30 Oct 2024 Life in a small town
The festival included a dunking booth, a cake walk and simple games. For $1 or less, your name was entered into a drawing to win one of several prizes. It was a sunny fall afternoon, and my 10-year-old self was excited about the day, especially when I heard my name announced as a prize winner. I ran to receive it and the man handed me a case of BOAT MOTOR OIL!
In addition to the letdown, I couldn’t even carry the heavy case of oil. But as I had been taught, I thanked the announcer for the prize and went to look for my dad. Of course, my older brother won a doll with a painted porcelain face and blue dress and gave it to me. Finally, I was thrilled again.
Such is the life of a kid in a small town. At that time, we lived in Queen City, Texas. Population 1,000. Home of the Bulldogs. It was safe, and people knew what family you belonged to, which gave us a sense of belonging.
Central Arkansas is home to many similarly delightful communities and small towns. Each Friday night, people speak to one another as they climb the stands for football games. Each Sunday, they speak as they walk to their pews, and when there is a tragedy, they rally around those in need. It’s a life with a pleasant rhythm typically appreciated more by adults than teens.
Our November issue is themed “Small Towns/Big Hearts,” and our content will make you as nostalgic as it has made me. The article that most stands out to me is about 24-year-old Paralympian Julia Gaffney from Mayflower. She won the bronze medal in Paris, and her community is incredibly proud of their hometown girl!
Regretfully, we bid farewell to a top-tier 501 LIFE contributor in October. Bob Reising brought us “Celebrating Athletic Excellence” each month for many years, contributing his final piece in August at the age of 91. If there are sports in heaven—and Lord only knows many readers pray that there are—then I’m confident Bob is playing or coaching baseball and writing a well-researched column about a fellow athlete. His tribute is included.
As you turn these pages like leaves blowing across your yard, take a journey with us and meet many small-town people with big hearts for others!
Stefanie Brazile
Editor/Publisher
