Homeless count
Dear editor:
United Way of the Ouachitas mobilized over 40 community volunteers on behalf of the Southwest Arkansas Partnership Coalition on Homelessness (SWAP) on Jan. 22, 2018, to conduct the Annual "Point in Time" Homeless Count.
The "PIT" Count takes place nationwide on a single day in January each year to give the U.S. Department of Housing, Urban and Development (HUD) the data they need for distributing funds for homeless services to the areas that need it most. Local volunteers traveled throughout Garland and surrounding counties handing out essential items such as blankets, clothing and toiletries to individuals in need.
By the definition of HUD, a person is homeless only when he/she resides in a place not meant for human habitation, "such as cars, parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings, or in an emergency shelter, or in transitional or supportive housing for homeless persons who originally came from the streets or emergency shelters." In Garland County alone our volunteers interviewed at least 326 adults who met this definition of homelessness. Tuesday's survey of school counselors determined that at least 491 school age children in our area are homeless.
United Way of the Ouachitas, and the SWAP leadership would like to thank all who volunteered and those who reached out to help their neighbors, the Transportation Depot for use of their facility, as well as the individuals who donated items including Arkansas Department of Health, Cooperative Christian Ministries and Clinic, Jackson House, First Baptist Church, Gethsemane Outreach, Ouachita Behavioral Health & Wellness, Ouachita Children's Center, The Salvation Army, Shalom Women's Center, Teen Challenge, Tuggle Clinic, and United Way of the Ouachitas (we sincerely apologize for any omissions).
SWAP meets on the third Thursday of every month at 2 p.m. in the United Way conference room at 233 Hobson Ave. SWAP has satellite operations in Clark, Hot Spring and Montgomery Counties. To learn more, contact [email protected] or call 501-623-2505, or Stephen Ezelle, SWAP President at [email protected] or call 501-276-9444.
Sarah Fowler
executive director, United Way of the Ouachitas
Stephen Ezell
SWAP president
Always wrong
Dear editor:
Well, I hate to say I told you so, but I told you so. I last wrote that the ladies would essentially take out the old white-haired guys and that they would find "Binders full of Women" to take out Biden who has been known to be a little touchy-feely. As the ladies claw their way to the top, we learned in the last Democrat primary for president they will lie, cheat, whatever it takes. Think about it -- if they'd do this to Biden, what would they do to discredit a Trump nominated Supreme Court judge? Actually, we already know: lie, make up stuff, and drag uncorroborated witnesses in whatever it takes. Nancy offered some sage advice, didn't she? She said to pretend you have a cold, maybe cough a little to prove it, huh. So for all you guys, especially those who support Democrats, you're sick.
Here's the real rundown on Biden. Bob Gates was the only cabinet secretary that Obama asked to stay on, which he did for a few years. In his book "Duty" he dished out a little dirt on both Bush/Chaney and Obama/Biden. I've heard similar things about Biden from others. Gates and others will tell you he's one of the nicest people in D.C., but if you look at his voting record, he's always wrong whether as a senator on the foreign relations committee or as V.P. As a V.P., Gates said first Obama not only didn't respect his opinions he really didn't even want to hear them. In cabinet meetings and such Biden would start to speak up and Obama would cut him off. Gates said he would bring the generals to the White House to discuss Iraq or Afghanistan whatever and as soon as they left Biden would run in the room and tell Obama don't trust the generals, they will stab you in the back.
So is it any wonder things went from bad to worse in Syria/Iraq, Ukraine, N. Korea? Gates said Obama ordered the surge in Afghanistan but then turned his back on it, didn't really support his own policy or the troops who were risking their lives there.
One more thing: Biden himself said after the bin Laden raid he would have advised against it. Look at the wording. Remember everyone would already know Biden's opinion; don't trust the generals. Why would Secretary Panetta or anyone else ask him? His wording, I would have said, not I did say don't do it. So one of Obama's biggest successes would have been vetoed by Biden, but nobody really cared what he thought, anyway. Why would they, or why should you? He's always wrong.
Larry Bauer
Hot Springs Village
Not impressed
Dear editor:
So Mr. Foshee is impressed that Mr. Trump "is an extremely wealthy man." He fails to mention this wealth was largely accumulated through gifts from DJT's father as well as very wealthy Russians needing to launder money. This compares to winning the lottery. Darryl is also impressed by Mrs. Trump's beauty. First, I fail to see how that matters and if truth be told, without his money she probably would never have married him. Later, Darryl derides a Democratic candidate for marrying the daughter of a billionaire. You don't have to be a genius to see the irony.
