"I come to your class because you have an opinion on everything ... sometimes even a good one."
This written wisecrack by a student of John Brummett's longtime LifeQuest of Arkansas class was among those stuck in old-timey typewriters decorating the tables of a 20th-anniversary tribute to the Democrat-Gazette columnist. And these were the first indications that the event was going to be more roast than toast. Behind the Headliner, a take on the name of Brummett's class, took place Nov. 9 in the Great Hall of the Clinton Presidential Center.
With the exception of LifeQuest Executive Director Emily Ingram, everyone on the program treated Brummett to a healthy bit of good-natured ribbing and even traded a few zingers among themselves ... "Pigskin Preacher" Chuck Monan, who also gave the invocation; master of ceremonies Roby Brock, host of multimedia news organization Talk Business & Politics; state Sen. David J. Sanders (R-Little Rock) and former Gov. Mike Beebe. A tribute video preceded a champagne "toast to 20."
Brummett, among the most popular instructors for LifeQuest, draws about 300 people every Wednesday morning during each semester of "Behind the Headlines," a class during which he "educates, inspires, annoys and entertains LifeQuest members with his perspective on the news of the day."
The nonprofit LifeQuest provides learning opportunities to retirees and others.
-- Story and photos by Helaine R. Williams
High Profile on 11/19/2017