Today we ‘ share your good news’

You may know that The Sentinel- Record’s annual Mail- Away edition ( aka the “Share Your Good News” edition) today showcases businesses and organizations in our city, while also promoting Hot Springs’ best tourist attractions and most beautiful spots. For $ 3, you can send an edition of The Sentinel- Record anywhere in the country, or send a digital version for $ 1.25.

You may also know that today marks the 80th year that this newspaper has put issues of The Sentinel- Record on doorsteps all over the country. It’s a great way to share what’s been going on in Hot Springs with close relatives, friends who have moved away from Hot Springs or someone you think would be interested in visiting the Spa City.

What you may not know is that, without the first mail- away issue, The Sentinel- Record might not exist today.

Eighty years ago, The Sentinel- Record, like many other businesses around the country, was suffering as a result of The Great Depression. The newspaper, which had been purchased by my great- grandfather, Clyde Palmer, several years before, was in financial trouble and going bankrupt. So Clyde sent his son- in- law, Walter Hussman, to help save The Sentinel- Record before it was too late.

That was when my grandfather came up with the idea to create a “mail it away” edition. Subscribers of The Sentinel- Record and citizens of Hot Springs would pay to have a copy of one issue of the mailed edition sent to friends, family and acquaintances around the country, promoting the area as a tourist destination. This promotion was a huge success and helped the newspaper repay its debts and avoid foreclosure.

My grandfather ( lovingly known as “Old Goat,” or “O. G.” to the grandkids) passed away when I was a toddler, but I would sure thank him today for that decision. It was his confidence in the Spa City’s appeal that helped keep The Sentinel- Record alive and a family run newspaper, and that turned out to be good news for me.