The first day of Autumn was September 22

Reference the last paragraph in last week’s column about the Arkansas State Tuberculosis Sanatorium near Booneville. While many patients died, many were able to recover, leave, and lead healthy lives. The breakthrough in antibiotic treatments soon ended a need for the facility, which had served more than 70,000 patients. TB rates have dropped nearly 90 percent nationwide since records began in 1972. A museum was established on the site in 2010, but I don’t remember that a museum was ever mentioned to me, and members of my family have gone to Booneville many times to visit other Burton families and the Union Cemetery which is there. As a child, I remember that my father dressed differently from his usual clothing for opening the grocery store, and he said he was taking someone to Booneville. It’s too bad I cannot remember more or didn’t ask him about it later. I hope that person survived.

My caregiver drove me to my family doctor’s facility last Friday afternoon for a flu shot. Afterward we also purchased groceries and went to My Plate for already prepared dishes. Usually I don’t feel great after this vaccine, and I want to sleep a lot. But I decided to do some laundry, which was a mistake. A kleenex left in a pocket created a lot more work. I decided to just watch TV, but it won’t work. I thought my small portable radio might give some news or weather reports, but it wouldn’t turn on as the batteries were dead and corroded. After all that had to be done to clean that stuff out, I did manage to find some news channels. It’s amazing how many people are preaching all day on Sunday, and what they choose to talk about. There was one fantastic version of “All Is Well With My Soul,” with a great piano in the beginning and the verses ended with full orchestra and chorus. But I never learned the name of the church of the location.

One program mentioned that one might have the Coronavirus but not have a really high temperature. I wore two masks to go for the flu shot since it helps somewhat to keep fog from eye glasses. I believe that everyone should wear a mask when in public.

If only the President, Senate, House, and Supreme Court would stop blaming others for not taking action sooner (and candidates would also tone things down a lot) and began doing the many things which are needed. The columnists in newspapers each have opinions of how bad advice was given or good advice was not taken. But all of them seem to be for one party or the other.

Early voting begins in Garland County and the City of Hot Springs on Oct. 27. I want to vote in person, but lines may be very long. If I drag out my wheelchair from rehab after hip replacement, my caregiver could push me. At least I could sit until my place in the line would have occurred, and that might be hours? I will list early voting times and places for Hot Spring County soon.

There was a recent ad in the Malvern newspaper for the Roper Law Firm which is on Highway 7 in Bismarck. Julie Roper is the daughter of the late Ona and Arvis Shuffield, with relatives in Bismarck and Point Cedar of Shuffield and Burton connections. Arvis was always at the one-room school reunions when they were held on the third Saturday in May at the Point Cedar Fire Station. I miss seeing those who attended, but there were very few before it was cancelled a few years ago. Thanks to Florene Goolsby for starting this program and to all who attended even one reunion.

Mario Sanchez, 35, Bonnerdale, died recently. He was born to Juan and Tammy Sanchez. A celebration of his life was held at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home.

Services for Elizabeth Ann Whitley, 77, of Malvern, were held at the Reyburn Creek Missionary Baptist Church, with burial at the Hickory Grove Cemetery in Bismarck.

Windell Calvin Allen, 80, was born “on the banks of the Caddo River in Bismarck” to the late Mary Maxine Hardage Chambers and Calvin Lester Allen, Jr. He was also predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Patricia (the mother of his children), and brothers, Caroll Dean and James Winford Allen. Survivors are his wife, Shirley Cagle Allen, sister LaRue Sligh, and seven children: Joey, Vicki, and Tim Allen, Pam Howell, Melisia Ferrell, Sheila Rechis, and Allen Fuller, grandchildren. Visitation was Sept. 19 in Medina TN, the 20th at the Baptist Church, Oakfield TN, with a graveside service on Sept. 21 at the Hickory Grove Cemetery, Bismarck.

The first day of Autumn was on September 22. It’s so cool in the mornings!