ABOUT | December 2010 by ABOUT the River Valley Magazine

Winter Wonderland Debuts

May the season leave you rich with joyful memories.

mylibertybank.com MEMBER FDIC

December 2010

table of

contents

8 Russellville Plans Magical Winter Wonderland

18 18

Gifts from Mother Nature

Clarity in Clean, Clear Water

Wild About Art

Assistant Professor Neal Harrington is a man who really loves his job. A printmaker and instructor for the Art Department at Arkansas Tech University, Harrington is the Director of the Norman Hall Art Gallery; “the best kept secret in the River Valley.”

Therapeutic Foster Care

To Have and To Hold

ABOUTour Cover Photo by Steve Newby

The River Valley will become an even brighter

32 30

Fabulous Fall Fest

Giving the Gift of Time

Tech ‘Discovers Sicily’

Local watchmaker Richard Minick fondly remembers the Christmas when he presented a special gift to his father. Inside the package was a vintage Gruen watch the elder Minick had purchased in Anchorage, Alaska, in the 1950s.

Our Associates Melanie Conley

ad ve r tis in g

479.858.2708

Vonna

Marpel

ad ve r tis ing

479.970.4263

spot on the state map as the inaugural Winter Wonderland Drive-Through Light Display

continues through Dec. 26 at Pleasant View

Park. A project of the Russellville Advertising and Promotions Commission and local

Connie

Steve

Las Schneider

Newby

w r ite r

ph o to g r a phy

479.497.1110

479.880.1006

businesses, the first-ever local holiday drivethrough light display opened Nov. 27. Cost is $5 per vehicle. For dates, directions and additional information, please see page 8.

Cliff

Zimmerman

il l u s tr a to r

l ayo u t/ d e s ig n

479.890.3630

4 | ABOUT...the River Valley

Chris

Thomas

479.264.2438

November 2010

At the

Holiday Season, our thoughts turn gratefully to those who have made our success possible. It is in this spirit we say... thank you and Best Wishes for the Holidays and a Happy New Year!

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November 2010

Gary Denton

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Experience & Integrity you can trust. 3103 W Main Place, Russellville AR ~ (479) 968-1323 ABOUT...the River Valley | 5

ABOUT the River Valley

A Publication of Silver Platter Productions, Inc Vol. V, Issue 10 – December 2010

OWNERS/EDITOR Nolan and Dianne Edwards editor@aboutrvmag.com

Advertising Sales Melanie Conley

melanie@aboutrvmag.com

Vonna Marpel

vonna@aboutrvmag.com

Graphic Design Chris Zimmerman

zimcreative@aboutrvmag.com

Writers Dianna Qualls

food@aboutrvmag.com

Kechia Bentley kechia@aboutrvmag.com

Tonda Bradley tonda@aboutrvmag.com

Connie Las Schneider connie@aboutrvmag.com

PhotographY Steve Newby stevenewbyphotography@aboutrvmag.com

MaryAnn McCartney photo@aboutrvmag.com

ILLUSTRATION Cliff Thomas 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. Subscriptions are available by sending $20 for one-year (10 issues) to: SPPI/ABOUT Magazine P.O. Box 10176 Russellville AR 72812 Material contained in this issue may not be copied or reproduced without written consent. Inquiries may be made by calling (479) 970-6628.

Office: 417 West Parkway Email: editor@aboutrvmag.com

A PAGE FROM

The Editor’s Notebook

When the holidays arrive each year, I’m reminded of reindeers... well, okay, deer really. While thoughts of Santa’s furry couriers adorn decorations in yards, in homes and on retail shelves, the kind I am drawn to are the real, living breathing ones. And, I’m also partial to the wooden ones that I pull out of storage and position gracefully on my front lawn each Christmas. Unlike many good Southern gals, I was not taken to the ‘deer woods’ as a child. I did not have to accompany my dad, a bird hunter, on an annual trek to deer camp each year. For transplanted Arkansans, this annual event is considered a rite of passage for both boys and girls in many Southern states. Some schools even give students a free pass to miss school for the opening of deer season. I remember eating my first deer meat, at my grandmother’s house in Louisiana. She had been given some barbecued venison and it was quite tasty. I’ve also sampled squirrel dumplings, eaten buffalo meat and tasted fried alligator. (My only ‘possum’ sampling comes in the form of Possum Pie, a local favorite.) My Southern roots run deep -- I’m just not into deer hunting, and thankfully, neither is my husband. If we were, we could stand on our back deck and pick them off as they run the power line right-of-way or cross the highway several times each day. Please don’t misunderstand. If trekking to the deer woods is your family’s ritual, kudos to you for carrying on a Southern tradition. It is simply ‘not my thing.’ Maybe it was watching too many showings of “Bambi” that gave the animals a soft spot in my heart. It has often been said that, if I had grown up in the pioneer days, I would have become a vegetarian or simply starved. That’s probably true. Hunting puts food on the table. I get it. I’m thankful for the hunters of our past, who have kept their families fed because of the bounty that surrounds us. I’m also grateful for the agencies that govern the process. When our daughter Laura married this summer, she knew the opening of deer season would propel her to the ranks of ‘deer widow’ for a few days. Her future mother-in-law had told her before the wedding that she and her own daughter did not go to the deer woods, but instead, enjoyed shopping while the guys were away. So shopping we did, taking advantage of local sales and some pre-Christmas gift purchasing. I chuckled when I heard her compare the amount of all of her weekend purchases to the total of a fine hunting rifle. (Probably best she underestimated that comparison as I’m sure any fine hunting rifle would be more expensive!) I think Daniel’s budget is still to the plus! More laughter ensured later that weekend as I watched that same daughter curl up on the sofa to watch an episode of “River Monsters.” (She picked that over a cabinet full of ‘chick flick’ DVDs.) Having been brought up to enjoy camping and fishing on the state’s most beautiful lakes, and, like her mother, refusing to swim in those same lakes after dark, she was thrilled to see the giant river monsters highlighting the show. This same daughter, now a grown, married woman in her own rite, becomes a dedicated TV viewer during “Shark Week.” Her first visit to Florida in the early 90s as a child resulted in reports up and down the coast of the first shark attacks reported there in years. What did I allow her to watch before we left for the Florida vacation? Jaws. My husband still shakes his head in horror. With the holidays approaching, I’m sure you will recall and cherish those family memories that make each visit with your loved ones special. These times are precious and will carry you through the years to come. Enjoy and cherish every moment you can... even if you find yourself watching a rerun of “Swamp People” over “It’s A Wonderful Life” this Christmas season. Happy Holidays from the ABOUT family. Merry Christmas!

Postmaster: Please send address changes to: SPPI, P.O. Box 10176, Russellville AR 72812.

Dianne Edwards, Editor/Publisher

6 | ABOUT...the River Valley

November 2010

Out and ABOUT

DECEMBER 2010 Su

What’s Happening This Month...

Talk ABOUT...Community As the ABOUT Magazine family continues to grow with loyal readers and advertisers, freelance writers and photographers, so does the illustrative talents of Cliff Thomas and his popular “snow” family. Cliff’s first December illustration a few years ago introduced Mr. Snowman, who enjoyed some down time from his holiday responsibilities to relax while reading a new December issue. Cliff has expanded our Snow family to include Mrs. Snowman and baby “Winter.” In this month’s issue, the family joins together to decorate a Community Christmas tree, spreading holiday cheer and joy to the River Valley. Did you know that Russellville has a ‘Community Christmas tree’ located on the second block of West Main in Downtown Russellville? An official lighting ceremony, held in conjunction with the city’s annual Christmas Parade, kicks off the area’s holiday season. Santa is in attendance, standing by as a Channel 7 celebrity throws the light switch to illuminate the Christmas tree. Santa then assumes his position on November 2010

the fire truck at the end of the parade. Russellville’s parade is thought to be Arkansas’s largest lighted Christmas parade. Coordinated previously by the Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce, the parade was handed off to the Russellville Parks and Recreation Department several years ago. This year’s parade is Thursday, Dec. 2. Business owners have sponsored lights for the Community Christmas tree in years past. Merchants of the Russellville Downtown Association have donated over 2,500 lights to adorn this year’s tree. If you’ve ever watched the official lighting ceremony, either in person or as it is shown during the evening news on Channel 7, it hasn’t always been sparkling and brilliant. It is hoped the additional lights will bring more sparkle and shine. Don’t miss this year’s new Winter Wonderland Drive-Through Christmas display at Pleasant View Park, sponsored by the A&P Commission and local businesses. Let’s show everyone what a ‘bright spot’ we are in the Arkansas River Valley!

Dec. 1-31: Eagle Tours, Call for Exact Days; Lake Dardanelle State Park, 3 p.m. Reservations: 967-5516. Dec. 2: Russellville Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade Dec. 3: Dardanelle Christmas Parade, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3-4: Christmas Gala Arts and Crafts, Hughes Center, Russellville. Dec. 3-4, 10-11, 17-26: Winter Wonderland DriveThrough Christmas Lights Display at Pleasant View Park; $5 per car; info: 967-1762. Dec. 3: Downtown Art Walk and Holiday Open House, 5-8,Downtown Russellville. Info: 967-1437. Dec. 3-4: Festival of Trees, Downtown Depot Park, 9-11 a.m. Info: 967-1437. Dec. 3-4: Christmas Gala Arts and Crafts, Hughes Center. Dec. 4: Breakfast with Santa, Sequoyah Elementary, 8 to 11:30 a.m.; proceeds benefit Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Info: 970-6861. Dec. 4: Breakfast with Santa; Sequoyah Elem., 8-11:30 a.m. benefits Ark. Children’s Hospital; info: 970-6861. Dec. 5: Young Arkansas Artists & 2010 Collegiate Winner Exhibit Opening, River Valley Arts Center, 1-3 p.m.; Info: 968-2452. Dec. 6, 12, 20, 27: West Side Singles, 6 p.m.; 205 N. Waco, 968-6565 or 970-4447. Dec. 11: Winter at the Lake, “A Celebration of our Natural Wonders”; Lake Dardanelle State Park; Info: 967-5516. Dec. 11-12: Russellville First Assembly of God, “Saving Scrooge,” 6 p.m.; a version of the Christmas Carol; 124 East G; Info: 968-2622, www.rfalife.com. Dec. 14: Transitions Bereavement Support Group, 10 a.m., Arkansas Hospice, 2405 E. Parkway; 498-2050. Dec. 18: Model Train Open House, Historic Train Depot, 9:30- 3; Info: 967-1437. Dec. 18: An Evening with Mr. Conductor, Historic Train Depot, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Info: 967-1437. Dec. 20-31: Area Schools closed for Christmas Holiday. Dec. 23: Community Bingo, seniors 55 and older invited; 2-3 p.m. 4th Thurs. of each month; door prizes, grand prize, refreshments; Wildflower, 240 S. Inglewood, Russellville; 890-6709. *Unless otherwise indicated, all area codes are 479. Visit www.aboutrvmag.com for a list of activities updated as they are received. To have your event included in the ABOUT Calendar of Events, email: editor@aboutrvmag. com or fax to (866) 757-3282. Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding publication.

