Recollections

40 Years Ago

Wednesday, Oct. 22, 1975

Pea Ridge Graphic-Scene

Four Pea Ridge men were among civic leaders from more than 50 Arkansas communities who participated in the second annual Physicians' Opportunity Fair held Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Jeff Banks Student Union. The four from here were John Easley, Sam Spivey, Rick Buck and Alton Cash.

As far back as last summer, some of the residents along Jenks Court in south Pea Ridge have been hearing a strange animal sound in the deep gulch behind their homes. At least one family also saw signs that some large animal had laid down in and mashed down the blackberry briers on their property. Bill Yockey and his wife and one of their children saw what it was recently after their dogs were raising a ruckus. Weighing what Yockey estimated to be 200 to 300 pounds, the bear was going out the driveway into the road and out of sight in the darkness. Pea Ridge Civil Defense director Billy Sisco said that if the bear became a nuisance, that a game warden should be contacted.

30 Years Ago

Wednesday, Oct. 23, 1985

The TIMES of Northeast Benton County

Lost Bridge Village Security Patrol was honored with a Country Western barbecue and music party Oct. 19 at the Lost Bridge Village Recreation Center. The rain poured down, but a big crowd showed to eat too much and have lots of laughs. But the patrol is a serious business. Since its inception more than four years ago, crime in the Village has been cut drastically, according to chairman David Jeeter. About 75 residents do their stints as regular patrol and subs.

"Fall Festival" became "Battlefield Days" as the Chamber of Commerce planned for the yearly fest. It was to begin Nov. 2 at noon and continue through the evening. The name "Battlefield Days" was deemed more distinctive and more readily identifiable with Pea Ridge. Along with all the other festivities there was to be the Mule Jump at 3 p.m.

20 Years Ago

Thursday, Oct. 26, 1995

The TIMES of Northeast Benton County

Ashley Prophet, daughter of JoAnn and Randy Prophet of Pea Ridge and a junior at Pea Ridge High School, was crowned homecoming queen last Friday night. She was escorted by Colemen Strahan and Jake Hammond.

Stan Polk and Gaydon Brandt opened the Hitch-N-Post restaurant at 311 E. Pickens. Polk said the restaurant would be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. seven days a week, specializing in breakfast and sandwiches.

A Kiss-the-Pig spirit raiser, sponsored by the junior high cheerleaders recently raised $165.47. A money jar was placed in each teacher's classroom for one week. The jar earning the most money was declared the winner. Although there was almost a runoff, Mrs. Donna Speed was declared the winner. Proceeds from the event will go to the junior high cheerleading department.

10 Years Ago

Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2005

The TIMES of Northeast Benton County

The Trans-Mississippi Brigade and the 1875 Peel Mansion created living history Saturday with two Civil War battle re-enactments in the Little Sugar Creek Valley. The first battle Saturday began at about 1 p.m. and was over in just 25 minutes. After the last cannon boom, the crowd applauded as the dead and wounded soldiers stood up to join surviving soldiers in taking a bow.

The Middle Ages came alive for Pea Ridge gifted and talented students Friday afternoon. The Society of Creative Anachronism entertained third- through eighth-grade SEEK students with sword fighting and authentic Medieval armor and items. Two Pea Ridge High School teachers, Julia Candland and Malinda Lindquist, are members of the society. Society members allowed students to handle chain mail and helmets, participate in a little sword play and cheer on their favorite knight or lady.