April 2009

LIVING AND WORKING IN FAITH

I NEED A STABLE BANK I CAN TRUST.”

ere are 100 reasons to bank at Centennial. If being able to bank until 7 p.m. isn’t enough, how about never having to pay a fee at any ATM in the country? We also have 64 locations, are nancially secure and just may be the friendliest bank you’ll nd. With all these bene ts, there’s really no reason to go anywhere else. See all 100 reasons to choose Centennial at my100bank.com

TMJ is a painful condition of the jaw that can be agonizing and disruptive to your life. Some of the symptoms may be headaches, earaches, ear ringing, loud jaw clicking, facial muscle pain, stiffness and pain in the jaw, neck, shoulders and back, tingling of your fingers and even pressure behind the eyes. But there is a treatment to help eliminate your suffering. At Dalton Designer Smiles we don’t just mask your TMJ symptoms; we treat the underlying problem.

new smile was icing on the cake after Dr. Dalton alleviated my TMJ symptoms.”

—Janet Criswell, Conway, AR

8th Annual Conway Regional Women’s Council

“In Her Honor” Women’s Health Fair & Forum

As a woman, you take care of others every day. This event will help you care for another very special person — yourself.

Open to women of all ages to learn more about health issues, as well as the latest advances in women’s medicine. Enjoy a continental breakfast, relax with a free mini massage, take a tour of our digital mammography suites, and test drive the da Vinci ® Robotic Surgery System — and don’t forget to register for door prizes.

Admission is FREE!

No registration is required. Seminars and screenings are on a first come basis beginning at 7am.

Saturday, April 25

Conway Regional Women’s Center Doors Open 7am–Noon

Free Seminars

8 a.m. Cardiovascular Technology E.J. Chauvin, MD, Conway Cardiothoracic Surgery

9 a.m. Arthritis Management and Treatment

10 a.m. Obstetrics & Gynecology Panel Discussion

Your Women’s Health Questions Answered

11 a.m. Pediatric Health Panel Discussion

Answers to Your Childhood Health Questions

Free Health Screenings

Blood Pressure Glaucoma

Body Composition Posture

Bone Density Heel Scan Sun Damage

Cholesterol/Glucose (fast for at least 6 hours)

Free Health Information

Breast Cancer

Cancer Boutique

Colon Cancer

da Vinci ® Surgery

Diabetes Heart Disease

Home Health

Lifeline

Lung Cancer

Osteoporosis

Ovarian Cancer

Perinatal Bereavement

Physical Fitness

Physical Therapy

Rehabilitation

Skin Cancer Support Groups

28 Guest Column

‘There is a time to be born and a time to die’ by Dr. Ron Mitchell.

30 Feature

Faith is literally abloom among thousands of daffodils on Wye Mountain.

40 Home

JoAnn and Alex Lieblong have a big heart when it comes to family. So much so, that their Conway home is beautifully decorated with treasures that conjure up childhood memories.

47 Economic Survival Guide

When starting a plan to build a structure, the order of events is critical to success. This concept is also important in building a strong personal financial plan.

50 Business

The 2009 annual meeting of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce offered an opportunity to look back on the community’s accomplishments in 2008 and recognize individuals and businesses.

54 Sports/Recreation

With eight seniors, including five four-year starters who led the Lady Cats to the state semifinals when they were freshmen, this could be THE year for the Conway High School softball team.

56 Pets

Meet Mary Beth Lagenaur and Wilkie.

57 Travel

Discover a few of the places to go in the coming month to enjoy the gifts of beauty that

501 LIFE

Donna Spears

Sonja Keith

Tracy Ferrell

Sonja J. Keith

A.J. Carol

Mike Kemp

Anita Ferrell

Kayla Cooper

Don Bingham

Tiffany Block

Steve Brawner

Stephanie Byrnes

Tanner Cangelosi

Maggie Chandler

Jennifer Cunningham

Levi Gilbert

Angie Howard

Mathilda Hatfield Hulett

Renee Hunter

Heather Kendrick

Karl Lenser

Melanie Malone

Marilyn Mathis

Richard Ryerson

Jan Spann

Donna Lampkin Stephens

Jim Taylor

Kellie Turpin

Johnny Adams

Jack Bell

Rob Bell

Lori Case

Glenn Crockett

Kay Dalton

David Hambuchen

Roe Henderson

Jerry Hiegel

Mathilda Hatfield Hulett

Rosanne Johnson

Mike Kemp

Julie LaRue

Karl Lenser

Monica Lieblong

Deanna Ott

Pat Otto

Jon Patrom

Lori Ross

Warwick Sabin

Margaret Smith

Jan Spann

Amy Stockton

Beth Tyler

Jeff Whitehead

Jennifer Whitehead

Nancy Williams

‘A God thing’

The phrase “It was a God thing” took on a new meaning last year for the three publishers of 501 LIFE.

No one could have imagined what was in store for us. Just getting three people together with the right skill sets to start a business had to be a miracle. We believe it all happened for a reason. We took a leap of faith.

Each of us was at different places in our lives, and God had a plan that we didn’t know existed. Comfort zones are nice, but until we let go and let God take control we had no idea what a blessing was in store.

The encouragement and outpouring of all those that came on board has been amazing. God knew the right people that needed to touch our lives. We often wondered why certain things happened, and each day it makes more sense.

The blessings have been plenty and we have been humbled.

Most recently, the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce presented the 2008 Outstanding New Business Award to 501 Advertising and Publishing. What an honor and what a surprise!

So many had a hand in this award – from our wonderful 501 LIFE Editorial Board and our talented contributors to our loyal advertisers. We thank them for their support and share the honor with them.

We also want to congratulate the other award winners (see Page 50 for coverage of banquet), including our special friends Kym Schluterman at Walk This Way and the fine folks at Freyaldenhoven Heating and Cooling.

With Easter right around the corner, the April issue was an appropriate time to celebrate “Faith in the 501.” Everyone has a story to tell about their faith, and this issue is just the tip of the iceberg.

Dr. Ron Mitchell, who works at Central Baptist College, did the “guest columnist” honors this month (Page 28). Despite being gravely ill, he openly shares with 501 readers the importance of his faith and coming to terms with a terminal illness. His words and faith are truly inspirational.

This edition also features Kris Allen, a contestant on “American Idol,” another unique individual in the 501 with a special story of faith (Page 26).

There are many other stories about how our friends and neighbors in the 501 area turned to their faith in many circumstances. Some are contained in the pages that follow, others will be presented in future editions.

It is another reminder of how blessed we are to live in the 501.

Sonja J. Keith

Donna J. Spears Tracy L. Ferrell

Each month, 501 LIFE does its best to provide readers with accurate and timely information.

Despite our best efforts, there were two errors that appeared in the March issue.

A caption with a photo from the Clinton Chamber of Commerce banquet should have read Shelia Bonds and Carrie Hinds (not Carrie Bonds as was presented).

In a story about the Soul Food Café ministry, the information about the Bikes for Tykes program was incorrect. The program was created and operated by the Conway Advocates for Bicycling (http://www. cycleconway.org). Erik Leamon, and the crew at The Ride, helped tremendously, but a group of volunteers did the project. We apologize for the errors.

‘Seeing RED’

Did you know that heart disease is the No. 1 killer for women in the U.S. and that the ailment costs American businesses $300 billion annually in medical expenses and lost productivity?

Those types of statistics have us seeing red, and we hope you follow suit.

For that reason, 501 LIFE is proud to serve as a corporate sponsor for the upcoming “Go Red for Women” luncheon planned 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 12, in East McCastlain Hall at the University of Central Arkansas.

The Go Red movement was launched in 2004 to encourage women to take charge of their health.

Shelley Mehl, 2009 chairman, and Linda Linn, honorary chair, are heading up this year’s luncheon which will include exhibits and a silent auction. Over 300 of Conway’s most prominent female leaders from the corporate, medical and educational communities are expected to attend.

The special guest speaker for the luncheon will be Deena Burnett, widow of Flight 93 hero Tom Burnett. She recently authored a book, “Fighting Back: Living Life Beyond Ourselves.”

We hope you will join us for the event.

For more information, please contact Cathy Hooker, director of Go Red for Women at 501.379.1185 or email Cathy.Hooker@heart.org.

501 Advertising and Publishing was recently named the 2008 Outstanding New Business by the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce. On hand for the presentation were 501 owners Sonja Keith (front, from left), Donna Spears and Tracy Ferrell; Brad Lacy (back), president and CEO for the chamber and the Conway Development Corporation (CDC); T.J. Johnston, vice president of business development for the CDC; and Conway Mayor Tab Townsell. (Photo by Lance Johnston.)

The

Readers take LIFE along for the ride

From photos received in recent weeks, it’s obvious readers are enjoying LIFE and taking it along for the ride – from trips to neighboring states to adventures abroad.

“Our ‘Loving LIFE’ feature has become quite popular,” said 501 LIFE publisher Donna Spears. “501 LIFE really is ‘the people’s magazine’ and we

are thrilled that readers share their families, their travels and so much more with us and others.”

Readers who would like to submit a photo can do so by email at info@501adsandmags.com or by mail to Reader Photos, c/o 501 LIFE, 1002 Front St. Suite 1, Conway, Ark. 72032. (Sorry, photos will not be returned.)

Jay “Termite” Matthews, David “Icky” Avra, Mike “Lovie” Parks, Steve “Hairy” Longing and Lynn “Vinnie” Waldren on a recent “Bear Claw” trip. Not pictured are Joe “Crab” Donovan, Don “Salad” Weaver and Brooks “Big Daddy” Bright. “We were on Indian Creek north of Russellville, riding ATVs on our yearly get-together that we have been doing since our college days,” said Brooks. “We typically ride fourwheelers, play cards and eat well. Oh, and tell lots of stories.”

What is 501 LIFE?

you live in one of the counties with a 501 area code, then this magazine was created with you in mind. Central Arkansas is rich in history, full of culture, and brimming with stories to be told.

Elizabeth Kennedy (left) and Julia Razer recently participated with Sonshine Academy in the World Spirit Association Cheerleading Competition in Branson. “That is why they are dressed as they are with makeup and all,” said Nancy Williams, Elizabeth’s grandmother. “My new issue of 501 LIFE had just come in the mail so I took it with me to read.” Elizabeth Kennedy is a daughter of Traci Kennedy and Johnny Kennedy. Julia is a daughter of Michael and Margaret Razer - all of Conway.

Van

first medical mission team from Woodland Heights Baptist Church recently traveled to Honduras and took 501 LIFE along. Members worked in San Juan de Opoa, Honduras. Ginger Marshall, a pharmacist, holds the latest copy of the magazine for the group shot.

Dick “Stinky” Fletcher (from left), Mike “Beaver Stick” Cartwright,

Drew Ferguson shares LIFE during the Pink Zone at the University of Central Arkansas.

The Spring Community Yard Sale at Greenbrier will be held 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 4, at the city event center. Breakfast will be served 6 to 9 a.m. The sale will be held indoors and there’s plenty of parking. Proceeds will benefit the Greenbrier Civitan Club, a community service organization that focuses on helping people with developmental disabilities. For more information, call 501.679.6362 or email gcec@cyberback.com.

The Conway Interfaith Clinic will host its first Dr. Jack Logan Memorial Golf Tournament on Saturday, April 4, at Tannenbaum Golf Course, Greers Ferry Lake. The four-person scramble will begin at 9 a.m. Entries will be limited to the first 40 team registrations received. All proceeds directly benefit the clinic. For more information, please call 501.932.0559 or email cic@conwayinterfaithclinic.org.

A Sustainable Communities Meeting will be held 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 4, at the McGee Center, 3800 College Ave. in Conway. On the agenda – a local sustainability initiatives update, an open forum to consider new green community ideas, selection of new coordinating team members and a swap table. All are welcome. The meeting is sponsored by the Faulkner County Supporters of Sustainable Communities. For more information, please contact www.fcssc.org or 501.450.9097.

“Blooms of Spring,” a framed original oil painting by Conway artist Heather Mainord, will be raffled with several other great prizes during “A Picture of Health.” The second annual open house and art show benefiting Conway Regional Health Foundation will be held 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at Pictures Et Cetera Fine Arts Gallery, 572 Chestnut St. in Downtown Conway. Admission is free. For information, please visit www.conwayregional. org/PictureOfHealth or call 501.513.5778 or 501.327.8278.

evening. “Blooms of Spring,” a framed original oil painting by Conway artist Heather Mainord, valued at over $2,000, will be raffled with several other great prizes. Raffle tickets are $10 each or three for $25; seven for $50; and 15 for $100. Raffle proceeds and 20 percent of all sales will be donated to the hospital to purchase a hemoglobin A1C device for pediatric diabetic monitoring. For a complete listing of ticket outlets or to purchase raffle tickets online, visit www.conwayregional.org/PictureOfHealth or call 501.513.5778 or 501.327.8278.

The St. Anthony’s Foundation will present its second annual Melodies & Medicine at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 18. Last year’s event attracted 200 attendees and raised over $21,000 to support renovations at the medical center. For more information, please contact Gina Daniel at 501.977.2394 or email gkdaniel@stvincenthealth.com.

The Conway Regional Women’s Council quarterly luncheon will be held 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 21, at The Centennial Center, 1555 Centennial Club Drive in Conway. Dr. Greg Kendrick will discuss the Conway Regional Medical Center hospitalist program. The luncheon is open to both members and non-members. The cost is $15 per person or $120 for a reserved table of eight. Reservations are required. Please call 501.513.5778 or register online at www.conwayregional.org.

The Relay for Life of Faulkner County will be held Friday, April 24, and Saturday, April 25, at Estes Stadium at the University of Central Arkansas. For more information or to get involved, please contact Julie Bernard at 501.908.4300 or go to www.relayforlife.org/faulkner.

The 17th annual Toad Jam three-on-three basketball tournament will be held Saturday, April 25, and Sunday, April 26, at the Conway Sports Center in Conway. The event raises funds for Help for Abuse Victims in Emergency Need (HAVEN). Entry deadline is Wednesday, April 15. For more information, please call 501.327.1701 or email toadjam@gmail.com.

The eighth annual In Her Honor Women’s Health Fair and Forum, sponsored by the Conway Regional Women’s Council, will be held 7 a.m. until noon Saturday, April 25, at the Conway Regional Women’s Center. The health fair is open to women of all ages and includes free screenings, health information, educational seminars and more. Admission is free. No registration is required for seminars or health screenings but seating for the seminars is limited and on a first come basis. For more information, call 501.513.5778 or visit www.conwayregional.org.

Central Baptist College will present Drew Cline and Band in a free concert at 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, in the Burgess Auditorium on campus. The event – a time of worship – will feature both original and familiar songs. For more information, please go to www.drewcline.com.

