New Edinburg Museum.  The picture is part of a small 1980 article concerning Mr. Henry's 30 years of safe bus driving for the New Edinburg School district and shows him by his bus and holding a plaque given to him by the Arkansas Bus & Truck Convention.  I rode Mr. Henry's bus for six years and remember him well.

As to the museum, it will be open this coming Saturday from noon to four o'clock.  For those who don't know where it is, it's in the old First Grade room in the West Saline Community Center (the old school building).  Drop by and see what's on display and let's shoot the breeze.

If you have items for this column, please get them to me by Monday afternoon for inclusion in that week's edition.  I have a new phone number: 870-308-4608.  I can also be contacted by email (jamescboney@gmail.com), or in person.  Go Eagles.

New Edinburg Column For This Week: Jan. 17

Philippians 2:5-8 “5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. “

Prayer list for this week includes: Renee Estes who fell a couple of weeks ago and broke her leg, her mother Joyce Noble who is sick, Liz Linzy who is battling a bad virus, Patricia McClellan Love's grand daughter Faith Makenzie (“ZZ”) who suffered serious burns a few days ago and had to spend time in the Children's Hospital Burn Unit.

Anniversaries: January 15^th was the 29^th anniversary of Randy and Liz Linzy.

Birthdays this week include: Laverne Thompson (Jan. 17), Dylan Cathey (Jan. 18), Marvin King (Jan. 19), Rick St. John (Jan. 19), Drew Talley (Jan. 20), Angie Clements (Jan. 21), Martha Cook (Jan. 21).

If there's any snow left anywhere, I can't find it. There are predictions of some more coming in later this week. I sincerely hope not.

Norma McCoy, Sally Wolfgang, Norma Hensley and Mildred Naquin visited with Martha Cook in Kingsland last Thursday.

The Kingsland Missionary Baptist Church held a wedding shower this past Sunday for Matthew Gill and his fiance Meredith Steelman.

I forgot to mention last week that the New Edinburg Museum was visited January 8 by Marie Brown Wilson, her husband Billy Wilson, and her mother Martha Lephiew. We had a good time talking about past days and passed people.

In regards to the museum, people are certainly answering my call for donations! Mr. Willie Livingston gave me two pictures of the NEHS Senior Boys basketball teams... one from 1948-1949 and one from 1949-1950, Ms. Clara Parkman donated the following that she rescued from the hotel renovation project: Bruce Upton's Air Force ROTC Drill and Ceremony Handbook, two class registers from Mrs. Hazel Word ('53-'54 and '54-'55), a class register book from Mrs. R. W. Hooten ('54-'54), a high school History work book used by Helen Stewart (year unknown), Composition books from Helen Stewart, a 1949 edition of the Eagle Democrat with many articles about the aftermath of the tornado that struck Warren, and a 1957 edition of the Herald. Mr. Frank McClellan graciously donated his NEHS Senior Boys jacket from his team's District victory in 1952. My heartfelt thanks goes to these generous donors.

If you have items of interest concerning town history that you would like to loan or donate for display in the museum, please let me know. Money to pay for picture frames, more tables (because I'm running out of flat space), and a possible tile floor would be nice too, but I'm mostly looking to acquire anything related to our area's history, be it school, church and community related. If you have pictures that you'd rather not part with, I can scan copies of them and return them within a hour or two.

Lastly, regarding town history, here's a subject that will fascinate some and repel others (I'm in the first camp). I had an interesting round of correspondence with Mr. Wayne Beck this weekend over the internet. Many of you have probably heard of the Texarkana Phantom Murders of 1946. A movie was made on the subject in 1976 titled The Town That Dreaded Sundown. The only real suspect in the murders was a Cleveland County native named Youell Swinney who was never tried for the crimes.

I've always suspected Mr. Swinney came from the New Edinburg area, but couldn't prove it. It turns out Mr. Beck is quite the historian on the subject and showed me the 1920 US Census record for Redland listing Youell Swinney as a 3 year old child living here in town with his family. His father was a Baptist minister here at the time. Was Youell born here? We'll certainly try and find out and keep you apprised as to whether or not this soil grows strange crops. Mr. Beck has promised me a print version of that census record, and I'll have a small display devoted to the Phantom Killer in the museum before long.

