Come Out and Play!
JUNE 2010
a publication of SILVER PLATTER PRODUCTIONS, INC. www.aboutrvmag.com
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ABOUT...the River Valley | 3
June 2010
table of
contents
8
7 Talk ABOUT...Good Taste
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8 Aged to Perfection
Of the River Valley’s many attractions, one of the most famous is Altus Wine Country. Thousands of people from the U.S. and Europe travel here to taste local wines and drink in the ambiance of this small rural city’s charming festivals.
12
Standing on the Promises
Jeans for Teens Blue jeans. Something so simple and something most of us take for granted every day. However, to some, including Kelli Collins, they are something precious that can be taken away in the blink of an eye.
16
ABOUT...Community
20
Food: More Contest Entries
ABOUTour Cover Photo by Steve Newby
This gorgeous in-ground pool surrounded
28 2 6 ‘Oh, the Thinks You Can Think’ 28 A Field of Angels
Mark Brashear’s dream-come-reality benefitting those he feels should get the opportunity to feel “normal.” He joined the Pottsville Athletic Association to spread his love of baseball to the special needs children he felt need it the most.
30 You are Gonna be a ‘Goodmom!’
Our Associates Melanie Conley
ad ve r tis in g
479.858.2708
Vonna
Marpel
ad ve r tis ing
479.970.4263
by exquisite landscaping, whether enjoyed by daylight or dark, is a relaxing retreat
for homeowners Jeffery and Susan Ray. Installed by Luxury Pool and Spa of
Russellville and Conway at the Ray home in Yell County, the pool provides a gathering
Kechia
Steve
Bentley
Newby
c o l u m n is t
ph o to g r a phy
479.264.0783
479.880.1006
place for family and friends proving that --
even in the hot, humid days of an Arkansas summer -- life is good!
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
June 2010
business
Get in the ‘Game’
The Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce is producing the Seventh Annual River Valley Business Expo on Wednesday, August 4, in Tucker Coliseum on the campus of Arkansas Tech University. The event will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 5 p.m. Admission to the expo is free and open to the public. The River Valley Business Expo, one of the largest expos in Arkansas, gives businesses the opportunity to showcase and SELL their products and services to a captive audience. We are encouraging businesses to sell their products and services at the event. A wide variety of businesses have already signed up to participate again this year. Don’t miss out on a great booth location. To qualify for the Early Bird rate of $235 for Chamber members and $400 for Non-Chamber members, application and payment must be received by Friday, June 11. Booth spaces will be $285 for Chamber members and $500 for Non-members after that date. The final deadline for the
Live the life of
exhibitor booth space is July 16. The Expo Preview is a special-invitationonly Chamber and Exhibitor networking event where businesses are given the opportunity to meet and exchange business information and leads. Expo Preview will be held on the trade show floor from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, August 3, 2010. Tickets will not be available at the door. The Chamber encourages exhibitors to incorporate a game- show theme into their booth. Vendors using the theme will be eligible for a Best Booth Award which will receive a complimentary booth in the 2011 River Valley Business Expo. All exhibitors are required to provide a door prize of $25 or higher in value to be given out periodically during the day. Other door prize drawings may be held by individual merchants. Exhibit space will be open to the public and will be on a first come basis. Payment must be made to secure space. All contracts for exhibition must be received by Friday, July 16, 2010. The Chamber is not obligated to accept any contracts after that day. Each exhibitor will receive the following:
• 6’ x 10’ booth or 4’ x 12’ booth with • 8’ backdrop and 3’ draped sides • One draped 6’ table with two chairs • Company identification sign • Opportunity to win exciting door prizes • Exhibitor information • Two tickets to Preview Party • Hospitality area available for breaks • Publicity campaign which includes: • Radio announcements sent to local and regional stations • News releases to local, regional and state media • Direct mail campaign to all members of the Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce • Event & exhibitor promotion in local media • Promotion in the monthly Chamber newsletter Russellville • Area Business Connection Promotion in the weekly email For additional information on the 2010 River Valley Business Expo, please call the Chamber at (479) 968-2530 or stop by their offices at 708 West Main St., Russellville. n
y r u x Lu
LUXURY POOL & SPA
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Featured on the June cover of ABOUT ABOUT...the River Valley | 5
ABOUT the River Valley
A Publication of Silver Platter Productions, Inc Vol. V, Issue 5 – June 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
Connie Las Schneider connie@aboutrvmag.com
PhotographY Steve Newby stevenewbyphotography@aboutrvmag.com
Max Slaughter max@maxphotography.net
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.
A PAGE FROM
The Editor’s Notebook
Call me crazy but one of the fragrances (smells, odors as you will) that trigger the onset of summer for me is the smell of chlorine. Odd, isn’t it? I find it mildly attractive but given that I spent much of my youth either teaching Red Cross swimming lessons or lifeguarding at the city pool in the East Texas town where I grew up, it remains one of my favorite ‘fragrances.’ A simple sniff can take me back. It triggers those sweet memories of days before I was driving, when, at 15, I would leave home for a two-mile bike ride to the city pool. There I would teach swimming lessons beginning at 8 a.m. to both Cub Scouts and Bluebirds (similar to Girl Scout Brownies.) Later I would pick up a shift of lifeguarding from 1-6 p.m. or lounge by the pool with friends. Did I mention that my starting pay was .75 cents an hour? Gee, that was a few eons ago! But still, chlorine and the fragrance of coconut oil conjure up some happy times. You probably have similar experiences where, trigger by some fragrance, you are transported back to memorable times. Perhaps the aroma of baking bread or the scent of chocolate-chip cookies awakes your senses. For some, it’s the woodsy whiff of a campfire or breezes drifting across a summer field. Whatever your “trigger to happier times” might be, the fragrance of summer is upon us. With the arrival of June, many families will re-arrange traditional schedules to spend more time together through weekend trips or long-awaited vacations. There will be more trips to the grocery store, more loads of dishes and increased foot traffic underfoot. But, what happier times could there be when the kids – no matter what their ages – are home once again? Again, call me crazy but I thrive on the chaos that can sometimes arise when everyone is home again. With adult children, the frequency of those days is fewer, but fun none-the-less. Having grown up without siblings, one would think I’d prefer the quiet solitude that I do sometimes enjoy – reading, watching a favorite movie or just ‘gelling’ out. However, when the phone rings and the kids make a much-appreciated trip home, we stuff as much ‘family time’ into a few days as we can. We are fortunate; our adult children live within a few hours of home. With our “baby” having just turned 21, our household has taken a more mature turn – sometimes! Each stage of our daughters’ lives have been different, and, no! It does not slow down when they get older. (Don’t fool yourself. I learned that one a long time ago!) With the days of summer comes longer evenings, more “outside” time that many of us crave. Even mowing the yard becomes a fun endeavor. Our faithful followers will recall that in the past, ABOUT Magazine has taken a short break in keeping with our original publication schedule of 10 issues a year. We do not publish in January or July in order that we may “regroup” and spend some needed quality time with our families. As we finish this June issue, we’ll enjoy that short break before beginning work on our August issue in mid-July. However, lest you think we’re not working, rest assured we’ll be headlong into planning sessions for the remainder of the year. And, we’ll be updating our web page calendar with summer events and keeping in touch with our fans on Facebook. If you haven’t ventured into the online social media, take a few minutes to “friend” us. Since attending a “Facebook Lunch and Learn” seminar sponsored by the Arkansas Small Business Training and Development Center located at the new Rothwell Hall at Arkansas Tech, we realize just how valuable this form of instant communication can be! For the business world, it’s a wonderful way to catch up with our Facebook friends and alert them to information that affects their daily lives. Enjoy your summer, whether at work or at home – life in the Arkansas River Valley is good! Come out and play!
Office: 417 West Parkway Email: editor@aboutrvmag.com Postmaster: Please send address changes to: SPPI, P.O. Box 10176, Russellville AR 72812.
6 | ABOUT...the River Valley
Dianne Edwards, Editor/Publisher
June 2010
Out and ABOUT Hey, do you see what I see?
JUNE 2010 Yeah, the Summer issue of ABOUT is here!
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What’s Happening This Month...
