ABOUT | October 2021 by ABOUT the River Valley Magazine

CHUCK WILL’S WIDOW

October 2021 • aboutrvmag.com

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

MARVA

SELF THROUGH ART

October 2021 TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Chuck Will’s Widow Orange flames from the backyard pit flickered in Rosa Lynn’s emerald eyes as the first day of summer unfolded into a soft June evening. Charles William was mesmerized by the contrasting colors. He had always been captivated by her aura, the red of an untamable inner fire complimenting a calm cool green.

Sibling trickery Opportunity for all Near the tail end of South Arkansas Avenue sits Russellville’s well-known red brick resale shop MARVA. Residents drive back and forth, stopping by to drop off donations of clothing, furniture, household items, decorations, and more.

Discovering self through art Growing up in a home with immigrant parents, Tammy Harrington figured out early that she did not fit neatly into a box. Her art, particularly self-portraiture, resonates with her continued search for who she is.

Delawalicious Countertop Creations Roads less traveled Little lives of the creek 10 Things ABOUT: Jorista Garrie

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OCTOBER 2021

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As the daughter of immigrant parents, Tammy Harrington found methods for self-reflection in her art. Her eye for emotive color and a flair for the dramatic produced a breathtaking cover and perfect compliments for this year’s October issue fiction.

EDITOR’S LETTER

The allure of lore Myth and legend are so tightly wound within our cultures that we couldn’t pull one from the other even if we wanted to. Back in the olden days, when our circles tended to be smaller and a journey of just 100 miles might take days, those stories that shaped us were built entirely on the small places and limited things we knew. We had no other material to work with. But what we lacked in knowledge we made up with our imaginations, and those fantastical thoughts were limitless. The more creative among us could take any arbitrary sight, sound, or even smell and weave a tale to explain everything from how a wooly worm can forecast the weather to why we’re on this ball of rock and water… or even try to tell you that it’s not a ball at all. Lore was the path to understanding those experiences that seemed impossible to understand otherwise. Even in our hyper-technology world of today where information on a scale that countless generations of humans could never comprehend is literally at our fingertips, lore still has a grip on our understanding of life, the universe, and our place in this world. As late summer heat withered the apple trees in our yard, I found myself quietly praying to the sky for mercy in the form of rain. Even though I’ll spend countless hours

scouting for deer, poring over maps and burning the boot leather, you’ll rarely catch me in the woods without a lucky buckeye in my pocket. And while I can track the weather patterns that finally brought liquid relief to my home, and I can know for certain that reading the trails and rub lines is what led to that buck in the back of my truck, I’ll still offer thanks to the clouds and the buckeye nut. The fiction story in this issue accompanied by some incredible art work from Tammy Harrington is my creative attempt at capturing some of that bygone creativity. I’ve often wondered why we cling to the mystical when push comes to shove and we search for meaning in the pain of loss or need a little extra to get us over the hump toward whatever goals we’ve set our sights on. My rational mind can dig into the science of neurons and brain chemicals to explain it all in clinical terms. But there’s still a part of me, perhaps the oldest part of me, that doesn’t want to know the clinical “why.” Sometimes I’d rather rest in that strange and enduring comfort found in the mythos of our ancestors.

Reﬂecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley since 2006 A Publication of One14 Productions, Inc Vol. XVI, Issue 9 – October 2021

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 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 Magazine 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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COMMUNITY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

October 2021 Su

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6th — What Can We See From Here at Mount Magazine State Park from 10-11 a.m. Meet at the Gazebo Wall on Cameron Bluff Overlook Drive.Using maps and other tools, we can read the landscape from one of our popular scenic overlooks. Visibility will depend on several factors. We’ll also watch for migrating birds of prey.

Find up-to-date information and future events @

www.aboutrvmag.com/events

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.

OCTOBER

Lindsey Kirby & Ryan Richardson (2nd) Chelsea Allen & Austin Sharp (9th) Emily Ames & Braxton Hendrix (9th) Avery Simpson & Micah Piker (9th) Patience West & Blake Forehand (9th) Sophie Davis & Nick Cheshier (9th) Madeline Whitaker & Adam Glover (15th) Samantha Rowell & Christopher Renfroe (16th) Dakota Hicks & Zach Needham (23rd)

Aly England & Matt Fracek (29th)

NOVEMBER Katelyn Dunlap & Tyler Ramey (20th) Megan Lomax & Hunter Gorham (12th)

DECEMBER Jayli Harrison & Zak Holt (4th) Anna Bloodworth & Trey Brown (10th) Tori Barnes & Mason Dockery (21st)

8th — Music Downtown @ Sundown featuring Arkansauce 6 p.m. at Depot Park. For more information contact 967-1437.

ing trails. The scope of this planned annual event will increase in coming years. For more information contact 968-2530.

ly fundraiser to help continue feeding the children of the River Valley. Live music, food, a silent auction, vendors and more.

16th — 5K Toys for Tots in Clarksville.

8th-10th

16th — Come support River Valley Food

22nd — Morning kayaking at Lake Dardanelle State Park from 10-11:30 a.m. Admission $12 for adults, $6 for children 6-12. Enjoy a quiet fall morning on Lake Dardanelle on this 1.5-hour guided paddle with a park interpreter. Kayaks, life jackets, and paddles are provided. Tandem kayaks avialable. Sign up at the visitor center or call 967-5516 at least one day in advance.

— Arkansas River Valley Bike Festival. This first-year event is a combined effort between the cities of Russellville, Dardanelle, and Mount Nebo State Park coordinated by the Friends of Nebo. Funds from the event will be used to maintain Mount Nebo biking and hik-

For more information contact 754-2340.

4 Kids’ Backpack Program on at our 5th Annual Foodstock Music Fundraiser. From 5-9 p.m. at the Downtown Depot, we will be showcasing live music from Arkansas native music groups DeFrance and Mothership. This free event is a family friend-

OCTOBER 2021

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

Orange flames from the backyard pit flickered in Rosa Lynn’s emerald eyes as the first day of summer unfolded into a soft June evening. Charles William was mesmerized by the contrasting colors. He had always been captivated by her aura, the red of an untamable inner fire complimenting a calm cool green.

Written by

Johnny Carrol Sain Illustrated by

Tammy Harrington

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OCTOBER 2021

The shadowed contours of Rosa Lynn’s full lips pulled softly into a coy smile. “Chuck Willy, you know how long I’ll love you? Longer than a whip-poor-will’s song, I will.” Charles William grinned at the words like the teenage boy Rosa Lynn had fallen in love with so many years ago. She tugged at sprouts of his hair curling up from under a dirty baseball cap, and he playfully swatted her hand away as he stooped to place a fresh-split hickory log on the fire. The crackles and pops of seasoned wood were perfect accompaniment for the wild music of a summer evening. Cicadas sawed their melancholy songs as katydids chirped brightly from the oak boughs. And as a falling star streaked across the purple sky, Rosa Lynn leaned toward him for a kiss. As if on cue, a far-off whip-poor-will warbled it’s lonesome tune. Then other, similar, though, dissimilar notes followed the night bird’s song. An odd, lazy piping filled with an immense and palpable sadness floated through the deepening night. Rosa Lynn could identify nearly every species of bird in the state from voice alone. But this one was different. Not an owl and not quite a whippoor-will. She stood and eased toward the wood line where thick tangles of honeysuckle perfumed the air. “What is it, Rosa?” Charles William whispered. “That bird callin’. Can’t you hear it?”

“I heard that whip-poor-will. Is that what you’re talkin’ about?” “No, it’s somethin’ else.” “Well, what d’it sound like?” Danged if I know. Nothin’ from around here. Maybe some exotic bird blown off course by the storms last week,” she answered. “There it goes again. Hand me that light, and I’m gonna see if I can peek it.” Charles William, chuckled, tossed the headlamp to Rosa Lynn and settled back into his lawn chair with a Mason jar. “And I’ll wait right here while you do.” He watched as shadows swallowed the beam then tracked Rosa Lynn’s movements in the rustle of underbrush, the soft

crunch of her steps on last autumn's dead leaves. And then, more quickly than he thought possible, the sounds of her faded into the forest hum. “Rosa Lynn, you find that bird yet?” Only the katydids replied. “Hey, Rosa!” He walked to the forest edge, eyes straining for a glimpse of light and ears filtering through the buzz of night life for anything that could lead him to her. “Rosa Lynn!” Charles William stumbled into the woods, guided only by the soft beams of a quarter moon and a growing uneasiness tightening his stomach. >> OCTOBER 2021

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

Days of searching turned into weeks as authorities from all over the state converged on this lonely patch of woods in a forgotten corner of the world. When the county sheriff finally called it off, everyone except Charles William agreed that it was over, that she was gone forever. But no one knew how or where. Rosa Lynn had seemingly vanished into thin air. She disappeared in a small hollow just behind her home of more than a decade, in woods she’d known since childhood. And she left not one trace behind. The only clues were her found headlamp and a handful of feathers that not even the state wildlife biologists could identify. That discovery led to hushed conversations among the elder locals, those most familiar with the heritage of their neighbors. There were stories, a lore that had followed Rosa Lynn’s family from Appalachia to the Ozarks, of a feathered entity more spirit than flesh. Tales of a soul taken from every generation as a precursor to the death of that soul’s mortal lover. No one knew why; the reasons had been buried or forgotten long ago. Perhaps it was atonement for an ancient debt in her bloodline to an ancient deity, a curse passed down from transgressions centuries old. Or maybe it was simply a cosmic tragedy. Charles William did not know of this history, and Charles William had never been known to have an ounce of quit in him. But the months of sun and desperation wilted his body and vaporized his vigor, and the days rolled over him in a quiet agony. By late September he was a hollowed man, weathered and dried up… a husk.

