Greetings, Barbara!!It is time to clean up, get rid of, look again, wonder where this stuff came from, drag out, sift through and be amazed at the pile of items.  That is what I was doing. Two bottom dresser drawers had not been touched in many years. Where did all these lovely ladies vintage hankerchiefs come from?  What about all these old scarves from the 50's, 60's, 70's and even further back?  Remember women's slips?  Back when we had to wear dresses.....Gloves?  Back when we had to wear gloves with the dresses.....Panty hose?  Back before ladies just quit wearing hose at all.... Here's a glimpse of the drawers.This is after I had dragged things out trying to organize for about an hour.  There was even an old hankerchief from China, nestled on a piece of paper and tied there with s... 01/03/2025

Hey!  Razorback fans!!This is a new one for me!  I had never seen one before! It is in a lovely house that is now listed and even though I have been in the house several times, I noticed it in the listing pictures on the internet.  All we know is that it had been specially ordered for the laundry room of this home by an ardent Razorback fan.  In case you are not from Arkansas and are not familar with "Hogs" it is the nickname for the football team at the University of Arkansas.  The Razorback Hogs are loved by so many fans.  The fans are hysterically infatuated with the "Hogs" and I am not that surprised that one spent money for a hog-shaped sink!!NOW!!In case you are one of those fans and are interested in a home, check this one out in River Oaks, Searcy AR.  Address is 118 Red Oak.  H... 12/31/2024

A Favorite SantaI have a small collection of Santa Clauses and this is one of my favorites.  It is called a 20th Century Claus and personifies the traditional American Santa.  I love his bobby socks and saddle shoes that were so popular in the 50's.  And be sure to see what he is gifting.  Television set, '57 Chevy, record, Cola, and a blonde possible Marilyn Monroe doll!I wish all of my activerain friends a happy holiday season!! 12/20/2024

  Example of Happy Times!Leon Person and his friend Toby Noble.I borrowed this wonderful picture from Sherry Quattlebaum Person, who married Leon Person many years later when they became adults.  Noble Motel, in Searcy AR, was a very popular spot. Click   https://activerain.com/droplet/4H4B to see the very beginning of the motel started by Toby Noble.  The picture you'll see there was given to me by his son.Back to the picture above.  The Christmas-looking tree in front makes me wonder if they picked up a Christmas tree on their way to the fishing hole and doubled their pleasure!  They evidently had a successful fishing trip.  I don't know what kind of fish they are and thinking of cleaning all those fish tires me.Clicking here   https://activerain.com/droplet/Hzr6   shows another blog ... 12/18/2024

Old Duncan's car lot bodyshop.This building is not historic except as being a part of a successful car lot for many years.  Folks may remember Duncan's Chrysler Plymouth Jeep Eagle located at 704 E. Race Street in Searcy AR.  They may chuckle as they remember V. W. Duncan, famous for the saying, "What Ole Po Dunk says it is, it is!"Po Dunk was a fantastic salesman and started the car business at 202 S. Main in 1946.  He moved to the Race Street location and in 1964 acquired the Chrysler-Plymouth line and added Jeep products in 1979. Duncan's had great repeat business due to good service by excellent family members and employees.The business closed in approximately 2008.The old bodyshop building was in disrepair and the family decided to remove it. In this picture you can see the surroun... 12/14/2024

 White County courthouse drawing.1986 is the date signed by the artist and must be the approximate date  of the drawing for this plan for the courthouse grounds.  I clipped this article by Tommy Jackson, editor of the Daily Searcy Citizen, but I did not keep the extension of the article on page 3A.  The article says there was a move afoot to enhance the beauty of the courthouse which was built in 1877.  The White County Quorum Court had agreed to match on a dollar-for dollar basis up to $3000 for contributions  made by the public to the Courthouse Grounds Beautification Committee for the purpose of professionally landscaping and maintaining the courthouse grounds, and dollar-for-dollar up to $100 per month for maintenance.I guess I liked the drawing and it looks like it is signed by She... 12/09/2024

