ABOUT | May 2018 by ABOUT the River Valley Magazine

A Wordless Narrative

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley MAY 2018

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RUSSELLVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT

Class of 2018 Congratulations to our graduates Russellville School District is very proud of the hard work and accomplishments of this year’s graduating class.

Out of the 362 students graduating this year, approximately 86 percent of RHS seniors will attend a four-year, two-year, or vocational college next year. Graduation is a time to commemorate your achievements, anticipate future opportunities, and embrace a world of infinite possibilities. RSD wishes all of our graduates the best as they embark on the beginning of a bright future.

Russellville School District ■ 220 West 10th Street ■ Russellville, AR. 72801 ■ 479.968.1306 ■ www.russellvilleschools.net

May 2018

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

8 A Wordless Narrative

Murals may be humanity’s oldest form of art by painting. The earliest known murals were displayed on cave walls dating back to at least 64,000 years ago. Clearly, murals are part of our DNA as story tellers.

16 Out of the mouthes of babes 18 AR SAVES in the River Valley

May is National Stroke Awareness month, a nationally recognized partnership between the National Stroke Association, the American Heart Association, and a myriad of nonprofits to educate the public about the prevention of stroke and to support stroke survivors.

8 18

26 A savory cure for spring fever

Adventurous appetites and outdoor dining urges can be satisfied at Spices food truck. Spices offers Japanese and Indonesian “grandma recipe” grub that’s likely some of the best Asian cuisine you’ve ever put in your mouth.

34 Gardening when you’re gone 36 Home Waters

Luxury Pool & Spas

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 ~ MAY 2018

ABOUT THIS MONTH’S COVER By Liz Chrisman

A collection of common tools of the mural painting trade adorn this month’s cover, courtesy of Sherry Trusty. The predominate light blue hue of paint is a custom mixed color: Sherry’s Sky Blue.

Caba reservnas for ation or brin own p g your sunsh op-up ade!

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Information available online or by calling the Clarksville Aquatic Center office. @ Clarksville Arkansas Parks and Recreation

MAY 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

EDITOR’S LETTER

Mr. Prettyboy

o one knows where he came from or how he got here. We don’t even know for sure where he sleeps. He just showed up in the neighborhood one day like a glamorous vagabond, a handsome rambler getting by on his looks. I first heard him hollering one evening about three years ago from the Mcalister place just up the road. He made a distinct and unforgettable sound, eerily like a call for help, but he didn’t want help. It wasn’t a call of distress. It was a call of vanity, his way of getting all eyes on him, and it worked. I was looking at him, and I knew right then I was looking at a narcissist. Only a few days later Mr. Prettyboy strolled into our yard with his entourage of interesting, exotic, but more subdued pals that live with the McAlisters. His shimmering emerald green outerwear bordered on the gaudy, but there was an air of sophistication in his measured steps and calm eyes that lent an elegance to his presence. He carried a confidence, not arrogance but rather a firm understanding of his place in the world and yours as well (which was at least five rungs below him), and that attitude validated his royal raiment. He never spoke a word while on my property, which seemed weird given his regular sunset (like

clockwork) screams for attention. I’m typically not a fan of over-the-top superficiality, but he was hard not to like. His physical beauty and quiet yet overwhelming charisma was magnetic. Even more interesting, I really wanted him to like me. So I started with a few friendly words, a “good morning” when we met on the road during my mid-morning walk and then a compliment or two about his attire. I was especially impressed with his gleaming spurs and jaunty head topper. He was mostly silent, offering a subtle nod every now and then, maybe a stately gaze, or sometimes a muffled vocalization that I always took for acknowledgement, though, I was never really sure. But I’ve gotten to know him anyway over the last few years, and underneath all the glitz I’ve learned that Mr. Prettyboy is really just lonesome. Now I can see it in his faraway looks. I can hear it in his sad twilight calls. I can see the desperation when he dances and shimmies in front of our laying hens with nary a response from the plump feathered gals. So if anyone out there has a lonely female peafowl, I know where an eager suitor awaits. – Johnny Carrol Sain

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley since 2006 A Publication of One14 Productions, Inc Vol. XIII, Issue 4 – May 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

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CHRISMAN

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ MAY 2018

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

May 2018 1st

— Dardanelle Band Spring Concert 7 – 9p.m at the The Center for the Arts. 2209 S Knoxville Ave, Russellville.

4th — Chamber Classic at the Russellville Country Club from 10 a.m.- 6p.m. Team Registrations and Sponsorship Registrations are now open for our Chamber Classic. The 3-Man Scramble will be held Friday May 4th, with a tee time of 12 pm. For more information about teams or sponsorship opportunities please contact Misty Lumpkins at 968-2530 or mlumpkins@russellville.org. 5th —

20th Annual Pope County Master Gardeners Plant Sale at the Pope County Fairgrounds from 8 a.m. - noon. Master Gardeners will be there to help with the selection of vegetable and flower plants that have come from their gardens or been grown from seed specifically for the plant sale. Proceeds of the sale will fund horticulture scholarships in addition to educational programs for the members.

6th — River Valley Arts Center Gallery Opening 1 – 3p.m. at the Arkansas River Valley Arts Center 1001 E B St, Russellville. 8th — RJHS and RHS Choirs Concert from 7 – 9p.m. at The Center for the Arts. 2209 S Knoxville Ave, Russellville.

Find up-to-date information and future events @

www.aboutrvmag.com/events 11th — 22nd Annual Johnson County Relay for Life at the Johnson County Courthouse Square from 6-10p.m. Teams may decorate their booths with the theme, which is Wizard of Oz: “There’s No Place Like Hope.” For more information contact Andrea Ward 7741729 or Aisha Moore 979-4569. 12th

— Arkansas Heritage Day at Petit Jean State Park. Discover the state’s rich heritage in Arkansas’s first state park. From Native American Indian life to the era of the Civilian Conservation Corps, Petit Jean State Park is a place rich with the influence of the past. Contact the park for a schedule. Admission is free. For more information contact (501) 727-5441.

15th

— A Southern Symphony Membership Brunch will be hosted by the board of the Russellville Symphony Guild. The event will be held at the home of Mrs. Tracy Douthit at 910 Skyline Drive in Russellville. The brunch is from 11 am to 1 pm. One year membership of $30 may be paid at the brunch, or be mailed to treasurer Judy Murphy at 126 Lakeview Drive in Russellville. For more information call Judy at 967-1177.

We make it personal. You make it home.

29 30 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 1 2 29 30 1 2 *Unless otherwise indicated,3 4 5 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.

19th — National Kids to Parks Day at Lake Dardanelle State Park.Bring the whole family to Lake Dardanelle State Park to celebrate National Kids to Parks Day. Park staff will offer a full schedule of programs and activities throughout the day. Admission is free. For more information contact 967-5516. 26th — Memorial Day Weekend Concert from 5p.m. – 8p.m. at Depot Park in downtown Russellville. June 1st

— Downtown Art Walk in downtown Russellville from 6 - 9p.m.

