Kenneth Rorie’s presentation “Reminiscences of Batesville and South of the River” (Posted by Ginger Smith)
OIRM hosted ICHS Kenneth Rorie’s presentation “Reminiscences of Batesville and South of the River”
The Old Independence Regional Museum hosts and presents many programs every week of every month of every year. Many times I’m so tempted to cancel my plans and attend the always newsworthy, historical and entertaining presentations. Last Sunday I attended the ICHS presentation by Kenneth Rorie, and was as pleased as everyone present to spend an hour with Mr. Rorie’s historical, and even amusing recollections of the rich cultural heritage of Southern Independence County.
Mr. Rorie, an Independence County native, graduated from Southside High School a “few” years ago, and attended ASU Jonesboro, University of Kentucky and California State University before beginning his public school teaching career. I met him through Facebook photos shared by someone sometime, and became an instant fan, loving history and Independence County, my home for many years. I moved here in 1972 and enjoy the photos with pertinent data attached that he posts on FB. My brother in Jackson, TN, Jerry Burgess, became a fan and shares Rorie’s photos, also.
It’s safe to say everyone knows of, about, or is related to Rorie. His collection of photographs is said to be one of the most extensive of the area, at least second probably to the Old Independence Regional Museum’s carefully preserved collection.
The presentation room was full, many whom I knew, and the hour went by too fast! I learned so much about Southside School, where my daughter graduated and my grands now attend school. There were so many names mentioned I know from living in this area, I was surprised to learn how Magness and Moorefield got their names, and all about the schools that consolidated into the first Southside School.
There were many stories shared about the Anderson twins, Craig Ogilvie sang “This Old House” on the radio at the age of 10! Many smiled through tales of the late Duffie Bryant’s radio show, the old Batesville drive inn, a talking parrot, Ray’s Sandwich Shop where you could buy a hamburger for $.15! Historical records about moonshine arrests, hanging for a robbery late 1890’s, Hutchinson Mountain folks, the Graddy family who later changed their name to Grady, removing the second “d”.
Dr. George Lankford
Kenneth Rorie greeting friends before his presentation.
Whenever Mr. Rorie makes another presentation, you just might love to attend. He reminds me of the late Wilson Powell, my early writing mentor and a great friend who was always in the Historical Society and for years the business manager of the Batesville Daily Newspaper.
Be sure and watch the OIRM’s FB or web site for upcoming programs and workshops. It’s a great place to spend quality time with family or alone. See you there! Ginger
(Little background info from Kenneth Rorie: My parents were Eulis Rorie (fiddler) and Cleo (Graddy) Rorie. My dad was born and raised on Roasting Ear Creek at Timbo and my mother was born and raised in the Ed Taylor Holler at what is to day McHue. My dad had four children by his first wife, Madge Cartwright, who died of pneumonia during the Great Depression at Jamestown. My siblings (we have the same father) are Ernie and Freidath (Hightower), both deceased, and Vida and Mildred (Strother) – married Strothers who were cousins to each other). Vida and Mildred still live on Hutchinson Mt.. I started teaching in Mammoth Spring, then at Arkansas State University, in the administration at Tyronza, Pleasant Plains, and Batesville Junior High, then taught at Roland, Oklahoma, until retirement in 2005. I taught adult education and other classes in Van Buren, AR, during retirement, but I am retired full time now.)
