MSGCC Awards
2009 Chamber Awards
Photo
by Randy Moll – Gentry Courier-Journal
HONOREES
—
2009
Chamber Banquet held at Wooden Spoon Restaurant
(From the Gentry Courier-Journal)
GENTRY
– After a week’s delay due to an ice storm, the Main Street Gentry Chamber of
Commerce Banquet was held Thursday, with nine awards presented.
The
banquet was held at the Wooden Spoon Restaurant and began with an invocation
and a fine dinner prepared and served by the restaurant staff.
Following
the dinner, awards were presented by MSGCC director Bev
Saunders and 2008 MSGCC president Clara Garrett, beginning with awards for
lifetime achievement honorees presented to family members of the late Mildred
Backer and Doris Carter.
Other
awards included the 2008 Rising Star Award, presented to Kevin Johnston; the
2008 Volunteer of the Year Award, presented to Jim Kooistra;
the 2008 Leadership Award, presented to Justin Osteen; the Organization of the
Century Award, presented to the Gentry Volunteer Fire Department; the Silver
Citizen Award, presented to Jim Wilson; the Silver Business Person Award,
presented to Wanda Meyer; and the Pioneer Award, presented to Larry and Lou Ann
Curran.
Those
receiving the awards were nominated by members of the Gentry community and
chosen by a vote of the MSGCC board of directors. Information on the award
winners and reasons for their nomination were read at the banquet and will be
included elsewhere in this issue of the Courier-Journal.
At
the close of the banquet, new MSGCC president Janie Parks presented Garrett
with a gavel for her service on the chamber board.
Due
to the postponement of the banquet from its original date, scheduled speaker,
state representative and former Gentry resident Jonathan Barnett was unable to
be in attendance at the Thursday night banquet.
Lifetime
Achievement Awards have been
presented since 1988 to individuals who spent most of their lifetime making
contributions to the Gentry community. The purpose of the
awards are to honor those who have had a very positive impact on Gentry
and make sure they are not forgotten.
Before
Thursday, there was only one lady’s name on the plaque which hangs in the
Gentry Library: Kathryn Elsner. On Thursday, two more
hard working ladies were added: Mildred Backer and Doris Carter.
Mildred
Backer
Mildred
Backer continued to own and operate Backer’s Variety Store into her 90s
because, as she stated back in 1994, “I enjoy it and I like the people.”
She
died in 1998 at the age of 93.
In
1928 Mildred and Roy Backer became involved in Model Variety Store with
During
that time, they were also raising their children, sons Charles, Bill and Lewis
and daughter Barbara. Mildred ran the Variety Store while
After
Roy
and Mildred Backer were the first married couple to individually be honored
with Gentry’s Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Doris
Carter
In
1963 bacon, eggs and hash browns cost only 65 cents, a piece of pie was 15
cents and a cup of coffee was a nickel at the Center Café on
In
her own words,
She
ran the Center Café for about 27 years until she sold it at auction in 1991.
“We
got there at five in the morning and opened at five,”
She
loved her time at the Center Café and said what she liked most about the job
was the people.
Just
a few years before her death, the Highfill Library
Association needed to raise money for the renovation of the Webb house. Her
grandson volunteered her to make pies to sell for the fundraiser.
“I
believe she rolled the crust the day before and started that Saturday morning
at
Mildred
Backer and Doris Carter join the Lifetime Achievement Award honorees: Roy
Backer, J.R. Bever Sr., Tom Burns, Bob Carl, Joe
Carl, Bob Curran, Kathryn Bever-Elsner, Clyde Glass,
Morris Lamberson, John Parks, Pat Parks, Dr. A.L.
Peacock, Marvin Phillips, John Shaffer, Rai Steele,
Paul Sugg, J.D. Smith, Clegg Ratcliff, John Binns, Dale Carpenter, Art Steele, Fay Twiggs, Lyle Glass, Railey Steele, Bob Bever, Oral Sullivan
and Roy Bolin.
Other
Awards – Main Street Gentry Chamber
of Commerce honored numerous Gentry residents with awards for their service and
contributions to the community at a special awards banquet held at the Wooden
Spoon Restaurant on Thursday. The awards were presented by 2008 MSGCC president
Clara Garrett. The following information was read by Chamber director Bev Saunders.
Pioneer
Award
Two
years ago, the Gentry Chamber of Commerce honored Dr. Bob Weaver and family.
Last year, Mike and Janie Parks received the honor. This year, I’m very happy
to say we will honor Larry and Lou Ann Curran with Gentry’s Pioneer award.
Larry
and Lou Ann Curran already have a room full of awards and plaque for a lifetime
of service to the Gentry community, and especially the youth. Larry and Lou Ann
have carried on the tradition of community service that began with their
parents, Marvin and June Phillips and Bob and Bonnie Curran. FFA groups and 4-H
groups from both
The
Currans support the annual county livestock auctions
and host the county pullet show each year.
During the Benton County Fair each year, the Currans
treat all the livestock exhibitors to a pancake breakfast at the fair ground
auditorium. In the spring, it’s Lou Ann that will be soliciting gifts and
volunteers for the after-graduation party — an event that the Currans have coordinated for many years to ensure the
safety and fun of Gentry kiddos.
Over
the years, the Gentry American Legion and VFW posts have honored the Curran
family for service, as has the city council, the Chamber of Commerce, the
Gentry Masonic Lodge and
And
even though all of these awards are special to Larry and Lou Ann, it’s the help
to the youth that makes both of them smile.
