Community Pointers for new teachers at Phillips County Schools

As a retired teacher trying to stay out of trouble, Editor Mark Hebert has been kind enough to let me try my hand at journalism. Because the greater Malta-Dodson-Saco area has recently been blessed with several new teachers, I thought it might be helpful to share some community pointers with them.

As they have undoubtedly noticed, Malta is blessed with ‘skeeters. Not only do we have our own swarm, but the Malta mosquitoes have invited their Saco cousins to come and take a dip in the large pool located near the corner of Central and 4th Street. Rumor has it that the mosquitoes merrily wave at the sprayer truck as it makes its scenic tour through Malta’s alleys. Some local residents swear that the mosquitoes have contests to see who can annoy the most humans in one minute or less. Slap on the bug spray before going outside.

Malta has been blessed with many talented gardeners. Likely one will appear at your door with Martha Stewart’s latest recipe for fried zucchini. Not only will you receive the new recipe, but they will bless you with an armload of zucchini, none of which is lighter than five pounds. Happy frying. Enjoy.

Each Saturday you will witness a convoy of cars traveling the streets of Malta. These folks are coveting the best garage sales. Do join the merry convoy as many bargains are to be found.

Each October the Catholics hike over to the Lutheran church to enjoy a sausage supper in honor of Martin Luther’s birthday. The Lutheran folk return the favor by attending the Catholic’s November harvest turkey dinner. It has been reported that each clergyman kindly announces the other’s church dinner to his own congregation. Pope Francis would undoubtedly be proud of Malta’s ecumenicalism. Each spring we all trot down to The Little White Church to enjoy a plate of chicken gravy and biscuits followed with homemade pie.

Be careful who you complain about and who you complain to. Most of us share great grandparents who came from Germany, Sweden, or Norway, and we are all pretty much second cousins to each other. The person you are complaining about is most likely a cousin to the person you are talking with. Remember, “If you can’t say something nice…….”

This area is very sports minded. Folks are famous for making a 450 mile automobile round trip over icy roads to watch their neighbor kid participate in the current sport event. ‘Way to go!

We may be small communities, but the area is blessed with folks who have huge hearts. When the former MHS burned to the ground in ’95, dozens of good folks grabbed their hammers, brushes, and paints to turn a former rest home into a temporary high school. Way to go! If a family in our county is facing financial woes due to major illness, we all pitch in with the silent auction and potluck dinners. You can’t beat that for showing kindness and compassion for somebody you may not even know very well.

So new staff members, we hope these are helpful hints. We are very happy that you have decided to come to our communities. We wish you well and in the near future we hope to learn more about each of you. Have a great year at your new school and God bless. RSV