Noise Pollution; Country vs. City

By Marie Putman

Growing up in the country we shouted and hollered, and no one cared. We didn't talk much inside; now it would be called "using our inside voice." So we spent most of the days outside, wading the creek and playing games, when we weren't working. When we moved to town we were often told, "Keep your voice down. Don't yell. You don't live in the country anymore." Through the years noise bothers me more and more. We've probably all had the experience of a car pulling up beside us with such a loud, jarring vibration that nearly it nearly puts our ears out. I wonder about the person inside the car. Are they deaf? If they aren't, they soon will be. In addition to damaged hearing, loud noises raise blood pressure. It's just not healthy. - Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Susan Says . . .

Susan Holland

Our first few days of 2009 brought some deceptive weather. The sun was shining, seemingly promising some warmth, but step outside in the biting wind and one would find it wasn't so warm after all. Mama and I ate our black-eyed peas on New Year's Day in an attempt to ensure good luck this year. So far it seems to be working and 2009 is off to a good start. Holiday greetings continued as we received a belated Christmas card Monday from a friend in Washington state. She reported snow on the ground, holiday events canceled and school dismissed because of the slippery roads. When I came home from work Tuesday Jim had a pot of beans and ham cooking. It was good to have supper ready early as I dropped by the funeral home that evening for visitation for my aunt and uncle's former neighbor, then came home and watched the basketball Hogs battle Oklahoma. It was an exciting game as Arkansas bested the higherranked Sooners. - Wednesday, January 7, 2009

OPINION? Everybody Has One!!

Bill

One of my close relative's offspring, a male one naturally, is in dire need of help. He is acting like a young mule and braying around about it. He told his close relative he didn't like what she had on, didn't like the shade of her lip coloring, didn't like the musky smell of her new perfume and she didn't answer him orally. A dark cloud formed in her naturally blue, sparkling eyes and a smile sorta twitched around her lips. He, that young man of the house, thinks he made a believer of his mate and that he is the unchallenged master of the kingdom.Wrong!Butletusmove away from the storm before it hits, stand a long way back as we take cover and watch. Yes, we have all seen some silly moves made by our fellow mankind, but some are more stupid than silly, and this one was! That darling little lady will work him over until nothing is left of his macho manhood, nothing left in the joint account and no credit at the local coffee emporium. By the time she is through with him and his attitude he will think she smell - Wednesday, January 7, 2009

County Democrats Plan Inaugural Party

By Gary Lookadoo

Tickets are still available for an event, a party, that she's eagerly anticipating, Benton County Democratic Central Committee member Carole Westby said Friday. The dinner party, at which Democrats will get together and celebrate the upcoming inauguration of Obama as the nation's 44th president, will be held Saturday, Jan. 17, at Prairie Creek Steak and Seafood, on Arkansas in Rogers. "We're selling tickets at $15 per person.... It starts at 5:30 (p.m.), cash bar. At 6:30 (p.m.) the buffet opens.... Everyone's so excited about Obama's election. It's going to be fun," she said. The event is three days before Obama's Jan. 20 inaugural in Washington, D. C. "We'll be warming up for all the (inaugural ) events," Westby joked. The program for the event will include some prizes, county Democratic Party Chairperson Barbara McCoy said.. "We're going to have different things; prices and stuff. . ., " she said. For tickets to the Benton County event or for more information about it call her at (470) 640-8336," Westby sa - Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Letter To The Editor-

Dear Editor, I want to thank the youth of the Gravette Methodist Church who came to my house and sang Christmas carols. It meant a lot to me. Thank you. Virginia Todd - Wednesday, January 7, 2009