Good citizenship — a learned behavior

According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, citizenship is the relationship between an individual and a state (or country) and in turn is entitled to its protection. Citizenship implies the status of freedom with accompanying responsibilities. Dictionary.com defines citizenship as the state of being “vested” with the rights, privileges, and duties of a citizen. “Good citizenship” means properly fulfilling one’s role as a citizen.

Theodore Roosevelt said, “The first requisite of a good citizen in this Republic of ours is that he shall be able and willing to pull his weight.” As a young person moves into adulthood, they should do so with an understanding of the political, legal, and economic functions of the adult society, and they need to have the social and moral awareness to thrive in and contribute in that society.

Citizenship education is about enabling people to make their own decisions and to take responsibility for their own lives and their communities. It is not about trying to fit everyone into the same mold or even about creating “model” citizens. Our community needs active, informed, and responsible citizens; citizens who are willing and able to take responsibility for themselves and their communities and contribute to the political process. A healthy community depends upon people who are aware of their rights and responsibilities as citizens. People should be educated about the social and political world around them. They should have a certain amount of concern about the welfare of others in their city.

A good citizen has the ability to articulate his or her opinions and arguments. Our world needs youth who will be capable of having an influence on what goes on in their cities and who are active in their communities. Youth today must understand they do have a certain responsibility in how they act as citizens. All these capacities must be learned; they are not something a person knows by instinct. A certain amount of citizenship could be picked up through ordinary experiences in the home or at work, but those experiences are not sufficient to equip citizens for the sort of active role required of them in today’s complex and diverse society. Citizenship is for all people, regardless of their ability or background, and continues throughout a person’s life.

As citizenship becomes a reality in a young person’s life, they begin to see there are issues a community must address and resolve. Young people learn that these issues have many characteristics. These citizenship issues are real — they affect people’s lives. They are topical — current today. They can sometimes be sensitive — even affecting people at a personal level, especially when family or friends are involved. Issues are often controversial — people disagree and hold strong opinions about them. They can be ultimately moral — relating to what people think is right or wrong, good or bad, important or unimportant in society.

Education about citizenship helps young people to develop self-confidence and successfully deal with significant life changes and challenges. It gives them a voice — in their lives at their schools, in their communities, and in society at large. It enables them to make a positive contribution by developing the expertise and experience needed to claim their rights and understand their responsibilities. This experience helps in preparing them for the challenges and opportunities of the adult world and working life. Citizenship brings benefits to many areas of life. For schools, it helps to produce motivated and responsible learners who relate positively to each other, to staff, and to the surrounding community. For society, it helps to create an active and responsible citizen willing to participate in the life of the nation and world — and play their part in the democratic process.

Members of Garland County 4-H are part of a premier youth development program conducted by the University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service. As 4-H youth participate in club meetings, county competitions, community service events, and leadership activities, they gain knowledge and life skills that will help them to become positive, productive members of our community. Members learn about citizenship and their responsibility to the community. Through 4-H, young people develop skills to help them become leaders that will help shape their communities. Part of the Arkansas 4-H mission is to provide opportunities that will enable our youth to learn to contribute in a positive way. Joining 4-H is free! Call today to get your child involved!

4-H Club information

For more information about Garland County 4-H Club membership or program benefits, contact Linda Bates at the Garland County Cooperative Extension office located at 236 Woodbine in Hot Springs, call 501-623-6841, or email lbates@ uaex.edu. More information is available at http://www.uaex. edu/garland.

Master Gardener information

If you have an interest in gardening, you may want to apply to become a Master Gardener. The Master Gardener training is coming up soon. If you want an application, you may call our office to have one emailed to you, or drop by and pick one up at the Cooperative Extension Office, 236 Woodbine in Hot Springs. You’re welcome to attend the monthly Master Gardener meeting which is held on the third Thursday of each month at 1 p.m., the Elks Lodge, 132 Abbott Place. They’re open to the public and guests are always welcome. Call the Extension office at 623-6841 or email Allen Bates at abates@uaex.edu for more information.

EHC information

Are you interested in joining an existing Extension Homemakers Club? EHC is the largest volunteer organization in the state. For more information on EHC, contact Alison Crane at 501-623-6841 or acrane@uaex. edu.

Civic clubs

Greater Hot Springs Kiwanis Club will meet from noon-1 p.m. Tuesday at Hibachi Grill, Temperance Hill. Call Donna Lawrence, 501-463-9396 or 727-410-1516, for information on membership or if interested in giving a presentation to the club.

