Around Town : Caring for our older Americans should be priority

BLANCHE LINCOLN

Each May, our nation pays tribute to the contributions that older Americans have made to our country, as many communities all across our great nation come together to celebrate Older Americans Month. Having grown up in eastern Arkansas within walking distance of both my grandparents, I learned incredible lessons from them that I still carry with me today. The pride and dedication they had for our country was impressed on me at an early age — whether it was hearing about my grandfather’s service in World War I or about the jar that my grandmother used to store coins during the Great Depression. And even though I didn’t know it, I was a caregiver at an early age by taking nightly meals to their house or years later sharing a room with my grandmother. That time spent with her was priceless for both of us. She was able to share her experiences and values with me, and I was able to learn lessons from her life. Today’s world is much different. Even though we no longer live within walking distance of our parents, my - Wednesday, May 14, 2008

A Mother’s Musing : Oh, the fun of summer camp and outdoor cooking

LYNN ATKINS

It’s actually a little late in the year to start thinking about summer camp, but I’ve never been known to do things on time. Luckily, my children are beyond the age when I arrange for their summer camp. I remember years ago when I wanted my oldest daughter to go to summer camp for the first time, but I knew she needed to go with a friend. I called her friend’s parents and convinced them to sign their daughter up. I really meant to get my daughter signed up for the same session. It was so embarrassing when I had to call them back and admit that I had missed the deadline. Their daughter had to go to summer camp for the first time all alone. This year even our youngest will probably spend the summer working at a “real” job in between practicing with the cross country team and Ballet Westside. No more summer camp for her. But when I talked to director Jenny Harmon about the Ozark Natural Science Center Summer Camp Program, I was sorry that my children aren’t going. The camps at the ONSC seem to be the perfect com - Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Life in the Ozarks : Mother’s Day good time to list our job description

MARIE PUTMAN

Another Mother’s Day has come and gone. I’m a mother to three children, a grandmother to a 16-year-old girl and a 5-year-old boy. I used to dread Mother’s Day. I knew Mom would be sitting on her throne (recliner) waiting for all 12 of her children to call or come by, bring gifts or send cards. Of course, she always had an excuse for the one who failed to contact her. But I never did. It was the same on Christmas. What do you buy someone who has all she needs or wants, and has even begun giving away stuff, preparing for her final days? I guess Mom deserved everything she got from us. After all, she did have 12 kids, so she must have worked hard. It was she who went with us when we picked berries. She often packed a picnic lunch for us to eat down by the spring, and waited for us while we waded the cold, spring-fed creek. In the fall, she’d be waiting for us in the old pickup after school. As we walked up the lane, she’d holler, “Get in back. We are going out into the woods to pick up walnuts.” She milked cows, - Wednesday, May 14, 2008