ABOUT | July 2018 by ABOUT the River Valley Magazine

Totally Awesome

THE RIVER VALLEY

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley JULY 2018 â&#x20AC;¢ www.aboutrvmag.com

BACK TO SCHOOL Monday, August 13

Back to School Events

Schedule pick-up (6-12) RMS Aug 2nd: 4-7 PM Aug 3rd: 9 AM-3 PM RJHS Aug 2nd: 8 AM-3:30 PM; 5:30-7:30 PM Aug 3rd: 8 AM-3:30 PM RHS Aug 1st: 11:30 AM-3:30 PM (Seniors) Aug 2nd: 11:30 AM-3:30 PM (Juniors) Aug 3rd: 8:30 AM-3:30 PM (Sophomores)

Classroom Assignments: August 9th Elementary Schools (K-4): 1 PM UE5G 4-6 PM

Open House: August 9th Elementary Schools (K-5): 4-6 PM Secondary Schools (6-12): 6-8 PM RHS Sophomore Orientation: 5 PM

Registration Information: Students who attended Russellville School District last year are preregistered. All students new to the district should register at the school in their zone beginning July 23 for grades K-4 and August 1 for grades 5-12. For more information about the registration process, visit the RSD website at www.russellvilleschools.net

To register, students should bring: • • • •

Birth Certificate Social Security Card Immunization Records Medicaid Card (if applicable)

July 2018

TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

8 Life moves pretty fast

Life does indeed move pretty fast. Seems like just yesterday we were cruising Russellville. The route was McD’s on 7 to 4th street over and over and over.

18 No smoke, no fire, no flush handle 26 Open up your mouth and feed it

It’s Friday night and Dad just got paid in 1980-something. I’m in Russellville with Mom, Sister (who was a Christian, as we all were), and a few cousins. Just kids in a small town out for pizza.

34 Rock of Ages

8 26

Hidden away in damp sandstone caves, shelters, and rock faces are mysterious images created by ancient artists. Although their existence is threatened by time, erosion, and vandalism, these images connect us to the past. They’ve been discovered worldwide and several are found here in the Arkansas River Valley.

42 Gardening through the decades 44 The more things change, the more

they stay the same

JOHNSON REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

Subscribe Today! Have every issue of ABOUT...the River Valley delivered to you monthly! Subscribe online today at www.aboutrvmag.com or send a $20 check for a One-Year Subscription (11 Issues) to ABOUT Magazine 220 East 4th Street Russellville, AR 72801 Call 479.219.5031 for more information.

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ JULY 2018

ABOUT THIS MONTH’S COVER By Liz Chrisman

“Special thanks to the Skate Station in Russellville for opening their doors up for our cover shoot this month. Featured in authentic 80s styling, from left to right: Liz Underwood, Eric Smith, Summer Christy-Thomas, Talon Christy-Thomas, Corey Simpson and Tera Simpson.”

Caring for

You, Service to All! Rose Drug is your local, community pharmacy. We're a hometown family working to give you personal service and value-added benefits, with a real commitment to giving back to our local community. We like to think of it as having a big heart for the communities we serve. We are your neighbors, your friends, and your healthcare partner. Which is why we say,

"Caring for You, Service to All!” Mike Smith, Owner of Rose Drug

Here’s just a few of the ways Rose Drug serves it’s community and customers... Providing a gift shop with the perfect gift for every occasion

Sync your monthly medications to avoid multiple trips to the pharmacy

Offering delivery of your prescription to your home or place of work

Convenient drive-thru and CURB-side service for all our customers

Longtime neighbors, your friends, and your healthcare partners

Rose Drug has been in Russellville for almost 50 years and wants to be YOUR choice as your local, neighborhood pharmacy. (479) 968-1323 ~ www.rosedrug.com ~ 3103 WEST MAIN PLACE, RUSSELLVILLE AR JULY 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

EDITOR’S LETTER

It was a gnarly time

he idea to do a retro issue began with ABOUT’s illustrator/cartoonist Cliff Thomas. It wasn’t his idea, but his cool-guy aura and always entertaining teenage tales sparked it. So we asked Cliff if we could capitalize on his qualities and also those of his ridiculously appealing family members — wife Tracy, daughter Summer, and son-in-law Talon — for some photos. Thankfully, they agreed and we decided to build an issue (more or less) around this idea of nostalgia that would be most relatable to Generation X since nearly everyone at ABOUT is part of that generation. Members of The Greatest Generation and Baby Boomers will undoubtedly have a different take on the decade. Millennials will have only Polaroid childhood memories. And it’s all ancient history to Generation Z. In addition to photography capturing some 80s era River Valley activities we all likely participated in even while complaining there was nothing to do around here, we’ve also published some personal anecdotes from fellow Gen Xers and, I think, one Boomer who remembers us all as “kids.” As you’ve likely guessed, the stories are diverse. Though there are universally iconic symbols for those particularly cheesy years — killer mullets, Miami Vice, acid-wash anything, Members Only jackets

— the personal memories are varied. As for me, 80s summers bring to mind old Chevy trucks rumbling down the streets; late night tennis matches with fellow maniacally competitive friends at Atkins and Old Post Park; stocking, sweeping the parking lot, and the dreaded facing of the shelves at Atkins IGA; covering every Alabama song ever recorded in a garage band; fishing in the Lucky Landing Bass Club; and, of course, a killer mullet. But for those of us who came of age in the 80s I think that sense of standing on the threshold of latent potential is the most powerful feeling we want to regain. We were young and untested, still clinging to the securities of home with Mom and Dad while dipping a toe into the great unknown of adulthood. Anything was possible back then. We had few worries and our whole lives ahead of us. Those were the days… So take a trip down memory lane with us this July. From tales of younger days, to finding the best example of our favorite 80s food for this month’s Valley Vittles, and even our book review, it’s a chance to look back and think about what made the decade so totally awesome. Even though it’s mostly because we were all 30 years younger. – Johnny Carrol Sain

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley since 2006 A Publication of One14 Productions, Inc Vol. XIII, Issue 6 – July 2018

DIANNE EDWARDS | founding editor JOHNNY CARROL SAIN | managing editor johnny@aboutrvmag.com LIZ CHRISMAN | photography editor lizchrismanphoto@gmail.com BENITA DREW | advertising benita@aboutrvmag.com CHRISTINE SAIN | advertising christine@aboutrvmag.com MEREDITH MARTIN-MOATS | freelance meredith@aboutrvmag.com JILL MCSHEEHY | freelance jill@aboutrvmag.com SARAH CLOWER | freelance sarah@aboutrvmag.com LYDIA ZIMMERMAN | columnist lydia@aboutrvmag.com CHRIS ZIMMERMAN | layout/design chris@aboutrvmag.com CLIFF THOMAS | illustrator maddsigntist@aboutrvmag.com

ABOUT… the River Valley is locally owned and published for distribution by direct mail and targeted delivery to those interested in the Arkansas River Valley. Material contained in this issue may not be copied or reproduced without written consent. Inquiries may be made by calling (479) 219-5031. Office: 220 East 4th Street Email: info@aboutrvmag.com Postmaster: Please send address changes to: One14 Productions 220 East 4th Street Russellville, AR 72801

Benita DREW

adver t isi ng

(479) 858-9272

Christine SAIN

adve r t i si n g

( 4 7 9 ) 970-1998

Liz

CHRISMAN

phot og r a phe r

(479) 219-5031

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ JULY 2018

Chris

ZIMMERMAN

l ayo u t/ d e s ig n

(479) 264- 2438

Cliff

THOMAS

il l u s tr a to r

www.aboutrvmag.com

COMMUNITY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

July 2018 3rd — River Valley Writers Group at the Russellville Public Library Heritage Hall from 5:30-6:30 p.m. RVW is a group of local writers seeking to help one another improve their craft. They meet every Tuesday to share, support, and critique work. RVW welcomes writers of all genres. For more info contact at Facebook.com/ RiverValleyWritersGroup

3rd — Fireworks in the Valley at Mt Magazine State Park from 9:15-10 p.m. Pyrotechnic displays will be conducted in Paris and many valley locations surrounding Mount Magazine. The best place from which to watch them is Cameron Bluff Overlook Drive. Fireworks are not permitted in the state park, or the national forest. Admission is free. For more info contact 963-8502.

4th

— Happy Independence Day! Fireworks at Old Post Park starts at 9:30 p.m. For more info contact 968-2530.

4th — In-Seine Adventure Lake Dardanelle State Park from 3-4 p.m. What lives in the lake besides fish and turtles? Seine for macro-invertebrates and see who is living in the lake. Come prepared to get wet and wear water shoes. For more info contact 967-5516. 4th — July 4th Fun and Games Day from

Find up-to-date information and future events @

www.aboutrvmag.com/events 8 a.m-5 p.m. at Petit Jean State Park. Join the park staff for an “old fashioned” celebration of our nation’s birthday. Fun, family-oriented games, contests and other activities are offered. Admission is free. For more info contact 501-727-5441.

FSB-004-75x325-print-ad-about-all.indd 2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

11th-13th — Arkansas Adventures Day

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Camp at Lake Dardanelle State Park. Discover the area’s rich history, culture, and the great outdoors. The camp is open to kids ages 8-12, $65 registration includes meals and supplies. Preregistration is required. For more info contact 967-5516.

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

19th-22nd — 77th Annual Johnson County Peach Festival in downtown Clarksville. One of the longest running festivals in the state of Arkansas. For more info contact the Peach Festival Committee at 7549152 or email jcpf38@yahoo.com 26th — 21st Annual Shrimp & Catfish Dinner to support the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Pope and Yell Counties at the Hughes Center from 5-7 p.m. All-you-can-eat peel & eat shrimp, fried catfish, chicken tenders, hushpuppies, fries, pickled tomatoes, sundae bar and more. Silent auction and raffle as well. Carry-out available with adult ticket purchase. Tickets at event: Adults — $20, 7-10 yrs old — $10, 6 and under — free. For more info contact 970-8800.

