Historical society wraps up Heritage Month events

By The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

SEARCY - The White County Historical Society, meeting before a large audience at Harding Place, wrapped up Memorial Day and Arkansas Heritage Month on May 26 by handing out four awards, electing a director and honoring early politicians.

The society's annual Cloie Award for writing was announced for two writers, Patsy Pipkin of Searcy and Frank W. Brown of Stone Mountain, Ga. Pipkin's book about a Judsonia World War II veteran, Hilton Emde, An Ordinary Man in Extraordinary Times, is already a sellout. Brown's book, Guardian of the Memories: Searcy, is about his boyhood in White County.

Eulas Abbott and Jerry Hensley of Joy Mountain received appreciation awards for their volunteer work at Pioneer Village.

Frances A. Tolliver of Roland was elected to a four-year term on the board of directors.

A panel of historians presented a program featuring the county's political heritage. The historical society opened Heritage Month by celebrating the 40th anniversary of Pioneer Village with an open house and plant sale with Master Gardeners that raised more than $1,200.

The White County Historical Society has 525 members in 36 states and is one of the largest organizations of its type in Arkansas. Membership information is available at www.whitecounty.us or by writing WCHS, P.O. Box 537, Searcy, AR 72145.

Three Rivers, Pages 54 on 06/05/2008