October 2018 by 501 LIFE

2 | 501 LIFE October 2018

The care you need, close to home.

– Rowan McLeod, Unity Health Ambassador

At Unity Health, we want every patient to receive the care they need right here at home. As a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, our doctors have special access to Mayo Clinic knowledge, expertise and resources. And you get the peace of mind that comes with knowing we’re here for you.

HOSPITALS • CLINICS • SPECIALISTS

Unity-Health.org/mayo

501 LIFE

EDITOR'S NOTE

OWNERS Donna Spears, Sonja J. Keith EDITOR Sonja J. Keith

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Donna Spears

ART DIRECTORS Jennifer Godwin and Nick Walker ASSOCIATE EDITOR Levi Gilbert PHOTO DIRECTOR Mike Kemp

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Tom Keith CONTRIBUTORS Donna Benton Don Bingham Tanner Cangelosi Brittany Gilbert Laurie Green Linda Henderson Vivian Hogue Karl Lenser Georgie McCarthy Mark McDonald Mark Oliver Todd Owens

Bill Patterson John Patton Susan Peterson Dr. Robert Reising Robin Richards Jan Spann Donna Lampkin Stephens Callie Sterling Jaison Sterling Megan Stroud Katelin Whiddon

FAULKNER COUNTY EDITORIAL BOARD

501 LIFE publishers Sonja Keith (from left) and Donna Spears were presented with a certificate of appreciation from Renewal Ranch representatives James Loy and Bryce McGhee for their support of the drug addiction recovery ministry. “What an honor to be recognized by our friends at Renewal Ranch,” said Sonja.

Happy, healthy and wise This month, 501 LIFE is all about “Health and Wellness.” Like so many things, our health is typically something we take for granted until something really bad happens to us, a family member or friend. Fortunately, we have people like healthcare professionals Carolyn Garrett and Susan Gatto in the 501 who are making a difference in the care of others. As a breast cancer survivor, Carolyn has a neat perspective and is lending a hand to those she encounters at CARTI. She told 501 LIFE contributor Dwain Hebda, “I’ll tell you, cancer changes you and not necessarily for the bad,” she said. “It just changes the way you look at things, the way you do things. Things that used to be a priority, no more are a priority. It just changes you whether you want it to or not.” Carolyn has such wise words for all of us. Like Carolyn, Susan has a big heart for helping others and is using her talents to lead the University of Central Arkansas School of Nursing, which is training students for the healthcare profession. What an important role at a time when there is a significant shortage of nurses. Susan’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. She was named Arkansas’s Nurse Educator of the Year in 2018. According to her nomination, she “has

4 | 501 LIFE October 2018

literally helped to prepare over 1,000 nurses who practice and contribute to shaping healthcare in the state of Arkansas. Her consistent investment in nursing students across the years and her dedication to creating an environment conducive for students is unmatched.” What an honor to feature both Carolyn and Susan in this month’s edition. We applaud all that they do to help those in need in the 501. With a focus on health, may we offer some suggestions: • Early detection is a key in battling any type of cancer or illness. Only you know your body. For women, monthly breast self-exams and regular mammograms are very important. • If something seems off, seek medical attention. If that little voice inside of you tells you something is still not right, seek another opinion. You must be your own advocate. • Faith, family and friends are so important when battling a health concern. If you know someone with the illness, don’t just offer help. Find something that needs to be done – like mowing the lawn or picking up groceries – and just do it. Too many times, individuals are focused on their treatment and/or too tired to ask for help. Until next month, here’s to “Loving LIFE” in the 501.

Johnny Adams Jack Bell Don Bingham RaeLynn Callaway Glenn Crockett Kay Dalton Beth Franks Spencer Hawks Mathilda Hatfield Roe Henderson Jerry Hiegel Mike Kemp Julie LaRue

Karl Lenser Monica Lieblong Lori Melton Kiera Oluokun Deanna Ott Pat Otto Jon Patrom Amy Reed Lori Ross Margaret Smith Jan Spann Kim Tyler Jennifer Whitehead

CONWAY COUNTY EDITORIAL BOARD Mary Clark Shelli Crowell Dr. Larry Davis Shawn Halbrook Alicia Hugen Alisha Koonce

Stephanie Lipsmeyer Stewart Nelson Kristi Strain Jim Taylor Morgan Zimmerman

WHITE COUNTY EDITORIAL BOARD Betsy Bailey Tara Cathey Cassandra Feltrop Phil Hays Natalie Horton Matt LaForce

Hannah Owens Mike Parsons Brooke Pryor Carol Spears Kristi Thurmon

To subscribe or order back issues, visit www.501lifemag.com. The subscription rate is $20 for one year (12 issues). 501 Advertising and Publishing 701 Chestnut St. Conway, Ark. 72032 501.327.1501 info@501lifemag.com

501 LIFE is published monthly by 501 Advertising and Publishing (701 Chestnut St., Conway, Ark. 72032, 501.327.1501). The contents of 501 LIFE are copyrighted and materials presented may not be copied or reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publishers. Articles should not be considered specific advice, as individual circumstances vary. Products and services advertised are not necessarily endorsed by 501 LIFE. 501 LIFE is produced on recycled paper.

CONTENTS

October 2018

Volume 11 Issue 6

features&departments 46 Feature

Organizers of this year’s 10th Annual Pink Night at Conway High School are raising money for two families touched by cancer.

On the cover

In this month’s edition, 501 LIFE is all about “Health and wellness” with a cover story on Susan Gatto and the University of Central Arkansas Nursing Program. (Mike Kemp photo)

48 Entertaining

Three men recently made a special journey from the 501 to Texas in search of outstanding barbecue.

62 Business

When a business has been in operation for 116 years, it’s definitely doing something right. For Ott Insurance, that something is customer service.

64 Sports

More than 200 kids recently participated in the 21st Annual Conway Kids Triathlon.

72 Travel

501 LIFE contributor Linda Henderson has some suggestions for 13 not-so-scary things to do in the 501 in October.

neighbors 24 Couples

Leslie and Marc Burrows of Guy are loving life and family in Faulkner County.

26 Youth

regulars

Jackson Quick has compiled a record of achievement that has vaulted him from Central Arkansas to the Ivy League.

4 8-9 10-17 48-55 78

28 Greenbrier

Carolyn Garrett is using her experience as a cancer survivor to help patients at CARTI.

30 Conway

Sheila Franklin envisioned a mentor program for girls, a vision that became Young Empowered Sisters (YES).

78 Person of the month

Steven Webb was recently named the president and chief executive of Unity Health.

LIFE pics 18-22

'501 KIDS' 501 LIFE contributors Katelin Whiddon and Brittany Gilbert present some great tips in the 501 Kids section (Pages 56-58). Have a story idea or a young person you would like to see featured? Send suggestions to info@501lifemag. com.

6 | 501 LIFE October 2018

Editor’s Note Calendar Loving LIFE Home Person of the month

501 LIFE would like to thank its advertising partners for their continued support and encourage our readers to support these businesses:

501 LIFE is you!

twitter.com /501lifemag

B Baker Eye Institute, 29 Baptist Health, 23 Bell & Company, 31 Bledsoe Chiropractic, 55

facebook.com /501lifemag

C Coldwell/Banker-Hawks Family Team, 53 CARTI, 47 Central Arkansas Pediatrics, 57 Conway Corporation, 25 Conway Kids Triathlon, 67 Conway Pain Clinic, 59 Conway Regional Health System, 21, 43 ,79 Conway Regional Rehab, 54 Conway Symphony Orchestra, 34 Conway Wealth Management, 49

D DJM Orthodontics, 27

E Edward Jones, 52

Get “LIFE” at home! For a limited time, 501 LIFE is offering a special subscription rate for new subscribers - have the magazine delivered to your home for only $20 for one year, $40 for two years. While the magazine is distributed through more than 700 locations in Central Arkansas, copies go fast. Home delivery ensures readers they won’t miss a single issue. Readers can visit 501lifemag.com or call 501.327.1501 to subscribe.

Tune in at 12:30 p.m. the last Tuesday of each month to KARK Channel 4 for a segment on the current issue of 501 LIFE.

F Fairfield Bay, 70 First Security Bank, 80 First Service Bank, 12 Freyaldenhoven Heating and Cooling Inc., 37

Writers’ Room

H Hartman Animal Hospital, 77 Harwood, Ott & Fisher, PA, 69 Heritage Living Center, 5 Hiegel Supply, 71

L Luxury Pool & Spa, 51

M Magie Smith Charton Eye Clinic, 45

O Ott Insurance, 35

P Patterson Eye Care, 63

S Salem Place Nursing and Rehab, 2 Shelter Insurance, 44 St. Joseph School, 40

T The Bridgeway, 71

U Unity Health, 3, 33 University of Arkansas Community College Morrilton, 26 University of Central Arkansas, 41 UCA Reynolds Performance Hall, 19

W Wilkinson’s Mall, 63

5 501 LIFE, 75

Donna Benton has lived in Greenbrier for nearly 25 years. She enjoys most the small town culture and community in the 501. “But most of all, my friends and family are here and that is what makes it home!” Donna attended Louisiana State University in her home state and said most people probably don’t know that she was a rock climber, whitewater kayaker and a backpacking guide. “My husband, Joey Benton, is a lifetime Greenbrier guy, and our boys, Joseph and Ben, graduated from or currently attend Hendrix College.” Donna, who writes Home features for 501 LIFE, describes herself as a “maker.” “In my business, I design with vintage furniture, but I guess that is my hobby too! I love the whole process from discovering one-of-a kind pieces on adventurous buying trips to creating fabulous rooms where every element has a story.” To contact Donna, email donna@ waterhousemarket.com. Check out her blog on waterhousemarket. com and follow her on Instagram @ waterhousemarket and Facebook at WaterHouse Market.

A resident of Wooster for the past eight years, Laurie Green enjoys most the hometown feel of living in the 501. She graduated in 1990 from Greenbrier High School. “I attempted college at UofA Fayetteville, but found I was a much better mom than student.” She and her husband, Will, have seven children, five grandchildren and a golden retriever named Marla. A regular contributor for 501 LIFE, Laurie writes a faith column. “I love writing. I spend 24/7 with my husband doing lawn care, which we love. Sunday evenings are dedicated to spending time in fellowship with our NLC Lifegroup, which is the glue that keeps me together.” Laurie said that most people probably don’t know that she and her husband have two sets of twins 18 months apart. “I also think it’s funny that we have two daughters named Brittney/Brittainy (one of the perks of a blended family). Will likes to tell people I’ve only been pregnant twice, but we share seven kids and two named Brittney/Brittainy. It gets some funny looks.” To contact Laurie, email thegreens@ ymail.com.

A North Little Rock resident since 2014, Callie Blair Sterling graduated in 2009 from North Little Rock High School and the University of Central Arkansas in 2013 with a degree in journalism. “Central Arkansas has so much to offer!” Callie loves to take road trips with her husband, Jaison, playing with their dogs (Marley, Myla and Happy), scrapbooking and CrossFit. Most people probably don’t know that Callie lived in Germany and also had a serious ATV accident in 2005. “It is a miracle that I am alive today. God truly saved my life and today I hope to be an advocate for others who are traumatic brain injury survivors and help raise awareness about the cause.” To contact Callie, email jc@ sterlingimageworks. Follow her on Instagram @sterlingimageworks and on Facebook at Sterling Imageworks.

October 2018 501lifemag.com | 7

NEWS/NOTES

October S 7

10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Several performances are planned in October at the Reynolds Performance Hall at the University of Central Arkansas: Dracula – Sunday, Oct. 14. The New Chinese Acrobats – Sunday, Oct. 21. Rita Moreno lecture – Tuesday, Oct. 23. Chicago – Saturday, Oct. 27, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit uca. edu/Reynolds. The Heber Springs Area Chamber of Commerce will present its 2018 Business EXPO from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, at the Heber Springs Community Center. The theme is “Lights, Camera, Action! Spotlight Your Business.” A new addition for 2018 is a job fair. The event is open to the public and there is free admission. For more information, visit heber-springs.com. The Faulkner – Van Buren Public Library System will present Literary Arts @ The Library Fall Series in October. On Thursday, Oct. 4, former Marine and author John T. Wayne will present. National bestselling author, publisher and TV producer ReShonda Tate Billingsley is scheduled Thursday, Oct. 11. Author Mark Spencer is scheduled Thursday, Oct. 25. The presentations are at 5:30 p.m. at the Conway Public Library. For more information, contact Conway Public Library at 501.327.7482. The Conway Human Development Center Volunteer Council will host its 36th Annual Walka-thon on Saturday, Oct. 6, at CHDC Park at 150 Siebenmorgen Road. Registration is at 8 a.m., with the walk at 9 a.m. A Family Fun Day will follow at 10 a.m. For more information, visit chdconline.wixsite.com/ conwayhdc/walk-a-thon. Proceeds benefit CHDC residents. The 40th Annual Cabot Chamber of Commerce CabotFest will be held Thursday, Oct. 11, through Sunday, Oct. 13, in Downtown Cabot. The free festival features activities for all ages, including food vendors, live music on two stages, performances by local dance and gymnastics groups, a magician, dunking booth, police and fire exhibits, bookmobile and health screenings. For more information, call 501.843.2136 or visit cabotcc.org. 8 | 501 LIFE October 2018

The New Chinese Acrobats will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, at the Reynolds Performance Hall at the University of Central Arkansas. The performance is sponsored by 501 LIFE. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit uca.edu/Reynolds. The Children’s Advocacy Alliance (CAA) will celebrate its 17th Annual Festival of Chairs on Thursday, Oct. 25, at Legacy Acres. Supporters Jeff and Nancy Hall have been recognized as this year’s Honorary Chair of the event, one of the highest levels of accolade one may receive from the CAA. For more information, visit hopeandjustice.org. Arkansas Poetry Day Conference will be hosted by Poets’ Roundtable of Arkansas on Saturday, Oct. 13, in Little Rock at the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at Central Arkansas Library. This annual event honors past Arkansas Poet Laureate Rosa Zagnoni Marinoni (1953-1969) who established the first Arkansas Poetry Day. Visit poetsroundtableofarkansas.org for information. The annual Runway Show and Luncheon benefitting the Salvation Army will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 15, at The Junior League in Little Rock. This year’s show will feature students from the Arkansas Fashion School who will showcase their original work. For more information, call 501.374.9296. The Conway County Extension Homemakers will host its inaugural craft show Friday, Oct. 19, through Sunday, Oct. 21, at the multi-purpose/livestock building at the Conway County Fairgrounds in Morrilton. Proceeds will be used for improvements to the educational exhibit building at the fairgrounds. For more information or to reserve a booth, email chapmansmarble@gmail.com. The 11th Annual Soaring Wings Half Marathon & 10K will be held in Conway on Saturday, Oct. 20. The event benefits Soaring Wings Ranch, a Christian organization that has two homes for girls and one for boys and infant and toddler home. For more information and to register, visit swmarathon.com. The annual Renewal Ranch Chili Cookoff is planned

5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at Central Baptist Church in Conway. The event will feature a cooking team competition and silent auction. Proceeds benefit Renewal Ranch, a drug addiction recovery ministry. For more information, email marketing@ renewalranch.net or call 501.733.4263. The Second Annual Wye Harvest Festival and community yard sale will be held 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, on the grounds of Wye United Methodist Church on Wye Mountain (Perry County). The free event will include food vendors, crafts, a plant swap, a fall photo opportunity, kids activities and live music. For more information, visit the Wye Mountain Church page on Facebook. Woolly Hollow State Park near Greenbrier is planning its Sixth Annual Woolly Holloween from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20. The park will be offering games, hot chocolate, hayrides, a haunted trail and a beach bonfire. Admission: Free. For more information, call 501.679.2098. The University of Central Arkansas will host Homecoming 2018 on Monday, Oct. 29, through Sunday, Nov. 4. Activities will include a Young Alumni Night, Greek Step Show, Half-Century Brunch and Bear Bash. The UCA Bears will play the Lamar Cardinals at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, at Estes Stadium. For more information, visit uca.edu/ homecoming.

To submit a calendar item, please send information to info@501lifemag.com. To see a complete list of items, please go to 501lifemag.com.

Fairfield Bay plans annual OktoberFest The Fifth Annual OktoberFest at the Bay is planned 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, at the Fairfield Bay Conference and Visitor Center. “It’s hard to believe we’ve been doing this for five years,” said Fairfield Bay Mayor Paul Wellenberger. “Everyone just LOVES how we welcome fall in the Ozarks, and we’re excited to have the opportunity to host this family-friendly festival again this year. And you get to see our new Cobblestone Hotel in its final stage of completion!” Free and open to the public, OktoberFest

features authentic German treats and drinks, traditional music and lots of activities for kids

and adults. Brats, German potato salad and other treats will be available for purchase from 3 to 7:30 p.m. A traditional Volksmarch kicks off at 4 p.m., followed by “a traditional Roll out the Barrel and Grand March” at 6 p.m. Traditional dance music is planned 6 to 9 p.m. The visitor center is located at 110 Lost Creek Parkway in Fairfield Bay. For a complete list of events and times, as well as other information, call 501.884.4202 or go to VisitFairfieldBay.com/Oktoberfest or FairfieldBayConferenceCenter.com.

Soaring Wings Half Marathon Oct. 20 The 11th Annual Soaring Wings Half Marathon & 10K will be held in Conway on Saturday, Oct. 20. The event benefits Soaring Wings Ranch, a Christian organization that has two homes for girls and one for boys and infant and toddler home. Marla Watson and Amanda Castillo serve as co-race directors. The 10K registration has sold out but there is still an opportunity to participate, according to Amanda. “Due to high demand after the Soaring Wings 10K sold out, we opened 100 additional spots for Winged Warriors,” she said. “Participants can register and and once they fundraise $200, they will be registered for the 10K with a free registration! Be brave by finishing your running goal and making every mile count even more for the children of Soaring Wings Ranch!” Marla added that a Winged Warrior can get a free registration for the half marathon or 10K. “By becoming a Winged Warrior, there are tons of great

perks the more you raise,” she said. For more information on the fundraising program and to register, visit swhalf.com/fundraising. TLC Pediatrics is the half marathon sponsor as well as the sponsor for Kids Run for Kids. The 10K sponsor is Incite Rehab and Reliance, which is also the sponsor for the Family Fun Zone after the race. The Official Race Nutrition and Pacer Sponsor is The Sporty Runner. Other sponsors include: The PI Company, Conway Women’s Health Center, BancorpSouth, First Security Bank and Centennial Bank. 501 LIFE is the official media sponsor.

Both events begin and end at the McGee Community Center in West Conway. The 10K starts at 6:45 a.m. and the half marathon at 7 a.m. In addition, there is a Kids Run for Kids half marathon and fun runs. The Kids Run for Kids is a great opportunity to introduce children to the sport of running. It will take place at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, at the Conway Regional Health and Fitness Center. The events will begin in the south parking lot and continue on the Tucker Creek Trail. The expo will also be held at Conway Regional Health & Fitness Center. For more information and to register, visit swmarathon.com.

