June 2023

Our annual Home and Garden issue is one of my favorites because people open their homes to our talented photographers and share how they have made a space uniquely theirs. In this edition, Donna Benton takes us on a dreamy journey to a historic river valley home in Lonoke County, where Nicole Locke is a lavender farmer. She and Chris grow more than 1,000 French and English plants in a field bordered by 100-year-old, giant pecan trees. Donna was invited there to help reimagine Nicole’s kitchen, and the results are gorgeous!

Readers will also enjoy a tour of Melissa Dean’s home, which showcases her abilities as a visionary who saw potential in a home built in 2005 in Faulkner County. This large home with an open layout now reflects Melissa’s warm and welcoming personality, and the renovation continued outside, where she redesigned flower beds and added an Arkansas flagstone patio.

So many of us lost plants to the hard freezes we endured this winter. I reached out to the experienced owner of The Plant Outlet, and Brett Battle was happy to share tips with our readers. Fortunately, some plants can be saved, and you can learn how from a man whose nursery business celebrates 25 years this month.

June is a time that we honor fathers and feature our exclusive “Men of the Moment” section. We’ll introduce you to men who are making a difference throughout the 501 in professions such as education, business, banking, and building and providing service and repairs to homes. They are standouts in their fields and are committed to their families and communities. I’m confident that you’ll enjoy meeting them.

I must extend our thanks to Cindy and David DeRosa, who allowed me to borrow their lovely patio and garden as a backdrop for my editorial photo. You don’t really think that I get to walk around snipping lovely flowers all day, do you? A girl can only dream …

PUBLISHER/ART DIRECTOR

Jeremy L. Higginbotham

EDITOR

Stefanie W. Brazile

FOUNDERS

Donna Spears, Sonja Keith and Tracy Ferrell

BRAND AMBASSADOR

Donald Brazile

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Paulette Higginbotham

ADVERTISING SALES

Donna Spears

DIGITAL DIRECTOR

Levi Gilbert

PHOTO DIRECTOR

Mike Kemp

COPY EDITORS

Andrea Lively and Andrea Miller

FINANCE DIRECTOR

Debbie Flowers

SOCIAL MEDIA

Morgan Zimmerman

CONTRIBUTORS

Becky Bell

Don Bingham

Jessica Duff

Lori Dunn

Mary Eggart

Laurie Green

Dwain Hebda

Vivian Lawson Hogue

Tammy Keith

Johnny Adams

Jack Bell

Don Bingham

Jessica Brown

RaeLynn Callaway

Glenn Crockett

Beth Franks

Russ Hancock

Spencer Hawks

Mathilda Hatfield

Roe Henderson

Jerry Hiegel

Mike Kemp

Julie LaRue

Mary Clark

Shelli Crowell

Dr. Larry Davis

Shawn Halbrook

Alicia Hugen

Alisha Koonce

Betsy Bailey

Amy Burton

Tara Cathey

Cassandra Feltrop

Phil Hays

Natalie Horton

Beth Jimmerson

Mark Oliver

Susan Peterson

Dr. Robert Reising

Judy Riley

Carol Rolf

Donna L. Stephens

Rita Thomas

Karl Lenser

Monica Lieblong

Lori Melton

Deanna Ott

Pat Otto

Jon Patrom

Amy Reed

Lori Ross

Margaret Smith

Jan Spann

Kim Tyler

Suzann Waggoner

Jennifer Whitehead

Kay Wood

Stephanie Lipsmeyer

Stewart Nelson

Kristi Strain

Jim Taylor

Morgan Zimmerman

Matt LaForce

Mike Parsons

Brooke Pryor

Judy Riley

Carol Spears

Kristi Thurmon

501 LIFE is published by Make the Jump Media, LLC (920 Locust Ave. Ste. 104, Conway, AR 72034, 501.327.1501) and is owned by Jeremy Higginbotham and Stefanie Brazile.

The contents of 501 LIFE are copyrighted and materials presented may not be copied or reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publishers. Articles should not be considered specific advice, as individual circumstances vary. Advertisements are not necessarily endorsed by 501 LIFE.

FAULKNER CO. EDITORIAL BOARD

CONWAY CO. EDITORIAL BOARD

WHITE CO. EDITORIAL BOARD

(from left), Brett Battle and Jake Bly are dedicated to

in

501 LIFE would like to thank our advertising partners.

Acxiom, 78

Airco Service, 66

Arkansas Grown, 21

Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre, 60

Arvest Bank, 38

Bledsoe Chiropractic, 62

Centennial Bank, 53

Cole’s Cuts, 57 Conway Corp, 91

Conway Flooring & Design, 31

Conway Regional Health System, 52, 99

Conway Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, 47

Denture + Implant Solutions, 35

DJM Orthodontics, 9

Edward Jones, 84

Empower Healthcare, 72

Explore Springdale, 71

First

In Central Arkansas, good news is always in season.

LET US HELP YOU WATCH IT BLOOM!

For

the Writers’ Room

Don Bingham

Recognized throughout the state as an accomplished chef, he has authored cookbooks, presented television programs and planned elaborate events. He was the administrator of the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion for a decade and his wife, Nancy, was the First Lady’s Assistant. They have five children and 12 grandchildren. Contact him at donaldjbingham@gmail.com.

Dwain Hebda

is an award-winning writer, editor, journalist and president of his editorial services company Ya!Mule Wordsmiths. Nebraskan by birth, Southern by the grace of God, he's published in more than 35 publications, specializing in telling extraordinary stories about everyday people. Contact him at dwain@ya-mule.com.

Dr. Robert Reising is retired from the University of Central Arkansas in 2013 and held a variety of teaching, coaching and administrative posts during more than a half-century in education. His doctoral dissertation at Duke treated literature and sports. In 2009, he co-authored “Chasing Moonlight: The True Story of Field of Dreams’ Doc Graham.”

Running of the Tubs

June 3 • Hot Springs

Miss Arkansas Pageant

June 6-10 • Little Rock

Keep on Tubbin’ at this hilarious and wacky event! Watch as costumed teams push customized bathtubs on wheels down Historic Bathhouse Row in the World Championship Running of the Tubs! The event is free, and audiences are encouraged to come out with water guns, house slippers, shower caps and robes to watch the parade and join in the fun. To learn more, call 501.327.2027.

Kids’ College

June 5-8 • Morrilton

“A Hawaiian Luau” is the theme of Kids' College at the University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton. It is open to kids who have completed grades K-3. Instructors are licensed elementary school teachers who will focus on English, math and science in this fun and interactive camp, which lasts from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 daily. Space is available for 40 students. Cost is $75. Visit uaccm.edu.

The exciting Miss Arkansas and Outstanding Teen competitions will be held at the beautiful Robinson Performance Hall. The event is a part of the Miss America Scholarship Organization, the largest scholarship provider to young women in the world. The teen finals will begin at 7 p.m., Friday, June 9. The Miss Arkansas finals will begin at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, June 10. Individual event tickets are available at ticketmaster.com.

Community Band Concerts

June 9 & 30 • Conway

Music will be in the air as the band performs fan favorites. Each concert begins at 7:30 p.m. The June 30 concert is a patriotic event that will honor veterans. Bring lawn chairs or blankets and spread out on the lawn in Simon Park. The free concerts are sponsored by 501 LIFE Magazine and hosted by the City of Conway and the Conway Downtown Partnership. In case of rain, visit the 501 LIFE Magazine page on Facebook for an alternate location.

Wind Symphony

June 11 • Little Rock

The Little Rock Winds presents its annual Flag Day Salute at 7 p.m. with an old-fashioned concert in the MacArthur Park, featuring handclapping marches, toe-tapping show tunes and flag-waving patriotic songs. Bring the kids and have a picnic. Israel Getzov conducts. Hosted by the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, admission is free. Learn more at lrwinds.org.

Auto Show & Swap Meet

June 14-17• Petit Jean Mountain

Youth Fishing Derby

June 17 • Jacksonville

The 65th annual Antique Car show is co-hosted by the MidAmerican Old Time Automobile Association and the Museum of Automobiles on Petit Jean Mountain. Event admission is free. Classic and vintage vehicles from all over the region will be on display at 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road, Morrilton. There will also be 60 arts and crafts/flea market spaces. For more information, call the museum at 501.727.5427.

Eddie B

June 17 • Little Rock

Lots of hungry fish will be biting at the 26th annual youth fishing derby at the Jacksonville Shooting Sports Complex Lake. Fishing enthusiasts ages 15 and under are invited to join in for a morning of fun and fishing. Prizes will be given for biggest and smallest fish and much more. Registration is from 7 to 8 a.m. For Fishing Derby regulations & more, call 501.982.4171 or visit jacksonvilleparks.com.

Argenta Vibe Music Series

June 23 • North Little Rock

Eddie B is a comedian on steroids! The Houston native is tapping into the minds of teachers around the world and selling out major arenas. He soared to new heights by creating the “I’m Already Professionally Developed Tour" and shares the funniest ways for educators to express their frustrations, and they are loving every second! Catch the comedian at 8 p.m. at Robinson Performance Hall. Tickets start at only $37.

Arkansauce will perform at 8 p.m. at Argenta Plaza in North Little Rock. Arkansauce is Tom Andersen on bass, Zac Archuleta on guitar, Ethan Bush on mandolin and Adams Collins on banjo. The string quartet’s distinct blend of newgrass combines the melodies of the Ozark Mountains' rolling hills and raging rivers. The event is free. Chairs and blankets encouraged. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from local vendors. Visit argentaartsdistrict.org.

Headed out on a special trip as the weather gets better? Have a special occasion or get-together coming up? Pack a copy of 501 LIFE in your suitcase, snap a photo at your destination and send it to us for publication in a future issue!

Photos can be submitted by email to stefanie@501lifemag.com.

Steve Burns (of “Blue’s Clues” fame) and Harley Brazile were “Loving LIFE” when Steve spoke to hundreds of young-adult fans at Reynold’s Performance Hall on the University of Central Arkansas campus on April 4.

Peggy and Rick Sublett were “Loving LIFE” at the Santa Family Reunion at Gatlinburg Convention Center in Gatlinburg, Tenn.

Nemo Vista High School students Kailynn Garis and Patrick Perry were “Loving LIFE” when they signed letters of intent to play college basketball at North Arkansas College and Randall University, respectively.

The Maumelle High School choir was “Loving LIFE” while performing at Maumelle’s State of the City Luncheon in April. The choir is under the direction of Ellen Westerman.

Caleb Norris (from left), Courtney Dunn, Kellie Wall and Chad Gardner were “Loving LIFE” at Maumelle’s State of the City Luncheon.

The Hilltoppers Extension Homemakers were “Loving LIFE” at their Spring Council meeting in Morrilton. Angela Austin (from left), Cindy Wilson, Mary Valesquez, Melanie Garrett, Jane Boone, Paulette Reece, Cindy Nelson (holding the magazine), Anna Halbrook, Gail O'Leary, Donna Bird, Cathy Boyd, Charlotte McDowell and Erika Rodriguez.

Main Street Malvern board members were “Loving LIFE” near a new distribution site for the magazine outside the store Lot 7.

Greeters Linda Terry (from left), Roberta and Dewey Spencer and Elizabeth Heard at the Pioneer Village Open House in Searcy were “Loving LIFE” in May.

Conway First United Methodist Church members Zettie Caudle (from left), Diego Mesia (a Guatemalan stove builder), Becky Rasnick, Bonnie and Steve Laycock were “Loving LIFE” on a Stove Builders Mission trip to Guatemala.

The party's hoppin’ in Downtown Conway

Toad Suck Daze is back bigger and better in Central Arkansas

Since 1982, the Toad Suck Daze festival has been a springtime tradition in Conway. This year, it was held May 5-7 in the downtown area, hosting thousands of festivalgoers.

The tradition began on the banks of the Arkansas River in a nearby township named “Toad Suck” before moving to its current location in Conway 30 years ago. The free-admission, family festival has something for all ages: local and national musical entertainment, retail vendors and arts and crafts booths, carnival rides, children’s activities, and of course, the World Championship Toad Races starring our amphibious friends.

Several events sponsored by local nonprofit organizations take place throughout the weekend as well, including a 10K/5K race and the Tour de Toad bicycle race.

Creating a safe haven

Arkansas’s 17th Baby Box installed in Cabot

Cabot Fire Department Central Station is home to the 17th Baby Box in Arkansas. A blessing ceremony was held on May 17 at the fire station located at 1000 S. 2nd St. The Baby Box is a protective measure used to prevent infant abandonment and aid women in crisis. It is on the north side of the building and is available 24/7 to allow for a completely anonymous surrender.

Last week, a baby was surrendered at the Benton (Saline County) Baby Box, marking the seventh Baby Box surrender of the year. Throughout the U.S., there are 146 Baby Boxes. Safe Haven Baby Boxes is the only organization in the nation dedicated to providing an anonymous surrender option for mothers in crisis. The organization educates citizens about the Safe Haven Law through social media.

The organization was founded in 2015 by Monica Kelsey, who learned in adulthood that she was abandoned as an infant. Now her life’s mission is to end infant abandonment and advocate for the Safe Haven Law. In addition to educating citizens, Safe Haven Baby Boxes provides free confidential counseling via their hotline 1.866-99BABY1.

“We are hot off the heels of an Arkansas Baby Box surrender and we never know when our Baby Boxes will be needed, but we do know it is crucial to be prepared for this situation,” Kelsey said. “Last week proved this, and we are happy Cabot is protecting the vulnerable in their community and potentially the surrounding areas as well.”

The Baby Box project was funded by Options Pregnancy Center, which worked in conjunction with the city of Cabot. “This is a great day for the City of Cabot and our community. This box is a great solution to many brave mothers that need to surrender their child for the betterment of the child's life.” Mayor Ken Kincaid said.

A Baby Box allows for the legal, safe and anonymous surrender of an infant provided under the Safe Haven Law. It features three silent alarms alerting first responders to the presence of a surrendered infant. Boxes feature climate control through heating and cooling features, ensuring the infant will be comfortable. Once the infant is placed inside the Baby Box, the exterior door locks until the first responders arrive within five minutes and take them to a hospital for medical evaluation. After surrender, adoption occurs within 30 to 45 days by families who are signed up for foster care with the intention to adopt.

Since 2017, 29 infants have been placed in a Baby Box. Nationwide, 131 surrenders have resulted from calling the National Safe Haven Baby Box hotline. Safe Haven Baby Boxes are available in Indiana, Ohio, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.

Monica Kelsey (from left), Safe Haven Baby Box founder, and Kellie Tolliver, with the Arkansas Department of Health, stand beside the recently installed baby box.

Fire Department Chief Chad Moore (from left) and Cabot Mayor Ken Kincade.

Justin and Nikki Cook

501 LIFE COUPLE OF THE MONTH

Photo by Mike Kemp

HER STORY:

EDUCATION: I hold a Bachelor of Music Education from Northern Arizona University.

JOB: Band Director, Conway High School and Carl Stuart Middle School.

CHILDREN: Eli Cook, 6, and Andie Cook, 2. COMMUNITY/CHURCH ACTIVITIES: We enjoy worship at New Life Church in Conway. I play clarinet and conduct the Conway Community Band, and we love attending Eli’s baseball games in the Conway Parks and Rec League.

HOBBIES/SPECIAL INTERESTS: I love to play golf with Eli and friends, teach and perform music, and sing “Frozen” and “Moana” with Andie in the car at the top of our lungs!

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE

YOURSELF: I am a highly motivated and caring teacher who loves being a part of the musical growth of my students. My family is fun and crazy, which helps me stay energetic and have a good sense of humor.

WHAT IS ONE THING PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU: I am a three-time Fantasy Football Champion, and I won a Dolly Parton costume contest as a kid.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT LIVING IN THE 501: The community! We love our friends, colleagues and students. Conway is a special place and we enjoy living here.

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO: Improve every day in every way.

