September 2018

2 | 501 LIFE September 2018

Stay Safe at school

School Safety Going back to school means recess is back in session and time on the playground is fun for all. Tag, basketball, jungle gyms, swings and slides are all sources for activity and exercise. Remind the kids in your life to be mindful of safety when playing outside!

HOSPITALS • CLINICS • SPECIALISTS Searcy | Newport | Beebe | Bradford | Cabot | Clinton | Heber Springs

Unity-Health.org September 2018 501lifemag.com | 3

501 LIFE

EDITOR'S NOTE

OWNERS Donna Spears, Sonja J. Keith EDITOR Sonja J. Keith

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Donna Spears

ART DIRECTORS Jennifer Godwin and Nick Walker ASSOCIATE EDITOR Levi Gilbert PHOTO DIRECTOR Mike Kemp

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Tom Keith CONTRIBUTORS Donna Benton Don Bingham Tanner Cangelosi Brittany Gilbert Laurie Green Linda Henderson Vivian Hogue Megan Ledbetter Karl Lenser Georgie McCarthy Mark McDonald Mark Oliver

Todd Owens Bill Patterson John Patton Susan Peterson Dr. Robert Reising Robin Richards Hannah Robison Jan Spann Donna Lampkin Stephens Callie Sterling Jaison Sterling Katelin Whiddon

FAULKNER COUNTY EDITORIAL BOARD

501 LIFE would like to thank this year’s sponsors for the 501 Football Team – Conway Regional Health System, First Security Bank and Conway Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine. Players selected for this year’s team are featured in this edition (Page 9) and in the annual 501 Football edition.

Celebrating studentathletes in the 501 It’s that time again. For many students and teachers, the summer break from school has come to an end. With new school supplies and schedules in hand, students and teachers have returned to the classroom.

We want to recognize and thank the many educators throughout the 501 for their service to our young people.

For 501 LIFE, back to school signals it’s time again for football season.

We are teaming up again with three local businesses to present the eighth edition of the 501 Football Team, celebrating student-athletes who are making contributions on and off the field.

We have an exceptional group of young men on this year’s team who are not only doing well on the football field, they are giving back to help others.

We are proud to celebrate their accomplishments and want to thank our sponsors for their support.

As has been the tradition, this year’s team has representatives from each of the 11 counties in the 501 – from Heber Springs and Clinton to Malvern and Bismarck. Players were nominated by their respective coaches and selected by the 501 LIFE staff.

Our team sponsors are just as excited as we are about this year’s team: • “First Security is all about community and ‘Making Better Happen,’ which includes football in the 501,” said First Security Bank’s Margaret Smith. “We are proud of these athletes and their 4 | 501 LIFE September 2018

accomplishments. They are ‘Making Better Happen’ for their teams.”

• “Football and the young people who play and contribute to the sport are an important part of our community in the 501,” said Matt Troup, president and CEO of Conway Regional Health System.

“Many Conway Regional families are in the bleachers on Friday nights cheering on their favorite athletes and teams. Conway Regional athletic trainers also provide coverage for many of Faulkner County’s senior high football teams. Conway Regional donated water can be found in concession stands throughout Faulkner County. With this community spirit in mind, we are excited to help recognize these outstanding young people for their contributions on and off the field.”

• “For over 25 years, Conway Orthopaedics (COSMC) has been dedicated to the student athlete,” said Todd Greer, administrator. “We are happy to support the 501 team again this year! Please let us know how we can help you succeed both on and off the field (ConwayOrtho.com).”

Each player on the 501 Football Team will be featured in an online story in 501 Sports Extra and 501lifemag.com. If you haven’t signed up for our e-newsletters, email us at info@501lifemag.com. You won’t want to miss these stories!

Here’s to a great season of football and “Loving LIFE” in the 501.

Johnny Adams Jack Bell Don Bingham RaeLynn Callaway Glenn Crockett Kay Dalton Beth Franks Spencer Hawks Mathilda Hatfield Roe Henderson Jerry Hiegel Mike Kemp Julie LaRue

Karl Lenser Monica Lieblong Lori Melton Kiera Oluokun Deanna Ott Pat Otto Jon Patrom Amy Reed Lori Ross Margaret Smith Jan Spann Kim Tyler Jennifer Whitehead

CONWAY COUNTY EDITORIAL BOARD Mary Clark Shelli Crowell Dr. Larry Davis Shawn Halbrook Alicia Hugen Alisha Koonce

Stephanie Lipsmeyer Stewart Nelson Kristi Strain Jim Taylor Morgan Zimmerman

WHITE COUNTY EDITORIAL BOARD Betsy Bailey Tara Cathey Cassandra Feltrop Phil Hays Natalie Horton Matt LaForce

Hannah Owens Mike Parsons Brooke Pryor Carol Spears Kristi Thurmon

To subscribe or order back issues, visit www.501lifemag.com. The subscription rate is $20 for one year (12 issues).

501 Advertising and Publishing 701 Chestnut St. Conway, Ark. 72032 501.327.1501 info@501lifemag.com

501 LIFE is published monthly by 501 Advertising and Publishing (701 Chestnut St., Conway, Ark. 72032, 501.327.1501). The contents of 501 LIFE are copyrighted and materials presented may not be copied or reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publishers. Articles should not be considered specific advice, as individual circumstances vary. Products and services advertised are not necessarily endorsed by 501 LIFE. 501 LIFE is produced on recycled paper.

CONTENTS

September 2018 Volume 11 Issue 5

features&departments 40 Entertaining

Don Bingham offers an education to 501 LIFE readers in the Dutch Baby.

44 Home

Donna Benton shares some insight into kid space — a place to learn, build and create.

On the cover

58 Athletic excellence

Described as a winner, Ken Stephens followed a recordsetting two-sport career at the University of Central Arkansas with 39 years of successful coaching.

60 Sports

With five state championships over the past two years, it’s hard to remember a time when Quitman High School wasn’t winning.

62 Sports

After eight years of close calls, near misses and what ifs, Greenbrier is back on top of the softball world.

28

In this month’s edition, 501 LIFE is all about “Education” with a guest column by University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton Chancellor Dr. Larry Davis on the importance of vocational training (Pages 26-27). 501 LIFE would like to thank UACCM’s second-year welding student Nathaniel Caldwell for his help with this month’s cover, photographed in the new Workforce Training Center on campus. (Mike Kemp photo)

66 Travel

It is nearly county fair time in the 501.

40

neighbors 22 Couples

Jamie and Michael Stacks have a love for family and education. She is the superintendent of the Wonderview School District and he is the assistant superintendent and athletic director at Quitman.

24 Youth

Emileigh Spiller made the most of her four years at Greenbrier High School and then some.

28 Conway County

regulars

66

Thanks to School Counts, Dylan Watters is taking aim at his future.

 8-9 10-15 38-47 70

32 Conway

Dora Anna Fill, who will turn 100 on Sept. 6, has packed more life into those years than most of her contemporaries.

70 Person of the month

LIFE pics 16-18

Faye Shepherd has joined the Administrative Office of the Courts in a newly created position of juvenile justice specialist.

'501 KIDS' 501 LIFE contributors Katelin Whiddon and Brittany Gilbert present some great tips in the 501 Kids section (Pages 48-50). Have a story idea or a young person you would like to see featured? Send suggestions to info@501lifemag.com.

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Editor’s Note Calendar Loving LIFE Home Person of the month

501 LIFE would like to thank its advertising partners for their continued support and encourage our readers to support these businesses:

501 LIFE is you!

twitter.com /501lifemag

A Art on the Green, 19

B facebook.com /501lifemag

Baptist Health, 37 Baker Eye Institute, 19 Bell & Company, 39 Bledsoe Chiropractic, 17

C CARTI, 43 CabotFest, 33 Central Arkansas Pediatrics, 49 Conway Corporation, 23 Conway Downtown, 20-21 Conway Institute of Music, 47 Conway Pain Clinic, 51 Conway Regional Health System, 71 Conway Regional Rehab, 41

D DJM Orthodontics, 25

E

Get “LIFE” at home!

For a limited time, 501 LIFE is offering a special subscription rate for new subscribers - have the magazine delivered to your home for only $20 for one year, $40 for two years.

While the magazine is distributed through more than 700 locations in Central Arkansas, copies go fast. Home delivery ensures readers they won’t miss a single issue.

Readers can visit 501lifemag.com or call 501.327.1501 to subscribe.

Edward Jones, 27 El Clinical, 56

F Fairfield Bay, 61 First Security Bank, 72 First Service Bank, 13 Freyaldenhoven Heating and Cooling Inc., 29

Writers’ Room

H Hartman Animal Hospital, 69 Harwood, Ott & Fisher, PA, 63 Heritage Living Center, 5 Hiegel Supply, 64

J Julie’s Sweet Shoppe, 64

L Legacy Acres, 54 Luxury Pool & Spa, 45

M Magie Smith Charton Eye Clinic, 36

O Ott Insurance, 34

P Patterson Eye Care, 68

S Salem Place Nursing and Rehab, 2 Shelter Insurance, 68 Soaring Wings, 65 St. Joseph School, 59

U Unity Health, 3, 35 University of Arkansas Community College Morrilton, 24 University of Central Arkansas, 31 UCA Reynolds Performance Hall, 55

W Wilkinson’s Mall, 31

Tune in at 12:30 p.m. the last Tuesday of each month to KARK Channel 4 for a segment on the current issue of 501 LIFE.

Donna Benton has lived in Greenbrier for nearly 25 years. She enjoys most the small town culture and community in the 501. “But most of all, my friends and family are here and that is what makes it home!”

Donna attended Louisiana State University in her home state and said most people probably don’t know that she was a rock climber, whitewater kayaker and a backpacking guide. “My husband, Joey Benton, is a lifetime Greenbrier guy, and our boys, Joseph and Ben, graduated from or currently attend Hendrix College.”

Donna, who writes Home features for 501 LIFE, describes herself as a “maker.”

“In my business, I design with vintage furniture, but I guess that is my hobby too! I love the whole process from discovering one-of-a kind pieces on adventurous buying trips to creating fabulous rooms where every element has a story.”

To contact Donna, email donna@ waterhousemarket.com. Check out her blog on waterhousemarket. com and follow her on Instagram @ waterhousemarket and Facebook at WaterHouse Market.

A resident of Wooster for the past eight years, Laurie Green enjoys most the hometown feel of living in the 501. She graduated in 1990 from Greenbrier High School. “I attempted college at UofA Fayetteville, but found I was a much better mom than student.” She and her husband, Will, have seven children, five grandchildren and a golden retriever named Marla.

A regular contributor for 501 LIFE, Laurie writes a faith column. “I love writing. I spend 24/7 with my husband doing lawn care, which we love. Sunday evenings are dedicated to spending time in fellowship with our NLC Lifegroup, which is the glue that keeps me together.”

Laurie said that most people probably don’t know that she and her husband have two sets of twins 18 months apart.

“I also think it’s funny that we have two daughters named Brittney/Brittainy (one of the perks of a blended family).

Will likes to tell people I’ve only been pregnant twice, but we share seven kids and two named Brittney/Brittainy. It gets some funny looks.”

To contact Laurie, email thegreens@ ymail.com.

A North Little Rock resident since 2014, Callie Blair Sterling graduated in 2009 from North Little Rock High School and the University of Central Arkansas in 2013 with a degree in journalism.

“Central Arkansas has so much to offer!”

Callie loves to take road trips with her husband, Jaison, playing with their dogs (Marley, Myla and Happy), scrapbooking and CrossFit. Most people probably don’t know that Callie lived in Germany and also had a serious ATV accident in 2005. “It is a miracle that I am alive today. God truly saved my life and today I hope to be an advocate for others who are traumatic brain injury survivors and help raise awareness about the cause.”

To contact Callie, email jc@ sterlingimageworks. Follow her on Instagram @sterlingimageworks and on Facebook at Sterling Imageworks.

September 2018 501lifemag.com | 7

NEWS/NOTES

September S

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10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Woolly Hollow State Park near Greenbrier will observe Arkansas State Parks Legacy Week Wednesday, Aug. 29, through Monday, Sept. 3.

Contact the park for more information at 501.

679.2098.

The Fairfield Bay Endless Summer Bash will be held noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at the Cool Pool Café. There will be games, food, pickleball and an evening concert by country singing sensation Heath Sanders. For more information, go to visitfairfieldbay.com/event/2018-endlesssummer/.

The Children’s Tumor Foundation’s 11th Annual Red Carpet for Research Event – Dancing With Our Star fundraiser – will be held 6 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 6, at the Robinson Center Grand Ballroom. Tickets are $250 each. For more information, visit ctfarkansas.org.

Bash on the Boulevard will be held Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Town Centre Shopping Center in Maumelle. The free festival has something for the entire family – business vendors, arts and crafts, a Kids Zone, car show, a beauty pageant, food trucks, entertainment, games and more. The festival is run almost exclusively by volunteers from the Maumelle Area, including the local parks and recreation, city police and fire departments.

Proceeds of Bash on the Boulevard festival help to raise funds to support economic development and promote entrepreneurship opportunities in the area. For more information, call the Maumelle Chamber of Commerce at 501.851.9700 or visit maumellechamber.com.

The Cabot Lions Club will host its Annual "Memorial" Golf Classic on Monday, Sept. 10, at Cabot’s Rolling Hills Country Club. This year’s tournament is being held in memory of Lion Rick Meadows, who loyally served the Cabot community from 1984 to 2014. Entry forms are available by emailing cabotlions@yahoo.com or by calling 501.920.2122. Deadline for entry 8 | 501 LIFE September 2018

A performance by Buddy Guy at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, will kick off the 2018-19 season at Reynolds Performance Hall at the University of Central Arkansas. Guy is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and has received seven Grammy awards and 37 Blues Music Awards. For more information, visit uca.edu/reynolds. is Tuesday, Sept. 4. Proceeds will help provide vision screenings, eye exams and the purchase of eyeglasses for local school children and in-need adults. For additional information, call 501.920.2122.

The Fifth Annual ACANSA Arts Festival will be held Tuesday, Sept. 18, through Sunday, Sept.

23., in Little Rock. The visual and performing arts festival features a variety of presentations, including A Rowdy Fait, Milk Drive and Steve Azar & The Kings Men. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit acansa.org.

Art on the Green in Conway will present Ken Beck during its CityTalks series at 5:30 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 21. Beck will share his work on books related to “The Andy Griffith Show” and his experience as a features and entertainment writer in Tennessee. Art on the Green is an art gallery and advisory service featuring original works by more than 30 artists. For more information, visit artonthegreen.net or call 501.205.1922. (See Page 57 for information on Ken Beck.)

The Jackson Creek Homestead will host its fall “Living History Weekend” 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Sept 22, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept 23. Located at 549 Wesley Chapel Road at Quitman, the weekend will include period dressed homesteaders depicting the way of life as it might have been in the 1860s. Barns, a cabin, blacksmith shop, wood shop, general store, trapper’s shack, pottery shop and milling company will be open. School will be in session on Saturday and at 10 a.m. on Sunday there will be a short church service in the McAdow Chapel. Gospel bluegrass music is planned both days. The 10th Arkansas Infantry Co. “A,” known as “The Quitman Rifles” during the Civil War,

will be camped onsite. There is free parking and admission. Donations will be accepted. For more information, call 501.589.3588 or visit “Jackson Creek Homestead” on Facebook.

The Sixth Annual Officer Will McGary Memorial Car Show and Auto Tour will be held 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, at Valley Baptist Church at Searcy. Proceeds go to the Officer Will McGary Memorial Foundation which supports the youth and police in Searcy and Conway. For more information, visit willmcgaryfoundation.org or email contact@willmcgaryfoundation.org.

Art on the Green in Conway will celebrate five years in operation with a birthday party Saturday, Sept. 29. An art gallery and advisory service featuring original works by more than 30 artists, Art on the Green is located at 1100 Bob Courtway, Suite One, in Littleton Park. For more information, call 501.205.1922.

Festival organizer Main Street Searcy, stage sponsor First Security Bank and music sponsor White River Flooring will present Nashville recording band Restless Heart as the Saturday night headline act for the 11th Annual Get Down Downtown on Saturday, Sept. 29. The Downtown Searcy event features live music, performances, merchandise vendors and concessions. The twoday festival kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept.

28. Activities resume at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept.

29. The Unity Health Kid Zone will be in Spring Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. where activities such as children’s stage performances, inflatables, carnival games, rides and face painting will be offered for kids of all ages. For more information about Get Down Downtown activities, call the Main Street Searcy office at 501.279.9007.

501 Football Team

Twenty-eight student-athletes selected

Members of the 501 Football Team: (front, from left) Hugh Miller (CAC), C.J. Reynolds (Lake Hamilton), Joe Murphy (Fountain Lake), Skyler Davidson (Clinton), Justus Filoteo (England), Tyler Mace (Cutter Morning Star), Jacob Wood (Conway Christian); (middle) Griffin Miller (Riverview), Tanner Loter (Vilonia), Dylan Burnett (Mayflower), Jake Brooks (Haskell Harmony Grove), Tyler McJunkins (Magnet Cove), Julian Cameron (Heber Springs), Isaac Clemmons (Quitman), Will McKenna (Conway); (back) Keywan Shavers (Morrilton), Mason Andrews (Maumelle), Jesse Boshears (Perryville), Drew Vest (Searcy), Austin Fisher (Bald Knob), Davis Morgan (Harding Academy), Brady Reed (Bigelow) and Dylan Clayton (Bismarck). Not pictured: Taylor Boyce (Beebe), Seth Howard (Greenbrier), Taylor Gillham (Hot Springs Lakeside), Alex Noble (Malvern), T.J. Rogers (Cabot). (501 LIFE would like to thank Conway Christian School for use of its football facilities for this year’s team photo shoot.) (Mike Kemp photo) The 501 LIFE staff is excited to announce the members of the 2018 edition of the 501 Football Team.

