October 2024

pawsitively good news

I met the most delightful lady while working on this issue. Marian Berry, pictured above with “Stan the Man” as she affectionately calls him, has volunteered for more than a decade with the TAILS program at Arkansas Children's Hospital. She shares her time and her calm, loving dog with children, parents and staff to bring the feeling of home to a place of uncertainty. Golden Retrievers are just traveling hugs waiting to happen! Stan is one of 20 dogs who give and receive love at the hospital, which has a reputation for great excellence and caring.

This issue is dedicated to the topics “Health and Wellness,” which are at the forefront of our minds during these stressful times. So, we tucked several stress-relieving prescriptions into this magazine. First, a Licensed Professional Counselor writes an article that includes several tips that will lower your stress level.

Next, Karl Lenser teaches us to play pickleball. The excitement surrounding this game is contagious, and I love that it’s a sport that adults and kiddos of all ages can play together. The expense of getting started is minimal, and players will receive a good workout, fresh air and time spent with others.

October is a time that we focus on several important causes, including Breast Cancer Awareness and Domestic Violence Prevention (DVP). My family has been touched by both issues, and we highlight ways our readers can take care of themselves and support hurting community members. DVP safe houses are quietly tucked into neighborhoods around the 501, and they need our support.

Another concern we address is hunger. Fortunately, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission; the Arkansas Food Bank and many other organizations extend relief to Arkansans, and we share information about upcoming food giveaways.

We all know that the key to health and wellness is multifaceted. A balanced life includes taking care of your body, your soul and your relationships. We’re also healthiest when we give something of ourselves to others through friendship, helpful tasks or monetary donations.

Let’s learn from Stan the Man. Never stop playing, wag more and bark less, be loyal, live in the present, love unconditionally and take naps when needed!

PUBLISHER/ ART DIRECTOR

Jeremy L. Higginbotham EDITOR

Stefanie W. Brazile

FOUNDERS

Donna Spears, Sonja Keith and Tracy Ferrell

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Paulette Higginbotham

ADVERTISING SALES

Donna Spears and Donald Brazile

DIGITAL DIRECTOR

Levi Gilbert

PHOTOGRAPHER

Makenzie Evans

COPY EDITORS

Andrea Lively and Andrea Miller

FINANCE DIRECTOR

Debbie Flowers

BRAND AMBASSADOR

Lisa Hutchison

SOCIAL MEDIA

Morgan Zimmerman

at every turn.

Photo by Makenzie Evans

Arkansas Children’s, 53

Barksdale Federal Credit Union, 8

Cabot Fest, 9 CareLink, 83

CARTI, 69

Centennial Bank, 23

Conway Corp, 25

Conway Regional Health System, 91

Conway Regional Rehab, 35

Conway Symphony, 42

Dermatology Group of Arkansas, 72

Downtown Conway, 26-27

Essence Healthcare, 57

First Community Bank, 15, 90

First Security Bank, 92

Freyaldenhoven Heating & Cooling, 65

Harwood, Ott & Fisher, 75

Hartman Animal Hospital, 33

Heritage Living Center, 5

Jacksonville Parks & Rec, 79

Karen Ferguson Team, 16

Kilwins Little Rock, 81

KVNE 93.3 Radio, 47

Methodist Family Health, 49

MSC Eye Associates, 59

Ott Insurance, 41

Overton Agency, 85

PCSSD, 55

Providence Insurance Agency, 77

Restored Life Counseling, 37 Rise House, 71

Salem Place, 63

Shelter Insurance, 59

Sissy’s Log Cabin, 19

Superior Health & Rehab, 2

UACCM, 61

UCA, 25

UCA Public Appearances, 43

Unity Health, 3

Yours Truly Consignment, 45

Love that

For only $20 a

Tammy Keith worked in newspapers, including the Log Cabin Democrat and Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, for 38 years. The ASU graduate is a 12-time Arkansas Press Women Professional Communications winner and three-time national winner. Her biggest honor is being Mimi to her granddaughter, Kennedy.

Karl Lenser has worked in the fitness and wellness industry for more than 30 years. Prior to his current role as Fitness Manager at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, he was the Director of the Wellness and Athletic Center at Hendrix College. He is married to Melanie Lenser, who is a preschool teacher at First Presbyterian in Conway.

Laurie Green is a Greenbrier native and a 501 LIFE faith contributor. Laurie and her husband, Will, share seven children, 11 grandchildren and a golden retriever named Marlo. They own and operate a lawn care business and are members of New Life Church in Greenbrier. The couple loves cruising the world together.

WORLD CHEESE DIP CHAMPIONSHIP

Oct. 5 • North Little Rock

Bring your muffin tins to enjoy samples at Arkansas's signature competition at Dickey-Stephens Park. The annual competition has joined forces with the former Foam Fest craft beer festival.

FALLIN’ BLACKBIRD FESTIVAL

Oct.19 • Beebe

Named for mysterious events in 2010 and 2011 when blackbirds fell from the sky, this festival includes a 5K run, a fun run for kids, a cornhole tournament and a variety of entertainment.

CABOTFEST

Oct.10-12 • Cabot

Celebrating the city's resilience after a devastating tornado, the annual festival continues to be a symbol of community spirit. Enjoy the state's only cricket-spitting contest, BBQ cook off, cornhole and carnival.

CHONDA PIERCE

Oct. 24 • Searcy

Known as “The Country Comic,” the Emmy-nominated comedian and author addresses life's quirks and challenges in her “Life is Funny” tour. Laughter is expected at the Searcy High School Performing Arts Center.

ARKANSAS STATE FAIR

Oct.11-20 • Little Rock

Enjoy a variety of concerts, food, livestock competitions, thrilling carnival rides and unique attractions. Daily specials offer a great time for great prices. Seven national acts will perform at Barton Coliseum.

ARKANSAS BLACK HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY

Oct. 26 • Little Rock

Six men and women who have distinguished themselves in their chosen fields will be formally inducted at Robinson Center.

Headed out on a 501Derful

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 info@501lifemag.com.

Michelle Jackson (from left) and Bailey Boudreaux from Texas Roadhouse were “Loving LIFE” when they visited the 501 LIFE Conway regional office.

Pastor Tevin Ramirez and Tiphani were “Loving LIFE” at the Music Love Awards 2024.

Jan and Don Bradley (from left), Joyce and Terry Fiddler, Laurie and Kirk Netherton, Linda and Barry Swain and Courtney Pope were “Loving LIFE” at “Shrek,” which was the first performance of Reynolds Performance Hall’s 25th season.

Dorothy and Tommy Bougher of Conway were “Loving LIFE” at Mount Rushmore in September.

A group of 34 travelers with itravelwithmiki were “Loving LIFE” when they took a trip to Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec, Canada, in August. Most of the travelers live in the 501 area. Faye Shepherd is holding the magazine.

Heath Peters as Star-Lord (from left), Nicole Holland as Cosmo the Spacedog and Zeb Holland as Rocket were “Loving LIFE” at the Arkansas ComicCon. These Guardians of Good News are cosplayers from the “Guardians of the Galaxy” comics and movies.

David and Janice French from Perry (from left), Jerry and Angela Austin from Morrilton, and Jerry and Donna Bird from Plumerville were “Loving LIFE” when they traveled by cruise to Fairbanks, to Denali, and then to Seward, Alaska, to board the Norwegian Jewel and cruised the inside passage to Vancouver, Canada.

THIS OCTOBER, 501 READERS ARE

Brandon Inscoe (from left), David Mitchell, Laura Inscoe, Isabel Espino, Shay-Lynn Clark, Adrien Kitchen, Danielle George and Elizabeth White were “Loving LIFE” at the Fountaine Bleau and Conway Animal Welfare Unit’s #Bleaulife Pawty! that was hosted Aug. 24 at the apartment complex. Six adorable dogs were adopted, and money was raised for the shelter through raffles.

Ruthann Curry Browne (from left), Bill Adkisson and Suzanne Loerch were “Loving LIFE” at the Conway Symphony Orchestra Guild’s Drawdown Hoedown fundraiser on Sept. 5 at Centennial Valley Event Center in Conway. They gave away $5,000 in prize money.

Dr. Gayle Seymour (from left), Dean Tom Williams, Amanda Horton, Dr. Paige Rose, Dr. Juan Maefield and Dr. Crystal Harris were “Loving LIFE” on Aug. 27 when the University of Central Arkansas hosted a kick-off party for the 25th anniversary of the Artists in Residence program.

Ezra Pinzur (from left), Ryan Montgomery, John Shulman, Scott Ashby, Brock Widders and Max Shulman were “Loving LIFE” on Aug. 29 at Conway Noon Rotary Club when these University of Central Arkansas men’s basketball coaches and leaders were guests at the meeting. Coach Shulman spoke.

School Secretary Christy Langejans was “Loving LIFE” at Conway Christian Elementary School when the 501 Football issues were delivered.

CRYSTAL CLEAR SUCCESS

Kemp named Executive of the Year

Conway Corp Chief Marketing Officer Crystal Kemp has been named Marketing Executive of the Year by National Content & Technology Cooperative.

The award was presented at the Independent Show held in Nashville last month. Kemp was acknowledged for her outstanding contributions to the marketing industry and her ability to craft dynamic campaigns that have set new benchmarks in creativity and effectiveness. Her strategic vision and innovative approaches have consistently delivered impressive results, earning her the respect and admiration of her peers.

“I’ve had the privilege of working with Crystal for the past 25 years, and this award from her peers in the industry just confirms what I already know about Crystal and her abilities,”

Conway Corp Chief Executive Officer Bret Carroll said. “I’m sure there were other well-qualified candidates, but this recognition is well-deserved and timely. Crystal is really, really good at her job.”

“Such a huge honor to be recognized by the National Content & Technology Cooperative,” Kemp said. “I always look forward to the time I get to spend with fellow industry marketers. I always learn and am energized by them. To be recognized with so many talented, deserving folks in the room left me emotional.”

Kemp joined Conway Corp in 2000 as marketing/ communications coordinator and was promoted to marketing and public relations manager in 2010. She was promoted to her current role in April 2018.

HONORING HEROES

Rotary presents Service Above Self awards

The Rotary Club of Conway presented Service Above Self awards to a local firefighter and two law enforcement officers on Sept. 12 at their weekly meeting. This is the 13th year that the club has hosted the ceremony during the month of September.

In 2011, Rotarian Pat Freeman suggested the creation of the awards as a way to recognize and honor the commitment and sacrifice of local firefighters and law enforcement officials, according to Sarah Shaw, president of Conway Noon Rotary Club. The awards are presented in September on or around the anniversary of September 11th in remembrance of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the 2,977 people who died that day, including 411 first responders.

“The Service Above Self Awards are bestowed on those individuals from the Conway Fire Department, Conway Police Department and Faulkner County Sheriff's Office who go the extra mile in exemplifying the Rotary motto ‘Service Above Self,’” Shaw said. Recipients are nominated by their peers and commanders.

The 2024 recipients are Conway Fire Department Captain Stewart Wilcox, Conway Police Department Officer Joey Balentine and Faulkner County Sheriff’s Department Officer Zachary Cooley.

Since 1921, the Rotary Club of Conway has been inspiring and unifying community leaders through a legacy of service above self. The mission of the Rotary Club of Conway is to enrich lives locally and internationally through service, education, networking and leadership. Club members meet each Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. at Hole in the Wall Cafe.

If someone is interested in learning more about becoming a Rotarian, call Shaw at 501.514.4569.

Crystal Kemp (from left) and Pam Gillies at the event where Kemp received top honors from National Content & Technology Cooperative.

Lt. Landon Rappold received the award for Sargent Zachary Cooley (from left), Fire Chief Mike Winter, Captain Stewart Wilcox, Officer Joey Balentine and Police Chief Chris Harris.

COUPLE OF THE MONTH

MARIETTA AND KENT MCCLURE

Photo by Makenzie Evans

HER STORY:

When I was asked to describe myself for this story, I didn't know what to say. So I texted my best friends, and this is what they said: Steady, driven, consistent, confident, goal-oriented, faithful, loyal, creative and an exceptional leader.

NATIVE OF: Conway

CHILDREN: Shad (12), identical twin girls, Elin & Etta (11) and Rex (7).

EDUCATION: I earned a degree in political science from the University of Arkansas.

PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: I have built a career around what gives me the most joy: people, energy and movement--lots of movement! In 2009, I became a certified group fitness instructor and started hosting workout classes at a local community center in Saline County. As a recent college graduate, I worked full-time for the State of Arkansas and also did a part-time fitness gig before and after work. In 2013, I opened McClure Fitness in Benton with only ten instructors and three studios. Today, I have a staff of 40 with five studios under one roof. I am most proud of the relationships created inside McClure Fitness and the long-term effects this fitness community has on my members' physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: I am a member of First Baptist Church of Benton. I coach my twins’ local volleyball team and enjoy watching my boys play sports.

SPECIAL INTERESTS: I really do love to exercise in my spare time. You’ll find me taking classes from other instructors and hanging out at McClure Fitness even when I’m not “working.” My mom told me when I was in college, “If you want to love your job, figure out how to make money doing something you love.” I have a little decorating side gig right now and two Airbnbs that I own and manage.

HOW DO YOU ENCOURAGE FITNESS WITH YOUR CHILDREN? First off, I set the example and always say, “I’m glad I worked out, I FEEL so much better!” I never ever mention burning calories or the shape of my body (or theirs), so there is no connection between exercise and a punishment. I want them to WANT to exercise and have a good mindset about it later in life. Currently, I let them tag along anytime they want, and they do! My oldest goes to bootcamp several times a week, and my twins love yoga. However, I do plan on creating some sort of regular schedule once they turn 13 for mood swings, hormone awareness and just healthy habits. I have several life events that I would have been in a very sad place mentally if I had not exercised. I hope that I can make that connection for my children: feelings come and go, exercise helps those sad feelings go and the good ones show up. I actually just wrote an article about exercise and teenagers; it’s on my blog on my website if anyone would like to read more on the topic.

HIS STORY:

I’m thorough, witty, reliable and l oyal. I worry about ALL the things so Marietta doesn't have to.

NATIVE OF: Malvern

EDUCATION: I earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Arkansas and attended the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Colorado.

PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: I am the Market President of Farmers Bank & Trust.