ABOUT...the River Valley | 7

Russellville Plans Magical

Photos by Steve Newby

he Russellville Advertising & Promotions Commission is proud to present the Inaugural Winter Wonderland Drive-Through Light Display. Plans have been made for the first-ever holiday drive through lights display in the Russellville area. The idea apparently originated in early 2003 from the office of Mack Hollis, director of the Russellville Parks and Recreation Department. Christie Graham, executive director of the Tourism and Visitor’s Center in Russellville, and Felecia Turnbo, executive vice president of the Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce, began reviewing the project several years ago but struggled for funding. After the topic continued to surface, Russellville City Councilman Robert Wiley decided the A&P Commission needed to spend some of the commission’s reserve money on something to help promote Russellville. Wiley offered a motion to spend it on Christmas lights and the project officially began. The lighting is not inexpensive, added Graham. The Russellville Advertising and Promotions Commission assisted with the project, designating $125,000 for Winter Wonderland expenses. “Russellville Parks and Recreation director Mack Hollis has been wonderful and could not have done it without the Parks and Rec department,” stresses Graham. Winter Wonderland will be a magnificent mile-long holiday light extravaganza featuring larger-than-life animated light displays. The purpose is to enhance

the quality of life by bringing family and friends together to experience the magic of Christmas, said Graham. The event’s official “Grand Opening” start date is Saturday, Nov. 27, and will launch the celebration of the Holiday Season in the River Valley. The first Winter Wonderland drivethrough light display also will be open Dec. 3-4, Dec. 10-12, and Dec. 17-Dec. 26. The location will be at Pleasant View Park on Hwy. 7 North (Exit 81), one mile north of Interstate 40 in Russellville. Hours of operation are 5:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. each night. Admission will be $5 per car. To assist in promotion other River Valley holiday events, a calendar of events listing other holiday activities will be distributed to drivers at the entrance to Winter Wonderland. Volunteers from the River Valley United Way agency will assist on site with Winter Wonderland as traffic enters from both north and south of Hwy. 7. The vehicles will turn into the park, pay $5 per vehicle at an entrance booth and continue to the right along the lighted pathway. They will be required to exit right when leaving the park. Guests driving through the brilliant display should expect to “Experience the Magic,” transporting kids of all ages back to their childhood, a time of holiday enchantment filled with feelings of hope, warmth, excitement, togetherness and family. A huge, warm-white sign proclaiming the entrance to Winter Wonderland, hangs at the entrance to the park. Next visitors will travel through a set of brightly-lit white trees before

entering a scene featuring snowmen and a carriage with carolers. Next will be Santa’s workshop, followed by a gingerbread house and deer grazing nearby. A light-adorned Santa in his sleigh will precede a final feature -- a live nativity scene. Other displays and possible performing groups may be added in the future, said Graham. Sponsors are already being accepted for next year’s Winter Wonderland Drive-Through Lighting display, says Graham. Members of the planning committee met once this past summer and then were consulted throughout the year as needed to bring the plan to fruition. Those assisting with the planning of Winter Wonderland included the A&P Commissioners, as well as Julie Morgan, Betsy McGuire, Danya Day, Chris Zimmerman and Dianne Edwards. Major sponsors this year include Wilkins Brothers Outdoors, Liberty Bank, McDonalds and KMTC 91.1. Others sponsoring displays include the Russellville Downtown Association, Click River Valley and ABOUT...the River Valley Magazine. According to Graham, similar drive-through displays are also located in Pine Bluff, Conway and North Little Rock. The purpose of Winter Wonderland is to promote the River Valley area and draw attention to all the wonderful offerings our area has to offer, said Graham. For more information on this year’s event, or to learn how you can participate in the 2011 Winter Wonderland, contact the Advertising and Promotions office at (479) 967-1762 or visit them online at discoverrussellville.org. n

Happy Holidays

Wishing you the Best this Christmas Season!

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ABOUT...the River Valley | 9

farm families

Gifts from Mother

Nature

Family farms have been the mainstay of the River Valley economy for more than a century, but every year it becomes harder for local farmers to maintain this lifestyle. It has been estimated that only 2 % of the US population today lists farming as their primary occupation. So, how do these hard working caretakers of the land keep their lifestyle intact while big corporate farms reap most of the profits? They diversify! “For a family farm like ours to stay in business, you need to try new things and roll with the punches,” agreed Kenny and Nancy Drewry, owners of Drewry Farm and Orchards. As newlyweds, the Drewrys started out 30 years ago with only a dream, one acre of land and a small garden. While Kenny was raised on a Pope County farm, Nancy was a southern California “valley girl” who moved with her family to Pope County as a teenager. While attending Dover High School, Nancy met Kenny and their dreams for the future were planted. “When Kenny and I got married, I had no idea what I was getting into, which is probably a good thing. Now I can’t imagine any other way of life,” she laughed. Before long, three daughters were born, and the family business began to bloom. In the beginning, the couple had outside jobs and grew seasonal vegetables to sell at a roadside stand on their property. Since they were gone most of the time, the Drewrys left a canning jar or basket next to their produce for buyers to leave money. 10 | ABOUT...the River Valley

“Nobody ever took a dime!” they said. Then in 1996 they expanded their market by joining the Pope County Farmers Market, ”We started doing well then,” said Kenny, a soft-spoken man with a ruddy complexion and ready smile. By 1997, the couple had purchased one additional acre and another two acres in 1998 so Kenny planted 325 peaches trees, which started producing in 2002. Typical of hard working farm families, each child began helping with chores as soon as she got old enough and today the entire family works in the business. In 2008 Kenny & Nancy along with their 3 daughters, a son in law and the grandchildren were chosen as Pope County Farm Family of the Year and recognized for the amount of vegetables and fruit the Drewry family raised with no outside help. Today, the Drewry family owns or leases over 100 acres and garden spots and 30 acres of bottom land which they use for vegetables and bee keeping. The family annually harvests 28 varieties of peaches, plus apples, plums and cherries and over 6,000 watermelons, plus tons of cucumbers, squash, potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, tomatoes, pumpkins, okra, turnips and other vegetables which the family sells

Story and Photos by Connie Las-Schneider

at the farm and their store in Russellville. They also sell produce at the Pope County Farmers Market and Russellville Community Market at the Episcopal Church on Phoenix Street in Russellville. Fresh seasonal produce is only part of Drewry Farm products. In 2009 the farm added an Arkansas Health Department certified kitchen on the property, Angie (the middle daughter) makes oatmeal raisin or oatmeal nut cookies, peanut brittle, peach pecan muffins, zucchini bread muffins. Nancy makes over 20 varieties of fudge flavors, including fudge dipped apples and bite-size Turtles and English Toffee, to name a few. Even Kenny helps with the baking and makes bread and pie crust for buttermilk pie, sweet potato pie and peels and cores the apples for their signature Arkansas Black Apple pie. He also harvests and bottles his own honey which is used in their confections and sold at the store when available. Even the milk used to make their homemade goodies is special. The store sells fresh organic milk produced locally by Jersey cows, which make milk containing 9% cream compared to only 4% cream made by Holstein cows, said Nancy. “I couldn’t believe how rich tasting their skim milk is, and told the dairy farmer it couldn’t be true, But sure enough, it’s certified skim milk and people just love it.” But wait, there’s more. The store carries locally grown “free range” organic buffalo and elk meat and a wide variety of home-made jams, jellies and pickles. November 2010

Plus, they produce organic honey and recently bought 150 “free-range” chickens for egg production. Free-range eggs, which have a different flavor and orange rather than yellow yolks, will be for sale starting in January 2011, said Nancy. Along with the wide range of products they sell, custom made gift baskets are also popular, especially for holiday giving, she added. You are What You Eat For people who truly care what they eat, buying local food products is important. “People today want to know what they are eating and where it was produced. “Locavores” do that by shopping at local Farmer’ markets and at our store,” said Kenny. “Locavores” are people who value locally grown food and try to eat a diet consisting of food harvested within a radius of 100 miles of their homes. The term has become so popular in the last several years that “locavore” was added to the New Oxford American Dictionary as its word of the year in 2007. “Sustainability” is another popular buzz-word in food production. “A lot of people get confused with the differences between ‘sustainable’ and ‘organic’. We grow everything sustainably, which means our crops are resource-conserving, environmentally sound and socially supportive,” said Kenny. “Organic” means a food product grown or raised with no artificial chemicals, hormones or additives. We try to do that too, but sometimes we need to treat a crop with something in order to save it. However, we only do it with extreme care and always wait until the product has long passed its expiration date before we harvest. Our fruit is safe enough that we can give it to our grandchildren fresh off the vine and we don’t have to worry about it, said Kenny. Some people go overboard with organics, said Kenny. Just because a product is labeled organic doesn’t mean it is completely free of harmful additives. Where do you think organic farmers get their fertilizer? How can you be sure every bit of fertilizer came only from organically grown animals or that the blood-meal they use came only from organically grown chickens? Also, organic food can have a tremendous carbon ‘foot-print”, as some of these products are shipped in from thousands of miles away. The Drewry philosophy is simple; keep it local, sustainable, and always fresh! Drewry Farm and Orchards products can be found at Pope County Farmers Market, at their road side stand on Parkway November 2010

The Dirt on Farming

Organic and sustainable agriculture, while good for Mother Nature and people, isn’t always profitable. Kenny Drewry estimated he has loses between $15,000 to $18,000 each year in damage done by insects, ground hogs and deer. Plus, bad weather can ruin entire crops. “Farming isn’t easy or everyone would be doing it” said Kenny. The weather in the last few years has been a challenge. 2007 was the worst freeze in 50 years; 2008 had floods and high winds; 2009 was rain and high winds, and this year was high temperatures. It was way too hot this season, said Kenny. This caused the pumpkins not to set, as they need to have 92 degrees or less to set their fruit, so the Drewry’s pumpkin crop burned out. Then Tiffany, the Drewry’s youngest daughter, used all her graduation money to purchase seeds for her own cash garden and never got her seed money back, said her father. Peach farming is particularly tricky. The family is still recovering from the 2007 freeze which ruined $30,000 of their peaches and squash. To make matters worse, peach farmers can go three years without any income and usually lose a crop about every seven years, according to Kenny. Some produce farmers supplement their income by growing animals, and in a few cases, insects. While the Drewry’s recently added free-range egg laying chickens to their farm, Kenny seems most excited by his bees. & El Paso in Russellville and at their home location in Dover which they are building up and improving for the spring of 2011 to make it more visitor friendly. For more information, call (479) 3312987, contact them via email at nandrewry@ hotmail.com or visit their website at drewryfarmandorchards.com.