Food Hall of Fame to seek nominations The Arkansas Food Hall of Fame will soon be seeking nominations for its 2019 honorees. The nomination period is Monday, Oct. 1, through Wednesday, Oct. 31. Organizers will also be highlighting the 2019 Food of the Year, which is catfish. Nominations can be submitted at ArkFoodHOF.com and (for the first time ever) via the new Arkansas Food Hall of Fame app. Nominations will be accepted in five categories: • Arkansas Food Hall of Fame – Recognition for those long-standing restaurants that have become legendary attractions in Arkansas. • Proprietor of the Year – This award honors a chef, cook and/or restaurant owner in Arkansas who has made significant achievements in the food industry. • Food-Themed Event – This award honors a community food-themed event or festival that makes Arkansas a great place to live and visit. • People’s Choice – This award is truly in the hands of Arkansans and identifies the public’s favorite. The restaurant or food truck that receives the highest number of votes wins. • Gone But Not Forgotten – This honor recognizes the collective culinary legacy of a once-and-always influential Arkansas restaurant that has since ceased operations. Finalists and winners will be chosen by a committee of Arkansans who are historians, chefs, foodies and food authors. Committee members include, Paul S. Austin, Evette Brady, Chip Culpepper, Cindy Grisham, Stacy Hurst, Montine

McNulty, Tim Morton, Rex Nelson, Tim Nutt, Kat Robinson, Christina Shutt and Swannee Bennett. Honorees and finalists will be announced at a special ceremony on Monday, Feb. 25, at the Ron Robinson Theater in Little Rock. For more information, visit ArkFoodHOF.com.

October 2018 501lifemag.com | 9

LOVING LIFE

Sharing the 501 LIFE spirit

501 readers are enjoying LIFE and sharing their trips and special occasions with others. An overwhelming number of readers are submitting “Loving LIFE” photos for inclusion in the magazine, and every effort is being made to publish them as soon as possible. Headed out on a special trip? Pack a copy of 501 LIFE in your suitcase, snap a photo at your destination and send it to us for publication in a future issue. Have a special occasion or get-together coming up? Take 501 LIFE along, take a photo and send it to us. Photos can be submitted by email to info@501lifemag.com or by mail to Reader Photos, c/o 501 LIFE, 701 Chestnut St., Conway, Ark. 72032. Please include the names of those in the photograph and their hometowns along with contact information. (Sorry, photos will not be returned by mail but can be picked up at the 501 office.) Here’s to “Loving LIFE.” – Sonja Keith

“Loving LIFE” at the Garrett Strong Family Reunion. Thirty-one family members met at TanTar-A Resort Golf Club, Marina & Indoor Waterpark on Lake of the Ozarks, Osage Beach, Mo., for the reunion. Marley Garrett is holding 501 LIFE.

Howard Glover Jr. (from left), Billy Henry, Dorothy Little Stevenson and Anna Henry Kennedy were “Loving LIFE” at the Guy-Perkins High School 60th year class reunion. 10 | 501 LIFE October 2018

Dale Scott was “Loving LIFE” as he celebrated his 90th birthday surrounded by family and friends at the Perryville Fairgrounds. Dale is a lifelong resident of Perry County and is lovingly known as “the best uncle ever.” He is a son of the late Jess and Daisy Scott of Perry County.

Joy Brannon (right) was “Loving LIFE” as she celebrated her retirement, alongside co-workers, family and friends from Central Arkansas Pediatrics. Joy celebrated 16 years of service to the clinic on Aug. 31. Michele Summers (left), a longtime, former employee of the clinic, who moved to NWA in 2016, joined her for the festivities.

J.C. (from left) and Avanelle Merritt with Carol and Paul Wilcox were “Loving LIFE” at the Guy-Perkins High School 60th year class reunion. J.C. and Paul are former Guy-Perkins teachers.

Representatives of the Conway Regional Health System – a sponsor for this year’s 501 Football/ Basketball Team – were “Loving LIFE” with this year’s edition of 501 Football: Marla Hambuchen (from left), Dot Welch, Lori Ross, Lanette Rogers, John Patton, Brandi Keith and Cassaundra Mierke.

First Security Bank employees Stefanie Vann (from left), Margaret Smith and Johnny Adams were “Loving LIFE” with this year’s 501 Football edition.

Conway Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Center representatives Greg Hogue (left) and Todd Greer were “Loving LIFE” with a copy of this year’s 501 Football. Greg is the director of physical therapy and Todd is the clinic administrator.

October 2018 501lifemag.com | 11

LOVING LIFE

Faulkner County clubs celebrating 4-H Month Several special activities are planned in October in Faulkner County as young people celebrate 4-H Promotion Month. According to Kami Green, county extension agent for 4-H, the program is for young people ages 5 to 19. “It’s about family, fun and flexibility,” she said, adding that it used to be known for cows and cooking. “Whatever you’re interested in, I’m 99.9 percent sure there’s a project for it.” Faulkner County has about 440 members with 21 clubs meeting throughout the county. She said there are 217 certified volunteers. Kami said one of the things she enjoys about 4-H is the program helps identify and fosters a young person’s interest, which can lead to a career in adulthood. “You can mold it to be whatever you want it to be.” She said it can also promote leadership. “It can open up a world you didn’t even know existed.” Each club has a different focus and typically meets monthly after school, but there are several in-school programs in Faulkner County that meet during designated club times. She said this is the third year for the pilot program and there are in-school clubs at Wooster Elementary School, Greenbrier Eastside Elementary and St. Joseph Elementary in Conway. Students in those clubs number about 250. “It is totally different in every school,” she said, adding that one is wellness focused while another is geared toward literacy. The Wooster club is focused on STEM and robotics. Registration for 4-H is free and is made at 4Honline.com. New members should contact Kami to get a list of clubs. Each week, she produces an email with information on activities on all levels. “You get to make the program what you want it to be.” 4-H members, including in-school club members, are eligible to compete in county contests and participate in 4-H activities on the local and state level. There are several county-wide activities held each year which are typically free, including a Christmas party. Among the activities planned in October: Saturday, Oct 6 – 4-H and Agriculture Day will be observed at the University of Central Arkansas football game, scheduled at 6 p.m. During tailgating, there will be 4-H exhibits and livestock projects as well as an information booth on the program and how to join. The 4-H mascot, Mr. Clover Bud, will also be available for photos. Raffle tickets will also be sold for a Gator Utility Vehicle to be given away later in the month. Monday, Oct. 22 – The 4-H Foundation will host a “Poor Boy Supper” at 6 p.m. at the Spiritan Center at St. Joseph School. The cost is $15 per person and $40 per family. The menu will include pinto beans and ham, cornbread, fried potatoes, coleslaw and banana pudding. 4-H clubs will provide themed gift baskets that will be auctioned. There will also be music and entertainment. The winner of the Gator raffle drawing will also be announced. Proceeds benefit the Faulkner County 4-H Foundation. 12 | 501 LIFE October 2018

Members of the Golden Clovers 4-H Club were “Loving LIFE”: Rebekah Faulkner (from left), Kendall Faulkner, Peyton Roberts, Abby Faulkner, Delaney Roberts and Lily Roberts.

The Canine Companions Dog Club was “Loving LIFE”: Trysten Smith (back, from left) and DJ, Sami Porter and Barney, AJ Porter and Ruger, Abbie Rusher and Muffin, Maddie Lewis and Rocky, Joy Murdock and Charlie, Victoria Lambert and Belle, Skylar Acebedo and Johnny, JoHannah Smith and Sophie, Gigi McMurtrey with Beulah and Rey; Tammy Calico (front) and Count, Cadence Valentino and Bella, Jessalyn Davis and her dog, and Cecilia Trubiano and Sadie. Wednesday, Oct. 31 – 4-H members will participate in Trunk or Treat at Antioch Baptist Church in Conway. In addition to the events, a Faulkner County 4-H alumni group is being created. According to Kami, there is a state alumni group but not one at the county level. Members of the county group will be a resource and assist 4-H members as they work on their projects.

They can also serve as judges for 4-H competitions. “There’s always a need for volunteers for all of our contests.” For more information, call the extension office at 501.329.8344. Kami grew up in 4-H and her mom still oversees a club. “It’s just part of your growing up,” she said. “I bleed green. It’s just part of you.”

Matthew Carter Loan Oï¬&#x192;cer, Greenbrier

LOVING LIFE

Members of the Hawk Family took 501 LIFE along to Naples, Fla.: Julia Elbert (from left), Johnna Brewer, Rosa Dougherty, Sharon Hardin and Jane Hawk. Bill and Liz Matthews of Morrilton were “Loving LIFE” in the Mountain Time Zone celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. They visited historical sites and tourist attractions in Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas.

The Joe and Marilyn Gunther family was “Loving LIFE” on a recent family vacation to Gulf Shores, Ala.: Eli Roath (from left), Justin Roath, Dr. JoAnna Roath, Chloe Roath, Chase Hawkins, Judy Hawkins, Gavin Hawkins, Justin Hawkins, Joe Gunther, Joe Sommers, Marilyn Gunther, Jessica Sommers, DJ Cupp, Justin Sommers, Wade Sommers, Carly Cupp and Jennifer Cupp.

14 | 501 LIFE October 2018

“Loving LIFE” at Chankanaab National Park in Cozumel, Mexico: Aleah Whiddon (front, from left), Ashlynn Whiddon; Alex Douglas (back), Katelin Whiddon, Travis Douglas, Daniel Whiddon and Lisa Douglas.

‘Loving LIFE’ and a new friendship by Laurie Green

One of my favorite things about being a contributor to this magazine is getting to share my adventures. At the end of July, a group of very dear friends and family attended a cruise on the Carnival Triumph. This was my second time to enjoy my newfound favorite vacation mode, and it was a trip that did not disappoint. Of course, I carried a copy of 501 LIFE magazine for some cool photo opportunities, but little did I know how this magazine was going to forge a new friendship that would reach across oceans. As much as I love the excitement aboard the floating entertainment of the cruise ship, I am very much a people person. I enjoy talking with the crew and learning about the life they live, so it was only natural that I would strike up a friendship with our room steward, Larsen Reyes. Larsen is from a small city in the Philippines about an hour away from Manila called Cavite. For the past 11 years, he has done what he does best, making sure he takes care of his assigned cruise families. Larsen has a smile that lights up a room, and we were constantly in awe of how at any given time you could walk past him and be greeted by name. For a full five days aboard the Triumph, he made sure that my husband, Will, and I (as well as every other guest he served) were well taken care of and treated like VIPs. I gave Larsen my magazine after we posed for a picture, thinking he might enjoy seeing and reading all about our fabulous 501 area. So imagine my surprise when he told me that another contributor to the magazine who shared the opposite page to my article had written a whole story about the town his mother is from. I couldn’t believe the chances of such a coincidence like that would take place. It gave us even more of a connection to talk about. We made sure to exchange info and promised to keep in touch, which is exactly what we have done. Through our newfound friendship over 501 LIFE, I have learned so many interesting stories from Larsen. Like the fact that the ship never really stops. As soon as one group departs another group is loading on. So every week is back to back cruises where he is in charge of taking care of normally 34 rooms. Plus, after a day, he remembers everyone’s name. He is very humble and kind and doesn’t necessarily see that as such a talent. His work has taken him to such places as Hawaii, Sydney and Alaska, which was one of his most favorite places to see. Being from a tropical place in the southern Philippines he hasn’t seen a lot of snow. He tells me that his ultimate dream is to see the Statue of Liberty. With the ship about to dry dock to be renovated, he should get that opportunity as soon

Will and Laurie Green were “Loving LIFE” with their room steward, Larsen Reyes.

“Loving LIFE” as they set sail on a cruise: Mark Pavlu (from left), Shelia Pavlu, Laurie Green and Will Green. as it’s finished and travels out of New York. I’m very thankful for the friendship and the opportunity that writing for 501 LIFE has given to me. I’ve enjoyed learning about other cultures and

sharing about ours. I am excited to know I have a connection and a friendship that reaches across the oceans. Until we meet again, safe travels to my friend.

October 2018 501lifemag.com | 15

LOVING LIFE

Nicole J and Woody Cummins were “Loving LIFE” at open house at the beginning of the school year.

Representatives of Conway Christian School, Hooten’s and Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield were “Loving LIFE” as they partnered to pack nearly 20,000 meals for the hungry in Arkansas through Pack Shack ministry. On hand for the event were Johnny Runnells (from left), Jason Carson and Chad Hooten. The CCS Eagles played Bauxite in the 2018 Hooten’s Classic on Aug. 25 at North Little Rock High School.

16 | 501 LIFE October 2018

Puppies to Dogs program participants were “Loving LIFE.” Morrilton High School and Morrilton Primary School partner through the unique program which pairs seniors with kindergarten students. Throughout the school year, they complete community service projects and spend time together. The seniors mentor the kindergarten students on setting a goal to be successful students and eventually becoming a Devil Dog. Janis Horn’s kindergarten students and Regina Erwin’s senior group were “Loving LIFE” as they had their end of year celebration. This group of MHS senior 2018 graduates and MPS kindergarten students began a new tradition of graduating in the new Devil Dog Arena.

The Conway High School Orchestra was “Loving LIFE” in Chicago after earning first place and superior ratings at the Festivals of Music Competition. They also saw legendary film composer John Williams conduct the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Members of the St. Joseph High School Interact Club were “Loving LIFE.” The club, which is affiliated with the Conway Rotary Club, celebrated the 2,579 hours of service to church, school and community its members volunteered during this school year by having a picnic at Beaverfork Lake on May 1. The Rotary Club hosted the picnic and Centennial Bank cooked for the students, who fished and played a variety of outdoor games. Each member received a certificate for the hours they contributed. The three Interact Club members who volunteered the most hours received gifts from the Rotary Club along with their certificates: Bridget Porcaro (center) gave 249.5 hours, Abigail Bailey (left) had 135 and Rebecca Chamoun worked 120 hours. Students from Ida Burns Elementary School’s “Millionaire Readers Club” took 501 LIFE along in May as they enjoyed a limo ride on the last week of school.

Students were “Loving LIFE” on the first day of school at Conway Christian School in the new media center.

Members of the Conway Morning Optimist Club were “Loving LIFE” as they made the group’s annual donation to United Way of Central Arkansas. The club meets at Hilton Garden Inn in Conway at 6 a.m. every Tuesday. The group’s fundraising effort is to sell fresh Christmas trees. Members also host a fishing derby for the youth every year at the Bob Courtway Middle School pond. Students from Vilonia Middle School, Vilonia Freshman Academy and Vilonia High School took 501 LIFE along as they participated in the Arkansas Council of Teachers of Mathematics Regional Contest at the University of Central Arkansas. Three of the students went on to compete in the state competition. “Thank you students for making Vilonia proud!”

October 2018 501lifemag.com | 17

LIFE PICS

Jay Cherry (from left), David Spadlin, Donnie Miller and Mitchell Hamilton.

Ray Montgomery and Keith Feather.

Retiring Montgomery honored at reception Robin Richards photos

Unity Health recently hosted a retirement celebration for Ray Montgomery, president and chief executive officer. Montgomery was recognized for his 30 years of dedicated service to health care in the Searcy area. He first began in respiratory therapy, and it was through this career he was exposed to caring and interacting with patients, working alongside physicians and associates and learning how to navigate working in a hospital. Before making Arkansas his home, Montgomery was raised in Kansas, and later spent time in Oklahoma and Texas, beginning at White County Medical Center on Aug. 8, 1988. During his tenure, Montgomery has led the hospital through extensive facility improvements and acquisitions of local hospitals, including Central Arkansas Hospital of Searcy and Harris Hospital in Newport, along with a number of clinics. He has also been instrumental in the building of The Pyeatt Family Cancer Center, creating the Unity Health Graduate Medical Education program and leading the organization to become the first hospital in the state to be accepted into the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

Chane Carter (from left), Rebecca Montgomery and Amy Daniels.

BK Mtgongana (from left), Ray and Rebecca Montgomery, and Sara Montgomery.

Marvin (from left) and Kathy Delk with Janet Hines and Rachel Stegall.

Sooyah Mhlamgoe (from left), Jonathan Mhlamgoe, BK Mtgongana, Rob and Mary Jane Montgomery.

Shelley Faulkner (left) and Amy Burton. 18 | 501 LIFE October 2018

October 2018 501lifemag.com | 19

LIFE PICS

St. Joseph High School Principal Diane Wolfe and husband, Keith, who’s heading up the school’s new Industrial Arts program.

The Tom and Rhonda Hambuchen family, including children Ethan (from left), Natalie and Grayson, with the 2018 Ford Edge SUV they won.

St. Joseph hosts annual bazaar Food and family fun were among the activities during the 106th Annual St. Joseph School Bazaar held Aug. 3-4 in Conway. The event included a spaghetti dinner, box lunches, a midway, a raffle, an online auction, games and carnival food. Tom and Rhonda Hambuchen were the winners of a 2018 Ford Edge SUV from Smith Ford, which was given away as the grand prize in this year’s raffle. Accessories were provided by Conway Glass Tinting. Other raffle winners were Terry Kohnke, who won a Yamaha generator from Duncan Outdoors ($1,100); and Jason Westerberg, a McKinney Tire gift certificate ($800). The winners from Raffle Row were: Melissa Jerrell – E-Z Go Custom Golf Cart $500 CASH – Lisa Gamble $500 Strain Photography Gift Certificate – Lindsay Magie Steve Griffith Painting – Robbie Davis Konstantino Sterling Silver Engraved Design Cross Charm Bracelet ($680 value) – Steve Neal $500 Credit/St. Joseph After School Program – Tanya Downey Ice chest stocked full of beverages – Brandi Covington $2500 School Tuition Winner – Amelia Erstine Laptop – Nick Zopolos Chromebook – Frank and Jo Anne Mayor PLINKO Laptop – Brinley Nipper For more information, visit sjsbazaar.weebly.com. Proceeds support St. Joseph School.

20 | 501 LIFE October 2018

Cathy Kordsmeier (front) and Tharen French.

Christine (from left) and Silas Valdez with Triple Williams.

Julie and Mike Prall.

Mattie Elsinger (from left), Brandi Enloe and Linzy Hoelzeman.

Associate Pastor Father Chandra Kodavatikanti (left) and Pastor Father Tony Robbins.

Four year-old Ethan Hiegel gives caller Cash Schichtl a hand.

LIFE PICS

Congressman French Hill makes a presentation to Joseph Gilliam, who was accompanied by his wife, Jane.

Vietnam veteran presented medals at Lions meeting Donna Spears photos

Joseph Gilliam of Greenbrier was recently presented with a Purple Heart medal and Bronze Star during a meeting of the Conway Lions Club. Congressman French Hill made the presentation to Gilliam, who wore his military uniform to the meeting. Gilliam earned the medals while serving May 1968 to May 1969 in Vietnam but they were not presented prior to his departure from the country. He served with the 25th Infantry Division. Gilliam also earned a National Defense Service Ribbon, the Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Expert Rifle Badge and Automatic Rifle Marksman Badge.

The Gilliam Family: Lisa Brown (front from left), Regina DeSalvo, Beau Robinson, Joseph Gilliam, Leslie Thompson, Shelly Pearson, Abby Pearson, Karlie Catner; Kella Pharris (back), Wayne DeSalvo, Gary Pharris, Carla Wilson, Harold Barnes, Karen Barnes, Jane Gilliam, Zack Thompson and Matti Thompson. 22 | 501 LIFE October 2018

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Loving LIFEâ&#x20AC;? following the presentation: Jerry Boyer (from left), Glen Schenk, Bill Bounds, Audie Lynch, Jim Baker, Marty Faggetti, Chris Bills (with 501 LIFE), Charley Brown, Ben McNew, Richie Howell, Jonnie Bounds, Joseph Gilliam, Harold Barnes and Charles Day.

