You can’t truly experience summertime in Missouri without iced tea. At this writing the temperature early on this June day is 56 degrees, more of a hot chocolate morning, but residents of the Show Me State know sweltering weather will materialize soon enough...

Hello all. Wanted to let those of you that don’t know yet,  but Kenneth Gossard and I will be married next month.  My high school sweetheart proposed to me Friday night and I said yes.  I will be moving to Orange, Texas as he hasn’t retired yet.  We set a date of July 23 to tie the knot in a small private ceremony in Orange. ...

Sister Elaine Ormsby is back in the hospital. They have shocked her twice but she always reverts back to atrial fibrillation. She has heart problems and lung issues and needs your prayers. Thank you in advance. I traveled to Orange, Texas to see my boyfriend, Kenneth Gossard. Kenneth and I attended high school together and were a little sweet on each other. We both graduated in 1977...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge. I am back from my cruise and had some good food and entertainment. I went to most of the trivia activities on the ship and two of the comedy routines. I saw the Mayan Ruins at Mayapan in Merida, Mexico which was fascinating. We traveled by air conditioned Mercedes bus about 40 miles south of Merida...

Hello to everyone and happy warmer days. I hope you are having a good week. I don’t have a lot of news this week, so I thought I would include a poem that I wrote through the eyes of “My Mother” when she passed away in 2017. I hope you enjoy it. I was born in the great depression, 85 years ago...

Hello to everyone and happy warm days. Although we have had some wet days, it has made everything green. It remains wet on this hill, it must be the wettest hill in Ripley County. I need to mow, but, oh well. The wind blew a lot one day and I thought it might dry it up some, but, it’s as muddy as ever out there. I may put in a pond…lol...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge, it has been a busy week. A big happy birthday shout out goes out to my son, Tre Sandlin in Vancouver, Wash. Tre and his wife, Kayelin will be celebrating in their usual quiet manor. Happy birthday Tre! My sister, Elaine, finally got to come home from the hospital. She was there for 12 or 13 days. She still doesn’t feel completely back to normal, but help me pray that she will be in record time with home therapy and nursing services...

I had a great time at my cousin’s house, Kim and Rick Colburn’s home a couple weeks ago as we celebrated Kim’s Birthday and Doug Paddock’s birthday. My cousin, David and his wife Sharon were in from the city. Always good to see family and visit with them. Happy belated birthday Kim and Doug!...

Hello. I put a lot of flower seeds in the ground this past week. Hopefully they will all come up. They were sent to me by an old high school friend Kenneth Gossard from Orange, Texas. He said there was enough to cover five acres so I shared some with my sister Elaine. Kenneth reads The Prospect-News weekly. Thank you again, Kenneth...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge. Did some more yard work this past week and I must say, it’s looking better. Several in our community are in need of prayers. Please lift them up, God knows their needs. My sister, Elaine, has been having trouble breathing for about TWO weeks. She finally agreed to be transported to the hospital where many tests were run but nothing conclusive other than a bacterial respiratory infection. She was placed on antibiotics and is to follow up with her primary care doctor...

Hello from Dixie Ridge. I didn’t like that little cold snap we had, but I am sure enjoying these spring days. I have been taking some 4 wheeler rides and working in my yard. I need to stay home more and work in the yard more, but all work and no play makes “Jack a dull boy”, as they say...

Hello from Dixie Ridge, I sure am enjoying this weather. I have been taking some 4-wheeler rides and working in my yard. Thank you to those that take the time to tell me they read my column, weekly. I appreciate you. Some are miles away, but read The Prospect-News to stay closer to their hometown. Thank you to you all...

Hello from a cold day on Dixie Ridge. I’m looking forward to Spring. Wanda Burkheart was released from the hospital and is now at home resting and recuperating. We are glad you are feeling better Wanda. I have a 2006 Polaris Ranger for sale, sitting out in front of my house. Drive by and take a look or call me for details. I bought me a newer and faster one...

Hello from Dixie Ridge this morning. I am loving these pretty pre-spring days. I saw my neighbors, Mary and Leslie Majors, this week working on getting their green house in order. It is very large and so organized. I even got to sample some of their kale growing. The Majors do a lot of gardening and canning for their family, something I never did much of but envy those that do. Good luck on your gardening and canning, Mary and Les...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge. The big ice we had yesterday is still hanging on and the weather channel says snow is on the way. If you have to get out, please stay safe, but I’m staying home. A high school classmate lost his son a couple weeks ago and his mother this week. Prayers for the family of Jordan Michael Redus and Linda Lee Redus during this tragic loss...

Good morning from Dixie Ridge. I can’t believe it is almost March. My how time flies, especially the older I get. Condolences go out this week to the family of Pat Lowery. Prayers for this family. Not much news this week so I am including a great recipe for famous Coca Cola Cake. ...

Good morning from Dixie Ridge. I hope you all are staying warm, well and rested. All the snow and ice is gone at my house, except in the back on the shady side of north slope. It is nice and muddy everywhere. A happy birthday shout out to Peggy Meadows, a Purman resident and friend. I hope you have a great birthday, Peggy...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge, I awoke this morning to a big ice and it’s supposed to snow later. Of course, by the time you read this it will be next week. It’s amazing how it can be 65 degrees one day and 30 the next. If you don’t like the weather, stick around, it will change. I think that’s the only thing that can be predicted is change...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge, I hope all you snowbirds are enjoying this cold weather. I don’t like it one bit. I think it’s supposed to warm up this weekend some, so that will be nice. Just a couple more months and spring will be upon us. A neighbor and friend, Stephen McGonigal has been picking up the roadsides along 142 and E highway. If you see Stephen out, give him a honk to say hello and thank him. I wish people wouldn’t throw trash out their vehicle windows...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge. It’s a crisp cold day here on the hill. I was happy to see the ice dissipate, although I fell down the steps while it was melting and was slushy. My ankle was black and blue, but no major damage, so I got lucky there as God was watching over me. I could have easily broken a hip or ankle at my age. Fortunately, I just had a wrenched knee, sprained ankle and sore hip where I landed...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge! I traveled to Jonesboro this past weekend to attend two of my grandsons’ - Cole and Dylan - birthday celebration. I always enjoy time with my grandsons and family. We had a nice meal at J-Town’s Grill and I did a bit of needed shopping. Hard to believe they are 17 and 12 years old, respectively. Also, if you know me you know I hate shopping but sometimes you have to pick up necessities...

