There is always an abundance of activities at this time of year. Almost every evening there's a meeting or event to attend. If I'm not attending a meeting, I usually have notes to work up and a story to write about one that's already occurred. It's a time for family and friends to gather and reminisce, to linger over a table full of good food and ponder over old memories, maybe take a few photos and make some new memories.
Jim and I enjoyed a hearty meal with our son Joe, daughter-in-law Heather and the two youngest grands on the final Thursday of November. They served a smoked turkey with all the trimmings, and we ate our fill of goodies and enjoyed watching "Jurassic Park" and part of "The Lost World" on their big screen TV. Our oldest grandson, A.J., was on duty with the Air Force and couldn't make it home to join us that day. He got leave the next weekend and came down to help Jim take the air conditioner out of the front window and take it out to his shop building.
We stayed at home the next day, and Jim roasted a small turkey breast for us. We watched the Hogs game with the Missouri Tigers that afternoon and, in the evening, Jim prepared a pot of turkey soup. On Saturday, I drove out to my nephew Dustan's home near Centerton and joined our kids and grandkids, my sister Nancy, her husband Marlin, her boys and grandkids for another big meal. So I had three turkey dinners in three days but I didn't complain. I love turkey and have never understood why folks wait until near the end of the year to eat it.
The first weekend in December was a busy one. I attended a ribbon cutting for the new Country Man Leather shop on Friday and dropped in at the Edward Jones open house that afternoon. Sister Nancy drove up and joined me at the performing arts center for the Sonshine Quartet concert that evening. A light rain began falling Saturday afternoon, but the town was bustling with activity despite the moisture as folks gathered for the annual Christmas parade and activities afterward at the Gravette historical museum.
This last week, a couple of extra activities were added to my calendar with a special school board meeting on Tuesday and a trip to cover the Sulphur Springs council meeting Thursday evening. That was in addition to covering the special council meeting at Gravette where a bid for upcoming Main Street improvements was accepted. Friday I drove to Siloam Springs for lunch with my newspaper coworkers at the new Rib Crib. Our former editor attended too and brought a sample of his tasty homemade peanut brittle for everyone.
Jim and I joined our new library supervisor and her husband and a couple of my fellow library commissioners for a Mexican meal at El Bohemio Friday evening. We slipped out while the others were still visiting and went to the senior center. The OK Country band was playing there and we listened to a few of their tunes and took a few turns around the dance floor. We left about 8 and went home in time to watch the last half of the 4A state championship football game. Pea Ridge went home the loser, but it was an honor to make it to the title game.
We enjoyed a rare Saturday at home and used the opportunity to do some routine chores, washing a couple of loads of laundry and changing the sheets on the bed. I wrote my council story and processed a few pictures before folding the clean clothes and putting them away. I attended the county historical society meeting on Sunday afternoon. It was held at the Gravette historical museum and Steve Mitchael, museum commission chairman, presented the program.
Susan Holland is a lifelong resident of Benton County and an employee of the Westside Eagle Observer. She may be contacted by email at [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 12/14/2016