ABOUT | March 2018 by ABOUT the River Valley Magazine

a minimalists trek

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley MARCH 2018

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March 2018

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

8 Land of my Ancestors

A minimalist trek through the Old World leads to new perspectives

14 Alfred Hitchcock presents… 16 My Hometown: Dover

The ruggedness of the Ozark Mountains is reflected in the town that lies in their shadow. Violence, disasters, and disappointments throughout Dover’s history have not dampened the pioneer spirit of its residents as they repeatedly rebuilt, volunteered, and planned for the future.

22 Not your mom’s

8 16

Pimento cheese is one of those storied Southern delights ranking right up there with grits and fried chicken. But truth be told, I’ve never been a fan.

24 Countertop Creations 34 Journey with Jill in the Garden 36 The magic is in the balance

Scott Dorminy - Farmers Insurance

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ MARCH 2018

ABOUT THIS MONTH’S COVER By Liz Chrisman

Some essentials unpacked and neatly arranged from their 50L “home” that guided, aided and protected me during my trek across Europe.

MARCH 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

EDITOR’S LETTER

It’s a small world

’m a homebody. I rarely venture far outside the River Valley and rarer still outside of Arkansas. It’s not that I don’t like to travel, I do. We did an impromptu road trip to Pennsylvania visiting friends just a few years ago. We’ve been to the “Redneck Riviera” in south Alabama a few times along with trips to New Orleans. I visited New Mexico and Washington D.C. just last year. Though, both of those trips were both work related. The New Mexico visit was work consisting of mostly trout fishing, but as the saying goes, somebody’s got to do it. International travel has been even rarer. Christine and I have travelled to Mexico a couple of times over the years. Most of my travel is no more abroad than a few counties in one direction or another. There is so much to experience here in Arkansas and here in the River Valley, so much that I want to know about home. Then there are the sights in our nation I still need to see. And how can you be expected to see them just once? I’ve been to the Big Easy and south Louisiana three times and I’d go back every year if I could. See what I mean? What if I fall in

love with a place but never see it again? There’s just not enough time. You can’t do or see it all, not to the depth I prefer anyway, so concessions are made. But there is a place out there, across the Atlantic, that beckons to me. It’s the one international destination on my bucket list: Scotland. I found out about some strong Scottish heritage just a few years ago — I’m Johnny of the Clan Stuart. And learning of this heritage has weirdly made me homesick for Scotland. We’ve got another creative at ABOUT that felt that pull to Great Britain for similar reasons, and Liz Chrisman has already acted on her longing. Visiting the land of her ancestors only a generation removed, Liz brings the story of her trek through Europe to the pages of ABOUT this month. Liz traces some of her lineage back to Scotland, too. She found out from her Grandfather that they are Clan Graham. Perhaps unsurprisingly, he knew and spoke well of Clan Stuart. It is a small world, after all.

– Johnny Carrol Sain

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley since 2006 A Publication of One14 Productions, Inc Vol. XIII, Issue 2 – March 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 MIKE QUAIN | creative content producer mike@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

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

March 2018 2nd — Downtown Art Walk in downtown Russellville from 6-9 p.m. For more information contact 967-1437.

6th — Holocaust Survivor Series at UACCM 6:30 p.m. The University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton, in cooperation with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) in Washington, D.C. hosts Peter Gorog at the 10th annual Holocaust Survivor Series event on March 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium on campus. For more information, contact Mary Clark at (501) 977-2011, or at clark@uaccm.edu. 8th

— Lake Cruise at Lake Dardanelle State Park from 2-3 p.m. Explore the wonders of Lake Dardanelle and the Arkansas River aboard the state park tour boat (weather permitting). Enjoy abundant wildlife, amazing history, and astounding views of the River Valley. The tour is free but space is limited and registration required. Call 967-5516 to register. Boarding begins 15 minutes before the tour, at the boat dock near the south boat ramp.

9th

— Timberdoodlin’ at Mt. Magazine State Park from 6:30 - 7 p.m. Better known as the American woodcock, this strange bird can be found at Mount Magazine State Park for a very short period as they perform

Find up-to-date information and future events @

www.aboutrvmag.com/events elaborate courtship flights. Meet at the visitor center. Bring a flashlight if you have one. Calm, dry weather is needed to be successful. Admission is free. For more information contact 963-8502.

15th — Wings over the River Valley from 2-2:30 at Stout’s Point on Petit Jean Mountain. Meet Park Interpreter BT Jones at the Petit Jean Gravesite Overlook to see what takes flight over this historic point. You may see vultures, hawks, or other birds, and it’s all a fun learning experience. The scenery is great too. Bring binoculars if you have them. PJSP will have a few available to borrow. Admission is free. For more information contact (501) 727-5441

25th

— Help Network Stoby’s Breakfast from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. For more information contact 968-2530.

25 26 27 28 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 *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.

tal. For more information visit the Facebook page for Arkansas Wine Country 100.

April 7th — The Arkansas Symphony 30th — Second Annual River Valley Arts Orchestra - Witherspoon Auditorium on

Center Chili Bowl. For more information contact 968-2452.

April 7th — 16th Annual Arkansas Wine Country 100 Cycling Tour. Ride thru scenic Arkansas wine country along the Arkansas River Valley. Choose from 17 mile, 35 mile, 100K, 80 mile, or 100 mile tours which all begin and end at Post Familie Winery in Altus. All proceeds go to Arkansas Children’s Hospi-

the campus of ATU, at 8:00. There is a 6:00 p.m. pre-concert reception at ATU Lake Point Conference Center. Call Ann Squyres at 880-7523 for tickets or purchase at the door. Reserved seating $30 and includes the pre-concert reception. General admission $10 for adults and $5 for students K-12. Free for current ATU and UACCM students with current college ID.

MARCH 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

Eilean Donan - Kyle of Lochalsh, Scotland

land of my

ancestors A minimalist trek through the Old World leads to new perspectives Story and photos by LIZ CHRISMAN

he scale of scope dictates so much about how we process life. Though in school we’re presented with the world, its countries and cultures, our scope isn’t scalable by this indirect education. It’s not scalable by books we read, movies we watch, or other media based experiences. Our scope grows only with experiences. My mother didn’t remember or even know her birth parents until 2013 (more on that later.) It wasn’t a subject spoken of often, and the memories of discovering that my mother was born and raised in England are fuzzy at best today. But I clearly remember my pride in the fact that I was considered a “first generation American.” My raising was peppered with “ta” and “cheerio,” and other various British slangs (meaning “thanks” and “goodbye” respectfully) as well as memories of dessert trifles and mom’s insistence on drinking Earl Grey.

It distinguished me from other kids in the small town of Ozark, Arkansas. Growing up, that British heritage is something I held onto fiercely. A Union Jack adorned the walls of my teenage bedroom. I attribute that strong tie to my heritage, along with a natural curiosity, for my yearning to travel. My family must have known this innately because the Christmas of my senior year of high school, I received book after book related to backpacking Europe. In 2004 this seemed complicated, dangerous, and outside my reach. It wasn’t until my first trip to Great Britain in 2014, as I rested on a public bench in the Peterborough, England, train station analyzing the departures and arrivals, that the idea of backpacking for a month in Europe felt doable. But with so much on my immediate horizon, I put that idea on the back burner.

