The 2019-2020 basketball season is ending and I want to congratulate all of the area teams for a good year. I think as parents, fans, and players, we always want just one more game. Fans had the opportunity to share in a lot of victories this year as well as some disappointments...

Happy Feb. 29th. We don’t get a Feb. 29 every year, just on a leap year which comes around about every fourth year. February is always a short month even with the extra day but for some reason, it seems it has dragged on forever this year. I hate to complain, but I have found the month of February to be a bit dreary. ...

We are in the flu season and we should take it very seriously. In this day and age it is hard to believe people are dying from the flu — not just older people, but younger people, also. According to statistics over 6,000 people have died during the 2019-2020 flu season...

I have been gathering information and pictures to feature high school students involved in  FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America)  and FFA (Future Farmers of America) for an upcoming edition of the NEA Town Courier. It is always good to recognize students and their accomplishments...

A week or so ago I said I would not write about weather again for a while  but I need to retract just a little. I forgot all about Feb. 2 being Groundhog Day. Evidently, according to the reports, Punxsutawney Phil has predicted an early spring. He did not see his shadow so I guess that means winter will soon be over. I certainly hope his prediction is on target...

All in all we have (so far) had a very mild winter. We have rarely dipped below the freezing mark a few days here and there. A few flurries have crossed our paths but nothing major. We have had a lot of fog in the mornings. This may be (depending on what we have ahead) one for the records...

Do you ever just do something for someone else for no gain? It seems we live in a world where too many people are out for themselves giving no thought to others. In today's society, time is precious. We all keep a busy schedule coming and going. We have careers and we have chores and sometimes there is not enough time in the day to get it all done...

If you look up the definition of “service” it says the action of helping or doing work for someone. Does anyone else remember the good old days when there were service stations with owners/employees who came out and pumped your gas, checked your tires, checked the oil if needed and even cleaned your windshield in cold, hot, rain or shine...

I don't know about everyone else but I am ready for a Monday to be a Monday followed by five working days ending on Friday afternoon. As much as I enjoy the holidays it certainly does mess up a good schedule. Several mornings over the last couple of weeks I have woken up wondering what day of the week it is...

Overall, I made it okay and I did enjoy time with my family, friends, church family and my memories. I have had to focus on my blessings and I hope others were able to, also. Christmas 2019 is behind us and we are looking toward a new year. Back in the day when we wanted to really make a point about way out in the future, we might have said in the year of 2020........

We are not talking weeks, we are talking only a few days until Christmas is here, and all of the hustle and bustle will come to an end. Christmas is a special time of year and if we are not careful it can pass right by us and we will miss the joy of the season...

What is wrong with some people in this world? We are so fortunate to have the technology we enjoy today but then there are those who want to ruin it and do crazy things. We all hear about the hackers who get into our computers and steal our personal information, those who get our credit card numbers and run up bills and then those who steal our complete identity and ruin our credit...

We are in a busy time of the year and we get so caught up with today we forget some important dates in history. Saturday, Dec. 7, was the anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day. The Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, was the day America was attacked at our military base in Hawaii by the Japanese sending us into World War II...

I suppose porch pirates are just a sign of the times we live in but I just can't imagine going on people's property and just taking off with packages. I recently heard statistics that 11 million Americans have had packages stolen from their porches in the last year...

The title of my column is referring to the money we save at Black Friday shopping. I am writing this ahead of time and it will not be published until after Black Friday 2019 but I do have plans to be out and about looking for bargains. It is a tradition with me that goes back as far as I can remember...

Just in case you do not know, today, Nov. 20, is National Peanut Butter Fudge Day. I honestly did not know there was such a day but when I looked for special days on the November calendar, there it was — National Peanut Butter Fudge Day, Nov. 20. I love peanut butter fudge. I only make it during the Christmas holidays but now that I know about the day, I think I will start making it on Nov. 20 every year...

My longtime friends know I have fought senior citizenship with a vengeance. I moved middle age status up to 60 and then about two years later I decided it was not working. After that, I have done my best to quietly tiptoe into the golden years. I was not too far off in what I regarded as the middle age status because when I looked up the definition I read: middle age, between 40 and 60. I just waited to arrive at 59...

