Now & Then : Persimmons aren't sweet until after the first frost, boy learns

JERRY NICHOLS Columnist

It is persimmon season, and I am remembering a time when I wished I had been a little clearer in my knowledge about persimmons. Persimmons gave me a lesson in life about how a little knowledge can lead a person to bumble into something he really doesn’t understand. Sometimes we discover that we don’t know quite enough about things we think we know. Back in 1948 and 1949 I had a good friend, Stevie Rimmer, who was in our class at school. As I recall he was with us during the third grade and fourth grade years. Stevie’s family lived northeast of Pea Ridge, near Twelve Corners, on the Audie Buttry farm. I think they were kin to the Buttrys. Possibly Stevie’s mother was a Buttry — I’m not sure. Stevie and I got along well as friends, and every so often each of us would stay overnight for a visit at the other’s home. Around the farm there were always things to do and to explore. We even enjoyed doing chores together on those visits. One time at our farm, Stevie persuaded me to go swimming in Otter Creek in late Oc - Wednesday, November 19, 2008

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Last astronomy program for 2008 at Hobbs The sixth and final astronomy get-together for 2008 at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area is Nov. 22 in the Townsend Ridge Multi-Use Trail parking lot. Jack Mc-Daniel, president of the Sugar Creek Astronomy Society said, “This is the season of the galaxies. The Andromeda Galaxy will be almost overhead. Another beautiful spectacle is the Pleiades star cluster which is easily seen with small telescopes or binoculars.” The Sugar Creek Astronomy Society members will present a program for those who are new to astronomy or would like to learn how to view the night sky with a telescope, binoculars or the naked eye. The instructional program begins at 4:30 p.m. - Wednesday, November 19, 2008

PLAYFUL PALS

FREE TO GOOD HOME Cat— Mama kitty,pregnant,looking for a barn to live in,call Nancy 531-9713. (11/19) Cat— Females and males,nine total,all neutered,spayed,and declawed,call Donna 531-1417.(11/12) Shepherd/Collie/Chow Mix— Female,4 months old,call 372-3859.(11/05) German Shepherds — Three dogs,2 years old,call 381-2094.(11/05) Cat— Spayed female,loving and gentle,call (417) 435-2201.(11/05) Dog— Lab mix,neutered male,black, good with kids,call Amber 721-6931. (10/27) Puppies— Black lab mix approx.5 weeks old,most solid black,some brown, will deliver,call Mindy (417) 341-1061 or (479) 372-3359.(10/23) Kittens— Call Anna (417) 341-8204. (10/20) Cat —Two 11-month-old spayed female cats and one neutered male with all four paws declawed,callTamara at 381-2094.(10/08) FOUND ANIMALS Border Collie Mix — Male,black and white,appeared 10-30,call 451-1586. (11/05) Wire HairedTerrier — Caramel color, callTina Bintliff at 451-0581.(11/05) German Shepherd — Male,about 1-year-old,black and tan,call Marvin 359-3910.(10/20) L - Wednesday, November 19, 2008

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Wednesday,Nov.19 11:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.— Seligman, Mo., Senior Center,free lunch program.For information,call BeckyWarner at 359-3764. - Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Yesterday and Today : Fun in early days with automobile adventures and teen boys

HELEN PITTS ARNN Columnist

One of the families about whom I meant to write was the Louis Carter family and there in lies the young folks and automobile story. But let us not get the car before the kids. My parents were a few years older than Louis and Ruth Carter thus the oldest of Carter kids are the same age as the youngest of the Pitts kids. The Carter family/Pitts family relationship as the saying goes “goes way back.” Both families moved from place to place often. Sometimes the Carters were close neighbors and sometimes not. We were close neighbors at the time the three eldest of the Carters, Bill, J.C. and Marie, were born. I’m pretty sure that my mother assisted Doc Green at the birth of each of them. At the time of Marie’s birth, Ruth Carter declared to Doc Green that there were to be no more children — three children were enough for her! Doc Green’s response was “Not likely.” And, of course, he was proved right when Mary Helen, Joyce Lee and Junior were eventually added to the family. Bill started to school at Pea Ridge in 193 - Wednesday, November 19, 2008

CLUB NEWS

Democratic Women meet Dr. Pearl K. Ford will speak at the Benton County Democratic Women’s Club at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 24, at the Bentonville Clarion Hotel. - Wednesday, November 19, 2008