This column will appear Monday night on the internet at http://WeAreTheEagles.blogspot.com. If you would like items of interest to appear in this column, please get them to me before Monday afternoon. Go Eagles.

New Edinburg Column For This Week

Luke 9:22-24 "22Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.  23And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.  24For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. "

Prayer list for this week includes: Frank and Agnes McClellan, Sue McClellan, Leonard Huddleston, Max and Lorene Dyer, Tyler Parker.

Birthdays this week include: Jennifer Mercy (Jan. 11), Wayne Beck (Jan. 12), Coy Ray Martin (Jan. 13), Debbie Briant (Jan. 14), Dustin Briant (Jan. 15).  A belated happy birthday to Bro. Billy Wilson (Jan. 9) and to Alexis Whitlock (granddaughter of Patricia Huddleston) who spent her 13th birthday at the movies with her boyfriend and boyfriend's mother.

A few weeks ago, I reported that Chris Wilson, who was cleaning out the Stewart Store, was from Pansy.  My mistake... he's actually from Herbine.  Sorry about that, Chris.

In case you missed it, we received a heavy snow Sunday afternoon.  I measured 3.5 inches in my yard; others reported as much as 4 and 5 inches.  Thankfully, snow is all it was and we didn't lose electricity and we certainly didn't lose anyone to fatalities. As of tonight (Monday), there's a serious danger of a freeze with all the slush still around; here's praying nothing bad comes from that.

The snow certainly didn't keep people away from Macedonia Free Will Baptist Church last Sunday.  I attended on invitation and the sanctuary was full.  The church service consisted of a short sermon and then many songs by the visiting Gospel group In Him, who reminded me of older Gospel groups from the past such as The Florida Boys and Porter Waggoner.  Afterward, there was a birthday dinner for Pastor Billy Wilson in the fellowship hall laden with a lot of excellent homecooked food.  My thanks to the members of Macedonia FWB for making me feel so welcome.

Mrs. Ollie Moring identified some of my ancestors in a photograph I showed her Sunday, specifically Frank and Margurite Thompson who were the grandparents of my grandmother Cara Thompson Boney.

If you have items of interest for this column, feel free to share with me before Monday night in order to get it in that week's edition of this paper.  I also put this column on the internet at http://WeAreTheEagles.blogspot.com.  Go Eagles.

First Column of the Year!!!

1 John 2:15-17 “15Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. “

Prayer list this week: the families of Mary Katherine Miller, Thelma Grice and Minnie Ruth Morgan.

Birthdays over the past few weeks include: Renee Smith (Dec. 28), Karlee Castle (Dec. 29), Norma McCoy (Dec. 30), Betty Grace (Dec. 30), James Gill (Dec. 30), Markayla Jackson (Jan. 1), Dixie Martindale (Jan. 5), Delbert Moring (Jan. 5), Doris Kee (Jan. 8) and Ricky Sanders (Jan. 9).

It's 2011... I hope every one of you had a pleasant Christmas and New Year's Day.

Avery Skelton spent a few days last week in Bradley Medical Center with a nasty virus. As of this writing, he's back up and bouncing around.

The manhunt conducted near Pansy last December 22 included the following volunteers from this area: Major McClellan, Stephen McClellan, Randy Linzy, James Gill, Toby Johnson, Brent Huddleston, Dustin Cearley, and myself.

Amy Pilkington and daughter Joy had a car wreck outside of Fordyce on Dec. 23. Despite flipping the car (which is often fatal), Amy and Joy escaped with their lives. It could have been a lot worse.

The town lost three of our own since you last read this column: Thelma Grice passed away on Christmas morning. Mary Katherine Miller passed away Dec. 23, and Minnie Ruth Morgan, the mother of Wanda McClellan, passed away Jan. 2. Many thanks to our friends at County Line Fire Department who assisted.

The New Edinburg Volunteer Fire Department responded to a trailer fire on Broughton Rd. at the property of J. R. Avery on Christmas Day. The trailer was roughly 50 feet from a trailer fire that occurred about three weeks earlier.

Visitors for Jim Granderson over the Christmas season were stepchildren Mary Jane Attwood and Tyler Attwood. I ate Christmas dinner with them and it was most excellent.