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NEIGHBORS couples

HIM

Marc Burrows

Marc and Leslie Burrows of Guy met while attending Central Baptist College and married in 2004. She is the administrator at Central Arkansas Pediatrics and he is a certified residential appraiser. (Mike Kemp photo)

HER

Leslie Burrows

NATIVE OF: Little Rock.

NATIVE OF: Greenbrier.

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP: I grew up in Little Rock and moved to Guy to live with my grandparents, Boots and Marjorie Rimmer, before my 10th grade year of high school.

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP: My family lived in Greenbrier until just before I entered the second grade and we moved to Conway.

EDUCATION: 2001 graduate of Guy-Perkins High School and a 2003 graduate

EDUCATION: Conway High School in 2001 and Central Baptist College in 2005 with a degree in Christian counseling.

of Central Baptist College.

JOB: Administrator at Central Arkansas Pediatrics in Conway.

JOB: Self-employed as a certified residential appraiser.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR VOCATION: I began working at

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR VOCATION: I enjoy the flexibility it affords me and my family.

PARENTS: Donna Burrows of Guy and the late Gary Burrows. COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: I help coach my son’s baseball team, the Cowboys, in Greenbrier.

Central Arkansas Pediatrics as a college freshman in 2001. What began as an afternoon job eventually evolved into my career. I have worked as a receptionist, referral clerk and billing specialist at the clinic. After a year of graduate school, I determined the social work field was not my calling and was offered the position of assistant office manager. In 2011, I was promoted to administrator. I wear several hats. I work with the best people around – co-workers and patient families. I enjoy and appreciate the challenge of the ever changing healthcare field.

CHURCH ACTIVITIES: Leslie and I recently finished serving as the preschool children’s church directors at our church, Bethlehem Baptist in Greenbrier.

PARENTS: Dwayne and Deanna Thomas of Greenbrier.

HOBBIES/SPECIAL INTERESTS: I enjoy duck and quail hunting. I also like working on our cattle farm in Guy.

of Arkansas Scholarship Foundation. I also am learning how to be a PTO mom since my son started kindergarten this year in Greenbrier.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF: Loyal and hardworking.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF: Hardworking, dedi-

MOST ENJOYED WEEKEND ACTIVITY: I like a good Saturday of baling hay in

the summer.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT LIVING IN THE 501: I like the

varying scenery that is offered in the 501. The mountains and lakes as well as farmland and wooded areas in the 501 show off God’s creation. I also appreciate the diversity of opportunities and activities that are afforded to residents and visitors throughout the 501.

24 | 501 LIFE October 2018

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: I serve on the board of the Miss Spirit

cated and supportive. I am a planner at heart and love the details!

MOST ENJOYED WEEKEND ACTIVITY: Spending time with my family. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT LIVING IN THE 501: I

love living in the country, where I can look up most nights and see a beautiful display of stars without the distraction of city lights, while at the same time being just a short drive from exceptional healthcare providers, great shopping, restaurants, athletic events, theater performances and concerts. We’re truly blessed to live in the 501 and be surrounded by great people!

Leslie and Marc Burrows married June 26, 2004, at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Greenbrier.

THEM

RESIDENTS OF: Guy. HOW WE MET: While we were in the

same world literature class at Central Baptist College and still disagree about who made the better grade, we didn’t officially meet until a Memorial Day cookout in 2002. A first date soon occurred at a 6 and under baseball game to watch Marc’s little cousins play and the rest is history!

THE PROPOSAL: That’s a funny story. We’ll limit it to saying he proposed on Sept. 5, 2003, the day before our tradition commenced of attending all the Razorback home football games together. WEDDING BELLS: June 26, 2004, at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Greenbrier.

CHILDREN: Spencer (5), Addie (3) and Samuel in heaven (stillbirth on Nov. 21, 2017). PETS: Jax – our large and loving Lab-

rador retriever! We also have 68 head of cattle that require a great deal of our attention. (Leslie’s current personal favorite cow is a registered Simmental named Uma.)

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FAMILY ACTIVITIES ENJOYED TOGETHER: Camping, Razorback

football and baseball games, annual beach trip with our friends, and riding the Gator at the farm.

(501) 450-6000 | ConwayCorp.com October 2018 501lifemag.com | 25

YOUTH

Jackson in a league of his own by Dwain Hebda

By any single standard, Jackson Quick has had a successful high school career. But put together, the young man from Conway has compiled a record of achievement that has vaulted him from Central Arkansas to the Ivy League. “I think if I had two choices — to be challenged or to not have as much of a challenge — I’d be happier in the long term being challenged,” he said. “I think challenges pay off in the long run.” In the classroom, the 2018 graduate of Conway Christian School scored a perfect 36 on the ACT as a sophomore, landed the National Merit Scholarship and was class valedictorian. On the athletic field, Quick distinguished himself on the baseball diamond. He spent his freshman season as a designated hitter, then found his way into the starting lineup at second base and shortstop, which he would hold for the rest of his high school career. He played in four-straight state tournaments and led the team to a semi-final finish one year. He also captured all-conference honors as a senior. Equally impressive was his performance in other extra-curricular activities including serving as student body president his senior year and even taking a dramatic turn as Jim in the school’s presentation of “Treasure Island.” All of which pale in comparison to his favorite activity, quiz bowl, something he had participated in since sixth grade. “At first I figured I might like it because I had a skill for remembering things and remembering facts,” he said. “(Quiz bowl) is five-on-five Jeopardy, really, it is what it is. So, I had the Jeopardy skills that would kind of help a team format. When I got into it, I was like, oh wow, this is really fun.” In high school, Quick stepped into a program that had already won the 2A state title once but was

Jackson Quick, who scored a perfect 36 on the ACT as a sophomore and was awarded a National Merit Scholarship, is attending Harvard University. (Photo courtesy of Amy Jones Design) coming off a fourth-place finish the previous year. He and his teammates quickly re-established Conway Christian as Arkansas’ elite program, winning three state titles in four years and coming in second his sophomore year. That loss, by a margin of one question, still stings in the retelling. “We lost by one question, but I tell everyone I think we got robbed that year,” he said of the 2016 campaign. “There was a question on whether I said, ‘Alkaline earth metals,’ which was the correct response. (The judges) thought I said something else, which was an incorrect response.” He shrugged.

“There’s even controversies in quiz bowl just like any other activity or any competition,” he said. “I will say even though we lost that year, the team that won, I was really excited for them. If our team was to lose to anyone it would be to them because they were very nice and they were also very good.” The Conway Christian squad also competed twice at nationals under Quick’s tenure. His freshman year, the squad had middling results at the national meet, but as a senior, the team made it all the way to the semi-finals before narrowly losing a hard-fought contest. Individually, he was selected all state in quiz

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Conway Christian School valedictorian Jackson Quick at graduation with principal Dr. Billy Crow. (Photo courtesy of Sommer Holden/SoHo Photography) bowl all four years and was the Class 2A state MVP his junior and senior years, the same years he served as captain of the Conway Christian state title squads. “Even though both the junior and senior year teams were really good, in my senior year we got on a really hot streak,” he said. “I think we lost three games all year long, two of them in open invitationals. Then we went on, like, a gazillion game winning streak, about 30 to be accurate. We went undefeated

in opening rounds at nationals and actually beat the eventual champion. That’s why I would say 2018’s team was probably the best of my four years.” Quick added another note to his alreadyimpressive dossier by gaining admission to Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., which he chose over Vanderbilt University and the University of Arkansas. There, he plans to study computer science and is weighing a minor in economics to go with it. “It’s certainly a bit different,” he said of his

impending college experience. “One, there’s a physical change; it’s so far from home and it’s so different from home, culturally, the climate, everything. And when you get there, there’s certainly going to be an academic challenge. “To that extent, I think challenge is good. It helps to move into new situations and learn how to take care of yourself and learn how to do something differently than you’ve always done it. I think that makes you better equipped for the future.”

October 2018 501lifemag.com | 27

NEIGHBORS greenbrier

Survivors

It takes one to know one Story and photo by Dwain Hebda

Carolyn Garrett sits with a woman at a long conference table. It’s hard to tell the woman’s age because the chemo has taken her hair and given her skin a pallor, but one look and you know the woman is tired. Tired of appointments, tired of medications, tired of carrying cancer around like a 50-pound rucksack wherever she goes. She’s not a very big person, Garrett, but her smile lights up the room like sunlight on a mirror. She spends as much time as the patient needs, talking, nodding. As the woman shuffles to the elevator, she takes a little of Garrett’s spark with her. “A cancer resource coordinator actually sits in this room and talks to patients all day long,” said Garrett of her job at CARTI in Little Rock. “We have all our literature here; we have all our programs here. I talk with our patients about massage therapy, retreats, yoga. If they’re looking for diet information, recipes, I have that. If they’re looking for wigs, or possibly a hat or scarves, we have that next door.” Garrett knows how important these small comforts are. Not long ago she was in the very same boat as the people she sees on a daily basis, battling breast cancer and worrying what the future held for herself, her husband and her two daughters. “They did the mammogram in 1996, and they called me the very next day,” Garrett said. “They said, ‘Miss Garrett, we need to do another one, and we need to do an ultrasound.’ I said, ‘OK. What are we looking at?’ They said, ‘Well, we found a solid tumor, but we’ve got to check it out.’” The tests revealed cancer, and before long, she’d had a partial mastectomy, underwent six weeks of radiation and a mammogram every three months afterward. Six years later, in 2002, she was approaching a milestone of consecutive clear tests, after which time the frequency 28 | 501 LIFE October 2018

Carolyn Garrett is using her experience as a cancer survivor to help patients at CARTI as a cancer resource coordinator. would back down to annual mammograms. “September of ’02, I went in, had a reoccurrence,” she said with a wouldn’t-you-know-it wag of her head. This time she had a bilateral mastectomy, but that wasn’t all that had changed. In 2000, she’d come on board at CARTI full-time and was spending every working day talking to patients in ways only a fellow fighter could. “I’ll tell you, cancer changes you and not necessarily for the bad,” she said. “It just changes the way you look at things, the way you do things. Things that used to be a priority, no more are a priority. It just changes you whether you want it to or not. “I can’t explain it, but I can kind of tell when someone walks through this door if they need me to get up and give them a hug, tell them my story. Or, if they need me to just shut up and listen to them. I mean there’s just something there that I can kind

of tell.” Most of the people Garrett sees are just starting their treatment, and for many, the shock of being diagnosed is still fresh and raw. “I had one patient in Conway, female, she had lung cancer,” she said. “She and her husband come in, sit down at my desk and I was doing her registration. She wouldn’t look at me. She wouldn’t speak to me. He was answering all of her questions. “If I said something that I wanted her to answer, she’d just kind of look at me and give me that look: Go wherever you want to, but don’t talk to me. She was mad at the world, and he was trying to cover up and be nice and everything.” Later, as the woman was about to be seen by the doctor, she asked Garrett to show her where the restroom was. “I’m going to show her where the restroom is, she looks at me eye-toeye contact, reaches out, grabs me and she says, ‘I’m sorry I’m a bitch,’”

Garrett recalls. “And I said, ‘You don’t owe me an apology. I’ve been there. I’ve done that.’ I told her a real brief story how I was a two-time breast cancer survivor. To this day we are very good friends.” Garrett, 63, preaches early detection for those women who haven’t been diagnosed and a strong support system for those who have. She’s seen women as young as 19 and as old as 94, and she loves on all of them as if they were her own family. Just being alive is all that matters, she tells them — the rest they can face together. “I see a lot of females here, and more females are upset about losing their hair than they are about losing their breasts,” she said. “I think it’s because that’s our identity and that’s what people see of us. We can mask (breasts); we can put a big shirt on, we can get false ones, whatever. But this right here, our hair? Everybody sees that. So, I tell them it’s only hair. It will grow back. And I hug them, and I cry with them.”

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NEIGHBORS conway

Sheila Franklin envisioned a mentor program for girls, a vision that became Young Empowered Sisters (YES) in 2015. (Mike Kemp photo)

30 | 501 LIFE October 2018

Mentor program helps empower girls by Dwain Hebda

This summer, Sheila Franklin observed 25 years working in the juvenile court system in Conway, her hometown. In that time, she’s seen a lot of the worst that comes to kids that lack direction and structure in their lives. But what she saw three years ago changed the arc of her career and her life. “I had been witnessing over a timeframe an overflow of African-American girls coming into the court system for different reasons,” Franklin recalls. “Most of it was for disorderly conduct where they were charged with fighting at school, fighting each other. When they were asked why they were doing this, most of the answers were, ‘I don’t know.’ “Being the only African-American female that works for the court system, I felt overwhelmingly responsible for doing something. The Lord just kept waking me up at night saying, ‘You’ve got to do something. It’s not enough talking about it. You have to do something.’” Franklin envisioned a mentor program for girls, a vision that became Young Empowered Sisters (YES) in 2015. YES mentors and mentees touch base for a minimum of one hour per week, preferably face-to-face. There are also monthly meetings, which feature speakers giving uplifting messages and showering the girls with the collective positive energy of the group. The group

doesn’t limit itself to girls in the system, but is open to all African-American girls ages 12 to 18 to find a second chance or stay on the right path. “We have speakers coming, pouring their heart out to these girls, giving their own personal testimonies of their humble beginnings,” Franklin said. “We’re allowing these girls to see things a little bit differently, not just from their parents or from their teachers, but from someone who’s volunteering to serve them because we want to.” About 100 girls have gone through YES in its three years of existence, and there are plenty of success stories to back up Franklin’s belief that a positive, steady presence is often just what a young person needs to be their best self, no matter what they’ve been through. Camelia Elliott, 17, is one such success. A senior at Conway High School, she’s bound for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock next fall where she will study psychology and English with an eye on becoming a criminal defense attorney. “Since I’ve been in the YES program, I’ve stayed out of a lot of trouble,” she said. “I have a lot of resources to talk to and mentors. They take us to churches, and we just grow intellectually. I used to get in a lot of trouble, but then when I started dealing with them, it just made me feel like if I do (something bad), then I’ll be letting them down.

“And they are really supportive; you always have somebody to turn to and talk to if you can’t talk to your parents. They’re always there no matter what it is.” The organization’s mission is so compelling, Franklin has been able to organize educational trips to Memphis and Atlanta for the group as well as regular activities. She said while some people mistakenly think YES is just for girls who have been in trouble with authority, many more have bought into her vision that love and guidance are the ultimate force in developing girls into confident young women. In fact, she currently has more mentors than she has girls to assign them. “When I was coming up, my parents believed, and my neighbors and my friends’ parents believed, that it took a village to raise a child,” Franklin said. “When we meet with our girls, we are dedicated to helping to develop them and make sure that they understand who they are and assist them in becoming a better person overall. “We want girls to know that we’re not there to judge them, we’re not there to fix them, we’re not there to lecture them or discipline them. We’re there to empower them. That’s what we’re there for.” To learn more, reach Sheila Franklin at YoungEmpoweredSisters@gmail.com.

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NEIGHBORS hot springs

Dorothy Morris A life well-lived is a life of service

A native of Hot Spring County, Dorothy Morris has supported the arts.

Story and photos by Dwain Hebda

Dorothy Morris, head of the Morris Foundation, may have been born into relatively pedestrian surroundings, but every day after that has been a life less ordinary. Morris, longtime philanthropist and patron of the arts, is retiring from the foundation business in 2018, but in her own unique way. Which is to say, the average person probably won’t be able to tell the retired version from the one that’s supported causes far and wide in the state she loves and among the people she counts as her own. “I am retiring at the end of this year, but I’m not really retiring,” she said. “I’ve been asked to be on a lot of boards and philanthropy and other things, so I’m sure I’m not just going to give it up.” 32 | 501 LIFE October 2018

Morris was born in Hot Spring County and graduated high school in Malvern in 1960. After she and pioneering philanthropist Walter Morris married in Little Rock in 1988, he moved his foundation from New York to Arkansas, and she started to put it to work for causes here. From the very beginning she was a natural. “I think it’s a lot of that Southern Bible Belt mentality. You know, a lot of the churches, they tithe. I think that’s a lot of it,” she said. Asked if her seemingly endless enthusiasm had anything to do with her success as a fundraiser, she lets out her trademark laugh in peals, like Easter bells tumbling out of a steeple. “I think that people know me in philanthropy,” she said. “I like to get a bang for my buck. I check everything out. And I think people trust me.” Morris’ track record precedes her in most of the

things she’s taken on. Through the Morris Foundation, she supported more than 50 nonprofits annually and provided seed money to many organizations for decades. To the tune of millions of dollars, food banks, fine arts, medical research and other causes large and small benefited from her generosity. “Oh my gosh, can you imagine life without music and art? I mean wouldn’t life be so bland without it?” she said of her favorite and most frequent cause. “It’s educational, it gets people out of themselves and it expands our horizons, and it speaks to our souls.” Morris leveraged a particular talent for collaboration to bring simple ideas to a profitable next level. With several Hot Springs pals, she co-founded the Hot Springs Giving Circle in 2007 that created a model of targeted giving. A boot-strapped venture if ever there was one, HSGC has awarded more than a half-million dollars since its inception.

“Don Monroe, my fellow philanthropist, he’s a pleasure. We co-founded the Hot Springs Giving Circle around this table right here,” she said. “We wanted to collaborate with others and raise private money that we could use to help our county. So, we did. “We didn’t know if it was going to work — we couldn’t find any other giving circles that were really working — so we just made up our own rules.” Morris brought the same curious mix of nonchalance and runaway joy to other ventures in her career. In her stylish Hot Springs home, mementos and numerous awards beckon from bookshelves and display cases. A box of Arkansas crystals, some with the dirt still on them, awaits distribution to guests, watched over from afar by her gleaming Emmy, won for her documentary work. It’s an eclectic, surreal collection to be sure. “I’ve been working with AETN for many years, and I’ve done several documentaries,” she said. “The first one I did was ‘Precious Memories, The Vanishing Rural Churches of Arkansas’ — which was quite a beautiful film. It’s still being shown. Then I did ‘City of Visitors’ about Hot Springs and the history of Hot Springs, and it’s still showing. AETN shows them all the time. “Then ‘Champion Trees’ — they have a new book out on that, and that one really made it big. I’ve got Emmys and all kinds of awards to show for that as a producer.” As Morris distributes the remaining funds left in the Morris Foundation, she’s already got her eye on new projects and bucket list adventures. She’s looking forward to traveling, but she’s also got a seat

In October, the Arkansas Sherriff’s Youth Ranch will pay tribute to Dorothy Morris for her longtime support. on several boards and committees here at home. In October, the Arkansas Sherriff’s Youth Ranch will add its name to the long roster of organizations paying tribute to her longtime support. And you never know when a cause will strike her fancy, triggering one of her legendary fundraising house parties where giving has never been so much fun. All in all, not a bad life, she notes, a twinkle in her eye.

“I’m still going to be involved in philanthropy,” she said. “I think I can be more effective because I’ve learned a lot in these 30 years. I just think it’s in my blood. Philanthropy is in my DNA. I’ve been doing it all my life. “I feel that the coming years are going to be the best years of my life, and I’m reaping the rewards of my lifelong motto: Kindness is never wasted. It really works. And I love my life.”

