Special tree to honor lost loved ones

The holidays are a time for friends and family, which in turn often brings up memories of loved ones who are no longer with us.

This year Portland will have a Memorial Tree at the new Portland Community Center to provide area residents an opportunity to remember those lost loved ones. Ornaments can be purchased for $5 per name, and will be placed on the tree before a special Memorial Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5 p.m. Sunday. Money raised will go toward the Portland Community Center Building Fund.

"We've thought about doing this for a couple years - the town of Wellsville did it several years ago as a cancer fundraiser, and that's where I got the idea," said event organizer Carolyn Leeper. "Several of us were talking, and we finally decided to do it this year.

"We just thought it would be nice to have it for the community center, and as a memorial for those we've lost."

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.