October 2023

“I’m so glad to live in a world where there are Octobers” is a quote from the book “Anne of Green Gables.” I was reminded of it last fall and I find that lovely sentiment coming back to me as the evenings grow cooler.

Our October issue is dedicated to health and wellness. After the long march to the end of summer, we’re ready to pull out the plaid and go biking, hiking, camping, hunting and pumpkin patching—we’ll see if my copy editor allows that one to pass. But it’s true—we’re ready to go walking and hiking, and to build campfires and eat s'mores.

October marks the start of the holiday season and the start of fall fitness. Hugely popular in Central Arkansas are bicycling, mountain biking and gravel road riding. During this month, communities also highlight breast cancer awareness; to honor this effort, we share an informative and inspiring article about a yoga program that is available via Zoom for anyone who is battling or is a survivor of cancer.

All of us face anxiety at different times, but for some, the emotion takes up too much of the day. Counselors tell us that people of all ages are struggling with stress and anxiety, so we asked a psychologist for guidance.

Another feature is presented by photographer/writer Linda Henderson. She coped with grief by traveling to Colorado where she photographed yellow Aspens in the fall. Linda said the beauty lifted her spirits and restored her physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. We share many photos with you.

And did someone say FOOTBALL? I’m so excited to enjoy Friday night lights and Saturday afternoon tailgating with my husband! Our favorite chef has recipes that will set your tailgate party apart.

I anticipate yellow, orange and red leaves in Arkansas this month and can’t wait to enjoy the fireplace, apple cider and hot chocolate. I’m so thankful for the kindness of October. Aren’t you?

PUBLISHER/ART DIRECTOR

Jeremy L. Higginbotham

EDITOR

Stefanie W. Brazile

FOUNDERS

Donna Spears, Sonja Keith and Tracy Ferrell

BRAND AMBASSADOR

Donald Brazile

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Paulette Higginbotham

ADVERTISING SALES

Donna Spears

DIGITAL DIRECTOR

Levi Gilbert

PHOTO DIRECTOR

Mike Kemp

COPY EDITORS

Andrea Lively and Andrea Miller

FINANCE DIRECTOR

Debbie Flowers

SOCIAL MEDIA

Morgan Zimmerman

CONTRIBUTORS

Becky Bell

Don Bingham

Jessica Duff

Mary Eggart

David Grimes

Dwain Hebda

Linder Henderson

Vivian Lawson Hogue

Tammy Keith

Beth Jimmerson

Mark Oliver

Susan Peterson

Kelli Reep

Judy Riley

Carol Rolf

Donna L. Stephens

Rita Halter Thomas

FAULKNER CO. EDITORIAL BOARD

Johnny Adams

Jack Bell

Don Bingham

Jessica Brown

RaeLynn Callaway

Glenn Crockett

Beth Franks

Sylvia Gauvey

Russ Hancock

Spencer Hawks

Mathilda Hatfield

Roe Henderson

Jerry Hiegel

Antonio Jamison

Mike Kemp

Julie LaRue

Karl Lenser

Monica Lieblong

Lori Melton

Deanna Ott

Pat Otto

Jon Patrom

Amy Reed

Lori Ross

Margaret Smith

Jan Spann

Kim Tyler

Suzann Waggoner

Jennifer Whitehead

Kay Wood

CONWAY CO. EDITORIAL BOARD

Mary Clark

Shelli Crowell

Dr. Larry Davis

Shawn Halbrook

Alicia Hugen

Alisha Koonce

Stephanie Lipsmeyer

Stewart Nelson

Kristi Strain

Jim Taylor Morgan Zimmerman

WHITE CO. EDITORIAL BOARD

Betsy Bailey

Amy Burton

Tara Cathey

Cassandra Feltrop

Phil Hays

Natalie Horton

Matt LaForce

Mike Parsons

Brooke Pryor

Judy Riley

Carol Spears

Kristi Thurmon

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

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

ctober 2023

On the cover: Jay Paul (from left) and Brandon Dewayne Sims of the Central Arkansas Ghostbusters group were part of a parade that passed by Declan Daniels’ home on his 12th birthday, about a week after he endured brain surgery. Photo by Mike Kemp.

501 LIFE would like to thank our advertising partners.

Arkansas Children’s Hospital, 53

Arkansas Lymphedema of Conway, 87

Arkansas Military Veterans, 39 Arvest, 29

Bledsoe Chiropractic, 89

CareLink, 95

CARTI, 73

Conway Corp, 83

Conway&Healthcare Rehab, 35

Conway Regional Health System, 32, 99

Conway Regional

Rehabilitation Hospital, 71

Conway Symphony, 9

Denture + Implant Solutions, 55

Downtown Conway, 42-43

DJM Orthodontics, 31

Edward Jones, 21

Explore Springdale, 93

First Community Bank, 51, 98

First Security Bank, 100

First Service Bank, 13 Fload Spa, 79

Freyaldenhoven

Heating and Cooling, 63

Hartman Animal Hospital, 45

Harwood, Ott & Fisher, PA, 92

Heritage Living Center, 5 Home Instead, 65

Jacksonville Parks & Rec, 57

Julile’s Sweet Shoppe, 22

Kilwins Little Rock, 9

Methodist Family Health, 75

MSC Eye Associates, 79

Ott Insurance, 81

PCSSD, 47

Pinnacle Place, 87

Power Spine & Sport, 25

PrimeCARE, 59

Restored Life, 17

Reynolds Performance Hall, 23

Salem Place, 37

Shelter Insurance, 87

Superior Health & Rehab, 2

Texas Roadhouse, 69

Unity Health, 3, 55

University of Arkansas Community College

Morrilton, 59

University of Central Arkansas, 46

Velda LuedersColdwell Banker, 8, 15

welcome to the Writers’ Room

year, you can have our  11-county publication delivered right to your door.

Just visit 501LIFEmag.com or call 501.327.1501 to subscribe. Don't miss your chance for this spooky good offer!

Catch 501 LIFE on KARK News at Noon and Conway Corp each month!

Dwain Hebda

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

& Slimer

Becky Bell is an award-winning writer who spent most of her career as a newspaper reporter and in public relations. Now a freelance writer, she enjoys writing anything from human interest features to news stories. She received her graduate degree in public. Slimer loves food.

Don Bingham

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

Hot Springs Arts and Crafts Fair

Oct. 6-8 • Hot Springs National Park

Arkansas Jam

Oct. 14 • Bald Knob

Plan a fall visit to the Garland County Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The fair, which dates back to 1968, will host more than 200 crafters and food vendors, and the Garland County Extension Homemakers Council kitchen will be open. There will also be a petting zoo. Visit hotspringsartsandcraftsfair.com.

Arkansas Goat Festival

Oct. 7 • Perryville

The family-friendly magic of Arkansas’s only festival celebrating goats is planned for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the City Park. The free event will host 130 craft vendors, goats in people costumes, people in goat costumes, parades, live music, food vendors and a kid zone and playground. Bring your goats and friends. No dogs, please! Learn more on Facebook at Arkansas Goat Festival.

The long-awaited event will begin at 3:30 p.m. at 241 Prince Cemetery Road at the Grayson Farms Amphitheater. The lineup includes Brother Cane, Damon Johnson & The Get Ready, Roxy Blue, Hunter West and Makayla & Cord. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and coolers. NO glass containers allowed. Advance tickets available at Ticketmaster for $30, or pay $40 at the gate.

Thunder Over the Rock

Oct. 21-22 • Little Rock Air Force Base

The U.S. Air Force’s premier aerial demonstration team, the Thunderbirds, will perform an air show at the base for the first time since 2018. The Vandenberg Gate will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is free, with VIP seating available for purchase. Incredible performances are planned throughout the day. Visit thunderovertherock.com to learn the schedule and what is not allowed on base.

Spooktacular Halloween Films

All October • Downtown Little Rock

Halloween classics are showing on the big screen all month at the CAL Ron Robinson Theater. Big scares including “The Shining”, “Friday the 13th” and “The Conjuring” will be shown as well as more family-friendly hits such as “Beetlejuice,” “Ghostbusters” and “Hocus Pocus.” Don't miss the cult classic “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Learn more at cals.org/ron-robinson-theater.

Pickin’, Sippin’ & Dance-Hall Skippin’

Moonshine Festival benefits Children’s Advocacy Alliance, features Marty Stuart

The second annual Ozark Moonshine & Music Festival is planned for Friday, Nov. 3 and Saturday, Nov. 4 in Fairfield Bay, a waterfront community about 80 miles north of Little Rock. It is a ticketed event.

“This is a highly awaited event that is expected to bring at least 6,000 attendees,” said Donald Farrar III, event coordinator. Friday night’s headliner is bluegrass star Rhonda Vincent, a vocalist and gifted multiinstrumentalist, best known for her work on the mandolin, fiddle, guitar and banjo. On Saturday night, the music lineup includes country and bluegrass legend Marty Stuart, a fivetime Grammy award winner.

Gate admission is $20 but does not include admission to the concerts. A festival pass that includes four concerts on Friday and five concerts on Saturday costs $100 per person per

day. A two-day festival pass can be purchased for $150. Guests must bring a chair. There is lounge seating and VIP packages available.

Proceeds from the weekend will benefit the Children’s Advocacy Alliance of Central Arkansas (CAA), which investigates cases of child abuse and neglect and trains volunteers who advocate for victims in court. Last year, the festival raised more than $16,000 for CAA.

The weekend will include spirit distillers brought together by the Arkansas Distillers Guild. “Last year at the event, the mayor shared a proclamation announcing the formation of the guild,” Farrar said. “This year the group is bringing even more distillers together for attendees to sample their selections and signature specialty drinks.” Learn more and purchase tickets at ozarkmoonshinefest.org/tickets.

Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives

THIS OCTOBER, 501 READERS ARE

Headed out on a special trip? Have a special occasion or get-together coming up? Pack a copy of 501 LIFE in your suitcase, snap a photo at your destination and send it to us for publication in a future issue! Photos can be submitted by email to stefanie@501lifemag.com.

Thousands of guests, vendors and artists were “Loving LIFE” during Arkansas Comic Con at the Statehouse Convention Center In Downtown Little Rock.

The Ultimate Smokey and the Bandit Tribute:

Bob Thompson of Conway (from left) and Patrick and Peter Ferrante, buddies he met during the sixth grade, were “Loving LIFE” at Mount Rainier National Park in Washington with Patrick’s dog, Abby. Thompson was there for their 55th high school reunion.

Little Rock native George Newbern, voice of Superman.

Actor John Glover, Jr, known for a range of villainous roles in films and television, including Lionel Luthor on the Superman-inspired television series “Smallville” and box office hits “Scrooged” and “Gremlins 2”.

East Bound and Down!

The Arts Council of Conway County and The Rialto Players were “Loving LIFE” during their production of “Into the Woods” at the historic Rialto Theatre in downtown Morrilton.

Jerry and Cathy Hibbs, of Conway, were “Loving LIFE” at their 60th wedding anniversary celebration at Grace United Methodist Church on July 15, with their great-grandchildren Levi Freyaldenhoven (from left), Eva Grace Palmer, Zackary Palmer and Bentley Freyaldenhoven.

Miss Arkansas 2023 Cori Keller (from left), and Miss Arkansas 2023 Metro Teen Mae Armstrong were “Loving LIFE” at Royal We in Conway.

Jack and Ginny Bell (from left), 501 LIFE Publisher Jeremy Higginbotham and Dr. Alan Lucas were “Loving LIFE” at The Max Event Venue. Owner Pete Tanguay hosted a tribute to Jimmy Buffett and invited the community to join him for a spur-of-the-moment party and a margarita, of course.

Gene Hendrix was “Loving LIFE” when he recently turned 92 in Conway.

A group of friends from the 501 were “Loving LIFE” at the old town wall in Dubrovnik, Croatia, in July during an excursion from their Mediterranean cruise. Terri Mahan (from left), Lynn McMahon, Lesli Griffin, Beverly Duke, Debbie Hibbs and Eric M. Maxwell.

Seniors from Oak Bowery Baptist Church were “Loving LIFE” when they took a trip to Branson, Mo., to enjoy a performance of “Queen Esther.” A group of 51 people traveled from the Conway church.

Caring in their prime

Family practice clinic celebrates 20 years in Central Arkansas

PrimeCARE Medical Clinic celebrated its 20th anniversary on Sept. 22 at its Searcy location with staff and community members.

“It is an interesting story of how God has blessed PrimeCARE with great employees and growth,” founder J.P. Wornock, MD, said. “But if that were the only story, then we would be much like other clinics in the area. The real story is how our employees take care of each other like family and how that supports their ability and desire to take care of patients the same way. The culture of PrimeCARE is what makes this such a wonderful place.”

The first clinic opened in Searcy on Sept. 16, 2003. In the days leading up to the clinic's opening, Wornock gathered with a group from his church and staff in the waiting room and prayed for the success of PrimeCARE and that the clinic would be a blessing to many people. Opening with three full-time and two part-time employees, Wornock was the only provider for the first two years of operation. In 2005, additional staff and another provider were added, and hours were extended to include evenings and weekends.

Fast forward two decades and there are three clinic locations, more than 20 providers and about 120 part-time and fulltime employees. More than 70 families rely on the revenue of PrimeCARE as their primary source of income. Across three clinics, the medical team comprises more than 20 doctors, physician assistants and nurse practitioners. In addition, the patient support team, referral specialists, billing specialists, quality care team, reception teams, medical techs, nurses, medical providers and counselors work together to take care of primary care and walk-in medical needs.

A primary care clinic, the staff manages patients’ medical care with annual wellness exams, referral services for specialty needs, medication management, and monitoring of chronic and acute care illnesses. They also provide same-day visits for non-emergent walk-in care. In addition to medical assistance, PrimeCARE believes in the importance of mental health services for communities. Therefore, each PrimeCARE location has counselors on-site to work alongside the medical team and ensure that overall health is considered.