Finally, cool October breezes pushed summer from the hills. The last string of long, hot, and terribly bright days had given way to damp grayness as the verdant woodlands slipped into tones of umber and ochre seemingly overnight. The cold front’s leading winds had stripped some of the canopy, depositing a fresh carpet of leaves on the forest floor through the morning. But a calm had settled into the hollows this afternoon. And on this day, Samhain, the Celtic day of the dead when the veil between this world and the next was thinnest, Charles Henry decided to search for Rosa Lynn one last time. He padded through the drizzle, weirdly invigorated by the dampness, scanning every shadowy crevice in rock and brush with what he thought was a long-lost energy, straining with eye and ear, with every nerve and cell for even the smallest clue that Rosa Lynn could still be here. But in the perpetual twilight of mist and fog, the grim darkening of coming night crept upon him unexpectedly. And as a crimson sun dipped below the lidded ceiling, Charles William thought it best to head home. He was wrestling with the terrible acceptance when an unforgettable voice interrupted his thoughts Charles William paused mid-step and stumbled to the wet ground. “Rosa Lynn! Is that you?” He couldn’t at all be certain, and he couldn’t gain a bearing. The haunting tones, so familiar yet so strange and sad, fluted through the bare branches from everywhere and nowhere. The desire to find their source welled within and spilled from his eyes.

“There were stories, a lore that had followed Rosa Lynn’s family from Appalachia to the Ozarks, of a feathered entity more spirit than flesh.”

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OCTOBER 2021

He called out again. The reply came back with a crystalline certainty. “Chuck Willy” A new hope pulsed through his being, easing the ache that had settled in his core like a smoldering ember for what seemed forever. An ancient and burly post oak silhouetted high on a ridge top in the gray seemed to summon Charles Henry as his wife's voice echoed though the hollow. He ran — stumbling, falling, crawling through the understory toward the old tree, reaching it breathless. Jutting from the ridge, the oak’s gnarled roots twisted through stone older than life, clinging with primeval tenacity to an abrupt precipice. An immense canyon of black opened up below the bluff line. And in the far far bottom, the colors of flame and emerald glimmered in the gloom. “Chuck Willy” Charles William blinked into the abyss, weeping his words. “Rosa Lynn!” Rosa Lynn!” “Chuck Willy” “Rosa Lynn, I found you! I knew that I would! I knew you were here! I knew you’d never leave me! ” “Chuck Willy” Charles William grabbed onto an oak root snaking between boulders and swung to a ledge as the last of this day’s weak light faded. His eyes scanned the weathered and mossy stone bluff for the tiniest jut of rock, anything to ease his descent. His mind gripped by urgency and elation could not recall this hollow, this bluff, this tree.

From the bottom of the hollow, the glowing red and green orb shimmered. “Chuck Will” And as the months and moments since Rosa Lynn had vanished bore down on Charles William with a weight and density he could shoulder no more, he leapt into the darkness… to the light… to his Rosa Lynn. He landed in a crumpled heap, alive but barely, and called to Rosa Lynn with a gurgling gasp. Flashes of supernatural pyrotechnics in crimson and clover illuminated the shadows. Turning his head with great effort and immense pain, he watched the sphere of unearthly fire rise and float through the forest as if on wings, lighting lightly at his side. The orb was an eye, a great red and green marbled eye set deep in the mossy-feathered head of a strange bird. It was a creature unknown to Charles Williams. But as he stared into the eye, a knowing calmed and comforted his foggy mind like a warm blanket. Charles William’s broken body shuddered and was still. The bird sat in silence and unmoving. Her eyes molten and glowing embers in the blackness of the hollow through the darkest hours of night. As sleepy pink rays of sun peeked over the distant hills, the green fire subsided and the eyes became onyx. Blinking in the soft early light, the bird sank into the shadows, its feathers becoming indistinguishable from leaves and lichen. Above the naked trees, a clean and bluing October sky stretched infinite. l

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EVE RY DAY L I F E

“My brother and I used to wake my sister up on random nights of random months and tell her Santa came! She would run downstairs all excited. No matter how many times we did it she always believed it. I feel so bad that we did that now!” - Joy H.

Sibling trickery

“I love pickles, always have, and my sister would offer me her ‘pickle’ from her sandwich, which was really a jalapeño. And then, since she was taller than me, she would hold my drink well above my head. I would get so mad but I fell for it every time!” - Kristyn B. Story by SARAH CLOWER

SINCE THIS IS MY SISTER’S BIRTH MONTH, I have been contemplating how much I appreciate her and how much she means to me. Amy is a critical care nurse at St Mary’s hospital, and for the last year and a half, she has been worked to the bone, tirelessly caring for COVID patients. I feel as if I have barely seen her since the start of the pandemic and often find myself recalling fond memories we’ve shared. In particular, her more ornery moments. Since she is my older sister, so much of my childhood was spent looking up to her, learning from her, and of course surviving the pranks and relentless teasing. My favorite cereal was once Raisin Bran, but one morning she told me the raisins in my bowl were dried beetles. Needless to say, I have never eaten Raisin Bran again. On another occasion, she tricked me into drinking buttermilk (which was my least favorite thing in the whole world when I was young) by putting a pink straw into a cup and telling me it was a magic straw that would make everything taste like strawberries. It did not make that buttermilk taste like strawberries, but it did give me such a shock that I spit buttermilk everywhere — including out of my nose. I swore to my parents that I could smell spoiled buttermilk for weeks after that. But the worst offense she ever did was taking my witch finger. My witch finger was a random game piece from a game that I can’t recall. But it was a rubber “finger” with a pristinely painted red fingernail that fit snugly over my six-year-old pointer finger. And this was imperative for me to be able to play QVC Jewelry Showcase. You see, for those of us that lived in more rural areas in the ‘80s, after the seven o’clock news, there were only infomercials and QVC. And those ladies who pointed to and paraded about in gemstones and coveted diamonds on QVC always had pristinely painted red fingernails. But one day she hid the finger from me, and I’m not sure I’ve ever gotten over it. As infuriating as those moments might have been, those are still some of my fondest childhood memories. Since I was curious as to what other siblings did to sweetly torment one another, I reached out to some readers and asked for their fondest, yet funniest sibling memories. 12

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“My brother and I shared a bathroom for the longest time, and every morning while I was brushing my teeth he would pull my ponytail, jerking my head back and make me get toothpaste all over my shirt. There’s no telling how many days I went to school with toothpaste all down my front.” - Jenny C. “I had the measles when I was six, and my younger sister brought me a mirror to show me how horrible I looked. When she said her prayers that night, she prayed — loudly — that she never got the measles and looked as ugly as I did. I cried for two days straight. Not because of the measles but because I thought I would be ugly forever. But after I two days I didn’t care anymore because my sister got the measles, too, and I was content that we would at least be ugly together.” - Jane C. “My sister would tell me she would give me $1 million dollars if I would take her spanking for her. Luckily my parents didn’t let me make that trade, but I would always be so mad and felt like they cheated me out of $1 million dollars.” - Ronnie H.

“My older sister was so grossed out by everything and would gag so easily. My brother and I would torment her at dinner by saying ‘that piece of bread fell on the floor earlier’ and she would be too grossed out to eat it. Then my brother and I would split it. My parents finally had enough when we told her that old man Michaels, our neighbor down the street, who had the worst teeth and even worse breath, had taken a drink of her milkshake so we could drink the rest of it. We had to use our allowance for weeks to buy her one every weekend for a month!” - Jim B. “My siblings and I have a lot of Native American heritage, but my sister and I are blonde whereas my brother is dark skinned and dark headed. When he was little I would tease him and say he was adopted from a Hispanic family. It was all fun and games until he wrote “I am adopted from Mexico” on a 10-facts-about-me worksheet when he was in second grade. My mom was really mad.” - Jocelyn B.

