life in a small town
The festival included a dunking booth, a cake walk and simple games. For $1 or less, your name was entered into a drawing to win one of several prizes. It was a sunny fall afternoon, and my 10-year-old self was excited about the day, especially when I heard my name announced as a prize winner. I ran to receive it and the man handed me a case of BOAT MOTOR OIL!
In addition to the letdown, I couldn’t even carry the heavy case of oil. But as I had been taught, I thanked the announcer for the prize and went to look for my dad. Of course, my older brother won a doll with a painted porcelain face and blue dress and gave it to me. Finally, I was thrilled again.
Such is the life of a kid in a small town. At that time, we lived in Queen City, Texas. Population 1,000. Home of the Bulldogs. It was safe, and people knew what family you belonged to, which gave us a sense of belonging.
Central Arkansas is home to many similarly delightful communities and small towns. Each Friday night, people speak to one another as they climb the stands for football games. Each Sunday, they speak as they walk to their pews, and when there is a tragedy, they rally around those in need. It’s a life with a pleasant rhythm typically appreciated more by adults than teens.
Our November issue is themed “Small Towns/Big Hearts,” and our content will make you as nostalgic as it has made me. The article that most stands out to me is about 24-year-old Paralympian Julia Gaffney from Mayflower. She won the bronze medal in Paris, and her community is incredibly proud of their hometown girl!
Regretfully, we bid farewell to a top-tier 501 LIFE contributor in October. Bob Reising brought us “Celebrating Athletic Excellence” each month for many years, contributing his final piece in August at the age of 91. If there are sports in heaven—and Lord only knows many readers pray that there are—then I’m confident Bob is playing or coaching baseball and writing a well-researched column about a fellow athlete. His tribute is included. As you turn these pages like leaves blowing across your yard, take a journey with us and meet many small-town people with big hearts for others!
PUBLISHER/ ART DIRECTOR
Jeremy L. Higginbotham EDITOR
Stefanie W. Brazile FOUNDERS
Donna Spears, Sonja Keith and Tracy Ferrell
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Paulette Higginbotham
ADVERTISING SALES
Donna Spears and Donald Brazile
DIGITAL DIRECTOR
Levi Gilbert
PHOTOGRAPHER
Makenzie Evans
COPY EDITORS
Andrea Lively and Andrea Miller
FINANCE DIRECTOR
Debbie Flowers
BRAND AMBASSADOR
Lisa Hutchison
SOCIAL MEDIA
Morgan Zimmerman
November
On the Cover:
Cody and Holly Davenport found the great pumpkin with their daughter, Hallie Blair, on the opening day of First Presbyterian Church’s annual pumpkin patch in Conway.
Photo by Makenzie Evans
4 Letter from the Editor
8 Upcoming Events
10 Loving LIFE Photos
12 five-oh-ones In Focus
12 Nominate a five-oh-ONE to Watch
14 Girl Scouts Night Out in Little Rock
16 46th Annual Cabot Fest
17 Faulkner County Fair Parade
18 Unity Health Celebrates New Leadership 18 South Conway County Superintendent Honored
19 St. Joseph High Seniors Donate to Charity
20 Couple of the Month:
David and Crissy Hawkins Berry
24 Entertaining:
Serving Hope at Area Ministries By Chef Don Bingham
32 Small Towns | Big Growth By Donna Lampkin Stephens
35 Coming Home to Conway By Stefanie Brazile
36 First Presbyterian Church-Conway Hosts Harvest of Humanitarianism By Mark Oliver
42 Artist of the Month:
Amy Jones and First Community Bank By Rita Halter Thomas
50 A Man of Excellence:
Dr. Robert Reising - 1933-2024 By David Grimes
52 Double Impact
Twin Sisters Dedicated to Caring for Conway
54 Downtown Morrilton Shines
Because of Main Street Board By Mary Eggart
56 The Olympian Next Door By Dwain Hebda
62 White County Library Begins a New Chapter By Judy Riley
68 Author of the Month: Faye Hedera By Susan L. Peterson
72 Youth of the Month: Wyatt Pettry of Conway County By Becky Bell
74 PCSSD: Where Hustle Meets Heart By Jessica Duff
76 Pet of the Month:
Moose Plus Mustache and Dot! By KD Reep
78 Let Your Heart Fall in Love Story and Photos by Linda Henderson
83 Christmas in Clinton
84 By Bricks and Boards We Grew By Vivian Lawson Hogue
88 Let’s Talk Turkey: An Energy-Efficient Thanksgiving By Beth Jimmerson
90 Person of the Month:
Jerry Holmes of Cleburne County
ACE Hardware, 55
Arkansas Asset Builders, 65
Barksdale Federal Credit Union, 8, 33
Bar of Western Store, 83
Bella Rustina Market, 9
Centennial Bank, 65
Clover Alley, 55
Conway Corp, 89
Conway Human Development Center, 69
Conway Regional Health System, 91
Conway Regional Rehab, 82
Conway Symphony, 47
Downtown Conway, 48-49
Dr. Magie Retirement Party, 19
Essence Healthcare, 53
First Community Bank, 45, 90
First Security Bank, 92
Freyaldenhoven Heating & Cooling, 39
Greenbrier Community, 30-31
Harps, 29
Harwood, Ott & Fisher, 84
Hartman Animal Hospital, 76
Heritage Living Center, 5
Karen Ferguson Team, 21
Kilwins Little Rock, 19
KVNE 93.3 Radio, 28
Methodist Family Health, 61
Milestones, 69
MSC Eye Associates, 41
Ott Insurance, 85
PCSSD, 74
Renewal Ranch, 87
Ronald McDonald House, 65
Salem Place, 27
Shelter Insurance, 33
Sissy’s Log Cabin, 59
South Conway County Schools, 17
Superior Health & Rehab, 2
The Max Event Venue, 87 Tipton & Hurst, 15
UACCM, 75
UCA, 67
UCA Public Appearances, 73 Unity Health, 3
Yours Truly Consignment, 71
Rita Halter Thomas is a Conway native and a pastor’s wife. She attended the University of Central Arkansas and is an awardwinning writer, author, editor, writing coach and speaker. She is married to Jimmy and has one daughter, Marinna. Rita enjoys horseback riding and singing with the worship team at Mountain Top Cowboy Church in Heber Springs.
Judy Riley lives in White County. She holds degrees from the U of A and Texas A&M UniversityCommerce, retiring as a full professor for the U of A Cooperative Extension Service. She currently helps her husband, Tom, with a hay production and beef cattle farm and is a board member for several nonprofit community foundations.
WATER LANTERN FESTIVAL
Nov. 2 • Jacksonville
Voted #1 festival by USA Today, make memories by making water lanterns and writing down hopes and dreams or letters to loved ones before releasing them.
501 LIFE SPONSORS VITAMIN STRING QUARTET
Nov. 3 • Conway
A popular string ensemble with over two billion streams, VSQ has helped establish classical crossover as a force in music.
PIONEER VILLAGE OPEN HOUSE
Nov. 2-3 Searcy
An old-fashioned celebration of the fall season with vendors, food and local history. A collection of 19th-century historic buildings includes a log house, school, smokehouse and blacksmith shop.
BELLA RUSTINA MARKET
Nov. 22-24 • Conway
Kick off holiday shopping with a choice of 300+ booths brimming with vintage-inspired and handmade items from exhibitors from multiple states inside the Conway Expo & Event Center.
“SAY IT AIN'T SAY'S” SWEET POTATO
PIE CONTEST
Nov. 3 • Little Rock
Sink your teeth into pies whipped up by amazing bakers and learn the legacy of Robert "Say" McIntosh. Contest is open to anyone who wants to show off baking skills. Enjoy the tasty vibes and pies!
PICCOLO ZOPPÉ WINTER CIRCUS
Nov. 22 - Dec. 8 • North Little Rock
A magical European circus steeped in 182 years of tradition, the Zoppé family transports audiences to a world where circus meets theater. Watch performers balance on galloping horses or swing on a trapeze.
COOK-OFF FOR A CAUSE
Annual chili competition stirs up fun while benefitting research at UAMS
The third annual Homeward Realty Chili Cook-Off was a huge success with 18 local businesses competing to be named the best chili. The annual event was held during the Conway Art Walk downtown, and hundreds of enthusiasts visited the booths to taste their amazing chilies.
Competitors included Homeward Realty, 501 LIFE Magazine, Ott Insurance, Jay Bernard with State Farm, Cross Creek Sandwich Shop, Arvest Bank, Jill McCollum with Bethlehem House, Arnold Heat and Air, Centennial Bank, The Kitchen Store, Waffle House, BMB Creations Bakery, Squizito Tasting Room, Crossman Printing, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Superior Plumbing, Waco Title and Faulkner County Title.
Sponsors for the event included Curricula Concepts, Lenders Title, Modern Woodmen, Bledsoe Chiropractic, Community Bank, Soda Valley Electric, Empire Pest, Rock City Outfitters and Bell & Sward.
The award for Fan Favorite went to BMB Creations Bakery. The Judges’ Pick was awarded to Jill McCollum with Bethlehem House. The Most Spirited Team was Jay Bernard with State Farm.
All event proceeds were designated for pancreatic cancer research at UAMS. Homeward Realty raised $8,000 for research this year.
Guadalupe Smith and Debbie Mohnkern enjoyed a trip to beautiful Niagara Falls in late August. They were part of an “iTravel with Miki” motorcoach trip with passengers from Conway and the surrounding areas.
Donna and Ted Beck from the township of Saint Vincent (Conway County) recently visited Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park in Montana.
The staff at Holly’s Country Cookin’ in Conway were “Loving LIFE” with a stock car bearing the popular restaurant’s name and the number 42. The car is owned by Robert and Shelia Cellars.
Piper Wallace (from left) and Mabel Miller were “Loving LIFE” on Oct. 12 while performing in the Broadway musical “Newsies” at Wildwood Park for the Arts in Little Rock.
Floyd Brantley was “Loving LIFE” when his family hosted a party to celebrate his 99th birthday with a room full of friends Oct. 13 at Conway Country Club. Back row, from left: Cindy, C.L., Amber, Charles, Leslie and Michael. Front row: Adelyn, Floyd, Betsy and Maddox Brantley.
Judy and Randle Tomlinson were “Loving LIFE” at the Conway Symphony Orchestra’s annual Concert in the Park on Sept. 20 at Laurel Park in Conway.
Seniors were “Loving LIFE” at the Talent Show held at Conway Senior Center on Aug. 2 in Conway.
Reed and Sondra Odom (from left) and Barbara and Marvin Morris were “Loving LIFE” at the World's Largest Rocking Chair in Casey, Ill.
UCA President Houston Davis (from left), Dean Nancy Reese, Dr. Chad Lairamore, Spring Hunter, Mini Taneja, Ryan Taneja and Michael Hargis were “Loving LIFE” at the grand opening of the university’s Community Care Clinic on Oct. 1.
Erika Neal (from left), Cinda Montgomery and Ashley Grace were “Loving LIFE” on Oct. 1 at the Yours Truly ribbon-cutting in Conway. Montgomery celebrated her business’s 25th year with a 5,000-square-foot expansion for a home and holiday décor section.
Regina Maxim (from left), Lori Schimke, Wanda Johnston, Melanie Lenser, Jason Hancock, Jessica Hancock, Donna Slay, Stephanie Rohrer, Sharon Boeck and Karen Himes (not pictured) organized the event “Climbing to the Summit Ministry Expansion Campaign,” which benefits Peace Lutheran Church in Conway.
Holding the magazine, Tiffany Lack (from left) and L. Nicole Stallings were “Loving LIFE” at Maumelle Family Medicine’s grand opening on Sept. 19.
Josh and Hannah Riley were “Loving LIFE” when their venue, The Stables at Cherokee Creek, hosted a book launch party. Book sales benefit HorsePlay, a nonprofit organization that provides hippotherapy.
Korto Momolu, fashion designer, stands along with her son, Cameron Briggs. The two were Loving LIFE at Conway Fashion Week Show & Student Expo held by Rachel S. Lovelace at the UCA Wingate Center on October 11. Korto was a featured Artist in Residence at UCA. She is best known for her appearances on Project Runway showcasing her vibrant collections at New York Fashion Week.
Mackenzie Hall and Jessica Wiley were "Loving LIFE" at the "Kendra Gives Back" event held at Kendra Scott in the Promenade at Chenal. The event supported Arkansas Hands & Voices, a nonprofit that helps families of children who have hearing problems.
GIRLS NIGHT SCOUT!
Camp 501 guests experience Girl Scout fun for an evening
The Girl Scout Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas hosted Camp 501, a new fundraiser for Central Arkansas, on Sept. 27 at The Venue at Oakdale in North Little Rock. The event was based on the wildly popular Camp 479 fundraising event in Northwest Arkansas, which gives adults the opportunity to “play like a Girl Scout and party like a grown-up.”
With 320 people in attendance, $73,500 was raised to support the council and camp property in Northwest Arkansas. Guests worked their way through activities like ax throwing, archery, knot-tying, making s’mores and stargazing while earning badges, sipping signature cocktails, listening to live music and enjoying a funfilled evening with their "troop" of friends.
