Jitterbug Coffeehouse & Ice Cream Parlor

The Next Journey

2011-02-08T15:35:00.000-08:00

Owning a business is a lot like having a child - you spend months getting ready for the big day - the birth - the Grand Opening. You nurture - you want the best in every way-- sometimes there are days when you want to pull out your hair, but you learn, you get a new attitude and things are back running smooth. Then a couple years past and your baby is growing up and blossoming into his own unique being. Then comes all the activities - some before the day begins, some during and some when you should be home eating dinner. Your whole life revolves around this one gift. This goes on for what seems like forever -- mainly because you're having such a great time - but still your whole life is on a schedule - every day. Then, 10 years goes by before you know it. And then life gets confusing -- deciding what the next step will be. Time for that separation. It's bittersweet. You do your best for all those years hoping your child will succeed the way you've dreamed of.

Well, it's that time. We've put in a lot of thought, a lot of hours, a lot of days - and here we are 10 years later. We started out in Pangburn, AR as a drive-thru in a 40' semi-trailor - open 6 days a week 6am-2pm. Then made the leap to open a storefront on "Main Street in Heber Springs" - still open 6 days a week 6am-5:30pm. Then we added hours and added lunch. About 5 years after that, we bought our building - an old 2 story rock building -- what an accomplishment.

And now, it's time for our baby to go off to college

It's time to share the LOVE!

I'm still here and still working and still writing off the wall stuff with a sense of accomplishment and ready for the next journey. Not sure what it is but it'll come to me...

Brandi and Joe Lowery are now the new owners of Jitterbug! Go Team! I'm excited for you! Can't wait to see what lies ahead! Congratulations on your new adventures!!

You know who -
Cindy Lou Who ;-)

Chapter 3 in The Dark Country of Divorce by Max Lucada

2010-11-18T07:45:00.000-08:00

Chapter Three

The fog of the broken heart.

It’s a dark fog that slyly imprisons the soul and refuses easy escape. It’s a heavy cloud that honors no hour and respects no person. Depression, discouragement, disappointment, doubt…all are companions of this dreaded presence.

The fog of the broken heart disorients our life. It makes it hard to see the road.
Dim your lights. Wipe off the windshield. Slow down. Do what you wish, nothing
helps. When this fog encircles us, our vision is blocked and tomorrow is a forever away.

When this billowy blackness envelopes us, the most earnest words of help and hope are
but vacant phrases. If you have ever been betrayed by a friend, you know what I mean. If you have
ever been dumped by a spouse or abandoned by a parent, you have seen this fog. If you
have ever placed a spade of dirt on a loved one’s casket or kept vigil at a dear one’s
bedside, you, too, recognize this cloud.

If you have been in this fog, or are in it now, you can be sure of one thing-you are
not alone. Even the saltiest of sea captains have lost their bearings because of the
appearance of this unwanted cloud. Like the comedian said, “If broken hearts were
commercials, we’d all be on TV.”

Think back over the last two or three months. How many broken hearts did you
encounter? How many wounded spirits did you witness? How many stories of tragedy
did you read about?

My own reflection is sobering:

The woman who lost her husband and son in a freak car wreck.

The attractive mother of three who was abandoned by her husband.

The child who was hit and killed by a passing garbage truck as he was
getting off the school bus. His mother, who was waiting for him,
witnessed the tragedy.

The parents who found their teenager dead in the forest behind their home.
He had hung himself from a tree with his own belt.

The list goes on and on, doesn’t it? Foggy tragedies. How they build our vision
and destroy our dreams. Forget any great hopes of reaching the world. Forget any plans
of changing society. Forget any aspirations of moving mountains. Forget all that. Just
help me make it through the night!

The suffering of the broken heart.