Interior of Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

SPRING OF 2013, nearly a year into my full-time career at Arkansas Tech, my mother called with exciting news. She’d found her birth mother online and we would get to meet on her first visit to America later that same year. The next year, my mother and I (a first for me and her first since departing from England) made a week long journey to England and some touchstones of my mother’s adolescence. That week-long taste of life outside America tapped into my hunger for knowledge of the Old World, the land of my ancestors. During a train ride into London with my mother and grandmother, I looked both square in the eyes and announced that I was going to backpack through Europe. “And I’m going to do it by the time I’m 30,” I added. Fast forward two years and my mother has made contact with her father, affectionately known to me now as “Grandad.” Grandad Graham and I are cut from the same cloth: always elevating common situations into laughter, hungry for knowledge, and possessing a zest for life. He spent a considerable amount of time charting his Graham heritage (my heritage, too) to 17th century Scotland and the family’s involvement with the Jacobite uprisings. He encouraged my travelling abroad and offered an open invitation for me into the “family home” nestled in the countryside of England. I turned 30 in August of 2016. Saving and planning for a month long trip through Scotland, England, Italy and Spain began that same month. Highlights planned for the trip was the discovery of familial ties in Edinburgh and the Highlands of Scotland, the foods and history of Italy, the artistic flair of Barcelona, Spain, and the appreciation of my immediate family in England. 3

Grandad in HMS Victory, Portsmouth England

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ MARCH 2018

THE CITY OF EDINBURGH is comparable to the city of Austin, Texas: high energy, cool festivals and neat pockets of macabre. But Edinburgh Castle is a mostly unassuming fortress. In contrast, its rich contents are a must-do exploration for anyone with family ties to Scotland. I lost my breath when scanning the stained glass in The Great Hall and my eyes landed on the Marquis of Montrose crest. The Graham line is split -- one of Montrose and one of Menteith -and this inscription was dedicated to one of the most famous of my ancestors from the early 1600s. The

Barcelona skyline

Hike up the Royal Mile to the castle - Edinburgh

Loch Ness, Inverness

David, Galleria dellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Accademia

MARCH 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

Florence skyline from the Piazzale michelangelo

knowledge that my family made a mark worthy to be aligned with the crests of John Knox, the founder of the Presbyterian church, and other notable Scots was humbling. A direct train ride 3 hours from Edinburgh placed us in Inverness, the gateway to the mountainous geography known as the Highlands. Comparable to the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, Inverness couldn’t be more opposite of Edinburgh. With a population of less than 50,000 people, there’s a blissful solitude to the city, and the people you do come into contact with are as sweet as signature notes in Highland whiskys. In a day’s drive, we were able to experience the highlights of the Isle of Skye, which is one of the most beautiful and mysterious places I’ve ever photographed. 3

WHILE SCOTLAND MADE ME want to scan over pages of ancestry notes, Italy (most notably Florence) tapped into my deep appreciation for Renaissance history and fresh foods. Walking through Vatican museums one day then the Coliseum/Forum the next expanded my ideas of religious strife and the caste system. Florence was the highlight of Italy. To stroll through, touch, photograph, pray and meditate within the most famous basilicas in the world of art history still feels surreal to this day. The visual delights of Florence are matched if not overshadowed by fresh offerings of the markets within the city centre. I’d highly recommend any daypacker make an entire meal out of a bag of olives and slices of fresh prosciutto. Perhaps one of the happiest ac12

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ MARCH 2018

cidents of this trip was my time in Barcelona. My choosing to stop over in Spain wasn’t based on any connections to heritage but truly expanded my artistic identity. Though I’m a photographer by trade, architecture has been a consistent point of admiration and study for me as an artist. The architecture of Barcelona is, hands down, some of the most risk taking in approach that I’ve ever experienced. One particular architect, Barcelona homeboy Antonio Gaudi, has put Barcelona on the map with his distinctive style. The crown jewel of this architecture is the nearly finished Sagrada Familia. Once this structure is finished it will possess the title of largest Roman Catholic Church in the world. It encompasses a mix of Gaudi’s personal modern style with nods to pure Gothic styling. And it’s the first religious structure that ever brought me to tears. Most of the interior is completely white. Natural light is the primary source of color and paints the interior through brilliant stained glass. Your color experience depends on the sun’s angle. Last, but most definitely not least, was the quiet and thoughtful week spent in the variety of cities peppered an hour west of London with Grandad. Experiencing him touring the “HMS Victory,” the ship that his great-great-grandfather served on, was thought provoking and smile inducing. Long walks through the countryside taught me about England’s “right to roam” laws and produced those scenes that most Americans only see in classic films or visualize when reading British literature. This trip wouldn’t have been possible without careful planning, and in the age of the internet an adventure like this is truly within anyOxford, England one’s reach. Studying up on Italian and Spanish, utilizing Airbnb, and

Gaudi’s workshop in Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

downloading city maps to my phone made the trip more enjoyable. If country hopping is of interest, there’s no need to “master” the language of all the countries you’re visiting. Through weekly sessions with a language app, you can learn just enough to be respectful. One of the quickest and most successful lessons I picked up in Spain was greeting someone in Spanish, asking if they spoke English then continuing the conversation in my native tongue. While Airbnb is still slow to take off in our part of the southern United States, its part of life in most of Europe. Though you might be wary at first, this service is safe, secure and very user friendly. The true perk, however, is the ability to stay in the heart of major cities economically. My smartphone was used like the swiss army knife of technology that it is. I downloaded a new favorite maps

Quiraing Walk, Isle of Skye

Culloden Battlefield, Inverness, Scotland

app that allows navigation without the use of data. This saved a lot of confusion in Italy and Spain where no street signs were in English. But a minimalist approach was what really made the trip and the experience wouldn’t have been the same if I hadn’t limited myself to a backpack. Backpacking made me feel as though I had no worries. Everything I could or would need was with me all the time. I packed a week’s worth of primarily solid colors that could be mixed and matched together easily and limited myself to two pairs of lightweight shoes that went with everything. June of 2017 marked a month-long experience that has truly scaled my scope far beyond my imagination, especially in terms of my heritage and personal identity. MARCH 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

E V E R Y D AY L I F E

Alfred Hitchcock presents… WHILE I DON’T HAVE ORNITHOPHOBIA — the irrational fear of birds — I’ve never been a fan of those feathered fiends. I’m not exactly sure what it is that makes me feel uneasy, but I think it has something to do with how quickly they dart about and the unpredictability of their behavior. When springtime rolls around every year, it’s greeted by the chirping serenade of all the birds returning from their migration south. The trees in Arkansas are teeming with the melodic sounds of native birds. One spring afternoon, my family was getting together at my aunt’s house for lunch. Earlier that day, my mom had called to remind me about the gathering, and asked if I could bring my chocolate chip cookies that everyone loved.