Happy New Year! Have you made any New Year resolutions? My New Year’s resolution is going to be to drink more water and eat less food. Hummm, seems I’ve had this resolution before. Maybe this year it will take hold. How did youns enjoy that warm Christmas we had? I heard some of you turned on your air conditioning. I didn’t do that, but it was nice having a few beautiful days to enjoy in the middle of winter. I have a feeling Old Man Winter will be quite vicious come February...

Happy New Year! A happy birthday goes out to my son-in-law Joey Graham. Joey is married to my daughter Amanda (Mandi) and is the father of four of my grandsons. Happy birthday Joey. Also, a happy birthday goes out to my daughter Ashley’s boyfriend Matthew McMinn. I hope you had a good birthday also, Matthew...

Greetings and Merry Christmas week from Dixie Ridge. On this Christmas holiday, I pray you are prepared and know that Jesus is the real reason for this celebration. In the words of Tiny Tim, God bless us all, everyone. We enjoyed our family Christmas get together here at my house with my girls and their families and Drew last Sunday. We all joined in on a Zoom call to Vancouver, Wash. to speak with our son, Tre...

Hello from Dixie Ridge. A friend and I traveled to Little Rock this past weekend and watched “A Christmas Carol” play at the Argenta Theatre in historic downtown Little Rock. The role of Tiny Tim was played by an 8 year old named Jayden Clark who did an excellent job as well as the other actors we encountered...

Greetings from a cold Dixie Ridge this morning. I believe winter is upon us. Someone even said we had snow flurries the other day, guess I missed it. Christmas is upon us and I always look forward to it, but I am glad when it is over. I love the family get-togethers, but could do without all the hassle of gift buying...

Hello all, what a busy week this has been. We held our annual Thanksgiving/Christmas get together this year at Ethan and Katy Ormsby’s. Thanks for hosting us all and Ethan cooked one of the best turkeys and best hams I’ve had in a long time. We had close to 25 in attendance, loads of great food and some games and visiting...

Hello from Dixie Ridge. A busy week we all had last week after celebrating Thanksgiving and then our annual Christmas and Thanksgiving reunion of the Tillman family, friends and neighbors. We celebrated this year at the home of my sister Elaine’s grandson, Ethan and Katy Ormsby of the Purman community. ...

Hello from Dixie Ridge. Happy Thanksgiving to all. I pray your day is filled with many blessings. Ever since the Tillman children’s tragedy, we (the Tillman’s) always have our Christmas combined with Thanksgiving on the Sunday following Thanksgiving Day. This year we are celebrating in the home of Ethan, Katy and Jessa Ormsby. I made up a pan of mother’s hot rolls and took them to the home of Rick and Kim Colburn for their deer season kick off. I met some good folks and a few that read my column and had memories of mother when she wrote the column. Thanks to all, for your support. Last Friday night we traveled to Pine to support the Pine community center and ate some wonderful fried fish and all the fixins. There was even an entire table devoted to any type of desert you could think of, if you had any room left to eat any. I met some nice folks and enjoyed the time we spent there. I made a double batch of mother’s hot rolls and took them to my brother’s camp out off C highway last Monday night. We had Ed and Leigh Ann Tillman, Ernie and Elania Tillman, Elaine Ormsby, Laramey Tillman, Bridget and Levi McElhaney, Marc and Tiffany Bass and their children, Jaxson, Bentley, Layton, Conner, Mason and Addison, in attendance. We enjoyed good food and fun around the campfire. My grandson Cole traveled to Prairie Grove, Ark. over by the Oklahoma border last week for a post seasonal invitational tournament football game. It was a good game, but Westside Warriors (from Jonesboro) came up short and the Prairie Grove Tigers won. So happy they had a safe trip there and back as that was a long way from home. Mother’s thought of the week…..Time is still the best answer, forgiveness is still the best pain killer and, God is still the best healer.

Hello from Dixie Ridge. I pray you are having a good week. I think I mentioned last week that my grandson Jake had a birthday. I traveled to Jonesboro Sunday night for his birthday party at Sumo’s Japanese Steakhouse. I always enjoy myself there as they have great food and it’s always good to see all my grandsons and daughters and their families...

Hello from Dixie Ridge. We had a scare last week when my grandson, Cole, age 16 ran off the road with his back wheel and over corrected and flipped his truck…at least two times. The truck is totaled, and by a miracle of God, Cole walked away with just a scratch and soreness...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge. I got back from St. Louis yesterday. I’ve been off gluten for almost a week now and my hands are greatly improved. My specialist seems to think it may be related to absorption issues, so I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing or at least try...

Hello all. I still have the rash on my hands and I’m thinking now it may be related to either Psoriatic arthritis or Celiac disease. I’m traveling back to St. Louis next week to my specialist and will see what he thinks. Prayers please. I spoke with Doris Gibson this week and she celebrated a birthday Oct. 2. Her girls, Joannie Lowery and Ginny Campbell, came for a sleepover and they had snacks and watched a DVD of Ordell talking about the Army life he had 70 years ago...