We make it personal. You make it sporty.

Feltner’s Athlete’s Corner owner Richard Payne, First State Bankers Chip Blanchard, President and Ragena Moore, Sr. VP

29 30 31 1 2 3 4 *Unless otherwise indicated, all area codes are 479. To have your event included in the ABOUT Calendar of Events, email: editor@aboutrvmag.com or fax to (479) 219-5031. Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding publication.

23rd-26th — Teen (13yrs. +) Art Camp with Art of the Valley (Formerly Paint with Lane)Teens. Camp fee is $95 for four days. Teens will take home a project every day and will also receive an Art of the Valley T-shirt. Snacks included every day. Projects will include: paper mache, hot air balloon, water color tree project, burlap canvas sewing project, and a custom block printing shirt project. Text 857-9559 or Art of the Valley Facebook Messenger to reserve your child’s seat. Directions:Located inside the Russellville City Mall inside on the left past Quizno’s.

Richard Payne and Feltner’s Athlete’s Corner have been outfitting athletes and near-athletes for decades. And First State Bank has been on their team, with the latest banking technology and services to make it easy for them and their customers. First State Bank makes it personal. Every transaction. Every interaction. Every customer. Every day.

(479) 498-2400 or (877) 498-2400

JULY 2018

5/3/18 6:34 PM ~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY 7

LIFE MOVES Cruising

Life does indeed move pretty fast. Seems like just yesterday we were cruising Russellville. The route was McD’s on 7 to 4th street over and over and over. If your ride had more than a few ponies under the hood, or even if you just thought it did, racking the pipes and and a few barked tires were bound to happen . Or maybe sonic power was your thing with eardrum-splintering hair band guitars and window shaking booms from the subs. But didn’t we all really want to be Ferris Bueller, driving an expensive red convertible import we could never afford and endowed with an unshakeable coolness? – JC Sain

Story compiled by JOHNNY CARROL SAIN Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ JULY 2018

PRETTY FAST

Courtesy of Georganne Rollans JULY JULY 2018 2018

~ ~ ABOUT ABOUT the the RIVER RIVER VALLEY VALLEY

9 9

LESA WOLFE-CROWELL They say the events surrounding your life at the age of fourteen defines who you become later in life. I don’t think this is actually provable, but in the summer of 1983, I was fourteen and my life at the time was defined by music, softball, sleepovers, and the Saturday night pilgrimage to a place called Shotgun Sam’s. 1983 was a huge year. Come on, we got the Chicken McNuggets and the second British invasion! MTV was in full swing. Duran Duran and the Police were hanging on my bedroom wall. Music was visual. It allowed us, in this sheltered valley to see the rest of the world. It brought these powerful women, Cyndi, Madonna, Annie Lennox, and Joan Jett into my life and showed me what girl power was before the #girlpower became a thing. Michael taught me how to Moonwalk and Prince taught me to party like it was 1999. And if the Rock Gods were not already showering me with blessings, they unleashed U2 to the world, a combination of punk and morality that gave me a global perspective to all that was happening outside this small enclave I called home. I can put on my 1983 Spotify playlist and immediately become transported to softball practice and our whole team squeezed into my dear friend Donna’s mother’s car driving (Hello permit and

SUSAN CHESSER I had a moped that traveled way faster and further than it was designed. It was a two seater, but somehow Aimee Frew, Neva Hart, and I managed to fit quite well on it. It went from the Dixon Hole, to their houses and anywhere we wanted to go. Sorry, no helmets. No sunscreen, either. I’m sure that will jump up to bite me now that I’m 50. Music was huge to me. I had vinyl albums and cassettes and listened over and over to Abba, Bread, Toto. I had a huge crush on the Russian dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov who was in White Nights with Gregory Hines. Movies were a big deal back then, yet i went to the Picwood three times to see Purple Rain. Loved Prince. Gardens were everywhere when I was a kid. One time my friend, Tammy Goates, now Sumners, and I ate an entire bushel of garden tomatoes with a big salt shaker. It was one of the highlights of my life. They were so good. I don’t think her grandma got mad. So, ultimately I felt fortunate to grow up in a small community with good people. We were all poor, but we didn’t know it. Of course, if someone wanted to pretend to be a hootie tootie, they could. But, ultimately we all had a good time.

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ JULY 2018

hardship license) from the old Dover ball field to Pirate’s Cove for Dr. Peppers and cherry Slush Puppies. I can see my friend Kelly and I dancing around our bedrooms listening to a highly crafted mix tape while we got ready for a trip to Shotgun Sam’s, that magical place where all the kids in the River Valley would meet up, hang out and car hop, cruising the streets of Russellville with music blaring and windows down. It was freedom. No cell phone check ins. No helicopter parents acting like your best friend. Our parents would drop us off and head to dinner at Cagle’s Mill with only a “you better be home by 11” threat hanging in the air.

SHOTGUN SAM’S, THAT MAGICAL PLACE WHERE ALL THE KIDS IN THE RIVER VALLEY WOULD MEET UP, HANG OUT AND CAR HOP, CRUISING THE STREETS OF RUSSELLVILLE WITH MUSIC BLARING AND WINDOWS DOWN. IT WAS FREEDOM.

So maybe it is true that we are defined by that age. All I know it was amazing and life was amazing and in this little place we all call home, in 1983, we were all cruising under the moonlight without a care in the world.

CHAD FREYALDENHOVEN Summertime was spent walking down South Inglewood collecting Coke bottles and turning them in for cash at Skyline IGA. We usually found enough to get a Coke and candy bar for the walk back. We also rode our bikes down 12th Street to Glenwood and then to Ball's Market for Now-And-Laters, Jolly Ranchers, and Pop Rocks. Camping with the guys was an every weekend event.

Tennis

– JC Sain

If one of my buddies ever wanted a piece of me on the tennis courts after work I was game. Under the glow of those bug-magnet lights we tried to pull off strategies used by the greats like McEnroe, Lendl, Becker, and even that pretty boy Agassi.

Like all teenage guys we were, of course, looking for girls, too. The most memorable encounter was while grabbing a prematch snack at Taco Villa. Trying to convince a couple Tech girls we were Australian and would be attending Tech next fall on tennis scholarships was the plan. They might have bought it if I could have stayed in character just a few minutes longer. But then what? Fake that terrible attempt at an accent on every date?

JULY 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

BENITA DREW I have a bit of sadness thinking about the things from my teenage years that my kids will never experience, but also a bit of relief. A cell phone might be wireless, but it tethers one to civilization on a constant basis. Even without, though, my Dad kept a close eye on his daughters. Somehow, if I was where I wasn’t supposed to be, Dad would know it before I ever made it home. His choice in my first vehicle must have been part of that plan. He could fix just about anything with a carburetor, and rebuilding a vehicle with him was just part of my education. I spent late nights in the shop working on my 1978 Lil’ Red Express, and many Saturdays detailing it to perfection. I wasn’t much for cruising the strip, but I did love being on the open road. Just me, five dollars, and my driver’s license in my pocket, windows rolled down, Aero-

KYLE WILLS Phoenix Avenue stopped at 3rd Street. There was a field where the middle school is today. Where Deer Run and Brookside subdivisions are today there was standing timber that went to 12th Street. There was an extensive set of bike trails and creeks through there. We spent a lot of summer time building forts and tree houses out there.

JEFF SWEEDEN Most of what I did growing up was fishing and hunting. I did do some running around, cruising Russellville and Atkins and the party thing, too. Rode my motorcycle a lot. Rode horses some, worked a lot with the cows and horses and hauled a lot of square hay bales. Rented a lot of VHS tapes, too.

smith or Alice Cooper blaring from cassette and the rumble of the 360 and smoke stacks. A lot of my teenage days were like a country song: my truck, my dog and me, but my playlist rocked, even before it was called a playlist. I spent a lot of summer evenings at the lock and dam in pick-up games, followed by a late-night/early morning trip to Taco Bell. Before seat belt laws, we could cram half a basketball team in a vehicle to go eat at Whattaburger or Vick’s Grocery before catching the bus on game nights. I look back and am thankful for my carefree youth. I am most thankful, however, that there was no cell phone. There was nothing to take my attention away from the moment, and best of all, nothing to record my mistakes!

Arcade

– JC Sain Everyone alive in the 80s remembers Shotgun Sam’s.Your parents dropped you off with a pocketful of coins while they went shopping and you found out just how fast $7 in quarters could drain away. The last half hour waiting on Mom and Dad was usually spent watching other kids play and tapping buttons in hopes someone walked away with a credit still on the machine.

Go back a few years before Shotgun Sam’s and you could find an arcade in the mall — Shipwreck. Dimly lit but with all the newest games hungry for your change, it was so convenient while Mom bought your school clothes at JCPenny. Who would’ve thought we wouldn’t have our next new arcade until 2018?

ANGELA DARE TILLEY I remember kids within a two mile radius of Bradley Lane Hill would wake up, maybe eat, and grab their bicycles. Then they’d be off on an adventure untill after sunset. The rounds would include grabbing candy at EZ Mart (now the Dollar Tree across from Kroger) and stops at every friend’s house in the neighborhood. Long stops were made at friend’s houses with pools. The yards would have 30-plus bicycles in the front. It was a time when all were included in the adventures. To ease the bicycle routes, the guys created “The Trail” behind the Woker home to connect us. That trail became the path for kids riding their bikes to school at Dwight. I can’t tell you what TV shows were popular 12

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ JULY 2018

during the day because LONG STOPS WERE MADE our entire summer was AT FRIEND’S HOUSES WITH spent outside: swimPOOLS. THE YARDS WOULD ming and riding bikes. Also, The boys weren’t HAVE 30+ BICYCLES IN allowed to swim on THE FRONT. IT WAS A TIME baseball game days. WHEN ALL WERE INCLUDThose were the most ED IN THE ADVENTURES. boring days of summer. On really hot days we spent a lot of time walking the aisles of TG&Y to stay cool.

