ABOUT | November 2008

Soldier Bear . . . Built For Sharing

NOVEMBER 2008 a publication of SILVER PLATTER PRODUCTIONS, INC. www.aboutrvmag.com

“A beautiful smile can leave a lasting impression” What Impression Does Your Smile Make?

– Dona Kirkpatrick Longtime Patient of Dalton Family Dentistry

Before

After

No Matter the Situation...

“ Thank you Dr. Dalton and Staff for my beautiful smile.”

Before

After

You Too Can Leave a Lasting Impression

– Bonnie Haines Longtime Patient of Dalton Family Dentistry

Before

Dalton

FAMILY

3105 West Main

We Cater to Cowards

(479) 968-1001

Dentistry

Russellville AR

After

November 2008

contents 8

Built for Sharing

12

Never Let the Road Dust Settle

14

Kechia: Dashboard Dolly

18

Caregivers Share Burden of Alzheimer’s

20

Greased Lightening

n New Fall Apparel arriving daily.

The Northface Women’s Mossbud along with women’s Mountain Khakis Cottonwood Cord with Keen Betty Boot in Nile/Iguana is modeled by Greta Sikes.

Feltner’s Athletes’ Corner 2320 West Main • Russellville (479) 968-6464

n Baby’s First Christmas!

Diaper cakes, wipee cases, pacy holders make the perfect gift for that perfect little one.

Sky Designs Stephanie Young

skp.young@hotmail.com (479) 970-2215

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May Your Thanksgiving Be...

32

They Got the Beat

34

Healing Handbags

35

Be Santa to a Senior

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ABOUT... the Best Products

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Zumba, Zumba... ZOOM!

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ABOUT... Weddings

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ABOUT... at Your Service!

n Decorative Trunks Millyns has many unique, one of a kind pieces like this painted decorative trunk.

Millyns

124 South Front • Dardanelle (479) 229-4144

ABOUT our Cover

Photo by Steve Newby

Waiting for a parent to return from overseas deployment is perhaps a bit easier to those children receiving a Soldier Bear. These Build-A-Bear “Soldier Bears” were created through the efforts of the Pope County Salute to Freedom Task Force and contained a reassuring recorded message from the absent parent. A total of 420 bears, which were distributed to the children in May, were made possible by a large group of unselfish volunteers and contributors. See page 8.

Our Associates Chris ZIMMERMAN

Melanie CONLEY

Jeannie STONE

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479.858.2708 mela nie@a bout r vma g.com

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Steve NEWBY

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4 ABOUT...the River Valley

November 2008

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ABOUT the River Valley

A Publication of Silver Platter Productions, Inc Vol. III, Issue 9 – November 2008

OWNER/PUBLISHER Nolan and Dianne Edwards Silver Platter Productions, Inc. Advertising Sales Melanie Conley Stephanie K. Young LeAnne Colvin Dianne S. Edwards Graphic Design Chris Zimmerman Zim Creative Contributing Writers Kechia Bentley Dianna Qualls Jeannie Stone Contributing PhotographerS Steve Newby RC White Assistant to the Publisher Melissa Edwards

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

6 ABOUT...the River Valley

A PAGE FROM ___________________________________________________

The Editor’s Notebook Over the past several weeks I’ve had the opportunity to visit with business owners and local individuals regarding the state of our economy. It’s not an uncommon topic, just one that bears a bit more attention these days.

It still amazes me what a resilient attitude our River Valley residents possess. Even while national media blasts us with ‘doom and gloom’ forecasts, our local attitude is, for the most part, one of perseverance. And, it has been said more than once that ‘national trends’ often take longer to reach us in Arkansas. Hopefully this talk of recession will be slow in arrival as well.

One business owner, a strong woman whom I have come to know and respect over the past 30 years, expressed her decision to move forward as usual with her marketing strategy for Christmas. She had been surprised by others who chose not to purchase new holiday items, mentioning instead they might “pull out last year’s stock.” Fueled by the forecasted ‘gloom and doom,’ those merchants were surely insecure in their own marketing strategies. (And as my respected retailer expressed, her customers would know!)

How refreshing that she, and many other local merchants like her, are refusing to let anyone crush their American dream.

A few “Recession Facts,” dating back to the 1940s, show us that a typical recession lasts approximately 10 months, and as soon as five months before the recession ends, the market turnaround begins. The most recent, in 2001, lasted eight months when the market hit bottom in October 2001 and rebounded later in 2002. On average, the market climbs to rebound 39% following the recession low. (Source: Ned Davis Research, 2008.)

The way I figure it, we’ve already got a few months behind us.

When I’m not reading or writing, I’m absorbed in channel-surfing. A recent Sunday, I settled on the History Channel to watch a fascinating, yet deeply sobering, documentary about the Dust Bowl era.

For history buffs, the details are clear.

For those needing a refresher course, the Dust Bowl was a period ranging from the 1930s until 1936 (and in some areas until 1940) which resulted in major ecological and agricultural damage to American

and Canadian prairie lands. The Dust Bowl affected 100,000,000 acres and centered on the panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma, and adjacent areas.

The ‘dirty thirties” were a period caused by extreme drought paired with decades of farming without techniques to prevent soil erosion. The soil turned to dust and blew across the plains, blackening the sky and reaching as far as the East Coast. It was, by all accounts, a man-made disaster.

And all of this on the heels of the Great Depression.

What stood out from the recount is the perseverance of the people.

While thousands left and traveled west in search of jobs and relief from the tormenting sandstorms, most remained courageously footed upon what was their land, their home, their life. Refusing to give up, they fought a good fight (albeit with nature.)

I recently found the following quote from Harry S. Truman: “America was not built on fear. America was built on courage…”

It was the courage of those surviving the Depression, the Dust Bowl, and personal tragedy of war and loss that gave us what we have today – freedom, moral values and the will to win.

How thankful we are that the fine folks who call the River Valley ‘home’ are courageous, and willing to ‘win.’ The retailers are courageous for ‘fighting the good fight.” Their customers – our friends and families – are courageous to continue buying when and where they can.

Hopefully, the majority of those purchases are within the Arkansas River Valley, where those tax dollars pave our streets, employ our fire and police staff, and keep our schools on an equal playing field. I know our readers have heard more than once about the importance of spending money in our River Valley. I mention it again to remind everyone that the job you save by shopping at home may be the job of your neighbor, your son or daughter, or even your own.

Please, shop at home this, and every, holiday season. It’s more important now than ever before.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dianne Edwards, Editor/Publisher

November 2008

I’m having a hard time understanding the difference between CAPITALISM & SOCIALISM.

Out and ABOUT Nov. 1: 13th Annual OKTOBERFEST, 4-7 p.m., St. John’s Lutheran Pavilion, 500 N. Cumberland, Ave.; music, inflatable games, silent auction and GREAT German food and drink. Adults, $10; children 6-12, $6.50, 5 and under free.

Nov. 5: ATU Parks, Recreation and Hospitality Fall lunch series, Wednesdays, 11-1, Williamson Hall. Reservations needed for groups of 5 or more. Call (479) 968-0378.

Nov. 6: ATU Parks, Recreation and Hospitality Guest Chef Series, 6-7 p.m. each Thursday through Nov. 20, dining reservations required, Call (479) 968-0378.

Nov. 7: Annual River Valley United Way Cookout, parking lot of Cargill Pork. Call Nichole (479) 968-4560 ext. 226.

Nov. 7-8: 38th Annual Arkansas River Valley Arts and Crafts Fair, Pope County Fair Grounds.

Free Admission. Arkansas Valley Arts and Crafts Club, (479) 967-1290.

Well son, I don’t think you’re alone there.

And the Winner is...

By the time many of you get around to reading this month’s issue of ABOUT… the River Valley Magazine, the elections will be over. (Yeah! No more negative advertising, no more debates, no more ‘he said, she said’!)

However, illustrator Cliff Thomas couldn’t resist one final ‘political jab’ through his cartoon above. We know those whose candidates won will be jubilant. The other half of us might not be as pleased, but in true American spirit, we hope everyone will rally behind all of our newly elected leaders – local, state and national -- and work together for a fresh start in 2009.

The past year has been one of amazing growth for ABOUT Magazine. Our regular readers will recognize the increasing page count, additional advertisers and a continued outreach to bring you more stories about the people you know (or will know) through the pages of each issue.

In addition to bringing you the poignant cartoons provided to us by Cliff, our designer Chris Zimmerman has recently completed our ABOUT Magazine website. We hope you’ll take a few minutes to peruse through the pages on our site, located at www.aboutrvmag. com. We welcome your comments, thoughts and suggestions.

Don’t miss our “Out and ABOUT Calendar” feature. It will be updated on our website as each new event is sent in to us. To add information to our printed calendar, please submit your event no later than the 15th of the month preceding publication. A phone number should be included for reference.

The month of November signals many things – the upcoming holiday season, the annual Veteran’s Day parade, time with family and friends… whatever memories that Autumn conjures up for you, we hope that pleasant thoughts for the days ahead fill you with inspiration and happiness.

November 2008

Nov. 8: Christmas Open House, Parkway Village, regular business hours; drawings, refreshments 11:30-2.

Nov. 8: Arkansas Tech University Homecoming, call (479) 968-0389 or visit http://alumni.atu.edu.

Nov. 14: Country Dance Workshop, 7:30-10:30 p.m., $10 per person. Dance with Joy Studio.

RSVP (479) 968-1620, (479) 264-7287 or email: dancewithjoy@suddenlink.net.

Nov. 15: Ballroom Dance Party, 7:30-10:30. $10 per person. Dance with Joy Studio. RSVP (479) 968-1620, (479) 264-7287 or email: dancewithjoy@suddenlink.net.

Nov. 22: Dance Foundation-sponsored Jazz Intensive with Dennis Glasscock of LR; Witherspoon, ATU. Dancers 8 yrs. and older.

Beginners, 10-Noon; Adv./Inter. 1-3 p.m., Fee: $25. (479) 857-7912.

Nov. 23-Jan.3: 3rd Annual Sportscene Holiday Light Show, 5-11 p.m., corner of Denver & Main.

Nov. 27: Happy Thanksgiving!

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.

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ABOUT...the River Valley 7

Built for

Sharing Story by Johnna Walker • Photos courtesy of J.B. Humphrey & Steve Newby

“Hey kiddo, this is Dad. Be good for Mommy and I’ll be home soon.”

This message is typical of the personalized recordings placed inside 420 Soldier Bears that were distributed to children of Army National Guard troops in 1-206th F. A. Battalion deployed to Iraq. Each bear is outfitted in military fatigues identical to those worn by soldiers in the desert.

The Soldier Bear is a project of the Pope County Salute to Freedom Task Force. Jim Bob Humphrey, Chairman of the task force, says the project was first announced at a January 6th send off ceremony for the troops. The troops were headed to Camp Shelby in Mississippi for training prior to being deployed.

At that time, the intention of the group was to provide Soldier Bears for each child of each soldier in the HHQ Battery in Russellville and in Golf Company. The task force was committed to purchase bears for this group of approximately 150 soldiers, but wanted to extend the program further. If enough revenue was raised, they could include the children of troops from the entire Battalion of almost 600 soldiers.

The troops were at Camp Shelby for three months of pre-deployment training and deployed to Iraq in mid March. The task force began to contact community leaders and business sponsors to help support the project. The Build-a-Bear Workshop CorBEARate office in Kansas City, Mo., was contacted and agreed to give the task force a 30% discount off the retail price.

Purchasing 600 bears would cost around $18,000. The task force asked individuals to participate by donating to the program. In just ten days, $10,000 was received. The fund raising efforts resulted in revenue of $17,500. Donors were individuals, civic groups, Chambers of Commerce and businesses.

The Build-a-Bear Workshop sent 600 Build-a-Sound recordable modules and blank labels for the troops’ personal information to Russellville. These were hand delivered to Camp Shelby by 1Lt. Jonathan Metcalf, Rear Detachment Commander for the 1-206th F.A. HHB. The modules were distributed to the soldiers and the messages for the children were recorded. Then, 420 recorded modules were returned back to Russellville at the end of March.

The next step involved a two-week period during which the task force members typed each soldier’s information into a data-base.

Then each of the 420 recorded modules, name tags and personalized labels were packaged together and returned to Build-A-Bear Workshop in Kansas City.

For two months Build-A-Bear Workshop product deployment department assembled each Soldier Bear and kept them with the proper identification so each bear would go to the correct child. The Soldier Bears were then shipped to the Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Task force members and the staff of Humphrey Funeral Service spent two days at the Chamber building organizing the bears. This task included taking each of the 420 bears out its bag, checking the voice module, putting it in its own “bear house” with the matching label, then grouping by individual company.

On May 13, in an emotion-packed ceremony, the Soldier Bear project completion was announced. Major General William Wofford, Adjutant General of the Arkansas National guard and a Russellville native, was in attendance along with several other military dignitaries. Also present were several state legislators and the mayors of Russellville, Morrilton and Dardanelle.

Major General William Wofford and Jim Bob Humphrey

The ceremony began with a video of some the area troops sending messages to their families from Iraq. Then, Major Damon Cluck telephoned Humphrey from Iraq and was able to address the crowd. Twelve Soldier Bears were then presented to children from each of the six Batteries in the 1-206th F. A. Battalion.

The first children to be presented with the Soldier Bears were two girls, sisters, approximately six and eight years old. As the girls heard their father’s voice, they were moved to tears -- as was most everyone in the audience.

Major General Wofford was called upon by Humphrey to speak to the two girls. He assured them that their father was safe and that everything that could be done to ensure his safe return home was being done.

