AY About You January 2024

AR K ANS AS’ LIF E ST Y LE MAGAZINE | JA NUA RY 2024 | AY M AG. C OM

Darren McFadden

Arkansas football legend tackles his greatest opponent.

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WHAT’S INSIDE 8 Publisher’s Letter 10 Connect 12 Top Events 156 Murder Mystery 160 Arkansas Backstories

HOME & GARDEN 16 New Year, New Look 22 Making A Splash

FOOD

26 Fresh Start 32 Fox on the Run 36 Recipe: Chicken Orzo Soup 38 Welcome Home

BENTON 44 52 58

Small Town, Big Options Saline Solution Benton There, Done That!

NONPROFIT 64

More Than Just a Place

TRAVEL 69 Hotels: Uncommon Accomodations

ARTS & CULTURE 82 There and Back Again 86 Everything Old is New Again 88 It Just takes One Song

HEALTH

98 AY's Guide to Botox & More 98 Forward Facing 108 Beyond Botox 118 Avoiding Fitness Failure 161 Mental Health Guide

ABOUT YOU 90 A Class of One's Own 94 Private School List 125 AY's Ask The Experts 150 This Side of Seven: Too Many Walls

Benton Bucket List, page 48

ON THE COVER Former Razorback Darren McFadden is wellrecognized in Arkansas but is also someone who carried a dark personal secret for years. Read his remarkable story in Mental Health Guide in this issue Photo courtesy of UA Athletics.

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Pre-K: Igniting Imaginations Providing high quality and equitable education is a priority for the Pulaski County Special School District. This commitment begins with Pre-K and extends through 12th grade. PCSSD’s Pre-K program is a free, standards-based program that aims to build strong foundational skills that help prepare students for kindergarten.

“Pre-K gives students a jump start on foundational skills needed to be successful in school,” said Nikki Stolzer, Preschool Director for PCSSD. “We integrate social-emotional, cognitive, physical, language, literacy, math, and science skills throughout each instructional day. Studies show that 90-percent of brain development and growth happens before age five.”

The most important foundational skills learned in Pre-K are social-emotional and problem-solving skills.

“If a Pre-K student learns how to have self-control during a stressful situation, they are set up with skills and strategies to handle other problems that may arise throughout their life,” Stolzer explains. “In our program, we know every child is different and will grow when it is developmentally appropriate for them.”

“We are there to facilitate and guide them to those learning experiences that will help them grow. Our goal is to foster an environment where PreK students want to discover, explore, and learn lifelong strategies to be successful.”

REGISTER NOW www.pcssd.org/register

ABOUT PCSSD

Pre-K programs are available at 14 PCSSD elementary schools: Baker Elementary, Cato Elementary, College Station Elementary, Crystal Hill Elementary, Daisy Bates Elementary, Harris Elementary, Joe T. Robinson Elementary, Landmark Elementary, Lawson Elementary, Oakbrooke Elementary, Oak Grove Elementary, Sherwood Elementary, Sylvan Hills Elementary, William Jefferson Clinton Elementary.

Pre-K teachers across the District work hard to ensure a positive and loving learning environment for their students. PCSSD is proud of the foundational development provided across the district to all students beginning with Pre-K and continuing through 12th grade.

In order to attend Pre-K within the Pulaski County Special School District, families must meet at least one of the eligibility requirements issued by the Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) program, which can be found at www.pcssd.org.

Registration for PCSSD’s Pre-K program is now open and can also be found at www.pcssd.org. If you have specific questions related to PCSSD’s Pre-K program, please contact the Pre-K Department at 501-234-2065.

Pulaski County Special School District spans more than 600 square miles in central Arkansas and requires highly skilled and passionate personnel to adapt educational policies and personalization to 26 schools. Every school is accredited by the Arkansas State Board of Education. PCSSD has served schools across Pulaski County since July 1927.

PCSSD is committed to creating a nationally recognized school district that assures that all students achieve at their maximum potential through collaborative, supportive and continuous efforts of all stakeholders.

PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER

Heather Baker hbaker@aymag.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Dwain Hebda dwain@aymag.com

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

Sarah Coleman scoleman@aymag.com Mak Millard mmillard@aymag.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Darlene Hebda darlene@aymag.com

STAFF WRITERS

John Callahan jcallahan@aymag.com Sarah DeClerk sdeclerk@aymag.com

MANAGING DIGITAL EDITOR

Kellie McAnulty kmcanulty@aymag.com

ONLINE WRITER

Kilee Hall khall@aymag.com

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Mike Bedgood mbedgood@aymag.com

Joe David Rice, born in Paragould and reared in Jonesboro, probably knows Arkansas as well as anyone alive. The former owner of an outfitting business on the Buffalo National River and the state’s former tourism director, his Arkansas Backstories is published by the Butler Center.

Amy Gramlich is a wife, mom, blogger and public school educator proudly planted in Arkansas. She loves to celebrate all occasions big and small with fun outfits, creative recipes and fresh home decor (which must always include plants). She enjoys all the details that go into planning the next trip or party.

Kelli Reep is a writer and public relations practitioner in central Arkansas. When she is not looking for the best pie in the state, she is being ordered around by three cats. She likes to read, cook, sleep and help out when she can.

Heather Swayze is a mom of two boys and has been married to her high school sweetheart, Dakota, for 10 years.

She attended Arkansas State Three Rivers and Henderson State University. Since 2014, she has served the central Arkansas area providing photography for weddings, couples and families.

Jason Pederson spent 20 years as KATV’s Seven On Your Side reporter.

He is now deputy chief of community engagement for the Arkansas Department of Human Services.

He and his wife, Mary Carol, have two biological children and one bonus son. They are longtime members of Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock.

Angelita Faller is the news director for the office of communications and marketing at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. A native of Newton, Ill., Faller holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Eastern Illinois University and a master’s degree in digital storytelling from Ball State University.

Jamie Lee is a native of southwest Louisiana, now residing in Little Rock. She is a freelance photographer and writer, focusing on food and restaurants. Jamie has been a photographer for 15 years, shooting seniors, families, portraits, branding and food. She also has more than 25 years of experience with marketing in the travel and tourism industry.

Genevieve Townley is the owner of Wonderlily Photography and resident of Hot Springs.

She loves photography, her family (two teenagers ages 16 and 18), her dog, Maggie, and husband of 22 years. She also loves anything that involves going to the beach. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Lora Puls lpuls@aymag.com Jenna Kelley jkelley@aymag.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Linda Burlingame lindaaymag@aol.com Mary Funderburg mary@aymag.com Karen Holderfield kholderfield@aymag.com Tori Owens towens@aymag.com Jona Parker jona@aymag.com Dana Rodriguez dana@aymag.com Bethany Yeager bethany@aymag.com

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Jessica Everson jeverson@aymag.com

ADVERTISING COORDINATOR

Angela-Maria Jones ads@aymag.com

CIRCULATION

circulationl@aymag.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Eileen Beard, Mark Carter, Chris Davis, Dustin Jayroe, Ryan Parker, Sara Reeves, Courtney Reynolds, Sarah Russell, Brian Sorenson, Lori Sparkman, Todd Traub, Andrew Weld

ADMINISTRATION billing@aymag.com

Vicki Vowell, CEO

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501-244-9700 or hbaker@aymag.com

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501-244-9700 or aymag.com Please submit press releases & news to press@aymag.com

AY Magazine is published monthly, Volume XXXVI, Issue 9 AY Magazine (ISSN 2162-7754) by AY Media Group, 910 W. 2nd St., Suite 200, Little Rock, AR 72201. Periodicals postage paid at Little Rock, AR and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to AY Magazine, 910 W. 2nd St., Suite 200, Little Rock, AR 72201.

Subscription Inquiries: Subscription rate is $24 for one year (12 issues). Single issues are available upon request for $5. For subscriptions, inquiries or address changes, call 501-244-9700. The contents of AY are copyrighted ©2024, and material contained herein may not be copied or reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publisher. Articles in AY should not be considered specific advice, as individual circumstances vary. Products and services advertised in the magazine are not necessarily endorsed by AY. Please recycle this magazine.

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publisher's letter

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU Welcome to 2024!

The dawn of a new year brings all kinds of promising possibilities. It is a time for all of us to take stock of ourselves, do a little evaluation and assess what can be improved over the next 12 months. Change is not easy, but it can be very rewarding.

This month’s issue is full of ways to change your life for the better, starting with our inspirational cover story. To many Hog fans, Darren McFadden is a hero and a role model, but he is also all too human. His courageous decision to speak out about issues in his life he is working to overcome is commendable, and we thank him for sitting down and discussing it with us in the hopes of helping someone else.

Our Ask the Expert section is a source of information and advice for bringing about changes in the new year. From health and beauty to causes to support, you are sure to find something to capture your attention.

Looking for a new favorite place to visit? Look no further than our Bucket List, where we take you to the thriving community of Benton. We will show you the best places to eat, drink and recreate in this charming town that is enjoying a real renaissance.

Finally, do not miss our health articles detailing the latest in facial treatments for a fresh look and advice for avoiding injuries in the gym or while out running.

Did you know that a Forbes magazine survey reported the average resolution lasts less than four months and a third of them do not make it to 90 days? Change is hard, which is why you need someone on your side and in your corner.

Consider AY About You your monthly cheer team as you make 2024 your best year yet.

Thanks for reading!

Heather Baker, President & Publisher hbaker@aymag.com / heatherbaker_ar

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World-Class Duck Hunting Awaits There’s a reason duck hunters from all over flock to Arkansas: Their backyard doesn’t look like this.

Take advantage of The Natural State. Get your hunting license and get out there.

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READER FEEDBACK AY MAGAZINE & HEATHER BAKER “Heather Baker and AY magazine have been instrumental in the flourishing growth of The Croissanterie. From our inception, Heather has been a steadfast cheerleader, and this partnership continues to evolve. In an era where effective marketing is paramount, AY magazine has provided us with a powerful platform to navigate a blend of print, digital, and social media, enabling us to maximize our marketing budget. This dynamic approach resonates with millions of people across Arkansas and beyond, offering us a winning combination.

What sets AY magazine apart is not just its expansive reach, but the seamless communication facilitated by Heather Baker. Her personal touch makes the process effortless, and the ability to connect with her and her team is invaluable. In moments of uncertainty, knowing that we can reach out personally to Heather and her team provides a level of reassurance that is rare in today's business landscape.

AY magazine is not merely a publication for us; it is a highly valued partner and an integral part of The Croissanterie family. The recognition we garner through the magazine is incomparable, and each feature is a source of excitement and honor. Being associated with AY magazine has elevated our brand, and we are proud to be part of a community that values and celebrates businesses like ours. Heather's unwavering support and the unique platform provided by AY magazine have played a pivotal role in our success story, and we look forward to the continued growth of this exceptional partnership.”

Wendy Schay, CEPC Jill McDonald, CEC WOMEN OF INSPIRATION GALA “Thank you for the excellent job you did at our Woman of Inspiration Gala last October! You were outstanding as Emcee!! What a duo team with Bazzel too!

And thank you for having Bazell get me onstage to call for more giving to hit the $20,000 goal for new centers. What a great idea!! And tenacity!!

You’re amazing!! You do so much good to help so many people of all ages and needs and circumstance! Truly amazing! Incredible!!

The Buttered Biscuit will continue its growth in Arkansas with two new locations in Little Rock.

El Dorado’s Murphy Arts District “Just Wanted You To Know” that “Ol’ Country,” also known as “Brother Jukebox” Mark Chesnutt, will be performing at First Financial Music Hall on Feb. 23.

GOD really isn’t finished with you! And I’m so very glad!!”

Susan Hutchinson

!

TRENDING ON AYMAG.COM

Follow heatherbaker_ar on IG for weekly Bucket List restaurant giveaways.

Paris Hilton Visits Arkansas 20 Years After The Simple Life The Buttered Biscuit Expanding to Little RockBattle of the Ravine Resumes College Football’s Greatest Rivalry Arkansas News Legend Craig O’Neil Announces Retirement Server Says: KJ Robinson of KJ’s Restaurant California-based Restaurant Mezzaluna Pasteria Chooses Arkansas for 2nd Location

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Little Rock restaurant and bar Petit & Keet has named Alan Napier as executive chef and director of operations for the restaurant.

Some of our most popular articles were about meteorologist Todd Yakoubian. We reflect on all the news by checking our analytics to see what you cared about the most.

HEATHMAN FA M I LY D E N TA L

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WHY CHOOSE OUR DENTAL PRACTICE? 2021

2023

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agenda

Top

you just can't miss!

THE ROCKET MAN SHOW: TRIBUTE TO ELTON JOHN Jan. 1

Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort - Hot Springs Celebrate the beginning of 2024 in style with The Rocket Man Show: Tribute to Elton John. Featuring all of Elton John’s best hits, this show will feature Rus Anderson, a multi-talented piano man recognized by Elton John himself. With outlandish costumes, this night promises fun and fandom for all who attend.

LES MISÉRABLES Jan. 2-7

Walton Arts Center - Fayetteville The sixth longest-running Broadway production of all time, Les Misérables will be coming to the Walton Arts Center in January. This highly acclaimed musical transports viewers to 19th century France, and tells the tale of broken dreams, unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption.

WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW Jan. 15

Simmons Bank Arena - North Little Rock WWE Monday Night RAW will be making a stop at North Little Rock’s Simmons Bank Arena for one night only. See WWE Superstar American Nightmare Cody Rhodes and the undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions the Judgement day made up of Damion Priest and Finn Bálor, atop a packed wrestling card.

OZARK MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL 2024 Jan. 18-21

Basin Park Hotel - Eureka Springs Music lovers everywhere will gather at the Basin Park Hotel for the four-day Ozark Mountain Music Festival celebrating American roots and modern folk music. Performances will kick off on Thursday night and continue to the weekend.

13TH ANNUAL EUREKA SPRINGS PARANORMAL WEEKEND Jan. 26-28 & Feb. 2-4

1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa - Eureka Springs Dubbed “America’s Most Haunted Hotel,” the 1886 Crecent Hotel & Spa is the ideal host for the 13th Annual Eureka Springs Paranormal Weekend. Led by Crescent Hotel ghost tour guides, the experience is immersive in paranormal investigation and will delve into the hotel’s ghostly history.

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events

1-7

GloWILD

Little Rock Zoo

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5

5-7

Holiday Markets at Central Mall Central Mall, Fort Smith

Fifth Annual Arkansas Duck Derby University of Central Arkansas HPER Center, Conway

2024 Offroad Products Expo Hot Springs Convention Center

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Tammy Pescatelli Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville

Trey Kennedy: Grow Up Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville

Soccer Mommy The Momentary, Bentonville

Ali Siddiq: I Got a Story To Tell Robinson Center, Little Rock

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17-22

Northwest Arkansas Comic Con Rogers Convention Center, Rogers

Prehistoric Planet Movie Night Toad Suck Mini Golf, Conway

Fit For a King & The Devil Wears Prada JJ’s Live, Fayetteville

Arkansas Duck Hunting CME Stuttgart

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Sixth Annual Brewery Chili Cook-Off Fort Smith Brewing Company

Taylor Fest The Hall, Little Rock

SoNa’s The Great Unknown Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville

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Frank Foster The Hall, Little Rock

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21 NWA Wedding Show Four Points By Sheraton, Bentonville

24-31

The Cher Show Reynolds Performance Hall, Conway

25

What The Constitution The Greatest Love of All Means to Me Starring Belinda Davids TheatreSquared, Reynolds Performance Hall, Fayetteville Conway

26 Astral Project The Momentary, Bentonville

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Sawyer Brown Oaklawn Event Center, Hot Springs

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Sixth Annual Wedding Fair The Apollo on Emma, Springdale

Jagged Little Pill Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville

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Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons: The Last Encores Simmons Bank Arena, North Little Rock

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Red Not Chili Peppers JJ’s Live, Fayetteville

Arkansas Homebuyer Expo Delta Hotels by Marriott, Little Rock

The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Presents: SaintSaëns’ Organ Symphony Robinson Center, Little Rock

Galvin Cello Quartet Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville

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aymag.com

hot springs

Get the new year off to a fast start by checking out all the happenings in Hot Springs. Here are a few events and entertainment happening in January:

JAN.

20

5

One of Hot Springs’ best kept traditions, Gallery Walk has been showcasing art in historic downtown Hot Springs National Park since 1989.

From contemporary to traditional, the diverse offerings of Gallery Walk makes Hot Springs the place to be the first Friday of each month.

MULTI-STAKES THOROUGHBRED RACING

JAN.

27

5-7

Taco Mama

ARKANSAS SHORTS — A WEEKEND OF SHORT FILM

Get a cinematic fix with this weekend-long event showcasing short films from Arkansas filmmakers and creative talent from around the world.

WHERE: Malco Theatre

Taco Mama takes pride in its freshly prepared, award-winning, from-scratch classic Mexican food. Chef Diana Bratton and her husband, Shane, opened Taco Mama in 2009, and the restaurant has been nothing but a success since.

Taco Mama is also vegan- and vegetarian-friendly. The restaurant offers food-truck services for private events as well as catering — and the menu is not just limited to Mexican food, thanks to Bratton’s 36 years in the industry.

Enjoy a margarita and delicious food indoors or out on the dogfriendly patio. Restaurant staff invite diners to come taste the difference.

lowkeyarts.org

JAN.

5-7

One day has big races and $1.3 million in total prize money up for grabs. Be trackside for all the excitement of the Martha Washington Stakes, the American Beauty, the King Cotton and the $800,000 Southwest Stakes. Be sure to catch the heart-pounding action.

Check out these fun attractions and hapWHERE: Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort penings in Spa City this oaklawn.com month.

WHERE: Downtown Hot Springs

hotspringsarts.org

JAN.

WHERE: Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort

oaklawn.com

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN HOT SPRINGS GALLERY WALK

JAN.

SAWYER BROWN

Country hitmakers Sawyer Brown visit Spa City for one night. Fans will not want to miss this chance to see the band as they play all their hits, including “The Walk,” “All These Years,” “The Race is On,” and their smash hit, “Some Girls Do.”

OFFROAD PRODUCTS EXPO 2024

Get a jump on the outdoors and find an offroad ride at the Offroad Product Expo, which specializes in anything and everything needed to get wet and muddy when the weather warms up.

WHERE: Hot Springs Convention Center

offroadproductsexpo.com

HOT SPRINGS HALF MARATHON

JAN.

20

Lace ’em up for one of the best running events of the year, the Hot Springs Half Marathon.

This memorable trail run, will take runners along stunning forested trails that offer plenty of fresh air and stunning mountain views. The run is mostly within the national park trail system.

WHERE: 369 Central Ave.

1209 Malvern Ave. / 510 Ouachita Ave. / 501-624-6262 tacomama.net / TacoMamaHotSprings / tacomamahotspringsar

runsignup.com

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SAY GOOD BYE TO CLOGGED GUTTERS!

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www.leafguardandmore.com 15

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home

NEW YEAR,

NEW LOOK

By AY STAFF // Photos provided 16

Acme Brick, Tile & Stone wows homeowners with a versatile new product

Arkansas homeowners are becoming fast fans of MAC Metal products, which provide versatile, low-maintenance siding options.

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aymag.com

H

omeowners looking to lend a fresh new appearance to their homes are discovering the beauty and ease of MAC Metal products from Acme Brick, Tile & Stone. As a matter of fact, Arkansas homeowners have gravitated to the beautiful, maintenance-free products in such numbers that it is putting the state on the map.

“Our corporate office is in Fort Worth, Texas,” said Chad Bowie, district manager based in Maumelle. “We had the marketing team come up, and they take pictures of homes which had installed the MAC Metal. They said, ‘Man, you guys are successful with this product, and these homes are incredible.’ They were really blown away by what homeowners are doing up here.”

For those not in the know, MAC Metal Architectural is a premium pre-painted metal siding product. Renowned for its design, which includes wood-look and non-wood-look finishes, the highly resistant product brings a sleek, sophisticated look to most any interior or exterior application. The wood options come in six different grain patterns and three different wood tones in each box, ensuring a variegated, natural look. Best of all, Mac Metal retains its beauty year after year without fading, cracking and warping of other cladding products.

“It’s got a 40-year warranty. It’s got a very high wind rating,” Bowie said. “It gives that appearance of a modern home. You can get the wood look if you want that or even some really modern looks with the Polymac and the signature series colors, which are not a wood look.”

Manufactured by Montreal, Canada-based MAC Metal Architectural, the product of-

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“

fers several advantages over the competition. In addition to the aforementioned 40-year transferable warranty, the product offers superior color retention, thanks to a proprietary painting process that gives superior protection against weathering, extreme climatic conditions and scratches. The company’s testing data shows MAC Metal products are twice as resistant to UV rays than the leading competitor and three times more resistant to micro-cracking, especially in sharp-angle shapes.

MAC Metal products also provide superior rust protection to help ensure high performance good looks season after season. Homeowners also like the fact that the product is manufactured from 97 percent recycled content and is itself recyclable, making Mac Metal one of the most environmentally friendly building products on the market today.

Thanks to this combination of features, Arkansas homeowners’ response to the product has been overwhelmingly positive, Bowie said.

“In Arkansas, we are setting the trend, even in places already known as trendsetters, such as Dallas,” he said. "Ever since Arkansas kick-started the demand, the product has really taken on a life of its own in the South.

“We’ve got entire homes of this product. We’ve sold some jobs that were over $100,000 worth of product just for the exterior of million-dollar homes.”

Even with the product’s rollicking momentum, Bowie said the company has not had any supply issues. Delivery timelines are not excessively long. Most standard orders arrive from the company’s distribution facility in Texas within

In Arkansas, we are setting the trend, even in places already known as trendsetters, such as Dallas. a week, and special orders are delivered in two to three weeks.

“Usually people don’t build a house willy-nilly,” he said.

“They plan and are deliberate about what they order, and that gives us time to get the product in on a request date.”

Acme has not only won over homeowners with the MAC Metal products, but its simple installation and straightforward construction is also winning over a growing number of installers.

“We have really gained a lot of momentum with installers. Basically, the product screws in, no special substrate needed,” he said. “The homeowner may experience a little waiting time for the right professional, but again, that all comes out in the planning phases.

“With the first version of the product, we had some minor issues, but in the 2.0 revision of the product, it’s very easy to work with, and it provides a wonderful, finished look.”

MAC Metal provides a variety of wood-look and other siding options.

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aymag.com

The products also offer a high degree of versatility, with many styles offering vertical, horizontal or diagonal configurations.

“It’s a product that’s being used for more than just accents,” Bowie said. “It gives the homeowner a range of different profiles and some options, running the stuff vertically or horizontally, whichever way you’d like to run it and trim it out.”

The products are also produced in several architectural styles, including a board-and-batten model that provides a farmhouse look, mini-planks that give a unique and stylish appearance, a model that mimics architectural blocks, and another that gives the look of steel tiles.

The various styles, combined with a range of colors, offer a number of stylish combinations to suit any taste.

“There are a number of wood colors. I think there’s seven or eight different wood colors and all kinds of different metallic colors and other signature colors,” Bowie said. “We’ve actually matched up a lot of these colors to different sports venues, high school athletics and things like that.

“Basically, this product can fit about any desire or look you want. You can go with a very conservative, traditional look because of the wood grain, which gives you a more

natural feeling, and we can really get into a more modern look too. We’ve even seen a blend of all that, with people doing traditional and modern together.”

Every style of MAC Metal comes with the expertise of Acme’s professionally trained design-staff members, who are happy to walk consumers through their options and help them achieve a professional, finished look that adds value to the home. Bowie said that as with all other Acme Brick, Tile & Stone products, it is the staff ’s product knowledge and extra-mile service that sets the company apart.

“We’ve got several different displays here with different profiles of the product showcasing different ideas of how and where to use the product,” he said. “Whether you want just an accent ceiling or wall on up to covering the entire home, we’ve got all that. We’ve even got a linear fireplace in the showroom that’s surrounded by the Harrywood profile and the Polymac, which has also been very popular. You can use this product just about anywhere you’d like.

“Arkansas has really put this product on the map, and we’re definitely grateful for that. We stand behind everything we sell, and it’s a great feeling, knowing we’ve got such a tremendous product with which to make our state more beautiful, one home at a time.”

MAC Metal can be used to achieve looks ranging from traditional to contemporary and suits a variety of applications.

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Discover a complete decorative resource in North Little Rock

Acme Brick. The Best Thing To Have Around Your House.

Since its founding in 1891, Acme Brick has continually advanced the art and science of brickmaking, to make brick affordable, sustainable, enduring, and beautiful.

10921 Maumelle Blvd. | North Little Rock (501) 812-5574 | brick.com/littlerock

section header designer

Making

a Splash

By DWAIN HEBDA // Photos provided

Jessica Bernard is one of the city’s most exciting new designers — and she is just getting started 22

From the age of 8, when she was given the freedom to design her own childhood bedroom, Jessica Bernard knew she wanted to be a designer.

Now, at 33, Bernard is one of the city’s most in-demand designers, blending timeless style with contemporary attitude. AY About You caught up to the whiz kid and new mom to learn more about her company, J. Ruby Interiors, her passion for living spaces and what the future holds.

AY About You: What is your background?

Jessica Bernard: I’m from Little Rock, and I went to Little Rock Central for high school.

I went to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville first and studied business, and that didn’t go as well as I thought just because microeconomics and macroeconomics were not my thing, so I said, ‘Let me tap into my creative side,’ because I’ve always loved to do art.

Georgia State University had an art program, along with an interior design program, which got my attention and made school a lot easier for me. I got my degree in interior design, which was part of the fine arts program.

ity of my work has been residential so far.

As far as projects, a lot of times people call me up for just one room, but that sometimes evolves into something else, especially when we do our consultation. We might be discussing one room, and then it’ll be like, ‘Oh, can you look at this room as well?’ I’ve done an entire house, a couple houses altogether.

AY: What is your thought process in assessing a job?

Bernard: I like to think about how the space is functioning for the client and whether that function is meeting their family’s needs or the business’ needs. I guess this is kind of cliche, but I like to use the principles of art and design as form follows function. Are the clients using the space that they want? Is it intended for the use that they really want to use it? Is it functioning for their lifestyle, whether they have children or they’re a bachelor or elderly? I look at that first.

From there, we go into budget. What do you want to invest in this space? That really helps me understand what actually can be done in order to achieve the overall goal. A lot of times, it’s an educational process. I like to break down my design process.

AY: Where did your interest in interior design come from?

Bernard: I got my interest in doing design because my mom was also an interior designer. That gravitated me towards it a little bit, but I kind of still wanted to do my own thing. I first got interested in design, I would say, since I was 8 years old because I got to design my own bedroom.

AY: Is your mother still doing interior design?

Bernard: She kind of helps out every now and again when I need some help, but other than that, not really. She does sculpture now.

AY: How long have you had your own design firm, and when did it open?

Bernard: I did an internship with WER Architects in Little Rock. It’s an architecture firm with an interiors program. Then I worked at a furniture store called Core ID in Little Rock. They specialized in modern European furniture. I had a couple clients while I worked there. After gaining experience in commercial and residential, I just decided to go off on a limb and start the entrepreneurial process and start my own business. I opened J. Ruby Interiors in 2018.

AY: How would you describe your design aesthetic, or, put a better way, what design approach do you enjoy working in most?

Bernard: I would describe it as contemporary, approachable luxury design. I do like traditional, as well. I can incorporate some traditional pieces, but I would say mostly contemporary — still luxury, but very comfortable, not too stuffy, like you don’t want to touch something. That’s what I like to call approachable.

AY: What types of projects have you completed thus far — all residential, residential and commercial, one-room projects or whole-house jobs?

Bernard: Most people reach out to me about their homes, but I do commercial, as well. I do have that background, but the major-

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Incorporating bold colors can be a low-cost way to have a major impact on a home.

AY: What are ways clients can make that budget go further?

Bernard: That depends on the room you’re dealing with, but all in all, if you really want to make a big impact, a lot of times investing in furniture does the job, where other times it could be just paint or surfaces like the floors.

I think when it comes to budget, the biggest question for the client is how long do they plan on staying in this space? Are they going to be there for five years, 10 years, or do they plan on selling soon? If it’s a space they don’t plan on occupying for a long time, I try to push them to something that would be easier on the market, but if it’s going to be their permanent home for five to 10 years or more, then I really try to incorporate what the client wants as far as colors go while still keeping it classic. You can incorporate those bold colors but in a more classic way, whether it’s tile or pillows or flooring. I’m not afraid to use color.

AY: Did you find that 2020 created a pent-up demand? Are you still getting work from that pent-up demand even now?

Bernard: Yeah, I believe people realized how much time they spent at home and a lot of the times they wanted to create spaces within their home that worked for them, whether it was a work space or a family space. A lot of people had the mindset of let’s make this place a place we would go to if we were to spend time out of town or on vacation.

In a commercial space, the focus is how can we make this space feel more like a home space where people don’t mind coming in to work and they can feel comfortable. More like a lounge-type area where it doesn’t feel like a trip to the office.

Maybe it’s just an open-office concept with laptops and lounge areas versus a traditional office setup. I think that grew out of

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people working at home a lot which blended the commercial and the residential.

does bring a lot of fresh and new ideas, but at the same time, I do get questioned because some of my clients are older than me, and they’re kind of curious to know about the experience that I have.

That makes age a factor sometimes, but not really. I think my passion and drive basically speak for themselves in my work.

AY: What are some trends you are seeing today that define what your clients are looking for?

Bernard: A lot of people are looking at the — I would call them multipurpose rooms that service multiple functions, whether it’s a game room, office, entertainment space, homework room for kids, playroom. A lot of times, people have these bonus rooms and really don’t know what to do with them, you know? I feel like a lot of people are trying to step outside the box and create these multipurpose rooms that fit their lifestyle well.

AY: Speaking of advantages or disadvantages, what is your opinion of clients on social media like Pinterest? Is that a good thing?

Bernard: I truly encourage it because I really like to know what they’re thinking as far as design and direction. I use it as a guide, really, to see what they’re thinking, and I play off of those ideas. A lot of times, they will show me those images, and we’ll come up with something totally different. Maybe it’s just one thing out of those images that they show me, like, ‘Well, I really like this one thing and not the entire picture.’

To me, the overall goal is client satisfaction. I like to use those resources and kind of make them our own.

AY: What are a couple of recent examples of this that you are really proud of ?

Bernard: On one recent project, they called it their media room.

She has guests come and stay, so we created a Murphy bed within the wall that functions as a cabinet and it looks like a cabinet, until it’s time to go to bed. The client uses it basically as a sitting area where they watch movies and entertain their guests, but at night, it functions as a bedroom.

Another one would be a bachelor who had a couple of spaces that he wanted to get better use out of. He didn’t have a need for a dining room so he wanted to create a game room, and we turned the dining room into a pool hall.

AY: What sets you apart in this business? What would you like to be known for?

Bernard: I would say something that sets me apart is I’m an artist at heart. I look at each one of my clients like a new painting or a new subject, and I’m very eager to ‘paint.’ I just look at it like it’s a new piece of art, and I treat each individual client separately and differently. It’s not just a cookie-cutter type of design.

I also like to really explore and get to know the client. Most of my clients, we’re friends afterwards. I like meeting new people, and it really gets me out of my box because I am somewhat of an introvert, but once you get to know me, I’m a lot of fun.

AY: Have you found that your age to be an advantage, or is it a disadvantage?

Bernard: I say that it has its advantages and disadvantages. Age

Time spent at home during 2020 created a huge demand for fresh, relaxing home spaces.

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food

Fresh Start Looking to eat healthy in the new year?

Say no more

By DWAIN HEBDA // Photos provided

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N

othing says the holidays like great friends, fun gatherings and, especially, good food, lots and lots of good food — food that is only served once a year, food to enjoy in honor of the occasion, food one just cannot say no to. It is glorious.

Just like the cold reality of returning to school or work routines following the holiday season — how long until Spring Break, anyway? — the reality of returning to a sensible eating routine can hit the soul like a cold, biting January wind.

Fear not, dear reader, for options abound in central Arkansas to get you back on track tastefully.

Before we look at some local establishments and their fresh, chef-inspired and, dare we say, healthier menus, here is some real talk: when it comes to behavior changes, New Year’s resolutions are not worth the party favors handed out at a watch-the-ball-drop party and are discarded almost as quickly.

Research findings, such as those recently published by insideoutmastery.com, are clear on this point. Just under one in four Americans make resolutions — including the gethealthy variety — and less than one in 10 successfully keep them. In fact, of those making a resolution almost a quarter do not last a week, and 64 percent have abandoned all hope by the end of 30 days.

An even stranger quirk about the custom is that people participate while apparently expecting not to be successful — 43 percent, according to this poll, predicted they would quit by February — making resolutions the scratch-off tickets of self-improvement strategies. Perhaps that explain why resolution-making is highest among the overly optimistic

youth (59 percent of people ages 18 to 34) or parents being towed by their overly optimistic kids (parents being 1.6 times more likely to make resolutions than adults without children). We world-wizened people over 55, by contrast, are more than three times less likely to mess with the process in the first place.

The reason for this high failure rate is fairly self-explanatory: change is hard, much harder than merely proclaiming a champagne-fueled oath to the calendar. When it comes to matters of diet and exercise (spoiler alert) it actually takes effort and conscious attention to head for the gym or deviate from one’s less-than-desirable eating habits, all the time swimming against the urge to just stay in one’s lane.

There are multiple versions of the same idea out there that pronounce how long it takes for a new activity to become habit — anywhere from 21 days to six weeks, depending on who you ask. While this generally does not hold scientific water, human individuality being what it is, behaviorists say it is not entirely balderdash either. Do something faithfully for a period of time, they say, and if nothing else, there appears to be a placebo effect where, as creatures of habit, human brains click onto the routine that has been created.

If, for the sake of argument, that time-to-habit is 60 days, doing something positive on the regular for that time, given an honest effort, should demonstrate some benefit. While two months sounds like a long time, the average human will live to see 924 of them, so ther is time to work with. Thanks to the restaurants that follow here, resolution-makers also have the resources to make eating healthier one of the tastiest tasks of self-improvement to tackle in 2024.

TAZIKI’S MEDITERRANEAN CAFE

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beloved Arkansas outlet owned by the inestimable Keet family of restauranteurs, Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe has built its loyal following on the concept that eating healthier does not have to come at the expense of flavor.

It has done so not by reinventing the wheel necessarily, but by adhering to age-old truths about fresh ingredients and thoughtful preparation that many other places have sacrificed in the name of convenience.

“Our food is not processed; it is real food prepared fresh daily,” Tommy Keet said. “Not coming out of a bag allows for better, nutrient-dense food, including lean meats and healthy side choices that don’t see the inside of a fryer or microwave.”

When most people think eating healthy, salads figure somewhere into the equation, and Taziki’s offers several varieties that are as effective in staving off boredom as hunger.

“Our salads are filling and a great way to eat healthy,” Keet said. “The Mediterranean salad consists of fresh-cut romaine, spring mix, red onions, roasted red peppers, marinated garbanzo beans, pecan pieces, feta and diced tomatoes.

It is served with a homemade balsamic vinaigrette, which is absolutely delicious.”

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Tommy’s brother, Jake Keet, said even the appetizer menu offers healthy choices, such as Taziki’s famous hummus, which is available with pita chips or fresh veggies for dipping. He also said much attention has been paid to the menu to accommodate customers with various dietary concerns.

“We try our best to be extremely cautious about allergies,” he said. “Gluten-free guests love our staggering number of options. Any feast or salad can be made gluten-free. Vegetarian guests can enjoy our veggie feast alongside our pimento cheese, hummus dips or a cup of our delicious tomato basil soup. Vegan options are more limited, but we do have some options.”

One key element to sticking to any new routine is variety, especially in the early stages. Here again, Taziki’s stands out

with its almost endless customization of dishes and entrees that deliver healthier options packing a lot of flavor, consistent with the Mediterranean diet. Jim Keet, the patriarch of the family, suggested one of the restaurant’s most popular fish options as a tasty way to stick to any sensible meal plan.

“Our salmon is not only healthy, but delicious,” he said.

“We select a high-grade salmon and prepare it with the perfect blend of seasonings to make it the highest quality. Our skilled staff is passionate about ensuring it is always consistent and delectable.”

Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe Little Rock, Conway, Bentonville, North Little Rock and Fayetteville tazikis.com

CITY SILO TABLE + PANTRY

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ne of the newer entrants to Little Rock’s dining scene, City Silo opened in August. The Memphis-born concept has quickly established a Little Rock following thanks to its comfortable ambiance and fresh, delicious food.

“The response has been fantastic,” said Matt Runnells, operating partner and co-owner. “The community has really embraced us. We’re seeing the same regulars constantly, and they’re bringing friends in. I think we started off as a great vegan option, but people see on the menu that we have sandwiches with chicken or breakfast items that have eggs, and it’s taken off.”

Scott Tashie, co-owner with his wife, Rebekah, agreed, saying inclusiveness of diners has been the foundation of the concept, and its growth has been solidified by the freshness and quality of the food.

“If you’re gluten-free, if you’re vegan, if you’re vegetarian, if you eat meat, we want you to be able to come into our restaurant and feel comfortable,” he said.

City Silo’s menu allows for clean, healthier options all day long. Runnells recommended first-timers try the customizable sunshine breakfast burrito, also available as a bowl, and the chopper salad, which he recommends finishing off with some avocado and tempeh, a soy-based protein. Carnivores should check out the Memphis chicken (try the spicy version), tacos and burgers so good, they draw people from the beef version to try the portobello and beet walnut varieties.

Whatever diners choose, Tashie promises a healthful and

satisfying meal, thanks to City Silo’s commitment to clean eating.

“What we preach with our restaurant is eating clean means more than just, ‘I have to eat vegan,’” he said. “Eating clean means knowing what you’re eating, knowing how it’s prepared, knowing what ingredients are in there and enjoying good-tasting food. That’s what I grew up eating, and that’s how I want to cook, knowing where my food’s coming from, knowing things are fresh and knowing this was put together just this morning. With our menu, everything is pretty much right in front of you.”

City Silo Table + Pantry 17701 Chenal Parkway, Suite C, Little Rock thecitysilo.com

BLACKBERRY MARKET

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“Everything in the bakery case is made in-house, 100 percent of that,” Peter said. “Pretty much the only thing in the whole building that’s not made from scratch in-house is the bread we use on our sandwiches. Other than that, we’re making from scratch every sauce, dressing, every dish, mix. Everything else is happening in the store.”

Customer favorites include the hearty breakfast burrito and a healthy array of fresh salads and sandwiches throughout the day.

“If you’re coming in for lunch, we’ve got a mix-andmatch so you can try more than one thing,” Peter said. “You

nother relatively new face in central Arkansas dining is Blackberry Market, which is owned by the husband-wife team of Peter and Whitney Lobiner. The restaurant is situated in the bustling Argenta neighborhood of North Little Rock.

“My sister created and operates this concept in the Chicago market,” Peter said. “We’ve watched her do that, gone up during holidays and helped during some of the busy times.

We always enjoyed it, and we always thought it was different enough that it felt like it was missing in central Arkansas.”

The business opened to rave reviews and has stayed busy thanks to the made-from-scratch fare.

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can combine half a sandwich and half of one of our salads or a bowl of soup. A half-salad and a soup is definitely a light but filling and very healthy lunch option.

“We also, scattered across the whole menu but especially in the market case, have lots of gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan options. We try to be a place where people can show up with all different kinds of dietary restrictions, and we can accommodate that. We take that really seriously.”

Another excellent part of the business’ offerings are the hand-crafted barista specialties. Peter, who comes to the venture after years with Starbucks Coffee Co.ww applies that experience to the drink menu, which features top-quality coffee and expertly prepared beverages.

“I was in a Starbucks store for about half my career, and then the second half, I was a district manager, which I loved, but one of the things I missed was having my own four walls to be able to host my community,” he said. “I’ve loved being back in a store, I love having a team of employees that I’m working with every day, and also just having a place where I can host my old friends and the new friends that I’ve made as customers here.”

Blackberry Market 315A Main St., North Little Rock argenta.blackberry.cafe

STERLING MARKET

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ith his wildly successful Fidel & Co. Coffee Roasters, Fidel Samour redefined coffee in Little Rock. Now, he has expanded his community-first mentality into Sterling Market, located nearby in the city’s fashionable East Village neighborhood.

“We wanted [Sterling Market] to be a place that highlighted the talent that we had come to know in both of our executive chefs,” Samour said, “but also to feature places that are doing things that are sustainable and then just good business practices in general as far as farms and suppliers.”

Community is at the forefront of Sterling Market, and the months since the business opened has seen several groups utilize the space, as well as business people in the neighborhood holding meetings over lunch.

“The space inside is a different vibe than the outside, but they both lend themselves to having folks gather and come together and just celebrate community,” Samour said.

The menu reflects this “come one, come all” ethos with wide-ranging fare to suit any taste. Scratch-made using the highest quality ingredients available, the selections ranges from quick bites to more substantial entrees, all expertly prepared.

“We do have a little bit for everybody,” he said. “At Sterling Market, there are options that use more leafy greens, ancient grains-type foods where people can still stay on track with whatever fitness goals and healthy eating goals they have, or if they want to indulge and have a slice of pizza, we do that too. Everything — salads, sandwiches, the whole gamut of our dressings — is made in-house. Nothing artificial or weird.”

Samour recommended in particular the Little Gem salad, a customer favorite packed with smoked chicken, greens, grated egg and tossed in house-made salad dressing. For something a little more substantial, he pointed to the sandwich menu.

“Our burger developed some notoriety during the Beef Council’s Burger Week; it was rated one of the fan favorites,”

he said. “The smoked chicken sandwich has been the unsung hero of the menu, so to speak, because all people have to do is try it once, and then they keep ordering. That is a fan favorite.”

With less than a year under its belt, the steady stream of customers attest to Sterling Market’s reputation as a strong new option for downtown dining.

“We have, thankfully, received a positive welcome into people’s rotation of restaurants as we’ve opened,” he said.

“We’re pretty happy with how folks are receiving us in the community.”

Sterling Market 515 Shall Ave, Little Rock sterlingmarket.com

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S

o often, people equate healthy eating with bland, boring foods. That does not have to be the case, as the people of countries like Greece, Italy and Morocco have proven for generations. The Mediterranean diet, ranked No. 1 “Best Diet Overall” by U.S. News and World Report, is full of dishes that are as healthy as they are delicious.

The secret to the Mediterranean diet’s success is its focus on overall quality. Primarily plant-based, the diet includes a hearty helping of whole grains, beans, nuts and extra-virgin olive oil, as well as a moderate amount of lean poultry and plenty of seafood.

Fruits and vegetables are the star of the plate, with dairy, red meats and sweet treats enjoyed on occasion.

While Mediterranean food is characterized by a variety of flavorful herbs and spices, the diet is customizable to suit one’s taste, making it easy to follow for long periods of time — an ideal choice for those in search of healthy, sustainable lifestyle changes.

One of the most important aspects of the diet is a cultural one. Meals should be enjoyed in community, allowing diners to savor both good food and good company in equal measure. That holistic approach to Mediterranean eating and living is what drives Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe, whether guests stop by for a quick, healthy lunch or sit down for dinner and a glass of wine. With Mediterranean-inspired dishes prepared with a Southern flair, Taziki’s gives diners an experience that is both heart healthy and good for the soul.

For more information, visit tazikis.com

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Indoor Pool Pickle Ball Racquetball Courts Indoor Walking Track Outdoor Walking Track Weight Equipment

Start your membership today! www.jacksonvilleparks.com

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food

Run fox on the

NWA distillery impresses with hand-crafted spirits and cocktails

By BRIAN SORENSEN // Photos provided

I

n a local landscape awash in malted barley and hops, Fox Trail Distillery in Rogers is northwest Arkansas’ only producer of spirits. There is not as much fanfare surrounding this maker of bourbon, vodka and gin but Fox Trail has demonstrated its commitment to the art and science of distillation and seems set up for long-term success.

Fox Trail was founded by Martin Tinnin in 2019. Tinnin is a grandson of the late trucking mogul, J.B. Hunt. His original vision for the distillery was for Fox Trail to be a production site first and foremost, but with a small tasting room in which to serve samples of its spirits. When the state’s rules loosened to allow on-premises consumption, plans changed to include a full-service bar and an upscale drinks program.

Nowadays, the distillery is a destination and not just a label.

I paid a visit to Fox Trail on a chilly Saturday afternoon not long ago. Located just east of Pinnacle Hills Promenade, the distillery is in an impressive building designed by Core Architects. It is hard to stand out in the booming area that surrounds Interstate 49, but Fox Trail does so with its imposing presence on the streetscape. A wood-planked facade greets visitors, who enter the building through 10-foot metal doors. A black metal awning provides shelter for an outdoor seating area. The building reaches two stories on its north side to accommodate the large distilling equipment inside.

The tour I signed up for was supposed to last one hour, with a sampling of different bourbon varieties at the end. I expected to be a part of a large group but upon arrival I discovered that I was the only tour participant for the day. This proved serendipitous, as I was given unfettered access to my tour guide — Sunshine Broder — whom I peppered with questions over the course of the next 90 minutes.

Broder hails from Stone County in north central Arkansas and has a background in theater, radio and hospitality. She joined Fox Trail in 2021 and started conducting tours soon after. Having been on many boring brewery tours in the past, I was prepared for an academic recitation of facts, only to discover Broder takes an altogether different approach with the tours she conducts at Fox Trail.

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Fox Trail Distillery in Rogers is the only distillery in northwest Arkansas and offers a stylish tasting room.

“I’m an entertainer at heart,” she said. “I try to give my groups a fun and interactive experience. If people show up and seem uninterested, I can turn them around fairly quickly. The key is knowing what types of personalities are on the tour and understanding how to talk to each of them so that everyone feels like they had a good time in the end.”

We started the tour at the bar. The room was starting to fill with people, many of whom huddled in cozy round booths that flanked the room. Couches and leather chairs spread throughout, providing patrons with ample room to connect with their companions under semi-private

cover. Dark colors create a moody environment — an ideal place to settle in for a drink.

A Fox Trail bartender made me a cocktail called Campfire Cornbread, composed of Wild Parallel Straight Bourbon, salted corn syrup and molasses bitters. The finishing touch was a slice of charred corn placed atop the block of ice that chilled the drink. The first sip was laced with nostalgia, as its buttery-caramel flavor reminded me of Werther’s Original candy. I immediately knew I’d need another before my visit was complete.

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As for Fox Trail, its drinks program lures in people who are looking for quality, not quantity, consumption, people for whom flavor and flair are more important than a cheap buzz.

From the bar, Broder led me through a side door and onto the distillery’s production floor.

Hulking copper and stainless steel equipment framed the large space. Fox Trail was equipped by famed German engineer and designer Arnold Holstein. According to Broder, the pieces were fabricated in France and shipped to the U.S. for onsite assembly. They seemed to embody both form and function with their beauty and intended purpose.

Generally, there are three pieces of equipment used in the distilling process. A still is used to heat up a previously fermented liquid so that alcohol will separate and rise as vapor.

Fox Trail uses a hybrid pot-column still to accomplish the task. A condenser cools the heated vapor so it will return to liquid form.

The concentrated alcohol is now known as distillate and the liquid is collected in a receiver flask before it is packaged or moved into barrels.

A 100-gallon gin still produces the distillery’s Artanical Gin. Juniper is the traditional characteristic in gin, but Fox Trail enhances the flavor profile of its version with additional ingredients. Elderberries and gin are macerated in the pot, and a gin basket affixed to the still is loaded with elderflower, lemongrass, lemon balm, rose hip, grapefruit and cucumber. The rising alcohol vapors are infused with the aromas and flavor characteristics of the botanicals before cooling and returning to liquid state.

The still used to make bourbon is significantly larger, at 1,000 gallons. The alcohol coming out of the condenser is separated based on alcohol type and quality, which varies as the temperature rises inside the still. “Heads” come from the beginning of the run and include unpleasant compounds such as acetaldehyde, acetone and methanol.

These elements are not only unpalatable but can also have negative effects on human health.

“Have you ever heard of the old moonshiners going blind?” Broder asked. “If they did, it’s probably because they were drinking the heads.”

The “hearts” is what a skilled distiller has his or her — ahem — heart set on. They contain ethanol and most of the flavors intended for the finished product. “Tails” are the last part of the distillate pulled from the condenser. They tend to be cloudy and bitter and contain a higher amount of fusel alcohol. Fox Trail sends its tails back through

the distillation process to further refine it and collect more hearts.

Of course, distillation is not possible without a fermented liquid with which to begin the process. Making a fermented “wash,” as it is known, is much like making beer. In a combination known as the “mash,” grains are milled and soaked in hot water to convert starches to sugars. The resulting “wort,” or unfermented liquid, is combined with yeast to convert the sugars into alcohol. The outcome is a lowalcohol wash that is ready for distillation.

It is common for modern distilleries to source distillate from other producers. Some package and put their own label on it without modification. Others barrel-age or otherwise alter the distillate with additional ingredients to make it their own. The water used to reduce the alcohol content (a tactic known as “proof down”) can also add nuances not present beforehand, based on local conditions and mineral content and character. Sourcing distillate from other distilleries reduces costs associated with equipment, labor and ingredient-handling and it is usually how new distilleries start in their operations.

Fox Trail uses a neutral grain alcohol acquired from another producer as the base for its Boxley Vodka and the same distillate to make its Artanical, which is distilled a second time at Fox Trail with botanical infusions. Both products are proofed down to mellow the flavors. The vodka settles in at 80 proof, and the gin finishes at 88 proof.

Bourbons currently sold under the Fox Trail label were sourced elsewhere due to the amount of time it takes to properly age a bourbon

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Clockwise from top left: The Campfire Cornbread cocktail is garnished with a slice of charred corn; part of the distillery is two stories tall to accommodate the equipment; Sunshine Broder provided a tour and tasting.

75 percent corn, 21 percent rye and 4 percent malted barley. It is lean, mean and provides a strong punch.

“Do you feel that burning sensation when it goes down?” Broder asked. “That’s what people in the industry call ‘the Kentucky Hug.’” Wild Parallel Toasted Oak Barrel Finish was second in the tasting lineup. The toasted barrel creates more caramel and vanilla characteristics in the finished bourbon. It was much smoother than the straight bourbon whiskey and is perhaps an easier entry point for someone new to bourbon.

Next up was Wild Parallel Guyana Rum Barrel Finish. As Broder pointed out, the rum was strong in the nose but less so on the palate. Any tropical notes one might expect were mild, giving bourbon its proper place on center stage.

