Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Leaving a Trail
I'm Joe Miles, a small town Arkansas 'kid' and a 1970 graduate of Newport High School. My daughters fashioned this blog site as a forum for my scribbled thoughts about Newport and its people, then and now. Newport is located in northeastern Arkansas on the White River. Many of Newport's young folk move to other locales after their high school experience. My writings were initiated in early 2000 in efforts to encourage my classmates to return to Newport for our 30th high school reunion that year with no intention of continuing them after that event. However, others' encouraging me to keep on writing reminiscent stories of youthful experience drives me to spill my thoughts out onto a blank page allowing those thoughts to talk back to me. This exercise is therapeutic for me. One of my former classmates dubbed these stories the Miles' Files. For the past ten years I have been sending the Miles' Files to a growing list of family and friends on an irregular time frame. My daughters have posted my remembrances of Newport and its townspeople along with some writings related to my work in Arkansas banking to this site to create the Miles from Newport blog. I am hopeful all readers will see reflections of their own 'coming of age' stories in my writings. The mascot of Newport High School is the Greyhound. I often refer to my classmates as my 'littermates.' Followers of the Miles from Newport blog are recognized as the 'Pack and Pups.' If you have left paw prints in Newport, Arkansas or if you have befriended a 'stray pup' from Newport on your life's journey, I invite you to join the pack and follow along. If you are a fellow blogger with Newport ties or a blogger who has adopted a Newport 'pup,' please leave your blog address behind so that I may follow your trail as you make your way to and from the kennel. I appreciate the friendship that we share.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Just Us Kids...July 7, 2010
Last evening while sitting on the deck of our unfinished home overlooking the White River near Norfork just as the sun was setting over the Ozarks, my wife Kathryn asked if I ever thought of wanting time to stand still. I paused. In that moment time seemed to stutter a bit. Lightning bugs glittered as darkness approached. A hazy mist rose up from the river below the bluffs. My mind drifted downstream toward Newport.
Forty years ago this past May the Newport High School class of 1970 cleaned out our lockers, bid farewell to the hallowed halls of NHS, and scampered away from Remmel Park. We closed the book on our time together as high school classmates. On graduation day, each of us clutched our diploma in one hand and held tightly to our personal ambitions in the other. The future was sitting in front of us much like a strong drink, a mixture of uncertainty and excitement. I was ready to gulp it down. Just like many kids, I was eager to step away from the limits of a small town.What did I know? I was eighteen. But the thoughts of escaping the small town life had been brewing since junior high as I watched the older 'kids' step out beyond the Newport city limits to pursue life.
James McMurtry penned a song about small town kids yearning to strike out on their own and searching for success entitled "Just Us Kids" released in 2009. McMurtry is the son of novelist Larry McMurtry of "Lonesome Dove" fame. If you aren't familiar with James McMurtry's music, I think you have a hole in your world that needs filling. I will share a few lines from
"Just Us Kids."
Forty years ago this past May the Newport High School class of 1970 cleaned out our lockers, bid farewell to the hallowed halls of NHS, and scampered away from Remmel Park. We closed the book on our time together as high school classmates. On graduation day, each of us clutched our diploma in one hand and held tightly to our personal ambitions in the other. The future was sitting in front of us much like a strong drink, a mixture of uncertainty and excitement. I was ready to gulp it down. Just like many kids, I was eager to step away from the limits of a small town.What did I know? I was eighteen. But the thoughts of escaping the small town life had been brewing since junior high as I watched the older 'kids' step out beyond the Newport city limits to pursue life.
James McMurtry penned a song about small town kids yearning to strike out on their own and searching for success entitled "Just Us Kids" released in 2009. McMurtry is the son of novelist Larry McMurtry of "Lonesome Dove" fame. If you aren't familiar with James McMurtry's music, I think you have a hole in your world that needs filling. I will share a few lines from
"Just Us Kids."
It's just us kids hangin' round the park at night
Hangin' round 'neath the vapor light
We got no drugs and we got no guns
Not even botherin' anyone
Hangin' round 'neath the vapor light
We got no drugs and we got no guns
Not even botherin' anyone
Hanging out in the shadows of the street lights in and around Remmel Park was a favorite pastime of Newport boys in the '60s before we were driving age. Of course, most of us were driving before we were 'driving age,' but that is beside the point. We gathered as kids in the dim light near the Legion Hut to dream and scheme. Typically there would be a little beer or cheap whiskey consumed that 'improved' our knowledge of things. As an early teen the 'drug culture' was something I had only read about going on in the far away sideshows of Haight-Asbury and Greenwich Village. As far as firearms were concerned I was toting my Daisy BB gun round about then. More of James McMurtry's lyrics makes me wonder if he were listening in on some
of those Remmel Park conversations............
of those Remmel Park conversations............
Oh knock it off Johnny
Man, you're livin' in your head
You ain't even got a car
And those chicks don't believe a word ya said
Man, you're livin' in your head
You ain't even got a car
And those chicks don't believe a word ya said
I didn't have a car in high school. My parents were very generous in allowing use of the family car, but more often than not I was a passenger in the Pennington boys' 1957 Chevrolet. Our soundtrack was the night's playlist on WLS, the clear channel AM radio station in Chicago. And we always had Ben E. King's "Stand by Me" playing on the eight track. If not with the Pennington boys I was often hitching a ride with Mike Brand, Jim Reid Holden, Donny Appleton, John Brownd or Mike Fortune. Just us kids cruisin' around town, circlin' our favorite haunts, lookin' for the usual suspects, wantin' to see and be seen. We were pretty good kids, yet we were also pretty good at creating a bit of mischief. It was our own Arkansas brand of "American Graffiti," the 1973 George Lucas 'coming of age' film set in early 1960's California. In my mind it is difficult to grasp that such days are forty plus years removed from today. But then I'm one of those kids who spends a fair amount of time 'livin' in my head.' Songwriters like James McMurtry add color to my visions. Their words bring form to my abstract imagination. Their music brings clarity to my clouded memory. I'm thankful for the talented songwriters and musicians who bring happiness to my heart. I'm thankful for my many friends who took me with them on benign car rides around town as we were 'coming of age.' As for the 'chicks,' they still don't believe much I have to say.
After high school we scattered. Yeah, our paths would crisscross on occasion. But then time and distance extended the separation for many and contacts were few and far between. We developed new relationships, new circles of friends. We settled down in new places, pursued careers. Some married, families unfolded. We were following dreams. Some dreams were realized. Some dreams shattered.
I don't have to wear a necktie
I don't have to punch a clock
I started up a dot com company
And man it rocks
Won't you come with me down to Mexico
In the winter with some friends?
My divorce will be final
Along about then
I don't have to punch a clock
I started up a dot com company
And man it rocks
Won't you come with me down to Mexico
In the winter with some friends?
My divorce will be final
Along about then
We were a little out in front of the 'dot com' era, so I don't know anyone who actually "started up a dot com company." However, I do know several who invested in some 'start ups.' How did that work out for you? But back to us....... McMurtry's lyrics depict a time leading up to a ten year or twenty year high school reunion, bragging a little about being one's own boss, but still needing the support of friends when personal troubles loom. Each of us has encountered the peaks and valleys of life experience. The ride on life's roller coaster is a personal journey. I've been in the banking business for 34 years now working and living in the likes of Little Rock, Newport, Arkadelphia, Russellville, and Mountain Home. I have wonderful and reliable relationships all over Arkansas as a result of this vagabond experience. "I don't have to wear a necktie," although I do much of the time. I find it easier to dress up than it is to dress down. Early in my career I was expected to wear a coat and tie every day to work, but that was then and this is now. Never have had to "punch a clock," but I do like the orderliness of a defined work day and typically observe the 'eight to five' regimen. My dreams did not include banking as a career path, but I needed a job upon finishing college and banking had a 'help wanted' sign hanging on an open door. When I was "hangin' round 'neath the vapor light" in Remmel Park as a youngster, I thought I would be an architect or a professional baseball player. My dreams failed to recognize the talent quotient required for such pursuits. And yes, 'my divorce' that capped my first marriage was final about fifteen years ago. In the midst of rebuilding life after divorce, I discovered that love is friendship caught afire. Kathryn and I recently celebrated our thirteenth wedding anniversary. Her influence in my life inspires me to reach beyond that within my grasp. It is the challenge of living that lights my fire and Kathryn that keeps it burning.
Much like the river we grew up alongside, life is rich in the many tributaries that feed it. Often we find much more pleasure in the tiny streams flowing into the main channel than we do in the mainstream itself. Recognizing that every job, every endeavor, every individual is important to
the well being of all is a key ingredient to being happy with one's self. Picture me happy!
Much like the river we grew up alongside, life is rich in the many tributaries that feed it. Often we find much more pleasure in the tiny streams flowing into the main channel than we do in the mainstream itself. Recognizing that every job, every endeavor, every individual is important to
the well being of all is a key ingredient to being happy with one's self. Picture me happy!
Just us kids in the parking lot
Out here givin' it all we got
We don't want to get old and die
And there ain't nothing we wouldn't try
Out here givin' it all we got
We don't want to get old and die
And there ain't nothing we wouldn't try
When we were teens hangin' out "in the parking lot" of Jack's Dairy Cup, Shelby's, Dog 'N Suds, or in our personal 'parking' lots on the 'other side of the levee' or out near Gamble Lake, I'm confident growing old never entered anyone's mind. Many of us lived on a dare. Testing the limits is in the DNA of a teenager. We were never aware of all the risks in any risk taking venture. Not all of us survived to witness the world forty years after graduation date. I really miss those friends now beyond the reach of a phone call, an email message, or a Facebook posting.
In my last writing about six months ago, I mentioned Edward "Ash" Kinney's passing from this life. A few weeks after that notice of Edward's death, family and friends gathered to remember his life. In addition to his sister, Karen, and brother, Frank, several dear friends stood in the Batesville cemetery near the final resting place of Edward's parents to commemorate his journey. Alannette Hare, Cynthia Keedy, Becky Travis, Beverly Brownd, Carolyn Wright, Betty Umsted, Beverly Washam, David McIntosh, Mick Umsted, Gay Lacy, Junior Baker, Justin Rutledge, John Brownd, and I jumped into our time machine and landed somewhere between 1961 and 1967. What a trip! From the cemetery we wandered over to Josie's Steakhouse on the banks of the White River where Karen shared photo albums and a slide presentation of pictures from the past. Edward was there with us in our hearts. Several recounted stories of precious days long gone. My earliest encounter with Edward was when I moved to South Main Street in 1959, just a block from the levee on the south side of town. The Kinney family lived on Park Place just a short distance from where the levee turned back east to run alongside Highway 14. The 'other side of the levee' was the personal playground for all the kids on that side of town, but the older boys ruled the domain. At times when the pace got a little fast for me as one of the younger pups, I remember Edward always being there to make sure I didn't fall behind. We had a favored hollowed out tree that was our resting place in that enchanted forest. Not long before his death, I received an email message from Edward recalling that favorite spot on the 'other side of the levee' and the adventurous times we shared in that place as young boys. Underneath his cool image and behind the dark glasses was a compassionate heart and perceptive eyes. The last message I received from Edward in Facebookland remains in my inbox. It arrived the day before I learned of his death. I miss those reminiscent 'conversations' with a caring friend.
Edward did not "get old and die," he remains 'forever young' in my heart and mind.
Another who did not "get old and die" is my dear friend Margaret Van Dyke. She departed this life in February at 104 years of age, but she never did "get old." Margaret knew nothing of a 'generation gap.' Her jovial attitude was contagious and she infected each and every soul fortunate enough to visit her world. Love and laughter burst forth in her presence. Our trips to St. Louis to watch the Cardinals play baseball are now cherished memories. She will be remembered as one of Newport's genuine treasures. Her passion for life and her unique style can't be copied, they can only be admired. Margaret carved her initials into my heart long ago. My memories of times with Margaret are mine and they are everlasting.
In remembering those who influenced the direction of my life's pathway, the name of Ima Jean Paige rings loud and clear. Mrs. Paige was my typing teacher and my bookkeeping teacher. These are skills polished under her watchful eye that I use repeatedly in the work a day world forty plus years after she first insisted that I type the phrase, "the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" over and over again. Mrs. Paige set high standards for her students and expected them to surpass those standards. Her 'firm but fair' approach to managing the classroom can be recognized in my management style. While demanding discipline, Mrs. Paige maintained an engaging wit. She cared about her students and her caring was very evident. I remind you that she and her husband owned and operated Jack's Dairy Cup, one of the favored after school 'hang-outs' for 'us kids.' She was always watching our every move both in and out of school. She left NHS following my senior year. She left this life just weeks ago. Thank you Mrs. Paige for watching over me and pointing me in the right direction.
I also note the passing from this life of Mary Lynn Pinkett (NHS '71) and Dena Nicholson (NHS '68). Their lives have been extinguished, but their smiles burn brightly in our hearts. And I reflect on the life of Sina Robinson, the mother of Bob (NHS '60) and Bee (NHS '64), who was my mother's dear friend and co-worker as well as a genuine sweetheart. I express sincere appreciation to Suellen Hare (NHS '71), Joe Peters (NHS '68), and Jane Roberts (NHS '64) for making me aware of these Newport souls who have taken the step into the realm of life everlasting.
We are growing older, but in my youthful mind we will always be just kids. This world in which we live is fraught with peril on many fronts......physical, environmental, financial. As kids we lived in the era of the Cold War and its threat of atomic bombings and nuclear fallout, we experienced the unrest of the Civil Rights movement, we were exposed to the debates about air and water pollution. Our country was being financially challenged with costs associated with an expanding space program, the advent of social programs like Medicare and food stamps, and an escalating war effort in Vietnam. Similar issues remain in the headlines of today's news sites. The looming risks to our well being are persistent.
Some dear to us face personal battles with illness, job loss, marital strife, and other life issues. At this moment two of our littermates from the NHS Class of 1970 can use the power of collective prayer. Just today I learned that childhood friend and playmate Mary Wynne Parker had an unexpected surgery Sunday to address abdominal blockage caused by recurrence of cancer. Her husband, Grady, reports that her surgery went well and following recovery they will readdress chemo treatments to continue the fight against the cancer. Sweet and gentle friend Betsy McCall is struggling with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and dementia. Betsy's sister Bridget (NHS '69) has created a blog at http://www.betsyblog57.blogspot.com/ to heighten awareness to Betsy's progress. Mary Wynne and Betsy were two of the kids in my first grade class at Walnut Street School under the tutelage of Mrs. Helen Shoffner. I'm also aware that Mike Payne (NHS '67) is valiantly fighting cancer in the same determined fashion as he battled opponents on the football field or baseball diamond. I know there are others boldly facing health challenges, so I ask that we lift up in prayer those known and unknown enduring the hardships of living.
One other person in need of prayer is my former junior high principal and scoutmaster, Bob Guthrie. Mr. Guthrie recently entered Pioneer Nursing and Rehab Center in Melbourne. He has vigorously fought Parkinson's disease for many years. I visited him last weekend and reminisced about camping trips of days gone by. He introduced me to fly fishing on Sylamore Creek. I recalled us watching a deer swim the White River near Guion. He used to entertain us on campouts with his fiddle and harmonica. Remembering those times together, Mr. Guthrie asked if I would hand him the harmonica lying on his bedside table. He played a few bars and tears welled up in the corners of my eyes. We talked a bit about fellow scouts and the other troop leaders, Van Manning and Bill Hobbs. Not only was Mr. Guthrie my school principal and scoutmaster, he was my neighbor on South Main Street. He and his family moved from Newport in 1967 and eventually settled in Melbourne. I know he would appreciate a card or letter from former students and scouts. You can reach him at Pioneer Nursing and Rehab Center, 1114 East Main St., Melbourne, AR 72556.
Growing older has its challenges, but it also has its rewards. Children and grandchildren embody both the challenges and the rewards of aging gracefully.
In my last writing about six months ago, I mentioned Edward "Ash" Kinney's passing from this life. A few weeks after that notice of Edward's death, family and friends gathered to remember his life. In addition to his sister, Karen, and brother, Frank, several dear friends stood in the Batesville cemetery near the final resting place of Edward's parents to commemorate his journey. Alannette Hare, Cynthia Keedy, Becky Travis, Beverly Brownd, Carolyn Wright, Betty Umsted, Beverly Washam, David McIntosh, Mick Umsted, Gay Lacy, Junior Baker, Justin Rutledge, John Brownd, and I jumped into our time machine and landed somewhere between 1961 and 1967. What a trip! From the cemetery we wandered over to Josie's Steakhouse on the banks of the White River where Karen shared photo albums and a slide presentation of pictures from the past. Edward was there with us in our hearts. Several recounted stories of precious days long gone. My earliest encounter with Edward was when I moved to South Main Street in 1959, just a block from the levee on the south side of town. The Kinney family lived on Park Place just a short distance from where the levee turned back east to run alongside Highway 14. The 'other side of the levee' was the personal playground for all the kids on that side of town, but the older boys ruled the domain. At times when the pace got a little fast for me as one of the younger pups, I remember Edward always being there to make sure I didn't fall behind. We had a favored hollowed out tree that was our resting place in that enchanted forest. Not long before his death, I received an email message from Edward recalling that favorite spot on the 'other side of the levee' and the adventurous times we shared in that place as young boys. Underneath his cool image and behind the dark glasses was a compassionate heart and perceptive eyes. The last message I received from Edward in Facebookland remains in my inbox. It arrived the day before I learned of his death. I miss those reminiscent 'conversations' with a caring friend.
Edward did not "get old and die," he remains 'forever young' in my heart and mind.