As additional children received the bears, their reactions were different. One little boy asked, “how did my daddy get in there?” The older children seemed to understand that dad is not at home right now and this bear is his way of keeping them company until his return.

Following the ceremony, task force members attended Family Readiness Group Meetings in Russellville, Dardanelle, Paris, Perryville and Little Rock to distribute the bears. Additional bears have been picked up by family members or shipped by the task force.

Since then, more requests are coming in for Soldier Bears and the task force is filling the requests as they are received. Because of requests from soldiers who are already deployed to Iraq, the task force created a website where the soldier can order a Soldier Bear for his or her child and record his or her voice online from Iraq. The website is www.soldierbear.org.

Task force chairman Humphrey said the idea for the project and its name actually came from his four-year-old grandson, Landon Humphrey. Landon’s birthday party was a Build-A-Bear Workshop party. When Humphrey asked what the task force should call the bear project, Landon said, “well, ‘Soldier Bear’ of course!”

The Pope County Salute to Freedom Task Force took on the project of providing the Soldier Bears to the children of local troops. With the strong support of the citizens and community leaders from this area, the Soldier Bear program has reached farther than the task force could have imagined. n

10 ABOUT...the River Valley

November 2008

Glamour Slumber Party Scheduled at Library

By Jeannie Stone Cadette Girl Scout Troop #6548, Hastings of Russellville, and the Pope County Library are planning community-wide events to welcome novelist Brandi Barnett on Saturday, Nov. 22.

Barnett, a native of Tahlequah, Okla., and a teacher, will sign copies of her debut novel, Glamour, at Hastings from 12-3 p.m.

Scout members will accompany Barnett during the afternoon.

Glamour is about an impulsive and irresponsible fairy, Blaezi, who is banished from her fairy tribe. Through the help of new friends, she redeems her worth using her cleverness to uncover the mystery of missing fairies. She further confronts a human teenage girl and manages to eliminate the threat to the fairies’ existence.

Glamour is a story which challenges the pursuit of beauty at all costs, and in the telling reveals another definition of beauty to the reader -- that of a pure and honorable spirit.

Barnett will teach a one-hour writing workshop at the Pope County Library from 6-7 p.m. for young writers in the River Valley.

Girls 12 years and older are invited to participated in an evening of fun at a slumber party following the workshop. The party will include fun activities based on elements in the book, including conservation issues, American Indian customs, astronomical games and glamour opportunities. The party will conclude with a nod to girl scouting with a “bridging up” ceremony to signify the participants’ intent to respect the earth and to concentrate on developing their own inner beauty.

Registration is required for both activities, and there is no fee. Books will be available for purchase at all events, and Girl Scouts will be wrapping books at the library for a small charge.

Troop #6548 is assisting with press releases, accompanying Barnett at interviews and planning the library events as a community project to promote Girl Scout values. The project will count toward their silver award requirements.

Sponsors include The Rose Club, Progressive Men’s Club, Kroger, Petit Jean Meats, Merle Norman at the City Mall, Bath Junkie, Innsbrook Gift Wraps, Catherine’s Cakes and Reflections Tea Room.

For more information call Lauren Drittler at the Pope County Library, (479) 968-4369 or Jeannie Stone, (479) 747-0210. n

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ABOUT...the River Valley 11

“He’s the wild one,” Marie said and

Story by Jeannie Stone Photo by RC White

pointed to James. “He’s had a motorcycle ever since, well, before we dated.” James chuckled.

Although he came to Russellville a banker, James Biggers has shared his expertise in developing the area’s resources, as well as strengthening the banking community. Both Marie and James Biggers are heavily invested in the community and the region’s most valuable asset, the youth of the River Valley.

James rose from humble beginnings. Growing up the son of a widow in Tuckerman, Ark., there were extras they simply couldn’t afford. A motorcycle was one of those extras. As a young boy, he clipped a picture from everyman’s wish book, the Sears and Roebuck catalog, and placed it under his pillow. Although, a bike didn’t spring forth spontaneously, James’ lifelong fascination with motorcycles had taken hold.

Leaving the small town in northeastern Arkansas, he also took with him the experiences of growing up in a tight community but fatherless.

James and Marie met at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. They didn’t begin dating until Marie moved to Little Rock to fulfill her student-teaching requirement, and James transferred to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock to complete his accounting studies. Ten months later, they married.

James’ imprint on the River Valley is marked by his penchant for starting things up. His career in Russellville began in 1984 as a lending officer for the former People’s Bank, then owned by Worthen Bank. A dozen years later, as the bank faced the prospects of new ownership, James realized the need for a strong, locally-owned bank. He, along with six other organizers, founded River Valley Bank in 1997.

“You know, the bank encouraged him to sell the motorcycle for safety purposes, so he bought a little sports car as a substitute,” Marie said.

“It didn’t last for six months,” James said. “It just wasn’t the same.”

Although, James knew about banking, he didn’t know much about the workings of an office. He accepted his wife’s offer to help out.

“I didn’t think it was a good idea, to tell you the truth,” he said with a smile, “but we didn’t have a logo – or even a stapler to our name. We had to start from scratch, and we needed help.”

A marketing company was hired to develop the logo and take care of the marketing needs of the grand opening, and, from there, Marie acted as the bank’s public relationships officer along with employee and friend Judy Lawton.

“I did all the advertising,” she said and laughed, “but I paid the bills, too. It was a little bit of everything. You know it was a learning experience for both of us. After all, my degree was in teaching, not marketing.”

The relationships the couple formed with the bank personnel have remained strong over the years.

“Everyone who has ever worked with James loves him,” Marie said. “He just cares about each one of them, and it shows.”

James served as the chairman of the board until the bank was purchased by Bank of the Ozarks in 2003. He currently serves on the board of directors at First State Bank in Russellville.

Outside of the banking industry, James served as president of the River Valley United Way, president of the Russellville Chamber of Commerce, two terms on the Russellville School Board and served as the chairman of the board of directors for City Corp.

While associated with City Corp, an appointed commission of the city of Russellville charged with the management of the water and sewer systems. The Board oversaw the construction of the Huckleberry Dam which created a reservoir ensuring a safe water supply for the next 50 plus years.

His solid reputation as a professional and upstanding member of the community could be a bit misleading. James is, after all, an authentic HOG. In this case, HOG stands for Harleyowners group, and James is an avid member of the international club, even attending the annual rally in Sturgis, South Dakota.

“It’s indescribable really,” he said. “There were half a million people in that little town for a week doing all manner of things.”

“No, I didn’t have to go,” Marie said and shook her head.

They have participated in HOG group rides, however. Last year, they made a 900mile road trip and got caught in a hail storm.

“It felt like you-know-what, too,” James said. “We were in the middle of nowhere, so we had to just keep on going.”

But the couple does enjoy traveling together, particularly to visit national parks. They are especially fond of Colorado in September.

“The Aspen area is the prettiest when the leaves start changing,” he said. “I can’t describe how beautiful the mountains are.

The mountains shine like Vegas lights. That’s the only way I can describe it,” James said.

Their fondest travel memory didn’t occur on the open road but rather the sea. The couple took a Mediterranean cruise and is hoping to try another.

“We woke up in a different port every morning, and when I opened the curtains, I felt as if I was living in a book,” James said.

Once her talents were no longer needed at the bank, Marie was able to pursue other interests as well. Service and art are her passions. She has been involved with the Manna House community pantry which operates as an outreach project of First United Methodist Church, served as an officer with the United Methodist Women, and has a long standing association with the Philanthropic Educational Organization and the Culture Club. She is a life member with the Junior Auxiliary.

Marie has spent years trying different artistic endeavors from the numerous talented artists in the community but has settled on oil painting and is currently studying under Sarah Keathley.

Their daughter Jayme and husband Carter Jones, of Charlotte, North Carolina, are expecting their first baby, and their son Coe is studying conservation administration at the University of Arkansas.

Over the years, the Biggerses have invested their resources toward developing a healthy community for the youth of the River Valley. James had prior experience working with the Boys and Girls Club in Benton before moving to Russellville.

“I was impressed with how much good the club did for the kids in the community who had nowhere to go after school because

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both parents were working,” he said.

“Russellville is such a nice place to live, but I couldn’t believe it didn’t have a boys and girls club when I moved here. When I started talking about the need, though, people hooked on to that idea, and it just took off,” he said.

James was one of the initial developers of the Boys and Girls Club in Russellville and served as its first president. The club, which opened in 1989, offers character and leadership development, education and career development, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation, and health and life skills. It serves to fill a hole in the fabric of modern day communities and serves over 3,000 youth in the area.

Marie and James were also instrumental in the development of ValleyFest, the annual fundraiser benefiting the club. Cathy Andrasik, executive director, is quick to elaborate on the event‘s impact on the club.

“ValleyFest has been a major fund-raiser for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Arkansas River Valley since 1990. We have been very fortunate for all of those years to have an event that has been supported greatly by our local communities, and it wouldn’t have happened without the visionaries in the community like James Biggers.”

The funds generated through the event help defray costs in the club’s everyday operations.

Last summer, the event raised $77,000.

James’ mother, Roberta, retired from her teaching position and moved to Russellville to be closer to her son and daughter-in-law.

“But she is very independent,” he said and chuckled. “She plays bridge several times a week, goes to the fitness center every day and reads four or five books a week.

She’s hard to keep up with. She loves this community, too.”

James and Marie continue to volunteer for ValleyFest every year. “We have worked well together for 34 years,” Marie said.

“And there are a lot more roads to travel,” James said, winking. n

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ABOUT...the River Valley 13

ABOUT

Family

Beware the Whims of

DASHBOARD DOLLY

Story by Kechia Bentley Photo by Steve Newby

I live with two “directionally challenged” individuals -- my husband, and my middle child. Now my child will readily admit to this handicap but my husband is a different story. He swears he is never lost.

This is an argument that occurs on almost every trip my husband and I take together. I will say, “Do you know where you are going?” As in, ‘I think we are going the wrong way.’

My husband will reply, “Yes, I know where we are going!” As in, ‘I know our destination.’ This further translated means, ‘I may not know exactly how to get there, but I will figure it out.’

At this point, I say something like, “We’re lost.”

To which he replies, “No, we are NOT lost,” and the bickering begins. You see, if my husband can tell you what state he is in then, according to him, he is not “lost”. (I am exaggerating, but only a little.)

I on the other hand consider us ‘lost’ if we do not know which street or exit to take next. (On that, I am not exaggerating.)

Donald then begins his whole spiel about how he doesn’t know how he survived the first 26 years of his life without me telling him where and how to get somewhere. I agree with him -- I do not know how he managed.

He ends his lecture by telling me he traversed the country all by himself and never got lost. However, I do believe taking a few wrong turns and backtracking were a part of the process. (He wants me to make sure I remind our readers that to him that is not the same thing as being “lost”. Okay, whatever.)

Not too long ago, Donald and I were taking a trip see our son at Oklahoma State University. We were driving through Tulsa when Donald wanted coffee. He thought there was a Starbucks at the next exit.

I was busy talking on the phone with my friend Lisa. There was no Starbucks at the exit, and as I continued to talk, Donald 14 ABOUT...the River Valley

continued to drive. Finally, I asked him where we were going. He said he didn’t know.

At that point, I told Lisa, “Hey, I need to go.

We are lost,” to which Donald emphatically replied, “We are NOT lost.” I then said, “Lisa, Donald wants me to make sure and tell you we are NOT lost. I still need to go so I can look at a map and figure out where we are.”

There is just something in me that screams ‘if you have to pull over to the side of the road and look at a map to figure out where you are then that means you are LOST.’ Now remember according to Donald, he knew we were in Oklahoma and better yet, he knew we were in Tulsa so therefore, we were NOT lost.

Enter the scorned GPS system. The GPS was a graduation gift for our “directionally challenged” child Dillon. Let me explain how bad the situation is. This child has traveled back and forth from Russellville to Jonesboro his entire life.

Finally, we allowed Dillon and his older brother Adrin, to drive this trip alone. We figured they would be fine since Adrin had made this trip many times by himself. This time however, Dillon would be driving.

Being well aware of Dillon’s “directionally challenged” condition, Adrin asked Dillon, “Do you know how to get there?” Dillon replied, “Yes, we take the exit at Conway.”

Adrin, feeling satisfied by that answer, promptly went to sleep. As Dillon approached Conway, he could not remember which exit he was supposed to take. Does he wake Adrin up and ask? No. He just continues to drive telling himself he will figure it out.

Sound like anyone mentioned previously? By the time, Adrin wakes up and discovers they have missed the exit they are almost to Little Rock.

Dillon had decided it would be funny just to keep driving until he got to a mall in Little Rock and then wake Adrin and say, “We’re here”. When

Adrin asked Dillon where they were, Dillon responded with a big grin on his face, “I have no idea”. And, like his father, Dillon will tell you he was NOT lost. Adrin promptly called and said, “We are lost.”

Just to make sure, this GPS would truly help Dillon, Donald and I decided to try it out on a trip to Houston. We were going there to pick up a car we had purchased on eBay and to see my cousin.

The first thing I noticed was that if you deviated at all from the preset course this little GPS voice would repeatedly say “recalculating” or something similar. It was very annoying.

When we arrived in Houston, it was rush hour. Houston gives a completely new definition to “traffic”. We were trying to use the GPS to find an alternate route but it wanted us to take routes that were closed due to construction.

That is when I first mentioned to Donald that I thought the GPS was a worthless.

My thought was confirmed the next day as we made our way into downtown Houston. We had picked up the eBay car and were now in two separate vehicles.

Having already become suspicious of the GPS, I decided to look up the directions to our hotel on the computer using Map quest.

With my cousin’s help, I discovered that we would only need to make one right turn and one left turn.

