ABOUT | April 2016 by ABOUT the River Valley Magazine

Reaching for the High Notes

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley April 2016

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ APRIL 2016

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APRIL 2016 ~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

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

APRIL 2016 EDITION

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8 The Arkansas Symphony Youth Orchestra

During the school week, these five local teenagers are your average high school students. Studies and college prep keep them busy enough. However, each Sunday these students find time to pursue their greatest joy: music.

14 Easter Fashion’s most Regrettable Accessory

My Hometown: Pottsville

In the mid 1800s more than 250,000 people left the eastern United States and headed west. Some of those families set out for lands in Missouri and Arkansas rumored to be rich with fertile farmland.

22 Smooth and Salubrious

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ APRIL 2016

34 Meeting the Need

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APRIL 2016 ~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

A PAGE FROM

The Editor’s Notebook

My Brassy, Brazen Buddy

The young musicians on our cover are a dedicated bunch that take their music seriously. I’m envious of that level of dedication in young people. As a young musician back in the 80s, I could not relate. I didn’t want to be in band, but Mom thought reading music was part of a well-rounded education. To my surprise, I discovered that I had a talent. But, not accustomed to having a knack for anything beyond catching crawdads by hand, I wore the shine off my new talent in short order. High school trumpet gave me a loud and brassy voice when my own voice wavered and squeaked as one of the smaller and meeker members of our class. The silver King trumpet was my only avenue to show off. And I did. Often. I think our band director, Mr. Bill Clement, understood that little Johnny used the trumpet as his alter ego and he would often do no more than shake his head during rehearsals as I climbed the scale and blasted a note reaching far above the staff on my printed music. Occasionally, Mr. Clement would stop the whole shebang to ask if I was having trouble reading music. And a few times, when I was particularly adventurous, I noticed his face change color from a placid peach to not-quite cherry red. That was a strong cue to tone it down. As the veins on his forehead receded, often I would pop a high note just to watch the color change again. He held me in check, though barely, as long as we were in the band room or football stands. But the leash could not reach to the football field during halftime. And so, during my first solo in the 1986 AHS band’s performance of the “Tennessee Waltz,” I decided to test the upper limits of both what I could do with the horn and Mr. Clement’s good will by attempting something he had forbidden: I played the whole dang solo up an octave. It did not go as gloriously as planned. I sulked off the field, tail between legs, and Mr. Clement was doing that fast walk with a bead right on me. I braced for the tongue lashing. But as he approached, a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth and he didn’t say a word. He knew my alter ego had said everything loud and clear on that late summer Friday night so long ago. From that point on, notes on paper were the only notes I played… most of the time. Johnny Carrol Sain, Editor johnny@aboutrvmag.com

Celebrating a Decade of Character in the Arkansas River Valley A Publication of One14 Productions, Inc Vol. XI, Issue 3 – APRIL 2016

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

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

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ APRIL 2016

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS: APRIL 2016

April 1 — 2016 River Valley Hope at the River Park Church of Christ from 7:30 a.m - 1:30 p.m. An event for those caring for someone with memory loss, dementia, or Alzheimer’s. Guest Speakers include: Dr. Davis, Rhonda Horton, Jamison Bond, and Priscilla Pittman. Free admission for caregivers. $45 for professionals and family caregivers requesting CEUs. To register or learn more contact Alzheimer’s Arkansas at 501-224-0021 or www.alzark.org. April 2 — Lakeside Coffee Break at Lake Dardanelle State Park from 7-8:30 a.m. Come enjoy a cup of coffee on the back deck of the visitor center overlooking beautiful Lake Dardanelle. Park Superintendent Sarah Keating will be there to share park information and history and answer any questions you might have about the park and the River Valley area. The coffee is free. For more information contact 967-5516 April 2 — Sweets of the Valley benefit fundraiser for Arkansas Center of Music Education at All Saints Episcopal Church in Russellville 7 p.m. Tickets are $10. For more information contact 501-208-4066. April 9 — Equestrian Zone 8th Annual Boots and Benefactors Banquet at The Barn from 5-9 p.m. 10042 Bandy

ABOUT...the River Valley

Lane Dardanelle. For more information contact 970-8351. April 13 — 4th Annual Emergency Management & Homeland Security Conference and Career Fair at the Young Ballroom on the Arkansas Tech University Campus. This event includes lunch. Admission is $10 for students, $25 for practitioners, and $100 for vendors. For more information contact 356-2092. April 16 — Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Concert on the ATU campus in Witherspoon. Pre-reception at 6 p.m. at Lake Point Conference Center. Concert begins at 8 p.m. For tickets call board member Ann Squyres at 890-7523. Tickets also available at Brown & Brown Ins. at 705 West Main St. in Russellville or they may be purchased at the door the evening of the concert. April 23 & 24 — Children’s Musical Theater of Arkansas Center for Music Education presents Tom Sawyer & Wee Children’s Musical Theater/ minimusical Pajama Party at Pottsville Jr. High. April 23 show times are 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. April 24 show times are 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Admission is $3 for ages 14-adult, $1 for ages 4-13, and free for ages 3 and below. For more information contact 264-9107.

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

April 22 & 23 — Russvegas Half Marathon and Relay. The event benefits Arkansas Children’s Hospital and River Valley Circle of Friends. For more information go to www.russvegashalf.com. April 30 — Community Festival Choral and River Valley Treble Chorus joint concert at Atkins high school 7 p.m. Admission is free. For more information contact 2649107. April 30 — pARTy in the Park at Russellville City Park and the Hughes Center from 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Music, free games, pony rides, bump & jump, crafts and activities for the entire family. for more information contact 968-2452.

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DURING THE SCHOOL WEEK, these five local teenagers are your average high school students. Studies and college prep keep them busy enough, and band takes up much of their time. However, each Sunday these students find time to pursue their greatest joy: music. For them, music

Anna 8

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ APRIL 2016

is more than just an elective course; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a driving passion.

Noah

One of the years most anticipated performances for the ASYO is a side-by-side concert with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra (ASO). Not only do the teens get to play alongside the symphony’s professional performers, it’s also under the direction of world-renowned ASO Conductor, Philip Mann.

Reaching for the High Notes Story by MIKE QUAIN | Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN

The Arkansas Symphony Youth Orchestra (ASYO) provides an outlet for a chosen few of the state’s best young performers under the guidance of Geoffrey Robson, associate conductor of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and music director for the Arkansas Symphony Youth Orchestra. Students ages 9 to 20 are eligible. If selected, they are invited to play in one of three youth orchestras and to perform alongside 200 peers from all over Arkansas as they pursue musical excellence. ASYO is an exclusive group with demanding auditions. Members must prepare two pieces of music with contrasting style and tempo. Usually one piece is technical in nature, while the other is more musically expressive. After performing the pieces, students must demonstrate proficiency with major and minor scales before the sight-reading portion of the tryout. In this portion, judges provide music the students have never seen before. The students then have a short amount of time to examine the piece before they must perform it for the judges. Judges score the performances in terms of tone, accuracy, expression, and intonation.

Although tryouts are difficult, the rewards are great. If invited to play with the orchestra, students perform with one of the top symphonies in the state, youth or otherwise. This experience offers rewards beyond the priceless experience of playing with excellent musicians. Students make future contacts in the music world, and many top ASYO performers go on to become part of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra years later. Youth orchestras have a long and distinguished history in America. In 1924, Arkansas native Mary V. Dodge founded the first US youth orchestra in Portland, Oregon. The Portland Youth Philharmonic paved the way for youth orchestras in America, and soon many major orchestras had youth programs designed to educate young musicians and build an interest in classical music. After World War II, youth orchestras became commonplace. Most major symphonies now have youth programs. These programs provide an opportunity for students to experience classical music firsthand and give the symphonies an opportunity to grow new members. >> APRIL 2016 ~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

“I love the experience of playing with people that have the same amount of passion for music that I do.” The Arkansas Symphony Youth Orchestra began in the late 1960s as a way to encourage music education in the state. By engaging children with classical music, the Youth Orchestra builds a future audience and inspires interest in fine arts. I recently sat down with five local members of ASYO to talk about their experiences. Alexis Harris is a percussionist and senior at Dover High School. “Timpani is definitely my favorite,” she says when asked about her preferred instrument. Alexis has been a member of the orchestra for one year. Each Sunday she meets the four other local orchestra members in Russellville where they then carpool to Little Rock with a parent

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ APRIL 2016

for weekly rehearsals. After speaking with the young percussionist, it is apparent that music is her driving passion. “I want to be an instrumental music major,” she says. She plans to attend Arkansas Tech for her undergraduate degree and, eventually, she hopes to achieve her master’s degree in music therapy. She described her favorite performance in Little Rock with the Ballet Arkansas Preparatory Program. The event celebrated the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death and included pieces adapted from his works such as Bernstein’s West Side Story. “The acoustics were fantastic,” she recalls. Percussion isn’t the only thing that keeps her busy. She also performs with the Dover choir and spends what little time she has left preparing for college.

The Russellville Symphony Guild In its 27th year, the Russellville Symphony Guild is one of three guilds supporting the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. The RSG plays host to the orchestra in the River Valley several times each year as well as providing

Noah Smith, a freshman bassoon player at Russellville, is in his first year with the orchestra. For Noah, the orchestra is a way to advance his playing skills. Although he is in high school, Noah strives to reach a college level of performance. “That’s really what ASYO tries to foster, getting ahead and trying to be the best you can be at your instrument,” he says. Bassoon is a somewhat uncommon instrument, although it is a key component of most orchestral repertoire. Since few people practice bassoon as their primary instrument, Noah believes he will have an advantage when snagging music scholarships three years from now. “It has solo parts in band literature that aren’t always covered,” he explains. “It’s rare to find someone who knows bassoon well.” Noah plans to make music a large part of his college experience, but doesn’t plan to major in it. “I want it to be a lifelong passion.” Each of the ASYO members interviewed made mention of one piece in particular that stood out as a favorite: Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet Suite. Every year the Youth Orchestra partners with the Ballet Arkansas Preparatory Program to jointly perform a ballet in Little Rock. Noah says, “That’s really fun, because it’s a new sound that I’m not used to hearing. It’s more modern than something like Beethoven or Mozart.” He adds that Overture to Orpheus by Offenbach was a real “lip-crusher.” Noah plays because it allows him to elicit an emotional response from his listeners. “Music really embodies a lot of basic human emotions and desires,” he explains. “I want to make others feel human emotion that they may not feel in other things.” It’s this emotional connection that inspires him to put in the countless hours of practice required by a ASYO musician. Practice isn’t everything, though. “I always play much better in performances than I do practicing just because I’m inspired by that moment on stage,” he said. >>

scholarships to Arkansas River Valley musicians. The RSG annual fundraiser, Savor the Symphony, along with ASO concerts are the primary fund raisers. The RSG also reaches out to River Valley elementary students by arranging visits to area schools from orchestra members. The next Arkansas Symphony Orchestra performance in the River Valley will be on April 16 at Witherspoon Auditorium on the campus of Arkansas Tech University. The concert begins at 8 p.m. and will feature a mix of pop favorites and light, classical music. Reserved seating tickets to the Russellville concert are $25 per person, which includes a 6 p.m. pre-concert reception at the ATU Lake Point Conference Center sponsored by the Russellville office of Wells Fargo Advisors. General admission tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students in grades K-12. Tickets are free for current Arkansas Tech University and UACCM students with college ID. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call Russellville Symphony Guild board member Ann Squyres at 890-7523. Tickets are also available at Brown and Brown Insurance at 705 West Main Street in Russellville. They may also be purchased at the door the evening of the concert.

