Stories from Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Hoots retires following long career of caring for others (07/08/09)
Jo-Ann Hoots recently retired following a long career of caring for the residents of Northeast Arkansas. Hoots, a native and resident of the Rector area, began her career as a nurse in 1979 and back in June ended the 30-year commitment as she retired as weekend supervisor at Murphy Health and Rehabilitation in Piggott...

A walk on the wild side (07/08/09)
Buying a home for retirement in a quiet corner of the state of Arkansas brings a multitude of surprises. With its one and only Main Street, the town comes with a quaint and somewhat bustling downtown, now listed on the National Historic Register. ...

Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum hosts creative writing retreat (07/08/09)
"From the veranda of the Pfeiffer house, where Patrick and Gregory played, Pauline glanced around the tree-covered lawn." So begins the June 2009 Hemingway-Pfeiffer Creative Writing Retreat anthology, Outside the Lines, penned June 8-12 at the Hemingway Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center in Piggott...

It's only a crisis if you are affected (07/08/09)
It continues to amaze us that so many observers of the health care coverage debate in our nation don't seem to see a problem with the current system. In fact, one columnist said something to the effect that President Obama and certain members of Congress are trying to force changes on an American public that supposedly is more than content with the way things are...

That Good Old Summertime (07/08/09)
This past Independence Day brought this ageing observer back a few years into a misty and pleasant past in America. The emotional trip started when a nice lady offered to have me help her pick fresh blackberries from a vine in my back yard. Remembering similar excursions with my late mother started my reminiscences...

Joann Weber (07/08/09)
Funeral services for 61-year-old Joann Weber of Rector, who passed away on Friday, July 3, at her residence after a long illness with cancer, were Monday, July 6, at 2 p.m. in the Rector General Baptist Church with Brother Marston Carpenter officiating. Interment was in Woodland Heights Cemetery with Irby Funeral Home in charge of arrangements...

Robert Earl "Bob" Simmons (07/08/09)
Funeral services for 60-year-old Robert Earl "Bob" Simmons of Rector, who passed away on July 3 at his residence, were Monday, July 6, at 10 a.m. in the Irby Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Marston Carpenter officiating...

Morris responds to recent editorial (07/08/09)
Dear Mr. Kemp: In your editorial last week you seemed to imply that most of us are products of our environment. I too believe this to be true. Most of us are born into whatever segment of society we are born into and most us will stay there. ...