“Our mission is to glorify God by radically improving patient care in an environment that promotes the flourishing of our employees and inspires others to take up the same cause,” Wornock said.

PrimeCARE’s team members also give back to communities by participating in food and diaper drives, helping families with holiday expenses, attending mission trips and volunteering. A giving campaign for the charity 100 Families was held in September to recognize their 20th year.

The 100 Families Initiative is one of six key areas of focus for Restore Hope, an organization that works with individuals and groups from the private, public and social sectors to build a better state. The organization provides a platform for individuals from every walk of life to work together to move families from a place of crisis to an environment where they are thriving. This support encompasses housing, transportation, employment, education, addiction/recovery and food stability.

TOP LEFT: PrimeCARE Conway, located on the corner of Harkrider & Oak St. TOP RIGHT: Jasmine Harris (from left), who works for the charity "100 Families" in White County, was "Loving LIFE" with Eric Booth, CEO of the PrimeCARE Medical Clinic in Searcy. As part of the 20th anniversary celebration, PrimeCARE raised money for the organization. CENTER: PrimeCARE location on Main St. in Searcy which is located in the heart of downtown. BOTTOM: Associates celebrated the company's 20th anniversary. Searcy's Marshall Sexson, PA-C, (from left); Emily Chalco, NLR Clinic Manager; Sofia Bell, Searcy Tech; Katy Martin, Searcy Scribe; and Margo Estrada, Searcy Tech.

Photos by Courtney Utley Photography

Derrick (from left), Jaden, Jude, Jackson and Jana Nichols live in Greenbrier and are involved in T-ball.

DERRICK & JANA NICHOLS

HER STORY:

HOMETOWN: Cabot (Lonoke County).

PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: I work at Freyaldenhoven Heating and Cooling.

CHILDREN: Jude, Jaden, Jackson and Pamela.

HOBBIES: I recently started a photography business. I really enjoy taking photos of families and capturing memories for them. I love spending time with my kids, watching them play sports and spending time outdoors. We love taking day trips to Silver Dollar City.

HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?

I’m laid back, but very passionate when I really want or love something.

WHY DO YOU LOVE THE 501? Arkansas

is one of the few states, in my opinion, that has good values left. I love the small-town feel of Greenbrier. It is easy to get to know the parents of my kids’ friends and their teachers. I know if my family ever needed anything, there are so many people in this community that we could count on to help, and that is really a great feeling.

HIS STORY:

HOMETOWN:

EDUCATION:

PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT:

HOBBIES:

WHY DO YOU LOVE THE 501?

in Northern Arkansas where everyone knew everyone growing up. I feel like Greenbrier has that same feel. The older our kids get, the more people get to know us and them. I like that everyone looks out for each other and each other’s kids.

THEIR STORY:

ana and Derrick met at Gander Mountain in North Little Rock, where they both worked. They were both with other people at the time, but God had a plan for them.

Jana left there in early 2010 but still remained friends with other co-workers. Derrick invited Jana to a Ducks Unlimited banquet later that year after they both became single, and that’s when they hit it off. After that, they went on their first date in the fall of 2010 and have been together since.

Derrick proposed to Jana on Feb. 18, 2013, after they looked at rings earlier that week. They married later that year on Sept. 21, 2013, in a small wedding at Wooster Baptist Church and had the reception at a family member’s home.

They make it a point to spend at least two to three lunch breaks together every week. “We go to the gym, take a walk around downtown Conway when the weather is nice, or go eat lunch together,” she said. “We enjoy taking trips to Branson and Gulf Shores and spending time as a family. Our kids are growing so fast and we are trying to soak it all in.”

When worry overwhelms...

Understanding anxiety and the steps that can help you cope

Special Contribution by:

Tresvil G. Pack, Ph.D., CRC, LPC-S, BC-TMH

Anxiety is worry and fear that feels excessive and persistent. It occurs on a continuum, and everybody has some level of anxiety about things they encounter in life. It is completely normal to have some anxiety about stressful events like a public speaking engagement, meeting new people, sending your child off to camp or college or changing jobs.

We have seen an increase in the number of people experiencing excess anxiety since 2020. There are many reasons for this trend, including constant availability of information from both credible and suspect sources and living in a world that has recently experienced a pandemic. Anxiety becomes a problem to be addressed when it is about things we encounter on a regular basis and we are not able to adjust to those things. Some examples might be fear of failure in school for a full-time student or the fear of driving for a professional truck driver.

When fear and worry begin to consume a significant portion of our time and energy and the object of the fear is not a one-time event that will soon pass, it becomes problematic and interrupts life. As anxiety increases, all of life starts to feel out of control and overwhelming. Ideally, we want to start addressing anxiety before life starts to feel like it’s too much, but it is often the case that we, as humans, try to tough it out until we just can’t stand it any longer.

Some ways we can help ourselves when we encounter anxiety:

PHYSIOLOGICAL WELL-BEING

• Diet – Maintaining a healthy diet provides our bodies the fuel they need to function in the face of scary life events. Too many carbohydrates or sugars can heighten anxiety.

• Exercise – When we face things we fear, our bodies often get us ready to fight or flee from that thing. We produce cortisol and adrenaline, but in today’s world, most of us are not running from a bear in the woods, so we don’t finish the cycle started by the production of these stress hormones and they stay elevated in our systems. Exercise helps to burn off these stress chemicals produced in our bodies. Exercise also ensures our bodies are in better physical condition, so they operate more efficiently in the face of all of life’s circumstances.

• Sleep – Most humans need about eight hours of sleep each night to feel well-rested. If we get much more or less, then our bodies feel overly tired and don’t function as well. We want our bodies to function from a well-rested place when we are facing things that we fear or worry about.

BREATH

• My favorite breathing exercise is box breathing. In box breathing, breathe in for four counts through the nose. Hold that breath for a four-count. Exhale through pursed lips for a fourcount and hold for a four-count. Repeat this cycle for two to five minutes to gain the desired amount of relaxation. The entire thought process during box breathing is on counting to four. If we keep ourselves busy counting, we are not able to worry about the object of the fear.

PROGRESSIVE MUSCLE RELAXATION

• Before you begin your first attempt, make sure you are reclined in a chair or in a bed because some people go to sleep when using muscle relaxation.

• Begin at your toes and flex them for five seconds. Pay attention to what it feels like for your muscles to be flexed. Then relax your toes and pay attention to what relaxation feels like. Next, move up your body to your calves and repeat the flexion and relaxation cycle, paying attention to what it feels like to be flexed and to be relaxed. Repeat this cycle for every major muscle group in your body, ending with your face.

If you try the above techniques and still feel anxious, I recommend making an appointment with a mental health therapist. We have several options at Restored Life Counseling, and there are many other good options in Central Arkansas.

By Don Bingham

Today, tailgates have become elaborate parties in the parking lot of the stadium! From the back of their cars and trucks, or with elaborate canopy tents stretched for blocks, the football fans eat, drink and play games for hours. As Hungryfan.com says, "For those of you who have been living under a sizable rock—tailgating is a very American tradition in which sports fans gather outside their favorite sports venue before a game to hang out, socialize, drink, eat, celebrate their team and get pumped up for the game ahead." It's part of our American culture and a big part of the fall season!

There are many ways to be a part of the tailgate process. It's best to ask your host how they would like you to participate. It might be to bring a side dish or a bag of ice, or even contribute a few bucks towards the menu cost while the host does all the grilling, cooking and food prep. Hungryfan. com also suggests tailgates are planned in three stages: preparation, performance and cleanup. Among the necessities are meats (burgers, barbeque, brats, hot dogs or chicken wings); drinks (beer, soda, water); and accessories (utensils, extra propane/ charcoal, ice, chairs and paper items).

At a recent tailgate we attended, television screens were under most of the fans' tents, and guests were gathered watching various sports activities of other schools while waiting on the local college band to parade through the lineup of tailgate offerings on both sides of the street. Crowd watching was the second most popular pre-game activity!

Listed below are the recipes from a recent tailgate party. The Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya is done in a large stockpot and feeds a crowd. It can be easily multiplied to accommodate neighboring tailgaters and even the football team! Good planning and plenty of help will always make the work fun and worth the effort. Tailgating says, "Welcome to fall," and I know these recipes will get you fueled up for the big win. GO TEAM!

Tailgating is the ultimate pre-game celebration to build excitement for the home team.

Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya

2 chicken breasts, deboned and finely chopped

2 smoked sausage links, sliced

3 cups converted rice

1 cup celery, chopped

3 cups onions, chopped fine

3 tsp. salt

1 tsp. granulated garlic, or 1 fresh bud, finely chopped

1/4 cup oil

1/2 tsp. black pepper

All-purpose Cajun seasoning, to taste

Water as needed

Add oil to the bottom of the pot; sauté onions, garlic, celery and chicken until dark brown. Add chicken to onions, garlic and celery and continue to sauté until it is also browned. (Chicken may be boiled first, then chopped, if desired.)

Add 1/2 cup water and simmer for 10 minutes. Add seasonings and about five more cups of water (may substitute chicken broth, if desired). Bring liquid to a rolling boil. Add rice and stir. Let rice and water thicken as rice absorbs the liquid. Stir as little as possible. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes. When the rice mixture thickens, stir in smoked sausage. Continue to heat for about five minutes or until all is heated through and through. Serves 6-10.

Recipes continued on page 22

Out-of-this-World Corn Dip

3 - 11 oz. cans of Mexicorn (corn with chopped red and green peppers)

1 - 7 oz. can chopped green chiles

1 - 6-oz can diced jalapeno peppers (retain liquid and add to taste)

1/2 cup green onions, chopped

1 cup mayonnaise

1 cup sour cream

1 tsp. pepper

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1 - 16 oz package shredded sharp cheese

2-3 bags Fritos® Scoops!® Corn Chips

In a large bowl, mix all ingredients except corn chips. Chill from two hours to overnight; serve with corn chips. Serves 15-20

Gridiron Granola

from The Evangelical Institute in Greenville, South Carolina

16 cups oatmeal

8 cups coconut

4 cups wheat germ

4 cups bran

4 cups sunflower seeds

4 cups unhulled sesame seeds

1 cup oil

3 cups honey

2 Tbsp. salt

Mix dry ingredients. In a 4-cup measuring cup, place 1 cup oil and add 3 cups of honey. Pour into dry ingredients; mix well. Spray baking sheets with an oil coating, unless they are non-stick. Bake at 325 until golden brown, approximately 30 minutes, turning granola often to prevent burning.

“Thank you to Karin and Jeff Hagans and the folks at Hagans Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM in Morrilton for tailgating with us during my Tasty Tailgating photoshoot.” — Chef Don Bingham

Catching a CAB in Conway

Bicycling club invites new participants

By David Grimes

If you have noticed more and more bicyclists pedaling around Conway in recent years, you are not alone. And it is no accident. Several groups, both public and private, are working to help make Conway a hub for the growing cycling movement. And the Conway Advocates for Bicycling (CAB) is at the forefront of these efforts.

Photo by Mike Kemp

Founded in 2009, CAB is a member of the League of American Bicyclists, which is a national organization. CAB works closely with the city’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board (BPAB) to make Conway accessible for all residents and to improve its biking and walking infrastructure with signage, trails and designated bike lanes.

Conway is home to many popular cycling routes and has many miles of family-friendly bike trails. Its dedicated bike route, “Reddin’s Route,” commemorates Greg Reddin, a champion and advocate for bicycling initiatives in Conway who lost his battle with terminal illness in 2016.

These collective efforts have helped the city achieve and retain certification by the League of American Bicyclists as a Bicycle Friendly Community at the Bronze Level. It now has set its sights on attaining Silver Level certification.

Peter Mehl is one of the founding members of CAB and is still a board member. He is also a former member of BPAB and has a certification from the League of American Bicyclists to teach the Smart Cycling class, which is offered at least once per year. An avid cyclist since childhood, Mehl reiterates why all this is important to our area. “By supporting cycling, a community affirms the importance of alternative transportation, healthy lifestyles and quality of life for all citizens,” he said.

David DeRosa is the past president of CAB and a current board member. Growing up in Southern California, he experienced a sense of adventure by using his bike to explore the areas in and around his home near Los Angeles. DeRosa stresses that this is a diverse sport for all ages, genders and sizes and that just about any type of bike will do.

He elaborated on CAB’s objectives that “we work with state and local governments on the development of paths, routes, lanes and trails. They are designed to help us safely navigate our way across town.” This is especially important as people not only use bicycles for exercise and recreation, but many also rely on them for basic transportation needs, including getting to and from work or school.

CAB’s mission includes encouraging the development and use of facilities (bike paths, routes, lanes and trails) for bicycling, providing educational information for both bicyclists and motorists, defending the rights of bicyclists, and providing bicycle safety training. It also stays busy sponsoring activities that provide more opportunities for the citizens of Conway to enjoy bicycling, including Bike to Work and Bike to School.

CAB recently hosted its annual Conway Fall Classic on Sept. 16 in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Faulkner County. Beginning and ending at Antioch Baptist Church, the three routes accommodate various riding levels: 23 miles, 40 miles and 62 miles.

The group also sponsors the Conway Cycling Project, formerly known as Bike Share and Repair. Residents of Conway are able to access affordable repairs and maintenance, as well as receive safety instruction. Used bicycles can be donated here, where they are cleaned up and repaired if needed and donated to local organizations, including the Conway Ministry Center, Soul Food Cafe, CoHo, CAPCA and the Women’s Shelter.

It also collaborates with the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce on BiketoberFest, with a number of activities throughout October. During Toad Suck Daze weekend each May, CAB works with the Literacy Council to host the Tour de Toad bike ride. Other sponsored activities include in-season Monday and Wednesday CAB rides leaving from the McGee Center, again with different routes for riders of different abilities.

