The Faulkner County Historical Society held its annual meeting on Thursday, April 13 at the Faulkner County Library. The program, “Memories of the Toad Suck Ferry” was a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Amanda Moore. Panelists included Barbara Marshall Smith, daughter of Ty Marshall—the last Toad Suck Ferry operator; Jack Bell, retired City of Conway official; and Jim Baker, former Faulkner County Judge.

The program also included a video interview with Bill Ward, former Conway photographer who was on the charter committee to establish Toad Suck Daze. A drawing was held for one of Ward’s books, “Conway As It Was.. As It Is,” and a signed and framed photograph of Ward’s, “Last Run of the Toad Suck Ferry.” Helen Benefield won the book while David Ward, grandson of Dave Ward—who built and operated the Toad Suck Ferry at one time—won the photograph. (Click on any picture below to see a larger version.)