With a little help from First State Bank, Shelby and Meghan Lewis made their new home a reality. First State Bank has the loans, the rates, the latest technology and the locations to make it easy. Any bank can make a loan. But First State Bank makes it personal. Every transaction. Every interaction. Every customer. Every day. Call Jennifer Samuels, Sr. VP Mortgage Loans, at (479) 498-2467 or (877) 498-2400. NMLS Originator ID: 564256 / NMLS Company ID: 433425

New homeowners Shelby and Meghan Lewis, First State Bank Sr. VP Mortgage Loans, Jennifer Samuels FSB-004-75x325-print-ad-about-LO2.indd 1

MAY 2018

4/16/18 1:36 PM7 ~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

Story by JOHNNY CARROL SAIN | Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN

a wordless narrative Murals may be humanityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest form of art by painting. The

earliest known murals were displayed on cave walls dating back to at least 64,000 years ago. Those werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even created by us, but instead by our hominid cousin Neanderthals. The earliest known Homo sapiens murals are over 35,000 years old. Clearly, murals are part of our DNA as story tellers.

Modern murals run the gamut from political to historical to amusing to even the abstract. But they all share one commonality, one purpose that stretches behind us into prehistory: they tell a story in images to the masses. Murals are the ultimate form of art for the people. They are the pigments of democracy brushed, rolled, and even finger painted for display to the public at large.

On the following pages, we showcase three murals you can find here in the River Valley. The styles and palette vary. Two were completed within the last couple years and one was painted almost 80 years ago. But they all serve as a visual narrative, telling the story of who we are.

MAY 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

Historic Timeline of Russellville

Mural by Sherry Trusty

Sherry Trusty’s mural representing a general timeline for the City of Russellville adorns a wall in the Old Bank Sports Grill in downtown Russellville. Sherry says it took three weeks to plan the mural and another three weeks to paint it. The Arkansas River flows through stops in time for the Russellville area beginning with two portraits of Native Americans — one representing the Osage tribe who hunted along the river before European settlement and one the Cherokee tribe who were moved to the River Valley by the US government before their final forced move to Oklahoma. Images of the first store built and owned by Mr. Shinn and a portrait of Dr. Thomas Russell, who owned the first house

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ MAY 2018

and was the town doctor, are next. Russellville residents are likely familiar with the story of how Russellville was almost Shinnville. Cotton plants and mining tools represent the early economy of the area. A train, cyclone, Interstate 40, Nuclear One and Lake Dardanelle along with other iconic images of Russellville populate the mural. “I really hope viewers will discover the history of the town and want to learn more,” says Sherry. “It was hard to decide what to put in the mural and there’s a lot more interesting history about this town. It’s an educational mural as well as a work of art.” Posters of the mural can be purchased at Dog Ear Books

MAY 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ MAY 2018

Men at Rest

Mural by Richard Sargent

The mural “Men at Rest” was painted for the Morrilton post office by Richard Sargent in 1939. This is the same Richard Sargent from Moline, Illinois, whose work was featured numerous times on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post. It’s quite an honor to have such renowned talent on display here in the River Valley. Between the years of 1933 and 1943 the federal government employed nearly 10,000 artists who produced an overwhelming quantity of work. This mass commissioning brought art to the common man, essentially bridging the gap between art and society while literally saving a generation of artists who would have been lost to the struggles of the depression. Sargent was commissioned for $590 to cre-

ate a mural for Morrilton, Arkansas, as the result of an honorable mention in a fine arts competition. The mural is Sargent’s interpretation of the weariness one feels after a day’s work under a hot sun and depicts three men in front of a wagon load of hay as they pause a moment to take turns quenching their thirst. To the left of the wide meadow is a barn and another wagon from which hay is being unloaded. The mountain in the background is typical of the Arkansas Ozarks. The work has since been moved to the front entryway of the Conway County Courthouse. Information on this mural is credited to the University of Central Arkansas Arkansas Post Office Murals website uca.edu/postofficemurals/home/

MAY 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

Welcome to Historic Clarksville

Mural by Ken Pennington

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ MAY 2018

The Ozark Mountains stretch north as a bald eagle soars overhead. A depiction of Curveball Falls (the train tunnel isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t there in reality so chalk it up to artistic license) in all its majesty anchors the left side as representative of the waters that formed the hills and eventually the Arkansas River and carved the River Valley. The rural and natural essence of Johnson County is rounded out with whitetail deer in the foreground, a cyclist on one of Clarksvilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gorgeous walking/bike paths and, of course, those famous big beautiful Johnson County peaches are on on there, too.

The depot and an old steam engine, which has become a sort of symbol for Clarksville and the town’s growth sit center. And then there are all kinds of little details you might not expect to find on a mural thanks to Ken’s painstaking work. “It took six or eight months off and on to finish,” says Ken, who is also a local pastor and all around busy guy. “I just take too long sometimes.” That’s a gentle self-deprecating way of saying he got

caught up in the creative process and found it difficult to quit with the details. “I used brushes, and some little bitty brushes,” says Ken. “There’s a bass jumping and, you’ve go to look real careful, but he’s jumping after a dragonfly.” Also in the mural: a snowflake, an arrowhead, and even a mirror. You can visit downtown Clarksville and give Ken’s work a gander to likely find even more surprises.

MAY 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

E V E R Y D AY L I F E

Out of the mouths of babes Story by SARAH CLOWER Illustration by CLIFF THOMAS

AS MOTHER’S DAY APPROACHES, I notice faux pink flowers, pastel greeting cards, and cheesy quick gifts littering the aisles of nearly ever store. But sometimes another chintzy item is not what a mother needs to be celebrated with. Sometimes she needs to be celebrated with kind words and appreciation. A mother is a person who works tirelessly taking care of her children, kissing boo boos and making lunches, handling tantrums and giving baths, and putting babies to bed with the utmost tenderness and patience. So I interviewed quite a few children, and asked them a lot of different questions about their moms to gain insight into how these kids view their mothers. Some of the answers were quite endearing while others were highly comical. I hope the moms of these great kids enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed talking to their sweet kids. What is something you hear your mom say all of the time? {Most common answer: Go to bed.} “Be good!” - Avery, age 4 “That she loves me.” - Jasmine, age 4 “No one is coming over until these dishes get cleaned!” - Tadom, age 14 “Do it yourself.” - Axel, age 13 “I need a nap.” - Sam, age 4 “That she loves me, but that I’m going to put her in the crazy house one of these days for being so wild.” - Rafferty, age 8 “What the… you know the word.” Taylor, age 13

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ MAY 2018

“Did you put on deodorant?” - Hayden, age 12 “There are five kids in this house and none of y’all have a single tooth brushed!” - Kristyn, 15 What is something you see your mom doing most of the time? {Most common answer: cleaning.} “Takes showers.” - Thomas, age 6 “Takes care of our family.” - Rilee, 13 “Doing homework.” - Sam, 4 “Taxes.” - Axel, 13 “Working.” - Rafferty, 8

“Watching scary movies.” - Makenna, 7 “Trying to figure out what to watch on Netflix.” - Tadom, 14 What is something you wish your mom did? {Most common answer: Never made me go to bed.} “Let me get a snake.” Braden, 6 “Threw parties!” - Rilee, 13 “Got takeout more.” - Axel, 13 “Jump on the trampoline more!” - Rowan, 5 “Homeschool me.” Tadom, 14 “Stop making me pluck her chin hairs.” Kaylee, 12