APRIL 2016 ~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

“It’s a really satisfying feeling to make beautiful music when you work so hard for it.” Dover junior Grace Zimmerman is a second year member of ASYO. Taking inspiration from her aunt, she is a flutist. Grace loves music and plans to play for the University of Arkansas bands, but she isn’t planning to major in it. Instead, music gives her a leg up in her preferred field of study: history for international relations. “Music can convey a lot about a culture,” she explains. “Almost every culture has its own folk music.” The ASYO exposes her to a large variety of international genres that she normally wouldn’t encounter. In a way, it helps her open doorways into other cultures. Grace enjoys the musical challenge. She explains that even during state competitions, the band doesn’t play music as complex as the pieces performed in the orchestra. In addition, her time in orchestra helps make friends from across the state. “You meet people from all different backgrounds,” she explains. “We have some amazing musicians here.” Hannah Pace is a Russellville senior oboe player. She has performed in the orchestra for three years and hopes to continue

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playing the oboe as a lifelong hobby. “You know the feeling you get when you listen to a really, really good song? It’s like that every day,” she says. One reason she loves playing with the Youth Orchestra is that she’s able to meet other musicians with similar dedication. “I love the experience of playing with people that have the same amount of passion for music that I do,” she says. School bands are wonderful for teaching the fundamentals of playing, but not everyone has the same dedication. Anna Bloodworth is a Russellville sophomore and new to the Orchestra. She has only played with them for a month and a half, but she has already fallen in love with the program. “I like the challenging aspect,” she says. “It’s not like you just sit down, sight read a piece of music, and play it for four months on end. You really have to work at it.” In the end, the extra work and stress is worth it, she says, “It’s a really satisfying feeling to make beautiful music when you work so hard for it.” All five students share the common desire for a challenge. Although new to AYSO, Anna has been playing the bassoon since the fifth grade. “I love music and I’m always going to love music,” she says. “It’s always going to be part of my life.” For Anna, music is a release of emotion, and she loves its raw

beauty. “Even though you have a score, you get to form your own ways of interpreting your own feelings and expression,” she says. This creative process and musical expression is what keeps her interested. As of now, Anna has no plans to pursue music as a career, but she still desires to push her limits and achieve musical excellence. “I’m not sure exactly what aspect it’s going to play in my life, but it’s always going to be there,” she says. The Arkansas Symphony Youth Orchestra has an upcoming concert at the Woodlands Auditorium in Hot Springs Village on Sunday, May 1 at 3 p.m. To learn more about the ASYO, visit their website at www.arkansassymphony.org/education-community/ youth-orchestras. l

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EVERY DAY LIFE

ABOUT...the River Valley

Easter Fashion's most Regrettable Accessory Story by SARAH CHENAULT | Illustration by CLIFF THOMAS

Regardless of age, Easter is such a ceremonious holiday. It seems to announce the arrival of spring, and brings on feelings of rejuvenation and replenishment. We feel like new life has been breathed back into our frigid, winter-chilled bones. But as with most holidays, much preparation and planning go into pulling off a perfect festivity. Most children look forward to the hunt of pastel eggs and the candied treasures within. Most adults fuss over the meal and whether their children know the true meaning of the holiday, and if they will answer any pertinent questions with “the Easter Bunny.” However, one more equally important detail is, of course, the Easter outfits. Moms want their children in coordinating garb, men break down and shave the winter stubble, and children are lamenting the ruffles and neckties and the rest of the obligatory regalia. But there comes a time in everyone’s life when purchasing such frippery is no longer a burden, and can be quite fun. If you find the right outfit, that is. One such year, I had searched high and low for the perfect dress. After numerous visits to countless clothing stores, I finally found the Holy Grail of Easter dresses. It was lacy but still youthful, ruffly but not too frilly, fitted but appropriate. I immediately purchased it and went in search of some matching shoes. Along the way, I ran into a friend. After chatting for a few minutes, she talked me into attending an Easter banquet at her church. When Easter Sunday arrived I made my way into her church. There was a mirror in the foyer and after giving myself a once-over I walked into the banquet hall. There were so many people! I didn’t immediately see my 14

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ APRIL 2016

friend so I walked around the room, nodding and smiling to so many faces I didn’t know. I started to feel a bit overwhelmed. I passed the restrooms and decided to briskly pop in for a self pep talk. Everyone knows when you feel anxious or awkward you hide in the bathroom. I opened the bathroom door and walked in. It was so crowded! So many ladies in their Easter finery standing and leaning against the wall waiting their turn. “Oh I love your dress,” a woman said to me. “Thank you,” I replied. “Oh me too,” said another woman. “Where did you find it?” I told them all about the little boutique out of town where I purchased my dress while another woman inquired about my shoes, and someone else complimented my hair. I realized I was feeling much more confident and since I was only seeking solace, not the toilet, I decided to venture out once again to the banquet hall. I made my way around the room again looking for my friend. As I meandered along, I saw her from across the room and she was mouthing something to me, but I couldn’t quite make it out. I bet she loves my dress too! I thought to myself. As I walked toward her, I realized she was standing next to two very handsome gentlemen. I sauntered up to the trio confidently. “There you are!” I said to my friend. “Hey... Um...” An anxious look swept over her face and the man she was standing beside looked at the ground. The guy next to him stuck out his hand. “Hi! I’m John, and you have toilet paper stuck to your shoe.” I blanched.

I looked over my shoulder and sure enough, I was trailing a good eight squares behind me! Using John’s arm for support (we were practically familiar by this point) I slowly lifted one foot and snatched the toilet tissue from my heel. “Thank you, John. I’m going to go throw this away now.” I turned around, with the tissue in my hand, and walked back to the bathroom I opened the door to the ladies restroom still holding my head high, but as soon as the door shut my shoulders slumped. How embarrassing! Why does this stuff always happen to me? I thought to myself. I was standing in line with other women waiting their turn, trying to pretend like nothing was wrong, when I realized the woman next to me had a tear-streaked face. “Are you Ok? Whats wrong?” I asked her. “I just had the most embarrassing moment of my life,” She wailed. “Yeah, I’m there with you...” I shuddered again at the thought of myself walking around the entire room with toilet paper in tow. “I fell! And my skirt came up over my head!” She stared at me, waiting to see if I could top that. I couldn’t. “And to top if off,” she continued, “I’m wearing granny panties.” “Oh no...” Every woman dreads falling and flashing her granny panties. “I’m so sorry.... If it makes you feel any better, I walked around with toilet paper stuck to my shoe.” “It does, actually,” she said with a giggle. We both got a good laugh at ourselves, pep talked one another, and left the bathroom. Of course, I checked each shoe for tissue tag-alongs. l

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Subscribe online at www.aboutrvmag.com or send a $20 check to: 220 East 4th Street, Russellville AR 72801 APRIL 2016 ~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

Pottsville

Story by DENISE ROBINSON and POPE COUNTY HISTORIC FOUNDATION Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN and courtesy of POPE COUNTY HISTORIC FOUNDATION

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ APRIL 2016

The River Valley is smalltown America. But our definition of small town is often smaller than folks from more urban areas can understand. A few years ago I was entertaining one of those big-city folks in Russellville and he was full of questions about small-town living. We compared the differences in our upbringing, and then

In the mid 1800s more than 250,000 people left the eastern United States and headed west. Many took the Oregon and Santé Fe Trails with

dreams of striking it rich during the California Gold Rush. But some of those families set out for lands in Missouri and Arkansas rumored to be rich with fertile farmland. A few found their way to Galla (or Galley) Creek and Pisgah here in the River Valley. Galley Creek, named after Chief Galley of a previous Cherokee village, was located almost a mile northeast of the present downtown district of Pottsville on the east side of Galla Creek. The Pisgah settlement, founded by members of the Associated Reformed Presbyterian Church from Pisgah, North Carolina, and Bethany, South Carolina, was steadily growing. John Kirkbride Potts was one of the first landowners in this area later incorporated as Pottsville. In 1828, at the age of 25, John was forced to leave his homestead located just south of Mount Magazine when a federal treaty removed the Cherokee Indians and the white settlers from the land. He relocated to a river port southeast and across the Arkansas River, known as Galla Rock. Kirkbride then used the preemptive privilege granted him by the government for removal from his land and purchased 160 acres, paying just 25 cents per acre. He married Pamelia Logan, the daughter of a friend and fellow settler of the area in 1829. Eventually he enlarged his land holdings to 650 acres at the base of Crow Mountain and built a two-story log house. Potts and his growing family lived in the log house for 25 years.

he mentioned childhood visits to his cousin who lived in a small town of about 25,000. I chuckled. My hometown of Atkins has about 3,000 souls and my current town of Dover about 1,300. Russellville, population right around 28,000, is the big town around here. As the “big town” of the River Valley, Russellville tends to dominate the press and rightly so. Russellville is the economic hub of the region. But many, the majority, of River Valley residents don’t live in Russellville. We live in or on the outskirts of the tiny towns, the towns with in-county football rivalries and acres of rural country literally right off the back porch. So we here at ABOUT decided to shine a light on the history of these towns that many of us call home. This will be a series, one town per quarter, featuring interesting stories about how these communities came to be along with tales of their most colorful characters. Be on the lookout for a feature about your town in the coming months.