Hello from Dixie Ridge. I’ve had a busy week. I don’t understand how I ever got anything done before retirement. I’m enjoying the cooler temperatures and the leaves changing. I mowed one last time and got the mower cleaned up and stored away. I traveled to Hot Springs this past week and thoroughly enjoyed myself. ...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge where I am enjoying the leaves changing all different colors. We’ve had so much rain that we are getting some beautiful colors, instead of the usual, green to brown. I had out-of-town guests this past weekend and enjoyed their visit although I missed seeing my cousin, Brenda Bodkin Sveda, who was visiting from central Missouri. Hopefully I will see her next time….just too much going on...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge. I hope youns are having a great week. My grandson, Cole, has football games on Friday nights and I have been traveling to Jonesboro to watch them. Next week he will play against Pocahontas in an away game, so it will be a closer drive for me to drive to Pocahontas to watch that game. Cole is the son of my daughter Amanda and Joey Graham of Egypt, Arkansas. I always enjoy watching my grandsons play their sports, concerts or activities they have going...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge. I hope youns are enjoying these cooler temperatures. I mowed my grass, don’t know if it’s the last time for the season, but, it’s so nice to see it so green, as usually it is brown and crunchy this time of the year. I spoke with Doris Gibson this past week and she is doing well. She has been busy as both her girls, Joannie Lowery and Ginny Campbell came for a fun mother/daughter sleepover...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge. I attended the fair a few times during the week and had a good time. I entered some of my crochet blankets and ceramic ornaments and took eight blue ribbons and two Grand Champion ribbons in both categories. I was on cloud nine, knowing someone else liked my items besides myself. I also enjoyed looking at other’s entries and the hard work and dedication they put into their creations...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge. I am looking forward to attending some of the fair festivities this week. Looks like some good events planned. I finally got my blueberry plants in and hope to get them in the ground in the next few weeks. My tomatoes have played out, a few green ones left and I will harvest them and burn the plants. Not sure if I will even grow anything next year. I certainly do not have my mother’s green thumb...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge. Having some work done around the house this week, hopefully, can get everything done before cold weather gets here. I’m enjoying the cooler temperatures and looking forward to fall. We’ve had several people in our community and friends that have received some good health news this week, so keep praying. It works, if it’s God’s plan...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge. I have been battling tomato horn worms in my garden. I have used Sevin dust, diatomaceous earth, and a vinegar and soap concoction. Other than physically removing them, nothing has worked. I won’t touch them and I squeal like a little girl when I even cut them off the vine...

Last week I didn’t have much room for anything other than Mr. Ordell Gibson’s obituary. I know Doris appreciates everyone’s cards, letters, calls and concerns. I only found out this week that Obituaries are no longer allowed in the correspondence columns, so my column had been cut short and not printed as I submitted it. So, I apologize to the family for this oversight...

Hello from Dixie Ridge. We are saddened this week by the passing of Chester Ordell Gibson, 92 who passed on Aug. 4. Contact me with any news on social media or by calling me at 573.354.2117 or email me at donnasandlin@outlook.com. Have a great week!...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge. I am loving these cooler temperatures but much afraid they are only temporary. A few remain sick and in need of our prayers. God knows the need and thank you in advance. I traveled out of town for a short day trip to Cave City, Ark. for their Watermelon Festival. There was a big attendance for such a small town and we could hear them auctioning off watermelons as we were parking...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge. I pray you all are staying cool with these soaring temperatures. A few are still sick and needing our prayers. God knows the need and thank you in advance. Can you believe it is August? Soon we will be cooking the Thanksgiving turkey and then trimming the tree. Where has this year gone? It seems, the older I get the faster time goes...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge, I hope you are having a great week. Business is good here at Dixie Ridge Designs. My USA map is filling up and I have sold to three Canadian Provinces, Australia, Spain, Germany and Portugal. I am truly blessed. A few are sick in our community and in need of prayers. Without mentioning names, we hope they are well soon and back doing their previous activities...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge, I hope you are having a great week. A few are sick in our community and in need of prayers. Without mentioning names, we hope they are well soon and back doing their previous activities. I was so saddened to hear of the passing of a Currentview resident and neighbor last week, Jerry Davis of Doniphan. Condolences go out to his family...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge, I hope you are having a great week. Happy birthday this past week to my brother Ernie and my sister Elaine. Elaine was born on the 2nd of July and Ernie was born on my birthday on the 7th. He always says he was my best birthday present! I won’t say their ages, as I still want to see my next birthday…hahaha...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge, I hope you had a safe 4th of July. I traveled to Spring River at Hardy to spend time with family and watch the fireworks. We all had a good time. My daughter, Amanda and son-in-law Joey have bought another place in Hardy, this time on the South Fork River, which is a bit warmer than Spring. I’m looking forward to seeing what they decide to do with that parcel of land...

Hello from Dixie Ridge. Happy birthday to my sister Elaine. I won’t say how many as I want to live past mine which is next week, hahaha! This past week I traveled to Jonesboro, Ark. to celebrate the 15th birthday of my grandson Charles “Chip” Foley. We had dinner at the Olive Garden and enjoyed the night. Happy birthday Chip!...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge, hope you all are having a wonderful week. Condolences go out to the family of Leo Elliott. Leo Howard Elliott, 87-year-old resident of Doniphan departed this life Monday, June 7. Condolences also go out to the family of Lewis Dayne Sanders, a Doniphan resident. He passed away June 10...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge, hope you all are having a wonderful week. I finally got my mower out of the shop, so hopefully when it dries up some, I can mow this overgrown yard. I’ve had a problem with my hip for a couple weeks and finally went to the doctor and it was displaced. Very painful, but hopefully on the road to recovery now...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge, hope you all are having a wonderful week. Happy birthday to my grandson, Chip (Charles Foley) this week. Chip is turning 15 and attends Annie Camp Junior High School in Jonesboro, Ark. He is the son of my daughter Ashley Sandlin of Jonesboro. Happy birthday Chip!...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge, hope you all are having a fantastic week. The Purman Volunteer Fire Department will host a fish fry on Saturday, June 5 from 4-7 p.m. Their fish and trimmings never disappoint. There will be plenty of food and fellowship also, so come out and support our local volunteer fire department...

Good morning. Rain this morning and expected most of the week I purchased some berry bushes from Burgess and got them in the ground last week. I have been watering them daily, since being back home but now, God is doing it for me. I also planted another pecan tree and a tree called a heart nut which I don’t know what it is exactly, but I couldn’t pass up a good deal. Hopefully, I will reap some rewards from my plantings...

Good morning from Dixie Ridge. We have had some cooler temperatures, and will be wishing for more of them come July and August. I traveled to Spring River last weekend to my daughter and son-in-law’s place. The river was so pretty, too cold to even wade in but very pretty. They have purchased several acres on the South Fork of the Spring River and I can’t wait to dip my toes into that water, as it is so much warmer...