The Garage Arcade | 303 W C St | Russellville, Arkansas 72801 JULY 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

JAMI MULLEN The majority of my summer memories center around Hickey Park. My mother would drop my girlfriends and me off at Hickey pool at 11 when they opened and we would stay all afternoon. It was always packed and we loved it. There were no shade canopies like they have now. I guess we just fried all day in the sun. Then we would be at the ball fields at night. My dad coached my brother’s baseball teams all the way up until he reached Legion. There was great competition and rivalry between the teams. It seemed like the whole town would be out there at night. All of the kids would play cup ball between the fields as the games were played. We would be filthy by the time we went home. As I got older, it was the place to chase boys and hang out. I actually met my husband at the baseball park. I also spent a lot of my summer playing in the creek behind my house with my brother and the neighborhood kids. We picked wild blackberries and caught crawdads. If we didn’t have a ball game we would ride bikes, skate, climb trees, and play outside at night. My elderly neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. TC Faulkner would sit out

MARGIE SMITH Seems just yesterday the neighborhood children would congregate at the Parker home to play street hockey in their driveway. Kalie and Atalie Knight, Jodie Parker, the Simcox grandson, Jordan and Jay Lieblong and Chris and Nathan Smith would play for hours. It was simpler and happier time I truly miss. Nothing scheduled, but they knew when to arrive. They are all grown and most of them with children of their own. Love them all.

in lawn chairs on their driveway at night and we would entertain them. It was a very different time. It was a great time to grow up. Other memories that were mentioned centered around Shotgun Sam’s. That was the place when I was in high school. It would be packed inside and out on the front porch area. The parking lot would be I ALSO SPENT A LOT OF MY full and we would SUMMER PLAYING IN THE even have to park at CREEK BEHIND MY HOUSE the mall. There was WITH MY BROTHER AND THE a lot of car hopping NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS. WE as some would play PICKED WILD BLACKBERRIES video games then we would go ride around AND CAUGHT CRAWDADS. town with a car loaded with kids and come back. That was also the place where we would meet kids from other towns. I remember Baskin Robbins was next door and Andy’s across the lot. It was a busy busy place and we loved it.

Roller Skating

– JC Sain

Some of the most terrifying words heard by 12-year-old me was “this will be a couple’s skate.”

After the adrenaline spike and as more confident dudes and gals chose their partners, I scooted and stumbled to the pinball machine. But the awkwardness didn’t end there. It carried over to the rink. I never gained the skill and coordination required to use the skate’s toe brake, so although I could work up some speed the only option for stopping was running into the wall. Which I did. Thankfully, a couple buddies thought slamming into concrete at 10 miles per hour was cool and my ineptitude and lack of game was concealed once more.

CHRISTIE GATLIN I met my husband B.J. Gatlin in at this rink in 1986. His parents owned it. B.J. was my first love. I was absolutely crazy about him. In 2003 we met back up with each other and have been together ever since. We were married October 2, 2005 and then we bought the Skate Station in January 2006.

RICHARD PAYNE Some quick memories of the 70s late and early 80s as a kid growing up in these times. I remember in the summer riding our bikes over to Bailey pond(now Wildflower area) and fishing all afternoon.

pool located where the art center is now by the Hughes Center and getting to go out to the lock and dam park to play on their fantastic play ground.

I also remember the treat of getting to go swimming at the city

Fun times!

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ JULY 2018

Skate Station | 102 E 2nd St | Russellville, AR 72801 JULY 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

CHRIS ZIMMERMAN Growing up in Russellville and the surrounding area in the 80’s, what is there to be said. We always complained there was nothing much to do, yet we always managed to find something. Often times for my friends and I, it involved water. From launching ourselves off the rocks at Long Pool to floating the bayou, swimming at the quarry (I likely shouldn’t say which one), to boating on Lake Dardanelle, or just fishing every puddle in between, that’s how we spent our summers. Water seemed to be the one element that we were always WHILE YOU NEVER HAD TO drawn to, and there’s GO FAR TO FIND SOME WATER, rarely been a shortage of that here in the Riv- YOU JUST HAD TO LOOK OUT THE BACK DOOR TO FIND er Valley.

A HOOP. AND A SELECT FEW

However, the activ- (WHOSE PARENTS LOVED ity that was the most THEM DEEPLY) HAD THE HOLY prevalent in my teenGRAIL OF THEM ALL — THE age life was basketGOAL ball. While you never ADJUSTABLE-HEIGHT had to go far to find WITH A BREAKAWAY RIM. some water, you just had to look out the back door to find a hoop. You’d find them on utility poles in the back yard (thanks Dad) or sometimes just nailed to a tree, on the side of the driveway or hanging above the garage door. And a select few (whose parents loved them deeply) had the holy grail of them all — the adjustable-height goal with a breakaway rim. It was hard to understand why all our parents didn’t invest in one of the most life-changing inventions of our young times, as we each saw ourselves as a

DANA JOHNSON HIGGINS I remember playing hours and hours of kickball in my neighborhood (Western Hills) until no more daylight to play. We had neighborhood variety shows and we charged our parents to come watch. Also, lots and lots of back handsprings from my yard through the Vitale’s front yard and lots of walks through the Big Red trail from Western Hills to get a malt at the Big Red. TG&Y was where Kroger is today on West Main. TG&Y grilled cheese sandwiches were so fabulous.

DWANE AHRENS As a young teenager in Russellville my fondest memory is working all day at the AP&L yard servicing the trucks and then washing them all down for the next week so we could earn some money from Dad to go cruising on 4th Street all nite and eat at the local Sonic. We had our 8-track tapes as loud as they would go. Good times 16

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ JULY 2018

young Michael Jordan, slamming our way to greatness. It was so much safer than jumping off buckets, wood blocks, wheel barrels, or our buddies back to slam dunk on a regulation height goal. As a parent today, I would have thought our safety should have been paramount to them… go figure. I’m sure you can find the same thing today anywhere you look, but they just seemed a bit more special back then. Growing up in Dover, we only had a couple public spots to play outside of the backyard. When the Old Gym was closed, though, and the city park was full-up, we’d head to Russellville. The Lock and Dam to be specific. You’d bring your team of two or three or four and get in line as it was always winner-stays-up. For those of us who relied on the adjustable goals to showcase our greatness, it was typically an abrupt jolt back to reality when our time arrived. Every now and again, sure, we’d win one, but that likely meant we got to the park before the sun had set, and found opponents of similar greatness who were waiting just like us. After the sun went down though, the titans of hoops in the River Valley would arrive, often times led by one Big Nasty. It was then that we had to make a choice, wait in line for our opportunity to take them (him) on, move over to the side court where all the dads played and try our luck there, or just hit the road in search of another lighted goal somewhere within driving distance. The latter was the most common outcome of our nights, typically accompanied by one of us complaining there’s just nothing to do in Russellville.

Aerobics

– JC Sain

Credit Olivia Newton-John (sigh…) and her “Let’s get Physical” video for why your mom wanted a leotard and leg warmers. Seemed like every town in the River Valley had a weekly aerobics class after that song came out.

The class in Atkins was held at the old gym down by the baseball fields. The dank ancient structure was about as far from the shiny glam image of aerobics portrayed on the videos as you could get. But this was small-town Arkansas in the 80s. My mom wore gym shorts and sweatpants. We shot hoops on an outside goal as the rhythm of “Hey Mickey” and “We Got the Beat” from the instructors boom box helped Mom do her best to tackle Jane Fonda’s workout.

Saint Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wellness Fitness Center | 3808 W Main St | Russellville, AR 72801 JULY 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

E V E R Y D AY L I F E

No smoke, no fire, no flush handle Story by SARAH CLOWER Illustration by CLIFF THOMAS

ON A RECENT TRIP TO EUROPE I visited London. It was the first time I had visited Great Britain, and I was quite excited to experience its rich culture. My first day was spent tackling the subway and recovering from jet lag, but the second day I was feeling much more energized and ready to explore the city. I set off early and took the subway into the heart of London. Then I just started walking. This is my favorite way to explore a city, taking it all in, stopping at local places to eat and drink. I browsed at several outdoor markets, relishing the vast array of goods, brightly colored fruits and vegetables on display, and the scent of aromatic spices. I slowly made my way to The Tower of “We don’t have a toilet for public use. London, took a few pictures, meandering The public toilets of London are at the end toward the next stop on my list visiting of this block.” several pubs along the way. Soon I was “Oh… OK thank you,” I said, taking looking for a restroom. I began to glance heed of her emphasis on the word “toilet” around and saw a fast food chain I was fa- instead of restroom. miliar with and popped in. At first glance I I headed down the block toward the pubdidn’t see the sign marking the bathroom lic bathrooms, down a long and wide hallso I asked the girl behind the counter. way, and then came across what I would “Excuse me, can you tell me where the call a bathroom attendant. The broad womrestroom is?” I asked sweetly. an was standing in the way of the bathroom

door. What kind of sick joke was this?? “Fifty pence please,” the woman said gruffly. “Listen here…” I started to give the bathroom bully what for about extortion and bribery, especially in the “toilet” when she motioned to the kiosk beside her. I read the typed lettering on the machine and eyed the coin slot. “You have to pay to use the public bathrooms?” I said incredulously. OVER

