Little Rock, AR 72202 Permit No. 471
PRS RT S TD U.S . PO S TA G E PA ID
Wednesday, August 24, 2016 Number 34, Volume 37
MID-WEEK
MARKETPLACE
Servin g th e H ot Sprin gs / G a rla n d C ou n ty a rea s in ce 19 77
Submitted photo
SUNNY DAYS: Lake Hamilton graduate Whitney Clement takes in the sun along the Appalachian Trail recently. Clement has completed a little more than half a thru-hike of the trail. Photo courtesy of Robert Tung.
LH hiker makes halfway point of Appalachian Trail MARA KUHN
The Sentinel-Record
Lake Hamilton graduate Whitney Clement passed a significant milestone last week in her journey of a lifetime, completing a little more than half a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail.
In a cellphone interview from Gun Cannon, Pa., Clement said she has hiked nearly 1,150 miles so far. She began her hike in mid-May at the beginning of the trail in Springer Mountain in Georgia, headed to Mount Katahdin in Maine. At the end of her journey she will
have hiked more than 2,000 miles through 14 states. Clement said her favorite part so far is the friendships she has made. “The people out here make it 10 times better,” she said, because everyone on the trail is experienc-
ing the same things and having the same hardships. “It’s great having people out here that know what’s going on and know what you are going though,” she said. Even the people she has encountered who are not hiking the
trail have been wonderful, she said. The people she has met in the towns, those who have seen her walking and given her rides, the trail maintainers and the park rangers have made her experience better, she said.
CLEMENT, PAGE 2
The Sentinel-Record/Mara Kuhn
UPGRADES AHEAD: Hot Springs Mall Cinema, located behind Hot Springs Mall on Central Avenue, will begin improving its facilities
in the next couple of weeks, including the installation of leather reclining chairs for viewing movies and the addition of food such as burgers and pizza to the menu.
Local Cinema to upgrade facilities MAX BRYAN
The Sentinel-Record
A local theater will soon be raising the bar for movie watching in Garland County. Hot Springs Mall Cinema, located behind Hot Springs Mall on Central Avenue, will upgrade the moviegoing experience when it installs items such as leather reclining chairs, a full dining menu and additional screens. It will begin the process of adding these features soon, according to Matt Smith, the theater’s owner. These additions are part of the process of bringing Hot Springs Mall Cinema up to the level of Smith’s Little Rock theater, Riverdale 10. “Expanding there in Hot Springs has always been something that I’ve wanted to do; I’ve just had other projects on the drawing board,” Smith said. “Now, I’ve been able to circle back.” Smith purchased the theater in 2009 and immediately began remodeling the building to make moviegoers’ experience more enjoyable. His push for more comfortable seating and more food options is the latest in his efforts to improve his theater. Smith said that the theater will begin this phase of improvement by installing a full-service kitchen, which will be used to cook the items on the new menu, in the next few weeks. Some of the new menu items planned are handcrafted pizza, boneless chicken wings and cheeseburgers,
along with the typical movie fare of popcorn, soft drinks and candy. The next phase of upgrading will consist of installing reclining leather seats into the theaters. The electric recliners will have built-in food and drink trays. The chairs’ installation process will begin around the beginning of September, he said. Ronnie Smith, general manager of Hot Springs Mall Cinema, said that customers have reacted well to the model recliner sitting in the theater’s lobby. “We’ve had a huge positive response over the seats,” he said. “I think it’ll be a great addition and I think it’ll bring in a lot of new customers.” Matt Smith plans to have these two additions ready for use by the fall. The next phase to follow will be adding new screens to the facility, taking the theater from having five screens to 10, which will begin once the other two projects have been completed. “We’ll have to get through this remodel that we’re doing,” he said. “Get our seats in there, get our kitchen equipment in there, get that up and running. Then we’ll be looking at expanding.” Matt Smith said that he hopes that his theater will be up to 10 screens by next summer. In doing this, he hopes to keep a few screens open for movies that are not recent Hollywood blockbusters, just as he has at Riverdale 10.
“If you look at the Riverdale 10, we’ll have seven or eight big-budget Hollywood films that play everywhere,” he said. “We want a couple of cool films — foreign, or international, or documentary or art-type movies.” He said the additional movies will hopefully afford him the opportunity to partner with local entities to regularly hold a feature film viewing event, like his “Too Cool Tuesday” event at Riverdale 10, in which people with film-related professions in Little Rock promote a weekly Tuesday night viewing of a classic film. “That’s the kind of thing I’d like to do in Hot Springs,” he said. “Every Tuesday night, do some special programming.” Hot Springs Mall Cinema is also working to improve the overall appearance of the theater itself. Ronnie Smith said he will soon be installing new poster boxes on the theater’s exterior and replacing the marquis signs with flat-screen TVs. Ronnie Smith said he believes the new chairs, wider variety of food and other improvements will bring a “huge response” and the once-neglected theater will be much more attractive to anyone who had previously passed it up. “It’s going to bring people who have, in the past, kind of looked down on this theater as being rundown or not very well kept,” he said. “The new additions and upgrades that we’re doing will bring people back out to us.”
Submitted photo
ALL SMILES: Kindergarten students, from left, Price White, Tuck-
er Davenport and Mackenzie Jackson said they were ready to begin the school year on Aug. 15 in Ashley Hemleben’s class at Lakeside Primary School. The seven Garland County public school districts opened the 2016-17 school year Aug. 15.
