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Love Valley residents remember one of their own
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Published: August 17, 2009
When a member of this close-knit community passes away, it's like losing someone from your immediate family.
Townsfolk and others who knew Arthur Broadway gathered beside his downtown tack shop on Saturday to share a covered-dish supper and stories and fond memories of their friend, who passed away Aug. 3.
For the past six years, Broadway traveled to Love Valley from his home in China Grove every weekend. Before opening Broadway's Tack three years ago, he worked out of a tag-along trailer that he parked outside Andy's Hardware.
Tori Barker Callanan, a town commissioner and owner of Moonshine Gifts, said her friend contributed his time and talents to many projects, including the creation of a nearby horseshoe pit.
Broadway was also instrumental in starting The First Annual Love Valley Youth Ride. Friends also contributed donations to help for the next Youth Ride planned in October in Broadway's memory.
The two store owners also collaborated for three years each winter to provide food to guests at Broadway's Café. Items on the menu included hot dogs, pinto beans and whatever other combinations the two could come up with.
"We're having hot dogs in memory of Arthur," Callanan said, adding that "he helped to make this a better place."
Tara Carroll, who has worked at Broadway's Tack for the past four years, shared that sentiment.
"This place helped keep him going for so long. He loved this place," she said.
Lorra Kostszycki knew Broadway for the many "hats" that he wore, including friend, counselor, mentor, tack man, man of God and father figure. Kostszycki said she met Broadway when she was 14 years old when she came to Love Valley to trail ride.
"He was like a dad to me," she said. "He watched out for me and taught me how to act and behave."
The two also enjoyed getting together for monthly dinners, including a recent gathering that turned into a dinner party of about 30 guests. She made sure that he received the first plate of ribs and potatoes.
Broadway's family including his wife of 43 years, Helen, their daughter Cheryl and her husband, Wayne Chandler, and granddaughter Taylor Chandler, who were present for the service. Also present were his brother Paul and his wife, Patty, and sister Carolene and her husband, Jerry Davis.
"I appreciated everything the people have said and done for Arthur," Helen said. "He loved this place and the people. This was his second home."
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