ABOUT | May 2020 by ABOUT the River Valley Magazine

THE McELROY HOUSE

May 2020 â&#x20AC;¢ www.aboutrvmag.com

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

HANNAH TRIES

EAT OUT AT HOME

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May 2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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The McElroy House Tucked away in the heart of Dardanelle rests a decades-old house that is more than house. With its soft white siding, cozy porch and an elder pecan tree towering over the backyard, the little structure could be just another charming home here in this small river town. But the colorful murals decorating its south-facing exterior wall tell you this house is different.

The best mom in the whole world Hannah Tries few months ago, freelancer and ATU A journalism student Hannah Butler pitched a story idea to us about introducing ABOUT readers to the various forms of recreation available in the region through her own first-person participation. I thought this was a fine idea. And then everyone’s world was turned upside down..

The River Valley Citizen Yes, you can eat out at home Living in a first world country offers a myopic view of life. We take so much of our daily conveniences as given rights. When was the last time — before the coronavirus cataclysm rocked our spoiled little worlds — that you were seriously concerned about running out of food?

Journey with Jill in the Garden 10 Things ABOUT: Russellville

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ABOUT THIS MONTH’S COVER Meredith Martin-Moats poses outside of her maternal grandparents home, commonly known in the river valley as the McElroy House. Fueled by passion and an obvious grit, Meredith and team have created a space that connects people and preserves traditions.

HE LP ER S MA KE E V E RY T H I NG Better.

No community wants to face hard times. But when they come, Arkansans really shine. Health care workers and first responders face it head on. Teachers and parents find new ways to keep education going. Businesses and employees adjust and adapt. First Security is here for you through it all. When this challenging time is behind us – and those better days are coming – we’ll all be stronger than ever.

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EDITOR’S LETTER

What will endure Difficult times bring out both the best and worst of people. That’s how the old saying goes. But you’d be hard pressed to find that dichotomy here, in the River Valley. Almost all I’ve seen is the best. Sure, it’s easy to view your home filtered through the rosy tint of familiarity and a not-so-subtle tribalism — of course they’re good people. They’re my people. But the hard objective truth of the matter is that the River Valley response to the coronavirus pandemic, even by the elevated standards of Southern hospitality, has been shockingly good. It’s not just the COVID-19 Triage center, assembled and manned by dedicated and brave healthcare professionals. It’s not just the commitment to our local businesses, and those businesses’s turn-around commitment to the customer in the form of curbside and sometimes home deliveries. It’s the smaller and more personal acts, the subtle and sublime nods toward a stronger, deeper, more caring sense of community. It’s the neighbor making grocery runs for three other households. It’s the offers to pick up prescriptions and other vital necessities. It’s honoring the request of healthcare officials and political leaders to maintain social distancing practices even though we dearly, painfully miss and crave the touch of our

friends and family. It’s the video chats and phone calls that help us hold onto sanity. It’s the unseen but understood smiles under face masks. All of these qualities, these characteristics of small town Americana that some think exist only as myth in the idealized version of our home, are very real. No, not everyone around here is a character out of Mayberry, and sometimes those qualities are smudged with the cynicism of our times. But they’re still here, in all of their warmth, just under the layer of grime. They’re shining through now, during this, the most uncertain time of our lives. For nearly 15 years, ABOUT the River Valley magazine has served as a time stamp for the region. This issue — from the digital-only format to the columns to the selection of our features to the encouraging, yet, unprecedented photos for the “10 things ABOUT…” back page — offer a freeze-frame of life in the River Valley during the coronavirus pandemic. So much will be different when this is over. Whenever and however that happens is anyone’s guess. But what endures is the essence of who we are and who we’ve always been. That much is crystal clear.

Reﬂecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley since 2006 A Publication of One14 Productions, Inc Vol. XV, Issue 4 – May 2020

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 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

May 2020

Find up-to-date information and future events @

www.aboutrvmag.com/events

With social distancing setting new parameters for our social lives, we present the May 2020 calendar of events you can attend and participate in online and otherwise utilizing social distancing guidelines.

2nd — Pope County Farmers Market opens, with social distancing guidelines, from 8 a.m.- 1 p.m. The market plans to be open each Saturday for these hours along with Tuesdays from 4 - 7 p.m. For more information, follow the Pope County Farmers Market in Facebook. 6th — Russellville Community Blood Drive from 1- 6 p.m. at the Central Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. To schedule an appointment, please call 877-340-8777. First 50 donors will receive a $10 gift card for a local business. River Valley Quarantine Karaoke on Facebook — Anytime you feel like sharing your talent, post a video of you or a quarantine partner belting one out.

Check out an E-book from area library systems or even a real book with curbside pickup. Area libraries are also offering video story times along with arts and crafts. Visit Facebook pages for the Arkansas River Valley Regional Library System and the Pope County Library system to learn more. Be entertained on social media — Many local entertainers are offering special online performances through websites and social media channels. Attend a worship service — Many area churches and houses of worship offer video sermons and classes. The best way to learn about what is available and when is through social media outlets.

*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 10th of the month preceding publication.

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The McElroy House A home for rural skills and a heart for community Story by KENZIE SAIN | Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN

Tucked away in the heart of Dardanelle rests a decades-old house that is more than house. Gardens surround the charming abode. Butterflies and bees flutter about the yard. With its soft white siding, cozy porch and an elder pecan tree towering over the backyard, the little structure could be just another delightful home here in this small river town. But the colorful murals decorating its south-facing exterior wall tell you this house is different. This building is also a symbol of acceptance and progress in the Arkansas River Valley. The house, known as the McElroy House, is also home base for a blooming nonprofit of the same name. It’s unique as nonprofits go, teaching people that they can take matters into their own hands and tackle problems themselves through pooled resources and effort.

MAY 2020

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“We don’t want to be an organization that tells people how to do stuff,” says Meredith Martin-Moats, a co-founder of the organization and owner of the house. “That’s not who we are.” Meredith’s passion for community work blossomed during graduate school at Western Kentucky University. She had interned with Michael Morrow, director of the West Kentucky African American Heritage Center. Michael’s work brought life to the community by renovating abandoned buildings into community centers and providing resources for African American genealogy research. “I learned from him that people in white communities take for granted that we can just do genealogy and history work,” Meredith says. It’s a privilege that the African American community doesn’t enjoy. The harsh and dark truth is that prior to emancipation, a paper trail for African American family records was a rarity “It’s much more difficult and takes a certain skill set to research genealogy before the Civil War,” says Meredith. But Michael’s projects eased some of that cultural pain and helped people feel more in touch with themselves, their community, and their culture. It also forces a community to study 10

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~

MAY 2020

history more objectively. “I always knew I wanted to go back home at some point and do some community work,” Meredith says, ”But I didn’t really know what that meant, and I think working with Michael taught me that we need more people willing to be honest about our history.” Meredith originally planned to move back home much later in life, but as she was finishing her master’s degree, her mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Meredith and her husband moved back to Dardanelle to be with her. A month or two after her mother passed, a grief-stricken Meredith roamed the yard of her maternal grandparent’s home that had now been passed down to her. Meredith had spent a lot of her childhood there, roaming around the yard and visiting with company on the porch. It had always been a place of fellowship.“My grandparents always had people over,” Meredith says. “It was just always a place that I remember being very welcoming.” As those pleasant memories soothed her, she noticed an iris sprouting from the ground in the place that her grandfather’s garden had been. After over twenty years, one of her grandfather’s plants was still surviving. “So it was kind of in that moment, I was like ‘I need to do work like Michael is doing and I need to do it here,’” Meredith says. She decided to call the organization The McElroy House to honor her grandparents’ name. The iris still blooms on the property today.

