Mature Arkansas

Mature Arkansas APRIL 19, 2012

Sequoyah Lives!

World's largest collection of Native American writing and art Page 8

ALSO in this issue

Be a Naturalist page 2

Preserve Early Strawberry Crop page 5

Hiking With Lee Hiller page 12

MATURE ARKANSAS

april 19, 2012

1

letter to t he e d itor

They say it's your birthday Dear Editor: group of us that graduated in 1950 from Little Rock Senior High School (now Central High) are having a birthday party.

We will all turn 80 sometime during 2012 and we would really appreciate it if you could help us contact people we don’t have current addresses and phone numbers for. The more the merrier!

We live all over Arkansas now, as well as other states, but will be coming together to celebrate. We will come walking straight, riding in wheel chairs, using a walker or cane and bringing our oxygen tanks --- but we WILL be coming to celebrate. We are survivors and are very proud of that fact.

We will be enjoying a party with cake and ice cream at Khalil's Grill and Pub, 110 S. Shackleford Road in Little Rock on Saturday, May 5, 2012, from 5:30 to 8:30 PM. The event is open to LRSHS graduates and their guests.

To contact us, call Betty Brooks Yarbrough, 501-758-5781 or Joan Robinson Boles, 501-843-7708 or email joanrboles@suddenlink.net

Thanks for your time, Joan Robinson Boles Little Rock

A

We Want To Hear From YOU MATURE ARKANSAS welcomes letters or emails from readers on any subject of interest to older Arkansans. Letters to columnists are also welcome. Email your letters to annewasson@arktimes.com and include “letter” on the subject line.

GUEST EDITORIALS, on issues of interest to Arkansans over age 50, are encouraged. This is a forum for readers’ opinions and comment. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the Publisher. Contact the Editor at 501-375-2985 to discuss topics or send 300-500 word editorials to annewasson@arktimes.com All editorials are subject to editing and space limitations.

You can view all issues of MATURE ARKANSAS online at http://issuu.com/search?q=mature%20arkansas

Mature Arkansas Publisher Alan Leveritt Editor Anne Wasson Art Director Mike Spain Assistant to the Editor Paige Parham Photographer Brian Chilson Director of sales Katherine Daniels Account Executive Erin Holland Production Manager Weldon Wilson Production Assistant Tracy Whitaker

ad Coordinators Roland Gladden Kelly Schlachter Graphic Artists Bryan Moats Katie Cook Controller Weldon Wilson Office Manager Angie Fambrough IT Director Robert Curfman Billing and Collections Linda Phillips Circulation Director Anitra Hickman

Mature Arkansas is published each week by Arkansas Times Limited Partnership, 201 East Markham Street, 200 Heritage Center West, P.O. Box 34010, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203, phone (501) 375-2985. Reproduction or use in whole or in part of the contents without the written consent of the publishers is prohibited. Manuscripts and artwork will not be returned or acknowledged unless sufficient return postage and a self-addressed stamped envelope are included. All materials are handled with due care, however, the publisher assumes no responsibility for care and safe return of unsolicited materials. All letters sent to Mature Arkansas will be treated as intended for publication and are subject to Mature Arkansas’ unrestricted right to edit or to comment editorially. All content © 2012 Mature Arkansas

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2 april 19, 2012 MATURE ARKANSAS

GIVING BACK n By Paige Parham

Arkansas Master Naturalists Give Back

Master Naturalists are part of the Alum Cove Trail Team.

B

arbara Nierstheimer has been mony is held in April for the new an avid rock hound as far Master Naturalists. After certifiback as she can remember. When cation, they must volunteer for a coworker said she might enjoy at least 40 hours and attend eight the Arkansas Master Naturalist hours additional training annuprogram, she and her husband ally. Nierstheimer, who works decided to check it out. Although for the Arkansas Department of still working at 58, Nierstheimer Environmental Quality, says, “I wanted to give back to the love being out in nature and this community. She and her fellow program gives me a chance to do NITs (naturalists in training) what I love while helping educate will graduate this month and people about nature and the envibegin their first year as Master ronment.”

Naturalists.

Routh explains what a Master Arkansas Master Naturalist Naturalist does, “Our volunteers volunteers receive at least 40 work as park interpreters, where hours of training before certificathey help educate the public about tion. Training courses are taught the plants, animals and natural by experts in plant identification, trail building, meteorology, a n d a r c h e o l o g y.

Darcia Routh, vicepresident for curriculum for the Central A r ka n s a s M a s t e r Naturalist program, says training begins in mid-January each year and lasts about three months. Classes Master Naturalists give back by helping monitor are held on Saturdays aquatic ecology. and a graduation cere-

features in the state. They also maintain trails in state parks, monitor aquatic ecology, and do park cleanups.” Volunteers also serve as attendants in the visitor’s centers and gift shops in the state parks, assist with bird banding and waterfowl rescue, and help to manage controlled burns.

“We are looking for the kind of volunteers who are willing to get out and work, to get their hands dirty,” Routh explains. “We need people who like to meet others, who have an interest in ecology; the kind of people who would rather be outside.”

Routh says retirees make excellent Master Naturalists, “Retirees have a chance to meet people they might not have met otherwise.

Once you stop working, you just don’t get the socialization you’re used to in the working world. In addition, when couples volunteer together – well, that can save a marriage.”

To become an Arkansas Master Naturalist, you will need to register for the 2013 training sessions. You can attend the last few training sessions of this year to find out more about the program and get a feel for what Master Naturalists do. Workshops are free and open to the public.

April 21 is a wildflower weekend at Withrow Springs State Park in Huntsville. It will include a hike, a demonstration on the art of flower pressing, a lesson on wild edibles and a photographic exploration of wildflowers given

by Master Naturalists Bill and Emily Robertson.