Another who did not "get old and die" is my dear friend Margaret Van Dyke. She departed this life in February at 104 years of age, but she never did "get old." Margaret knew nothing of a 'generation gap.' Her jovial attitude was contagious and she infected each and every soul fortunate enough to visit her world. Love and laughter burst forth in her presence. Our trips to St. Louis to watch the Cardinals play baseball are now cherished memories. She will be remembered as one of Newport's genuine treasures. Her passion for life and her unique style can't be copied, they can only be admired. Margaret carved her initials into my heart long ago. My memories of times with Margaret are mine and they are everlasting.
In remembering those who influenced the direction of my life's pathway, the name of Ima Jean Paige rings loud and clear. Mrs. Paige was my typing teacher and my bookkeeping teacher. These are skills polished under her watchful eye that I use repeatedly in the work a day world forty plus years after she first insisted that I type the phrase, "the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" over and over again. Mrs. Paige set high standards for her students and expected them to surpass those standards. Her 'firm but fair' approach to managing the classroom can be recognized in my management style. While demanding discipline, Mrs. Paige maintained an engaging wit. She cared about her students and her caring was very evident. I remind you that she and her husband owned and operated Jack's Dairy Cup, one of the favored after school 'hang-outs' for 'us kids.' She was always watching our every move both in and out of school. She left NHS following my senior year. She left this life just weeks ago. Thank you Mrs. Paige for watching over me and pointing me in the right direction.
I also note the passing from this life of Mary Lynn Pinkett (NHS '71) and Dena Nicholson (NHS '68). Their lives have been extinguished, but their smiles burn brightly in our hearts. And I reflect on the life of Sina Robinson, the mother of Bob (NHS '60) and Bee (NHS '64), who was my mother's dear friend and co-worker as well as a genuine sweetheart. I express sincere appreciation to Suellen Hare (NHS '71), Joe Peters (NHS '68), and Jane Roberts (NHS '64) for making me aware of these Newport souls who have taken the step into the realm of life everlasting.
We are growing older, but in my youthful mind we will always be just kids. This world in which we live is fraught with peril on many fronts......physical, environmental, financial. As kids we lived in the era of the Cold War and its threat of atomic bombings and nuclear fallout, we experienced the unrest of the Civil Rights movement, we were exposed to the debates about air and water pollution. Our country was being financially challenged with costs associated with an expanding space program, the advent of social programs like Medicare and food stamps, and an escalating war effort in Vietnam. Similar issues remain in the headlines of today's news sites. The looming risks to our well being are persistent.
Some dear to us face personal battles with illness, job loss, marital strife, and other life issues. At this moment two of our littermates from the NHS Class of 1970 can use the power of collective prayer. Just today I learned that childhood friend and playmate Mary Wynne Parker had an unexpected surgery Sunday to address abdominal blockage caused by recurrence of cancer. Her husband, Grady, reports that her surgery went well and following recovery they will readdress chemo treatments to continue the fight against the cancer. Sweet and gentle friend Betsy McCall is struggling with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and dementia. Betsy's sister Bridget (NHS '69) has created a blog at http://www.betsyblog57.blogspot.com/ to heighten awareness to Betsy's progress. Mary Wynne and Betsy were two of the kids in my first grade class at Walnut Street School under the tutelage of Mrs. Helen Shoffner. I'm also aware that Mike Payne (NHS '67) is valiantly fighting cancer in the same determined fashion as he battled opponents on the football field or baseball diamond. I know there are others boldly facing health challenges, so I ask that we lift up in prayer those known and unknown enduring the hardships of living.
One other person in need of prayer is my former junior high principal and scoutmaster, Bob Guthrie. Mr. Guthrie recently entered Pioneer Nursing and Rehab Center in Melbourne. He has vigorously fought Parkinson's disease for many years. I visited him last weekend and reminisced about camping trips of days gone by. He introduced me to fly fishing on Sylamore Creek. I recalled us watching a deer swim the White River near Guion. He used to entertain us on campouts with his fiddle and harmonica. Remembering those times together, Mr. Guthrie asked if I would hand him the harmonica lying on his bedside table. He played a few bars and tears welled up in the corners of my eyes. We talked a bit about fellow scouts and the other troop leaders, Van Manning and Bill Hobbs. Not only was Mr. Guthrie my school principal and scoutmaster, he was my neighbor on South Main Street. He and his family moved from Newport in 1967 and eventually settled in Melbourne. I know he would appreciate a card or letter from former students and scouts. You can reach him at Pioneer Nursing and Rehab Center, 1114 East Main St., Melbourne, AR 72556.
Growing older has its challenges, but it also has its rewards. Children and grandchildren embody both the challenges and the rewards of aging gracefully.
Ya know we could really have it all
Our kid's gonna graduate next fall
I could take retirement in ten years
It's a damn short movie
How'd we ever get here?
Our kid's gonna graduate next fall
I could take retirement in ten years
It's a damn short movie
How'd we ever get here?
Life is indeed a "short movie." It's drama, comedy, fantasy, action packed. We mark our time in significant life events......graduation (our own and that of our children and grandchildren), employment, marriage, childbirth, retirement. Getting from point A on life's timeline to point B is somewhat of a mystery, even to the time traveler himself. That question, "How'd we ever get here?" is a great question with a myriad of answers. I would enjoy pondering over your answers to that question.
The opening credits of our life's movie began to roll forty years ago upon our graduation from Newport High School. I feel as if I got up to go to the concession stand and just returned to my seat in the theatre today wondering what I missed in such a short period of time. Can retirement actually be on the horizon? With the kids out of school and married, how many grandchildren will be introduced to the world's magic as well as to its perils?
I now have two grandchildren....one year old Claire and four year old Oliver. And Oliver is expecting a baby brother later this month bringing the grandchild count to three. How did I ever get here? Not totally sure, but I do know that each of you accompanied me on part of my trip to this point. I began scribbling these reminiscent messages, dubbed the Miles' Files by Mama Hound Cherry Lou Smith, ten years ago as a means to encourage you, my littermates, to attend our thirtieth class reunion. It was not my intention to continue the writings following that reunion. But many of you encouraged me to keep on keeping on and ten years after (Ten Years After, now there is a great English rock band of our time) here we are. These 'short stories made long' about my hometown of Newport and its people have proven good therapy for me. I appreciate you tagging along with me whenever you can.
If ten years have passed since I first jotted down some memories of times past in Newport, then another grand get together must be upon us. It is wonderful to know that we have leaders on the ground back home setting the stage for our fortieth Greyhound reunion. Littermates Billie Jean Nelson, Jamie Hopkins, and Buddy Rutledge are the master planners for the main event scheduled for September 25, 2010 at the Newport Country Club. The kennel gates will swing open at 6:00pm. The price to participate in the fun and games is $25.00 solo or $40.00 to bring a mate. Please send your entry fee to Buddy Rutledge, c/o Rutledge Electric, P. O. Box 36, Newport, AR 72112. RSVP by August 20, 2010. For those of you who did not take Mrs. Artymowski's French class, RSVP is an acronym for a fancy French phrase meaning "please reply." In other words, let Buddy know if you will be or won't be in Newport attending the reunion on September 25. Come as you are. After all, it will be 'just us kids' and a pack of old Hound dogs hangin' out.
I have some news................
My daughters have collaborated to establish a blog site for me as a platform to continue my remembrances and to offer my perspective on life then and now. The site is still under construction, but you can now access it at http://www.miles-from-newport.blogspot.com/.
Keeping up with changing email addresses for the many recipients of the Miles' Files has become a big challenge for me. The blog site will ease the delivery of my scribbled thoughts. All of the 'stories' from the past ten years will be available on the blog as well as some additional writings.
The Miles' Files will also continue to be posted on the NHS alumni site at http://www.nhsalumni.net/.
Following the distribution of this missive I will not be mass emailing future 'stories.' I am indebted to my daughters for the time they have devoted to putting the Miles from Newport site together. Thanks to them for facilitating this next chapter in the annals of the Miles' Files. Also I appreciate friends Janie Blagg (NHS '69) and Pat Dallas (NHS '73) for their encouragement in adopting the blog concept. I invite you to drop in for 'conversation' in the Miles from Newport forum at any time you so desire. I truly depend on you to keep me informed of happenings in our collective lives that we all hold dear, so I'm hopeful that all of you will choose to follow my blog and leave comments and personal news on my door step. The door to my blog will always be unlocked. Come on in. Stay a while. In the event you don't find me at home when you come callin', you may find me wandering the streets of Facebookland.
The opening credits of our life's movie began to roll forty years ago upon our graduation from Newport High School. I feel as if I got up to go to the concession stand and just returned to my seat in the theatre today wondering what I missed in such a short period of time. Can retirement actually be on the horizon? With the kids out of school and married, how many grandchildren will be introduced to the world's magic as well as to its perils?
I now have two grandchildren....one year old Claire and four year old Oliver. And Oliver is expecting a baby brother later this month bringing the grandchild count to three. How did I ever get here? Not totally sure, but I do know that each of you accompanied me on part of my trip to this point. I began scribbling these reminiscent messages, dubbed the Miles' Files by Mama Hound Cherry Lou Smith, ten years ago as a means to encourage you, my littermates, to attend our thirtieth class reunion. It was not my intention to continue the writings following that reunion. But many of you encouraged me to keep on keeping on and ten years after (Ten Years After, now there is a great English rock band of our time) here we are. These 'short stories made long' about my hometown of Newport and its people have proven good therapy for me. I appreciate you tagging along with me whenever you can.
If ten years have passed since I first jotted down some memories of times past in Newport, then another grand get together must be upon us. It is wonderful to know that we have leaders on the ground back home setting the stage for our fortieth Greyhound reunion. Littermates Billie Jean Nelson, Jamie Hopkins, and Buddy Rutledge are the master planners for the main event scheduled for September 25, 2010 at the Newport Country Club. The kennel gates will swing open at 6:00pm. The price to participate in the fun and games is $25.00 solo or $40.00 to bring a mate. Please send your entry fee to Buddy Rutledge, c/o Rutledge Electric, P. O. Box 36, Newport, AR 72112. RSVP by August 20, 2010. For those of you who did not take Mrs. Artymowski's French class, RSVP is an acronym for a fancy French phrase meaning "please reply." In other words, let Buddy know if you will be or won't be in Newport attending the reunion on September 25. Come as you are. After all, it will be 'just us kids' and a pack of old Hound dogs hangin' out.
I have some news................
My daughters have collaborated to establish a blog site for me as a platform to continue my remembrances and to offer my perspective on life then and now. The site is still under construction, but you can now access it at http://www.miles-from-newport.blogspot.com/.
Keeping up with changing email addresses for the many recipients of the Miles' Files has become a big challenge for me. The blog site will ease the delivery of my scribbled thoughts. All of the 'stories' from the past ten years will be available on the blog as well as some additional writings.
The Miles' Files will also continue to be posted on the NHS alumni site at http://www.nhsalumni.net/.
Following the distribution of this missive I will not be mass emailing future 'stories.' I am indebted to my daughters for the time they have devoted to putting the Miles from Newport site together. Thanks to them for facilitating this next chapter in the annals of the Miles' Files. Also I appreciate friends Janie Blagg (NHS '69) and Pat Dallas (NHS '73) for their encouragement in adopting the blog concept. I invite you to drop in for 'conversation' in the Miles from Newport forum at any time you so desire. I truly depend on you to keep me informed of happenings in our collective lives that we all hold dear, so I'm hopeful that all of you will choose to follow my blog and leave comments and personal news on my door step. The door to my blog will always be unlocked. Come on in. Stay a while. In the event you don't find me at home when you come callin', you may find me wandering the streets of Facebookland.
Just us kids hangin' out today
Watchin' our long hair turnin' gray
Not so skinny maybe not so free
Not so many as we used to be
Watchin' our long hair turnin' gray
Not so skinny maybe not so free
Not so many as we used to be
Yeah, it is very apparent that "our long hair" from the early '70s is a bit shorter and is indeed "turnin' gray." Likewise, most of us aren't as skinny as we used to be. And it is true that our freedom has been challenged from that time forty years ago when dogs ran free in Remmel Park.
Individually, the responsibilities of family and work captures a lot of the 'free time' we took for granted when we were high school students. As a nation, the repercussions of September 11, 2001 have infringed upon certain freedoms we once enjoyed without much thought. This past Sunday was the Fourth of July, Independence Day, a day when we celebrate the freedoms our forefathers fought to achieve. Today there are young soldiers continuing the fight for freedom on battlegrounds in Iraq and Afghanistan. I thank them for their service and their sacrifices and I share concern for their safety alongside their parents, grandparents, and other loved ones.
So here we are. "Not so many as we used to be."
In contemplating a response to Kathryn's question posed last night about my ever wanting time to stand still, I answered with silence. In certain instances I'm tempted to say "yes." But if time were to stand still at some definite point, I might not be where I am today. And I like where I am.
I'm Miles from Nowhere, and just about 100 Miles from Newport....................guess I'll take my time.
joe
Individually, the responsibilities of family and work captures a lot of the 'free time' we took for granted when we were high school students. As a nation, the repercussions of September 11, 2001 have infringed upon certain freedoms we once enjoyed without much thought. This past Sunday was the Fourth of July, Independence Day, a day when we celebrate the freedoms our forefathers fought to achieve. Today there are young soldiers continuing the fight for freedom on battlegrounds in Iraq and Afghanistan. I thank them for their service and their sacrifices and I share concern for their safety alongside their parents, grandparents, and other loved ones.
So here we are. "Not so many as we used to be."
In contemplating a response to Kathryn's question posed last night about my ever wanting time to stand still, I answered with silence. In certain instances I'm tempted to say "yes." But if time were to stand still at some definite point, I might not be where I am today. And I like where I am.
I'm Miles from Nowhere, and just about 100 Miles from Newport....................guess I'll take my time.
joe
As Tears Go By...January 16, 2010
Hound Dogs everywhere . . . and those unaware,
I have been made aware that long time friend Edward “Ash” Kinney (NHS ’67) passed from this life in the first week of this new year 2010. Just days before receiving this news I had received correspondence from Edward through Facebook. He was reminiscing about days gone by in Newport and reflecting on shared memories of friends and family members. What a treat that ‘conversation’ was for me.
Being a freshman in high school at Newport in the ’66-’67 school year brought me into daily contact with the upper classmen that I emulated. And the fact that several seniors from that year ‘took me under wing’ was reassuring to a young pup trying to find his way. Don Kersey, Buddy Summers, Bobby Fife and Edward Kinney quickly come to mind when thinking about that year and the ‘crazy characters’ I had the good fortune to know. It was a time of ‘coming of age’ for me and these ‘older kids’ played an important role in that sense. I had played baseball with many of these older boys in Little League days….boys like Billy Goss, Anson Clark, Donny Combs, and Paul McGinnis appear in the shadows of my mind. Then there are the ‘leaders’ of my Boy Scout troop….names like Larry McAllister, Andy Gray, George Rogers, and Johnny Heard ‘pop up.’ Fun loving guys like Doug Adams, Junior Cathey, Larry Doyle, Terry Wooldridge, and Mick Umsted can’t be forgotten. Greyhound football ‘heroes’ like Bill Hubbard, Jimmy Don Nicholson, Michael Payne and Robert Runyan are remembered with adoration. All of these guys were ‘cool.’ And then there are the girls from that NHS class that still occupy my dreams…..Connie Cross, Alannette Hare, Linda McGee, Shari Stuart. Smiles I can’t forget belonging to Kaki Parker, Becky Travis, Pam Dean, Kaye Duncan, Cynthia Keedy, Carolyn Walker, Maurine Heard and Martha Hipp light up the memories of those days. What a class! What class they possessed!
I remember . . .
Edward Kinney was the ‘coolest of the cool.’ I’m confident that he didn’t think that, but I did. In recent years Edward had been living in Ft. Worth, TX. It is my understanding that the remains of his earthly existence have been laid to rest near his those of his parents in Batesville. I will miss receiving the occasional message from Edward that would so often take me back to a carefree time. I know you all will join me in bidding farewell to a good and caring friend. Memories of Edward have been carved into my heart. I ask that you keep his siblings, Karen (NHS ’61) and Franky (NHS ’64), and all other family members close in thought and prayer.
Edward is not the only one of those just remembered that has stepped away from life’s path. Billy Goss, Larry McAllister, Andy Gray and Johnny Heard wandered from the path some time ago. Faith assures me that all of our paths will cross again . . .
It is the evening of the day
joe
I have been made aware that long time friend Edward “Ash” Kinney (NHS ’67) passed from this life in the first week of this new year 2010. Just days before receiving this news I had received correspondence from Edward through Facebook. He was reminiscing about days gone by in Newport and reflecting on shared memories of friends and family members. What a treat that ‘conversation’ was for me.
Being a freshman in high school at Newport in the ’66-’67 school year brought me into daily contact with the upper classmen that I emulated. And the fact that several seniors from that year ‘took me under wing’ was reassuring to a young pup trying to find his way. Don Kersey, Buddy Summers, Bobby Fife and Edward Kinney quickly come to mind when thinking about that year and the ‘crazy characters’ I had the good fortune to know. It was a time of ‘coming of age’ for me and these ‘older kids’ played an important role in that sense. I had played baseball with many of these older boys in Little League days….boys like Billy Goss, Anson Clark, Donny Combs, and Paul McGinnis appear in the shadows of my mind. Then there are the ‘leaders’ of my Boy Scout troop….names like Larry McAllister, Andy Gray, George Rogers, and Johnny Heard ‘pop up.’ Fun loving guys like Doug Adams, Junior Cathey, Larry Doyle, Terry Wooldridge, and Mick Umsted can’t be forgotten. Greyhound football ‘heroes’ like Bill Hubbard, Jimmy Don Nicholson, Michael Payne and Robert Runyan are remembered with adoration. All of these guys were ‘cool.’ And then there are the girls from that NHS class that still occupy my dreams…..Connie Cross, Alannette Hare, Linda McGee, Shari Stuart. Smiles I can’t forget belonging to Kaki Parker, Becky Travis, Pam Dean, Kaye Duncan, Cynthia Keedy, Carolyn Walker, Maurine Heard and Martha Hipp light up the memories of those days. What a class! What class they possessed!