In
a newspaper (article) a few years back, Larry said, “It’s not about making
money when it comes to kids. It’s about tradition and pride. Kids aren’t any
different today than they were 20 years ago— there’s just more for them to get
into. I don’t know where you’d spend your money any wiser than on kids.”
Lou
Ann agreed, adding that watching the kids as they grow up and become
responsible adults “makes it worthwhile.”
At
the Fall Festival this past year, Larry Curran walked up to me and said, “I
appreciate everything you all are doing; put this in the till,” as he handed me
$100 bill. I know Larry didn’t want anyone to know he did that, but I share the
story because this is just an example of what the Currans
do everyday for our community.
Tonight
we are very proud to present this award to lifelong residents, community
leaders, business owners and leaders, church leaders and our dear friends Larry
and Lou Ann Curran.
Silver Award — Outstanding Business Person
Wanda
Meyer was born and raised in Gentry, and her service to this community didn’t
just happen recently or even in the past couple of years. For many years she
has served on all types of committees and boards from the school, to the
Chamber of Commerce, to the planning commission, the Gentry Fine Arts Society
and church.
Many
tell of Wanda taking care of others by providing food and service to those less
fortunate.
If
the Chamber needs physical help, Wanda is always there. If it’s bringing down a
ladder in the early hours on the Fourth of July, or staying late at the Chamber
booth at Fall Festival to help take down the tents, she’s there. If the chamber
needs extra financial help, Wanda is trying to help us find a way to get it,
and she generally succeeds.
Without
mentioning names, I heard a few years back of a situation where Wanda and Bob
helped a lady who just needed a hand up in getting a car so she could go to
work. When this person told me of the situation and the Meyer’s help, she said,
“I was at the end of my rope in what to do. Wanda is an angel.” Since I heard
that story, I have heard of others very much like this.
Two
business persons told me about working late one night and Wanda bringing them
dinner just because she knew they were tired and Wanda didn’t want them to have
to go home and fix dinner. Wanda has been doing things like this all her life.
She
graduated from
In
a support letter, an employee at Arvest Bank wrote:
“I’m
so glad Wanda Meyer has been nominated for Outstanding Business Person. Wanda
is most deserving. She is not only an outstanding business woman; she’s an
awesome woman who gives to her community by faith and servitude. Wanda helps
many in acts of kindness, time and encouragement!”
That’s
why we’re proud to honor her with a silver award for 25 years as An Outstanding
Business Person.
Silver
Award — Citizen of the Year
It’s
fun to recognize folks that have served the community and the school in quiet,
subtle ways that make a huge difference.
Jim
Wilson has served his community in numerous capacities. He has served as a
volunteer fireman, officer and assistant fire chief until he retired after 25
years of devoted service. While his children were in school, and even two years
after the last one graduated, he served on the Pioneer Athletic Booster Club as
an officer and President, supporting all of our youth. Recognizing the
importance of educating all of the children in our community in important life
skills and nurturing those skills, he has given unselfishly of his time and
money to coach GYO sports and to support Gentry’s local 4-H Clubs and FFA. He
helped form and was a contributing member of a community organization that
supported our area youth at the Benton County Fair Livestock Sale.
Over
the last 25 years Jim has given his time unselfishly and unconditionally to
support many needs in the Gentry community — young and old. A lot of that time
has come from time away from his own personal
business. Jim has never begrudged that time though, he has always just been
thankful that God has blessed him with a life in a community where he could
take the time off to be of service to others and to the community he loves.
Congratulation for more than 25 years of as an outstanding
citizen.
Leadership Award
Justin
Osteen leads by example, and that is why he is being honored tonight with the
2008 Leadership Award. This past year, he organized a non-profit in Gentry that
cleans up Gentry on a regular basis. This group helps folks with volunteer work
— such as old folks with mowing lawns. Justin has also been instrumental in
working with the city council on several ordinances to improve the physical
appearance of Gentry. He does all he does on a volunteer basis. He has held
several meetings at his home for volunteers.
One
Saturday afternoon, the group came downtown, washed windows and cleaned the
streets. Justin cares about Gentry and has made an investment of both money and
time. For his efforts he is being presented the Gentry Leadership Award.
Outstanding
Volunteer
Jim
Kooistra has been volunteering his time and
professional services to the city of
One
board member wrote: “He stepped up the time for moving into the building by
doing some of the work himself, and he worked with the city and council, moving
the progress forward. He managed to save money on projects in many areas, and
he is a very good organizational guy.”
Jim
also helps do many things in the church when volunteers are needed — everything
from decorating to helping with many fundraising projects. He is always ready
to help.
On
the Saturday evening of the Christmas parade this year, I walked by Jim, who
was standing outside the new Benton County Court West Legal building on Main
Street. He’d spent the day cleaning and painting the building to make sure all
the schedules were met for the city and the Benton County West employees moving
into the building.
He’s
a member of the parks committee and worked on many projects. He’s a wonderful
asset for the city of
Outstanding
Organization
Gentry
Fire Department — According to our history, the Gentry City Council talked
about fire protection in the city in the earliest meetings back in the late
1800s. In 1902, the city purchased a hose car at the estimated cost of $12. The
January 1911 minutes reveal that the city purchased a chemical engine and the
fire company was allowed to put up a cement building with a floor adjoining the
auditorium to keep the fire apparatus in.
Since
that time — and probably even farther back than we can determine — volunteers
in the Gentry community have served on the Gentry Volunteer Fire Department.
