COUNTY LIFE
Restoring cemetery markers is more than just business for Pearson
By DANI BLACKBURN
[email protected]
Mark Pearson of Pearson’s Services has spent the last weeks improving headstones at the Nocona Cemetery in what he calls a labor of love.
Pearson was contacted by local citizen Robert Terry, who has worked the last 11 years to create a database for the Nocona Cemetery.
He also has spent countless hours searching for the names of unmarked graves and recently, new headstones were put in the place of those names he discovered. Identifying 144 headstones that were in the most need of cleaning and repair was the next step.
Terry had concerns the distance would be too far for Pearson, but he reached out in hopes of bringing the service to the community. The Hemphill native was willing to stop in Nocona and take a look on his way through to another job.
“As long as it is cost effective it isn’t’ a problem. I was actually going to Oklahoma to consult on another cemetery, so I stopped on my way through and he showed me the list for the project,” recalled Pearson.
After Pearson visited and agreed to do the job, Terry approached the Nocona City Council to ask for funding from the cemetery bequeath fund and it was approved.
“When Terry contacted me, I was winding down since I had done so many for the year. I had been gone all the time and wanted to rest and had even booked at rip to Washington to see monuments, but I feel fate brought me here if you will,” said Pearson.
After doing 10,000 graves this year, the Nocona project of 144 was on the smaller scale for the company, so Pearson got to work with only one employee, Allen Mills.
Read the full story in the weekend News.
There was a huge turnout for the first Bowie Mini Con hosted at the Bowie Library with Freakz & Geeks Saturday. Guests, many costumed as comic book and fantasy characters, took part in gaming tourneys, crafts and other activities. More photos in your mid-week Bowie News. (News photos by Barbara Green)
Are you hankering to solve a murder? Do you need a night out where someone else cooks? How about supporting local youth?
Well, you can do it all by attending the spring murder mystery dinner theater hosted by the Bowie Alliance for Education and the Arts on May 17 and 18.
Enjoy the show, “The Groom Has Gold Feet” by Martin A. Fallose. Travel back to the old west to the sleepy town of Pine Grove. There is definitely something afoot about the upcoming wedding for Miss Kayla Mae Blossom and Albert Webster, as well as some shady characters that are attached to the situation. Join with Sheriff Tickle and his posse to discover the intrigues, and truths to the situation.
Directed by April Word and a cast including Austin Alberts, Jennifer Collins, Jamie Fabel, Deagan Fabel, Sam Goad, Boyd Hulstine, Ashley Keyes, Lia Meier, Michelle Meier, Garyson Minyard, Stephanie Post, Adryana Torres, Brandon Stott, Melanie Stott and Corban Wolsey.
Each $25 ticket covers a barbecue meal and the show. Show times are 7 p.m. on May 17 and noon and 6 p.m. on May 18.
Performances and meals will be at the Freedom Life Church, 204 Theater Rd.
Purchase tickets at bowieallianceforeducationandthearts.com.
Nocona is gearing up for the 72nd annual Chisholm Trail Rodeo May 10-11 with lots of traditional rodeo events filling the bill.
Stock for the United Professional Rodeo Association Rodeo is provided by Champion Rodeo Company. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate. Children six and under get in free. Purchase them from any queen or princess or candidate, and at the city office before 4 p.m. Friday.
The association has been working on making repairs to the concrete bleachers but rain has delayed this project. Rock also is being laid in the parking lot and they hope to be finished with that before Friday.
There will be a rodeo parade at 3 p.m. on Saturday. Gates open nightly at 6 p.m. with the rodeo starting at 8 p.m. Sanctioned nightly events will feature bareback riding, saddle bronc, ranch bronc, bull riding, ladies barrel racing, tie-down roping, ladies breakaway roping, steer wrestling and team roping.
The non-sanctioned events are junior barrels for those ages 16 and under. There is $250 added each night with a jackpot nightly. Entry fee is $45. Call 940-841-2044. There will be mutton bustin’ nightly for children age 8 and under. Entry fee is $20 and buckles go to the winners.
A calf scramble nightly will be open for those age 8 and under and 9-12. Buckles to the winners.
Read the full story and meet the rodeo royal candidates in the mid-week Bowie News.
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