THEIR STORY:

We met in the Mountain Ridge High School Band in Glendale, Ariz., and started dating in 2002. We continued to date in college at Northern Arizona University and got engaged in 2006. I drove us out to the mountains to celebrate Valentine’s Day and proposed in the forest. We were married in the mountains of Flagstaff, Ariz., on June 30, 2007! We have lived in Flagstaff, Dallas and Conway, and we have two beautiful children. Eli, our son, was born in 2016, and Andie, our daughter, was born in 2020. We love music, sports and spending time with our family. We have been married for almost 16 years, and we still enjoy doing the “little things” together. Although we are a very busy family, we realize the importance of making time for each other. We spend time every evening talking through our day and our plan for the next day. Good communication has definitely contributed to our happy marriage.

HIS STORY:

EDUCATION: Bachelor of Music Education and Bachelor of Trombone Performance at Northern Arizona University. Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting at Northern Arizona University. Doctor of Musical Arts in Trombone Performance at the University of North Texas.

JOB: Associate Professor of Trombone and Jazz at the University of Central Arkansas. I also am a staff member for the International Trombone Festival. In the summer of 2022, I hosted the International Trombone Festival held at UCA.

COMMUNITY/CHURCH ACTIVITIES: We enjoy attending New Life Church. I am the director of the Conway Community Band. The Community Band performs three concerts every summer that conclude with a July 4ththemed concert. Future concerts are June 9 and 30 at Simon Park on the Kris Allen Stage starting at 7:30 p.m.

HOBBIES/SPECIAL INTERESTS: Practicing and performing trombone, watching sports (we are huge Arizona sports fans!), and hanging out with family and friends.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF: I’m an energetic and hardworking husband, father and teacher. I teach at UCA but also work with high school ensembles around the state, as well as undergrad and graduate students around the country. I love my job but I love my family more. I always enjoy coming home to dinner with my family, watching my son play baseball or watching my wife conduct the Conway High School Symphonic Band.

WHAT IS ONE THING PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU: In high school, I played football and baseball in addition to being a member of the band.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT LIVING IN THE 501: I love the familyfriendly environment, the fantastic schools and the wonderful people I work with and teach at UCA.

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO: Hard work trumps talent every day of the week.

Marcin and Beata Burczyc’s fresh-baked creations have become the

Toast town of the

By Don Bingham

One of the "not-so-hidden secrets" growing in popularity are the products found at BMB European Bakery on Chestnut Street in Conway! A round loaf of delectable goodness was delivered to our home by a friend — and this was our first introduction to Marcin and Beata Burczyc, our new Polish friends who came from Poland, to Chicago, and now to Conway. This delightfully talented couple have brought a fresh approach to “all things sourdough” to the greater Central Arkansas area. As Beata shared, "Conway is blessed with many wonderful sweet shops, and our love is for bread, especially sourdough. Our recipes and breads are all European style. We moved from Chicago for the quality of lifestyle and to raise our two girls and to be near our extended family.”

This amazing story began when the couple's bread selections appeared at the Conway Farmers Market a few years ago. The request for breads continued through the winter months when the Farmers’ Market was closed for the season. Through a process of study, experimentation, and research for equipment and location, the couple decided to open BMB European Bakery, with the timeless feature of house-made sourdough breads.

Continued on page 21

Photos by Mike Kemp

Beata attributes much of their success to the warmth and encouragement that came from the community; it was community members reaching out that gave them the motivation to open the bakery for which, by the way, the daily process begins at 3:30 a.m.! Recently, the menu has expanded from racks of fresh bread baked daily, to the pastry shelf, to panini and a soup du jour.

Should you decide on their soup du jour, the most popular soup on the menu is the "Bigos,” which translates into English as “hunter's stew” — a Polish dish of chopped meats of various kinds stewed with sauerkraut and shredded fresh cabbage. It is served hot and can be enriched with vegetables, spices and wine.

The daily baking selections consist of 80-100 loaves of bread and are seen immediately upon entering the small, quaint location at 812 Chestnut Street in downtown

Conway. Seating is limited, but most of us join the waiting line for breads "to go” and are always greeted by Marcin or Beata. Some of the bread choices are focaccia, fruit and nut, rye, wheat, baguettes, buns, and rolls. Marcin explains part of the magic comes from the fact that the breads basically contain "only three ingredients!" The couple spent many hours producing the colorful hanging menu, done in social media style with up-to-date photos, fonts, descriptions and store offerings, all produced by Marcin and Beata.

"We love the work,” they said, "and we love the people in the community.” This is a unique and delicious addition to the 501 culinary family — you will find yourself returning weekly! The bakery is closed Sunday-Tuesday, so plan ahead for bread to last through their quiet days. You will find this couple to be most charming, and they are most excellent at their craft!

Recipes continued on page 22

Marcin’s Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Soup

1 Tbsp. olive oil

8 ounces boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch chunks

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter

3 cloves garlic, minced

8 ounces cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced

1 onion, diced

3 carrots, peeled and diced

2 stalks celery, diced

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

4 cups chicken stock

1 bay leaf

1/2 cup half-and-half, or more if needed

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley leaves

1 sprig rosemary

Heat olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Season chicken pieces and sauté in olive oil; add vegetables and bay leaf and cook until vegetables are tender. In a separate pan, melt butter, adding flour to make a roux of flour and butter. Cook roux for two to three minutes to prevent a flour taste. Slowly add half-and-half, stirring to desired consistency, and then add to the chicken/vegetable mixture. Remove bay leaf, add parsley leaves and rosemary. Incorporate cream mixture with chicken/vegetable mixture for Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Soup.

Challah Bread

2 cups milk • 8 Tbsp. (1 stick) unsalted butter

1/3 cup sugar • 2 packages active dry yeast

4 eggs, at room temperature

2 tsp. salt • 6 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour

1/3 cup cornmeal • 1 Tbsp. cold water

Poppy seeds

1. Bring the milk, 6 Tbsp. (¾ stick) of the butter and the sugar to a boil together in a medium-size saucepan. Remove from heat, pour into a large mixing bowl, and let cool to lukewarm (105-115 F).

2. Stir the yeast into the milk mixture and let stand for 10 minutes.

3. Beat three of the eggs well, and stir them and the salt into the milk-andyeast mixture.

4. Stir in 5 cups of the flour, 1 cup at a time, until you achieve a sticky dough. Flour a work surface lightly and turn the dough out onto it. Wash and dry the bowl.

5. Sprinkle additional flour over the dough and begin kneading, adding more flour as necessary, until you have a smooth, elastic dough.

6. Smear the reserved 2 Tbsp. butter around the inside of the bowl and add the ball of dough to the bowl, turning to coat it lightly with the butter. Cover the bowl with a towel and set aside to let the dough rise until it is tripled in bulk, usually for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

7. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and cut into halves. Cut each half into three pieces. Roll the pieces out into long "ropes" about 18 inches long. Braid three of the ropes together into a loaf and tuck the ends under. Repeat with the remaining ropes.

8. Sprinkle a large baking sheet with the cornmeal and transfer the loaves to the sheet. Leave room between the loaves for them to rise. Cover the loaves with the towel and let rise until nearly doubled, about 1 hour.

9. Preheat the oven to 350 F.

10. Beat the remaining egg and the 1 Tbsp. cold water together well in a small bowl. Brush this egg wash evenly over the loaves. Sprinkle immediately with poppy seeds to taste.

11. Set the baking sheet on the center rack of the oven. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, until the loaves are golden brown and sound hollow when their bottoms are thumped. Cool completely on racks before wrapping. Makes two large loaves.

1. Emma Allison (left canoe, back seat) loved rock climbing and enjoyed canoeing. She attends St. Joseph High School.

2. Rock climbing was a favorite activity of Daniel Trusty, a St. Joseph High School student.

3. Gleb Shevchenko had to depend on teammates for balance during one of many activities that taught campers to work together for success. He attends Conway High School, and July marks one year since his family moved to Conway from Ukraine.

4. Five youths from Faulkner County were chosen by the Conway Noon Rotary Club to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) camp at the 4-H Center in Little Rock in April. Gleb Shevchenko (from left), Daniel Trusty, Olivia Keisling, Emma Allison, Shelby Phillips and Noon Rotary Club President Wendy Francis.

1.

2.

YOUTH OF THE MONTH

ROTARY YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARDS

By Becky Bell

Relying on others to hold a rope as you rock climb and canoeing blindfolded while being guided by a partner may sound like unusual ways to promote leadership, but these are just a few ways young people grow as leaders at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), an annual camp.

Conway Noon Rotary Club sponsored five students from Faulkner County to attend the event, which took place from April 13-16 at the Vines 4-H Center in Little Rock. Students were chosen by their school counselors based on their leadership qualities.

Daniel Trusty, Emma Allison, Olivia Keisling, Gleb Shevchenko and Sydney Phillips joined 48 other teens from Rotary District 6170 for three days of team-building activities. In addition to rock climbing and canoeing, students also participated in the giant ladder, team wall, high ropes course, capture the flag, a talent show, dancing and financial literacy education.

“RYLA is a leadership training program that enhances a community’s youth [by teaching] leadership and communication skills while breaking them out of their comfort zones. It also encourages service above self,” said Wendy Francis, president of the Conway Noon Rotary Club.

“RYLA gives students the confidence to spread their ideas of impact to the community and world while becoming life changers in the lives of those they come into contact with,” she said, referring to a Rotary website. Rotary International’s motto is “Service above self.” Each of the students had a unique experience and their own thoughts on which activity most taught them leadership.

Trusty is an honor student at St. Joseph High School and a most valuable player on the basketball team. He said the rock wall and rope ladder activities helped him learn to trust others the most. “You really didn’t have a choice but to trust the people because if you fall, you fall,” he said. “Communication with my partner was key to getting up the ladder.”

Allison, also of St. Joseph High, is a community volunteer at St. Joseph Catholic Church and participates in swimming, soccer and basketball. She said her favorite activity, which scared her the most, was rock climbing. Allison said that it took place 20 to 25 feet in the air and was “nerve-wracking” and “very, very fun.”

“It was definitely about teamwork, and it helped me meet a lot more people,” Allison said. “We learned to use our leadership skills in different ways. I am still in touch with some of the people I went to camp with. They live in Magnolia (Lafayette County). This helped everyone step out of their comfort zone.”

Keisling, also from St. Joseph High, plays basketball and soccer and runs cross country. The honor student said she expected the camp to be mostly lectures but was pleasantly surprised to find it included many outdoor activities and the youth learned from participation. She said ziplining and an obstacle course with ropes and tires, where others had to help her along the way, were her favorite activities.

“I think it taught me to step up and encourage others, and to … be a leader because I’ve always been hesitant to do that.”

Shevchenko attends Conway High School and has lived in Arkansas (and in the U.S.) for nearly a year. He said the camp was helpful to him because even though he speaks four languages — English, Czech, Russian and Ukrainian — he can be hesitant to start a conversation. “The camp helped my leadership skills through communication, speech, creativity and working in groups,” Shevchenko said. “My self-confidence grew. Communication with other people helps with confidence.”

The final camper from Faulkner County is an honor student and community volunteer who attends Morrilton High School. Phillips said she also participates in competitive dance and tends to lose her shyness on stage. However, when dealing with people one-on-one, they notice she is shy. Being able to have a partner for the canoeing exercise helped her develop a friendship and helped her trust someone. “I think it will help me get out of my shell more and talk to people,” she said.

Purple Passion

A historic river valley farm reimagined

By Donna Benton

I've been working on my mindfulness. Little moments where I cajole my brain to relax. It’s usually during peak hubbub and flurry when I suddenly realize I need to take a moment to ground myself. I close my eyes, get quiet and still and go to my happy place, as they say. Summer sun touching my shoulders. A little breeze puffs my cotton dress where it’s hardly touching my skin at all. I’m surrounded by flowers. Bushes of them in uniform rows of purple plumes flank the path where I walk, close enough on each side to run my hands through the shrubby blooms, unearthing their sweet and sage-y herbal bouquet. My happy place has towering, gnarled, old-man trees too, giving shade if needed. And it has water; dark, still water, reflecting giant cypress trees in a shimmering inverted replica, rippled only by an occasional sun perch or wading bird. It sounds like a dreamy, imaginary place, but I’ve been there in real life!

Not too long ago, I was invited down to Scott, just south of Little Rock, where the freeways turn into two lanes and the parking lots turn into manicured farmland. Horizontal expanses of green, divided by the meandering Arkansas River and its glassy oxbow lakes that the mighty river left behind. It’s the kind of place that feels like everyone up and left for the city and gave the earth there a chance to breathe.

I was invited there by Nicole Locke, to help her reimagine the perfect farmhouse kitchen at their new homestead. Nicole and her husband, Chris, had just sold their house in the city and moved their family to this historic spot of land on the banks of one of those mysterious oxbow lakes. The Lockes had a vision that began to cultivate as they started renovating the old farmhouse, taming the overgrown trees and shrubs and bringing the land back to life. It was easy to imagine raising chickens, growing a garden and fishing on the lake here, but Nicole’s true dream for the farm was taking shape just at the edge of the old soybean field.

I could hardly think about the renovation task at hand, dreaming about those wispy rows of test plants out at the edge of the field. Natural State Lavender Co. was beginning to take root. Lavender plants to test Mother Nature and her sandy, loamy river valley soil and to test the resolve of the Lockes to see if they were cut out for the rigors of farm life.

Flash forward a couple of years and the lavender farm is operating full steam ahead. With more than 1,000 plants of French and English varieties and plans to expand, their offerings continue to grow. It’s all hands on deck during harvest season when the kids, Chase (22), Chloe (17) and Coleson (13), all pitch in to help. You can find their lavender products on their website if you are lucky, but most of their goods are sold seasonally at local pop-up shops and by word of mouth from friends and repeat customers.

Did I mention there is a pecan grove? Rows of 100-yearold giants with limbs as big as trees themselves, planted generations ago and once harvested commercially. They expect to have a big pecan harvest this fall and offer candied pecans, including, you guessed it, Sweet Lavender Sugar Pecans.

The kitchen renovation turned out pretty well too! I think it is a kitchen befitting a dreamy lakefront lavender farm with a pecan grove. The contrasting sage green and crisp white cabinets look amazing with the ever-present lavender bouquet, dried or fresh depending on the season-a great place to pull up to the bar and share a swig of lavender lemonade. You can buy a mix from Natural State Lavender Co., or you can make the homemade version with Nicole’s recipe. I am partial to the kitchen. From now on when I go to my happy place, I’ll have to stop into the kitchen for a glass of Nicole’s lavender lemonade.

See more of the author’s work on Instagram at waterhousemarket.

Photos by Makenzie Evans

See Nicole's recipe for Lavender Lemonade on page 30.

Contrasting sage green and crisp white cabinets make the perfect backdrop for a fresh lavender bouquet.

Bundle of the bounty of a lavender farm.

Mr. Biggs peeks around the corner.

No farmhouse is complete without a cat in the window. Elvis Keeps watch on the farm and the kitchen.

Smells like summer.

Lavender from the field and pecans from the grove

Nicole and Chris Locke enjoy strolls through their pecan grove.

NICOLE’S LAVENDER LEMONADE

2 cups of freshly squeezed lemons (about 10 lemons)

3 cups of ice-cold water (to taste) Lavender simple syrup (recipe below) Ice

LAVENDER SIMPLE SYRUP

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup water

2 Tbsp. culinary lavender

Combine sugar, water and lavender buds in a saucepan and simmer over medium heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved, then two more minutes. Let cool and strain.

For lemonade: In a large pitcher, combine lemon juice and lavender simple syrup. Add about 3 cups of cold water, and taste as you go until it’s just right. Garnish with a Natural State Lavender Co. cocktail pick and a lemon wedge. For a fun twist, freeze lavender lemonade concentrate (lavender simple syrup and lemon juice) into large cubes and pour sparkling water over them for a refreshing and bubbly beverage.