How would you describe your mom using just a few words? {Most common answer: Beautiful} “A girl” - Thomas, 6 “Skinny and white.” - Taylor, 13 “Short.” - Kristyn, 15 “Blonde and cute.” Paxtin, 9 “Crazy.” - Rafferty, 8 “Happy!” - Isobel, 3 “A robot.” Sam, 4 “Black hair, and she wears earrings.” -Brock, 8 Is your mom fun? What kind of fun stuff does she do? {Most common answer: Yes! She plays with me and she’s way more fun than dad.} “She’s fun, and has white hair!” - Avery, 4 “Yes! When she takes me places without my sister!” - Makenna, 7 “Yes! She dances to my music!” - Rilee, 13 “Lots of fun! We have family game night!” - Brynnan, 9 “Yes! She knows how to twerk!” -Taylor, 13 “Yes. She’s hyper. And takes me on adventures.” - Raff, 8 What is your mom’s favorite food? {Most common answer: Wine.} “Ice cream.” -Avery, 4 “Broccoli.” - Thomas, 6 “Green smoothies.” Rilee, 13 “Chips and salsa!” - Kristyn, 15 “Anything organic!” - Brynnan, 9 “Probably quinoa.” - Rafferty, 8 “Chocolate broccoli!” - Isobel, 3 “Microwave lasagna” - Brock, 8

What does your mom do to relax? {Most common answer: I don’t know. Maybe sits down?} “Drinks wine and paints stuff.” - Rafferty, 8 “Takes me to Brown’s Catfish.” - Sam, 4 “Plays with toys.” Avery, 4 “Makes me take a nap and eats broccoli.” - Thomas, 6 “She cooks for us. She loves it.” - Zack, 10 “Looks on Facebook and watches Housewives.” - Brynnan, 9. “Says she needs a beer and a brothel.” - Brock, 8 What is something you always see your mom buying at the store? {Most common answer: Groceries} “Grown up stuff.” - Thomas, 6 “Brooms.” - Makenna, 7 “Cotton candy suckers.” - Rilee, 13 “Girly stuff that she says I’ll learn about some day.” - Braden, 6 “Puppy pads, toilet paper and eyeliner.” - Brock, 8 “Batteries and cat food.” - Rafferty, 8 If you were to buy your mom a gift you think she would love, what would it be? {Most common answer: A necklace.} “A milkshake.” - Avery, 4 “Bones.” - Thomas, 6 “35 heart shaped chocolates.” - Brynnan, 9 “She doesn’t need anything. I’d just make her a card.” -Hayden, 12 “I’d take her to Disneyland.” - Kristyn, 15 “100 mannequins so she can do their hair.” - Raff, 8

“A real life mermaid.” - Tadom, 14 “Tomato soup.” - Makenna, 7 What does your mom do at her job? What do you think she spends most of her money on? {Most common answer: Makes tons of money, and spends it all on her kids.} “She’s a teacher. She makes lots of money, way more than daddy, so many monies that she gets to buy all of our food.” - Avery, 4 “She’s in the army. She gets lots of paychecks. I wish she would buy me more Paw Patrol stuff.” -Thomas, 6 “She helps people. She buys lots of dresses.” - Makenna, 7 “She cuts hair. She spends tons of money on me and at markets where there’s fleas. I don’t know why.” - Rafferty, 8 “She works with crazy people who don’t share. She buys me lots of toys.” - Sam, 4 If you had to sell your mom, what do you think she would be worth? {Most common answer: A million dollars.} “We wouldn’t sell her. She’s really great.” Zack, 10 “40 bucks. Or for some unicorn poop.” Taylor, 13 “1 million diamonds.” - Raff, 8 “100 steaks.” Hayden, 12 “Well she’s not a good cook. So I don’t know how much I could get for her.” Braden, 6 Would you trade your mom for a different mom? “No!” - Every kid I interviewed.

MAY 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

AR SAVES in the River Valley:

stroke awareness and new technology saves lives Story by MEREDITH MARTIN-MOATS | Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN

MAY IS NATIONAL STROKE AWARENESS MONTH, a nationally recognized partnership between the National Stroke Association, the American Heart Association, and a myriad of nonprofits to educate the public about the prevention of stroke and to support stroke survivors. The National Stroke Association calls a stroke a "brain attackâ&#x20AC;? occurring when blood flow to an area of the blain is cut off. Strokes can be ischemic (a clot) or hemorrhagic (bleeding). The brain cells are then deprived of oxygen and begin to die. When brain cells die during a stroke, abilities controlled by that area of the brain are lost. This includes muscle control and memory. Strokes kill more than 133,000 Americans each year. But 80 percent of strokes are treatable if symptoms are caught in time. Here in the River Valley, the AR SAVES Program works to do just that. AR SAVES (Stroke Assistance Through Virtual Emergency Support) is a statewide telestroke program via the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Center for Distance Health. AÂ telestroke program is a sub-category of telemedicine, a service often employed for medical consultations in rural areas. Through the use of a highspeed internet connection and at the minimum a laptop with video capabilities, telemedicine allows a medical specialists to provide remote treatment for patients. AR SAVES began in November 2008 and now includes 54 hospitals, nearly two-thirds of the hospitals in Arkansas. Saint Mary's became a part of the partnership in 2010. The program offers participating emergency rooms with 24-hour live two-ways calls with a vascular neurologists. Each of these partnering sites is staffed with people trained in recognition, assessment, and treatment of strokes. Each site is also equipped with telemedicine technology, ongoing training for personnel, support for dedicated telestroke coordinator (nurse facilitator), and ongoing continuing education.

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ MAY 2018

MAY 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

Participating hospitals also treat patients with life-saving drug alteplase (trade name Activase). According to the National Stroke Association, “currently more than 30 percent of eligible patients receive tPA (alteplase), whereas before, only one percent would arrive in time for any intervention.” Before the proliferation of the AR SAVES program, Arkansas was ranked number one in the nation for stroke deaths. Thanks to this innovative network, Arkansas now ranks sixth and dropping with each passing year. This past year the AR SAVES program was one of only eight recipients in the nation to receive the national RAISE (Raise Awareness in Stroke Excellence) Award, a designation presented to individuals and groups who excel in raising stroke awareness, prevention and recovery. But how does the program work? Tim Tanner, ER nurse and facilitator of the AR SAVES program at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center, explains that the telestroke conference is basically a live video chat with a stroke neurologist. After the regional ER has admitted the patient, and the blood work and a CT scan is ordered, ER staff go online with the an onsite neurologist at UAMS. An information technology (IT) person joins the call to address any technical problems that might arise.” Basically we are the hands for the doctor,” Tim explains. The neurologist will work with the ER to do an 11 point exam on the patient and, if needed, will prescribe Activase, which acts as clot buster for the

stroke. Tim calls it “Draino for the brain or braino. In most cases this drug reduces the odds of death. Sometimes the patient is then transported to UAMS for further testing or treatment. The national goal for “door to needle time”--- time the patient walks in the door, tests done, and drug prescribed — is 60 minutes or less. In most cases Saint Mary’s meets or exceeds that national goal. Other River Valley hospitals in the AR SAVES program are excelling as well. Johnson Regional Medical Center 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. “I've been in ER work for 20 years,” explains Tim. “But working with this pro-

gram over the past two years, I feel energized. I learn something new every day.” Tim stresses the ongoing team effort of the AR SAVES program, complimenting his ER team and their dedicated work. He says that before this program, stroke patients in smaller cities didn't have much hope. “Unless you were in a city like Little Rock or Fort Smith, there wasn't really anything ER staff could do for stroke patients, just a pill and a prayer,” as he called it. While access to UAMS neurologists and life-saving drugs are certainly a key part of the program, AR SAVES is about much more than the telestroke conference events. It's also educating the public about prevention and how to catch warning signs early. And it's about supporting stroke survivors. To this end, AR SAVES offers public outreach events and resources around the state to schools and organizations. It is this diligent outreach that has removed Arkansas from number one ranking stroke state in the nation.