The Buzz on Bees “Bees are very interesting, but you’ve got to understand and pay attention to them and check the hives every week,” said Kenny. Although Drewry’s hives were started by local bees and Kenny uses organic pesticides to treat them, small hive beetles accidentally imported into the U.S. by ships

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from overseas, are causing problems now. It’s impossible to have bee houses and not address the problem, said Kenny. The Drewry’s got eight swarms last spring and “carefully” split each swarm in half to make 16 hives.” Bee houses are generally called hives. Honey bees live up to 45 days in the summer months before their wings become to tattered to fly. At that point, they are cast out of the hive to die. In the fall of the year all drones or male bees are also cast out to starve, simply because they are not necessary. “Honeybees are very proficient and would never allow any bee in the colony who can’t pull its own weight,” said Kenny. If a queen bee, who can live up to three years but is rarely productive over two years, doesn’t lay enough to suit her colony, she will be

12 | ABOUT...the River Valley

replaced. I have seen worker bees build queen cells just to frighten the queen into more production, only to tear them down if the queen picks up brood production. What about getting stung? “We’ve got a strain of Italian bees that are pretty docile. You get used to it,” Kenny said matter-of-factly. According to Kenny, unless a person is allergic to bees, getting stung is good for you! Apitherapy is the term for using honey bee products for medicinal purposes, such as bee stings to relieve joint pain. The patient intentionally gets stung on the painful joint and many people swear by the therapy, he said. Locally harvested honey is also said to be good for allergies. “Eating honey is just like taking an allergy shot from the Doctor,” he added. But, what about the bees themselves who

give up their lives to string us and spend their short time on earth making our lives sweeter? “With up to 80,000 bees in one hive, bees get upset just like people,” said Kenny. They have some unique habits, too. Bees don’t fly in weather below 60 degrees and they won’t fly in the rain. Bees are selfless team players, too. It takes the entire life of 12 worker bees to make one teaspoon of honey. With 96 teaspoons in a pint, that means 1,152 bees gave their lives to make one small jar. Think about that next time you enjoy a spoonful of honey. n

November 2010

family

Story by Kechia Bentley • Photo by Steve Newby

Clarity in Clean, Clear Water Abundance, abundance, abundance... It is that time of year when my life is surrounded and filled with abundance. My schedule is overflowing with parties, lunches, Bible studies, ACT classes, trips to Branson, Mo., and of course, Christmas shopping. Everywhere I turn there are beautiful Christmas decorations that make me want to rush home and turn my house into a winter wonderland, making every room look like Christmas. If you have read this column before then you may remember me mentioning the nativity scene that I place in my two younger boys’ bathroom. It is beyond their comprehension why anyone would do such a thing. And to their credit, they are right. Their bathroom – when they lived here – did get disgusting. I will spare you the smelly details. But you know, now that I think about it, their bathroom is probably more like the stable in which Jesus was born than my beautifullyarranged coffee table. Huh, I think there could be a lesson to learn from that observation, but it will have to wait for another time. This column is about abundance. Along with the hordes of material things coming at me this time of year is a tremendous assortment of food. And, it was the food that humbled me and brought me to my knees. Now before any of my wonderful family and friends gets too excited and think to themselves -- “Finally that girl is going to lose some weight!” -that is not what I am talking about. Yes, I do need to that and I am not dead yet so don’t give up hope, but that is not what stopped me in my tracks. It was a simple glass of water. I teach ACT Prep classes in Springdale and recently my husband and I spent all day in the area. We arrived in time to have lunch with our son Dillon and we asked him to take us to a restaurant of his choosing. It was Sassy’s Red House. We had never eaten there but soon discovered that they serve great barbeque. Lunch was really

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good and the time with our son was precious – at least to his momma. I left to teach my class; afterwards my husband and I went to the home of dear friends. We weren’t there long when the four of us decided to go out to eat dinner. We went to Blue Fin to get Sushi. It, too, was really, really awesome. I ordered water with lemon and I remember thinking briefly while sitting there, “This water tastes so good.” It had small little ice cubes and was very cold – just the way I like it. As we were driving back to Russellville that evening, my husband and I were going over the details of what had been an extremely enjoyable day. It had been the kind of day that causes you to realize how truly blessed you are, if you will only stop to notice. We’d shared two remarkable meals with people that we love dearly, and I didn’t have to cook either one of those meals – double blessing. Just being in a position to afford to eat out twice in one day with so many struggling financially would have been enough reason for rejoicing, but to have amazing food with amazing people really made our cup run over with gratitude. It was during this conversation that I remembered the glass of water. I was instantly humbled as I thought of all those around the world who have never known the luxury of having someone bring you ice cold water in a beautiful glass. I so often overlook the simplest but most profound blessing of my life: food, clothing, shelter, and ice cold clean water. In this season of celebrating and reflecting on a grace we do not deserve and have not earned, may we all remember those who are in need. Let’s not just horde up and wallow in the abundance of food and material possessions but may we attempt to meet the needs of others as lavishly as our wants and needs have been met. Merry Christmas and Happy New Years to each of you. May your holiday season be blest. n

1961 2011

years

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ABOUT...the River Valley | 13

RIF, First Book, donate

community

Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) and First Book recently donated more than 2,000 books to Child Development, Inc., which serves at-risk children in 13 counties across the state. “Now more than ever before, the need to provide children access to free books is critical,” according to a release from RIF and First Book. CDI has been a RIF participant for more than a decade and received the donation because of its excellent record with the project, said Tammie Byrum, education specialist and RIF coordinator for the agency. The books are intended to provide the children with extra books in addition to the three books given to each child every year. The books will be used were recently distributed to the agency’s preschool programs, Byrum added. CDI strives to provide reading opportunities to the children it serves through RIF, First Book, the agency’s lending libraries and daily reading to children by staff, parents and volunteers. “It has been proven that reading to children makes them better River Valley, 600 E. 16th St., Russellville. The theme of this year’s readers,” said Jo Ann Williams, CDI executive director/Head Start ball is “Moroccan Nights.” The black tie optional event will start at 6 p.m. with a silent auction. Dinner will be served from 7-8:30 p.m. director. “Reading is the foundation of learning.” CDI provides Head Start, Early Head Start, Arkansas Better in an elegant Moroccan atmosphere. Chance, home-based Head Start, and Migrant and Seasonal Head The event will recognize life and associate Junior Auxiliary Start services to families who meet income qualifications. CDI members and will feature a live auction. The evening will conclude serves more than 2,500 children and their families in 13 counties, with music and dancing. Back by popular demand the band ‘The including Arkansas, Conway, Desha, Franklin, Johnson, Logan, Rockets’ will play until 12:30 a.m. Lonoke, Lincoln, Perry, Pope, Polk, Scott and Yell. For more For over 49 years, Junior Auxiliary has been assisting children and families by overseeing projects that directly impact child information, visit CDI’s web site, www.childdevinc.org. Reading Is Fundamental, founded in 1966, motivates children welfare, community education, scholarships, civic and cultural to read by working with them, their parents, and community community involvement and children’s’ health. members to make reading a fun and beneficial part of everyday Junior Auxiliary of Russellville currently has 36 active members life. For more information and to access reading resources, visit and 10 provisional members volunteering over 3,000 hours of RIF’s web site at www.rif.org. First Book is a nonprofit organization service annually. Helping children in Russellville is the priority of that provides new books to children in need addressing one of the the organization. Charity Ball serves as the primary fundraiser for most important factors in affecting literacy – access to books. Visit the organization. This year’s Charity Ball co-chairs are Mel White and Cindy Waits. www.fbmarketplace.com to learn more. Junior Auxiliary members are well on their way to making the 2011 Charity Ball a night to remember, say organizers. This year’s Charity Ball set for Feb. 26 The 46th annual Junior Auxiliary Charity Ball will be held Saturday, ball will feature an array of exceptional live and silent auction items Feb. 26, at the L.V. Williamson Boys and Girls Club of the Arkansas as well as a raffle.

14 | ABOUT...the River Valley

November 2010

Raffle tickets may be purchased in advance of the ball for $20 per ticket. The first place raffle winner will receive a 1.78 carat brilliant cut diamond pendant necklace donated by Lee Ann’s Fine Jewelry. The second place winner will receive a deep freezer stocked with $100 worth of food donated by Big Star Marketplace, and the third place winner will be given a catered meal for four complete with dessert or a small business luncheon catered by York Family Catering. Raffle tickets can be purchased from any JA member and winners need not be at the event to win. Tickets for the black tie-optional event are $65 per person and can be obtained by calling Mel White at (479) 880-6657 or Cindy Waits at (479) 886-0323. Attendees will receive a complimentary photograph to commemorate the evening. For more information, contact Paige Fisher, public relations chair, at (479) 970-0919 or jpaige_fisher@hotmail.com. With each bookcase is a “starter set” of at least 10 age, sex and ethnic appropriate books. Some are new, but most are “gently Building Young Readers used” books donated by individuals throughout the community. Building Young Readers in Russellville is a project of the Special thanks go to Vintage Books, Lynn & Steve Wiman, who Russellville Lions Club. Their mission is to raise the literacy rates make an extra effort to find suitable books for this project as they among young children from low income families in Russellville by buy books for resale in their store. providing personalized bookcases and an appropriate starter set The highlight of this year’s presentation was Emily Moore who of books. brought the Pope County Library System’s Bookmobile to the event Each year, 50 children are chosen by Child Development, Inc to and read books to the children. Emily urged parents to get library participate. This is the fourth year of this program and, on Saturday, cards for themselves and their children. There is no charge and October 9th, the project delivered its 200th bookcase. Funding is library staff is happy to assist with choosing books for themselves provided by donations, grants and gifts made to the Russellville and their children. Lions Club Foundation, a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization. The Russellville Lions Club and this community have taken the Bookcases are constructed of oak veneer and oak solids, cut first step in helping these children. The next step is up to the parents to size by Arkansas Wood Doors of Pottsville, and assembled by to mold your children into becoming readers. Project members master craftsmen Jim urge parents to turn off the television and video games, believing Wescott, Dennis Miller, they are lousy teaching substitutes. Quoting Emilie Buchwald, Earl Morgan and Alvin “Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” Hill. Stain and lacquer finish is applied by master Citizen of Year Sought craftsman, Steve Wiman. There are many citizens of the Russellville area that go above Personalized Name all expectations in making this an exceptional community. Naming Plates, graciously donated the Citizen of the Year is only one way to recognize and honor by Arkansas VIP Awards one of these outstanding citizens. The Russellville Area Chamber of Russellville, give each of Commerce will be recognizing the 2010 Citizen of the Year at child a sense of ownership the Chamber’s Annual Meeting and Banquet on February 1, 2011. and pride in his or her Nominations will be accepted at the Chamber office through bookcase. December 17, 2010. >>

