WordShare

WordShare is a student service learning project created by Nannette Crane-Post for her Composition students. Students dedicate ten hours a semester to read to the residents of local nursing homes and are responsible for scheduling these meetings with the activities directors. At the end of the semester, students must write a response paper in which they discuss their experience.

Anna Jackson and Miss Betty at Canyon Springs Nursing Home

Nannette’s Creative Writing Class: Student Submission

THE ROOM and SOPHIE ROSE
circa 1950s by Martha France Cannon

“ Come dance with me, sweet girl.”  My great aunt’s soft voice with her dignified southern accent beckons me.  “Let us sway to the melody. We will gently close our eyelids, not to tight, just enough to lose our balance.  We will let the music enter and touch the spirit and the heart.  If the rhythm creates a smile that will be so very splendid.  If burning tears fill your eyes, so amazing that will be.  Marvelously this means music has aroused a sleeping memory and your heart is weeping. Sadness or happiness, these feelings only you will know.  Yes, yes sweet child come dance with me.  My eyes can so longer see, but my toes are tapping to this melodic beat.”

Taking her soft and delicate hands into my own we twirl and whirl around the parlor room.  Her stylishly sheer ankle length dress flows and floats with our movements.  The denim overalls I am wearing and my canvas shoes represent the tomboy that I am.

Girlish giggles echo cheerfully and I snigger at my clumsiness.  Criticism, frustration, disappointment. These words I never hear. Not ever spoken from her expertly outlined scarlet lips.

The music ends.  Laughing-we curtsy quite magnificently.  I turn her in the direction of the French sofa that is upholstered with thick velvet material the color of cream with rose designs.  Red roses of course, it could not be otherwise.

I walk over to the impressive antique gramophone and skillfully lift the spinner arm off the record.  I turn to face her with a smile that will remain forever unseen.  Sadly, liken the bright sun-ray shining through the stained, rose-design, window pane.  Her blurred green eyes see an opaque world, causing her to have only reminiscences of lace curtains catching the beam that form the patterns that become shadows on a Persian rug, aged with the passing of time as is this lovely lady in her distinctive room.

“ Child, come here to me.”  Aunt Sophia motions to me.  The many rings on her  slender fingers sparkling with the movement .  “Hand me the hairbrush.  Sit down in front of me.  Have you become beautiful?  These ole eyes cannot see.  Have you pride and confidence?  You are a mysterious young girl now, but time will march on and one day the mirror will show you all grown up.  A woman of substance you must become, but remember a charming smile with secret eyes are like a huge bank account.  Furtive.”

Is she teasing? I truly do not know.  Heck, I don’t even know what  furtive means.  Just another word she knows I will have to look up in the dictionary .

I put another record on the player and we listen with pleasure.  Aunt Sophie Rose sits very dignified and regal, her eighty-three years to be cherished.  I on the floor at her knees.  She brushes my long auburn hair with a silver hairbrush, then reaches up to her white hair, that is piled in youthful disarray, even now still scattered with faded specks of her once Irish red tresses, and unties a pale green satin ribbon.  She pulls my thick, naturally curly hair together at the nape of my neck and ties the ribbon with a perfect bow.

She waves me toward the floor length parlor mirror.  Gold bangles on her arms clanging.

I look at my image.  I am thirteen years old today.  Am I ready to leave my childhood frolics behind me?  I think not just yet, but this shiny ribbon flowing gracefully onto my shoulders seems pleasing to me.  I like it.

I turn to face this delightful woman that I so adore.

“Yes, my wonderfully eccentric great-Aunt Sophie Rose.  Like you, I am beautiful.”

No Good Deed Goes Unnoticed

No Good Deed Goes Unnoticed
by David Lusher

This past fall semester, I have been privileged to have been able to share classrooms with the amazing individuals in each of my courses. Though I have made the acquaintance of many, the stories I want to tell today are about two specific individuals, one a student and one a teacher, who have stood out to me from the rest.

Most people who have stories told of them have done a great deed of courage or have accomplished a task which seemed to be impossible: in this story that is not the case. A few weeks back I had been absent from my Sociology class. Your grade in this class is very heavily based on the notes you take. The next class, which I was in attendance, I proceeded to copy a fellow student’s notes. A few minutes into the class, another classmate entered and noticed me copying the notes. Immediately she said “Wait! Stop copying those!” My first reaction was one of confusion – why should I stop? I needed these. Still I said nothing and did as she had ordered. After she took her seat and unloaded her class materials, she proceeded to slip a few papers out of her binder. Contained in this slender stack of papers, were all the notes from that previous class I had missed – but that is not all. The worksheets completed in the class were there as well and with the correct answers marked so I would have all the material needed to review for our next test. If that was not enough already, she had run out of paper while making me the copies and a had to make a run to the store to replenish her supply – all for a random guy in one of her classes. We had no personal relationship previous to that instance and still do not know each other on a personal level. I did not ask for her to make the copies for me. She simply saw a need and filled it. This student is Sarah Williams.