Event co-hosts Joey Lauren Adams and Chris Jones were joined by Girl Scouts—Diamonds President and CEO, Dawn Prasifka, to speak about the impact of Girl Scouting in their lives and in the lives of girls in Arkansas. Other event co-chairs were Board Members Margaret Bell-Hughes and Deanna Ray.
"We are so thankful that our community believes in the power of Girl Scouting," Prasifka said. "Over 300 people came out in the rain to support girls in our communities; because of their support, Camp 501 will be coming back in 2025."
Deanna Ray (from left), Joey Lauren Adams, Dr. Chris Jones and Margaret Bell Hughes. Guests roast marshmallows to make s’mores, a Girl Scout classic.
The Karla Case Band performed at the event.
The staff of Hodge Orthodontics. Andrew King and Carson Tucker
A HOPPING SUCCESS
Annual CabotFest is a cricket-spitting, treasure-hunting good time
By Rachel Abbott Cabot Chamber Events Coordinator
Oct. 10-12 brought gorgeous weather and an even bigger crowd for the 46th year of CabotFest. Mayor Ken Kincade kicked off the opening ceremonies with a prayer, followed by a meaningful color guard presentation by the Cabot High School JROTC and a beautiful national anthem performance by Melissa Fureigh.
From morning to night, CabotFest was buzzing with activity. With 138 vendor booths, attendees were hopping all day, and 11 food trucks kept everyone well-fed with delicious local flavors. The day started with fantastic performances by local dance and theater groups, followed by a stellar lineup of live music that rocked downtown, including Whiskey Bent Rebels, Liv Rae, Jam Halen and Tragikly White. They set the stage on fire, and the night closed out with a crowd-pumping performance from The Ultimate Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute.
The highlight of the day was the return of the Championship Cricket Spitting Spitoff. It was a fan favorite, with people cheering on the daring participants. A huge shoutout to our Cricket Spitting champions:
Kids Division:
Everson Pixley, 15.2 feet
Teen Division:
Kaleb Swen, 16.9 feet
Adult Division:
Ryan Waterman, 26.8 feet (What a spit!)
And let’s not forget the Great CabotFest Treasure Hunt—a big congratulations to Adrianna and J. Smith, who took home the $1,000 prize.
Mark your calendar for the second weekend of October 2025, when the popular festival returns to Lonoke County.
PRETTY WILD PARADE
Bands marched, cheerleaders cheered and beauty queens sparkled at the Faulkner County Fair Parade.
The Faulkner County Fair, themed “Wild, Wild West” this year, kicked off on Sept. 17 with a parade in Historic Downtown Conway. The heat didn’t deter dozens of participants, including beauties from around the 501 who were “Loving LIFE” and showing off friendly smiles and sparkling tiaras.
The Greenbrier fifth-grade peewee cheerleaders were “Loving LIFE” cowgirl-style!
Miss Arkansas 2024 Camille Cathey Miss Conway 2024 Ana Brandon Preteen Miss Vilonia Sweetheart Kynsley Born Faulkner Co. Fair Junior Queen Lacie Thomas
UNITY IN LEADERSHIP
The Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted a reception for LaDonna Johnston, the new president and CEO of Unity Health, on Sept. 17.
The Chamber invited friends, family and colleagues to celebrate her promotion and her years of service to Unity and to the medical field. She was named to the top position on July 30.
Members of the Unity Health Board of Directors and leadership team celebrated LaDonna Johnston’s promotion at the event.
Unity Health Board Members (pictured above): Ray Montgomery (from left), Nathan Rutledge, and Dr. David Hatfield, with Unity Health President and CEO LaDonna Johnston, Board Chair Janet Hines, Unity Health Assistant VP of Facilities Tim Louks, Assistant VP of Ancillary Services Andrea Pankey, Assistant VP of Quality/Patient Safety Debbie Hare, Assistant VP of Revenue Cycle Laura Gillenwater, Assistant VP of Behavioral Health Pamela Kelly Purvis, Administrator of Advanced Care Hospital of White County Loren Miller, and Director of the Unity Health Foundation Matthew Stripling.
HALBROOK HONORED
South Conway School District superintendent receives community award
Community Service, Inc. (CSI) and the Community Service Youth Foundation (CSYF) hosted the 13th annual Steve Willbanks Tribute Sept. 24 at Orenwood Hall. Steve Willbanks was the CEO for CSI for more than 40 years. He brought youth services to the forefront to make them accessible to youth and their families, regardless of insurance or payment. Willbanks’ dedication to that mission continues today with the current CEO, Dr. Susan Okroglic.
Willbanks passed away in 2011. To honor his memory and tireless efforts, CSI honors someone each year with the Steve Willbanks Award for Outstanding Service to Youth. The recipient is a community member who is dedicated to youth service.
The 2024 honoree was Shawn Halbrook, Superintendent of the South Conway County School District. Halbrook said he was humbled to receive this award and to hear John Gibson, president of the South Conway County School board, speak of his accomplishments over the years. Attendees enjoyed music by Townsend, cocktails and mocktails from Southern Sippery, food from Creations by Kristi and a silent auction.
Shawn Halbrook received a
painting by artist Emily Wood of his family from Carol Willbanks, the wife of the late Steve Willbanks.
ST. JOSEPH BULLDOGS SERVE UP BENEFIT FOR BETHLEHEM HOUSE
The St. Joseph High School Senior Class recently presented a check for $1,045 to Bethlehem House, a nonprofit agency in Conway that helps people who are experiencing homelessness. The funds were raised on Oct. 9 through senior-sponsored volleyball games between the school's senior boys and male faculty. St. Joseph Church Associate Pastor Rev. Daniel Wendel also participated.
Kate Nabholz (from left), Izzie Garrett, Daniel Trusty, Class President Olivia Keisling, Emma Allison, Bethlehem House Development Director Bryce McGhee and Director of Operations Melissa Dyson. The senior class sponsor is high school English teacher Alicia Yrle (not pictured).
COUPLE OF THE MONTH
DAVID AND CRISSY HAWKINS BERRY
VILONIA
Photo by Makenzie Evans
HER STORY:
I am a quiet introvert who is dependable, disciplined and punctual. My motto is, “If you are on time, then you are late!”
NATIVE OF: Faulkner County.
CHILDREN: We have three sons, two daughters-in-law and two grandchildren. We have twins, Jacob and Jackson, who are 26 years old. Jackson is married to Natalie, and they have our two grandchildren, 2-year-old Grae and 10-month-old Georgia Kate. Jacob married our new daughter-in-law, Abbe, in July of this year. Our youngest son is Luke, and he is 23 years old.
EDUCATION/TRAINING: I am a proud alumna of Conway High School, class of 1992. I earned both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Central Arkansas. My bachelor’s degree is in early childhood education, and my master’s is in library media and information technologies.
PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: I am a media specialist at Frank Mitchell Intermediate School in Vilonia. Before joining the faculty of the Vilonia School District, I taught kindergarten and first grade at Sallie Cone Elementary in Conway.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT VILONIA?
The people who make up the community. They welcomed our family into the school district and community when we moved here in 2006 and made us feel right at home. David and I, along with our boys, have developed lifelong friendships with the people of this town.
WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE
FOOD? I will never turn down a piece (or two) of birthday cake from Julie’s Sweet Shoppe in Conway!
AWARDS/HONORS: I have a sense of pride in being able to go from someone who two years ago could barely climb a flight of stairs to being able to complete two 5Ks, four 10Ks, six half-marathons and one marathon.
SPECIAL INTERESTS: I enjoy spending time with my family. Running for fitness and health has become an integral part of my life that I enjoy deeply.
HIS STORY:
I would describe myself as patient, outgoing and hard-working.
NATIVE OF: Faulkner County.
EDUCATION: 1989 graduate of Greenbrier High School and the Arkansas Law Enforcement Academy.
PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: I am a retired Conway Police Department officer. I served as a patrolman, a detective and a school resource officer. I currently serve as an area service manager for Smart Start Ignition Interlocks, covering Arkansas and Mississippi.
WHEN IS YOUR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY? Oct. 15, 1994.
WHAT IS THE KEY TO A SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGE?
I believe learning to show respect to one another even during difficult times and being willing to compromise has helped us have a successful 30-year marriage.
AWARDS/HONORS: I am always honored when former students come up to talk to “Officer Berry.” I am proud that I made a positive impact on students’ lives during my time as a school resource officer at Conway High School.
CHURCH ACTIVITIES: We are members of Enola Church of Christ.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT CENTRAL ARKANSAS? I was born and raised in Central Arkansas and have always loved it here. My family lives in Faulkner County, and I love living close to them.
SPECIAL INTERESTS: Hunting with my boys and being outdoors.
THEIR STORY:
By Lori Dunn
When Chrissy Berry of Vilonia started her weight-loss journey in 2022, her husband was right beside her. Sometimes literally.
During summer vacation, Chrissy would run in the early morning hours. David Berry, a former police officer, was worried about his wife running alone in the dark, so he joined her. "It was pitch black outside, and I told her she was not going to go by herself," he said. David bought a bicycle so he could ride alongside his wife on those dark morning runs. In one summer, the couple clocked 500 miles together. They ran and cycled six days a week.
Chrissy and David are celebrating 30 years of marriage this year, and their support of each other is keeping them going strong. Chrissy's determination to lose weight has helped her health and confidence. But it has also strengthened the couple's relationship through the time they spend together. They met when David was a police officer with the city of Conway and Chrissy was working at the University of Central Arkansas Police Department as a college student. They have three sons and two grandchildren.
Chrissy is a media specialist at Frank Mitchell Intermediate School in Vilonia. She has been an educator her entire adult life. David left the police department in 2010 and works as a service manager for Smart Start Ignition Interlocks. Chrissy's decision to get in shape happened in May 2022 at the end of the school year. A coworker had posted a video of a school event on Facebook, and when
Chrissy watched it, she almost didn't recognize herself. That very afternoon, Chrissy dug an old pair of tennis shoes out of her closet and got on the treadmill. "It started as a way to lose weight. I had been having some health issues. It was a task to walk up a flight of stairs,” she said.
“I was always active when the boys were young, but before you know it, I had packed on a hundred pounds."
Chrissy was embarrassed she had let herself go for so long and finally decided she wanted to make changes. She began running again, and since that day, she has lost 130 pounds through diet and exercise. "I have not looked back. It's been quite the road," Chrissy said. "I feel so much better and I am just trying to maintain now."
She also found out she had osteopenia, which is a precursor to osteoporosis. Strength training could help reverse it, she said. She now runs 5Ks and marathons. She recently competed in a halfmarathon in Tulsa, Okla., and finished second out of all the women who competed. "That was a big race. I had worried so much about body image before, and I was able to get on that podium and feel good about it," she said.
Even after winning medals, Chrissy's favorite part of her journey has been the extra time with David beside her.
"I would not be able to do this without David," she said.
TOP: Crissy Berry in June 2022 and 130 pounds lighter in September 2024 at the Race for Victory half marathon in Tulsa, Okla. She was the second overall female finisher with her personal best time and it was her first time to stand on the winner’s podium.
BOTTOM: Berry ran the Firefighters’ Hero half marathon in Fayetteville in October. She finished second in her age division.
Groups big or small, you can feed them all...
By Chef Don Bingham • Photos by Makenzie Evans
When I think of our magazine’s theme of “Small Towns, Big Hearts”, I’m reminded of CeCe Winans’ popular song, “Goodness of God”:
… 'Cause all my life You have been faithful, And all my life You have been so, so good; With every breath that I am able, Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God
How grateful we should all be for the heart of our towns and communities! Since it’s the season for giving thanks, I want to pull back the curtain on some of the generous hearts of Central Arkansans. I am eternally grateful for the myriad blessings spiritually, physically and materially they all offer.
It's been my delight to observe in a closer way the local shelters and their multilevel offerings to those in need, and to see how the unsung heroes of our communities are consistently meeting the needs of these shelters. There are many shelters in the 501 providing services for both individuals and families who are struggling with issues like addiction and homelessness. Two examples of this type of giving and benevolence on the practical level are the Bethlehem House and the Conway Ministry Center.
Both are one hundred percent nonprofit, serving three meals a day, seven days a week. The need is constant, but again and again these shelters step up to the challenge of service. These ministries are among the "best-kept secrets" in the 501, expressing the depth of the community’s love and care on a daily basis.
Bethlehem House offers residents three meals a day (currently these numbers range from the 20 to 30 who live there, to 40-60 from the community) on a daily basis. Bethlehem House Dining Services works on a budget of $35 a day, producing approximately 120 meals for residents and community.
Here's the beauty of our community; donations from local restaurants flood in every day to help feed these dear people. Bethlehem House is a transitional home for those experiencing hardships. 89% of those who stay for 90 days move into permanent housing. Just to name a few donors, Whole Hog, Stoby's, Hendrix College, Verona, Oriental Kitchen, Chick-fil-A and Tacos 4 Life are regulars. However, local residents will often call and ask for a grocery list for the day, or drop off produce from their gardens. Others volunteer by signing up to come to Bethlehem House to cook a meal for the residents, or having food delivered for their use.
Continued on page 26
Chef Jill McCollum stands outside Bethlehem House in Conway with her father, Chef Don Bingham. She is Director of Culinary Programs and Operations for the nonprofit.
