Page 18 - March-April HER

18 MARCH HER
HER Cover
A heart
of gold
dedicated to
community
Story by Grace Brown, photography by Grace Brown, Richard Rasmussen, submitted
After dedicating her entire career and the bulk of her free time to helping others and rallying volunteer support, local activist Cindy Baswell now looks forward to simply relaxing and enjoying her retirement — but not before she becomes Q ueen of the First Ever 17th Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
“‘What do you think about be- ing a queen?’ Literally, that’s how the phone call (with Visit Hot Springs Marketing Director Bill Solleder) started. I’m going, ‘Well ... I don’t know too much about being a queen. I’m probably better known as the Wicked Witch of the West because I’m always giving out orders with the Spa Running Festival and driving everybody crazy,’” Baswell said.
“I just really thought he was kidding ... there are so many other worthy ladies. I’m not usually a front person, I am a behind the scenes person so this is real dif- ferent for me.”
Still, Baswell decided not to renounce her claim to the throne, unlike some other well-known royalty across the pond and be- gan preparing for her role as Hot Springs’ St. Patrick’s Day Queen.
“I just love showcasing what our city has to offer, and espe- cially our downtown because I’m downtown so much because of running. And of course, you know, being a native it is exciting to see how the area has developed in the last 10 years or so,” she said.
Baswell was born and raised in Hot Springs. As a local, she said she has developed an intense love for the community. For more than 30 years, she worked as a banker and only recently retired in No- vember. During her time in bank- ing, Baswell became involved with several charitable organizations in Garland County. Her dedication
The royal treatment
18 March/April 2020 ¯ HER MAGAZINE
photo courtesy of Aaron Brewer