The team features 28 student-athletes — the best the 501 has to offer both on and off the field. Every county in the 501 is represented.

Sponsors for this year’s 501 Football Team are Conway Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, Conway Regional Health System and First Security Bank.

2018 team members include: Mason Andrews (Maumelle), Jesse Boshears (Perryville), Taylor Boyce (Beebe), Jake Brooks (Haskell Harmony Grove), Dylan Burnett (Mayflower), Julian Cameron (Heber Springs), Dylan Clayton (Bismarck), Isaac Clemmons (Quitman), Skyler Davidson (Clinton), Justus Filoteo (England), Austin Fisher (Bald Knob), Taylor Gillham (Hot Springs Lakeside), Seth Howard (Greenbrier), Tanner Loter (Vilonia), Tyler Mace (Cutter Morning Star), Tyler McJunkins (Magnet Cove), Will McKenna

(Conway), Hugh Miller (CAC), Griffin Miller (Riverview), Davis Morgan (Harding Academy), Joe Murphy (Fountain Lake), Alex Noble (Malvern), Brady Reed (Bigelow), C.J. Reynolds (Lake Hamilton), T.J. Rogers (Cabot), Keywan Shavers (Morrilton), Drew Vest (Searcy) and Jacob Wood (Conway Christian).

Players were nominated by their respective coaches and selected by the 501 LIFE staff. Nominations were weighted equally between on- and off-the-field attributes.

“We love getting to share the stories of all of these student-athletes every year, and our eighth edition of the

501 Football Team is no exception,” said Levi Gilbert, associate editor. “With every county and so many different communities represented, we get the opportunity to share a diverse group of stories with our readers throughout the fall. Football in Central Arkansas is vibrant, and several of the teams represented this year by these remarkable honorees are on the brink of something truly special.”

The team recently met at Conway Christian School’s field for a photo shoot. In addition to being recognized in this year’s edition of 501 LIFE’s football preview issue, 501 Football 2018, each player will be featured individually throughout the fall online at 501lifemag.com and in 501 Sports Extra, 501’s sports e-newsletter. (To sign up, visit 501lifemag.com or email info@501lifemag.com.)

Player features will begin publishing weekly online and in 501 Sports Extra starting in mid-August before the kickoff of the 2018 high school football season.

Fairfield Bay contest winner named Sherry Loyd of Conway will be headed to Fairfield Bay as the winner of a vacation getaway contest.

501 LIFE and Fairfield Bay recently teamed up to treat a group of four to weekend accommodations valued at $650.

Sherry, who has entered the contest previously, was excited to get the news that she had won. She

is looking forward to taking family to Fairfield Bay for a much-needed getaway. “I’m excited to go,” she said.

Fairfield Bay is one of the region’s premier family recreation destinations, offering swimming, sailing, fishing, camping and hiking. For more information on Fairfield Bay, go to visitfairfieldbay.com.

Sherry and Max Loyd.

September 2018 501lifemag.com | 9

LOVING LIFE

Sharing the 501 LIFE spirit

501 readers are enjoying LIFE and sharing their trips and special occasions with others.

An overwhelming number of readers are submitting “Loving LIFE” photos for inclusion in the magazine, and every effort is being made to publish them as soon as possible.

Headed out on a special trip? 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.

Have a special occasion or get-together coming up? Take 501 LIFE along, take a photo and send it to us.

Photos can be submitted by email to info@501lifemag.com or by mail to Reader Photos, c/o 501 LIFE, 701 Chestnut St., Conway, Ark. 72032. Please include the names of those in the photograph and their hometowns along with contact information.

(Sorry, photos will not be returned by mail but can be picked up at the 501 office.)

Here’s to “Loving LIFE.” – Sonja Keith

Callie Sterling (from left), Isabella Catron and Mattie Schanandore took 501 LIFE along as they attended the 42nd Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority Convention in Pittsburgh. The AST convention is held every other year in different locations throughout the U.S. The three represented the Upsilon Chapter of AST from the University of Central Arkansas. While at the convention, the Upsilon Chapter received the 2018 Founders Award, the highest honor that an AST chapter can receive. One chapter is selected for the award every two years. The chapter received five additional awards.

Students in Dr. Kateryna Ligon’s (second from left) Advertisement & Promotion class in the spring semester were “Loving LIFE.” Students worked on creating an advertising campaign with support of Dave Creek Media for local RV manufacturer VRV. Students had an opportunity to tour the VRV manufacturing facility in Conway, visit Dave Creek Media and get creative. Glenn Crockett (left), owner of Dave Creek Media, and Tom Brawley (right), owner of VRV, announced the wining team: Sage Ricker (from left), Travis Owen, Callum Morris and Ben Holmes. Glenn and Tom were impressed with the CBC students’ quality of work, which will be utilized in future advertising campaigns.

10 | 501 LIFE September 2018

The Greenbrier 8U Baseball All Star Team was “Loving LIFE” as they competed in the All Star State Championship Tournament held in Conway. In a division that included 29 All Star Teams from across the state, Greenbrier 8U won the championship with an impressive 7-0 record for the tournament. The team includes: Grayson Linville (front, from left), Alex Court, Austin Marsh, Garrett Thompson, CJ Bryant; Troy Cody (middle), Cardan Foster, Drake Coleman, Sam Palmer, Kyler Harrison, Tyler Erion; coaches Jon Daniel (back), Drew Foster, Coty Linville and JJ Palmer.

“Loving LIFE” at the recent ribbon-cutting for the new location of Life Choices at 1330 South Donaghey Ave. in Conway. For more information, call 501.329.5944 or visit lifechoicesinc.org.

Mary playing baseball with neighborhood kids in the late 1940s.

‘Loving LIFE’ and celebrating 90th birthday Mary Hiegel of Conway was “Loving LIFE” in the 501 at the Arkansas Travelers game on July 28 as she celebrated her 90th birthday.

Her family enjoyed a buffet on the party deck and suite as she threw out the first pitch of the night with the help of her great-grandson, Owen Welch.

“One of the greatest moments of the night, other than throwing out the first pitch, was when we all sang ‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game,’ one of her favorite songs,” said granddaughter Laura Hiegel-Williams, adding that Mary has always loved baseball and enjoyed playing with the neighborhood kids.

Born a daughter of Tony and Annie Rossi in Little Rock, Mary has one sister, Pat Woodson, who lives in Dardanelle. Mary graduated from St. Joseph School in 1945 and married Al Hiegel in 1947.

Mary never misses any of her grandchildren’s home games and is a big sports fan.

She keeps stats on her three children (Phil Hiegel, Jerry Hiegel and Mary Ann Tipton), her 14 grandkids and 29 great-grandkids games for a total of 62 (including in-laws). She cuts out every state and local newspaper clipping on their games for their scrapbooks. She has been to 99 gyms in the state.

Mary has been to every state in the U.S. and six continents.

Her favorite teams are the Conway St. Joe Bulldogs, Cardinals, Cubs and Reds, but her all-time favorite is the Dodgers.

“She made us trick or treat earlier than usual one year because the World Series was on,” said Laura.

“She taught us to dribble between our legs but her greatest love, other than Al (of 75 years) is baseball and family.”

Mary was “Loving LIFE” celebrating her birthday surrounded by family at Dickey-Stephens Park.

Mary and some of her family meet Ace, one of the mascots for the Arkansas Travelers.

Mary was escorted by her husband, Al, and great-grandson, Owen Welch on to the field for the first pitch.

September 2018 501lifemag.com | 11

LOVING LIFE

Pooja Lukhi and Olivia Tzeng were “Loving LIFE” after they were recognized during the Cardinal & White Banquet at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Both were named to the Razorback Classics Class of 2018.

Students recognized at University of Arkansas Two Conway High School graduates were among the students recognized by the Arkansas Alumni Association as members of the Razorback Classics Class of 2018.

The class represents the Top 11 male and Top 11 female graduating seniors at the University of Arkansas. They were selected from the 71 Seniors of Significance recognized in the fall of 2017. A selection committee of more than 100 University of Arkansas advancement staff, former and current Arkansas Alumni Association National Board members, and past award recipients scored each applicant based on academic excellence, demonstrated leadership and campus or community involvement.

Conway High graduates Pooja Lukhi and Olivia Tzeng were among those selected. Pooja graduated from the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and

12 | 501 LIFE September 2018

Sciences, with a biology and biochemistry major.

Olivia also graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences, with a degree in biology and psychology.

Also representing the 501 were: Garrett Bethel, Little Rock – J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, biology Breyanna Dulaney, Little Rock – J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, biology and African and African American studies Sam Harris, Greenbrier – Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, agricultural business, pre-law Karli Lipinski, Benton – J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, chemistry with a focus in biochemistry Gray Orman, Bryant – J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, biochemistry, pre-med

Raygan Sylvester, North Little Rock – Sam M. Walton College of Business, marketing This year’s class of winners includes representatives from a variety of academic disciplines. The majority of awardees, 18, are students in the Honors College. Arkansans make up the majority of the recipients with 12 students hailing from the state.

Other locations represented included Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas and Lima, Peru.

The 22 students were recognized at the Cardinal & White Banquet on May 3 in Boyer Hall of the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House. During the dinner and ceremony, each recipient and their mentor were honored. Mentors, chosen by the honorees, are individuals who have made an impact on the students during their time at the University of Arkansas.

Deanna Brock

Vice President Commerical Loan Officer

FIRSTSERVICEBANK.COM CONWAY | 2475 Washington Avenue | 501.932.5050 CONWAY | 540 United Drive | 501-932-9700 CLINTON | 486 Highway 65 North | 501.745.7200 GREENBRIER | 134 Broadview | 501.679.7300 LITTLE ROCK | 12921 Cantrell Road | 501.801.7402

LOVING LIFE

501 LIFE took another trip overseas with the Winkler family to celebrate Bill and Mary Helen Winkler of Wynne’s 50th wedding anniversary. The trip included Iceland, France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany. It included a visit to Zusenhofen, Germany, where the Winklers last lived before coming to America. The family stands in front of the Cathedrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg in Strasbourg, France: Anna Johnson (front, holding 501 LIFE); Allen Winkler (middle) and Stacey Winkler, Mandy Trickey, Mary Helen Winkler; Christopher Trickey (back) and Bill Winkler.

James and Judy Stone of Conway (right) took 501 LIFE along to Niigata, Japan, to visit their grandson, Dustin Hensley, and his friend, Natsu Kumakura. Dustin has been in Japan since 2012, teaching English.

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Lester and Ida Rose of Perryville were “Loving LIFE” in Ireland at the Blarney Castle, where they kissed the Blarney Stone to obtain “the gift of gab.”

Tai Chi instructor Sachiko Halter (holding 501 LIFE), Janet Lane and May Chu were “Loving LIFE” as they celebrated “World Tai Chi & Qigong Day” at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church in Little Rock.

“Loving LIFE” in Alaska: Pam Hager (from left), DeAnna Hager, Tim Andrews, Barbara Andrews, Sherri and Ralph Lachowsky.

Annette and Troy Rice (from left), Bonnie and John Mattox and Melissa and Bart Castleberry took 501 LIFE along on a trip to South Dakota. “It was a fun trip and we saw Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Spearfish Canyon, Deadwood, S.D., Custer State Park and lots more. It was an amazing vacation with wonderful friends,” wrote Bonnie.

Conway residents Chuck Lambert (from left), Kathy Lambert, Luke Ussery, Kimberly Ussery, Jeremy Ussery and Dylan Ussery were “Loving LIFE” in Yellowstone National Park. The group had a wonderful time visiting Yellowstone, Jackson Hole and the Grand Tetons in Wyoming and Mount Rushmore in South Dakota.

Dr. Curt Rom (from left) and incoming University of Arkansas students from Conway High School Scott Ashby, Bailey Glover and Mae Roach were “Loving LIFE” at the annual PIGnic hosted by the University of Arkansas Alumni Association Conway Area Chapter. As part of the event, the chapter awarded scholarships to recent Conway High grads Demi March and Aryn Blumenberg. A PIGnic is the alumni association’s unique way of welcoming new students to the Razorback family and celebrating students’ decisions to further their education in Fayetteville.

David and Cindy Sutton took 501 LIFE along to Arches National Park in Utah.

September 2018 501lifemag.com | 15

LIFE PICS

Business expo at Searcy Robin Richards photos

The White County Business Expo, presented by the Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce, was held recently at the newly renovated Ganus Activities Center at Harding University.

“Highway to Progress” was the theme for this year’s event.

The Business EXPO consisted of 93 businesses showcasing their products and services including businesses on Restaurant Row. The expo included an invitation-only event for vendors and chamber guests. This year’s event featured guest speakers Matt Twyford from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) presenting the Arkansas Competitive Communities Initiative and Steve Jones discussing what is a Marketable Industrial Site.

For more information on the event or the chamber, call 501.268.2458

Searcy chamber staff and volunteers: David Cavender (from left), Jennifer Skinner, Cassie Skinner, Tara Cathey, Cindy Hunter, Ketta Murray and Buck Layne.

Logan Russell (from left), Betsy Bailey and Doc (Tammy Hughes).

Brandon Moss (from left), Lisa Ponson and Tim Rielly.

Mark Lane (left) and J. R. Thomas.

Stephanie Shelton (from left), Mike Thompson, Casey Pierce and Madison Rowe.

Caroline Goode (front) and Roberta Spencer.

16 | 501 LIFE September 2018

Nick Bright (from left), Todd Wells, Dianne Thomas and Amanda McClish.

Lauren Smith and Seth Brown.

Jacob Holmes (from left), Jessica Wells and Harli Belk.

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LIFE PICS

Madison Beck (from left), State Rep. Rick Beck, Court of Appeals Judge Bart Virden and Keith Long.

Conway County Republican Treasurer Diane Stell (left) and Conway County Democratic Secretary Virginia Bolin.

Rebecca Roetzel (from left), Conway County Republican Commissioner Gordon Warren, Conway County Republican Party Vice Chairman Jo Warren and Katherine Foust.

Christmas in July in Conway County Story and photos

by Janna Virden

Putting politics aside, the Conway County Republican and Democratic parties came together July 26 for a “No Politics Potluck” Christmas in July party to benefit the GFWC Adelaide Club’s Angel Tree.

At their respective meetings in June, both parties agreed to get together the following month before the fall political season started up to remember community comes first in Conway County. Ladies from both parties helped decorate the community building in patriotic red, white and blue along with Christmas

decorations. Everyone brought a favorite potluck dish and visited with each other, remembering not to talk about politics.

Members from the Adelaide Club spoke about the Angel Tree. The Club raises money for gifts to give to local children who may go without at Christmas time. Claudia Riedmueller said they serve hundreds of children each year and it was nice to see such support. The Christmas in July party raised $830.

Shelia Beck, 2nd District Chairman for the Republican Party, said, “It is important for all to come together because at the end of the day, we are all Americans.”

Peggy Jennings (from left), Madison Beck, Republican Luke and Michael Roetzel, Democratic candidate for District Committee Member Lisa Todd and Second District state representative.

Republican Chairman Shelia Beck.

Tom and Sonja Keith with her parents, Stan and Mary Clinesmith. (See Page 57 for information on the CityTalks program planned in September.)

Collector JoAnne Stevens (from left) shows her purchase “Beets” (artist Sheila Parsons) to Sonja Keith and Vivian Trickey Smith.

GFWC Adelaide Club members Katherine Foust (left) and Claudia Riedmueller.

Friends and collectors Ruth (from left) and Fred Langford, Darren Irby, Laura Robins Falls and Donna Spears.

501 LIFE featured in AOTG’s CityTalks 501 LIFE was the topic of the July edition of City Talks at Art on the Green in Conway.

The event, moderated by Darren Irby, featured magazine publishers Donna Spears and Sonja Keith, who shared their thoughts on 501 LIFE’s recent 10th anniversary.

18 | 501 LIFE September 2018

CityTalks 2018 is a series of authentic conversations with creatives across the spectrum, including great designers, journalists, chefs, authors and interior designers. The presentations are free and open to the public.

Art on the Green is an art gallery and

advisory service featuring original works by more than 30 artists. The gallery is located at 1100 Bob Courtway, Suite One. For more about Art on the Green, including upcoming CityTalk programs, visit artonthegreen.net or call 501.205.1922.

The conversation starts here...

CityTalks 2018 Ken Beck

Author and Journalist September 21, 5:30 PM-6:30 PM Art on the Green Ken Beck Ken Beck grew up in Tennessee, Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas and graduated from Sylvan Hills High School in 1970. He earned a journalism degree in 1974 at Harding University.

