By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
The Forrest City Heart Walk took place this past weekend, and with the early results in, the event was more of a success than last year.
All proceeds from the Heart Walk go to the American Heart Association to help fund research to cure heart diseases.
"We don't have the total numbers yet, but so far the money raised Saturday is over $20,000," said Tiffany Billingsley, chairperson of the local event committee. "We are waiting on the AHA for the total, but I feel like we will reach our goal of $25,000 after it's all added up, or at least we'll be very close."
The amount raised so far is $2,000 more than last year's $18,000, and Billingsley says that is due to more team participation.
"We had several new teams participate this year, and we hope to keep growing in the years to come," commented Billingsley. "At our best count, 125 to 150 people walked with us this year."
Billingsley also thanked those who took part in this year's event.
"I would really like to thank the sponsors and individuals who donated their time and money to the walk. All of the money raised locally goes to fund research locally, and that's very important to me. Everyone who donated will help their neighbors."
Billingsley said that the total amount of runners and donations will not be known for a week or so, but the winners, such as the team, individuals and the individual who raised the most money will be awarded soon.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The St. Francis County Museum is making plans for its annual Haunted History Tours of the museum, combining fun and history.
This year's Haunted History Tour will take place on two nights, Tuesday and Thursday, Oct. 29 and 31.
The tours will be conducted at the museum, which already has a spooky reputation in some quarters.
Each year, the museum staff tries to revive the "spirits" of people who figure into the history of this area, and do it in an entertaining way. Last year, members of the Forrest City Little Theatre lent a hand to help create some of the characters, and the Little Theatre is being asked to help again this year.
This year's tour will begin with a "seance," in the front parlor, attended by guests in small groups. The person portraying the medium will attempt to "call forth" spirits from the past.
After the seance, the tour groups will be led through the house, where they will meet the spirits that have been called.
"We embroider this a little bit," said Museum Director Laura Mazzanti. Sometimes there is an actual historical account. Sometimes there is simply a legend. When facts are missing, legend does just fine, she said.
"We start with a basis of fact and then turn it into something fun," she said. The spirits may be good or evil, famous or obscure.
For instance, "We have heard rumors, and it has been widely told, that Jesse James attempted a robbery at Round Pond," Mazzanti said. "At least, he got blamed for it. Some may believe it and others may not, but don't be surprised if Jesse turns up to tell his side."
It is also reputed that Baby Faced Nelson once came through St. Francis County.
"The sheriff's deputies were sent out to stop him, and supposedly they elected to just watch him go by."
According to Mazzanti, there is also an effort to place Belle Starr in the area. It is also possible that Nathan Bedford Forrest, whose presence in the area is historic fact, may make an appearance. St. Francis County's first sheriff, William Strong, is also a possibility.
Mazzanti said the Haunted History Tours aren't like some other "haunted houses," where the only object is to scare people out of their wits.
"We try not to get too scary. There are no chain saw massacres, no gore. This house is spooky enough," she said. "For instance, last year we featured John Murrel (also spelled Morrell, an infamous outlaw). We actually had to tone him down. He was about as evil as you can get.
As Halloween draws nearer, more activities at the museum will be announced. An Ugly Pumpkin Contest is definitely in the plans.
The museum is located in the old Rush-Gates home, at 603 Front Street in Forrest City. Admission for the Haunted History Tours will be $1 for adults and 50 cents for children. There will be treats for the kids.
A full schedule of meetings are planned for this week throughout St. Francis County.
The Forrest City Library Board meets this afternoon at 4 p.m. at the library, and the Forrest City Civic Center commission is scheduled to meet at 5 p.m. at the civic center.
The Forrest City Airport Commission meets at 6 tonight at the airport, and the Widener City Council meets at 6 p.m. at city hall.
The Madison and Hughes city councils also meet tonight. Those meetings are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at each city's city hall.
On Tuesday, two meetings are planned. The Forrest City Water Commission will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the water department, and the St. Francis County Museum board will meet at 5 p.m. at the museum.
At 6 p.m. Tuesday, the St. Francis County Quorum Court will meet at the courthouse.
The Forrest City City Council will hold its second meeting of the month at 7 p.m. Tuesday at city hall. Councilmen are scheduled to hear second readings of two ordinances regarding requests from Forrest City Bank. Under new business, councilmen will hear from Attorney Jerry Roberts regarding a personnel matter.
The Madison Community Outreach Center recently secured a grant from the Arkansas Humanities Council in Little Rock for over $3,800.
According to a press release from the center, the project received $3,870 which will help the foundation continue to collect interviews and information from citizens and former citizens of Madison.
According to Annie Winfrey, chairperson of the center, citizens have been giving with their contributions, and Winfrey said she hopes that sharing continues.
The Outreach Center is collecting historic information, pictures and any paraphernalia with links to Madison's past, prior to 1971. To donate items to the Madison Community Outreach Center, call 633-0326 or send them to P.O. Box 268, Madison, AR, 72359, care of Annie Winfrey.