PEA RIDGE — 40 years ago

What was believed to have been a boa constrictor snake that may have escaped from the carnival in Pea Ridge during the recent Pea Ridge Community Fair was killed at a home near the site of the carnival after the fair was over. Mrs. Nelms’ daughter-in-law arrived at the house to find the six-foot snake curled up in the chair on the front porch.

The Pea Ridge football team was named to the probably top 10 teams in Class B football in Arkansas for the coming season by Dave Campell’s “Arkansas Football,” an annual preview of high school, college and university prospects in the Southwest Conference.

An offer by an anonymous donor to match dollar for dollar up to $50 any money contributed to the Nannie Roberts’ Library Memorial Fund met an instant challenge from a retired druggist near Elkins, Sid Lambeth, a graduate of the old Pea Ridge College.

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30 years ago

Housing growth in Pea Ridge country, excludingLittle Flock, over the past 10 years was at a 56 percent rate for the 10 years, according to preliminary census figures received by County Judge A.E. Norwood. Growth was greatest in the Garfield township, including the town of Garfield, which showed 330 housing units in 1980 compared to 190 in 1970.

Pea Ridge Board of Education members were Wayne Hileman, Mark Easterling, president L.C. Barnett Jr., secretary Tony Fletcher Jr.

and Kenneth Patterson.

Phillip and Francis Patterson celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary. Mr.

Patterson was still going strong at the age of 91. Mrs.

Patterson recounted the years of their marriage, including their nine children, 18 grandchildren, greatgrandchildren and even one great-great-grandchild.

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20 years ago

A six-member committee appointed by Mayor Mary Rogers began working on an annexation proposal to be put on the ballot the following November. The area the committee chose expanded the western borders of the town and would make the city limits 1,920 acres larger.

Pea Ridge City Council members held a lengthy discussion about the definitions of the city employee’s job descriptions and pay schedules, and set up a committee to, over the following three months, establish a job description for every employee and determine the lines of authority and work hours.

Pea Ridge schools superintendent Marvin Higginbottom thanked the community for coming together to donate funds to improvethe school. He was happy to say that the district ended the school year with a good balance and wouldn’t have to borrow money to operate over the summer.

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10 years ago

There was a celebration on Aug. 5 and 6 for the city turning 150 years old. A catered dinner, car show, musical entertainment and Sunday evening worship highlighted the weekend’s festivities. Planning for the event began a year before, with Debbie Anderson, Pea Ridge postmaster, and Mayor Jackie Crabtree heading up the volunteer committee.

Bob Noah, commander of the Benton County Area Disabled Veterans, presented Pea Ridge resident Howard Schuettpelz, a Vietnam veteran, with a motorized scooter to be mobile outside after losing both legs.

Church, Pages 2 on 07/28/2010