They are on call 24/7 and are one of the greatest assets the city of
With
about 22 firemen on their rolls, they show up at every fire and accident in the
area. Sometimes they work for hours to help others in their efforts to save
lives and property of our citizens.
And
that’s not all they do. The Gentry Fire Department helps the Gentry Chamber of
Commerce at every community event it sponsors. At the annual Freedom Fest, it’s
the fire Department that ignites the fireworks. At Trick or Treat on
There
is not enough time or accolades to properly recognize the Gentry Fire
Department, so we will just say thanks!
Vester
Cripps, Gentry Fire Chief, please accept this award on behalf of your
department.
Rising
Star — Kevin Johnston
This
young man is very special to me, as he has been one of my son Eric’s very best
buddies since we moved to Gentry in 1988. I must say from a personal level, not
only am I happy that Eric calls Kevin his friend; I’m just as happy to call him
my friend.
But
that is not why Kevin Johnston was nominated for this ward — and, by the way, I
didn’t nominate him and I don’t vote on the results; the chamber board does.
Kevin
is a Gentry city councilman, a member of the Gentry Fire Department and a first
responder. Many people’s lives and properties have been saved — in part —
because of the work done by Kevin Johnston. Kevin supports the Gentry community
at every Chamber event. You’ll see him working all day in the park on the
Fourth of July and then out with the other firemen all evening lighting the
fireworks. He might be driving a golf cart around the park helping move parents
with young children or older folks from one end of the park to the other, or he
might be directing traffic. He worked with the Gentry Fire Department at the
fall festival and co-chaired the car show. Kevin visited many festivals for
several months on his days off, recruiting vendors and participants for Gentry
festivals.
Kevin
works in a Gentry business where he communicates with Gentry citizens
everyday, always willing to hear new ideas on how to improve Gentry’s quality
of life. He’s a graduate of
Gentry is
fortunate to have Kevin in our future for many years. He is our Rising Star
award winner for 2008.
Photo
by Randy Moll – Gentry Courier-Journal
OUTSTANDING
VOLUNTEER — Jim Kooistra receives an award from 2008
Chamber president Clara Garrett at Thursday’s awards banquet.
2008 Chamber Awards
Even though delayed a week because of icy weather, the
Main Street Gentry Chamber of Commerce awards banquet filled the Wooden Spoon
Restaurant on Thursday, as awards were presented to area residents and
businesses for their contributions to the city and community. Five Lifetime
Achievement Awards were presented to honor Gentry residents for their service
to the community. The awards were presented in honor of Lyle Glass, Railey Steele, James Robert “Bob” Bever,
Jr., Oral Sullivan and Roy Bolin.
“These five outstanding individuals join the existing
group of 22 others,” said Bev Saunders, executive
director of GMSCC, — “J.R. Bever, Sr., Rai Steele, Faye Twiggs, Kathryn Elsner,
Bob Curran, Bob Carl, Maurice Lamberson, Dr. A.L.
Peacock, John Parks, Marvin Phillips, Roy Backer, Tom Burns, Clyde Glass, Pat
Parks, John Shaffer, Paul Sugg, Joe Carl, Clegg
Ratcliff, John Binns, Dale Carpenter, Art Steele and
J.D. Smith.
“As I see the citizens of Gentry embracing a season of
dedicating themselves to improving this community, this opportunity to honor
those who dedicated their lives to improving Gentry seems so appropriate. When
we reflect on all that has been achieved, it gives us pride and hope in what
can be accomplished in the future,” said Saunders.
In addition to the Lifetime Achievement Awards, other
individuals and businesses were honored with awards, including the Pioneer
Award, Business of the Year Award, Citizen(s) of the Year Award, Leadership
Awards, Rising Star Award, Volunteer Organization of the Year Award and
Outstanding Volunteer Awards.
Awards were presented by Saunders, with the assistance
of chamber members Janie Parks and Clara Garrett. Entertainment was provided by
Mark Bunce, who played the guitar and sang a number
of songs, including “Auctioneer.”
Rising Star Award
A new award this year for a member of the younger
generation, the Rising Star Award, was presented to Meredith Renfroe at the Main Street Gentry Chamber of Commerce
awards banquet on Feb. 7.
“It is important that, as parents and leaders, we not
only encourage participation and volunteerism from young leaders, but that we
also honor it,” said Bev Saunders, executive director
of MSGCC. “The young lady that is being honored tonight makes us proud.
Meredith Renfroe has served Gentry for many years as
a volunteer. This past year, on the 4th of July when I needed help at the last
minute, it was Meredith I called. Not only did she show up to help me on the
4th — a holiday — she worked all afternoon and into the evening. I called her
again at Christmas when, at the last minute, a judge couldn’t make it. She
bailed me out again,” Saunders said.
Renfroe is a member of the city’s parks and recreation
committee and has been very involved over the last year in the planning of the
many park improvements, slated for 2008. She has volunteered to help the chamber
at community events for the past 10 years, and last fall she was elected to the
board of directors.
A few years back, before the
Gentry
“We appreciate all Meredith has done and continues to
do for Gentry and we’re proud to present her our first Rising Star Award,”
Saunders said.
Leadership Awards
Leadership Awards were presented to Don Evans and to
the McKee Foods Corporation at the Feb. 7 Main Street Gentry Chamber of
Commerce awards banquet held at the Wooden Spoon Restaurant.
Don Evans graciously donated a very large sum of money
for entertainment at the fall festival. It was because of his generous donations
that MSGCC was able to provide a successful and entertaining event — Amanda
Payne of One Arm Bandit and Company — at the festival.
