18 Feb 2016 Nostalgia in the 501

Nostalgia is defined as “a wistful desire to return in thought or in fact to a former time in one’s life, to one’s home or homeland, or to one’s family and friends; a sentimental yearning for the happiness of a former place or time; pleasure and sadness that is caused by remembering something from the past and wishing that you could experience it again.” 

A handful of 501 LIFE editorial board members recently shared their thoughts and memories in response to “What are you nostalgic for in the 501?”

A basketball nut

by Lori Case Melton 

I am a graduate of  Mount Vernon High School when it was the home of the Bluejays. They have since merged with Enola and are now the Warhawks. 

I loved my time at this small school and enjoyed playing basketball. I was such a basketball nut that for a long time I thought I wanted to be a coach. Now wouldn’t have that been a life changer for me!  

I still have most of the relationships I built on the court and those girls are still there for me at a moment’s notice, as I am for them. I wouldn’t have changed a thing and would be willing to hit the court again for a little one-on-one. 

He was ‘Papa’ to me

by Spencer Hawks

I’m nostalgic about times with my grandfather, John Hawks. He was truly the smartest, most civic-minded person that I’ve ever known. He loved us, advised us and helped us develop into who we are today. 

When I see my grandfather’s picture, I am speechless. He did so much for the community. He was a tremendous businessman, and he lived a life that most couldn’t even dream of. 

That said, that’s not how I knew him. I knew him as “Papa.” 

He was down-to-earth, hardworking and taught us that our sense of pride shouldn’t be what we have, but who we are as individuals and a family. He and my grandmother, Ola Hawks, taught us that family is the most important thing on this planet. They knew this because growing up that’s all they had. This is why today my cousins — Nikki Hawks Jones, Daniel Hawks, Matt Grissom, Bailey Grissom, Hailey Hawks, Jonathan and Lauren Hawks — are more like siblings than cousins. This is why I know my grandfather’s siblings so well. 

We know the importance of what we have, not materially, but in our family. This is my grandfather’s greatest accomplishment, instilling in his grandchildren a true sense of family. 

Growing up in Rose Bud

by Cassandra Feltrop

I have fond childhood memories of growing up in the small town of Rose Bud, especially when I was younger and spent a lot of time at my grandmother’s big white store, “Peters General Merchandise.”

I loved everything about it (even sweeping the entire store in the afternoons). I can still remember the pretty watches and rings in the jewelry counter. The meat counter was a popular lunch area because they would cut the meat and cheese and make sandwiches on the spot. There was nothing better than slicing the cheese as thin as I could and eating it slice after slice.  

I remember the fabric area and all of the beautiful material and buttons that were sold to ladies in the area. My grandmother was a wonderful seamstress, too, and I treasured everything she made for me.  

I remember the older gentlemen from our community sitting at the tables drinking bottled Cokes and putting peanuts in them while playing dominoes and telling stories.   

I could go on and on about the wonderful things at the store, but it was truly the people that I enjoyed meeting and knowing even as a child. Life seemed so simple back then and I treasure those memories. I am thankful to have grown up in Rose Bud surrounded by family and those who supported each other.  

I’ll never forget the destruction left from the tornado that hit Rose Bud on Dec. 2, 1982. It changed our little town, but we bonded together and cleaned up, and were thankful that no one was killed on that day. Unfortunately, the store did not survive the tornado and a piece of our hearts seemed to die with it, but the memories will live on and be cherished forever. 

Nostalgic for Downtown Searcy

by Kristi Thurmon

I am nostalgic for the 1980s when everyone shopped in Downtown Searcy. 

We had shoe stores, clothing stores and even JC Penney, Ace Hardware and Fred’s. 

After school, you could walk downtown and get a grilled cheese and vanilla Dr Pepper at Headlee Drug. Or you could walk to the Yarnell’s Ice Cream factory and get an ice cream treat on the way to Spring Park. My favorite was the sidewalk sundae. 

Once or twice a year, the downtown merchants would host a Moonlight Madness sale. I remember getting my first pair of Eastlands at Family Shoe Store and my Guess Jeans at Van Atkins at Moonlight Madness. We looked forward to it every year! 

I wish I could go shopping at all the old places one more time.  

Saturdays in Downtown Conway

by Jack Bell

I have fond memories of coming to Downtown Conway on Saturdays, most likely in the spring and summer.  

My little brother Randy, cousins Steve and Sandy and I would be dropped off downtown by a parent. We would proceed to Simon’s Grocery to purchase a large bear claw pastry from the bakery. We would then make our way to Greeson’s Corner drug store and get fountain Cokes from Mose, or one of the other soda jerks. We would grab a booth and share the bear claw and drink our Cokes.

Some Saturdays we were also able to have lunch at the Co-ed Café on Oak Street.  

On really special days we were able to go to the Conway Theatre for a matinee. It cost a quarter to get into the movie in those days, until you were too big to pass for 11 years old. Then it went up to 35 cents. My favorite movies were the ones starring Elvis Presley.