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ JULY 2018

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“Just the toilets ma’am,” the attendant said. I mentally rolled my eyes. I got out my wallet and started looking through all of the foreign money I’d received from the conversion desk at the airport. No coins. And I was pretty sure that pence meant coins. “Does this thing give change?” I asked the woman. “No, it’s coins only.” She replied. Great. Never in my life had I encountered such a thing. I heaved a sigh of frustration, turned and walked back out of the long hallway. Across the street I spied a nice looking restaurant. That seemed like the best idea. I walked into The Slug and Lettuce and was promptly seated, placed a drink order with the waitress and asked where the bathrooms were located. “Well, the toilets are down the hallway to the left,” she said. “Thanks,” I said as I stifled the urge to roll my eyes in exasperation and walked briskly to the bathroom. Sweet relief! Finally! And then I realized I couldn’t find the flusher. Not on the commode, not on the

wall, and not an automatic sensor one. I looked all over that porcelain fixture and found no flusher, but I did see a thin red cord dangling in the corner. “Oh that must be it,” I thought to myself and gave it a hard yank. “WOOWEE WOOWEE WOOWEE” an alarm sounded off and the lights in the bathroom began to flash. I panicked! I finished bucking my pants and had to forgo washing my hands as I ran out of the bathroom as quickly as I could. As I made my way back to the table, trying to be nonchalant as possible, several staff members ran to the bathroom. My face immediately went red. I began to wonder if I could just walk out since I hadn’t even received my drink yet. Deciding not to chance it, I tried to melt into the back of my chair. A few seconds later my waitress arrived with my drink. “Sorry it took so long. There was quite a commotion in the toilet,” she said. “Oh?” I asked, while looking away guiltily. “Yes, the fire alarm sounded but when

the manager went in to check there was no fire. Probably just someone smoking in there is what set it off. Happens all the time,” she said. “Is it common to have a fire alarm in the bathroom?” I asked. “In the toilet you mean? And yes! If you were on the toilet doing your business and you smelled a fire, would you want to run out with pants down around your ankles looking for a fire alarm to pull? Of course not, so you would want an alarm in the toilet with you.” She gave me a look like I had just asked the silliest question. A few minutes later I paid for my drink and got back on my way. I wandered down a street packed with a menagerie of eclectic shops and caught a man by surprise as he was urinating on the side of one of the buildings. “Oh I’m sorry! I didn’t see you there,” he gushed. “I didn’t have any change so I couldn’t use the public bathroom,” he said sheepishly. “It’s OK, neither did I. But at least you didn’t pull the fire alarm while you were doing it.”

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JULY 2018

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COMMUNITY

ATU-Ozark and Fort Smith EMS Announce Innovative Partnership Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus and Fort Smith Emergency Medical Services formally announced a new partnership on Monday, June 4, during the dedication of the renovated home for Fort Smith EMS. U.S. Representatives Steve Womack and Bruce Westerman joined other dignitaries in celebrating the $1.2 million expansion and remodeling of the EMS facility at 3417 Duke Avenue in Fort Smith. The expansion allowed for the creation of a 2,500-square foot EMS education center in partnership with ATU-Ozark, as well as remodeling of the administration headquarters and an addition of 6,000 square feet of space for ambulances, crew lodging and storage. “The partnership between ATU-Ozark and Fort Smith EMS allows for an innovative approach to teaching paramedics by

increasing accessibility,” said Bruce Sikes, chancellor at ATU-Ozark. “By utilizing technology, ATU-Ozark’s EMS instructors can stream classes to and from the new facility. This is a great development for health care providers and health care recipients in our region.” Graduates of the paramedic/emergency medical services program at ATU-Ozark are prepared for careers in air and ground emergency medical services, fire departments, medical centers and industry. Dignity, empathy and tolerance are among the personal characteristics the program aims to develop. “The mission of ATU-Ozark, in part-

nership with the community, is to provide quality education and training to allow all students to learn the skills and knowledge necessary to become contributing members in the workforce,” said Dr. Michael Murders, chief academic officer at ATUOzark. “This extension of our paramedic program into Fort Smith exemplifies what we do. This is a partnership with Fort Smith Emergency Medical Services to provide access to students in Sebastian and Crawford counties, as well as help meet the demands of the Arkansas River Valley EMS and fire services.” To learn more, contact the ATU-Ozark Office of Student Services at (479) 667-2117.

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ JULY 2018

479.880.2005

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UCA, UACCM Establish Bear Partners Program - Agreement gives UACCM students access to UCA resources University of Central Arkansas President Houston Davis and University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton Chancellor Larry Davis signed a memorandum of understanding establishing the Bear Partners program. The partnership gives UACCM students who are pursing an associate degree the opportunity to participate in campus activities and access to academic resources at UCA. “Both campuses are very strongly student-centered and focused on creating an environment emphasizing student success,” said Chancellor Davis. “The UCA-

UACCM Bear Partners program was formed to essentially treat those identified students as UCA and UACCM students concurrently with both schools working with and tracking students to graduation here and there.” Highlights of the Bear Partners program include the following: • UCA ID card • Admission to regular season UCA athletic events • Admission to select Reynolds Performance Hall events • Access to Torreyson Library resources (in-person or online) • Apply for the Bear Partner scholarship • Application fee waiver when student transfers to UCA >>

OPENING NEW DOORS OF OPPORTUNITY

Ethel

GENDER: Female

(Spayed) mix AGE: Two years old TYPE: Kemmer

Ethel is a friendly dog looking for a best friend. This sweet girl has separation anxiety but that’s because she absolutely loves her belly rubs. Ethel is also great with other animals. To learn more, or to adopt this month’s canine, please contact the Russellville Animal Shelter at (479) 968-1944. Photo by ALICIA MEUANGMANY

WWW.UACCM.EDU | 501-977-2000

UACCM is proud to open our state-of-the-art Workforce Training Center. Schedule a tour today. Learn more. Be more.

JULY 2018

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UCA and UACCM currently have 35 existing “2+2” transfer agreements, providing a clear pathway to both an associate degree at UACCM and a baccalaureate at UCA. These agreements allow students to seamlessly transfer to UCA with no loss of credits. “We have our transfer agreements that provide a clear path to a bachelor’s education, and the Bear Partners program builds upon those existing relationships,” said President Davis. “This is adding the student experiential element for students and helps to complete their full collegiate experience.” UACCM students can enroll in the Bear Partners program by visiting http://uca.edu/ bearpartners/

ATU signs student exchange agreement with German university Arkansas Tech University and Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen (THM) University of Applied Sciences in Giessen, Germany, have signed a memorandum of understanding that creates a student exchange agreement between the two institutions. As a result of the agreement, ATU students will have opportunities to take business administration, business information systems, logistics management, information technology and systems engineering classes taught in English at THM University of Applied Sciences in Giessen. No prior knowledge of the German language will be required to participate in the classes. Those ATU students wish-

ing to apply for an associated internship program through THM University of Applied Sciences will be required to possess an intermediate understanding of German. ATU students interested in pursuing the study abroad opportunity in Giessen may contact Gabriele Haulmark, ATU instructor of German and English and ATU study abroad coordinator, at ghaulmark@atu.edu. More information about this and other study abroad opportunities for ATU students is available at www.atu.edu/studyabroad.

Volunteers Needed for Arkansas River Cleanup According to the National Association of State Park Directors, more than 800 million visitors spent time in state parks

all across the nation in 2017. Many of those visitors make their way to the parks in the summer months, which leads to an increased need to also care for our public spaces. Join Lake Dardanelle State Park as we host our annual Arkansas River Cleanup on Saturday, July 7, 2018 from 8 to 11 a.m. The Arkansas River Cleanup, held in conjunction with American Rivers’ National River Cleanup, aims to clean our waterways for the benefit of the health of the natural environment, as well as to benefit those who live around and recreate on Lake Dardanelle and the Arkansas River. Volunteers are invited to take part in the cleanup by participating in a shoreline cleanup and by using kayaks. Those with their own canoes and kayaks are encouraged to bring their own boats. For those who do not have a canoe or kayak, the park’s kayaks will be available to use during the cleanup at

Enjoy the Freedom of the Open Road this Independence Day.

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ JULY 2018

no cost. We will kayak along some of the tougher to reach areas to remove litter and debris. Because space is limited, kayaks can be reserved by calling Lake Dardanelle State Park at (479) 967-5516, extension 2. Volunteers who do not wish to paddle a canoe or kayak are welcome to join us for a cleanup along the shorelines of the park. Supplies will be provided at no cost for all volunteers. All volunteers under 18 must have a parent or guardian present, and volunteers must be at least 6 to use the park’s kayaks. All volunteers should meet at the Lake Dardanelle State Park Visitor Center at 8 a.m. to receive supplies.

Postive Changes to Neighbor’s Table at All Saints’ Episcopal Church Celebrating its 6th year of service, Neighbor’s Table is a free meal provided from noon to 1 p.m. every Saturday at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 501 S Phoenix Ave in Russellville. Doors open at 11:30 am with free coffee. All are welcome to attend this no pressure, no questions asked free lunch. Neighbors Table will now send home sack lunches to guests who come for lunch. All Saints’ also started a new “Loaves and Fishes” ministry with Sunday morning offerings at our altar of necessities like cereal, peanut butter, shelf stable-milk, toilet paper, toiletries, hand soap, and detergent. These items will be distributed to our guests on Saturday at

Neighbors Table. For more information on our program or how you can help please call our office at 479-968-3622.

