Dear Editor Feb 1

Dear Editor:

To all my friends in the Bay and elsewhere, Thank you for the prayers, cards, flowers and phone calls. A special thank you to the Watts for being with me in Springfield during my surgery and recovery. The concern everyone has shown me is a great comfort.

Love to all, Rose Shurts

 

Dear Editor:

The entire Fairfield Bay Fire Dept. would like to thank John Spies and the Indian Hills Country Club staff for the excellent dinner and service that we received at our annual banquet. We very much appreciate their continued support of our department.

Chief John Evans

 

Dear Editor:

On behalf of the William G. Thon family, we wish to extend our heartfelt thanks for the support, comfort and care we received when he passed away. It lightened our hearts and gave us great peace. Dad loved Fairfield Bay and embraced it as home. We appreciate your cards, donations, thoughts and prayers. Special thanks to IRV for the TLC they provided to Dad and continue to provide to Mom.

Thank you all!
Peggy Thon
Gail Redding and family
Holly Smith and family

Arkansas Humor with Ed Burns

I’ve Never Been Asked

Recently I saw a guy on TV that was all excited about being “The Best Man” at some friend’s wedding. It appears that it is a great honor to be asked to fill that position for a friend or family member. It gave me reason to pause and ruminate. I have never been asked to be “Best Man” at anyones wedding. I have had many friends and several family members tie the knot in my presence but none have seen fit to give me the honor of being their “Best Man.” As I look back, I’m not even sure that I was the “best man” at my own wedding. There were only three guys (including me) at our wedding so my odds were good. Now that I think of it, I have never been asked to be a “God Father” for any ones children. I wonder why? Maybe it’s because I have so many kids and grandkids that friends believe I have enough responsibility, they don’t wish to burden me with more. Surely it’s not a mater of trust. I’ve also never been asked to baptize any one or witness a baptism, not even a baby. If I thought this one through long enough my feelings could be hurt. Were they afraid that I might drown the person being submerged? I could at least be trusted to sprinkle water on a head, but I have never been asked. And another thing, no one has ever asked me to witness their signature. I, on the other hand, have asked several friends to witness my signature on important documents, wills, will changes etc. How hard can that be, you watch someone write their name, then you write your name verifying that you watched them write their name. I believe I could have been trusted to do this minor task by someone. This one hurts; I have never been asked to watch a home while neighbors/friend were away on vacation. You would think I could be trusted to do that, after all, I’m a good house watcher. I watch my house all the time, mostly from the inside but I could do outside watching if asked. I wouldn’t care to actually do anything, like collect mail or cut the grass, but I could watch. I have never been asked to run for office. With my political savvy and ability to communicate, you would think that someone might suggest that I run for some local office like dog catcher. Maybe they just forgot. I’m still a little hurt. No one has ever asked me to sign for a loan. Probably just as well, I wouldn’t do it any way. Sometimes it’s good to be left out, not asked. I was once asked to be a pallbearer at the funeral of a person I hardly knew. I accepted; it’s funny that they would trust me with a deceased body but not a living one. If you are thinking about honoring me by asking me to do any of the above, forget about it, it’s too late. Ask some of your close and more trusted friends. I’m now too old and tired. On second though, maybe it’s best that I was never asked to take on added duties and responsibilities. That would require me to take four or five naps a day, as opposed to the two or three I take now. I might free myself to verify your golf score card if someone wishes to ask me. Maybe not!

Dear Editor Jan 25

Dear Editor:

As your constable, frequently, folks ask what I do, when do I do it and why. Mainly, I divide my time residential/business patrolling and traffic duties at any hour day or night. I love it. If you see me parked, usually, it is at a place discovered needing “attention”. Certainly, many see me on Highway 16 running radar or along Dave Creek and West Cliff/Beaver, watching for the speeder and the stop sign violator. I also inform a lot folks of defective head/tail lights. Particular danger concerns are along HWY 16 from the Main Entrance to Linn’s Ready Mix, Dave Creek in the Village Mall business area plus IRV, the Methodist Church stop sign and the stop signs along Crossover. Most of my contacts do not involve citations. To those leaving their homes for extended periods, call DPS, 884-6005. Homes listed are regularly checked by FFB Police officers and me. For those desiring Concealed Carry training, contact John Teer, (501) 884-3109 or (501) 888-1151. Fairfield Bay has a low service need compared to metropolitan areas. You help keep it so by watching, calling the Dispatch and discussing issues with us. That is “community policing”—cooperation between citizens and law enforcement—at its best.