Shirley Chauvin and S’Wonderful, a six-piece little big band, will swing onto the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton campus for a performance at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 16. The group will perform songs made famous by the great big band vocalists of the 1940s through the 1970s. The concert will be in the fine arts auditorium, and is free and open to the public.

A Picture of Health – the second annual open house and art show benefiting Conway Regional Health Foundation - will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at Pictures Et Cetera Fine Arts Gallery, 572 Chestnut St. in Downtown Conway. Admission is free. Refreshments will be served and door prizes will be given away throughout the

The University of Central Arkansas Public Appearances will present Rhonda Vincent & The Rage at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30, at the Reynolds Performance Hall. Rhonda Vincent’s unique brand of bluegrass is rich in tradition while remaining unmistakably modern. For more information or to order tickets, please call 1.866.810.0012 or 501.450.3265 (in Conway) or go to www.uca.edu/reynolds.

To submit a calendar item, please send information to info@501adsandmags.com.

To see a complete list of items, please go to www.501lifemag.com.

A winner with LIFE letters

Tammy Woosley of Conway was the winner of dinner for two at MarketPlace Grill in the magazine’s prize drawing last month.

501 LIFE subscribers are eligible for prize drawings, special promotions, VIP invitations to events, lunch in the 501, and much, much more. Subscribe today and you could be the next “Winner with LIFE.” Go to www.501lifemag. com to subscribe to be entered in the next drawing. Look for this space in each issue to see if you are the next “Winner with LIFE.”

Thank you for your generous contribution to the Georg Andersen Interior Design Scholarship Fund through the University of Central Arkansas Foundation.

We are pleased to welcome you to membership in the University Club, an elite group of UCA alumni and friends who annually give $500 to $999 to the foundation.

Your gift enables the foundation to advance the mission and goals of the university by providing educational opportunities to our students and professional development opportunities for the faculty.

Shelley Mehl President, UCA Foundation

Thank you to 501 LIFE for the wonderful article presented in the March issue on

the Conway Alzheimer’s Walk. You were wonderful to include it in your outstanding magazine.

This year, the event is going to be Saturday, Sept. 26, again at Toad Suck Park.

We are fortunate to live in such a caring community, and we are blessed to have a quality publication like 501 LIFE.

Melissa Longing

Conway

I just wanted to congratulate you on the award that you received at the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce banquet. It was very much deserved. I know that I am among many who are very impressed with the quality of your magazine and how quickly you gained such a following.

Danny Manion Conway

St. Anthony’s hosts open house for rehabilitation center

After much anticipation, St. Anthony’s Medical Center recently celebrated the hospital’s newly designed rehabilitation center with a dedication ceremony and reception.

A welcome and introductions during the ceremony were given by Christy Hockaday, administrator and CEO of St. Anthony’s Medical Center. Bishop Anthony B. Taylor of the Diocese of Little Rock and Father Charles Thessing of Sacred Heart Church in Morrilton presided over the invocation, dedication ceremony and blessing of the facility.

Guest speakers included Charles Penick, chairman of St. Anthony’s board of directors; Russell Allison, M.D., of the Arkansas Orthopedics Institute; and John Hopkins, St. Anthony’s OTR/L director. Also present were Peter Banko, president and CEO of the St. Vincent Health System; Peter Noonan, vice president of Mission Integration St. Vincent; and many other executives from St. Vincent Health System member hospitals in Little Rock. Over 100 guests and supporters were present as well to show their support.

The St. Anthony’s Rehabilitation Center will bring a high-level team approach to care for patients recovering from injuries, stroke, orthopedic conditions and even degenerative neurological conditions. “The center will fill a great need in our area for patients facing a physical impairment caused by an illness or injury. Our goal is to help patients lead quality, productive lives,” said Gina Daniel, director of foundation and marketing.

Church honors priest on his silver jubilee

Father James “Jim” Burnie was honored by the parishioners at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church on his silver jubilee, with a brunch.

Fr. Burnie, of Ontario, Canada, was not ordained until he was 53. He has had assignments in Canada and Mexico, and is now the parish priest at St. Mary’s in the St. Vincent Community of Conway County.

Many turned out for the brunch to honor Father Burnie.

Father Burnie gets help cutting his silver jubilee cake from Dillon Gangluff (from left), Jared Sponer and Bethany Sponer.

Christy Hockaday (from left), Sonja Keith, Stephanie Lipsmeyer and Tracy Ferrell.

Foundation board member Stewart Nelson visits with SAMC Administrator Christy Hockaday.

Members of the SAMC Ladies Auxiliary Judy Givens (from left), Carma Garrett, Ellen Canum and Deloris Hartman.

John Hopkins, director of rehabilitation services, welcomes visitors and guests to the open house.

Herb Hesselbein (from left), Conway County VA representative; Conway County Judge Jimmy Hart, Otto Zimmerman and Christy Hockaday. Todd Richerts (from left), Angie Longing, Karen Cree, Charles Penick and Christy Hockaday listen as Bishop Anthony Taylor offers the invocation and blessing.

Photos by Jim Taylor

Photos by Jim Taylor

CBC hosts dinner, silent auction

Central Baptist College recently hosted its second annual Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction. The event – held in the Mabee Student Services Complex – was organized to raise money to equip a campus fitness center. The evening included special music by Mark Binns, a CBC student. Heather Kendrick served as the emcee.

Katie Brewer, education director with Salveo, was the guest speaker. She has worked with CBC to design and implement a wellness program with staff and faculty, and has assisted the college on establishing the fitness center.

Fundraiser held for Bethlehem House

More than 130 individuals came together Feb. 6 for a night of fun and fundraising for Bethlehem House, a homeless shelter in Conway.

This year’s Valentine Gala was held at the Knights of Columbus Hall, graciously provided gratis. The hall was beautifully decorated, courtesy of Events Rental.

Nate Matthews of the University of Central Arkansas performed guitar solos. Richard Henley served as auctioneer, stirring up the crowd to raise $2,500 in live auction bids.

The combination of silent and live auctions, along with ticket sales and table sponsorships, raised over $11,000 for the Christian transitional shelter. The staff, residents and directors gratefully thank all who helped organize the event, those who attended, the individuals and companies donating the auction items, and the table sponsors.

Rena Hoggard (from left), Beuna Martin, Reba Luck and Geraldine Holloway.

Deanna Ott and Jeremy Riddle.

Ely Semedo (left) and Eddie Glover.

Terry Kimbrow (from left), Katie Brewer and Tonya Haltom Hammontree.

Rae Lynn Callaway (left) and Jennifer Whitehead.

Craig and Cindy Goad.

Sharon Cook (from left), Josh Dunlap and Deanna Moses.

photos by Emily Jones

Jeremy Clark (from left), Nichole Clark (Bethlehem House executive board member), and Melisa and Mike Ortner.

Ann Oakes (from left), Lindsey Dugger, Bethlehem House board member Missy Johnson and Tori Marsh.

DeAnn and Toby Bostic with Tate and Amy Moore.

‘Chocolate fling’ held at Maumelle

The Maumelle Chamber of Commerce recently hosted its Chocolate Fling Bingo/Silent Auction “Fun” Raiser.

The event – held at the Maumelle Country Club – attracted about 200 attendees and was described as the “most successful ever.”

See more photos from this event at www.501lifemag.com.

Vilonia chamber hosts annual awards banquet

About 200 turned out for the Vilonia Area Chamber of Commerce annual awards banquet. Steve “Wildman” Wilson, public affairs coordinator for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, was the guest speaker for the banquet, held at the Vilonia High School cafeteria.

The following awards were presented by the chamber: Citizen of the Year - Tina Guilliams. Business of the Year - Harps Food Store. Youth of the Year - Alex Crawford. School Employee of the Year - Sandy Towles. City Employee of the Year - Keith Hillman.

The United Way of Faulkner County presented the Volunteer of the Year Award to Art Pischke.

See more photos from this event at www.501lifemag.com.

Joe and Betty Maxwell (from left) with Diane and James Firestone.

Laura McNeel (from left), Debbie Townsend, Steve “Wildman” Wilson, Jackie Fowlkes, Ricky Rice and Nancy Rice.

Jackie Fowlkes (left) and Tina Guilliams.

Carlette Henderson (left) and Timmons.

Erin Jaworski (left) and Jacob Boucher.

Tracy Harris and Adam Henderson.

Cindy Baker (from left), Ollie Morgan, Sheryl Mosley and Jackie Sivers.

Judge Roger Harrod (left) and Larry Bryant.

Velmina May and Lacy May.

Debbie McWilliams, Liliana MacPhee and Mike Whitcomb.

Sarah Shearon, Val McDaniel and Jackie Kitchens.

Wendy Ramsey, Rosemary Rodibaugh, Christy Wells and Suzanne Grice.

UACCM receives $100,000 for petroleum technology

The support of companies working in the natural gas industry allowed the Fayetteville Shale Scholarship Fund for the third year to aid students pursuing careers in the oil and natural gas industry.

Dr. B. Alan Sugg, the University of Arkansas System president, recently hosted members of the scholarship fund as they presented the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton (UACCM) with a $100,000 contribution to support the school’s petroleum technology program.

Students were present to accept scholarships awarded through the organization’s donation. The scholarships will help students pay for tuition, fees and books.

“In order for an industry to grow, there must be exceptional talent behind it. The UACCM petroleum technology program has helped produce this talent in Arkansas,” said Keith Waddell, president of the Fayetteville Shale Scholarship Fund. “The companies working in the Fayetteville Shale have shown they believe in the industry and these students by supporting our organization.”

The UACCM petroleum technology program is one of a kind in Arkansas, and it is paving the way for students to become a part of the growing natural gas industry. Since the program began in 2006, enrollment has grown from 30 students to about 200. It is among a handful of

two-year petroleum technology certification programs nationwide and includes studies in drilling, gathering and field operations and is now the largest applied technology program on the UACCM campus.

“We are preparing students for promising futures in a number of developing fields associated with the Fayetteville Shale play. Beginning a new program in petroleum technology would not have been a viable financial option for UACCM without the support of the petroleum industry, and Southwestern Energy Company who stepped up with initial seed money to start the program,” said Nathan Crook, UACCM chancellor.

Established in 2006, the Fayetteville Shale Scholarship Fund is a volunteer organization with members representing companies working in the Fayetteville Shale play. The group’s mission is to encourage and enable individuals to pursue educational opportunities that will prepare them for jobs in Arkansas’s oil and gas industry.

George Sheffer, vice president for exploration and production for Southwestern Energy Company.

Fayetteville Shale Scholarship Fund board members present check to school officials. On hand for the presentation were UACCM petroleum technology instructor Jeff Lambert (from left), UACCM Chancellor Nathan Crook, University of Arkansas System President Dr. B. Alan Sugg, Keith Waddell (scholarship fund board president), George Sheffer (vice president) and Marilyn Reiter (treasurer).

David Young, UACCM petroleum technology graduate and now an employee with Southwestern Energy Co., thanks the Fayetteville Shale Scholarship Board for its efforts to raise $100,000 in scholarship money.

Keith Waddell congratulates a UACCM student receiving a scholarship.

Foundation plans ‘Giving Tree Celebration’

The Arkansas Community Foundation in Faulkner County recently hosted “The Giving Tree Celebration: Growing Our Community.”

Held in The Terrazzo Room at Michelangelo’s, over 100 attended the event which honored supporters and friends of the organization.

Incoming board chair Eric Hutchinson welcomed the group. Arkansas Community Foundation CEO Heather Eason was present, as was development director Melissa Stiles.

David and Laura Grimes of Conway shared the personal story of why they had established endowment funds to benefit Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance, and other local non-profit organizations.

Many of CFFC’s fund owners were presented with plaques to help them increase awareness of their endowment funds among their supporters: the Faulkner County Boys and Girls Club, United Way of Central Arkansas, Conway Cancevr Foundation, Wampus Cat Lettermen’s Club, Phillip Weaver Scholarship Endowment, Laura and Theodore Jones Endowment, Conway Christian School, Matt Pillow Young Life Camp, Conway Cradle Care, Conway Interfaith Clinic, Women’s Shelter of Central Arkansas, and the Conway Public Schools Foundation.

The Faulkner County office was established in 2001, and currently has 35 endowment funds established. Julie LaRue is the executive director of the Faulkner affiliate office.

CFFC has given over $365,000 into the community through its grant-making fund and endowment funds.

First Security Gold Club Valentine Banquet

More than 450 First Security Gold Club members and their guests recently attended the eighth annual Gold Club Valentine Banquet and enjoyed an evening of wonderful food and entertainment.

Denice Perry, Gold Club director, hosted the banquet while over 30 First Security employees volunteered their time to serve for the event.

“This event is one everyone looks forward

to each year. And I couldn’t do it without the help of many volunteers,” said Denice. “Over the years this event has grown and we have had to search for larger locations to hold it. For the last two years we have been at capacity for the facility and have had a waiting list.”

This year the entertainment featured the Top of the Rock Chorus which is part of the Sweet Adelines International Quartets. These famous barbershop quartets included

two First Security employees - Kay Washburn and Jennifer Hamilton. The quartets have performed internationally and won numerous awards.

“The Gold Club also features travel opportunities throughout the year. But, the most popular event is definitely the annual Valentine banquet,” said Denice. “It’s a time a lot of the members get to see each other and visit. It’s just a wonderful time for all.”

Bill Roberts (left), Jennifer Brown and Bobby Riggs.

Greg and Sherri Pillow (from left) with Laura and David Grimes.

Heather Larkin Eason (left) and Julie LaRue.

Charlie DeBoard (from left), Jan Spann and Granger Davis.

Lynn Kasper and Matt Chiorini.

Bob and Armilda McCormack with Lisa Lovell (right).

Sweet Adelines International Quartets, Top of the Rock Chorus, perform at the Valentine’s Day party.

Johnny Adams and Denice Perry.

Joyce Garrison (left) and Minnie Bradford.

UCA Pink Zone benefits CRMC

The University of Central Arkansas Sugar Bears recently hosted the Pink Zone, benefiting Conway Regional Health System.

All proceeds from the UCA Sugar Bears game against UT Arlington were donated to benefit Conway Regional cancer programs. The hospital provided free health and cancer information.

John Brizzolara of Little Rock was the winner of a 32-inch TV from DeBoard Electronics given away at the event.

The Pink Zone initiative is a global, unified effort for the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s (WBCA) nation of coaches to assist in raising breast cancer awareness on the court, across campuses, in communities and beyond.

Members of the UCA Sugar Bears basketball team.

Tom Courtway and Lisa Cooley.

Trudy Hightower with her daughters Ashlyn (left) and Abby.

Madie Spears (front) with UCA cheerleaders Bridgett Connors (from left), Meagan Malone, Tiffany Black and Jamie Simpson.

Jessica Merritt (left) and Misty Ferguson.

Ed and Linda Hammontree.

Stephen Roach (from left), Lisa Cooley, Joan Shofner, Brad Teague and Jay Myers.