Oaklawn Rotary Club meets at noon Mondays, except on holidays, at Hotel Hot Springs. Visiting Rotarians are welcome to join members for lunch. Call President Landon Trusty, 622-3212, for information.

Hot Springs Sunrise Rotary Club will meet at 7 a.m. Tuesday at Embassy Suites. Visiting Rotarians are welcome to join members for breakfast. Call Lisa Wood, 870-260-5882, for information.

Support groups

Narcotics Anonymous meets at noon and 8 p.m. today at 919 Hobson Ave. This is a

12-step recovery program for people for whom drugs have become a major problem. The Help Line number is 321-8700.

Lifeline Al-Anon Family Groups, a fellowship for relatives and friends of alcoholics, meets at 11 a.m. today at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 109 Hobson. Call Melinda, 520-7876, for information.

Alcoholics Anonymous meets at noon and, 6 and 8 p.m. (two meetings) Mondays at 411 Sellers St.; Rule 62 Women, 10 a.m. Mondays at 411 Sellers St., in the basement; Central Big Book,

5:30 p.m. Mondays at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3819 Central Ave. Call 623-6328 for information.

Alcoholics Anonymous, Last House on the Block, meets at 6 and 8 a.m. today at 315 W. Grand Ave.

Alcoholics Anonymous, Malvern Group, will meet at 8 p.m. today at 211 W. 3rd St., Malvern, in the upstairs Chamber of Commerce Building. Doors open at 7 p.m. Call 501-467-5409 or

501-231-9518 for AA information, or 501-623-6328 for Hot Springs Intergroup.

M.E.N.D. Hot Springs, Mommies Enduring Neonatal Death, is a Christian, nonprofit organization that reaches out to families who have suffered the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth or early infant death. This support groups meets from 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Maurice Room at National Park Medical Center. Interested parties may call Amy Humphries, 276-5034, for information.

A grief support group will held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Oaklawn United Methodist Church,

216 Higdon Ferry Road. Call 3181500 or 915-8500 for information.

Thrift stores

Jackson House Thrift Shop, 212 Jefferson, behind 705 Malvern Ave., is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Accepting donations of clean gently worn clothing, accessories, jewelry, good reusable household items, small appliances and furniture. All donations are tax-deductible. Proceeds support Jackson House Crisis Intervention Ministries. Call 623-6641 for information.

Jackson House Thrift Store Too, 623 Albert Pike, is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Accepting clean household items, small appliances, furniture, jewelry and accessories. All donations are tax-deductible, receipt provided. Proceeds

benefit this community crisis intervention ministry. Every dollar received buys $3-$5 in food that is distributed locally. Call

625-7467 for information about volunteering and for pickups, private yard sales or estates.

Guardian Angels Thrift Store, 907 Hobson Ave., is open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and Saturday. Donations of gently used, in clean condition, linens, household items, home decor, clothing and furniture are accepted. All proceeds support the cat shelter. Low-cost spay and neuter vouchers are available during store hours. Volunteers and foster parents are needed, call 6233484, leave a message and number. Adoption days are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Saturday.

Abilities Unlimited Thrift Store, 1819 Albert Pike, is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday. It has a selection of clothing for men, women, children and plus sizes; shoes, household items and furniture are available. Tax-deductible donations, which help individuals with disabilities in Garland County and surrounding areas, are accepted from 8:30 a.m. to

4 p.m. at the back door; or call

624-5757 for pickup of donations. Abilities Unlimited Thrift Store HSV, 4055 Highway 7 north, is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. It accepts tax-deductible donations of usable clothing, books, furniture and miscellaneous household items. Call 501-204-5024 or

624-5757 for donation pickups. The Salvation Army Family Store, 109 Crescent St., has gently worn men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, plus a selection of household items. The store is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Call 6231641 for tax-deductible pickup of good, quality items.

The Salvation Army Family Store, 4409 Central Ave., next to Kroger, is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday. It offers furniture, clothing and household items. Donations are appreciated. Proceeds benefit The Salvation Army programs. Call 525-5059 for information.

The Salvation Army Family Store, 4652 Highway 7 north, Village Plaza Shopping Center, Hot Springs Village, is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Donations are appreciated. Proceeds benefit The Salvation Army programs.

