50 Years Ago
From the Herald and Democrat in 1968
Bratt-Wasson Bank of Siloam Springs and Gentry converted to a national bank and planned to open for business as First National Bank on Oct. 1.
The Bratt-Wasson Bank was formed in 1934 when the stockholders of First National Bank of Gentry acquired the stock of the Bratt State Bank of Siloam Springs and merged the two operations under the state charter. The bank traced its beginning from the Citizens Bank of Gentry, Ark., which was purchased by Marion A. Wasson in 1916. Citizens Bank was converted to First National Bank of Gentry in 1923.
The bank also increased its capital by sale of the new stock to approximately 50 people, who had been depositors of Bratt-Wasson for some time. The new capital structure included capital stock of $250,000 and surplus of $250,000.
30 Years Ago
From the Herald-Democrat in 1988
From The Teacher's Desk by Joyce Ann Munn
What's sixty years old this year and also very important to kids? Actually, there are two answers. One of them you've probably heard on the news several times. Mickey Mouse was 60 years old on Sept. 19. He made his first appearance in the film "Steamboat Willie" in 1928.
The second answer may not be quite so familiar, but most elementary educators are aware of it. It is the Weekly Reader. Originally called "My Weekly Reader," the first issue was published on Sept. 21, 1928. Eight issues are published weekly for pre-school through sixth grade.
I remember looking forward to "My Weekly Reader" when I was in elementary school. My feelings haven't changed. I still look forward to it each week. It's one of my favorite teaching tools. I've used it almost every year of my teaching, including the time in Puerto Rico.....
The children look forward to the newsy paper. The topics covered are written in an interesting, lively manner that hold children's attention. The format of the newspaper has changed some, but the types of topics are sill similar.
Editor's Note: This is excerpted from Joyce Munn's weekly column for the Herald-Democrat.
10 Years Ago
From the Herald-Leader in 2008
Siloam Springs Planning Commission approved rezoning 10 acres east of Progress Avenue on Cheri Whitlock Drive so a retirement center and homes for the elderly could be built there.
The land at 3840 Cheri Whitlock Drive was approved to be rezoned from agriculture (A-1) to planned development (P-D).
Commissioners also approved a special use permit that would allow for the nursing center to be built in the planned development zoning.
Jimmy Crone, representing the developer, said the center on Cheri Whitlock Drive would replace Siloam Springs Nursing & Rehabilitation on Elgin Street.
His company, Crone Healthcare Inc., ran the Elgin Street center.
The developer, Western Arkansas Nursing Inc., planned to build a 120-bed replacement center, which was the same amount of beds as the Elgin Street center, but would be 60,000 square feet, or 15,000 square feet larger than the Elgin Street facility.
Duplexes for the elderly would be built on the same site as the nursing center.
The nursing center was expected to be under construction by January, Crone said.
Community on 09/26/2018