Arkansas Adventures Await at Lake Dardanelle State Park Lake Dardanelle State Park is the perfect place to experience all that Arkansas has to offer. The park will host a day camp for campers between the ages of 8 and 12 years July 11-13 where we will discover the fun of the area’s rich history, culture, and the great outdoors. Campers will get to hike, kayak,

cook over a campfire, and much more all while making memories with new friends. Camp is from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and cost $65 per camper. The fee includes lunch and a snack each day and all needed supplies for activities. The registration deadline is July 6 provided there is space available. Registration packets are available at the Lake Dardanelle State Park Visitor Center, or by calling (479) 967-5516. Adventure awaits at Lake Dardanelle State Park, so get your camper signed up now for a fun-filled week. >>

Kate Gazenko, M.D. General Surgeon

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Quality Care, Close to Home. 2 Medicine Drive, Clarksville, AR • www.JRMC.com JULY 2018

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Bean to take leadership of ATU College of Education

ATU’s Smith serving internship at hub of NASA innovation

Dr. Phillip B. Bridgmon, interim vice president for academic affairs at Arkansas Tech University, has announced that Dr. Linda Bean will be the new dean of the ATU College of Education. Bean has served as interim dean of the college since Jan. 2, 2018. The interim tag will be removed from her title as of July 1, 2018. She is succeeding Dr. Mary B. Gunter, who was dean of the ATU College of Education from 2015-17 and is now serving the university as chief of staff in the Office of the President. A member of the ATU faculty since 2000, Bean is a two-time ATU Faculty Award of Excellence winner as the 2007 recipient in the teaching category and the 2009 recipient in the service category. Bean holds a bachelor’s degree from Arkansas Tech University, a master’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas and a Doctor of Education degree from Oklahoma State University.

Arkansas Tech University student Justin Smith of Dover is spending his summer surrounded by some of the world’s foremost rocket scientists. Smith is interning at NASA’s John C. Stennis Space Center in Hancock County, Miss., the same facility that tested the rockets that propelled Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the moon nearly a half-century ago. Today, personnel at the Stennis Center are testing the engines that might one day make human exploration of deep space possible. “At first, coming to the Stennis Space Center seemed to be slightly overwhelming,” said Smith, “but as a few days went by I realized that it is a very friendly environment to work in. Everyone is really nice and inviting.” Smith is performing research for new technology and upcoming missions during his internship, which is being served under the direction of Dr. Ramona Travis, the

She is the reigning Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) Arkansas and Region IV post-secondary teacher of the year. Learn more about the ATU College of Education at www.atu.edu/education.

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ JULY 2018

began his association with Arkansas Tech through the TRIO Upward Bound Classic program. He graduated from Dover High School in 2015 and enrolled at Tech, where he is majoring in majoring in mechanical engineering and physics. Smith is on pace to graduate from ATU in May 2019. “I would like to actually work at NASA as a full-time employee one day,” said Smith. “I really appreciate the opportunity to gain experience in my field so that I will easily find a career in aerospace and mechanical technology when graduation rolls around.”

chief technologist at the Stennis Center. “It’s really cool to understand what a lot of the employees here at NASA are talking about based on what I have learned in the classroom,” said Smith. “I’ve even been able to pitch my own ideas based on some projects I’ve done in the various labs I’ve participated in at Arkansas Tech.” A first-generation college student, Smith

The 5th Annual Chocolate Festival: A fundraiser for local need in the community This is a family atmosphere event held at the Dardanelle Community Center July 13 from 5-8 p.m. Exhibitors offer unique chocolate creations along with traditional chocolate delights. A few examples: Chocolate chipotle popcorn, chocolate dipped strawberries, Grandma’s Fudge, and a Southern favorite, chocolate gravy and biscuits.

In its 5th year, the Chocolate Festival has raised over $20,500. Past recipients include Breaya Bunting, Bailey Craig, Julia Hodges, Bryce Bowden, Nikki Coffman, Sasha Belcher and The Lizard Lunchbox Fund. This year’s recipients are The Lizard Lunchbox Fund and Ethan Guiterrez. The Lizard Lunchbox Fund helps families that do not qualify for free lunches but struggle with paying reduced lunch fees for their children while attending school. It also helps families going through a time of need. Ethan Guiterrez, is the 3-year-old son of Krystal Rhinehart and Brandon Guiterrez. In January Ethan was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Ethan enjoys playing outside, riding his dirt bike, and helping Pop work on projects. Tickets for the event are available at the Dardanelle Community Center for a minimum donation of $5 each. If your business would like to be a sponsor, an exhibitor, or make a donation please contact the Dardanelle Area Chamber of Commerce at 479-229-3328 or email dardanellechamberofcommerce@gmail.com

JULY 2018

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Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN Story by JOHNNY CARROL SAIN

BRICK OVEN PIZZA COMPANY (479) 967-7900 | 401 S Arkansas Ave RUSSELLVILLE

Open up your mouth and feed it IT’S FRIDAY NIGHT AND DAD JUST GOT PAID IN 1980-SOMETHING. I’m in Russellville with Mom, Sister (who was a Christian, as we all were), and a few cousins. Just kids in a small town out for pizza. After we order the pizza I try to cure my Pacman fever, but there’s still too much time on my hands and the pizza seems to take all night long. But I have faith and don’t stop believin’. Soon that glorious circle with meat, tomato sauce, spices, and cheese going round and round was on the table. My hunger says let’s go crazy, but the pizza was hotter than St. Elmo’s fire. So I used a slow hand to sprinkle parmesan cheese. Hungry as the wolf, though, I can’t hold back. I need to eat it… just eat it, and that first slice — cheese dripping and still

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ JULY 2018

piping hot — singes the roof of my mouth. I’d lost control in the heat of the moment. But straight up, it hurt so good. I want to relive that pizza experience today and find what I’m looking for at Brick Oven Pizza Company in Russellville. At Brick Oven, I watch the pizza go into the oven’s burning heart where cold ingredients transform into something, well… oh oh… It’s magic. Golden crust — not cracker thin, not doughy thick, but right into the groove— tangy tomato sauce, piles of pepperoni and magnificent mozzarella stringing from the first slice lifted. It deserves a photograph or two. And like time after time, I hold on loosely to self control as the roof of my mouth is in the danger zone while my tastebuds arrive in Paradise City. It could be 1980-something.

JULY 2018

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C O U N T E R T O P C R E AT I O N S

It was 1980-something... Story by LYDIA ZIMMERMAN, Food Editor Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN

I GREW UP IN THE 1980S as did my husband. Our family loves watching the ABC sitcom “The Goldbergs” that’s set in the 80s and starts each episode with “it was 1980-something.” Our children get a kick out of the show and fads that we thought were cool in that era such as parachute pants, leg warmers, Rubik’s Cubes and John Hughes movies. Of course, like many girls in the 1980s, I also had the “big hair” using lots of hair spray to get it to stay that way all day. If only I had all the money girls in the 80s spent on hairspray… Not only were there fashion and toy fads but also food fads. Some of those foods are still popular today. In paying tribute to all things 80s I’ve gathered some classic 1980s recipes and some of those recipes with a twist. As always, enjoy!

Bowtie Pasta with Broccoli and Feta Cheese

BOWTIE PASTA WITH BROCCOLI AND FETA CHEESE ABOUT Magazine Featured Recipe ~ July 2018

1 bag bowtie pasta, cooked and drained 1 1/4 c chopped broccoli florets 1/2 large purple onion (chopped) 10 cherry tomatoes (sliced) 1 sm. can black olives (sliced) 1 tsp fresh ground pepper 1 T fresh chopped parley (optional) 1 c Italian Dressing (store bought or homemade, see recipe on page 29) 5 oz Feta Cheese In large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Chill and serve.

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ JULY 2018

WHOLE WHEAT ORANGE BANANA BRAN MUFFINS 1 box Hodgson Mill Whole Wheat Bran Muffin Mix 1 T butter, melted and cooled 1/2 c orange juice 1 tsp cinnamon 1 egg 1 banana mashed 4 T honey 2 tsp orange zest Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease muffin tin. Place contents of muffin mix into a bowl and mix in melted butter. Add orange juice, cinnamon, egg, mashed banana, 3 T honey (reserve other T of honey) and orange zest mix until blended. Fill muffin tins 3/4 full and bake approx 12-15 minutes or until when a toothpick is inserted it comes out clean. Let stand in tin for approx 5 minutes then remove. Drizzle remaining honey over muffins while they are still warm. FRENCH ONION SOUP MEATLOAF (SOUPERIOR MEATLOAF) 1 envelope Lipton Recipe Secrets Onion Soup Mix 2 lb ground beef 3/4 c plain dry bread crumbs 2 eggs 3/4 c water 1/3 c ketchup

Whole Wheat Orange Banana Bran Muffins

Preheat oven to 350. Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Shape loaf in to a 13X9 baking pan. Bake uncovered 1 hour or until done. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Recipe courtesy of frugalsos.com CLASSIC ITALIAN DRESSING 1/2 c red wine vinegar 2 T olive oil 1 T chopped green onion

2 cloves of minced garlic (approx 2 tsp minced garlic from a jar) 1 T chopped fresh parsley 1 tsp Italian Seasoning 1/4 tsp salt 1/8 tsp sugar Fresh pepper, to taste 2 tsp Dijon mustard Blend and chill. Goes well with vegetable salads, pasta salads or as a meat marinade.

