PEA RIDGE — 40 Years Ago

Christmas at the kindergarten photographs adorned the front page of the Dec. 24, 1970, edition of the Pea Ridge Graphic.

Kindergartners Tammy Sutherland, Sandy Jordan, Tracy Thomas, Vickie Tygart, Kerrie Webb, Samantha Hurd, Lora Jones, Kalene Laughlin, Rose Arnold, Steve Jordan, Douglas Howell and Donnie Tolburt were shown with their teacher, Jean King, and two visitors - Tina Sutherland and David Tolburt.

A little more than 9 miles of new buried telephone cable was installed along Arkansas Highway 94 west of town. It cost in excess of $17,374 and was expected to provide rural four-party service to 23 customers and new service for approximately 10 subscribers.

School lunches cost 30 cents for elementary pupils and 35 cents for high school pupils. Applications for free lunches were sent to parents by school superintendent Andrew Widener and principal Dewitt Tidwell.

30 Years Ago

Pea Ridge City Council accepted the conditions by the Farmers Home Administration for financing of the city’s sewer project.

The project was being funded by a loan from FmHA for $525,000, a grant for $300,000 from FmHA, an EPA grant of $1,148,110 and a contribution from the city of $31,500.

The city employees were given a 5 percent pay increase effective Jan. 1, 1981, and voted to return Charles Hardy to full-time employment, approved bonuses for city employees for Christmas and approved hiring Dave Fellows as a patrolman at a special Council meeting.

20 Years Ago

Pea Ridge fire dues for residents outside of the city limits but within the fire district of $25 were due Jan. 1. Residents of the city pay $2 monthly on their waterbills.

The Pea Ridge City Council was expected to approve the appointment of an alderman for Ward II, the vacancy of which was created when Joe Hart decided to run for mayor and nobody qualified to seek the seat he vacated.

Hart lost the election to incumbent Mary Rogers.

Candidates for the appointment were Hart, Norm Abramson and Carmen Snyder.

Patty Robinson, bookkeeper for the school district, was featured as the good cook.

In Letters to Santa, Michael Easterling wrote: “I want atv. I want fish. i want adog. I want lego. Love, Michael Easterling.”10 Years Ago

Lonnie Barnett became the newest member of the Pea Ridge School Board when he was appointed to fill the unexpired vacancy of Ron Mullikin’s term.

A snowstorm dumped 10 inches of snow and ice over the area last week closing schools.

An environmental assessment was available for public comment at Pea Ridge National Military Park, according to superintendent John Scott.

In Letter to Santa, thirdgrader Vernon Leach wrote: “This is what I want for Christmas I want a bake, ninetendo, t.v., Jean Jacket, I have been trying to be very good. You friend Vernon Leach.”

Church, Pages 2 on 12/22/2010