HONORS: As a market president in Central Arkansas, one aspect of my job is to help my clients secure large commercial loans to start small businesses, hotels, restaurants, etc; I like knowing that I am contributing to the local economic growth. I enjoy working closely with business owners, tailoring financing solutions to meet their unique needs. Building long-term relationships with these clients is a key part of my job, as I continue to support them as their businesses expand.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: I am a member of First Baptist Church of Benton.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT LIVING IN CENTRAL ARKANSAS?

I spend a lot of my free time hunting and fishing, and I love that Central Arkansas offers both. On the weekends I can take my boys and meet my dad in a duck blind or at the boat ramp within an hour or so.

Continued on page 18

THEIR STORY:

We met in 2003 at a summer discipleship training in Boulder, Colo. We actually didn’t hit it off right away but reconnected a couple of years later at Fayetteville. Kent finished college and moved to Tulsa, and we continued to date long distance. He would write me letters and mail them (does anyone do that anymore?) while we lived apart. Each letter was on a red card in a red envelope. Kent listed a character quality he admired about me and would reference a Bible verse to that attribute. This letter writing continued for almost a year. Then, in April of 2007, we went to Garvan Gardens in Hot Springs, sat by the lake and he said he had one more letter. In it, he had listed each quality he had written a letter for, 15 letters to be exact, the first letter of each quality spelling out something… “WILL YOU MARRY ME?” Kent said he had been asking me to marry him for the last 10 months, one love letter at a time. I SAID YES! We got married on December 29, 2007.

BINGHAM ANDTHE 3BEARS

By Chef Don Bingham • Photos by Makenzie Evans

The delicious tale of beans and ballgames that creates a Sunday afternoon for UCA players that's juuuuuust right.

William Mayo (from left), Dylan Spencer and Justin Lairy pigged out at a football watch party catered by Chef Don Bingham. The three seniors who play for UCA filled up on red beans, sausage and ham over rice and enjoyed sweet desserts perfect for fall gatherings. Mayo and Spencer play center and Lairy is an offensive lineman.

Football food should be easy, delicious and fit for a crowd.

When I recently hosted a football watch party for three players from the University of Central Arkansas, I had to choose something to fill them up!

It was Bears, beans and the ballgame, and they gobbled it up between high fiving, throwing things at the TV and occasionally wiping tears.

As I considered what to cook, I thought about one of our dear friends in the business--Chef John Folse of Cajun and Creole cuisine expertise. His rendition of beans and rice makes a regular appearance on our feasting table during these much-welcomed cooler months! From tailgating before the game to a football watch party or the Sunday night supper, beans and rice will survive in the halls of culinary fame as a “go-to” for fall dining!

The sautéing of the vegetables in Crisco is one of the secrets to this rice and beans recipe. If time does not permit soaking beans, cans of red beans from the grocery store will shorten the preparation time, making red beans and rice the main entree for the family or a crowd.

We like to serve the red beans and rice from the traditional black iron skillet because it makes heating and serving easier. Breads are not a requirement because of the rice, but toasted French bread is an excellent addition to the meal. Guests may serve themselves, and this adds informality to the party. Smoked sausages, kielbasa rounds, or even bacon may be added for additional meat—a must when feeding football players! The recipe calls for white rice, but

we often use converted or parboiled rice for a nuttier flavor.

After a hearty, spicy meal, every party needs a sweet ending, and two of our favorite “pick up” desserts are the brown sugar pound cake and the party cookies. Neither item requires a fork and is perfect for laid-back gatherings.

The sweet treat of a slice of brown sugar pound cake is just near perfection. The brown sugar pound cake is heavy, full of butter and nuts, yet oh-so manageable and easy to serve. This cake will be a welcome addition to any football-watch party, especially for those who prefer less frosting and rich substance.

And maybe just one party cookie would not hurt!

One of the most delightful things about cookies is that they are not only perfect for the big game, but they are also good for all seasons. You can change the colors of the frosting to orange, brown and butterscotch to fit the fall season or red and green for Christmas. The cookie dough is simple but buttery and rolled in nut meats before baking. This versatility allows you to get creative and match the cookies to the theme of your party.

What a grand way to tackle a football watch party and to say, “Welcome fall!” So put on your favorite football outfit and get ready for touchdowns, tackles and terrific food!

Louisiana R ed oR White Beans

1 pound dried navy or kidney beans

1/2 cup Crisco

1 cup chopped onions

1 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup chopped bell pepper

1/4 cup diced garlic

1 cup sliced green onions

2 cups diced smoked ham

6 3-inch links of andouille sausage

1/2 cup chopped parsley

1 cup sliced green onions

Salt and pepper to taste

Add your favorite pepper sauce to taste

Soak beans overnight in cold water. In a four-quart sauce pot, melt Crisco over medium-high heat. Add onions, celery, bell peppers, garlic, green onions and smoked ham. Sauté approximately five to ten minutes or until vegetables are wilted. Add andouille sausage and beans. Blend well with vegetables and cook for two to three minutes. Add enough cold water to cover the beans by about two inches. Bring to a rolling boil and allow to cook for thirty minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid scorching. Reduce heat to simmer and cook for one hour or until beans are tender. Add chopped parsley and additional green onions. Season to taste using salt and pepper. Using a metal spoon, mash approximately one-third of the beans against the side of the pot to create a creaming effect. Add salt and pepper and pepper sauce to taste. This dish should be cooked the day before it is to be served. Best served over cooked rice.

White R ice

1 cup long-grain rice

1 1/2 cups water

1 tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. butter

Wash rice a minimum of two times in clear, cold water. This process will remove all excess starch from the outside of the grains. Drain well. In a heavy-bottom sauce pot, combine all of the above ingredients. Place the saucepan on medium-high heat and bring to a rolling boil. Reduce the temperature to simmer, cover the sauce pot and cook for thirty minutes. During the thirty-minute cooking time, it is imperative that you do not remove the cover or attempt to stir the rice. One cup of raw rice will yield approximately two and a half to three cups of cooked rice.

Pa Rty cookies

2 sticks butter

1 cup sugar

2 egg yolks

2 egg whites, slightly beaten

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups sifted flour

1/4 tsp. salt

1 cup finely chopped pecans

Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy; blend in egg yolks and vanilla. Sift together flour and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Chill dough for ease in handling. Shape into balls 1" in diameter. Dip balls in egg whites, then roll in nuts. Place on a buttered cookie sheet. With your finger, make a deep impression in the center of each cookie. Bake 15 to 18 minutes at 350 or until lightly browned around edges. Remove to a wire rack to cool. Fill with icing. Makes approximately 5 dozen.

icing

2 cups confectioners’ sugar

2 Tbsp. butter, soft

1 tsp. almond flavoring

2-3 Tbsp. hot water

Food coloring in fall colors

Combine sugar, butter and flavoring. Gradually add water and food coloring and beat until smooth and the mixture holds shape. Use 1 tsp. in the center of each cookie.

BRoW n suga R Pound cake

3 sticks butter

1 pound light brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

5 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 cup milk

1 cup chopped nuts

Cream butter and sugars thoroughly. Add eggs, one at a time, beating at medium speed. Add flavoring. Stir dry ingredients together. Add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Mix well. Place in a well-greased tube pan and bake at 325 for an hour and 30 minutes.

A

message from Kim Williams Executive Director, Conway Downtown Partnership

Downtown Conway has plenty of fun activities during October. Here are some great things to check out:

Conway Art Walk—Held on the first Friday of the month, this event showcases local artists, musicians and vendors. You can stroll around downtown, enjoy live performances and support local creatives from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4.

Chili Cookoff—The Third Annual Homeward Realty Chili Cookoff will take place from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Oct 4. This fun event benefits pancreatic cancer research at UAMS. The cookoff takes place on Chestnut Street in coordination with Conway Art Walk.

Art Show—Returning for the eighth year, Neighbor’s, an Art Show will occur from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4. The art show takes place at The Brick Room at 1020 Front St.

Downtown Farmers' & Crafts Market—The Downtown Conway Farmers' Market will be open from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays throughout October, offering fresh local produce, homemade goods and seasonal crafts. It is located at 718 Parkway St.

Downtown Dinner and a Movie Night—Downtown restaurants will be partnering with The Max Event Venue at 1007 Spencer St. to bring you “Downtown Dinner and a Movie.” October’s Dinner and Movie Night will be Oct. 28 and will be a ghostly thriller! Visit their social media sites to learn more.

Halloween Trick-or-Treating—Many downtown shops participate in trick-or-treating events, making it a safe and festive environment for families and kids to dress up and gather treats from local merchants.

These events create a lively, festive atmosphere throughout the month!

TAIL as old as time

Arkansas Children's Hospital and the Central Arkansas Pet Partners know the best medicine is often a bit of love from man's best friend.

By

W.

Stefanie

Brazile • Photos Makenzie Evans

Stan, an English cream Golden Retriever, lights up each room he enters. He visited Ever. Later his mom, Sonia, commented, “I know Stan made him happy, because I could see his smile.”

The physicians at Arkansas Children's Hospital (ACH) frequently write prescriptions for a dose of unconditional love from four-footed, furry friends. The TAILS program has lifted the spirits of children, parents and staff for 23 years.

“A lot of our patients miss their animals from home, and visits from the dogs provide comfort and reduce anxiety in the hospital setting,” said Raquel Cooper, Certified Child Life Specialist and TAILS Coordinator. TAILS stands for Therapeutic Animal Interventions Lift Spirits.

“Patients may be dealing with a new diagnosis or an upcoming surgery, and it’s comforting and therapeutic to interact with a dog,” Cooper said. “It also improves mental health, which improves coping and overall well-being while in the hospital.”

The TAILS program boasts 20 dogs and handlers who make weekly visits to the playroom, clinics, family houses and bedsides within ACH. Each pet is required to go through a certification process with the Central Arkansas Pet Partners Chapter and is recertified every two years. There are other requirements, such as receiving a bath within 24 hours of the visit. The dogs must be good at giving and receiving affection with a calm disposition. These pets make the best doses of animal-assisted intervention (AAI) that a doctor could order. According to the Pet Partners website, AAI improves both physical and mental health because of the healing effect of the human-animal bond.

TAILS volunteer Marian Berry said that the visits also benefit her English cream Golden Retriever, affectionately referred to

as Stan the Man. “He doesn’t really like car rides, but as soon as we get to the hospital, he almost pulls me across the parking lot,” she said.

“I feel fortunate to have a dog that I can share, and he truly brightens the day of these patients,” she said. “The TAILS acronym is perfect because Stan is lifting spirits! It brings me tremendous joy to get to be with these kids while they are visiting with him.”

Berry was inspired to volunteer back in 2008 after seeing an ACH calendar with TAILS participants on it. “I knew immediately that I had a Labrador that would be perfect for that. Callie and I volunteered from 2008 to about 2015. In 2017, I got Stan. The dogs must be a year old to be tested by Pet Partners. I tested him right after he turned 1, and he tested at the highest level, and we went to work immediately.”

Stan is described as a loving, calm, sweet dog that likes to be around many people. He even falls asleep sometimes on the bed with a patient because he enjoys snuggling with the kids. “The kids don’t seem to care at all,” Berry said. “They think it’s charming that he falls asleep. I tell him he has to wake up because we’re working!”

Arkansas Children's Rehabilitation unit team members adore Stan and other dogs who visit from the TAILS program. Reese Cartwright (from left), Whitney Hammond, Kierra Ellis, Kaylah Wills and Morgan Scott.

‘I feel fortunate to have a dog that I can share, and he truly brightens the day of these patients It brings me tremendous joy to get to be with these kids while they are visiting with him.’

— Marian Berry, TAILS volunteer

The dogs are on rotation at the hospital, and each time they visit, they leave behind a trading card with their image on the front and facts about them on the back, like when they started and what their favorite treats are. The children love to collect the cards, and some handlers also have color sheets they will leave behind.

One of the hospital’s Child Life Specialists coordinates and supervises the TAILS visits. They also help prepare patients emotionally for procedures and surgery, so they are aware of children who need extra support. “You might have a kid who is down and not engaging a lot,” Cooper said. “A TAILS visit can reduce fears and anxiety, and you see them engaging more. Petting the animal and watching them do a trick helps them to feel comfort. That’s why I really love doing the program!”

Cooper said it means a lot to parents to see their child relax and smile. “I’ve actually heard a parent say that was the first time they had seen their kid smile,” she said. “It meant a lot to them to get a glimpse of the kid they know at home. Having a good experience in the hospital helps reduce the parent’s anxiety too.”

Cooper and other Child Life Specialists also schedule TAILS visits for the staff. This trend started during COVID-19 and has continued. “If there’s low morale because of a tough case, we could bring the dog in specifically for staff well-being and to build morale.”

The 20 furry heroes in the TAILS program don’t wear capes, but they do wear vests and badges. Their devoted handlers watch to be sure their dog is not overstressed, and Pet Partners has a two-hour cap on how long a dog can provide AAI on a given day.

“I believe dogs are very intuitive and extremely sensitive to far more than human emotions than we realize,” Berry said. “Because of this, they can become stressed even as they provide comfort and stress relief to patients. I questioned it at first, but I realized it’s good to have that limited amount of time and then go home and rest.”

The seriousness of cases handled by the state’s only healthcare system solely dedicated to caring for children also affects TAILS handlers.

“I don’t even realize it until I head to my car, and I realize I am tense and exhausted in a really good way,” Berry said. “When you’re there, you are on, and I want to make sure it’s the most positive experience for those kids and that they are comfortable and happy with the visit, so I put a lot of energy into it.”

And this is just what the doctors order.

Lilly enjoys visits from Stan, an English cream Golden Retriever. “I haven’t seen her smile all day until Stan came in,” said her mom, Shelly.

Child Life Specialist and TAILS Coordinator Raquel Cooper with a Goldendoodle named Russ.

The TAILS program at Arkansas Children’s has 20 dogs who regularly visit patients, parents and staff. Their Pet Partner volunteers bring them to the hospital for two-hour periods, so they are not over stressed. Each dog has a trading card they leave behind with patients, and the kids love to collect them! On one side is the pup’s photo and the reverse includes details like their favorite snacks.

