"Bear Country"

Gravelly News by Glenna Goodson

An elderly Fla. lady did her shopping and upon returning to her car found 4 males in the act of leaving in her vehicle. She dropped her packages and drew her handgun, proceeding to scream at the top of her lungs. "I have a gun and I know how to use it !! Get out of the car. " The 4 men did not wait for a second threat--they got out of the car and ran like mad. The lady, somewhat shaken, then proceeded to load her shoppng bags into the back of the car and got into the driver's seat. She was so shaken that she could not get her key into the ignition. She tried and tried and then she realized why. It was -For the same reason she had wondered why there was a football, a frisbee and a 12 pack of beer in the front seat. A few minutes later she found her own car parked 4 or 5 spaces farther down. She loaded her bags into the car and drove to the police station to report her mistake. The sergeant to whom she told the story couldn't stop laughing He pointed to the other end of the counter where 4 very pale men were reporting a car jacking by a mad, elderly woman, described as white, less than 5 ft. tall, glasses, curly white hair and carrying a large hand gun. No charges were filed.


My romance with water is over !! I want the water back in the creeks and rivers, don't you? The flood 2 weeks ago was not very fun. We at Gravelly could not go anywhere if it was Yell County. Uncontrolled water really scares me. Robin Workman found out the hard way, not to drive into the water when you have no idea how deep it is. You probably saw a picture of her truck, in the Record, just floating away. She and her daughter were in the truck and Robin told her daughter they must jump from the truck, so they did and swam to safety. The water swept the truck on down the river until it hit a tree. I remember in the 40's that my Dad took me to look at the river, in the same place, but the Red Hill Bridge was old and different. The flood was bad and I remember seeing cows being washed down the river. I don't believe Bruce Lee could have even ridden his big bull thorugh this flood.

I had people e-mail me and call me and ask why my column was not in the Record a couple of weeks ago. With all the pictures they had, there was not enough space for the columns. I have an idea--If the Record would add two pages and designate these 2 pages for columns only, wouldn't that work out !! I think the readers would enjoy this.

I was in the Danville library acouple of weeks ago. Driving there from Gravelly, the Daffodils along the way were so beautiful. I wanted the poem, Daffodils " by William Wordsworth and asked the librarian couldshe help me find it. She went to her comoputer and brought up the poem and printed it for me. I really appreciate her taking the time to do that. The library has some new materials--check it out.

The funeral fro Mark Wagner was of course, very sad, but it was well conducted. Jay Hunnicutt did a good job officiating at the funeral. I have heard people say of the minister, "Well he sure preached hm into Heaven "and I want you to know that is NOT his job. Jay knows that and I'm sure the Scriptures were a comfort to the family. I loved Mark--he was always sweet and helpful to me. God comfort his parents and others who loved him.

Our "49 high school reunion will be held the 11th of April instead of the 12th at Tom and Maggie Sullivan's in Russellville.

Billy Jack Bogle and Margaret just arrived back in Little Rock a few days ago aftrer spending some time in Minneapolis. Their hotel was very near the Mall there that is the largest covered mall in existence. Their son lives near there so they enjoyed visiting with him. Margaret had a business trip and Billy Jack went along, so they had a good time.

Johnny Turner seems to be doing better. Go figure--the Russellville hospital sent hm home, still with the blood clots with the instructions to take blood thinner to hopefully get rid of the blood clots. I do not understand that medical decision.

Last Friday I had the most wonderful day. I went to L.R. with Kelly Virbel and her mother Dianna Brown. First we went to the pancake breakfast at Russellville sponsored by the Kiwanis---needed to use my tickets Tom Sullivan sent to me. Then on to LR. I wanted to go to Lifeway bookstore--formerly called Baptist Book Store--so Kelly found it with no trouble . Gee, that book store is fabulous and we found a lot of good things. We went to a mall and just walked, talked and laughed. You know laughter is good for the soul. We ate lunch at a delightful Chinese place. Kelly introduced me to lettuce roll ups--they are so good. Then Saturday was a blessing as I attended the Adventist services at Ola. Peggy Jeys did a wonderful job teaching the lesson and then Jody Sandberg brought a message. Her message was so good I felt like looking out the window to see if Jesus was on His way. That's how real Jody made His return. Then Sunday, Joe and Janet Harrison andKelly and her friend Anthony came to the Wing church, where I teach Sunday School. We were so blessed to have them. Then I rushed to my Baptist Church at Rover to play the piano for them since Janett and Bill were gone. So I had a blessed week-end.

