Oh, my goodness! Haven't we had the most beautiful weather? I know I have been outside a little bit more each day. Have you? I just wish the leaves would begin to turn. And it's almost Halloween. I love to welcome the trick or treaters. There will be some larger trick or treaters this year again. Some of the high school students will be trick or treating for canned goods for the less fortunate. So have more than candy on hand.

Did you go to the Blue Grass Festival in the Park, Saturday? It was great fun! We will be doing it again in a few months and who knows what else the Parks and Recreation Committee will come up with. What would you like to see in the Memorial Park?

There were three bands on stage for our entertainment on Saturday. The Lassiter Family started things out and got our toes to tapping. We kept them on for a few extra songs. Then Second Harvest was here. They were great too. The third band was Cyprus Creek. They came all the way from Hickory Whip, TN and played some songs I had never heard before.

I loved listening to the music and visiting with everyone who was there. The barbeque sandwich was pretty good too. Off to the left of the stage the cotton fields were a sea of white. Cotton waiting to be picked. It was great even though it did begin to cool down, way down as the sun set. I was still wonderful.

And people came from far and wide, as far away as Paragould and McDougal and as wide away as Clear Water FL. That's right, Richard Earl's grandfather, Harry Wilson, told me he drove all night from Clear Water Florida to come to our festival. The truth is: Harry has been here for a week, but it sure sounded good.

A cousin of Richard's, Trish Stacey did come from McDougal for the day. Not exactly an all night drive but we were glad to have her anyway.

Bobby Tracer was there too and he is looking good these days. He says he feels good too. He has made a remarkable recovery from injuries sustained in a car accident a few months ago. Good for you Bobby!

Mrs. Rena Snow had some special visitors for the weekend. Her grandson, Stuart Snow, his wife Jaime and daughter Ashlie, came from Owensboro, Ky. They enjoyed an afternoon visit to Pumpkin Hollow on Sunday, where Ashlie had a great time doing all the fun things kids can do there. Stuart and Jaime enjoyed a visit with their relatives, Ellen and Darrell Dalton and their son Jack who came up from Jonesboro.

Terry and Demetra Shultz have been on the road again. They spent a long weekend in Branson taking in all the shows they could. Douglas and Marilyn Shultz joined them for a day that everyone enjoyed. I hear that Douglas and Marilyn will be visiting in Rector next week end.

Paul and Cheryl Schwager spent a few days enjoying the scenery around Lake Norfork. It is beautiful up there. I'll bet they even saw a deer or two.

We said a fond farewell to Hoot French Monday. His daughters Vickie French of Pocahontas and Penny French of Paragould joined Sherry and Buddy Dills to honor his life. Grandchildren Shelli Gentleman, Paige Dills, Shannon Stanley, Brock Buys, and Shaynee Fogarty were also on hand.

They made sure to send him off in a style they knew he would love, beneath a beautiful and unique spray made of cotton plants. Also there to honor him were his eight great-grandchildren, Elena and Tate Gentleman, Hayes Haff, Cameron Buys, Elijah, Mollie, Kate and Quinn Fogarty.

Lane Wozniak has been away too. She flew to Reno, Nevada to spend her birthday with her son, Josh. I haven't got all the details yet, but she sure sounded happy when she called to tell me she was there.

Thank goodness election day is almost here. I am voting early to avoid the rush and I will be so glad not to have to listen another campaign ad. Once again I urge you to vote and to check out the things that make you uncomfortable. There are a lot words flying around and many of them are misleading. What is most important to you?

Well, it's time to go. Don't forget to tell me what goes on with you. Just give me a call or send me an email. My phone number is 595-3173 or you can drop me a note at 514 West 3rd St. My email address is: porchswing@newwavecomm.net.