When it comes to overall health, exercise and fun

PICKLEBALL’S A BIG DILL

By Karl Lenser • Photos by Makenzie Evans

The sport of pickleball continues to grow in popularity in the 501 and throughout the country. Pickleball, which was created in Bainbridge Island, Wash., near Seattle back in the late 1970s, has become the fastest-growing sport in the United States. Its popularity has also spread to Europe and South America. So why has this sport become so popular?

One of the primary factors in its popularity is that it is designed for all ages and ability levels and does not require a great financial investment. All you need are paddles and the ball and you are ready to go. Entry-level paddles can be purchased for around $35 and pickleballs range from $1 a ball to $3 a ball, depending on the quality.

Gear can be found in a variety of retail outlets such as sporting goods stores or Walmart. I have also noticed pickleball paddles and balls for sale at some running stores and even at a grocery store. Pickelballcentral.com and Amazon both offer a large supply of products to help you get started or to upgrade your current equipment.

Courts can be used for free in some locations or rented when individuals want to guarantee a time for a court. Every facility has its own fee structure and reservation policy, so it is best to do some research before venturing out to a park or recreation center. Another cost-saving aspect of the sport is that players do not need any special shoes to play. However, a tennis/court shoe does provide a bit more stability and lateral support.

Another factor that draws people to pickleball is that you don’t have to possess highly refined athletic skills to play it. Compared to tennis, for example, pickleball is played on a much smaller court and is a much slower sport, which makes it more appealing to a large population base. This is especially true when playing doubles, which is what the majority of individuals play.

The sport is a great way to elevate your heart rate and expend some calories while having fun. It is an excellent sport for developing leg strength, flexibility and eye-to-hand coordination. It is amazing to see how many steps one can accumulate during an hour of doubles.

Melanie and Karl Lenser (from left) play pickleball with friends Livia Kimura and Marcos Pires weekly.

In addition to being a great way to expend calories, pickleball provides a very significant social aspect to the sport. It is a wonderful way to meet people and develop new friendships with others who enjoy this sport.

It also provides an opportunity for families to get together, exercise and create memories. The court is small, and the overall speed of the game is ideal for parents to exercise with their children while having fun and making memories.

Based on my experiences as a player, the atmosphere around pickleball is positive, friendly and encouraging. Depending on the skill level or goals of the players, it can be social and noncompetitive, or it can be highly competitive. No matter what one’s ability level is, the game is fun to play and easy to learn.

One caveat for players is the risk for injuries that can arise as they become more dedicated and their volume of play increases over time. Most of the injuries that I have noticed occur in the elbow and shoulder area, and that is due to the repetitive nature of the sport. Incorporating a consistent stretching and strengthening program for the upper and lower body would be a wise investment for current and future enthusiasts.

Where can you play pickleball in the 501? The demand for courts is exceeding the supply of courts in many cities. Fortunately, the 501 area has increased the availability of courts over the past few years. For courts in the Little Rock area, check out pickleheads.com/ courts/us/arkansas/little-rock. For pickleball information in Faulkner County, check out the Faulkner County Pickleball Club on Facebook.

If you have never tried this sport, I encourage you to give it a try. It is easy to learn and is a fun way to get some exercise as well.

To learn the official rules, visit usapickleball.org.

Central Arkansas counselor offers strategies to improve mental health and wellness

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

Stress, much like anxiety, is a normal part of our lives. It is a feeling of strain or pressure we feel about some aspect of life, or many times about most aspects of life. Small amounts of stress can improve athletic, academic, or work performance, improve motivation and enhance our reaction to the environment. Large amounts of stress, however, are detrimental to our mental and physical health.

The best way to decrease stress is to have a healthy lifestyle that prevents the normal stress of life from overcoming our typical coping techniques. A healthy lifestyle includes plenty of water to keep our bodies hydrated, good quality food to keep our energy levels up, moderate exercise that includes both cardio and resistance training and about eight hours of sleep each night.

There are times when we can do all the right things to keep our bodies in good working order but still be overwhelmed by too much stress. When this occurs, we may experience some of the following symptoms: exhaustion, headaches, dizziness, shaking, high blood pressure, digestive problems, chest pain, muscle tension, body aches and pains, and a weakened immune system. Since I don’t know anyone who wants to experience those symptoms, we need to know what to do to decrease the stress we are experiencing. There are several strategies we can employ to help with stress reduction.

Use relaxation techniques:

• Prayer – If you believe in a higher power, turning the things that you can’t control over to that power can relieve you from the expectation that you will do something about those things.

• Meditation – Focus on one peaceful thing for an extended period of time can relieve the pressure for a while and let the body relax.

• Tai Chi – Incorporates low-impact exercise, flowing movements, deep breathing, and a meditative state.

• Breathing Exercises – These are probably the most known and taught method to calm a person. Used regularly, they can help maintain a lower stress level. They work by oxygenating the body and helping us focus on breathing instead of on what we are stressing about.

• Muscle Relaxation – When we carry excess stress our muscles tighten, and many of them do not go back to a relaxed position. Intentional focus on muscle groups and alternating flexion and relaxation will let us know where we are holding tension in our bodies and give us an opportunity to relax.

Practice Gratitude:

• Make a list of all the things to be thankful for in your life and read over the list every morning.

• Pay attention to the positive things that happen each day and focus on them.

• Pay attention to the people in your life and give thanks to those who are positive and helpful.

Be Nice to Yourself:

• Instead of allowing your focus to be on what you did wrong, focus on what you did right.

• Give yourself regular breaks throughout the day and do something for yourself during those breaks. Don’t skip lunch, and don’t work through your breaks.

• When you have worked the time allocated for work (typically 8 hours), stop and do something fun.

Eliminate Some Sources of Stress:

• Eliminate hurry – Hurry almost always adds stress because we don’t think well when we hurry, and we forget things, and that creates more stress. Adequate planning relieves hurry.

• Eliminate negative people – I know that there are some negative people in our lives that we either can’t or don’t want to eliminate, so reduce the interaction you have with those people until your stress level is low enough to tolerate more time with them.

Seek Counseling

Counseling can help identify the sources of stress in your life and make a plan to address those stressors. When we look at our own lives, we often miss some of the sources of stress or have no idea how to address those stressors. An objective view of your situation may result in clarity. Often, that level of clarity will allow you to address the stress (you know exactly what to do when you see the issue clearly), and other times, you can work with your counselor to develop and enact a plan to reduce stress. We have several counselors at Restored Life Counseling who can help you identify and plan to reduce your stress level.

ARTIST OF THE MONTH

REYNOLD’S PERFORMANCE HALL

25TH YEAR CELEBRATION

________________________

By Donna Lampkin Stephens

Photos by Makenzie Evans

Reynolds Performance Hall on the University of Central Arkansas campus is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, and by the time the season is over, the venue will have hosted thousands of patrons at nearly 400 shows.

And that’s in addition to the hundreds more events and performances by local and state arts and educational organizations.

“A commemoration of the 25th anniversary of Reynolds Performance Hall should first recognize the visionary leadership of President Winfred Thompson and his dedication to making UCA the arts and cultural center of Arkansas,” said Rollin R. Potter, dean of the UCA College of Fine Arts and Communication from 2004-13. “Dr. Thompson’s plan included building Reynolds, forming the College of Fine Arts and Communication to provide artistic oversight, establishing a fine arts fee to guarantee funding for Reynolds’ artists/ presenters and operations, and architectural adherence to Georgian buildings.

Continued on page 41

Amanda Horton (from left) and Wendy Sparks have enough energy to light Chicago! Horton is the executive director and Sparks is director of marketing and finance for UCA Public Appearances. The pair is excited to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Reynolds Performance Hall this season. They will also introduce a new UCA Public Appearances logo to celebrate the addition of the Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts on campus, a separate venue which seats 455 people.

‘Every year, I strive for diversity in our offerings, so that no matter who you are or what you like, you’re going to find something you want to attend. It’s an inclusive space for all.’

— Amanda Horton, executive director, UCA Public Appearances

“Reynolds quickly became one of the major performance venues in Arkansas,” Potter said. “Now that 25 years have passed since its gala opening featuring the legendary Ray Charles, Reynolds continues to hold a prominent position as a presenter of important artists and performers, who regularly bring distinction to UCA and confirm its role as a cultural center throughout the region.”

Amanda Horton is just the third director of the hall, following Guy Couch and Jerry Biebesheimer. Serving since 2013, she has spearheaded the addition of the Main Stage Education Series, which serves schoolchildren across the state and is celebrating its 10th season. With the opening last year of the Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts, her role expanded as she became executive director of UCA Public Appearances.

“I’m extremely pleased with the way the community has embraced the addition of the Main Stage Education Series and Windgate and supported Reynolds Performance Hall throughout the years, especially overcoming a public crisis like COVID-19,” Horton said. “Even during COVID-19, we presented smallerscaled shows, and the community responded to it, and we sold out those performances.

“My most proud moment is bringing in the little children and serving 65,000 of them in 10 years and the impact we’ve made on those children’s lives through performing arts.”

Before the shows, though, comes the behind-thescenes work of each performance. “We start scouting out talent about 18 months in advance of a season,”

Horton said. “We do this in multiple ways, like attending conferences where we’re able to see the work of artists, and we’re in constant communication with agents to find out who is routing through our area, just trying to piece our calendar together. We have to fit our series around all the university and community events that are going on. There’s a lot of research, conversations and organizing. It’s a complicated process.”

There is no such thing as a typical performance. The first thing she and her staff do is go through the performance/artist riders to determine what is required for a successful show. The list can include things such as additional instruments or equipment all the way down to a particular brand of bottled water.

“With Broadway shows, it’s very labor-intensive,” she said. “We have to secure not only our student workers but also contractual workers. Typically it takes 50 people to load it in, 20 to operate and 50 to load back out. The one thing that people really don’t realize is the Broadway performances are truly a labor-intensive gift to our community. We start loading in around 7 a.m., and we’re not done loading them out until sometimes 3 in the morning. It’s quite an undertaking.”

Her staff includes Avery Coonts, technical director (TD); Steven Oder, assistant TD; Rosalyn Williams, events manager; Shua Miller, director of patron services; and Wendy Sparks, director of marketing and finance.

Reynolds seats 1,172. Windgate has provided a more intimate space for 455.

Continued on page 42

“Windgate has offered a new music space that fits unique offerings such as classical music, jazz, world music and other genres that are important but just need a smaller hall,” Horton said. “The other specific thing about Windgate is that it is built for acoustics, for premium sound. There is not a better space on our campus to listen to a symphony or a classical music concert. It allows us to showcase those types of offerings in a suitable hall.”

The Main Stage Education Series is Horton’s baby.

“It was born from the necessity to bring youth into our hall,” she said. “When I first arrived at Reynolds, I didn’t change a thing the first year; I just thought, what are we missing? We were serving our students and the community quite well, but we didn’t have any school-age students in our hall. And it’s so important that you introduce the arts at a young age.”

If not for school buses, she noted, many K-12 students would not have an opportunity to see a professional arts performance.

The series started with three shows and a goal of serving 3,000 students. By the end of the year, 6,100 students had attended a performance.

“From there it has grown, and even during COVID-19, we did some special projects,” she said. “Now we’ve served 65,000 students from 65 different school districts and 30 counties from across the state.”

Main Stage has a sponsor, Partners Bank, for the Delta Project, which funds students from the Delta counties to enable them to see a show and have a free lunch. A bus stipend is also available.

“Many of those kids in the Delta are economically challenged and lack accessibility to the arts, so this is a way to serve them,” said Horton, who grew up in Stuttgart.

Another new initiative this year is Page to Stage, which connects literacy to the arts.

“They will read the book, learn about it, and see it come to life on the stage,” she said.

UCA Public Appearances raises 100 percent of the programming funds for Main Stage.

“We’ve also started an endowment to ensure the longevity of the program so it will continue to serve long past Amanda Horton’s time,” she said.

The 25th-anniversary series includes something for everyone. “Every year, I strive for diversity in our offerings, so that no matter who you are or what you like, you’re going to find something you want to attend,” Horton said. “It’s an inclusive space for all.”

Presenting Sponsor 501 LIFE Magazine invites you to “Vitamin String Quartet: The Music of Taylor Swift, Bridgerton, and Beyond.” join us at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at the new Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts on the UCA Campus.

A LIFE-SAVING LESSON

Breast cancer survivor says to ‘lean in and listen’ to yourself about your health

By the time Pauline Stancil uncovered her breast cancer, the disease had progressed to Stage IV. The previous fall, she had gone in for her annual mammogram and received a normal report. Her health care team at the time said there was no needed follow-up—just the traditional reminder to make an appointment for the following year. But something felt off.

While blow-drying her hair a month later, her gut instinct was affirmed when she saw noticeable, unusual sagging in her breasts. In the weeks following, she saw pulling from behind and inversion of her nipple. The physical signs were undeniable. She repeatedly contacted her then-physician’s office to reread her mammogram to no avail.

In January, Pauline changed course and made an appointment at The Breast Center at CARTI. Under the trusted care of Stacy Smith-Foley, MD, swift progress followed. She underwent a diagnostic 3D mammogram and additional imaging to confirm what she suspected—breast cancer.

Through an intensive diagnosis process, CARTI uncovered that Pauline had peritoneal cancer. This uncommon disease develops in the peritoneum, a thin layer of tissue lining the abdomen and its inner organs, including the uterus and bladder. The pathology report later showed the peritoneal cancer as the root cause of her breast cancer, which was a result of metastasis.

Pauline’s journey is unique. Her diagnosis was late because, before entering CARTI’s doors, “No one would listen.” Once in

the CARTI system, she said that quickly changed. Her medical team took quick, thorough actions. To date, she’s received seven chemotherapy treatments and two surgeries performed by Yara Robertson, MD, FACS, and Kathryn Kennedy, MD, FACOG.

While Pauline recognizes the crucial value of early detection tools, she also stresses the importance of patients speaking up. She wants women to learn from her experience. Her body was telling her something, but it took a switch to CARTI to be heard. If other women encounter a similar situation, seek a second opinion. In her words, “Don’t give up until somebody listens.”

Facing cancer hasn’t been an easy road—far from it. However, Pauline remarks it’s been a journey filled with “such wonderful people” who “make her feel like family.” As she recovers, she looks forward to taking advantage of services like weekly virtual yoga offered by The Bridge, CARTI’s patient support platform. She encourages others to seek fellow patients’ “realworld stories,” lean on loved ones, take control where able and surround themselves with positivity.

