January 1996

DIG IN FOR A TASTE OF THE YEAR'S FARE Date: 01-01-96 Category: NEWS Page: 1A RON WOLFE, Democrat-Gazette Style Writer COCOA RISKIES. Grits for gritted teeth: +w Death row inmate Damien Wayne Echols' claim that he was raped by another inmate led to an Arkansas State Police investigation April 4. The investigators found more than 133 prohibited items on death row at the Maximum Security Unit at Tucker. Among the no-nos: homemade and commercial gunpowder, a hacksaw blade, pliers, a chisel and a host of creature comforts. By June, an assistant warden and two senior guards had been fired for lying to investigators. But investigators found no proof that Echols had been raped. +w Twelve Little Rock Air Force Base C-130s and about 320 airmen left for Germany Dec. 7 to help fly troops and support equipment into Bosnia and Croatia. "I expect our guys are going to be really busy this Christmas," said Brig. Gen. Donald A. Streater, commander of the 314th Airlift Wing at the base. SHREDDED HOPES: +w Six-year-old Morgan Nick of Ozark was kidnapped June 9 from an Alma ball field. The disappearance sparked a multistate search and drew nationwide attention. Despite the efforts of hundreds of law of ficers and volunteers following up on more than 3,000 leads, Morgan, now 7, remains missing. +w On June 4, gunmen forced Marcell Young, 17; Mustafa Hussian, 12; and Malak Hussian, 10, to the floor of their mother's home, and shot each child in the head. Mary Hussian struggled with one of the intruders, but couldn't stop them. Police arrested three men and a woman on capital murder charges in the slayings. The killings apparently were because of a false belief that another of Hussian's children had "set up" an earlier gang killing. "Because of a rumor, I have lost three children," Hussian said. +w Two elderly sisters found dead in their Batesville home July 16 were the first casualties of a heat wave and drought that became the state's worst since 1980. Police found the temperature inside the home of Gladys Peters, 97, and Lois Peters, 91, was about 110 degrees, while temperatures outside were in the mid-9Os. In all, there were 26 Arkansas deaths blamed directly on heat and five in which it was a contributing factor during July, August and September. Just plain FLAKES, OR WHAT: +w Orville Miller, 78, is charged with capital murder in the killing of Cove Mayor Fred Neblick. Authorities said Miller, reportedly disgruntled over a water bill, rode his lawn mower to Town Hall and shot Neblick to death. At year's end, Miller was awaiting trial. +w Jurors convicted Georgia Louise Weaver, 58, of capital murder May 4. Weaver was accused of killing her sister, Jeannie Lee Allen, 66, with poisoned fruit punch and cough medicine. Family members later revealed a 35-year history of poisonings and mysterious house fires involving Weaver. +w Paranoid schizophrenic Tommy Lee Gentry, 44, pleaded no contest to first-degree murder July 20. The charge stemmed from the Sept. 20, 1993, stabbing death of Roslyn Reeves, 19, a disabled woman who was assaulted as she walked to a friend's home at the Parkway Village Apartments in North Little Rock. Gentry told police he felt compelled to stab her because aliens were shooting moonbeams at his head. FROSTED FIZZLES. They look so gonod, they taste so wet: +w J. Bill Becker, an Arkansas political icon who has headed the state AFL-CIO for 30 years, announced in June that this would be his last two-year term. He barely won re-election at the state convention that same month, and only then by throwing out 600 votes on a procedural point. +w On Oct. 30, the Arkansas Supreme Court finally put an end to The Case of the Missing Ballots. It had left two alderman candidates from North Little Rock in limbo for nearly a year. The high court unanimously proclaimed that Circuit Judge Chris Piazza had no authority to order a new election between Ray Heck and Martin Gipson for a Ward 1 seat. Gipson initially thought he'd won the Nov. 8, 1994, election by a 43-vote margin -- until it was discovered that poll workers gave Ward 1 ballots to at least 65 Ward 4 voters. A passel of shrink-wrapped Ward 4 ballots, forgotten under a table at a polling site, ultimately resulted in a court-ordered recount. But the ballot box disappeared. What followed were vain warehouse searches, a state police investigation, and calls for voters to reveal their ballot choices on the witness stand. +w For the first time in history, the House Agriculture Committee failed to come up with a national farm policy to control about $15 billion a year in spending. HARD CHEWS II. There's always a double helping of the crummy stuff you never wanted in the first place: +w Police Detective Joseph T. Fisher, 34, was fatally wounded Feb. 7 when police rushed into Apartment 9B at 6320 Butler Road to serve a search warrant. Detective Frederick Lee, 26, suffered a gunshot wound to the head, but is back at work. Police arrested Willie Green, 22. +w June 7, Gov. Jim Guy Tucker was indicted by the Whitewater grand jury on three felony counts for allegedly concocting a sham 1987 Texas bankruptcy, lying on a loan application and failing to report millions in profits to the Internal Revenue Service. Also indicted were a former Tucker business partner, William Marks Sr., and Tucker's lawyer, John Haley. U.S. District Judge Henry Woods later threw the charges out, saying Whitewater independent counsel Kenneth Starr overstepped his bounds. But Starr appealed that decision, and Tucker was indicted on a second round of charges in August, along with James and Susan McDougal. +w A diabetic inmate died at the Pulaski County jail July 29 after not receiving regular insulin injections. Medical workers waited more than a day to give Marvin Glenn Johnson, 28, his first injection