Lori Ross and her daughter, Natalie.

Knights of Columbus raises money for missions

by Stephanie Byrnes

St. Joseph Catholic Church parishioners continue to extend a helping hand to foreign mission efforts – a tradition started nearly 20 years ago.

Each year as the leaves begin to change, the Conway church begins to anticipate its annual fall festival. Organized by the Conway chapter of Knights of Columbus, a Catholic men’s fraternal order, the festival has been held , withstanding the test of time because of the community’s deep passion for the cause.

The fall festival raises money with a silent auction, bingo, games for kids to play and a real German meal.

When the festival began, only about $2,000 was raised, according to Connie Henze, a coordinator of the event. The festival has grown every year, she says, and this past year the festival raised nearly $7,000.

The funds help to support Holy Ghost Fathers in missions around the world, including Brazil and Mexico. In Brazil, for example, the funds help to repair boats that take missionaries up and down rivers to reach cultures that otherwise might not have access to the gospel.

The Holy Ghost Fathers have pastored St. Joseph Catholic Church since it was founded in 1879.

Connie believes that the festival has been so successful because the church understands that despite whatever economic crisis may occur, residents still have more resources in the United States than many have abroad. The Knights of Columbus is simply doing its part to create a fun way for people to share their abundance with the less fortunate countries Holy Ghost Fathers are ministering.

Caroline Favre (right) plays bingo with Michelle Burgin (left) and Dorothy Burgin (background).

Amy Siebenmorgen (from left), Taylor Perry and Emily Harrison cross a rope bridge.

Associate St. Joseph Pastor Joseph Seiter bids on some jelly at the fall festival.

Photos by Ray Nielsen

The late Clarence Nahlen, a chief organizer of the event for many years, drives a tractor during a hayride for the festival in 2001.

Emily Briggler holds a puppy.

Ray Henze was one of the bingo callers.

William Fields takes Katherine Grace McWilliams on a pony ride.

Job title/place of employment: KidLife coordinator/New Life Church, murals/ t.losi art

HER HIM THEM

Parents: Trey and Karen Trumbo of Fayetteville.

Where did you grow up: Fayetteville.

Education: Fayetteville High School; University of Central Arkansas, bachelor’s degree in early childhood education.

Community activities: Conway Kids Triathlon; designed/ painted Toad Suck Daze mural in Downtown Conway; CASA Festival of Chairs, artist; Ramey’s Racers Easter Seals Walk; neighborhood activities.

Church activities: Children’s ministry, Bible Study Fellowship

Why is your faith important: Jesus gave me life, freedom and purpose...so I live my life for Him.

Hobbies/special interests: Our family, art, golf, gardening, decorating, running.

How would you describe yourself: Energetic, funky.

Favorite restaurant: Trios in Little Rock.

Most enjoyed weekend activity: Going to garage sales.

Favorite quote: “The Lord will fight for you, you need only be still (Exodus 14:14).”

What do you love about living in the 501: Friendly people!

How we met: UCA, at Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Wedding bells: New Year’s Eve 2005, Sassafras Hill in Fayetteville (near Razorback Stadium).

Children (name/ age): Zoe “ZuZu” Blessing Cangelosi, 2 months.

Pets: Lagniappe, a Golden Retriever. Activities enjoyed together: Family walks, movie night, stay home days. ...we are new to having kids, so we are making new family memories everyday!

Job title/place of employment: Children’s pastor/New Life Church.

Parents: Dale Cangelosi of Baton Rouge and Melanie Audibert of New Orleans.

Where did you grow up: Mandeville, La.

Education: Mandeville High School; bachelor’s in communication from UCA and master’s degree in business, UCA.

Community activities: Conway Kids Triathlon, UCA Football, kids camps.

Church activities: KidLife, children’s ministry.

Why is your faith important: Jesus loved me with all His heart and gave His life for me. The least I can do is live for Him.

Hobbies/special interests: Family, carpentry, sailing.

How would you describe yourself: I am kind of a perfectionist, who loves being a dad and staying active.

Favorite restaurant: Mike’s Place.

Most enjoyed weekend activity: Family walks.

Favorite quote: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” – Jim Elliot (a Christian martyr in Ecuador).

What do you love about living in the 501: The university atmosphere, and all the great activities indoors and out.

Tanner Holland Cangelosi

Cory Douglas Cangelosi

Two centuries of history

by Steve Brawner

On Sunday mornings, pastor Dennis McClintic preaches from the pulpit at the Kentucky Missionary Baptist Church – just as pastors before him have done since 1822.

One of the oldest churches in Central Arkansas, the church is the heart of the Kentucky community six miles from Interstate 30 in Benton. It was organized by settlers originally from Kentucky and Missouri who moved into the area from what was then Lawrence County and today is Randolph County. Some of the early family names associated with the church and community include Fletcher, Lindsey and James.

The church has a rustic feel even though it’s only about 10 minutes from the nearest WalMart Supercenter. Members come from the laid-back local community as well as bustling Benton and Bryant.

“They understand the fast-paced life, but it’s nice to come out here because it is very relaxing here,” McClintic said. “We say Highway 5’s not just a place but kind of a state of mind.”

The area is rich in history. Across the highway is a pioneer cemetery with headstones from the 1800s.

The church baptistry features a beautiful painting by member June Vinyard depicting a spot in the Saline River where many members have been baptized. Vinyard’s son, Eric, has

been attending the church all of his 51 years and was baptized in a different spot in the river. “I’ve lived in this community all my life,” he said. “I moved away a few months, came back, and said I’d never do that again. So it’s home.”

Members have worshipped in four different church structures over the course of two centuries, all within a couple of acres of each other, according to McClintic. The first three structures were destroyed by fire or natural disaster – the last by arson set by the church’s former pastor in 1996. It was a devastating blow to the congregation, but members rallied around the church and forgave the pastor. Asked if they wanted restitution at his trial, McClintic said church members testified that the former pastor had already been forgiven by God.

Instead, church members went to work rebuilding the church while they held services in the fellowship hall, which had survived the blaze. When the insurance money didn’t cover the cost of replacement, other churches and community members donated generously.

By April 1997, the church had poured a slab where Gov. Mike Huckabee signed a church arson bill. The building was finished by the end of the year and was paid for in 1999, when members burned the note in a deacon’s fireplace.

The Kentucky Missionary Baptist Church, west of Benton, is considered the oldest Protestant church in Central Arkansas.

A seminary student and business owner who was attending another church before being called to Kentucky, McClintic began serving as pastor three days before Huckabee signed the bill and has been a bivocational pastor since then. He sold his last business, Allied Wood Stove and Fireplace, about a year ago and has been fulfilling a one-year obligation to work for the buyer.

While McClintic is usually the one ministering to his flock, sometimes they minister to him. After his oldest son, Jacob, died in 2004 at the age of 18 in a car accident, 1,500 people attended the funeral.

Losing their son has given McClintic and his wife, Janet, an avenue to discuss eternal issues with young people. “I’d have chosen a million different ways, but we saw about 32 souls saved,” he said. “I miss him every day, but I know God used his death as well as He did his life.”

With 130-140 members, it may be a small church, but it has had a big impact. Some of its members formed a bluegrass group called The Kentucky Gospel Pickers a few years ago and play at nursing homes. Other members have left the church to become leaders in church ministry.

“One of our former members is a missionary in New Jersey now,” McClintic said. “Another one’s a pastor at Grace Missionary Baptist Church in Jonesboro. We’ve got another one that’s pastoring a little church in Jacksonville. We’ve got another fellow, he’s the music director over at Hurricane Lake Baptist Church. Got another one that’s an associate pastor in Paron, and so we’ve had several families come and go.”

Pastor Dennis McClintic in front of the baptismal pool at the church. The painting – by member June Vinyard – depicts the Saline River.

Matthew McClintic, the pastor’s son, and Matt Garrett in the teen room.

Fellowship churches extend their walls

by Stephanie Byrnes

Too often it seems churches are defined by their walls. Members support, minister and work with the people that file in and out of our church building on a weekly basis, and often forget about the church across the street, across town and across the state.

What could we accomplish if we had a greater connection to all of the churches that have the same mission and the same God? How many more could we serve if churches would call on one another for financial assistance, service project help and biblical instruction?

That question is exactly what Fellowship Bible Churches are exploring with the concept of “one church in many locations.” With churches in Little Rock, Benton, Cabot, Conway, Searcy and Northern Arkansas, Fellowship Bible churches are quickly impacting Arkansas with their similar styles and missions.

Fellowship Bible Church, which began with a single church in Little Rock, has uniquely planted and supported new churches all over the state. While Little Rock, Benton and Cabot continue to be the only three campuses still directly linked with Sunday morning video casts and joined ministry efforts, the independent Fellowship Bible Churches in Arkansas all began with the central support system of Fellowship Bible in Little Rock and continue to model the style and mission of their initial foundation.

Charlie Loften, campus pastor at Fellowship Bible Church in Cabot, detailed Fellowship’s mission “to equip and unleash Christ followers to change the world through lives of irresistible influence.” He said, “We want people to come into new relationships with God through Jesus, see them built up in their faith and then send them out into the world using their gifts in ministry.”

The Fellowship Bible Churches exemplify a few unique approaches to this ambitious mission. Unlike the traditional structure of Sunday morning churches, Fellowship does not have Sunday school. Instead, adults and youth attend worship one hour and serve in the children’s ministries, greeting services or other ministries one hour.

Adults and youth participate in what is known as “community groups” at another time during the week in individual homes. This setup places an emphasis on Christ’s call to service and allows a more intimate setting for small group Bible study.

Fellowship Cabot is one of the newest churches planted and has received tremendous response and support from the community. Since its establishment in early 2007, the church has already outgrown one facility and relocated to another on Bill Foster Highway in Cabot.

Fellowship members Paige Mobbs, Angie Bielanin, Dewayne Coats and Christy Head participate in ShareFest.

Charlie Loften is pastor of Fellowship Bible Church in Cabot.

The worship center on the Little Rock campus.

What began with just 12 families and one pastor has become a congregation of over 400 and four pastors in the last two years.

The tremendous growth Loften credits to “Fellowship being a welcoming, worshipping community of believers.”

“Together, we experience the warmth, intimacy and convenience of a hometown congregation with the added benefit of monthly biblical teaching via video from Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock.”

Loften also explains that Fellowship’s concentration on God’s call to service ministry keeps them as a church intimately connected to the community. “One of the big community projects we do is called ShareFest,” he said, “where all the churches adopt schools, neighborhoods and other locations to serve in whatever capacity is needed at the time.”

The church has also launched other numerous ministries into the community, including free medical clinics, fostering and adoption ministries, mentoring programs for children and food banks.

By providing alternatives to Sunday morning Bible study, placing a greater priority on community outreach and service, and establishing

multiple churches that are joined by common mission and structure, Fellowship Bible Churches have increased their influence for Christ. Fellowship Bible Churches still have church buildings like other churches, but through their innovative approach to community, they are finding ways to extend their walls to include all believers committed to the same service.

Fellowship’s Little Rock campus.

The recent addition to the Fellowship Conway church features a large mural.

‘My great passion is preaching’

Most Christian ministers, whatever their denomination, will tell you God called them into ministry How did they perceive this call? And how did they respond?

In the case of the Rev. Ed Stephenson, pastor of Springhill Baptist Church, a “burden” was laid on his heart to exalt God. He literally felt a sense of heaviness, Stephenson says, until he surrendered to the call.

“I felt God dealing with me early in my 15th year,” he said.

He was just a boy with other things on his mind, but upon hearing the call, “I began paying attention; the word of God became more interesting to me.”

Philippians 2: 9 – “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, …” – best expresses his burden, Stephenson says, and he believes a call is rooted in the burden God puts on a person’s heart.

Some people fight God’s call. Stephenson didn’t.

He explained with a laugh that since he was so young and didn’t have any preachers in his family, he didn’t know what he was getting into. He only knew he wanted to preach.

by Renee Hunter

“My great passion is preaching,” he said. He preached his first sermon at 15 and did revival work until he graduated from Central Baptist College in Conway.

After 45 years in the ministry, Stephenson has learned that his call encompasses more than preaching, and some of it can be challenging, even frustrating.

“The greatest frustration is perhaps your personal feeling of inadequacy” when asked to help people with their problems, he said. “The biggest challenge is the people involved, including the pastor.”

“At the age of 20, what do you know about all that?” he asked.

The church also has a call - the Great Commission, found in Matthew 28: 18-20to evangelism and discipleship. “The church is not primarily a social center,” he said.

For that reason, Springhill Baptist follows a program called “Evangelism Explosion” that focuses on discipleship and growth to Christian maturity.

The church’s rapid growth has sometimes felt overwhelming, Stephenson says, because of the importance of helping members become mature Christians. However, his congregation is very encouraging.

The Rev. Ed Stephenson

Stephenson grew up in a Christian home. “My dad and mom exemplified Christ,” he said.

He was 11 when he professed his faith in Christ at First Missionary Baptist Church of Kalamazoo, Mich.

“Church was an important part of my upbringing,” he said. He and his two brothers – one older, one younger - were “typical teenage boys,” involved in church and in sports, so there was no dramatic change in his life after he received his call to ministry. He has never felt like he missed out on anything, he says.

Although he doesn’t believe someone must grow up in church to be called, Stephenson believes it helps. “Those who have spiritual guidance have a greater sensitivity to the call of God because their heart is conditioned to listen,” he explained.

Stephenson had never been to Arkansas until he enrolled at Central Baptist College in Conway 42 years ago. But, with the exception of a four-year pastorate in Sikeston, Mo., he has been here ever since. He has served as pastor of Mount Olive Baptist Church in Guy and Park Place Baptist Church in Little Rock, and as director of state missions for the Missionary Baptist Association of Arkansas. In 1999, he became pastor at Springhill Baptist, which he had attended while at CBC. He also taught at CBC for two years while serving at Guy.

Stephenson has known his wife, Sarah, since he was 7. They have been married 42 years and have two sons, Eddie, 37, and Chad, 30.

“You can’t make it in the ministry without a loyal wife,” Stephenson said. “I feel very sure that God put us together.”

Stephenson recently accepted another call from God, this one into a media ministry. The burden to do so was laid on his heart about 12 years ago, but it took time to figure out how to go about it. His sermons are played on radio KFFB, an FM radio station out of Fairfield Bay, 9:3010 a.m. each Sunday; he does 30-second scripture spots for Suddenlink, a cable television company, and he has produced on DVD a nine-sermon series on Abraham. He expects his sermons soon to be aired on KAAY, a Christian radio station.

Stephenson’s conviction of the importance of exalting God and introducing Him to others has grown with his years in ministry, as has his realization that God, not he, is responsible for the success of his ministry.

“When I was 21, I had all the answers and nobody asked the questions,” he said with a smile. “Now I’m 60 and don’t have answers and people are asking questions.”