Last in the tasting lineup was O’Highlands IX, which is named for the Ozark Highlands. It was aged for 14 years and is intended to be the top shelf option from Fox Trail. The extended aging process resulted in a more refined bourbon that is complex, yet smooth. At 102 proof, the limited-run product is also deceptively strong and definitely intended to be sipped slowly while savoring a special moment.

“We see this as something you get out for special occasions,” said Broder. “It should be something you’re proud to share with your friends.”

In between sips, Broder shared that she sees different types of people on her tours. Some are from out of town, while others live close to the distillery. She gets serious bourbon fans from time to time, as well as the occasional tour filled with bachelor party revelers. Many tour participants are simply curious about how intoxicating elixirs are made.

For non-tour attendees, Fox Trail is a place for a sophisticated date or a lowkey meetup with friends. The lights are dim and the space is cozy.

This type of environment is increasingly popular in Benton County, where the demographic trends older than the one in Fayetteville where the college crowd rules the roost.

“There are still a few bars in Fayetteville where they are serious about cocktails, but for the most part, the young people down there just want a Red Bull and vodka,” Broder said, and she should know. She has lived in Fayetteville since arriving at the University of Arkansas in the mid-90s.

She even worked at the legendary Common Grounds on Dickson Street from 1998 to 2000.

“It was probably the best bar in town back then,” she said. “The people that worked there really cared about the environment they created for their customers — and we made great cocktails too.”

She listed Maxine’s Taproom, Vault, Leverett Lounge and Atlas as some of her current Fayetteville favorites that are still dedicated to the art of mixing a decent drink.

As for Fox Trail, its drinks program lures in people who are looking for quality, not quantity, consumption, people for whom flavor and flair are more important than a cheap buzz. An apple cinnamon spritz made with Boxley Vodka, Laird’s Applejack, apple juice, prosecco and Topo Chico has a special allure as does a cold brew martini constructed with Fox Trail’s Oak & Bean Coffee Liqueur, Boxley Vodka, locally-roasted cold brew, simple syrup and Angostura bitters. The combinations are countless at Fox Trail, and the drink menu is ever-changing.

“This is what happens when you bring in a bunch of incredibly skilled craft bartenders,” Broder said. “Our primary goal is producing and distributing our spirits, but something special is happening here inside the distillery.”

Based on what I experienced at Fox Trail, I completely understand her sentiment. There is something to be said for a moody yet mature venue that slings delightful drinks. Just be sure not to ask your bartender for a Red Bull and vodka when you pay your visit.

(typically between four and 12 years), but the distillery has been making its own wash and producing whiskey distillate since it opened in 2019.

In its first year of operation, 175 barrels were filled for aging. Those barrels — and many more — are currently sitting inside the barrel storehouse next to the distillery. The facility is capable of holding more than 5,000 barrels when fully loaded. Patience is a virtue in distilling, and the bourbon Fox Trail has produced in Rogers is patiently waiting to make its debut.

As we moved back over to the distillery for a tasting of Fox Trail’s various bourbon products, Broder gave me the rundown on the five rules governing bourbon while setting up several small cups for samples.

The first and most important rule is that bourbon must be made in the United States. Much like champagne (which must be made in a specific part of France), bourbon is region-specific. The other rules are as follows: bourbon must be aged in a brand-new American white oak charred barrel for at least two years.

“I think the oak lobbyists pushed that through the rules committee,” Broder said.

The mash recipe must contain at least 51 percent corn. The spirit must be under 160 proof coming off the still, under 125 proof going into a barrel and 80 proof or higher going into the bottle.

Fox Trail’s Wild Parallel Straight Bourbon Whiskey is just that — straight bourbon whiskey. Reverse osmosis water was used to proof it down before being placed in barrels, nothing more. The mash bill is

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recipe

A WINNER

By AMY GRAMLICH// Photos By AMY GRAMLICH

WINNER DINNER Warm The soul with some homemade chicken orzo soup

January in Arkansas often means hunkering down indoors with a hearty meal. This chicken orzo soup is a great soup to add to a winter soup rotation. With its flavorful broth, tender chicken and chewy orzo, this soup is simple to prepare.

It is also a budget-friendly meal that is great for using up leftover chicken and veggies.

The necessary ingredients are quite straight-forward, while the recipe process is simple and quick. Armed with a stockpot and a handful of ingredients, this chicken orzo soup can be on the table in about 30 minutes.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF THIS SOUP

A rather healthy soup to kick off the new year, this dish is absent of cream fillings and cheese, making for a light soup in comparison to many others. Additionally, carrots provide vitamin A, vitamin C and fiber and the celery brings a boost of vitamin K and various other antioxidants. Of course, the protein in this meal comes from the chicken.

HOW TO PREPARE THE CHICKEN FOR SOUP

As with most dishes, there is more than one way to prepare the chicken. Boiling the chicken might seem like the easiest way to many, while sauteing the chicken adds an extra layer of flavor to the soup.

While the recipe here calls for boiled chicken, some might prefer to take time to saute the chicken in a bit of olive oil for added flavor.

When pinched for time, you can always use store-bought rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked chicken you may have stored in the freezer.

SUBSTITUTIONS TO TRY WITH CHICKEN ORZO SOUP

The fantastic thing about soups is they can be altered to fit one’s needs and tastes. This soup is no exception. Here are some suggestions for changing things up.

• Using turkey instead of chicken is a great way to use up leftover holiday turkey that may be in the freezer.

• No celery? Add in green beans, spinach or green peas for color instead.

• Instead of carrots, try sweet potatoes, red peppers or yellow zucchini.

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VARIATIONS OF SEASONINGS AND FLAVORS

While this soup is perfectly satisfying with basic seasonings, cooks may wish to play up the flavors a bit with some favorite everyday seasonings and spices.

Lemon is a popular flavoring for chicken soup. The acidity of lemon juice is known to brighten flavors when added to dishes. When adding lemon to the soup, it is best to juice and zest one or two lemons to add at the end of the cooking process — right as the pot is removed from the heat.

As for seasonings, extra oregano, a spicy TIPS garlic pepper blend, turmeric, Cajun spices, • Cooks can simmer the soup for or simple red pepper flakes can add a flavor longer to increase the flavor. Just twist to this dish. cover it after adding the vegetables and seasonings and simmer for an PREPPING IN ADVANCE additional hour or two. Then wait This particular soup lends itself well to to add the pasta near the end of the advance prep. Cooks can prepare it on the simmer time. weekend for an easy lunch or dinner to have during the week. Because the orzo tends to • Those who like more chicken flavor absorb the broth, cooks might prefer to add can also add a few chicken bouillon in the orzo when reheating on the stove top cubes to the soup mixture after all during the week. This will prevent the broth veggies and seasonings have been from disappearing into the pasta. added.

Those who choose to prepare the soup with the orzo included from the beginning will likely need to add a bit more broth or water when reheating because much of the broth will have been absorbed.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH CHICKEN ORZO SOUP

As with many soups, this chicken orzo soup pairs wonderfully with a side salad, crackers or slices of crusty bread.

BEST BREADS FOR SOUP • Artisan sourdough breads • Baguettes • French bread loaves

INGREDIENTS • 1 pound chicken breast, chopped • 6 cups chicken broth • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 2 carrots, peeled and chopped • 2 stalks celery, chopped • ½ yellow onion, chopped • 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta • 1 teaspoon garlic powder • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning • 1/4 cup chopped parsley • Salt and pepper to taste STEPS FOR MAKING CHICKEN ORZO SOUP • In a large dutch oven or stockpot, heat chicken and chicken broth to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.

• Remove chicken and transfer to a cutting board. Chop chicken into small chunks.

• While the chicken and broth are simmering, chop the carrots, celery and onion. Then heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Cook the vegetables, stirring occasionally, until tender.

• Add vegetables, pasta and seasonings to the dutch oven or pot, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer for 10 to 12 minutes or until pasta is tender.

• Add chicken and chopped parsley to the soup, then simmer for 15 minutes.

• Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.

• Focaccia • Rye bread • Cornbread

As January brings the chilly air, settle in with a steaming pot of this simpleyet-satisfying chicken soup with orzo and vegetables.

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Servings: 6 Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 45 minutes

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food

Welcome Home Chef-inspired restaurants feed a community while helping rescue a neighborhood

By Dwain Hebda

T

hese days, on almost any night of the week, downtown Benton is the place to be. Not long ago a veritable ghost town, the shops and storefronts throughout the neighborhood gleam with fresh merchandise.

Around one corner, the scene is particularly lively. People gather for dinner and drinks at one of three restaurants that are helping to lead the neighborhood’s comeback. Laughter mixes with the delicious aromas while friends and friends-tobe enjoy each other’s company.

As usual, Heather Baber-Roe is in the middle of the action. The longtime restaurateur and chef drove her stake into the ground here in 2020 with the second location of Baja Grill, a Mexi-Cali corner institution in Little Rock’s Heights neighborhood. She followed that up with Rōber :: Cocktails + Culinary in 2022 and the aptly named Revival :: Restaurant + Beer Garden last spring. The trio of eateries, along with Valkyrie Axe Throwing, are co-owned by Heather’s husband, Craig and operate under the collective title, the Taco Society, but the locals who crowd in there night after night simply call them their own.

“The people in downtown Benton thank me all the time.

It’s very nice,” Baber-Roe said. “They’re like, ‘You just created this community.’ The guests will just walk around and talk to each other. They’ll pop over to Baja and they see their friends, and then they’ll go over to the bar at Rōber, go out to the beer garden. Like, it’s just this compound. We call it the South Street Entertainment District — that’s what we’ve named ourselves — and that’s kind of what it is because everybody’s all around all three of those spaces. It’s super fun.”

Baber-Roe’s community got its start years ago as a Baja Grill food truck. Frustrated by Little Rock’s labyrinth of rules dictating where and when a truck could operate, she found Benton officials more than happy to let her do her thing from a choice spot on Military Road. The gesture backfired on Benton in a way, when the popularity of the truck

Heather Baber-Roe

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led Baber-Roe to open its brick-and-mortar in Little Rock more than a decade ago, and one day city leaders decided to do something about it.

“The [Benton] mayor and the city developer walked into the Heights location one day,” she said. “They said, ‘We’re here to bring you back to Benton. What can we do?’

“They said, ‘There’s a couple who’s going to buy a building in downtown Benton and renovate it, and we want an anchor restaurant.’ That idea was a little scary at the time because we didn’t have management in place, and we had two kids at home, but they were going to build it out for us, so we said this is a better deal than we’re going to get anywhere else.”

Baja Grill Benton embodied the “If you build it, they will come,” trope. Despite opening in the middle of 2020, a year more notable for its restaurant closings than grand openings, the spot enjoyed two-and-a-half-hour waits for take-out from the minute it opened. Baber-Roe laughs at the memory now, but at the time, it was terrifying.

“Baja in Benton was scheduled to open, everything was going as planned, and [the COVID-19 pandemic] happened. When dining rooms shut down, we also shut down our Heights restaurant,” she said. “The wheels here were already in motion, so you couldn’t really stop it. We were working, like, 17 hours a day, assembling tables, chairs, trying to get this restaurant open because in our mind we’re thinking, ‘They’re going to reopen dining rooms any minute, and everything’s going to go back to normal.’ As we know, that didn’t happen.

“We had these two spaces, and no one in them. What are we going to do? We figured Little Rock had a lot of places that would reopen, but we were going to be the new kids in town [in Benton], and they’ve waited five years for us to come back.

We thought it would behoove us to open this one instead of the Heights. Obviously, I couldn’t train a new staff in a restaurant where I can’t open a dining room, so I called the Heights crew, and I said, ‘Would you all be willing to drive to Benton and help us get this one open?’ The Heights crew was like, ‘We will do whatever you need us to do. We’ll be there.’”

The runaway success of Baja Grill quickly led to an opportunity to open Rōber because the building owners and landlords, who briefly dipped their toe into the restaurant business, wanted out. For Baber-Roe, it represented a kind of culinary homecoming.

“I get to cook one night a week at home for my family, and that’s Sunday dinners, and Rōber’s menu is everything that I’ve cooked for those Sunday dinners. It’s just food from home,” she said. “I always wanted [Rōber’s] menu to go into an old church, but I could never find one. This came up, and I guess the universe was like, ‘Oh, you said “old church.” I thought you said “old doctor’s office building.”’ It’s a terrible layout for a restaurant, but we make it work and try to make it look cool.”

Revival capped the trio of eateries bringing in creative cocktails and bar food elevated by a chef ’s touch.

“Revival, there’s something about that vibe,” Baber-Roe

A trio of eateries in downtown Benton has become an entertainment hub that anchors the community and contributes to the area’s revival.

said. “It’s in the back of the building, and there’s no door to the outside, and there’s no windows to the outside, so it’s a little darker, and the staff is a little more rough around the edges than the Baja and Rōber crews. It’s just American fare, and there’s so many things to choose from. If you’re with your family or a group of friends, and if somebody wants wings but somebody wants a pizza or pasta, there’s everything on the menu.

“It’s just kind of a cool thing to be there. Everything is so good and has so much flavor, and it’s got the beer garden. All of it is connected. If you walk outside of Rōber’s terrace, you swing open that gate and you’re in Revival’s beer garden. It’s super fun to have all three of those on property.”

Together, the restaurant trinity creates a happening of sorts in

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“‘We’re all in this together; let’s make downtown Benton the best it can possibly be.’ It’s a group effort, for sure.”

the downtown district, a kind more familiar to a college town than a former bedroom community coming into its own.

“What the downtown neighborhood looked like in 2020 versus 2023, it’s just crazy. It’s so fun now,” Baber-Roe said.

“I was terrified the day that the lease was signed because I’m driving through, and I’m like, ‘What the hell? What are we doing?’ and now, it’s so fun to walk down there, and you hear music, and it’s decorated. It’s so much better.”

Baber-Roe appreciates the town’s rebirth on a different level than most because it mirrors her own. Growing up in Caddo Gap and Glenwood, her family owned a local barbecue joint that started her career in food. Moving to Little Rock, she got her sea legs working for longtime Little Rock restaurateur Jerry Barakat.

“I worked for him for 11 years, basically, wherever he needed me — Jasmine’s, Gaucho’s, Arthur’s,” she said. “I spent most of my time at Arthur’s.”

She also spent a lot of time in the bottle, a habit she kicked five years ago but one that, in a perverse way, contributed to her career as a chef.

“When I was working for Jerry, it was in management, and it was in front-of-house. There was no cooking at the time,” she said. “I did not learn to cook until I was probably in my mid-30s. As an alcoholic, I went through party phases

Baber-Roe has helped transform downtown Benton from a ghost town to a hot spot in just a few years. and recluse phases, and there was a time when I just stayed in my apartment. I’ve always loved food, and it was like, if I had a certain flavor in my head that I wanted to eat, I would try to recreate that. I was literally in a phase of my alcoholism where drinking and cooking was all I did.”

Baber-Roe still creates dishes the way some musicians play by ear, starting with a taste and building a dish around it. That even goes for the cocktail menu, which she built from scratch, relying on smell, color and the palate of memory.

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“My staff will say that it reminds them of watching Ratatouille,” she said. “I’ll just be sitting there when I come up with something in my head that I want to do, and I just try to figure out how to do it.

I own probably 130 cookbooks, and I’ve never made a recipe from them, not even once. I just love having them.”

Baber-Roe’s commitment to her latest chapter struck a note of finality two years ago when she moved her residence from Little Rock to Benton and immersed herself in the community renaissance that is still playing out here. Time and sobriety have given her valuable perspectives on the nature of her work and the importance of balance.

Being the life of the party does not mean what it used to, she said, and thank heaven for it.

“I always loved working in restaurants up until there was a certain point when I didn’t,” she said. “I was like, ‘This just takes your whole life. I don’t want to do this.’ I didn’t have the same passion for it, and I got out of it for six months before it just kind of sucked me back in. I told Craig that I would be involved with Baja for six to 12 months, just to kind of get it to a good spot, and then I would leave. Well, Baja will turn 12 years old in January.

“I’ve always been a workaholic, but when I stopped drinking, it definitely made me a better employer and a better restaurant owner, a better cook, a better bartender. Everything changed about six months after I got sober. Baja struggled for a little bit. Like, the first few years, it struggled. Once I got sober, six months into it, that was my focus and everything just changed. I was really trying to work on myself and being better at everything.”

As her presence in Benton enters its fourth year, Baber-Roe finds herself in the best of all possible places. Yes, there has been some tinkering to get into step with the community in terms of lunch crowds versus dinner, but with that accomplished, she finds herself doing what she loves most surrounded by people who care about a place she has rapidly adopted as home.

“I lived in the Heights for, like, 20 years and moved here two years ago. I think a lot of people are coming this way. Rōber, I think, is 80 percent Little Rock guests, maybe 85 percent,” she said.

“Something that has been very noticeable is the housing down here.

Our guests are buying houses to be downtown, super cute old houses. Part of the draw to live down here are the restaurants and the pride everybody has in their downtown businesses and working to draw more people in.

“The fact that we’re all trying to do it as a group and not just as an individual, every-man-for-himself type of thing has been really nice to see. Some nights, if the restaurants die down early, I’ll just go walk around, and you see the people out, all ages, families, people walking their dogs. I really enjoy it. There is just kind of a different sense, like the homeowners and the business owners are kind of like, ‘We’re all in this together; let’s make downtown Benton the best it can possibly be.’ It’s a group effort, for sure.”

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The three restaurants run the gamut from Mexican-fusion to home cooking to pizza and more.

Baja Grill 224 W. South St., Benton 5923 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, eatbajagrill.com Rōber :: Cocktails + Culinary 302 W. South St., Benton, eatrober.com Revival :: Restaurant and Beer Garden 226 W. South St., Benton, eatrevival.com Valkyrie Axe Throwing 234 W. South St., Benton, valkyriebenton.com

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LIVE MUSIC & OVER 40 BEERS

AWARD-WINNING MENU

DOWNTOWN, BENTON EATREVIVAL.COM

Come talk to the experts!

The Canyon Timbers • Deep bark text • Detailed char areas • Heat-rated vented logs • Sizes 21” to 36” • Natural or LP gas • Installation available • Single side and See-thru available 19650 I-30, Benton congofp.com

501.316.4328

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COMMITTED TO PROVIDING YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS WITH SUPERIOR SERVICE AND EXPERTISE AND TO MAKE IT THE MOST MEMORABLE PURCHASE OF YOUR LIFE.

DIONE JESSUP (501) 209-6164 DIONEJESSUPREALTOR@GMAIL.COM

Benton Office- 2023 Military, Benton, AR 72015 (501) 316-4088 43

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section header

SMALL Town, Big OPTIONS

By KELLI REEP // Photos provided

44

BENTON

Benton reinvents itself from bedroom community to first-choice location

T

he first tourist in Benton, was Hernando deSoto. A Spanish explorer, deSoto found the area rich with rivers, woodlands and vast opportunity when he traversed the area in 1541. It was not until 1833, when Benton became a settlement, and 1836, when it was formally chartered (and Arkansas became a state), that Benton began to take full advantage of its location in the center of the state and all the resources it would come to realize were available to it.

Today, Benton is a thriving community that continues to attract major retail and restaurant chains, as well as growing small businesses in its own downtown square and throughout the city. Once known as the aluminum capital when Alcoa and Reynolds plants were in operation, Benton is now establishing its reputation for being a welcoming small town with every big city option available.

Talking with Gary James, president and CEO of Benton Area chamber of commerce, is like speaking to an old friend. A man of easy demeanor and affable personality, James understands what attracts people to live, work, worship and stay in communities such as Benton.

“We have city leaders with a vision who listen to residents,” James said. “We prioritize the safety of everyone who lives, works and visits here and uses our streets, attends our schools and utilizes our businesses.”

One way the city of Benton has implemented its safety plan is to position a school resource officer in each of the 11 public schools within its city limits. To date, there are nine resource officers in schools, in addition to a captain and sergeant.

“Having their presence in our schools allows parents to feel better about the safety of their children while they are in school,” said Tom Farmer, Benton mayor. “In addition to our incredible educators, the school resource officers have become a fixture to our students and their families.”

Farmer also noted the city’s fire and police departments are consistently in the city’s public schools, teaching about safety, putting on programs, and talking with students about safety at school, home and in the community.

“Next year, our city will be fully staffed,” Farmer said. “It will be the first time in 20 years to have not only a fully staffed fire and police department, but we’ll also have all the positions filled in our parks and other departments. People are seeking us out now for employment. We are a place people want to work because we are collaborative and so team oriented.”

According to a 2021 feature in Money magazine, Benton was the 33rd best place to live in the United States. It was the leastexpensive place to own a home on that list, and the overall cost of living in Benton ranks among the lowest of any place the magazine considered.

“Benton used to be a place where you went to school, then went off to college and never came back,” Farmer said. “Today, we are seeing more families moving into Benton because of the amenities we offer, as well as children who grew up here coming back and building their futures because they can find work here or have the option of living where they want and working remotely.

“We have so much to offer, and we are located just a short drive from Little Rock and Hot Springs, that citizens can have the best of everything right where they grew up.”

That includes an exploding business scene that incorporates everything from retail to health care options to bespoke and bigbox restaurant chains. According to Farmer, it is the businesses in Benton that established its foundation and would not let it fade.

“When Alcoa and Reynolds began to shut down and people started to move away, our businesses made a decision to stay, no matter what,” he said. “The resiliency of our small-town business owners, who made sure they wouldn’t give up and maintained a never-quit attitude, is what solidified our commercial sector.

“When the plants closed and the rest of the businesses in our downtown left, [businesses] like Posey’s Automotive and Gingles refused to do so. They remained persistent and consistent and kept their doors open no matter what.”

“There were a lot of empty storefronts downtown on the square, but today there are none,” James said. “As soon as one becomes available, a business is moving in. We have a Rock N Roll Sushi on the square, along with White’s Furniture. It’s a great mix of established small businesses with national chain offerings.”

James also explained how Benton’s location is a significant draw for tourists both near and far.

“Interstate 30 is our Main Street,” he said. “It’s located right in the center of our city. We are right in the center between Little Rock and Hot Springs, and we’re in the center between Memphis and Dallas.

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aymag.com

“I go back to something the mayor always says: this is where your home is, whether you were raised here or moved here.”

— Gary James, president and CEO of the Benton Area Chamber of Commerce

“For the people who live here, they have everything a bigger city can offer so they don’t have to look outside of the city limits for goods or services. For those visiting or traveling through, they can find shopping, restaurants, museums and plenty of things to do outdoors while they’re here.”

Being so family oriented, the city of Benton is focusing on improving and creating amenities for children and adults alike. With the Saline River flowing through it, Benton has ample opportunities to take advantage of its natural aspects. Stephanie Jones, director of the city’s parks and recreation department, explains how the department’s mission enhances the city’s overall appeal.

“We work to provide and maintain quality parks and green spaces, as well as offer enriching recreation activities to our residents,” she said. “Not only will these initiatives enhance our citizens’ health and well-being, but they also will promote economic vitality. We have the farmers market, two lakes, a river and tons of parks. There is plenty to do, and we are planning to add much more by 2040.”

One of the parks Jones mentioned is Tyndall Park, which is almost 25 acres and includes the Gene Moss Building, a 1,500-square-foot multi-purpose building that includes a fullservice kitchen, ice machine, restrooms, stage area, tables and chairs. Also there are five youth softball fields, a concession stand, two gazebos, seven pavilions, four tennis courts, two basketball courts, the 500-seat Juli Busken Memorial Amphitheater, a skate park, a splash pad and a walking trail.

Riverside Park, which is just off the east side of Interstate 30 and borders the Saline River, includes the senior activity center, the River Center, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Saline County’s Riverside Club, three soccer fields, eight softball fields, eight baseball fields and about three miles of paved walking trail.

“The city of Benton has 13 parks and we are planning to add more,” Jones said. “We have already completed three goals in our 2040 vision, which includes improvements to Lyle Park, which has access to the Saline River and includes a boat ramp and picnic tables; completing six miles of the blueway trail system for walking and biking; and an archery area.

“Our vision for our parks is to address the underutilized natural resources with public access and recreation. This future park system will connect neighborhoods throughout the city, bringing together all the five wards.”

The 2040 Vision for Benton Parks and Recreation calls for 16 miles of new trails for the Saline River Trail and a pickleball and tennis complex that will include 13 full-sized tennis and 15 pickleball courts. Just south of this site will be trails and boardwalks with access to biking facilities. Another complex will be just for soccer and will include six soccer fields, eight disc golf targets and 11,000 linear feet of trail system.

The Saline River Trail provides access to natural areas, as well as the Southwest Trail, which Pulaski, Saline and Garland Counties are working to develop to connect Hot Springs National Park, the Old River Bridge on the Saline River, Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site and the Arkansas River Trail System. According to the Arkansas Department of Transportation, this endeavor will allow pedestrians and bicyclists to safely enjoy outdoor recreation while providing an economic stimulus to local and regional economies.

Benton is also home to a semi-professional soccer club, the Arkansas Wolves which plays its home games at C.W. Lewis Stadium in Benton. The club is made up of a men’s first team that plays in the prestigious National Premier Soccer League, a women’s first team that plays in the United Women’s Soccer Division 1, and a second men’s team that plays in the United Premier Soccer League.

According to the Arkansas Wolves website, the purpose is to model the developmental paths of successful clubs around the world and that of U.S. Soccer by creating additional training and match opportunities for players at other clubs, in two-year age group increments. AWFC recognizes the importance of creating

46

The Benton Event Center and thriving community events ensures there’s always something happening in Benton.

Benton Statistics

Courtesy of U.S. Census Bureau Population (as of July 1, 2022)

additional opportunities by placing players in an environment that will allow athletes of like ability to train together and be coached by the very best in the central Arkansas area.

“Soccer is getting bigger and bigger, and having this resource available will attract more teams and families to our area,” Jones said.

“That means more people staying in our hotels, eating in our restaurants, shopping in our stores and experiencing our amenities. We couldn’t have accomplished any of this without the support of our citizens and the cooperation of our city and county governments.”

A California transplant, Jones singled out support from the community as one of the outstanding attributes of Benton and the catalyst for the positive changes seen here over the years.

“One thing I’ve noticed in this city is we have our residents’ support,” Jones said. “I think that with the mayor’s leadership our departments have been able to build trust with the community, and it has allowed us to progress as a city.

“We’ve already been able to develop a lot in a short amount of time. Our mountain bike park is set to be completed in early 2024, and the archery complex has been completed. We are putting our dollars towards renovations to make sure we upkeep things within the city.”

Farmer also noted additional amenities planned for the city, including a 106-RV park to be completed in the next two years.

Adjoining it will be 19 acres of tent camping sites. Two hotels are making plans to break ground, and four big-chain restaurants are looking for real estate to clear and build upon. He also noted that for the past two to three years, the city of Benton has averaged 350 new home building permits per year.

“I think the No. 1 thing that happens here is everyone works together and works really hard,” James said. “Why do people want to move here and visit here? I go back to something the mayor always says: this is where your home is, whether you were raised here or moved here. We all try to make an effort to say, You’re welcome to be here, and your opinion matters. ‘We depend on each other. To become what we need to be, we must grow together.”

“Growing up in Little Rock and then moving down here 12 years ago, it’s a different world,” said Nikki Chumley, director of the Benton Event Center. “I mean, I tell people all the time how amazing it is here. You get to know the police officers and firefighters and your government leaders. You know who the superintendents are, and they know you by name. It’s a small town with all the big town amenities. There are fewer and fewer things we have to go somewhere else to find.”

36,593

Median age:

37.3 years

Male/female percentage:

48%/52%

Married percentage:

51%

Veterans:

2,268

Seniors:

5,249

HOUSING UNITS – July 1, 2022 Owner-occupied housing unit rate, 2017-2021

66%

Median value of owneroccupied housing units, 2017-2021

$156,700

Median selected monthly owner costs with a mortgage, 2017-2021

$1,232

Median selected monthly owner costs without a mortgage, 2017-2021

$399

Median gross rent, 2017-2021

$901

EDUCATION High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25 or older 2017-2021

91.8%

Bachelor's degree or higher, percent of persons age 25 or older 2017-2021

27.1%

INCOME

47

Median household income (in 2021 dollars), 2017-2021

$60,813

Per capita income in past 12 months (in 2021 dollars), 2017-2021

$31,728

aymag.com

AY’s ARKANSAS

Benton

Bucket List

EAT

HTeaO

Willow & Grace

224 W. South St.

2150 Arkansas 5

111 W. South St.

Blue Heaven Restaurant & Bar

Mama B’s Tea and Coffee

HEALTH/BEAUTY

Baja Grill

15228 Interstate 30

1880 Landers Drive

Blue House Bakery & Cafe

Scooter’s Coffee

305 Progress Drive

1921 Arkansas 5 N.

Chepe’s Mexican Restaurant

RECREATION

17324 Interstate 30

CJ’z Downtown Billiards

A.Q. C Beauty Supply & Salon 2017 Military Road

A+L Aesthetics 109 N. Main St.

Broox Beauty Bar

Chicken Salad Chick

108 W. Sevier St.

20370 Interstate 30 North, Suite 101

Longhills Golf Course

Cotija Mexican Grill

327 Arkansas 5 N.

4754 U.S. 67, Suite 200

Salty Harbor Mini Golf & Fun Park

Dale’s Donuts

17250 Interstate 30 N.

919 Military Road

EVENTS

Roosters Barber Shop

Benton Event Center

120 N. Main St.

17322 Interstate 30 N.

Shear Grace Salon

SHOPPING HOME/FURNITURE/ANTIQUES

122 N. Market St.

All About Blinds

110 N. Market St.

2020 Military Road

Solux Aesthetics

Another Season Home and Garden

149 S. Market St.

520 Alcoa Blvd.

The Oil Shop

Blind Illusions

113 N. Market St.

19863 Interstate 30, No. 5

The Shop

Central Station Furniture Flea Market

115 N. East St.

1209 Military Road

Throwback Cuts

Cleo’s Furniture

102 W. South St.

201 N. Main St.

BUSINESS/SERVICES

Eat My Catfish 1205 Military Road, Suite 7

El Charro 2 1217 Ferguson Drive

Haskell Hilltop Country Kitchen & Store 2020 N. Arkansas 229

Hideaway Pizza 20260 Interstate 30

I Heart Mac & Cheese 20320 Interstate 30 North, Suite 100

Italy in Town 120 N. Market St.

La Hacienda de Benton 17401 Interstate 30

Larry’s Pizza 1204 Salem Road 2313 N. Arkansas 229, Suite C & D

Loblolly Creamery 115 N. Market St.

Lost Pizza Co. 510 Arkansas 5 N.

Main Street Station 303 N. Main St.

Niecy’s 1016 W. South St., Suite 6

Pasta J’s Italian 1314 Green St.

Revival :: Restaurant + Beer Garden 226 W. South St.

Rina’s Kitchen 303 N. Main St.

Riverside Grocery & Catering 4444 Arkansas 5

Rōber :: Cocktails + Culinary 302 W. South St.

Rock N Roll Sushi Benton 119 N. Market St.

Tacos 4 Life 7821 Alcoa Road

Valkyrie Axe Throwing 234 W. South St.

Wood Grill Buffet 1916 Congo Road

Yum Yum Benton 520 Lillian St.

BEVERAGES

7 Brew Drive Thru Coffee 1415 Military Road

Grindhead Coffee - Benton 303 N. Main St.

Koffee with a Kause 210 Ashley St.

Congo Fireplace & Patio 19650 Interstate 30

Ferguson’s Furniture 1200 Ferguson Drive

GW Lighting & Home 1225 Military Road

Johnston’s Home Center 1421 Military Road

McClendon’s Appliance 811 W. South St.

White Furniture Company 206 S. Market St.

CLOTHING/ACCESSORIES Evie Brooks Boutique 104 W. Conway St.

Nelson’s Jewelers 1312 Military Road, Suite 1

Rhea’s Men’s Clothing Store 128 N. Market St.

SOCO 117 W. South St.

Sparks Fine Jewelry & Gifts 109 N. Market St.

Stated Apparel 145 W. South St.

Tantrums 105 N. Main St.

The Corner Downtown 101 N. Main St.

This Little Piggy 119 W. South St.

True Boutique 104 W. South St.

Urban Emage 101 N. Main St.

Wild Boutique 102 N. Market St.

123 N. Main St.

Downtown Nutrition Loft 107 N. Main St.

Holly’s Dazzling Designs 11230 Thompson Dairy Road

Shear Impressions Salon

Renew Creative by Shelby Layne 603 Pope Drive

FLOWERS/GIFTS

501 Faire Home Goods & Gifts 114 N. Market St.

Flowers & Home 20400 Interstate 30 N. Frontage Road

Oh Hey Bouquet 207 W. South St.

Pretties & Grace 1218 Military Road

The Flower Cart 318 S. Main St.

Twigs Flower Shop 113 S. South St.

The Frame Maker 1219 Military Road, Suite 3

ARTS/HOBBIES/ENTERTAINMENT Cinemark Tinseltown USA 17314 Interstate 30

Gann Museum 218 S. Market St.

My Craft Source 1423 Military Road

Paradise Pets 116 N. Market St.

Retro Rose 113 E. Sevier St.

Shoppach House Museum 503 N. Main St.

Sport Shop of Benton 1212 Military Road, Suite A

The Bed-Warmer Quilt and Sew 17270 Interstate 30, Suite 9

The Royal Theatre 111 S. Market St.

3C heck off the Benton Bucket List as you visit a small sample of our favorite places.

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F

or Wade Partridge and Mariner Wealth Advisors, smart financial planning is about more than just the money — it is about the people and the purposes that money can serve.

Partridge joined the Mariner team as a senior wealth advisor in 2023 and brings more than 30 years of experience in the financial industry, including founding his own firm, Partridge Wealth, LLC. “Financial planning and wealth management are a very important part of every family’s life,” Partridge said. “They educate their children about finances, or they want to retire comfortably or have an impact on the community through philanthropy.”

For Mariner Wealth Advisors, a national firm that previously had no footprint in Arkansas, Partridge’s deep local roots have allowed the company to hit the ground running when it comes to serving the people of Benton, Saline county and beyond. He is an active volunteer and member of First United Methodist Church and has served on the boards of the Benton-Bauxite Rotary Club, Saline County Boys and Girls Club and the Benton Area Chamber of Commerce.

“I love Benton. It’s a wonderful community that gives people a lot of opportunities,” Partridge said. “It's got great quality of life, great schools and it’s a great place for growing a small business. We’ve got a lot going for us here in Benton.”

As they continue to grow the firm’s presence in the Natural State, Partridge and the team at Mariner are committed to helping people Wade Partridge achieve the financial freedom they need to invest in the causes that 501-746-0112 are most important to them.

360° Advice Designed to Last

marinerwealthadvisors.com

Wade Partridge 501-746-0112 | marinerwealthadvisors.com

360° Wealth Advice Designed to Last

We offer customized wealth management strategies to help you grow and preserve your assets, navigate life-changing events and share your wealth with loved ones.

Wade Partridge 501-746-0112 | marinerwealthadvisors.com Mariner Wealth Advisors (“MWA”) is an SEC registered investment adviser with its principal place of business in the State of Kansas.

Registration of an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. MWA is in compliance with the current notice filing requirements imposed upon registered investment advisers by those states in which MWA maintains clients. MWA may only transact business in those states in which it is notice filed or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from notice filing requirements. Any subsequent, direct communication by MWA with a prospective client shall be conducted by a representative that is either registered or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration in the state where the prospective client resides. For additional information about MWA, including fees and services, please contact MWA or refer to the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website (www.adviserinfo.sec.gov). Please read the disclosure statement carefully before you invest or send money.

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“Family Owned and Customer Friendly” is more than a phrase - it is the foundation of the Everett business. After working in the automotive industry for more than 30 years, Dwight and Susie Everett founded the Everett Automotive Group in 2006 with one dealership, Everett Buick GMC. The group expanded in Saline County and now includes Everett Chevrolet, Everett Ford, and Everett Infiniti of Central Arkansas. In 2022, Everett Volkswagen was opened in Rogers.

With outstanding customer service records at each dealership, it is clear that Everett’s mission truly sets the group apart as a family owned and customer friendly dealership. Customers continue to return for maintenance in the service department and for future vehicle purchases.

Family-owned means there are people in the business who have a vested interest not only for the business to succeed but also to have the best reputation a business could possibly have. Everett is committed to giving back and improving the local community since 2006. The group supports local community events and organizations every year including Boys & Girls Clubs of Saline County, Benton School District, Benton Fire Department, Benton Police Department, Saline Memorial Hospital, Saline County Career & Technical Campus, Women Equipped, The Royal Theatre, Habitat for Humanity, and many more.

EVERETTBGMC.COM

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FAMILY OWNED, CUSTOMER FRIENDLY!® 51

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SOLUTION On every level, Benton’s resurgence is clearly on display

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By DWAIN HEBDA // Photos provided

ennifer Donnor is a Benton girl through and through. For nearly two decades, she worked at the local hospital as a nurse, a career spent patching up and repairing people, both the ones she saw at the grocery store or church and for the first time in the harsh light of a hospital room.

For all of that, she could not shake the desire to want to heal the broken spirit that had slowly, gradually settled over her beloved hometown like soot, suffocating any hopeful view of the future.

Finally, she could not take it any longer and, seeking to make a change both in her career and community, she opened The Oil Shop at the town square. It must have looked like quite the gamble back then, as raggedy as the city’s core had become, but Donnor saw only opportunity “It was just home. It’s home, and it’s my community, and I know a lot of the people here,” she said. “The building that I rented, I worked with a friend of mine in it 20 years ago when it was a flower shop. I was already familiar with the building and with the jewelry store next door.”

Today, Donnor is considered one of downtown’s pioneering retailers whose unshakable faith has helped spark a renaissance in the Saline County town. No longer conspicuous by her presence, she shares the neighborhood with multiple new retailers and bustling restaurants, one of which, Italy In Town, she owns with her son.

“I love to see the revitalization, especially in the downtown area, because things were really run down when I first opened The Oil Shop,” she

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The Oil Shop is just one of the local retailers gracing Benton’s downtown square.

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summer. All the merchants stay open late. We have food trucks brought in. We have face painting and different themes each month. We have thousands of people that come downtown, and we block off the streets, and people just walk around.”

RJ Hawk is a more recent business tenant downtown and, compared to Donnor, in the city itself. The Texas native came to the Natural State to attend the University of Central Arkansas in Conway who was later to work in local radio and get married.

“We fell in love with central Arkansas and when we got married, we identified five different cities that we wanted to go to and went and visited every city,” Hawk said. “We decided Bryant was the spot, and we live right on the Benton-Bryant line. We’ve been living here since 2016.”

Hawk, who splits his time between several business ventures, the latest being Realty ONE Group Pinnacle - Bryant, and his first term in the Arkansas House of Representatives, said for everything positive that meets the eye in Benton these days, there are two or three people working behind the scenes to ensure the community’s future.

“I think a big thing is the leadership in the two towns,” he said. “They have the attitude that they want to see people not only live here, but raise their kids here and work here. They’re thinking long term, for sure.”

Hawk said the embodiment of this long-view is the Saline County Career & Technical Campus approved by voters as a means of developing sufficient skilled labor both today and into the future.

“Four-year college is not meant for everybody, right?” he said. “When the leadership, the mayors and the county judge got together, they said, ‘You know what? Our schools are what people move here for, so let’s build a career center and give an option to people that don’t want to go to college.’ You can become a welder. You can become an electrician. You can become a plumber — all these different trades that don’t require a college education. Kids are going straight out of high school to the career center and come out making $100,000 a year. I think that’s a big piece of why we’re seeing growth.”

Hawk said solidifying labor has led industry to take a serious look at the Benton-Bryant corridor, which feeds an influx of people following the jobs. That, in turn, is what makes it possible for the proliferation of shopping and dining that is also going on here, from new land development to resuscitating the city center to adding creature comforts a lot of towns can only dream about.

“For the longest time, Benton and Bryant were always known as outliers to Little Rock. To this day, that’s still somewhat true, but what we’re seeing is more people moving in and saying, ‘We love this. What does it take to get this?’” he said. “Younger residents said we want parks, and if you live in Saline County, you see that parks are tops in Benton and Bryant. Then you go and talk to the older demographic and say, What do you guys want?’

These folks really wanted to see downtown Benton grow, so we had some developers come in and revitalize some buildings that were just dilapidated.

“It makes it sound easy to talk about, and it wasn’t, but it’s been a smashing success. We don’t want to be known as anybody’s bedroom communities anymore.”

Wade Partridge, owner of Mariner Wealth Advisors, is another lifetime Benton resident who has found a lot to like in his hometown of late. Like Donnor, he has ridden

said. “When we all started working on the downtown businesses, we all got out and painted them and spruced them up, and it’s made a huge difference.”

Given her tenure, it would be easy for Donnor to sit back as one of the grand dames of the square and let the next generation carry the load, but that is not the way it works here. Everyone who does business downtown, it seems, is drawn to the fact that everyone has a responsibility to each other to keep the momentum going.

“We have Facebook groups with just the business owners; just this morning, we were talking about planning an event,” she said. “All the different business owners get in on a chat and throw their ideas out. I’ll open up the restaurant for us to meet in person and talk about it.

“The Third Thursday that we started a few years ago really helped downtown a lot too. It’s a monthly event we have in the spring and

Italy In Town helped start downtown’s revival and is now a popular local spot.

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Looking forward, the city needs to turn its considerable creativity to the issue of attracting labor to fuel job growth and attract new companies.

— Wade Partridge, Mariner Wealth Advisors

high tides and low in his downtown business location, and like Hawk, he is happy with the job city leaders have done to turn things around.

He said the city’s prospects are brighter than he can ever remember and is not shy about saying it.

“I’ve thought about this a lot, and I don’t want to sound touchy-feely, but it feels like something shifted about 10 years ago, and everybody just got on the same page and said, ‘We’re going to make this community special,’” he said. “It’s just that vibe behind this vision of it’s unacceptable that there are empty buildings in our downtown, so let’s do something about it. It’s unacceptable that we have to drive to Little Rock for dinner, so let’s do something about it. We don’t have a community center? OK, let’s do something about that.

“We have one of the best chambers of commerce I’ve ever seen, and they do a great job of promoting the city. The Benton Event Center, which is out on the interstate, when we built that I don’t think anybody envisioned how much that would bring to this community. There is something at that event center every single week that brings new people to Benton. When they’re here, they go to our restaurants, and they stay in our hotels, and they spend money in our shops.”

Looking forward, Partridge said the city needs to turn its considerable creativity to the issue of attracting labor to fuel job growth and attract new companies. Like Hawk, he said the county career center was a leap of faith by the taxpayers that is likely to figure prominently in the city’s fortunes for years to come.

“We need to recruit industry. I’m not talking about a Toyota plant, but the 50- to 100-employee businesses, and to do that, we have to ensure they can find the labor they need,” he said. “We, as a community, should be going out and recruiting those firms who can be the next small and midsize business success stories.

“Getting these would raise the overall standard of living because they support your schools. They support your churches. They support your nonprofits. We have the land, and we own our utilities, so we have the ability to negotiate rates for economic development. I think that’s the next thing.”

Delicious, chef-inspired fare awaits diners at Italy In Town.

Back downtown, Donnor awaits another dinner rush and smiles. She did not expect to be in the restaurant business, but when the owner of Italy In Town, Raul Santos, a beloved local figure known to locals as Chico, died from COVID-19, she could not bear to see the place close.

She and her son run it now as much as a tribute to the never-say-never attitude of the neighborhood as to the memory of its late founder.

“It just gives me so much pride and joy to be a part of downtown, in particular. We’re like a family down here. If anybody needs anything, we just pop our head in the next business,” she said. When asked what is still missing from the neighborhood, she grinned broadly and uttered something ghost towns never have to think about but which speaks loudest about Benton’s prosperous new chapter.

“More parking,” she said. “That’s our No. 1 complaint, people having to park two blocks away and walk. You just kind of get used to it, but a parking deck would be amazing.”

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Proudly serving our community since 1966, our familyowned business offers unique, high quality furniture that provide an exceptional value to your home.

(501) 315-7482 | 206 S Market St. Benton, AR 72015 | www.whitefurniturecompany.com 56

Located in Benton, Stated Apparel stands as Arkansas’ premier clothing destination, offering a range of premium Arkansas-themed apparel and custom clothing. They specialize in locally made brands and boast a diverse collection of clothing and gift items from various outdoor companies, complemented by their unique designs.

Established in 2010, Stated Apparel gained rapid popularity with their incredibly soft Arkansas T-shirts, swiftly expanding their wholesale presence to department stores and boutiques nationwide.

What began as a fun side venture evolved into a thriving enterprise fueled by their commitment to handpicking premium garments that resonate with people.

Their focus now turns to organic growth, especially in the burgeoning downtown areas scattered across Arkansas. These communities, eager to revitalize their downtown landscapes, are met with Stated Apparel’s dedication to providing premium apparel that mirrors their local pride.

As a small business, Stated Apparel actively supports others by offering premium clothing and custom printing services, aiding in boosting their brand visibility. Their mission remains clear: ensuring customer satisfaction by offering great apparel at a great price.

The shirt that started it all This flagship design launched Stated Apparel into offering premium state pride apparel for all fifty states.

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benton

Benton There,

!

That

DONE

Education, medical services elevate community

By DWAIN HEBDA Photos provided

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he decision to live in one community over another may begin with first impressions — the appearance of Main Street, the presence of parks and playgrounds, the commute — but when it gets down to brass tacks, families choose to relocate based on quality of life. This fact underscores the excellent amenities and services that exist in Benton, from the school system to health care to available and affordable housing.

“There is a very strong work ethic in this community, as well in Saline County,” said Larry Smith, assistant superintendent of schools and a Benton native. “Some of that goes all the way back to the years of Reynolds and Alcoa and the hardworking people who were there. That drove an expectation of excellence from the school system in our community.

As a result, our community supports the school system, and we do have a very strong tax base here because of the houses and the businesses.

“What we do is to try to meet the whole array of students and make sure that everybody has the opportunity to be suc-

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cessful in life and be a productive citizen. At the end of the day, that’s really what the job of the school district is, to try to prepare them for whatever they want to do next and that they’re going to be productive when they’re doing it. We try very hard to meet that.”

According to Public School Review, the school district ranked in the top 20 percentile in the state and top 10 percentile in math programs, scoring more than double the state average on standardized tests. U.S. News & World Report also noted Benton High School’s 95 percent graduation rate tied for best in Arkansas.

Smith said one of the most impactful things the school system has done of late is develop a STEM curriculum in

Larry Smith

What we do is to try to meet the whole array of students and make sure that everybody has the opportunity to be successful in life and be a productive citizen. At the end of the day, that’s really what the job of the school district is, to try to prepare them for whatever they want to do next and that they’re going to be productive when they’re doing it. the primary grades to give students a jump start on the skills needed to succeed in a technology-dominant workplace.

“For a long time, we put computer labs in all elementary schools for students to go and do whatever,” he said. “We’ve converted those labs over to science, technology, engineering and math labs so kids have opportunities to get hands-on experiences in that subject matter. The community has helped support that, as well as providing funds for transitioning those things over, so it’s not just the traditional computer lab where you go work on that. You’re getting to experiment and do other things.

“By the time students get to junior high, they have had technology put into their hands, and we let them apply that by doing community projects and things like that. We’re giving those kids skills at a much earlier age and letting them work together and develop things.”

Smith said another example of the commitment taxpayers have for supporting the best in educational opportunities is the Saline County Career & Technical Campus. Opened in 2021, the facility was funded by a temporary sales tax and serves the school districts of Bauxite, Benton and Bryant in Saline County; Glen Rose in Hot Spring County; and Sheridan in Grant County. The facility offers courses in automotive technology, construction, cybersecurity, health sciences, industrial technology, manufacturing, certified nursing assistant training, networking, welding, and heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration. The center allows high school students to earn college credit hours during their junior and senior years.

“The county really went to bat for the Saline County Career & Technical Center. It was really a countywide effort to

Dr. Ajitha Yeluru got to spend some time outside of the clinic at Saline Pediatric Associates with her patients and their mother, Ariel Holloway, during the hospital’s baby fair.

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Alan Schrader

Michael Stewart

Janet Green, clinical tech, provides instructions to a patient in preparation for a computerized tomography scan.

Our motto is we are ‘friends and family taking care of friends and family,’ and the end result of that is a higher quality of care for patients, as evidenced by some of our recent quality recognitions.

a Grade A for patient safety from the Leapfrog Group and one of only three hospitals in Arkansas to be named among America’s top 100 for joint replacement.”

The health system offers medical technology typically found only in much larger hospitals, including robotic surgical assistants. It also employs numerous specialists delivering the latest in care, including Dr. Jean Salem, one of Arkansas’s very few board-certified colon and rectal surgeons, offering some of the most advanced surgical techniques, including performing Saline Memorial’s first transanal minimally invasive surgery.

Stewart said the health system’s ability to attract and retain such medical talent speaks to the quality of life Benton has to offer.

“What we hear most often from our new providers and nursing staff is that they are attracted by the close-knit culture that we have here,” he said. “They love how we support each other and how dedicated we are to serving the people in this community.”

In addition to next-level medical treatment, the health system is also known for its weight-loss clinic, offering patients both surgical and non-surgical options. The bariatric team offers services via satellite clinics in El Dorado and Russellville in addition to the main Benton campus.

The health system’s clinics also play a key role in general wellness services delivered throughout the health system’s footprint.

“We recognize that access to high-quality medical care is a consistently growing need, especially in a rural state like Arkansas, and we are always looking for ways to meet this need,” Stewart said. “We are exploring options to expand some of our services lines in Hot Springs Village, Sheridan and other areas.

“We also do a lot of community outreach, especially in

— Michael Stewart, CEO of Saline Health System meet the business needs of the community,” Smith said. “You have those programs in HVAC which you can’t hardly find good folks to do that, or plumbing or automotive repairs, those kinds of things. Those are all high-need jobs in this community that are lacking employees.”

Benton is also blessed with quality health care, another contributing factor for the community’s recent growth. Saline Health System, part of Lifepoint Health, is anchored by Saline Memorial Hospital providing cutting-edge medical and wellness care to the community.

“One of the advantages of being a community hospital is that we have closer relationships among our team members and also between us and our patients,” said Michael Stewart, CEO. “Our motto is we are ‘friends and family taking care of friends and family,’ and the end result of that is a higher quality of care for patients, as evidenced by some of our recent quality recognitions.

