April 27 Edition

"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD." - Isaiah 54:17

Happy birthday this week to: Robert Dyer - April 27, Megan and Morgan Searcy and Norma Thompson - April 28.

We Eagles are sad at the passing of Mrs. Peggy Towery last Saturday at the age of 86.

Daisy Blackmon celebrated her past birthday with family and friends at the West Saline Community Center last Sunday afternoon.

Donnie McClellan is engaged to Marie Crank of Texarkana.

Last Thursday's initial community development meeting went well with about 25 people in attendance. Herald editor Britt Tallent MCed the discussion and we examined what the attendees thought were the strengths of our community, our weaknesses, and where we want to be in a decade. Further plans are afoot.

One interesting thing brought up was a desire to have a sort of home town festival... perhaps based around the Battle of Marks' Mills. I remember now some of the school yearbooks from the 1950s showed some pictures of a halloween parade through downtown New Edinburg. I'll see if I can't scan and share them later.

Speaking of Marks' Mills: last Saturday was the 151st anniversary of that battle, and if I remember nothing else about it, I will always remember a stunt my father pulled on me when I was about 7. At the time, we lived on the Banks Road where Carlton McClellan lives now, and our neighbors were Margie Bowers and the Smiths. 

Back in the 70s, the weekend trip to Fordyce or Warren was a big deal... or at least it was to me... and my Mom did her grocery shopping on Saturday morning. On that particular April 25th, as he was going to work, my Dad told me that on this day the ghosts of the Confederates killed at Marks' Mills would be marching up the Banks Road. Now, understand, I was 7. I gave up a trip to Fordyce and the comic books that would have been acquired, to stand in Margie Bowers' yard and wait with excitement to see ghosts silently marching up the road to their destiny.

I stood out there a solid two hours. At one point, Howard Smith came out of his house and looked at me. I said "I'm waiting for the ghosts to march by." He simply said "all right" and went back inside.

As you've probably guessed by now, the ghosts didn't appear, and I felt cheated. When my Dad came home, I let him know right off the bat no ghosts came by and I missed a trip to town because of all this. He stared at me in disbelief and said "Oh my God, you didn't really believe me did you?"

Be careful what you tell your children.

Go Eagles.

April 21 Edition

"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:" --- Job 19:25

Birthdays this week include: Kim Allen - April 22, Daisy Blackmon - April 23.

Here's hoping all the turkey hunters had some luck last weekend as the season opened. I'm not hearing very many optimistic reports...

Chapel Hill Baptist Church will be holding revival services next week, April 27-29, at 7 pm. Services will be led by Brother Rick Bolin.

Kickstart Cleveland County will be holding its second community meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 23, at the New Edinburg Community Center. The meeting is open to anyone interested in possibly starting a community development initiative in the New Edinburg area.


Greenland Food Pantry will be open Tuesday, April 28th at 9am. Those with low incomes and in need of supplemental food are welcome to come by.

Robert Boney is still in St. John's Place for rehab. He'd probably love it if any of his old friends/girlfriends/relatives came by the visit.

If you have items of interest for this column, please share them before Monday in order to get in that week's edition. This column will appear on the internet (sometime) at http://WeAreTheEagles.blogspot.com. Go Eagles.

April 13 Edition

^"11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. ¹² The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." -- Romans 8:11-12

Birthdays this week include: Sheila Currier - April 13, Blake Spears and Bobbie Moseley - April 14, Johnnie Green & Ella Green April 15.

Bro. Tony Atkins of New Edinburg First Baptist Church is undergoing problems with lung cancer. It's confined to one lymph node, and surgery may be done soon. Please keep him in your prayers.

Also keep in your heart the family of the late Sue Carolyn Wheeler Smith, NEHS Class of '51 and the sister-in-law of Bobbie Moseley.