Easy Fruit
CobblEr & tamalE PiE
Bethlehem House also offers full-service catering to help supplement the needs of this organization. One resident expressed "I have maintained sobriety, pursued a college degree and rebuilt my life." Another resident explained, "I overcame addiction, rebuilt my life, and found a second family." Thank you, 501, for your kindness.
While visiting Bethlehem House, I observed cases of food from local establishments; complete, fresh-cooked meals from donors; baked items; fruit; frozen foods and other practical donations being dropped off as staff and residents prepared proper storage. Did we mention the fact that classes on nutrition and food handling are offered on a regular basis?
When I visited the Conway Ministry Center, the full-time staff was busily preparing for the day and week's needs, as clients were coming to visit the "grocery store" that presented them with a mini "Kroger" of staples and supplies, a sense of encouragement permeating the atmosphere. The Ministry’s mission is to build bridges between people experiencing the immediate effects of poverty and homelessness to the physical and spiritual resources available to alleviate suffering and facilitate long-term transformation. You can contact the Conway Ministry Center by calling 501.358.6098 or emailing info@ministrycenter.org.
The Conway Ministry Center is currently developing The Refuge, Conway's innovative solution to emergency shelter. The Center also offers the Restore Program, which is one-on-one case management, rent and utility assistance, budget planning; Rapid Rehousing, which includes housing research, financial assistance and placement; and the Storehouse Pantry, a client-choice food and hygiene pantry. In addition, the ministry features The Hub, a drop-in case management opportunity for help in getting vital documents and working towards stability.
Both of these ministries have amazing goals for the future, and there's no time for slowing down progress. The Conway Ministry Center is near completion of The Refuge, and donations are being accepted to bring to reality the recovered/repurposed motel, redesigned to meet the needs of unhoused individuals and families.
To sponsor one room in this facility is $17,000. To sponsor the fenced playground and garden area is $50,000. To cover furniture, appliances and housewares for one room is $3,000. The opportunities for support and giving are endless–and so is the need. Bethlehem House has scheduled a Gala on Feb. 6, 2025, at Central Baptist Church on Dave Ward. The proceeds from this event will benefit the ongoing support of the organization. The event is open to the public. Table sponsorship and ticket information can be found on the website at bethlehemhouse.net or on social media pages, or you may contact Aimee Prince at aimee@bethlehemhouse.net.
During my visit at Bethlehem House, I was able to spend time cooking with Jill McCollom, Director of Programs and Operations, who just also happens to be my daughter! One unexpected benefit of the wide variety of food donations she receives is that it has offered the opportunity to develop her ability to "recycle" unexpected or unusual items. The American Culinary Federation offers training for taking retrievable items from cooked/prepared items and giving them a new life and purpose in delicious meals. Jill uses this food prep measure on a regular basis, and together we have included three of her favorite recipes the residents enjoy. They are all prepared from donations from the 501 community and redesigned into fresh, tasty meals. We hope you will find them useful. Whether you are feeding a small group or a large one, these dishes are sure to leave each of your guests with a full stomach and a full heart.
See Chef Bingham's recipes on page 29
Conway Ministry Center Storehouse Manager Cade Griffith with Program Director Sarah Wilson in the client-choice food and hygiene pantry. Learn more about their mission to care for 1,800 homeless children in the area at conwayministrycenter.org.
TOP LEFT: Chef Don Bingham helps Chef Jill McCollum prepare lunch. TOP RIGHT: Resident Louis Villasenor likes to volunteer in the kitchen beyond his required weekly house hours. BOTTOM RIGHT: Jerry Forrester is a former resident who volunteers three days a week in the kitchen.
A Conway Ministry Center volunteer accompanies each shopper, providing a personal experience for them. In September, 1,215 adults and children were served, representing 444 households.
tamalE PiE
2 small cans of beans, your choice (kidney, black, pinto)
1 pound ground beef
1 package taco seasoning
1 can Rotel
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
3 cups prepared cornbread mixture. Prepare according to recipe or package.
Brown the ground beef, adding about 1 cup of water to the pan during the browning process. Drain browned beef and rinse off fat, then add taco seasoning and set aside. Mash beans in a bowl, then spread them out in a 9 x 13 baking dish. Mix Rotel with ground beef, then layer this on top of the beans. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the ground beef and Rotel mixture. Make your cornbread batter according to your favorite recipe or the package directions on your favorite mix, then pour over the top of the cheese. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden brown.
“ClEan out thE FridgE” QuiChE
1 stick margarine, room temperature
3 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup light cream
1 Tbsp. flour
2 eggs
1 cup grated sharp cheese (or other need-to-use cheese)
4 strips cooked and crumbled bacon (or need-to-use ham, cooked beef, etc.)
Crust: Mix softened margarine, cream cheese, and flour to make crust. Shape into 1-inch balls and press into mini-quiche/tart pans.
Filling: Mix cream, eggs, grated cheese, and crumbled meat
Spoon filling mixture into crust and bake at 350 for about 30 minutes. Makes approximately 3 dozen mini quiches.
Easy Fruit CobblEr
1 stick butter
3 cups fresh fruit
½ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup whole milk
1 tsp. baking powder
Pinch of salt
Place stick of butter in pan and melt in the oven. Mix flour, sugar, milk, baking powder, and salt together, then pour into the baking dish, over the melted butter. Add the fresh fruit on top of the batter. Bake at 350 degrees until crust is golden.
Some of Chef Don's favorite fruits for this recipe include apples, peaches and blackberries.
FIND THE FRESH INGREDIENTS YOU NEED FOR CHEF BINGHAM’S RECIPES AT YOUR LOCAL H ARPS.
November brings the start of the holiday season to Greenbrier. Kicking off the month is the annual Hometown Holiday Open House. This has grown to a two-day event with local retailers helping to Keep the Cheer Here! Be sure to join us on Saturday, Nov. 2, and Sunday, Nov. 3, get your map, and get shopping! Complete your map and you may even win a door prize. It’s a great way to get in that Christmas spirit.
After gathering with family and friends for Thanksgiving, it is time for Greenbrier to GLISTEN! Glisten in Greenbrier is a monthlong festival in Matthews Park. With many events being scheduled throughout the month, it is all about community! You can skate, enjoy the holiday light displays, decorate a cookie or an ornament, listen to Greenbrier School choirs, or be enchanted by the beautiful Piccolo-Zoppé Winter Circus. You might even see a special visitor from the North Pole! There is something for everyone. The festival will open on Saturday, Nov. 30, with the lighting of the Christmas tree.
Follow the chamber on Facebook for the most up-to-date information on the holiday festivities.
By Donna Lampkin Stephens
Greenbrier area continues to prove Faulkner County is on the fast track.
Small towns across the country are shrinking as people move closer to metropolitan areas, but Faulkner County is bucking that trend.
Conway, Greenbrier, Wooster and Springhill are among the areas in the county seeing growth.
According to the U.S. Census, Faulkner County’s population was estimated at 129,951 on July 1, 2023, up 5.2 percent from the April 1, 2020, estimate of 123,493. That was an increase from the 2010 estimate of 113,237. Greenbrier’s population was nearing 6,000 in 2022, up from 4,706 at the 2010 census.
Local officials cite good schools, affordable housing and quality of life as important drivers of growth, and the Greenbrier/Wooster/ Springhill area is a microcosm of the trend.
“To get a true picture of the growth of Greenbrier, it is beneficial to look back over the last decade to when enrollment in 2014 was less than 3,300 students,” said Dr. Kelli Martin, deputy superintendent of the Greenbrier School District.
“We currently have more than 3,700 students. If you ask any city and Chamber of Commerce leaders as well as community members why families continue to choose the Greenbrier area to live, they have a common response: because of our schools.”
Martin said high-quality teaching was the secret sauce. “It’s teaching that helps every single student grow in their learning,” she said. “With families choosing Greenbrier, the continued growth has allowed for great things to happen for Greenbrier students.” She said the EAST (Education Accelerated by Service and Technology) Initiative, which now serves more than 250
Arkansas schools, originated in Greenbrier, and a number of other programs appeal to a variety of interests.
The Greenbrier Chamber of Commerce president agrees. “The recipe for our growth is really quite simple,” said Ashton Pruitt. “It’s a unique combination of our beautiful location, and commitment to providing our children a nationally recognized, top education.
“Due to our overwhelming growth, [leaders] have buckled up. Rather than sitting back and watching it happen, we decided to educate ourselves and be proactive,” she continued. “At the chamber, we heavily focus on events and programming that showcase our local businesses. We aim to be their voice and welcome new businesses that will help our community grow.”
Another area that feeds students into the Greenbrier school district in sixth grade is the city of Wooster. Mayor Terry Robinson said his community is growing because of a great school district, the infrastructure added by the city of Wooster, and the fact that residents feel that they live in the country.
“We are growing because the new city sewer brought in a new subdivision across from the school. There is a new one starting on Church Circle, and we will have new commercial properties built very soon because of the smaller footprint and not having to worry about extra land for field lines,” Robinson said.
“There has been tremendous growth north and west of our city limits on new subdivisions,” the mayor said. “Our water system runs approximately nine miles south to north and nine miles west to east, which supplies that growth. And, again, you still have that country feel.”
Shawn Johnston, Greenbrier market president of First Security Bank, added that home affordability is also a big draw for the area.
“We can see a big increase in home loans,” she said. “We see how people are moving in. We have a lot of developments going up. Especially over the last few years, there has been a lot of property developed for residential housing. There are developments to the east, west, north and south of Greenbrier.”
Johnston grew up in Wooster and said quality of life had always been part of the area’s appeal. “I really think the thing that I loved about it was the simplicity,” she said. “It was just so peaceful. Everybody knew everybody. We felt safe. It was just a great place to grow up. I guess that’s why I never left.”
“Greenbrier is a small town with growth challenges,” said Mayor Sammy Joe Hartwick. “We are continually expanding and upgrading our infrastructure to meet the needs of a growing city. Through our parks, event center, schools and services we will retain the small-city spirit of Greenbrier.”
One such offering is Glisten in Greenbrier, which will run Nov. 30-Jan.
4. The city website describes it as “Central Arkansas’s premier winter wonderland complete with lights, the FAB&T skating rink, special events and more.” And while growth puts stress on traffic and infrastructure, it’s worth it, Johnston said.
“New people bring in other good things,” she said. “People moving in are going to maybe share some ideas of where they came from that might be helpful to the city. Just their involvement is always an addition to a community. I think that’s helpful. It is good to get to know other people.”
Martin, the school district’s deputy superintendent, said the impetus for the area’s growth was simple.
“When it comes down to the main reason families rush to our community and district, it is our commitment to serve and fight for the heart and soul of Greenbrier,” she said.
Greenbrier leaders gathered in front of the Performing Arts Center on the high school campus. Market President of First Security Bank Shawn Johnston (from left), School Superintendent Scott Spainhour, Deputy Superintendent Kelli Martin and Chamber President/CEO Ashton Pruitt.
“This has been one of the most challenging years in the real estate industry because of everything from high interest rates to it being an election year. Despite this, our team has seen real estate transactions thrive in Faulkner County with more than $20 million in home sales.
My husband Robert and I live in Faulkner County, focus most of our time here and we have seen so much growth in Conway and Greenbrier. Homebuyers tell us they are relocating here because of the low cost of living, excellent school systems and beautiful parks.”
— Karen Ferguson
Robert and Karen Ferguson and the Karen Ferguson Team focus much of their efforts on rapidly-growing Faulkner County.
COMING HOME TO CONWAY
Community preps for growing housing needs in City of Colleges
By Stefanie Brazile • Photo by Makenzie Evans
Conway’s newest title as the state’s fastest-growing city has civic and business leaders working together to solve an obvious problem—where will newcomers live?
Among Arkansas cities with more than 50,000 residents, Conway is the fastest growing for the second year in a row, rising 2.9 percent in 2023 to 69,580 people, according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Leaders credit excellent schools and economic development as the main drivers of growth, along with affordability of housing and quality of life.
“To look at how Conway’s growth originated, you have to go back to the ‘80s and ‘90s on through 2000,” said Johnny Adams, Conway market president and CEO of First Security Bank. “Conway’s growth originated in part by people from Pulaski County and elsewhere moving here because parents looked at safety, educational excellence and participation opportunities in our public schools. Schools are really what fueled our early growth.”
In addition to people migrating from Little Rock and its surrounding cities, other issues that draw people include housing affordability and quality of life, according to Adams. Additionally, increased economic development and the creation of new local jobs continue to fuel strong growth.
But as builders try to keep up with demand, they struggle with finding available land to build on. “Conway is running out of lots,” Adams said, “and this has impacted the growth we’ve seen throughout the county in Springhill, Wooster, Greenbrier, Quitman and over towards Mount Vernon-Enola.”
His concern was echoed on Oct. 10 by the executive vice president for the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce and the Conway Development Corp. Jamie Gates presented the results of a housing study commissioned by the Chamber and performed by Next Move Group. He spoke to a large room full of builders, bankers, real estate agents, insurance representatives and other interested parties at the first event of the day at the annual Business Expo.
Gates said the results showed a “problematic shortage” in workforce housing. The comprehensive study highlighted concerns about the rising costs of building materials and labor, the availability of infrastructure and the costs associated with developing infrastructure to support new housing.
The study estimated the number of new homes needed over five years is 916, plus 479 new rental units. It went a step further and broke down how many are needed by income levels, starting with 321 homes for people with a household income of $75,000.