How many times did we wish for cooler weather during July and August? We finally got our wish and I hope we are all happy. Fall quickly turned into winter (at least for a few days) as the temperatures dropped to the freezing mark on Monday evening. Some area Veterans Day ceremonies on Monday were moved inside because of the weather...

It seems we start wishing our lives away as soon as we can start making our own future plans. Up to the age of 10 we can't wait to be 13. I am not sure what I thought was going to be so great about turning 13 but I couldn't wait. I soon discovered the rules were still the same at my house for 12 or 13 year-olds...

I was driving to work on Friday, Nov. 1, listening to the radio (a Christian music channel) and Christmas music was being played. As much as I love Christmas songs, it made me stop and wonder if it is not a little too soon. I really don't have a major problem with the early start but I just don't remember the Christmas songs on the air until closer to December...

Veterans Day ceremonies will be held throughout the area starting this weekend all the way through Veterans Day on Monday, Nov. 11 Veterans Day serves as a reminder to us to thank a veteran for their service. I am partial when it comes to veterans. My husband, my son, my son-in-law, my brother, my brother-in-law, my sister, nephews, uncles, cousins and many other friends have served in different branches of the military. Some are still serving...

It is time for my annual Trick or Treat column as Halloween is near and children will be out and about on Thursday. We should make sure we have our supply of treats on hand. The little ones (and sometimes not so little ones) come around all dressed up as their favorite characters yelling trick or treat...

Football is coming down to the last few weeks of the season and many of the non-football schools will start basketball this week. Like all parents and grandparents of kids who enjoy sports, I have been to my share of football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball, track and softball games...

It is always good to go on vacation and it is always good to get home safely. My mother and I recently spent a week in Yorktown, VA, visiting with my son and his family. I have to say, the flights were all good. We made it right on schedule. The wheelchair transport was waiting on her when we arrived and when we changed planes...

I guess I am a small town girl, but I have never had the desire to live in a big city. Small town living is not for everyone but it is for me. Years ago, a man was visiting us from our Illinois days. He drove down the Main Street of Manila and said, “What a town.” I was a young adult but I knew he was not saying it in a flattering way and I took it personally...

We keep hearing promises of cooler weather. September tied or exceeded high temperature records and the arrival of October did the same. Surely temperatures will start to go down in the near future. We are seeing cooler mornings. As I have said many times in the past, I love the fall season and I hope we get to enjoy cooler weather before we have to drag out the heavy coats. I like cooler weather – not cold...

Scams come in all forms and many calls. I recently got a call about suspending my social security. Several of my friends had already received the call so I had heard about the suspicious call threatening social security benefits. The caller ID showed it came from Colorado and a person was telling me my Social Security would be suspended if........I am not sure about the rest of the call because I hung up the phone after the word if...

October is Domestic Violence Awareness month and I have to say I have been made more aware of the subject over the last few weeks. I recently did an interview with Phyllis McClendon, executive director of The Haven of Northeast Arkansas, and I attended a Proclamation Day with area mayors, volunteers and guests. I toured the visual display of t-shirts created in memory of individuals who have lost their lives in domestic violence...

October is Domestic Violence Awareness month and I have to say I have been made more aware of the subject over the last few weeks. I recently did an interview with Phyllis McClendon, executive director of The Haven of Northeast Arkansas, and I attended a Proclamation Day with area mayors, volunteers and guests. I toured the visual display of t-shirts created in memory of individuals who have lost their lives in domestic violence...

Just when you think you have heard it all, you her something new. I may be the only person in the world that has not heard of a Safe Haven Baby Box. I was listening to the news last week and a fire chief was talking about the installation of the first Safe Haven Baby Box at an Arkansas fire station...

Friday was the 13th of the month of September. I am not superstitious but I never fail to recognize Friday the 13th when it comes around. Each year there are one to three Fridays that fall on the 13th of the month. There was two in 2018 (April and July); two in 2019 (September and December); and there will be two in 2020 (March and November)...

Tomorrow, Sept. 8, is International Literacy Day. Over 50 years ago UNESCO (United Nations Eductional, Scientific and Cultural Organzation) declared Sept. 8 as a day to promote literacy across the globe and rally the international community. It is difficult to believe in this day and age illiteracy is a problem. Statistics show there are millions of people around the world who can not read or write in their own language...

Sunday, Sept. 8 is Grandparents Day. I have been a grandparent for a long time. I have five grandchildren (four girls and one boy). Their ages range from 13 to 23 and each one is special. I know all grandparents feel the same about their grandchildren...

It won't be long until the trees will start to turn and it will give us a good excuse to take a road trip to see the fall colors. I always enjoy taking a trip to Hardy or Mountain Home at the start of the fall season. It is not too hot and it is not too cold and the leaves are just right...

I would like to be a good football fan but I am not very familiar with the rules. In addition to not knowing the rules, I am never sure about the terminology. I don't know what a biltz means. I have often wondered what makes holding illegal when a player can throw an opponent on the ground and everyone pile on top and it is okay...

Just for your information – National Dog Day 2019 is Monday, Aug. 26. National Dog Day is recognized every year on Aug. 26. The day started in 2004. I am sure the unofficial national holiday was founded by a dog lover as a way to promote good care for dogs and to encourage adoption of rescue canines...

It is time to start making plans for the upcoming Labor Day weekend. It is just around the corner, Sept. 2. It seems we just celebrated Christmas and now we are about to see Labor Day come and go. Labor Day has been around for a long time. It was created in the 1800s as a tribute to the working man and has been a Federal Holiday since 1894...

The Mississippi County Fair will open at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Walker Park. It will be open through Saturday, Aug. 24. The fair has been an annual event for as long as I can remember. It started in 1931 making this year's fair number 88. Every night will be Arm Band Night. The gates will open at 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 3 p.m. on Saturday. Redneck Racing will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday. The exhibit buildings will be open from 6-9 p.m. daily and 3-9 p.m. Saturday...

The old proverb “all good things must come to an end” is fitting as students return to the classroom for a new school year. The carefree days of summer break are over and it is back to the books. The proverb reminded me of many, wonderful vacations I have enjoyed throughout the years. As the saying proclaims, each and every one had to come to an end...

Last week I learned something new and I renewed my admiration for both my grandmothers and all of the generation of homemakers who had to live without refrigeration and push button appliances. I have always enjoyed making peach cobblers from fresh peaches from the freezer. I do use the quick recipe, a cup of sugar, a cup of flour and a cup of milk. The peaches I have used through the years have always been "put up" by my mother or one of my grandmothers...

At one time we heard a lot about Baby Boomers, so I Googled it to find out exactly what age group makes up the group known as Baby Boomers. As I suspected, I am one of the 72 million. Evidently being born post World War II and growing up in the 1960s and 1970s make us part of the 76 million American children born between the years of 1945 and 1964 – Baby Boomers every one. Some of us are still working, many are retired and sadly, many are deceased...

August will arrive tomorrow and more than likely, all of the stores will be filled on Saturday and Sunday with back-to-school shoppers taking advantage of the tax-free holiday. I hope to be one of the bargain hunters. As a rule, I join my daughter and granddaughters for a back to school shopping spree each year. Hopefully, they will again invite me to go with them. We usually enjoy a girls' day out with a nice lunch to break up the day...

I made a pact with myself at the first of the year to discard two items for every one new item of clothing I bring to the closet in 2019. My closets are absolutely filled to capacity. As my friends and close family members know, I am a shopper. I love to find bargains. As much as I love to shop, I am just the opposite when it comes to getting rid of my clothes. It is hard for me part with 'my stuff'...

It is the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing on the moon. I can remember well watching the event on a black and white television. We only had a few channels but it was covered on all of them. We were living in Aurora., Ill., at the time. One of my co-workers took off off work to take his family to Florida to watch the launch in person on July 16. We watched it on television but it was nice to get a first hand report of the awesome event from someone who had actually witnessed it...

Ready or not the bells will soon start ringing for a new school year. I would dare to say most teachers and all of the students will agree summer break days pass much faster than school days. We can't hold back time and in a few short weeks the teachers will return and the next week students will follow for the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year...

We hear warnings about never leaving children in vehicles. It is especially dangerous when the temperature is high like we have had over the last week or two. It is a warning we should all heed to. I am sure we will have hot weather and hotter weather for the next couple months...

Most of the time I do not think about age. I know enough math to realize the majority of my years are memories but that does not mean I have to stop enjoying life. I just had to go from a player to a spectator. It does mean I am no longer physically able do some of the activities I once did. ...

Without the weather to talk about, some of us could go days without talking at all. Have you ever noticed how many conversations start with words such as: sure is hot; sure is cold; the wind is about to blow me down; wish the rain would stop; we really need a rain; I hope it snows; I have had enough snow; can't wait until summer; beautiful day; and the list could go on and on...

Once a year or so most of us have to evaluate ourselves or have our job performance evaluated by a supervisor. I have always found it difficult to evaluate myself. I don't know if it is lack of self-confidence or modesty, but I find it hard to mark high points because I always look at ways I can improve or do better...

Some of the well-known holidays we celebrate include Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, New Year's Day and Christmas. Then we have Mother's Day, Father's Day, Grandparent's Day, Veteran's Day and Valentine's Day. This week's column will give you a few not-so-well known national June holidays...

My heart goes out to the people in our own state and across the country who have lost family members and homes to the recent tornadoes and floods. It seems we have had a lot of storms so far this year. We have been fortunate in Northeast Arkansas this year. It seems the tornadoes have gone around us. There was some very strong wind last week leaving damage to the Corning school. Thankfully, no injuries were reported...

Everyone knows life is full of changes as we journey through. I have written about change from time to time, but the change I am referring to today has a completely different meaning. We change from babies to toddlers; toddlers to children; children to teenagers; and teenagers to adults. Changes continue throughout our lives. We go from newlyweds to middle-age married people and on to senior citizens...

Graduation 2019 has come and gone for our seniors at Riverside, Buffalo Island Central, Gosnell and Manila high schools. Our graduation edition comes out this weekend honoring all of the seniors. Blytheville High School graduation is Friday night, while Armorel High School ‘s will be next Tuesday...

Another year has passed and Sunday will be Mother’s Day once again. I have celebrated 40+ years of motherhood and I still think it is the best thing that ever happened in my life. I should say the best “two things” in my life. It doesn’t matter how many children we have, one to 20, it is still a full time job. It gives us the opportunity to be coaches, cheerleaders, chauffeurs, peacemakers, tutors, cooks, nurses, teachers, and friends...

I am going to offer a huge thank you for the encouragement, prayers, calls and visits my husband, Dale, and I have received over the last few weeks. Most people who know my husband and me are aware he is having some serious health issues. We both realize we are not the only people in the world going through difficult times. We try our best to think of others needing our prayers and not just focus on ourselves...

We have had our share of rain in April but it could be much worse. We hear almost daily of the damage left behind due to tornadoes in Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama and other places. We recently passed the 21st anniversary of a tornado that left Manila in a mess. It hit in the early hours of the morning of April 16, 1998 (if my memory serves me correctly)...

It is an exciting time for young people who are about to graduate from high school. Most know the days, hours and maybe even minutes they have left receiving their diplomas. It shocks me when I look on the calendar and realize just how few days are left. It seems the 2018-2019 school year just started and now it is about to become a memory...

Sunday will be Easter, a time to reflect on who we put our faith in. We celebrate Easter as the day our Lord came out of the grave. For those who don't believe in the resurrection, Easter Sunday, like any other Sunday, Monday or Tuesday, is just another day...

Tomorrow, April 11, is National Pet Day 2019. Whether your pet has fur, feathers or scales they can be a member of the family. Statistics show two-thirds of Americans have pets with an estimated 70-80 million dogs; 74-96 million cats; and fish, birds, gerbils and turtles not far behind...

It is very near the dreaded April 15 – tax day deadline. As far back as I can remember April 15 has been the deadline to file our Federal Income Taxes. At one time, not so long ago, we had an additional month for our Arkansas Income Taxes to be filed with a May 15 deadline. If we owed extra on both at least we could pay the federal and have a few weeks to gather up our due taxes to the state...