“We are one of only six hospitals in the state to receive

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helping people recognize the symptoms of a stroke through our affiliation with the UAMS [University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences] Institute for Digital Health & Innovation Stroke Program and educating folks about early heart attack care as part of our accreditation as a Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI [primary percutaneous coronary intervention] through the American College of Cardiology.”

Not surprisingly, Benton’s growth, like that of neighboring Bryant, has demanded more residential housing. Construction professionals such as Saline County native Alan Schrader, owner of JW. Landholdings and Shrader Homes, is seeing as brisk an uptick in business as he has seen in the entirely of his 30 years in business.

“Growing up, there was nothing there. Benton has always been the county seat, it has always been a town of business.

We did all of our trading here in Benton if we didn’t go to Little Rock. We never really did that in Bryant,” he said.

“Bryant has come on very strong in the last 25 to 30 years to become what it is now. The difference between the two towns is Benton has deep-rooted traditions of business and the hometown feel with the courthouse. The liveliness of after-hour activity down around the downtown area of Benton has also exploded over the course of the last few years. That’s positive to see.

“As far as the growth here, I’m kind of on the front line of defense when it comes to someone moving to the area.

I get a phone call: ‘Hey, do you want to explore the idea of building a house? What developments do you have? What areas should we be looking at?’ I’m really encouraged by the amount of phone calls that we’ve had. People just want to raise their kids here it seems like.”

Schrader deals in custom homes, which insulates him from the risk of spec development, but he still felt the pinch of supply-chain shortages of the past few years, now normalizing, as well as a more recent lack of buildable lots. Despite this, he expressed faith in city leadership which he said has shown a willingness to encourage land development.

“Both municipalities are very forward-thinking, from the

Wanda Chester visits with Kendra Wilson, APRN, during a visit to Saline Health System’s wound healing center. planning commission to leadership roles and the department heads,” he said. “They are always thinking of how to support expansion and what’s necessary in doing that, so I do feel like we have good leadership in play and the right people in play. I’m encouraged to see that Benton specifically has the real estate and the infrastructure that is being put into play for those outlying areas in the city.

“As a developer, I’m always looking for opportunities rather than just racing out and putting a dozer in a new piece of dirt and laying roads in and utilities. We are encouraged by the growth that we’re seeing. It’s good, positive, steady growth which our infrastructure is still able to keep up with.

I’m encouraged that these opportunities are going to be here for a long time in Saline County.”

Jimi Farrow, 10, and Conner Newton, 9, from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Saline County in Benton got the honor of naming Saline’s robotic surgical assistant (ROSA) by winning the hospital’s Name the Robot contest. The ROSA’s name is now Nicki the Knee Fixer.

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At Summit Utilities, we wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the communities we serve.

Our future depends on healthy, vibrant communities and opportunities for our friends and neighbors to fulfill their potential. That's why community giving is so important to us. Each year we partner with local charitable organizations, schools, industry groups, and our team members to support the betterment of the communities, environment, and people we serve. Connections and alliances in the areas we serve enhance relationships within those communities, and support business development and growth.

SummitUtilities.com/Community

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107 Progress Way 200 | Bryant, AR 72022 | 501.269.7522 RJ Hawk has worn many hats throughout his career. He jumped into radio broadcasting right after college, working for 14 years at 103.7 The Buzz. He is still the lead broadcaster for the High School Football Game of the Week and serves as the lead broadcaster for the Arkansas High School football, basketball and baseball state championships on Arkansas PBS. In addition to proudly representing the people of Alexander, Benton, Bryant and Shannon Hills as a State Representative since 2022, Hawk has also helped raise nearly $500,000 for local charities. Needless to say, Hawk has always been deeply involved in his community — and his approach to real estate is no different.

Alongside the other knowledgeable agents at Bryant’s Realty ONE Group Pinnacle, Hawk has helped scores of longtime and prospective residents find their dream home in central Arkansas. He relishes the opportunity to show people just what Benton, Bryant and the surrounding areas have to offer, and his deep understanding of the local community means that homebuyers can rest assured they are finding the perfect place to put down roots.

RJ Hawk, Principal Broker | Butch Higginbotham, Executive Broker Vanna Barnes, Agent | Aaron Brown, Agent | Michael Treat, Agent | Taylor Velasco, Agent

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out additional paperwork.

You must register in person and provide a copy of the eligibility letter with 23/24 visible to qualify for the discount.

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nonprofit

MORE Than Just a Place Boys & Girls Clubs of Saline County

By JOHN CALLAHAN // Photos provided

Three basketball courts at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Saline County’s Riverside Club serve children from kindergarten to 12th grade.

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he simplicity of the name “Boys & Girls Clubs” makes its purpose easy to guess. At its most basic level, the nationwide organization provides a safe place for children to play and learn.

But that simplicity belies the true scale and importance of the club to communities in places such as Saline County.

“Boys & Girls Clubs of America has been around for over 100 years,” said Chris Richey, CEO for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Saline County. Like so many other noteworthy figures in the county, he himself attended the club as a child. “It started as Boys Club way back when. Then it was in the ’80s that With the support it became the Boys & Girls Club. of sponsors like “This particular club was started in First Security Bank, 1969 and had its original location over by Boys & Girls Clubs the high school. They moved here to this participants can facility in 2017, and it was funded through learn financial and the support of the community of Benton career skills that through a tax initiative, along with the help them through parks and the river center we have here. college and Along with this facility, we have two other beyond. clubs in other locations: the Cedar Mountain Club outside of Hot Springs Village and the Covenant Connections Club that an impressive 50,000-square-foot structure with soaring ceilis actually at the Arkansas Juvenile Assessment & Treatment ings, plenty of natural light and, most surprisingly, airplanes Center at Alexander. We also have the Great Futures Prehanging from the ceiling. There are two largely symmetrical school & Daycare in Hot Springs Village that we operate.” sides to the building split by a gym with three full-sized basAcross its locations, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Saline ketball courts. Kindergarten through fourth-grade students County serves some 500 children each day, whether through reside on one side of the gym, along with the learning center, its after-school and summer programs, the year-round nursart, music and game rooms, and a technology lab. The other ery program, or at the juvenile facility. The staff calls it “diaside is home to fifth- through 12th-graders with similar pers to diplomas,” since a child can be involved with the club classrooms geared towards older students, such as the robotfrom infancy until high school graduation. ics room and the First Security College and Career Center.

The club’s after-school program provides vital services to “We have flag football and soccer in the fall, winter basboth children and parents alike; the parent knows that their ketball, and spring baseball,” said Emmy Rogers, resource child will be safe until they can leave work to pick them up, development director. “Summertime brings a heightened, while the child gets time and space to play, a snack, and the all-hands-on-deck summer program, so there’s not a sport opportunity to participate in a plethora of activities. These that we run at that time, but our sports program [involves] range from academic enrichment programs such as homeabout 1,500 kids annuwork assistance, tutorally between the two ing in reading or math, different clubs. This computer technology Across its locations, the Boys & Girls Clubs of club has been in Saline and even robotics to Saline County serves some 500 children each day, County for 54 years, so programs in the arts, inwhether through its after-school and summer we have a lot of tradicluding painting, music tion and community and dance. programs, the year-round nursery program, support, and we’re suFor older students, or at the juvenile facility. per-privileged to have there are workforce the reputation that we training programs that have and the commumake use of virtual renity that stands behind us.” ality headsets that allow students to see what it is like to do Membership in the club does come with a fee for the welding, electrical work and other hands-on jobs. The club’s after-school or summer programs. There are, however, a summer program cares for children from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 variety of scholarships available (not including two higher p.m. and serves both breakfast and lunch. education scholarships), such as half cost for those who “Then, of course, they can just burn off some energy in the qualify for free and reduced lunch. The staff strives to ensure gym,” Richey said. “Fun and games, whether it’s dodgeball, that cost is never a reason that a child cannot participate, a basketball, volleyball, kickball — all those kinds of things goal made possible thanks to extensive community support. where we just let the kids have fun.”

“The resource development department held a [mail funThe club’s main facility at the Riverside Club in Benton is

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Many important Saline County figures have either had a child in the Boys & Girls Clubs or were once part of it themselves.

draiser] and raised almost $15,000 in scholarships this year, so we try to not ever have to turn anyone away,” Rogers said. “We just did our 45th annual golf tournament, which is the longest-running golf tournament in Saline County. It’s a big day and raises about $45,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs each year.

“We tailor the events to the community that we’re serving; we do a car show, a springtime gala, concerts, a putt-putt tournament, all kinds of fundraisers, even from third parties that want to raise money on our behalf, and we always try to help as much as we can.”

Local sponsors for particular programs are also a major form of support for the club. Everett Chevrolet, for example, sponsors the after-school program, Farmers Bank & Trust supports the current basketball season, and Camp Bow Wow sponsored this year’s fall soccer program.

For the past decade, there has been a particular name and face associated with fundraising at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Saline County: the one and only Justin Moore, country artist.

“I was approached a little over 10 years ago about being a part of their annual fundraiser,” Moore said. “For my wife and I, it was a no-brainer once we were educated on all the great work they do for youth, from helping with school work to feeding kids to providing a safe environment for them to be in.”

Every year since 2013, the country music star and native of the nearby town of Poyen has held a concert for the club that sells out the 1,000 seats in its gym, raising more than $1 million dollars for the organization in that time.

“Growing up, I was fortunate to be raised by two great parents. However, some of my classmates weren’t so fortunate. That’s still the case nowadays,” Moore said. “As a dad of four myself, I always lean towards helping kids because, as cliché as it sounds, children are the leaders of tomorrow.

“The positive impact that the Boys & Girls Clubs has on these kids is lifelong in most cases. I always say if

you change someone’s day, you just may change their life. This happens daily at the club.”

For every celebrity endorsement and high-dollar event, there are dozens of ordinary people who work for, volunteer with or donate to the club to help ensure its success.

“We have an art program, but the program is nothing without the teacher,” Rogers said. “She’s incredible and does everything, like slime, which is a contentious issue because that slime is just messy. She’s a larger-than-life personality that brings a lot of draw to the room for the kids. They want to do the activity part of it, but just like anything else, it’s also who’s doing it and what they bring to the role, so she does a really good job of bringing art to life for the kids and making it a lot of fun so they don’t feel like they’re going to school after school.

“We have a gym, but the gym is nothing without the high school staff that make the kids excited to come every day. We have a food court, but the food isn’t that meaningful except that the person who serves the food every day knows that this kid needs extra because he’s got a sibling at home he needs to feed. It’s the people. We have a staff member that just celebrated their 25th year working here at the Boys & Girls Clubs, and just seeing how much he is loved and how much he’s poured into this has reiterated for me that it really is about the people that are here and the relationships that are built here.

“If the basketballs aren’t bouncy enough and our programs aren’t all run just like a TED Talk, then it’s OK because the relationship is still there, and the kids are still coming to hang out with that mentor or person that they look up to.”

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Funded by a local tax initiative, the facility at Riverside Park in Benton is a physical representation of the community’s deepseated support for the Boys & Girls Clubs.

In addition to staff, the club relies on many other people who agement — and hand-delivered them to the homes of each and volunteer their time and step into the shoes of being a mentor and every current member. role model. The winter basketball season, for example, involves some “It was a really powerful project for me personally,” Rogers said.

700 kids from pre-K to sixth grade, and every team has a volunteer “We obviously didn’t hug anybody or go inside anywhere, we just coach. Many of these volunteers have been coaches for years, and dropped the bag off, knocked on the door and were able to wave at some who once coached for their children are now coaching their them through the car window. I think it was very special to them, too, grandchildren. because there just wasn’t a lot of interaction at that time.

Many of the organization’s fundraisers also rely on volunteers, “I’d worked here for eight years at that point, and I can say that I and businesses often offer activities that pertain to their industry, had never visited every single member’s house, but when I did, everysuch as an engineering firm that helped kids create parachutes for thing became a little more real for me — and not in a heartbreaking toy soldiers that were then dropped from the top floor of the buildway, but just from the good to the bad to the hard and all of these ing and a car dealership that taught kids how to change a tire. things. Just seeing where each of these kids lived and their lives outThe Boys & Girls Clubs of Saline County relies, from top to side of the club deepened the meaning for me of what we do each bottom, on a passionate sense of community and concern for people, day.” and times of adversity, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have often Perhaps the most meaningful part of the job, Richey added, is only sharpened this dedication. seeing the positive impact of giving that little bit of extra care to a “The thing that really sticks out the most to me was during COchild who needs it, whether the child is struggling with class work, VID, when we really had to adapt and figure out different ways that in sports or has special needs. A small amount of care, planning and we could serve kids,” Richey said. “The local school district was doeffort can go a long way in making sure the club is a safe place where ing alternating days, and they were off on Fridays, so we were having such children can enjoy participating as part of a group. Though it is to figure out what that would look like for us to continue to have not part of his duties as CEO, one of Richey’s favorite things to do is an impact. We decided to be open all day on Fridays during that coach kindergarten soccer teams. time. The kids would come in. We would help them with homework, “I’ve been able to have some kids on my teams with special needs,” and because they were doing so Richey said, “and just being able much of their instruction onto watch them participate, be a line and not in the classrooms, part of the team and feel like “In 2023, it’s a place where you’re going to we tried to help them navigate they belong — those types of get educational intervention. You can maybe Google Classroom, help them things are always really special pick up a new skill. There’s so many options get to their assignments and to me. I love when we have work through stuff like that. those kinds of opportunities to for kids here. It’s not just a place for kids “That time was very stressserve.” to go after school anymore.” ful. There was a lot of craziness “For many years, the Boys & and unpredictability because Girls Club was just a safe place — Emmy Rogers, Boys & Girls Clubs of Saline County you never knew when someone to go,” Rogers said, “but now in would test positive. Then you’ve 2023, it’s a place where you’re got to figure out who gets going to get educational interquarantined, but I think our staff really stepped up. Our slogan was, vention. You can maybe pick up a new skill. There’s so many options ‘Whatever it Takes,’ and we really took that to heart to do whatever for kids here. It’s not just a place for kids to go after school anymore.” it took to keep serving kids and families.”

Richey and Rogers encourage anyone across the state to consider During the early days of the quarantine, when children were supporting their community’s local Boys & Girls Clubs. not going to school or going to the club, one of its local sponsors, “There’s many different ways to invest,” Richey said. “Whether it’s Summerwood Partners, donated enough bags for all of its roughly giving your money, your time, whatever it is, you’re going to get the 500 members. The staff purchased a variety of goodies to fill the greatest return on your investment for your kids that you’ll get from bags — ranging from art activities to snacks to letters of encouranything.”

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DISCOVER ARKANSAS THROUGH HOSPITALITY

HOTELS UNCOMMON ACCOMMODATIONS

New breed of Arkansas’s luxury hotels cater to every taste.

There is a hospitality revolution going on in Arkansas. In hotels across the state, luxury is in as a new breed of accommodations take their place in the market. As unique as they are distinctive, these fine establishments meld the best amenities for work or play featuring tastefully appointed rooms in the heart of the action, luxe lobby bars and award-winning restaurants.

most current crop honors this rich legacy in ways glam and glitzy or stately and elegant. No longer just for special occasions, these properties exist to elevate more ordinary visits.

You have to stay somewhere, why not pamper yourself? From the nonstop Spa City to the bustling Rivermarket; from picturesque northwest Arkansas to unexpected locales throughout the Natural State, there is something to suit most any mood and the moment.

Luxury hotels have been around for generations, and the

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HOTELS

CALICO RIVERVIEW INN BED & BREAKFAST Calico Rock Perched on a picturesque bluff overlooking the White River, the Calico Riverview Inn Bed & Breakfast provides a stunning retreat for any traveler looking for a restful, invigorating stay.

Nine lovingly restored guest rooms await the traveler, each one a sanctuary of tasteful luxury. Steps away from Calico Rock’s charming Main Street and a short drive from multiple natural wonders, the Calico Riverview Inn is the perfect place to renew the body and revive the spirit. To learn more or to make a reservation, visit calicoriverviewinn.com.

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Your visit, your way The tastefully decorated and graciously appointed rooms come in a variety of sizes and configurations to suit any occasion. All are appointed with plush bedding and linens as well as other modern amenities. Whether traveling with the girls or on a special getaway for just the two of you, you’ll find the perfect personal retreat for an unforgettable stay.

Adventure awaits Slow down and enjoy

Of course, if you’re after a slower pace, the Calico Riverview Inn has that covered too. Take a leisurely stroll around the grounds, stretch your horizons with a rejuvenating outdoor yoga session, or just take a choice seat on one of the verandas and watch for wildlife or catch the cool river breeze.

Impeccable, friendly service

By day, the Inn is a luxurious basecamp for nearby exploration and adventures. Not far from here find world-class trout fishing, scenic Blanchard Springs Caverns, water sports on Norfork Lake and elite mountain biking on the Syllamo Mountain Bike Trail.

Wherever your wanderlust takes you, you’ll be glad to return to the welcoming confines of the Inn just in time to enjoy a beverage at sunset.

Expect the unexpected Each of the Inn’s rooms is filled with a mix of modern and antique furnishings and features a private ensuite bath and individual climate control.

After a night’s rest, enjoy a delightful breakfast around the inn’s original dining table to fuel up for the day’s activities.

The best thing about a stay at the Calico Riverview Inn is the personal attention and world-class service seen to personally by the owners. Friendly and warm but never intrusive, the staff is attentive to every detail of their guests’ stay, from dining recommendations to suggesting secret fishing spots. The genuine warmth combines with the stunning natural vistas to create the perfect getaway in one of the most beautiful spots in Arkansas.

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HOTELS

IN THE TREES Hot Springs

H

ot Springs is known as the entertainment capital of Arkansas, offering attractions, dining and diversions to suit every taste. In the Trees, a chic new lodging option, is taking the famous city by storm, offering a unique stay and unmatched amenities to provide the ultimate sanctuary for unplugging and unwinding.

treehouses offer all the perks of a luxury resort, plus unmatched tranquility and breathtaking views. In addition to the deluxe accommodations, In the Trees is close to some of the city’s best attractions, from outdoor activities to great dining and shows.

Whether it’s a romantic getaway or a memorable family vacation, In the Trees offers an perfect escape, taking you far away from the ordinary. Visit inthetrees.com to learn more.

In the Trees is unlike anything to be had in Spa City and possibly the entire state. Relaxing, luxurious and fun, In the Trees

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Relax and renew Set in the captivating Ouachita Mountains, In the Trees treehouses and cabins offer relaxation and serenity. The one- and two-bedroom treehouses and cabins guarantee a stunning view of the Ouachita Mountains and full range of in-room creature comforts.

Adventure awaits Want for nothing

In the Trees offers amenities on par with the best resorts. Each unit offers a private hot tub, heated bathroom floors, smart TV, luxury bedding, a stocked, equipped kitchen, and much, much more. There is even a vinyl record player to provide the soundtrack for a romantic and refreshing getaway.

Experience Spa City

In the Trees is just minutes from the heart of Hot Springs, which offers dining and entertainment to suit most every taste. Check out Bathhouse Row, enjoy exquisite food and beverages, indulge in unique shopping, or dance the night away in the city’s lively historic downtown district.

Plan a visit during thoroughbred racing season or one of the city’s many festivals to add to the fun. There is always something happening.

If guests think the views outside their windows are gorgeous, they might be awe-struck when they get out and experience the outdoors themselves.

Whether one’s pastime is running, hiking, mountain biking, fishing or boating, Hot Springs offers the best in outdoor adventures, thanks to miles of wellmaintained trails, acclaimed mountain bike tracks and glittering lakes that are second to none.

Be pampered Make any stay extra special with In the Trees’ menu of extras. Order a chefinspired charcuterie board delivered to a room, or settle in for in-suite massage and spa services.

The concierge-level service can even arrange for e-bike rentals and trail guides to help guests make the most of the outdoors.

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HOTELS

OAKLAWN Hot Springs

O

aklawn in Hot Springs, Arkansas, is the perfect destination to stay, play and get away.

When you’re ready to play, find 24/7 excitement in our non-smoking casino. Here, you can enjoy live craps, blackjack and roulette, popular slot games, live music, promotions, and more.

Relax in our luxury hotel with unparalleled views of the historic Oaklawn racetrack and the surrounding Ouachita Mountains. Unwind at the Astral Spa, where you can choose from a variety of luxurious treatments — massages, facials, manicures, pedicures and more.

Sports fans will love our new state-of-the-art Mainline Sports Bar, featuring 90+ large screen TVs, three Topgolf Swing Suites, axe throwing, and a Sportsbook area.

Hungry? Practically endless on-site options include upscale dining at the OAK room & bar or the Bugler, diner classics at Big Al’s and bar favorites at Silks Bar & Grill.

Plan your getaway today at oaklawn.com!

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THE OAK room & bar The OAK room & bar is Oaklawn’s newest upscale dining experience, located just steps from the casino floor. Enjoy an extensive wine list, appetizers, signature dishes and house made sauces.

Visit Oaklawn’s newest family-friendly sports-themed experience, the Mainline Sports Bar. Watch your favorite game on one of over 90 large-screen TV’s or compete with friends in one of three Topgolf Swing Suites, offering simulated golf, football and so much more

The Mainline Sports Bar

Our luxurious hotel amenities include 100% cotton Frette bed linens, plush bathrobes, 65-inch TVs with Chromecast, in-room tablets, quartz vanities with lighted mirrors, rain showerheads, and more. Book a trackside room for even more excitement on race day!

The Astral Spa offers innovative services that incorporate local healing waters, salts and gemstones. With a variety of luxurious treatment offerings, guests are sure to engage their senses and experience profound rejuvenation.

Astral Spa

Luxury Rooms Oaklawn Racing Thoroughbred racing is where it all began at Oaklawn. Visit on race day to enjoy the excitement from our beautiful infield, or find the perfect seat in the Grandstand to cheer on your picks.

With more than 1,500 slot machines on our property and denominations starting at just 1¢, we are sure to have the perfect game for you. Make yourself comfortable at a machine, and let the good times roll.

Gaming

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HOTELS

SOUTHLAND HOTEL A beautiful new hotel with a secret...

I

t’s also a casino. Southland Casino Hotel is full of surprises. From gorgeous guest rooms and suites to inventive new bars and restaurants to an enormous gaming floor, get ready for the most fun you’ll have all year.

Only seven minutes from downtown Memphis, Southland Casino Hotel has been voted the Best Casino in the Mid-South for six years running. But how does the best get even better? We’ve completely renovated our entire complex, with our newly-built 20-story hotel, upscale new dining venues and expansive casino floor.

Looking to relax in style? Southland’s gleaming glass high-rise hotel awaits. With 300 brand-new rooms, including pet-friendly and luxury suites, the party doesn’t have to end just because the night is over.

Come see the region’s most thrilling destination for yourself. Book your stay at southlandcasino.com or call (833) 703-3350 today.

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Check in to extraordinary Welcome to luxury. Welcome to Southland.

One foot into our spacious hotel lobby, you know you’re someplace special. From elegant design to friendly staff and comfy seating, you’ll want to settle in and stay a while.

The royal treatment

Everything and the sink At our brand-new hotel, the elegant touches just keep coming. Even our bathrooms are customized with you in mind. Enjoy plenty of counter space for your things so you can get on with your day.

Once you step into our deluxe king room, you won’t want to check out. This exquisite space features floor-to-ceiling windows, modern decor, and even drapes that open and close with the press of a button. Look, you deserve it.

If the gaming floor isn’t enough of a workout

Not just a shower, an escape.

Every aspect of the environment here aims to please, and that extends to our showers. For extra invigoration, try our refreshing overhead shower fixture where the water falls right from the ceiling.

In case you hadn’t noticed, Southland specializes in energy. Looking to get in a workout? We can help. Our new exercise room features free weights, treadmills, exercise bikes and more.

Welcome home

At Southland, excitement comes standard. Our deluxe queen room delivers two comfortable queen beds and an unforgettable stay. With stylish décor, a mini refrigerator and DIRECTV, you can recharge here for your next win on our gaming floor.

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HOTELS

THE BAKER North Little Rock

W

ith so many places to stay in central Arkansas, why not make the accommodations as memorable as the trip? The Baker, a contemporary boutique inn located in the heart of North Little Rock’s thriving entertainment district, is as unique as each guest is, offering a relaxing night’s stay within walking distance of numerous attractions.

No one is like anyone else, and where guests stay should not be like everywhere else, either.

Contact The Baker for reservations today and see central Arkansas from a whole new perspective.

To learn more about what The Baker has to offer, visit online at stayatthebaker.com, call (501) 442-8847 or visit at 501 Main St. in North Little Rock.

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A break from the ordinary A new concept in traveling, The Baker offers designer amenities, full-service housekeeping and complimentary minibars, just like full-service hotels. To that, add in private self-check-in, keypad door locks on the rooms and text responses to every guest request to enjoy the privacy of an Airbnb.

The Baker is a historic icon in the vibrant Argenta Arts District.

Stacy and Nathan Hamilton took the fading historic Baker House Bed and Breakfast and gave it new life for the next generation.

The ideal place to launch any central Arkansas adventure, The Baker is located just a short walk from the wonderful dining, entertainment and art galleries in the neighborhood. Take in a show at nearby Simmons Arena, experience live theater and comedy shows, or catch a band at one of the smaller venues.

Food options include a wide range of fresh, local cuisine, as well as some of Arkansas’ most popular breweries. Whatever one might fancy, it is just a few steps away.

An unforgettable setting for an unforgettable day The Baker is one of the most sought-after wedding and rehearsal dinner venues in Arkansas. Understanding that every wedding is different, The Baker provides one of the most unique venues in town to reflect couples’ individuality and personal taste.

The Baker also takes some of the stress out of wedding planning by including six luxury hotel rooms with the price of the venue. Where else can one find a venue and six hotel rooms rolled into one price?

By the way, The Baker is about more than just weddings.

The Baker can make any event special, including baby showers, bridal brunches, Thanksgiving dinners and anything else that deserves a one-of-a-kind experience.

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HOTELS

THE WATERS

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Hot Springs

estled in the natural and historic beauty of Arkansas’ Hot Springs National Park, The Waters is the perfect accommodation for your exploration of everything the state has to offer.

The Waters offers friendly and attentive staff, luxurious amenities, a full-service restaurant and lounge, the city’s only rooftop bar and plenty of ways to explore the city and surrounding natural features.

The Thompson Building was designed by George R. Mann, the principal architect of the Arkansas State Capitol, and it features Corinthian pilasters and glazed terra cotta frontings.

A multimillion dollar renovation of the revered structure on Bathhouse Row has yielded a 62-room boutique hotel with vintage details and up-to-date comforts and amenities.

There’s a reason travelers have been drawn to the city and its legendary thermal waters for decades — come find out for yourself. Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, you are sure to enjoy your stay in Hot Springs when you stay at The Waters.

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The Rooftop Aptly named, The Rooftop is Hot Springs’ only rooftop bar, allowing a fantastic view of historic downtown and the scenic backdrop of the Ouachita Mountains.

Amenities

The Avenue

Bathhouse Row is even more beautiful seen through the window of one of our City View rooms overlooking Central Avenue and Hot Springs National Park. Every room offers unique architectural details and an array of locally sourced artwork and complementary products.

Eat at The Avenue, a full-service restaurant and lounge offering artisan-style Southern cuisine.

Focused on locally sourced ingredients, The Avenue serves a variety of appetizers, small plates, entrees and shareables. The Avenue also boasts the best “people-watching seats” on Central Avenue.

Explore Hot Springs Connect with nature by visiting Garvan Woodland Gardens, venturing out on the lakes, hiking the trails or hitting the greens for a game of golf. History buffs can also check out the Historic Baseball Trail and Gangster Museum of America to get a feel for the city’s rich cultural heritage.

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arts & culture

After competing on both The Voice and American Idol, Marybeth Byrd said she plans to slow down for a while.

There and Back Again From The Voice to American Idol, Marybeth Byrd is on her time

By DUSTIN JAYROE // Photos provided

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T

he past four years have been a whirlwind for Marybeth Byrd, a whirlwind which, in many ways, began and continues to play out like a fairy tale — almost. The real world has a funny way of telling those types of tales, although Byrd’s story strikes a closer chord than most. At only 22 years of age, the singer-songwriter has already accomplished more than many in her vocational theater do in a lifetime; first as a top eight semifinalist on NBC’s The Voice, then clearing the top 10 on ABC’s American Idol. Still, many blank pages remain for her to fill.

While the COVID-19 pandemic may not have aligned with her plans, the teenager used the time away from the stage to focus on family, her studies at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro and teaching vocal lessons for her community, biding her time until her time in the spotlight would return — and return, it would.

In the meantime, she continued studying strategic communications at A-State and working as a host at the Jonesboro-area radio station KJBX.

"Is there anyone, Is there anyone out there Anyone who’s Just like me?

Have you ever felt Have you ever felt like You were stuck in a prison, you just ain’t free…

I’d give anything, I’d give anything To just be me"

Few other Idols before her

“I’m a very simple girl, but I do like that Finding her voice adventure, which is what American Idol is In the here and now, however, Byrd giving me,” Byrd said in the lead-up to is doing something that may seem a her American Idol debut. “This audition little surprising — slowing down. means everything.

It is not hard to understand why.

“I have loved my hometown. I When she first auditioned for The love the people I work with, but you Voice in 2019, it was on a teenage know, I feel like in order for me to whim without any preparation or spread my wings, I’m going to have knowledge of the singing speedrun to have that push, that something, to that would follow. The then-17-yearget me to the next level. I feel like this old from tiny Armorel just happened — me being here in Las Vegas — is to be in Nashville, Tenn., for a songme going for it.” writing session with a friend when she It was apparent, and surely not just — “People Pleaser” and her mom discovered the TV show to the “Byrd Watchers” tuning in to her

by Marybeth Byrd was holding auditions in the city. She made American Idol audition in March 2023, it through two auditions that week and, a few that the then-21-year-old was immediately months later, got the final call that she had made tabbed by showrunners as a breakout to the show. Then it was off to California for blind auwatch. Her audition for the season’s judges — Luke ditions in front of judges and, ultimately, making it to the Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie — was preceded main stage to compete for weeks against other talented artists from by a two-minute, fully produced introduction. Byrd more than around the country. delivered on her tee up.

Her time on The Voice presented a mountain range of highs for the She put her own twist on the song “If it Hadn’t Been for Love” by budding star, from receiving a four-chair turn from judges Kelly Clarkson, Gwen Stefani, John Legend (on whose team Byrd ended up) and Blake Shelton during her blind audition to moving the entire country to tears during her rendition of “Go Rest High on That Mountain,” which she dedicated to her late grandfather, who she lost right before flying out to Los Angeles, to, of course, making it as far as she did, but the experience was also as exhausting as it was exhilarating.

“I was so fortunate to have that experience,” Byrd told AY About You in 2020. “They say going on The Voice is like getting four years of music industry experience in just a few months, but at the end, I was ready to go home.

“It’s not all rainbows and sunshine. I was a big ball of stress while I was there, and once the live shows started, I couldn’t see my family at all.”

After her time on The Voice was cut short, she was welcomed home by a slew of supporters — both from Armorel and across Arkansas — but, as it turned out, the world had less supportive plans for her newfound momentum than her home state. Just as she started to emByrd’s renditions of bark on her post-Voice tour at the beginning country hits garnered of 2020, the rest of that year’s unprecedented praise on both The Voice events unfolded, and the live concert scene was and American Idol. largely shuttered.

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to be productive all the freaking time, and so I’ve just kind of relaxed.” the SteelDrivers and immediately won over the judges; all three voted Walking the tightrope between selfishness and selflessness — and “yes,” and sent her on to the next round. having the wisdom to know which is which and when — did not always Byrd advanced through the Hollywood round with renditions of come as naturally as singing. For much of her life, the familiar foe be“Something in the Orange” by Zach Bryan (a cover available on her Spohind much of her strife was this inherent desire to please everyone. The tify) and “Flat on the Floor” by Carrie Underwood, then again through voice behind the music was the top 26 after singing always her, but the inten“Heart Like a Truck” by “I was in love with your voice from the first note you sang.” tions behind it were often Lainey Wilson.

In the top-20 stage — John Legend to Marybeth Byrd after her blind audition externally motivated. Even for noble reasons such as of the competition, Byrd wanting to make her friends performed an original and family proud during and after her time on The Voice, the weight song of her own called “People Pleaser,” which received a standing ovawas heavy. It is a burden she opens her heart about in the single she tion from all three judges. performed on American Idol, “People Pleaser.”

“You did some falsetto tonight I have not heard from you; you did “[That song] really speaks volumes to what I’ve been through in that some storytelling tonight I have not heard from you,” Richie said at the mindset,” Byrd said. “You just want to please everybody, and you just time. “That was superstar material right there.” want to make it for everybody else. I think that being on both of those After receiving enough audience votes to advance to both the top shows and seeing that the grass isn’t really greener when you get all the 12 and the top 10, Byrd eventually lost flight in the competition, not way up to the top, it taught me to just really settle into just being true to receiving enough votes to advance. That was not the last Idol heard of myself, as cliché as that sounds.

Byrd, however, and she made a special cameo in the finale alongside “I really learned to just do it because you love it. Don’t do it for the country star Lainey Wilson and top-8 finalist Warren Peay. numbers. Don’t do it for the likes. Don’t do it for any other reason or anybody else but for yourself, and for a long time, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s kind of selfish,’ but it’s not. I think that’s really where you flourish, creatively, too, when you focus on why you do it, and it’s because you love it, and it’s because you want to create beautiful art.”

While not obsessing over numbers and metrics, Byrd does allow some healthy, motivating data to stream in, such as the relished confidence boost of her Spotify Wrapped, which beckons a communal virality every year by recapping users’ most-streamed artists, songs, albums and so on. A little more behind the scenes, though, it also provides artists themselves with the inverse of that — how much they were listened to. In 2023, Byrd boasted her best year yet in her young discography, tallying more than 398,000 streams from nearly 100,000 listeners in 157 countries.

Byrd,left, made a special “It was a confidence booster because I feel like we as musicians, we cameo with Lainey as artists, are so critical and hard on ourselves,” she said. “It’s like we Wilson, center, and lose sight of that creativity and lose sight of our worth and confidence.”

Warren Peay.

Pulling back the curtain to make seen real and sometimes raw thoughts, feelings and emotions is another lesson she practiced and polished during her time in the limelight. ModelFlowers and water ing vulnerability is a more well-paved path in this It is estimated that roughly 100,000 people auday and age, but that does not always make it dition for American Idol every year, only a few easier to open up, particularly about mental hundred of whom make it past the prelimihealth and especially when stigmas still nary round of auditions. Tens of thousands spur criticism. audition for The Voice every year, and, like“I recently posted on social mewise, merely hundreds ever get a callback. dia about my mental health struggles, Byrd, an unexpected bolt of lightning, “Singing has always been a and it shocked a lot of people,” Byrd struck twice on the two biggest singing safe haven for me. I had a really said, adding that some folks from her competitions in the country, beating difficult stutter when I was little, hometown said things like, “You need not only the odds to make it in front of and the only thing that worked to take that down,” and, “You’re supthe show’s main judges, but also composed to be a role model.” ing within a couple of performances of was music. … That was where I “That’s what my platform is for,” winning both. felt the most fully myself.” she said. “I feel like social media is such Even still, success beyond these — Marybeth Byrd a big letdown in some ways because it shows is no guarantee, a fame-to-grind just shows everybody the positives all the reality Byrd has also navigated twice now. time, and I wanted to show my young au“After American Idol, I decided to kind dience that it’s OK to be where you are, and of settle down and just bask in relaxation,” the it’s OK to not be OK sometimes, because I go now-22-year-old told AY during a recent interthrough it too. view. “I kind of felt selfish for a while; you get so “I definitely had to learn that openness and that used to grinding on your own behalf and just working vulnerability through these two experiences, because growing so hard all the time. An artist’s mindset is like, ‘Oh, I have

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Byrd said her recent social media posts about her struggles with mental health came as a surprise to some.

up in a small town … things like mental health, depression, anxiety, just overall struggles are just not talked about.”

That attention and sometimes flippant criticism has been one of the hardest lifestyle changes for which she has had to self-teach. People from all over now know who she is — or who they think they do by what they have seen on TV or heard through their speakers — and some do not like it when she does not live up to misunderstood, often unrealistic expectations. It is uncharted waters for a self-described “simple girl” from a town of 300.

Through her own experiences, though, she has dedicated another part of herself to helping be a compass for other artists on their own journeys by serving as a vocal lesson coach, one who offers insight into the whole of the music world — the good, as well as the bad — beyond the simple song and dance.

“It’s such a roller coaster,” Byrd said of the industry. “Mental health is talked about, but it’s not really something that people understand unless you’ve been through it or unless you’ve really seen it from someone close.

I’ve always said that as an artist, we’re not given a handbook; we kind of have to write our own handbook. We have to do it all ourselves, essentially, as an independent artist without any help, so it can be really, really detrimental on your mental health, which I’ve experienced. While I am an overall happy person, and I’m so incredibly grateful for both of those high-profile opportunities, there’s just as many cons as there are pros.”

The foundation that Byrd is quick to credit for where she is today is her support system — her family, first and foremost, led by her parents, who she said “gave up so much” in order for her to get to where she is today, and that support was sweetened by remarks from her greatgrandmother, who told her, “I’m so glad I got to watch you perform before I passed away.”

“It’s emotional, and it makes me just want to keep going,” Byrd said.

“You don’t really get to see that through the grind and the busyness, but when the holiday season rolled around and you’re all together and you get to kind of bask in that positive energy … it’s almost giving me fuel to hit 2024 as strong as I can and with my best foot forward.”

Then there is the love she felt from her hometown and her home state. Byrd had producers from both The Voice and American Idol tell her that they had never seen as much support for a contestant than what Byrd received.

“For me, the people in the state of Arkansas — they’re just priceless,” she said. “I’m always going to be an Arkansas girl because of that love and support that you just really can’t garner anywhere else. It’s amazing here.”

Byrd largely subscribes to the adage of not meeting your heroes (from

Byrd said Jelly Roll, right, was a supportive mentor. personal experience), yet even here, she said some of the artists who hit the big time also nestled into her supportive bedrock, including the aforementioned Lainey Wilson and Jelly Roll, two of country music’s biggest new names. Showing kindness, humility and generosity to the up-and-comer Byrd, Wilson provided her with timeless advice that has helped the Arkansan cut through the industry noise of everyone’s two cents on who and how an artist should be.

“You are country-pop,” Wilson told her. “Do not let anybody tell you that you cannot do both or you can’t mesh the two genres together.”

As for the rest of the pages in Byrd’s story, she has found enough peace in the present to not stress too much about what the future holds.

“I’m just settling down until the next big thing, whatever that may be,” she said.

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aymag.com

arts&culture

Sofie Smithson

Everything old is new again

By JOHN CALLAHAN // Photos provided

Members of Sofie and the New Relics include Grady Martin, from left, Wyatt Perry, Sofie Smithson and Jude Brown.

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F

or anyone who finds themselves wondering whether or not the younger generations still appreciate music from the good old days, rest assured: Greenbrier High School junior Sofie Smithson is carrying on the torch. As the lead singer of Sofie and the New Relics, a band with a name to suit their sound, she might be coming soon to an event near you to play classic country tunes from the ‘60s and ‘70s.

Many musicians have had a passion for music from their earliest days. This was not quite the case for Smithson, but she joined the scene with more than enough dedication to make up for any delay.

“When I was around age 12, we took a family trip to Nashville, [Tenn.],” Smithson said. “I wasn’t really into music at the time. On the last day of the trip, we went to a wax museum, and one of the wax figures was Patsy Cline. Playing in the background was her song ‘Crazy.’ Then on the way home back from Nashville, I started looking her up. The first song that I listened to from her, it clicked.

“I really fell in love with that style and era of country music, and that’s what inspired me and got me into music. I think it just sounds so authentic and unique, the lyrics that they use are so pure. It was very different from whatever I’d heard before in country music and the typical stuff you hear on the radio.”

At 13, Smithson began to teach herself guitar by looking up chords on the internet. In 2022, she joined Jettway Performance, a music lesson and performance studio owned and founded by four-time Arkansas Country Music Award winner Zac Dunlap with locations in Bryant, Cabot and Greenbrier.

“Jettway was started in 2017,” Dunlap said. “I named it after my oldest son, Bryley Jett. I’d been with my band for over a decade and always wanted a way to work with kids and give them an avenue to get into the industry. My partner Matt Cody and I opened the business and started in a little bitty studio in eastern Arkansas, and we’ve grown now all over central Arkansas with students from multiple states coming here. It’s been quite the ride.”

Once a week, Smithson goes to Jettway for guitar and voice lessons.

In addition to guitar, Smithson has learned to play the mandolin and taught herself to play the harmonica with the assistance of her vocal teacher at Jettway, Ellen Wiles. In December, Smithson was named Jettway’s 2023 Female Vocalist of the Year.

“I get to direct what I want to work with, and the instructors are just so amazing,” Smithson said. “They know so much, and it’s a great learning experience and a great community.”

Jettway does more than just teach students to sing and play instruments; every year, it takes students on a summer tour where they have the opportunity to perform in front of live audiences. Students come from all across Arkansas and surrounding states to audition the January before and, if selected, spend the winter and spring months forming bands, developing setlists and rehearsing for their first real performances at venues ranging from midsize to legendary. Auditions for 2024 will be held Jan. 14 and 15.

Smithson became the lead singer for a band of students her age dubbed Delta Blue, which began the tour by performing at festivals around Arkansas before traveling out of state to places such as Hard Rock Cafe and Bowie’s in Nashville, Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park in Denver, and in Tulsa, Okla.

“My favorite performance was when we went to Gulf Shores, [Ala.], at the Hangout,” Smithson said. “I had never been, and it’s a very cool atmosphere. I usually play with my guitar, and that’s kind of my comfort zone, but when I went up there, I did not play guitar for the majority of the songs, which was very different for me. It was a lot of fun being able to go up to the crowd and interact with them. That was just such a cool experience.”

“Sofie represents all of the great things about Jettway,” Dunlap said.

“She works hard, she’s eager to learn, and she’s got a great attitude. She’s

Smithson first began performing in Jettway’s 2023 Summer Tour. Today, she and her band book and perform their own shows.

obviously extremely talented musically, as well. She’s got a really unique sound; I’ve been in the industry for over 16 years, and I’m always very drawn to things that are different and unique. She definitely checks all of those boxes.”

Delta Blue was brought together by Jettway for the sake of the summer tour, and dissolved when the tour came to an end. In August, Smithson brought together a new band called Sofie and the New Relics.

Though all of the members are Jettway students, the band is independent from the school. The New Relics have already started to make a name for themselves, performing at festivals in Heber Springs, Conway and Mountain View.

“Sofie and the New Relics is kind of a two-for-one band,” Smithson said. “We start out as a full band, so we have the drums, electric bass, electric guitar. Then halfway through our set, we totally strip it down and go to what we call a small band. My drummer, Jude Brown, goes to the upright bass. My electric bass player, Grady Martin, goes to the snare, and my electric guitar player, Wyatt Perry, goes to the resonator.

It becomes this kind of folky bluegrass, and it’s a very cool sound that you don’t see very often. We’ve had a lot of fun experimenting with that sound because we’ve never really worked with it before.”

Sofie and the New Relics have a set list composed of a variety of bluegrass, folk, country and rock ‘n’ roll, with Smithson’s personal favorites, including Patsy Cline’s “Crazy,” Glen Campbell’s “Gentle on My Mind” and Alison Kraus’ “Oh, Atlanta.”

The future promises new performances by Sofie and the New Relics, as well as the possibility of original songs. Though Smithson is still new to songwriting, the process of composing and practicing original music with her band has been a great learning experience and crucial to helping her find and develop her own personal sound. As a high school junior, she still has a ways to go before choosing a college, but she hopes to find one somewhere in the Nashville area to be in the heart of the country music scene.

“The other students in her band have all been with us for years and have been on multiple tours with us,” Dunlap said. “They are exceptional young musicians who have an incredible work ethic. Those guys are at the studio three, four, five nights a week sometimes. They put the time in, they’re exceptionally talented, they have great attitudes, and that’s probably the biggest reason that all four of them work together so well.

They’re all just very creatively in tune with each other.”

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arts & culture

Tyler Kinch It Just Takes One Song

By SARAH DECLERK // Photos provided

T

he line between fame and obscurity is never finite, but it is pretty clear central Arkansas country musician Tyler Kinch has garnered at least some local renown. With a couple of new singles, some major performances under his belt and more music on the way, the yet-unsigned Kinch’s fanbase is growing, and he is always just one song away from the big leagues.

“You don’t have to have a record deal anymore, but it’d be nice,” he said. “You’ve just got to get that one song.”

In a few years, Kinch went from playing acoustic shows at Little Rock venues such as Stickyz Rock ‘N’ Roll Chicken Shack and the Rev Room to playing sold-out shows with Justin Moore, the artist responsible for top-10 hits “Backwoods” and “Point at You.” Just this year, Kinch was named Entertainer of the Year at the Arkansas Country Music Awards. With well-polished songs and an enthusiastic stage presence, Kinch is not out of his element when it comes to show business.

“I don’t know that I’ve been surprised about anything, just growing up around it and kind of expecting the unexpected,” he said. “I guess the only thing I’ve been surprised by is my following and how we grew so rapidly without even trying.”

Kinch, who grew up in Lonoke, said his music career started about 12 years ago, and he has played with a full band for five years. The 33-year-old got his start at a young age.

“My dad played. He played in some rock bands when I was a kid, and I guess it just got me wanting to do it,” Kinch said. “He bought me a guitar

Tyler Kinch described his style as being somewhere between Cody Johnson and Justin Moore.

at 4 years old and taught me three chords, and I took it from there.”

His father and his friends performed ’80s-style rock ‘n’ roll, Kinch said. The sole country musician in the family, Kinch said that his biggest influences are Cody Johnson, Luke Combs and Brooks & Dunn.

“I don’t know how that happened,” he said. “I’m a cowboy, and the rest of everybody else is just normal, I guess, but they all like country music, so that’s good.”

He added that he grew up playing music with his sister.

“It was a poor family, so we had each other, and we played music to kind of cope with things growing up,” he said.

Now married with two sons ages 2 and 11, Kinch said his wife and sons are excited about his music success.

“They love it. They want me to be famous,” he said. “I tell them I wish I could be. They think it’s cool.”

The early days of performing were challenging, he added, but he has since become accustomed to playing in front of crowds that have swelled from 20 to 100 people to several hundred or a thousand.

“The first shows are always scary, nerve-wracking, but as the years went on, I don’t have nerves for that anymore,” he said. “I just get up there and do my thing.”

He described being on stage as “nothing short of amazing.”

“I just lose myself,” he said. “It’s a different me on stage.”

Kinch routinely opens for Justin Moore when he is in town and travels to Delaware twice a year to perform with him. Kinch said one of his biggest shows in Arkansas was when he opened for Justin Moore at JJ’s

Kinch, who released two singles this year, said he has been recording new music in Nashville.

Live in Fayetteville. Kinch has also performed with Joe Nichols, Matt Stell, George Barry, Dylan Scott and Lonestar, among others. He said he does not mind being the opening act.

“Those are the best [shows]. I don’t have to try to pull the crowd, you know. There’s already people there, so it’s more energetic from the start,” he said. “It’s low stress. I love it. It’s a lot easier than headlining your own stuff.”

He added that the band started out as a casual pastime.

“It was just a group of buddies playing around campfires, and someone had the idea to try to do this,” he said. “It was just a hobby, and then the following kind of happened, and it took off from there. It was never really meant to try to do anything, but here we are.”

He said most of the members of his original band had rock ‘n’ roll backgrounds, which is evident in the more crossover elements of the first Tyler Kinch extended play, which was released three years ago and includes fives songs: “Barstools,” “Bullet or a Bible,” “Patience,” “Hollow,” and “Magnolia.”

The members of the band have changed within the past year and now include Drew Smith, drummer; Brian Batterton, bassist; Jackson He said his music career has taught him to trust himself when it Hagerman, rhythm guitarist; and Darren Barry, lead guitarist, Kinch comes to his work. said. As the frontman, Kinch sings and plays guitar.

“Trust that what you’re doing is the right thing,” he said. “If you Kinch, who described his sound as being somewhere between Cody spend too much time trying to be like somebody you’re not [or] copy Johnson and Justin Moore, was able to embrace his more traditional something just because it’s worked, it may not work for you, so just do country style on his two latest singles, “It Should be You” and “Devil what you do.” was an Angel,” which debuted earlier this year. Kinch, who co-wrote Songwriting tends to happen organically, he added.

“Devil was an Angel” with Bodey Jackson, said the song is his favorite “Normally someone just has an idea, and then you sit down and try track so far. to work with that, whether it’s a melody or a line,” he said.

The two new tracks have been a hit with fans, he “It just happens.” said, adding that there is more to come.

He added that his goal is to connect with the “They love the new stuff,” he said of fans. audience through his songs.

“I’m getting more into the music I want to “I always say I want to be able to write play. The first EP we released, it was more songs that you can make your own depic“Trust that what you’re on the rock side. My original band was tion of, whether that story is the same all rock backgrounds, so it was very as mine or you can relate to it in other doing is the right thing.

If hard to push them to play country ways,” he said. “I guess that’s just a goal music, but they love the new stuff, — put out music that you can relate you spend too much time and I think we’re getting deeper to and feel.” trying to be like somebody into it with this new stuff that hasn’t That storytelling aspect is precisebeen released.” ly what drew Kinch to country music you’re not [or] copy He said he has been recording at in the first place.

Five Points Recording in Nashville “It seems like no matter who something just because for two years and is working with you are, you can always connect to a it’s worked, it may not producer Danick Dupelle, the lead country song,” he said. “It’s always got guitarist of Emerson Drive. He has something that relates to you.” work for you, so just do four unreleased songs and plenty of new He said he hopes to eventually be music on the way, he said, but it is too early signed to a label and go on tour. He what you do.” to announce his exact plans. would love to write and perform music for — Tyler Kinch “We’re trying hard to figure out how to rea living, he said, adding that he is currently a lease it and what to release,” he said. “I’m kind of project manager for Powers of Arkansas in North working with my artist development person in NashLittle Rock, but even the band’s current progress is not ville to figure all that out.” something he anticipated.