Talk ABOUT...Good Taste
For any of our readers that might have missed the clever work of illustrator Cliff Thomas in the past, never fear! A new cartoon is here! Cliff never ceases to amaze me at what his creativity can produce given the rambled information I pass along concerning upcoming issue topics. While some of you may frown, questioning our ‘good taste,’ we found humor and a chuckle or two in his take on the appearance of yet another issue of ABOUT... the River Valley Magazine. We take great delight when a reader smiles when receiving a new copy of our latest work. And with a new cartoon comes our latest issue. The June publication contains a variety of early summer reading material, as well as some articles that we hope you’ll enjoy. Pack along a copy of ABOUT when you plan your vacation this summer, and don’t be afraid to leave it behind for others to enjoy after you leave. You’d be surprised at some of the locations to which we mail subscription requests. Speaking of good taste, don’t miss the second series of our recipe contest June 2010
entries found on the pages of this month’s food focus. The final series will publish in August, so keep reading! If you missed May’s issue featuring the contest winners, photos and their recipes, a few issues remain. Don’t miss another copy. Enjoy convenient home delivery by mail. Become a subscriber today by sending a check or money order for $20 (10 issues) to: ABOUT Magazine/SPPI, P.O. Box 10176, Russellville AR 72812. Limited complimentary issues are distributed and copies are made available to our loyal advertisers, local chambers of commerce, the Historic Russellville Depot and the Lake Dardanelle Visitor’s Center, as well as surrounding state parks. The contributors and associates of ABOUT Magazine have more than 100 years of combined experience in media advertising, marketing, graphic design, and commercial and studio set photography. We enjoy sharing our time and talent with you – our faithful followers -and appreciate the kind words we receive applauding our efforts. Have a wonderful summer! n
June 2: Russellville Symphony Guild Membership Brunch, home of Gretchen Douthit, 18 Rimrock Rd.; info: Linda Gifford 880-2259 or Aldona Standridge, 968-4653.* June 3: Sunset Cinema, Lake Dardanelle State Park. Adults, $1; children 12 and under are free. Begins at dusk. Family-friendly. Info: 968-2530. June 4: Small Business Strategies for Social Media workshop, 1-4 p.m., $30; ATU, Rothwell, Rm. 217; Ark. Small Business and Tech. Development Center (ASBTDC.) To register: 356-2077. June 4: Downtown Art Walk, Historic Downtown Russellville. 5-8 p.m. Info: 967-1437. June 5, 18: Dance Party/CW Workshop, 7:30-10:30 p.m., $10, lesson followed by open dancing; casual/ dressy, reservations. 968-1620, or DWJstudio.com. June 6: Small Works on paper, Marlene Gremillion Exhibit Opening, ARV Arts Center, 1-3 p.m. 968-2452. June 7, 14, 21, 28: West Side Singles, 6 p.m.; speakers, game nights, trips. 205 N. Waco, 968-6565 or 970-4447. June 8: Transitions Bereavement Support Group, 10 a.m., Arkansas Hospice, 2405 E. Parkway. 498-2050. June 11: Austin’s Bridge benefit concert for Shawn and Shaina Harris, 7 p.m., First Assembly of God, 124 East G St, Russellville. 967-8618. June 11: Trade Show Marketing workshop, 1-4 p.m., $30; ATU, Rothwell, Rm. 217; Ark. ASBTDC. To register: 356-2077. June 12: 4-Person Golf Scramble, Chamberlyne CC, River Valley Shelter for Battered Women and Children. Sign up: Roy McSpadden, (479) 857-1620. June 18: Rsvl. Lions Club Golf Tournament and Dinner, Russellville Country Club, 11 a.m. start. Todd Meimerstorf, 498-4874. June 18: Facebook ABCs; 1-4 p.m., $30. ATU, Rothwell, Rm. 313; ASBTDC. Register: 356-2077. June 23-25: Wilderness Adventure Camp, children ages 8-12, Lake Dardanelle State Park, 9-4; 967-5516. June 24: 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
AGED
to Perfection Story by Connie Las-Schneider Photos by Paul Post
O
f all the River Valley’s many tourist attractions, one of the most famous is Altus Wine Country in Franklin County. Thousands of people from the U.S. and Europe travel here every year to taste local wines and drink in the ambiance of this small rural city’s charming festivals and square gatherings. The biggest of these is the annual Grape Fest, held this year on Friday and Saturday, July 30-31 at Altus City Park. This year will mark the 27th consecutive year for the festival, which has been celebrated, on and off, for nearly a century to commemorate the start of harvest season. While there is record of organized celebrations in the 1920’s and more informal gathering earlier in the century, the festival suffered a long dry spell, due in part to Prohibition. Then in 1984, Altus was officially recognized by the Federal government as an “Appellation of Origin” viticulture area and Grape Fest has been celebrating the coveted designation ever since.
8 | ABOUT...the River Valley
Starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, the celebration starts with a performance by a genuine prison band, appropriately named the Cummins Prison Band. Delivered in prison garb and shackles by an armed guard, the prisoners are known for their good behavior and great music and a perennial favorite at the Fest. A celebrity Grape Stomp begins at 6:30 p.m., where contestants out stomp each other to squeeze the most grape juice from barrels containing a measured amount of grapes. A Bacchus look-alike contest at 7 p.m. is followed by fireworks at 9 p.m. and street dance that lasts until 11:30 p.m. On Saturday, the fun continues with six more grape stomps festival goers can participate in, a grape-pie eating contest, arts and craft exhibits, food concessions, and judging of the popular amateur winemaking contest. Of course, wine tasting from local wineries will be offered both days and local table grapes will also be for sale. Rain or shine, the show goes on. In the spring of 2007, a killing frost annihilated the region’s grape crop. With no local grapes available, the festival switched to watermelon stomping, which proved to be a popular alternative. Lots of people made home-made watermelon wine that year, said James Dahlem, Grape Fest Chairman since 2007. For further information on the Altus Grape Fest, go to their website at www.altusgrapefest.com.
June 2010
Wine Tasting for Dummies
Wine tasting has the mystique of romance and elegance; the “good life” in a bottle for those who know the etiquette. But, don’t be intimidated. Despite the hype, wine tasting is simply using your senses. First, wine is smelly. The “nose” of the wine has a distinct odor. If you can train your mind to really smell what you’re drinking, you can detect literally hundreds of scents. Try swirling your glass of wine, or small plastic cup if you’re at a local tasting, for 10 or more seconds to let some of the wine’s alcohol vaporize and release its aromas. Now stick your nose into the glass and take a good whiff. What do you smell? You can get creative here. Does it smell like wild cherry trees in bloom with undertones of ambergris and oranges or perhaps like chopped wood with a hint of tobacco juice and sweat? Now, look at the wine, providing you can see clearly through the little plastic cup. This is otherwise known as checking for “color and clarity.” What color is it? Besides the obvious red, white or pink (blush), is it maroon, light green, amber, clear as glass, the color of polluted water? Older white wines are said to be “darker” than younger white wines and older red wines have a tint of orange at the edges. Tilt the glass at an angle and swirl the wine. Sticking out you pinky finger here is optional but recommended for
ultimate effect. Does the wine stick to the sides of the glass and slowly bleed down into the liquid? This is the viscosity. The slower and more even the drip, the heavier the body. Is there any sediment floating in it? Surprisingly, the actual taste comes second to smell, as our taste buds can only detect sweet, sour, salty and bitter. Put taste and smell together and you get flavor. Of course, the real high from wine comes from tasting it. The tasting itself can be very dramatic, similar to performing in a three-act play. The first act is the ”Attack” phase or first impression. This is when you can taste the alcohol content, acidity, sugar/sweetness and bitter tannin level. Next, comes the “evolution” phase, or how it actually tastes. The more expressive the adjectives used here, the better. The final thrill is the “finish”. Can you still taste it? Do you need a breath mint or do you want another taste, a bottle or a case to take home? You can also spit out the wine, if you don’t like it. Spitting is always fun. The best part of wine tasting? It’s usually Free!
generation winemaker from Post Familie proves the Altus wine industry started right From Vine to Wine Grapes have been a staple of the Altus Winery. Post recalled stories told in the on track”, said Post. economy since the 1880s, when Swiss/ 1960’s by his great, great Uncle Johnny Fortunately, the tradition of making and German settlers moved here because of Post. Johnny’s father, Jacob Post, came selling wine continued in the Post family the railroad which ran up the river valley, from Germany and bought 80 acres of and today a fifth generation is carrying on then called the Iron Mountain Railroad. land in 1880 along the railroad track. The the popular family business. Here they found the sandy soil and micro- steam engine would stop at Jacob Post’s With Paul as vice president, his brother, Dr. John Post, an electrical climate perfect for cultivating grapes, just farm for fuel and water. While they were filling the engine, Jacob’s engineer, teaches Enology (winemaking) as they had in the old country. Wine was an everyday thing for wife, Marie Post, would have a store set at the Ozark campus of Arkansas Tech >> my ancestors, said Paul Post, a 5th up and sell wine to the passengers. “This University.