Pauline believes everyone should be their own best advocates. Along with listening to their bodies, women 40 years and older should receive annual mammograms. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, CARTI is hosting Mammograms and Muffins on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Those interested in scheduling an appointment may call 501.537.MAMO. In October and yearround, women can always ask for The Breast Center at CARTI if they have questions about their breast health.

Pauline Stancil

Women visit in the lobby of The Breast Center at CARTI in Little Rock as they await their annual mammograms.

BANK ON THEM

Arkansas Foodbank marks 40 year commitment to fighting hunger

This year, Arkansas Foodbank celebrates four decades of impact with a renewed commitment to breaking down hunger stereotypes and tackling food insecurity head-on. As the largest food bank in the state, and with Arkansas continuing to lead the nation in food insecurity, the Foodbank is ramping up efforts to provide access to nutritious food while deepening public understanding of the challenges Arkansans face, as reported by the USDA.

“Hunger is often misunderstood,” said ShaRhonda Love, Arkansas Foodbank board chair. “During this anniversary year, we're inviting everyone in Arkansas to not only celebrate with us but to stand alongside us as we continue working to make a meaningful difference for those who are unsure where their next meal will come from.“

Since its founding in 1984, Arkansas Foodbank has led the charge against hunger, distributing millions of meals to families and individuals across a 33-county service area. Through a trusted network of over 400 community partners—ranging from food pantries and churches to community centers and schools—the Foodbank has distributed more than half a billion pounds of food, serving hundreds of thousands of Arkansans in need.

“Over the last 40 years, Arkansas Foodbank has been a beacon of hope for millions, made possible by the generosity and compassion of our community,” said Brian Burton, CEO of Arkansas Foodbank. “As we celebrate this milestone, we're

not only reflecting on the past but intensifying our efforts to connect resources and deepen public understanding of the true scope of food insecurity in Arkansas.”

To commemorate this special anniversary, Arkansas Foodbank is launching a series of initiatives and events throughout its 33-county service area, aimed at expanding its reach and elevating awareness of food insecurity. Just last month, they kicked off Central Arkansas Restaurant Week, partnering with over 80 local restaurants to inspire the community to eat local and fight hunger. They’ve also completed a record-breaking year at the annual Empty Bowls Event and the Summer Cereal Drive. These efforts will continue into the holiday season, with educational programs, engaging community events, and new partnerships focused on both raising awareness and offering life-saving support.

As part of the anniversary year, the Foodbank has set bold goals: 40,000 volunteer hours, the distribution of 40 million pounds of food, and raising $400,000 to fuel the fight against hunger. Its cornerstone initiatives, including Food For Kids, Food For Families and Food For Seniors, enable the distribution of essential resources through a network of more than 400 food pantries, schools, colleges, shelters, senior centers and other agencies across Arkansas.

For more information about Arkansas Foodbank’s 40th anniversary and how to get involved, visit arkansasfoodbank. org.

Central Arkansas community members helping the Arkansas Foodbank reach their 40th anniversary goals of reaching 40,000 volunteer hours, distributing 40 million pounds of food and raising $400,000 to fuel the fight against hunger. Photos courtesy Arkansas Foodbank.

The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission is on the front lines in the battle against food insecurity

By Lori Dunn

“

Everybody can be great because anybody can serve”

This Martin Luther King Jr. quote serves as a motto for the Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission (AMLKC). Supporting Central Arkansas families with food insecurity is one important way the commission puts this motto into action.

“Hunger weakens communities. It affects children's ability to perform in school; it worsens health conditions,” said DeShun Scarbrough, executive director of the Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission (AMLKC).

Addressing food insecurity aligns with the core mission of the AMLKC. The commission has long been a champion for education, nonviolence and equality and an urgent challenge for it has been addressing the alarming levels of food insecurity in Arkansas.

Arkansas ranks first in the nation for food insecurity according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

Thousands of people, especially children, senior adults and those in marginalized communities, are unable to access nutritious and affordable food consistently. Factors contributing to this include high poverty rates, lack of grocery stores in rural areas, and economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Dr. King emphasized the importance of eradicating poverty and hunger, seeing these as integral to achieving racial and economic justice. Inaction in the face of hunger is not an option for an organization that seeks to continue his legacy,” Scarbrough said.

“By addressing this issue, the AMLKC can directly support these communities, improving their health, stability and overall well-being. By stepping up to address food insecurity, the AMLKC can strengthen the social fabric of Arkansas, fostering a more resilient, healthy and equitable community,” he said. Attendees at food outreach events are diverse, ranging from upper middle-class families to displaced residents. “Hunger is represented in all socio-economic classes,” Scarbrough said.

AMLKC has several other events planned in the coming months. See the sidebar on page 49 for details.

Most of the food is donated through partnerships with various organizations. The commission also serves hot meals onsite to homeless and displaced residents who arrive on foot and do not have homes to store food items.

The commission is always trying to recruit new volunteers, especially young people. “Volunteerism is great for youth because it fosters personal growth, builds

essential life skills and strengthens communities,” the leader said. “It helps youth feel more connected to their communities, fostering a sense of belonging and a desire to contribute to positive change. It instills the importance of giving back and encourages active participation in addressing societal issues. Service is the process of building better communities.”

Dr. Bernice A. King, his daughter, has described the Arkansas Commission as “the most active commission in the country.”

Scarbrough said he was “honored and humbled” when he learned of the compliment she had given AMLKC. “I consider Dr. Bernice A. King as a mentor, confidante and friend, and it really meant a lot to me for someone of her stature to say that. Being entrusted with the global responsibility of the descendant of such an icon speaks volumes of how she feels about me representing her father,” he said.

Anyone interested in volunteering can contact the Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission at 888.290.KING. The commission is located at 906 Broadway, Suite 100, Little Rock.

SERVING THE 501

The AMLKC Pre-Thanksgiving Day Food Giveaway will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 21. No ID needed. Food provided on a first-come, firstserved basis.

A Christmas Food and Toy Giveaway will be held Dec. 20.

The 2025 King Holiday Commemorative Food Giveaway will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Jan. 20.

Food giveaways take place at the AMLKC office, 906 Broadway. All events are free and accessible to the public.

The Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission considers the alarming levels of food insecurity in Arkansas an urgent challenge that it has been addressing with food giveaways. Executive Director DuShun Scarbrough (in the top center, top right and bottom right photos) believes that hunger weakens communities and affects children’s ability to perform in school.

KIDS OF THE MONTH

ASHYR AND ABBOTT CROW

By

Mark Oliver • Photos by Makenzie Evans

‘In other houses, kids have to invite their friends over to have fun. I don’t. My best friend lives with me.’

— Ashyr Crow

From the baseball diamond to the basketball court, the football gridiron and everything in between, fraternal twins Ashyr and Abbott Crow are well-known in their Greenbrier community.

Balancing busy schedules with multiple extracurricular activities, the Crows can be found at a game, lesson or practice nearly every day of the week. More than just sibling teammates, they’re best friends.

“In other houses, kids have to invite their friends over to have fun,” Ashyr said. “I don’t. My best friend lives with me. We have a strong connection and have a lot of fun together.”

“Ashyr makes me laugh hysterically,” Abbott said. “We like to

hunt, fish, watch YouTube, play Xbox, take naps and just be silly together.”

The Crows’ passion for sports began in their own front yard.

“We started playing baseball with our parents when we were 4 years old,” Abbott said. “They signed us up to play tee ball and that’s where it all started.”

Through travel baseball, they have racked up numerous accomplishments, including winning the 10U World Series, participating in the Cal Ripken Experience and taking home an Arkansas state championship.

“Most kids haven’t gotten to play all across the country like we have,” Ashyr said. “I’m thankful for our parents’ help in getting these opportunities. It’s been so much fun to experience all these things together.”

As eighth-graders, Ashyr and Abbott are hard at work with Greenbrier Junior High football this fall. Both play running back and outside linebacker, while Abbott also contributes at tight end and Ashyr helps as wide receiver.

“The transition from seventh-grade football to junior high football has been a challenge,” Abbott said. “Last year, it was much easier to tackle the competition because we were bigger than everyone else. This year, everyone is bigger than us, but we’re getting better every day.”

“This is just our second year playing football,” Ashyr said. “Personally, I think I like it better than the other sports we play It’s a lot of fun.”

No matter where Abbott goes, Ashyr is sure to follow. The twins recount missing last year’s track and field conference meets after coincidentally sustaining the same injuries in practice. “In our first track practice of the season, I pulled my hip flexor doing hurdles,” Abbott said. “After I healed, I came back to practice later in the year and immediately pulled my other hip flexor.”

“I felt my hip tighten when I was doing the triple jump in practice one day,” Ashyr added. “I didn’t think anything of it and went to run the 100-meter race and pulled my hip flexor, too.”

Just like that, the Crow boys ended up side-by-side in physical therapy.

“Each week, we both would get checked out of school to go to physical therapy,” Ashyr said. “It was fun, but because we are very competitive with one another, we usually ended up fighting over who got to ride the better exercise bike at therapy. Abbott

likes to brag that he’s one minute older than me, so he usually got the good bike.”

Occasionally, they’ve been mistaken for one another.

“Our coaches get us mixed up all the time,” Ashyr said. “We’ve even managed to stump our mom a time or two. One time, when we were little, our church was giving out candy to all the kids. Abbott got in line twice pretending to be me and left me without any candy.”

On and off the field, the Crow boys are competitive in everything they do. “When it’s family board game night, someone is going to bed mad,” Abbott said. “We’ll trash talk and rub it in each other’s faces, but it’s all in good fun.”

On social media, the brothers have become quite popular, with more than 6,000 Instagram followers and more than 33,000 fans on TikTok.

“Originally, we started posting baseball videos online so coaches and scouts would notice us,” Abbott said. “One day, we posted a video of us in our living room attempting a jumping trick, and it went viral. The rest was history.”

“I never thought we would blow up like we did,” Ashyr said. “Today, when we’re out playing games together, people recognize us. Kids will come up to us and ask to meet us. It’s really cool.”

Unsurprisingly, both have the same career ambitions after high school.

“There are more sports in our future,” Ashyr said. “While we haven’t decided yet, whether it’s playing ball professionally, coaching or even just teaching high school, we know we’ll do it together.”

“That goes for college, too,” Abbott added. “No matter where we decide to go after graduation, we plan to stick together.”

PCSSD HAS EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES DOWN TO A Fine Art

By Jessica Duff

The Pulaski County Special School District (PCSSD) boasts many dedicated educators and administrators from 25 schools in Central Arkansas. Across the Maumelle feeder zone, fine arts teachers are committed to sharing their craft and passing along their knowledge to others. Elementary music and art classes are designed to introduce creative thinking and performance skills to even the youngest learners. As students progress to Maumelle Middle and High School, they have the opportunity to explore band, choir, theater, art and more.

PCSSD elementary educators appreciate and encourage their students’ creative energy. Crystal Hill Elementary Art Teacher Jonathan Kaplan especially enjoys his students’ innate passion. “I'm certified through high school, but I really enjoy teaching elementary because of the pure excitement elementary kids have,” he shared.

His goal is to encourage lifelong creative thinking.

“They love to make and create and learn how to communicate in new ways. If I can get them excited about art at a very young age, there's a greater chance they will carry that excitement on to their older years. We are all capable of being creative and thinking creatively, but that excitement for arts and creativity is what keeps them making art as they get older.”

Christy Hager, music teacher at Pine Forest Elementary, hopes to share the joy of performing with her students. “Seeing my students perform to the best of their abilities and the smiles that acknowledge the thrill in their soul is priceless to me,” she said.

She also sees the far-reaching value that fine arts offer every student. “Participation in the fine arts teaches us to understand and share our history and culture, as well as the history and culture of others in an authentic way. This naturally promotes social skills that bring about awareness and respect for others.”

As the director of bands for Maumelle Middle, Michael Williamson sees firsthand the benefits of performance-based fine arts programs for his students. “Performing fine arts programs rely on the cooperation of their members, individual members' integrity to execute their role and members' dedication to leave the program better than they found it,” he said.

His students learn to progress in their craft and develop life skills like time management and communicating with authority figures. The end result is something Williamson believes both students and staff can benefit from, a positive school culture.

Ellen Westerman’s history with choir helps her stay focused on her goals as a choir director at Maumelle High. Initially not interested in music, she received encouragement from friends and teachers that led her to become a music major. “I wanted a place to belong and express myself, but needed someone to believe in me and invite me in. So my ‘why’ as a choir director is to connect with students who, like me, simply need a little direction, encouragement and community,” she said.

Her classes are a place for building skills and connection.

“I hope they gain confidence that bleeds into the other areas of their lives, and along the way, unveils any stifled or abandoned talent they didn’t have the courage to share before,” she said.

A lifelong performer, Maumelle High stagecraft teacher Bob Birdsong has been working in theater education since 2006. His goal is to help students discover a fresh reason to enjoy

school. “I hope that my students, first and foremost, create memories that never leave them,” he shared.

He also highlighted how integral fine arts is to education as a whole. “Like athletics, fine arts programs are the public face of a school, and a matter of pride amongst students. But more importantly, fine arts is algebra, it is literature, it is science.

Just told in a different way.”

About PCSSD

Pulaski County Special School District spans more than 600 square miles in Central Arkansas and requires highly skilled and passionate personnel to adapt educational policies and personalization to 26 schools. Every school is accredited by the Arkansas State Board of Education. PCSSD has served schools across Pulaski County since July 1927.

PCSSD is committed to creating a nationally recognized school district that assures that all students achieve at their maximum potential through collaborative, supportive and continuous efforts of all stakeholders.

SUPERIOR SERVICE

‘Forget Me Nots’ student volunteer program recognized by Superior Health & Rehab

Superior Health & Rehab in Conway recognized the first cohort of its “Forget Me Nots” student volunteer program in a ceremony at the facility on Aug. 9. Students from across Central Arkansas participated in this summer program that served residents.

"We are extremely proud of these student volunteers and grateful to them for the hard work they put in this summer," said Bonnie Malone, activities director at Superior Health & Rehab. “Our residents thoroughly enjoyed the students’ enthusiasm and energy, and we can’t wait to welcome them back this fall during their breaks from school.”