I remember . . .
Edward Kinney was the ‘coolest of the cool.’ I’m confident that he didn’t think that, but I did. In recent years Edward had been living in Ft. Worth, TX. It is my understanding that the remains of his earthly existence have been laid to rest near his those of his parents in Batesville. I will miss receiving the occasional message from Edward that would so often take me back to a carefree time. I know you all will join me in bidding farewell to a good and caring friend. Memories of Edward have been carved into my heart. I ask that you keep his siblings, Karen (NHS ’61) and Franky (NHS ’64), and all other family members close in thought and prayer.
Edward is not the only one of those just remembered that has stepped away from life’s path. Billy Goss, Larry McAllister, Andy Gray and Johnny Heard wandered from the path some time ago. Faith assures me that all of our paths will cross again . . .
It is the evening of the day
I sit and watch the children play
Doin’ things I used to do
They think are new
I sit and watch
As tears go by
I’m Miles from Nowhere . . .joe
May You Always...December 27, 2009
Just how fast can Life’s wristwatch run? When last I sat down to visit with you in these pages it was early July, hot and humid as the days of summer in Arkansas are. It seems a short moment ago. As I gather my thoughts today it is Christmas, a dusting of snow on the ground here in the Ozarks. I ponder events of days passed and days to come.
We are in the last week of 2009 in quick step to the last year of the first decade of the 21st century, a time that was the setting for many science fiction stories we read as youngsters. Funny to me that we are now characters in that “fictional” setting about which we read all those years ago. The implausible hand held communication and tracking devices we saw in the “Star Trek” television shows of the ‘60s are in wide use by the masses in present day. Gosh, we can even watch television in the palm of our hands now.
Fifty years ago I often found myself sitting cross legged in the floor in front of a sturdy piece of cherry wood furniture that was nothing more than a Zenith radio and record player. A matching cabinet housed the television set. In those “growing up” years I was more inclined to listen to music on the record player than to tune in the radio or watch the television. Programming was limited and watching television was not much fun for a kid. First there was no remote control, but then there were only three television channels. And those three channels didn’t provide much of interest to children, plus getting the rooftop antenna perfectly situated for the best picture was work requiring an abundance of patience of which I had little. My mother was the greatest influence over the records purchased for our listening pleasure. Her taste in music was a bit eclectic for which I am most grateful since it exposed me to a wide variety of musical genre including show tunes, pop, and early rock ‘n roll.
Given that 2009 is in its final days ... I reflect. I have heard many lament this past year and express relief that 2009 is almost over. I must admit that 2009 has been a time of discontent on many fronts. Now I have been warned that wishing time away to get to an uncertain future is of no value, but recalling past times to better appreciate the present and to assist in setting course for the future is enlightening. I return to my place on the floor in front of that old Zenith radio/record player. My mother is taking down the Christmas tree and its trimmings, my sister is playing with her brand new Barbie doll that was all the rage in 1959, and I’m engaged in a recreation of a Civil War battle with toy soldiers from that era that I received from Santa. For those of you wondering about my father, I can imagine that he is sitting at a poker table at the Silver Moon playing his own game of skill and luck in effort to pay off Christmas. Anyway, back at home a record by the McGuire Sisters was on the turntable . . .
May you always walk in sunshine
“May You Always” climbed the charts in 1959 alongside songs by rockers Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Little Richard and pop stars Bobby Darin, Johnny Mathis, and the Platters. More important than its place on the charts fifty years ago is its uplifting lyrics and the message it delivers today. These last ten years from 2000 through 2009 have been trying times for many people; maybe not as socially turbulent as the ‘60s, but events of this decade have tested our emotional stability making a smile tough to come by. The song itself ‘smiles,’ and I can still ‘see’ the young and beautiful McGuire Sisters smiling as they sing it.
In the midst of the tumultuous 1960’s a New York DJ, Harry Harrison, redrafted “May You Always” with his own words and narrated this version as a holiday greeting to his listeners. I’m sure you advancing “baby boomers” heard this version, which made the Billboard charts in 1965, on the radio during Christmas seasons long ago.
May good fortune find your doorway
The ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan sandwiched between the terrorist attacks on U. S. soil on September 11, 2001 and the lingering “Great Recession” of the past two years have rendered this decade heartbreaking and gut wrenching. Fortunes have been lost, the bluebird’s song is often silent, and ‘Worry’ is the constant companion of many with family members away from home at war defending our freedoms. Such things have altered our way of life in some respect, but faith, hope and love still abide in the hearts and souls of the American people I know.
We regularly turn to entertainment in coping with tough times. Music, theatre, movies, television, sports events . . . all good diversions. The AM radio, record player and television limitations of our youth have seen their boundaries expanded beyond measure. Satellite radio and television options seem limitless with the number of channels available. And now we have things like Pandora, a personalized internet radio medium, and YouTube, a video sharing website where we can create our own television, at our fingertips wherever we may be. “Everyday people” can be stars in the myriad of ‘reality TV’ shows you can find on the air today. In that light, “good fortune” did find the doorway of two Arkansans in the latest 2009 seasons of “American Idol” and “Survivor.” I tip my hat to Kris Allen and Natalie White for their personal victories in these ‘real world’ challenges. For those experiencing troubled times, I’m confident the bluebird will sing again.
May your heartaches be forgotten
At Christmas time it is difficult to forget the heartaches we all suffer while traveling life’s pathway. Tears are going to be spilled along the way. Only the heartless can avoid the aches and pains of living. The holiday season at year’s end is a catalyst for remembering the kind and joyous people who have influenced our personal journeys. During the last few months of 2009 my littermate and childhood friend Greer Guinn (NHS ’70) let go of my hand and left my field of sight. I will always remember Greer’s happy heart and mischievous demeanor. Also, Walter Bellingrath (NHS ’71), the boy with the Cheshire Cat grin, passed from this life in late summer.
Carolyn Thaxton (mother of littermate Gail ‘70, Becky ‘69 and Mart ‘73), Alcorn Minor (father of Al ‘72, Leigh ‘75 and Clay ‘79), and Scott Elphingstone, Sr. (father of Scott ‘72) all ended life’s dance in the latter part of 2009. And just today I received news of the passing of Donnie Thompson, mother of classmate Coy. These four were the parents of childhood friends and Newport community leaders as I was growing up there. Ms. Carolyn Thaxton was an ever present and reliable guiding light in my life. I remember Ms. Donnie Thompson as a kind and caring mom. Alcorn Minor and Scott Elphingstone provided good direction for a prosperous Newport in the 1960’s.
Another spirited Newport soul who must be remembered is Billy Lee Riley. Just as the stretch of road from Newport to Pocahontas, Billy Lee’s birthplace, was officially being crowned “the Rock ‘N Roll Highway” in honor of those who gave birth to the “rockabilly” sound in the roadhouses up and down U.S. Highway 67, Billy Lee Riley belted out the final lyrics of his Sun Records hit, “Red Hot.” He died in August of this year. Billy Lee, your memory will forever burn “red hot” in our hearts.
Being a banker I remember two men, unknown to most of you with Newport ties, who provided much support along my career path. Both passed away in recent months. First, Bob Pratt from Mountain Home was a board member of my bank, First National Bank & Trust in Mountain Home. I met Bob early in my banking career at an Arkansas Bankers Association event and we developed a mutual respect. His son, Jim, was on campus at ASU in Jonesboro with me in the early ‘70s. I learned much about banking and friendship from knowing Bob. And then there was Wayne Hartsfield from Searcy who was the former president of First National Bank in Searcy and a former Chairman of the Arkansas Bankers Association as well as a former Chairman of the Arkansas State University Board of Trustees. In addition to those achievements, Wayne was my father’s family banker in Searcy. I will never forget Wayne standing alongside my dad’s boyhood friend, Ed Lightle, awaiting the arrival of my dad’s funeral procession at its final destination of a tiny graveyard in Center Hill, outside Searcy, that day in the fall of 1983. Wayne was always ready with needed advice and was a loyal family friend. I miss the sage advice.
Several really ‘famous’ people known worldwide have passed from this life during the last half of 2009, Ted Kennedy, Walter Cronkite, Michael Jackson just to name a few. The others I have just remembered are known within their own circle of friends and influence, but maybe not much beyond that. However, from my perspective they are all ‘famous.’ For an apt description of these fine people I will borrow the name of an Arkansas blues group, The Famous Unknowns, which was led by the late Mark Sallings. I first met Mark as a high school student at a Newport Legion Hut dance one weekend. Mark was from McCrory and was a fabulous musician. He briefly attended ASU in Jonesboro in the early ‘70s where our paths frequently crossed. I last saw him a few years back at a club in Hot Springs. I loved his music! Mark died in an auto accident outside Memphis early this year.
May you always be a dreamer
Yes, this initial decade of the 21st century has been a bit nightmarish at times. If one dreams a lot, the occasional nightmare can be expected. I consider myself fortunate in that I seem to be able to tuck the nightmares away and let the dreams run wild. In the midst of these chaotic times in the banking business and the trials of everyday living, I have experienced a few ‘dreamy’ moments in 2009.
My wife, Kathryn, and I took a trip to New York City this summer especially to see Matt Cavenaugh star in the revival of “West Side Story” on Broadway. Matt is the son of childhood friend Margaret Duncan Cavenaugh (NHS ’72). He is a super talent and the performance was magnificent. After the show Matt invited us backstage in the historic Palace Theatre and guided us on a personal tour. He was a gracious host and delightful young man. In addition to “West Side Story,” we also attended performances of “9 to 5,” “Hair,” “Next to Normal,” and “Mary Stuart.” Following the “Next to Normal” show we had an opportunity to visit with Kyle Massey who has a leading role in this wonderful musical. Kyle is the son of Dean Massey, a classmate of mine at ASU. Both Matt and Kyle grew up in Jonesboro, two Arkansas lads doing well on the “Great White Way.” A couple of other highlights from this ‘dream’ of a trip were chance meetings with two celebrities. We met Dr. Ruth Westheimer prior to the “Mary Stuart” play outside the theatre. I didn’t seek out any sexual advice from her, but Kathryn snapped a photo of us and I am really tall compared to Dr. Ruth. And while walking the streets near Central Park one day we met George Takei who played Captain Sulu in the “Star Trek” television series. When he asked where we were from and we replied “Arkansas,” he informed us that he considered himself an Arkansan following his experience of spending much of his childhood in Rohwer, Arkansas in a Japanese internment camp during World War II. He is a most pleasant man and very generous with his time. May you always discover the joy in the happenstances of life.
On August 4 the Newport High School Charitable Foundation honored six NHS alumni with induction into a newly established Hall of Fame. Five of the six honorees are exceptionally deserving. They are husband and wife Doyle (NHS ’37) and Raye Jackson (NHS ’39) Rogers, who are iconic figures in Arkansas business and philanthropy; former U. S. Senator Kaneaster Hodges (NHS ’56), Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe (NHS ’64), and Greyhound and Arkansas Razorback basketball star Charles Balentine (NHS ’81). The qualifications of the sixth honoree remain suspect in my mind since that individual is me. I am overwhelmed with the genuine honor of being recognized among this group of men and women, all of whom I admire. May you always appreciate the teachers of life’s lessons such as those I had in Newport schools.
A couple of months ago Kathryn and I started building a house on a bluff overlooking the White River just above the confluence with the North Fork River. The site provides a beautiful view of the White as it flows downstream toward my beloved hometown of Newport. Along the river’s edge and directly below our home site is the railroad track that runs south to Newport. Kathryn designed the house and visits the site almost daily as this ‘dream’ of ours takes shape. She frequently reminds me that the ‘dream’ is in the view and not the house itself. We eagerly await the day that we can fully occupy the ‘dream’ of living there each day. The real magic of this new home place is that the waterway, the railway and the highway right outside my door all directly lead to Newport, a place that I love and cherish, a place that I will always know as ‘home,’ a place where my earliest ‘dreams’ were envisioned. Wild and crazy dreams do come true when you find some place and someone to love just as I love you, my friends. May you always realize that home is where the heart is.
My mother gently lifts the turntable’s arm from the record and the voices of the Maguire Sisters fade away. I pick up my toy soldiers and the last page on the 1959 calendar quickly changes to 2009.
I will leave you with the opening lines from Harry Harrison’s version of “May You Always”. . .
As the holiday bells ring out the old year, and sweethearts kiss,
I’m Miles from Nowhere . . . Happy New Year!!!
joe
We are in the last week of 2009 in quick step to the last year of the first decade of the 21st century, a time that was the setting for many science fiction stories we read as youngsters. Funny to me that we are now characters in that “fictional” setting about which we read all those years ago. The implausible hand held communication and tracking devices we saw in the “Star Trek” television shows of the ‘60s are in wide use by the masses in present day. Gosh, we can even watch television in the palm of our hands now.
Fifty years ago I often found myself sitting cross legged in the floor in front of a sturdy piece of cherry wood furniture that was nothing more than a Zenith radio and record player. A matching cabinet housed the television set. In those “growing up” years I was more inclined to listen to music on the record player than to tune in the radio or watch the television. Programming was limited and watching television was not much fun for a kid. First there was no remote control, but then there were only three television channels. And those three channels didn’t provide much of interest to children, plus getting the rooftop antenna perfectly situated for the best picture was work requiring an abundance of patience of which I had little. My mother was the greatest influence over the records purchased for our listening pleasure. Her taste in music was a bit eclectic for which I am most grateful since it exposed me to a wide variety of musical genre including show tunes, pop, and early rock ‘n roll.
Given that 2009 is in its final days ... I reflect. I have heard many lament this past year and express relief that 2009 is almost over. I must admit that 2009 has been a time of discontent on many fronts. Now I have been warned that wishing time away to get to an uncertain future is of no value, but recalling past times to better appreciate the present and to assist in setting course for the future is enlightening. I return to my place on the floor in front of that old Zenith radio/record player. My mother is taking down the Christmas tree and its trimmings, my sister is playing with her brand new Barbie doll that was all the rage in 1959, and I’m engaged in a recreation of a Civil War battle with toy soldiers from that era that I received from Santa. For those of you wondering about my father, I can imagine that he is sitting at a poker table at the Silver Moon playing his own game of skill and luck in effort to pay off Christmas. Anyway, back at home a record by the McGuire Sisters was on the turntable . . .
May you always walk in sunshine
Slumber warm when night winds blow
May you always live with laughter
For a smile becomes you so
“May You Always” climbed the charts in 1959 alongside songs by rockers Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Little Richard and pop stars Bobby Darin, Johnny Mathis, and the Platters. More important than its place on the charts fifty years ago is its uplifting lyrics and the message it delivers today. These last ten years from 2000 through 2009 have been trying times for many people; maybe not as socially turbulent as the ‘60s, but events of this decade have tested our emotional stability making a smile tough to come by. The song itself ‘smiles,’ and I can still ‘see’ the young and beautiful McGuire Sisters smiling as they sing it.
In the midst of the tumultuous 1960’s a New York DJ, Harry Harrison, redrafted “May You Always” with his own words and narrated this version as a holiday greeting to his listeners. I’m sure you advancing “baby boomers” heard this version, which made the Billboard charts in 1965, on the radio during Christmas seasons long ago.
May good fortune find your doorway
May the bluebird sing your song
May no trouble travel your way
May no worry stay too long
The ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan sandwiched between the terrorist attacks on U. S. soil on September 11, 2001 and the lingering “Great Recession” of the past two years have rendered this decade heartbreaking and gut wrenching. Fortunes have been lost, the bluebird’s song is often silent, and ‘Worry’ is the constant companion of many with family members away from home at war defending our freedoms. Such things have altered our way of life in some respect, but faith, hope and love still abide in the hearts and souls of the American people I know.
We regularly turn to entertainment in coping with tough times. Music, theatre, movies, television, sports events . . . all good diversions. The AM radio, record player and television limitations of our youth have seen their boundaries expanded beyond measure. Satellite radio and television options seem limitless with the number of channels available. And now we have things like Pandora, a personalized internet radio medium, and YouTube, a video sharing website where we can create our own television, at our fingertips wherever we may be. “Everyday people” can be stars in the myriad of ‘reality TV’ shows you can find on the air today. In that light, “good fortune” did find the doorway of two Arkansans in the latest 2009 seasons of “American Idol” and “Survivor.” I tip my hat to Kris Allen and Natalie White for their personal victories in these ‘real world’ challenges. For those experiencing troubled times, I’m confident the bluebird will sing again.
May your heartaches be forgotten
May no tears be spilled
May old acquaintance be remembered
And your cup of kindness be filled
At Christmas time it is difficult to forget the heartaches we all suffer while traveling life’s pathway. Tears are going to be spilled along the way. Only the heartless can avoid the aches and pains of living. The holiday season at year’s end is a catalyst for remembering the kind and joyous people who have influenced our personal journeys. During the last few months of 2009 my littermate and childhood friend Greer Guinn (NHS ’70) let go of my hand and left my field of sight. I will always remember Greer’s happy heart and mischievous demeanor. Also, Walter Bellingrath (NHS ’71), the boy with the Cheshire Cat grin, passed from this life in late summer.
Carolyn Thaxton (mother of littermate Gail ‘70, Becky ‘69 and Mart ‘73), Alcorn Minor (father of Al ‘72, Leigh ‘75 and Clay ‘79), and Scott Elphingstone, Sr. (father of Scott ‘72) all ended life’s dance in the latter part of 2009. And just today I received news of the passing of Donnie Thompson, mother of classmate Coy. These four were the parents of childhood friends and Newport community leaders as I was growing up there. Ms. Carolyn Thaxton was an ever present and reliable guiding light in my life. I remember Ms. Donnie Thompson as a kind and caring mom. Alcorn Minor and Scott Elphingstone provided good direction for a prosperous Newport in the 1960’s.
