Sanders receives fitting retirement tribute from grateful community

 

It was an out-the-door, standing room only situation this past Saturday at the Calico Rock Museum & Visitor Center, when folks from near and far gathered to pay tribute to retiring Executive Director Gloria Sanders, offering a huge THANK YOU for a job well done.

It was GLORIA SANDERS Day in Calico Rock for sure, with Sanders making a grand entry atop a fire engine as Honorary Fire Chief, an honor normally reserved for Santa Claus when riding in the Sanders’ conceived Lighted Christmas Parade.

Arriving downtown, Sanders was greeted by well-wishers who packed the lobby of the museum expansion building anxious to recognize her for her fifteen years of hard work and dedication. The result could be seen not only in the fabulous Museum & Visitor Center facility, but in nearly every building and new business along the National Historic District running the length of Main Street.

Once inside the proceedings began with a series of speakers who focused on the impact Sanders has had on the revitalization of the downtown area which has turned Calico Rock from a pass-thru community to a planned destination for those wishing to experience our beautiful area.

Opening remarks were delivered by Calico Rock Community Foundation Board Chairman Steven Mitchell, and local museum supporter and incoming Lions Club President, Paul Sugg.

City Recorder/Treasurer, and past key member of the Museum & Visitor Center team, My Kim Simons stepped to the podium to announce that the Visitor Center was to be renamed as the Gloria Sanders Visitor Center. . . insuring that a part of the facility will forever carry her namesake.

Not to be outdone, Mayor Greg Hamby was next to honor Sanders with presentation of the Key to the City of Calico Rock, noting that much of what the downtown is today was due to her tireless effort to bring the town back to life.

The community’s appreciation for Sanders was not over yet!  Freda Cruse Hardison, an area historian and downtown business owner, proceeded to present Sanders with a beautiful windchime, quipping that at times Gloria was like a gentle cool breeze, but other times a raging wind, whatever the situation demanded.

Next, Olivia Bennett presented a bracelet, with Gayle Cooper following up with an engraved plaque which whimsically conveyed the sentiments of the entire community.

It should be noted that chamber music during the reception was provided by CRHS band members with members of the CRHS choral group offering a heartfelt vocal song.

Moving toward the end of the formal program, Steven Mitchell offered comments sharing a number of stories of his work with Gloria over the past years, beginning with when she kept calling and pestering him about the need to revive downtown, which at the time only contained two operating businesses, Don Quixote’s Restaurant and Clinkingbeard’s Dry Goods.

“I ignored her call three times,” he recalled.  He finally relented and picked up to only hear Gloria give him five minutes to get downtown.  “What’s more important than saving this town?” she demanded.  Now with the fear of God upon him, Mitchell hurried to Main Street where he walked in on Gene Lockie, Dean Hudson and Wayne Wood, all who had most likely gotten similar calls.

From that first meeting plans began to develop on what could be done to revitalize the nearly dead downtown area.   A small visitor center and local museum was one of those ideas which over the years grew into the wonderful facility we have today.

Other buildings were slowly acquired, renovated and reoccupied by businesses such as the Printing Press Café, The General Store, the Massage Clinic, the Old Coal House, The Lofts, the current Museum & Visitor Center. . . .and most recently the old hardware store in which the group was now gathered.

Mitchell and Sanders, along with many other dedicated volunteers and team members, worked together to transform our downtown into a place where folks want to stop, stroll through history, eat lunch, get an ice cream or just enjoy the day shopping collectibles, crafts and antiques.

Sanders had often expressed a desire to hang a painting from the museum’s collection of which she was particularly fond entitled “Dancing Trees” as part of the décor in her office, a wish recently granted by Mitchell and the Board.  In parting the painting was presented to Gloria as a fond remembrance of the life she had brought back to our community.

It was now the guest of honor’s turn at the podium.  Though understandably emotional at times, Gloria thanked everyone for their love and support over the years.  Thanks were offered to the City of Calico Rock, without whose support the slow transformation of downtown would not have occurred.

She made a point to say that the progress made was not all solely due to her efforts, but to those of a team. . . made up of many of the folks sitting before her in the audience.  The journey had not always been a bed of roses, however challenge after challenge had been met and overcome.

In this reporter’s humble opinion, an effective team takes leadership. . . .and Gloria Sanders has certainly provided that leadership over the years.

Gloria shared that she never planned to step back from her work here in Calico Rock, however health issues over the past couple of years had signaled that the Lord had other plans.  Those plans now involve a move back to Pennsylvania to be near family in the not-too-distant future.

She closed her remarks by saying that she had given her heart to Calico Rock and that it would remain here regardless of where the next part of her life journey takes her.

Following the proceedings, those gathered enjoyed a wonderful buffet table catered by the Riverview Inn.  Needless to say, many took a moment to privately wish Gloria well, give her a hug and express their deep appreciation for saving downtown and just being a blessing to us all.