Can you believe this advertisement?All we see now are advertisements for LOSING weight!  I found this old ad while sifting through all my saved items and could hardly believe what I was seeing.  It says it was done by Key Publishing Co but has no date on it.  The fine print at the bottom says, "The accompanying portrait is that of Sarah MacHenry, Philadelphia, posing with her two sisters, who writes: 'FAT-TEN-U FOODS increased my weigh 39 pounds, gave me new womanly vigor & developed me finely. My two sisters also use FAT-TEN-U and because of our newly found vigor we have taken up Grecian Dancing and have roles in all local productions'."I researched online and found one for sale saying it was vintage 70's.  I think it would have to go back further than that. Perhaps Sleuths will be abl... 11/24/2024

Refound! Is that a proper word?  But I was checking into an old trunk and there it was and had been for many years so I did refind it!   Look at the important Searcy AR people from 1934 gathered for a photograph of the Kiwanis Club.  The copy of this picture was given to me by a lady who gave me old house pictures that I've posted in the past.  Perhaps the Historic Society could use it? I did a blog about this picture a few years back.  That was in 2010.  Click to see it again.   https://activerain.com/droplet/npwb  The names of the people are written on the back and I have put them down below.  If I have a question mark I couldn't read the writing.  This was the Kiwanis Club in 1934. That's s long time ago but see if you remember any of them.Unless I'm mistaken, this was a men's only c... 11/18/2024

Remembering Curtis Kindergarten in Searcy Arkansas again with two signs. The signs were painted by a wonderful local artist, Phyllis Alexander.  At the recent estate sale, I found the original two signs.  Here they are. They were painted in the late 90's.  I bought them and made a surprise delivery to the artist.  She definitely was surprised and thanked me for bringing them.  I thanked her for accepting them and she gave me two pictures of how they looked when newly finished.  They follow below.The little girl above and the boy below.  Notice how the colors were so bright and vivid.  After all these years they definitely faded a bit but they were so lovely then and they still are!!Phyllis Alexander is still doing great art work!  11/15/2024

 A little bit strange curved wall?  I didn't take this picture so I don't know how the photographer took it.  Below is the more realistic bath room.She achieved her purpose in this one and you'd love to visit.  The Historic Black House of Searcy AR found lots of old historic photos of people and things.  Debbie Higgs, who maintains the home, had this very creative and different way of displaying them. They are beautifully arranged using matching tacks and spaced in a lovely manner.  Look at the next two historic Searcy pictures.These pictures were taken by Faylen Waggoner, apprentice at the Black House.    Aren't they lovely?NOW!!  Go visit the Black House Art Gallery and see lots more!!!! 11/11/2024

When did they narrow the streetSure looks wide in this old picture post card but I guess that over the years the vehicles just got longer, especially trucks.  Do you sleuths know the age of the cars?  The street in Searcy AR does  look delightfully wide!    I was downtown on Saturday 10-26-24.  There was a great vintage car show going on.  Here are a few shots. Doesn't the street seem narrow?                       Car pictures below.Remember?  The court house is older than any of the cars!  The car show was a good exhibit and fun to see.  10/29/2024

Lovely entry We all have our favorite sites that we drive by.  This is one of mine.  This Bethlehem Baptist Church is located at 301 E Pleasure Street in Searcy AR and the multiple layers of brick at the entry are beautiful.  The placement of the rock and brick around the entry is also lovely.BUT....There appears to be a new church being built beside it and I hope the old one is not coming down.  I can't find a person to ask but if Searcy Sleuths are paying attention and know the future, please share.  And tell the church leaders to try to save this lovely older building.   For you history lovers to review what was located where the new church is going up, click below for the old blog and pictures.                       https://activerain.com/droplet/8XvD                                  10/18/2024

l have always stared at it!Every time I drive through McRae AR I stare at this house thinking that it is the extreme example of an old house that seems to be original and needs work. It has suddenly been listed and is for sale.  So I can see it thoroughly.  It was built in 1921, says the listing.  Pretty old!!Look at this pretty entrance.  It must be from long ago but is still fashionable and has class!  Great detail.And here's an excellent example of chipping paint that a lender would never allow.  How many of us as real estate agents have had to insist that the seller repair the chipped paint and redo it for a buyer to get a loan.  So the front of the house shows some past glory with the fancy trim.  Look at those shingles!The house is listed by Michele Phillips and Company, Realtors-... 10/10/2024

