Sunday Drive Through the City

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, it took all I had in me to trek out to the store to pick up a few needed things. I am not a fan of shopping but it must be done, right?! So, off I go to one of our local stores to pick up what’s needed when something caught my attention.

I’ve been traveling to the PCCUA Stuttgart campus every day this summer working. Fighting that traffic on highway 165 where everyone is out to be the racecar driver of the day, who never uses a blinker and loves to ride my tail, is horrible at times. Yes, I drive 57 MPH so I’m the slow one on the highway. I leave home early enough that I don’t need to speed, and even if I did need to, I’d just be late unless something was tragically wrong with a family member!

Then, once you get into Stuttgart the traffic picks up even more and there are days that I am probably seen just shaking my head in disbelief. Not that it’s a bad thing, it’s just not my thing. I’ve grown to enjoy Stuttgart and all it has to offer, but there are things missing that we have right here in our lovely town of DeWitt.

So, what caught my attention? The stillness on a Sunday afternoon! As I approached the highway to turn and head to the local store, there wasn’t a single vehicle coming from either direction. I had to do a double take because I’m not used to that. During the week there is always traffic and you have to wait at the stop signs for the traffic to lighten up enough to enter the highway. Well, Sunday it was as if I was the only person taking the highway and that drew my attention and thoughts to something. Our beautiful city of DeWitt.

Sure, some may think otherwise, but I adore and love our city. It’s just what we all need. We have so much to be thankful for, whether some see it that way or not. This Sunday trip reminded me of the reasons to be thankful.

In one yard, kids were giggling and having a grand old time playing. In another yard splashes could be heard as kids yelled “Cannon ball!!!!!” Multiple driveways were filled as family members gathered to enjoy time with one another after church. Lawns were manicured, although the heat of the Summer is wreaking havoc on them. Windows of homes seemed to shine more so than before as the sun shone down. Empty lots that once were grown up and filled with debris are now cleared and looking fantastic! The town square was clean as per usual thanks to those who take the time to volunteer keeping it kept up.

The scent of fresh cut grass and bar-b-que grills and smokers filled the air as I rode through town with the windows down. Yes, although it’s crazy hot, I still wanted to enjoy the fresh air! You see, our air in DeWitt is better than in other towns. We don’t have those weird smells from the plants. Sure, we smell the rice mills but that’s not a “pollution” type of smell to me.

We are blessed with such an amazing city. We have a grocery store, three “dollar” stores, a flea market, coffee shop, multiple restaurants, multiple beauty salons and barber shops, insurance companies, pharmacies, convenience stores, mechanic shops, parts stores, a doughnut shop, detail shops, hardware stores, food pantry, CPA’s, and so, SOOOOO much more!

There are cities across Arkansas that do not have near what we have and they MUST travel at least 20 or 30 miles just to the nearest gas station. I mean, look at St. Charles! I remember back when it had the Community Store, a bank, barber shops, etc. And now, now they don’t have any means of buying the necessities without traveling to another city. Crocketts Bluff is the same! Remember Schwab’s Grocery?! Some of you may even remember the Prange store.

So, the point behind my little writeup is to just ask our city members to stop and count the blessings that we are provided with right here in DeWitt, AR. Look around and see all the good that’s there. I mean, we do have one of the most giving cities I’ve ever been in! Local businesses are always donating to different fundraising events or ball teams. Local community members are volunteering their time to make a difference.

I could continue to brag on our city, but I’m going to let you see the good and take it all in. Just look around you!

Oh, and of course, look to the DeWitt Era-Enterprise to share all the good that is going on in our city!