Student volunteers received certificates of achievement for their efforts. Students who were recognized in the ceremony include:

Blayne Gunther — Bigelow — 109 hours

Ajhi Davis — Conway — 96 hours

Laila Bell — Morrilton — 90 hours

Avery Buford — Bigelow — 89 hours

Blakely Gunther — Bigelow — 89 hours

Kaimiah Wiggins — Morrilton — 63 hours

Violet Green — Conway — 56 hours

Emma Young — Greenbrier — 45 hours

Jase Young — Greenbrier — 45 hours

Skylar Ayika — Conway — 42 hours

Davion Bell — Morrilton — 30 hours

Jaylea Creasey — Greenbrier — 21 hours

Jack Gunther — Bigelow — 5 hours

LEFT: Blayne Gunther of Bigelow donated the most hours helping with projects. RIGHT: Skylar Ayika and Gunther loved being part of Superior Health & Rehab’s first student-volunteer program.

ALLY’S GIFT HORSE

Kendra James’ story of ‘Charlie Horse’ explains the beauty of disabilities

By KD Reep

As a 2-year-old, Ally James didn’t know she was in therapy. All she knew was she was on a tall horse that allowed her to see forever and go wherever she wanted. The toddler filled her days with physical, occupational and speech therapies for her developmental delays, but working with a horse, known as hippotherapy, was fun instead of drudgery.

After witnessing Ally’s first day in hippotherapy, Ally’s mom, Kendra James, was moved to write a children’s book titled “Charlie Horse” about a spirited horse who goes on a captivating journey of friendship and self-discovery.

“Hippotherapy is the use of a horse's movement during treatment sessions and occupational, physical and speech therapy,” said Erica Kennemer, founder and director of HorsePlay Hippotherapy & Therapeutic Riding in Conway. “It's how a licensed therapist uses a horse's movement to make functional gains.”

The book, which was illustrated by Spanish artist Karina Syevalnveva, takes the reader on adventures with Charlie while she gallops through the countryside meeting a host of new friends – all with abilities only they can do.

“Charlie meets a bunny, frog, duck, turtle, butterfly, pig, bee, ladybug and more along her journey, and each time, she asks if they can run like she does,” James said. “None of them can, but each of them can do something that Charlie can’t. It shows Charlie that it’s not just OK, but wonderful to have your own unique gifts, which should be celebrated. The lesson is to always embrace the magic of kindness, embrace each other’s differences and learn about what makes each of us special.”

In September 19, James and Kennemer held a book launch, announcing the book is available online at Amazon.com for $24.99, while the paperback is $13.99. The proceeds from all sales of each book will benefit HorsePlay.

Kendra James holds her daughter, Ally, whose experience with hippotherapy inspired the book she wrote titled “Charlie Horse.” On Sept. 19, a Community Bash & Book Launch was held at The Stables at Cherokee Creek. All book sale proceeds are designated for HorsePlay Therapy. Photo by Lisa Hutchison.

— Hailee

Ally James receives hippotherapy at HorsePlay in Conway. James reads her book to an audience at the Community Bash & Book Launch,

Fruchey, a mom of three

RINSE, RESPECT, REPEAT

Searcy Family Resource Center offers a clean start for students, families in need

By KD Reep • Photos by Makenzie Evans

There is an old saying, “If the mountain won’t come to Muhammad, Muhammad must go to the mountain.” Such is the case for Searcy Public Schools’ Family Resource Center.

“It took us awhile and we realized it would never come to fruition if we didn’t just go ahead and do it, but we’re really proud of this mobile center,” said Christine Harrell, federal programs coordinator for Searcy Public Schools. “We’re still working out some kinks, but for the most part, our mobile family resource center is helping families throughout our school district wash their clothes; get some food, clothing or toiletries if needed and get access to Wi-Fi if they need help with homework.”

Harrell said she came upon the idea of a mobile family resource center after receiving a grant during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The allocation was the American Rescue Plan, and the approximate $31,000 we received was specified to be used for those students in our community who are experiencing

homelessness,” she said. “I put together a committee of people from both our schools and the community – transportation was represented, food service, administrators, counselors, nurses, you name it – and we began to discuss how to use this $31,000.

I've been the homeless liaison for several years, and I knew there was a need for a location where parents or students could wash their clothing. That was kind of key to me, because we have washers and dryers at all the schools, but bringing your clothes to school can be embarrassing.

The committee talked about that and how there are a lot of other families that could use this service that weren't particularly considered experiencing homelessness. I had conversations with the Arkansas Department of Education to see if I could combine this funding with another funding source to build the resource center and [have] it be available to any student in our district.”

Raymond Reynolds, the Facilities Director for Searcy School District, did the construction, lighting, electrical and plumbing which created a Family Resource Center within a trailer.

Generators power the trailer’s washer/dryer, Wi-Fi and lights. It is a mobile resource center for families in Searcy.

To donate, volunteer or inquire about availability, contact Christine Harrell at 501.305.1685 or harrellc@searcyschools.org.

For 18 months, Harrell and the committee met, researched and discussed ways to accomplish this mobile center. The district’s facilities director, Raymond Reynolds, and a few of the committee members investigated some ways to install a washer and dryer in an enclosed trailer.

“He and another of our facilities staff drove to different dealerships to look at trailers,” Harrell explained. “They pulled into Nationwide Trailers in Cabot, and there was one trailer that was bright red with black trim, which are our school colors, and it was just the size we needed. After talking with the sales representative and explaining what we had in mind, they gave us a deep discount. That’s how we chose the trailer for what is now the Family Resource Center.”

The contributions only began there. Reynolds and his team found a washer and dryer at a local furniture store, which paid the taxes toward the purchase, and an anonymous donor provided two large water tanks, one for clean and the other for dirty water. Harrell said a flooring company contributed both flooring and time to install it, and an RV company installed a handle, step and awning, where those using the center can sit outside during nice days while their clothes are being washed and dried.

“The EAST students decorated the inside with inspirational sayings because they wanted the center to look and feel homey and welcoming,” Harrell said. “The head of our art department even held a student contest for a design for the outside of the center, and we couldn’t decide between the final two, so we decided to use both – one on the front of the trailer and the other on the back. It really is an entire community project.”

Continued on page 62

In addition to access to a washer and dryer, the committee decided to also offer kid-friendly products like shelf-stable food that’s easy and safe to open; toiletries like soap, shampoo, deodorant, hairbrushes, toothpaste, toothbrushes and school supplies if needed.

“If a student needs help with their homework, we have a Chromebook and hotspot in the center so they can study while doing their laundry,” Harrell said. “We also have gently worn clothes for just about any size from child to adult. We try to keep everything on hand a person may need.”

The center launched its first dates in the spring of 2024, parking in Searcy Public Schools’ Lion Stadium on Tuesdays and the

elementary school on Thursdays. “We wanted to make the center accessible to all areas of town, so we chose these sites to accommodate that,” Harrell said. “We have volunteers who help the students and families using the center – making sure they get items they need, showing them how to use the washer and dryer if they don’t know how, and helping them with resources. We still need volunteers, and we are still streamlining how the center works best, but we have learned a lot and will continue to offer what we can.”

To donate, volunteer or inquire about availability, contact Harrell directly at 501.305.1685 or send an email to harrellc@ searcyschools.org.

The Family Resource Center launched last spring providing students access to a washer and dryer, shelf-stable food, gently worn clothing, toiletries, hairbrushes and school supplies. There is also a Chromebook and a Wi-Fi hotspot in the center so students can study while doing their laundry.

SMILES FOR MILES

Thanks to Conway Cycling Club, anyone can experience the joy of a bike ride

By Tammy Keith

Two Conway brothers who live in a single-parent home were walking two miles each way to school. An adult who knew their situation made a plea on Facebook for bicycles. Conway City Attorney Charles Finkenbinder saw it and reposted it, and the Conway Cycling Project answered.

A program of Conway Advocates for Bicycling (CAB), the Conway Cycling Project provides free bicycles for many nonprofit organizations in the community, as well as directly to children and adults, primarily in Faulkner County. It was formerly known as Bike Share and Repair, which was geared more toward helping existing cyclists with repairs.

CAB’s Conway Cycling Project held a grand opening in August for its new headquarters, 1820 Old Morrilton Highway.

Ron King of Little Rock, director of the Project, said, “The city has been so generous in letting us lease that building.” Now the program has space for an inventory of donated bicycles to refurbish, and it also accepts new ones. At its grand opening, it had an inventory of about 100 bicycles. Free helmets also are available.

“Any kid who comes in walks out with a bicycle,” King said. “If they’re over 16, we ask that they work for three hours, and they have a bike. It gives them a little skin in the game.”

Volunteers can empty trash cans, sweep the floors or wash bicycles, for example.

Finkenbinder went to the facility to see what they had for the brothers in need. The bicycles the brothers received were donated by the Conway Police Department from its cycling patrol. The 26-inch bikes were the perfect size for the teenage boys.

A woman, who wants to remain anonymous, said she saw the older brother receive his. He was all smiles. “He rode it up and down the street until he got the gears shifted how he liked, and he thanked me several times,” she said.

“They were really nice bikes,” Finkenbinder said. He made a donation for them. “They (Conway Cycling Project) can use the money. The bikes are worth more than I paid.”

The new headquarters is open from noon until 3 every Monday and Wednesday and every other Saturday. King said they would like to have more volunteers to operate the facility later hours during the week. The program also assists people with basic bicycle repair and maintenance.

Bicycles “in any condition” are accepted. “There’s a part on that bike we can use,” King said. “If you know of a bike that’s not being used, bring it to us; we want it. We get some nice bicycles

donated that we take contributions for, just to have a little cash to pay the light bill.”

Getting a bicycle is a rite of passage for most kids, but not every parent can afford to buy one, King pointed out.

“A lot of families who have three, four kids, they can’t do that. That’s a month’s worth of groceries. If it was just the lack of opportunity to have a bicycle to ride, we’re going to fill that need,” he said. “Anything that can get kids out of the house … is beneficial. You would be surprised at the number of kids who don’t know how to ride a bike. Typically, kids that age don’t ride a bike because they don’t have the opportunity. With the way Conway is going with all the trails and everything, they’re making it so attractive to get out and exercise that way.”

Conway is designated as a silver-level Bicycle Friendly Community. CAB, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was founded in 2009. Its mission includes encouraging the development and use of bike paths, routes, lanes and trails for bicycling, providing educational information for bicyclists and motorists, defending the rights of bicyclists and providing bicycle-safety training.

Bicycles in any condition may be dropped off at the facility. More information is available on the Conway Cycling Project’s Facebook page or by emailing cabcycleconway@gmail.com.

King said there’s no reason any child or adult who wants a bicycle shouldn’t have one. “If you know someone who needs a bike, send them our way,” he said.

On Aug. 21, Mayor Bart Castleberry joined volunteers and supporters of the Conway Cycling Project to celebrate the move into a city building that was renovated by volunteers.

Volunteers with the Project receive donated bicycles, fix them up and donate them to children up to 16 years old. People 16 and older must volunteer for three hours to receive a free bicycle. The Conway Cycling Project also has nice bicycles and accessories that are available for a contribution, which helps to pay bills and maintain the building.

After a life-threatening accident, cyclist Lori Paladino Ross is

BACK ON THE BIKE

By Dwain Hebda • Photo by Makenzie Evans

Lori Paladino Ross chuckles at the reporter’s question about wipeouts and takes a pause.

“I was on a descent over on Wye Mountain,” she said. “It was just a small descent and there was gravel in the road. I didn't remember it went really quick right there on a curve. I slid.”

She chuckles again, but it’s of the edgy, laugh-at-yourself variety.

“Got some gravel in my arm and in my leg, had some road rash,” she said, “but it hurt my feelings real bad.”

By itself, the tale is one of a thousand a cyclist might tell over his or her lifetime on the saddle. As part of Paladino Ross’ personal saga, however, the incident is instructional as to the power of the mind to compartmentalize and order events. A few months before this wipeout, she was involved in a rush-hour traffic collision that could have paralyzed her or worse.

But not only did that incident not deter her from riding again, getting back on the bike was the light at the end of a recovery tunnel. To have endangered her great passion through a rookie mistake is infuriating to think back on.

“I’ll tell you why that one really hurt my feelings, is because it was my fault,” she said. “I was going too fast on a new bike and it slid. The other wreck, the accident, wasn't my fault. This one was. That was the one where my daughters said, ‘Mom, are you sure you don't need to get a Peloton?’”

Paladino Ross grew up in Catholic Point, a speck of the faithful in rural Conway County founded and farmed by Italian immigrants, her grandfather among them. After college, she held various jobs for Nabholz Construction, Conway Regional and CHI St. Vincent, during which time she’d frequently ride her bike to work or to St. Joseph Catholic Church.

“I used to live on the east side of town, and I'd ride my bike over Siebenmorgan Bridge over the interstate, to the church and pray at the grotto, then ride back,” she said. “That's like a total of eight miles, and I thought I was doing something big on my little Walmart bike, you know?

Making friends in the local cycling community soon pushed her eight-mile jaunts to multiple rides a week, each covering several multiples of that distance. She also started entering organized events, completing 20 of them at last count.

“Anything with a medal,” she said.

Continued on page 67

All that to say, she was no greenhorn when she set off to ride in October 2020, even though in hindsight she notes that unlike her usual routine, she was riding after work instead of her customary early morning time that avoided excess vehicular traffic. At the intersection of German Lane and Dave Ward Drive in Conway, a pickup pulling a trailer changed lanes suddenly, causing her to brake hard, laying down the bike as the back wheels of the dual-axle trailer ran across her midsection.

“It was horribly painful, but I never shed a tear. I guess that's trauma,” she said. “I remember I would have to scream just to catch a breath. I would scream and then I'd breathe.”

Paladino Ross didn’t lose consciousness until the meds kicked in at Conway Regional, the first of seven days in the hospital. When she was lucid enough, doctors gave an inventory of her injuries―three damaged vertebrae and a broken ankle caused by her foot not releasing from the pedal clip.

“I was extremely grateful to be alive,” she said, “and anxious to get back up and get back to normal. It never once occurred to me that I might not walk again or that I would be confined to a wheelchair. It never occurred to me that I wasn't going to be moving forward in some way.”

