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Dave and Jeanette Fitton … Community Heroes

October 21, 2012 by Last Pair of Boots

In a previous blog entry, I wrote about the importance of downtowns.  Important because they represent the community heart.  Important because they usually reflect the history, the architecture, the “sense of place”, the place where people come together. Important as well as a center of Commerce and Trade.

Harrison has a long history as a regional trade center drawing from as far away as 50 miles.  Over the past 15 – 20 years It has lost some of that energy due to the growth in Fayetteville area and the huge retail development and tourist industry growth in Branson, Missouri. Harrison was losing ground, was on a downward spiral and the future was looking pretty bleak. Well, “enough of that” became the battle cry from a few motivated, energetic folks who decided “to do something about it.”

From a few… now many… the leaders, businesses and citizens of Harrison have come together and are reversing the trend.  They have formed a group called CORE with committees, weekly and monthly meetings, specific action steps to improve, revitalize and build for the future. They are now capitalizing on the obvious proximity of our nation’s first National River … The Buffalo National River … and are promoting Harrison as “The Gateway to the Buffalo”.

To my earlier point about the importance of downtowns, this community is successfully bringing new retail business development and entertainment events to the historic downtown square. For my money, “Harrison is coming back”.

How do Dave and Jeanette Fitton get my nod as heroes.  Very simple … not only have they been advocates, not only have they been leaders and organizers but every day, every week, every month they have been the glue that has held this movement together.  There are bigger names involved, but no one has done more to stay consistently engaged, to send the reminders, to publish the minutes, to follow up than this couple.

Harrison is on the move once again thanks to a bunch of people but my choice for the hero designation goes to:

Dave and Jeanette Fitton of Harrison Arkansas

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Hiking Wyoming: Tetons, Jackson Hole, Yellowstone

October 8, 2012 by Last Pair of Boots

In a previous blog I alluded to the annual hiking trip I and three other guys take to one of the National Parks.This year from September 27 to October 2 we ascended and descended in and about Teton National Park and Yellowsone National Park with our base in Jackson Hole.

This post may be more pictoral than written because there is virtually no way to describe the incredible beauty and majesty of the Teton Mountains, the uniqueness of Yellowsone Geysers in our first National Park and the attractions of the Historic downtown and square in Jackson, Wyoming.

First the Tetons … and were we ever treated to beautiful weather Hiking the Summit:

And then there is the unmatchable Yellowstone with its upper and lower falls and the iconic OLD FAITHFUL GEYSER:

This next photo was of Daryl in front of the cottage where he lived while working at Yellowstone during college summer break.

 I’m big time envious because I too was accepted to work at Yellowstone while I was in college … I turned it down because I didn’t want to leave my girlfriend. As Julie Roberts said in Pretty Woman… Big mistake!!

PS: the girl was not my wife, Patti. That would have been worth it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Taos to Ocate

September 9, 2012 by Last Pair of Boots

Clearly, there’s something alien,mystical, maybe even spiritual about New Mexico.  Patti and I love to spend a day or two in Santa Fe or Taos either before or after our annual Summer pilgrimage to Colorado.  Taos though has become the favorite stop. It’s smaller, more manageable for a short trip, has the history (Kit Carson was born here), the culture, the Art galleries, great restaurants, the Southwest Native American Pueblo architecture, cool dry air surrounded by mountains and is a pleasant place to stroll the shops on the shaded square.

The architectural design standards are so carefully controlled, even a McDonalds complies by having no sign on the building … merely a small entry sign.

Okay, now on to the Mystical, Alien, Spiritual … and on to Ocate …

The picture below shows one of a community of Earth Houses.  There are probably 30 of these, some very elaborate but all built to be energy efficient, sustainable and from recycled materials.  To me they have an alien but fascinating story.

Upon leaving Taos we took one of those “roads less travelled”, this one a rough, narrow, steep, curvy dirt road to Ocate.  The first sign we saw when the dirt road began shouted in large letters that truckers and those pulling trailers should reconsider this route. However, we continued and it was rough. But we were rewarded with a beautiful drive, almost no traffic and a “make a memory  moment” at Ocate … our waypoint heading Southwest.

There wasn’t much there … the picture below was across the street from a weathered old general store, operated by a weathered 82 year old man (most likely the owner).  On the wall behind the counter was a black and white photo of his wife of some 60 plus years … a strikingly beautiful girl … possibly in her early twenties when the photo was made.

This was and still is life at its simplest … a striking contrast with the wealth of Taos, a place of history none the less and an example of the treasures to be discovered in the lingering spirit of people and memories of days and trails gone by.

A waypoint on Highway 120 … while heading home.