after he was jailed on a misdemeanor charge. Johnson's girlfriend had offered to bring his insulin, but was told the jail would take care of his medical needs. +w Nov. 29, a state prison guard, Sgt. Scott A. Grimes, 41, of Pine Bluff, was stabbed to death with a homemade knife at the Tucker Unit. Inmate Alvin Benal Jackson, 25, of Little Rock is charged with capital murder in Grimes' death. Jackson was sentenced to life without parole in 1990 for the murder of a Little Rock businessman. +w Nineteen-month-old Christopher James Edmond Dodson of Conway died after his mother's boyfriend allegedly punched the baby in the stomach. In late November, James' death prompted the firing of three Department of Human Services workers in the Faulkner County offce. DHS placed 33 county offices on watch and said child abuse cases from those offfices would be reviewed or reopened. NUTTY NUGGETS: +w President Clinton bagged a couple of ducks near Cotton Plant very early Jan. 3 during three days of rest and relaxation in his home state. The president then hosted an impromptu lunch of "Hubcap Hamburgers" at Cotham's in Scott for the surprised press corps. +w A Walt Disney-size Christmas light display has finally, after years of wrangling, become just that. The world-famous 3-million-or-so lights that adorned the three side-by-side Jennings Osborne homes on Cantrell Road in west Little Rock for several years finally have found a home at Walt Disney World near Orlando, Fla., where they were flipped on the night of Nov. 23. Complaints about the size of the display had grown in proportion to its size over the years until neighbors filed suit. Now Osborne has decorated his home with 12,000 lights. The Little Rock businessman notes that the state Supreme Court didn't, after all, tell him how many lights were too many. STALLED-O-MEAL. Slow-cooked to imperfection: +w In February, the state Legislature passed a bill requiring health maintenance organizations to accept any health-care professional who agrees to set fee schedules and regulations. When Gov. Jim Guy Tucker signed the legislation March 1, Arkansas became the only state with such a restrictive "any-willing-provider" law. Two insurance companies, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Prudential Insurance Co. have filed federal suits challenging the law. Both cases are pending. +w On Feb. 10, the University of Central Arkansas board of trustees approved its first doctoral program -- a course of higher study in physical therapy. But the state Board of Higher Education disapproved, saying the university should not offer any doctoral programs and should concentrate on undergraduate education. They went to court to solve the impasse. +w Residents of the Geyer Springs community in Southwest Little Rock are awaiting the results of the latest battle with Browning-Ferris Industries, which operates a landfill in the neighborhood. The company wants to expand the dump, but residents fear each new load of trash increases the threat of flooding and groundwater contamination. BFI says the landfill, located in the Fourche Creek floodplain, is safe. Residents petitioned state regulators for relief June 30. The state could rule on a new landfill permit early next year. +w A proposed 227,000-acre land swap between the Ouachita National Forest and Weyerhaeuser Corp. was sent to Congress this fall. Each party is putting up land valued at $ 106 million. On Oct. 17, U.S. Rep. Jay Dickey asked for an independent study on the land trade. Congress still hasn't voted. +w The Pulaski County Quorum Court put the brakes on regional jail expansion Dec. 19, at least for a while. The $44.7 million general fund budget passed by justices of the peace scaled back operating funds from 1,000 to 900 beds at the 1,100-bed jail, which had been handling only 900 inmates. The jail expanded from 624 beds at the year's start. Officials contend the additions have sharply reduced the number of inmates who must sleep on the floor. SAYS-A-MOUTHFULS. Sometimes a double-mouthful: +w Dr. Joycelyn Elders came back to work in Arkansas Jan. 1 -- as a teacher and researcher at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She also hosts a radio talk show. President Clinton fired the former U.S. surgeon general Dec. 9, 1994, after she suggested that masturbation could be taught in schools. +w In a series of raids on Northwest Arkansas poultry and food processors, factories and small businesses in September, federal agents apprehended and deported more than 600 illegal workers. The multi-agency Immigration and Naturalization Service-led task force billed itself "Operation Southpaw." Agents set out to catch foreign nationals with improper work documents. It was the largest immigration enforcement operation in the South in the past decade, officials said. +w Both the Arkansas School for the Blind and the School for the Deaf got new superintendents this year. The search for a new leader for the embattled blind school was marred by a list of finalists that included a former Illinois superintendent who had been fired for concealing incidents of sexual abuse at a school. But the Arkansas blind school board instead hired Ivan Terzieff of Iowa to steady the school's course. Peter Seller, the deaf school's first deaf superintendent since its inception, has already taken a high profile. He has proposed that American Sign Language be offered as a foreign language at state high schools. TARMAC JACKS. Served with coffee, tea or milk: +w American Airlines operated the last 97-passenger jet flights to and from its Nashville hub June 30, and turned the service over to smaller 34-passenger turboprop planes operated by afffiliate American Eagle. Earlier, American dropped the city's only nonstop flight to and