This was not the only case in which she has done similar acts. I do not know the current status of her grades, her financial situation, or much of anything about her really, but here is what I do know: Sarah has qualities extending far beyond those of being a good student and she has a wealth which many who dwell in mansions will never possess.

I was also very blessed to hear stories of those who did acts of good deeds for a small extra credit assignment in another of my classes. I very much admire and respect this teacher for choosing such an assignment to encourage the students to participate in actions which bless others. Yes the students had a little extra motivation behind their actions, but stepped in to help others none the less. The teacher, on the other hand, not only gave to her students, but through them she was responsible for changing a lady’s tire, donating clothes and furniture to those less fortunate, and a list of other deeds. She did not gain a single thing for this other than the joy on her face, and in her heart, when the students stood in front of the class to tell of their deeds. This teacher, I am very proud to mention, is Amanda Bass.

Sarah and Amanda have made me stop and think about what more I can do to contribute to the ever present void of those willing to go out of their way to help others. My hope is that, at this time of the year especially, their stories will inspire you to join the cause of filling the needs of others. And to those of you who have already rose to the challenge, keep it up! There is always a need to be met, it’s just a matter of having the eyes to see it.

Hope all had a wonderful break, a very Merry Christmas, and a happy New Years! Don’t forget to stay classy NPCC!

Principles of Accounting Textbook For Sale

Principles of Accounting Textbook for sale

ISBN# 1-4390-3774-4 or 978-1-4390-3774-4

Author: Belverd Needles & Marian Powers

Edition #: 11th Edition

Condition: a few earmarks, loose leaf form, all pages and disk included, good condition (Purchased new for Fall semester)

Asking: $50 ($150+ new)

Contact Information: Lesley Norton @ (501) 276-6637  Email: lnorton@npcc.edu

Textbooks for Sale

I have a few books to sell. Some I am done with and some I am not going to be done with for a few more weeks.

Item 1: Keyboarding & Word Processing Essentials

Item 2: Writing INC (for Essential Essays class) by Sebranek, Kemper, and Meyer (ISBN:0-669-52995-8) I AM ASKING $15 FOR THE ESSAY BOOKtials 18th edition by VanHuss, Forde, &Woo (for KEYBOARDING) (ISBN:978-0-538-49538-7) with Keyboarding PRO DELUXE 2 (Student License: CD ROM & Instruction book)(ISBN:978-0-840-05335-0) I AM ASKING $100.00 TOGETHER OR $75 FOR THE KEYBOARDING BOOK AND $45 FOR THE STUDENT LICENSE DISK

Pricing Note: May negotiate pricing

Condition: great condition. the disk was only installed on one laptop and was put up in a box for the whole semester and the book is in almost perfct condition. grammer book was bought used but still in great shape. NO MARKS IN EITHER BOOK

Contact information: Name- NovaPhone- 501-722-2626 Email- naviles@npcc.edu or nov_elli@yahoo.com Novelli Aviles 501-722-2626

For Sale: New Set of Golf Irons

For Sale: New set of golf irons. Price dropped to $150. Value $400.

Contact Ron Chesser 760-4230

Share Your Story and Win a Flash Drive!

Share Your Story and Win a Flash Drive
by David Lusher

Hello again NPCC!

Finally there is a reason to read the blog from the random guy on campus you have never met–a free flash drive! How can I win this flash drive, one might ask? I have an answer.

A few years back I had to purchase a flash drive for school. Of course, like all of us, I washed it, lost it, and everything else short of smashing it with a hammer or running over it – though I did come close. About half way through the year the flash drive disappeared. I was photo editor of our yearbook in high school and pictures were on there: I had essays saved on there to be printed and turned in: and I had just filmed a wedding and my instructions as to what they wanted for the DVD were on there. To say the least, the days following were a bit crazy. I turned my hose upside-down. That magical little extension of my computer’s memory was gone. That was not the end of the chaos though. After making up for all that was lost I was at one of my best friend’s house – which I frequented. As I proceeded to leave he stopped me saying he had something he thinks I left there. Yes, indeed, he had it there all along. The joy mixed with sheer frustration was just about enough to make my eyes leak. Soon enough though, I was laughing about it.

Now that you have heard mine, tell us an experience you have had losing a flash drive. The best submission will win! Simple enough right? I look forward to reading your stories!

Happy Thanksgiving! And as always-you stay classy NPCC!

(All submissions received by 4:30pm December 12 will be entered and the winner will be announced on Wednesday, December 14.)  Be sure to include your full name, NPCC email, and personal email so we can contact the winner.

