The mayor needs a suggestion for the Batesville sign that greets southbound travelers on I-55. He wants something that’s attractive and attention compelling yet brief enough to convey its message during the moments of a driver’s distraction.

He’s been after me for months to help him with an idea or to hold a contest for an idea or illustration in which the winning entry gets chosen to become the sign.

Having such little success with me, he’s now asked Sports Editor Myra Bean for help.

So now, we need your help to get the mayor off our backs. We need a suggestion — either for the sign itself or for a contest that would allow entries from which a winner is selected.

Just ask: What do we most want passing motorists to know about Batesville?

That’s what should go on the sign.

Simple? Send me an e-mail, publisher@panolian.com.
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On a more serious note, John Ard, Curtis Lauderdale and their contemporaries in the American Legion and V. F. W. are attempting to notify the family members of every man whose name is listed on the downtown war memorial monument. They will invite them to the Memorial Day program on May 28 where worn U.S. flags will be retired for each man who died in service to his country during wars from World War I until now.

There are 92 names on the monument, 12 of whom died in World War I almost a century ago.

It is an ambitious undertaking. If you would like to participate in the memory of your friend or family member whose name is etched in the stone of that monument, contact John Ard, 934-8213 or Curtis Lauderdale, 934-1769.

“I would like for a family member or friend to do it, but if not, we’ll have a VFW member or Legionnaire to do it,” Ard said. “I don’t want anybody to feel slighted.”

Help spread the word.