Beck and writing partner Jim Clark, founder of The Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watchers Club, have authored a series of nearly a dozen books about theirIVfavorite TV show, including The Andy John P. Lasater Griffith Show Book, Aunt Bee’s Mayberry Cookbook, Mayberry Memories and Goober in a Nutshell.

Beck and his brother, Terry, who lives in Arkansas, teamed to write Amazing Arkansas, a book of cool facts about the Land of Opportunity.

New Works by John P. Lasater IV and Jason Sacran

Beck and Clark have sold about 2 million books with Aunt Bee’s Mayberry Cookbook having sold more than 900,000 copies.

Their first Cowboy Cookbook has sold nearly 250,000 copies, and several other of their books sold more than 100,000 copies.

Please join us for the Opening Reception at Art on the Green Thursday, November 9, 4pm-6pm Show runs through December 9 ing partner Jim

Beck, right, with his writ

Ken h Go to www.artonthegreen.net/events/ Return to Mayberry wit Clark, left, on the set of 6, for information about this And upcoming and George Lindsey in 198 y Griffithshow.

Come Celebrate with Us! Saturday, Sept. 29th

Beck was Editor of The Tennessean for 31 years and continues to write every day as a freelance feature writer for several community newspapers in Middle Tennessee. He returns to Arkansas frequently to visit family and friends from his high school and college days.

September 21st marks Beck’s first visit to Art on the Green.

To RSVP call 501-205-1922 or email Kelly@artonthegreen.net.

CityTalks are free and open to the Jason public.

Sacran

Visit Us Today.

Learn. Teach. Read. See. Understand. All in one place.

Monday- Friday 10:00am-5:00pm or by appointment Littleton Park | 1100 Bob Courtway, Suite One | Conway, AR 72032

501.205.1922 | www.artonthegreen.net Art Gallery and Advisory Service Featuring Original Works by More than 30 Artists

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September 2018 501lifemag.com | 19

20 | 501 LIFE September 2018

September 2018 501lifemag.com | 21

HER

Jamie Stacks

Jamie and Michael Stacks, married 23 years, have a love for family and education. She is the superintendent of the Wonderview School District in Conway County, and he is the assistant superintendent and athletic director at Quitman Public Schools. (Mike Kemp photo)

HIM

Michael Stacks

NATIVE OF: Damascus.

NATIVE OF: Damascus.

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP: Bee Branch.

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP: Bee Branch.

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree and master’s/PhD candidate, the Univer-

EDUCATION: Bachelor of arts from the University of Central Arkansas; master’s from the University of Alaska Southeast; and education specialist, UCA.

JOB: Superintendent for the Wonderview School District.

JOB: Assistant superintendent and athletic director at Quitman Public Schools.

sity of Central Arkansas.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR VOCATION: I chose to be an educa-

tional leader.

PARENTS: Windell and Helen Hutchins, Bee Branch.

YEARS IN EDUCATION: 29, including 10 years in the Mayflower School

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR VOCATION: I chose to

be an educational leader because I saw the impact ineffective leaders can have on our students and schools. I wanted to have a positive impact.

District and 11 years in the Pribilof School District, St. Paul Island, Alaska.

PARENTS: Tommy and Susan Stacks, Damascus.

HOBBIES/SPECIAL INTERESTS: Reading, travel, our children.

HOBBIES/SPECIAL INTERESTS: Landscaping, tinkering with computers, working on the farm and spending time with family,

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF: Hard worker, independent,

loyal and committed to education.

WHAT IS ONE THING PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU: I worked at AETN and received Production of The Year for a documentary on Hattie Caraway.

MOST ENJOYED WEEKEND ACTIVITY: Relaxing by the pool with family.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF: Hard worker,

honest and driven.

WHAT IS ONE THING PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU: I grew up on a dairy farm and milked cows through

high school. It will teach you how to work!

MOST ENJOYED WEEKEND ACTIVITY: Playing in the

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO: If God brings you to it, He will see you through

yard and on the farm.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT LIVING IN THE 501: I enjoy the

work and determination.

it.

small, rural communities that I live and work in because of the caring, loyal people. Even the Conway area feels like an extension of home.

22 | 501 LIFE September 2018

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO: Success comes through hard WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT LIVING IN THE 501: The close knit support from all the communities.

NEIGHBORS couples

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HOW WE MET: We grew up in the same community.

CHILDREN: Savannah and Stormy.

PETS: Simon and Cartman.

FAMILY ACTIVITIES ENJOYED TOGETHER: Dinner and movies, and travel.

MORE INFORMATION: One thing that makes us unique is we are administrators in different, small districts. Our districts often compete in athletics which can be stressful. Add that our daughters played for Conway Christian School and that made for some interesting competitions. When we aren’t competing, we were all loyal Bulldogs, Daredevils and Eagles.

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| (501) 450-6000 | ConwayCorp.com/Ninja | September 2018 501lifemag.com | 23

YOUTH

Impressive

Military service capstone, beginning of accomplishments Story and photo

by Dwain Hebda

When Emileigh Spiller walked the graduation stage not long ago, it’s fair to say there’s not much at Greenbrier High School she left behind untouched. The 18-year-old made the most of her four years there and then some.

“I’m very self-motivated and competitive with myself. I’ve never really been one to just sit back in a classroom,” she said.

By any measurement, Spiller’s accomplishments are impressive in their number and variety.

Whether in the classroom, the field of athletic competition, in extracurricular activities or in public service, she assembled an astounding resume.

“I really just always wanted to push myself and be competitive against myself because I know that I can do better,” she said “Ever since I was young I’ve been very conscious about my future so I knew that it was necessary to do that.”

Spiller graduated with a 3.87 grade point average over a career course load that included numerous advanced placement (AP) and honorslevel classes. Because of her academic achievement, she was tapped for the Gifted and Talented Education program and the Environmental and Spatial Technology (EAST) mentoring program.

“The Gifted and Talented Education program is basically an academic leadership program. It’s where people who excel academically are encouraged to be leaders within the classroom,” she said.

“The EAST Program I’ve been involved in

since the eighth grade. (It) recognizes people who really excel within certain programs. I’m really into Adobe Premiere Pro, which is video software, and I was asked to be an EAST mentor so that I could helper younger underclassmen.”

Spiller also exercised her leadership on the soccer field, serving two years as team captain and twice was named All Conference. Her senior year she also ran cross country and track, qualifying for state in both and placing seventh in the 4 x 800 meter relay, en route to all conference track honors.

“It’s been very challenging to balance academic work along with athletic leadership responsibilities but honestly, it’s made me a better person,” she said. “Lots of hard work, obviously, but it’s been a pride and joy throughout my high school career.”

Somewhere in between, Spiller managed to squeeze in 100 hours of community service in a variety of capacities.

“I really love to do community service,” she said. “I first got involved with community service through the EAST program and that’s what really sparked a passion in me for helping people. One of my favorite (events) would have to be Ecofest held in Conway every year. It’s where community members can come and just observe different projects from other community members who help benefit the environment.”

Spiller has participated four times in Ecofest.

“It’s a great experience. My last one was on the different types of composting and how it can benefit our environment.”

Another one of her favorite service activities has been helping out with the Greenbrier Veterans Day observance, which is not surprising considering her older brother and role model, Chandler, was in the Marine Corps.

In fact, Chandler inspired her to make the military part of her life after high school and she attacked that goal with trademark gusto. She spent 18 months training with Marine poolees (recruits who have signed up but not yet reported for basic) as part of the application process for an NROTC scholarship.

“The first time I went (to train) I was extremely intimidated. I was one of only a few females there,” she said. “I excelled in the running but everywhere else was a challenge to me. But, of course, I like that. I like a challenge.”

After an extensive application process that included multiple interviews with Marine leadership, Spiller became one of a mere handful of applicants in the region to receive the scholarship and the first from her high school. Now bound for the University of Mississippi in Oxford, where she will study biochemistry with the goal of becoming an OB/GYN after her military hitch, she looks forward to the future with great anticipation.

“At graduation, when we slid our tassels from right to left, it all hit me how far I’ve come and how many people have supported me along the way,” she said. “Being involved in certain things has just molded me and my character into what it is today.”

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24 | 501 LIFE September 2018

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Greenbrier High School graduate Emileigh Spiller will be attending the University of Mississippi in Oxford, where she will study biochemistry with the goal of becoming an OB/GYN.

September 2018 501lifemag.com | 25

Technical career choices not ‘less than’ option GUEST COLUMNIST

by Dr. Larry Davis UACCM Chancellor

Throughout my career in education, I have always been faced with (and puzzled by) comments about vocational-technical education being a “less than” option for students. Parents will remark that they want nothing “less than” a college education for their high-school age kids, while not considering that college technical programs fall into that category.

The retirement of baby boomers is creating, and will continue to create, an unprecedented demand for skilled workers. Most people going to college want a return on their investment and the ability to get a job when they graduate and college technical programs provide both.

My dad was an auto mechanic in Oklahoma who made a good living for his family. He was a good mechanic who eventually owned his own one-man shop (with mom helping with billing and scheduling most of the time). My work ethic and work attitude were instilled in me at an early age by my dad. I remember coming home the first day from my first job and telling him they were trying to kill me at work. Rather than getting sympathy, I got an earful about how my employer did not owe me anything but I owed the employer 100 percent effort and I wasn’t going to bad-mouth the people who gave me a job and a chance to help pay for college. I found out my employer had lots of applicants (college town with a lot of kids looking for work) and they wanted to see how bad I wanted to work. I had that job for four summers (and some weekends and holidays) even though they had many other applicants. Hard work did pay off, as did a positive attitude.

My wife Carlene’s dad was a supervisor/lineman for an electrical cooperative in Arkansas. He also believed in and enjoyed the work that was involved in his job; felt a strong loyalty toward his employer; and realized the value and dignity of the people who worked for him and with him. I think both of our humble dads would have been astonished at the response to their passing. They were highly admired (more than they would have acknowledged) and their passing was mourned by many. Many of my dad’s customers were almost in a panic mode when he retired. Many of his customers had become his friends and they mourned his shop closing and his death several years later. No one who had known Carlene’s dad or mine and the impact they had on so many people would say their career choices were “less than” anything. They did what they loved and were good at, and those are both great things.

At the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton, we have gone through multiple 26 | 501 LIFE September 2018

Dr. Larry Davis (bottom right) with his parents and brother. Both Larry and his brother had polio. changes as an institution. We were one of the first vocational-technical schools in Arkansas, transitioned to a technical college, then a college, then joined the UA system of colleges. Trying to find a balance between technical programs and college-transfer programs has been challenging at times.

The college vision the last several years has been “Back to the Future,” where we have made technical

programs and facilities a stronger emphasis again and culminating in a new 53,000-square-foot Workforce Training Center (WTC) to house several of our high-wage, high-demand programs with new equipment and new program designs to meet current industry standards and needs. The programs are demanding and the emphasis is on educating both hand and mind. More than 170 industry advisors

“

The college vision the last several years has been “Back to the Future,” where we have made technical programs and facilities a stronger emphasis again and culminating in a new 53,000-square-foot Workforce Training Center (WTC) to house several of our high-wage, highdemand programs with new equipment and new program designs to meet current industry standards and needs.

”

representing about 150 companies help keep our programs relevant to their needs. This partnership provides an educated/trained workforce to meet the needs of Arkansas companies while graduates of the programs get good-paying jobs.

I have shared many times that the WTC is not just a building, and UACCM’s technical education programs are not “less than” options

UACCM Chancellor Dr. Larry Davis and his wife, Carlene. (Mike Kemp photo) for anyone. They are life-changing options for many people and families and will be for many years to come. I like to think that my dad and Carlene’s dad were smiling down at us in April as we had the grand opening of the WTC. I made comments that day that the WTC is a tribute to them and other hard-working men and women who found something they loved to do and did it well while providing for their families.

I was good in math and taught college math for many years. My dad was good with cars and fixed them for many years. Carlene’s dad was good at keeping the power on for people in his cooperative while keeping his workers safe doing it. They taught us the value in working hard and doing what you are good at… and what any of us do is not “less than” or “more than” what anyone else does. A good life philosophy for all of us.

September 2018 501lifemag.com | 27

NEIGHBORS nemo vista

School Counts

Dylan Watters takes aim at his future

An accomplished marksman, Nemo Vista High School’s Dylan Watters participated in the School Counts program, which enables students to take college coursework while still in high school. He graduated from the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton (pictured) last spring with an associate’s degree in industrial maintenance just a few days apart from receiving his high school diploma.

Story and photos

by Dwain Hebda

At 18, Dylan Watters is one of the best shots you’ll ever hunt with or compete against. Like all athletes in the sport, Watters strives for consistency as the key to success, right down to his pre-shot routine.

“Every time I get up to take a shot, I have a checklist I have to go through in my head,” he said.

“Make sure my feet are right, eyes are right, gun is right. Make sure I’m not too low to the house, too 28 | 501 LIFE September 2018

high from the house; make sure that I always go eyes first whenever it comes out.

“If I chip one or miss one completely, I take a step back, reset and keep going. I do that thousands and thousands of times in a week at a tournament.”

The strategy, as well as countless hours of practice, turned Watters into one of the elite shooters in the United States. In just the past five years, he’s won more than 30 national level shooting awards competing against other athletes from across Arkansas and around the country.

“What got me interested (in competitive shooting) is, I always liked shooting guns, being outdoors,” he said. “I saw (the sport) on TV one day and then there was a tournament advertised in Little Rock. I went and tried it out and from that moment on, I fell in love with it.”

In 2015, Watters was the High All-Around National Champion and Arkansas Singles State Champion for the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA) and followed that up with a national singles finalist spot the following year. He’s also been an ATA All American team member and three-time

All-State honoree.

In addition, he’s a three-time all-stater and twotime national all-star of the Academics, Integrity and Marksmanship Trap Association (AIM) and a threetime state team runner-up for the Arkansas Youth Shooting Sports Program (AYSSP).

Shooting gave him a competitive outlet and a way to socialize in addition to teaching him the value of dedication and accountability. These elements are essential to survive a grueling season that runs March to August and, at the elite level, offers very little time off.

“Whenever it gets to be about the time tournaments are about to start, I’m practicing just about every day,” he said. “I try to practice two to three times a week during off-season, although I do take about a two-month break during the cold months.

It’s kinda miserable to be out there shooting when it’s so cold.”

Even as he’s risen to the top echelon of his sport, he finds time to mentor younger shooters on their way up.

“For shooting, I’ve been doing it for so long, some of the younger guys have come up and started looking up to me and asking for help,” he said. “My attitude is why not help someone else and at the same time help keep Arkansas strong in the shooting sports.”

Over the course of his time at Nemo Vista High School, from which Watters graduated this spring, he’s applied the same mentality of consistency and attention to the fundamentals of hard work, focus and sweating the details. And just like

in shooting, he’s rarely missed whatever goal he put his sights on.

In the classroom, Watters distinguished himself through the School Counts program, which enables students to take college coursework while still in high school. Watters hit the books so hard, he graduated from the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton with an associate’s degree in industrial maintenance just a few days apart from receiving his high school diploma. For Watters, participating in the program was a no-brainer, a way to get a jump on his future.

“School Counts gave me a way to make the most of my time in high school, taking some classes that I actually enjoyed,” he said.

Watters’ goal to enter military service also illustrated his work ethic and dedication to his goals. After first being turned down due to physical conditioning, Watters adopted a healthy lifestyle and started running, efforts that paid off with his acceptance into the U.S. Air Force.

“The thing I’m looking forward to is going to basic training and becoming part of the military,” he said proudly. “That’s the one thing I’m looking forward to the most.”

September 2018 501lifemag.com | 29

NEIGHBORS greenbrier

A new tune

Teacher ends piano lessons after 20 years

After 20 years of teaching piano lessons, Katie Patrom has decided it’s time to focus more on her family. (Mike Kemp photo)

by Sonja J. Keith

The fall will signal a big change for Katie Patrom.

After 20 years of teaching piano lessons, she has decided instead to focus on a special student alone – her 2-year-old son.

Born in Faulkner County, Katie lived in Conway until she was 6 when her family built a home and moved to Greenbrier. A 2001 graduate of Greenbrier High School, she earned a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from Central Baptist College and a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Central Arkansas.

After teaching school, she joined the staff at Springhill Baptist Church in 2007 as director of children’s ministry. Today, she is also the co-director of education and family ministries. “It’s a challenge balancing everything,” she said, adding there are some weeks – like Vacation Bible School and church 30 | 501 LIFE September 2018

camp – which are more time-consuming. “There’s just always something to work on.”

Katie’s introduction to music came from her mother, Sharon Duncan, who taught piano lessons in the family’s home. “I was 4 when she started piano lessons with me.” Katie also had her first vocal performance in church when she was 4, singing “One Day at a Time, Sweet Jesus.”

Following in her mom’s footsteps, Katie began teaching weekly 30-minute piano lessons when she was 14. When the family built their home, it included a piano studio and a waiting area for students.

There was also another piano in the dining room.

Her first year, she had about five students, mostly beginners ages 7 to 10. In high school, her students numbered between 10 to 15. She also continued to have private lessons and was active in the band.

“That was fun and interesting. It gave me an opportunity to have income in high school and pay for

my car,” Katie said, adding that it also helped with college. “It was a wonderful income source and good experience.”