CAB is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and its mission is supported by dues-paying members; and you don’t even have to be a cyclist to support the group. Annual memberships start at just $5, and an entire family can join for $15. More information about Conway Advocates for Bicycling can be found on their website at cycleconway.com.

THE ROAD TO

wellness

Marlon Rieth finds passion for cycling benefits weight loss

By Tammy Keith

Photos by Mike Kemp

Inspired by his wife, Candy, and younger son, Aaron, he jumped on the health bandwagon by way of a new bicycle. His wife had bought a Peloton stationary bicycle and started losing weight and buying new clothes. His son started cycling in college.

“I’m watching my son; I’m watching my wife. My wife’s losing weight and buying new clothes, and here I am at 50 still eating the way I normally did. I said, ‘Marlon, your comfort bike and pizza buffets on Fridays aren’t working out.’” He said he got out of breath walking from his truck to the grocery store, and his knees hurt.

Rieth went to The Ride, a bicycle shop in Conway, bought a road bike and joined Conway Advocates for Bicycling. He was enthusiastic but unprepared for his first 25-mile ride. He recalled that he wore sweatpants and regular tennis shoes, and his experienced riding friends quickly pointed out that he needed padded shorts and cycling shoes.

“I was never a committed athlete until I got into cycling,” Rieth said.

Now he often wakes up at 4:15 a.m., has a cup of coffee and a banana, and hits the road, or sometimes rides in the evening. A relationship banker at Arvest Bank in Conway, he is a member of the Arvest Cycling Club, which meets on Saturdays. He rides during the week with CAB friends, including Peter Mehl, “someone I aspire to be on the back of a bicycle”; Terry Coddington; Tonya Kizer; Chris McCauley; David DeRosa and Lori Ross.

“CAB is an amazing group of cyclists. I enjoy the camaraderie as much as anything,” Rieth said. “I am out here having a good time. I’m not really worried about average speed. I love to be in the city of Conway and go around Lake Beaverfork and see the sun come up. … We climbed Wye Mountain … and the sun was coming up; it’s just so beautiful. We’ll see the occasional deer. I’ve been on more roads in the state of Arkansas on my bicycle than I’ve been in my car.”

In September, Rieth rode in the Big Dam Bridge 100 presented by Arvest Bank and in the Conway Fall Classic sponsored by CAB.

Mehl said Rieth “really has come a long way.” He recalled the first couple of times Rieth showed up: “He didn’t have much of a bike,” and he couldn’t ride far distances. “He sort of got the bug and wanted to ride harder,” Mehl said. “He’s quite an inspiration to a lot of people.”

Rieth’s three-year journey of weight loss includes intermittent fasting and choosing protein shakes over pizza, but it’s cycling that he credits the most.

“My biggest goal for the future is just to stay healthy so I can continue riding until I’m in my 70s,” he said.

YOUTH

OF THE MONTH VICTORIA BARKSDALE MAYFLOWER

By Becky Bell

No one could accuse Victoria Barksdale, a junior at Mayflower High School, of not living life to the fullest.

Depending on what day of the week it is, the 16-year-old can be found assisting as a volunteer for the Mayflower Fire Department, taking care of livestock on her family farm or dancing at the city’s senior center with a friend who once danced with Bing Crosby and remembers classic Hollywood.

She also plays third base on the Mayflower softball team and is a forward on the high school’s basketball team. As she works this busy schedule, which some adults would find daunting, she maintains a 4.0 GPA.

Victoria, who is known to most as Tori, learned about the importance of firefighters from her parents, who serve with the Mayflower Fire Department. She doesn’t remember when she began to train as one of the team, but she is by far the youngest person who goes out on calls.

“I have learned how to pump the trucks and get out the hoses so they can start extinguishing the fire,” she said. “I don’t go into the fires. I stay on the truck, and as guys and gals come out of the fire, I give them water and Gatorade to keep them hydrated. I don’t really know how we got started in it but one of our friends is the fire chief, and a little while ago they were struggling for help, so we joined. I love helping the community and this is one way I can.”

Fire Chief of Mayflower Fire Department Ashton Tolliver said Tori has been a junior firefighter on his crew for the past two years he has been with the department and describes her as a “hard worker” and a “gogetter.”

Photo by Makenzie Evans

In September, she won Grand Champion Market Goat, Reserve Champion Market Goat, Grand Champion Wether Dam Lamb, Reserve Champion Market Lamb and Grand Champion Senior Showman at the Faulkner County Fairr. She is with Mayflower 4H and is an FFA member.

“She always has a smile on her face and is eager to learn everything she can,” Tolliver said. “She is always joking and keeping the morale up. She is one of us.”

Another part of Tori’s life that brings her great joy, but also takes hours of her days and nights, are the animals she takes care of on her family’s farm. While on the phone for the interview, Tori was working in the barn trying to tend to sheep and get them washed and fed so they, and she, could go to sleep that evening. Despite the conversation going on between the writer and Tori, a particular sheep named N.C. (because she has no color) kept butting in as if she had something to add.

“She is a little loud and dramatic,” Tori said. “No, she doesn’t act like she is hurt, but when she doesn’t get her way, she acts like it’s the end of the world. She’s high maintenance.”

Maintaining chickens, cows, sheep, goats, dogs and cats is something Tori primarily takes care of on her own, although her proud mother, Kim Barksdale, helps too. Kim said that Tori shows for the Future Farmers of America (FFA) several months of the year, and she must wash, dry, exercise and feed her animals, which takes at least three to four hours a night.

The teen’s animals have always had a place in her heart, and when she graduates from high school, she plans to get her undergraduate degree at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia and continue her education at Oklahoma State University to eventually become a veterinarian. She said she will come back to Mayflower to work as a veterinarian because she loves her home and it’s been good for her.

But before she completes high school, there are still activities in the community she loves doing, including weekly visits to the Mayflower Senior Center. Tori enjoys playing games with the seniors and listening to their stories. She has one special friend, Kathleen Kennedy, who has shown her some impressive dance moves.

“Ms. Kathleen danced with Bing Crosby in the movie ‘Wild Irish Rose’ in 1949. And she danced for Paramount Network, 20th Century Fox and the WB Record Co.,” Tori said. “I’m not really a good dancer myself, but Ms. Kathleen, even at 97, has everything she had back in the day. We do some kicks and some circles, and we just dance and have fun. We don’t really have a specific dance; we just dance wherever the music takes us.”

So, the most obvious question for Tori is, “When do you possibly sleep?” Well, her school week is Tuesday through Friday, so Monday is the day she visits the senior center. But other than that, Tori has an incredible amount of energy and an impressive sense of time management. And at this rate, by the time she turns 30, there is no telling what she will have accomplished.

Victoria “Tori” Barksdale volunteers with her parents at the Mayflower Fire Department.

the cake

When it comes to compassionate care, Conway Regional Health System's Lesia Green takes

White cake with white icing welcomed Lesia Green, the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s Nurse of the Year, back to work at Conway Regional Medical Center after two months of cancer treatment.

D

uring his first Town Hall in 2015, Conway Regional’s then-new president and CEO Matt Troup asked employees what he could do for them. “I asked him to bring me a white cake with white icing,” recalled Green. “The next day he came up to my unit with the cake and we shared it with everyone.”

Troup also had a cake delivered to her home in Morrilton while she was battling cancer this spring. His note said, “I hope this makes you smile.”

Known for her smile, Lesia Green has been eating her favorite cake and doing what she loves at Conway Regional for 36 years.

Green has mentored numerous young nurses. “I tell them to listen to the patients. You have got to have compassion for our patients,” said Green. Showing compassion is not always easy. “When they are sick, they may be a little mean or a little grumpy, but nurses must remember they are not feeling well. We must be an advocate for our patients.”

Green decided she wanted to become a nurse at the young age of 5 while watching nurses care for her mother. “My mom had gotten sick, and I couldn’t understand why everyone was so excited. My mom was healed, and I couldn’t figure out how she got well. I didn’t know what they did, but I knew I wanted to do that as well.”

Lesia was known for her compassion as a child. “They called me cry baby because I couldn’t stand to see anyone get hurt,” she said. “I would hide my nieces and nephews in the closet so they wouldn’t get a whoopin’.”

After graduating from Morrilton High School in 1985, Lesia began pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse. The first stop was Petit Jean Vo-Tech where she completed her education to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN). Lesia began working as an LPN at Conway Regional Medical Center. “Even back then, the head nurse would give me all the elderly patients because she loved the way that I cared for them,” recalled Green.

“I wanted to do more,” Lesia said. Green entered an LPN to RN program to become a registered nurse in 1994.

Shortly afterward, Green found her home on the fourth floor medical-surgical unit at Conway Regional Medical

Center. After 26 years, Lesia remains at Conway Regional, stating, “I like the atmosphere here. I like the values that Conway Regional promotes and stands for. This what I believe in, so I don’t need to go anywhere else.”

Many of her patients are thankful that Lesia Green remains in the medical-surgical unit, which is considered one of the most difficult areas to work in floor nursing.

Patient advocacy and compassion were among the traits described in her nomination for Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 Nurse of the Year.

The Nurse of the Year nomination read, “What set her apart is her gift of compassion for her patients. She truly loves them and takes excellent care of them. She would stay over just to make sure that she completed the care before the next nurse came on shift.”

“If I have to stay over after I clock out, then that’s what I will do to make sure my patients are cared for,” added Green.

What is a good day for Lesia Green? “When the patients get all the treatment that they need, and they want to see us come back the next day. We know we did something good.”

And, of course, Lesia wouldn’t mind a slice of that white cake with white icing.

Facts About Lesia:

• Lesia has two adult children: a daughter who lives in Fayetteville and a son who lives in Russellville.

• Her hobby is playing and watching sports on TV, and her favorite team is the Pittsburgh Steelers. “In seventh grade, I wrote in an autobiography that I wanted to be buried in a black and gold casket. The teachers kept it and showed it to my children.”

• Her toughest period in nursing was the COVID-19 pandemic. “It was so tough. I wanted to work those units with COVID patients. When people are sick, I want to be right there. When things get tough, that’s where I want to be.”

Museum of memories

The Faulkner County Museum hosts Open House to celebrate 150 years of Faulkner County

By Carol Rolf

The Faulkner County Museum will host its 21st annual Holiday Open House from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. The theme for the free event is “150 and Counting … Celebrating 150 Years of Faulkner County History.”

Lynita Langley-Ware, executive director, said the museum is continuing to observe the 150th anniversary of Faulkner County, which was officially celebrated in April. The county was formed April 12, 1873, from parts of Conway and Pulaski counties. The museum, located on the Faulkner County Courthouse grounds at 801 Locust St., is a lesson in history itself.

“This building was built as the Faulkner County Jail in 1896 and converted to the Faulkner County Library in 1938,” Langley-Ware said. “The Faulkner County Quorum Court created the museum in 1992, and when the library moved to its new facility on Tyler Street, the building became home to the museum in 1995 but did not open to the public until 1997.”

The museum, which is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, houses items from the county’s prehistory and history and maintains archival and documentary collections. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. “We depend largely on donations and memorials and the voluntary millage tax to operate,” said Langley-Ware, adding the museum was created by an unfunded ordinance.

“That’s why it’s so important for Faulkner County citizens

to pay their voluntary millage when they pay their personal property tax,” she said. “These monies keep our doors open, the lights on, and they pay for the maintenance and upkeep of the building. We want to keep this museum open here in this building for as long as possible. We apply for grants as we qualify for them, but we cannot depend on that.”

She said the museum is still undergoing preservation efforts.

“We started remodeling the building pre-COVID and have had some setbacks,” she said. “The outside is done and we are now turning our efforts inward. These efforts include redoing the wiring and lights and reworking some of the exhibits.”

The museum will be open for touring during the open house event, as will the 1830s dogtrot cabin, which will be decorated for the holidays. There will be live music by local musicians, including the Pickin’ Porch Players and the Boomers, crafts and games for all, and old-time skills demonstrations.

“We will be making corn husk dollies for the kids and demonstrating spinning and weaving skills,” Langley-Ware said. “We will have members of the Faulkner County Master Gardeners here, as well as Arkansas Master Naturalists.

“We will be selling holiday ornaments, books and museum merchandise, including T-shirts and maybe calendars,” she said. “We are still offering commemorative bricks for our Legacy Walk in front of the building; those are a great way to pay tribute to someone in your life.”

Faulkner County Museum Executive Director Lynita Langley-Ware said they have some collections that large museums have tried to obtain. She is excited to show Open House guests dozens of exhibits on Oct. 28, including nearly 100 quilts made from 1890 to 2007, a model of The Dickerson (medical) Clinic and a rare hand-carved powder horn from the Revolutionary War era.

Continued on page 36

The Scale Model Railroad of Faulkner County

The Faulkner County Museum showcases a treasure trove of exhibits sharing the contributions the railroad industry made to the area.

During the Open House, visitors can view the operational model railroad of 1940s Conway as well as other train-related mementos and memorabilia.

Photo by Mike Kemp

HONORING OUR HEROES

Arkansas Military Veterans’ Hall of Fame honors new inductees

By Dwain Hebda

Since 2011, the Arkansas Military Veterans’ Hall of Fame has honored distinguished veterans and their sacrifice in defense of freedom and the American way of life. The organization sprang from the efforts of Arkansas veterans who were concerned at the lack of such a hall to recognize the military men and women who by their actions had brought such honor to The Natural State.

The latest group of inductees will be enshrined at the organization’s Hall of Fame Banquet, slated for Nov.4 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Little Rock. The social hour, followed by dinner and the awards ceremony, is the main fundraiser for the group.