Another spirited Newport soul who must be remembered is Billy Lee Riley. Just as the stretch of road from Newport to Pocahontas, Billy Lee’s birthplace, was officially being crowned “the Rock ‘N Roll Highway” in honor of those who gave birth to the “rockabilly” sound in the roadhouses up and down U.S. Highway 67, Billy Lee Riley belted out the final lyrics of his Sun Records hit, “Red Hot.” He died in August of this year. Billy Lee, your memory will forever burn “red hot” in our hearts.
Being a banker I remember two men, unknown to most of you with Newport ties, who provided much support along my career path. Both passed away in recent months. First, Bob Pratt from Mountain Home was a board member of my bank, First National Bank & Trust in Mountain Home. I met Bob early in my banking career at an Arkansas Bankers Association event and we developed a mutual respect. His son, Jim, was on campus at ASU in Jonesboro with me in the early ‘70s. I learned much about banking and friendship from knowing Bob. And then there was Wayne Hartsfield from Searcy who was the former president of First National Bank in Searcy and a former Chairman of the Arkansas Bankers Association as well as a former Chairman of the Arkansas State University Board of Trustees. In addition to those achievements, Wayne was my father’s family banker in Searcy. I will never forget Wayne standing alongside my dad’s boyhood friend, Ed Lightle, awaiting the arrival of my dad’s funeral procession at its final destination of a tiny graveyard in Center Hill, outside Searcy, that day in the fall of 1983. Wayne was always ready with needed advice and was a loyal family friend. I miss the sage advice.
Several really ‘famous’ people known worldwide have passed from this life during the last half of 2009, Ted Kennedy, Walter Cronkite, Michael Jackson just to name a few. The others I have just remembered are known within their own circle of friends and influence, but maybe not much beyond that. However, from my perspective they are all ‘famous.’ For an apt description of these fine people I will borrow the name of an Arkansas blues group, The Famous Unknowns, which was led by the late Mark Sallings. I first met Mark as a high school student at a Newport Legion Hut dance one weekend. Mark was from McCrory and was a fabulous musician. He briefly attended ASU in Jonesboro in the early ‘70s where our paths frequently crossed. I last saw him a few years back at a club in Hot Springs. I loved his music! Mark died in an auto accident outside Memphis early this year.
May you always be a dreamer
May your wildest dream come true
May you find someone to love
As much as I love you
Yes, this initial decade of the 21st century has been a bit nightmarish at times. If one dreams a lot, the occasional nightmare can be expected. I consider myself fortunate in that I seem to be able to tuck the nightmares away and let the dreams run wild. In the midst of these chaotic times in the banking business and the trials of everyday living, I have experienced a few ‘dreamy’ moments in 2009.
My wife, Kathryn, and I took a trip to New York City this summer especially to see Matt Cavenaugh star in the revival of “West Side Story” on Broadway. Matt is the son of childhood friend Margaret Duncan Cavenaugh (NHS ’72). He is a super talent and the performance was magnificent. After the show Matt invited us backstage in the historic Palace Theatre and guided us on a personal tour. He was a gracious host and delightful young man. In addition to “West Side Story,” we also attended performances of “9 to 5,” “Hair,” “Next to Normal,” and “Mary Stuart.” Following the “Next to Normal” show we had an opportunity to visit with Kyle Massey who has a leading role in this wonderful musical. Kyle is the son of Dean Massey, a classmate of mine at ASU. Both Matt and Kyle grew up in Jonesboro, two Arkansas lads doing well on the “Great White Way.” A couple of other highlights from this ‘dream’ of a trip were chance meetings with two celebrities. We met Dr. Ruth Westheimer prior to the “Mary Stuart” play outside the theatre. I didn’t seek out any sexual advice from her, but Kathryn snapped a photo of us and I am really tall compared to Dr. Ruth. And while walking the streets near Central Park one day we met George Takei who played Captain Sulu in the “Star Trek” television series. When he asked where we were from and we replied “Arkansas,” he informed us that he considered himself an Arkansan following his experience of spending much of his childhood in Rohwer, Arkansas in a Japanese internment camp during World War II. He is a most pleasant man and very generous with his time. May you always discover the joy in the happenstances of life.
On August 4 the Newport High School Charitable Foundation honored six NHS alumni with induction into a newly established Hall of Fame. Five of the six honorees are exceptionally deserving. They are husband and wife Doyle (NHS ’37) and Raye Jackson (NHS ’39) Rogers, who are iconic figures in Arkansas business and philanthropy; former U. S. Senator Kaneaster Hodges (NHS ’56), Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe (NHS ’64), and Greyhound and Arkansas Razorback basketball star Charles Balentine (NHS ’81). The qualifications of the sixth honoree remain suspect in my mind since that individual is me. I am overwhelmed with the genuine honor of being recognized among this group of men and women, all of whom I admire. May you always appreciate the teachers of life’s lessons such as those I had in Newport schools.
A couple of months ago Kathryn and I started building a house on a bluff overlooking the White River just above the confluence with the North Fork River. The site provides a beautiful view of the White as it flows downstream toward my beloved hometown of Newport. Along the river’s edge and directly below our home site is the railroad track that runs south to Newport. Kathryn designed the house and visits the site almost daily as this ‘dream’ of ours takes shape. She frequently reminds me that the ‘dream’ is in the view and not the house itself. We eagerly await the day that we can fully occupy the ‘dream’ of living there each day. The real magic of this new home place is that the waterway, the railway and the highway right outside my door all directly lead to Newport, a place that I love and cherish, a place that I will always know as ‘home,’ a place where my earliest ‘dreams’ were envisioned. Wild and crazy dreams do come true when you find some place and someone to love just as I love you, my friends. May you always realize that home is where the heart is.
My mother gently lifts the turntable’s arm from the record and the voices of the Maguire Sisters fade away. I pick up my toy soldiers and the last page on the 1959 calendar quickly changes to 2009.
I will leave you with the opening lines from Harry Harrison’s version of “May You Always”. . .
As the holiday bells ring out the old year, and sweethearts kiss,
And cold hands touch and warm each other against the year ahead,
May I wish you not the biggest and best of life,
But the small pleasures that make living worthwhile
I’m Miles from Nowhere . . . Happy New Year!!!
joe
Hound Call - With Sadness...July 23, 2009
NHS Classmates of 1970 and friends from other points in time,
With sadness I inform you of the passing from this life of our littermate Greer Guinn. Greer’s flickering flame went dark earlier this week. While time and distance have been barriers, our friendship remains firmly rooted in childhood and teenaged memories. Greer and his father, Pete, took my dad and me to my very first Arkansas Razorbacks football game in Little Rock in the fall of 1960. It was a less than memorable game in that the Hogs won 3-0. Not much to cheer about except for the excitement of two little 8 year old boys sharing a Razorbacks victory at War Memorial Stadium in the company of their dads. Of course Greer and I shared many other moments in life creating fond memories, but that game and the laughter we shared will forever be held in my heart.
I know all of you will join me in holding Greer’s family close in thought and prayer.
Greer knocked on Heaven’s door and it was opened to him . . .
Beyond the door
joe
With sadness I inform you of the passing from this life of our littermate Greer Guinn. Greer’s flickering flame went dark earlier this week. While time and distance have been barriers, our friendship remains firmly rooted in childhood and teenaged memories. Greer and his father, Pete, took my dad and me to my very first Arkansas Razorbacks football game in Little Rock in the fall of 1960. It was a less than memorable game in that the Hogs won 3-0. Not much to cheer about except for the excitement of two little 8 year old boys sharing a Razorbacks victory at War Memorial Stadium in the company of their dads. Of course Greer and I shared many other moments in life creating fond memories, but that game and the laughter we shared will forever be held in my heart.
I know all of you will join me in holding Greer’s family close in thought and prayer.
Greer knocked on Heaven’s door and it was opened to him . . .
Beyond the door
There's peace I'm sure.
And I know there'll be no more . . .
Tears in heaven
“Tears in Heaven,” Eric Clapton, 1992
With love,joe
Maybe It's Only Yesterday...July 10, 2009
Excuse me for a moment while I wipe away the cobwebs from my computer monitor and blow the dust off the keyboard. Now what were we “talking” about???
I been one poor correspondent, and I been too, too hard to find
“Sister Golden Hair,” America, 1975
So many moons have passed the night sky since we last sat together in these pages. As a banker I have been distracted by the happenings in the world’s financial circles, especially the convulsions in the banking sector over the past year. Also, periodic travels often had me questioning my own whereabouts. During this time I have been a “poor correspondent,” but thoughts of valued friendships are always in my embrace. My term as chairman of the Arkansas Bankers Association came to a close in early May and I’m catching my breath after that whirlwind experience. I passed the helm to friend Reynie Rutledge of Searcy (husband of Ann Van Hook, NHS ’69) and I am confident Reynie will enjoy good success steering the Arkansas bankers’ flagship through these turbulent economic straits. In any event way too much time has slipped away between visits with my Newport littermates. I enjoy your company.
The recent death of Michael Jackson, the indisputable “King of Pop,” caused me to flip the pages of my life’s calendar back to our senior year in high school. It was that year that the Jackson 5 burst upon the music scene. Forty years ago this summer Michael Jackson and his four older brothers strolled into the Motown recording studios for the first time just as we prepared to walk into Newport High School for our last hurrah. The first four singles released by the Jackson 5 all shot to number one on the record charts between January of 1970 and October of that same year. I was 17 and trying to find my way in the world. Michael Jackson was 11 and appeared on top of that world I found so mysterious and confusing. Their music transitioned the time of my personal declaration of independence.
By the end of the 1970s the Jackson 5 had splintered and Michael Jackson’s personal star rose to even greater heights in the ‘80s. My daughters were all born in the early to mid ‘80s and they quickly adopted Michael Jackson’s music as their own. Daughter Evelyn even had a life size poster of Michael Jackson on the wall in her room. I had moved my family back to Newport in late 1982 and Jackson’s music links me to that time in my life. I became active in the Jaycees on my return to Newport and one Halloween we sponsored a “Haunted House” event at the old Jackson County jail. In addition to ghostly sound effects, our background music was Jackson’s “Thriller.” The kids loved it. And so did I. Michael Jackson’s music provided a common bond with something of interest to my girls. It remains a common thread in our social DNA.
As is always the case, things change over time. And in thinking about change “I’m starting with the man in the mirror” (“Man in the Mirror,” Michael Jackson, 1988). Most of you who have not seen me in a good while would probably see me as practically unchanged since our high school days (he thought to himself as he muffled a giggle). And such assessment would be pretty accurate relative to the exaggerated changes in Michael Jackson’s appearance over those same forty years. When I look in the mirror the changes I notice “pale” in comparison to Jackson’s makeover (pun intended). But such changes in physical appearance lack importance in the overall scheme of things. It is only important to know that things change and our personal “feelings” about the certain changes going on around us are ours alone. I will miss Michael Jackson’s genius and the future music he may have created. I will miss his amazing dance steps, those I tried so desperately to emulate in my younger days. But his music that has captured my attention for the past forty years is ours for the listening and the dancing. Michael Jackson’s death will not change that. His passing from this life once again heightens my awareness of the fragility of things and the attentive care we should render while things are as they are.
I don’t get back to Newport as often as I would like. It seems that most times my visits are for remembering someone who has slipped silently away from life’s path. Just weeks ago I attended Phil Hout’s (NHS ’56) funeral service at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Newport and then his interment at Walnut Grove Cemetery. I hold his wife Ann, children Kim, Pam, and David and his grandchildren close in my heart. Phil was a mentor of mine. He provided a guiding hand when I was a young banker in Newport. We shared stories. He was an excellent storyteller. Phil’s stories were often spun from the conversation at hand sparking a memory of distant times. They were told with a “feeling” that could jump from him to you without notice.
When I stepped from my car at Phil’s funeral I felt “a change” come over me. There is something special about stepping onto the ground in Jackson County, the place where I was born and where I spent my formative years. I used to play pick up baseball games on a vacant lot on South Walnut Street where Phil Hout’s parents eventually built a house. Such places are hallowed ground. Whenever I walk across the ground of a familiar place in Newport I feel rich. Maybe it is the richness of the soil you find in the White River bottoms that brings on such feeling. Maybe it is the sweat and the tears that have dried upon the fields after being shed by those who worked hard there to make a living that renders such emotion. Maybe it is the spirit of those gone on before us who assured an improved quality of life for future generations, especially those who fought to defend our freedoms, that lifts me up. Maybe it is the deep and interesting history stamped upon the land by the pioneers, farmers, slaves, soldiers, riverboat captains, merchants, railroaders, and “honky tonkers” who have called Jackson County home that inspires me. Whatever the reason underlying that special “rich” feeling each time I set foot in my hometown, it is ever present and I am thankful for it.
I know the persistent richness of Jackson County lies within the hearts of those who call it home. Even though that persona is constant, the landscape of my hometown has changed over the years. It has not been a Michael Jackson makeover. Some of the differences are subtle ones. But there have been some altering restorations and some necessary demolitions of buildings that are or were vessels of memories. The faces of Newport and Jackson County have changed as well. Some went to war and didn’t return; some moved in from other places; some have grown older; some newborns have arrived, some have stepped away from life’s journey. Yes, changes have taken place, but my love for this place and its people is pure and my memories are sweet.
There are a couple of real “homecoming” events scheduled in Newport that will be excellent opportunities for you to “feel” rich in the embrace of those who call it home. The 51st annual Newport Country Club Invitational Golf Tournament is the weekend of July 17-19. I missed it last year and I don’t plan on that happening again. Even if you don’t play golf you can join in the party. And speaking of party, on September 26 there is Depot Days where you can revisit the “glory days” of Newport after river and rail came together. You can listen to the soundtrack of the Rock ‘n Roll era that reverberated from the honky-tonks and roadhouses up and down U. S. Highway 67, now officially known as the Rock ‘n Roll Highway following proclamation by the Arkansas legislature in this past session. Hats off to Sonny Burgess and Henry Boyce for their roles in making this happen. Headliners at Depot Days are Sonny Burgess and the Pacers and Jason D. Williams. For more information on this fun event you can email depotdays@yahoo.com or visit Depot Days on Facebook. I hope to see you there!
When I do return to Newport I always take a leisurely stroll down “Memory Lane.” It is a must because there are faces once adored that I can no longer see. Newport names that I remember with fondness include Lonnie Bennett (NHS ’53 and father of Dianne and Leanne, ’72); Bess James (mother of Barbie, NHS ’72); Laverne Morgan Long (NHS ’51 and mother of Ginger ’73); Lois Gist Black (NHS ’44 and mother of Buddy ‘68, Kenny ’72 and David ‘74, Greyhounds all); Dorothy Fife (mother of Tommy, NHS ’57, Bobby ’67, and Barbara ’68); Millie McAllister (mother of Cindy, NHS ’69 and littermate Sandy, ’70); Betty Parsley Shelton (NHS ’49 and mother of Donnie, ’73); Laurie Crews Elchin (NHS ’75); Ginger Crum Combs (NHS ’71); Danny Howard and David Sullins (husband and brother, respectively, of littermate Mary Sullins Howard (NHS ’70); Coy Womble (father of childhood and neighborhood pal Coy); and Doris Scott (one of my favorite “church ladies” at First United Methodist Church in Newport). While each of these names has been erased from life’s roll book over the past several months they are forever etched upon my heart and those of many others who knew and loved them.
I also remember Jackson County native son George Kell (Swifton ’39) who departed this life in late March. My father and George met as freshman classmates at Arkansas State College in Jonesboro in the fall of 1939 and remained fast friends until my dad’s death in 1983, the year that George was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. When I returned to Newport in late ’82 to work for First State Bank, Mr. Kell served on that bank’s board of directors. I hold in my possession today a few cherished baseball mementoes from that time thanks to George Kell’s thoughtfulness and generosity.
Turning to baseball for a moment, the 80th Major League All-Star Game will be played in St. Louis next week. The last time this prestigious game was played in St. Louis was 1966 when the previous Busch Memorial Stadium was brand new. The iconic Gateway Arch had been completed just a few months before and was not yet open to the public. I remember . . . my father took me to that 1966 All-Star game. Doc Hawk and Jimbo Hardin accompanied us to the game. What a thrill that was for a fourteen-year-old kid. It seems like only yesterday . . .
Remembering George Kell as a local lad with national reputation leads me to think of others with celebrity fare that influenced me from afar and have left this life over the past several months. Farrah Fawcett comes to mind. Her famous “pin-up” poster adorned the wall of my apartment when I was in graduate school. She was our generation’s Betty Grable or Rita Hayworth. My favorite actor of all time, Paul Newman, died late last year. Three of his movies rank among the very best I have ever seen. “The Sting,” “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” and “Cool Hand Luke” are first class flicks. Another fine actor that came onto the scene a bit before my time, but had staying power was Karl Malden. My two favored Malden movies were “Patton” and “The Cincinnati Kid.” Both are must see cinema. And then there was Ed McMahon, Johnny Carson’s sidekick on “The Tonight Show,” that kept me company many a night during my high school and college years as I pretended to study. Entertainers often fuel my imagination.