Searcy Arkansas Courthouse Painting Notice the date of this painting that I did about 54 years ago!  It has just resurfaced and I had not seen it through all those years.  It is mainly of the statue on the court square that was done in memory of the Confederate Soldiers of White County AR that served in the war between 1861 and 1865.  I must have been trying abstract painting.  The composition is good but the detail is definitely abstracted.  Most interesting is possibly the parking meters that were there!  Remember parking meters?  I wonder what year they went away.Here's the signature.  And....lucky me.  I have someone who wants it! 10/06/2024

Two different forms of art.Don't these look good together?  The back one is an old half-way worn out "paint by number."  Some folks have said that some of these old "paint by number" pictures are a little valuable.  Personally, I never did one and don't know where this one came from.  It has just been hanging around my house for no telling how long.The front lighthouse has just moved in.  It was a garage sale item that caught my eye.  When the new lighthouse saw this old picture it was love at first sight.  They resemble each other.  It seems to be handmade and I can't find another anywhere else on the internet.  Should I keep it?  I am wondering if the picture was a copy of some old lighthouse and hope one of our sleuths can name it.  Trivia, but fun........  10/02/2024

Historic Quattlebuck.Who remembers Col. Ivan Quattlebaum from Searcy AR.  Better question, who does NOT remember Col. Ivan?  He was a very friendly and colorful character in town.  The small print on this ONE QUATTLEBUCK says, "This note legal tender for free love and advice."  Sweet Ivan's Stop and Swap.  Ivan was a bail bondsman and an auctioneer and possibly a musician if the guitar means music. Definitely music was popular in the family and Quattlebaum Music Store was a lovely store on the corner of Arch and Spring Streets downtown.  He was creative also as you can see by this bill! There he is smiling on the bill!Searcy AR misses you, Colonel Ivan Quattlebaum!! 09/25/2024

Readers and Greeters  This young couple will be waiting to greet you as you go into the main door of our new library!  They may be distracted, however, by this fascinating book that they are sharing.  The brand new Larry and Janett Crain library opened September 18, 2024 and a large crowd attended.  It is a magnificent building with something for everyone inside. You will need to stop at the front desk and pick up a map that shows all the locations.  This young couple was donated by Shirley Moon.  Thank you, Shirley Moon!Here's a picture of the beginning.  This picture that I gave to the library is hanging in the history section of the new library. We've come a long way, Baby!! 09/19/2024

Painted eggs from May 1998 EGGS'travaganzaWay back in 1998 many citizens and I attended a corporate fund-raising event at Harding representing the White County Medical Center.  Way back then lots of folks around Searcy were raising ostriches and other different birds or animals.  Ostrich eggs were plentiful.  Local artists were asked to contribute a hand painted egg for auctioning off.  Liz Howell, now a highly successfuly REALTOR with her own real estate office, planned and held the auction.  Eggs were displayed on tables and a silent auction was held!I bought two.  One by Lee Freppon and one by Phyllis Alexander. (see an old blog here  https://activerain.com/droplet/4Jst ) Now I have from 8 to 10!  Why?  Because when I have attended estate sales or flea markets I have found more.  See... 09/16/2024

Portrait of Cleo 1966This has been White County Fair Week in Arkansas.  Memories return.  Here is a strange one.  Yearly, there was an art contest along with pickles and sewing and all kinds of other things.  I entered this painting of a lady named Cleo.  She actually sat and posed for me.  It won first place at the fair and I have had it since.  I'd like to know where she is and perhaps she'd like this picture for her family.Children's art winner.My daughter, Valerie Smith, attended McRae Elementary back in the 60's.  She painted and entered this one.  She won!!  These are good memories of our White County Fair.  I need to visit it today before it closes!!We are now Barbara Smith Duncan and Valerie Smith Canepa. 09/14/2024

The beginning......The annual White County Fair Parade was Saturday morning, September 7 at 11:00 a.m. Crowded? YES!  Folks in White County love that parade that circles the courthouse and travels down East Race in Searcy AR.  I was there along with blog-buddy, Anita Hart Fuller and my daughter, Valerie Smith Canepa.  Anita's good buddy, named Buddy Phillips, was honored to be Grand Marshall of this year's parade. He retired in 2010 after serving 45 years on the board and is now an Emeritus Board Member.  Anita had made a special trip just to see him in the parade because they graduated together in 1954 and have been great buddies through the years. SO.....The parade comes happily and noisily along!  There's Buddy in his fancy vehicle when his admired fan ran into the parade to greet hi... 09/09/2024