April 4, 2013

Some 60-plus antique buses will be rolling into town today as part of The Ghosts of Highway 61 Antique Bus Tour. In fact, several were already here Wednesday night.

Some 60-plus antique buses will be rolling into town today as part of The Ghosts of Highway 61 Antique Bus Tour. In fact, several were already here Wednesday night.

Folks from different areas of the country will be here for the event, which has been dubbed the largest in the organization's history.

For the next three days, they'll get a chance to check out a Greyhound bus station with a rich history and experience Blytheville's hospitality.

It will be quite a sight seeing all the old buses downtown and, for those who remember the glory days of the bus station, it will probably resurrect some good memories.

From what I'm told, there have been a number of talented artists hop on buses passing through Blytheville since the bus station was built in the late 1930s.

Artists like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and numerous blues musicians have been passengers on buses making stops here.

I've heard that downtown Blytheville used to be booming and the bus station was a hub of activity.

The antique buses are sure to offer some nostalgia for those who experienced the bustling Main Street and lively bus station first-hand.

The Ghosts of Highway 61 Antique Bus Tour should be a fun event and hopefully draw folks downtown this weekend.

Several local merchants have extended their hours for the next few days to accommodate our out-of-town guests. A number of local organizations have joined forces to make the tour members feel welcome and ensure Blytheville puts its best foot forward.

Their hard work over the last several months has come to fruition. Local residents have an opportunity to check out several events this weekend, including an antique bus parade at 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon and Memphis recording artist Sonny Mack's performance at 7 Saturday night. There will be a variety of other activities as well.

This is certainly a great opportunity for our community. Hats off to all those who are making it possible.

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As unpredictable as the college basketball has been this year, I didn't have a whole lot of confidence in my bracket.

The NCAA Tournament has further proved that my prognostication skills are lacking. Only one of my Final Four teams remains -- Louisville.

The other three -- Ohio State, Georgetown and Miami -- will be watching the games Saturday like the rest of us. If I had realized just how good Syracuse's zone is, I might have penciled them into the Final Four.

But Wichita State wasn't on my radar, and I expected Michigan to get knocked out in the third round.

Oh well, there's always next year.

There should be two entertaining games Saturday as No. 1 Louisville (33-5) -- my original pick to win it all -- takes on Wichita State (30-8), and Michigan (30-7) and Syracuse (30-9) square off.

I'll stick with Louisville to hoist the trophy on Monday night.

Of course, that probably means one of the other three will be crowned champion.

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Congratulations are in order for staff writer Chris Pinkard and his wife, Ashley, who had their first child, Caroline, earlier this week.

Their lives are forever changed -- for the better.

mbrasfield@blythevillecourier.com

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