“We invite everyone to come out and support us and to meet these winners and learn their stories,” said Irwin “Earl” Wright, board member and a 28-year veteran of the U.S. Army, both active duty and Army National Guard. “There’s

so many winners out there, and I call them winners because their stories are amazing and they’re true. Many of them never received anything more than what they’re getting now from us, and we are proud to finally give them the recognition they deserve.”

Wright said in addition to awarding a long-overdue accolade, the Hall of Fame serves to bring inductees’ stories to light, each one a compelling tale of self-sacrifice and bravery under fire for a cause greater than oneself. Donovan “Bull” Briley is just one example: The North Little Rock native was an Army Reservist and DEA agent before going on active duty in 1987. He was deployed with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment where he flew helicopters and was killed Oct. 3, 1993, while serving with Task Force Ranger in Mogadishu, Somalia. The incident was captured in the movie “Black Hawk Down.”

Photo by Mike Kemp

“Some things you see about men and women in the military, like what you see in movies or TV shows, are not accurate or they are unknown altogether,” Wright said. “Anyone who saw ‘Black Hawk Down’ saw what happened in Mogadishu, but very few people know Donovan Briley was actually from Arkansas. When we presented his wife with his award, she was so happy that her husband, who had served in multiple countries, was finally being recognized.”

According to the organization’s bylaws, up to 15 Arkansas military veterans may be inducted into the Hall of Fame in any given year. Of those, up to 10 are selected exclusively for their valorous military service to the country, and up to five may be selected for combined military and civilian service to their community, state and nation.

Proceeds from the Hall of Fame event go toward expenses of the event and recognizing the honorees. Wright said the complete Hall of Fame is currently on display at the Arkansas State Capitol Building, with plans for additional displays in the future.

“Right now, if you go into the capitol to the second-floor rotunda near the finance office, you will see a big monument there with the Hall of Fame,” he said. “We’re trying to get another one at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. We’re working on a Military Veterans Hall of Fame memorial display.”

Tickets for the Nov. 4 banquet are $75 each or $750 for a table of 10. For more information or to order tickets, visit amvhof.org.

2023 ARKANSAS MILITARY VETERANS’ HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES:

Stevie Ray Tucker - North Little Rock

Ricky Lynn Waddell - Tavares, Fla.

Lyle William Butler Jr. (deceased)

William Dow Nesbitt - Cave City

Barry Timothy Bergschneider - Milton, Fla.

William David Wofford - Conway

Teddy M. Mabry - Paragould

Warren Glen Ward - Benton, La.

Deborah Jean Collins - North Little Rock

Jerry Damon Pruitt - Fort Smith

Phillip Alvin Snodgrass - Little Rock (deceased)

Robert Bishop Davis - Little Rock

Kenneth Dale Griffin - Fort Smith

Paul Dean Forster - Vilonia

Clyde Edward Watson - Poyen (deceased)

Life on McLeod Nine

Instructor finds joy in Yoga after breast cancer journey

By Kelli Reep

Meet Teresa Jaynes McLeod and you instantly feel relaxed, which makes sense as she has been a yoga instructor for almost two decades. Her quick smile and easy approach to life have been hard-fought-for and won, and today, she is doing everything she can to help others feel at ease in their lives.

A breast cancer survivor since 1990, Teresa has looked an almost unbeatable foe in the eyes and defeated it through faith, love and healthy living. After finding a lump in her right breast in 1989, she had surgery and chemotherapy treatments. At the time, both she and her husband were working full-time and raising children who were beginning first, third, fourth, sixth and eighth grades.

“Until then, I had never had a mammogram, and there was no incident of breast cancer in my family,” Teresa said. “My sister was an oncology nurse in Memphis at the time, and she encouraged me to get a mammogram. The day of the surgery, I got up early, baked chocolate chip muffins, put the house in order, and got all five kids ready for sleepovers with their friends. I remember thinking, ‘Only in America can a woman vacuum her house and finish chores before a mastectomy scheduled at 3 p.m.’”

After taking chemotherapy every three weeks for six months and traveling from Searcy to Little Rock to do so, Teresa returned to teaching. Eventually, she had breast reconstruction and has been cancer-free for 33 years.

“I will gratefully be turning 74 in November, and my life is richer now than it has ever been,” she said. “I've been married to my high school sweetheart for 55 years, and we have five grown children and 12 grandchildren, whom we call our ‘dandy dozen.’ My husband, Randy, and I live in Searcy, and we're both retired from Harding University. I was a special educator for 42 years, and now I'm blessed to be a full-time grandparent, traveler and gardener, but my real passion is introducing the young and young-at-heart to the health benefits of practicing yoga.”

Teresa became interested in yoga at age 55 when she attended her first class. As someone who was always into exercising, yoga seemed difficult to manage as she had to be still and breathe. She said she would hold her breath instead of taking deep, cleansing ones through the poses. It wasn’t until she finally started taking those deep breaths that she had a breakthrough.

Teresa wasted no time moving from student to teacher. In 2006, she found an instructor training course in Fayetteville and traveled there for 17 weekends. In 2007, she became a certified yoga instructor in VariYoga, which means she is qualified to teach hath, restorative, prenatal and other types of yoga. In the fall of that same year, Teresa began teaching a yoga class to cancer survivors.

Photos by Laney Media- Claire Seale

“Yoga is for every body as the body craves stretching and breathing, and yoga practice enhances overall health.” Today, she teaches yoga at Mindful State Yoga in Searcy and virtually for CARTI via Zoom.

“We decided on the Zoom platform to reach more people in Arkansas,” Teresa said. “I was invited to come and make some videos of yoga poses that would be shown in the oncology waiting room at CARTI in Little Rock, and at the satellite CARTI treatment centers in North Little Rock, Heber Springs, Searcy and beyond.

“I know there are many more people out there who would benefit from a gentle yoga class in the privacy of their own home,” Teresa said. “Some may be a bit uneasy on the Zoom platform, but it is so easy to just click on the link to access the class from a smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer. I hope more people will consider doing something kind and healthy for themselves and participate in a yoga class.”

Any cancer patient or survivor, as well as his or her caregiver, can take the virtual yoga class every Tuesday at 3 p.m. at no cost. To register, call CARTI at 501.906.4436, and you will receive an email invitation each week with a code and password to access the class.

A BRIDGE FOR THOSE FACING CANCER

Receiving a cancer diagnosis can stop us in our tracks. The lifealtering news and the subsequent medical decisions it requires not only affect us physically, but it also impacts our emotional and financial well-being. That’s why CARTI is committed to being there for patients and caregivers during every step of their journeys.

For nearly 50 years, CARTI has provided comprehensive support services to improve the quality of life of those facing cancer. The Bridge, now under construction at its flagship Little Rock campus, is designed to be a haven for patients and their families.

Through accessible programs and support groups, CARTI hopes to educate, equip and ease individuals’ stress during a time filled with uncertainty and fear. Those interested in exploring The Bridge’s free programs, listed below, can visit CARTI.com.

Lymphedema Support Group: Invites patients who may be soon affected by lymph node removal surgery to work on lymphedema prevention and those with the condition to share their experiences, learn from guest speakers and receive educational materials

Laryngectomy Support Group: Provides those who have undergone or are scheduled to receive the surgical procedure hands-on education and support from CARTI’s speech-language pathologist

Insight with Larry and Jim: Includes conversations about how patients and caregivers can stay motivated and see their way through their cancer journeys

Breast Health Support Group: Fosters conversations and relationship-building between breast cancer survivors and current patients

Cancer 101 Workshop: Covers chemotherapy, radiation, oral medication and surgery preparation education

Healing Arts: Engages attendees in creative practices that support healing, wellness and coping

Pastoral Care: Offers spiritual wellness practices and counsel to those in need

Financial Advocacy: Connects families with patient financial advocates and workshops to help them understand their insurance and how their treatments will be covered

Resource and Appearance Center: Provides educational materials, lessons and referrals (e.g., breast prosthesis) to help patients during treatment

Genetics and Risk Management Workshop: Educates attendees about family health histories, the risks of inherited cancer and risk management strategies

Virtual and In-Person Yoga: Encourages regular movement for improved functionality, reduced stress and peace

Interested individuals can support The Bridge by making a financial contribution to the CARTI Foundation or attending one of its fundraising events, such as Festival of Trees from Nov. 16-18. Tickets go on sale on Oct. 10 at CARTI.com.

Teresa McCleod (center) teaches at Mindful State Yoga in Searcy (White County). She offers a weekly virtual class through CARTI, and any cancer patient or caregiver can participate for free via Zoom by calling 501.906.4436.

A message from Kim Williams Executive Director, Conway Downtown Partnership

There’s so much happening this month, starting the very first weekend of October with Conway Art Walk and the Conway Regional Health System’s Fall Crawl. This Art Walk is the final one for the season. There will be an expanded schedule for the Art Walk, with a Fashion Show on Thursday night and the Homeward Realty Chili Cookoff on Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Visit Conway Art Walk on Facebook for all the details.

That same evening, Oct. 6, the Conway Regional Health System Off the Clock: Fall Crawl, presented by H+N Architects, will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Visit conwaychamber.org/events for details. Check in at H+N Architects, 1109 Main St., for a map to navigate your stops along the way. Also, grab a photo and pick up your T-shirt (while supplies last) and the Crawl Card while you’re there. Then, join the fun as you stop in for special promotions at participating downtown restaurants and retailers.

We will also be celebrating downtown the whole month with the finale of the Downtown Conway Farmers & Crafts Market. They will have pop-up markets throughout the month on different days, so check Downtown Conway Farmers & Crafts Market on Facebook for more information.

Fall is always a fabulous time downtown. The leaves are turning and merchants are sharing their new fall lines and welcoming everyone! Your place is in downtown Conway this fall.

just a lil’

Nugget of Wisdom

4-year-old guinea pig is a lesson of love at Jim Stone Elementary School

By Rita Halter Thomas

Mention the word “nugget” and most kids envision something from a drive-through window, but students at Jim Stone Elementary School picture a reddish-brown ball of fur living in Angela Ladd’s classroom. His name is Nugget, and he’s a 4-year-old guinea pig.

“Nugget belongs to everyone…the students just love him,” said Ladd, a resource teacher for K-4. Nugget is not just a classroom pet. He’s also a teacher’s aide and a friend to the students.

“Lots of our curriculum is based on him,” she said. “We use Nugget in writing prompts, such as asking students to write

about where Nugget should go on his summer vacation, what should be on his Christmas list, or what he might do over the weekend. Some students read him stories. They may not want to read out loud, but they will read to Nugget.”

Students learn a sense of responsibility caring for Nugget. “All students in the school know Nugget and help with him, not just my students,” their teacher continued. Fourth grader Evy Davis was selected to get fresh vegetables from the cafeteria for him every day. Another fourth grader, Kynley Morman, reads to him and helps care for him. “She likes to get him fresh water, feed him, and will sweep around his cage when hay gets on the floor.”

Joshua Bell (from left), Kynley Morman and Evy Davis love visiting Nugget while at school at Jim Stone Elementary School in Conway.

Photo by Mike Kemp

students just love

Second-grader Joshua Bell also has a special bond with Nugget and loves to give him hay, talk to him every day =and make sure he’s okay. Students even make sure Nugget is dressed for each season or holiday, and they decorate his home as well. He’s all set for fall and Halloween.

Ladd refers to Nugget as a great “social emotional” pet. “Sometimes students may not want to talk to a teacher, but they will tell Nugget because he’s their friend, and he keeps secrets,” she said. “Nugget is also really good at calming kids down if they’re having a rough day. A teacher may let their student come in and just say ‘hi’ to him for a minute. He’s good at easing some of their anxiety.” Nugget is even great during check-in, when a student has difficulty transitioning from home to the classroom. He gives students something to look forward to, and to be excited about.

While he may look all cute and cuddly, Nugget does not like to be held. He enjoys company and is okay being petted, but he is not so good with being held. This gives students a relatable understanding of boundaries, respect, and behaviors with others. Students learn not everyone enjoys hugs, loud noises or being touched, and that it is okay to be different.

Nugget is vocal, and students learn from his “language.” He makes specific sounds when Ladd enters the room, which differs from when he hears Evy. He responds to Kynley differently than Joshua or others. Laughing, she said, “and he makes a different noise when I open my refrigerator.”

Students also learn from Nugget’s behavior. When he’s excited, he hops and jumps around in his cage. This is called popcorning. Ladd said, “We talk about the emotions he has. He has emotions just like we do. He can be scared, happy, hungry or sleepy, just like we can.”

Did she say hungry? Anyone else thinking the students at Jim Stone Elementary School will make sure Nugget gets plenty of green leafy vegetables, and nothing from a drivethrough window?

‘The

him.’

Angela Ladd

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.

PCSSD has education down to an art

By Jessica Duff

The Pulaski County Special School District boasts many dedicated educators and administrators from 26 schools across Central Arkansas, which includes the DRIVEN Virtual Academy now in its third year with the district. PCSSD Fine Arts teachers are committed to sharing their craft and passing along their knowledge and art to others. Maumelle High theater director Robert Birdsong is no different.

“To the students, fine arts and performing arts are the respite from numbers and words and formulas. A good portion of my students, and other fine arts teachers, have told us that without our classes, they couldn't see themselves making it to school. We are a vitally important cog in this machine,” Birdsong said.

Prior to entering education, Birdsong was an actor/musician/singer and union stagehand and worked as a commercial voiceover talent. However, he said he quickly felt the importance of teaching the fine arts.

“I started to notice that there were students in any population that were merely looking for something, something to make the school day bearable, something that spoke to their desires and dreams, something BIGGER than their core courses and themselves, and many of them came to me. After that, I felt it was a moral imperative to share a lifetime's experience on the stage, screen and in the studio.”

He explains what he hopes his students get from his theater classes.