Forty years ago this month man first stepped on the moon. For the benefit of some of the younger readers, this man was not Michael Jackson. Jackson’s famous “moonwalk” was introduced to us in the ‘80s and his music had not yet pierced the airwaves when Astronaut Neil Armstrong informed NASA’s mission control that “the Eagle has landed” on the moon’s surface. Armstrong’s initial “moonwalk” on July 20, 1969 was the culmination of a promise made by President John F. Kennedy when I was a young grade school student. A dream had been realized. A bunch of us watched this historic event on television at Drew Stewart’s house on Walnut Street and then ran into the front yard to peer up into the night sky as if we might possibly see the man on the moon from earth. The number one song being played on the radio in the weeks surrounding that first “moonwalk” was one with futuristic lyrics entitled “In the Year 2525.” The one hit wonder group of Zager & Evans brought it to our ears. Its concluding chorus is . . .
Now it’s been ten thousand years, man has cried a billion tears
I’m Miles from Nowhere . . . thinking of you and wishing you love and laughter.
joe
I been one poor correspondent, and I been too, too hard to find
But it doesn’t mean you ain’t been on my mind
“Sister Golden Hair,” America, 1975
So many moons have passed the night sky since we last sat together in these pages. As a banker I have been distracted by the happenings in the world’s financial circles, especially the convulsions in the banking sector over the past year. Also, periodic travels often had me questioning my own whereabouts. During this time I have been a “poor correspondent,” but thoughts of valued friendships are always in my embrace. My term as chairman of the Arkansas Bankers Association came to a close in early May and I’m catching my breath after that whirlwind experience. I passed the helm to friend Reynie Rutledge of Searcy (husband of Ann Van Hook, NHS ’69) and I am confident Reynie will enjoy good success steering the Arkansas bankers’ flagship through these turbulent economic straits. In any event way too much time has slipped away between visits with my Newport littermates. I enjoy your company.
The recent death of Michael Jackson, the indisputable “King of Pop,” caused me to flip the pages of my life’s calendar back to our senior year in high school. It was that year that the Jackson 5 burst upon the music scene. Forty years ago this summer Michael Jackson and his four older brothers strolled into the Motown recording studios for the first time just as we prepared to walk into Newport High School for our last hurrah. The first four singles released by the Jackson 5 all shot to number one on the record charts between January of 1970 and October of that same year. I was 17 and trying to find my way in the world. Michael Jackson was 11 and appeared on top of that world I found so mysterious and confusing. Their music transitioned the time of my personal declaration of independence.
By the end of the 1970s the Jackson 5 had splintered and Michael Jackson’s personal star rose to even greater heights in the ‘80s. My daughters were all born in the early to mid ‘80s and they quickly adopted Michael Jackson’s music as their own. Daughter Evelyn even had a life size poster of Michael Jackson on the wall in her room. I had moved my family back to Newport in late 1982 and Jackson’s music links me to that time in my life. I became active in the Jaycees on my return to Newport and one Halloween we sponsored a “Haunted House” event at the old Jackson County jail. In addition to ghostly sound effects, our background music was Jackson’s “Thriller.” The kids loved it. And so did I. Michael Jackson’s music provided a common bond with something of interest to my girls. It remains a common thread in our social DNA.
As is always the case, things change over time. And in thinking about change “I’m starting with the man in the mirror” (“Man in the Mirror,” Michael Jackson, 1988). Most of you who have not seen me in a good while would probably see me as practically unchanged since our high school days (he thought to himself as he muffled a giggle). And such assessment would be pretty accurate relative to the exaggerated changes in Michael Jackson’s appearance over those same forty years. When I look in the mirror the changes I notice “pale” in comparison to Jackson’s makeover (pun intended). But such changes in physical appearance lack importance in the overall scheme of things. It is only important to know that things change and our personal “feelings” about the certain changes going on around us are ours alone. I will miss Michael Jackson’s genius and the future music he may have created. I will miss his amazing dance steps, those I tried so desperately to emulate in my younger days. But his music that has captured my attention for the past forty years is ours for the listening and the dancing. Michael Jackson’s death will not change that. His passing from this life once again heightens my awareness of the fragility of things and the attentive care we should render while things are as they are.
I don’t get back to Newport as often as I would like. It seems that most times my visits are for remembering someone who has slipped silently away from life’s path. Just weeks ago I attended Phil Hout’s (NHS ’56) funeral service at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Newport and then his interment at Walnut Grove Cemetery. I hold his wife Ann, children Kim, Pam, and David and his grandchildren close in my heart. Phil was a mentor of mine. He provided a guiding hand when I was a young banker in Newport. We shared stories. He was an excellent storyteller. Phil’s stories were often spun from the conversation at hand sparking a memory of distant times. They were told with a “feeling” that could jump from him to you without notice.
When I stepped from my car at Phil’s funeral I felt “a change” come over me. There is something special about stepping onto the ground in Jackson County, the place where I was born and where I spent my formative years. I used to play pick up baseball games on a vacant lot on South Walnut Street where Phil Hout’s parents eventually built a house. Such places are hallowed ground. Whenever I walk across the ground of a familiar place in Newport I feel rich. Maybe it is the richness of the soil you find in the White River bottoms that brings on such feeling. Maybe it is the sweat and the tears that have dried upon the fields after being shed by those who worked hard there to make a living that renders such emotion. Maybe it is the spirit of those gone on before us who assured an improved quality of life for future generations, especially those who fought to defend our freedoms, that lifts me up. Maybe it is the deep and interesting history stamped upon the land by the pioneers, farmers, slaves, soldiers, riverboat captains, merchants, railroaders, and “honky tonkers” who have called Jackson County home that inspires me. Whatever the reason underlying that special “rich” feeling each time I set foot in my hometown, it is ever present and I am thankful for it.
I know the persistent richness of Jackson County lies within the hearts of those who call it home. Even though that persona is constant, the landscape of my hometown has changed over the years. It has not been a Michael Jackson makeover. Some of the differences are subtle ones. But there have been some altering restorations and some necessary demolitions of buildings that are or were vessels of memories. The faces of Newport and Jackson County have changed as well. Some went to war and didn’t return; some moved in from other places; some have grown older; some newborns have arrived, some have stepped away from life’s journey. Yes, changes have taken place, but my love for this place and its people is pure and my memories are sweet.
There are a couple of real “homecoming” events scheduled in Newport that will be excellent opportunities for you to “feel” rich in the embrace of those who call it home. The 51st annual Newport Country Club Invitational Golf Tournament is the weekend of July 17-19. I missed it last year and I don’t plan on that happening again. Even if you don’t play golf you can join in the party. And speaking of party, on September 26 there is Depot Days where you can revisit the “glory days” of Newport after river and rail came together. You can listen to the soundtrack of the Rock ‘n Roll era that reverberated from the honky-tonks and roadhouses up and down U. S. Highway 67, now officially known as the Rock ‘n Roll Highway following proclamation by the Arkansas legislature in this past session. Hats off to Sonny Burgess and Henry Boyce for their roles in making this happen. Headliners at Depot Days are Sonny Burgess and the Pacers and Jason D. Williams. For more information on this fun event you can email depotdays@yahoo.com or visit Depot Days on Facebook. I hope to see you there!
When I do return to Newport I always take a leisurely stroll down “Memory Lane.” It is a must because there are faces once adored that I can no longer see. Newport names that I remember with fondness include Lonnie Bennett (NHS ’53 and father of Dianne and Leanne, ’72); Bess James (mother of Barbie, NHS ’72); Laverne Morgan Long (NHS ’51 and mother of Ginger ’73); Lois Gist Black (NHS ’44 and mother of Buddy ‘68, Kenny ’72 and David ‘74, Greyhounds all); Dorothy Fife (mother of Tommy, NHS ’57, Bobby ’67, and Barbara ’68); Millie McAllister (mother of Cindy, NHS ’69 and littermate Sandy, ’70); Betty Parsley Shelton (NHS ’49 and mother of Donnie, ’73); Laurie Crews Elchin (NHS ’75); Ginger Crum Combs (NHS ’71); Danny Howard and David Sullins (husband and brother, respectively, of littermate Mary Sullins Howard (NHS ’70); Coy Womble (father of childhood and neighborhood pal Coy); and Doris Scott (one of my favorite “church ladies” at First United Methodist Church in Newport). While each of these names has been erased from life’s roll book over the past several months they are forever etched upon my heart and those of many others who knew and loved them.
I also remember Jackson County native son George Kell (Swifton ’39) who departed this life in late March. My father and George met as freshman classmates at Arkansas State College in Jonesboro in the fall of 1939 and remained fast friends until my dad’s death in 1983, the year that George was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. When I returned to Newport in late ’82 to work for First State Bank, Mr. Kell served on that bank’s board of directors. I hold in my possession today a few cherished baseball mementoes from that time thanks to George Kell’s thoughtfulness and generosity.
Turning to baseball for a moment, the 80th Major League All-Star Game will be played in St. Louis next week. The last time this prestigious game was played in St. Louis was 1966 when the previous Busch Memorial Stadium was brand new. The iconic Gateway Arch had been completed just a few months before and was not yet open to the public. I remember . . . my father took me to that 1966 All-Star game. Doc Hawk and Jimbo Hardin accompanied us to the game. What a thrill that was for a fourteen-year-old kid. It seems like only yesterday . . .
Remembering George Kell as a local lad with national reputation leads me to think of others with celebrity fare that influenced me from afar and have left this life over the past several months. Farrah Fawcett comes to mind. Her famous “pin-up” poster adorned the wall of my apartment when I was in graduate school. She was our generation’s Betty Grable or Rita Hayworth. My favorite actor of all time, Paul Newman, died late last year. Three of his movies rank among the very best I have ever seen. “The Sting,” “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” and “Cool Hand Luke” are first class flicks. Another fine actor that came onto the scene a bit before my time, but had staying power was Karl Malden. My two favored Malden movies were “Patton” and “The Cincinnati Kid.” Both are must see cinema. And then there was Ed McMahon, Johnny Carson’s sidekick on “The Tonight Show,” that kept me company many a night during my high school and college years as I pretended to study. Entertainers often fuel my imagination.
Forty years ago this month man first stepped on the moon. For the benefit of some of the younger readers, this man was not Michael Jackson. Jackson’s famous “moonwalk” was introduced to us in the ‘80s and his music had not yet pierced the airwaves when Astronaut Neil Armstrong informed NASA’s mission control that “the Eagle has landed” on the moon’s surface. Armstrong’s initial “moonwalk” on July 20, 1969 was the culmination of a promise made by President John F. Kennedy when I was a young grade school student. A dream had been realized. A bunch of us watched this historic event on television at Drew Stewart’s house on Walnut Street and then ran into the front yard to peer up into the night sky as if we might possibly see the man on the moon from earth. The number one song being played on the radio in the weeks surrounding that first “moonwalk” was one with futuristic lyrics entitled “In the Year 2525.” The one hit wonder group of Zager & Evans brought it to our ears. Its concluding chorus is . . .
Now it’s been ten thousand years, man has cried a billion tears
For what, he never knew, now man’s reign is through
But through eternal night, the twinkling of starlight
So very far away, maybe it’s only yesterday
In the short history of the world I am sure “man has cried a billion tears” or more. Gosh, I may have cried that many by myself. Tears of sorrow, tears of joy, and tears of disbelief have danced upon my face as I have watched life’s newsreel deliver the stories. I am lucky in that my tearful moments have been balanced with lots of laughter. In observing life I am mindful that every story is a personal story and the vantage points are many. Thoughts, opinions, and feelings about certain events are equally varied. But a common denominator is the time frame in which a happening occurs. And as I grow older the boundaries of time seem to blur and it is clear I am losing track. It is evident that time flies whether or not one is having fun. Do you see things as I do? Can it be that forty years have passed since Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin left footprints on the moon, forty years since the Jackson 5 stepped through Motown’s front door, forty years since we last walked the halls as seniors at Newport High School? Was it really forty-two years ago that I felt the excitement of attending the All-Star game in St. Louis with my dad? And are you sure it has been fifty years since Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper perished in a plane crash on “the day the music died?” Yesterday’s news? Surely it hasn’t been that long ago. Yes, “maybe it’s only yesterday.”
I’m Miles from Nowhere . . . thinking of you and wishing you love and laughter.
joe
ABA Chairman's Letter...April 2009
Chairman’s Letter
“We have never faced a more difficult season for the banking industry than today.” Those attending the recently concluded American Bankers Association’s Government Relations Summit were greeted with these words on arrival. More than 850 bankers from around the nation gathered in Washington, DC for the 2009 Summit, which is more than two and a half times greater than the number that attended last year. The significant increase in the attendance underscores the heightened concern about the present economy and the policy environment. It represents the greatest number of bankers to ever come together in our nation’s capital for such an occasion. Arkansas Bank Commissioner Candace Franks, ABA President & CEO Ken Hammonds, and fellow bankers Reynie Rutledge, Charlie Blanchard, and Scott Grigsby represented our state along with me. It is indeed a “season” for the ages.
The greatest challenges in this “season” are more likely to be associated with new rules designed to address perceived problems with the game of banking than with battling asset quality and liquidity issues in our home ballparks. Potential legislation designed to “fix” the economy and regulatory responses to industry issues were the focus of the participants at the Government Relations Summit. We heard comments from House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank, FDIC Chairperson Sheila Bair, Comptroller of the Currency John Dugan, White House National Economic Council Director Larry Summers, Senate Minority Whip John Kyl and others about the current financial state of affairs. In turn, all bankers present visited their respective delegations on Capitol Hill to deliver our collective ideas on proposed legislation and to state our central message that traditional banking is the key to economic recovery and growth. For the most part our Arkansas Senators and Congressmen were receptive to our positions.
Pending legislation deemed of paramount importance in today’s debate includes the Depositor Protection Act of 2009 addressing the FDIC’s borrowing authority and its impact on a planned special premium assessment and the Federal Accounting Oversight Board Act pertaining to fair value accounting standards and their mark-to-market requirements, both supported by our bankers. Proposed legislation to which we are opposed includes the Helping Families Save Their Home Act with a provision supporting mortgage cram down in bankruptcy cases, reintroduction of the Credit Card Fair Fee Act with its adverse position on interchange fees, the Consumer Overdraft Protection Fair Practices Act calling for fee limitations along with return and declination requirements imposing operational challenges, and a possible bill designed to eliminate the statutory cap on business lending by credit unions. In addition there is the Employee Free Choice Act that would change the method for union organization, to which we stand in opposition.
In reviewing these legislative proposals and their possible impact on the business of banking I remember one of those famous Yogi Berra quotes, “the other teams could make trouble for us if they win.” As you shake your head about most of Yogi’s quips, you cannot argue his point about the trouble making potential of the “other teams.” It is crucial for us to stay in regular contact with our Congressmen and Senators on these matters. While sometimes it is ill advised to argue “balls and strikes,” it is the time to kick up a little dirt and make your opinions known.
Legislators and regulators are a bit like umpires on the baseball diamond. From a ball player’s angle former Cincinnati relief pitcher and author Jim Brosnan once said, “Umpires are most vigorous when defending their miscalls.” In this current economic atmosphere all parties to the game are being blamed for the troubles being experienced. Just as we Main Street, Arkansas bankers are defending the fact that we were not contributors to the mess we all share, one can expect the rules makers and the rules enforcers to defend their actions or inactions. Being players on the field, we must guard against an over reaction in pursuit of rules necessary to govern the game that could restrict our ability to deliver excellent services and products to the fans, or consumers. From this perspective I can hear former major league player and manager Leo Durocher say, “I’ve never questioned the integrity of an umpire. Their eyesight, yes.” It is our job as bankers to make sure that our legislators’ and regulators’ vision is clear as they assess the rules of the game we play.
When I look at the scorecard of the current economic recession and review the “players” on the field when the downturn picked up speed, I find myself scratching my head. Many of these “players” were thought to be mighty superstars of the game……….. Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Citigroup, Washington Mutual, JP Morgan Chase, Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs, Wachovia, and AIG. Confidence in the financial services game was bolstered by their participation. But as the final stanza in the definitive baseball poem Casey at the Bat tells us,
Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout
But there is no joy in Mudville – Mighty Casey has struck out.
“Casey” striking out has left a cloud over the field of play. Those of us still going to the park everyday and playing in the pick up games in Anytown, USA are the ones who must reestablish the confidence in our economy and in our business of banking. We must distinguish “our banks,” the traditional banks, from those that the national media and political pundits continue to harp on, the former superstars that dramatically “struck out.” Yankee great Babe Ruth stated with authority, “the way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don’t play together, the club won’t be worth a dime.” His reference to money in emphasizing the value of teamwork should not go unnoticed by bankers. It is important for us to come together as a team through our Arkansas Bankers Association and its affiliation with the American Bankers Association so that our unified message is clearly delivered. Our traditional banks are healthy and vibrant, we stand ready to lend money responsibly to support our customers and build our communities. I urge you to be alert to our Association sponsored visit to Washington, DC in September. Your voices and team spirit are needed.
As I scribble out these thoughts it is Opening Day of baseball season, a time that never ceases to excite me. A youthful enthusiasm for life returns to me each year on this day. It also marks the time to change pitchers at the Arkansas Bankers Association.
It has been an enlightening experience to serve as your ABA Chairman. What a banking season this past year has been! Representing our state at national and regional meetings alongside my wife, Kathryn, and other able bankers has made me acutely aware that we have an excellent team composed of our ABA staff, the Executive Committee of the Association, and its Board of Directors on whom we can readily depend. While the banking season is on a continuous loop, the annual convention of the ABA symbolizes Opening Day for me. On April 30 I will hand the ball over to Reynie Rutledge and take my place in the bullpen always on the ready to assist in any way beneficial to this business of banking that I find so fascinating. I want to express sincere appreciation to Danny Williams and the other outstanding bankers at First National Bank & Trust Company in Mountain Home for pinch-hitting for me throughout the year when absent from my “day job.” This appreciation also extends to members of my bank family at the Bank of Pocahontas and Integrity First Bank in Jonesboro. Thank you all for allowing me to take my swings on behalf of our Arkansas banks. Let’s play ball!!!
