For your reading enjoyment, we continue to publish Rambling Vines by the late Marylea Vines as she recalls events and names of Corning folks from many years ago. We are currently in the year 1987 It had been years since I was car sick, but I just about made up for it on Sunday… I got a double dose.
The annual West Clay County Field Day was held Monday, August 22, 2022 near Corning. The purpose of the tour was to showcase some of the Extension services on farm demonstration related to agriculture. The first stop on the tour was the corn hybrid demonstration on the Chad Price farm. New corn hybrids were discussed and viewed. The local yield results will be available this fall. This data assists producers in making decisions on what to plant the following year. Stewart Runsick, County Extension Agent, gave an update on nitrogen use in corn and tools the Extension has to monitor and fine tune nitrogen application in corn.
In 1921 the price of a shave in Clay County was 15 cents, a haircut cost 35 cents and a little baby girl was born to Arthur and Frona White on August 14. Grace White Sheridan celebrated her 101st trip around the sun last week. She celebrated by traveling to Cedarville, Arkansas where her family gathered at the historic Old Rock Schoolhouse. Multiple generations of Grace’s relatives, over 90 family members, enjoyed a day honoring her with good music, fun and food.
Monday, August 22, Governor Asa Hutchinson joined catfish farmers from across the state, Agriculture Secretary Wes Ward, and other industry leaders for the Arkansas Catfish Month proclamation presentation at the State Capitol. Among the farmers present for the occasion was Kenny Francis of Corning, an Arkansas Catfish Farmer of the Year for 2022. He and his wife, Danielle own and operate Francis Fish Company, LLC in Corning. Francis purchased the catfish operation from Doyle and Betty Cannady in 2018 and he credits them for pioneering the U.S. catfish industry in this area. The catfish harvest begins in March and runs through October. Francis sells between 10,000 – 15,000 pounds of catfish a week. “I am proud to farm U.S. farm-raised catfish in Arkansas because it is satisfying to know that my fish brings families joy,” said Francis last March after the announcement of being named Arkansas Catfish Farmer of Year. He serves on the board of Catfish Farmers of Arkansas and the Arkansas Catfish Promotion Board.
Managing E ditor “The business of life is the acquisition of memories. In the end that’s all there is,” said the stern but sentimental character, Mr.
Clay County elected officials attended the 54th annual Association of Arkansas Counties (AAC) Conference in Hot Springs on August 10-12, which had a record attendance this year with more than 850 attendees. Those attending enjoyed a slate of educational breakout sessions. Among the speakers were opening session speaker, Congressman Bruce Westerman, National Association of Counties 1st Vice President Mary Jo McGuire, Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Chris Jones, who could not attend but sent a pre-recorded interview with Legal Counsel Lindsey French, Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin and Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
Corning Bobcat fans have eagerly anticipated the beginning of the 2022 football season. The first game for the Bobcats is Friday, August 26 at 7 p.m. at Bobcat Stadium. The Cats face the Portageville, Missouri Bulldogs. The Jr. Bobcats play EPC on Thursday, August 25 with a 6:30 p.m. kickoff at home. 7th grade plays at 5:30 p.m. The annual Pick the Winner game begins this week thanks to game sponsors. The deadline for entry forms for the August 26 game is Tuesday, August 23 at 5 p.m. The winner will receive $50 and will be notified on Monday, August 29. The entry form with game rules can be found on page 8 of this week’s Courier.
The Bobcats and Jr. Bobcats traveled to Gosnell for scrimmages with the Pirates and Paragould Rams on Tuesday, August 16. Each team played the other two teams in two quarters. Gosnell beat the Bobcats 6-0 while the Bobcats defeated Paragould 12-0. The Jr. Bobcats were defeated by the Rams 7-0 and by Pirates 28-0.