Hide Article Text (OCR)
The View From HereEd HayesCourier News Sports LdiUirSac .FOLKS WHO FIGURED TO SEE THE FOLDUP OF THEWalker Park Roller Drome before a full \ear rolled b\ must beW Vchopping around for new fields in which to foist their inefficacious forecasts. A full year has elapsed since Bill Walker first swung open his doors to the public and the business today looks healthier than it did hack in the rarlv no\elt\ da\s.If Bill were the kind of man who laughs at another's misfortune. he would guffaw' at his critics—but he's too busy getting ready for the anniversary party Saturday. Bill plans to ring in the new rink year by offering skating all day tomorrow, from 1 p.m. until midnight II hours'1 for just $1 per person.It doesn t just end there other surprises are in store.You don't have to call in an efficiency expert or industrial analyst to figure oui why roller skating should he on solid footing here. You need not look bevonri the floor itself which is in su-Vperbly slick shape. Walker modestly concurs: The rink is nicerthan it was when we started a year ago. It s been sanded three times.The facility gets pampered care and maintenance and looks it. And it s still a good clean place 10 visit. 1 remember last year about this time the way Bill promised to keep his place, as much as humanly possible, tree of delinquency, vulgarity, necking and roughneckingHis was the kind of entertainment house that could easily have become a hoodlum haven. It happened in other cities. But Bill, an ex«cop, found it s just as easy to keep it respectableand litter-freeI d say Bill has kept his promise That's why it's good to see a hard-working country boy his own description1 making the grade.+ +I have a hunch that one of the primary reasons he keeps the floor slick as a baby's elnn other than monetary is be-• wcause Bill loves skating so much himself and wants to wheel around on nothing but the best.He gets out pn the floor four or five nights a week, for pleas ure cruising or exhibitions with some of the better performers such as the remarkable 16-year-old Kathv Honeycutt.He hopes to start classes of instruction next month There have been numerous requests that he do so There would bethree separa'e and private groups beginners, intermediatesand advancedSkating is still the best way in the world to lose weight.he reminds.Two of the rink lieutenants who started with Walker are still members of thp staff. Glenn Harris and Johnny White. The third worker is Dave DiliekThe tall, dark and handsome 'and married' Bill, without a tincture of boasting, said: 1 think we've made a tremendous success. Especially when you consider there wasn't any interest to start with. We had to build it up.That there is interes* is reflected in the sales Kook which shows that iso skaters have purchased their own skates at ‘he Walker Park palace. And not less than 75 skaters have bought the precision pairs..Another item of statistical interest the musical record collection has now reached 256 We bu\ all our records here in town ’Bill said. We have 21 of the top 56 nines.* * •*The rink is to be open throughout the summer months 6even nights per week. 7 oclock to 10 3n There are matinees. 1 30 to 5. on Saturdavs and Sundav* Other davlight hour* are to be held open for classe* and private parties. You d he surprised at the number of church organization* in Blvtheville. the county and in Missouri, that partv at the Roller DromeTonight Bill expects an invasion of the footer High School Band.+ ♦ *The inevitable question Do you regret resigning from the po-Dee force and throwing your future into the pleasure business.Bill?No regrets whatever.” he repliedBlytheville doesn't have any regrets, eitherEverybody s been wonderful to us, he said. The Fair Association . . . and, well, everybody.+ *Hapov Annivervarv. Bill.. vRIGthe marRoller !annivor Ed HavDadd)iCHICkre ou rived i lor a father I with ating T shorten en hit-, averageRefugiSA N CubanAh are;-ha m ayear, is Coast 1 ally le-rment quest miout of lt;Bon VN E Ww eightdianapcTeddvp-.Bpr:'.Thursdi in Ewnwill heagainstnamed.PestpoDETIHank *Heav y wJohnsot at La* poned Hank sacer, 1dav.Gals' !LITT hara F port, L Gordon Tenn semi-fiiSouther
Newspaper Details
Blytheville Courier News
Blytheville, Arkansas, US
Fri, May 10, 1963
Page 12
Full Page
Clipped by
Mid-Continent L.
MO, USA 12 May 2019
Other Publications Near Blytheville, Arkansas
Blytheville Army Air Corps News
Blytheville Courier News