“My family had a small farm when my sister and I were growing up, and she would always get so attached to any animal that was the runt or sickly at all and want to care for it. But sadly, a lot of them didn’t make it. My mother made liver and onions quite a bit and I would tell my sister it was the liver of whatever animal that had just died. It wasn’t until my sister told me that she held a grudge against our late mother for being so cruel that I had to come clean. I had no idea she even remembered that!” - Earl H. “I feel completely cheated out of my childhood because my brother told me zebra cakes were made out of real zebras. I believed it until I was a teenager.” - Karen L.

“When I was 12, my mom had my younger sister. With such an age gap, I had a good time teaching her naughty things because, at the time, I was very resentful of having a new sibling. When she was about 3, I remember going into her room and saying ‘okay, it’s time that I taught you some curse words.’ And she was so good at them. She always used them in the right context and had perfect timing. My parents were perpetually mortified by what she would say and would then insist they had no idea where she learned it. But it was me! She learned from the best!” - Jenn M.

As more and more of my readers’ sibling stories were pouring in, I felt even more thankful for my sister, for her kind nature, and for the close bond we share. Our parents never allowed us to fight (that they could see) and always encouraged us to be one another’s closest confidant and to always cherish our relationship. I am forever grateful that I have a built-in best friend in my sister. l

OCTOBER 2021

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for Story by HANNAH BUTLER | Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN

Near the tail end of South Arkansas Avenue sits Russellville’s well-known red brick resale shop MARVA. Residents drive back and forth, stopping by to drop off donations of clothing, furniture, household items, decorations, and more. Often they venture inside and shop for a bargain. 14

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Behind the scenes, MARVA’s operations include cleaning, sorting, tagging, and pricing donated merchandise to be sold in the resale shop. There are other services provided to the community that also support MARVA’s purpose, and MARVA’s acronym — Mid-Arkansas River Valley Abilities — makes it clear that the goals are social inclusion for all. The mission is to excel at providing services to adults with developmental disabilities. The primary way MARVA implements its mission is by providing meaningful employment to these adults, which are referred to as client workers. Although their roles hardly differ from any employee, MARVA provides an environment that allows for both flexibility and safety specific to their individual needs along with a pleasant working atmosphere. Client workers are rarely seen without a grin on their face. “Our workers take pride in what they do,” Carissa O’Bryant, executive director of MARVA, said. “When you’re an employer — regard-

less of what your industry is — you want your employees to buy into your mission, you want them to take pride in a job well done. This is exactly what we have at MARVA. They’re very happy to come to work, and they know the work they’re doing is important.” This is so much the case that many MARVA employees and client workers stick around for more than 30 and even 40 years. It speaks to the family atmosphere MARVA has and the sense of fulfillment individuals experience. Part of that family atmosphere is reflected in the snacks and lunches provided for all 60-plus workers. And the courtesies extend outside of the workday as well. The MARVA team enjoy social gatherings with one another, fishing, picnics, and participating in Special Olympics bowling. While work requires a business attitude, the team can sense the need for time to reset and refresh. “They need a break from work sometimes,” said Wendell Bradley, assistant director. “Usually, if we do something like that, it refreshes them, and we see that we’re ready to get back to work.” >>

“Our workers take pride in what they do.”

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“One of my clients said the other day, ‘You know, the odds have been against me since the day I was born, but that doesn’t stop me. I just take the challenges and keep going forward.’”

This is what MARVA’s employees often did pre-COVID. The get togethers are now fewer and farther between for safety’s sake, and workdays are staggered so that less people are together at the same time. Jamie Hernandez is a new client worker to the MARVA family. Starting in February with prepping and shredding papers, Hernandez, 20, has autism and bouts of anxiety, but his MARVA job encourages him. “I love the people and earning money,” Jamie said. His mother Laurie sees the changes within him since he start16

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ed. Once Jamie got adjusted to his role, Jamie became really just “ready to go,” describes Laurie. Two hours before it’s time for him to clock in, Laurie starts to hear reminders from Jamie that he has to get to work. “He likes to talk to the people, bring them something he wants to show them,” she said. “He’s just ready to go and a little more confident, and he comments on how much he did while he was at work. He’s seeing how much he’s doing now.” Before his job at MARVA, Jamie was stuck without a place to go that wouldn’t

be too overwhelming. “I really liked MARVA’s environment because it’s a smaller environment,” she said. “And the people at MARVA are so loving. All the employees, they’re so kind and understanding. If Jamie has had a meltdown or if something has upset him, they want to know what they can do to help him.” Brooke Raney, a MARVA employee for two years, is a client leader, guiding client workers with their day-to-day responsibilities. She doesn’t see herself going anywhere anytime soon. “I just really love working with all my clients and I just love helping and being a part of this,” Raney says. “They can teach you a lot of life lessons. For an example, one of my clients said the other day, ‘You

know, the odds have been against me since the day I was born, but that doesn’t stop me. I just take the challenges and keep going forward.’” MARVA’s own challenges can be keeping up with all the services it offers. It’s a resale shop, a nonprofit, a recycling and shredding operation, custom ink pen and calendar maker all-in-one. Recycling includes more than an average recycling bin, too. The shop accepts aluminum cans, books, cardboard, catalogs, chipboard boxes, junk mail and magazines, paper, and plastic shopping bags, in a city where recycling bins are rare. All of these are left to be sorted by their employees and client workers and in the end, benefit the planet. Though, MARVA never wavers from helping people, and is expanding this by including other areas of the community. A newer service MARVA is highlighting is the Transitions Services program for local high school juniors and seniors. Started in 2017, the program prepares students to accomplish their own goals after high school, whether it’s to start college or go into the workforce. “They learn how to go through the interview process, how to create a resume, and gain job readiness skills,” O’Bryant said. “It’s very individualized and looks at what they want to do after high school.

If they want to work in a retail store, we’ll try to get them some experiences in local retail stores. If a student is technology savvy, we will seek experiences within the community that allows them to work on computers.They are able to gain skills and experience through MARVA’s Transitions Services that will hopefully help with future employment. “I think just the fact that we provide

meaningful employment to adults with disabilities is something to be proud of, and I love coming here because they love coming to work here,” O’Bryant said. “They’re happy. We provide many services to the community,. but what I’m most proud of is just our clients, their work ethic, and their desire to be here. When I first came to MARVA, I was told that it was a special place. I’ve found this to be true.” l

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

COMMUNITY

Bob McKuin joins the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute Board of Directors The Winthrop Rockefeller Institute is pleased to announce Bob McKuin of Little Rock has accepted a three-year appointment to our board of directors. Bob McKuin earned a bachelor of science in industrial engineering from the University of Arkansas, graduated first in his class with an MBA from Pace University, and served as an officer on the U.S. Army Signal Corp, including a deployment to Vietnam as a company commander with the 459th Combat Signal Battalion. McKuin’s business experience includes over 35 years in operations, engineering, and software development leadership positions with communications companies, including 25 years with AT&T. He retired in 2000 after 10 years with Alltel but was quickly recruited to serve as chief operations officer and then CEO of an early-stage technology company in southern California. “We are delighted to have Bob join our Board. He has long been an advocate and supporter of the Institute and its work. His personal and professional background will

be a nice complement to our Board and we look forward to working with him,” said Executive Director/CEO Dr. Marta Loyd. McKuin continues a long history of service to his community by joining the Institute board. He has served on numerous civic, industry, and church boards including the University of Arkansas at Little Rock History Institute, Little Rock Rotary Club 99, and he as president of the Arkansas Academy of Industrial Engineers. McKuin has a long history with the Rockefeller family and Petit Jean Mountain. Originally from Morrilton, McKuin was employed by Winrock Farms for two summers while attending the University of Arkansas on a Winthrop Rockefeller Scholarship. He personally spent time with Winthrop Rockefeller and his family and the Institute is honored to have his unique history and perspective on the board of directors. McKuin resides in Little Rock with his wife, Mary Ann. They have two sons and two grandchildren.