“Sure!” I said, “Maybe two batches?” “Yes that would be perfect. Oh, and Aunt Janette wants everyone to come through the back door in the garage. Two blue jays have made a nest in the top corner of the front porch and laid eggs she thinks. But they are very territorial and don’t want anyone coming near that nest. They ran off a few Girl Scouts trying to sell cookies the other day.” I grimaced. Like I said, birds aren’t exactly my favorite animal. I assured her I would use the back door and we finished our phone conversation. I quickly whipped up the cookie batter, added the chocolate chips and got busy arranging them on a baking pan. Soon the cookies were finished and rest-

Story by SARAH CLOWER Illustration by CLIFF THOMAS

ing on the cooling racks, and I ran upstairs to throw myself together. I quickly changed my clothes and caught a glimpse of my hair in the bathroom mirror. “Oh my,” I said to my reflection. My hair was a mess, and I was pretty sure I could see a bit of cookie batter here and there. There was no time to wash my hair so I just grabbed a few large bobby pins and wrapped a messy bun on the top of my head and pinned it in place. Through the process of making all of those cookies, and rounding up my son and herding him and all of his action figures into the car, I forgot about my mother’s reminder to use the back door. When I pulled up at my aunt’s house, I collected the Tupperware containers of my freshly

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ MARCH 2018

baked chocolate chip cookies, helped my son Raff out of the car, and headed for the front porch. I made my way up the four steps onto the porch and reached out my hand to push the doorbell, when I heard a loud squawking sound above me. I looked up and saw a streak of blue in my peripheral vision and suddenly remembered my mother’s warning. “Raff, run around back, quickly! Go in the house through the garage!” I shrieked as I flung one arm in the air trying to fend off the angry bird flitting about my head and gripped my Tupperware containers tightly in the other. Raff looked at me with panic in his eyes and darted around the hedges to go into the garage. I tried to coordinate my steps down the stairs, off the porch, and out of the fury of the blue jay, but it was rather difficult with an angry bird flapping anxiously about my head. I stepped down onto the last step, and felt a sharp tug on my hair and a shrill “SQUAWK!!”

Suddenly my hair was being pulled and twisted in all sorts of directions and I could hear myself shrieking like a mad woman. “Mom! There’s a bird in your hair!” Raff yelled. He thankfully hadn’t gone into the house yet, and was waiting on me. I was too panicked to form much of a sentence, and was only able to force out, “send help!” I could feel the birds wings flapping aggressively against my head, and then the sharp peck of its beak on my scalp, which only made me further lose my mind. I was running up and down my aunts driveway, shrieking and wildly flinging one arm, the other keeping a death grip on my containers of cookies. I’m surprised the neighbors didn’t call the fire department thinking I was on fire with how I was running around in the front yard. Out of the corner of my eye, I see my mom and sister running over to me. I shoved the cookie containers into my mom’s hands. “Save the cookies!!” I yelled. “Stay still and bend down!!” My sister Amy instructed. I gritted my teeth and cov-

ered my face with my hands and knelt on the grass so that my five foot nothing big sister could reach the top of my head and free the possessed creature trapped in my messy bun. “Its feet are stuck in your bun!” She said, as she started pulling out my pins. No sooner had she removed the last pin, the bird was no longer held hostage by my wild mane and flew furiously back to its nest. “You can uncover your face now,” Amy said. “Is it gone?” I wailed. “Yes it’s gone,” Amy assured me. I rose to my feet, dazedly made my way into the garage, and stumbled into my aunt’s house, thoroughly exhausted by my ordeal. I walked into the kitchen to make sure that my cookies had survived the attack. To my relief they were in perfect condition, cocooned in the parchment paper I had lined the Tupperware with. “Mom,” Raff said with a mouthful of chocolate chip cookie. “These cookies are good and all, but you’re covered in bird poop.”

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Dover Story and photos by CATHY GRAVES | Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN

THE RUGGEDNESS OF THE OZARK MOUNTAINS IS REFLECTED IN THE TOWN THAT LIES IN THEIR SHADOW. Violence, disasters, and disappointments throughout Doverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history have not dampened the pioneer spirit of its residents as they repeatedly rebuilt, volunteered, and planned for the future. Dover was established in the 1830s and in 1841 became the Pope county seat. While a two-room log school was being built, a temporary school was established in Masonic Lodge #17, the first one in Pope County and still in operation. The town grew in importance, and in 1853 the first meeting of the Missouri Pacific Railroad was held, as plans were for the railroad to run through Dover. Those plans were put on hold during the Civil War. At the beginning of the Civil War in 1861, there was fear that the courthouse and county records would be destroyed. In 1862, the court authorized the Pope County clerk to do whatever was necessary to preserve the county records. The records were moved to a cave north of Dover, now known as the Records Cave. The records were returned in 1865 and are still intact.

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ MARCH 2018

Violence ensued for years after the war. Pope County was divided in loyalty during the Civil War, which caused conflict afterward between the Reconstruction government and the local former Confederates. From 1865-1866 five appointed and elected officials were shot and killed by locals. This violence continued until Governor Hadley stationed Federal soldiers in Dover to bring order. Violence erupted again with the Militia Wars as two more officials were killed in the years 1872 and 1873. No charges were brought against the assassins for fear of setting off more violence. The trouble ended when a new governor, Elisha Baxter, allowed the Democratic Party back into local government, including some of the assassins. The state was not enforcing policies that contradicted local politics, and the violence ended. >>

MARCH 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

The last man legally hung in Dover was Lee Barnes in 1886. Thousands of spectators watched as Barnes made a public confession and asked for the noose to be tightened before being hung. David Vance, Russellville businessman and historian, said, “My grandmother told me that my great grandfather lifted his young son up on his shoulders so he could see.” The town suffered huge disappointments when in 1872 the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad bypassed Dover and in 1877, Russellville became the new Pope County Seat. Dover fought hard to retain both the railroad and county seat, but eventually lost. Dover’s history is also marred by fire. In 1865, the entire town of Dover, including the courthouse and school burned. Plans were made to build a new brick courthouse and a new school. The Methodist Church of North Arkansas built a school on the present site of Dover High School in 1868. The church called it a high school, but since there was no high school, it was called a college. The hill where it stood was called College Hill. The Methodist Conference gave up the school after a few years and the new school district #17 used it until it burned in 1906. In 1917, the school board purchased College Hill from Pope County and a new school was built. A four year high school was added to the local school in 1920. The first graduating class from Dover was in 1923. In 1930 fire destroyed the major portion of the business district and ten homes. The fire burned both sides of the street, and much was lost. Some portions were rebuilt the same year. Volunteers 18

