Ulm is a small town in Prairie County. Go to Stuttgart, take Highway 79 out past Wabbaseka and Humphrey and you will find Ulm.

About three hundred folks live in Ulm. It is a pretty, pastoral community like a lot of home towns in Arkansas. One of the residents is Garrett Sheeks. Ricky Dale Harrington and I made the trip to Ulm to be with Garrett for a fundraising event to help him win a seat in the Arkansas House of Representatives.

A goodly number of his friends, family and neighbors came by to eat and visit and do some politicking.

The pulled pork sandwiches were everything you’d expect from rural Arkansas. Full flavored, tender and served with a wonderfully tangy barbecue sauce and sides of baked beans and potato salad. There was dessert, too. There were store bought cookies for the kids and in case the chocolate cake with chocolate icing ran out.

That cake alone was worth the trip. It was prepared by Garrett’s mother from her mother’s recipe. It. Was. Amazing.

After some eating and visiting, Garrett explained why he was running for office. It was an inspired and inspiring speech. The love he has for his community was evident. The fact that he wants to be part of making life better for everyone was obvious. In addition, he expressed an understanding of the mistakes that have led to the current sad conditions of our state and nation. More importantly, he identified a simple, common sense approach to accomplish necessary changes.

Ricky and I “seconded” what Garrett had said and took the opportunity to ask the local voters for their consideration as candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor. It was particularly gratifying to me to talk about the Arkansas Township Amendment plan for returning local control to Arkansas communities in a great community like Ulm.

Another good day on the campaign trail with friends, both old and new.