Continued on page 46

November 2008

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1

American Indians Celebrate 200-Year-Old Gift Story and Photos by Jeannie Stone

2

Many moons ago, American Indians roamed the land of the River Valley calling it home but, according to their custom, never assumed they owned the land which fed, nurtured and protected them. Then it was taken away.

In April, the Chickamauga Cherokee commemorated the gift of Dardanelle Rock given to them 200 years ago (1808) by President Thomas Jefferson.

The Arkansas Cherokee Nation hosted the celebration at Veterans Memorial Riverfront Park in Dardanelle and an estimated 300 guests attended. The Manatidie (Blackfoot Society) of the Apache Nation danced to honor the occasion.

The four-hour dance fete included special recognition dances to honor the Arkansas Cherokee Nation Chiefs and all U.S. Veterans. Chief Nathan Tselee, of the Manaditie, explained that the Apache were a warrior people and have always held the highest respect for its warriors.

3

4

1) The line of male Apache dancers bearing regalia of their warrior distinction are from left: Wallace Wetselline, Kyle Jones, Tim Flute, Robert Stumbling Bear, Gordon Wetselline, Stephen Jones and Jeffrey Washee. 2) Wearing the regalia of Apache warriors are, from left: Tim Flute, Robert Stumbling Bear and Gordon Wetselline dance in the traditional way. 3) Young Apache maiden Aubrey Sandt peers at the crowd during a dance break. 4) Apache mothers fringe the edge of the circle, covered in their regalia, and sway and hum to the beat of the drums. 5) Generations keeping the Apache legacy alive. From left: Wallace Wetselline, Kyle Jones, Stephen Jones and Jeffrey Washee dance during the celebration. 6) Apache Headsman Thompson Flute monitors the decorum of the ceremony with a fan, part of his regalia, made of turkey feathers.

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“And our veterans are our warriors,” he said.

Casual observers were instructed on the purpose of the dances, the unique pieces of regalia worn, the reason for the circular configuration, the significance and proper handling of the sacred tools, and the meaning of the shawl dancers off to the far side of the circle.

During the performance a hawk feather flew off the regalia, and proper decorum was observed. Instantly, Headsman Thompson

Flute covered the feather and requested the assistance of a decorated war veteran to invoke a special blessing before retrieving the feather. To the attending American Indians, a fallen feather meant a fallen comrade.

Arkansas Senator Gilbert Baker of District 30 presented the Arkansas Cherokee Nation with a proclamation illuminating the historical significance of their contributions and lending congratulations to the event.

Other proclamations from dignitaries

Governor Mike Beebe, County Judge Preston Scroggins, and Dardanelle Mayor Carolyn McGee were proudly displayed, and a letter of support from former University of Central Arkansas President, Lu Hardin was read.

Several American Indian crafts and foods were available for the enjoyment of the participants and guests.

For more information on the Arkansas Cherokee nation visit www. arkansascherokee.us or call Harold Helton (501) 358-0365. n

Tragic Legend Surrounds Dardanelle Rock Story by Jeannie Stone

Dardanelle Rock had been a prominent Arkansas River landmark long before white men settled in the River Valley. The 290 million year old sandstone structure, formed during the birthing of the Ouachita Mountains by accordion style folding, soars 280 feet above the Arkansas River.

It is from the shadow of that towering height where the story begins…

There was a Cherokee chief named Dardanelle who was mightily wounded in a battle with invading Choctaws. His life was spared by the fastidious care of a Choctaw maiden, Leonietta. As she nursed Dardanelle, the chief and the maiden fell in love.

Naturally, they had to hide their love.

Chief Dardanelle was fearful for Leonietta’s safety for she was beautiful and much desired by the braves in her own tribe.

But many lovers throughout the ages have made reckless decisions, and the chief was no exception. He pressed Leonietta to run away with him and climbed to the top of Dardanelle Rock to watch for her reply.

He had instructed her to wave her shawl at sunset if she agreed to his marriage

at

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November 2008

proposal. Dardanelle waited and waited, and when it seemed there was no hope for a sign from his true love he flung himself into the hungry waters of the Arkansas River below.

The story was immortalized in a poem written in the 1930s by Annie Robertson Nixon titled “The Legend of Dardanelle Rock.”

For hours he stood - his heavy heart Beat anxiously and fast; Then turned his eyes toward those pines ‘Neath which they wandered last.

To the Great Spirit then he spoke, And loud the death cry rang; Then fell his crimson blanket there As o’er the cliff he sprang.

O, woefold maid, oh trust betrayed The last bright sunbeam fell Then closed the dark and icy stream Above bold Dardanelle.

The river gives up no secrets, and the chief was never found. The fate of Leonietta was either never known or was lost to time.

Either way, the rock endures as in the poem’s conclusion: “this tall and frowning rock is still called Dardanelle.” n

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Caregivers Share the Burden of Alzheimer’s Fathers, mothers, wives, husbands, daughters and sons come together every month at Arkansas Hospice Russellville to vent, share, grieve, console and even laugh. The Forget-MeNots is a support group for the unsung legions who care for loved ones diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. These guardians of society’s frailest citizens are known as caregivers.

November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and Karen Bagwell, the group’s facilitator since 2002, encourages caregivers visit the support group. “There is relief in knowing you are not alone in your suffering,” she said.

During a recent meeting, Phyllis Watkins, Executive Director of Alzheimer’s Arkansas, addressed 25 members and hospice volunteers-in-training. Fifteen members attend the monthly support sessions.

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia It was first described by German psychiatrist Alois Alzheimer in 1901. Although it is generally diagnosed in people over the age of 65, early-onset Alzheimer’s can occur much earlier.

No two cases are identical.

The terms Alzheimer’s and Dementia are used interchangeably in society but there is a difference. “If you have Alzheimer’s you have Dementia,” Watkins said. “but you may not have Alzheimer’s if you are diagnosed with Dementia.

Story by Jeannie Stone

“Dementia means severe memory loss which adversely affects your day to day living. 60 to 70 percent of Dementia is caused by Alzheimer’s. There is always a cause to Dementia,” Watkins said.

The cause and progression of Alzheimer’s disease are not well understood. Although research has determined that the disease is marked by plaques and tangles in the brain.

According to Watkins, the plaques and tangles resemble a sticky gooey substance which stops the neurons in the brain from sending and receiving messages. “They eventually die for lack of oxygen,” she said.

Because the disease can’t be cured and is degenerative, management of patients is essential. “It’s a scary situation,” Watkins said. “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention just released statistics listing Alzheimer’s as the sixth leading cause of death in the United States with five million sufferers. In Arkansas alone, over 100,000 persons are diagnosed with the frightening disease.”

“By 2050, it is estimated that there will be 16 million sufferers,” Watkins said as she addressed the Forget-Me-Nots. “By the time we are 55, 10 percent of us will be diagnosed. Look to the person to your right,” she told the participants. “Chances are one of you will have Alzheimer’s by the time you’re 85.”

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Alzheimer’s disease places a great burden on caregivers. Pressures include social, psychological, physical and economic elements of the caregiver’s life.

Watkins noted, “Alzheimer’s is one of the costliest diseases to society. You caregivers already know that‘s true.”

Sandra Smith, the caregiver for her husband who was diagnosed over six years ago, shared her situation.

“Glenn’s medicine costs $1,700 a month.

Medicare paid out about two or three months ago, and now everything’s out of our pocket. We get, maybe, six months out of the yearly allotment, and then we have to start all over again.”

She continued to tell the group about a recent visit with a financial planner.

“We met for estate planning. I wanted to investigate nursing home costs because it‘s just getting so hard. I found out that they will take social security. I would have to cover the rest. The planner told me to plan on $5,000 a month. Nobody is there to help us. When we claim our taxes, there is not even any credit given for taking care of him at home.”

Support group members sympathized with Smith and Watkins said, “I have calls all the time from caregivers who can’t believe Medicaid doesn’t pay for nursing home care. My mother who has Alzheimer’s is $200 above the limit for Medicaid - it might as well be two million.”

She encouraged the caregivers to exhaust all options. Area Agency on Aging offers family assistance funds to help pay for respite care. There is no income eligibility.

Alzheimer’s Arkansas makes small grants available in the sum of $300.

“It is a simple application process,” Watkins said, “and it can be used for in or out of home respite needs, legal expenses, even incontinence supplies.”

The emotional costs of the disease are often crippling. “When I find myself losing my patience with my mother I know I need to get away,” Watkins said. “Unfortunately, we carry baggage. And it’s easy to question,

at times, whether your loved one’s behavior is disease related or just them.

“Try to understand,” she continued, “they wake up in a new world every day... don’t know the people around them... they must be scared to death.”

It’s the emotional burden that convinced Bagwell to attend her first support group meeting in 1999. Her grandfather had passed away after a difficult battle with Alzheimer‘s, and she couldn’t shake the enormous feeling of guilt. “I carried the idea in my head that I was an inadequate caregiver,” she said.

Physical fatigue is a common thread in the close-knit group.

Billy Young recounted how hard it was to take the guns out of their home. Her husband, who was a career state trooper, had a vast collection.

“Somebody told us to get the guns out,” she said. “We shouldn’t have done that, though, it killed him,” her daughter Kathy Wasser said.

“You did the right thing,” Watkins said.

“During one of those rare lucid moments he might have remembered where the shells were… He might have thought you were an intruder.”

Debra Laughlin, attending the meeting with her father who is caring for her mother, agreed. “My mother woke up in the middle

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of the night convinced there was a guard in the driveway. She was telling my dad to hurry and get his clothes before the guard found them… convinced they would be killed,” she said.

“I am amazed at how much easier life is if you just let it go,” Watkins said. “I promise you, if you can just let it go it will get better.”

The conversation veered to current medications, the anticipation of an Alzheimer’s vaccine, distraction techniques and ideas for Christmas gifts. There was comfort in the faces and the voices of fellow travelers on a similar path.

“I’ve attended a lot of funerals for the caregivers who died before the patients,” Watkins said. “This week, take care of yourselves.”

“I’d just like to say that this group is like family to me,“ Smith said. I appreciate the calls we make to check on each other. That means everything to me.”

“One of the things I miss the most is not having my husband to talk to,” Young said wistfully. “That’s why you’re with us,” Bagwell said. “After we cry together, we’ll help you remember how to laugh.” n

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ABOUT...the River Valley 19

Story and Photos by Jeannie Stone • Additional Photos by Steve Newby

The smell of oil and tamales wafts over the enthusiastic crowd cheering the racers on a Sunday afternoon at the Centerville Dragway. But even the seasoned fan flinches when the mighty roar of an open eight cylinder engine threatens to puncture an eardrum. On any given weekend, this is where you find Teri Lynn Wade of Atkins who, at 13, is already a veteran of drag racing.

Wade, a student at Atkins Middle School, is among the handful of juniors who race at the Centerville strip. The junior dragster division allows racers as young as 8 to compete, but Teri Lynn is unique because she’s a girl.

“None of my friends do this,” Wade said.

She speaks softly even though the noise of the track drowns her. “Most of the guys, especially, don’t believe I really do this. They think I’m talking about my dad’s race car.”

There is little doubt that the half scale junior dragster with the hot pink wrap around design featuring a green tribal flame and subtle ghost skulls belongs to the daughter.

Her father Pedro Hilliard laughs. “A lot of people think I talked her into this, but I got snookered into her racing. Ever since she watched that Disney movie she was all over this.”

That Disney movie is “Right on Track,” a true story which follows the dragracing adventures of Erica and Courtney Enders, sisters from Houston, who rose to compete in the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association).

So, Hilliard did what any father would 20 ABOUT...the River Valley

do. He rented the Centerville Dragway track car for $40. “We both got hooked,” he said. “It was $1,000 worth of fun.”

Wayne and Patty Styles, owners of the track delivered the obvious news to Hilliard.

“It seems you have a racer on your hands,” they told him.

“She made perfect straight passes and nailed it,” he said with obvious pride.

Patty Styles is impressed with the young racer and her family. “Teri Lynn is such a good sport. Even though she lost a round today she was excited because the other little girl had her first win. She is just that sort of person, very much the encourager.”

Drag-racing is an expensive sport, according to Styles, and Wade’s family has really gotten behind her passion. “But her daddy just loves it out here,” she said.

The car was on display at Cogswell Motors for awhile. “The guys there told me they could have sold it a dozen times.

Every kid in Yell County wanted that car,” he said.

Blackkat Creations, Nebo Chevrolet and Frank and Teresa Etzkorn offered to sponsor Wade. “They have all been great,” Hilliard said.

November 2008

“They really stress safety at the track,” Billie Hilliard, Wade’s mother said. “Teri has a five-point harness which includes a seatbelt over her lap, around her shoulders and through her crotch. She has arm restraints which are strapped from the seatbelt to her wrists and fastened to the steering wheel. She wears a neck brace and a helmet and, of course, she wears a fire suit.”

The fire suit includes flame retardant shoes, pants gloves and a jacket.

“Oh, and the roll cage is for safety,” Billie said. “It’s not like we’re throwing her in a car and setting her loose.”

The Centerville Dragway offers “head’s up” racing for street cars on Saturday nights as well as bracket racing on Sundays. A “street car” is simply a car which is legal to drive on regular streets.

The bracket racing is a short-distance race which hinges more on maintaining consistent times. The race distance is 1/8 mile for the juniors and 1,000 feet for the street cars.

“As opposed to head’s up racing where everyone is racing each other, bracket racing is more of a self-competitive sport,” Hilliard said.

“The whole goal is to run as closed to your set times as you can.

The other car in the lane is irrelevant.”

A “breakout” is when you run faster than you say you will.

