Since this is going to be a "C" column, let's get the always available "weather topic" out of the way. What's that? A new reader wants to know what a "C" column is. Nope, it doesn't stand for 'Cuff. It's been several weeks since we've had a "Conglomeration" column of topics, things of varied interest, and those which happen to be jiggling loose in my ever-churning brain.
Please stop snickering; let's get down to consider the confusing (note the "C") weather pattern of this "cummer" "ceason" (just bending the spell-check a little). Mom Nature continued through the current season with a consistent amount of precipitation needed to keep lawns and hay fields green. There has been an overabundant growth for trees, shrubs and, yes, even some ragweed plants reach halfway to the moon -- Achoo.
The late-coming summer drought which followed the green summer turned lawns to a crunchy brown, caused foliage of some trees and shrubs to begin biting the dust and, until the recent two-inch-plus rain Sunday, it appeared it was time to clean up the mowers for a winter sleep and roll up hoses that were stretched out to try and save the stressed plants. At least the ragweed pollen has been slowed.
It is a perfect time to remind folks who live at intersection corner lots that trimming vegetation at intersections will be appreciated. This holds true also for rural intersections. A bit of pruning just might help reduce the possibility of a crash. "C" ... just had to do that again.
It's time to compliment the city of Gravette for maintaining the newly completed Main Street gardens with consistent weeding and watering. This compliment also applies to other cities and towns who have been diligent in maintaining such displays.
In Gravette, flags which are now flying on Main Street complement the colorful flowers and shrubs. This is in sharp contrast to the horrible sights where American flags are set afire during so-called protests. Make that riots! Too many of those protests have evolved into chaotic disturbances that ... well, you have seen the destruction on the boob tube reports: rock throwing, window breaking hoodlums, teens and youth bouncing on hoods of cars, most wearing masks to make sure the wearers can be identified as the thugs they are. If the truth were known, many of these gatherings are planned by leaders who travel the country trying to stir up usually law-abiding citizens, who too often lose control and contribute to the chaos that results.
Let's back off a bit and return to the very attractive new look of Gravette's Main Street, a nearly million-dollar project that has received little or no comment on the area television stations, all of which always plug that they cover the area in their news reports. Spending that many dollars on a small town project is, in my feeble opinion, news. I wish each of the stations, and I believe there are three, could take a few minutes to give a little positive picture publicity of this particular project before frost kills the flowers and shrubs lose their leaves.
Frankly, wouldn't it be nice if each of the stations, each month, or at least once in awhile, could or would give positive reports of activities in respective towns? That would help bind our region into a more cohesive community of citizens. Of course, the big boys deserve the continual coverage but, really, aren't we all part of the half-million-person two-county area? Some positives could give a little balance to the coverage of any disasters, crime or controversial coverage that manages to take the airwaves. Just a thought.
Let's change gears: If the Fayetteville and area biker activities of the past week were the success they usually are, no doubt we have all witnessed a large number of cyclists on roads in the area. This is a positive project that does cause some confusion, but successfully shows off our special attractions, including people, to a broad audience.
On a similar (motorcycle) subject, while rummaging through a stack of clippings that were in a box of such "stuff" (you know what I mean by stuff), I found a clipping in the then Gravette News Paper, dated June 11, 1909. The Gravette city council, led by Mayor J.R. Dunagin and E.R. Gravette, city clerk, passed an ordinance setting speed limits: "No persons shall run or drive any automobile, locomobile, motorcycle, bicycle or motor tricycle upon the streets or alleys of the city of Gravette, Ark., at a greater speed than six miles an hour...." The ordinance, No. 58, passed on June 8, continued "...Any person or persons found guilty of such a misdemeanor shall be punished by a fine of not less than one dollar nor more than one hundred dollars." Noticeably, it didn't apply to persons walking that fast.
Elsewhere on the clipping, it was reported the city council approved paying $41 to W.E. Rogers for drilling a 46-foot-deep well. The item doesn't mention if this was for a new water system in town, but it was in that era that the old water tank that stood over the city for a century was erected. The council also paid Marshal Langford $12.50 salary for killing dogs, etc. Expenditures for a couple of other items brought the total city spending for the month to $57. Them wuz the good-ole-days, weren't they?
That's enough "C" stuff except for this P.S.: Someone reminded me in the last 'Cuff that I overlooked another state highway that needs upgrading with wider shoulders: Highway 279 south from Bella Vista through Gravette/Hiwasse and at least to Centerton. Bikers indicate they would really appreciate that as well as other upgrades in the county on less traveled paved roads. Wide shoulders. Lots of money. But, after all, isn't this the 21st century? Wouldn't a 10 or 20 or ?? million dollar grant be nice?
Dodie Evans is the former owner and long-time editor of the Gravette News-Herald. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 09/27/2017