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Game Health Centered

(501) 278-3000 | Unity-Health.org

October 2018 501lifemag.com | 33

COLUMNIST

‘Reelin’ in the years’ I don’t recall when I started coloring my hair, but it was a form of denial that I had moved past age 40. As a high school teacher, I felt I would have more credibility if there was little or no gray showing. I was blessed with wrinkle-free parents who died at 92 and 98, so at least I had that to hope for. Vivian Lawson I colored my own hair. That went fairly Hogue well, although each time A native of Conway, Vivian demonstrated different Lawson Hogue graduated from the University of Central results. I consulted a proArkansas with a degree in art fessional after an incident education. A retired teacher, she worked in the Conway School where a student yelled District for 23 years. She can be across campus that she reached at vhogue@conwaycorp. net. loved my purple hair. She was sporting burgundy tresses with gold stripes, so I knew she was sincere. I finally went gray and found it amazing what positive effects gray hair can give. Pastels are flattering, and you can go lighter on makeup. It also makes you more eligible for a senior coffee at McDonald’s. I met my husband at a parent-teacher conference when I was 47. We became engaged the next year, and I had a special request. In planning to get the marriage license, I asked if we could do so before my 48th birthday so I would still be “only” 47. About this time, I became aware of those tell-tale brown freckles on top of my left hand. They call them “age spots.” A dermatologist used what seemed like a hot poker to make them disappear. He said they might return. He was wrong. That hand is still freckle-less, and it doesn’t match the right hand,

Violin Hero

which looks like a spotted puppy’s belly. I retired at age 67, making sure I had my Medicare, secondary insurance and vision cards. Did you know that the government and other entities consider you “elderly” at 60? So now I was a cardcarrying elder person. I finally had to laminate all my cards as I found they would be shown often. After the age of 70, many of us frequent pharmacies and medical and dental offices. Of all the various pains that find us in a clinic waiting room, one of the worst is being forced to listen while someone’s cell phone summons them with a high decibel snippet of their favorite, nasal country singer or animal sound. Upon answering, the “callee” actually answers, rather than muting the call or leaving the room to talk, he or she — usually she — simply talks loudly about personal things, and if there are no unsavory details about themselves to relate, they’ll talk about someone else’s. Do you feel ill and are worried about your symptoms that brought you to the doc? Well, here . . . this oinking pig ring tone will surely make you feel better. When we are rescued from the waiting room and allowed sanctuary in an examining room, we may be found trying to effectively grasp an exam gown together in the back or front. This is because the nurse who handed it to you wears a size 2, and that’s

her reference point. After you explain your latest symptoms to your doctor or dentist, all diagnoses are prefaced with, “As we get older . . .” Incidentally, have you noticed that there are doctors specializing in treating newborns and toddlers, adolescents and adults, but there are relatively few M.D. geriatric specialists? The reasons have to do with outcomes and incomes. I don’t like getting older because while my bones and muscles are semi-retiring, my brain is still working. For example, I am still able to think of ways to recycle or repurpose items. Empty prescription bottles, for one thing. I use the short ones for storing bread package twist ties, and the tall ones to cover the fill tubes of my Earthbox planters. They say it keeps mosquitoes from going into the tube, but apparently no one has told the mosquitoes. George Burns once stated that, “You know you’re getting old when you stoop to tie your shoelaces and wonder what else you could do while you’re down there.” Actually, it makes perfect sense now, whether it is shoe laces or Velcro! You might even find that expensive teeny pill you dropped last week but couldn’t see. There are some people you can’t talk to about getting older. They jovially reply, “Well, it beats the alternative!” Entertainer Maurice Chevalier famously said that, and he is now long gone. He doesn’t have his favorite TV shows interrupted with ads for hearing devices, medical alarms and personal health items wrapped in discreet packaging. He doesn’t have a fixed income either, which means that although the cost of his fiber supplement rises, the cost of living needed to purchase it never increases! One has to face the fact that we begin to age the minute we’re born. Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Today is the oldest you have ever been and the youngest you’ll ever be again.” No matter your age, being caught in that particular middle is never a good thing. Except, by the grace of God, you are still living!

Violins take the stage! Guest artist Kiril Laskarov brings his “A” game to Mendelssohn’s violin concerto, PLUS the full orchestra will blow you away with Beethoven’s heroic Symphony No. 3. No need to worry about bandwidth or processing speed - we are live and in your face. Get ready for excitement in real time!

:30 PM 7 3 V NO FRIDAY, Reynolds Performance Hall • UCA Campus, Conway • Tickets (501) 450-3265 • ConwaySymphony.org

34 | 501 LIFE October 2018

Applying knowledge As I sit down to write this article, I thought what a shame that I can’t share a fabulous story with everyone on how I had overcome all my weight loss struggles and I was now half the person I used to be. It’s certainly not due to lack of knowledge on how to lose weight. Lord knows Laurie Green I’ve read almost all the books, attended multiple A Greenbrier native, Laurie is the seminars and support wife of Will Green. The two share seven children, five grandchildren groups and tried all the and a golden retriever named countless miracle pills Marlo. They own and operate out there. Yet another a lawn care business and are members of New Life Church in year is almost over and Greenbrier. Laurie can be another resolution has reached at thegreens@ymail.com. gone undone. The truth is that I love to eat things that aren’t beneficial to my weight loss, and just because I “know” what I should do doesn’t necessarily mean I’m applying it. Which brings me to the next point. How often do we find ourselves totally immersed in the knowledge of our Savior, yet dropping the ball when it comes to “applying” that knowledge into action? It’s easy to attend church or life groups and represent Jesus well in our actions, but what about when we need to exercise our faith in a more difficult situation? That driver who just cut you off, the coworker who stabbed you in the back, the neighbor you just don’t like. How do you show the love of Jesus in those situations? In Luke 6:32, Jesus says, “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them.” He continues in Luke 6:36 to say, “Be merci-

ful, just as your Father is merciful.” Jesus said this because He knew how we would be prone to love those we found easy to love and avoid those we found difficult. No matter how much “knowledge” in the Bible that we possess, if we don’t apply that in our lives, we will never accomplish the goals that God created us to do! We aren’t supposed to pick and choose the parts of scripture that we want and skip the parts we don’t like. When we do, it’s just like my failed diet . . . not because I lack of knowledge, but because I lack of application. The good news is that God’s mercies are new

FAITH

every day! If you have breath in your lungs then you have the power to accomplish the task God has at hand for you today. Immerse yourself in the wonderful, beautiful knowledge of Jesus and then do the most important next step — apply what it says. Allow yourself to trust Jesus and get through those uncomfortable situations. Sometimes to reach broken people we have to love them in those broken places. The reward for not just “knowing” but “applying” God’s word is eternal and could just very well change someone’s life for the best.

October 2018 501lifemag.com | 35

Saying goodbye FAITH

St. Joseph looks back on landmarkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history

A school gymnasium under construction in 1958 at St. Joseph School. Another landmark structure in the history of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Conway was demolished in mid-July to accommodate its recent growth and expansion. The lot where the parish hall stood, which had doubled as a cafeteria for high school and middle school students since 1995, is now being converted into additional parking space. The building originally opened as a school gymnasium in the fall of 1959. Prior to that, the boys and girls basketball teams, which had been organized earlier in that decade, competed in the old National Guard Armory at Locust Avenue and Caldwell Street. It has long since been the Conway Fire Departmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Central Station. Plans for the gym were initiated by Father Sylvester Dellert at a cost of $100,000. It took up an area of nearly 12,000 square feet and could seat about 600 fans. It was designed by parishioner Leo J. Hiegel, an architect with the Little Rock firm of 36 | 501 LIFE October 2018

Guests attend a recent H.O.O.K.S. Fish Fry held in the St. Joseph Parish Hall.

Weaver and Hiegel. Townsend Construction Company of Conway had the primary building contract. The gym was blessed and dedicated by Arkansas Bishop Albert L. Fletcher on April 12, 1959. More than three decades later, Father Tony McKay led efforts to build a new gym west of the church on the west side of the railroad tracks. It opened in the fall of 1995 and was named the Family Activities Center. The last athletic contest in the old gym was a peewee basketball tournament held in March 1995. Remodeling work began soon afterward. As a parish hall and cafeteria, the building was in constant use for meetings, conferences, wedding and funeral receptions, school dances and large functions as the School Bazaar Spaghetti Supper and the Helping Out Our Kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; School (H.O.O.K.S.) Fish Fry. In its last days, the building was briefly used as a training site by the Conway Fire Department.

The early days of the structure, built as a gymnasium.

The parish hall was festively decorated for the school bazaar spaghetti supper in 2009.

When a gymnasium, the building was the site for basketball games.

Conway firefighters conduct training exercises on the structure before demolition.

October 2018 501lifemag.com | 37

Susan Gatto is the director of the University of Central Arkansas School of Nursing, and was named Arkansasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nurse Educator of the Year in 2018.

38 | 501 LIFE October 2018

COVER STORY

A love of nursing

UCA director’s service to profession ‘unmatched’ by Donna Lampkin Stephens Mike Kemp photos

When she was 5, Susan Gatto wanted to be a nurse, a teacher and a go-go dancer. Looking back now, she said, two out of three aren’t bad. Gatto, 56, is the director of the University of Central Arkansas School of Nursing. “My dolls had pinholes all over them, and toilet paper casts,” she said, remembering her childhood and chuckling. “I was called to be a nurse. I did love teaching a lot. When I came back to school, I loved teaching my patients. “When I got the opportunity to teach, I thought, ‘I’m home. This is what I was called to be.’”

GROWING UP Gatto grew up a farmer’s daughter on a Midwest family farm in Central Illinois. “Family was very important to me,” she said. “We had extended family all around, and holidays and birthdays were very special to all of us. Our family didn’t disperse much until my brother and I went to college.” Her father told them later if he had it to do over again, he wouldn’t send the pair to college so they would stay close to home. She went on to Millikin University in Decatur, about 30 minutes from home, where she pursued her dream of becoming a nurse and met a young man from Chicago. The college sweethearts married, and after a year during which Ron worked in sales and she worked the night shift on the orthopedic floor, they decided to move to Arkansas. “He was an inner-city Italian kid from the south side of Chicago,” she said. “His mother was raised in Arkansas, and he loved it. Every year, they’d load up and come and visit the old folks, and he thought Arkansas was the most beautiful place ever. “He said, ‘We don’t have kids; let’s just move.’ I didn’t even know where it was. I had to look at a map. But we packed up and moved.” They lived in Benton for a while, near his extended family, and she worked at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center. After a while, she gave him a choice. “I told him, ‘I either want a baby or I want to go back to school,’” she remembered. “He said, ‘School sounds good.’” So she came to UCA and earned her master of science in nursing degree in the nurse educator with a clinical specialty track while working the weekend option in neurology, nephrology and urology at St. Vincent. As she was finishing her degree, UCA offered her a job as a clinical instructor of nursing in 1989. “When I first started here, I taught pediatrics, which is hilarious because I’ve never worked in pediatrics a day in my life,” she said. “I taught fundamentals and loved it. I worked just about every class we have in the undergrad program. I loved it.” After finishing her master’s, she and Ron, an independent insurance agent, had daughters Morgan and Erin. In 2005, with the girls in high school and Gatto having taken on the position of director of the undergraduate program within what was then the UCA Department of Nursing, she started working on her Ph.D. in nursing at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Her first dissertation project was about connectedness through the internet of elderly home-bound patients. “I had it almost finished, but I hated it so bad I couldn’t finish it,” she said. “So I dumped my committee, got a new topic and finished in 10 months.” Her second topic idea was study strategies of at-risk nursing students. “It was either that or be ABD (All But Dissertation), and that wasn’t going to

When she was 5, Susan Gatto wanted to be a nurse and enjoyed dressing and playing the part. (Submitted photo) happen,” said Gatto, who became Dr. Gatto five days before turning 49. The department became the School of Nursing, and after the retirement of chair Dr. Barbara Williams, Gatto became the school’s first director. She was named Arkansas’s Nurse Educator of the Year in 2018. Gatto “has literally helped to prepare over 1,000 nurses who practice and contribute to shaping healthcare in the state of Arkansas,” according to a nomination letter published in the Arkansas State Board of Nursing’s April/May magazine. “Her consistent investment in nursing students across the years and her dedication to creating a conducive environment for students is unmatched.”

NURSING CHALLENGES Among the field’s biggest challenges today are shortages of nurses and nursing educators. Gatto said in recent years more than 56,000 qualified applicants were turned away from the country’s nursing programs, in part because of the shortage of faculty. October 2018 501lifemag.com | 39

In 1970, nursing students Carol Brown, Donna Williams and Barbara Garner learn how to care for newborns. (Photo courtesy of UCA/The Scroll) She said the Institute of Medicine in 2010 called for an increase in the number of bachelor of science in nursing graduates to 80 percent nationwide. “A higher-educated workforce decreases mortality, morbidity and readmission rates and also decreases the failure-to-rescue rates,” she said. “Right now, Arkansas is about 42 to 46 (percent). We’re not going to make it (to 80 percent) by the 2020 deadline, but in the past six to eight years, we’ve increased it by more than 10 percent, so I think that’s a really great jump.” UCA’s School of Nursing has played a big role in the state’s increases. Among its offerings are an RN-toBSN completion program that is completely online. Gatto said enrollment has gone from a handful of students to almost 40. UCA’s other degree programs, which enroll more than 400 students, include a pre-licensure BSN, three tracks in the master of science in nursing (Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Leader and Nurse Educator with a Clinical Specialty) and two entries into the doctor of nursing practice degree (BSN to DNP and a post-master’s DNP). Gatto believes a new nursing building will be completed at UCA before she retires.

40 | 501 LIFE October 2018

In 1969, instructor Mary Lachowsky conducts a class on maternal-child nursing. (Photo courtesy of UCA/The Scroll) “I’m very, very optimistically positive about that,” she said. “UCA has asked the School of Nursing to expand, and we have revised our curriculum in all of our programs in order to prepare for this expansion. Some of the revisions will help us to use our resources better and more efficiently, and then having the additional classroom and clinical simulation resources on campus will help us expand to meet those needs.”

CONWAY REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP Another UCA strategy to address the nursing shortages is a recent partnership with the Conway Regional Health System, in which the Conway Regional Health Foundation is providing $390,000 to UCA ($240,000 for scholarships and $150,000 for faculty development and School of Nursing initiatives). “We got to talking to them about how we can help each other,” Gatto said. “Students will get $2,500 per semester for four semesters, and in return, they will sign a promissory note and agree to work with Conway Regional for 24 months following graduation.” For its part, UCA is giving access to Torreyson Library to Conway Regional as the two partner on research.

In her move to administration, Gatto leads a faculty of 23 and staff of seven. She said she has enjoyed it. “It’s given me opportunities to be more of a player in making these changes,” she said. “There’s one negative out of all the 100 positives — I don’t know the students as well as I used to. That’s something I really had to think about before I took this job. That was very important to me. “I may not know all the students by name anymore, but they know who I am, and I think that’s important. I make sure they see me, and I try to guest-lecture. That’s important.”’

REWARDING CAREER She said she loved being the director of the school. “It’s very rewarding,” she said. “I love working with faculty and staff and students and the administration. We’re very supported, and that’s a great feeling. “Oh my gosh, it’s so exciting right now because of all the changes that are happening and changes we’ve made in the school. The energy is just palpable.” Hers is, too.

UCA School of Nursing The School of Nursing (SON) has been an integral part of the university’s academic community since its inception in 1967. It is located in the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences. In addition to nursing, the college includes the departments of Communication Science and Disorders, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health Science, Kinesiology/Physical Education, Military Science and Leadership (U.S. Army ROTC), Occupational Therapy, Psychology and Counseling and Physical Therapy. Dr. Jimmy Ishee is the dean of the college. The School of Nursing was established in the spring of 1967 as a result of the closure of a baccalaureate nursing program at Ouachita Baptist University. The Ouachita program was in existence for only two years after replacing Baptist Hospital’s diploma school of nursing in Little Rock. In order to provide a continuation of education to more than 100 enrolled students, Arkansas State Teachers College (now UCA) was asked to initiate a nursing program and accept the students from Ouachita. The first class of 29 baccalaureate students graduated in the spring of 1969. The undergraduate and graduate programs at UCA have maintained National League for Nurs-

ing (NLN) accreditation since 1967. In keeping with the school’s historical role as an institution for the preparation of teachers, a graduate program in nursing education (MSE) was established in 1970. In 1977 the program was changed to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). The MSN program was granted initial NLN accreditation in the fall of 1982. In 1996, the MSN curriculum was revised to meet advanced practice licensure standards for the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) track and a Nurse Practitioner track was added, with Family and Adult primary care specialties. SON has played a leadership role in the university and state in distance education since 1988. That year, faculty began to teach graduate nursing courses on-site in Fort Smith, a community that was underserved by graduate nursing education. In the early 1990s, through the financial assistance of several grants, the School of Nursing began to offer the graduate degree via compressed video. This delivery method transitioned into offering courses online. In 2006, the school received approval by the university and the Arkansas State Board of Higher Education to place its graduate degree program online. In 2010, after a careful study of the current

HOMECOMING 2018

and future state market for graduate nurses, the school discontinued its Clinical Nurse Specialist tracks and received approval to offer the Clinical Nurse Leader and Nurse Educator with Clinical Specialty tracks. UCA has the only MSN program in the state that offers the CNL track, and one of just a few to offer a Nurse Educator track with a strong clinical component. In 2014, UCA developed the PostMaster’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program and has graduated three classes since its inception. The School of Nursing is currently planning expansion of the prelicensure BSN, RN to BSN and DNP tracks. The SON is in the final stages of implementing a new entry into the DNP, BSN to DNP. The BSN to DNP track will begin fall 2019. Throughout its history, the UCA School of Nursing has responded to and facilitated needed changes in education and healthcare. Programs have been revised to ensure that students are adequately prepared for a changing healthcare environment and to meet the healthcare needs of the public. An operationalized plan of continuous quality improvement allows UCA to monitor the quality of work and make changes as needed. Programs will continue to evolve as UCA moves into the future.

Respect Matters.

OCT. 29 - NOV. 4 YOUNG ALUMNI NIGHT

BEAR BASH

Fassler Hall, 311 East Capitol, Little Rock, AR OCT. 30 | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | $10

Buffalo Alumni Hall, UCA NOV. 3 | 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Kick off Game Day by celebrating with friends, family and fellow UCA Bears. Enjoy food from Taziki’s Mediterranean Grill, beverages from Flyway Brewing and music by the Cody Martin Band prior to making your way to Estes Stadium for the Homecoming game and coronation.

HOMECOMING GREEK STEP SHOW Farris Center, UCA NOV. 2 | 7:00 p.m. | Ticket Prices Vary

ALUMNI & FRIENDS PARTY Conway Country Club NOV. 2 | 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. | $25

HALF-CENTURY CLUB BRUNCH HONORING THE CLASS OF 1968 McCastlain Hall Ballroom, UCA NOV. 3 | 9:30 a.m. | $25

UCA BEARS VS. LAMAR CARDINALS Estes Stadium, UCA NOV. 3 | 6:00 p.m.

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October 2018 501lifemag.com | 41

1 HEALTH

Breast cancer awareness luncheon Oct. 5 The Conway Regional Women’s Council is hosting a special luncheon to raise awareness about breast cancer while celebrating those battling the disease. Doors open at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 5, for the event at New Life Church, 633 Country Club Road in West Conway. The luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. “The women’s council is hosting this luncheon in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” said council president Aimee Prince. “We want to raise awareness about the disease, the importance of early detection, signs and symptoms of breast cancer and the importance of healthy habits. We also want to celebrate our sisters who are breast cancer survivors.” Statistics show that one in eight women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. In 2018, an estimated 266,120 new cases are expected to be diagnosed in women and approximately 2,550 in men. Fortunately, incidence rates have been decreasing because of earlier detection through screening, increased awareness and treatment advances. Conway Regional has invested in Tomosynthesis (TOMO) a cutting edge 3-D mammography and diagnostic breast imaging tool that offers advanced detection, fewer call backs and greater peace of mind for patients. Proceeds from this year’s Dazzle Daze will be used to purchase a second TOMO unit. At the luncheon, breast cancer survivors will receive a corsage and a special gift from Kendra Scott, a fashion and accessory store in Little Rock.

