Happy ending to a long journey
Well, folks it has been a wonderful, wild ride the past 11 years, with camera in hand and the keyboard at the computer constantly working. So, I plan to bring in my shingle, put it in a desk drawer and rest.
Researching and sharing what I have found about the best hometown anywhere, Bauxite, has been such a pleasure and filled many hours of my time. It was time well spent, I might say. I have learned; you have learned and, hopefully, enjoyed what you have learned at the same time.
The people who have been featured in special articles became special friends that I still keep in touch with periodically. Borrowing from
Will Rogers thoughts, I never interviewed a person I didn’t like and still have fond memories of our time together.
As a result of several of the articles written about individuals, there are 12 people who have been nominated and inducted into the Bauxite Hall of Fame and Wall of Honor as a result of the life stories I have written. I am thrilled to have had a part in bringing attention to those deserving honorees
There are many stories waiting to be written about Bauxite and the many wonderful people who once lived in our unique town. The torch has been lit and is ready to move on. Any takers? If so, run with it.
Recently, someone asked me, “Who is going to write the story about Ginger English?” No one was my answer. I have already shared much of my life story, the interesting parts, anyway and will include here a few from my exciting life that only a few know about.
As I have had the opportunity to travel throughout the world, there have been many thrills and exciting experiences and facts untold.
Probably my most treasured and interesting experience I have had was one I had dreamed of since a youngster. I claim fame for being the only woman from Bauxite, Arkansas, to have accomplished this one.
I broke the Sound Barrier not one time but two times on board the
Air France Concorde in 1978, from New York
City to Paris, France, and returned from Paris, France, to Washington,
DC. As a Chuck Yeager fan since I heard my first sonic boom above Bauxite, Arkansas, I had only dreamed of this happening to me.
Another “biggie” for me was riding on a camel’s back near the Sphinx in Cairo, Egypt, and then going inside the Great Egyptian Pyramid or the Pyramid of Cheops in
Giza just outside Cairo, and climbing through a very narrow passage along small stone steps to the top of the pyramid. Once at the peak of the pyramid, I was told to stand in the very center of the structure. That was the center of gravity, which is helping hold the pyramid together. It also caused perspiration to spring from my head and start flowing down my face.
After visiting the pyramid, I was taken to a huge tent set up in the middle of nowhere in the desert. This was one of those places where the nobles sit or lean on huge cushions, eat and drink and watch the belly dancers perform. The place comes alive after dark, I was told.
Exiting Cairo was another experience. Our company driver at the time took me to the airport and let me out at the door leading to check-in. It was during the beginning of the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca called Hajj. The pilgrimage attracts over three million people each year. The airport was so crowded Icould hardly make my way through and I was the only American in sight and the only person who spoke and understood English.
Finally through the maze and checked in, I
was taken by bus onto the air field to board my flight headed for home. Changing planes in Paris and boarding the big Air France Concorde, after only three hours I landed in Washington, DC and had to find a taxi to take me across the nation’s capitol to another airport to fly to Arkansas. Of course, the taxi driver spoke very little English and the traffic was heavy crossing that large city. It was a quiet drive, needless to say. After a stop in Atlanta, I gave thanks as I boarded that flight toward Arkansas.
One other interesting trip I was fortunate to make was to an small country in South America that not many people from Bauxite has ever visited. I was with a group of ladies when we arrived in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Had I Iooked at a world map before signing up for this trip, I probably would not have made it. Argentina is not that far from the South Pole and I was not interested in jumping off the face of the earth or being that far from home.
After touring Buenos Aires thoroughly we took a side tour across the bay on a huge ferry to a
small town called Colonia, Uruguay. It is a fascinating village not many people know much about. It was beautiful and there were no tourists but our group.
This small town is located at the end of the Uruguayan peninsula and was established in 1680 by the Portuguese. If I ever want to disappear from the USA, I think I would do whatever I could to go back to Colonia to live.
As you pass through the ruins of the fortified walls of Colonia, you step on historical cobblestone sidewalks and streets. Old cars, one or two, were seen; so old they still operate with the crank through the front grill. Stone constructed houses and beautiful tropical flowers line the streets. Several small museums were available for touring and as was the local old church.
The mining of amethyst is common in this area and I purchased a couple of beautiful stones to bring home. I highly recommend a visit to Colonia if ever the opportunity arises.
Those are only a few of the exciting happenings in my life outside of Bauxite. The best years of
my life were spent in this small town, with a lifetime of friends and family surrounding me.
It has been quite a journey writing about Bauxite and some of its people. I hope you have enjoyed what I found to share with you.
Thanks to the Bauxite Historical Association and Museum where I volunteered as an assistant in the museum for over ten years, including five years as editor of the Pick and Shovel. This gave me the opportunity to become familiar with the real history of Bauxite and its people.
Working many long hours at the museum helping in all aspects with the items that came through was an eye opener.
Visitors to the museum haven’t a clue what really has to be done to make it a show place and an enjoyable experience for visitors.
A very special thank you to Brent Davis, who as editor of the Courier in 2011, contacted me to begin writing an article each month about Bauxite for The Saline Courier. I was flattered beyond belief and really thought this new journey would be a temporary thing - a few stories about Bauxite and that would be the end of that. Not so.
The monthly articles have now totaled 130, including this one. There were many, many side articles about events in Bauxite, photographs on the front page, and even a few photos and write-ups for the special magazines produced by the Courier.
Brent, I am honored to call you my friend and mentor, and encourage you to get your new book on the market ASAP.
Kelly Freundenrsprung, publisher of The Saline Courier, I also send a special thank you for your efforts in keeping our local newspaper alive and well. With modern technology and easy access to the world around us, your efforts have not gone unnoticed and I for one appreciate all you do and the steps you have taken.
Thank you everyone who has made my relentless research and writings all worthwhile. Hopefully, I can now concentrate on getting my second book ready to publish, “Miner Memories, Part II.”