APRIL 2016 ~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

Like many others in the late 1840s, Potts headed farther west to California in search of gold. Realizing that striking it rich by finding gold was more difficult than he first thought, he found the miners would pay well for cattle. In 1850, Kirkbride drove cattle from Arkansas to California, at least twice, and came home wealthy enough to build a grand house just south of their log house. As the population grew rapidly in the western-most states, so did the demand for faster mail service. Twice monthly deliveries by steamship were hazardous and were not keeping up with demand. In 1857, John Butterfield, of New York, entered into a contract with the U.S Postal Service to carry mail by stagecoach from St. Louis, Missouri, and Memphis, Tennessee, to San Francisco, California. This was the birth of the Butterfield Overland Mail Company. The contract provided twice-a-week service in post-coaches or spring wagons. In addition to the mail, the coaches could carry up to nine passengers. Passenger fare from St. Louis to San Francisco was $200, and ‘way’ passengers picked up between stations could ride for 10 cents per mile. The Potts family home became known as the Potts Inn, and was one of the principle stops along the Old Country Wire Road. The Butterfield Stage made regular mail stops at Potts Inn between 1858 and 1861. Kirkbride Potts maintained a post office inside of his home before Pottsville had an official post office. The Potts Inn was known to travelers as a comfortable stop between 18

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ APRIL 2016

Memphis and Fort Smith for overnight accommodations, a place where they could stable and rest their horses and get a hot meal and a bath in an actual bathtub. The bathtub was located in the Potts family kitchen, as it was less work for Mrs. Potts to heat the water and carry it to the tub. The first person to take a bath each night paid the most, with each subsequent person paying a little less since the water wasn’t as fresh. The last person to bathe also emptied the tub. The Potts Inn was listed on the National Historic Register in the early 1970s. The Pottsville Citizens’ Bank was nominated to the National Historic Register after the town’s centennial in 1997. During the visit with the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program’s representative for the bank’s nomination, a suggestion was made to now Pope County Historic Foundation President Pamela Duvall Scarber that the town probably qualified for a National Historic Commercial District. Scarber completed the nomination form in 2004 to include the Falls & Sinclair General Mercantile Store, the bank and the adjoining buildings of Benita’s Photography and the Oates Pharmacy Museum, as well as the cattle dipping vat behind the bank. Scarber tells of the visit with the representative for the district’s nomination. “I included the cattle dipping vat but was told we couldn’t include it because it was agricultural and our district was commercial. I asked him if he had every lived in the country. He said he hadn’t and didn’t understand why the

vat should be included. My reply was it should stay because agriculture was the commerce of the town at that time. The cattle dipping vat made it through the nomination. Pottsville may have the only National Historic Commercial District with a cattle dipping vat in the United States.” Potts Inn Museum is now owned by Pope County and contains many displays of historic significance to the county. Marge Crabaugh was the driving force in purchasing the home and its transformation into a museum in the early 1970s. Crabaugh worked with the county government and together they determined the best way to preserve the property was for the county to own it but that a foundation be formed to oversee the upkeep and preservation. “Judge Gibson and the Pope County Quorum Court have been very supportive of our work,” said Scarber. “They budget each year to provide us with a part-time person to conduct tours and help with grounds maintenance. We couldn’t do it without them but we are still very limited on funds and in need of support.” One of the items Scarber described as being significant to the county is the piano in the ladies’ parlor of the museum. It was purchased by 1880s Pope County Sheriff Hogins who gained fame when he took a shotgun, a log chain, and a padlock to the Russellville Train Depot. Hogins padlocked the noon train to the tracks until the railroad company paid their taxes. Most of the items in the home were donated by individuals from the county or civic groups such as the Rotary Anns.

In 1913, the Pottsville Citizens’ Bank opened across the street from the Fall & Sinclair General Mercantile with capital stock of $15,000. An eleven-year-old boy, Wade A. Oates, watched for the bank to open on that first morning from a storefront bench across the street so he could make the first transaction at the new bank. The Pottsville Citizen's Bank Building closed its door as a bank in 1992 and Wade A. Oates, at the age of 90, was on hand to make the final transaction at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30. Most people think of banking as not very exciting, but that was often far from the truth with the Pottsville Citizens’ Bank. In 1926, two men dressed in Santa Claus suits robbed the bank in broad daylight. When the robbers told head teller Roy Falls to stick his hands up, he laughed and said he would wait on them when he finished with the other customers. Falls thought some of the locals were trying to play a trick on him. In March 1928, the Citizen's Bank again made the headlines with an attempted robbery, this time by a man claiming to be from Chicago. This man robbed the Falls & Sinclair store, Henry's Drug Store, the post office, and broke into the depot station before attempting the Pottsville Citizen's Bank. The man had attempted to cut a large hole in the vault but was not able to gain entry. According to the newspaper article, "Pottsville is perhaps the most law-abiding community in Pope County and it is seldom that her name appears on the criminal court records. Outside talent, however, seems determined to ruin this reputation." >> APRIL 2016 ~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

The town’s night watchman, “Lope” Adams, had a cot at the back of the bank where he rested between rounds. One of his most important duties was to turn off and on the town’s one night light. The bank building is now owned by the City of Pottsville. Former Mayor Jerry Duvall obtained grant money to ensure the building stayed intact and it is often included in tours for visitors of the Potts Inn. The building still has the original tile floors, granite counters, and pressed tin ceiling. The Falls & Sinclair General Mercantile Store across the street from the Potts Inn was built prior to 1880. Stories about Mr. Pryor, a clerk in the store and his loud, booming voice were common during this time. If you needed to find someone, you simply let Mr. Pryor know. He would stand on the front porch and yell up and down the street. Mr. Pryor was also allergic to pepper. A

young Charles Wade Oates (later partner in C & D Drugstore) and his friends would pool their money to buy a nickel’s worth of pepper, then run from the store and see how far away they could still hear poor Mr. Pryor sneezing. The building was last used as a store by Charles and Aileen Morton. It has since been purchased by a local historical group and donated to the county joining Potts Inn as another museum building. The modern additions inside the building were removed and you can once again see the pressed tin ceiling. Scarber states, “The original plans were to turn it back into a Depression-era mercantile museum but we ran out of funds due to more pressing issues. At this point, we would like to fix the building with restrooms and electricity so we could rent it out for weddings and functions. Then, as we have the funds, we could finish the conversion to the original plan for

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ APRIL 2016

a mercantile museum. Unfortunately, even that much takes more funds than we have right now.â&#x20AC;? Where children now play in the park behind the bank, there was once a large cotton gin owned by the Rankin family. Charles Oates shared stories of the large diesel engine that ran the gin but had to have a small gas engine to get started. Once the cotton was baled, it was taken out underneath the train underpass. The cotton bales were too tall to fit under the tracks. The workers would pull the wagon up to the tracks, they would roll the top bale onto the track, pull the wagon forward, and then roll the bale back onto the wagon. The Rankin family also eventually owned gins in Arizona. According to Mr. Oates, they were the first family in Pottsville to have indoor plumbing. Each year, the Pottsville Junior High Students conduct living history tours of the grounds. This program was started in 1997 by Pamela Scarber and then continued by Kellie Van Es and Tina Taylor. The Potts Inn Museum is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 am until 4 pm each week. For further information or to book special tours, call 479-968-8369. The museum also maintains a Facebook page where posts are made concerning upcoming events. The City of Pottsville was built on the history of its founders and their dreams of a brighter future. The historical significance and effect they had on the future of Pope County cannot be forgotten. l

Cattle dipping vat

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ APRIL 2016

VALLEY VITTLES

ABOUT...the River Valley

Smooth and Salubrious Story by JOHNNY CARROL SAIN | Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN HEALTH FOOD GARDEN | 2621 West Main Street, Russellville

“Smoothie” is a vague description of the actual… beverage? Food? Just how do you classify a smoothie? Maybe that ambiguity is what led to the dubious name because a smoothie isn’t really either and it’s almost both. The only certainty of a smoothie is that it’s a blend. Crushed fruits have been on a menu since ancient times, but the advent of the drink mixer in 1919 and its more powerful offspring, the food blender, brought enjoying crushed fruit into another realm. The smoothie of today was just a creative thought away. Mixing fruit, yogurt, milk, veggies, peanut butter, chocolate — you name it — into a delicious, refreshing and often nutritious treat can be traced back to the invention of the blender. The smoothie made it through a few decades without a pop-culture name, and some evidence blames the name on hippies. “Smooth” was a popular word in

60s and 70s counterculture, and it was used to sell a lot of items to those folks standing against materialism. So one of the earliest commercial smoothie entrepreneurs branded his icy fruit and yogurt with a name sure to appeal to the flower children. And it worked. Whether you’re an old hippie, a young hippie, a reluctant hippie or not a hippie at all you can find a delicious and filling smoothie made with nutritious ingredients right here in the River Valley. The place is Health Food Garden in Russellville. Health Food Garden smoothies are made with 100 percent real fruit and fruit juice, and organic milk and bananas. No purees, concentrates or added sugars, and no artificial dyes, flavors or sweeteners. Just the good stuff served by friendly and innovative folks. Tie-dye and flip-flops aren’t required but they are welcome. l APRIL 2016 ~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

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CAJUN PECAN-CRUSTED CATFISH 1/2 c nonfat buttermilk 1/4 tsp hot sauce, such as Tabasco, or 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste 1/2 tsp dried oregano 1/2 tsp chili powder 1/4 tsp garlic salt 2 c cornflakes 1/2 c pecan pieces 1 lb catfish fillets, about 1 in thick, cut into 4 portions

Pecans…Delicious and Nutritious Story by LYDIA ZIMMERMAN, Food Editor

appy Pecan Month! Yes, April is National Pecan Month. As the title of this month’s column states, Pecans are not only delicious but also nutritious. Here are some ”nutrition in a nutshell” health benefit facts on pecans from the website ilovepecans.org: • Pecans contain more antioxidants than any other nut variety according to ORAC values (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) units, a unit of measurement for antioxidants developed by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). High in Vitamin E, which studies have shown suppor neurological health. • Pecans can help reduce the risk of heart disease and lower cholesterol levels • Pecans contain more than 19 vitamins and minerals • Pecans are a natural, high-quality source of protein and naturally sodium free. Pecans are a wonderful and healthy snack by the handful or in one of the following scrumptious recipes that I have gathered together for this month’s column. I hope you enjoy making them as much as I did. As always, enjoy! 24

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ APRIL 2016

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with foil. Blend buttermilk, hot sauce (or cayenne), oregano, chili powder and garlic salt in a shallow dish. Pulse cornflakes in a food processor until coarse crumbs form. Transfer to a large plate. Pulse pecans in the food processor until coarsely chopped; mix the pecans with the cornflake crumbs. (Alternatively, place cornflakes in a sealable bag and crush with a rolling pin; chop nuts with a knife.) Dip each catfish fillet in the buttermilk mixture, then dredge in the cornflake mixture, coating both sides. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Bake the catfish for 25 minutes, or until it flakes easily with a fork. Serve immediately. Recipe courtesy of eatingwell.com SOMETHING SWEET PECANS 1 lb of pecans 3/4 c sugar 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp nutmeg 1/2 tsp ginger 1 tsp cinnamon 2 T butter 4 T pancake syrup Preheat oven to 350. spread pecans onto a ungreased baking sheet. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes. Set aside. Combine sugar, salt, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon in a bowl. Set aside. In a large pan combine butter and syrup and bring to boil. Add pecans (making sure you coat them all). Once coated combine pecans with sugar mixture in a container with a lid. Shake to coat pecans. Once coated place on wax paper on a baking sheet and let cool. Store in an air tight container. Enjoy Special Notes: I’m not exactly sure on the serving size. It normally doesn’t last long enough to tell. Recipe courtesy of surrattfarms.com