From around the state and across the Miles…………there is work to be done. Let’s go have some fun!
“We have never faced a more difficult season for the banking industry than today.” Those attending the recently concluded American Bankers Association’s Government Relations Summit were greeted with these words on arrival. More than 850 bankers from around the nation gathered in Washington, DC for the 2009 Summit, which is more than two and a half times greater than the number that attended last year. The significant increase in the attendance underscores the heightened concern about the present economy and the policy environment. It represents the greatest number of bankers to ever come together in our nation’s capital for such an occasion. Arkansas Bank Commissioner Candace Franks, ABA President & CEO Ken Hammonds, and fellow bankers Reynie Rutledge, Charlie Blanchard, and Scott Grigsby represented our state along with me. It is indeed a “season” for the ages.
The greatest challenges in this “season” are more likely to be associated with new rules designed to address perceived problems with the game of banking than with battling asset quality and liquidity issues in our home ballparks. Potential legislation designed to “fix” the economy and regulatory responses to industry issues were the focus of the participants at the Government Relations Summit. We heard comments from House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank, FDIC Chairperson Sheila Bair, Comptroller of the Currency John Dugan, White House National Economic Council Director Larry Summers, Senate Minority Whip John Kyl and others about the current financial state of affairs. In turn, all bankers present visited their respective delegations on Capitol Hill to deliver our collective ideas on proposed legislation and to state our central message that traditional banking is the key to economic recovery and growth. For the most part our Arkansas Senators and Congressmen were receptive to our positions.
Pending legislation deemed of paramount importance in today’s debate includes the Depositor Protection Act of 2009 addressing the FDIC’s borrowing authority and its impact on a planned special premium assessment and the Federal Accounting Oversight Board Act pertaining to fair value accounting standards and their mark-to-market requirements, both supported by our bankers. Proposed legislation to which we are opposed includes the Helping Families Save Their Home Act with a provision supporting mortgage cram down in bankruptcy cases, reintroduction of the Credit Card Fair Fee Act with its adverse position on interchange fees, the Consumer Overdraft Protection Fair Practices Act calling for fee limitations along with return and declination requirements imposing operational challenges, and a possible bill designed to eliminate the statutory cap on business lending by credit unions. In addition there is the Employee Free Choice Act that would change the method for union organization, to which we stand in opposition.
In reviewing these legislative proposals and their possible impact on the business of banking I remember one of those famous Yogi Berra quotes, “the other teams could make trouble for us if they win.” As you shake your head about most of Yogi’s quips, you cannot argue his point about the trouble making potential of the “other teams.” It is crucial for us to stay in regular contact with our Congressmen and Senators on these matters. While sometimes it is ill advised to argue “balls and strikes,” it is the time to kick up a little dirt and make your opinions known.
Legislators and regulators are a bit like umpires on the baseball diamond. From a ball player’s angle former Cincinnati relief pitcher and author Jim Brosnan once said, “Umpires are most vigorous when defending their miscalls.” In this current economic atmosphere all parties to the game are being blamed for the troubles being experienced. Just as we Main Street, Arkansas bankers are defending the fact that we were not contributors to the mess we all share, one can expect the rules makers and the rules enforcers to defend their actions or inactions. Being players on the field, we must guard against an over reaction in pursuit of rules necessary to govern the game that could restrict our ability to deliver excellent services and products to the fans, or consumers. From this perspective I can hear former major league player and manager Leo Durocher say, “I’ve never questioned the integrity of an umpire. Their eyesight, yes.” It is our job as bankers to make sure that our legislators’ and regulators’ vision is clear as they assess the rules of the game we play.
When I look at the scorecard of the current economic recession and review the “players” on the field when the downturn picked up speed, I find myself scratching my head. Many of these “players” were thought to be mighty superstars of the game……….. Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Citigroup, Washington Mutual, JP Morgan Chase, Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs, Wachovia, and AIG. Confidence in the financial services game was bolstered by their participation. But as the final stanza in the definitive baseball poem Casey at the Bat tells us,
Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout
But there is no joy in Mudville – Mighty Casey has struck out.
“Casey” striking out has left a cloud over the field of play. Those of us still going to the park everyday and playing in the pick up games in Anytown, USA are the ones who must reestablish the confidence in our economy and in our business of banking. We must distinguish “our banks,” the traditional banks, from those that the national media and political pundits continue to harp on, the former superstars that dramatically “struck out.” Yankee great Babe Ruth stated with authority, “the way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don’t play together, the club won’t be worth a dime.” His reference to money in emphasizing the value of teamwork should not go unnoticed by bankers. It is important for us to come together as a team through our Arkansas Bankers Association and its affiliation with the American Bankers Association so that our unified message is clearly delivered. Our traditional banks are healthy and vibrant, we stand ready to lend money responsibly to support our customers and build our communities. I urge you to be alert to our Association sponsored visit to Washington, DC in September. Your voices and team spirit are needed.
As I scribble out these thoughts it is Opening Day of baseball season, a time that never ceases to excite me. A youthful enthusiasm for life returns to me each year on this day. It also marks the time to change pitchers at the Arkansas Bankers Association.
It has been an enlightening experience to serve as your ABA Chairman. What a banking season this past year has been! Representing our state at national and regional meetings alongside my wife, Kathryn, and other able bankers has made me acutely aware that we have an excellent team composed of our ABA staff, the Executive Committee of the Association, and its Board of Directors on whom we can readily depend. While the banking season is on a continuous loop, the annual convention of the ABA symbolizes Opening Day for me. On April 30 I will hand the ball over to Reynie Rutledge and take my place in the bullpen always on the ready to assist in any way beneficial to this business of banking that I find so fascinating. I want to express sincere appreciation to Danny Williams and the other outstanding bankers at First National Bank & Trust Company in Mountain Home for pinch-hitting for me throughout the year when absent from my “day job.” This appreciation also extends to members of my bank family at the Bank of Pocahontas and Integrity First Bank in Jonesboro. Thank you all for allowing me to take my swings on behalf of our Arkansas banks. Let’s play ball!!!
From around the state and across the Miles…………there is work to be done. Let’s go have some fun!
ABA Chairman's Letter...March 2009
Chairman's Letter
"Time tried, panic tested." I first encountered these words in the late '70s while working as a state bank examiner. This phrase was the promotional tag line for the old Bank of Mansfield in western Arkansas. At first blush I thought them a bit lame and out of touch with the times, but I subsequently realized that the words linked the bank to its past and delivered a reassuring message to many of its customers who still remembered the tough life experiences during the Great Depression. Soon thereafter the words developed relevance with me as I found myself working alongside fellow examiners in the closing of a few Arkansas banks in the challenging economy of the early '80s. Better economic times followed, job changes came my way, and these words were filed away in the recesses of my mind.
Today we again find ourselves in trying times. In anticipation of hitting "the bottom" the markets seemingly find new lows each day. The ranks of the unemployed continue to climb. While the onset of "panic" does not appear widespread, I'm sure it has found its way into several households. Yet I still find myself optimistic about the future. At the center of that optimism is the general performance of Arkansas banks in both good times and bad. We may seldom gain exposure to a state of euphoria when the economy is soaring, but then neither do we fall into the depths of despondency during significant downturns in the economic cycle.
Arkansas' commercial banks saw their earnings climb some 16% from 2007 to 2008. Of course sizable losses associated with the ANB Financial failure adversely impacted Arkansas bank performance in 2007, but the annual improvement is noteworthy when considering that industry income significantly declined in all of our neighboring states over the same period. In discussing this matter at our Association's Group 3 meeting last week in Fayetteville, Tim Yeager, holder of the ABA Chair of Banking at the University of Arkansas, noted that our state's banks are "holding their own" and that their 2008 performance numbers are "really remarkable."
Recognizing that the bulk of the problems in the financial sector lie within the framework of Wall Street conglomerates and other money center institutions, I get particularly miffed when I read a headline such as "Bankers Called on Carpet" (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, February 12, 2009). Such innuendo leads the public to think that all "bankers" are culprit to the underlying causes of the current national crisis and that all banks are unruly in their behavior and in need of disciplinary action. Nothing could be further from the truth. We must continue our efforts to educate all interested parties on the differences between Main Street community bankers and those on Wall Street so that there is a genuine understanding that the vast majority of banks around the country are safe and sound.
We bankers traditionally prefer "things" to move at a slower pace than that being experienced at present. We like music that is easy to dance to. A steady rhythm allows us to better adapt our footwork to the music leading to a smoother and more deliberate dance. The current rapid beat is causing a frantic step that reminds me of watching kids dance the "jerk" or the "mashed potatoes" on American Bandstand when I was a youngster. Being a top performer in the current environment is challenging. For those wishing to go "dancing with the stars," it is necessary to sharpen your fashion sense.
Several Wall Street mega-banks are cloaked in a "too big to fail" wardrobe that could be going out of style. Is it possible that some may have outgrown their britches? Putting on too much weight is considered a red flag when it comes to assessing one's general health and it appears that there has been some ripping at the seams in some of these outfits. Being too large can make some situations a bit uncomfortable and often slows one's reaction time. On the other hand being runway model thin doesn't assure good health, but it does help with one's flexibility and maneuverability.
Fashions change just as the economy changes. Have you noticed that men's neckties are getting narrower as the economy wanes? Adopting the latest "fad" may allow you to keep up appearances, but you can never afford to abandon the basics while attempting to stay in vogue with the current trend. The conservatism represented by the basic pinstriped suit and the little black dress depicts the "style" to which Arkansas bankers adhere. Staying true to a conservative "look" and keeping that basic style in our respective closets prevents us from panicking over what to wear on any given occasion, never mind the state of the economy.
To maintain decorum and keep up with the latest trend of bank failures, FDIC Chairperson Sheila Bair recently announced that a twenty basis point special assessment for all banks would be necessary to keep the Deposit Insurance Fund viable and in the black. No banking panics have been experienced since the establishment of deposit insurance in 1933. However the size of the proposed special assessment created uproar. The "cover charge" to gain entry to the dance is always a consideration. A quick turn at the end of the runway reminiscent of one performed by fashion models resulted in dramatic change in the FDIC's position within 72 hours of the announcement of the special assessment. The altered stance came from a proposal to ramp up the FDIC's permanent line of credit with the U. S. Treasury to $100 billion from the present $30 billion and temporarily increase it to $500 billion through December 31, 2010 giving the agency flexibility to cut the size of the proposed special assessment in half. Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd plans to introduce legislation effecting the FDIC's increased borrowing capacity to facilitate reduction in the special assessment in short order. Cooperative conversation between bankers, Congressional leadership, and regulatory authorities paved the way for this more palatable solution to the FDIC’s initial proposal. Such action is reflective of the type of adaptable behavior needed by all involved to sustain and enhance bank performance going forward in this uncertain environment.
Around the country people are angry over the present circumstances. Shouting matches are commonplace on our televisions. I try to filter out this “noise” in search of an understanding. The “philosophers” I follow are comic book heroes and songwriters of the '60s. Absent Superman, Wonder Woman, or the Green Lantern arriving on the scene to rescue those experiencing troubles I will turn to some forty year old song lyrics offered up by John Lennon in the Beatles tune "Revolution."
You say you want a revolution
Well you know
We'd all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution
Well you know
We'd all want to change the world
You say you got a real solution
Well you know
We'd all want to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well you know
We're all doing what we can
When "things" aren't going our way, we all "want to change the world." Some have revolutionary tendencies in considering change, others prefer an evolutionary model. Those with "a real solution" must step up and share the plan. At real issue in the present economic quandary is that all the plans submitted to date are subject to change without notice. The frequency of new plans being put on the table is fast and furious. It is easy to get confused and miss a step on the dance floor. What is apparent is that "we're all doing what we can" to address the problems within the system and to restore confidence in it.
When we find "the bottom" of this present recession, some are sure to pursue this business of banking a bit differently. Others will be trying on new outfits, but at the same time sticking to the basics. Who knows, some banker may reintroduce the fabled words, "time tried, panic tested" as its tag line, words in which a new generation can now find appreciation. In the end I call your attention to the repetitive refrain of the song "Revolution."
Don't you know it's gonna be all right
Don't you know it's gonna be all right
Don't you know it's gonna be all right
And it will be! Whether dancing with bank customers or regulators, keep on dancin’!
Around the state and across the Miles, there is work to be done. Let's go have some fun!
"Time tried, panic tested." I first encountered these words in the late '70s while working as a state bank examiner. This phrase was the promotional tag line for the old Bank of Mansfield in western Arkansas. At first blush I thought them a bit lame and out of touch with the times, but I subsequently realized that the words linked the bank to its past and delivered a reassuring message to many of its customers who still remembered the tough life experiences during the Great Depression. Soon thereafter the words developed relevance with me as I found myself working alongside fellow examiners in the closing of a few Arkansas banks in the challenging economy of the early '80s. Better economic times followed, job changes came my way, and these words were filed away in the recesses of my mind.
Today we again find ourselves in trying times. In anticipation of hitting "the bottom" the markets seemingly find new lows each day. The ranks of the unemployed continue to climb. While the onset of "panic" does not appear widespread, I'm sure it has found its way into several households. Yet I still find myself optimistic about the future. At the center of that optimism is the general performance of Arkansas banks in both good times and bad. We may seldom gain exposure to a state of euphoria when the economy is soaring, but then neither do we fall into the depths of despondency during significant downturns in the economic cycle.
Arkansas' commercial banks saw their earnings climb some 16% from 2007 to 2008. Of course sizable losses associated with the ANB Financial failure adversely impacted Arkansas bank performance in 2007, but the annual improvement is noteworthy when considering that industry income significantly declined in all of our neighboring states over the same period. In discussing this matter at our Association's Group 3 meeting last week in Fayetteville, Tim Yeager, holder of the ABA Chair of Banking at the University of Arkansas, noted that our state's banks are "holding their own" and that their 2008 performance numbers are "really remarkable."
Recognizing that the bulk of the problems in the financial sector lie within the framework of Wall Street conglomerates and other money center institutions, I get particularly miffed when I read a headline such as "Bankers Called on Carpet" (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, February 12, 2009). Such innuendo leads the public to think that all "bankers" are culprit to the underlying causes of the current national crisis and that all banks are unruly in their behavior and in need of disciplinary action. Nothing could be further from the truth. We must continue our efforts to educate all interested parties on the differences between Main Street community bankers and those on Wall Street so that there is a genuine understanding that the vast majority of banks around the country are safe and sound.
We bankers traditionally prefer "things" to move at a slower pace than that being experienced at present. We like music that is easy to dance to. A steady rhythm allows us to better adapt our footwork to the music leading to a smoother and more deliberate dance. The current rapid beat is causing a frantic step that reminds me of watching kids dance the "jerk" or the "mashed potatoes" on American Bandstand when I was a youngster. Being a top performer in the current environment is challenging. For those wishing to go "dancing with the stars," it is necessary to sharpen your fashion sense.
Several Wall Street mega-banks are cloaked in a "too big to fail" wardrobe that could be going out of style. Is it possible that some may have outgrown their britches? Putting on too much weight is considered a red flag when it comes to assessing one's general health and it appears that there has been some ripping at the seams in some of these outfits. Being too large can make some situations a bit uncomfortable and often slows one's reaction time. On the other hand being runway model thin doesn't assure good health, but it does help with one's flexibility and maneuverability.
Fashions change just as the economy changes. Have you noticed that men's neckties are getting narrower as the economy wanes? Adopting the latest "fad" may allow you to keep up appearances, but you can never afford to abandon the basics while attempting to stay in vogue with the current trend. The conservatism represented by the basic pinstriped suit and the little black dress depicts the "style" to which Arkansas bankers adhere. Staying true to a conservative "look" and keeping that basic style in our respective closets prevents us from panicking over what to wear on any given occasion, never mind the state of the economy.
To maintain decorum and keep up with the latest trend of bank failures, FDIC Chairperson Sheila Bair recently announced that a twenty basis point special assessment for all banks would be necessary to keep the Deposit Insurance Fund viable and in the black. No banking panics have been experienced since the establishment of deposit insurance in 1933. However the size of the proposed special assessment created uproar. The "cover charge" to gain entry to the dance is always a consideration. A quick turn at the end of the runway reminiscent of one performed by fashion models resulted in dramatic change in the FDIC's position within 72 hours of the announcement of the special assessment. The altered stance came from a proposal to ramp up the FDIC's permanent line of credit with the U. S. Treasury to $100 billion from the present $30 billion and temporarily increase it to $500 billion through December 31, 2010 giving the agency flexibility to cut the size of the proposed special assessment in half. Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd plans to introduce legislation effecting the FDIC's increased borrowing capacity to facilitate reduction in the special assessment in short order. Cooperative conversation between bankers, Congressional leadership, and regulatory authorities paved the way for this more palatable solution to the FDIC’s initial proposal. Such action is reflective of the type of adaptable behavior needed by all involved to sustain and enhance bank performance going forward in this uncertain environment.
Around the country people are angry over the present circumstances. Shouting matches are commonplace on our televisions. I try to filter out this “noise” in search of an understanding. The “philosophers” I follow are comic book heroes and songwriters of the '60s. Absent Superman, Wonder Woman, or the Green Lantern arriving on the scene to rescue those experiencing troubles I will turn to some forty year old song lyrics offered up by John Lennon in the Beatles tune "Revolution."
You say you want a revolution
Well you know
We'd all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution
Well you know
We'd all want to change the world
You say you got a real solution
Well you know
We'd all want to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well you know
We're all doing what we can
When "things" aren't going our way, we all "want to change the world." Some have revolutionary tendencies in considering change, others prefer an evolutionary model. Those with "a real solution" must step up and share the plan. At real issue in the present economic quandary is that all the plans submitted to date are subject to change without notice. The frequency of new plans being put on the table is fast and furious. It is easy to get confused and miss a step on the dance floor. What is apparent is that "we're all doing what we can" to address the problems within the system and to restore confidence in it.