0.75
June 2010
ABOUT...the River Valley | 9
‘”You might say I’m electrified by wine making,” quipped the adjunct professor. Paul’s other brother, Thomas, oversees the family vineyards and also teaches a course at ATU on Viticulture (grape growing). Mount Bethel Vineyard and Winery, which specializes in different varieties of fruit wines, including their popular Elderberry wine, was also started by a Post. Opened for business in 1956, Jacob’s and Marie’s great-grandson, Eugene Post, restored the underground cellar his grandparents built and Mount Bethel still uses these facilities. Weiderkehr Cellars has also been producing popular wines and juices since the 1880’s and their own handdug cellars can still be toured today. The historic Weiderkehr restaurant next door is listed on the Federal Register of Historic Places and features Swiss/German cuisine to compliment its wines. With camping facilities and charming chalet style buildings, Weiderker’s hosts its own one-day Wine Festival in late September. Considered a town in itself, Weiderkehr Village is on Hwy 186, just north of Altus past the historic St Mary’s Catholic Church, which provides a breathtaking view of the River Valley below.
A more recent addition to the Altus wine market is Chateau Aux Arc, French for “bend in the river”. Located north of Weiderkehrs on Hwy 186, Chateau Aux Arc has facilities for RVs and celebrates yearly with a Wineaux Fest in late September. All these wineries offer free tours throughout the year. While locally grown red and white muscadine grape wine is the regional favorite, many other varieties are grown and bottled in Altus including merlot, chardonnay, and cynthiana, a hearty dry wine. But, wine is not the only thing the Altus viticulture region produces. The most important is the simple grape. Perhaps “simple” is not a fitting description. Grape growing is a year round endeavor prone to Mother Nature’s wiles. Although the 2007 frost almost stopped production for more than one year, most vine stock has been replanted; this year’s crop is expected to be good. “It’s been a long row to hoe, as they say,” said Dahlem, who sells and transports his fresh-picked table grapes to Harps, Pricecutter and grocery chains in Oklahoma and others during good harvests. Unlike other grape wine growers in the region who hire full time people to tend their vines, Dahlem is a mainly a one-man operation.
Friday June 4th 5-8pm
“When I started in 1997 I felt like I was caught in the middle,” said Dahlem who has cultivated up to 10 acres of table grapes. “What I mean by that is you either need to be big or small as it takes at least 8 hours a day to grow grapes properly.” Since Dahlem has a regular full-time day job, he tends his stock mostly after work and on weekends or whenever spare time is available. Unfortunately, a frost in 1997 killed 75% of Dahlem’s first year’s crop and the devastating 2007 frost killed 100% of his grape crop. Since his most plentiful variety of grapevines was lost, he has since cut back to 5.5 acres. A table grape grower needs to have luck on his side and competitive prices, as he has to compete with California grape growers, said Dahlem. Sometimes I do need a little help, he added. Although he once used up to 20 pickers, he now uses six to eight seasonal workers to help with the grape harvest. Dahlem also hires a person to help with pruning and tying in the winter since daylight is limited, and utilizes each variety’s pruning trash by making cuttings and selling those to nurseries locally and out of state. “I love growing grapes, said Dahlem. It’s a challenge and you may feel like giving up at times but it’s all worth it when harvest comes and you see how the people enjoy what you have labored over for the past year. That’s the final clinch; when you’ve done a good job!” n
Delma and David Merritt, owners
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10 | ABOUT...the River Valley
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ABOUT...the River Valley | 11
family
Story by Kechia Bentley | Photo by Steve Newby
Standing on the
PROMISES
I have been sitting here staring at this computer screen for almost an hour. Okay, that is not exactly true. I have gotten up to get a drink of water – thinking that maybe I can’t think of anything to write because I am dehydrated. Then, when water didn’t work, I thought maybe chocolate would kickstart my brain. Two fun size KitKats and a Reese’s Peanut Butter cup later -- still no progress. Okay, that’s not exactly true either. I have thought of several things I could write at least three or four pages about, but if I did, my children would never speak to me again. There have been some interesting happenings around our household lately! Someday I will spill the beans, but for now, all those good stories will have to stay within the walls of the Bentley abode. That is unless you meet me for a cup of coffee or run into me at the grocery store. I have been asked to give an inspirational talk to a group of young moms about raising children. This past week-and-a-half has made me feel like the least qualified person ever to inspire anyone on how to raise children. I know that is a little over dramatic, but anyone who has been reading my column for long knows drama is something in which I excel. Before I cause too much concern, let me say we are all in good health, no one is going to jail, and as far as I know, there are no unplanned pregnancies. Now, I know some of you may be saying, in a not to flattering way, “Well, you are just defaulting to the least common denominator of good news.” Yes, indeed I am, and some days it helps put the right perspective on a family full of young men. I read a Bible verse today that really hit home and made me laugh at the same time. I found it due to a reference from a Facebook friend. Let me stop here and update: still not friends with my boys on FB and right now I am very okay with that. Back to the verse; it is Psalm 71: beginning with verse 1. I read it in the Message Bible and this is what it said, “I run for dear life to God. I’ll never live to regret it. Do what you do so well: get
me out of this mess and up on my feet. Many gasp in alarm when they see me, but you take me in stride.” When I got to the “you take me in stride” part is when I laughed. I love when scripture makes me laugh out loud. Let me walk you through how perfect these verses are for me. You see, usually at the Bentley house, when it rains it pours, and when it does I have a tendency to get all in a dither. A lot of the issues are what we like to call ‘fiveminute’ issues: they will fix themselves or won’t matter in five minutes. Others are five-hour issues: by the end of the day, they too will have corrected themselves or they won’t matter. Still others are five day, month, or year issues. These will take a little more time and effort, but eventually, it all works out. I, unfortunately, sometimes treat all problems like five-year problems and give them way too much time and attention. By the way, the Bentleys are not well grounded enough to come up with the “five” rule on our own. We heard it in a sermon. I have been working on not obsessing over every little hiccup the boys throw my way. I have recently, however, found myself singing the old hymn “I Must Tell Jesus” almost daily. My gut instinct when something goes wrong is often to call a friend and start complaining. But I realized they really can’t help me with some of this stuff. The only one who knows what I really need to do and how much I should or shouldn’t react is God. So, “I Must Tell Jesus” has become my theme song. Now, I wish you could hear what I tell Him while and after I am singing this song. I can‘t help but think He has to laugh with how melodramatic I can be. Just a glimpse of what He has heard lately: son one is back at home living in our basement, son two brings home lovely girlfriend (really she was precious) who has three tattoos and a snake bite piercing. (I had no idea what that meant either. Ask a young person.) Son three is on scholarship probation. Oh, how I wish I could give you more details, but if I did I would have to move to Siberia. So I am in the midst of living Psalm 71. I am running to Him and asking Him to, “Do it again. Get me out of this mess. Fix it. Make it better. Make it go away. Tell me what to do.” And He once again is doing what He has done so many times. He is helping me stand on the ground that continues to move under my feet. Whereas, the rest of you might “gasp in alarm” at my hysterics, I know that my God, who has seen it all before, just lovingly laughs, takes me in His arms, and offers me comfort. He takes me in stride. Amen and Hallelujah. n
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Red Hot and Firecrackers
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Get ready for the 4th of July. Spigot drink dispenser with stand. Red bandana napkins and utensils to match with caddy. All made by Tag. Rose Drug; 3103 West Main Place, Russellville; (479) 968-1323
4
The Trail of Painted Pony Series
n4
5
Featured here is War Cry. Many others available. Great for Father’s Day. By Artist Vickie KnepperAdrian. Gifts on Parkway/Gifts on Rogers; 2149 E. Parkway, Russellville (479) 890-6932; 510 S. Rogers, Clarksville (479) 705-8282
n5
Gifts for Dad
Whether working out, playing around the water or just hanging out at the grill, find Dad’s new footwear at Feltner’s by Nike, Keen, Patagonia and many more. Feltner’s Athlete’s Corner; 2320 West Main, Russellville; (479) 968-6464
June 2010
ABOUT...the River Valley | 13
our youth
Story by Lauren Jones Photography by Renee Notto
B
lue jeans. Something so simple and something most of us take for granted every day. However, to some, including Kelli Collins, they are something precious that can be taken away in the blink of an eye. From first glance, Kelli is your typical teenager, wearing a t-shirt, jeans, and flip flops. However, this 12-going-on-22 year old is helping out the community in her own creative, fresh new way. Kelli, with the help of her mother, Renee, has established the project Jeans for Teens, a system in which those in need are able to receive new or gently worn pairs of jeans for free. Kelli came up with the project idea last year when her father was laid off from his job. The struggles that many families must deal with everyday were quickly brought to her attention, and she wanted to do something to help. “Economically, last year was horrible,” Kelli said. “My family was affected, but we were lucky to have family and friends who helped pull us through. Lots of families were not as fortunate. The mission of Jeans for Teens is simple: anyone in need of a pair of jeans will receive help.” The community project has partnered with III’s Company, a local boutique in downtown Russellville. There is a drop-off box for Jeans for Teens inside the store, and with the donation of a new or gently worn pair of blue jeans, shoppers will receive 20% off any purchase. “We believe it is very important to respond within our community to help those in need,” Kelli said.