from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (although Southwest Airlines about that time picked up nonstop service between the city and Chicago's Midway Airport). As 1995 wound down, Trans World Airlines on Nov. 11 added larger jets on two of six Little Rock-St. Louis schedules while Delta Air Lines on Dec. 1 cut two of five daily jet flights between Arkansas' capital and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Despite it all, Little Rock National Airport, Adams Field, through November boarded 1,156,561 passengers, up from 1,089,639 for all of 1994. +w Little Rock city directors voted Sept. 12 to censure Little Rock Municipal Airport Commissioner P.A. "Les" Hollingsworth and report him to the state Ethics Commission for his ties to firms doing airport business. BIIIIGGGGGG BITES. Grab a biiiigggggg spoon: +w St. Louis-based Boatmen's Bancshares Inc. bought Little Rock-based Worthen Banking Corp. for $535 million Feb. 28. It was the first of more than a half-dozen major mergers in the state. Other mergers in 1995 brought companies from Tennessee and Mississippi into Arkansas, reshaping the ownership of the largest bank holding companies in the state. CAPT. MONEY-CRUNCH. Now with new bottom-line berries: +w After a bitter struggle born out of a fear that rural school districts would be forced to close, Arkansas lawmakers in April adopted a new formula to distribute state money to 311 school districts. The new formula, which will go into effect in July 1996, replaces one that was declared inequitable and unconstitutional by a Pulaski County chancery judge. The new funding laws require voters to either levy a minimum 25-mill property tax rate for school operations or pay a 10 percent state income tax surcharge. As a result, 132 districts sought property tax increases last September. Voters in all but seven of the districts passed the increases. +w A new law offering a financial incentive for state colleges to merge started many discussions in the Arkansas Delta. One school, Phillips County Community College in Helena, agreed in December to merge with the University of Arkansas system and become the UA's sixth campus. Mississippi County Community College in Blytheville is also considering merging with the UA. +w Arkansas' higher education system got a new funding formula this year designed to reward colleges on several new measures of accountability. In the past, universities received funding based on enrollments alone. The change marks a new attitude toward higher education nationwide as budgets tighten and legislators force educators to detail how they spend public tax dollars. The new funding formula involves evaluation of academic quality, institutional efficiency and responsiveness to the needs of business and industry. RICE-'N'-SHINE. The news that gets you up and going. +w Little Rock's crime statistics for the first 10 months of 1995 showed an 18 percent decline in reported crimes. Police chief Louie Caudell said that if the trend held through December, the city would have its lowest crime rate in seven years. FBI crime statistics for 1994 showed the capital city with a 28 percent decrease in violent crime over the previous year, including 11 percent fewer murders. And so much for ARKANSAS 1995: THE VARIETY PACK --the sweet, the crummy, the flakiness of it all. The last box shakes empty. News is like breakfast cereal, except you don't get a toy at the bottom. Lunch, anybody?

DEFINING A DECADE BY SUNDAYS Date: 01-07-96 Category: HIGH PROFILE Page: 1D 1991 E. Charles Eichenbaum(Jan. 6, 1991) At 83, Eichenbaum, is still practicing law and formulating a new judicial article for the Arkansas Constitution. Now: Eichenbaum died June 28, 1993, of complications from an abdominal aneurysm. Olivia Venola Myers Farrell (Jan. 13, 1991) Farrell is chief executive of ficer of the Arkansas Writers' Project. Now: No response. Don Louis Riggin (Jan. 20, 1991) After running the local Arthritis Foundation, Riggin has moved to Atlanta to be national president and CEO of the Arthritis Foundation. Now: Riggin has guided the nationwide nonprofit health agency to become a leader among nonprofits. Funding for arthritis research has doubled, income has risen at twice the rate of inflation, and the introduction of Arthritis Foundation Pain Relievers has placed the organization on the leading edge of cause-related marketing efforts with corporate America. Riggin was designated a Fellow of the American Society of Association Executives and is treasurer of ASAE, board chairman of the National Health Council and chairman of the Voluntary Health Agencies Group. Ronney Wayne Strother (Jan. 27, 1991) Strother is president of First Commercial Bank and chairman and chief executive offcer of First Commercial Mortgage Co. Now: President, Commercial-Ventures LLC (real estate investments) "After a 21-year career in banking with First Commercial Bank and First Commercial Mortgage Company, I left in 1994 to begin a venture capital company. Specializing in real estate related investments, George Pitts Jr. and I are on our way in achieving the goals for this venture." Richard Mary Burke (Feb. 3, 1991) As the principal of Mount St. Mary Academy, Sister Burke plans to leave the school after 14 years at its helm for a sabbatical as a student at the University of Notre Dame. Now: Member of the Sisters of Mercy -- St. Louis Regional Leadership Team. "Since leaving Mount St. Mary Academy, I have enjoyed a sabbatical year at Notre Dame which was renewing and inspirational. From 1992 to the present, I have been serving in Community Administration for our seven state Regional Community. It is a privilege to minister to our sisters while engaging in dialogue and planning with other church and religious congregational leaders." James Yee Suen (Feb. 10, 1991) With