Kate Gazenko, M.D. General Surgeon

Board Certified in Critical Care and General Surgery. Dr. Gazenko utilizes minimally invasive techniques to provide a full spectrum of surgical care including, but not limited to gall bladder removal, hernia repair, skin and soft tissue procedures, and the surgical treatment of breast disease. To Schedule Your Appointment with Dr. Gazenko, call the JRMC Surgery Clinic at (479) 754-6510

MEDICAL CENTER SURGERY CLINIC 20

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ MAY 2018

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

To fully understand the transformation, in 2017 the state-wide AR SAVES program conducted 826 consults with ER patients; 274 people were prescribed Activase, and 1,510 community education events were held reaching around 264,000 Arkansans. Regionally, Saint Mary's program provided 56 consults, administered the medication 23 times and held 56 events reaching close to 13,000 people. Educating the public is Tanner's passion. “I'll talk to a room of five people or a room of 5,000,” Tim says. It’s important to note that Dardanelle Hospital is also now a member of the AR SAVES network and is working locally to add to this success. Tim reminds the public that after a stroke every moment is critical. “A patient is losing up to 32,000 neurons a second,” he stresses. This equates to a person aging up to three years an hour. Awareness of symptoms and access to timely treatment is what makes survival possible. Tim and the AR SAVES partnership around the state teach the BE FAST method for early stroke diagnosis and action. BALANCE: Is there a loss of balance? EYES: Is there a vision change in one or both eyes? FACE: Is there facial weakness, drooping or uneven smile? ARM: Is there arm numbness or arm weakness? SPEECH: Is there slurred speech, difficulty speaking or understanding?

TIME: Call 911 and get to the hospital immediately. Tim stresses the importance of trying to ascertain and document the last known well-time, as this information will help health professionals during treatment. • • • Whenever speaking with the community, Tim brings what he calls the “mega brain,” an oversized inflatable brain model that serves as a teaching tool. It's large enough to walk through and is a hit with audiences both young and old. He has also created a game for kids that teaches about the stroke and mechanical thrombectomy process (clot removing surgery). “It's an Operation game,” he explains, “where all the parts have been replaced with veins and arteries.” A skittle represents the clot and the game illustrates how proper medication can push the clot out and let the blood flow again. Tim says it's easy to do these talks and spread the word about prevention and treatment because “once you have seen the model you're sold on it.” He notes that we often think of stroke victims as older people, but there are stroke survivors as young as 27 years old. Though rare, strokes can even happen in utero. Tom Berryhill, a local stroke survivor thanks to the AR SAVES program and rapid response of the Saint Mary's ER team, recently took part in a Lunch and Learn

at UAMS along with Tim. The featured speaker was one of the doctors who operated on Tom via the AR SAVES program and the two were able to meet again. Tim calls this one of his “proudest moments.” Between community engagement and state of the art treatment facilities, AR SAVES hopes to continue to decrease stroke deaths in Arkansas. Since the program's creation in 2008, 99 percent of Arkansans are now within a 60-minute drive to an AR SAVES participating hospital. These numbers are rare for a largely rural state. You can test your own stroke knowledge and hear voices from around the state via the AR SAVES webpage where you can find a series of survivor stories from several participating hospitals, resources for nurse facilitators and EMS staff, and annual reports from previous years. Tom Berryhill was featured in the 2017 final report. They also highlight ongoing events, many taking place during the month of May. You can visit AR SAVES online at arsaves. uams.edu to learn more about the statewide program or contact the ER department at Saint Mary's to book a free visit with Tim. Tim will share his knowledge of effective community outreach programs when he serves on a panel at the National Stroke Association meeting in May. He'll be a featured contributor to the panel entitled, “Community Outreach Done Right.” Tim notes that he will gladly speak to any civic, community and church groups throughout the region at any time of the year.

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MAY 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

COMMUNITY

ATU’s Greeks Give Back donates food for local youth

There will be less hunger among the children of Russellville this summer because of a volunteer effort by fraternity and sorority members at Arkansas Tech University. Greek students at ATU collected 33,152 food items during the 2018 Greeks Give Back event. The donated food was gathered at Tucker Coliseum on Monday, April 2, and delivered to elementary schools in the Russellville School District on Tuesday, April 3. The items will be sent home with students to ensure they have access to easily prepared, nutritious food during the summer months. “It means so much to be able to give back to the community because, as a Tech student, this community does so much for our campus,” said John Sisco, an ATU junior from Fort Smith and one of the organizers of the 2018 Greeks Give Back. “It’s an honor to give back to their kids and help out in any way we can.” Visit www.atu.edu/greeks to learn more about fraternities and sororities at ATU.

Dover Public Education Foundation’s 2018 Gala Feature Speaker, NFL Referee Walt Coleman

Dinner, catered by Susan Moorehouse, will be served at 6:30p.m. Music will be provided by DHS band members and the DHS EAST program will recognize 2018 grant recipients with a video. Featured speaker Walt Coleman is an active NFL referee and holds a BS in business administration with honors from the University of Arkansas Fayetteville. He is a past president of the Arkansas Dairy Products Association, past chairman of the Arkansas Area Council of Boys & Girls Clubs of America and past board member of the Milk Industry Foundation-Washington DC. Walt is currently a board member of the Little Rock Boys & Girls Club. He was selected to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2009. 2018 Dover Public Education Reservation is required but no tickets are sold. However, DPEF will request doFoundation Gala The Dover Public Education Foundation nations at the event. This is the only fundwill host its 2018 Gala on September 18, raiser held annually by DPEF. Individuals 2018 at the Dover High School cafeteria. can use the contact information below to

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ MAY 2018

request seating reservations. Corporate donations are accepted to pay for the Gala. All other donations received are awarded to the students of the Dover School District. Corporate donors are recognized in the Gala Program, on the DPEF website, publicity materials, and Facebook page. The Dover Public Education Foundation, Inc. is a citizens group representing a cross section of business and community leaders, parents, grandparents, and educators committed to excellence in public education. DPEF began in 2011 with seed money contributed by 10 board members providing funds to supplement the various programs and activities in our school system in order to enhance the educational experience for all of our students. DPEF is a non-profit chartered by the State of Arkansas and approved by the IRS as a 501(c) 3 tax-exempt organization. Grant amount awarded by the DPEF to date is $738,343.

479.880.2005

DPEF mission statement: The focus of the Foundation will be to assist the Dover School District with non-funded budget considerations and other related projects for classrooms; the athletic department; the music department; the art department; and various schools’ technology improvements. The organization will consider other education related needs as grants are written and funds are available. For more information, contact Fe Barton at (479) 331-3693, Sue Virden at (479) 331-1714, or visit www.doverpef.org.

Local Salon Celebrates 20 Years Shear Style was opened on June 5th 1998. It started with just three ladies, and over the past 20 years has expanded to twelve; ten stylists, one manicurist, and two massage therapists. They will be celebrating their 20th anniversary on Friday, June 8th, 2018, and invite all of the surrounding area to join them in this milestone. “We owe and dedicate it all to God!” says owner Robin Delgado. Their hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 till done, and Satruday, 8:30-2:00.

Shear Style is located in Russellville at 2621 West Main Street. Robin owns and manages the salon, and is married to Joey Delgado with children Maeghan, Jessie, Micaiah, and God daughter Mia. Stylists include: Julie Looper, Shirley Jay, Melissa Singleton, Maeghan Delgado, Dorothy Howington, Gail Howell, Regina Walters, Tara Ezell, Tina Highfill and Kaelyn Thibodeaux.

