A weekend of looking back, glimpsing the future and River City at its best.

The second annual Bolton High Alumni Association’s Hall of Fame induction Friday night led the way with longtime friends assembling to recognize achievements of five fellow Bears.

They came from near and far to share in a ‘well done” to the late W.E. Pate and Scott O. Brame and to Dr. “Jeeves” White, Foster Walker III and Robert Ryder.

Their accomplishments and contributions stand out among 99 years of Bolton grads.

Mixed among that discussion were anecdotes among the sell-out audience regarding antics in Bear years past.

Saturday night, a crowd gathered downtown for the annual Rapides Symphony outdoor concert, this year featuring music of Elton John and Billy Joel.

An audience admittedly tilted toward grey hair and bifocals hummed, tapped feet and sang along on a gorgeous evening.

Then Sunday perhaps a first — rock and roll piano notes in Pineville’s First Baptist Church.

Great Balls of Fire opened the senior recital of Ella Clancy, a multi-talented Pineville High student.

It was one of 10 selections on the eclectic program that included works by Mozart and Debussy.

The pianist’s accomplishments on the keyboard and otherwise at Pineville High serve as a reminder that excellence is to be found on every campus.

Ella, daughter of George and Sarah Crooks Clancy, among other things is editor of the school newspaper.  Sarah and I were co-workers decades ago.

Most editors I have known couldn’t carry a tune, much less play one.