Nip those worries in the bud

100-year temperature event affected plant life throughout Central Arkansas, but nursery owner promises everything will soon be coming up roses.

By Donna Lampkin Stephens

Gardeners all over the 501 have been dealing with brown, withered plants after December’s devastating cold snap, but fear not — all hope isn’t lost.

That’s the message of Brett Battle, owner of The Plant Outlet, based in Conway, which is celebrating its 25th year in business just months after weathering the biggest catastrophe in its history.

“Everybody in the state lost a ton of plant material,” said Battle, 62. “The temperature went from 50 (degrees) during the day to minus-22 wind chill at night. A lot of plants in Arkansas can’t tolerate that. The loss factor is tremendous.”

Gardenias, azaleas and hydrangeas, among others, may indeed be dead, but Battle urged gardeners not to give up on them before trying one thing:

“The first thing for homeowners is to evaluate their current plants,” he said. “The way to do that is to scratch the bark on the plant with a fingernail. If you see green underneath the bark, that plant is still alive at that point. Keep scratching down until you find green. If you don’t find any, they’re toast.”

If gardeners find green, they should prune hard to that point, fertilize with time-release granulated fertilizer and, when the rain lets up, water.

Photos by Mike Kemp

“Everybody wants to use liquid MiracleGro, but granulated lasts three, six or nine months, and MiracleGro liquid lasts seven days,” Battle said. “Once you prune and fertilize, it’s a waiting game. In most cases, they should respond and start to grow. The other thing we need is sunshine and warmth.”

He has been rehabilitating his own 15-yearold encore azaleas, which were 5 feet tall in December but lost every leaf.

“I pruned them hard to the green, fertilized heavy, and mine have 50 percent of their leaves back,” he said. “Another three, four, five months and they’ll be back. But they’re going to be ugly this year. People aren’t going to see any blooms this year, but for those who are patient, I think a lot of those azaleas will come back out.”

As new growth comes on any damaged plant, gardeners should continue to prune any dead wood.

“The reason we prune is because pruning stimulates new growth,” Battle said.

He said that most deciduous plants, which lose their leaves annually, aren’t hurt by the cold. He remembered a snow and ice event more than 20 years ago when the temperature didn’t get above freezing for several days, but that paled in comparison to the December ‘22 freeze.

“Snow and ice insulates the plants,” he said. “This time, we knew it was going to be cold, but we never thought for a second it would get to minus-22.”

Continued on page 34

Jennifer Denning explains how to care for a geranium.

He and his staff covered the nursery’s inventory with insulated cloths, but it didn’t stop a $250,000 loss of product. With no insurance on perishable products, it was a tough loss. Afterward, Battle and his staff christened a section of the nursery “the hospital,” pruning and fertilizing everything. Now they are in the process of throwing away anything that isn’t showing signs of life.

“Everything we’ve sold so far this spring is new product,” he said. “Some things are showing signs of life, and if it comes out and looks pretty, we’ll sell it. If it looks halfsided ugly, we’ll throw it away.”

So what advice does he have for gardeners who face replacing dead plants?

“A lot of people say they don’t want to go back in with a gardenia again, but I have to counsel them — this was a once-in-a-100-year thing,” Battle said. “I would suggest that you go with what you like. Don’t shy away just because you lost all this plant material. Go back with what you had in the first place. You planted it for a reason, and you like it.”

Battle moved to the United States from Perth, Australia,

35 years ago. After four years coaching basketball in Oregon, he moved to Arkansas as an assistant coach at UAMonticello. He moved to Conway in 1998 to start The Plant Outlet. After a year in business, he purchased an acre on Hogan Lane, long before it was a major thoroughfare. The business eventually expanded to the current approximate eight acres.

In 2010, he bought 53 acres on the west end of Dave Ward Drive “to build and grow products of our own.”

“This was mainly so we could control inventory and quality,” he said.

He credits his wife, Michelle, as the backbone of the business, praising “her unbelievable hard work and the hours she puts in, her creativity to make the greenhouse so much of a destination that people want to come and see it, and her ability to be an amazing soundboard for many of my stupid ideas. People think she just runs our greenhouse, but she runs our growing facility and grows some amazing plants. How she gets it all done, I don’t know. But believe me when I say this business is so very much better because of her.

“Wow — what a ride.”

‘Don’t shy away just because you lost all this plant material. Go back with what you had in the first place. You planted it for a reason, and you like it.’

— Brett Battle, owner of The Plant Outlet

Battle said another key to business success is a good relationship with a smart banker. He has that with Johnny Adams, now president and CEO of First Security Bank in Conway.

“Twenty-five years ago, I walked into a banker’s office and asked for a big loan with no idea what I was doing,” Battle said. “Rather than laugh at my ignorance, Johnny Adams worked with me, and eventually we got a loan done that started The Plant Outlet.”

He credits Adams for helping the business navigate minefields such as the financial crisis and housing market crash of 2008. “Johnny was there to guide us, help us, and I can tell you he 100 percent saved us,” he said. “Today, as financing is not as critical for us, Johnny is still there as my banker, my mentor and my friend.”

Her pride and soy

Karen Ballard's soybeans are a superfood grown right here in the 501

By Judy Riley

When Karen Ballard started growing edible soybeans, it was out of a medical need. According to Ballard, “A tick bite resulting in an Alpha-gal allergy was a life-changing event for me.” After several anaphylactic episodes and visits to the emergency room, she set out to change her diet. Alpha-gal is an allergy to mammals and, in her case, dairy. She needed to change her diet or risk major health consequences.

Ballard’s research background with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture plunged her into “overdrive,” studying vegetable soybeans. Her goal was to put protein back on her plate. But like all good researchers, sharing her findings widely became a quest. She was diagnosed in January of 2019, and B&B Legacy Farms was incorporated in July to make locally grown vegetable soybeans available in Arkansas. We in the 501 are beneficiaries of her work, which includes B&B’s monthly food blog.

According to Ballard, soy is the original heirloom food. Historical accounts reveal that soybeans were one of the five grains cultivated by the Yellow Emperor in China more than 7,000 years ago. Soybeans were domesticated by Chinese farmers around 1100 BC. Americans have eaten soy as a food additive for years in the form of soy sauce. Consumption of whole vegetable soybeans has recently gained recognition by major medical groups. Soy is the gold standard for plant-based protein. Soy is a complete protein, with no cholesterol, very little saturated fat, yet high in fiber and dense with nutrients. Populations that have historically consumed whole soy foods on a regular basis have admirable health outcomes.

Even though Ballard and her husband, Danny, both grew up surrounded by soybean fields, they never considered their human food value. B&B is a small mom-and-pop operation. Ballard quickly gives credit to long-term friends who have supported the business development process from the beginning. The Ballards currently split their time between their home in Natural Steps with their 550-acre farm near Beedeville in Woodruff County. They grow corn, rice and soybeans on a rotational basis. A collaborating farmer grows multiple varieties of B&B’s non-GMO (genetically modified organism) vegetable soybeans on small acreage plots that are identity-preserved and cleaned on-site. There are more than 2,500 soy varieties around the world, and they come in all shapes, colors and sizes. Ballard has been working with 40 varieties, including the well-known edamame.

Ballard’s role at the B&B Legacy Farms farm is production planning with a collaborating farmer to test, select and grow food-grade soy varieties. Both Ballards manage the packaging, marketing and distribution of dry vegetable soybeans. She develops new soy recipes each month for her B&B food blog, which can be accessed at bandblegacyfarms. com. Information shared and recipe photos look like something out of a famous chef’s lab, but dishes are developed, tested and photographed right in her own kitchen. Her network of friends and associates are fortunate to be included in taste testing.

According to Ballard, whole vegetable soybeans play well with other foods and make nutritious snacks. One of her favorites is steamed edamame, hummus and black soybean salsa. Her recipes include barbecue soybeans, edamame stir-fry, soybeans and rice, Mexican chicken, lasagna and enchiladas. She has even created desserts to include soybeans: bread pudding, chocolate mousse and peach cobbler. B&B provides “how to cook” help with these traditional Southern family recipes at bandblegacyfarms.

com/soy-kitchen. Her absolute favorite soy recipe is freezer soybeans. Beans are pre-cooked and stored in airtight containers. With soybeans’ high protein composition, they are one of few beans that maintain their structure when frozen. This allows soy to become a convenient food staple for home kitchens.

B&B products are currently available year-round in the 501. Escomame edamame seed and three varieties of dry vegetable soybeans — a small yellow natto variety (Soylicious), a yellow variety that is excellent for soy milk and tofu making (Southern Soy), and a black soybean — are all available from the Green Corner Store and the Arkansas Local Food Network in Little Rock. They have recently been added to the Russellville Community Market. B&B’s end goal is to one day have whole soy on the menu in every Arkansas school. Ninety-seven percent of students who taste-tested her whole soy dishes agree. Have more questions about Arkansas-grown whole vegetable soybeans? If so, contact Karen at info@bandblegacyfarms.com.

Ballard has used her soybean crop to create dishes ranging from edamame hummus to stuffed peppers.

They are leaders in their communities and principals of business. They are fathers, teachers and volunteers. They are performers, designers, artists, creators and stylists. Their skills and dedication set them apart and they make Central Arkansas a brighter place to live.

We are proud to shine a light on our 2023 501 Men of the Moment.

Kevin Burton serves at Unity Health – Jacksonville as Administrator, where he leads with integrity and shares his expertise, experience and encouragement.

Burton holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Harding University, where he pitched and played infield for the Bison baseball team. He later returned to Harding to receive a Master of Business Administration degree in 2009.

He loves living in the 501 and the “small town feel” it provides. From beautiful weather to great places to golf, Burton and his family are happy to call Arkansas home. “We have the conveniences of living in a larger city with the safety and relationships that are fostered in smaller towns,” he said.

Burton is proud to lead the newly opened Unity Health – Jacksonville campus after being led to healthcare by his family’s own experiences. Burton witnessed firsthand the impact of Unity Health when his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and passed away at the age of 62.

“She was treated with such respect and compassion in her last days, when a job came available at Unity Health,

I jumped at the chance to work for the organization,” he said. “The mission of healthcare speaks to me. Even with a financial background, I have the opportunity to reach people in their lowest moments and have a positive and profound impact on their lives.”

As a leader, Burton shares it is vital to learn how to listen, serve and know that you are the least important person in the conversation. “People will follow someone who values them,” he said.

Burton learned these lessons and much more from the man who continues to inspire him today: his father. “He possesses a mix of a commanding presence and a servant’s heart that I try hard to emulate,” he said. “If I turn out to be half the leader, father, husband and man that my dad is, I will consider myself a success.”

When sharing advice for those looking to lead, Burton said it is important to focus on what matters, help others by mentoring them, and invest in the people around you.

“If you invest in people who in turn invest in others, your impact on the world grows exponentially.”

Growing up playing and loving sports developed into a lifelong career for Trent Tipton, Athletic Director and Director of Custodians for South Conway County School District (SCCSD).

Trent says his career decision stems from his desire to build in others the same competitive passion he had growing up. “I always played sports growing up. I loved my coaches,” he said. In his senior year, the high school basketball team took second place in the state championship game. “Even though I was not a starter, I still had the passion to compete,” Trent said, adding that competitive sports instill basic characteristics important in real life.

Beyond instilling those values in the kids he coaches, helping make improvements to the athletic facilities in Morrilton has been among his most rewarding efforts.

“Our community passed a millage increase in 2015, which allowed us to really improve our schools and athletic facilities. It has been rewarding to see how far we

have come,” he said. “Devil Dog Arena is one of the best in the state.”

Trent is not only the athletic director, but also the director of the custodians who help keep the district’s facilities in good shape. “Trent Tipton has a servant’s heart to help students, colleagues and people in general. He is a great person and embodies our district’s purpose to love, serve and care,” said Shawn Halbrook, superintendent of SCCSD.

Trent credits his wife, Libby, for helping him be the best he can be in life and at work. “Being a coach’s wife is very difficult, especially when you have kids ... .” Even with her hands full from raising kids and working as a speech therapist, he said, “She has always been my biggest fan.”

What advice would Trent offer others? Be engaged in the present. “Don’t look too far ahead. Enjoy the time you have.”

Contact Trent at trent.tipton@sccsd.org.

ARTIST OF THE MONTH SHANE

LIGHT

By Dwain Hebda

The art world is full of creators with interesting, even contradictory backstories, and Shane Light’s ranks right up there with the best of them. A self-taught product of Norfork (Baxter County), his college transcript reads more like someone headed for space than a gallery.

“I went to college for physics, and while in college, I dabbled a little bit in theater,” he said. “I became obsessed with engineering and theater, respectively, and I really wanted to find a way to shove the two together.”

His first attempt at reconciling the two sides of his brain resulted in a series of lamps with personified lightbulbs that would move at random intervals.

“Probably the most popular one was Lenny, the Prisoner of Utility,” he said. “It was this lightbulb dressed in a prisoner outfit in a cage, and he would bang against the cage or rattle the cage or even start to get out of the cage itself. Just when you start noticing it moving, you look at it and it stands still.”

Light followed a pragmatic path after graduation, landing an office job with a plasma-cutting company, by which he paid the bills. But the urge to create continued to percolate just beneath the surface. At last, he found a venue that would allow him to employ all the tools in his creative toolbox – the escape room.

For the uninitiated, escape rooms confine players to a given room and give them a scenario with clues and puzzles they must solve in order to “escape.” Players work together, generally against the clock, to complete the game.

“There’s something with escape rooms that is really, really challenging,” Light said. “How do you tell an engaging story customers care about in an hour, where 55 minutes of it isn’t stressing over

whether they complete a puzzle or not? I’d describe my art as immersive experiences. I want to try to put a story to everything. Everything has a purpose, everything has a reason, and it has a beginning and an end.”

While the premise of an escape room is fairly straightforward, Light’s creations are anything but. Unimpressed with the attractions he’d visited, he envisioned something more intricate, yet still familyfriendly. He launched A Narrow Escape in Hot Springs seven years ago, applying his creativity to create various vignettes and experiences from the ground up.

“It’s very multimedia,” he said. “I do all the coding, the wiring, the construction, the planning, the writing. It’s a very layered endeavor with the escape rooms and mini games and other forms of entertainment that we’re pushing for.

“In the Bionic Dilemma experience, there’s a full-body robot strapped to the wall and you don’t know whether to trust her or not, but you have to be nice to her regardless, because she’s how you get hints. And it’s not a human puppeteering her. She’s puppeteering herself, and she’s got her own sad story and you have to decide her fate.”

Light’s slightly skewed take on the escape room experience lends a unique charm to A Narrow Escape, providing clients with a unique blend of intellectual and creative fun brought out by his creations.

“A lot of escape rooms have a person that comes over an intercom and gives you hints and stuff. I feel like that’s really cheap and immersion-breaking,” he said. “I always try to have characters in the rooms talking to you. It’s less about the individual puzzles and more about manipulating the characters in the puzzles.

Continued on page 44

Photos by Mark Oliver

“This is really challenging for a myriad of reasons. One, they’re all programmed with speech dialogue. They remember what you say. You can pit them against each other. It’s a very different structure, less about ‘I finished a puzzle and something opens,’ and more about large form planning and conniving and setting up all the dominoes and watching them fall.”

Light’s next venture, the soon-to-be-opened RoboWorld coffee shop, operates on much the same premise of scienceas-art. Light brought the concept to life with the help of his wife, Kirsten, another artist whose background lies in the sciences.

“It’s a store run by robots saving up money to take over the world,” Light said. “There’s 11 different robots, all different personalities, all different wants and needs and desires and secrets, and they’re all arguing with each other. Some of them like humans, some of them hate humans, some of them don’t like each other. It’s a complete assault on the senses.