Go with me for a moment to witness what was perhaps the foggiest night in
history. The scene is very simple; you’ll recognize it quickly. A grove of twisted olive
trees. Ground cluttered with large rocks. A low stone fence. A dark, dark night.
Now, look into the picture. Look closely through the shadowy foliage. See that
person? See that solitary figure? What’s he doing? Flat on the ground. Face stained
with dirt and tears. Fists pounding the hard earth. Eyes wide with a stupor of fear. Hair
matted with salty sweat. Is that blood on his forehead?

That’s Jesus. Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane.

Maybe you’ve seen the classic portrait of Christ in the garden. Kneeling beside a
big rock. Snow-white robe. Hands peacefully folded in prayer. A look of serenity on his
face. Halo over his head. A spotlight from heaven illuminating his golden-brown hair.
Now, I’m not an artist, but I can tell you one thing. The man who painted that
picture didn’t use the gospel of Mark as a pattern. Look what Mark wrote about that
painful night.

They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples,
“Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James, and John along with him,
and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is
overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay
here and keep watch.” Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and
prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he
said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not
what I will, but what you will. Then he returned to his disciples and found
them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Could you not
keep watch for an hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into
temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Once more he
went away and prayed the same thing. When he came back, he again
found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know
what to say to him. Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you
still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of
Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes
my betrayer!” 1

Look at those phrases. “Horror and dismay came over him.” “My heart is ready
to break with grief.” “He went a little forward and threw himself on the ground.”
Does this look like the picture of a saintly Jesus resting in the palm of God?
Hardly. Mark used black paint to describe this scene. We see a “man of sorrows.” 2We
see a man struggling with fear, wrestling with commitments, and
yearning for relief.

We see a Jesus in the fog of a broken heart.

The writer of Hebrews would later pen, “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth,
he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save
him from death.” 3

1 Mark 14:32-42, NIV

2 Isaiah 53:3, NIV

My, what a portrait! Jesus is in pain. Jesus is on the stage of fear. Jesus is
cloaked, not in sainthood, but in humanity.

The next time the fog finds you, you might do well to remember Jesus in the
garden.

The next time you think that no one understands, reread the fourteenth chapter of
Mark.

The next time your self-pity convinces you that no one cares, pay a visit to
Gethsemane.

And the next time you wonder if God really perceives the pain that prevails
on this dusty planet, listen to him pleading among the twisted trees.

Here’s my point. Seeing God like this does wonders for our own suffering. God
was never more human than at this hour. God was never nearer to us than when he hurt.

The Incarnation was never so fulfilled as in the garden.

As a result, time spent in the fog of pain could be God’s greatest gift. It could be

the hour that we finally see our Maker. If it is true that in suffering God is most like man,
maybe in our suffering we can see God like never before.

If you’re drifting in the fog of divorce, remember: this time of suffering maybe
the closest you’ll ever get to God. Watch closely. It could very well be that the hand that
extends itself to lead you out of the fog is a pierced one.

3 Hebrews 5:7, NIV, italics mine.

www.maxlucado.com – (UpWords Ministry) pg 13

One-third of workers need this to get through the workday : The Work Buzz

2010-11-15T13:21:00.000-08:00

One-third of workers need this to get through the workday : The Work Buzz

'Tis the Season

2010-11-06T09:04:00.000-07:00

This is why we at Jitterbug Coffeehouse start early.
Why not have the spirit of Christmas all year?

(Trans Siberian Orchestra's Old City Bar Songwriters: O'neill, Paul)
Video from RGTProd on http://www.youtube.com/

Garage-Yard-Downsizing-Estate-Remodeling-Too Much Stuff SALE

2010-08-30T10:22:00.000-07:00

American Pickers would be proud to visit our paradise on the hill just outside of Pangburn!

Friday, Sep 3rd 4pm-8pm (times are firm - no earlybirds!)
Saturday, Sep 4th 8am-1pm
(From Pangburn 1 mile north hwy 16 or from West Pangburn Gas Station 2 miles south on Hwy 16)

Just a few things that will be available for purchase:
Cub Cadet lawn tractor w/ vacuum system, interior doors, commercial glass door,vintage sinks, toilets
tables, chairs, washer & dryer, vintage home decor, lamps, clothes, dishes, quilt, Longaberger baskets, Christmas Decor, stained glass lamp, red & white enamel stuff,
Commercial (manual) Espresso machine, vintage coffeepots, misc china, demitasse cups,
toys, video tapes, older desktop computer, fax machine
desk chairs, file cabinets, bookshelves,

Discount on purchases of $100 or more!

Hello, Seattle

2010-08-26T10:44:00.000-07:00

From: Arkansas Online,Section: Flavor: hello, seattle

By JEANNIE STONE Contributing Writer

Thursday, August 26, 2010

RIVER VALLEY and OZARK AREA — Cindy Spradlin of Jitterbug Coffeehouse and Ice Cream Parlor in Heber Springs is a transplant who’s brought a bit of home with her. She didn’t realize when she met and married her husband, Clarence, in her native Seattle that her life would change so completely. There were aspects, however, that she wanted to keep.

Coffee. Pure and simple.

“There were a lot of coffee houses there, and operating a coffeehouse here reminds me a little of my other life,” Spradlin said of her decision nine years ago to open the store.

The flat stone building, built in 1939, on Main Street seemed the perfect spot with its big glass windows and easy access, she said. The morning sun cuts across a corner of the store, illuminating a table topped with a puzzle, only partially joined. Beyond that, a glass case stores ice cream, and another displays pastries. A chalk menu board, of monumental proportions, lists the various coffees and ice cream selections and daily specials.

The view from the sidewalk could easily be a painting, with a café table and chairs sitting on the sidewalk in front and the highceilinged interior. The walls, saturated with an old-world glaze; local art; and the puzzle table provide interesting depth to the painterly scene, all from the vantage point of the sidewalk.

Of course, the star of the show is the coffee, which is purchased through a Rosebud farm.

“We like to use local whenever we can,” Spradlin said. “We’ve recently added handdipped Yarnell’s ice cream, and that comes in 12 flavors.”

Popular items include homemade chicken salad, a Black Forest Sundae and panini sandwiches.

An unnamed but loyal customer commented: “The chicken salad is so good that if you put a plate on top of your head, your tongue will beat you to death trying to get at it.”

Spradlin is committed to offering the best food at affordable prices, and her coffee selections are equal to what she knew in Seattle. Another nod to her hometown is the addition of Wi-Fi, complimentary to patrons, for folks who want to plug in while sipping and eating.

“We get a lot of comments that it’s very original. Some say it’s vintage. All I know isthat from the youngest to the oldest feel comfortable here. We have elderly people that meet up here for coffee, folks that have bunco parties here, and because we have 12 flavors of Yarnell’s ice cream that we hand-dip and milkshakes, sundaes and malts, the kids just love coming here, too,” barista Brandy Lowery said.

Local artists’ canvas and three-dimensional works are displayed throughout the store, adding vibrancy to the spaciousness. Because Sugarloaf Mountain is on the horizon but blocked by the trees, local artist Ellen Hobgood painted the mountain in trompe l’oeil fashion with what appears to be the plaster wall peeled back to show the familiar flat-topped icon on the wall in a rear room overlooking a brick lanai created by Clarence.

“Oh, he did all the landscaping and remodeling here,” Spradlin said.

The coffeehouse is also part of the local music scene, with singers, guitarists and even fiddlers vying for space at the popular hangout. Book signings for local writers are also part of the eclectic venue.

The coffee, lunch and ice cream shop is a perfect foil for what Spradlin treasures the most: “Friends,” she said. “Owning a place where friends can linger and relationships develop is what says home to me, wherever I live.”

The Jitterbug Coffeehouse and Ice Cream Parlor is at 109 W. Main St. in Heber Springs and can be reached by phoning (501) 206-CAFE. Store hours are 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Check out the business’s blog at Jitterbugcafe.blogspot.com.

BLACK FOREST SUNDAE Ingredients: Yarnell’s Death by
Chocolate ice cream Wild cherries Whipped cream Nuts
Directions:
Top ice cream with wild cherries, whipped cream and nuts. Voila!

HAM PANINI Ingredients: French bread Pesto Muenster cheese Black Forest ham Tomato slices Directions: Take two slices of bread and spread each with 1 teaspoon pesto.
Pile each slice with a slice of Muenster cheese, ham and tomato and cook on a George Foreman grill.

River Valley Ozark, Pages 65 on 08/26/2010

Jitterbug Coffeehouse & Ice Cream Parlor

2010-07-24T06:43:00.000-07:00

It's TRUE! Jitterbug Coffeehouse now serves 'old-fashioned hand-dipped ice cream'!!! We proudly serve Yarnell's ice cream -- from Searcy Arkansas! Come in for a cone or sundae anytime we're open! Free wi-fi with purchase AND we serve lunch 11am-2pm Monday thru Saturday AND the other exciting news is that we have extended our hours on the weekend -- Monday thru Thursday 6:30am-6:00pm, Friday and Saturday 6:30am-8:00pm and Sundays 10:00am - 5:00pm! AND We always look forward to seeing you again!

Small Town News

2010-06-05T10:54:00.000-07:00

So much to do and see in this small town! Even national news!

There is a beautiful lake to swim, fish, ski and relax in. There is Sugarloaf mountain to hike and lookout over the city on. There is a quaint coffeeshop to sit and visit with an old friend or even a new friend.

The highlight of today, though, is hearing that one of America's Most Wanted was just captured --- eating in one of our local resteraunts. Is that considered small town gossip? If so, then I'm guilty of the gossip.

Check out the local news site on our front page so find out what the weather will be. There are also updates on fishing on the river and the lake.

Come into Heber to check out all this "small town gossip" for yourself!!

OMG! You'll Never Guess What I Heard!?!

2010-04-13T09:53:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Jitterbug Coffeehouse

Owners Cindy and Clarence Spradlin moved from Seattle to Arkansas in 1999. Seeing that there were no coffeeshops in the area, they decided to open a drive-thru espresso stand in Pangburn, calling it “County Line Coffee”. After a year and a half, they made the decision to move into Heber Springs where they have been since 2002. Then began, Jitterbug Coffeehouse!

Business in Heber Springs continues to thrive year round and Jitterbug Coffeehouse remains a favorite destination for locals and visitors from all over the world.

If you have any questions, complaints or concerns, please direct them to Cindy at (501) 206-2233

Praise and constructive criticism is always welcome If this is your first time visiting Jitterbug, please sign our guest book! Or if you're reading this online --

Become a FAN of Jitterbug Coffeehouse on Facebook

Friday Nite Buzz

2010-02-05T16:18:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! 20-10!

Ha! Guess who just woke up?! Did you think I forgot about this blog? Just been busy makin' coffee!

Double-espresso, 2 raw sugar, whipped cream, stirred - not shaken.

Play list for the night:

I Love This Bar --- Toby Keith
She Thinks My Tractors Sexy ---- Kenny Chesney
Indian Outlaw --- Tim McGraw
Little Bitty ---- Alan Jackson
Here For the Party ---- Gretchen Wilson
Kiss This ---- Aaron Tippin
Living In Fast Forward --- Kenny Chesney
I'm Gonna Miss Her ---- Brad Paisley
T-R-O-U-B-L-E ---- Travis Tritt
Whiskey Girl ---- Toby Keith
Back Where I Come From --- Kenny Chesney
Down to Mississippi (And Up To No Good) --- Sugarland
All My Rowdy Friends --- Hank Jr.

Get ready for Mardi Gras! (Red Herring!)

Thoughts on What Christmas Means to Me

2009-12-22T05:41:00.001-08:00

...Growing up I learned that Christmas meant Baby Jesus being born on Christmas Day, setting up a tree and decorating it, setting up the manger and hiding the baby Jesus until Christmas morning - then putting the small figurine between the Mary and Joseph figurines. Visiting Santa at Frederick & Nelson department store in Seattle - at the time it was scarey sitting by that man I got to see every year to get the family 'santa picture' and tell him that I had been a good girl all year and tell him what gift I wanted.... I really miss the days of dressing up in my Christmas dress and going downtown with my mom to see all the lights and decorations.... then, as a teenager / young adult I'd be sure to go to church at Christmas because it was a special time of year and I could enjoy the spirit of the season, and remember what Christmas is all about.... gettting together with family you haven't seen in a while, possibly since the holiday before.... sad. Why do holidays seem to run our lives? (maybe it's just me?) As an adult with husband, children, responsibilities, work, home --- seems like we are busier during the holiday now more than ever -- haven't figured out why. Probably because I wait until Christmas to do everything I'd like to be doing throughout the year - that's why!

Not ever hearing more than 1 or 2 songs of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, I was having a hard time figuring out some of the lyrics being sung at their concert this past weekend - maybe the music was too loud, maybe I'm losing my hearing - maybe both.... one of the songs I heard this weekend at the concert is stuck in my head - not because of the instrumental music or the light show, but because of the message -
...Where standing alone
By a broken pay phone
Was a girl the child said
Could no longer get home

And the snow it was falling
The neon was calling
The bartender turned
And said, not that I care
But how would you know this?
The child said I've noticed
If one could be home
They'd be all ready there.....

This Christmas, along with your beliefs and traditions, If you see somebody that appears to have nowhere to go, --- invite them in for a hot meal and the luxery of being with family --- it may be the best Christmas you've ever had.

Old City Bar lyrics

Songwriters: O'neill, Paul

In an old city bar
That is never too far
From the places that gather
The dreams that have been

In the safety of night
With its old neon light
It beckons to strangers
And they always come in

And the snow it was falling
The neon was calling
The music was low
And the night
Christmas Eve

And here was the danger
That even with strangers
Inside of this night
It's easier to believe

Then the door opened wide
And a child came inside
That no one in the bar
Had seen there before

And he asked did we know
That outside in the snow
That someone was lost
Standing outside our door

Then the bartender gazed
Through the smoke and the haze
Through the window and ice
To a corner streetlight

Where standing alone
By a broken pay phone
Was a girl the child said
Could no longer get home

And the snow it was falling
The neon was calling
The bartender turned
And said, not that I care
But how would you know this?
The child said I've noticed
If one could be home
They'd be all ready there

Then the bartender came out from behind the bar
And in all of his life he was never that far
And he did something else that he thought no one saw
When he took all the cash from the register draw

Then he followed the child to the girl cross the street
And we watched from the bar as they started to speak
Then he called for a cab and he said J.F.K.
Put the girl in the cab and the cab drove away
And we saw in his hand
That the cash was all gone
From the light that she had wished upon

If you want to arrange it
This world you can change it
If we could somehow make this
Christmas thing last

By helping a neighbor
Or even a stranger
And to know who needs help
You need only just ask

Then he looked for the child
But the child wasn't there
Just the wind and the snow
Waltzing dreams through the air

So he walked back inside
Somehow different I think
For the rest of the night
No one paid for a drink

And the cynics will say
That some neighborhood kid
Wandered in on some bums
In the world where they hid

But they weren't there
So they couldn't see
By an old neon star
On that night, Christmas Eve

When the snow it was falling
The neon was calling
And in case you should wonder
In case you should care

Why we're on our own
Never went home
On that night of all nights
We were already there

THEN ALL AT ONCE INSIDE THAT NIGHT
HE SAW IT ALL SO CLEAR
THE ANSWER THAT HE SOUGHT SO LONG
HAD ALWAYS BEEN SO NEAR

IT'S EVERY GIFT THAT SOMEONE GIVES
EXPECTING NOTHING BACK
IT'S EVERY KINDNESS THAT WE DO
EACH SIMPLE LITTLE ACT

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

History of Our Block

2009-12-14T12:26:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I have moments when I look around the shop and wonder what was here before. How many people have walked on this floor, how many times has the floor been refinished. Just wondering.

Larry C. came in today and made an attempt at answering the Daily Question, which happened to be a 1959 question. He told me that there was a Piggy Wiggly grocery store aross the street, where Heber Springs State Bank is, and every year the store would have 'Aunt Jemimah Day' -- they would hire a black lady to come in and dress up as Aunt Jemimah and sell pancakes; from what he said, it was a pretty big day - they always had a huge turnout.

I asked Larry if he knew what was here in our building (109 West Main Street) and he remembered it being Gregory's Grocery. He'd go to the movie theater to watch a series and during intermission he'd come here for a sugar daddy or some other candy.

More Random Thoughts on Thanksgiving....

2009-11-26T07:31:00.000-08:00

It's not wise to assume everyone has the texting feature on their phone or that all your friends and family have internet access at their home.

Rather than sending out a meaningless "Happy Thanksgiving" group text or email, why not call? or even stop by on your way to wherever you're headed ? All it takes is 5 or 10 minutes. I'm sure your host or hostess will understand why you're a few minutes late --- and if it's the food you're worried about, there will be plenty left when you arrive. Your host or hostess will probably even say, "why didn't you invite them over, we have plenty of food?".......

And if you do know someone that is alone today, fix them a plate of food and dessert ---- they will definitely Give Thanks to you and you'll remember why today is called Thanksgiving.

Random Thoughts on Thanks-Giving

2009-11-25T18:21:00.000-08:00

I thought about writing "Happy Thanksgiving to All" and then I thought, how many times have you heard Have a Happy Thanksgiving in the past couple days? How many texts do you think you'll receive on your phone Thanksgiving morning? How many emails will you get from friends and how many times will you see someone comment on FACEBOOK?

AND, will you even remember who sent them to you?

How often do I cook a turkey throughout the year? Once.
Why?
Do I cook it because my family wants it? Not really. Nobody says "Hey mom, will you PLEASE cook a turkey on Thanksgiving?" I guess I do it because it's Thanksgiving Day. Turkey Day.

What ever happened to getting together with the whole family -- everyone bringing their favorite dish, visiting with Aunts and Uncles you havent seen since last Thanksgiving, visiting with cousins, brothers and sisters, neices and nephews -- neighbors, even. Seems we get too caught up in other stuff.

I was having "a moment" earlier today and questioned what is there to be thankful for --I'll probably eat WAY too much, make myself miserable and go home and fall asleep in the recliner.

I have a lot to be thankful for but kindof overlooked it all because of the 'turkey expectations'.

I'm healthy. I have family -- my kids and grandkids -- in-laws -- my parents are both living. My 94 year old grandma is still living. I have "bonus" parents and "bonus" siblings and they have children. All living. I have a house. I have a business. And my business brings in more caring people than I can even think about counting.

So, I want you all to know, I appreciate your patronage throughout the year and I always look forward to the next holiday when the kids get out of school and come home to visit; I look forward to families gathering in our shop and sharing the warmth of their family and faith with us.

This is my Thanks-Giving this year ----- Giving Many Thanks to All of You.

Rhonda Engler singing "Fever"

2009-11-17T11:53:00.001-08:00

Live-Coffeehouse on ustream.tv every tuesday

2009-11-14T07:20:00.000-08:00

Christmas in Heber Springs -- Dec 4th and 5th, with the parade Saturday Dec 5th 6pm
For more details see http://heberspringstoday.com

Book Exchange

2009-11-12T06:44:00.000-08:00

We have started a book exchange; bring a book in excellent condition and take a book.

Welcome!

2009-11-10T09:38:00.000-08:00

Thanks for visiting the Jitterbug Coffeehouse Blog!