Here in Searcy, several years ago, we came close to losing the law office of Brig. Gen. Dandridge McRae. It was a small, nondescript building on South Main, and only a few old-timers knew its history. A contractor planned to demolish it to clear the way for some project, but some old coot contacted the State Historic Preservation Office. I don't know all the ins and outs, but sometime after the SHPO got involved the contractor had to publish a notice in the local paper, inviting public comment. That's when I first became aware of what that ramshackle little building was. Anyway, the upshot is that enough good people submitted comments to the SHPO that the building was designated as a historic site. It was restored to its 19th century appearance and is now a protected site, and a nice little cultural icon for the town.

If that old guy had just stood back and did nothing, we would have lost General McRae's old law office. In this day and age, when just about everything can be sold for a price, those of us who care about our history and heritage just can't sit back and do nothing. That's why you've always been one of my heroes for what you do down there in Lonoke County. Keep up the good work, Linda.