“A lot of times our community already has the answers to a lot of problems we face, but rarely do people get together to actually have those conversations,” Meredith was several months pregnant with her twin sons when she began creating the nonprofit. Because the space is considered residential, she needed a special use permit from the City of Dardanelle. “I remember that very well because I was very, very pregnant when I gave that presentation,” Meredith says laughing. “It was really hard for me to breathe.” The Dardanelle City Council voted unanimously to approve the permit. The only requirement was to have a parking space. “It had to meet city code basically,” Meredith says. “So that was the hardest thing because that little piece of asphalt where you park cost us about $2,500.” The fundraising for the parking space was difficult, but a little more than a year and a few pie sales later, they had raised the money they needed. In order to execute their mission, the McElroy House provides programs that enrich culture through support and education. What

they choose to do is usually dependent on what is requested by the community. The gardens are their most popular projects. Because of limited space and manpower, their food garden can’t operate like a typical community garden but more like a model. “They’re not like a community garden in the sense that we create a lot of food for people, Meredith says.“We can’t do that; we don’t have a staff. So what we can do is just have little examples.” Through these gardens, people are taught skills such as how to make a raised bed or which native plants work best in a butterfly and bee garden. “Every year we dig up more of the front yard just to add more of those butterfly and bee plants,” Meredith says. Within the native flowers, there is also a memory garden. This is a space where people can remember loved ones they’ve lost by painting a rock with their name and placing it in the garden. >>

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The McElroy House also hosts a weekly craft night, a free library donated by the Dardanelle High EAST group, and a cloth diaper bank with participants from all over the country. Around six times a year, the McElroy House hosts something they call “living room conversations” or “skill shares.” They invite a local expert on a particular topic to speak about that topic. These conversations open a supportive and progressive dialogue while in the comfort of the living room. The biggest challenge that the McElroy House faces is the misunderstanding of their mission. Most non-profits perform a specific task for the community. This organization is more focused on bringing the community together to solve the problems themselves.

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MAY 2020

“A lot of times our community already has the answers to a lot of problems we face, but rarely do people get together to actually have those conversations,” Meredith says. Too often, conversations end because of a disagreement. Members of the McElroy House believe that when the conversation stops, progress also stops. Their goal is to teach people how to communicate across differences so that the conversations survive. Healthy communication takes respect for other’s beliefs and soundness in your own at the same time. “It’s strength and vulnerability,” says Cary Donahue, a member of the McElroy House board of directors. “Whenever we have large groups of people gathered, you can just feel everyone being open and communicating. It’s a hard feeling to describe,” she says.

The most effective way to solve a problem is to hear from all sides of the issue, and The McElroy House is embracing the diversity in our community to explore how our different experiences can offer different tools needed to tackle social issues. “We’ve had living room conversations where I have seen a Methodist minister, a Muslim woman, some people who identified as Wiccan, and people who identified as Southern Baptist and they were all in the same room and having a conversation,” says Meredith. This kind of tolerance is necessary when doing community work so the McElroy House strives to create an environment of acceptance. “It’s a place where anyone can be exactly who they are,” says Lisa Huelle, another board member. The McElroy House’s impact on the local community is impressive considering the limited resources they have to work with. Every member of the organization is a caregiver, employee, or both. “Nobody has an abundance of extra time or money,” says Meredith. “We’re all raising babies and

we’re all working jobs.” But what they lack in quantity they make up for in quality. Passion is the most powerful resource and every person involved with the McElroy House is overflowing with it. Through their work they are inspiring others to be passionate as well, because collective devotion to our communities is how we make them better. l

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EVE RY DAY L I F E

The best mom in the whole world Story by SARAH CLOWER Illustration by CLIFF THOMAS

WITH MOTHER’S DAY RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER, and with all the uncertainty facing our communities at the moment, I decided to ask friends, mothers, fathers, and children about some of their favorite memories they have about their mothers. What are some great habits your mom had when you were a child that you feel have really beneﬁted you in adult life? For the kids: What are your mom’s good habits? “My mom is the most complimentary person I have ever met. I think she instilled in my sister and me to always look for ways to uplift people and make them feel special.” SARAH, 35

“My mom is always welcoming and warmhearted toward everyone. I don’t think she has ever met a stranger that she hasn’t hugged! It really taught me to be accepting of people.” - TOMMY, 40 “I was never a picky eater, but my sister and Dad each like vegetables cut a different style in their salads. We usually had salad with every supper. My mom would make four individual salads, just the way we liked them, down to cutting the vegetables into a different style and the ingredients. I think now I

see that she did this just because she cared about how good we ate.” - AMY, 41

still lives in me and in my daughters. Well done, Mom.” - MARY ANN, 70

“My mother loved to skate, ride horses, swim, loved kids, was always voted in as the class chaperone for all of our school dances and outings. She was involved in whatever we were doing. I think her love for cooking and setting beautiful tables to compliment that, her unique ability to gather people, made every gathering very special. Her ﬂamboyant demonstration of joy and participation in family traditions and life in general — all of who she is —

“My mom was really smart and very well read. She read the Bible a lot and took Latin in school. She took us to Sunday School and later to church. I learned the importance of getting a good education and the value of hard work. My mom worked hard at night but always cooked, from scratch most of the time, for our meals. Besides cooking, she also emphasized sewing, although, she didn’t sew on the machine very much herself.” - JANE, 68

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“The arts are important. Any society that “Mom would tell us stories of when she doesn’t support the arts is doomed to was a kid growing up on my grandparfail.” - PAUL, 45 ents’ farm. It sounded like such a fantastic “We cooked at home so much! It was never place.” - JANE, 68 a downer, either. Going out was fun, but the food at home was better. She also taught me early on that cooking isn’t hard. It’s even fun. But she did that without really trying. She would have me help with small tasks that got bigger as I got older. By 12 years old, I could cook several full meals by myself.” - CASSY, 37 “She showers a lot.” - GRACIE, 7 “She cooks everyday. I don’t like it most of the time, and she doesn’t know, but my dad says he is going to the gym and he gets Taco Bell and sneaks it back in for us.” - TANNER, 8 “When my mom says a bad word, I know to stay away. Because she says she is a good Christian and only says bad words when she is mad.” - JP, 6 What is a good memory you have of your mom doing something she probably would have thought was pretty insigniﬁcant at the time, but it’s forever in your brain as a warm and fuzzy moment?

“I would sneak into my parents bed when I was really little because I had awful leg cramps, and my mom would always rub my legs for me and tell me stories until I fell back asleep.” - SARAH, 35 “When I was about 4 or 5, when my mom would give me a bath, she would put my hair up in a bun using only Bobby pins if I didn’t have to wash my hair. I thought this was such magic and it made me feel like a princess. On the nights I would have to wash my hair, mom would use her dad’s recipe for shampoo (he was a barber) and it was thin and runny, and I thought it was hard to use. But it worked well and smelled great. She used this for years. Sometimes I would do anything to smell it again.” - AMY, 41

“She scratches my back every night when I am going to sleep.” - RAFF, 10 “Once a week, my mom makes us all our own dinner. We get to pick it out.” - JP, 6 “My mom lets me play in her makeup. I love when she lets me do that. She only got mad one time when I used her waterproof mascara on my eyebrows. It didn’t come off for a week!” - GRACIE, 7 What is one way that you’ve ended up being so much like your mom, and a way in which you are completely different? For the kids: Do you want to grow up to be like your mom? “I can be such a control freak, just like my mom. It’s hard asking for help and hard for me to accept offered help.” - AMY, 41 “I am like Mom in that, according to my perfectionist daughters, I am a perfectionist regarding special events. I want everything to be exactly right. My mom lived for her family and was always involved in whatever I was doing. I love my family but chose what I most wanted to do in life and shared it with them by involving them.” -

“During Mom’s last two years on earth, she stepped back from her powerful driving force as family matriarch, to give and receive tenderness. Those two years were so sweet and precious to me because I saw her as Mommy and not just as Mom or Mother.” MARY ANN, 70

For the kids: What is something that your - MARY ANN, 70 mom does that makes you feel special? “My mom always had fresh flowers in our “I loved it when my mom would sing to house, especially on our kitchen table. Even me, only songs you’d find in an old baptist in winter, there would be some sort of cenhymnal, “The Old Rugged Cross” being the terpiece from nature, like a pine bough or most memorable. It was so hard to get Silas cone. She would often have my siblings and to stop crying when he was a baby, the first me pick them for her, and no matter what we time I tried singing to him, he stopped crying came back with, she would act like it was and I started crying! Now I sing him to sleep the prettiest bouquet she had ever seen.” MILDRED, 92 every night.” - TOMMY, 40

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“One way I’m like my mom is we both love to laugh and ﬁnd humor in everything. We can laugh for hours at each other. We are different in that my mother has endless amounts of mental and physical energy. That woman requires little sleep, and she’s like the energizer bunny. I… do not. I’m more sloth-like.” - TOMMY, 40 Continued on page 32...