a dream to cure cancer, Suen is a professor and chairman of the department of otolaryngology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the new director of the Arkansas Cancer Research Center's clinical services. Now: Professor and chairman, Department of Otolarynology -- head and neck surgery. "Since my profile I have received the following awards: Distinguished Citizen of the Year (1991); Minority Business Leaders of Arkansas 1994; included in Best Doctors in America in 1992, 1993 and 1994; top 400 cancer specialists in America by Good Housekeeping; president of the American Society of Head and Neck Surgeons in 1992-93; received Distinguished Alumni award from the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in 1995; named top otolaryngologist in Arkansas in a physician's poll in 1995; medical consultant for President Bill Clinton." Kathleen Ann Henry Joiner (Feb. 17, 1991) As director of the Little Rock Junior Cotillion, Joiner teaches teen-agers to dance while they use perfect manners. Joiner was a featured bride in the first issue of High Profile. Now: Owner//director Little Rock Junior Cotillion, Riverfest co-chair 1996; chairman, 1997; administrative board St. James United Methodist Church. She's married to Stephen N. Joiner, and has two children Meghan, 7, and Robert, 3. Barney Alan Sugg (Feb. 24, 1991) Sugg is the new president of the University of Arkansas system. Now: President, University of Arkansas system. "At least two memorable events have happened to me while serving as president of the University of Arkansas, our daughter Jenifer and her husband, Jeff, have given Jean and me two wonderful grandsons, Robert Jackson and Mitchell Alan White. It may have been coincidental, but the Razorbacks won their first NCAA National Basketball Championship under my tenure as president of the university. I must admit, though, that Nolan (Richardson) had everything to do with Arkansas beating Duke in the championship game in Charlotte in 1994." John Paul Hammerschmidt (March 3, 1991) Hammerschmidt, who is a 13-term Arkansas congressman with a 95 percent voting record, is Arkansan of the Year. Now:Hammerschmidt retired undefeated from Congress after serving 26 years in January 1993. He and his wife maintain a home in Harrison and a Washington, D.C., apartment. He is chairman of the Northwest Arkansas Council, chairman of the Arkansas Citizen of the Year committee for the March of Dimes, board member of Arkansas Community Foundation, advisory board of Winrock International and Green Thumb, board of Review for the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority (Dulles and National airports). He also serves on the board of Dillard's, Southwestern Energy in Fayetteville and the First Federal Bank of Arkansas. Lucy Lockett Cabe (March 10, 1991) At 76, Cabe, who has performed in 11 Broadway musicals and sung with the Metropolitan Opera in St. Louis, supports Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts and serves on a number of boards. Now: Cabe remains a philanthropist. On June 1, the Lucy Lockett Cabe Festival Theater at Wildwood will open. She also supports the Arkansas Symphony, the Arkansas Arts Center, the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, the Chamber Singers, Ballet Arkansas and the Community Theater. A pianist and organist, she is an active member of Little Rock Musical Coterie and the Central Arkansas Guild of Organists. Randy Merritt Hankins (March 17, 1991) Also known as Craig O'Neill, Hankins makes people laugh everyday as KKYK-FM 104's disc jockey. Now: Celebrating 25 years as a disc jockey -- the only disc jockey to play the White House-- Hankins is now at B98.5 and hosts ESPN2 "Outdoors" (soon to be seen daily nationwide). He has also become a Chippendale dancer, a popular pinup, soon to be seen as the new Diet Coke hunk, listed on Forbes wealthiest Americans list, immortalized in lights by Jennings Osborne, mistaken for Mick Jagger at the Stones concert, named Lip Off of the Week on Channel 7, and seeking treatment for being a chronic liar. Sharon Mary Devlin Priest (March 24, 1991) After serving six years as a member of the Little Rock Board of directors, Priest is now mayor of Little Rock. Now: Sworn in as Secretary of State in 1995, Priest is the first woman to hold this position. She has implemented the federally enacted Motor Voter registration program for Arkansas and has initiated a statewide citizens advisory group. Gil Cyril Michael Gerard (March 31, 1991) A Little Rock native, Gerard, an actor who now lives in Los Angeles, is busy at work on a new television series, E.A.R.T.H. Force. Now: After a visit home over Thanksgiving to see his mother, Gerard says he has "a joint venture with the producer of Code 3' to develop a new television show." Sometime in the middle of the year he'll play a major in a feature, "The Road from Chofin Reservoir," a show based on the Korean War. Joyce Elise Williams Warren (April 7, l991) Warren is the circuit-chancery judge, Division 2, Juvenile Division, for the Exth Judicial District (Pulaski and Perry counties). Now: Sixth Judicial District Circuit//Chancery Judge -- Juvenile Division. "I was elected to a second term as juvenile judge in 1994. I became the first black person to be elected to the board of directors of Arkansas Judicial Council in 1993, and am still on the board. I was elected to the board of trustees of the Arkansas Wilderness Institute in 1994 and am serving as vice president. In September 1995, was appointed by the Little Rock Board of Directors to be a member of the board of trustees of the Arkansas Museum of Science and History. I was elected president of the board of directors of New Futures for Little Rock Youth in 1992. I was chosen by Arkansas Business as one of the top100 