As April Wanes

Speaking of "Prom", I heard the Juniors did an awesome job on the prom this year. Don't you just love seeing everyone all dressed up and having a good time? Everyone seems to morph into these delightful young adults overnight. Well, maybe it takes a little bit longer, but the prom is certainly an obvious stage. And it's fun too.

Glenna Bookout called Jessie Malin as soon as she saw the paper last week. She had a hand in taking care of Jessie's black cat while he was missing. Seems he wandered up to her door at some time and Glenna fed him. He wasn't there the whole time, however so Jessie is still hoping to find out whom else to thank for Jack's healthy return. Anyway, thanks, Glenna. It is good to know we have people who will look after our pets when they get a little lost.

Lane Wozniak took a drive to Mammoth Spring Saturday. She saw some beautiful country between here and there and she loved the spring. It is really an awe inspiring sight. More than 149,000 gallons of water flow out of the spring each minute. Isn't that incredible? She took some wonderful pictures. Maybe she will share them on Facebook.com.

Several people have asked me who Gloria Reed is since I mentioned her in last week's column. Gloria and her sister, Nancy and her brother, Danvis (cousins of mine) were raised here in Rector. Her parents were Clarence and Evelyn Rust and they had the shoe store on Main Street for many years. She now lives near Chicago and is one of the founders of the Helping Hands Foundation. Oh, yeah, did I mention she is a former Miss Rector? Look for her. She will be here in August for the Gaither Concert.

Tillie Rose, ETA Thursday, April 30. Grandma Martha and her husband Armond Aserinsky are on their way here as we speak. They are driving from Pennsylvania in a car totally stuffed full of baby stuff. That's a lot of "stuff". Grandpa Jim Blanc will be here from Georgia for the big day too. Richard's mom is, of course already on site and has made sure they will be able to keep a record of her new granddaughter. She got them a neat camera and printer.

I took a stroll through our new Innovative Training Center on Main Street last week. If you haven't been through it, please go take a look. What an asset this is to our town. Jacinda Welch, the Director was pleased to give me a tour. The classrooms and offices are about ready, there are a number of exercise machines already there and anyone can use them for very small fee. The computer lab is on the way. Even though there is further remodeling to be done, it is coming along nicely.

Jacinda stressed that this is a non-profit organization. Any funds collected over the amount of the expenses will go directly into community projects. I want to thank everyone who has contributed to the learning center. It is not only going to have much to benefit our own citizens, it will bring traffic from out of town and that will boost our own economy. Oh yes, and there are still volunteer opportunities.

Don't forget the Chamber Banquet Thursday. It will honor all the volunteers that worked so hard during the big freeze. And speaking of the big freeze, the booklet documenting the event is still on sale at the newspaper office and it is great.

It is time to say good-by. Stay safe. Keep washing your hands and see the doctor if you have any symptoms of the swine flu. There is no need for panic, but caution is certainly needed.

Please let me know what goes on with you. I really enjoy hearing from you. My address is 514 West 3rd St. Phone: (870) 595-3173 and email: porchswing@newwavecomm.net.