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LIGHT SEVEN LAYER DIP Layer 1: 2 16-oz cans black beans (or 1 can black beans and 1 can pintos), drained 1 tsp chili powder Pinch of salt Layer 2: 1 c light sour cream (or Greek yogurt) 2 c freshly grated cheese (preferably pepper jack or Cheddar) Layer 3: Guacamole 2 avocados, halved, seeded and peeled Juice of 1/2 lime 1 clove garlic, minced Pinch of kosher salt 1/4 c diced red onion 1 tomato, cored, seeded and diced Layer 4: Simple Salsa 3 large tomatoes, cored, seeded and diced 2 jalapeños, seeded and minced 1 to 2 T chopped fresh cilantro Layer 5: 6 scallions, thinly sliced Layer 6: Up to 1/4 c grated cheese (pepper jack or Cheddar) Layer 7: Chopped fresh cilantro Layer One: Combine the beans, chili powder and salt in a small bowl. Mash lightly with a fork, if you like. Transfer the beans to an 8-in square dish or glass bowl of a similar size. Layer Two: In a small bowl, stir together the sour cream and cheese. Spread the mixture evenly over the bean layer. Layer Three: Mash avocados, lime juice, garlic and salt. Stir in the red onion and tomatoes. Taste and adjust the seasonings. Spread

Over 10,000 Sq. Ft. of ‘A Little Something for Everyone!’

Light Seven Layer Dip - photo courtesy of ezrapoundcake.com

the guacamole over the sour cream mixture. Layer Four: In a medium bowl, combine the tomatoes, jalapeños and fresh cilantro. Layer the salsa over the guacamole. Layer Five: Sprinkle scallions over salsa. Layer Six: Top the scallions with the cheese of your choice. Layer Seven: Add as much cilantro confetti as you like. Serve at room temperature with tortilla chips and carrot and celery sticks. Recipe courtesy of ezrapoundcake.com SLOPPY JOES 1 lb ground beef 1 tsp olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped small 2 celery stalks, chopped small 1 carrot, peeled and chopped small 1 (8 to 10 oz) package mushrooms (button or baby bella), sliced thinly 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 (8-oz) can tomato sauce 1/4 c ketchup 1 to 2 T cider vinegar 1/2 T Worcestershire sauce

1/2 T sugar (optional) 1 tsp salt 1/8 tsp black pepper 8 hamburger buns In a large skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat, brown the beef. Break it up into small bits as you cook. Once browned, transfer the beef and any juices to a clean bowl and set aside. In the same pan over medium-high heat, warm a teaspoon of olive oil. Add the onions, celery, and carrots, and cook until the onions are translucent and the carrots look softened, about five minutes. Add mushrooms and cook until the mushrooms are soft and tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and stir until fragrant, about thirty seconds. Return the ground beef to the pan. Stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, 1 T cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, sugar (if using), salt, and black pepper. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Taste the sauce, adding more vinegar, salt, or sugar if desired. If the sauce is too thin for your taste, simmer uncovered for

Have a safe and happy July 4th! From all of us at (479) 219-5128 200 N. Arkansas Downtown Russellville

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ JULY 2018

2731 S. ARKANSAS AVE, RUSSELLVILLE • (479) 968-9732 • F: (479)968-0821 • DWANE.AHRENS@GMAIL.COM

another 5 to 10 minutes until the desired thickness is reached. (If you have time, you can continue simmering for up to an hour or more! The meat will just continue becoming more tender. Add extra liquid to the pan if the sauce starts to dry out.) Serve on hamburger buns. Don’t forget a napkin. The sloppy joe sauce will keep refrigerated for up to a week or frozen for up to 3 months. Recipe courtesy of thekitchn.com EASY POTATO SKINS 4 large russet potatoes, washed (or 5 yukon potatoes) 3 T butter (melted) 1-2 T kosher salt 1-2 c shredded cheddar cheese 4-7 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (or 1/2 c bacon bits) Optional: Sour cream, Sliced Green Onions Pre-heat oven to 400°. Cover a baking sheet with foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside. Wash potatoes and then cut the ends of

the potatoes off and discard. Next cut the rest of the potatoes into approximately 1/2 inch slices. Brush both sides and edges of the potatoes with butter and sprinkle with salt. Place on the foil covered pan and bake for 30 minutes, or until fork tender. Turn potatoes onto the opposite side after about half way, to brown the other side. When potatoes are done, top with cheese, bacon and green onions. Continue baking for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese in nice and bubbly. Top with a little sour cream and green onions if desired. Enjoy! Recipe courtesy of iheartnaptime.net HOT SPINACH AND ARTICHOKE DIP IN A BREAD BOWL 8 oz cream cheese softened 1 c sour cream 1/2 c mayonnaise 2 cloves garlic 10 oz frozen chopped spinach defrosted 14 oz marinated artichokes drained & chopped 1 red bell pepper finely diced

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1/2 c fresh shredded parmesan 1 1/2 c mozzarella cheese divided 1 round loaf of sourdough bread olive oil garlic salt Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut the top off the sourdough loaf and remove the center leaving a 3/4″ shell. Cut the top and the insides of loaf into bite sized squares for dipping. Drizzle with olive oil and garlic salt to taste. Bake 5 minutes. Squeeze as much liquid out of the spinach as you can. Set aside. Beat cream cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise with a mixer on medium until fluffy. With a spoon, stir in garlic, spinach, artichokes, red pepper, parmesan cheese and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Once combined, microwave for 5 minutes stirring after 3 minutes. Place cheese mixture into the bread bowl. Top with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella. Bake uncovered 25-30 minutes or until cheese is melted and center is hot. Recipe courtesy of spendwithpennies.com

Grill on a Holland grill from Dependable this Independence Day!

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www.dependableaircond.com JULY 2018

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We’ve opened a second location...

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Have A safe and happy Fourth of July!

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Local Honey from Local Beekeepers, available at... 479-968-4044

www.centralbeekeeperssupply.com Tues-Fri, 10-5 & Sat 9:30-3:30 • 109 Warehouse Row Russellville, AR

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Happy 4th from Old Bank! 220 W Main Street, Russellville | (479) 219-5181

Hours:11am to 10pm Sun-Thurs • 11am to Midnight Friday & Saturday

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ JULY 2018

HOMEMADE RICE A RONI 2 oz vermicelli, broken into half inch pieces (about 1/2 cup) 1 c long grain rice (not instant) 4 tsp chicken bouillon 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning 1 tsp dried parsley dash garlic powder 2 3/4 c water 2 T butter In a large skillet, melt 2 T butter. Add broken pasta and rice. Cook until lightly brown. Add water and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cover. Cook 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until water is absorbed. Recipe courtesy of plainchicken.com HONEY-POPPY SEED SALAD DRESSING 1/3 c cider vinegar 1/4 c honey 1 T plus 1 tsp Dijon mustard 1 T poppy seeds 1/2 tsp kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 1/3 c vegetable oil Place the vinegar, honey, mustard, poppy seeds, and salt in a large, glass bowl, season with pepper, and whisk to combine. While whisking constantly, slowly add the oil until all of it is incorporated. If not serving immediately, refrigerate the dressing in a container with a tight fitting lid for up to 2 weeks. Recipe courtesy of chowhound.com WALDORF RICE SALAD 2 c cooked brown rice 1 c cubed medium apple 1/2 c halved red seedless grapes 1/3 c chopped celery 1/3 c lemon yogurt 1/3 c reduced-calorie mayonnaise 1/4 c chopped pecans In a medium bowl, combined cooked rice, apple, grapes and celery. In a small bowl, combine yogurt and mayonnaise; blend well. Pour yogurt mixture over rice mixture; toss gently. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours. Sprinkle with pecans before serving. Serves 4.

BUTTERSCOTCH BLONDIES 3/4 c butter softened 3/4 c packed light brown sugar 1/2 c granulated sugar 2 eggs 2 c all purpose flour 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 1 2/3 c butterscotch chips 1 c chopped nuts optional

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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 13 x 9 pan. Beat butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar in large bowl until creamy. Add eggs; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, blending well. Stir in butterscotch chips and nuts, if desired. Spread into prepared pan. Bake 30-35 minutes or until top is golden brown and center is set. Do not over-bake Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars Recipe courtesy of yourhomebasedmom. com GROUND BEEF STROGANOFF (SIMILAR TO HAMBURGER HELPER STROGANOFF) 1 lbs ground beef 8 oz sour cream 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1 tsp salt 1 tsp onion powder 1 tsp beef bouillon granules 1 pkg egg noodles In large skillet,brown beef;drain. Return meat to skillet and add all other ingredients, except noodles. Blend together well and heat thoroughly on med-low. Boil noodles while preparing meat mixture. Serve stroganoff over cooked noodles. Recipe courtesy of reasonstoskiphousework.com

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ATTEND THE LONGEST RUNNING FESTIVAL IN THE STATE

Johnson County Peach Festival JULY 19-21, 2018

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~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

Rock of Ages Story by CATHY GRAVES Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN

Hidden away in damp sandstone caves, shelters, and rock faces are mysterious images created by ancient artists. Although their existence is threatened by time, erosion, and vandalism, these images connect us to the past. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been discovered worldwide and several are found here in the Arkansas River Valley.