Women in Arkansas in 1995." Vicki Reed Moody (April 14, 1991) A dedicated supporter of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra for 10 years, Moody is the volunteer chairman of the 1991 Symphony Designer House. Now: "After passing 40 and going sustaining in the Junior League of Little Rock, my youngest child started kindergarten, and I decided it was time to go back to school. I got a master's degree, and I'm getting ready to apply for a doctoral program to begin work on a Ph.D. in clinical psychology through the Fielding Institute in Santa Barbara, Calif. -preparing for the future while living in the present." Nancy Gay Daniels White (April 21, 1991) As the state's former first lady, White spends her time working part time at James F. Goodwin Travel, camping and enjoying Arkansas' outdoors. Now: Wife, stepmother, part time at travel agency (James F. Goodwin Travel). "Actually, my life has not changed that much in the past few years, at least the outward circumstances. I'm still married to the same man, live in the same house, work at the same job -- all of which I'm thankful for and enjoy. I do have more wrinkles, gray hair and dimples in the wrong places, ha, but at least I've been able to cover the gray hair! The most exciting changes in my life have taken place internally as God, in his faithfulness, has continued to chisel away at my heart and reveal the woman he designed me to be. Every day is a gift filled with wonder and thankfulness as God is renewing me on the inside and causing me to reflect his image. In the backdrop of God's grace, I have been able to accept my human imperfections and realize that their purpose is to help me realize my utter dependence on him." Jo Ellen Wilbourn Ford (April 28, 1991) Ford, a stay-at-home mother, is the 1991 Woman of Distinction, named by the Florence Crittenton Home. Now: Ford continues to serve on the boards of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Foundation and the Arkansas Cancer Research Center. She chairs the advisory board for the new Center on Aging at UAMS, which will deal with problems of the elderly in Arkansas and will include a public policy group to address problems of the aging worldwide. Donald Eugene Fortson (May 5, 1991) As owner and chief executive of ficer of Sterling Paint Inc., Fortson is also president of the board for Centers for Youth and Families. Now: President and CEO, Sterling Paint Inc., Little Rock (formerly Stebbins and Roberts Inc.); chairman and president, Baxter County Bancshares, Mountain Home. On boards at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center, Pulaski Technical College and Fifty for the Future. Three grandchildren." Wendy Louise Flower Saer (May 12, 1991) A mother of six, Saer is the 1991 chairman of Riverfest. Now: Professional volunteer. "I still love and support Riverfest, but it has been nice to have the time for new opportunities. I have spent almost as much time in school as my children, serving on PTA boards and school boards at Holy Souls and Mount St. Mary's. The Children's Museum of Arkansas and St. Vincent Auxiliary boards leave me a little time to be mayor of Safety Town in the summer. Accomplishments -- my husband and I have finally been to Europe and instead of driving around town in a red 1 2-passenger van for part of the day, I drive a two-seater Mazda Miata! " Eugene M. Pfeifer III (May 19, 1991) An avid hot-air balloonist, Pfeifer is president of One Source Home and Building Centers, formerly Mechanics Lumber Co., which his grandfather began, and Arkmo Lumber Co. Now: "Married a wonderful lady -- Linda and am very happy. Riding horses a little more, falling a little less. As president of Main Street Argenta, have been very involved in Riverfront//arena//downtown planning and am excited about our prospects for Central Arkansas. Resigned from TCB board and that left lots of time for other things. My kids (4) and Linda's kids (4) are all friends and playing with them makes our life fun, sweet, and very much like the Brady Bunch."' Harold Dean Hinson(May 26, 1991) Hinson, who likes to golf, is the chief executive of ficer of the broadcast division of Morris Newspaper Corp., which owns KARK-TV. Now: Hinson continues to be CEO of Morris Newspaper Corp.'s broadcast division. In September 1991, he and his wife became parents of a daughter, Casey. Margaret Davenport Eldridge (June 2, 1991) A fund-raiser for the Girl Scouts, Eldridge is executive vice president at Twin City Bank. Now: Partner, Dave Eldridge and Associates. "Dave and I have left the corporate environment to join the world of entrepreneurs. We're excited about the opportunities for this phase of our life together. In 1996 I begin a two-year term as chairman of United Way of Pulaski County. The cutbacks in funds for human services require the United Way to expand its leadership in maximizing community resources. Working with the United Way volunteers and staff to achieve this should be fun, rewarding and, hopefully, beneficial to our community." Ronald Allen Robinson (June 9, 1991 ) The first intern at Cranford Johnson Advertising Agency, Robinson is now president and a chief operating offcer of Cranford Johnson Robinson and Woods, the state's largest advertising agency. Now: Chairman and CEO Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods. "In December of 1992, I was promoted to chairman of the board and chief executive of ficer of Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods. In 1993, I was appointed to the U.S. Postal Service Citizens Stamps Advisory Committee. In 1994 my son, Reid, graduated from the U of A in Fayetteville and is now an area sales manager for Dillard's in Shreveport." Frank Hebert Parke Jr. (June 16, 1991 ) Parke is president of the Arkansas Travelers Baseball Club and