Paper Trails

Sun setting; Time to say happy trails

Back in January 2004, I kicked off writing this column with these words:

"If I've learned anything in 11 years as a reporter for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, it's that there are stories around every corner -- some funny, others outrageous or inspiring, but all uniquely Arkansan."

That belief -- and truth -- has been my profession and passion ever since. When I took over Paper Trails back then, after its brief hiatus, it moved from the features section to this prime real estate on the Arkansas page, running Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It was my dream job, and a full-time one at that.

In the summer of 2011, as part of adjustments in the appearance of the newspaper and staff changes in the newsroom, the column was reduced to once a week, but was moved to Sundays, giving me a much larger audience.

Under that new schedule, I spent the rest of my workdays writing articles, reviews and even a second column for features sections (my original home here when I began in 1991 as a High Profile reporter).

I still love writing. But beginning June 26, I will be writing and reporting for a world-class, state-of-the-art medical institution based right here in Little Rock.

I have been invited to serve as communications manager for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences' renowned Myeloma Institute (myeloma.uams.edu). The institute, housed in the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, is an international leader in the treatment and study of the blood disease and several related diseases. My job there will be to help spread the word, from the local level to the global audience, about the work being pioneered there by its team of scientists and clinicians.

The institute, founded in 1989 by Dr. Bart Barlogie, is today led by Dr. Gareth Morgan, previously with the Institute of Cancer Research in London.

Morgan; his deputy director, Dr. Faith Davies; and their team focus on innovative research into the biology of the disease and personalizing the medical treatment. And much more is in view on the horizon.

I can only imagine all of the countless inspiring stories there waiting to be told.

For now, I owe Paper Trails readers a sincere debt of gratitude for sharing your stories -- some funny, others outrageous or inspiring, but all uniquely Arkansan -- with me and allowing me to share them with a wider audience.

Tune in again next week as I say farewell and reminisce about some of the favorite stories I've chased and shared here. What a pleasure it's all been!

Contact Linda Haymes at [email protected] or (501) 607-0675.

SundayMonday on 06/18/2017

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