“Moving forward” meant getting back on a bike as soon as possible, something many people might have had serious second thoughts over. Not Paladino Ross―in fact, when her cousin called with the news he’d entered them both in a 100mile summertime cycling event in Kansas, it galvanized her resolve.

“I was a determined patient. I was determined to do everything

they said, no matter what it was,” she said. “I wore a brace that went from my hip bones up to just under my arms for threeand-a-half months, 24 hours a day, except for in the shower.”

After 123 days of convalescing, Paladino Ross climbed back on a bike to train for the ride with her cousin, completing the Hotter Than Hell 100-miler in summer 2021, savoring every pedal stroke to the finish line. Today, the accident doesn’t define her, but it has changed her.

“The accident humbled me in ways I never dreamed of,” she said. “My priorities have changed; I don’t place work above my family, which I had been very guilty of doing. I resolved to say “yes” to anything church-related and there have been some amazing requests that came to me.

“I sponsored someone wanting to become Catholic, I sponsored a family from Ukraine, I started doing prayer study and bible study. I’m a cantor at church and when I got up there to sing the first time, I did it with tears in my eyes.”

She’s also opened her own executive coaching business, Clarity Consulting and Coaching, where she pours herself into clients seeking professional and personal improvement. It’s a role she now sees as more ministry than vocation.

“I'm no longer going to spend my time in any job or activity that doesn't bring me deep joy and the knowledge that I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing,” she said. “God built me to do what I'm doing right now. He built me to be this coach. He built me to encourage people. I'm going to spend my life doing just that.”

Lori Ross’ accident happened Oct. 1, 2020. She had a broken ankle and three fractured and burst vertebrae. She was discharged Oct. 7 with a boot, a brace and a walker. Miraculously, she did not require surgery. Lori got back on her bike three and a half months after being run over by the truck and trailer in Conway.

RISE...AND SHINE

Event supports haven of safety for those seeking relief domestic violence

By Rita Halter Thomas • Photos by Makenzie Evans

Slip on your favorite cocktail attire, grab a masquerade mask, and get ready for a night of mystery and intrigue at the Rise House's third annual Masquerade Ball fundraiser set for 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, at Legacy Acres, Conway. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and this is an opportunity to celebrate the impact Rise House has made and is making in our community. Enjoy an exciting mix of silent and live auctions, a delicious dinner and plenty of fun surprises while supporting this worthy cause.

While the night may be full of light-hearted delight, domestic violence is not a warm, fuzzy topic to discuss with friends and family over a glass of wine or a pitcher of sweet tea. It’s a heartbreaking reality that may affect someone in our social circle while we go about our lives unaware. We know it happens. We read the statistics. Even if we know a victim of domestic violence, we often feel powerless to help.

By supporting Rise House, formerly known as the Women’s Shelter of Central Arkansas, everyone can be an advocate for those suffering from domestic violence and sexual abuse.

“Rise House provides the promise of hope and a haven of safety for adults and children seeking relief from domestic violence and sexual abuse,” said Breanne Burton, who has been the executive director since 2019. “Our mission is to offer not only a place of refuge but also comprehensive programs and resources that empower survivors to rebuild their lives and create a violence-free future.”

It takes resources to house and help survivors transition from victims to overcomers, which is the mission reflected in the

organization’s name, Rise House: Restore confidence, improve relationships, stronger faith and empowering community. The facility operates 24/7, with a staff of 10 full-time and part-time workers, and has the capacity to house 20 people. “By supporting Rise House, you are contributing to our efforts to raise awareness about domestic violence and promote healthy relationships within our community,” Burton said.

Rise House offers a range of services, including emergency shelter, food, clothing, transportation, life skills and support groups. “These services are designed to address the unique needs of survivors and support them on their journey to healing and independence,” Burton said.

This year, donor efforts mean twice as much. Rise House received a challenge grant from the Windgate Foundation, which pledges to match every dollar contributed at the Masquerade Ball up to $50,000. “That means every sponsorship and donation that is made on behalf of the Masquerade Ball has the potential to be doubled, amplifying its impact,” she said. This is critically important as Rise House has experienced a reduced amount of grant funding.

“We believe more than ever that the strength of our organization lies in events like the Masquerade Ball and the dedication and commitment of individuals in our community,” Burton said.

“We are faced with the challenge of being ‘out of sight, out of mind,’” said Kristi Connell, board president, referring to the necessity for the keeping of anonymity of the residents (which often involves children) and the confidentiality of their location for the safety of those whom Rise House serves. “Domestic abuse is something we don’t talk enough about, but it is absolutely happening in our community. Someone you know has been a victim,” she said.

Breanne Burton has served as executive director of Rise House for nearly six years.

In 2023 alone, Rise House served 372 individuals, received 689 hotline calls, gave 107 individuals safe shelter, provided necessary transportation 744 times (for interviews, work, medical appointments, etc.), assisted 62 clients by connecting them with appropriate support groups and/or referring them to mental health services in the community, and connected 159 clients to other community resources like CAPCA, STOPDV, Bethlehem House, GO Store, etc.

According to the National Institute of Health website, domestic violence affects an estimated 10 million people each year, stating as many as one in four women and one in nine men are victims of domestic violence. Citing the CDC, the website also states one in three women and nearly one in six men experience some form of sexual violence in their lifetime. Sadly, many result in fatalities. The site further reveals staggering statistics involving the abuse of teens and children and the effects of abuse as the children mature.

While work at Rise House is covert for safety reasons, community support is essential. “You may not see us, but we need you. Community support for what we’re doing in your hometown saves lives,” Connell said. Those who wish to support Rise House can do so by making a one-time donation, becoming a community partner with a commitment to a monthly contribution, or by supporting or attending events such as the upcoming Masquerade Ball.

To secure tickets, visit risehouseconway.org/masquerade. Tickets are $75 for one attendee, which includes two drink tickets. For a special date night out, choose the “date night” option for $140 for two attendees and four drink tickets.

“Your involvement truly makes a difference in the lives of those who have faced unimaginable challenges,” Burton said.

If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic violence or sexual abuse, call the crisis hotline at 1.866.358.2265.

Not only does Rise House serve adults experiencing domestic violence, but last year, they supported 22 children in the shelter. They provide a comprehensive program that offers classes like art therapy to help residents express their individuality. Community support allows residents to receive healthy meals that contribute to their physical and emotional wellbeing.

Embracing the turtle

My journey of losing weight slowly and finding happiness just as I am

By Laurie Green

As someone who has struggled the majority of my life with my weight, I felt a bit conflicted on writing in the “Health and Wellness” issue. However, I'm a firm believer that when people are honest, authentic and transparent with their struggles, it often reaches just the exact audience it was intended for.

It was about this time three years ago that I stood on what felt like the mountaintop of success (as far as weight loss goes), and I proudly proclaimed that I was never going back to the weight I had previously been. This statement would be true in the sense that I didn't go back to my previous weight, I went above and beyond it–all within the following year and a half. I honestly can't explain the thick atmosphere of depression that I found myself living in. As the rest of the world was slowly coming back out from the isolation of COVID-19, I was becoming more and more of a recluse. I didn't want to take any possible chance of running into someone at the local Walmart who would smile at me and then walk away whispering about how much weight I'd gained. If you've been there, or you're there right now, then you know exactly what I'm talking about.

It seemed like the more I tried to hide and ignore the unpleasant position I'd found myself in, the more Facebook would pop up all those lovely “before and after” photos that I had so proudly posted. It took me a solid two years to start addressing my health and my weight. I clearly remember finally breaking down and going back to a doctor's appointment for a checkup after two years and stepping on that scale…311 pounds! How was this even possible? I knew it was time to get serious.

The problem was that all the things I knew about losing weight were excessive, expensive and restrictive. Then my daughter Brittainy started sharing TikToks with me from this guy named Chris Terrell. The thing that resonated with me the most was him saying how if you couldn't sustain what you were doing for the next 10 years, chances are you're going to gain your weight back. I was also intrigued that this guy was from Arkansas and had lost and kept off more than 100 pounds for the last three years. The more I dived into the details of “Chris Terrell Coaching,” the more I started learning about myself.

The whole concept of losing weight slowly (embracing the turtle) as we like to call it and being happy with yourself right now, regardless of your size, seemed ridiculous. Yet, here I am almost a year into this lifestyle and community, and I'm blessed to say I'm a completely different person. I found this amazing community of women my age from all over the country who are all either in the beginning, middle, or maintenance stages of their weight-loss journeys. I've been able to load up bags and bags of mental trash and emotional untruths that I hid by drowning my feelings in food. I have learned what it means to “show up for myself daily” and do something each day that pushes me to be better than “the me” of yesterday. I have strengthened my faith, my happiness, and my body, but more importantly, I have learned to love myself and end all the negative, critical thoughts that a lot of us dish out to ourselves.

Since January, at the time of writing this I am on the verge of losing almost 40 pounds. While it has been slow and steady, I appreciate the fact that I've done so with no pills, no shots, no prepackaged meals, and I've not restricted myself. I've found ways to add movement into my daily life and learned how to “feel my feelings” without stuffing them down with food. Another fun fact is by the time this article hits the stands, I will be planning and preparing to attend my first ever Tough Mudder with a bunch of other members of this community I've joined. Am I scared? Absolutely. In fact, I'm terrified, but I rest in the faith that I won't be alone on the journey.

Y'all, life is way too wonderful and special to waste it away waiting to be happy when this or that happens. You get to wake up, get out and be happy now! Stop cropping yourself out of photos, stop avoiding those get-togethers, and start embracing the here and now. I promise you won't regret it.

THE BENEFITS OF PUBLIC POWER

By Beth Jimmerson

This October, Conway Corp is celebrating Public Power Week along with more than 2,000 other community-owned, not-forprofit 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 lowcost, 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 also call 24 hours a day, seven days a week and be connected to a customer service representative who is a local member of the community. We are responsive to customers’ needs and concerns and make customer service a priority. 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 have fewer outages and have electricity restored sooner after an outage 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 to United Way, and 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, the Pine Street Backpack Program and the Conway Ministry Center.

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 95 years. For more information about Conway Corp’s public power history in the community, visit ConwayCorp.com/who-we-are.

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Contributor Mary Eggart suggests when planning your bucket list...

AIM FOR THE SKY!

Sweating from head to toe and heart pounding, I ever-so-carefully placed my right foot onto the tire of the tiny silver airplane, taking the biggest leap of faith I have ever taken. This was skydiving—an experience that challenged my comfort zone, induced personal growth and gave my daughter and I an adventure we will never forget.

Most people belong to one of two schools of thought with skydiving: “Why in the world would you want to do that?” or, “that is something I have always wanted to do!” If you are someone of the former school, let me explain. I think most people, especially those who are in the neighborhood of middle age, can identify to some degree.

We have all heard of bucket lists—lists of experiences that we hope to have during our lifetimes. But sometimes life can prevent us from having those experiences; things like finances, children and tightly packed schedules conspire to keep us from our bucket lists. But then middle age settles in, and things change. We ask ourselves: Do I have goals that have been on the back burner? And if so, what am I going to do about them? Some call this a mid-life crisis. Not me! I call it a mid-life awakening.

My daughter, Emma, and I had talked about skydiving together. We both had milestone birthdays in July; she was turning 21, and I was turning 50, so I set a date. But then Emma became skeptical, so I told her no big deal; she could watch me and decide for herself if she wanted to do it in the future.

On the big day, wearing my Sally O’Malley “I’m 50!” T-shirt, I headed to Drake Field with my family. The staff at Sky Dive Fayetteville were incredible, and soon Emma changed her mind and decided to jump. My husband and son, 16, who had accompanied us, made plans for a future tandem jump on my son’s 18th birthday.

After a training video and some paperwork, we were each harnessed up and locked onto an instructor, who communicated and filmed through Go-Pro cameras so we could capture the experience. Then we took off.

The plane started climbing—and then we learned we had to circle the airport for a while due to incoming air traffic. Of course, my nerves started to kick in the longer we were in the sky. But our instructors were amazing, checking on us, making jokes and trying to keep us from bailing out—figuratively if not literally.

Finally it was time. I had volunteered to go first. I can still feel the air pelting me in the face, shaking every ounce of exposed skin. My instructor and I waddled together in unison to the door, and suddenly I couldn’t remember anything he had told me to do. My instructor could sense this and quickly reassured me that he had me, and all was going perfectly.

I glanced down and saw the landscape of Washington County beneath me, with nothing to separate me from it but the air—the same air that was taking my breath away. “One, two, three...go!” I rolled awkwardly out of the plane like Humpty Dumpty, and off we went.

Free falling was, by far, my favorite part. Total freedom...no control... cold wind pressing my breath back down into my lungs. It was terrifying, but exhilarating, all at the same time. Some adrenalinfueled choice words then unexpectedly escaped my mouth, and I could hear my instructor chuckling behind me. Then, it was time to pull the rip cord for the parachute, which I did, and with a sharp jolt, we were soon coasting over picturesque Northwest Arkansas.

I could see Emma, who had jumped after me, off in the distance, and Razorback Stadium as well. The instructor reminded me to pick up my legs and feet as he smoothly took us down to the grassy area of the airport, where everyone was waiting for us with huge smiles. We then quickly moved out of the way and waited for Emma to land. It was no time until I heard a shrieking giggle as she was gently placed on the ground, her face beaming brightly from ear to ear. Needless to say, I was in an adrenaline-induced haze for the rest of the day.

So what is my take away from skydiving? Whatever is on your bucket list, do it while you are still able. And if you don’t have a bucket list, make one and start working your way down, because we never know if our next day will be our last. Don’t wait for permission to do what you’ve always wanted to do. No one will give it to you but yourself. Life is too short to leave anything undone.

In an everchanging world, dedication to a clientfocused business still matters. Providence is here to give you the power of protection.

Neal Martin CLTC®, primary agent and owner of Providence Insurance Agency with over 26 years in the industry, recently received the designation of Certified in Long-Term Care.

After a personal experience in 2021, extended care and its effects on families became a passion for Martin. “It is my responsibility to help people understand the emotional, physical and financial consequences associated with providing or paying for care over an extended period of time,” he said.

Martin is committed to helping others understand the complexities of long-term care and the potentially devastating impact they can have on an unprepared family facing longterm care decisions. “The field of long-term care is complex. It intersects with other professions such as financial planning, tax law, home care, government funding and elder law,” he said. Fortunately, there are actions families can take to protect their loved ones and give them options. And it’s never too early to plan.