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Story by HANNAH BUTLER | Photos by HANNAH BUTLER & LIZ CHRISMAN

Editor’s note A FEW MONTHS AGO, freelancer and ATU journalism student Hannah Butler pitched a story idea to me about introducing ABOUT readers to the various forms of recreation available in the region through her own first-person participation. I thought this was a fine idea. After all, a large portion of the character of the River Valley is derived from how we interact with the land, waters, and community. So after carefully winnowing down the options for a first installment and then scrutinizing over the angles and style, Hannah presented a finished draft a few weeks before deadline. And then everyone’s world was turned upside down. In light of the new norm we’re asked to embrace and

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~

MAY 2020

endure for safety’s sake, Hannah and I had to rethink just which activities we could responsibly promote. We settled on a trio to keep participants busy, with an eye toward flattening the curve, while we wait for things to get back to some semblance of normal. Two are solo acts you can do in your home, so minding your distance and wearing a mask aren’t required. But the third should be undertaken with some care and thoughtful interaction. You’ll likely encounter other folks trying to enjoy the spectacular views and strenuous hikes in our great outdoors. But a little common sense and courtesy should be all you need for a fun and safe time. ~ JCS

Spring Cleaning MY TYPICAL ROUTINE when I get rid of items is mostly just convincing myself I will need everything I own in the future — a movie ticket from three months ago to see the second Jumanji? Keep it! I’ll look at it later and reminisce on what a slightly funny movie it was. Am I a psycho? Who rationalizes that? Just me? Okay, fine. And when I finally part ways with an item of clothing or that dumb movie ticket, I don’t miss it. So why do I keep it? The truth is (and this may not come as a shocker), I’m a semi-hoarder. But I live in a small apartment with roommates. My bed takes up most of my room and my jeans are stacked up in two drawers and the rack above my closet. I’m tired of living in excess. I’m tired of having clothes that never get worn. So, I’ve purged. Spring cleaning has increased ever since I became aware of Marie Kondo’s method, which forced me to ask if my items bring me joy. I thought about using just that, but I wanted to go a step further. I evaluated my closets, bathroom, book stack, storage spaces, social media, and yes, my receipts. My rule for clothing was to keep only what I actually liked, wanted and consistently wore. So it meant keeping the old T-shirt I sleep in but getting rid of the stylish, striped button-up that I’m not planning on wearing anytime.

I gave everything to MARVA, the thrift store on South Arkansas in Russellville. I’d been there a couple of times, but this was my first time donating. I got rid of a few pairs of jeans and shorts that didn’t fit me anymore. There were some that didn’t fit me physically; others didn’t fit me as a person. I got rid of a few necklaces, a few dresses I’ll never wear, work clothes that just aren’t my favorite. A rugged, hand-me-down copy of “The Old Man and the Sea” by Ernest Hemingway was given away. There’s no doubt that it’s a wonderful book, but I figured I would rather have one in better condition. I was slightly stumped when it came to my facial cleansers and makeup. Could those be given away? I had no clue. I’ve used a little bit of all of them. Not knowing the answer, I decided I’d better not. I wouldn’t want a facial cleanser or eyeshadows that were used by someone else. Even if you use clean brushes, it just felt icky. I decided I might see if my sister or mom might want to use them. I also got rid of a few unnecessary items like old classroom notebooks and razors. Those did not go to MARVA. Those went in the trash. I’m happy to report that all receipts and movie tickets were thrown away, too. Out of everything I got rid of, the hardest item to part with was my pair of Chacos. They were gray and white, well-worn and wellloved. They had been with me for four years and it showed. >> MAY 2020

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Working Out It was easier once I reasoned that they aren’t shoes I can wear year-round. If I ever needed a new pair, I wanted ones that I’d at least really want to wear. As for everything else, I’ve decided to try and clean out continuously. I didn’t feel I could clean out my car and my social media as easily as I could my closet. I cleaned out a few random items in my car but I’ve found it’s best for me to set aside days to reevaluate what I keep in there. The same goes for my social media. At a certain point in my life, I was accepting every friend request, following every single person that followed me. By now, I’ve realized it’s unnecessary.

For this, I do actually want to use the Marie Kondo method. Do these posts bring me joy? Do they add value to my life? That seems like the most healthy way to clean.

IT’S THE FUNNIEST THING. When my company officially announced that we were working from home, I got really worried about my weight. When I’m working, I’m at least moving around the office — talking to my coworkers, running to the bathroom and such. It, literally, takes five steps to get to my bathroom from any-

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where in my apartment. It’s super small. In my room, I have nowhere I can even lay down to do sit ups. Jumping jacks are completely out of the question. I needed to find some physical activity that I could do. Otherwise, my days would be filled with me either laying on my bed or at my desk, working. So I went for a walk. Then, Força Martial Arts & Fitness started releasing at-home workout videos. Força is one of those places that I’d always wanted to go to when things were… well, normal. I didn’t think it could hurt for me to learn self-defense or even just do simple workouts. Cora Wilson, co-owner of Forca, was featured in ab and arm workouts, which are perfect for me because I’m self-conscious about both. Yes, I’m totally for self-love and loving yourself in your own body. I’m also human. For me, it’s not about being perfect. I just want to feel good about myself and work to be healthier. So I started trying them out in my apartment. I opted for the living room, which subjected me to the embarrassment of my three other roommates watching. I felt like since we’re all under quarantine they would at least understand. The first ab workout I did killed me. It was simple enough: a three minute ab workout to Katy Perry. Fun, right? The workouts are basically different versions of your typical crunches, then holding, or pulsing for a couple of times. But it’s effective. No typical crunch will get you to that sort of burn. Trust me.

Next, I did a seven-minute workout. It was actually a lot of fun. I could spend it working on my arms and other parts of my body. On the video, Cora encouraged moving around or doing squats while we did some of them. I did one of Cora’s “butt burn” videos as well. PSA: if you want to do this one, I totally recommend it. But I would not recommend doing it on the living room floor of your parent’s house. One weekend when I was home, my dad caught me doing it and it was weird. Just learn from my mistakes and save yourself the embarrassment, OK? This one, too, killed me. At one point, Cora said, “To get a full effect, do this multiple times a day!” I half-remember yelling at her, “No, thanks!” Once a day is enough for me. These videos have seriously changed how I work out, though. I feel like when I go to the gym I’m always intimidated because I don’t really know how to use half of the equipment. When I’m done, I just feel like I didn’t get what I wanted going in. With Força’s videos, I have no excuse to not work out. When I was running around every day for school and work, the last thing I wanted to do was go to the gym. Now, I can do it from home whenever I need to. It’s also given me the opportunity to do yoga with Dr. Erin Clair, which has been awesome and much needed after a workout. And, if I ever want to, I can take it to the next step with fitness kickboxing, or mixed martial arts. >>

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Hiking

Millyn’s Millyn’s

I CHOSE A BEAUTIFUL DAY TO GO HIKING. The sun was shining. There was hardly any wind. And as I drove up the steep curves to Mount Nebo, I heard Johnny Story on the radio reporting the weather for the weekend. I thought, “This is likely the most River Valley-esque I’ll ever get.” I had my sights set on the Rim Trail at Mount Nebo State Park. It’s a hiking trail that’s supposed to have a waterfall, and I was ready to see it. I was excited. I drove up to the visitor’s center first to get directions and grabbed a map, but I asked the lady at the register to better understand the route. “It’s out back,” she told me. “Literally, just right outside of the visitor’s center?” I asked. Yep. Also right outside the visitor’s center? Blues, greens and dark purples for miles. Excitement ran through me as I headed down the rocky, steep steps. A sign directed me toward the exact hike that would lead me to the place I wanted to go. I could have taken the trail to sunrise point, which sounded beautiful, but I was ignoring TLC’s advice. I wanted to chase waterfalls. Unfortunately, the lady at the register forgot to mention that Rim Trail was closed for construction. The trail, instead, pointed me in the direction of Bench Road Trail, which my very handy map told me would take three to four hours.