April 28 is a tree identification workshop at Pinnacle Mountain State Park taught by Eric Sundell of the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

For more information or how to sign up for the Master Naturalist program, contact Routh at 501- 661-2856 or visit their website at home. arkansasmasternaturalists.org

Mature Arkansas

is proud to launch a new weekly feature: Cartoons by Rick London.

Follow Rick on Twitter@Ricklondon

Eating Healthy the omnipotent onion The onion, a member of the allium family like garlic, contains 25 active compounds that seem to inhibit the growth of cancerous cells, while helping combat heart disease, inhibiting strokes, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, and stimulating the immune system. Alliums are also antibacterial and antifungal, so they can help ward off colds and relieve stomach upset and other gastrointestinal disorders. Of all the healthy benefits of onions, two elements stand out: sulfur (a compound) and quercetin (a flavonoid). They each have been shown to help neutralize the free radicals in the body. Most health professionals recommend eating raw onions for maximum benefit, but cooking makes them more versatile and doesn’t significantly reduce their potency. In fact, unlike sulfur compounds, quercetin can withstand the heat of cooking. The juice of one yellow or white onion a day can raise HDL cholesterol (the good stuff) by 30% over time. For all these reasons, it is essential to incoporate onions into your balanced diet.

Wild Rice With cRanbeRRies and caRamelized onions Courtesy of Ocean Spray® Servings: 4 Prep Time: 10 Min. Cook Time: 45 Min. What you need: 2 c. chicken broth 1/2 c. brown rice 1/2 c. wild rice 3 Tbsp. butter or margarine 3 medium onions, sliced in thin wedges 2 tsp. brown sugar

1 c. Ocean Spray® Craisins® Original Dried Cranberries 1/2 tsp. finely grated orange zest What to do: 1. Combine chicken broth and both rices in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low.

Cover and simmer 45 min. or until rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.

2. Meanwhile, melt butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and brown sugar. Cook 6 min. or until liquid is absorbed and onions are soft and translucent. Reduce heat to low. Slowly cook onions, stirring often for 25 min. or until they are caramel color. Stir in dried cranberries.

3. Cover and cook over low heat for 10 min. or until cranberries swell. Gently fold cranberry mixture and orange zest into cooked rice.

Nutritional information: Calories: 405; Calories From Fat: 99; Total Fat: 11g; Cholesterol: 25mg; Total Carbs: 71g; Protein: 7g; Sodium: 600mg nnn For more delicious recipe ideas go to www. edwardsfoodgiant.com/recipeweb/recipes. jsp and create a grocery list of everything you need using the shopping tool on the website.

If you have any questions, just ask friendly and helpful Food Giant staff who are there to make your shopping experience a pleasant one.

To add that extra bit of sweetness, try the super sweet Vidalia onions available at Edwards Food Giant.

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MATURE ARKANSAS

april 19, 2012

3

☛ There’s a divinity that shapes our ends, rough-hew them how we will. — William Shakespeare ☛

Th e Would - Be Gourmet n B y bob woo d

Less Than Meets the Eye Welcome change from hospital food

I

have lunch every Monday with from a freezer and dropped into a good friend. On more than hot oil; or concoctions created one occasion, he’d mentioned from bags of corn chips. that every time he passed by The wording also makes me Cheddar’s on University Ave. curious about the provenance the place had been packed. Last of everything else on the menu Monday, we went there at 1:00 that isn’t “still made in-house.”

PM to discover why and easily Like most fast-food places, the found a table. dishes are prepared at a central I had no preconceptions. facility, frozen, trucked in and All I knew was the building then heated up at the local site. had an attractive, rustic exteIt’s easy to control costs that way rior. Attention paid to the exteand maintain consistency from rior suggested the possibility one location to another. By that, of good food inside. That was I mean consistent mediocrity. It’s misleading. the Red Lobster success story.

Once seated, I asked our waitSo what does industrial food ress why folks come to Cheddar’s. taste like? The portions were large “Good food and cheap prices,” and my chicken-fried steak and she quickly answered. My friend vegetables were actually OK; Chicken-fried steak at Cheddar’s was OK and reasonably priced. added that he had heard the about two steps up from school food portions were “huge,” and that partially are still made in-house from scratch.” That cafeteria food. My friend wasn’t so lucky. accounted for Cheddar’s evident popularity. language bothers me.

His registered Spasagna® was, in his estimaAs I looked around the dining room, you could The “specialty appetizers” at Cheddar’s are tion, “four on a scale of ten” — and he tends indeed characterize many of the customers as largely dips (spinach and cheese) and chips, to be much more generous than I. It was a “large cap, value investors.” and quick-fried items like chicken strips, congealed blob of noodles, cheese and sauce.

From “The Classics” (got to love that fries, mozzarella sticks and onion rings. The He ate a few bites and then boxed up the rest marketing ploy) portion of their menu, “hand-battered entrees” are all going to be for his eight-year-old daughter, who will eat I ordered a chicken-fried steak ($7.99) deep-fried. So, this puffery about things being literally anything that has tomato sauce and with mashed potatoes, green beans and “… still made in-house...” — as if that were cheese in it.

Texas Toast. My friend ordered the Baked something truly exceptional for a restaurant Total cost for two for lunch with tip: Spasagna® ($8.29, and, yes, it really does to do — is largely about things being taken $23.33. Not at all pricey. Very reasonable, in have a registered trademark). fact. I was filled up when I left, This is simply lasagna using but neither of us had a desire to spaghetti noodles, and comes return. There are just too many with garlic bread. other, better options available.

After ordering, the food H oweve r, I re c o g n i z e arrived quickly---suspiciously that some folks might find quickly. This leads me to Cheddar’s just right. With its believe the Cheddar’s menu location across from St. Vincent has been carefully developed Infirmary and near Doctor’s to minimize any time spent Hospital, families may see it as cooking (or, more likely, a step up from hospital cafeteria re-heating) and to maximize food. And, they’d be right. the number of meals delivered to the tables.

