THE SPECTATOR, Ozark, Ark.

, Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - - Page 5

Hurry Up and Wait

by Clydene Overbey My parents taught me that I could do anything I wanted to do. They said try, reach for it. If you fall get up and try again. They said dont worry about the future or even tomorrow because today is all we have. Do your best today and the future will take care of itself. The falling is what makes us strong, or does us in. We can lie there and wait for tomorrow or get up and finish out today. They taught me to get up. There is no future if you dont get up. I have friends and family who are in such a hurry to get to tomorrow they forget about today and now. You can ask them to come for a visit, but they dont have time because tomorrow they gotta have this or that done. How very foolish. Look what they are missing. I want to live in the now. Tomorrow will take care of its self, if indeed we have a tomorrow at all. When I get up in the mornings I sit as long as I want to before I get up and start my chores of the day. I love watching the sun rise over the barn right in front of my eyes. When I had to go to work I set my alarm early enough to take my time with my coffee. I would relax and not worry about the day of work to come. Its a habit that probably started when I was very young. Mama or Daddy would wake me earlier than needed to give me dawdling time. The hurry up could come when my work or school day officially started. Now Ill admit I was one of those hurry-up kind of people now and then, but not as much as some I know. I had a dear friend who never could even be still long enough to have a phone chat with me. She had been that way all her life. She thought I was lazy, I am sure, because I took time to enjoy today. My house wasnt always spotless, but you could eat off her floors if she would let you walk on them. I refused to have to take my shoes off every time I went in her house. Therefore we lost touch. She died a few years ago, still in a hurry to get somewhere. If she had only slowed down and looked at today. She didnt seem to realize the future would take care of itself. I am slow now because I have to be. I neither know nor care about the future. I live today to the best of my ability. That is what my parents taught me and Im still here. Im still slow, but I still enjoy the sunrise. When God calls me Im ready to go, but I sure aint gonna hurry the going none! Psalm 46:10: Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 127:2: It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. Id like to thank all the people who have told me how much they enjoy my writings. Ive had phone calls and emails from all over the United States from those who enjoy news from home and all those

History programs to be presented

The Military Road Museum of Lavaca Director Jack James announces a series of area history programs. The first of a four part series subject will be Early Indian History of ArkansasOklahoma. The program will be conducted by Tim Mulvihill, UAFS Research Station Archeologist, which will cover a period up through the arrival of the white man in this area. The program will be held at the Lavaca Municipal Building, 808 West Main St., Thursday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m. Later programs will cover the Construction of the Military Road in 1828 from Ft. Gibson - Ft. Smith - Little Rock. Next will be the Indian Removal 1830s (Trail of Tears) on the Military Road. Last will be the Civil War in Arkansas. All programs are free to the public. For more information call Dusty Helbling, program coordinator, at 479 667-3791; email, dustyhelbling@yahoo.com. who have told me personally. I am honored and very appreciative. It makes my day. God bless you.

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS Students, faculty, staff and guests eat lunch outside at Arkansas Tech University/Ozark Campus during a celebration to mark the campus 10th anniversary of joining the Arkansas Tech System.