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I did not have three to four hours. I had wandered down Bench Road Trail anyway because, for a moment, I thought Rim Trail might just continue further down. It did not. But, the next day was supposed to be warm and I’d have more time for another trail that promised waterfalls: Gum Springs. As I left, I saw the sign that would point me in the direction of the trail, so I was confident in my ability to find it. The next day wasn’t super warm. It might have been if the wind hadn’t overtaken the day. It was cloudy, too, but neither the wind or lack of warmth could deter me. I was going to hike Gum Springs. And I did. And it was hard. Fair warning to anyone who has kids: do not bring them to this trail. The trail loops around and around with masses of rocks that are potentially dangerous, which you have to consistently step down. At one point, the whole trail is just uneven rocks — that is, literally, all you are stepping on. It was a first for me to see a trail like that. I braved it anyway, but there were times I wished I wasn’t alone just to have some help. After this trip, I learned a very important lesson: if you are going hiking, it always nice to have a hand. On the bright side, it didn’t take me long to actually get to the waterfall. It’s five minutes into the hike and you can walk under

it. That day, it was muddy but I imagined that the area would be absolutely beautiful if the weather was just right. The trail even crosses over some water, which was exciting. The hardest part, truly, is the trip back. After 45 minutes of hiking, the steep rocks gets super difficult. Bring some water and some good hiking shoes. Without those, I’m not sure I would have made it. l

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COMMUNITY

RussVegas 2020: Run your own race With COVID-19 precautions in place and socializing from a distance as the new normal, the RussVegas Half Marathon changed up the race format and came up with a winning formula. RussVegas Half Marathon 2020 was a virtual and progressive race. What does that mean? “Virtual” means that participants could rack up the miles anywhere — on the road, the trail, the treadmill, or even in their home or front yard. “Progressive” means that participants didn’t have to cover the entire 13.1 miles in one day. They could do it over the course of several days, or even weeks, at their own pace. The RussVegas website also featured a tagboard where runners (or walkers) shared photos of the experience. Social media posts with the #RunYourOwnRace hashtag were automatically included. And, as always, RussVegas was all about raising money for the Arkansas Children’s Hospital. As of April 27, participation numbers for RussVegas 2020 were: • 950 — RussVegas Half Marathon • 200 — 10K • 375 — Glow Run 5k • 80 — Kids’ Mile • 230 — Community Progressive Half Marathon • 250 — Women’s Chocolate & Diamond 5k

Photo by Liz Chrisman

That’s a total of 2,085 participants, proving once again that the River Valley will rise to the occasion even during tough times. For more in-depth information about RussVegas 2020, visit the RussVegas Half Marathon Facebook page or the website russvegashalf.com.

Pope County Library System branch locations to prohibit public access In keeping with Governor Asa Hutchinson’s mandatory closure of Arkansas public schools and the recommendations of health officials regarding limiting personal contact, the Pope County Library System will prohibit public access inside all branch locations beginning March 17, 2020. The Library is a resource for many peo-

Providing support, when and where you need it most. ASI is prepared to provide you with remote computer support and service, both at your place of business or in your home. We are also equipped with a contact-free lockbox for dropoffs of pickups at our office.

Call us today to see how we can support you. 220 E. 4th St., Russellville

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ple in our communities, and we are taking steps to support them as much as possible during this temporary closure. Library staff will be available Monday-Friday via phone, email, and Facebook Messenger. • All late fees will be suspended and due dates extended to April 6, 2020, during this closure period (check with the library for other extended due dates). • You may reserve library materials for checkout and pickup by calling your branch library, emailing (jblaney@ popelibrary.org), or using Facebook Messenger @PopeCountyLibrarySystem. Atkins, Dover, and Russellville locations will provide curbside service for patrons picking up library materials Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Our Hector location will be available during their nor-

mal, part-time open hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1- 5 p.m., Tuesday 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Thursday 2 - 6 p.m. • We are working to expand access to e-books and e-audiobooks, which you may check out using the Overdrive and/or Libby apps using your PCLS library card. If you do not already have a library card, you may sign up for one via phone, email (jblaney@popelibrary.org), or Facebook Messenger @ PopeCountyLibrarySystem. • Virtual reference is available via phone, email (jblaney@popelibrary. org), and Facebook Messenger @PopeCountyLibrarySystem. • Free Wi-Fi is available 24/7 at all locations with no password required. • Patrons can access Census resources online at www.2020census.gov. • All branches will be sanitized before they reopen. We have already been disinfecting items being returned to the library for months and will continue to do so. • To learn more, visit our website www. popelibrary.org, our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/popecountylibrarysystem/, or stay tuned for email updates. (If you received this information from a friend, you can sign up for updates by emailing smoore@ popelibrary.org.) If you have questions or would like to schedule picking up library materials, please call your library branch. Hours of

Operation during this temporary closure will be Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. at Atkins, Dover, and Russellville. Hector will operate Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1- 5 p.m., Tuesday 9 a.m.- 1 p.m., and Thursday 2 - 6 p.m. Atkins (641-7904), Dover (331-2173), Hector (284-0907), or Russellville (9684368)

Fayetteville to host Arkansas High Country Race

Save the Date ENGAGEMENTS

List your engagement or wedding announcements in the pages of ABOUT the River Valley magazine at no charge. You can email yours to: editor@aboutrvmag.com or mail to: ABOUT Magazine, 220 East 4th Street, Russellville AR 72801. A phone number must be included for verification.

MAY 2020 Hannah Grace Knight & Robert Branscum (1st)

Events to be held June 2020 & 2021

Hannah Simmons & Colten Talley (2nd)

Fayetteville is set to host the annual Arkansas High Country Race, a self-supported 1000-mile ultra-endurance gravel bikepacking event, in 2020 and 2021. Borrowing from multi-day backcountry hiking or backpacking, bikepacking combines cycling through rugged terrain with minimalist camping. The Arkansas High Country Race follows the perimeter of the Arkansas High Country Route. Published in 2019 by the Adventure Cycling Association with support from the Arkansas Parks and Recreation Foundation, the Arkansas High Country Route connects several of the State’s natural divisions in Central and Northwest Arkansas through a series of three gravel and paved road loops. Starting from Fayetteville, cyclists will traverse the Ozark Mountains to the Buffalo National River Corridor, and into the Arkansas River Valley. Continued on page 32...

Brooke Woodward & Derek Hollowoa (2nd)

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T H E R IVE R VA L L EY C I T I Z E N

Appropriate politics in the middle of a pandemic Story by KRISTIN FOSTER

TWICE A WEEK I MAKE THE DRIVE TO LITTLE ROCK to meet with our team at the Arkansas Public Policy Panel. As outreach coordinator for the organization’s advocacy arm, Citizens First Congress, part of my job is coordinating the statewide ballot initiative strategy for our member groups. On March 11, when the first coronavirus case was diagnosed in Arkansas, I was in the office preparing for a meeting. Up to that point, I had read an occasional article about what was happening with the coronavirus outbreak overseas, but it wasn’t a huge concern. Like a lot of people, I assumed it was just another strain of flu that would soon disappear from headlines. But by March 13, word of statewide school closures had trickled out of the capitol and our office was preparing for a new kind of advocacy work from home. Initially the obvious priority for everyone was meeting the basic needs of our most vulnerable residents. There were endless zoom meetings with organizations across the state to gather information on medical care, feeding programs, housing security, school closures, etc. In the background we were also watching as years of work to keep political power in the hands of citizens fell apart. Passionate folks from across the country had put in thousands of hours to establish an independent redistricting commission that would protect Arkansans from political gerrymandering when district maps are redrawn in 2021. If the idea of an independent redistricting commission doesn’t sound familiar, don’t feel too bad. Redistricting is an important process in our state government, but it’s also pretty obscure to most people. Every 10 years, following the completion of the census, our state map is divided up into legislative districts that are meant to ensure voters have equal representation in government. Legislative districts are divided by population, not by geographic area. So some rural districts may cover multiple counties, while more urban districts may only span a few miles. Ultimately the

redistricting process should result in a fair and balanced map that separates voters into equal districts with no attempt to influence future election results. Over the years, we’ve seen this process corrupted by skewing district lines to favor a desired political outcome. This creates gerrymandered districts that allow politicians to hand pick their voters rather than voters choosing their politicians. Arkansas is currently ranked as the 10th most gerrymandered state in the United States. The Arkansas redistricting process for federal congressional districts is overseen by both chambers of the state legislature. State level districts, those for the state House of Representative and state Senate, are created by a board of apportionment made up of three partisan constitutional officers: the governor, secretary of state, and state attorney general. These three elected officials are given the authority to redraw 135 legislative districts across 75 counties with very little input from Arkansas residents. If independent redistricting were approved by voters, the result would be a nonpartisan citizen led commission that minimizes the influence of partisan political operatives on state and federal districts. That brings us back to the current global pandemic. In November voters would have cast a ballot deciding whether Arkansas would follow other states in changing over to an independent redistricting commission or continue with the partisan status quo. Unfortunately collecting signatures from 89,151 registered voters to get on the ballot is now impossible without violating an executive order and/or risking the health of everyone involved. Our last hopes for independent redistricting currently rests in the hands of a federal judge who will consider the merits of a request for extension of the petition deadline and the use of online signature collection methods. When so many people are facing serious health and economic crises, it can feel indecent to think about politics. We should certainly prioritize the human suffering that is happening across our country above all else, but let’s not forget that our democracy can also become unhealthy when we don’t take appropriate precautions. l

Better things are coming. The future belongs to those that believe in the beauty of their dreams. – ELEANOR ROOSEVELT

Congratulations class of 2020 for your years of hard work and accomplishments.

