FROM THE EDITOR:

Hot Springs’ summer medley soon will become its September song. Resort city vacationers will make the most of their leisure-time pursuits before returning to the hectic days of work, school and social commitments.

Local residents enjoy their remaining days in the sun – boating and skiing on the lake, entertaining out-of-town guests with informal suppers and tours of the town, organizing neighborhood get-togethers, and hosting wedding parties.

The eighth month of this year moves on to the musical beat of the 16th Annual Hot Springs Blues Festival, which livens up Hill Wheatley Plaza and various other venues from Aug. 30-31. Before then, the Pocket Community Theatre gets “All Shook Up” on Aug. 16-19 over “Luigi Jannuzzi’s “All the King’ Women” – five comedic plays and three monologues based on the life of Elvis Presley.

Mid-America Science Museum will put out a special welcome mat on Aug. 31 when it displays its creative, fun and interactive displays on “Member Night.”

And motorcycling enthusiasts are already gearing up for the Hot Springs Motorcycle Rally from Sept. 6-8 in our historic downtown. On Friday, Sept. 8, it will be Bikers’ Weekend at The Witness Amphitheater, 1960 Mill Creek Road.

Whenever Labor Day came up on the calendar in our youth, my friends and I knew it was time to put on our thinking caps and get ready for fall classes that began right after the holiday. From elementary school on, I liked the whole environment and process of learning new things and meeting new people – even though in childhood, my demeanor was shy and retiring.

Getting new art supplies for second grade, reviewing fourth-grade reading lessons with mom and dad, practicing a new list of spelling words handed out by the sixth-grade homeroom teacher – all special memories of the beginnings of a personal education journey.

The teachers and faculty members at Lee School and Hot Springs Junior and Senior High were a blessing – men and women dedicated to the students’ welfare and to preparing them for the future. They were truly patient souls who endured our silly and giggly ways, our endless questions, our sometimes impertinent and sassy attitudes. They survived us and we thrived because of their tutelage and guidance.

Thanks to Coach Nathan McCauley and John Duncan, I got through biology and chemistry. I actually enjoyed algebra because of Miss Burmer Bryan. And I’ll be forever grateful to three ladies who inspired and fostered my love of language – Lura Browne, Elizabeth Housley and Elizabeth Buck.

In Mizzou’s journalism program, Thomas Duffy demanded creativity and a “less-is-more” approach to feature writing and Donald Romero’s magazine course gave me a totally different perspective on printed communication.

Whatever you do – and wherever you go from here – think kindly on your muses and mentors.

Melinda B. Gassaway Executive editor