Category Archives: “Looking Back”

The Teenage Years: “Looking Back”

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Reprinted here by special permission of the author, Cindy Beckman, a retired Conway High School history teacher who writes local history.

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6). Parents of all generations have worried about what their teens might be doing when they are out with their friends. About forty years ago, two of the major activities for Conway teens were the First Baptist Church youth group and youth choir.

On any given Sunday or Wednesday evening Continue reading →

Goin’ to Get Ice Cream: “Looking Back”

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Reprinted here by special permission of the author, Cindy Beckman, a retired Conway High School history teacher who writes local history.

Today we turn the page to fall. Even though the official first day of fall is still a few weeks away, Labor Day is often seen as the end of summer and the beginning of football season. Today teachers and students take a breath and get ready for the long haul to Thanksgiving. Today the white capris and flip flops get stored away Continue reading →

Goin’ to Town: “Looking Back”

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Reprinted here by special permission of the author, Cindy Beckman, a retired Conway High School history teacher who writes local history.

Those who make the daily commute from the northern part of Faulkner County to Conway know the frustration of traveling the busy Highway 65. Some have opted to take the alternate route down Highway 25, which has increased the amount of traffic on that somewhat peaceful highway as well. But making the trip to Conway used to be even more challenging and difficult. Continue reading →

Downtown Shopping Destinations: “Looking Back”

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Reprinted here by special permission of the author, Cindy Beckman, a retired Conway High School history teacher who writes local history.

Need groceries? Need clothing? Need sheet music for the piano lessons? When I was growing up, downtown Conway was a major shopping destination for most people in Faulkner County. Shoppers could get almost all of their errands run on Front Street or Oak Street.

All your jewelry needs could be met either at Dayer Jewelry or Fletcher Smith Jewelry, both located on Front Street. Next to Dayer’s Continue reading →

Goin’ to School (Part 2): “Looking Back”

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Reprinted here by special permission of the author, Cindy Beckman, a retired Conway High School history teacher who writes local history.

Students and teachers are headed back to the classroom! But for the first time in 45 years, I will not be among them. After a lifetime of going to school (30 years of that as a teacher), I have retired. Forty-five first days of school and lots of memories!

There was no public Pre-K or Kindergarten in the late 1960s. I attended a half-day First Baptist Church Kindergarten class taught by Betty Courtway, wife of Bob Courtway. Mr. Courtway was a member of the Conway School Board. Later the district named a middle school after him. Her enthusiasm for children and learning gave us all a good start. Continue reading →