(479) 968-3991 1903 SOUTH ARKANSAS 24

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

Yes, you can eat out at home. Photo by LIZ CHRISMAN - Story by JOHNNY CARROL SAIN

Living in a first world country offers a myopic view of life. We take so much of our daily conveniences as given rights. When was the last time — before the coronavirus cataclysm rocked our spoiled little worlds — that you were seriously concerned about running out of food? Let me back up a bit. Not all of your food. Because, for most of us, food security isn’t something we struggle with. I’m talking about a daily staple or a favorite food. I never realized that I took bananas for granted until I went without a key ingredient of my daily fruit bowl for a week. Food is always at our fingertips and only a few short steps of preparation away from going in our mouths. And when we crave something we can’t make at home or just don’t feel like cooking, we grab the car keys, load up the family, and begin the discussion about which restaurant we want to go to. With so many options here in the River Valley, this debate is usually the most complicated part of the process when dining out. But we’ve taken eating out for granted as well. And while social distancing has kneecapped our social dining, local restaurants have responded with innovative ways to get their food to hungry patrons. Takeout, along with curbside and even home delivery courtesy of the establishment itself or food delivery services such as Bite Squad, DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub and Omni, is the rule now. It’s the same delicious food, though, some restaurants have pared the menus down. Others have changed their game a bit by offering family-sized meals and even preppedbut-not cooked options for you to pop in your own oven and enjoy while piping hot. I won’t sugar coat it. River Valley restaurants need your patronage now more than ever. And they’ve worked tirelessly to create systems of delivery to limit everyone’s exposure. Great food is still here for the eating in the River Valley. Take at least one night off from kitchen duty and plan a family dinner centered on delicious takeout from an establishment owned and operated by a friend or neighbor.

26 26

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~

MAY 2020 MAY 2020

MAY 2020

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

Butter Pecan Shortbread Cookies

Coming Home Story by LYDIA ZIMMERMAN, Food Editor Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN

t’s that time of year when we “officially” celebrate our Mothers. Even though my mother went to her heavenly home in 2018, I still think of all the things she did for us kids. My mother always had a snack, usually something baked and sweet, ready for us when we got home from school. As many mothers these days work outside the home, it is often difficult to produce a home-cooked meal much less a home cooked snack. So when we do find time to make that favorite recipe, it’s something we always look forward to. As many of our high school graduates are moving out of the home to attend college or leave the nest, coming home for a visit also means coming home for mom’s cooking. Believe me, it is something they will realize they took for granted while living at home. For example, if my Grace is coming home for a visit, and I ask what she wants me to cook, I get a quick answer (and she usually takes any leftovers home with her). So for this month’s column, I pulled out some recipes of my mother’s that were my favorites and contacted some high school seniors’ parents for their graduate’s favorite family recipes that they so graciously shared with me (thank you!). We also have a delicious homemade bread recipe from our photography editor Liz Chrisman. Celebrate and enjoy! 28

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MAY 2020

BUTTER PECAN SHORTBREAD COOKIES ABOUT Magazine Featured Recipe ~ MAY 2020

1 c butter, softened 1/2 c brown sugar 1 tsp butter extract 2 1/4 c all purpose (sifted) flour 1 c pecan, chopped Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Beat butter and brown sugar together until creamy, add butter extract and mix well. Sift 2 1/4 flour into mixing bowl with butter mixture and mix well. The mixture will be crumbly. Pour mixture onto a lightly floured piece of wax paper. Pour pecans onto mixture and place another sheet of wax paper onto the top of the mixture and with a rolling pin roll out mixture to approx 1/4” thickness. Take a round cookie cutter (I used the rim of a glass) and cut out cookies. Place cookies on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 300 degrees for 25 minutes or until cookies begin to brown lightly. Great with coffee or milk. Recipe courtesy of Wilma Gray, Lydia’s mother

OVERNIGHT DUTCH OVEN WHITE BREAD 4 cups of All-Purpose White Flour 1.5 cups of 90’-95’ water (temperature variance dependent upon room temp.) 1 tsp of fine sea salt 1 tsp of active dry yeast Combine the flour with water in a 5-6qt. Container. Mix by hand just until incorporated. Cover and let rest for 20-30 minutes. Sprinkle the salt and yeast evenly over the top of the dough. Mix by hand, wetting your working hand before mixing so the dough doesn’t stick to you. Reach underneath the dough and grab about one-quarter of it - gently stretch this section of dough and fold it over the top to the other side of the dough. Repeat three more times (rotating the container) until the salt and yeast are fully enclosed. Use a “pincher” method to fully integrate the ingredients by squeezing sections of the dough with your thumb and forefinger, making cuts across the entire mass of dough. Fold the dough over itself a few times. Repeat this, alternating between folding and pinching into the dough has tension. Let the dough rest for a few minutes, then fold again until it tightens up well. The target temperature of the dough at the end of the mix is 77’F to 78’F. This dough will need two to three folds over the next 1.5 hours for maximum gas retention and volume of finished loaf. If you

Overnight Dutch Oven White Bread

only have time for two folds, that’s fine. It’s easiest to apply these folds during the first 1.5 hours after mixing. After doing the last fold, cover the dough and let it continue to rise overnight at room temperature. When the dough is 2.5 to 3 times its original volume, it’s time to shape. Dust your proofing container with flour. I use a 3-4 qt size mixing bowl with a tea towel draping inside. Shape your dough into a medium-tight ball. Place it seam side down into the container. Lightly flour the top of the loaf and cover with the towel. Plan on baking this loaf 1.25 hours after it’s shaped, assuming a room temperature of about 70’F. If your kitchen is warmer, they will be optimally proofed in about 1 hour. Use a finger-dent test to determine when they are perfectly proofed and ready to bake. (If your finger dent doesn’t bounce back at all, they’ve been over-proofed.) With this bread, 15 minutes can make a

difference between being perfectly proofed and collapsing a bit. At least 45 minutes prior to baking, put your dutch oven with its lid on in your oven and set the oven to 475’F. Invert the proofed loaf onto a lightly floured countertop, keeping in mind that the top of the load will be the side that was facing down while it was rising - the seam side. Use oven mitts to remove the preheated dutch oven from the oven. Remove the lid. Carefully place the loaf in the hot dutch oven seam side up. Replace the lid, then place in the oven. Bake for 30 minutes, then remove the lid and bake for 20-30 minutes, until at least medium dark brown all around the loaf. Check after 15 minutes of baking uncovered just in case your oven runs hot. Let the loaf cool on a rack for at least 20 minutes before slicing. Recipe courtesy of Liz Chrisman

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CHICKEN ADOBO (FILIPINO CUISINE) 8 pcs of chicken (legs & thighs) 29 oz can of tomato sauce 1/3 cup vinegar 4 Tbsp soy sauce 4 Tbsp pickling spice (put in tea infuser ball) 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp onion power ½ tsp paprika ¼ cup oil 2 bay leaves White Rice Cook Rice according to directions. Add oil in a large deep pan, brown chicken over medium heat. When chicken is browned on both sides and cooked almost through (not fully cooked), place tea infuser ball (filled with pickling spice) in pan with chicken. Add all remaining ingredients (except rice) to the pan – tomato sauce, vinegar, other seasonings, etc.

