January 2023

Registration is open for Time Out for Tech, the annual visit day that provides high school seniors with a preview of learning and living at Arkansas Tech University. Time Out for Tech 2023 is scheduled for Thursday, Feb.

Have you given thought to what constitutes a community? Or if community matters? Or even better, how do you connect to and interact with your community? Community is all-encompassing of its citizens, models of society, governance, community development, civic and social justice engagement, businesses, amenities, resources, culture, values, and beliefs. In the greater Ozark region, which is where I reside in Arkansas, a state in the United States, we value farming, agriculture, tourism, economic development, education, business, our student population, sports, faith, family, and generosity of spirit. These elements of community are interconnected one with the other as together, as community, we come together to make the place we call home a better place to live and work for ourselves but, more importantly, for our children and future generations who follow in our steps. Peter Block (2008) wrote about community, 'The social fabric of community is formed from an expanding shared sense of belonging.' In this state of belonging, in community, we come together to solve issues or complex societal problems that plague our community.

The Natural Resources Division and the Fulton County Conservation District wants to remind all owners of Poultry Feeding Operations (PFOs) that the annual registration for PFO’s began Jan. 1, 2023, in accordance with the Arkansas Poultry Feeding Operations Registration Act (Act 1060) of 2003. Registration dates will run through March 31, and affect any PFO with 2,500 or more confined fowl.

Have you recently retired but are now thinking of going back to work? If so, you aren’t alone, as many people are choosing to “unretire.” But if you do reenter the workforce in some capacity, what opportunities might be available to you? And how will your renewed employment affect your financial outlook? For starters, though, what reasons might motivate you to go back to work? For many people, the primary cause has been inflation, which has presented a huge challenge to retirees living on a fixed income. In addition, the volatile financial market of 2022 caused many people’s investment portfolios to decline in value — a real problem for retirees who needed to start selling investments to supplement their income.

Thanks to a newly acquired grant, initial research will soon begin at Arkansas State University to better understand vaccine hesitancy. The grant is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Arkansas Department of Health (ADH).

Twin Creek Ranch, Salem, AR, is a new member of the American Angus Association, reports Mark Mc-Cully, CEO of the national breed organization headquartered in Saint Joseph, Missouri. The American Angus Association, with more than 22,000 active adult and junior members, is the largest beef breed association in the world.

Country Quilters Quilt Guild will meet on Thursday, Jan. 12 at 9:30 a.m. at Miller-Hickinbotham building at fairgrounds in Salem. Business meeting will start at 10 a.m. with President Karen Page presiding. A light luncheon will follow the meeting. This month Diane Sushinsky will present a demonstration on chicken scratch embroidery on Gingham fabric to make a 16'x 16' pillow. Anyone who enjoys sewing is invited to attend.

Send us your calendar of events to go on the front page of The News. They can be emailed to Vincent Marshall at vmarshall@cherryroad.