May Starts out with a Bang

Hello, everyone. Well May certainly started out with a bang, didn't it? Friday night and Saturday night I guess we all kept our eye on the sky and on the storm watchers. It was a little too noisy to sleep anyway. There were some spectacular light displays. The worst of it missed our little town, thank goodness. My heart goes out to those who weren't so fortunate.

In the "good news" column: the rain held off until after we were home from the Academy Choice Awards banquet Friday evening. I always enjoy watching this group of students take their moment in the spotlight. They work hard and do great work. It is good to honor them.

Two of the seniors in this drama troupe plan to go into law enforcement. Josh White has enlisted in the Marines and plans to come back here to pursue his career. Abie Petty is off to college and then plans to be a forensic psychologist and work for the FBI. Good choices, both of you.

Sunday evening, the First United Methodist Church honored their graduating seniors with a potluck dinner. Susie Pettie, Chelsea Benson and Nick Sain were alternately honored, embarrassed and praised as their lives thus far were paraded before them with the help of the Methodist youth group and an inspiring slide show.

I get so emotional every year at graduation time. This is one of the most significant times of your lives if you are graduating from either high school or college. You are entering a whole new era for yourselves. You are closing forever the door to your youth. You now enter the world of adults. The decisions you have made will be the basis for those you will make. Think hard. Be true to yourself and remember that you are a very, very important part of this world. It is a responsibility and a blessing. You are never alone and it is never too late to change direction.

I want to say congratulations to a special college graduate. Mary (Stone) Small will graduate from ASU on Saturday with a degree in Social Work. She and her sister Hope (Stone) Ermert have gone back to college after many years raising their children. They have both been regulars on the Dean's list and Hope will graduate next year. I know how proud your parents are that you made the decision to further your education. It has not been easy, but then the most worthwhile things seldom are. Congratulations, Mary!

This week begins another part of the 2010 census. Census workers will be making contact with households for which the previously sent forms have not been returned. I know you have all heard about the importance of this count. This is the official process of counting the entire population of this country. It has been done for most of the last 200 plus years. It is the medium on which is based funding for schools, for grants, for aid when necessary and hundreds of other government programs. It is also the most commonly used tool of genealogists in the future.

On this same subject, Virginia Reid recently provided me with a newspaper article regarding a census many years ago. I am not sure of the year, but here are some of the questions you will not be asked on this census: Where were your parents born? What is your occupation? (this applies to persons 10 years or older.) Can you read? Can you write? How many months have you attended school?

This census is not invasive and it is really necessary. The census taker will have identification. You have a right to ask for it if they don't show it. Please give them a break. You are an important part of this community and this country. You deserve to be counted.

Paragould is having an Art and Stroll occasion on Thursday. It sounds like it would be fun. Go on down to Pruett St. between 5:00 and 8:00 pm and stroll around and enjoy the artwork and refreshments and festive environment. Maybe I will see you there.

I guess I had better go. Keep your eyes on the weather. Looks like our spring still has some surprises for us. We want to keep everyone safe. Thank you for your letters, phone calls and emails. I always love to hear from you. And I love to share your stories, so stay in touch. My address is 514 West 3rd St. Phone: (870) 595-3173 and email: porchswing@newwavecomm.net. I really love to hear from you all.

Keep our soldiers in your prayers.