Each recording starts with an original or pitched song that Kinch “I never really dreamed this would even be happening,” he said. “We brings to Nashville, where the producer builds the tracks from scratch like to call it baby steps. I feel like we’re going in the right direction, but vocals. Kinch and his band decide which songs to release, then bring everything happens at a very slow pace when you’re working. I’m just a in session players and rerecord the vocals before the track is mixed and little fish in a big pond of artists. It just takes one song, and that’s what mastered. we’re working toward.”

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aymag.com

private schools

A Class of One’s Own

Numerous factors make private schools more attractive to some parents

By MAK MILLARD and SARAH DECLERK // Photos provided

E

ducation is perhaps one of the most important decisions facing parents when it comes to their children, and many parents are faced with the choice between public and private schools. While private schools can be costly and often provide fewer resources than public schools, many families appreciate their faith-based approaches and high rates of academic success.

With the passing of the Arkansas LEARNS Act and the creation of Educational Freedom Accounts that provide funds for eligible students to attend private schools, more parents may consider private schools a viable option in coming years.

A few prominent folks from local private schools weighed in on the LEARNS Act, other changes in the realm of private schooling, and the benefits and drawbacks of private schools.

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GARY ARNOLD

Board Member, Council for American Private Education in Washington, D.C. Board Member, Arkansas Nonpublic School Accrediting Association President, Little Rock Christian Academy Foundation “Private education in Arkansas and our nation is alive and well. It should be,” said Gary Arnold, president of the Little Rock Christian Academy Foundation, who also serves as a board member for the Council for American Private Education in Washington, D.C., and the Arkansas Nonpublic School Accrediting Association. “We’ve had many years to learn, make mistakes, mature and grow.”

Arnold referenced higher enrollment figures as an indication that growing numbers of people are opting for alternatives to public education. The civic contribution of private schools cannot be discounted, he said, in addition to the value of a schools’ accreditation and accountability to parents. He said the unique missions of the schools themselves make private education even more attractive to parents, despite the cost.

“When parents make the sacrifice, they are sacrificing for a reason, a purpose,” he said.

“Individual private schools are explicit in their individual purpose, be it faith-based, philosophical or non-sectarian. This freedom and focus makes private education valuable and especially relevant to parents facing the cacophony of the public system.”

When it comes to the impact of legislation such as the LEARNS Act and Arkansas’ recent push to broaden educational access across the board, Arnold said that the shifting of resources to “under-resourced families, especially those in failing schools,” allows more people to access the benefits of private education. He described Arkansas as a leader in this regard while also highlighting programs in other states — such as transportation reimbursement, textbook loans, alternative teacher certification pathways and better access to continuing education — where Arkansas could look for inspiration.

“Arkansas mirrors many other states in this advance and, at the same time, leads in pioneering this path,” he said. “This leadership is good for Arkansas’ reputation. We do not sit still and accept the status quo. We make things better. This will draw people to our state.”

Arnold acknowledged the crucial role that educators play in the public and private spheres, adding that both sectors struggle to find talent nationwide. While public salary increases reflect increased respect for the vocation, those raises also present private schools with long-term talent retention challenges. On the other hand, Arnold said, factors such as culture, purpose and community also play an important role in retention, and they could be what attracts more

individuals to the private school sector, regardless of pay.

“The real story is that private school educators serve at a discount to the market in terms of compensation in order to experience more civility and community.

No doubt, private schools will always be seeking mission-driven talent,” he said. “As with public schools, when private schools are able to elevate teacher compensation, children and families benefit. Shortages will shrink. Classroom experience will increase.

Outcomes will improve. This can only lift Arkansas and our nation.”

JUSTIN SMITH

Head of School, Little Rock Christian Academy Justin Smith, head of school at Little Rock Christian Academy, emphasized the importance of partnership at all levels when it comes to meeting the state’s educational needs. At Little Rock Christian, that refers both to the vital resources and accountability provided by groups such as the Arkansas Nonpublic School Accrediting Association, the Southern Association of Independent Schools and the Council on Educational Standards and Accountability, as well as the school’s own educational ethos, which is founded upon the “Golden Triangle” of home, church and school.

“The intersection of the home, church and school partnership allows each student to have consistent and aligned values and expectations,” Smith said. “When the three vertices of the Golden Triangle work together, we often find students are supported in all areas of life: spiritual, social, emotional, intellectual and physical.”

To maintain those relationships and stay ahead of changes in the educational landscape, Smith described LRCA’s approach as one of refinement in all areas, whether related to academics, athletics, or even security and parental engagement. In this way, he said, a private school’s growth comes as a result of families being willing to invest their time, energy and resources back into the private school community of which they are a part.

Smith also echoed the positive sentiment around the LEARNS Act. Arkansans recognize the need for a variety of educational models that can serve the diverse needs of families and students, Smith said, and legislation such as LEARNS gives the state the opportunity to “enhance its educational menu and improve educational outcomes.”

“In other states with school choice support, we have seen growth in the variety of educational models, including charter schools, microschools, independent schools, faith-based

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schools and classical schools, to name a few,” he explained. “Giving parents more decision-making power for the education of their children is a blessing and an overall net good. We believe allowing more parents to align family values with education for their children brings harmony to the home. Competition in the world of education forces accountability and makes us all better at our professional craft.”

Reiterating Arnold’s point that salary is only one part of the equation when it comes to retaining talent, Smith credited LRCA’s “missioncentered mentality” for allowing the school to continue finding qualified applicants.

“Most educators believe that teachers need to have a sense of calling to be effective and also feel a personal sense of satisfaction in their work,” he said.

“For many, there is an appeal to serving in a place where faith convictions are expressed, not suppressed, and where investment in the spiritual formation of students is considered a foundational element of the educational process.” aymag.com

JAMIE GRIFFIN

Head of School, Episcopal Collegiate School One of the biggest trends Jamie Griffin, head of school for Episcopal Collegiate School in Little Rock, alluded to is one that faces schools both public and private schools: the influence of the internet on 21st-century education. Unprecedented access to all manner of content has led to a significant shift in what it means for a high school graduate to be truly prepared for either college or the workforce, he said.

These changing needs have made it necessary for schools like Episcopal to fine-tune its programming and coursework in ways that better equip students. He reiterated the point about the overall appeal of private schools and their individual missions, noting Epsicopal’s emphasis on religious and spiritual development goes hand in hand with its academic and other focus areas, such as civic engagement and community service.

While there was also concern that the demand for private schools would drop off as public schools bounced back from the pandemic, high retention rates over the past two years have allayed that fear. Episcopal, for example, had a 98 percent retention rate in the lower and middle schools, which cover pre-K through eighth grade. Griffin listed smaller class sizes, individualized attention, support and accountability and character development as reasons many families have chosen to continue their child’s private education.

Another long-term consequence of the pandemic that private schools have been adept at navigating, according to Griffin, is the two-pronged issue of mental health and social and academic learning loss. Better faculty-to-student ratios allowed private schools to take a team approach to the challenges of returning to the classroom by coordinating with teachers, support specialists and parents to address the needs of students.

“In some cases, we have recommended or required additional summer work for students to ensure that they were properly prepared to enter the next grade level,” Griffin said. “Our teachers are reporting this year that our students have closed any gaps from

the pandemic, something that is also confirmed by student performance on the [Educational Records Bureau test], [Preliminary SAT], and other assessments given annually to our students.”

While it is still early to know the full extent of the impact LEARNS will have across the educational spectrum, Griffin said he anticipates that the legislation will encourage more families to consider whether private school is the right fit for their child. As an independent school, he added that Episcopal Collegiate does not encourage or discourage families from participating in the Education Freedom Account program, but he also pointed out that the heightened awareness families have of their educational options could make private schools even more accessible and appealing.

“The LEARNS Act does not impact our curriculum nor admissions process, but I do think it will allow us to further stretch our need-based tuition assistance program that annually awards $1.3 million to improve affordability and access,” he said. “While the EFA program has understandably garnered a lot of attention, there are other aspects of the LEARNS Act that aim to benefit public and charter schools. Ultimately, all Arkansans are better served when our communities give greater focus, attention and resources to all educational settings.”

Smaller student populations can limit resources provided at private schools; however, most work to provide a rich variety.

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a wide array of sports offerings, Gurchiek said.

Like representatives from Little Rock Christian Academy, he said low salaries for private-school teachers lead to recruitment and retention problems.

“A lot of times as teachers retire or they have to leave because of a spouse being relocated, it’s getting a little more difficult to find those high-quality teachers because of the salary, but you know, we’re able to find those that it’s not just about the salary, but it’s also about being able to work in a Christian environment,” he said. “That’s not to say that there aren’t Chrsitian environments in public schools, but to say that we can literally focus on using scripture in our classes and all that stuff that you’re not able to do so much in public schools, sometimes that’s a draw for people to come here, rather than be in public school, but it is a challenge because of the salary.”

He added that the LEARNS Act has helped parents overcome cost barriers to sending children to private schools through the use of Education Freedom Accounts. This year, the accounts were mainly available to students entering kindergarten for the first time, he said, but the eligibility will broaden in the upcoming school year, and the accounts will be available to all Arkansas students for the 2025-2026 school year.

Harding Academy is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024. The institution was created in 1924, when Harper College and Arkansas Christian School merged to become Harding University. Gurchiek said he hopes to help the century-old school take a forward-looking attitude to education.

“We take a hard look as far as what the students need to learn today,” he said. “A lot of the kids, whenever they start school here in elementary, by the time they graduate, everything’s changed. I mean, there’s jobs out there that we’re preparing for that haven’t been invented yet, and so we’re aware of that and really trying to stay on top of everything that’s happening in the world as far as getting kids prepared for whatever they’re doing.”

JIM GURCHIEK

Superintendent, Harding Academy Jim Gurchiek, superintendent of Harding Academy in Searcy, said parents most often chose Harding Academy instead of public schools because of the academy’s smaller class sizes and Christian atmosphere. Christian beliefs are a part of every class, from math and science to social studies, he said, and students at every grade level have Bible classes and daily chapel.

“It’s really trying to give all these kids that opportunity, No. 1, to glorify God, but then to get them ready for that next level, whether it’s pre-K going into elementary, whether it’s an elementary going into the high school side, whether it’s high school going into a college or into a career, but just making sure that we do it in a manner that is pleasing to God,” he said.

Gurchiek, who spent 35 years in public education before joining Harding Academy as superintendent three years ago, said that while the push to keep children in school is a trend in both public and private schools, private schools have more leeway when it comes to suspending or expelling students as a last resort.

Also like public schools, he said Harding Academy recently began preparing students who are not college bound for trades such as diesel mechanics or heating, ventilation and air conditioning. While the school’s namesake, Harding University, allows high school students to receive dual credit they can use when they get to college, Gurchiek said Harding Academy also partners with Arkansas State UniversityBeebe Searcy campus to offer vocational courses that are not available at Harding University.

While private schools may have more freedom to incorporate faith-based values into their curricula, they often have fewer resources when it comes to providing accessibility services for students with disabilities — although Harding Academy works with parents and even public schools to provide any available resource to students — or

“Parents have more choices, so we have to think about that and offer more programs such as STEM classes and robotics. We have to look at the current job market and prepare our students to meet those needs and go beyond.”

— Theresa Hall, superintendent of Catholic Schools of Arkansas

in education today, and teachers are looking for ways to utilize the technology and the challenges and opportunities it brings.

She added that although many parents may have the misconception that private schools do not serve students who have special needs, that is not the case at Catholic Schools of Arkansas, which has qualified interventionists at most of its schools.

Catholic schools have changed over time, she said. Fewer religious sisters and brothers serve as teachers these days, and class sizes have decreased. In addition, she said, both private and public schools now spend more time and resources to provide a safe environment for students.

“Whether it be a private school or a public school, parents need to decide what is it they want out of the child’s education, and what is best for the family?” she said. “They should visit the schools and make sure that the school culture is one that they are comfortable with. They should also look at what classes are offered and make that decision on all aspects of the school and their child — for what one student might need might not be what another child needs.”

She added that her schools’ Catholic basis has a better-than-average focus on student wellbeing and that she believes that sharing a faith as part of education has a positive impact on students’ social and emotional well-being.

“I feel like there will always be a place for private schools,” she said. “I believe in the importance of schools to also be accredited and to continue to be accountable to their students and families.”

THERESA HALL

Superintendent, Catholic Schools of Arkansas High academic standards, smaller class sizes, faith-based approaches to learning and the perception of safety are some reasons why parents opt to send children to private schools, said Theresa Hall, superintendent of Catholic Schools of Arkansas, who added that there are numerous advantages to private schools. Parents tend to be more involved in such schools, she said, and the schools tend to have higher standardized test scores, fewer discipline problems and higher graduation rates.

However, she said, tuition dollars pay for salaries, facilities, utilities, sports, lunch programs, before- and after-school programs, and more at private schools, which often cannot offer as much to students because of higher costs. She added that the LEARNS Act has empowered all parents to choose the kind of education they want for their children.

“Private schools must now do more marketing to attract more students,” she said. “Parents have more choices, so we have to think about that and offer more programs such as STEM classes and robotics. We have to look at the current job market and prepare our students to meet those needs and go beyond.”

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics are not just for students; Hall said artificial intelligence is one of the biggest trends

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Private Schools

IN ARKANSAS For centuries, private schools across the Natural State have been transform-

ing children into competent young adults with an appreciation of faith. In this month's issue, we take a look at those private schools from the Ozarks to the Delta that cultivate young people into faithful leaders in their communities.

By WRITER // Photos By PHOTOGRAPHER

Arkansas

Boone

Grand Prairie Evangelical Methodist School - Stuttgart Holy Rosary School St. John’s Lutheran School - Stuttgart

ACU Arkansas Children’s University - Harrison Bible Baptist Christian School - Omaha Harrison Seventh Day Adventist - Harrison Hillcrest Christian School - Harrison

Baxter

Mountain Home Christian Academy - Mountain Home Mountain Home Seventh Day Adventist School - Mountain Home

Bradley

First Baptist Church Warren Christian School - Warren

Benton

ANH Montessori School - Rogers Bentonville Seventh Day Adventist - Bentonville Bentonville Christian Academy - Bentonville First Academy Gentry Mennonite School - Gentry Grace Lutheran Academy Gravette Holiness Bible School - Gravette Life Way Christian School New Heights 4 Kids - Bentonville Ozark Adventist Academy - Gentry Ozark Adventist School - Gentry Providence Classical Christian Academy - Rogers Providence Classical Christian Academy - Lowell Shiloh Christian School-Pinnacle Campus - Rogers St. Vincent de Paul School Sunshine Montessori - Siloam Springs Thaden School Walnut Farm Montessori School - Bentonville

Carroll

Academy of Excellence - Eureka Springs Calvary Christian Academy - Berryville Clear Spring School Trinity Christian Academy - Green Forest Clark

Clark County Christian Academy - Arkadelphia Ouachita Hills Academy - Amity Cleburne

Full Gospel Academy - Prim Hilltop Holiness Academy - Prim Columbia

Columbia Christian School Conway

Riverview Baptist Christian School - Morrilton Sacred Heart School 94

Craighead

Izard

All Saints Lutheran School - Jonesboro Blessed Sacrament School Montessori School of Jonesboro - Jonesboro Ridgefield Christian School - Jonesboro The Academy of TLC - Jonesboro

Trimble Christian School - Dolph Jackson

Christ Academy - Newport Jefferson

Maranatha Baptist Academy - Pine Bluff

Crawford

Johnson

Crittenden

Lafayette

Cross

Lee

Harmony Amish-Mennonite School - Clarksville

Joshua Academy - Van Buren

South Arkansas Christian School Pleasant Valley Mennonite School - Bradley

St. Michael Catholic School West Memphis Christian School - West Memphis

Assembly of God Christian Academy - Marianna Lee Academy - Marianna

Caldwell Christian Academy - Wynne Emily’s Place Christian Preschool & Academy - Wynne New Life Christian Academy - Wynne

Little River

Winthrop Baptist Academy - Winthrop

Desha

Cornerstone Christian Academy - Tillar

Logan

Drew

Monticello Christian Academy - Monticello

St. Joseph School Subiaco Academy

Faulkner

Lonoke

Cabot Christian School - Cabot New Horizon Academy - Ward

Ambassador Baptist Academy - Greenbrier Compass Academy - Conway Conway Christian School - Conway St. Joseph School Willow Roots Learning Center - Conway

Miller

Calvary Christian Academy - Ozark

First Baptist Church Texarkana Preschool & Kindergarten - Texarkana St. James Day School - Texarkana Texarkana Christian Academy - Texarkana Trinity Christian School - Texarkana

Garland

Mississippi

Franklin

Christian Ministries Academy Gospel Light Christian School - Hot Springs Hot Springs Adventist School - Hot Springs Lighthouse Christian School - Hot Springs New Beginning Christian Academy - Hot Springs St. John’s Catholic School St. Luke’s Episcopal Day School - Hot Springs

The Delta School - Wilson Ouachita

Victory Christian School - Camden Phillips

DeSoto School - West Helena Marvell Academy - Marvell Pike

Trinity Holiness Academy - Glenwood

Grant

Baptist Prep Sheridan - Sheridan

Polk

Bethel Christian School (Temporarily Closed) - Mena

Greene

Crowley’s Ridge Academy - Paragould St. Mary School

Pope

First United Methodist Preschool-Kindergarten - Hope Garrett Memorial Christian School - Hope

Pottsville Assembly of God Christian Academy - Pottsville Russellville Baptist Academy-First Baptist - Russellville St. John School Valley Christian School

Hot Spring

Pulaski

Hempstead

Ambassador Baptist Academy - Malvern Ewing Adventist Jr. Academy - Bonnerdale

Abundant Life School-Sherwood - Sherwood Access Academy - Little Rock Agape Academy - Little Rock Apostolic United Academy - North Little Rock Baptist Preparatory School Calvary Academy - North Little Rock Capital City Christian Academy - Little Rock

Howard

Nashville Christian Day School - Nashville Independence

Batesville Montessori - Batesville Montessori Christian Academy - Batesville Solid Rock Christian Academy - Batesville 95

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Catholic High School for Boys 6300 Father Tribou St. (501) 664-3939 // lrchs.org Catholic High School for Boys offers college-preparatory education for male students in 9th -12th grade. The school was founded in 1930, and their website states the “curriculum strives to challenge boys academically while also teaching the truths of manhood — faith, integrity and duty.” They are accredited by Arkansas Non-Public School Accrediting Association.

Saline

Arkansas Christian Academy - Bryant Avilla Christian Academy - Alexander Our Lady of Fatima School Sebastian

Christ the King School First Lutheran School - Fort Smith Fort Smith First United Methodist Church Weekday School - Fort Smith Harvest Time Academy Immaculate Conception School The Montessori School of Fort Smith Trinity Catholic School Union Christian Academy - Fort Smith

Cedar Heights Christian Academy - North Little Rock Central Arkansas Christian Central Arkansas Montessori - North Little Rock Chenal Valley Montessori School - Little Rock Children’s House Montessori School - Little Rock Christ Little Rock School Christ the King School Episcopal Collegiate School Full Counsel Preparatory Academy - North Little Rock Hebrew Academy of Arkansas - Little Rock Immaculate Conception School Immaculate Heart Of Mary School Jacksonville Christian Academy Johnson’s Montessori School - Little Rock Little Rock Adventist Academy - Little Rock Little Rock Christian Academy Little Rock Montessori School 3704 N. Rodney Parham Road.

(501) 225-2428 // lrmontessori.org Little Rock Montessori School offers elementary classes for first through third grade, primary classes for children ages 3 to 6 years and a toddler community ages 22 months to 3 years. They use the Montessori method of instruction, and their website states that they offer “a carefully planned, stimulating environment that will help children develop foundational habits, attitudes, skills, and ideas essential for a lifetime of creative thinking and learning.”

Sevier

Legacy Academy - Lockesburg Westline Christian Academy - DeQueen St. Francis Calvary Christian School - Forrest City Union

Maranatha Baptist Christian School West Side Christian School - El Dorado Van Buren

Christian Training Center-First Baptist Church - Clinton Washington

Anthem Classical Academy - Fayetteville Fayetteville Christian School - Fayetteville Fayetteville Creative School - Fayetteville Fayetteville Montessori Elementary - Fayetteville First School Fayetteville - Fayetteville Morrow Valley Christian Academy (Temporarily Closed) - Morrow Oak Grove Montessori School - Springdale Ozark Catholic Academy Prism North America - Fayetteville Salem Lutheran Preschool Shiloh Christian School-Springdale Campus - Springdale St. Joseph School The Grace School - Fayetteville The Hill School - Fayetteville The New School

Little Scholars Schools (Temporarily Closed) - Little Rock Mount St. Mary Academy New Life Christian Academy - North Little Rock North Little Rock Catholic Academy Our Lady of the Holy Souls School Pulaski Academy Sherwood Christian Academy - Sherwood Shiloh Excel Christian School - Little Rock Southwest Christian Academy - Little Rock St. Theresa School The Anthony School - Little Rock The Huda Academy - Little Rock The Pointe Day Treatment - Little Rock Word of Outreach Christian Academy - Little Rock

White

Center Hill School - Searcy Cornerstone Christian Academy - Kensett CrossPointe Preparatory School - Searcy Harding Academy - Searcy Liberty Christian School - Searcy Lighthouse Christian Academy - Beebe Trinity Christian School - Bradford Yell

Ola Christian Academy - Ola Belleville Amish Mennonite School - Belleville

Randolph

St. Paul School

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Little Rock Montessori School

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“The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child’s own natural desire to learn.”

— Maria Montessori 3704 N. Rodney Parham & 12015 Hinson Road, Little Rock 501.225.2428 // lrmontessori.org

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health

Forward

Facing New technology and treatments help patients retain a youthful look

By SARAH COLEMAN // Photos provided

W

hen it comes to skin health, specifically facial skin health, there is a lot of advice out there. From 10-step skincare routines demoed by a favorite TikTok star to the enchanting world of lasers, fillers, treatments and more, the face is one of the most important areas to nurture.

With health benefits and aesthetics at the focus of overall skincare, many client and patient goals can be addressed non-surgically, often through a series of treatments. These treatments include fillers and lasers and can be used to create more youthful-looking skin or to reduce the appearance of acne or wrinkles.

While growing old is a blessing, many Americans have been searching for ways to make the process a little more graceful without undergoing permanent surgical procedures. While there is much to consider before beginning any treatment, there are a variety of new solutions that have hit the market. Radiofrequency microneedling, muscle stimulation, injectables and phototherapy are all treatments that can produce results for clients and patients without having to elect for surgery.

In terms of skincare and anti-aging science, this seemingly constant cycle of innovation has led to cutting-edge treatments and services, as well as improved methods of providing these services.

According to Suzanne Yee, M.D., owner of Dr. Suzanne Yee Cosmetic & Laser Surgery Center in Little Rock, the constant innovation is exciting, and plenty of non-invasive procedures aid in the advancement of anti-aging efforts.

“There are new innovations essentially coming out every day in this field, and it’s really fascinating.

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“There are new innovations essentially coming out every day in this field, and it’s really fascinating.”

— Dr. Suzanne Yee

However, some products and procedures are better than others, and it’s really important to me that my patients are aware of the differences in surgical transformation compared to non-surgical treatments,” Yee said.

While the goal may be to appear younger, prevent wrinkles or simply to obtain better-looking skin, these procedures are not meant to completely redefine a person’s appearance.

“We never want to change the way a patient looks. Our goal is to enhance natural beauty while preventing damage that takes place during the aging process,” said Katherine Kidd-Thomas, nurse injector, founder and CEO of Arkansas Aesthetics in Little Rock and Conway.

Due to the speed at which these new innovations are being created, there is constant push in education and research of the products and services being offered to patients.

According to Brande Daniels, an aesthetic registered nurse injector at Ageless Aesthetics of Arkansas in Hot Springs, these innovations are not only exciting, but have completely changed the world of aesthetics.

In taking care of skin in general, there is a great benefit to those who are aging or who are worried about aging poorly. Many procedures or products may seem expensive. However, the benefits can be life-changing and significant.

“I like to think of the importance of taking care of your skin as an investment in yourself. It’s the one thing that we’re always going to wear, so it’s important to prevent as much damage as possible,’ said Paige Kelly, nurse injector with Wright Plastic Surgery in Little Rock.

Dr. Suzanne Yee, owner of Dr. Suzanne Yee Cosmetic & Laser Surgery Center in Little Rock, said her industry is full of innovations. have been several new devices launched within the last couple of years.

According to Yee, who uses Scarlet RF in her clinic, this form of microneedling has been a great success because it can be used on all skin types and has less downtime than other procedures.

Scarlet RF is also used to tighten skin. Typically, this procedure must be repeated in a series in order for a patient to receive optimum results.

Kelly, who also provides RF microneedling, has seen great success with the Genius RF, which works on all skin shades and helps to tighten the skin and produce collagen and elastin. According to Wright Plastic Surgery, this treatment is different from other RF microneedling treatments because it is the only product that can measure the RF energy so that it can be adjusted during treatment. According to Kelly, this treatment is also typically recommended as a series.

RADIOFREQUENCY MICRONEEDLING One of the biggest innovations in terms of skin tightening has been radiofrequency microneedling, a procedure that uses medical-grade needles to gently puncture the skin. This process stimulates more collagen production, which creates a reduced appearance of skin concerns such as scarring, fine lines and sagging.

The concept of RF microneedling is not completely new, but there

FACE MUSCLE STIMULATION A cutting-edge technology, Yee sings the praises of triLift, a product that is the first-of-its-kind on the market. As a dynamic

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Injectables, the breadand-butter of facial rejuvenation, have long been a mainstay for those wanting a nonsurgical treatment for a younger-looking face. muscle stimulation device, this machine works in sequence with two other modalities in order to tone the healthy facial muscles while also reducing facial wrinkles and smoothing and resurfacing the skin.

“As you age, facial muscles start to sag, just like our body,” Yee said. “This device works to stimulate the cheek muscles and jawline muscles that have elongated over time in order to help pull the muscles up and shorten them.”

Likened to a workout for your face, these enhancements also have to be maintained with a series of treatments. According to Yee, what makes this an excellent choice is there is no downtime associated with this treatment.

PHOTOTHERAPY Intense pulsed light therapy, also referred to as a photofacial, is a procedure that can improve the texture and color of skin. According to Kelly, this treatment works to tighten and heal the skin, making it a great option for after a laser treatment or to improve dark pigmentation.

“Typically, a lot of people want to come in after the summertime to have an IPL treatment because it is one of the quickest ways to resolve any discoloration caused by the sun,” Kelly said.

Broadband light therapy, a type of IPL, is a form of photo rejuvenation that delivers infrared light energy into the skin.

Known as BBL Hero at Ageless Aesthetics, broadband light is used to improve pigment, redness and overall skin quality on the face or anywhere else on the body. According to Daniels, the treatment is also a great option for those struggling with rosacea, acne or sun-damaged skin.

“Broadband light is like IPL on steroids, and once my clients see the difference, they agree,” she said.

ACNE TREATMENTS There are many forms of laser treatments available to improve appearance throughout the entire body, especially when it comes to facial treatments. Experts say this gives clients options when choosing treatments so they can achieve the best possible results.

Yee has recently introduced AviClear in her practice. The first-of-its-kind device has been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration to treat acne at its source. The treatment targets sebaceous glands, the acne-causing glands located just below the skin, ultimately keeping clogged pores open, thus reducing inflammation-causing acne.

According to Yee, patients may see some results in three to six months, with more permanent results at around eight months.

She said this is one of the better alternatives to Accutane because it does not bring on the same side effects.

“We have not had this device for a full year yet, but we have seen some really good results with it so far,” Yee said.

In addition to treatments such as the classic Hydrafacial, DiamondGlow has also been an increasingly popular microdermabrasion device. The treatment includes skin exfoliation, dirt extraction and serum infusion.

Also new in facial technology, the Vectra 3D imaging system provides skin analysis to patients seeking the best treatments for themselves. This analysis allows their provider a starting point to use in order to make the best recommendations on treatment. According to Kelly, Vectra analyses can be compared over time, giving patients a tangible look at how their skin is improving.

INJECTABLES Injectables, the bread-and-butter of facial rejuvenation, have long been a mainstay for those wanting a non-surgical treatment for a younger-looking face. Across all aesthetic and surgery practices, Botox has remained a leading force across injectable services.

Yee, who completed the very first Botox course taught in the United States in 1997, learned about the treatment directly from the people who discovered its use for decreasing wrinkles and improving overall appearance.

“I think Botox will always be a service that is offered. It has been one of my most favorite procedures because it makes a big difference,” Yee said. “In just a couple of weeks, patients can see their brows are lifted and their forehead is smooth.”

Nationally, there has been an increasing trend in patients in their 20s seeking out Botox in order to aid in preventative aging.

Nicknamed “baby Botox,” this practice involves receiving smaller doses of Botox injected into the forehead or crow’s feet in order to reduce the appearance of onsetting wrinkles. The treatment creates a subtle difference for those still in their youth, one that will ultimately allow more graceful aging over time.

As Yee has witnessed firsthand through her work, clients who start at a younger age tend to see the benefits of Botox much faster and look younger in comparison to their peers as they begin to age. Other providers agree with the observation.

According to Kelly, one of the reasons why receiving Botox at a younger age has been so appealing is because it takes away the game of catch-up as people age. The earlier the progression of wrinkles is prevented, she said, the less likely deep-lined wrinkles will form.

Other benefits to starting Botox earlier in life is not needing as much of it injected and not needing to receive injections as often. According to Daniels, the use of Botox for younger generations creates a natural result while also controlling pore size and oiliness.

For stimulating collagen, Sculptra has become one of the industry’s most popular treatments, as it uses poly lactic acid injections to stimulate overall collagen production. According to Yee, this injectable has been found to be a great use for bio stimulation, and by placing it in a thin layer under the skin, it works to stimulate collagen while also helping with wrinkles.

Kelly explained Sculpta is usually dosed over a series of treatments, with one vial of Sculptra recommended for every decade of a patient’s life.

“This is different from the hyaluronic acid fillers that are used

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to plump the cheeks or the lips,” Kelly said. “I like to look at this as a little bit like fertilizer for the face, as it helps with the regrowth of collagen.”

According to Daniels, Sculptra has emerged as the most popular service Ageless Aesthetics offers.

“Sculptra works by gradually restoring collagen in the skin, which results in a more natural and longer-lasting effect. This helps create a foundation to support natural-looking results in other fillers and neurotoxins, as well,” Daniels said.

Skinvive by Juvéderm is a new facial rejuvenation product that has been at the cutting edge of the cosmetic industry. An injectable, Skinvive is not used to create a filling effect, but to add hydration directly into the skin.

“Skinvive does a great job of improving the overall appearance of the skin,” Yee said, “Acne looks better, everything looks better when the face is hydrated.”

Daniels also has found great success with Skinvive and has introduced the injectable for further skin-healing measures, coupled with other skin treatments.

“We have introduced Skinvive not just for hydration purposes, but also providing exosomes, which aid in healing and can be used after a laser or microneedling treatment,” Daniels said.

According to Daniels, exosomes target the root causes of skin aging, leading to an improved look overall and to tissue homeostasis.

“I think exosomes are going to be one of the biggest innovations,” Yee said, adding that there are plenty of exosomes that are plant-based. She discourages use of humanbased exosomes, which currently lack FDA approval.

“We found that when we apply exosomes after treatments, inflammation decreases considerably, and it helps with healing,” Yee said. “We are using exosomes after some of our more invasive laser procedures, and we’ve seen great success in decreasing inflammation and helping the redness go away.”

As one of the newer and more innovative procedures offered, Yee is excited to offer PRP — platelet-rich plasma — injections as an alternative to hyaluronic acid fillers. Yee said the service involves drawing a patient’s blood, spinning it down to get the platelet-rich plasma, heating it until it turns into a gel, and then injecting it into the patient’s face.

“This is unique because it’s not a foreign substance, and it’s very unlikely that patients will have a reaction or an allergy to it because it is their own plasma,” Yee said. “With this, we can also tailor it to fit our patient’s needs better, depending on if they need a heavier or lighter filler.”

Dr. Suzanne Yee

Katherine Kidd-Thomas

Brande Daniels

Paige Kelly

LASERS Lasers are used for several purposes when it comes to treating skin issues or reversing aging. Ageless Aesthetics has recently added Moxi at the practice, a gentle, non-ablative, fractionated laser used to correct pigmentation issues while improving appearance of skin tone and texture.

“Moxi is amazing for those who are wanting a no-downtime laser that will still deliver noticeable results in their skin,” Daniels said.

“We see that this will be very popular with the younger generation.”

Yee’s practice has implemented the use of the Isolaz laser, and it has quickly become one of the most popular options due to the fact that treatments are painless. Using photopneumatic technology, the laser delivers superior results in treating acne because it includes an attached vacuum used to deep clean and purify pores from the inside out. Due to its painlessness, this treatment works well with younger people who are struggling with acne.

“It does a great job making the skin look brighter and more glowy,” Yee said. “In addition to helping with acne, it works wonders on brown spots, helps with redness and also helps with pore size.”

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Benefits of the Moxi laser by Sciton: • Great for all skin types • Gentle technology • Ideal for younger patients who are just starting a skin regimen or anyone looking to brighten and refresh their skin • Minimal downtime

t Ageless Aesthetics in Hot Springs, it is easy to put one’s best face forward. With a range of comprehensive, results-driven services addressing a wide variety of skin concerns — from Bellafill and Botox to laser hair removal and Vitality Institute peels — Ageless Aesthetics has a treatment for everyone.

Ageless Aesthetics also offers a number of expertly formulated SkinMedica products to treat conditions such as hyperpigmentation, acne, dehydration, aging and sensitive skin. SkinMedica has dedicated years of research to formulate advanced skin care products to deliver optimal results for patients, and each product works with the skin’s natural healing properties to achieve transformative results from the inside out.

Owner Brande Daniels and her knowledgeable team formulate a highly customized skincare treatment plan for each guest that promotes repair and optimal skin health. Now, with the newly added Moxi laser by Sciton, the med spa offers yet another option for achieving rejuvenated, beautiful skin. Moxi provides a gentler approach to laser resurfacing while correcting uneven pigmentation and improving skin tone and texture without the recovery or downtime associated with more aggressive laser procedures.

Skinmedica • SkinBetter • Obagi • Elta MD • Colorescience • Neocutis

We provide effective and affordable skincare treatments and procedures that will bring out your best self.

A few of the procedures we offer: • Laser treatments • Botox/Dysport injectables • Dermal fillers • Sculptra • Threadlifts • Body contouring • Coolsculpt Elite • Cooltone • Morpheus • Radio frequency • Chemical peels • DiamondGlow • And More!

Laney Scroggins, Tammy Hughes, Ronda Klatt, RN; Sam Bollan, APRN; Abby Gibson, Kandi Ellars, Esthetician “Our dedicated team of experienced professionals at Ageless understands the unique needs and concerns of each individual. We pride ourselves on providing personalized care and creating a warm, welcoming environment where you can feel completely at ease.”

CEO, Brande Daniels, RN, BSN Medical Director, Jeffrey Herrold, M.D.

501.623.2500 135 Medical Park Pl Hot Springs, AR 71901 info@agelessaestheticsar.com 102

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Beyond Wellness now has four tailored membership options, including: the Aesthetics Membership, Limited Membership, Unlimited Membership and Exclusive Membership. By becoming a member, patients commit to prioritizing their wellness while enjoying exclusive benefits. Learn more by visiting beyondwellnessar.com or call 501-476-7171. The memberships are currently available at the Little Rock location only.

iscover a redefined approach to wellness at Beyond Wellness, where tradition meets innovation across two convenient clinic locations in central Arkansas.

The comprehensive range of services is designed to elevate any health journey and focuses on wellness, aesthetics, weight management, hormone therapy and self-service options within our membership platforms, among others. As Beyond Wellness steps into the new year, its goal is to cater to individual wellness needs, offering diverse programs and experiences.

Beyond Wellness has recently introduced a membership program at the Little Rock location, presenting four tailored options — Aesthetics Membership, Limited Membership, Unlimited Membership and Exclusive Membership — with exciting additions on the horizon. By becoming a member, patients commit to prioritizing their wellness while enjoying exclusive benefits such as discounted services and products, telehealth, access to membership events and mixers, priority booking of the membership provider, guaranteed quarterly appointments, access to the Beyond Wellness app, and more.

Christa Jackson, APRN, at the Little Rock location, and Jordan Davidson, APRN, at the Hot Springs Village location, both share expertise in weight management, peptide therapy, hormone therapy, laser therapies, body contouring, radiofrequency microneedling, hair restoration, joint injections and injectables.

Interested in becoming a Beyond Wellness member? Use this exclusive AY magazine offer of 20 percent off towards a membership: AYWELLNESS2024. Expiration: 3/31/24.

Experience Elevated Wellness at Beyond Wellness: Your

Ultimate Health Destination in Central Arkansas!

beyondwellnessar.com | 501-476-7171 For a deeper insight into Beyond Wellness, explore beyondwellnessar.com and join us on social media @beyondwellnessar to stay connected.

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Here are a few questions to ask when looking for a qualified med spa: • How many times have you performed this treatment?

• What type of training is required for the equipment or treatment?

• Does the facility have its own before-and-after photos and not one from a company or website?

• How long has the supervising physician practiced, and what type of training and certification do they have?

• How involved in the supervising physician?

he last 20 years have seen countless med spas open where those looking for nonsurgical routes to rejuvenate their skin and body can obtain treatments such as Botox, fillers, lasers and skin care under the supervision of a licensed physician — but with so many options available, how does one decide where to go?

It is to each patient’s advantage to seek out a facility under the supervision of a board-certified cosmetic or plastic surgeon such as Suzanne Yee, M.D. A physician trained in surgical and nonsurgical treatments can give you honest recommendations as to the best way to achieve your aesthetic goals — even if that means surgery. Med spa services can often complement surgical cosmetic procedures, and the involvement of a board-certified physician can help patients review all of their options to achieve their desired results.

While many nonsurgical treatments are administered by aesthetic professionals at the med spa, the supervising physician will be well-versed in every procedure offered, working closely with their team to develop treatment menus and maintain high standards for training and results. Yee, for example, oversees the daily operations of her facility and even consults directly on certain cases.

Dr. Yee is especially renowned for: • Breast Augmentation • Tummy Tuck • Arm Lift • BOTOX Cosmetic • Liposuction • Endoscopic Brow Lift • Facelift • Clinical Hair Restoration • Mommy Makeover • CoolSculpting Elite Dr. Suzanne Yee is one of the Natural State’s most accomplished cosmetic surgeons. Dr. Yee graduated from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and was ranked 1st in her graduating class. She completed her surgery internship at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and her facial plastics and reconstructive surgery fellowship at the University of Texas at Houston. Dr. Yee has been serving the state of Arkansas through her medical skills and fashion sensibilities at her cosmetic and laser surgery center since 2003.

12600 CANTRELL RD. • STE 100 • LITTLE ROCK 501.224.1044 • DRSUZANNEYEE.COM

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A tip from Lindsey Ponwith, APRN, owner of Revive Lifestyle Medicine: “Tell your injector your concerns and acknowledge their recommendations. Botox won’t correct sagging jowls, just like a lip flip won’t make you look like a Kardashian.

Be realistic, and then make and adhere to the treatment plan that will hit your aesthetic goals. One treatment of Botox goes a long way, but a treatment plan is necessary for long term gain and achieving your goals — especially when you are working from a deficit.”

he experts at Revive Lifestyle Medicine want every client to feel and look their best. Revive offers a wide range of cutting-edge treatments to help every patient embrace wellness and feel redefined. Rather than digging into the nitty-gritty science behind neurotoxins, filler and more, here are a few words from the expert providers themselves: “My favorite thing about neurotoxin is the anti-aging effect it has on your skin, creating a more youthful, smoother appearance. My favorite thing about filler, specifically for the lips, is that it not only gives them beautiful volume, but it also corrects symmetry, providing a more balanced appearance.”

– Bailey Taylor, R.N. “My favorite thing about Botox is how much of a difference it makes in your skin’s appearance. It not only helps with fine lines and wrinkles, but makes your face look fantastic makeup-free.” – Tori Cecil, operations manager “Anyone can be a candidate for treatments, as they are meant to enhance what is already there. The tox and fillers that are done right are the kind that aren’t obvious. Remember that it does take time, so trust the process.”

– Jourdan Quinn, APRN “My favorite part about tox and filler is looking more refreshed. Even when I’m tired, I don’t look so tired. I also love that it has the ability to be used for multiple aspects of health care. For example, I receive treatments for my migraines, and it has been a game changer.” – Kayla Hayes, R.N. “I love the ability to make people feel more confidence in who they are.” – Candace Husman, P.A.

INVEST IN YOUR BODY, YOUR MIND, AND

YOURSELF.

We offer a full range of general healthcare practice services, with emphasis on men and women’s hormone replacement, metabolic achievement, and aesthetic skin care procedures.

(501) 779-8554 | 8114 CANTRELL RD. SUITE 201, LITTLE ROCK ADMIN@MYHOUSECALL.COM 106

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Most Popular Solux Services (use together for full facial balancing): • Neurotoxins • Dermal fillers • Sculptra: stimulates natural collagen production to improve skin quality and reduce wrinkles while restoring a youthful glow • Platelet-rich fibrin: uses the body’s own blood cells to improve skin texture, increase hyaluronic acid and collagen production

olux Aesthetics in Benton prides itself on being the most inclusive med spa around, offering everything from basic skin care needs to injectables. Whether it is a chemical peel, dermaplaning, or fillers and neurotoxins, Solux has everything needed to enhance one’s natural beauty.

From the moment patients walk through the door, they and their needs are the first priority of owner and registered nurse Miranda Kuykendall and her experienced team. Solux’s highly knowledgeable estheticians and nurse injectors are happy to answer any and all questions to ensure every client feels comfortable and beautiful during the whole visit. Every Solux experience is individualized so that clients not only receive excellent results, but also enjoy the highest quality of care in central Arkansas.

Prospective patients do not have to take their word for it — here is what one five-star reviewer had to say about the experience: “Highly recommend Solux. The sweetest people and most welcoming atmosphere. I never feel hesitant about asking questions because they are full of knowledge. You will not regret making an appointment with them.”

Solux Aesthetics is also expanding its sought-after services to North Little Rock, and loyal customers can enjoy the best pricing around thanks to the med spa’s growing VIP Membership program.

149 S Market St. Benton 2501 Crestwood Rd., Ste 100 North Little Rock Miranda Kuykendall Owner/Advanced Nurse Injector 501.351.2211 Logan Ramsey Advanced Nurse Injector 501.317.6822 Amelia Hollensworth Licensed Esthetician 501.672.4914 Check us out on social media

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Beyond

BOTOX

Botox is all the rage in beauty circles but it is hardly the only option for those looking to put their best face forward

By MARK CARTER Photos provided

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mericans emerged from behind the mask of COVID-19 ready to put their best face forward, and in a literal way. Advancements in technology were waiting on the other side of the pandemic veil, making facial procedures more accessible and less invasive, and multiple studies since 2020 have confirmed spikes in visits to plastic and cosmetic surgeons.

In 2021, aesthetic outpatient surgeries increased 54 percent in the United States, according to data from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Getting “work done,” especially on the face, used to be a secretive endeavor. In the age of social media, before-and-after pictures are as common as kittens playing with balls of yarn.

“I think there is much less negative stigma presently associated with Plastic Surgery than ever before,” said Dr. Kris Shewmake, a board-certified plastic surgeon and owner of Shewmake Plastic Surgery in Little Rock.

“Surgery of the face, eyes, and neck make up about 85 to 90 percent of my practice. Thirty years ago, the average age of my patients for these types of procedures was probably 65 to 70. Now the average is probably 50 to 55 years of age. Facial aging to a large extent is genetic. I have 45-year-old patients who look 10 to 15 years older than that. Even though many consider this young, they are great candidates for facial aesthetic surgery and they get to enjoy it longer.”

Shewmake was not just referring to the ladies. Since he launched his private practice in 1996, the percentage of male patients he treats for aesthetic reasons has risen from 5 percent to 20 percent.

“Male aesthetic surgery is the most rapidly growing demographic in our field,” Shewmake said. “Men are finally realizing that it is OK for them to care about their appearance and especially their skin. Professional skin care treatments and products for men are becoming more available.”

Dr. Mimi Lee, whose Little Rock practice focuses on vein and aesthetic care, offers injectable dermal fillers among other treatments. Her practice is one of many that has seen an increase in interest and demand, she said, because the stigma attached to “having work done” is going away.

“I don’t see it slowing down,” she said. “It’s not as taboo as it used to be, even in men, and it’s becoming more affordable.”

Data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found that Americans spent more than $26 billion on cosmetic procedures in 2022. Of the nearly 23.7 million cosmetic minimally invasive procedures performed in 2022, the top five were facial in nature or potentially involved the face: • Neuromodulator injections (brand names such as Botox, Dysport, Xeomin and Jeuveau) used to temporarily smooth facial wrinkles and forehead lines and tighten cheeks (up 73 percent from 2019); • Hyaluronic acid fillers (brands such as Juvéderm Ultra, Ultra Plus, Voluma, Volbella and Vollure) to temporarily restore vo ume and smooth out wrinkles and fine lines without incisions, with immediate results (up 70 percent from 2019); • Skin resurfacing, a facial rejuvenation procedure that uses a laser to improve the skin’s appearance or treat minor facial flaws by removing the top layer of skin in various ways to stimulate the growth of new, healthier skin; • Skin treatments that remove the top layer of skin to stimulate the growth of new, healthier skin using a combination of laser treatments of different wavelengths to address multiple issues simultaneously, offering a comprehensive approach to skin rejuvenation, including intense pulsed light, which is used to target pigmentation irregularities, redness or sun damage; • Lip augmentation with injectable materials (the fastest riser in popularity) to enhance the volume and shape of the lips with filler.

Shewmake said most of his patients need only touch-ups as opposed to surgery. “The earlier patients address their concerns, whether related to aging or just their appearance in general, the longer they get to enjoy it,” he said. “Additionally, the earlier you do things to your skin, the longer these things will last. There is so much more collagen and elastin present in our skin when we are young. In our late 30s and early 40s, collagen and elastin levels begin to decline and every year we lose more elasticity. A facelift done when someone is in their early 40s will last much longer than someone in their 70s.”

Eighty-two percent of all cosmetic procedures performed in 2022 were non-surgical, according to a recent report from the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The three most common treatments were neurotoxins, fillers and topicals, while the top three surgical procedures were facelifts, blepharoplasties (removal of excess fat from eyelids) and rhinoplasties (nasal reconstruction), the report states. Rhinoplasty was the most requested surgery among patients younger than 34 years old.

The same research found a 15 percent increase in buccal fat removal, a procedure that delivers a slimmer facial appearance.

Anne Trussell practiced internal medicine for more than 20 years before opening Sei Bella Med Spa in Little Rock.

Her patients seek cosmetic procedures for a host of reasons, including renewed confidence after a divorce and wanting to look as good as younger people with whom they work or socialize, she said.

Some decide to spend money on a procedure for other reasons, such as Botox injections for headaches, mommy makeovers and repair from cancer treatments, she added, but most simply want to feel better about their personal appearance.

“They choose to spend their money on aesthetic procedures, surgery or otherwise, to give themselves back some

“Male aesthetic surgery is the most rapidly growing demographic in our field.”

— Dr. Kris Shewmake

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Cosmetic procedures for the face can deliver striking results, as evidenced by these before-and-after shots from Dr. Kris Shewmake.

confidence after a divorce, because their spouse or partner is 10 to 15 years younger, and even just so their clients don’t think they look mad,” she said.

“Their confidence is improved, as well as the ability to stand up for themselves in any situation. They have an increased sense of self-worth.”

Of the 1.5 million cosmetic surgical procedures performed in 2022, eyelid surgeries were among the top five and up 13 percent since 2019, the AAFPRS states. Of the nearly 1.02 million reconstructive procedures performed in 2022, maxillofacial (face and jaw) procedures and scar revision were in the top five.

Overall, interest in cosmetic surgery or non-surgical procedures among women is up 11 percent since the pandemic hit, with an even higher rate among women who had already had some sort of procedure, according to the data.

More than 75 percent of cosmetic-focused practices polled by ASPS continue to see increased business since the pandemic, with more than 30 percent reporting business had doubled. Trussell said her practice has seen a significant spike since the pandemic, which she believes helped shape the current trend.

“Once the country opened up after the pandemic and masks were a thing of the past, people became very concerned about their appearance,” Trussell said. “During the lockdown, people became acutely aware of their appearance on Zoom meetings and came in for Botox and fillers.”

When patients physically feel better and look better, she said, their emotional status drastically improves.

“The important thing for people to remember is that one treatment is not going to fix all the aging concerns that someone has,” Trussell said. “It usually takes a combination of treatments. It’s important to choose a provider that knows what will work best for them and will work with their budget to give them the best bang for the buck.”

COVID-19, which sequestered millions of Americans to the home office, offered an opportune time to undergo cosmetic procedures. Shewmake said his practice experienced a big spike when the pandemic began to wind down.

“People came in wanting to get procedures done before they had to go back to work,” he said. “COVID represented a perfect time to get procedures done. All those meetings where you’re looking at yourself on a TV

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screen made people self-aware. All of a sudden, they got a good look at themselves and didn’t like what they saw.”

Dr. Zach Young, a double board-certified plastic surgeon and owner of Arkansas Plastic Surgery in Little Rock, said advanced technology played a big role in the growing popularity of cosmetic procedures, especially on the face. Procedures now are less painful and more accessible with less recovery time needed. Young estimated that 95 percent of his surgeries now are outpatient because of advanced technology.

Laser technology is used to treat sun-damaged skin, wrinkles, crow’s feet, forehead lines, and even scars from acne or other sources. Laser treatments have become more prominent due to positive results and shorter recovery times.

Laser skin tightening is another popular nonsurgical option for facial procedures. It entails radiofrequency energy

“I always prefer patients to look natural. I listen to patients’ concerns and goals and try to guide them and recommend things based on that.”

— Dr. Mimi Lee

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delivering targeted heat to deep layers of the skin to promote new collagen production, which results in tighter skin. This treatment is notable for providing visible results with little downtime, and it also works with ultrasound energy.

Other relatively new treatments include the use of exosomes, a component extracted from certain cells in the body. Exosomes are becoming popular in the industry because they accelerate healing, cutting patient downtime in half. Shewmake called them “fertilizer for the skin.”

