It's always fun to look back as a year comes to an end. Just to see the progress that has been made in many areas is reason enough to pause and be thankful for the good things that have occurred during the past 12 months.
Of course, as in everything, there is a flip side. Things and events occurred which make a person shake his head. And wonder.
How in the heck did that happen? And why? And the consequences? It really is enough to make a person ask, "Why?"
More importantly the real questions should be "What?" and "How?"
What may I/we do to prevent a recurrence of such a mistake? How may I/we help avert such an error in the future?
As an aside to looking at the monthly summaries from last year in this week's paper, is the annual effort to check the status of those infamous predictions we made concerning the people and places in Westside Eagle Observer country. So, here goes ...
Of the 17 predictions in the 'cuff last Jan. 2, the accuracy percentage was true to form. Somehow that is an annual result which is a real head shaker dating back into the last century.
I really outdid myself. One prediction was: A meteorite will land in the backyard of a Gravette family." Or how about this one: "A Hiwasse man will be attacked by a flock of crows." One I really had hopes for: "It was learned that turnip juice, mixed with carrot juice, can be used to remove warts." You know where that one went.
One prediction that showed some possibilities: "Several business buildings in Gentry, Decatur and Gravette will have new occupants before the end of the year." That was a partial hit, as were a couple of other predictions: "The Bulldogs, Pioneers and Lions will have great football records this fall," and "The summer of 2013 will be warm and wet. Not at all like 2012."
I really missed the boat on: "Congress will actually get some work done. Of course it will be late in the year," and "Gas prices will plummet to less than a dollar sometime this spring. It'll only last for one day." Make that half a day. Make that two and one-half minutes.
Yep, my accuracy measured up to the 3% mark. Again. So I'm on track for a good look into 2014.
But first, back to the reality I often mention: The 'cuff usually rolls up when there is a hole to fill on this page. I have already filled most of the hole this week. I may just repeat those predictions from last year, but, as I go into that proverbial trance there is room for a couple of new ones.
• Funds will miraculously appear from an anonymous donor to fully complete the Bella Vista bypass. Four lanes, of course.
• A lawsuit will be filed against the powers that be alleging that nine-tenths of the regulations imposed on cities involving their wastewater treatment plants produce negligible positive results. The suit seeks to recover $$$$ which have been spent on various projects.
• The new national core education project will unexpectedly be replaced with an encore system. It is in the process of being drafted by a bunch of non-educators stashed somewhere near a Rocky Mountain ski resort.
• The November election will be a sizzler. Whatever that means, to whomever is reading this.
And so ... as Tillie the Toiler used to say in an old-time comic cartoon, "That's that for today!"
Except: May your 2014 be filled with prosperity, good health, and blessings of happiness.
Dodie Evans is editor emeritus of Westside Eagle Observer. The opinions expressed are those of the author.
General News on 01/01/2014