Last week's house fire at the home of Sylvester and Rae Nell Wright really got out of hand with a return visit that night from the Fire Department followed by a third visit the following morning as a car parked behind the remains of the house caught fire. So, between the trailer fire on Farm to Market Rd and this fire, the department was in action off and on for about 40 hours.

A benefit was held at the West Saline Community Center to help the family of the late Eric Abeyta of Kingsland. Good BBQ plates and live entertainment was on hand with an attendance of about 150 and about $1400 raised for the family.

There will be another benefit given there at our old school with the aim of raising funds to repair the gymnasium floor so that an indoor place for children to have games can be provided. A local contractor has stated he and his crew can easily make the repairs. The event will start at 5:30pm on Saturday, April 18. Admission is $5.00 and the live entertainment will Warren local "Big Chuk." 

If you have items of interest for this column, please get them to me before Monday of each week.  This column will appear on the internet at http://WeAreTheEagles.blogspot.com.  

April 6 Edition

"For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." --- Roman 5:10

Birthdays this week include: Tommy Green - April 10, Melinda Huddleston & Dustin Briant - April 12

I hope everyone had a great Easter despite the rainy, cool weather.

Easter Sunday noon saw the New Edinburg Fire Department responding to a fire on the Farm to Market Road where an abandoned trailer apparently exploded. An unnamed witness reported the fire and said she saw a man running away from the trailer. No one was injured.

The next morning, Monday, the old Kleinbeck home in the middle of town burned. It was a total loss, but fortunately all residents were away at the time. The house was the residence of Sylvester and Rae Nell Wright and family.

Robert Boney is alive and well and in St. John's Place in Fordyce for rehabilitation after receiving a stint for his aneurysm.

Bro. Tony Atkins reports First Baptist Church had the biggest attendance ever for their Easter Sunrise Services.

Some local history about the First Baptist Church courtesy of The Eagle Democrat,  Wednesday, October 25, 1967:  "The First Baptist Church of New Edinburg has a distinction of having been built and located in three counties without moving more than 100 yards and without ever crossing a county line.

At the time of the erection of the church, the town of New Edinburg was in Bradley County. Some years later, a new county was formed from parts of adjoining counties and New Edinburg and the Baptist Church found themselves in Dorsey County. Still later, the name of the county was changed, honoring President Grover Cleveland.

The church was organized almost 100 years ago in 1868 with Elders Solomon Gardner and John T. Craig consitituting the Presbytery. The church was in the Judson Baptist Association. After 1901, the church agreed that it could no longer see eye to eye on ecclesiastical matters with its present larger connection and joined the General Association, the American Baptist Association, and later the North American Baptist Association.

The first building was completed in September of 1869, after which the church adopted a resolution to the Methodist of the community expressing appreciation for being allowed to use the Methodist house of worship for its services for a season.

In early years, at almost every monthly conference, some-Brother or Sister was excluded from worship for some kind of unbecoming conduct: the men usually for imbibing too freely of alcoholic beverages and the women for "tipping light fantastic toe..." [Note: that's archaic language for dancing...]

In those days, revivals were popular, and one mighty one was conducted under the persuasive preaching of Rev. W. E. Penn in 1890. Results, fifty church additions and 122 professions of faith.

A new church was erected in 1936 and it was dedicated in 1937. The building, at the time of completion, consisted of an auditorium and six Sabbath School rooms. The Sunday School is first mentioned in church records of 1883. The church has had three buildings, the current one replacing one that was put up in 1890. This one replaced the orginal church structure. The middle building had an 84-foot steeple."

Go Eagles.

September 30 Edition

"Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness." --- Proverbs 30:20

Birthdays this week include: Debbie Sanders and Dakotah Moring (Sept. 29), Teresa Lynn (Oct. 2). Happy belated birthdays to L. T. Marks (Sept. 23) and Otis Clary (Sept. 26).

New Edinburg's Spook House is gearing up for this October at the West Saline Community Center.  More details as they arise.  The attentive reader may remember from two years ago that it was rated higher by tourists than any others in the surrounding area, and the organizers are planning bigger and better things.

West Saline Community Center's board voted to dismiss LaVetrice Gill from her board position at a special meeting Sept. 19.

Regarding my uncle Robert Boney, he is recovering from the head-on collision he suffered Sept. 22 which killed his wife of 50 years, Ruth Gray Boney, and left him hospitalized in critical condition. Reports from the family have him facing liver damage and numerous punctures, but he is out of ICU. He is thankful for your thoughts and prayers.

Funeral services for Pascal and Rita Parham will be graveside at 1pm on Oct. 11 at Freehouse Cemetery on Hwy. 8.

If you have stuff you want in this column, please get it to me before Monday for inclusion in that week's column.  This column will appear on the internet at http://WeAreTheEagles.blogspot.com.  Go Eagles.

September 22 Edition

"3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." --- Romans 5:3-5

Birthdays this week: Paula Splawn (Sept. 21), Linda Warner (Sept. 22), Barbara Chance (Sept. 23), Melvin Jackson and Judy Simmons (Sept. 26).

Fall is here. Enjoy it while it lasts.

The Mt. Elba Access on this side of the river is now officially the Lloyd Wilton "Buddy" Reaves Mt. Elba Access after a dedication ceremony last Friday attended by many family and friends of the late Buddy Reaves.

For those of you wondering what happened to the lights Sunday night: a Benton resident driving through town lost control and smacked one of the light poles in front of the old Ray Estes store and damaging another thus plunging the town into darkness for several hours. The driver fled on foot but was picked up by the Sheriff's department near Marks' Mills Park. I guess he was still trying to get back to Benton. I saw the car, and personally I'm amazed he was still alive let alone able to hoof it down the road.
New Edinburg's Spook House is gearing up for this October at the school building. Admission will be $2 a head. I'll publish the date as soon as I have it. I can say that it will be something else this year.

If you have stuff you want in this column, please get it to me before Monday for inclusion in that week's column.  This column will appear on the internet at http://WeAreTheEagles.blogspot.com.  Go Eagles.

September 16 Edition

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 KJV

Birthdays this week include: Linda Knight and Bro. Tony Atkins - Sept. 20.

New Edinburg buried two excellent women last Saturday: Joyce Briant and Emilie Jones. Keep both families in your prayers. Also remember Bobby Avery as he recovers from cancer surgery. Bobby's problem was found, not after waiting in a doctor's office, but through a free clinic. Take advantage of them; it could save your life.

Did you enjoy the cold snap? Every weather prediction source is calling for an early Fall and a really bad Winter.

Bow season for deer opens soon. Beware deer with bows, and please be safe in the woods.

West Saline Community Center added two new board members: Tyrone Cranford and Christi Russell. The Center is already getting ready for its 3rd annual Spook House in late October. From the plans I've received, it looks to be bigger and better than the last two years and will include children's games for the ones too little to be spooked, and a haunted trail. I'll keep you apprised as to more details as the day approaches.

A blast from the past from the Arkansas Baptist Newspaper, 17 Feb 1897, page 15, col 1 : "Dr. E.H. Moses, of New Edinburg died February 5, 1897. Dr. Moses was born in Georgia, March 10, 1827; educated in the medical school of Philadelphia; married in the spring of 1849. He was a charter member of this church, and for more than forty-six years has walked circumspectly in this community. He was baptized at the age of 20. His funeral was attended by a host of loved ones, who grieve at his departure. This dear brother has been in sympathy with all our church work. The community has lost a good citizen, the church a true light, and the wife a loving husband.
We mourn not as those who have no hope. God has taken his loyal child home. We shall meet him by and by. May God be with his dear companion, comfort and keep her until that blessed day."

If you have items you want in this column, please get it to me before Monday for inclusion in that week's column.  This column will appear on the internet at http://WeAreTheEagles.blogspot.com.  Go Eagles.

