(opening line of "A Day in the Life," the Beatles, 1967)
Woooooooooooooo Hounds - The "Hound Call" has been muzzled for a few weeks due to things called work and play. The pace of life is dizzying at times, you know, like a puppy chasing its tail. That's just the way it is. But I'm back at the keyboard today to bark out bits and pieces of news of Newport folk.
Love and laughter - Enjoyed an extended visit with my mother, Lawana, and sister, Lana (NHS '72) in Las Vegas at the end of March. I was accompanied by wife, Kathryn, and two of our daughters, Evelyn and Emily. While there we celebrated Evelyn's 27th birthday, which is an event that reminds me that Lana has been in Las Vegas 27 years since she moved there when Evelyn was just three months old. The four day visit was filled with love and laughter. We attended the Cirque du Soleil show "Love" at the Mirage, which is a tribute to the Beatles and their music. Totally "fab!" It is a "must see" show for everyone. Laughter was ever-present as anyone who knows my sister would be sure to expect. Mother is doing fairly well thanks to Lana's enduring love and care. Another bit of "news" that was shared during this family get together is that daughter Evelyn is expecting child in October. Her baby will be my mother's first great grandchild. Excitement is in the air and everywhere around our house. Grandparenting is full of fun. We have been informed "it" is going to be a little girl. My heart is pounding!
Grandchildren - Speaking of grandchildren, my step-daughter Lynli's little boy celebrated his second birthday on May 12. Oliver is a happy and rambunctious little boy. He can capture your heart in a nanosecond. Just ask his grandmother Kathryn! When Evelyn's little girl arrives, I'm thinking she will offer a sweet innocence to the family portrait. Maybe, maybe not! All of the girls in our family seem to carry the mischievous, "tom-boyish" gene. I like it like that.
Classmate Sharon Stites Kimery (NHS '70) informs me that her first grandchild, Blaine Marshal Kimery, arrived on March 7, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. It is quite obvious Sharon is tickled. Have fun Sharon!
Steps along life's path - The Newport Independent brought me joyous news of an April wedding in Newport. Mary Smith (NHS '66) and Junior Baker (NHS '66) joined hands and hearts on April 19. Happy days! Two fine people whose paths crossed again at the right time.
Faye Jackson Lewis (NHS '39) left this life in March at the age of 85. I lived across Hazel Street from Mrs. Lewis during the first seven years of my life, but I remember her best as the long time, devoted Jackson County Tax Collector. I often worked at the polls in Jackson County elections in my younger days and Mrs. Lewis was always a most pleasant public servant. She was the mother of Bill Lewis (NHS '63).
A short month after Mrs. Lewis passed from this life, so did Emogene Carr, the beloved mother of my littermate Peggy Carr Inklebarger (NHS '70). Mrs. Carr was also the mother of Donna Carr Lewis (NHS '65), the wife of Bill Lewis, thus Donna and Bill both lost their mothers within a few weeks of one another. I send heartfelt prayers to the Carr and Lewis families.
News has reached me that Benny Bennett (NHS '48) departed this life in late March of this year. Benny was a member of the fun loving Bennett clan that had much influence on my life growing up in Newport. His brothers Billy, Lonnie and Harrison and sister Tommie Walker left their mark on me through their children. My good friend and littermate Gene Bennett (NHS '70), Benny's nephew, introduced me to this wonderful family by taking me to his grandmother's house for cookies right behind the old Walnut Street School and across from where I lived on Hazel Street when we were first graders. Benny is survived by daughters Debbie and Cathy.
Peggy Younger Penix died in April at the age of 82. She will be remembered by many as an assistant administrator in the Newport schools during the '50s. Phil McDonald (NHS '57) called Peggy a "friend at court" when he was a student roaming the halls of NHS. Phil mentioned that there are times in life today when he "needs" a Peggy Younger to lean on. I can identify. Let us hold Peggy's family close in our hearts.
Former classmate Melvin Bateman stepped off the path of life on April 3 at the age of 55. While Melvin did not finish school with the NHS Class of 1970, he will always included in our roll call. He was one who possessed an effervescent smile. May his family be remembered in your thoughts and prayers.
Life is a battlefield - I always like the excitement this time of year when the best of college basketball is center stage. There have been some really good games played on this first weekend of the NCAA tournament. Arkansas' Hogs were schooled today by my good friends Mary Wynne and Grady Perryman's adopted North Carolina Tar Heels, but they did have an excellent outing in the first round against Indiana. Guess I will go cry in my beer. Go Hogs!
Many among our ranks are battling illness. I request that you hold anyone and everyone, known or unknown, who is sparring with any illness close in collective prayer. In particular this day I hold up littermate Mike Brand (NHS '70) and Martha Johnston (NHS '64), sister of classmate Ruth Johnston (NHS '70). Both Mike and Martha continue regimens of chemotherapy in battling cancer. Recent reports are that both are holding up well. Cards and letters are always comforting. Mike's address is 2812 Highland, Newport, AR 72112. Martha's address is 3301 Sandhurst Rd., Mountain Brook, AL 35223).
Life long friend Mary Wynne Parker Perryman (NHS '70) celebrated life this past weekend in the company of family when her youngest child, Melissa, graduated from the University of North Carolina. It has been almost eight years since Mary Wynne was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She is a true testament to the power of prayer.
Timothy Watson, Jr. (NHS '98), son of Tim (NHS '62) and Betsy Watson is in need of a kidney. Timothy is presently on dialysis and is reported to be in good spirits. The following words in bold print are taken from a letter to friends from Timothy's mother, Betsy.
"The ideal donor would be a twenty-something male, but a kidney of any gender or age (under 50) could work for him. The doctors say that a healthy, young, kidney could last him for the rest of his life.
Anyone who is interested in inquiring further about being tested as a potential donor can contact Diane Richards at UAMS (University of Arkansas campus for Medical Sciences) in complete confidence. You can call her and leave a message at (501) 603-1207 or (800) 552-8026, and she will return your call. Or you can email her at bdrichards@uams.edu. She and you will be the only ones to know about your call, and if you do the testing, she and you will be the only ones to know until you tell us, if you choose to do so. She will send you a kit that you can take to your doctor and have him draw blood, then you'll mail the kit back to UAMS. The Watsons will pay for any expenses you incur. If you do want to proceed after being tested, you'll need to go to Little Rock for two days of further procedures (non-invasive). The Watsons will pay for transportation, hotel bills, food, etc.
The surgery is laparoscopic, and Medicare will pay for the procedure. You will probably spend one night in the hospital, maybe two. The pain will be minimal, though there will be some discomfort while the incision heals. You should be able to go back to work within a week (a desk job), and do regular exercise and lifting after six weeks. The Watsons will pay for all of the expenses Medicare does not cover.
If you are interested in learning more about living donation, please visit http://www.kidney.org/transplantation/livingDonors/index.cfm."
I also ask that all readers continue to hold the men and women serving our country in the armed services close in thought and prayer. Many are presently on one of life's literal battlefields.
Bits and pieces - J. L. May (NHS '55) has recently published his new book, "The Counselor (A Woman's Struggle with Abortion)." The book comes highly recommended by Harriet Brantley Lane (NHS '64), who is assisting J. L. in the marketing of the book. I just received my copy and look forward to turning the pages. A copy of this new book by a former Hound can be yours for the small sum of $15.95. Contact Harriet via e-mail at hbl1946@suddenlink.net or by phone at 870-217-1445.
Jamie Darling (NHS '90) has informed me that her NHS classmate Justin Johnson is running for the United States House of Representatives from the state of Missouri. Justin just happens to be the son of my NHS classmate Jamie Hopkins Block. You can find out more about Justin's quest at www.justinjohnsonforcongress.com. I know Justin's mother is very proud of his pursuit.
On May 1, I was honored by being elected the 118th Chairman of the Arkansas Bankers Association for 2008-2009 at the annual ABA convention in Hot Springs. Having worked in banking for the past 31 years in Little Rock, Newport, Arkadelphia, Russellville, and now Mountain Home, I have come to know many fine people and their families. The annual convention is a reunion of sorts, not unlike a class reunion or a family reunion, allowing me to reconnect with former co-workers and rival bankers from around our fair state. This year it was especially nice to have my wife, daughters, a son-in-law, and "old" Newport friends in attendance. Jerry Bullard (NHS '71) and his wife Ginger (NHS '73) were there along with Ann VanHook Rutledge (NHS '69). Ann's husband, Reynie, was elected Vice-Chairman for the coming year. It will be a lot of fun for me to work alongside Reynie on behalf of our Association and the bankers of Arkansas. I know two former Jackson County men have served as Chairman of the ABA, Percy Copeland (president of Merchants & Planters Bank) in 1963 and Van Smith (president of Bank of Tuckerman), father of good friend Lindley Smith, in 1973. In addition, my daughters grandfather, Ed Penick, and their great grandfather James H. Penick, served as ABA Chairman in 1967 and 1937, respectively. I am both humbled and honored to follow in their steps.
Today, May 17, marks the birthday of my youngest sister fifty years ago. Anne Marie lived but only a week, but thoughts of her accompany me always. She had bright red hair. I know she would be a beautiful woman had she lived, just like her sister Lana.
"I read the news today" - "News" finds its way to me in various forms and fashions (newspapers, magazines, periodicals, radio, television, internet, letters, e-mail, telephone, fax, conversation). I am grateful to those of you who send me the news of the day from all corners of the map keeping us in touch with one another and making us aware of happenings in the lives of those we love. Each addition of a new e-mail address to the Hound Call and Miles' Files is another steadfast link in the chain of friendship. I truly appreciate you providing information about music and remembrances from days gone by. Locating "lost pups" is always heartwarming. There is nothing like seeing the "wag of a tail." I thank you for sharing life with me!
Keep those cards and letters coming! Wishing you lots of love and laughter and hoping our paths cross again soon . . .
Woke up, got out of bed
Dragged a comb across my head
I'm Miles from Nowhere . . . guess I'll take my time.
joe
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