UACCM Records Increased Enrollment for Fall 2021 Semester Recent enrollment numbers from the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton revealed an approximately seven percent increase in students when compared to this time last fall. While many other colleges and universities struggled to maintain enrollment last year amid the pandemic, UACCM remained steady, even showing a slight increase from the previous year. The official headcount of enrolled students for

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

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~

479.880.2005 OCTOBER 2021

Bob McKuin

fall 2021 is 1,974. More than ever, the value of post-secondary education is apparent. According to the 2020 Economic Security Report published by the Arkansas Research Center, education can make a major difference in first year earnings. In 2019, those with a technical certificate earned wages 44 percent higher on average than a high school graduate. While undergraduate students make up the majority of UACCM’s student population, 345 high school concurrent students are also enrolled this fall. This is a significant increase from last fall’s 173 students. High school students can take college courses through UACCM and earn credit towards both their high school and post-secondary degrees. Since most schools provide these concurrent courses for free or little charge, many students save thousands of dollars on their post-secondary degree by

choosing concurrent courses. High school students in Conway County and Morrilton have even more reason to pursue higher education at UACCM. For students throughout the county, the School Counts! initiative offers an incentive for performing well in high school. School Counts! is a permanently endowed scholarship fund designated for Conway County high school students who meet certain criteria. Through this initiative, students may be eligible for up to $1,500 per semester to attend UACCM. You can find more about the initiative at ccschoolcounts.org. Through the UACCM Career Center, with funding from the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services Office of Skills Development, high school students also have the opportunity attend career technical courses on the UACCM campus for free. Starting

in tenth grade, students can obtain hands-on training with state-of-the-art equipment. To learn more, about the opportunities available for high school students at UACCM, visit www.uaccm.edu/enroll/ concurrent/index.html or have your student visit with their school counselor. Learn more about what UACCM has to offer for everyone at www.UACCM.edu.

14th Annual Mistletoe Market to be November 5-6 Submitted by Mistletoe Market Russellville- The Boys & Girls Club of the Arkansas River Valley is proud to announce the 14th Annual Mistletoe Market Shop for a Cause. The event will be Friday and Saturday November 5 and 6, 2021, at the L.V. Williamson Boys & Girls Club, 600 E. 16th St., Russellville. >>

N’

D TRUCKI O O

R VA L E Y S T Y L

SPICES FOOD TRUCK

2112 W. Main St., RUSSELLVILLE Sun 4:30-8pm; closed Mon; Tue-Thurs 11:15am-2pm/4:308pm; Fri 11:15am-1pm/4:30-8pm; Sat 12-3pm, 4:30-8pm

facebook.com/spicesfoodtruck Authentic Asian Cuisine

TACOS 4 EVER BURRITOS AND MORE

200 N. Ark. Ave., RUSSELLVILLE Mon-Sat 11am-2pm/4pm-9pm, closed Sun.

(479) 264-5330

OCTOBER 2021

Mexican Food

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

This holiday shopping event offers an array of merchant gift items under one roof, with proceeds benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of the Arkansas River Valley. “Mistletoe Market is such a fun opportunity to do holiday shopping all in one place, while helping local youth at the Boys and Girls Club. We have such great support for this event every year from our community, shoppers, and vendors. I love seeing everyone come together around the holidays to shop for a great cause at the Boys and Girls Club,” said Megan Selman, Executive Director. “Over the last 13 years we have raised over $290,000 for the Boys & Girls Club,” stated Angela Bonds, Publicity Chair for the event. “Last year was a hug success. We hope everyone will join us to ‘Shop for a Cause’ again this year.” Gift items and merchandise will include art, beauty products, clothing, holiday items, home decor, baby items, jewelry, toys, items for men, food, and other gifts of all kinds. Admission is $5 for to a 2-day shopping pass for Friday, November 5th from 10am to 7pm and Saturday, November 6th from 10am to 4pm. A special “Preview Party” will be held the evening of Thursday, November 4th, from 5:30-8:30 pm. Tickets for this event are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. The Preview Party includes great food, special discounts, and first chance shopping. Tickets for the Preview Party will be available at the Boys & Girls Club, First State Bank (Downtown & East Main lo-

cations) or from any committee member. A big attraction for those who get to have the first opportunity to shop is the popular ‘First State Bank Dash for Cash’ prize sponsored by First State Bank. A limited number of shoppers who spend a total of $125 from the Mistletoe Market merchants qualify for a $500 prize. A raffle and silent auction are two other opportunities for shoppers to get some great items. Area teachers get free admission on Friday or Saturday with a valid teacher ID. For more information contact the Boys & Girls Club at 479.968.7819 or follow the Mistletoe Market Facebook page for updates at www.facebook.com/mistletoemarket (Instagram at mistletoemarketrsvl).

Petit Jean State Park to Hold Great Arkansas Cleanup - Volunteers needed to help keep our park beautiful Volunteers are needed to participate in Petit Jean State Park’s annual fall litter pickup on Saturday, September 25, 2021. The cleanup is being held in conjunction with the Great Arkansas Cleanup (GAC), the annual fall statewide litter pickup campaign promoted by Keep Arkansas Beautiful (KAB). Everyone is encouraged to participate in this year’s litter-pickup effort. Civic and service organizations, church and youth groups, school groups and clubs, scouts,

individuals, families, neighborhoods, and businesses can organize cleanup teams and pitch in. Volunteers are encouraged to wear masks and social distance from those not in your household. Participants will begin registering at the park’s pavilion by the pool at 8 a.m. on September 25. Park interpreters and other members of park staff will be present to assist with registration, as well as the cleanup process itself. Park interpreters will guide volunteers on the cleanup missions that will focus on specific trails, such as Bear Cave, Seven Hollows and Cedar Falls. Trash bags and gloves will be provided while supplies last; however, if you have your own work gloves you are welcome to use them. At 12 p.m., volunteers will reconvene at Pavilion A for a free cookout (while supplies last) and a door prize drawing. All participants will be eligible for door prizes, such as camping coupons, gift cards, and other items donated by local sponsors.

University of the Ozarks Best Value in the South in the latest U.S. News & World Report’s annual college rankings. In the 2022 edition of Best Colleges, released this week, U of O ranked first in the “Best Value Schools” category among more than 120 regional colleges in the South. The value rankings evaluate the cost of attending a university relative to the quality of the institution and takes into

Professional care in a compassionate atmosphere, in the heart of the River Valley.

Offering long term care and a wide range of rehabilitation services. 20

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~

OCTOBER 2021

REHABILITATION

LONG TERM CARE

RESIDENTIAL

215 S. Portland Ave., Russellville | 479-968-5256 | www.russellvillenr.com

account such things as the percentage of students receiving need-based financial aid and the average institutional aid those students receive. The magazine’s annual late summer publication that analyzes institutions of higher education also had Ozarks tied for fifth in overall rankings with Maryville College in Tennessee among South Regional Colleges — the 23rd consecutive year Ozarks has been ranked in the “top tier” among regional colleges in the South. Ozarks has been ranked among the top 10 in the 12-state South Region in each of the past 10 years. The overall rankings examine such criteria as academic reputation, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving. In addition, Ozarks was ranked 18th in the South Region in the category of “Social Mobility,” up from No. 27 last year. This category represents those colleges that are most successful “at advancing social mobility by enrolling and graduating large proportions of disadvantaged students awarded with Pell Grants. The vast majority of

these federal grants are awarded to students whose adjusted gross family incomes are under $50,000,” according to the magazine. “These rankings are testament to the work that our faculty, staff, administrators and trustees are doing to fulfill the mission of this University,” said U of O President Richard Dunsworth. “I’m especially proud of the recognition in the Best Value and Social Mobility categories because those rankings reflect our commitment to controlling costs and limiting student debt while also providing a high-quality and personalized educational experience.” The publication’s South Region consists of primarily undergraduate colleges and universities in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Virginia.

