The Mena weekly star., 1920-04-01

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 The mild climates of California and Florida lure many northern people from their homes for a season. Three letters from friends widely separated, which have just received. have start ed in my mind train of recollections of another sunny cline, in which have passed several happy vacations and which bids fair to rival other better known localities This is the Ozark country of Arkansas.
 One friend writes: "We are all thinking of going to Mena, Arkansas, for a few months, for Harry's health is very delicate since his attack of in fluenza." Another friend, a business man. writes: T am thinking of selling my business and going to live in Arkansas, where life is not so strenu- ous-" Still a third writes: We should like to live in California or in Arkan- sas, if we should retire"
 Different motives influence these persons The subject of health ap- pears to one, the quiet restful life with competence already gained influ- ences the others. Let me try to show some of the other attractions of this mountain region. including the beauti- full little city of Mena, with it's charm ing homes, schools and churches.
 There is nothing more delightful to a northerner who travels south at the close of tedious winter or tardy spring than the transition from cold to the warmth and luxuriousness of the southland. The trees are gradually growing greener, the fruit orchards are enchanting with their burden of pink and white beauty. and the tireless engine, plunging farther and farther south, soon reaches Arkansas and bears one where one scene of beauty succeeds another. It is all a great panorama of moving pictures. hills, farms and one is in the Ozarks.
 Bright-hued birds dart among trees, which are dressed in their fresh sum. mer attire. Dancing waterfalls plunge in radiant beauty down the rocky hill sides Along the track are banks of blue violets and in the woods many Towering trees. The dogwoods, GOV cred with white bloom, and the redbud, mass of pink blossoms, intermingle their burdens of beauty The low mountains in their mantles of green are both lovable and liveable, and many an invalid has found both home and health among their fastnesses. There is something exhilarating in being able to preempt a whole noun tain, and to build home among the pines. Each morning the chandeliers send their challenge from mountain to mountain. Friendly callers halt their automobiles at the foot of your noun tain and do a little stunt of climbing to reach your eyrie, their progress visible from door or window. An cleo trical storm in the night is an expert ence long to be remembered. The iso- lation then seems most complete. Tho one is connected by telephone with the nearby town, the whistling and men acing of the wind among the pines, the ominous click of the telephone re- spending to the electric currents of the air. give one a feeling of insecuri- ty and fear of being dashed down the mountain side to yawning depths below
 The fresh beauty of the coming morning, however. brings new cour- age and happiness The bird leaders call up the orchestra for the morning praise service, and the joyful chorus they send up thrills us too with de- sire to worship the Creator of all the beauty of this bird paradise.
 Many of the things that make life worth living are found in this region: Putest of soft spring water: fruit of many varieties is plentiful. A floral Eden is here, with blossoming trees, among them the beautiful magnolia. Bird life is abundant, the mocking bird pours forth volumes of song. Car dinal birds saucy fellows, dispute with the chickens their morning meal, but they are so beautiful that much is for given them. and one enjoys the sight 1t is easy to paTdon much in other creatures of great beauty or charm Bob White here raises yearly broods of brown babies-later to become the prey of the hunter.
 The extensive forest preserves them with wild life Mena, nestled among mountains, is a city of about 1000 peo- pie. and like many other towns and villages it furnishes congenial society for people of culture. Churches, schools and Chautauquas are we'll sus- tained. The beautiful mountain views add greatly to the pleasure of living here. This is not an agricultural coun- try, but the products to be found else where in this altitude are abundant; and the transient visitor often becomes the permanent resident of the land over which romance has cast it's gla- mour.
 Straight From the Shoulder.