Classes back in session JAY BELL
The Sentinel-Record
Gloomy skies and rain greeted families the morning of Aug. 15 as students returned to school, but officials said the 2016-17 school year opened without any major issues. A downed tree affected traffic at Lakeside Intermediate School and a closed lane on Malvern Avenue slowed drop offs that morning. Superintendent Shawn Cook said the rest of the first day went smoothly. “The new roundabout works very well,” Cook said. “It’s nice to see all of the kids’ smiling faces. They came in and got to watch the little pre-K kids as they
• 300 Spring St. Hot Springs, AR 71901 • To subscribe or place an advertisement, call 501-623-7711 or 922-0979 in Hot Springs Village •
were bused over going to the cafeteria this morning. Just watching their first experience being on a school bus is really neat.” Cook said the district expects the traffic issues to be resolved. “Things are going really good,” Cook said. “We are looking forward to a great new school year.” “The first day of school has gone very smooth,” said Lake Hamilton Superintendent Steve Anderson. “With the higher than usual morning traffic and the morning rain combined, we did have a soggy beginning with a few expected delays. However, for the most part, things
SCHOOL, PAGE 3
Couple share thoughts about surviving cancer
2 The Sentinel-Record Mid-Week Extra, Wednesday, August 24, 2016
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — Early registration is over for the 15th annual Village Walk for Cancer Research, but walkers can still sign up to participate. The event will take place rain or shine, and is set to have opening ceremonies at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 24 in the Balboa Pavilion, 476 Ponce de Leon Drive. All funds raised will stay in Arkansas and benefit the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Since the walk’s inception, some $378,758 has been given to UAMS, and this year’s goal is $50,000. Two Hot Springs Village residents who have vested interest in treatments and cures for cancer are Janet and Michael Kuehn, as they are both survivors of the disease. The following are accounts of their experiences with the disease: “Janet Kuehn and her husband, Michael, have been married for 42 years. They visited Hot Springs Village and decided it was the community where they wanted to retire. In early 2011, they met with a builder to start planning for their new home in the Village. That is when she received a call from her brother that he had prostate cancer. “One month later, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. While dealing with building a home and preparing to move, she cared for her mother. She would drive from Milwaukee to Merrill, Wis., to take her mother to the Wausau Regional Cancer Center every four weeks for a round of chemotherapy treatment, then stay with her for five days, and return home. She did that for the six rounds of chemo treatments
that put her mother in remission. “As they say, things happen in threes, and in this case, Janet Kuehn was the third person in her family to be diagnosed with cancer. She will never forget the date — Oct. 31, 2011. “She had been going in for regular mammograms since 2005, due to multiple lumps in her breasts. In 2005, she had her first biopsy on the left breast, and the results were negative. But in 2011, another biopsy was done, and this time the test results came back positive for cancer, DCIS, or ductal carcinoma in situ, Stage 2. “The diagnosis couldn’t have come at a worse time, but of course, there is never a good time. “In the summer of 2009, Michael Kuehn had told the company he was working for that he would be retiring at the end of the year. He was at a Green Bay Packers game in November that year when he starting feeling ill and went to the emergency room. “Since he had been handling birds during pheasant hunts, the doctors thought he may have E. coli and prescribed antibiotics. He started feeling better, but the symptoms never went away and so his doctor put him on a second round of stronger antibiotics and recommended a colonoscopy, which revealed two polyps. “The doctor wasn’t concerned until the results came back a week later. His wife answered a call from the doctor, and she was told that there was good news and bad news. The bad news was one of the polyps was cancerous, and the good news was that it was a small, slowly growing, nonaggressive type.
Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
Submitted photo
PUPPY LOVE: Hot Springs Village residents Janet and Michael Kuehn sit with their adopted dog, Kaylee. Though both
have gone through cancer diagnosis and treatment, neither focus on the past, and live in a space of gratitude for each day they are given. The Kuehns say they hope their story will inspire people to become involved in this year’s Village Walk for Cancer Research on Sept. 24. The following week, he had another colonoscopy, during which his doctor tattooed the area of the first biopsy and did several other needle biopsies, hoping to ensure everything cancerous had been removed. “After he recovered from the second procedure, they decided to drive to the Masters in Augusta, Ga. On the drive down, they received a call from the doctor’s office telling them to schedule an appointment with a surgeon as a precaution when they got back. After the surgery, tissue samples that were removed had residual cancer cells, which caused concern. His doctor removed two inches of his colon from
the site where the cancerous polyp was found. Finally, he had clear margins which meant no chemo or radiation would be needed. He went back in six months for a colonoscopy, and it came out clean. He now goes back every five years for another colonoscopy. “As can be imagined, Janet Kuehn went through a very stressful period dealing with her husband’s, brother’s and mother’s cancer diagnoses and treatments. Now, she was faced with trying to stay healthy while she was dealing with her own cancer treatment, and also packing for their move to the Village. “After her lumpectomy at the Wom-
en’s Center in Waukesha, Wis., they moved to HSV, and she received her radiation treatments in Little Rock, driving back and forth for six weeks, five days each week. “She has now said she would like to forget 2011. She said it was difficult making decisions for herself while handling her mother’s health care and financial affairs, and dealing with her brother’s cancer. She is thankful that both her cancer and her husband’s cancer are in remission. They are both survivors. Her brother is in remission, too, but her mother’s cancer, which came back in March 2014, ending up
CANCER, PAGE 6
80-year-old substitute teacher back at LH COLBIE MCCLOUD The Sentinel-Record
