Off the Cuff

About a month ago, we learned Benton and Washington Counties, the two-county, two-ton area, is reaching a milestone: We're hitting the half-million mark in population.

Quite an achievement from a couple of decades ago! The 'cuff decided to contribute a little to the story by comparing the two-county population progression. Being the procrastinator the 'cuff is, it was last week we finally began to compile the story, figuring it could be in the Eagle Observer, possibly this week.

Then, Bam! Sunday morning the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, with its sister publications, N.W. Arkansas Times, Morning News of Springdale and Rogers, and our own Benton County Daily Record, hit the streets with a great issue. Spread across the front page, the headline read: "Half Million Mark." The accompanying front page, with pictures, complemented four special sections which told the story of the area growth.

It was a great issue. It told the story only a newspaper can. That is why newspapers can, and must, always retain a prominent place in our culture. Without newspapers, and their publishers, it is quite possible our nation would never have come into existence, its progress and prominence could never have happened and, today, without the thoughtful, honest compilation of events, heaven knows where we must be headed if we have to rely on the boob-tube. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy TV. I watch the news programs, appreciate the weather bulletins and even see an occasional so-called entertainment program. In my opinion, (sorry, Bill), so many of the programs have deteriorated into smutty, double-entendre, semi-porn offerings that mirror our 21st century culture.

Enough of that. What I'm getting around to saying is that it was great to read that special newspaper issue, just as it is always great to grab each morning's issue, scan it and then lay it aside for more thorough reading later in the day.

The four sections, 36 pages, featured pictures and information about the two-county area, our region of Arkansas that is the envy of the rest of the state. Those sections will get special reads during the days ahead.

But back to the 'cuff's half-million population report. It is not comparable to the fine job the daily staff members did to describe our area.

The special issue does not delve very much into the rural or west-side areas of the two-county region. Our editor printed in our Community Guide a good picture of what our small bedroom communities are and the contributions they make for a comfortable, quiet, with less traffic, atmosphere.

Though we are on the fringe of two-county progress, we can and must hold our heads high, continue to foster the hometown atmosphere which is missing so many places. We do have many, most, of the amenities that contribute to a desired lifestyle favored by so many.

And, by the way, please remember your Westside Eagle Observer paints the picture, every week, of the life we live and enjoy.

Dodie Evans is editor emeritus of the Westside Eagle Observer. He can be reached by email at [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author.

Editorial on 03/26/2014