More Randolph County “Firsts” in the State of Arkansas… De Munn Mill was the first mill built in Arkansas and was located near the mouth of Mill Creek in 1822. The first Masonic Lodge in Arkansas was built in Randolph County in the Brakebill community.
In my father’s and previous generations the acquisition of fish and game was not primarily a sport. Even in my youth, it was part of a subsistence lifestyle. Fish and game graced the table on a regular basis.
This past week many of you joined me at the James Ranch for the big County Judge Debate. The James Ranch did an exceptional job in hosting the event. I love watching people. I always get tickled at politicians going out of their way to be friendly. I mean they need to be, or they won’t get elected. They are working hard to find a connection with you. Maybe your uncle’s dog groomer is their dog’s groomer and then the conversation is on. There were handshakes and hugs. Throughout the night I moved around the take pictures of the event. I caught some people shaking their heads in disagreement and others clapping in favor of a statement.
Garth Brooks is king. If anyone wants to debate this JA Fact, come visit me at the office and we will discuss all day long why you’re wrong. You’ve got Michael Jordan for basketball, John Wayne for acting and Garth Brooks for music. They are the GOATs.
Just a few more days and school will be over for this year. Seniors are excited that they have finished this leg in the race of life. Kids are looking forward to sleeping in. Teachers are looking forward to binge watching their favorite tv shows. Parents are planning vacations. And the rest of us are remembering summer vacations of days gone past. I remember summer days in Mountain Home. When we were younger, we would spend weeks at my Grandparents house. Our family would get together for trips to the lakes and rivers. We would wake up early and get on the lake early before the thousands of others and water skied on the glassy calm waters. On other trips we would go to the White River to swim and fish. Saturday was for playing. Sundays we would attend early church then we would return to the lake, grab our rafts, and sunbathe and swim.
The components of this week’s column will be alliterative in nature. Sights, sounds and sayings will be featured.
I had a “home town” moment today and wanted to share. I had my eye on a purse at Murphy’s Design. I texted him and he put it back for me. I was planning on picking up a couple of crawfish boils from Chef D’s so I made my way to the square. On the way, I admired a gorgeous new red Bronco at the “Y” stop light. I rolled down my window, told my friend that I loved it and was offered a ride around town! I would have if I hadn’t been on a schedule. Some other time for sure! I stopped at the next light and had a friendly “you go ahead, no, you go ahead” moment and headed on up to the square. I passed Buttercream Bakery and watched some kids getting their ice cream fix before circling on around and admiring a new shirt in the window of Gypsy Girl. I get parked and go into Murphy’s. Lots of people out shopping on this beautiful spring day. Made me smile. Brent told me he knew I liked unique lamps and gave me some he had found. I purchased my purse and a couple closing gifts, which he happily carried out for me. I loaded my car and headed to get my crawfish. We passed a store with a welcome mat that the wind had blown into a mess. Brent straightened it up for the owner. I walked around the corner to the “outdoor kitchen” and got my goodies from two of the sweetest waitresses. Headed back to my car again and saw some kids getting prom pictures made. Beautiful gown and tux and mom was beaming with joy. The square sure was showing out today! Now I realize this seems mundane to some and it wasn’t any major moment but all the little moments, that once again remind me, what a wonderful town we live in and all the wonderful people in it. I truly wouldn’t want to call anywhere else home.
There are some things in this universe that we simply cannot explain. One of these things that I personally enjoy pondering is charity. I have been on this earth for 43 years and in my time, I can honestly say that nothing is more satisfying and beneficial to the wellbeing of mankind than generosity. Generosity on an individual level, all the way up to large corporate backed charities, show that the human race remains united, and has a heart for each other’s well-being.
Great good news! A long time dream is coming true at last. Mayor Sutton has announced that the long hoped for northern bypass of Pocahontas has a 95% chance of reality.
Randolph County has a host of “firsts” in the State of Arkansas. The next two weeks will bring attention to some of these. When early settlers made their way westward, they used an old Indian trail, the Natchitoches Trail, used often enough to receive Federal recognition as the first real road in the State, known as the Old Military Road, in northern Randolph County. It was used as early as 1800.