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ABOUT...the River Valley | 15

to attend; and businesses throughout the state were solicited for items for the silent auction. Headlights started up the drive off Pleasant View Road just before 6:30 p.m. as guests started to arrive. As they approached the registration table, they could hear the voice of Josh Green from Little Rock playing his guitar and singing songs in the country mood of the evening. Whiffs of something good to eat were coming from within the barn where 14 local restaurant vendors filled their tables with generous samples of their specialties for guests to enjoy, all donated to benefit the hospital. Guests were dressed comfortably in country casual attire and some even donned western hats and cowboy boots. Everyone was mingling, conversation circles formed around the campfire, and laughter was contagious. The COF chapter members and hospital staff were dressed in jeans, white shirts, and red bandanas in Circle Casual and ‘A la Carte’ It was picture perfect! The setting was a red barn on the property keeping with the country theme. As the evening progressed, they of Dolph and Loraine Massey near Russellville. The weather was were in awe at the numbers who attended and the kind words they considerably warm for a November evening and the stars were out received from guests who exclaimed they came not knowing what with no threat of rain. There was a campfire crackling encircled by to expect, and were very pleasantly surprised with a very relaxed hay bales covered in granny quilts for guests to sit on. Nearby a and fun evening. tent lit by a ribbon of lights housed picnic and bar-high tables with It was the atmosphere, the people, and the purpose that made the benefit a success. The tally of funds raised is not yet final, tea lights flickering in glass Mason jars. The event was ‘River Valley a la Carte’ – a country casual evening but it’s estimated that River Valley a la Carte will deliver proceeds of fun, food, and entertainment organized by the local Circle of estimated to be more than $13,000 to ACH. Friends (COF) chapter with all proceeds going to Arkansas River Valley Circle of Friends is the local chapter of Arkansas Children’s Hospital that has been fundraising for the hospital for Children’s Hospital (ACH). A la Carte was created to raise money for the hospital through more than 25 years. The chapter was one of only six of the 13 three areas: sponsorship, host couples, and a silent auction. chapters in the state selected by the hospital Foundation to hold Seeking local businesses to be sponsors was most important to this event leading into the 100th birthday of the hospital in 2012. defray the cost of expenses for the event; host couples graciously This was the first time for a la Carte in the River Valley and it will be obligated buying 10 tickets to either sell or purchase for others back next year – bigger and better. The nomination criteria is that the nominee must be a resident of the Russellville area for at least the past five years. Nominations must be accompanined by a résumé stating the reason for the nomination and the community contributions of the nominee, or they will not be considered. Community invovlement should not be limited to one field and must include areas other than those reltated to the nominee’s occupation, contributions over several years will be considered, but nominee should still be a viable part of the community and the nominee should have served in a leadership role and not just as part of a committee or group. The person making the nomination must also include his or her own name and daytime phone number in case additional information is required.

Your Home for the Holidays Holiday Hams ~ Deli Trays Gift Cards for last minute gifts

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November 2010

Be a Santa to a Senior

For the second year, Home Instead Senior Care has partnered with Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center and Saint Mary’s Home Health to help bring cheer to the seniors of the River Valley. The “Be a Santa to a Senior” program provides presents to older adults who otherwise might not be remembered during this festive time. “Most people aren’t aware that there are literally hundreds of seniors in our community who are alone and have no family,” said Becky Bailey, nurse director of Saint Mary’s Home Health. “This holiday season finds many older adults struggling to make ends meet. Our hope is to brighten their lives with gifts and companionship.” The community is encouraged to support these efforts as a way of giving back to those in the area who have given so much of themselves. For many seniors, knowing that someone cares is the greatest gift of all! The tree displaying this year’s “Be a Santa to a Senior” ornaments is again located at the hospital Outpatient Services entrance, next to the Saint Mary’s Emergency Department on West C Street. Each paper ornament lists the first name and gift request of a senior in need. Shoppers can select ornaments until Friday, Dec. 10, and return them with their unwrapped purchases to Richard Short at the Outpatient Services reception desk. For directions or more information contact Richard at 967-0760. Home Instead Senior Care enlists community volunteers to gather, wrap and deliver the gifts. A wrapping party will be scheduled for mid-December at the Pope County Senior Center. Deliveries will take place during the week of Dec. 20 th. Anyone interested in wrapping and delivering gifts may contact Wanda Everett with Home Instead Senior Care at (501) 764-1814. Additional information can also be found at santatoasenior.com and saintmarysregional.com. n

Becky Bailey, RN; Diana Reed and Joy Tanner, RN

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ABOUT...the River Valley | 17

a man who really loves his job. A printmaker and Assistant Professor isinstructor for the Art Department at Arkansas Tech

Neal Harrington University, Harrington is the Director of the Norman

Story and photos by Connie Las-Schneider

“Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.” -- Aristotle

Hall Art Gallery; “the best kept secret in the River Valley.” “How many people can say they wake up excited to get to work each day? I do, and I’ve been on the faculty of Tech for almost ten years,” said Harrington with his just-won-the-lottery smile. Harrington readily admits showcasing exceptional works of art in a state of the art facility is a way cool job. Prior to this new building, the Art Department was located in the oldest facility on Tech’s campus with a lobby gallery space in nearby Tomlinson Hall. Most of the exhibitions were displayed in closed cabinets severely limiting what could be displayed and how. “You can imagine how exciting it is to go from teaching printmaking in a basement of an old building to this. Norman Hall houses the Art program and an opportunity to view artwork in person. Being able to get up close and personal with the artwork is important. Good art makes you want to interact with it. You can do that here,” said Harrington, who helped design the Gallery space. Like other art galleries, Norman Hall puts on five or six exhibitions each year with exhibits by both students and well-known area/regional artists. “Openings are held for the exhibitions only if the artist(s) can attend so you can interact with them directly,” said Harrington. The gallery presented its 4th annual Juried Student Exhibition in November. A juried show means that not all entries are accepted into the show and displayed, explained Harrington. “It is a lesson in learning how to accept the tastes of the juror because the juror might reject up to half of the art entered. Entering a juried show is a real wake-up call for our students. Some get rejected, others rejoice. It’s a great way for students to get realworld feedback on their work.” Works in the show covered a wide range of mediums, each as unique as the student artist who conceived it. Works ranged from elegantly carved alabaster sculptures, to oil paintings, watercolors, original prints, photography, traditional drawings and a computer animated web site. A golden bust was constructed from 1000’s of bits of recycled plastic and metal that morphed into a larger than life self-portrait of the artist. Every piece in the exhibition was eye candy, free for the viewing. According to show Juror, Rod Miller, Associate Professor of Art History at Hendrix College, the overall quality of the work done for this show was very high. “Those chosen this year reflect a high level of skill combined with an obvious amount of time dedicated to that work… More than just the technical acuity, the winners also managed to create works that provoke to good effect.”

Art...

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Many works were for sale, too. “Buying student work is a smart way to get good art at a great price. Encouraging a future professional is fulfilling in itself,” said Harrington. “Our students are usually more than happy to have someone offer to purchase their work and it’s usually a good deal compared to works of similar quality found at commercial galleries and shows.” The Norman Hall Gallery is the Tech’s first real permanent gallery, said Harrington, who learned the curator’s craft while working as a graduate student on the campus of Wichita State University’s Ulrich Museum. The artistic vision of Professor Dr. Cathy Caldwell, Chair of the Art Department since 2002, was pivotal in developing the interior configuration of Norman Hall with architectural firm AMR, said Harrington, adding Caldwell has revitalized the Department and made our Art program the best and most current in Arkansas. Normal Hall is Caldwell’s medium. “We wanted the building itself to be a catalyst

for creativity,” said Caldwell. With 12 to 40 she added. Since Caldwell’s tenure as foot high windows to bring in natural light, Departmental Chair with Arkansas Tech the building has many components under University, enrollment of Majors in the Art one roof; a place to do large scale works, program has risen from 70 to 200. art spaces, safe chemical spaces, outdoor Students need to use a range of spaces where kilns are fired and a securely opportunities to express themselves in art, enclosed space for Mac computers, the said Dr. Caldwell. “Artistic ideas are always the same. Developing the concept is what standard for graphics. “Much has been credited to the use makes art unique. I am constantly amazed of computers in art and design in recent at our student’s creativity. They continually years, but computers are just another surprise me with their ideas. It’s a great tool to provide students with an avenue place to be!” to represent and symbolize their ideas,” To contact the gallery or learn more said Caldwell. Art students must still about the ATU Art program contact Neal learn the basic traditional mediums and Harrington, Office 213B Assistant Professor foundational processes before they can of Art Norman Hall Gallery Director 203 explore ideas on more sophisticated West Q street, Russellville, AR 72801. nharrington@atu.edu (479)964-3237 fax: levels, she added. While the majority of students major in (479)498-6002. Graphic Design, where jobs are plentiful, Note: Arkansas citizens, 60 years and Art Education is also popular, said Caldwell. older, can attend classes at ATU and other “Tech’s Art Education graduates have a State Universities and Colleges for Free! proud tradition of teaching generations of With no tuition costs, seniors just pay for Arkansas school children the joys of art,” books and supplies. n

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ABOUT...the River Valley | 19

food

Need a Perfect Holiday Pie? Try these Winners! By Dianne S. Edwards

wenty-three pies, or rather their creators, vied for the coveted “Aunt Bea” award and winner’s bragging rights during the OldFashioned Pie Contest held in conjunction with the Downtown Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 30, at the Historic Missouri-Pacific Railroad Depot. For at least the third year in his participation in the event, James Whitlock of Russellville took top honors. This year Whitlock’s “Pineapple/Coconut Pie” placed first in the Cream Pie division, earning enough points to also win the “Aunt Bea” Award winner. The pineapple addition to a unique version of coconut cream pie tempted the palates of the six judges during the blind taste-test. The homemade crust included an egg, vinegar and cold water mixed with traditional ingredients. (Recipes follow.) Extra consideration was given by the judges for homemade crust over commercial crusts. Other winners and their respective categories include: Cream: First Place: Pineapple/Coconut Pie, James Whitlock; Second Place: Chocolate Cream, Jackie Miller; Third Place: Coconut Cream, Carol Taylor. Fruit – First Place: Key Lime Pie, Jason Long of Russellville; Second Place: Fruit and Nut Pie, Regayla Loveless; Third Place: Apple Pie with Cinnamon Red Hots, James Whitlock. Sugar Free – First Place: Sugar Free Pecan, Theresa McPherson; Second Place: Sugar Free Strawberry, Regayla Loveless; No third place entry. Holiday – First Place: Famous Pumpkin Pie, Mischelle Coffman of Pottsville; Second Place: Pumpkin Chiffon Pie, Regayla Loveless; Third Place: Sweet Potato Pie, Theresa McPherson. Other – First Place: Egg Custard Pie, Mischelle Coffman; Second Place: Oatmeal Pie, Ruby Dumas; Third Place: Chocolate Toffee Pie, Bee Miller. Youth – No Entries.

Entries were accepted from 8 until 9 a.m. in the community room of the depot. Judging followed based on a 100-point judging sheet with points assigned based on Outside Appearance (shape and surface, crust, meringue, etc.) for a total of 30 possible points, and Internal Appearance (crust, texture, crispness, filling, fruit, custard or cream, etc.) for a total of 40 points. The pies are also rated for flavor (richness, blend, filing characteristics) of both crust and filling for 30 possible points. Judges included: Jeff Phillips, Carney Carnahan, Craig Noble, Jim Ed Gibson, Sherry Bull and Marjie Hurley. The volunteers were Judy Maston, Susanne Darter, Brunie Darter, Beverly Ritchie and Diana Jennon. The contest was co-sponsored by Wildflower Retirement Residence, an Emeritus Senior Living Community, and ABOUT... the River Valley Magazine. Becki Bryson of Wildflower served as Fall Fest Pie Committee chairperson. The first place winning recipes are included here. Others will appear in future issues of ABOUT... the River Valley Magazine and will be available soon online at our website, www.aboutrvmag.com.The judges selected these pies as first place winners. We believe you will, too!

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Mix flour, sugar and salt. Warm the milk over moderate heat. Stir in dry ingredients. Bring to a boil. Boil for two minutes. Slightly beat egg yolks and stir in a small amount of hot mixture, then pour into the hot mixture. Cook one minute. Add butter, vanilla, pineapple and coconut. Pour into baked pie shell. Top with meringue made from eggs whites and 1/3 c. sugar. Sprinkle top with coconut. Bake at 405 degrees for 8 minutes until brown.

PINEAPPLE-COCONUT PIE

WHITLOCK’S PIE CRUST 3 c. all-purpose flour 2 tsp. salt 1 c. plus 1 T. Crisco butter-flavored shortening

Prepared by James Whitlock

1/3 c. all-purpose flour 2/3 c. sugar 1/4 tsp. salt 2 c. milk 4 large eggs, separated Reserve whites for meringue 3 tsp. vanilla 3 T. margarine or butter 1/2 c. crushed pineapple, drained 1/2 c. coconut baked pie crust

Mix flour and salt. Cut in 1/2 of shortening. Then add the remaining shortening. Put 1 tsp. vinegar and one egg into the 5 T. of cold water and add to dry ingredients. Roll out and place in pie shell. Prick crust. Bake at 405 degrees for 21 minutes. Makes four crusts.

KEY LIME PIE

CRUST: 1 1/4 c graham cracker crumbs 2 T. sugar 5 T. melted butter

FILLING: 1 (14-oz.) can sweetened condensed milk 2 T. plus 1/2 c. fresh lime juice 4 large egg yolks

Downtown Art Walk & Holiday Open House

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 5:00-8:00 P.M. A magical evening featuring Refreshments, Strolling Carolers, Art, Visits with Santa & So Much More! A project of the Russellville Downtown Association, a committee of Main Street Russellville, in partnership with the Arkansas River Valley Arts Center. Admission is free.

Model Train Open House

SATURDAY, DECEMBER. 18, 9:30 A.M.-3:00 P.M. Russellville Depot. An event for train lovers of all ages presented by the Central Arkansas Model Railroad Club. Admission is free but donation of a can of food for local food banks will be accepted.

Prepared by Jason Long

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Stir together graham cracker crumbs, sugar and butter in a bowl with a fork. Combine well, press mixture evenly onto bottom and sides of pan. Bake crust for 10 minutes and cool on a rack. Leave oven on.

Join your Downtown Friends & Neighbors for the following events during the Christmas Season

Whisk together condensed milk and yolks in a bowl until combined well. Add juice and whisk until combined well. Mixture will thicken slightly. Pour filling into crust and bake in middle rack of oven 15 minutes. Cool pie completely on rack. Filling will set as it cools. Chill, covered, for at least 8 hours.

An Evening with Mr. Conductor

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 6:30 – 8:30 P.M. The historic Russellville Depot provides the perfect setting for this magical evening. The event includes pictures with Mr. Conductor, refreshments, and a reading of “The Polar Express” by candlelight. Admission is $5.00.

Holiday Catering We want to make certain that your special event is a total success. Arrangements can be made for any occasion, from the most formal dinner to our simple coffee and refreshment service. Our qualified staff will make every effort to accommodate all your needs.

CATERING November 2010

Call Janet Ford, Director of Catering O. (479)968-0279 ~ C. (479)280-0059

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ABOUT...the River Valley | 21

EGG CUSTARD PIE

Prepared by Mischelle Coffman 4 slightly beaten eggs 1/2 c. sugar 1/2 tsp vanilla 1/2 tsp salt 1 can Bordens condensed sweetened milk regular milk nutmeg

1 can Borden’s condensed milk 1 can (15 oz.) Libby’s Pure Pumpkin 1 unbaked pie shell (recipe below)

Mix sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger and cloves in small bowl. Beat eggs in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in sweetened condensed milk. Pour into pie shell. Bake in preheated 425 degree oven for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees, bake 45-50 minutes or until knife Mix beaten eggs, sugar, vanilla and salt. inserted near center comes out clean. Cool Measure the condensed milk in a measuring in wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately cup and add regular milk to make 2 1/2 or refrigerate. cups total. Pour into pie shell. Sprinkle with nutmeg. NEVER-FAIL PIE CRUST Bake at 350 degrees in moderate oven 35- 2 c. flour 45 minutes or until knife inserted in center 1 c. shortening comes out clean. Cool on wire rack. Serve 1/2 tsp. salt immediately or refrigerate. 1/2 c. cold water 1/4 c. flour additional

FAMOUS PUMPKIN PIE

Prepared by Mischelle Coffman 3/4 c. sugar 1/2 tsp. salt 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp. ground giner 1/4 tsp. ground cloves 2 lg. eggs

Mix flour, shortening and salt with fork until ingredients bead up. Shake water and 1/4 c. flour in small bowl with lid. Pour into the flour and shortening mixture. Knead until all is smooth. Recipe makes enough for two pie shells. Split in half and roll out onto wax paper and put into pie plate.

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SUGAR FREE PECAN PIE

Prepared by Theresa McPherson 3 large eggs 1/8 tsp. salt 1 c. Splenda sweetener 1/2 c. Nature Sweet sugar free syrup 1/2 c. sugar-free maple syrup 1/2 t. vanilla 1/4 cup butter 1 c. pecan pieces Beat eggs, add salt. Mix in Splenda. Slowly add in 1/2 c. sugar free syrup and sugar-free maple syrup. Add vanilla flavoring and butter. Mix in pecan pieces and pour into pie crust. Bake at 300 degrees for 45 minutes to one hour. Pie is done when top cracks. Decorate with additional pecan halves if desired. Note: Don’t miss the other winning recipes! Subscribe to future issues of ABOUT... the River Valley Magazine online at www. aboutrvmag.com and receive each issue by convenient mail delivery. Each issue features recipes offered to our readers for the enjoyment of family and friends. We would love to receive copies of your favorite recipes. Send them via email to: food@aboutrvmag. com or mail to: ABOUT Magazine, PO Box 10176, Russellville AR 72812. n

Take a Holiday Break at Stoby’s Enjoy our New Menu Items!

Breakfast Tacos Croissant Breakfast Sandwich Chicken Fajita Tacos Philly Chicken Sandwich Cajun Chicken Dinner Pumpkin Cheesecake

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Great gifts for everyone on your list. Burt’s Bees has you covered from head to toe...including natural baby care products. All are paraben free, sulfate free, petrochemical free and phthalate free. C&D DRUGSTORE; 121 N. Commerce, Russellville; (479) 968-2456

Dad would love a pair of Boulet boots for Christmas! Top of the line and hand made by the last familyowned boot company in North America. Many styles and colors. Woody’s Boot & Repair; 511 E. 4th St., Russellville; (479) 968-8980

Romance novel by local author Eva Swain. Suitable for all ages. To purchase an autographed copy call (479) 968-4931. Available online at amazon.com and other online book sellers.

5 4

We have a variety of party favors and hats in many colors and styles. We also have plates, napkins, cups, etc. for big night. Stop in today and see our selection. LET’S CELEBRATE; 916 South Arkansas Ave., Russellville; (479) 967-0541

World’s finest model horses since 1950. Children will love Jewel Holiday Horse, 60th Anniversary Limited Edition Diamond Jubilee, Waiting for Santa Playset and all the collectible series ornaments. C&D DRUGSTORE; 121 N. Commerce, Russellville; (479) 968-2456

Now in stock, beautiful Boulet boots for women, an awesome Christmas gift! Top of the line and hand made by the last family-owned boot company in North America. Many styles and colors. Woody’s Boot & Repair; 511 E. 4th St., Russellville; (479) 968-8980

November 2010

Check out our new line of purses and wallets by Lou-ella. Many styles, shapes and colors available... An awesome gift for that special girl on your shopping list! Woody’s Boot & Repair; 511 E. 4th St., Russellville; (479) 968-8980

ABOUT...the River Valley | 23

Therapeutic Foster Care Providing special homes and opportunities for troubled children

Information and Photos provided by Stacey Helton, Counseling Associates, Inc.

Holidays can be tough times for any family. The economy has not been kind. There are meals to plan, presents to buy, relatives to visit.

Fewer than two dozen TFC families serve the six-county area covered by the Counseling Associates program. The need for more TFC families is great. The need for a family is important to help these children work But what if you are a child that has been separated from their through fear, anger and frustration they may be feeling. All have family, removed from the only home you’ve known due to abuse, difficulty developing positive relationships with peers and adults and are unable to deal with their problem. They have special neglect or situations unsuitable for living? For those children, more fragile than regular foster care medical problems or are reacting to the abuse and neglect they’ve placement can adequately handle, there is hope. There are loving experienced in their lives. families willing to give of their time and love to open up their hearts Unlike regular foster care families, TFC families are given background access to the children’s lives, to see if the child ‘fits’ and homes to these deserving children. Being a therapeutic foster parent is both tough and rewarding. into the prospective family’s abilities. And, unlike regular foster Progress is measured in small steps, not breakthroughs. Rewards care, the TFC may be long-term. These children have often been passed repeatedly through the are a smile, a hug, maybe an “I love you.” Children and youth in the Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) Program, foster care system due to circumstances not their fault. They are often provided by Counseling Associates, Inc. of Conway and Russellville, abused, neglected, emotionally scarred and in need of stable, loving have emotional and behavioral concerns and have been removed from environments in which to begin the healing process. The children the custody of their parents because of problems they or their families entering the TFC program may be of all ages, up to 18 years of age. may be experiencing. Due to the need for professional treatment and An extensive referral handbook, training and staff support is counseling, a traditional foster home is inadequate to meet these needs. readily available to TFC parents.

TFC Homes

In the Therapeutic Foster Care home, troubled children receive stability, security and positive discipline in addition to the basics of food, clothing and shlter. They learn and experience how to be successful in school and how to be a responsible member of the community. Working together, staff members and parents can give children and teens hope for a brighter future. To return home successfully or to become independent, well-adjusted young adults is the goal of all TFC youths. Make a difference – provide a home and an opportunity for a troubled child.

TFC Parents

Treatment parents come from all walks of life with the common bond of caring for children. While some may have college degrees, a degree is not required for this profession. Parents, grandparents and others who believe they have good parenting skills, and who have a commitment to improving the lives of children and teens, are wanted. With the initial 30 hours of intensive parenting training that TFC provides, you can become a TFC parent for a troubled child. No special degrees in counseling or teaching are needed – just your concern and commitment.

TFC provides the training and on-going support one needs to do the job. Someone wit the ambition to learn, the willingness to open their home and their heart to troubled child, and the desire to make a difference in the life of a child, is desperately needed by the program. Requirements for TFC Parents include being over 21 years of age and in good health, a desire to take advantage of free professional training, want a job you can do at home, wish to earn tax-free income, care about troubled children and have room in your heart and home.

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Additional information is available by contacting Counseling Associates, Inc., Russellville, (479) 968-1298, or Conway, (501) 336-8300.

The Knights

Tommy and Betty Knight always felt lead to the Therapeutic Foster Care field. “I guess we have always known we wanted to be foster parents,” said Betty. “I think it was just something Tommy and I knew we were going to do without question. The Knights’ two older children, Dee Dee and Danny, were adopted. “And we had Josh, Lori, Mikaela, and Nick. We definitely wanted to wait till all of our children were grown before starting foster care.” Never wanting an “Empty Nest,” Tommy said the couple adopted Adam in February of 2009, after having him in their home for four years. “I am sure we will not be having empty nest anytime soon,” he added. The couple added that they had never been without children in their home, as a couple alone, for more than a whole week perhaps. “I believe having kids in our home keeps us young!” chuckled Betty. Tommy quickly added, “I feel young and I hope we will be able to have foster children until our bodies and health just won’t allow it anymore!”

The couple has been married 19 years; during that time they have had 10 foster children since joining the Therapeutic Foster Care program in December 2001. They had custody of one of the little girls during that time, also adopted one. The currently have one placement child and their adopted son Adam living in their home. Several years after their marriage, Tommy and Betty decided to build a home in Ola. “Through the years, we have also had our own son’s friend live in our home with us when he was going through some tough family times and his mother was not around much. I guess you could say our home has always been open to children that need a safe place.” “These kids are just a part or our family,” offers Tommy. “That’s how we feel and how they are treated here.” Before the pair began offering their assistance as a Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) family Betty was a nurse. “I’ve also worked in a fabric shop, and had my own ceramic shop at my home. I did insurance exams for 10 years,” she added. Tommy was always involved in Forestry. He worked for Arkansas Game and Fish and performed land management work. Betty said she quit her job after the couple received their second TFC placement in our home. The child had several health concerns and had been sexually abused. I just felt she needed more attention and extra help so I quit to spend time with her; that allowed me to take her to doctor’s visits and be more involved -- no different than what a parent would do for their own child.” Tommy added that these days Betty substitutes at the schools so she can be around for the kids. They attend church and take the children to any other activities in

the community so they can ‘find their way but feel a part of a family and learn.” The couple also has several animals to take care of, as well, as since they breed and sell dogs. “We love having the animals around and so do the children. I believe they are therapeutic for kids. They love to pet them and help out with them. They also learn to take care of things and learn responsibility.” The family also has a talking bird though, “he is just for fun and to make us all laugh.” “We are like ‘The Cosby Show’ around here,” Betty said. “If you sit back and watch us, you will always see some humor and something funny. There is never a dull moment around here! We find fulfillment in helping kids. It’s just a big happy humorous family with a lot of laughter!” “It’s not always perfect,” Tommy said. “The kids come into our home with several issues and they have been through a lot. We would never give up on a child in our home. You can’t make a perfect child, but you can always help them and offer some good.” “It’s always interesting to watch a child grow and reach potential. We just look for the good and what they enjoy and we help them find their ‘niche.’” Betty believes every kid has something to offer and, “it’s a great feeling to help them gain some confidence in themselves despite where they come from or their past.” Since the kids are part of the family, It can be hard when they leave through adoption, reunification, or change in placement. “You just have to believe you made a difference,” says Betty. “One of our placements is 20 years old now. He visits us often. He now is married with a little baby. It’s rewarding to see he has a good job and has really made something of his life. He still considers us his “parents.” >>

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The goal for the children is simple. The Knights just want to help each lead a normal, productive life. “We just want them to be proud of themselves as they grow and hopefully we can help them reach their potential. It’s about giving them a safe place, family environment, and improving their self esteem so they can feel important and set examples for others.”

The Adamses

Richard and Sharon Adams have been married for 43 years. The couple has three daughters, all grown now. They also have six grandkids, quickly adds Richard. They knew they wanted to be Therapeutic Foster Parents after they were approached and asked to participate in the program due to their past experience with kids in need. “We worked in group homes for many years in California and I feel like that experience gave us the opportunity here in Arkansas,” recalled Richard. They believed their past gave the couple different experiences and settings need to help children. “Helping kids is just what we have always done and always felt strongly about doing,” he added. The couple met in California where

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The Adamses have served a therapeutic foster parents for about three years, they recalled. “We have had the opportunity to spend a great deal of our time and lives with our placements in the home within the three years. It all started as us just being like ‘weekend grandparents’ and providing respite services for other foster parents and a get-away for the children, but then we felt called to become full-time parents again.” The couple admits they are unsure about the length of time that they will continue to serve as foster parents. “We are spontaneous people and just live day by day so who knows? But for now, we feel like it’s something important for us to do,” said Betty. “We haven’t really discussed how long we will continue the therapeutic foster children program but there is a growing need in this area to help these kids,” believes Richard.”With the growing need we will continue to try to meet the needs of these kids in hard times in their lives.” “We just want to give them support, offer a home with structure, and make them feel apart in home and a family when they are away from their own.”

Richard was a Union truck driver. Sharon was able to be a stay-at-home mom with their daughters. She later went to work as an office manager before the couple moved to the Russellville area 28 years ago. The Adams family has had two actual therapeutic foster placements but many other foster children have enjoyed respite time in their home. Becoming Therapeutic Foster Parents was the answer to a “calling,” said Richard. “I believe it’s a calling. We felt the calling and the Bible says to help the widows and orphans, so we feel it’s our calling to help these kids. He added, “We want to provide a home for them and support. I feel fulfilled when I am able to help children. It’s definitely a need so we fill the call. It’s not always the easiest thing to do as these kids come from very difficult situations at times, but it’s a reward to know you have helped and -- Information for this article was provided by hopefully instilled something into them Stacey Helton, Case Manager and Training Recruiter for Counseling Associates, Inc. n that’s positive and lasting.”

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culture

Story and Photos by Tonda Bradley

ynn McDaniel Wiman always dreamed of owning her own bookstore. As a young child, her mother, Doris McDaniel, an educator, read to her and stressed reading. Her mother often said that by the time Lynn was in the sixth grade, she had read every book in the town library. When Lynn went to college, she met Johnny Wink, a literature teacher at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia. He was also an inspiration to her, and furthered her love of books and literature. She also met John Allen Adams, a bookstore owner, while she was in college. John had been injured in a football accident, and was a quadriplegic, yet he ran a very successful store. This just encouraged Lynn’s dream even more. When Lynn graduated college, she had obtained a degree in Psychology. She began a career in counseling and worked for the Department of Human Services, travelling the state for many years. Even though she did not realize her dream of owning a book store at that time, Lynn was always collecting books. She once was building a house in

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Ozark, and she overheard a conversation between three of the laborers. “How come this lady has such a big pantry, How come it ain’t hooked on to the kitchen?, How come the shelves have to be solid oak?” They were, in fact, building Lynn’s bookshelves. Lynn met a bookseller in Fort Smith by the name of Lawrence Brandenburg, who taught her the “business” side of books. She worked for Mr. Brandenburg in trade for books. Mr. Brandenburg told Lynn, “If you are going to be a used book dealer, you

have to go after books like a heroin addict goes after heroin.” When Lynn retired, she decided to move to Russellville to realize her dream. “I chose Russellville, because my mom told me she would help me in my store, but I would have to choose a location so she could be close to her grandchildren,” says Lynn. “I found a house on Parkway and purchased the property from Ernie Crouch. His wife Peggy managed a Christian book store in town for many years.” Peggy and Ernie’s daughter Pam is a librarian at Arkansas Tech University. “The property was so appealing because it had an apartment in the back, and plenty of room in the front for the books. It was very European. I sold everything, bought the property, and started renovating the building.” Lynn approached Harold Barr at Liberty Bank for a small business loan. “He took a chance on me,” states Lynn, “but he loaned me $40,000. I was able to pay the loan back in two years.”

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While Lynn was making plans to start her business, she decided to visit a long-time friend, Mrs. Wilma Wiman. During the years of their friendship, Mrs. Wiman had often mentioned her son, Steve. “At this particular visit, it was Christmas, and Mrs. Wiman offered me a piece of Brazil nut cake. That cake was so delicious. She informed me that Steve had made the cake, and I jokingly asked if she thought he would like to get married” laughs Lynn. At that precise moment, Steve was walking up the stairs and overheard Lynn make the comment about the cake and marriage.

“I had been praying for five years that the Lord would send me someone to love me for me,” says Steve. “I was in the basement at my mom’s house working and praying, when the Holy Spirit directed me to go upstairs. When I saw Lynn that day, the Holy Spirit revealed to me that I was going to marry her.” Steve’s early life had not been easy. He was born on a reservation but was adopted by the Wiman family when he was seven. “I had a lot of hate and anger, but at the age of 44, I gave my life to Christ” states Steve. His goal now is to serve people. He is a member of the local Lion’s club and strives to help others. “Our bookstore is the Lord’s, we are only the custodians and stewards” says Steve. Steve and Lynn started dating on

November 2010

Valentine’s Day and were married the following May. Steve had developed his carpentry skills during the years, and he did most of the remodel work on the property. “He built the ramp at the entrance of the building, and put in a lot of the shelves and many other projects” states Lynn. “He saved me a lot of money on the remodel process” she says. “He does shipping, receiving, and cooking. He also goes with me to many sales around the country, including Phoenix, Des Moines, New York, New Orleans and Oklahoma City.” Lynn says that she is asked every week about electronic books taking the place of books. Her answer is always the same. “What was your favorite fairytale as a child?” She says that her customer’s response causes their face to light up and they are suddenly transported back in time, far, far away from her humble little used book store to that book, and a memory of a parent, a sibling or a teacher who helped make that book come alive in their heart. Lynn’s favorite book from childhood was “The Black Stallion” by Walter Farley. Published in 1941, it was an old book when she picked it up in 1967 when she was nine years old. She said that she learned by character Alec’s example to take chances in life, when faced with the wild, untamed, uncertain path… open the gate, and take a chance. She learned from the Black Stallion story, courage, loyalty, compassion, giving, faith, hope and love. She said all those things helped her to have the courage to step out into owning a small business 35 years later. She said you could argue that she could have learned the same lesson by reading a Kindle, but she would not have the same experience of the beautiful old woodcut illustrations, the smell, the sound of paper crackling, the intimacy of being alone in her

room in an easy chair, or under a tree by the creek turning pages. Lynn would not have had the pleasure of seeing each page that had a beautiful handdrawn illustration. She says she has nothing against the Kindle, she actually wants one for Christmas, but it will never take the place of a book, especially to someone who is a collector. Steve says, “You also can’t decorate with a Kindle.” Lynn’s and Steve’s love of books is very evident. Lynn feels that Mark Twain said it best, “The man who does not read, has no advantage of the man who cannot read.” n

ABOUT...the River Valley | 29

Fabulous Fall Fest

A large, yet undeterminable, number of festival-goers descended on Historic Downtown Russellville on Saturday, Oct. 30, to celebrate the 19th annual Fall Festival and Chili Cookoff. The day officially began at 6:30 a.m. with an omelet breakfast but participants began setting up on Friday and early Saturday morning. The day included free activities such as 5K Walk/Run, 1K Kids Run, Canine Capers Dog Show, Wagon Parade, Chili Cookoff, Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Costume Contest, Old Fashioned Pie Contest, Tour de Pumpkin bike ride and Car and Truck Show. Also featured were vendors, arts and

30 | ABOUT...the River Valley

Photos by MaryAnn McCartney

crafts booths, non-profit organizations and a concession stand sponsored by Main Street Russellville. On-stage musicians and performers rounded out the days events. At one point, it was estimated approximately 6,000 individuals could have visited the event. Numerous entrance points and no admission charge makes counting attendees difficult. Efforts to measure those numbers at the 20th annual event, planned for Oct. 29, 2011, are being discussed. For additional information call the Main Street Russellville office at (479) 967-1437. Main Street Russellville, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization. n

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MSR Ornament Depicts Brooks, C&D Location The 2010 Community Christmas Ornament features the historic Brooks Drugs Building. Built in 1877, it is the only building to survive the fire of 1906. Current home of C&D Drug Store, the building has housed a drug store since 1877, making it the oldest drug store location in Arkansas. Since 1994, Main Street Russellville has featured many of the community’s historic buildings on the limited edition collectable Christmas ornaments. While many of the previous year’s ornaments have sold out and are out of circulation many of the early issues are still available. Previous year’s ornaments have included the Pearson Hotel in 2008, Henry R. Koen (Forestry) Bldg. in 2007, Masonic Temple (City Hall) in 2006, Boulder Avenue Christian Church in 2005, and the Missouri Pacific Depot & Challenger Steam Engine in 2004. Also featured have been the First Christian Church in 2003, First Baptist Church in 2002, First Methodist Church in 2001 and Central Presbyterian Church in 2000. Ornaments of the 1990s include the Riggs Hamilton American Legion Post in 1999, Russellville Public Library in 1998, Old Post Office/Federal Building in 1997, Missouri Pacific Depot in 1996, Historic J.L. Shinn Building in 1995, and the Pope County Courthouse in 1994. The current year ornaments are available for $8 each at C&D Drug Store at 121 N. Commerce or the Russellville Depot at 320 W. ‘C’ Street. For additional info or previous year’s ornaments contact Main Street Russellville at (479) 967-1437. n November 2010

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Time

Giving the Gift of

Story by Holly Ruppel Photos by Dianne Edwards

32 | ABOUT...the River Valley

ocal watchmaker Richard Minick fondly remembers the Christmas when he presented a special gift to his father. Inside the package was a vintage Gruen watch the elder Minick had purchased in Anchorage, Alaska, in the 1950s. When his father sprayed WD-40 on the watch in the early 1970s, Minick said, it stopped working. The defunct timepiece was packed away, where it remained for many years until Minick himself disassembled, cleaned and repaired his father’s prized possession. “He was speechless,” Minick said, smiling broadly as he recalled his father’s reaction to the gift. Minick, the new watchmaker at Joshua’s Fine Jewelry, said like his father, many people become attached to their watches not only because they come to rely on them to get to places on time, but because they are decorative. “It serves dual function,” he said. “Not only does it tell you the time of day, but it’s a piece of jewelry.” But, as Minick observes, “It’s not worth anything unless it works.” Minick, who recently moved back to Russellville with Ruth, his wife of 27 years, said he didn’t always want to be a watchmaker. He wasn’t too interested in machines as a kid, but he was good at tinkering with them and fixing them, so he stuck with it and came to like mechanics. “I’ve always been a mechanical guy,” he said. “If it’s mechanical, I can fix it.” His father was a welder and worked for nuclear power plants around the country, so the family moved a lot. When his father took a job at Arkansas Nuclear One, the family settled in Russellville in the spring of 1974, at the end of Minick’s junior year in high school. Mechanics wasn’t Minick’s only interest. He played bassoon and promptly joined the Russellville High School Band. He was also active in the school’s theater program and graduated in 1976. In 1978, he took a job at Doubleday Publishing as an experimental machinist, where on a single shift they would print as many as 80,000 books. After some time, Minick noted that many people he worked with were joining the Navy or other branches of the military. Minick’s interest was piqued, so he joined the Navy with the wish to be a machinist. He soon learned though, life had other plans and he was set to work as an Instrument man, repairing and calibrating typewriters and other small machines.

November 2010

After his four-year stint in the Navy, in 1984 Rich went to work for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as a watchmaker on the Space Shuttle Program, utilizing his skills making watches and calibrating and repairing other machinery. He and the other workers on his team tested everything from stopwatches to calibration instruments that measure oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, methane and hydrogen. “If it tested something, we tested it,” he said. While living in Cape Canaveral, Florida, Minick also worked for as many as nine jewelers, repairing watches and clocks. For five years he and Ruth also lived in Lima, Ohio, where Minick worked as a Rolex repairman. Chris George and Rich Minick One big challenge in watch making is “I got into this (watch making) kind of by repairing Rolexes, Minick said. He indicated a typical Rolex has about 200 miniscule accident,” he said. From 1979-1983, he was stationed on a parts. submarine tender, repairing subs and tending Repairing old pieces can also be difficult, weapons and clocks while he was stationed as manufacturers don’t always hold onto in Scotland. Minick said he was promoted parts and sometimes cease making certain from a Seaman Apprentice to Petty Officer parts. Tracking down hard-to-find parts can make repairing a vintage piece especially Third Class in a relatively short period. In 1979, Minick went to watch making challenging. school and became a resident watchmaker. Minick said if he’s searching for a hardHe worked as an auditor for the Navy for to-find piece, he’ll look up serial numbers, read about the pieces and do research. one year as well.

Sometimes, to fix his customers’ pieces, he makes parts from scratch using a jeweler’s lathe. A customer comes into the store wondering whether or not Minick has been able to track down a piece for his vintage 1968 Zodiac. The watch was with him in Vietnam and is important to him. He’s concerned Minick will not be able to find the tiny part, one which holds the date wheel in place, but Minick assures him he’ll be able to locate the part and get his beloved piece in working condition again. Minick takes pride in his work and treats his customers’ pieces as his own. “If it means something to you,” he said, “it means something to me.” On top of Minick’s workbench at Joshua’s, pocket watches, tools, a clock and a device called a Vibrograf (a watch timing and testing machine) sit alongside little glass domes, meant to protect the micro watch parts inside them from dust and moisture. Dozens of different tools - each meant for a different purpose - fill the drawers of the bench. Minick feels he doesn’t fit into the stereotypical idea of a watchmaker sitting alone, toiling over his meticulous work. It’s obvious he loves connecting with his customers. >>

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When customers come in, whether they are searching for a specialty piece or simply need to have links removed from their watchband, Minick exchanges conversation, stories and laughs. “I’m not your typical watchmaker because I love the interaction with the people,” he said. “I like seeing their faces light up when you get their stuff done.” He added, “That’s my magic piece of it (the story and history of the timepiece.)” Minick feels custom engraving added to his customers’ pieces increases their sentimental value and creates an heirloom to hand down to the next generation. “I think people like the idea of having something unique,” he said. Minick said in his line of work, he has to keep up with technology, as watch functions, and, therefore, the watch’s mechanics are constantly evolving. Many watches now contain altimeters, barometers and compasses. To illustrate the variety of watches he must know how to repair, he indicates that on his bench, there is a pocket watch from the 1920s, a watch from the 1960s and a watch made last year. Minick loves making people happy, whether he has repaired a timepiece they thought might never again work, or he is performing for an audience onstage, which he loves to do in his spare time. The performer in Rich is evident. He is animated and congenial, talking with his hands and leaning forward. While living in Lima, he was a part of 23 different theater productions and worked in television broadcast for FOX/CBS/ABC, writing commercials and doing character voices. In fact, Minick made his living in broadcast while working as a watchmaker on the side. Prior to moving back to Russellville, the Minicks would visit every three or four years, as they have family in town. Minick said he never thought he’d be living here again and said he feels blessed to be back. In Russellville, he said, there is an attitude that people like where they are living. “It’s good to be around,” he said. “I think coming here to Russellville is going to be a good adventure for us.” n November 2010

Tech ‘Discovers Sicily’ Highlights of the Tech Travel journey to “Discover Sicily” during a nine-day November tour included the sights of Taormina, Mt. Etna, Caltagirone, Piazza Armerina, Villa Casale and Siracusa. An Italian cooking demonstration and a winery tour rounded out the Mediterranean visit for the dozen who found delight in “traveling with the compatible group from Arkansas Tech.” Veteran traveler Susie Kroencke said traveling with the Tech group “enhances the experience of travel. Sicily offered spectacular landscapes with charming hilltops, villages and great archaeological sites,” she added. Bill Saxton and Jackie Gardner, who spent her birthday while on tour, said they

Photos courtesy of Tech Travel

both enjoy travelling with the Tech group. “The biggest draw for us is that everyone is so congenial....we always have a good time and lots of laughs! It’s also comforting to know that we look out for one another so no one feels “lost” in airports, etc.” Rita Duren believes the town of Taormina was the most beautiful, adding that she “did not realize there was so much Greek influence in the area... It was breathtaking to visualize that these buildings were built by hand some 2,500 years before Christ and are still standing.” For a list of 2011 trips and information on how you can join Tech Travel, contact Dana Moseley, director of Gift Planning, at or Phyllis Stone at (479) 964-0532. n

KWKK 100.9 is

"The Christmas Station" from November 26th through December 25th – all Christmas music, all the time, for 30 days!

November 2010

ABOUT...the River Valley | 35

healthcare

Pediatric advice for winter wellness

So your youngsters have (almost) made it through the year in one piece. Now, especially during the festive holiday season, is not the time to get lazy with safety. Dr. Kristen Nelson, pediatrician with Saint Mary’s and Millard Henry Clinic, offers some advice for families trying to maintain health and wellness throughout the holiday season and beyond. Holiday Safety Tips “This is such an exciting time for kids,” said Dr. Nelson, “and while it’s true that many safety concerns are the same regardless of the season, parents should be especially watchful for increased injury risks during the holidays.” Dr. Nelson provided some reminders from the American Academy of Pediatrics to help ensure a safe holiday season: • Trees: When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label “fire resistant.” If you purchase a live tree, be sure to keep

Russellville First Assembly presents:

Saturday, December 11 and Sunday, December 12, at 6 PM. This version of the Christmas Carol is one in which Scrooge faces four visits from Angels, and will have to face an eternal question that is asked to all mankind: Do you know the Savior? Please join us for this family-oriented musical this Christmas season.

From our hearts to yours, we wish you a very Blessed Christmas!

the stand filled with water. Dry trees become a fire hazard. Never dispose of live garland, wreaths or trees by burning as they can ignite and flare very quickly. • Lights: Check all tree lights before hanging them on your tree. Make sure that all the bulbs work and that there are no frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections. Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. • Decorations: In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable. Keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to prevent them from swallowing or inhaling small pieces. • Toy safety: Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Toys too advanced may pose safety hazards for younger children. Read instructions before playing with new toys. Buy toys that are battery-operated to reduce the risk of both burns and electrical shocks. Also when considering what to buy for gifts, think about toys that will get them outside and active. A new bicycle

TECH TRAVEL

CAROLING IN THE BLANCHARD SPRINGS CAVERNS: Dec. 11, 2010

(1-Day Trip) Spend the day shopping and dining in beautiful downtown Mountain View before enjoying a caroling jaunt in the amazing natural Blanchard Springs Caverns.

LONDON AND PARIS: April 14-21, 2011 (8-Day Tour) Enjoy a panoramic tour of London including Buckingham Palace and Big Ben before experiencing an afternoon theatre performance. Travel by Eurostar Train and a Seine River Cruise. Also included are a tour of Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, an Eiffel Tower Dinner and a special dinner at Paradis Latin, Paris’s oldest cabaret theatre. NORTHERN NATIONAL PARKS: July 29-Aug.

5, 2011 (8-Day Tour) An unforgettable tour of Salt Lake City, Jackson Hole, the Oregon Trail Museum, Yellowstone National Park, Old Faithful and the Grand Teton National Park. Preview Date: Jan. 25, 2011, 5:30 p.m., Pendergraft Library, Rm. 300 South.

SPAIN’S CLASSIC: Sept. 25 – Oct. 4, 2011

(10-Day Tour) Arrive in Madrid following an overnight flight before taking a tour of the city’s historic center and arriving at the Prado Museum. Other highlights include tours of Toledo, the church at Santo Tome, an exploration of Cordoba, Seville, the peaceful Sierra Nevada and Granada. Experience Valencia and Barcelona. Flamenco Show included! Preview Date: Feb. 15, 2011, 5:30 p.m. Pendergraft Library, Rm. 300 South.

Tech Travel

124 East G Street Russellville, AR 72801-3822 (479) 968-2622 36 | ABOUT...the River Valley

Alumni and Friends of Arkansas Tech

might be a better option than a new video gaming system. Don’t forget to include appropriate safety gear -helmets, elbow, knee and safety pads as gifts to accompany gifts such as roller skates, skate boards or bicycles. • Food safety: Be sure to keep hot liquids and foods away from the edges of counters and tables, where they can easily be knocked over by small hands. Turn pots with handles inward on the stove so they cannot be easily grabbed by little hands. Baking with your children is a wonderful tradition to have. Make sure you have all ingredients out before you begin so you don’t have to turn your back on your little helper to get more flour leaving curious little cooks unsupervised near mixers, knives or hot stoves. • Fireplaces: Before lighting any fire, remove all greens, boughs, papers, and other decorations from the fireplace area. Check to see that the flue is open. Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace. Instead consider recycling it or turn it into a fun project for your kids, using it for Christmas cards or gift tags for next year.

Estate Planning REVOCABLE LIVING TRUSTS WILLS ELDER LAW

(479) 967-3225

THE COUTTS LAW FIRM, P.A. James V. Coutts Attorney at Law

110 South Commerce Russellville

For additional information, please contact Dana Moseley, Office of Gift Planning, (479) 964-0532

November 2010

Happy Holidays, Happy Eating Happy holidays mean happy eating, and lots of it. But what can parents do when their kids are offered one yummy treat after another? An out-of-sight, out-of-mind approach can be effective in limiting your child’s fat and sugar intake. “Often, candies and sweets are eaten just because they’re there,” said Dr. Nelson. Fresh fruits can also serve as festive and sweet substitutes for candy and desserts. Fun in the Winter Sun “It may be cooler outside,” said Dr. Nelson, “but it’s just as important for children to get physical activity during the winter as it is during the warmer months.” When thinking about outside activity, Nelson recommended that parents consider clothing and skin safety. Layering and moisture-wicking clothing are good ideas. “And don’t forget the sunscreen. Even though it might seem odd, you can get sunburn in the winter. Apply sunscreen with and SPF 15 minimum and cover exposed area of the body.”

Got stress? So do your kids! Traveling, visiting family members, getting presents, shopping, and all that comes with the holidays can increase your child’s stress levels just as they do yours. Trying to stick to your child’s usual routines, including sleep schedules and timing of naps, can help you and your child enjoy the holidays and reduce stress. Family gatherings, special traditions, delicious treats — the holiday season may be the most wonderful time of the year, especially for kids. Unfortunately, holiday hazards abound this time of year and Christmas cheer can come to a grinding halt in the blink of an eye. Fortunately, with a few extra precautions you can help keep your kids stay safe and healthy this holiday season. For more helpful tips on holiday safety please visit www. saintmarysregional.com. Join Dr. Nelson on Tuesday, Dec. 7, when she presents a GoodMoms seminar on “Keeping your children safe and healthy this winter.” The event will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. in Saint Mary’s Annex. The event is free but reservations are requested. Please call 964-9355 to reserve a space for you and a friend. Holiday refreshments will be served. Door prizes

and discount coupons will be provided local area merchants. Dr. Kristen Nelson is a pediatrician with Millard-Henry Clinic and is part of the active medical staff at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center. She can be reached at (479) 968-2345. n

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November 2010

ABOUT...the River Valley | 37

engagements

Calendar listings of engagement, wedding and anniversary announcements on the pages of each issue of ABOUT … the 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.)

– December 3–

–March 5–

Dakota Dorney and Matthew Cates

Destiny Keville to Nicholas Payton

–December 11–

–March 12–

Elizabeth Kimbrough and Donny Gill Kelsey Whitlock and Zach Watson Tanner Harris and Joshua Lantz

Sarah Fink and Donald Johnson

–December 18–

–April 23–

Audrey Anna Harrell and Jack Mortenson Crystal Daniel and Logan Storment

–January 1–

–March 15– Darla Hancock & Bob Harper Katy Scott and Jared Winston

– May 7– Jilliann Jacimore and Matt Johnston

– May 21–

Brigid Godbold and John Thames Stacey Lee Owens and John Patrick “Bo” Whitaker Heather Gordon and Kyle Neumeier

Kalli Anderson and Zach Bluhm Rebecca Cooper and Eric Coble

– January 8–

Alicia Chivers and Ben Woods

Melissa Delgado and Justin Singleton

–June 4–

–February 5–

– May 28–

Doriane Woolley and Scott Wray

Jennifer Elliott and Matt McCoy

–February 12– Jordan Franks and Tim Mills

Registry listings courtesy of Gifts on Parkway/Gifts on Rogers and Millyn’s of Dardanelle

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. Word count is limited to 225 words. Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding publication. For additional information, call (479) 970-6628. *Digital files are accepted and will be published upon receipt of payment.

38 | ABOUT...the River Valley

November 2010

ABOUT...the River Valley | 39

Dr. Kristen Nelson, Pediatrics

Our Care For This Community

Continues to Grow Leading physicians. That’s our promise. Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center and Millard-Henry Clinic are pleased to announce the addition of Kristen Nelson, M.D. to our skilled and experienced Pediatric medical staff. Dr. Nelson completed medical school and her residency in Pediatrics with UAMS and Arkansas Children’s Hospital. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and is currently accepting new patients.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Nelson, call 479.968.2345