Last week I was a little down in the dumps so I drove to the Blue Hole. That blue-green water is so beautiful rushing over the pretty rocks.I could just hear the laughter of us teen-agers as we swam in that Blue Hole. Then I walked on up to the bridge where we had our chicken frizzes. There is a sign that says "Bear Country" and I just prayed I would not see a bear. I did not see a bear but I saw a beautiful deer. As I drove back, I stopped at Gene and Margaret James' and had a good visit with them. Margaret already has spinach, radishes, onions and lettuce in her garden.

Do you know how to get back on your feet ? Miss a car payment !!

Thursday the bad snowcame

Gravelly news by Glenna Goodson

The local news station was interviewing an 84 year old lady because she had just gotten married for the 4th time. The interviewer asked her about her life, about what it felt like to be married again at 84 and then about her new husband's occupation. "He's a funeral director," she said. "interesting," the newsman thought.. He then asked her to tell him what her first 3 husbands did to make a living. She paused for a minute but after a short time a smile covered her face and she answered proudly. She explained she first married a banker when she was in her 20's--then a circus ringmaster when she was in her 40's, later a preacher when in her 60's and now in her 80's, a funeral director. The interviewer looked at her and asked her why she married men with such diverse careers. "Easy, son, she replied. "I married one for the money---two forthe show---three to get ready--and four to go."


March 4th, I woke up to see a beautiful 10 inch snow here in Gravelly. This was just perfect weather for kids and parents to enjoy making snow men because it was warm outside. But by night time the snow was melted. Iwas at Workman's that dayand Marissa, the gfranddaughter, was out getting snow to make snow ice cream. It made me have happy memories of my mother making snow ice cream for us and then me making it for my grandkids. Then Thursday the bad snowcame, complete with power outage. We at Gravelly were without power for only 8 hours but for some people thery hadno power for 3 daysand nights. Johnny Ray Blankenship lives outside of Rover and called at the end of three daysand nights without power and Energy says,"Oh, we did not know you did not have power." Robbie Fickle that lives on the Mulberry Road called after 3 daysand Energy says they they have in their records that she has power. Robbie assured them she did not. If someone was thinking of moving to Yell County and they asked me what they would need the most, I would tell them a generator !!

Last week at Workman's I was glad to see Justin Dees and Joe Maxey. Justin is doing college classes on-line and it is through Western Governor's University in Utah. Justin hopes to teach History when he receives a degree and would really enjoy teaching at F.V. I had not seen Joe in a long time and it was so good to talk to him. You know there are some people that make you feel good when you visit with them. They lift you up without realizing they have done so and Joe is like that. I'm glad I know him.

I did not receive my usual e-mail from Billy Jack Bogle last week and was concerned about them. But then, Billy Jack e-mailed me and heand Margaret had been to Houston to see Detonne, his sister. Billy Jack told me that Virginia, formerly Aikman, went with them and another lady, Elsie Pouzar, Detonne's mother in law who is in her 90's He was telling me how both ladies are so optimistic about life and do not dwell on sad things and really are fun. I thnought of how great that is because we don't need to hear about death and dying all the time, nor sickness. Who wants to be around someone when all they know is who is supposed to die next. ! I'msorry but that really turns me off !! We're supposed to be encouragers. !!

Johnny Turner, of Rover,was taken to St. Mary's hosp;ital at Russellville, the 12th. He has bloodclots in his lungs and legs and the doctors hope to get rid of the clots after a few days in the hospital. I talked to Br. Shipley the 14th and he said the doctors had Johnny on blood thinners trying to get rid of the clots.

I attended the benefit last Sunday for the Plainview Library, held at the Plainview school cafeteria. They had several to attend and others came to get a "to go" lunch. A lady was sitting by me and she asked if Iwas Glenna Goodson that wrote the Gravelly News. I learned she was Barry Tippin's mother-in-law. David Garrett auctioned off some cakes for them.

I was happy to receive 2 tickets from Tom Sullivan of Russellville to the Kiwanis' sponsored pancake breakfast the 28th of this month, heldin Russellville. I want to thank Tom forthe tickets--It has been a fun time in the past. My .little friend, Kelly Virbel and I intend to go. Kelly and I intend to do some fun things during her Spring Break from Tech. We're talking of going to Little Rock and maybe go to the zoo and have a picnic.