Foodstock Come support River Valley Food 4 Kids’ Backpack Program on October 16, 2021 at our 5th Annual Foodstock Music Fundraiser. From 5-9 p.m. at the Downtown Depot, we will be showcasing live music from

Arkansas native music groups DeFrance and Mothership. This free event is a family friendly fundraiser to help us continue to feed the children of the River Valley. We will have live music, food, a silent auction, vendors and more. River Valley Food 4 Kids is a 501(c)3 organization that is primarily funded by private donations. It costs, on average, $100 to feed a child for an entire year. That is less than most of us spend on groceries in a single week. This program is only possible through the generosity of our community. We are currently serving children receiving backpacks in Russellville, Atkins, Pottsville, Dover, & Hector School Districts. This totals more than 1,000 children annually. During the summer we also accept children from the surrounding area. If you are interested in holding a food or volunteer drive, please contact us. The mission of River Valley Food 4 Kids is to help alleviate hunger among children in the Arkansas River Valley by providing food when other sources of nutrition are not readily available and to provide education on the importance of a healthy lifestyle. l

OCTOBER 2021

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

Story by SUSAN M CHESSER Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN

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OCTOBER 2021

rowing up in a home with immigrant parents, Tammy Harrington figured out early that she did not fit neatly into a box. Her art, particularly self-portraiture, resonates with her continued search for who she is. Sometimes her creations, most often manifest in the form of papercutting, are crafted in her shop. Sometimes she creates it on her dining room table. But within all is the resounding message of a woman on the road to self-discovery. “I’ve always done artwork about myself, typically self-portraits,” Tammy says. “I can’t seem to get away from it even though I’ve had opportunities to do other types of work. It’s using my experience and my background to fuel the visuals. But, the visuals also fuel an understanding of who I am.” Tammy’s parents immigrated to the United States in 1968. “I was born in the United States, so I am an A-B-C, an American Born Chinese,” Tammy says in her self-described South Dakota accent. “It’s almost like a dual life. I had a Chinese life in the house — eating traditional Chinese foods and traditional decorations; I had a grandmother that lived with us.But I also had the outside environment of television and shag rugs of the 1970s. There is a Chinese part of me and an American part of me.” she adds with a laugh that sometimes people tell her she speaks very good English. “There is a ratio of what you’re going to get, and it depends on whether

you look at me or if you talk to me.” As a first-generation American, Tammy can understand the language of her parents, but does not speak Chinese well. This is partially because. just like nearly every other kid, she didn’t want to look or sound different. “I didn’t speak very fluent Chinese because when you’re growing up you want to blend in,” Tammy says. “It’s also hard to learn a language if it’s not pushed in the home.” Tammy’s parents were hard workers, which meant that family time was limited to sometimes only one night a week. And, if she were to take classes to learn the Chinese language, she would be taught Mandarin rather than the southern Cantonese dialect of her parents. While visiting Hong Kong, an aunt once told her that she wasn’t really Chinese because she didn’t speak Chinese. This left Tammy feeling confused and unsure of how exactly she fit into the world. And, even today when she meets students from China, understanding the customs and culture is often a challenge. Tammy says she feels the strongest connections with those who share similar life experiences, particularly first-generation American children, and those experiences have propelled that exploration into her own self-discovery. “I didn’t really understand that until I started doing art,” Tammy says. “They feed each other.” >> OCTOBER 2021

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

Other than being raised in an immigrant home, Tammy had a similar upbringing to just about anyone else in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. As a young student, she loved art, gravitating to graphic design for commercial art and Photoshop. She describes it as, “I used an old process (film) camera and set type on an old press for the old techniques. So, I’m an in-betweener in terms of learning the old processes, but then getting exposure to the new.” After high school, Tammy attended the University of South Dakota where she met her husband of 24 years now, Neal Harrington, also an artist. She describes herself as the more methodical of the two. They attended Wichita State together, eventually settling in Russellville where Neal is a professor of art at Arkansas Tech University while Tammy is a professor of art at the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville. Raising two children who attend Russellville Schools, Jake and Olive, they’ve had support from her parents who now live with them. Tammy eventually found her artistic niche in printmaking, relief art, and hand-pulled printing. And while Tammy seems to

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compartmentalize her identity, her artistry is also designed in components, or pieces, that she combines with particular colors to create a mood. She finds inspiration in the traditional symbols of the stylized papercuts, which blend her heritage with her love of the printmaking technique. In a favorite piece, Tammy’s papercut multi-layer artistry begins with a red grid of latticework. Using color and variations of self-portraiture poses, she illustrates a woman underwater then in the air — both in dangerously tenuous positions. Tammy also has a newly created piece that utilizes red with a green hiding face to illustrate conflict and, yet, harmony. Her art portrays the female experience through an Asian perspective. A figurative design with combined elements of patterns and color brings a nostalgic “folklore'' feel to her artistry. “The work I’m doing now is Chinese papercut,” she says, “which is a style of folk art that is very old and a very simple concept,” Tammy explains that the layering of the cut pieces of paper that connect to each other become a single unit. She describes the essence of a traditional papercut as a cultural connection with utilitarian value. “Traditionally, they would feature different superstitions and symbols that may celebrate a holiday or gods,” Tammy says. “In the old days in China, they would have windows that didn’t have glass to put in the windows. So they would put up paper.” The papercuts became an ideal way to decorate because they would still allow light to come into the house and were easy to change as the homeowner chose.

“It’s very much like relief printmaking. It has a crisp line because you’re using a knife to cut it out.” Tammy’s male dragon and crane papercuts, derived from the traditional symbolic design, are a departure from self-portraiture. She did not connect artistically with the imagery in ink, but found that in papercut form she did. “I like the idea of the folklore of it,” Tammy says. “Especially when I had my children. You can put good luck symbols in clothing. There is a necklace with a tiger that scares away evil spirits. I love the whole idea of how you control your destiny or existence with those images.” Tammy says she is inspired by the art of Yuji Hiratsuka, who utilizes a contemporary style of Japanese artistry. She’s also influenced by Delita Martin, who applies collages of paper and the work of Lisa Krannichfeld who also experienced two cultures intertwined with a focus on women — specifically, a figurative illustration of the Asian female experience. Tammy is quick to point out that art isn’t an entity unto itself. Aesthetics inform and shape our everyday existence “Which pen did you choose?” She asks. “Why did you select your phone case? Why did you select your clothes, your car, your furniture? The visual component of our lives is influenced by art, even the uniform that is worn by your favorite sports team.” As a professor of art for the past 20 years, Tammy is looking forward to normalcy after a challenging year. “We need to be around people,” Tammy says. “Even the most introverted people like to be around people in some capacity. That’s what is so important about college. That’s where you’re truly going to find your people.” While Tammy conveys wisdom to her students, what she receives from them in return are the prized moments of seeing students come into art as their own. She says students need to discover what it is they want to do and not merely mimic the professor. Since U of O has a small program, Tammy works closely with the students for several classes. She finds immense satisfaction when they finally figure out what they want to pursue as their main emphasis and she is able to help them develop content. “I want you to figure out what’s the best technique for you,” she explains. “They have to decide what kind of message or story they are trying to tell. Most of the time it ends up becoming something that is important to them. I have had students talk about their learning disabilities. They talk about their family. They talk about their experience with specific political things. A lot of students have done artwork about the pollution in the ocean. I like the diversity to help them push out their message.” Tammy wants to see her students continue as artists after graduation. It should be no wonder that the professor whose superpower is self-discovery is gifting the same to her students. Tammy Harrington will present a solo exhibit from May through July, 2022, at the Arts and Science Center in Pine Bluff and will be adding to her studio of completed pieces for the exhibit. If you would like to see more of Tammy Harrington’s pieces, visit her at ww.tammyharrington-art.com. l OCTOBER 2021

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

DELAWARE ICE CREAM AND DELI 26168 STATE HWY 22, DELAWARE

Delawalicious Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN Story by JOHNNY CARROL SAIN

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~

BEYOND THE NOSTALGIA OF RED, WHITE, AND BLUE and a neon “OPEN” sign; the perfectly handwritten menu (on a chalkboard); and the adorable seating both inside and out, Delaware Ice Cream and Deli is more than just a “dairy bar.” It’s a full-blown eating experience packed into an unassuming and downright quaint little building. There’s a surprisingly extensive menu including pizza, burgers, fish, sandwiches and, of course, hand-scooped ice cream. But you can’t go wrong with the Delaware Bay chicken sandwich — grilled chicken topped with melted cheddar cheese, sautéed mushrooms and onions, crispy bacon, lettuce and tomato served on a kaiser roll.

OCTOBER 2021

The Delaware Bay chicken sandwich is definitely a must eat, but then so is the Rueben in all it’s marble rye-corned beef-sauerkraut-Swiss cheese-Thousand Island magnificence. It’s a visual and victual masterpiece of sandwich artistry every bit as good as (or maybe even better) than it looks. A side of waffle fries or macaroni salad is a worthy accompaniment for either, and the meal just won’t be complete without a scoop or two of ice cream. We’re especially partial to the praline pecan drizzled in caramel, but there are no wrong decisions here. Actually, we don’t think there’s a wrong decision to be made at Delaware Ice cream and Deli. l

OCTOBER 2021

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

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

A war time and anytime necessity… Story by LYDIA ZIMMERMAN, Food Editor Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN

ver the summer I took a trip to Texas to visit family. While there, my sister from another mister (my sister-inlaw Lisa) and I took our sons to the Dr Pepper Museum in Waco. There we learned the history of Dr. Pepper and soda from its beginning as an invention by pharmacists to the process of bottling and distribution to even learning that it was first considered a healthy drink — even medicinal. It interesting to discover that when sugar was rationed during World War II, companies like Dr. Pepper and Coca-Cola were given special consideration to keep producing their beloved drinks. For instance, Dr. Pepper was armed with their popular slogan, “Drink a Bite to Eat at 10, 2, and 4 o’Clock,” and the company argued that their sugary drinks benefited the war effort. They said people working in factories needed to drink Dr Pepper three times a day for enough energy to make the much-needed supplies and ensure the Allies’ success. Years later I’m sure this kept dentists quite busy for those who took the slogan to heart. So in learning the history of beloved sodas like Dr. Pepper and Coca-Cola, I’ve developed and collected some recipes using soda as ingredients. As always, enjoy… and don’t forget to brush!