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ MARCH 2018

throughout Dover’s history always did what was necessary to restore their town. A new brick high school was built in 1931 as more rural schools began to consolidate with the Dover school district. It burned in 1942. Classes were held in the agricultural and gymnasium buildings which escaped the fire. Fire struck the town again in 1948 when the theatre burned. Fundraising efforts by city leaders was begun to establish a local fire department. A one-ton truck was purchased, and the water tank was filled by a bucket brigade as Dover had no municipal water service. Another high school was built in 1956 which partially burned in 1955. The town pulled together and built a new elementary school in 1963, a middle school and a gymnasium by 1992. A new elementary school building was added in 2009 and a middle school expansion by 2017. Mayor Pat Johnson stated that “All the schools in Dover are highly rated, according to the state standards. In 2017, Dover Elementary received a $90,000.00 reward for above state average test scores. The Arkansas School Recognition Program rated the schools in the top 5 percent in the state. The choir, band, clubs and organizations excel in competition and have done well nationally.” Community involvement has always been part of Dover’s character. An early volunteer was W. D. Eakes. He came to Arkansas in 1869 and was an established businessman, teacher, and was appointed postmaster. He was a financial backer for the first newspa-

per, supported retaining the county seat, and was one of the financial backers who pledged money for the railroad. Joyce Helton, a Dover resident and Dover high school graduate, is a present-day volunteer. She took on the task of replacing the slabs that held the only record of Dover High School graduates back to 1923. She noticed that some of the slabs were damaged. “They looked so bad, and there’s probably no record that these people graduated. I just did it myself,” said Joyce. “I wrote down the names from the slabs and started calling people in each class to be responsible for paying for a slab. The money was gathered and given to the Superintendent of Schools, Lawanda Cockran. She kept up with the money, and I kept

up with the information. Once finished, the slabs for 1942-1978 were placed on the College Hill.” Those records are now on disk at the school and library. Joyce said she is not unique as a volunteer because, “everyone volunteers in their own way. Some do it quietly through their churches or schools.” In 1996, Dover was named as the Volunteer Community of the Year by the state. The Dover area Chamber of Commerce, DACC, was formed in 1978. This all volunteer organization works closely with the city and schools to raise funds through their Ozark Memories Day Festival, OMD. Many of the structures and improvements in Dover today were funded with their help. >>

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The Chamber began planning OMD at their first ever meeting. The festival location and duration have changed over the years, but it has continued as the major fundraiser for the city. OMD was once held over three days, beginning with a beauty pageant on Friday; games, vendors, music, and arts and crafts on Saturday; and ending with a tractor pull on Sunday. An oldtimey meal of brown beans, cornbread, and homemade butter and kraut was cooked and served. People dressed in costumes to celebrate their heritage. Over time, the celebration was scaled down to a one-day event. The festival is held the last Saturday in September at the amphitheater on the high school campus and admission is free. There’s no longer a beauty contest or tractor pull, but the horseshoe tournament is one of the favorite activities at the festival. In 1989, the Dover Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Fund was begun for graduating seniors. Since 1990, more than 500 students have been awarded in excess of $225,000.00. The DACC no longer runs the fund but continues to contribute. The Chamber also sponsors an Academic Excellence Banquet for students with a plaque with honoree’s names placed in the

school. A yearly banquet is held to honor outstanding citizens in the community and to recognize public officials. The Dover Public Education Foundation, DPEF, holds an annual Gala event fundraiser. According to their brochure, their focus is to “assist Dover School District with non-funded budget considerations and other related projects for the classrooms, the athletic department, the music department, and various schools’ technology improvements. The organization will consider other education related needs as grants are written, and funds are available.” From 2011-15, the DPEF awarded $59,479.32 through grants to the schools. The Dover Public Library, DPL, began in the 1950’s simply as a stack of books in a storefront with patrons borrowing and returning from the display. The books came from the Russellville Public Library. In 1974-88, the DPL was shared in a dual purpose building with Dover City Hall. In 1987, the citizens of Dover and the surrounding area raised money to build a new, larger facility. The land and material was donated, and approximately 60 people donated labor. All the bricks for the building were bought by area school children. In 1988, the current 2400 sq. ft. library opened.

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The DPL is one of 24 libraries nationwide chosen to participate in the 2018 Future Ready with the Library, a program that is working with small libraries to provide college and career readiness services for middle schoolers. “As Baby Boomers retire, filling their technical careers is essential to our economy. Dover Branch Manager Sherry Simpson states. “When it comes to getting a job, knowledge is power whether it comes from a traditional college degree or vocational/technical training. We’re designing a program to help our students build a better future regardless of the path they choose after graduation. We want students and their families here to realize that no matter what their present economic circumstances are, there are so many opportunities.”

The pioneering spirit and hardworking volunteers have made Dover an example of endurance through difficulties. A reprinted article in The Dover Times on September 27, 2000, stated that after the first Ozark Memories Days, Dr. Piney Page, a local historian and former Dean of the School of Education at Western Kentucky University said, “Dover is a town too tough to die. It has been plagued with fires and bushwhackers and almost every natural disaster except a flood. Even losing the railroad and the county seat has not stopped this strong little town.” To learn more about Dover’s history, visit the Pope County Library’s Arkansas Heritage Room.

#moreinMorrilton

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MARCH 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN Story by JOHNNY CARROL SAIN

CYPRESS VALLEY MEAT COMPANY (479) 968-6330 | 5951 US-64 POTTSVILLE

Not your mom’s PIMENTO CHEESE is one of those storied Southern delights ranking right up there with grits and fried chicken. But truth be told, I’ve never been a fan. That’s weird because I’m a big fan of cheese. I like mayonnaise and chili peppers (pimentos are a type of chili pepper), too, and when you add those to cheese — presto — you’ve got pimento cheese. My memories of pimento cheese go back to the elementary school cafeteria. There was this one kid (I’ll not give a name, but you know who you are) who was always trying to swap his pimento cheese sandwich for something, anything, else. I gave in one day after he sweetened the pot with Doritos, and after one bite I knew I’d been took. That was my last encounter with pimento cheese.

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ MARCH 2018

Forty years later, as I scanned the menu of Cypress Valley Meat Company in Pottsville, I came across an item of interest based on that memory: The not-yourmom’s pimento cheese sandwich. My mom never made pimento cheese sandwiches, but this humble yet spectacular culinary masterpiece from Cypress Valley absolutely smoked that kid’s mom’s pimento cheese. And it’s likely one of the best sandwiches of any kind I’ve ever had. It’s pimento cheese spread thick on sliced jalapeño corn bread with bacon, lettuce and tomato. Get it with a side of mac and cheese (lordy, the mac and cheese). Take a bite, and if you decide it’s not for you, give me a call. I’ll swap.

MARCH 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

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

Here we go again… Story by LYDIA ZIMMERMAN, Food Editor

WHAT I AM REFERRING TO IS DIET SEASON. This time of year, or maybe even earlier, we all start our “I’m going to lose weight and look great for swimsuit season” or “I am going to lose weight and get healthier” mantras. Whatever the reason, I see a lot of people going on the Ketogenic diet. Many coworkers and friends are dropping pounds by trying on this low-carb, moderate-protein, highfat diet. This diet is a lifestyle change that requires commitment. Just like any diet, once you stop the pounds will reappear. Many people are finding success with keto by using substitutes like almond flour for regular flour or stevia for sugar in their recipes. Most recipes in this diet could also be useful for diabetics who have to watch carbs and sugars. For all those who are strong enough to give up my favorite food, bread, my hat is off to you. Maybe one day I will be able to totally commit to a diet like this. Until then… And as always, enjoy!

PIZZA STUFFED PEPPERS ABOUT Magazine Featured Recipe ~ March 2018

*Approx total prep and cook time: 35 minutes 4 bell peppers, halved and trimmed 1 lb. ground Italian sausage ½ large onion, chopped 2 tsp minced garlic (2 cloves) 8-oz. package sliced mushrooms 14-oz. jar pizza sauce ½ T Italian seasoning Salt and pepper, to taste 2.25-oz. can sliced black olives, drained 3.5-oz. package pepperoni, divided 1 c shredded mozzarella, cheddar, or Italian blend cheese

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ MARCH 2018

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place peppers, cut side up, in a 13x9” baking dish and bake for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown sausage. Drain. Add onion, garlic, and mushrooms, and saute until onions are tender and mushrooms are browned. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer. Add olives and half of the pepperoni and stir to combine. Spoon sausage mixture into bell pepper halves and top each with cheese and remaining pepperoni. Broil for 3 minutes or until cheese is bubbly. Enjoy! Recipe courtesy of simplesweetsavory.com

2 T low sugar or sugar free ketchup 1 T granulated sugar substitute (Swerve, Splenda, Ideal, etc.)

CREAMY CAULIFLOWER CHOWDER *Approx total prep and cook time: 30 minutes 1 T butter 1/2 c diced Onion 5 Garlic Cloves (minced) 1/2 c diced Carrots 1 Whole Head of Cauliflower (cut into small florets) 1 1/2 c Vegetable Broth 1 tsp freshly ground Pepper 1/2 tsp dried Oregano 1/4 c cream cheese Salt to taste Olive oil and cooked bacon for topping In a dutch oven or soup pot, heat butter and add onions and garlic. Saute for a few minutes till the onions are soft. Add carrots, cauliflower, vegetable broth, pepper, oregano and salt to the pot. Bring this to a boil, and slow the heat down to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes or so till the cauliflower is tender. Switch off the flame and using a blender, blend the soup partly in the soup pot. If you don’t have a hand blender, pour half the soup into a blender and pulse a few tips till creamy. Switch the flame back on and add a cup of water or broth along with the cream cheese. Simmer for 5-10 minutes and switch off the flame. Feel free to thin the soup further if you like with some more broth or milk. Top with olive oil and bacon and serve hot. Recipe courtesy of myfoodstory.com

Creamy Cauliflower Chowder

BALSAMIC GLAZED (LOW CARB/KET FRIENDLY) MEATLOAF 3 lbs ground beef (80/20) 1 c white mushrooms, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 c onion, finely chopped 1/4 c red bell pepper, finely chopped 2 T fresh parsley, finely chopped 1/3 c grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 c almond flour 3 eggs 1 tsp kosher salt 1/4 tsp ground black pepper 1 tsp balsamic vinegar For the glaze: 2 c balsamic vinegar (no sugar added)

Combine all of the meatloaf ingredients in a medium bowl and mix thoroughly. If making meatballs: Form the meat mix into 48 cocktail sized meatballs (approximately 1 inch). Place the meatballs on parchment paper or a greased cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes at 375 degrees (F) or until cooked through. Add the meatballs to the glaze and toss gently to coat. Serve hot. If making meatloaf: Press the meat mixture into two 8-9″ loaf pans and bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and pour off most of the liquid from the two pans. Pour 1/4 cup of glaze over each of the meatloaves and return to the oven. Bake for another 20 minutes. Cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving with the remaining glaze. For the glaze: Combine the balsamic vinegar, ketchup, and sugar free sweetener in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for about 20 minutes or until reduced by at least half and slightly thickened and shiny. The glaze is ready when it’s thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Refrigerate any extra glaze for future use. Recipe courtesy of ibreatheimhungry. com >>

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(479) 968-1157 • 715 W. Main, Russellville, AR Serving the River Valley Since 1970 MARCH 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

PRESSURE COOKER GARLIC “BUTTER” CHICKEN *Approx total prep and cook time: 45 minutes. You can use your slow cooker resulting in increased cook times. 4 chicken breasts, whole or chopped ¼ c turmeric ghee (or use regular ghee with 1 teaspoon turmeric powder) 1 tsp salt (add more to taste) 10 cloves garlic, peeled and diced Add the chicken breasts to the pressure cooker pot. Add the ghee, (turmeric), salt, and diced garlic to the pressure cooker pot. Set pressure cooker on high pressure for 35 minutes. Follow your pressure cooker’s instructions for releasing the pressure. Shred the chicken breast in the pot. Serve with additional ghee if needed. Recipe courtesy of paleomagazine.com 5 MINUTE CHICKEN CLUB AVOCADOS 6 oz grilled chicken, diced 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled 2 avocados 1 lime 1/3 c tomato, diced 4 T mayo 3 T cilantro salt and pepper, to taste Cut avocados in half and remove pits Scoop out avocado and mash in bowl with fork Combine mashed avocado with mayo and seasoning Add diced chicken, bacon, tomatoes, cilantro and juice from half lime

SAVE THE DATE! 26TH ANNUAL

Thursday, April 26, 2018 5-8pm • Russellville Depot

For ticket & exhibitor information call

(479) 967-1437

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ MARCH 2018

Add mixture into avocado, sprinkle with remaining bacon and cilantro if desired Squeeze lime juice over top and serve. Recipe courtesy of heyketomama.com EASY CASHEW CHICKEN *Approx total prep and cook time: 30 minutes 3 raw chicken thighs boneless, skinless 2 T canola oil(for cooking) 1/4 c cashews 1/2 medium Green Bell Pepper 1/2 tsp ground ginger 1 T rice wine vinegar 1 1/2 T soy sauce 1/2 T chili garlic sauce 1T minced garlic 1 T Sesame Oil 1 T Sesame Seeds 1 T green onions 1/4 medium white onion Salt + Pepper Heat a pan over low heat and toast the cashews for 8 minutes or until they start to lightly brown and become fragrant. Remove and set aside. Dice chicken thighs into 1 inch chunks. Cut onion and pepper into equally large chunks. Increase heat to high and add canola oil to pan. Once oil is up to temperature, add in the chicken thighs and allow them to cook through(about 5 minutes). Once the chicken is fully cooked. Add in the pepper, onions, garlic, chili garlic sauce and seasonings(ginger, salt, pepper). Allow to cook on high for 2-3 minutes Add soy sauce, rice wine vinegar,

and cashews. Cook on high and allow the liquid to reduce down until it is a sticky consistency, There should not be excess liquid in the pan upon completing cooking. Serve in a bowl, top with sesame seeds and drizzle with sesame oil. Enjoy! Recipe courtesy of ketoconnect.com KETO TURKEY WITH CREAM CHEESE SAUCE 11⁄3 lbs turkey breast 2 T butter 2 c heavy whipping cream 7 oz. cream cheese salt and pepper 1/3 c small capers 1 T tamari soy sauce Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Melt half of the butter over medium heat, in a large oven-proof frying pan. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add turkey and sauté the turkey until golden brown. Finish off the turkey breasts in the oven. When turkey is cooked though, place on a plate, and tent with foil. Pour turkey drippings into a small saucepan. Add sour cream or heavy cream, and cream cheese. Stir and bring to a light boil. Lower the heat and let simmer until thickened. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Japanese gluten-free tamari can also be used to add more color and flavor. Heat remaining butter in a medium frying pan over high heat. Quickly sauté the capers until crispy. Serve turkey with sauce and fried capers. Recipe courtesy of dietdooctor.com