September 9 Edition

^"4 And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you."  --- Isaiah 46:4

Birthdays this week include: Vester Thompson - Sept. 9, Charlene King - Sept. 10, Nita Beth Hall - Sept. 12, Austin Grice and Sharon Davis - Sept.13, Beth Rippy and Sierra Paul - Sept 14.

Happy anniversary to Marvin and Princess Jackson - Sept. 7.

The New Edinburg Cemetery Association asks that anyone with family or friends in the NE Cemetery please help with the cost of upkeep through donations.  Donations made be made to Rick St. John, who is the treasurer.

Plans are underway for this year's Spook House in the old school building. I'm told that this year it will be preceeded by games for the smaller children who can't handle being chased down the hall by masked maniacs. I say this tongue in cheek because last year I was one of the tour guides, and met some older people who couldn't handle it either... carried one on my back for a couple of yards, in fact.

If you read this in time, the County Commodities truck will be at the New Edinburg Community Center Thursday starting at 9am.

Enjoy the slightly cooler weather coming down the pipe. You've earned it.

If you have stuff you want in this column, please get it to me before Monday for inclusion in that week's column.  This column will appear on the internet at http://WeAreTheEagles.blogspot.com.  Go Eagles.

August 30 Edition

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3 KJV

Birthdays this week include: Leslie Beverage - August 24, Shirlene Jackson - Agust 26, Marshall Wilson and Jackson Perry - August 29, Mark Shienle - August 30.

It's almost definitely officially August out there; need I say more?

The Thompson family reunion went well this past Saturday with over 80 attending. Those signing in are as follows: Phyllis Stedman, Patricia Huddleston, Kayla and Charles Moring, James Boney, Herbert and Ollie Moring, Joyce and Gene Briant, Marnell and Marshall Parker, Conway Thompson, Jayson Briant, Gene and Pat Thompson, Buddy and Laverne Thompson, Joy Claire Pilkington, Terry and Brittany Nolan with Drake Hardy, Mandy and Benton Cater, Tyson Thompson, Joanie Ozmont, Randy Thompson, James and Janelle Sinclair, Terry and Karen Barker, John and Glenda Appleget, Phil and Kaye Cooper, Margaret Peek, Bernice Pennington, Robert Lee and Elizabeth Barker, Nancy Richardson, Elizabeth Childers, Angie William, Cecil and Loece Thompson, Aubrey Huddleston, Vicky Irons, Paula Weast, Danielle Robertson, Ronnie Bates, Stacy Bates and Morgan Bates, Eloise Weeks, Danny Huddleston, Melinda Huddleston, Mason Huddleston, Rhonda and Laron Evans, Kristi Russell, Briane Smith, Logan Smith, Landon Smith, Isabella Smith, Cristy Cathey, Matt Cathey, Colby Cathey, Hayden Cathey, Alli Cathey, Brenda Thompson, Speedy Thompson, Calvin Earl Thompson, Mildred and Raymond Brown, Dr. Michelle and Gauge Weaver, Kaitlyn Green, Brittany Miller, and Erwin and Ethel Dyer.

If you didn't make the Thompson Reunion this year, this Saturday we voted overwhelmingly to move the event next year to the New Edinburg Community Center due to the excessive heat outside in August.

The Reaves Cemetery Homecoming followed the next day and saw about 125 in attendance, with the devotional given by Bro. Billy Wilson and the Word brought by Bro. Dwayne Ashcraft.

Hope (Veorster) Dunlap, daughter of Theresa Huddleston and daughter-in-law of Eddie Dunlap (grand-daughter-in-law of Bobbie Dunlap) is attending the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and recently received her "blue coat," which means she's taken the Oath of Professional Conduct and can be trusted with our pets. Congratulations to Hope for this great achievement.

If you have stuff you want in this column, please get it to me before Monday for inclusion in that week's column.  This column will appear on the internet at http://WeAreTheEagles.blogspot.com.  Go Eagles.

August 20 Edition

“I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” --- Psalm 16:8 KJV

Happy birthday to: Carrigan Hopson - August 20, Jayson Briant - August 21, Keri Cargile - August 22, Danny Huddleston - August 23.

Happy Anniversary to Laura and Chad Sanders - August 24.

New Edinburg Methodist Church long-time member Reba Nichols passed away last Friday in Little Rock. Burial was this Monday at Stoney Point Cemetery in Bucksnort. Remember her family.

The annual Thompson Family Reunion will be on Saturday August 23 at Reaves Cemetery. The following day, Sunday, will be the Reaves Cemetery Homecoming. I'll bet I confused you last week by giving the date but stating it was "this Saturday."

Last week, two readers pointed out to me that a section of this column appeared bolded and italicized; that was a production error at the Herald according to editor Britt Tallent.

West Saline Community Center held a Back-to-School Bash last Saturday evening with many children in attendance. Eight lucky children won a $20 gift card each, and one adult won a $50 gas card.

If you have stuff you want in this column, please get it to me before Monday for inclusion in that week's column.  This column will appear on the internet at http://WeAreTheEagles.blogspot.com.  Go Eagles.

August 13 Edition

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 KJV

Birthdays this week include: Ollie Moring - August 13, Judy Moring - August 14, Sammy Pipes - August 15,  Kimberly Brown and Judy Perry - August 16.

The annual Thompson Family Reunion will be this Saturday August 23 at Reaves Cemetery. The following day, Sunday, will be the Reaves Cemetery Homecoming.

Marty Gill resigned from the West Saline Community Center governing board July 30 due to a board decision not to charge money for truck and equipment parking on the premises.

Emmaus Baptist Church is in revival this week.

How about this unsettling weather? We have some hot days, but by and large we're skating along with lots of rain and cooler temps. If this is "global warming" then give me a double helping.

Totally out of season, but let's talk about it anyway: as we begin the slide toward Fall,  I'm personally looking forward to Halloween. I love it. Now, a lot of people don't like Halloween because sometime back in the 80s, a bunch of spoilsports got together and decided Halloween was Satanic... mainly, I think because Halloween antics weren't church-sponsored... though I could be wrong about that. Before normally sane people lost their minds on this topic, we dug it. Kids T-n-T'ed because we knew everyone and didn't fear candy poisoning and all that. That stuff was a myth, by the way, and stemmed from two mainly harmless incidents up in Yankee Land.  But down here, in God's Country, you could clean up on candy that night, and the only kids getting sick were the ones who ate too much all at once... as I can personally attest. Another fun aspect was the tricks that some of our now responsible citizens used to pull. I'll withhold the names to protect the guilty. Main street the next morning looked like a Charmin Cathedral, and the bus ride through town was a laugh. I've been told by some of the older heads, like my late father, that stunts were once a little more intense... wagons disassembled and re-assembled on roof tops, wood stacks pushed over, and a mule was once locked inside Mr. Bell's barber shop. Good fruit and tomatoes were thrown out of the darkness at unwary drivers and horses left unattended were sometimes painted garish colors. If you think these things were horrible, just remember: every pressure cooker needs a safety valve to let off a little steam.

If you have stuff you want in this column, please get it to me before Monday for inclusion in that week's column.  This column will appear on the internet at http://WeAreTheEagles.blogspot.com.  Go Eagles.

August 8 Edition

Psalm 119:160 “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.”

Birthdays this week include: Jacob Brown (August 6), Justin Lash (August 7), Jimmy Pennington (August 7), Termekia Smith (August 8), and Becca Cowan  (August 8).  Happy belated birthday to Reggie Wofford (July 31).

Emmaus Baptist Church Revival is August 10-13 Sunday 11:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Mon-Wed. 7:00 p.m. Mike Taylor will be the evangelist.

James Gill reported 19 students in the last Hunter's Education Course with an expectation of more to come as we close in on Deer Season.

An obituary from the past... Dr. E. H. Moses built the first house in the town area, which is now owned by Mrs. Patsy Childress. Courtesy of the Cleveland County Historial Society, we read: "
Dr. E.H. Moses, of New Edinburg died February 5, 1897. Dr. Moses was born in Georgia, March 10, 1827; educated in the medical school of Philadelphia; married in the spring of 1849. He was a charter member of this church, and for more than forty-six years has walked circumspectly in this community.
He was baptized at the age of 20. His funeral was attended by a host of loved ones, who grieve at his departure. This dear brother has been in sympathy with all our church work. The community has lost a good citizen, the church a true light, and the wife a loving husband.
We mourn not as those who have no hope. God has taken his loyal child home. We shall meet him by and by. May God be with his dear companion, comfort and keep her until that blessed day."

Go Eagles.

July 28 Edition

^"14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. ¹⁵ Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. ¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."  Matthew 5:14-16

Birthdays this week include: Adam Young (July 31). Happy anniversary to Mickey and Billy Bryant (July 27).

I have lived in this state for 41 of my 46 years and I've NEVER seen a July with weather changes like this.

The Taylor and Avery families held their first family reunion this weekend at the New Edinburg Community Center. Though the numbers were low, they expect attendance will build over the next couple of years.

Brother Leroy Jones filled in for Brother Tony Atkins last Sunday at New Edinburg First Baptist Church.

Emmaus Baptist Church Revival is August 10-13 Sunday 11:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Mon-Wed. 7:00 p.m. Mike Taylor will be the evangelist.

Macedonia FWB Church is having its Vacation Bible School this week.

VBS. Yeah... remember that? I attended 1st Baptist's VBS as a child (that's the early 70s if you're counting), and it was nothing but fond memories... learning about Jesus, coloring him, cutting him out and velcro-ing him to Holy Land scenes... cookies and fruit punch for a snack... learning simple Bible songs like "The B-I-B-L-E" and "Jesus Loves Me." Brother Howard's wife (and her first name escapes me at the moment) was the director, and she was aided by Elaine Hopson and others.

Thanks to all who share things of interest; this column is especially popular with Eagles who live outside the state.  This column will appear on the internet at http://WeAreTheEagles.blogspot.com.  Go Eagles

July 21st Edition

Matthew 19:14 "But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

Birthdays this week include: Tully McCoy, Mary Ann Morgan and Dylan Dunlap - July 20, Maggie Sanders - July 21, Ethel Dyer and Jean Parrott - July 22, Daniel Thompson - July 23, and Aubrey Huddleston - July 25. Happy anniversary to Marshal and Marnell Parker - July 21.

As I write this, Norma McCoy, her sister Martha Cook, Norma Hensley, and Jean Huddleston are in Dallas, TX for Seniors Cheerleader Tryouts. I'll let you know next week how they did.

First Baptist Church certainly looks bare without the massive oak tree in its parking lot. I didn't count the rings, but I suspect it was way older than the building itself.

Forbes Magazine, which I'm sure everyone here reads, reports that New York state has more billionaires than any other state for a total of $158 billion, but Arkansas is a close second with three billionaires worth a total of $157 billion. That of course, would be the Waltons, but there are a whole constellation of millionaires all throughout Arkansas as well. Once upon a time, wwaaaayyyy back when I was a child, there were several here in town and everyone knew it. Mattie Sloane by herself was worth at least $6 million and that was before she inherited from Leslie Stewart. These people died, their kids "copped the lolly" as the English would say, and generations of industry and saving went somewhere else with nothing left but ugly cutovers. Of course, there are one or two still around here who I suspect qualify as a millionaire, but they won't let on. Remember, not everyone who looks poor is poor and not everyone who looks wealthy is wealthy.

If you have items of interest for this column... birthdays, anniversaries, events, or whatever... then please send them to me before Monday in order to get them in that week's column.  See this column online at http://WeAreTheEagles.blogspot.com.  Go Eagles.