Holiday Recipes…What ya got cooking?

Share your Favorite Holiday Recipes!

I love this time of year because of the food!  The best part is the time with family but I have to say my stomach and love for food occupies my mind and heart most.  What is that saying about the best way to reach a man’s heart is through his stomach

What ya got cooking this weekend? What are your favorite foods this time of year?  Have a great recipe, share it here!

Happy Thanksgiving!

HLC Visit

As you are aware, National Park Community College is wrapping up its accreditation efforts. The culmination of these efforts is a campus visit by a team from the Higher Learning Commission. As a NPCC student, you are invited to meet with the visiting team Monday, November 14, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the Eisele Auditorium in the Frederick Dierks Center for Nursing and Health Sciences.

For more information see: http://npcc.edu/About/reaccreditation/selfStudyRpt.htm.

All of our students are invited to attend this important event!

Webmaster Interview of Faculty Member: October 2011

Striving to Have a Positive Social Impact on Our Lives
– Interview by NPCC Webmaster

Stephanie Coke is a full time faculty member for NPCC Social Sciences Division where she teaches classes in Sociology.  She has been chosen as this year’s Outstanding Faculty Member.  It’s not hard to see why she was chosen. My office is next door to hers so I see her every day and I must tell you she is a delight to have as an office neighbor.  She always comes in with a smile and its contagious…you cannot be around her without smiling too.  She has a personality that lights up the room and makes everyone around her feel better.  However, she characterizes herself as a ‘worrier’.  To me that translates to someone that is concerned about important things.  Like the success of her students, the safety of her family, and the well-being of everyone around her.  Those are outstanding qualities to be sure.  We are all so busy in life just making ends meet.  It is refreshing to be around people that really take the time to think about and care for others.

Stephanie grew up in southeast Arkansas or the Delta area of Arkansas in a small town called Dermott.  At the age of 12 she moved to a nearby farm in Collins, Arkansas where her parents still live today.  She went to Hendrix College where she received her Bachelor’s in Sociology and then to UCA for her Master’s degree in Sociology.   Shortly before finishing she was hired to join the NPCC Faculty, teaching sociology, psychology, and aerobics classes.  As more staff was hired she focused her efforts on Sociology.

She is married to her husband, Rick and has two children. She has a 15 year old son, Josh, and a 24 year old step-daughter, Morgan. She says she loves being outdoors enjoying long walks and watching her son play golf while she chauffeurs him in the cart.  She also enjoys cooking, which she finds relaxing.  Some of her favorite dishes to prepare for the family are: Chicken Enchiladas and Lasagna. She is one of 5 children, plus 2 half-brothers who played professional football for the Chicago Bears and New York Giants.  All of her brothers and sisters went to college, except for one that served his country in the military.  “Dad made sure we all went to college, “she says.  Although her parents did not go to college themselves they always instilled in us a desire to go and to succeed.  They both worked hard and they knew well the value of a good education.  Mom worked 30 years in a Beauty Shop and Dad for Union Pacific for 52 years.  She speaks well of her parents and how well they raised them and how Dad made good on his promise to get us through college and provide a car of our choice upon graduation.

Stephanie also loves to travel and visit interesting places. For example, recently she went on a trip to Chicago for an HLC Steering Committee.  While in Chicago, being the social expert that she is had a very interesting conversation with a yellow skinned man in a blue suit.  A man she calls the “Lego Man”. (See picture) All kidding aside she enjoys visiting historical places, considering the lives of those that came before us and how similar the social problems were to our day making comparisons from the past and applying them to modern issues.  Her favorite vacations are the relaxing ones on a beach in the more tropical locations like Destin, Florida.

She related to me how much she has enjoyed her 21 years at NPCC and then with a laugh tells me she was hired at the age of 12. That should help us all to see why you cannot be around her and not smile.  Seriously, she finds her job here so meaningful because of the positive impact she is able to have on the lives of her students.  She always strives to stay current with today’s social problems and apply these problems to the principles of Sociology to find real world solutions.  “It’s not enough to just talk about the problems. We need to do something about it,” she relates.  Stephanie certainly does that inside and outside the classroom.  Some of her many community service projects include: Sponsoring and serving a lunch at the Jackson House and organizing events that provide books, food, clothing, etc. For example, she is a promoter of the Clothes Line, a function for the support and awareness of domestic violence.  They create a traveling display to advertise and raise funds for this all too important community service.

There are many things about Stephanie that make her an asset to our NPCC family and only some of which I have touched on in this interview.

It is my hope that as we all read these interviews, learning more about each other will bring us all closer and benefit more fully from each other’s company.

Stephanie Coke, a tall and elegant lady that has the compassion and ability to teach all with a sense of humor and with a sense of family how we all can get along, solve our problems, and form lasting relationships for a better world.