Currently, about 64 percent of households in the city own and 36 percent rent, according to Gates. He said that rentals are not always accessed by young adults; people in middle and older age groups are often more comfortable renting initially when moving for a new job. Additionally, they may experience delays in selling their home and, therefore, rent for a time.
Like Adams, Gates said that outlying areas, which are a short commute from Conway, are part of the solution. There is ample land available for development in Springhill, Greenbrier, Wooster, Quitman, Vilonia, Mount Vernon and Enola.
Gates encouraged his audience that by working together, the housing needs can be met. Conway is already preparing for the next few years and making plans to continue to meet this demand.
Johnny Adams, Conway Market President of First Security Bank, is committed to helping families as they seek housing in Faulkner County.
The First Presbyterian Church in Conway has become a Harvest of Humanitarianism
By Mark Oliver • Photo by Makenzie Evans
Church members set-up the pumpkin patch, including Jericho Jones (back row, from left), Lea Ann Moore, Jennifer Held, Wallace Held, Shelly Vangsnes, Aldous Martens, Emily Hanson, Ivy Martens, Matthew Martens, Glendon Ulasewich, Lena Ulasewich and Pastor Mike Ulasewich. In front, Elias Jones and Gabby Davis-Jones.
Since 2014, the pumpkin patch at First Presbyterian Church in Conway has brought smiles to the faces of Arkansans far and wide. Beginning as a small church festival, the pumpkin patch has grown from a simple fundraiser into the must-attend fall event in Faulkner County.
“When we first started, we had maybe 10 total pallets of pumpkins,” Children’s Ministry Coordinator Susan Bradshaw said. “This year, we have pumpkins that cover our entire lawn and gazebo. Over the years, we have also added places to take pictures and outdoor pumpkin-related games, as well as story time opportunities for children. Each year, we’re always impressed by the beautiful variety of pumpkins and gourds that arrive.”
These aren’t just any pumpkins, however. They’re a means to support not only youth programs in the 501, but to also provide a valuable lifeline to families in need across the country.
Through a collaboration with Pumpkin Patch Fundraisers, First Presbyterian Church receives its pumpkins directly from the Navajo Indian reservation in New Mexico, a region of the United States with more than half of its residents living in poverty and sometimes lacking adequate plumbing, running water or electricity.
“One of the things that we like most about our partnership with Pumpkin Patch Fundraisers is that during harvest season, 90 percent of their employees are residents of the Navajo Nation,” Bradshaw said. “As a church, our biggest focuses are mission and outreach. In a region that boasts a 40 percent unemployment rate, this partnership creates jobs to allow them to provide for their
families. Helping others while also helping our kids makes this the perfect fit for us.”
As word of the church’s mission spread, so has the attendance at the pumpkin patch each year, with residents gathering in droves to pick their perfect pumpkin.
“Every pumpkin has a story,” Bradshaw said. “When people learn about the Navajo communities they serve, not just our own, they find it inspiring. Sure, they can buy a cheaper pumpkin at a grocery store, but the fact that they choose our pumpkins shows what a great community we have, knowing that what we’re doing benefits real communities and not just a corporation.”
More than just picking pumpkins, attendees are also making memories.“One of our customers bought a pumpkin so that they could carve it and put their baby inside for a photo,” Bradshaw said. “That family continues to come to our pumpkin patch each year. Even though that child is now too big to fit in a pumpkin, seeing them grow each year reminds us how far we’ve come.”
“Every year, we see so many families who have been coming for years,” Pastor Mike Ulasewich said. “One of my favorite parts is giving stickers to families with little ones to decorate their pumpkins. Seeing the children’s faces light up over something as simple as a sticker is always so much fun.”
Even the youth at First Presbyterian Church are involved in making their annual fundraiser successful. Lena Ulasewich (from left) and Ivy Martens.
Proceeds from the pumpkin patch benefit Vacation Bible School curriculum at First Presbyterian Church, as well as funding youth camps and conferences year-round.
“Because we aren’t a large congregation, we have struggled to find resources to fund our youth programs in the past,” Bradshaw said. “Welcoming people from all across our community to come and experience God’s love as it’s meant to be has allowed us to grow these opportunities. These days, camps are only getting more expensive, and parents aren’t always able to afford rising costs. Events like our pumpkin patch pay more than half of the cost for each kid for the entire year. That really takes the burden off the families and allows these children to have great experiences.”
Largely staffed by volunteers, the pumpkin patch has seen immense growth over the years from individuals in the community looking to make a difference.
“Old or young, there’s a way for everyone to help,” Bradshaw said.
“Our youth volunteers love working one-on-one with kids and getting to meet new people. They’re good at guiding residents to picking their perfect pumpkins and loading them into their cars.
They do a lot of the manual labor and heavy lifting, while some of our older volunteers help out by working tables. With the recent high school volunteer requirements, we’ve seen a large influx of volunteers from Conway School District as well.”
While the pumpkin patch typically sells out its stock due to high demand, First Presbyterian Church takes careful care to ensure that no pumpkin goes to waste.
“We very rarely have pumpkins left over,” Ulasewich said. “Groups and organizations often purchase our leftovers for use in their own fall festivals. In years past, we have also donated leftover pumpkins to local farms, where livestock can enjoy them as a delectable treat.”
Those interested in volunteering for future events are encouraged to contact First Presbyterian Church.
“We have an amazing administration who is active in our mission to help our local community any way that we can,” Bradshaw said. “We serve meals at the United Methodist Church monthly and take donations for the Ministry Center. Contact our church office to find out how to volunteer.”
For the past decade, First Presbyterian Church has purchased pumpkins and gourds from members of the Navajo Nation who live on a reservation in New Mexico. This supports that community which has great needs, and also supports projects for children and youth in Conway.
ARTIST OF THE MONTH
AMY JONES
AND THE ART GALLERY OF
By Rita Halter Thomas
Photos by Makenzie Evans
For First Community Bank (FCB) in Conway, the real treasures are not secured in a vault or under lock and key. Historical images, creatively given new life, adorn the offices and hallways of the bank’s new facility on Harkrider Street, and reflect something more valuable than silver and gold: our community, its people, its history, and its heritage.
Lori Melton, Senior Vice President of Business Development for FCB, explained the bank always strives to represent its communities through its décor, which differs by location and is meaningful to each area. Since the arch bearing the words, “Historic Downtown Conway” is visible from the property, the bank wanted the Conway facility to look and feel more historic. The new location, which hosted a grand opening on May 29, was built with marble flooring, tin ceilings, wood trim and heavy wooden columns that are traditional, while the furnishings and artwork make it fresh and new.
As she imagined the artwork at the new branch, the idea of 17,000 square feet of black-and-white historical pictures didn’t appeal to Melton. “I am one who likes to go past the boundaries. If I am going to take something on, let’s go all the way,” she said. So, Melton turned to someone with the skills and the talent to do just that, her former neighbor Amy Jones of Amy Jones Design.
While most of Conway knows Jones as an incredible, awardwinning photographer, Melton knows that Jones has a background in advertising and graphic design, was once an art director for a prominent ad agency and is a true artist with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting and drawing from the University of Arkansas. “Most photographers don’t have those credentials,” Melton said.
“[Lori] knew when she came to me, that while I was a photographer, I understood the art side of things, I understood the production side, and she knows I am an idea person,” Jones said. Inspired by a quote from Rudyard Kipling, “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten,” the pair set out to tell a story of this community.
Continued on page 44
First Community Bank’s Senior Vice President of Business Development Lori Melton (from left:), Conway Community President Grant Gordy and Artist Amy Jones.
Photos Courtesy of Tim Donar
At
Melton credits Jones for the idea of colorizing restored historic photos and then painting them by hand, a technique she developed specifically for this project. Jones, who has focused on photography for the last 18 years, dusted off her paintbrushes and produced a sample of the artistic rendering she had in mind. “What if FCB was known to the Conway community as a destination for art and history?” Jones proposed. Melton was sold.
“At the time, I said we’ll show the original images, we’ll tell the story, and then we’ll have these (images) artistically rendered so that it kind of looks like a museum,” Jones said of the concept.
Understanding the timeline, Jones reached out to fellow photographer Tim Donar to take photos of the images at the museums and send them to her and Melton for final selection. Jones and Donar worked on the original restorations, then Jones finalized them and turned them into art pieces. She painted them in Photoshop, then had them printed on canvas and mounted on Masonite. Once the pieces were custom-framed, Jones masked them off and hand painted each image for texture. Donar and Kevin Chenoweth, with The Giving Table, created custom framing. For Jones, using all her skills and education for the bank project was particularly meaningful. “It was like the icing on the cake,” she said of the creativity and opportunity to use multiple forms of artistic media in one project. “And it was fascinating to learn the history because we curated all the images,” she said.
The entire process, down to the details of printing trading cards and postcards of some of the art pieces for the grand opening, took almost a year to complete. Great consideration was given to where the images would hang, all while the building was still under construction. The size and orientation of each piece needed to be pre-determined for the space it was to occupy.
Further, Melton wanted the story to represent different aspects of the community, such as education, athletics, general life and commerce. She also handpicked photos for private offices that would be personally meaningful to the ones who would occupy that space. The pair searched thousands of photos from the
Faulkner County Historical Society, the Faulkner County Museum, the Pine Street Museum and other resources Many long days and late nights, and over fifty images later, a part of Conway’s story hangs in the halls and offices of FCB. “It is so gratifying because Lori is giving tours every day of people coming into the bank to see the art. It’s just so cool,” said Jones.
Stroll through the bank for a trip down memory lane or discover something you didn’t know. Stand in awe over the quality of Jones’ work while a chill comes over you at an image, a memory of a time or place; just let the nostalgia set in as discovery begins.
Perhaps you’ll spot an ancestor or notice a mud puddle in the middle of the dirt intersection now known as Toad Suck Square. Maybe you’ll remember Woodrow “Woody” Cummins in a green tux as the Toad Suck Daze Toad Master. Will you spot Joe Ford, founder of Alltel, among a group of patriotically dressed kindergarten students? Will you know the dapper-looking gentleman from the early 1900s who delivered the mail wearing a three-piece suit, leather shoes and a hat, who later became a postmaster?
Will you be able to spot former Conway Mayor Tab Townsell in a group photo of middle school students in front of the old railroad depot? Do you have a relative in the group of men standing outside the depot during the Depression, about to travel a great distance north to find work? Maybe you will recognize the names or faces of a handful of prominent community leaders and businessmen among the Pine Street Polar Bears football team. Or maybe you’ll stand in awe, staring at a photo of some of the earliest community leaders seen in Conway’s first Rotary Club.
Perhaps you’ll be blessed by the piece honoring Second Baptist Church, which once occupied the property, or of Patti Cakes, the beloved bakery that burned earlier this year—the owners deciding not to rebuild only days before the project’s deadline.
From generations past, this “tour-worthy-art-gallery-museum-ina-bank” is sure to be treasured for generations to come.
To arrange a tour of FCB, contact Lori Melton at 501.207.6000.
When asked to be part of a project to represent Conway inside First Community Bank’s new facility on Harkrider Street, artist and photographer Amy Jones suggested the idea of colorizing restored historic photos and then painting them by hand, a technique she developed for the project.
the May 29th grand opening, people received a deck of cards (bottom left) that shows each image in the bank.
ABOUT THE ARTIST: AMY JONES
Aside from an 18-year photography career and gaining new acclaim for her historic photo renderings of Conway now displayed on the walls of First Community Bank, who is Amy Jones of Amy Jones Design?
Professionally, Jones is a member of the Arkansas Professional Photographers Association (APPA) and Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and has won numerous awards in both state and national competitions for her work.
Jones earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting and drawing from the University of Arkansas, where she met her husband, Tim. His career brought them to Conway in 1995. Jones’ first job was as a layout artist for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. She later became the art director for Stone Ward Advertising in Little Rock. Jones loved the job, which allowed her to travel and work with some of the best photographers in the business. However, she always knew, when it came time to start a family, she wanted to be home with her children.
While Jones freelanced from home, her husband encouraged her to buy a good camera. Initially, she dismissed the idea but eventually did so. Desiring to produce quality art and being serious about photography as a business and not a hobby, she joined the APPA and PPA. Jones encourages other photographers to do the same. “Competition is what makes you better,” she said. Through national competitions and service within the organization, photographers earn merits, which are applied toward degrees. “I am six credits away from my master’s in photography,” Jones said, explaining it as a professional certification, unlike a college degree. Jones credits both organizations for helping her learn the business, as well as growing her skill. The Joneses have three grown children, a son-in-law, a 3-year-old grandson, and are expecting a granddaughter any day as of this writing.
Where did it all begin? From an early age, Jones was influenced by her granddad, a railroad mail carrier by trade but also an artist. As a child, she had wanted to become a fashion designer and spent time drawing dresses. Observing this, her granddad would teach her about art, including the right way to “letter.” “My grandmother would teach VBS and needed words for songs. So, before we had everything on fancy projectors, we hand-lettered the songs. So, he made me learn how to letter,” she said. “It’s like calligraphy, very specific.”
Of all the awards Jones has received, she is particularly proud of an image of her granddad sitting in an armchair, which won a major worldwide competition. It was published in the “Professional Photographers of America Imaging Excellence Collection, Volume XXIV 2021.” For the image, Jones photographed some old, peeling and curling wallpaper from a downtown building under renovation, used watercolors, superimposed the image of her granddad and titled it “Remnants of an Unfinished Work.”
Jones drew the original image of her granddad in college but hadn’t been completely satisfied until presenting it in this way. It may not be displayed in a museum, but a little piece of Jones’ history is permanently preserved in a book. Visit amyjonesdesign.com for more information.
A colorized historic photo of Helen Owen Hendrickson, a Conway native, who was drum major and featured twirler for the Arkansas State Teachers College the former name of the University of Central Arkansas until 1975.
A message from Kim Williams
November in Historic Downtown Conway offers a mix of festive, communityoriented and holiday-related activities. Here are some fun things to do:
Conway Art Walk—Held on the first Friday of each month, the November edition of the Art Walk will include a holiday vibe, with local artists, live music and vendors kicking off the festive season.
Holiday Open House—Always a festive day in downtown Conway! The event will take place on Sunday, Nov. 10, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. It offers early Christmas shopping opportunities, special sales and festive decor.
Veterans Day Celebrations—Events include parades or memorial services at Simon Park. Thanksgiving-Themed Dining Special Thanksgiving menus or seasonal dishes all month.
Small Business Saturday—The Saturday after Thanksgiving from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., we encourage you to visit local businesses who are
Executive Director, Conway Downtown Partnership
offering deals and discounts. Shop for unique gifts while supporting the local economy.
Lighting of the Christmas Tree—Illuminate is the annual community tree-lighting event that takes place at Rogers Plaza on the last Saturday of November, kicking the holiday season into full gear. The event includes a carnivallike atmosphere, including a 100-foot Ferris wheel, live music, hot cocoa and fun activities for families. That culminates with the lighting of the 54-foot-tall Conway Christmas Tree. Downtown merchants stay open late during the event, offering special deals, refreshments and holiday shopping opportunities. This supports local businesses and gives attendees a chance to find unique gifts.
Take a Downtown Stroll—Walk through the beautifully decorated streets of downtown, which are often adorned with holiday lights and festive window displays, creating a charming atmosphere.
These activities create a warm, inviting atmosphere that makes November a perfect time to enjoy downtown Conway!
“Writing
for 501 LIFE is a labor of love. I enjoy celebrating quality humans.”
A MAN OF EXCELLENCE
CELEBRATING DR. ROBERT REISING 1933-2024
By
— Bob Reising
David Grimes • Photo by Mike Kemp
“Bob was a gentleman and a celebrated author with incredible research skills. He brought our readers the stories of well-known and unknown athletes from this region. He will be greatly missed!”
— Stefanie Brazile, editor
of 501 LIFE
"Dr. Bob was a talented writer who brought a unique voice to 501 LIFE. I really enjoyed his visits and our interesting discussions about sports and other topics. He was so knowledgeable and I learned so much reading his stories. It was an honor to have known him."
— Sonja Keith,
founder of 501 LIFE
“It did not matter if he was writing for a book, a magazine article or a short message to check in on a friend. Dr. Reising chose every word with the purpose of celebrating his subject. Our community and 501 LIFE Magazine were all the better because of him, and so was I.”
—
Jeremy
Higginbotham, publisher of 501 LIFE
Bob Reising did not make his way to Arkansas until he was in his late 70s, but he made a lasting impact here, just like he did everywhere he went. Born in New Haven, Conn., in 1933, he was the youngest of four children. Officially, he was Dr. Robert Reising, having earned a Doctorate in Education from Duke University, and his career took him all over the eastern half of the United States.
In 2010, he and his wife Judy made their way to Conway when he took a position at the University of Central Arkansas to assist student-athletes in the academic success program. He served in that capacity for three years, retiring at the age of 80. After retiring from UCA, Reising remained an active member of the Conway community, serving on the board of the Faulkner County Historical Society and participating in several local writers’ groups.
A die-hard sports fan, Reising also used his writing skills to produce a monthly column for 501 LIFE Magazine. His “Celebrating Athletic Excellence” features highlighted athletes and coaches from the 11 counties that make up the 501 area code. Reising did not always simply pick the well-known, Hall of Fame types to spotlight in his stories. He enjoyed finding those athletes or coaches who were just as accomplished and deserving of recognition but managed to stay too far under the radar.
Reising himself had quite a prolific athletic career. He attended Michigan State University and was a catcher on the 1954 Spartan baseball team that took third place in the NCAA College World Series. He maintained close relationships with his teammates throughout 70 years of reunions, even attending one earlier this year aided by his daughter, Paula Reising.
His love of baseball led him to pursue a coaching career, and he had quite a run during the 1960s. In his first season as Head Coach at Defiance College in 1961, he led the Yellow Jackets to a 17-4 record, capturing the Mid-Ohio Conference title and earning a spot in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Tournament. In addition to his coaching duties, the then-27-year-old Reising also taught English composition and literature. A Boston newspaper article noted that he was one of the few coaches in the country to “mix Shakespeare and singles.”
After one more season at Defiance, Reising moved on to Tennessee Tech as head coach in 1963. He was then hired to lead the baseball program at the University of South Carolina. His Gamecocks had winning records both years he was there, going 15-12 in 1964 and 16-12 in 1965. One of his players at South Carolina was Dan Reeves, who played in the outfield. Reeves was also the quarterback on the football team and would go on to play in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys, winning a Super Bowl ring. Reeves would later coach in the NFL for over 20 years.
When Fort Hays State revived its baseball program in 1966 after more than four decades, they tapped Reising to lead the effort.
After a 42-year hiatus, his Tigers won their opening game over Bethany College and would finish 7-12 for the season. Despite having a losing record, Reising was named NAIA District 10 Coach of the Year.
He only spent a year at Fort Hays before moving on to Furman for two seasons. In his second and final campaign, the Paladins won the Southern Conference regular season crown and advanced to the NCAA baseball playoffs. Their 18 wins that season were the most in program history up to that point.
After that record-breaking season, Reising left the coaching profession to focus on the classroom, moving on to what is now the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Reising was named Professor Emeritus of American Indian Studies, English and Education at the school after teaching there for 34 years.
The college has a long history of educating Native American students and preserving and promoting their history. During the 1970s, Reising helped develop several courses in Native American literature. He also did extensive research on Native American Olympic gold medalist Jim Thorpe and published two books on his life. In addition to teaching, researching and writing, Reising still found time to coach a local American Legion baseball team. In 2002, Reising was inducted into North Carolina’s Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society by Gov. Michael Easley. It is the highest honor for people who have made a significant impact on their community and state.
Bob and I had a lot in common, including our love of sports, history and writing. That’s a big reason why we became friends. I first met him through our membership in the old Arkansas Sports Club. The late local radioman Mike Harrison, who was also a huge sports fan, created the club to allow old coaches, players, fans and really anyone to meet monthly and talk about sports. Over the lunchtime hour, the crowd would hear from a speaker who told tales, with only a little playful embellishment, of their athletic accomplishments.
Bob and his wife, Judy, lived not far from the University of Central Arkansas. On occasion, I would get a call on Monday morning asking if I would be able to give him a ride to the luncheon. I always enjoyed picking him up, as I knew there would be some great conversation on the way to the meeting.
He was very serious about the accuracy of his articles. From time to time, he would call me when writing one of his monthly 501 LIFE columns to verify some information or to see if I knew anyone else who could get him some more background information. I was honored whenever he called.
Bob will be missed by his family, his readers, and by those like me who were lucky to interact with him during his wonderfully full time here on this Earth. A Celebration of Life services will be held November 2, at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 1610 Prince St. in Conway. Dr. Reising established a UCA scholarship and hoped to see it fully funded and available to students. In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to the Moonlight Graham Scholarship fund for athletes at the University of Central Arkansas by contacting Joan Shofner at jshofner@uca.edu.
Take a look back at Dr. Reising's Athletic Excellence articles at 501lifemag.com/author/breising
DOUBLE THE IMPACT:
Twin sisters dedicated to caring for Conway
Being of service to their community is as much a part of their DNA as being a twin for two Conway sisters.
Marilyn Dail, RN, was recently named the Conway Area Healthcare Forum 2024 Nurse of the Year. “Conway is my hometown and is near and dear to my heart. The best thing about being a nurse at Conway Regional is I get to see and take care of people that I see around town. I love to care for our community.”
Marilyn received this honor in recognition of her dedication, compassion and unwavering commitment to patient care at Conway Regional Health System. Marilyn has turned her compassion into a 36-year career in nursing. Her twin sister, Jacqueline Kordsmeier, has been the face of the St. Joseph School Endowment for 21 years as the executive director.
Their roots run deep in an extended family at St. Joseph that dates to the 1880s. The sisters have a large, close-knit community that they care for in several ways.
“We were taught at an early age to care for our great aunts and great uncles,” said Jacqueline.
“It’s part of our Christian values; part of serving God is serving others,” added Marilyn.
Marilyn credits time spent caring for her great-aunt Alma for influencing her decision to become a nurse. Their mother, Rose Enderlin, was also a nurse until she retired to care for the family. Later in life, she became a volunteer at Conway Cradle Care.
“Conway Regional is one avenue where I care for the community,” Marilyn said. “I also volunteer for the St. Joseph Flea Market, which provides economical clothes, linens, housewares and other items for community members who cannot afford to buy at full price.”
Both sisters also volunteer for other charitable organizations such as Bethlehem House, Catholic Campus Ministries and St. Joseph Christian Ladies ministry.
BEST FRIENDS
While the twins share a love for the community, DNA doesn’t determine everything.
“I’m much louder than she is,” quipped Jacqueline, who serves in a public-facing role with St. Joseph School. Marilyn is highly respected by her coworkers at Conway Regional as a quiet nurse who leads by example.
“The best part about being a twin is ‘having a best friend,’” Jacqueline said. Neither can recall a disagreement.
“The challenging part is when people get you confused,” Jacqueline said, thinking of her hospital visits. “People say, ‘What’s wrong with Marilyn today? She didn’t talk to me.’”
“We try to just go with the flow,” said Marilyn, “but people tend to think you are rude when you don’t recognize them.”
SETTLING IN CONWAY
The sisters’ story is interwoven with the history of Conway, dating back to their great-grandfather Amos Enderlin, the first in their family to settle in the area. The Enderlin family originated from AlsaceLorraine, a region in Western Europe, and was among the Roman Catholic families that fled to America in the 1870s. This exodus led to the establishment of the St. Joseph Colony in Conway in 1878, and today, the descendants of these early settlers continue to form the backbone of St. Joseph Catholic Church.
“St. Joseph Church and School is one big family I love being a part of,” Marilyn said. “We love serving the Conway community.”
“Marilyn’s dedication to both her profession and her community exemplifies the values of Conway Regional Health System: providing exceptional care and fostering a sense of community,” said Amanda Irby, RN, Conway Regional’s chief nursing officer. “Her story is a testament to how deep-rooted family traditions and a commitment to service can shape a fulfilling career dedicated to helping others.”
Jacqueline Kordsmeier (from left) with twin sister Marilyn Dail.
THE MIGHTY, MIGHTY MAIN
Downtown Morrilton shines because of Main Street board
By Mary Eggart
Many Arkansans are proud of their hometowns and take great lengths to ensure that those communities are nurtured and thriving, and the citizens of Morrilton are no exception. In 1997, a group of local volunteers began what is currently known as Main Street Morrilton with the goal “to promote downtown Morrilton as the hub of community life.”
As a Main Street America affiliate, Main Street Morrilton is part of a national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities that share both a commitment to creating highquality places and building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.
Morgan Zimmerman is the president of Main Street Morrilton, and 13 volunteer board members bring their talents and strengths to the table in order to efficiently collaborate and promote downtown businesses, public spaces and historic attractions. Zimmerman’s passion for serving her community is infectious.
“I love our downtown people. When they have success, it’s a win for everyone!” she said. She also believes that successful businesses result in happy citizens who keep those businesses thriving, which often leads to more commerce and an increase in other businesses. Zimmerman believes that for those living and working in a smaller town, community should be at “the heart of everything,” whether as a public art space or a local coffee shop. Citizens should always be able to interact with their neighbors and have access to an outdoor space where they can visit and enjoy warm conversation at the end of a long day.
“I have always joked to people that I just want to be able to have a mimosa on a patio in my hometown,” she said. “Downtown is the hub of the community. I have always loved that vibe.” She enjoys an atmosphere where friends and neighbors are sauntering around and going in and out of local businesses while having great
conversations with each other. Zimmerman wants her children to also experience that same sense of community in Morrilton. “I want for it to be a town where they want to stay and raise their families.”
The Main Street Morrilton volunteers have popular projects and activities in place with exciting plans on the horizon. Some current projects are Monsters on Main Street, which was one of the group’s first events for the community at Halloween, and the local Downtown Farmers Market, which is held on the third Thursday from May until October.
They are excited about a community improvement project that is being done in partnership with the Morrilton Chamber of Commerce and the Conway County Economic Development Corporation. It is called Holyfield Place and is located at 120 N. Moose St., which is also the location for the Downtown Farmers Market. Holyfield Place was designed to enhance the overall downtown experience by providing the community with a gathering place to hold events that include musical performances, art shows and other family-friendly experiences.
It will eventually be a public park that will be managed by the Morrilton Parks and Recreation Department.
The board president spoke enthusiastically about current and future Main Street Morrilton events and projects with the intention of building community through creating gathering places and reasons for gathering. She believes downtown is the perfect area for those spaces because of the local history and the amazing businesses that provide a wide variety of goods and services to the Morrilton community. “We have to give our citizens these engaging spaces and events for gathering, or they will likely go find it somewhere else,” she remarked.
Main Street Morrilton Board Members are committed to promoting downtown as the hub of community life. Members include Dani Krutz (from left), Dustin Taylor, Secretary Carl Doze, Courtney Martin, Treasurer Kimberly Berkemeyer and President Morgan Zimmerman. Not pictured: VP Maddie Maus, Stephanie Lipsmeyer, Johnathan Howard, Regina Long, Ashley Lienhart, Debbie Flowers and Shannon Autry. Photo by Kimberly Jean Photography.
Organizing, publicizing, implementing and maintaining these events and spaces take a tremendous amount of time and elbow grease. Zimmerman said that none of it would happen without the diligence and determination of her 13 board members. As all of them, including Zimmerman, are volunteers, progress can sometimes be a challenge, having to work around everyone’s work and family schedules. Additionally, Zimmerman said that the board is action-oriented, and all members have a passion for their community as they work together to make changes and/or improvements throughout the downtown area. Because of volunteers like Zimmerman and the other board members, another Arkansas community gets an opportunity to outshine its former self. Arkansans are passionate stewards of their hometowns, and groups like Main Street Morrilton exist so they can ensure their community’s longevity.
You can find out more about Main Street Morrilton through their social media profiles and at mainstreetmorrilton.org.
Main Street Morrilton offers community supporters the opportunity to purchase brick pavers in honor or memory of loved ones. On Oct. 21, John Robert Irwin, a local lawyer and active member of the community, was memorialized on Moose Street. In attendance were attorney Scott Kadien, Morrilton Mayor Allen Lipsmeyer, Joshua Irwin, Jan Irwin, and Main Street Morrilton Board Members Stephanie Lipsmeyer and Debbie Flowers.
Julia Gaffney brings medals and mettle home to Mayflower
By Dwain Hebda • Photo by Makenzie Evans
It’s a long way from Mayflower to Paris or Tokyo and back, but Julia Gaffney got there, 50, 100 and 200 meters at a time.
In less than a decade, Gaffney, 24, has qualified for two Paralympic Games, at which she’s medaled three times, and swam in four World Championships (2017, 2019, 2022, 2023), where she has amassed 13 medals, three of them gold.
As approachable in everyday life as she is successful in the pool, Gaffney has overcome all odds thanks to hard work, an indomitable spirit and a large, loving family of about 2,200 people who make up her hometown. She is, in every sense, the girl next door, albeit one who swims very, very fast.
“I've always had that attitude of just not giving up,” she said. “I've always had this kind of grit to me.”
Every Olympian can speak of challenges and sacrifices required for success, none more so than Gaffney. Born with her right leg gone from above the knee, and her left leg below the knee, she spent the first few years of her life in an orphanage in her native Russia. Recalling that chapter is the only element of her story that draws a
cloud over her sunny personality. Asked if she has any recollection of that time and place, she said, simply, “I do, yeah. Just not great things.”
At age 5, she was adopted by Wisconsinites Kristin and Daniel Gaffney, who moved the family to Arkansas. Overnight, Julia’s life changed dramatically when she gained a new set of legs and five siblings.
“When I got adopted, we got my prosthetics as soon as possible. I think I was 6 when I started walking on them,” she said. “Before that, I actually just used my arms, and I think that's part of how my arms just got so strong. Even when I got my legs, I still use my arms once in a while if I have my legs off.”
From the word go, Gaffney wanted to keep up with her active family and played youth baseball, softball and basketball in local leagues. “I was very competitive when I was little,” she said. “My mom's favorite saying is something like—I had to be first and fast. Growing up with four brothers, I just wanted to be tough, like them.”
Eddy York was a volunteer coach in the baseball league where Gaffney played as the only girl among boys. He recalls the tough little center fielder showing her character early. “The first thing that drew me to the girl is her resilience,” he said. “We were playing a practice game, and she's in center field, and one of my better hitters hits a nice shot. Julia makes an athletic move to catch this ball with all she's got, and that ball hits her right in her mouth. Knocked out her front two teeth. It was heartbreaking. But it wasn't long before she's right back out there, playing ball again.”
York, who attended church with the Gaffneys, became one of Julia’s earliest mentors and biggest fans.
“The thing that separates Julia is how she took her disability and turned it into an ability, if that makes sense,” he said. “She just she never looked at herself like, ‘I'm broken.’ She wanted to get out there and do as much as she could.”
Fighting spirit aside, Gaffney couldn’t overcome the deficit her condition gave her in land-based sports, and by the time she was a teenager, she was looking for something she could excel at. From the second she hit the water, she was home.
“My mom was actually a college swimmer, and she was like, ‘I think swimming might be a really good fit for you. It would help you get all your energy out.’ I was like, ‘OK, why not?’” she said. “I was 14 when I did a little summer swim club in Maumelle, and then when I turned 15 in October, I joined a year-round club team
in Conway. That was also the same year my mom found out about the Paralympics.”
Gaffney excelled right away. She narrowly missed making Team USA for the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro and in 2017 exploded at the World Championships in Mexico City with a sixmedal performance. Her former coach, Tony Marleneau, said in addition to her natural swimming talent, he was most impressed by her maturity.
“When she got the news that she's not going [to Rio], it was kind of like a relief for her because she felt like she wasn't ready,” he said. “But she was determined to be in Tokyo, and we made the goal of like, ‘Hey, we're gonna be in Tokyo, and we're gonna go get a medal.’ That's when her mentality changed; she started thinking like a professional swimmer.”
Gaffney made the 2021 Tokyo games, but with the world still reeling from COVID-19, the atmosphere was nothing like what she’d imagined. Despite that, and a controversial call that disqualified her from her best event, she won two bronze medals and returned home to a hero’s welcome, complete with congratulatory banners around town and a parade. While appreciative of the support, Gaffney felt her accomplishment was hollow.
She dove back into training for Paris, this time buoyed by the support of her entire hometown, people like Linda Wyman, manager of the local First Security Bank, who are gaga for Gaffney.
Daniel Gaffney (from left), Tyler Williams with Fyzical Therapy Center in Conway, Julia and Kristin Gaffney celebrate Julia’s bronze medal beside the pool at Hendrix College Wellness and Athletics Center. Julia was treated for several injuries by Fyzical Therapy and they have been her cheerleaders. She trained in this pool four to five years and still visits when she is home from the training center in Colorado.
TOP ROW LEFT: Julia Gaffney visited the Eiffel Tower while competing in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games (photo courtesy of Julia.)
TOP ROW MIDDLE: With her proud parents, Daniel and Kristin Gaffney of Mayflower (Faulkner County).
CENTER ROW LEFT: Michelle Morse (from left), Julia and Karen Varner are friends from Mayflower.
CENTER ROW LEFT: Ash Autry (from left), Hannah McLain, Julia and Patti Gadberry were “Loving LIFE” at First Security Bank in Mayflower.
BOTTOM ROW LEFT:: Tyler Williams with Paralympic medalist Julia Gaffney.
“I did not realize I had so many people that cared about me and they were just excited,” she said. “It was also kinda hard because, in a way, I almost felt like a fraud. I have really high standards for myself and big goals, and I wanted to win the gold in Tokyo in the 200m individual medley. When I got DQ’d in prelims, my coaches tried to fight it but they were like, nope. I felt like I got a medal taken away. If I'd done well, I think I had a shot to win the gold or silver in that event.
“So, it was cool to have the community surround me and just be awesome, but at the same time I was kind of like, man, I don't feel like I deserve this.”
“I met Julia after she came home [from Tokyo],” she said. “I was just totally blown away by this young lady, her smile, her positive attitude. I'll never forget in our conversation, she looked at me and
she said, ‘I don't understand what the big deal is. I just went and competed.’ I looked at her and I said, ‘Julia, you're a role model for this community. You've made us proud.”
This summer, as she overcame a nagging shoulder injury to win her third Paralympic medal and soaked in the hoopla of the Paris games with her family in the stands, Gaffney finally got that sense of fulfillment she had been chasing. She’s taken some time off since to recharge, but said she’s set her sights on another Paralympic Games—2028 in Los Angeles. She’s also starting to embrace her status as a role model.
“Honestly, I kind of love it,” she said. “I remember being that little kid, looking up to [athletes] and wanting to be one of them. I understand this is actually bigger than me and that I can inspire people behind me and I've accepted it, 100 percent. I love it.”
Every Olympian can speak of challenges and sacrifices required for success, none more so than Julia Gaffney. She was born with her right leg gone from above the knee, and her left leg below the knee. “My mom’s favorite saying is something like—I had to be first and fast,” Gaffney said.
A GREAT READ
White County Library begins a new chapter
By Judy Riley • Photo by Makenzie Evans
A long-awaited dream of a first-class library building for Searcy has become a reality, thanks to a team of individuals who worked tirelessly to make it happen. The Janett and Larry Crain Memorial Library officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 18, with a crowd of 300, including dignitaries and locals interested in seeing the new landmark.
“It’s got that wow factor,” said Logan Cothern, former city councilman and a key player on the fund development team. The former Searcy Athletic Club building was transformed into an iconic landmark, nestled next to Yancey Park on Searcy’s BeebeCapps Expressway.
For years, the White County Regional Library Board (WCRLB) knew there was a need for a larger building and expanded services as the population grew. Internet connections became more important and there was no space for expansion at their location.
“I was first involved in the Searcy Library Board and later the county’s Regional Library Board,” said Board Chair Jean Ann Bell.
“As a former teacher and ultimately the first Searcy school and community coordinator, I knew the importance of libraries. We often talked of needs, but when Darla Ino became the director of the White County Regional Library System (WCRLS) we began to talk about why we could build a new library instead of why we could not.”
Ino began working for the library in 1998 as a circulation clerk, which placed her at the front desk. It was the perfect job for this people-loving person who exudes graciousness. Her love for libraries and the community grew. She was named director in 2010, applying her skills and connections at a new level. The leader began a proactive approach with a dream of offering more services and expanding space. Mayor Mat Faulkner praised Ino for her vision, imagination and inspiration, awarding her an official key
to the city. “Every special project needs a team approach and every team needs a captain, and that’s Darla Ino,” he said.
In addition to Cothern, Ino and Bell, the key players in this volunteer group are Jan Smith, Paul Gardner and Willie Abrams. Smith, a native of Fayetteville, loved libraries since childhood. In 2014, she became involved in the newly created White County Public Library Friends Foundation Board, a 501(c)3 playing a significant role in fund development. Supporters could donate directly to the nonprofit and receive tax benefits. She later was appointed chair of the Fundraising Committee. She did not ask for the job, but since she was already chair of the Friends group, it was logical. “I had no experience in fundraising, so I knew I needed expert help. My friend Paul Garner had worked in that area for many years with great success. He was retired but graciously agreed to help pro bono. His advice and involvement were greatly instrumental in our success. Willie Abrams, a local library supporter, was added to our group and so our journey began. We met almost weekly for three years.”
It was a bit of a long road with a few disappointments, but this core group was undaunted. They listened to the people and the people spoke. Their first proposal in 2017 was a millage increase to build a 40,000-square-foot facility for $13,000,000. The countywide vote failed by an overwhelming margin. Were they disappointed? Yes, but they looked on this as a challenge to make it happen without taxation, but with cooperation from Searcy, White County and private donors.
Continued on page 67
White County residents showed up in huge numbers Sept. 18 to celebrate the grand opening of the Janett and Larry Crain Memorial Library in Searcy. The modern, 33,000 square foot community hub offers more than books—there are services for all ages.
“White County citizens have come together for a common goal and vision. Their hard work and dedication created a space to serve others for years to come.”
— Judge Lisa Brown
They looked at existing facilities. Former Mayor Kyle Osborne encouraged Ino to consider the Searcy Athletic Club building. Dr. David Staggs sold them the building far below market value. The city of Searcy and the WCRLS split the cost. Not long after the purchase was made, the White County Quorum Court stepped up to give $500,000 for renovation costs, a partnership that was key to the success. Former County Judge Michael Lincoln and current Judge Lisa Brown were strong supporters from the beginning.
With that widespread support, donor fund development began in earnest. A $2,000,000 donation by Larry Crain Sr. in honor of his late wife, Janett, kickstarted the campaign. “Unfortunately, neither of my parents lived long enough to see the facility finished,” said Chris, one of the Crain sons who spoke at the grand opening. “My parents would be so proud of this. I am a little emotional because they should be here. Having grown up in Searcy, my parents spent a lifetime loving this community and all the people in it.” In all, the Crain family donated $2.8 million. In fact, 51 percent of the total cost came from private sources, according to Mayor Faulkner. They raised a total of $8.5 million for renovation and furnishings for a 33,000-square-foot space.
The renovated building is not just a library for Searcy. It houses support personnel in a countywide system with resources and programming that other branches could not afford. Educational programs are created in the Searcy facility but distributed
throughout the system. Branches include Goff Public Library in Beebe, Rosebud Public Library, Lydia Miller Public Library in Bald Knob, Baldwin Public Library in Judsonia, Pangburn Public Library, Bradford Public Library and El Paso Community Library.
Lest one thinks libraries are out-of-date and out-of-touch, think again. This new facility offers so much more than books and periodicals. It has teen-gathering places, gaming rooms, community meeting rooms, a passport office, notary services, a small-business center, 23 public-use computer stations, an exhibition gallery, study and tutoring rooms, a teaching and catering kitchen, and a vendor-leased coffee shop with indoor and outdoor seating and drive-through windows for the library and the coffee shop.
“This is the most beautiful day, the most beautiful library and the most perfect place to live,” Judge Brown said during the opening celebration. “This has been the best partnership from the beginning. White County citizens have come together for a common goal and vision. Their hard work and dedication created a space to serve others for years to come.”
When the history books of small Arkansas towns and communities are written, this heartwarming story of how committed folks can come together to create something bigger than themselves will be featured. Their success will surely be a beacon of hope in a world we wish to always be full of brotherly love.
AUTHOR OF THE MONTH
FAYE HEDERA
CONWAY
By Susan L. Peterson • Photo Makenzie Evans
“The Lovely Fruit Fairies” is a children’s poetry book by Faye Hedera and Zelie Minette that was published this spring. The years-long road and back story that brought about its release is nothing but extraordinary.
Following an accident more than four years ago, Hedera was diagnosed with functional neurological disorder (FND), which caused changes in how her brain’s network functioned. The disorder caused immense physical challenges, and for a time period, she was unable to sit upright or walk. She found that painting was a good distraction during these times, and she had a proclivity for it. She set up a special area where she could paint while reclining since other positions were impossible.
One day, on a whim, she painted a fairy on an orange tree. The image delighted her so much she decided to paint another and another and another.
The artist realized she was reflecting her own disability
in what she was creating. “As I began to accept my own disability, the vision for a series developed into fairies experiencing various disabilities and facial differences that would potentially delight children and adults who could recognize themselves in the illustrations.”
The bright, cheerful illustrations normalize children with disabilities, both visible and invisible. Readers may observe a fairy who is seated in a wheelchair with toadstool wheels, and another without hair is intently reading, but these are subtle and nuanced, not the focal point. She realized her work could bring joy to others, especially those with disabilities who seldom see themselves represented in literature. She had a new purpose.
When it came time to put words to the drawings, she turned to her then 12-year-old daughter, Zelie, for help. The mother/daughter team inspired each other, and together they constructed upbeat, cheerful poems that emphasize friendship and fun.
Continued on page 70
Following the release of their book in March, Hedera and Minette visited libraries, bookstores and other locations. The two have developed their own sensory-friendly program with activities that include the children, making it a magical experience for them. Some little ones arrive dressed as a fairy, which brings a smile to everyone.
Hedera and her family relocated to Conway from Florida in 2022, and since her arrival, she has made quite a positive impact on her new community. Like a fairy sprinkling her dust, she has created networks and friendships through her many projects. In addition to her book publication, she initiated the “100 Faces of Conway” art project, is president of The Central Arkansas Collective in Conway, hosts “Meet the Conwegians,” a monthly TV series on Channel 5, is directing a national featurelength documentary film about FND, which will be produced in association with The Center For Independent Documentaries, and is curating a historical collection of Arkansas artwork created by her great-grandmother Lenis Bevill, who lived in Center Hill.
“The Lovely Fruit Fairies” is available on Amazon and from other online bookstores. For more information about Hedera, her book and her many other projects, visit her at FayeHedera.com.
TOP : Artist and author Faye Hedera creates the portrait “Persephone” which she describes as “coming into the light.”
BOTTOM : Hedera displays the children's poetry book that she and Zelie Minette published in the spring. "The Lovely Fruit Fairies" has bright, cheerful illustrations which normalize children with disabilities, both visible and invisible.
YOUTH OF THE MONTH
WYATT PETTRY
NEMO VISTA IN CONWAY COUNTY
By Becky Bell • Photos by Makenzie Evans
For Watt Pettry, 16, a junior at Nemo Vista High School in Center Ridge in Conway County, the sky is literally the limit.
There seem to be no limitations to what he can accomplish if he puts his mind to it. As a junior in the fall semester of school, he is at a point in life in which he is thinking about what he will pursue once he graduates.
After graduation, Wyatt dreams of studying interior design and then going to the University of Texas at Austin to pursue a degree in architecture. This is a tall order, of course, but if you listen to the reason that Wyatt wants to create buildings, you may believe he can reach as high as a city’s skyline.
“I like how you get to design the way buildings are made,” he said. “I want to design the building to help others, but I also want to bring the city to life in some way through the building.”
Wyatt has the heart of a helper, and he wants his buildings to be designed to benefit others. He doesn’t want to focus on one group of people but on a variety of people with different needs who would use the buildings. Conserving space is also something that matters to this future, hopeful architect.
“I want it to be a building that takes up a small amount of space, but I can still say I got the project accomplished,” he said. Oh, but Wyatt’s future dreams of making a difference in others’ lives through buildings are just one part of his story. He is already making a difference in the lives of others through his life right now.
His teacher, Christina Loyd, said she has seen Wyatt becoming more of the kind of student he is meant to be and that he is a pleasure to watch grow and improve. She said she has enjoyed him as an officer of the Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). “Wyatt is a very kind, creative and gifted student,” Loyd said. “He is that kid who has really bloomed in the last year, taking on responsibilities and problem solving.
He is always up for a challenge and has shown great dedication to the activities he takes on. I am blessed to have him on the regional FCCLA officer team!”
Wyatt’s teacher said she was proud of him for stepping out of his comfort zone and running for the regional FCCLA officer’s position. The office allowed him to travel to Seattle this summer to a national convention, and now he is running for state office within the organization. Loyd said Wyatt is also the president of Upward Bound at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, and he also shows dairy goats, is a member of 4H and is an avid volunteer. He got a chance to take a trip to Denver this past summer through his association with Upward Bound.
And besides being a “super sweet kid,” as she describes him, Wyatt also plays the piano. Loyd’s admiration of him is totally reciprocated; he gives her credit for how he has grown and become more involved in organizations as a leader. Wyatt said he owes so much of it to his talented teacher. “She is a fantastic teacher because she gives everyone the opportunity to participate in some way. She gave me the opportunity to be an FCCLA officer,” he said. “She pushed me to do so many competitions I never would have done if she wouldn’t have said something.”
Wyatt said his teacher has been working on his confidence and getting him involved since middle school, and he is so glad she has. It has really made a difference. “She would always tell me I would do good in her class, and I was always going to do a lot of activities that would make me a stronger student,” Wyatt said. “She motivates me. If I tell her no, she says I already signed you up for it. She basically puts me out there and I’m glad she does. If she hadn’t, I wouldn’t be doing half of the things I’m doing now.”
WHERE HUSTLE MEETS
H eart
By Jessica Duff
Throughout Pulaski County Special School District’s Maumelle feeder, coaches are dedicated to their students’ development not just as athletes, but as teammates, scholars and young adults. Hustle meets heart in every program offered, from cheer and soccer to basketball and wrestling. Four Maumelle High coaches share their path to coaching, their hopes for their programs and how sports help develop wellrounded students.
Coach Katrina Jones was drawn to her position as head cheer coach at Maumelle High because she enjoys mentoring young adults. She champions the development of both competitive and life skills for her athletes. “I hope my cheerleaders gain not only physical skills, but also personal growth through discipline, resilience and leadership,” she said. “Participating
in sports can teach athletes to work as a team, learn how to persevere and learn the value of commitment and teamwork.”
Coach Zachary Noga came to coaching during his time as the Benton Parks & Recreation program planner. “I was helping lead their tennis, softball, pickleball, volleyball and track and field programs,” he said. “I realized I love teaching kids, and I love building them up and helping them learn new skills that they can use for the rest of their lives.” Coach Noga has coached cross country and baseball for Maumelle High and is currently the head tennis and boys’ soccer coach. His hope for his student athletes is threefold. “I hope that they learn to be a part of a team, and that practice doesn't make perfect but it does make you better. And finally, I hope that they are able to make lifelong friendships and memories.”
Coach Grover Garrison coaches both girls basketball and track and field. He enjoys the impact he can make on and off the court and highlights the positive influence athletics can have on academics. “Athletic programs are vital to education because they promote physical health, mental resilience and emotional well-being,” he said. “Through sports, students learn teamwork, leadership and responsibility, all of which contribute to their personal growth. Athletics also teach valuable skills like time management and discipline, which can improve academic performance. Additionally, athletic programs build school spirit, foster community and provide opportunities for scholarships or career paths. Overall, they help develop well-rounded individuals prepared for success in both life and academics.”
Maumelle High’s wrestling program is headed up by Coach Phillip Brixie. He was new to the sport but stepped up when the program needed coaching help. “I fell in love with wrestling and coaching after that first year and am still passionate as I go into my fourth year coaching,” he said. Coach Brixie hopes wrestling offers his students something positive and bigger than themselves to be involved in. “I hope that my athletes learn they have what it takes to accomplish anything they set their mind to in life,” he said. “Wrestling is one of the toughest sports out there, both mentally and physically. If they can go through a wrestling program and not give up or quit, they can take the tenacity wherever they go in life and be successful.”
About PCSSD
Pulaski County Special School District spans more than 600 square miles in Central Arkansas and requires highly skilled and passionate personnel to adapt educational policies and personalization to 26 schools. Every school is accredited by the Arkansas State Board of Education. PCSSD has served schools across Pulaski County since July 1927.
PCSSD is committed to creating a nationally recognized school district that assures that all students achieve at their maximum potential through collaborative, supportive and continuous efforts of all stakeholders.
Phillip Brixie
Katrina Jones
Grover Garrison
Zachary Noga
PET OF THE MONTH
MOOSE PLUS MUSTACHE AND DOT!
CONWAY
By KD Reep • Photo by Mike Kemp
Carlie Crabtree did not intend to have a 140-pound lap dog and two cats as a graduate student at the University of Central Arkansas, but life had other plans.
Crabtree, who is a native of Pocahontas (Randolph County) and working on a master’s degree in film at UCA, is an avid animal lover. In spring 2020, all three of her childhood pets died, leaving her with none to bring back with her to college. “It kind of hit hard,” Crabtree said. “I started looking for another dog, and I found Moose on a Facebook listing. I wanted to get a big dog, so I looked up Pyrenees, and I found him.”
The puppy was a mix of Great Pyrenees and Newfoundland, one of a litter being raised by a family in Phoenix. “I messaged them and told them my situation,” Crabtree said. “They told me Moose and one other puppy were the last of the litter to not have homes yet. They were taking one of the puppies to Missouri to his new family, so I met them in Fayetteville to get Moose. He’s been with me ever since. He turned 4 in May.”
While Moose is as tall as the average doorknob and 140 pounds, Crabtree said he is the least menacing animal around. In fact, he is bullied by his brothers, tuxedo cats Mustache and Dot, so named for their striking facial features. “One has a kind of, like, goatee going on, and the other has a dot on his mouth,” she explained.
“They actually started out as feral kittens on my grandma's farm. We found them in 2018, so they are older than Moose by two years, and they’re the ones in charge. Moose was about half the size of them whenever we got him, and now he's much larger.”
The cats got their bluff in on Moose early as he is nervous around them and, to hear Crabtree tell it, a little afraid of the dark. “He does not sleep with me. He sleeps in the living room with a little night light on,” she said. “And then the cats kind of bully him, so they make him a little bit too nervous to just pass out completely.”
As a full-time college student renting a home with other students, Crabtree explained her pets have free reign of the house during the day while she and her roommates are away.
“They can roam as they please, and we have a backyard where they can go, too,” she said. “Mustache and Dot are outdoor cats, and Moose can go out there and play and investigate. I don’t think I was ever planning to take on all three while at school, but then my parents moved houses, and I ended up taking care of all of them. They are all pretty calm, and Moose isn’t a highenergy dog. The cats are pretty lazy as well, but they’ve taken well to their new home and being couch potatoes.”
The student grew up with pets, her first being a golden Labrador retriever named Sandy. “She was around before I was,” Crabtree said with a laugh. “I always grew up with a pet. We didn’t have pets inside the house then, and it took a lot to convince my parents to let Moose be an inside dog.”
She said Moose is pretty social, given his more nervous nature, and he’s a great conversation starter. “I think that's one of the big perks of having a dog, at least in college,” Crabtree said. “You have a new way to meet people. I like taking him to events, to the dog park, just walking around campus. That's how I socialized him, and people will always stop and say, ‘Can I pet your dog?’ but mostly, he likes to hang out at home.”
‘...they’re the ones in charge.’
— Carlie Crabtree, on her cats Mustache and Dot.
Story and photos by Linda Henderson
There is something magical about the arrival of autumn in Arkansas. The air turns crisp, the skies are painted in shades of deepest blue to a sea of gold and crimson, and life takes a brief pause from summer’s busy schedule just long enough to savor the beauty of nature's grand finale season. For readers of 501 LIFE Magazine, there is no better time than now to immerse yourself in the seasonal splendor that surrounds our charming communities.
Fall is my favorite season; it is a tapestry of experiences that appeals to all the senses. I love to be bundled up in a cozy sweater and sink into a soft quilt, with the scent of cinnamon candles wafting through my home. I look forward with great anticipation to seeing golden flames of a fire dancing in my fireplace. Fall is a time for pumpkin carving, hayrides and indulging in hot chocolate and spiced cider. And though it feels like it’s over in a blink, and not a moment should not be missed.
Fall is the time to enjoy pumpkin patches bursting with vibrant orange pumpkins ready for carving, blooming mums spreading their rich hues across gardens, and leaves cascading down like nature's confetti. Even the simplest activities, like running errands or heading to the grocery store, become a joy because you might catch sight of a tree just beginning to change into its autumn attire.
Fall is indeed the perfect time to explore Arkansas, from our lush forests to our charming small towns. Arkansas, with its breathtaking natural landscapes, offers countless opportunities to enjoy autumn. Consider setting out on a day trip to one of our many state parks. Petit Jean and Woolly Hollow are especially glorious in November, boasting trails where you can witness a kaleidoscope of colors. Take a leisurely drive through Ozark National Forest or along the tree-lined streets of Conway, Clinton and Morrilton.
Beyond their natural beauty, Arkansas’s towns come alive with festivals and events that celebrate the season. From pumpkin patches and corn mazes to spirited football games and bustling farmers’ markets, there’s no shortage of activities. The old railroad bridge at Shirley and Saint Boniface in Perry County invites exploration, while county courthouses, or our Arkansas State Capitol, offer historic charm and picturesque views perfect for a leisurely stroll.
When the first leaf falls, I will begin my annual pilgrimage through Arkansas to witness her transition from summer’s greens into vibrant fall hues. I invite you to join me in this exploration. Whether you call a small town or a larger city home, the wonders of fall in Arkansas await. Discover the spirit of the season and the joy that comes with living in this remarkable state.
Hunter Street in Conway
Woolly Hollow State Park
Goode's Grocery in Holland
A view of Hwy. 154 Red Bluff in Conway County. Hendrix College
Downtown Morrilton Depot
Conway's Laurel Park
Arkansas State Capitol
Petit Jean State Park
“You
Put
Sail
Drop
She's as sweet as Tupelo honey
She's an angel of the first degree
She's as sweet as Tupelo honey
Just like honey from the bee...”
Van Morrison – Tupelo Honey
Tupelo Gum Trees near Conway
ChristmasClinton in ChristmasClinton in
Christmas in Clinton was established in 2014 by the Judge Susan Weaver and Ashton Snowden Pruitt to help stimulate and promote local shopping in town. In 2018, Peggy and Dapple Eoff had a vision for a fundraiser to help promote home-based community businesses and local trades to go along with the already-growing Christmas in Clinton event.
After pursuing options for local indoor and outdoor venue locations and coming up short, Clinton’s first Christmas outdoor trade show and fundraiser was held at their store, Bar O F Feed & Ranch Supply. The Eoffs are happy to announce the seventh annual event on Dec. 7, beginning at 10 a.m. and wrapping up at 3 p.m.
Brandy Alexander, who is the counselor at Clinton Junior High, organizes a bake sale with homemade goodies from some of the area’s best local bakers. Local kids sell hot chocolate donated by Goode’s Cash Saver, and a portion of the store’s total sales are given directly to the Bright Futures Program each year.
The Bright Futures Program financially supplements the Backpack Program at Clinton Public Schools. Each week, the school sends food home in a backpack with children in the community who would not receive proper nutrition otherwise.
Throughout the day, there will be shopping, bounce houses, Santa, family Christmas mini-photo sessions, Clydesdale-drawn wagon rides and more! Come support a great cause and enjoy a fun-filled day with your family. There is still room for vendors, so contact Dapple at 501.745.8407 if you would like a space.
Cowboy Clydesdales offer carriage rides at the event. Photo by Stephanie Willock
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BY BRICKS AND BOARDS WE GREW
By Vivian Lawson Hogue
Like other native and long-time residents, I can talk “small towns” with authority. In a town with a population of 5,782 and in the middle of World War II, I took my first breath in Conway, Arkansas. The event took place in a small rock structure that may have earlier been a house, but was then Dr. Dickerson’s clinic. Several telephone party lines buzzed because the Lawsons finally had a female child. The community is now my “former small town.” That doesn’t remove what remains in my memory, though, and actually makes me feel blessed for having been given the privilege of knowing its quieter past. The difficulty is living out what I see now and what was reality for so many years.
I live in the same 1910 house in which I was raised. Though we were in subdivisions on city records, we did not have bricked, lighted and logoed entrances to nice homes with HOAs. We were a mixture of modest homes and mansions, but a mansion didn’t highbrow the modest, and the modest didn’t avoid the mansion. In fact, all kids played together from preschool to high school and remained friends beyond. For reasons yet
unexplained, an unusually large number of physicians, teachers and professors came out of our high school in the late 1950s, as did an appreciated number of soldiers, carpenters, plumbers and working or stay-at-home mothers.
Most of our older, more elegant homes are or were on Bruce, College, Robinson and Caldwell Streets. I was awed by them but never considered them as a sign of wealth, although it would have been because these homes were built by the city fathers who primarily hailed from the east to south-southeast states.
When city founder Asa Robinson began selling his land west of his home on a dirt road that became College Avenue, there were no existing homeowner properties, so choices were easy. As I have mentioned to many, it can be noted that most of the large homes were built on corners and facing north. A few were constructed around 1895. The oldest, on Prince Street, still stands, although it is in an unfortunate condition. It was the town’s first brick home, built by Judge P.H. Prince sometime after 1874.
Continued on page 86
We do have some streets and several homes now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but those on the street on which the city founder’s home was located are not eligible. If more of the old homes were still in existence, it might qualify, but new properties with new purposes can have effects on historic district surveys. Individuals may still be approved for their own homes of 50+ years upon application.
These old houses have personalities and histories. Some were built by mail order with materials delivered by train. Two of them had heated water tanks in the attic that provided hot water to kitchens and baths. A few had floor buttons in the dining rooms to summon the kitchen help. I was told that one home near me had such an abundant water well that the fire trucks would fill up at their home. Some homes even have friendly “spirits!”
Some of our old downtown buildings have been blessed by owners who have interest in keeping what are called “ghost signs.” These are old store ads painted on buildings long ago but still have remaining faint images. Many towns everywhere are preserving them for as long as possible. I still have images of what I call our ghost houses. A dirt lot with high weeds may be empty, but in our minds we can still see the house or business and the people who lived or worked within it.
Many of the ghost houses are still with us and are actually mental landmarks; for example, someone has said, “The
building is on Center Street where the old Mason Mitchell house was.” Many are now parking lots, as illustrated in Joni Mitchell’s song in 1969:
“Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got Till it's gone.
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot!
They took all the trees, Put 'em in a tree museum, And they charged the people
A dollar and a half just to see 'em.”
They say an old house begins to deteriorate when the remaining inhabitant steps over the threshold for the last time. Its floors are not exercised by footsteps, and the walls do not have human heat or breath inside to keep them flexible. It is my joy to see one bought, not to be flipped or resold, but to receive a traditional facelift, the warm breath of life, new love and new footsteps, perhaps even little ones that will carry on.
In Historic Downtown Conway, two old buildings have owners who are keeping ghost signs, or store ads from long ago, painted on buildings. These faint images can be seen on the corner of Oak and Chestnut at what was Kordsmeier Furniture Co. and at 1071 Front Street which was formerly Plunkett-Jarrell Grocer Co.
LET’S TALK TURKEY
The Conway Corp guide to an energy-efficient Thanksgiving
By Beth Jimmerson
Cooler temperatures and the return of pumpkin-spice everything means fall has officially arrived. And with Thanksgiving just a few weeks away, it’s also the start of holiday gatherings.
Surprisingly, Thanksgiving takes a lot of energy. Between cooking meals, watching football and Black Friday shopping online, Americans consume a lot of power over the holiday. A few minor changes can save you from an increased energy bill so you can stay focused on amazing food and good times with loved ones.
Use these five simple tips to keep your Thanksgiving energy-efficient:
MAXIMIZE OVEN USE
Most of the action takes place in the kitchen on Thanksgiving. That’s why it’s so important to use your oven efficiently. Set a timer, keep the oven door closed and cook multiple dishes at once. Use glass and ceramic baking dishes–they retain heat better than metal and allow you to reduce the oven temperature by 25 degrees. Avoid preheating your oven. Turkeys are traditionally stuffed in the morning and roasted for hours. Since it’s a long, slow process, there’s no need to preheat your oven. This also holds true for a holiday ham. It might take a few minutes longer to cook, but it’s a great way to cut costs because your oven won’t be wasting energy while it’s empty.
LOWER THE THERMOSTAT
With all the action going on inside the kitchen, the rest of the house will reap some benefits. Cooking and conversation will heat up the house quickly, so go ahead and turn the heat down a few degrees. The heat from the oven and extra people in your home will heat up the other rooms. Your guests will still be comfortable while you keep your heating costs to a minimum.
CLEAN SMART
When dinner is done and everyone is resting in the living room, the kitchen is full of dirty dishes. Skip handwashing and use the dishwasher instead. Dishwashers require 37 percent less water than washing dishes by hand. Scrape off plates into the garbage can instead of rinsing and make sure the dishwasher is full. Allow dishes to air dry rather than using the heat-dry cycle to save even more. Turning off the heat-dry cycle can save more than $40 a year if you run one load a day.
MIND YOUR LEFTOVERS
The second-best part of Thanksgiving are the leftovers you eat the next day. Store leftovers in glass, reusable containers. When you’re ready for round two, use a microwave. Microwave ovens are fast and efficient, using 50 percent less energy than conventional ovens. Plus, they won’t heat up your kitchen. If you’re rewarming food on the stove, make sure to match the size of the pan to the heating element so more heat will get to the pan and less will be lost to the surrounding air. Believe it or not, a 6-inch pan on an 8-inch burner will waste more than 40 percent of the energy used.
GET ENERGY SMART
Saving energy is a habit you should practice all year long, and the holidays are a great time to start. Just simply being aware of your energy usage can help you save energy and money. Conway Corp’s Energy Smart program was designed to help you balance increasing demands for electricity with our commitment to providing affordable rates.
Conway Corp offers free residential energy audits to help you identify how much energy your home consumes and how to make your home more energy-efficient. Annually, homes that have received a free audit from Energy Smart save $148,000 combined in utility costs. Over the lifetime of the program, these homes have saved almost $3 million.
To schedule your free energy audit or to learn more ways to conserve energy, contact Conway Corp at 501.450.6000 or visit ConwayCorp.com/EnergySmart.
PROUDLY PRESENTS
HOMETOWN: I have lived in Heber Springs for 50 years, and before that, I lived in Quitman for 14 years.
FAMILY: I married Jo 50 years ago and we have two sons, Justin (Rebecca) and Jace (Katie). Our grandchildren are Cooper, Emi, Deacon, Isaiah and Ethan.
CAREER: I was a Cleburne County sheriff’s deputy for five years, the sheriff for six years and the county judge for eight years. I owned Quitman Feed and Seed for three years, H & F Trading Co. for four years, H & F Trucking Co. for three years, Spunky Pig BBQ for five years and Cleburne County Livestock Auction for 24 years.
EDUCATION: I am a graduate of Quitman High School and the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy, and I completed many hours of specialized law enforcement training.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: I received the Woodmen of the World Life Saver Award; was appointed to the Arkansas Supreme Court Courtroom Security Commission; was appointed by the governor to serve on the Arkansas Highway Committee; and served on the White River Planning and Development Board and on the Child Safety Center Board. While I was county judge, I had the privilege to serve on many local boards and committees. When I retired as county judge, I was honored by our state and federal representatives and senators with proclamations of outstanding service to my county and received U.S. flags that had been flown over our Arkansas State Capitol and over our U.S. Capitol in my honor.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: I am an attending member of Renew Church of Heber Springs. I started the Feed a Senior Fish Fry and have helped organize it for seven years. This has brought in revenue to help fund Meals on Wheels.
PERSONAL INTERESTS: Since retirement last year, I have been able to enjoy traveling to various parts of the United States.
HOW DID YOU BECOME A CATTLEMAN?
When I was adopted by Rile and Leslie Holmes, it became a part of my life. Pop (Rile) and my sister, Lois Rice, owned the livestock auction in Heber Springs. Pop ran a large number of cattle and horses on our family farm and rented properties. I started helping him take care of all the livestock and worked at the livestock auction at a very young age. My wife and I got into raising cattle and horses soon after we married. We have pretty well had cattle most of our 50 years of marriage. We were able to purchase Cleburne County Livestock Auction in 1999 and raise our family in the old family business.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE IN CLEBURNE COUNTY?
The county, as a whole, is a very beautiful place. Since having the privilege to serve as sheriff and county judge, along with hauling cattle all over the county, I have seen about all of our county, and it is pretty spectacular. I am, however, very partial to our farm. We are very blessed to live on our farm along with all our children and grandchildren. Nothing could be more special than to have my family so close. It’s a little bit of heaven on earth.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT LIVING HERE?
I love the people of this county. Again, because of my leadership positions, growing up in a small family-owned business, and owning several small businesses myself, I have worked with and for the citizens almost all my life. I have witnessed them time after time showing up to lend a helping hand to their neighbors or someone in need. They are this county’s greatest feature.