Potter’s Clay Thrift Shop,

1013 Malvern Ave., is open from

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Tax-deductible donations of good reusable clothing and furniture are accepted. Proceeds benefit Potter’s Clay Ministries, a Christ-centered shelter for abused women and children. Call 620-4405 for information.

United Methodist Thrift Store, 304 Albert Pike, is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday and Saturday. The store stocks men’s, women’s and children’s clothing and accessories, household items,

fabric and books (in good condition). Clean, usable donations of clothes, housewares and small furniture are appreciated. Proceeds are used to assist needy families in Garland County.

John & Sue Anthony Vintage Mall, 1679 Highway 7 north, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Proceeds benefit Teen Challenge of Arkansas. Call 6242446 or email storemanager@ teenchallengear.org for information.

Miscellaneous

Duplicate bridge will be held at 12:30 p.m. today at The Bridge House, 300 W. St. Louis St., for all bridge players. STAC with stratified scoring. Need a partner? Come early, one is onsite. Call 525-8780 or 262-9149 for information.

Hot Springs Fun City Chorus, a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society, will meet at 7 p.m. today at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3819 Central Ave. All males in any age group are welcome. For performance information, call Steve Spakes,

624-6100. Call William James,

318-8754, for information about the chorus.

Crystal Chimes Chorus,a member chapter of Sweet Adelines International Women’s Barbershop Organization, meets from 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays at Christ of the Hills Church, 700 Balearic Road, Hot Springs Village. The chorus has members from Hot Springs, including director Margaret Kresse. Visitors are welcome. Call Judy Pugh, 817714-5716, or Margaret Kresse,

501-701-4413, for information. New Born Parenting classes for teens, young mothers and fathers are held from 1-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday at Change Point, 201 Nickels St. Call 6242273 for appointment. After hour classes by appointment only.

Extension Get Fit meets from 9-10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Leonard Street Baptist Church, Leonard and Panama streets. Women and men are welcome to join this exercising program to prevent osteoporosis, increase balance and muscle tone and get in shape. Cost is $20 per year. Call Sharon Dodd, 525-1718, for information.

Civil Air Patrol 40th Composite Squadron holds a senior meeting at 7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month at Hot Springs Memorial Field. Cadets meet at 7 p.m. every Tuesday. Call 760-2472 for information.

Extension Get Fit will meet at 8:45 a.m. today and Thursday at New Salem United Methodist Church, 1798 Mountain Pine Road. Improve balance and strength, prevent osteoporosis, strengthen joints, increase metabolism. Cost is $20 per year. Call Billie Sue, 282-6261, for information.

Extension Get Fit meet at

9 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Piney Grove United Methodist Church, 2963 Airport Road. Some new, some old exercises. Join in for an all body workout. Everyone welcome. Cost is $20 per year. Call Virginia Gunderson, 767-3831, and Gail Oyster,

580-1960, for information.

The Salvation Army Senior Fellowship group meets at 9 a.m. Tuesdays at The Salvation Army, 115 Crescent, for free coffee, cake, devotions, singing, bingo and fellowship. If you are

55 or older, come on over. Extension Get Fit exercise program meets from 9-10:30 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays in the multipurpose building at Center Fork Baptist Church, 1101 S. Moore Road. If you’ve always wanted to start a strength training program but just did not know how to start, come on by. Cost is $20 per year. Call 7674607 for information.

Water workout and aerobics, Aqua Arthritis classes and swim lessons for all ages are held at Quapaw Community Center, 500 Quapaw Ave. Water aerobics is at 9 a.m. Monday-Friday and water workout at 10 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Aqua Arthritis classes follow the guidelines of the Arthritis Foundation’s water exercise program and are held at 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Water exercise is a low-impact way to work out. Call 623-9922 for information.

Extension Get Fit meets from 9-10 a.m. Monday-Thursday at Hot Springs Baptist Church. Strength and core training is offered Tuesday and Thursday, and circuit and aerobic training Monday and Wednesday. Prevent bone loss, increase balance and strength. Cost is $20 per year. Call Julia Lamb, 501-2762983, for information. Extension Get Fit will be held from 830-9:30 a.m. Monday and Wednesday at CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs Senior Center,

301 Broadway, use back door entrance.

Garland County EHC Crazy Quilters will meet at the Garland County Fairgrounds at

10 a.m. Tuesday. If interested in quilting or have questions about EHC, call 282-4369.