To protect and serve: Ingram Philips, Township Constable

 

Dear Editor:

Congratulations to FFB’s new EMTs Katie Campbell, Mike Dean and Linda Ritchie. They have successfully completed six months of rigorous training and have passed all national tests to become FFB’s newest EMT’s. Thank you for your hard work and dedication.

Brian Moore

Dear Editor Jan 18

Dear Editor:

St Jude 5k walk/run for March 26 2012 canceled

After months of miscommunication with the special events coordinators offices at St Jude about our event, which we scheduled immediately after the March, 2011 race. We found out that it had been mis- scheduled for December 3 2011 as a walk-a-thon not a 5k race. This in turn threw us out of their computer system, which kept us from getting the corrected information in for our event in the time frame necessary to be successful. So, with heavy hearts we had to cancel our race event scheduled for March 26 2012 here in Fairfield Bay. We would like to thank all of you who gave your time and money to this worthwhile cause (there are many silent heroes among us) we raised $ 5,599.00 last event. All donations have been forwarded and please keep giving, the children of St Jude need you. To my partner Richard thank you for saying yes and for all the work you did, you’re my hero. And to all our family and friends who came from near and far to be a part of the healing that this event gave us, thank you.

Sincerely, Mary Mills

Dear Editor:

As the Project Engineer for the Terrace Condominium roofing project I would like to compliment Dallas Clark, the City Building Official. The information he provided me helped ensure the project bid specifications I wrote for the metal roof alternative met the Arkansas and City building codes . He also met with our preferred Contractor to review the contractors installation practices which raised our confidence in the Contractor before we signed a contract for the project. He further offered to visit the job site and climb onto the roofs as often as we would like him to ensure proper installation of the metal roofs. . Mr. Clark is very knowledgeable and was very professional in all my conversations with him. I would encourage you to consult with him on any of your building improvement projects to protect the investment in your property . NOTE: You are required to obtain a building permit if you replace/repair more than 25% of your total roofing area.

Tom Welch

Arkansas Humor with Ed Burns

Empty Mailbox

In recent weeks I have walked out to my mailbox and found it empty. That always causes me some concern. In the past our mail usually rain around 11.00-am six days a week, you could count on that. Even if it was often ‘junk mail’, it was still mail. Recently we have been hearing about the U.S. postal service having financial problems and they might be cutting back on service. Some post offices may be closing causing no home deliver in some areas. But that’s not what concerns me, I also read/hear about thieves stealing mail from street and roadside mail boxes, putting you/us at great risk of identity theft. If they happen to get their hands on your bank statements, they could drain your account. To lower my risk of that happening I usually take my bills, with checks, to the post office and drop them in the slot. At that point I must trust the local postal service. Recently I found my mailbox empty so I continually checked it until about 7 p.m., no mail. Around 8 a.m. the following morning I went out and bingo, there was mail in my box. I do not know if it (my mail) was delivered very late at night or very early that morning. Either way it makes it hard for me to monitor my mailbox and lessen my chance of mail theft. I saw in a magazine once that you can order an electronic device to install on your mail box that will let you know if/ when your mail box door/lid has been opened. If I ever see them again, and they are not too costly, I may order one. Sometimes while lying on the couch watching TV I can hear the mail truck stop and go at my mailbox. I have considered sitting in my garage, with the door open, and watch for the mail truck. I fear that my neighbors might think I am spying on them. Besides, I might miss something good on TV. When I check my mailbox and find it empty I am stuck with a conundrum, either I did not get any mail or the mail just hasn’t run yet. Must I keep watching? I may talk to my mail person and ask if they could have some pre-printed notes stating “sorry but you have no mail today.” If they would just drop one in my box then I could relax. I actually spoke to a mailman once and expressed my concern. He stated that, If a mail carrier has a route he/she will not stop until all mail is delivered, regardless of the time, but—it is unusual for a courier to be out after dark. I have been told that my best option would be to rent a box at the post office but that would require me to drive to the post office every day. I’m giving that some thought. At this point, do you think I am paranoid or are my concerns ligimate?

