Summer memory making on agenda

Nearing the end of the school year, the calendar is full of end of the year musicals, plays, awards ceremonies, baccalaureate and graduation. Students are going on field trips and parents are planning vacations. College students are returning home and looking for summer jobs.

Summer camp and swimming lessons are on some people's agendas.

One advantage of northwest Arkansas in 2018 is the tremendous variety of opportunities for recreation. Within an hour, and very easily within two hours there are an immense array of possibilities for people of any persuasion.

For outdoor lovers, there are trails -- hiking and biking, lakes -- Beaver, Table Rock, Grand -- waterfalls, camp sites, and parks.

For people who prefer indoor events, there are restaurants, museums, theaters, and shopping malls.

There are historical museums and two Civil War military parks (Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove) for history buffs. And, not too far away, there's Fort Gibson, Okla., with an old fort stockade; Fort Scott, Kan., with it's mid-19th Century fort featured at a national historic site; Har-Ber Village Museum in Grove, Okla.; the George Washington Carver National Monument in Diamond, Mo.; the Nathan Boone Historic Site near Ash Grove, Mo.; and more.

Each of these are easily accessed within a day and provide a great field trip opportunities for families to enjoy and learn.

Summer is traditionally a time for family while children are out of school.

In Pea Ridge, the city Park Commission provides outdoor movies and the library offers Friday films. There are many events held at the library.

The last weekend of June, there is Freedom Fest with fireworks and music.

Vacation Bible School will be offered by several churches in the area.

Enjoy your children.

"They grow up too fast."

It's an old cliche, but true. The young adults who are parents now, don't realize it when they're tired from being up at night with a fussy baby, but grandparents know, those little ones don't stay little very long.

This summer would be a perfect time to spend quality time with children and grandchildren making memories.

Editorial on 05/16/2018