Running a “red light” or a “breakout” are the only two ways to lose in bracket racing. A reaction time laser beam monitors the startup and alerts the judge to false starts.

“We don’t want red lights,” Hilliard said.

“Teri’s favorite snack is Skittles, and she ‘scarfs’ them down when she has a slow reaction time.” Superstition keeps Wade from eating the red Skittles. “She doesn’t want a red light,” Hilliard said.

There are 16 weekends set aside at the racetrack to earn

November 2008

points. In the racing world, it’s known as a 16-point-race season.

As the first half of the season winds down, Wade is currently placed third in points.

“She’s harder on herself than her mother and I combined ever could be,” Hilliard said. “She’s a good kid. She’s made A or AB honor roll ever since I can remember.”

The middle school student maintains high grades while participating in several school activities including the art club, science club and choir. She is also a member of a fast-pitch softball team, plays basketball and volleyball.

Although her friends are supportive of her dragging, “the guys think it’s a little strange for a girl to race,” Wade said.

“They all want to come out and see her race in person,” Billie said. “It’s not uncommon for her to have a waiting list of friends.”

ABOUT...the River Valley 21

Wade has shown remarkable responsibility for a young woman of 13. Her older brother Chase, 16, is blind and has developmental delays, and, according to their father, she’s always made time for him.

“Terri volunteers at Equestrian Zone, where Chase rides horses, and worked three days a week this past summer. My wife and I could actually leave home for a week and leave Chase in her care, and we’d know everything would be fine.”

Although Wade has shown an enormous competitive nature and a compassionate spirit, she has also been able to prioritize her commitments.

Recently, she had to nix plans to race because her softball team needed her to play in a tournament.

“One of our players was sick and another out of town, so there was nobody to cover for me. I knew my team would have to forfeit if they didn’t have enough players, so I chose to be a part of the team,” Wade said.

“She knew she’d fall behind in points,” her dad said, “but I was proud of her decision.”

It came as no surprise to him that she was awarded the sportsmanship award at the close of the 2008 season.

“I am really proud for her because she was voted by all the other participants,” Hilliard said.

“This family is just awesome,” Styles said.

“Chase gets to ride to the other end of the track on a four-wheeler with his parents and tows Teri Lynn’s car back to the pit. You can see this is a real family venture. It’s clear where she learned her values.”

After high school, Wade wants to continue racing on weekends while she’s in college.

“Hopefully, I can go pro and have my degree to fall back on,” she said. Her big dreams start with a bigger car.

“We’re hoping to move up to a full-size car, so Terri can run with the big boys and girls before too long,” Hilliard said.

He laughed and said, “I’m investing in my future. Maybe if we take care of her now, she’ll take care of us when she’s famous.”

When asked if he’d be part of her pit crew when she’s running in with the pros, he laughed again.

“I would eat it up, but I would hope to have someone help who knows a little more than I do.”

Her family will be right there in the stands supporting her all the way. Chase wouldn’t miss it for the world either.

“He really seems to get a rush out of the noise,” Hilliard said.

“Hey, Dad, second call,” Wade tells her father as she puts her helmet on. “It’s time to go.” n For more information about the Centerville Dragway call (479) 576-4001 or visit their Web site: www.centervilledragway.com.

The track is open from the 3rd weekend in February through November. The annual New Year’s Race is held on January 1st.

Thanksgiving It’s a good time to reflect on how important our customers are to us.

Everyone at Nebo Chevrolet would like to wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving.

HWY 22 WEST • DARDANELLE, AR • (479) 229-3555 OR (479) 968-6537 22 ABOUT...the River Valley

November 2008

Chloe’s Destiny At first glance, Chloe’s Destiny appears to be a simply adorable children’s book featuring a caterpillar that discovers her destiny as she travels through the stages of metamorphosis.

The simple story is colorful, captivating, enjoyable… and instructional.

Author Bridget B. Smith is an elementary teacher whose forte is mathematics and science. But she didn’t plan to be a teacher originally. She first earned a pre-pharmacy degree but, following the birth of her children, decided to pursue a career in education.

She is certified K-8th grade and teaches ages kindergarten through 4th grade in an alternative setting at Sequoyah.

Describing herself as a ‘fix-it’ person, Bridget explained it was her search for truly good elementary-level science books that prompted her to write her own book. With the guidance and encouragement of Sequoyah librarian Jane Clawson, Bridget combined her love of science with a love of music to create a book that teaches the metamorphosis of a caterpillar. She has written a song to accompany Chloe’s Destiny.

“But the story also reaches out to readers of all ages. Even older readers have

discovered that they have learned words in the process that they didn’t know before.”

“And the story is about change and accepting things that happen in our lives, so even the youngest readers glean something each time they read it,” she explained.

Had it not been for the encouragement of Jane Clawson, the book might not have ever been published.

“Jane is an exceptional teacher and librarian. I am so grateful for her encouragement and mentoring. It helped me ‘get it all together’,” praised Bridget.

Educators Lisa McElroy and Pam Mathis, as well as her parents, and a host of friends and family, are also credited for their inspiration, kindness, intelligence and excitement during the project.

The watercolor and permanent-marker illustrations were created by Bridget, as well. She expressed thanks to Max Hines, art instructor at Russellville High School, for his guidance.

Bridget is fueled by her love of God and nature and is already planning a similar book about incomplete metamorphosis.

She believes that teaching biology and chemistry should be fun, and is easy when put into a “factional personification.”

“Chloe’s Destiny is more than just a catchy children’s story, even more than a science lesson. Draping the reader’s mind with colors and shapes, this work will bring children back time and time again for another helping,” said Don Dodson, principal of Sequoyah Elementary.

Profits from the original book sales were designated for Relay for Life.

Bridget and her husband, Sherman, live in Russellville with their children Blake, 14, and Emilee, 10. For information on obtaining Chloe’s Destiny, contact Bridget via email at slbbsmith@suddenlink.net. n

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Design Team

Joey Pack and Karen Ray Interior Designers

This was a very exciting job for us! Not only did we get to know two

great people, the Barrons, but we had fun getting to use some great colors and fun patterns. Rosalind tends to like clean, whimsical, uncluttered

living with a touch of sleek sophistication. We really enjoyed helping her achieve that look.

For your complimentary in-store consultation, contact Joey or Karen today.

Complimentary In-Store Design Service and Delivery Photos by Steve Newby

(479) 967-9984

2609 East Parkway, Russellville, AR www.rivervalleyfurniture.net

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I walked into River Valley Furniture to look at sofas and chairs.

What I found was a friend!

Joey Pack was the first person I met in the store. He somehow knew exactly what I was looking for. He translated my murky dream

into beautiful reality. He made “buying furniture” a fun, relaxing

experience. My home looks like me, not a decorator, which is a huge compliment to the design team at River Valley Furniture.

Joey and Karen, I can’t thank you enough for your talent, your

patience, and your vision. I can’t wait to start a new project!

Rosalind Barron

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May your stuffing be tasty, May your turkey be plump.

May your taters ‘n gravy Have nary a lump, May your yams be delicious May your pies take the prize, May your Thanksgiving dinner Stay off of your thighs.

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Story by Dianna Qualls

Photos by Loyd Qualls

Enough of that! Let’s get on with the cooking, and eating!

GOBBLE, GOBBLE, GOBBLE IT UP! But never, never forget how blessed we are and how thankful we should be each and every day.

Thanks to Delores Wilson with Century 21 for the email last month. I enjoyed hearing from you. Hope you find this month’s recipes delicious and filling a few pages in your cookbook. We love getting feedback from our readers! My email is tootieq@gmail. com or you may reach me at food@aboutrvmag.com.

CRANBERRY-MAPLE NUT SCONES

2 ½ c. Bisquick mix ½ c. dried cranberries (i.e. Craisins) ½ c. chopped pecans ¼ c. maple-flavored syrup Maple Glaze: 3 T. packed brown sugar ½ c. powdered sugar 3 T. milk 2 tsp. milk 1 egg 1 tsp. maple-flavored syrup Heat oven to 425 degrees. Grease cookie sheet. In medium bowl combine scone ingredients until soft dough forms. Turn dough onto board dusted with Bisquick mix; roll in Bisquick mix to coat. Shape into ball; knead only 10 times. Place on cookie sheet.

Pat dough into 8-inch round (if dough is sticky, dip fingers into Bisquick mix). Cut into 8 wedges but do not separate. Bake 11 to 13 minutes or until golden brown. Carefully separate wedges. In small bowl, beat all glaze ingredients until smooth. Drizzle glaze over scones. Serve warm.

Nutrition: Serving size 1 scone , cal 320, total fat 11g, carb 51g, pro 5g Time saver: For easy cleanup, line the cookie sheet with cooking parchment paper. Recipe from Eatingwell.com.

BREAKFAST TURNOVERS 8 refrigerator biscuits 1 roll of sausage 1 pkg. flavored cream cheese 4 eggs scrambled

Brown sausage and crumble well. Flatten out individual biscuits and spread with cream cheese. Add a spoonful of sausage and about 1/8 of the scrambled egg to each biscuit. Fold the biscuits in half and seal edges with a fork. Bake according to biscuit directions or until golden brown. These freeze well. May be kept in the frig for up to one week. To reheat, cook in microwave for one minute.

Recipe from Central Arkansas Christian Cookbook 2005.

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November 2008

NUTTY BUNS

1 (10 count) can refrigerated flaky biscuits 2 T. mayonnaise ¼ c. granulated sugar 1 tsp. ground cinnamon ½ finely chopped pecans ½ c. sifted powdered sugar 1 T. hot water or orange juice Combine in a shallow dish ¼ c granulated sugar, cinnamon, and pecans. Separate biscuits; brush both sides and edge with mayonnaise, cut each into quarters. Roll biscuits in the pecan mixture. Place 3 pieces in each greased muffin cup. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden. Combine ½ c powdered sugar and water or juice. Drizzle over each biscuit.

Recipe from Southern Living Cookbook.

CHOPPED VEGGIE SALAD WITH CRANBERRY VINEGARETTE 1 c. broccoli florets 1 c. cauliflower florets 1 c. chopped carrots 1 c. chopped celery 1 c. chopped cucumber ½ c. sliced stuffed green olives 2 T. chopped fresh parsley leaves ½ c. cranberry sauce, chunky or jellied 2 T. olive oil 1 T. red wine vinegar 1 tsp. Dijon mustard Salt and ground black pepper, to taste

In a large bowl, combine broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, celery, cucumber, olives, and parsley. Toss to combine. In a small bowl, whisk together cranberry sauce, olive oil, vinegar, and mustard. Season with salt and black pepper. Pour mixture over vegetables and toss to combine. Recipes from Robin Miller/Food Network.

LLOYD’S TURKEY BRINE

To 4 gallons of water add the following: 1 c. kosher salt 1 c. brown sugar 2 oranges unpeeled, quartered 2 lemons unpeeled, quartered 6 sprigs thyme 4 sprigs rosemary 1 T. whole peppercorns My hubby has used this brine for several years, with wonderful results. Use a nonreactive container (such as a clean large bucket, ice chest, etc). Add ice to brine to maintain temperature under 40 degrees Fahrenheit just in case you do not have room in the fridge. The larger the meat, the longer it should brine; a whole turkey takes 6 to 8 hours. Once you are done brining, remove the meat from the brine, pat it dry and cook it the same way you would otherwise.

Qs-Tip: The purpose of brining is to tenderize the meat while adding flavor.

Brining saturates the meat with the flavor of the seasonings. Unlike marinating, which flavors the outside, brining gives a deeper flavor and increased moisture.

THANKSGIVING TURKEY COOKIES 1 roll (16.5 oz) Pillsbury refrigerated sugar cookies 1 container (16 oz) chocolate creamy frosting Candy corn Orange decorating icing Black decorating gel Miniature candy-coated chocolate baking bits

Heat oven to 350°F. Bake cookies as directed on roll. Cool completely, about 20 minutes. Spoon chocolate frosting into

resealable food-storage plastic bag; seal bag. Cut small hole in bottom corner of bag.

On each cookie, pipe frosting on outer edge of half of cookie. Arrange candy corn over frosting for feathers.

Pipe orange icing onto each cookie to resemble turkey face and feet. Use orange icing to attach baking bits to turkey face for eyes. Pipe black gel on baking bits for centers of eyes. Recipe from Pillsbury.com.

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November 2008

ABOUT...the River Valley 27

APPLE AND ONION STUFFIN’ MUFFINS

2 T. extra-virgin olive oil 1 stick butter, softened 1 bay leaf 4 ribs celery and greens, from the heart, chopped 1 med yellow onion, chopped 3 McIntosh apples, chopped Salt and pepper to taste 2 T. poultry seasoning ¼ c. chopped fresh parsley leaves 8 c. cubed stuffing mix (recommended: Pepperridge farm) 2 to 3 c. chicken stock Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Preheat a large skillet over medium high neat. Add extra-virgin olive oil to skillet and 4 T butter.

When butter melts, add bay leaf and add

the vegetables as you chop them, celery, onions then apples. Sprinkle the vegetables and apples with salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning. Cook 5 to 6 minutes to begin to soften vegetables and apples then add parsley and stuffing cubes to the pan and combine. Moisten the stuffing with chicken broth until all of the bread is soft but not wet.

Butter 12 muffin cups, liberally with remaining butter. Use an ice cream scoop to fill and mound up the stuffing in muffin cups. Remove the bay leaf as you scoop the stuffing when you come upon it. Bake until set and crisp on top, 15 to 25 minutes or longer depending on the size of you muffin cups and how wet you have the mixture. Start with 1 ½ c of stock, then add as needed until mixture is just moist. Recipe by Rachel Ray. Qs-Tip: I have made these stuffin muffins for the last two years, the family really liked

them. Every serving has its own crust.

