FUN IN SEARCY? Somehow, somewhere, students found something to do with their leisure time. Whether it was fun or not, depended on the person and the place. Activities and entertainmen t in Sea rcy were s Lich mysteries that no one seemed h) realize where they cou ld be found until it happened. It was almost as if fun in Searcy was an accident. However, contrary to popular belief, the combined facilities of . Searcy and Harding University encouraged many potential "good times." It was up to the students to decide either to take advantage of these opportunities or not. Events occurred continuosly on the campus at Harding, which provided for a lot of action. brecially enhancing the students' interest and su pport were club sports. Rallying to their own club to win the game, fans seemed to enjoy as much competition and fun in cheering as the players did by participating in the sport. Not only were there club sports, but devotionals, parties and meetings helped every student to fill up his own pocket calendar. But there came a time in the student's life when they had yet more extra time (as in every weekend). When suddenly Harding had nothing to offer on a weekend, for most students the only place to which to turn was Searcy. Although Searcy was not a large city , it enjoyed a rural peacefulness that was approved by most residents. Unfo rtunately for adventure-seeking students, Searcy offered a finite number of entertaining activities, which some students argued that they could be counted on one hand. Despite the first few weeks of culture shock for big-city students, they finally adapted to Searcy's form of fun. Perhaps not offering the quantity of a large* scale populous, Searcy did seem to have the basics for an entertaining evening - arcades, restaurants and a movie theater. Playful Quarters was frequented a great deal by University students. Grabbing extra bonus in the egg wave of Joust, kicking crawlers down the sewer in Mario - Wrs Hoit,md Bros. and just staying alive in the animated action of Dragon's Lair drained many pockets dry of quarters, but not before thrilling the student's imagination. Not only did the arcade enjoy a location near Harding's campus, but it offered two plays for a quarter, which was a deciding factor in its favor. Restaurants were scattered across the city of Searcy, and especially during registration University stude nt s were enveloped in enticing advertisements. Free hamburgers, barbeques and steak specials characterized many of these coupons, and most eating places succeeded in attracting the student's appetite. Whether it was a meeting place for friends, or eating out with your date, the Searcy restaurants satisfied nearly all the student 's cravings. After any sports event or movie , a popular place to retreat to was Wendy's . As the night wore on, tables were placed end to end as more and more students gathered for fun times and light conversation. Mazzio's caught large crowds of students by com* bining good*tasting pizza and a student discount every Monday night. Representing the only movie theater in Searcy, the Rialto presented a wide variety of films . Hilarious comedies and adventure stories were the kinds of movies most frequently shown. Although the Student Association of Harding was limited hy their budget in picI$ing present-day films, the Rialto was able to bring premiere presentations such as "Return of the Jedi," "Superman III " and "War Games. " Tuesdays were big buck night for the Rialto. Students took advantage of this ' weekly discount to see their favorite movie for one dollar. In the end, the bottom line for a student's fun time was not totally focused on the activity, but with whom the student shared it. It was not a mystery or accident that a group of friends generated a lively time, and had fun - even in Searcy. ~. - Mi chael Kelly - Chris Dei 1. Wendy's restau.rant provided a relaxed atmosphere for students to en - joy tlJeir favorite soft drink alld friends. 2. Mania's Pizza Parlor combines colorful neon signs and great - tastiflg pizza to attract students. 3. Located ill downtown Searcy, the Rialto gave students an altema tive to the S.A. movies all campus by hosting many mo vie premiers . 4. Frank Loll and Bill Ward provide the entertain - ment for the S.A. 's all-school Christ - mas party. 5. Quarters disappear into video games rapidly as students take out their frustratiolls all the animated mOllsters of Dragon's Lair. Fun in Searcy? 47
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