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Frisco, Colorado

September 4, 2012 by Last Pair of Boots

Mark, Michael and Majestic Mountains Royal Victoria Peak1

Frisco, Colorado has such beauty, such history, such eclectic intrigue.  From the simple craftmanship of hand hammered hinges to its mountain setting at the base of Mount Royal/Mount Victoria, once the home of small mining community destroyed by avalanche in the 1800’s.

This small recreation oriented town is nestled at 9100 feet just 75 miles from Denver and less than 30 minutes from Breckenridge and Vail.  It’s a perfect stepping off point for skiing in the Winter, hiking, biking and boating in the Spring, Summer and Fall. Plus, there is no better choice to experience magnificent sightseeing year round.  It is home to the Blue River, one of the finest trout streams in Colorado, a virtual hotspot for festivals, shopping, dining and quite frankly just a mighty pleasant place to spend time especially when it’s hot in your home.

John Fishing the Ten Mile Creek

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Stephan McAteer … a local Government Employee Hero

August 28, 2012 by Last Pair of Boots

Stephan McAteer and the MacArthur Military History Museum

Government employees often get a raw deal lumped under the concept that they are paid too much, work too little and care less about the task at hand.  Fortunately this is a perception, not fact … the real facts being,  most government workers do care, work exceptionally hard, are underpaid, love their jobs and do it well.

One of these that has shown his passion for the task, is paid less than he could get elsewhere, is doing a fantastic job and continues to build a museum the citizens of Little Rock can be proud of is Stephan McAteer, Exec Director of the MacArthur Museum of Military History.

In his quiet unassuming way he has built one of the best Military History Museums in Arkansas.  He  has resurrected a decaying historic structure, the Birth Place of General Douglas MacArthur, and through sheer will has returned it to its deserved glory days.  He has reenergized a Board of Commissioners, has lobbied successfully for funding from individuals, the city and the State and has organized significant events  reminding all of us of Arkansans who have served our Country in Military roles.

I have proudly watched this humble committed man keep his energy and passion and vision alive.  Thank you Stephan for a job well done.

Stephan McAteer is one of my Local Heroes.  Stephan, I salute you.

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Street Olympics

August 4, 2012 by Last Pair of Boots

It’s virtually impossible for one with a computer, TV, smart phone or for that matter any other means of communication to be unaware of the Summer Olympics.  I too have spent hours incidentally and intentionally following the “race for medals”.

Well, this morning it hit me “square behind the wheel” … most of us experience highway and street olympics every day. No sooner have we pulled into traffic than our personal competitive event begins … a little extra acceleration to beat the yellow light, a quick maneuver to avoid a pothole, an intense focus on the bumper five feet ahead, the personal satisfaction of last second lane changes leaving our most assertive competitor behind.  On the Interstate, we are pitted against the fast, the furious, the slow and the lane hogs.  Thru years of practice we have fine tuned the strategic art of acceleration, deceleration and timing … no way will that slow moving eighteen wheeler pull out to pass and force me to tap the brake.

And what about that kid that camps on “my” bumper when I’m in the left lane … finally risking his life and others to dart across two lanes, zip between cars and then back only to have gained one car length?  My goodness, this is street olympics and every second or portion thereof separates the winner from the also ran.

I must admit I too sometimes find myself in this competitive arena.  Hopefully, just like retiring Olympic Medalist, I’ll find less reason to compete and more reason to be like the old Triumph Stag pictured above … appreciated for my age, my wisdon and for avoiding the scrap heap.

Incidentally, the pictures were taken last year at a Triumph Sports Car Rally in Frisco, Colorado.

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Meandering in the Arkansas Delta

July 22, 2012 by Last Pair of Boots

….. Grand Prarie Center …..

Stuttgart Arkansas is a small farming town with a rich history.  It is not only the largest producer of rice in the world but is the home of some of the best duck hunting in America and the host city for the annual World Duck Calling Contest.

Last week, the Arkansas Parks,Travel and Tourism Commission held its monthly meeting in the new magnificent Grand Prairie Center.  This 63,000 sq. ft. building can seat up to 1250 in the Concert Theater and handle meetings, conventions and community activities with dining and breakout rooms capable of comfortably seating small to large groups in the hundreds.

On the fifty or so miles return trip to Little Rock, I took time to explore stopping first in another small town, England, dropping by the Mayor’s office and then in the spirit of Robert Frost, I took the road “less travelled by”.  The following pictures inadequately show the peaceful majesty of a bayou forest of towering Cypress Trees … what a special surprise.

