County Fairs, Parades....Memories I'll always cherish.

Newton County Fair Parade

Yesterday afternoon, I joined my sister and her grandchildren on the square of Jasper for the annual Newton County Parade.  Memories flooded my mind throughout the afternoon and evening of my many years spent  in Newton County and the much anticipated fair.  Rides, rodeos, parades and pageants were on everyone's mind.  I remember getting out of school early on the Friday of the fair.  It was and still is a big event in the county.

My first remembrance of the fair is when it was located down close to the Little Buffalo river behind the former location of Bob's Supermarket.  I remember holding my dad's hand and thinking everything was so big and scary.  As I grew older, I loved the fair and the excitement it brought.

Watching the Parade

Yesterday, I watched my sister's smallest grandkids as their eyes got big as saucers as the fire trucks and horses went past them. Excitement and a hesitant wave here and there made me smile as I wondered what was going through their little minds.

Sisters watching the parade

Waving at Mom

Ozark Café Jasper, AR

Hamburger at the Ozark Café

We decided to eat at the Ozark Café prior to going to the fair and rodeo.  As usual, we had a
wonderful meal and great entertainment by the owner.

Our next stop was the fair.  We walked through the exhibit building looking at the many handmade items submitted by local folks.  Some had blue and red ribbons, while others claimed the much coveted grand champion ribbons.

Grand Champion Ribbons

Exhibits



Grand Entry, Newton Co. Rodeo

You just can't go to the fair without attending the rodeo so we decided to go and battle the torturous heat.  Even though there was not a dry spot on us, we enjoyed  it.  There's nothing that can compare to listening to a performance of the National Anthem at a rodeo, watching the grand entry and saluting the posting of our colors; red, white and blue, and our American flag.

Calf riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing and bull riding were just a few of the events enjoyed by the hundreds that attended.  There was a touching tribute by riders to all those affected by cancer as well as a balloon release. 

It was a great evening.   Just as I remember making memories as a kid, I was reminded of the many other children who were making memories with their families and someday, just like me, they will look back and reminisce about these times.

Take time to make memories with your family.   Today, I'm cherishing mine.



Three little cowboys enjoying the rodeo. I enjoyed watching them until they were told to get off the fence. :-(

National Anthem, Salute to the flag

Tribute to those affected by cancer

Briana riding the scrambler

Brent, Briana & Kathy

Cadron Settlement Park, Conway, AR and Galley Rock

Arkansas has a lot of history and since Jackie can't take long trips due to health conditions, I've decided we need to check out historic places throughout our beautiful state.

Yesterday, Jackie decided he wanted to drive to the Conway area to check out Cadron Settlement Park.  Arkansas Matters had mentioned the park during one of their newscasts and this had peaked his interest.

Cadron Settlement Park is located off of Hwy 64 on Hwy 319 approximately 5 miles west of Conway.  It is one of the earliest white settlements in Arkansas and the blockhouse is a replica of a fort/fur trading business.  It is also part of the Arkansas Cherokee Trail of Tears.


The park is picturesque with park benches scattered throughout, picnic tables for picnicking and trails for hiking. It's setting is at the water's edge.  Even though Jackie was a little disappointed in what we found, it was still great for a short drive and history lesson.

When we arrived back in the Atkins area that afternoon, we decided to drive down to the bottoms and around Sweden Island Park.  While looking for an old church, which we never found, we stopped by Galley Rock.   I walked out into the Galley Cemetery and felt an immediate sense of sadness.  This cemetery has been there since the early 1800's and buried amongst the tall weeds and grass are some of the earliest settlers in the Arkansas River Valley.  Very few graves are visible due to overgrowth. It made me want to get a team together late fall or early winter and have a cleaning day.  The term "gone but not forgotten" is not true for these individuals.  Just one look at the cemetery and it seems they have been forgotten for quite some time.   You can tell at one time this cemetery was well kept.  Several graves seemed to be inside fenced areas within the cemetery while others had massive headstones.   Sitting high above the Arkansas River, it seems the only visitors these days are those who pass by on river or the occasional person, who like me, is inquisitive and stops by to read the monument beside the road. 

Have a blessed and great week.

Until next time, from my lens to yours.

Pensacola Beach, Making memories in 2014 with family

My very favorite place to vacation is the beach.  There is just something about sitting on the beach, toes in the sand, eyes closed, listening to the waves crash that is very soothing to the soul. This past week my 82 year old mother got to experience, for the very first time, the reason I love the beach so much.

The Florida gulf coast is a beautiful place to visit.  I searched for the perfect condo for many nights and finally ended up with one called Paradise.  It was simply perfect for our family and was definitely paradise.  We were right on the beach with a short boardwalk, steps away from the white sandy beach.  While my brother, his family, my sister and I were on the beach, mom could sit on the balcony and watch us.  She even came down to the beach one afternoon and sat under the umbrella with her feet in the sand, looking out at the ocean.  We convinced her to wade out a little so that we could get a photo.  One evening we all went for a long walk out on the pier and even persuaded mom to go with us on a sunset dolphin cruise.  You are never too old to experience life. 

These are memories and moments I will treasure a lifetime.  So glad that we got to spend this time together and hope to do it again in the future.  I wouldn't trade the memories for a million dollars.

Make time and memories with your family.  I'm realizing every day that time is slipping away.

Hope you enjoy our experience from my lens to yours.