SULPHUR SPRINGS — The idea that Sulphur Springs is a withering community has lately surfaced. However, those who only look from the outside aren't aware of the community happenings underneath the city's exterior. There's a lot of activity in Sulphur Springs to clean up and fix up properties, for instance.
One such community activity happened April 12 at the Sulphur Springs volunteer fire station. In fact, three simultaneous events happened there. One was the chance for some of the 13 certified firefighters to show off their newly acquired first responders' rescue truck. Another activity involved Easter and the annual egg hunt in the park.
However, the most important experience happened because 22 folks took the time to commune around a table with a common goal, and that was the constructing of community. Those gathered did that by honest talk among themselves as they stuffed plastic Easter eggs with prizes. Firefighters hid the eggs for the annual hunt in the Sulphur Springs city park on Saturday.
Old timers talked about how it was to fight fires with what they now consider poor equipment -- that, even with that poor equipment, they fought what people fear, fire. Some talked about family and the town's rich history. Others talked about their children and the new people coming to town. The most important event was the gathering of community members who really care about Sulphur Springs and its future growth.
Old-timers and newcomers are building community, one event at a time, in Sulphur. The heart of the town lies within its people who truly care about what happens to their town. That's how it's always been and will be.
For instance, because of its people the town is on an upswing. They have a sense about what's about to happen. What's happening is the interest coming from those living in the crowded conditions of Bentonville and its surrounding areas.
For instance, they know that the now graveled Butler Creek Road connects to the end of the present Highway 549 north of Hiwasse, only 4.5 miles away from Sulphur's east boundary -- that one day the road will be a paved county road.
Generally, Sulphur Springs' people have hope their town can again become a destination where people gather in the peaceful valley, like they do, a place where anyone can find serenity away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities that have burst open in the past decade around them in northwest Arkansas.
General News on 04/19/2017