It’s a new year again and we meet 2008 head on with our throttle wide open facing our goals and resolutions with enthusiasm. We always enjoy celebrating the holidays and the beginning of each New Year. The New Year is very fresh and exciting to us.

We feel so fortunate to be living in the greatest country in the world and in our opinion (and in the opinion of many others) the greatest city in the world. We’ve lived in Maumelle for over 18 years and we have seen such tremendous growth.

Every six months we publish a letter from Mayor Watson bringing our readers up to date on Maumelle’s progress. You’re sure to enjoy his most recent letter. We observe new businesses, industry and home construction daily as its happening and we tend not to notice its magnitude. But when we see an overview of progress six months at a time, it’s very impressive.

We mail a copy of Maumelle Living to every home and business with the 72113 zip code. When we mailed our first issue in November 2004 we mailed 7,400. With this issue, we will reach over 8,600. That is remarkable growth!

We have an incredible story by Mary Larmoyeux about Roy E. Kaden, Lt. Col. USAF (Retired), a local military hero. Read about him joining the ranks of Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart in September 2002 when he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, one of our military’s highest honors. With that article in mind, now is the perfect time for all of us to pause and pray for our brave men and women serving our country all around the world, especially those in combat. Regardless of our personal opinions regarding politics or the war in Iraq, we have a duty to support our troops.

On a much smaller scale, our Girl Scout troops are selling their annual cookies, so be sure and buy some when you’re approached. If you aren’t approached, call the local troop or stop by their booth at the Maumelle Kroger store and help these girls.

We were so honored to be invited into the home of American Taekwondo Association Grand Master Soon Ho Lee and his wife Sukey. Irma Harbour did an outstanding job interviewing this amazing couple.

We wish all our readers a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year. We hope you enjoy this issue and as usual, please continue to call or send us emails with suggestions for future issues.

Terry & Gay Carpenter