All the downtown renovation projects inspired the DDD's unofficial historian, Vivian Helton, to do a little research about past efforts to improve the downtown area. Her efforts brought forth an article in the Sept. 30, 1963 edition of the newspaper.

Under the headline, "Old Come Down To Make Way For New" is the following:

"As tomorrow's deadline approaches, outdoor privies are being torn down and inside toilet facilities installed in Kennett.

"Under a city ordinance, unanimously approved March 7, 1961, all residents within 200 feet of existing line are required to install inside toilet facilities by October 1. Since March of1961 only septic tanks or flush toilets have been permitted to be installed in Kennett and any new house or business built after that time.

"A survey made by the Dunklin County Health Unit in the spring of 1960, which disclosed that 389 persons were in violation of the proposed ordinance. Local citizens have reduced this number to less than 60 in the past 30 months.

"Local plumbers have been busy for the past 30 months laying sewer lines and installing indoor facilities.

The article was completed with several photos that included shots of an outdoor privy and a new toilet.

Presumably, there was less fuss about this ordinance than the ordinance passed not all that long ago which prohibited the burning of trash. Some odors are worse than others.

And speaking of improvements in the garden spot of the world, with apologies to the folks in "Beautiful Downtown Arbyrd" as it became known during the heyday of the Podunk Station Open, a comment I penned a couple of weeks ago regarding some park department land was incorrect.

I mentioned a parcel of land the city acquired from the Shelton family several years ago to be used for a city park. The family wanted to give the land to the city but was unable to because of some provisions of the trust, or so I'm told. The city ended up purchasing the land for $80,000 and is still paying off the purchase price. My apologies to the park board and thanks to park board member Debby Stokley for her information.

I've mulled that information around for a week and got to thinking. While that can be scary at times it keeps me occupied.

The city passed a hotel/motel tax to be used for tourism promotion. That tax is raising somewhere between $40,000 and $50,000 per year. The chamber receives $25,000 out of that for its efforts on behalf of the city.

Why could the city then, not begin to develop that park and begin with something like a tourism or welcome center there? That's just a thought, but before you write that idea off, consider what our friends to the east did.

The city of Hayti built a museum with its hotel/motel tax that went into effect several years before the Kennett tax was passed. The Hayti museum just happens to also house a brand new fire station the city needed to build out on Highway 84. Pretty creative thinking on the part of city fathers in Hayti.

I think we could do a tourism/welcome center here on the Shelton land and a park around the center. Granted $15,000-$25,000 isn't a lot, but it's a good start. Multiply that over 20 years and we're talking a nice hunk of change that could service a bond issue.

* * *

Speaking of Arbyrd

The head honcho of "Beautiful Downtown Arbyrd" called last week to tell me about a couple of things going on in his fair city over the next couple of months.

Mayor Lonnie Gibson, Jr., told me a bit about plans for a weekend fall festival planned for Oct. 12-14 at the city park. There will be a carnival and karaoke contest and some professional entertainment as well. He mentioned a couple of well-known performers from that part of the county they are attempting to recruit for shows, but I'll let them work on that and announce it when they get everything worked out.

For folks wanting to be scared, Arbyrd is hosting a haunted house at the VFW Building there the last week of the month. Again, more details will be coming later on that.

Mayor Gibson also shed some light (no pun intended) on a subject I've heard about for years but never experienced it first hand.

As part of the Halloween festivities Arbyrd is hoping the "Arbyrd Light" will make an appearance. Mayor Gibson allowed that while his neighbors to the north have claimed the light as their own it never was the "Senath Light." Arbydians were happy to let their neighbors borrow it for a few years, but would like it back now.

By the way, Mayor Gibson is also school board member Gibson and I think he's one of several who have offered to shave their heads to offer a little incentive for the Southland Rebels athletic teams. That will be an interesting photo.

* * *

Mailbag update

I received an e-mail from Cindy Hine recently that kept me up on the progress of "Little" David, named after "Big" David, and his swimming achievements.

David has set two new team records in August in the 100 and 200 meter breaststroke events. And the records he broke were his own set last year. If you see Harry and Joan Bazzell, grandparents of "Little" David, at one of the local Chinese restaurants it might be that they are there for more than just the food. Perhaps they are also trying to brush up on the language. The Beijing Olympics in 2008 are will be here before we know it.