By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
By all accounts, the Forrest City Little Theatre's Fourth of July celebration met and even exceeded its goals.
That's not to say there weren't some tense moments.
For a while Thursday afternoon, things were a little shaky as wind and rain sent folks scurrying to cover sensitive equipment with plastic. However, the "scattered showers" eventually scattered elsewhere, the sun came out, and all folks had to fight was the heat. Also, the aroma of mosquito repellent hung heavy in the air.
That said, an enthusiastic crowd applauded and cheered at every opportunity.
"I think it was very successful," said Tammy Freligh, who directed the event. "I thought we had a great turnout. I believe a lot of people were like we were -- wanting to celebrate close to home, and not having to go to some other town. I though everyone showed patriotic spirit."
Ruth Ann Vowan was the music director for the program.
"I appreciate all the work everybody did," Vowan said. "The chorus was great. This was our (Little Theatre's) gift to the city, and we hope we've introduced ourselves to people who will come and see some of the other things we do. And we hope they'll come and do the "Messiah" with us."
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
Many aspects of local and personal history are lost each year, so a local effort is under way to preserve some of that history.
On Saturday, July 13, an Oral History and Paper Conservation Workshop, sponsored by the Arkansas Delta African-American Historical Society and the Forrest City NAACP youth chapter, will focus on how to preserve these bits of the past.
"Preservation of family history is very important for future generations," said Shirley Harvell, an organizer of the event.
"It's easiest to lose our family history because when someone dies, a lot of times the stories they have to tell die with them. This workshop will help people understand how to collect the information and preserve it, whether it is a story told orally or paper history like marriage licenses or newspaper clippings.
"We will have two commentators at the event. They will include Robin Giles (Assistant Director of the Arkansas Humanities Council) and Robert Duvan (Historian from the Arkansas History Commission) who each will give advice on how to document these types of history." Harvell said. "They will show how to preserve things like funerals on videotape and oral stories from family members at family reunions.
"We hope to reach the community as a whole and to get this information out to the people in rural areas who may not have known how to record their histories," added Harvell.
Giles will cover the oral story part of the presentation, and Duvan will handle the paper preservation, according to Harvell.
The workshop will be held in the conference room at the Forrest City Civic Center from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., and lunch will be provided.
The annual Discovery Room, sponsored by the Forrest City Junior Auxiliary and the St. Francis County Museum, will be held July 24, 25 and 26 at the museum.
The fun and educational program is open to children from 4 to 12 years old, and will meet from 10 a.m. until noon each day.
This year's program is entitled "Kids for the USA," based on a patriotic theme.
On the first day, the children will learn patriotic songs, games and dance, featuring Elaine Bartee, music specialist from Jonesboro.
The second day will include a "Red, White and Blue Celebration," in which the children will learn cheers, chants and a National Anthem cheerleading dance presented by Amy Turner, cheerleading specialist and coach.
The third day is "Patriotic Banner Day," featuring art instructor Meredith Poe Reeves. The students will paint and decorate banners in support of America and the people who serve and protect the country.
There is no charge, and no pre-registration is required.
By TAMARA JOHNSON
Managing Editor
Seven members of a Massachusetts family were hurt this morning when their van left the roadway and jumped an overpass.
Arkansas State Police Troop D Corporal Kelvin Stewart of Forrest City said the accident occurred about 7:35 a.m. near the 218 mile marker of Interstate 40, about two miles west of Wheatley near the county line.
Stewart said Raj Patel, 31, of Brockton, Ma., was driving east in a 2002 Honda Odyssey when he reportedly fell asleep, causing the accident. Witnesses told police the vehicle left the roadway and jumped the McMillion Road overpass.
Stewart reported the vehicle traveled 434 feet from the point where it left the interstate and landed upside down in a bean field. Stewart said at one point, the vehicle is believed to have traveled over 70 feet in the air, in order to clear the overpass.
Two helicopters from the Regional Medical Center in Memphis were called to the scene and transported the driver and a passenger, Sunita Patel, age unavailable, to the hospital. Information on their conditions was unavailable at press time.
Five other passengers, Parth Patel, age eight months, Cusiyu Patel, age 5, Falguni Patel, age 21, Priyu Patel, age 12 and Tina Patel, age 26 were all taken by ambulance to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Forrest City where they were still being treated for injuries at press time.
Family members told police they had been traveling for a few hours when they noticed the driver nodding off.