RUSSELLVILLE ANIMAL SHELTER

Featured Friend

A Southern Symphony Membership Brunch The Russellville Symphony Guild will hold their annual membership brunch on May 15th, from 11 am to 1 pm. The event will be held at the home of Mrs. Tracy Douthit, at 910 Skyline Drive in Russellville. The new theme this year will be “A Southern Symphony Membership Brunch.” This brunch serves as an opportunity for women to join, and learn more about the Guilds role in the community to promote art and music, and in the schools as well. The most recent event in April was the popular performance of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra from Little Rock. The Guild board members work all year with fund raisers to raise money to bring the Orchestra to Russellville to entertain the community. New board members and new officers will be introduced at this membership brunch. The committee planning this event was Kathy Westmoreland, Ann Squyres, Elizabeth Stinnett, Gerry Summers and Paula Stamps. >>

Railroad GENDER: Male

(Neutered) retriever collie mix AGE: About 2 years old

TYPE: Golden

He was found by a railroad with a pile of trash (hence the name). He was well underweight but is now healthy after six months of care at the shelter. He is good with other dogs and kids, very friendly, and potty trained. He does not do well with cats. To learn more, or to adopt this month’s canine, please contact the Russellville Animal Shelter at (479) 968-1944. Photo by ALICIA MEUANGMANY

MAY 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

One year membership of $30 may be paid at the brunch, or may be mailed to treasurer Judy Murphy at 126 Lakeview Circle, Russellville. For more information call Judy at 967-1177.

SERVICES PROVIDED: • Skilled Nursing • Physical Therapy • Occupational Therapy • Speech Therapy • Medical Social Worker • Home Health Aide • Fall Prevention Program

The mission of Trinity Home Health of Arkansas is to live out our values of compassion, integrity, and excellence by providing quality, efficient, and effective health care and health-related social services in the comfort of the 479-968-4544 patient’s own home. www.trinityhhar.com

To meet the increased demand for quality pre-owned vehicles in Russellville, we are expanding our business and opening a second location at 1607 S. Knoxville (formerly C-Bay). Orr Too will be a pre-owned super-center with over 100 quality vehicles to choose from. You can expect the same great service and our popular FREE lifetime power-train warranty. Doors open March 1st! "Come buy yourself a car, Orr Too." #morewithorr #orrtoo #firstinthevalley 479-968-4566

Same great service at our new second location, 1607 S. Knoxville, Russellville! Mom carries precious cargo! Keep her safe and her ride looking great.

Happy Mother's Day!

(479) 968-3991 • 1903 SOUTH ARKANSAS

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ MAY 2018

UACCM Celebrates Opening Of Workforce Training Center April 26 The University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton celebrated the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Workforce Training Center on Thursday, April 26. Located on the west end of campus, the 53,843-SF building marks the end of the largest construction project in UACCM history and the first new building in nine years. The WTC will house air conditioning, heating and refrigeration, automotive service, industrial mechanics and maintenance, and welding technology programs. “It has been a dream for over 10 years and was financially made possible by the contributions of many community supporters and employees, industry partners, federal and state grants, and UACCM’s commitment to technical training,” Linda Birkner, UACCM’s vice chancellor for administration, said. The approximately $15 million project began with an official groundbreaking ceremony on April 29, 2016 after purchasing two parcels of land from Morrilton residents Bob Coffman and Gene Ruffiner in April 2013 and March 2014, respectively. The college was approved for a $1.1 million Economic Development Administration investment from the U.S. Department of Commerce in September 2014. An employee campaign that same year, which received 90 percent participation, raised more than $63,000 in gifts and pledges. In addition, this project would not be possible without the UACCM Foundation’s Give Meaning Campaign, which has raised nearly

$3 million since its conception in 2013. For more information contact Director of Marketing & Public Relations Mary Clark at (501) 977-2011, or at clark@uaccm.edu.

Pope County Master Gardeners Annual Plant Sale May 5th will mark the 20th year that the Pope County Master Gardeners will have their annual Plant Sale at the Pope County Fairgrounds. The doors will be open from 8 a.m. - noon. Master Gardeners will be there to help with the selection of vegetable and flower plants that have come from their gardens or been grown from seed specifically for the plant sale. Plants that may be available include tomatoes, lavender, basil, sunflowers, coleus, viola, sweet basil, hydrangea, Swedish ivy, salvia, cosmos, gallardia, agastache, dayliles, peppers, and stevia. A potting table and a wheelbarrow bench along with garden art items will also be for sale. Proceeds of the sale will fund horticulture scholarships in addition to educational programs for the members.

River Valley Child Advocacy Center Open House/Grand Opening River Valley Child Advocacy Center will host an open house and grand opening on May 23rd at 3 p.m. 2206 Red Hill Lane, Russellville. The RVCAC is a community based facility that uses a multi-disciplinary approach to reduce trauma to child victims of sexual abuse, physical abuse and neglect. Services include advocacy, forensic interviews, sexual assault medical exams, and trauma therapy. Please join us in our effort to serve child victims of abuse and see how you can help. For more information contact executive director Marilyn Sanders at 498-4747.

Because of You, We Care. Happy Mother’s Day!

IN-HOME PERSONAL CARE

(479) 880-1112 | 914 West ‘B’ Street, Russellville AR

Baseball is back at Old Bank! Catch the games on one of our 76 TV screens! 220 W Main Street, Russellville | (479) 219-5181

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

BOOTH SPACE AVAILABLE

317 W. B STREET RUSSELLVILLE, AR

The Scarlet Locke Hair Lounge has space available for an experienced and fun sylist with clientele. Booth space is $85.00 per week. We are in the heart of downtown Russellville and the only salon with a full beverage bar. Call 479-567-2563 for more information.

Models 36” to 72” Cut

NO MONEY DOWN! 0% INTEREST UP TO 54 MONTHS SOUTH 2ND STREET, DARDANELLE • 479-229-4841 • www.mahindrapackagedeals.com • MAY 2018

Find us on Facebook! ~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN Story by JOHNNY CARROL SAIN

SPICE’S FOOD TRUCK (479) 223-1545 | 2112 west main st RUSSELLVILLE

A savory cure for spring fever THOSE WARM SPRING RAYS AND SOUTHERLY BREEZES flirt with your sense of adventure. As a fresh greening spreads across the land, an urge to try something new and unique, something beyond the ordinary builds. The longing for thrills after a winter of cabin fever extends even to our hunger. Sit-down restaurants are nice enough. A diversity of quality eats are widely available in the River Valley from all-American staples to various ethnic varieties and everything in between. But you want to be out there in the fresh air. And you want the food to be just as bright, just as intriguing, just as brilliant as that May sun. How about a taste of Indonesia with nothing overhead except cottony clouds

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ MAY 2018

and blue skies? Adventurous appetites and outdoor dining urges can be satisfied at Spices food truck. Spices offers Japanese and Indonesian “grandma recipe” grub that’s likely some of the best Asian cuisine you’ve ever put in your mouth. We had the awesome satay, which exceeded its billing by a mile. Lamb, steak, and chicken skewers grilled and resting on a bed of fried rice. Dip the lamb and beef into Spices Indonesian soy sauce. Then dab a little peanut sauce on that chicken. You’ve never had chicken like this before. And by the way, you won’t be able to eat it all so save at least one skewer of each for later. It’s the sure cure for your tastebuds’ spring fever.