Through her lessons, Katie developed some important skills that have helped her in her career in education. “I learned every child is different and I had to come up with creative ways to teach,” she said, adding that she also learned how to communicate with parents. Some of her students have had special needs, including dyslexia and autism. “I have loved customizing how I teach.”

In addition, Katie has learned skills to operate her own small business, from setting policy to scheduling.

Her mom decided to no longer offer piano lessons when Katie was a senior in high school.

Looking back, Katie remembers that 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. during her childhood was filled with music and piano students in the family’s home. “It was such a

blessing for her to have that job and be able to stay home.”

While it was a new phase in her life, Katie said it was not as noticeable because she was busy attending college. Still, she continued to teach a few students on her own.

When Katie and Jon Patrom married, piano lessons became a part of the family’s income. “I never thought there would be anything different,” she said.

She followed the school schedule, offering 30 lessons between September and May. Katie has enjoyed most getting to know her students. She has offered a listening ear and a hug for some who have had faced personal challenges. They have cried together and prayed together – moments she will always treasure.

At the beginning of this year, however, her attitude about teaching piano lessons felt different. “I knew this time was coming to an end.”

Her “busyness” has increased with a new job with additional responsibilities and the couple’s 2-yearold son, Duncan, to care for. “He is needing me more.”

Katie has had the help of a high school student who has cared for Duncan when students arrive at the family’s home. “He thinks all those kids are there to see him,” Katie said with a laugh. “He gets tons of attention but it’s been harder this year.”

Katie said Jon “married into this lifestyle” and has been very supportive. “He’s been so encouraging,” she said. “The students love Jon and Annabelle (the family dog). These kids have just become part of our family.”

In her 20 years teaching, Katie has had about

Katie Patrom with her students at their recital in May. 120 students, who have ranged in age from 3 to 45. “I always thoroughly enjoyed myself with every student.” On May 19, her students performed at her last two recitals. “I’ve been so blessed with the parents and students I’ve had through the years. I’ve not had a bad experience. God just took care of that.”

Katie anticipates when fall rolls around, the time of year when lessons start, the reality of her decision will sink in. She said her students, some who have been with her for years, and their families have been very supportive. She has already helped to line up new teachers to ensure a smooth transition.

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While she hasn’t ruled out teaching piano again in 10 years or so, for now her decision is bittersweet.

She is going to miss her students and watching them as they make a big accomplishment. “I’m going to miss it all, but I have a peace about it,” she said. “I’m excited I’m going to have this time with Duncan.

I’m ready to put my family first a little more.”

Katie plans to teach Duncan to play the piano.

She said that Santa brought Duncan a little piano, which he plays with while she plays. When she announced her decision, Katie said, “That little piano needs me a little more right now.”

NEIGHBORS conway

Dora Anna Fill and her late husband, Bill, in Hawaii, where they were married.

Celebrating 100th

Oldest member of Faulkner radio club marks birthday

by Donna Lampkin Stephens

Dora Anna Fill of Conway, who will turn 100 on Sept. 6, has packed more life into those years than most of her contemporaries.

She is “definitely” the oldest member of the Faulkner County Amateur Radio Club and has been a ham radio operator for decades.

She only gave up her driver’s license about a year ago.

But perhaps the highlight of her long life was eloping to Hawaii for her second marriage when she was in her late 70s, her beau in his 80s.

“They were friends for years, and she was going to fly to Washington state to meet him, and they were going to Hawaii from there,” said her 32 | 501 LIFE September 2018

daughter, Kittie Aaron of Conway, with whom she lives. “I had them on the phone and said, ‘Y’all are going to get married, aren’t you?’

“They called the day after they got married in Hawaii.”

Dora Anna met Bill Fill through the North Little Rock Amateur Radio Club. After both lost their spouses, they decided to elope.

“I had it kind of figured out, but my brother didn’t,” Aaron said. “Bill called Joel up at his office and said, ‘I just want you to know I just married your mother.’”

After the Fills moved to Conway, they joined the Faulkner County Amateur Radio Club.

Jim Grinder, a board member of the FCARC and a member of the club since 1990, called Dora

Anna “a little firecracker.”

“She’d come in there and give us a hard time,” he said, chuckling. “She took no prisoners. I love her to death. She’s like a grandma. I ask her when we’re going dancing. She’s my dance partner.”

He said Dora Anna and Bill were the talk of the organization.

“The doctor told Bill he had to give up waterskiing when he was 70-something,” Grinder said.

“If I was going to list them as a couple, I’d call them Bonnie and Clyde. She wasn’t afraid to do anything he could do, and she tried to outdo him.

And he was happy if she did. He was that kind of guy. Good, loving, friendly competition kept them both young.”

Bill Fill died at 100 in 2012. The couple had

According to onlyinark.com, there were 700,000 amateur radio operators (hams) in the United States and 6 million overall in 2015. The American Radio Relay League, the national association for amateur radio, is the umbrella under which nearly 30 Arkansas amateur radio operator clubs reside. The Faulkner County membership list includes more than 150 members.

been married for 19 years.

Dora Anna was an only child, born and raised in Houston, Texas. She married Francis Graziani, and the couple had three children: Paul, Joel and Kittie. Graziani’s job brought the family to Alexandria, La., and eventually to North Little Rock, where the children grew up.

“It was good,” Aaron said of her childhood. “(Dora Anna) was involved in Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. She was the first bookkeeper for Memorial Hospital and did all the billing and stuff, and later she was a bookkeeper for a physician’s office.”

Paul was diagnosed with diabetes when he was 3.

“So she had to deal with that in 1951, when there wasn’t a whole lot you could do for diabetes,” Aaron said. “Treating it was kind of new back then.”

As he grew up, Paul became interested in ham radio and eventually got his license. That interest would change his mother’s life and augment his own.

After he graduated with an engineering degree and was working in Oklahoma, Paul lost his vision, a diabetes-related development.

“He came home and went to Arkansas Enterprises for the Blind and was working on his master’s,” Aaron said. “He wasn’t married yet, and to help him out, our mother started taking him to his ham radio meetings.

“He’d loved it since he was a kid, and I always remember him being interested in it. After she started taking him to meetings, she got involved and started taking her test.”

Dora Anna learned ham operations by reading the testing materials to her son, who died a few years ago.

“Why go to the meetings if you’re not going to be part of it?” Aaron said. “Once she got involved, she realized she really liked it.”

None of the rest of the family got the ham radio bug, but they did support Dora Anna and Paul.

“After she retired, that gave her a hobby,” Aaron said. “My dad bought her a radio, then she bought herself a nicer one. We still have a ham radio in the back bedroom.”

After Dora Anna married Fill, they split their time between the 501 and Summit Lake outside Olympia, Wash.

And they continued their love of ham radio, becoming active members of the Faulkner County club after they moved to Conway.

Grinder called her a “fiery DX contester.”

“In the world of radio, we make contacts, and certain countries are hard to get,” he said. “When those stations come on the air, you have a pileup of people wanting to talk to them.”

He said after making contact, the hams exchange information cards, called QSL cards.

“She’s got books of those QSL cards,” he said. “She’s got them from countries that are no longer countries. She’s a very strong, intelligent, determined young lady who very much enjoys the hobby.”

Dora Anna’s amateur radio license is good until 2021.

September 2018 501lifemag.com | 33

A champion COLUMNIST

Conway family celebrates tree’s special status Visitors and residents alike love Conway’s old trees even though our centuries-old examples sometimes drop limbs or are pruned into Dr. Seuss trees. I have mentioned Arkansas’s “Champion Trees” before, and felt that autumn would be a good time to learn more about them. And what be better than to Vivian Lawson could acknowledge that our Hogue city has two specimens? The Champion A native of Conway, Vivian Lawson Hogue graduated Sawtooth Oak belongs from the University of Central to Marcell Mauldin, and Arkansas with a degree in art Ron and Pat Spradlin education. A retired teacher, she worked in the Conway School own a mammoth variety District for 23 years. She can be of Hackberry. reached at vhogue@conwaycorp. net.

The Spradlins only recently received their honor, so I asked if I might have more information about it and how it has fit into their family. Ron stated that the tree is located on their property on Dave Ward Drive. They resided there until 2001, when they moved to their present home. “The tree was a mature tree on 16 acres when we purchased the property in 1974,” he said. “In fact, we chose to place our then-new home there so that the tree was in our front yard.”

Pat adds, “The Hackberry and Sugarberry are hard to tell apart. In 2001, it was identified as a

34 | 501 LIFE September 2018

Hackberry by the Forestry Commission, and estimated to be over 200 years old. Our children had it measured and it was said to be the second largest of its kind in Arkansas. On Father’s Day, they gave this information to Ron in a book about their memories and life in and under that tree.

“The largest Hackberry in that year was located on the courthouse grounds in Corning, Ark., but when we found it was destroyed in a storm, we assumed ours was now the largest. The Forestry Commission measured the tree again in April of this year and determined it to be the Champion Tree in Arkansas as a Sugarberry, or Southern Hackberry. The documentation is being done by the AFC by Krista Quinn, Urban Forestry Partnership Coordinator and Greg White, Faulkner Ranger.”

A tree is measured in three dimensions – trunk circumference, height and average crown spread. A formula determines its “Bigness Index.” It is Cii + Hif + ¼ aSif = B.I. (Circumference in inches, plus height in feet, plus 1/4 the average spread in feet.) The total dimensions in 2001 were circumference,13’ 10”; height, 61’; spread, 94 ½’ with a total “Bigness” of 231. In 2018, its circumference had increased to 17.4’ with a height of 86’, a spread of 91’ with a “bigness” of 317.25.

Ron’s gift of “Dad’s Big Tree Book” is full of the children’s natural and spiritual lessons learned from the tree. Pat recalls toddlers Lorrie and Kevin shouting, “Mom! It’s fall! Fall is starting!” The family worked and played together under the tree as they shucked corn, snapped beans and shelled peas from their garden.

Arkansas Forest Ranger Greg White presents the certificate of championship status to the Spradlins.

Ron was born in Pearson (Cleburne County) to Lescley and Josie Fulton Spradlin. He grew up in the Mount Vernon area and graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1959. He attended college at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, then Arkansas State Teachers College (now University of Central Arkansas). He began his career in the mobile home industry and retired from Keathley-Patterson Wholesale Electric after 31 years as purchasing manager.

Pat is a native of Conway, born to James Edwin and Mildred Mobbs Willbanks. She attended Conway schools, graduating in 1959. She also attended BYU and ASTC, graduating in 1965 with a BSE in Art and English. She and Ron were married in 1962 and have six children, 20 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Their oldest child, Malinda Smith (Michael) of Greenbrier, is an elementary school teacher and founder of a therapeutic horsemanship center known as Sunrise Riders. Of the tree, she says, “In the heart of the tree was the place where I felt safest with its large limbs on all sides cradling and protecting me. Dad taught us that, ‘What you will be someday, you are now becoming,’ as each in the family realized how important our choices are, and that just like the tree, we grow a little every day.”

Shelly Duke (Sean) of Vilonia is a registered nurse, illustrator and artist. She feels the tree has traits of her father – strong, reliable, governing, shielding and protecting.

Randy (Felicia) of Conway is co-owner of KSI Construction and Capitol Investment Group and

The circle highlights the stop where two branches have bonded known as a “Love Knot.”

a reserve officer with the Faulkner County Sheriff’s Department. As the oldest brother, it was incumbent upon him to lead by example. He remembers climbing high in the tree and being the rope installer for a swing. The first one, a simple large knot at the end, was used by grasping the rope high above the knot and pulling oneself up to rest their feet on the knot. “I began delivering the Log Cabin Democrat at age 12,” he said. “In hot summer months I brought my load of papers beneath the tree, rolled them tight and secured them with blue rubber bands.”

Lorrie Ozley (Ray) of Calera, Ala., is a preschool director and serves on the board of Parnell Memorial Library Foundation. Once, when she was afraid to come down from the tree, she asked Ron if he could just leave her there. He said, “You know the rule.

You have to get up in the tree by yourself, and with no help, to get down by yourself. You’ll learn that someday.”

Kevin (Carli) is a mortgage loan originator in Lehi, Utah. For him, learning to climb the tree taught him about making progress regardless of skinned knees and fear of falling.

Danny (Jaci) in Crestwood, Ky., is an airline transport pilot for Atlas Airline. He says their property was his refuge from the world as he climbed high in the tree and watched things below.

The enchantment of the Champion Tree is a common feeling among the children. Shelly perhaps said it best in a verse of her poetry. “Climb up in her arms and dream a dream, or wait until night and catch a real moonbeam.”

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September 2018 501lifemag.com | 35

FAITH

Faith = belief and trust

Years ago, we lost our house to Mark a fire. We lost the McDonald, a Methodist house and virtually minister, all of the contents. has served My wife and I were churches in Northwest eight hours away, Arkansas, and it took a few Booneville, Jacksonville minutes from the and time we learned Conway. His family settled in Faulkner County in the 1840s. about the fire to He attended Hendrix College, learn that our where he serves as a trustee. He children, who were and his wife have six children all living in Central Arkansas. staying at home with a family member, were OK. Those were long minutes.

One of the things I remember most in the moments that followed was how hard it was to understand why it was happening. Little did I know that we never would figure that out. Fire marshals and insurance investigators from near and far examined the evidence, but they never determined the actual cause of the fire. I wanted to know why it happened, but I finally had to realize I couldn’t figure everything out. Even the experts couldn’t.

As we go back to school, it may seem as though education isn’t worth all the changes it will make in our lives. Students may want to get back to a summer schedule, parents may worry about the costs, and teachers certainly invest more of their time than they are paid for. We may even feel like we’ll never learn what we need to learn, and we need to learn how to trust God and not knowledge.

And yet, education is critical for us to learn how to keep our faith in this world. Many people think that faith is simply trusting that God is in control, and that faithful people need to learn to let go and trust God in all things.

I don’t see it that way.

In the Bible, faith is defined as “...the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1, NRSV). The word “assurance” can be translated as reality, or something we can know and understand, yet that word is linked with what we hope for. The word “conviction” can be defined as a test or proof, yet it is linked with things not seen. Faith is working to understand all we can and trusting in the things we can’t understand.

For me, that became most clear when I couldn’t wrap my mind around the reality that my house had burned. Yet it was in that time that countless people came to stand in the gap.

Friends, family, and even strangers reached out to help us through the unexplainable. I recall getting a package of handmade cards from a second grade Sunday School class from a church I didn’t attend. That gave me hope in something I couldn’t quite understand.

As you go “back to school” this month, I hope you will realize the place that education has in

by Mark McDonald

36 | 501 LIFE September 2018

our faith. It helps us use the brain that God has given us to try to understand how we can make it in this world, how we can make a difference and change the world for the better. But it also can help us understand that we have limits, and we can help each other

even when we don’t understand what to do. We can trust God, and we can trust others.

Faith is belief and trust, so thanks be to God for the chance we have to learn all we can as we start another school year in the 501!

HAPPY AND HEALTHY

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WE OFFER MANY AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION AS WELL AS SERVICES AND PROCEDURES:

And Baptist Health Women’s Center-Conway is here for you when it’s time to meet your little miracle. Our state-of-the-art facility features modern comforts and the latest technology and equipment. Telemedicine, a Level II nursery and an infant security system are just some of the amenities offered. Staffed with trained doctors and nurses, we’re delivering the care you need for you and your new addition from the name you trust most.

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625 United Drive, Suite 420 | 501-358-6941 For more information about Baptist Health Medical Center-Conway, visit BaptistHealthConway.com September 2018 501lifemag.com | 37

1 HEALTH

David Krapf (front, from left), Daniela de Vargas Boyer, Elise Griffin, Ziad Ghneim, James Bartley; James Aston (back), Enrique Camacho Jr., Wesley Cunningham and Mustafa Rayaz.

Updates for Unity Health Graduate Medical Education program

by Hannah K. Robison

The Unity Health Graduate Medical Education (GME) program recently received full accreditation through the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) for its four programs: Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine and Psychiatry. These programs promote public health and encourage scientific research, as well as an environment for scholastic excellence and enhanced patient care.

The Graduate Medical Education program began in July 2015 and is located on the campuses of Unity Health in Searcy and Newport. The Emergency Medicine (EM), Family Medicine and Internal Medicine programs offer three years of intensive, hands-on training, and the Emergency Medicine and Psychiatry programs offers four years of comprehensive training.

Each of the GME training programs provides the resident physician with the opportunity to care for patients in their respective fields while under the supervision of a qualified and experienced Unity Heath physician. As an ACGME-accredited teaching institution, Unity Health provides higher quality care to patients through education, collaboration, faculty development and interprofessional relationships.

Other benefits offered by GME programs include a resident continuity clinic, which provides affordable healthcare in a timely manner to those patients lacking 38 | 501 LIFE September 2018

a primary care physician. Oftentimes, appointments can be scheduled in one of the continuity clinics the same day, thus reducing the wait-time to see a physician. For convenience, resident continuity clinics are located in Searcy, Heber Springs, Cabot, Bald Knob and Newport.

Delaney Kinchen, D.O., serves as the Emergency Medicine Program director at Unity Health, and he believes the educational experience offered at Unity Health better prepares the EM resident to practice in a diverse environment, whether it be a community-based emergency department or a high-volume, academic teaching institution.

