Opinion

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

My oldest son and I have recently been debating the proposition that science is dead. As a highly trained dermatologist that proposition is very troubling to him, and he strongly insists it is false. I point out to him that public policy in the United States, specifically the federal government’s response to covid, is unscientific. That policy was fashioned by the top medical officials in the country and enforced by the President.
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Overcoming a Year of Challenges

As we close out another tough year, I’d like to praise the 3 million people who call Arkansas home. Arkansans always are the first to arrive, they give all they have, and they don’t leave until the job is done. During this last year, Arkansas has had its share of challenges, and we have faced each one with determination and compassion.
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New Year’s Resolutions

Here’s a fun fact I just read it in new book called The Blue Zones Challenge by Dan Buettner. Most New Year’s Resolutions last for 4-6 weeks. Then people go back to their old habits. So, there are two ways to approach this problem. You can do what the experts who follow the people who live the longest suggest and make meaningful changes in sustainable ways, like changing your environment, support group, etc. so that your every move becomes measurably better.
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Be the “glue” in 2022 . . .

The simple task of unpacking Christmas ornaments is like opening a time capsule. As we pick up each ornament a memory may be attached that takes us back in time or to loved ones and friends we love. Decorating the tree with these ornaments becomes a gift as we enjoy these memories. When my niece, Becca was little we began exchanging ornaments. I began giving her ornaments each year so that when she got married and had a home of her own, she would have some ornaments on her first Christmas tree. I’m going to try to begin the same tradition with my great-nieces and nephews. When I’m long gone, they will have ornaments for their trees from Aunt Pam and hopefully loving memories.
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Last Minute Gift Ideas

Supply chain issues abound. At least that’s what they say. It’s in the headlines (though I did not actually read those articles) Late night talk show hosts make jokes about it so it’s probably hard to get some stuff. Also, I happen to know that you procrastinated. You have not bothered to browse in person, let alone online (well, at least not for anyone else), and now you need a gift so much as even. Immediately.
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The significance of wonder . . .

“Well, if it isn’t the Fleming girls,” Santa’s deep voice boomed to my sister and I. The year was about 1967 and two little girls stood amazed before this man clad in red and white in a shopping mall in a Kansas City suburb. It was like standing before the powerful and all-knowing Oz. He continued, “I happen to know that after you two go to bed each night you giggle and tell each other stories until your parents have to come to your bedroom door and tell you to go to sleep.” We nodded in wide-eyed silence. What else could we do? It was Santa. And he had just disclosed our nightly routine that only we knew. There we were standing before him, and he knew our names! The stories about him delivering presents one night a year to every household to good girls and boys made him mysterious to us. We were believers.
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Legislature Year in Review

Little Rock– State government had an eventful year in 2021, and much of the activity occurred in the Arkansas Senate. In January the legislature convened in regular session and approved a list of bills to lessen the impact that public health orders had on individuals and businesses.
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