Cheddar’s, One bit of text on the menu 400 S. University Ave., caught my eye, in this regard. It Little Rock, 501-614-7578 says, “We’re especially proud of our hand-battered entrees Mr. Wood, a Little Rock writer Trade-marked Spasagna® was more like a congealed blob of and specialty appetizers that and designer, is often hungry. noodles, cheese and sauce.

4 april 19, 2012 MATURE ARKANSAS

R DENING n By Mar y H ig h tower eGA d itor i al

Strawberries Year 'Round A

rkansas’ strawberry crop is in early this year and, it’s one of the largest crops ever. Newport strawberry grower Bill Landreth says this year he’s having his best crop ever. The “Bill’s Best” brand owner says he’s picking about three weeks earlier than previous years.

“It’s everybody who grows strawberries,” Landreth says, reciting a litany of Arkansas growers he knows who are also sharing this early bounty, prompted by a record warm winter.

“If you wait until mid-May for fresh strawberries you may miss out,” according to Co-operative Extension Economist Ron Rainey.

Selling the berries this early has its challenges.

Landreth sells at the Arkansas State University Farmer’s Market but it won’t open until May 5. “We may not have berries by then.”

The primary means of selling the berries in Arkansas is on the farm, direct to consumers.

Preserving berries Preserving fresh, luscious strawberries for a cold, rainy day next fall means using one of these methods: Freezing, canning or drying.

According to Rosemary Rodibaugh, professor and nutrition specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, “Unless food is preserved in some manner, it begins to spoil soon after it is harvested and strawberries are no exception.”

• Freezing is one of the easiest and least time-consuming ways to preserve food at home. But freezing doesn’t sterilize food. The extreme cold simply slows growth of microorganisms. Properly frozen fruits will retain much of

their fresh flavor and nutritive value. Texture may be somewhat softer than fresh fruit.

• Canning preserves food by heating it long enough and at a high enough temperature to destroy spoilage organisms. “It’s important to follow safe, tested procedures when canning food to ensure its safety,” Rodibaugh

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• Fruits can be preserved by making them into jelly, jam or CELEBRATES your achievements and preserves. These products must ATURE inspirational stories RKAN also be canned, frozen or refrigSAS ADVOCATES for you and your erated to prevent microorganisms concerns—social, financial, political from growing on them.

• Drying is one of the oldest ENTERTAINS by featuring the best in methods of preserving foods for events, dining, culture, volunteering, so you can live life to the fullest later use. Removing the moisture from the food prevents the growth YOU EDUCATES with health and H VE of microorganisms that can spoil consumer news to stay healthy, HOUSA G OPTIOIN independent, and ready to embrace food.

NS ALSO IN THIS ISSU new beginnings and opportunities E To learn more about food preservation, visit www.arfamilies. org/health_nutrition/food_presCentral Arkansas weekly distribution ervation.htm.

— Find us in Pulaski, Saline, Garland, For information on growing your Lonoke and Faulkner counties. own, go to www.uaex.edu/Other_ Areas/publications/PDF/FSA-6103.

If you are interested in learning more about Mature Arkansas pdf “Strawberry Production in the or how you could reach Arkansas’s seniors, please contact us at matureadvertising@arktimes.com; call 501-375-2985.

Home Garden.”

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M A SPECI

MARCH 1,

2012

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PAGE 3-1 Reverse Mo 2 Is an Optionrtgage Helping You PAGE 8 Move or Sta Decide: Modify PAGE 10 y?

Your Home PAGE 11 MAT URE

Ms. Hightower writes for the Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas.

ARK ANS

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MARC H 1,

2012

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Like us on Facebook! facebook.com/maturearkansas MATURE ARKANSAS

april 19, 2012

5

CALEN DAR PICKS

Celebrate Earth Day, 'Da Blues and Corvettes

☛

There are no ordinary cats. — Colette

☛

By Paige Parham

Apr 19 – Earth Day Birding and BioBlitz, Audubon Arkansas, 4500 Springer Blvd., Little Rock, 7:30 – 9:00 AM. The goal is to find and identify as many species as possible. Experts from Audubon, Master Naturalists, USDA Forest Service, Arkansas Geological Survey, and University of Arkansas at Little Rock will teach participants about species, habitats and provide hands-on experience with scientific tools and methods. Free and open to the public.

For more information visit ar.audubon.org or call 244-2229.

Apr 19 – Brown Bag Lunch Lecture: “Grandiose Schemes, Harsh Realities: The Civil War in Arkansas in 1862,” the Old State House, 300 W. Markham, Little Rock, noon – 1:00 PM. Professor Thomas A. DeBlack will provide an overview the Civil War in Arkansas during 1862. Free--bring your own lunch and drink. For more information, visit www.oldstatehouse.com or call 324-9685.

Apr 19 – Dr. Condoleezza Rice will lecture at Harding University ,

900 E. Center Ave., Searcy, 7:30 PM. Rice, a professor at Stanford University, was the former Secretary of State under George W. Bush. $15; tickets can be purchased from hardingtickets.universitytickets.com or by calling 279-4255.

The 50-mile ride starts at 7:00 AM; 20-mile ride starts at 8:00 AM. Pre-registration is $45. The 5K Walk registration begins at 8:00 AM; walk begins at 9:00 AM. You can register online at www.centralarkansasheartwalk.org For more information, call Vickie Wingfield at 219-7305.

Apr 20 – Red Hat Society Tea Party, Patrick Hays Senior Center, 401 W. Pershing, North Little Rock, 1:00 – 3:00 PM. The international Red Hat Society supports and encourages women in the pursuit of fun, friendship, freedom, fulfillment and fitness.

The annual tea is open to all Red Hat Ladies and any woman wanting to learn more about the Red Hat Society. $8; for more information or reservations call 975-4297.

Apr 21 – Praise and Raise Lupus Gospel Concert, First Church of the Nazarene, 3804 Central Ave., Hot Springs, 6:00 PM. Performances from Petrella, Hands of Praise from Union Missionary Baptist Church, Ebenezer Baptist Church adult and youth choirs and more. Free; donations will be accepted.

For more information, call 525-9380.

A pr 2 0 – A r k ansas S y m p h on y O rc h estra , T h e W oodlands Auditorium , 1101 De Soto Blvd., Hot Springs Village, 7:30 PM. Featuring pianist Tatiana Roitman, this event celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Hot Springs/ Hot Springs Village Symphony Guild. $35, purchase tickets by calling 501-922-0036.

Apr 19 – Wine Tasting, The Afterthought, 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, 5:30 – 7:00 PM. After Work @ the Afterthought is a casual wine tasting hosted once a month by local wine gurus Bruce Cochran and James Cripps. $10 to sample four wines. For more information, call 663-1196.

A pr 21 – 5t h A nnual Zone-In on Homelessness 5 K W al k / R un , N ational P ar k Community College, 101 College Drive, Hot Springs, 8:00 AM. This benefit walk/ run will raise funds for the Rescue Mission for homeless men in Hot Springs. All ages are welcome; registration is $20. For more information, call Jan Laggan or Amy Johnson at 321-2888.

A pr 2 1 – C entral Arkansas Heart Walk and Cardiac Classic Bike Ride, beginning at Burns Park, 2700 Willow Street, North Little Rock. Bike ride registration begins at 6:00 AM.

6 april 19, 2012 MATURE ARKANSAS

Apr 22 – 2012 Blues on the River, Riverfest Amphitheatre, 400 Pres.

Clinton Ave., Little Rock, 2:00 PM. Join the Arkansas River Blues Society for this full day of food, fun and music from Clarence Carter, Sweet Angel, Bigg Robb, TK Soul, Donnie Ray and more. For tickets or more information, call 433-0102.

Apr 22 – “American Voices” by the Little Rock Wind Symphony, Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Dr., Little Rock, 3:00 PM. An all-Amer-

A Style Show & Luncheon Thursday, May 3 • 12 pm Apr 19-21 – 14th Annual Corvette Club Weekend in Hot Springs. Registration begins at 5:00 PM on Thursday in the Austin Hotel. Featuring a poker run, parade, luncheons and much more. The National Park Parade begins Fri. at 4:00 PM at the Convention Center; the indoor Corvette show will be Sat. from 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM in Summit Arena; Awards Ceremony will follow at 2:00 PM. Register your car at www.centralarkcc. com For more information call Tom Powal at 851-8550.

Donation $25 fashions presented By fashion Corner Linda McCree, owner

Park Hill Christian Church

4400 JFK Blvd. • North Little Rock

Call 771.0774 For Reservations & Tickets Benefitting Shepherd’S Center of north LittLe roCk

Be a part of the next

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SPECiA

2012

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Mature Arkansas

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You Have Housinngs optio

PAgE 3-12

ALSO iN UE ThiS iSS

ican music concert that includes the Blues, a Rag, a Drag, and an American concerto for French horn. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 666-0777 or visit www.lrwindsymphony.org A pr 2 2 – 2 3 – “ L ife is a Cabaret,”by River City Men’s

Apr 21 – Arkansas Earth Day Festival, Heifer V illag e , 1 World Ave., Little Rock. 11 AM. This family-friendly celebration of the Earth will feature arts and crafts booths, displays, performances and vendors.

Learn about recycling, conservation, sustainable farming and other ways to keep our planet green.

Free, for more information, call 907-2697 or visit www.

ArkansasEarthDay.org

gage Reverse Mort Is an Option PAgE 8

Decide: Helping You ?

Move or Stay PAgE 10 MATUR E

Modify e Your Hom PAgE 11

ARKAN SAS

2012 MARCH 1,

1

If you are interested in learning more about Mature Arkansas and how you could promote your business or services, please contact us at matureadvertising@arktimes.com or call 501-375-2985.

C h orus, T rinit y U nited Methodist Church, 1101 N. Mississippi St., Little Rock, Sat. 3:00 PM, Sun. at 7:00 PM. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 377-1080 or visit www. rivercitymenschorus.com Apr 24 – A Page a Day Keeps the Doctor Away, Fletcher Library, 823 N. Buchanan St., Little Rock, 6:00 PM. Make a fitness journal to keep you on track and to meet your fitness goals. Journal includes tips for setting healthy fitness goals and snack recipes. All materials are provided. Free, call 663-5457 for more information.

Apr 25 – Joseph Torres will lecture at Clinton School of Public Service, 1200 Pres.

Clinton Ave., Little Rock, 6:00 PM. Torres is co-author of the New York Times bestseller “News for All the People,” a history of race and the American media. Free, call 683-5239 for more information.

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MATURE ARKANSAS

april 19, 2012

7

OurNative

American Treasures Sequoyah Center houses largest collection of art and prose

B y J a c k W h itsett Photos by Brian Ch ilso n

T

here is an oil painting at the Sequoyah National Research Center that captures the huge, blue-black sky of an icy prairie night and reduces it to a razor-sharp, dark rectangle. Then among the white star-pricks the artist has set a fully-realized constellation, lines drawn between the stars, depicting an instrument reminiscent of a lyre.

This extraordinary work of art is displayed, not in the Center’s gallery, but on a tall pegboard in storage among hundreds of other paintings.

This is the situation at the Sequoyah National Research Center (SNRC), the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s (UALR) outstanding collection of Native American culture. There are so many unique items, there’s no room for it all.

Fortunately, the Sequoyah’s growing staff is happy to provide access among the rows of metal shelving and to the art stored in various backspaces, along with the publicly displayed works in the Dr. J. W. Wiggins Native American Art Collection.

Called the “best-kept secret in Arkansas” by Randy Dennis, program manager of the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council, the SNRC invites superlatives from those who discover it nestled at the southern end of the UALR campus. The Center contains the world’s largest archive of Native American writing and the continent’s largest collection of Native American

8 april 19, 2012 MATURE ARKANSAS

art, a small part of which is regularly rotated through the Wiggins Gallery.

Adjacent to the Center is the Trail of Tears Park, an environmental/historical project featuring green space reclaimed from a broken cityscape. The infamous Trail of Tears, the route taken by Native Americans who were forced by federal authorities in the 19th Century to relocate, runs through the site and is commemorated at the Park.

A remarkable treasure “The Sequoyah National Research Center is a remarkable treasure for the University and for the State of Arkansas,” says UALR Chancellor Joel E. Anderson.

Central Arkansas is a valuable location for such a resource, he adds.

“Arkansas is neutral ground among a variety of Native American tribes,” he says. “There is no dominant (tribal) presence.”

The center is named for Sequoyah, the Cherokee statesman who perfected a system for reading and writing

the Cherokee language. Sequoyah, while living on Cherokee lands in the Arkansas Territory, created a character for all 85 syllables of the language. And though the art collection and Trail of Tears Park are major components, the SNRC is chiefly concerned with its niche mission, the preservation of Native American published prose and poetry.

Dan Littlefield, PhD, and James Parins, PhD, co-founders and current co-directors of the Center, are both long-time faculty members of the UALR English Department.

“We don’t know of any institutions that are like us anywhere else in the world,” says Littlefield. “We focus generally on ideas and thoughts generated by Native American people. As other institutions found out about (the Sequoyah

“The best-kept secret in Arkansas” is nestled at the southern end of the UALR campus “Untitled,” Clemence Wescoupe of the Ojibwe tribe, created this acrylic on canvas board in 1978.

ON THE COVER: Dan Littlefield, PhD, (left) and James Parins, PhD, both of the UALR English department and co-directors of the Sequoyah National Research Center examine some recent newspaper acquisitions.

Center) they started donating to us.” The focus is on archives, specifically the massive collection of post-1900 Native American writings, Littlefield says. “We found that no one was keeping this. We filled a niche that no one else was filling.”

“People all over the nation have been donating their collections,” Anderson says.

American Native Press Archives While the Archives contain material dating from as far back as 1828, the emphasis is on the post-World War II period.

The American Native Press Archives originated in 1983 when Littlefield saved a mass of “weeded” Native American papers from the back dock of the Arizona State Museum in Tucson, hauling them back to Little Rock in a camper. “That was our seed collection,” he says. “By 1985 we were calling ourselves

an archive.”

Originally a joint effort of the UALR Department of English and the University’s Ottenheimer Library, the Archives evolved to its present freestanding unit in University Plaza, south of the main campus. It is described as a clearinghouse for information on American Indian and Alaska Native writings, including both newspapers and periodicals. The Archive attempts to construct bibliographies of Native writing, create digital editions of the works, and sponsors as well as publishes original research on topics of importance to the Native community.

“What will people use 50-100 years from now to write the history of Native Americans?”

Littlefield asks.

The Archives serves as a collection and steward of Native literary works through the Digital Library, Chapbook Series (chapbooks

are pocket-sized booklets), and the “most comprehensive on-line bibliography of Native writing in the world.” In addition, the publications of Native American organizations along with information on these groups are collected by the Center. These organizations include business and professional groups along with advocacy agencies.

The Center is now the archive for the Native American Journalists Association, Littlefield says. The Association, based on the campus of the University of Oklahoma, in Norman, promotes and serves Native American journalists across the nation.

The Sequoyah Center hired an archivist, Erin Fehr, in September to better organize the collection and to greatly increase the ease with which researchers may find information. Fehr worked at the Arkansas History Commission and also served as an intern at the center.

“There is a treasure of sources for students to learn more about the life of the Native American people,” Anderson says. “(And) to learn it in their own (American Indian) written works and art.”

Majority ethnic groups in the U.S. “don’t have a very good grip on Native American history,” Anderson says, making a resource such as the SNRC even more important. “It’s an unusual opportunity for a student to attend a university with such a resource as the SNRC,” he says.

MATURE ARKANSAS

april 19, 2012

9

Sequoyah perfected a system for reading and writing the Cherokee language while living in the Arkansas Territories.

(Right) David Bradley of the Minnesota Chippewa tribe created this diptych entitled “Half Breed.”

(Far right) Ahmoo Angeconeb of the Ojibwe painted “Red Thunderbird” in 2007. The thunderbird is a traditional symbol in Native American art.

Art Collection J. W. Wiggins donated his considerable Native American art collection in 2004, Littlefield says. The collection now exceeds 2,500 pieces, though only a small percentage of these are publicly displayed in the gallery located at the entrance to the center. The gallery collection is changed every three months.

Wiggins came to the University as a chemistry faculty member, Anderson says. “He started collecting Native American art and has

done so regularly through the years.”

The Wiggins Collection generally contains objects from Oklahoma north through the plains areas of the United States and Canada, including some from Inuit artists in the Arctic.

An Oklahoma woman recently donated

22 Navajo rugs to the Center. “As each piece comes in we photograph it,” Littlefield says.

“And it gets entered into the record.”

A recent grant of $36,100 came from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council (ANCRC) to preserve and restore

(Left) Tony Rose, assistant director of the center, explains a collection of Canadian birds by Native American artists.

(Right) SNRC co-directors, Parins (left) and Littlefield say the “basket start” is in typical Cherokee style.

