CHEERS: What a beautiful story. The article in Saturday, March 10, of the Gazette by Ashley Gardner was so uplifting. We see and read entirely too much about violence and crime so the article, ‘Gift of Life was such an inspiring story. And I was so glad to read that both families have become good friends. The article was well-written. M.B., Texarkana, Texas

JEERS: To a local restaurant. In returning home from a Caribbean cruise Sunday evening, I was hungry and wanted a burger. When I arrived there I found that I only had travelers checks left in my wallet. They would not take them repeatedly saying they didnt take checks. What is the deal? Even the manager stated they didnt take checks. Dont they know the difference? I can use my Travelers checks all over the world except at this restaurant. Please girls, learn the difference. B.M., Texarkana, Ark.

JEERS: To E.J. Flys letter (3-1-07) and R.E.B.s 3-3-07 jeers. I think these two are not getting the point. The child was evidently paddled too hard, which has happened more than once. These people evidently lived in the days when you could use corporal punishment at home and not be in fear of being arrested. Things have changed so much. Check it out. At the school where my kids attend, Im given a choice of corporal or other forms of discipline. I always say no to paddling because of what happened to this child. If I as the parents cant do as we did in the old days, why should anyone else? The child my child or anyone elses must be disciplined but I say no to paddling at school. Ill do it myself for obvious reasons. Many children have been injured at school. We as parents would be put in jail for the same thing. They call it child abuse if its reported from home. M.P., Texarkana, Texas

JEERS: We were all appalled that persons would steal a St. Francis statue from a flower garden in an upscale apartment complex on Richmond.

The St. Francis statue had been located there the last three years looking across the roadway to a large bird feeder, which is affixed to a pine tree. The feeder was made by local woodshop boys from one of our Texas high schools for this elderly, retired schoolteacher. She enjoys sharing her bird statue and especially the beautiful flowers, moon flowers, iris, cannas, jonquils, wild violets, amarillis, shasta daisies with her complex friends and neighbors who walk faithfully in the complex. Everyone immediately noticed the statue was gone from its appointed place. This theft occurred March 1 ‘like a sneak thief in the night. We all hope the persons who took the statue keep it in a safe place away from thieves like yourself. Shame, shame, shame A.P., Texarkana, Texas

CHEERS to the Literacy Council of Bowie and Miller Counties for a very successful 13th Annual Spelling Bee. The event raised a lot of money for a great cause AND provided a wonderfully fun evening for those who attended. This event has really grown into one of the more fun activities in town each year to look forward to. What a great time for people from all different communities, organizations and businesses in Texarkana to get together to have some fun, eat a great dinner, have a little friendly competition and raise money for such a deserving organization. It was so fun to see all the wonderful costumes, hear all the cheers and see so many people excited for their teams and the Literacy Council. And so many businesses gave so generously to support the organization from event sponsors, food donations, silent auction donations ... I cant wait for next year! Keep up the great work! J.W., Wake Village, Texas

CHEERS: To the Texarkana Gazette and the Liberty-Eylau Independent School District for bringing the United State Army Field Band and Soldiers Chorus to Texarkana on Friday, March 9, for their program. Everyone did a wonderful job! My family and I enjoyed it very much and we are looking foward to hearing them again soon. R.C., Texarkana, Ark.

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