“When Evans was first approached with the
idea, he didn’t even have to think about it or check his bank account,” said
Bev Saunders, executive director of MSGCC, “He
immediately replied, ‘Yes, I’ll do that to get this going.’ It was because of
his attitude and donation that the Gentry community had a successful fall
festival.”
McKee Foods also stepped up to the plate with money to
support the quilt fair, held in conjunction with the fall festival. The quilt
show proved to be one of the chamber’s most successful projects of the year.
And McKee Foods continues to support the
The chamber expressed thanks to McKee Foods for
supporting Gentry’s community organizations and events.
Citizens of the Year Award
Amos and Carole Carver were presented with the Citizen
of the Year Award at the Main Street Gentry Chamber of Commerce awards banquet
Feb. 7.
Although they have only lived in Gentry a few years,
the Carvers have been actively involved in the city’s economic- and
community-development progress since the first day they came here.
If it’s the chamber banquet, you’ll see them out
selling tickets and helping get decorations. If it’s the July 4th Celebration,
you’ll see them selling arm bands and sitting in the hot sun for hours,
watching the kids on the inflatables. They’ll be
there in the morning to help set up the chamber booth,
and they’ll be there for tear down and load out at
The Carvers use their professional skills to sell
MSGCC memberships and keep the treasurer’s books. They have stuffed envelopes
for chamber membership dues the past several years and have invited new
businesses and solicited memberships.
Carole and Amos are at every reception and ribbon
cutting, helping host the event. They have been instrumental — helping paint
and clean — in getting the new chamber office ready.
“Their work and friendship to Main Street Gentry Chamber
of Commerce is valuable and much appreciated,” their nomination form said.
Volunteer of the Year Awards
Main Street Gentry Chamber of Commerce honored the
Gentry Library Board as the Volunteer Organization of the Year and Gentry
librarian Darla Threet, library volunteer Lenora McClary and senior citizen activity center director Jackie
Bader as Outstanding Volunteers of the Year at the awards banquet Feb. 7.
Gentry Library Board - It began with a seed of an
idea, then went through the season of growing. In
October of 2007, the Gentry community saw the harvest of its work and money
when the new Gentry Public Library was opened to the public for the first time.
This was made possible — in part — by the planning, persistence and vision of
the Gentry Library Board. The group worked tirelessly towards the goal of
providing the community an educational facility that would serve the community
for decades. Members of the board are Jim Furgason,
Wyman Okuma, David Wilson, Danny Feemster, Cheryl
Smith, Berta Norris, Maxine Abernathy and Vannie Tenant.
Lenora McClary - Lenora McClary has volunteered time at the library almost every
Monday morning since January of 2000.
“She is a great asset to the library and to the
community. She, along with our other library volunteers, is an unsung hero,”
said Bev Saunders, MSGCC executive director.
Darla Threet - Gentry’s
librarian has worked with the community, volunteers, city council and the
library board to see the completion of the Gentry library project. She has
donated many hours of personal time toward the project. Her leadership and
coordination at moving time was remarkable. She spent many volunteer hours
packing and unpacking books, cleaning, planning and hosting the opening.
“She’s the kind of person that does things no one
knows or hears about — she just does them because it makes Gentry a better
place,” said Saunders.
Jackie Bader - Jackie Bader has been instrumental in
the opening of the Gentry senior citizen activity center. The center plans to
officially open in its new
Business of the Year Award
Dr. Alan Lamb, DDS, was given the Business Award of
the Year by the Gentry Main Street Chamber of Commerce at the awards banquet
Feb. 7.
Lamb graduated from
Lamb has been a businessman in Gentry for more than 20
years and has provided dental care to the community. He expanded his
business to a state-of-the-art facility on
When his daughter asked him about living in Gentry,
Lamb replied, “I decided to stay in the area to be near my family. I also
believe northwest
Pioneer Award
Parks Lumber Company and Mike and Janie Parks were
nominated for both the Business of the Year Award and Citizen of the Year
Award. However, because of the company’s long history and the fact the Parks
have received both of the other awards at numerous times, this award is more
appropriate. One page-long nomination for the Parks said:
1.) They donate employee labor for
city functions. During the fourth of July and Fall Festival, not only will
you see Mike and Janie Parks working on every aspect of the events, you will
see them paying their employees to show up and help with whatever jobs need to
be done.
2.) They contribute money to support
community needs from city and social functions to school and athletic needs.
3.) They volunteer their own time.
This past year, Janie Parks worked every day – and sometimes 8 hours a day – on
the Fall Festival Quilt Fair. The event ran for 11 days. Mike and Janie were
there before it started to get it set up, they worked every day, and they were
they on tear-down day and hand delivered many of the quilts back to owners.
4.) They serve on community
committees and boards such as
5.) They donate products to
functions in each and every event. On the Fourth of July, Janie went to
the lumber yard to get lime to cover the dead fish thrown into the dumpster at
the park. At the Fall Festival, they used their hay bales, mums and corn stalks
to help decorate town. They moved the decorations around, using their own
vehicles and employees to decorate Gentry.
6.) They use their equipment for any
and all needs. In the past, they have used their fork lifts to hang the chamber
banners. They used their four-wheeler (better known as the pumpkin) to
transport concessions, tools and supplies for both the Fourth of July and Fall
Festivals.
7.) They have donated and planted
flowers on
8.) They allow and encourage their
employees to take off for fire department calls, city council, community events
and repairs to city property.
