75 years ago
(1934)
Dr. Albea Godbold of Chapel Hill, N.C., was appointed pastor of First United Methodist Church here by Bishop John M. Moore at the North Arkansas conference at Fayetteville. He succeeded the Rev. James W. Workman, pastor of the local church for the past five years, whose return was unanimously petitioned by the board of stewards. The Rev. Workman was appointed presiding elder of the Fayetteville district. Godbold is one of the ablest preachers of his denomination, according to Dr. J.H. Reynolds, president of Hendrix College, who attended the Fayetteville conference.
50 years ago
(1959)
Beards, berets, black stockings and green eye shadow were in evidence as beatniks invaded the Conway Country Club. It was all in fun as the club members attended the costume party with the theme, “The Beat Generation.” The club house was transformed into “The Hungry Bistro” and modern and abstract art pieces were used to decorate the rooms. Mrs. George Hartje Jr. read beatnik poetry while Dr. Fred Gordy played the bongo drums in the background. Robert Meador gave a report on “The bird watcher’s society.” Selected as the most authentic beatniks were Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher Smith Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Sterling Burton won the second place prize. Serving on the committee to plan the party were Mr. and Mrs. Jim Hefley, Mr. and Mrs. Joe H. Reynolds, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Meador, Mr. and Mrs. George Hartje Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Lamey, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ward and J.O. Moore.
25 years ago
(1984)
Karen and Robert Edwards were parents of a daughter, Anna Lauren, born at Doctors Hospital. The baby weighed 6 pounds, 8 ounces. The couple had two sons, Bob and Clint.
Kami Roberts of Greenbrier was crowned “Calendar Girl” at the University of Central Arkansas. She would represent Conway in the national competition at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis.
Ellen Smith Parent Teacher Organization held a fun night. The winners in the drawing were Kathleen Sims, a 19-inch television; Betty Humphrey, a stained glass window; and Ginger Rice, a 72-inch ceiling fan. Those winning door prizes were Chris Bradke, Yosett Butruff and Jerry Crockett. Brent Stark guessed the amount of bubble gum and won a jar full of bubble gum.
10 years ago
(1999)
It was fitting that Frank Brannan and Sons Drive-In on Harkrider started with Frank Brannan Sr. and would end with him. The drive-in was sold recently and Frank Benton Brannan Sr. died this week. He was not quite 88; his birthday was Nov. 28. In 1939 Mr. and Mrs. Brannan opened Frank’s Confectionery in downtown Conway. In 1945 they opened the first Frank Brannan’s Drive-In. In 1952 a speaker system was added — the first of its kind between Billings, Mont., where Frank got the idea, and the East Coast. Over the years hundreds of couples “courted” at Frank Brannan’s. Frank’s sons could remember many stories told by customers who had met at the drive-in and later got married. It was agreed that the drive-in touched everybody’s life that lived in Conway, went to school in Conway or just came through Conway. Frank Brannan had retired about 15 years ago because of his health. Survivors were his wife, Oga; three sons, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