“I hope the students understand there is a gigantic world of entertainment beyond that 5.5-inch screen on their phones. I hope that the career choices of our students are informed by what we have to offer. I hope that they develop stronger personality and selfesteem, and that they leave here far more confident than when they arrive.”

PCSSD boasts fine arts programs across the Maumelle feeder and at every grade level, including music classes, painting, theater, choir, marching band and more.

Who You Gonna Call?

Twelve-year-old Declan has battled intractable epilepsy for the last five years ... Thankfully he has a team of hero friends who ain't 'fraid to give hope.

By Dwain Hebda

On a quiet street in the middle of a sweltering Arkansas summer, a convoy of superheroes was making its way toward a rendezvous point. Included were figures from both sides of the good-evil spectrum – Flash and Robin, Joker and Beetlejuice. However, this was not a conflict for the fate of humanity, but an act of kindness. The parade that formed and passed by Declan Daniels’ home was there as a birthday surprise for a youth who’d more than earned it.

Continued on page 50

Photo by Mike Kemp

Jay Paul (from left), Declan Daniels, Brandon Hullum, Brandon Dewayne Sims and Charles Johnson.

““The ambulance service came, then the Little Rock Slingshots showed up and gave him a ride. They are these really cool cars that look like something straight off Mario Kart,” said Declan’s mother, Erika Oliver. “He also rode in the same model of car that was in the Fast & Furious movies.”

A major highlight of the lineup was Ecto-1, the iconic ride of the Ghostbusters, bearing three of the Slimer chasers themselves. Having heard Declan’s story from a mutual friend, three members of the Central Arkansas Ghostbuster Club disembarked in full regalia, proton packs and all.

It was an altogether fitting tribute for the boy who loves superheroes and who, for the past five years, had battled a specter in his brain as elusive as any actual ghost might be.

Continued on page 52

‘I’m overjoyed by our community assembling to support and celebrate Declan’

Declan's mom, Erika Oliver

Five years ago, after a day of riding his bike with friends, a sevenyear-old Declan Daniels laid down on the couch and took a nap. During the nap he rolled off the couch, something that ordinarily would have passed as an amusing side note on the day. Instead, as they would later learn, Declan had developed post-viral encephalitis and his falling off the couch was the result of a seizure, which continued unabated for more than an hour.

“The whole family had a respiratory virus in July. When it got to him, he seemed to be OK and over it,” said Erika. “Turns out he had a brain infection, and his immune system started attacking healthy brain tissue.”

Declan went into a coma at the hospital, and the incident left him with some changes in his brain functions which combined with the damage from the infection itself and a second seizure he had suffered just a week later The condition resurfaced in late 2021 and intensified last year.

“He was in and out of the hospital all summer long,” Erika said. “Then in September he was diagnosed with intractable epilepsy, which is medication-resistant. That’s when we started the surgical evaluation process and that consisted of several tests.”

Ultimately, a responsive neurostimulator (RNS), a medical device that monitors brain activity and counteracts seizures almost instantaneously, was implanted in Declan’s brain. The surgery to implant the RNS, and an accompanying three days in the hospital, happened in June about a week before Declan’s twelfth birthday.

Continued on page 54

With his second surgery, Declan stayed in the hospital for 22 days. When he was feeling better, his first request was ice cream.

PHOTO 1: Declan experienced his first seizure on July 30, 2018, then went into a coma. He awoke in intermediate care the next day at Arkansas Children's Hospital (ACH).

PHOTO 2: In October 2022, Declan was back in ACH with the diagnosis of intractable epilepsy, which is untreatable with medicine. He underwent a series of tests to determine how to control the seizures.

PHOTO 3: On June 16, just days after having surgery to implant a responsive neurostimulator (RNS) in his brain, Declan felt well enough to have family game night. The medical device monitors and responds to seizure activity.

PHOTO 4: Every few days Declan takes time to download data gathered by the responsive neurostimulator device. The information is vital for his continued treatment and progress.

PHOTO 1:

PHOTO 3:

PHOTO 2:

PHOTO 4:

‘Epilepsy has rippled through our lives, carving out valleys with currents of crisis in the raging river that it is. At times I wondered how we would survive it, but when it tried to drown us with the intractable diagnosis, we arrived at epilepsy surgery. Now we’re on the other side, healing in the halcyon afterglow above our river. We may be on calm waters, but we will always be aware of the dangers of this unpredictable disease, constantly on alert for what’s around the next bend.’

Follow Declan's journey on Facebook at Declan Strong, our Epilepsy Warrior

Declan's mom Erika

Jay Paul is too young to have seen Ghostbusters in the theater but can’t remember a time he didn’t love the franchise.

“The movie came out when I was about two years old. Fast forward to when I was four and five years old and the Ghostbusters cartoons came out,” he said. “I think I was five or six when this guy who was babysitting my brother and I said, ‘You know it’s a movie, right?’ I’m like, ‘What? It’s a movie?!’ He played it for us, and every time we went over there after that we watched that movie. I was just addicted to everything ‘Ghostbusters.’”

In 2020, Paul joined a Facebook group Central Arkansas Ghostbusters made up of like-minded fans. Not much happened initially due to the pandemic but following the theatrical release of “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” in 2021 the original members got together and decided to put their fandom to good use.

“You could call us cosplayers; that would probably be the most accurate,” Paul said. “We go to conventions suited up with the proton packs, the ghost traps, the various props, the flight suits. We’ve done a couple of parades, hopefully more in the future. We want to start doing birthday parties. There’s a lot of different stuff that we want to try to start doing.”

Paul, who’s joined by other original members Brandon Hullum, Brandon Sims, Charles Johnson, Alex Perry and Christopher Boggs, were joined by the late Matt Pervin, who restored the 1967 Cadillac hearse into Ecto-1.

“It sounds cheesy, but I would drive home from work playing the theme song and dreaming about doing parades and conventions. I never thought in a million years I would have a proton pack that actually looked accurate or a flight suit,” Paul said. “All of a sudden, I’m doing what I’ve been dreaming about for the last three or four years.”

The crew is doing more than just dressing up; they also collect donations at their appearances for Heroes and Angels, a nonprofit organization that helps families experiencing childhood cancer and veterans' needs. And it was with this altruistic mindset that they heard about Declan Daniels.

“I have a mutual friend with Declan’s mother, and she messaged me on Facebook,” Paul said. “She told me the whole story about how this boy was going to be in the hospital to have brain surgery around his birthday and he was turning 12. She wanted to put together this whole parade for him.”

Not content to just ride in the parade, the club presented Declan a certificate declaring him an honorary Ghostbuster, and a couple of the members chipped in and bought him a proton pack of his own. It was a moment neither the 12-year-old Dunbar Magnet Middle School seventh-grader nor his new ghosttrapping buddies will soon forget.

“It was pretty cool,” Declan said.

The Central Arkansas Ghostbusters lost member Matt Pervin in late September. Pervin stands with an Ectomobile he custom-built.

The club posted on their social media that Matt “gave us all lots of good memories and we hope we did the same for him.” The group welcomes donations to Heroes and Angels in his memory.

Jay Paul and Declan Daniels pose with Slimer, a collectible owned by Paul which has been signed by Billy West. West voiced Slimer in the Extreme Ghostbusters cartoon as well as characters on Doug, Ren & Stimpy and Futurama,

AUTHOR OF THE MONTH

CATHY MELVIN

_____________________

By Susan L. Peterson

“Cypress Knees and Tupelo Trees: Discovering Plants and Animals of the Swamp” is the title of Cathy Melvin’s recently published children’s picture book. Melvin combined her artistic talent with her background in biology to produce this delightful publication that both entertains and educates all readers.

The fascinating ecosystem that inspired Melvin is preserved swampland right here in Central Arkansas, the Lorance Creek Natural Area near her home in Hensley, just south of Little Rock. It is off Interstate 530 (Exit 9) and has a half-mile boardwalk trail that is open yearround.

Melvin was born in Oklahoma, but her father’s job in the oil industry took them to multiple continents. She loved exploring unusual flora and fauna while residing in exotic locations such as Singapore, Spain, Venezuela and Colombia.

She attended high school in the U.S., where Melvin’s artistic talents became evident to her art teacher, who suggested she become an illustrator for science books. But her career path leaned toward the sciences. She received her bachelor's degree in marine science and biology, hoping to become the next Jacques Cousteau. But she soon realized she didn’t like the sun and sand and instead turned to the world of molecular biology.

In 1999, Melvin and her husband moved to Arkansas to be closer to family and to further her federal career. After 23 years, she retired from the Public Health Service in 2019. During those years, she continued to fuel her interest in art by taking occasional classes at the Arkansas Arts Center, and she often volunteered in her children's classroom.

One project she initiated as a parent volunteer was the publication of a student picture book that was submitted to a national contest. It was so successful, other teachers asked her to do the same with their classes.

Several weeks before COVID-19, Melvin and her family adopted a natural area near their home, the Lorance Creek Natural Area. Comprising nearly 400 acres of natural swampland, it became a welcome refuge for them during the months of lockdown. The more time she spent there, the more the swamp revealed, and it occurred to her that documenting it would allow others to more fully enjoy this diverse ecosystem.

Drawing from her background as a scientist and from those previous book projects, she decided to create her own book. She says it was a great creative outlet during the lockdown. She used materials she had on hand and formed her illustrations by layering brush-painted cutouts in a style similar to Eric Carle.

There are 32 pages of colorful collages filled with original renditions of plants and animals that live there — crossvines, creepers, catkins, crayfish, damselflies, and about 50 others that exist, along with the cypress and tupelo trees.

When the book was nearly complete, she took it to Erin Wood at Et Alia Press in Little Rock for a consultation on where to submit her work. When Wood saw the book, she enthusiastically told Melvin she was interested in publishing it. The completed version went on sale April 22, Earth Day.

Melvin and her family still volunteer to maintain the area. She especially enjoys the spring and fall months and now knows the various sights and sounds to expect during each season.

Author Cathy Melvin and her family adopted the Lorance Creek Natural Area in Hensley (Pulaski County), south of Little Rock. She wrote a book about the nearly 400 acres of swampland.

Game Day Ready

Conway Regional is there for athletes throughout Faulkner County

Whether it’s on a bus bound for Kentucky, at an early morning practice in August, or at a late game in November, Conway Regional’s athletic trainers are among the busiest people in sports.

The trainers provide physicals to most high school teams in Faulkner County and athletic training services to the Hendrix Warriors, Central Baptist College Mustangs, Conway Wampus Cats, Greenbrier Panthers, Vilonia Eagles and Conway Christian Eagles. They spend many late nights and early mornings away from home August through May.

“It’s fulfilling work. You must have an understanding family, really love what you do and care about the athletes,” said Ryan Most, who manages the staff of 12 athletic trainers. These individuals work behind the scenes preparing athletes to play sports from football to volleyball to lacrosse, treating injuries during the games and helping players recover from exhaustion and injuries. “If somebody gets hurt, the athletic trainers are right there to evaluate them and see what care they need,” Most said.

The trainers also screen athletes at Hendrix and UCA for heart issues using EKG equipment from the Conway Regional Cardiovascular Clinic. The EKG images are reviewed by Don Steely, MD, an interventional cardiologist, who follows up with the athletes for additional testing when abnormal images are found. “The idea is to minimize the risk for a cardiac event,” Most said.

“We are fortunate to have a lot of great physicians who support athletic training,” Most explained. “They go out to the games. If we need a second opinion on an evaluation or something beyond our scope of training, they can handle it. They are also a great resource for injured athletes and their patients.”

Their care is not reserved exclusively for the home team. During a Hendrix football game last year, trainers from the visiting team requested an evaluation, and Grant Bennett, MD, an orthopedist with Conway Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Center, was on the sideline.

“Dr. Bennett was able to determine that the athlete needed to be in a boot and on crutches to avoid bearing weight on the injured foot because he had possibly refractured his ankle,” said Most. “Since they were eight hours away, it was important for us to have Dr. Bennett there. They were very thankful.”

Several other physicians provide sideline coverage at area sports games including Tom Roberts, MD, orthopedics; Thad Hardin, MD, family practice; and David Naylor, MD, family practice.

In-game care is not the only advantage of having an athletic trainer available. Conway Regional athletic trainers work with coaches to develop plans for the overall care of all the athletes and help individual athletes recover from injuries. “We might work with the coaches to adjust how long a practice goes, what they are doing, or what they wear during practice,” Most explained.

“At the end of the day, everyone wants to ensure the safety of our young athletes.”

Ryan Most manages Conway Regional’s 12 athletic trainers. These individuals work behind the scenes preparing athletes to play sports, treating injuries during games and helping players recover from exhaustion and injuries.

Warning Signs of Injury

Some symptoms of injuries only appear once athletes are at home or in class. Most listed some of the warning signs of heat injuries:

• Excessive sweating (Also a lack of sweat when it should be present can indicate the late stages of heat stroke.)

• Red, discolored skin

• Falling in and out of consciousness

• Inability to speak well

• Being delirious

• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy

Concussions

Athletes may not have symptoms until two to 24 hours after a collision. If they are at home and all of a sudden, they start feeling bad, “I would advise them to let their athletic trainer know,” said Most. “For the parents, it’s always good to ensure their athletes eat well and drink enough water. That’s important for your body to recover and heal itself.”

Citing the International Conference on Concussion in Sports recommendations, Most said, “You don’t need to wake them every two hours or keep them from sleeping. Recommendations are to get plenty of rest within the first 24 hours of a concussion.”

Butch Patrick, TV's Eddie Munster, brings one-of-a-kind family attraction home to Conway

By Stefanie Brazile

Photos by Mike Kemp

starred in as a child.

“The Munsters” premiered in September 1964 and held top ratings until May of 1966. Seventy episodes were produced about the home life of a family of friendly monsters. The syndicated series has been shared from one generation to the next because of its feel-good vibe. Patrick played the werewolf-like son, Eddie, and has always worked in the haunted industry.