10 april 19, 2012 MATURE ARKANSAS

Donations Welcome T

he Sequoyah National Research Center welcomes both monetary and contributions of Native American materials. Much of the archival materials and art come from individuals. Archaeological artifacts cannot be accepted.

For donations of materials, call Dr. Littlefield at 501-5698336 or email dflittlefiel@ualr. edu Monetary donations should be made payable to Sequoyah National Research Center and mailed to the Center at University Plaza, Suite 500; UALR; 2801 S. University; Little Rock, AR 72204.

paintings in the Wiggins Collection. ANCRC awarded the grant in response to an application and presentation by Sequoyah Center staff, says Dennis, the Council’s program manager. The grants, funded by the state’s real estate transfer tax, are determined by an 11-member voting board. They are to restore historic sites important to the state.

Education and Outreach The Sequoyah Center holds annual symposia as part of its educational outreach effort. The public is invited to hear speakers discuss contemporary tribal issues.

The SNRC intends to “provide all symposium attendees with an informative and memorable forum for discussion and dialogue amongst some of the foremost individual artists, intellectuals, and professionals from all areas of contemporary Native America,” the Center’s website says of the annual presentations, held at the Donaghey Student Center on the UALR campus.

Littlefield and Robert E. Sanderson, PhD and SNRC associate director, won the 2010 Walter L. Brown Award for best article in a county or local history journal, for their research study: “African-Descended People and Indian Removal: Cherokee Case Study.”

The study, published in the Journal of the Fort Smith Historical Society, was almost exclusively researched

from SNRC resources. Littlefield says the Center also has one of the largest collections of black Indian historical information.

Littlefield and the Center staff emphasize the need for more space. “We’ve been promised a building somewhere on campus,” Littlefield says. “We will have to move eventually.”

Though agreeing that the Center is in need of new and enlarged space, Anderson wants to maintain proximity with yet another historically important part of this extraordinary site.

“I would hope that we would be able to keep them located close to where they are at the moment because that is close to the Trail of Tears Park,” Anderson says. The archives and art displays should remain together as well, he adds.

As the center has grown, so have the demands on the educators’ time, though the University has reduced the course load on Littlefield and Parins by one class each. “You could say this was a volunteer effort,” Littlefield says. Though both are nearing retirement from teaching, they plan to continue work at the center. But Littlefield adds, “Sooner or later the torch is going to have to pass.”

“I will be retiring in May from teaching,” Parins says, “but I’m going to continue here.”

Arkansas is neutral ground among a variety of Native American tribes.

Trail of Tears Park T

he Trail of Tears Park, located near UALR’s Sequoyah Center on the banks of Coleman Creek, commemoratestheforcedmarch of Native Americans who were relocated from their lands to Indian Territories in the West by the federal government.

A section of the trail is located along what is now Asher Avenue in Little Rock, on the southern border of the UALR campus. The 4.5 acre park was dedicated last year in an area reclaimed as part of the University District. The City of Little Rock plans to create a 47-acre greenway across the campus, including trails, benches and vegetation.

D o n o r- f i n a n ce d, t h e $650,000 project restored the area to its natural state.

The area and creek served as a stopping place on the trail for those forced to relocate, Littlefield said last year when the park was dedicated.

MATURE ARKANSAS

april 19, 2012

11

HI K I NG W I T H LEE HI L L E R

Exceptional Hike Any Time of Year Loop Around Lake Catherine

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ake Catherine State Park's Falls Branch Trail provides a lovely hike with varied terrain, bridges and water views. Although shorter than the other park trails it offers hikers of all skill levels a wonderful nature experience. There are three wood benches and several large rocks along the journey for those taking a leisurely pace. This trail, like all others within the park, is well marked and makes a loop leading you back to the trailhead. Free parking is available for day hikers.

The trail begins with a series of bridges crossing over a narrow winding creek.

These well-maintained wooden structures add variety to the hike along this mostly flat section of the trail. Lovely wildflowers add color on the banks of the slow moving water.

Purple violets, pink oxalis and yellow goldWell-maintained bridges and steps make this trail a moderate hike. enrod create a beautiful spring bouquet. Old stone steps lead upward from the final bridge to a winding path traveling through a mixed steps, built early in the 1900s, leads to each time in Arkansas parks the Cottonmouth is a tree forest and rock-accented landscape. Bird plateau. venomous snake that loves the water. Although songs echo softly from the increasing spring Reaching the top of the main waterfall, the snake bites are rare, take care when you wade canopy. Beautiful white blossoming dogwoods Dam Mountain trailhead is visible on the other or swim as they are territorial and will strike if glow among the illuminated green leaves. side of the creek. The main waterfall cascades you don’t move away.

Soon after a moderate climb, the trail leads into a clear pool below, a popular spot for The final leg of the Falls Branch Trail hugs downward to a wider creek that separates hikers to rest and cool their feet. the edge of Lake Catherine. The murky blueHorseshoe and Dam Mountains. The collecting Further down the trail, while sitting on a green water sparkles in the sunlight and is still pools of water created by the rocky creek bed bench above the lake, I spot a Cottonmouth easily viewed through the early spring foliage. reflect the bright new green of spring opening (Water Moccasin) snake swimming below in Butterflies and dragonflies weave in and out above them. Waterfalls increase in size as you Lake Catherine. It floats, dives and swims along of the flowering bushes feeding on nectar hike further down the trail. A cluster of stone the shoreline. If you are hiking for the first in the afternoon sun. Passing the lakeshore campground, you will cross the last creek on a suspension bridge. Several minutes later the hike ends at the trailhead.

The Falls Branch Trail scenery changes throughout the year and is always worth a repeat visit.

Trail: Falls Branch Trail Loop Trail head: Lake Catherine State Park, southeast of Hot Springs, 1200 Catherine Park Road; phone 501-844-4176 Points of Interest: Bridges, waterfalls (seasonal) and lake views Level: Rugged/moderate Duration: 1-2 hours Footwear: Boots Wheelchair Access: No

Benches provide a quiet place to view Lake Catherine.