Happy Mother’s day to all the mom’s, mom’s-to-be, and past moms out there. Good morning from Dixie Ridge. I traveled to Kentucky this past weekend and had a great time with cousins, Ed and Deb York. Ed took us out to eat at Los Portalas and it was excellent. We then hung around the farm, playing games and visiting. I always enjoy spending time with family and friends...

I was saddened to learn of the passing of a classmate this past week. Dewey Edward Hundley, was a 60-year-old former resident of Ripley County and departed this life Wednesday, April 21 in Farmington, Mo. I am doing more designs here in my office and I’m offering personalized monogrammed items, window decals and/or bumper stickers. Call me to place your order or visit my Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shops/DixieRidgeDe...

Good morning. Did anyone else get ice and a few snow flurries this past week? I am doing more designs here in my office and I’m offering personalized monogrammed items, window decals and/or bumper stickers. Call me to place your order or visit my Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shops/DixieRidgeDesigns. All of my window decals have FREE shipping...

Good morning from Dixie Ridge. We are experiencing some beautiful weather and I am looking forward to the summer gardens. We took a day trip to Greer Springs, just north of Alton, Mo. on Highway 19. The weather was perfect. It was a nice hike about two miles down the hill, winding around at a gentle slope down the mountain, however, it felt more like five miles coming back up...

Good morning, I hope you all had a great Easter. I missed getting my news in last week, too much going on right now. I traveled to Jonesboro to see my youngest daughter, Ashley Sandlin and grandson Chip this past week. We ate lunch at Cracker Barrel and did a little shopping. ...

Good morning from Dixie Ridge. More rain this Thursday morning and I’m enjoying the blossoms and Easter flowers that are blooming here on the hill. Happy birthday to my youngest daughter, Ashley Sandlin. Ashley and her husband live in Jonesboro, Ark. and have one son, Chip. I remember several years ago, it snowed the day she was born….hope that don’t happen again. Happy birthday Ashley!...

Hello from Dixie Ridge. Did you get some heavy rains? We sure got some heavy rains today, I was surprised I was able to get out of my drive. I am continuing to work my nursing job and also at Collin H. Murray & Associates Realty. Condolences go out to a former classmate who passed away from a timber accident this week. Ricky Allen Dale, 62, of Couch, and lifelong resident of Ripley County, departed this life Wednesday, March 10, 2021...

Good morning from Dixie Ridge. I trust you are having a good week. I got some terrible news this past week. My nephew, Christopher Tucker was killed in an automobile wreck. Christopher was 37 and leaves a wife, Kara Jade Tucker and four children, Baylee, Chase, Maci and Ryder...

Good morning from Dixie Ridge. I hope you are enjoying the warmer weather. I have so much to do outside my house. I ordered some trees and bushes, so I need to start digging holes and getting prepared. I lost my blueberry bushes the following year after moving, so I ordered blueberries, boysenberries, a cherry tree and another pecan tree. I sure hope these make it...

Hello Spring or maybe I shouldn’t say that yet for fear of jinxing Mother Nature. I sure am enjoying the warmer temperatures though. I recently finished my real estate school and got my real estate salesperson license. I had them once before but never really did anything with them. ...

Another cool morning here on Dixie Ridge. I hear we are getting some sub-zero temperatures this weekend. I pray for our homeless and veterans during these times that they are warm and safe. Do you love spinach dip…if so, you will like this recipe I’m including today...

A good morning from this cold hill this week with beautiful snow laying everywhere. We have a lot of folks ailing in our community and a few with COVID-19. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. I had the opportunity to travel to Kentucky this past weekend and visited with my cousins Deb and Ed York. ...

A good morning from this cold hill this week. We have a lot of folks ailing in our community and a few with COVID-19. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. One of our church brothers was released from the hospital this week after a battle with Covid-19. Thankful for answered prayers...

A good morning to all from Dixie Ridge here in the Purman Community. We have experienced some below 32° temperatures this past week, so I have been hibernating. Since I didn’t include Aunt Sophia’s full obituary last week, I wanted to include that today. Sophia Irene McNew, 79, of Doniphan, departed this life Wednesday, Dec. 30 at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau, Mo. On July 17, 1959, Sophia married Oscar L. McNew in Doniphan. He preceded her in death on Dec. 8, 2014...

A nice crisp winter morning here on Dixie Ridge. We enjoyed a small get together this past week for New Year’s Day and enjoyed great food and good games. We had the usual, hog jowl, black eyed peas, greens, cabbage and corn bread. Hopefully 2021 will be a better year for all!...

Happy New Year. I pray each one of you are blessed and remember the true meaning of the season. As you can see, the addition is coming along nicely and completely done on the inside. The window is on back order and the siding will be going on this week. I love the new space...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I pray each one of you are blessed and remember the true meaning of the season. The addition is coming along nicely and the floor has been installed. The fans and lights are in and working. Closet door and trim will be installed next week. I love the new space. I’m looking forward to having a bit more space to spread out. Stop by and visit if you get a chance...

Good morning and Merry Christmas. I pray each one of you are blessed and remember the true meaning of the season. After several weeks of not playing due to Covid-19, Doris and Ordell Gibson got to watch the Crowley’s Ridge Lady Pioneers basketball team play their first game on Saturday. ...

Good morning from Dixie Ridge. As you can see, we have some construction going on. Very thankful and can’t wait to have some more square footage. The metal is now on the roof and the sheathing is done. Drywall is in progress and electrical and heating and cooling are almost complete. It won’t be long before the space can be used. I am excited...

A cool morning here in the community. I pray you are all safe and well. Several in our community are sick and in need of our thoughts and prayers. I have some unspoken prayer requests for members of my family. Thank you very much. The addition is going great. They got the roof on last week and I have ordered the flooring, lights and fans...

Good morning from Dixie Ridge and I hope you all had a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. Just saw this on social media and had to share. Make a candle out of an orange. Just take an orange and cut in half and eat the middle portion and leave the center stem intact. Pour olive oil into the orange just below the top of the stem and light. It will burn for hours and smell amazing and is non-toxic. Enjoy...

