Many Things to Love About Springdale

— “I love Springdale.”

John Gladden stated it simply as president of the 64th annual Rodeo of the Ozarks in 2008. He also offered those words as a retired firefighter and one of the city’s first paramedics.

I published those words as I wrote a story about Gladden when I was a reporter and editor for this newspaper.

I repeat those words today because I love Springdale, too.

I grew up in Houston, but Springdale is my home. I graduated from my father’s alma mater, the University of Arkansas, and married a Springdale boy. We chose to live here.

My relationship with Springdale goes back to the mid-1980s when college friends and I had a hankerin’ for banana Slurpees, which were available only in Springdale. We would drive up the newly completed U.S. 71 bypass around Springdale and exit the freeway at Elm Springs Road. We’d fill our cups at the 7-11 store that marked the western edge of town. (Sonny’s BBQ now fills that space.) My involvement with the city grew in 1987 when I served as a reporter intern at this paper. I joined the news desk full time in 1989.

Twenty-two years as a Springdale resident granted me many reasons to love Springdale. Here, in no particular order, are some of them:

w Wildlife in the city. Be it armadillo or opossum in the back yard, this city girl finds it interesting.

w The weather. Many summers are mild, and there’s just enough snow in winter to keep it a novelty.

w New faces. The immigrants prove that hard work and love for family are universal concepts.

w Springdale athletics. A tradition of state championships goes back to 1910.

w Town builders. Men like John Tyson and Harvey Jones literally rolled up their sleeves and worked to start personal businesses that grew into today’s industries.

w The Springdale Fire Department. “No” is not an option.

w The Rodeo of the Ozarks. The annual summer show brings to Springdale top stock, cowboys and acts of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. The rodeo consistently ranks among the top five outdoor rodeos in the PRCA.

w Best and brightest. Based on personal observation from a 25-year journalism career, Springdale students are consistently the brightest and most articulate and most respectful of students anywhere.

w Arkansas and Missouri Railroad. My father loves trains, and each day I cross the tracks on Huntsville Avenue, I think of him. I also count the locomotives in the yard and call him with an update.

w Springdale educators. Even a bit of time spent inside a Springdale school building proves the dedication and love the teachers give their students. These are some amazing men and women.

w Northwest Arkansas Naturals. A great addition to the city for those who spend the winter just counting the days until baseball’s Spring Training.

w School resource officers. These representatives of the Springdale Police Department always are at the ready to help Springdale schools’ faculty, from breaking up a fight in a secondary school to counseling elementary students about making good choices.

w Small-town atmosphere. My pharmacist knows my name and face. The people at Rainbow Cleaners share stories of what my husband leaves in his pockets. A school board member assures me my dogs don’t bother her with their barking as she worries that her grandchildren bother me while they are swimming.

w Sharing souls. Several food pantries, staffed by volunteers from various churches, serve those in need.

w Traffic flow. A driver can travel from one end of Springdale to another without stopping because all the traffic lights are timed.

w Dusty Richards. This award-winning western novelist really spins a yarn.

w J.B. Hunt Park. I walk the trails to ensure my health.

w Springdale Public Schools Education Foundation. The nonprofit group provided $21,000 in scholarships to Springdale students and more than $20,000 in grants to Springdale teachers in 2012.

w Community servants. Gladden, Sandy Boone and others of their generations devoted their time and efforts to serve the community.

w Neal’s Cafe and Spring Street Grill. Both serve great pie!

w The Shiloh Museum of Ozark History. Exhibits and programs remind us of how we got here today.

w Jones Family Resource Center. The center provides nonprofit agencies with office and meeting space with little cost, so the agencies can dedicate their funding to their services.

w The Kum & Go store at the intersection of Backus Avenue and North Thompson Street. The day is not a pretty one if I don’t get my Diet Dr Pepper.

I repeat: I love Springdale.

LAURINDA JOENKS IS A FORMER REPORTER AND EDITOR AT THE MORNING NEWS WHO HAS LIVED IN SPRINGDALE SINCE 1990.

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