Welcome to

Bring to a boil. Then cover and simmer on low heat until chicken is thoroughly cooked (approx. 30-45 minutes). Stir occasionally. Serve over rice. Side note: The Filipino culture does not measure. Adjust measurements to fit your taste. For our family, the more vinegar the better. The recipe also works with white meat if you prefer, or pork. Recipe courtesy of Dorothy Villas-Castillo,Great-Grandmother of Brooklyn Pfeifer (Dover HS Senior 2020) NANA’S CHOCOLATE CAKE 1 stick butter 1/2 c of oil 1 c water 2 c flour 1 3/4 c of sugar 1 tsp salt 1/4 c of cocoa powder 2 eggs 1/2 c of buttermilk 1 tsp of baking soda

Icing for Nana’s Chocolate Cake 1/3 c butter 1 tsp vanilla 3-4 T cocoa powder 1/3 c evaporated milk 2 c powdered sugar In a saucepan bring to boil butter, oil, and water. Then in a small bowl add your baking soda to your buttermilk and set to the side. This should foam up a little bit. After that combine your flour, sugar, salt, and cocoa powder in a large bowl being sure to get all the lumps out. Next pour your butter mixture into the flour mixture. Then mix in your eggs. After that mix in your buttermilk. Pour into a greased 9”x13” pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. For Icing: Melt butter, then add cocoa and vanilla and stir. Add milk but DO NOT stir. Add in powdered sugar to desired consistency then immediately pour over slightly cooled cake. Recipe courtesy of Judy Hutchens, Nana of Seth Wagner (Dover HS Senior 2020)

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CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS 2 eggs 4 T of butter or shortening melted 1/2 c milk 2 1/2 - 3 c of self rising flour 2 chicken breasts cooked and shredded 3 qt chicken broth (I usually use chicken soup base) Beat the eggs, then mix the butter and milk together. Add flour and mix, if it is still sticky add more flour until unit it is thicker. Remove from the mixing bowl and knead until it forms a thick dough. Roll it out until approx. 1/4 inch thick. Cut into squares. Heat up the chicken broth to boiling and drop in dumplings one at a time, Return to a boiling and reduce heat to simmering. Cover pot and simmer to 1 hour without removing the lid. Add chicken the dumpling before serving. Recipe courtesy of Melissa BrownMother of Madeline Brown (Dover HS Senior 2020)

FAMILY CASSEROLE 1 lb. ground beef 1 cup green beans, drained 1 medium onion, chopped 2 cup noodles (macaroni can be used) 1 cup tomato soup ¾ cup mild shredded cheddar cheese (I mix American, or use all American) ¾ cup water

8oz, depending on the size of cheese bag) ¾ cup to 1 cup of mayo Mix well and bake at 350 degrees until brown and bubbling. Serve with toasted Italian bread Recipe courtesy of Brenda Menge, grandmother of Madison Hudgins (Dover HS Senior 2020)

Brown beef and onion together in a pan. Drain. Stir in soup, water, beans, noodles and ¼ cup of cheese. Spoon into casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese and bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes. Needs to be brown and bubbling.

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...EVERY DAY LIFE cont. from page 15 “My mom and I are both very opinionated, independent, very stubborn, and are both extremely high strung. We are both loud, and freak out easily about silly stuff. But she freaks out with worry and anxiety, and I freak out with anger and yelling and have a terrible temper. But we are very different in that she is a homebody, and I am never at home. Anytime I’m not at work, I am out of town, out of state, or out of the country. Never. At. Home.” - SARAH, 35 “My mom was always so very patient and so sweet. I have no patience and I think I’m pretty grumpy.” - MILDRED, 92 “Yes! She is so pretty and gets to wear earrings!” - ADDIE, 5 “Maybe. But I am not going to marry a boy like my dad. When he comes out of the bathroom it smells BAD!” - GRACIE, 7 “Yeah, but I don’t want to work as much as her.” - RAFF, 10 Lastly, what is something you want your kids to remember about the kind of mom you are? How do you think they would describe you?

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For the kids: What does your mom do that you think is really cool? “I hope my son will think of me as a fun, adventurous mama that loves him ﬁercely and is very nurturing. I hope anyway.” - SARAH, 35 “I just hope that they know how much I love them. How much I would do it all over again to be their momma. And most importantly, no matter what, always love them and answer their call, listen to their stories, and try to be ready to help when they need me. I may not be the most exciting mom, but I hope they know that I’m always, always here.” - AMY, 41 “I hope my children will remember how much I loved every inch of them always, and that I lived each day to the fullest, and that all of my dreams came true. I want all of this to be true about them, too, and for their

...COMMUNITY cont. from page 23 From the River Valley riders dip through the Ouachita Mountains before climbing back through the Ozark Mountains to the finish line in Fayetteville. The Arkansas High Country Race is scheduled to officially start from the Experience Fayetteville Visitors Center on Saturday Morning June 6 with a community roll out event. The Community Roll Out is an opportunity for local cyclists to ride with some of the country’s top endurance racers as they make their way out of Fayetteville along the Razorback Regional Greenway. All racers will be equipped with SPOT personal trackers, a GPS tracking device that uses the Globalstar satellite network, allowing fans to follow their favorite riders along the route in real time (a practice commonly referred to as “dot following”).

children.” - MARY ANN, 70 “I want him to think that I was fun, that I always had time for him, that I made him feel special, that I was beautiful (before I’m too old) and loved him more than absolutely anything.” - TOMMY, 40 “I hope they remember the music, the singing, the laughter, the books we read together, holding hands as they fell asleep. I hope they’ll see past my faults and frustrations and know that they are the best parts of me.” - CASSY, 37

“She drinks beer!” - JP, 6 “She has her ears pierced and she always wears perfume and smells so good!” GRACIE, 7

“She takes me to concerts!” - TANNER, 8 l

Fans will also enjoy the ‘Virtual Checkpoint’ photos the racers are required to post at www.facebook.com/ArHCrace. Event proceeds benefit the River Valley Ozark Off Road Cyclists, a branch of the Ozark Off Road Cyclists – a nonprofit focused on growing trail advocacy across the Arkansas Ozarks and the Arkansas River Valley. Complete details, including schedule, registration and hotel information, are available at www.rivervalley.ozarkoffroaadcyclists.org/races-tours For race information, contact Race Director Chuck Campbell at (501) 725-1377 or arhcrace@gmail.com. For local information, contact Brannon Pack, Cycling Coordinator for Experience Fayetteville, at (479) 521-5776 or bpack@experiencefayetteville.com. l

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~

MAY 2020

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

COMMUNITY COMMERCE

“C” is for Community COMMUNITY COMMERCE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A SUITABLE TITLE FOR THIS SECTION, where we inform readers about our advertisers and what they have to offer. After speaking to our advertisers in this trying time — many are suffering losses in income, some are entirely shut down, and all are dealing with major inconveniences daily — I see the “community” in each of them. Each is doing the best he or she can

Story by BENITA DREW | Photo by LIZ CHRISMAN

to ensure the safety of the community, whether it’s by only offering curbside pickup or delivery, frequent sanitation, or following the governor’s orders and shutting down completely until this virus has run its course. Each is doing all of this, while still providing and meeting the needs of the community. Many of my regular advertisers not only continued their advertising in this trying time but ran larger ads than usual to help

us at ABOUT. Many individuals have gone online to subscribe to ABOUT to show their support. This, in a time that I personally have been concerned about my ability to provide for my family, when both my own business and my work at ABOUT are not “essential,” spoke directly to my heart. So many in our community have put the well-being of others ahead of their own immediate needs. Now is the time when those who can should do.

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We at ABOUT hope that we are doing our part by offering a discounted ad rate, making this section about our advertisers and how they are conducting business for the time being, and featuring a story about a great nonprofit helping others in need. I now ask each of you to do what you can. Please consider the lost revenue of our advertisers and help ensure their doors can open back up when this trying time has passed: Buy gift cards to use when all is safe to get out and shop again, order takeout or delivery, buy local where that few dollars may make a huge difference. Make a promise that when you need that service,

you’ll call on the community businesses. The part of the title, Community Commerce, that didn’t really sound right to me in the past was “community.” Until now. ABOUT’s “community” stretches across several counties and many communities. There’s nothing like hard times to bring everyone together into one big community looking out for each other and putting the greater good above one’s self. So more than ever, I’m so glad to work with and be a part of, this great big River Valley community. It really is what ABOUT has been about, since the beginning. l

Commerce Listings Following you’ll ﬁnd some details on what ABOUT’s advertisers are doing in these uncertain times, to both serve our community as well as their employess and familes: ADVANCED COLLISION Call ahead, and we’ll meet you in the parking lot to provide estimates. No need to leave your automobile! (479) 968-9732 2731 South Ark. Ave, Russellville ADVANCED SOLUTIONS, INC. Available to support our clients with secure remote access options, and a lockbox at our ofﬁce for contact-free service. (479) 880-2005 220 East 4th St, Russellville www.asitechnology.com AMCARE IN-HOME PERSONAL CARE We are working, and here for YOU! Our Care Assistants are still available and ready to come into your home and help. (479) 880-1112 914 West B St, Russellville www.youramcare.com

C & D DRUGSTORE Curbside pick-up and delivery available! (479) 968-2456 121 N. Commerce Ave, Russellville www.candddrugstore.com/ CENTRAL BEEKEEPERS SUPPLY Call your order in and we’ll deliver to your car! Tue.-Fri. 10-5, Sa.t 9:30-3:30. (479) 968-4044 109 Warehouse Row, Russellville www.centralbekeeperssupply.com THE CENTER FOR THE ARTS During these unprecedented times, we know that the arts will play a huge role in helping to heal our society through joy, community-building, and the reimagining of cultural experiences. We look forward to bringing our stage to life soon! 2209 South Knoxville Ave., Russellville (479) 498-6600 www.russellvillecenter.net

Continued on next page....