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

LOW CARB (KETO FRIENDLY) CHICKEN ENCHILADA CASSEROLE *Approx total prep and cook time: 50 minutes 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts trimmed & pounded if necessary Salt & pepper 1 1/2 c of enchilada sauce (store bought or from scratch) 1 c finely crumbled queso fresco or feta cheese 1 (4 oz.) can of green chiles (chopped) 1/2 c minced fresh cilantro Olive oil spray (or you can use olive oil in a little bowl with a brush) 2 c shredded cheddar cheese Lime wedges (optional) Sour cream (optional) Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper. Combine the chicken and enchilada sauce in a medium saucepan & simmer for 10-15 minutes over medium-low heat. Then flip the chicken over, cover and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes until chicken reaches 160-165 degrees with an instant-read thermometer. Remove chicken from pan and shred into bite-sized pieces. Combine shredded

chicken, the enchilada sauce, queso fresco, chiles and cilantro in a bowl. Add salt and pepper if desired. Spray a square casserole baking dish with olive oil (or use a brush) and coat the entire bottom and sides. Evenly spread 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese on the bottom of the dish. Add the chicken mixture, then add the other cup of cheddar cheese on top. Cover with foil and bake for about 10 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 3 to 5 minutes to melt the cheese. Serve with optional lime wedges and optional sour cream. Recipe courtesy of 730sagestreet.com EASY KETO CHOCOLATE MOUSSE *Prep time: 10 minutes. Passive (chill time) 1-2 hrs 8 oz Mascarpone Cheese 1/2 c Heavy Whipping Cream 2 T cocoa powder, sifted 25 drops Liquid Stevia Add the heavy whipping cream to a medium bowl and whip it to soft peaks using a hand mixer. Set aside. Add the mascarpone cheese to a large bowl and microwave for 20 seconds. Mix using hand mixer. Sift the cocoa powder and add the liquid stevia into the mascarpone and combine using the hand mixer. Fold the soft peaked whipping cream into the mascarpone mixture. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until chilled. Store in a sealed container in the fridge up to 1 week. Enjoy! Recipe curtesy of ketoconnect.com

Keep the power on, even when the power is out. Kholer generators at Griffin HOME GENERATORS Griffin Electric Heat & Air, Inc. SALES AND SERVICE 2605 S. Knoxville • Russellville (479) 968-8555 • (877) 373-2855 Jay & Dennis Griffin • License #122314

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MARCH 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

COMMUNITY

Century League Of Morrilton announces 2018 Charity Ball The Century League of Morrilton announces plans for the 2018 Charity Ball on Saturday, March 3, at 6 p.m. at the Morrilton Country Club. For this year’s ball, we will bring back the roaring twenties in a lavish celebration of 35 years of the Century League! Charity Ball tickets are $50 and can be purchased from any Century League member or online. Guests who enter the speakeasy will be treated to a delicious catered meal and live entertainment from popular band Mister Lucky. Each ticket also includes a bottomless cup at our bar where libations of beer, wine, and a signature cocktail will be flowing all night. Dress is cocktail attire. Proceeds from the Charity Ball support the Century League’s efforts throughout the year, specifically our local scholarship program that commits thousands of dollars to Conway County students each year. We hope you’ll join us for our biggest fundraiser of the year as we celebrate 35 years of volunteer service to Conway County. See you last century for this year’s Century League Charity Ball!

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ MARCH 2018

Arkansas Symphony to Perform The music – ah, the music! The zest of The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra will once again entertain the people of Russellville on April 7th. The concert will take place at Witherspoon Auditorium on the campus of ATU, at 8:00. A mix of pop favorites and light classical music will be presented by our awesome and very talented Maestro Philip Mann. The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and Maestro Mann, is brought to Russellville each year through the support and promotions of the Russellville Symphony Guild. The Board consists of 20 hard working women, very dedicated to the arts, and especially helping children. Before the Symphony begins, there is a 6 p.m. pre-concert reception at the ATU Lake Point Conference Center. You may call board member Ann Squyres at 880-7523 for

tickets or they may be purchased at the door the evening of the concert. Reserved seating tickets are $30.00 per person, which includes the pre-concert reception. General admission tickets are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for students K-12. Tickets are free for current ATU and UACCM students with current college ID.

HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR EVENT RETURNS TO UACCM MARCH 6-7 The University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton, in cooperation with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) in Washington, D.C., is honored to host Peter Gorog at the 10th annual Holocaust Survivor Series event on March 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium on campus. Gorog will speak again March 7 at 9:45 a.m. inside Morrilton High School’s new Devil Dog Arena. The daytime program will be tailored for secondary school students in the six-county service area, but the public is invited to attend both free events. Gorog — born Péter Grünwald on March 10, 1941, in Budapest — was only three months old when his father, Árpád, was taken to a forced labor camp in Hungary. He soon died in 1942 while at a labor battalion in Ukraine. Gorog was then supported by his mother, Olga, a hatmaker. When the German forces invaded Hungary in March 1944, the country’s government ordered the Jews of Buda-

pest to move into “csillagos ház,” meaning “houses marked with a yellow Star of David.” Afraid the houses would bring even worse discrimination, Olga and her son found refuge with a Christian friend, but were turned over to the military by a neighbor soon after. The two were arrested and jailed, but managed to escape after only two days. By October 1944, the Red Cross party had gained control of the Hungarian government, and began a reign of terror against the Jews of Budapest. Olga and her son fled to the city’s ghettos and lived with his grandparents, two aunts and a cousin — all packed into a one-bedroom apartment. But in January 1945, the country was liberated by the Soviet army. Though having survived the terrors of World War II, Gorog changed his name in 1962 from Grünwald for fear of any lingering anti-Semitic attitudes. Gorog earned a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering and later participated in the design of the first Hungarian-made computer. He defected to the U.S. in 1980, where he worked on various NASA projects such as the Hubble and James Webb telescopes. Gorog, now retired, has five daughters and two granddaughters. “We want to provide as many people in the region with the opportunity to hear from a survivor, to be enlightened as to how and why this happened, and to make sure that people never forget,” Mary Clark, UACCM’s director of marketing and public relations, said. “It’s an honor and a privilege to host this event. >>

MARCH 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

We can study and read about the Holocaust, and watch documentaries and films about that dark time in world history, but nothing can compare to hearing these powerful stories first-hand.” These events are funded by a Giving Tree Grant from the Conway County Community Foundation. UACCM also partners with the University of Central Arkansas in Conway to bring the survivors to central Arkansas, sharing the cost of travel expenses for the survivor and a travel companion from the USHMM Office of Survivor Affairs. The survivors do not charge a speaking fee, and they donate thousands of hours of service annually to the Museum by doing speaking engagements across the country, providing tours and lectures at the Museum and participating in other special related activities. The format of both events will be a stand-alone lecture with Gorog speaking about his experiences for 30-45 minutes followed by a Q-and-A session with the audience. For more information, contact Mary Clark at (501) 977-2011, or at clark@uaccm.edu.