The luncheon will feature a vendor expo, including the Conway Regional Fabulous You Boutique, Conway OB/GYN and the Conway Regional Imaging Department, which will offer immediate mammogram scheduling. Representatives of Kendra Scott will also participate, with 20 percent of sales donated to the women’s council. Dr. Lauren Nolen, a physician at Conway OB/ GYN will be the keynote speaker. Breast cancer survivor Elizabeth Schaefer will also share her experience. During the program, there will be an opportunity to remember those who lost their battle with breast cancer. Luncheon sponsors are Michelle Phillips/Certified Public Accountant, Kendra Scott, the Conway Regional Women’s Center, Conway OB/GYN Clinic and Horton’s Orthotics & Prosthetics. Tickets are $25 each and include a special gift bag. Corporate table sponsorships are available. To purchase tickets, go to conwayregional.org/women’s council or call the Conway Regional Foundation at 501.513.5191.

School wellness grants presented The Conway Regional Women’s Council recently awarded seven grants totaling $4,500 to area schoolteachers to support child wellness and fitness initiatives. “I am proud to see the impact the Conway Regional Women’s Council continues to make on the health of our community and especially our kids through this grant program,” said Dot Welch, associate director of the Conway Regional Health Foundation. “And, we were very pleased to receive support from Central Arkansas Pediatrics to offer these grants” This is the fourth year for the grant program which is available to schools within the Conway Regional service area (Faulkner, Cleburne, Perry, Conway and Van Buren counties). It offers PreK-12th grade educators financial support for innovative classroom programs promoting physical activity, good nutrition and/or personal wellness. The grants stem from the council’s emphasis in 2015 on childhood obesity awareness and prevention. Since its inception, the women’s council has awarded more than $17,000 in grants. “Through the Teacher’s Grant, the Women’s Council is offering educators the opportunity to impact the lives of their students by offering programs specifically designed to promote physical activity, good nutrition and/or personal wellness,” said Aimee Prince, president of the Women’s Council. This year’s grant recipients: Tiffany Barnes (Interventionist/K-2 and running club coach/3-4, Carolyn Lewis Elementary, Conway) – The grant will support the school’s running club, which encourages third- and fourth-graders to get excited about running/ walking. Students work toward a goal of running or walking a 5K. Hannah Chamoun-Yrle (First grade, St. Joseph School, Conway) – The grant will fund a program named “Mindful Minds” and provide equipment for healthy activities. Carol Edwards (Fourth grade literacy/social studies, Frank Mitchell Intermediate School, Vilonia) – The grant will support the Club Fit program, which will help educate students about the importance of nutrition and exercise. The program also will provide recess equipment and instruction for playing organized games. Ashley Hammett (Assistant principal, Springhill Elementary, Greenbrier) – The grant will fund “Mapping Our Way to Wellness,” a program to help increase engagement on the school playground by creating clear and safe boundaries for games to be played. Amy Jones (Principal, Anne Watson Elementary, Bigelow) – The grant will continue the women’s council support of the school running club, which 42 | 501 LIFE October 2018

Conway Regional Health System’s Dot Welch presents the check for this year’s teacher’s grant to students and staff at Anne Watson Elementary School at Bigelow: Brayden Dielmann (front, from left) Grace Gunther, Bradley Griffis; Arturo Cabrera (middle), Lexi Bisbee, Ashlynn Jordan, Maebry Patillo, Hana Staples, Bella Johnson; Blair Williams (back), Bryn Weaver, Kathryn Weaver, Dot Welch, Amy Jones, Kayde Spears and Jill Blair. promotes an active lifestyle with students. Lindsey Jumper (GT specialist, Julia Lee Moore Elementary, Conway) – The grant will support a “STEMulating Outdoor Classroom” and provide resources for gardening beds to grow fruits and vegetables. The short-term goal is to grow fruits and vegetables for students. Nathan Moreland and Taylor Stone (Sixth and seventh grade physical education teachers, Greenbrier Middle School) – The grant will be used to purchase equipment to help implement a more well-rounded fitness curriculum for students during their physical education class. “ For more information about the grant program, contact the Conway Regional Marketing and Foundation Office at 501.513.5771, email foundation@ conwayregional.org. or visit conwayregional.org/womenscouncil.

Dazzle Daze Raffle prizes announced Organizers of the annual Dazzle Daze fundraiser recently kicked off this year’s event with the unveiling of the raffle grand prize – a Race Red 2018 Mustang Ecoboost Coupe. Members of the Dazzle Daze Committee and the Conway Regional Women’s Council gathered at Smith Ford to unveil the four-passenger sports car, which has a 10-speed automatic transmission and ebony interior. Tickets are $100 each and only 500 will be sold. Aimee Prince, chairman of the Conway Regional Women’s Council Steering Committee, introduced the 2018 Dazzle Daze co-chairs – Amy Reed and Shelia Isby – at the event. Amy told those gathered that Dazzle Daze was created to raise funds to be put back into the community through the Conway Regional Health System. Since its inception, Dazzle Daze has raised more than $700,000. This year, money will be used to expand 3D mammography at the Conway Regional Women’s Center.

Smith Ford’s Sam Ketcheside (from left) and Cate Ketcheside with Dazzle Daze co-chairs Shelia Isby and Amy Reed with the 2018 Mustang Ecoboost Coupe, which will be given away this year as the grand prize in the Dazzle Daze Raffle.

Dazzle Daze is planned Thursday, Nov. 15, through Saturday, Nov. 17, at the Conway Expo Center. Among the activities associated with Dazzle Daze is the annual raffle. Shelia said this year’s raffle prizes are valued at about $40,000 and include the Mustang, a Louis Vutton satchel (valued at $1,800) from Braswell and Sons, a half-carat diamond pendant ($1,600) from Lee Ann’s Fine Jewelry, a Traeger grill and meat package ($1,200) from Moix Companies and a $1,000 gift certificate from Cajun Brothers. “We want to thank the Ketcheside Family and Smith Ford as well as all of our raffle sponsors for their generous support,” said Shelia. Raffle tickets are available at the Conway Regional Health Foundation, Conway Regional Health and Fitness Center, 501 LIFE office at 701 Chestnut St. in Downtown Conway, H3 Home+Décor, Smith Ford, Michelle Phillips CPA, First Security Bank (Old Morrilton Highway and Greenbrier), Log Cabin Democrat, US Pizza, Lee Ann’s Fine Jewelry, H + N Architects, Daisy-ADay Florist in Greenbrier, First Service Bank in Greenbrier and La-Z-Boy Furniture Gallery in Little Rock. Dazzle Daze tickets are $30 online/$40 at the door for Girls’ Nite Out; $7.50 online /$10 at the door for general admission, and $65 online only for a 10-pack of general admission tickets. For more information, visit DazzleDaze.com.

MERRY CHRISTMAS (to you)

17th Annual

NOVEMBER 15 - 17 | CONWAY EXPO CENTER The car of your dreams - $100 enters you to win a 2018 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Coupe. Take a chance on winning the BEST. GIFT. EVER. Only 500 Grand Raffle tickets available. Visit www.DazzleDaze.com or call 501.513.5191 for ticket information and a complete list of prizes.

October 2018 501lifemag.com | 43

1 HEALTH

Steven Webb named CEO at Unity Before becoming the Unity Health president/ chief executive officer, Steven Webb was born in the 501 and is looking forward to continue serving the area for years to come. Born in Searcy and raised throughout areas of Arkansas and Mississippi, Steven learned from his parents the value of caring for others. His father was a Baptist preacher and his mother a speech pathologist. Their example of compassion and consideration for their family and community has always been an inspiration for Webb. As he now serves at the helm of Unity Health, he also leads a household where he and his wife, Elizabeth, always strive to teach their children the importance of faith, integrity and a good work ethic. Their four children – Peyton, Paige, Presley and Piper – are eager to be involved in all that the city of Searcy has to offer. Webb is equipped to lead with years of healthcare leadership experience at multiple locations in the Baptist Health system and Good Shepherd Medical Center of Linden, Texas. Also, he actually served as a Fellow at what was then known as White County Medical in Searcy. He hoped his dream of leading the hospital would come true, and this summer that dream became reality. As successor of Unity Health President/CEO Ray Montgomery, who served the organization for 30 years, Webb has received Montgomery’s encouragement as he assumes his new role. “He has continuously expressed his appreciation for being selected and his desire to continue the achievements

Steven and his wife, Elizabeth, with their children: Paige (12), Piper (9), Peyton (14) and Presley (11). of Unity Health,” Montgomery said. “There will always be new challenges ahead, however, and as he leads I have no doubt he will forge a vision of continuous improvement and world-class care Unity Health is known for.” Webb will be the first to tell you that though his

resume and expertise may have been a contributing factor in his new role, he gives all credit and glory to God for his position and calling. “I wanted to be able to take care of my family, trust in God, and I am so blessed to have the opportunity to lead this organization.”

Baptist Health nurses recognized

Baptist nurses Jayme Lemon (from left), Rebecca Graves and Toccara Gray were recognized by the Arkansas Center for Nursing. 44 | 501 LIFE October 2018

The Arkansas Center for Nursing recently named three Baptist Health employees to its 2018 “40 Nursing Leaders Under 40” list. Among the 40 winners were Rebecca Graves, RN and 7B unit supervisor, Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock; Toccara Gray, nursing academic coordinator, Baptist Health Nursing Development; and Jayme Lemon, manager and patient safety officer, Baptist Health Risk Management. All three were recognized at an award’s function held at the Pleasant Valley Country Club in Little Rock. Sheurika McKeever, staff educator for Baptist Health Nursing Development and a past “40 Under 40” recipient, was the guest speaker at this year’s event. Arkansas Center for Nursing is a non-profit organization whose mission is to advance the profession of nursing in Arkansas through degree advancement, workforce data management and nursing leadership recognition. In regards to the latter, each year the center solicits nominations for the state’s top 40 nursing leaders under 40 years of age. The recipients are selected based on a review of their resume, their community involvement and their leadership within the profession. “40 Nursing Leaders Under 40” are recognized in Arkansas State Board of Nursing publications and at a reception held in their honor. For more information about Baptist Health, call Baptist Health HealthLine at 1.888.BAPTIST or visit baptist-health.com.

HEALTH

Answering health-related questions I have received quite a few questions from 501 LIFE readers and will share a few of them with you. Please feel free to email me if you have any fitness/wellness questions. I have been trying to get my abdominal area firmed up, but can’t seem to get any results. The spare tire does not want to go away! Karl Lenser I have been sticking with A Conway resident, Karl old-fashioned crunches. Lenser is the employee wellness coordinator at the University of Any suggestions? Arkansas at Little Rock. He has There are two bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsinimportant factors LaCrosse. An accomplished to consider whenever one runner, he can be reached at karl. lenser@gmail.com. wishes to get a six-pack, and they include genetics and the “spot reducing rule.” Genetics is one factor in this equation that you can’t control, but you can control your physical activity levels and how you exercise. Let me explain what the “spot reducing” principle entails. What this means is that you can’t target a certain muscle group and expect the excess fat to melt away by conducting a series of exercises that focus on that muscle group. In your case, performing hundreds of crunches on a daily basis will certainly firm up the abdominal muscles, but they won’t do much, if anything, for the fat tissue that is lying over the muscles. To reduce the fat tissue and for improving overall health and fitness, you need to incorporate an exercise program that combines cardio and strength training. Walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, rowing, elliptical machine workouts and dance-oriented group classes are excellent calorie-burning activities, while strength training exercises that utilize machines or free weights will improve your strength and give your metabolism a boost for many hours after the workout is finished. Maintaining a consistent exercise program that includes both cardio and strength training will improve your overall fitness and help reduce your body fat percent. Your dietary intake is also an important part of this process, but that factor can be addressed in a future edition of 501 LIFE. I am a member of a local fitness center and have noticed that some members (mostly runners) use a foam cylinder/roller after their workout is completed. What is the benefit of using the foam rollers? Do they work? My answer to your question is a definite YES! The usage of Self Myofascial Release (SMFR) has been gaining popularity over the past two decades. The origins of SMFR began in the early 90s when “massage sticks” began to develop and infiltrate the distance runner market to serve as a post-run or post-race treatment to reduce inflammation and muscle tightness. College and professional teams jumped on the

massage stick bandwagon, and then someone (I wish it was me) had an idea to create a firm Styrofoam cylinder and market it to fitness equipment vendors and sports teams. They now have become a standard piece of equipment in fitness centers and living rooms throughout the world. Foam rolling or using a massage stick helps remove knots from muscles that develop during a vigorous workout or other stressful activities. They massage muscular tissue and help decrease micro adhesions that cause the knotting of muscles. A simple analogy is to think of these as meat tenderizers.

I have used foam rollers and a massage stick for the past 20 years and continue to make this part of my workout. Taking a few minutes before and/or after your workout to use a foam roller or massage stick makes a big difference in how your muscles recover and feel after a workout. As I have aged, I have become a firm believer in incorporating foam rolling and stretching techniques into my daily workout. Aging muscles and tendons typically get tighter and less pliable as we age and the SMFR technique is a useful tool in promoting muscular efficiency and recovery.

Q: A:

October 2018 501lifemag.com | 45

Pink Night

Two selected to receive fundraising proceeds

Members of the Pink Ladies, organizers of the Annual Pink Night at Conway High School: Robyn Collums (from left), Tricia Burris, Angela Scott, Shanoo Chaffin, Amber Ferguson, Cindy Vickers, Ruth Ann Mathis, Chelsey Fason, Dottie Townsend, Andrea Fournier, Vickie Bailey, Tammy Solberg, Janet Beene, Christy Beacham, Rebecca McCuin and Carol Scott. Not pictured: Angie Hogue, Doreen McMahan, Gena Turner, Lee Ann Robinson, Nikki Burk, Tabatha Gunnels and Gina Bunker. by Sonja J. Keith

Organizers of this year’s 10th Annual Pink Night at Conway High School are raising money for two families touched by cancer. Players, coaches and parents are planning the event, scheduled 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, at Buzz Bolding Arena. The Conway Lady Cats Volleyball Team will play its last home game of the season against Jonesboro. The fundraising efforts include a special Pink Night T-shirt sold in the school district in advance of the event, which will feature food, raffle prizes and a silent auction. Centennial Bank will be grilling hamburgers that will be sold with a chip and drink at the game. Organizers also plan to sell a pink rally towel at a Conway High home football game to raise money. A group of team parents and volunteers, known as the Pink Ladies, work with Conway volleyball coaches and players to put on the event. This year, several are moms who have sons on the Conway High football team and are friends with one of the coaches, whose wife is one of the beneficiaries. Cindy Vickers is the chairman of this year’s Pink Ladies, which number 23. This is her third year on the committee. Her daughter, Jastyn, is a senior on the volleyball team. 46 | 501 LIFE October 2018

Cindy said like so many others, her family has had experiences with cancer. She said her mother-inlaw was diagnosed with cancer and her community came together to show her family support. “Cancer has affected everybody at some level…I know what it’s like to have the community support you,” she said. “I want to give back because I know what it feels like and I think it teaches our children as well.” Many hours go into planning the event, but Cindy said the hardest aspect is selecting who will receive the event proceeds, because more people are being impacted by cancer and each has a compelling story.

THIS YEAR’S RECIPIENTS This year, the group selected two local residents undergoing cancer treatment to receive Pink Night proceeds – Kim Hughes and Chandler Tipton. In December, Kim’s doctor discovered a rare form of cancer, which originated in her appendix and was discovered during what was supposed to be a routine surgery. She was referred to a specialist at UAMS, which was followed by 12 weeks of chemo and an extensive surgery. Kim is a secondary math specialist at Arch Ford Education Service Cooperative. Kim’s husband, Greg, is a physical education teacher and assistant football and

track coach at Conway High. They have two children – daughter Hailey, who attends the University of Central Arkansas, and son Reed, a Conway High student. “We feel very humbled and blessed by the opportunity to be honored by the volleyball team,” Kim said. “We would like to thank all of those involved in working so hard for us.” Chandler, 22, was diagnosed with testicular cancer in May. His sister, Maddie is a sophomore at Conway High and a member of the volleyball team. Chandler had surgery following the diagnosis and subsequent tests showed the cancer, embryonal carcinoma, had metastasized and spread to his abdomen and right lung. He is undergoing aggressive chemotherapy. “Until his diagnosis, we had no idea how prevalent this disease is and how many young men are affected,” said Chandler’s mom, Connie. “We are so grateful for the opportunity Pink Night is affording Chandler and hope it will help bring more awareness to testicular cancers.”

PINK NIGHT IDEA Former CHS assistant volleyball coach Andrea Bailey-Fournier had the idea for the Pink Night and has led the fundraising efforts. Over the years, the event has generated around $80,000. “I came up with the fundraiser after my aunts were diagnosed with breast cancer,” said Andrea. “We have

raised money for former players, players’ parents and people in the community.” Andrea said beyond the direct financial benefit that recipients receive from Pink Night, the event has provided a valuable teaching moment for students. “It teaches the athletes how to give back without expecting something in return,” said Andrea. “While kids often do fundraisers to purchase uniforms or other items, I didn’t feel there were many opportunities for kids to do something completely selfless. Seeing someone else benefit from their work is a priceless lesson.” Andrea, who now teaches at Theodore Jones Elementary School in Conway, noted that her replacement as assistant coach is Chelsey Fason, who was a junior at CHS during Andrea’s first year of coaching when the first Pink Night was held. Chelsey graduated Conway High in 2011 and attended Ouachita Baptist University. “It really is neat to see the whole community rally behind each other,” Chelsey said. “It’s neat to see the faces of the people you are giving it to.” Andrea said in the early years Pink Night was little more than a table set up at one game and a few prizes. She said the volleyball team ran with the idea and moms got involved, growing the event into a major fundraiser. “Now it raises thousands and thousands of dollars,” she said. For more information on Pink Night, to help or to order a T-shirt, contact Andrea at baileya@conwayschools.net or one of the committee members. Information will also be available on the Conway Volleyball page on Facebook. Cindy added that the players are touched each year

The Conway High School Volleyball Team: Madison Bates (front, from left), Matti Fairchild, Jastyn Vickers, Abby Robinson, Maddie Tipton, Madison Lovell, Darci Burris, Lauryn Mays; Peyton Townsend (middle), Caroline Baker, Maggie Mathis, Kinsey Haley, Abby Masters, Bailey Burk, Blakley Scott, Satera Scott; Emma Begley (back), Anna Collums, Mackenzie McMahan, Anna Haley, Jenna Sellers, Coryn Chaffin, Karli Ferguson, Olivia Knight and Jessica Gunnels. For more information on Pink Night, to help or to order a T-shirt, email baileya@ conwayschools.net. by who is receiving the money raised. Last year, the players spent time with the Conway girl who was the beneficiary. She pointed out that this year, one of the

recipients is the sibling of a fellow volleyball player and the other is the mother of a classmate. “Both are very connected with Conway and the district.”