LIFE INSURANCE

PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY TAKES MORE THAN A FOUR-DIGIT CODE

THE NEXT STEP IS LIFE. Takee it now. Scott D. Dorminy Agency AR Insurance Producer License # 3000330125,1911079

479.968.7003 2300 W MAIN ST STE 3 RUSSELLVILLE, AR 72801 SDORMINY@FARMERSAGENT.COM

Providing free quality Providing instructionfree andquality support instruction and support to literacy-seeking to literacy-seeking adults. adults. River Valley Adult Learning Alliance River Valley Adult (479) 477-3910 Learning Alliance rivervalleyliteracycouncil@gmail.com (479) 477-3910

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FARMERS INSURANCE SCOTT D. DORMINY AGENCY We’re here to greet you at the door to take care of your insurance needs, but at this time, the ofﬁce itself is closed to the public for safety. (479) 968-7003 2300 W. Main St. STE 3, Russellville sdorminy@farmersagent.com FELTNERS Open our regular hours of Mon-Sat, 9:30-6, social distancing and sanitizing throughout the day. Also offering shopping through call and text with pictures, with curbside service and free delivery in Russellville. 2320 West Main, Russellville (479) 968-6464 Instagram: @shopfeltners www.facebook.com/shopfeltners/ FIRST SECURITY BANK First security: drive thru only, with website and mobile banking available as always. (877) 611-3118 2504 West Main Street www.fsbank.com FIRST STATE BANK ITMs available; weekdays 7am-7pm and Sat. 8:30am-12:30pm. (479) 498-2400 www.fsbmybank.com

FRIENDSHIP COMMUNITY CARE Still serving our children and adult clients to ensure they stay healthy and safe. 920 University Drive, Russellville (479) 264-8886 | www.fccare.org

LET’S CELEBRATE Open for shopping,with curbside pick-up available as well. 421 East Parkway, Russellville (479) 967-0541

FREY PAINTS & COATINGS We are open and here to help you! (479) 968-7071 905 East Main, Russellville www.facebook.com/freypc

LUXURY POOLS Retail store is open with limited access. Place an order by phone and pick-up at the door. FREE delivery for any pool or spa product purchase over $250. FREE water testing and service still available. Call for details. (479) 968-7772 119 East Main, Russellville www. luxurypoolarkansas.com

JOSHUA’S FINE JEWELRY Supporting mobile communication and practicing social distancing and daily sanitation. Curbside service available. (479) 968-3117 310 W. Main, Russellville www.joshuasfinejewelry.com KASPER’S Open for curbside pickup. Take-n-bake family meals available! Tues-Fri 11-7 at this time. (479) 647-4332 501 N. Johnson (behind U of O) Clarksville www.kaspersclarksville.com KITCHEN ESSENTIALS Located inside Russellville City Mall. Open from 10am-2pm Mon-Sat. Curbside pickup, with Facetime shopping available! (479) 280-1933 becki@kitchenessentials.net

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ABOUT magazine is a local business supporting a local community. If you’d like to join us in that effort, a $20 annual subscription goes a long way. Mention your favorite ABOUT advertiser when subscribing, and they’ll receive a discount on their advertising!

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MAIN STREET RUSSELLVILLE Check our Facebook and Website for COVID-19 resources for small businesses and updates on downtown businesses and events. (479) 967-1437 www.mainstreetrussellville.com MILLYN’S Open 9-5. Practicing social distancing and sanitizing daily. May call in and pick up orders from front porch. Delivery available for brides, and most others can be arranged. (479) 229-4144 Front Street, Dardanelle www.millyns.com

ORR AUTO MALL Our doors are open as usual at Orr. (479) 967-5575 3115 E. Main, Russellville www.orrautomall.com

RACKLEY FURNITURE We’re open! We are implementing social distancing and sanitation for your safety. 1402 North Church St., Atkins (479) 641-2220

PEDIATRICS PLUS Developmental Preschool and Therapy Services for children with special needs. Our building is currently closed to the public to ensure the safety of our kiddos. For information about enrolling for the fall, please contact us today. 301 N Sidney Avenue (479) 890-5494 www.pediatricsplus.com

SAINT MARY’S REGIONAL We are continuing to work closely with the Arkansas Department of Health and following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure the safety of our patients, the clinical team that has been caring for our patients and all those within our facility. (479) 968-2841 1808 W Main St, Russellville www.saintmarysregional.com

PETERS FAMILY LIVING It’s still business as usual, with our full staff, here at Peters! (479) 968-2929 201 North Arkansas Ave, Russellville www.petersfamilyliving.com POPE COUNTY FARM BUREAU Our lobby is closed at this time, but staff is on hand 8-5 M-F via drive-thru or telephone. Payments can also be made online. 1805 East Parkway, Russellville (479)968-1361

www.lizchrisman.com

SENIOR LIVING SOLUTIONS Free virtual tours available for your health and safety. (501) 650-3013 www.srlivingsolutions.com SIMMONS Drive thru only, except by appointment. Regular business hours. 1 (866) 246-2400 800 N. Arkansas Ave www.simmonsbank.com

SORRELLS BODY SHOP Business as usual but strictly following suggested distancing and sanitation guidelines for everyone’s wellbeing. (479) 968-3991 1903 S. Arkansas Ave, Russellville www.sorrellsbodyshop.com VALLEY PIANO CO. Online shopping, delivery to your vehicle or showroom shopping by appointment. 3515 W. Main St., Russellville (479) 968-5200 www.valleypiano.com WOLF THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE We are here for you and can’t wait to reopen! Call for gift cards to be honored when we do reopen. (479) 385-2755 ----------------------------------For more information on area businesses and how they are operating through the pandemic, the Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce has created the following resource:

www.leanlocalrussellville.com

commercial art & portraiture

“busy bee blooms ” MAY 2020

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

in the Garden

In trying times, go back to our roots Story by JILL MCSHEEHY

WITH EVERY ARM-STIFFENING, BACK-TIGHTENING LOAD, my calf muscles burned in protest. Still, I willed myself to make it the last hundred feet. Who needs a gym when you can push a wheelbarrow full of soil from one end of your yard to the other? Finally reaching my destination -- a newly-constructed raised bed -- I hefted the wheelbarrow forward and let the soil spill out. I grabbed my shovel and scooped the remainder and spread it out. Just a few more loads to go. The sun dipped behind the towering pines in the western sky as I raced to get these beds filled. At that moment, a thought intruded my hurried pace. This feels... normal. Two weeks ago, my normal life upended

in a span of 24 hours, like the rest of the world I suppose. Coming to terms with these changes and accepting that “social isolation” would be my new normal for the foreseeable future, I found myself taking walks outside and tackling garden tasks I would do on any spring day. Clinging to gratitude anchored the chaos

in my spirit. I whispered a prayer of thanks at the timing of this forced isolation -- the beginning of my planting season. My kids couldn’t go to school. I couldn’t meet a friend for lunch. Our family couldn’t go to church. But I could garden. Within a week, visits to my gardening