Stephenson’s conviction of the importance of exalting God and introducing Him to others has grown with his years in ministry, as has his realization that God, not he, is responsible for the success of his ministry.

Kris Allen –Not your typical American Idol

by Levi Walker Gilbert

Kris Allen isn’t your typical American Idol contestant. Most AI contestants have a flair for the dramatic, crave the camera’s gaze and are looking out for themselves above all others.

But Kris? To his friends he’s just a quiet guy from Central Arkansas.

“He’s not a drama king,” said University of Central Arkansas Chi Alpha Director Matt Carpenter. “He’s just a real humble guy.”

The 23-year-old Conway resident was voted into the Top 13 of AI’s eighth season on Feb. 26. He has led singing at Chi Alpha the last three years after becoming involved with the student ministry in 2004. Although Allen has performed in front of millions of viewers on AI, he hasn’t always been comfortable performing in front of a crowd.

“He got in a small group I was leading as a freshman, and he was always really quiet and laid back,” Carpenter said. “We took the group on a camping trip, and there were several of his friends sitting around the campfire playing guitars and singing. Even in that small of a setting, he was shy enough that he wouldn’t play or sing. He was very timid to start off.”

In the summer of 2004, Allen traveled to Spain and Morocco with Carpenter and 30 other members of Chi Alpha. The experience was a catalyst for change in Allen.

“He really came out of his shell on that trip,” Carpenter said. “God did some amazing things for him that summer. He led worship for us, and that’s when he started to come into his own.

“God has an opportunity to shape us through those kinds of experiences, and Kris was open to that. I think he changed from being a nominal Christian, wondering what his place was in life, to taking that step to connect with God’s purpose in his life.”

Brandon Shatswell, executive worship pastor at New Life Church in Conway, was on the same mission trip with Chi Alpha when he first met Allen. Shatswell was in charge of leading the music on the trip.

“I arrived a week later than everyone else, so Kris had to help lead the services until I got there,” Shatswell said. “I had never met him, and when I got there and heard him sing and play his guitar, I was impressed immediately.

“He’s probably the best male singer I know.”

When Shatswell took over as the worship leader at NLC in 2006, he knew he wanted Allen to be on the team.

“One of Kris’ strong points is that he will do anything I ask of him,” Shatswell said. “He has a humble personality. I could put him on stage and never have him lead a song, and he would be fine with that.”

Carpenter had a similar impression of Allen.

“What makes Kris unique from a lot of worship leaders is his humility and heart of service,” Carpenter said. “Talented musicians tend to be prima donnas and enjoy the spotlight, and that detracts from worshipping God. Kris truly wants God to receive all the glory.

“Even through American Idol, that’s been something he has wanted. When I’ve talked to him about the show, he’s always had a good feeling about the experience. He believes that whatever happens from the show, it’s because God has allowed it.”

Allen’s talents as a musician are exceeded only by his heart.

“The most important thing in leading worship is someone’s heart,” Carpenter said. “When we have gifts and talents, they come out the best in the service God has called us to do. Kris is doing that.”

On a show like AI, it’s easy for contestants to feel pressure to change who they are to avoid getting lost in the shuffle, but Shatswell said he is confident that Allen will remain true to himself.

“Kris always adds a soulful, bluesy flair to what he does,” Shatswell said. “He doesn’t stick out, but he always retains his style. With his connection with God, good family support and his healthy, young marriage, I think he can maintain a consistency with who he is.”

Allen’s opportunity has left a lasting impression on those close to him.

“It has been one of the best experiences of my life seeing Kris get this opportunity,” Shatswell said. “It’s not just the TV thing. When you have a friend that you know is so gifted, to see him be blessed like this has been amazing.”

Kris Allen performs during services at New Life Church in Conway. (Photos courtesy of New Life.)

What’s your ‘backstory?’

My grandmother died last year at the age of 95. She lived almost 100 years of loving, serving and giving to others. Even the hospice minister who spoke at her funeral said that he had received encouragement as he cared for her in the last few weeks. During her funeral service, much was said about her life and all of the things she did; but one thing stood out to me most because it was something I never knew about my grandmother.

A friend mentioned that every Sunday morning, Grandma brought a friend with her to Sunday school and church. It was a woman she had become acquainted with somehow, and they struck up a friendship. Grandma invited her to church one Sunday….and quite literally, the rest is history. My grandmother picked this woman up for church every Sunday, without fail, for years and years. No one knew quite how long, but our guess is that she did it at least 15-20 years.

That is A LOT of Sundays! What a commitment. What a selfless act for her and a tremendous blessing to this woman.

Because I am a Christian, I believe that my grandmother is now is heaven. I believe she stood before God and saw Him face to face and heard Jesus Christ Himself say, “Well done, good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:21).” Hers was a life of love and commitment to others. None of us here on earth really know what it will be like when we get to heaven. We just know that if we are in Christ that is where we will get to spend eternity.

I heard a challenging speaker talk about heaven recently. What he had to say has really impacted the way I look at my life…and how I live each day. His view of heaven is that all of us who know the Lord will arrive there and stand before the throne of God… individually…and take a look back at our lives. Kind of like a slide show or video, except that this time, this “look back” will include details we might have never noticed or been able to see. (It is kind of like when television programs show you the “behind the scenes” footage or the “rest of the story.”)

The technical term in television for this unseen footage is often called the “Backstory.” We will stand with God and watch our life story…”backstory” included. We will be able to see if/how what we did impacted others and ourselves.

For example, if, during your life, you heard someone tell you “I am praying for you,” then as you watch your “backstory” with Jesus…you would see whether or not that person actually went home and said a prayer for you. You would see decisions your children made when you weren’t around, that were based on what you had taught them. You would see the disappointment in your wife’s face when you forgot about her birthday…even though at the time

she acted like it was fine. You would see the family that you “adopted” for Christmas opening the presents together…so thankful for your gift. My grandmother would see how her friend’s life was impacted by those Sunday mornings.

In the “backstory,” you get a real sense of how you impacted the world around you.

When you think about it, the idea of the “backstory” is extremely humbling. We never know what kind of impact our words or actions will have on others. Think about how many people we cross paths with each day for even just a few seconds. Do we have a positive or negative effect on them?

When I stand before the throne of God in heaven, I want to see all kinds of blessings in my “backstory,” not missed opportunities to bless others. I want to stand there and see person after person in my life to whom I brought happiness and encouragement, whether it’s my family and friends, or the drive-thru worker at McDonald’s. I want to see how my teaching made a difference to my students and Bible study girls. I want to see how missionaries specifically used our support to spread the gospel. I want to see what happened to the man wandering around in the grocery store parking lot that I wondered about helping, but

by Heather Kendrick

each day…empowered by the prayers and support I give him at home.

I want to feel proud to see that I took advantage of opportunities to serve others, even when it wasn’t the easiest or most convenient thing to do.

All of us have a “backstory.” In this small town where we live, many of us are part of each other’s “backstory.” I know so many amazing people who really give of themselves to others, making this a wonderful community to be a part of. It inspires me to make sacrifices and get out of my comfort zone, knowing that I could be the difference in someone’s day…or week…or life. So could you.

It’s not necessarily the big things that make the biggest difference. It’s taking the time and making the effort to notice the “things” that would mean the most to someone.

Heather Kendrick is the host of Conway Corporation’s “Living Local,” which airs nightly on Channel 5. She frequently teaches and speaks to Christian women’s groups around the area. She and her husband Todd live in Conway with their 3-year-old son.

Heather Kendrick’s grandmother, the late Ruby Holliday.

by Dr. Ron Mitchell

I am honored by 501 LIFE magazine for the invitation to share part of my journey with pancreatic cancer with the readers of this fine magazine.

This past July, I was diagnosed with this aggressive killer and was informed that I would probably not have but a few months to “get my house in order.” Time is running out for me in this terrestrial pilgrimage.

My confrontation with “time” is an ironic relationship. In Faulkner County and surrounding counties, I am known as the “clockdoc,” for I am a horologist, one who collects and/or repairs clocks of all kinds. I can get most clocks running again, but I have no effect on the passage of time. I cannot stop it and it flies; I can only provide a way to record its rapid march through history.

God has total control of time and when he set the stars to twinkling, the sun to blazing, the planets to moving through His trackless world of endless space, the shooting, exploding, celestial bodies to moving in relationship to one another in the eons of eternity past, He set in motion the ticking of seconds, the passing of years, and the counting of man’s pilgrimage from the womb to the tomb. It will not stop until He places one foot on the land and one on the sea and thunders out the words, “Time shall be no more.”

When I received the terrible news that my time might be shorter than I had hoped, my mind began to daily be flooded with the overwhelming reality of the whole matter. Every waking moment finds my thoughts consumed with “How to get my house in order.” It has been days and weeks of trying to get a handle on what I am facing, of trying to get a peace about it, of contemplating decisions to be made, of priorities to be ordered, of relationships to enjoy, of inventorying 62 years of a life full of mistakes, of sins to be confessed yet again, and of thinking about commitments, responsibilities, and of soon facing the Judge of all the earth to give account of the deeds done in the body, whether they be good or whether they be bad.

I have not prayed for God to heal me or extend my life beyond just making it to Christmas or some other imminent event or commitment. God is sovereign and will do what is right with or without my meager faith. Mostly, I have prayed for grace. Not “saving grace,” for that was taken care of in 1956 at a little storefront

‘There is a time to be born and a time to die’

Retired professor Dr. Ron Mitchell is known to many in the area as the “clockdoc.” Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2008, he has been exploring the relationship he’s had with time and shares those reflections with us.

I have prayed, fervently, for “dying grace,” that I might finish the race well, that I might be an inspiration to others, especially, to my friends and family.

mission in Hillsboro, Mo. “Living grace” has been a part of my entire life, as God has taken care of me and been patient and forgiving. We could not exist one split second without the “living grace” given by our Creator.

I have prayed, fervently, for “dying grace,” that I might finish the race well, that I might be an inspiration to others, especially, to my friends and family. I believe that it is as important how you die as how you lived. Star Trek’s Capt. Jean-Luc Picard said, “Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey. It reminds us to cherish each moment, because it will never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we have lived.”

I have asked the Gracious God of the universe to give me grace to endure pain, to not be bitter or angry, or jealous over the prospects of others. And when I felt it difficult to pray, I knew that hundreds of those who care have continued to lift me up in intercessory prayer.

There are some things I know about death: that it will come to all who have ever lived; that it is the only doorway into God’s ethereal world; that it is precious in the sight of the Lord; and that the Son of God carries the keys to death and hell around His waist.

May I say in closing, “This life will soon be passed, only what’s done for Christ will last.” God bless you dear readers. Please commit yourself to Him soon, so that when your time comes, the comforting hand of Jesus will lead you safely over death’s chilly waters into the place He is even now preparing for you.

Dr. Ron Mitchell has been a minister for over 40 years, and has served churches in three states and lived in six. For the last 20 years, he was professor of church history/theology at Central Baptist College in Conway. He has written four books, all on history and biography. He is retired now, but continues to repair clocks and is the director of the Dr. Ronald V. Mitchell Archives on the campus of CBC. He lost his first wife of 26 years to terminal cancer and has been married the second time to his precious “baby doll,” Ms. Esther. He has a stepson, a daughter and five grandchildren.

by Sonja J. Keith

faith in bloom [ [

Faith is literally abloom each spring among thousands of daffodils on Wye Mountain in Perry County.

Just ask Sue Gildner, a community leader and member of the Wye United Methodist Church. She also serves as co-chairmen of the daffodil festival held each spring that raises money for the church.

“We have as many as 10,000 parked in every direction, trying to get as close as they can get,” she said.

Many travel from throughout Arkansas each spring – many with cameras in hand and others with picnic baskets in tow – to take in the spectacular sight. Held over two weekends, organizers wait each year to judge when the blooms will be at their peak before announcing festival dates.

While this year’s festival has already come and gone, Sue is quick to offer an invitation to those who would like to attend the Easter sunrise service held at the cross in the field.

Daffodils on Wye Mountain began in the late 1940s, according to Sue, when Austin Harmon leased the property from the church and hired ladies in the community to plant the bulbs. “When they started blooming, they would pick the flowers and they were sold to TG&Y stores in several states. A portion of the money would be given back to the church.

“After he died, the field was opened up to the public.”

Betty Harmon also serves as co-chairman of the festival. Her husband, Charles, was 16 when his grandfather – Austin Harmon – hired him to plough the original rows for the daffodil bulbs. Betty and Sue have been chairmen of the festival since it started,

about 20 years ago.

Today, money from the sell of flowers ($1 per dozen from a marked area) and bulbs – as well as souvenir postcards – benefits the 50-member church. The field has over 40 varieties of daffodils.

Several organizations, like the Home Extension Club at Wye, are involved in the festival, according to Sue, and special activities include a barbecue dinner and craft fair. “Each organization tries to make enough to take care of their needs for the next year, but the church comes first.”

There is no admission charge to walk among the flowers, although donations are accepted. Professional photographers in the area will also use the field for portrait sittings, and will make a donation to the church. “Every little bit we get helps.”

Sue recalls one year that there was ice before the festival weekend that killed all of the flowers. “We didn’t have a bloom one,” she said, explaining that the church received “pity money” from individuals who still showed up. She also remembers a time or two when a storm would blow through.

Oftentimes, church members invite festival-goers to join them for Sunday morning services, and some take them up on their offer. “We ring the bell and invite them to join us.”

Despite the unpredictable weather and the many, many hours involved, Sue points out that it is their faith that brings the Wye community together to plan the festival and care for the field as well as each other.

photos by Mike Kemp

501 cooks ‘sell out’

by Brenda McClain

The Conway Christian School Cookbook will be on sale

Thursday, April 9, at the school’s annual Easter bake sale at Antioch Baptist Church, 150 Amity Road in Conway.

Choose from over 400 homemade goods for your Easter holiday weekend, including sugar free and gluten-free baked items. Cakes, pies and cookies are the biggest sellers, and are expected to sell out quickly, so be there when they open at 8 a.m.

Proceeds benefit the school’s scholarship fund, playground, library and fine arts program.

More than 3 billion cookbooks were sold in 2008. Martha Stewart, Paula Deen and Ina Garten account for a good number of those cookbooks, and publishers vie on a daily basis for rights to these significant tomes.

Martha Stewart cookbooks – great though they are –can’t begin to hold the value of the cookbooks produced by churches in and around the 501.

“Food is our common ground, a universal experience.” - James Beard

Harlan Park Baptist Church in Conway published a cookbook that promptly sold out. Perusing the cookbook, albeit borrowed, one understands why. It’s easy to read with helpful hints and many tried and true recipes.

Conway’s Robinson and Center Church of Christ published its second cookbook; both sold out quickly. Church member Cindy Ledbetter uses hers on a daily basis. It’s a book full of memories for Cindy of her great friend, Rita Fougerousse. The tour-de-force behind this cookbook’s more than 250 pages of recipes, Rita died of cancer in July 2007. The recipes in this book are the “gravy.” Every page turned “holds a memory of Rita,” says Cindy. “I think of her every day,” she says, as she unconsciously hugs the cookbook to her heart.