Good morning from Dixie Ridge and happy Thanksgiving to all. My grandson, Jake, bagged a buck on opening day of youth deer season in Arkansas and another buck the following day. Congrats to Jake Graham. Can you believe this week I made my first pecan pie from my mother’s recipe? It was delicious. ...

Good morning from Dixie Ridge. I guess some of you are getting ready for deer season. Will someone kill me one? I’ll pay for the processing. Just kidding…(not really). Happy birthday to my grandson Jake Graham this past week. He turned 14 years old. We all celebrated his and my daughter Amanda’s birthdays at the Sumo’s Steakhouse in Jonesboro, Ark., his favorite place to eat. Jake is the son of my daughter Amanda and son-in-law Joey Graham of Egypt, Ark. Happy birthday Jake!...

Good morning from Purman/Currentview Communities. I hope you are staying safe and dry. I wanted to officially welcome Johna and Robbie Lay to our community. Johna and Robbie purchased my parents old home place. They moved here from eastern Tennessee. Please welcome Johnna and Brandon...

Good morning from Purman/Curentview Communities. I pray you are staying safe in these uncertain times. My aunt passed away Oct. 17. Charlene Tillman Borth was born Dec. 28, 1935. She is survived by two of her three children, Chuck (Terri) Borth of Maryville, Ill. ...

Good morning from Purman/Curentview communities. Are you staying warm and safe? Aunt Sophia McNew and I traveled to Kentucky to see my cousins, Ed and Deb York this past weekend. We had fun, played games and Deb and I compared and discussed our crochet projects. I enjoy visiting them...

Good morning from Purman/Currentview Communities. Are you staying warm and safe? I was in the store a few days ago and a gentleman asked me how I was doing. We carried on a conversation for about five minutes and finally, I pulled down my mask and asked him, “How do we know each other?” He said… ”Sorry, I thought you were someone else.” My response was, I feel sorry for that person...

Good morning from Purman/Curentview Communities. I hope you are having a blessed week. Anyone turn their heat on yet? I’m enjoying the cooler temperatures, but must admit, the warmth of the blankets has felt nice on these cooler mornings. Currentview Church of Christ will hold its Centennial Celebration Oct. ...

Good morning from Purman/Curentview communities. Currentview Church of Christ will hold its Centennial Celebration on Oct. 25. The tentative schedule is 9:30 a.m. coffee and pastries; 10:15 a.m. bible study; 11 a.m. communion and worship; 12 p.m. potluck prep; 12:30 p.m. potluck and fellowship; 2 p.m. histories and memories; and 3 p.m. singing and fellowship and churchyard fun. To RSVP, text or call Gwendolyn Brady at 573-300-9441...

Good morning from Purman/Curentview communities. I am enjoying the cooler temperatures. I think we’ve had a good summer. The Purman Volunteer Fire Department fish fry was last weekend and several turned out. I was out of town, but sent some dessert. Sorry I missed everyone, but glad it was a success...

Good morning from Purman/Currentview Communities. I trust you all have had a great week. I didn’t have many green tomatoes this year, but if you have plenty then this is a recipe that is easy and makes delicious Green Tomato Mix like they have at the catfish houses: 1 gallon of quartered green tomatoes, 1 pint hot peppers cut into 1 inch bites, 1 pint white vinegar, ¼ cup pickling salt and 1-½ cups of sugar. ...

Good morning from Purman/Curentview communities. I sure am enjoying listening to this rain. Be safe out there. I got to briefly see the newest member to our clan, Jessa Louise Ormsby. Jessa’s parents are Ethan and Katy Ormsby of the Currentview/Purman community. She is beautiful and such a good baby...

Good morning from Purman/Currentview Communities. I hope you all have had a safe and fun week. I traveled out of town last weekend and enjoyed celebrating with my grandson, Dylan, at Sumo’s Steakhouse. It was a great meal and fun for all. Dylan started college Monday at Arkansas State University at Newport. ...

Good morning from Purman/Curentview communities. I hope you all have had a safe and successful week. A happy birthday wish to the young man who made me a grandmother. Dylan Stonecipher was 19 years of age on the 18th. He was born at UAMS in Little Rock and weighed 3.5 pounds. ...

Good morning from Purman/Currentview communities. I hope you all have had a safe and successful week. We have been blessed this summer with the rain. I thought earlier in the year…wow, we will need these showers in mid-August, but here it is and we have got another one. So thankful for the rain...

Good morning from Purman/Curentview Communities. I hope you all are having a safe summer. Congratulations are in order for Ethan and Katy Ormsby on the birth of their baby girl, Jessa Louise Ormsby. Mother and baby are doing fine. Jessa was born last week and weighed 6 lbs. 6 oz. and was 19 inches long. She is a beautiful baby and is the first St. Jude’s in-vitro fertilization baby. Congrats to all...

Good morning from Purman/Curentview Communities. I have enjoyed the nice showers we have had this week. I love to hear the thunder as long as I’m inside and not driving in it. Thankfully, I got the yard mowed again before it started. I got a nice letter from Carolyn Huber today from North Richland Hills, Texas. She and Joe have subscribed to The Prospect-News for over 60 years now. She enjoys keeping up with the local news. Hello to Carolyn and Joe from Doniphan and thank you for the kind words...

Good morning from Purman/Curentview communities. I have enjoyed the nice showers we have had this week. I love to hear the thunder as long as I’m inside and not driving in it. Thankfully, I was home before the rain started. I was given some zucchini squash and was processing them and my food processor stopped working. ...

Another warm day here in Purman community. I hope you all have had a good week. I traveled again to St. Louis last week and again next week. To me, that is a long drive, so I like getting a room overnight. We are all expecting the newest addition to our family. ...

Another warm day here in Purman community. I hope you all have had a good week. Ernie and I had birthdays this week, so another year older. I was driving on mine but still managed to have a good day. I had several phone calls, text messages and well wishes and want to thank each and every one of you for taking the time out to wish me a happy birthday...