Speaking of genius, Darryl describes DJT as "sheer genius." I have heard our president speak and read many of his tweets. Many words come to mind but genius is not one of them. I guess the definition of genius has been changed and not for the better.
As someone who enjoys the game of golf, I was disappointed that our president not only cheats at golf, he also drives on the greens. Sadly I am not surprised.
Gary Vogt
Hot Springs Village
Scholarship fund 'thanks'
Dear editor:
On behalf of the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Garland County, we wish to thank all involved in the success of our 10th annual "Style Show for Scholarship" luncheon held at Hot Springs Country Club on Friday, March 29.
The entire community contributed to create an amazing silent auction, coordinated by Dawn Caattaneo.
Tables were decorated with colorful Reiger begonias provided by Shults Nursery.
An amazing variety of wine was provided Cord Kapkau of The Wine Rack & Spirits Shoppe.
Kerry Lockwood Owen emceed the event and announced the spring fashions for all ages.
The five boutiques who contributed their sense of style, as well as their time, talent and silent auction items, included Chantilly; Accessory Gallery and Sparkle; Doodlebugs and Trendy Palette Boutique.
This event, and the resulting scholarships that will be funded, would not be possible without our generous donors, including: Southern Bankcorp; The Ivy Family; Windows USA; Blake and Laura Whitley; First Security Bank; Ken and Vicki Cook; Chantilly Boutique; Dr. Tim and Helen Bumpas; Judy Hoefer; Dorothy Morris Foundation; Ken and Vicki Cook; Bank OZK; Relyance Bank; VCK Democratic Women; Fleischner, Van Bebber & Malone Dental Clinic; Diane LaFolette and Wendy Hulsey.
Special thanks also go to the Single Parent Style Show Committee composed of Dawn Cattaneo, Terri McKissack, Mari Simmons, Lynn King and Amy Whorton, as well as the entire Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Board of Garland County.
The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Garland County thank all who gave of themselves to help single parents attain an education and provide a promising future for themselves, their families and our community.
Lynn King and Amy Whorton
Single Parent Style Show co-chairs
Israel and scripture
Dear editor:
To readers of The Sentinel-Record Letters to the Editor, regardless of who you are or what you believe.
Do you need to read the 22nd through 24th chapters of the Old Testament Book of Numbers? You do, if you are in agreement with the growing number of our country's ungodly leadership, especially those who oppose our support of Israel. You do, if you voted for, or plan to vote for anyone who is in opposition to our support of Israel.
In this passage of scripture, you will find that Balak, king of the Moabites, planned to have a curse put on the Israelites. He tried to hire a non-Israelite prophet, Balaam, to use his divination powers to place a curse on the Israelites. Balaam wanted the reward that king Balak offered and agreed to the King's offer, but the plan backfired.
Balaam attempted to ask God to curse Israel, and the Lord met with Balaam, (NIV, Numbers 23:4 and 5). However, God's response must have surprised both the king and the Syrian prophet, because, God's message blessed the Israelites, instead of cursing them. Again, according to Chapter 23, Verse 16, the Lord met with Balaam and gave him another message that blessed Israel.
It is interesting that when God met with Balaam the third time, Balaam recognized that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel and Balaam did not resort to sorcery. (NIV, Numbers 24:1). Furthermore, the Spirit of God came upon him. (Numbers 24:2b). Then, in Numbers 24:3, we see that the Almighty God opened Balaam's ears so he not only heard the word of God, he saw a vision from the Almighty, and fell into a trance with his eyes wide open.
In the Book of Numbers, chapters 23 and 24, (NIV) Balaam delivers a total of five messages from God. The NIV Bible labels each of these messages, "Oracles" (Webster defines oracles as divinely inspired answers or revelations.)
Much of the material in these oracles is prophesy and may be difficult for some of us to fully understand, however, the meaning of God's warning words in the last part of Verse 9, Chapter 24,(NIV) is very clear. Quote: " ... May those who bless you be blessed and those who curse you be cursed." (Note: In Verse 5 we see that this message was addressed to Israel.)
The bottom line, for me, is that Israel's enemies can expect to be cursed. I do not want to be cursed. Do you?
Robert Sowell
Hot Springs
Editorial on 04/07/2019