When we find "the bottom" of this present recession, some are sure to pursue this business of banking a bit differently. Others will be trying on new outfits, but at the same time sticking to the basics. Who knows, some banker may reintroduce the fabled words, "time tried, panic tested" as its tag line, words in which a new generation can now find appreciation. In the end I call your attention to the repetitive refrain of the song "Revolution."
Don't you know it's gonna be all right
Don't you know it's gonna be all right
Don't you know it's gonna be all right
And it will be! Whether dancing with bank customers or regulators, keep on dancin’!
Around the state and across the Miles, there is work to be done. Let's go have some fun!
ABA Chairman's Letter...February 2009
Chairman's Letter
Great expectations arose amongst the masses as Barack Obama recited the presidential oath. One can almost feel the anticipation as people await the fulfillment of promises made or promises heard. Change is on its way! I am cognizant that things said are not always consistent with things heard. Many people often "hear" what they want to hear rather than the words that are spoken. It is an observation that words spoken in political forum are often misunderstood by those on the listening end, at least that is the posture of the speakers when actions taken appear inconsistent with the words previously spoken. Trying to decipher all that is being said on the political front can be a bit dizzying.
In an attempt to separate myself from the hullabaloo surrounding the transfer of power on the national scene, I went to my bookshelves at home to find a good book for a pleasurable read. In scanning the shelves, there it was.............Great Expectations penned by Charles Dickens. I had not read this book since my high school days. The copy of Great Expectations on our shelves is a handsome leather bound edition that usually wouldn't lend itself to reading; it is there to look good. Despite its appearance I picked it up and carried it to my favorite chair. The story and its characters came back to me forthwith. As I thumbed the pages of this classic piece the story lines seemed similar in tone to today's commentaries on relationships and the influence of those relationships on one's life. The more things change the more they remain the same.
"Now I return to this young fellow. And the communication I have got to make is, that he has great expectations." These words from Great Expectations were spoken by the lawyer Jaggers to the orphan Pip as encouragement to leave his blacksmith apprenticeship for a finer life. The American people have declared similar sentiment in turning to President Obama as one with "great expectations." Those who are unemployed and struggling to make ends meet, those who are without adequate healthcare insurance and dealing with an illness, and those separated from family by war and worrying about loved ones are all searching for a better existence. President Obama is a "young fellow" in relative terms to those who have preceded him. The vote of the American people was "the communication" made that there are "great expectations" of him and for him. The throng of people present at his inauguration was the exclamation point on this declaration. High hopes prevail.
At times when I seemed a bit over excited in my younger days, my father often coached me to remember these words, "the higher your expectations, the deeper your disappointments." Now his point was not intended as a forewarning of failure, nor was it a warning to lower my expectations. My dad encouraged me to dream big, to aim high, and to be persistent in pursuit of the prize. He simply was serving a reminder that disappointment lurks on the perimeter of each ambitious endeavor and that I would be well served by recognizing the stark realities of a certain situation and the time elements associated with a particular plan. Reality tempers dreams and expectations. Patience is a virtue.
Today's economic environment is playing havoc with banks in general and to think that all Arkansas banks will escape the pangs of hard times is unrealistic. My expectations for Arkansas community banks remain high. But there is troubling chatter in the air. As an aside to conversations about the misgivings of the $700 billion Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP), the proposed $825 billion stimulus package, the concept of a government controlled “bad bank,” and a deepening recession, I am hearing talk of nationalizing banks in America. Such talk makes me twitch. However, it is not far fetched.
My introduction to nationalized banking came in 1990 on a Rotary Group Study Exchange trip to India. At that time almost all banks in India were nationalized with a small number of private banks in the early stages of establishment. Today India’s banking system is comprised of nationalized institutions, private banks, and foreign banks. Since the early 1990s when India relaxed its stand on private banking enterprises, its economy has moved toward a market based system from a socialistic one operating in the world’s largest democracy. My concern is that America’s economy could move in the opposite direction from that of India’s if too many government controls are thrust upon our system. And then there would be the strained situation created by having government as both bank competitor and regulator.
It is certain that not all banks would be subject to nationalization. But even if the largest ones that already have sizeable government investments in them were to be nationalized, a further erosion of public confidence would likely occur. While our banks operate in a free market society, our success is rooted in the public trust. Regulatory oversight backs that public trust. It is apparent that the emphasis on deregulation in the late 1990s set the stage for some of the problems the system is now facing. Whenever we get “too hot” or “too cold” we have a tendency to push the thermostat controls to an extreme position in order to speed up the climate change we desire rather than adjusting it slightly to a comfortable setting. What must be captured is a true balance in the relationship between banks and government regulators. A working partnership between the public and private interests is required, not a transfer of ownership. Last December in an interview with journalist Tom Brokaw, then President-elect Barack Obama had this to say, “We don’t want government to run companies. Generally, government historically hasn’t done that very well.” This comment was made in response to a question about the future of America’s major automobile companies, but the same can be said in addressing concerns about the banking system. I remind myself that things said are not always the same as things heard.
Measuring success or failure of those in leadership positions is a favored past time of pundits and observing followers. The first 100 days of a president's term in office has been recognized as a magic moment since that of President Franklin D. Roosevelt whose actions within that time frame delivered a calming of fears in the midst of the Great Depression. I am hopeful that all the “great expectations” for the Obama administration are held in proper perspective. Swift movement to put policies and solutions into action is important, but it is more important that they be sound and practical. At this writing President Barack Obama has been in office only seven days. By coincidence the 100-day mark of President Obama's term falls on the opening day of the Arkansas Bankers Association's annual convention in Hot Springs. I look forward to seeing you at the convention so that we can continue this conversation about the banking environment and challenges ahead.
Until then may I suggest you find yourself an engaging book to pass the time? A classic like Great Expectations may not be your cup of tea, but there are other choices in keeping with people’s thoughts about our new president. How about the H. G. Wells short story The Man Who Could Work Miracles? Just remember, that one is science fiction.
Around the state and across the Miles, there is much work to be done. Let’s go have some fun!
Great expectations arose amongst the masses as Barack Obama recited the presidential oath. One can almost feel the anticipation as people await the fulfillment of promises made or promises heard. Change is on its way! I am cognizant that things said are not always consistent with things heard. Many people often "hear" what they want to hear rather than the words that are spoken. It is an observation that words spoken in political forum are often misunderstood by those on the listening end, at least that is the posture of the speakers when actions taken appear inconsistent with the words previously spoken. Trying to decipher all that is being said on the political front can be a bit dizzying.
In an attempt to separate myself from the hullabaloo surrounding the transfer of power on the national scene, I went to my bookshelves at home to find a good book for a pleasurable read. In scanning the shelves, there it was.............Great Expectations penned by Charles Dickens. I had not read this book since my high school days. The copy of Great Expectations on our shelves is a handsome leather bound edition that usually wouldn't lend itself to reading; it is there to look good. Despite its appearance I picked it up and carried it to my favorite chair. The story and its characters came back to me forthwith. As I thumbed the pages of this classic piece the story lines seemed similar in tone to today's commentaries on relationships and the influence of those relationships on one's life. The more things change the more they remain the same.
"Now I return to this young fellow. And the communication I have got to make is, that he has great expectations." These words from Great Expectations were spoken by the lawyer Jaggers to the orphan Pip as encouragement to leave his blacksmith apprenticeship for a finer life. The American people have declared similar sentiment in turning to President Obama as one with "great expectations." Those who are unemployed and struggling to make ends meet, those who are without adequate healthcare insurance and dealing with an illness, and those separated from family by war and worrying about loved ones are all searching for a better existence. President Obama is a "young fellow" in relative terms to those who have preceded him. The vote of the American people was "the communication" made that there are "great expectations" of him and for him. The throng of people present at his inauguration was the exclamation point on this declaration. High hopes prevail.
At times when I seemed a bit over excited in my younger days, my father often coached me to remember these words, "the higher your expectations, the deeper your disappointments." Now his point was not intended as a forewarning of failure, nor was it a warning to lower my expectations. My dad encouraged me to dream big, to aim high, and to be persistent in pursuit of the prize. He simply was serving a reminder that disappointment lurks on the perimeter of each ambitious endeavor and that I would be well served by recognizing the stark realities of a certain situation and the time elements associated with a particular plan. Reality tempers dreams and expectations. Patience is a virtue.
Today's economic environment is playing havoc with banks in general and to think that all Arkansas banks will escape the pangs of hard times is unrealistic. My expectations for Arkansas community banks remain high. But there is troubling chatter in the air. As an aside to conversations about the misgivings of the $700 billion Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP), the proposed $825 billion stimulus package, the concept of a government controlled “bad bank,” and a deepening recession, I am hearing talk of nationalizing banks in America. Such talk makes me twitch. However, it is not far fetched.
My introduction to nationalized banking came in 1990 on a Rotary Group Study Exchange trip to India. At that time almost all banks in India were nationalized with a small number of private banks in the early stages of establishment. Today India’s banking system is comprised of nationalized institutions, private banks, and foreign banks. Since the early 1990s when India relaxed its stand on private banking enterprises, its economy has moved toward a market based system from a socialistic one operating in the world’s largest democracy. My concern is that America’s economy could move in the opposite direction from that of India’s if too many government controls are thrust upon our system. And then there would be the strained situation created by having government as both bank competitor and regulator.
It is certain that not all banks would be subject to nationalization. But even if the largest ones that already have sizeable government investments in them were to be nationalized, a further erosion of public confidence would likely occur. While our banks operate in a free market society, our success is rooted in the public trust. Regulatory oversight backs that public trust. It is apparent that the emphasis on deregulation in the late 1990s set the stage for some of the problems the system is now facing. Whenever we get “too hot” or “too cold” we have a tendency to push the thermostat controls to an extreme position in order to speed up the climate change we desire rather than adjusting it slightly to a comfortable setting. What must be captured is a true balance in the relationship between banks and government regulators. A working partnership between the public and private interests is required, not a transfer of ownership. Last December in an interview with journalist Tom Brokaw, then President-elect Barack Obama had this to say, “We don’t want government to run companies. Generally, government historically hasn’t done that very well.” This comment was made in response to a question about the future of America’s major automobile companies, but the same can be said in addressing concerns about the banking system. I remind myself that things said are not always the same as things heard.
Measuring success or failure of those in leadership positions is a favored past time of pundits and observing followers. The first 100 days of a president's term in office has been recognized as a magic moment since that of President Franklin D. Roosevelt whose actions within that time frame delivered a calming of fears in the midst of the Great Depression. I am hopeful that all the “great expectations” for the Obama administration are held in proper perspective. Swift movement to put policies and solutions into action is important, but it is more important that they be sound and practical. At this writing President Barack Obama has been in office only seven days. By coincidence the 100-day mark of President Obama's term falls on the opening day of the Arkansas Bankers Association's annual convention in Hot Springs. I look forward to seeing you at the convention so that we can continue this conversation about the banking environment and challenges ahead.
Until then may I suggest you find yourself an engaging book to pass the time? A classic like Great Expectations may not be your cup of tea, but there are other choices in keeping with people’s thoughts about our new president. How about the H. G. Wells short story The Man Who Could Work Miracles? Just remember, that one is science fiction.
Around the state and across the Miles, there is much work to be done. Let’s go have some fun!
ABA Chairman's Letter...January 2009
Chairman’s Letter
“It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” is the title of a 1963 feature film that stars an ensemble of many celebrity comedians of that era. The movie is about the madcap chase to find a cache of stolen money hidden by a thief who tells of its whereabouts, as he lies dying at the scene of a car crash in the California desert. “It’s a mad, mad, mad, mad world” is also commentary on our present day’s surroundings.
Pick up a newspaper, turn on your television, pull up a website or blog on your computer, read the messages on your smart phone. Craziness abounds. “What, me worry?” is the dubious question frequently posed by Mad Magazine’s Alfred E. Neuman when world issues confound him. One does not have to venture far to find evidence of worrisome madness.
Bear with me for a moment. Madness in financial circles is a frequent headline grabber with the recently uncovered $50 billion Ponzi scheme perpetrated by the previously well-respected investment advisor Bernard Madoff stealing the front page. Madness looms in the political arena with the current poster child being Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich who has been charged with corruption in an alleged “pay for play” scandal associated with the appointment of a replacement to President-elect Barack Obama’s senate seat. The circus atmosphere surrounding the question of the legality of Blagojevich’s appointment of Roland Burris to fill Obama’s vacant senate seat is ongoing. Madness often takes center stage in the matter of human rights with the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan occupying the spotlight.
When one continually takes in the examples of bizarre behavior just cited and teams them with the continuing sagas of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the conflict in the Middle East over the Gaza strip, repeated reports of inhumane treatment of fellow human beings, and less onerous stories dealing with a rising unemployment rate, an unstable world economy, a collapsing auto industry, a declining housing market, and an unparalleled projected trillion dollar plus U. S. budget deficit there must to be questions raised about the sanity of the world around us.
Many are muttering “good riddance” as the final remnants of 2008 drift toward the floor in the form of dated pages torn from the center staples of a wall calendar carrying advertisements for a local community bank. While those 2008 calendars have been ripped from the walls of homes and country stores around the world, memories of its events and its principal characters are certain to linger.
At this writing we are only two weeks away from the presidential inauguration of Barack Obama as successor to George W. Bush. The 111th Congress convened on the date of this writing with some unanswered questions about its makeup. Will the previously mentioned Roland Burris be allowed to assume the Illinois senate seat vacated by President-elect Obama? If not Burris, then who? Who will occupy New York Senator Hillary Clinton’s seat when she is sworn in as our nation’s secretary of state? And there is the undecided senate seat in Minnesota where the final tally from the November election between the Republican incumbent Norm Coleman and Democratic comedy writer Al Franken is still up in the air. Will a new leader sitting in the Oval Office or new voices in the halls of Congress pronounce a remedy to this apparent madness?
The discourse between the Executive branch and the Legislative branch of our government at times resembles the tea party scene from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The conversation between Alice, the Mad Hatter, and the March Hare was nothing more than posing riddles without solutions and reciting nonsensical verse. Despite this comparison I believe that fresh approaches in addressing the issues facing our country will reduce the frenzy.
We live in an age of expected instant gratification and the twenty-four hour a day, seven days a week news networks constantly remind us of actions taken by world leaders that have failed to meet those expectations. Whether it is the latest economic stimulus proposal, the latest government bailout plan, the latest interest rate adjustment, or some other “fix,” there is always someone to immediately second-guess or declare failure. Of course instantaneous corrections to systemic problems that have been developing over time are unrealistic. To expect such is a bit insane. It is a symptom of this “mad, mad, mad, mad world” we inhabit. Where can you find the answers to the riddles? How do we respond?
I do not advocate running to an open window and screaming, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore” as a crazed Howard Beale, the central character of the 1976 movie “Network,” suggested to his viewing audience as he recounted the world’s ills and offered up response to them. Instead of screaming out when faced with troubled times and challenges group therapy is a good aid. A network of individuals with shared interests, similar challenges, and varied experiences can assist in identifying the opportunities and establishing proper courses of action to stare down the challenges and to overcome the problems. Bankers can find such a network at the Arkansas Bankers Association. Former Arkansas State Bank Commissioner Marlin Jackson used to tell me, “There are no problems, only opportunities to improve.” In similar thought Robert South, a 17th century English theologian, once said, “Problems can become opportunities when the right people come together.” The “right people” can be found through your affiliation with the ABA.
Founded in 1891 the Association has witnessed adverse business cycles within the industry several times before and its network of active bankers remains strong. The ABA and its member banks endured the Great Depression, carried on through two world wars, and worked through numerous other economic downturns. It has changed with the changing times and can serve as an antidote to the prevailing madness. The only pill one must swallow is the one marked “active participation.” To get the full benefit of the Association, active participation is required. Working through the issues alongside other ABA members can make living in this “mad, mad, mad, mad world” not only tolerable, but also enjoyable. I look forward to seeing you at the upcoming Group meetings later this spring so that we can discuss the issues. And I ask that you voice your opinion on legislative matters important to banking as they are introduced in Arkansas’ 87th General Assembly that convenes next week.
Just as the movie version of “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” concluded in a roar of laughter, I’m cautiously optimistic that the current economic turmoil will cycle back to better times for all in the not too distant future. After all we just may have Al Franken to assist Congress in writing the script for it.
Around the state and across the Miles, there is much work to be done. Let’s go have some fun!
“It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” is the title of a 1963 feature film that stars an ensemble of many celebrity comedians of that era. The movie is about the madcap chase to find a cache of stolen money hidden by a thief who tells of its whereabouts, as he lies dying at the scene of a car crash in the California desert. “It’s a mad, mad, mad, mad world” is also commentary on our present day’s surroundings.
Pick up a newspaper, turn on your television, pull up a website or blog on your computer, read the messages on your smart phone. Craziness abounds. “What, me worry?” is the dubious question frequently posed by Mad Magazine’s Alfred E. Neuman when world issues confound him. One does not have to venture far to find evidence of worrisome madness.
Bear with me for a moment. Madness in financial circles is a frequent headline grabber with the recently uncovered $50 billion Ponzi scheme perpetrated by the previously well-respected investment advisor Bernard Madoff stealing the front page. Madness looms in the political arena with the current poster child being Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich who has been charged with corruption in an alleged “pay for play” scandal associated with the appointment of a replacement to President-elect Barack Obama’s senate seat. The circus atmosphere surrounding the question of the legality of Blagojevich’s appointment of Roland Burris to fill Obama’s vacant senate seat is ongoing. Madness often takes center stage in the matter of human rights with the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan occupying the spotlight.