“I’ve been very blessed to be part of something that brings joy to a lot of people,” he said. “I’m very fortunate to have been cast as a character on a show so many people love. I love meeting people, and I thought it would be enlightening to educate them about the early history of horror. There were 45 movies made in a 40-year span.”

The Munsters Musaleum is a separate, kid-friendly, free attraction located next door to Creepy Works Haunted House and the mini-corn maze, which is starting its 13th year of

haunting. The owner of Creepy Works, Dave Hoelzeman, offered Patrick a building where fireworks are sold seasonally. After it was emptied, Patrick went to work filling it with memorabilia and collectibles, several props from “The Munsters” show, a huge movie screen and seating, six life-size monsters from Tom Devlin’s Monster Museum in Nevada, Munsters merchandise, and arcade and mini pinball games on loan from Flashback Arcade.

“While people wait for their tour of the haunted house, they can hang out at Munsters Musaleum,” Patrick said. “On the screen I’ll be showing segments of the classic, black-and-white horror films like “Dracula,” “The Wolfman,” “Frankenstein,” “Creature From The Black Lagoon,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” “The Phantom of the Opera” and “The Mummy. It has a real Stage 32 feel.”

At Universal Studios Hollywood, Stage 32 was formerly the home of the Special Effects Stages attraction until 2010, when it was demolished. The Munsters’ home was on Colonial Street, and Stages 30 and 32 were used for interior shots.

Patrick is thrilled that his friend Tom Devlin has provided six iconic monsters that visitors can pose with, including Herman Munster, Eddie Munster and his Grandpa, Frankenstein’s monster, the Wolfman and Creature From The Black Lagoon.

Other fun attractions from The Munsters show include Grandpa’s car named “Dragula,” a coffin phone booth, an electric chair, a large mouse trap, a giant baseball bat and Eddie Munster’s Schwinn Stingray bicycle. There are also opportunities for photos with Patrick and to purchase merchandise.

The public is invited to tour the Musaleum, which opens at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays through Halloween. Learn more on Facebook at Creepy Works Haunted House.

Continued on page 64

When we turn the calendar from September to October, something magical happens, and a fascination with horror and Halloween hangs over us for the next 31 days. An exciting new attraction has made its home in Conway; more than spine-tingling, Butch Patrick’s Munsters Musaleum pays homage to the roots of horror films and to the popular TV series Patrick

‘I’ve been very blessed to be part of something that brings joy to a lot of people’

Butch Patrick

Dave

Hoelzeman (from left) and Butch Patrick have partnered to bring a thrilling, free attraction to Conway that will be a neighbor to the well-known Creepy Works Haunted House.

HAY what's going on!

Central Arkansas crop vital for area families, economy and more

By Judy Riley

A common sight in Central Arkansas is a truck and trailer loaded with hay each fall. Those large bales, most often round ones, will feed livestock, primarily cattle. Do not mistake this scene as merely part of a pictorial country landscape because hay production is big business in the 501. According to recent statistics, more than 1,093,000 acres produces 2,188,000 tons of hay bales for a value of $290,000,000 statewide. Much of that is in Central Arkansas.

Not all hay is the same. The bale of straw decorating our porches in the fall is different from the hay the cows eat, much less the more refined hay for horses.

"A variety of grasses are used for hay, but in Arkansas, Bermudagrass is king," said Brian Haller, Staff Chair and Agriculture Agent for White County. “Other grasses include bahiagrass, dallisgrass, fescue, ryegrass and native mixed grasses. Straw is a byproduct of wheat and other small grain production and is used not only as décor, but for land prep in construction."

Hay is generally used to feed livestock, which includes cattle, sheep and goats, all referred to as ruminants. A cow's digestive system is fascinating, uniquely qualifying them to use high roughage feedstuffs efficiently. Any teenager's parents may think they have four stomachs as they cannot seem to get enough to eat. But cows really do have four stomachs, better known as four compartments of one stomach! Cows

graze by first wrapping their tongues around plants, then pulling to tear the forage with their bottom teeth. Cows have no upper teeth. On average, cattle take from 25,000 to more than 40,000 bites each day. The partially chewed food goes first through the esophagus, which allows them to regurgitate the food for further chewing, a process known as "chewing their cud." The food moves through all compartments and is broken down further. The largest stomach compartment of a mature cow can hold up to 40 gallons.

Hay provides protein, energy and fiber to livestock diets. A cow will eat hay only five months a year and graze grass the remainder. That equates to a bale a month, which is about 4,500 pounds per cow per year. They typically spend more than one-third of their time grazing, one-third chewing and the remaining time idling.

"Most hay is produced on family farms," Haller said. "Some farmers do their own hay baling. Others hire it done as a percentage of the value." One unique farm family is Larry and Belinda Shook of McRae in White County.

Larry grew up on a row crop farm that included rice, soybeans, wheat, corn, cattle and chickens. He started farming on his own in the worst possible year, 1980. After a severe drought, Larry began work as a North Little Rock Fireman. He could manage the farming operation in his off time with that work schedule. He saw the need for good quality hay and

Larry and Belinda Shooks have a farm in White County where they primarily grow small bales of refined hay for horses. They sell to farm supply stores, the Little Rock Zoo, several riding and horse training facilities and regular customers.

started small, like most farmers. He began with 40 acres of Bermudagrass. From that humble beginning, he now farms 1,600 acres with 800 acres in Bermudagrass.

Larry saw the need for high-quality hay which is primarily used for horses because their upper and lower teeth enable them to eat differently. Horses have only one stomach and are not considered ruminants. They do not have the luxury of a four-compartment stomach, so they do not do as well with the high fibers tolerated by cows. "We produce about 100,000 small, square bales a year," Larry said. "They are sold to 20 plus farm supply stores, the Little Rock Zoo, several riding and horse training facilities and regular customers. Bales are packaged in bundles of 21 bales and are sold as a bundle, making it easier to transport. When we sell to a farm store, we typically fill an enclosed trailer, deliver to the store, and pick up an empty trailer."

For the Shooks, farming is a family endeavor. In the early years, Belinda did all the record-keeping and could often be found on a tractor. As her career in education became increasingly demanding, she turned that over to her daughter-in-law, Lauren. Their son, Matt, helps with the family farm when needed, but he and Lauren have an erosion control business, using straw and lesser-quality hay

in highway construction. Daughter Martie helped with the farm as a teen, tending the sale of sweet corn. She is now an educator in the Cabot school system. Larry's dad, Stanley, once a full-time farmer, cannot seem to escape the family business. At 87, he still helps to bring hay wagons to the barn. According to Larry, he can often be spotted in his truck, driving around and checking on things.

When asked about his biggest challenge, Larry said, "As with any farmer, it is the weather, but especially so with hay." The process requires a lot of planning, usually three days in advance. When the weather does not cooperate and it rains unexpectedly, it can create less quality hay. When that happens, instead of hay being baled in small, square bales for horses, it is baled in large round bales for cattle or construction use, according to Larry. The phrase, 'make hay while the sun shines' rings true.

Both Larry and Belinda retired in 2019, Larry as a North Little Rock Firefighter and Belinda as Superintendent of Beebe Public Schools. Now, as full-time farmers, they would not trade their lives for anything. Having the opportunity to work with Larry's dad, their children and grandchildren is a rare gift. After all, it is 'the family business.’

According to recent statistics, there are more than 1,093,000 acres of land in Arkansas producing 2,188,000 tons of hay bales for a value of $290,000,000. Much of that is in Central Arkansas.

the real recipe for

health wellness &

By Vivian L. Hogue

No one had to tell us when supper was ready (that’s “dinner” outside the South). Whatever it was could probably be detected as far as the Spatz’s house. But mother would come to the patched, back-screened door and yell, “Viv-YUN! No-UHL!” Her first call was her only call, so we and likely several mosquitoes and flies came streaming in. Over the door’s kick plate we could see cat and dog tails waving like the last stage of an automatic car wash.

The three older brothers were off gallivanting with their school attendance, friends and projects. Noel and I, the “second family” by age and circumstance, were next for our parents to try and figure out. Not amazing, however, since Noel and I couldn’t figure out each other, either. There was one thing we all agreed upon—that being that mother was a great cook. She could even feed what seemingly were the “5,000” with something, even if the “fish” ran out. If guests arrived unannounced, she would simply tie her apron strings tighter and start her magic. Just as with her sewing, she could make something out of nothing. You might not get something elegant, but she was gladly going to feed you.

I often think of my womenfolk ancestors when the news speaks of non-GMOs, food recalls, shortages of eggs and gut diseases acquired from restaurants. My grandmother Lawson would have asked where you “git sich i-dees.” With no running water, she washed her hands in the white porcelain bowl with red trim, but bacteria were not her concern. Washing the stuff off her hands and her own hen eggs was.

They were careful about processing their cows’ milk, separating the cream and making butter. With no refrigeration except for the spring house and the cool creek that ran through it, the milk and hand-formed butter were kept there. The spring water was sweet with magnesium and 55 degrees all year. The family and any visitors were welcome to use the same dipper that hung outside the door.

Each of our grandmothers made foods on which they were raised. Grandmother Arnold was an Arkansan, but Granddad was Kentucky-born and -bred, yet there were similar preferences. It was still corn pones, pork, beef, squirrel, rabbit, chicken and plenty of vegetables. I was shocked to find that dandelions made good tea and

nasturtium blooms were tasty. Desserts were mostly fruit-based, but Grandmother Arnold baked chess and buttermilk pies, while my hill country grandmother made Tennessee stack cakes and vinegar pies. Ingredients for all were simple, affordable, moderately sweet and what was on hand.

Did you notice there was no high fructose syrup? No aspartame? No thiamine mononitrate, soybean oil, soy lecithin or FD&C blue No. 1 or FD&C yellow No. 6? How about monosodium glutamate or its twin, yeast extract? “Natural” flavors? Are original flavors not enough? What kind of “natural” is it, exactly?

One of mother’s dishes was always anticipated. She made the corn pones, but got the idea of stacking them with chili in between and topping with cheese. She made Franke’s Restaurant Eggplant Casserole when few knew what an eggplant was.

Mother’s cooked grits, when congealed, sliced, dipped in egg and fried, is one of my son’s and my favorites. I also liked her bread pudding and all the ways of cooking okra (pronounced “okry”). Oh, and the speed with which her peanut butter fudge disappeared was something to behold.

Getting back to real cooking for our families is more than a good idea. Teach children how to cook as soon as you can and show them what real food is. It doesn’t come in wrappers and isn’t made by hands you don’t see. It doesn’t contain all those ingredients of dubious origins. (There’s a reason a “processed cheese product” is called “liquid plastic.”) Many people cook a whole, healthy meal in an appliance while they’re at work and the kids are in school! You could even have a small garden just for them to grow and learn about what they eat (for example, tomatoes become ketchup).

I once spoke of mother baking a sizable, delicious roast for a large table of guests. I was always her “sous chef,” so I was to assist in taking the heavy roast out when the timer rang. Many years later, I now admit that the roast slid off the platter and onto the floor. Thank goodness for loud table conversation as we bent down behind the cookstove laughing. I whispered, “What do we do NOW??!!” She picked it up, washed it off, returned it to the platter and poured hot broth over it. Oh, what lavish compliments were offered! She just blushed, looked at me and said, “Oh, well, it took both of us.” And, indeed, it did.

ARTISTS OF THE MONTH CONWAY ARTS WEEK

By Stefanie Brazile

THURSDAY, OCT, 5

LOCAL SEWING ACADEMY HOSTS FIRST ANNUAL FASHION SHOW

The first annual Conway Fashion Week Fashion Show is planned for Thursday, Oct. 5, at The Studio Downtown, 1100 Oak St. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for general admission and $50 for VIP seating. Call 501.891.1932 if you want to purchase tickets in advance.

Models will bring Paris to Conway, modeling lines for the upcoming season. The event is hosted by Young Designers Academy, a business founded by Rachel Lovelace to empower youth and adults by teaching the fundamentals of sewing and design. Local boutiques will provide clothes for the fashion show.

“I wanted to put Conway fashion on the map and bring more traction to our local boutiques, small-business owners and local fashion designers,” said Lovelace, founder of Young Designers Academy and RayLove Threads. “I want to create the platform my city deserves by highlighting fashion and creativity.”

Lovelace’s co-host is Najeé Fletcher who owns Najeé Photography. Young Designers’ students will also model garments that they designed and sewed. Local sponsors are supporting the event. “I hope this is the start of many years to come with the Conway Fashion Week Fashion Show,” Lovelace said. “Come dressed to impress in your best suit and evening wear.”

Last year, Rachel Lovelace hosted a “Trashion Show” where students of her Young Designers Academy created and modeled clothing made from recycled fabric and other items. She is pictured with students after that show. Lovelace’s business teaches children and adults how to sew and encourages them to create new fashions.

Photo by Yennifer Lopez

FRIDAY, OCT, 6 ATTEND THE FINAL CONWAY ART WALK OF THE YEAR

The final monthly Conway Art Walk of the year is planned for 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 6. Guests are encouraged to pick up a map at The Studio Downtown, 1100 Oak St.

Hosted by the Creative Institute, there will be more than 20 exhibiting artists, live music performances and more events throughout the downtown area. The public is invited to enjoy the free event.

VISIT THE CENTRAL ARKANSAS COLLECTIVE GALLERY

The Central Arkansas Collective (ARC) is a group of professional local artists who have opened a temporary art gallery at 1120 Oak St. On Oct. 6, exciting new work will be displayed. The gallery will be open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. throughout the month and by appointment. Follow them on Facebook for upcoming events and news.

ARC will also display some of its most accomplished art at Neighbor's: An Art Show at the Brick Room, 1020 Front St., from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visit CentralArCollective.com or FayeHedera.com for more information.

