Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Time for Joe

Being new in town, trying to find a simple location like the school cafeteria can sometimes be a task all its own; but it didnt take long for the aroma of fresh chili to grab my sense of smell.

Like a starving bloodhound, I followed my nose and soon found my destination. The event was the Feb. 5 Chili Cook-off for men, and I dont believe Ive ever felt more at home in a strange place  even as much as I loved my visit to New York City, the people have made me feel welcome and, often, fed.

As you may have read two weeks ago, I live in Arkadelphia and was raised in Sparkman.

While Arkadelphia may have its quirks, I have found that its conveniences have spoiled me. When I need a head of lettuce, a car battery, a fishing pole and a microwave, I can go to the Wal-Mart Super Center and get it all in one place. And if I find my cupboard bare at 3 a.m., I can slip across town to grab breakfast at the 24-7 McDonalds.

Gurdon, on the other hand ... well, where do I begin?

If I need the items I listed above, Ill have to drive around town to four different stores and make four different purchases. If Im starving at 3 a.m., Ill have to wait an hour before S and S Grill opens.

And you know what? I love that. Not only does it force Gurdon residents to actually react with one another, it forces you all to manage your time a little more wisely.

I must admit that I once hated Sparkman with the passion of a thousand suns. When I was bound to the prison I thought Sparkman to be, I would exclaim that Arkadelphia was better because theres always something to do there. Boy, was I wrong!

Im only 22 years old, but one life lesson I have learned is that, no matter where you live, people will always grow bored of not having anything to do.

If anyone cares to refute my claim, I suggest you make a trip to New York City and try to find something to do at midnight in The City That Never Sleeps.

If you have the same experience I did, youll find yourself walking three miles back to your hotel with no money to hail the only cab thats on duty.

When you finally get back to your room, weather-beaten from the cold and dingy from the big city smog, you will be wishing you were back in Smalltown, Arkansas  waiting on S and S to open.