July 2024

So much is in the news these days, so many thoughts in one direction and then as many in another. I have wondered all day what I should write today, so many thoughts. I watch a bit of news, but not so much with the talking heads that seem so opinionated and speak with an agenda, not to deliver pertinent news, but to keep their ratings high. Being in business, I can see this might be necessary, but it also presents a bit of problem of acceptance, as we know not of their final agenda. But I feel it is wise to not listen to the snakes rattle or hiss to tell the level of potency of their venom. I also think that perhaps we should not always look at the colors and shapes of the flowers to try to judge their aroma. I think that a good study of the past actions of communities and individuals and countries will bring greater clarity to what we hear and see. We can always find similarities of the present in the past, with almost every occurrence. Somewhere, at some time, the great Earnest Hemingway wrote his book For Whom The Bell Tolls. I wondered what those words must have meant to him. But one thing for sure is “Life Marches On.” I have been blessed with a good recall of the past, and I, in my 85 years, have never been quite as dismayed as I am at this time by the division in my country. Yes, I am well aware of our first great division, the Civil War; I had ancestors that fought on both sides, more on the south than the north. I studied that history hard. It took place at that time in history when there was a great awakening in people. Yes, and like today, there were people lined up on the opposite sides. But think about it, it is one of the first wars that I have read about, at least on our soil, that was not about conquering for land gain, or to acquire vast amounts of natural resources. It was fought for ideals, namely to bring a race of people out of slavery. Since that time most of our wars have been for defense of our country. The Spanish American War at the tur

The Corning School Board met in a special called meeting on Monday, July 22, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. in the board room. All members were present except Kenny Francis. The board approved the recommendation to hire Donna Simonton as Kindergarten teacher at Park Elementary for the 24-25 school year. There being no further business, President Scobey adjourned the meeting.

The Peach Orchard Volunteer Fire Department attended a Basic Life Support class at the Paragould Fire Department on Wednesday, July 17 at 6 p.m. The class covered adult, child and infant CPR and use of an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). They also learned how to relieve choking. Firefighters attending the class were from left to right: Glenda Curtis, TJ Chavez, Diana Rush, Terra Harmon, Billie Jean Rainwater, John Rainwater, Aaron Kirby.

Four young ladies, Maegan Bliss, Alison Bland, Dalayla Hagy and Chelci Curtis recently earned Babysitting Basics Certification through the Clay County Extension Service. The class covered the skills of working with young children, caregiving routines, safety and emergency preparedness, basic behavior guidance, play and activity ideas, business basics, such as money management, finding a job and the basics of CPR and first aid. The free babysitting class was held on July 9,10 and 11 by Christin Holmes, Clay County Extension agent at the Corning Public Library. The library plans another babysitting course in the near future.