Last but not least, on this 100 degree plus afternoon, I found a brief albeit pleasant respite from the scorching sun and treeless farms as I drove under the canopy of most likely 100 years old Pecan trees.  This brought back immediate flashback memories of my childhood when my dad took our family to Scott to buy fresh Arkansas Pecans.  The other photo is of the Civil War Campsite which was part of the Little Rock Campaign.

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Another Arkansas State Park’s Surprise… Old Washington.

July 8, 2012 by Last Pair of Boots

In Arkansas we are blessed to have more than fifty State Parks.  Some are in obvious places conveniently located in population centers like Pinnacle Mountain Park. Some are small, more remote and difficult to access such as the Louisiana Purchase State Park which I wrote about in an earlier blog. Some are destination parks Like Petit Jean State Park and Mount Magazine.  Some are History and Heritage, some are Recreational, some have camping, fishing, boating and others have cabins with beautiful vistas. Arkansas parks are well managed, maintained and diverse.  In this blog, I will feature Historic Washington State Park in Southwest Arkansas.

There have been many times I have passed the exit on Interstate 30 near Hope, Arkansas only to speed by at 70 MPH with the thought “I need to check this out someday”.  Well, Saturday one week ago I did just that.  I pulled off the Interstate and drove the beautiful 8 miles to Historic Arkansas.  Not only was the meandering two lane road refreshing but my entry into the museum village can be summed up with the first word I uttered out loud … “WOW!!” I was flabbergasted and immediately felt I had just stepped back into the 1840’s.

There are some 30 plus blocks of buildings, homes, offices and shops impeccably restored to original 19th Century grandeur including period furnishings, many original. The Visitor Center museum/ticket office is in the 1874 Hempstead County Courthouse.

Rather than making this entry longer, there are a few pictures I took that tell the story better than I can write … Historic Washington, Arkansas is a must visit for anyone wishing to know more about our pioneer days and certainly about Arkansas’ Civil War role.  Washington served as the Confederate State Capitol of Arkansas from 1861-1863.

Arkansas Constitution of the Confederacy.

1845 Royston Home with period actor as tour guide.  He told me he had 39 slaves and fought in the Mexican War.

And then … there are the reenactments. A couple of barristers… Jim and Bill.

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A Lifetime Hero … My Mom

July 1, 2012 by Last Pair of Boots

When I sat down today to add a blog entry I had no intention of writing about my mom.  That said, here I am composing a short message about her, one week and one day after her death. Our family and friends are still experiencing a sense of loss but gratitude as we celebrate a beautiful life story of an incredible woman.

The black and white picture is of mom and me circa 1942. The color picture is one taken by Patti’s and my son Jeff. Though 90 plus years separate the two pictures there is one clear unmistakable identifier, her smile. I don’t think I have ever seen a picture of her that failed to capture her inner spirit and genuineness displayed for all to see through her captivating smile.

Ellen Teresa Mattingly Dailey was a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, wife, sister, friend and business woman. She was a strong Catholic known for her consummate belief in the power of prayer and her relentless generosity to the Church, to Mount Saint Mary School for girls and Catholic High School for Boys. She was loving, gentle and gracious but could stand strong and tall on principle such as charging employees of Dailey’s Furniture Company twenty five cents anytime she heard a curse word slip from their lips.  (all collections went to a charity.)

Ellen and Dalton early marriage

In retirement, she devoted herself to family,  to helping my sister Kathy with the Auction business, and to making regular fun filled trips to play penny slots in Tunica.  On Monday evenings she fixed dinner for me, Patti and our sons DJ and Jeff.  Even during my years as Mayor, everyone knew monday evening was mom’s. On Sundays she played cards with her sister/best friend, Frances and brother, John.  She still drove her 10 year old car to her hair appointment and to the grocery store, where she knew every best deal down to the penny.

I could go on and on … maybe there is a book to be written … a book filled with life lessons, lessons of humility, grace, integrity, holiness, generosity, strength and commitment to that which is really important.  Though she is gone physically, her teachings and her spirit live on in each of us blessed to have been touched by her or included in her life.  Kathy, Stephanie and Patti will probably feel the emptiness the most, but …

I Miss you Mom! My Hero …

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Marguerite Alford… History Wisdom and Wit.

June 17, 2012 by Last Pair of Boots

Aunt Marguerite Alford at 106
Patti out front of Aunt Marguerite’s birth home on 12th Street in Little Rock.
It all comes together once told that Marguerite Alford was born in this home more than 100 years ago. Just standing here, brought back treasured memories to Patti as she recalled she and her sisters (Suzanne and Margie) visiting grandparents , sitting on the front porch swing, watching the men clean the fresh fish catch on the lower level and so many more reasons to something special about this place in our Capitol City.

Sisters. Suzanne. Patti. Margie.

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