“As a program director, you are responsible for ensuring residents receive quality training expected of ACGME-accredited programs,” he said. Kinchen has an open-door policy and invites residents to share their experience and offer suggestions to improve the quality of their residency training.

Courtney Eaken, Emergency Medicine Residency Program coordinator said, “Searcy offers a unique learning environment for residents where they are exposed to a variety of medical conditions without having their experience diluted from other learners often encountered in large academic centers.”

Kinchen and Eaken defined the ultimate goal of the program is to train competent and qualified physicians to meet the health care needs of the state of Arkansas for the future. “l am really thankful our programs are here,” Eaken said.

“I know they are going to have a positive impact on our community.”

Family doctor continues legacy at Conway Regional’s Vilonia clinic

Brian Bowlin, MD, Family Medicine, recently joined Conway Regional Medical Clinic-Vilonia, located at 1159 Main St.

Brian Bowlin, MD, Family Medicine, recently joined Conway Regional Medical Clinic-Vilonia, located at 1159 Main St., on Aug. 6.

Bowlin grew up in Conway and was inspired at an early age to pursue medicine by his father, Randal Bowlin, MD. Dr. Randal Bowlin has practiced Family Medicine in Conway since 1989. He currently practices at Banister-Lieblong Clinic in Conway and is a part of the Conway Regional Medical Staff.

Dr. Brian Bowlin said, “My wife and I are excited to return to Faulkner County to raise our family. I’m looking forward to serving the community alongside such highly-respected physicians as Drs. Gina McNew and Charles Himmler.” Dr. Brian Bowlin and his wife, Chelsea, will reside in Vilonia with their son.

Bowlin earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas.

He completed his Family Medicine residency at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences’ Arkansas Health Education Center in Fort Smith and also holds a medical degree from UAMS in Little Rock.

“Vilonia is a growing community, and adding Dr. Bowlin is another step in providing care locally, while expanding our service throughout Faulkner County,” said Rebekah Fincher, chief administrative officer for Conway Regional Health System.

For more information about Bowlin’s practice or to book an appointment, call 501.796.8484.

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2490 Washington Avenue Conway, AR 72032 501-329-7021 bellandcompany.net September 2018 501lifemag.com | 39

Dutch Baby with Lemon Sugar. (Mike Kemp photo)

40 | 501 LIFE September 2018

ENTERTAINING

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An education in the Dutch Baby A few years ago, my brother-in-law and my wife’s sister took us to a delightful restaurant in one of the suburbs of Chicago.

One of their specialties was a breakfast dish called “Dutch Baby” or sometimes called “German Pancake,” a “Bismark” or a “Dutch Don Bingham Puff.”

Needless to say, Recognized throughout the this piqued my interest state as an accomplished chef, Don Bingham has authored immediately and I cookbooks, presented television ordered the size extraprograms and planned elaborate large! When the Dutch events.

Baby was delivered through the dining room to our table, I knew my world would never be the same. It is a stretch to say fireworks, harps, shooting stars – and the like – all arrived with my first experience with this new culinary wonder.

The dish is like no other! It is usually cooked in a black iron skillet. The simple batter is poured into the skillet, the oven is set to 425 degrees and the sides slowly rise and puff to a beautiful soufflé production – much like a pancake with a crepe consistency, all puffed and golden brown. This Dutch Baby was served with a squeezed lemon, a sprinkling of powdered sugar and maple syrup.

After a surmountable weight gain and upon return home, I began to research this dish known as the Dutch Baby. I discovered there were special pans made for the dish and there

were other varieties of the batter. I also learned that the cooking was not quite as complex as the presentation seemed to suggest.

A black iron skillet works very well. The batter is simple, but one of the keys to success is to bake the Dutch Baby, starting in a cold oven. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to ensure the top and sides are a golden brown. After baking, the pancakes naturally collapse as they cool – it’s such a lovely wonder!

Disclaimer: I am currently on a diet. The doctor recently ordered two knee replacements – of which I am now recovering from the first major surgery, one “almost completed” knee replacement. The doctor was not willing to do a lap band, a hair transplant, both hips and one shoulder all at once. Therefore, I will not be eating “moderately” a Dutch Baby for a while.

However, when this disciplinary period of my life is over, I will move into the “moderate” stage of the culinary offerings and I will, yet once again, enjoy the Dutch Baby.

Along with the sweet version of this delectable dish, I have included a savory rendition that I recently found in a publication – a version of the Spinach Dutch Baby. Let me know how yours turns out!

DUTCH BABY WITH LEMON SUGAR 1/3 cup sugar 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest 3 large eggs at room temperature (30 minutes) 2/3 cup whole milk at room temperature 2/3 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon grated nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/2 stick unsalted butter, cut into pieces Lemon wedges Powdered sugar for dusting Put a 10-inch skillet on the middle rack of oven and preheat to 450 degrees. Stir together sugar and zest in a small bowl. Beat eggs with an electric mixer at high speed until pale and frothy; beat in the milk, flour, vanilla, sugar, zest, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Continue to beat until smooth about 1 minute. Batter will be thin.

Add butter to hot skillet and melt, swirling to coat. Add batter and immediately return skillet to oven. Bake until puffed and golden, 18 to 25 minutes. Serve immediately, topped with lemon and sprinkled with powdered sugar.

SPINACH DUTCH BABY 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 cup flour 1/2 cup milk 3 eggs 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/2 cup chopped spinach 1/2 cup cheddar cheese Place olive oil in a large skillet in a cold oven. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a bowl, whisk together flour, milk, eggs, salt and pepper. Stir in chopped spinach. Pour batter into hot skillet. Bake 20 minutes.

Sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Bake 5 minutes or until puffed and golden. Let stand 5 minutes.

Topping: Cherry tomatoes, wilted spinach, crumbled bacon Top with roasted cherry tomatoes (toss with olive oil and garlic and roast 5 minutes while Dutch Baby cooks), wilted spinach and crumbled bacon.

September 2018 501lifemag.com | 41

IN THE GARDEN

Enjoying end-of-summer produce The sweltering days of August make us look ahead to fall’s cooler weather. However, these dog days of summer bring the proliferation of produce: tomatoes, blackberries, okra and squash to name a few.

Who hasn’t looked at a plump red tomato and immediately know that it’s destined for a BLT Jan Spann (bacon, lettuce, tomato A Conway resident, Jan Spann for those folks who have has been gardening for 20-plus years and has been involved with sadly missed out)? There’s the Faulkner County Master no comparison to a loGardeners for 11 years. She and her husband, Randy, have five cally grown, picked at the children and eight grandchildren. ripe moment ‘mater to the grocery store variety.

These hot summer days bring out the juiciest and best tasting veggies that help mitigate the heat.

Fortunately for most of us, we don’t have to rely on our gardening skills – or lack of – to enjoy fresh produce. Central Arkansas has a growing industry in small-scale farmers who sell direct to consumers or farmers’ markets. Having secured heirloom tomatoes which went immediately into a BLT, I’m eager to extol the tastiness of summer harvest and how you can find your own.

The first type of operation is Community Supported Agriculture or CSA. This model brings the consumer and grower into a partnership, giving the consumer a share in the season’s output. When all the growing factors are good, the consumer has a plentiful portion of the farm. This is the best-case scenario for the growers. They don’t have to truck the produce to another location – like a farmers’ market – and hope it sells. The consumer also knows they will get specific items advertised at sign-up, and are informed that conditions (insects, disease, weather) may limit some crops, and the grower will substitute.

Rattle’s Garden between Vilonia and El Paso sells CSA farm shares and offers them throughout several growing seasons. The 10-week fall season will soon open for registration. CSAs sell a limited number of available shares based on crop yields for that season.

Some CSAs also offer add-ons for sale in addition to the basic basket. Learn more about Rattle’s Garden on their Facebook page or rattlesgarden.com.

Other CSAs in Central Arkansas include New South Produce Cooperative, which provides Arkansas grown produce to local restaurants, retailers and CSAs. The partnership with farmers and a CSA organization gives farmers access to equipment as well as a network of other farmers to provide advice and training. New South members have the option to add on meat, cheese and flower shares each season. These options are priced separately, and you can learn more at newsouthcoop.com and Grass Roots Farmers Cooperative at grassrootscoop.com.

42 | 501 LIFE September 2018

The Changing Acres garden planted at the Ola and John Hawks Senior Wellness Center in Conway.

Another type of vegetable gardening helps address the need to provide nutritious vegetables and fruits to those who don’t have time or space to grow or can’t afford to buy a CSA share. Two community gardens in Conway are doing just that with the help of volunteers.

Last October, CAPCA (Community Action Program for Central Arkansas) received an impres-

sive gift from Little Rock station THV Channel 11. Station staff, including on-air personalities like Craig O’Neill and Denise Middleton, arrived at CAPCA ready to assemble four keyhole gardens the station had purchased for CAPCA. After several hours of people power, the gardens were filled with soil and planted with fall vegetables.

CAPCA employee Melissa Allen notes that

folks are encouraged to sign up as a garden volunteer to help weed, water and harvest produce.

“If someone can’t work in the garden, we have compost buckets they can use to collect coffee grounds, egg shells and fruit and veggie peelings which provide nutrients to the plants,” she said.

Excess food is placed on the Veggies for All cart at CAPCA’s food pantry. The organization also has offices in Cleburne, Lonoke and White counties.

The Ola and John Hawks Senior Wellness Center in Conway also has a garden designed to share produce with the center’s clients, and it has brought excitement and delicious vegetables in its first summer season. Changing Acres, an organization inspired through the struggles of an Arkansas case worker involved with foster children and families in protective and supportive services, now uses community gardens as one facet of its mission to help individuals coming out of prison or drug addiction. The Changing Acres volunteers weed, water and pick produce in the garden and take it into the center.

Center executive director Debra Robinson said, “We’ve had squash, okra, tomatoes and peppers that we bag for our clients. We just delivered fresh veggies to our homebound clients, and they were just thrilled at the bounty!” To learn more about the Changing Acres ministry, visit changingacres.com or email Tracie at traciecadiente@ gmail.com.

These gardens and farms help build a new workforce, popping up in small towns and large cities, making agriculture more profitable while also promoting and protecting the health of our

land and its citizens. Baptist Health Conway offers a weekly farmers’ market for employees and purchases all unsold items to donate. The farmers make a profit and a local community organization has nutritious and delicious produce for its clients, many of whom face food insecurities.

With small farms and urban gardens planted

at schools, churches and in vacant lots, neighbors are no longer strangers but neighbors who delight in the edible rewards offered from a garden. Humorist Lewis Grizzard recognized a garden’s worth when he said, “It’s difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts when eating a homegrown tomato.”

WHAT YOU NEED, WHERE YOU NEED IT. Introducing the new CARTI Conway, coming fall 2018!

This is more than a renovation. CARTI is combining the two Conway locations – and adding even more services – to create a fully integrated, comprehensive cancer center providing medical and radiation oncology, as well as diagnostic imaging. Aggressive treatment.

Enhanced comfort. Incredible convenience.

Let the countdown begin.

2605 College Ave. | Conway | 501.329.4741

CARTI.com September 2018 501lifemag.com | 43

HOME

Pressed flowers are displayed on vintage clipboards in this young artist’s study. Old wire baskets make a great storage and display space. (Donna Benton photo)

KIDS SPACE

A place to learn, build and create When I think back about my own homework experiences (after the dizziness and heart palpations subside), I have recollections of spiral notebooks and No. 2 pencils spread across the dining table, Mom clanging some pots in the kitchen and Dad rushing in from work and chatting about how hot it was. My brothers Donna Benton were usually on the couch Donna Benton is a maker of with the TV cranking. custom home furnishings and I’m not sure why they specializes in classic painted never had homework. I finishes for antique and vintage furniture. You can see her work might have been looking at WaterHouseMarket.com. pretty studious there at the dining table, but I was probably just trying to look busy enough so I didn’t have to empty the dishwasher. I have fond memories of the family time, but undoubtedly, it was not the most productive environment for soaking up some science.

Our kids today are way smarter than we were.

You know it’s true! Some may say that it is because 44 | 501 LIFE September 2018

When summer comes around, turn that study into a creative maker space. (Makenzie Evans photo)

of advancements in education. Others may give credit to the wealth of accessible information on the World Wide Web. Perhaps it has a little bit to do with the rise in popularity of the study space. You know, the “home office” for the kids. It’s a place where they can get away from all the distractions of the home and concentrate on the distractions of their smartphone, and perhaps, do a little studying. I have created these spaces for my own kids and helped a few clients with them, and here are a few tips that might give you some inspiration for a study space in your home.

IDEAL SPACE First, choose a space that is out of the way, but not too far out of the way. It needs to be away from the household hubbub so the kids can immerse themselves in a project or their studies without interruption, but not so private that it would promote napping or delving deeply into the dark web.

Upstairs landings or other common areas make great spots for a study space.

I have seen some great playroom conversions after the kiddos start to outgrow the Legos and dollhouses.

DESIGN Next, collaborate with the kids on design and give them ownership of the area.

They are likely to use the space much more if they feel that connection to it. And, that’s the goal here; to get them to use the space (a lot) for its intended purpose.

Whether they are a budding ballerina or an aspiring pro squirrel hunter (or both), help them create a space that is an expression of themselves and it will become an after-school destination. The internet is full of great ideas to get you started. You will be amazed at what you will find if you google “ballerina squirrel hunter study space.”

This upstairs loft is the perfect place for a shared study area. (Makenzie Evans photo)

LIMITING DISTRACTIONS Keep it neat and organized to cut down on the distractions. A great study space has well-planned storage, but only stow study gear and supplies that you need in the space. A comfortable chair is important for those marathon cram sessions. A nice desk chair is a good investment.

A great desk is good for crunching numbers, but don’t forget about a cozy place to curl up for a little reading. An oversized upholstered chair with an ottoman, a beanbag or a pile of giant pillows are top choices. I always seemed to be able to comprehend better with my feet propped up.

When summer finally comes around, it doesn’t mean that the study area should collect dust until fall. Pack up those notebooks, calculators and anything that even remotely brings back a memory of school and turn the kids’ study area into their very own makerspace. Whether their thing is writing, art, electronics or collecting bugs to baseball cards, give them a workspace where they can think, explore and create.

Make sure they have a work surface and the tools and supplies they need to do what they love. Give them a dedicated place to spread out a multi-day project and leave it there.

For my boys, I always made sure their workspace had a fire extinguisher nearby.

I’m not kidding! If you have a young artist, create a gallery using hanging clips, clipboards or frames where they can display their latest works and change them out whenever they want to. Whatever their passion, a study space/makerspace will nurture and inspire their creativity.

Josie Keylor sews one of a kind designs in her very own workspace. (Makenzie Evans photo)

OVER

YEARS IN BUSINESS

2665 Donaghey Ave, Ste 103 Conway AR • (501) 327-1772 www.luxurypoolarkansas.com September 2018 501lifemag.com | 45

ENERGY SMART

Last year's winning poster created by Olivia Frazier.

Conway Corp sponsors ‘My Life’ contest

Beth Jimmerson A long-time Conway resident, Beth McCullough Jimmerson is the marketing coordinator for Conway Corp. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas and a master’s degree from the University of Arkansas. She can be reached at beth.jimmerson@ conwaycorp.com.

Electricity powers our lives. We rely on it 24 hours a day, seven days a week to support the life we enjoy from personal appliances to business machinery. Conway Corp has been powering our community since 1929, and we’re proud to provide a dependable and reliable service to our friends and neighbors.

As essential as it is to our everyday lives, electricity is often taken for granted. Plug in a cord, flip a switch, turn a knob – it’s always there.

We all rely on a growing number of appliances every day but rarely recognize and appreciate the

value of electricity.

Consider a chargeable gadget like a cell phone, the clock radio that jolts you awake or the TV that brings the latest news. The water heater that keeps your shower hot and the refrigerator that keeps your 46 | 501 LIFE September 2018

soft drinks cold. The automatic sprinkler system that keeps your lawn green and the toaster that turns your bread a crisp, golden brown. The washing machine that sends you off in clean clothes and the automatic garage door that welcomes you safely home – it’s all powered by Conway Corp.

How do you use electricity every day? Students – show us how Conway Corp powers your life by entering the Sixth Annual Conway Corp Energy Smart Poster, Essay & Video Contest.

The poster contest is open to students PreKfourth grade in Conway. Students should use their imagination to create a drawing colored with crayons, markers, colored pencils or paint to illustrate the 2018 contest theme, “My Life, Powered by Conway Corp.”

Entries will be judged on creativity and theme representation. Winning posters will be on display in the Conway Corp lobby for the remainder of the school year. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place winners. The classroom of the overall winner will also be awarded $100 in that student’s name along with a Conway Corp pizza party.

The essay and video contest is open to students in the fifth-12th grade in Conway. Students should submit a typed essay of 500 to 1,000 words or a digital video between 30 seconds and two minutes on the 2018 contest theme, “My Life, Powered by Conway Corp.”

Essay entries will be judged on content and syntax. Video entries will be judged on creativity and production. Winning essays and videos will be featured on Conway Corp’s website and social media. Cash prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place to winners in two age categories: fifth through seventh and eighth through 12th.