9.) The Parks family has owned and
operated a lumber company in Gentry for 60 years, since John and Goldie Parks
bought the J.P. Roush Lumber Company in 1947. Mike has operated the business
since 1974 and was joined by Janie when they married five years later in 1979.
2008 Lifetime Achievement Awards
Five Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to
honor Gentry residents for their service to the community at the Gentry Main
Street Chamber of Commerce Feb. 7.
The awards were presented in honor of Lyle Glass, Railey Steele, James Robert “Bob” Bever,
Jr., Oral Sullivan and Ray Bolin.
“These five outstanding individuals join the existing
group of 22 others,” said Bev Saunders, executive
director of GMSCC, — “J.R. Bever, Sr., Rai Steele, Faye Twiggs, Kathryn Elsner,
Bob Curran, Bob Carl, Maurice Lamberson, Dr. A.L.
Peacock, John Parks, Marvin Phillips, Roy Backer, Tom Burns, Clyde Glass, Pat
Parks, John Shaffer, Paul Sugg, Joe Carl, Clegg
Ratcliff, John Binns, Dale Carpenter, Art Steele and
J.D. Smith.
“As I see the citizens of Gentry embracing a season of
dedicating themselves to improving this community, this opportunity to honor
those who dedicated their lives to improving Gentry seems so appropriate. When
we reflect on all that has been achieved, it gives us pride and hope in what
can be accomplished in the future,” said Saunders.
The following is information read at the banquet
regarding the five honorees:
Lyle Glass
When one hears the Glass name in Gentry, you immediately
think of baseball. Lyle Glass was one of those baseball players that made
Gentry’s baseball team famous in the 1950s. Lyle, who was born in 1919, was a
member of the town’s baseball team when it was winning every area and regional
tournament in the four-state area.
In the case of Lyle Glass, he did much more. With the
support of his wife Grace, Lyle was also a very influential businessman and
community servant and family man. He and Grace had three children, Carolyn Ann,
who was born and died in 1944; Janice Sue Arnold; and Johnny Ray. Lyle worked
at several different jobs, including the Meeker Hatchery, the Farmers Feed
Store, the Gentry Laundromat and as
He belonged to the Masonic Lodge, Gentry Volunteer
Fire Department, Gentry civil defense,
Railey Steele
Railey Steele’s Gentry roots ran deep. Maybe that’s part of
the reason he cared so much for the small town in which he was born (in 1934)
and grew up, and in which he died in 2001.
Railey Steele and his father carried the names of both of
their grandparents, Steele from Will Steele and Railey
which was Will’s wife Laura’s maiden name. Will and Laura moved to Gentry in
1893, where Will became the first postmaster. Later, he and Laura established
the Steele Red Front Drug Store, known today as Dan Rader’s Real Estate Office.
Their son, Marion Railey, known in Gentry as Rai, married Nina Austin. The couple’s only child was Railey Steele.
Railey served Gentry,
Railey owned and managed several businesses, including an
auto parts store and housing developments. Railey’s
five children are Kathy, Peggy, David, Cindy and Rebecca.
Railey held the same philosophy in life that was instilled
in him by his parents: That we should always work with a Christian benevolence
toward our fellowman, striving always for a better world.
In 1994, when interviewed by a Bentonville reporter
during the city’s centennial celebration, Railey
said, “Growing up here, we loved this town. Every kid who grew up here loved
this town. We were all more like family than just people who lived in the same
town. The challenge now is to make sure that we make children and families who
move here part of the community so that they are allowed to grow up in an
atmosphere of family values — something that’s missing in large communities.
I’ve always had a love affair with this town. My parents used to say we owe
everything we have to Gentry. But never in the history of this town has there
been a greater need for strong leadership. I believe the opportunity exits now
to make Gentry an even better place to live, but the planning and preparation
must start now.”
Railey Steele loved Gentry. And even though he is gone from
us, Gentry loves Railey Steele.
James Robert “Bob” Bever,
Jr.
Bob Bever, Jr. was born in
1916 and died in 1998. He idolized his father, J.R. Bever,
Sr. The elder Bever arrived
in Gentry before the 1900s as a Wells Fargo agent. Bob, Sr. established his
produce business in 1902 and sold that business to Bob Bever,
Jr. in 1944.
For the next 50 years, Bob’s businesses included
ownership of a produce operation, a service station, restaurant, garage, farms,
a hardware store and numerous real-estate holdings. He attributed job success
to 12-15 hour work days, good help and the highly respected example of his dad.
Bob has three children, Nancy Imel
of Gentry; Randy Bever of Gentry, who currently
operates Bever’s Ace Hardware; and Karla of
Fayetteville.
Oral Sullivan
Oral Sullivan and his wife Josie were long-time
residents of Gentry. Both were
Oral and Josie were what one would call, “Stayers.” They both lived their entire lives in Gentry.
Oral was the town barber for 43 years before he semi-retired to work on a
real-estate development with friends Railey Steele
and Joe Carl. Josie was a 31-year employee of Farmers Mutual Insurance.
Oral died in 2004, and Josie, in 2005. The couple had
two daughters, Deanna and Kate. Deanna has one daughter, Micah; and Kate and
her husband John have two children, Jon Eric and Jodee.
In the 1994 Centennial book, Oral and Josie made this
statement, “We are proud to say we have worked, raised a family and retired in
Gentry.”
As friends, we are glad they did too.
Roy Bolin
For the first time since this program began in 1988,
Gentry will honor its first living honoree of the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Roy Bolin, a Gravette native, met his pretty wife
Frances when he was ushering at the Gentry theater and
In 1947,
On a returned (nomination) ballot, one person wrote,
“For many years, Roy Bolin has picked up and delivered prescriptions and other
items to elderly folks who couldn’t get out.”
He does this on a regular basis – not to win awards
but because he’s a good person.
2007 Business Person of the Year
Don Evans
Don is the owner of numerous businesses in Gentry with
Cherokee Auto Sales as his newest. He has just renovated the sales office and
made very significant improvements on the parking lot. He added a four-bay
heated and air conditioned garage.
Don is a lifetime resident of Gentry and has served
and supported the community for many years. His businesses have provided lots
of sales tax dollars for the city and county as well as helping to build a
business environment that helps other business. He supports many Gentry
organizations, The Siloam Springs Rodeo, the Colcord rodeos, the local schools
and youth activities. He has been a Gentry businessman and a member of the
Gentry Chamber of Commerce for more than 40 years. He was very instrumental in
helping coordinate and fund activities during the Gentry Centennial Celebration
in 1994.
2007 Citizen of the Year
Tammie Runyan
Tammie is a business owner in Gentry, but it's all the
volunteer time, energy and money that have resulted in her nomination for
Citizen of the Year. Tammy supports the local school system, she was active in
the Breakthrough Solutions meeting, and she supports the Library Gala with both
money and items for the auction.
Gentry's Fourth of July was a huge success this past
year - very much because of the efforts of Tammy. After she
volunteer to coordinate a car show, she shouldered much of the work and expense
making that event one of the most popular ones in the park. She traveled to
several other car shows the month before, passed out brochures and gained
participation. When the Fourth was over, Tammy and her volunteers made a large
contribution back to the chamber of Commerce just for "allowing" her
to participate. She is now a member of the Chamber of Commerce board of
directors and is the kind of person that everyone can rely on to get things
done.
2007 Volunteer of the Year
“Everyday folks doing extraordinary things to make
Gentry a better place.”
Mike Smith
A local Gentry resident said “Mike Smith has
been the "life saver" at the Gentry Library this past year. He worked
at the library every day except when he has doctor's appointments or therapy.
He only has use of his life hand, yet he keeps the Library's cataloging up to
date.”
A Gentry Chamber of Commerce board member contacted me
just last week when the snow and sleet was covering the ground. She said she
saw Mike outside cleaning off sidewalks and drives for other.
Another board member hailed Mike’s nomination for
Volunteer of the Year saying I just don’t know what the library would have done
without him this year.
2007 Lifetime Achievement Award
John Binns
John Noble Binns was born in
(From the Northwest Arkansas Times, Oct. 13, 1974
issue)
The little meat market in Gentry stayed open until
The people would amble in talking about Monroe, Bogart
and Greenstreet. The men would huddle at the
pot-bellied stove in the center of the store as the women selected the sausage
and bacon slabs for tomorrows after church breakfast.
John and Jeanette Binns
closed the business after 36 years of seven day a week,
Besides the meat market, the Binns
owned and 260-ace farm west of Gentry and kept 25-30 steers in a feed lot at
all times to add to the steers they bought from local farmers for the Meat
Market.
“We sold more sausage than Jimmy Dean,” Jeannette
recalled. “Fay Twiggs who ran a grocery store used to haul bulk sausage
seasoning in a wheel barrow up to the market. The wheel barrow would be loaded
with 10-pound boxes of seasoning and he’d make two or three trips a week.
John recalled a coal-oil explosion in the store. It
went like this: “We had a big pot-bellied stove in the center of the store.
People would come in and sit around it and talk all day. One cold morning at
opening time, I threw some coal oil into the old stove and went off to hunt
some matches. I guess the oil built up a gas and when I lit it, the explosion
blew out the door and all the windows. I wasn’t hurt bad but it did ruin a damn
good hat I was wearing at the time.”
Jeanette described the purpose of the market. “Grocery
stores today sell everything from bras to hammers. They’re concerned with fancy
packaging and customer appeal which is one cause for inflation. You can’t do a
good job with anything when you generalize too much. We set our sights on one
target: to market the highest quality meat at prices which family men could
afford. And we sure did it.”
In conclusion, John Binns
wanted people to know “We retired in comfort on 25 cent hamburger.”
Dale Carpenter
Dale Carpenter was the son of a long-time Gentry
family of businessmen. Dale’s grandfather, I.W. Carpenter, was in Gentry when
the town was known as
Dale bought the family business in 1939 and operated
it until his death in 1974. Dale Carpenter served the city of
Dale and his wife Helen had four daughters, Dianne, Raylene, Susie, and Royce Lee.
For his entire life, Dale Carpenter worked and served
the people of Gentry and the entire community.
J.D. Smith
JD Smith was a major contributing member of the Gentry
community for over half a century. He was a United States World War II Veteran
and was on the beaches of
JD served on the Gentry City Council on three separate
occasions starting in 1955 until he died in 2005. He served on many committees
including the mayor’s designee on the Arkansas Municipal League Resolutions
Committee. He was a member of the State AML Advisory Committee and served on
the Benton County Equalization Board. He was a former City Mayor of Gentry from
1987 – 1990. He was on the board of trustees that were responsible for
obtaining funding for the
In 2005, he won the “Alderman of the Year” in the
state of
JD married Maxine Ratcliff in 1948. They had one
child, Clara Garrett.
Clegg Ratcliff
Clegg Ratcliff was born in the Fairmount Community in July
1900. He began buying and selling mules long before he had a sale in Gentry.
The year was 1931 when Clegg Ratcliff began the
Community Sales in Gentry. The sale was held in the open with pens being built
for the pigs, cattle and horse. Miscellaneous items of furniture, tools and
even dishes were set in rows on the ground and sold before
In the 1940s a building located half a block from
Clegg and his wife Vera, were
married in 1921. In 1946, they bought the J.P. Roush home on South nelson, next
to the lumber yard and owned today by Janie and Mike Parks.
For 31 years, Clegg and Vera Ratcliff bought visitors
to Gentry every Monday, to buy and sell their goods and livestock, and enjoy
the atmosphere of small town
One memory of Clegg Ratcliff was even though he wasn’t
a wealthy man folks would go to him for personal loans when times were tough. It
has been said, “Clegg Ratcliff went to his grave with many folks owing him
money – but he was the only person who knew it. He never told anyone else when
people borrowed money from him.”
Clegg was on the Gentry School Board for a number of
years along with Paul Sugg and he was also a deacon
of the
Clegg and Vera Ratcliff were the parents of four
children: Maxine Smith who married J.D. Smith; Margaret, who married Walter
Bonner; Edwin, who married Mary Lou; and Anita, who was married to Joe Yates,
also a Gentry graduate who served as both a state representative and senator.
Art Steele
Author Steele, better known as Art, was born
Art married Lou Steele in 1921. Lou was known as an
avid quilter and donated the selling of these quilts to the
Art was interested in farming and collecting
stamps. He loved Gentry, and he loved serving the people of Gentry. He is
remembered by his sense of humor while meeting the customers in the drug store.
The couple was very active in the civic organizations,
the Masonic Lodge, the Eastern Star, Red Cross drives and the
Lou died in 1990 and Art died in August, 1992. He
would have been 99 years old that November.
Art and Lou Steele were the parents of Marion Steele
and Berta Jean Ownbey.
Past Lifetime Achievement Award Winners
Marion Railey "Rai" Steele
A stained glass window in the
filling emergency prescriptions in the middle of the night.
Rai was the son of W.V. and Laura Steele, who helped
found the city of
Rai graduated from Kansas City School of Pharmacy in
Rai and his wife, Nina, operated the drug store for the
next 40 years. In 1965. he
retired and sold the business to Dewey Johnson. During those 40 years, Rai was district chairman of Arkansas Pharmacy Association
and received several awards for his work. He also served many years as
secretary of the Gentry School Board. He was an active member of the American
Legion and the Democratic Party. Rai died in 1976. Rai was an active Mason serving the Gentry Lodge for more
than 50 years. Steele's philosophy was that "we should always work with a
Christian benevolence toward our fellow man, striving for a better world."
Roy Backer
Roy Backer was born on
Robert Henry Carl
R.H. "Bob" Carl was born in 1872 and began
his business career at Gentry Hardware in 1910. He was known for everything
from philanthropic gifts to Gentry Schools to high grading gold in
Carl Hardware was founded in 1902 by Bob's father
Jessie and his brother Thomas Marvin. After Bob bought his father's portion of
the business in 1912, the Carl's moved the business to
In 1954, Thomas Marvin passed his interest on to his
son, Hugh. In 1955 Hugh and his son, Joe, bought out Bob's interest. Hugh Carl
died in 1961. In April 1954, the Gentry City Council issued a permit to R.H.
Carl to build the Carl Gym which was dedicated in November 1954. The gym was a
gift from Bob and Anna Roberts Carl, and was built by Pat and John Parks. For
many years, it was the "prize gymnasium of northwest
John Parks
Many folks in Gentry find themselves living in a
"house that John built." John Parks and his wife Goldie lived in 77
houses in Gentry that John would build, and then sell.
He was born in 1884 in
John served as a member of the Gentry School Board and
the Gentry City Council. He was a member of the Methodist church. John died at
the age of 98. Goldie died in 1968.
Bob Curran
When Bob Curran came home from the Navy in 1946, he
was ready to get back to civilian life. He and his brother,
Bob and Bonnie were also very busy rearing five
children, Doug, Ron, Don, Larry and Rita. Besides work and family, the couple
was involved in the community. They were members of the
Bob was a member of the American Legion, served on the
school board, the city council, and the First National Bank Advisory board. In
1985, Bob was named Gentry Chamber of Commerce's Businessman of the Year. Bob
and Bonnie Curran were both remembered as people who loved the community and
devoted both time and money in making Gentry a better place to live.
Clyde Glass, a lifelong resident of Gentry, was born
After retiring from baseball,
Dr. A.L. Peacock
Dr. A.L. Peacock was born in 1870 and died
Dr. Peacock is believed to have delivered more than
1,500 babies. His fee to deliver the babies was $6. Most were delivered at
home. Dr. Peacock opened his first office in Strawberry Arkansas, then moved to Lynn Arkansas in 1906. He added a telephone
line to his home office that ran from
In 1927, Dr. Peacock came to Gentry to retire and
bought a drug store. However, as fate would have it, he soon developed a large
practice as a doctor and sold the drug store. Dr. Peacock was an
outstanding Gentry citizen as well as a good doctor.
F.G. Twiggs
F.G. "Fay" Twiggs was born
Twiggs Grocery was first located on the north side of
They devoted many hours to community work and their
family. Fay served on the Gentry School Board for 16 years where he was
president part of that time. He was president of the Lions Club and the Chamber
of Commerce. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the
After Fay's death, the family moved the store to the
corner of
James R. Bever
James R. Bever was born
In the early days the company dealt in produce of all
kinds. Before long, J.R. was selling feed and flour and buying poultry, eggs,
butter and hides. In the early 1900s farmers lined up for blocks to unload
their fruits and vegetables at J.R. Bever's. In the
late 1920s, he purchased a brick building on
J.R. Bever was a member of
the Gentry City Council in 1902 and was an active member of the Gentry
Commercial Club. He was a founding father of the city of
In 1985, Bob sold Bever
Hardware to his son Randy who still operates the business today as Bever's Ace Hardware.
J.R. Bever Sr. was killed in
1949 by a raging bull when he was checking his cattle. The couple had four
children, Bob, Kathryn, Jean and Helen.
Kathryn Elsner
Kathryn Elsner was a pioneer
businesswoman in Gentry. She was the daughter of J.R.and
Lida Bever and the
granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Biles, who owned
the Elberta Hotel in the early 1900s. She was born
In 1964, Kathryn and Elmer bought the grocery store
that was called Elmer's. They worked side by side until they retired in 1980.
Besides working full time in the grocery store,
Kathryn was very involved with her family. Patsy Farmer and Robert Leo Foresee
were born when she was married to her first husband, Red
Foresee. Kathryn and Elmer had one son, Jimmy.
One of the things Kathryn will be most remembered for
is being an outstanding community member. She was a member of the
Marvin Phillips
Marvin Phillips was born
Marvin and June were married in 1948. They moved to
Gentry in 1988. They had two daughters, Lou Ann and Marva
and one son-in-law, Larry Curran. Marva graduated
from
Marvin served with the United States Air Force 34th
Fighter Squadron on
Marvin was active in the
Maurice Lamberson
Maurine Vincel Lamberson "love life more than any man I ever
knew," said his son Bob. "He never placed value on the dollar, that was second to him. Enjoying life was the
important thing."
Maurice was born
Maurice began his newspaper career when he was in high
school. He started the Wheaton Journal in
four people most of the time.
He was appointed to the Gentry City Council in 1946.
He liked to fish, play dominoes and "was known to play poker with the
boys." Maurice helped in the reorganization of the American Legion Post
after World War II. He was a 32nd degree Mason, a member of the Shiners and a
member of the
Pat Parks
Pat Parks was a lifelong resident of Gentry. He was
born
In World War II, Pat served as a Navy Seabee working
with a construction battalion. After returning from the war, he purchased Parks
Lumber Company from his father John Parks. Pat sold the company to his son Mike
in 1972. He was involved in the construction of many projects in Gentry
including the telephone company and Carl
Gymnasium. He was construction foreman for
Paul Sugg
Paul Sugg was born in Gentry
in 1907. His father, W.H. "Buck" Sugg was
the town blacksmith. Buck died of influenza in 1918. Paul worked odd jobs to
help his mother support the family. He graduated from high school in 1925 and
later served on Gentry School Board for 16 years, from 1948 until 1964.
Paul worked many years for J.R. Bever
in the produce business. In 1945, he purchased a grocery store and ran it until
1960. He then bought the land where McKee Foods, Inc., is now located. He and
Earl Lewellen cleared the property, virtually by
hand. He subdivided some of the land, then petitioned
the city to annex it.
Paul loved the people of Gentry. Some of the finest
people he said he ever met were Rai Steele, Art
Steele, John and
Paul died in 1969 at the age of 61 of colon cancer.
His daughter wrote of her Dad's love for Gentry after he died. "I really
could never quite understand them why Dad was so taken with Gentry. But after
living in the big city for many years now, it is very clear. It was the people,
those who stayed in Gentry and made a home and tried to make the town a better
place. Many of the movers and shakers in Gentry today are the offspring of the
people who founded the town and who lived in Gentry during my dad's lifetime. I
think you are doing a great job."
John Schaffer
John Shaffer is remembered in Gentry for brining the
telephone to town in 1917. Besides moving to Gentry on March 4 of that year to
begin his new business; he also married on that day. Lucy Ann Test was his
bride until he died in 1956. She died in 1972.
John came from
John was remembered as being a Boy Scout leader, a
member of the Gentry Masonic Lodge, a member of the Gentry City Council and
serving on the Gentry School Board. The family attended both the
Tom Burns
Tom Burns was born in 1902 and moved to Gentry in
1940. He was married to Jewell. Tom died in 1970. Burns was a businessman, and
at one time, he was postmaster of Newburg,
Besides business, Burns served as mayor of Gentry and
was involved with the Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the
Joe Carl
Joe Carl was a very well known and loved individual.
He was known for his humor and his dedication to the citizens and community of
Gentry. He was an avid fur trapper in younger years and later bought pelts at
the hardware he owned and operated for many years. In his younger years, he
taught school at Gentry Public Schools. Most of his time was spent at Carl
Hardware. Joe closed the hardware in 1992. Today, that building is being
remodeled as the Gentry Public Library/Community Center.
Joe was a former city council member, former fire
chief and was a member of the Gentry Masonic Lodge. He was a member of
the Chamber of Commerce and was honored in 1986 as Businessman of the Year. He
volunteered at the Gentry Public Library and was a contributing columnist to
the local newspaper. He was also active in the
Joe loved to tell the story of his family and how they
came to the Gentry area. It began in 1834 when Joe's great grandfather Jesse
was born. In 1868, Jesse bought a farm in Gentry and began to set out apple
trees. At that time the fruit business was the biggest industry in northwest