You 1949 graduates of FV mark your calendar that we are having a reunion for just us,at Maggie andTom Sullivan's, the 12th of April..If the meeting place is changed you will know in plenty of time and Maggie intends to send invitations. We had13 graduate in '49. Two of our number are deceased so we have 11 remaining. The last time I heard there were 7 that had definirely said they would attend.

Happy birthday March 17th to the Parish twins--Marie Parish Herrin of Tulsa and Maggie Parish Sullivan of Russellville. A lot of water has run under the bridge since Maggie andMarie moved to Gravelly when they were in 6th grade. Their Dad operated the cotton ginn at Gravelly for several years..

Last Tuesday at Rover Baptist's food pantry, we helped 10 families with food. We are so happy to help people in their need.I really appreciate Vivian Noon and her daughter Francis Lofland, who shop for our pantry. They watch for sales and shop wisely and therefore wecan give a lot of food to each family.

I saw Jim McCoy at Fowler's Friday. He had a young cop with hm that I learned patrols all of Yell County, which scared me just a little, cause i thnought I was safe, outside of Plainview. I told Jim that I might speed other places but never in Plainview cause I knew he would give me a ticket. He told a funny story of stopping a lady for speeding in the school zone. She told him she wasn't from around here so she didn't know about the school zone. Jim toldher, "That is the reason Ar. spends so much money on SIGNS--didn't you see the flashing lights?" Then she said "I'm not used to driving this car, it's a standard shift. " Jim asked her what that had to do with speeding. Jim said he really enjoyed my joke last week--that he laughed until he almost cried. I was glad to hear that.

I found out this morning, the 15th, that my friend, Kelly Virbel, has been accepted into Loma Linda medical school in Ca. I am so proud of Kelly. This is a medical school where only 10% of those who apply are even granted an interview. Kelly's Dad, Dr. Sandberg and Dr. Ruff all graduated from Loma Linda. I'm sure Kelly will be a wonderful Christian doctor someday.

Remember---when life hands you lemons, ask for sugar and call me over.

Out crawled that snake

Gravelly News by Glenna Goodson

A little boy was walking down a dirt road after church one Sunday afternoon when he came to a crossroads where he met a little girl coming from the other direction. "Hello" they said to each other, "where are you going asked the little boy "I've been to church this morning and I'm on my way home. " answered the little girl. "I'm also on my way home from church . "Which church do you go too?" asked the little boy. "I go to the Baptist Church back down the road," replied the little girl, "What about you?" "I go to the Methodist Church back at the top ofthe hill," replied the little boy. They discovered they were both going the same way so they decided they'd walk together. They came to a low spot in the road where spring rains had partially flooded the road, so there was no way they could get across to the other side without getting wet. "If I get my new Sunday dress wet, my Mother will skin me alive." said the little girl. My Mom'll tan my hide, too, if I get my new Sundaysuit wet," replied the little boy. "I tell you what I think I'll do, "said the little girl, "Im gonna pull off all my clothes and hold them over my head and wade across. The little boy decidedhe'd do the same thing and they both undressed and waded across to the other side witrhout getting their clothes wet. They were standing in the son, waiting to drip dry, when the little boy finally remarked, --"You know, I never realized before just how much difference there is between a Baptist and a Methodist. "?


We had a meal for the Carole Willis family at our Rover Baptist Church the 28th. I was able to visit with Carole's sweet mother, Darlas Andrews. Darlas and I were in the same Sunday School class at Rover when I first moved back to Arkansas. Carole's funeral was at 2:00 and Bro. Shipley did a wonderful job of conducting the funeral service. If I counted correctly, Darlas had 8 children and in the last few months, she has
lost two daughters with cancer. Darlas has a lot of faith and God will comfort her in this time of grief. My prayers are with her.

I saw Scott Howell at the funeral Thursday. His back surgery was a succress and he's already walking a lot better.

Bruce Lee finally passed that kidney stone. I am so glad number 57, instead of 37, is a thing of the past Maybe Bruce should enter his name in the Guiness Book of World Records for having had 57 kidney stones. !!!