NOW OPEN AND READY TO FIGHT. Join us for a reception, tours and ribbon cutting celebration Thursday, Nov. 1, beginning at 4:30! This is more than a renovation. Our fully integrated, comprehensive cancer center features medical and radiation oncology, diagnostic imaging, heated seats, extra room for family members and much more, all under one roof. Aggressive treatment. Enhanced comfort. Incredible convenience. Welcome to your CARTI Cancer Center Conway – open now!

2605 College Ave. | Conway 501.329.4741 | CARTI.com

October 2018 501lifemag.com | 47

Dream trip

Three make journey in search of barbecue

Austin: klin Barbecue in First in line at Fran ghes and Hu eg (from left), Gr Daniel Faulkner Todd Dooley.

Many families enjoy spending trips on short vacations, weekend holidays and visiting nearby locations. This Don Bingham story is of three local Recognized throughout the friends who happen to state as an accomplished chef, attend Antioch Baptist Don Bingham has authored cookbooks, presented television Church in Conway and programs and planned elaborate have an insatiable love events. for barbecue. A dream trip developed from Daniel Faulkner, Greg Hughes and Todd Dooley researching places in and around Arkansas for barbecue, ribs and famous smoked meats. These three culinary explorers got down the map, planned a 46-hour trip and were able to dine at four barbecue restaurants listed on the Texas Monthly Top 10 barbecue locations in the great state of Texas! Leaving at 10 p.m. one hot July night, the trip began with an all-night drive to Austin, arriving at 5 a.m.! Desiring to be first in line, the guys 48 | 501 LIFE October 2018

immediately positioned their folding chairs, LOTS of coffee and hours of conversation — all to wait for the opening of their first stop, Franklin Barbecue. Did I mention that the line began to encompass city blocks with 200 to 300 people, all waiting for hours to try this famous barbecue. “The line is part of the atmosphere,” Daniel said. “It’s a community of barbecue lovers.” Daniel tells that on the second day of the trip, first in line at 4 a.m. at Snow’s BBQ in Lexington, a man approached to tell him, “You all have a problem because you were first in line at Franklin yesterday!” The comradery was enjoyed by all prospective diners throughout the long wait until the restaurant doors were open. The three men have an “ordering code” as they approach each barbecue menu. This

encourages them not to over order with great indulgence and enthusiasm, saving time and space for the next stop on the list. Of course, the meals are always accompanied with Big Red, the Texas barbecue beverage of choice. The roundtrip was 1,230 miles of barbecue heaven! In 46 hours, the guys returned to Conway, having visited Texas and enjoyed Franklin Barbecue, La Barbecue (Austin), City Market (Luling), Snow’s BBQ (Lexington), Truth BBQ (Brenham) and CorkScrew BBQ (Spring). Just in case you are wondering, Daniel, Greg and Todd have favorite Arkansas barbecue restaurants they enjoy, as well. Among these are McClard’s Bar-B-Q Restaurant (Hot Springs), Sims BBQ (Little Rock), Smoke Shack Bar-B-Q (Morgan/Maumelle), Craig’s Bar-B-Que (De Vall’s Bluff) and in Conway — Hog Pen Barbecue, Fat Daddy’s BBQ, Whole Hog BBQ, and the list goes on and on! I’m sure you have more of your favorites to add to this list! Included are some favorite barbecue sauces.

BRISKET BEER MOP 1 12-ounce can of favorite beer 1/3 cup water 1/2 cup vinegar (apple cider preferred) 1/3 cup corn oil 1 medium onion 3 cloves garlic 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon coarse pepper 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper Dice onions and mince garlic. Mix together with other ingredients. Heat over low heat, stirring occasionally. While indirect slow cooking at around 200 degrees, mop over brisket every 30 minutes or so until brisket is cooked to desired degree of doneness.

DEEP SOUTH BBQ SAUCE 6 tablespoons butter 1/2 cup minced onion 1 1/2 cup cider vinegar 2 8-ounce cans of tomato sauce 1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon of Louisiana hot sauce 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper 2 tablespoons brown sugar In a saucepan, cook onions and butter until onions begin to brown. Add remaining ingredients, reduce heat to low and cook for approximately 15 minutes while stirring often. Using a brush or mop, apply to meat before and during the grilling or slow cooking

process. Any remaining sauce may be refrigerated if used within the next two weeks.

REPUBLIC OF TEXAS REAL BBQ SAUCE 1 1/2 cups tomato ketchup 3/4 cup cider vinegar 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons chili powder 2 cups water 4 stalks celery

3 bay leaves 3 garlic cloves 1/2 medium onion 6 tablespoons butter 6 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 2 teaspoons paprika 1/2 teaspoon coarse black pepper Combine celery, bay leaves, garlic and onion in a food processor and chop. Mix all ingredients and simmer in pan over low heat for 20-30 minutes. Remove from heat and strain (or not). Using a brush or mop, apply to meat before and during the grilling or slow cooking process.

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HOME

A retreat A walk across a creek brings guests to the Sikes home. Story and photos by Robin Richards

Sean and Jackie Sikes run the Greater Good Retreat in Van Buren County — a true gem in the 501. The Sikes believe in helping others. “We are all about giving back in any way we can,” said Sean. “We urge our guests to share the same spirit.” The Sikes epitomize the state’s giving spirit by finding ways to feed and support the Van Buren County community, especially its senior citizens, through a nonprofit called Dirty Farmers Community Market. From 2011 to 2015, they owned and operated the Greater Good Café, which gave patrons the option to pay what they could for a meal made from locally grown food. Their mission involves a continued presence in the local farmer’s market and multiple fund raising events within the community to help meet various community needs. Funds from Sean’s band, The Sean Sikes Band, help with meeting their expenses, too. Their generous spirit has been reciprocated by the generosity of another person in the form of being blessed with a home and a cabin on 140 acres located in the Ozark Mountain foothills for an annual $1 lease payment with one caveat. They must maintain the property and continue their mission of giving back. Jackie’s story tells how a Halloween party held several years ago helped them obtain their current home. “We had a friend we met at Walmart, and we invited him to attend our annual Halloween party held at our house in Dennard. This friend brought a lady friend to the party. At the time, Sean and I were vegetarians, so I made chili for our carnivore friends and vegetarian chili for our vegan friends. She was so impressed with us and loved the vegetarian chili so much that she stayed later after the party and visited with us. It turned out that we had a lot in common. We stayed friends all these years. That is the only time that we had seen this woman face to face. She has since moved out of state, but we stay in contact. She helped us start the farmer’s market and the Greater Good Café. She loved everything that we were doing. “One day, she tells us about this property she had, and its caretakers could no longer stay there. So, she said she wanted to sell it. She asked us to take care of 50 | 501 LIFE October 2018

Sean and Jackie Sikes enjoy the rocking chairs on the cabin’s front porch.

A rock painted blue by the couple identifies Henry and Henrietta Gopher, who have taken residence under a storage shed at the retreat.

A wood stove is used to keep warm in the cabin’s living room.

the property, and we went in and cleaned it up. We maintained it for about a year. We were still living in our home in Dennard. Between our Dennard home, maintaining her property, running the café, the farmer’s market and all the fundraising events we held, we felt stretched thin. After a year of doing all that and her unable to sell the property, the woman asked me to come up with a business plan. You do that, she said, and I will just give it to you.” The Sikes talked it over and decided they would rather put more time and money into their mission than what they were putting into all their other nonprofit ventures. They decided that 100 percent of the funds raised from their fundraisers could go toward their mission instead being stretched into everything else. They reviewed their options and talked with their board of directors. “It was a no brainer to close the café, leave our Dennard home and live on this property,” said Jackie. The Sikes moved into their new home in 2015 and the Greater Good Retreat was created. That decision turned out to be their wisest one. They have enlarged their mission footprint within Van Buren County by engaging area senior citizens in community events designed just for them, such as bingo, game night and an entertainment night. They have been able to reach more seniors’ food and clothing needs, plus build companionship for them. They still hold annual community fundraising events to provide financial resources the Sikes use to keep doing so much good for others. The Sikes love living in their natural setting the most, and Sean loves his technology, too. “Technology keeps us connected to the rest of the world from out here,” he said. He still likes the conveniences city life has to offer and misses it occasionally. Jackie is an Arkansas transplant from Colorado and California. Her ex-husband’s California job moved to Arkansas, which brought Jackie here many years ago. Sean is an Arkansan who was born in Benton, raised around Saline County and Little Rock. They met when Jackie hired Sean to work for her daycare center. The drive to the Greater Good Retreat helps one understand why the Sikes live where they live in the 501 area. The drive to the retreat from Little Rock or Conway is fast and simple. A right-hand turn past the Botkinburg Antique Warehouse changes the journey

Sean in one part of the garden.

The Sikes living room.

Jackie plans to use this stove for baking her bread.

The guest cabin at the Greater Good Retreat.

and scenery dramatically. The road to the retreat is approximately 10 miles and just like Arkansas’ fickle weather it changes abruptly from pavement, to a gravel road filled with steep hills and curves and finally a very bumpy dirt road. Caution is required if the vehicle is not an SUV or a truck. At the end of this dirt road sits a red cattle gate and the drive ends here. Vehicles are left parked near the red gate during the entire retreat stay. Jackie explained they encourage retreat visitors to hike that last mile. Dense forest areas surround the Sikes property. From fall to spring, a river flows along the property, but a typical Arkansas summer will dry it out, with the exception of a small bubbling spring, until the rains begin again in the fall. The property has four waterfall sites with the tallest being 70 feet according to Sean. The hike to the retreat and thereafter is where the guest is immersed in Arkansas wilderness and its

hospitality. An isolated one bedroom and one bathroom cabin is rented through Airbnb. The guests’ stay is customized from the food they want to eat to things they want to do. Jackie cooks all the meals, including baking her own bread. The meals are made from everything grown on the property. Presently, the retreat is not really suited for small children, but occasionally the Sikes will make an exception depending on the ages. To learn about the Sikes and the Greater Good Retreat, visit facebook.com/dirtyfarmerscommunitymarket. The Greater Good Retreat is perfect for anyone who needs to de-stress, live inside nature and reenergize for a while. Its seclusion guarantees it. Guests will be given the utmost care by two very giving, caring and charming people who work to make the stay whatever it needs to be for anybody.

OVER

YEARS IN BUSINESS

2665 Donaghey Ave, Ste 103 Conway AR • (501) 327-1772 www.luxurypoolarkansas.com October 2018 501lifemag.com | 51

GET CREATIVE

Funky Frugal: Patti’s sewing she shed There is a very special woman in my life named Patti Kimble. She has adopted my large family and cooks for us, prays for us and sews for us. For someone like me, with no sewing bones in her body, she is a great friend to have. Besides having a heart of gold, she is a wonderful seamstress. She has made Tanner us pillows and dresses Cangelosi and has monogrammed anything that would stand An alum of the University of Central Arkansas, Tanner still long enough. I heart owns her own business – www. monograms. neonsouthernlady.blogspot.com – and has done a variety of projects, With all the sewing from individual home décor items Patti does, she needed a to painting murals in private residences. For more information, place to do her sewing and Tanner can be reached at her sewing lessons. Did I tcangelosi@newlifechurch.tv mention she also teaches my girls to sew? I know, she is amazing! Well, she decided with her son and husband to build a wonderful SEWING SHE SHED, and so she did. I was able to ask her a few questions about

52 | 501 LIFE October 2018

her well thought out and organized she shed: What was your inspiration? Seeing my friend Sue’s sewing room that she has in her house. We love to sew together.

What did you know you needed in the she shed? I knew I needed cabinets and storage for all of my fabric, thread and parts for my machines.

How did you build the ironing board/fabric holder? I first purchased the two Rubbermaid drawer sets. I then purchased a pre-cut finished 18-by-48-inch board from Lowe’s. Next, I covered the top of the board with two layers of thick batting and a layer of heat resistant batting, and stapled it with a heavy duty staple gun. My husband gave me measurements of what I would need to make the frame. He is physically unable to do this type of work any longer. I had the boards cut to his specs at Lowe’s. He sat beside me and told me how to drill holes, then assemble and screw together the back and sides. The boards cost about $12. I then covered it with duck bright colored fabric. Finally, I stained all the wood with black stain. (If I ever do it again, I’ll stain the wood before attaching the topping). What is a cost breakdown of this specific project? Rubbermaid drawers $60. Boards $22. Stain $5. The batting and fabric I had on hand, so I’m guessing $25-$35. What are your favorite projects to do in your she shed? No doubt it is embroidery work. It is so personal, and everyone loves it. How do you use your sewing as a ministry? My best friend, Sue, is the reason for getting

me interested in quilting. She loves quilting, and I love teaching the Bible to ladies. The two of us decided to teach stories like Ruth and Esther, and book studies by Beth Moore. Sue designed quilt patterns that tell the story we studied. We call it “Covering You With God’s Word.” The ladies are invited to come and sew with us (on different days) in my shed. Another way I love to serve others through sewing is making memory pillows. Recently it came to my attention that one of our church

family ladies lost her dad, and she was very disappointed that no one reached out to her other than our pastor and wife. That very Sunday the sermon was about the mark you leave on someone’s life. I truly believe God told me to start a ministry of making memory pillows from a lost one’s shirt, and giving it to the family. I just finished two pillows for that sweet lady, one for her and one for her mom. It is a memory they can keep and a tangible way to love people.

October 2018 501lifemag.com | 53

ENERGY SMART

Celebrating Public Power Week This October, Conway Corp is celebrating Public Power Week along with more than 2,000 other community-owned, not-for-profit electric utilities that collectively provide electricity to more than 48 million Americans. “Public Power Week celebrates the reliable, affordable electricity Conway Corp provides to our community,” said CEO Bret Carroll. “Public power puts the people of Conway first, and Public Power Week gives us the chance to emphasize the advantages of locally grown, locally owned power that supports strong communities.” Conway Corp has operated alongside our customers in Conway since 1929. We not only work for Conway, we are Conway. Knowing our community and its needs helps us keep homes, businesses and public places powered year-round. Our service is safe, reliable and affordable, and we take pride in serving our friends and neighbors. Conway benefits from public power including affordable energy costs, superior service, local control and reinvestment in the community. Local needs are considered when decisions are made about rates and services, power generation and green alternatives. Plus, public power revenues are reinvested into community programs and projects that are for the common good.

Reliability Reliability is our No. 1 job. Our crews work tirelessly to keep the power on and restore it quickly when outages occur. Through continued training and ongoing preventative care, we are prepared to act quickly and safely to restore power to Conway. We are the only utility in the state to be designated a platinum-level Reliable Public Power Provider by the American Public Power Association for demonstrating high proficiency

54 | 501 LIFE October 2018

Members of the Conway Corp Electric Department. in reliability, safety, work force development and system improvement. Plus, our employees are dedicated and passionate about this community because it’s where they live too.

Affordability We focus on providing affordable electric rates, and on a national average, our rates are lower than industry competitors, saving money for citizens and businesses. We also consistently have the lowest residential rates in the state. Lower rates mean citizens have more available to spend on other goods and services, together with the

dollars our customers save through energy efficiency programs, which boosts the local economy. Our revenues are reinvested into maintaining and upgrading our system’s substations, distribution lines and more so we’re able to safely deliver lowcost, reliable electricity. Keeping energy costs affordable serves our community’s long-term needs — and that’s what public power is all about.

Superior service Conway Corp exists to serve the residents of Conway. We provide friendly walk-in service to customers. Customers can also call 24 hours

a day, seven days a week and be connected to a customer service representative who is a local member of the community. We are responsive to customers’ needs and concerns and make customer service a priority. In addition, recent data shows we keep the lights on 99.99 percent of the time, but when an outage does occur we restore power quickly and efficiently because we’re located in the community we serve. We live here and have a vested interest in getting service restored as quickly and safely as possible. We’re accountable to our friends, neighbors and families.

Community values Conway Corp is dedicated to exceeding our customers’ expectations in producing and delivering safe, affordable, reliable, innovative and environmentally-sound utility and telecommunication services while enhancing the quality of life in our community. We believe in enhancing our community through community projects, education opportunities like scholarships and more. We’re invested in Conway, and so are our employees. We employ nearly 250 local individuals who serve on local boards, participate with local charities, coach local youth sports teams and more. Recently, Conway Corp employees collectively donated more than $35,000 to United Way. In addition, employees hold an annual food drive for a local charity each year and participate in the Angel Tree program. As a public power utility, our loyalty is to our customers and our community. Public power is an American tradition that works, and we thank you for your support and for allowing us to serve you since 1929. For more information about Conway Corp’s history in the community, visit ConwayCorp.com. October 2018 501lifemag.com | 55

501 kids

Fall fests galore!

Brittany Gilbert Brittany Gilbert is a former FACS teacher at Maumelle High School. She and her husband, Levi, have three children and live in Conway. Brittany can be reached at b.gilbert37@gmail.com.

Fall is my familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite time of year. The 501 community really steps up their game during this season. The opportunities that a family can experience are really incredible. However, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to miss something. Every year, I get messages from friends wishing they had known about these events, so I decided to gather as much information as I can and put it all in one place. There will be more events, but some of the places I contacted didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have exact dates on the calendar yet.

Pumpkin patches The pumpkin patches in the area are really special. They go above and beyond to provide experiences for families that we look forward to every year. Motleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pumpkin Patch is located in Little Rock and is only open on Saturdays and Sundays, except for special events, and it will open this season Saturday, Sept. 29, until Tuesday, Oct. 30. Every year, they add even more fun attractions. Of course, you can take a hay ride to the pumpkin patch, but you can also ride a cow train, see the farm animals, watch pig races and jump on the kangaroo pillows. Prices vary depending on what you want to participate in, but you can get the full experience (every activity they offer) for $11.95. Kids under 3 and seniors 60-plus are free. Motleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farm and pumpkin patch is hosting a homeschool family day on Tuesday, Oct. 2. The list of activities is too many to mention, but it is impressive, and we are so looking forward to attending. The cost of admission is less than a normal business day â&#x20AC;&#x201C; $7 for kids and $5 for parents. Kids get a pumpkin and snack/ drink included with admission. There is no registration required. (See motleyspumpkinpatch.com for more information.) Schaefers and Collins Pumpkin Farm/Pumpkin Patch is located near Mayflower, and every year, they get bigger and better. When you think they canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get any better, they add more attractions and events for families to enjoy. The playground is epic, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to tear our kids away and convince them that they should see the other things the patch has to offer â&#x20AC;&#x201D; hayrides, pictures in the sunflowers, bounce house, face paintings, huge slides, etc. They will even have haunted hayrides this year. See their Facebook page or visit schaeferspumpkinpatch.com for more info on specific events. This pumpkin patch is free to get in, but the attrac56 | 501 LIFE October 2018

Brittany Gilbert with her three children, enjoying a fall outing. tions, such as the hayride, picking a pumpkin and other activities, will have a small cost. They only accept cash, check or purchase orders. It will open Saturday, Sept. 29, and run through Tuesday, Oct. 30. It is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, with the main activities saved for the weekends.

Fall fests and other special events If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re like us, you write these down and go to every one! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so fun to connect with the amazing churches in our community and thank them for creating these opportunities for your family to enjoy. Julia Lee Moore Elementary Fall Festival in Conway, 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 5. Little Rock Main Street Food Truck Festival, Sunday, Oct. 7. Woodland Heights Baptist Church in Conway, 3 to 6 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 21. Share the Love Kidsclub Trunk or Treat in Downtown Conway, Friday, Oct. 26 (free with paid admission). Central Baptist Churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Light Up the Night in Conway, Sunday, Oct. 28. University Church of Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Trunk or Treat in Conway, Sunday, Oct. 28. Four Winds Church in Conway, Sunday, Oct. 28. Antioch Baptist Church in Conway, 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 31.

Dazzle Daze, Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 15-17. Share the Love Kidsclub Christmas Tree lighting party, Saturday, Nov. 24. I hope you get to soak up the best that this season has to offer. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t overcrowd your schedule; do what is comfortable for your family. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel pressured to spend a lot of money either, as most of these fall fests are completely free. Lastly, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to take your familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s picture with an issue of 501 LIFE and send it in. You might see it in a future issue!

Austin KordsmeierÂ AGE: 6. CITY: Conway. GRADE: First grade, St. Joseph School. FAVORITE SUBJECT: Religion. FAMILY: Jason and Sarah Kordsmeier (parents), Kenzie (sister) and Marshall (brother). FAVORITE MEAL/SNACK: Fruit and candy. MOST CHERISHED POSSESSION: My family. Austin Kordsmeier

October 2018 501lifemag.com | 57

501 kids

Stressing the importance of flu shots

Katelin Whiddon A native of Conway, Katelin Whiddon is a family nurse practitioner. She and her husband, Daniel, have two daughters. A graduate of the University of Central Arkansas, she has her bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degrees.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Flu shotâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; two words that cause a lot of debate every fall. Should I get the flu shot? Should I get my children a flu shot? I hope to answer some of those questions for you. While there are many ways you can prevent the flu and other illnesses, the Centers for Disease Control still reports the influenza vaccination to be the single best preventative measure against the flu. The original flu vaccines were introduced in the 1940s, and since then it has protected hundreds of millions of people. I hear so often â&#x20AC;&#x153;every time I get the

58 | 501 LIFE October 2018

flu shot, I get the flu.â&#x20AC;? While I cannot prove that you didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get the flu after the flu shot, it is merely coincidence. The flu shot is an inactivated vaccine â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it does not cause the flu. Occasionally, some people will have â&#x20AC;&#x153;flu-likeâ&#x20AC;? symptoms after receiving the vaccination, but this is a common reaction that your immune system produces in response to any vaccination. It indicates that your immune system is making protective antibodies to the flu virus components in the vaccine. It takes approximately two weeks for the flu vaccine to be effective against protecting you from the flu, so if you develop more than mild symptoms, you most likely were exposed to the flu virus before your vaccine had time to build your immunity. Adults with the flu can be contagious about 24 hours before they develop symptoms. There are two different routes of administration for the flu vaccine for your children. They can have the injection or the mist. The injection is generally given in the thigh for infants and toddlers, and then in the upper arm for older children and adults. The mist is a spray that is administered in the nose.

The influenza injection can be given to people 6 months and older. If your health care provider has expressed concerns with someone receiving the flu vaccine due to a health problem or egg allergy, it should be avoided. The FluMist can be given to persons 2 years and older who meet specific criteria. Please talk to your healthcare provider regarding these criteria. While the mist has been off of the market for the past few years, it is returning for the 2018-2019 flu season. While most view the flu as a virus that gets you down for a few days with body aches and fever, it can be much more than that. Every flu season there are numerous hospitalizations and even deaths from the flu. The pediatric and elderly populations tend to have more negative outcomes when infected with influenza than other age groups. Knowing the potential severity of the flu, please consider protecting yourself and your family this flu season. For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control website at cdc.org.

AUTHORS IN THE 501

Barger’s love of history leads to writing by Susan Peterson

Carl J. Barger, a native of Cleburne County, retired in 2001 after 38 years as an educator in Arkansas. No doubt he has plenty of stories to tell from his 33 years serving as a superintendent in five school districts around the state. But the stories Susan Carl chooses to write don’t come from his lifetime Peterson work, but from his love Susan Peterson holds a PhD in of history, especially the education and taught at the University of Central Civil War period, and his Arkansas and Slippery Rock dedication and admiration University in Pennsylvania. She of his family. retired in 2004 and now spends her time doing artwork (painting Carl wrote his first and pottery). She is the executive book, “Swords and secretary of the Arkansas Reading Association, a professional Plowshares,” which he organization for educators self-published through that has about 800 members statewide. AuthorHouse in 2004. He combined historical and genealogical research to trace his family’s story through three generations from the early 1800s into the 20th Century. It is described as “an epic tale of one family’s struggles in the cauldron that shaped modern America: The Civil War.” Carl’s admiration for the struggles endured by his family are evident in this narrative that recounts his ancestors’ convictions, tribulations and successes. A year later, Carl published “MAMIE: An Ozark Mountain Girl of Courage.” The book is about Carl’s mother, Mamie Totten Barger, who spent her life in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. The reader learns how strong bonds and Christian faith overcame the

meager financial resources available to a growing family, which eventually grew to 11 children. Extending his historical research even further, Carl then published two more books in 2008 – “Cleburne County and Its People,” Volumes I and II. Reviewers of these books love finding family names and recollecting the places he mentions. Carl’s service on the Arkansas History Commission for 14 years (during Gov. Mike Huckabee’s tenure) contributed to the accuracy of his writing. In 2013, Carl published his first work of fiction — “Dark Clouds Over Alabama: A Story of Struggles and Triumph in the Old South.” He chose to publish with Strategic Book Publishing and Rights Agency (SBPRA). The book is described as “the heart-wrenching story of Obadiah, his forbidden love for Penelope, his struggles with the immorality of slavery, his service in the Confederate Army’s medical corps and how he overcomes every challenge by adhering to his traditional values, Christian beliefs and deep faith in God.” The book’s sequel is “Blue Skies of El Dorado,” published by SBPRA in 2016. The story’s setting changes from Alabama to Arkansas when Obadiah and

Penelope marry and move with their mothers and several slaves to a 600-acre plantation named Three Oaks near El Dorado. Recently, Carl finally penned his own story — “Arkansas Hillbilly: One Man’s Memoir of a Blessed Life” (SBPRA, 2017). He recounts growing up in an Ozark paradise that included forests, rivers and moonshine-brewing folk who would give you the shirt off their backs. He tells of his faith, his struggles to succeed and the work ethic needed to fulfill his ambitions despite being dubbed a “hillbilly.” Even more heartwarming is the personal story of the growth of his family. He and his wife, Lena, adopted two children, and the book details the successful search to locate their birthparents. Miraculously, after 15 years of marriage, they were blessed with a child of their own. Carl and Lena have been married for 53 years and now reside in Conway. In addition to his writing, he keeps busy gardening and serving on the boards of several educational institutions. His books can be purchased at Amazon and Barnes and Noble in various formats, including Kindle and Nook. Look for his newest book, “Sons of War,” which will be released in about a month. It is a Civil War novel about three brothers who serve in the Missouri Infantry and eventually join Gen. William T. Sherman in his march to the sea.

October 2018 501lifemag.com | 59

BUSINESS

Renewal Ranch representatives Bryce McGhee (left) and James Loy (right) recently presented First Security bankers Stefanie Vann (from left), Margaret Smith and Johnny Adams with a plaque in appreciation of their service to the ministry, which works with men overcoming drug and alcohol addiction. It read, “Presented with love and admiration for the selfless way that you have served the Lord and for the love that you have shown the Renewal Ranch ministry.”

UCA sees more than 2,000 first-time freshmen enroll

NAEYC renews accreditation for program at UACCM

First-time undergraduate enrollment at the University of Central Arkansas for the fall 2018 semester has surpassed 2,000 students for the first time since 2015. The 2,033 entering freshmen distinguish UCA as having the second-largest first-time undergraduate enrollment in Arkansas. This represents a 5 percent increase over last year’s incoming class of 1,937. Another trend in UCA’s enrollment is academic qualifications. In census data recently released, the university reported that this year’s incoming Class of 2022 had an average composite ACT score of 24.4 and a composite high school GPA of 3.55. This eclipses last year’s record and makes this class the most academically qualified in university history. “We are so excited that students and their families are choosing UCA for their collegiate careers,” said UCA President Houston Davis. “The quality of this incoming class will ensure that UCA remains in the top 30 public regional universities in the South and is yet another mark of excellence. We are proud that we offer a highly regarded and quality education on a beautiful campus and surround students with faculty, experiences and support that provide a springboard into their future.” Courtney Bryant, UCA’s director of admissions, also expressed her pleasure with the positive enrollment numbers. “We try to make intentional connections with students and families so they feel comfortable and thrive in a vibrant campus life and supportive community. UCA has developed a culture of everyone becoming a recruiter. I cannot wait to see our new class flourish,” Bryant said. The total headcount enrollment remained steady for the fall semester at 11,177, a slight decrease from a year ago. Full-time equivalent enrollment also held comparably the same from 9,634 to 9,698 a year ago.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs has renewed accreditation for the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton’s Early Childhood Development program. UACCM is one of only three NAEYC-accredited colleges in the state, which also includes Southeast Arkansas College in Pine Bluff, and University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College in North Little Rock. After the commission’s decision, there are now 205 NAEYC-accredited programs nationwide. Early childhood preparation programs serve a wide-range of students and prepare early childhood educators for a variety of early learning settings. Accreditation serves as a mechanism for ensuring a consistent and high level of program quality and alignment to NAEYC’s Professional Preparation Standards while respecting the unique mission and context of each degree program. “On behalf of the Commission, I’d like to congratulate the programs who earned and renewed accreditation during the most recent review cycle. These programs have spent significant time examining their programs of study, mapping their courses to the standards, creating key assessments, and developing assessment plans, with the goal of continuous program improvement,” said Crystal Swank, commission chair. “Kudos to the faculty for their dedication and hard work!” To earn and retain accreditation, professional preparation programs must demonstrate that they: • Align to NAEYC’s Professional Preparation Standards; • Respond to the unique needs of their degree candidates and communities; • Provide intentional learning experiences for their degree candidates to obtain the knowledge and skills needed to be effective early childhood educators; • Continuously assess and reflect on their degree candidates’ performance. For more information about UACCM’s Early Childhood Development program, contact the Admissions Office at 501.977.2053, or visit UACCM.edu.

60 | 501 LIFE October 2018

FINANCIAL FOCUS

Understanding risk tolerance essential Submitted by Edward Jones

To succeed as an investor, you might think you need to know about the economy, interest rates and the fundamentals of companies in which you’d like to invest. And all these things are indeed important. But it’s most essential to know yourself. Specifically, you need to know how much risk you are willing to tolerate to achieve your goals. Of course, you’ve lived with yourself your entire life, so you probably have a pretty good idea of your likes and dislikes and what makes you comfortable or uncomfortable. But investing can be a different story. Initially, you may believe you have a high tolerance for risk, but if the financial markets drop sharply, and you see that you’ve sustained some sizable losses (at least on paper – you haven’t really “lost” anything until you sell investments for less than what you paid for them), how will you feel? If you find yourself constantly fretting over these losses, perhaps even losing sleep over them, you might realize your risk tolerance is not as high as you thought. In this case, you may need to scale back the part of your portfolio devoted to growth in favor of a more balanced approach. On the other hand, if you believe yourself to have a low risk tolerance, and you start off investing in a conservative manner, you may indeed minimize shortterm losses – but you also might find yourself frustrated over the slow growth of your portfolio. So you may decide that being highly risk-averse carries its own risk – the risk of not making enough progress to achieve your long-term financial goals. To reduce this risk, you may need to tilt your portfolio somewhat toward

more growth opportunities. In short, you may have to invest for a while before you truly understand your response to risk. But even then, don’t get too locked in to one approach – because your risk tolerance may evolve over time. When you are first starting out in your career, and for many years after, you are probably investing primarily to accumulate assets for retirement. Consequently, you may need to include a relatively high proportion of growth-oriented vehicles, such as stocks, in your portfolio. While stock prices will always fluctuate, you will have many years, perhaps decades, to overcome short-term losses, so you can possibly afford to take on a greater risk level in exchange for the potentially higher returns offered by stocks and stock-based investments. However, things can change once you reach retirement. At this stage of your life, your overall investment focus may shift from accumulation to income. This means you will need to start selling some investments to boost your cash flow – and you won’t want to sell when prices are down. (Remember the first rule of investing: “Buy low and sell high.”) To help avoid these “fire sales,” you may want to adjust your investment mix by adding more income-producing vehicles and reducing your holdings in growth-oriented ones. By doing so, you will be lowering your overall risk level. Keep in mind, though, that even in retirement, you will need some exposure to growth investments to help you stay ahead of inflation. Become familiar with your own risk tolerance – it can play a big role in your investment decisions. October 2018 501lifemag.com | 61

BUSINESS

Ott Insurance thrives on customer service

The staff at Ott Insurance: Evelyn Brinkley (seated, from left), Barbara Lewis, Dana Healy, Debby Saddler, Karen Hillyer, Michelle Mallett; Patsy Bajorek (middle), Charlene Lucey, Michelle Tews, Ashley Spencer, Sheila Ball, Laura Hillis, Redessa Graham, Cynthia Rickett, Marla Magness; Brett Hedrick (back), Luke Gordon, Lonnie Cagle, Trevor Martin, Cole Schanandore and Rex Saddler. by Dwain Hebda Mike Kemp photos

When a business has been in operation for 116 years, it’s definitely doing something right. For Ott Insurance, a company that’s resided at 831 Parkway for 50 of those years, that something is customer service. “Anytime I interview an applicant, the thing 62 | 501 LIFE October 2018

I look for first and foremost is a caring personality,” said office manager Michelle Mallett, who’s worked at Ott for 23 years. “I look for kindness and concern for the client because it is a service. You’re helping people, and you have to want to take care of them. You have to be open to working with people of all different backgrounds and personalities.” That may sound overly simple, but it’s a

formula that’s worked since G.L. Bahner founded the company in 1902. Robert Ott, the namesake, came aboard in 1948, became a partner six years later and was sole owner of the agency by 1958. The mother-daughter team of Learleen Caputo and Pat Hawkins, both longtime employees, bought the company from Ott in 1998. Three years ago, the company changed hands again, this time to area businessmen Stanley Gor-

get f ra m e d at

Pa t t e r s o n E y e C a re

Ott Insurance’s Lonnie Cagle and Michelle Mallett. don Jr. and Lonnie Cagle, but most policyholders didn’t have a clue. That’s how rock solid and smooth the transition was, right down to keeping the name above the door. “I wouldn’t say that we were really proactive in (announcing) that,” Cagle said. “We kept the same people. We just wanted a smooth transition. As far as the public goes, I don’t know if there was even an announcement of a change of ownership. Most people didn’t know because it was 95 percent the same, especially the people doing what they’d always done.” “This business right here is about people like Michelle and all the others around this place,” Gordon said. “I mean we’re nothing without them. We’re just blessed to be where we are. We’ve got a lot of confidence in the people that we’ve got here. They’ve been good to us. We try to be good to them.” In fact, Ott Insurance has an equally stellar reputation for being a great place to work, and this contributes to employee performance. In the last three years, the firm has lost just three employees — of whom, one died and one retired. “I worked under Mr. Ott and then I worked under Pat and Learleen,” Mallett said. “All the way through those three ownerships there’s a mutual respect, mutual love, mutual common goal. All those owners always made us all feel part of the team. “Anything you could ask for here, from one ownership to the next, is there. It’s always been there, and it’s never changed. It’s just a teamwork kind of atmosphere. Everybody has respect for everybody else and their opinions. It’s a family.” Of course, an insurance company shows its true mettle in a crisis, and few were bigger than 2014’s tornado. Gordon saw the company in action during that time in the aftermath of the storm’s devastation in his hometown of Vilonia. “During that time, our family suffered a lot of loss, not to our homes but our businesses,” Gordon recalled. “My business was probably hit the least of any of our family’s; the other ones were

“

Anytime I interview an applicant, the thing I look for first and foremost is a caring personality. I look for kindness and concern for the client because it is a service. You’re helping people, and you have to want to take care of them. You have to be open to working with people of all different backgrounds and personalities.

2505 Donaghey, Ste 102 • Conway, AR

501.450.9900

pattersoneyecare.com

”

— Office manager Michelle Mallett, who’s worked at Ott for 23 years destroyed. “(Ott employees) were focused on trying to take care of people from Little Rock to Mayflower to Ferndale, all the areas in that path. And still, I’ve have Cynthia Rickett calling me, Pat Hawkins calling me, the adjustor calling me. Everybody was calling to check on us.” At the time, Ott employees didn’t know Gordon and Cagle had been in discussions about buying the business. After seeing such professionalism and customer service firsthand, the two businessmen were more sold on the company than ever. “When we announced the buyout, I think most employees probably had no clue that (negotiations) had been going on,” Gordon said. He added, with a grin, “I told them this is y’all’s fault. You shouldn’t have given such good service. You treated me too well.” October 2018 501lifemag.com | 63

SPORTS

Hendrix Eldridge (front) and London Cabantac work their way to the finish line.

Triathlon

More than 200 participants in event presented by First Security Todd Owens photos Two hundred and five young people participated Aug. 11 in the 21st Annual Conway Kids Triathlon, presented by First Security Bank. The event was held at Hendrix College. “The Conway Kids Triathlon is a great event for kids, families and our community,” said Conway Kids Triathlon Race Director Pete Tanguay. “I was very pleased with how the triathlon went. Although I’ve worked with the event for about five years, this is the first year I was the race director. I have a new appreciation for how many ‘moving parts’ there are in putting on a triathlon.” Young people participated in three activities – swimming, biking and running. Kids between 6 and 10 complete a 50-yard swim (two laps in the pool), 2-mile bike course and half-mile run. Kids between 11 and 15 complete a 100-yard swim (four laps in the pool), a 4-mile bike course and a mile run. While weather is always a big concern, conditions were perfect on this year’s race day. Safety is also a big consideration. “When you have kids ages 64 | 501 LIFE October 2018

With the help of Parisi Speed School’s Pieri Feazell, triathlon participants warm up. Parisi Speed School was an event sponsor.

5 to 15 racing on their bikes on public streets through The Village at Hendrix with many turns on the bike course, it takes a lot to ensure their safety. The bike course is the No. 1 area of safety concern as the pool is a controlled environment and the run course is entirely on sidewalks through the Hendrix campus.” Tanguay expressed his appreciation to the Conway police and fire departments for their help in ensuring safety. “The Conway Police department did such a great job managing the streets and their attitude and interest in the event is so wonderful. The fire department had a fire truck parked near the event to minimize the response time if there was an emergency. These are two great examples of public service by our police and fire departments,” he said. “In addition, the volunteers on the bike course were ladies from Women Bike Arkansas, a local group of cyclists headed up by Tara Leamon from The Ride. Who better to care for kids on the bike course than women who love kids and love cycling?” Tanguay also acknowledged two special volunteers for their help with this year’s triathlon. “Two specific volunteers who made a huge difference for us was our emcee, Christina Munoz Madsen, and Frank Massingill, who set the feel for the event with the music. Frank has been involved with the event for years and always sets a fun and energetic atmosphere. This was Christina’s first year, and her connection with the kids was wonderful. It takes time to get all the kids into the pool and on the course and I’ve never seen anyone better at keeping kids having fun while they wait for an hour in the sun. “We had over 80 volunteers taking care of business and making the event fun, safe and successful.” For the second year, Community Connections organized a special needs division for the event. Community Connections is a non-profit organization in Central Arkansas that provides extra-curricular activities for children with special needs and support for their families. Of the 205 registered participants, 21 were in the special needs division. “We added this division last year and it has given the opportunity to complete a triathlon to a new group of kids and we are very excited about this,” Tanguay said. “Of the 184 kids who were not in the Community Connections, a third of them (about 60) were competing in their first triathlon. I love this statistic. This is a wonderful accomplishment to cap off the summer with the week before school starts.” According to Tanguay, the first priority for organizers is providing a quality event for participants. Awards are presented to the top five finishers, with all participants receiving a finisher’s medal. The event raised $12,000, which was donated to Soul Food Café Mission, a critical mission to the Conway community. Every year, the mission provides services for close to 50,000 individuals with more than 30 percent under age 18. “Through registration fees and generous sponsors, we are also able to raise money for Soul Food Café Mission,” said Tanguay. “The Soul Food team is one of our hardest working groups of volunteers who help get everything set up and torn down before and after the event. This is the fourth year we’ve designated them as our beneficiary and it is a perfect match for the event. “Many of the people served by Soul Food Café Mission are kids and families who have found themselves in an unfortunate situation in life and need some help to get back on their feet. We see this partnership as one of healthy kids and families giving to hurting families to help them get back on their feet.” The 2019 Conway Kids Triathlon is tentatively set for Saturday, Aug. 10, at Hendrix College. For more information about the Conway Kids Triathlon, go to ConwayKidsTri.com or contact Tanguay at 501.908.3876 or pete@ rock-pond.com.

See more photos on Page 66

Scotti and Ernie Lechuga with sons Eli (left) and Ethan.

Zion Kear (front, from left) Luke Burnsed, Aubrey Messick; Patrick Ragan (back) and Austin Traywick.

Bronx (left) and Pat Burton.

Jack (from left), Jackie and Harrison Bracey.

Mike (left) and Grant Cormier.

Laura (from left) and Beaux Crow with Rita Crow. October 2018 501lifemag.com | 65

Quinten Leach participates in the swim segment of the triathlon.

Julia Mann exits the pool area.

The Hildebrand Family: Cruz (front, from left) and Creed; Bliss (back) and John. 66 | 501 LIFE October 2018

Bentley Leach on the bicycle course.

Khyler (left) and Stu King.

October 2018 501lifemag.com | 67 Month YEAR 501lifemag.com | 1

SPORTS

Garland County: Bobby Mitchell During his 83 years, Robert Cornelius Mitchell has attracted many nicknames and labels. To his family while growing up in Hot Springs, he was Neal; to fans in the same city marveling at his high school football scoring, “Mr. Touchdown.” To a sportswriter describDr. Robert ing his first-game Reising performance at the University of Illinois, Dr. Robert Reising retired from the University of Central he was “a star falling Arkansas in 2013 after holding a out of heaven”; and to variety of teaching, coaching and administrative posts during more the Cleveland Browns than a half-century in education. of the National FootHis doctoral dissertation at Duke treated literature and sports. ball League (NFL), “Mr. Outside” and “Mitchell the Missile.” But to longtime friend Don Duren, he was simply “The Remarkable Bobby Mitchell.” And remarkable he was and remains. Although continuing to live in Washington, D.C., with his wife of 60 years after retiring from professional play in 1969 and from his post as assistant general manager for Washington in 2003, he is quick to cite his pride in his native city. “I’m proud, proud to say I’m from Hot Springs, Ark.,” he proclaimed in 1997 on one of his infrequent visits back to the city where his remarkable, never-to-be-replicated story began. The son of a part-time minister, Bobby was a middle child in a family of eight children, and realized early that he had to fend for himself. Athletics became his haven, and he was soon noticed for his beyond-the-norm skills. Soon, too, he became friends with AfricanAmerican baseball players visiting the Spa City during their off-seasons. The influence of stars like Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella was inestimable, Bobby was later to admit. “Campy” even bought him the suit of clothes he wore to his 1954 graduation from segregated Langston High School, where he was a four-sport star and had twice gained all-state honors in football. Those baseball greats, however, could help him little in untangling the many options he had for gaining an undergraduate education. For guidance, he wisely turned to his common-sense mother and his life-long friend, Charles Butler, an older, football-playing Langston alumnus. The pair convinced Bobby not to attend the institution he preferred, allblack Grambling University, nor to acquire yet another label, “the first black football player at the University of Arkansas”; instead, they persuaded him to join Butler at the University 68 | 501 LIFE October 2018

Bobby Mitchell had a lot of success on the football field, from his high school days in Hot Springs to a professional career with the Cleveland Browns. of Illinois. His first two years on the Big Ten campus proved painful. Bobby quickly learned that Champaign and Urbana were no Hot Springs — that the respect and civility he enjoyed in his native city were not readily discernible in the Twin Cities. Only after he had exploded for more than 500 yards in the final three Illini gridiron contests of 1955 and, too, after an alert University dean had transferred him from the old Army barracks housing black athletes to an all-white dormitory, did Bobby feel comfortable in his adopted state. The following season was marred by a

501 LIFE is once again profiling noteworthy athletes from Central Arkansas, one from each of the 11 counties in the 501, in a special series titled “Celebrating athletic excellence.” The 11 are representatives of the quality of athletes found throughout Central Arkansas and are not meant to be the best or the most noteworthy. This is the fourth installment in the second series.

Bobby Mitchell (fourth from the left) and friends on Central Avenue in Hot Springs in December 1955.

knee injury, and his final one by a growing belief that his future lay with track and the 1960 Olympiad rather than football. Although in both years named to the Big Ten’s All-Conference Football Team, he concluded that those honors paled by comparison with his All-Big Ten record-breaking achievements in track. But his mind was changed Aug. 15, 1958, when, before 70,000 fans at Soldier Field in Chicago, he earned Co-Most Valuable Player honors in the College All-Star game after catching five passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns. Within weeks, drafted in the seventh round, Bobby had signed an attractive contract with the Cleveland Browns. Thus, he embarked on one of the most remarkable playing careers in NFL history, 11 seasons long — four with the Browns, as a running back (1958-1961); and seven with Washington, as a wide receiver (1962-1968). During the 11, he claimed 14,078 combination net yards, 521 pass receptions and 91 touchdowns (eight on kick-off returns!) while earning a spot on three All-NFL Teams and in four Pro Bowls after selection as the 1958 NFL Rookie of the Year. Subsequent honors included induction into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, which hailed him as “the first African-American to play for Washington,” and six years later, in 1983, the NFL Hall of Fame. Introducing Bobby at the latter, Edward Bennett Williams, co-owner of Washington, paid tribute not merely to his playing feats but also to his countless successes in raising millions for benevolent causes throughout the nation: “No one surpassed him in character, in courage, in dignity and in integrity.” Clearly, Hot Springs, Garland County and the 501 all share the pride in “The Remarkable Bobby Mitchell.”

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October 2018 501lifemag.com | 69

SPORTS

Buying in

Conway’s Wicks signs with Kansas State by Mark Oliver

One of Conway High School’s brightest athletic stars is taking his talents to the next level. Jordan Wicks, who dazzled on Conway’s football and baseball teams, is exchanging his blue Wampus Cats jersey for a purple Wildcats jersey this fall after signing with Kansas State University. “I was talking to one of the guys who had helped with my recruiting, and he mentioned Kansas State to me,” Wicks said. “It was a school that I had never thought about before. My youth baseball coach played for them, so that intrigued me. I started talking to their coach, and he came to see me pitch and invited me on a campus visit. I loved the campus, facility and coaches and felt like it was a good fit for me. Shortly after, they made me an offer, and I was extremely blessed for the opportunity to continue my baseball career.” In his final game with Conway, Wicks and the Wampus Cats competed for a state cham-

Jordan Wicks had a successful high school athletic career, which included multiple all-conference and all-state honors.

’Gonna travel, gonna travel wild and free. I’m gonna pack my bags because this great big world is calling me.’ - Elvis Presley

Win

a Wild & Free Getaway Includes:

2 Nights/ 3 Days for 2 • Sugar Loaf Shuttle • Kayak for 2 • UTV trail excursion

LAKE PLAY • NATURE TRAILS • GOLFING • FISHING • UTV • R E G I S T E R

70 | 501 LIFE October 2018

Jordan has an opportunity to take his baseball career to the next level and will be playing for Kansas State University. pionship on Arkansas high school baseball’s highest stage. “It was awesome to be able to be one of the last two teams left playing,” Wicks said. “We lost to Springdale Har-Ber, 6-0. The game didn’t go like we wanted it to, but that’s how baseball goes sometimes. Being there was huge. I’m

happy that we made it to the state championship game in our final game together.” Capping a fruitful high school athletic career, which includes multiple all-conference and all-state honors, Wicks received the Frank E. Robins Male Athlete of the Year award, which recognizes athletes with exceptional on- and off-

the-court contributions. “It was humbling to be selected for this honor,” Wicks said. “When you consider the players that have won it in the past, you realize that you’re among some really talented athletes on and off the field.” Wicks expects to make an impact early for the Wildcats. “I’ll be coming in as both a pitcher and position player, and I hope that I can contribute right away,” Wicks said. “My goal is to come in and help the ball club in any way that I can.” To ease some of the freshman jitters, Wicks recounts a time where he was nervous about performing at Conway. “As a freshman for Conway, it was intimidating coming in and playing against guys who were four years older than you,” Wicks said. “They’re stronger and more experienced, and it’s not always easy to make an impact. You have to find some way to compete and make the playing field more even. I remember working every day to contribute, and it ended up working out for me. I plan to work just as hard at Kansas State.” Wicks hopes that his story inspires others to chase their dreams. “Success in athletics is all about buying in,” Wicks said. “No matter the sport, if you buy in to what your coaches are telling you, you can achieve great things. When you get to the high school level, it’s a fresh start to prove yourself. Go out there, work hard and give it everything you have.”

. . l E L a e SSIB R s i e O l P g s i g Y u R r E t The Snd RECOV a

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October 2018 501lifemag.com | 71

TRAVEL

Petit Jean Mountain in its fall colors. (Linda Henderson photos)

Fun factor 13 not-so-scary things to do in the 501 this fall Finally, October will soon arrive in Central Arkansas. Most folks think the only thing to do in October is related to the costumed trick or treaters that will be taking to the streets in droves, but there are lots of things to do that do not necessarily relate to spooky things. So, if you are not keen on Halloween, no worry — the 501 has many other things to do and see.

Sunflowers at Schaefers and Collins Pumpkin Patch.

A visit to an Arkansas State Park will always be No. 1 for me.

Linda Henderson Jim and Linda Henderson are lifelong residents of the 501. During the week, Jim has a construction business and Linda is a registered nurse at the Conway Human Development Center. On the weekends, they travel the 501 and other areas of Arkansas. Jim drives and hauls equipment. Linda takes photographs of Arkansas. During their travels, they have gained appreciation and love for The Natural State. They have found the 501 has so much to offer for weekend fun and beauty to photograph.

Make a day trip or a camping weekend to Woolly Hollow State Park, which has 370 acres of hardwood forest with a small lake built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933. There is an original homestead cabin in the park. It was built by an early pioneer family and has been completely restored. It makes a wonderful backdrop for the autumn leaves.

If you want a little spooky but not too scary, visit an old cemetery. Try to visit one that is the final resting place of your family ancestors. It is a great way to share family history and stories with the next generation.

Take a picnic to an area lake or find a creek with running water. Colors of changing leaves reflecting in the water are a beautiful sight. And who knows, it still might be warm enough to dip your feet in the water.

Take a drive on a rural road. There are so many beautiful drives in the 501. Last October, my favorite Saturday afternoon drive was around Greers Ferry Lake between Heber Springs and Higden.

Visit a county courthouse. All the 501 county courthouses are beautifully landscaped, and many have numerous old towering oaks and other hardwoods.

Visit the “old town” part of your hometown. Older neighborhoods are where white picket fences and stunning old trees

Travel continued on Page 74 72 | 501 LIFE October 2018

The Cleburne County Courthouse at Heber Springs.

Cotton fields at Scott.

A Harvest Moon rises over the Schaefers and Collins Pumpkin Patch.

Cemetery at Marcus Hill.

October 2018 501lifemag.com | 73

Travel continued from Page 72 with changing leaves are found.

Head down Highway 60 in Perry County and enjoy Saint Boniface Church in all her stately fall beauty. After your visit to Saint Boniface, drive on up Petit Jean Mountain. My favorite Arkansas State Park is Petit Jean. The turning leaves on the mountain are some of the finest vistas in Arkansas.

Find a swamp to visit. There is nothing much more beautiful that a swamp cypress tree as it goes from summer’s green to fall’s golden orange.

Take a Sunday afternoon drive in Pulaski County. Drive down a county road and enjoy the cotton bolls ready to be picked.

Watch the Harvest Full Moon rising. This year, the Harvest Moon or October’s full moon rises at approximately 6:51 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24.

Visit a pumpkin patch. The patches I enjoy the most are Schaefer’s and Collins Pumpkin Patch and The Barn at Lollie. Schaefer’s and Collins Patch opens at the end of September. There are oodles of varieties of pumpkins available, a petting zoo, hayrides and fun tractor rides for the kids. The Barn at Lollie has a corn maze that will allow your family to meander through the maze for hours.

Visit an apple orchard. Central Arkansas has an abundance of orchards. Then go home and make an iron skillet apple pie. I’ve included my almost famous and easy iron skillet apple pie recipe in this story. Woolly Hollow State Park near Greenbrier.

St. Boniface Catholic Church in Perry County.

AUNT LINDA’S EASY SKILLET APPLE PIE 1/2 a stick of salted butter 4 Granny Smith Apples 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup of brown sugar 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 4 small chunks of salted butter Aunt Linda’s secret recipe for pie crust: 2 Pillsbury refrigerated pre-rolled pie crusts. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Allow pie crust to warm to room temperature (about 15 minutes). Place butter into a hot 10-inch cast iron skillet. Allow the butter to melt in the oven. Remove skillet from the oven after it is hot. Place one of the refrigerated pie crusts into the iron skillet. Prepare apples by peeling, coring and thinly slicing into small chunks. Add sugars and cinnamon to apples. Mix together so that sugars and cinnamon cover each apple chunk. Add apple mixture to skillet along with the four small chunks of salted butter. Cover the pie with the second refrigerated pie crust. Cut four slits into the top of the crust for steam. Bake in the preheated oven until the apples are tender and the crust is golden brown, about 45 minutes. Serve warm.

Unleash your creative side and wear a fun Halloween themed costume. October is one of the best months of the year. The weather is perfect, and there is so much to do. It’s the best time to embrace the outdoors, the bountiful harvest and the haunted happenings in the 501.

74 | 501 LIFE October 2018

A Conway street covered in fall leaves.

October 2018 501lifemag.com | 75

Hannah Robison and her best friend and constant confidant, Mojo.

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NEIGHBORS special friends

Getting her Mojo back

Story and photos by Megan Stroud

Mojo, a 7-year-old English Springer Spaniel, has one goal in life: getting the squeaker out of all toys. Mojo is always panting, loves water more than food and is the perfect, constant companion to Hannah Robison, a native of Newport who calls Searcy her second home. Hannah now lives in North Little Rock, where she manages communication for Central Church of Christ. Hannah and Mojo have been inseparable since they first met. When Hannah graduated from Harding University, her parents gave her Sampson, a golden retriever puppy. Fourteen months later she had to put him down, but they ended up taking Mojo home that same day. “I was literally sobbing on the steps of the vet clinic. My dad sits down, and he says, ‘You’re going to think I’m crazy, but they have a dog in here who needs a home,’” Hannah said. In addition to immediately adapting to her family’s land where Hannah grew up riding the fourwheeler through her grandfather’s cattle farm, Mojo was immediately intuitive to Hannah’s every need. “She was perfectly trained when we got her, and I guess she was trying not to lick. But when I first met her, she started licking the tears off my face. She looked at me, she looked at Dad and I was like, ‘Yes, she’s coming home with us.’ And she is just the best dog I have ever had.” Although they instantly fell in love with Mojo, Hannah and her parents struggled to name her. During the first three weeks, they tried different names, but nothing fit until her dad said, “Mojo.” The name has a triple meaning. Primarily, she helped them get their mojo back after Sampson died. But the name also took on the implication of their favorite coffee house, Midnight Oil, commonly

Mojo’s name has several meanings, including the comfort she provided after the loss of another pet. known as MO, as well as the name of the vet from whom they got her, Joe David Smith. It’s been three years since they brought Mojo home to their family land in Searcy where Hannah’s parents have lived since 2012. Hannah and Mojo spend every day together, whether they are in Searcy or Little Rock. Letters are signed “Hannah and Mojo” with a pawprint, and evening walks are accompanied by discussions often including the repetitions of the phrases, “I love you,” and “Watchu see?” From chasing birds out of their home to eating an entire carton of expired ice cream out of the trash on Mother’s Day, they have made

memories that will outlast a lifetime. For Hannah, who has always loved all things dog from dog breed books to American Kennel Club (AKC) Dog Shows and from every Animal Planet show to her school mascot — the greyhounds — Mojo is a best friend and constant confidant. “I really feel like a mother to Mojo because I don’t have kids of my own, and I don’t have a spouse, so she has been such a comfort. She’s always my constant. It’s always so nice to come home, and they’re so happy to see you every time. She’s never disappointed in me. I can never say the wrong things to her. She always loves me anyway.”

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October 2018 501lifemag.com | 77

NEIGHBORS person of the month

Steven Webb

CITY: Searcy. WORK: Unity Health president and chief executive officer.

TIME IN HEALTHCARE FIELD: 14 years. COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: Member of the

Little Rock Airforce Base Community Council, Searcy Leadership and Searcy Regional Economic Development.

CHURCH ACTIVITIES: We are transitioning from our church in North Little Rock to a new church family in Searcy. FAMILY: My wife of 15 years, Elizabeth, and

our three daughters and son - Peyton (14), Paige (12), Presley (11), and Piper (9).

EDUCATION: Bachelor of business administration and management, East Texas Baptist University, Marshall, Texas; master of health service administration, University of Arkansas at Little Rock. MOST CHERISHED POSSESSION: The

relationship with my beautiful wife.

MOST ENJOYED WEEKEND ACTIVITY:

Working on either my Bronco or 1968 Chevy C10

FAVORITE QUOTE: “..people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou NO. 1 VACATION SPOT: When we get out of state, we love to visit Dauphin Island in Alabama. It’s quiet and not too touristy. We enjoy the simplicity of it. Otherwise, we enjoy the Natural State, especially the lake. FAVORITE PLACE IN ARKANSAS: Greers Ferry

Lake.

Steven Webb was recently named the new president and chief executive of Unity Health. His work experience includes serving as a Fellow at White County Medical Center in Searcy; chief executive officer at Good Shepherd Medical Center in Linden, Texas; administrator at Baptist Health Medical Center in Stuttgart; vice president of patient service at Baptist Health, Little Rock; and vice president and administrator at Baptist Health Medical Center – North Little Rock.

78 | 501 LIFE October 2018

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT LIVING IN THE 501: It is home to me. Living here has made me

who I am. I am thankful for the relationships, the mentors, the experiences and the support of the people of Central Arkansas. This is a great place to raise a family with opportunities to see and experience so much.

Celebrating Our #1 In 2018, Conway Regional was named #1 in Central Arkansas for Medical Excellence in Cardiac Care*, among 50+ other awards. While we’re proud of our awards, our team is driven by something more: you.

One Team. One Promise.

Our #1 priority is and will always be you, the patient, and that’s the #1 worth celebrating.

*CareChex® — an information service of Quantros, Inc.

#1 in Central Arkansas for Medical Excellence in Cardiac Care

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