PECAN PIE COOKIE RECIPE 1 c butter or margarine, softened 1/2 c sugar 1/2 c dark corn syrup 2 lg eggs, separated 2 1/2 c all-purpose flour 1/4 c butter or margarine 1/2 c powdered sugar 3 T dark corn syrup 3/4 c finely chopped pecans Beat 1 c butter and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add 1/2 c corn syrup and egg yolks, beating well. Gradually stir in flour; cover and chill 1 hour. Melt 1/4 c butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat; stir in powdered sugar and 3 T corn syrup. Cook, stirring often, until mixture boils. Remove from heat. Stir in pecans; chill 30 minutes. Shape pecan mixture by 1/2 tsp into 1/4in balls; set aside. Shape cookie dough into 1-in balls; place 2 in apart on lightly greased baking sheets. Beat egg whites until foamy; brush on dough balls. Bake at 375 degrees for 6 minutes. Remove from oven; place pecan balls in center of each cookie. Bake 8 to 10 more minutes or until lightly browned. Cool cookies 5 minutes on baking sheets; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Freeze up to 1 month, if desired. Yield: 4 1/2 dozen

We Took The

Recipe courtesy of Southern Living 2000 Annual Recipes Cookbook/Patty VannBirmingham, Alabama HONEY-CHICKEN PECAN SALAD 4 (13 oz) cans cooked chicken breast, shredded 2 c finely chopped celery 6 oz Ocean Spray Original Craisins (Sweetened Dried Cranberries) 2 c chopped pecans, toasted 1 1/2 c (plus) real mayonnaise 1/3 c (plus) honey 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp black pepper Drain chicken well--combine first 4 ingredients. Whisk together mayo, honey, salt and pepper. Add to chicken mixture, stirring until combined. Garnish with toasted pecans

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if desired. Special Notes: I take my hands and shred the chicken in the bowl. I add a little more mayo and a little more honey. Then I take (light colored) buttery croissants (Wal-Mart bakery) and slice them lengthwise (but not all the way through) and fill with the chicken salad. They will keep (covered) for several days in the fridge and still be very good. They do not get soggy. The chicken salad itself will keep for several days in the fridge and still be very good. Can also be served with various types of crackers. The buttery croissants are really delicious with this chicken salad--better than regular bread. Will make around 40 croissant sandwiches. Recipe courtesy of surrattfarms.com

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PINEAPPLE-PECAN QUICK BREAD *Quick-Bread Dry Mix, (recipe follows) 2 lg eggs 1 cup nonfat buttermilk, (see Tips) 2/3 cup brown sugar 2 tablespoons butter, melted 2 tablespoons canola oil 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 cups diced pineapple, fresh or canned, drained 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans, (see Tips), plus more for topping if desired Preheat oven to 400°F for muffins, mini loaves and mini Bundts or 375°F for a large loaf. Coat pan(s) (see “Pan Options”) with cooking spray. Prepare Quick-Bread Dry Mix. Whisk eggs, buttermilk, brown sugar, butter, oil and vanilla in a large bowl until well combined. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, pour in the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Add pineapple and pecans. Stir just to combine; do not

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overmix. Transfer batter to the prepared pan(s). Top with additional pecans, if desired. Bake until golden brown and a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, 22 to 25 minutes for muffins or mini Bundts, 35 minutes for mini loaves, 1 hour 10 minutes for a large loaf. Let cool in the pan(s) for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack. Let muffins and mini Bundts cool for 5 minutes more, mini loaves for 30 minutes, large loaves for 40 minutes. Store, individually wrapped, at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month. Each of these recipes will make: 1 large loaf (9-by-5-inch pan) 3 mini loaves (6-by-3-inch pan, 2-cup capacity) 6 mini Bundt cakes (6-cup mini Bundt pan, scant 1-cup capacity per cake) 12 muffins (standard 12-cup, 2 1/2-inch muffin pan) *Quick-Bread Dry Mix 1 1/2 c whole-wheat pastry flour, (see Ingredient note) or whole-wheat flour 1 c all-purpose flour 1 1/2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp salt Whisk whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Stores nicely in a freezer bag in freezer for up t 6 months. Recipe courtesy of eatingwell.com

PECAN PIE POPTARTS For the Poptarts: 1 box (2 sheets) puff pastry, thawed 1/2 c chopped pecans (chop them small) 1/4 c brown sugar 1 T maple syrup 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1 egg, whisked with a splash of water For the Glaze (optional): 3 T powdered sugar 1/4 tsp vanilla extract 1 T milk 1 T maple syrup Preheat oven to 350°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Unfold thawed puff pastry sheets. Use a knife or a cookie cutter to cut out poptart shapes. You can use any shape/size you want. (I made traditional poptart size and got 12 cutouts, to make 6 poptarts.) Stir the brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, and pecans in a small bowl. Place half the cutouts onto the baking sheet. Place about 1-2 tablespoons of the pecan mixture onto the center of the cutouts. Brush the egg wash around the outside of the pastry. Top with the remaining squares and press with a fork to seal. Bake for about 17 minutes, until browned. Cool before drizzling with glaze. To make the glaze, stir all the ingredients in a small bowl. Drizzle over poptarts. These are good warm or cold. Recipe courtesy of crazy for crust/ backforseconds.com

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PECAN-CARAMEL CHEESECAKE DIP 8 oz cream cheese, at room temperature 2 oz (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature 3/4 c caramel sauce, divided use 1/3 c powdered sugar 1/3 c vanilla instant pudding mix (about half of a 5.1-oz package) 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 c toasted pecans 1/2 c miniature chocolate chips Start with pecans that have been toasted in a 350* F oven for 10-15 minutes. Toasting the nuts gives them a deeper flavor and a better crunch. Once they cool, coarsely chop them with a large sharp knife until they’re in small pieces. Combine the room temperature cream cheese and butter in a large mixing bowl. Mix them with the paddle attachment of

a stand mixer, or with a hand mixer, until they’re light and fluffy. Add 1/2 cup of the caramel sauce, and try not to eat too much of it as you spoon it in. (The remaining 1/4 cup will be used for decoration on top.) Beat everything together until it’s nice and smooth. Next add the powdered sugar and pudding mix. These both give the dip body, and the pudding mix, especially, gives it a little stability while maintaining a smooth, creamy texture. Don’t forget the flavoring! Add your ground cinnamon and vanilla extract to the bowl as well. Mix everything together on medium speed. Once it’s all incorporated, your dip will be beautifully fluffy and creamy, and a lovely pale caramel color. Add the miniature chocolate chips, and all but a handful of the chopped pecans. Stir everything together by hand until it’s well-mixed. Scoop the Pecan-Caramel Cheesecake Dip into a bowl, and smooth the top and sides. Take the remaining 1/4 cup of caramel sauce, and drizzle it on top and down the sides of the dip. (It’s not a bad idea to create a “moat” around the edges of the dip, to catch most of the caramel sauce before it drips down the bowl.) Finish the dip with a sprinkling of toasted pecans on top–beautiful! Your Pecan-Caramel Cheesecake Dip is now finished! You can enjoy it immediately,

or refrigerate it for a firmer texture. If you wrap it well, this dip will keep for up to a week in the refrigerator. Wondering what to serve with your Pecan-Caramel Cheesecake Dip? I recommend using an assortment of sturdy, crunchy goodies, like shortbread cookies, graham crackers, pretzels, or firm lady fingers. This dip is also wonderful with fruit like apples or firm pears. Don’t be afraid to get creative! Recipe courtesy of ohnuts.com PECAN COBBLER MILKSHAKE 4 ripe peaches, sliced 1 T lemon juice 2 T Peach preserves, preferably natural, no sugar added 1 T coconut oil 1 c light coconut milk 1 ripe frozen banana 1 tsp pure vanilla extract ½ tsp. cinnamon dash nutmeg 2 T graham cracker crumbs (check label to ensure it is vegan) 1 T old fashioned oats 2-3 pecans (optional) maple syrup, sweeten to taste (optional) ice cubes Combine all ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth Top with soy based whip cream, sprinkle with additional graham crackers and cinnamon. Garnish with a peach slice. Recipe courtesy of cakespy.com

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(479) 968-1157 • 715 W. Main, Russellville, AR Serving the River Valley Since 1970 APRIL 2016 ~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

FRUITED BARLEY SALAD WITH GEORGIA PECANS, GRANOLA CROUTONS AND MAPLE YOGURT DRESSING For convenience, the barley can be made the night before and refrigerated, leaving just a few quick steps to make this healthy salad ready for a morning meal. 2 c water 1 c quick-cooking barley 1/2 tsp salt 2 (1.23-oz) granola bars 2/3 c Georgia pecan halves 1/2 c plain low fat yogurt 1/4 c maple syrup 1 1/2 c chopped mixed fresh fruits – Recommend kiwi, strawberries and blueberries Ground cinnamon *Add ground cinnamon to yogurt topping to taste (optional) In medium-size pot, heat water to boiling. Add barley and salt, reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, uncovered, 5 minutes. Spread barley on baking sheet to cool completely. Meanwhile, cut granola bars into small crouton-like cubes; set aside. Toast pecan halves in skillet or oven until toasted, crisped, and fragrant; set aside. Combine yogurt and maple syrup, mixing until blended; set aside. When barley has cooled, transfer to a large mixing bowl. Add the granola pieces, pecan halves, and fruit mixture, tossing gently. To serve, spoon salad onto individual plates. Serve with yogurt

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ APRIL 2016

dressing and a shaker of ground cinnamon to sprinkle as desired. Recipe courtesy of Georgia Pecan Commission/ilovepecans.com

PECAN, GOAT CHEESE AND SWEET POTATO SPIRALS 1 medium sweet potato 4 oz goat cheese 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper 1 tsp salt 3 T pecan oil 2 tsp honey 1 c pecan pieces 16 oz crescent roll dough Bake the sweet potato until soft and allow to cool. Peel the sweet potato and blend with remaining ingredients except pecan until smooth. Roll out your dough ensuring to seal seams. Spread your filling onto the dough and top with pecan pieces. Roll the dough and filling into a log and freeze for about 10 minutes. Cut the log into coins and bake at 350F for about 15 or until golden brown. Recipe courtesy of ilovepecans.com

