It’s just a fun contest we did, to try and redeem the name Karen for the good ones that exist – and there are a lot of good ones! We asked for people to write in and tell us why they thought their friend or family member named Karen is great. We got over 100 entries, and many of the Karens were nominated several times. A couple of Karens even nominated other Karens!
Below is the list of all the reasons our Saline County Karens are awesome. The list is in alphabetical order, but let’s start with our contest winner!
MySaline is happy to announce the Best Karen in Saline County is Karen Matthews of Traskwood!
Karen Matthews of Traskwood – She’s my mom and my work partner. She works hard cleaning every day, sometimes weekends if I need her to. She took my uncle (dads brother) in to live with them. He was dying of cancer and in hospice.Hhe was given 2-4 weeks to live and he lived there for 5 months before passing. Hospice believed it was because of the great care given. She’s one of a kind and will do anything for anyone at any time, day or night. She always puts others before her, and is loved and known by so many. – Submitted by Brandy Matthews
Caryn Coker Burge of Benton – She is so honest and real! She is the polar opposite of the negative connotation associated with the name Karen! – Submitted by Crystal McKenzie
Karen Blaylock of Benton – Sweetest and big-hearted lady I know – Submitted by Toni Bradford
Karen Blaylock of Benton – She’s a 59 or 60yo woman who is raising her husband’s grandson. That takes a lot of love, strength and courage. – Submitted by Vicky Tanner
Karen Bonvillain of Bryant – She is the best Karen in the world, always minding her business – NEVER asking for the manager because she knows people have too much going on in their lives. She has the coolest dogs and had probably met everyone in saline county who goes to the dog park off Shobe! She is a big supporter of small businesses in Bryant/Benton (mostly because she hates driving more than 10 minutes for dinner). She is a proud Bryant mom and raised 5 athletes in Bryant schools and only yelled at umpires/ referees a handful of times (if it was any less than that I’d question her loyalty to the Hornets). She deserves to be recognized because she is simply a hardworking, Bryant loving woman who might end up changing her name if people keep using it as a bad word. She loves people and cares about everyone she meets! – Submitted by Shayla McKissock
Karen Bowden of Benton – She has a heart of gold. – Submitted by Evan Hicks
Karen Bowden of Benton – Genuinely sweet person who loves big! – Submitted by Melinda Vergona
Karen Bowden of Benton – She is warm and welcoming. She always has a smile on her face and is the first to greet you when you walk in a room. – Submitted by Laura Penn
Karen Derfler Bowden of Benton – She has lived and worked in our community all her life. She works for Roller-Ballard Funeral home . Her work, her heart, and the way she makes the world better is the best reason to nominate her as Saline County’s Favorite Karen . – Submitted by Jan Adams
Karen Bradbury of Bauxite – She loves people and she loves the community. She is always thinking of others and doing what she can to help them. She is just awesome! – Submitted by Rachael Blasingame
Karen Bradbury of Bauxite – Great friend , always there when you need her – Submitted by Brenda Duff
Karen Bridgeman of Bryant – She had a huge heart! – Submitted by Tabatha Koder
Karen Bridgeman of Bryant – She’s a great friend and mother. Volunteers at church. One of the few remaining people with some common sense. Love her bunches. – Submitted by Debbie Eldet
Karen Bridgeman of Bryant – She is a wonderful and caring mother – Submitted by Karen Gunn
Karen Rhea Bridgeman of Bryant – Honest, Integrity, Empathetic, has seen much loss – Submitted by Judy Bartlett
Karen Broomfield of Benton – She does so much for other people. 2 years ago she invited my husband & I to spend a week in St. John USVI with her & her husband, they were dog sitting for their son, we stayed the week , no hotel bills, it was a dream vacation with perfect hosts. But before that a few years ago I broke my arm, she cooked for my family like they were her own! She is definitely not like the Karen’s in the news we see almost daily! – Submitted by Tammie Fast
Karen Brown of Benton – She is the most caring, giving person you will ever meet. Everyone is treated with the same respect and she is always ready to lend a hand wherever the need arises. Her positive attitude and infectious smile can be seen on display as she is busy helping out in the community. She was voted HCE teacher of the year! – Submitted by Laura Tindell
Karen Brown of Benton – She is caring, sweet and always makes times for others even though she is caring full time for her husband who has Alzheimer’s. I have never known her to tell someone “no” who has a need. I have seen her go above and beyond for her students who have special needs. – Submitted by Kayla Noland
Karen Brown of Benton – She is so unselfish. She gives of herself every day. Karen always sees the best in people. She tries to see all sides and even when she does not share your opinion, she respects it. She is an advocate for voiceless children with special needs. She is a special educator and is always going above and beyond for her students. – Submitted by Emily Crain
Karen Carson of Alexander – She is the kindest and most selfless person I know always doing whatever she can to make someone smile and is always putting everyone else’s needs before her own. – Submitted by Kyle Hardy
Karen Carson of Alexander – This is going to sound like a cliché, but Karen was hired at my work late last year and she is hands down the most selfless human I have ever met. I was suffering from postpartum sciatic pain, briefly mentioned it one day at work, and she went out at lunch and bought me Biofreeze gel. She has bought my baby formula on lunch, too, when she found out what kind I buy. Her kindness is on a ridiculous level. I can’t explain properly in words how happy I am God brought Karen Carson into my life. To top it all off, she is a radiation therapist working to care for cancer patients daily and is an underground baker extraordinaire who makes outstanding decorated cakes and goodies for all of her coworkers multiple times a week. She is one in a million. A true heart of gold. – Submitted by Sarah Berry
Karen Chambers of Benton – She a freaking warrior who been through so much and it has not stopped her yet. – Submitted by Sierra Anderson
Karen Chambers of Benton – Heart of gold ! – Submitted by Jenni Abdallah
Karen Chambers of Benton – She is essential worker and cares so much about others – Submitted by Matthew Berryman
Karen Chambers of Benton – She such a hard worker. She’s also the nicest person. – Submitted by Kim Higgins
Karen Chambers of Benton – She’s a very hard worker and a total opposite Karen. I mean unless you give her the chance. – Submitted by Kyra Malkowski
Karen Chambers of Benton – Best work momma ever I love girl – Submitted by Jeri Williams
Karen Chambers of Benton – She is rockstar at her job! She moved all the way from Washington to be with her grandbabies and daughter. Shortly after, daughters husband passed away and she has gone above and beyond to be there for her daughter emotionally and financially! All while holding a full-time job. Guest come in and request her on a daily basis!! – Submitted by Sarah Skelton
Karen Chambers of Benton – She’s only the best work mom we have! She works her butt off all the time and is so much fun to be around. If anyone deserves to win this contest, it’s her! – Submitted by Christian Taylor
Karen Chenault of Benton – She has a heart of gold and would help anyone that needs it! She is a dedicated teacher, coach, wife and mother! – Submitted by Tiffany Britton
Karen Chenault of Benton – She’s an awesome mom to 3 and an awesome cheer coach at Bauxite. – Submitted by Michelle Gibson
Karen Clements of Alexander – Karen took me in when I was a senior in high school, and I have been a part of her family ever since. She always has a smile on her face no matter what is going on and a laugh that will brighten anyone’s day. She is one of the strongest women I know, and I am so blessed by her every single day. – Submitted by Brittany Wood
Karen Clements of Alexander – This Karen just happens to be my mom! She is the most incredibly supportive and caring mom and Nana around, always doing for others before herself. – Submitted by Jessica Wood