As children head back to school today, so will Charlie Whitten, 80, who is in his 10th year as a substitute teacher in the Lake Hamilton School District. Whitten said it’s his love of the children that keeps him coming back long after many others would have retired. “I am so blessed. In fact, it is a delight to get up in the morning and come here,” said Whitten, who has 48 years of experience in education administration. Whitten and his wife closed their school, Garland Park Christian Academy, in 2006, and he “supposedly retired.” He said the summer break proved to be an incentive for him to return to teaching, noting he couldn’t do the “retired thing.” In August, “when the school buses started to run, that is when I decided I didn’t want to be retired and I came out here. So really, I just had the summer off, like I never really retired,” Whitten said. After filling out a substitute teacher application and waiting for a background and fingerprint check, he was immediately put to work on the first day of school. He initially went back and forth between Hot Springs and Lake Hamilton school districts, but that changed after a year when he moved closer to Lake Hamilton. “Everywhere I go people ask me, ‘Charlie, you mean you are at school? Those kids are so mean in school,’” he said. “I tell them, ‘Not where I’m going. I’m at Lake Hamilton High School. And, I tell you, they treat me like a king out there.’” Whitten said, “I feel very honored, very appreciated. The kids here show me great respect and always have.” Since starting as a substitute, Whitten said he has never sent a student to the principal’s office and only pulled two students out of class to speak to them on two separate oc-
CLEMENT
The Sentinel-Record/Mara Kuhn
GOING STRONG: Substitute teacher Charlie Whitten visits with Lake Hamilton School District per-
sonnel at the Lake Hamilton administrative building last week. Whitten, 80, will return as a substitute for the 2016-17 school year. casions. Due to his previous principal and superintendent roles, he knew what to look for in a substitute teacher and strives to be the best. “Of the things that I have learned having hired several substitutes myself over the years, I knew what I needed for substitutes and what kind of people I appreciated. I was determined to be the best substitute teacher they’ve ever had,” Whitten said. Whitten credits the respect students have for him to them viewing him as a grandfather figure. Some students have even asked him to
be their grandfather or uncle, he said. “I tell them that I love them. Starting out at the first of the year when I start getting to know the kids, I tell them, ‘I am glad to be here and that I don’t have to be here, but I enjoy coming.’” He said some of the students “come to me in tears because they have problems at home,” and he would tell them, “After you graduate a few years from now, you may start thinking that life is not treating you well. You get to thinking that nobody loves me. “Just think, ‘Oh, wait a minute. Who was
that old grandpa that used to substitute? He told us that he loved us and always would. So you just do that.’” On his morning drive to the school, he said he prays to God to watch over the school and on his way home, his prayers contain “thank yous” for the school day. Even though he will turn 81 in November, Whitten said he is not feeling too tired to continue his role at Lake Hamilton. His retirement from substituting is, as Whitten put it, “to be determined.” “It’s like I told the superintendent, as long as I can help someone and be of assistance, I want to be here,” Whitten said. Kirk Nance, Lake Hamilton High School principal, said in a release that Whitten “is a kind, compassionate, caring man who has a heart for people. Our staff and students are blessed by having a man like Charlie Whitten in our midst. He always has a kind word of encouragement for everyone.” Nance said Whitten is their most-requested substitute teacher. “Teachers and students alike enjoy being around Mr. Whitten. Lake Hamilton High School is a better place because of Mr. Whitten. Personally, I appreciate Mr. Whitten’s encouragement and support he has given me during my time at Lake Hamilton. He is an encouragement to us all.” “Through my time as a student, substitute teacher, teacher and now communications position at Lake Hamilton, it is always a pleasure getting to work with and be around Mr. Whitten. I was and still am always amazed at his level of professionalism and connection with the students and staff,” Brian Bridges, Lake Hamilton communications coordinator, said in the release. “When I was teaching math and had to get a substitute teacher, I always requested Mr. Whitten if he was available. He continues to touch the lives of so many students and staff at Lake Hamilton High School. I’ve been witness to him not only helping students with academics, but also life and character lessons.”
From Page 1
“Everyone has been amazing,” she said. A l t h o u g h Cl e m e n t i s hiking the AT solo, a friend joined her for a little more than a week in late July. She also hiked about three weeks with a man she met while on the trail, she said. The pair had about the same pace and worked well together. She said vehicles were more likely to pull over and give them rides into town because she was a female and appeared more trusting. She also said that he was better at throwing the bear line over the tree to safeguard their food. Clement said she also met
a woman via Facebook from Bentonville who is hiking southbound. The two met in the middle on Friday. They gave each other advice on what to expect. “It made me hopeful about what’s to come, talking to somebody that’s already finished the section of the trail I have next,” she said. The worst part of the trail so far — bugs. “Not only are you dealing with the typical mosquitoes, but there are black flies, gnats, no-see-um’s, deer flies (and) horse flies,” she said. While hiking with a friend, she said they encountered a wasp nest and were
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stung a couple of times. “There’s like five different kinds of flying, stinging, biting insects,” she said, adding that they are also extremely persistent. “If there’s anything that can bring me down in a heartbeat, it’s a bug” said the woman who has stared down a charging black bear. Clement said she spotted the bear in an open field, but couldn’t pass it without it seeing her. “One thing you don’t want to do is scare a bear,” she said, adding that she knew had to let the bear know she was there. “I yelled ‘Bear!’ to get its attention. It looked at me and started running toward me,” she said. “That was not the desired response.” She said she knew she had to hold her ground and not run because bears consider someone who runs prey. The bear would charge, stand up on its hind legs, look at her and then charge again, she said. It got within 20 yards before the bear backed off, she said. Clement said she has also
spent a great many days hiking though the rain. In the Smoky Mountains, it rained so much the hikers jokingly called them the “soakies.” While hiking through Virginia, she said it rained about eight days out of 10. “On one hand I was really blessed with the rain because then the springs and streams are full,” she said, making it easier to find water. “It cuts the humidity, cuts the bugs and cools things off.” Clement began the trail sleeping in a hammock, but said she was getting too cold at night so she switched to a tent. She said she wanted something that was a little more enclosed and would hold her body heat in. She also added a sleeping bag liner for extra warmth. The farthest she’s hike in day is 30 miles, she said. She has hiked through Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia and is about halfway through PennSubmitted photo sylvania, she said. Her target date to finish the trail is mid HALFWAY POINT: Lake Hamilton graduate Whitney Clement October. takes a photo of herself at the halfway of the Appalachian Trail.