Injections of platelet-rich plasma represent another trending new treatment. PRP is used to enhance cosmetic procedures and even stimulate hair growth. Plus, the autologous fat found in non-fetal stem cells has been found to contain regenerative properties conducive to facial rejuvenation, and further research is ongoing.

Consumer demand is driving all this new technology, and at Young’s practice, the trend is toward a more natural look.

“We’ve gotten so much better as an industry with pain control and surgical technique,” he said, citing improved numbing medicine and targeted injections that block nerves. “People want a more natural look — no more of the Pamela Anderson look of the ’90s.”

Laser technology also gives patients more options, Trussell said. Her practice’s cache of non-surgical options includes four different frequencies of lasers. These include six different devices from medical tech company BTL used for skin tightening and working on high-intensity focused electromagnetic technology, also known as HIFEM, radiofrequency, ultrasound and pulsed ultrasound, and intense pulsed light treatment, which is used to improve the color and texture of the skin.

Shewmake said his patients are considering aesthetic surgery at a younger age than they did previously, thanks in part to healthier lifestyles.

“Overall, so many people are pursuing and enjoying healthy lifestyles, including exercise, eating healthy and taking care of their skin,” he said. “The most common thing I hear every day from my patients is, ‘Dr. Shewmake, I feel so much younger than I look when I see a photograph of myself. I don’t want to look 20 again; I just want to look as good as I feel.’ Many people, when I ask them how old they feel, give me a number that can be up to 20 years younger than their real age. I am totally convinced, especially after 30 years of practice, that we feel better about ourselves when we look good.”

He also credited advancements in anesthesia and the rise of cosmetic surgery into the mainstream thanks to Extreme Makeover-type TV shows, YouTube and social media, which allow “people to see the powerful changes that can be made in patients’ lives.” He warned of the downsides as well.

“The popular show, Botched, depicts some of the problems that can be associated with bad cosmetic surgery,” he added.

Another popular option — injections — may not deliver the Star Treksounding tech of lasers and ultrasound, but they enable providers to easily deliver the slimmed down, sharper facial look sought by many consumers. In his blog, Dr. Leif Rogers, a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, included injections as one of the country’s current top trends, along with facelift “light,” liposuction, and eye and neck work. The use of fillers continues to trend up, as does a lighter approach to facial work centered on the lips and cheeks, he added.

For Lee’s patients, enhancement of the lips, chin and jawlines is trending and new filler products are coming out every day, she said.

“What I do is very specialized. There’s a lot of different science behind each filler,” she said. “Fillers are unique to each patient. Sometimes you’ll use a needle, sometimes a cannula.” Lee said she always tells patients to start small and then add more later if needed or desired.

“I always prefer patients to look natural. I listen to patients’ concerns and goals and try to guide them and recommend things based on that,” she said.

“Sometimes a patient will come in with one concern, ‘I hate the lines above my lips.’ It’s better, though, to treat the face as a unit. It’s important not to microfocus on one area. Putting volume in just one area makes the face look funny. I’m a believer that a little bit goes a long way.”

Another factor to consider is generational in nature. With plastic sur-

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gery’s negative stigma lifting, younger consumers are more open to aesthetic procedures, according to Dr. Bob Basu, a board-certified plastic surgeon from Houston and a member of the ASPS board.

“Millennials are very sophisticated in terms of getting the information they want,” Basu said in a recent Baylor College of Medicine blog. “They share their experiences with other people through social media platforms or other methods, so these procedures are no longer taboo. They’re actually relatable and accessible. Because of this open sharing, patients also come in well-versed about the procedures of interest. It really allows us to have a really productive discussion about their options.”

Basu added that his practice is seeing more patients across all age groups, as well as more men seeking services.

He said people spending more time looking at their computer screens and phones has helped make them more aware of their facial appearance.

“I think there’s something that’s happened in terms of the cultural values on aesthetics and wellness in this country that we haven’t seen before. I think people are recognizing that it’s OK to do something for themselves,” he said in the blog interview.

Ultimately, the spike in aesthetic procedures boils down to one thing — people feeling better about their appearance and themselves.

Trussell said her patients tell her they prefer her services to full plastic surgery for several reasons, including cost, fear

Procedures now are less painful and more accessible with less recovery time needed.

Young estimated that 95 percent of his surgeries now are outpatient because of advanced technology.

— Dr. Zach Young

“When patients physically feel better and look better, their emotional status drastically improves.”

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t Conway Med Spa, staff members prioritize patients’ confidence and well-being. Whether they are seeking to refresh their appearance or simply pamper themselves, the tranquil atmosphere and cutting-edge treatments provide a haven of beauty and relaxation. The team offers a variety of med spa services, including laser hair removal, skin rejuvenation, massage, facial rejuvenation and more that will leave patients feeling revitalized and empowered. Experienced technicians can customize each med spa treatment plan to one’s exact needs. Join countless satisfied clients who trust Conway Med Spa with their beauty and wellness needs. Visit Conway Med Spa today, and let staff help rediscover your inner and outer radiance. The journey to timeless beauty begins here.

— Dr. Anne Trussell of being put under anesthesia, medical problems that make surgery too risky and less downtime. Plus, many of Trussell’s patients do not think their facial concerns are bad enough for surgery yet, she said.

Shewmake’s experience as a surgeon at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children’s Hospital, where he performed life-changing surgeries such as those for birth deformities and cancer reconstruction, gives him a unique perspective in his private practice.

“I didn’t realize it then, but I realize it now more than ever that making people feel better about the way they look can change everything for these patients as well,” he said. “Giving someone the face and neck that they had when they were 20 years younger can make them feel more self-confident, increase their self-esteem and self worth, motivate them to get the rest of their body in shape, go back into the workforce, or open a new company. I’ve seen all these things in my patients. Giving a woman back her body after having three kids and three C-sections, breast-feeding and gaining weight from pregnancy, so that she can feel comfortable in a bathing suit while taking her kids to the beach or to the pool again is a great feeling. Watching patients be able to wear and look great in clothes that they never thought they would be able to wear again after body contouring surgery, is a great feeling.”

Young also performs procedures that repair damage resulting from things such as cancer, giving birth and massive weight loss, but he treats his share of aesthetic procedures, as well.

“You’re helping patients immediately have a better outlook on life,” he said. “While all procedures may not be 100 percent necessary, we’re helping them physically and mentally.”

Lee, meanwhile, focuses on aesthetic treatments through injections and is considered a vein care pioneer in Arkansas. She approaches her work from the perspective of an artist.

“What we do is like picking up the right paint brush, picking out the right product and then using the right technique,” she said. “It’s like artwork. Each patient is like painting a new piece of art.”

Revitalize your skin at Conway Med Spa! Indulge in the ultimate self-care experience at Conway Med Spa, where luxury meets rejuvenation. Elevate your skincare routine with the renowned ZO® Skin Health product line, tailored to your unique needs for radiant, age-defying skin. Our expert team of professionals specialize in Botox, Juvederm, Dysport, and Restylane fillers, ensuring you achieve the flawless complexion you desire.

To make an appointment, visit conwaymedspa.com or contact us at 501-932-0936.

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ost anyone can look and feel their best with a visit to Flawless Med Spa in Bryant. With a variety of treatments designed to fit into even the busiest lifestyles, owner Lindsey Smith and her experienced team leave clients feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and beautiful.

Those who are short on time can try one of Flawless Med Spa’s most popular treatments: Photofacial (intense pulsed light therapy): Photofacials provide visible improvement for pigmentation, age and sun spots, broken capillaries, and overall skin appearance. This gentle treatment removes skin imperfections and stimulates collagen and elastic fiber production.

Best of all, this is a fast “lunch-time” treatment with no downtime.

Laser hair removal: This is the ultimate solution to getting rid of unwanted hair and helps achieve smooth, soft skin. This treatment is ideal for all areas of the body, from head to toe, and it is comfortable, safe and effective for all skin tones. Treat both legs in as little as 20 to 30 minutes.

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Achieve your 2024 health and wellness goals with RED Zone. Work with our team to customize your individualized health plan and experience the success of your best year ever!

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t RED Zone Health & Wellness, you will find your strategy and team to help you achieve your goals and to protect yourself from challenges you are facing. Your team will consist of a physician, registered nurses and a life/health coach. Strategic resources include injectable GLP-1 medications and vitamin supplements, with a focus on good hydration and health habits.

Your goals may be anything from a target weight to improved overall health and wellness. We can also help you defend yourself against the threats to your health and well-being ranging from fatigue and inflammation to chronic illnesses.

At RED Zone, we believe success is a balance of achieving your short-term goals to reinforce your efforts and help you sustain long-term health and wellness.

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PAMPER YOURSELF AT FLAWLESS MED SPA With a warm and compassionate demeanor, from Flawless Med Spa providers, we create a safe and welcoming environment for patients to express their desires and concerns openly. We believe in building strong relationships with patients, fostering trust and ensuring that they feel supported and cared for during every step of their aesthetic journey.

501-504-7949 814 N. Creek Drive, Suite A Conway www.redzone.health info@redzone.health

2700 N. Prickett Rd Suite 1C Bryant, AR 72022

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IMPROVING YOUR HEALTH, WELLNESS, & BEAUTY Dr. Anne Trussell owns and operates Sei Bella Med Spa. She is in the office daily working alongside her nurses and medical aestheticians to offer the least invasive procedures with the best results.

We offer bodysculpting, cellulite treatment, noninvasive facelifts, urinary incontinence treatment and intimate wellness with Emsella and EmFemme, laser resurfacing, chemical peels and laser hair removal, bioidentical hormone pellet therapy as well as the traditional injectables like Botox, Dysport and fillers.

2023

2023

Age Management | Body Contouring/ Fat Loss | Hormone Therapy Physician Owned and Operated Anne R. Trussell, M.D. ABAARM FAARM

10310 W. Markham, Ste. 202 Little Rock 501.228.6237 seibellamedspa.net |

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hether it is acne, dry and aging skin, or just the need for a little self-care, the Skin Bar & Med Spa has its satisfied clients covered.

From the moment guests enter the relaxing studio environment, their well-being is the No. 1 priority, with treatments customized to meet each individual’s needs.

For those tired of constant shaving or waxing, the Skin Bar’s laser hair removal treatment gets rid of the hassle with fast, long-lasting results — not to mention a free consultation to get started. Pair that with a professional facial and personalized skincare regimen to feel rejuvenated from head to toe.

Owner Kristi Sims and her talented team — including licensed estheticians, massage therapists and injectors — do everything to make the Skin Bar experience as enjoyable as possible. From massages and chemical peels to injectables and even tattoo removal, the Skin Bar is there to make guests’ beauty journey a relaxing and pampered ride.

Find the Skin Bar’s original location in Benton, which has now served clients for over a decade, or visit the newest location in Hot Springs.

Elevate the Skin Bar experience with a monthly membership package: Bronze ($55): Express facial or massage (30 minutes); brow or lip wax; sauna session Silver ($75): Custom facial or massage (1 hour); brow or lip wax; sauna session Gold ($145): Custom facial; massage (1 hour); brow or lip wax; sauna session * Memberships include 10 percent off other services and products. Add on a peel or dermaplane for $25.

Beauty Begins Here.

Whether you’re looking to treat acne, dry skin, aging skin, or just want a little TLC, we’ve got you covered.

Our Services • Skin Care • Chemical Peels • Laser Services • Injectables • Lashes & Brows

Bryant 3301 Main Street Bryant, AR 72022

• Massage • Waxing • Spray Tan • Tattoo Removal • Infrared Sauna

Hot Springs Village 110 Cordoba Center Dr Hot Springs, AR 71909

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t Wright Plastic Surgery & Med Spa in Little Rock, staff members are known for their expertise, premier patient experiences and the delivery of refined, natural-looking results. From injectables to advanced skin rejuvenation and IV therapy, the business’ measured, customized approach is delivered with kindness, compassion and care.

Wright Plastic Surgery & Med Spa offers savings on popular non-surgical treatments through its membership programs.

Annual Tox and Skin Care Club memberships are patients’ keys to saving big on the most popular products and services.

Our licensed esthetician provides results-driven treatments and helps develop medical-grade skin care plans so patients can achieve and maintain vibrant, healthy skin. Facial services include: • Vectra skin analysis • Microdermabrasion • Hydrafacial • LED light therapy • Glo2Facial • Chemical peels • Dermaplane facial • Brows and lashes • Customized facials • Waxing

Whether one is seeking to soften wrinkles, restore lost facial volume, shape lips or address under-eye circles, each treatment will be customized to address patients’ unique facial structures and concerns. Our injectables include: • Neurotoxins: Botox cosmetic, Dysport • Dermal fillers: Juvéderm, Restylane, RHA Collection • Biostimulatory fillers: Sculptra • All-natural fillers: platelet-rich plasma, platelet-rich fibrin We also carry a comprehensive suite of results-driven laser, light and energy-based technologies to address a multitude of skin concerns, including fine lines and wrinkles, skin laxity, red and brown pigmentation, skin texture and acne scars. These technologies include: • SkinPen microneedling • Subnovii skin tightening • Genius radiofrequency • ResurFX laser microneedling • Intense pulsed light • Ellacor Micro-Coring

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Avoiding FITNESS

FAILURE Keeping New Year’s resolutions is challenging enough without exercise injuries

By TODD TRAUB

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fter surviving the holidays, along with a haul of gifts, many may have accumulated a few pounds they would now like to shed, or maybe some have been resolved to take up some kind of exercise for a while and Jan. 1 just seemed like a good time to start.

They would not be alone. Fitness is back as the No. 1 goal for the New Year, according to an October Forbes Health/ OnePoll survey, with 48 percent of respondents saying improved fitness was their resolution for 2024, ahead of improved finances (38 percent) and last year’s top goal of improved mental health (36 percent).

With all the best intentions that come with a fresh 12 months, millions of people make the annual pledge to hit the track or the sidewalks to log some miles or head to a fitness center or the garage to hoist some weights and work on their physique. A 2022 YouGov poll showed 37 percent of Americans said they had a goal or resolution for this year, with 87 percent saying they were likely or somewhat likely to keep it throughout the year.

As a cliche as common as any found in a Hallmark Christmas movie, New Year’s resolutions have a way of falling by the wayside. The Forbes Health/OnePoll survey found that the average resolution lasts just under four months, with only 8 percent sticking to their goal for one month, 22 percent lasting two months, 22 percent lasting three months and 13 percent lasting four months.

Failed resolutions are so common, in fact, they are commemorated by unofficial dates like Ditch New Year’s Resolution Day ( Jan. 17) and Quitter’s Day on the second Friday in January.

When it comes to failed fitness resolutions, it could be that people’s goals are too ambitious. It could be that they chose an activity that is not fun. It could be that they do not achieve the desired results soon enough and lose interest.

It could be that they got hurt.

Injuries exist as the biggest roadblock to getting in shape. One can muster willpower, hire a trainer or join a gym, but if one gets hurt, none of it matters, and by the time the Christmas tree comes down in March, it is not an elf but oneself who is on the shelf. A once-fresh beginning is at an end, the fitness plan is a smoldering ruin, and millions face the dissolution of their resolution.

It does not have to be that way.

Following the proper precautions and choosing the appropriate exercise can help a fitness routine take hold and

firm up that person in the mirror in the hoped-for way.

“The No. 1 point I want to convey is you can get hurt exercising, but my recommendation is not to avoid exercise.

That’s not what I’m saying,” said William Hefley, orthopedic surgeon with Bowen Hefley Orthopedics. “I think avoiding exercise carries some risk in itself. It carries risk for heart disease and diabetes and Alzheimer’s and all sorts of problems that occur with a sedentary lifestyle.”

EXPLAINING THE PAIN

Hefley and Paul Edwards, orthopedic surgeon at Arkansas Surgical Hospital, said they tend to see a spike in exercise-related injuries early in a new year.

“You do see some of that where people have a New Year’s resolution, and they’re going to get out and do too much,” Hefley said. “They decide they’re going to take up running and run six miles the first day.”

The injury list includes ankle sprains, hamstring and muscle strains, hamstring tendonitis or pulls, upper extremity problems such as shoulder and elbow pain or tendonitis, and rotator cuff or labrum tears. Clinics also see their share of knee problems such as ACL injuries or meniscus tears.

“I think these injuries are ones that any patient of any age or any person of any age can experience when they’re going from a sedentary or not-as-active lifestyle to meeting resolutions or an active program,” Edwards said.

Dr. William Hefley

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Dr. Paul Edwards

Running, whether on the track or as part of a sport such as basketball, is responsible for many of the lower extremity injuries such as hamstring pulls, ACL tears, tendinitis, and knee and ankle inflammation.

“Some people are unaware they have mild arthritis when they start exercising, and they have swollen, painful joints,” Hefley said.

Weight training is the culprit when it comes to shoulder, elbow and back problems. Hefley said it is now common for people to work out with trainers, which often involves a lot of strength training and lunging, or to leap into a demanding program like CrossFit or some other type of cross training.

“Some of that is pretty violent,” Hefley said. “You’re doing really difficult stuff, climbing ropes and flipping tires.

You see quite a few people hurt themselves doing that.”

Expecting a little soreness is a matter of course for most people starting out, especially if there has been little to no previous activity. However, shredding the weights on Day One

and joints and actually prevent injuries rather than cause them.

“If you try to exercise every other day, maybe four days a week, over time you build some strength and stamina, and you can expand what you do,” Hefley said.

NO RUSH

Before buying running shoes or sinking money into a gym membership, it is advised to consult a primary care physician to make sure there are no hidden risks or physical limitations with certain types of activity. If a condition or previous injury prevents one from attempting one type of exercise, the doctor likely can recommend another.

“I think, first, you want to check with your primary care physician and make sure there’s no restrictions from that point of view,” Edwards said. “If they give you the green light … go slow and easy.”

Doctors’ go-aheads in hand, people should approach

“Ultimately, no one is immune to an injury, but easing into a New Year’s fitness resolution can help ensure it does not end before it starts, and the gains will come. If you do all those things — stretch, warm up, do low impact activities — you begin to build strength.”

— Dr. William Hefley, Bowen Hefley Orthopedics only to be so sore one cannot pick up a dumbbell for a week puts fitness goals in jeopardy because of lost momentum.

Most aches and injuries can be prevented or at least overcome, and they do not have to spell the end of fitness for 2024. If approached properly, exercise can play a regular and beneficial role in someone’s life.

“Because these injuries are typically treated non-surgically, the benefits of exercise far outweigh the risks,” Edwards said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, staying active can improve brain health, help with weight management, and mitigate the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

“Even these days, it’s been pretty well-documented that all of the Apple Watches and stuff that keep track of your steps … have shown to have significant cardiovascular benefits and also benefits in weight loss and overall health benefits,” Edwards said.

As children, Hefley said, “for the most part we’re skinny with a ton of strength,” but as people get older, their weight goes up, they get top-heavy, and their strength goes down.

“You can reverse that at any age,” he said.

Eventually, exercise can strengthen ligaments, muscles

workouts sensibly, taking some time to stretch and warm up muscles. The Colorado State University College of Health and Human Sciences recommends stretching before and after a workout for optimal benefit.

Pre-workout stretching can enhance range of motion and improve performance, and the stretches should be dynamic in nature to include activities like high knees, leg swings and arm circles, which can increase muscle temperature and decrease stiffness. Post-workout static stretches include stretching hamstrings, quadriceps, posterior shoulder, triceps and more to enhance range of motion and mitigate muscle soreness.

It is natural to be anxious to see positive results within days of starting a fitness plan, but the experts agree that with any new exercise, haste makes waste. To temper enthusiasm, Edwards recommended easing into things.

“Consistency is more important than going out really hard at the beginning,” he said.

Thus, if running is the activity of choice, he advised to walk first, and then ease into jogging and running. Walking is lower impact and easier on the joints, which lessens the chance of getting hurt.

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“Walking daily for at least 30 minutes is a great place to start,” Edwards said.

In addition to incorporating walking into a running plan, Edwards recommended using a treadmill, which is another lower-impact way to get the desired results.

“The injuries are much reduced, and yet you still get the same cardio burn you get when running,” he said.

Slow and easy is also recommended if the exercise resolution includes weight training, especially as one ages. Use a lower amount of weight, work slowly, do not jerk the weights, and do more repetitions.

“Don’t worry about what your max is. Try to do the number of reps you can do, maybe 15 or 20 times,” Hefley said.

For rank beginners, it is also advisable to consult with a trainer to learn the proper motion that will keep from wrenching the back or pulling a muscle.

“Having the proper guidance is really important,” Edwards said. “Have the proper form when you’re weightlifting, having a physical trainer guide you into the actual proper form of the exercise.”

Edwards said daily preventatives along with daily exercise can also help stave off injuries. Taking an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drug, like ibuprofen or Aleve, can reduce the aches and pains, and it is always important to stay hydrated, especially with exercise.

“I think a lot of injuries happen because of dehydration, so drink as much water as possible,” Edwards said.

Common sense matters, too, starting with listening to one’s body. Pain is a warning, not something to be conquered by continued exercise. Back off or try something else, Hefley said.

“If you’re doing an exercise and it hurts, then try to switch to another exercise that will accomplish the same goal,” Hefley said.

Ultimately, no one is immune to an injury, but easing into a New Year’s fitness resolution can help ensure it does not end before it starts and the gains will come.

“If you do all those things — stretch, warm up, do low impact activities — you begin to build strength,” Hefley said.

“Understand what caused the injury and then tailor a routine around it differently so you don’t exacerbate that same problem,” Edwards said.

Those suffering something more severe than simple soreness should visit the doctor or an orthopedic specialist. For non-surgical joint ailments, relatively simple treatments may be in order, such as prescribed anti-inflammatories, wraps, steroid shots, physical therapy or adopting a new stretching program. Weight control may come into play if that is part of the issue.

“A lot of the people we see don’t need surgery,” Hefley said. “They just need to tweak whatever they’re doing.”

It may be that the best thing to help recovery is to rest.

Do not give up; work with a doctor or orthopedist who can help find a different exercise that gets things back on track and helps avoid further pain.

“There certainly are some benefits if we’re able to get over this one initial hurdle,” Edwards said. “Ultimately, we can find some kind of plan or exercise that works for you.”

While running and weight training are always among the more popular activities people choose for their fitness resolutions, there are alternative forms of exercise that can provide the same results while putting less wear and tear on the body. Hefley and Edwards both advocate types of low-impact exercise.

“Low impact is anything where your foot is on the pedal,” Hefley said.

Low-impact options such as using a stairmaster, elliptical machine or cycling can provide the cardio benefits without the constant pounding of running that leads to ankle, foot and back problems.

“A bicycle is low impact, and you still get a good cardio burn,” Edwards said, “and that can be stationary, as well.”

Hefley advocates stationary bike interval training: Turn

REST AND RECOVERY

Even if they take all the precautions — check with a doctor, use a trainer, start slowly and use proper form — people still can injure something.

How does one keep an injury from derailing the dream of physical fitness?

The first thing to do, as frustrating as it is, is to stop.

Edwards, who has suffered running injuries himself, said he immediately “backed off 100 percent” and switched to walking and taking it slowly over a period of weeks.

Low-impact exercises can provide health benefits while offering a lower risk of injury.

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up the resistance and go hard for 90 seconds, ease off for 40 to 45 seconds, and then turn it back up. Alternating the “fast twitch” muscle fibers with “slow twitch” muscle fibers helps build strength, he said, which can help people then attempt more challenging activities such as tennis.

“You can do intervals on a StairMaster,” Hefley said.

“You can do intervals on an elliptical. You can do that with anything.”

Edwards said a recumbent bike is ideal for some of his older patients, who might not feel stable sitting high on an outdoor bike seat and prefer the safer, more stable feel of being lower to the ground while still getting a calorie burn.

One of the best low-impact exercise options has always been swimming, Edwards said.

“Swimming, I think, is really overlooked,” he said, “because swimming is significant resistance for the full body, upper and lower, without a lot of the injury-prone issues that are associated with high-impact activities like running. It’s really considered a low-impact sport.”

Swimming is especially good for those such as former runners whose high-impact workouts have begun to cause nagging, painful problems.

“Swimming is an excellent low-impact exercise, and so many people of age have a problem with their shoulders and pain in their shoulders,” Hefley said. “If you’ve got good mobility in your shoulders, swimming is great.”

“Swimming, I think, is really overlooked.”

— Dr. Paul Edwards, Arkansas Surgical Hospital In the final analysis, proper exercise safely pursued can be the best injury deterrent there is.

“If you’ve already added strength and stability, your best protection against injury is having that strength and stability,” said Hefley, adding as an example that stronger quadriceps muscles can better protect the knee.

“You also drop a little bit of weight [from exercise], and again, that makes you more agile and mobile, and you’re less likely to get hurt,” Hefley said.

Avoiding the pitfalls and resolutely pursuing a fitness resolution can result in weight loss and the health benefits that come with it. The additional benefit is a person becomes more fit for the things life can throw at them, be it yard work or helping a friend move, as well as the fun things, such as that March ski trip right after taking down the Christmas tree.

“All these things will get you ready,” Hefley said. “You pay all that money, and you get out to Colorado, and you’re ready to have a good time and enjoy yourself.”

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Fun Fact: A Child’s Body Has More Bones Than An Adult’s Our pediatric orthopedic specialists care for all of them.

When an awkward fall turns into a broken bone or a baby is born with spina bifida or clubfeet, Arkansas Children’s orthopedic specialists provide the child-friendly care a growing body needs.

Pre-natal orthopedic consults can identify many conditions while the child is still in the womb, helping families prepare to help their child thrive.

Arkansas Children’s pediatric orthopedic specialists are here for emergencies – and everything else.

archildrens.org/OrthoCare | 501-298-4123

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ASK THE EXPERT The new year is here, and it is time for New Year’s resolutions to take flight. As anyone doing research to become their best selves this year might realize, there is a plethora of information out there for those seeking self-improvement, and given the many activities that keep families busy at the beginning of a new year, it might seem easier to simply give up on those resolutions before starting them.

Wouldn’t it be nice to speak to someone with some knowledge about the topic at hand?

Fear not! AY About You has assembled an array of experts who can steer readers in the right direction about everything from health, wellness and beauty to professional success, family fun and more. Whether one has resolved to get a handle on their health, present a fresh new face to the world or give the kids something to remember this year, these experts can help.

Life is complicated, and options abound when it comes to choosing the right direction for a new year and a new you. Why not seek some information from people who can be trusted to light the way?

The new year has a lot of promise, and with the advice of AY’s experts, readers can be well on their way to making 2024 the best year ever. Here are a few tips from AY: seek out adventure everywhere, learn from people who inspire you, and read your way to greatness. aymag.com 125

You’re Going to Do Therapy on my WHAT? • Do you leak when you cough, sneeze, laugh, or jump?

• Is intercourse painful?

• Are you experiencing pregnancy-related pain or other issues?

• Do you rush to the bathroom as soon as you arrive home?

• Have you had chronic constipation?

• Are you experiencing pain from endometriosis or interstitial cystitis?

• Has your bladder fallen and it “can’t get up”?

• Have you had erectile dysfunction and incontinence following prostate surgery?

M

ost of us find ourselves on this list at some point in our lives. The great news is… there is therapy for that.

Men’s and Women’s Health physical and occupational therapists are therapists trained specifically to address urinary or bowel dysfunction, sexual pain and dysfunction, nerve pain, pelvic pain or surgery, pregnancy-related issues, and cancer rehabilitation.

As pelvic therapists, we see and hear it all. No question or problem is off limits. People are often surprised to hear that PTs and OTs treat things that sound, well, let’s face it…

NOT therapy-related! Did you know that we can help tailbone pain? Endometriosis pain? C-section scar problems?

Bladder frequency? We even work with those diagnosed with osteoporosis to teach bone-building exercises.

There is no need to suffer when we are here to help you.

Pelvic floor PTs and OTs utilize several different techniques to help patients. We have many tools in our toolbox to share! Therapists may employ manual therapy, myofascial trigger point release, stretching, dry needling, breathing and nervous system calming techniques, electrical stimula-

tion, biofeedback, kinesio-taping, heat, ice, or cupping.

We use multiple exercise techniques depending on the condition, including Yoga and Pilates. (And no, it’s not just kegels!) We LOVE educating patients on everything from posture, to managing intra-abdominal pressure, to seat cushions, to back braces, even intercourse positions. Yep, we do that.

We are here to tell you. It’s not “normal” to have pain. It’s not “normal” to leak urine. Common, yes… but not normal.

It IS possible to have a wonderful, pain-free pregnancy.

There IS hope for you that your incontinence can be healed without medicine. You CAN have pain-free intercourse.

And yes, therapy is covered under most insurance plans!

Advanced Physical Therapy is the largest provider of Women’s Health Physical Therapy in Central Arkansas. We are blessed to have eleven wonderful specialists in three locations, including Little Rock, North Little Rock, and Benton. You will be cared for in a private treatment room with personalized, one-on-one care. There is so much hope and healing waiting for you! We want to help you maximize your health and function, and live life to it’s fullest!

10014 N Rodney Parham, Suite 103 | Little Rock | 501.224.5454 2504 McCain Boulevard, Suite 230 | North Little Rock | 501.758.5555 1226 Ferguson Drive, Suite 1 | Benton | 501.776.9788 aptlr.com 126

RESTORE YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE

At Advanced Physical Therapy, our focus is on providing patient-centered, outcome oriented and scientifically based treatment for general orthopedic problems, prenatal and postpartum conditions, and pelvic floor dysfunction for men, women, and children of all ages.

2023

Advanced Physical Therapy of Little Rock, North Little Rock, and Benton aptlr.com

SAMARIA MASCAGNI, DDS, OWNER

ASK AN EXPERT: HOW SHOULD SOMEONE GO ABOUT CHOOSING THE RIGHT FAMILY DENTIST? It’s extremely important to choose someone you can trust. Most of our new patients visit us for the first time based on a recommendation from a family member or friend who has had an enjoyable experience.

I think it’s helpful to review the dentist’s mission and core values to make sure they align with your family values.

In addition, researching information, including online reviews, can provide you with a good understanding of how a particular dentist handles patient care and the experiences others have when they visit.

All dental practices are different, and if you don’t get a good vibe on your first visit or feel uncomfortable, it’s likely not the right place for you.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL PEOPLE TO HELP THEM DEAL WITH THEIR FEAR OF GOING TO THE DENTIST? I haven’t met a person yet whose fears cannot be overcome. Dental anxiety is real and can be paralyzing for many, but most of the time, it can be conquered by building trust with your dental team. Achieving this is not quick but can be accomplished over time. Genuine care and concern from your dental team for a person’s well-being goes a long way. Dentists can also use nitrous oxide and medication to help relax patients, if needed.

WHAT NEW MATERIALS AND PROCEDURES ARE AVAILABLE NOW THAT MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE YEARS AGO, OR HOW HAVE OLD PROCEDURES IMPROVED? It is incredible, the advancements that have been made in the field of dentistry over the last 10 years. Digital scanning of the teeth using small cameras has virtually eliminated the need for the messy impressions that patients dislike. We are able to use the same technology to create crowns, veneers and bridges the same day, so patients no longer have to wear a temporary crown.

The introduction of cone beam to dental offices has made it easy and efficient to place dental implants to restore chewing function. It has become more affordable to have dentures fabricated to snap into implants for ease of function. There are numerous other advancements in the field.

ARE THERE ANY NEW GUIDELINES ON BRUSHING, FLOSSING, FREQUENCY OF DENTIST VISITS AND OTHER BASIC ORAL HYGIENE? The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice a day and flossing once per day. It is also recommended to see your dentist every six months and have a professional preventive maintenance visit completed to prevent gum disease. If you are currently a gum disease patient, it is recommended to see your dental professional three to four times per year.

WHAT IS SOMETHING SIMPLE THAT NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE DO TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR TEETH? Floss. It will save your teeth.

WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON QUESTION YOU GET FROM PATIENTS, AND HOW DO YOU ANSWER IT? “Is this going to hurt?” Most procedures we perform are done quickly and easily, and patients are anesthetized and completely numb in the area we are working. So many patients get to the end of their appointment and say, ‘That’s it?’ I love it when that’s the response I receive because it lets me know I did a great job for the patient.

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Serving Faulkner, Lonoke, Monroe, Prairie, Pulaski and Saline Counties.

501.372.5300 | www.carlink.org

ASK AN EXPERT: LUKE MATTINGLY, PRESIDENT AND CEO WHAT ARE THE SIGNS THAT A LOVED ONE MIGHT NEED EXTRA SUPPORT AT HOME?

Changes in our health as we age can be gradual and hard to notice, but for those of us with aging loved ones, it is important to watch for signs that they might need help at home. Common indicators that older people might benefit from in-home care or other support services include: • Changes in physical health, such as sudden weight loss • Trouble with balance • Forgetfulness or feelings of confusion • Difficulty moving around • Changes in eating habits • Withdrawal from friends and loved ones WHAT ARE SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BROACHING THE SUBJECT OF IN-HOME CARE WITH AN AGING FAMILY MEMBER?

Choose a quiet, comfortable setting, and express your concern for their well-being. It is important to emphasize the goal of maintaining independence and involving your loved one in the decision making.

Approach the conversation with empathy, listen actively and work together to find a solution that aligns with their needs and preferences.

WHEN MIGHT SOMEONE CONSIDER IN-HOME SERVICES AS OPPOSED TO AN ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY OR OTHER OPTIONS?

For 90 percent of seniors, it is their preference to stay at home.

There is also a significant amount of research showing better health outcomes for seniors who are able to stay in their own space and, of course, that is the more cost-effective option compared to a care facility or other long-term care alternatives.

That being said, the decision to age at home or seek residential care is a personal one influenced by many factors. Balancing the desire for independence and familiarity with the necessary level of care is crucial.

Assessing health, social and financial factors, along with seeking advice from health care professionals, helps in finding the most appropriate and comfortable care option.

WHAT KIND OF SERVICES DOES CARELINK OFFER?

CareLink helps homebound older people receive services that allow them to stay at home as long as possible, avoiding more costly care.

They help active older people stay fit, healthy and involved through senior centers, wellness programs and volunteer opportunities. They also help family caregivers navigate the maze of available services and care for their aging loved ones. CareLink’s diverse range of services includes Meals on Wheels, in-home care, transportation, fitness and wellness classes, family caregiver support, legal assistance, Medicare counseling and more.

WHAT ARE SOME OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN IT COMES TO CARING FOR AGING LOVED ONES?

It is important to care for yourself so that you can care for your loved ones. At CareLink, our aim is to alleviate some of the burden and stress by connecting family caregivers with valuable resources, including respite care, support groups, counseling sessions, local resources and more. By utilizing these supports, caregivers can make their responsibilities more manageable and their care more effective.

CareLink is here to help, even if you aren’t quite sure which questions to ask. As the resource for senior services in central Arkansas, our trained staff will connect you with the resource that best fits your needs, whether that service comes from CareLink or another agency.

HOW CAN PEOPLE SUPPORT CARELINK’S WORK?

As a nonprofit, CareLink relies on community support to continue serving a growing population of older people in central Arkansas. To make a gift or sign up to volunteer, visit carelink.org.

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CareLink makes it possible for older adults to stay independent and in their own homes by offering a broad range of services such as Meals on Wheels, HomeCare, transportation, family caregiver support, and so much more!

501.372.5300 | WWW.CARELINK.ORG

BARIATRIC SURGERY BROCK KING, M.D., FACS, CONWAY REGIONAL SURGICAL ASSOCIATES

ASK AN EXPERT: WHY CHOOSE CONWAY REGIONAL FOR BARIATRIC SURGERY NEEDS?

Conway Regional pioneered central Arkansas’ first-ever da Vinci bariatric program for those seeking a weight loss alternative or those with issues like diabetes or high blood pressure. Gastric sleeve surgery can be a safe, long-term solution.

The gastric sleeve procedure is a safe and effective way to shrink the size of the stomach, reduce appetite and help eligible patients lose weight. Additionally, the gastric sleeve surgery experience at Conway Regional is the only one of its kind in the north metro. From your first consultation to post-surgery, our team is with you every step of the way.

WHAT ARE THE LATEST TRENDS IN BARIATRIC SURGERY?

We have been the only program in Arkansas performing robotic bariatric surgery for the last two years. Robotic surgery provides better visibility and greater dexterity for the surgeons. This leads to less incision pain and improved recovery for our patients compared to standard laparoscopic or open surgery methods.

HOW SHOULD ONE INTERESTED IN THIS PROCEDURE GO ABOUT SEEKING OUT THIS TREATMENT?

Prospective patients can call Conway Regional Surgical Associates at (501)327-4828 or fill out an interest form on our website. Our bariatric coordinator will help guide them through the consultation and scheduling process.

CAN PATIENTS SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT DIRECTLY, OR IS A REFERRAL REQUIRED?

Any patient can schedule an appointment directly, and referrals are certainly welcome. For more information about bariatric surgery at Conway Regional, visit our website, conwayregional.org/bariatric.

WHAT IS YOUR MOST-ASKED QUESTION, AND HOW DO YOU ANSWER IT?

How much weight can I expect to lose? The answer is 60 percent to 70 percent of excess body weight. Individuals still must exercise and eat healthy to be successful with their weight loss goals.

WHAT DOES BARIATRIC SURGERY ASSIST IN? WHO MAKES FOR A GOOD CANDIDATE?

Bariatric surgery assists with weight loss for patients who are considered overweight and suffer from obesity-related medical issues.

Ideal candidates for this type of surgery are patients with a body mass index of 40 or greater and those patients with a BMI of greater than 35 who have medical problems such as sleep apnea, diabetes and other issues.

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CARDIAC HEALTH RONAK SONI, M.D., BOARD-CERTIFIED CARDIOLOGIST CONWAY REGIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM

ASK AN EXPERT: WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO PREVENT CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE?

The best way to prevent cardiovascular disease is to identify risk factors and manage those with your primary care provider and cardiologist. Even if someone does not have symptoms of heart disease, it is essential to have annual screenings and find problems early.

WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT RISK FACTORS FOR CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE THAT CAN BE MANAGED?

Risk factors that can be managed on an individual level include seeing a primary care provider regularly, stopping smoking, managing diabetes and blood pressure, maintaining a healthy weight, getting the recommended amount of sleep each night, and creating environments of minimal stress.

WHAT KIND OF EXERCISE IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE FOR HEART HEALTH?

Aerobic exercise is the best type of exercise when keeping a healthy lifestyle for your heart. Everyday activities such as household chores, gardening and walking your dog are small ways to stay active and improve heart health.

HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO VISIT A PHYSICIAN?

It is very important to see your primary care provider regularly so they can spot warning signs and manage risk factors before you develop heart disease.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I THINK I MAY BE HAVING A HEART ATTACK?

A fast response by health care professionals is essential for the patient’s survival and quality of life. Anyone experiencing heart attack symptoms should call 911 immediately.

Most emergency responders are equipped with mobile communication technology that can transmit electrocardiograms from the ambulance directly to the emergency room. Once the EKG is sent to the emergency room, the heart team will be on site when the patient arrives.

I am proud to work at Conway Regional, where the heart and stroke teams have achieved the American Heart Association’s gold standard awards and are among the fastest rapid-response teams in the state. To learn more, visit conwayregional.org.

WHAT ARE THE COMMON SYMPTOMS OF A HEART ATTACK? The main sign of a heart attack is chest discomfort and pressure, usually in the center of the chest. Other symptoms can include neck discomfort, arm pain, cold sweats, nausea, vomiting and shortness of breath.

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LUCAS HALEY, CHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICER

ASK AN EXPERT: THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF ATTENTION PAID TO CANNABIS, ITS HEALTH BENEFITS AND THE GROWING WAYS PEOPLE CAN ACHIEVE RELIEF. HOW DOES DARK HORSE MEDICINALS FIT INTO THIS IMPORTANT NEW INDUSTRY? We are a cannabis processor, and what that means is we bring in material from cultivators and dispensaries, and we process it into oils to create finished goods. We bring the flower in, extract it and then put it into any kind of product that you can imagine that is available in Arkansas. It could be edibles like gummies and chocolates, vape cartridges and concentrates. We also do things such as topicals, transdermals and beverages. That is really our wheelhouse, processing to finished goods, and we try to bring variety to the market.

metals. There’s no pesticides. There’s no microbials. The state in general does a wonderful job, so you know where that flower came from, and it is vetted before it’s even used, absolutely.

FROM THE CONSUMER PERSPECTIVE, HAS THE INDUSTRY REACHED A POINT WHERE THERE IS THE EQUIVALENT OF A GOOD HOUSEKEEPING SEAL, SOME SORT OF CERTIFICATION THAT SOMEBODY SHOULD LOOK AT ON A PACKAGE? Every single one of our products, you can scan a QR code. That QR code is going to bring you to the certificate analysis of a third-party lab. The third parties do a great job of testing and getting consistent results.

The thing people need to remember, first off, is this product wouldn’t even be on the market if it didn’t get that first stamp of approval from the labs. That is a state requirement, but it is also wonderful that that stamp is actually there and you can go look at that as a consumer and see what the cannabinoid and terpene percentage is. Consumers can also look at the residual solvents, pesticides, microbial and heavy metal results, as well. In Arkansas, it’s very transparent for the consumer, so they know what they’re going to be putting in their body.

ARE YOU ACTUALLY PRODUCING THE FINISHED PRODUCT — FOR EXAMPLE, A GUMMY — OR ARE YOU PRODUCING INGREDIENTS FOR OTHER MANUFACTURERS? We do both, actually. Not only do we provide cannabis ingredients, like in the wholesale selling of distillates to other licenses, we also go ahead down the line and finish making gummies or any other product such as vape cartridges, concentrates, things of that sort.

THIS INDUSTRY IS STILL RELATIVELY NEW, AND THERE IS STILL A LOT OF BUYER EDUCATION THAT NEEDS TO GO ON. WHAT SETS YOUR COMPANY APART FROM A QUALITYCONTROL PERSPECTIVE? From a quality-control perspective, not only do we send all of our products to third-party labs for certificate of analysis, but we also do our own in-house testing for a lot of these products, as well. In this way, we vet ourselves before we even send the product out. That is one thing that we do a little bit differently because having your own inhouse testing is expensive. It takes time and employees. That’s why not everyone is doing that type of work, but we do.

When it comes to products, what sets us apart is we do a great job of refining these products to remove much of the plant that you don’t want — no heavy metals, no solvents, no pesticides. For me, that is what I want to hang my hat on, that we’re making the most potent products and the cleanest products.

WHERE IS THIS INDUSTRY HEADED? IS THERE ANOTHER CATEGORY OF PRODUCT THAT IS STARTING TO REALLY CATCH ON OR THAT YOU CAN SEE ON THE HORIZON? Within Arkansas, you can see product variety being made every day. You can see this with products such as beverages, transdermals and topicals. You’ve got different oils that you can take home to cook by yourself.

I personally could see us getting closer to an ala carte-type method, kind of being able to pick what you need specifically. If you go into a dispensary, you may be like, ‘Hey I absolutely know that I need CBN and I need THC, and then I need these handful of terpenes, as well.’

We’re getting closer to a point where people can get very specific with the products that they need to get the efficacy that they need.

ONE THING THAT IS VERY BIG AMONG CONSUMERS IN THE FOOD SPACE IS THE ABILITY TO TRACE INGREDIENTS BACK TO THE SOURCE, RIGHT DOWN TO THE ACTUAL FARM. IS THAT SOMETHING THAT IS POSSIBLE IN YOUR BUSINESS? Yes, and having those good relationships within the industry is absolutely paramount for our success in that. Here in Arkansas, we’ll test the flower before we do anything with it, and there’s no heavy

AGAIN, THAT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF EDUCATION

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NEEDS TO BE MADE FOR THE PUBLIC TO MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION. Absolutely. Here in the state, we’ve really got a lot of different things out there, and the market is starting to get even more diverse as we go along. Not only do you have things like flower that people can smoke, but you’ve got concentrates and vape carts for the most part, which are also smokables — but then you also have things such as edibles. Edibles act differently whenever you use them. You’re looking at an onset time of 30 minutes to an hour versus an immediate effect with a smokable product. The edibles also are processed in the body a bit differently, and so they have a much longer efficacy compared to some of the smokable products.

Another area of products would be such things as topicals and transdermals, products that, again, are processed by the body a bit differently, and so they don’t give you as much of a psychoactive effect, but still give you the relief that you’re looking for. It comes down to what kind of relief are you looking for? Are you looking for an immediate, like, right now I need relief, or are you looking for something that’s going to last you through the whole day?

There are even some products out there that contain a variety of cannabinboids. Depending on what cannabinoids are in the product, it can also have a much different effect, depending on whether you’re mixing CBG, CBN, THC. There’s a lot of different cannabinoids out there that all have different effects.

FOR THE NEWCOMER, WHAT IS ONE THING YOU WOULD WANT THEM TO KNOW? WHERE CAN THEY GET THEIR QUESTIONS ANSWERED? To summarize, there is variety in the market. Your local budtenders can help answer any questions that a consumer needs.

The cultivators and processors also have methods of contact if you have some questions that can’t be answered elsewhere.

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1 Zoo Drive • Little Rock

SUSAN ALTRUI

501.661.7200 • littlerockzoo.com WHAT’S NEW AT LITTLE ROCK ZOO? The Zoo is breaking ground on a new front entry project that will renovate the closed spider monkey habitat and update our amphitheater. This is all thanks to bond funds approved by voters in Little Rock in 2002 and through funds donated to the Arkansas Zoological Foundation. The Zoo will also host an amazing dragon show starting in the spring of 2024 featuring 14 beautiful animatronic dragons located throughout the path. This unique look into the fantasy world of animals is a chance to learn about real life lizards. We will host “Wizards and Lizards” workshops, fun educational opportunities and other special events throughout the year alongside the show.

WHY DOES A TRIP TO THE ZOO MAKE FOR A GREAT FAMILY TRIP? The Zoo is a safe place for family recreation and is a great place to learn about conservation in a natural setting. As kids become more and more dependent on electronic devices it’s important to get them outside in nature and expose them to the beauty of our planet. The Zoo is a wondrous place with animals that most people would never see unless they toured our grounds. We often see families walking together and learning together side-by-side and this type of interaction is important for building bonds and strengthening communities. The Zoo is also a lot of fun no matter what age you are. We have several individuals use the Zoo as a first date meetup and others who stroll the Zoo just as a fun place to take a nice walk. There’s something for everyone at the Zoo. HOW DOES THE LITTLE ROCK ZOO STAND OUT IN THE AREAS OF EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY? The Little Rock Zoo inspires people to value and protect our natural world. We support conservation learning to educate the public about saving wildlife and wild places. Protecting our earth is increasingly important as we see more habitat destructions, pollution and other human actions effect the beautiful wildlife around us. The rapid loss of species we are experiencing today will have a lasting impact on our planet for generations to come and it’s already effecting us as humans.

It’s important that we educate the public about what they can do to protect wildlife and wild places so that our children live in a world where nature is in balance and everyone thrives. At a very basic level the education the Zoo does to promote science learning in the STEM fields is critically important. The Zoo is a hands-on learning laboratory that makes learning fun by providing science learning programs and other experiences that are unique and impactful. The Zoo also impacts our community with education interactions through programs like our Green Schoolyards program which partners with the City of Little Rock and the Little Rock School District. We are able to bring the Zoo to schools and encourage kids to get outside in community gardens and other areas to experience learning in nature. We also support growing community by increasing access through programs like our Kulture City certification that provides resources for sensory sensitive guests to help them have a better Zoo experience.

WHAT IS LITTLE ROCK ZOO MOST-PROUD OF IN CONSERVATION? The Little Rock Zoo is proud to support the conservation of the eastern collared lizard. This breed and release program is a partnership with the Zoo, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, the University of Arkansas and the Arkansas Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and the University of Central Arkansas. The program recently released several dozen collared lizard hatchlings into the Ozark glades. It’s the first time the Little Rock Zoo has contributed to such an important breed and release program that’s had a local impact.

WHAT ARE THE MOST-POPULAR EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR? GloWILD, our holiday lantern light event, has quickly become our most popular event. This family friendly event attracts nearly 30,000 guests every season and is just spectacular. Events like this attract visitors from all over the state and even from surrounding areas. We have guests from Memphis, Tulsa and Shreveport. The event is one-of-a-kind and something truly unique to central Arkansas and to our state as a whole.

We are so proud to offer this fun, engaging experience for our guests.

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GO BIG. GO Wild.

BECOME A MEMBER.

Get ready for an unforgettable year at The Little Rock Zoo! Weʼve got big things planned for 2024. Become a member today and start the year off wild.

Learn more at LittleRockZoo.com

MISTI COKER, CO-FOUNDER

ASK AN EXPERT: HOW DID PERSONAL PEP RALLY COME ABOUT? Personal Pep Rally grew out of an experience our family went through when our son-in-law, Marc Stringer, was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Watching Stringer fight the illness and seeing what it took from those of us who loved him to support him in his battle to the end, we knew there were a lot of families who were hurting.

During Stringer’s first twenty treatments, our friends sent him and my daughter, Lauren, “joy mail.” Right after, Lauren said, “We need to do this for other people battling cancer.” Stringer and Lauren were in on all decisions, forming Personal Pep Rally. They visited with many cancer patients and encouraged them to fight on. Stringer’s legacy lives on through Personal Pep Rally’s mission work.

WHAT IS THE MISSION? We provide encouragement through monthly care packages, shipped free to cancer patients throughout the United States. We have a dedicated group of local volunteers who call themselves the Chemo Sabi Sisters who help us assemble the packages and ship them out.

WHAT’S IN THE PACKAGES? The first package is a larger box containing many items the patient will need during treatment. They get a bag, they get a phone charger, they get a prayer book, they get a blanket, they get lemon drops. They get everything that you don’t think of when you’re going through cancer for the first time. Every month after that, they get a smaller package just as a pick-me-up to let them know they aren’t fighting this battle alone And if they happen to pass away, we also send a package to their families on that first Christmas. That was Lauren’s idea, which she came up with during her own experiences after Stringer died.

HOW IS THE ORGANIZATION FUNDED? We accept donations and have had some excellent corporate partners through the years. But our biggest fundraiser every year is Endure the Dirt, an adventure race here in Stuttgart. It’s grown into a big event with 15 obstacles challenging runners to get wet, get muddy, climb over walls, and crawl under tires.

Last year, we added a 5K walk for people who wanted to participate but wanted to avoid crawling through the mud. We also have a Mini Mudder course for the kids who aren’t quite up to the regular course.

