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March 2014 - Volume 2 - Number 11

Happiest mailman goes on to retire

“Hallelujah” follows almost every sentence spoken by the man who for 17 years has delivered mail and spread joy to the Sunnyside Addition in Jacksonville and to Leader Publishing employees. Ronald (Ron) Snider, 72, retired on February 28 after a 27-year career with the Postal Service. He said the job was a blessing and an opportunity to serve others. Snyder was born in 1941 in Alliance, Ohio, and is an Air Force veteran. [Full Text]

New Ag Hall of Fame picks

The Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame inducted six individuals whose leadership and service have brought distinction to Arkansas agriculture, the state’s largest industry. [Full Text]

Taking a closer look at an oft overlooked need

I’m no preacher. And, Lord knows, I’ve got my faults. But today I’m going to try to address something that I believe is critically important to seniors. So much is written about seniors’ social needs, material needs, medical needs, and so on. But little is written about the spiritual needs of seniors. These are my own observations. [Full Text]

AAASEA gears up for annual tourney

If you’re a fisherman and are looking for some fun, a chance to win some money, and more importantly, the opportunity to aid a good cause, you need to be a part of the 17th Annual Bill Sanders-Bo Piper Benefit Bass Tournament, Saturday, April 5 on the Arkansas River, Pine Bluff Regional Park, safe light until 3:00 PM. Platinum sponsors of this year’s event are BKD and Simmons First National Bank. [Full Text]

Wasted food is a concern

To the editor: Finally, articles about the need to supply good food to the elderly. (“SNAP helps link older people to good nutrition,” CareLink Director Elaine Eubank, Arkansas Aging, February, 2014). I would say, to poor families also. There’s a lot of hunger in this country. There doesn’t have to be. [Full Text]

Driver safety classes make for better drivers

AARP driver safety courses may be best known for the auto insurance discounts that can come after completion of the classes. There’s a reason why insurance companies give these discounts: they know people who take the classes are likely to be better drivers. [Full Text]

A living will can be a valuable instrument

With health-care treatment comes important decisions. Imagine, though, when an unconscious patient is unable to make decisions. When a patient is unable to make his own choices, particularly at the end of life, it’s up to family members to decide. [Full Text]

Alzheimer’s caregiver symposium offered

Alzheimer’s Arkansas, with its community partner CareLink, the Central Arkansas Area Agency on Aging, will present the 12th annual caregiver symposium, “Hope for the Future,” from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Geyer Springs First Baptist Church, 9601 I-30 in Little Rock. Registration for the event, which is free of charge for family caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients, begins at 7:30 a.m. [Full Text]

AETN documentary features champion trees

The beauty of the trees in a new documentary “Champion Trees” speaks for itself. In-depth interviews with artists, historians, and the owners of land that they sit on further capture their splendor. The trees are accompanied by a fitting and beautiful score by Amos Cochran of Van Buren. Cochran’s score along with long, wide aerial shots of Arkansas forest are magnificent. [Full Text]

There’s a little Irish in all of us

Dr. Seuss had to be Irish. Why else would he push Green Eggs and Ham. Plus we celebrate his birthday with green eggs just before celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with green ale. But the best thing about celebrating Irish is getting to wear that button that says “Kiss Me, I’m Irish” even when you’re not. Did you know that the Irish in America outnumber the Irish in Ireland nine-fold? Just something to think about while waiting for the greenery of spring to come through sometime this March. In the meantime with temperatures going up and down and all around, Irish food—potatoes, root vegetables, corned beef and cabbage—all make good comfort dishes. [Full Text]