It’s the memory of this beautiful woman that allows this book to permeate the very fiber of church history. Sharing more than the 501 area code, just across the freeway, in Mabelvale, Judy Morris has completed her church’s second cookbook.

Judy compiled “Our Favorite Recipes Volume II,” the same cookbook Bobbie Stewart is opening in her home in Romance. Bobbie and Judy chat regularly, yet it’s the cookbook that holds many of Bobbie’s most precious memories of her former church home, Mabelvale Church of Christ. Judy’s mother-in-law, Charlie Dee Morris, and their mutual friend Anita Griffin are in heaven now, their memories savored with these recipes exchanged at church gatherings. Bobbie is in her own kitchen - all white, gorgeous, it’s shining - as she prepares Anita’s “Killer Brownies.” It’s evident Anita’s recipe fills Bobbie’s memory bank with warmth for her friend.

Church cookbooks provide a great history, a legacy that intertwines faith, food and family. Church published cookbooks are rich in history, richer in love.

Our Favorite Recipes - Volume II

Mabelvale Church of Christ’s Judy Morris has created a cookbook with recipes that are easy to follow, from trusted cooks. A cute twist: Bible class students created the artwork for the book divisions. All-in-all this is a great cookbook from a thriving congregation. Publisher: Horton & Horton, it sells for $5. Call the Mabelvale church at 501.455.2547. Be sure to ask for Linda Minor. She might share some additional recipes from the latest church potluck!

Charlie Dee Morris’ Potato Salad

8 medium-sized red potatoes, boiled and pared

6 eggs, boiled and peeled

2 teaspoons sweet pickle relish, drained well

1 small jar diced pimento, drained well

1 very small onion, grated or chopped fine

Salt and pepper to taste

Hellmann’s mayonnaise (enough to moisten the mixture)

2 or 3 tablespoons Durkee Sauce

2 or 3 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled

Remove potatoes from pan, cool and cut into chunks. Grate the boiled eggs and mix with potatoes. Add relish, pimento, onion, salt and pepper. Stir. Add mayonnaise until mixture is thoroughly moist. Then add the Durkee Sauce. Add bacon just before serving. Makes 10 servings.

Anita Griffin’s Killer Brownies

14 oz. light caramels (50 pieces)

2/3 cup evaporated milk (divided)

1 German chocolate cake mix

¾ cup butter or margarine

1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (6 oz.)

In saucepan, combine caramels and 1/3 cup evaporated milk. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until caramels are melted. Set aside. Grease and flour a 9X13 inch pan. In large bowl, combine by hand the cake mix, butter, 1/3 cup evaporated milk and nuts, stirring until dough holds

Sharon Myers (from left), Cindy Ledbetter, Bennie Middleton and Mikie McLendon prepare items from the Robinson and Center Church of Christ cookbook.

together. Press half of the dough into prepared pan. Reserve remaining dough for topping. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes. Sprinkle chocolate chips over baked crust. Spread caramel mixture over chocolate chips. Crumble reserved dough over all. Return to oven and bake 18 to 20 minutes. Cool slightly. Refrigerate about 30 minutes to set caramel layer. Cut into bars.

Favorite Recipes - A Collection by First Baptist Church of Vilonia

Compiled by Paula Campbell, this cookbook is very well presented and includes church history, devotionals, helpful hints, 157 pages of recipes and a cooking minipedia. Published by Morris Press, cost is $6. Call 501.796.2103 to purchase.

One helpful hint we particularly loved: Dissolve old-fashioned lemon drops or hard mint candy into tea. They melt quickly and keep the tea clean and brisk. Who among us doesn’t love great sweet tea?

Verna Weavers’ Sweet and Sour Carrots

2 pounds carrots peeled, sliced thin 1 tbsp. prepared mustard

1 can tomato soup

1 cup sugar

¼ cup cooking oil

¾ cup vinegar ¾ cup chopped celery

1 medium onion, chopped

1 green pepper (or more if desired)

Cook carrots until just tender in salted water then drained. Add the rest of the ingredients. Bring this mixture to a boil. Pour over drained carrots. Refrigerate for 24 hours or longer.

Conway Christian Junior/Senior High School Cookbook

Students and faculty members peer out the front cover of this no nonsense cookbook. Straight-forward, it is easy to read with many of the 150 pages holding more than one recipe. A great gift at $10 and it’s for education – always a good cause.

Recipes come from parents, students, teachers, faculty and friends.

Former Gov. Mike Huckabee offers up seasoning tips in addition to his recipe for Jambalaya.

Huckabee’s Hot and Happy Cajun Jambalaya

1 lb. smoked sausage (use link smoked sausage, like Bryan’s, Hillshire, etc.)

1 bundle of fresh green onions

1 cup chopped bell pepper

2 cloves fresh garlic

1 lb. ground meat

2 cups rice

1 ½ cups fresh cooked black-eyed peas

Chopped parsley Tabasco sauce (optional)

Brown the sausage, drain the fat and save the drippings. Sauté onions, bell pepper and garlic in the drippings. Remove onion mixture from pan; brown ground meat. Cook the rice according to the directions. (For best results use rice grown in Arkansas).

Mix all ingredients into large pot or kettle. Add black-eyed peas, parsley and seasonings.

The Jambalaya is good when freshly made but actually is better several hours (or even a day) after it is cooked when all ingredients have “merged” into a wonderful and filling feast.

}Brenda McClain has worked with Hoffman Media and its “Cooking With Paula Deen” magazine since its inception in 2005. She was president of Nashville, Tenn.-based entertainment agency MPR, and is a cookbook author, television producer and events specialist.

by Tiffany Block

An Easter brunch

Easter is a great time of year to host a get-together. Spring is in the air, the flowers are blooming and the birds are singing. It is a time for renewal and a time for family and friends to gather and celebrate. We’re ready to get out of the winter doldrums and address the new season with a social event.

On Easter morning, after church services are over, consider inviting everyone over to your house for an Easter brunch. It is one of the best ways to welcome spring and celebrate Easter with the whole family. And, hosting such an event needn’t be time-consuming or difficult. A brunch is a great alternative to the traditional Easter dinner that runs into the evening. There are also a variety of foods you can serve.

An Easter brunch should include both adults and children alike, so you should plan a menu and activities that suit every age. An Easter egg hunt is a must; try pairing kids up with an adult so that you can make hiding places a bit more difficult. An Easter bonnet contest is a fun activity, too. Have all the ladies and little girls wear their finest Easter hat and have a prize for the most festive.

If you opt for a sit-down Easter brunch or dinner, think about having a buffet this year. Setting everything out at once and letting people serve themselves gives you more time to spend with your guests. If it’s a nice day and you have a yard, some people may enjoy dining outside.

Here are a few recipes that are sure to impress your friends and family.

Breakfast Lasagna

1 bag (30 ounces) frozen Southern Style hash browns (or 32 ounce bag shredded), thawed

Salt and pepper

3 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided

2 to 3 tablespoons butter

12 ounces thinly sliced Canadian bacon

1 1/2 cups chopped onion

1 large green bell pepper, chopped

1 large yellow or red bell pepper, chopped

8 ounces sliced mushrooms

2 medium tomatoes, sliced (optional)

12 large eggs

2 1/2 cups milk

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Spread thawed hash browns in a deep 11x14-inch lasagna/roasting pan; season generously with salt and pepper. Sprinkle half of the cheese over the potato layer. In a large skillet, lightly brown the Canadian bacon slices in 2 tablespoons of butter; set aside. In the same skillet sauté the onion, peppers and mushrooms until tender. Add a little more butter, as necessary.

Spoon vegetable mixture over the cheese layer. Top with sliced tomatoes, if using. Arrange slices of Canadian bacon over the vegetables, overlapping if necessary. Top with remaining cheese.

In a medium bowl, whisk eggs with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and the milk; pour over the casserole. Using a spatula, gently press all over to soak with egg mixture. Let stand for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake casserole for 35 to 45 minutes, until set. Cool slightly before slicing.

Dijon-Deviled Eggs

6 hard-boiled eggs

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1 green onion, very thinly sliced (slice a little of the green and keep separate from white slices)

A few leaves of fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped (optional)

Freshly ground black pepper

Salt, to taste

Paprika (optional)

Halve or quarter eggs; scoop yolks into a small bowl. Mash well; add mayonnaise and Dijon until desired consistency is reached. Stir in white part of sliced onion and most of the chopped parsley. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Using a small teaspoon or pastry bag, fill egg white halves or quarters. Sprinkle with sliced green onion and remaining parsley. Sprinkle with a little pepper and/or paprika, if desired.

Semi-Homemade Carrot Cake

1 pkg. (2-layer size) spice cake mix

2 cups shredded carrots (about 3 large)

1 can (8 oz.) crushed pineapple, drained

1 cup chopped pecans, divided

2 pkg. (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened

2 cups powdered sugar

1 tub (8 oz.) whipped topping, thawed

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare cake batter as directed on package; stir in carrots, pineapple and 3/4 cup nuts. Pour into 2 (9-inch) square pans. Bake 25 to 30 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 min.; invert onto wire racks. Remove pans. Turn cakes over; cool completely. Meanwhile, beat cream cheese and sugar until well blended. Whisk in whipped topping. Stack cake layers on plate, spreading frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Top with remaining nuts. Keep refrigerated.

Semi-Homemade Carrot Cake

A good format for the party:

• Serve brunch.

• Have Easter egg hunt and other fun activities.

• Serve dessert.

Cheese and Sausage Quiche

1 prepared pie shell, 9-inch

8 ounces bulk pork sausage

4 hard-cooked eggs, sliced

4 ounces shredded Swiss cheese

4 ounces Cheddar cheese

3 eggs

1 1/4 cups milk or half-and-half

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

Bake pie shell in a preheated 350 degree oven for 7 minutes.

In a skillet, brown the sausage over medium heat, breaking up and turning. Drain well. Arrange sliced eggs in the bottom of the cooled crust; top with the drained browned sausage and shredded cheeses.

In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Pour egg mixture over sausage and cheese mixture. Bake quiche at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand for 8 to 10 minutes before serving.

A Conway resident, Tiffany Block enjoys cooking and has been catering for friends and family for about four years. She considers cooking an art. “The best part for me is seeing the finished product.” In addition to cooking, she enjoys reading, writing and poetry.

Cheese and Sausage Quiche

>> Questions and answers on strength training MUSCLE MATTERS

by Karl Lenser

More and more individuals are beginning to incorporate strength training into their exercise routine. Lifting weights aids in your physical appearance, enhances one’s ability to carry out daily tasks, reduces the risk for osteoporosis and also speeds up metabolism. These are only a few of the many benefits that can be derived from a strength training program.

Here are a few questions and answers that may benefit both novice and well-seasoned exercisers.

Do I have to learn the names of my muscles? I never took Latin in high school!

Yes….at least some of the major muscles. Being an informed exerciser can be quite beneficial when talking to or hiring a personal trainer. The more knowledge you have, the better the gym experience will be.

Free weights or machines? Which is best?

They both are good and have certain advantages and disadvantages over each other. Beginners usually feel more comfortable with machines as they are easy to use and require little coordination or balance. In addition, machines can provide a quick circuit workout in less time than one could perform if utilizing dumbbells or barbells.

Another advantage is that the machines are safer since your movement throughout the exercise is the same every time. On the other hand, a wayward dumbbell loaded with too much weight could cause a shoulder or back injury.

Dumbbells and barbells provide a greater challenge because the user has to utilize more core muscles to perform a lift since there is no cable or belt to provide a constant pattern of movement. A “free weight” is essentially free to drift a bit and forces the body to recruit more stabilizing muscles in the targeted area being stressed. This is especially helpful for athletes that wish to mimic sports movements while in the weight room.

John S. Harwood, MS Tax, CPA

L. Tray Ott, CPA

Connie Cody Fisher, CPA

Here are a few of the main muscles that may help you when you are in the weight room and are trying to decipher the exercises/muscles that you see on exercise placards or while in a discussion with a trainer.

Biceps: Just about everyone knows where this group is located. They are opposite the triceps, on the front side of the arm. Known as”guns” in gym vernacular.

Triceps: They are opposite the bicep muscle and are located on the back side of the upper arm between the elbow and shoulder.

Quadriceps: The “quads” are located on the front of the leg between the knee and hip area.

Hamstrings: “Hammies” are on the back side of the leg between the knee and gluteal region. They are “antagonists” to the quadriceps just as triceps are the antagonists to the biceps.

Latissimus dorsi: Your “lats” are located below your shoulder blade area. “Lat pulldowns” recruit muscle fibers from this group.

Gluteus Region: This is the area of the anatomy that many individuals seek to tighten, tone and sculpt in a way that will prevent gravity and aging from sending these fibers south forever. Gluteus minimus, maximus and medius all make up this area that many fitness magazines target to aid their sales quotas every month by advertising

Dumbbells, for example, will allow the exerciser many more options for exercises as compared to a weight machine. Both free weights and weight machines are beneficial. Sometimes a mixture of both is what some see as ideal. Experiment with both types. Get with a trainer so you know how to use both modalities.

How much weight should I lift?

It depends on your fitness level and your individual goals. For general health and fitness, you should try to perform two to three sets of 12 repetitions for each muscle group. The key is to put enough of a resistance load on the machine or barbell/ dumbbell so that by the ninth or tenth repetition, you have just about “had it” and can only perform two to three more repetitions.

If your goal is to increase the size of your muscles, then you have to increase the weight load so you can only perform five or six repetitions. On the other hand, lifting a weight for 20-25 repetitions is not going to help you tone up and shape up as much as you might think.

Intensity (the amount of weight lifted) is the key in strength training. If you do not tax your muscles on a regular basis with a higher intensity or workload, the muscles will not become stronger. Doing the “same old, same old” routine for extended periods of time leads to staleness and a “same old, same old” body. Make sure to visit with a trainer so you can optimize your time in the weight room.

I get bored in the weight room and sometimes feel intimidated by the body building crowd. What can I do?

One solution may be to check out the group exercise schedule to see if there is a class that fits your schedule. Group weight training classes have exploded

workout plans that guarantee a firm, shapely and toned posterior.

Pectoralis: This is the chest area with “major and minor” sections composing the entire chest wall area. ‘Pecs” in gym-speak.

Rectus Abdominus: Thankfully, I have never heard a trainer throw out a “Let’s go work on your rectus abdomini muscles for a few minutes” Your “abs” include the main abdominal muscles that comprise the envied ‘six pack” that many exercise fanatics aspire to obtain (rectus abdominus) and the “obliques” that lie in the “love handle” zone. Whenever you twist your upper body across from left to right or right to left, you are working the oblique muscles.

in popularity over the past few years and have assisted many individuals in becoming familiar with free weights.

As far as boredom goes, the best solution is to mix up your routine throughout the year. Some experts recommend a change every six to seven weeks.

You can add more weight and cut the repetitions or add repetitions and lower the weight. Perform a pyramid routine which involves adding weight and cutting repetitions for each set that you perform (12-10-8 pattern is one example).

A circuit routine is another way to save time and add variety. Many lifters work in a “triangle” pattern where they perform a sequence of exercises that tax different muscles with each exercise. Minimal rest is required in this routine.

An example would include a set of leg presses followed quickly by a set of abdominal crunches and then continue with a set of shoulder presses. Perform this circuit three times and then do another “triangle” circuit that targets a different muscle group.

Performing resistance training is critical for obtaining optimal health. Free weights, resistance bands, group weight training classes, machine weights and a swimming pool can all be used to build muscle. The best advice is to find a certified or degreed exercise professional to help you set up a safe and effective exercise program.

A Conway resident, Karl Lenser is the director of wellness programs at Hendrix College. He has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. An accomplished runner, he can be reached at lenser@ hendrix.edu.

St. Anthony’s plans

Melodies & Medicine

The St. Anthony’s Foundation will present its second annual Melodies & Medicine at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 18. Last year’s event attracted 200 attendees and raised over $21,000 to support renovations at the medical center.

Based on the success and reputation of the event, event co-chairs Dr. Joel and Pam Milligan along with Paul F. and Susan Dumas anticipate an even greater turnout and increased revenue for the foundation’s projects.

This year, organizers have selected a Caribbean theme and the event will once again take place in a tent on the medical center campus with a “Melodies Champion” competition among area businesses. The fundraiser will also include a “Taste of Morrilton” dinner featuring dishes from local restaurants.

All proceeds support the healing mission of St. Anthony’s Medical Center and will be used to purchase equipment for the rehabilitation area.

For more information, please contact Gina Daniel at 501.977.2394 or email gdaniel@stvincenthealth. com.

Dalton fits pro athletes

Dr. Kyle Dalton of Conway was among those in Florida during Super Bowl weekend. However, unlike most fans, Dr. Dalton wasn’t there for the game. He was instead fitting NFL football players with the Pure Power Mouthguard, which professional athletes are using.

Dr. Dalton had the privilege of fitting Brandon Marshall, wide receiver of the Denver Broncos, Ovie MuGhelli, fullback, and Laurent Robinson, wide receiver of the Atlanta Falcons; and Scooter McGruder, who is retired and works with pro teams.

“This was an amazing opportunity for me and I feel blessed that I am one of the first trained PPM dentists in the United States, not to mention Arkansas,” Dr. Dalton said. “Being able to go to the Super Bowl and fit NFL players with a mouthpiece specifically designed for them is not something that happens every day. The players were blown away by what this appliance can do and they cannot wait to get their mouthpieces.”

Dr. Dalton was recently awarded the status of Fellow of the prestigious Las Vegas Institute (LVI) for Advanced Dentistry. A practicing dentist since 1988, Dr. Dalton also performs neuromuscular dentistry, and treats TMJD, sleep apnea and cosmetic dentistry.

Conway Regional adds da Vinci surgery system

“This is the latest enhancement to our minimally invasive surgery program. It is part of our ongoing effort to bring the most advanced tools and technology for physicians and patients,” said Jim Lambert, president and CEO of Conway Regional Health System.

The main advantage of the $1.8 million system for patients is that it enables surgeons to perform certain procedures, such as hysterectomies, prostate operations and some heart procedures, using robotic extensions to operate by creating much smaller incisions rather than the traditional, larger incisions. Operating through smaller incisions is generally believed to reduce complications, hospital stays and recovery time for patients.

The da Vinci system integrates 3D HD endoscopy and state-of-the-art robotic technology to virtually extend the surgeon’s eyes and hands into the surgical field offering unparalleled 3D HD visualization. The system provides surgeons greater than twice the viewing resolution and 20 percent more viewing area. This means improved clarity and detail of tissue planes and anatomy, which is critical when performing delicate dissection or in reconstructive procedures.

Another advantage for surgeons is that the system responds to the surgeon’s input without delay. It is also mobile and can easily be moved from one operating room to another.

To learn more about the new surgical system, please visit www.conwayregional.org.

Education health fair held at Center Ridge school

St. Anthony’s Medical Center Community Outreach program, supported by Chesapeake Energy, recently participated in the Cardiovascular Risk Factor Education health fair at Nemo Vista High School in Center Ridge.

This free event provided a full range of life-saving diagnostic tests such as blood pressure testing, BMI analysis and flexibility testing. Complete blood work services were offered as well.

“These events continue to be well-attended because the atmosphere is casual, friendly and nonclinical,” says Leslie McNeal, Community Outreach Coordinator. “We are seeing a wider range of ages because of the public’s increasing awareness of health complications that can appear at basically any time.”

Similar events are planned through the St. Anthony’s Community Outreach Program.

“The willingness of Chesapeake to sponsor St. Anthony’s in this health fair shows confidence in out integrity to improve the health of the communities we serve. St. Anthony’s is committed to quality and service. We were pleased to partner with Chesapeake to make a difference in the health of the Center Ridge community,” said Christy Hockaday, administrator and CEO of St. Anthony’s Medical Center.

Conway Regional Health System recently acquired the highly-acclaimed da Vinci S HD Surgical System.

Dr. Kyle Dalton (left) and Scooter McGruder.

Feeding with trust

Eating is one of life’s great pleasures, right? Feeding your family should be an easy, positive and pleasant experience. Why is it that feeding your family can sometimes result in power struggles, short-order cooking, threats, bribery, tears and that overwhelming feeling of failure as a parent? How can eating, which is supposed to be pleasurable, become so complicated?

&A

Send your diet and nutrition questions to Kellie at kturpin@conwayregional. org. Frequently asked and pertinent questions will be addressed in future articles in

501-932-0912

QIf you have a child that presents challenges at the dining table, you are not alone. There are children who only eat yellow food, crunchy food, soft food, three foods, fast food and the finicky list goes on. A parent often feels pressure to make sure their children eat enough but not too much, eat healthy foods, eat on schedule and eat a variety of foods. When this doesn’t happen, the battle begins. Once the child has established a firm aversion to many foods, what can a parent do?

Some of the advice for parents involves principles of trust and letting go of control which can be a hard concept to swallow, so to speak. There are many books that address the issues of children and problematic eating.

Many eating and nutrition experts agree on one main theory when it comes to feeding your child. It involves the division of responsibility between you and your child. Parents are responsible for the what, when and where when it comes to feeding. Children are responsible for how much and whether or not they eat. That is the basic principle of feeding your children.

Children come into the world equipped with internal signals to eat and to stop eating. Trouble can arise when we try to control or manipulate that. Sometimes it can be hard to accept when a child only takes a few bites of food and refuses to eat more. It can also be hard to accept when a child continues to ask for more food

by Kellie Turpin

when we feel they should have had enough.

Pressuring your child to eat, or not to eat, most often results in failure. Applying pressure or force turns meal time into a negative battle that no one can win. Meal times should be a pleasant experience, not a battleground.

If you have a child who refuses to eat certain foods, don’t lose faith and certainly don’t give up. Studies show that the more a child is exposed to certain foods, the more likely that child is to eat those foods one day. If you have a child who refuses to eat green vegetables, don’t stop serving them. If you continue to eat green vegetables in front of the child, then he or she will be more likely to eat them in the future.

As with other lessons for kids, if you model the behavior to your children, they may one day model that behavior as well. Many children generally react negative to a new food, but will quite often accept the new food if they are given enough time and exposure to the food. They will certainly not respond well with pressure.

There are many tricks some parents will resort to in order to sneak healthy foods into their children’s diet. There’s no harm in pureeing vegetables into a spaghetti sauce. However, you should still continue to eat those same vegetables in front of the children. Modeling healthy behaviors, practicing the division of eating responsibility and a positive non-forceful attitude are all essential to raising a child into a healthy adult.

Easier said than done, you might say. These principles require much patience and letting go of control.

If you have strong concerns about your child’s nutritional status consider consulting with your pediatrician and a registered dietitian.

505 Dave Ward Dr., Suite 3B (located in Covington Square) Conway, AR 72034

Kellie Turpin, a registered and licensed dietitian, is the wellness coordinator at the Conway Regional Health and Fitness Center.

Treasures to hold dear

Home reflects what matters most – family

by Kayla Cooper

JoAnn and Alex Lieblong have a big heart when it comes to family. So much so, that their Conway home is beautifully decorated with treasures that conjure up childhood memories.

The exquisite English Manor style home is situated in an area of Conway that offers the convenience of living in town but is surrounded by beautiful fields and pastures.

JoAnn welcomed me into her home with a cheerful smile as I stepped through the front entry. Immediately, I was met with a stunning front staircase and a luxurious front study, with handsome dark molding.

Looking ahead, the house has tall, coffered ceilings throughout with a warm color palette that features greens, yellows, reds and peaches. It is laden with unique family mementoes that warm the heart of its occupants while giving a cozy atmosphere.

JoAnn wanted a traditional home that wouldn’t fade with the trends, but would majestically last for years. She filled her home with rich English furniture and old world style chandeliers.

Going through the house, from the kitchen to the cute little room she made for her granddaughters, I started to see the joy the Lieblongs have in passing on their family heritage. In the front study, she displays her father-in-law’s doctor bag and medical license. Many of her mother’s dishes are displayed in other rooms.

I was in for one more surprise as JoAnn took me upstairs to her second kitchen in the house – a charming space filled with vintage dishes and appliances. In one corner, she used a true “icebox” refrigerator for extra storage. The refrigerator was owned by Alex’s grandparents from Guy, so JoAnn had it refinished when she found it and brought to the house.

Serving as a display for some of her mother’s and grandmother’s dishes is JoAnn’s father-inlaw’s (Dr. Keller Lieblong) medicine cabinet from his doctors office. Mounted on the green, farmstyle cabinets is an old-fashioned coffee grinder,

The upstairs kitchen gave the Lieblongs a unique opportunity to re-create a place like the kitchens their mothers had and that they remember from growing up.

JoAnn wanted a traditional home that wouldn’t fade with the trends, but would majestically last for years.

complete with a crank!

JoAnn says the upstairs kitchen gave her a chance to re-create a place like the kitchens their mothers – Violet Lieblong and Maerene Eaton – had and that they remember from growing up. It also allowed her to display so many of the family heirlooms most people have to keep packed away in boxes.I thoroughly enjoyed my visit with JoAnn as she took me through her lovely home, allowing me a glimpse into the values treasured by the Lieblongs.

As I thanked her, she asked me about my own family and gave me words to live by. “Always treasure the times you have with your family. Don’t take them for granted.”

The Lieblong home includes a second kitchen upstairs that is filled with vintage dishes and other family heirlooms.

funky frugal

>> Displaying your faith in your home

you are

is reflected in your home, and what you choose to honor in your artwork and décor. Faith is the central part of my life, but I also happen to love artwork and decorating. I also need to do my decorating on a small budget. Fortunately, I love a challenge…and this happens to be a really fun challenge. So, I just began by looking around my own home and wanted to share these five simple (and cheap) projects to fill your home with hope.

1. Verse border.

In my husband’s office, I needed to stick to “manly décor” but wanted to add some encouragement to his everyday tasks. I asked him what verse he would most like to see on his walls, and

Reflecting faith

he said Proverbs 3:5 and 6. I then got out my paint brushes (1-inch thick) and off-white paint. I broke up the verses into four parts (approximately the same length) and then went to work free handing the verse on his four walls.

get creative

by Tanner Cangelosi

The end result is a completely unique room border that catches anyone’s eye! Don’t be afraid to paint…all handwriting is interesting, and if you don’t like it, you can always paint over it!

2. Chalk board inspiration.

I have a tabletop that I purchased from the Junk Queen (in Conway) for $4. I then hung it on my wall and wrote a scripture that has tugged on my heart recently. This tabletop was already black, but you could use chalkboard paint or spray paint found at home improvement stores.

3. Painted chest.

My uncle gave me a wooden chest when I headed off to college. I used it in college to set my TV on in my apartment. Now that I am married, it seats three more guests around our dining room table. I first primed the old chest and then painted it white. I painted a verse on it and surrounded the verse with zebra stripes…which always makes a piece of furniture pop!

4. Cardboard “frame.”

We all know that custom framing (although I love it) can quickly run up your bill. While in college, I decided to do a watercolor painting of all the names of God, but I realized that I couldn’t have it framed due to lack of finances. So, I went outside and found a large cardboard box by a dumpster. I cut one of the sides off with a box cutter. I then wrapped the cardboard in burlap and scrap pieces of old paper (old letters, sheet music, etc.) and used this backdrop for my watercolor.

I still have this eclectic “frame” in our home and I always get many compliments on it. (Don’t tell them I got it out of the trash!)

5. Kitchen island.

My kitchen island is one of my favorite finds ever!

We found it at the “Hutch” on Highway 65 for $10! I quickly purchased the taller work table, and once we got home I set to work. I stripped the beaten up table and then painted it with black spray paint.

While at a fun girlie shop, I discovered a tile with the verse from Galatians about the “Fruit of the Spirit” ($22). My husband added wheels and then tiled the top using the leftover granite tiles from our countertops (free). I was thrilled, so I asked my sweet husband if he would tile the “Fruit of the Spirit” tile in the middle of the island, and he did! (It helps to have a handy hubbie!) Lastly, he put a simple 1-by-3 board on the outside of the counter, as an apron ($7). I must say I love my custom granite island for $39! Thank you Cory Cangelosi (and all handy people around the world)!

A graduate of the University of Central Arkansas, Tanner and Cory Cangelosi live in an Old Conway home that they have refurbished. Tanner owns her own business – t.losi art - and has done a variety of projects, from individual home decor items to painting murals in private residences. For more information, Tanner can be reached at 501.908.1338 or tcangelosi@newlifechurch.tv.

Who

as a person, what you believe and love

by Kayla Cooper

by Kayla Cooper

“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love. (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)”

Many have read this verse at some time in their walk with Christ, as do many of us struggle with the tall order of faith required to truly live this verse. With our busy schedules and frequently negative culture, some Christians struggle to find the bravery to shine boldly for Christ. Hebrews 12:1 calls us to lay aside the burdens that hold us back from running the race of life by taking heart in the fellowship of our fellow runners. “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

So the next time you are looking for a gift for a birthday, wedding, anniversary or any other event, take the chance to encourage someone in their walk with Christ. Simple reminders in the home can mean so much to someone having a bad day. Hip Bibles and T-shirts motivate kids and young adults to be excited about the amazing love of Christ, and kitchen accessories are great for the cook in your life.

Not only will you be able to present them with a beautiful gift, you will enrich their lives with the good news of Christ’s crucifixion on the cross for our sins, which is the ultimate and most important gift of all.

1 “Bless This Home” three box set - $15.99

2 “Hope” and “Faith” metal wall décor - $79.99

3 All T-shirts - $14.99 each

4 “Measure of Joy” apron - $23.99

5 Journaling Bible -$80.99

Thinline trutone Bible (Black Crown of Thorns) - $26.99

Deluxe compact Bible (Pink Floral)$22.49

Compact trutone Bible (Blue Cross) –$20.69

6 Brown cross belt - $22

Black cross belt -$18

7 Square prayer cross wall décor - $29.99 Circle Bible verse wall décor - $15.99

‘Let the Earth be glad’

by Angie Howard

One of my favorite times of year is early spring when the daffodil and tulip bulbs offer tender sprigs of green to begin their ascent from beneath the cold, dark earth on a journey to fulfill their destiny of becoming a shining example of God’s creativity.

To look around at nature during springtime is an effortless way to reaffirm and reflect on one’s faith in God and the provisions He makes through our environment not only for our basic needs, but also for our aesthetic pleasure.

One of my favorite verses from the Bible is from Psalm 96:12 and it states, “Let the Earth be glad.” I can only imagine as God planned the transformation of seasons; budding of trees, blooming of flowers and greening of grass how full of joy His heart would have been knowing that every vibrant color of springtime painting the bare and gray landscape of winter truly makes our Earth look as if it is beaming with joy. And don’t the sights make our hearts smile as well!

Getting there

mid-March (exact dates each year are determined by weather and its effect on the peak window for the flowers) is a wonderful opportunity for family and friends to take a short drive and make a day trip to visit the thousands upon thousands of blooming daffodils at Wye Mountain.

There really isn’t a better place I can think of to snap a family photo among the spring blooms. (Just note that the smaller family members may well become lost in the all the petals; something that happened when I sat my then 9-month-old down in a bountiful patch of flowers, backed up 15 feet to snap the photo and couldn’t find him. Note that dressing them in yellow will act as camouflage).

springtime to Central Arkansas.

Central Arkansas is fortunate to play host to several of God’s blooming canvases, one notable example my family has taken pleasure from year after year is the daffodil festival at Wye Mountain sponsored by the Wye Mountain United Methodist Church.

The festival which traditionally takes place in

The festival is extremely affordable, the church asks merely for a small donation which goes toward paying their pastor. Plan to pack a picnic blanket and lunch (and don’t forget your camera). It will be well worth your time to take advantage of this festival and make it a local environmental field trip with your family this year. You can even opt to take a small piece of Wye Mountain home with you; the church sells daffodil bulbs for those who are interested in planting a bit of sunshine in their own yard.

Garvan Woodland Gardens, located just a bit farther away at Hot Springs but still well within reasonable driving distance for a short day trip, offers several events welcoming the beauty of

Garvan offers a Tulip Tea on Tuesday, April 14, with delicious specialty teas, scones and crumpets, finger sandwiches and desserts. Cost for the event is $15 for association members and $18 for non-members. For more information and to make reservations, please call 501.262.9300 or 1.800.336.4664.

I hope you are able to take full advantage of all the splendor God offers through His creation this spring. Moreover, I wish for us all, as we enjoy the beauty of springtime, to allow our faith in God’s infinite love for us to bloom and thrive alongside those gorgeous daffodils and tulips.

A Conway resident, Angie Howard is the recycling coordinator for the city of Conway and the Faulkner County Solid Waste District. She is also the executive coordinator of the Keep Faulkner County Beautiful Organization and serves as the information education specialist for the Faulkner County Conservation District.

From Conway, directions to Wye Mountain are simple. Take Hwy. 60 west, 10 miles to Highway 113, and turn left. Drive about eight miles through Bigelow to Wye Mountain.

economic survival guide

Foundation comes first

How to build a strong personal financial plan

everything down.

Start with your monthly take-home pay at the top of your budget. Next, list your expenses by priority – food and lights first, and dwelling and utilities expenses next. Stop here and see how much money is leftover.

by L. Tray Ott

Your next goal is to save three to six months of expenses to complete your emergency fund. This gives you a much larger gap between you and that big emergency that is coming at some point.

When starting a plan to build a structure, we understand that the order of events is critical to success. This concept is also important in building a strong personal financial plan.

In our microwave society, the beginning steps of the plan are often skipped to get to the more exciting parts. In building your financial plan, you need to start with the foundation. You want to place a solid footing between you and Murphy (or the rainy day as your grandma would say).

To start this process, you need to save $1,000 for your baby emergency fund.

This can be done by having a garage sale, working a second job or tightening up your budget. If you are behind on any of your bills as you begin, you will want to address getting current before saving for your baby emergency fund.

After you have your baby emergency fund in place, you are ready to attack your consumer debt.

Dave Ramsey’s advice to attack your debt is to use the “debt snowball.” Begin by listing your debts, excluding your house, from smallest balance to largest balance. You make the minimum payment on all accounts, and throw everything extra you can come up with at the smallest debt. Once the first debt is paid, you attack the next debt.

The payment amount for debt one and debt two are applied to debt two. So, as you move down the list, you are paying bigger chunks toward the principal of each debt. According to Dave Ramsey’s “The Total Money Makeover,” the average family pays off their consumer debt in 18 to 20 months by using this method.

Your basic blueprint to building your financial plan is the written budget. If you were hired to account for your spending, you have all the necessary skills to do it. Your first step would be to write

Let’s assume that you still have funds to operate with at this point. You would continue to prioritize your spending and paying your monthly bills. Stop here again – if you have a remainder at this point, this is the money you have an opportunity to use to continue improving your financial standing. By doing a written budget every month, your family should feel like you got a raise.

you have paid off your consumer debt, you have started taking back control of your checkbook.

These three basic steps and your written budget should give you a solid foundation to build your financial plan. Congratulations if you have made it to this step - you are now ready to build on your foundation.

A graduate of Arkansas Tech University with a bachelor of arts degree in accounting, Tray Ott is an owner of Harwood, Ott, & Fisher, P.A. and a Dave Ramsey endorsed provider for tax services. He has 17 years of experience as a CPA, specializing in serving the needs of closely held businesses and their owners.

Sp r inginto styl e

Warmer temperatures, sunny days and blooms aplenty can only mean one thing – spring has arrived. Time to put away the sweaters and winter clothing, and look to businesses in Downtown Conway for a new look that is as fresh as spring. Check out these fun fashion finds and helpful tips. It’s time to spring into style.

Pink and gray dress - $56

HipSway

920 Locust, Ste. 104 Downtown Conway 501.548.3545

Mary’s Boutique

1110 Oak St.

Downtown Conway

501.329.5600

Get a few highlights in the front of your hair to brighten up your look for spring.

Paul Mitchell’s Quick Slip allows you to go with your hair’s natural personality.

Harrington and Company

819 Parkway

Downtown Conway

501.327.6366

Ad:Hoc multi-tiered dress - $69 Nina Dolls “Rock N Roll” in turquoise$71.99

Walk This Way 920 Locust, Ste. 101 Downtown Conway 501-32-SHOES

Fashion show planned

Exit 127 is an outreach clothing line with a philosophical edge attached to it.

“We believe the elevation of the mind will help young people pass through obstacles, expand their comfort zones and provide guidance toward a successful lifestyle,” said Exit 127 co-owner Harvell Howard. “The business aspect of EXIT 127 is the selling of clothing and accessories which focus on communicating a theme of mind elevation and success through innovative, edgy, yet classic designs.”

Exit 127 is planning a fashion show 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at the James Clark Auditorium at Conway High School, 2220 Prince St., featuring clothing and accessories from boutiques in Central Arkansas.

Through a partnership with the school, the fashion show will consist of several students who will participate in the event, designed to empower them toward achieving personal goals. Participation will include students in journalism, photography, drama and visual arts as well as individuals from the general student body. Additionally, the fashion show will consist of professional and upcoming models. For more information on Exit 127 or the fashion show, please visit www.exit127.com.

Conway chamber holds annual awards banquet

Over 700 were in attendance at the 2009 annual meeting of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, held March 5 at Hendrix College.

The banquet offered an opportunity to look back on the community’s accomplishments in 2008, including the announcements that Hewlett-Packard and Southwestern Energy Co. would be locating facilities in Conway.

Following comments by Mayor Tab Townsell and a welcome by Dr. J. Timothy Cloyd, president of Hendrix College, Gov. Mike Beebe introduced the guest speaker for the evening, Michael J. Holston, executive vice president and general counsel for HP.

Also at the event, Cory and Jill Imboden, honorary co-chairmen for Toad Suck Daze, presented the T-shirt design for the 2009 festival.

The chamber also presented awards to outstanding individuals, businesses and organizations.

The chamber’s Distinguished Service Award, inaugurated in 1957, was presented to George Covington Sr. – a man whose family has long been synonymous with Conway.

In 1923, his grandfather began their family business. In 1970, he joined his father in the business and eight years later became the president. With hard work and dedication, he grew the company, Covington Roofing, into one of the largest and most successful in the state In 1983, he formed a commercial property business and a construction and equipment business. Since that time, he has been vital in the development and redevelopment of various buildings and properties throughout Conway.

With a knack for taking what was once considered old and hopeless, he has given new life to countless properties throughout Conway. In fact, he has redeveloped and revitalized approximately 200,000 square feet in Downtown Conway and another million square feet in the remainder of the city.

Other awards included:

Outstanding New Business: 501 Advertising and Publishing

“501 Advertising and Publishing published its first magazine in April 2008 and brought a new product to the Conway Marketplace,” said Andy Hawkins, chamber board chairman in making the announcement. “Each month they bring a quality of life publication to thousands of readers in Conway and throughout central Arkansas. Just months after launch, the owners organized a new event with proceeds donated to the city’s three colleges through the Chamber’s newly established Toad Suck Daze GetSmart Challenge.”

Small Business of the Year: Walk This Way

The store has been featured twice in one of its industry’s most prestigious publications and Kym Schluterman, the owner, has given both time and money to various charitable causes, including donating over $5,000 worth of merchandise to the charity Soles4Souls.

Large Business of the Year: Freyaldenhoven Heating & Cooling

One of Conway’s most recognizable names, the business has provided reliable service and support for nearly 40 years. A family-owned business, Freyaldenhoven is considered a fixture in the community.

Outstanding Industry: Kimberly Clark

One of the largest manufacturing operations in Faulkner County, Kimberly Clark represents one of Conway’s earliest economic development achievements. Hawkins noted that the 500-plus employees make a significant impact on the economy of the region, with thousands of hours of time devoted to volunteer endeavors.

Outstanding Young Business Leader: Philip Shell

A native of Conway and graduate of Hendrix College, Shell has given countless hours to a variety of charitable organizations in town. When not working as a loan officer for First Security Bank, he is an active member of the Conway Kiwanis Club as well as First Presbyterian Church.

Small Business Person of the Year: Dr. Christine Hurley

Described as an amazing leader and a superb business woman, Dr. Hurley has served as a mentor to many in her field in both her discipline and the art of running a small business.

Business Executive of the Year : Scotty Bell with Virco Manufacturing

Bell has been with his employer for over 20 years, serving as corporate vice president and general manager of the Conway division. He serves on the board of Conway Corp. and served on the boards for the United Way of Faulkner County and the Faulkner County Day School. While at the helm of one of Conway’s largest employers,

Gov. Mike Beebe (left) and Michael J. Holston.

John and Michele Freyaldenhoven with Beth and Scott Freyaldenhoven.

Alicia Claflin (front, from left) and Taylor Lowery; Kym Schluterman (back) and Emily Morgan.

Lindsey Davenport (from left), Brooke Bussey and Alex Bussey.

Fletcher and Sherry Smith were presented the Good Neighbor Award.

George Covington (front, from left) and Mayor Tab Townsell; Brad Lacy (back), T.J. Johnston and Bill Hegeman.

the company was named as one of EPA’s first three “mentor organizations” in their Waste Watch Program, continuing the company’s tradition of environmental stewardship. Bell’s corporate office wrote, “We can cite many highlights and accomplishments of the Conway Division under his leadership, but the common theme that unites them all is teamwork. He is the ultimate team leader, team player, team coach and team cheerleader. He has kept manufacturing jobs in the U.S. at a time when that wasn’t thought possible.”

Get Smart.Go Green Initiative: Conway Sanitation Department

The new award was presented to Conway Sanitation Department, which is upheld as a leader in Arkansas as to how to successfully implement a recycling program. Good Neighbor Award – Fletcher and Sherry Smith. Fletcher Smith has served in many volunteer capacities over the years including a seven-year term on the Conway Corp. board of directors. Sherry Smith also served on several boards of directors including the Conway Downtown Partnership, where she was a founding member.

Good Neighbor Award: Fletcher and Sherry Smith

Fletcher Smith has served in many volunteer capacities over the years including a seven-year term on the Conway Corp. board of directors. Sherry Smith also served on several boards of directors including the Conway Downtown Partnership, where she was a founding member.

Mike Baldwin (from left), Johnny Adams and Philip Shell.

Connie and Ronnie Williams.

Martha Hegeman (center) with Toad Suck Daze honorary co-chairs Cory and Jill Imboden. Jerry Hiegel (left) and Philip Hiegel.

Lisa and David Bell.

Tommy and Greta Shackleford (from left) with Richie and Beverly Arnold.

Conway welcomes Doe’s Place

Located at 1010 Main St., Doe’s Place is the newest restaurant in the Conway culinary lineup of choices — and what a good one, at that!

First of all, the art deco surroundings and comfortable atmosphere will take you back to the early years of Downtown Conway, when the Parrott Steel Chevrolet Company occupied the facility and then the Bill Dean Chevrolet business took over.

Today, Doe’s occupies the space with a menu selection of fine dining!

George Eldridge is the proprietor and he also owns the Doe’s in Little Rock. There are 12 locations of Doe’s Place — with the original restaurant still serving in Greenville, Miss. — having started 65 years ago under the leadership of Dominic “Doe” Signa. The Little Rock location is celebrating its 20th year of serving Arkansas diners!

Their mission statement and vision are simple — “Good food and good service.” From tamales with chili to sandwiches and steaks — you’ll find almost anything you’d want in a steakhouse.

Where as the Little Rock Doe’s is often full of legislators and politicians, especially during the session, the Conway establishment caterers to the entire family.

Doe’s Place

Select from the “For Goodness Steaks” offering on the menu and your choices will be T-bone, porterhouse, sirloin, or an 8 oz. prime fillet.

Established: 2008

Address: 1010 Main St. Conway Phone: 501.764.1424

The potatoes are amazing, and yes, they have added a delicious side of green beans with these entrees.

by Don Bingham

Of course, there are other items on the menu as well, including sandwiches, hamburgers, pasta and salads.

There is also a party room that can house up to 80 guests, and the restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, and for dinner on Saturday.

If you are short on time, try the carryout menu by calling 501.764.1424.

The staff is courteous, accommodating and efficient — Conway welcomes Doe’s Place!

}Recognized throughout the state as an accomplished chef, Don Bingham has authored cookbooks, presented television programs and previously served as the executive chef at the Governor’s Mansion. He is now the director of special events at the University of Central Arkansas.

Known for its steaks, Doe’s offers a menu with a variety of choices.

Doe’s is the latest addition to the list of fine eating establishments in Downtown Conway.

UCA releases centennial history book

The University of Central Arkansas recently released its centennial history book during a booksigning party with author Jimmy Bryant. The “Centennial History of the University of Central Arkansas” is a 224-page hardbound volume that features more than 300 photos with thousands of faces from UCA’s past and present as well as engaging stories of the university’s 100-year history.

UCA archivist Jimmy Bryant captured significant moments in the university’s history with chapters following the timeline of each of its past presidents. One chapter is

CSO to feature popular classics in new concert

Hum along with popular classical tunes you know and pieces you’ve loved for years at the Conway Symphony Orchestra’s mainstage season finale at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at Reynolds Performance Hall at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.

Tickets are available at the Reynolds Box Office, by phone at 501.450.3265 or toll free at 1.866.810.0012, and at www.uca.edu/tickets. Prices range from $5 to $35, with significant discounts for children, students and the UCA community.

The concert is sponsored by First Security Bank.

Popular Classics will feature a medley of cartoon favorites, including the Bugs Bunny classic, “Kill the Wabbit,” plus other recognizable tunes. Conway’s own Charlotte Crosmer will join the CSO as violin soloist for the concert.

Now in its 24th season, the Conway Symphony Orchestra exists to create meaningful experiences through performances and education. Originally a joint project of the music departments at Hendrix College and UCA, the CSO roster is composed of both professional and pre-professional musicians. Through the support of corporate and individual donors, the CSO keeps tickets affordable, making the enjoyment of classical and popular music available to the entire community.

dedicated to music organizations, spirit groups and traditions while another chapter features UCA athletics.

The book reveals to readers how a small teacher-training college near the geographic center of Arkansas grew into a major university. The book also focuses on some of the major points of each presidential administration and covers the difficult times of World War I, the Great Depression and World War II.

Bryant earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history from the university. He is a certified archivist and has worked as the director of UCA archives for 11 years. In 2006, he began researching and writing the book after the university’s centennial executive committee proposed the publication of a 100-year history.

The book – which costs $37.83 (tax included) – is available, while quantities last, at the UCA Bookstore, on the bookstore’s website (www.uca.bncollege. com), at the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce and Hastings in Conway.

UCA interim president Tom Courtway shakes hands with Jimmy Bryant after having his book signed while Emogene Fox (left), Centennial Committee member, waits her turn.

Centennial committee members Guy Couch (left) and Wayne Cranford.

UCA archivist Jimmy Bryant discusses how “The Centennial History of the University of Central Arkansas” was produced.

The Bryant family - Zack, Jann, Jimmy and Melanie - pose for a photo beside a mock-up of the UCA Centennial History book cover.

David Grimes looks at his copy of the book while waiting for Bryant to sign it.

by Donna Lampkin Stephens

Seniors score on the field and in the classroom

This could be THE year for Conway’s Lady Cat softball team.

With eight seniors, five of whom are four-year starters who led the Lady Cats to the state semifinals when they were freshmen, the stars seem to be aligned.

But seventh-year coach Chad Longing properly downplayed the situation heading into the season.

“Any team that has made a run and eventually gone to the state championship will tell you there’s some luck involved,” said Longing, who has led three of his six previous CHS teams to state semifinal finishes. “We’ve got a lot of the pieces in place, but we’re going to have to get a break, and we have to get lucky in order for that to happen.”

But good teams, as they say, make their own luck, and these Lady Cats are primed for their run.

Some of them will go on to play their sport in college; others will hang up their cleats at season’s end. But until then, they are united.

“I really think this could be it,” said Natalye Chudy, the first baseman who has signed with Lambuth University in Jackson, Tenn. “We all thought last year was, but we weren’t as close as we are this year.”

Her teammate, pitcher Kayce Moore, who is headed to Hendrix College, agreed.

“We’re girls; we have drama, and last year there were a lot of things going on,” she said. “This year we all get along really well, and I think that’s going to help. Whenever you have turmoil within the team, it shows when you play, and since we’re all close this year, I think we’ll be able to do well.”

The five four-year starters are Chudy, Moore, second baseman Kristin Shock, center fielder Bailey Prout and catcher Jenny Beth Davis. Shock and Prout have signed to play for Central Baptist College. Davis has decided to give up her competitive softball to concentrate on being a student at the University of Central Arkansas.

“Those five are a coach’s dream, as a kid, as a student, as an overall person,” Longing said. “Really, for the last four years, it has been easy to come to work knowing that these kids are the way they are and also that they are very talented in the sport they play.”

The other three seniors are outfielder Emily Hoover, third baseman/designated hitter Mandy Eggert and shortstop Nikol Domengeaux, who separated a shoulder and missed much of her junior season. Longing said if she has a good year, she, too, could sign a scholarship offer.

Besides the softball talent, there are high GPAs and ACT scores among the group.

“It’s a stellar class,” Longing said. “They’ve been involved with softball from an early age. Their parents have taken an interest in the sport, and obviously the kids have, too, but at that age you have to give it to the parents because they’re the ones carting them all over the state, paying for hotels and uniforms.

“When these kids were 8-10 years old, their parents instilled a love of the sport, and that’s just carried on.”

Please see the complete story on the Conway High softball team at www.501lifemag.com.

CHUDY

Chudy began playing T-ball at 4 and played slow-pitch softball from the time she was 5 through her sixth-grade year.

“They would walk me because all I hit was home runs,” she said.

She moved to Conway from Hazen in sixth grade.

Lambuth is moving to the Gulf South Conference of NCAA Division II, and Chudy said she liked both the athletic and academic angle of her next home.

“I want to either be a sports trainer or a pharmacist, and Lambuth is a great liberal arts college connected to the University of Tennessee Medical School,” she said.

She also strongly considered Hendrix.

“It was very, very hard for me to make a decision about which way to go,” she said.

Chudy hit .400 as a junior with 34 hits, 37 RBIs and a team-leading six home runs.

MOORE

Moore, too, started T-ball at 4. She moved to fastpitch at 8.

“This is corny, but I was a pitcher for my slow-pitch team and I remember a game where I got in trouble for pitching the ball too fast,” she said. “That’s when we were just learning about fast-pitch, and I said, ‘Dad, if I pitch too fast in slow-pitch, I should play fast-pitch.’”

As a freshman, she anticipated being the Lady Cat varsity pitcher, but a junior, Schylar Dake, moved in

Seniors on the Lady Cats team include Jenny Beth Davis (front, from left) and Kristin Shock; Mandy Eggert (back), Natalye Chudy and Bailey Prout. Not pictured: Nikol Domengeaux, Emily Hoover and Kayce Moore.

from Oklahoma during the year. Dake, now at CBC, got the starting job, and Moore pitched JV and was designated hitter for the varsity.

“I got pushed out, but playing JV made me a better pitcher for when I moved up to varsity,” she said.

Moore sports a 4.1 GPA and calls herself “really into chemistry, which is weird.” She wants to become a nurse anesthetist and plans to major in allied health at Hendrix and minor in chemistry.

SHOCK

Shock and Prout will join former Lady Cat teammates Dake and Tia Houston on the CBC squad.

“It’s nice to be able to go back and play with people I’ve played with before, and just an honor to be able to play college ball,” Shock said. “For all of us to still be playing together is pretty amazing.”

Shock batted .411 last year with 35 hits, 35 RBIs and three home runs.

Her team goal as a senior was to win the 7A-Central and make the state championship game. She knows the significance of this season’s goals.

“Just our whole team being able to play with each other for so long, knowing each other, going as far as we can,” she said.

“And if we don’t make it, we’ll all know we did good and will be proud of ourselves.”

She’d like to pursue a coaching or teaching career like her grandmother, Lorene Shock.

PROUT

Prout began playing ball at 4. She played with various competitive fastpitch teams over the years, and she said CBC suits her perfectly.

“I’m really into the small school thing, and I just feel like CBC’s the right place for me,” she said. Prout started at shortstop as a freshman before moving to center. She said the Lady Cats, led by her class, had grown as a team over the years.

“We’ve become closer, like a family,” she said. “That helps a lot during games. When you work better together, you play better.” She is undecided about what to study at CBC.

After breaking a wrist early last season but still managing to hit .347, she is perhaps more eager than the others to hit the field.

“I hope we can make it to state; we’ve just got to work our tails off,” she said. “I’m happy and sad at the same time. I’m sad because we’re all so close to the coaches. Coach Longing is like a second dad to me.”

DAVIS

Davis had originally planned to join her teammates at CBC but then decided against it.

“I decided I actually wanted to start my career at UCA, and I feel like I couldn’t really do that and play softball at the same time,” said Davis, who plans to pursue pharmacy school after UCA.

Davis batted .436 last year with 38 hits, 40 RBIs and

two home runs.

She said Conway’s goal of a state championship was within reach this spring.

“We did lose a lot of talent last year, but I really think we can actually do it this year,” she said. “Knowing that the eight seniors have been playing together a really long time, we can kind of carry our team to state.”

But she admitted to mixed emotions as the seasonopener neared.

“We’re stressed because we feel like we still have a lot more practice to do; we’re anxious to play our first game, but I’m sad because it’s going to be my last first game,” she said.

LONGING

Longing was a CHS baseball player, graduating in 1991. He never dreamed he’d wind up coaching softball.

But after earning his bachelor’s degree from UCA, he took at job at Oglethorpe County High School near Athens, Ga., as head baseball coach.

“In Georgia, fast-pitch was played in the fall, and I’d never played football or really been exposed to it, so in order to keep me off the football field in the fall, they offered me an assistant softball job,” he said. “I told the athletic director I’d never coached a girl in my life, but it sounded fun, and the rest is history.”

He said he’d never return to coaching baseball.

“I shouldn’t say never, but baseball to me now is not nearly as intriguing or as interesting,” he said. “This sport is so much quicker. There’s more detail on fundamentals. Keep in mind that this is only my opinion, but you’re 20 feet closer. The velocity is the same but the strength isn’t, so in my opinion, this sport is a lot more difficult to play. It’s evident by the scores when you pick up the paper.”

MEET: Mary Beth Lagenaur and Wilkie

Hometown: Conway

Occupation: Drug/alcohol educator with Family Service Agency, North Little Rock.

Pet’s name: Wilkie (named after state Sen. Wendell Wilkie from Indiana)

Age: 5

Breed: Unknown

Where/when did you meet your pet: “Wilkie was dumped in the woods behind my house.”

Activities you enjoy together: Napping.

Other info: Registered by the Delta Society, a national organization, Wilkie received the highest score the day of testing. The Delta Society is a non-profit organization which promotes animals helping people improve their health, independence and quality of life.

“Wilkie is very gentle and laid back. He enjoys visiting Salem Place residents, especially Doris Williams. She loves Wilkie’s visits.”

photos by Mike Kemp

Wilkie with Doris Williams, a resident at Salem Place Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Wilkie

Celebrating spring in the 501

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.”

Spring in the 501 demonstrates this scripture in incredible ways – from an amazing sunset at Petit Jean State Park to flowers blooming at Wye Mountain.

Here are just a couple of places to go in the coming month to enjoy the gifts of beauty that we have been given, right here in the 501:

Spring is the time for flowers and there are plenty of bursts of color popping up around Lake Catherine State Park, located near Hot Springs.

Blooming Weekend, scheduled April 18-19, will feature guided hikes and nature programs that explore the many blooms in this gorgeous Ouachita mountain landscape. Contact the park at 501.844.4176 for a more complete schedule. Admission is free.

Lake Ouachita State Park will host two kayak campout weekends, March 28-29 and April 25-26. Park staff will take participants for a guided, overnight kayaking adventure.

The trip includes meals and evening programs as well as information on the history, geology and wildlife of Lake Ouachita. You can bring your own kayak and supplies or rent them from the state park. Space is limited, so make your reservations early. Contact the park at 501.767.9366 for more details, rental prices or to hold your place. Admission is $75.

So, whether it is a visit to one of our state parks or simply a drive on a rural road, take some time this month to enjoy traveling the 501.

The 501 area offers many opportunities to take in and enjoy the wonder and beauty of nature during spring, including Wye Mountain.

(Psalm 19:1-6 -NIV)

Pastor E.C. Maltbia

Current position: Founder and senior pastor at True Holiness Saints Center and state House of Representatives chaplain for the 87th General Assembly.

Years at the True Holiness: Since July 4, 1993 (almost 16 years). What do you enjoy most about your work: I absolutely love public speaking and I love empowering people to be successful in all areas of their lives.

Family: Married my high school sweetheart, Natasha (Pierce) Maltbia on June 5, 1993. We have two children, Kennedy Elise Maltbia (13) Connor Holden Maltbia (11). Parents - Lee and Barbara Maltbia. I am the fourth of five children.

Education: Educated in the Conway School District and attended the University of Central Arkansas, where I studied business administration.

Community activiites: Chaplain for the Conway Police Department, Conway Ministerial Alliance, Conway Civil Service Commission, and assistant coach of my son’s little league football team - the Carpet Center Cowboys.

Last book you read: “Overcoming Overload” by Steve and Mary Farrar.

Favorite book: “The Purpose Driven Church” by Rick Warren

Favorite meals: Steak and potatoes or seafood (I love fried shrimp/catfish).

Most enjoyed weekend activity: Dinner and a movie with my immediate family.

Favorite quote: “…but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your servant (Matthew 20:26).”

No. 1 vacation spot: Orlando, Fla.

Favorite place in Arkansas: Conway

What do you love about living in the 501: “I love raising my children in a progressive community with a small town atmosphere.”

The Rev. E.C. “Cornell” Maltbia of Conway is the first African American to serve as chaplain for the Arkansas House of Representatives.

With the high price of bills and the low cost of membership, there’s never been a better time to become a member of First Security’s Gold Club, our exclusive club for adults age 50 or better.

You’ll enjoy affordable vacations to dream locations, making new friends and great memories. And you’ll love the special attention you’ll get from Gold Club Director Denice Perry, a trusted banker for 32 years with a desire to cater to your every need.

BECOME A MEMBER!

• Either you or your spouse must be age 50 or over.

• Maintain a $5,000 deposit relationship in a personal account or any combination of accounts with First Security Bank. (This can be in checking, savings or even a certificate of deposit.)

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS • FREE Investment Consultation • No-Fee Cashier’s Checks • FREE Notary Service

Discount on Safe Deposit Box Rental

Special Events & Entertainment

Gold Club Newsletter