ATU/Ozark holds 10th anniversary celebration

Members of the Arkansas River Valley were on hand Tuesday at Arkansas Tech University/Ozark Campus to celebrate its 10th anniversary of joining the Arkansas Tech System. Students, faculty, staff and guests gathered into the Student Services Conference Center for a formal program featuring Arkansas Tech President Robert C. Brown as the keynote speaker, followed by a lunch outside. Brown said, since the merger, the campus has awarded to students 3,963 degrees and certificates, all of which are aimed to lift dramatically family income prospects. Education is the key to our future, and were in the business of changing lives, he said. Were only getting started. The best days (for both Arkansas Tech campuses) lie ahead of us. Arkansas Tech/Ozark was established in 1965 as Arkansas Valley Vocational Technical School (AVVTS). In 1975, the Arkansas State Board of Education/Vo-cational Education granted accreditation to AVVTS, making it the first school of its kind in the state to receive that distinction. In 1991, the campus was renamed Arkansas Valley Technical Institute (AVTI). On July 1, 2003, AVTI merged with Arkansas Tech to become Arkansas Tech/Ozark. The following year, ADHE approved 13 technical certificate programs for the campus. In 2005, ADHE approved three Associate of Applied Science programs. Today, Arkansas Tech-Ozark offers 11 associate degrees and 15 technical certificates with 27 total program options. When the campus merged with Arkansas Tech, it had an enrollment of around 300 students. This fall, Arkansas Tech/Ozark is anticipating an enrollment of more than 2,100, which would make it the ninth consecutive fall enrollment record. Brown said, while academic offerings have increased, the campus core service, technical education, has been preserved. Several prominent figures in the AVTI/Arkansas Tech merger were present for the ceremony, including Phil Jacobs, Arkansas Tech vice president for government relations; Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees members Leigh Burns Whiteside and Eric Burnett; and Arkansas Tech/ Ozark Board of Directors members Jim Rofkahr, Bruce Coleman and C.A. Kuykendall. Also in attendance was Carl Jones, the first chancellor of Arkansas Tech/Ozark. Dr. Brown recognized and thanked the efforts of another former chancellor, Dr. Jo Alice Blondin, who succeeded Jones in 2006 and held the position until earlier this year. Ozark Mayor Carol Sneath proclaimed Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013, as Arkansas Tech University/Ozark Campus Day in Ozark. I urge all my fellow citizens to join me in celebrating this campus accomplishments since joining the Arkansas Tech University System and look forward to its many accomplishments to follow, she said. Chief Student Officer Richard Harris said, While we as an institution are proud of the progress that has been made, we realize that what we have achieved was done so with the support of many, many others. Harris thanked Dr. Brown, community partners and current and former members of the Board of Trustees and Board of Advisors. Students, faculty and staff, he said, each day the dedication and hard work that you bring to campus is the engine that drives our success. - - Charlie Gocio

Western Transit System

Rural Public Transportation For Everyone
(855) 642-0060/(479) 424-2098
Rides Available Monday - Friday (Except Holidays) 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Our rural public transportation program is designed to improve the quality of life for residents in your community. The service can be used for shopping, pharmacy, medical appointments, paying bills and other personal needs. This is a service for all ages. Rides must be scheduled 48 business hours prior to when you want to ride. You will be able to travel within your home city for $6 round trip. Nominal additional fees will apply for extra stops. Due to limited space, public transportation is provided on a first come, first serve basis.

Cattlemen News
The Franklin County Cattlemens Association met Sept. 9 in the North Franklin County Fair Building. Dee Gober called the meeting to order. The invocation was given by William (Ike) Isenhower. The delicious supper of beef brisket, vegetables, salads, bread, desserts, tea, lemonade and coffee was enjoyed by the 42 present. David Tencleve introduced Mike Sullivan from the extension office and he gave a very interesting program on the hay crop this year. Everyone has lots of hay this summer. He talked about having soil tested, how often to apply lime, fertilizer, or other products to the ground. He had a question and answer session. Several door prizes were given out. We appreciate the businesses and members who donate these prizes. Several of the regular members were absent and were missed. Make plans to attend the next meeting on Oct. 14. - - Gladys Young

OHS Band Reunion Night!!

All former band members of OHS are cordially invited to attend the OHS Band Alumni N ight, Oct. 18, Night, at Hillbilly Stadium
Under the dir ection of direction

Rame y Herr en ! amey Herren

Orders for t-shirts and dinner are being accepted through Oct. 1. The cost is $12 each. Send your check or money order to: Ozark Band Boosters, P.O. Box 965, Ozark, AR 72949.
Please include T-shirt size and what the check is for (one or both).

Instruments can be provided!

Benefit fish fry to be Saturday

A benefit fish fry will be held Saturday, Sept. 21, at Mountain Top Assembly of God Church, located approximately nine miles north of Ozark on Highway 219. Serving hours will be 4 to 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend. Donations will be accepted and appreciated.

Rehear sals ar ee very Thur sda y in ehearsals are ev Thursda sday September at OHS Band R oom, 7 p.m. Room,
(Y ou dont ha ve to attend r ehear sals to pla y on Alumni N ight) (You hav rehear ehearsals play Night)

To schedule a ride, please call: (855) 642-0060

A service provided by:

For more information, contact

Conrad Mason, 479-213-3755, or Tracey Bevil Kendrick, 479-209-0259.