Pulled Pork Nachos With Dr. Pepper Barbecue Sauce

PULLED PORK NACHOS WITH DR. PEPPER BARBECUE SAUCE ABOUT Magazine Featured Recipe ~ OCTOBER 2021

2 lb Center cut pork roast, thawed 2 ltr bottle Dr Pepper 2 T ground black pepper 2 T salt 2 T paprika Tortilla chips Pico de gallo Pineapple chunks, halved Salsa Con Queso cheese dip (or your favorite cheese dip) 28

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~

Sauce 1 1/2 c Ketchup 1 c Dr Pepper 1 tsp minced garlic 1/2 tsp onion salt 1/4 c Worcestershire sauce 2 T brown sugar 1 tsp ground smoked paprika 1 T apple cider vinegar 1/4 c pineapple juice

OCTOBER 2021

In a deep baking dish place the pork roast. Pour 1/2 of the 2 liter Dr Pepper over the roast and cover dish with plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator for 12 hrs, then turn roast over and cover again. Return to refrigerator for another 12 hours. Remove roast from refrigerator. Place into a slow cooker and pour 2 cups (fresh) Dr. Pepper over roast. Sprinkle with 2 T salt, 2 T pepper and 2 T paprika. Cook on low heat for 6 hours. Meat should be tender,

shred meat with a fork and continue to cook for 1 more hour. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan place all of the ingredients for the sauce. Stir well and cook over medium heat for 30 minutes. Stir frequently. Place tortilla chips on a plate, drizzle warmed cheese dip over chips, followed by a generous amount of pulled pork. Drizzle sauce over meat. Top with Pico de gallo and chopped pineapple.

LEMON LIME CUPCAKES 8 T unsalted butter, softened 3/4 c granulated sugar 2 eggs, room temperature 1 3/4 c all purpose four, sifted 2 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 2 T lemon juice 2 T lime juice 3/4 tsp yellow food coloring 3/4 tsp green food coloring

Lemon Lime Cupcakes

Frosting 1/2 stick unsalted butter, softened 1 block (8 oz) cream cheese, softened 1 c sprite (reduced by boiling) 3 1/2-4 c powdered sugar Lemon and Lime zest for garnish Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place cupcake liners into the muffin tin. Cupcakes: In a stand alone mixer bowl, place butter and sugar. Beat on medium speed until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mix well. Slowly add flour, baking powder and salt; mix well. Divide batter evenly between two mixing bowls. Add lemon juice and yellow food coloring to one bowl and mix well. Add lime juice and green food coloring to the remaining bowl and mix well. Fill each cupcake liner with 1/4 c lemon batter and top with lime batter to the point where cupcake liner is 3/4 full. Us-

ing a butter knife gently swirl lime batter through lemon batter. Bake in preheated oven for 12-14 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean when inserted. Remove from oven to cool. While cupcakes are baking, place Sprite into a small saucepan over medium heat. Boil for 20-25 minutes or until 1/2 of the liquid remains. Remove from heat and al-

low to completely cool. Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat together butter and cream cheese until smooth. Slowly add powdered sugar and Sprite, alternating; continue to beat on low speed until smooth. Pipe onto cooled cupcakes and garnish with zests. >>

OCTOBER 2021

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

CHOCOLATE CHERRY DR. PEPPER CUPCAKES Cupcakes 1/2 c unsalted butter (1 stick) 1 (12 oz) can Dr. pepper 4 oz Ghirardelli (60% bittersweet baking chocolate) 1 c granulated sugar 1 c brown sugar 3 1/2 c sifted All Purpose Flour 1 1/2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt 2 eggs, room temperature 1 can cherry pie filling 1 jar maraschino cherries Frosting 1 1/2 c Dr Pepper 1 1/2 c granulated sugar 1/2 c (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened 3-4 c powdered sugar 1-3 T milk Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large saucepan place the first 3 ingredients. Cook over medium heat until butter and chocolate are melted, then add the sugars; stir well. Cook for approx 4-5 minutes stirring frequently. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. While mixture is cooling, crack the eggs into a small bowl and beat lightly. When mixture from saucepan is cooled, add the eggs and whisk together well. In a large mixing bowl, sift flour, baking soda and salt together. Add the wet mixture to the mixing bowl and stir together well. Place cupcake liners into the muffin tin. Fill each cupcake liner cup 2/3 full. Place in preheated oven and bake for 14-17 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean when inserted. While cupcakes are baking, place Dr Pepper and granulated sugar in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat until you get it to a boil, stirring frequently. Once you get it to a boil, continue to boil for 20-25 minutes stirring frequently. Mixture should begin to get thick as water is boiling off. Then remove from heat to cool completely to room temperature. In a mixing bowl on a stand alone mixer, beat softened butter on low speed until 30

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OCTOBER 2021

smooth. Slowly add powdered sugar and cooled Dr. Pepper, alternating. Continue to beat on low speed until mixed well. Add milk if needed to get to a consistency that you can pipe frosting onto the cupcakes. Place frosting in refrigerator for 15-20 minutes. Meanwhile, using a cupcake corer remove the centers of each cooled cupcake. Spoon 1 tsp of cherry pie filling into each cupcake center. Remove frosting from the refrigerator and spoon it into your frosting piping device. Pipe frosting onto each cupcake and place a maraschino cherry on top of each cupcake. Chill cupcakes until 30 minutes prior to serving. Makes approx 2 dz cupcakes SPICY DR PEPPER CHILI 2 T olive oil 1 c shredded carrots 1 red pepper, finely diced 1/2 c chopped onion 2 lb ground beef 4 T corn flour (Masa) 2 T chili powder 1 T dried oregano 1 T cumin 1 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 c brown sugar 1 T minced garlic 2 - 28 oz cans crushed tomatoes 2 - 14 oz cans kidney beans, drained 1 - 12 oz can Dr. Pepper 1 - 7 oz can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced finely Heat the olive oil in large sauce pan. Add the carrots, red pepper, onion, and saute for 5 minutes or until soft. Add the ground beef to the vegetables and cook for about 8-10 minutes or until completely brown. Make sure to break apart the meat as it cooks. Drain some of the excess grease off, if desired. Stir in the corn flour, chili powder, oregano, and cumin and cook 2-3 minutes longer. Stir in the salt, brown sugar, garlic, crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, Dr. Pepper, and chipotle peppers. Heat over medium heat for 20-30 minutes until it is heated through and the flavors blend together.

Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream, and corn chips, if desired. Recipe courtesy of insidebrucewlife.com CHERRY DEW DUMPLINGS 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened 1/2 c confectioners’ sugar 2 tubes (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent rolls 1/3 c cherry pie filling 1/2 c sugar 1/2 c butter, melted 3/4 c Code Red Mountain Dew Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Unroll both tubes of crescent dough and separate into 16 triangles. Place 1 tablespoon cream cheese mixture in center of each triangle; top with 1 teaspoon pie filling. Fold points of short side over filling; wrap remaining point around dumpling. Pinch seams to seal. Transfer dumplings to a 13x9-in. baking dish. In a small bowl, mix sugar and butter; pour over dumplings. Pour Mountain Dew around dumplings. Bake, uncovered, 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Recipe courtesy of tasteofhome.com ROOT BEER BRATS 1 can (12 oz) root beer 3 T cornstarch 3 tsp ground mustard 3 tsp caraway seeds 10 uncooked bratwurst links 1 large onion, coarsely chopped 1 bottle (12 oz) chili sauce 10 hoagie buns, toasted Optional: Thinly sliced red onion and prepared mustard Whisk first 4 ingredients until blended. In a large nonstick skillet, brown bratwursts over medium-high heat. Transfer to a 4- or 5-qt. slow cooker. Add onion, chili sauce and root beer mixture. Cook, covered, on low 6-8 hours or until a thermometer inserted in sausage reads at least 160 degrees. Serve in buns. If desired, top with onion and mustard. Recipe courtesy of tasteofhome.com

