June 17, 2009 Edition

Also in this issue...

Grandparents' Corner
Liyah Isabelle Rodriquez is the first great-granddaughter of Jack and Jennie Black of Jacksonville, former residents of Lawrence County.
Her parents are Franco and Tia Rodriquez of San Antonio.
Grandparents are Cynthia Ellis of Conway and Franco and Thelma Rodriquez of San Antonio. She is the great-great-granddaughter of Mary Jones of Cabot.

Staff Notes

Over the past few weeks I have had the privilege of interviewing several people and writing a feature story about Deborah Caspall. She has retired from Walnut Ridge School after 33 years, and I am proud to say I have been friends with her for the past 25 of those years.

She and I began, as many others did, as simply a student/teacher relationship. But, very quickly we became true friends. A love of writing, of reading, of poetry, of literature, of all things creative, quickly bonded us.

But, beyond the scholastic subjects, she helped to mold me into the person I am now. At a very impressionable age, when I thought I knew everything, she gave me words of wisdom, advice and encouragement. She also pulled no punches. When she knew I was making a bad choice or heading in the wrong direction, she didn't mind to tell me.

There really are no words to express my love and appreciation for Mrs. Caspall. However, in the course of reporting on two receptions in her honor, interviewing several people about her and finally writing a feature story, I was also inspired to write the following poem. Hopefully, all of you have been fortunate enough to meet Mrs. Caspall or someone like her to be your own inspiration. If you have met her, you can safely know, there ARE good people in the world. continued...

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