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ JULY 2018

JULY 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

THE IMAGES ARE CALLED ROCK ART and are found on stone surfaces as either paintings or carvings of objects thought to be important to their creators. Painted objects are called pictographs. Carved objects are called petroglyphs and were created with sharp stones or tools to chip away the rock surface. Arkansas rock art has been documented in the Ozark Mountains, Ouachita Mountains and the River Valley. Petit Jean, Dardanelle, and Crow Mountains have rock art sites, but because many of the sites are on private land they are inaccessible to the public. Rock House Cave (in Petit Jean State Park) is the only public viewable rock art site in Arkansas. The study of rock art on Petit Jean Mountain began in 1914 when the family of Dr. T. W. Hardison, founder of the Arkansas State Park system, discovered rock paintings near their home on Petit Jean. Dr. Hardison wrote a paper on the find, but it didn’t receive national attention until after 1923 with the establishment of Petit Jean State State Park as the first state park in Arkansas. Petit Jean State Park (PJSP) has 70 documented rock art sites and 725 documented individual works both pictographs and 36

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ JULY 2018

petroglyphs. That’s one-third of all the rock art sites and over one-half of the pictographs and petroglyphs in Arkansas. This information was compiled using Arkansas Archeology Survey site forms, and by Don Higgins, a rock enthusiast and retired USAF Col. fighter pilot. Don has personally found and documented many of the sites at PJSP. In Don’s 2015 published article, Petit Jean Rock Art Sites, he

stated, “common characteristics of the sites seem to be that they are all sandstone shelters along natural thoroughfares. They exhibit a variety of sizes, opening orientations, distances from water, sunlight exposures, and unevenness of terrain. Some of the shelters appear very snug while others seem as if they would have placed inhabitants or visitors at the mercy of the elements.” The art work is predominately line-drawings or outline figures. Some are solitary figures and some are grouped together. Some are abstract and and some are real objects like geometric figures, animals, and human figures “We have these very complex series of maze-like images and spirals with complex decorations,” says Don. “Most are finger-width like you’d finger paint them, but some so fine they had to have been done with something like the sharp tip of a hickory stick.” Depictions of humans, animals, plants, and geometric forms are on the rock art located in PJSP. Visitors and researchers have described the various art shapes as a sunburst, beaver, paddlefish, handshake, lizard, concentric circles, spirals, ferns, circles with dots, and wavy lines. But interpretation of the rock art is guesswork. No one can ask the artists what they were trying to communicate. Every person will see something different based on their experiences. Some interpret the art as showing rituals like vision quests or American Indian myths or simply marking a hunting ground to inform the next traveler on that path. Some more complex rock art may depict prehistoric events like a landslide or comet. >> JULY 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

When Native Americans were gathered for a conference recently in Fort Smith they were asked about their interpretation of simple rock art shapes. The answers between tribes differed. Concentric circles may mean looking through the universe into different planes, colors, or existence. Spirals may depict the life of a person with the center being the birth and the outward spiral of their life. It may also mean never-ending or infinity. Another answer was that spirals indicate seasons or cycles. Wavy lines received the only consistent answer and depict water. An animal figure indicates either a hunting ground or marks the animal’s territory. Plant images may mean that the plant had special meaning. It may also have been used in medicinal drinks or to celebrate a new year.

Archeologists Gayle Fritz and Robert Ray did a survey of Petit Jean rock art in 1978-79 and described the “Petit Jean Rock Art Style” as simple designs with mostly red paint. Since that time, fieldwork by the Arkansas Rock Art Project expanded this style to include images not only in red pigments but also yellow and black. The paint mixtures used to create the rock art may contain charcoal, rocks, minerals, blood, animal fat, egg, fish oil, and plant oils. The compounds in the paint break down over time. Images in Rock House Cave and other areas of the park are thought to be over 1,000 years old and created by Native Americans from the Woodland (AD 600-1000) or Mississippian (AD 900- 1600) eras. The rock art has been difficult to date due to its

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ JULY 2018

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immovable nature. “Past attempts were tried to carbon date the paint,” says Dr. Emily Beahm, station archeologist at the Arkansas Archeological Survey at the Winrock Rockefeller Center. “But it didn’t contain enough carbon to be effective.” New methods to date the rock art may be forthcoming. “There are techniques now to examine the pigments without destroying them,” says Dr. Beahm. “We’re hoping for portable instruments so we can look at the compositions of the paintings on the walls and compare it to the ceramics.” Early attempts to document the rock art were inconsistent and sometimes did not provide enough information for the site to be found later. New efforts to document PJSP rock art was begun with The Arkansas Rock Art Project in 2000. The location of each site is documented using a code for the state, county, and site number. Twelve of the rock art sites at PJSP are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. According to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas, this is largely due to the efforts of archeologists Fritz and Ray. They thought the art significant in American Indian culture and that it may represent ritual and spiritual aspects of its creators. Also, the rock art was fragile and disappearing due to the destructive forces of nature and man. Because some paintings have been destroyed, access to rock art is limited. Site location is not available to the general public in an effort to protect this disappearing art. Over time, images that were once vibrant colors have faded or disappeared. The sandstone has seeped its minerals over the images and obscured some of them. Both Dr. Beahm and Don suggest that if you’d like to look for new rock art while hiking or walking the trails of Arkansas, useful tools would be a tactical flashlight and either a digital camera or phone. Images are hard or sometimes impossible to see with the naked eye, but with a digital camera photos can be enhanced using decorrelation stretch (DStretch), a free application for phones or computers. And if your exploration leads you to what you think is a rock art site contact the Arkansas Archeology Survey. A trip to Rock House Cave helps connect with the past. It’s an opportunity to wonder about the artist’s message and provides the viewer with an appreciation of the art form that may soon be gone. Regular tours to Rock House Cave led by Petit Jean State Park Interpreters are always on the PJSP calendar or a special

Images provided by Don Higgins show rock art before and after DStretch enhancement.

group tour can be arranged. Visitors may take the one-quarter mile trail by themselves, but they may not be able to find the rock art. It’s recommended that anyone interested in a tour go to the PJSP Visitor’s Center and listen to the recorded rock art information. Photos at the visitor center will aid in identifying the images and, if someone can’t physically go to a rock art site, it will enable them to see a few examples of rock art. While enjoying the state’s rock art, please report any vandalism you observe to either the PJSP authorities or the police. It is a federal offense to deface the rock surfaces. Game cameras have recently been installed at Rock House Cave to deter vandals. Graffiti is difficult to remove and ruins the experience for others. As Dr. Beahm puts is, “Don’t write on the rocks because there might be something there.” It could be something ancient and irreplaceable. For more information on Arkansas rock art at Petit Jean State Park, contact the park through their website www.petitjeanstatepark.com. For more information about the Arkansas Rock Art Project, go to www.archeology.uark.edu.

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~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

COMMUNITY COMMERCE

Johnson Regional Medical Center

ohnson Regional Medical Center is locally owned and operated and has been serving Johnson, Logon, Franklin and Pope Counties since 1922. Michael Dorsey, CEO of JRMC, says that the services offered at JRMC are “tailored to the needs of the community. We have a strong primary care base of local physicians supported by a group of hospital based spe-

cialists. Our goal is to make sure quality healthcare is available close to home.” JMRC is a nonprofit 90-bed hospital Johnson Regional Medical Center (479) 754-5454 1100 East Poplar Street Clarksville, Arkansas 72830

Story by MEREDITH MARTIN-MOATS

offering acute care and inpatient service including medical/surgical, intensive care, and obstetrics/gynecology. JRMC also has a clinical laboratory, radiology and respiratory care and provides orthopedic, urologic, gynecologic, ENT, and podiatry surgical services. “We have a full service emergency department staffed with physicians 24/7, and we

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ JULY 2018

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provide the county ambulance service,” says Dorsey. “Our outpatient services include home health, physical and occupational therapies, sleep studies, geropsychiatry and others.” JRMC is also part of AR SAVES (Stroke Assistance Through Virtual Emergency Support), a statewide telestroke program. Through the use of a high-speed internet connection and computer with video capabilities, AR SAVES allows a medical specialists to provide remote treatment for patients. JRMC received the Door to Needle Award from the AR SAVES program at the eighth annual conference in 2017. The award represents the program’s highest honor for achieving the fastest stroke treatment process of the 51 participating hospitals in 2016. JRMC emergency stroke patients received diagnosis and treatment faster than any other AR SAVES site with a remarkable door-to-needle time of 38 minutes. Johnson County Regional Medical Center’s webpage offers extensive

health information on everything from pregnancy health to healthy aging to basic nutritional information. There is an online nursery, language assistance services, and information on becoming a volunteer. Patient testimonies speak to the center’s high level of care, and a community calendar showcases their reach into the lives of citizens. The center, says Dorsey, benefits the community by “providing extensive, accessible, and timely healthcare services in Clarksville. It’s also one of the larger employers in Johnson County which strengthens our county’s economy.” “Johnson Regional Medical Center strives to provide the highest quality care in our area and we work hard every day to earn the community’s trust by the care we provide,” says Dorsey. Patients and potential patients can search doctors and services online at jrmc.com. The center is located at 1100 East Poplar Street in Clarksville and can be reached by phone at (479) 7545454.

There’s a lot to love here. For more information, call

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JULY 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

Gardening through the decades Story by JILL MCSHEEHY

“How is the tomato plant doing?” I asked my dad, having given him a Roma tomato plant a few weeks prior. “It looks great!” He replied. “No tomatoes yet but it’s full of flowers. Do I need to spray or dust the leaves to prevent bugs?” I couldn’t object quickly enough. Our exchange reminded me of the differences between my dad’s Baby Boomer generation and mine. Though he never grew a garden after his teenage cotton-picking days ended in the 1960s, he watched my mom and his own mother tend backyard gardens. If you compare gardening practices now to those 50 years ago, you’ll see some striking differences. Preventative Pesticides. Just a few decades ago, little thought was given to pesticide use and its effects not only on the plants, environment, and human health, but also on the population of beneficial insects. In my 2018 garden, I watch as those beneficial insects not only pollinate my crops but also keep the population of “bad bugs” in check. We know now that pesticides, even many organic formulas, repel and harm beneficial insects, which paradoxically exacerbates troublesome outbreaks. However, home gardeners in the 1970s didn’t have access to the knowledge we do today. The Farmer’s Almanac. As a new gardener, I researched mostly on the Internet, but before the advent of Pinterest, Youtube, podcasts, and gardening websites, where did gardeners get their gardening information? Though you can still buy a copy of the Old Farmer’s Almanac in many places, this paperback resource has dropped in popularity in today’s digital age. But before the advent of the Internet, most every