SLOW COOKER ORANGE SODA POP CHICKEN 1 lb Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts Salt, to taste Pepper, to taste 1 c Orange Soda Pop 1 T Apple Cider Vinegar 1 c Orange Marmalade Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Place the seasoned chicken breasts into the slow cooker. Pour the orange soda pop and vinegar over the chicken. Spread the orange marmalade on top of the chicken breasts. Cook on low setting for 6 hours or high setting for 4 hours. When cooking time is almost done, remove chicken and shred with two forks. Return the chicken to the pot and let simmer another 15 minutes. Serve hot over rice. Recipe courtesy of annsentitledlife.com MOUNTAIN DEW BISCUITS 4 c all-purpose baking mix (Bisquick) 1 c sour cream 1 c mountain dew 1/2 c melted butter (1 stick)

Proudly serving our customers since 1903 Three convenient Russellville locations to serve you:

800 N. Arkansas Ave. 306 West O St.

(ATM on Tech Campus)

3079 East Main

1-866-246-2400

Preheat oven to 450°F. In a medium bowl, mix together the all purpose baking mix, sour cream and mountain dew. Stir until everything is well combined and no dry pockets of baking mix remain. Pour half of the melted butter in a 9x13 baking dish and top the prepared dough. I use an ice cream scoop for this so all of the biscuits are the same size. Pour the remaining half of the butter on top of biscuits and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the biscuits are golden brown all over. Serve warm and enjoy! Recipe courtesy of simplisticallyliving.com 2 INGREDIENT SPRITE CAKE 1 can Sprite (12 oz) 1 Box Strawberry Cake mix Combine the can of sprite with the box of cake mix and stir until well combined. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Recipe courtesy of cookcleanrepeat.com OCTOBER 2021

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

COMMUNITY COMMERCE

Perihelion Solar “I’ve been through Fukushima,” said Andy Barret, CEO of Perihelion Solar. “It made me think about risks and costs.” And that was the spark from which Perihelion Solar emerged. Offering both ground- and roof-mounted panels and equipment, Perihelion Solar provides customers with everything they need to go solar including installation, the paperwork to comply with all regulations, and a 25-year warranty. “It all began with a conversation with Nathan George,” Barrett said. “I was an in-

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OCTOBER 2021

Story & photos by BENITA DREW

spector with the nuclear plant at the time, and we were both solar geeks. He used a company out of Little Rock for his [solar equipment], and I said I could build it better and cheaper.” As a single dad, Barret said the pressures of being on call 24-7 as an inspector was Perihelion Solar 319 West B Street, Russellville www.perihelionsolar.com (479) 747-8335

too much. “I wanted freedom to work from home. I fell in love with this community in the beautiful Natural State. As an inspector, however, you move every five years. I wanted to stay here, so when I felt ANO was in a good spot, I left.” Barrett said he started planning for his business in 2017. “For a year, I researched components. I traveled to manufacturers to make sure of quality control and to build relationships. I was able to acquire direct factory pricing.” He said Dr. Bob Allen, the first in the River Valley to build such a solar set-up, gave him his data from the past 10 years of production to study, as well.

Then on Perihelion Day 2018, the annual date when the earth is closest to the sun, Perihelion Solar opened for business. Perihelion’s first client, Dr. Bruce Tedford, a biologist at Arkansas Tech University, wanted a ground array. “He was motivated by climate change,” Barret said. “We dug all the ground mount holes with shovels — two-foot holes. The ground was harder in Arkansas than expected! We had to get a jackhammer to get into the rock.” Barrett said clients have different motivations for going solar. While his is climate change, some see the value in the savings and some want to go off-grid. “No matter who they are, it leads to great conversations.” Perihelion President Jill Balaster said her second sale was her most impactful. “He was the most inquisitive, and it taught me a lot. I had to ask a lot of questions to get his answers.” Balaster said she’d known Barrett since he moved to the area. “We are both green-minded and climate change motivated. I was an instructor at Arkansas Tech University. When COVID hit, my job was in jeopardy. He had mentioned needing an officer manager in December. I went from office manager to vice president to president in two weeks. It has been a really good fit.” Another integral part of the Perihelion team is Dr. Steve Gann, master electrician and former Navy Captain. Barrett said “He’s such a unique person with the widest knowledge. He’s brilliant. He knows everything from how to cure hoof disease to bio-chemistry to electro-chemistry. He started three companies and three labs. He’s been in it with me from the beginning.” Along with Barrett, Balaster and Gann, are six employees and several contract la-

borers. Barrett explained that Perihelion is an employee-owned company. “Everyone is motivated to make us better.” The process of going solar with Perihelion, Balaster said, starts with a phone call. “We ask how they heard about us and go from there. We find their motivation: money, offgrid, backup power, environment. Some have done a lot of research, some not. We then use our software to predict the sun’s path and simulate shade at their location. We can work with any type of roof, just not north-facing. We then ask them to come in and view the proposal if they are local. They can see our panels displayed on the wall, and depending on their level of interest, we do a site visit to find out viability. If they decide to go solar, they sign a contract with us. We then start all the paperwork for them to meet all guidelines for each utility.Then the crew goes out to install and all inspections are done.” Barrett added that there is a tremendous added value in the task of paperwork for the customer, in meeting all of the guidelines and arranging inspections. “The entire process takes six weeks if all goes well with paperwork and utilities. If it is off-grid, we can have it completed in a week or two,” Balaster explains. One of Perihelion’s goals is for the customer to have full payoff in eight to 10 years, then the rest is free power. One of Perihelion’s well-known customers is All Saints Episcopalian Church in Russellville. “They saw the value even without the tax credits,” Barrett said. Barrett has big plans for the growth of Perihelion — a local electric charging station powered by solar energy. Barrett explained that people will be able to charge their cars while using Perihelion’s bikes for free. “All

we ask is that they post it on social media.” He said a contract for a downtown warehouse location for the station has already been signed and awaits zoning approval. As for a bit of advertising, Barrett is excited about his ordered fully solar car with an estimated arrival of Fall 2022. The Aptera has a unique look and he said will certainly grab people’s attention. With the rising popularity of electric cars, Perihelion also offers electric car chargers, with substantial rebates for government agencies and commercial businesses. Balaster said there’s also an increase of requests for these chargers in home construction. While the office is located in the historic district of downtown Russellville, Barrett and Perihelion have certainly helped power the River Valley into the 21st century. l OVER

YEARS IN BUSINESS

www.luxurypoolarkansas.com

119 E Main St, Russellville Russellville • (479) 968-7772 OCTOBER 2021

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

THE SEED & THE STORY

Roads less traveled Story and photo by MEREDITH MARTIN-MOATS

y Dad really loves maps. I don’t mean that he’s a cartographer or even a map collector in the traditional sense. I mean he loves to study the arcs and the distance of roads, how they connect and divide and snake across the land. Let me give you a few examples. Whenever our family goes out of town he wants to talk about the routes we’re going to take to get there. And when we return he wants to know exactly which roads we took to get back. Then he likes to talk about the roads we could have taken and how that could have altered our trip, either slightly or greatly. When we drove from Arkansas to Oregon a few years ago, I spent a lot of time thinking about how the landscape changed from Kansas to Utah. I took note of the plants growing in Idaho and Colorado, but the names of the numbered roads flew right past me. Dad, on the other hand and always ready with an Atlas, didn’t go with us on that trip, but he knew exactly what roads we could choose to get all the way from Darda-

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OCTOBER 2021

nelle to Klamath Falls and back. I always joke that he’s the only person I know who you could drop randomly anywhere in the state of Arkansas and he could immediately find five or six backroad ways to get back home. One time after we had moved back to Dardanelle from Little Rock we were at his house when a tornado warning went off. He’s most certainly the only person I know who can listen to that robot emergency voices reading off

the names of all those little communities — Boles, Parks, Keener, Nogo, Augsburg, New Neely, Wing, Bluffton — and tell you exactly which way the storm is headed. We were in the clear that night, but I recall that there was one little community name that he couldn’t fully recall and so we got out the map to look it up. Then he got out a second, more detailed map just to make sure. Maps aren’t just for figuring out where you’re headed. Turns out, memorizing the

possibilities of a map can help you figure out what’s headed toward you. My Dad loves all maps, but his focus has always been Arkansas, especially the smaller highways of Yell and Pope Counties and all the counties that border them. He’s lived here his whole life and from early adulthood on until I was in high school, he worked for and worked his way up through the ranks of the Arkansas Highway Department. He helped to build and pave a large portion of the roads we know today in Yell County and also many of those in Newton and Madison counties. As a child he’d leave before the sun came up and was often out until long after dark, criss crossing the state from Pine Bluff to Jasper. I suppose spending that much time tracing and laying the asphalt ensures you either love or hate the roots of your job, and it’s clear to me that he learned to find a certain kind of magic in the endless wind of a road being paved. As you get older you start to see yourself in your parents, and while I can barely remember the highway numbers I drive on

everyday, I can tell you more than you’d ever want to know about the wildflowers that grow on some of less traveled roads. Like my father, this knowledge has been mostly self taught, a lot of time spent observing how the plants grow and a lot of time poring over books someone else wrote. The other night we were over at Dad’s and his wife’s house when we started talking about some of the other places in the western end of Yell County. I’ve recently found myself really fascinated with that area, especially the Fourche LaFave river and the where Yell County and Scott County meet. Part of this fascination has to do with the low population and an abundance of forest land and native plants. Though I love the delights of a large city, at the end of the day I’m growing into the kind of person who could probably thrive living miles down a private dirt road. That evening we talked about how my Aunt Rosa — a woman who always wore her long, long hair in a tight black and gray bun — lived in Waltreak, another community west of

