Part 1

We are going into the second month of 1943 still wondering just what this year of war will bring.

On our trip, about the first thing we notice is a new tractor and tool shed on Roscoe Eldridge's farm.

Next we see a new combine for Robert Johnson. Going a little farther, we see the home of Mr. and Mrs. Rufe Ingram. The year of 1942 was their first year as owners of this farm. We wonder how they like our community?

J. F. Winningham put a new roof on his home in 1942 and here we see a star hanging in their door. Their son, Floyd, is in Army service in Africa.

Next, we see the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Jonas, which they purchased in 1942. Seems they have done a lot of home improvement in 1942. And look, four stars hanging in their windows. They have the record in this community for boys in service. Their son, Lloyd is a warrant officer in the Navy, stationed in Florida. Ira is a Technical Sergeant in the Army, stationed in Fort Riley, Colorado, John enlisted in the Navy and left for training at Great Lakes, Illinois last week. Kenneth is in the Army Air Force.

Close by this home we see the Scott School where there are 16 pupils enrolled with Mrs. Eula Huggins Watson as teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Earl Allen live right across in front of the school.

Going a little farther we see a side road where, if we traveled we would see homes of Mr. and Mrs. Amos Allen, Mr. and Mrs. Jess Watson, Mr. and Mrs. Neal Miller, where their daughter, Mrs. Mavis Kennon has a new 12-pound son, named Johnny. Her husband is in the Army, Mr. and Mrs. Rufe Deaver and across the field, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Wiedeman.

Going back to the gravel road we see the home of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Huggins, which looks very nice since they have landscaped the lawn.

On the road to Murphy's Lake we have some new neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Onzie Eldridge. Going on down the lake we see Grandma and Grandpa Park puttering around their home.

Mr. and Mrs. Soula Herrin enjoyed having several at their home celebrating several birthday anniversaries. Among those who had a birthday were: W. B. Jonas, 59 years; Mrs. Soula Herren, 52 years; Mrs. J. M. Banks, 51; Miss Evelyn Ray, 13; Elzie Griffin, 14. Among those present other than the above were J. M. Banks, Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt Park, Mr. and Mrs. Vivian Nations, Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Herrin. On Mr. Jonas' cake were 59 candles and a new nick name of "Windy" might be given for him, for with one blow he blew out all but three of the candles.

The Woodall H. D. Group will meet with Mr. and Mrs. Joe Wilson, Friday night, February 29.

The Hopewell B.T.U. will have a social in the church, Friday evening.

Next week we will come back to the gravel road and continue our trip.

*****

Part 2

We will continue our imaginary trip which we began last week. Pretty cold this Monday morning but I suppose we have become accustomed to the cold by now. At least we can sit by the fire for this trip and won't have to do as John Jonas, who is in the Navy, did last week, for he stood guard one night in ten below zero weather.

You will recall that we had come back to the gravel road from Murphy's Lake.  I forgot to mention that Grandma and Grandpa Park have a son, Albert Cox, in the Army.

Now, traveling West on the gravel road we see the home of Mrs. Sallie Park. The beautiful flowers around her home have faded since the cold weather, but within the home you can see a room full of every kind of pretty house flowers and look, two stars hanging in her window. She has two sons, Clyde and Ralph, in the Navy. Another son, Oliver, lives with his wife, two sons and daughter in Colorado. Another son, Hewitt and family and granddaughter, Ruby Bear, live with Mrs. Park.

About a quarter of a mile farther and just off the gravel road a half quarter to our left we see Mr. and Mrs. John Park's spacious home. In their window, I believe we can see a service star. Prentis, who graduated
from Ouachita College in May of 1942 and at the same time received his commission as Second Lieutenant, is stationed in Utah. He has recently been promoted again, that making two promotions since he has been in the service. Another son, Aubrey, is a sophomore at Ouachita College, and a daughter, Paula, will graduate at Ouachita in May. Another daughter, Ella Almeda, is attending the Seventh grade at Corning.

Next, we see where Mrs. William Watson dwells. She lives in Mrs. Winfred Huggins Mabry's home and is teaching school at Nelson. Her husband is in St. Louis.

Directly South of Mrs. Watson's is Mr. and Mrs. Mallie Gowen's home.

Going further, we turn South on the gravel and here is the Watson School where Mrs. Selmer Walker is teaching. Then near by is the home and store of Mr. and Mrs. T. C. Hopper. Off the gravel a half quarter West is Mr. and Mrs. John Carter's. they have a son, Harold, in the Army. A daughter, Genevieve, in San Diego, California and a son, J. H. in Michigan.

Next, we have new neighbors on Tom Curtis' farm by the name of Evans.

Then the most welcome spot to most of us in this community is the Hopewell Baptist Church. C. F. Gwinup is pastor. W. B. Jonas is Sunday School Superintendent, Robert Johnson is B.T.U. director, Mrs. Sallie Park, song director, Mrs. Robert Johnson, pianist, Anita Carter, Sunday School secretary, Hewitt Park, treasurer and Elsie Park, clerk.

West of the church is the home of Mr. and Mrs. Davis, which they purchased from J. F. Simpkins.

*****

Part 3

We begin our trip this week just East of Hopewell Church at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Vivian Nations. Mr. Nations' brother, Buett and family, have been visiting them for several days.

Next, Mrs. Nixon and son live on E. L. Griffin's farm.

Then directly South of the church we see the new home of Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Griffin that is rapidly nearing completion.

Traveling West again on the gravel road we see Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Griffin's present home, where they have lived since their home burned last Fall.

I forgot last week on our trip to tell you that Mr. and Mrs. Tom Rowls live just South of the Watson School and have a son, Buster, in the Army. If I miss someone on our trip remember, I don't intend to, but since this is an imaginary trip, I may not remember all places, but so far I believe I have accounted for every home. But I don't know the Lower Heelstring community so well and may not know the names of all the families.

Going back to Mr. Griffin's we next see Mr. and Mrs. Goeffery Herren's.  Then down the side road South of this place we see several home [sic], including Mr. and Mrs. Crawley, Mr. and Mrs. Mack Bellah and Mr. and Mrs. Kirby.

Back to the gravel, the farm of Tom Bridges where Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Johnson live. Next, Mr. and Mrs. O. Lewis' farm. Mrs. Lewis has been seriously ill for some time and at this time we would like to wish her
better health soon.

Up a side road North, lives Freeman Pemberton and family and several other families. On the gravel again, are Mr. and Mrs. Tom Curtis, Then, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Jackson and South of the school Hubert Guthery's home. His mother has been seriously ill for a long time and we hope she is improving.