It's conglomeration time. Did you think I'd forgotten when all else fails -- to settle on a topic for the 'Cuff -- it's time to dig into the wastebasket and pull out ... whatever.
To be truthful, I really did just that; I dug into the wastebasket and retrieved a handful of paper scraps covered with scribblings. Some of those scraps were tossed into the basket several weeks ago when I cleaned off the desk. Others found their way into that bottomless pit last week as I scrambled to find, on that same desk, a letter I needed to answer.
The first scrap was covered with writing. I finally was able to unscramble three words: "Post election stress." That must have been written sometime in November when the country was being turned upside down at least three times a day as every talking head on the boob tube was working overtime to put a slant on the presidential pick.
Fast forward: Now it's "post inaugural stress" as the country is turned upside down and inside out at least three times a day as those same know-it-all experts cast their gloom and doom -- with an occasional, very seldom positive word about what's going to happen to us now; i.e., according to those with all the answers. The entire nation is covered with a blanket of uncertainty, confusion and, sometimes, what appears to be hatred. The result: "Post inaugural stress."
The cure: Turn off the tube. Come and help me rake millions of still-falling sweet gum balls. Or, better still, because "matters" is the big word these days, dig out a pencil stub and, if you can find a sheet of Big Chief tablet paper (remember that?), write a list of what really matters to you. Personally, that list of positives can go a long way toward blotting out that post inaugural stress. We do have much to be thankful for.
Conglomeration Two: Remember that old commercial that went something like this ... "You'll wonder where the yellow went?" It had something to do with toothpaste, didn't it? I've revised it: "I wonder where the quarter went ... or was it a dime?" I'm not sure which that disappeared about 50 years ago. Let me explain.
It was sometime about that many years ago when I came out the front door of the Gravette News Herald office and started up Second Avenue, a half-block to Main Street. Today's teens won't believe the next part of this story, but here goes. Across the street from the paper office was a large empty lot with a well-worn path made by high school students who spent their hour-long lunch hour on a trip to town, across that lot and then on to Main Street. Their destination? Either to Lambeth Drug or Ideal Drug, where they feasted on sandwiches, a soft drink or other goodies. If they didn't hit one of those gathering spots, they stopped at Klink's Bakery located in the big red brick Mays Building for a doughnut, sweet roll or some other goodie to satisfy the sweet tooth.
We've come a long way. Now I've heard that children in daycare aren't even allowed a cookie or anything sweet. Wonders never cease. But back to the quarter story....
It was midmorning when I walked up the street to get a cup of nickel coffee. I had reached into my pocket and come up with a handful of coins. I guess it was a bump in the sidewalk because the next thing I knew I was face down, not hurt, but those coins went every direction. I got up, picked up some coins and continued on to the coffee. But, with the ripping up of sidewalks in downtown Gravette today, the project that is to give Gravette a new look, the old memory wheel started turning and I began to wonder: Did I lose a quarter, or was it a dime, when I took that 50-year-old splatter? Maybe all the digging and work will turn up a quarter -- or I'd settle for a dime if one is there to be found. I'd welcome its return. With interest, of course. Though interest has been zilch-near zero for almost nine years.
Now for the big "Three G": The above story was to point out a major change in downtown Gravette for out of town readers. Sidewalks and pavement are being ripped up and a new look will be taking shape in the months ahead, approved by voters in an election last year. It is one of several projects for the growing city, among them streets and sidewalks, pavement and other projects for the Hiwasse area which is now part of Gravette, parks and recreation projects, sewer projects and more.
These projects are all in the planning and soon-to-be design stages. They won't all happen at once, but the first one -- the renovation and improvement of downtown -- is expected to be completed by midsummer. In the meantime, be patient with the piles of concrete, pavement, no parking and other complications as Gravette Main gets a new look in the weeks ahead.
All of Northwest Arkansas is growing. Things are happening in every town, with new homes, new schools, new businesses and other civic improvements. Fortunately, we all still maintain the good old hometown culture of happy, friendly people who welcome all to the "Heart of Hometown America."
In the meantime, has anyone spotted a stray 1958 quarter rolling around? Or was it a dime?
Dodie Evans is the former owner and longtime editor of the Gravette News Herald. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 02/01/2017