12 april 19, 2012 MATURE ARKANSAS

Enjoy more Natural State Hiking with Lee Hiller at HikeOurPlanet.com

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Identity Thieves Steal More Than Money

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or folks who grew up in simpler times, it can be hard to imagine how someone can “steal” your identity. Unfortunately, identity theft is a real and growing problem. When someone steals your identity, they pretend to be you by using details such as your name, Social Security or Medicare numbers, credit card and bank account numbers. Identity thieves may drain your bank account, open a new credit card account or rent an apartment in your name, racking up large debts and damaging your credit rating in the process. Those who have had their identity stolen say it takes years to recover their good credit rating.

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These tips will help protect against identity theft: • Cut up or shred any papers with personal information--don’t just toss them in the recycling bin.

Annual subscriptions to MATURE ARKANSAS are $60 per year for 52 issues, via the U.S. Postal Service. Send your check to: Mature Arkansas, P.O. Box 34010, Little Rock, AR 72203-4010. Allow three weeks for processing. Expect mail delivery to take about a week.

• Don't carry your Social Security card with you or write your Social Security number on a check. Give it out only if absolutely necessary.

• Never give out personal information on the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you know who you are dealing with. If someone calls or e-mails you and claims to be from your credit card company, bank, or a healthcare company, Never share your account numbers, Medicare number or other personal information, even if they ask.

• Never click on links sent in unsolicited e-mails; instead, type in the web address of any company you want to do business with.

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S O CIAL SECU R I T Y

Social Security Checks Going Paper-less Taxpayers will save $1 billion

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n less than 11 months, your Social Security reach retirement age during the next five years. check will be transferred to you electroniAbout 10,000 people a day become eligible for cally. The Social Security Administration, along Social Security benefits, according to Rios. “It with all other federal benefit payers, is phasing costs 92 cents more to issue a payment by out the mailing of monthly paper checks. paper check than by direct deposit,” she says.

The move will save an estimated $10 billion Direct deposits are safer and more conveover 10 years, according to the U.S. Treasurer nient too. Last year, more than 540,000 Social Rosie Rios. She says the move will also increase Security and SSI checks were lost or stolen and safety, reliability and will give recipients had to be replaced.

The New York Times Syndication quicker access to their funds. The deadline for This Sales won’tCorporation be a change for most retirees 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018 the change is March 1, 2013. because 90% For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 of Social Security and For April13, 19,2012 2012 More than 18 million baby boomers willThursday, ForRelease Release Friday, April Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments

Edited by Will Shortz Across Across 1 1 Language Many fans in are which “hello” is running during “kaixo” this 7 Chop-chop 9 Consumer Three-toed 11 protection org. wading birds 14 15 “Phooey!”

Gets 15 Hit song with the 16 line Present-day cry?

“When she me 17 squeezed A vegetarian tight sheit nearly isn’t on broke my spine” 18 French Holds forth 16 word that a 19 sounds Tycoon like types of the to 20 letter “Go ahead,” alphabet Shakespeare 17 Rows 21 Certain odor 18 Grin-and-bear-it absorber types 20 22 Impatient Tabulae ___ leprechaun’s 23 concern Storming-out on an sounds airplane?

22 24 Gossip Must-see 25 27 Type Spam protection 26 Modernists items?

27 Musical genre of 28 Jimmy Like many Eat bread World knives 28 Southern Iraqi 30 city Grammy-winning 30 Ooze Brian

31 31 Degree Looks for a leprechaun 32 who’s ___ ofan Lagery expert (Pope Urban II’s at finding imperfections? real name) 34 when 33 Period Brushing and Long Island was such formed 35 Some Blood rival 35 electronic 36 parts Ivy supporters 39 37 Leprechaun’s It’s developed in book detailing a sonata the truth about 38 flounders?

Parts of 43 Basic point kingdoms 45 elite 39 Show Curtainbiz fabrics 46 Chess pieces 40 Needs for some 47 “The Long, Hot games of tag Summer” ___ and 42 woman Noted 19thVarner 20th-century 48 Mussorgsky’s portraitist “Pictures ___ 43 Exhibition” Flight from danger 49 New York’s ___ 44 River Bump down 50 legislation 45 Scary Immobilized introduced by a during winter, leprechaun? say 54 Rare

46 astronomical “Not if my life event depended on it!”

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE B N A A C V HI D P A R D I Z E C O A G FI ET W O

A S C P L A U R E O R II L B E R U S R A O G S E E S

M A O E O R N O S TI D A L R E R E T C R U A T D EE

B R AI G N K N ES S O S A R S E H D R E D

CI N R K E EJ E S T S P K G O W O E N S P O T

R E T U D P S H O M E O R N A P R E C E H V S E

TE S D TY R A W P O R O N R EP M A R O R A E K D

A A C W H S Y A R N E A A P R E M S T A R C RI AI

M T A A R H I FT EI A T R U A S S H S EY R A T O

P E R R E O H D E E A TF S O R N T T H R S T U

S E E W YE E R D A M P Y S Y R C O H L U E P S

G A T E A SF R B A LI A D H A R D O E N I

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TI D O E N A E R A S S K E E C W O L F O E G TI A C

B S E H D O S D D N Y E E D E SL Y TS R E EE Y S

55 e.g.

47 Maharishi, “Done” 59 Score keeper, 48 Four-seaters, for short? maybe?

60 Obama education secretary Down Duncan 1 Part Clumsy 61 of the 2 Iroquois Queen Mary, for Confederacy one 62 Nice ’n Easy 3 product “Don’t do it!”

4 1987 TV Land staple 63 Costner 5 role They often get 64 Vamp depressed 6 Modern guestDown list organizer 1 Punch 7 accompanier Onetime Virginia 2 Knock V.I.P.’s over 3 of short 8 Kind Amphibious 4 Fantasy novel carrier, for short element 9 Establishment 5 Miners’ sch. where101 verb 6 Latin customers 7 Swiss city where William typicallyTell areshot an apple seated 8 Sisterly 10 Singer with the 9 Up 1994 #1 10 Beatle who was alternative rock born with the hit “God” first name 11 James Short, strong 11 Any pan of the singers of “Jive 12 Talkin’” They may be odd the town 12 Paint maybe 13 red, Malcolm-Jamal’s 13 Goes 21 at “Cosbyover Show” the casino role 19 Clorox cleaner 14 Brand Plea for aid in a 21 name oval 20 blue Teases playfully 22 Packer 22 Brat It hasn’t yet Moore been interpreted 23 Apple choice 24 Symbol Strikes out 24 of the Mary 25 Virgin What many 28 Fathered crewmen 29 Aphrodite’s carouse on lover

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Puzzle House Puzzle by

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30 26 Fleet Deposited into a 32 Home-shopping bank event?

28 Troubles Dancer who was 33 a fan favorite?

36 Russian diet 29 Squeezes Ones giving 37 (out) winner forecasts 38 Text message status 31 Amass 40 Sugar daddies, 34 e.g.

Not belowdecks

41 35 Bygone Tiny biter Manhattan causing intense eatery itching 42 TV journalist 37 Lisa Sign of availability 43 Word from a 39 foreman “Swearin’ to 44 Unjust treatment God” singer, 1975 down 47 Died 40 Previously, Hardly a good 48 to poets looker

• Go online to www.GoDirect.org • Call the U.S. Treasury Electronic Payment Solution Center toll free at 800-333-1795.

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ederal benefit recipients can switch to electronic payments in one of three ways:

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are already distributed electronically.

Since May 2011, all people newly applying for federal benefits, including Social Security, SSI, Veterans Affairs, Railroad Retirement Board, Office of Personnel Management benefits and other non-tax payments, have had to choose direct deposit to a bank or savings and loan institution when they sign up for benefits. An alternative method for those who don’t have a bank account is to receive a Direct Express debit MasterCard.

The Treasury Department included information in all check recipient’s March 2012 payments. The message urges them to switch ahead of the March 2013 deadline and explains their electronic options.

49 on the 41 County 1966 A.L. Thames Rookie of the 51 Arab nation Year not in that’s OPEC 42 Insurance Ward on a grps. set 52 53 Newcastle’s river 43 Good Sock thing that 56 comes to those 44 who Not quite wait?make 57 Formal the putt,“yes” with 58 Hipster “out”

For For answers, answers, call call 1-900-285-5656, 1-900-285-5656, $1.49 $1.49 a a minute; minute; or, or, with with a a credit credit card, card, 1-800-814-5554.

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Social Security number or claim number; 12-digit federal benefit check number; and amount of most recent federal benefit check.

• You can sign up for direct deposit where you have your bank or Saving and Loan institution account.

For this option you will also need: Bank’s routing transit number, usually available at the bottom of a personal check (first set of numbers before your account number); and Your personal bank account number and type of account—checking or savings.

consumer n By Jay Bradford

Ar Insurance Commissioner

Tips on Buying Auto Insurance

apartment Homes For seniors 62+ Secure AffordAble efficient convenient

W

hen it comes to shopping for auto insurance there are certain basics about which you should be aware. In Arkansas, every automobile owner must have liability coverage. Liability coverage pays for claims against you when you are at fault in an accident. The minimum liability you are required to carry is $25,000 per person for bodily injury ($50,000 per accident for all bodily injury) and $25,000 to cover property damage to other’s property. Most insurance companies offer higher limits.

When applying for liability coverage, you must be offered an opportunity to purchase coverage for: Uninsured motorist bodily and property damage, underinsured motorist coverage for bodily injury, personal injury protection coverage, comprehensive coverage and collision coverage.

Uninsured motorist coverage will cover you and your automobile if the other driver is at fault and does not have liability insurance.

Underinsured motorist coverage gives you additional protection if the other driver is at fault and doesn’t have enough coverage to cover your injuries.

Personal injury protection provides you with wage loss, death benefits and medical coverage regardless of who is at fault.

Comprehensive coverage protects against damage to your automobile from acts of nature or other events not associated with operating an automobile.

Collision coverage protects against damage to your automobile when it is involved in an accident.

Discounts are offered by many insurance companies to lower-risk drivers. The Defensive Driver Discount is for those over 55 who have successfully completed a course approved by the Arkansas Office of Driver Services. Check with your agent about discounts. AARP Arkansas offers a schedule of Defensive Driving classes year round. Contact AARP’s Defensive Driving lead volunteer Joe Petruk at 501-767-4409 for more information. (AARP’s current class schedule is also listed on Mature Arkansas’ Facebook page.)

Consumers often ask me why their rates go up when they haven’t had an accident or claim. Most often it is because the insurance company increased its overall rates due to the company’s need to pay out more losses than expected. You may personally receive a lower or higher rate based upon various factors.

Other ways to save money when purchasing auto insurance: • Consider increasing the amount of your deductible. Decide how much of the initial loss to your automobile you can afford to pay and see what deductibles various companies offer.

• Ask your agent about all discounts the company offers. I mentioned the Defensive Drive earlier, but if you insure more than one automobile, you may qualify for a multi-car discount. Discounts to nondrinkers, nonsmokers and accident-free drivers may also be available.

If you have questions about auto insurance (or any other type of insurance) as you shop around for the best deal, remember you can contact the Consumer Services Division of the Arkansas Insurance Department for answers by calling toll free: 800-852-5494.

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tHE UniQUE nEiGHBorHooDs of CEntrAL ArkAnsAs

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