SHILOH MUSEUM

Wells receives Museum Award Heather Marie Wells, collections assistant and podcast producer at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, was awarded the Southeastern Museum Conference’s “Emerging Museum Professional Award” at the organization’s annual meeting recently. The award recognizes those professionals with less than 10 years experience who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in museum activities. Railway History discussed Mike Sypult, a member of the Boston Mountain Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, will present a program on the history of railroads in Northwest Arkansas at noon, Wednesday, Nov. 19, as part of the Shiloh Museum’s monthly Shiloh Sandwiched-In Series. The program will be held next door to the museum in First United Methodist Church’s Ivey Hall, 206 W. Johnson Ave. in downtown Springdale. Call 750-8165 for more information. Wireless Society to meet The Ozark Wireless Society will meet at 10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 22, in the General Store at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark Hi - Wednesday, November 19, 2008

College scholarships offered by Republican party

The Republican Party Association has announced three scholarships to be given to college students. The Elizabeth G. Redman Scholarship is a $500 scholarship available to a junior or senior in a college or university, majoring in political science, pre-law or journalism. The applicant must also be a member of the College Republican National Committee. The Lillian McGillicuddy Young Republican Scholarship is a $500 scholarship available to a student in a college or university in Arkansas. The applicant must be a Republican between the ages of 18-40 and actively involved in the Young Republicans organization, must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher and must have a financial need. The Bob and Marie Marshall Scholarship is a $500 scholarship available to a student in a college or university, majoring in political science, law or journalism. The applicant must be in his/her third year of undergraduate study or beyond, be a member of the College Republican National Committee and must have financial need. Applications for e - Wednesday, November 19, 2008

AREA EVENTS

Autumn train ride set SELIGMAN, Mo. — All aboard the Arkansas and Missouri railroad for a trip from Seligman, Mo., to Van Buren, Ark., Saturday, Nov. 22. See the Boston mountains, cross three high trestles, go though a tunnel and shop beautiful Van Buren. First class, $70 adult, $63 for seniors, upgrade $60 adult, $54 for seniors, $35 for children 12 to 4, under 4 is free. Enjoy snacks on the trip, get a picture taken; for more information call 417-662-3611. Ride the rails AVOCA — The second annual ride the rails from Avoca to Van Buren will be Saturday, Nov. 22. Departure will be at 8 a.m., returning to Avoca at approximately 6:30 p.m. People interested will meet at the “depot ” across from Town Hall, 222 N. Old Wire Road. Ticket prices are $54 for adults, $48.60 for seniors (over 65) and $27 for children (ages 4-12 ). For tickets, call Diane at 621-5921 or 619-8498 or Becky at 633-8267. - Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Angel Tree applications taken for Christmas relief

Angel Tree 2008 is underway, according to members of the Pea Ridge Ministerial Alliance. Applications can be picked up at First Baptist Church in Pea Ridge. The deadline for submitting applications is Monday, Dec. 1. Angel Trees will be set up at Arvest Bank and Community First Bank in Pea Ridge. All gifts can be dropped off at Pea Ridge City Hall or First Baptist Church on or before Monday, Dec. 8. For those receiving gifts, they may be picked up between noon to 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 13, at Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church. Food boxes will also be given to families who have children on the angel tree. Volunteers are needed to help box food. Volunteers are asked to be at Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church at 9 a.m., Friday, Dec. 12. Volunteers will also be needed to help sort gifts at 9 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 13. For more information, contact John Gibson at 619-5631 or First Baptist Church at 451-8192. - Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Robbins celebrate 50th anniversary

The grandchildren of R.C. Robbins and Helen Robbins congratulate them on 50 years of marriage. The couple was married Nov. 21, 1958. They have twin boys, Billy and Robby Robbins from Pea Ridge; two daughters-in-law, Debbie Robbins and Patty Robbins of Pea Ridge; nine grandchildren, Belinda Robbins, Kim and Troy Lundy, Adam Robbins, Amber and David Stewart, Amanda and Jeremy Anderson, Tina and Mark Davis and Jamie Poindexter, all of Pea Ridge, Bobbie Taylor of Missouri and Rick and Stephanie Taylor of Washington; and 16 great-grandchildren. The couple plans to celebrate with friends and family. To wish them a happy anniversary, call 721-6931. - Wednesday, November 19, 2008