PORK CHOPS WITH PECANS, SAGE AND FALL FRUIT 3 T butter, divided 2 golden delicious apples, cored and sliced 4 2/4 in thick boneless pork chops, 1-1/4lb ground allspice 1 lg shallot, sliced 1/2 c Diamond of California® pecans 12 fresh sage leaves 1/2 c chicken broth 1/2 c dry white wine 8 dried apricots, quartered 2 T dried sour cherries or raisins Melt 1 T butter in a heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the apples and sauté until tender, about 15 minutes. Transfer the apples to a platter and keep warm. Sprinkle both sides of pork chops lightly with allspice, salt and pepper. Melt 1 T butter in the same skillet over mediumhigh heat. Add the pork and fry until well browned and just cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer the pork to the platter with the apples and keep warm. Melt the remaining 1 T butter in the same skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot, pecans and sage leaves and sauté until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Scatter the pecan mixture over the pork chops. Immediately add the broth, wine, apricots and cherries to the skillet and boil until the fruit softens slightly and the liquid reduces by half, about 4 minutes. Spoon the fruit and pan reduction over the pork chops and serve. Recipe courtesy of diamondnuts.com

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CRANBERRY PECAN WILD RICE SALAD Salad 1 package wild rice blend 1/2 c dried cranberries 1/3 c Diamond of California Shelled Pecans 3 T sugar 1 green onion, chopped 1 stalk celery, chopped 1/4 red onion, chopped Dressing 4 T apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar 2 T lemon juice 2 tsp minced garlic 2 tsp Dijon mustard 2 tsp sugar 2/3 c olive oil, or vegetable oil 1 tsp ground pepper

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Cook wild rice according to package’s instructions. Allow to cool. In a large bowl toss together rice, cranberries, green onion, celery, red onion. Add pecans to a pan and stir over mediumhigh heat 2-3 minute until toasted. Add the 3 T of sugar and continue to stir until sugar is dissolved and nuts are coated. Transfer to a metal baking sheet or glass plate to cool. Break apart and add to salad bowl. Toss salad with half of the salad dressing. (see note) Cover and chill until ready to serve or serve immediately. NOTES This dressing recipe makes quite a bit of dressing, I like to keep the leftovers in the fridge for a week and use it on other salads. If you don’t want any leftover, you can half the recipe. Recipe courtesy of diamondnuts.com

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APRIL 2016 ~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

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ABOUT...the River Valley

Health Sciences and Wellness Building dedicated at Arkansas Tech-Ozark Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus dedicated its new Health Sciences and Wellness Building with a ceremony attended by university leaders, faculty, staff, students, alumni and community supporters on Thursday morning. “Imagine for a moment what this building is really about,” said Dr. Robin E. Bowen, Arkansas Tech president. “Academic programs in emergency medical technician, paramedic, physical therapist assistant, practical nursing, nursing assistant, registered nursing and health information technology are housed in this facility. Graduates of those programs go on to rewarding careers that will allow them to provide for their families. They will contribute to an enhanced tax base, which will allow the State of Arkansas to provide more and better services its citizens. “Even more importantly, the graduates of these programs will enhance, extend and in some cases save the lives of our neighbors,

our friends and our family,” continued Bowen. “Each of these professions is truly a noble calling.” The 20,273-square foot Health Sciences and Wellness Building is Arkansas TechOzark’s first two-story structure. It features laboratory and technology expansion, offices for faculty and support staff, a fitness center, student lounge areas and a testing center. It houses five of the campus’ allied health programs --- paramedic, health information technology, physical therapist assistant, practical nursing and registered nursing. The building also has three new computer labs available for student use. Among those on hand to celebrate

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the dedication were Kathryn Gough, field representative for U.S. Senator John Boozman; Kaci Sturgeon, field representative for U.S. Senator Tom Cotton; and Bobby Ballinger, field representative for U.S. Congressman Bruce Westerman. Arkansas State Senator Gary Stubblefield, Arkansas State Representative Bill Gossage, Franklin County Judge Rickey Bowman, Logan County Judge Ray Gack, Mayor T.R. McNutt of Ozark, Mayor Bobby Sewell of Subiaco, Mayor Carolyn McGee of Dardanelle and Mayor Bob Freeman of Van Buren were among the other dignitaries present and recognized from the podium by Bruce Sikes, chancellor of Arkansas Tech-Ozark Campus.

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ APRIL 2016

DIAGNOSTIC CENTER AUTISM EARLY INTERVENTION

“The project that we are celebrating today represents our continued commitment to our current and our future students, and to our industry partners,” said Sikes. “It also represents our growth in student enrollment and program offerings. This project is the culmination of strategic planning started by our faculty, staff and administration here on the Ozark campus. It will provide us with the ability to serve all students and continue our mission of providing access to a quality educational environment.” Construction cost for the Health Sciences and Wellness Building was $4 million. It was designed by Crafton Tull and constructed by The Cone Group. “It has been almost 13 years since this campus became a part of Arkansas Tech University,” said Leigh Burns Whiteside, vice chairman of the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees and a native of Ozark. “There has been tremendous growth here…growth in enrollment…growth in the number of academic programs…and growth in the impact that this campus makes on the region. This facility is a symbol of that growth. It represents Arkansas Tech’s commitment to serve our industry partners and our students. It represents our commitment to focus on the employment needs of this region. “Dr. Bowen likes to say we need good everything,” continued Whiteside. “She’s right. That is why Arkansas Tech is dedicated to student success, regardless of whether the student happens to attend classes in Russellville, in Ozark, at Arkansas Tech Career Center in Russellville, at one

of our satellite locations or online. Every student is important at Arkansas Tech.”

BASHAW PREPARES FOR NEXT CHAPTER AFTER SIX YEARS AT ARKANSAS TECH

The Arkansas Tech University Board of Trustees accepted the resignation of Dr. Ed Bashaw as dean of the Arkansas Tech College of Business during its meeting on Thursday, March 17. Bashaw, who will continue to serve as dean through May 31, 2016, will become dean of the Emporia State University (Kan.) School of Business in June 2016. “I’m proud of the programmatic advances and the enrollment growth we have experienced in the College of Business,” said Bashaw, “but what I’ll remember most are the individuals we were able to help persist to graduation in the face of adversity. We’ve increased the professionalism of our students and their campus engagement. Our students are more satisfied, and the positive outcomes for graduates have increased.” Among the programs developed in the Arkansas Tech College of Business during Bashaw’s six-year tenure were the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in business data analytics, the first graduate degree in business at Arkansas Tech and minors in entrepreneurship and business data analytics. The Arkansas Tech College of Business also developed an Office of Student Engagement, Dean’s Leadership Class, accounting labs and the High School

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Business Challenge during Bashaw’s tenure as dean. In 2015, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) announced that the Arkansas Tech College of Business extended its AACSB International accreditation for an additional five-year period until the next scheduled review during the 2019-20 academic year. “We extend our appreciation to Dr. Bashaw for his many efforts on behalf of the students, faculty and staff in the Arkansas Tech College of Business,” said Dr. AJ Anglin, interim vice president for academic affairs. “We wish him the best in his future endeavors, and we look forward to a bright future for the Arkansas Tech College of Business.” >>

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Home Care is still here for you and the ones you love. With the recent changes in our state’s home care offerings, there may be some confusion about your options. One thing remains clear, you can still receive quality in-home care for you or the ones you love.

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Arkansas Tech is engaged in a search for the next dean of its College of Business. It is anticipated that individual will take office on July 1, 2016.

JOIN ARKANSAS HOSPICE FOR 2ND ANNUAL SATURDAY’S FAIR ON APRIL 16

Saturday’s Fair, a special Arkansas Hospice event with the atmosphere of a county fair, is set to return for a second year this spring. The family oriented fundraiser will be on Saturday, April 16 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Hughes Community Center located at 1000 East Parkway Dr. in Russellville. Rain or shine, Saturday’s Fair will feature food trucks, entertainment, games, prizes and Johnny Story as master of ceremonies. Plus, weather permitting, there will be a visit from Tusk, the Arkansas Razorbacks’ mascot. Proceeds will benefit the Arkansas Hospice River Valley Home, a stateof-the-art, eight-bed inpatient center

in Russellville that cares for seriously ill patients and their families as they experience one of the most critical times in their lives. Admission can be paid for at the door and will be $5 per person with free admission for children 10 and under. Be sure to bring extra cash for the games and lunch at the food trucks. Those who are unable to attend but would like to make a donation to Arkansas Hospice, which is a not-for-profit organization, may do so by visiting www.arkansashospice.org or by calling (toll-free) 877-713-2348 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information on Saturday’s Fair, please visit www.arkansashospice.org or call 479-498-2050.

NEW SYMPHONY GUILD OFFICERS

At the March board meeting, the Russellville Symphony Guild voted on their new officers. Mary Davis, President; Kathy Westmoreland, Vice President;

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ APRIL 2016

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Gretchen Douthit, Secretary; Judy Murphy, Treasurer; Paula Stamps, Publicity; Patty McCutchen, Historian. The next event the Symphony Guild will present will be on April 16, when the Arkansas Symphony will perform at Witherspoon Auditorium at ATU. The concert begins at 8 p.m. with conductor Philip Mann.

ARKANSASGIVES ON APRIL 7

Arkansans have a heart for giving. On April 7, 2016, let’s join together to grow the love for our state’s nonprofit organizations. Between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., we’re challenging all Arkansans to give to the charities of their choice. During this one-day event, each donation you give will help your favorite nonprofit organizations qualify for additional bonus dollars from Arkansas Community Foundation. All participating nonprofits will receive a portion of a pool of bonus dollars provided by Arkansas Community Foundation — the more a nonprofit raises, the more bonus dollars it will receive. Dozens of Arkansas charities will participate, and you can choose to give to the causes that mean the most to you. Imagine the impact of our entire state giving together. ArkansasGives is one day, one easy way to make your charitable dollars stretch farther and shower your favorite nonprofits with support. Good things are happening in Arkansas, and you can help the good grow.

Go to www.arkansasgives.org to learn more.

