2023.10.26 THROW BACK THURSDAY - STATE FAIR/LIVESTOCK SHOW DAYS

October in Little Rock meant we were all headed to the Fair Grounds for rides, fattening, sugary (is that a word?) and WONDERFUL food!  I don't know what those wonderful

hot dogs, fried ice cream, etc. cost today, but I checked and Adult Admission is $12, Chld/Senior Admission is $6, RIDE BANDS - $35!!!, Preferred Concert Seating, $20,

group seating of at least 20, $5.   WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE RIDE?????????

In 1906, a group of businessmen met in Hot Springs to form the Arkansas State Fair Association. Tens of thousands of people came to the first fair in Hot Springs in 1906. By 1921, a group in Little Rock began to raise money to move the State Fair to the Capital City. In 1921, the State Fair moved to Little Rock. El Dorado oilman T.H/ Barton helped form the Arkansas Livestock Show Association in 1937.  The Livestock Show quickly became central to the prosperity of the Arkansas State Fair. Roy Rogers made his first appearance at the 1939 State Fair. [WHAT??? HE WAS THAT OLD???]  The entrance to the Fairgrounds on Roosevelt Road was one of the first structures built on the property in 1946. Construction of Barton Coliseum started in 1948. Each year the State Fair opened with a huge parade down Main Street in Little Rock.  [I remember this because of ALWAYS marching BEHIND the horses!]  In the 1950s, the Royal American Shows provided the carnival at the Arkansas State Fair. For many rural Arkansans, the State Fair was a time to come to the “big city” and experience thrilling rides and exciting shows. The 1949 rodeo was held in “open air” Barton Coliseum before it had its roof. From the earliest days of the State Fair, a Queen has been chosen to represent the Arkansas Livestock Association at functions around the state. On October of 1963, a very special guest – President John F. Kennedy – came to Little Rock for an appearance at the Fair.  Today there are more than 50 rides and the entire complex covers 96 acres!  Arkansas State Fair officials announced that in its 83rd year 559,677 people attended the 2023. Wish I could have found records for the 1950's.

1956 CLASS NEWS
Our condolences to Alita's daughter, Teresa.  Here's a message from her.  I hope someone can answer. 

I would like to ask a question and this may not be possible.  I'm having a really hard time, missing my mom.  (I actually lost both of parents last year, my dad in April, I took care of them both here at home till they passed, but my mom and I were very close)  I was wondering if there were any classmates still alive, who knew her back then that maybe could just share some stories of things they did with her or tell more of how she was or what she was like back then.  If so, I would love to hear from them and read their stories.  I live in the house all alone now.  I guess taking of them by myself, especially during their last three years, I wore myself out, as I collapsed 5 days before mom passed away, and have been numb from the knees down on both legs, and now I can't even drive.  I don't regret taking care of her at all, as she could not take care of herself.  I understand if you can't provide me the information I would like to have, but knew you surely couldn't if I didn't at least try and ask.

Thank you for at least reading this

Her loving daughter , Teresa Jones, 4 Stamps Lane, Conway AR 72032-9777.  You can email her at tesijean@yahoo.com

Aletta Jean McGuire

Aletta Jean McGuire, 84, of Conway, Arkansas passed away October 31, 2022. She was born September 11, 1938 in Perryville, Arkansas to the late Charlie and Ida Lucile Loudermilk.  She was a Aletta took pride in taking care of her garden and making sure her lawn was well manicured.  She enjoyed spending time outside and even built the deck on her house.  She was an avid sports fan and very much enjoyed watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren play sports when she was able to. She was an Arkansas Razorback and Saint Louis Cardinals fan. She was amazing in the kitchen and made incredible fudge.  She is preceded in death by her parents; six siblings; and grandson, AJ McGuire. Aletta is survived by her children, Teresa Jones of Conway, Arkansas and Paul McGuire of Bryant, Arkansas; grandchildren, Darrell Jones (Amanda), Tyson McGuire, and Addison McGuire; great-great grandchildren, Brynlee, Cambrie, and Everett; and sister, Charlotte Belknap, of Rocklin, California; as well a host of nieces and nephews.   A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander, Arkansas. 

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Bay attended Pulaski Heights Junior High.  Syd is not sure if he was at Central before going to military school, but he doesn't think so.

Thomas Baytop Fitzhugh, Jr.

Augusta, AR, 1938 - 2023

Mr. Thomas Baytop Fitzhugh, Jr., died peacefully at home in Augusta, Ark., on Friday, October 20, 2023. He was born on February 24, 1938 in Little Rock, Ark., to Miriam Cornish and Thomas Baytop Fitzhugh, Sr.
Bay, as he was known to everyone, graduated from Columbia Military Academy and received his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, where he was a member of SAE fraternity. He earned an MBA from Columbia University in New York. Several years later he earned a JD from the University of Arkansas Law School.
For many years, Bay served as Augusta City Attorney and as a member of the Augusta School Board. He was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church where he served on the vestry and the search committee.
He enjoyed and revered the outdoors. He boated and fished on the Gulf coast and for redfish in south Louisiana. He enjoyed taking his sons to the Little Red River for trout and to Taylor Bay for trot lining. He had great duck hunting on his farm north of Augusta and invited many friends to hunt with him; they said he was a lousy shot but could call them in. He also loved music, particularly Grand Opera.
When Bay became aware of Rex Hancock's crusade to save the Cache River he contacted him and became the attorney and a dedicated advocate for the Citizens Committee to Save the Cache. He succeeded in stopping the harmful dumping of excess water and sediment into Taylor Bay through a personal lawsuit and years of appeals. He also represented the Ozark Society in a lawsuit to keep the Mulberry River open to recreation as a navigable stream, helping to preserve this popular river. Later in his career he was a central figure in the development of natural gas activity in Woodruff County, making initial contact with a gas exploration geologist and drafting leases between developers and landowners.
Bay is survived by his wife of 45 years, Dorothy (Dorrie) Beasley Fitzhugh; son, Henry Coles Fitzhugh (Poppy Markwell) of New Orleans, La.; step-son, Mike Dolby of Oxford, Miss.; step-daughter, Liza Dolby Mallette (Pope) of Oxford, Miss.; brother, Rob Rudner (Nancy) of New Orleans, La.; brother, Davis Fitzhugh (Brenda) of Little Rock; and five grandchildren, Douglas and Miriam Fitzhugh, Reid, Maggie and Pope Mallette.
Mr. Fitzhugh is preceded in death by his son, Thomas Baytop Fitzhugh, III; parents, Thomas Baytop Fitzhugh, Sr. and Miriam Cornish Rudner; his step-parents, Oscar Rudner and Camille Fitzhugh; his aunt and uncle, with whom he lived after his parents died, Dorrie and Davis Fitzhugh, and three brothers, Edward Cornish Fitzhugh, Jim Fitzhugh and Chris Rudner.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 28, 2023 in Augusta Memorial Park, Augusta, Ark. Arrangements by Thompson-Wilson Funeral Home of McCrory.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY TO ANN VINES!!!!

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My wife and I were sitting at a table at her school reunion and she kept staring at a drunken man swigging his drink as 

he sat alone at a nearby table.  I asked her, "Do you know him?"  "Yes", she sighed, "He's my old boyfriend. I understand 

he took to drinking right after we split up those many years ago, and I hear he hasn't been sober since."  "My goodness!" 

I said, "Who would think a person could go on celebrating that long?"
And then the fight started...  

ML   

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