“I manufactured the robots and I plotted out their personalities and names. But my wife has really taken off and given the story a good feel. She hand-painted the floors and did all the digital posters and designed the curation of the goods and the menu, making it robot-themed.”

Kirsten, a biology professor at Henderson State, said indulging her creative side through the RoboWorld venture is something that came naturally.

“Everything we do is completely handmade,” she said. “I like to incorporate it under the umbrella of visual arts, but it’s not just sculpture or just painting, it’s everything. This is where I like the science aspect of it, because if you’re studying a species in science, you’re looking at them as a separate thing. Going through this as the robots looking at humans, it’s not the same way as humans would look at humans.

“For me, the science is really my passion, but art is the outlet to communicate things I think are really important and engage with our community in a tactile way.”

Visitors to A Narrow Escape plan mini games and interact with robots that are created, wired and coded by Shane Light.

Brick by brick and board by board, Brad Cunningham is helping build a better future for the 501. As the Division President of Ridout Lumber Company and Meek’s Building Materials, Cunningham has recreated the blueprint in his quick-moving industry to design better solutions for his customers.

“The lumber and building materials industry has been undergoing significant changes in recent years, driven by factors such as technological advancements, supply chain challenges and changing consumer preferences,” Cunningham said. “Companies like Ridout Lumber and Meek’s, who are able to adapt to these changes and provide innovative solutions, have proven to be successful at helping builders, contractors and homeowners navigate these rapidly-evolving market conditions.”

Of all the lessons he’s learned throughout his journey, Cunningham believes in the power of patience and authenticity. “Every job you hold, every task you perform, is a self-portrait of who did it,” Cunningham said. “Autograph your work with excellence. You do not get results by focusing on results. You get results by focusing on the actions that produce results.”

For Cunningham, success hasn’t come without sacrifice, and he’s thankful for a strong foundation of support at home. “I would like to thank my wife, Robyn, for supporting me along the journey,” Cunningham said. “Through all the long days, the nights away, the wins, the losses and everything in between, she is my one constant. My daughter, Mallory, is also a source of inspiration and pride. Her personal mantra of ‘she believed she could, so she did’ summarizes her fearless authenticity and genuine passion well. She will continue to have an impact on me and many other lives in the future.”

For Cunningham, improving the community he calls home is the greatest accomplishment of his career. “I believe all young people should understand that being successful and leaving a lasting legacy is not just about individual achievements or accomplishments,” Cunningham said.

“It is about contributing to the greater good of your community and society as a whole. They should strive to make a positive impact by setting goals, by developing a strong work ethic, by continuously learning and growing, and by having strong relationships with a vast network of mentors.” Contact Brad today at Brad.Cunningham@ uslbm.com.

By David Grimes

Photo by Mike Kemp

Officially known as the National Senior Games, the competitions are held biennially in odd-numbered years. This year’s games will take place in Pittsburgh, Penn., from July 13-17. First held in 1987 in St. Louis, Mo., with 2,500 participants, the competition for men and women aged 50 and over has grown into the largest multi-sport senior event in the world. The oldest age bracket is 85 and up.

Like many events scheduled in 2021, COVID-19 pushed the Fort Lauderdale, Fla., games into the following year. So in 2022, more than 12,000 athletes competed in 21 sports, including archery, golf, swimming and triathlon, as well as newer events such as cornhole and pickleball. In addition to 3v3 basketball, other team sports include soccer, softball, volleyball and beach volleyball.

The Big Dogs were champions of the men’s basketball 50-54 age group, going 7-1 over the course of the tournament. They lost their opening game in pool play to a team from Wisconsin, then ran the table on their way to the gold medal. They actually avenged that loss twice en route to the title. Games consist of two 15-minute halves with a running clock. In one game, the Big Dogs scored an astonishing 107 points.

Last fall, the 50-54 age Arkansas Big Dogs earned the right to defend their title at the Arkansas Senior Olympics in Benton (Saline County) and qualified for the 2023 national event. Their gold-medal performance proved that the Arkansas Big Dog brethren continue to excel on the hardwood and may result in them returning home with a second gold medal.

This current Big Dogs’ team consists of five players who live in Central Arkansas, but each traveled a different path to end up here. The team’s captain is Paris Simmons, with Robert Greene serving as co-captain. Bob Sahr, Steven Green and Greg Vaughn round out the quintet. These same five won the championship in 2022.

Simmons grew up in Oakland, Calif., and moved to Arkansas at the age of 17, where he graduated from J.A. Fair High School. It was here that he found a strong love for the game of basketball. He later played for a semi-pro outfit called the Arkansas Express and then found himself on the practice squad of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors.

Simmons has spent his career in law enforcement and is currently a sergeant with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office.

Greene was born and raised in Detroit, Mich., and now lives in Conway. He played college basketball at North Texas, Coffeyville Community College and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) from 1990-92. He continued his basketball career playing in the CBA (NBA G-league) and the USBL for a couple of summers. He also played professionally in Mexico for five years.

Sahr, age 52, graduated from Pickerington High School in Ohio and played center for the UALR Trojans in 1992-93 under Coach Jim Platt. He now resides in Little Rock. His passion for basketball led him into a career with a graphics company specializing in servicing sporting facilities with a wide array of innovative floor graphics and designs.

Little Rock native Green graduated from Hall High School in 1989 and played for legendary Coach Oliver Elders. He attended UALR, where he participated in intramural basketball. When asked about his continued involvement in the sport, Green said, “Basketball has truly made a positive impact in my life, and the camaraderie that I share with my fellow basketball players has added so much value to my life.”

A Pine Bluff native, Vaughn played at Watson Chapel High School and then at the University of Central Arkansas. Now 53, Vaughn has been playing since he was 5 years old. “I love basketball because I love the sport and its competitive nature. I excelled tremendously in high school and college," he said.

The Arkansas Big Dogs organization was originally formed in 2006 by a group of men who shared a love of basketball. They practiced and played for both enjoyment and exercise. But they also developed friendships and worked to raise awareness for men’s health issues.

In addition to the fun and fellowship, they were very successful, capturing the gold medal at the 2011 Senior Olympic Games in Houston in the 50-54 age bracket.

That group of men still compete, and like their younger Big Dog brothers, they also won gold in 2022 in Fort Lauderdale in the 55-59 age division.

Later this summer, the Arkansas Big Dogs will gear up to defend their gold medal at the Senior Olympics.

LEFT: Robert Greene (from left), Greg Vaughn. Bob Sahr, Steven Green and Paris Simmons.

Adam Gilbert’s favorite part of his job as senior vice president at First Security Bank is the same as the reason he loves the 501 — the people.

“From our church family to the families we cheer with at games on the weekends, the people make Conway feel like home,” he said.

Gilbert and his wife, Kelly, have three children: Charlotte, 11; Luke, 9; and Mary Grace, 7. They are active members of Woodland Heights Baptist Church in Conway.

He has worldwide banking experience, but it’s Conway where he and his wife choose to live, raise their family and work. Helping people and businesses in Faulkner County meet their goals and see their dreams become a reality brings him satisfaction.

“Early in my career, I got the opportunity to work with banks throughout the country. Banks are an integral part of every community, and it is exciting to be part of helping communities grow and succeed,” he said. First Security

serves communities, small and large, all over the state.

Challenges are part of life, but Gilbert said First Security has always thrived, no matter what situation it has faced. He recalled the challenge of the pandemic and how First Security succeeded in taking care of its customers. Being a local bank means being there for local people, and he takes pride in being part of the First Security Bank team.

“As a community bank, throughout 2020 and 2021 we wanted to be there to support our local businesses. It was a challenge to keep up with the constantly changing banking regulations and programs,” he said. “It gave First Security Bank a unique opportunity to help these businesses stay open throughout so much uncertainty.”

When he’s not working, Gilbert can be found supporting his children in all their activities. In addition to the people in the 501, he’s also partial to all the great barbecue, especially Vincent’s BBQ and Almost Famous Smoke House and Grill. Contact Adam today at Adam.gilbert@ fsbank.com.

A college composition class opened the doors to an impactful career for Jeremy Kennedy, Advanced Placement English Language and Composition teacher at Greenbrier High School. “I discovered English as a field of study sitting under Dr. Henry Smiley’s Composition II class at Central Baptist College in the 1990s.” Jeremy decided then to work in the field of reading and writing. He also had a deep-rooted desire to do something that mattered, something lasting, so he found teaching. “I like getting to invest time and energy into young people on a subject I find important,” he said.

The pandemic challenged teachers, creating the need for them to incorporate new technologies for distance and asynchronous learning. “Education is constantly changing because what works for kids is constantly changing,” Jeremy said. “I still use a lot of the technology and strategies that I learned during the pandemic in my class today.”

When he’s not in the classroom, Jeremy spends time on the board of directors for the Greenbrier Area Arts Council and the Greenbrier Masonic Lodge No. 290. “I’m honored to work with the arts council because I believe

promoting the arts is essential to preserving our identity and culture in a rapidly changing world,” he said, “and the masonic ideals of friendship, morality and brotherly love will always be special to me.”

A 501-area native, Jeremy loves his hometown and its friendly atmosphere. “This is where I grew up and decided to stay once I became an adult,” he said, “… because of the people I love here.”

Jeremy credits his family for much of his success. He is thankful for his parents’ supportive, loving environment they’ve provided for him. He is most inspired by his youngest son, Zacky, who is a nonverbal, special needs child. “He is a constant source of inspiration because of his absolute love for life and the people around him,” Jeremy said. “I cannot possibly talk about Zacky without mentioning my amazing wife, Amanda. She has dedicated so much of her time and love to caring for and working with Zacky to give him every possible opportunity. Her perseverance is a big inspiration for me.”

Contact Jeremy at kennedyj@greenbrierschools.org

GrowingTogether for 25 years

Wow, what a ride! This year marks 25 years in business. We are currently operating our retail stores on approximately eight acres and have an additional 53-acre piece of land where we grow products of our own.

I am often asked what it takes to build and keep open a successful business. My answer is always the same — you must have:

A Great Partner

This can be your supportive spouse at home, a business partner who is in the trenches with you, or in my case both. My wife, Michelle, is the backbone of this business.

Great Products

We search the U.S. every week for the biggest and best plants. We are ALWAYS looking for plants that are rare and unique.

A Great Staff with Incredible Customer Service

We have approximately 45 staff members who cover seven days a week, 12 hours a day, plus a very large landscaping company. Many staff members have been with us for a number of years. We pride ourselves on customer service, and I believe that is why the great people of Faulkner County have voted us the best nursery, garden center, landscaping and lawn care company for 16 years.

It is crazy how fast 25 years have gone by, how hard it was, how rewarding it is and how many amazing customers and friends we have made. For example, on a busy day, we might see 450 purchasing customers!

A person recently asked me what advice I would give him as he tries to determine if he will leave his current situation and start his own business. After I gave him the speech from above, I added. “Believe in yourself and go for it!” The worst thing that can happen is that the business doesn’t make it and you have to regroup. The alternative is always to wonder, “What if?”

Brett Battle, Owner

From the moment that primary care physician Keith Cooper got his feet wet with helping others, he hit the ground running on a journey to make a difference in the 501.

“After starting in high school as a rural volunteer fireman and then an EMT, I saw the important role and need for family doctors in our communities,” Cooper said.

Fast forward to today, where Cooper has spent nearly three decades giving back to the community he calls home through family medicine.

“The relationships I’ve made with my patients over the past 28 years have been rewarding in and of itself,” Cooper said. “I’m honored to have recently become part of the Conway Regional Health System family. Unlike others, our system is truly rooted in Conway and its surrounding unique communities. The family atmosphere and honest compassion for those we care for is obvious everywhere I go throughout the system. Additionally, having the opportunity to work with the growing residency program is refreshing.”

A six-time Boston Marathon finisher, Cooper understands that, sometimes, slow and steady wins the race. By taking the time to listen to his patients and collaborating to help achieve their health objectives together, they can reach the finish line.

“My advice for others is to set personal health goals and learn what it takes to reach them. I’m striving to complete all six world marathon majors. For me, running and striving to ‘outrun my age’ has given me an outlet for stress and hopefully has kept my health goals in reach.”

With inspiration and support from his wife, Tami, and two children, Whit and Hattie, Cooper is proud of how far he’s come and remains excited about a bright future ahead.

“My wife is a constant source of encouragement and support, and my two children inspire me with their happy and open hearts, their love for others and their personal successes,” Cooper said. Make an appointment at Conway Medical Group at 437 Denison St. in Conway by calling 501.327.1325.

Centennial Bank Chief Risk Officer Kyle Penter saw banking as a natural career choice, following in the footsteps of several family members. “My mother was a career banker, and she had a very positive impact on my decision to pursue banking as a career,” he said.

Entering the industry, Kyle was placed in a management training program where he had the opportunity to work in every area of the bank. He credits this experience as invaluable. “The perspective I gained from that experience ultimately assisted me in choosing risk management as my career path.”

Beyond the family influence, Kyle credits Joe Jenkins, then CEO of Citizens Bank in Marion, for giving him the start he needed. “Every career starts with an opportunity,” he said, “and I will always be grateful for that phone call.” While Kyle has had several mentors throughout his career, Joe was the first and Kyle thinks of him often when he faces situations at work.

Kyle and his family made the decision to move from the Memphis area to Central Arkansas, to the 501, 24 years ago. “The 501 provided the opportunity I was looking

for professionally, but more importantly, it offered the quality of life my wife and I were looking for in raising our son,” he said.

Kyle and his wife, Sarah, recently celebrated 29 years of marriage. “At the end of the day, she is my biggest encourager, and I’m fortunate to have shared so much with her over the years,” he said. The couple’s son, Logan, is a local attorney. Their son and daughter-in-law, Jordan, live in Conway and are expecting their first child.

“I strongly believe family is the most important thing we have at the end of the day. Life doesn’t come with a rewind button, so you should make time to be there for those moments that matter the most,” he said. Kyle doesn’t just believe in finding a good work/life balance; he lives by it and shares this openly with his staff. “[It is] my goal for them to be successful in both endeavors,” he said.

Kyle shares with others the same advice given to him early in his career. “Think outside the box. There is a world of opportunities out there waiting to be seized,” he said.

“Challenge yourself to be forward thinking and you will not be disappointed by the results.”

When Bruce Hendricks and his wife, Cindy, first started their remodeling business, it began with a vision to use their Godgiven talents to deliver peace of mind to as many people as possible.

Thirty-five years later, that vision is stronger than ever.

“From the beginning, we have been blessed by many things and inspired by many people,” Hendricks said. “I have been influenced and taught by the best in the community from customers, family, employees, pastors, my children, bankers, attorneys, accountants, friends and even competitors. God, alone, inspires me the most, for without a relationship with God, I would never have been successful.”

According to Hendricks, the secret to his business’ success isn’t the money. It’s the looks of satisfaction on his clients’ faces after a job well done and the long-lasting friendships that come with it.

“I enjoy giving someone a refreshed new space, like getting a new car,” Hendricks said. “Whether it’s a new kitchen, bathroom or a whole house, we have always strived to finish a project with the client saying, ‘We are going to miss you being here.’ Most importantly, we make sure the customers are happy at the end of the job. A good deal is only a good deal if both parties are happy.”

Over the years, Hendricks Remodeling has blossomed from one couple’s passion project into a true family business, with each of Hendricks’ children playing a part in growing the business to where it is today.

“All of my children have blessed my life, and I am proud that they and their families live Godly lives,” Hendricks said. “My daughter, Danielle, an interior designer, has periodically worked for the company over the years. Will, who served as my apprentice, now has his own construction company in Northwest Arkansas. Rob, who has worked by my side through the years, is now a missionary. Zac, my youngest, became a partner in the business with me in 2018 and is the best partner I could have ever dreamed of. His entrepreneurial spirit continues to grow Hendricks Remodeling to new levels.”

“My daddy has always been my hero,” daughter Danielle Barron said. “He taught the four of us how to work hard and play hard. More importantly, he taught us how to love God with all of our hearts and do everything we do for His glory and to love those around us with His love. He has been an example of this and I hope my husband and I show this same example to our kids.”

“My dad has inspired me in many ways as a husband, as a father and as a leader,” son Will Hendricks said. “He has always been humble and has led with integrity. As a leader, he always worked side-by-side with his employees. As a father, he loves his children with his whole heart and has always supported my choices. As a husband, he has shown me how to love and respect my wife as a partner in life.”

“Dad always encourages me to seek Jesus and love God and others over anything else, regardless of others’ beliefs or convictions,” son Rob Hendricks said. “Just as Jesus modeled what he taught, Dad also models this well in church, family, community and business. When I worked in the family business, I watched him walk in righteous integrity and a few times when it cost him a high-paying job.”

“Growing up, Dad was always up at 3 a.m.,” son Zac Hendricks said. “I noticed that while he would eventually work on job estimates, he always started on his Bible study first. That taught me where my priorities should be as I grew in my own faith and got started in the family business. My wife and I have come to the realization that if we start our day in the presence of God, then the worries of the day will work themselves out. This is much to be attributed to how dad showed us how he started his days when we were growing up.”

“Bruce’s work ethic has always inspired me,” son-in-law Adam Barron said. “It’s the kind of work ethic that inspires those around him to strive toward greater effort than intended. Bruce always makes sure to keep family and relationships a priority, ensuring that a proper balance of work and life is maintained. I see in Bruce a desire to work hard and work well, but also to take the time to enjoy the fruits of his labor.”

“When I think about Pops, the verse that comes to mind is Isaiah 43:2-3,” daughter-in-law Jess Hendricks said. “‘When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One, your Savior.’ He knows the Lord, he loves the Lord and the Lord loves him.”

“I have always admired Bruce,” daughter-in-law Mav Hendricks said. “When I think of him, I think of generosity. I have seen this in the family setting as well as in his business. He always values his customers and the relationship with them over profit. He has such a great perspective in recognizing what is eternal and what is fleeting.”

A 40-year-old Bruce Hendricks displays a fireplace mantel he custom built.

THE EYES OF A CHAMPION

By Donna Lampkin Stephens

Burlsworth was a high school football player from Harrison who walked on at the University of Arkansas in 1994. He went on to earn a scholarship, be chosen team captain, be named All-SEC and, in 1998, All-American — the first All-American from the UA in a decade. He was also selected to the All-SEC Academic Honor Roll and became the first player in UA history to earn a master’s degree before his final Razorback game.

The Indianapolis Colts selected him as the 63rd pick in the 1999 NFL draft. Eleven days later, he died in a head-on car crash while traveling from Fayetteville to Harrison to attend church with his mother.

The University of Arkansas retired his No. 77 jersey, only the second such honor in Razorback history.

Following his death, his family formed the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides opportunities for underprivileged children in his honor,

“Brandon’s family pledged that his life would not be in vain,” said Cindi Hagood, director of the foundation’s Eyes of a Champion program. “Brandon’s goal was to help underprivileged children.”

According to the website, “Our Christian organization’s mission is to support the physical and spiritual needs of children, in particular those who have limited opportunities. Our Foundation encourages a strong faith, character and sportsmanship, developing positive values

and a life pattern that would exemplify ‘DOING IT THE BURLS WAY.’”

The foundation’s programs include Eyes of a Champion, which provides free eye exams and glasses to low- to moderate-income, uninsured children in Arkansas; Burls Kids, which brings 25 underprivileged children from all over the state to Reynolds Razorback Stadium to see their first Razorback game; Brandon Burlsworth Football Camps in Harrison and Little Rock; the Burlsworth Character Award, which honors character and sportsmanship in high school football nationwide; Burlsworth Scholars, given to UA students every year; and the Burlsworth Trophy, which honors the nation’s most outstanding Division I player who began his career as a walk-on.

The signature black horn-rimmed glasses Burlsworth wore on the field make the Eyes of a Champion program a natural fit. To qualify, families must have a net annual income of less than $60,000, be ineligible for ArKids First or Medicaid and not have private vision insurance.

“Eyes of a Champion is totally free for the kids,” Hagood said. “That’s obviously our most important program.”

The Brandon Burlsworth Football Camps feature former Razorback players who work with boys and girls ages 7-15. The camp provides age-specific specialized training paired with an emphasis on character building. One-day events in 2023 are set for June 2 in Harrison and June 3 at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Registration after May 26 is $45.

Continued on page 58

Brandon Burlsworth was just 22 when he died, but more than 24 years later, his legacy continues to affect untold people all over Arkansas and beyond.

“At the Brandon Burlsworth Football Camps, students learn the game of football from players who have played the game at the highest collegiate level. Equally as important are the life lessons our campers receive, like what it means to be a good teammate and friend and putting others before yourself. That’s the Burls Way.” — Marty Burlsworth, founder of the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation and Brandon's older brother.

According to Burlsworthcharacteraward.com, the honor, which originated in the state 16 years ago, has now gone nationwide to recognize “the player who may or may not be a top athletic performer, but who represents the ideals and values that Brandon Burlsworth had: to give 100 percent on the field and to stand as a moral example to his team.”

The Burlsworth Scholars program at the UA includes 18 academic scholarships of $5,000 and one $10,000 walk-on athletic scholarship each year. According to the website, more than $1,876,000 in financial aid has gone to 364 University of Arkansas students since 1999.

The Burlsworth Trophy was first awarded in 2010. Baker Mayfield, who played at Oklahoma, was a two-time winner. Georgia’s Stetson Bennett, who led the Bulldogs to the last two national championships, won the 2022 award. The 2023 presentation is set for Dec. 4 at Crystal Bridges Museum. Tickets are $200 and may be purchased through the website.

Another fundraiser is the Burlsworth Legends Award dinner. Kevin Scanlon of Stephens Inc. will be the 2023 honoree. Scanlon, a member of the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and the University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor, played quarterback for the Razorbacks for two years under Lou Holtz. The dinner will be at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock on Thursday, Sept. 28. Tickets are $350 and may also be purchased through the website.

For more information about any of the events or programs, visit brandonburlsworth.org. Tax-deductible gifts may be given through the website. For event assistance, contact Evelyn Allen, development director for the foundation, at 870.243.1998 or evelyn@burlsworth.org.

Brandon Burlsworth loved playing for the Razorbacks.

Jalen Catalon, former Defensive Back for the Arkansas Razorbacks, helping tie the shoe of one of the campers.

If all the world’s a stage, Chad Bradford is taking full advantage of it. As the Managing Director of the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre, Bradford’s productions have touched the lives of thousands across the country.

“Crafting and directing the tour at Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre and watching audiences from 9 to 99 engage in the work with laughter and smiles fills me with such joy,” Bradford said. “We have toured our show all over the state, as well as to western New York and even the famous River Walk in San Antonio for four years straight. Watching 1,000 people stand and cheer for an Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre production along the river is a moment I’ll never forget.”

First inspired by plays witnessed at UCA, Bradford has come full circle in his desire to light up the stage.

“When I was younger, I was terribly shy,” Bradford said. “It was only until I attended the summer theater camp at UCA as a teenager that I found my voice. I remember seeing productions at UCA and deeply feeling the messages in the plays, from sorrow to jubilation. I remember thinking that I wanted to give others what those actors had given

me: the feeling of magic and the possibilities that are born in imagination.”

The stage was also where Bradford met his muse.

“I met my wife, Sharon, at the UCA Summer Theatre camp when we were teenagers,” Bradford said. “Theater at UCA truly runs in our blood. Through the years, she has been my dearest teacher and friend. Her kindness and generosity spur me to strive to be a better man every day.”

Outside of the theater, Bradford is committed to spreading joy and possibility to artists of every kind. In addition to hosting the Voices of Unity podcast, which focuses on everyday spirituality, Bradford has also created Voices UnCaged, a program bringing theater arts experiences into correctional facilities. We can only transform the world when we transform our hearts, and there’s no more effective way to accomplish that than a good story,” Bradford said.

Chad Bradford can be reached at cbradford@uca.edu or at arkshakes.com. To learn more about Voices UnCaged, visit VoicesUnCaged.org. To learn more about Voices of Unity, visit mindbodyspirit.fm/shows/voices-of-unity.

From Pain Relief to Sports Injury Recovery, Improving Posture and Sleep, Reducing Stress Levels and Increasing your Energy,

we offer complete wellness solutions so that you can fully experience life.

Discover the Bledsoe difference where we promise to work with you every step of the way, providing support and advice regarding the healthy choices men can make.

Joseph Brown of Pine Bluff/NLR has been a licensed massage therapist for six years. He moved recently from Pine Bluff to NLR to be closer to both our Conway & Maumelle clinics. He was at Massage Envy in LR for two years and loves being able to offer more stretching and custom therapeutic work at Bledsoe Chiropractic!

Alex Beruman of Conway has his Masters in Exercise Science and is an Athletic Trainer. He leads our amazing therapy and rehab team as a first year graduate of UCA.

Alex Robinson of Vilonia is a 2023 Graduate of Vilonia High School and is interning for the summer while considering a career in chiropractic!!

Zac Cullers of Maumelle is a graduate the New Life Church College with a Bachelors in Christian Education. He has served at the Front Desk in our Conway clinic since October of 2022!

Jared Gonzalez of North Little Rock has been a licensed massage therapist for 10 years and at Bledsoe for four years this October. He lovingly and compassionately serves as the Massage Team Leader in our Conway clinic.

John Nelson of Atkins is a certified Personal Trainer and has worked in our therapy department for 4 years. He is in massage therapy school now and then will transition to that role in our clinic this Fall! We are so grateful for his many years with us and continuing to be able to serve our patients in a new way soon!

Shaun Hartsfield of Cleveland is a Veteran of the Navy and has been a Licensed Massage therapist for one year. He will begin school again as he has surrendered to a calling God has put on his life to become a teacher and a coach. We are grateful for the season the Lord brought him to us and our patients.

PICTURED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

PET OF THE MONTH DIZZY & DAD

By Dwain Hebda

Arkansas Travelers most famous face is furry

Greg Johnston cruises to a halt on the main concourse of Dickey Stephens Park in North Little Rock, just before a brisk shower starts to fall. Rain doesn’t completely halt the work of the field crew here, of which Johnston is the superintendent, but it slows things down some, giving him the chance to steal a moment in the stands.

Riding shotgun, as always, is the undisputed superstar of the Arkansas Travelers baseball organization, the Double A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.

The celebrity is mobbed at every home game and players and front office personnel alike readily yield to him as the king of this diamond, going out of their way to pay their respects and offer tribute.

It’s good to be Dizzy “Bug” Johnston, Greg’s 6-year-old English cream golden retriever, a figure so beloved he’s got his own Instagram (dizzyballparkpup) and three of his own baseball cards. The team may be officially championed by Ace the horse and Otey the Swamp Possum, but even they

get a run for their money from Dizzy as the face of the franchise.

“He’s been on most of the news channels. I can’t go anywhere without hearing, ‘Hey, it’s Dizzy!’” Greg said. “Two years ago, I was in Gatlinburg [Tennessee] right around Thanksgiving and we’re out walking. Thousands of people there. All of a sudden I hear, ‘Hey, it’s Dizzy!’ I thought, ‘What in the world? How could someone know Dizzy way up here?’ They just knew him.”

You’d think a guy like Greg, a bear of a fellow sporting a flowing white beard, would be the one people would recognize. After all, he’s spent nearly 50 years with the club, dating back to waving cars into reserved parking lots at the old Ray Winder Field as a kid. Unsure what he wanted to do after high school, he accepted what he thought was a temporary gig, but before he knew it, he was promoted to replace the park superintendent, who was retiring. He’s been here ever since.

Photos courtesy of Arkansas Travelers

“I mean, I’ve been here my whole life and I’m still ‘Dizzy’s Dad,’” he said with mock exasperation in between ear scratches with his famous pooch.

Greg and Dizzy found each other following the passing of Greg’s wife, Carol. He connected with Arkgold Golden Retrievers in Dardanelle and its owner, Marissa Hendrix.

“She had all these puppies out there and I’m playing with them. I picked the one I wanted, and she put them all back and said, ‘I’ve got one more I want you to meet,’” he said. “She went over and opened the door and [Dizzy] came walking out, and he sat there and just looked at me. [Hendrix] said, ‘Walk to the other side of the room.’ So I walked over and turned around, looked down and he was sitting right in front of me. She said, ‘Go across the room.’ I went across the room and he did the same thing.

“She said, ‘Just so you know. Dogs pick humans like humans pick dogs. That dog has picked you.’”

Dizzy (named after baseball great Dizzy Dean) immediately took to ballpark life. In fact, it’s the only home he’s really ever known. With Carol’s passing, Greg doesn’t like to face the memories at his house, so he and Dizzy live most of the time in the family RV in the parking lot. Which kind of makes everyone else, paying fan and employee alike, a guest at Dizzy’s

“He came in and this was his home; he took to everybody instantly. We didn’t give him a baseball at first, we gave him a tennis ball and we gave him a Frisbee,” Greg said. “One day he found an old, rotted baseball, and he comes running up to me and he was happy as he could be. He thought it was a piece of gold, throwing that old baseball all over the place.

“Ever since that day, it’s all about the baseball. He’ll collect them off the field; he goes down there and gets a new one every day. He brings them in constantly. He knows how to get them out of the ball bag. He knows when the players lay their glove down, they’ll put a ball in their glove. He goes to the dugout because there’s always a few laying around there. Last year, I found 37 baseballs in my office. And it’s not about the baseball he has, it’s the baseball you have. All baseballs are Dizzy’s.”

nduring the COVID-19 pandemic was a challenge for all in the 501. As businesses throughout Central Arkansas faced the daunting task of keeping doors open and delivering peace of mind in the midst of the unknown, Airco Service, Inc. Vice President Austin Boyce rose to the challenge of adapting his business to the needs of his customers.

“We have faced many challenges over the years, but the COVID-19 years stand out,” Boyce said. “We have customers and businesses that depend on our team for their homes and businesses. The hot summers and cold winters don’t take a day off. Navigating the fear of the virus while keeping customers and employees safe was a significant challenge for our team.”

Through tireless research, Boyce and the team at Airco Service, Inc. never lost sight of what was most important: ensuring the comfort and safety of those who put their trust in the business.

“We invested in protection equipment as well as noncontact payment methods to keep everyone safe,” Boyce said. “The logistical challenge of non-contact service was especially difficult with service taking place in homes. We

AUSTIN BOYCE CHASE BOYCE

have a hard-working team that never took a day off, which ultimately allowed us to adapt to our new normal.”

As a result of the pandemic, a heightened emphasis has been placed on air quality, paving the way for a new-look HVAC industry.

“The HVAC industry has changed at a rapid rate over the last five to 10 years,” Boyce said. “We have seen changes in energy-efficiency regulations, advancements in technology and the importance of indoor air quality. These changes have led to a rapidly changing landscape that has improved and modernized our industry.”

In the face of adversity, a silver lining was revealed. For Boyce and his team, navigating the pandemic not only sparked growth and innovation, but it taught them what was possible when your back is against the wall.

“A valuable lesson I have learned that I would offer to young men would be to embrace change and adaptability,” Boyce said. “Life is full of twists and turns and being flexible enough to embrace unexpected challenges is such an asset that can lead to success and opportunities you may have never expected.”

As a third-generation leader of family-owned Airco Service, Chase Boyce takes pride in his ability to help customers achieve comfort and confidence in an everchanging climate.

"There may have been more changes in the HVAC industry in the last ten years than the previous 40 years before that," Boyce said. "From minimum efficiency equipment standards to refrigerant changes, the industry has seen a major increase in technology that provides contractors with new tools necessary to solve any issues that plague homes today."

While Airco Service has expanded to assist the 501 with heating, cooling, electric and plumbing needs, customer service remains its most important product.

"Growing up in a family business granted a unique view into the service industry that many customers cannot see," Boyce said. "Seeing the genuine pride and joy that my family received from helping customers find a solution to their home's problems is something I will never forget. Helping customers is still the driving force of our company today. We are a customer service company that happens to do heating, air conditioning and plumbing. Customer service will always be first."

According to Boyce, the secret to longevity in business is not only taking care of your customers but your employees as well.

"Customers will never love a company until the employees love it first," Boyce said. "Creating a culture of teamwork and unity will build a solid foundation for any company to grow upon for years to come while keeping both employees and customers for the long run."

When facing adversity, Boyce advises young businessmen to weather the storm.

"Trust your instincts and know what you and your business stand for," Boyce said. "With the advent of social media today, millions of people relish the opportunity to tell you how to run your business. No one knows your business or skills as you do. Knowing and standing on your morals will help you sleep long after any profits you made are gone."

Airco Service, Inc. is a Dave Lennox Award winner, has served as a top-25 Lennox dealer in North America for 15 years running and was named to the EPA's Century Club for being a leader in home energy efficiency.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”

-Winston Churchill

"People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care."

-Teddy Roosevelt

celebrating athletic excellence

By Dr. Robert Reising

The Old Grove Gym is a treasured memory for Hendrix’s alumni

The wrecking ball did its job in 2007: It demolished Grove Gymnasium, commonly called “Old Grove Gym.” What lingered, however, continues to be precious, almost sacred. In 2023, living memory refuses to allow the unforgettable to disappear and catapults it to primacy whenever Hendrix College athletics merit discussion.

Editor’s note: Hendrix alumni will remember the “Old Grove Gym,” whose official name was Grove Physical Education Building. Today, the Student Life and Technology Center sits on the footprint of the gym. The Wellness and Athletics Center (WAC) replaced Grove from a functional standpoint and within the WAC, the gymnasium on the north side of the building is named Grove Gymnasium and contains Cliff Garrison Court. Outside the WAC, there is a sculpture made from pieces of the pool that was in the original Grove. (Information courtesy of Hendrix College Communications Director Amy Forbus.)

his Hendrix commitment, and neither ineptitude nor scandal ever came close to blemishing his record or reputation. Perhaps the esteem in which Grove was held became most discernible three years before his Hendrix retirement. In 1959, shortly after relinquishing all of his Hendrix athletic responsibilities, the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame (ASHOF) welcomed him as a member of its first class, one of just five inductees.

Also in 1959, the $750,000 facility ticketed to carry his name was but two years from completion and hosting 46 years of history-making sports competition. Two coaches whose teams brought unprecedented luster to Old Grove during those memorable years were Dr. Bob Courtway and Cliff Garrison, both professionals who knew their craft and allowed intelligence and integrity to be their beacons of light.

Hendrix's John Bumpers, far left.

Center: John Bumpers and his future bride, Marth Crofoot.

Hendrix Athletes at the 2nd Annual Hall of Honor Banquet. Old Grove Swimming Pool

A veteran of the Merchant Marines who had also excelled as a high school swimming coach, Courtway wasted no time in proving his superiority in the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference (AIC). Always competitive, his teams proceeded to claim nine AIC swimming championships. A conference meet in tiny, steamy Grove in the 1960s illustrates the impact his style had upon players and students alike. A Hendrix alum reported, “I heard someone play Dave Clark Five’s ‘Catch Us If You Can’ over the loudspeaker, [but the visiting teams were simply incapable of responding] to the challenge.” Under their creative coach, the Hendrix Warriors could not be bested, even while musically — and kiddingly — taunting their foes.

His passion for winning was equaled only by his desire to assist and enrich Conway in every possible way. He served in a variety of posts important to the city, including chairman of the school board and volunteer swim coach at the high school. Small wonder, also, that Courtway founded and coached the Hendrix AquaKids, an organization that taught community youngsters to swim and to enjoy the water.

His local recruiting flourished. But — more importantly — his 25-meter pool enjoyed unprecedented popularity. From early morning until far into the evening, young and old alike displayed and/or improved their aquatic skills, much to its overseer’s delight. Two of the most noteworthy devotees were nationally acclaimed Hendrix athletes.

John Bumpers, a three-time All-American swimmer, spent countless hours competing and practicing in the pool under Courtway’s scrutinizing eye. Recently, John’s widow, also a 1973 Hendrix graduate, fondly recalled their four-year campus courtship. Many of its evenings, Martha explained, were spent waiting with other coeds while sitting on “radiators” in what she labeled “a neat place, Old Grove.” Its charismatic director, a 1995 ASHOF inductee, was to become “a lifelong friend.”

John Bumpers and Martha Crofoot were college sweethearts from 1969-1973 at Hendrix College. They attended Sadie Hawkins and other dances, and Martha was often found waiting for him to finish practice. They married on June 8, 1974. They had three children, and he was inducted into the Arkansas Swimming Hall of Fame and Hendrix Hall of Honor. Always passionate about swimming, John held a leadership position with Hendrix College Aquakids. John passed away in 2009.

Lawson Pilgrim is another Conway native profoundly indebted to the Warriors’ pool. A 1977 transfer from the University of Arkansas, he brought injured, aching knees to the campus. “The pool was my savior,” confessed the 2020 ASHOF inductee. Courtway, he reverentially emphasized, was “so understanding … a jewel … a blessing.”

Lawson felt no less affectionate about yet another member of the ASHOF, Coach Garrison, who recorded a mind-boggling 463 victories in his 31 seasons as Hendrix’s head basketball coach. In addition to claiming five AIC championships, his Warriors earned national respect by competing in both NAIA and NCAA tournaments. They brought jam-packed, boisterous crowds too, many a fan having weathered a lengthy wait for a ticket.

Old Grove teemed with excitement when the stakes were high and the competition keen, when Hendrix immortals like Pilgrim, Jason Rhodes and Austin Sullivan were on the court and when foes like the University of Central Arkansas (UCA), Rhodes College of Tennessee and Stillman University of Alabama hungered for victory. Professional basketball immortal Scottie Pippen of UCA appeared four times. In Coach Garrison’s most respectful terms, those were “four times too many,” so spectacular were his performances at Old Grove.

When Hendrix moved to the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) in 1992, its diminutive pool continued to be a hub of athletic success. Coach Jim Kelly coached 48 All-Americans and led his girls swimming team to two titles with heralded record-breakers Sara Frysinger Watkins and Karen Cormier Burks, his stalwarts. Similarly, the building’s aging court was perfect for Lauren Turnbow to forge an All-American basketball career while leading the Warriors to two NCAA national tournament appearances in 1998 and 1999.

The wrecking ball could demolish but not destroy Old Grove.

In a healthcare landscape altered by COVID-19, Empower Healthcare Solutions CEO Mitch Morris embraces challenges as opportunities for innovation. When one door closes, another opens, and there is no such thing as impossible.

“The healthcare sector faced historic and unprecedented challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Morris said. “From a public health perspective, states were already facing escalating health budgets and the pandemic made a difficult problem worse. The ability to adjust quickly and bring innovation forward represents a great opportunity to help others and empower them to achieve a higher quality of life.”

For Morris, the most rewarding aspect of his position is the opportunity to positively affect others by providing assistance in their times of need. “I’m constantly inspired by our members and their families, many of whom face significant health and personal challenges every day. I’m also inspired by our employees who work every day to help as many people as possible. Their dedication and commitment are the reasons for our success, and they keep me personally energized to keep striving every day.”

Staying true to its values of community, respect, advocacy, independence, collaboration and recovery, Empower Healthcare Solutions helps lead people to fuller, healthier lives. One day at a time, Morris is applying the lessons he has learned over the years to help the 501 achieve its health goals.

“The most valuable skill one can bring to any industry or workplace is the ability to solve problems,” Morris said. “Identifying and defining problems is important … and bringing solutions forward is the best way for someone to demonstrate their value and position themselves for career opportunities and advancement.”

Morris lives in Little Rock with his wife of nearly 25 years, Monica, and has a daughter attending Ole Miss and a son attending Little Rock Christian Academy. “My family and I love this beautiful state with amazing outdoor recreation options, and Little Rock is the perfect mix of big city and small-town attributes,” he said.

Learn how Empower Healthcare Solutions can improve your health by calling 866.261.1286 or visit getempowerhealth.com.

MORE THAN 1,500 CHILDREN ATTENDED THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT

The Commission coordinates community outreach projects designed to promote education, an appreciation for history, and to encourage youth to engage in positive leadership development and roles within their communities.

DuShun Scarbrough leads the Commission. A Little Rock native, Scarbrough completed his law degree at Western Michigan University Cooley Law School. He and his dedicated team and Commissioners are focused on two major initiatives in 2023: The importance of fatherhood and homeownership.

To support fathers and inspire them to give their families their all, the Commission is working with “Arkansas Better Dads” (ABD), an initiative of the Arkansas Division of Workforce Service, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. ABD and the Commission want to serve fathers across the state who are in difficult situations, and to raise public awareness of the critical role fathers play.

Encouraging homeownership is another goal that Scarbrough and his team are accomplishing. They have partnered with U.S. Bank and their DREAM (Delivering Resources that Enable Access to Mortgage) initiative to advance Black homeownership. This partnership is for three years and is focused on increasing access to sustainable homeownership for individuals across U.S. Bank’s nationwide residential mortgage footprint, with a focus on three engagement areas: adult financial education, community outreach, and enhanced recruitment of mortgage sales and support professionals.

The mission of the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, a division of the Arkansas Department of Education, is to promote and preserve the life and legacy of Dr. King in our state, and to promote the principles of nonviolence and equality among all citizens.

Bale Elementary School - A Partner in Education

Baseline Bilingual School - A Partner in Education

DuShun L.

Sr., Executive Director of the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission.

Dr. King once said, “Life's most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’” As a state agency, the goal of the Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission is to serve Arkansans of all ages and cultural backgrounds throughout the four congressional districts through statewide initiatives under Arkansas Code Annotated (A.C.A.) § 25-24-102. Donations are accepted and used to further the Commission’s programs.

The Commission holds several Nonviolence Youth Summits each year throughout the state. They are designed to encourage youth ages 10 to 18 to engage in positive leadership development and roles within their communities. These summits, which are free, educate the youth of Arkansas on professional development, leadership, Arkansas history, crime prevention, and so much more. The AMLKC’s mission with these summits is to teach and reach youth in all regions of the state.

Nonviolence Youth Summits have been held in all four congressional districts, and thousands of youth have attended. The programs are offered in English and Spanish. In partnership with the Arkansas Department of Education and Fox 16’s “Victory Over Violence,” the Commission will continue to implement these programs to emphasize relationship skills as approaches to addressing violence.

Youth Summits connect communities, providing servicelearning opportunities and educating young people about Dr. King’s principles of nonviolence and peace. They have

been hosted in: Batesville, Pine Bluff, West Memphis, El Dorado, Forrest City, Hope, Conway, DeQueen, Hot Springs, Fayetteville, Harrison, Jonesboro, McGehee and Dumas.

Outreach to people goes beyond four walls, especially during these times when issues of race relations continue to surface in the media, so the Commission travels throughout the state. In Dr. King’s final sermon, he spoke about how mankind has made the world a neighborhood through technological advances but has failed to make advances in brotherhood. The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission brings communities and voices together to work towards change and promote brotherhood through service.

Some programs have been presented entirely in Spanish to promote diversity. “We must work to live together and embrace our common humanity,” Scarbrough said. “The body works together and when any city or community is affected negatively, it affects the entire state.”

“I understand what Dr. King meant when he said ‘what affects one directly affects us all indirectly.’ We need not only utilize Dr. King’s vision but also teach his legacy,” Scarbrough said. “We, as the community, must impart knowledge of nonviolence and racial harmony to our new generation so that they are equipped to forever promote the legacy of Dr. King. We want audiences to see beyond the ‘I Have A Dream’ speech and celebrating the King legacy only in January.”

‘We must work to live together and embrace our common humanity. The body works together and when any city or community is affected negatively, it affects the entire state.’

Scarbrough

Secretary of Education

Jacob Oliva speaks to students at the Commemoration and Vigil at the Arkansas State Capitol.

Event photos by Makenzie Evans

“I have been blessed when it comes to fatherhood. My father has led as an example and has taught me so many things about life. Fatherhood figures gave me so much happiness in my life. Without them, I would not know how to handle many of life’s circumstances. We must continue to shine the light on fathers who are so important.”

“Fathers, sometimes it seems like the system is just breaking them down. So as an intelligent Black woman, I want to say to the Arkansas Better Dads I appreciate all that you are doing and that it matters. Not only in my community but in every community that exists, it matters. We need more, so shout out to Arkansas Better Dads.”

Zonnique Pullins – American TV Personality and Musical Artist; Daughter of Xscape singer Tameka “Tiny” Harris shares stories about the influence of her famous stepfather, rapper Tip "T.I." Harris.

Yolanda “Yo-Yo” Whitaker – Grammy-nominated, pioneering rapper and actress; Founder of the Intelligent Black Woman's Coalition discusses the impact of fatherhood and mentorship.

“Parenting does not have anything to do with how much money you make. There are healthy examples all around you. There are many men, like me, who although we did not have any of these children, they show up! Just because a father does not live in the home, does not mean that he is not present. Mothers are important. So are fathers. From local communities to state government and leaders, we have to encourage healthy fatherhood examples. Too many fathers are not here. Let’s keep the father in the home!”

Lamman Rucker – American Actor known for his career on the daytime soap operas “As the World Turns” and “All My Children”, before roles in “The Temptations”, Tyler Perry's films “Why Did I Get Married?,” “Why Did I Get Married Too?,” and “Meet the Browns” and its television adaptation. In 2016, he began starring as Jacob Greenleaf in the Oprah Winfrey Network drama series, “Greenleaf.” Rucker is married to Kelly Davis Rucker, a graduate of Hampton University. As of 2022, he stars in the BET+ drama “The Black Hamptons.”

Acxiom is proud to congratulate the ARKANSAS MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. COMMISSION on the amazing work they do in the community as we celebrate their 30th anniversary.

As another longstanding Arkansas institution, Acxiom stands alongside you as we work to transform our communities. As Dr. King said, “We cannot walk alone.” We are committed to creating a culture and a workplace where everyone can bring their authentic selves to work. Our commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and awareness for our associates and community is our priority.

DuShun Scarbrough leads the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, a division of the Arkansas Department of Education.

A Little Rock native, Scarbrough earned his undergraduate degree at Philander Smith College in Little Rock, followed by advanced degrees from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee and Webster University in Orlando. Later, he completed his law degree at Western Michigan University Cooley Law School.

• Under Scarbrough’s leadership, the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission hosts the largest day of service in the nation.

• This year, the Commission was recognized by Congress and entered into the national records.

• Arkansas is one of five states in the nation to offer a license plate dedicated to Dr. King.

• Scarbrough’s outreach and vision has impacted the lives of thousands of people. The Commission is recognized by The King Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta, Ga., and Dr. Bernice A. King, daughter of Dr. King, and his widow Coretta Scott King have stated that the Commission is the most active in the nation.

• Because Scarbrough prides himself on promoting Dr. King’s legacy across the state, each year providing thousands of volunteer hours to youth, he was recognized by 501 LIFE Magazine as a “Living Legacy” of Dr. King. He is also a mentor, husband and father to three.

• As Executive Director, he has also worked with several cities across the state, including Harrison and Fort Smith, to improve race relations through high-impact programming. Under his leadership, the Arkansas MLK Jr. Commission shares the stories of unrecognized Arkansans in the Commission's African-American History Makers Coloring Book. The book is in its fifth printing and is highly sought by schools and teachers across the state during Black History Month.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

NATIONAL AMBASSADORS

BATTLING FOOD INSECURITY

NON-VIOLENCE EDUCATION

COMMUNITY SERVICE

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Fulfilling Our Purpose:

The mission and purpose of the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission: To promote racial harmony, understanding, respect, and goodwill among all citizens; to promote principles of nonviolence, peace, and social justice; to promote among the people of Arkansas, by appropriate activities, both the awareness and the appreciation of the civil rights movement and advocacy of the principles and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; to develop, coordinate, and advise the Governor and the General Assembly of appropriate ceremonies and activities throughout the state relating to the observance of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday, including without limitation providing advice and assistance to local governments and private organizations with respect to the observance of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday; to receive donations and contributions from individuals and public and private organizations in order to fulfill its responsibilities; to establish a Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Commission to educate young persons on the principles and legacy of Dr. King; and to enable the people of Arkansas to reflect on the life and teachings of Dr. King through educational endeavors, cultural performances, exhibitions, and events that are multi-ethnic and family-oriented.

TOP LEFT: Vivica A. Fox headlined a Nonviolence Youth Summit for the Dumas community.

TOP RIGHT: “Young and the Restless” star Eric Braeden partnered with the Commission to kick off the Nonviolence Youth Summits and shared his personal story of rising above adversity.

CENTER AND BOTTOM LEFT: Volunteers at the Day of Service and Impact provided food to those in need in Arkansas communities.

CENTER RIGHT: WWE superstar Titus O'Neil “knocked out” bullying during a Nonviolence Youth Summit at Pulaski Heights Middle School. BOTTOM RIGHT: The Delta Experience Economic Development Conference.

Photo by Mike Kemp

Home turf

Melissa Dean excited about updates that personalized her house

By Rita Halter Thomas

The traditional-style brick home needed updating, but Melissa Dean saw potential. She fell in love with the open design, stately columns, ornate wood trim and two fireplaces added appeal.

“I really wanted to build, but the time wasn’t right with COVID going on, so I contacted my Realtor, Velda Lueders, who has helped me and my kids buy homes,” Melissa said. “We started looking, and she was so patient because she really wants to please her clients. We just kept looking until I found something I wanted to buy.

“When I bought the house [in 2020] … it hadn’t been updated, but I could just see a vision for it. I loved that it was so open. You don’t really see that in houses built back … in 2005. I had this vision of my kids and my grandkids being over and having plenty of room for everybody.”

The 2700-square-foot, four-bedroom, 2 1/2-bath home provides Melissa’s family and guests with plenty of space and togetherness. The open layout of the home seamlessly flows from foyer to dining room, into one of two cozy living areas, each with a fireplace and big-screen television, then a spacious kitchen and the second living space. The 10-foot ceilings and white walls and trim give the home a light, airy feel, complemented by walnut-stained wood floors.

Melissa selected Sherwin Williams Alabaster (SW 7008) paint for both the walls and trim, choosing an eggshell finish for the walls, and a satin finish for the trim.

For the kitchen, at the heart of the home, Melissa chose Etude quartz countertops from LX Hausys. Etude is a warm, bright white with long, thin crisscrossing veins of gray and gold. Shaded lights illuminate the bar top, creating an inviting atmosphere.

“I was reluctant when she said ‘this is the one,’ but knowing what she had done with her previous homes, I knew it would be beautiful,” Velda said.

The layout and interior design of Melissa’s home reflect her warm and welcoming personality, along with simple elegance. While she has an eye for style and design, Melissa said she is no interior designer. She doesn’t mind sharing that she had help creating the perfect combination of seating, area rugs, accents, art and more.

“I didn’t have to do anything structurally to the house, just paint, flooring, countertops and tile,” Melissa said. She chose stainless-steel appliances including a KitchenAid oven and gas stove. “I had never cooked with gas before, but I love it,” she said.

Continued on page 84

Melissa’s favorite room is the dining area. While she decorates both breakfast and dining tables for each season, she enjoys the dining room the most during holidays with family. For the walls in the dining room, and for a guest powder room nearby, Melissa chose Sherwin Williams Byte Blue (SW 6498). The color complements an original painting by a local artist depicting the Last Supper. The painting hangs above a curio cabinet containing china hand-painted by Melissa’s grandmother.

In other areas, meaningful personal items artistically add to the home: bridal portraits of her daughters, family photos from childhood, her grandparents’ marriage license and her grandfather’s school attendance certificate. A baby’s bed, once used by her grandbabies, was placed in a guest room.

Melissa wants her home to be enjoyed both inside and out. From the driveway to the front door, guests are greeted by a beautiful floral landscape leading to a pair of inviting Adirondack chairs atop a patio of Arkansas flagstone. “Sometimes I sit outside and wave at people walking or driving by,” she said. “I love it out here. I have some great neighbors. I want them to enjoy the flowers.”

The homeowner credits Daniel Derden for the patio and the stonework for her flower gardens. “I love gardening and landscaping. I always have. Sometimes I can get out there and work all day and into the night,” she said.

“Her gardening skills amaze me,” Velda commented. “Melissa helps me with my spring flowers, telling me what to buy and then she helps me plant them and even reminds me to water them!”

From front to back, Melissa tries to have something blooming for every season, whether in pots or flower beds. Azaleas, a variety of roses, coneflowers, May Night salvia, peonies, King Tuts, Angelina, a variety of hydrangeas and viburnum are only a few of the many beauties blooming in the backyard and around the home. Melissa tries to coordinate colors and heights in the front, but she plants what she loves in the back, whether perennials or annuals. “I think Mother Nature doesn’t have any bad colors,” she said, believing they can be enjoyed together.

Melissa saw potential in an older home. She saw family gatherings, talks with an old friend over a glass of lemonade, pretty days to sit outside, and neighbors to greet with a wave. Melissa saw “home,” and made it hers.

Tribute to an old friend.

Vivian Lawson Hogue shares fond farewell to 300-year-old tree

Our Old Conway trees are revered parts of my life. They have taken several hits lately due to strong winds, lightning, drought and simply old age.

Col. Asa Peter Robinson, a native of Connecticut, a Yale University engineering graduate and a railroad chief engineer, was awarded a section of land at a railroad stop called Conway Station. He chose this one-square-mile, 640-acre area for his retirement enjoyment.

Out of this prairie and forested area, he donated land to churches, schools and the county courthouse. As the town grew, he began to sell lots for homes. All warranty deeds had a stipulation: “No trees or shrubbery on said land or surrounding streets shall be cut, maimed, or destroyed except for embellishment or paths to buildings unless they are decayed or dangerous.”

The home in which I grew up was a part of the Robinson land. Built in 1910, its former landscaping included seven post oaks, one red oak, an American elm, a large redbud, a fringe tree, a chinaberry tree, a fig tree and a red maple. Today, most trees are clear-cut before neighborhoods are built. In earlier years, trees were valued for their beauty, shade and for shifting around hot summer air. Simpler building techniques of the time did not harm the trees.

Two very old oaks along our street within the view of my porch died from street and sidewalk construction in about 2009. A specially curved sidewalk was created around its now-former tree. Long ago, another nearby oak received the first curved sidewalk, and one near Central Baptist College was actually granted a “bubble out” curb to avoid its endangerment. Obviously, it risked being hit by one of the few vehicles per day traveling at a reckless 25 mph.

We Conway natives and long-timers are aware that the first things noticed by visitors are the tree boughs shading the streets. Yes, they sometimes fall and are sometimes damaged by lightning. Sometimes they take the least painful way out and simply uproot. They are, after all, much older than we will ever be and not always steady on their “feet.”

Their importance is immeasurable. They temper waves of heat rising from hard surfaces and are habitats for wildlife. The more we have, the more there are to clean the air we breathe by removing carbon dioxide and providing us with oxygen. They also release water into the air, prevent erosion and create economic value.

A tree was an issue on our own property recently. An expensive issue, but there was no arguing with the inevitable. There were two wonderful specimens standing very near each other, and I had known them personally all my life. One was a post oak, the other a red oak. They thickly shaded the west side of the house. My dad made a swing for me in the post oak, and at the base of the red oak, I became an “architect.” In 1953-54, our house was being remodeled to include a concrete porch. With vestiges of wet cement left in a wheelbarrow at the end of a workday, I built a miniature house and garage among the roots. My youngest brother, admittedly without his knowledge, provided small metal cars.

That the tree always leaned to the northeast never caused alarm. Starlings and squirrels, neither among my favorite critters, fought every year over a certain hole. However, four years ago I began to notice from my kitchen window that it seemed to lean more. I knew this friend that well. In fact, it was almost touching a cable from the house to the power lines. Utility workers once moved the cable a couple of inches, and then one day recently I saw it was touching the tree again. I knew what had to happen and it was heartbreaking. I couldn’t pretend all was OK.

If the 80-foot tree with a girth of 12 feet toppled, it would uproot its partner six feet away, rip out the cable to the street, and continue to knock down another oak and part of the front of our house. When all was said and done, after three days of men hard at work, I saw that some of the inside was black, the core was wood-colored but soft.

When I was a child, Arkansas experienced a three-year drought and we lost three oaks. After one was cut down, my dad counted the tree rings, one ring for every year of existence, and counted to 234. When I recently counted our own 68 years later, I reached about 260 and the rings disappeared, leaving only soft wood. Assuming there should have been more rings, we can safely say our trees are older than our country and sprouted around the year 1721. I pluck up self-seeded baby oaks often and remember that poet Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.”

My thought on losing a tree is if you lose one you valued, plant another. Use caution, however. Never plant a tallgrowing variety under a power line. But do learn to listen to tree inhabitants. The birds will chirp to tell you a storm is over. They have chirped a lot this spring.

The 300-year-old oak meant much to Hogue, but the lean of the giant beauty ensured it could no longer remain. Examination of the base revealed that while heartbreaking, cutting it down was the right decision.

Famous Family Bistro Conference and Disability Resource Expo

Annual conference supports kids with disabilities

By Carol Rolf

The Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities was represented by Assiah Lewellen (from left), Lud Kozlowski and Jonathan Taylor. 2. The Parent Advisory Council committee includes Rodney Farley (from left), Michelle Siemiller, Barbara Molencupp, Tracy Monin and Josh Bryant. 3. Cristin Rogers with Finnegan Health Services. 4. Kris LaBonne (from left) and Olivia Pratt with Inner Circle Autism Network. 5. Cindy S. Roach with Pathfinder, Inc. 6. Wensday Kraemer with the Arkansas Alliance for Disability Advocacy. 7. Tyeshia Jarrett attended the Expo with her sons: Macarious, Kaden and Korbin.

Photo by Jessica Hoyle.

1.

2.

3.

6.

7.

4.

5.

Continuing its goal to help families with children who have disabilities and chronic health conditions, the Arkansas Parent Advisory Council (PAC) Children’s Medical Services (CMS) Inc. recently held its 10th Annual Famous Family Bistro Conference and Disability Resource Expo.

Held April 29 at Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, the event attracted families and caregivers from throughout the state as well as a variety of vendors that offer services to the families.

“We had a great turnout,” said Tracy Monin of Greenbrier, treasurer of PAC. “The rainy weather affected our attendance a little, but overall, we were very pleased. This is the first year we have held it since COVID, and the first time we’ve held it in Conway.

“Our job is to educate families, caregivers and providers on topics that are important to this community,” she said. “Our hope is that our council will be able to bless families with resources to help them.”

Monin has a son with Type 1 diabetes. “We have seven members on our council and they all have children with disabilities,” she said. “One has a child with spina bifida who has graduated high school and received a college scholarship. One has a child who was born with a rare disease and has no elbows. Another has a child who is autistic and is nonverbal.

“These kids can do so much. We need to help their families find the resources they need to help them be all they can be,”she said.

Among the families attending the recent event were Tyeshia Jarrett of Morrilton and her three sons, Macarious, 11, Korbin, 9, and Kaden, 7, who all have autism.

Jarrett has recently been asked to serve on the Arkansas Parent Advisory Council. “I am also a member of AMOM (A Meeting of Minds) in Russellville, which is a support group for families with autistic children,” she said.

“I am a nurse and work in a clinic in Morrilton where we see a lot of families who come in with children with disabilities,” she said. “I am always trying to find something to help them so I am glad to let them know about this organization.

“This year’s Bistro was great,” she said. “I took my three boys and all of the speakers were great. They gave me so much information I did not know. I plan to take the information back to the other nurses at the clinic so we can pass it along to the families that we serve.

Jarrett said her sons, who are also the sons of Marcus Jarrett of Little Rock, all attend Morrilton public schools and want to be involved in sports. “Korbin wants to play golf, but I haven’t found the right place for him yet,” she said, “Kadin and Macarious play soccer through the Conway County Youth Club.”

Jarrett said her mother, Lee Parks of Morrilton, is a big help. “She’s our biggest cheerleader,” she said.

Monin said the Arkansas Parent Advisory Council CMS Inc. was founded in 1990 and became a 501(c)(3) in 1995 in order to seek funding to help in advocacy/ education activities. “We are always looking for new council members,” Monin said, adding that council members must have children who are receiving, or who have received, Title V services in the past.

For more information, email cmspac90@yahoo. com or visit arkansaspac.org.

The Alliance Family of Companies

Harwood,

From

John S. Harwood, MS Tax, CPA, CFF, ABV, CGMA, CFE

L. Tray Ott, CPA, PFS

Connie Cody Fisher, CPA

Community Conway Corp Core Values

By Beth Jimmerson

Community

At Conway Corp, our company culture is rooted in our employees – safety first, unquestionable trust, superior performance and total commitment. We’re committed to serving our customers with excellence, planning for the future and delivering exceptional services, and we believe working together and treating everyone with integrity is an important part of that commitment.

Our core values are at the forefront of everything we do. They reinforce our commitment to our customers and drive the way we do business. These six core values are the key to our sustained success: Community, Customer Satisfaction, Innovation, Reliability, Responsibility and Safety.

Our commitment to the community where we work and live is the reason we were founded. We remain dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in our community through our services, education initiatives and economic development involvement.

Community is everything. Our employees have served this community for nearly 100 years, and we’re proud of

that. We were founded in 1929 to raise revenue to keep Hendrix College and Central Baptist College in Conway. Since then, we have remained committed to serving education in the city as well as to making a positive impact throughout the community.

We know bright futures are always a smart investment, so we continue to go all in for Conway from preschool to grad school by supporting area students, teachers, schools and scholarships. Conway Corp has given more than $600,000 in endowed scholarships to local students who attend the University of Central Arkansas, Central Baptist College and Hendrix College. We provide additional scholarships every year, including five sports scholarship awards to local student athletes for their performance on the field and in the classroom.

In 2016, Conway Corp pledged $3 million to UCA for the construction of a new science center. The 50,000-squarefoot addition to the Lewis Science Center is called the Conway Corporation Center for Sciences. It’s LEEDcertified and holds teaching, research and laboratory space to accommodate current and future students.

In 2018, Conway Corp pledged $1.5 million to Hendrix College for the construction of the Miller Creative Quad. The Creative Quad opened in the fall of 2019, combining creative art facilities, student living space and the Windgate Museum of Art.

Conway Corporation Hall encompasses the south wing of the complex on the second and third floors. The hall houses 54 students in 16 single dorm rooms and 19 double dorm rooms. The 15,745-square-foot area also includes five study spaces.

Most recently, the Arnold Innovation Center officially opened its doors in September 2022 in downtown Conway. Powered by Conway Corp, the workspace is named after retired CEO Richard Arnold and is a destination for entrepreneurs to connect with one another while having access to necessary resources to create, launch and grow businesses.

Renovations began on the Arnold Innovation Center, located downtown in the old Conway City Hall building, in 2021. The building is less than a block from the site of Conway Station, from which the city emerged in the late 1800s. It was built for First State Bank and opened in August 1960 before becoming Conway City Hall in 1986.

The Arnold Innovation Center includes co-working space, office suites and seminar facilities. The space is managed by The Conductor and includes high-speed internet, work and meeting space, collaboration with other early-stage companies, networking events and access to direct small business support.

Our employees are just as dedicated to the community we live and work in. Conway Corp employs almost 300 local individuals who play important roles in our community by volunteering with charities and service organizations, supporting civic organizations, coaching local youth sports teams and more. In 2022, Conway Corp employees collectively donated more than $25,000 to the United Way of Central Arkansas. Employees also held a toy drive

for the Angel Tree program and individual departments sponsored angels to provide Christmas gifts for local children in need.

Each year, Conway Corp employees choose a local charity to support during the company’s employee appreciation event. In 2022, our team collected items for Conway Cradle Care. Conway Corp employees were able to donate thousands of items to the nonprofit, including 4,000 diapers and 5,000 baby wipes.

This year, we’re holding a food drive for the Community Action Program for Central Arkansas to help stock their annual Student Market. Having students at home over the summer break can cause an extra financial burden on lowincome families.

During the summer months, CAPCA runs a student market for school-aged children who qualify for free and reduced meals during the school year and often face higher food insecurity during the summer. Students come every two weeks and pick out 14 breakfast and lunch items along with 28 snacks. In previous years, CAPCA provided more than 60,000 meals and snacks for local kids.

The Conway Corp Electric Department is proud to partner with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department every year to support the Braves baseball program and volunteers to grill hot dogs and play ball at Braves Field with the kids and their families.

In addition, Conway Corp and our employees provided sponsorships, grants, donations and more to local organizations, including Bethlehem House, Boys and Girls Club of Faulkner County, Conway Public Schools Foundation, Conway Symphony Orchestra and more.

At Conway Corp, our core values shape who we are and how we do business. They define our company culture and reflect our beliefs. We’re committed to serving our community because we are a part of the community. We call Conway home. And we love it here.

TOP:

Members of the 1971 Morrilton State Championship Football Team

BOTTOM LEFT:

Shawn Halbrook, superintendent of South Conway County School District and Austin Duvall, communications & content manager for the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute

BOTTOM CENTER:

Members of 1970 Plumerville Girls State Championship Basketball Team

BOTTOM RIGHT:

Beth Duvall, daughter of Harold Nichols

Hall of Distinction

South Conway County School District reveals inaugural class

By Mary Eggart

On the evening of May 6, the South Conway County School District Hall of Distinction was revealed at Morrilton High School’s Devil Dog Arena. With more than 250 in attendance, the Hall of Distinction Banquet was held to induct the inaugural class of 2023, which consisted of eight individuals and three sports teams.

Led by Shawn Halbrook, superintendent of South Conway County Schools, the ceremony was designed to bring together members of the community (both former and current) to honor the outstanding contributions of alumni and other pivotal citizens. Addressing the inductees and their families, Halbrook said that by creating the Hall of Distinction inside Devil Dog Arena, students would now be able to come to a place “where they can see you and feel your impact.” Tommy Huett, former Morrilton High School football coach and educator, conducted the induction ceremony and presented a brief history of the legacy of excellence left by each individual and team, which in turn laid a firm foundation for current and future students.

The 2023 individual inductees were Dr. Ray Fullerton, Raymond Chambers, Barbara Netherton, Harold Nichols, B. Jack Wilson, Henry Turner, Lt. Gov. Nathan Gordon and Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller. Only one of the individual inductees, Henry Turner, is still living, although he was unable to attend due to illness. Also inducted were the

1939 Menifee State Championship Girls Basketball Team, the 1970 Plumerville Girls State Championship Basketball Team, and the 1971 Morrilton State Championship Football Team.

Together, Dr. Ray Fullerton and Raymond Chambers oversaw the consolidation of the Morrilton School District with Plumerville and Menifee, which became the South Conway County School District in 1980. Fullerton had been the superintendent of schools for Morrilton since 1975, and Chambers was the superintendent of the East Side School District in Menifee. Both men were instrumental during the most transformational time in South Conway County School District history. During his career as superintendent, Fullerton oversaw numerous building projects totaling 258,902 square feet, which included the football field house, H.B. White Auditorium, Morrilton Junior High, River Valley Vocational Center and the Intermediate School. Additionally, Chambers first served as assistant superintendent for South Conway County Schools, and then in 1998, he became the superintendent, remaining in that position until 2003.

Barbara Netherton taught physical education and health at Morrilton High School, where she initiated and coached three women’s athletics programs: volleyball, tennis and golf. The highlight of her career was winning the volleyball state championship in 1981. Golf was

Netherton’s true passion; she won the Morrilton Country Club’s Championship Tournament 27 years in a row. After her death in 2005, the Barbara Netherton Memorial Golf Tournament began, which has distributed and endowed more than $100,000 in scholarships to the community’s young women who exemplify Netherton’s attributes: athletic excellence, outstanding academics and community service.

Harold Nichols was the talented voice of Friday night Devil Dog football over the course of 50 years for local radio station KVOM. His play-by-play commentary was a much-anticipated weekly highlight of the community. As the voice of Devil Dog Athletics, his narrative was smooth, and he never missed a beat. Likewise, selling advertising spots for the radio station became effortless for Nichols due to his easy but authoritative voice that had become so synonymous with KVOM that businesses would only buy advertisement time if he recorded the spot. Nichols called his last Devil Dog football game in the fall of 2007.

B. Jack Wilson was (and still is) considered by many to be “the favorite son of Morrilton.” His personality and demeanor were the embodiment of the spirit of Morrilton: determined, adaptable, generous and strong. With friend James Irvin, Wilson’s claim to fame was the naming of the school mascot during his senior year in 1926. On top of the newly built Morrilton High School building was a 6-foot gargoyle, which Wilson said looked like a dog sitting on its haunches. The school held a contest to select a mascot for the football team who would play in the fall of 1926. Wilson and Irvin submitted the “Devil Dog,” and the rest was history.

Henry Turner spent his career in education, both as an educator and a principal. In 1972, he moved to Morrilton, where he was principal of North Side Elementary. Known for loving his students, backing his educators, and respecting parents, Turner positively affected hundreds of lives. He coached Little League baseball and basketball and attended ALL activities at the junior high and high school. In 2016, Turner was awarded “The #1 Fan” for more than 70 years of faithful service by the Arkansas Activities Association.

As a Morrilton native, Lt. Gov. Nathan Gordon positively influenced Conway County and beyond. Not only was Gordon awarded the United States military’s highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, during World War II, he also later became Arkansas lieutenant governor and was re-elected nine more times from 1947 to 1967. He worked as acting governor more times than any other individual in Arkansas history. In 2022, the South Conway County Public School Foundation received a $50,000 grant from the Nathan and Virginia Gordon Endowment Fund. This

money was donated to Conway County School Counts, which aids in offering financial assistance to eligible Conway County students who enroll in classes at UACCM, where the School of Agricultural Sciences is named in the Gordons’ honor.

Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller extended Conway County an insurmountable service when he decided to move to Arkansas in 1953. Building Winrock Farms atop Petit Jean Mountain, Rockefeller was determined to use his wealth to benefit his newly adopted state, and with Morrilton’s public school system being so close in proximity, the community reaped the benefits of his generosity. The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation (formerly Rockwin Fund) was created to finance a Morrilton model school program. Some of Gov. Rockefeller’s contributions to the Morrilton schools included the building of Reynold’s Elementary and Morrilton High School. Over time, his investments in Morrilton’s public school system became evident as test scores increased, teachers’ salaries rose, and more students attended college.

The 1939 Menifee Travelerettes Girls basketball team won the state basketball championship having never played a game on a wooden floor. In the words of player Alma Byrd, “We didn’t know anything about how the ball would bounce off of the floor. We only knew how it would bounce off the ground. It was so much better off of a floor … it would come right back to you. It felt good. We got in there, and you could hardly get us out!” Members of the 1939 championship team were Catherine Acklin Williams, Rosebell Jenkens Alexander, Rene P. Hammons, Goldie Payne, Hazel Bell, Alma English Byrd, Donmela Stokes Woods, Claudia Mae Dennis, Evelyn Brower McKindra and Coach Stella Ceaser.

In 1970, the Plumerville Girls Bulldog basketball team, coached by Don Handlang, became the Class B State Champions. Each girl had been coached and trained by Handlang since she attended seventh or eighth grade. Members of the 1970 championship team were Susan Bostian Stecher, Mary Gray Dunlap, Betty Gilmore Slagle, Marilyn Townsley Crawford, Vera Black Cross, Greta Eades Deaver, Laura Pettingill McCoy, Frances Garrett Powers, Anita Faye Black, Menthia Hervey Ausler and Jana McCoy.

The 1971 Morrilton Devil Dogs football team became the Class AA Champions after beating Stuttgart, the defending champions, in the state finals. Morrilton was undefeated in 13 games, the only unbeaten high school team in the state. There were 43 players, three student trainers, two managers, four coaches, and 4,000-plus fans who made 1971 a season to remember, thus igniting the spark that rendered a tradition of great football in Morrilton.

Photo by Mike Kemp

AUTHOR OF THE MONTH

PHYLLIS WELCH DACUS _____________________

By Susan L. Peterson

‘Truths, Tales, and Tidbits of Figgy Capri’

Phyllis Dacus’ grandchildren often beg her to tell them stories about growing up in Conway. One day, she wondered who would tell her stories when she’s gone.

While cleaning out drawers during COVID, she found old journals and notebooks that she had kept throughout the years, and she realized she had enough material to write a book, something she often thought about. Not only would it give her something to do, but it would be a keepsake for her family.

Phyllis’ dream of publishing a book came true in December 2022 with the publication of “Truths, Tales, and Tidbits of Figgy Capri.”

Phyllis is a longtime resident of the 501 area. She attended the University of Central Arkansas and taught elementary, English and social studies for 38 years, mostly in the Conway School District. Her parents and greatgrandparents hail from the Conway area and owned CT King Hardware. Her two daughters, Natalie Holley and Julie Turner, were born and raised here.

Phyllis knew publishing a book would be hard work, but it was something she wanted to do for her family. First, she wrote it out in long hand. She then enlisted the paid help of a grandson to type the material on the computer. The book cover was designed by Paula Sue McGee, a dear friend. On the cover are original illustrations of a rabbit, a school bus and other items that are referenced in the stories. Paula also helped prepare and upload the material using Amazon’s self-publishing program. From start to finish, the entire process took about two years.

Longtime residents of the area will recognize many of the people, places and things that are referenced in her book, including the AmTran bus factory and the time in 1965

when an F4 tornado hit Conway. The tales relate “sweet, funny and even bizarre events in the lives of family and dear friends.” Also included are accounts from her years of teaching, personal poems, letters and recipes from beloved family members.

Buses played an important role in Phyllis’ life. She drove a school bus during the school year, and during the summers, she delivered AmTran buses, driving them as far as Boston and Seattle. Both experiences provided lots of fodder for her tales.

Most of the stories are family friendly, she said. After all, she did write the book with only her family and friends in mind. A couple of stories describe occurrences that put Figgy in some very comical situations. The book also explains how she got her nickname, Figgy Capri.

She said the book is a combination of fact and fiction, as she did change some names and outcomes to avoid any embarrassment.

Phyllis’ two daughters, Natalie and Julie, both followed in their mother’s footsteps and became teachers. Phyllis is excited about an upcoming speaking appearance this spring to Natalie’s English classes in Sikeston, Mo.

Today, she and her husband, Richard, are retired and are fully enjoying playing the role of grandparents by attending ballgames, birthday parties, helping with four grandchildren, and participating in activities at OneChurch.

“Truths, Tales, and Tidbits of Figgy Capri” will ensure that Phyllis' storytelling will live on for others to enjoy. It is available on Amazon.com. Phyllis may be reached at dacusphyllis03@gmail.com.

The University of Central Arkansas celebrated Distinguished Alumni and supported scholarships at their annual Laurels & Stripes event held April 15 at the HPER Center on campus. Hundreds of alumni and supporters dressed in black tie and evening gowns to reconnect with friends and enjoy an elegant dinner.

Emcee Brandi Adams welcomed attendees and introduced Dr. Kyle and Kristin Basham who co-chaired the event. President Houston Davis spoke with pride about the university’s expansion and the value of scholarships to students. Later, two toasts were offered by Johnny Adams, president and CEO of First Security Bank Conway.

Davis’ wife, First Lady Jenny Davis, introduced the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. Nanalou “Nan” Snow, class of `57, was hailed as a resounding champion for the cause of women’s equality. “Throughout her years of service, Nan has been instrumental in improving women’s economic opportunities and overall well-being,” she said. “Her work has had a substantial impact on the lives of countless individuals.”

The university announced that $1,295,497 was raised from 1,894 donors on March 9, the 2023 Day of Giving.

Other speakers included UCA Foundation scholarship recipient Bianca Airey-Fourie and closing remarks by Dr. Mary Bane Lackie, VP of University Advancement and president of the UCA Foundation.

Following the formal portion of the event, The Rodney Block Collective provided live music and dancing.

1. Gracen Mahar (from left), Katlyn Turner and Rachel Ross. 2. Bennett (from left) and Aimee Poynter, Lauren and Michael Norris and Ty Hollowell. 3. Jaison and Callie Sterling. 4. Curtis Barnett (from left) and Cornell Maltbia. 5. Houston Davis and Nan Snow. 6. Lanette and Keith Rogers. 7. Hannah and Jerry Malone. 8. Erica Ruble (from left), Jared Craig and Angela Polk. 9. Houston Davis (from left), Jenny Davis, Jessica Brown and Nathan Brown. 10. Donald and Stefanie Brazile. 11. Grant and Jessica Clawson. 12. Drs. Azida and James Walker. 13. Stuart Allen (from left), Katherine Allen, Elizabeth Tucker and Bart Tucker.

1.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

2.

3

11.

12

13.

FAMILY:

PROFESSIONAL BULL RIDER SPRINGHILL

My kids and grandkids are my family. My daughter, Sunny May Beene, 32, lives in Greenbrier, and my son, Blue Wilcox, 26, lives in Globe, Ariz. Sunny and her husband, Cody, have my granddaughter, Birdie Beene, age 3. Blue and his wife, Jakayly, have my other granddaughter, Quail Wilcox, who is 9 months old.

EDUCATION:

I attended school in Greenbrier through eighth grade and graduated from Conway High School. I attended college for four years on rodeo scholarships, first at Arkansas State University at Beebe and then at Oklahoma Panhandle State University at Goodwell, Okla. I needed 12 to 14 hours to graduate but I started rodeoing full time.

WORK:

I’ve rodeoed most of my life, mainly bull riding. I quit professional bull riding in 1986, when I got married at age 32. I run cattle now, here on the farm in Springhill and on a place in Marshall that joins the Buffalo National River. I’ve always had cattle since I was 6 years old. I still ride horses. And I try to help out the younger guys who are into rodeo. I’ve always done that, even when I was competing.

MOST CHERISHED POSSESSION:

My family.

PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS YOU’RE PROUD OF:

I’ve been to the National Finals Rodeo five times competing in bull riding. I competed in the event, which was held in Oklahoma City, in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 and then suffered a groin injury and didn’t make the finals in 1984. They moved the NFR to Las Vegas and I made it back to the finals in 1985, the first year they had it in Las Vegas.

But probably the thing I’m most proud of is winning ‘the average’ at the 1980 NFR. That means I had the best combined results of anyone in the Top 15 at the championship over the 10 days of events.

On May 20, I was named to the 2023 Bull Riding Hall of Fame at Cowtown Coliseum in the Fort Worth Stockyards in Fort Worth, Texas.

WHAT’S THE SECRET TO BEING A CHAMPION BULL RIDER?

There was no secret for me. I didn’t even have a plan when I first started. I was just tickled to death to be among the guys. I was always lucky. I traveled all over the country, put a lot of miles on my truck, worked long hard hours just to get on that bull’s back [and] hang on for eight seconds of terror. But I always had fun.