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Second Baptist Church Invites You To our Vacation Bible School July 12-16, 9:00 – 12:30 p.m.
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Jay & Dennis Griffin
Second Baptist Church • 1100 N Frankfort Ave, Russellville • 967-4085
Beef to Fish, give Fido his wish. Even man’s best friend
Jeans for Teens is a year-round program that will hopefully grow even larger than it already has become. The program accepts any sizes of jeans, and for both boys and girls from Kindergarten to 12th grade. They also have a drop-off box at Notto Chiropractic Clinic, 619 East Parkway in Russellville, and they are hoping to establish more in the very near future. They are also hoping to partner with more organizations beginning this summer, so they can get the word out to more people. The program works closely with school counselors to make certain that jeans go to children who need them. Doing this in a closed, quiet matter allows each child to maintain a positive self-image. “Our goal is to impact every facet of a child’s life to give hope and confidence so that they might achieve full potential,” says Kelli. “Teenagers take their jeans seriously. I know I cannot live without my favorite pair. So many times what you wear can affect how you feel and perform through the school day.” As part of the Miss Arkansas Outstanding Teen organization and as the reigning National Our Diamond Miss “Young Miss Model”, Kelli has been able to use this project as her platform, and thus take this program to new heights. She says this title will allow her to take her platform throughout the state of Arkansas. “I believe that every effort we make will have a positive influence in someone’s life. The average person can easily go to the store and purchase the items that they need for school. However, there are some in our community who can only dream of this. We can make their dreams a reality.” Kelli Collins is just a simple girl with a simple goal – to make sure any child in need has a pair of jeans to call their own. She wants to help her community, but she needs help to get the information out to the public. To donate jeans, please visit one of the drop-off boxes at the locations mentioned previously. To find out more information about the program, please visit www.myjeansforteens.com, or call Renee Notto at (479) 858-7176. n June 2010
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121 North Commerce Avenue • Russellville, AR 72801 Phone: 479/968-2456 • Fax: 479/968-7914
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Granite • Quartz • Solid Surfaces • Residential & Commercial FREE ESTIMATES (479) 967-0229 709 South El Mira Russellville ABOUT...the River Valley | 15
Summer Art Camps
community
Joining popular art teacher Winston Taylor for three of this summer’s are camps will be Tonya Rhodes. Rhodes is a graduate from Arkansas Tech University with a Bachelors degree in Art Education. She recently completed a long-term are substitute position at Sequoyah Elementary School. Rhodes is married and has three children. Art, to her, has been a process of self realization. “It is a place in my heart that I go to find joy, creation, and challenges,” says Rhodes. Art gives me the opportunity to sift through memories and experiences and channel them down from my soul through my hands and into my own personal expression.” “Creating art is a fun thing to do,” encourages Betty LaGrone, director of the RV Arts Center. “Join one of the summer art camps at the River Valley Arts Center to spend some enjoyable time learning, creating, and spending time with friends.”
16 | ABOUT...the River Valley
• July 5-9: Multi-Media taught by Taylor and Rhodes. • August 2-6: Multi-Media taught by Taylor and Rhodes.
ATU: Buy a Brick
Winston Tayllor and Tonya Rhodes
The camps will be held from 9 a.m. until noon, Monday through Friday. T-shirt, snacks and all supplies are included. Those interested are encouraged to register early as camps are limited to 20 campers. Cost is $75 for members and $85 for nonmembers. Dates, topics and instructors include: • June 7-11: Multi-Media taught by Taylor and Rhodes.
The first round of personalized bricks purchased by Arkansas Tech alumni and friends to show their support for the university has been installed at Centennial Plaza on the campus of Arkansas Tech. The bricks are arranged around a plaque that sits in the walkway inside Centennial Plaza. There are currently 121 personalized bricks on the plaza. They are inscribed with the names of Tech alumni and friends and a variety of messages from members of the Tech family. Situated between Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field and Williamson Hall, Centennial Plaza was created during the Return to Glory capital campaign to serve as a pedestrian mall and as a tailgating area before home football games. It was dedicated at Homecoming 2009.
June 2010
Sunset Cinema Begins
Rick Redden of AMR Architects, the firm that designed Centennial Plaza, with Dr. Robert and Mrs. Jill Brown.
The Arkansas Tech Development Office launched the Centennial Plaza brick program in fall 2009 to give alumni and friends an opportunity to make a visible and lasting show of their affection for Arkansas Tech. The personalized bricks are available at a cost of $100 each. Donors can choose to have up to three lines of text with a maximum of 15 characters per line on each brick. The next round of personalized bricks will be installed before Homecoming 2010, which is scheduled for Oct. 15-16. Approximately 200 additional bricks have already been purchased, but there is still room for more Tech alumni and friends to leave a lasting memory on Centennial Plaza with their own personalized brick. To order a personalized brick in Centennial Plaza, call Debra Fithen at (479) 968-0400 or send e-mail to bricks@atu.edu.
The Promotion and Events committee of the Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce is extremely excited about welcoming back the very popular Sunset Cinema for its fourth season. The first showing is scheduled for Thursday, June 3, at Lake Dardanelle State Park. Admission is $1 per adult and children under 12 are free. Movies start at dusk. The target audience is families with young children and pre-teens. Sponsorship packages provide an excellent opportunity to spread the word about local businesses to a large family audience and simultaneously show support for this exciting community program, says committee organizers. “Several sponsorship opportunities are available and all include on-screen and print advertising; table at the park, logo on signage and printed materials, announced as major sponsor in local media, and before and after showing, and banner displayed beside screen for the entire season.” For more information, contact the Chamber at (479) 968-2530. n
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ABOUT...the River Valley | 17
18th Annual
Taste of Valley: Excellent Event
For the 18th year in a row, Main Street Russellville's annual fundraiser event, Taste of the Valley, proved to be an overwhelming success. Held annually on the last Thursday of each April, this year's event featured 32 exhibitors offering their favorite dishes and featured beverages. For the price of an advanced $20 ticket ($25 at the door,) partons feasted on everything from sandwiches and desserts to fine wines and sliced rib eyes. Attendance, which approached nearly 500 this year, has grown steadily each year since the event began. The event was moved to the Historic Russellville MissouriPacific Railroad Depot two years ago when the capacity grew to overflow at Hughes Community Center where Taste of the Valley had been held previously. Fat Daddy's Barbecue was selected as People's Choice Award winner while the Best Taste award went to York Family Catering. Oak Tree Bistro and Coffee House received the award for Best Presentation. Sales generated from tickets sales and event sponsors produced approximately $19,000 in net revenue. Taste of the Valley is Main Street Russellville's main fundraising event and has been named one of Arkansas' award-winning festivals. 18 | ABOUT...the River Valley
June 2010
June 2010
Photos by Steve Newby
ABOUT...the River Valley | 19
food
We’re Not Done Yet!