ATU to implement new civic action plan for community engagement Arkansas Tech University has joined Campus Compact, a group of more than 1,100 colleges and universities dedicated to civic education and community development, by creating its first civic action plan. The civic action plan provides a framework through which ATU will coordinate its community and civic engagement initiatives, both in and out of the traditional classroom, in support of student success. “Our goal is to improve the educational opportunities of our students, while engaging with and supporting our community,” said Dr. Julie Mikles-Schluterman, associate professor of sociology at ATU and co-chair of the institution’s civic action planning committee. “We want to create a mutually beneficial relationship that encourages a sense of civic and social re-

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sponsibility in our students. We already have a large number of faculty, staff and students who are involved and serve others. Campus Compact and our new civic action plan provide a university-wide structure for those who want to improve our local communities and beyond.” Megan Toland, assistant professor of journalism at ATU, cochaired the civic action planning committee with Mikles-Schluterman. Additional committee members included Dr. Douglas Barron, assistant professor of biology; Aubrey Holt, interim associate dean and director for campus life; Kara Johnson, coordinator of leadership and service; Dr. Michael Rogers, associate professor of political science; Dr. Kim Troboy, professor of management information systems; and Dr. Jessica Young, assistant professor of physics. The new ATU Center for Community Engagement and Academic Outreach will be charged with implementing the university’s civic action plan. Mikles-Schluterman will serve as the initial director of the center. In addition to creating the ATU Center for Community Engagement and Academic Outreach, other cornerstones of the civic action plan include an annual community engagement symposium, an on-campus living and learning community for students interested in community engagement and interdisciplinary, project-based academic courses. According to the document drafted by the civic action planning committee, the implementation of the civic action plan will draw upon several ongoing initiatives, including academic courses that incorporate service learning hours, classes that employ the $100 Solution program, LEAD Academy, Alternative Spring Break, study abroad opportunities and the work of service-oriented student organizations such as Because We Can. For more information about Arkansas Tech’s Campus Compact civic action plan, send e-mail to jmiklesschluterman@ atu.edu.

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ MARCH 2018

479.880.2005

Brock named director of admissions at Arkansas Tech University Dr. Blake Bedsole, vice president for enrollment management at Arkansas Tech University, has announced the selection of Jessica Brock as ATU director of admissions. Brock has been a member of the Tech community since enrolling as a student in 1996. She graduated from ATU with a Bachelor of Science degree in 2000 and has worked in the roles of publicity and student recruitment specialist, associate registrar and associate director of admissions for concurrent enrollment. She was named interim director of admissions on Nov. 20, 2017. As director, Brock will oversee all operations related to concurrent, freshman and transfer admissions and enrollment. “Jessica has the experience and skills necessary to lead our undergraduate admissions team,” said Bedsole. “Our Division of Enrollment Management and our university look forward to working with her and supporting her in our collective effort to facilitate enrollment and student success.” In addition to her undergraduate degree from ATU, Brock also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Brock resides in Russellville with her husband, Matt, and children: Braden, Jordan, Kaleb and Kade.

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MARCH 2018

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COMMUNITY COMMERCE

Scott Dorminy - Farmers Insurance

hopping for insurance can be confusing and overwhelmhe understands their needs. “We don’t just sell based on price, ing. That’s why Farmers Insurance agent Scott Dorminy we want you to have the best policy possible.” focuses on educating clients and working Working in the insurance world for 12 years, with them to find the best possible policy for Scott has been with Farmers for five. Farmers InScott Dorminy their lives. “Working in insurance has taught surance serves more than 10 million households Farmers Insurance me that people often don’t know their plans unaround the country with over 19 million individ(479) 968-7003 til they have to file a claim,” he explains. With ual policies. There are more than 48,000 exclu2300 W Main St, Ste 3 the Farmers Friendly Review process, Scott sive and independent agents. Russellville, AR 72801 sits down with a potential client to make sure Scott offers auto, home, life, toy (coverage for

We Took The Plunge Again!

C&D Drug Store is happy to once again have a team of employees who are willing to take the 2018 Polar Bear Plunge into Lake Dardanelle to benefit our local Special Olympics Program. We would like to thank our staff and friends plunging for the Special Olympics!

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ MARCH 2018

“We don’t just sell based on price, we want you to have the best policy possible.” side-by-sides, atvs, and the like), renters, business, and umbrella insurance. He also offers financial plans such as IRAs, mutual funds, and 529 savings plans. Scott makes his home in Russellville, but can offer coverage anywhere within Arkansas and Oklahoma. He says he loves the small town feel of Russellville and the close-knit community. “Russellville is where I call home. I have no intention of moving,” he says. Scott is the recipient of both Farmers Insurance’s prestigious Topper Club and Championship. The Topper Club represents the top 10 percent of agents in the company and Championship represents the the top three percent of agents out of the company’s 13,500 agents. He has already been named as a member of the Topper Club again this year and will soon travel to California with other top agents around the nation. Farmers Insurance turns 90 years old this year, and Scott notes the company’s focus on education and customer appreciation that makes their service stellar. He doesn’t ever want a client to have to call and say, “what kind of policy did you sell me?” Rather, he strives to keep the lines of communication open, making sure he provides a policy that best fits the client’s life and needs. You can visit with Scott at his office located at 2300 West Main Suite 3 or reach him via phone at (479) 968-7003. Resources are also available online at https://agents.farmers.com/ar/russellville/scott-dorminy. Regular office hours are Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., but Scott is also available by appointment on Saturdays and hands out his cell phone number to all clients. “Customer service is most important,” he says. “Too many things happen outside of regular operating hours.” His end goal, he explains, is to be there when his clients need him most.

Don’t Press your

luck Drive safely (479) 968-9732 • F: (479)968-0821 2731 S. Arkansas Ave, Russellville dwane.ahrens@gmail.com

MARCH 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

Feeling blue Story and photo by JILL MCSHEEHY

was as green as I hoped my thumb would be someday, but nothing could stop my determination. Having not even planted a single vegetable in my very first garden, I made plans to grow blueberries. In the same way I approached everything in my first garden, I researched. Following advice of those who had successfully grown blueberries, I set out to start my own plot. My dad found me a tiller on Craigslist, and my husband manhandled the rusty beast until the early March weeds gave way to crumbly brown earth. I drove to a local nursery and picked out four different types of baby bushes. A baby gardener myself, I knew just enough to get started, but five seasons later we harvested enough berries to eat fresh, give to friends, freeze for year-long use, and sell at the Pottsville Farmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Market.

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ MARCH 2018

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If you want to make space for blueberries in your garden, consider these specific requirements to get your bushes off to their best start. Blueberries must have acid soil with a pH of 4.0 to 5.5. We are fortunate in Arkansas because our Cooperative Extension Service will test our soil for free. Dig soil six inches deep in several places from the area where you’d like to grow blueberries. Place the soil in a gallon-size zip-top bag and take it to the Cooperative Extension Service in Russellville (next to the Courthouse, across from Peter’s Family Living). The lab will test your soil and you’ll re-

will not fruit heavily without full sun. Buy two to three different types of blueberries for best pollination. Blueberry bushes cross-pollinate each other. Plant two at minimum (no more than twenty feet apart from one another), but three or four is even better. Each bush should be planted at least six feet away from its neighbor. In a few years when their growth spans five feet or more, you’ll be glad you did. Ensure planting area stays moist but is well-drained. You don’t want blueberries to sit in water, but they do need consistent moisture, especially the first year. Add mulch up to four inches deep to help the

“Blueberries must have full sun to fruit. When choosing a location to plant your blueberry bushes, select an area that gets over six hours of full summer sun. Although the plants will grow in shade, they will not fruit heavily without full sun.”