Photo by ARC 2023

FRIDAY, OCT, 6 ATTEND THE ‘ARTIST’S TALKS’ EVENT

ARC is hosting an Artist's Talk at 6 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Arnold Innovation Center. The presentation will be given by the creator of the “100 Faces of Conway Project,” Faye Hedera, and is titled “Stories & Symbols: Creating Art That Speaks.”

Hedera will engage with the audience and share photos of her art process that weaves storytelling and symbolism into her work. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit fb.me/e/6OkzUYOoP.

FRIDAY, OCT, 6 ‘NEIGHBORS, AN ART SHOW’

The 7th annual “Neighbors, an Art Show” is planned for 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Brick Room at 1020 Front St. A special awards ceremony will begin at 8:15 p.m. “Engage Management (EM) is thrilled to see the response from local artists for this year’s show,” said Morgan Lefler, director of engagement for EM. “We received over 123 artwork submissions from 56 artists, 37 of whom are new this year.”

The juried show will feature regional artists who painted with the theme Fabric and Folds. The Central Arkansas Collective is collaborating with EM to showcase its artists.

There are categories for all ages and skill levels and five judges will vote on The Engage Award, the Fabric and Folds Award and the Young Artist Award. Additionally, the community is voting on the Neighbors Award winner and a runner-up. Altogether, winners will receive cash prizes totaling $2,000 that night.

“I get asked each year why a property management company is the host of an art show,” Lefler said. “All credit goes to Brent Salter, president of EM. He’s the one with an eye and passion for it!”

Inside the venue, visitors will find inspiring artwork created from oil, watercolor, mixed media, ceramic and other mediums. Also, there will be live music, aerial hoop dancers, poetry readings and an in-person painting of the event from talented artist John Lightfoot.

Outside on Front Street, guests can enjoy food trucks, face painting, a photo booth, live pottery, games, crafts, local business booths, live music, a silk fan dance and a fire performance. Learn more at centralarcollective. com/events.

SATURDAY, OCT, 7 17TH ANNUAL CONWAY ARTSFEST

Conway Alliance for the Arts (CAFTA) will hold the 17th annual Conway ArtsFest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7, at Fifth Avenue Park, 600 5th Ave. This event is free and open to the public.

The theme is Unity Through Art, and festivities will include:

• Hands-on art activities for all ages, including air-dry pottery, Gelli printmaking, a tie-dye station, button-making and more.

• Live performances from several Conway Public School elementary choirs, the Hendrix College Choir and local theater companies.

• Stage combat and improvisation presentations by the UCA Theatre Department.

The following organizations will be present to discuss their mission as part of CAFTA's commitment to engaging the local arts community: Conway League of Artists, Creative Institute of Central Arkansas, UCA Theatre Department, Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre, Reynolds Performance Hall, St. Peter's Artists Collective and the Faulkner County Library.

ArtsFest would not be possible without sponsors. We thank Conway Kiwanis, Children’s Clinic of Conway and Greenbrier, First Security Bank, Game Goblins and Big Poppa Bubble for supporting this year’s event. The event has always been free and is organized by volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, visit conwayarts.org/artsfest.

Conway Alliance for the Arts is a volunteerrun nonprofit that exists to promote local artistic endeavors and connects the Conway community through ArtsFest and the annual Arts Awards.

IT'S A PUPPY POOL

Have you ever wondered what Christmas morning would look like to a dog? More than 200 dogs experienced that bliss in early September at the Puppy Pool Pawty held at the Maumelle Aquatic Center.

The annual event started about 15 years ago and continues to grow. The community and local businesses rallied around Maumelle Friends of the Animals to support its big fundraiser. It was sponsored by Coldwell Banker/RPM Group in Maumelle.

“We raised close to $4,000 and had the largest turnout on record,” said Katie Kornreich, president of the volunteer-led organization. “I love seeing the community come together on this. We had so many donors for the raffle— that was mind-blowing. The community really showed up for us.”

The dogs didn’t care about all the great items that were donated and raffled, or that their owners paid a nominal fee for them to swim— they just dove in! Each year, the Maumelle Aquatic Center pool closes after Labor Day. In the following days, all chemicals are removed

By Stefanie Brazile

Photos by Makenzie Evans

from the water so it is safe for the pups. Historically, the Puppy Pool Pawty is held the following Saturday.

“I can’t speak highly enough of the city of Maumelle for giving us that space,” Kornreich said. “It is awesome! And when we leave, the pool is a mess. We appreciate the workers.”

Besides dogs, the pool is full of tennis balls. The dogs jump in to retrieve them and bring them back to their smiling owners. Some pet owners put life jackets on their dogs, especially older ones who may tire.

Maumelle Friends of the Animals is a nonprofit that promotes spaying and neutering to help reduce the number of animals ending up in shelters. They promote education and fund spaying and neutering for people who cannot afford it. They also help with the cost of placing chips in animals so if they are lost, they will more likely be reunited with their owner.

The group also works to support the city’s animal shelter and have donated 400 pounds of cat and dog food to it since the event.

Continued on page 79

Kornreich loves leading the organization because she likes to serve animals. “It’s so rewarding! They know that you’re helping them and that kind of love is unmatched.”

Two of her dogs paw-tied until they dropped that day. Both rescues, one is a golden retriever mix named Jack who is 15. She chose him from the local shelter three years ago. He enjoyed “sniffin’ and making friends” that day. The dog-mom describes Lafayette, her 4-year-old beagle mix, as a wild child who was crazy about swimming with other canines.

About 26 volunteers helped at the event, but the group averages 10-12 active volunteers and would welcome new faces. Besides this event, they have an ongoing fundraiser where fire hydrants are painted with cute designs throughout the community. They also promote adoptions from the shelter.

Every dog will have his day again next year. If you want to bring your pup out, pre-registration is preferred, and up-to-date rabies vaccinations must be shown. After that, you can turn your dog loose and watch them have as much fun as a 5-year-old on Christmas morning. Learn more at maumellefriendsoftheanimals.org.

big goals can backfire

Setting short-term, achievable goals sets a path to success

By Sarah Martinez, Co-manager of the North Little Rock Athletic Club

Have you ever failed to meet a goal? Maybe you wanted to start a new workout program, build a habit of mealprepping, or lose weight but you just didn’t seem to have the motivation to keep it up. Are you just not as mentally strong as those other people?

The real secret is not about just pressing on and feeling terrible; it’s about reframing the way you think about yourself and, most importantly, the way you think about your goals.

First, let’s talk about goals. We all tend to be experts at looking way off in the future and setting big goals like “I want to buy a house” or “I want to lose 50 pounds.” What we often fail to realize is that one goal contains

many smaller goals inside of it. The large end goal may be months or years away, and who would want to grind away for years without feeling like they’ve accomplished anything?

We have a much higher rate of success when we focus on the goals that we can achieve in a relatively short period of time. So, if your long-term goal is weight loss, goals like “I am going to raise my goal to 1,000 steps per day this week,” or “I am going to eat one more serving of fruit and vegetables every day this week” are going to be much more likely to set you up for success. These goals are within reach, and you can accomplish a real measurable step toward that big goal every day!

We can work to avoid this pitfall in two important ways: by setting up successes on the way and by making sure our motivation isn’t powered by shame.

Those successes should come at least weekly and they’re even better daily. The more often we feel that sense of achievement and accomplishment, the more it helps to boost our motivation to achieve our long-term goal. This means setting small goals but also making sure they are goals you are confident you can and will achieve. If you don’t think you’re ready for a small goal, find a way to make it smaller or pick a different focus for the time being.

Lastly, we need to make sure our larger sense of motivation isn’t driven by shame. If you want to buy a house, there are lots of positive reasons for that: having good space for your family, building long-term equity, etc. Likewise, there are lots of positive reasons to work on your health and fitness: to be able to enjoy activities with your children, to be able to stay strong and healthy through retirement, to get strong enough to run a race, climb a mountain, etc. Why focus on a shamebased motivation that requires you to feel bad about yourself for a long period of time when there are so many exciting and fun reasons to get healthy?

Most of all, remember to have fun with the process. Just like when you were a kid learning how to ride a bike, you are going to fail and that is OK! Making changes in your life requires learning new skills and building new habits. Give yourself room to fall and know you can always get up and try again. Remember how great it feels when that hard work begins to feel effortless?

Now, get out there and set that first small goal!

Why is it important to be able to see those successes in the short term? Well, it all plays into how we see ourselves. It’s typically not enjoyable to think negatively of ourselves for long periods of time. Most people will begin to avoid activities or interactions that make them feel like a failure after only a few weeks.

Sarah Martinez, CPT, holds a Bachelor of Science in health science and pre-physical therapy from the University of Central Arkansas. She is an ACE certified personal trainer and an ACE weight management specialist.

Benefits of Public Power

By Beth Jimmerson

This October, Conway Corp is celebrating Public Power Week along with more than 2,000 other communityowned, not-for-profit electric utilities that collectively provide electricity to more than 48 million Americans.

Public power puts the people of Conway first, and Public Power Week gives us the chance to celebrate the reliable, affordable electricity Conway Corp provides to our community.

As one of only 15 public power providers in the state and 2,000 across the nation, Conway Corp is special. We have operated alongside our customers in Conway since 1929. We not only work for Conway, we are Conway. Knowing our community and its needs helps us keep homes, businesses and public places powered year-round. Our service is safe, reliable and affordable, and we take pride in serving our friends and neighbors.

Conway benefits from public power, including affordable energy costs, superior service, local control and reinvestment in the community. Local needs are considered when decisions are made about rates and services, power generation and green alternatives. Plus, public power revenues are reinvested into community programs and projects that are for the common good. We work hard to keep the lights on, and we work to keep rates low, invest in our local community and provide hometown jobs.

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

Plus, our employees are dedicated and passionate about

this community because it’s where they live too. As a public power provider, we also benefit from mutual aid agreements with other providers. Last year, our crews helped restore power in Jonesboro following tornado damage and in Louisiana after Hurricane Delta. Should a large outage occur, similar crews would travel to Conway to help restore power for our residents.

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

We aren’t motivated by profits to sell more power, so we also provide energy-efficiency programs like energy audits and zero percent interest loans to benefit customers. Our revenues are reinvested into maintaining and upgrading our system’s substations, distribution lines and more so we’re able to safely deliver low-cost, reliable electricity. Keeping energy costs affordable serves our community’s long-term needs – and that’s what public power is all about.

Conway Corp exists to serve the residents of Conway. We provide friendly, local service to customers. Customers can call 24 hours a day, seven days a week and be connected to a customer service representative who is a local member of the community. We are responsive to customers’ needs and concerns and make customer service a priority. Recent data shows we keep the lights on 99.99 percent of the time, but when an outage does occur, we restore power quickly and efficiently because we’re located in the community we serve.

On average, our customers get electricity restored after an outage more than 50 minutes sooner than the national average. We live here, and we have a vested interest in getting service restored as quickly and safely as possible. We’re accountable to our friends, neighbors and families.

Conway Corp is dedicated to exceeding our customers' expectations in producing and delivering safe, affordable, reliable, innovative and environmentally sound utility and telecommunication services while enhancing the quality of life in our community.

We believe in enhancing our city through community projects and educational opportunities. We were founded to support area education, and today we provide technology, scholarships and more to our local schools and colleges. We invest in the community because we are the community.

We’re invested in Conway, and so are our employees. We employ more than 250 local individuals who serve on local boards, participate with local charities, coach local youth sports teams and more. Each year, Conway Corp employees collectively donate more than $35,000 to United Way. Our employees also hold an annual food drive for a local charity and participate in the Angel Tree program. This year, we collected money and items for United Way’s Stuff the Bus, the Bethlehem House and more.

As a public power utility, our loyalty is to our customers and our community. Public power is an American tradition that works, and we thank you for your support and for allowing us to serve you for more than 90 years. For more information about Conway Corp’s public power history in the community, visit ConwayCorp.com/who-we-are.

Story and photos by Linda Henderson

One of my traveling goals after I retired from nursing was to visit Colorado in the fall. I had always wanted to photograph Colorado aspens in their full display of fall color. Several trips had been planned, but something had always come up and plans had to be canceled. I was finally able to make that trip in the fall of 2022.

This trip became more than just a photography excursion; it became a journey of healing for me. My mother passed away in September 2022. She had been ill for many weeks prior to her death, and after her passing, I needed time away from day-to-day activities, private time to mourn and time for mental healing. This time away was a way to cope with loss and sorrow. Having new experiences, seeing God’s beautiful nature and spending time behind my camera helped me to deal with the loss of my precious mother. It didn’t mean I missed her any less, but the time away helped to lighten the burden of sadness.

For this time away, we headed for Crested Butte, Colo. The Butte, as it is known by the locals, is deep in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. It is known for having some of the most stunning fall colors and was at the top of my list of places to do fall landscape photography. Crested Butte sits at an elevation of almost 9,000 feet and is surrounded by amazing displays of forests filled with yellow aspen trees, deep valleys with free-ranging cattle, mountain pools of emerald green water and high snow-covered mountain passes. As beautiful as all of this was, the spot that became most memorable to me was a road north of Crested Butte, Gothic Mountain Road. This road is one of the most scenic mountain roads that we have ever traveled. Every morning, Jim and I would get up long before sunrise and make our way to Gothic Mountain. My goal was to find the best places to photograph the colors of the rising sun against the yellow aspens. Spending time in nature has always been therapeutic for me. Driving this road in predawn, watching the world wake up and observing the pinks and oranges of sunrise lifted my spirits and restored my physical, mental and spiritual being.