Sulphur Springs, closer to the Scott County line. He mentioned that she was from over around “Dutch Creek,” a place that some modern maps don’t seem to name anymore. This led to a conversation about that one time when I was in college and we took a long drive out on the forest service roads of central Yell County and suddenly found ourselves with a flat tire in the middle of nowhere, somewhere out by Long Branch. Dad had recently had a heart stent put in, but he wouldn’t let me help change the tire. I remember thinking to myself that if he passed out way out here, I’d never figure out how to get home. Thankfully, all was well that day. But the story sticks with me. Partially because it was scary; partially because it was a moment when I realized the depth of his knowledge and the lack of my own, and — looking back now, decades later — partially because I was already starting to realize I wasn’t sure I wanted to live in a place where I could easily be found, someplace where the roads on the map get really skinny the wild plants and trees and creeks far outnumber the people. l

OCTOBER 2021

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

Story & photos by JOHNNY CARROL SAIN

Little lives of the creek: A system in concert

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~

MY FIRST MEMORIES OF A CREEK TRACE BACK TO HACKERS CREEK. As water runs its course, Hackers transforms it from the mildly spirited rapids of Ozark foothills to the somber brown might of the Arkansas River. Topography is the deciding influence for any creek’s personality, and Hackers reflects the gentler rolling hills and long stretches of flatland through which it meanders with longer pools, subdued riffles and nary a waterfall of any size. Its water is the color of weak tea — clear as air at its thinnest points, tannin stained by sycamore and oak leaves at its thickest. If you’ve seen the movie “O’ Brother Where Art Thou,” and you remember the creek scene with the three sirens, then you’ve got a good idea of what Hacker looks like… minus the sirens.

OCTOBER 2021

A JOURNAL of our RURAL & NATURAL HERITAGE

But who needs sirens when you’re six-yearsold and there’s fish to catch? As a six-year-old, the best thing about Hackers, other than the fishing, was that every flat rock in the creek was a doorway to another world full of creepy-crawlies and mysterious tiny fish — tiny fish that mostly fell under the column of “minners”, according to Dad. Bass and bream brought me to the creek bank and into the water, but more obscure forms of life held me captive when the fish weren’t biting. And sometimes, even when they were, I’d still spend my time looking for salamanders and crawfish, and wondering how the minuscule black catfish my dad correctly identified as madtoms could pull a Houdini and seemingly dissolve into the water.

You’d think that years and education would pull me away toward more important things. I think they have. When I learned that those bottom-hugging little fish that dart from rock to rock are really called darters, it led to a desire to learn even more about them. Did you know darters are really perch, cousins of the yellow perch and walleye? They hug the bottom because they don’t have an air bladder. Through eons of time they’ve been crafted to deal with swift currents by living underneath them. I’ve learned that besides being a food source for predatory fish, biologists now think that many species of darters, along with other fish, are integral in the reproduction of some species of freshwater mussel. Decades ago, Aldo Leopold, the father of modern wildlife biology wrote about the importance of every organism, even the unseen, in an ecosystem: “The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant, ‘What good is it?’ If the land mechanism as a whole is good, then every part is good, whether we understand it or not. If the biota, in the course of aeons, has built something we like but do not understand, then who but a fool would discard seemingly useless parts?” Ecosystems are greater than the sum of

their parts, but each part is precious. Darters are only one of those “minners.” There’s also stone rollers and hog suckers and bigeye shiners along with other representatives of various fish families. And I haven’t even mentioned the freshwater snails and hellgrammites and tadpoles. Or the aquatic sowbugs that aren’t really bugs at all but are, in fact, crustaceans related to the familiar terrestrial roly-polys found under rocks and rotting logs in the forest. Just imagine all the critters in your favorite creek. Hopefully, you already know them. Hopefully, you already have a sense of place regarding your favorite water. Though he didn’t coin the term, Leopold understood a sense of place. What I’m talking about is an awareness of the lives and cycles of the places where you live

or hike or hunt or fish. Leopold went the botanical route in talking about a sense of place: “Tell me of what plant-birthday a man takes notice, and I shall tell you a good deal about his vocation, his hobbies, his hay fever, and the general level of his ecological education.” Tell me of what creatures other than game fish an angler takes notice, and I shall tell you a good deal about the richness of his time spent in the water. The more I know and understand about the smaller and often unnoticeable denizens of the stream, the more I get a sense of the overwhelming complexity that, frankly, is beyond our limited capacity of comprehension. Those tiny details and tiny lives that are the most important but often forgotten are really the gears of life in the creek. Bass eat crawfish and crawfish thrive in clean water and mussels filter the water and the mussels are here because of the darters. Every bass that comes to hand deserves a “thank you” to the darters. Actually, a few words of gratitude for the creek system as a whole are in order. And with this gratitude comes a sense of understanding that were it all not working in concert in this symphony of life, there’s a good chance that there would be no reason at all to visit the creek. l

OCTOBER 2021

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

COMMUNITY LEADERS

...

Jorista GARRIE

AGE: 38 HOMETOWN & My hometown is Pretoria, YEARS IN THE South Africa. I’ve been in the RIVER VALLEY: River Valley for five and a half

years and in the US for 11 years. OCCUPATION: Assistant Professor of Wildlife

Science at Arkansas Tech University FAMILY: I’m married to my best friend

and together we have two beautiful yellow Labradors and a cat. I have a brother who lives in Australia, and all my other family is still in South Africa.

1.What is your favorite book? I love reading, and it is hard to pick a favorite. I love murder mysteries and thrillers, and my favorite author is Dick Francis who, sadly, passed away in 2010. I was assigned one of his books in my freshmen English literature class and was instantly hooked!

2. Dog or cat? It doesn’t matter what I answer, someone in my household will be mad. If you ask the cat he will say that he’s my favorite, but I might lean a little toward the dogs. I do love dogs, but I can also never resist petting any cat that I see.

3.What do you think is the most positive aspect of living in the River Valley? The large amount of outdoor space that is quickly and easily accessible. For someone that loves the outdoors it is convenient to be able to drive under 20 minutes and be at a hiking trail or camping spot. Photo by LIZ CHRISMAN 38

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~

OCTOBER 2021

4.What’s something no one would ever guess about you? That I hate Thanksgiving food. I know. That’s terrible to say, but I hate that it is the same dishes every year, all over the country. Why can’t we have lasagna or grilled steaks or enchiladas? I try to make a different (non-traditional) dessert every year just to bring in some variation.

5. What is your favorite music genre and artist? Hard to say. I listen to anything that has a good beat. Rock, alternative rock, folkrock are all appealing genres right now. Bands like Imagine Dragons or Mumford and Sons come to mind.

6. What do you nerd out on? Dogs and Science. I am involved with dog rescues, and I am a major advocate for adopting and not breeding dogs; I could talk for hours if someone would

listen. But I also love all things science and can geek out for hours about cool science discoveries and neat aspects of biology or wildlife.

7. If you could change one thing about the River Valley, what would it be? More bike and pedestrian paths, and more dog-friendly restaurants! I like running and biking, but I am so nervous with the lack of bike paths in some areas. I love that Russellville now has a dog park, and there are quite a few walking trails, but I wish there were more dog-friendly options around.

8. Where is the one location in the River Valley you would tell a ﬁrst-time visitor that they must go? Mount Nebo. I walk or run the Bench

trail almost weekly. Whether alone, with the dogs, or my husband, I thoroughly enjoy it every time. It is peaceful up there, the scenery is beautiful, and even when there are a lot of people it never feels crowded.

9. Pizza, tacos, cheeseburger, or fried chicken? Pasta! I always say that I treat all food equally, and I would really eat anything, but I love pasta. If I had to pick from the list, probably a cheeseburger with fries.

10. What is your favorite quote? Could be from an inspirational person, could be an original. “If something is worth doing, it’s worth doing well.” This was not necessarily a saying in my house, but it was the attitude that my stepdad instilled in me. I try to keep that in mind even when I complete a small task.

OCTOBER 2021

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY