Rector, Arkansas

Thursday night’s (Aug. 5) spectacular Rector Concert 2010 benefiting the Rector High School Helping Hands Foundation of Rector, Arkansas surpassed previous efforts, thanks to its lineup of top Southern gospel stars pitching in for a heartwarming cause.

The event was the third annual concert fundraiser for the Foundation, which was formed by 1953 Rector High School graduates Bill Carter and George Barker.

Now Nashville-based, Carter went on to serve in the Secret Service before embarking on a legendary music business career as attorney for the Rolling Stones, manager for Reba McEntire and other country artists, and producer of Southern gospel great Bill Gaither's Homecoming programming. Barker, who is now retired and living in New York, became a U.S. Army general.

The benefit show took place in the new Rector High School gym (“Home of The Cougars”) and starred Gaither Homecoming Southern gospel stalwarts Mark Lowry, Jason Crabb, Kevin Williams and Charlotte Ritchie, along with stellar bluegrass act Dailey & Vincent and Gene McDonald, another Gaither gospel regular, who frequently sang with his family in the Rector area while growing up.

 Development of a magnificent veteran's memorial is a step closer to reality thanks in part to a group of interested citizens. The memorial will be located on Main Street, just south of the old city jail facilities, which is under renovations to become the new visitor's center. With the new visitor's center the committee hopes to provide an attractive park-like setting for entering the central business district of Rector. The memorial will highlight all five branches of the U. S. Armed Forces.

The committee anticipates to fund this project, which is estimated at $100,000, through private donations. As of June 17, 2009, over $16,500.00 has been raised with more donation pledged. The property for the memorial has been donated by Sherland Hamilton, Pauline Crockett, and George and Robert Jernigan. For more information or to make a contribution toward this project please contact Rector City Hall at 870.595.3035. All contributions are tax deductible.