Karen Clements of Alexander – Well…she’s my mom, so obviously she’s the best in my book but I know a lot of other people who would agree. My mom is the most selfless person I’ve ever met. She’s been there for myself and all of my sisters, though thick and thin-including a friend of mine that she opened up our home to in high school to get her out of a bad home situation. My stepdad was diagnosed with cancer several years ago and she goes above and beyond to take care of him both physically and emotionally every single day! They spend every day that they have now enjoying life to the fullest and doing all of the things that they love with what time they have left! Sometimes I worry that she puts herself on the back burner too often. She has supported me and my family unconditionally and I know she’s always in my corner. She would give the shirt off her back to anyone who needed it and I’ll always be forever grateful! – Submitted by Casey Jordan
Karen Cole of Benton – We both have special needs adult children and although her son’s disability is different from my daughter’s, anytime I call her she is always there to help. Before COVID-19 she would invite us to lunch to just chat and get our minds off of daily life and she never lets me pay. I couldn’t ask for a better “Karen” in my life. – Submitted by Teri Bass
Karen Coursey of Alexander – She cooks for all the volunteers and guest at Healing Waters – Submitted by Kelly Gideon
Karen Coursey of Mabelvale – She is one of the main volunteers at Healing Waters, a Christian outreach center in Shannon Hills. She does ALL the food preparation and many times is responsible herself for cleanup. Always kind, gracious, she thinks of others. She works in an environment in which it is fairly warm. I count her as an angel in disguise. – Submitted by Janice Housley
Karen Crosby of Benton – She is the best KK (grandma) ever and always takes me to Dairy Cream. ( words by my 5 year old) – Submitted by Sarah Barnett
Karen Ederington of Benton – She has MS but still takes care of her elderly in-laws and her sweet daughter like Superwoman. She fights so hard daily and never asks anything of anyone. She’s a good Karen. Always positive, always helpful and super sweet. – Submitted by Carmen Young
Karen Gibson of Benton – She is the most un karen ever .she runs her business from home cooking healthy food for people in saline county . – Submitted by Wayne Gibson
Karen Gibson of Benton – She is always offering help to her neighbors and friends. When I went to the hospital for pneumonia she cooked my entire family a huge meal to help with the burden of me being gone. We love Karen! – Submitted by Anna Lowrance
Karen Gibson of Benton – She’s a genuine friend and fabulous cook. She is always happy to lend a hand. – Submitted by Sara Cook
Karen Gibson of Benton – She’s cheerful and just a shining example of what a good Karen should be – Submitted by Jase Cook
Karen Grace of Benton – Karen is such a sweet and kind lady. She was a mom figure to a lot of her kids’ friends back in the day and is still in contact with a majority of them. She worked for years at Breitweiser’s and Cherry’s Hallmark and if you’re from Benton you probably know her. She is a kind karen for sure. – Submitted by Della Baker
Karen Jackson Grace of Benton – She is talented, giving and a wonderful free spirit! – Submitted by Deborah McAdory
Karen Greer of Benton – She is so sweet and very thoughtful! Always willing to lend a helping hand and she works for Benton Schools! – Submitted by Brooke Freemyer
Karen Greer of Benton – Great mother – Submitted by Bryan Greer
Karen Grice of Bryant – Everything! She loves people and always makes me smile when I see her. She is just a wonderful person and if she is in your corner…..you are one of the lucky ones. She is fierce about her friends and family. – Submitted by Dianna Fulmer
Karen Guinn of Benton – She is always willing and ready to help others! She is currently preparing 300 backpacks for Saline county kids. – Submitted by Jenny Stiedle
Karen Gunn of Bryant – Very sweet & loves Barry Mannilow – Submitted by Karen Bridgman
Karen Hartsell of Benton – My favorite Karen is my mother in law. I know, I know, most people don’t like their mother in law but you haven’t met mine. She is kind, thoughtful, and an all-around good human. She would give you the shirt off of her back if you needed it! She has been a volunteer at Saline Memorial Hospice for a while and gives her time helping on site or going out and giving haircuts or respite care to those that are home bound. She recently was diagnosed with cancer herself and hasn’t missed a beat. She has faced it with such faith and strength! I’ve never met a better Karen! – Submitted by Lindsey Hartsell
Karen Harvill of Benton – Karen has spent hundreds of hours making lap quilts for patients at Baptist Rehab. Inst.
She has volunteered at Saline Memorial Hospice House. She is constantly thinking of others before herself. She loves shopping & always comes home with finds for everyone else but her. She is caring for my Bro. In law who is in bad health. Karen is the definition of the most selfless person. I would love to see her nominated & blessed.
– Submitted by Joy Griffin
Karen Hicks of Bryant – She is one of a kind. Smart, witty, humorous, and was an awesome teacher – Submitted by Chris Williams
Karen Hicks of Bryant – Everything! Caring, real, honest, fun and loving! – Submitted by Ann Rhoads
Karen Hicks of Eastend – Karen Hicks is a retired teacher that I had the pleasure of teaching with for many years. She is a science freak and loves her butterfly garden at East End Elementary. She is a volunteer for animal shelters and helps to get forever homes for the animals. Karen loves children and has the biggest heart. She is known as the mad scientist. – Submitted by Tracy Sproul
Karen Hicks of Mabelvale – She is a retired teacher who now devotes her time volunteering to rescue dogs. She has planted butterfly gardens at her former school as well as other places in Saline County. She recently lost her husband and mother, but continues to give back to her community. In short, she’s a real trooper! – Submitted by Joan Puerce
Karen Hicks of Mabelvale – Karen taught school at East End Elementary for many years. She was a wonderful teacher who touched so many lives. Since she has retired, she fosters, rehomes, and transports dogs for the Paws in Prison program.
Karen is hilariously funny and has performed on Tales from the South twice, sharing stories from her years of teaching.
Karen is a very loyal and true friend to many, and she is the glue that holds her friend groups together. She was a wonderful wife to her late husband Vic and is an amazing and supportive mother to her daughter Victoria. She is loved by so many!
I cannot think of a Karen who is more deserving of all of the awards and rewards in the world. – Submitted by Melissa Norris
Karen Hicks of Sardis/Fairview Community – She loves to help canines in need! She volunteers at Paws in Prison. – Submitted by Terri Shaw
Karen Hilborn of Benton – She was my teacher is high school and she was awesome then. I am now a teacher and she is my assistant principal and my friend! She I loves the kids at Benton High School and she is a Panther to her core. – Submitted by Kristin Ginther
Karen Hilborn of Benton – She loves young people and always does all she can to help and encourage them – Submitted by Louise Houpt
Karen Hilborn of Benton – She’s so funny and loves her students! – Submitted by
Karen Hotchkiss of Benton – Retired teacher, animal lover, widowed twice, cancer survivor, mother, grandmother, great grandmother. All around good woman who is very loving and encouraging to others despite struggles she has endured. Her whole name tells alot about the changes in life she has experienced. Karen “Kay” Diane Mounts Weems Lane Hotchkiss. – Submitted by Marilyn Ler
Karen Hotchkiss of Benton – She is so kind and always doing for others. – Submitted by Andrea Lee
Karen Hughes of Benton – She is fun, sweet, a caregiver/nurse, has a good heart, and would do anything for anyone. Karen recently lost her Mom and through it all she continued to care for others with such an inspirational heart. Karen is also a single Mom who has always worked hard to provide for her daughter and always put her first before her own self. This Karen is a great Karen ? – Submitted by Tonya Rumbaugh
Karen Hughes of Bryant – She is an awesome nurse and friend. – Submitted by Daphne Powell
Karen Hughes of Bryant – – Submitted by Shelby Hope
Karen Hughes of Bryant – Even though she has heart failure she never fails to be the life of the party. She does ANYTHING to make people happy. – Submitted by Jaclyn Rogers
Karen Hughes of Bryant – She’s beautiful inside and out. Very loving to family and friends. Very intelligent and a compassionate nurse. Loyal, kind, caring to all she meets. – Submitted by Karen W.
Karen Hughes of Bryant – Karen is an amazing nurse, mother, and friend. She always puts everyone else first! There is no better Karen in this world than my Karen! Love her so much and she deserves this award more than anyone!!! – Submitted by Sandra West
Karen Johnson of Benton – She is one of the most Christ filled kind and joyful people I have ever met. Not only does she lover her hubby, kids and grandkids she freely gives love to those of us in need of it. Her hugs are just the best! – Submitted by Heather Lee
Karen Johnson of Benton – She’s always willing to help others and does it with a great big smile. – Submitted by Lynn Woodall
Karen Johnson of Benton – In the middle of this mess we call normal now, she is gathering and delivering baby items to a Grandmother whose daughter died and she “suddenly” has custody of an infant! Evidently this GM was not prepared! Karen has been a long-time member of Benton FUMC and has always been helpful anyway she can help anyone! She deserves the title of Good Karen! – Submitted by Becky Shewmaker
Karen Kaucher of Benton – My “Karen” is my stepmom. She is such a sweet person. She took us in as her own, and would do anything to help us. She is a very caring person and puts everyone else’s needs before her own. She deserves the gift cards because she never gets to spend money on herself. Only on others. – Submitted by Joshua Kaucher
Karen Kirkpatrick of Bryant – Awesome mom & grandma – Submitted by Karen Bridgman
Karen Lacewell Hughes of Benton – She’s amazing!! Cancer survivor. Single momma and Nurse. Always taking care of everyone else before herself. She’s been through a lot and recently lost her mother. Being named and recognized would make her feel so loved! Thanks for the chance. – Submitted by Malissa Hughes
Karen Lacewell Hughes of Bryant – She is the sweetest, strong, most caring person . She has gone thru some horrible health issues and recently lost her sweet mother but she keeps her head up and keeps going . She is a dedicated nurse and a wonderful mom to her daughter Haven and a great sister n law. ❤ – Submitted by Dana Hughes
Karen Lacewell Hughes of Bryant – She’s the best mom, and friend. – Submitted by Haven Hughes
Karen Lacewell Hughes of Bryant – Very caring – Submitted by Jennifer Buford
Karen Lacewell Hughes of Bryant – She is an amazing softhearted woman. And a nurse!!!!! – Submitted by Misti Ruddell
Karen Littleton of Bryant – She is always so sweet and friendly! ❤️her! – Submitted by Cindy Grant
Karen Long of Benton – Nurse and she takes care of her invalid mom when’s she’s not working – Submitted by Dianna Davidson
Karen Long of Benton – Nurse and she takes care of her invalid mom when’s she’s not working – Submitted by Dianna Davidson
Karen Lynch of Benton – Karen has been on the recipient end of many “Karen” jokes around the clinic from not only co-workers but also patients, taking each joke in easy stride. Karen has a can-do attitude with every task she is given, comes to work early, stays late and never “pulls a Karen” to complain. Karen is an extremely valuable member of our team, and we wouldn’t be able to give our patients exceptional care without her. – Submitted by Marla Murphy
Karen Lynch of Benton – Wonderful people person – Submitted by Carrie Johnson
Karen Lynch of Benton – She’s great at confrontation and resolving issues at restaurants. Just her gaze gives you chills and makes you want to ask for the manager. – Submitted by Nikki Edmondson
Karen Lynch of Benton – She’s great at confrontation and resolving issues at restaurants. Just her gaze gives you chills and makes you want to ask for the manager. – Submitted by Nikki Edmondson
Karen Martin of Alexander – She is a great mother to her 3 kids and all their friends and best wife and best friend. Always putting everyone before her and wanting to help any way she can. She is the best x-ray tech, nurse, shot giver and blood drawer in saline county. She is loved by all her Patients. She never ask for praise but deserves it. – Submitted by Billy Martin
Karen Maxwell of Benton – She doesn’t take life too seriously. She makes the good & the not so good, Good! – Submitted by Lisa Harney
Karen McAdoo of Bryant – She came into my family many years ago as my step niece, she is actually older than me, but we have been more like sister’s. – Submitted by Winette Daniell
Karen McAdoo of Bryant – she is so sweet & kind & has raised a lot of kiddos & never asked for anything in return – Submitted by Anonymous
Karen McIntosh of Benton – She is such a positive, supportive person who spreads love to everyone she meets. She worked for years as a nurse, advocate and friend for veterans. She has raised 3 beautiful, inspiring daughters and is a fabulous grandmother to one granddaughter. She is a very kind, compassionate person who loves everyone. She makes the world a better place. – Submitted by Shelly Matthews
Karen Mitchell of Haskell – She is always volunteering to help the community. She has made 100’s of mask during this pandemic. She works the fairground kitchen tirelessly. She’s someone you can always count on. – Submitted by Kay Bumgardner
Karen Mullins Guttery of Benton – She is so kind an giving. Thinks of everyone else first. Is a wonderful Christian ans mother. Goes about her daily life as a Christian example to others an seldom thinks of herself. – Submitted by Donna Darter
Karen Mullins Guttery of Benton – She’s a fantastic stay home mom that can do absolutely anything! – Submitted by Stacy Scott
Karen Nalley of Salem – Shes got the biggest heart, shes a retired nurse and when there was a shortage of mask my aunt jumped in and started making masks for everyone who needed one – Submitted by Cheryl Williams
Karen Reese of Benton – Christian woman, wife to wonderful pastor, mother to 3 children and grandmother to 2. – Submitted by Loretta Wrght
Karen Rineheart of Alexander – Karen has been more than a friend. She is like a sister to me. We have a large family with special needs children and she has always stepped in to help whenever we have needed it. She has walked through some valleys of life with me and lifted me in prayer and we’ve celebrated great victories as well. We have faithfully walked this journey of life together. We have no family here accept those we’ve adopted as family and she and her family are at the top! I am so thankful to call her my friend! – Submitted by Kandi Cox
Karen Robinson of Benton – She is an awesome, soft speaking, spiritual, kind hearted mom and teacher who always has a kind word to say. – Submitted by Theresa Marley
Karen Scarlett of Benton – Karen is a wonderful daughter-wife-mother-sister- Aunt Bryant High School English teacher -Great Varsity Cheer Coach and Christian lady. She loves children and does a lot in private for so many. She loves God -her family and church. She has a heart of gold. – Submitted by Mary Wallace
Karen Scarlett of Benton – She’s always smiling. She has great faith, family, & friends. She’s a devoted teacher at Bryant High. Has coached the cheer team for many years. Volunteers at her church nursery, and is always willing to help those in need. – Submitted by Lisa Roberts
Karen Sharp of Alexander – She’s so caring, kind, sweet, unselfish and the best mom I could ever ask for!!! She is not your typical Karen. She can meet a friend anywhere she goes, and she may never complain to a manager to their face, she’ll just go home and complain about it. LOL 🙂 – Submitted by Jennifer Taylor
Karen Spears of Bryant – Her work for the community in healing waters – Submitted by Reshae Wade
Karen Spears of Bryant – Her family is her number one! She also goes above and beyond to serve her community. She’s active with both Benton and Bryant chamber of commerce. She’s passionate about serving with healing waters outreach. – Submitted by Meghan Hicklin
Karen Spears of Bryant – She is a kind woman with a spirit you cannot break. She owns an employment agency that helps people get work. She is also a huge part of the outreach program at Healing Waters. – Submitted by Theresa Marley
Karen Brown Spears of Bryant – She helps needy families daily! – Submitted by Katie Brooks
Karen Brown-Spears of Alexander – She is so giving to others and truly has a beautiful soul. – Submitted by Rebecca Horne
Karen Brown Spears of Benton – She has a heart of gold! She spends her time helping people who need it the most! I’ve never met a woman so full of joy, and who is willing to help anyone with anything she can – myself included! – Submitted by Amanda Lawson
Karen Spencer of Benton – She always has a smile and a hug for everyone – Submitted by Jan Holmes
Karen Trantham of Benton – Great teacher and mentor – Submitted by Thomas Trantham
Karen Trantham of Bryant – She’s a dedicated teacher and friend. Karen teaches Pre-AP science classes at Bryant Junior High and has been teaching in the Bryant School District for several years. She strives to help her students in both science and life. When a student is acting abnormal, she attempts to speak with them in order to change their mood for the better. She cares, and that’s all we could ever ask for. – Submitted by Skylar Kincaid
Karen Trantham of Bryant – She’s a sweet friend and an amazing teacher. She takes care of crazy 8th graders and teaches them science in addition to caring about them as people. She is always smiling and in good spirits. – Submitted by Becky Hutchins
Karen Trantham of Bryant – She inspires her students every day while leading the 8th grade science teachers. – Submitted by Sandra Weihe
Karen Wahrmund of Benton – She is an awesome mother, best Girl Scout cookie seller, has a heart of gold! She truly is the best Karen in Saline Co!!! – Submitted by Amy Wahrmund
Karen Wheeler of Benton – She took care of my dying grandma, her mother, for over 6 months just so my grandma didn’t have to spend her last bit in a nursing home. She also watches her grandkids on a regular basis. She’s just a loving, selfless lady! – Submitted by Casey Mattox
Karen Wheeler of Benton – Best sister-in-law ever. She has been a big help to me while I’ve been going through cancer treatments (chemotherapy). – Submitted by Alicia Wheeler
Karen Wheeler of Benton – She is always helping others before herself. This is just one example of the selflessness of her acts. She bought a house in Benton last Sept, and right after closing, her mom went into the hospital and when she was finally released from the hospital and rehab, her mom needed care 24 hours. Karen stayed with her every night until the first of June when the family finally found a caregiver to help ease the burden. Karen put aside moving into her new house to make sure her mom was taken care of. Her mom passed on June 19th. She also retired to take care of her grandkids. The first one was born in August 2017 and the second in December 2019. Even through helping and staying with her mom, she would also find time to keep the grandkids so her daughter wouldn’t have to find childcare. People try to help her all the time, with moving (which I’m glad to say, she’s finally getting to settle into her new house), chores, food, and more, but she always refuses saying she will take care of things. She’s so loving and caring for everyone around her and always try to make everyone else’s lives better. She’s an inspiration to all, especially me and my sister. – Submitted by Aaron Wheeler
Karen Wheeler of Benton – Karen is my sister-in-law. She is without a doubt one of the most caring and generous people I’ve ever met! She is devoted to her family and friends. She’s always doing thoughtful little (and big!) things to cheer others up, support them when they need help, or just bring a smile to their face. In addition, she has a great sense of humor and is just a lot of fun to be around. Over the past year, she’s had to deal with several life stressors, including three close family members with medical issues. She also served as one of the primary caretakers of her mother, who was declining with dementia. She managed all of this with grace and a sense of humor, and continued to put others above herself. She I’ve learned so much from her in the years I’ve known her, and I aspire to be the more like the kind of person she is. – Submitted by Sheryl Wilchman
Karen Wheeler of Benton – she will do anything for anyone and go without. She helps the community, friends, and family always. She is selfless and someone that you can always count on no matter what. – Submitted by Terri Garrett
Karen Wheeler of Saline County – She is the most selfless person you will meet! Her family is always her number one priority! – Submitted by Jennifer Smith
Karin Singletary Smith of Bryant – She is like the energizer bunny. This woman is always helping, volunteering, and loving on people in the church she attends and the community she lives in. She has a heart of gold, and she shows it everyday. – Submitted by Stephanie Manion
Karin Singletary-Smith of Benton – Karin is an ambassador with the Bryant Chamber of Commerce and helps with lots of events. She is also the volunteer coordinator for GracePoint Church, where she helps coordinate their community outreach. Karin has a passion for helping others that are in need. She is also the mother of 2 children and somehow she balances all her volunteering, being a mom and wife, while being a manager of a payroll company. – Submitted by Anna Brimhall
Karin Smith of Benton – Karin is awesome, caring, and wonderful!! She helps out in the community with the Bryant Chamber along with Grace Point Church. Her kids are involved with sports here in Saline County (mainly baseball) and she has a loving family!! She also is a twin!! I believe she should win this contest for being the best “Karin” I know! – Submitted by Lea Canady
Karin Smith of Benton – She always gives of her time to help others. She’s the first one to offer to cook dinner for anyone who has had a baby, been in the hospital, had a death in the family, or just had a bad week. She has children & is busy with her own family, but always takes the time to make sure others are taken care of as well. – Submitted by Fawnda White
Karyn Wyatt of Bryant – She’s an amazing mom and teacher. She has taught me honesty, hard work, and respect and I couldn’t be more proud to have her as my mom. She’s also a great teacher and helps the next generation, which made me want to be a teacher. She’s a fantastic person all the way around and I’ve admired her my whole life 🙂 – Submitted by Erika Otts
Kerin Smith of Benton. But on the Bryant line so I’m not in that city. You know. – I’m my favorite Karen. I’m such a Karen that my dad spelled it wrong to make me unique. Well, I’m a hospice nurse, which is pretty amazing. I have two little girls who are either going to run a prison gang or a business one day, jury’s out on that. I can drink 3 full glasses of wine before you’ll notice. I support Black Lives Matter and fight for equality despite my namesake being utilized for evil. – Submitted by Kerin Smith
UPDATE TO THE OTHER UPDATES
We picked the Best Karen in Saline County! See the MySaline Facebook page for the video! And congratulations to Karen Matthews of Traskwood! ? Please contact us at [email protected] to make arrangements to get your good stuff!
UPDATE TO THE UPDATE
We are announcing the “Best Karen in Saline County” via live video on MySaline’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mysaline on Monday night, July 27, 2020.
On Tuesday, we will post all the great things said about our local Good Karens.
UPDATE
ENTRIES ARE NOW CUT OFF AND A WINNER WILL BE PICKED LATE IN THE DAY, MONDAY JULY 27, 2020.
MySaline is taking submissions for “Best Karen in Saline County.” The name Karen has been getting a bad reputation so we wanted to recognize some good ones, and one Karen will be crowned the best! Except, we don’t have a crown, so she’ll get a package of free goodies worth about $100.
We have three great sponsors who are donating gift cards to different area shops and restaurants, so thanks very much to Jedidiah Sawyer Tree Services, Arkansas Plumbing Solutions and M&M Mobile Productions.
In the past year or so, the name Karen has somehow become an insult. If you’re already picking up what I’m putting down, you could probably scroll down to see how to enter this contest, but you don’t want to miss out when the cool kids are talking about it.
THE KAREN THING:
If you didn’t know, people have been using the name Karen to describe individuals who may possibly have stepped over a social boundary in some way.
Some examples of standard Karen usage:
- A minivan on I-30 pulled a Karen, and I spilled coffee on my khakis so now I can’t cosplay as Jake from State Farm.
- Karen was in front of me at Kroger and held up the line to speak to a manager because they wouldn’t take her expired coupon for organic toothpaste.
- I just saw Karen in her bathrobe chasing the garbage truck down the street because she put the trash out too late again.
The insult doesn’t always carry legitimate blame, but the name Karen suffers just the same. (All people actually named Karen are free to use that line in your next rap battle.)
Let’s move on.
THE CONTEST RULES:
Go to this link to submit your favorite Karen – https://forms.gle/uSXmbmP9rvEZ4JYLA. We’ll pick a winner on Monday, July 27, 2020.
Your Karen must live in Saline County, Arkansas.
Someone from MySaline will contact you by email or phone if your favorite Karen is picked to win a prize, and then you will contact your Karen to get in touch with MySaline.
The prizes will be several gift cards to businesses around Saline County. Prizes may not be exchanged for cash value.