“I have had far too many families ask for my advice on what they can do after a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or some other chronic illness,” Martin said. “The fact is, there is little that can be done at this point, and now these families are faced with years of physical stress and heartache. This is compounded by the reality that paying for care can easily devastate their family’s financial viability,” he said.

Providence Insurance Agency provides other insurance and financial services, including life, disability, home and auto coverage, commercial insurance, umbrella policies and several financial services including financial planning, 401(k)s, IRAs/ TSAs and more.

Martin feels the personalized overall strategic approach the agency takes on behalf of their clients sets it apart when

providing asset protection, while also offering top-notch, client-focused service. “We like to take price and protection as a primary goal, along with the best customer service experience that you will see in the marketplace,” he said. In addition to competitive pricing and outstanding customer service, every employee at the agency is uncompromising about doing business with integrity, honesty and loyalty for their customers. Further, serving the community with the same zeal it serves every customer is an important part of the company’s mission. How do their clients feel? “Our clients always appreciate the service we provide and the timeliness of how we respond when they have concerns,” Martin said, believing they should “treat people how you want to be treated.”

That said, Martin credits the agency’s current clients and office staff for the reason they stay so focused on service. “The families of Central Arkansas are truly that to us–family,” he said.

Providence Insurance Agency, located at 950 Hogan Lane, STE 6, Conway, can be reached at 501.513.0905.

FUN FOR ALL

Jacksonville provides play and wellness for children of all abilities with new inclusive playground

By Lori Dunn

The city of Jacksonville has a new star in its crown with the Marshall Smith Inclusive Playground at Dupree Park.

The new playground features equipment that allows children of all abilities to play on it. It includes child/parent swing sets, synthetic turf, sensory spaces, wheelchair ramps and more.

Dupree Park, the largest park in the city, is also an important part of Jacksonville's history. For many residents, just driving by the park brings back memories of playing baseball or soccer there, said Emily Sundermeier, city communications director.

She believes the new playground will help a new generation create their own memories.

“You can drive by and see children and parents and people of all ages there. We have always talked about having an inclusive playground there. It's been open for close to a year now, and we have had a great reaction from the community,” Sundermeier said. The playground was named for Marshall L. Smith (1923-1991), who was born and raised in Jacksonville. He was the owner and operator of S and S Construction and was a large landowner.

The playground's ribbon cutting was in October of 2023. The plan was for it to be finished earlier, but work was delayed due to the March 31, 2023, tornado that caused significant damage to Central Arkansas.

The EF3 tornado tracked more than 34 miles from west Little Rock through North Little Rock, Sherwood and Jacksonville before weakening on the other side of Cabot. One person was killed, more than 50 were injured and at least 2,700 structures were damaged, according to the National Weather Service. “Everybody in Central Arkansas remembers where they were that day,” Sundermeier said.

A lot of equipment at Dupree Park was destroyed that day. The completion of the inclusive playground was extra special as a result of the damage and loss the area suffered, Sundermeier said.

“The inclusive playground is a fresh start for moving on after the tornado," she said. "This is the first inclusive playground we have, but we would love to have more down the road.”

The American Rescue Plan Act funded the playground by providing $400,000.

The playground has since been recognized as a National Demonstration Site (NDS) by PlayCore for advocating for inclusive play and advancing recreation through research-based practices. PlayCore is a company that develops research and a complete portfolio of products, programs, and services to build healthy communities through recreation and outdoor spaces.

One of PlayCore's philosophies is that various forms of play and physical activity are essential throughout life.

The city of Jacksonville has enjoyed having events at the playground. In July, the city partnered with local law enforcement for Popsicles in the Park. It was a fun way for the community to interact with police, firefighters and park employees, Sundermeier said.

“It's always so much fun when people of all ages and abilities come together,” she said. The playground is located at 1700 Redmond Road in Jacksonville.

A Trunk or Treat is planned for 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Halloween at Dupree Park.

The Marshall Smith Inclusive Playground in Jacksonville features equipment that allows kids of all abilities to join in on the fun, including child/parent swing sets, synthetic turf, sensory spaces and wheelchair ramps. It has been recognized as a National Demonstration Site by Playcore and allows intergenerational play and social interaction, both of which are important to a child’s healthy development.

YOUTH OF THE MONTH

LUKE KILLOUGH

SEARCY

By Becky Bell • Photos by Makenzie Evans

It seems that playing golf since he was in elementary school has taught Luke Killough, 18, not only the mechanics of the game, but also has given him wisdom beyond his years.

When he is on the golf course, he focuses on the ball and listens to his calm inner voice which propels him to stay grounded.

“It’s just staying in the present and controlling what I can control, and I don’t think about my opponent or any other variable,” Killough said. “People around you are doing a lot better or worse than you in life and in golf. But if you can just trust yourself and stay confident in your skills, the outcome should stay in your favor.”

Yes indeed. That life insight is from a person who is a senior at Searcy High School. He hasn’t even stepped into the world yet in terms of college or starting a career, yet he already knows one of the most important lessons of life.

Luke’s interest in golf began early. He began playing when he was around seven or eight years old, after picking up the interest from

his father, Tim Killough. “My dad always played,” said Killough. “He grew up with a lot of buddies to play with and his brothers and they were good.”

Searcy High School Golf Coach Bryant Turney said this is his fourth year to coach Luke. Since the senior has had a golf club in his hands for over half his life, Turney said he is an impressive golfer. But that is not where Luke’s talent ends.

“A kid like Luke doesn’t come along very often,” Turney said. “He has a high level of talent, has a strong work ethic, he’s good in the classroom, he’s a good teammate and he has a high character. You are lucky when you get a kid that checks one or two of those boxes, and he checks all of them. He is a rare athlete, and he has been a joy to coach.”

Another fan of Luke’s is Searcy High School principal David Landers, who has been the principal for three years and has been with the district for eight. Landers said he first met Luke at the middle school.

‘A kid like Luke doesn’t come along very often. He has a high level of talent, has a strong work ethic, he’s good in the classroom, he’s a good teammate and he has a high character. He is a rare athlete, and he has been a joy to coach.’

— Bryant Turney, Searcy High School Golf Coach

“He takes some of the toughest courses and works extensively outside of high school practice,” Landers said. “He puts quite a bit of work into perfecting his craft. He’s got a great head on his shoulders, and he knows what he wants and how to get it. He works hard and puts himself in the right spots, and he is going to get there.”

Luke is undecided about college at this point but is considering the University of Arkansas. He is considering what major he will pursue, but said his favorite subject is biology. Talent in science class is not something that falls far from the family tree. Luke’s oldest sister, Tori Opalecky, is an internal medicine doctor at TriStar Centennial in Nashville. His other sister, Mary Julia Killough, is in her junior year at U of A. Her major is biology, and she is also considering a career in medicine.

“I don’t have that kind of brain. I’m kind of smart, but I have to work for it for sure,” he said. “Science is my favorite subject, but I don’t think I will pursue a medical profession.”

Luke is obviously being humble because both his golf coach and principal complimented what he brings both inside the classroom and on the greens. Landers said Luke pursues courses that are at the highest level of academics offered. Luke is excited to have knocked off some college credits before he begins college.

When he is not studying and playing golf, Luke enjoys working out in his home gym and hanging out with his friend, Easton Jones, who is also a senior.

“We were really good childhood friends and even had our own YouTube channel,” he said. “We were trying to be like the guys on Dude Perfect. That was a group of five guys back in Texas in the early 2010s and they did sports trick shots, like throwing a football into a basketball hoop on the back of a golf cart.”

Luke’s mother is Brenda Killough and she is also proud of her only son. He is expected to continue to make All-Conference and AllState this year, a goal he has reached in golf every other year of high school.

A crown, canned tomatoes and country concoctions

By Vivian Lawson Hogue

LEFT: Harry M. Meyer Jr. working in the NIH rubella lab.

CENTER: Noel W. Lawson, MD RIGHT: Bessie Vivian Arnold Lawson and Marvin Lawson were married in 1925. The photo was taken on their 50th wedding anniversary.

In past eras, our town and country have seen many beneficial medicines used successfully, and some not so much. In early days, what concoctions were created to cure would either cure or kill. Even tainted water sources used by our country’s pioneers carried cholera and typhoid fever. I can imagine the conversation: “Here, drink this and see if it makes you feel better.” “Uh, no, you go first.”

In my great-grandparents’ era, a pick-me-up for the elderly was powdered sugar, an egg and a little brandy. A tea of catnip leaves, a few drops of paregoric (now outlawed) and a little sugar would put a colicky baby to sleep. Leg cramps? Just place an old pair of shoes upside down under your bed.

Let’s go into much later times and find fortunate turnarounds experienced by local residents in what was modern medicine.

There are not many locals who remember Dr. Harry Meyer, MD, but it was he who co-developed the rubella vaccine. A native of Texas, he later lived in Conway where he graduated from Hendrix College and the University of Arkansas School of Medicine in Little Rock. Rubella, or “German measles,” is a contagious viral infection dangerous for unborn babies whose mothers become infected during pregnancy. Today, women of childbearing age, but not pregnant, and children older than 12 months should receive this legacy left by Dr. Meyer and his co-developer, Dr. Paul Parkman.

In 1943 when my dad’s life was in the balance from osteomyelitis related to a medically unwise tooth extraction, physicians in Little Rock struggled to find solutions for this man who had a wife and four children, soon to have No. 5 any minute. They bravely decided to try a new drug, an early version of penicillin. He recovered and returned home after I was born. On the dedication page of his book published in 1972 at age 72, he wrote, “To the Crown of Our Wishes–a daughter.” My parents spent a few years trying to keep that crown straight.

My brother, Noel (1939-2016), and I emailed often, especially after our parents’ deaths. In one of those emails, he said he regretted not being the best of sons during the last years of our mother’s feeble condition. As a cardiac-anesthesiologist living out of state, he was unable to be of help, although he called and wrote often. In the

course of one exchange, we spoke of his high school days when mother worried about his “sass-back” tendency and taking risks. In college, he and some friends were emptied out of their boat into the Buffalo River, managing to grab floating or overhanging limbs to stay above the raging waters of spring [season]. Later, after remembering that she made our clothing on her vintage treadle sewing machine, I sent this message to him: “Don’t dwell on what you feel was your lack of attention during mother’s last years. I think you made up for that in your heartfelt eulogy. Of all of us, you were probably the one she would have been the most proud of giving it. I’m sure that for many years she treadled her prayers down to the last inch of thread and into the wee hours with thoughts of you under her foot.”

The next morning, he replied, “I was too moved last night to comment on one item in this epistle of yours. It evoked powerful thoughts and images in my memories of the extra lengths she took for me—and for all of us. She was stern, but loving, in keeping us on the straight and narrow. I recognized later the extra trouble I had caused her along the way with my rebellious ways and rhetoric.

“It began even before my birth with the dire circumstances of carrying her fourth son to term. Her pregnancy with me threatened both our lives, but she submitted to an experimental drug (newly synthesized progesterone) rather than lose either. The fact that I was not aborted (naturally or medically as recommended) is a story in itself. She took the medicine and the next day was canning tomatoes.

“Over the years she never failed to call on my birthday to remind me how hot it was (112°) the day I was born, or make an angel food cake if I was home. I think she was telling me that the misery of her labor was inconsequential compared to the miracle that I was even born, and reminding me of my worth to her. And put that sentence away somewhere for safekeeping. You should use it again somewhere, sometime. If you don't, I will.”

So here it is, Noel. I know your words will serve to encourage others to stay in touch with family. And now…if you’ll just give me back my other skate, I’ll tell you where I hid your baseball mitt.

THE FLYING FARMERS

Meet three heroes who are teaching the next generation of American pilots and managing Arkansas farms

By Judy Riley • Photos courtesy of the Little Rock Air Force Base

There are heroes among us, going about their day-to-day business, in this case as farmers, but quietly and humbly serving and protecting us through their commitment to the Arkansas Air National Guard. They are pilots and navigators one weekend a month and a couple of weeks a year, yet livestock, goat and bee farmers by day. Lt. Col. Tom Harper and Lt. Col. Phil Moorehouse are pilot instructors, and Lt. Col. Daril Norris is a navigation instructor at the Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville.

All three served active duty in the Air Force. Each of their stories is as unique as they are. But the common thread is their desire to serve and protect their country. Harper grew up on a cotton, soybean and wheat (row crop) farm in Elaine in the heart of the Arkansas Delta. He loved life on the farm and hoped to one day return.

However, his teenage desire was to be an agriculture pilot, commonly called a crop duster, flying small aircraft over fields to service crops. His parents convinced him to go to college first, join the Air Force and let them train him to fly more safely.

And that he did. Harper finished a degree in education at the University of Arkansas and entered the Air Force as a commissioned officer. He flew missions all over the globe from 2003 through 2016. But along came a wife and family, and Harper decided to continue serving his country while serving his family. He works full-time at the base but has an apiary farm near Benton, raising

bees and marketing the honey. He gets more time with his family and is privileged to train the next group of pilots.

Another Pilot Instructor, Moorehouse (affectionately called Muggsy), continues serving his country but raises “fainting”goats on a small farm near Benton. He originally bought goats to clear brush and undergrowth on his property but soon became fascinated with their odd behavior.

“They get stiff, striking a rigid pose when they are scared, often falling with great dramatics,” Muggsy said. He sells a few but enjoys them all and loves teaching young pilots. His enthusiasm is contagious.

Norris is a Navigation Instructor in the Air National Guard. He, like Harper, flew missions around the globe as a full-time airman and is now a cattle farmer near Rosebud. Norris, his wife and four daughters have a cow-calf operation with more than 200 momma cows. He also cuts hay on 800 acres. He wanted to continue serving his country and be present for his family. The Air National Guard allowed him to be successful in both. He loves training navigators to fly C-130's.

“The Arkansas Air National Guard (AR ANG) is composed of dedicated men and women who have sworn to defend their country,” said Lt. Col. Henry Reed III (Trae), also a pilot instructor. “Unlike the active-duty Air Force, they are part-time. They work, go to school and live in their local communities.”

Lt. Col. Tom Harper (from left), Lt. Col. Henry Reed III and Lt. Col. Phil Moorehouse are pilot instructors at the Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville.

