ROGERS — As dusk fell, the hummingbirds flitted around the feeders and zipped from tree to tree.
Next, the fireflies — lightning bugs to many of us — arrived as dark fell, bringing back memories of childhood past.
And there sat my friend Debbie and I on my front porch taking it all in as we chatted. We were having us a retro sort of an evening.
Not that I ever remember my family sitting on the front porch. Our porch was relatively small.
But we ran and played outside, trying to catch lightning bugs, until the last ray of sunshine disappeared.
And the greater family often sat in Grandma’s and Grandpa’s big backyard. There was no store-bought air inside their ranch-style house, so evening shade was the preferred method of keeping cool on summer nights when we gathered.
Today, I am much more likely to be sitting in a comfy chair glued to television than be outside enjoying nature. I’m not alone.
We had started our evening at 3rd Friday in downtown Rogers. After last year’s events — which I generally felt fell way short of fun — I was hesitant to go, but Debbie talked me into it.
It was a pleasant time, visiting with many friends and neighbors, peeking in the nifty shops. It was also graduation night for both high schools and I hope that is what kept some people from attending.
I also hope we will see more artists along the sidewalks as the summer goes on. Two years ago, I really enjoyed going to 3rd Friday and looking at all the options artists and craftspeople offered. I’d like more of that and more of the organized entertainment as was scheduled in May.
I have high hopes Dana Mather at Main Street Rogers — who is organizing 3rd Friday this year — will keep improving on the initial event, making 3rd Friday something people want to attend, an event competitive with Bentonville’s First Friday.
No pressure, Dana.
I am told people used to go downtown on weekends. Actually, I know that. I liked nothing better than going to the dime store and eyeing the candy selection. There were three dime stores, or variety stores, on the Harrison square. The grocery store my family shopped at was downtown, too.
My dad always spoke fondly of hitting the square on Saturday night for a “red soda pop.” That would be a wild cherry soda, I believe. I don’t think that was the only reason they headed to the Harrison square, but hey, if “red soda pop” will get people to downtown Rogers, I say let’s start bottling and selling it.
I know where the people were on the Saturday following 3rd Friday — it was like Christmas at the westside big box retailers. I was there, too, but at least I made it downtown on Friday, and I picked out a present for an upcoming birthday while there.
For reasons I cannot explain, humans lean to “retro” — retro styles, retro activities — especially, it seems, when times are tough. I assume this is because it reminds us of an easier time in our lives. Or maybe it is because everything old is new again.
Whatever, I pledge to enjoy the front porch more often, and go downtown on 3rd Friday in search of red soda pop. Join me, won’t you?
• • •
The election is over — for a few hours anyway. I can hardly wait until the presidential politicking really cranks up. Please read the previous sentence with the sarcasm it is intended to have.
I believe in our system, I really do. But it is so messed up with mudslinging vitriol I simply can’t stand it. I pretty much vote every time the polls are open, but I have to say, I can do without all the nonsense.
Someone suggested we consider modifying our system to reflect the one the French have. Boy, that would be tough to do. They do, however, have some good ideas.
There is none of this starting a campaign for four years down the road the day after the most recent election is concluded. And, apparently, they ban television appearances and commercials by the presidential candidates several days prior to the election.
Now that is something I can get behind.
Leeanna Walker is editor of the Rogers Morning News. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NWALeeanna.