Dear Editor Dec 28

Dear Editor:

Our VFW Ladies Auxilirary would like to thank everyone for all your donations this year. Our gift bags and lap robes that we took to Ft. Roots Hospital was greatly appreciated by the veterans. It is hard to express the feeling that you get when you go in and visit with them. On the nursing home floor we saw men with one leg or one arm with feet so bad they could not walk and hands so crippled they could not use them. Whatever their condition they still smiled and talked to us. These veterans need to be remembered. Continue to help us help them.

Thank You Marge Wright

 

Dear Editor:

The Shirley Food Pantry, which is housed on the Shirley High School Campus in the Alternative Learning Center, is a program of Shirley Service Learning. We have been providing food for people in need for at least 10 years. We have probably given away twice as much food this year as we have during any year in the past. During Thanksgiving, we bought enough for 8 dinner boxes which is our average for this project. When we finally got a list of names from the teachers we had 17 on the list. Other organizations picked up some of these, but we went back to the grocery store and bought enough for a total of 12 boxes. For the Christmas Holidays, we have sent home 18 Christmas Dinner boxes and 20 regular food boxes. This is in addition to the boxes that we send out weekly throughout the year and the snacks that we provide to hungry students. We supply our pantry with donations from the Arkansas Rice Depot, and local churches and organizations. St. Frances of Assisi Catholic Church has been a long-time supporter of our food pantry and has an ongoing food drive. Mr. Gene Kortz is instrumental in organizing and delivering for this drive. Shirley Church of Christ has recently started helping by having food drives as well as the local Little Debbie route man has begun making donations. We also receive monetary donations from other churches and individuals from time to time. These donations help fill in where the food drives do not cover, especially on the Thanksgiving and Christmas boxes. This year we were very fortunate to get a donation from the Shirley Music Department, as well as Fairfield Bay News. The Music Department asked for food donations to attend the Elementary Christmas Musical. Fairfield Bay News sponsored a community food drive. Both of these donations came at a time in which we had nearly completely exhausted our food supplies. We will now be able to start the year with a supply (January is usually a month that we have many requests). We would like to thank everyone for their donations over the last year. You made it possible for us to carry out this mission.

Rachelle Stewart /Shirley High School

Dear Editor:

The Van Buren County DHS/Division of Child and Family Services would like to thank those who have donated Christmas gifts to the foster children this year. We would like to thank Polly and Barb for setting up the Angel tree at the FFB Post Office, organizing and collecting the Christmas gifts. We would also like to thank the members of the United Methodist Church in Fairfield Bay for having an Angel Tree, organizing and collecting Christmas gifts for the children that the DHS/DCFS work with and the donation of food baskets for the families. We thank you all for what you have done and do to help families and children in our County. We are so blessed to have such giving and special people in our County. We thank you again and wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.

Cindy Hunt /DCFS Supervisor Van Buren County

Dear Editor: Dec 21

Dear Editor:

Indian Rock Village is facing a new challenge along with thousands of other health care providers across the country. At a time when factories, ice cream plants, stores and restaurants are closing right and left, we do not want to become one of those statistics. Recent cuts in Medicare payments to nursing homes are estimated to cost our facility about $143,000, or 14.3% over the next twelve months. This is at a time when virtually all of our costs are going up. Our food costs are going up at record levels, utility costs, insurance costs, service costs and many other items are going up at double digit rates, yet despite this, our reimbursement is still being cut by drastic levels. Industry wide, it is initially estimated that 40,000 jobs willl be lost across the country. after the last big Medicare rate change in 1997, seven of the ten largest nursing home companies in the country were in bankruptcy within a year of the changes. As a company, we would be foolish and irresponsible to not address this shortfall. For the last few months we have been examining all of our budgets and expenses with a fine-toothed comb. We are looking at our vendor contracts, our purchasing habits and, like most facilities, we are anticipating making staff cuts, wage cuts and even adjusting benefits. This may seem drastic, but when our major payer source is reducing payments, we have no choice but to react accordingly. I want to assure everyone that Indian Rock Village stands committed to Fairfield Bay, our neighbors in the surrounding communities, and the best staff at any retirement facility in Arkansas. We also have the best group of volunteers of any facility in the state. Our support from virtually every group in the area has been outstanding. We are so grateful to the people, the churches, the city, the county, our elected officials, and all the organizations and agencies that make up this community. We are in this for the long haul and really appreciate your support and trust.