MAY 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

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

Made with Love Story by LYDIA ZIMMERMAN, Food Editor

I RECENTLY SAW THIS QUOTE:“Cooking is one of the greatest gifts you can give to those you love.” It came from Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa from the Food Network. This sentiment has a lot of truth to it. When I was growing up, my mom always had hot homecooked meals for us. I look back and realize all the time and love she put into her culinary creations, and now I try to do the same for my family. In the spirit of celebrating mothers and the love we put into meals prepared for our families, I contacted some friends and family for recipes that are family favorites. You never know, you might just find your family’s new favorite dish on these next few pages. Thank you to all of those that contributed a recipe. Happy Mother’s Day! As always, enjoy!

Sour Cream Lemon Pound Cake

SOUR CREAM LEMON POUND CAKE ABOUT Magazine Featured Recipe ~ May 2018

1 box Duncan Hines Butter Recipe Golden Cake Mix (use only this cake mix to ensure a moist cake) 1/2 c sugar 3/4 c vegetable oil 4 eggs 8 oz sour cream 1 1/2 tsp lemon extract

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ MAY 2018

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large mixing bowl mix together cake mix (unprepared) and sugar. Add remaining ingredients and beat well. Pour into a greased and floured bundt pan. Bake 45 minutes or until done. Remove from oven but leave in pan for 10 minutes. Turn out onto a plate or cake tray and cover with a large plastic bowl (or plastic cover or cake tray) for atleast 20 minutes. This is important for the cake to be moist. Serve with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. Recipe courtesy of Lydia Zimmerman (mother of Grace, Anita Claire and Lucas.)

MOM’S MEAT LOAF 1-1/2 lbs ground hamburger meat 1 c tomato juice (or Rotel or diced tomatoes of your choosing) 1 egg, beaten 1 c oatmeal, not cooked 1/4 c chopped onion salt and pepper Ketchup Stir ingredients all together (this is easiest done using your hands), place in square greased casserole dish. Cover and top with ketchup. Bake at 350 for one hour 15 minutes. Recipe courtesy of Benita Drew of Pottsville (mother of Issac and Bella) MINI GERMAN PANCAKES 1 c milk 6 eggs 1 c flour 1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp vanilla 1 tsp orange zest (optional) 1/4 c butter, melted Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Blend first six ingredients (milk thru orange zest) in a blender. Be careful to see that any flour clumps get well-blended. Blend in butter a little at a time in order to temper the eggs. Grease muffin tins well and distribute batter evenly between 18-20 tins.

Bake for 15 minutes, or until puffy and golden on top. Serve with your favorite toppings such as powdered sugar, pancake syrup or a tasty marmalade. Recipe courtesy of Deborah Hernandez of Waco, Tx (mother of Maia and Zoe)

APPLE DUMP CAKE 1 box yellow cake mix (unprepared) 1 (16 oz) can apples 1 (16 oz) pineapple, drained 2 sticks of butter Brown sugar Butter bottom of a pan. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Spread apples and pineapple on top. Spread the cake mix on top. Cut the 2 sticks of butter into squares and place on top. Bake at 350 degrees for approx 50 minutes or until brown. Recipe courtesy of Kim Davis of Dover (mother of Cody and Kelsey)

BREAKFAST CAKE 4 T melted butter 1 egg 1/2 c milk 1 c flour 1/2 c sugar 1/2 tsp salt 1 T baking powder Topping: 2 T sugar 1/2 tsp cinnamon Heat oven to 375. Mix butter, egg and milk; set aside. Mix dry ingredients. Combine wet and dry ingredients, stirring only long enough to smooth out large lumps. Pour into a greased 8 or 9 inch pan. Combine topping ingredients and sprinkle on top of mixture in the pan. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Note: Recipe can be doubled and baked in a 13X9 inch pan. Recipe courtesy of Wendy Ledbetter of Dover (mother of Megan and Erica)

CHICKEN POT PIE 2 ready made pie crusts 1 can of chopped chicken 1 can of diced white potatoes 1 can of Veg-All 1 can Cream of Chicken soup Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix the chicken, vegetables and soup together in a bowl. Add a splash of milk to make it creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste. Place one of the pie crusts in a pie plate. Pour the vegetable/chicken mixture into the pie plate and cover with the other crust. Bake at 375 for 45 minutes. Recipe courtesy of Michelle Payne of Dover (mother of Faith and Ryder)

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• Front Door Parking • Old Tyme Soda Fountain • Daily Lunch Specials

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

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

Get ready for warmer weather with a York Heat and Air unit from Griffin! Griffin Electric Heat & Air, Inc. SALES AND SERVICE 2605 S. Knoxville • Russellville (479) 968-8555 • (877) 373-2855 Jay & Dennis Griffin • License #122314

STROGANOFF Cubed steak 1 T minced garlic 1/2 c chopped onion 1 can of beef broth sliced fresh mushrooms 8 oz sour cream salt and pepper Cut up cubed steak into desired size pieces. Cook in a little oil in a skillet. About half way through cooking add minced garlic and onion. When the steak is brown and the onions are clear, add a can of beef broth and the mushrooms. Let this simmer for a while. Add sour cream and continue to simmer until all of the sour cream blends into the broth/juices. Season with salt and pepper. Serve over rice or noodles. Recipe courtesy of Stephanie Brison of Ozark (mother of Liz Chrisman) HELLO DOLLY CAKES 1 stick butter, melted 2 c Graham Cracker Crumbs 1 c chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate) 1 c flaked coconut 1 c pecans (chopped or halved) 1 can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk Pour melted butter into bottom of a 9X13 in pan. Pour graham cracker crumbs into butter to make a thin crust.

Carolyn Hottinger

Mortgage Loan Originator, NMLS #700833

On top of graham cracker crust pour flaked coconut evenly. Pour chocolate chips evenly on top of coconut. Spread pecans evenly on top of chocolate chips. Pour the can of sweetened condensed milk over chocolate chips. Bake at 350 degrees until lightly brown and bubbly on the edges. Recipe courtesy of Angela Stokes of Russellville (mother of Caleb, Trent and Lucas) BREAST OF CHICKEN EDEN ISLE 6 boneless skinless chicken breast pepper 6 slices of bacon 1 canister of dried beef 1 can cream of chicken soup 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1.5 c of sour cream 3 oz cream cheese Preheat oven to 325. Mix both soups, sour cream and cream cheese together in a bowl until smooth. Layer bottom of casserole dish with dried beef. Wrap each chicken breast with bacon and lay on top of dried beef. Pepper chicken and cover with mixture of soups, sour cream and cream cheese. Bake 1.5 hrs covered. Uncover and bake an additional 30 minutes. This dish is delicious served over a bed of rice. Recipe courtesy of Stephenie Dale of Dover (mother of Will and Wesley)

500 West Main St., #315 | Russellville, AR 72801

Cell: (479) 264-8052 | chottinger@boemortgage.com

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ MAY 2018

BOEArkansas.com

BAKED MAC & CHEESE 16 oz. box elbow macaroni Cheese Sauce: ½ cup salted butter ½ cup flour 4 cups milk 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese Topping: ½ cup melted butter 1½ cups Italian panko breadcrumbs Preheat oven to 350 °F. Grease a large (11” x 14”) casserole dish. For the macaroni: In a large pot of boiling, salted water cook the pasta to al dente. Drain well. For the cheese sauce: While the pasta is cooking, in a separate pot, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and keep stirring for about 3-5 minutes until the roux bubbles and the flour turns a light brown. Make sure it’s free of lumps; then slowly stir in the milk. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens. Add the

cheese and stir until melted. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat. Fold the drained macaroni into the cheese sauce; mix thoroughly. For the topping: Melt the butter in a sauté pan and toss the bread crumbs to coat. Transfer the mac and cheese into the prepared casserole dish and top with buttered breadcrumbs. Bake for about 25 minutes or until the dish bubbles around the edges. Remove from oven and let cool for about five minutes before serving. Recipe courtesy of Cecilia Gray of Pottsville (mother of Christen, Courtney and Austin)

In a large mixing bowl beat eggs together then add sugar, mixing well. Add softened butter and continue to mix well. Add vinegar and water, mix well. Stir in pecans, raisins and coconut. Pour into a prepared pie crust and bake at 350 for approx 45 minutes or until when toothpick is inserted it comes out clean. Recipe courtesy of Wilma Gray of Crow Mountain (Mother of Mike, Steve, Kathy, David, Jeff, Tim, Amy and Lydia)

JAPANESE FRUIT PIE 4 eggs 2 c sugar 1 stick butter, softened 2 T white vinegar 2 T water 1 c pecans 1 c raisins 1 c coconut COUPON

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OVER

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www.luxurypoolarkansas.com

119 E Main St, Russellville Russellville • (479) 968-7772 MAY 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

COMMUNITY COMMERCE

Luxury Pool and Spas

eremy Lawson, co-owner of Luxury Pools and Spas, grew up in the pool business. He says his grandfather first started selling pools decades ago when there was only one rectangular option. His family founded Luxury Pools and Spas back in 1976. With his father at the helm and he and his brother Shane grew up in the industry. Now the brothers run the original Russellville location and also expanded to Conway 13 years ago. Shane and his crew are in charge of building all the pools while

Jeremy focuses on sales and services. Jeremy says there are three main pool options and they specialize in all three: Vinyl, fiberglass, and gunite. They also offer weekly service calls and repair, in store water testing, chemicals, and parts. When Luxury Pool & Spa (479) 968-7772 119 East Main Street Russellville, AR 72801

MAY IS STROKE

Story by MEREDITH MARTIN-MOATS

visitors first enter the store Carol, the office manager, greets each guest and shows them the brochures highlighting the multitude of options available. The next step, says, Jeremy, is a site evaluation. “We build your pool around your budget and your backyard,” he says. He notes that different elevations and properties will require different designs. Customers and Lawson brothers work together to create a pool that fits the customer’s lifestyle. Jeremy says many of the

Courtesy and Service Since 1958

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DHA is the fatty acid that supports a healthy brain, eyes, nervous system, and mood. In fact, at least 20% of the brain is comprised of this vital fatty acid. Research shows that DHA supports memory, cognition, and emotional well-being, C&D Drug Store carries Nordic Naturals ProDHA, which is a high-potency formula for enhanced results. It is formulated with 100% natural strawberry essence which provides a delicious taste

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ MAY 2018

Custom Compounding Free Delivery

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customers they serve have been dreaming of and saving up for a pool for years. “It’s really exciting to be a part of helping them with that dream,” he says. Shane oversees each project, making sure the dream comes to fruition. Both brothers are certified pool operators and have 20-plus years experience. Shane, who attended Arkansas Tech and lives in Russellville, focuses on the pool construction and design. Jeremy, a graduate of Arkansas Tech’s business and marketing/ management program, lives with his family in Conway and focuses on sales, service and design. Together they share the work overseeing the construction projects and assisting customers throughout the region. Jeremy says that his favorite part of the business is helping build connections in families. “We build backyards that brings families together,” he explains. He often hears from customers about how much joy they get out of watching their grandchildren play or how parents find time to come together with their families at the pool after a long week. He points to the

multi-generational business model and their work with regional families as a point of pride: “We are a family business in every sense of the word.” When asked what changes he’s seen in the industry over the years, he notes that when his grandfather first started selling pools there was only one option: a simple, rectangular pool. “Now,” he adds, “the options are limitless.” They also offer Hot Springs spas, installation of water slides and rock work, and indoor and outdoor options. With summer around the corner, Luxury Pools and Spas will be opening on Saturdays from 9a.m. -noon and continuing their regular Monday-Friday 9a.m. - 5p.m. hours. Jeremy says they build pools yearround but certainly service calls increase in the warmer months. He notes that customers need to plan ahead when thinking about purchasing a pool. The business stays booked months in advance for new pool construction. “We are as busy as we have ever been with new construction,” he notes. “We build all of our pools,” he adds. “And we service everything we sell.”

MAY 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

Gardening when you’re gone Story by JILL MCSHEEHY

lay my kindle in my lap and stretched, digging my toes into the warm sand. Scanning the blue horizon where only a thin line delineated between sea and sky, I drank in the sights and sounds. My eyes landed on a dark man with a wide-brimmed hat. He wielded a long knife and sliced the top of a coconut like we open a can of soda. I watched as he plunged a straw inside and offered it to another beachcomber on his island. For me, palm trees symbolize the beach. For him, they represent his way of life -- living off the land, even in this paradise. My mind fluttered back to my own land, where, though, in a different way, I do the same. I wondered if my tomatoes had begun ripening, if my blueberry harvest had ended. Like parents who leave their children for a week, only to see how they’ve grown upon their return, I looked forward to entering my garden after a week of relaxation two time zones away. Maintaining a garden and enjoying a summer vacation -- at first thought, these two may seem like opposing activities, as if you have to choose one or the other. But as one who values getaways almost as much as I value my garden, I can assure you, it is possible.

Hometown Proud. invites the River Valley to

Picklefest in Historic Downtown Atkins!

479-641-2220 • 1402 N Church Street, Atkins AR 34

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ MAY 2018

To get the most out of both your rest time and your harvest, though, there are some steps you can take to make it all run more smoothly. Enlist the help of a trusted friend. This may seem obvious, but regardless of the plans you put in place, you will need someone you trust to come check on your garden. You can pay them in money, gift cards, or returning the garden-sitting favor, and you can let them keep what they harvest while you’re gone. And, if you put the following systems into place, this person won’t have to visit more than every two to three days. Know your harvest peaks and plan accordingly. Regardless of how much you trust the person whom you ask to tend to your garden in your absence, the best way to plan a garden and a vacation is to plan your vacation when as few of your crops are in harvest as possible. Not only will this reduce their work but it will also keep you from missing out on the prime of your harvest that you’ve worked so hard for! This may take a few seasons of watching when certain crops ripen, but in general, I’ve found an ideal window in the first few weeks of June. Usually the spring crops like lettuce, peas, greens, onions, and potatoes are finished with their production when the hot weather has set in, and your summer crops like tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, and okra haven’t begun their peak harvest yet. Plan Your Planting Based on Your Vacation Dates. When it’s not possible to plan your vacation between spring and summer harvests, you can delay plant-

ing certain crops so they will not ripen completely in your absence. While some crops will produce for weeks on end (like zucchini, peppers, okra, and many tomatoes), others have a narrow window, like corn. Last season our family had to take our vacation in the middle of July, which would have been the prime time to harvest corn. Corn is a unique crop in that it must be harvested in a very short window (two to three days), so I delayed planting for two weeks and harvested corn on the cob the week after we returned. What a great thing to come home to! Invest in a timed watering system. Depending on how large your garden is, it’s a great idea to purchase a timer to automatically irrigate your garden beds, raised beds, or even containers while you’re gone. This can be done whether you use a sprinkler, soaker hoses, or drip irrigation. Setting this up on a timer will reduce the watering required from whomever will watch over your garden, and it will provide a failsafe if he or she cannot water as frequently as needed. Mulch your garden heavily before you leave. I recommend mulching your garden anyway, but it’s especially important to do so before a vacation. The last thing you want is coming home to weeds that have taken over your garden in just a week (yes, that can happen!) and you can’t catch up. Don’t make yourself choose between growing your own fresh produce and enjoying a vacation! Take a few steps ahead of time so you can enjoy both! After all, gardening and vacations -- isn’t that what makes summer truly great?

