Let’s Consider : Visit to area sale barn brings back farm memories

JAN MULLIKIN

A recent spring Thursday took my husband and me out to the Benton County Sale Barn for lunch in their cafe and some entertainment in the sales pavilion. We were each raised on Iowa farms in the 1950s, when family farms were numerous in the Midwest, when a farmer could support his family on a modest number of acres, and his wife could stay at home caring for the children, the yard, the chickens, the big garden. As the children grew, they joined in the farm duties and helped make it a success. My dad’s farm was 360 acres, and included plenty of row crops, pasture for cattle and sheep, and pens for hogs. My husband grew up on a 180-acre farm. My dad attended the livestock sale at the sale barn in our county seat town when he was ready to buy or sell livestock. I remember accompanying him on occasion, just for the fun of it. Since then there have been “sale barn cafes” where my husband and I liked to go for a good, home-cooked meal on occasion. Some were open only on “sale day” while others were open regularly li - Wednesday, May 14, 2008

24-hour Relay For Life raising money for ACS

By Kaylea Hutson Special to the Herald-Leader

People throughout Siloam Springs are lacing up their sneakers, preparing their campsites and finalizing plans for the Western Benton County Relay for Life. Beginning at 7 p.m. Friday, survivors, caregivers, family members and other supporters, will spend 24 hours taking part in the event, held on the John Brown University campus. The relay serves as a public event which raises funds for, and awareness of, the American Cancer Society. “It’s about a community coming together to fight cancer,” explained Lane McLoud, a cancer survivor and member of the local organizing committee. “Relay time is a time to ‘celebrate, remember and fight back.’” Opening ceremonies for the relay will begin at 7 p.m. on the JBU Quad – the grassy area surrounded by sidewalks between the main buildings on the campus. It will include a time of recognition and medals presented to cancer survivors. - Wednesday, May 14, 2008

A LITTLE SPICE FROM GINGER : Parents – the Real Heroes

Ginger Macfarlan

Columnist’s note: The Siloam Springs Writers’ Group has faithfully, through the years, sponsored a writing contest for kids of all ages. The contest includes both poetry and prose and the subjects have varied. I could spend hours smiling as I roam through my Writer’s Notebook, which has chronicled my childish fumbles at poetry or literature. I have participated in the contest every year and, every year, I’ve appreciated the challenge of an assigned topic. This year’s subject was about heroes. I thought that now, in the window between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, I would share my thoughts with you. Hero. The word conjures up countless images and countless definitions. When the word hero is mentioned, some may think of characters like Superman, Batman, or Spiderman. Others think of soldiers, policemen or firefighters. The definition of a hero is harder to pinpoint. What is a hero? Is a hero the comic-book character, virtuous and garbed in bright-colored suit? Is a hero someone who devotes himself or herself t - Wednesday, May 14, 2008

SSMH Auxiliary hosts District meet

From Staff Reports

Pink Ladies puttered around the First Baptist Church fellowship hall April 23, decorating tables with pink candles and place settings with individual goodie bags, and making sure that everything was ready for their guests. The Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital Auxiliary volunteers, wearing their pink jackets, were making ready for an influx of auxiliary members from seven other hospitals in the region, all of whom were converging on Siloam Springs for the Northwest District Meeting of hospital auxiliaries. The Siloam Springs unit played host to the event and made it a memorable affair for the large crowd of visitors. Linda Kimball, pro tem Northwest District chairman, called the meeting to order after registration and refreshments. Sharon Sly, president of the SSMH Auxiliary, welcomed the guests, and local auxilian Betty Lundberg gave the invocation. After introduction of guests, the keynote speaker Penny McClain, CEO of SSMH, addressed the group. McClain spoke about the local hospital’s year of developments t - Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Siloam Springs athletes win medals at Senior Olympics

From Staff Reports

Seniors from the Siloam Springs Senior Activity Center recently participated in various events at the 2008 Senior Games in Harrison. Local participants, their events and winning places follow : Betty Sullins – Bowling Doubles, bronze medal; 8 Ball Pool Tournment, silver medal; Dominoes, 1st place blue ribbon; Daisy Air Gun, 2nd place red ribbon. Patricia Thele – Dominoes, 3rd place ribbon. Kathy Patterson – 8 Ball Pool Tournment, silver medal; Singles Bowling, gold medal; Doubles Bowling, bronze medal; Mixed Doubles, gold medal. - Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Nast’s photo in May/June issue of magazine

From Staff Reports

Grace Nast, 13, of Siloam Springs, received third prize in the February 2008 Cricket League photography competition of Cricket magazine. Each entrant was asked to submit a magazine cover photo. Nast’s photo, “Waiting for Spring,” appears in the May/June 2008 issue. - Wednesday, May 14, 2008