Wow ! Laurie Gagne could take pictures of me any time. Her pictures of our Regional games at FV were great.

Leo Hunnicutt was taken to the Danville hospital Sunday moring. He had a high fever and I do not know what else was wrong with Leo. pray for his speedly recovery.

Frances Scott is home from a L.R hospital and seems to be doing well..

I haver never known the name of the people that bought Wayne Hunnicutt's place in Gravelly about 5 years ago. I just remember as I would come around that curve where the house is, when Wayne was there, I would almost lose my breath at the beauty of the Daffodils. Wayne planted them to spell the words, Gravelly, Fourche Valley and his name. They were so beautiful and of course the creative way of planting them, attracted a lot of people to view them. Well, now, they have been mowed down so many times, the only word left is Gravelly. Even though it is pretty, they aren't large as they were. You just cannot mow down Daffodils or they will not bloom the next year.

Kevin Lambert was killed last Thursday as he was traveling home to Aly-Chula. He lost control of his jeep and it turned over on him. Kevin graduated from FV with my niece Kathleen Minnie Swaim. We really need to pray for that family.

I sat and visited with O.. L. Briggs, Thursday at Fowlers. I was telling hima tales of when there was the W.P.A. and CCC during WW2. Fred's Dad, Oscar Goodson, was working for the WPA, making 50 cents per day. Several guys were working together and they all brought their lunch in a lunch bucket. Oscar noticed one of the guys one day, picking up each of the lunch buckets and the one that was the heaviest, he would take it and leave his own. He did not realize Oscar saw him and Oscar decided to play a joke on him.The next day Oscar out some rocks in his lunch pail, while hiding his lunch in a sack. At lunch, this guy tested the weight of all the lunch pails and took Oscar's with the rocks inside. Poor man--he had nothing to eat that day. Well, O.L. told me about Jim Roberson and him working for the forest service. They also carried their lunch in a lunch pail. After lunch one day, Jim finished his lunch and walked back to work. O.L. caught a little grass snake and put it in Jim's lunch bucket. JIm took his lunch pail home and sat it on the kitchen cabinet. Later, Vicky, his wife, opened it to wash it and out crawled that snake !!Of course Vivky had a screaming fit. O.L. said Vicky had been sending him good things to eat, but after his joke, he was afraid to eat her goodies.

Saturday, I enjoyed the Adventist services at Ola. Kelly Virbel taught the Sabbath lesson andJoe Harrison preached. Kelly told me that the next day she and her mother, Diana Brown would try to come to the Wing Church and worship with us. We were so glad they came. Diana explained to Edie and Hazel how she took her little poodle to the Ola nursing home for the patients to enjoy.

Billy Jack Bogle purchased two of my books from the inter-net. I really got a kick out of his e-mail telling me he was reading my story about our chicken frizzes. Billy Jack said "You people had fun at Gravelly that I didn't know about." He said he didn't have a way to get to Gravelly--Too bad, he couldn't get to Bluffton and come with Robert Gwen Buford andCharles Daniel. One time Robert said ,":Gravelly was where the pretty girls were. " That was when Loucinda was too young to date so Robert came to Gravelly. Gee--those were fun times.

Is it okay to brag a little?My granddaughter ,Robyn, finished her college hours in oKC to be a Doctor's Assistant. She hada 4.0 grade point average and she was on the President's Honor Roll. She is enjoying her new job in Edmond. OK.

I now have lost 10 pounds!! Only 40 more to go. The First Place class is such a good place for us to bind together as Christians and encourage one another. Sundays are really busy for me--I come to Wing to teach a Bible class at 10. Then I drive to Rover Baptist Church to be there by11. I come back home for a couple of hours and then drive to Danville for my First Place class. I leave there at 5 and stop at Rover Baptist at 6 for church. When I get home, Iamso tired, but it is worth it.

My beautician, Janet, at Plainview, and her husband are excited because they are getting a 5 year old foster son in a few days. His name is Nathan and i really pray thisl little boy will be blessed with a Mom and Dad and that Janet andher husband will be blessed with a son.

I received an e-mail message from Cathy Nelson of Ca. She wrote that she and her husband, Pete, receive the Yell County Record and that they really enjoy my column. Their friend, John Meredith, had sent them one of my little books and she said they really enjoyed it! How fun !!

Remember ---Sometimes when I am angry, I have a right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel !!