GRAVETTE — Following are many of the memorable events which subscribers read about in the Gravette News Herald and Westside Eagle Observer during 2010. Of course, there were hundreds of other stories and pics which deserved mentioning.
Enjoy reading the Eagle Observer during the next 12 months and then read a recap of the activities at the start of another year - 2012.
JANUARY - About four inches of new snow covered the area, adding to the almost six inches which fell on Christmas Day. No schools. A gasoline leak was discovered near the Shop & Go station. Main Street was closed for several hours one evening.Fire destroyed a home on Dallas Street S.W. Planning began at a meeting to organize a Farmer’s Market. The County Election Commission announced polling places would not be open at Sulphur Springs and Maysville during the upcoming elections.
FEBRUARY - The Gravette High School choir taped a program for broadcast over AETN. Morgan Bayley was crowned basketball homecoming queen. Jack Ballard, Gravette native, wrote a biography of Capt. Field Kindley, the World War I air ace from Gravette, which gained recognition from the Air Force. The city began looking at many ideas concerning the sewer system upgrade.
MARCH - Reversing its earlier decision, the Election Commission said polls at Sulphur Springswill be open; not so at Maysville. The girls track team took first at the Siloam Springs relays; the boys took second spot. Another deep snow covered blooming daffodils. The high school HOSA team topped all other teams in state competition. Daniel Poemoceah, percussionist, was tapped to play in the State Band performance.
APRIL - An aide of Congressman John Boozman visited with the City Council concerning the city’s sewer project. Both the Gravette hospital and Christian Church held Easter egg hunts. The hospital also sponsored a health fair for area citizens. Gravette’s museum received a $25,000 state grant to help financing construction of a new exhibit hall. The DECA students brought home medals from state.
MAY - Work continued on the new field house at GHS. Several tremors were felt in Benton County, some by Benton County residents. No confirmed earthquakes had been felt in the area prior to these tremors. Wind damaged roofs of several homes in Westfield subdivision. The city swimming pool did not open, the first time since it was constructed 40 years ago. A second windstorm damaged area chicken houses and caused some damage including to a window at the Sulphur Springs Methodist Church. 114 seniors graduated from GHS.
JUNE - The annual Holiness camp meeting continued an 80 year tradition. Radine Nehring published another in her series of mystery novels, “Journey to Die For”. Former SulphurSprings school students held a reunion. Gravette seniors received more than 3/4 million dollars in scholarships. There were 126 kindergartners who “graduated”.
JULY - Gravette held its annual Fourth fireworks on the fifth. Sulphur’s Independence Day celebration was held in that town’s park. The new Can-Do Hardware store opened for business. The Gravette News Herald, established in 1894, published its last issue. It joined with Decatur and Gentry papers to publish the “Westside Eagle Observer”. The Centennial Park caboose was nominated for National Historic status.
AUGUST - Gravette celebrated her 117th birthday. RonTeasley was parade Grand Marshal and Lauren Kara was crowned Miss Gravette. Ozarks Community Hospital purchased the former Gravette Medical Clinic. The City Council proposed an annexation measure on the November ballot. Lauren Kara was named Miss Benton County Teen. Football coach Duke Mobley suffered a heart attack and was out for several weeks.
SEPTEMBER - Gravette school announced a new parent alert communications system. The City Council continued to mull various sewer system options. Brooks Custom Hat Co. opened in Gravette. Shelby Newell was crowned football homecoming queen. Gravette’s first Arts in the Park concert/event was termed a success.
Construction began on the new museum exhibit hall. School enrollment closed in on 1800 students.
OCTOBER - A citizen organization formed to oppose the annexation proposal. The hospital received a $420,000 Recovery Act grant. The Fabric Hutt and The Hair Saloon opened north of town. Gravette’s public library earned national American Star Status. The city received a $40,000 grant to help pay costs of repairing the swimming pool. The caboose was officially listed on the National Historic Register.
NOVEMBER - In the General election Byron Warren and Ken Foxx polled the most votes for Mayor and would face each other in a runoff. Mike von Ree and Deana Deming were other candidates in the race. Foxx later withdrew. Melissa Smith defeated David Shields for a Council position. The annexation proposal was swamped, 143 for and 502 against. Grease caused two fire runs to the Sonic drive-in.Little damage. Amanda White and Jacob Singleton were named Miss and Mr. GHS. The Senior Center received a state award. The football Lions’ only loss was to Shiloh, the eventual state champion. The team from Trumann defeated Gravette 16-3 in a state playoff game on a cold, wet night at Lion Stadium.
DECEMBER - Gravette was chosen to receive a new recycling trailer. Numerous donations funded a new heating system for the animal shelter. Fire destroyed a home west of Gravette. The Community Choir presented a musical Christmas drama. The GHS Culinary Class was named one of the top programs in the nation. New Senior Center cookbooks went on sale. The Chamber sponsored the annual Christmas parade. Santa visited Sulphur Springs sponsored by that city’s fire department. Angie Scott, GHS teacher, received a national award. Brad Amos and partner took the $200,000 team roping prize in Las Vegas.
News, Pages 2 on 01/05/2011