Ed Holman President, Indian Rock Village

Dear Editor:

On the morning of Thursday, December 1, 2011 James Garcia passed away at our home in Shirley. We wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to the recipient of our 911 call, several EMS personnel from Fairfield Bay who came to our home, the coroner, deputies and others who came to our assistance on that morning.

Sincerely, The Garcia family

 

Dear Editor:

We, the faculty and staff at Shirley Elementary, would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to every group, church and individual that helped provide Christmas for our students. If it wasn’t for the thoughtfulness and generosity of people like you, a lot of our students would not have a Merry Christmas. The Bible says in Ruth 2:12 “May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.”

Merry Christmas and God Bless Shirley Elementary School

Dear Editor: 12-14

Dear Editor:

For sometime now we had watched my mother try to close her back patio door…Pulling with all her mite to close and open it..She kept saying it’s fine don’t worry about it, but, it killed us to get it closed too so it was time to get it replaced….we did some research as we all do and we decided that the newer Window Depot here on the Bay was the best deal for her….The door was ordered and the man came out and it was installed right after Thanksgiving. When I went over the following day I was so surprised to see how nice this door looked..It was such a fancy nice good solid door and my mother called us the night that they had installed it and said Thank you so much it is so easy to close now…..I called Jim and thanked him so much for the beautiful patio door that he had put in for my mother…..So if you know of anyone looking for a good door or window I would highly recommend you give Jim at Window Depot a call. Great to have them here on the Bay.

Nancy Edwards Fairfield Bay

Dear Editor and Community:

Another wonderful production, Nuncrackers, was enjoyed by 350 people this holiday season. It was fantastic! We want to thank all of those who attended, of course, and we’re glad you took the opportunity to laugh, enjoy, and support your friends, neighbors, live theater in FFB, the Fairfield Bay Library and Fairfield Bay Storyfest. We all know the cast and crew have a great time putting these productions together, yet they also put in a tremendous amount of time and energy to bring it all together and make it shine. Thank you to everyone, adult and youth, backstage and onstage, who worked hard to bring Nuncrackers to our great community. What a gift we are so grateful to have received. Stas’….thanks for Stas’ Productions and all you do. Terry, thanks for the music and for being a part of it all. All of us here at the library want to wish everyone beautiful holidays and we look forward to seeing you in the library often in 2012. If you haven’t been in yet, please drop in and ask to see me. We’ll give you a tour and share it all with you. Books, DVDs, Large Print, Audio CD Books, Internet Access, a great Youth Section, a Reader’s Discussion Group and more. Thank you to the entire community for the support of this great resource. You love your library..and it shows.

Warmest Regards, Sara

Dear Editor:

I hope the Christmas trees and decorations at Indian Hills Country Club bring enjoyment for all of you celebrating the Christmas season at the Club. Even though I took on the Club decorating again this year, I must give a special thanks to Frieda McClellan, David McClellan, and Mike Barra who helped me with this project. A team produces far greater results than a one man show and the Club was truly a team effort.

Merry Christmas to all, Carlene Barra

Dear Editor:

The Spirit of Christmas? If you haven’t seen ” Live Nativity” at the Van Buren County Fairgrounds in Clinton, you have missed a blessing. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Rhoda have made this presentation for fourteen years. The Bethlehem stage is set for volunteers of all ages to perform the story of the birth of our savior Jesus Christ. We took our three-year-old granddaughter to see “Live Nativity” this season. She was so excited about the animals: horses, goats, sheep, cattle, camels, and even “cock-a-doodle-dos”. When she saw baby Jesus, she did not want to leave. This gift has been offered every year starting the last Tuesday in November through the following Saturday. Plan to attend next year. Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Rhoda and all cast members, for such a spiritual reminder of Christmas.

Frieda McClellan, Fairfield Bay

Dear Editor & Community:

The Fairfield Bay Post Office would like to thank each and everyone for helping all of our foster children, it is deeply appreciated.