When one continually takes in the examples of bizarre behavior just cited and teams them with the continuing sagas of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the conflict in the Middle East over the Gaza strip, repeated reports of inhumane treatment of fellow human beings, and less onerous stories dealing with a rising unemployment rate, an unstable world economy, a collapsing auto industry, a declining housing market, and an unparalleled projected trillion dollar plus U. S. budget deficit there must to be questions raised about the sanity of the world around us.
Many are muttering “good riddance” as the final remnants of 2008 drift toward the floor in the form of dated pages torn from the center staples of a wall calendar carrying advertisements for a local community bank. While those 2008 calendars have been ripped from the walls of homes and country stores around the world, memories of its events and its principal characters are certain to linger.
At this writing we are only two weeks away from the presidential inauguration of Barack Obama as successor to George W. Bush. The 111th Congress convened on the date of this writing with some unanswered questions about its makeup. Will the previously mentioned Roland Burris be allowed to assume the Illinois senate seat vacated by President-elect Obama? If not Burris, then who? Who will occupy New York Senator Hillary Clinton’s seat when she is sworn in as our nation’s secretary of state? And there is the undecided senate seat in Minnesota where the final tally from the November election between the Republican incumbent Norm Coleman and Democratic comedy writer Al Franken is still up in the air. Will a new leader sitting in the Oval Office or new voices in the halls of Congress pronounce a remedy to this apparent madness?
The discourse between the Executive branch and the Legislative branch of our government at times resembles the tea party scene from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The conversation between Alice, the Mad Hatter, and the March Hare was nothing more than posing riddles without solutions and reciting nonsensical verse. Despite this comparison I believe that fresh approaches in addressing the issues facing our country will reduce the frenzy.
We live in an age of expected instant gratification and the twenty-four hour a day, seven days a week news networks constantly remind us of actions taken by world leaders that have failed to meet those expectations. Whether it is the latest economic stimulus proposal, the latest government bailout plan, the latest interest rate adjustment, or some other “fix,” there is always someone to immediately second-guess or declare failure. Of course instantaneous corrections to systemic problems that have been developing over time are unrealistic. To expect such is a bit insane. It is a symptom of this “mad, mad, mad, mad world” we inhabit. Where can you find the answers to the riddles? How do we respond?
I do not advocate running to an open window and screaming, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore” as a crazed Howard Beale, the central character of the 1976 movie “Network,” suggested to his viewing audience as he recounted the world’s ills and offered up response to them. Instead of screaming out when faced with troubled times and challenges group therapy is a good aid. A network of individuals with shared interests, similar challenges, and varied experiences can assist in identifying the opportunities and establishing proper courses of action to stare down the challenges and to overcome the problems. Bankers can find such a network at the Arkansas Bankers Association. Former Arkansas State Bank Commissioner Marlin Jackson used to tell me, “There are no problems, only opportunities to improve.” In similar thought Robert South, a 17th century English theologian, once said, “Problems can become opportunities when the right people come together.” The “right people” can be found through your affiliation with the ABA.
Founded in 1891 the Association has witnessed adverse business cycles within the industry several times before and its network of active bankers remains strong. The ABA and its member banks endured the Great Depression, carried on through two world wars, and worked through numerous other economic downturns. It has changed with the changing times and can serve as an antidote to the prevailing madness. The only pill one must swallow is the one marked “active participation.” To get the full benefit of the Association, active participation is required. Working through the issues alongside other ABA members can make living in this “mad, mad, mad, mad world” not only tolerable, but also enjoyable. I look forward to seeing you at the upcoming Group meetings later this spring so that we can discuss the issues. And I ask that you voice your opinion on legislative matters important to banking as they are introduced in Arkansas’ 87th General Assembly that convenes next week.
Just as the movie version of “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” concluded in a roar of laughter, I’m cautiously optimistic that the current economic turmoil will cycle back to better times for all in the not too distant future. After all we just may have Al Franken to assist Congress in writing the script for it.
Around the state and across the Miles, there is much work to be done. Let’s go have some fun!
Hound Call...December 27, 2008
Lillian Grimes, a remembrance
Attention all Hounds!
Obedient Hound Dogs are most often the product of rigorous, consistent, and persistent training. The few who excel in the training up of Pups are held in high esteem. Such top notch trainers focus on the Pups. They groom them, nurture them, educate them, and turn them loose to run free. Lillian Grimes was a first class trainer/educator. Every young pup that came into her presence received her full attention. When any young pup left Mrs. Grimes' kennel it was prepared for the next step in its life. Her love accompanied each one forever more.
Mrs. Lillian Grimes departed this life on December 23, 2008 at the young age of 98. She is survived by her sister, Nellie Steenburgen, and her nieces, Mary Steenburgen and Nancy Steenburgen, as well as a multitude of adoring Pups grown into Hounds. Mrs. Grimes served the Newport School District for 47 years (1926-1973) as a teacher and administrator. She touched the lives of many. Almost each and every one of you will have a personal remembrance of Mrs. Grimes. I was blessed by her influence. She was my principal at Gibbs-Albright Elementary School from fourth through sixth grades (1961-1964) and one of my Sunday School teachers at the First United Methodist Church. Her encouraging demeanor left its mark on my heart. Her true love for teaching was most evident. I am confident that Mrs. Grimes saw all of us as her children and she wanted us to be the best we could possibly be.
She spent her latter years in the company of her sister, Nellie, in Sherwood, Arkansas. There will be a family visitation from 3-5pm tomorrow (Sunday, December 28) with a Remembrance Service at 4pm in the chapel of Griffin Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home in North Little Rock. Funeral services will be held in Newport on Monday, December 29 at 2pm at her beloved First United Methodist Church. A private burial will follow.
Her family has requested that memorials be made to Arkansas Hospice or to the Donald W. Reynolds Department of Geriatrics at UAMS/Education Section.
I know you will join me in holding Mrs. Grimes' memory and her family close in thought and prayer.
If dogs run free, then why not we
Across the swooping plain?
My ears hear a symphony
Of two mules, trains, and rain
The best is always yet to come
That's what they explain to me
Just do your thing, you'll be king
If dogs run free
If dogs run free, then why not me
Across the swamp of time?
My minds weaves a symphony
And a tapestry of rhyme
Oh, winds which rush my tale to thee
So it may flow and be
To each his own, it's all unknown
If dogs run free
If dogs run free, then what must be
Must be and that is all
True love and make a blade of grass
Stand up straight and tall
In harmony with the cosmic sea
True love needs no company
It can cure the soul, it can make it whole
If dogs run free
(Bob Dylan, 1970)
Thank you Mrs. Grimes for showing me the way and encouraging me to run free. I remember you with love!
joe
ABA Chairman's Letter...December 2008
Chairman’s Letter
The door to a new year is standing wide open awaiting each of us to step across the threshold. In preparing to take that step I’m certain that bankers across the state have spent the past several weeks reviewing plans, establishing budgets, assessing goals, and communicating expectations. As well, I’m thinking some are contemplating resolutions to address certain personal intentions. The late American author Hal Borland had this to say about the dawning of a new year, “Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.” Wisdom derived from experience is rooted in preparation.
In reflecting on preparation I think of the staff at First National Bank & Trust Company’s Gassville branch. Our bank experienced a robbery at that branch on November 18, 2008. The four person staff was about to close out the day’s business when the perpetrator entered the branch, uttered his threatening intentions, bound each employee, and proceeded on his mission to pilfer cash drawers. An alert manager seized an opportunity and activated a silent alarm. Law enforcement responded and apprehended the suspect at the scene. A well-trained staff acting with professionalism avoided disaster as it stared them in the face. The key ingredient was preparation for which I am particularly thankful. During economic declines instances of bank robbery seem to increase. I remind each of you that our Association has presented our membership with bank robbery prevention and awareness programs designed to deter and thwart such activity.
Not too many weeks ago I was rummaging through some boxes of “stuff” found in the attic of my parents’ house. In one of these boxes I discovered several “old” personal items from days long gone. Among the items were my Boy Scout uniform and a sash filled with merit badges, a Little League uniform, and a t-shirt and cap from Boy’s State. One’s initial impression is that these are items a mother would save to mark the accomplishments of a child. The items also symbolize the partial fulfillment of a parent’s dream. From a banker’s perspective such items represent an investment in the development of future community leaders. That Little League uniform is emblazoned with the name of M&P Bank. First National Bank sponsored my attendance at Boy’s State. The local banks financially supported my Boy Scout troop. Teamwork, active citizenship, and preparedness were the points of emphasis in these experiences and their many participants reaped significant education from these programs. Towns across America are the beneficiaries of the leadership that has been groomed in these activities over the years. Appreciation must be expressed to community banks and other small businesses for their contributions to these and related programs. These banks recognize that their commitment to such programs prepares young people for the future.
About the same time I discovered that box of “stuff” in my parents’ attic, a letter over my signature was sent to every ABA member bank seeking financial support for Economics Arkansas. Economics Arkansas (previously referred to as the Arkansas Council on Economics Education) is a private, not for profit organization promoting economic literacy in grades K-12 in our Arkansas schools. The Arkansas Bankers Association was instrumental in the founding of this program in 1962 and has since provided support through an annual capital campaign. Teachers who embrace the initiative go well beyond state standards by integrating fundamental economics into the curriculum. Economics Arkansas emphasizes the importance of human capital, hones financial decision making skills, and raises the consciousness of caring for and managing limited resources. Your investment in this important program is vital to the economic education of our youth and to the enhancement of our future economy. It is an excellent preparation tool. I am convinced that when you “teach your children,” you reap tremendous rewards yourself. Thank you to those who have given to this year’s campaign in support of Economics Arkansas. If you have not already made your commitment to this program you can expect to receive a second letter as a reminder in the not too distant future. The current year’s campaign will accept contributions through May 2009.
I believe that communities evolve from and revolve around four basic institutions – schools, churches, hospitals and banks. These institutions feed the mental, spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the citizenry. Our Arkansas banks are often the economic engine and difference makers in the success of local programs that are the building blocks of a progressive community.
Last month at the American Bankers Association’s annual convention in San Francisco, the attendees heard commentaries from several enlightened speakers. I found the words of Carly Fiorina, the former CEO of Hewlett-Packard and most recently an economic advisor to Republican presidential hopeful John McCain, pertinent to our times. Ms. Fiorina stated that community bankers are called upon every day to balance the requirements of shareholders, customers, employees and the communities we serve. She went on to say that the organizations that we bankers represent are in a pivotal position to correct the present economic situation that is paralyzing parts of our country. Her position that succeeding in today’s environment will depend on a solid foundation in the “fundamentals” of common sense, good judgment, perspective and ethical behavior is spot on. Those organizations represented by bankers that Ms. Fiorina mentioned as being pivotal to an economic turnaround go beyond the bank itself. I am confident that she was including local school boards, church boards, hospital boards, civic groups, and charitable foundations on which many bankers serve. Bankers make considerable contributions of both time and money to the success of these endeavors that are all important to the well being of a community. Ms. Fiorina’s comments reinforced the recognition that communities often look to local bankers for leadership. It is our duty to be prepared to lead and to assist the next generation in its preparation.
Such talk brings me full circle. At the time of year when all bankers are putting the final touches on strategic plans and contingency plans for the year ahead, I wish to take a moment to say “thank you” for your emphasis on preparation. Thanks to bankers around our state who devote volunteer time and financial resources to enhance the quality of life in their respective communities. Thanks to those bankers who recognized a need and teamed with Dr. Bessie Moore and the ABA to establish an organization like Economics Arkansas to prepare young people for tomorrow’s demands. Thanks to those bankers who came before us and guided us in preparation for the present day.
As far as making personal resolutions for the New Year are concerned, once made I must admit I have had little success in keeping them. The Irish playwright Oscar Wilde had this to say about them, “Good resolutions are simply checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account.”
Regardless of the promises one makes to one’s self on the eve of the New Year, most people will find it challenging to adhere to any resolution. As we step through the door to the New Year with high expectations, I leave you with the tried and true words of the Boy Scout motto, “Be Prepared.”
I wish each of you a prosperous 2009 sprinkled with the essential ingredients of good health, love and laughter…………lots and lots of laughter!
Around the state and across the Miles………….there is work to be done. Let’s go have some fun!
The door to a new year is standing wide open awaiting each of us to step across the threshold. In preparing to take that step I’m certain that bankers across the state have spent the past several weeks reviewing plans, establishing budgets, assessing goals, and communicating expectations. As well, I’m thinking some are contemplating resolutions to address certain personal intentions. The late American author Hal Borland had this to say about the dawning of a new year, “Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.” Wisdom derived from experience is rooted in preparation.
In reflecting on preparation I think of the staff at First National Bank & Trust Company’s Gassville branch. Our bank experienced a robbery at that branch on November 18, 2008. The four person staff was about to close out the day’s business when the perpetrator entered the branch, uttered his threatening intentions, bound each employee, and proceeded on his mission to pilfer cash drawers. An alert manager seized an opportunity and activated a silent alarm. Law enforcement responded and apprehended the suspect at the scene. A well-trained staff acting with professionalism avoided disaster as it stared them in the face. The key ingredient was preparation for which I am particularly thankful. During economic declines instances of bank robbery seem to increase. I remind each of you that our Association has presented our membership with bank robbery prevention and awareness programs designed to deter and thwart such activity.
Not too many weeks ago I was rummaging through some boxes of “stuff” found in the attic of my parents’ house. In one of these boxes I discovered several “old” personal items from days long gone. Among the items were my Boy Scout uniform and a sash filled with merit badges, a Little League uniform, and a t-shirt and cap from Boy’s State. One’s initial impression is that these are items a mother would save to mark the accomplishments of a child. The items also symbolize the partial fulfillment of a parent’s dream. From a banker’s perspective such items represent an investment in the development of future community leaders. That Little League uniform is emblazoned with the name of M&P Bank. First National Bank sponsored my attendance at Boy’s State. The local banks financially supported my Boy Scout troop. Teamwork, active citizenship, and preparedness were the points of emphasis in these experiences and their many participants reaped significant education from these programs. Towns across America are the beneficiaries of the leadership that has been groomed in these activities over the years. Appreciation must be expressed to community banks and other small businesses for their contributions to these and related programs. These banks recognize that their commitment to such programs prepares young people for the future.
About the same time I discovered that box of “stuff” in my parents’ attic, a letter over my signature was sent to every ABA member bank seeking financial support for Economics Arkansas. Economics Arkansas (previously referred to as the Arkansas Council on Economics Education) is a private, not for profit organization promoting economic literacy in grades K-12 in our Arkansas schools. The Arkansas Bankers Association was instrumental in the founding of this program in 1962 and has since provided support through an annual capital campaign. Teachers who embrace the initiative go well beyond state standards by integrating fundamental economics into the curriculum. Economics Arkansas emphasizes the importance of human capital, hones financial decision making skills, and raises the consciousness of caring for and managing limited resources. Your investment in this important program is vital to the economic education of our youth and to the enhancement of our future economy. It is an excellent preparation tool. I am convinced that when you “teach your children,” you reap tremendous rewards yourself. Thank you to those who have given to this year’s campaign in support of Economics Arkansas. If you have not already made your commitment to this program you can expect to receive a second letter as a reminder in the not too distant future. The current year’s campaign will accept contributions through May 2009.
I believe that communities evolve from and revolve around four basic institutions – schools, churches, hospitals and banks. These institutions feed the mental, spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the citizenry. Our Arkansas banks are often the economic engine and difference makers in the success of local programs that are the building blocks of a progressive community.
Last month at the American Bankers Association’s annual convention in San Francisco, the attendees heard commentaries from several enlightened speakers. I found the words of Carly Fiorina, the former CEO of Hewlett-Packard and most recently an economic advisor to Republican presidential hopeful John McCain, pertinent to our times. Ms. Fiorina stated that community bankers are called upon every day to balance the requirements of shareholders, customers, employees and the communities we serve. She went on to say that the organizations that we bankers represent are in a pivotal position to correct the present economic situation that is paralyzing parts of our country. Her position that succeeding in today’s environment will depend on a solid foundation in the “fundamentals” of common sense, good judgment, perspective and ethical behavior is spot on. Those organizations represented by bankers that Ms. Fiorina mentioned as being pivotal to an economic turnaround go beyond the bank itself. I am confident that she was including local school boards, church boards, hospital boards, civic groups, and charitable foundations on which many bankers serve. Bankers make considerable contributions of both time and money to the success of these endeavors that are all important to the well being of a community. Ms. Fiorina’s comments reinforced the recognition that communities often look to local bankers for leadership. It is our duty to be prepared to lead and to assist the next generation in its preparation.
Such talk brings me full circle. At the time of year when all bankers are putting the final touches on strategic plans and contingency plans for the year ahead, I wish to take a moment to say “thank you” for your emphasis on preparation. Thanks to bankers around our state who devote volunteer time and financial resources to enhance the quality of life in their respective communities. Thanks to those bankers who recognized a need and teamed with Dr. Bessie Moore and the ABA to establish an organization like Economics Arkansas to prepare young people for tomorrow’s demands. Thanks to those bankers who came before us and guided us in preparation for the present day.
As far as making personal resolutions for the New Year are concerned, once made I must admit I have had little success in keeping them. The Irish playwright Oscar Wilde had this to say about them, “Good resolutions are simply checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account.”
Regardless of the promises one makes to one’s self on the eve of the New Year, most people will find it challenging to adhere to any resolution. As we step through the door to the New Year with high expectations, I leave you with the tried and true words of the Boy Scout motto, “Be Prepared.”
I wish each of you a prosperous 2009 sprinkled with the essential ingredients of good health, love and laughter…………lots and lots of laughter!
Around the state and across the Miles………….there is work to be done. Let’s go have some fun!
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