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ceive a letter in the mail a few weeks later that tells you the pH. Soil in our area tends to be on the acidic side, but if the pH of your soil is higher than 5.5, you can add pelletized sulfur to the planting area. The cooperative extension agents can give you specific rates based on your soil test. Blueberries must have full sun to fruit. When choosing a location to plant your blueberry bushes, select an area that gets over six hours of full summer sun. Although the plants will grow in shade, they

A Century of Service ~ 1916-2016

soil retain moisture and also to discourage weed growth. You can use wood chips, autumn leaves, pine shavings, or pine needles Most of the labor required to grow blueberries occurs at planting time. Once the bushes establish themselves, the only work you’ll be doing for the most part is harvesting. But you’ll have to be patient. While some blueberry bushes may give you a handful of berries the first season, the heaviest fruiting occurs in the third year and beyond. By then, you’ll be begging your friends to come help you with your harvest.

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MARCH 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

Story by MEREDITH MARTIN-MOATS

A JOURNAL of our RURAL & NATURAL HERITAGE

The magic is in the balance I’VE MADE A LOT OF MISTAKES making bone broth. It’s a pretty simple process, really, but like all simple processes the magic is in that balance between nuance and precision. Sometimes my process is unbalanced. If you aren’t familiar with making bone both, let me back up and tell you what it is. Basically, it’s the broth made from what’s left over from a carcass. You can use beef, lamb, pork, or chicken bones. It’s basically the same thing as stock, though, some people prepare the two a little differently. In bone broth you typically roast the bones to draw out the flavor, simmer them for over 24 hours to extract all that collagen and nutrients from little shells, add some onion, salt pepper, and perhaps a carrot or celery, and then remove the bones, extract the chunky bits, and boom — you have broth. Some people swear by adding bits of vinegar, especially after roasting the bones. Some people leave meaty bits in the liquid which adds to the congealing texture. Other prefer less meaty bits. It’s up to you. The process has gained in popularity these days and is a staple in paleo diets. There are long and fancy blog posts about its virtues. It is also just an old granny skill that reduces kitchen waste and extends the budget.

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ MARCH 2018

So back to the mistakes I’ve made. Let me give you some examples. To get the right texture, you need to boil the bones and leftover meaty bits v-e-r-y slowly. If you boil them too rapidly the fat breaks down too fast and makes the broth cloudy and white. You can still use it, but it somehow lacks the depth of flavor and looks pretty gross in a jar. Roaring boils sound fun, but in this situation the high heat doesn’t make a nice broth. Another mistake I’ve made is roasting the bones a little too much. I made that mistake over Christmas. I had cooked a whole chicken for my husband who had the flu. It was one of those free-range birds, and I’d paid a good price for it. It was delicious and we used every part of the meat. I was excited about using the neck, and fatty pieces, and bones. But I was distracted and I overcooked the bones when roasting. I didn’t really realize just how much I had burned them until I took the broth out of the crockpot on the second day. I spooned out a steaming cup only discover that it tasted like drinking the black crumbs off the bottom of a toaster oven. It’s heartbreaking to throw out all that work and that money. A free range bird isn’t cheap. And making bone broth is pretty much the only way I can justify the expense. Though the actual process doesn’t really involve much labor, once you put the broth on to cook you basically just leave it, it still feels like work given that it takes over 24 hours. But truth be told, my favorite part of the process isn’t the lovely,

magical, nutrient-rich product. It’s the process. I enjoy putting on gloves and taking apart every bit of the bird, knowing nothing is wasted. I’m clearly no vegetarian, but I have been in the past, and I feel strongly about eating with purpose and respect. Using every bit of that bird honors life and connection between species in a way that throwing the carcass in the trash never could. My favorite part is watching the bones roll and tumble slowly in the water. They rise to the surface and then fall back under, and the whole house is filled with this warmth that is hard to name. I was writing to a friend the other day, and I was trying to explain the kind of writing I wanted to do. I was trying to find words to express how I want to dig into history and region and culture and place and explore what it means to build a world for the coming generations where we know the past so well that we make clear decisions about what parts to bring into the future and what parts replicate our deepest hurts. I realized that I want my writing to be like a big vat of bone broth — every part used, the remains stewing, rolling, blending, filling up the whole house. Bone broth is supposed to be healing. But first, it’s about coming face to face with bones. Granted, I’m not quite sure how to do that kind of writing yet, and it seems like a rather lofty goal, probably a bit over the top, and perhaps you think I’ve gone off the deep end. But that’s ok. I’ll find the balance eventually. But first, I have some mistakes to make.

MARCH 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

What

we’re reading

The Book Thief As reviewed by MACKENZIE SAIN

aving grown up several decades after the tragedy of the Holocaust, I have a difficult time grasping its reality. It’s always been hard for me — especially as a child — to imagine the horrific events that took place. I also never really remember spending much time in class on the subject, and I suppose that’s because genocide is an uncomfortable topic. At any rate, the Holocaust was very real and there are many stories about its impact on the world. One enthralling narrative on the subject is The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. The story is told from the perspective of Death as narrator. His first encounter with Liesel, the protagonist, is at the burial of her brother as he witnesses her pick up a book that the gravedigger had dropped. Death marks this as the beginning of her career as a book thief. Liesel is moved to a new family, the Hubermanns, as her mother is not able to take care of her anymore. Her inability to read and write leads to ridicule from the children at her new school, but enables her relationship with her foster father, Hans, to blossom. He works with her through the night and explores the wonders of language and stories. With her new literary skills, Liesel’s infatuation with books grows and she continues her criminal career. A sudden knock on the door of the Hubermanns’ home brings dread and a lot of questions. A starving Jewish man stands on their

steps asking to speak with Hans. Keeping his word on a promise he made years ago, Hans and his wife take the man in and hide him in their basement. His name is Max Vandenburg. Liesel and Max strike up an unlikely friendship and spend their days reading, telling stories, and building snowmen in the basement. One aspect of this book that caught my attention was the author’s unique style of writing. It is an interesting choice to have the story be narrated by Death, but it also offers an appropriate perspective because Death was very busy during that time. Zusak also uses profound diction that is simultaneously blunt and poetic. The writing style was one of my favorite things about the book because it was different and refreshing. It made me feel like I really knew the characters and like I was having a conversation with the narrator. There is foreshadowing sprinkled throughout the story and at times just blatant spoilers. The book reveals some parts of the plot early on, but I was compelled to continue reading by the intriguing style of the author. This book explores many different themes, and so it provoked an overwhelming amount of thoughts and feelings while I was reading. Even as I was doing other activities throughout my day, the story loomed in my mind and I would ask questions and make predictions and connections. I couldn’t wait until I could sit down and delve back into the story. I am haunted by this book.

Author MARKUS ZUSAK

“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.