EXCITING CHANGES FOR 16TH ANNUAL RUMMAGE ‘ROUND THE RAILS

The 16th annual Rummage ‘Round the Rails will be held at the Russellville Depot from 1 – 7 p.m. on Friday, May 20 and from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 21. This is one of the largest and longest running rummage sales in Pope County. Vendor booths will be located at and around Russellville’s historic train depot. Shoppers can expect to choose from a wide variety of antique, vintage and repurposed items including household goods, furniture, jewelry, art, handcrafted items, books, clothing and collectibles. To add to the excitement of this twoday market, bands will be showcased throughout both days at the new Depot Park stage and food trucks will provide menu choices to satisfy any appetite! The cost for the two-day event is $5 for adults, and the first 100 entrants will receive a free Russellville Downtown tote bag. There will be no charge for children under the age of twelve. Vendor applications and additional information is available by contacting Main Street Russellville, 320 W. ‘C’ St., 479-967-1437, msrsvl@centurytel.net. Proceeds from this event help fund Main Street Russellville, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the revitalization and development of the historic heart of the city. l

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APRIL 2016 ~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

Meeting the Need Story by EMILY LANGFORD | Photography by LIZ CHRISMAN

THE PRESSURE TO FIT IN, GRADES TO MAINTAIN, SOCIETAL STANDARDS, CYBERBULLYING… being a student in today’s world is no easy task, even more so when you are not sure where your next meal will come from or if you will even have one. For roughly 3,000 school age kids in Pope County, food insecurity is a daunting reality and burden faced each day. Those 3,000 kids add up to a local statistic of nearly 28 percent, approximately 7 percent higher than the national average of 21 percent. With startling numbers like that, it is safe to say that the responsibility of alleviating child hunger in Pope County is a shared one. In the summer of 2014, vision, passion, and compassion in the heart of a purpose-driven woman led to bright beginnings and putting a dent in a very real problem. Kristin Foster, cofounder and director of River Valley Food 4 Kids (RVF4K), took a lifelong dream of helping feed people along with experience volunteering in her church’s food pantry, and launched it into a career and calling in her very own non-profit. “A lady I worked with at the food pantry at my church was talking about what kids on the Backpack Program would do after school let out. I started looking into what was out there and could not find much. Only small programs serving 30-50 kids. But we have 1,000 kids in Russellville alone who rely on the Backpack Program,” said Foster.

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ APRIL 2016

Their recognition of a gap in the system planted a seed that became the future of RVF4K. Not long after that, Foster began identifying churches in the community that she knew were interested in hunger relief, had food pantries, and were already participating in similar efforts so that she could gather them and share a vision. “In my mind, I was hoping to do weekend backpacks for the kids at the Boys & Girls Club, which was around 50-80 kids. But once we got everyone together we realized we could do way more than originally planned. We could do a whole week,” recalled Foster. Foster and her team fed 120 kids two meals a day for that entire summer, totaling around 32,000 meals by the time school resumed. They were able to achieve such impressive numbers by working with a summer enrichment plan implemented by the school district for kindergarten through fourth grade. “Used to, Rice Depot served the backpack program for this area, and over the last couple of years they have pulled out of the area. Starting this year, they will no longer be serving Pope County. When schools were informed that Rice Depot was no longer going to be available, one of the counselors I go to church with called me and said if they don’t have Rice Depot they will have to shut it down due to a lack of time to collect food and budget to purchase food with on their own,” said Foster. >>

APRIL 2016 ~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

With such a large win under their belt, RVF4K has continued to make mighty strides. They now service about 1,200 children in the Russellville, Atkins, Pottsville and Dover school districts. Last Christmas break alone they were able to distribute food to 989 kids in four hours at the Pope County Fairgrounds. “When I went to shop for food I planned for 1,000 thinking there was no way that many would show up. But the need is so great that if I had cut food down we would have run out. It is overwhelming how desperate the need is. Kids are on break during these

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ APRIL 2016

times and it becomes difficult for some of them to get food,” said Foster. Student selection and criteria most often falls to school counselors who can identify students struggling with hunger while some send the information out to all students. “My husband is a teacher, and many times a child who is not getting enough to eat will constantly ask teachers if they have any snacks,” explained Foster. In most cases, recipients fall into one of two categories: the child is being fed at home, but the food is low in nutrients causing the student to be unable to stay

full. Or a student is only being fed at school, leaving large spaces of time where the student does not have access to food. Foster identified several effects of food insecurity, a few being behavioral and discipline problems, generational poverty and poor grades. “Some of these kids are so focused on being hungry that cannot focus on anything else,” Foster added. While for some families any assistance at all might be appreciated, RVF4K is taking steps to begin pursuing foods that are natural and rich in nutrients. “During the school year we will do something like oatmeal, soup, a fruit or veggie, and a snack for each day. In the summer we offer boxes of cereal, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, fruits, vegetables, milk, and we are working on having frozen meat instead of canned meat as well as having less processed foods. Whole, natural foods are needed for development,” said Foster. Foster firmly believes that the idea of low-income and laziness going together is a severe misconception with assistance programs. “There are always people who give something a bad name for everyone, but the majority of parents whose kids receive help are working more than one job, or in other cases, a child is living with a grandparent who did not expect to be raising a kid at their age.” When you hear of all that the 2-yearold organization has accomplished you could easily imagine there is a great team behind it, and there is. Foster works with 180 volunteers throughout the year and a board of directors made of 12 people in the community. “I love what I am doing so it

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makes it easy to make it a priority. Also, this is not a one man show. The volunteers and board of directors put in a lot of work.” “I joke about being glad God kept how big this would grow a secret. I think if I had known in the beginning I would have told him I am not the girl, that I could not handle it. But we have the most generous, supportive and amazing community. Every time we have a need it is met,” said Foster. RVF4K is completely funded by donations and child sponsorships — a child can be fed for an entire year on just a $100 sponsorship. Foster has been overcome with the willingness of the community to pitch in and help. “The first year we needed to raise $15,000 to do the program, and we thought it would be so hard. We raised $30,000 pretty much overnight. By working with the Arkansas Food Bank, Arvac and Cash Savers, we are able to making everything cost effective.”

Monetary donations have not been the only thing given by the community, also time and even real estate. Athletes from Arkansas Tech University have helped unload delivery trucks and Russellville School District donated a space in the old Gardner Jr. High building to be used. The future of this organization is projected to be as fruitful and incredible as the past. Foster plans on adding educational aspects to the program, sharing information with kids on exercising and eating right, fun activities and encouraging them to be active during school breaks. If you are interested in volunteering, learning more about RVF4K, or you or someone you know needs to speak with someone about getting assistance with food, you can visit www. rivervalleyfood4kids.org, call 479-2231544, email rivervalleyfood4kids@gmail. com or like their Facebook page. l

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ APRIL 2016

APRIL 2016 ~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

COMMUNITY COMMERCE

ABOUT...the River Valley

Pediatrics Plus 301 N. Sidney Ave. Russellville, AR (479) 890-5494

Pediatrics Plus Story and Photos by Sierra Murphy

The reception desk sits low to the ground and personnel wear civilian garb instead of scrubs. Several Arkansas Tech University students are seen walking kids to and from recovery rooms, passing artwork strung up with string or simply taped to the wall. A striking combination of physical therapy meets jungle gym, this medical preschool has been servicing River Valley children with a wide variety of development needs since 2002. Pediatrics Plus, since its birth, has expanded to four locations in the River Valley. Their mission: service children who have a need. “From the top administration down, it’s a kids first mentality,” said Reesha Davis, clinical therapy director for the Russellville branch. The Russellville location opened in 2006 but moved down the street and a few blocks over in 2014. Pediatrics Plus (Pedes Plus) also has branches in North Little Rock and Conway, all of which are outfitted with physical, speech and occupational therapists. The new Russellville location, located at 301 North Sidney Ave, has a medical preschool and outpatient center equipped to handle the needs of children in the River Valley. A medical preschool may sound like it’s covered in chrome and antiseptic, but it’s quite the opposite. The classrooms are outfitted to meet the needs of the children. For example, a child with autism needs a strict schedule and few distractions. In a classroom for autistic children you will see daily schedules, a sheet covering a bookshelf and little 40

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ APRIL 2016

artwork on the walls. In contrast, the nursery is outfitted with toys that shine and spin, and dancing sheep across the cupboards. In the nursery, coaches are teaching children to eat, and in some cases use underdeveloped mouth muscles. In the autistic classroom, coaches are working on getting children to focus solely on the instructor. Pedes Plus uses a spectrum scale to diagnose and treat patients. “If a child qualifies for two or more disabilities they qualify for preschool,”said BJ Arnold, preschool director

for the Russellville location. “A child has to be moderate or worse to receive services.” The diagnoses (called developmental needs) can be physical, genetic or cognitive, and often develop at birth. Examples include autism, seizure disorders and impaired muscle movement. With the addition of sensory areas and motor gyms, Pedes Plus is better able to fulfill their mission of transitioning kids with the power of play. “The sooner they get in [to the program], the better off they are long term,” Davis said. Davis went on to say that her personal research has shown that children who receive the medical attention they need early on have improved mobile and social skills. These skills are crucial for children who “age out” of the medical preschool and move into a kindergarten classroom. Classroom goals include getting a child perfectly assimilated to a normal classroom.

Pedes Plus classrooms currently staff 40 full-time teachers, 10 part-time teachers and 23 therapists. “We’re very collaborative here,” said Arnold. That collaboration bleeds into its clinic — the on-site, outpatient clinic services children from newborn up to age 21. Besides onsite options, Pedes Plus has an outreach program called Community Connections. As the nonprofit branch of Pedes Plus, it’s responsible for organizing extracurricular activities for any child with delays and disabilities, and not just the ones affiliated with Pedes Plus. “Our mission is to provide quality, free programs,” said Courtney Leach, executive director of Community Connections. “We do them all in the community.” Leach works with local organizations to house and provide activities for children with needs. In Russellville alone, Community Connections

works with the River Valley Art Center, Russellville High School and Russellville First Assembly of God. “We believe all children deserve the opportunity to participate in sports and arts,” Leach said. All events operate around a semester-like schedule. Spring events are expected to finish at the end of May and will begin again this fall. While many programs are available in Little Rock and Conway, Arnold and Davis hope more programs become available to children here in Russellville. “The goal, no matter the level of ability, is so the child can be involved in the community,” Davis said. Families interested in volunteering, supporting or signing up their child for involvement are encouraged to visit communityconnections.ar.org. Families interested in more information about Pedes Plus are encouraged to visit pediatricsplus. com or call 479-890-5494. l

www.lizchrisman.com APRIL 2016 ~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

BACKYARD LIVING

ABOUT...the River Valley

The Possibilities are Endless By Jill McSheehy

“Mom, look! That’s the red carrot!” Alyssa’s eyes widened. “There’s a black carrot, too, and purple… oh! And here’s a yellow one!” My 5-year-old put down the seed catalog long enough to grab a pen. Studying each page meticulously, she circled varieties that caught her eye. She did make it clear she wasn’t promising to eat them, just grow them. I had perused the slick pages of this full-color, feast-for-theeyes catalog just a few days before, marveling at the rainbow on every page. Heirloom fruit and vegetables in all shapes, sizes and colors begged to be chosen, like toys in the Sears Christmas Catalog. Did you know that tomatoes come in orange, yellow, pink, purple, black, blue, white, and multi-colored along with the traditional red? Have you heard of strawberry spinach? Or a melon pear? Like most people, I’m familiar with the basic fruit and vegetables in the produce section of Kroger. I had no idea, until I scanned these pages, what I might be missing.

Read more from Jill at www.journeywithjill.net

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ APRIL 2016

You see, the produce we purchase at the grocery store has been chosen due to its ability to be shipped, resistance to disease and length of time it stays fresh. And don’t get me wrong. In January and February, I’m grateful for the produce section when my garden lies fallow. But in seeing all the possibilities I decided I want to try a foray into the unknown fruit and vegetable world. I’m going to try to grow this variety of red carrot, a staple for the poor subsistence farmers in India. (Yes, most of these unique crops have a story!). I’m also trying melon pears, alpine strawberries that produce all summer, and peppers that will be ground into homemade chili powder and paprika. You see, the home garden has endless possibilities the produce section simply does not. In our Standard American Diet -- also known in the health food world as S.A.D. -- we grow accustomed to processed foods. In the process, we lose our ability to taste a variety of complex flavors. We miss the wonder of taste-testing several colors of tomatoes off the vine and trying to decipher the differences between them. On a molecular level, we miss the balanced diet that a variety of multicolored vegetables provide. Did you know that the color of a vegetable will tip you off to its nutrient content? The possibilities are endless. The idea of growing untested varieties does seem daunting. But just as Rome wasn’t built in a day, neither is a multi-flavored heirloom garden. Start small. Choose one crazy crop to begin with, and see how it goes. While I didn’t choose the purple tomato, I did order the pink Amish Paste tomato and the one-pound red Hungarian Heart. And in a few months, I’ll let you know how my red carrots and melon pears turned out. l

WITH SINCERE THANKS CROWN CIRCLE $3500+ ABOUT...the River Valley Magazine Convergence TechnologiesBrian and Jessica Cox Dr. Carmella Knoernschild Dr. David Murphy Dr. Michael and Paulette Cooper First State Bank/ Charles and Cynthia Blanchard Furniture Factory Outlet/ Jay and Julie Peters Lee Ann’s Fine Jewelry The Courier Todd Sweeden

BENEFACTOR $2000-$3499 Bank of the Ozarks Brad and Kristy Allen Cogswell Motors Dr. Eric Magill Larry Roberts Now & Later Lawns Portraits by Melanie Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center and Millard Henry Clinic Shoptaw, Labahn & Company, P.A.

SPONSORS $1000-$1999 Asurion Blackstone Construction Blue Willow Catering Diamond Bank - Philip Gray Joshua’s Fine Jewelry Kathleen and Rusty Stingley Mike and Teresa Wilkins Phil Wright Autoplex RAMCO Environmental Regions Bank Representative Ken and Vickie Henderson Sorrell’s Body Shop Todd Barnett Construction

FRIENDS $500-$999

Allstate- Amber Smith Agency BJ’s Home Improvement/ BJ Burns Cassity Hogins Duffield Gravel Feltner’s Athletes Corner Ferne Shinn Anderson Flowers, Etc. Jacqueline Gardner Jennifer Goodman Photography Leaning Willow Mike and Debbie Bell Millyn’s Omega Solutions Pam and Dan Fouts Parkway Dental

River Valley Home Theater and Alarm Russellville Radiology Russellville Steel Simmons Bank Streett Law Firm Taber Extrusions, Inc. Tangles Salon

SUPPORTERS $100-$499

A Conversation Piece Amber Casey Photography Annette and Bert Mullens Arkansas Tech University Ashley Bryan Photography Back 2 Basics Fitness Center Beacon Tire, Inc. Belk of Russellville Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Berginske Electric Bill and Milly Chevaillier Bill and Suzanne Harmon Bizzy Bee Quilts Blue Chip Ice Bob and LeighAnn Veach Brown’s Catfish Burris, Inc. Camille Blackshire Carol and Harold Barr Central Rental & Supply Claire and B.J. Dunn- In honor of Lou Adams Cliff and Sara Lou Goodin ConsignMINT Dale and Janice James Donna Kennamore, Executive Consultant with Rodan and Fields Dr. and Mrs. Chris Stinnett Dr. and Mrs. Stanley Teeter Dr. Bruce Brown Dr. Hugh and Mary Silkensen Dr. Tom and Linda Tyler Dunn Callin Dwight Elementary Faculty Ed and Vickie Stingley: In honor of ‘Our Grandchildren’ Fat Daddy’s BBQ Faye Abernathy: In honor of Cindra Roberson Gaye & Bucky Croom Georgia Carpet Mills Go Caddy Golf Golden Boy Gordon Investment Group, Wells Fargo Gretchen Douthit Happy Jumpers Hardgrave Photography Hernandez Cleaning Hindsman Tires Houston Llew Howard and Becky Ritchie Jamie and Beth Sorrells

Jim and Chloe Lieblong Judy Murphy Kansas City Royals Kathy and Bill Smith Ken and Kellie Coker Larry and Jalia Lingle Lavish Lefler’s Lieblong Eye Clinic Liz Chrisman Photography Loraine and Dolph Massey Mary Lu Garrett Mary’s Kitchen Matilda Jane Clothing, Heather Ramsey, Trunk Keeper #568 Matt Cooper Agency, Inc. Matt McCoy, State Farm MJ Photography Mr. and Mrs. Donovan Sims Mr. and Mrs. Gary King Mr. and Mrs. Harold Humphrey Mr. Harvey Young: In memory of Claire M. Young Mullen Team Sports Newton Tire Nikki Stroud Pam’s Shoes PDQ Super Convenience Stores Pete and Nancy Grant Post Winery PriMerica, Gary and Pam Huggins Quick Service Cleaners Quizno’s R.D. and Johnna Walker Rick Medina’s Tried & True Tattoo Co. River Town Bank River Valley Arts Center River Valley Martial Arts River Valley Realty Robert and Annette Holeyfield Robert and Kay Roberts Ronald and Joanne Ownbey Ronnie and Susan Duffield Rosalind and Garr Barron Rose Drug Roy & Troylynn McSpadden: In honor of Clara, Chloie, Anna Kay and Mac McSpadden Russellville Cyclone Cheerleaders Russellville Family Dentistry Russellville School District Russvegas Foot Races Salon 121 - Lelan TinkerDale Sarah Keathley Serenity Yoga The Sign Hub, LLC

Small Town Girl Space World & Moving Center Stephen Killingsworth Sudy’s Taco John’s TGIC’s Tena’s Gymnastics & Cheerleading The Beach Shack The Cake Place The Other Foot & More Toni Bachman Tried and True Tattoos Vspa MedSpa West Main Donuts

CONTRIBUTORS $1-$99

A Perfect Image Al and Donna Harpenau Al’s Gourmet Cheesecake Amy Ford Amy Whitlow Andrea Pitts, Mary Kay Consultant Arkansas Arts Center Arkansas Tech University Spirit Squad Arkansas Travelers Arka Valley Liquor Ashley Bryan Bentley Plastics Blue Hoot Boutique Boss Jewelry Brick Oven Pizza Buster Smith at A Conversation Piece C and D Drug Store - Lunch Counter Cameo Hair Salon Carmen Stump Chamberlyne Country Club Chrissy Clayton CJ’s Butcher Boy Burgers Colonial Flowers Dairy Queen Davis Computer Dixie Café Dr. Douglas Lowrey Firehouse Subs Fletcher Oil Forca Martial Arts and Fitness Formal Affairs Four Dogs Bakery Funky Junky Gifts on Parkway Grace Manufacturing / Microplane Graham Creek Jewelry Harp’s Hourglass Escape Jeanie Turner Jerry and Nancy Burns Jerusha Osorio, LMT JJ’s car detailing

Johnny’s Jules Truly Just Dance KaleidoArt Kathy’s Kandy Kreations Kitchen Essentials Kitchen Krazy Knit 2 Together K’s Junktique La Huerta La Villa LeeRoy and Sharlot Robinson Leonard’s Hardware Let’s Celebrate Make Up by Yomira McAlister’s Merle Norman Cosmetics of Russellville Microplane USA Miracle Spa Museum of Discovery Nails by Hannah Nut Hatch Stitch Markers and Jewelry Officer Drew Latch Paint with Lane Papa Murphy’s Pasta Grill Peaceable Kingdom Penny University Coffee Company Pottery Worx Razorback Tanning and More Red Box Riggs Cat Salon 121- Holly Petty Salon 121- Lee McBride Sara Gordon Sherri Fusaro, Pure Haven Essentials Smokehouse Deli Stephanie Anderson, Tupperware Manager Sue Stallings Sumo Susan Newton, In Honor of Chloe Lieblong Taco Villa Tarascos The Dandy Lion by Julie Meimorstorf The Wall Tini Sky Nails Tonya Gosnell Tractor Supply Tropical Smoothie Venezias Wal-Mart Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market Whattaburger

Aaron Wojtkowski Amy Tarpley Beverly Hooten Christa Kimbrough Cynthia Blanchard Debra Choate Gina Skelton Jennifer Saxton Joan Caughman Johnna Walker Julie Morgan Kristi Lamoreux Kristin Murdoch LeeAnna Richardson Lynne Chronister Mary Anderson Michelle Purtle Rachel Hardester Sandy Huie Sheri Streety Suzy Griffin Tonia Adkins Virginia Berner Boys and Girls Club of Russellville Camille Blackshire Cartha Canada Chris Zimmerman Debra Choate: JA Life & Associate Members providing lunch on work day Delta Zeta Feltner’s Athletes Corner Jennifer Samuels Jerry, the ATU dog Joe Mack’s Beach Shack Judge Jim Ed Gibson (use of generator) Lavish Lee Green Leonard’s Hardware Lyle Manning Max Hester Nancy Canerday Oakland Heights Elementary Officer Drew Latch Posey Printing Ragena Moore Russellville Country Club Russellville School District & Chris Campbell Sigma Phi Fraternity The Dance Foundation

SECURITY

Lt. Dain Yarbrough Lt. Scott Moore Investigator Erick Riggs Robert Dowling

ACKNOWLEGEMENTS

Life & Associate Members Helping with Work Day Lunch APRIL 2016 ~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

OUTDOORS

ABOUT...the River Valley

Something New yet Familiar Story and photo by Johnny Carrol Sain

I did not know any fly anglers while growing up here, in the River Valley region of Arkansas. I read about them in

the pages of Field & Stream and Sports Afield.