chairman of Democrat Printing Lithography Co. Now: "Daughter Emily married Jim Balch, son John now working with us after several years with Systematics. Traveler franchise is now worth $4,000,000. Have sold Hot Springs condominium and built a house at Canal Pointe on the levee overlooking the Arkansas River. As much as I liked Lake Hamilton, Canal Pointe is better, five minutes from downtown. Seven-year-old grandson, Logan Parke, this past summer wore the (Cardinal) baseball uniform that was originally made for Logan's father and (my) son, John." Patricia Jo Washington McGraw (June 23, 1991 ) A professor at the University of Central Arkansas, McGraw is the founder of Abilities Unlimited, a pre-school for black children. Now: Professor of English, University of Central Arkansas, Conway. "Currently, I am chair of the African//African-American Studies Committee, UCA; winner of Gamma Phi Beta Teacher of the Year Award -- 1995; winner of the Public Service Award, UCA, 1995; runner-up, Teaching Excellence, UCA, 1995; vice chair, Racial and Cultural Diversity Commission, Little Rock; Top 100 Arkansas Women, 1995; commencement speaker, Carthage High School, 1995." Rev. Thomas W. Keller (June 30, 1991) As pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, Keller has returned home from a tour in the Persian Gulf War with his Arkansas National Guard Reserve Unit. Now: "U.S. Army retired, after 29 years in Naval Reserve, Naval ROTC, Army Reserve and Army National Guard (148th Evacuation Hospital) as a major. Owner, The Life Center at 1515 University Ave. Pastor of a school with 277 students, K-8. Only church in Pulaski County with Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. OL of GCCC in a parish with multicultural members with the associate being the only black Catholic priest in the Catholic Diocese of Little Rock (all of Arkansas) who is a native Arkansan (Conway)." Betty Lynne Hunter Fowler (July 7, 1991) As an entertainer and jazz musician, Fowler got her start as a pioneer in Little Rock television and for years, was musical director for the Miss Arkansas Pageant. Now: "Lost husband, Bill, in'92 after long illness. Still voice coaching, teaching jaz piano, making accompaniment tapes in my studio, playing for parties -Farkleberry Follies '93 and '95. Lifetime achievement award from Arkansas Jazz Foundation '94, became a Catholic in '94, Salute from Cystic Fibrosis '95, acted in play at UALR'95 called "Love Letters." Walk two miles over Leawood hills each morning. Toby, my 20-year-old black cat, and I are healthy and happy!" Robert M. Goff(July 14, 1991) A pioneer in the Holiday Inn business, Goffopened the 18th Holiday Inn franchise in Hot Springs in 1957. He is adjusting to retirement and still goes to his offce to see what is happening. Now: "Marian and I are still happily married, I have a successful business, fine children and good health. We travel at least six months a year. I fish, duck hunt, golf and still haven't missed a Razorback homecoming in 63 years. Your High Profile said I was devoting my life to making sure my sons and son-in-law could someday take care of the business. That day has arrived. I have reached complete retirement. Holiday Inn West has been voted the No.1 Holiday Inn in the Americas. We thank the good Lord." Paula Squeteri Baird Pruett (July 21, 1995) Pruett owns KASN-TV, Channel 38, and spends her weekends in Chicago, where she lived before she moved to the South. Now: Pruett sold KASN in December 1991. Jerry McCord Van Dyke (July 28, 1991) Comedian Van Dyke, who stars as Luther on the ABC television show "Coach," and his wife, Shirley, an Arkansas native, live near Malvern. Now: "Coach," after several successful seasons, is on hiatus until February or March. Gary Weir (Aug. 4, 1991) Weir, known to kids around the state as Bozo the Clown, is celebrating 25 years of portraying the red-haired clown. Now: Host of children's TV program Clowntown, U.S.A. "Since being featured in High Profile I've changed hats, or should I say wigs!' From the red wig of Bozo to the blue wig of "Candy the Clown." Clowntown, U.S.A., has been taped "on location" in over 75 cities and has been telecast on KARK, KAIT, KTVE, KNOE, KHOG and WPTY." Mickey Mouse (Aug. 11, 1991) Mickey Mouse, featured in a make-believe interview, visited Little Rock for a day at Park Plaza to raise money for the Centers for Youth and Families. Linus Raines (Aug. 18, 1991) As general manager of the 419-room Excelsior Hotel, Raines, a Little Rock native, keeps busy running her "own little city," as she calls the facility. Now: "Directed $4 million, three-year renovation project of Excelsior with completion of last phase by May 1996, which will include renovating all guest rooms, public space and restaurants. Increased hotel profits by 200 percent by 1994. Implemented propertywide national certified hospitality training program endorsed by American Hotel and Motel Association for all Excelsior employees." John Louis Hickman Jr. (Aug. 25, 1991) As principal of Central High School, Hickman is getting ready for a second year on the job. Now: "I am enjoying my job as superintendent of the Gould School District." Virginia Nothelfer Wilson (Sept. 1, 1991) Ginger Wilson is president ofthe Fine Arts Club. Now: "I'm still really involved in the Arkansas Arts Center, and I'm currently working on a Tabriz committee computerizing all of the acquisitions. I'm a volunteer at Pulaski Heights Elementary School, where I'm a leader for the Junior Great Books Reading and Discussion Program." Marion B. Burton (Sept. 8, 1991) A former Navy pilot, Burton is president of the Arkansas Aviation Historical Society. Now: Opened the Aerospace Education Center in June 1995, and is still working on this project. "I'm still flying and restoring airplanes. Took