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ JULY 2018

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home gardener depended on this yearly publication for their gardens. Planting by the Moon. As a little girl in the 1980s, my elderly neighbor -- I called him “Pop” -- grew the most gorgeous, prolific garden. My mom recalled Pop looking over his fence while she planted one day saying, “Those won’t grow well. It’s not the right phase of the moon to plant.” While many believe planting by the moon is the stuff of old wives’ tales, gardeners for centuries knew no other way. And those with decades of gardening experience still insist it works. Commonplace Tilling. Every spring garden in the 1970s and 80s began with tilling the ground. But now you’ll find a popular movement gaining momentum -the “no-till” garden. Recent research has uncovered fascinating aspects of life in the soil and how tilling at worst may destroy it and at best sets it back. Though I no longer till my garden for these reasons, I have to wonder, have not only decades but thousands of years of agriculture have truly been wrong all this time? Is the “notill” movement a revolutionary concept or a passing trend? Perhaps we’ll know more in another 50 years. Container Gardens. In the 1970s and 80s you would have been hard-pressed to find any plant besides flowers growing in containers. But now, with the rise or urban dwelling and with busier lifestyles, Americans are surging toward the smaller and less time-consuming method of growing food in containers. Container growing has also become popular with the aging population who find joy in growing food but cannot physically sustain the exertion required for

a large garden. Raised bed gardening, a hybrid of traditional and container gardening, has similarly risen in popularity. Women Gardeners. In speaking with men in the Baby Boomer generation, men were more likely to garden in the middle of the twentieth century. As the economy improved after World War II (lessening the necessity of a home garden for survival) and as women entered the corporate workforce, fewer women took on the task of tending to a home garden. Perhaps that’s why their daughters (like me and other women in my generation) now depend more on the Internet for basic information that generations before us learned at home. It seems now, though, the trend has turned again, where women represent more than half of all gardeners.* While the reason Americans grow gardens now compared to 50 years ago hasn’t shifted much -- it’s still more of a hobby than a necessity -- gardening itself has changed in significant ways. Ground-breaking research coming out of universities, along with the online availability of research and knowledge to the everyday gardener gives more of the population the opportunity to experience the joy of the home garden. And with millennials representing five million out of six million new gardening households,** it will be worth watching how gardening continues to shift in the next few decades. *https://www.mnn.com/your-home/organic-farming-gardening/stories/infographic-home-gardening-in-the-us **http://www.gardencentermag.com/article/national-gardening-survey-2016/

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~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

Story & photo by MEREDITH MARTIN-MOATS

A JOURNAL of our RURAL & NATURAL HERITAGE

The more things change, the more they stay the same IT’S ANOTHER HOT, HOT DAY IN YELL COUNTY. All the garden weeding must be done before 8 a.m or after 6 p.m. when the sun isn’t directly overhead. When pulling out the thick Bermuda grass even our red clay soil is hot to the touch. Similarly, the first sprays of water coming out of the hose are hot enough to create a minor skin burn. I’ve always figured one of the greatest resources in our so-called political war against climate change denial is a vast repository of oral history interviews with old timers. They will all tell you — with certainty and without political baggage — that the climate is changing. Farming, gardening, food preservation, the ability to store meat in a smoke house, it’s all changing. But, I digress. Back to the garden.

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ JULY 2018

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When Johnny informed me that this month’s theme was 1980s I laughed. Ever since moving back home to the Dardanelle area last summer I’ve had that sense of time collapsing on itself. I look at my hands and see my mother’s. I look at my four-yearold daughter running barefoot thru the grass and see myself. The decades fold over on to themselves, a feeling that is as soothing as it is terrifying. I’ve been spending time in this red clay dirt since the 1980s. Of course, it wasn’t a garden then. It was a horse pasture. And we didn’t live here, we just came from town to visit relatives on the weekends. But my Dad grew up here and his Dad once ran a truck patch on this same spot of land. The house we call home was built by my father in the early 1980s. And though my grandfather was dead by the time I was a kid running around this place, I always felt like I knew him. As I have detailed in many of my previous columns, my family — like so many southerners — never let death get in the way of our ability to know one another. Stories about my grandfather filled my childhood. Physically, things haven’t changed too much in this valley since I was a kid. There are a few less houses in some areas, a few more in others. But the relatives we once visited are all dead. There is a cow pasture up the road where my Aunt Carmel once raised her chickens and corn. Uncle Junior’s house is gone. But my favorite rock is still exactly where it sat decades ago. It’s about five paces from my front

porch and it’s huge, probably four feet across. It stands no more than three feet tall, but when you’re five years old this height is, of course, pretty epic. I’d crawl up on the rock to sing, daydream, or read. I’d look out over the land and toward the mountain. I was an only child and had an imagination larger than the forest. These days the rock is surrounded on all sides by pine trees, and if you sit real still you can hear them creaking in the wind. My four year old daughter now loves to play on this rock. And she loves to take one or more of the (formerly) feral cats or our tiny dog with her. She likes to be the only human up there, and from my place in the garden I overhear her talking to her cats, singing songs, and narrating one of her many adventures. She has older brothers with whom she could play, but this rock is her place to create her own world. I always try and stay at a distance, never interrupting her tales or her songs, and am content to just take in the bits and pieces of whatever words or melodies float across the yard. This is her time to imagine what things can be. Maybe it’s also her time to see things as they are, without adults flattening the layers of time. I dare not interrupt. That rock is older than any story I can tell about this place or anything an historical research could turn up. But in the late afternoons it’s the place where the lines of my life fold around 1983. And I’m not exactly sure who’s the one telling stories and staring at mountains.

JULY 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

What

we’re reading

Ready Player One As reviewed by LIZ CHRISMAN

ust like the classic 80s pop culture and video games the novel is littered with, Ready Player One by Ernest Cline draws the reader in with a brilliant visual environment, relatable plot line and character relationships. The story is set in a surreal almost post-apocalyptic environment. The premise: The economy has tanked and all that gives humanity any form of hope or enjoyment is contained within an amped up virtual reality interface called OASIS. This immersive world was created by game developer James Halliday and the reader is introduced to him via his will and testament within the first handful of pages. Halliday’s last words describe an OASIS-based contest that ends in an easter egg (a cool, hidden feature placed in video games by developers) that would give the winner total control over OASIS. Cline’s character development is spot on for an audience attracted to a retro-themed post-apocalyptic world. We are guided through Halliday’s contest and desolate version of Earth by Wade Watts. Watts’ character is the definition of nerd: easily obsessed with pop culture to the point of memorization, socially awkward and finds bliss getting lost in the challenge of defeating a variety of games. These characteristics make him relatable to those of us who grew up button-mashing our way through the summer months. The remaining cast of characters are well developed. I be-

lieve any reader can find someone to relate to and root for during their quest for the egg. I enjoyed that this novel truly read like a role playing video game. I stretched out my reading over a period of 2-3 weeks and found myself dreaming in “Ready Player One” sequences that my subconscious concocted nearly every night. The sequences of challenges that the “gunters” (gamers hunting for the egg) faced were brilliantly described. I was also immediately hooked on the idea of a next level immersive virtual reality technology. And the idea of living a “double life” or the “best version of yourself” within a completely constructed digital world. This flirts with a modern virtual double life idea and begs the reader to examine their own online digital identity with a bit of a tongue-in-cheek attitude. The icing on the cake was the 80s pop culture references. Halliday (the OASIS developer) was obsessed with the 80s and each challenge that Watts and others encounter during the Egg Hunt is enlaced with movies, games, and the style of that time period. Those that are enamored with 80s pop culture, all things 8-bit and acid wash jeans, will find themselves more loyal to the story and challenges just based on these references. Like the messages that Halliday leaves in the final challenge (no spoilers here) this read can truly resonate with any audience. Continued on page 47... SPONSORED BY DOG EAR BOOKS

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ JULY 2018

Author ERNEST CLINE

“What we’re reading” is brought to you by ABOUT the River Valley magazine in partnership with Dog Ear Books of Russellville. Each month we’ll feature a book review guest written by various folks around the River Valley that know a thing or two about good reads. Reading is the cornerstone of a well-informed citizenry and a well-rounded individual. We’re hoping this partnership will turn into something more, perhaps a movement community wide that leads to deeper thought and discussion. Look for all titles spotlighted here at Dog Ear Books.

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Engagements Calendar listings of engagement, wedding and anniversary announcements on the pages of each issue of ABOUT…the River Valley are available at no charge. They may be mailed to: ABOUT Magazine, P.O. Box 10176, Russellville AR 72812 or sent via email to: editor@aboutrvmag.com. (A phone number must be included for verification.)

July

September

3rd: Brandie Griffin & Nathan Gibbs

8th: Breanna Alverson & Dustin Jones

6th: Raigan Purtle & Skylar Hughes

22nd: Sydney Thomas & Austen Cathcart

7th: Alyssa Bell & David Sisson

28th: Sara Taylor & Abel Newton

14th: Sarah Yarbrough & Max McBride

29th: Emily Trower & Greg Hamblock

20th: Karla Cruz & Dakota Thomas

October

21st: Kelsey Cooper & Tyler Cantrell 28th: Paige McAnulty & T.J. May

August

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December 8th: Valerie Breashears & Chris Dodson

25th: Callie Monk & Rob Jacobson ...cont. from page 46 Though the novel is lighthearted in that its plot plays out like a video game, there’s an overarching message throughout describing the juxtaposition of the virtual world and real world. This novel takes place in the year 2045 and sets the tone that our planet is a place of ruin and utter resource depletion. This plants a seed of contemplation regarding how we treat “the real world” in tandem with creating and

maintaining a virtual world today. FYI, if you’ve already seen the movie and think you know the full story, think again. The characters are the same, the premise is similar but the plot and challenges are completely different. This makes for a fun and complex multimedia experience if you allow yourself to be open minded to a book and movie not mirroring one another explicitly. If you enjoyed the movie, definitely take the time to read the book.

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~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

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