Remember when fancy belts for women were popular?The lovely Searcy lady who wore these belts died in 1999. I obtained them from an estate sale that was held at her home near downtown Searcy AR.  They are not very big around (remember when ideal waist size was 25") so she was a slim and graceful lady.  This fashion was popular in  1970's or 1980's If I remember correctly.She had an important friend, the mother of Cher! Click for blog.  https://activerain.com/droplet/8GDg.  Cher's mother lived in Searcy for awhile.  She called herself by the name Georgia Holt..  Georgia was born Jackie Jean Crouch near Searcy Arkansas. She came to live with her Aunt Zela Croom during the late 1930's when her parents separated.  She worked in the Croom Cafe, reportedly the only restaurant in Searcy at the ... 03/22/2023

Too-tight mom refuses to pay for a birthday card and just makes one herself. My kids had grown up and were living in California.  I was an art teacher and had been to caricature classes in Georgia and felt I could just make a card myself.  This was in approximately 1985 and it was saved by Paul. (Bet he would not have saved a bought one.) It recently resurfaced and I thought it was pretty funny.  Note the length of the telephone line!  There were no cell phones then.  Here's another caricature that I did and it will tell you how to do them.  Click https://activerain.com/droplet/4GxW  and you will see a blog with a lot of the Duncan family.  Keep in mind it was done many years ago so some are no longer members.  It is one of my favorite framed pictures.   03/14/2023

 I had lunch at Searcy Arkansas's Chit, Chat and Chew restaurant.  Is is on Race Street on the street with the historic Rialto Theater.  There are two separate entry doors.  I sat myself down and looked around and was amazed to see this large brick wall with a Coco Cola sign painted on it.  It was once an outside wall, I am guessing.  The person who served my food was extremely nice and said that folks had said he should just get rid of it, paint over it, and it was not worth keeping.  I agreed with him that it was a wonderful piece of Searcy history.He said he thinks it dates back to about 1940.   Here is a picture that I took of the outside as it is now.  Now here is a picture of the outside taken a long time ago.  Note the obvious two entries to two different businesses.  Very much a... 03/06/2023

Taking a picture of a picture is not ideal. So I am sorry the picture is not quite straight.  But......While visiting a historic location on Spruce Street in downtown Searcy AR I found this picture of "how things used to be" at the location. It "used to be" a pool hall so I took this picture of the picture.  It was called Pastime Pool Hall.  In the picture are 4 men that some may remember.  One is Tom Killough (owner of the business), another is Tom Head, another is Lloyd Welch, and last Elvin Hilger.  The pool and snooker tables are neatly lined up in the long slender hall.  The court house information says it was built in 1900 and the width is only 25 feet and depth is 101 feet, perfect to line up tables.Lined against the left wall are boxes of beer.  WHAT!! Boxes of beer?  In Searcy ... 02/28/2023

Bentonville, Arkansas with top local real estate broker, Nicky Dou | 479-236-3457Bentonville, the driving force of business in Northwest Arkansas, is home to one of the world’s most famous companies: Walmart. Since its founding in 1950, Walmart has grown from a single location to an international powerhouse with over 10,000 stores. Its founders and owners, the Walton family, have left a major mark on Bentonville. Today, they are the city’s top employers and a key to the local economy. In addition, the Waltons fund a variety of community-enhancing projects, including Crystal Bridges Museum, Thaden School, and The Momentary.But there’s much more to know about the greater Bentonville region. With a population of more than 66,000, the city forms part of the Northwest Arkansas Metropolitan A... 02/23/2023

 This is a curved pencil that shows a good sense of humor.  Evidently Carder Buick (Automobile dealers in Searcy AR and I wish I knew the date it was done!) gave them away for advertising.  This side reads  "The Only Curve You Will Receive At Carder Buick - Olds- Opel Kadett Co."  Now read the back side.See Straight Talking PAUL A.  CROOK  Cook. That seems pretty funny to me today.  Mr. Cook has passed away and I'll bet he gave them permission to put these pencils out.  Can't you just see him laughing as he gave his friend a pencil!!  Since he is gone and we can't ask him, perhaps a Searcy Sleuth will remember and share the memory with us.  Carder Buick has also gone away so perhaps the Sleuth can tell us what Opel Kadett Co. means.  02/23/2023

Boy Scout Card!Just found.  My husband's Boy Scout card from December 1949 to December 1950.  They spelled his name wrong.  Rodger had a "d" in it but they spelled it Roger.  So it went for his whole life.Someone tell me......do they still have these?  This one was very small and came in the little envelope as shown in the first picture.  I imagine it made the young guys feel important to get such a pretty card.  He definitely saved it and throughout our long marriage, I had never seen it!!  Now it's an antique!  02/09/2023

We have shown several pictures in the last few weeks that were taken by REALTOR  M. D. Faith in Searcy AR.  The pictures were taken around 1979 or 1980.  Here are two more, pretty close neighbors.  Top is one to be loved and cherished, the Legion Hut, that is very historic.  Second is (look closely) First National Bank.  It is still there.....lovely.....but with a new name.  The Legion Hut was built in 1934 and has a long history.  Go here https://www.whitecountyhistory.net/legion-hut and read more about its history. It is a treasure that we hope to uphold.  The First National Bank building has recently changed hands for the second time so drive by and check it out.  It is still lovely and is an asset to downtown Searcy AR!! I love the old pictures and hope you to too! Both buildings ar... 02/06/2023

Lovely Happy Anniversary Card.I am calling it a card but it is really about 20" x 28".  The photographs date back to around  1945 when he was fresh out of service and they were married.  In 1995 they had their 50th anniversary and that is probably when this gift card was made.  It is very attractive with the photos surrounded with the black lines that make them really stand out and then glued to the poster board.There is no date on the card and no formal signatures so we will not call names.  The card was left in a house and given to my daughter and me, both REALTORS.  The handsome couple has passed on and we think we know who the folks who gave it were.  But we are not sure.One thing we can't deny.  It is absolutely beautiful and a wonderful gift. 01/29/2023

 Another M. D. Faith real estate photo from around 1979. Searcy AR As I began two other blogs,  M. D. Faith was one of the early real estate brokers in Searcy AR.  He and his wife have both passed and their home on Pleasure Street has just sold.  An estate sale was held and I dropped by.  There was an envelop with negatives in it from pictures made by him for his real estate sales or for his pleasure.  I have a friend who was able to print the pictures from the negatives (I returned the negatives to the heirs) and this is another one of the delightful pictures.This one is still standing and is located at the corner of Beebe-Capps Expressway and Country Club Road.  It houses a business that is still successfully operating and still looks about the same.  AND!  The info at the court house... 01/24/2023

710 W Arch, Searcy AR.....a few days ago.  710 W. Arch as it was yesterday, Jan. 17 2023.  It is being demolished as this picture shows.  It was in terrible condition so it probably had to come down.  The court house gives construction date as 1935.  An interesting thing about this house is that it was an old frame house and someone took the time and spent the money to rock around it. Notice the back of the house now, the old wood siding, and the rocks that have been pulled off and piled in the yard.  It is sad to see the old houses come down in Searcy Arkansas.  01/18/2023

Another historic picture of the Rialto and downtown SearcyAs I stated in another blog, M. D. Faith was one of the early real estate brokers in Searcy AR.  He and his wife have both passed and their home on Pleasure Street has just sold.  An estate sale was held and I dropped by.  There was an envelop with negatives in it from pictures made by him for his real estate sales or for his pleasure.  I have a friend who was able to print the pictures from the negatives (I returned the negatives to the heirs) and this is one of them.Here is another one of the pictures that date back to about 1979 or 1980.  It shows a great image of the Rialto, the Cumberland Presbyterian  Church and the old abstract office.  This is at the corner of Spring and Race.  Notice the parking meters and the direction ... 01/12/2023

Here's an old photo of Spruce Street, Searcy AR.M. D. Faith was one of the early real estate brokers in Searcy AR.  He and his wife have both passed and their home on Pleasure Street has just sold.  An estate sale was held and I dropped by.  There was an envelop with negatives in it from pictures made by him for his real estate sales or for his pleasure.  I have a friend who was able to print the pictures from the negatives (I returned the negatives to the heirs) and this is one of them.Lots of people remember Mrs. Harris's cafeteria and will enjoy seeing the cafeteria plus the other businesses on Spruce Street. Now we can see how it appears on the court house photo today.  I don't know about you but I like the first look better.  The court house records also say it was built about 1900... 01/04/2023

Built in 1907 and probably elegant.....now history.This home at 207 E Center, located behind the old historic Rendezvous, is going down.  This picture came from the court house information.  It seemed to have out-of-town owners who didn't take care of it and did for care for it so it was in such bad shape that it had to come down.  Most interesting is that it was once the framing studio of Terry Williams, Searcy's fantastic artist and framer.  Terry did beautiful duck prints that can be found all over town including my house.Here is one of the house going down on December 20 2022.  I got one last glance and said my good-bye.  12/21/2022

Welcome to my blog! Hi! I am Nicky Dou. I love helping people buy or sell homes in Northwest Arkansas. 479-236-3457 Call or Text me anytime. If you are looking to buy a home check out my easy mls links to towns/neighborhoods that you are thinking about in Northwest Arkansas or call/text or email me and I can search for you! I have 21+ years of experience as a top real estate agent in NWA and have lived here my entire life. Check out my BLOG POST about Schools in NWA here. Bentonville Real Estate MLS SearchRogers Real Estate MLS SearchFayetteville Real Estate MLS SearchSpringdale Real Estate MLS SearchCave Springs Real Estate MLS SearchBe sure to visit my FACEBOOK Page for Northwest Arkansas Real Estate (one of the top facebook pages for real estate in NWA). Nicky Dou | 479.236.3457 | ni... 12/13/2022

Bentonville, Arkansas School District (Read My Blog about Bentonville Here)School info/finder - type in address to find which school your child will attend. Search all Homes for sale in Bentonville, AR (click here) Elementary SchoolsApple Glen ElementaryCenterton Gamble ElementaryCentral Park ElementaryCooper ElementaryElm Tree ElementaryEvening Star ElementaryMary Mae Jones ElementaryOsage Creek ElementaryR. E. Baker ElementarySugar Creek ElementaryThomas Jefferson ElementaryVaughn ElementaryWillowbrook Elementary Middle SchoolsArdis Ann MiddleBright Field MiddleCreekside MiddleOld High MiddleRuth Barker Middle Junior High SchoolsFulbright Junior HighGrimsley Junior HighLincoln Junior HighWashington Junior High High SchoolsBentonville HighBentonville West High Other SchoolsThaden Scho... 12/07/2022

According to U.S. News & World Report, Northwest Arkansas is home to eight public high schools that rank in the top 10% in the nation! I am a top real estate agent in Northwest Arkansas and have helped hundreds of people relocate to our amazing area. I was born and raised in Springdale, Arkansas and graduated top of my class from Springdale High School in 1996. I have lived in Springdale, Fayetteville, Bentonville, Cave Springs and currently reside in Rogers, Arkansas. I know Northwest Arkansas very well and some of the main questions I receive from people relocating to NWA is about the schools. I decided to write this blog post so that you can compare the schools and have all of the info at your fingertips in one place. This should help in making your decision of where your children m... 12/07/2022

 FOUND IN MY ATTIC!  HUGE SIGNS!Signs are 24" x 48".......pretty big and very old.  Reading the signs will bring back Searcy AR memories for sure.  There is no date but read through them and see how many of the sponsoring new car dealers are still owned by the same folks.  Then go to the ones who gave donations and see if they are still around.  Things changed greatly as these big signs slept in our attic.And they provide great Searcy memories. 12/06/2022

Check out this craftsman style home in Hyde Park Subdivision in Cave Springs, AR located at 1220 Chancery Ln. Hyde Park has a community pool/park/trails and even a community garden! 1220 Chancery Ln. has 3 spacious bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, a formal dining room, 2 bedrooms are up (primary and guest) and 1 on main level. Hardwood flooring, stainless steel appliances and a large fenced backyard! Corner Lot/side load garage. Contact Nicky Dou for your private tour of this great home479-236-3457Collier & Associates View all listings (if any are available) in Hyde Park Subdivision!     11/29/2022

Should I Move For My Job? The question of moving for a new job is not uncommon. In the past few years, more and more companies are moving their entire operations out of high-tax states to those more business-friendly. Possible work-from-home options further complicate the decision to move with your company. So, should you move when your company does? Things to Consider Before You Move for Your Company · Career Growth – One of the biggest reasons to stay with your job through a move is career growth and advancement. Speak with your manager or HR professional about what kind of career path is available before you decide. · Better Location – Companies moving out-of-state often move to a more desirable location. If the new area appeals to you, then using a corporate relocation package can b... 11/27/2022