More Contest Recipes
T
he May issue of ABOUT... the River Valley highlighted the winners from our recipe contest and this issue will share additional contest entries. I have never been known as “a woman of few words” -- just ask my hubby and any one I work with. However, I will try to limit my comments and just say... “read these recipes and COOK ON!”
by Dianna Qualls About the River Valley Food Editor
BUTTERY CRAZY BREAD 2 packages yeast 1/4 c. warm water 2 tsp. salt 1 c. potato water (see note) 1/2 c. butter flavored shortening
3/4 c. sugar 1 c. scalded milk 6 c. flour 1-2 sticks butter, melted
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add salt to potato water. Cream shortening and sugar, adding alternately, a little at a time, flour, potato water, milk and yeast water until a stiff dough is formed. Let rise until double. Knead well. Divide dough in half. Roll to a 1/4” thickness and cut as for dumplings. Dip each piece in melted butter and drop crazily into bundt pans. Fill each pan only half full with dough. Let rise until double. Bake at 375 for 35 minutes. Makes 2 pans. (Note: Potato water-the water from boiling potatoes.) – Elaine Thompson, Pottsville
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S’MORES CUPCAKES
Cupcakes: 1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour 1 1/2 c. sugar 1 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. baking soda 1/2 c. cocoa ¾ c. graham cracker crumbs 1 c. milk 2 eggs 2 tsp. vanilla 1/2 c. oil
Filling: 3 oz. cream cheese, softened 1 1/2 c. marshmallow cream Icing: 1/4 c. heavy cream 1/4 c. butter 4 oz. milk chocolate chips 1/2 c. confectioner’s sugar, sifted
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda together with a wire whisk. Separate the mixture in half into 2 bowls. Stir cocoa into one bowl and the graham cracker crumbs into the other. Add 1/2 cup milk, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/4 cup oil to the cocoa mixture and beat on low for 30 seconds until blended, then on medium for 2 minutes. Repeat adding the same ingredients to the graham cracker crumb flour mixture. Pour graham cracker crumb batter into bottom of baking cup to 1/3 full. Pour chocolate batter on top to fill cups 2/3 full. Bake for 15 minutes or until done. Let cool completely. While cooling, make filling. In a bowl place softened cream cheese. With a mixer, whip cream cheese. Fold marshmallow cream into cream cheese. Place into decorating bag with small round tip. Insert tip into center of each cupcake about halfway down. Gently squeeze bag pulling upwards until cake is swollen slightly and filling comes to the top. Prepare icing, heat the butter and cream on the stove in a small pan. Heat until just before it boils. Remove and pour over chocolate. Stir until completely melted. With a mixer, beat in confectioner’s sugar until smooth. Place icing on cupcakes. – Elaine Thompson, Pottsville
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479-967-1437
June 2010
MISS MICKEY’S RUM BREAD PUDDING
FRESH ORANGE CAKE
Chamberlyne
2 ½ c. all-purpose flour 1 ¾ c. sugar 1 ½ tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. baking powder ½ tsp. salt 1 c. vegetable oil 1 c. fresh orange juice Melt butter in a small pan. Add sugar 3 large eggs and cinnamon and made a paste. Line 1 c. sour cream bottom of casserole dish (9”x12”) Orange Cream Cheese Frosting with sliced French bread. Be sure to (recipe follows) stuff small pieces in every small area Garnish with thinly sliced orange between slices of bread. Spread 1/2 of cinnamon mixture on bread with pastry Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Spray three brush. Sprinkle 3/4 cup of white raisins (9-inch) cake pans with nonstick baking on top. Place another layer of bread and spray with flour. cinnamon mix. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add 5 double yolk or 7 whole eggs oil, orange juice, eggs and sour cream. 5 c. milk Beat at medium speed with a mixer until 1 1/2 c. half and half smooth. 3/4 c. sugar Pour into prepared pans, and bake for 1 T. vanilla 20 to 25 minutes or until a wooden pick Dash of salt inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from pans and cool completely on Beat eggs and add the milks, sugar, wire racks. vanilla and salt. Pour over bread and let Spread Orange Cream Cheese Frosting stand 1 hour. Bake 1 1/2 hours at 350 evenly between layers and on top and degrees in a pan immersed in a larger sides of cake. Garnish with orange slices, if pan with boiling water up to 1 inch on desired. the sides. Orange Cream Cheese Frosting Rum Topping: 1 c. butter, softened 1/2 c. butter 1 (8-oz.) package of cream cheese, softened 1/2 c. sugar 1 tsp. orange zest 1 egg beaten ¼ c. fresh orange juice 8 c. confectioner’s sugar Heat together butter and sugar. Remove from heat. Stir in egg and keep stirring In a large bowl, beat butter, cream (it may look like it has curdled). Add 1/4 cheese, and orange zest at medium cup rum or 1 tsp. rum extract. Pierce speed with a mixer until creamy. Add pudding with fork as you pour over hot orange juice, beating until combined. pudding in the pan. Let set one hour and Gradually add confectioner’s sugar, serve while still warm. beating until smooth. – Pat Bailey, Carter Cove – Theresa McPherson, Russellville 1 loaf French bread cut in 1/2” slices 3 T. butter or oleo 3 T. sugar 2 tsp. cinnamon 3/4 c. white raisins
Millyn’s 41st Anniversary Sale THURSDAY, JUNE 10TH THRU SATURDAY, JUNE 19TH
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June 2010
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Call Millyn's for Wedding Gifts ABOUT...the River Valley | 21
Ask f your f or samp ree le
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Ki d s Nig ht
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BANANA OATMEAL BREAD 1 c. packed brown sugar 7 T. vegetable oil 2 large egg whites 1 large egg 1 1/3 c. mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large) 1 c. regular oats ½ c. fat free milk 2 c. all-purpose flour 1 T baking powder ½ tsp. baking soda ½ tsp. salt ½ tsp. ground cinnamon cooking spray Preheat oven to 350 degrees Combine first 4 ingredients in a large bowl; beat well at medium speed with a mixer. Combine bananas, oats and milk, add to sugar mixture, beating well. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups, level with knife. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon, stir with a whisk. Add to sugar mixture, beat just until moist. (I add 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 cup of dark chocolate chips to the batter.) Spoon into greased muffin tins and bake
for 30 to 45 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes and remove from pan. (Sometimes I also sprinkle the top with pecans, cinnamon and sugar and press into batter before baking.) – Pam Halverson, Russellville
DANISH FLUFF 1 c. flour ½ c. margarine 2 T. water Cut in flour and ½ c. margarine and add water. Pat onto a cookie sheet in 12 x 3 inch rectangles. Topping: 1 c. water ½ c. margarine 1 c. flour 3 whole eggs 1 tsp. vanilla Boil water and margarine until margarine melts. Remove from heat; add flour, vanilla and eggs, one at a time. Spread over the crust. Bake 60 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool. Frost with powdered sugar, frosting and slice. – Ruby Dumas, Pottsville
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22 | ABOUT...the River Valley
Bill & Marlene Newton, Owners • (479) 968-1157 • 715 West Main, Russellville, AR June 2010
PEANUT BUTTER FINGERS 1/2 c. butter 1/2 c. sugar 1/2 c. brown sugar 1 egg 1/3 c. peanut butter 1/2 tsp. soda 1/4 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. vanilla 1 c. flour 1 c. oatmeal
Top with lemon icing: 1 T. butter, softened juice and zest of one lemon (Have more on hand in case you need it) 1 lb. powdered sugar. Mix butter, lemon juice and zest. Add powdered sugar until icing reaches desired consistency. – Danielle Housenick, Russellville
Mix in order listed and spread in 12”x8” pan. (I use a Pyrex). Bake at 325 for approximately 30 minutes. After baking, sprinkle with 1 cup chocolate chips and let stand for 5 minutes, then spread. Combine 1/3 cup powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons peanut butter -- amounts are approximate -- with enough milk -- I use Fat Free Half & Half -- to mix and drizzle over chocolate mixture, using a marbling effect. Enjoy! – Linda Wolf, Russellville
ORANGE AND LEMON COOKIES 1 c. Crisco shortening 2 c. sugar 2 eggs zest and juice of 2 oranges 1 c. sour milk (1 T lemon juice + a little less than 1 c. 2% milk) 4 ½ c. flour (more if needed) 2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. baking soda pinch salt
FRESH FRUIT TARTLETS 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese ½ c. powdered sugar 1 c. Coolwhip 1 tsp. vanilla or lemon flavoring
Put cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla (or lemon flavoring) in a bowl and mix until smooth. Fold in Coolwhip. Pour Cream shortening and sugar; add eggs, into individual tartlet crusts. Top with add zest and juice. Mix baking powder, fresh fruit. soda, flour and salt together. Add some – Theresa McPherson, Russellville flour mixture to creamed batter and mix. Next add milk and mix. Add flour and milk alternately until all are used up. Note: More of our contest recipes will Using a teaspoon put about 20 on a cookie appear in the August 2010 issue of sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for ABOUT... the River Valley Magazine. 9-10 minutes at 350 degrees. Thanks to all who competed! n
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ABOUT...the River Valley | 23
recreation Come Out and Play!
