Bits & Pieces: Time for a new slogan

Improving a generic slogan like “It’s a Great Place to Call Home” is an applaudable endeavor, yet one that should be taken with caution. We’ve never been a big fan of Arkadelphia’s catchphrase: It’s too basic, and lends itself to mockery (one of the favorite quips we’ve heard is that it’s a great place to call home from). Having lived in one other town, our only measurement is that “It’s Better than Sparkman.” Jokes aside, we’ve devoted more than half our lives here, reared a child here, made ourselves comfortable here, and have no intention to relocate. We find Arkadelphia residents to be generally pleasant. The city provides wonderful services (aside from the streets, which get a pass, at least for now). We don’t have to leave town to find a supermarket, buy lumber at a hardware store, or dine at a decent restaurant — Arkadelphia provides all we could ask for, plus more. The proposed new slogan — Where Education Meets Adventure — may not be the greatest reflection of what the town has to offer. Education abounds, certainly, but there’s no surplus of adventure. We hope the city board and administration considers the public’s feedback in making these types of decisions, because we certainly don’t need another slogan vulnerable to ridicule.

Expect an influx of visitors to Arkadelphia this weekend as both universities are graduating a combined total of nearly 800 students. Henderson’s spring commencement takes place Friday, and Ouachita’s on Saturday. Restaurants will be busier than normal. In brief intervals after graduation ceremonies, expect North 10th Street to be a solid line of cars between Arkadelphia and Caddo Valley.

We expect Pine Street to look a lot different in the next few weeks as the Outlaw Gym and Tech Annex at the former Goza Middle School are demolished. Nostalgic people may be saddened by the removal of these facilities and Perritt Primary School. We agree with one Facebook commenter who said memories are in your head — not in those old buildings. The lot where Central once was looks much nicer as a grassy plain. Just think of the potential that block has. The removal of buildings from yet another city block is a step in the right direction.

American Made General Store appears to be on track to open by its target in June. The building is located on Lower Dam Pike in Caddo Valley. A sign out front says they’re hiring.

Ozzy the Chocolate Chihuahua sez: My wittle sister Effy staid up too wate wif my diddy. Day was queenin’ the kitchen and lissinin’ to Tom Petty.

In our recent, frequent travels to and from our river shack in northwestern Ouachita County, we’ve taken note of new homes being built in East Clark County, particularly east of Griffithtown. As far as we can see from our vantage point on Highway 8, we’ve counted three (or was it four?) houses under construction. In one field, we’ve noticed so many mobile homes popping up that we expect the trailer park to be given a name.

Stoked to be able to share news of a local educator’s upcoming travels to the southern African country of Zambia, where he will deliver the commencement to the nation’s only Christian university. There are more stories like this, with local ties, that we could be telling. On any given day, local people and/or organizations are doing impactful things in faraway places (or right here in Arkadelphia), and the news is broadcast only through a social media page with a few hundred followers. Let us help spread your news — we’re just an email away.

Joel Phelps is publisher and editor of arkadelphian.com. Opinions expressed in this column are his own. Got news? Contact him by email at editor@arkadelphian.com.