I read advice from this guy named Lefty and another fellow named Wulff, but my fishing heroes drove fiberglass boats and threw the patently pagan Texas-rigged scuppernong Jelly Worm as opposed to the cultured and elegant sounding Royal Coachman. Pretty sure you would have been laughed out of the Walmart fishing aisles if you even mentioned Royal Coachman or impressionistic flies or nymphing (which, if you know anything about Greek mythology, sounds a lot like what we were trying to do as teenagers cruising the town). Fishing tactics in cracker culture are pretty crude and utilitarian. They involve casting, flipping or pitching hunks of plastic, or gobbing live bait on a hook. Sometimes we don’t need a rod and reel and we let trotlines hold the bait while we sit around a fire. And sometimes we don’t use bait. We’ve snagged a lot of fish with 7/0 treble hooks, and shot a lot of fish with bows and arrows. Though I never participated, my dad often talked about late winter sucker gigging in the Ozark

Read more from Johnny at www.aviewfromthebackroads.com 44

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ APRIL 2016

streams of his youth. All of these tactics are about maximum yield of fish flesh. Like I said, utilitarian. Style, beyond the live bait vs. artificial discussion, weren’t part of the equation. But ideas of a more sophisticated way to catch a fish sprang from reading about those fly fisherman (there were no fly fisherwomen that I was aware of at the time) and one day, when I was about twelve, I bought some poppers — a basscatching redneck type of fly. There was a yellow popper and a red and white popper in the package, and I remember that the yellow one looked close enough to a midsummer grasshopper that I thought it would fool the little bass in my grandparent’s pond. So that afternoon I tied it on, a difficult task with 17-poundtest monofilament, and recalled the words of Lefty and Lee. I stripped line from my Shimano baitcaster, whipping the five-and-a-half foot heavy action bass rod back and forth, working the coils of line and reaching a bit further toward the middle of the pond with each false cast until finally the yellow popper rested on brown water. The ripples faded. I gave a little tug and “bloop” a feisty bluegill smashed the popper and gave a futile fight as I winched it in from 10 feet. It measured about five inches long but stands as my first catch on a fly. Actually, that little bluegill stood as my only catch on a fly for three decades. In the years since youth, my taste in angling has veered toward refinement. Though I will still sit on the river sandbar soaking dead minnows on a hook, most fishing time and effort is focused on smallmouth bass. Spinning tackle has been the equipment of choice, and lure selection is your standard largemouth lures in miniature: four-inch plastic worms, tiny crankbaits and 1/8 ounce rubber-legged jigs tipped with pork rind. But finally the circle is complete. There’s a fly rod and reel on in my hands now. Heck, I’ve already added to my tally of fly-caught fish with some bluegill and small bass from my buddy’s pond earlier this year. I’ve been learning the craft for a

“Just casting the fly rod is a joy. In the loading and casting of a fly rod there is something more than mechanics of the action, something more than physics.” few months now and in the process opened what my wife suspects to be another Pandora’s box of outdoor obsession. Just casting the fly rod is a joy. In the loading and casting of a fly rod there is something more than mechanics of the action, something more than physics. I don’t know exactly what that something is, but like other skills that require a blend of refined technique and rhythm, there is a distinct feeling when you get it right. The best analogy is shooting a basketball and shooting a bow instinctively. You know you’ve made a good shot the moment the ball leaves your fingertips or the arrow leaves the string because it feels good. Likewise, I knew the loop was tight and the line

would lay down a gentle path for leader and fly to follow when my left hand was simply conduit and my right hand a metronome. In those perfect moments, cord swooshed through guides and it all felt good. It felt right. The spring largemouths and bluegill will do for now, but I’m dreaming of summer afternoons waist deep in a cool smallmouth creek — cicadas buzzing, dragonflies patrolling and creekside weeds heavy with grasshoppers. I’ll be looking for the bronze flash as a hapless hopper misjudges his flight and falls to the water. With the help of another yellow popper and a smile from the river gods maybe I can add another fish or two to my fly angling tally. l

Dwane Ahrens, Manager Shop: 479-968-9732 • Fax: 479-968-0821 Dwane@advancedcollisionsolutions.com 2731 S. Arkansas Ave., Russellville, AR 72802

Thank You River Valley for letting us Serve You for the past 10 Years!

APRIL 2016 ~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

On a Personal Note Are you With Me? Guest written by John-Paul Davis

In three short years we have grown from 1,200 participants with around 2,000 total attendance to over 3,000 participants and somewhere around 8,000 total attendance for the twoday event. Not to mention giving Arkansas Children’s Hospital $60,000 in the process.

As a move-in from Oklahoma and kindergarten student at Dwight Elementary, I quickly experienced the richness of diversity and talent in Russellville. However, the first memories I have of events in Russellville revolve around Cyclone sporting events. Even as a boy, I can remember the energy reverberating from a standing-room-only gym or when the RHS band sounded off on Friday nights. While it is hard to top “Welcome to the Jungle” blasting, cheerleaders throwing out little red sport balls, or the seriousness of the kids cup ball and touch football games that inevitably turned full contact, there was always one thing that literally stopped me in my tracks. I really didn’t know what was going on at first, but I knew it was important. I had heard it was a tradition. I leaned in to listen. I went to my tip-toes to see. I started to wait for it, anticipate it. Sometimes it was consistent, but others times it came out of nowhere. I learned, there was always a sudden burst of silence, a huddle of the big kids in their own section, and then it happened. A lone voice came booming with absolute passion: “CYCLONES! ARE YOU WITH ME?” The beginning solo sparked an intense response in the teenage choir of painted faces and decorated T-shirts, “H%*L yeah V-I-C-T-O-R-Y that’s our Cyclone battle cry!” The adults seemingly ignored it because they could not give an open endorsement while simultaneously smirking with pride because they had been there before and they supported the fortitude and character it expressed. Regardless, for a young boy it was mesmerizing. Well, River Valley — ARE YOU WITH ME? The RussVegas Half Marathon, benefiting Arkansas Children’s Hospital, is coming to the streets of Russellville once again on April 22 and 23. If you haven’t heard about or experienced RussVegas festivities, you are missing out. It has proven to be a keynote event to show off our community’s special mixture of small-town hospitality and big-event flare. In three short years we have grown from 1,200 participants with around 2,000 total attendance

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ APRIL 2016

to over 3,000 participants and somewhere around 8,000 total attendance for the two-day event. Not to mention giving Arkansas Children’s Hospital $60,000 in the process. On Friday night, historic Downtown Russellville is flooded with participants, spectators, and local volunteers to pull off a Kids Mile, 5k Glow Run, expo, and live entertainment. Last year we entertained an estimated 4,000 people on Friday night alone. However, Saturday morning is the main event, when 2,000 participants will challenge themselves to run 13.1 miles through the streets of Russellville. The streets will be lined with over 20 Spirit Stations where local businesses play music and encourage runners. Five live bands will be playing in different places on the course. Intersections, driveways, and front porches will be filled with people in their camp chairs cheering on racers. After living in Russellville for 32 years, I’m not sure I’ve experienced anything like the RussVegas Half Marathon for our town. We are proud to represent Russellville by being organized, professional, and progressive. We are honored to have the support of multiple city departments, businesses, and citizens. We are excited to see what the future holds for Russellville as a marquee location for these types of events. But most of all, we are not satisfied because we still see so much on the horizon. We see opportunity as runners and spectators look at our schools, businesses, and neighborhoods. I wonder who might be contemplating moving their family or business to our town? We see impact as the crowds take over local stores, restaurants, and hotels. What changes would the local economy experience if we can double the size of our race? We see expansion as we hear the stories from runners traveling from 22 different states and it’s hard not to dream. What else can this little race do? Who knows what the future holds for RussVegas Half Marathon but we are excited to find out and we want you, the citizens of River Valley, to know how grateful we are for you. Great races happen in great places. Thank you for being great! Look for more interesting features and tidbits in "On a Personal Note" each month in future issues of ABOUT...the River Valley. You'll find short stories, interesting pieces and other great reads from people you know, or would like to know from around the River Valley.

ENGAGEMENTS

ABOUT...the River Valley

Save the Date!

Calendar listings of engagement, wedding and anniversary announcements on the pages of each issue of ABOUTâ&#x20AC;Śthe River Valley are available at no charge. They may be mailed to: ABOUT Magazine, P.O. Box 10176, Russellville AR 72812 or sent via email to: editor@aboutrvmag.com. (A phone number must be included for verification.)

April 2

June 4

Caroline Beavers & Chandler Tedder

Hannah Limbocker & Logan Taylor

April 16

Sydney Sulcer & Chris Welk Katie Crow & Brandon Goates

Caitlin Miller & Alex Cravens

Alex Hughes & Michael Killingsworth

May 14

June 11

Mercedes Roush & Ryan Most

May 21 Erin Grice & Cory Putman Julie Paladino & Braden Vaughn

May 22

Emily Callaway & Alex Enderlin

June 18

Maegan Burris and Andrew Pollack Katie Hall & John Hoyt Atalie Knight & Eric Sessions Laura Ridgeway & Niall Blasdel

June 25

Photo by Benita's Photography

Morgan Austin & Tyler Balloun

July 23

Lakyn George & Tyler Collins

Jenna Spikes & Gabe Barnhart

Courtney Hurlbut & Matt Hudson

July 9

November 19

Candace Scott & Jonathan Robinson

Kaci Jackson & Luke Posey

Laura Byrum & Britt Sory

Allauna Frederick & Brady Boone

May 28

To have your engagement or wedding published in a future issue of ABOUT Magazine, send your information, photo* and a check for $57.50 to: ABOUT Magazine, PO Box 10176, Russellville AR 72812, or visit www.aboutrvmag.com/forms.html. Word count is limited to 225 words. Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding publication. For additional information, call (479) 857-6791. *Digital files are accepted and will be published upon receipt of payment.

Craig Morgan in t! Live on C cer

April 30th â&#x20AC;˘ 7:00 PM

The Center for the Arts, Russellville

www.craigmorgantickets.com (479) 304-7777 APRIL 2016 ~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

Saint Mary’s Cardiology & Vascular Services team (left to right): Drs. Shuja Rasool, Dai-Yuan Wang, Sastry Prayaga, and Ravishankar Kalaga.

FOUR BOARD-CERTIFIED CARDIOLOGISTS, TWO STATE-OF-THE-ART CATH LABS, ALL HERE FOR ONE HEART — YOURS. Time is muscle. If you or a loved one experience a heart attack, you must act fast. Experts agree the emergency treatment called angioplasty can be crucial to saving your life. And where you are taken when you have a heart attack matters, because the longer a person waits for this procedure, the more heart tissue dies. Thankfully, Saint Mary’s is just minutes away. Saint Mary’s is equipped with two premiere cardiac catheterization labs, ready for emergency angioplasty, should you need one. The treatment is one of many remarkable cardiovascular services performed every day by our exceptional team of board-certified interventional and invasive cardiology specialists. To schedule an appointment with one of our leading cardiologists, call:

479-968-4311 Caring for the heart of the River Valley.

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ APRIL 2016