If you are tired of hearing, ‘there’s nothing to do here,’ then pack your day bag. Russellville Parks and Recreation Department maintains 15 separate facilities that offer outdoor opportunities for the whole family. They maintain a public pool at Hickey Park which is open each day of the summer, weather permitting. For information or reservations at any of the Russellville Park facilities, call Russellville Recreation and Parks Department at (479) 968-1272 or visit Hughes Community Center, 1000 East Parkway, Russellville. Hickey Pool: located at 1312 East 16th Street adjacent to Hickey Park complex, normally opens to the public on Memorial Day. The pool opens Sunday through Friday at 12:30 p.m., on Saturday at 11 a.m. and closed each day at 7 p.m. Daily admission: adults (18 and older), $4; children 7-17, $3; children 6 and under, $2; Children under one year are admitted free with parent. Season passes are available beginning at one adult, $55; one child, $45; two children, $60, etc. Family passes: adult and one child, $70; adult and two children, $85, etc. Additional combination family passes and family discounts are available. Passes may be purchased at the Hughes Center during regular business hours. The pool is available for private party reservations. A rental fee is required when booking so reservations are not made over the phone. Information is available by contacting Hughes Center. Swimming lessons: are conducted by the Pope County Chapter of the American Red Cross at Hickey Pool. Morning and evening classes are held during the week. For schedule and cost, contact the Red Cross at (479) 968-3498. Russellville City Park: 915 East B Street, has a pavilion with restrooms, separate play units for kids ages 5-12 and ages 2-5, picnic areas, basketball courts, tennis/pickleball courts and a walking trail. The Hughes Community Center, Arkansas River Valley Arts Center, and Parks Department Maintenance facilities are located in City Park. Confederate Mother’s Memorial Park: 1915 S. Glenwood, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as a significant historic site. Three monuments dedicated to the Mothers of the Confederacy are located within the park. This area remains natural and undeveloped. Harmon Park Skate Park: 205 S. Jonesboro Avenue, is home to the Russellville Skate Park. The skate park was designed and built by Wally Hollyday Design and California Skateparks. Open daylight to dark.
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Call 479-567-6616 24 | ABOUT...the River Valley
Illinois Bayou Park: 6630 US Hwy 64 W, includes two boat ramps, docks, parking space for cars and trailers, picnic tables and grills. Plans include a 1.5 mile hiking trail along the lake shore. James School Park: 807 West 4th Place, features a pavilion with restrooms, modern play equipment and basketball courts. M.J. Hickey Park: 1312 East 16th Street, Russellville’s seven field baseball complex is located in Hickey Park, along with the municipal swimming pool and two pavilions with restroom facilities. Pleasant View Park: 3595 North Arkansas, (also known as the 4-Plex) features four tournament size softball fields, a modern playground, our largest pavilion, and handicapped accessible fishing on Lake Dardanelle. The area has walking trail for area residents and the Russellville competition water ski facility, located in the west section of Pleasant View. An 18-hole disc golf course, with unique layout with open and wooded holes, is surrounded by water on three sides adjacent to the competition water ski area. Russellville Soccer Complex: 901 Lock & Dam Road, has 15 soccer fields, a concession with restroom facilities, a pavilion, a modern playground and a one mile multi-purpose trail. Sequoyah Park: 1805 West 12th Street, features a pavilion with group grill, restrooms and a large composite playground structure. Sheppard Drive Fields: 1222 Sheppard Drive, is an undeveloped sports fields next to Old Post Park. Shiloh Park: 3405 North Arkansas Ave., located near Pleasant View Park. has two softball fields, a pavilion, modern play structure, tennis/basketball and pickleball court, sand volleyball court, and boat launch areas. Shiloh is a favorite for bank fishing in Lake Dardanelle. Veterans Park: 1005 North Detroit Ave., has a lighted American Flag, a plaque commemorating the 100th anniversary of the VFW, as well as other markers dedicated to veterans in the park; features a large open play area, an EVOS play structure, basketball court, and a gazebo. Vick Field: 915 East Parkway, has two practice ball fields, concession area and restrooms; located across from Hughes Community Center. Washburn Park: 1185 Lakefront Drive, is named for Cephas Washburn; a favorite for family gatherings with pavilion, modern play equipment, restrooms, picnic areas, and trail head to Bona Dea Trails. A memorial for Hospice patients overlooks Lake Dardanelle. Ouita Boat Lanch: across from Washburn Park provides a launch, dock, and parking for vehicles with boat trailers. n
l Taste of the Valley th AnnuaChoice 18“People’s Award” Winner Fonts: Copperplate Serpentine D Bold Colors: PANTONE Reflex Blue C PANTONE Red 032 C PANTONE Black C
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June 2010
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FATHER’S DAY GIFTS Gift Cards Available
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Optional catchers help the FasTrak maintain a professional-quality lawn. June 2010
2200 East Main • Russellville 479-890-4848 ABOUT...the River Valley | 25
theatre
Story by Connie Las-Schneider Photos Courtesy of Stages
‘Oh, the Thinks You Can Think’ E
very summer, parents in the River Valley are faced with finding ways to keep their school aged children busy and productive during the long vacation. Sports programs and outdoor activities are great for many children, and excellent programs exist that promote team work and dedication. But what about children who are drawn to artistic expression rather than organized athletics? Where do they go to learn teamwork, cooperation and to build self confidence? They go on stage. Stages Theatre for Youth at the University of Ozarks in Clarksville has been running a popular summer program for young performers from 6 to 18 years of age for the past 14 years. “Theatre can give children a chance to be part of something bigger than themselves. It’s a collaborative effort with a common goal,” said 1991 U of O Alumni Ginny Sain, director of Stage Theatre for Youth, director
of the Walton Arts and Ideas Series and director of Communication Education at U of O. After working in children’s theatre in Oklahoma and Texas, Sain came back to U of O in 1997 and started the Stages program the same year. “In addition to fostering a life-long love of the arts, our program is designed to promote self-awareness and communication skills, foster self-confidence, and encourage team work and responsibility, explained Sain. We encourage our young performers to think creatively and they love it.” The program also encourages students who prefer to work backstage building sets, designing costumes and participating in other important backstage activities. “We have a place for everyone,” said Sain. Although organized athletics are not included in the program, Stages is very physically demanding and our kids leave totally physically exhausted at the end of
the day. We have nine-hour long rehearsals in the summer, including dance rehearsals and lots of really physical stuff, said Sain. This year, a total of 60 kids will be working on-stage and back-stage to produce three shows; two plays and a musical. This is not really a summer camp, said Sain. Kids come to rehearsals at a specific time every week for two or three weeks depending on the production; three weeks for the musical and two weeks for each play. While some young performers audition for all three, others only audition for one or two productions, she added. Other “core groups” of students also participate in plays throughout the year, as part of a serious, on-going theatre training program. “Everything our children do here helps teach them important life lessons in a fun, rewarding way. The older performers help mentor the younger ones, who in turn, are happy for the extra attention,” said Sain. “Kids that are good at athletics often get a lot of praise and attention, but the more creative and artistic ones don’t always get the attention they deserve. Our program gives them that.” The summer’s big musical production, “Suessical” seems to embody the program’s creative, nurturing philosophy. “Oh, the Thinks You Can Think” is one song from the musical, which features popular Dr. Suess characters including the Cat in The Hat, Horton the Elephant, Jojo who can hear the Whos from Whoville, and the Grinch. Another song that gives kids something to think about is the aptly named, “How Do You Raise a Child?” Two plays will also be produced. “And a Child Shall Lead” is a story about children in a Nazi camp and how they use art to transcend their circumstances. The play’s dark subject matter is an exercise in
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achieving social change through art, said Sain. It shows children how theatre can be more than entertainment and that it can affect change in the world. “Eleemosynary” is about a girl participating in a national spelling bee and revolves around her relationship with her mother and grandmother. Eleemosynary, which means charitable works of kindness, is the word she is given to spell. Again, there is a moral to the story, teaching life lessons along the way. Another valuable skill these young performers learn is flexibility and adaptability, said Sain. Last winter, during a matinee production put on for high school students of “The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams, there was a scene in which actor, Weston Kemp, a high school junior, was supposed to knock off some glass statues onto the floor. In the process, Kemps foot accidentally got caught under the edge of the table topped with glass ornaments. The table fell on top of Kemp and a lamp also fell and broke over his head. The two girls on stage with him looked horrified, but Weston shook it off and stayed in character and the scene ended without the audience knowing anything was wrong. “Even the kids backstage thought it was supposed to happen! That’s a good example of “the show must go on” adaptability,” said Sain.
Students who participate by invitation year-round in Company One for 5th to 8th graders or the “Professional Training Company” for 9-12 grade students are also exposed to other exciting learning opportunities. These students have taken field trips to New York City to see Broadway shows, to Disneyland to participate in performance seminars, even to London, England. “The first year, we took eight kids to London. Some of them had never even been on an airplane before,” said Sain. Whether students participate for only one summer, or come back every year until they graduate from high school, most seem to feel they are part of a big theatre family. “We have so many kids who literally grew up in the program,” said Sain. They always talk about the relationships they formed and many in the core group have gone on to pursue careers in the theatre. Two kids who started the program together in kindergarten or 1st grade and kept at it until they graduated are Robert Frost and Caitlin Krohn. Frost, 18, is now enrolled at South Western University in their theatre program and Krohn, 19, is majoring in theatre at the University of Tulsa. “Stages for Youth means so much to me, said Krohn. The first things that came to mind are home and family. I found another family there, people I can’t imagine my life without. I found a place that accepted me for who I am and allowed me to slowly discover who I was and what I wanted to be. I not only had a wonderful chance to get a solid base for theatre techniques or literature to give me something to start with at college, but I learned about life and found relationships and people that I will carry with me forever.” For further information on the Stages Theatre program at U of O call Director, Ginny Sain at her office 479-979-1346 or visit the program website at www. kidsonstage.info. n
“Respect for Acting” by Kelsey Looney (2002) I will not! My exact words. At nine years old I wanted nothing to do with theatre. But father knows best. So to auditions I reluctantly went. The words of my carefully prepared monologue Rattling around in my head. On the enormous stage My voice bounced off the walls Echoes creating a crowd That spoke along with me. And I wasn’t afraid. Instead, I wanted more than anything To be cast, to be famous. So…autographs,anyone? Looney is an 11th grader with the PTC, who has been with the Stages Theatre program for nine years. She wrote this poem as a poetry assignment at school about auditioning for the 2002 production of Alice in Wonderland, her first show with the U of O children’s theatre.
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(479) 970-4235 ABOUT...the River Valley | 27
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a
Field of E LOV ‘A Field of Angels’ is Mark Brashear’s dream-come-reality benefitting special needs children who he feels should get the opportunity to feel like “normal” boys and girls. Brashears joined the Pottsville Athletic Association (PAA) in order to spread his love of baseball to the children he believed needed it the most. The goal of the Angels program is to help children with special needs experience the joy of baseball, in a positive and safe environment, says Brashear. The organization is open to all special needs children living in the Arkansas River Valley. Ages range from kindergarten through 12th grade. Weather permitting the players have four to six games each season, held on Saturdays at the Pottsville Ball Fields. A 30-minute practice session is generally held before each game. The games give them a chance to be a part of a team, play a team sport and enjoy the out-of-doors. Brashear was watching a special-needs basketball league called
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‘Shooting for Success’ when he thought of the idea. Being an avid baseball fan, Brashear thought that it would be great to allow special needs kids to play baseball, a sport he loves. Teams use tee-ball format with each player having the chance to hit three pitched balls before the ball is set upon the tee. Players then round the bases until the last batter hits a home run. The bases are then cleared and the other team takes bat. Athletes are paired with a volunteer who assists the player at bat and in the field. Special equipment is used and rules have been adapted so each individual gets the
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the fields. Help is always needed in the concession stand, as well. The first teams were formed in early 2009 with the first volunteer meeting held in April. Originally 45 children registered to play ball with two teams for the 4 to 11 age bracket and two teams for ages 12 to 18. Brashear hopes any child with special needs will be able to participate in this league, despite their financial status. The organization’s goal is to provide this experience without financial burden to the athlete’s families, and that the group would eventually be able to provide the players with a field designed to meet their special needs.
The goal of the Angels program is to help children with special needs experience the joy of baseball chance to hit the ball and to run the bases. There are no entry fees and practices are Volunteers 11 years of age and older are held on game days to alleviate transportation always appreciated to assist the players, to costs and logistics. Assistance was provided work as team managers, or help maintain in the beginning (2009) from Sportscene and
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June 2010
Feltner’s Athlete’s Corner (uniforms and equipment) and generous donations from Cunningham metals and ConAgra. Other original sponsors included: Arkansas Shockers, Bethany and Richard Henry, Bethel Assembly Of God Church, Daiber Vision Care, Embroidery Impressions, Equestrian Zone, Firestone, Gary and Hope Penman, Hampton Gun and Pawn. Also, Imperial Chips, Liberty Bank, Lieblong Eye Clinic, Lowe’s, Marie Earls, Mt. Vernon Freewill Baptist Church, Mullens Team Sports, Pottsville Freewill Baptist Church, Quick Service Cleaners, Sexton Foods of Atkins, Shiloh Masonic Lodge #552, Tri-State, Thermo King, Valley Power Sports, Wal-Mart and the Wonder Bread Thrift Store of Russellville. Local businesses and individuals sponsoring A Field of Angels for 2010 include: Arkansas Orthopaedic Institute, Cindy Thompson, Daiber Vision Care, Embroidery Impressions, Gary and Hope Penman, Lance Lawrence DDS and Posey Printing.
Heather Harris assists Brashear and the Pottsville Athletic Association with the program. Both Heather and Mark maintain a blog to keep team members and their families updated. A Field of Angels also has a Facebook page. The first game for 2010 was played in May where t-shirts were distributed to players and volunteers. The group’s last game is scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday, June 5, at the Pottsville fields. A celebration with food and the awarding of trophies will follow. Each player will take the mound and have their name announced on the loud speaker, says Brashears. All funds are handled through the Pottsville Athletic Association by their association board. The PAA is a nonprofit organization with a 501(c)3 status. Receipts provided to contributors as needed. All donations are tax deductible and may be mailed to: Pottsville Athletic Association, Attn: A Field of Angels, P.O. Box 567, Pottsville, AR 72858.
To volunteer your time or make a donation please contact Brashear or Harris via their email address at: AFieldofAngels@gmail. com. For additional information, contact the Pottsville Athletic Association at 968-7275 or call Mark Brashears at 264-8960. Visit the organization’s blog at http://afieldofangels. blogspot.com for an update list of events. n
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ABOUT...the River Valley | 29
You are gonna be a ‘goodmom!’
B
eing a parent is one of life’s most rewarding – and demanding – experiences. Even before the first cry is heard or diaper changed, parents are preparing their minds, bodies and spirits for this life-changing event. To help expectant and young families along this journey, Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center and Millard Henry Clinic offer supportive and educational “goodmoms” and “goodsiblings” programs. Goodmoms is a comprehensive source of current, researchbased information on pregnancy, birth, and child care from infancy into adolescence. Expectant mothers planning to deliver at Saint Mary’s are introduced to the program at their first prenatal visit to Millard Henry Clinic. Program benefits include: • A pregnancy book – good reading on pregnancy, birth and post-natal care. • Monthly newsletters – beginning in the first trimester and continuing through the baby’s first weeks at home, packed with helpful information and tips. • Weekly e-newsletters – specific to your due date or your child’s date of birth, this content-rich newsletter delivers week-by-week support in healthy growth and development from early pregnancy through your child’s third year. Users also have unlimited access to an extensive online library of health information, and the opportunity to email any questions directly to Saint Mary’s, to be answered by our experienced medical staff. Sign up at www.saintmarysregional.com. • A take-home kit with gifts and information to make your first few weeks at home as stress-free as possible.
30 | ABOUT...the River Valley
• Birth announcement – with your consent, Saint Mary’s will place your birth announcement at no charge. • Prepared Childbirth Classes – offering you the knowledge you need to be an active participant in your baby’s birth. Registrants are also offered a tour of the beautifully remodeled hospital facilities. Call (479) 964-5436 or (479) 964-9178 for registration and schedule information. • Seminars – goodmoms parents can look forward to regular women’s and children’s seminars with the obstetric and pediatric staff of Saint Mary’s and Millard Henry Clinic. These fun and informative events cover topics pertinent to the health and well-being of families of all ages. • Baby weigh-in – every Friday evening from 5 – 7 pm, in Café 2 or 3 of the main hospital cafeteria. • Breastfeeding help – Our lactation consultants are available to answer your questions about breastfeeding Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 479-964-9181. New moms also have 24/7access to breastfeeding resources and support through the “Nursing Know How” module of the weekly goodmoms e-newsletter. Find a registration icon on our hospital home page – www.saintmarysregional.com. Millard Henry obstetric patients are also offered a complimentary (yes, free!) 4D ultrasound, at or around the 28th week of pregnancy. This is generally performed at the same time as a routine diagnostic 2D ultrasound, and comes with 4-5 printed 4D photos. A more extended 4D session, complete with a CD of up to 40 images, may be scheduled for a fee. Ask your doctor’s office about this special bonding experience! All River Valley parents, grandparents, and caregivers are welcome and encouraged to sign up for the weekly goodmoms e-newsletter.
June 2010
Enjoy timely information about programs and seminars, Saint Mary’s Women’s and Children’s Services, and more! Find us online on Facebook (Saint Mary’s goodmoms,) the hospital website, www.saintmarysregional. com, or call 479-964-5333. Being a big brother or sister is a really big job! When a new baby joins the family, older brothers and sisters must go through a period of adjustment. Saint Mary’s goodsiblings program may help by providing information and direction to aid in this exciting yet stressful time. Siblings and siblings-to-be who enroll in goodsiblings classes will be taught much about what to expect when the new baby comes home. Seminars will show children what newborns look like and let them hear what the new baby may sound like. Instructors will show siblings how they can help Mom, Dad and baby at home and how to properly interact with the youngest addition. This fun learning experience is offered at no charge to children of Millard Henry Clinic obstetric patients. Class materials and keepsake items include: • A small logoed shoulder bag – to keep ready just like Mom’s! • Big brother/Big Sister coloring pages with crayons. • “My Little Brother/Sister” keepsake sheets for the new baby’s birth information, to be completed with footprints during the hospital stay. • A “cap and gown” ceremony at the conclusion of the class. • A Certificate of Achievement, presented during “graduation.” • A plush toy wearing a pink or blue “I’m a big sister/brother!” t-shirt. All print items are sized to 5x7 for framing or scrapbooking convenience. A group photo will be taken of all goodsiblings class “graduates.” With parental consent, the photo will be issued for publication in area newspapers.
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Dr. Vickie Henderson, an obstetrician/ gynecologist with Saint Mary’s and Millard Henry Clinic, recalled when her oldest child went through a similar siblings program. “We still have the photograph on the wall,” she said. “It was a special experience for her, and I encourage all our patients with young siblings-to-be to take advantage of this free class.” Goodsiblings is open to children of all ages, and is especially helpful to children ages two and older. Goodsiblings meets one Monday each month from 6:30 to 7:30 on the campus of Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center. The class is taught by the dedicated staff of Saint Mary’s Women’s and Children’s unit. Please register for goodsiblings by calling (479) 964-5436 or (479) 964-9178 between 8 am and 3 pm, Monday through Friday. A special delivery! Because Saint Mary’s Women’s and Children’s Department continues to grow, delivering more than 1000 babies each year, a complete update and remodel of the department has recently been completed. Moms enjoy private rooms redesigned with beautiful furnishings, contemporary lighting and modern finishes. The open design of the nursing stations is polished, bright and friendly. Expectant fathers and eager siblings are able to relax in the comfort and cheerfulness of the newly remodeled family waiting room. “Our focus has always been on providing compassionate, quality care,” said Dr. Michael Escue, Ob/Gyn with Saint Mary’s and Millard Henry Clinic. “But we are very excited to provide a more modern and comfortable environment to our patients and their families.” As your family grows, Saint Mary’s and Millard Henry Clinic are here to help you meet new challenges. Please call Saint Mary’s Women’s and Children’s department at (479) 964-9178 for more information on our comprehensive services. n
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ABOUT...the River Valley Magazine
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Make gift giving easy. Will wrap and deliver throughout the year! For ten issues (1 year) send $20 payment to: ABOUT Magazine; P.O. Box 10176, Russellville AR 72812
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June 2010
Wilderness Adventure Camp for Youth
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Do you think you could survive in the wild? Come test you survival skills and learn some new ones. Lake Dardanelle State Park will be holding a three-day camp from Wednesday, June 23 through Friday, June 25 for children ages 8-12. The camp includes backpacking tips, knot tying instructions, fishing techniques, and much more. The campers will meet at the visitor center at 9 a.m. each day and will be ready to be picked up there at 4 p.m. Lunch, snacks, and all materials will be included in the $65 registration fee.
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The camp has limited space, so get your registration in early. The absolute latest you can register is June 16th (provided there is still space available). Registration forms are available at the Lake Dardanelle State Park Visitor Center, or by email request to: lakedardanelle@arkansas.com. Lake Dardanelle State Park is one of the 52 state parks administered by the State Parks Division of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. The park offers two areas on 34,300-acre Lake Dardanelle. The Russellville (main park) and Dardanelle locations both offer camping, marinas, launch ramps, standard pavilions, picnic sites, restrooms, and bathhouses. Along with the visitor center and fishing tournament weigh-in pavilion, the Russellville area offers a barrier-free fishing pier and nature trail. Year-round interpretive programs are offered at the Russellville area. To reach each park: Russellville Area: Take Exit #81 (Ark. 7) off I-40 at Russellville. Turn south, then immediately turn west on Ark. 326 and go four miles. Dardanelle Area: Go four miles west of Dardanelle on Ark. 22. For more information about the Wilderness Survival Camp event or any park events contact the park at (479) 9675516 or visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com or www.AdventureStateParks.com. n June 2010
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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.)
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June 2010
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Hall, McKelvy to Wed Janis Hall and Larry and Sonya Hall, all of Fort Smith, announce the engagement of their daughter, Rachel Ann Hall, to William Timothy McKelvy, son of Bill and Shelia McKelvy of Russellville. Miss Hall is the granddaughter of Joe and Mary Hall of Little Rock, Ed DePriest of Fort Smith and the late Doris DePriest. The bride-elect is a 2006 graduate of Fort Smith Southside High School and a 2010 graduate of the University of Central Arkansas with a degree in Biology. Mr. McKelvy is the grandson of James and Ramona Griffith of Conway, Delores McKelvy of Paris and the late William McKelvy. The prospective groom is a 2004 graduate of Russellville High School and a 2009 graduate of the University of Central Arkansas with a B.S.E. in Middle Level Education. He is employed by the Western Yell County School District as head baseball coach, assistant football coach and Junior High Science Teacher. The wedding will take place at 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 12, at Central Presbyterian Church in Fort Smith. A reception will follow at Adelaide Ballroom in Fort Smith. Friends and relatives are invited to attend.
Parents, Rev. Travis and Rachelle Tadlock of Jonesboro and Dr. Michael and Margie Smith of Russellville announce the engagement and forthcoming wedding of their children Ashley Rachelle and Nathaniel Ryan Thomas. The bride elect is a 2004 graduate of the American School of Lancing, Ill., and a 2007 graduate of National Park Community College of Hot Springs with an Associate Degree in Nursing. She is presently attending Arkansas State University for her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2011. She is employed as a registered nurse at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. She serves on the Youth Staff and is Music Director for Backstage Ministry at Apostolic Church in North Little Rock. The prospective groom is a 2004 graduate of Russellville High School and 2008 graduate of Arkansas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He is employed as the Student Pastor and Director of the Backstage Student Ministry at the Apostolic Church in North Little Rock. The wedding ceremony is planned for July 9, 2010, at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary of the Apostolic Church 4314 Landers Road in North Little Rock. A reception will follow in the Apostolic Activity Center (AAC) located on the church campus.
Edwards, Melton Engaged Laura Elizabeth Edwards and John Daniel Melton, both of Cabot, announce their engagement and forthcoming marriage. Laura is the daughter of Nolan and Dianne Edwards of Russellville. She is the granddaughter of Sue Siler of Russellville, the late Harold Richard Siler, and Robert and Virginia Edwards of Dardanelle. The bride-elect is a graduate of Russellville High School, Ouachita Baptist University and the University of Central Arkansas. She is employed by Lonoke Public Schools and teaches secondary level Spanish at Lonoke High School. Daniel is the son of Don and Marla Melton of Cabot. He is the grandson of Betty Acree Johnson of Cabot, the late Ralph Acree, and James and Sue Melton of North Little Rock. Daniel is a graduate of North Pulaski High School. He has been employed by The Kroger Company for the past 12 years and currently serves as assistant produce manager in Cabot. The wedding will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 26, at First Baptist Church in Cabot. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall of First Baptist. Friends and family are invited to attend. Following their marriage, the couple will make their home in Cabot.
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.
June 2010
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