Another warm day here in Purman community. I hope you all have had a good week. I was able to attend my grandson’s graduation party last week and it was very nice. We enjoyed pizza and cake and lots of pictures with family and friends. His sister, Ashley Stonecipher Miller and her husband Sam was able to visit from Poplar Bluff, Mo...

Another warm day here in Purman community. I hope you all have had a good week. It’s been a busy one for me. I have picked several more cucumbers and banana peppers from my garden. I wish my tomatoes would do better. Some animal ate two of them off at the bottom, so they look pitiful, and probably won’t make any at all. I had plans to can some green tomatoes, but don’t know if I will be able to or not now...

I’m back…….don’t know if I’ve been missed much, but, I’ve been told by a few that I was. I am no longer moving to Pocahontas, due to a few reasons I won’t go into here. Like a bad penny…. I turn up. Thelma Aldrich was going to take the column over, however, she asked me to consider taking it back from her, as she has so much on her plate right now and understandable. On the good side, Chuck is recovering well and we are all thankful about that...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge. I hope you are all having a safe week. As I mentioned last week, I am moving to Pocahontas to be more centrally located to my family in Jonesboro, the summer place in Hardy and my siblings here. I will miss writing for youns, but have turned it over to the capable hands of Thelma Aldrich. Please message Thelma on social media and she will include her phone number here on her first column...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge. I hope you are all having a safe week. I want to wish my son, Tre Sandlin a happy birthday. Tre lives in Vancouver, Wash. and recently married his sweetheart Kayelin. Tre works at the Clark College as a teaching and learning specialist designing programs and lesson plans for the hearing and vision-impaired students and teachers. Happy birthday Tre...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge. I hope you are all having a good week and practicing your social distancing. The sooner this is contained and/or eradicated the sooner we can all go back to our normal daily activities. What do you miss the most? Some information as of today regarding COVID-19 or Coronavirus from the cdc website. ...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge where the weather has been gorgeous. I was able to mow my lawn and pick up a few sticks. I have so much more yard work to do. I hope everyone is enjoying their isolation days and making good use of the time afforded. For those of you that must work outside the home, I pray you are safe...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge which is wet, muddy and cool. A happy birthday wish goes out to my youngest daughter this week. Happy birthday Ashley. I am doing my best to self isolate myself. I did travel to Pocahontas to see a shut in, but didn’t stop anywhere. ...

Hello all. I don’t have a lot of news this week but a lot to say so please bear with me. First let me begin by saying, I am social distancing and self-isolating myself to avoid getting sick. Since I work at home on the phone lines for hospice, doctors and home health companies, we are seeing an increase in calls and I can’t afford not to have a job. ...

Hello from Dixie Ridge, I hope you are having a great week. I am so enjoying these warmer days and have been walking more and spending time in the yard. I went out of town Saturday, but came back in time to spend a couple hours with my extended family that was visiting. ...

Hello again, I am so enjoying these nice days. I did some raking in my yard and digging in the flower beds. Enjoy the upcoming beautiful days. We lost my cousin, Fred Mock this week. Fred has been battling cancer for a while now. He was the son of my dad, Elva Tillman’s sister Sylvia. ...

Hello from Dixie Ridge. I sure hope we are about done with these cold days. I’m trying to walk and it’s just so cold. I can’t wait for summer, as we have a cruise planned in a couple months and I’m looking forward to spending time with my family. Condolences to the family of Roy Camden who passed away a couple weeks ago. Surviving is his wife, Margaret, and daughters, Becky (Monty) York and Dona Hulan and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Prayers for this family for peace and comfort...

Hello from Dixie Ridge. I awoke to a light dusting of snow this morning. I am so blessed that I don’t have to get out in it. It doesn’t look like it will stick around for long, but drive safe everyone. Several in our community still need our thoughts and prayers. ...

Hello from Dixie Ridge. Another wet morning here on the hill. Whoever ordered the rain, please change it to sunshine. I enjoyed spending time with family this week, visiting cousins, Debra and Ed York and Trenton Beal, Faye Royer, and Janet Shearn although not the circumstances surrounding their visit as it was for the funeral of my Aunt Joann Beal Fleury. ...

Hello from Dixie Ridge. As of this writing it is snowing here, again. It looks pretty, but too cold for me. I don’t think we will have much accumulation as it was last week. We are glad to hear Chuck Aldrich is home from the hospital but is still in need of our prayers. It’s hard to get any rest at a hospital, that’s for sure. Several others have prayer needs in our community, please lift them up as God knows their needs...

Hello from Dixie Ridge. As of this writing it is snowing here. It looks pretty, but too cold for me. I don’t think we will have much accumulation. Ordell and Doris Gibson attended another family gathering at the wedding of Keshia Lowery to Don Robinson at Warm Springs Baptist Church on Jan. 14. Best wishes to this young couple...

Hello all on this rainy morning from Dixie Ridge. I pray you have had a good week. Condolences go out to the family of Shannon Foster. Shannon lost her father, John Roth this week and will need our prayers and support. Glad to know Chuck Aldrich has made it home and is recovering. He will need our continued prayers...

Hello all and thanks for reading. It’s been a busy week for me. I traveled to Jackson, Mo. this week to see a social media pen pal, Wanda Mitchell Fisk. Wanda lived in Doniphan for 30 years. Wanda’s daughter is Julie Ray and graduated a year ahead of me at Doniphan High School. We had a wonderful visit. We talked, laughed and ate an amazing lunch at a local restaurant. Thank you dear friend, as you have blessed me...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge. Hope you are having a Happy New Year. I traveled to Jonesboro yesterday and had lunch with my daughters, Ashley Sandlin and Amanda Graham. We had a good time visiting and enjoyed catfish and the trimmings. So thankful that they were both able to take off work for lunch and enjoy. Ashley works for the city of Jonesboro at the municipal center and Amanda works for the sheriff’s department in the court system. So proud of both my girls...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge. Hope you had a Merry Christmas and the Happiest of New Years. We celebrated Christmas with my daughters, their dad and their families Saturday and enjoyed some good food, games and gift exchange. I always enjoy spending time with my loved ones...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge. Where has this year gone? At this writing, Christmas is next week, but by the day of publishing, you will have opened all of Santa’s gifts. I pray you all have a blessed one. I have been working on Christmas presents in my office/studio for the past couple months. I’ve had some last minute orders for towels and ornaments. I may have to start in July of next year in order to get them all done...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge. I hope you snow birds are enjoying these cold temperatures. I have been so cold but it has been a busy week full of activities. A special thank you goes out to Sheila Day and Amber Dickson for inviting me to the Christmas at Our House play. ...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge. I hope you had a happy and safe Thanksgiving. We enjoyed visiting with everyone as we held our Christmas/Thanksgiving get together last week. We had over 25 people present and enjoyed all of the conversation, food and games. I have so much to be thankful for...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge. I hope you had a happy and safe Thanksgiving. I have so much to be thankful for including family and friends. My grandson, Dylan’s Westside High School team played in the playoffs last Friday night and won against Hamburg, Ark. The score was 35 – 20 and they will play Robinson High School this Friday night. Dylan is the son of Mandy and Joey Graham of Egypt Arkansas...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge. I pray you deer hunters are enjoying these hunting days and if you get too many deer, send me one….haha. Please be safe. I was saddened to hear of the loss of Dennis Eugene “Teddy” Emmons. He was 71 years old and a Ripley County resident and had served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. ...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge. Is everyone enjoying the cold temperatures and snow on the ground? I think it’s pretty, as long as I don’t have to get out in it. I ventured to town yesterday to the market, and had my Jeep seat warmers on and was still cold. I was glad to get home where I can hibernate. I will probably thaw out in the spring. Did we actually have a fall season? It’s sad it only lasted a few days!...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge. I am sorry I missed getting in last week’s news, it has been a busy week. I know that’s no excuse, but it’s the only one I have, haha. Condolences to the family of Margi Ayers as she passed away Nov. 2. Surviving are one son, Steven (Nicole) Ayers of Lee’s Summit; two daughters Tami (David) Branum of Doniphan and Stacy (Gerald) Tucker of Grandin; four sisters, Mona Scallion, Kathy Harp, Polly Scallion and Karen Ervin; four brothers Kenneth Scallion, Don Scallion, Chris Scallion and Mark Scallion, several grandchildren and a great grandchild on the way. ...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge. It’s been quite cool on the hill with early morning temps down in the 40’s at times, but then beautiful 70’s during the day. Love the fall in Missouri with all the leaves changing colors. I was saddened to hear of the passing of a classmate’s mother. ...

Greetings from Dixie Ridge. Are you enjoying these cooler temperatures? I’ve been cold ever since they got here. Maybe I’ll thaw out come April. I want to wish my daughter, Amanda Graham (nee Sandlin) of Egypt, Ark. a happy birthday. Amanda is a Sergeant at the Craighead Sheriff’s Department in the Detention facility in Jonesboro, Ark. and has been for several years. I’m thankful to be her mother. Happy birthday Mandi...

Greetings everyone, I hope you have had a good week. I was able to take in my oldest grandson, Dylan’s football game at Pocahontas this past week. He is a senior at Westside High School and the Westside Warriors played the Pocahontas Redskins. Unfortunately, we lost 28 to 25, however the Junior Westside Warriors won their game with Pocahontas Redskins the night before and remain undefeated this year. ...

Greetings everyone, I hope you have had a good week. No grandson’s ballgames this week for me, for I was still out of town, but hopefully I’ll be able to go next week and watch them play. I always enjoy their games. Doris and Ordell Gibson spent last weekend in Hernando, Miss. ...

Greetings everyone, I hope you have had a good week. I wasn’t able to travel to Jonesboro to see any of my grandson’s games this week, as I was out of town. I know they played hard and well and hope no one was seriously injured. I hope you all are enjoying the cooler temperatures this past week. It’s time to get the jackets and long sleeves out and put away the shorts. I pulled my cucumber plants up as they were at the end of their harvest. I sure enjoyed having them to munch on this summer...

Greetings everyone, I hope you have had a good week. I traveled to Hoxie, Ark. this past week to watch Dylan, my oldest grandson play football in an away game. Hoxie won this time against the Westside Warriors. We will get them next time. It is always a successful game, though, if no one gets badly injured. Dylan is the oldest son of my daughter, Amanda, and son-in-law Joey Graham of Egypt, Ark...

Greetings everyone, I hope you had a good week and are enjoying these cooler temperatures. Axton Ormsby, great grandson of Elaine Ormsby and Nannete Broderick both of Route 1 Doniphan (and my great-great-nephew) won second alternate in the Labor Day picnic and parade at Rector, Ark. I think maybe a couple of judges were blind, but maybe I’m partial…haha. He is such an adorable little guy, so sweet and cuddly. He is the son of Dustin and Nicole Ormsby. Congrats Axton!...

Greetings everyone, I hope you had a good week. I have been doing some yard work on these beautiful days. Doris and Ordell Gibson went to their daughter and son-in-law’s house, Joannie and Bruce Lowery’s, for a birthday celebration for their great granddaughter and great grandsons birthday. ...

Greetings everyone, I hope you had a good week. We are less than one month away from fall and cooler temperatures that come with it. Doris and Ordell Gibson of the Currentview area enjoyed a visit from their grandson, Payton Campbell who lives in Hernando, Miss. ...

Greetings everyone, I hope you had a good week. We have 32 more days of summer left and hopefully cooler temperatures will be here by then. The Poes singing group will be at New Hope Baptist Church on Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. Refreshments will be served afterward. Please make plans to attend...

Hello everyone and thanks for reading. Sister Elaine had a visit this week from both her grandsons and families. Katy and Ethan Ormsby reside here in Currentview/Purman communities and stop by often to check on her. Nicole and Dustin Ormsby came up this past week and brought the great-grandson Axton to see her also. It was a great visit for all...

Good morning from Dixie Ridge. I’m enjoying the cooler temperatures this morning, although, I’m sure it will heat back up this afternoon. We will be wishing for these warm days when winter arrives. A special thank you goes out to Frances and Dale Pringle this week. ...

Hello from the community, I hope everyone is enjoying these beautiful days of summer. Someone has asked for my zucchini bread recipe so I’m including it in this week’s writing. We’ve had visits from cousins this past week. OJ and Alice McNew of Cameron, Mo. and also Deb and Ed York from Bell City, Ky. I always enjoy their company when they are able to visit. I wish they would come back more...

Hello to all. We have had plenty of rain and my flowers (what few I have) are blooming and showing off. Some of the local rivers are out of their banks so please be careful and avoid going through any high water. It has been a busy week. I have spent several hours at the hospital with a couple sick relatives. Without mentioning names, I’m just going to ask for prayers for all as God knows the needs and there are several...

Hello from the Currentview and Purman Communities. I trust everyone had a safe and happy Independence Day. I spent my birthday weekend with my daughter, Mandi, Joey, and grandson Cole at their RV in Hardy on the Spring River. We took a four-wheeler ride to the South Fork River where the water was the perfect temperature for swimming and playing. We barbequed later and then watched the fireworks...

Hello from the Currentview and Purman communities. Several have been harvesting vegetables from their garden but not me. I was so slow getting anything in the ground this year, maybe I’ll get a cucumber by September…haha. I was saddened to hear of the passing of sister Elaine’s, sister-in-law, Ruth Ann McAnally. ...

Hello from the Currentview and Purman communities. I hope everyone is having a wonderful 4th of July and weekend. Prayers that everyone celebrates with safety in mind. Happy 4th birthday to Layton Bass this past week. Layton is my great nephew and the grandson of brother Eddie and Leigh Ann Tillman. Aunt Don loves you Layton...

Hello from the Currentview and Purman communities. Sister Elaine got a good report on the lung MRI as the spot has not grown so we are thankful for that. She is still waiting on the MRI for the shoulder and it is causing her some discomfort. We are hoping to hear something soon...

Sister Elaine fell a couple weeks ago and continues to have shoulder pain, although the x-rays were negative and showed no fractures. She is going for an MRI to see if what kind of soft tissue is damaged. She also has a spot on her lung with an MRI still pending on the results. We pray for good news on both accounts...

I hope you are enjoying the warmer temperatures. I’ve been out working in the yard and have a pretty good looking lawn this year, even if most of it is weeds. I never have a big garden, but usually concentrate on two to three items. My cucumber plants are in the ground and growing well...

Hello again from Dixie Ridge, also known as Mud Hill…haha. I pray none of you were hurt during the high winds and tornadoes this past week and prayers for those that were or suffered any loss. On a positive note, with all the rain, it certainly has made everything green and beautiful...

Hello again from Dixie Ridge. I’ve been enjoying the warmer temperatures and hope you are also. I still don’t have any garden in the ground, doesn’t look like I will be having one, except for my strawberries and I think I could live on strawberries alone...

Hello from the hill. I hope you all are having a good week. I managed to get the yard mowed again moments before the rain came down. It’s very green here on the hill and the yard looks nice when it’s mowed, even though, it is still more weeds than grass...

Another rainy day on the hill. I don’t dislike the rain, in fact I truly embrace it. I will probably be wishing for more of it come late July and August…oh well, at least my mud won’t be dehydrated! Anyone who knows me, knows I enjoy making things whether it be Christmas gifts, home décor, sewing items, jewelry or crochet items. ...

Hello to all from the wettest hill around. There must be an underground spring close by and plus all the rain has made it a muddy mess. I’ve got a crew that is going to come over and redefine the drainage ditch that I had installed around my house when it was first built. It just has to dry up some first. I was able to get the first mowing in for sister and my yard but it will need it again very soon. Everything is starting to be very green and beautiful...

Hello to all and I hope you are enjoying these beautiful spring days. I have planted a few flowers, mowed the grass a couple times and picked some wildflowers. The warmer days are coming folks, so enjoy these temperatures while we can. The New Hope youth had a great movie night. I was so tired from weekend work and didn’t make it but so glad it was a success. Thanks to the ones that made it possible. I would name you all, but would be afraid of leaving someone out...

Greetings as another week has literally flown by. Although I may be moving a little slower through time, it slows down for no one. I’ve been doing a little walking in the woods looking for mushrooms, but I haven’t found any edible ones, specifically, Morels. ...

Greetings from the hill, I have been planting a few flowers and really enjoying the warmer temperatures. Visiting with Gary Colley this past week was his daughter, Leota Rice and grand daughter Clark. Also visiting was his sister Bertie and Gary Gambill, and sister Peggy and Gary Meadows. It’s always good when family visits...

Greetings from the hill, I hope you all are having a wonderful week and enjoying these warmer temperatures. That influenza bug is going around and we’ve had several sick in our community. I pray everyone starts feeling better soon. We lost another family member last week and then again this week. ...

Hello to all. Hope you have had a good week. I am loving these warmer temperatures. We had a wonderful time at New Hope Baptist Church listening to the Golden Road Quartet and fellowship afterwards. For those that didn’t make it, we hope you can attend another time...

Hello to all. Hope you have had a good week. We are having some beautiful days and I’m betting some of you are starting your gardens or at least seedlings in a warm place. I’m not sure I will put out much this year. My cousin Beverly Holcomb passed away last week and condolences go out to her son Jackie Elliott and family and her sister Becky Downs and all her extended family. She was 60 years old...

Hello to all from the muddy hill. I have certainly been enjoying these fair weather days. The Golden Road Quartet will be performing at New Hope Baptist Church on March 23 starting at 6 p.m. with food and fellowship following. Stephanie Murphy sings tenor; Dwayne Watkins sings lead, Greg Mason sings baritone, and David Watkins brings in the low bass. ...

Hello to all and hope your week was wonderful. I’ve enjoyed these warmer temperatures for a few days, for sure. The Easter Lilies are blooming and I always enjoy going up on the hill behind my house and picking a fresh bouquet. Sister Elaine had some special visitors this past week, her grandson, Dustin and Nicole Ormsby with their new son, Axton came to see her. He is such a handsome baby and strong. He is turning over and isn’t even a month old yet. It was good to see them all...