PeekabooNWA

Autumn in Northwest Arkansas

Posted on 30. Sep, 2008 by admin in A Dad's View

Autumn is among us and summer is a thing of the past. Summer 2008 was a great one for our family and all of those in our area. It saw a successful season for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals — a great family outing each time that we visited the Arvest Ballpark. There were fun times at the lake and numerous hours at the pool watching the kids enjoy the refreshing water. But, as Autumn has officially began, the fun family memories-in-the-making are still plentiful. As this issue of Peekaboo highlights Siloam Springs, I thought it would be an opportune time to reminisce about growing up in one of the most beautiful small cities in AR.

Growing up, October meant high school football games on Friday night. Going and watching the Panthers was the perfect way to end a week of school. Things today are not much different, as my family and I still look forward to watching the Panthers at Glen W Black Stadium on a given Friday night – much like many families around Northwest Arkansas enjoy supporting their home team.

The end of this month will bring us to a night of Trick-or-Treating; another thing that I looked forward to as a boy growing up in Siloam Springs. Late afternoon at school was when things got kicked off. After waiting somewhat patiently all morning, we were allowed to get into our costumes for our costume parade through the other classrooms before the big costume contest. I was at one-time a Southside Elementary costume champion; but, I should have requested a re-count in the fourth grade. The robot costume that my dad made out of boxes spray painted silver with working lights deserved more than second place; but I am not bitter…no, really.

That evening, our school would have a carnival where you could go and play games and win prizes. These games were setup in each of the classrooms and throughout the hallways. It was very fun and one of the highlights of the evening.

However, let’s be real; it was all about the candy and seeing which house would produce the mother-load! I remember the streets throughout Siloam Springs would be bombarded with ghosts, witches, vampires, cartoon characters, (and one very cool looking robot!). I remember, there was an elderly lady that lived on the other side of our block that would give out popcorn balls and quarters, nickels and dimes! Now, I have to admit that my friends and I would pay a visit to this particular house more than once throughout the evening, and even though she would catch on to our scheme; she was still generous in her giving. We would run home and tally up our efforts. The next day we would take our earnings to the local Ben Franklin Five and Dime downtown and purchase packs of baseball cards. You may not think that we had enough change to buy more than a pack; but, back then, you could get three packs for a dollar and 3 pieces of gum to go along with the huge bag of candy left over from the night before!

Whatever this autumn brings; take advantage of all the things going on in our area this month. Have fun and be safe doing them!

One last thing of note regarding this month – October is even more special to me now than in my youth…October 8 is when I married my best friend and the most beautiful girl in the world – Happy Anniversary Cassandra!