WHAT ARE THE DETAILS OF THE 2024 RACE? Endure the Dirt is scheduled for March 9 at Mack’s Prairie Wings in Stuttgart. People can sign up at runsignup.com or they can register the day of. Food trucks will be on hand, and we always have a crawfish boil.

Another thing we encourage people to do is come out with family or co-workers and be a hype squad to cheer on the runners. The course is challenging to remind people that the fight against cancer is hard, but when you have people cheering for you, it makes it easier to “endure the dirt” and keep moving forward. The hype teams are a lot of fun, and they really add something to our event.

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WHAT ELSE DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW? Number one, we always have room for more runners, volunteers, prayers, and moral support. Second, we hope to attract more sponsors to this year’s event. We have several sponsorship levels, and every dollar we take in goes to the work of Personal Pep Rally.

Third, we encourage people to check us out and donate online to support cancer patients and help fund our scholarship program.

The scholarship program was one of Stringer’s ideas, and we award scholarships to high school seniors with someone close to them battling the disease. In fact, last year, some of the winners themselves were cancer survivors. That meant a lot to be able to help fund their dreams.

To be an empathic support system that provides encouragement, resources and reallife application for those who are facing life battles that are not of their choosing. To be a teammate to help others learn to sit, stand or sprint.

GIVING OPPORTUNITIES Donations: The organization’s goal is to continue expanding in order to spread joy to more patients and their families. In addition to one-time or recurring giving options, a $250 donation allows givers to sponsor a patient for the entire year. Donate online or with Venmo: Personal-Pep-Rally.

Fundraisers: Fundraisers are the main source of support for Personal Pep Rally’s work. The 5K obstacle race, Endure the Dirt, is one of the most popular races in the Grand Prairie region of Arkansas and is the group’s primary fundraiser. For those less keen on getting dirty, there is also the Pounding the Pavement race, as well as a Mini Mudder for children. Sign up at runsignup.com.

personalpeprally.org | personalpeprally@gmail.com

VICTOR WERLEY, CFP, FOUNDER

ASK AN EXPERT: WHAT KIND OF SERVICES DOES PINNACLE ADVISORS SPECIALIZE IN? We are a consulting company that focuses on three areas: helping small businesses start, scale and eventually successfully exit or transition; helping individuals achieve their potential with regards to their personal finances; and providing top-tier support as financial experts for litigation.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO CONSULT A PROFESSIONAL FOR FINANCIAL ADVICE, RATHER THAN RELYING ON ONE’S OWN RESEARCH? It is so hard to separate good advice from bad advice unless you are speaking with someone who knows your specific situation and what tools are available that best suit your needs. Oftentimes, people get advice from sources that might have an agenda other than their success. We specifically position ourselves so that our success is tied to our clients’ success.

HOW SHOULD SOMEONE GO ABOUT PICKING AN ADVISOR THAT IS BEST SUITED FOR THEM? Spend time getting to know any potential advisor. Ask them questions about their philosophy and how they would treat your situation. See how their initial assessment matches up with your instincts. Just because they are a knowledgeable and experienced advisor does not necessarily mean that they would be a good fit for you. You are auditioning them to be a key person in your world, so make sure that they are someone that you would listen to.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTIONS PEOPLE HAVE AROUND THEIR FINANCES, AND WHAT ARE THE REALITIES? Financial planning is like getting in shape. There is not a magic button to press to automatically make it happen. It is about discipline, consistency and dedication. Save your money, focus your attention on short-term goals, and don’t give into the temptation to buy things that you don’t need. Create a lifestyle that fits into your income with plenty of room to spare, and then harvest as much excess cash flow as you can, and put it away. As my old coach used to say, “This isn’t rocket-surgery.”

WHAT ARE SOME AREAS OF FINANCIAL WELLNESS THAT MOST PEOPLE TEND TO OVERLOOK? Too many times, I talk to people who are putting 6 percent of their income into a retirement plan, but they have no cash in the bank. That doesn’t make sense. You have to have three to six months of expenses in cash for when that emergency happens. Your 401(k) is pretty useless to you when the transmission falls out of your car and your home’s air conditioner blows up. Save your money first in safe, liquid positions, and once you have filled up that bucket, you can work on investing for the moderate and long term.

WHAT SETS PINNACLE ADVISORS APART FROM OTHER FIRMS? We, in Arkansas, are blessed with quite a few really good financial advisory firms, so readers have lots of good options to choose from.

We tend to take a very grounded approach to financial planning, and we ask our clients to be willing to commit to a process that is not always flashy but is built for long-term success. There really aren’t any shortcuts.

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Since 2003, our mission at Pinnacle Advisors has been to help small business owners and individuals in our community start, scale and successfully exit their businesses. We believe financial success depends on innovative ideas and a disciplined approach to business challenges today. Whether it’s personal financial endeavors, business ventures, or creative projects, partnering with Pinnacle Advisors can lead to exceptional results.

CFO Services • Litigation Support• Tax Services Financial Planning • Exit Planning Commercial Insurance • Employee Benefits LITTLE ROCK • CABOT www.pinnacleadvisor.net | (501) 327-6277

KATIE BETH EVANS, OWNER, SALON J’ADORE; PRESIDENT, THELUXURYLADY.COM

ASK AN EXPERT: WHAT STYLES OR TRENDS DO YOU EXPECT TO BE POPULAR HEADING INTO 2024?

The big trend in 2024 is widely predicted to be a cut above the shoulders with lots of layers in the back and even shorter layers in the front. Since so many people have grown their hair long over the last few years, the salon industry is calling 2024 “The Return of the Haircut” — it’s time for a chop!

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE A TRUSTED STYLIST? Having a stylist you can trust makes all the difference in your overall salon experience. There is something to be said about being able to sit in the salon chair at Salon J’adore, close your eyes or enjoy a beverage, and truly relax knowing you are in perfectly capable, talented hands with any of our stylists.

HOW SHOULD SOMEONE GO ABOUT FINDING THE RIGHT STYLIST? We are confident you will love your look when you leave Salon J’adore, regardless of what stylist you book with. I recommend booking an in-person, free consultation. This will give both you and your stylist familiarity with each other and a solid game plan ahead of time, which will allow you to relax and enjoy the luxurious hair care experience that Salon J’adore offers.

WHAT KIND OF PRODUCTS/ACCESSORIES DOES SALON J’ADORE OFFER? Salon J’adore is a full-service Wella Professionals salon. We carry the full line of Wella hair care colors and products. We are completely confident that you will love these products, so stop by to check them out for yourself. I also own theluxurylady.com, which sells authentic designer handbags and accessories on consignment from the world’s most luxurious brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Chanel.

WHAT MAKES THE SALON J’ADORE EXPERIENCE UNIQUE? Salon J’adore is one of the most luxurious salons around while still providing a positive, friendly and inviting environment. It is known for beauty chairs wrapped in authentic Louis Vuitton canvas and the six Hermès silk scarves that decorate the walls. Our staff of 7 stylists have a combined experience of over 100 years in the industry, and they are required to attend three extra training courses per year to stay up on the latest and greatest trends and techniques.

CINDY MINOR, OWNER

ASK AN EXPERT: WAIT — I THOUGHT SMALL WORLD BIG FUN ONLY PLANS DISNEY VACATIONS? Cindy Minor, owner of Small World Big Fun: What started as a Disney-centric agency 15 years has grown to become 50 agents in 18 states, planning thousands of trips not only to Walt Disney World, but also to any location across the globe. We plan vacations like luxury river cruises and destinations across Europe, as well as ocean cruises, tropical vacations, and destination weddings and honeymoons.

Our mission is to help you check things off your travel bucket list through personalized customer service and attention to detail that no other online travel aggregator can deliver.

WHAT ARE THE MOST POPULAR DESTINATIONS IN 2024?

Ashley Russell, travel adviser from North Little Rock: Europe, particularly Italy and Ireland, were popular in 2023 and will continue to be into 2024. Mexico and the Caribbean are always popular. There have been a lot of requests for Spain and Portugal. No matter the destination, the best advice is to book early. The earlier you book, the more options you have.

Brenda Price, travel adviser from Winter Garden, Fla.: Cruises to Europe and Alaska are especially popular right now, with growing interest in Asia and Australia. We are also seeing increasing requests for cruises that go around the world. These cruises circumnavigate the globe and last several months. Caribbean cruises continue to be quite popular, especially for first-time cruisers.

WE TOOK THE KIDS TO DISNEY WORLD. NOW WHAT? Russell: Travel with your children to other countries. It is so important to expand a child’s world. It teaches responsibility, gives kids perspective and empathy, and teaches independence. It’s educational, and it creates memories and a lifelong love of travel.

Jody Everson, travel adviser from Dallas: All-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean. They have a variety of options and things to do all day. We also love that at many resorts in the Caribbean, students can earn community service hours by taking part in volunteer activities, even while vacationing. We also work with resorts that are autism friendly with staff certified by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards.

WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR MULTI-GENERATIONAL TRIPS WITH GRANDPARENTS, PARENTS, CHILDREN, ETC.?

Shannon Seibert, travel adviser from Franklin, Tenn.: Allinclusive resorts are a great option for multi-gen family trips. Beach trips to the gulf are fun, but someone is still doing the shopping, cooking, cleaning and laundry. At an all-inclusive resort, everyone gets

a vacation. Some of my favorite ones are in the Cancun area, so the flights aren’t too long either. There is something for everyone, including kids and teen clubs, nighttime entertainment, bingo by the pool, a variety of restaurants, world class spas, and more. Not all are created the same, so it’s important to work with an experienced travel agent.

Where your neighbor went might not be the best for your family.

I have personally stayed or visited many resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean. My job is to find the one that is best for your family.

Price: In the summer of 2022, I was able to cruise to Alaska, along with three generations of my family. It exceeded my expectations in every way. We had a young child with us, so our excursions were geared to be good for any age. I’m a huge believer in taking the trip and making memories. It was so wonderful not only to experience the beauty that is Alaska, but to also be able to spend so much time together as a large family group. Those memories will stick with all of us forever. I’ve taken countless cruises in various parts of the world, and I think cruising Alaska may just be my favorite.

DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN? Rachel Tilves, travel adviser from Tallmadge, Ohio: It’s good to have a plan in place, but be willing to be flexible. The best memories are those that you didn’t script. Also, build in a lot more down time than you think you need. Travel, while fun, can be overwhelming for young bodies and minds. Everyone will enjoy themselves more if you allow for more flex time. Book a vacation that includes guided touring, or go on a cruise. Give Mom a break. The first thing our VIP tour guide did was grab the stroller from me and offered to push. My jaw hit the floor. What do you mean I didn’t have to even do that? Let the dining team cut your child’s chicken fingers on the cruise. Your littles will be begging you to go back to the kid’s club, so there is no mom guilt.

WHAT ARE SOME IDEAS FOR ADULT-ONLY VACATIONS? Minor: To me, the best vacation for adults is a river cruise. Ships dock in the heart of cities and provide easy access to attractions. At each destination, local guides have insights into the history and local culture. Because there are fewer people, it’s easier to make lasting connections — and of course, you can unpack once, and every need is taken care of. I can go on and on.

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Russell: If you want something tropical, there are many adult-only all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean. We have so many favorites that it’s hard to recommend one. Do you want super active, laid back and quiet, or an over-the-water bungalow with 24 hour butler service? Do you want to go with a group of friends or significant other? Also, take into consideration travel time. Maybe you want an adult-only cruise. Your travel adviser will recommend the best option, depending on what you want.

CAN YOU REALLY TRAVEL FOR 10 DAYS WITH JUST A CARRY-ON? Minor: Yes, you really can. The key is a capsule wardrobe — a set number of clothes that can mix and match and taking only two pairs of shoes with your socks rolled in. Also, most river cruise ships have affordable laundry service. There’s no need for hairdryers or hair tools; they are provided. Chargers, passport, medicine, etc, can go in a large tote or backpack that can be stored under the seat. Throw in a collapsible bag that will hold souvenirs, and check on the way home. If you must check a bag, throw in an Apple AirTag so you at least know where your luggage is.

I DO NOT HAVE A PASSPORT, BUT I WANT TO HAVE CULTURAL EXPERIENCES OUTSIDE MY NORM. ANY IDEAS? Seibert: Absolutely! My top suggestion would be Hawaii. Our 50th state is truly a treasure for the USA. It’s so much more than beautiful beaches and sunsets. The culture and history in Hawaii is very rich and quite different from the culture and history on the mainland. A variety of nationalities and religions have influenced who and what Hawaii is today. There is even royal history in Hawaii. The state is, of course, stunning and beautiful, but it’s her people that win your heart. The way they respect and honor the land, the ocean and fellow humans is truly inspiring. When I plan Hawaii trips, I make sure my clients get to experience Hawaii’s heart and soul, not just her outer beauty.

WHY SHOULD I USE A TRAVEL AGENT? Heather Coultard, travel adviser from Cleveland, Tenn.: Using a travel adviser helps narrow the search. The internet is vast and trying to make a decision about where to go can be time-consuming. We are professionals and have been to many of the places you are considering.

Just this year, Small World Big Fun agents took 270-plus trips to more than 65 destinations. Based on our experience, research and education, we can find the trip that best suits your budget and desires.

HOW DO I GET THE BEST DEAL? Minor: A good travel adviser is going to listen to your vision and deliver the vision that you want for your vacation at the price that meets your needs. The key to this is good communication. You want a relationship with your agent.

It’s important to communicate clearly so that you’re both on the same page. If you just pick up the phone and call somebody for a quote, and it’s way too expensive, or you’re like, “Man, that’s kind of cheap,” you’re not communicating with your adviser properly. Find a travel adviser that you connect with. Think about this as a long-term relationship, kind of like you think about your financial planner; you sit down and say, “In 5 years, I have a child graduating.” Sit down with your travel adviser, and you can make a plan for future travels.

When you make a plan for the future, your travel adviser is going to get the best deal on travel. Your travel adviser knows how to get special offers, perks and benefits that are not available to the public. The earlier you plan, the more you have time to kind of look around. Really, how to get the best deal is to get the best travel adviser.

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spacityrentals@outlook.com | 501.813.4134 spacityrentals ASK AN EXPERT: WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF VACATIONING AT A RENTAL HOME INSTEAD OF A HOTEL? Vacation homes are more cost effective, especially for large groups and families. Instead of booking multiple hotel rooms, you can rent a single vacation home that accommodates everyone.

Vacation homes also offer a greater degree of flexibility. You can cook your own meals in a fully equipped kitchen, saving money on dining out. Vacation homes provide a unique and personalized experience. The feeling of togetherness, a more personalized experience, privacy, and making memories with family and friends is what encompasses and attracts guests to staying in a home versus a hotel room.

WHY STAY IN HOT SPRINGS? Hot Springs offers a unique blend of natural beauty, history and relaxation. Visitors can enjoy hiking and bicycling through Hot Springs National Park. Lake Hamilton is a popular destination for bass and striper fishing, swimming, scuba diving, boating, water skiing, and other water sports.

Hot Springs offers a walkable historic downtown with shops, breweries, natural hot thermal springs, historic shops, art galleries and gaming at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort.

WHAT SHOULD ONE LOOK FOR IN A VACATION RENTAL TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE GETTING A GOOD DEAL? Overall, the price to rent a vacation home is very important, but we believe that you always need to take into consideration the overall value you are receiving. Factor in such things as the location, amenities, and the reviews that the home and/or property management company has.

You get what you pay for.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE SPA CITY RENTALS GUEST EXPERIENCE? Upon arrival, guests are greeted with a cozy and well-maintained space. We offer comfortable bedding, tasteful decor and modern amenities. Guests enjoy the privacy and convenience of staying in a home away from home. We are responsive and attentive, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable stay.

WHAT KIND AMENITIES DO SPA CITY RENTALS’ HOMES OFFER? We offer fully equipped kitchens and full-size washers and dryers in all our homes; private outdoor areas with grills, fire pits, swimming pools and hot tubs; complimentary soaps from our local soapery, Buff City Soaps; and Mountain Valley Water from downtown Hot Springs.

We also offer concierge services, including but not limited to private chefs, grocery delivery and flower delivery.

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AMY FRANCE WHAT SETS SPA CITY RENTALS APART? Spa City Rentals is managed by locals. When you call us, you’re not dealing with a distant corporation. We offer tailored services to homeowners to maximize their property’s potential. We treat our homes like they are our own and our guests like family. We also train our own private cleaning team to make sure our homes are clean, tidy, and not only visually appealing, but also hygienic. Spa City Rentals goes above and beyond for our guests to ensure that they have the best vacation.

LIVE LIKE A LOCAL.

spacityrentals@outlook.com | 501.813.4134 |

spacityrentals

VERONICA GUINN, OWNER/BUSINESS, ETIQUETTE AND LEADERSHIP CONSULTANT, JONESBORO

ASK AN EXPERT: IN GENERAL TERMS, WHAT DO YOU TEACH AND TO WHOM? I teach business etiquette and leadership-development skills for confidence in any academic, business or social setting. I work with individuals, small groups and organizations on all areas of business etiquette, including image, communication, career development, formal dining, social events and travel.

I work with professionals at any stage in their career, from students through C-suite executives. I also help organizations train their employees in small groups or company-wide to boost employee engagement and workplace civility. Individual and 360-degree leadership assessments are available, along with collaboration to create internal leadership programs.

WHY IS ETIQUETTE STILL IMPORTANT IN TODAY’S WORLD, BE IT IN SOCIAL OR BUSINESS SETTINGS? Etiquette is showing to be as important as ever in the postpandemic workplace. Telling our own story and listening to others fosters the empathy that is a foundation of etiquette. Business etiquette teaches us to make decisions through a process of consideration, respect and graciousness.

Professionals in the workplace benefit from continued education in business attire, developing daily leadership skills, handling difficult conversations, networking and public speaking.

HOW ARE YOUR LESSONS DELIVERED — IN PERSON, ONLINE, IN A CLASSROOM AND/OR AT MOCK SOCIAL GATHERINGS? My business etiquette training can be delivered in person and through live virtual meetings, recorded videos, interactive workshops and individual coaching. Specialized simulations for formal dining, public speaking, as well as mock interviews, are available. My office is located in a historic loft on Main Street in Jonesboro. The space is available for one-to-one coaching and small-group formal dining workshops.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE THE TOP THREE THINGS FOR THE BEGINNER TO REMEMBER FOR GOOD MANNERS AND SOCIAL GRACES? First, understand the importance of business dress and image. Start to curate a professional wardrobe that is polished and appropriate for any occasion. Sleek business accessories are a nice touch.

Second, sharpen your polite communication with “please,” “thank you” and “you’re welcome.” They are globally accepted and appreciated.

Strengthen your vocabulary by removing slang and filler words.

Develop the skill of concise conversation, all of which can be done without changing your accent.

Finally, get in the habit of sending handwritten notes. They aren’t always thank-you notes; send one after an introduction, especially after an interview, or to congratulate another professional on a recent achievement.

WHAT PART OF ETIQUETTE DO YOUR STUDENTS TEND TO HAVE THE MOST TROUBLE WITH? Proper introductions can be tricky. You should always stand when being introduced to show respect and to make eye contact. Remember to introduce yourself and others by first and last name, as it builds name recognition and develops connection. When introducing others, remember to say the person’s name receiving the most respect first. For example, “Mrs. CEO, I’d like to introduce to you our new intern, Jane Smith.” When introducing a speaker, never say, “This person needs no introduction.” An introduction always extends the respect that the professional deserves. Never fear introducing yourself. Simply say, with a smile, “Hello, I’m Veronica Guinn. It is nice to meet you.”

WHAT PART OF ETIQUETTE DO YOUR STUDENTS ASK ABOUT MOST? Most questions center around formal dining. Navigating a formal place setting is a great skill to learn. Start by knowing which drinking glass is yours; as a quick reminder make the lowercase letters of “b” and “d” with your index fingers and thumbs. Your left hand becomes a “b” for your bread plate, while your right hand becomes a lowercase “d” for drinking glasses. For any other moments of question, wait and watch to follow your host.

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Business Etiquette builds confidence for any academic, business or social setting. It creates a solid foundation for building strong relationships and provides the principles that develop professional confidence.

Dr. Veronica Guinn

Professional Leadership Educator Certified Leadership Assessment Coach Business Etiquette Consultant

211 South Main Street, Loft D Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401 vcguinn@gmail.com (870) 219-3505

Business Etiquette Interactive Workshop This 2 hour interactive workshop will answer any of your business etiquette questions. It may also serve as a friendly reminder of behaviors that you may have forgotten over time.

Participants will leave with immediate actions to build professional confidence.

This side of SEVEN – By Jason Pederson

Too Many Walls

In 2016, two rock bands released songs with the same title: “Walls.”

Bon Jovi’s song was somewhere between a ballad and a banger: “Now we can’t climb over, and you can’t go round.

Build them up, we’ll tear them down.

These walls are the mountains we climb.

These walls are the great divide.

Brick by brick, gonna watch them fall.

Build more bridges, tear down these walls.”

Kings of Leon presented a more stripped down, reflective tune: “Tell me what I have to say.

If you know what’s right, then you’ll walk away.

You tore out my heart, you threw it away.

A Western girl with Eastern eyes, took a wrong turn and found surprise.

When the walls come down.

When the walls come down.”

Jon Bon Jovi’s lyrics served as social commentary about the divide between Americans that seems to have only deepened in the years since.

It is about our innate longing for connection and the emotional barriers and other obstacles that get in the way. Caleb Followill of Kings of Leon is also singing about emotional barriers and the walls we surround ourselves with to protect our hearts and the heartbreak we risk when we let our guard down.

Both songs are about emotional walls, but let’s spend a moment examining the walls and fences that are actual, physical barriers.

I am of the belief that good fences make good neighbors. As a homeowner, that has always made sense to me. A fence keeps my dogs and whatever they do in my yard. A fence means leaves that I have raked will not be replaced by leaves blown from my neighbor’s yard (at least in the back). A fence makes it easier to know where to mow and identify what I own.

That said, I was raised in a subdivision of New Richmond, Wis., that was, and still is, largely without any fences. As kids, we could run freely across yard after yard after yard, and we did. I do not recall the rules, but a game called “Ditch” was popular in Oak Ridge; Ditch required a lot of running, hiding and chasing. The playing field was all eight neighborhood yards encircled by a paved road. There was not a fence anywhere.

Contrary to my belief that good fences make good neighbors, I recall everyone getting along and being good neighbors in Oak Ridge — well, with one exception. Winter snow brought all the kids to the yard of Arvid Flanum. The Flanums lived at the top of a hill, and the Tallaricos lived at the bottom. Joe Tallarico did not like the neighborhood kids messing up the beautiful, newly fallen snow on his property with their sleds and boots, so one summer, he planted a row of bushes along the property line. This effectively cut in half, and ruined, the best sledding hill in the neighborhood. (Bad neighbor!)

According to Merriam-Webster, fences are used to create “a barrier intended to prevent escape or intrusion or to mark a boundary.”

Joe Tallarico was definitely marking a boundary. Contrast that with a wall, which is defined as “a high, thick masonry structure forming a long

rampart or an enclosure chiefly for defense.” Average homeowners have fences made of wood, metal or wire that usually surround the backyard.

Wealthier homeowners may have walls made of brick, stone or concrete that surround their entire property. Fences are less expensive, but walls are more durable.

The most famous wall in the world is, without question, the Great Wall of China. At more than 13,000 miles long it is both the largest and longest man-made project in the world. The Great Wall took more than 2,000 years to build, and like the dictionary definition suggests, it was constructed primarily for defense, protecting China from foreign invaders.

There is less consensus when it comes to the most famous fence, but I nominate the Green Monster that towers over left field at Boston’s Fenway Park. Red Sox baseball players and their opponents have been hitting home runs over this 37-foot-high fence for more than 100 years.

Australia’s Dingo Fence also merits a mention: At 3,500 miles, it is the longest fence in the world. It was built in the 1880s to help protect sheep from attacks by wild dogs.

Walls and fences separate one side from another, but physical, visible borders are not necessary to achieve such separation. City limits, county lines, state lines and even invisible lines can do the same thing.

My first border battles were fought in the backseat of the family sedan. It was a space I shared with my brother Eric, who was one year younger. The middle of the backseat was the dividing line, and a mere finger laid across that invisible border was certain to produce an immediate and angry response: “He’s on my side!”

For more than a decade now, the sponsors of the Battle Line Rivalry have been trying to provoke a similarly impassioned response from Arkansas Razorback fans when it comes to playing the University of Missouri. Only 308 miles separate the schools, and the state border was the dividing line between North and South during the Civil War. All the elements are there, but a spirited rivalry just is not happening thus far.

Texas used to beat the Hogs regularly, and so Arkansas fans genuinely despise the Longhorns. The Tigers have been beating the Hogs regularly too, but the fans do not seem to care. Maybe it is a defensive strategy; we cannot have our hearts broken with every loss to every team, so we put up a wall and guard our hearts.

While fences might make good neighbors, walls do not make good friends. Or spouses. Or even fans. Like actual walls, emotional walls offer protection and are used for defense. They are often constructed following trauma or heartbreak. If left in place, they become an enemy of connection. They are an adversary of unity, something that feels safe but, in fact, can lock in pain and lock out love.

Social media and messaging apps, when used honestly and well, can be bridges to connection, but too often, they serve as a barrier instead.

After spending hours online, do you feel loved or lonely? My challenge in 2024 to myself and to you is to be more intentional about spending quality time with the people we care about. Take a break from the screens, and talk to one another. Practice listening, and become good at it. If emotional walls that produce unhealthy habits, anger, fear, or the desire to stay away or escape from others hold you back, begin the work of building more bridges, inviting people in and tearing down walls.

Leave the barriers to Joe Tallarico.

JASON PEDERSON For two decades, Jason Pederson served as KATV-Channel 7’s Seven On Your Side reporter. Now on the other “side” of his awardwinning time on the news, he now serves as deputy chief of community engagement for the Arkansas Department of Human Services.

His perspective-filled and thought-provoking column, “This Side of Seven,” publishes exclusively in AY About You magazine monthly.

Best of

2018

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DEATH, DEMONS

and DARKNESS

By Sarah Russell

W

hen Adam Pinkusiewicz’s manager asked him to work faster, he lost control, verbally berating her and threatening her physically. The encounter was so disturbing the manager was immediately replaced for the day.

Pinkusiewicz, an employee at the Moonflower Community Cooperative, was known for his unchecked aggression, often focused on women. Before long, he would be known as a suspect.

On August 12, 2021, in Moab, Utah, authorities received a call about an altercation witnessed outside the Moonflower. The Florida couple involved — Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie — became the white-hot focus of worldwide media when Petito was found murdered Sept. 19 in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park. Crime sleuths both with and without uniforms traced Laundrie’s presence back to Moab, discovering that, timewise, this altercation lined up closely with the murders of two local women.

Initially, Utah authorities had over twenty suspects. That makes for a long list, and the list would prove to be as solid as quicksand.

In late August, before Petito was found, Moab authorities opened their own case. AY About You magazine covered the then-unsolved story the following year in a two-part series, “Moab Murders”. The connection to Arkansas was that of Crystal Turner, one of the two women found murdered.

Turner had moved out to Moab a few years earlier, but in spring 2021, she had been back in her hometown of Hot Springs, saying her wedding vows at Garvan Woodland Gardens. There Turner, 38, became a partner in life — and soon in death — with Kylen Schulte, 24, a Montana girl who also had gone to Moab looking for a reset.

Each woman had endured much before they found a simple peace out there in the desert. Turner had lost her father and three brothers. Schulte’s teenage brother and her baby daughter were also gone. Running from an abusive relationship, she had come to Moab a few years after Turner.There, her sweet nature made her a favorite among her co-workers at the Moonflower Co-op. Turner found similarly welcoming hearts over at the Moab McDonald’s.

Being a highly desired location among wealthy residents, as well as visitors, Moab’s housing market has long outpriced most of its working class. In a situation not uncommon there, the women lived in a 1987 converted Econoline van, which

spent its winters parked at McDonald’s. When the weather obliged, the women usually camped out in the desert.

Although they felt safe outdoors, they stayed vigilant. At Woody’s Tavern, where they were last seen, they told friends about the “creeper” they encountered near their campsite the night before. They had come back into town on Turner’s Harley, switching off to their Kia so they could pack up and move. The Econoline might have been a safer option for camping, but it had mechanical issues.

Video surveillance from Woody’s showed them leaving close to 10 p.m. No one followed them out, nor was anyone seen waiting in the parking lot — but this night was Friday the 13th. Within days, Turner and Schulte were found murdered at their campsite.

Not only was a primary suspect elusive, but so was a motive. Was it someone from the past, a love triangle, a hate crime, a random encounter? The fact that Moab is a crossroads town further complicated the investigation. Was the killer local, or had it been someone passing through — someone like Laundrie?

The timeline of events was too coincidental to ignore. The incident between Laundrie and Petito had occurred the day before the women were last seen. To diffuse the Laundrie/Petito situation, responding officers had split up the couple for the night, taking Laundrie to the Bowen Motel. It was within walking distance of Woody’s.

Then an Instagram post showed Laundrie at the Arches National Park, 15 miles from Moab and thus still in the area on the last day the women were seen. Before he could be found to answer questions in either case, Laundrie committed suicide in a Florida swamp.

Along with his confession to Petito’s murder, police found a red baseball cap. On it was the logo for Moab Coffee Roasters, a business steps away from the Moonflower, but Schulte was not working on the 12th. She had not been the witness who called authorities about the altercation, nor was any evidence ever found to indicate Petito and/or Laundrie ever interacted with her or Turner.

The suspect list was decreased by one.

Authorities did find a bloodstained jacket belonging to Schulte’s problematic co-worker at the campsite where he had been living. An officer stopped him on a highway heading out of town. The veteran officer said that the Adam Pinkusiewicz man’s bizarre demeanor was so “unnerving” that the officer did not even take the chance of looking away from him, but the jacket provided nothing of value to the case, nor did anything else. The list was down one more man.

Over at McDonald’s, Pinkusiewicz was a no-show. Co-workers reported his seemingly endless grudge against Turner. She was not, to anyone’s knowledge, ever directly confronted by him, but she became a target of his anger after he had been reprimanded. Even on her days off, he ranted: Turner was allowed to make Schulte’s lunch, while he was called out for being too slow? He openly said that infraction of the rules was allowed because both Turner and the manager were in same-sex

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relationships. Law enforcement could not talk to him about this because he too, had hit the highway out of Moab.

There were no instant answers, but the task force was doing what good bloodhounds always do: staying nose down until they get a hit. Months in, the vehicle identification number for Pinkusiewicz’s Toyota Yaris showed movement.

Although no license plate had been visible, a car of this make and model had been on police radar since it had shown up on surveillance video in the general area of the crime scene.

Pinkusiewicz’s car had been found – sold in Waterloo, Iowa Their partially clothed bodies had also led many people to assume sexual asafter the murders, local police confirmed. There was more to sault was a factor. It was not. One can only speculate as to Pinkusiewicz’s motive tell, though: On Sept. 24, police had responded to a call made in rearranging the crime scene in that manner. from a local motel. Pinkusiewicz, 45, had committed suicide.

Nearby the women’s campsite was a resort ranch called Whispering Oaks.

The gun used was not a Glock 9mm, the Moab murder weapon, Surveillance video had captured the image of the vehicle which authorities had and since it was not a crime scene, police had discarded bullets thought to be Pinkusiewicz’s. While the camera range did not extend to the scene found in a bag there, but they had kept something that would of the murders, close to noon on the 14th, the audio had recorded the sounds of prove to be of major importance. gunshots and screams.

Pinkusiewicz had left numerous writings that reflected a Shortly after that date, Pinkusiewicz deleted all online content that linked man whose mind had been unraveling long before he went to him to Moab, including his Google history and Facebook account. Among the Moab. deleted items were photos of him camping there. It is a misconception that what “I’m afraid I have an ongoing impulse in me to kill or rape is deleted is not retrievable; computer forensic experts can attest to that, as they people,” he wrote. proved in this case.

Even as he danced on the edge of his own demise, PinkusNow closed, the case file contains something technology and witnesses have iewicz’s focus in that Waterloo motel room remained fixated on not been able to correct — a blurry timeline. While at Woody’s, the women had his reprimand at McDonald’s. said they would move because of their encounter There was no confession, but the with the “creeper.” The assumption was that meant a gods of righteousness had a card move to another campsite, but some of Turner’s coleft to play. There was the name workers think otherwise. Turner had left her Harley of a man. in the parking lot. If the women had planned on The name of this man has moving the campsite and staying out in the desert, never been released, but he was co-wokers said, Turner would have immediately gathe case breaker. Initially terraged her treasured bike. Had the “creeper” who had rified to come forward, he was so unnerved an officer made them feel it was too relieved by the news of Pinkusunsafe to stay out there? iewicz’s suicide. They were exThe police theory is that Pinkusiewicz followed lovers, the man told the authorithem out to their campsite, but the question is ties. Pinkusiewicz had gone to when? Had the women spent Friday night in the Moab after their spring breakup, Econoline instead of going back out to the desert only to recently show back up on This Toyota Yaris played a key role in the unfolding in the dark? Did Pinkusiewciz follow them from his doorstep. This time, he was murder investigation.

McDonald’s? Did he encounter them on the road an admitted murderer. He told out there, or was he camped in the same area? Was his ex-lover about the killings and “that he shot the women the crime scene their original campsite or one they had moved to, or were they while they were in the tent.” packing up to come back to Moab?

In that moment, authorities knew that this person’s inforJust who was the “creeper”? Was he someone who made the suspect list withmation was credible. It is standard procedure for law enforceout the connection being made, or, as many people believe, was Pinkusiewicz, the ment to hold back critical details about a case for the purpose of co-worker, also the “creeper”? That is firmly disputed by the private investigator correctly identifying perpetrators, as well building a strong case hired by Schulte’s father, so the question of who this potentially dangerous person for trial. Despite the assumptions the public and the media had, is remains, but even more importantly, where are they now — dead, disappeared evidence showed that while the bodies had been found outside or the personification of death, demons and darkness, traveling along a desolate the tent, the murders had occurred in it. desert highway?

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Benton

By Joe David Rice

M

issouri readers may be slightly irritated when they discover artist/writer/musician Thomas Hart Benton is included in the “all about Arkansas” book. He was, in fact, a native Missourian and the grandnephew and namesake of the Show Me State’s first U. S. Senator, a biggerthan-life hero of the American frontier. The original Thomas Hart Benton, among eight senators featured in John F. Kennedy’s Pulitzer prize-winning Profiles in Courage, was so prominent in his era that dozens of locales across the country were named in his honor – to include our own Benton, Bentonville, and Benton County.

The second Thomas Hart Benton was an original in his own right. Born in southwest Missouri in 1889, Benton was pressured by his father, a powerful politician known as “the little giant of the Ozarks,” to follow the family tradition of lawyering. Instead, Benton answered his independent calling – the world of art. He studied first in Chicago and then in Paris before ultimately winding up in New York City. A founder of the “regionalist” movement, Benton painted a series of murals that caught the art community’s attention and landed him on the cover of Time magazine in 1934.

He also taught at the Art Students League of New York and mentored many young painters, including Jackson Pollock.

Tired of the New York art scene, Benton returned to Missouri in 1935, settling in Kansas City where he was an instructor at the local art institute. Often concentrating on rural America during this stage of his career, Benton roamed across southern Missouri and northern Arkansas, occasionally trekking alone through the isolated backwoods with his knapsack and sketchpad and depending upon hospitality of the hill folks.

In a mid-1930s piece for Travel magazine, Benton wrote, “In the spring or the fall of the year there is no more delightful walking ground in the world than the Arkansas Ozarks.”

He’d also floated streams in the region since his boyhood days. In his autobiography, Benton recalled an early fascination with the nearby rivers: “I learned to know the lure of running water and the immense sense of freedom given to those who yield to it.” His favorite waterway in the Ozarks was Arkansas’s Buffalo River, a destination he visited regularly for years. Benton invariably took a sketchpad on those trips, producing over the decades some of his best work with Buffalo River themes.

In the spring of 1970, with proposals from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers threatening the river’s future, Benton floated the Buffalo with a party which included a reporter for Sports Illustrated magazine. In the ensuing article, titled “The Old Man and the River,” the 81-yearold Benton is described as “looking like an aged Einstein with his rumpled white hair and untrimmed mustache” – with tobacco stains dribbling down his shirt.

Around the campfire after the day’s float, Benton said, “If every American could run the Buffalo just once, the way we did today, then I think our rivers would be beyond the reach of trouble.”

Never shy with sharing his beliefs, Benton worked hard to keep the Buffalo River out of trouble. Unable to attend a Corps public hearing on plans to impound the stream, he submitted a written statement strongly urging the federal dam builders to simply “Let the river be.” After a long and heated battle, that four-word plea ultimately prevailed.

Benton died in his Kansas City studio on the evening of January 19, 1975. He’d enjoyed dinner that night with one of his Buffalo River canoeing buddies and had told his guest he was already planning another float trip for the spring. Benton was 85 years young at the time.

Joe David Rice, former tourism director of Arkansas Parks and Tourism, has written Arkansas Backstories, a delightful book of short stories from A through Z that introduces readers to the state’s lesser-known aspects. Rice’s goal is to help readers acknowledge that Arkansas is a unique and fascinating combination of land and people — one to be proud of and one certainly worth sharing.

Each month, AY will share one of the 165 distinctive essays. We hope these stories will give you a new appreciation for this geographically compact but delightfully complex place we call home. These Arkansas Backstories columns appear courtesy of the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at the Central Arkansas Library System. The essays have been collected and published

by Butler Center Books in a two-volume set, both of which are now available to purchase at Amazon.com and the University of Arkansas Press.

160

Arkansas

Mental Health Guide A Publication of AY Media Group

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INTRO Welcome to AY’s 2023 Mental Health Guide. It includes valuable information, a resource directory and powerful stories featuring individuals facing mental health challenges and organizations trying to help.

We hope you will use this guide to gain knowledge and to direct others. Our goal is to be as complete a resource as possible. To that end, we will update the electronic version of this guide periodically.

You’ll find more information online at armentalhealthguide.com, as well as via our social media outlets.

We hope that this is a valuable resource. Please let us know if you have ideas for the next issue.

CONTENTS 10

RUNNING FOR DAYLIGHT

18

SHELTER FROM THE STORM

26

MINDING THE KIDS

32

THE MIND AS MEDICINE

38

HOUSE OF PAYNE

46

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE GUIDE

MOST VIEWED FROM THE 2022 MENTAL HEALTH GUIDE 01

Officer Tommy Norman Remembers Daughter Alyssa, Shares Wisdom for Mental and Physical Healt

02

Addressing Mental Health Care Shortages

03

Mental Health Resource Guide

04

Fostering Life Skills: Supervised Independent Living, Resources for Almost Adulting

05

Supporting Grieving Arkansans: Camp Healing Hearts

on the cover Darren McFadden in his Dallas Cowboys uniform. Read more about his story on page 10.

Photo provided

4 . Mental Health Guide 2023

MHG OF ARKANSAS

PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER Heather Baker • hbaker@aymag.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Dwain Hebda ASSOCIATE EDITORS Sarah Coleman • scoleman@aymag.com Mak Millard • mmillard@aymag.com STAFF WRITERS John Callahan • jcallahan@aymag.com Sarah DeClerk • sdeclerk@aymag.com MANAGING DIGITAL EDITOR Kellie McAnulty • kmcanulty@aymag.com ONLINE WRITER Kilee Hall • khall@aymag.com PRODUCTION MANAGER Mike Bedgood • mbedgood@aymag.com GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Lora Puls • lpuls@aymag.com Jenna Kelley • jkelley@aymag.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Mary Funderburg • mary@aymag.com Karen Holderfield • kholderfield@aymag.com Tori Owens • towens@aymag.com Jona Parker • jona@aymag.com Dana Rodriquez • dana@aymag.com Bethany Yeager • bethany@aymag.com EXECUTIVE ASSIATANT Jessica Everson • jeverson@aymag.com ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Angela-Maria Jones • ads@aymag.com ADMINISTRATION bvilling@aymag.com CIRCULATION circulation@aymag.com CONTRIBUTORS Todd Traub TO ADVERTISE: Email hbaker@aymag.com MENTAL HEALTH GUIDE 2023 | VOLUME VI | ISSUE 5 ARMENTALHEALTHGUIDE.COM Arkansas Mental Health Guide is published annually by AY Media Group, 910 W. 2nd St., Suite 200, Little Rock, AR 72201. Periodicals postage paid at Little Rock, AR and additional mailing offices.

The contents of AY’s Mental Health Guide are copyrighted, and material contained herein may not be copied or reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publisher. Articles in AY’s Mental Health Guide should not be considered specific advice, as individual circumstances vary. Products and services advertised in the magazine are not necessarily endorsed by AY or AY Media Group.

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

A

s the publisher of this mental health guide, I feel compelled to reach out to each and every one of you with a message of understanding and encouragement.

In our journey through life, we all encounter struggles and battles. Each of us carries our own demons and faces challenges that can sometimes feel insurmountable. Over the past several years, I have personally experienced hardships that have tested me in ways I never imagined. Some of these trials have been public, while others have remained private.

However, amidst it all, I have discovered a sense of peace and solace in my unwavering faith in my almighty Father, the heavenly Father.

I am grateful to have an incredible support system in my amazing family, as well as a loving husband who cherishes me beyond measure. Their unwavering presence has been a source of strength during my darkest days, but I want you all to know — each and every one of you — that no matter what struggles you face or what challenges confront you, there is help available.

Guidance and wisdom can be found in many forms. Seek the assistance of licensed professionals who specialize in providing the support you need. Lean on your friends who can offer a listening ear and a comforting shoulder. Find solace in the embrace of your faith community, drawing strength from your church and the spiritual devotionals that speak to your heart — and never underestimate the power of prayer because it can bring comfort and reassurance during the most difficult times.

Above all, I want you to hold on to hope. Know that you are not alone in your struggles, and that there are people who care deeply about your well-being. Your life is precious and there is so much more ahead of you. Embrace the journey because it is filled with opportunities for growth, healing and love.

Please remember that seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but rather an act of courage and self-care. Reach out, share your burdens and allow others to support you on your path to healing. Together, we can navigate the challenges that life presents and emerge stronger, wiser and more resilient.

With heartfelt love and encouragement,

Heather Baker, President & Publisher hbaker@aymag.com / heatherbaker_ar

Mental Health Guide Statistics Courtesy of the National Alliance on Mental Illness

• 457,000 adults have a mental health condition in Arkansas (more than five times the population of Fayetteville) • A rkansas’ drug overdose death rate was 19.1 per 100,000 in 2020 • In 2021, 618 Arkansans died of drug overdose • 4,280 children were in foster care in Arkansas as of Sept. 30, 2020 • 424,000 children live in foster care in the U.S. at any given moment

6 . Mental Health Guide 2023

I’m

not sleeping well always feeling anxious not leaving the house much unable to concentrate on work stressing about little things not eating much

Fine

How are you really feeling? Don’t be afraid to talk about it. It’s time we eliminated the stigma of discussing mental health and let everyone know these feelings are normal. For more information visit normalizetheconversation.com. For immediate help, call UAMS AR ConnectNow at 1-800-482-9921, and Take Good Care.

00651.06.01-0723

GOVERNOR’S LETTER

STATE OF ARKANSAS SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS GOVERNOR

“How are you doing?” It’s a simple question, but one we don’t ask nearly enough. And even when it’s answered, it’s rarely answered honestly.

“H

ow are you doing?” It’s a simple question, but one we don’t ask nearly enough. And even when it’s Study after study has shown that Americans’ mental health is on the decline. Still, there answered, it’s rarely answered honestly. is a stigma around mental health and mental health treatment this country. many people Study after study has shown thatinAmericans’ mental So health is onabout the decline. there issuffering a stigma around are suffering, but it’s still taboo to talk whatStill, they’re from.mental Thathealth needs to and mental health treatment in this country. So many people change. are suffering, but it is still taboo to talk about what they’re suffering from. That needs to change.

Mentalis Health Guideway magazine is a good way to startproblem. In Arkansas’ Mental Health GuideArkansas Magazine a good to start fixing that fixing that problem. In this magazine, you’ll find everything this magazine, you’ll find everything from community-specific resources to moving from community-specific resources to moving testimonials from testimonials from mental health practitioners patients. a great to to get up to mental healthand practitioners andIt’s patients.

It’s a resource great resource get up tohealth speed with what’s in the mental health speed with what’s going on in the mental space ingoing the on Natural State.

Andspace for those who in the Natural State, and for those who need help and their loved need help and their loved ones, it’s an excellent guide to get started. ones, it’s an excellent guide to get started.

As America’s youngest governor and the mother of three young and kids, the I’m mother keenly aware that our youngest generations As America’s youngest governor of three young kids, I’m keenly aware are on the front lines of America’s mental health crisis. the On the our youngest generations are on the front lines of America’s mental healthOncrisis.

SARAHthat HUCKABEE SANDERS, bright side, they seem more open than ever to have an honest bright side, they seem more open than ever toabout havethis anproblem, honestbut conversation this problem.

GOVERNOR conversation tragically, theyabout also face obstacles to their mentalhealth health – —especially especially onon social But tragically, they also face obstacles to their ownown mental social media – that older generations would never have dreamed of. that older generations would never media have—dreamed of.

In my administration, we’re working hard to put smart policies in place that keep our kids safe and their mental health In my administration, we’re working todoput place that keep our sound. Still,hard we can’t this smart alone. If policies we’re truly in going to address this issue head-on, it will do havethis to bealone. a society-wide effort. kids safe and their mental health sound.

Still, we can’t If we’re truly going to That’s why I’m so glad you’ve decided to pick this magazine address this issue head-on, it will have toread be about a society-wide effort. up and our state’s mental health landscape. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or feel like you’re lost in a sea of information, better place to get learning That’s why I’m so glad you’ve decided there’s to picknothis magazine upstarted and read about our about mental health in Arkansas.

Mental health and well-being state’s mental is critical to health our landscape. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or feel like you’re lost in a sea of information, there’s no better place to get started learning about mental health in communities, Arkansas. our workplaces, Sincerely,Sincerely, our families and our state.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders Sarah Huckabee Sanders

State Capitol Building • Little Rock, AR 72201 Telephone: (501) 682-2345 www.governor.arkansas.gov

8 . Mental Health Guide 2023

Breaking the Chains of Addiction and Renewing Lives Through Faith-Based Transitional Treatment: Your Path to Healing and Hope Overcoming a life impacted by complex trauma and addiction is an intricate and challenging journey, particularly when faced alone. At Freshly Renewed Transitional, we take immense pride in our commitment to meeting our clients where they’re at. Your goals matter to us. Our distinctive approach encompasses a partial hospitalization program, comprehensive outpatient care and ongoing aftercare, providing clients the opportunity to reside within a nurturing and secure environment during treatment, and to sustain their healing journey while embracing independent living.

Our Treatment Center Services:

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(501) 663-0708 8404 Baseline Rd, Little Rock, AR 72209 armentalhealthguide.com . 9

RUNNING

FOR DAYLIGHT

By Dwain Hebda // Photos provided

N

ov. 8, 2023, would have been the epitome of a slow news day locally, had it not been for the struggles of the Razorback football team. In print and over the airwaves, Arkansans from one end of the state appeared to have only one thing on their minds, the precipitous fall from relevance of their beloved Hogs. In public forums and private conversations, fans decried the mounting losses — most recently Ole Miss with Alabama up next — turning up the heat to blistering on players and coaches alike.

Few fans saw the more significant Razorback news that day, posted quietly on social media. The post bore a simple photograph of a laser-printed certificate of completion bearing the seal of some entity called ASPIRE Recovery Center of Frisco in one corner, surrounded by a thick blue border. In large script, just above center, read “Darren McFadden.” Below that, in block type was, “One Day At A Time.”

“Well idk how to start this or what to really say…” began McFadden’s post on Facebook and Instagram, “but I’m proud of myself right now.”

The poignant, plainspoken lines that followed hit the reader like a brick.

An Arkansas sports icon, McFadden was revealing his struggle with mental health and alcohol, of how drinking isolated him from his family and “had just turned my life into a shit show, pretty much.” He wrote about his desire to get well and his sense of accomplishment of having reached six months of sobriety. The post, which generated 411 comments from among 92,000 followers, is the last he made to the account, a digital bridge from his old life and the new.

However, McFadden had more to say, and a month later, he sat down to an interview about his life the triumphant and the tragic — in the hopes his story would inspire someone else to get well. He spoke quietly throughout the talk but with a resolve that suggests he personified his illness like a closing linebacker looking to cut his legs out from under him, foiled from doing so only by the force of McFadden’s resolve to hit addiction harder than it can hit him.

“One of my earliest memories of football, I never shied away from contact,” he said. “I’m more so prone to going toward it.”

Darren McFadden was born Aug. 27, 1987, and raised with 11 siblings in what he called “the not-so-good side, not-too-nice side of Little Rock.” His parents, while split, were both in his life growing up, which helped steer him

10 . Mental Health Guide 2023

Cutline: Consent adis remporum nus alibus, quae corepta que re, qui doluptam viduntur saerciunt optae Darren McFadden, center, recently opened up about his struggles with addiction on social media. armentalhealthguide.com . 11

away from the gangs and addicts that were as common in his neighborhood as weeds on a vacant lot.

“As far as growing up in the home, my parents were always big on respect, doing the right thing, staying in school, working, just trying to do better than what was around us as children,” he said. “That was something that kind of molded me through life. I didn’t know as a kid growing up exactly what I wanted to do, but I’d seen enough of what I didn’t want to do.”

McFadden was rambunctious, and by age 6, his folks enrolled him in sports programs to channel his energy. He made friends easily with the kids in the neighborhood, and his immediate talent on the football field did not hurt his popularity.

“At 6 years old, I was already naturally faster than a lot of kids,” he said. “As time went on, I realized me being faster than everybody meant something. I would say probably 9, 10 years old was when I started gaining confidence that I knew I could play sports better than this kid or that kid.”

Honed by his father Gralon and supported by his mother Mini Muhammad and stepmother Ella McFadden, the only thing that could keep up with the young athlete was his growing legend on the football field.

Raw talent morphed into an acute understanding of the game — its angles and curves — stoked by a billowing competitive fire.

At Oak Grove High School in North Little Rock, McFadden would letter in three sports, but the unquestioned feature attraction played on Friday night. Punishing at safety, electrifying at tailback and skilled at many things in between, McFadden was a video game come to life. By the time he graduated, he had racked up nearly 5,000 career yards and almost 60 touchdowns. Easily the best prep player in the state, he was a 2004 Parade AllAmerican, and the high school player of the year by both the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and the Landers Award.

Rivals.com ranked him the 23rd best player in the nation, but a simple eye test was all it took for most recruiters, a string of which looked to follow Arkansas’ star to pay homage in the McFadden living room. McFadden saved them all the trip.

“For me, it was hands down, I was a Razorback through and through,” he said. “I would say it probably started to kick in as I got older and I realized that I can actually do something.

Once the University of Arkansas offered me a scholarship, I knew.

“I remember talking to my high school coach and him saying if you already know where you want to go there’s no point in wasting nobody else’s time and no point wasting your own time. I had a visit scheduled with Alabama and I ended up canceling that visit. I committed to Arkansas as a junior, and I 12 . Mental Health Guide 2023

‘‘

“At 6 years old, I was already naturally faster than a lot of kids. As time went on, I realized me being faster than everybody meant something. never wavered from that.”

Arriving on the Hill, McFadden created instant buzz that would only grow louder with each passing week. For three years, he thrilled fans with the anticipation of every handoff.

Lethal to bring down and impossible to catch, he made a mockery of opposing defenses in the most competitive conference in the sport. As a true freshman, he amassed 1,113 yards on 176 carries, averaging 6.3 yards a tote and scoring 11 times. He followed that up with 1,647 yards on 284 carries his sophomore campaign, a 5.8 yards-per-carry average that hit pay dirt 14 times, plus one through the air and one on a kick return.

As a junior, the fireworks continued. Sports Illustrated put him on the cover of the college football preview issue, and McFadden delivered, racing for 1,830 yards on 325 carries, averaging 5.6 yards per carry. He scored 16 touchdowns on the ground and threw four more out of the innovative Wild Hog set.

Such production gave him hardware to spare. In three years, McFadden collected the 2007 Walter Camp Award denoting the game’s best overall player, was a three-time firstteam All-SEC (2005 to 2007) and claimed matching Doak Walker Awards as football’s best running back, the Jim Brown Trophy, SEC Offensive Player of the Year and consensus AllAmerican, all coming in 2006 and 2007. Both seasons, he was also squarely in the Heisman conversation, especially as a junior. It is as mind-boggling that he was second twice in Heis-

A “Razorback through and through,” McFadden committed to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville as a high school junior and never wavered from that decision.

man balloting as it is inconceivable anyone would ever have thought him second-best.

“With the Heisman, in my first year I just felt like I was making a name for myself. I came into the Heisman conversation probably four or five games up in the year,” he said. “I just played football, and that’s what I did. The accolades that came along with it, I couldn’t care less about at the time. It was something that wasn’t in the forefront of my mind. I wanted the team to be better.

“Going into it as a junior, I knew that I was going to be one of the Heisman candidates, and I had a goal to win the Heisman at that point. I expected to win it, and once my name wasn’t called it surprised me. I can’t take anything from what [Tim] Tebow did that year. He put up great numbers and everything, but that one hurt right there. I didn’t let it take control of me or depress me or anything like that; I just put it in the back of my head. I get asked about it a lot, and that’s always my answer to it.”

McFadden insists his drinking, which began at age 15 in what he describes as normal teenage experimentation, never posed a problem through high school or college. Yes, he drank, and so did thousands of other college kids who did not carry the hopes and vicarious aspirations of thousands on their back every Saturday and whose missteps evaporated on the ether of anonymity.

“It started with so many teenagers hanging out, some teenagers drinking, offer it to your friend, friend takes a drink, and I was one of those friends that took the drink. I didn’t see

anything wrong with it or anything like that,” he said. “As a kid, you know you’re not supposed to drink or whatever, but we felt like we could handle ourselves and be mature about it.

It wasn’t any type of situation where anybody was like, ‘Go ahead, just do it, man.’ I pretty much did it on my own; once it was presented to me or I had opportunity to, I did it.

“In high school, we’d go hang out at a party and have some drinks and everything. Same thing in college for me, pretty much. I was never a kid like, ‘Oh, I’ve got a class in the morning; let me go get a couple drinks in the hallway.’ It was always a social environment — hanging out, drinking and stuff at parties, college kids getting together to have a good time.”

In truth, fans were far more concerned over McFadden returning for his senior year than if he tipped a few beers on the weekend, and they had reason to be. Most were disappointed, if not altogether surprised, when he entered the NFL draft early. An impressive showing at the NFL Combine paid off with his being selected fourth overall by then-Oakland Raiders which, having been burned by touted but ultimately busted quarterback JaMarcus Russell in a holdout, was eager to lock up the former Hog. McFadden agreed to $60.1 million over six years, $26 million of it guaranteed, Despite what is often said about football turning from game to a job overnight, said he found the transition to the pros a natural one.

“It was still just the game of football to me,” he said. “I never understood that thing about guys going to work and everything because I just looked at it like guys going to football armentalhealthguide.com . 13

practice. That’s what I was doing. In hindsight, it is a career at the end of the day, and that’s the way you have to approach it.

As you get older and you understand it’s a career, a business, how you take care of your family and everything, you have to approach it that way, but, like, at first, going from a game to a career, I didn’t really look at it that way. I felt like I was still playing football.”

McFadden may have still looked at the game the same way, but the pro game did not reciprocate. After receiving much hype in training camp, he turned in a decent rookie season in 2008, with nearly 800 total yards and four scores. His highwater mark came in 2010, with 1,157 yards rushing, 507 yards receiving and 10 total touchdowns. Overall though, much of his pro career alternated between flashes of former brilliance and the reality of nagging injuries that cost him playing time and effectiveness. The nicks took as much toll on his mental state as on his physical gifts.

“Going through something one year and you miss four, five, six games, come back the next year with such high hopes and injure the same thing,” he said. “It makes you question yourself some, for sure. Like, man, what am I doing out here? Can’t stay healthy. Am I even worthy of being on this team still? All the doubts and thoughts start creeping into your mind.

“You can definitely feel the doubt and tension of the people that’s around you and some of your own teammates and stuff. You just have to keep ahead of it and keep working. I knew at the end of the day, I wasn’t faking injuries or anything like that. Just, I can’t go. I can’t go. It’s just part of the game. I just always was like, I know what I can do when I’m out there. No matter how much you tell yourself that, you still have those doubts creep into your mind. For the most part, I just tried to stay focused.”

In 2015, McFadden signed with the Dallas Cowboys, and the change of scenery seemed to bode well as he again topped 1,000 yards rushing, becoming the only Razorback to have two 1,000-yard NFL seasons, but injuries followed him to Texas. As time wore on and new, younger faces replaced him atop the depth chart, McFadden grew increasingly frustrated. In November 2017, he asked for and was granted his release from the Cowboys. He retired from football two days later.

In the grand scheme of things, McFadden had led a relatively incident-free, if statistically modest run in the NFL. Other than a well-publicized lawsuit against a former business partner that alleged fraud and mismanagement, he avoided negative headlines off the field. What the world did not know was the social drinking of his youth had intensified during his pro career, and, with retirement bringing ample time and resources, McFadden had finally met an opponent he could not outrun or bowl over.

“As I got older, being able to drink on my own and not have any big responsibilities as far as having to get up and go do something, I could come home in the evenings and have a couple drinks,” he said “Two, three times a week, I’d have a drink at the house or whatever. Over time, those two or three times turned into every day, and the later I got into my career, when I could feel I was getting pushed to the side, I think I probably

started drinking a lot more then.

“After retirement, it pretty much turned into drunk on the daily. I didn’t feel it was affecting me in any kind of way as far as my day-to-day habits or what I did. I was a functioning alcoholic pretty much. As time went on, it increased, and there were plenty of signs but I just didn’t think about it.”

Looking back, McFadden can see the spiral he was in, accelerated by depression and a rising tide of booze. What he did not know was his was a textbook example of the surge in mental health and addiction issues among elite athletes. Athletes for Hope reported in 2019 that a third of all college students experience depression, anxiety or other mental health issues, but while 30 percent of the general population seeks help, only one in 10 athletes do.

Worse, the higher an athlete climbs in their sport, the deeper mental illness sinks their claws into their back. Athletes for Hope data shows up to 35 percent of elite athletes suffer from a mental health crisis, and without proper help, this often leads to selfmedication in the form of alcohol abuse or drug addiction. In a study, the NCAA found that between 32 percent and 38 percent of female collegiate athletes and between 40 and 50 percent of male collegiate athletes reported regular consumption of more than four drinks of alcohol at a sitting. More concerning, 30 percent of student athletes in the study reported experiencing blackouts, a red flag for alcohol addiction. The same percentage said they did something they later regretted under the influence.

Such habits in college only accelerate among pros who have the resources to get drunk or high and the invincible mentality that the odds will not catch up to them, but catch them it does, be it in Olympic sport (gold-medal swimmer Michael Phelps), individual sports (PGA golfer John Daly, boxer Sugar Ray Leonard), or team games (Super Bowl quarterback Brett Favre, World Series champ Darryl Strawberry), each to varying degrees ensnared by mental illness, pressure to perform or dealing with the end of their prime playing years. It is a tune McFadden knows by heart.

“Football changed everything for me, gave me something to do, gave me a sense of purpose,” he said. “Retiring from football, what do I do now? OK, I’m not doing anything, I can kick back, do whatever I want to, have as many drinks as I want to and not think about whatever. Eventually that drinking grabs ahold of you, and it’s hard to kick it, for sure.”

McFadden’s issues came to a head in 2019, when he described getting into altercations and pushing his family to the breaking point. That year, he was arrested, drunk and passed out behind the wheel at a Whataburger drive-thru, forcing police on the scene to break out the vehicle’s windows to get him out of his SUV. During the melee, in bodycam footage, which was broadcast by TMZ Sports, McFadden appears to inadvertently step on the accelerator, wedging the nose of his truck against the side of the building. As the tires continue to spin, the screech of rubber sounds akin to a call for help, one he would eventually follow into treatment.

“In my mind I’m like OK, I’m going to get it together. I’m going to stop drinking and figure it out,” he said. “You’re los-

Football changed everything for me, gave me something to do, gave me a sense of purpose.

14 . Mental Health Guide 2023

ing your family, drunk, had an accident, pretty much had to be thankful that you were able to walk home and the other person was able to walk home. That was a real eyeopener for me at that point right there. It was time for me to get myself together. I want to do well for myself and be healthy physically and mentally and everything.”

Six months does not a recovery make, but reaching that sobriety milestone in November was enough to make the intensely private McFadden open up on social media about the journey he had been on. If he felt any discomfort over discussing his struggles, the cat was let permanently out of the bag the next day, when David Bazzel and Roger Scott gave him a platform to discuss it on 103.7 The Buzz’s Morning Mayhem. Today, McFadden is much more knowledgeable about his issues, and that brings an ease talking about it.

“Going into [rehab], I told the counselors, ‘I’m going to walk in here and try to get sober, and maybe one day I can drink like a normal person,’” he said, “but the more I heard people talk about their stories, my mind started to change. I realized I had to first admit to myself that I was an alcoholic. Every time I heard somebody telling their story that they’ve been sober for 10 years, I was like, damn. That opened my mind that this is not something that just goes away. You have to continue to work on that every day.

“I started to think this is not something I can do by myself. I’m not just a normal drinker. When I drink, I go on a binge. Listening to people and talking to different counselors just opened my mind up.”

Possessed of a football mind and the skills to analyze on the fly, McFadden seemed to know instinctively where to go on any given play. Finding a crease, exploding through an arm tackle and accelerating smoothly into the clear were all given to him at birth and refined through hours of practice over miles of turf. The field that stretches before him today is not as familiar, his opponent lurking in the crevices of his mind, looking for an unguarded moment to bring him down. The game of his life, barely at halftime, plays out from here with no playbook to guide him, yet he moves into it, slower maybe, but with no less resolve, hoping to help others, as well as himself.

“I’m to a point that I don’t mind opening up about things. You’re embarrassed about it and you don’t want people to know the extent, but that’s part of what kept me in a darker place as far as with the drinking and not being able to come out of there,” he said. “I don’t want to be telling somebody I’m this, I’m that, and then I’m here passed out drunk. Being able to open up and being able to talk about it is something that helps me hold myself accountable.

“There’s people who struggle with things, and you may not even know. Maybe somebody you talk to every day, and you don’t even know. I want people to know they’re not alone in it and it’s OK to talk to somebody about it. I want to be able to help people say, ‘He had this problem.

He got over it. He can talk about it. Maybe I can try to talk with somebody about it.’ Then you have to take it one day at a time. I don’t try to look out and say, ‘What am I going to do two years from now? Will I be drinking, or will I be doing this?’ I take it one day at a time. It helped me to not worry so much about what other people are saying or thinking. It definitely taught me what I am, a very resilient person.” ◊

McFadden’s time with the Dallas Cowboys initially showed promise but was soon marred by the injuries that plagued his earlier career.

armentalhealthguide.com . 15

A

ROOTED IN HOPE AND EMBRACING CHANGE

s communities across the country continue to deal with the ongoing effects of the opioid epidemic and the need for addiction recovery services more broadly, the role of transitional housing has never been more crucial. As a valuable lifeline bridging those in recovery to a new life, there is a tremendous need for safe, stable housing. A warm bed and a place to call home can be the foundation on which someone in recovery builds a healthy, independent lifestyle away from substance use.

One such facility, the newly opened Magnolia Recovery Community, aims to address transitional housing needs in central Arkansas and the surrounding areas. Sitting on six acres, the Magnolia has over 200 beds for those on the journey to recovery. Founder Kasia Pabian, certified registered nurse anesthetist and president of the Arkansas Association of Nurse Anesthetists, has encountered hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals struggling with addiction throughout her years as a nurse and nurse anesthetist, she said. Seeing this gap in resources inspired her to open the Magnolia and provide support to those Kasia Pabian, MSN, CRNA who need it most.

“We provide a structured living environment for those in recovery and in need of transitional living,” Pabian said. “My goal with the Magnolia Recovery Community is to provide as many opportunities and resources as possible. Each individual’s journey is different, meaning their needs are different, as well.”

The Magnolia Recovery Community has resources to assist those in recovery with mental health needs, employment, financial management, goal setting, peer support services and more. According to the American Addiction Centers, millions of those suffering from substance use disorder also suffer from a mental health disorder, making multifaceted approaches like those at the Magnolia even more vital.

While men may be more likely to abuse illicit drugs, according to the AAC, women are just as prone to addiction as men when they use them. This early on, the Magnolia offers services for men 18 and older, but Pabian has plans to open transitional living options for women in the near future.

“I want people to know that we will give 110 percent to every resident that enters our facility,” she said. “We will do our part by holding the residents accountable and performing random drug tests weekly. We require them to attend a minimum of four meetings a week and have a sponsor.”

Pabian also stressed the importance of community support for facilities like the Magnolia, whether it be monetary donations or offering resources such as job opportunities for those in recovery as they rebuild their lives.

“A lot of residents come to the Magnolia directly from detox, drug rehab or off the streets,” she said. “They come here with no money, no food, no transportation and no job.”

Regardless of their situation, every person at the Magnolia can receive the compassion and structured support needed to get back on their feet. They will become a part of a community focused on healing.

For more information about the Magnolia Recovery Community or to tour the facility, call 501-454-6811.

the Magnolia

Recovery Community 3601 W. Roosevelt Road, Little Rock 501-454-6811

NATURAL STATE RECOVERY CENTERS:

T here at Every Step

Brian Fleckenstine, APRN Ebony Montgomery, APRN Melanie Higgins, APRN

N

atural State Recovery Centers was founded in 2018 to help people gain freedom from drugs and alcohol, using an approach that is both comprehensive and holistic. It is comprehensive in that Natural State offers services through every step of the recovery journey, from medical detox through long-term sobriety. It is holistic because Natural State is committed to treating the person as a “whole,” with the support and encouragement to heal physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

“Our mission is to provide individuals who are in the early stages of recovery with a structured and loving environment,” said NRSC Community Relations Specialist Kevin Cleveland. “While in residential treatment, you’re able to get away and focus on yourself as a person.

You must heal ‘you’ first, before you can fix anything else or help anybody else in your life.”

Natural State offers an unbroken continuum of care and support for recovery, from the early stages of detoxification all the way through residential and outpatient care. Medical staff provide medication management when needed, and residential clients receive 24-hour care from a talented team of doctors, nurses, therapists, peer specialists, and care technicians.

That is what truly makes Natural State distinctive: The team of knowledgeable and dedicated administrative and clinical staff, many of whom have experienced firsthand the transformative power of recovery. They know what works and what does not when it comes to addiction recovery, allowing for the kind of understanding and connection that can make treatment a life-changing process. Recovery is a way of life for most of Natural State’s team.

“I think that it speaks volumes, because they understand, when a person comes in for treatment, where they are in life—they’ve been there themselves,” Cleveland said. “They love the recovery process. A portion of recovery is going on to help somebody else.”

Natural State recently moved its outpatient services to downtown Little Rock, allowing them to reach even more of the community in a centralized location. Those participating in the outpatient program receive treatment for substance-use disorder throughout the week while having the opportunity to build and maintain a healthy, independent lifestyle, from working or attending school to volunteering and pursuing hobbies.

“We do recover,” and that is the goal for every person that Natural State serves. That does not simply mean being drug- and alcohol-free.

Instead, it means having the tools and space to cultivate a rich life where drugs and alcohol are no longer needed.

The first step to receiving the help that you or a loved one needs is to fill out an application on Natural State’s website, which is listed below. From there, an intake specialist will contact you about treatment options. For any other questions about the recovery process and how Natural State can help, please call.

Natural State Recovery Centers: Office: 501-319-7074 Cell: 501-539-3893 naturalstaterecovery.com Detox and residential: 10025 Oakland Drive North Little Rock

Outpatient: 924 Main St. Little Rock

NSRecovery naturalstaterecovery naturalstaterecovery

armentalhealthguide.com . 17

Shelter from the STORM As Arkansas’ mental health needs skyrocket, organizations work to improve access to resources

By Dwain Hebda // Photos provided

18 . Mental Health Guide 2023

armentalhealthguide.com . 19

T

he good news is the issue of mental health in the United States is no longer relegated to the shadows. The bad news is the encroaching light of day has illuminated a problem far greater than anyone could have imagined, much less been prepared to address. As a result, government agencies, mental health professionals and private treatment centers alike are struggling under a tidal wave of demand that smashes against the levees of available services and capacity.

“I’m speaking generally about what we’re seeing here,” said Megan Miller, CEO of the BridgeWay in North Little Rock. “I would say that what we’re noticing is people are still having a large amount of mental health concerns and that people are often more ill when they come to the hospital than they’ve been in years past. It seems to us over the pandemic, people waited much, much longer before coming in for help and I think that is still true in 2023.”

Across America, the story is largely the same. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five adults experiences mental illness annually, or 23 percent of the country’s adult population, 58 million people in 2021. NAMI also noted one in 20 adults experience serious mental illness each year, which works out to nearly 6 percent of U.S. adults, or more than 14 million individuals.

As staggeringly high as the incidence of mental illness is, treatment is lagging well behind, with less than 48 percent of adults with mental illness receiving treatment in 2021 and only about 65 percent of adults with serious mental illness getting treatment.

Young patients did not fare much better; despite 7.7 million people between the ages of 6 and 17 who reported having a menPhoto Provided tal health disorder in 2016, only about half received treatment.

Arkansas’ report card on treatment of individuals with mental illness laid out by Mental Health America is mixed. Overall, the organization ranked the Natural State 32nd, taking into consideration factors such as incidence rate of illness and substance use disorder, suicidal itMegan Miller erations, as well as access to and cost of treatment.

While Arkansas was ranked in the top 20 as far as least prevalence of mental illness overall, the state did not fare as well on measurements of how well it took care of the cases it did have. The state’s adult cases score, a composite of the number of adults with mental illness and/or substance use

20 . Mental Health Guide 2023

disorder who reported thoughts of suicide and did not receive treatment for reasons of cost, lack of insurance or other unmet need, ranked Arkansas 32nd nationally. Concerning youth patients, the state was 44th, based on a composite score of essentially the same criteria.

Most concerning of all, Arkansas ranked 45th nationally in its performance serving those patients’ needs, regardless of age, based on multiple

“There’s an enormous link between what you put into your body and how it makes you feel. We do a larger education about different foods that might help us energize ourselves and that would reduce a lot of other symptoms from depression and anxiety.”

— Megan Miller, The BridgeWay factors. These included adults and youth who did not receive any treatment, adults who experienced 14 or more mentally unhealthy days per month but could not afford care, youth whose private insurance did not cover mental or emotional problems, and mental health workforce availability.

Paula Stone, director of the Arkansas Department of Human Services Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, said a relatively poor state like Arkansas relies heavily on public funds to help people get the help they need.

“The bulk of what we do is Medicaid-funded,” she said. “The latest statistics I have were that of all the people who received behavioral health services in Arkansas, 70 percent of those are paid by Medicaid. They are the largest funder and driver of services. “[The state] pays for mental health services and substance use disorder services in a couple of ways.

We have federal funding that comes in, state funding that comes in, and with that funding, we do a couple of different things. One, we either pilot programs with some of those funding sources, or we use that funding for people who are not insured in any way or are underinsured. We use it to fill gaps.”

Stone said while the funding arrangement is not new, the agency is not content to bow to the status quo. In November, she and other DHS leadership appeared before state appeared before state legislators to walk them through extensive changes that will expand care for thousands of individuals.

The new regulations overhaul the state’s Provider-led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity, launched in 2017, which provides government-funded health care to more than 55,000 Arkansans requiring specialized health care. The changes are the result of the work of a 2021 task force convened to study issues surrounding mental health care in Arkansas.

“As the payor of services, one of our roles is to make sure services get out there,” Stone said. “We know there’s big challenges out there with the master’s level counselor workforce. Those counselors have moved largely into private practice.

There’s a lot of online services being offered, which can be very helpful, and we have changed our regulations to allow a lot of the services to be provided via telehealth platforms.

“Another thing we’ve done to address access is working on integration with primary care. There are a couple of really interesting programs where people can identify their needs in a primary care clinic and then also get some services through that clinic, accessing help at the place where you intercept instead of having to call another place.”

Recognizing the intense personnel pressure many private mental health providers are under, Stone said DHS is also tweaking regulations that help broaden the scope of available expertise and equip health care outlets to be part of the solution.

“We’ve changed some programs allowing primary care physicians to employ master’s-level counselors to submit billing for them and have them be part of the team,” she said. “We’ve also written a grant in working with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock on behavioral health integration. It’s about a $9 million grant over the next five years, about $1.8 million a year. That is really working on a model called the collaborative care model where primary care physicians can share a psychiatrist across many different clinics, which is a really great use of psychiatry.

“What they can do is while they’re screening for behavioral health needs or conditions, they can have a care coordinator that staffs those clients with a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist can either provide support for a primary care physician to prescribe medication, provide support for a counselor who’s working in that office, or they can say this person really needs more intensive services than we have currently available in our primary care clinic. A lot of those integrations are very

helpful.”

Stone said the changes identified thus far are only the beginning. The next step lies in maximizing existing resources, strengthening relationships with various entities that connect with the public and strengthening protocols of what to do when coming into contact with a person in need of mental health services.

“We have crisis stabilization units across the state that are not being filled,” she said, “so we’re expanding what they are doing.

Sometimes people just need to come and talk to somebody, maybe need an assessment, but they don’t want to get admitted and spend the night. We’re looking at running some pilots with Paula Stone them of how many people would just come and either sit in a recliner and be assessed, settle down, get some medication, whatever it is that they need, and then move on.

“I know a number of our police departments, including the Little Rock Police Department, have an embedded counselor. Fayetteville is doing some really great stuff in conjunction with the university where they have co-responders who are responding with the police. I think North Little Rock is looking into that. Lots of really great things are coming on how we send people out there who know how to address these situations, and by doing a lot of training with law enforcement, allowing them to help recognize when they’re dealing with someone who has a mental health condition.”

Private mental health care providers are also stepping up to reach more people and address more issues within the state. In October, the BridgeWay celebrated the grand opening of its Women’s Center for Health and Wellness. Miller said the facility offers a unique option that focuses on challenges typically faced by women seeking treatment.

“What drove it was, during [the COVID-19 pandemic] especially, we were seeking feedback from our consumers, and we heard from quite a few who

“A relatively poor state like Arkansas relies heavily on public funds to help people get the help they need.”

— Paula Stone, Arkansas Department of Human Services

Photo Provided

armentalhealthguide.com . 21

are women who said they would have had a different experience if they had been on a specific unit only with other women,” she said. “They would come into the hospital needing care, and being isolated or separated from their children was very difficult. They needed some different accommodations to be able to have those connections.

“They also felt that they got some unique support from other women on the unit and that could be enhanced in that [same-sex] type of environment. There is some truth in that; when you look at the research, women experience mental health treatment differently than men, so [the new center] is a way that we may be able to really accelerate how women get their mental health treatments.”

The new inpatient treatment facility was created within the BridgeWay’s existing acute psychiatric space. It offers 13 beds, which Miller anticipates expanding to 20 in the new year. Individualized treatment plans, which can include assessment, stabilization and focused treatment interventions that utilize a trauma-informed approach, are expected to become more effective thanks to the women-only setting.

“I don’t know that I could exclusively say [a single-sex environment] works for everybody, but I do think there is a large number of women who get a benefit out of being in an area where they feel confident and comfortable opening up,” she said.

“In speaking about trauma, 51 percent of women report at least one traumatic event in their lifetime, and in many cases, that traumatic event may have had some transference with a male.

“Being able to talk about that or other sensitive women-only subjects in a group setting, those could be offered in that unit and may be helpful

“That’s been very important to have someone to help families and people who are experiencing substance use disorder to navigate what can be a really confusing, intimidating system to work through by themselves.”

— Justin Buck , The Wolfe Street Foundation to them by limiting some of those triggers. It will allow us to have a level of privacy to open up about different issues that a patient may not feel comfortable doing in a mixed group.”

Miller said the Women’s Center is also home

22 . Mental Health Guide 2023

to a variety of treatment approaches, including art, music, aromatherapy, yoga and nutritional education.

“Most of [these services] are provided in a group-based format with a specialist in that area coming in to provide that care," she said. "We have yoga instructors, for instance, who come in to do some of those classes for us. We have a dietician, and she meets individually with all those ladies in that program but also may choose to do some group-based work if she sees some trends that would be helpful to pull that all together for us.”

The nutrition component is particularly innovative, Miller said, and one not many people think of when picturing mental health treatment.

“There’s an enormous link between what you put into your body and how it makes you feel,” she said. “We do a larger education about different foods that might help us energize ourselves and that would reduce a lot of other symptoms from depression and anxiety.

“A depressed person generally isn’t taking very good care of their body. They often are isolating.

They may have an increased appetite or a decrease in appetite. They may be picking poor foods or not eating foods at all. They also may be dehydrated during that time. We’re talking to them, especially within their age grouping, about what foods they need to have the energy to get out of bed so they can do the things that are ultimately going to make them feel better.”

Miller said such creative thought is going to be essential in dealing with the surge of demand the BridgeWay and entities like it are experiencing.

She said the need for services is likely to increase as people continue to get more comfortable with seeking treatment.

“If there was a silver lining to COVID, I would say that some of it is we had a reduction in a lot of the stigma [surrounding mental health],” she said.

“With sports stars and entertainers and others in the media being more open about talking about their mental health concerns, it did help people to feel more confident in coming into care. We’re still seeing a little bit of those residual effects.

“It’s not over, however. Stigma still exists. It’s here, and many people are still reluctant to talk about it. We sometimes have people who come in, talk with us about the services and not come back until days later. It’s still hard to make that decision to take the time to really care for yourself.”

One area of treatment that has been particularly challenging concerns substance abuse disorder. KFF, an independent provider of health policy research and polling, reported in March that excessive drinking and drug use accelerated during the pandemic, causing lethal consequenc-

es. During COVID-19, drug overdoses spiked by 50 percent in the U.S., and in 2021, more than 106,000 died due to overdose, the highest total on record.

Alcohol-induced deaths were also up substantially, increasing 3 percent during the pandemic, a rate that was even higher among certain demographic groups. African Americans, for example, saw a 45 percent jump, and those in the American Indian Alaskan Native category reported death rates six times that of the next highest group. Rural areas’ death rates due to alcohol grew at a substantially higher rate than metropolitan dwellers, 46 percent compared to 36 percent.

Justin Buck, director of the Wolfe Street Foundation in Little Rock, said Arkansas’ resources for people trying to get help vary widely by region of the state, not to mention the thorny issues surrounding reimbursement. These and other serious roadblocks often prevent people from getting the assistance they need.

“It’s certainly better, especially in central Arkansas and northwest Arkansas, where there are actually quite a lot of treatment resources for people who are seeking help with substance use disorders,” he said. “The family support side is also getting better; we have some family members who have launched nonprofits and who have launched advocacy movements to help parents find a place. A lot of those resources are for family members who have lost loved ones. I think we still have some way to go for resources for family members who have a loved one actively using substances.

“I think those two factors, [family support and availability of care], come together when it comes to access. When we’re ready to reach out for help, do we have access to those resources? On the one hand, I mentioned that in central and northwest Arkansas and some other places around the state, there are good treatment resources available, but the access is still constricted based on what kind of insurance that you have. To me, it’s very convicting and shameful that the first question you have to ask someone who’s seeking treatment is, ‘What kind of insurance do you have?’ because that really will determine where you can go.”

Buck, who assumed his role in 2021, knows the pain a family suffers under addiction from personal experience. He lost a sister to a drug overdose, and his brother came close to either death or prison before entering recovery. He said a Wolfe Street Foundation program called peer recovery support specialists harnesses the life experience of people like his brother and equips them to reach others dealing with the same issues.

“When a family member or a person who’s seeking help for themselves calls or walks in the door,

they can sit down and meet with a peer recovery support specialist who has shared that lived experience, who’s been through addiction and recovery,” he said. “That peer specialist can help share what worked for them, and they can help people get into treatment the same day if they’re ready to get help.

They also follow up during the treatment process, and after they complete Justin Buck treatment. They connect people to the resources they need to continue a recovery journey.

“That’s been very important to have someone to help families and people who are experiencing substance use disorder to navigate what can be a really confusing, intimidating system to work through by themselves.”

Another hurdle many face is finding quality sober-living environments, which has led Wolfe Street Foundation to redouble its efforts. The organization launched a recovery housing program last fall and is up to 32 beds.

“The reason we did that — and we launched very urgently and we grew very quickly — is because it’s not necessarily that there are not enough places out here; many are just not any good,” he said. “I mean, there are no standards. There are very few regulations. It’s almost as easy as putting an ad in the classifieds that says, ‘Room for rent.’ That’s almost exactly what the barrier to entry is like. There are very few things to stop unethical operators from taking advantage of people in early recovery.

“We launched as quickly as possible, and we used a national standard to inform our program. We’re working now with some other ethical providers and the state to get certified on that national standard.”

Buck echoed Miller’s assessment that shame is still one of the most persistent retardants to recovery for people dealing with substance abuse issues.

He said the more community organizations and groups that get involved in the effort, the more options can be afforded to those who need them.

“Our motto is, ‘We recover together,’ and we really do,” he said. “We find that isolation is deadly.

That means connection is vital. What we’re hoping to continue building is a recovery-oriented system of care, where ethical, mission-minded organizations — faith-based, nonprofit, government agencies — all come together, sit down at the same table and work out solutions in the best interests of people who are seeking help.” ◊

armentalhealthguide.com . 23

Dr. Julie Logan, DC, FMAPS holds a fellowship in the Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs (MAPS) with a focus on pediatrics and helping both the client and their parents to overcome autoimmune conditions, developmental delays, gastrointestinal disorders, and chronic inflammatory illnesses.

• Holistic psychiatry and mental health clinic treating conditions such as depression, anxiety and other mood disorders,obsessive compulsive disorder, autism, ADHD, PANS/PANDAS and related disorders.

• Treatment of pediatrics and adults • Integrative approach utilizing conventional, lifestyle, nutritional, functional and biomedical medicine practices to restore a client to optimal health.

• Spravato treatment center

Erin Holleman, APRN, FNP, PMHNP is a dual certified psychiatric and family nurse practitioner who specializes in integrative psychiatry and has over 19 years experience providing holistic care to clients.

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We are licensed in Arkansas and Colorado.

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Quality Products for Quality of Life:

Dark Horse Medicinals

A

s the state’s budding medical cannabis industry continues to develop, Arkansans have a growing number of choices when it comes to how and why they use it — as well as where it comes from. Used medicinally, the importance of quality when it comes to cannabis cannot be overstated. That is where Dark Horse Medicinals, Arkansas’ first cannabis processor, comes in. Focused solely on crafting high-quality products for the consumer, the Dark Horse team has a passion for the science of cannabis, offering a wide range of options to address a variety of needs.

“Almost everybody lives their life in pain for the most part, whether it be mental, physical or something in between,” said Dark Horse Chief Scientific Officer Lucas Haley. “I think one of the best things about cannabis is pain management and quality of life.”

While the research is still ongoing as to the curative properties of different parts of the cannabis plant itself, its supplemental use — especially as a safer alternative to opioids for those at risk of addiction — is invaluable. Another strength of cannabis lies in its adaptability.

Depending on the condition or one’s situation, different products or formulations can be more helpful.

“THC is psychoactive, so if you’re not looking to get that type of effect, there are other products that are better for you to manage your pain without getting high,” Haley said. “Let’s say that you have an ache on your knee; there are topicals that you can use that you could rub on that. There are things called transdermal patches that you could use, very similar to a nicotine patch, that you apply to the skin and it will transdermally absorb.”

For those looking for psychoactive effects without the negative effects of smoking, tinctures might be another good choice. Edibles have a longer onset, but come with the benefit of much longer medication time. Still, products such as vape cartridges and flower concentrates have an important role to play for many, especially when it comes to mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder.

“For a lot of people, it is almost like a ritual for their day, and it gets them through the day,” Haley said. “Even though you’re smoking something, which is not necessarily the best thing for you, it still gives you some reprieve from what you’re dealing with on a daily basis.”

As with any medicinal product, quality is of the utmost importance.

Haley explained that the state’s robust testing procedures, combined with Dark Horse’s own high standards, ensure products that contain the most benefit with the fewest harmful elements.

“We don’t have heavy metals, we don’t have residual solvents and we don’t have microbials. We’re testing and vetting each one of these products before it gets into a customer’s hand,” he said. “We’ve got a vetting process that makes sure that the customers are getting a good product, that’s not going to hurt them.”

Of course, a product in any industry is only as good as the team behind it, and Dark Horse has that covered as well. Each member of the Dark Horse team is passionate about what they do and what their products can do for customers.

“With any kind of product that you get in your lungs, you want that to be the cleanest thing that you can get,” Haley said. “I would put my foot down and say that we make some very clean products. That can be seen from the certificate of analysis. Even when it comes to full spectrum versus distillate products, we still do the best that we can to refine that product to give you the best that we can.”

“I think one of the best things about cannabis is pain management and quality of life.”

darkhorsemedicinals.com info@darkhorsemedicinals.com armentalhealthguide.com . 25

Minding

I

the Kids

t no longer takes a crisis to get professional mental health counselors into schools.

As much as resources allow, mental health care providers are now there in force, helping to identify students’ needs and head off potential problems before they happen, but greater mental health awareness and recent national and world events have combined to increase demand to a near breaking point.

“The demand has increased significantly,” said Erin Goodwin, northwest region director of children’s services at statewide provider Arisa Health.

Once, outside counseling was mainly made available on a caseby-case basis when the need arose, such as after a horrific event like a school shooting or disaster. However, school districts these days regularly contract with professional mental health service providers, who act as an augment to the counselors and teachers on the front lines when trying to identify students who may need help with an issue. With a parental referral, a student can now normally obtain professional counseling — perhaps on campus, perhaps off — as needed, when needed.

“What we try to do in the schools is when we first see signs of something, we meet with the parents and try to get early intervention for the student so they can have a positive school experience,” said Tiffany Randall, coordinator of student-centered 26 . Mental Health Guide 2023

support services with the North Little Rock School District.

Increased awareness has lessened the societal stigma that can surround the subject of mental health in the U.S., while the COVID-19 pandemic and life in an uncertain world have contributed to the strain on school districts and especially the providers trying to help.

“What we are struggling with now is finding enough schoolbased providers who will be active and consistent and still committed to providing school-based services,” said VaShonda Eason, of northwest Arkansas-based Eason Counseling.

NEED AND KNOWLEDGE With a Ph.D. in educational leadership, Katherine Ellsworth spent 26 years in Alaska before coming to Arkansas during the summer to be closer to her daughter and to escape her former home’s long, cold nights.

As director of student support services for the Bentonville School District, Ellwsorth’s impressions of student mental health needs in Arkansas track with what other districts have been seeing: a growing awareness of mental health issues in society fueling a greater need for services, a spike in that need due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and mental health issues influenced and exacerbated by social media and other external factors.

Mental health service providers dealing with school district demand

By Todd Traub // Photos provided

“A lot of stress here is due to affordable housing. People are doubling up,” Ellsworth said, while some are literally becoming homeless. Data USA reported that in 2022, Benton County, with one of the highest homeless rates in the state, had 11.7 percent of the population living with severe housing problems.

“It could be the home life, or it could not be the home life,” Ellsworth said. “Sometimes it’s the pressure to achieve academically.”

The Bentonville district contracts with Eason Counseling, Arisa Health and Community Services, all of which provide licensed therapists primarily in school settings, but also through office counseling.

“I wouldn’t call them full-time providers,” Ellswoth said. She explained that at the main high school there is a full-time provider, but often the therapists split time between schools.

“It depends on what the needs are,” she said.

Eason Counseling offers individual, family and group counseling in a school-based setting and works with the Bentonville, Rogers, Fayetteville, Springdale and Prairie Grove districts, offering two clinics in the downtown Rogers and Johnson areas.

School-based mental health care has become more popular as it has been made more convenient, Eason said.

“The biggest purpose for school-based therapy, what we were seeing 20 years ago … for lack of a better term, it was inconvenient for parents to have to go check their kids out of school and

take them to the office and take them back,” Eason said.

An intake appointment is typically held at an Eason Counseling office, after which therapy is normally held weekly. Some outlying schools are allowed to offer intake appointments on campus, again, for the sake of convenience.

“We are also depending on districts that allow us to do family or group at the schools,” Eason said.

While the situations are somewhat fluid as far as who is at what northwest Arkansas school location and when, Ellsworth

Erin Goodwin

Tiffany Randall

armentalhealthguide.com . 27

Katherine Ellsworth

VaShonda Eason

said that within the individual counseling framework, there is consistency.

“Once you start with a kiddo, you stay with a kiddo,” she said.

Mental health therapists and school administrators agree that students have always dealt with certain stressors in their daily school lives, from tests to being accepted by their peers. Today, there is simply more outreach by those in need that is spreading mental health service providers thin.

“One of the reasons I think we see an increase in people reaching out to mental health providers is they’re more aware of how to do that,” Ellsworth said. “There’s not as much shame in seeking help.”

CARING FOR THE CAREGIVERS Arisa Health is the product of four community health providers in the state who combined under one banner. Arisa serves more than 2,100 schools in 48 districts and grades pre-K through 12.

“It depends on the districts, but as of this summer, we had about 229 school-based providers,” said Goodwin, a 14-year industry veteran who explained that, depending on school population, location and other factors, there could be two therapists at one school or one therapist serving a three-building smaller district.

Goodwin noted that the favored term these days is “behavioral Photo Provided health,” which is more encompassing than “mental health.” That is partially due to the wide range of issues that can affect students but are also seen in other settings, such as jails and police departments. Trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, adjustment issues, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and substance abuse are problems many people share, whether they are school-age or older.

“It’s everything,” Goodwin said.

The pandemic certainly marked an increase in demand for mental health services, Goodwin said, but demand was on the rise beforehand.

“I think we had seen a rise in access to services,” she said.

“Our numbers as far as client services were increasing before the pandemic.”

The COVID-19 pandemic, however, certainly marked a great divide, a clear before and after. For example, Goodwin observed that suicide rates had been dropping before the epidemic, then went back up after the pandemic struck. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a 4 percent increase in overall suicide rates from 2020 to 2021 after two consecutive years of decline. CDC data from 2020 showed about 19 percent of

28 . Mental Health Guide 2023

high school students had considered suicide the previous year and about nine percent had made a suicide attempt.

“Even before [the pandemic], there were things like cell phone usage and social media increasing isolation and depression in students,” Goodwin said. “There’s other factors — just the traumatic things going on around the world.”

Indeed, overlaying the more common problems kids might deal with, such as fitting in socially or achieving academically, are the fears that come with living in an uncertain world full of violence and economic instability.

“We have seen an increase in both the number of clients or students needing services, as well as the intensity,” Goodwin said.

The accelerated demand has strained the ability of behavioral health providers to provide services to those in need.

“We’ve had to say no, unfortunately, I think more than we have in the past. We want to protect the wellbeing of our therapists and not spread them too thin,” Goodwin said.

According to the Commonwealth Fund, as of March, there were 160 million Americans living in areas with mental health professional shortages, and more than 8,000 more professionals were needed to maintain an adequate supply.

“I could probably hire 100 more therapists tomorrow and get them full and seeing clients,” said Goodwin, adding that Arisa has attended recruiting events at universities and even high schools, including a recent event in central Arkansas, in a search for talent.

“I would agree that both the awareness, which is huge and wonderful that help is available … that has been a positive thing for accessing services, but then definitely the demand is tough, and also the decrease in therapists is an issue that we face,” Goodwin said.

Eason pointed out that while awareness was increasing demand pre-pandemic, most mental health service providers were also negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinics shut down for safety reasons, and people were not as likely to allow others into their homes, so there was an interruption in services right when students may have needed them the most.

“What I gather and the information that I get from my agencies, the thing is the issues were there before the pandemic, maybe not glaring in our faces,” said Lisa Williams, mental health coordinator with the Little Rock School District. “However, after the pandemic, the world had shut down. Families had to stay together. There was abuse, loss of jobs, coming back to school. What did we see? An exacerbation of illnesses, an increase in underlying things that were already there and whatever they experienced during the shutdown, when the school was closed and the world was closed.”

Now that the providers are back in business, the pent-up demand, already on the rise before the pandemic, returned with a vengeance, overworking therapists and thinning their ranks.

“Since 2017, we’ve lost three major agencies in this area where we’re pioneers. … They’ve closed for a multitude of reasons, but one of the reasons is not having enough people to work in a school-based setting,” Eason said.

Additionally, professional health care counselors began utilizing telehealth or telemedicine, essentially taking their caseloads, leaving their agency and going into business for themselves.

“We found that a lot of our clinicians would go into private practices,” Eason said.

Fewer counselors meant those who remained were being asked

unique issues that come with growing up and finding their places in society.

It is important to remember that the first time a student deals with something, it is the first time they are dealing with something, meaning an event can seem like an overwhelming tragedy for a student while also providing an opportunity to learn how to cope with stress and challenges in a healthy way.

“Depression symptoms, anxiety, conflict resolution, adjustment issues,” Williams said. “That runs the gamut from anything — loss of job, changing family dynamics — any unaddressed trauma.”

Normalizing mental health care and making it a part of everyday school life, as well as teaching students how to deal with problems as they arise now, can stave off problems that could manifest when students become adults.

THE NEW NORMAL Mental health “I tell my kids what you’re doing right The North Little Rock School District now is practice for what adulthood keeps a list of approved providers on the therapists and school will be like,” Eason said. “As we grow district website. The first item on the administrators agree that older, it becomes difficult for us to list is approved mental health service learn those skills.” providers. Randall said the providers students have always dealt Having everyday mental must sign a memorandum of underwith certain stressors in their health care and counseling in standing with the district allowing a school setting the same way for confidentiality, and parents will daily school lives, from tests to speech therapy or remedial readsign a referral form for the provider ing are provided further serves to being accepted by their peers. they choose. normalize the notion that good “We just give the therapist a space Today, there is simply more mental health can be approached on our campus for them to do the work they need to do,” Randall said. outreach by those in need that shamelessly and without stigma.

Students today might actually point The North Little Rock district’s main is spreading mental health out their therapists to their fellow provider is the STRIVE School Based students, Goodwin said.

Program of the University of Arkansas for service providers thin.

“I heard a couple situations where stuMedical Sciences in Little Rock. The program dents say, ‘Hey you should go see this theraallows there to be a full-time therapist on every pist I see,’” Goodwin said. “They’re a lot more one of the district’s campuses. open about who they’re seeing, and I think parents “It all has to go through the parents, of course, and are more willing to sign kids up for therapy services.” they have to fill out the paperwork and do all that, but they have Goodwin noted satisfaction surveys that show 90 percent of that at their fingertips if they want that for their child,” Randall the students who got some sort of counseling or help saw their said. mental health improve, and 91 percent saw academic improveWilliams said the Little Rock School District works with inment. Additionally, Arisa is one of the state’s providers that also house guidance counselors, district-employed social workers and offers free outreach services such as professional teacher develop13 professional mental health care providers with which the disment, behavioral health education for students, leadership educatrict contracts. She stressed that while there are 13 agencies, each tion and Zoom calls with parents. one could potentially represent five to six therapists per school.

Mental health providers may be spread thin as they try to A former school-based therapist herself, Williams said mental help the state’s students these days, and the underlying causes health care has become more prioritized at the district level than are many, but no one really wants to go back to the days when a when she joined Little Rock 12 years ago. mental health referral might be seen to a parent as an insult, an “At that time, agencies, mental health providers were kind of implication that there was “something wrong” with their kid. coming and going,” Williams said. “There were no contracts with The ranks of the therapists may be spread thin even while a district as a whole. There were contracts with schools.” demand is on the rise, but the new awareness is giving school With district help, Williams cleaned up the process to allow districts, teachers, counselors and the professional providers a for qualified district-level contracted mental health service profresh opportunity to show students that there is, in fact, nothing viders. wrong at all; it is OK to talk to someone, it is OK to know you need “The need is there. I’ll tell you that,” Williams said. “You’ll be help and to get it, and it is important to know that everyone is a surprised the need is there. Even though I have that many [perhuman being, and all human beings have problems. sonnel], the need is there, and I could possibly use more.”

“If there’s nothing else I could say in my 12 years, that in itself Forgetting for a moment the pandemic, recent wars, economic is an answered prayer, if you will,” Williams said, “knowing that uncertainty, and other current and recent events that add direct the behaviors don’t come out of nowhere.” ◊ or indirect stress to the everyday lives of young people, kids have always been kids, which means they have always had the kind of to do more, double up workloads or have a presence in more schools. School-based counselors would encounter their own isolation issues because they were essentially flying solo without colleagues or immediate support.

“It can lead to burnout, and it’s not for everyone,” Eason said.

Since behavioral health counselors are as human as their young clients, the age-old issue of care for the caregivers has surfaced due to the increased demand for services. While caring for clients, Arisa Health and other providers are also trying to care for their own overworked people. For example, Arisa partners with the Whole Health Institute through the Walton Family Foundation to help provide for employee wellbeing.

“They are just overwhelmed,” Goodwin said of the therapists.

“They have more students than they can handle.”

Photo Provided

armentalhealthguide.com . 29

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Tiffany Corjay, LCSW TLC 501-492-9456 1401 Malvern Ave., Suite 20 Hot Springs tlcincstableconnections.com

I

n 2008, Tiffany Corjay, a licensed clinical social worker, launched TLC to help children and families in the Hot Springs community.

Opening day was the culmination of a lifelong passion: At just 13 years old, Corjay knew she wanted to help others, and she has never stopped following that calling.

TLC works with couples and individuals of all ages with the goal of equipping clients with the skills they need to grow and thrive. After graduating from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a Master’s of Social Work degree, Corjay spent time in many different settings, from hospice and inpatient care to school-based therapy. These experiences gave her a wide knowledge base, allowing her to better treat her clients in private practice.

In 2017, Corjay became certified as a trauma specialist in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy, or EMDR, through the EMDR International Association. In EMDR, a therapist guides an individual through eye movements or other forms of rhythmic, bilateral stimulation in order to process traumatic events.

“EMDR is a psychotherapy technique that has been proven to be effective in treating past or present trauma,” Corjay said. “While in a safe and supported environment, this treatment can be used to help the individual process memories and emotions that are impacting their mental health and wellbeing.”

Corjay has continued to deepen her knowledge of other treatment approaches as well. In 2022, she became certified in equine-assisted psychotherapy, and she is currently studying internal family systems. IFS views the psyche in different parts, each with its own unique characteristics and experiences, and encourages individuals to integrate and balance the relationships between these parts for greater self-awareness and emotional regulation.

Equine-assisted psychotherapy is a technique that is especially close to Corjay’s heart, as she grew up on a family farm and has ridden horses all her life. The animal-assisted intervention facilitates emotional growth and learning, and it can be beneficial for individuals with conditions such as depression, anxiety, mood disorders, addiction and PTSD, Corjay said.

“The horses serve as a mirror for the individual’s emotions and behaviors. This provides valuable insight into the client,” she said. “When combined, I believe EAP, EMDR and IFS are more effective than any other treatment I have experienced. They offer a powerful and comprehensive approach to healing and personal growth.”

People often wait too long to reach out for help, Corjay said, and when an individual does decide to seek treatment, it is a vulnerable and courageous step towards healing. She encouraged anyone wondering about their options to reach out and explore what is available, since stabilizing one’s mental health should be “a top priority, not a last resort.”

“As we shift our priorities to include self-care and not self-medication, we allow ourselves to begin the process of healing,” she said. “As we experience the power of healing, our relationships, our physical health and our lives change in almost every way for the better.”

Corjay has put no small amount of time, dedication and prayer into building TLC over the years, and she is committed to continuing that growth. As the practice expands, she is looking for volunteers, organizations and even other therapists to partner with TLC and further its reach.

“We rely on outside support to make this treatment available to more people,” Corjay said. “Everyone deserves to have mental health care that works. These services are effective and high-quality, and we want people to experience what we have to offer.”

armentalhealthguide.com . 31

The Mind as

MEDICINE Health care industry paying greater attention to link between patients’ mental health and healing

By Dwain Hebda // Photos provided

Q

ueah Habern may not have been given as many years of life as other people, but few put more life into the years they had. By the time the 34-year-old succumbed to colon cancer in 2011, she had earned a journalism degree and built a successful career in fashion with Nordstrom department stores and as a consultant to corporate America. She also indulged a passion for travel, having visited 13 countries, and made a memorable last trip to Dallas to attend an NBA game less than a week before her death.