a restored Piper airplane to the Experimental Aircraft Association Convention in Oshkosh, Wis., in July 1995, and it was awarded a trophy for the outstanding airplane in its class. We also took a Stearman to Sun N-fun in Lakeland, Fla., in April and it was selected as the outstanding primary trainer by the Warbirds of America." Andrew Jackson Reynolds (Sept. 15, 1991) After serving as chief executive of ficer at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center and president for 18 years, Reynolds plans to step down at the end of this year. Now: Retired as CEO at St. Vincent Infirmary January 1992. Served nine months as director of Department of Human Services. Was "of counsel" at Jack Lyons and Jones until January 1995. Fully retired to travel, play golf, play tennis, watch grandkids. My major goal in life is to consistently play as least bogey golf." T. Milton Honea Jr. (Sept. 22, 1991) As president and chief executive of ficer of Arkla Inc., Honea oversees the third-largest retail gas company in the country. Now: Honea lives in Houston, where he is president, chief executive of ficer and chairman of the board of NorAm Energy Corp. Mark Wootten Grobmyer (Sept. 29, 1991) Grobmyer, a partner in Arnold Grobmyer and Haley law firm, co-chairs Project 2000, a nonprofit organization aimed at helping downtown Little Rock grow. Now: Grobmyer has served as a member of the executive committee of the Greater Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the International Committee of the Greater Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, board member of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, a trustee of the Arkansas Nature Conservancy and Fifty for the Future. From 1991-1994 he was on the international advisory board of the Center for the Study of the Presidency. John Raymond Holmes (Oct. 6, 1991) Holmes is executive vice president and general manager of the Arkansas State Fair and Livestock Association. Now: "Retired from Arkansas State Fair, July 1994. Consulting with fairs, festivals, carnivals, concessionaires. Also executive director, National Independent Concessionaires Association." David Hampton Pryor (Oct. 13, 1991) Pryor, recently elected to a third six-year term in the U.S. Senate, is the 1991 Arkansan ofthe Year. Now: U.S. Senate. "Still the same job, but will retire soon. Excited about moving back home to Arkansas." Francis Taylor Brown (Oct. 20, 1991 ) A retired rear admiral with the Navy, Brown is a 1991 inductee into the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame. Now: "Enjoying retirement. Have traveled to New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, London and Paris. Playing a lot of golf. Shirley Thomas and I were married in January 1992. Bought an old house in the Heights and completely refurbished it by myself before I sold it this summer." Ethel Lynn Cook (Oct. 27, 1991) Cook, co-owner and general manager of Cook Jeep Eagle, a business started by her great-grandfather, recently walked up Pikes Peak with her broken leg in a cast. Now: Owner-partner Cook Jeep Eagle "Member Arkansas Automobile Dealers Association and am a member of the dealer services committee. Expanded our current location to cover two city blocks. Sales have increased to nearly 100 new and used units per month. Cook Jeep Eagle will be entering its 82nd year as a downtown mainstay. Established in 1914." Mark Allen Stodola (Nov. 3, 1991) Stodola is prosecuting attorney for Pulaski County, a position he won in 1990. Now: "While serving as prosecuting attorney, I have had the honor of being elected as a vice president of the National District Attorney's Association and serve as co-chair of the Drug Control Committee and on the violent crime working groups. I am in my third term as prosecutor and am a candidate for Congress from the 2nd District. Jo Ellen and I have finished renovating our house -- next project, to build a garage!" Sharon Ann Evans Bale (Nov. 10, 1991) Bale, a former Miss Arkansas and outdoors lover, spends her time at her weekend home called Choctaw in Brinkley. Now: "I've continued my civic involvement. One thing that is different is that our boys are both in college and are team roping, so we spend most of our weekends rodeoing." Noland Blass Jr. (Nov. 17, 1991 ) As an award-winning architect, Blass, now semi-retired, has designed the Temple B'Nai Israel, the Arkansas Justice Building and the Worthen Bank building. Now: "Architect (retired) and sculptor. Working more with my sculpture. Had a one-man show at the best gallery in San Miguel De Allende, Mexico. Have sold a number of pieces. Also busy with architectural projects. Just completed a postmodern Japanese loft in Little Rock. Doing plans for an oval swimming pool in a larger oval deck -offcenter. Working out with weights and tennis so I can model for International Male." Curtis Franklin Bradbury Jr. (Nov. 24, 1991 ) Bradbury is chairman, chief executive offcer and president of Worthen Bank, the second-largest bank in Arkansas. Now: Bradbury, who oversaw the sale of Worthen Bank to Boatmen's Bank, is executive vice president and chief operating of ficer of Stephens Inc. He continues on the Arts Center board of directors and is chairman of the center's Foundation Board. He is chairman of the Board of Higher Education. Mary Lou Jaworski (Dec. 1, 1991 ) As executive director of the Bess Chisum Stephens Young Women's Christian Association, Jaworski plans to retire from her position where she has taught many little girls how to swim. Now: Retired Dec. 31, 1991. "In February of 1992, I was thrilled to be honored at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Dinner of Champions. I'm still trying to stay in the swim,' however, at a much slower pace I'm afraid. Each June, I volunteer and conduct a Red Cross learn to swim' course for the Lakewood Property Owners Association. Over 100 children, ages 5-16 have been enrolled each year. This spring I received training and became a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church's RAIN Team.' Travel is definitely on my retirement agenda. Anytime someone says let's go,' I tell them my bag is packed. I'm thankful for my family, my health and my friends. They all add up to a very happy retirement." Robert Donald Malcolm Munro (Dec. 8, 1991) Munro is chairman of the board of his Arkansas-based shoe company, Munro and Co. Inc. Now: No response. Patricia Lynne Gray (Dec. 15, 1991) Gray is a public relations executive at Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. and the first black provisional member of the Junior League of Little Rock. Now: Gray is now in the marketing department at Southwestern Bell, which she considers a "new challenge." She has adopted an exchange student from Panama. In 1994 she was invited by the White House to be an alternate delegate to a weeklong meeting of the Committee on the Status of Women at the United Nations. Another adopted daughter was recently married. "I'm staying home more and am more inward." Herbert Alcorn Donovan Jr. (Dec. 22, 1991) As bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Arkansas, Donovan is preparing his Christmas sermon. Now: "I resigned on Sept. 1, 1995, as bishop of Arkansas to become vicar of Trinity Church, Wall Street, New York City. In addition, I continue as an active bishop of the Episcopal Church, serving as secretary for the House of Bishops in the U.S. and as an assisting bishop of the Diocese of New York. We miss Arkansas, but love it here." Jim Guy Tucker (Dec. 28, 1991) As lieutenant governor, Tucker is busy serving as acting governor while Gov. Clinton campaigns for president. Now: Governor of the state of Arkansas.

NLR PANEL CONSIDERS DISPLAY Date: 01-11-96 Category: NEWS Page: 2B RAY PIERCE, Democrat-Gazette Staff Writer With the holiday season just over and the new year firmly in place, the North Little Rock Advertising and Promotions Commission tried Monday to gear up for Christmas 1996 or maybe 1997. The commission voted to begin looking into wiring a part of Burns Park for a thematic Christmas lights display. The drive- or walk-through display would be like those in New Orleans, St. Louis and Memphis. Alderman Martin Gipson, who serves on the commission, said he thought the idea was a good long-term project, even though Little Rock millionaire Jennings Osborne has offered a portion of his lights to the city of Little Rock to light up the East Markham District. "With free lights over there (in Little Rock), will people still pay $5 a car to drive through ours?" asked commission Executive Director Mary Lou Davenport. But Gipson said the difference between a Little Rock display and the one North Little Rock is planning will be "day and night." "This will be more or less a Christmas story; theirs will just be a display," he said. Gipson said finding corporate sponsors would be a good way to offset the estimated $70,000 cost of the display. "Most of the big ones (displays) of the size we're talking about have some sort of corporate sponsorship," he said. Gipson added that such a display might not be ready until 1997. Alderman Murry Witcher, who also serves on the commission, expressed concerns about a big North Little Rock display since so many smaller cities in Arkansas have begun to do their own. At the meeting, Davenport presented the commission with a year-end financial report. The report showed that North Little Rock hotels and motels generated more than $280,000 in taxes for the commission in 1995. The commission uses the money to promote the city. That is more than a 12 percent increase over 1994 and up 17 percent over 1993's revenues.

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT LACKING Date: 01-15-96 Category: EDITORIAL Page: 7B It seems that the spirit of Christmas has disappeared from the face of the earth. It seemed that this Christmas, people dreaded the thought of it. They didn't care what Christmas was for. They just wanted to hurry up and get it over with, with the least amount of hassle. People used to take time to make something for their neighbor. Now people do not even care enough to try to get to know their neighbor, much less take the time to give them something homemade for Christmas. Employers used to give their employees Christmas bonuses; now they hand out pink slips. A good example of this is the recent government shutdown. These people do still have a job, but they were laid off at Christmas. Employers should have a heart and at least wait until after the holidays to fire their employees. Nothing makes parents feel worse than to not have money to buy their children Christmas presents. Another example of the loss of Christmas spirit is the fact that the Osbornes could not have the lights display they wanted, no matter how big it was. A few griping neighbors caused many people to lose their faith in the spirit of Christmas. It was very good, though, that Jenninge Osborne was kind enough to give his lights to those who have a place where all will enjoy them. He is a great example of what the spirit of Christmas is all about. We all need to remember what Christmas is all about. We really have lost the "Christ" in Christmas. This year, at least go introduce yourself to your neighbor. Put up a string of lights on your house. Try to give more gifts than you receive. It doesn't matter how big are small the gift is as long as it comes from the heart. Even if you have nothing else to give, at least give everyone a smile and a warm "Merry Christmas." SHAUN C. WESLEY Morrilton

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