Copacetic, cornfields, convertible

Smithsonian Magazine threw me a curve when, in May 2012, their writer described Siloam Springs as "copacetic." I hadn't heard that word in years, possibly never in a business setting. My American Heritage Dictionary shows copacetic to be slang, meaning "excellent" or "first rate." I'm fine with that definition.

Excellent, wonderful, warm, and inviting were words Barbara and I used as we left Siloam Springs after attending a Chamber of Commerce annual banquet, Dogwood Festival or John Brown University home basketball game. She often said, as we drove back to Fayetteville, "I think we would enjoy living in this town -- it reminds me of Delight" (where she graduated from high school), and I agreed that it reminded me of my hometown of Malvern -- where I grew up in the 1960s.

Neither of these comparisons should be considered negative or demeaning. Indeed, they were the highest compliments we could give.

When I had the opportunity to move here and start a "second career" at the Chamber of Commerce -- where part of the job involves convincing folks and companies to move here -- it seemed very natural.

I'm fond of saying "Siloam Springs seems to be anchored on the west by John Brown University ("founded in a cornfield in 1919") and on the east by DaySpring Cards, with lots of churches in between, and a mostly moral, upright citizenry." I've seen little in the past seven years to dissuade me from that original opinion.

Our town has a very good reputation in the Northwest Arkansas region; everywhere I go folks say good things about Siloam Springs.

"It seems like a very friendly town."

"It must be a nice place to live."

"The public schools are very good."

"JBU is my alma mater, a wonderful Christian school."

"You have a beautiful downtown with inviting parks."

"Siloam Springs' growth is amazing."

What's really amazing is how many of those people who have glowing comments about our town have never actually been in our downtown. They come through west to east on the way to the I-49 corridor or east to west on the way to the Cherokee Casino and Hotel or to the Tulsa airport, and never leave U.S. Highway 412.

New buildings and developments along Highway 412 reinforce their image of growth and beauty, but they miss the revitalized historic downtown, with its quaint shops, eateries, parks and Sager Creek. They miss the small thrill of travelling north on Mount Olive Street and crossing Sager Creek -- with a view of the creek and its fountains to the left, a glimpse of the Moss House and the new mural to the right, and City Hall, 28 Springs, the gazebo and the Community Building straight ahead.

At the Chamber of Commerce we regularly have visitors walk into our office and exclaim: "What a wonderful town! It is so pretty down here. I have driven through on Highway 412 many times, but this is the first time I've seen the real Siloam Springs."

We take for granted the things we see often, as we go about our daily lives. We don't slow down and enjoy the rippling water of Sager Creek. We don't sit in the old gazebo and watch people go by. We don't take a picnic lunch to Twin Springs Park and sit on the chairs with legs of different lengths. We don't notice the sculptured walkways where we cross the streets. We fail to use the walking trail, tennis courts, basketball goals, playground, skate park and pavilion in Bob Henry Park. Too busy, must hurry, no time.

Our Tourism Committee at the Chamber of Commerce has focused for several years on getting folks off of Highway 412 and into our downtown. "Walkability" has become a fairly common term for us since a workshop here a couple of years ago. Making Broadway and University attractive and full of interesting businesses is a key goal of our Main Street program, and we are seeing a lot of success. There is hardly any vacant space for new retail on those streets; however, extensive renovation is taking place on East University (residential and commercial spaces), and several new stores are about to open (hints: home goods and tap room).

So, a short walk takes visitors -- and local residents -- past an eclectic mix of shops offering (this is only a sample): children's clothes, a bookstore, beer making kits, haircuts, dance lessons, antiques, photos and frames, floral arrangements, scrapbooking, tuxedos and T-shirts, locally owned and operated restaurants and coffee shops, and pipes and bow ties. If any of these products or services are a surprise to you, you haven't taken time to walk from the City Park gazebo east along University Street, then south on Broadway Street to Twin Springs Park -- and then back on the other side of the street.

Barbara and I have the same trouble slowing down as everyone else, even at our age (old enough to retire, not ready to accept it). We can't seem to keep air in our bike tires. But we are making an effort; last year we bought a little red convertible, which should help us slow down and enjoy the scenery of our town and the blessings of living in Northwest Arkansas and one of the best small towns in America.

-- Wayne Mays is the President and CEO of the Siloam Springs Chamber of Commerce. He and his spouse Barbara moved to Siloam Springs and built a house on South Elm Street in 2007. They attend First Baptist Church and walk their dogs -- Westies named Molly and Maggie -- in the neighborhood they say is the best they have ever experienced in their almost 45 years of marriage. The opinions expressed are those of the author.

Community on 06/24/2015