Family visiting Henry and Rachel Jones during the Christmas week-end were Greg, Allison, and Josh Dallen of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Luke Dallen of Seoul, South Korea, Zach Dallen of RIT, Rochester, New York, Deborah Jones, Meridith Armstrong of Arkadelphia, Rhett, Holly, and Cole Hanry and Rick and Peg Cole of El Dorado.

Visitors for Jean Parrott this week included Ron, Jan and Joe Parrott from Arizona. Ron is the nephew of Victor Parrott.

Meleah Castle held a birthday party for her daughter Karlee at the home of grandparents Belinda and Harold Langford. Those attending were Harold and Belinda, Nita Beth Hall, Joann Hall, Frankie Hall, Tate Hall and Linda Knight.

Tyler Attwood made a generous donation to the New Edinburg Museum during the holidays. The museum stands as an archive of town history... school, church, commercial and personal history is what the place is about. Many have given in both money and material items; let's hope the trend continues because we need to preserve what we're all about. If you have material items you'd like to donate or loan, please contact me at home or in person. If you'd like to donate funds to improve the place (for a tile floor, shelves, cleaning supplies, picture frames, etc.) again please contact me at home, by mail, or in person. Every little bit helps!

As we ring in 2011, many people have been very generous in sharing items for this column since I started over two years ago. An excellent example is Mrs. Ollie Moring who takes the time to write down the birthdays and anniversaries of your relatives each month and mails the list to me. Let me start this new year right by thanking each of them and also every person (somewhere in the hundreds now) who has approached me face to face and expressed his or her gratitude for the revival of this column. You are much appreciated. Go Eagles.

New Edinburg Column for Christmas Week

Romans 5:1-5 "1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God 
through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2By whom also we have access by faith into this 
grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only 
so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh 
patience; 4And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5And hope maketh not 
ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost 
which is given unto us. " 
 
Prayer list for this week includes: Jim Hopson and Travis Posey. 
 
Birthdays this week include: Betty Green (Dec. 20), Steven Rawls (Dec. 21), Roy 
Chambers (Dec. 22), Kaillyn Green (Dec. 25).  A belated happy birthday to Bobby 
Chambers (Dec. 16). 
 
Anniversaries this week: Cecil and Geraldine Sanders (Dec. 20; 58 years). 
 
Here comes Christmas... no snow, but we love it all the same.  I hope all the 
Herald readers have a safe and Merry Christmas. 
 
I only visited the Stewart-Clement Hotel for last week's Open House tour.  The 
number of people who dropped by was considerable and enjoyable.  Other points on 
the tour were: the home of Allen Searcy, the home of Blake Spears and the home 
of Marty Reynolds. 
 
Last Saturday, a friend of mine by name of Joe Dempsey from Pine Bluff came down 
to take exterior pictures of the Hotel.  Joe has an excellent internet site 
titled Weekly Grist for the Eyes and Mind; his main purpose in life these days 
is to travel the state and photograph old buildings and other points of 
interest.  As we were hanging around outside, we were approached by Chris 
Wilson, of near Pansy, who was busy cleaning out Leslie Stewart's store 
building. Joe and I made out way over there to check out the building and its 
contents, and he wound up taking several excellent pictures there as well in 
addition to a few snaps of the Finch McCullough building.  All of these pictures 
can be found on the internet at 
http://www.corndancer.com/joephoto/photohome.html.  Check out Joe's site and 
enjoy not only pics from our fair town but sights from around Arkansas. 
 
While we were there, Chris' wife Jeanette (the grand-daughter of Leslie Stewart) 
gave me several volumes of Leslie's court dockets.  I have five volumes in all 
ranging from the early 1950s to the early 1970s.  All make for interesting 
reading, and will be on display in the New Edinburg Museum the next time I open 
it up. Thanks goes to Jeanette Wilson for this excellent donation. 
 
Betty Green was honored with a surprise birthday party last Saturday at the home 
of Tommy and Tammy Green with a great number of family and friends in 
attendance. 
 
Macedonia Baptist Church's youth group put on a Christmas play last Sunday night 
entitled "Cookin' Up Christmas" which was a big hit. 
 
If you have stuff you'd like to see in this column, feel free to share it with 
me by phone, email, Facebook, or in person.  This column also appears Monday 
night on the internet at http://WeAreTheEagles.blogspot.com.  Go Eagles.