All students PreK-12th grade who live in the Conway Corp service area are eligible to enter. Ask school officials for an official entry form and contest rules or visit conwaycorp.com/EnergySmartContest.

Poster and essay entries should be submitted to participating teachers or postmarked to Conway Corp, P.O. Box 99, Conway AR 72033 by Friday, Sept. 21.

Essay entries can be shared via Google Docs or emailed to marketing@myconwaycorp.tv. Video entries must be shared via Google Docs. A scanned copy of the entry form plus contact information must accompany all electronic submissions. Please put “2018 Energy Smart Contest” in the subject line.

For more information about the contest, including entry forms and complete rules, visit ConwayCorp.com/EnergySmart or call 501.450.6000.

An easy-to-understand resource, written by Jim Skelton, the founder of Conway Institute of Music. Written for anyone interested in learning to play an instrument or sing. This book covers the basics from A-Z and answers the most commonly asked questions people have. If you’ve ever thought about music lessons for yourself or your child, you should read this book! Pick up your copy NOW on Amazon.com or stop by the school and get your FREE copy when you stop in for a tour.

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Located in west Conway off Prince Street behind Taco Bell September 2018 501lifemag.com | 47

501 kids

When is it too much?

$

I’ve seen a constant, growing trend to have our children engaged in as many activities as possible. Far too often, I hear families talk about how many sports, clubs and other activities children participate in. I fear that these activities can take over more important things.

I don’t remember Katelin being as busy as a child as children are today. I Whiddon took piano lessons, played A native of Conway, Katelin softball for a short time, Whiddon is a family nurse practitioner at Central Arkansas and was very active in my Pediatrics. She and her husband, church and Conway High Daniel, have two daughters. A graduate of the University of School’s band. Between Central Arkansas, she has her those activies and school/ bachelor’s and master’s degrees. homework, that was plenty busy. Now, it seems as if kids are in several clubs, multiple sports teams – sometimes more than one in each season – and other extracurricular activities. Often, kids stay up far later than they should to keep up and their performance seems to suffer.

Don’t take this as an opposition to extracurricular activites. I support extracurricular activities as they are proven to have numerous benefits. Kidshealth.org suggests numerous benefits of these activities such as the following: improved social skills, keeping kids out of trouble, looking good on resumes and college applications, and many more. However, adding too many activities can add unnecessary and unwanted stress on the entire family.

Oftentimes, children will start to act out at home or at school because of the overwhelming stress they are under. Many children don’t want to upset their parents by telling them there is too much on their plate, so they push through while draining themselves.

As adults, it is very easy to have too much on our plates – I can say I’m incredibly guilty of that. So why can’t we let our kids be kids and enjoy a more laid back lifestyle? Sometimes I would love to go back to the limited responsibilities and pace of those adolescent years.

School is a necessity for many kids through the majority of the year. We should account for the hours a day that kids are in school, plus time in the evenings for homework. If religious activities are a priority for your family, be sure to account for those hours each week as well. Beyond that, each child should only have a limited number of extra activities they participate in. Whether these be school activities, sports teams or any other interests, try not to jam pack your calendar with activities for each child.

48 | 501 LIFE September 2018

Having some sort of routine is good for anyone – infants to adults – so try to make a plan of your routine and try to stick to it as best as possible. Choose your child’s bedtime, and then pencil in time for each activity.

If you are running out of time in your planned routine,

try to make adjustments before you commit your child to too much. One day they won’t have a choice in all that they have to squeeze in to one day, so try not to make that time come any sooner than it has to.

Let’s let kids be kids.

$

Miles Boedeker AGE: 5.

CITY: Conway.

Miles Boedeker sports the T-shirt and bike helmet he received from Safety Town, which is held each summer for students entering kindergarten. It is presented by Junior Auxiliary of Conway and Conway Regional Health System. (See the fall edition of 501 Kids for more information on the program.)

SCHOOL: Kindergarten.

FAVORITE SUBJECT: Science.

FAMILY: Parents, Kevin and Emily Boedeker; brother, Max; baby sister, Ellie; and fish Petey.

FAVORITE MEAL OR SNACK: Mac and cheese.

MOST CHERISHED POSSESSION: Stuffed animal “Tigey.�

MORE INFORMATION: “Safety Town was fun and I liked that there were buildings to drive around in the town... and we get our own new helmet at the end! But we can’t pick out which kind. The mayor picks out which helmet we get. At least I do know the girls get girly helmets and the boys get boyly helmets.�

$

501 kids

‘Read, read, read’ When it comes to our children’s education, it’s easy to feel unqualified. For some reason, we think that other people are better equipped to teach our kids, and it’s just not true. The truth is, you are your child’s first and best teacher.

You are more than qualified to teach your child.

It doesn’t matter if you Brittany don’t have an education Gilbert degree or formal training Brittany Gilbert is a former in teaching children.

FACS teacher at Maumelle High It also doesn’t matter School. She and her husband, Levi, have three children and whether your child is in live in Conway. Brittany can be public school, homereached at b.gilbert37@gmail.com. school, private school, etc. The most equipped student is one who is supported and taught at home, in addition to wherever their primary source of education comes from. It requires work on the parent or guardian’s part, but it is well worth it.

Read to and with your children I’ll never forget when our first child was barely 2, I called a local homeschool hero. Everyone had recommended her when it came to learning how to teach your kids at home. I asked her when I needed to start putting my child in a program and what else I needed to do. She said, “Read, read, read.�

She elaborated, “Sit your child in your lap and read to him as much and as often as you can because it makes a world of difference.�

No matter their age, reading is a huge opportunity to engage with your children and help them grow.

When they’re little, you read to them. When they’re learning to read, you take turns reading with them, and when they’re older and reading proficiently, you can help them get engaged in books that will interest them.

Spend time when they’re learning It’s really lonely to be isolated away from your family because you’re working on homework.

There have even been studies that show kids do a lot better in math when they’re in a more social setting as opposed to being shut up in their room to work in private. Some personalities will differ, but kids can be given an opportunity to sit at the kitchen bar, or parents can sit at the table and read or do their work while their student is doing school work.

Remember that your child will hear your voice in 50 | 501 LIFE September 2018

Canaan Gilbert checks out a book. their head. So when you act out of frustration or are quick to yell at your child because they are forgetting something or not doing their work how you think they should, that voice is what they will hear whenever they mess up.

Instead, you can practice patience and encourage your kids. Remind them how smart and hardworking they are, even if it doesn’t seem like they are working very hard at the time.

Be their advocate If they are receiving education outside of the

home, know exactly what’s going on. As a former teacher, I can promise you that teachers love when the parents know what’s going on and are supporting their children. It takes a village.

If you are home with your children and are their main teacher, it’s OK if you’re learning right along with them. To be honest, as a homeschool mom, I am excited about all of the things I will learn with my kids. There are so many things I know that I missed or didn’t learn the right way the first time, so although it will be a challenge, we will all make it through — together.

AUTHORS IN THE 501

Interest in history leads to book series

by Susan Peterson

I love the “Eat It Conway” restaurant reviews on Facebook that are written by Jay Ruud and Stacey Margaret Jones. They use a witty “he said/she said” format, providing honest insights from dual points of view.

It’s a delightful repartee Susan between this husband/ wife team, who are eager Peterson to share their culinary Susan Peterson holds a PhD in opinions and restaurant education and taught at the University of Central experiences with others. I Arkansas and Slippery Rock wanted to learn more University in Pennsylvania. She about these writers, and I retired in 2004 and now spends her time doing artwork (painting found out that Jay is way and pottery). She is the executive more than an occasional secretary of the Arkansas Reading Association, a professional restaurant reviewer. He’s organization for educators a very accomplished that has about 800 members statewide. author in the 501!

History and literature were always of interest to Jay, so he combined both these passions with a PhD in medieval literature from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. His knowledge of the Arthurian legend inspired him to write “Fatal Feast” in 2001. At that time, he was working as a dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Northern State University in South Dakota. Unfortunately, the inability to find a publisher and assuming a new role as professor and chair of the English department at the University of Central Arkansas in 2003 delayed the book’s publication for 11 years. Instead, Jay focused on producing scholarly writings – books on Chaucer, Dante and Tolkien. He also wrote an Encyclopedia of

Retired University of Central Arkansas professor Jay Ruud is an accomplished author.

Medieval Literature.

About three years ago, Five Star Press (a division of Cengage) published “Fatal Feast,” the tale of a knight who dies mysteriously at a banquet. They also published his second novel in the series, “The Knight’s Riddle: What Women Want Most” (2016). It’s a mystery set in Camelot and deals with an assault that was supposedly committed by a knight of the Round Table.

When Five Star decided to discontinue its mystery line, Jay contracted with Encircle Publications of Massachusetts. That company was seeking to build its catalog of trade fiction historical mystery titles, so it was a perfect match! They published his third book, “The Bleak and Empty Sea: The Tristram and Isolde Story,” in November 2017. The fourth novel in the series, “Lost in the Quagmire: The Story of the Grail,” is in press and will be released in October.

The fifth book is complete and is titled “The Knight and the Cart.” The sixth (and final) is in progress.

Jay’s books have received outstanding customer reviews that include such comments as: “. . . full of intri-

cate storytelling;” “rich with fascinating details of life in the Middle Ages;” and “. . . surprises throughout.”

More information can be found about Jay, who recently retired from UCA, on his web page, jayruud.com. There you’ll find information about his books, the Eat It Conway blog, movie reviews and a unique compilation of videos titled “Poetry with Dogs.” These brief videos feature Jay reciting poetry to four beautiful canines who seem remarkably receptive to the experience. He also enjoys acting in local community theater productions.

Jay Ruud’s Merlin Mystery book series brings legend to life. They are available in several format selections from Amazon and Barnes and Noble or directly from the publisher at encirclepub.com.

September 2018 501lifemag.com | 51

Nekonchuk-Langley wedding celebrated at Legacy Acres

Tying the Knot

Bride: Sarah Nekonchuk, Conway KLIFE women’s director.

Groom: Reese Langley, ops director of O.J.’s Commercial Cleaning.

How did you meet: We met at Refine CrossFit. We both really enjoy being active and working out. Reese said he noticed this beautiful girl, with a pretty smile, and knew he wanted to date her. Reese was such a gentleman and pursued Sarah, then they started dating.

Popping the question: Reese proposed around 7 p.m. Sept. 15, 2017, at Petit Jean State Park, which was perfect timing because there was hardly anyone hiking. It was one of the first places they went hiking together, something they both love to do.

Reese wanted to 501 LIFE would like to thank bring Caitlin Trickett (Caitlin Trickett SarPhotography/501.908.2872) ah’s for providing the photos for Lab/ this feature.

Golden Retriever along too, Deogie (D.O.G.).

When they got down to the waterfall area, there was no one around. Reese proposed right beside the waterfall. It was amazing and the perfect set up. Sarah could not believe it was real, and of course, she said yes!

After they hiked back to the car, Sarah started calling people on the way home, but everyone acted like they had no idea he was going to pop the question. Reese drove into Sarah’s parents’ neighborhood, where

Reese Langley and Sarah Langley.

52 | 501 LIFE September 2018

Reese Langley and Sarah Langley at the first look.

Linda Nekonchuk (mother of the bride) helps Sarah by buttoning her dress.

John Nekonchuk (from left), Scott Nekonchuk and Sarah Langley during one of Sarah's favorite parts of the day. She chose to do a "first look" with her dad and her brother. "It was so heartfelt and both men had such sweet reactions," said Sarah.

Judy Nekonchuk (from left), Scott Nekonchuk, Sarah Langley, Reese Langley, Linda Nekonchuk, Emma Nichols and John Nekonchuk.

Sarah Langley and her father, Scott Nekonchuk, dance to "Daddy" by Abby Anderson, which Scott picked out.

Reese and Sarah Langley after walking into the reception as a married couple.

Sarah saw a ton of cars. They were pulling up to a huge surprise engagement party. “It was one of the most special and overwhelming moments ever,” said Sarah. “It was unreal seeing all those people be so happy and supportive for us!”

Wedding: The wedding was at the beautiful, new Legacy Acres near Conway. Phil and Diana Kirkland are wonderful and did a great job of building the venue to make the wedding day so easy and special. We were their first wedding to be booked. We looked at blueprints one day on the back of Phil’s truck bed on the plot of land where they

Sarah Langley, Kyle Reno (head pastor of Summit Church in Conway) and Reese Langley stand before a wooden cross during the ceremony.

planned to build the venue. We still laugh at that story today, but Legacy was more than Sarah could have dreamed of! It made the wedding day extraordinary.

How would you briefly describe your wedding: Reese and Sarah decided right from the beginning that they wanted their day to accomplish one thing - to bring honor and glory to God. They wanted people to hear the Gospel during their ceremony, and they wanted people to see marriage as a picture of God’s love for His people. Sarah and Reese asked Kyle Reno, head pastor of Summit Church, to do their ceremony.

They knew Kyle would willingly present the Gospel to all their friends and family and do a phenomenal job. They also just wanted everyone to enjoy themselves by having fun, eating good food and fellowshipping with others.

Something special about the wedding: One of Sarah’s favorite parts of the wedding was Sterling Burks, one of the flower girls, walking Deogie down the aisle.

It is actually funny how this became an idea.

Sarah knew she wanted her dog to be a part of the wedding, but she did not know exactly how. Where Sarah and Reese worked September 2018 501lifemag.com | 53

out, Refine CrossFit, Sarah always brings Deogie. Sterling, daughter of the owners of Refine, loves Sarah’s dog. She always takes him on walks at the gym. Then the idea of Sterling walking Deogie down the aisle came about. Sterling and Deogie walking down the aisle was a favored part by many.

Another special part of the wedding was the “first look” with Sarah, her dad (Scott) and her brother (John). Sarah chose to have this first look before her first look with Reese.

She wanted it to be with her brother and her dad. It was one of the most special moments of the day. She chose to have them because both men have influenced the woman she is today and the man she chose to marry.

Honeymoon: The Langleys went to Cancun the day after the wedding. They stayed at an all-inclusive beach resort.

Future plans: Reese and Sarah are planning to stay in Conway. Reese recently got a new job working for OJ’s Commercial Cleaning, and Sarah is still working for Conway KLIFE. They both have been raised in Conway and plan to stay, unless the Lord calls them somewhere else. They love the community of Conway.

Advice to other couples: The Langleys would advise other couples to keep the main thing, the main thing. When you focus on keeping God first, making His name great and serving Him together, the other things do not matter as much. Another thing they would say is to just have fun and laugh a lot together. Life goes by so fast, take it one day at a time, and enjoy every season together.

More information: Sarah would like to give her sweet momma, Linda, some acknowledgment. “I cannot thank you enough for all you did and your support during the wedding planning and the day of. Thank you so much for being my best friend and best momma. I couldn’t have done this wedding without you! Also, thank you for your commitment to prayer for the special day.”

54 | 501 LIFE September 2018

DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER

September 2018 501lifemag.com | 55

BEAUTY

All things beauty Reality check: Summer break has already come and gone. It’s September, which means the relaxed, lazy days of summer are about to give way to backpacks, homework, after-school activities and, the hardest of all, waking the kids up early.

I have to admit, I don’t miss those days at all. When the wheels on the bus were going round and round, I was sweating through my shirt and watching my foundation slide down my face and feeling my perfectly applied eyeshadow, lipstick and blush melt into Tammy Faye. Today, more than ever, I brave the hot days makeup-free.

There are easier ways to recreate this smudgy, softly, shiny look. Which makes this the perfect time to get Susan Isom going on your back to school skin care routine!

Susan is well known for her Maybe you’re a teacher, student, parent of a student personal attention to each and every client and for developing or maybe your college days are long behind you – either a treatment program or skin way, the post-Labor Day period is your chance to get wellcare regime just right for that organized on how to turn the warm, humid weather into individual. Since beginning her career in 1990, Susan Isom has a beauty advantage. received ongoing education and There will be days when you are tired, busy and training in the latest developments for skin care products and the last thing you have time for is hair, nails, makeup or treatments. She has received even the time and energy to devote to a daily skin care advanced training as a cosmetic injector with certifications from regimen. This doesn’t mean your skin care routine has to Allergan, the creators of Botox interfere with your responsibilities. After all, we still want and Juvederm injectable gel fillers. “all things beauty.”

Susan has received numerous awards and special recognition You may not be used to waking up early, and you during her career. may have a lot less free time overall, but here are some ways to make the transition easier: Move any parts of your skin care regimen to weekends or evenings – give yourself a break in the morning! You need some time to adjust to these early mornings, so take anything off your plate you can. Stick to the necessities. In the mornings, splash your face 20 times with warm water then add your favorite moisturizing lotion and get your kids to school on time.

Keep up with the daily sunscreen, at least on your face and neck. Just because it doesn’t look as bright or feel as warm does not mean that the sun’s rays aren’t damaging or prematurely aging your skin. If you are driving your kids for a longer distance, apply sunscreen to your arms. Solar exposure is stronger through glass windows.

Get to bed early. This seems like a very obvious tip, but it may be tempting to continue your late night routine and try to balance the kids’ homework with your summer lifestyle and social life. This will catch up with you, and your face won’t hide

56 | 501 LIFE September 2018

those sleepless nights for long. Getting adequate sleep is so important for overall health, but especially your skin!

