Derbies past and present

In last weeks paper, the article entitled "Lepanto celebrates centennial at Terrapin Derby" we gave credit to Betty Tolliver Sharp for the old photos used. Mrs. Sharp would like for everyone to know that these were taken from webshots at http://good-times.webshots.com/album/503... and would like to encourage everyone interested to visit this site for old and new photos of Lepanto.

Well another successful Terrapin Derby in Lepanto. Fire Chief David Simmons was quoted as saying that approximately 7,000 to 10,000 people were expected for the town's 100th birthday celebration and annual homecoming.

Betty Sharp and Joyce Atkinson Glover along with several other volunteers produced a very successful LHS Alumni Banquet. The Class of 1959 hosted this event that brought people back from all over the United States to reminisce about days gone bye.

After doing some research for the centennial article, I became more curious about the town changes and about past Terrapin Derby's. My grandmother, Reva Guin says that she remembered all the years that my grandfather, Police Chief Buck Guin worked the Terrapin Derbys.

She said that people would come to town early that morning and stay through the next day with most of the merchants keeping their stores open into the late night hours.

"Those were crazier, wilder times then with people behaving differently than now," she said. "The town's population more than tripled the weekend of the Terrapin Derby and there were a lot more people attending then than now."

Steve Nelson, who now lives in Waco TX (LHS Class of 1979) said the most memorable Terrapin Derby for him had to have been 1981.

"I won the first ever arm wrestling tournament that year," he said.

Citizen Jack Foote said there were more people living in town when he was growing up.

"Businesses have changed dramatically; some have been for the good while others not so good," said Foote. "We have lost a lot of businesses. At one time, I remember that we had five full grocery stores where and now we only have one."

Linda Nixon Fulkerson, class of 1979, lived in Lepanto from the summer of 1976 to March 1982. Her father was the Church of Christ pastor during that time. "This Terrapin Derby was the most memorable for me because of my class reunion and the fact that my daughter, Elena, who now lives in Nashville, Tenn. met me in West Memphis and spent the day with me at the Terrapin Derby," said Fulkerson who now lives in Morrilton AR.

Miriam Neal Powell, who now lives in Hickory N.C. lived near Lepanto from birth until 1983.

"The changes are immense," she said. "I remember going to J.E. Murphy Hardware store with Sally, his daughter. I thought it was such a great historical site. I spent Saturday night at Connor's Steakhouse at the 1979 LHS Class reunion (Murphy Hardware Store building). I had a great time visiting with family and high school friends and can't wait until next time."

As I get older and look back at the Derbys, they seem to change for me also. I always love to see all the people and of course I must have the delicious funnel cakes. No Terrapin Derby is complete without a funnel cake and homemade lemonade. I look forward to next year's Derby.