Red Light Roastery thrives as coffee shop
The Sentinel-Record Mid-Week Extra, Wednesday, August 24, 2016 3
Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
MAX BRYAN
The Sentinel-Record
An old white country house on the northeast corner of Park Avenue and Reid Street now serves as the most recent addition to Garland County’s coffee scene. The house is home to Red Light Roastery and its owners and operators, Adam and Briana Moore. The couple, who live in the back part of the house with their two children, have renovated the home’s front rooms into a multipurpose coffee shop, turning part of their living space into a full-fledged cottage industry. Adam Moore, formerly a nurse at Davita Dialysis, said the idea of opening a coffee roastery was born out of his hobby of home-brewing coffee, which he picked up after home-brewing beer for 13 years. He said that after becoming allergic to barley, he was looking for a similar pastime, but without the health risk. “I needed to find a new hobby — something that was just as nerdy and technical,” Adam Moore said. “I just kind of figured out that coffee roasting was that thing that I could get that satisfaction out of the process. The processes aren’t similar at all, but it’s still got the same weights and measures.” His new passion for brewing coffee took off after he and his wife bought their house on Park Avenue. Briana Moore said they originally lived in Fountain Lake, but wanted to move to Hot Springs because of the convenient nature of living in a larger city and because they wanted their children to attend school in Hot Springs. After buying the house in January 2015, the Moores began renovating, both to make themselves at home and to make a space for coffee roasting. Adam Moore’s hobby found its home in a room in the back left-hand side of the house, which now serves as the location of Red Light Roastery’s coffee roaster and bean supply. In March 2015, Adam Moore expanded his hobby into a business, dealing the coffee beans he roasted to local retailers and food services. He now roasts 200 pounds of coffee every Tuesday for about a dozen businesses in Garland County, providing them with custom-roasted brews imported from Central and South America, Africa and Asia. His clients include Waypoint at DeSoto Marina, Superior Bath House Brewery and Jahna’s Restaurant. Adam Moore said he takes pride in providing each client with their own unique blend of coffee. “Two restaurants side by side can both carry my coffee, but they both have something that’s their own, that no one else will end up with,” he said. “That’s kind of what I want to be — the custom coffee roaster for restaurants and things.” As he continued to roast, he and his wife kept renovating the front part of their house, making room for a coffee bar, shelves, tables and chairs. On St. Patrick’s Day, a year after he began selling coffee, the Moores opened Red Light Roastery to the public. It is home to a coffee shop, roastery and the new home of Larkmartin Soaps, Briana Moore’s 10-year-old business. She said since opening, the business has received positive reviews from customers,
2015 and have since renovated.
The Sentinel-Record/Richard Rasmussen
HOME BREWING: The Red Light Roastery, located at 1003 Park Ave, opened
on St. Patrick’s Day and serves as a coffee shop, roastery and the new location of Larkmartin Soaps. which has led to a growing consumer base. While they enjoy selling their products, they both said that one of their favorite parts of the business is raising money for a different nonprofit organization each month. Adam Moore said that all of the tip money the company receives goes to a local nonprofit, which is usually recommended by a customer. Red Light is currently raising money for Stop Animal Cruelty and has previously donated to the Garland County Humane Society, YMCA and Sexual Trauma And Abuse Recovery Resources. “That’s the most important thing, to put money back into the community,” he said.
Going forward, the Moores hope to expand their business, both from coffee distribution and local business standpoints. Adam Moore is currently speaking with River City Coffee in Little Rock about becoming a client and hopes to expand his distribution efforts to other coffee shops in metropolitan regions. “I’m reaching out to Little Rock, Memphis and Dallas,” Adam said. “I don’t have anything down yet, but I’m starting to seek out samples and get my reach outside of Hot Springs.” As far as the coffee shop itself, the couple hopes to eventually move the roaster and bean supply to a separate location. In doing so, the front room of the coffee shop
The Sentinel-Record/Richard Rasmussen
BOUNTIFUL BEANS: The Red Light Roastery uses coffee beans from around
the world.
will have more room for seating, and Briana Moore will have what is now the roasting room to sell her soaps. In the meantime, the Moores are
taking pleasure in managing Red Light Roastery. “We can’t complain,” Briana Moore said of the business. “We’re having fun.”
From Page 1
went very well.” Preliminary enrollment numbers are up for several districts, including Lake Hamilton and Lakeside. Anderson visited all of the Lake Hamilton schools and “could not ask for a better first day, except for the rain.” Anderson also observed breakfast and lunch in several of the cafeterias. He said the transition from the school’s food program to Chartwell’s food service operated well on the first day. Cutter Morning Star High School and Hot Springs World Class High School introduced new flexible modular scheduling for this school year. Class periods in “flexmod” scheduling last 30, 60 or 90 minutes. Different groups of students navigate around campus every 30 minutes. No bells are used to signal the beginning and end of each period. Nathan Sullivan, the new principal of Cutter Morning Star High School, said the first day was hectic at times with the new schedule. He estimated 60-70 percent of students adjusted to the change without problems. “Hopefully tomorrow we will get it a little bit more ironed out and by the end of the week we should be where we are supposed to be,” Sullivan said. “It’s new for everybody. It’s new for students, new for teachers and new for
counselors. The operating system we have from the state doesn’t really jive with the way we do things here. You’ve kind of got to trick eSchool into making your schedule work for you.” Principal Lloyd Jackson said Hot Springs also faced challenges with the new scheduling system, but said the high school had a wonderful first day. “All in all, students were where they were supposed to be, doing what they were supposed to do and it was a great start, even with abnormal things going on with our scheduling,” Jackson said. Mountain Pine modified its drop-off system in order to improve the morning traffic flow. “The first day went very well,” said B.J. Applegate, the new Mountain Pine superintendent. “Because it was raining this morning and we changed directions of traffic flow, the drop off was slow this morning. Other than that it went pretty smooth.” The district returned to a seven-period schedule with four separate lunch periods to accommodate all elementary and high school students. Principals met with students to note rules and handbook changes. Mountain Pine saw its numbers increase as well. Most of the kindergarten classes at the elementary school are currently at capacity.
C heck out the
197021
SCHOOL
The Sentinel-Record/Richard Rasmussen
OWNERS: Briana and Adam Moore, the owners of Red Light Roastery, have expanded a hobby into a business in their home, which they purchased in January
LO C A L S C EN E
shop* dine* enjoy S u ppo rtyo u r Ho tS pring s V illa g e N eig hbo rs !
Dawson aids area schools
4 The Sentinel-Record Mid-Week Extra, Wednesday, August 24, 2016
JAY BELL
The Sentinel-Record
ARKADELPHIA — Schools welcomed K-12 students back to campus on Aug. 15 for a new academic year, but work at the Dawson Education Service Cooperative continues all year long. Dawson is one of 15 cooperatives in the state. The organizations provide various training sessions, programs, resources and other tools for districts throughout the region. “Summertime is probably our busiest time, because we are going to the schools taking trainings to them,” said Darin Beckwith, the new director of Dawson. “During the year, we are going out there and providing support.” Beckwith is only the fourth Dawson director. His predecessor, Ron Wright, was director for four years. Beckwith was superintendent at Fountain Lake for the last nine years. The state’s cooperatives were established several decades ago to help the Arkansas Department of Education disseminate information and offer smaller training opportunities beneath the state level. The 15 cooperatives serve more than 230 districts in Arkansas. Districts in Pulaski County are not included in a cooperative. Dawson includes 22 member districts in Clark, Garland, Grant, Hot Spring, Pike and Saline counties. Membership in the various cooperatives currently ranges from about a dozen districts to more than two dozen. Only two other cooperatives serve more counties than Dawson’s six-county area. Member districts in Dawson include all seven public school districts in Garland County, five districts in Hot Spring County, four in Saline County, three in Pike County, Arkadelphia and Gurdon in Clark County and Poyen in Grant County. Superintendents of each district serve on the cooperative’s board of directors and elect members to an executive committee with representatives from each county and three officers. Bismarck Superintendent Susan Stewart was elected last week as the new committee president. Lake Hamilton Superintendent Steve Anderson is now the past president. Hot Springs Superintendent Mike Hernandez was elected as the vice president. Lakeside’s Shawn Cook will represent Garland County. The other representatives are Ronnie Kissire, Ouachita, Hot Spring; Dan Breshears, Centerpoint, Pike; Donnie Whitten, Arkadelphia, Clark; Jerry Newton, Poyen, Grant; and former ADE commissioner Tom Kimbrell, who is now superintendent at Bryant, and will represent Saline County. Dawson employs 167 on staff throughout the region, most of which
are full-time employees. Almost twothirds of the employees work away from the main campus in downtown Arkadelphia. Many of the off-campus employees work in the cooperative’s preschool classes through the Department of Human Services’ Arkansas Better Chance early childhood program. Dawson operates about 30 preschool programs with member districts. The new Garland County Pre-K Consortium added 120 preschool spots for the 2016-17 school year with Dawson in the former Hot Springs Summit ALE School. One of Beckwith’s first objectives this summer was to reorganize the physical locations of various staff members on campus, which includes 10 different buildings. Wright’s former office was isolated away from other administrators and staff members, including his assistant. Beckwith and other staff are now located in Building 7 on the corner of Clinton Street and Eighth Street. Various employees are housed in offices throughout the campus. On-campus employees include administrators, assistants and specialists in early childhood, math, science, literacy, career and technical education, nursing and wellness, technology and distance learning. A part-time employee helps direct some gifted and talented programs in the area. Beth Neal serves as the assistant director. Other specialists, such as Leslie Dyess, focus on specific service areas. Dyess is the facilities specialist and works with districts to organize and update their campus master plans. The 2016-17 school year is the first time Dawson will not require distance learning teachers to be on-site for classes. Beckwith said he felt it is important to find the most qualified candidates instead of limiting the search geographically. “We are finding that we can get some quality instructors from different parts of the state,” Beckwith said. “There’s really no sense to requiring them to be on campus if we can get a highly qualified teacher.” Dawson relies on grants for much of its funding. Some funds are provided by the ADE. “Most days, you’ve got to be really frugal with what you have,” Beckwith said. “It’s not like you’ve got kids moving in. You know what you’re getting and a lot of it is grant money.” Some positions work in partnership with the ADE. The department will provide grants to cover salaries, Dawson charges for office space in Arkadelphia and the employees may spend time away from campus for their ADE duties.
DAWSON, PAGE 5
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Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
The Sentinel-Record/Jay Bell
CENTER OF COLLABORATION: Building 6 of the Dawson Education Service Cooperative campus in downtown
Arkadelphia houses its conference center in which many of its largest meetings are held. The facility will soon feature a MakerSpace for students to use for projects. Director Darin Beckwith said he encourages districts to use the area for collaboration among students and educators.
Co-op catalyst for collaboration JAY BELL
The Sentinel-Record
ARKADELPHIA — Darin Beckwith, director of Dawson Education Service Cooperative, said he accepted the position to help school districts in the region work together more effectively. Dawson provides services to 22 school districts in Garland, Hot Spring, Saline, Clark, Pike and Grant counties. Beckwith said now is an exciting time in education as the focus shifts back to success of individual students. “More than anything, people are starting to realize we are in this thing together,” Beckwith said. “That is the coolest thing about this seat for me is being able to orchestrate that.” “My goal this first year is to get out to the schools, assess what their needs are and really focus on what they tell me they need,” Beckwith said. The state’s 15 education service cooperatives were formed several decades ago to allow the Arkansas Department of Education to provide more training sessions, resources and tools at a regional level. Beckwith said he hopes to facilitate more collaboration among school districts in addition to services Dawson already provides. He said he wants to help districts share more ideas and learn from each other. The Lakeside School District invited Beckwith to its campus last week to speak to teachers for professional development. Beckwith said the needs of students should be the top priority for schools. “The thing that I always preach is always put the needs of the kids first, make sure we take care of kids and believe in kids,” Beckwith said. Beckwith said he received positive feedback from a number of Lakeside educators. “Getting the opportunity to get out and go address the different faculties and keep that message alive I think is going to be a lot of fun, for me, personally and professionally, just to get out there and make sure I’m able to make sure we’re all working together for the good of the kids,” Beckwith said. “I know it sounds corny, but it’s true. That’s what I really think is what’s needed. I really want to make this job about that.” Dawson often acts as a liaison between the ADE and
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The Sentinel-Record Mid-Week Extra, Wednesday, August 24, 2016 5
Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
Millage would help increase efficiency of schools JAY BELL
The Sentinel-Record
A proposed millage increase will allow the Hot Springs School District to be more efficient in its management and application of public funds, Superintendent Mike Hernandez said Aug.17. The Hot Springs National Park Rotary Club invited Hernandez to speak at their weekly luncheon at the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa about the millage vote, which will be included on the annual school election ballot next month. Hot Springs is asking voters to approve a 4.4-mill increase, as well as an extension of 10.8 existing debt service mills to 2046. The 10.8 mills are scheduled to expire in 2031. The increase and extension would allow the district to generate more than $54 million for construction and renovations. The election will be held Sept. 20. Early voting will be held Sept. 13-16 and Sept. 19. Monday is the final day to register to vote in the election. “We are really excited about things that are moving and going in the Hot Springs School District,” Hernandez said. “I can attribute the success of this to our staff and our board.” The district’s six-year master plan was due to be submitted to the state by Feb. 1. Arkansas public school districts must submit updated plans every two years. The Hot Springs School Board approved of the earliest plans for new buildings in January. Various committees within the district discussed long-term plans for its facilities. The building which houses Park International Baccalaureate Magnet School and Hot Springs Intermediate School on Main Street is the district’s newest facility. It was constructed in 2009 without a millage increase. Dates of construction for main facilities of other schools are Hot Springs High School, 1967; Langston Aerospace and Environmental Studies Magnet School, 1964; Gardner STEM Magnet School, 1963; Oaklawn Visual and Performing Arts Magnet School, 1961; and Hot Springs Middle School, 1959. Alternative learning environment programs have been removed from the former Hot Springs Summit ALE School. The Summit building will now be used for pre-school classes for families in six of the Garland County public school districts. “Operating eight campuses that are of age is quite expensive,” Hernandez said. The master plan was developed with the goal of making the district’s funding more efficient with less campuses located closer
The Sentinel-Record/Mara Kuhn
MILLAGE: Hot Springs School District Superintendent Mike Hernandez addressed the Hot Springs National Park Rotary
Club Aug.17 during its weekly meeting at the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa. Voters will determine next month if the district will increase its millage to construct and renovate multiple facilities for a new configuration. together. The plan will decrease the district’s physical footprint from eight campuses to four “super campuses,” which should decrease maintenance costs with multiple older buildings renovated, replaced or repurposed. Hernandez said schools would be able to share personnel and facilities when serving students of same or similar grade levels. The magnets would be extended through sixth grade instead of ending at fourth grade. Oaklawn would move to the middle school, Gardner would move to Oaklawn and a new structure would be built at Langston on the site where the former Langston High School was torn down in 1970. A junior high complex for grades 7-9 would be constructed next to the high school. Parents raised concerns about the number of times students transition to different campuses. The new configuration would allow a student to potentially stay at one school from the age of 3 in a preschool program through the sixth grade. The junior high would include a
1,000-seat auditorium and a 2,200seat arena. Hernandez said the high school’s gymnasium cannot accommodate the community’s interest in the teams. He said he was disappointed when the fire marshal had to bar more fans from entering during senior night. “We actually had parents that couldn’t come watch their seniors play because we were already over capacity,” Hernandez said. “That’s just an issue when you put a basketball gym right inside of the middle of your high school. By design, that’s just not a good place to have it.” Hernandez said the 10.8 mills operate more like maintenance and operation mills because they produce about $4.3 million in annual revenue to fund the magnet schools, transportation costs and various programs, such as the IB program. He said property assessments have increased in the district, allowing it to maintain the popular magnet schools after grant funding lapsed. “When magnet programs came into our district, it was through a lot of grant funding,” Hernandez
Registration deadline set for Minnesota Picnic HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — The 2016 Great Minnesota Get-Together in HSV will be held on Sept. 23 in the Balboa Pavilion, 476 Ponce de Leon Drive. Registration and happy hour will begin at 5 p.m. Attendees will be able to bring their own beverage, or Minnesota beer will be available for a donation. At 6 p.m., The Home Plate Cafe will cater this year’s Minnesota Supper, which will feature hamburgers, bratwurst, baked beans and potato salad. Participants are asked to bring an appetizer or “Up Nord” dessert bar to share. Following the meal, eight members of the award-winning Hot Springs Concert Band will play
polka, old-time and Minnesota music for everyone’s listening and dancing pleasure. Tables will be available for displaying Minnesota memorabilia, and Minnesota attire such as Vikings, Twins or Gophers team shirts, 1950s-themed, or Ole and Lena apparel is encouraged. Additionally, there will be a 50/50 table and a trivia contest with prizes given away. To register before Sept. 15, send a check for $10 per person made payable to Irma Rick, 7 Huesca Way, Hot Springs Village 71909. Email Eileen.Esget@gmail.com or call Mary at 501-226-5690 for more information or to volunteer.
Rodney’s Block Party to kick off JazzFest
The 25th Hot Springs JazzFest is scheduled to kick off with Rodney’s Block Party at 7 p.m. Aug. 31 in the ballroom of The Hotel Hot Springs & Spa, 305 Malvern Ave. The ticket price is $15 for students, $25 for Jazz Society members and $35 for nonmembers, with the intent that every person can afford to attend the event with the Rodney Block Collective, which is set to be an evening of jazz, dancing and a bit of food, a news release said. Block, a classically trained instrumentalist, is set to bring his unique brand of traditional jazz, gospel, hip-hop, bebop, funk and soul from the Little Rock metro area, it said. The evening is supported by The Ohio Club, The Original Burgers & More, Vina Morita and Luna Bella. The 25th Hot Springs
JazzFest, Aug. 31 through Sept. 4, will include Jazz Night at the Ohio Club on Sept. 1, featuring Clyde Pound Trio with the Diva Chicks, Dona Pettey, Fedette “Lady J” John and Shirley Chauvin; Classical Jazz Blow Out on Sept. 2 with the ASO Brass Q u i n te t , A ny t h i n g Th a t Moves jazz combo, featuring Earl Hesse on sax along with vocalists Don Gooch and Diane Kesling; Jazz in the Streets, a free concert, on Sept. 3 on Broadway Avenue under Regions Bank skybridge from noon to 6 p.m., which will include a special two-hour performance by Brass-A-Holics from New Orleans; and, on Sept. 4, Jazz Mass, Jazz After Church and the Stardust Big Band Tea Dance. Call 627-2425 or visit http://www.HSJazzSociety.org for ticket information.
said. “As that grant funding goes away, most school districts that start magnet programs start to pare down those services and do away with them.” Hernandez said the building projects would increase the appeal of the school district. He said many parents who move to Hot Springs “shop with their eyes” when considering which schools to enroll their children. “We know that when new families and younger families move into the Hot Springs area, when they get here, the first schools they look at are in the Hot Springs School District,” Hernandez said. “Why? Because we share the same name as the city. We want to make sure they at least take time to look at our district, amongst the many great districts that we have in Garland County, as they are making the decision about moving into our community.” The high school has implemented charter waivers to become Hot Springs World Class High School. Hernandez said the changes resulted from internal discussions about how to improve the gradua-
DAWSON
tion rate and provide “value-added diplomas” to ensure students are prepared for life after high school. “Where that hits home for us is that, what kind of business and industry do we have here that is available so that our kids don’t have to leave our community?” Hernandez said. “And at the same time, what kind of business and industry do we want to attract? And therefore start to design and build that workforce, because we have a captive audience in our high school.” Students begin a career path in the Freshman Academy. Classes and curricula in grades 10-12 are classified into academies for Liberal Studies, Education and Healthcare, Business and Technology, and Industrial Technologies. A Rotarian remarked how schools have decreased vocational programs in recent years. Hernandez said schools previously funneled students to college as much as possible, but are now shifting to more career and technical education again. “The pendulum always swings back and forth,” Hernandez said. “Where we are headed towards now is trying to bring those opportunities back. We really do want kids to go to college if that is what they really want to do, but we want to give them options.” A Teacher Cadets program, part of the Education and Healthcare academy, was added to encourage students who want to become teachers. Hernandez noted how the number of college students in the education pipeline has decreased in recent years. “It’s not just a Hot Springs issue, it’s a statewide issue,” Hernandez said. “We are trying to get kids to understand that there’s careers out there in education and build that love for it.” Advisory councils were established for each academy in partnership with local business and industry. Hernandez said the councils can help the school form partnerships to offer students internships, curriculum design, mentoring, presentations and visits. Hot Springs recently partnered with Henderson State University to utilize career coaches. Hernandez said the school will continue to work to bridge gaps between business and industry. The community invests about $160,000 per student for 13 years of K-12 education. Hernandez said the district is working to produce graduates who are beneficial to the community. “The question you should be asking is what is that return on investment that we are getting back as a community?” Hernandez said.
From Page 4
“You have to be planning really tight to what you are expecting to get,” Beckwith said. “I think for the services they provide, I think it’s a good investment. With all of the things that are coming out, there is no way schools can stay on top of it.” The 10 buildings on campus are currently numbered, but not in any specific order. Beckwith said he plans to renumber the buildings in an understandable pattern. Building 6 is Dawson’s conference center, where many of its larger meetings
are held. The community utilizes the space for various events and meetings. Buildings 2-5 are connected next door to Building 7 and across Clinton Street from the conference center. Dawson’s facilities were formerly located on Henderson Street next to the Henderson State University campus. Offices were moved downtown more than a decade ago. The first downtown offices were originally housed in Building 2, but smoke damage from a fire on Super Bowl Sunday forced employees to
move to Building 6 shortly after it was acquired. Dawson purchased Building 7, a former auto repair garage, in 2010. The most recent addition, Building 1, was acquired in 2011. A literacy meeting room in Building 5 is called the OBU/ Henderson Room because Henderson and Ouachita Baptist University each decorated their own half the space. Dawson can offer enough programs at the same time to fill up every available space on campus, as it did multiple times this summer.
Dance project coming to HSU in September ARKADELPHIA — The Ronya-Lee Anderson Dance Project will be held at Henderson State University in September. Anderson will teach free master classes and work with the Henderson Dance Company in the Arkansas Hall Dance Studio. Dance master classes will be from 3-4:30 p.m. Sept. 13 and 15. Repertory rehearsals for the Henderson Dance Company are scheduled from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Sept. 12-15. Master classes are open to the public for participation. The repertory rehearsals are open for observation. An “informance” and talk back session showcasing new work with the Henderson Dance Company will be held at 3 p.m. Sept. 16. Anderson is a former member of the Chuck Davis African American Dance Ensemble and Carla Perlo’s Submitted photo Carla and Company. She has KICK OFF: Rodney Block will be the featured performer at Rodney’s traveled extensively while Block Party, the kickoff concert for the 25th Hot Springs JazzFest teaching, dancing and choAug. 31 through Sept. 6. The block party will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 31 reographing. in the ballroom of The Hotel Hot Springs & Spa, 305 Malvern Ave. Anderson holds a mas-
Submitted photo
DANCE: The Ronya-Lee An-
derson Dance Project will teach master classes at Henderson State University in September. ter of divinity degree from Duke Divinity School, and also holds degrees in dance and English language and literature. Email Jennifer Maddox, artist in residence at Henderson State, at maddoxj@ hsu.edu for more information, or to make reservations. The project is made possible by the Ellis College Margin of Excellence and HSU Theatre and Dance.
6 The Sentinel-Record Mid-Week Extra, Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
The Sentinel-Record/Corbet Deary
GREAT DESTINATION: Petit Jean State Park is a great location to take in a beautiful sunrise at the start of a new day.
Petit Jean one of state’s magnificent parks Outdoor writer and photographer Corbet Deary is featured regularly in The Sentinel-Record. Today, Deary writes about Petit Jean State Park.
There are destinations that I have covered several times throughout the years, and for good reason. Some locations are simply special in a sense that their sheer beauty and the opportunities they offer deem them well worth visiting time and time again. Petit Jean State Park is one of those special locations. During a recent visit, I once again found myself intrigued with an interesting history and impressed with awe-inspiring scenery. Let’s begin with its history, and how the mountain atop which the pristine state park is nestled. According to information posted on the Petit Jean State Park’s website, the legend of Petit Jean began in the 1700s, and a French Nobleman named Chavet. The French were exploring the New World, and the king had granted Chavet permission to explore a section of the Louisiana Territory. The explorer was engaged to be married, but the journey must go on. And despite his brideto-be’s request that they marry immediately, so she could accompany him on the excursion, her request was denied. In Chavet’s mind, far too many dangers and hardships lie ahead to cater to her wishes. But his future wife’s logic was muffled by love. Nothing would separate her from her man. So, despite his wishes, she disguised herself as a cabin boy and proclaimed the title of Jean. Even unrecognized by Chavet, she fit right in with the crew, which nicknamed her Petit Jean, which translated to Little John. The ship crossed the ocean without any detrimental hitches and they ascended the Mighty Mississippi and traveled upstream on the Arkansas River. Eventually reaching the base of what is presently referred to as Petit Jean Mountain, they were greeted by Native Americans, and accepted an invitation to spend time atop the plateau with them. Following an entire summer with the natives, Chavet and his crew began preparations for their journey back to France as the fall season neared. The ship was readied and boarded and they would begin their long journey on the following day. But plans were changed as Petit Jean suddenly fell ill.
C hicken W orld
Her symptoms included fever, convulsions, delirium and she soon became comatose. Her sickness was nothing the Frenchmen were accustomed to and her condition was grave. During her illness, Petit Jean’s true identity was discovered. Asking for forgiveness for her deception, Petit Jean also shared a request. If passing, she asked to be buried atop the mountain overlooking the river below. Carried to atop the steep and jagged ridge via stretcher constructed of deer skin, Petit Jean took her final breath at sundown. A low mound on the substrate was discovered many years ago. Hence, the exact location they refer to as Petit Jean’s grave and a legend that draws those to atop the mountain from abroad. Although the legend of Petit Jean is glamorous, the mountain also sports a history that is much easier proven. Settlers began migrating to atop the mountain in the mid 1800s. The John Walker family was one of which made the ascent. Their cabin withstood the hard knocks of time and still stands at the beginning of Cedar Creek Trail. The beautiful scenery on the mountain and its uniqueness were recognized in 1907, and property was offered to the federal government for a national park. But the designated area was simply too small to be dedicated as such a facility. However, the mountain was eventually recognized by the state and, in 1925, was dedicated as Arkansas’ first state park. From 1933 to 1941, the federal government allotted $1,750,000 to development of the area, and 200 CCC workers were assigned to work in the park. Although Petit Jean State Park is certainly up-to-date, sports a beautiful lodge and offers quaint cabin rentals, much of the CCC workers’ handiwork can still be seen today. And those who share an inquisitive side and enjoy incredible views and a trek into a natural environment will find more than enough to keep them busy for several days. More than 20 miles of trails wind through the facility. lending to hiking opportunities galore for folks of all skill levels. The shortest of designated paths, the Bear Cave Trail consists of only a quarter of a mile. 1635 H igdon Ferry Rd., Ste. D 501-525-8008 O pen Mon.- Fri.9 am - 6 pm Sat.9 am - 5 :3 0 pm • Sun.11am - 5 pm
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Corbet Deary Outdoor writer and photographer That short distance, however, is no indication the path should be ignored. The designated path winds under, around, through and over huge sandstone boulders, lending to a perfect opportunity to see firsthand what the handiwork of winds and water can do. Although there is no actual cave along this trail, be prepared to see several natural rock shelters and wander through narrow rock passages. The Canyon Trail is also considered as “easy” and lends to a 2-mile walk if one plans to backtrack back to the Cedar Falls Trail. Once part of the Boy Scout Trail this route meanders alongside Cedar Creek. those embarking upon this particular walk will be privy to seeing plenty of small falls and deep pools that are formed as the creek cuts its way through the canyon. The CCC Hike and Bike Trail covers 1.75 miles and is also considered “easy.” The route begins at the Mather Lodge and traverses through the campgrounds. In turn, the path is a perfect destination for those not comfortable striking out into the depths of the forest. My favorite designated route throughout the entire facility, the Rock House Cave Trail, lends to a pleasant walk and only consists of only a quarter of a mile. But believe me, it’s an incredible journey. It begins by meandering along the top of some of the most interesting geological formations throughout the park, as they share a huge resemblance to turtle shells. The path then makes its way to a huge rock shelter that was once utilized by Native Americans. In fact, those who look close will find Native-American rock art inside the structure that is estimated to be more than 500 years old. Although a great deal more challenging than the aforementioned designated routes, Cedar Falls Trail is by far the most popular path throughout the entire facility, and for good reason. Those willing to embark upon a 2-mile round trip along a steep and boulder-infested path will reap their reward upon reaching
CANCER
The Sentinel-Record/Corbet Deary
WATER FEATURES: Two small lakes on the premises of Petit Jean State Park also make it a great
destination for those who have passions for fishing and paddling. a spot where Cedar Creek plummets 95 feet from a sheer ledge to a beautiful pool below. Consisting of 4.5 miles, Seven Hollows Trail makes a loop through several small canyons shaded predominantly with a hardwood canopy. Many interesting features lurk along the way, including indications of prehistoric Native Americans dwelling in the area many years ago. Those in search of a longer journey might find the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Boy Scout Trail of interest. Stretching
12 miles, the designated path connects and follows sections of practically all of the trails cutting their way through the state park, lending to a diversity of habitat and scenery. Although the trails are more than enough to deem a drive to the state park worthwhile, one can’t ignore the beautiful scene from Stout’s Point. From the vista, one can experience a sunrise unsurpassed and literally begin the day with a view that stretches for miles along the Arkansas River below. And this is the exact spot that Petit Jean re-
ferred to on her deathbed. In fact, her grave is located just feet from the vista. Arkansas is blessed with some mighty impressive state parks. And, in my opinion, the Petit Jean State Park is one of the most magnificent of all. To get to the state park, take Highway 5 to the Crow Community and turn left onto Highway 9. Take Highway 9 to Williams Junction and turn left onto Highway 9/10. Turn left onto Highway 154 at Oppello and follow the road 11 miles and the destination will be on the right.
From Page 2
taking her life in May that year. “Janet Kuehn is an artist, and had put her art on hold, so she could be there for her family and take care of herself. Now, she is expressing herself through her creations and purchased a kiln to fire her glassware. Art is truly her passion. She believes art is a reflection of her spirituality and that her cancer diagnosis while caring for her family has made her a more reflective artist. “The Kuehns have adjusted to retirement. He had golfed every day for two years, but stopped when he starting having problems with his back. He decided to buy
a pontoon board and spent time fishing for a while. When the novelty and enjoyment of that wore off, he got involved with rebuilding a new art gallery with his wife. “It was also at that time he realized he needed to come out of retirement, and began getting involved in the Village community. He attended the second HSV Citizens Police Academy training and decided that was a worthy cause. He then helped create the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, and is serving as one of its founding board members. “Cancer is in the past for both of them. They don’t worry about what was, and are
spiritually living in a different place. They know that God’s will is always done, and are thankful for the time they have. They even adopted Kaylee, a black Labrador puppy, from the HSV Animal League.” For more information on how to help celebrate the lives of cancer survivors and remember and honor those who have lost their lives during this annual walk, call event chair Melanie Pederson at 501-9158747 or email chairman@walkforcancerresearch.org. Walker registration forms can be found online at http://www.walkforcancerresearch.org.