Merry Christmas & Happy NewYear , FFB Post Office

Dear Editor:

Thank You to everyone who helped to make this years Shirley Community Christmas Party A HUGE success!! Dean Eddings; Floyd Winfield; Carl & Bonnie Trahan-True; Donald Delk; Towery Motors; Miss Jinny, Mr. Robertson, Miss Shannon & Shirley Elementary School; 1st Service Bank; Lynn Hess; Renee & James Vinson; Terry Bradley; Opal Aldridge; Carters Hardware; Mike & Jill Ward; Greg Cullum & Shirley Service Center; Terry McConnville; Wayne & Lisa Hackett; Mike & Missy Worthing; Mayor Johnny & Angie Sowell; Kayla Worthing; Jace Yambert; Nick Napier; Angie Napier; Amber Pulley & Gary Ford; Calla Linn; Debbie Strange; Bonnie Worthing; Keith & Debbie Barnes; Shady Grove Church; Thelma Murray; Ruby Thomas; Bud Massey; Jake Severns; Kelly Bradley; Pam & Mark Anderson; Good As New Variety; Stanley Murray; Ray & Margaret Earnhart

Melissa Worthing Recorder/Treasurer City of Shirley

DISABILITIES By Daniel J. Vance

“Young Nurse Determined to Beat Polio Effects”

A National Institutes of Health website defines post-polio syndrome (PPS) as a condition affecting polio survivors “years after recovery from an initial acute attack of the poliomyelitis virus.” It usually involves fatigue, a gradual weakening of affected and non-affected muscles, and muscle atrophy. Monpreet Sidhu of Santa Monica, California, may be one of the youngest Americans with PPS. In a telephone interview, 34-year-old Sidhu said, “I was born in India and was two months old and too young for the oral vaccination for polio when I contracted it. They didn’t administer the vaccination until three months.” Her parents came to America when she was 13 in 1991. Growing up, she could walk without needing an assistive device, such as a cane. The polio affecting her lower right leg eventually made that leg two inches shorter. On it, she walked on her tiptoes because her heel couldn’t touch ground. She said, “In high school, I played sports and could run. I was one of those people that didn’t want to accept something was wrong with me even though there was. I was never able to extend my right leg from a sitting position and it’s amazing I ever walked and did everything I did.” She followed in her mother’s footsteps as a nurse practitioner. In college, she worked hard in order to prove to everyone she wasn’t just the “poor little girl with polio.” She paid her own way through college and graduate school. She said, “In 2009, after about two years working at (a hospital), I was starting to feel really, really tired during and after work,” she said. “I wasn’t going out on weekends or days off because of the fatigue and it got to the point I’d spend an entire day in bed.” Her good leg and hip started hurting and her polio-affected leg hurt so much she couldn’t sleep. Due to fatigue, she often was unable to cook. The last two years, she has been on family medical leave and now uses a cane and leg brace, and is having hand controls installed in her car. All last year, she said, she fought depression and denied anything was wrong. This year, she has a better therapy regime and is feeling optimistic about possibly working part-time. Above all, she really wants to return to the work she was trained in and loves. Contact danieljvance.com [Blue Valley Sod and Palmer Bus Service make this column possible.]

Dear Editor 12-7

Dear members of the Fairfield Bay Community and others who have attended Stas’ Productions events,

Thanks for the great support for live theater, storytelling, the Story Fest, and the Fairfield Bay Library. It is a great pleasure to entertain you. Also, the 80 plus members of this community who have been a part of at least one of these events deserve a lot of credit for their unselfish gift of time and talents.

Thanks, Stas’

 

Dear Editor,

Your Fairfield Bay V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary 4513 would like to send out a big “Thank You” to all the individuals, Wear and Share, Faith Lutheran Ladies Aid, Mark Davis DDS, FFB Yacht Club and the United Methodist Women for their donations to our “Adopt-A-Soldier” and “Hospitalized Veterans” Programs. Your generous donations enables us to continue to send packages to Soldiers in “Harms Way” and deliver Goodie Bags and Lap Quilts to our hospitalized Veterans. We can not put into words the GRATITUDE we feel towards all of you. You allow us to continue our quest to make the lives of our Veterans a little more comfortable.

God Bless and Merry Christmas,

Fairfield Bay V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary

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