Taking a trip after the death of a loved one may not be for everyone. It was very helpful to me. It is OK to grieve in different surroundings. It is OK to be in beautiful scenery. Being in the midst of yellow aspens allowed me to deal with my sadness. It is OK to do something you love; for me, it is photography. I get behind a camera and my mood is lifted. Travel to deal with grief is not being disrespectful of your loved one and you will not escape the feeling of loss, but it can help to provide peace and comfort.

a Continued on pages 88-91

As we returned home from the trip, I wrote this in my travel journal about the healing journey to Gothic Mountain:

“We start our time away before the sun begins its daily skyway jaunt. What comforting knowledge, the morning sun will soon rise. It will peak above the horizon and the darkness will fade away. The pink blush of sunrise will replace the velvet blue of twilight.

The open road stretches out before us winding through the hills of Arkansas, over the plains of Oklahoma, into the Texas Panhandle. We travel across the deserts of New Mexico, towards the endless horizons on the high plains, through tiny villages of old adobe homes, in the lands of cattle drives where cowboys ply their trade, and up to the misty fog covered Colorado mountains.

“We traverse on two lane highways that run into deep canyons. High rock ridges spring up all round, so high they obscure the sky. A clear cold mountain river with its crooks and turns runs alongside the asphalt road we drive.

“The road carries us to the mountains that are decorated with brilliant autumn hues. At last, I see the aspens during their fall splendor. The aspens blow a soft cool breeze, they sing and quake their song under a blue bird sky.

“These roads are carrying me away from grief and sorrow that life has brought in recent days. On these roads I will find peace of mind and renew my faith in the Lord above. My spirit will be restored, and my soul raised up again and my strength can be reenergized. It is in these mountains that I can breathe again and regain my joy.”

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An important project

Proposed Port Facility will attract industries to Conway and Perry Counties

In late August 2023, the Morrilton Chamber of Commerce held a luncheon to introduce proposed plans for the construction of a new Arkansas River Port Facility that would be located at the Highway 9 Arkansas River Bridge in Perry County. The River Port will provide economic opportunities for both Conway and Perry Counties and could bring new businesses and jobs to the area.

The facility would encompass both the north and south sides of the bridge between Morrilton and Oppelo, with the majority of the facility located on the south side. The vision of the proposed facility is the product of the Central Arkansas Intermodal Authority (CAIA), a public corporation that was formed by Conway and Perry Counties; all members were appointed by County Judges Jimmy Hart (Conway County) and Larry Blackmon (Perry County). The chairman of the group is Dr. Don B. Bradley III, UCA Professor Emeritus of Marketing and Management.

The proposed port is possible through a partnership of the Arkansas Department of Commerce, Arkansas Department of Transportation, Arkansas Waterways Commission, Conway County Economic Development Corporation, Conway County Levee District No. 6, First Electric Cooperative, Green Bay Packaging, the Morrilton Area Chamber of Commerce and the West Central Arkansas Planning and Development District. Representatives from each organization were present at the luncheon, where the structural port facility design concept was proposed, explained and discussed. It was developed by Garver Engineering. Also in attendance were local business, industry and political leaders.

The land for the project has been acquired, and a utilities infrastructure is in place. The proposed River Port Facility would be built in phases, and the CAIA is still awaiting funding opportunities for the completion of each phase. They are in the process of applying for federal grant money.

The first phase would be the construction of the facility itself, and the second phase would be the construction of a slackwater harbor. The first phase would include the construction of a floating barge, although CAIA hopes to construct a fixed dock. Additionally, they would like to build a conveyor system to load and unload large trucks.

With the construction of the new port, another mode of transportation becomes available to industries, which reduces semi-trailer truck traffic on interstates. It also creates an alternate mode of transportation in case interstate roads are disabled.

The Arkansas River Port Facility in Morrilton is a unique opportunity, offering an abundance of potential for future growth that is advantageous to businesses, communities and citizens. Learn more at centralarintermodalauthority.com.

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

L. Tray Ott, CPA, PFS

Connie Cody Fisher, CPA

Photo by Mary Eggart

Story and photos by Mary Eggart

Members of the Central Arkansas Intermodal Authority and interested parties are Brad Harville, VP and GM of Arkansas Kraft Green Bay Packaging (from left), Rep. Mary Bentley (Dist. 54), Dr. Don Bradley, ARDOT Director Lorie Tudor, Rep. Rick Beck (Dist. 43) and Rep. Breanne Davis (Dist. 25).

celebrating athletic excellence

By Dr. Robert Reising

Dandra Thomas

It is impossible to forget her. She was like a meteor that sped across the skies, captured the world’s wonder … and all too soon, suddenly and inexplicably disappeared from view. Although the Conway native lived only 27 years, so stunning and superior were her successes, athletic and otherwise, that language is challenged to describe her impact.

In 2023, twenty years after her passing, many an Arkansan maintain the state will never see her like again.

The beautiful daughter born to Danny and Sandra Thomas on April 24, 1976, never lacked intelligence and affability. Nor, her mother recently noted, was their first-born ever less than enthusiastic about games and sports. From birth, it appeared, Dandra Thomas possessed a range of capabilities beyond the norm.

The values and responsibilities contributing to her development at home prepared her handsomely for those she confronted in the schools of Conway. Thus, her elementary school years saw her enjoy admirable academic success. During the same period her father, an All-American basketball player at Hendrix and a former public-school coach, informally refined her skills in several sports. By middle school, Dandra’s meteoric flight to stardom was “ready for takeoff.”

Retired coach Janet Taylor recalls that as early as sixth grade, Dandra caught her eye on the school playground with her uncommon speed and dexterity The following year, Taylor became Dandra’s first public school coach; two years later, Taylor was tapped to head two Junior Varsity programs for girls’ volleyball and basketball, in which Dandra starred.

With Dandra at her spectacular best, the ninthgrade basketball team launched a 140-game winning streak, a feat not seen before nor replicated since. As a sophomore, Dandra led the Varsity to its first State Final appearance. A year later, she set the school’s single-season scoring record with 470 points, and by graduation, she was the program’s career scoring leader with 1,279 points.

Nor were her volleyball achievements less astonishing. All-State honors again fell to her, just as she had twice claimed them for basketball. In 1993 the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette named her the Female Athlete of the Year, acknowledging, too, that her achievements in track and field’s 400, high jump, and discus elevated her to three-sport primacy in the Natural State.

In 1994 Dandra earned the inaugural Ruth Doyle Award for a female senior athlete, and in 2019, she gained posthumous but inaugural Induction into Conway High’s “brand new” Wampus Cat Hall of Fame.

High praise flowed from Coach Taylor when recently labeling Dandra “A phenomenal athlete and a better person … [with] an infectious laugh ... a once-in-a-lifetime player.” She was not alone in that assessment. Coaches and fans alike of a generation ago shared similar sentiments about Dandra throughout her school years. Even her informal softball play did not escape judgment: it garnered only superlatives.

Yet sports alone had not consumed all of Dandra’s extra-class time. Her voice, beauty, poise and personality combined to earn her numerous invitations to appear and sometimes sing in parades and pageants. One observer delighted in publicizing that “It was not unusual for her to sing the National Anthem at a game before she would play. She was Conway High’s Beauty Review Queen in 1993 and participated in other pageants [showcasing] her many talents.”

The late Dandra Thomas was a stand-out athlete who played basketball for Conway Junior High School and played volleyball and basketball at Conway High. Her ninth-grade basketball team launched a 140-game winning streak and she set the school’s single-season scoring record with 470 points. Dandra transferred to the University of Central Arkansas’s (UCA) her junior year and played for the Sugar Bears.

Soon thereafter, Oral Roberts University in Tulsa won the battle for Dandra’s considerable athletic skills. But two years after enrolling in the evangelical university, she transferred back to her home-city institution, the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) in Conway, where she completed her degree in Communications in 1997.

Back on native soil, Dandra again excelled in basketball and volleyball. Lettering in both, she was at her basketball best when she poured almost 900 points through the nets and snared almost 500 rebounds in just two seasons while earning a spot on the Gulf South Conference All-Tournament team in 1997.

Recently, Basketball Coach Ron Marvel recalled the many memorable moments that Dandra brought to her UCA teammates on their bus trips together. Her voice, the veteran coach labeled “real pretty,” while nostalgically emphasizing that Dandra’s “teammates loved it.” Her singing transformed their dull hours into delightful ones, he explained. Similarly, UCA students interacting with her on campus found her not merely beautiful but also warm and helpful, an asset worthy of the title that she won, Ms. UCA Ebony. Dr. Ronnie Williams, the retired UCA Dean of Students, fondly recalls that Dandra’s “personality lit up a room,” and in 2023 her mother conjectured that her daughter “probably did more for race relations than anyone else in Conway.”

Undoubtedly, ahead for Dandra, the tall and talented mother of Breylin Smith, UCA’s quality football quarterback of recent years, lay decades of effectiveness and popularity in sales, broadcasting, and/or singing. Tragically, however, in 2003 a fatal automobile accident dashed those hopes and left admirers to grope for words capturing the depth of their sorrow as well as the enormity of the talents prematurely lost to them.

Perhaps at such a moment, it is well to recall the words of playwright Thornton Wilder, who declared that “the highest tribute to the dead is not grief but gratitude.”

Dandra Thomas was also a standout for her voice, beauty, poise and personality. She was so proud of her son, Breylin Smith, who became UCA’s quality football quarterback in recent years.

Give that wheel a spin!

Reynolds Performance Hall solves the puzzle for the most fun to be had in Central Arkansas this October

The University of Central Arkansas Reynolds Performance Hall announces Wheel of Fortune LIVE!, with special guest host, Bob Goen, coming to the Reynolds Performance Hall on Monday, Oct. 30, at 7:30 p.m.

The live stage show, produced by Right Angle Entertainment in collaboration with Sony Pictures Television and UTA, is the one-and-only way fans can experience America’s Game® in person outside of Sony Pictures Studios. Wheel of Fortune Live! is a live touring production and is not for broadcast.

Guests are randomly selected to go on stage and feel like they stepped into the game show itself. The live stage show is the only way you can have the chance to spin a full-sized replica of the iconic Wheel.

At Wheel of Fortune LIVE!, contestants are selected from the audience to go on stage for the chance to call consonants, buy vowels, and maybe even solve puzzles to win fantastic prizes, including trips to destinations like Paris and Hawaii or up to $10,000 in cash. Everyone gets in on the fun and has a chance to win at Wheel of Fortune LIVE! because there are audience games, too!

Bob Goen is an American game show emcee and television personality. Goen is well known for hosting multiple game shows, including “Home Shopping Game,” “The Hollywood Game,” and “That’s the Question.” He hosted the “Wheel of Fortune “ show from 1989 – 1991 (CBS) and then again in 1991 (NBC). His talents have extended to hosting multiple Miss Universe pageants and serving as a desert-area correspondent for ESPN, and Goen had a long-standing career with “Entertainment Tonight.” He has voiced a cartoon version of himself on an episode of Nickelodeon’s hit TV show “The Fairly Odd Parents.”

Amanda Horton, executive director of UCA Public Appearances, said, “This show will be fun for all ages, from new spellers to crossword puzzle experts. This is sure to be a night full of excitement with lots of games and prizes.”

Tickets range from $30-$50 for adults and $10 for children/students. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at the Reynolds Box Office Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., online at uca.edu/ reynolds or by calling UCA Ticket Central at 501. 450.3265.

Proudly Sponsored by

PROUDLY PRESENTS

PERSON OF THE MONTH

RICH THOMPSON _____________________________

NATIVE OF: Australia

FAMILY: Ashley and I have been married for 15 years. Our children are Alfie (13) and Livie (9). I look forward to seeing my son and daughter chase their dreams and grow into young adults. My wife is amazing! She runs nine programs with Ouachita Children, Youth, and Family Services. She is making the world a better place and doing amazing things for our community on a daily basis.

EDUCATION: I attended St. Ives High School in Sydney, Australia, and the National Academy of Sports Medicine in the U.S.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: I own The Practice Field, an indoor sports facility in Hot Springs. We specialize in helping kids reach their athletic goals through strength, agility and sport-specific exercise.

I’m on the Majestic Park board for the construction of the Majestic Park baseball fields project. I am a Friends of Majestic Park Board member, driven to continue development of the Majestic Park area to benefit the community.

In my role as National Park College (NPC) Athletic Director, we saw our athletic program do more than 2,500 hours of community service last year. We really enjoy giving back to the community that supports us.

MOST

CHERISHED POSSESSION:

I received an Olympic Silver Medal from the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics for Team Australia in baseball.

HOBBIES/PERSONAL INTERESTS:

I enjoy summers on the lake with my family and sharing my love for the game of baseball with the next generation.

WORK: NPC Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach. This is my fifth year of the college baseball program, and we achieved the highest finish of No. 26 in the nation. I’ve been the Athletic Director for the last 12 months, and I oversee 10 teams at NPC, including baseball, softball, women's and men's basketball, women's and men's soccer, women's and men's cross country and outdoor track and field.

PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

I played six seasons in the Major Leagues with the Angels, A's and Blue Jays and played professionally for 12 years, including a stop with the Arkansas Travelers.

• 2004 Olympic Silver Medalist

• 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classic

• 2011 MLB Postseason All-Star Tour

• 2023 Savannah Bananas World Tour

• 2023 Cal Ripken World Series Coach with Hot Springs, representing Arkansas.

HOW DID YOUR LOVE FOR SPORTS DEVELOP:

As a young kid in Australia, I played all sports, but at age 5 went with a neighbor to T-Ball practice and fell in love with the game. It has been the one constant sport I have continued through my life. Fortunately, I progressed through state and national teams to sign a professional contract at 17 with the LA Angels.

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR AND HEAD BASEBALL COACH FOR NATIONAL PARK COLLEGE IN HOT SPRINGS

‘I plan to be around the game and share my love for baseball with the next generation — I enjoy coming to the ballpark every day.’