Habern also inspired those around her in the attitude and grit she showed during the course of her battle with the disease, which the American Cancer Society reports is skyrocketing in patients younger than 50. One secret weapon in this battle was yoga, which provided for both her mental and her physical state.

“Everyone pretty much knows, first of all, a cancer diagnosis is one of the most stressful things you can deal with. It’s an emotional downer,” said her mother, Donna Terrell. “Now you decide, ‘I’m going to step into this and I’m going to fight this disease,’ but in order to fight it, you’ve got all these horrible medicines and therapies that are going through your body. You’ve got all these doctor’s appointments.

You’re worrying constantly if the tumor is shrinking or if all the cancer cells are gone.

“When you think about yoga and the type of yoga that we’re talking about for patients, when you’re there on the mat, Donna Terrell, TV news personality, left, founded Yoga you’re typically not uptight. It’s the one Warriors Fighting Colon Cancer to help others like place you can go and relax. You come in for her daughter, Queah Habern, right, who died from the an hour of relaxation and meditation. You disease in 2011.

armentalhealthguide.com . 33

don’t have to have any hands touching your body, which, Lord knows, is not necessarily the most soothing thing, and by the time you finish this practice, as it’s called, you have relieved a tremendous amount of stress. Mentally, that’s huge because in order to keep going, you’ve got to find a way to relieve the stress.”

Terrell, who is well known to Arkansans as a longtime local TV news personality, not only watched the positive impact of yoga and meditation on her daughter, but experienced it herself following Habern’s death.

“I knew nothing about yoga while she was doing it. It was offered to caregivers, but at the time, I just felt like this is for her,” she said. “After she passed, I made a decision to hire a yoga instructor to do some one-onone, and I remember being on the mat, and I became very, very emotional.

One of the things the yoga instructor pointed out was this is part of the whole practice, and sometimes in doing this, the emotional part is like a burden being lifted.

“I didn’t go there sad. I didn’t go there feeling any kind of way other than I really want to learn some of these poses and how to make my practice more effective. It brought out something in me that I didn’t expect.”

The interplay between mental state and physical health in healing has perhaps always been a tangential part of a patient’s story. A person fighting serious disease is often described as having a warrior’s mentality, determined to beat their condition. Colloquialisms such as “laughter is the best medicine” also hint at the link between the brain and body.

As it turns out, such notions are more than mere mind games. Building on the well-known placebo effect — essentially where the body gets better because the mind says so — study after study shows that the better a patient’s psychological state, the better chance they have to heal. This fact is leading more in the health care industry to provide for the psychological and emotional side of their patients as an essential part of treatment.

“I have seen the difference between a negative attitude and a positive attitude, that attitude of, ‘I’m not going to let this get me. I’m going to survive this,’” said Jennifer Hare, a clinical nurse navigator with Genesis in Hot Springs. “Having a good positive attitude helps tremendously with the healing aspects.”

Hare, who has spent 24 years in her profession

34 . Mental Health Guide 2023

Terrell said yoga helped her after her daughter’s death, in addition to helping her daughter during her cancer battle.

worked in the ICU before spending the past two decades in oncology, heads a relatively new program at Genesis that serves as a ready resource for patients to feed their emotional and psychological health during treatment.

“All patients go through all the stages of grief. You see it numerous times,” she said. “About a year or year and a half ago, we started really seeing the need for our navigation program. We started seeing the need for patients to have education to know what’s going to happen, start to finish, and to have that single point of contact that we were missing.”

The clinical evidence of the balance of mind and body is relatively recent but overwhelming. One study published by the National Library of Medicine followed patients recovering from an unintentional injury. It found depression to be a major determinant of pain levels and healing. Patients reporting depression at one month following the injury were associated with significantly reduced odds of recovery at 12 months,

adjusting for demographic factors such as age and sex.

Other sources go further, suggesting that mental state not only speeds or impedes the healing process; it can bring on certain ailments to begin with. According to healthline.com, chronic stress has been linked to headaches, migraines and digestive issues; depression can be an underlying factor in eye problems and general pain; and unresolved trauma can trigger autoimmune disorders such as psoriasis and rheumatic arthritis.

Research has also shown the mental-physical door opens both ways, and people suffering from mental conditions are often at risk for a physical comorbidity that can greatly affect lifespan. The Mental Health Foundation found schizophrenia is associated with a tripled risk of dying from a respiratory disease and a doubled risk of dying from a form of heart disease.

Depression has been linked to a 50 percent increase in

Despite this research, the benefits of these psychological and social forces still receive much less attention than drug and device treatments.

“The health care and education systems in the United States generally do not emphasize psychosocial training. As a result, new doctors and health care workers take few courses on how to effectively form meaningful relationships with patients and how best to help them adopt useful mindsets.”

Hare concurred, saying the time spent in nursing school on tending to mental and emotional needs pales in comparison to hands-on medical training, despite nurses being in a prime bedside position to serve the whole patient.

“We had our mental health course, but I would say very little really prepares you for the actual realization of dealing with patients with this type of diagnosis,” she said. “We barely had any courses on oncology. It was like a very quick, ‘Oh hey, this is cancer and this is what it is.’ There’s not a lot of teaching a nurse how to have that compassion and to be able to listen to their patients. It’s learned more on the job than in nursing school.

“I also think in order — Jennifer Hare, to work in oncology, you clinical nurse navigator at Genesis already have to have a lot of that compassion built into you. It is a specialty a person’s risk of dying from cancer and a 67 percent area, and not all nurses can handle it. A lot of nurses increase in death from heart disease. develop that skill as they go through their career, but Despite source after source piling onto this mounwe’ve also had nurses that have come to work with us tain of evidence and a growing call for mental health and then are like, ‘Nope, this is not what I want to do.’” evaluation to be part of any diagnosis or ongoing treatThat said, there are examples of health care organiment plan, resources for patients in the field remain zations and practitioners who are paying better attenlimited. tion to the psychological needs of patients during and “I see this is a major need in the aspect of health after treatment. A model of this approach exists at Arcare,” Hare said. “There are not a lot of resources to kansas Children’s in Little Rock, where Jason Williams send patients to that need help and support. Levi Hosserves as the hospital’s first senior vice president and pital is a good place in Hot Springs that we can refer to, chief mental and behavioral health officer. The newly and there’s a couple other offices here in Hot Springs, created role, which came online in January 2023, overbut there is a major need for mental health assistance sees both outpatient therapy services and embedded in all aspects of medical care, regardless of what it is. mental health specialists working with children bat“I feel, personally, that years ago, when [the governtling disease. ment] started cutting all the funding to mental health, “The field of positive psychology has actually been that there were going to be issues because of that bestudying this for a long period of time, both on the cause there’s nowhere for these patients to go. It’s a chronic illness side of things, but also on the wellness huge need.” side,” Williams said. “We do know that when you have a The medical community overall has been slow to repositive outlook in life, generally, it affects how you overspond and step into the breach. As Stanford Medicine come adversity, such as how you might be able to manage reported, “Social context, including patients’ relationthe physical event of going through chemotherapy. ships with their doctors, as well as patients’ expecta“We also know that if I’m doing that on an ongotions about healing, can drive these placebo responses. ing basis — for example, by having a daily practice of

“There is a major need for mental health assistance in all aspects of medical care, regardless of what it is.”

armentalhealthguide.com . 35

“When you come through our doors, we’re considering both your mental and psychological needs, as well as your physical needs.”

— Jason Williams senior vice president and chief mental and behavioral health officer at Arkansas Children’s

positive affirmation with my family around the dinner table — I’m likely to have a better cardiovascular system. I might have lower blood pressure as a result of those types of conversations. While it might be subtle, we do see that brain chemistry changes with positive attitude.”

Arkansas Children’s approach when dealing with serious medical issues is to introduce mental health professionals from the get-go, giving them a seat at the same table as the various specialists who will coordinate the aspects of physical care.

“A way of thinking about it is a whole-child approach to care,” he said. “We have services where we know there’s a high risk for emotional need, such as something like a cancer diagnosis. Those services are automatically available. Kiddos and families have the capacity to be able to connect with a mental health professional as part of that team so that we can support the overall wellness and health for that and have the best outcome.

“When you come through our doors, we’re considering both your mental and psychological needs, as well as your physical needs. When you enter our emergency department, one of our emergency department physicians or [advanced practice registered nurses] is equipped to say, ‘I’m worried about how you feel. I’m worried about the screening that we just provided you with thoughts of self-harm. I’m going to get a mental health professional to come and speak with you.’ We have the ability to deploy somebody in that same way.”

Williams said while mental health services exist in health care, it is rare to have a system as formalized as Arkansas Children’s, complete with someone placed as high as he is in the administrative structure.

“Mental-health-in-chiefs are actually a new phenomenon in health care systems across the country,” he said. “There are a number of children’s hospitals that have started to build out a role like mine, and Arkansas Children’s Hospital is one of the first top 10 to do that in the country.

“There have been many different types of roles where mental health providers have really been sort of siloed off to the side of physical health. That doesn’t mean

36 . Mental Health Guide 2023

that there hasn’t been support at the patient level for mental health concerns, but really, the hospital system here is making the commitment and saying very boldly, ‘We are going to treat mental health at the same level that we would a surgeon or a pediatrician.’”

The next step in normalizing mental health care, Williams said, is to incorporate it into the more routine elements of doctoring and wellness.

“We have on hand a group of professional team members who can support mental health for kids who are here for physical needs, as well as those team members that are also embedded in both primary care, as well as our specialty care within the hospital itself,” Williams said. “We’re really trying to focus a lot of our efforts on the primary care setting, where we can identify kids when they go to the doctor to get their vaccinations or they go to the doctor to have their well checkup or their school physical to be able to play sports.

“We want that conversation to also include, ‘How is the family doing?’ and, ‘How is that child doing emotionally?’ so that we can support the pediatrician and also have a mental health professional alongside that doctor to be able to support the mental health of that family.”

Groundbreaking though the program may be, it has its work cut out for it in Arkansas, Williams said, from stemming the rising tide of youth suicide to improving the reach and access for families in the more remote portions of the state.

“Unfortunately, we still are living in a mental health crisis for youth,” he said. “When suicide is continuing to be the second leading cause of death for kids over 12, that’s a problem, and that’s a failure of our systems, broadly speaking, both societal as well as health care. That’s one of the reasons Arkansas Children’s is committed to this role and to me to come in and to try to figure out, ‘How do we do this?’ so that crisis gets averted and we actually deal with the future of wellbeing for the youth in our society. That’s the reality. We don’t shy away from that. We take on that challenge as it comes to us every day.

“A gap that I would say is still continuing to be a struggle is the reality of silo natures of health care

systems where you, at times, have one group of people working independently from another and may not always recognize that, if they worked collaboratively and more closely, that they could benefit and serve more effectively.”

Part of that effort lies with leveraging community resources such as nonprofits dedicated to advancing mental health as a normal part of wellness and healing. Terrell is part of that effort, having translated her lived experience and that of her daughter through Yoga Warriors Fighting Colon Cancer, a 501(c)3 nonprofit she launched in 2014.

“When [Queah] was battling the disease, at one point she was going to a hospital down in Texas, and they offered yoga to patients and caregivers, so she started doing yoga,” she said. “She called me one day and said, ‘Mom, I did yoga, and it made me feel better.’

That always resonated with me, so I thought, OK, let’s create an organization for cancer patients and any other person with an underlying illness or an illness that prohibits them from moving and running and racing.

Let’s create an organization that really caters to them, and at the same time, let’s introduce the rest of the community to yoga and let them see what the benefits are all about.

“The idea initially was just to raise money so we could provide this resource to cancer patients who really want to do it on a regular basis. That was our aim. As time passed, we just started growing and earning more money. More people were buying into what we believed in, and we grew from there.”

Today, the organization promotes awareness of early detection of colon and other cancers and helps pay for housing for cancer patients traveling for treatment.

It also has provided yoga activities to thousands by establishing yoga studios at health care facilities and via vouchers for free classes to patients and survivors honored at a network of studios in the state. While she would not disclose details, the group is also very close to announcing a big brick-and-mortar presence coming soon to central Arkansas.

With so much time and effort wrapped into the mission of her nonprofit, one would think Terrell would not miss an opportunity to practice yoga herself, but she confesses to being far more casual about it than her daughter was.

“There are times when I really get into it, and then other times, I kind of slack off,” she said. “I know a lot of the poses, and sometimes I’ll do those in my stretching routine.”

Nevertheless, it is immediately apparent how the practice has worked its magic in her life, helping her cope with loss and renewing her commitment to help other people fighting similar battles.

“You can do yoga without other people. You can actually learn the process and do it at home. The breathing

“The idea initially was just to raise money so we could provide this resource to cancer patients who really want to do it on a regular basis. That was our aim. As time passed, we just started growing and earning more money.

More people were buying into what we believed in, and we grew from there.”

— Donna Terrell, longtime local TV news personality

is just amazing. You can be sitting in the doctor’s office, and you can practice the breathing technique right there, I mean, actually doing it. It’s kind of incredible how it can work on you, not only mentally, but physically, also, because of the stretching, and while not everyone is as flexible as the next person, when you do this on a regular basis, your body starts to loosen up at its own pace, and that aids in healing, as well.

“There’s still the grief and all of that that I go through, but for me, that first day [of yoga] was one of the biggest stress relievers. I felt good for the rest of the day. It was the best kind of emotional release. When you think of these cancer survivors, once they buy into it and see that there truly is a benefit, that’s a kind of euphoric feeling that they get when they walk away. I like being able to offer that and to open more eyes to the practice and make people realize this is a really good thing.” ◊

armentalhealthguide.com . 37

House of Payne

Recovering addict channels life experiences into helping others

M

By Dwain Hebda // Photos by Dwain Hebda

onte Payne looked down disbelievingly at the crumpled money in his hand. He was in treatment, again, for what seemed like the thousandth time. Before him, a wideeyed girl, his stepdaughter, looked up at him with sorrow in her face. She had been sneaked into the facility to see him, bringing with her the meager currency. It was hardly enough for a couple of stale snacks from the hallway vending machine but was likely all she had in the world. “She gave me $7.85 and said, ‘Here, Daddy,’” Payne said. “I didn’t tell Mama I was up here, but I miss you.’”

Most people in recovery can tell some stories about their struggles, tales that defy the imagination of those who have not been there — tales of driving from one’s affluent home to score in a filthy abandoned house; of destroying themself one sip, one hit at a time; of numbing past pain enough to not care about ever feeling anything ever again.

Yet even as they relate the degradation that follows desperation, many will say rock bottom is often not what is shown on TV. It comes much more quietly, in simple moments of lucidity that calmly, steadily spell out the reality of one’s situation. Bottom, the very bottom, boils life down to simple choices that bring incredibly hard consequences. In a perverse way, it is not so much about dying — death is easy, after all, any fool can overdose — it is about summoning the will to do what it takes to live.

“You know what really, really, really helps me? It’s two things,” Payne said. “No. 1, I’ll call my sponsor because I work a 12-step program. I will also get with my grandbabies. I’ve got 10 of them now, and I’ll call one of the grandbabies in Russellville or here in Little Rock, and they’ll talk to me, and we’ll joke and go do stuff together.

“I live for my grandchildren. I love my wife, and I always have the love of my family. I know if I drink or use, it’s over for them.”

Monte Payne’s journey began about as far away from Arkansas as you can get, in a comfortable middle-class upbringing in Los Angeles. His parents were native Arkies lured to the West Coast for the sandy beaches and a carpet-laying business his father started. Payne recalls a close family unit who wanted for nothing

until his father’s occasional drinking turned into something that would rend the family at the seams.

“My father started drinking, really drinking. He became what you call a weekend drunk, and I remember that started creating some havoc in our family,” he said. “From time to time, he would have to be gone because he would go to jail for the weekend.

“My dad started fighting my mother — no blood or nothing, but they would swing at each other and fight, and my brother and I would lock ourselves in the bedroom, scared. One time I was 13, and I got so tired of it, I came in there and took a baseball bat to my father. Almost a year and a half later, my mother and father divorced.”

Payne remembers the home environment radically improving after his father moved out, but it did not take long for the elder’s absence to warp his life.

“It was better because of not having the arguments, but we were losing a parent in the household, which really affected me at the age of 14,” he said. “I started going down the street and being in places I didn’t need to be. Started smoking marijuana and stuff, drinking.

“Here’s the sad truth: I told myself no matter what I would do, I would never be like my father, and I was able to accomplish that. I became 30 or 40 times worse than my father.”

Payne’s choice of crowd deteriorated in high school when, in addition to drinking and getting high, he sank into gang life.

“I was a funny person, and I used to dance and stuff, and people used to like me,” he said. “I became a part of that group and, as I got older, started smoking marijuana regularly — gave me a little bit more confidence, or I thought it did — and drinking a little bit. Called it giving me some backbone and making me feel like I was a little tougher.

“I didn’t do a whole lot of the gangster stuff that a lot of the gangster dudes did. I stayed close to the area. I did some drivebys. I shot at a couple people — never could admit that I ever hit anybody, but I shot at people. The complete truth, I was unbelievably scared the whole time.”

Payne said while his lifestyle choices never affected his academic performance or ability to graduate from high school, it did

“Drug addiction is about being separate.

Recovery is about being together.”

38 . Mental Health Guide 2023

Monte Payne has worked in the substance-abuse field for 17 years and heads the peer and housing programs at Wolfe Street Foundation in Little Rock.

result in him fathering a child, a responsibility he ran from and kept secret for years.

“When I had a baby, I ran straight to the military, became a drunk in the military, and the military sent me home,” he said.

“I was in the Army, and then I got out and got back in real quick, into the Air Force. After I left the Air Force, I had a substance use disorder.”

His wardrobe of addiction changed as fashion tends to do.

Whatever the season or situation brought him, he clung to it, poured it down his throat or sucked it into his lungs. Weed to booze, booze to crack — addiction was as much a part of him as the color of his eyes, his habit coiled around his legs like razor wire that stopped him from moving forward.

Payne’s issues ran directly opposite to his straight-arrow brother and a mother who worked for the Los Angeles Police Department, and finally, enough was enough. Once, after Payne’s incorrigible behavior finally got him kicked out of the house for

two weeks, his brother reached out in a last-ditch attempt to save him.

“I was walking down my street, and my brother flagged me to the house,” he said. “I came over, and my mom let me take a shower, and she got rid of the clothes I had on and she let me put my old clothes on. I’m thinking, ‘They’re letting me stay in the house.

You had your lesson,’ but at that time, they knew I was dangerous and they did not need me there.

“You know that show Intervention? That is what happened.

They sat me down and said, ‘Monte, we’ve called this place. If you leave for treatment, you’ll get your car back, you can move back in here, and we can get you a job at the police station.’ I’ve never been so offended in my life. I never could see myself as the homeless crackhead I was. I saw myself as Monte, your son, your brother.

Go to a treatment center? I remember that day, my brother and me started arguing to the point where he grabbed me by my shirt, threw me out the house, and threw $10 or $20oej on a;lkmd the ground.

Cutlineal;kd ,dma;lI a;ldkmfeoa;idj a;ldkm leioa; armentalhealthguide.com . 39

Payne, who once lost almost everything to drugs and alcohol, now works to help others get clean and sober.

just picked the money up and cussed them out and went walking.”

Living on the street was a sort of suspended animation as Payne’s life devolved into a daily struggle for survival and drugs with little thought of the future.

“Homelessness was something that I had never believed would ever happen to me, but I became homeless, and then I pretty much gave up,” he said. “That’s the sad truth about drugs — drugs changed my mind to make me not even see that I had a problem. I think that stuff ate my brain up at that time. I was sleeping in station wagons. One time I had a station wagon in a parking lot, and there was a dog in the station wagon. I had to convince the dog to get out of the car so I could get in and sleep.

“I ended up with some other guys who were homeless, and we ended up robbing this guy to the point where we ran to another city. My brother found me and brought me back to Los Angeles, and they put me on a bus to Arkansas, where my dad was.”

As much umbrage as Payne took at his family’s attempted intervention, he welcomed the change of venue. He spent the hours on the bus planning the next chapter of his life and, for the first time in a long time, things looked hopeful, like they would be different.

“I told myself the whole ride, ‘Thank 40 . Mental Health Guide 2023

you, God. I will never do this crap again, God. Things are going to be different,’” he said. “As soon as I got off the bus, I bought me a 40-ouncer of beer with my cousin.”

Payne eventually moved to Morrilton and achieved a certain stability with a new relationship and steady work at a local chicken plant, but as the old saying goes, "No matter where you go, there you are,” and Payne’s familiar demons would catch up with him.

“Well, guess what happens? Guess what comes to Arkansas? Crack,” he said.

“Four years later, in 1991, I was back on that crack. Went in and out of treatment centers. There’s a whole lot of stories I could tell you.”

To all the world, it appeared as though Payne was up to his old tricks, but in reality, this time it was different. This time, he was fighting back.

“I got sober; first I got sober in 1994 for like, five years, and then I relapsed, and then I got sober again,” he said. “I went to treatment 11 times; I went to one treatment center in Russellville three times.

I remember I changed my social security number to sneak in there. I had a hell of a struggle with substance abuse — in and out, in and out.”

“Then that day came with my daughter bringing me that money and my daughter telling me she missed me. It’s been almost 19 years, and I ain’t touched nothing.”

Ironically, his extended time in treatment centers led him to his life’s work.

On the suggestion of a staffer, he started volunteering to help others in their battle to get clean. He not only found the work invigorating, but he was good at it. Volunteering turned to part-time work, and that turned into a 17-year career in the substance abuse field, his latest gig being overseeing the peer and housing programs at Wolfe Street Foundation in Little Rock.

In that role, he trains others who have walked the same path to be a resource for those just starting on the road to sobriety.

“A peer-support person can take a person with a substance use disorder to a meeting with them. They can take that person to a workout session, or they can share some of their own experiences through their own recovery to support another individual,” he said. “They already know the majority of service systems in the city their person’s in. They’ve probably been to detox. They’ve probably been to treatment. They probably had to reconcile with children or work with the judicial system. These are some of the things the peer-support person can connect with the peer.”

Payne said he understands the remarkable second chance he has been given through sobriety, and he has tried not to waste any of it. He has reconciled with family members he hurt, including his mother and the son he kept secret for so long. He said he enjoys his work, and while he harbors no illusion as to the nature of his disease, he spent nearly two decades trying to refashion what he went through into a positive message for others.

“I tell everybody to this day, I’m like the LeBron [James] of substance use disorder in Arkansas because I’ve done been there, and I done played, and I had good scores!” he said. “People make me happy; I interact good with people. I listen. I was taught by some really strong individuals, and I’ve seen a lot of what not to do also. I’m very proud to say I was one of the people that helped develop peer support in Arkansas.

“A clinician can send you someplace, but a peer can take you there and be there with you. That’s the difference, and that’s important. If you feel like you’re together, you feel whole. If you feel like you’re apart, you keep trying to fill that hole. Drug addiction is about being separate. Recovery is about being together.” ◊

INTERVENTIONAL PSYCHIATRY The FUTURE of mental health care.

The Psychiatric Research Institute at UAMS offers pioneering Interventional Psychiatry treatments for depression, bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions.

Interventional Psychiatry treatments include several FDA-approved treatments that are particularly effective when these conditions have not improved through the use of antidepressants or psychotherapy.

Interventional Psychiatry treatments available at UAMS include:  Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) - for severe depression or bipolar disorder that have not responded to other forms of treatment.  Ketamine or esketamine (brand name Spravato™) - highly effective in treating adult patients with treatment-resistant depression.

For more information, visit UAMS.Health/interventional.

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, you don’t have to do it alone!

Here to help because we’ve been there!

Peer Support Recovery Meetings Recovery Events Recovery Housing Get help, give help, or make a donation at www.wolfestreet.org.

1015 Louisiana St. Little Rock, AR (501) 372-5662

Together we

recover

armentalhealthguide.com . 41

Our clients have opportunities to go to a local fitness center, rock climbing center, batting cages, and escape rooms to learn how recovery can be fun!

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, Serenity Park Recovery Center is here to help.

Serenity Park Recovery Center strives to provide tools to enable a lifetime of recovery and healthy living using holistic evidence-based treatments to treat the mind, body, and spirit.

www.serenityparkrecovery.com

• Individual & Group Therapy • Couples Therapy • Trauma/PTSD Treatment • Grief Counseling • EMDR • Eating Disorder Treatment • Dialectical Behavior Therapy • Psychiatric Services • Telehealth Services • Nutrition Counseling • Yoga

A Holistic Approach to Mental Health Care

5905 Forest Place, Suite 230, Little Rock 501-777-3200 riverstonewellnesscenter.com

To schedule an appointment, please give us a call at 501-777-3200.

42 . Mental Health Guide 2023

Health in Every Corner:

R

River Valley Medical Wellness

iver Valley Medical Wellness opened in 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the already growing opioid and mental health crises facing the state and the country. In just three years, the business has grown from serving 30 patients to over 3,600, with coverage spanning 62 of the 75 counties in Arkansas.

“When we started, we had no idea the real depth and enormity of the crisis,” said River Valley founder Dr. Kristin Martin. “As more people have reached out for help, our team has risen to meet the need. We are a team that responds well to crises, and we don’t ever turn someone away who needs help.”

River Valley Medical Wellness has clinics in Russellville and Hot Springs, and Dr. Martin and her team are on a mission to provide lifesaving care to even more people. Through a partnership with the Arkansas Mobile Opioid Recovery nonprofit, RVMW will help deploy mobile health clinics in all corners of the state. These mobile units will provide integrated care to those in need — especially those in rural and underserved areas, where access to mental health and addiction care is even more limited.

“Instead of expecting everyone to come find us, we actively reach out to serve patients where they are,” Dr. Martin said. “By reaching out and recognizing the barriers for our patients caused by social determinants of health, we are able to serve these communities unlike many others.”

As an independently owned practice, RVMW is able to provide individualized care in a way that larger, corporate-owned clinics cannot.

Meeting patients where they are — in everything from mental health and addiction care to traditional primary care needs — is the hallmark of Dr. Martin’s team. The providers are board-certified and specialists in their areas, working together to give patients wraparound services with access to the resources they need to be successful. The clinic also has five peer recovery support specialists, whose lived experience with addiction

and mental health gives patients an even deeper level of understanding and support.

Dr. Martin’s experience as an osteopathic physician adds another important dimension to the care RVMW is able to provide. In addition to serving as the president of the Arkansas Society for Addiction Medicine and being board certified in both family practice and addiction medicine, Dr. Martin brings a comprehensive approach to medical care that treats people rather than symptoms.

“Oftentimes, we find that there is a more fully developed root cause that is causing those symptoms,” she said. “We believe that mind, body and spirit are all interconnected. What patients feel physically is often related to an underlying emotional feeling. It’s important to acknowledge and respect that.”

This is especially vital for addiction care because the use of opioids can be connected to both physical and psychological pain, trauma and stressors. River Valley’s integrative approach to substance use disorder combines medical treatments with evidence-based therapies such as mental health care and peer recovery support. The clinic has licensed therapists and counselors who specialize in addressing conditions such as depression and anxiety, which can contribute to addiction. This holistic method has been shown to be incredibly effective in helping individuals overcome their addiction.

“Individuals receive treatment for their physical, mental and emotional well-being, which is essential for lasting recovery,” Dr. Martin said. “We believe in all pathways to recovery. Each individual is unique, and we are committed to providing practical solutions to each patient’s complex medical care.”

Kristin Martin, D.O., M.S., FAAFP, FASAM, FACOFP

rvmwellness.com | 833-479-4325 ​2600 West Main Street, Russellville, AR 72801 | 1820 Central Avenue, Ste M Hot Springs, AR 71913 armentalhealthguide.com . 43

MEN TA L HE A LT H ARKANSAS COUNTY Southeast Arkansas Behavioral Healthcare System 870-673-1633 121 Commercial Drive “B” Stuttgart sabhs.org ASHLEY COUNTY Delta Counseling Associates 870-364-6471 1308 W. Fifth St. Crossett deltacounseling.org Phoenix Youth and Family Services 870-364-1676 310 N. Alabama St. Crossett phoenixyouth.com BAXTER COUNTY Chenal Family Therapy 870-340-2636 711 Bradley Drive Mountain Home chenaltherapy.com Community Service 870-425-3840 312 Bomber Blvd.

Mountain Home csiyouth.com Families 870-425-1041 400 S. College St., Suite 2 Mountain Home familiesinc.net BENTON COUNTY Chenal Family Therapy 479-595-0333 632 Lancashire Blvd.

Bella Vista chenaltherapy.com Chenal Family Therapy 479-595-0333 5507 W. Walsh Lane, Suite 201 Rogers chenaltherapy.com Community Service 479-278-7028 1200 W. Walnut St., Suite B-1100 Rogers csiyouth.com

CARROLL COUNTY Chenal Family Therapy 870-340-2636 702 N. Main St., Suite F Harrison chenaltherapy.com

CLEVELAND COUNTY Southeast Arkansas Behavioral Healthcare System 401 N. Main St., Suite 2 Rison sabhs.org

Community Service 870-280-3468 200 Arkansas 43 E., Unit 7 Harrison csiyouth.com

COLUMBIA COUNTY Methodist Family Health 870-234-0739 621 E. North St. Magnolia methodistfamily.org

Community Service 870-929-6023 605 BB Eureka Ave. Berryville csiyouth.com CHICOT COUNTY Delta Counseling Associates 870-265-3808 1127 Second St. Lake Village deltacounseling.org Phoenix Youth and Family Services 870-265-6005 412A U.S. 82 and 65 Lake Village phoenixyouth.com CLARK COUNTY Arkansas Counseling & Psychodiagnostics 870-230-8217 2607 Caddo St., Suite 6 Arkadelphia acapcounseling.com Rise Counseling & Diagnostics 501-891-5492 702 Hickory St. Arkadelphia riseforfamilies.com Ouachita Behavioral Health & Wellness 870-246-4123 640 S. Sixth St., Suite A Arkadelphia obhaw.org CLAY COUNTY Families 870-598-0306 111 South Third Ave. Piggott familiesinc.net

Fresh Roots Counseling 479-986-8655 3901 W. Financial Parkway Rogers freshrootsfamilycounseling.com

CLEBURNE COUNTY Chenal Family Therapy 501-781-2230 105 S. Second St. Heber Springs chenaltherapy.com

Oasis of Northwest Arkansas 479-268-4340 Bella Vista, Rogers oasisforwomennwa.org

Community Service 501-362-2840 115 W. Clinton St. Heber Springs csiyouth.com

Woodland Research Northwest 479-927-3000 609 W. Dyke Road Rogers joinaresearchstudy.com BRADLEY COUNTY Delta Counseling Associations 870-226-5856 1404 E. Church St. Warren deltacounseling.org 44 . Mental Health Guide 2023

Counseling Associates 501-206-0831 115 S. Third St. Heber Springs caiinc.org Methodist Family Health 501-365-3022 515 W. Main St. Heber Springs methodistfamily.org

CONWAY COUNTY Community Service 501-354-4589 100 S. Cherokee St. Morrilton csiyouth.com Counseling Associates 501-345-1561 8 Hospital Drive Morrilton caiinc.org CRAIGHEAD COUNTY Chenal Family Therapy 870-340-2636 2803 Creek Drive, Suite D Jonesboro chenaltherapy.com Crowley’s Ridge Development Council Regional Prevention Program 870-933-0033 2401 Fox Meadow Lane Jonesboro crdcnea.org Families 870-933-6886 1815 Pleasant Grove Road Jonesboro familiesinc.net Methodist Family Health 870-910-3757 2239 S. Caraway Road, Suite M Jonesboro methodistfamily.org Methodist Family Health 870-932-8880 211 Church St. Bono methodistfamily.org Renew Mental Health and Wellness 870-243-0424 1150 E. Matthews Drive Jonesboro renewmentalhealthandwellness.com CRAWFORD COUNTY The Guidance Center 479-474-8084 2705 Oak Lane Van Buren wacgc.org Methodist Family Health 479-632-1022 1209 U.S. 71 N., Suite B Alma methodistfamily.org DALLAS COUNTY Millcreek Behavioral Health 855-508-1794 1828 Industrial Drive Fordyce millcreekbehavioralhealth.com

DESHA COUNTY Delta Counseling Associates 870-382-4001 741 U.S. 65 S. Dumas deltacounseling.org Phoenix Youth and Family Services 870-382-4309 130 Waterman St. Dumas phoenixyouth.com DREW COUNTY Delta Counseling Associates 870-367-2461 790 Roberts Drive Monticello deltacounseling.org The Centers 870-460-0066 936 Jordan Drive Monticello thecentersar.com Phoenix Youth and Family Services 870-367-0711 809 U.S. 278 Monticello pheonixyouth.com

Immerse Arkansas 501-404-9890 1511 Caldwell St. Conway immersearkansas.org Renewal Ranch 501-269-4306 75 Lake Drive Houston therenewalranch.org Rise Counseling & Diagnostics 501-891–5492 1000 SWN Drive, Suite 101 Conway riseforfamilies.com FRANKLIN COUNTY Community Service 479-667-5855 203 N. Fourth St. Ozark csiyouth.com The Guidance Center 479-667-2497 1600 N. 18th St. Ozark wacgc.org

FAULKNER COUNTY Argenta Counseling + Wellness 501-777-5969 815 Exchange Ave., Suite 109 Conway

GARLAND COUNTY Chenal Family Therapy 501-781-2230 100 Ridgeway St., Suite 2 Hot Springs chenaltherapy.com

Arkansas Families First 501-812-4268 1100 Bob Courtway Drive, Suites 8 and 9 Conway arfamiliesfirst.com

Levi Hospital 501-624-1281 300 Prospect Ave. Hot Springs levihospital.com

Birch Tree Communities 501-315-3344 132 Lower Ridge Road Conway birchtree.org Chenal Family Therapy 501-781-2230 800 Exchange Ave., Suite 103 Conway chenaltherapy.com Community Service 501-327-9788 818 N. Creek Drive Conway csiyouth.com Community Service — Conway Day Services 501-327-9788 816 N. Creek Drive Conway csiyouth.com Conway Behavioral Health 833-670-0729 2255 Sturgis Road Conway conwaybh.com Conway Regional Counseling Center 501-358-6695 495 Hogan Lane, Suite 2 Conway conwayregional.org Counseling Associates 501-336-8300 350 Salem Road Conway caiinc.org

Methodist Family Health 501-318-6066 100 Ridgeway St., Suite 5 Hot Springs methodistfamily.org Natural State Behavioral Health 501-601-5107 1401 Malvern Ave., No. 100 Hot Springs Ouachita Behavioral Health & Wellness 501-624-7111 125 Wellness Way Hot Springs obhaw.org Ouachita Children’s Center 501-623-5591 339 Charteroak St. Hot Springs occnet.org River Valley Wellness 833-479-4325 1820 Central Ave., Suite M Hot Springs rvmwellness.com TLC 501-492-9456 1401 Malvern Ave., Suite 20 Hot Springs tlcincstableconnections.com GRANT COUNTY Southeast Arkansas Behavioral Healthcare System 870-942-5101 301 N. Oak St. Sheridan sabhs.org

RESOURCE GUIDE GREENE COUNTY Families 870-335-9483 1101 Morgan St., Suite 8 Paragould familiesinc.net HOT SPRING COUNTY Ouachita Behavioral Health & Wellness 501-332-5236 1615 MLK Blvd.

Malvern obhaw.org INDEPENDENCE COUNTY Community Service 870-569-5112 2503 Harrison St. Batesville csiyouth.com Crowley’s Ridge Development Council Regional Prevention Program 2485 Harrison St., Suite 5 Batesville crdcnea.org IZARD COUNTY Birch Tree Communities 501-3030-3126 105 Arkansas 9 Oxford birchtree.org Community Service 870-368-0026 24 E. Main St. Melbourne csiyouth.com JACKSON COUNTY Birch Tree Communities 501-315-3344 210 Third St. Newport birchtree.org JEFFERSON COUNTY Southeast Arkansas Behavioral Healthcare System 870-534-1834 2500 Rike Drive Pine Bluff sabhs.org JOHNSON COUNTY Birch Tree Communities 501-315-3344 706 Brown St. Clarksville birchtree.org Community Service 479-754-7296 106 Cherokee Lane Clarksville Csiyouth.com

LEE COUNTY Crowley’s Ridge Development Council Regional Prevention Program 870-819-7756 593 Arkansas 243 Marianna crdcnea.org LINCOLN COUNTY Southeast Arkansas Behavioral Healthcare System 870-628-4181 612 E. Arkansas St. Star City 71667 sabhs.org LOGAN COUNTY The Guidance Center 479-675-3909 174 N. Welsh Ave. Booneville wacgc.org The Guidance Center 479-963-2140 415 S. Sixth St. Paris wacgc.org LONOKE COUNTY Chenal Family Therapy 501-781-2230 12406 Arkansas 5, Suite C Cabot chenaltherapy.com MADISON COUNTY Community Service 479-326-8123 400 W. Main St., Suite A Huntsville csiyouth.com MILLER COUNTY Chenal Family Therapy 870-340-2636 1305 Arkansas Blvd., Suite 101 Texarkana chenaltherapy.com Riverview Behavioral Health 877-469-0840 701 Arkansas Blvd.

Texarkana riverviewbehavioralhealth.com Southwest Arkansas Counseling and Mental Health Center 870-773-4655 2904 Arkansas Blvd.

Texarkana swacmhc.net MISSISSIPPI COUNTY Families 870-622-0592 3201 W. Keiser Ave. Osceola familiesinc.net

Counseling Associates 479-754-8610 1021 Poplar St. Clarksville caiinc.org

MONTGOMERY COUNTY Ouachita Behavioural Health & Wellness 870-867-2147 128 S. George St. Mount Ida obhaw.org

LAWRENCE COUNTY Families 870-886-5303 1425 W. Main St. Walnut Ridge familiesinc.net

OUACHITA COUNTY Ouachita County Medical Center 870-836-1000 638 California Ave. SW Camden ouachitamedcenter.com

PERRY COUNTY Counseling Associates 501-889-1590 206 W. Main St. Perryville caiinc.org PIKE COUNTY Ouachita Behavioral Health & Wellness 870-782-0179 371 U.S. 70 E., Suite A Glenwood obhaw.org POLK COUNTY The Guidance Center 479-394-5277 307 S. Cherry St. Mena wacgc.org POPE COUNTY Birch Tree Communities 501-315-3344 210 N. Shamrock Blvd.

Russellville birchtree.org Chenal Family Therapy 479-595-0333 2621 W. Main St., Suite 2B Russellville chenaltherapy.com Community Service 479-967-3370 1505 S. Oswego Ave. Russellville csiyouth.com Community Service — Russellville Day Services 479-967-3370 1415 S. Oswego Ave. Russellville csiyouth.com Counseling Associates 479-968-1298 110 Skyline Road Russellville 479-968-1298 River Valley Medical Wellness 833-479-4325 2600 W. Main St. Russellville rvmwellness.com PULASKI COUNTY Argenta Counseling + Wellness 501-777-5969 513 Main St. North Little Rock argentacounseling.com Argenta Counseling + Wellness 501-777-5969 601 Main St. North Little Rock argentacounseling.com Argenta Counseling + Wellness 501-777-5969 3321 S. Bowman Road, Suite I Little Rock argentacounseling.com Arkansas Department of Health 800-462-0599 4815 W. Markham St. Little Rock healthy.arkansas.gov

Arkansas Families First 501-812-4268 4004 McCain Blvd., Suite 203 North Little Rock arfamiliesfirst.com

H.E.R. Counseling & Wellness 501-503-7675 250 Smokey Lane North Little Rock hercounseling.org

Arkansas State Hospital 501-686-9000 305 S. Palm St. Little Rock uamshealth.com humanservices.arkansas.gov

Immerse Arkansas 501-404-9890 5300 Asher Ave. Little Rock immersearkansas.org

Behavioral Health Services of Arkansas 501-954-7470 10 Corporate Hill Drive, Suite 330 Little Rock bhsarkansas.org The BridgeWay 501-667-1500 21 Bridgeway Road North Little Rock thebridgeway.com BOHEMIA Cares 501-777-8068 P.O. Box 5875 Jacksonville bohemiacares.org

Kaleidoscope Grief Center 501-537-3991 1600 Aldersgate Road, Suite 100B Little Rock methodistfamily.org The Magnolia Recovery Community Center 501-454-6811 3601 W. Roosevelt Road Little Rock Methodist Behavioral Hospital 501-803-3388 1601 Murphy Drive Maumelle methodistfamily.org

The Centers 501-664-4308 6425-6601 W. 12th St. Little Rock thecentersar.com

Methodist Family Health 501-661-0720 2002 S. Fillmore St. Little Rock methodistfamily.org

The Centers 501-664-4308 1521 Merrill Drive D220 Little Rock thecentersar.com

Methodist Family Health 501-537-3991 1600 Aldersgate Road, Suite 100B Little Rock methodistfamily.org

The Centers 501-664-4308 5800 W. 10th St., Suite 101 Little Rock thecentersar.com

Methodist Family Health 501-906-4250 2000 Aldersgate Road Little Rock methodistfamily.org

Chenal Family Therapy 501-781-2230 2504 McCain Blvd., Suite 200 North Little Rock chenaltherapy.com Chenal Family Therapy 501-781-2230 10311 W. Markham St. Little Rock chenaltherapy.com Children’s Protection Center 501-364-5490 1210 Wolfe St. Little Rock childrensprotectioncenter.org

Mindy Moore Psychotherapy 501-214-0000 415 N. McKinley St., Suite 635 Little Rock mindymoorepsychotherapy.com National Alliance on Mental Illness Arkansas 800-844-0381 1012 Autumn Road, Suite 1 Little Rock namiarkansas.org

Dark Horse Medicinals darkhorsemedicinals.com

Natural State Recovery Centers 501-319-7074 924 Main St. Little Rock naturalstaterecovery.com

Empower Healthcare Solutions 866-261-1286 17500 Chenal Parkway, No. 300 Little Rock getempowerhealth.com

Natural State Recovery Centers 501-319-7074 10025 Oakland Drive North Little Rock naturalstaterecovery.com

Families 501-982-5000 2126 N. First St., Suite. F Jacksonville familiesinc.net

Pinnacle Pointe Behavioral Healthcare 501-223-3322 11501 Financial Centre Parkway Little Rock pinnaclepointehospital.com

Freshly Renewed Transitional Treatment 501-663-0708 8404 Baseline Road Little Rock freshlyrenewedtransitional.org

Recovery Centers of Arkansas 501-372-4611 2919 Sibley Hole Road Little Rock rcofa.org armentalhealthguide.com . 45

RESOURCE GUIDE Recovery Centers of Arkansas — The Oasis Renewal Center 14913 Cooper Orbit Road Little Rock 501-376-2747 Rise Counseling & Diagnostics 501-891-5492 12921 Cantrell Road, Suite 105 Little Rock riseforfamilies.com Rise Counseling & Diagnostics 501-891-5492 1900 Aldersgate Road Little Rock riseforfamilies.com Rise Counseling & Diagnostics 501-891-5492 4901 Northshore Drive North Little Rock riseforfamilies.com Rise Counseling & Diagnostics 501-891-5492 1540 Country Club Road Sherwood riseforfamilies.com RiverStone Wellness Center 501-777-3200 5905 Forest Place, Suite 230 Little Rock riverstonewellnesscenter.com

RANDOLPH COUNTY Families 870-892-1005 2305 Old County Road Pocahontas familiesinc.net SALINE COUNTY Argenta Counseling + Wellness 501-777-5969 3401 Arkansas 5, Suite 2 Bryant argentacounseling.com Birch Tree Communities 501-315-3344 1718 Old Hot Springs Highway Benton birchtree.org

Chenal Family Therapy 501-781-2230 3405 Market Place Ave., Suite 200 Bryant chenaltherapy.com

TMS Arkansas 501-313-2678 700 S. Schiller St. Little Rock tmsarkansas.com

Rise Counseling & Diagnostics 501-891-5492 205 River St. Benton riseforfamilies.com

Unity Health — Clarity Health & Wellness Jacksonville 501-453-6000 1300 Braden St., Pod A Jacksonville unity-health.org

Rivendell Behavioral Health Services 501-302-8155 100 Rivendell Drive Benton rivendellofarkansas.com

46 . Mental Health Guide 2023

Methodist Family Health 479-582-5565 74 W. Sunbridge Drive Fayetteville methodistfamily.org

Arkansas Regional Services Committee of Narcotics Anonymous 800-501-1607

SEVIER COUNTY Chenal Family Therapy 870-340-2636 304 W. Collin Raye Drive, Suite 103-A De Queen chenaltherapy.com

Springwoods Behavioral Health 479-973-6000 1955 Truckers Drive Fayetteville springwoodsbehavioral.com

National Alliance for Eating Disorders Helpline 866-662-1235

Community Service 870-269-6635 200 S. Peabody Ave. Mountain View csiyouth.com

Chenal Family Therapy 501-781-2230 3230 Market Place Ave., Suite 4 Bryant chenaltherapy.com

Youth Home 501-821-5500 20400 Colonel Glenn Road Little Rock youthhome.org

Valley Behavioral Health System 855-485-2916 10301 Mayo Drive Barling valleybehavioral.com

Birch Tree Communities — Benton Hope House 501-303-1665 1560 Mary Kay Blvd.

Benton birchtree.org

Strategic Counseling 501-400-0353 4 Shackleford Plaza Little Rock 501-400-0353

Wolfe Street Foundation 501-372-5662 1015 Louisiana St. Little Rock wolfestreet.org

DIRECT LINE Arkansas Crisis Center Hotline 988

STONE COUNTY Birch Tree Communities 501-303-3230 218 Dogwood Hollow Road Mountain View birchtree.org

Serenity Park Recovery Center 501-313-0066 2711 W.Roosevelt Road Little Rock serenityparkrecovery.com

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Psychiatric Research Institute 4224 Shuffield Drive Little Rock 501-526-8100 uams.edu

Community Service 479-365-7250 3291 S. Thompson St., Suite D 103 Springdale csiyouth.com

Birch Tree Communities — Arkansas Health Center 501-315-3344 6701 U.S. S, Building 4 Benton birchtree.org

Birch Tree Communities — Benton Town Center 501-315-3165 1502 Mary Kay Blvd.

Benton birchtree.org

Susan L. Bryant, Ph.D., Behavioral Health Services 501-808-1230 415 N. McKinley St., Suite 635 Little Rock sbbhs.com

The Guidance Center 479-452-6650 3111 S. 70th St. Fort Smith wacgc.org

SCOTT COUNTY The Guidance Center 479-637-2468 1857 Rice Road Waldron wacgc.org SEARCY COUNTY Counseling Associates 870-448-2176 316 U.S. 65 N. Marshall caiinc.org SEBASTIAN COUNTY Chenal Family Therapy 479-595-0333 5111 Rogers Ave., Suite 561 Fort Smith chenaltherapy.com

Counseling Associates 870-269-4193 106 Mountain Place Drive Mountain View caiinc.org Crowley’s Ridge Development Council Regional Prevention Program 870-269-6105 1708 E. Main St. Mountain View crdcnea.org UNION COUNTY Chenal Family Therapy 870-340-2636 600 S. Timberlane Drive El Dorado chenaltherapy.com VAN BUREN COUNTY Birch Tree Communities 501-315-3344 242 Shake Rag Road Clinton birchtree.org Chenal Family Therapy 501-781-2230 261 Court St. Clinton chenaltherapy.com Community Service 501-745-2956 119 Shake Rag Road Clinton csiyouth.com Counseling Associates 501-745-8007 244 U.S. 65 S., Suite 6 Clinton caiinc.org WASHINGTON COUNTY Chenal Family Therapy 479-595-0333 34 W. Colt Square, Suite 1 Fayetteville chenaltherapy.com

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Psychiatry Clinic 479-713-8350 3425 N. Futrall Drive, Suite 103 Fayetteville uamshealth.com Vantage Point Behavioral Health Hospital 866-433-2964 4253 N. Crossover Road Fayetteville vantagepointnwa.com Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks 479-443-4301 1100 N. College Ave. Fayetteville fayettevillear.va.gov WHITE COUNTY Capstone Treatment Center 866-729-4479 120 Meghan Lane Judsonia capstonetreatmentcenter.com Chenal Family Therapy 501-781-2230 1554 W. Beebe Capps Expressway Searcy chenaltherapy.com YELL COUNTY Community Service 479-495-5177 1408 E. Eighth St. Danville csiyouth.com Counseling Associates 479-495-5557 750 Boston St. Danville caiinc.org STATEWIDE Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield 501-378-2000 601 S. Gaines St. Little Rock arkansasbluecross.com National Alliance on Mental Illness Arkansas 800-844-0381 1012 Autumn Road, Suite 1 Little Rock namiarkansas.org

Arkansas Alcoholics Anonymous 501-664-7303

Emergency Services 911

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255 Red Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio 888-628-9454 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 800-662-4357 Veteran Call Center 877-927-8387 WEBSITES American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Arkansas Chapter afsp.org/arkansas Arkansas Central Office of Alcoholics Anonymous arkansascentraloffice.org Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration samhsa.gov National Resource Directory nrd.gov State Departments of Veterans Affairs veterans.arkansas.gov

Let Our Family Care for Yours Clinton

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Russellville

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Conway

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Your primary care physician extends beyond just tending to your physical health—they are also key in supporting your overall well-being.

Developing a relationship with your primary care provider is essential, given that a segment of your annual wellness exam helps evaluate your mental health.

With 9 primary care locations serving 7 counties, we believe in building lasting relationships, centered on trust and personalized care. Take control of your healthcare journey with us as your dedicated partner.

Schedule your in-person or virtual appointment today by visiting ConwayRegional.org or calling our Patient Navigation Center at 501-506-CRHS.

Conway Regional has been the community’s hospital for more than 100 years, providing high-quality, compassionate

Voted AY’s Best Hospital

care. As our communities grow, we are growing alongside you to ensure all of your healthcare needs are met right here in

FOUR YEARS IN A ROW!

Conway. When your family needs medical care, you can trust our board-certified providers to provide you with the

2023

comprehensive care you deserve when you need it most.