You can put your trust in us. Lemley Funeral Service has been here for more than a century, serving the needs of families in the River Valley. You can feel safe investing in pre-planning with us. Call to set an appointment today so that you can carefully choose specific items you want and need ... and pay for them now, or make a payment plan, locking in current pricing.

We’re more than just Bees! Come check out our bee-themed decor and honey based products

479-968-4044

www.centralbeekeeperssupply.com

Since 1916 ~ A Century and Counting

Tues-Fri, 10-5 & Sat 9:30-3:30 109 Warehouse Row Russellville, AR MAY 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

Story by MEREDITH MARTIN-MOATS | Photo by JOHNNY CARROL-SAIN

Home waters ONE EARLY MORNING a few weeks ago I stepped onto my porch and heard a roar coming from under the hill. It took me a moment to realize that the heavy rains and regional flooding that had washed out the low water bridges and turned our front yard into a lake had also taken the gentle little branch under the hill and turned it into a raging, overflowing creek. I stood still for a moment to listen. The fog was rolling in off Spring Mountain, the sun was rising between Nebo and Jones mountains, and Punky Rooster (our trusty, grumpy, little fowl of alarm clock) was crowing loudly. It was one of those mornings when I knew — despite the

A JOURNAL of our RURAL & NATURAL HERITAGE

trials and questions and the worries of daily life — I had made it home. A few days after that hard rain had passed, our family walked down to the creek to watch it spill over the banks. Even the dirt road was covered in places. Over the course of several days —and several rounds of spring rains — we’ve made multiple trips down to the water, taking note of how it waxes and wanes with the spring storms. At first it was too forceful for the kids to play in and we all just sat back and watched the water, amazed at its power. But soon it settled down and began to follow the well worn bank again. These days we throw rocks across the banks and wade into the puddles and send leaves sailing down the current. I’ve written about this same creek in this same column once before, but the title of that previously published piece was “Running Dry,” and it was largely about the days when this branch is bone dry. As I mentioned in that original column back in 2015, when my father was a child in the 1940s and 1950s the water used to run year round. By the time I was a Dardanelle town kid in the 80s, and Dad would take me to visit this country creek on the weekends, the water was seasonal. But these days — some 60 years after my Dad’s

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childhood — it takes a hard rain for it to really flow. Long story short, I have returned to this creek time and time again in both my life and in my writing. Over the decades its become touchstone for me in more ways than I can’t really name. Since we moved back to the area last year, making our home on the same land where my father was raised, for the first time in my life the creek is within walking distance from my own front porch. I’d like to find a way to summarize what this location, this proximity to that water, means to me. But nothing seems to sum it up adequately. Have you ever spent a good portion of you life trying to return to a place you’ve never lived? I’ve only stepped on the porch and heard the roar of the creek once. It was after the hardest rain, the one that flooded most places. But the sound sticks with me. When I told Dad about it, he knew exactly what I was talking about. “Oh yeah,” he replied. “I can remember many a time I’d hear it come a ‘roarin down the mountain. It’d come a good rain and you could hear from a ways off.” I realized as I sat down to write this column that usually when I try to find words to talk about this little flow of water, I choose words for its absence. I write about it the sadness I feel as I try to dig into how something once strong ever-present becomes still and occasional. I write about the stories my dad tells that feel so different from my own. For example, I can’t imagine there being enough water in that creek to dip the cows in. But Dad saw it

happen many a time. A few years ago I became fixated with the question of whether or not a dry creek might be able to reflow. Was that even possible? And then I constantly googled. Short answer to that question was no, not really. But everything waxes and wanes. We’ve had enough rain this spring that the creek was been flowing steadily for months. I realize now that I’d expected to move back and have to come face to face with the waters rarity. Instead I’m having to remind the kids not to jump in the places that might be over their heads. I’d like to tie up this column with a nice little tightly wound ending sentiment, but somehow I can’t muster that right now. I thought about saying something about how it can feel like there are times in life when there’s not enough and there times when there’s too much, and though trite and accurate, this isn’t at all what’s on my mind. Rather, I’m just trying to sit with this abundance. I know that summer will come and the creek will dry up. And I’ll look around at the other regional waterways and wonder where this dryness all leads. We should feel a kick in the gut every time a creek runs dry. We should feel a sharp pain and a deep ache. After all, who are we without water? But the truth is I know much more about how to process a dry creek bed than a flowing one. And it’s going to take me a while to process those moments when water spills over the edges. And I am certain this is essential work.

MAY 2018

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

What

we’re reading

American Gods As reviewed by DONALD GOETZ

nyone who has ever had a crisis of faith will appreciate the unsteady ground upon which Neil Gaiman has built his novel American Gods. The book starts when Shadow is released from prison into the bleak midwestern winter to attend his wife’s funeral. While traveling to what was once his home, Shadow is approached by a man with a business opportunity. It does not take him long to figure out that this man, Mr. Wednesday, is more conman than businessman. But Mr. Wednesday does not take no for an answer. Once Shadow enters into a pact to work as Mr. Wednesday’s bodyguard, the two travel across the nation encountering a pantheon of characters in surreal circumstances. Some of those they meet guard and guide; others prod and punish. Shadow is inquisitive throughout the novel, but the questions he asks rarely receive answers and inform his actions even less. He allows himself to be acted upon rather than take action himself, which most of the characters within the story are content to do. Although he is at the mercy of other forces, Shadow has the profound strength needed in someone who must endure all things. This strength, along with his dry wit, gave Shadow the humanity needed to keep the reader caring about him as a character. So far, I’ve painted a bleak picture of the novel, but I can assure you that there were re-

spites from the angst. When Shadow is not at the beck and call of Mr. Wednesday, he lives in a picturesque, wholesome town in the midwest where he is free to enjoy the company of those that surround him. Life is good for him there and for me as a reader. He never stays there for long, however. And I was obliged to follow him to another locale and stumble around in the dark. Transporting the reader through these temporal and emotional contexts is no small feat. Gaiman handled these transitions through a masterful use of tone and setting. Anything the author could get his hands on was used to convey the pervasive, unsettling nature of the trials that Shadow faced. Becoming friends with uncertainty was key to enjoying this book. As the novel progressed, I found myself with more questions than answers both about the novel and because of it. Don’t let this scare you away, though. Gaiman managed to lead me and my questions through the story without confusing me. Like a well built campfire, Gaiman’s work burned slowly, beautifully, keeping me entranced for hours. Which is good, because this book was a tome in every sense: dense, deliberate, lengthy, and intelligent. However, it was never dry. It was too strange to leave me bored. You’ll soon find yourself looking forward to the weekend in order to read it with the attention it deserves.

Author NEIL GAIMAN

“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.