2024.11.14 THROW BACK THURSDAY - PART 2 - HOG HEAVEN TO THE HEIGHTS PLUS CLASS NEWS
THROW BACK THURSDAY - PART 2 - HOG HEAVEN TO THE HEIGHTS PLUS CLASS NEWS
Ray Burks had also helped shape the residential neighborhoods of the Heights and Hillcrest, in styles revived from prior centuries yet presented with his own creative touch. The Gunn-Jones home on Longfellow Lane in the Heights is an example.
Holcomb and Shirley Gunn, owners of a wholesale electrical appliance company, directed Burks to create for their 1938 Heights home, a design influenced by early architecture they had seen on their New England travels. While some have described the Gunn's home as “Georgian” revival, local architectural scholar C. Allan Brown leans toward comparing it to the slightly later “Federal” style. He offers the 1804 Federal style Gardner-Pingree home of Salem, Massachusetts with its curvilinear entry portico as an example (see photo). Maryland architect Janelle Horst explains the difference in the two styles in an amusing 2020 article. She first discusses the irony of naming the “Georgian” design style of our colonists’ first substantial residences after the King they had rebelled against! The solution, she explains, was to “go back to Rome”, borrow some classical detail, simplify interiors and rebrand the style in the name of their new “Federal” government!
Second owners Julie and Dr. John Jones have respected and preserved the artistry of architect Ray Burks, refraining from painting the handsome brickwork laid in Flemish bond courses (pattern of full and half bricks) and repairing instead of replacing original windows. Mrs. Jones, an accomplished interior designer, has limited additions to the rear of the home and repurposed original doors and detail when adapting the kitchen area to a modern lifestyle.
Ray Burks sadly did not live to see the Razorbacks win that first game in the stadium he helped design, passing away a few months before kickoff. He left for us a legacy of public and private architecture, which, thanks to those like John and Julie Jones, continues to make our Heights neighborhood and our city a handsome and more interesting place.
Thank you, Jim Pfeifer!
1956 CLASS NEWS
Be sure and mark your calendars for MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2024, GIRLS' CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON provided by and held at
the home of Mary Lou Hosack Billingsley, Parkway Village, #7040, (501) 539-2552. Please let Mary Lou know if you will be
attending so she can make sure she orders enough meals from the caterers.
Our sincere sympathy to Jackie Adams Arnes in the death of her husband. Jackie and her husband had moved into assisted living.
Jackie is wheelchair bound. She has an apartment in Willow Grove of Sherwood, 9880 Brockington Road, Sherwood, AR 72120. Her cell
is (501) 307-4104. I'm sure cards or calls would be greatly appreciated.
Jackie has been having problems for several months. She was able to attend many of our lunch meetings in North Little Rock on the first
Saturday of the month for awhile, but then has had to miss. We always miss seeing her.
1955 CLASS NEWS
Anne Caroline Burrow Surom Obituary
Anne Caroline Surom, 86, of Strawberry Point, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at Garnett Place in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, surrounded by her family. She was born on July 31, 1937, in Arkansas, the daughter of James and Thelma (Johnson) Burrow. Anne was raised and educated in Little Rock, Arkansas, and was a graduate of Little Rock Central High School Class of 1955 and of Little Rock Junior College. On New Year’s Eve in 1955, Anne and Herb met in Little Rock at a roller-skating rink. On March 1, 1959, Anne was united in marriage to Herbert “Herb” Surom, Jr. Three sons were born to this union. Anne worked in advertising and marketing in Little Rock and later for Younkers in Des Moines. After moving to Strawberry Point, Anne worked as a correspondent for the local newspapers. She also worked as the manager for the Gernand Retirement Village. Anne and Herb resided in Strawberry Point for 53 years before moving to Cedar Rapids during the past year to be closer to family. Anne was a longtime member of Emanuel Lutheran Church. She was a wonderful caregiver and mother. Anne loved to cook for her family and never let anyone go hungry. She loved their cats, was an avid reader, and enjoyed oil and watercolor painting. She liked going on trips to the cranberry festival in Wisconsin, to Lanesboro, Minnesota, with close friends, and driving through Backbone State Park with her family. Above all else, Anne loved her family and spending time with them was special. Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 65 years, Herb Surom, Jr. of Strawberry Point; her sons, Corey (Diane) Surom of Atkins, Clay (Kristen) Surom of Iowa City, and Chad (Laura) Surom of Marion; grandchildren, Savannah (Jonny) Pomerleau, Sophia Surom, Hailee and Kelsey Barr, and Megan Mullan; and many friends. Anne was preceded in death by her parents, and grandson, Sebastian Surom.
Mary Lou, what a great job you do for all of us. I am Jane Parkin McMullin, ‘55. And my birthday is Nov. 30. Broke my back two weeks ago
and wearing an enormous brace for 3 months. Wishing I were in Paris with Betty Houchin! But children and grands all coming for my B’day
and Thanksgiving. It will be FUN.
Jane Parkin McMullin
1954 CLASS NEWS
Marion Elizabeth “Bettye” Gentry Korenblat, 88 of Little Rock, passed away on November 10th, 2024, surrounded by her family. Bettye was born in Little Rock on April 15,1936, to Leffel and Sybil Gentry. From a very young age, Bettye’s unique talent has been her sincere interest in everyone around her. Bettye’s kindergarten teacher noticed it right away, “Bettye works constantly to make sure everyone is included in everything.” Bettye studied ballet at the Dorothy Donaldson Dance Studio and attended Pulaski Heights Jr. High School, where she met Art Korenblat, her future husband. While Art was away for both high school and college, the two stayed in touch. Bettye was a graduate of Little Rock High School, where she was a spirited cheerleader. During this time, a renowned ballet teacher visited the Donaldson dance studio – and Bettye was “discovered!” Alexi Ramov invited Bettye to study at his studio in Scranton PA, where he prepared her to join the New York City Ballet’s School of American Ballet as a professional ballerina. Bettye loved her time in the Big Apple. In 1957, she headed to Ole Miss in Oxford, Mississippi, for college, where she pledged Chi Omega. After all these adventures, she returned to Little Rock to marry her JR high school sweetheart, Art Korenblat. After her children were born, Bettye taught ballet to generations of Little Rock dancers. Throughout her life, she was frequently greeted by countless former students as ‘Miss Bettye”. In 1991, she volunteered for Bill Clinton's presidential campaign in the correspondence office. She had many interests including a love of opera and the symphony, along with traveling, antiquing, and decorating. She was a lifelong member of Congregation B’nai Israel. Bettye’s concern and commitment to others continued throughout her entire life. While living at the Blake at Chenal Valley, she quickly made dear friends among the residents and staff. Her family is so grateful for these wonderful friendships Bettye formed late in life. Bettye is survived by her daughter Ashley Korenblat and her husband Mark Sevenoff, as well as her son Scott Korenblat and his wife Janet, and her three grandsons Tyler and Adam Korenblat and Kip Sevenoff, along with her brother Hal Gentry, his wife Lynda, and Bettye’s dear cousin Sissy Greene, along with many wonderful friends, nieces and nephews. Bettye was preceded in death by her husband Art Korenblat and her sister Shirley Gentry.
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