RECOLLECTIONS

PEA RIDGE — 40 Years Ago

This edition, number 52 in the paper’s fourth year, was published Thursday, Dec. 25 - Christmas Day - of 1969. The paper sold for 10 cents per copy.

An article in the paper warned that Christmas season marks the beginning of an extended holiday period that will see traffic mount to new highs on the nation’s highways. Driving conditions would be more hazardous because of the weather and readers were urged to use all precautions.

30 Years Ago

The Avoca Volunteer Fire Department posed for the Graphic photographer. The department had, operative, a 300-gallon brush pumper it received from the county, a three-quarter ton truck needing paint, a pump installed and other refurbishing and repair before it could be operative. The pumper washoused n the new fire building recently constructed at the community center.

As of 2:30 p.m. Monday, the Pea Ridge Fire Department had no fire calls for the past week. Chief Sammy Spivey reminded all residents to carefully dispose of their Christmas wrappings and their dried Christmas trees so the volunteers could enjoythe holidays like everyone else.

The Pea Ridge Blackhawk basketball teams beat Elkins 70-42 to take the lead in the 1-A conference. The ’Hawks led the conference with a 6 win and 0 loss record.

The new logo of the newly named Pea Ridge Country Times appeared on the back page of the very last issue of the decade, Dec. 26, 1979. The change reflected the ever expanding role of the paper in the community.

20 Years Ago

Most staff, teachers and administration at Pea Ridge schools received a welcomed Christmas present last week when the Pea Ridge School Board approved increases in their pay. All teachers andtwo principals received increased of $600 per year.

Raises for non-certified personnel totaled about $11,000.

Pea Ridge Marshal Sam Holcomb announced the Pea Ridge police would be on the lookout for drunk drivers over the holiday weekend.

“It won’t take much for us to stop you,” he said, “Normally one out of five will be intoxicated after midnight.”

Pea Ridge Blackhawk coach Larry Walker said that he believed the Lady ’Hawks will be competitive for the 1-A West Conference title.

10 Years Ago

Oak Ridge Village resident Marthella Gaetke was born in 1900 and looked forward to celebrating her 100th birthday in the newyear and new century, 2000.

She had traveled all over the world and visited every state but South Carolina.

City building officials were pictured driving a backhoe at Pea Ridge City Park. They were in the middle of construction of the .6 mile walking trail that was expected to be completed by spring.

The Pea Ridge High School choir sang for the public in their newly-purchased robes. The 1999 Christmas concert featured solos by Lindsey Fowler, Michele Helton, Jenny Robbins, Shane Wagner, Joseph Ragland and Melissa Woods. Fonda Laughlin’s piano and voice students sang “All is Well.” The choir was directed by Van Enderson.

HOLIDAY EVENTSChristmas Eve services

6 p.m. Lost Bridge Community Church

5 p.m. First Baptist Church, Pea Ridge

6 p.m. Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church,

5 p.m. & 7 p.m. Bella Vista Christan Church

5:30 p.m. Brightwater United Methodist Church

4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Oakly Chapel United Methodist Church

7 p.m. Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista.

5 p.m. Bella Vista Christian Church

3 p.m. Peace Lutheran Church, Rogers

2 p.m, 6:15 p.m. and 11 p.m. United Lutheran Church, Bella Vista

6:30 p.m. Judson American Baptist Church, BellaVista

6 p.m. Millwood Christian Church, Rogers

5 p.m. First Baptist Church, Bentonville

Noon, 5:30 p.m. First United Methodist Church, Bella Vista

4 p.m. Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel, Bella VistaPUBLIC MEETINGSTuesday, Dec. 29

7 p.m. - Pea Ridge City Council, Pea Ridge City Hall.