He oversees recruiting and retention for AR ANG. They serve federal and state purposes. Because they are well-trained and available at short notice, they can be called up in case of national emergencies or civil disturbances.

When units are not under federal control, they operate under the governor's authority and can be called upon for emergency relief. Airmen often provide support during natural disasters such as tornadoes, floods, winter storms and earthquakes. Currently, they are practicing landing on state highways in Northeast Arkansas, preparing for a possible earthquake along the New Madrid fault.

The air guard men and women serve at one of two Arkansas Air Force bases. Ebbing Air Base is in Fort Smith, and the Little Rock Air Force Base is in Jacksonville.

The 188th Wing, Ebbing Air National Guard Base's three primary mission sets are remotely piloted aircraft (MQ-9 Reaper); intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and targeting (space-focused).

The 189th Division in Jacksonville has a mission of training pilots to fly and support C-130 aircraft and cyber warfare. The C-130's are known as the workhorse of the Air Force. They can transport up to 100 troops and even large all-terrain vehicles. They have the added capability of flying at low altitudes under the radar to unload troops or equipment safely. Their most notable mission was flying the Vietnam prisoners of war safely back home in 1973.

These are just three of the many pilots, navigators and crew members in the Air National Guard who continue to serve the country they love while staying close to home, raising their families and supporting the agriculture industry in Arkansas. The next time a C-130 flies overhead, silently give thanks for the men and women who continue to protect and serve us.

Lt. Col. Tom Harper works full-time at the base but has an apiary farm near Benton, raising bees and marketing the honey.

PILOT FOR A DAY

501 LIFE takes off in a C-130 simulator at the Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville

By Stefanie W. Brazile

It was one of the most interesting afternoons I’ve experienced in 2024! In August, Judy Riley and I climbed into a C-130 jet, and I flew us away from the Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville, circled Little Rock, came back and landed smoothly—well, that’s my fishing story about flying!

In truth, with Lt. Col. Henry Reed III (Trae) on my right, I was invited to sit in the pilot's seat and operate a C-130 simulator at the Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville. It was invigorating! The C-130s are known as the workhorses of the Air Force. These giant planes can transport up to 100 troops and even large all-terrain vehicles.

I was joined by Judy, a 501 LIFE contributor and friend who was responsible for our day in the military. Soon after arriving, we were escorted to an elevated area with a steel catwalk out to one of several simulators that are fixed at about the second-story level. With great interest, Judy and I entered a true-to-life cockpit, and I strapped myself into the pilot's seat. In front of me was an array of dials, instrument panels, navigation tools and screens. It was overwhelming!

Reed kindly acted as co-pilot, which meant I had to taxi the plane to the runway using a circular dial with my left hand. Of course, I took us in a perfect line! Judy sat slightly behind us, and, after takeoff, another pilot trainer created simulations that mimicked real-world issues. The windows are actually screens that make you believe you are experiencing a sunny day, flying through clouds or complete darkness with lightning in the distance—you name it,

they simulate it. How helpful to future pilots!

Judy and I learned so much from interviewing the soldiers. For me, the seriousness of their work and the importance of intense training for all possible circumstances became real. All of the pilot instructors we met had served in war zones and survived. It was clear that the experiences have created deep friendships and trust among them.

I especially appreciate Lt. Col. Reed, a former mayor of Lonoke, who was on active duty in the past and then decided he wanted to be in the States with his family. He is enlisted with the Arkansas Air National Guard (AR ANG). Besides instructing new pilots, he also oversees recruiting and retention for AR ANG, seeking people ages 17-42 to work part-time, serving state and national defense purposes.

After the hours we spent on base, I think the AR ANG offers Arkansans a great opportunity to serve their country and gain experience that easily translates into real-world positions, all while receiving a salary and benefits.

The excitement I experienced when I flew (well, kind of) a C-130 is something I think many young adults would love. And if flying isn’t your jam, the bases in Little Rock and Fort Smith also specialize in cyber warfare, where your feet are safely planted on the ground. If you have the chance to fly a C-130 like I did, I hope you have Reed in the co-pilot seat to help when you overshoot the runway. What can I say? It happens to the best of us!

• Photos courtesy of the Little Rock Air Force Base

LEFT: 501 LIFE Editor Stefanie Brazile and Contributor Judy Riley make their way down the catwalk into a C-130 jet simulator. CENTER: Riley sports a helmet typically worn when flying. RIGHT: Brazile flies them around Little Rock.

AUTHOR OF THE MONTH

MELISSA CLARK BACON

By Susan L. Peterson • Photo Makenzie Evans

It wasn’t easy, but she persisted.

It took Melissa Clark Bacon 10 years to publish her debut novel, “Through Her Lens.” The process involved taking courses, traveling to France, Britain and Scotland to conduct research, networking at conferences, writing seven revisions and sending out numerous query letters.

“Through Her Lens” was finally released this spring, and her efforts were well worth it. The book received high praise in the prestigious Kirkus Reviews magazine: “A unique story about women in WWII that succeeds in making historical events feel personal.”

“Through Her Lens” is a story of intrigue that is based on events surrounding Operation Crossbow, an actual top-secret investigation to stop Adolph Hitler’s V1 and V2 bomb programs during World War II. It is told through the voice of Millicent Trayford, who works for British Intelligence. Actual historical figures are interwoven into the plot.

It was Bacon’s love of photography that held her interest and helped her to persevere in bringing the book to completion. She herself is an accomplished photographer; she even taught herself photographic transfer and hand-applied emulsion techniques. Her work has earned many awards, including the Delta Award in the 2004 Delta Exhibition at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts. “I’m 70% art, 30% book,” she said.

In addition to the photographic topics that run throughout the story, she was also motivated to feature the accomplishments of under-recognized women during WWII and explore the theme of duty versus personal choice.

After completing the book, she sent letters to numerous publishing companies and heard “absolutely nothing” in return. She decided to use a hybrid publishing company that helped her with the cover art and other intricate details. “It was a good choice. I kept control of everything,” she said.

Bacon, like her main character Millie, is multifaceted. She received a bachelor's in business administration from Baylor University and an MBA from the University of Arkansas. Her day jobs, which were many and varied, mostly utilized her business and statistics skills. She even worked several years in France. But she also took several writing classes and never forgot the words her professor and mentor, Dr. Toran Isom, spoke to her years ago: “You need to go home and write your novel.”

Bacon isn’t sure if she will write another book, although she does have several ideas in mind and says she enjoys writing flirtatious dialogue. She likes to speak at bookstores and book clubs, and she recently was a featured presenter at the Little Rock Six Bridges Book Festival.

More about Bacon, including a list of her writing and photography awards, can be found on her website, melissaclarkbacon.com. She and her husband, John, have been married 27 years and reside in west Little Rock. They have one son, Miller, who is in law school at the University of Virginia. When she’s not writing or making art, she is reading. She especially enjoys historical fiction.

“Through Her Lens” is available at local bookstores and from online vendors in various formats.

celebrating athletic excellence

Lonoke County's

Eddie Hamm

By Dr. Robert Reising

At age 22, he was the world’s best. Overcoming a debilitating disease, he had catapulted through more than two decades with incomparable competitiveness, increased ability and consistent success to emerge the globe’s premier long jumper. In 1928, Eddie Hamm brought unprecedented respect to himself and his native state as Arkansas’s first Olympic gold medalist.

A Lonoke home of modest means welcomed him on April 13, 1906. In subsequent years, Charles Hamm, a plumber and electrician, and Zilpah Hamm, a housewife, welcomed five other children, one a girl. None of the quintet, however, revealed the athletic potential Eddie seemingly possessed at birth. Nor did vastly different challenges fail to fascinate him. By junior high school, his peers sensed a unique multisport marvel in their midst.

With increasing frequency and intensity, bouts of malaria intruded. Absences from classes and practices threatened to become the norm along with fevers and fatigue. Yet, he persevered.

A four-year star for the high school football team, Eddie attracted special luster with his flawless field-goal record. In track, comparable excellence allowed him to claim the state long jump for three consecutive years, including a state record of 23 feet 2 inches in the first year; the 220-yard dash for three years; and the 100yard dash for two years. In his senior year, he did not settle for just three firsts in a single meet. At a University of Arkansas invitational, he won four: the 100-yard dash, the 200-yard dash, the long jump, and the high jump. In the previous year at a Lonoke gathering of 20 schools, Eddie had also claimed four wins, but only three were in senior track. The fourth had come in declamation, one of the literary events held in the high school auditorium. He earned the state title a few weeks later.

The Georgia School of Technology, now Georgia Tech, beckoned. A scholarship allowed Eddie to enroll in the fall of 1925, and he promptly appeared in football togs for preseason photographs and practice. Only a few days passed before athletic department authorities intervened, forbidding further gridiron participation because of their fear of injuries. Eddie’s football career was over, but his most spectacular track years lay ahead.

Those years brought him headline-making success in the United States and later overseas. For three consecutive years, 1926 through 1928, the 5-foot 11-inch, 170-pounder seized first place in three events in Southeast Conference (now the Southeastern Conference) tournaments: the 100-yard and the 220-yard sprints and the long jump. In 1928, he broke the conference record in the long jump with his 25 feet 6 3/4 inches mark and triumphed in the national meet. In the subsequent Olympic trials, his leap of 25 feet 11 1/2 inches earned him not only a trip to

Amsterdam, Holland, but also the world record in the long jump. He was prepared for Olympic gold, and on July 28, 1928, he seized it with yet another record-breaker: an Olympic-best long jump of 25 feet 4 3/4 inches.

With Georgia Tech and a grateful nation awaiting his return, Eddie, joined by several Olympiad teammates, toured England and Germany. Lonoke’s finest won the long jump in every meet. But misfortune loomed on the horizon, personal as well as global. Appendicitis hospitalized him within weeks of his return to America on the eve of the devastating worldwide Great Depression. In 1931, after being elected president of the Student Council, he reluctantly concluded that competing and bettering his Olympic mark in the 1932 Olympiad would be impossible as he was slow to regain his strength and agility.

He was never to appear in another Olympiad. In Adolph Hitler’s 1936 “Nazi Olympiad,” Eddie had no opportunity to challenge the iconic Jesse Owens, who set a new long-jump best with a leap of 26 feet 5 inches. His chances to rewrite Olympic history had disappeared with the Depression’s crushing impact upon Arkansas’s economy. A post in Oregon with Atlanta-based Coca-Cola offered the commerce graduate a more promising future.

His decades-long, multi-position career with the beverage corporation flourished, first in Klamath Falls and later in Bent. At the height of his success, however, 44 months of wartime military service interrupted, taking him to a variety of foreign nations as a major. At war’s end, he rejoined Coca-Cola, and emphysema later forced him into retirement in scenic Albany, Oregon. He died there on June 25, 1982; his ashes later scattered over his beloved Clear Lake.

Twelve years earlier, he had donated his trophies to Georgia Tech. Today, Lonoke County and the 501 remain proud of that award-winning native son.

Eddie Hamm won the gold in long jump in the 1928 Olympics with a jump of 25 feet 4 3/4 inches.

Eddie Hamm is surrounded by numerous awards for speed and his best event, the long jump.

PROUDLY PRESENTS

PERSON OF THE MONTH

DR. TIONNA L. JENKINS

PH.D., MPH OF

LITTLE ROCK

FAMILY: I have been married to R.J. Jenkins Jr. for 20 years. We have two beautiful daughters, Savannah and Alexandria Jenkins.

CAREER: As a public health doctor/practitioner with over 20 years of executive leadership experience in both corporate and nonprofit sectors, I am dedicated to enhancing community health through research, education and policy development. Additionally, I co-own Plate It Healthy with my husband, a public health and wellness company that offers strategic guidance to executives and organizations focused on strategically improving health and well-being within their company infrastructure and with their employees. We achieve this through education, consultation, strategic planning and engaging through our culinary experiences, including our wellness cooking classes, food demos and our servicing through our food truck, Plate It To Go. Our mission is to empower individuals and organizations to prioritize health through accessible and enjoyable food experiences.

EDUCATION: I earned a Ph.D. in public and health policy at the University of Arkansas in May 2015. I earned a graduate certification in nonprofit management (Honors) from the Institute of Government/ Public Administration at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in December 2006. I earned a Master of Public Health, Health Policy, and Management (Honors) from the College of Public Health at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in May 2005. I also have a Bachelor of Science in biology (Cum Laude) from Philander Smith College in Little Rock that I received in 2001. I also have a certification in plant-based nutrition from T. Collins Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies; a plantbased nutrition certificate from Cornell University, Ithaca, New York; and a certification in lifestyle and diabetes management, lifestyle coaching and diabetes management from Emory Rollins School of Public Health in Atlanta, Ga.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: I was appointed to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Health Equity Council as a subject matter expert in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) by the Alliance for Reaching Community Health Equity. I was featured in Arkansas Business' 40 Under 40 and was part of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class IX. I was a national fellow with the Association for Black Foundation Executives. I serve on the Board of Directors for Arkansas Children’s Hospital and am the chairwoman of the Board of Trustees for Philander Smith University.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: My expertise in public health and entrepreneurship has been highlighted in Heart & Soul Magazine, Ebony, FIT Arkansas, Little Rock Soirée, Arkansas Money & Politics and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. I have also been featured on KATV Channel 7, Good Morning Arkansas, KTHV Channel 11, The Vine and KARK News Channel 4.

As a public health doctor, I have always been keenly aware of the benefits of decreasing processed foods and increasing whole foods, primarily fruits, vegetables, etc. I have been practicing a vegan lifestyle for 10 years because of personal health challenges. I learned that a plant-based diet improves heart health, weight management and reduces the risk of chronic diseases. Secondly, I became more aware of the environmental impact of animal agriculture, including deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions and water usage. Choosing vegan options is one way to contribute positively to the planet.

HOW DO YOU STAY MOTIVATED TO LIVE AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE AND TO EAT HEALTHY FOOD:

I set clear goals, find enjoyable activities for exercise, plan and prep meals ahead of time (I am not perfect), surround myself with like-minded individuals who support and motivate one another, celebrate progress and remind myself that it’s about balance, allowing for occasional indulgences without guilt, which helps maintain a sustainable lifestyle.

WHAT ARE YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE FOODS?

Mac and cheese, ice creams and the cookies that we make and sell. Of course, everything is vegan and non-dairy!