YUM-O! The second year I added a pound of pork sausage (sage) that was already browned and drained to the mix.

BOURBON-SWEET POTATO STACKS 6 medium-size sweet potatoes ½ c. chopped pecans 6 T. butter, melted ½ c. firmly packed brown sugar ½ c. orange juice ½ c. bourbon ½ tsp. ground cinnamon ¼ tsp. ground cloves ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg Garnish with pecan halves

Bring sweet potatoes and water to cover to a boil in a large Dutch oven over high heat. Reduce heat, and cook 30 to 45

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This is a AWESOME dish, a favorite at our house, and we prepare it throughout the year. Excellent with pork. Splenda Brown sugar blend also works well.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut off ends and peel butternut squash. Cut squash in half lengthwise, and remove the seeds. Cut the squash into 1 ¼ to 1 ½ inch cubes and place them on a baking sheet. Add the melted butter, brown sugar, salt and pepper.

Toss all ingredients together and spread in a single layer on the baking sheet. Roast for 30 to 50 minutes, until squash is tender and the glaze beings to caramelize. While roasting, turn the squash a few times with a spatula, to be sure it browns evenly.

Qs-tip: Butternut squash are very tough and sometimes are a challenge to cut in half, to peel, and to cube. I also found covering the baking sheet with foil, will save the pan and make clean up much easier.

minutes or just until potatoes are tender.

Drain and let cool to touch; peel. Cut ends off, and discard. Cut remaining potato into 1 inch thick rounds. Arrange slices evenly into 12 stacks in a lightly greased 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with chopped pecans. Combine butter and next 6 ingredients; pour evenly over potatoes.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Garnish, if desired with pecan halves. Recipe from Eatingwell.com.

CARMELIZED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

1 butternut squash 4 T. butter, melted ¼ c. light brown sugar, packed ½ tsp. kosher salt ¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper (optional)

We prefer no pepper in this dish. Recipe from The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook.

GINGERED CRANBERRYRASPBERRY RELISH

1 (12 oz) pkg. fresh cranberries ½ c. granulated sugar ½ c. minced crystallized ginger 3 c. raspberries (2 pints) fresh or frozen (not thawed) Pulse cranberries in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Transfer to a medium bowl. Stir in sugar and crystallized ginger. Gently stir in raspberries-crush some of the raspberries if you wish. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours to let the flavors combine. Makes about 4 cups.

Nutrition: ¼ c serving size. Cal 58, fat 0, carb 15g, protein 0, Fiber 2g. Recipe from EatingWell.com. n

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ABOUT...the River Valley 29

Fine Dining Meant to be Shared

Story by Dianne S. Edwards Photos by Sam Strasner

A fine dining experience -- one as special as the ATU Parks, Recreation and Hospitality Chef Series -- is meant to be shared. However, few are aware of what just what tantalizing delights await them.

Each Thursday night through Nov. 20, the public is invited to enjoy a wonderful meal prepared under the direction of one of Arkansas’s many talented chefs. The meals are hosted in Williamson Hall, 1205 N. El Paso, on the campus of Arkansas Tech.

Ray Moll, assistant professor and special event coordinator for the Arkansas Tech University Parks, Recreation and Hospitality Administration, is pleased with the number of diners of late. However, he, like others, believes the opportunity is a ‘well-kept secret,’ one that needs to be shared before the fall series ends on Nov. 20.

This semester’s series is a first, in that past ‘chef-lead’ dinners were previously limited to one per semester rather than seven. Having an entire ‘chef’s series’ featuring seven different chefs, gives students experience equal to an intensive internship-of-sorts. And in most internships, culinary students are exposed to the techniques and managerial styles taught by only one or two chefs -- rarely as many as seven.

“This gives the students an incredible edge when it comes to learning different techniques,” he explained. “This is almost unheard of in our industry.”

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The meals are prepared under the direction of the visiting chef. Senior level hospitality students, those taking the ‘quantity food production’ class, have the opportunity to also learn to manage people.

Students taking the ‘basic food preparation’ sophomore-level course, become team members led by the senior students each week.

The first step includes a conversation with the visiting chef, who will make a recommendation for the menu. The seniors then meet and decide what they would like to prepare and food is ordered for the upcoming meal. Deliveries are only made on Monday and Fridays, so accuracy is important. Meal planning is for approximately 100 guests and students.

As many as 30 students are responsible for the preparation and orchestration of each night’s event. They include teams for the “front of the house, or FOH” and the “back of the house, or BOH.” Front of the house includes the wait staff and table hosts and hostesses – those immediately seen by guests; BOH refers to all those “behind the scenes” who are busy with last minute preparations.

Work begins actively the day before, on Wednesday, when the ‘prep’ work is done. One week, for example, there were 35 pounds of fresh shrimp to be boiled and peeled, and three cases of celery and 20 pounds of onions to be cleaned and finely

chopped. And that was just for a part of the entrée. It’s easy to see that these efforts could not be left until Thursday, day of the meal.

However, work begins promptly at 9 a.m. on Thursday. After the diners leave, generally about 8 p.m., class is still in session. The evening will conclude as late as 10 p.m. when students gather for a wrapup meeting and an opportunity to enjoy the meal themselves.

Ray Moll, a graduate of Sacred Heart in Morrilton and of the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, is responsible for the ‘chef series’ itself. He will explain his introduction into the hospitality program, ‘just happened’ gradually after he was between jobs.

In 2003, his sister Rhonda was in need of a bone marrow transplant, and Ray, just two years apart in age, became that willing donor. After his recovery, in 2004, he became an adjunct professor at ATU. He later became assistant professor and special events coordinator.

Donna Mitchell is an adjunct instructor for the ATU program, as well. And, as an instructor in the Russellville Area Career and Technical Center, she is instrumental in promoting the school’s “pro-start” Hospitality program. As much as $15,000 in scholarship money was available to high school graduates last year through the Arkansas Hospitality Association.

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The meals are exquisite, “unlike anything I’ve dined on in this area in the past 30 years,” raved one guest. Others, who were lucky enough to enjoy the first of the series when it began on Oct. 2, haven’t missed an evening yet. (and don’t plan to, either!)

Chef Edward Hornyak (center photo) was the October 16th guest chef. On Oct. 23, Chef Mike Merle was the fuest chef. Both are graduates of The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. Chef Merle, who has worked under Chef Dan Smith of Thymes Restaurant in Kingston, N.Y., has over 30 years of food service experience. He serves as member of the Arkansas Tech Culinary Advisory Committee, a group which lends its advice and support to the ATU program.

Under his instruction, the meal consisted of Red Rock Seafood Bisque with Chive Oil and a salad consisting of Baby Spring Greens with Toasted Pecans and Pears Tossed with Balsamic Vinaigrette. The entrée was Roasted Chicken Carbonara with Bacon and Tomato, accompanied by Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Dessert was an Ultimate Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Coulis and Crème Anglaise.

Every other meal has been just as exquisite.

The price of the evening meal is generally $20.95 per person, and guest tickets need to be paid by cash or check as the department is unable to accept debit or credit payments. All gratuities are invested in the Walters-Williams Scholarship.

A fall lunch series began in September and continues on Wednesdays for several more weeks during the fall semester. The menu varies each week. For example, on recent menu included Chicken Fiesta Soup, Fajita Chicken Taco salad, Key Lime Pie plus a beverage for $9.95. Lunch hours are 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. with no reservations necessary except for parties of 5 or more.

On Nov. 8, the ATU Hospitality program celebrates its 25th year of operation. To date, it is the only accredited university program in the state of Arkansas. (In 2007, there were less than three dozen such programs in the Nation.)

A spring series lunch and evening ‘chefs series’ is planned with dates to be announced. n Additional information is available via email to Ray Moll at: rmoll@atu.edu.

Reservations may be made for either meal by calling (479) 968-0378.

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ABOUT...the River Valley 31

They Got the Beat Story and Photos by Jeannie Stone

A hundred persons or more gather at the center to dance or tap their toes on Fridays Johnny Hamilton, rhythm and vocals

Lee Campbel, manager and fiddler

The Senior Activity Center of Pope County is a happening place on Friday mornings. Open the door to the main dining room and you’re apt to see couples two-stepping, waltzing or line dancing down the floor.

Fortunately for them, the Town and Country band, who volunteers to play every week, keeps a pretty good beat even though they are seniors themselves.

“And here’s a song written by Tom T. Hall,” Johnny Hamilton announces as the band gears into a lively number.

“Do you know how old I am? And he said, ‘No.’ I turned 65 about 11 months ago. I was sitting in Miami pouring blended whiskey down when this old grey haired gentleman was cleaning up the lounge.

Uninvited he sat down, and he opened up his mind on old dogs and children and watermelon wine.”

Sherry Tidwell, senior program coordinator, lavishes praise on the group. “They are humble and don’t want to toot their own horns, but they bring such joy to the folks here. They are responsible for the huge increase we’ve had in the number of people utilizing this facility, and they’ve been playing here for two to three years.”

Lee Campbell, the fiddler

Bennie Dockeral plays electric guitar

Lee Campbell, the group’s manager and fiddler, has been in Russellville since 1939 and has played music for 50 years. After a long stretch without playing, he returned to the fiddle when he retired from the shoe business. Many people in the community have fond memories of Campbell Shoes.

“I’ve known this fellow all my life,” Wilma Bearfield says. She has come to hear him play.

“He lived with my grandma and grandpa when he was a young handsome man. He’s wonderful and a pretty good fiddle player too.”

Campbell laughs shyly. “It wasn’t as easy coming back to it as I thought it’d be,” he said holding up the fiddle. “I just got the bug, and I had to pick it up again. It partly came back, and I had to do a little practicing.”

His wife passed away six years ago, and music has provided a creative outlet for Campbell, something he can throw himself into. He also stays active in the community and attends worship at Wesley United Methodist Church.

Bennie Docekal, electric guitar and vocals

Bennie Docekal grew up in Witts Springs. He is a career educator and retired as school superintendent of the Pottsville school district..

“My mother taught me a few guitar chords and I just went from there,” he said. Docekal has played all his life and performed since he was 9 years old.

Docekal is married to Bonnie, and together they have two grown children. He finds time to hunt turkey, deer and squirrel and to create treasures in his woodworking shop.

As with the other members of the band, Docekal looks forward to the Friday sessions. He laughs when he says, “We enjoy playing for the folks here because we’re old too.”

32 ABOUT...the River Valley

November 2008

J.D. Virden, bass man

J.D. Virden admits his age and doesn’t mind spreading it around. “I’m 86 years old, and I didn’t start playing the bass till I was 72, so don’t let anybody tell you that you’re too old to learn something new.”

Before he picked up the bass guitar his music experience was limited to brief relationship with a guitar at 14.

“I never learned any chords or anything.”

One would never guess. His son also plays.

“He’s just a kid. He’s 55, and he is smooth.”

“It’s been the best thing that has happened to me,” he says. “I don’t think I have a lot of talent, but I’m not stupid. I can learn.”

His method of madness makes an interesting story in itself. “When I decided I wanted to learn I chose a song that I really wanted to play hot. I chose Tracy Byrd’s “You Lie to me.” Virden practiced faithfully.

His minister (he attends Union Grove Freewill Baptist Church) came to call and asked him to play. Impressed, he asked Virden to play for the choir, and he ended up playing for the entire church service.

Virden is married to Maxine. He graduated from Russellville High School in 1939 then entered the Air Force. Education was his chosen career after the military, and he remained in that field first teaching and then as superintendent of several school districts; Western Grove, Jasper, Leslie, Dover and Atkins.

“I was the old-school type of educator,” Virden says. “I believed in paddling. I’d tell those kids, ‘If you dance, you gotta pay the fiddler.’ You know, I’ve had former students come up and thank me for saving them.”

mine’s by ear.” He’s had quite an earful in his music career.

His father played guitar, his mother played French harp and his grandfather played fiddle.

“Everybody played a musical instrument back then,” he says. “What else were we to do with ourselves? There were no movies to go to.”

Hamilton was raised in Bass, Ark. He is married to Carolee and is the father of two grown daughters. Hamilton worked full time as the business controller for Arkansas Tech University, retiring after 42 years.

Early on he played a little country in a dancing group, and in the 70s, he played in a bluegrass band which performed around the state at festivals.

“I used to play a little golf, but I’m too old now to get around,” he says with a grin.

“I’m like them,” he waves his arm at the crowd. “I love to play with these guys when they invite me to join in.”

Hoyle Adams, drummer, et al

Johnny Hamilton isn’t a regular member of the band.

“I come when they call me,” he says.

Hamilton plays rhythm guitar and sings.

“My dad had a little music training, but all

Hoyle Adams plays rhythm guitar, bass and drums.

“I fill in wherever we need,” he says. He honed that “Show-must-go-on” spirit from a lifetime of performing. He started playing and singing at high school dances, joined a band in Kansas City and formed his own band, Arizona Country, when he lived in Phoenix. His band lasted 18 years.

Adams and his wife Frances returned to Arkansas after he retired from Weyerhaeuser Wood Products. He worked as a salesman for 25 years. He left Newton County when he was 7 years old and has no immediate family.

“I’ve got far flung cousins living here though,” he said.

Adams enjoys woodworking and even had a little cabinet shop. The Friday sessions are the highlight of his week.

“They really enjoy us because there’s no other place for them to go,” he chuckled.

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Walter Wooten, rhythm guy

Walter Wooten is another product of a musical family.

“We were all musically inclined. They sang gospel there in Appleton. My brother still lives in that community. I’ve been playing 50 years,” he says.

Wooten has more time to play now that he’s retired from Rural Electric Association.

He and his wife Marie attend Freewill Baptist Church in Oak Grove, and he is a weekly participant in the picking and dancing at the senior center.

“It’s about this many every Friday,” he says and looks out at the crowd of 100 who have gathered for the music and dance right before lunch.

“We kindly play for our meal since they feed us. We play a variety of music; western swing, gospel, bluegrass, hillbilly. Whatever people like to dance to, is what we’ll play.”

The crowd gives the musicians a standing ovation and head for the lunch counter while the band members break down the stage. A few fans come to give them a squeeze or a compliment.

“We’re all slipping some, but we still got the beat. At least, the dancers tell us that,” Virden says. n The Town and Country band plays every Friday, 10-11:15 a.m. at the Senior Activity Center of Pope County, 1010 N. Rochester Avenue, Russellville. Lunch is $2.50, $5 for visitors under 60 years old. For more information call (479) 968-5039.

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ABOUT...the River Valley 33

Healing Handbags Story and Photo by Jeannie Stone

Lynell Withers is not the first person to be diagnosed with cancer, nor is she the first to discover the therapeutic benefits of art. She may be the first person to create one-of-akind purses because of her battles.

Withers, a California native who bought a Russellville home sight unseen, moved to the River Valley in 2004 after suffering a layoff in Oceanside, Calif. The affordable housing market and beauty of the area appealed to her. For the first time, she was able to own a home made of brick and mortar.

With no family or friends here, the first diagnosis of colon cancer in 2005 could have sent her packing, but folks in the medical community in Russellville endeared themselves to Withers. She now calls many of the nurses “friends” insisting she’s never met “so many wonderful people.”

The normally upbeat Withers has a weakness for animals and, knowing she had no family here, the local veterinarian made house calls during Withers’ illness.

“That would never happen in California,” she said. “Russellville became my family through the hospital and the vet.”

The unexpected news of breast cancer in June of 2008, set Withers on a whirlwind resulting in the loss of her breast, but not her joy of life. Not surprisingly, the owner of the mastectomy shop in town became another member of her family.

“Moving to Russellville seemed to free me,” Withers said. “Surviving cancer inspired me.”

She began constructing handbags and paintings surrounding her fascination with mysterious and fantastical women. Withers’ paintings feature bold and powerful women.

“They each took on a unique personality,” she said. “That is why I started naming each painting and handbag. I call this one Lola. It just looked like a Lola.”

“Surviving cancer has given me courage where before I thought I couldn’t do something, now I know I can, and I do,” she said and smiled. Withers is now cancer free.

An interest in preserving linens, postcards and letters from loved ones further influenced her. She is open to inspiration and has transferred her paintings as well as the photos and cards onto fabric to embellish the purses.

True to her passion for animals, she encourages customers who are pet owners to personalize their bags, adding animal fabrics and different textures.

Inside each bag, Withers attachs a letter of authenticity along with an itemized list of each item and, of course, the name. One bag made from a vintage burgundy tapestry is named “Lady of the Flame,” and she sparkles with crystals.

“I only use Swarovski crystals,” she said, “because they catch the light best.”

Withers is particular when choosing her supplies, adding that the old photographs purchased online are mostly from France, Germany or England. The tapestries come from around the world, and some are quite expensive. Like a quilt, she pieces together her creation.

“Make do,” she said and laughed. “Like my mother always told me.” She will use a snippet of perfectly dyed ribbon along the groove of an antique lace, cut up a vintage dishtowel to make pockets for the interior of a bag, and pin an heirloom brooch which professionally sets off the design.

Withers rented a booth at The Collectors Gallery in Russellville and started receiving positive feedback immediately. She also sells on ETSY, an online store for artisans.

“I would love to be able to sell enough to support myself,” she said. “My pet passion is animal welfare and for the past 16 years I have supported a sanctuary in Utah. I’d love to be able to continue that.”

Sam McAlister, a customer who was combing her booth for new designs, related his experience in purchasing a handbag to give as a birthday gift to his sister.

“I couldn’t wait for her to blow out her candles,” he said. “She loved it so much, she put it in a shadowbox. She doesn’t want to risk getting it dirty. There is just nothing else like these purses.”

Wither credits her creative juices on her newfound family and renewed life.

Although the economy brought Withers to our town, relationships keep her rooted here.

“There is something very special about the people here. You couldn’t pay me to go back to California,” she said and smiled. n For information or to place an order, visit polkadotandpearls.com or visit The Collectors Gallery, 130 E. Harrell Dr., Russellville, or call (479) 967-6773.

Come to Dazzle Daze and enjoy a weekend in Conway General shoppinG

Friday, November 21, 10am–8pm or Saturday, November 22, 10am–4pm Tickets available in advance or at door: $5 Adults; $4 Seniors; Children under 12 Free

special events

Thursday, November 20, 6pm–9pm, Girls’ Nite Out preview party Sponsored by AY Magazine • Fletcher Smith’s Jewelry Drawing 9pm

November 20, 21 & 22 Don Owen Sports Complex I-40 & Hwy 65 • Conway, AR

Benefiting Conway Regional Health Foundation and the Women’s Council

Tickets $20 in advance; $25 at door • Entertainment by Rodney Block Trio

Saturday, November 22, 8:30am–10am, Breakfast with the Clauses

Tickets $10 in advance only • Includes photo with Santa & Mrs. Claus, a light breakfast, crafts and activities for the kids and exclusive early shopping starting at 9:30am

Raffle—Win a New Car!

Grand Prize: 2009 Ford Mustang Convertible from Smith Ford–Mercury 2nd Prize: Sony 40" LCD Flat Panel HDTV donated by DeBoard Electronics 3rd Prize: $500 gift certificate donated by Cajun Brothers Furniture

$100 Donation per ticket, limited to only 500 tickets sold • Drawing Nov. 22, 4pm

To Purchase Tickets call (501) 513-5778 or visit www.DazzleDaze.com 34 ABOUT...the River Valley

November 2008

Be ‘Santa Be ‘Santa to Senior’ to aaSenior’

Now in its fifth year, a national program that has brightened the lives of hundreds of thousands of older adults with gifts and companionship is once again being organized. This will be the first year “Be a Santa to a Senior” is being organized in the River Valley area.

The program, sponsored by Home Instead Senior Care, provides presents to seniors who otherwise might not be remembered this holiday season.

Home Instead Senior Care, whose caregivers provide non-medical home care and companionship to seniors, has partnered with Wildflower Retirement, Inspirations of Dardanelle, Pope County Senior Center, and Arkansas Hospice of Russellville in order to bring cheer to the seniors of Pope County.

From Thursday, November 6, until Monday, December 8, shoppers may select ornaments from the “Be a Santa to a Senior” tree at City Mall on North Arkansas Avenue in Russellville.

Each ornament lists the first name of a senior in need, along with gift requests.

They then purchase items and return them unwrapped to the business along with the ornament. Home Instead Senior Care enlists community volunteers to gather, wrap and deliver the gifts.

A wrapping party is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 11 at the Pope County Senior Center. Deliveries will take place during the week of Dec. 15th.

“We see many older adults who have no one during this festive season and that makes for a very sad and lonely time,” said Dan Fry, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care office in Conway. They serve Pope, Conway, Perry, Van Buren, Cleburne, and Faulkner counties.

Christmas Open House Join the merchants for an all-day Christmas Open House on Saturday, November 8th!

“It is important to reach out to those who are usually overlooked during this special time of the year. We want to include seniors whether they are in a nursing home or living in their own homes, where more seniors are choosing to stay,” said Fry. “Our goal is to deliver gifts and provide much needed companionship to at least 50 seniors,” Fry said. “We hope the community will support our efforts as a way of giving back to the older adults in our area who have given us so much.”

“The community has embraced us; and, this is our way of giving back,” said Fry. Businesses, churches and other groups and organizations are encouraged to contact the local Home Instead Senior Care office about adopting groups of seniors.

Anyone interested in wrapping and delivering gifts may contact Wanda Everett with Home Instead Senior Care at (501) 764-1814. Additional information may also be found at www.santatoasenior.com. n

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November 2008

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ABOUT...the River Valley 35

Every Gold Wing rally begins with the pledge of allegiance.

Tim and Bonnie Nagy, life members of the Golden Wings.

ON GOLD WINGS THEY RIDE Story and Photos by Jeannie Stone

Gold Wing Road Rider Association, a social organization for Honda Gold Wing motorcycle enthusiasts, boasts over 800 chapters and 82,000 members worldwide with a strong presence in the River Valley.

“We’re not a club with rules; we’re an association,” member Kenny Holmes said. “We have regulations.” His wife Rhonda laughed.

The Holmeses, chapter directors for Chapter J of Russellville, were recently selected as the Region H Couple of the Year for the Gold Wing Road Rider Association (GWRRA.) Chapter J hosted their 16th annual Hobo Fest, at Old Post Park on a recent Saturday. Hurricane Ike was blowing in but hadn’t quite reached Russellville which allowed the hundred or so participants to enjoy the get-together.

“A lot of people were afraid to come out today because of the oncoming storm,” Holmes said. “and the gas prices seem to be affecting everybody. We usually have around 175 in attendance.”

Following tradition, each participant donated a can of vegetables toward the pot of hobo stew Donald and Jan Loveless started early that morning. They had browned 10 pounds of hamburger meat, 5 cans of tomatoes, 5 onions and added Jan’s secret seasonings to the 10-gallon cast iron kettle. The host chapter prepared cornbread and dessert.

“Our members really look forward to it,” Holmes said, “because it’s so simple, and it’s a chance to visit with folks that are sometimes closer than your real family.”

Member Russ Whaley of Cabot said, “We really are like just a big family.” Little Rock member David Blees agreed, “It’s like a family reunion getting together like this.”

“At our gatherings we usually eat, visit and then ride together,” Holmes said with a laugh. It’s the love of riding that binds the friends together.

As Couple of the Year, the Holmes represent Region H and Arkansas. In the last three years, they have traveled more than 40,000 miles on their Gold Wing to GWRRA rallies all over the country and have even traveled to Canada. Together, they have traveled to 27 states, and they’re not slowing down until they make all 50.

“They’re fun to drive,” Holmes said. “They’re a quality motorcycle. They are dependable and comfortable for the rider and the driver.”

“They are designed as a touring motorcycle, and I’ve seen people “trike” it into a three-wheeler and pull a trailer.”

Holmes always wanted a Gold Wing and bought his first one in 1999. He and Rhonda currently ride a 2008 Pearl White 1800 Gold Wing two wheeler. Rhonda laughed, “Our first date was on a motorcycle.”

Jan and Donald Loveless serve “hobo stew” to Liz Thomas of Van Buren.

Alan Tucker, left, & Jim Watson of Russellville

36 ABOUT...the River Valley

Katherine Harvey, left, and Judy Tucker of Russellville

November 2008

Member Whaley elaborated, “We have state rallies in addition to these chapter rallies and annual region rallies. You can have a very social calendar with this group, and the members come from all walks of life.”

Rhonda Holmes added, “Once you are a member of GWRRA you are a worldwide member and can attend any function representing your chapter. It’s a great way to make friends from all over.”

Besides fun and fellowship, safety awareness is a critical focus of the group. Every April, The Arkansas District hosts and Annual Education Weekend, and the 2009 event will be staged at the University of Arkansas Community College in Morrilton, and the Annual 4th of July Rally will be held at Tulsa , Okla.

Scheduled activities in the near future include the Horizons Seminar Nov. 22-23 also held at UACCM. The Russellville chapter welcomes guests to monthly meetings held at Western Sizzlin’ at 6 p.m. every first Saturday of the month. Membership is available to any motorcycle enthusiast regardless of the type machine he drives.

“But why would anybody want to drive anything other than the best?” Holmes asked. n

District Webmaster, Bill Shyryock of Chapter A out of LR.

Michelle, Brandon and Zaidyn Loveless enjoy the familial feeling of the event.

For more information on the Arkansas District of GWRRA log on to www.argwrra.org. For more information or to register for the Horizons Seminar contact Larry Penepent at (479) 970-0778 or email trainer@argwrra.org.

“Inspirations is a place where I feel accepted just as I am.”

Deborah Blees of Little Rock

A-1 Pawn Stocking Stuffers for under $20

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We offer our patients outpatient counseling services that are directed toward the process of healing emotionally, physically and mentally If you or a loved one has had recent changes in life that make things difficult to handle, call today.

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November 2008

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2207 East Main Street Russellville, AR 72801 ABOUT...the River Valley 37

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Call me today at 479-968-9595 to schedule a confidential, no obligation interview at your convenience.

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479-968-9595 915 W Main St, Ste D, Rsvl.

www.timmartin.nylagents.com *Arkansas insurance producer license number 23868

38 ABOUT...the River Valley

Pecans Prove Profitable for Blackwell Family Story and Photos by Jeannie Stone

Paul and Carolin Foshee of Blackwell have always been hard-working people. Carolin taught in the Morrilton and Perry-Casa school districts for 17 years. As she tells the story, her husband had been in the business of laying tile and rock for 30 years, “and he got kind of tired of that and thought he would try and grow pecans. Eventually, he stopped laying rock altogether.”

That doesn’t mean Paul Foshee stopped working. It’s a different type of work, that’s for sure, but “it has been good to be able to grow into something that can involve the whole family,” he said. Carolin added, “and I enjoy being home. It makes it nice knowing I don’t have to drive a long distance every day.”

The Foshees own and operate Foshee Pecans and Services on Blackwell Rd. off Highway 64 and Interstate 40. The couple will celebrate 45 years of marriage in November, and Blackwell is where Paul and Carolin make their home just yards away from the heavy machines that clean, spray, crack and shell hundreds of pecans each minute during the harvest.

It is during this season of harvest that the couple’s grown children -- Randy, Phyllis and Sheila -- bring their own families to help with the chores.

“There are all kinds of jobs for our grandkids to do,” Carolin said, “and it’s good for them. The work teaches them math concepts like how to weigh stuff.”

The work teaches the younger generation a thing or two about From left: Jerry Bergener of Hot Springs, economics too, as they discover the Dawson Whittenburg, 4, Sheila Whittenburg real truth about the hard work involved & Paul Foshee, all of Blackwell work together harvesting the pecans on their family farm. in earning a dollar.

“They learn that money doesn’t grow on trees,” Carolin said with a chuckle, “even if pecans do.” Before the harvest, Paul works non-stop in the orchards and runs checks on the equipment. He works year-round at it.

Yes, he does,” Carolin said.

In January, Paul starts pruning trees. It takes quite an effort to make sure each of the 2,300 trees is in the best form. That chore alone would do in most folks but by April Paul is ready to fertilize. May and June are when he sprays for insects, and in June, it’s time to start irrigating. He sprays again in August, and the harvesting begins around the first of October and runs through Christmas.

The Foshees began in the pecan business in 1984 with 300 trees spread across 15 acres. In 2005 they planted an additional 2,000 trees on this side of the levee, closer to the Arkansas River. The addition of the new trees increased the crop to 95 acres maintained by the Foshees. Those trees are producing their first crop this season.

There are many varieties of pecan trees, and the old orchard contains mostly Stuart, Pawnee, a few Choctaw and Mohawks which yield the largest pecans. The new orchard contains mostly Pawnee, and Oconee with the pollinating Kanzas at the end of each row.

Carolin judges other pecans by taste and is convinced no other pecans taste as good as the ones grown on the family spread.

November 2008

(Left) Tammy Foshee of Little Rock sorts through pecans. (Top Middle) Paul Foshee, from left, David Whittenburg and Randy Foshee shovel collected pecans at Foshee Pecans and Services in Blackwell. (Bottom Middle) From left: Kasey, 17, Sawyer, 13, of Hot Springs and aunt Tammy Foshee of Little Rock. (Right) Carolin Foshee bags pecans at Foshee’s Pecan Service in Blackwell.

Obviously, the Foshees take pride in their work.

“We kinda have a reputation of having really good pecans,” Carolin said. “We try to have top quality,” Updating farming techniques and planting new trees are only part of the Foshee operation. The thrill for visitors is the handful of enormous machinery operating at near ear-splitting levels allowing pecans to be processed at amazing rates of speed and efficiency.

The Shaker hooks on the back of the tractor rocks the pecan trees till they give up their nuts. Following the shake down comes The Harvester which resembles a combine.

It scoops up the pecans which are then run through a Cleaner and Dryer capable of processing 2,000 pecans at a time.

The newest piece of the arsenal is an improved Cracking Machine which cracks

500 pecans per minute, an improvement over the older machine’s capacity to crack a mere 80 pecans per minute. The machine was purchased for $14,000. The equipment is expensive, Carolin added.

The Sheller and the Cracking Machine allow the Foshees to offer services to their customers who may bring their own nuts to crack and shell. The Sheller employs the use of small elevators which carry the pecans to the different blowers shifting the shells from the debris and separating the meat.

Finally, the Inspection Table vibrates the pecans down sloping steps which serve to flip the pecans over for better viewing by one of the Foshees. The entire operation is truly a sight to behold and quite a learning experience.

At any given time of the year, Foshee children and grandchildren are found shaking, shifting and bagging pecans,

working alongside their parents and grandparents. Tammy and Randy Foshee of Little Rock regularly bring their son Nathan, 20, and even their married daughter Jessica to work the business.

Phyllis and Jerry Bergener drive from Hot Springs to join in the work. Their daughter Kasey, 17, and son Sawyer, 13, enjoy working with her cousins. The youngest members of the family live right down the road. Brooklyn and Dawson, ages 4 and 2, are the children of Sheila and David Whittenburg.

“This operation wouldn’t be possible without everyone pitching in,” Paul said.

Extended family members Jerry and Mary Jo Whittenburg, Violet Young and Doylene Poteete are integral parts of the operation.

“It’s growing every year,” Phyllis Burgener claimed. And so it is. Little pecan trees grow and prosper, and so do little Foshees. n

“ABOUT...the River Valley is My Marquee” “We have been extremely pleased with our advertising in ABOUT... the River Valley Magazine. Dianne and her associates have been great to work with, and the quality of the advertising is first class.

Our ads in ABOUT have brought back more feedback from the customer -either in comments or sales of the products featured in the ad -- than any other format we have used. We always look forward to getting each new issue of ABOUT to see everyone’s new ads.”

R.D. and Johnna Walker Owners, C&D Drug Store Downtown Russellville

ABOUT

... the River Valley

Contact Melanie Conley at 858-2708, Stephanie Young at 970-2215, or LeAnne Colvin at 857-7912.

November 2008

ABOUT advertising associate Stephanie Young with R.D. and Johanna Walker

ABOUT...the River Valley 39

ABOUT

... the Best Products

n 1 Your one stop for your jacket shop.

Patagonia full zip re-tool jacket with Kavu Basketcase Beanie modeled by Lindsey Virden.

1

Feltner’s Athletes’ Corner

2

2320 West Main • Russellville (479) 968-6464

n 2 Unique Santas and Snow Bears.

Great Selection. Great Prices.

Millyns

124 South Front • Dardanelle (479) 229-4144 n 3 Gourmet Doggie Treats!

Treat that special dog to one of these all natural gourmet doggie treats.

Several types to choose from.

JonTams

3

(479) 284-4059 n 4 Collectors Gallery Razorback Makes the Perfect Holiday Gift for Anyone on Your List. Gold and Silver Jewelry, Men’s and Ladies’ Watches, Wallets, Purses, Money Clips, Belts, Apparel. Something for the Whole Family. We have the largest selection in the River Valley.

4

5

Collectors Gallery

130 East Harrell Drive, Russellville (479) 967-6773 n 5 Holiday Decoration Make your holiday decorating fun with fanciful pieces like these long-necked swans at Millyns.

Millyns

124 South Front • Dardanelle (479) 229-4144 n 6 Elegant Christmas Decor Trees, mantle pieces and all the trimmings!

Let us custom-design a new look for your holiday season.

6

Flowers Etc.

900 West B • Russellville (479) 968-3600 n 7 Fall into a new color & style Cut, color, foil, pedicures, manicures, waxing.

Make an appointment today with Terra, Claranne, Shelly or Michelle.

Tangles Salon

City Mall next to Alco • Russellville (479) 967-0990

40 ABOUT...the River Valley

7

November 2008

Photos Courtesy of Saint Mary’s

Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Russellville recently held their sixth Women’s Life Festival on Saturday, Sept. 27, on the campus of Arkansas Tech University. The event, designed to encourage women to relax, recharge and live more balanced and healthy lives, featured physician speakers, motivational speaker, a celebrity chef demonstration, health screenings, a variety of retail and informational booths and a purse auction.

Approximately 450 women attended the event taking advantage of the many offerings including a brunch, lunch, style show, and presentation of Awards.

Harriet Thone received the Women’s Life Award, Mary Cohoon received the Women’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and Betty LaGrone received the Queen for a Day Award. Please visit www.saintmaryswomenslife.blogspot.com for additional information and photos. n

The continental breakfast was displayed on the main food table in the rotunda at Doc Bryan Student Center.

Women's Life participants enjoyed the Brunch festivities.

Celebrity Chef George Desiderio prepared samples for a hungry group during his Chef presentation.

Lindsey Harris, left, and Toni Daniels, right, were the proud receipents of the Women's Life Festival Nursing Scholarships.

Humorist and motivational speaker Peggy Kline prepared to make her grand entrance.

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November 2008

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Come on and

zumba,

zumba,

zumba,

Zoom!

“Ok, ladies, nobody’s watching. Let’s dance,” Joyce Baker sings to her class of 14 students at the Fitness for Her facility on Main Street in Russellville. ‘Dance’ is a mild word to describe the hip-swaying, hypnotic blend of Latin and African moves Baker leads the enthusiastic group through during the course of an hour. This is Zumba, and it has taken hold in the River Valley.

“I want to see some kicking, ladies,” Baker shrills. “Good job. Alright, time for a little salsa. Basic movies but add your arms then, freeze, then back, back. Get your hips in there. Up, up,up. Take it straight back.

One, two, three. Yes!” Baker, a training manager for Conagra Frozen Foods, moved to Russellville from Nashville, Tenn., in June with her husband Corey. It didn’t take long for her to miss teaching her Zumba class at Baptist Hospital in the music city.

“I taught the early morning class for the third shift nurses,” she said. “I loved it.

Zumba is a lot of fun. If we can get people to come one time they’re hooked. It’s all about getting folks to move. You’re actually burning a lot of calories,” Baker said.

Baker, who is originally from Tampa, had enjoyed creative dance during her youth and taught teens interpretive dance but was unfamiliar with the Zumba craze until her daughters invited her to a class in Tampa during a visit.

“Oh, I thought it was so much fun,” Baker said -- so much fun that she jumped in with both feet and earned her certification in a weekend workshop. To stay certified she attends refresher workshops.

“There’s never any trouble finding one to go to,” she said. “They’re all over the place now.”

All over the place is a good way to refer to her class.

“Cut the sugarcane, ladies. Get the blade up and cut, cut, cut,” Baker shouted as she 42 ABOUT...the River Valley

By Jeannie Stone

mimed the movements. You definitely need room to zumba.

“Now, stomp your foot and stir that soup,” she instructed. Stirring a pot of soup became an aerobic.

“It’s exercise disguised by dance,” longtime Zumba devotee Dixie Jackson said.

Originally from Russellville, she recently moved back from Alabama.

“I was so thrilled when I hear about Joyce starting up a class here. I won‘t stay with the other exercise stuff,” she added. “But this, I’ll do.”

Making it fun is the key to a successful workout regimen according to Baker.

“One of my dearest friends in Tennessee is a big girl. Zumba has helped her lose about 90 pounds. She is teaching 10 classes a week, and she’s really in shape now. One hour of Zumba will burn off 300 – 500 calories.”

Baker met a Zumba master trainer at a workshop who told her she used to weigh over 300 pounds.

“She’s still a big girl today although she‘s lost a lot of weight,” Baker said. “I was amazed at how she could move. But she loved to dance, and that was her ticket to a healthier life.”

A brochure states, “The routines feature interval-training sessions where fast and slow rhythms and resistance training are combined to tone and sculpt your body while burning fat. Add some Latin flavor and international zest into the mix and you’ve got Zumba!”

As the boogie woogie strains of The Candyman blared from the boom box, everyone cheered. They were obviously familiar with the number. The beat reminded Baker that she had brought props today and hurriedly shared the bright boas which burst from a brown sack.

“We’re going to dance with attitude today.”

Instructor Joyce Baker leads a Zumba class.

Baker emphasizes fun and encourages the participants to keep moving. The dancers burn between 300 and 500 calories during the hour.

Baker also brought homemade gifts for the students, bandanas emblazoned with Zumba Diva in silver lettering.

“Ya’ll are going to think I’m Martha Stewart,” Baker said and laughed. That would be Martha Stewart on funky steroids.

In her spare time, Baker likes to read, write and “get outdoors.” She also teaches cultural diversity for Phoenix University, an online college.

“Merengue is kind of slow,” she told the class before the next number. “It will give you a chance to catch your breath.” Then the lively music started and Baker said, “Well, a little slow.” She flashed a devilish smile over her shoulder.

Kathleen Likely, a new member of the class gushed, “I love it. I’ve only taken for two weeks, but it’s awesome.”

Shannon Waddoups, owner of Fitness for Her recalled when Baker first offered her services.

“She just called me on the phone, and I have to be honest, I’d never heard of Zumba, so my employees went online and checked it out. They told me I better get her before somebody else did. It’s been very exciting.”

Baker has her sights set on earning Zumba Gold - a level of certification which would qualify her to work with senior citizens.

“My middle daughter just got married, and she told me that, at some point I was going to have to start acting like a grandmother,” she said with a laugh.

“I’m 57 years old,” Jackson said, “but when I dance I feel 18 again.”

Who ever said grandmothers couldn’t have fun? n Zumba classes are offered at Fitness for Her at various times and days. For more information visit zumbafitness.com. For information on passes, class or membership rates, call (479) 967-6003.

November 2008

Give Them The World This ChrisTmas!

Dr. Dennis Berner, top, and Weldon Stratton share the same birthday. Berner, who turned 60 the same day Stratton turned 100, is Stratton’s personal physician and friend of the family.

ITALIAN LAKES AND GREEK ISLANDS

Departs May 29, 2009 – 12-Day Tour – Breathtaking beauty, rich cultures of northern Italy, Greece and Croatia abound on this cruise through the Eastern Mediterranean. Tour Milan, Como, Bari the island playgrounds of Santorini, Mykonos and Corfu. Travel to Dubrovnik, then sail to Venice.

PACIFIC NW AND CALIFORNIA

Departs July 20, 2009 – 8-Day Tour – Cruise the Rogue River and visit Redwood National Park, Mt. St. Helens, San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge and see the Victorian architecture of Eureka.

Cary Stratton and Sarah Rogers join friends and family in a celebration of Weldon Stratton’s 100th

DISCOVER SCOTLAND

Departs September 14, 2009 – 10-Day Tour – Rolling hills, sea-sprayed islands, ancient castles. Tour Edinburgh, St. Andrews, Pitlochry, Dunrobin Castle, Lock Ness, Isle of Skye, travel by ferry to Orkney Islands – many more sites to see!

SAN ANTONIO GETAWAY

December 5, 2009 – 5-Day Tour – The “American Venice,” sidewalk cafes, architecture, beautiful river centerpiece. See The Alamo, Aztec Theater, Mission San Jose, Tex-Mex Cooking Class and create wonderful holiday memories! Preview: Jan. 29, 2009.

IMPERIAL CITIES

June 10, 2010 – 9-Day Tour – An opportunity to travel June 10-19, 2010, has been made available to our group through Collette Vacations. Imperial Cities featuring Prague, Vienna, Budapest and the Oberammergan Passion Play will be offered on a first come first serve basis to our group. The total price of the 10-day trip is a double rate of $5,149 per person.

ATU Travel

Alumni and Friends of Arkansas Tech Coach Horne, longtime RHS football coach and later principal, shared the memory book with Gary Stratton after congratulating his father.

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

Peggy Stratton holds up Eli Stratton, 4, who helps blow out great-grandpa’s birthday candles.

Stratton Straddles 100th Birthday More than a dozen friends and family met Oct. 15th at Russellville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center to join Weldon Stratton in celebrating his 100th birthday.

Stratton moved to Russellville in 1947 when he transferred to the International Shoe Company from Paducah, Ky. “He worked as a cutting room foreman,” son Gary Stratton said. “The shoe company was the first major industry in Russellville. I was 6 weeks old when we moved here.”

Daughter-in-law Peggy Stratton said, “We’re just excited he’s still with us.”

“He was still driving at 95,” Gary said, “and he had himself a girlfriend who was 86.

He told me he liked them young.”

There were plenty of laughs as old friends shared memories over a photo album and visited with the birthday boy who had a smile for everyone.

Dr. Dennis Berner took the opportunity to pose with the elder Stratton as they both shared the same birthday. Berner turned 60 on the 15th.

November 2008

There were several guests who have known Stratton for many years, but Lee Rogers remembers Gary in diapers.

Stratton is a member of Cumberland Presbyterian Church. “It was nice. There were a lot of church members who came out,” granddaughter Cary Stratton said.

The most surprising call, came from a gentleman Stratton has never met personally. Willard Scott from NBC’s The Today Show called to wish Stratton a Happy Birthday. Scott was to include Stratton in that week’s birthday segment.

Great-grandson Eli Stratton bounced in the room just in time to help great-grandpa blow out his candles, but Eli paused for a moment. He had never seen three candles spelling out 100 lit up. n

Over 35 Years of Auto Body Excellence

– Submitted by Jeannie Stone

Birthday greetings may be sent to: Weldon Stratton c/o Russellville Nursing Home and Rehab, 215 S. Portland Ave., Russellville, AR. 72802.

1903 S. Arkansas • (479) 968-3991

ABOUT...the River Valley 43

ABOUT JA Ball Date Set

The annual JA Charity Ball is the major fundraiser for the Junior Auxiliary of Russellville, an organization that sponsors many projects to help children and families.

This year’s event has been set for 6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Arkansas River Valley Boys and Girls Club. Enjoy JA Italia Bravissima -- “an evening in Venice.”

Activities for the evening will include the silent auction, a seated dinner in an elegant environment, and a live auction where you can bid on extraordinary items or sign up to attend a variety of unique parties.

Back by popular demand, “The Rockets”, voted Best Local Band for the last 10 years, will provide the musical entertainment, as they have in recent years. Complimentary photographs will begin at 6 p.m.

In the Russellville School District this past year, Junior Auxiliary of Russellville reached approximately 5,000 children with unmet needs such as clothing, school supplies, and medical and dental care. Members volunteered over 5,000 hours of their time to implement the projects.

“Our work cannot continue with manpower alone,” say members. “Our projects and scholarships are primarily funded through the Charity Ball; therefore, it is our goal to raise enough funds to prevent having to turn anyone in need away.”

You can help by attending this year’s event. Tickets are available for $130 couple or $65 single. Contact Tammy Rhodes at (479) 264-7642 or Laurie Reasoner at (479) 747-3176.

Tech Homecoming Nov. 7-8

Arkansas Tech University will celebrate an “All-American Homecoming” when it welcomes alumni and friends to a variety of events the weekend of Nov. 7-8.

C L AS S IC

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44 ABOUT...the River Valley

Community The university will induct 35 of its AllAmerica student-athletes into its Hall of Distinction on Nov. 8 during the Homecoming tailgate party at Tucker Coliseum. The induction and tailgate party will begin at 11:30 a.m. Lunch will be served. Cost is $15 for adults and $7.50 for children 11 and under.

Tickets must be purchased in advance and can be acquired by calling (479) 9680242 or sending e-mail to alumni@atu.edu.

The weekend will begin with the Homecoming Golf Classic at Russellville Country Club on Friday. Lunch will be served at 11 a.m. with official welcome at 11:45 a.m. and a shotgun start at noon.

Entry fee for the 3-person scramble tournament is $75 per person, with proceeds benefiting the Arkansas Tech Alumni Association Scholarship fund.

Other public events on Friday will include the Ladies Luncheon and Style Show at noon in the Chambers Cafeteria East Dining Hall and the Alumni and Friends Reception from 8 p.m.-midnight at Russellville Country Club.

The Ladies Luncheon and Style Show will feature fashions from III’s Co., Lefler’s, and M. Hill’s. Each luncheon attendee will receive 20 discount coupons from area businesses. Tickets are $15 each. Tickets for the Alumni and Friends Reception are $10 per person.

Saturday’s festivities will start with the Alumni Homecoming Open House at the W.O. Young Ballroom from 9:30 a.m.noon. The tailgate party is from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Tucker Coliseum. Pregame activities include the crowning of the Homecoming queen, will begin at 2:30 p.m. at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field.

Kickoff for the Homecoming football game between Arkansas Tech and Harding is scheduled for 3 p.m.

Several groups will gather for private reunions during Homecoming 2008. They include the Class of 1958, which will gather for its 50th anniversary reunion; all living members of the Arkansas Tech Hall of Distinction; the men’s basketball teams from the late ‘40s and ‘50s; football players from the 1997-2001 era, many of whom played for the 1999 Gulf South Conference championship team; and alumni from the Department of Parks, Recreation and Hospitality Administration, the School of Business and the Arkansas Tech Band of Distinction.

For more information about Arkansas Tech Homecoming 2008 and to purchase tickets to the events, call (479) 968-0242 or send e-mail to alumni@atu.edu.

Veterans Day 2008 Celebration

The Annual Pope County Veterans Day Parade and Celebration of Freedom will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 11. The Russellville Parade will begin at 4 p.m., followed by special ceremony at the Historic Missouri-Pacific Railroad Depot in Downtown Russellville.

The annual Russellville Parade will be staged at Harmon Park just east of USA Drug on West Main Street and will feature area school bands, community organizations, businesses, churches and all veterans.

Speaking for the Salute to Freedom Committee, Chairman Jim Bob Humphrey announced this year’s theme will be “A Korean Veterans Roll Call.” In addition to honoring all Veterans, this year’s Pope County Veterans Day Celebrations will feature a special salute to all Korean Veterans.

The committee anticipates this event and encourages area churches, businesses and organizations in Pope County to provide their “typical great support.” In particular, the committee is asking all of the various churches and organizations to identify and pre-register the Korean veterans for the ceremony and consider entering a float or vehicle in the parade in their honor.

Registration forms for the parade and ceremony may be obtained from the Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce, 708 W. Main, (479) 968-2530 or Humphrey Funeral Service, 2801 W. Main, at (479) 968-4411.

Drama Day at UCA

The Youth Theatre of Central Arkansas will hold a Fun Drama Day workshop on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. to noon in the Studio Theatre of the Snow Fine Arts Center on the campus of UCA. The event is open to all students in grades 3 through 6.

Activities will include theatre games, creating characters and applying theatrical makeup.

Ruthann Curry Browne, the director of the Youth Theatre will conduct the workshop.

The makeup portion of the workshop will be conducted by senior Theatre major, Matt Peoples.

Advance registration is currently underway and is $40 per student; after Nov. 6, fee will be $50. Registration and information forms are available online at www.uca.edu/theatre. Registration and information forms can also be obtained by calling Liz Parker, Youth Theatre coordinator at (501) 450-5092.

The Youth Theatre of Central Arkansas is in its nineteenth year and is sponsored

by UCA Theatre and the UCA Theatre Foundation. n November 2008

ABOUT

Weddings

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.)

–Saturday, November 15– Shauna Copeland and Jeremy Scherer

–Saturday, November 22– Kayce Merritt and James Schafer

Today’s environments can create tired, dry eyes.

–Saturday, November 29– Sunnie Knight and Chris Dodson Jessica Prater and Jeff Chandler

–Saturday, December 13– Noelle Weldon and Kimble Linch

–Saturday, December 20– Ashley Clements and Tanner Stahl Andrea Willison and John Chenowith

–January 17, 2009–

Mary Elizabeth Hicky and Fletcher Maynard

–January 24, 2009– Claire Newman and Justin Lieblong

–March 29, 2009– Whitney Haines and Mike Peebles

–May 16, 2009– Morgan Sain and Matt Wilkins List courtesy of Millyn’s in Dardanelle The 2009 issue of ABOUT… Weddings and Special Occasions will deadline on Dec. 15, 2008. For photo and announcement rates, please call (479) 970-6628 or visit the office of ABOUT Magazine located at 417 West Parkway in Russellville. Limited copies of our first edition are still available. The 32-page issue serves as a guide for area brides and features the products and services of 42 participating advertisers.

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*Exam and Fitting Fees not included. While supplies last.

MOVING SALE Thanks to our customers, We Are Expanding!

While our move is not far, we are extending our gratitude to you!

Special Storewide

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25% to 75% Off! FormalAffairs 479-890-9557

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10am-5pm M-F • 10am-3pm Saturday or by appointment

121 East Harrell Drive, Russellville We are still in River Bend Plaza, just down on the other end.

November 2008

ABOUT...the River Valley 45

ABOU T at your Service!

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

BUTTON-EYED CROW Unique Hand Made Gifts and Collectables, Jelly, Homemade Soaps, Wickless Candles, Tarts, Potpourri, Wood Signs & Specialty Gift Baskets - Family Owned & Operated Hwy. 64 across from Pottsville Post Office (479) 967-6755 Dance With Joy Holiday Party Rentals Available. Book Now! DJ/Karoke/MC services available off site.

Give the Gift of Dance - classes for ages 2 through adult in a variety of dance styles. Go to our website for more information www.DWJstudio.com www.myspace.com/dwjstudio P. (479) 968-1620 or (479) 264-7287 EMILY S. MCILLWAIN, ATTORNEY AT LAW General Law Practice, located in the office of Kelley & Collins.

2802 West Main, Russellville, AR 72801 (479) 967-2330 emilysm@centurytel.net

Story continued from page 14

Donald had decided to rely on his GPS and not look at my map. As we approached downtown Houston I was following Donald and he made a turn that was not on my map. I immediately called him and asked him where he was going.

My dislike for the GPS grew stronger as he told me he was following directions.

We made many rights and lefts getting to our hotel. When we finally arrived, I expressed my discontent. Donald replied, “It got us here didn’t it?”

My frustration continued to increase the next morning. Fortunately, I had decided to pick up a map of downtown Houston. As we were pulling out of the hotel-parking garage, we made a right turn. I blindly followed, giving my husband and his GPS one more try.

In just a few moments, my phone rang and my husband said he misread the GPS and we are headed in the wrong direction.

He tells me to follow him -- he has it figured out. I began to regret not looking at that map before we left the hotel.

I follow, only to find myself with the interstate we need to be on located above our heads. Oh, we can see the road we are suppose to be on we just do not know how to get on it. I pull into a parking lot and get out my map of downtown Houston. No more GPS for me, this girl is doing it the old

fashion way. I want to know steps one, two, three, and ten all at one time – not one-step at a time. It is his turn to follow me.

With my impression firmly established that a GPS is not reliable, we prepared to send Dillon on his first solo trip to Stillwater, Okla. As Donald enters all the information into the GPS, I print off a map from Map quest and go over every detail with Dillon.

I am not about to trust my “directionally challenged” child to whims of Dashboard Dolly (the GPS).

Dillon makes it to Stillwater just fine. He tells his father he used the GPS and did not need any of “mom’s maps”. Yeah, right.

The reason he could use the GPS was that mom had gone over the whole trip with him using a map. (I know this is true because, twice while coming home from Stillwater he has called and said, “I think I am going the wrong way.” Sure enough, Dashboard Dolly had led him astray.)

When I shared this with his father, in my best, ‘I told you so’ voice, he informed me that Dillon would have eventually gotten home following Dolly’s directions.

So while Donald and I continue to debate the definition of the word “lost” and the wisdom of paying $200 for a device that will EVENTUALLY get me where I want to go -- my advice to all of you with “directionally challenged” relatives -- keep a map handy. n

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Hours: Tues-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 8am-3pm NEW LOCATION - 303 West B Street (Located behind C&D Drug Store) (479) 264-2919 MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION Specializing in acute and clinic care.

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River Valley Medical Transcription (479) 858-2708 or (479) 967-4899 SKY Designs Custom design your special baby gift!

From diaper cakes to pacifier and ponytail holders. We can coordinate by theme and color. spk.young@hotmail.com (479) 970-2215 Be the first service professional that comes to mind when your prospective customer needs a product or service you provide. Have your business or service included in the next issue of ABOUT … the River Valley, contact Melanie Conley at (479) 967-4899.

46 ABOUT...the River Valley

November 2008