Sleep on your back, with adequate neck support and a pillow that is firm enough to prop your head up and allow fluids to drain!

Keep your favorite beauty products on hand. You may be spending more time away from home but there is no reason to not have everything on hand. Look into travel-sized bottles you can fill with your must have creams and serums or ask for samples of your favorite products so you can freshen up in a pinch.

Maintaining balance and setting aside time for yourself is very important in keeping you healthy, sane and the best you can be for your family. You invest a lot of work into making your family happy, safe, well fed and loved. Next time you’re feeling run down or stressed, try to set aside a day just for you. You may even develop the extremely contagious need for “all things beauty.” It just might give you the rejuvenation you need to get you through this school year!

At CityTalks

FEATURE

Journalist, writer to share his experiences

by Sonja J. Keith

Ken Beck will return to the 501 in September to share his work on books related to “The Andy Griffith Show” and his experience as a features and entertainment writer in Tennessee.

Art on the Green in Conway will present Beck during its CityTalks series at 5:30 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 21.

Beck grew up in Arkansas, Tennessee, Texas and Oklahoma. “I live in Tennessee and I love Arkansas, too,” he said.

A 1970 graduate of Sylvan Hills High School and a 1974 graduate of Harding College (now Harding University), Beck’s professional career has included work as a schoolteacher and a newspaper features and entertainment writer. He has also co-authored a series of books related to “The Andy Griffith Show,” which Beck describes as “the best American TV series ever made.”

Beck’s love of the TV show began when he was in the third grade in Sheridan, when “The Andy Griffith Show” premiered in 1960. He enjoyed the show and identified with the character of Opie, played by Ron Howard. Later in life and the show in re-runs, Beck said he now tends to relate more with Andy’s character.

While the series is more than 50 years old, Beck said it is still enjoyed because it has “heart.”

He said Griffith was a perfectionist and worked 16 hours a day on the show, which Beck describes as timeless. While some viewers in their 20s and 30s might be turned off because it was presented in black and white, Beck said the show still has appeal. “The characters are so well defined and the writing is so good.”

While the shows were created to be entertainment, the shows carried a lesson, Beck said, adding that two companies have used the series for Sunday school curriculum. “It has a wonderful message of faith, of a father and son’s relationship, and of friendship.”

With his journalism degree, Beck became a teacher and football coach. He also served as sponsor of the yearbook and newspaper in a small Tennessee high school for three years before joining The Tennessean. He became a features and entertainment writer, and served as the editor of the paper’s Sunday entertainment magazine.

“I had no idea what I was getting in to,” Beck said, adding that he felt like Gomer Pyle.

Beck said the entertainment magazine took 60 percent to 70 percent of his time to produce, allowing time to pursue other ideas for content.

“I’ve always been nostalgic,” Beck said, explaining that when someone from the 50s or 60s was coming out with a new show or movie, he would call

On the set of “The Andy Griffith Show”: Jim Clark (from left), Andy Griffith, George Lindsey and Ken Beck. the network to do a phone interview for a story in the newspaper. He said the number of celebrities he interviewed was about 1,000.

“I talked with so many stars from when I grew up.”

Beck’s interview with Mr. Rogers is one of the most memorable. “He was exactly what you saw on TV. He was a kind and thoughtful person.”

In addition, Beck wrote an entertainment Q&A column, called Ask Ken Beck, and answered more than 12,000 questions about TV, film and music. He also wrote feature stories about Tennessee residents – “ordinary people with extraordinary stories to tell.”

While at the newspaper, Beck met Jim Clark, founder of The Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watchers Club, which led to their collaboration on a series of nearly a dozen books about their favorite TV show, including The Andy Griffith Show Book, Aunt Bee’s Mayberry Cookbook, Mayberry Memories and Goober in a Nutshell.

Their first book published in 1985, a year before a reunion of the show’s cast. Beck and Clark were invited to the set. “They liked us because of the book,” Beck said, adding that it was a surreal experience. “It was remarkable to just walk up to Jim Nabors, Don Knotts or Ron Howard and

just talk to them. It was a highlight of my life.”

The success of Aunt Bee’s Cookbook led to more than 10 more entertainment themed cookbooks. The two also dabbled in entertainment pop culture with such books as The Amazing, Colossal, Book of Horror Trivia and The Encyclopedia of TV Pets.

Beck and his brother, Terry, who lives in Arkansas, teamed to write Amazing Arkansas, a book of cool facts about the Land of Opportunity that was a best seller in the state.

Beck continues to write every day as a freelance feature writer for several community newspapers in Middle Tennessee. He and Clark still have book ideas spinning in their heads.

CityTalks 2018 is a series of authentic conversations with creative individuals across the spectrum – designers, journalists, chefs, authors and interior designers.

The presentations are free and open to the public. Reservations are appreciated.

Art on the Green – which is celebrating its fifth anniversary in September – is an art gallery and advisory service featuring original works by more than 30 artists. For more about Art on the Green, visit artonthegreen.net or call 501.205.1922.

September 2018 501lifemag.com | 57

SPORTS

Faulkner County: Ken Stephens “He was a winner” concluded a respected Arkansas sportswriter recently when asked to describe Ken Stephens, who followed a recordsetting two-sport career at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) with 39 years of successful coaching.

That bent for winning was discernible Dr. Robert even in his teens. For three years at Conway Reising High, Ken was a virtual Dr. Robert Reising retired one-man track team, from the University of Central Arkansas in 2013 after holding a competing in seven variety of teaching, coaching and events and commonly administrative posts during more than a half-century in education. earning his team’s highHis doctoral dissertation at Duke point award. In 1948, treated literature and sports. he not only garnered that award in the Arkansas State Championships but also claimed his second letter in football after excelling at halfback on offense and safety on defense.

At Arkansas State Teachers College (now UCA), he set records in both sports. He intercepted five enemy passes in a single gridiron contest in 1952, a program-high for more than 60 seasons, and in track he was twice named a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) All-American. He was the first Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference performer in any sport to gain All-American honors in consecutive seasons.

In the 100-yard high hurdles, he lost only one match in each of his final two seasons, that loss coming in the NAIA National Finals. In both of those runner-up performances, he ran a 14.6, the mark registered by University of Arkansas immortal Clyde Scott, winner of the Silver Medal in that event in the 1948 Olympiad in London, England.

Armed with a bachelor of science degree in education, Ken embarked on his multi-decade coaching career in 1952. Within a year, at Bethany High School in Oklahoma, he had claimed his first conference championship as well as two victories in state-championship playoffs.

The wins that season were to be the first in a total of 235 that he recorded before his retirement from coaching almost four decades later.

After earning his master’s degree in education, he claimed a second conference championship in 1957 at Walnut Ridge High School in his native state. Before the decade’s end, he had posted back-to-back 7-3 seasons at the school at which he had earned his high-school diploma, Conway High.

Within a dozen years, Ken had graduated to greater success at the high school level, claiming three Arkansas state titles at North Little Rock High. In 1972, he moved to his alma mater, 58 | 501 LIFE September 2018

Ken Stephens stands with his University of Central Arkansas seniors in a photograph from the 1982 Scroll, the UCA yearbook.

UCA Bears Otis Chandler, Randy Huffstickler, Harold Lewis and Brooks Hollingsworth carry their coach off the field following their undefeated regular season in 1980. Their only loss in a 9-1 season came in the NAIA playoffs to East Texas State.

UCA, where he turned a losing program into a winning one. Eight times in 10 seasons, his teams recorded more victories than defeats, while claiming four conference championships and hence four invitations to play for the NAIA National Championship. The first of the quartet, in 1976, allowed the team now known as the Bears to come within a single win of claiming the national title. In total, at UCA, Ken proved to be the institution’s most successful gridiron mentor ever, garnering 57 triumphs and a win-loss percentage of almost 60 percent.

But he could not resist another challenge in 1982. After winning three of his first five contests at Lamar University in Texas, the program floundered yet again, and Ken’s coaching skills could not rescue it from ineffectiveness after four seasons. He resigned in December 1985. More than three decades later, Lamar continues to enjoy little gridiron success; it recorded a dismal 2-11 mark in 2017. The football program remains “a graveyard,” a term Ken used in 2014 to describe what he encountered and he left in “The Longhorn State.”

Idle hardly a month, Ken was next lured to Arkansas Tech, where his coaching record was marred by an innocent snafu involving a player’s eligibility, and forfeits forced him to settle for only 28 victories in seven seasons. In 1992, at age 61, he feared the eligibility debacle had hastened his retirement from coaching.

And it had…until his 70th birthday neared and a former player of his, the athletic director at Ranger College in Texas begged him to join his staff. He did, and by 2004, he had added his final 15 wins to an already enviable total.

Hard-earned honors awaited him, however.

In 2007, he was inducted into the Arkansas Track and Field Hall of Fame, and seven years later, the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame welcomed him.

Undeniably, Ken had proven he belonged among the athletic elite of “The Natural State.” Simultaneously, he had proven he represents the athletic excellence of Faulkner County and the 501.

Ken Stephens acknowledges the crowd at North Little Rock High School in 2015 during ceremonies honoring the 50th anniversary of his first state championship, the first in school history. Accompanying him were assistant coaches Carroll Henry (from left), John Montgomery and Henry Hawk.

501 LIFE is once again profiling noteworthy athletes from Central Arkansas, one from each of the 11 counties in the 501, in a special series titled “Celebrating athletic excellence.”

The 11 are representatives of the quality of athletes found throughout Central Arkansas and are not meant to be the best or the most noteworthy. This is the third installment in the second series.

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SPORTS

Take two

Quitman captures softball, cross country titles

by Mark Oliver

With five state championships over the past two years, it’s hard to remember a time when Quitman High School wasn’t winning. The Lady Bulldogs will be the first to tell you, however, that their success hasn’t come without hard work.

“It’s hard to put into words how significant our success is to our school district and our student athletes and coaches,” said Quitman Athletic Director Michael Stacks. “Over the past three years, we’ve worked hard to raise expectations academically and through our athletic programs. We’ve done our best to attract some top coaches and they’ve joined our team and raised the bar for those students. These athletes and coaches have set high expectations for themselves in and out of the classroom and we’ve been able to take multiple athletic programs to the next level because of that.”

SOFTBALL After falling to Poyen in the first round of the Class 2A state tournament a year ago, the Bulldogs made it a mission to redeem themselves in 2018.

“Our hashtag this year was #OneTeamOneDream,” said Quitman Softball Head Coach Stephanie Davis. “It helped our players buy into our one-team philosophy. It’s hard to coach a girl’s sport and not have any kind of drama, but they really didn’t have any. I really think that’s what put them over the edge this year.”

“One of the biggest challenges our softball program has is preparing and practicing for games after school hours,” Stacks said. “Because we don’t designate a class period to practice softball, the girls have to come in before school and stay late afterward to practice. We also don’t have a field on our campus.

We have to get on the bus and travel to use the city fields. That’s a huge obstacle for us that most schools don’t have to face.”

Following an impressive 23-5 campaign, including an undefeated conference run, the Lady Bulldogs found themselves with the opportunity for revenge against Poyen in the Class 2A championship game.

“We came out strong with big bats — hitting a three-run home run early,” Davis said. “Before we could blink, however, we had a rough inning and gave up three runs to tie the game. After that inning, we huddled up as a team and told ourselves it was a new ballgame.”

A well-timed pep talk allowed the Lady Bulldogs to regain their rhythm.

“We came out of that huddle and scored three more runs,” Davis said. “From there, it was a pitching battle. Both pitchers threw well and when Poyen scored, we matched it every time. And then it was over.”

60 | 501 LIFE September 2018

The Quitman High School Lady Bulldogs lift the state championship trophy after defeating Poyen in the final game.

“

It’s hard to put into words how significant our success is to our school district and our student athletes and coaches.

Over the past three years, we’ve worked hard to raise expectations academically and through our athletic programs.

”

Quitman Athletic Director Michael Stacks Mission accomplished. On the biggest stage in softball, Quitman defeated Poyen, 7-4, capturing its first softball state championship in school history.

“Next to getting married and having children, that was one of the best days of my life,” Davis said. “My phone went dead that day from all the congratulatory texts and calls. We went to eat afterwards. There was a couple who bought our players’ dinners. There was a lot of screaming, crying and pictures. It’ll be a day that I’ll never forget.”

The future is bright for the softball program, which returns most of its championship core in 2019.

“We lost only two seniors to graduation,” Davis said. “There’s also a couple of girls who will be coming in as freshmen who are really good ballplayers.

We should have a good chance to make a deep run again next year.”

CROSS COUNTRY After capturing the Class 2A Cross Country crown in 2017, head coach Tim Hooten and the Quitman Lady Bulldogs knew that repeating as state champions wouldn’t be easy, but it was a challenge they were willing to accept.

“When it comes to cross country, each day is a challenge in itself,” Hooten said. “Every day, you have to motivate yourself. It’s not what you do when you feel good, it’s what you do when you don’t feel good. If you want to be a champion, you have to get up and go to work.”

When faced with adversity this season, the Lady Bulldogs found a new way to overcome the obstacles in their way.

“Throughout the year, we had a lot of slow times in our meets,” Hooten said. “All around the state, it seemed that other teams were faster than us. Our focus became running together — running in a pack and staying together on the course as much as possible.”

Hooten’s philosophy worked. At the Class 2A state championship meet at Oaklawn Park in Hot

The state champion Quitman Softball Team: Coach Halisha Stacy (front, from left), Marley Johnson, Emily Williams, Autumn Johnson, Gracie Smith, Carsyn Broadaway, Trinaty Ellington; Kassie Rhodes (back), Alyssa Harrison, Laney Goff, Aspen Johnson, Lillie Webb, Josey Bradley, EmaSue Thompson, Coach Stephanie Davis and Coach Steve Lasley.

The state champion Quitman High School Cross Country Team was “Loving LIFE”: Lillie Webb (front, from left), Halle Bennett, Erin Stephens, Rieley Hooten, Autumn Johnson, Emily Williams, Haley Trawick; Coach Tim Hooten (back), Lilly Holland, Lucy Holland, Kassie Rhodes, Nikki Hooten, Carsyn Rackley and Coach Stephanie Davis.

Springs, the Lady Bulldogs proved that there’s strength in numbers, and it paid off for them in a big way.

“Watching our girls go into the final turn, all I could see were their yellow jerseys,” Hooten said. “Seeing three of our girls in the top 10, I knew that we were set. After we won it all, I honestly think the girls were too tired to celebrate.

They all ran their fastest times of the year during that meet and they left everything on the course that day. As we were leaving Oaklawn, the girls decided to take a photo together inside the horse chute. It was a really cool way for them to commemorate the win.”

With back-to-back titles in hand, Hooten and the Bulldogs will be hard at work as they challenge for the three-peat this school year.

“We only lost one athlete to graduation,” Hooten said. “We move up a freshman who could easily be our best runner. We’re confident and we’re looking good. We’re excited for the chance to win our third-straight cross-country championship.”

No matter which sports his athletes play, Hooten believes that the benefits of running cross country are too great to pass up.

“At Quitman, we encourage all our athletes to run cross country,” Hooten said. “Running is an integral part of every sport. Our philosophy at Quitman is to be an athlete first. We don’t believe in focusing on individual sports — we believe that they should do them all.”

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SPORTS

Greenbrier captures softball crown

The Greenbrier Lady Panthers celebrate a state championship win after defeating Farmington, 3-2. (Nikki Coats photo)

by Mark Oliver

After eight years of close calls, near misses and what ifs, Greenbrier is back on top of the softball world.

Led by two strong seniors and a familyfocused core of young talent, the Lady Panthers (29-6) skated past Farmington, 3-2, to reclaim the Class 5A softball state championship in May. “Getting the monkey off our back was great,” said Greenbrier coach Brian Butler. “Since winning it all in 2010, we’ve made it close, but never could quite get there until now. It’s extremely hard to win the whole thing. You have to be good, but you also have to be lucky. Most coaches believe that you have to have a lucky game somewhere in the state tournament where it’s close, but you come out on top. Our luck game happened to be the state championship game.”

Entering as underdogs, Greenbrier rose to the challenge against a familiar foe in Farmington.

“Farmington is a phenomenal team with a great program,” Butler said. “As one of our conference opponents, we were familiar with their style of play and we knew that our hands would be full.

They beat us handily in the second round of the district tournament and it was a wake-up call for our girls. In the title game, we trailed early, but were able to tie it up, 1-1, in the fourth inning. In 62 | 501 LIFE September 2018

The Greenbrier High School Softball Team was Loving LIFE and celebrating its recent championships for the 2018 season. The team posted a 29-6 season overall record and was the 5A West Conference champs with a 14-0 conference record. Team members included McKenzie Shannon (front, from left), JoJo Riggin, Brooke Butler, Dyanah Rippeto, Haleigh Wilson, Lillee Mahan, Kylie Griffin, Riley Myatt, Madi Spears, Jaylee Engelkes, Peyton Greiner; Alisa Hankins (middle), Kaleigh Spencer, Carley McCuan, Carlie Reynolds, Natalie Burns, Cassidy Lear, Shelby Coats, Ally Loter, Kailey Hamilton, Makayla Seyller; Assistant Coach Jaclyn Langston (back), Head Coach Brian Butler and Assistant Coach Bailey Reed. (Donna Spears photo)

“

It’s extremely hard to win the whole thing. You have to be good, but you also have to be lucky. Most coaches believe that you have to have a lucky game somewhere in the state tournament where it’s close, but you come out on top. Our luck game happened to be the state championship game.

”

Greenbrier coach Brian Butler the sixth inning, we found two more runs and it proved to be just enough for us to hang on and bring the trophy home.”

While a scheduling conflict prevented the Lady Panthers from playing the title game at legendary Bogle Park in Fayetteville, Butler says the last-minute venue change was a blessing in disguise.

“Moving the game from Fayetteville to Benton was huge for us,” Butler said. “It took Farmington out of their own backyard and allowed more of our fans to attend. Because it wasn’t as far of a trip for us, our fans outnumbered theirs, four to one.”

For Butler and the Lady Panthers, the championship win was the perfect reward for his team, who matured greatly as the year went on.

“Our focus this year was FAMILY—which is an acronym for ‘Forget About Me, I Love You,’” Butler said. “At the beginning of the season, our two seniors did a lot of team building activities to keep the girls together and it really paved the way for our success this season. We lost games that we shouldn’t have lost and we got slapped in the face a few times, but our girls always bounced back from it with their great team chemistry. They practiced hard and put in all the time they needed to be champions. They came together and that’s all on them.”

According to Butler, the team’s defining moment came while playing in a higher-classification tournament earlier this year — giving the team the confidence it needed to finish its season strong.

“In early March, we traveled to Benton to play in a tournament,” Butler said. “We won two or three games there against some bigger schools and it showed us that we had what it took to beat some really good teams. At that point, the girls started believing that they had what it took to make a run for the state championship.”

Graduated pitcher Jaylee Engelkes signed with the University of Central Arkansas in November.

Despite her departure, as well as teammate Natalie Burns, however, the future looks bright for Greenbrier to make another run in 2019.

“Since 2010, we’ve been very fortunate at Greenbrier to have quality players come in,” Butler said. “Losing Jaylee in the circle is going to be tough, but Shelby Coats and Madeline Garrett will do a great job filling her shoes. In terms of scoring, hitting and defense, most of the team is coming back. With a little luck, we’ll be back in the middle of it again.”

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September 2018 501lifemag.com | 63

SPORTS

Members of the Sonshine Academy’s Tumbling and Trampoline team were “Loving LIFE.”

Trampoline and tumbling team members qualify for nationals

by Mark Oliver

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64 | 501 LIFE September 2018

Four local athletes had an opportunity of a lifetime — competing on their sport’s highest stage in the nation.

Four members of Sonshine Academy’s Tumbling and Trampoline team — Caleb Aich, Georgeanna Gray, Joshua Hicks and Cade Robinson — recently qualified for the USA Gymnastics Championships in Greensboro, N.C., where they put their skills to the test against the top trampoline and tumbling athletes in the nation.

“This year has been a big year of growth for us — both for our athletes and our skills,” said head coach Jordan Bell. “We held the state championships under our roof and, during that competition, four of our athletes in the eight-through-elite level qualified for the national meet. They came in and bulldogged their way through the competition.”

With the national meet on the horizon, Sonshine Academy amped up its training regimen. While practice did not change much, it was more strenuous.

Results from the national meet: Caleb Aich - Level 9, seventh in tumbling Georgeanna Gray - Level 9, sixth on trampoline Josh Hicks - Level Open Elite, ninth in tumbling Cade Robinson - Level 9, sixth on double mini trampoline According to Bell, the program has come a long way since its inception.

“We started our tumbling and trampoline team about six years ago on a whim,” Bell said. “We had seen it done before, but it wasn’t very popular in Arkansas.

We thought it was something that we could be competitive at and grow within the community, so we decided to take advantage of the opportunity.”

During meets, athletes endure many events including trampoline, double mini trampoline and tumbling.

“Most of our kids who have come in have either come for cheerleading or gymnastics,” Bell said.

“They’ve kind of found a niche with trampoline.” Out of the four athletes who competed in nationals, three are level nine and one has reached the elite level.

Six other athletes from Sonshine Academy’s fivethrough-seven level qualified for their respective national meet in Reno, Nev.: Aubrie Aich, Aiden Bird, Jamarion Faulkner, Kaeden Ingram, Jacey Swindell and Grazyn Ziegler.

“We got really lucky with our kids this year,” Bell said. “Most of them are fearless and ready to push themselves to the next level. Their drive is something that I can applaud them on. When it comes to coaching that, it’s the most fun thing in the world for us. When they set goals, they work their tails off to reach them.”

According to Bell, Sonshine Academy is always looking for new athletes for its program.

“At Sonshine Academy, we offer recreational trampoline classes,” Bell said. “If someone walks in and wants to try a trampoline class, we always offer a free trial for the first class. With all the recreational programs we have, it’s easy for us to identify a potential talent. If they progress to a competitive team level, then we’ll try to recruit them to the team.”

“The trampoline and tumbling program at Sonshine Academy is great,” said parent Mary Robinson.

“It’s a tight-knit community and a fun group to be a part of. They take great care of the kids there. My oldest son wants to work there when he gets older. It’s something to be proud of.”

The finisher medal for the Soaring Wings Half Marathon (left) and the 10K. TLC Pediatrics is the sponsor for the half marathon and the Kids Run for Kids. The 10K sponsor is Incite Rehab and Reliance, which is also the sponsor for the Family Fun Zone after the race.

Soaring Wings reveals medals, 2018 sponsors Organizers are gearing up for the 11th Annual Soaring Wings Half Marathon & 10K with the announcement of corporate sponsors and the unveiling of this year’s medals.

The event – which will be held in Conway on Saturday, Oct. 20 – benefits Soaring Wings Ranch, a Christian organization that has two homes for girls and one for boys and an infant and toddler home.

Marla Watson and Amanda Castillo serve as co-race directors.

TLC Pediatrics is the half marathon sponsor as well as the sponsor for Kids Run for Kids.

The 10K sponsor is Incite Rehab and Reliance, which is also the sponsor for the Family Fun Zone after the race.

The Official Race Nutrition and Pacer Sponsor is The Sporty Runner. Other sponsors include: The PI Company, Conway Women’s Health Center, BancorpSouth, First Security Bank and Centennial Bank. 501 LIFE is the official media sponsor.

The Soaring Wings training program, which recently got under way, meets at 6 a.m. every Saturday in the south parking lot at Conway Regional Health & Fitness Center (700 Salem Road). Online registration has closed, but participants may sign a waiver and run/walk with the group. A training schedule is available at swhalf.com/training-info/.

Participants who register before Sunday, Sept 2, can save $10 on the half or $5 on the 10K. For more information and to register, visit swmarathon.com.

September 2018 501lifemag.com | 65

TRAVEL

County fair time in the 501 Story and photos

by Linda Henderson

How did it get to be September so fast? It seems like the summer just arrived. School has started and kids are getting their first homework assignments. It will not be long until days become a little shorter. Now sunsets will come a little earlier and fall breezes will start blowing in from the north and it is time for county fairs to begin in the 501.

Soon across the 501, county fairgrounds will open their gates.

The practice of yearly exhibiting the equipment, animals, sports and recreation associated with agriculture and animal husbandry has taken place for many years in cities and small towns across America.

Even though many living in the 501 no longer participate in farming, county fairs are still a part of our history and heritage.

66 | 501 LIFE September 2018

County fairs are a place where people of all ethnic groups can gather to gawk at cows, steers, chickens, turkeys, sheep, pigs, rabbits, lambs, goats and donkeys and eat virtually anything on a stick.

FAIR FOOD In my opinion, there are four reasons to gather up the family and head for the county fairgrounds. The first reason is the food. Fair food only comes once a year so not too much damage will be done to your cardiac arteries. Food stalls and trailers are numerous at the local county fair. The selection can be from classic to the outright strange. Corn dogs, a perfect walk-around food, are likely the most consumed fair food – a frankfurter on a stick dipped into a sweet cornmeal batter and fried to a golden perfection.

Another not so easy to eat treat is a funnel cake. Funnel cakes are spiral sweet dough fired and topped with sticky powdered sugar. Favored by children of all ages, cotton candy is a spun flavored hot sugar on a stick that can be found in many fair stands. It is nothing but pure delight, light as air, magical fluffy empty calories.

One of my personal favorites is the candy apple found along the midway. It does have some redeeming qualities such as it’s a fruit and it is not fried, but it is covered with a hard candy glaze or topped with a golden sticky caramel. Then there are the assortments of deep-fried stuff…pickles, Twinkies, Oreos, ice cream, burgers, chocolatecovered bacon, cheese Linda at the Faulkner County Fair and chicken. Most of the in 1977. deep-fried fare is on a stick so plates or utensils are not required.

MIDWAY The second reason to attend the fair is the midway. Even if you are not keen on the heart-pounding, scream-inducing carnival rides, the midway is a fun place to sit back and do a little people watching. I love seeing families creating memories for their children on the kiddie rides and young couples riding spinning rides together on their first date. The colors found in the carnival games booths and sound of carnies pushing their games is a part of the yearly fair experience.

ANIMALS The third reason to attend the fair is the quality farm animals raised by 4-H and Future Farmers of America members.

Walking though the barns you see the young farmers tending and caring for their animals. You get to enjoy the result of their hard work. Not only have they worked for sometimes years breeding a quality animal, they have spent hours feeding, cleaning and training their animals.

EXHIBITS The fourth reason to attend the fair is the exhibits. Where else can you find displays of quality crafts, food preparations, textiles, home accessories and art produced by all different age groups displayed and awarded with ribbons and acknowledgements?

For all these reasons and many more, I love a county fair.

Once a year, we get to attend an assembly of carnival rides and livestock, and eat way too much fried food. A fair can be noisy, dusty and crowded. But, it is a fall ritual, a celebration of our past and an acknowledgement of the accomplishment of our young farmers. So pile the family into the car and head out to enjoy a distinctive American tradition – the county fair.

September 2018 501lifemag.com | 67

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Ashley Younger and Lola take a break in the CARE headquarters gift shop. The nonprofit rescues nearly 200 animals per year and actively promotes affordable pet sterilization.

CARE for Animals mascot lends a paw to help others With Shelter’s great rates and personal service, you can sit back and enjoy the ride!

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68 | 501 LIFE September 2018

Story and photos

by Dwain Hebda

While it’s not exactly a drama worthy of the high-powered legal field she once worked, CARE for Animals Executive Director Ashley Younger does find herself locked daily in a power struggle for the heart of the Little Rock-based rescue.

The antagonist? None other than Lola DriverYounger, Younger’s schnauzer-hound mix, constant companion and resident diva at the CARE (Central Arkansas Rescue Effort for Animals) headquarters in The Heights.

“There is a plus side to my dog being spoiled rotten – she is very happy, very self-assured and confident,” laughs Younger. “So if I have a (foster) dog that really doesn’t know how to be a dog, doesn’t know how to play with toys, is afraid of everything, I think Lola can lead by example.

She shows them that the world isn’t such a scary place.”

Lola wags her tail in agreement with her owner’s assessment, occupying a cozy nest in Younger’s office after schmoozing up the staff and visitors. She’s also been known to charm audiences on local TV while Younger beats the drum for the mission of the 20-year-old organization.

“Lola thinks she was just born the executive dog of a non-profit,” Younger said. “I like to say that she is the mascot. I use her a lot on social media. I’m a total pageant mom; she’s used to having her picture taken, she smiles, she poses. She’ll do anything I ask of her.”

As head of CARE, the Texas-born Younger leads a paid staff of two and a cadre of local volunteers to rescue dogs and cats from euthanizing shelters, who were found as strays or plucked from abhorrent conditions with private owners.

For more information on CARE, call 501.603.2273 or visit careforanimals.org.

“When CARE was created there was a very clear vision,” Younger said. “And not to say that that vision over time hasn’t changed, but there is a very clear mission statement. CARE’s mission is to rescue and re-home cats and dogs facing euthanasia in shelters and to provide low-cost sterilization services.”

CARE for Animals was founded in 1998 by four committed volunteers and has grown into one of the most recognizable 501(c)(3) organizations in Central Arkansas. The organization doesn’t operate a shelter per se, but instead places homeless pets with volunteers who foster the animals until they can find a permanent, loving home. CARE fosters and places nearly 200 animals per year and more than 12,000 over its history.

The group promotes its mission online and through public meet-and-greets with adoptable pets and pays for its activities through donations and several fundraisers including Paws at the Net and Paws on the Runway. Since 2011, it has also partnered with the Paws in Prison program that matches homeless dogs with inmates who provide obedience training.

Equally important is CARE’s work to provide low-cost pet sterilization through a statewide partnership with vet clinics.

“We focus a lot on the rescue effort of CARE and I think the low-cost spay/neuter aspect is just as important,” Younger said. “Unfortunately, in my lifetime, I don’t think we’ll see shelters emptied. What I think we can see is a reduction in the number of animals that end up in shelters in the first place and the only way we will do that is through responsible pet ownership.”

“CARE has always been very focused on how do we make spay/neuter affordable and accessible to the community and how do we promote this throughout Arkansas.”

Younger has been involved with the organization

CARE employee Brittany Wood spends a little quality time with Zinger, one of the dogs awaiting adoption. for eight years, taking over as executive director in 2015. The University of Arkansas grad was well on her way to a successful law career with the prestigious Little Rock firm Mitchell Williams but saw a role with CARE as something she was born to do.

“I grew up with all kinds of animals – hedgehogs, guinea pigs, hamsters, hermit crabs. You name it, I liked them all,” she said. “When I graduated from law school, I moved to Little Rock and I lived nearby. We would see people sitting outside (CARE headquarters) on Saturdays with the dogs. I remember stopping and asking, ‘What is this place?’ When they said it was an animal rescue, I got really excited.”

Younger began volunteering and quickly worked her way into areas of more responsibility, including chairing Paws on the Runway in 2014.

More importantly, she practices what CARE

preaches; she and her husband, Ryan, rescued Lola from the Gentry Animal Shelter early in her law school days.

Today, Lola’s many responsibilities also include as unofficial therapy dog for her two-legged office minions.

“Sometimes these phones just ring off the hook. It will make you crazy,” Younger said of the work environment. “You feel like you’ve got a phone in both hands and you hang up and you have 10 voicemails on both lines. I think Lola helps keep me grounded. If I am about to pull all my hair out, there’s something to be said for petting your dog.”

“That’s why we allow employees to bring their own dogs to work, too. It helps us work smarter and work better and it makes CARE a better place.”

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September 2018 501lifemag.com | 69

NEIGHBORS person of the month

Faye Shepherd

CITY: Conway.

WORK: Juvenile justice specialist at the Administrative Office of the Courts. I will be traveling throughout the state, trying to start assessments Faulkner County has been using (reducing recidivism) and working to help juvenile courts create programs for court-involved kids.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: Member of Conway Morning Rotary (past president), League of Women Voters Conway, Arkansas Juvenile Officers Association, University of Central Arkansas Service Learning Committee and Supreme Court Unlicensed Practice of Law Committee.

CHURCH ACTIVITIES: First United Methodist Church/ Conway; church and society committee and a church lay leader.

FAMILY: Husband, Gordon Shepherd; daughter, Jodi Whitehurst; son, Jay Harris; and five grandchildren ranging in age from 10 months to 20 years.

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree from State College of Arkansas (now UCA) and work toward a master’s at UCA; other degrees and certificates from UALR and ASU. FAVORITE BOOK: “The Nightingale” by Kristin

Hannah.

MOST CHERISHED POSSESSION: Poetry written by

my husband and anything handwritten from my kids or grandkids.

MOST ENJOYED WEEKEND ACTIVITY: Toss up -

kayaking on Beaverfork Lake or walking the Tucker Creek Trail.

NO. 1 VACATION SPOT: If it has sun, sand and surf,

it’s a favorite!

FAVORITE PLACE IN ARKANSAS: Eureka Springs, particularly in the fall.

Before joining the Administrative Office of the Courts in a newly created position of juvenile justice specialist, Faye Shepherd was the chief of staff for the Faulkner County Juvenile Court. “If you get the chance to smile at someone or offer them encouragement or friendship, do it. It is sometimes the only thing they are hanging on to,” said Shepherd. (Mike Kemp photo)

70 | 501 LIFE September 2018

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT LIVING IN THE 501:

Hands down, the people. There is no place on earth that is more welcoming and affirming. I love the feel of PLACE that is woven into all our stories.

Celebrating Our #1 In addition to being the only hospital in Conway that uses state-of-theart 3D mammography, Conway Regional was named #1 in the State for Medical Excellence in Women’s Health* in 2018. While we’re proud of our awards, our team is driven by something more: you.

One Team. One Promise.

Our #1 priority is and will always be you, the patient, and that’s the #1 worth celebrating.

*CareChex® — an information service of Quantros, Inc.

#1 in the State for Medical Excellence in Women’s Health

PLANNING RETIREMENT O N Your T E R M S .

Our financial professionals can help you protect and manage assets now, so you can enjoy security later. It’s your retirement – spend it well. What’s your better? Get there with us.

Member FDIC

Investment products offered are: Not a deposit, not FDIC insured, may lose value, not guaranteed by the bank, not insured by any federal government agency.