There are dates/events we never forget. Some may be historical dates such as the day John F. Kennedy was assassinated (Nov. 22, 1963); the first walk on the moon (July 20, 1969); the assassination of Martin Luther King (April 4, 1968); or maybe the attack on Pearl Harbor (Dec. 7, 1941)...

The second annual Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans parade is scheduled for today. I am writing this before press time on Friday so I hope we have a good day with pleasant weather to honor the veterans throughout the area. Last year was a great success and I am hoping for the same this year...

Recently I read where the Kirby School District in west Arkansas became the first school in the state to implement a four day school week for the 2019-2020 school year. According to reports I read, several schools across the nation already have the four day school week in place...

Basketball season is over and the spring sports have started. We can hope the game scheduled for the last of the season will have better weather than the first of the season. It seems the weather has not cooperated but teams have managed to get in a few games in spite of cold and rain...

We are nearing spring which is on the good list. I know we have had some pretty wet, cold weather lately which is not so good. We are very fortunate not to have had the inches of snow and tornadoes many other states have experienced. We are nearing the deadline for filing taxes and that is the bad for some but it is good for others...

We will need to "spring forward" one hour for Daylight Saving Time on Saturday night. Don't forget to move your clock forward before you go to bed because Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 10. You do not want to be late all day. I am sure some people like Daylight Savings Time and others will not. I suppose it depends on if you are a morning or a night person...

Does anyone remember the famous line in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar play: “Beware the ides of March. The idea that March 15, the ides of March, is unlucky goes back to ancient traditions and superstitions. I don't believe in superstitions but when March arrived I thought about ides of March. I've been out of school for a long time and I have not read Shakespeare since those days but those words have stayed with me...

Area schools celebrated Career and Technical Education Month during February. I visited in all of the area schools taking pictures and visiting with sponsors and students. For many years I have gathered information and pictures for the special edition featuring Manila, Buffalo Island Central and Riverside in the Town Crier...

We certainly have had our share of rain and high water this month. As we look about and see the ditches filled, yards covered and roads closed we are ready for it to stop. We hear it could be a record rainfall for February. I am not great at history but I do remember reading about the “great” flood of 1927. Many people lost their lives due to the flood...

Most of us have experienced life in the fast lane. Those are the days when we have children/teenagers at home and they are involved in lots of activities. I can remember the days when we had at least one place to be and sometimes two places every night of the week...

I forgot to mention Groundhog Day on Feb. 2. I am not sure just how true all of the predictions have been through the years but it was reported Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow this year. As legend goes, if he does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring. I certainly hope he is correct...

Thursday, Feb. 14, is Valentine's Day. This is just a friendly reminder to not forget your sweetheart on the one day a year set aside to remember. I personally think it would be a better world if we remembered to be nice and thoughtful to each other every day of the year...

Area junior high basketball teams are in the middle of their district tournaments this week. Senior tournaments will start next week. Seems the season just got started and now it is winding down to the finish of another year. I was a basketball player in the old days when girls actually played half court. ...

I heard Gone With the Wind will be returning to the big screen to celebrate the 80th anniversary of one of my very favorite movies. I also love the book which I have read at least four or five times. Last year we went to Memphis to watch Steel Magnolias at a showing at the Orpheum Theater. Four generations (all female) of my family went together and we had a great time...

We are only 50 days away from spring. It is closer than it has been. In today's busy world, 50 days pass fast. I have had enough winter and I am ready for spring to arrive. Spring is my favorite time of year. The official first day of spring 2019 is March 20...

Several things came to mind as I looked at the screen of my computer searching my mind for a topic to fill the blank page. I could write about the recent snow, too much rain, or how I am so ready for spring. I could talk about some of the great local basketball games I attended...

I sometimes Google crazy days on the calendar and I always wonder who thinks up these bizarre days. Some are understandable and others are just out there. Earlier in the month I missed some really interesting days. For instance, Jan. 3 was Fruitcake Toss Day and Humiliation Day. Jan. 5 was National Bird Day and Jan. 6 was Bean Day. Another one that caught my attention was Jan. 16 – National Nothing Day...