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website spiked to record levels. I began getting messages from friends and strangers alike, asking about how to grow a garden. Soon mainstream media outlets began to report the surge in home gardening across the country. It surprised me at first, but then it made sense. Motivations differed, of course. People who never had time for gardening before could suddenly start the hobby they had put off for “someday.” Empty grocery shelves of staple vegetables propelled others to consider growing their own. Young families searched for activities to do with their children at home, and gardening in the spring fit the need. Comparisons to Victory Gardens of the first and second World Wars entered the common vernacular. History seems to bear witness that Americans turn to gardening when faced with a crisis. However, I’m not sure the comparison between yesteryear’s Victory Gardens and new gardens of 2020 can hold true. Families planted Victory Gardens to feed their families, yes, but it was also a small way for those on the homefront to support the war effort and the service members fighting for freedom across the globe. With the backyard garden and laying hens providing vegetables and eggs for those at home, more food and supplies could be diverted to the troops. As many as two-thirds of American households in the World War II-era grew their own gardens, and an estimated 40 percent or more of all the produce grown in America at that time could be traced to Victory Gardens. The reasons behind Victory Gardens may

seem more pious compared to our desire to find something to do with our spare time or to create a back-up plan in case the limited vegetable supply at the grocery stores continues. However, it’s worth considering when reflecting on Victory Gardens that home gardening waned in the years after the war. That begs the question: will America’s sudden interest in gardening die a slow death as COVID-19 settles into the history books? Perhaps not. A pre-COVID-19 population, normally passive participants in the food supply chain, has suddenly been thrust into the reality that the source of our food security can change overnight. Apocalyptic scenarios edge uncomfortably close, no longer just fodder for Hollywood screenwriters. While surely many of these 2020 home gardens will become a mere flash in the pan, I’m convinced others will remain. For one thing, the eyes of budding gardeners are opening to the benefits of gardening to mental health. In a time of such uncertainty, gardening is certainly grounding. No longer are the clarion calls that gardening provides a balm for the spirit as well as strength to the body falling on deaf ears. New gardeners, for lack of a better term, will get hooked in 2020. Their lives, and their children’s lives, will never be the same. In a world upended by this global pandemic, the reality of this crisis -- and the broken lives in its wake -- seems too much to bear. But the home garden surge in America reveals that our generation, just like the ones before us, seeks to cling to

the good. Underneath the black cloak on our world, we search for the silver lining. None of us knows yet precisely how much devastation this virus will leave in its wake. But for those who plant their first seeds, clear the cobwebs off the shovel from the back of the shed, or expand their gardens in a way they had never planned, I believe they will reap a harvest of more than this season’s bounty. Grandparents will pass on latent skills to the younger generations. Adults will discover a new hobby, contributing to their physical and mental health for years to come. Children will learn how to grow food and pass it on to their children and beyond. None of us wishes these skills will prove necessary for another crisis scenario. But should one come upon us in future years or decades, perhaps that generation will point to us like we point to our Victory Gardening great-grandparents. And perhaps they’ll remember us, call upon skills cultivated in 2020, and rest in the hope for a future beyond the crisis. l

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

Story & Photo by JOHNNY CARROL SAIN

A JOURNAL of our RURAL & NATURAL HERITAGE

A Bird in Hand FAINT STREAKS OF PINK already stretch over the mountains. I’d lingered over that second cup of coffee too long. I shove shells into the shotgun and set off at a fast walk to my listening spot nearly half a mile away. Whip-poor-wills whistle a lonely farewell song to the night as the strengthening voices of diurnal birds fill the woods. I haven’t heard a crow yet, and that’s good news. In my experience, crows and turkeys usually clock in at the same time. The first nasal caws ring out as I step up onto the old sweet gum stump. From a quarter-mile away, a throaty gobble erupts in response. This will be my fifth morning to hunt this particular bird. Our first two encounters were anticlimactic. His coarse song called up some girls right off the limb on both of those mornings, and I sat cussing the hens as his gobbles faded over the ridge. I should have killed him on the third morning. And I would have if he’d come out of the thicket where I thought he would. But he came out hard to my right, at an angle too steep for a right-handed shooter of my particular inflexibility. On the fourth morning, I slipped into the woods early — two hours before sunrise

— and mustered every smidgen of stealth in me to ease within 50 yards of the tree he’d roosted in for three nights prior. I sat there in the gloom feeling smug in my cleverness, thinking about how much he would weigh and how good his breast meat would taste, the shape and sharpness of his spurs. I almost felt sorry for him. But as the first cardinal song ended, he gobbled from a different tree 200 yards away. He had no time for my foolishness that morning. Just one

gobble then not another peep. He’s in yet a different roost now. Two more gobbles let me course the sound, and I think I know which tree. Maybe not the exact tree, but within 50 yards, near a favorite deer stand in a grove of thick-trunked white oaks with limbs as big around as my thigh. The grove is at an intersection where the main ridge splits into three fingers with each descending to the creek. I’d hung a treestand there because whitetails love traveling those ridge fingers. Spring gobblers love them, too. I make it to within 100 yards of the turkey while he’s still on the limb, gobbling at the crows, at screaming pileated woodpeckers, and a braying jackass on a distant farm. But the woods open up from here on to the bird. I choose to sit for a bit, to let him fly down and decide on his next move before I decide on mine. Thumping wings tell me he’s on the ground. He gobbles again a few times, obligingly, letting me know where he’s headed and how fast he’s walking. And I know right where he’s going. As predicted, the next gobble sounds a little muffled and more distant, but he hasn’t gone that far. The turkey has walked into a shallow hollow full of red cedar. It’s the exact best thing he could do to better my odds.

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With topographical cover to move, I hustle through the brightening woods and just about go too far when a gobble from no more than 50 yards away plops my butt down. The closest cover is a skinny hickory, far too thin to hide my silhouette, but the only tree available. Turkey eyesight borders on the supernatural and with nothing but a smattering of saplings between us and that scraggly hickory behind me, one tiny miscalculated move or involuntary shiver could blow the whole deal. I slowly suck a call into my mouth and hunker down, trying for all the world to look like a stump, with the gun pointing toward that last gobble. I’m a little worried that all the ruckus on this breezeless morning might have spooked him. But when I offer a couple of soft, seductive clucks, he quickly gobbles back to let me know that everything is cool. And then I hear his footsteps walking toward me. I click the safety off. A brilliant white head emerges from the cedar boughs and stops behind some brush. I can see flashes of his barbaric red caruncles as he peers up the ridge looking for the sweet-voiced hen. The range is just under 40 yards, right at the maximum for my little 20-gauge shotgun. But that thin brush surrounding his head is a concern. All he has to do is take two steps either way for an open shot. But the turkey stands stock still for a tense minute and then walks back exactly the way he came, never offering a clear target. Just out of sight, he gobbles again. For those who don’t hunt them, or otherwise spend time in close proximity to gob-

“A muted cluck warbles from my mouth. He stops, standing in the wide open, straight and tall and handsome as the devil.” blers in rut, tom turkeys make a peculiar sound when they’re really turned on that’s difficult to describe. You don’t hear the sound as much as you feel it. It’s a nearly subsonic booming, like the deepest bass thumping from a subwoofer, and it resonates in my chest when I’m close enough to the turkey. Accompanied by a sharp “check” sound, this booming is called “spitting and drumming.” This ol’ boy spits and drums, gobbling and double gobbling so close, but just beyond range and mostly obscured in his little depression. The woods vibrate with his masculine energy. It’s a powerful energy. Contrary to the human mating game, the natural order of turkey courtship is for the hen to come to the gobbler. That’s how it’s worked out for him so far this spring. Eager hens are harder to come by now, later in the season, but his confidence is still sky high. He’s got game, and he knows it. I can just see the tips of his tail feathers and the very top of his chalky bald head slowly parading back and forth as he struts, so sure that his vocals and virile charisma will, again, get him laid. The gobbler popped out once to lay eyes on the hen and, more importantly, be seen by the hen. He likely won’t come out again. I’m long past the strategy-making point.

Changing position is out of the question. I’m too close, too exposed. Regardless of what happens, it’s going to happen here. I have no choice but to wait him out and, since I’m barely hidden, I can’t call. After a nerve-wracking 30 minutes of me listening in silence to the turkey’s romantic pleas, he decides to take another angle on the stubborn hen that just won’t succumb to his charms. The tom comes up out of the bowl in a determined walk and circles me, gobbling all the way, ending up at about 30 yards hard to my left — the perfect position for a right-handed shooter and the perfect range for my shotgun. The safety is off. The shotgun’s bead is on his throat. A muted cluck warbles from my mouth. He stops, standing in the wide open, straight and tall and handsome as the devil. And I don’t shoot. Seconds later, he smells a rat, gives an alarm “putt” and flaps across the hollow. I slump against the hickory, struggling to make sense of what just happened. No one will believe this. I don’t believe it. I’ve lost 10 pounds and hours of sleep since the season opened. My work and, consequently, my finances have been sacrificed, as they are every turkey season. Family activities have been shuffled so that I have maximum opportunity to put a turkey on the table. The objective of turkey hunting is to kill a turkey. Why didn’t I squeeze the trigger? I sit for several puzzled minutes and never come up with an answer. Then, like warm spring rain, realization washes over me. I know where I’ll be when the sun comes up tomorrow. l

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MARCH/APRIL 2020 Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN

MAY 2020

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY