AY About You June 2022

A R K A N S A S ’ L I F E S T Y L E M A G A Z I N E | J U N E 2 0 2 2 | AY M A G . C O M

Best Lawyers | Patios Bucket List | Country Music $5.00 U.S.

Thank you to all of our brides and families for voting for us!

Personal Consultant for Each Bride

Semi Annual ½ Price Sale June 14- August 6, 2022 Brinkley, Arkansas Appointment required.

Please call 870.734.3244 and visit lowsbridal.com

D R . J ES SE BU RKS BEST PODIATRIST

DR. WILLIAM HEFLEY, JR. BEST ORTHOPEDIST

FIND THE BEST OF THE BEST AT

OUR HOSPITAL

Thank you, AY Magazine, for voting us the Best of the Best!

Best Doctor-Owned Hospital – Arkansas Surgical Hospital Best Specialty Hospital – Arkansas Surgical Hospital Best Orthopedist – Dr. William Hefley, Jr. Best Podiatrist – Dr. Jesse Burks Since 2005, Arkansas Surgical Hospital has been a trusted resource for patients and their families as they seek safe, high-quality treatments for orthopedic and spine issues. In fact, we’re the only hospital in Arkansas to receive a double five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

If you want the best of the best, make Arkansas Surgical Hospital your hospital. Call (866) 260-0542 for help scheduling an appointment with one of our specialists.

Physician Owned. Patient Focused.

866-260-0542

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M Y L A G O S M Y W AY

C AV I A R C O L L E C T I O N S

Make 2022 Your Year for the

"I love my new smile.

Thanks Dr. Lambert!"

Before

Lorah with beautiful No Prep Veneers.

After

Beautiful Smile You Deserve!

“People all over Arkansas trust Drs. Lee Wyant and Alyssa Lambert with their smile.

With a combined 40 years of experience in providing clinical excellence you know your smile is in good hands. Dr. Wyant is Arkansas’ only Fellowed Cosmetic Dentist.

Credentials, experience and caring concern for each individual patient insures that you’ll receive exceptional esthetic results regardless of the challenges presented.

Learn more how Drs. Wyant and Lambert can help you have an incredible smile by calling today for your complimentary smile consultation.”

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All photos of beautiful smiles created by Drs. Wyant and Lambert.

WHAT’S INSIDE 10 Publisher’s Letter 12 Connect 14 Top Events 190 Murder Mystery 192 Arkansas Backstories

HOME&GARDEN

Metal Moment

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FOOD&DRINK 24 32 36

he Return of Patio Dining T ummer Recipes S Face Behind the Place: Don Dugan

ARTS&CULTURE

100 Food Fight 106 A Party with a Purpose 110 ‘Misfit’ Goes Hollywood 116 Arkansas Country Music Awards 120 The Kids Are All Right 124 Playing Her Own Tune

TRAVEL 136 ‘Favoriteville’ 142 On the South Side of Town

HEALTH 184 Hope in the Face of Alzheimer’s

Patio Bucket List, page 28

ABOUT YOU 41 AY’s Best of 2022 Winners 152 Arkansas Bar Association Awards 160 AY’s Best Lawyers 178 This Side of Seven: And the Winner is ...

ON THE COVER We’re always down to call those Hogs; but we’re also always up for a trip to Fayetteville.

Read more: page 136.

Photo courtesy ADPHT.

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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT AS WE HEAD INTO THE SUMMER MONTHS, Pulaski County Special School District is celebrating student achievements from the four high school campuses: Maumelle High, Mills University Studies High, Robinson High and Sylvan Hills High.

Nearly a dozen PCSSD students will be attending Governor’s School at Arkansas Tech University this summer. The four week summer program is a unique experience for rising Arkansas seniors.

The students spend about two-thirds of class time devoted to the student’s selected discipline, which includes choral music, drama, English, instrumental music, mathematics, natural science, social science, and visual art. Students also work in general conceptual development and personal and social development.

“Although I’ve never been away from home for as long as this program is, I believe it will be a good experience for me prior to my Senior year of high school and before I leave for college at Hendrix,” said Maumelle High’s Margaret Groves. “What I hope to gain from this experience is an extensive and more coherent understanding of Engineering as well as life away from home!”

“I am super excited about being selected for Arkansas Governor’s School,” said Mills University Studies High’s Marcos Alvarez. “I am excited to improve my musical ability, and looking forward to getting experience in living in a college-like environment.”

Meanwhile, more than 30 PCSSD students scored a 30 or higher on the ACT this year. This is a great achievement that many students have devoted many hours toward.

“It was important that I reach this achievement because I’ve intended to for so long,” said Joe T. Robinsons High’s Mikayla Shirley. “It was also a big deal with my family, seeing as it opens a lot of doors that weren’t always open for them. When I got the results I sat with my mom and sister and we all got to squeal and make phone calls to my dad, grandma, and the list went on. It felt like a great beginning.”

“It takes a lot of work to be a member of the 30+ Club,” said Sylvan Hills High’s Carter Watson. “I had to put in a lot of hard work and time preparing for the ACT in order to get the highest score I could. It felt great to find out that I was in the 30+ Club because it was great to finally be recognized for my hard work.”

ABOUT PCSSD

REGISTER NOW www.pcssd.org/register

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 SENIOR EDITOR

Dustin Jayroe djayroe@aymag.com

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Mark Carter mcarter@aymag.com

EDITORIAL OPERATIONS MANAGER

Lindsey Castrellon lcastrellon@aymag.com

STAFF WRITERS

Emily Beirne ebeirne@aymag.com Sarah Coleman scoleman@aymag.com Katie Zakrzewski katie@aymag.com

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Mike Bedgood mbedgood@aymag.com

ART DIRECTOR

Jamison Mosley jmosley@aymag.com

DIGITAL MEDIA DIRECTOR

Kellie McAnulty kmcanulty@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.

Dwain Hebda is president of Ya!Mule Wordsmiths in Little Rock. A writer, editor and journalist of some 30 years, his work appears in more than 30 publications in four states. Nebraskan by birth, Southern by the grace of God, he and his wife, Darlene, have four grown children and two lovely dogs.

Janie Jones has been a journalist for more than 20 years. She and her husband, Wyatt, co-wrote two books: Hiking Arkansas and Arkansas Curiosities.

She is also the author of The Arkansas Hitchhike Killer: James Waybern “Red” Hall, a book that originated from a two-part article she contributed to AY About You.

Julie Craig began her magazine career while living in New York City as an intern at Seventeen. With fashion and home design as her forte for the past 15 years, Julie is a blogger, writer and editor who has reported stories for Us Weekly and written about and photographed New York Fashion Week.

Nic Williams, an Arkansas native, is a practicing lawyer and contributor to AY About You. He has developed original recipes for more than half a decade and considers Ina Garten as his inspiration.

Most importantly, he’s a proud doggy dad and is grateful for his supportive friends and family.

Ebony Blevins After obtaining her bachelor’s degree in photojournalism from Arkansas State University, Ebony Blevins has worked for and with numerous publications and marketing companies around Arkansas.

Along with freelancing, she is currently developing her fine art photography body of work.

Angela Forsyth lives in Northwest Arkansas.

Her articles have been published in AY About You, Arkansas Money and Politics, Food & Drink, Modern Home Builder, Manufacturing Today, Inside Healthcare, Retail Merchandiser and many more magazines.

She’s a happy wife and mom to four kids and a dog.

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 long-time members of Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Lora Puls lpuls@aymag.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Linda Burlingame lindaaymag@aol.com Tonya Higginbotham thigginbotham@aymag.com Mary Funderburg mary@aymag.com Tonya Mead tmead@aymag.com Amanda Moore amoore@aymag.com Colleen Gillespie colleen@aymag.com

ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER

Jessica Everson jeverson@aymag.com

ADVERTISING COORDINATORS Austin Castrellon ads@aymag.com Virginia Ellison ads@aymag.com

CIRCULATION

Ginger Roell groell@aymag.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Kaitlin Barger, Jenny Boulden, Kenneth Heard, Meredith Mashburn, Tony Milligan, Sarah Russell, Jared Sorrells

ADMINISTRATION Casandra Moore admin@aymag.com Vicki Vowell, CEO

TO ADVERTISE:

501-244-9700 or hbaker@aymag.com

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501-244-9700 or aymag.com

AY Magazine is published monthly, Volume XXXV, Issue 2 AY Magazine (ISSN 2162-7754) is published monthly 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 $20 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 ©2021, 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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Congrats Dr. Yee! Named Best Cosmetic Surgeon in Arkansas

love

“I Dr. Yee and her incredible staff! After getting back in the gym regularly, I still had some stubborn fat areas, so I did CoolSculpting at Dr. Yee’s office and love my results!”

- Heather Baker, President/Publisher AY Media Group

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. Congratulations to Dr. Suzanne Yee for being named AY About You’s Best Cosmetic Surgeon in Best Of 2022!

12600 CANTRELL RD. • STE 100 • LITTLE ROCK 501.224.1044 • DRSUZANNEYEE.COM

publisher's letter

High Tops in the Summer I guess the first “official” day of summer isn’t until June 21, but here in Arkansas, it’s been summer for almost a month now. Time to cycle all of our summer fashion statements back to the front of the closet, and set our music playlists up with our 2022 summer soundtracks.

As our own unique way of christening the season, we’ve got a very summery bucket list for you this month — patios. Jenny Boulden reported on the ins and outs of all the things that make patio dining so special, and then we put together a list of our favorite restaurant patios in the state.

And speaking of the sounds of summer, I don’t know about you, but my seasonal soundtracks are full of country music this time of year. So you know I’m excited about the fifth-annual Arkansas Country Music Awards this month. This issue includes a full list of nominees for the June 6 ceremony, as well as a couple of special features on some local artists on the rise.

Then there’s, of course, that beautifully fun cover to talk about. Because what is an Arkansas summer without a little travel? This month, it’s all about Fayetteville and that one-of-a-kind downtown scene. If you only come to town for the Hogs, then you don’t know what you’re missing. Give the city a visit (or two) outside of the regular season — you won’t be disappointed.

There are a few more awards to get to in this issue as well. Last month, we featured the full listing of AY’s Best of 2022, and this month we unveil the overall winners in each category. We also once again partnered with the Arkansas Bar Association to present its annual awards, and featured this year’s AY’s Best Lawyers, which were decided by you, our readers.

If you are among the many deserving businesses or individuals to win one of these awards this year, then also check out Jason Pederson’s “This Side of Seven” column this month, which provides some useful, grounding perspective on the very nature of awards, and what really are the most important things in life.

And now, I’ll leave you to it! I hope you enjoy this June issue as much as we do.

Happy Summer!

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

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TRENDING ON AYMAG.COM Big Plans Unveiled for Little Rock’s Breckenridge Village Longtime Co-Host, Film Critic Renee Shapiro Departs KATV Opening Date Announced for Little Rock’s Big Bad Breakfast Raising Hell: ArkansasBorn Podcaster Tackles LR Cold Case AY’s Best of 2022

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READER FEEDBACK ARKANSAS’ HENDRIX YANCEY APPEARING IN STRANGER THINGS SEASON 4 “Such a fun write-up! Thanks, AY Magazine!”

Timie Yancey MAR Y TIERRA IS WELL WORTH THE WAIT “Thank you so much for your fabulous review and your support!”

Mar y Tierra FOOD BITES “Thank you for the mention!”

YGFBFKitchen ALL RISE FOR SERENITY FARM BREAD “Great article about Leslie’s own Serenity Farm Bread.”

Amanda Treat

INSTAGRAM

CONTESTS

Springdale High School honors four veterans with honorary diplomas.

The burgers are worth the “hop” to Jackrabbit Dairy Bar in Lonoke.

Fort Smith’s Bass Reeves joins the Yellowstone universe.

Contest deadline is June 14! Go to aymag.com and click on the “Contests” tab.

1. ROCK N ROLL SUSHI Little Rock has two locations where you can rock (to the jukebox) and roll (with some sushi). Try out some of Rock N Roll Sushi’s flare and flavor on the house with this gift card to either of its capital city locations.

CODE: SUSHI

2. TURPENTINE CREEK

3. CIGAR REPUBLIC

Take a walk on the wild side at Turpentine Creek.

This Eureka Springs refuge provides a home for abandoned and neglected big cats, from tigers to lions to leopards. Win two tickets to tour the refuge and see all the amazing animals!

CODE: CATS

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Embrace the finer things in life with a trip to Cigar Republic, the premier destination for cigars and whiskey in Little Rock. Boasting the largest walk-in humidor in Arkansas and more than 450 unique cigars, there’s something for all tastes.

CODE: CIGAR

Hitting up the Ohio Club in Hot Springs for the Burger Bucket List.

!

May WINNERS Rock N Roll Sushi: DEDE MCDANIEL Turpenting Creek: JAMIE JONES Cigar Republic: SHERRI HARVILL

The Memorial Room is where our guests discover whether the passenger or crew member on their boarding pass survived. Recently, I was chatting there with a woman whose children had such an enchanting accent.

I was curious.

The children had beautiful straw-colored hair. They looked up at me with curious, intelligent expressions as their mother asked a question.

“How many,” the mother asked me. “How many were onboard the Titanic?”

We discussed how there were two thousand two hundred and eight passengers and crew. The children were full of questions, too. How many survived? How many didn’t?

We discussed the numbers.

“But I have to ask,” I said, fascinated with their beautiful accents and their excellent English.

“I am curious to know where you are from.”

The mother smiled a little sadly, nodding toward her children.

“We are from Ukraine,” she said.

There was an awkward pause. Just a few seconds, but it took me a moment. I felt a sense of helplessness, the way we feel when speaking to someone who has experienced a terrible disaster, or deep loss.

I managed to say, “We are so sorry for the terrible crisis in Ukraine.”

“Yes,” the mother said, placing her hand on the arm of the boy. My son here saw immediately as we approached the ship from the parking lot. You are flying the Ukrainian flag.

It is just below your own flag of the United States of America. That means so much. Thank you.”

This family, and others in the Memorial Room, were interested to know if there were Ukrainian passengers sailing on Titanic’s maiden voyage. The answer: YES. Five were aboard the RMS Titanic and I was honored to share their stories.

The Ukrainian mother and her children I met in the Memorial Room brought this home for me in a unique way. My encounter with this family made me feel something else even more strongly, as well.

The encounter caused me to understand even more deeply how Titanic survivors felt. Safely aboard lifeboats, they nevertheless felt so helpless and even guilty that they could do nothing as they watched the ship tear itself apart and sink. They could do nothing to help the one thousand four hundred and ninety-six passengers and crew who were unable to board a lifeboat.

As we watch the terrible atrocities occurring in Ukraine today, don’t we feel a similar sense of helplessness in our inability to do anything to stop the appalling destruction and death as Russia invades Ukraine?

So yes, at Titanic Museum Attraction we fly the Ukrainian flag in show of solidarity with Ukraine even as we continue to tell the stories of all aboard Titanic, even as history seems to repeat itself.

And, as co-owner Mary Kellogg emphasizes every day, “Our job is to educate.”

To educate, and to bring history to life for our guests.

Author, Titanic Officer Campbell Titanic Museum Attraction

agenda

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Top

you just can't miss!

DELTA ARTS FESTIVAL June 3, 4

Downtown — Newport

Hundreds of artists will be in Newport this month for the 13th annual Delta Arts Festival, which includes a visual arts show, musicians showcase, “Festival of Books” and the “Delta Silver Screen Film Test.”

2022 ARKANSAS COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS June 6

Reynolds Performance Hall — Conway The premiere country music awards of the state are back again this year, for the fifth-annual iteration. Categories range from Country Artist of the Year to Best Radio DJ, and everything in between.

SERVING UP SOLUTIONS June 16

Albert Pike Masonic Center — Little Rock

The 15th annual Serving Up Solutions event, put on by the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, is served this month. Proceeds from the annual fundraising event support the programs of the Hunger Alliance and provide grants to food pantries, food banks and other hunger relief agencies statewide.

BACKSTREET BOYS June 17

Walmart AMP — Rogers Backstreet’s back, alright? One of the biggest boy bands of all time is back together on a worldwide tour, and they’re touching down right in the heart of Northwest Arkansas for a special, can’t miss performance.

JUNETEENTH ARKANSAS FESTIVAL June 18

Interstate Park — Little Rock Juneteenth is a special day of remembrance and celebration for the emancipation of Black people in this country. Read more about the cause and this event on page 106.

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events

June 19

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9

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The Band Camino JJ’s Live, Fayetteville

Jimmy Buffett & The Coral Reefer Band Walmart AMP, Rogers

REO Speedwagon & Styx Walmart AMP, Rogers

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Fayetteville Roots on the Avenue East Avenue, Fayetteville

Fouke Monster Festival Fouke Community Center, Fouke

Mimosa Fest Temple Live, Fort Smith

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30

30-2

5 Seconds of Summer Walmart AMP, Rogers

Kenny Chesney Walmart AMP, Rogers

Ozark Mountain Soul Fest The Farm, Eureka Springs

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home

Metal Moment

High-end, ecological and durable, Acme Brick showcases the latest home material that has everyone buzzing.

By JULIE CRAIG // Photos courtesy ACME 16

I

f there was a runway for building materials, metal would be all over it this season. Similar to a pair of fresh, white kicks, a home can instantly be transformed with the materials that comprise it.

Throughout the state of Arkansas, MAC Metal cladding installations are trending like crazy, popping up in neighborhoods everywhere.

“For a few years now, the trends in architecture have been moving more and more toward mixed materials,” says Chad Bowie, Acme Brick district manager. “For us, the idea of providing to our customer a global product offering all under one roof was appealing.”

Enter MAC Metal Architectural. “[This product] is a great fit because it offers a series of profiles that stands out with bold, contemporary and classic designs,” Bowie says. “Steel and brick and/or stone are a perfect combination, and they comple-

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ment each other and are both a long-lasting sustainable product.”

For 25 years, MAC Metal Architectural has offered customers top-of-the-line steel siding. And more and more homeowners are wanting to reduce their carbon footprint and demanding “green” products for their homes. MAC Metal Siding is made from 100-percent recycled materials. This means homes and buildings can earn points toward LEED certification with this siding, an instant bonus.

MAC is constantly seeking to innovate and offer products with unique, rich colors that will add a touch of style and sophistication to homebuilding projects. And the best part? The colors never fade.

The exclusive MAC TEXTURAL Color System includes a six-coat painting process (unlike others that use three coats) that is twice as resistant to UV rays and three times more resistant to corrosion, offering increased performance against bad weather and extreme climatic conditions.

“Everyone loves the look of wood, but the disadvantages of maintenance and deterioration discourage many,” Bowie mentions. “MAC offers a selection of rich and unique colors that replicate noble materials such as wood, zinc and quartz.”

For homeowners who are worried about looking too eclectic — or on the other end of the spectrum, just like the rest of the neighborhood — MAC steel has those concerns covered.

“Their wood color collection stands out for its

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We want to provide our customers with materials that not only look great, but can last over generations.

realism, offering a variation of grains and shades in each of its nine colors,” Bowie says. “These colors bring the warmth and depth of wood to masonry projects without the maintenance that comes with it.”

It almost seems too good to be true, but MAC Metal is known for being maintenance-free. The hardy material withstands temperatures and resists moisture, unlike vinyl sidings that were so popular in the past.

Of course, when investing in a new home or remodel, it’s always important to find something not only aesthetically pleasing, but practical and durable. “[At Acme], we want to provide our customers with materials that not only look great, but can last over generations,” Bowie says.

Mac Metals provide a distinct, modernized look whether it’s used to complement traditional building materials or all on its own.

“The fact that Mac Metals is a steel product, you don’t have to worry about it deforming or breaking down in warm and wet climates,” Bowie says. “These products have been developed and tested for more than 30 years to withstand harsh climates, and they have passed the most rigorous wind tests in the country, so they are perfectly suited to our climate.”

The benefits of MAC siding are endless as the material is also fire resistant. Even if a home is struck by lightning, a metal-clad dwelling is almost impervious to fire, which can be a tremendous advantage in high fire areas or areas prone to frequent lightning storms.

MAC’s 40-year warranty, one of the best in the industry compared to other sidings, makes it a true standout, ensuring peace of mind to consumers for years to come.

Installation is similar to most steel or aluminum siding. MAC does, however, have a series of tools adapted to their profiles, designed to facilitate the installer’s work on the job site. These tools are a must-have

for MAC installers, available at any MAC dealer. They also offer a bank of installation videos to guide the installer who has additional questions about certain aspects of the installation.

Fulfilling a customer’s vision is always a top goal for a contractor, and being innovative is key to creating something special. MAC Metal is sure to be the innovative product customers can enjoy for many years.

“It feels great to know we can provide our customers with a new product line that can help bring their vision to reality,” Bowie says.

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food

Samantha’s Tap Room & Wood Grill.

Eating Under the Sky & Sun & Moon Arkansans welcome the return of patio season

By JENNY BOULDEN // Photos By JAMISON MOSLEY

L

eaf-speckled light dances across your table. A June breeze wafts over, bringing aromas of the brick-oven pizza being brought to a family nearby and the sounds of some girlfriends laughing over late-afternoon drinks.

Somehow, cocktails taste better out here. You snap a perfectly-lit pic of your exquisite entree for your Instagram and tag the friends who joined you here after work. And you exhale. The feeling of letting go of the day’s stresses feels positively amazing. Because after months of cold, severe and just-plain-temperamental Arkansas weather, and following two straight years of worldwide existential angst, patio season is not only back, it’s better than ever before.

After speaking to restaurateurs and others in the know and querying friends around the state, here are a few reasons we Arkansans love our patio dining so very much.

PRIMAL NEEDS

Patios are primal? That sounds like overstating our desires to enjoy salads at outside tables, but think about it. Dining outdoors is our species’ most natural state. The earliest homo sapiens and their predecessors ate food wherever they foraged it, or eventually eating the animals they hunted around campfires with others. Eating outdoors, under sky and sun and moon, was one of humans’ first social behaviors. We only came indoors for shelter, and stayed there for proper dining after the development of manners and etiquette that were considered more civilized.

Joel DePippa, a Little Rock attorney and food blogger (Southern Ash Blog), says of patios, “They draw us partially because humans crave to some extent or another a touch of fresh air and sunlight, either filtered

or not. Our lives are spent more and more inside working or at home engaging with electronic media, so the patio draw is something that crops up.”

SEROTONIN, BABY!

Heather Baber-Roe is owner of multiple patios at her restaurants — Baja Grill in the Heights and Baja Grill Benton, which shares a block and a bonus outdoor yard with her Valhalla :: Kitchen + Bar, and the soon-to-open upscale lounge, RŌBER. She credits the enthusiasm she sees in her customers especially as “patio season” finally arrives, as the body’s quest for serotonin, a natural neurotransmitter that is thought to regulate anxiety, happiness and mood.

“When you’re going out, it’s all about building up that serotonin, where you’re not inside your house having to do chores or cook dinner,” BaberRoe says. “But you’re also not in your office working; you’re just relaxed, chilled out, enjoying the weather and being somewhere you don’t have responsibilities.”

Jennifer Reed of Little Rock says she got back into patio dining this time last year (pre-Delta), and has fond memories of “outdoor lunches and dinners with dear friends at La Terraza, Ciao Baci and The Fold,” being especially refreshing after more than a year of only getting takeout. The return to patio gatherings with friends, she says, “felt like getting out of prison.”

FRESH AND OPEN AIR

While the fresh, open air has always been a draw for patio dining, it took on new significance during the pandemic. Many restaurants expanded

their outdoor seating and amenities, because customers knew eating outside was safer from airborne contagion.

Little Rock nurse practitioner Jen Shuler says one particularly wonderful patio experience she had was during that time, a rare instance of the restrictive pandemic conditions setting up a romantic memory. “For our anniversary, and because of COVID, La Terraza put us on their third-floor balcony for private dining, just us,” she says, adding the experience of having that intimate patio all to themselves was as wonderful as it sounds.

SCENIC VISTAS

Another irresistible draw for diners since time immemorial is eating next to bodies of water. Like sunlight, water occupies its own special place in our brains and imagination.

Former state tourism director, Joe David Rice, says one of his family’s favorite dining destinations is one of Little Rock’s few patios with river views.

“It’s hard to beat the patio at Brave New Restaurant,” he says. “The combination of delicious meals and the view over the Arkansas River keeps it at the top of our list of favorites.”

Anne Holcomb of Little Rock recommends another such riverside restaurant: “We’ve enjoyed the outdoor area at 42 Bar and Table a LOT — always a breeze off the river, in an interesting setting.”

LIVE MUSIC AND OTHER DIVERSIONS

Listening to musicians has long been a draw for people who come to hear bands and performers on stage in the open air, while the audience eats tacos and drinks margaritas.

Baber-Roe says that, like in the block her three Benton restaurants share, when restaurant owners have the space, these days they’re all about adding extra amenities for outdoor entertainment. Besides patios, her Benton restaurants have an outdoor stage, a ping pong table, baggo and other yard games, plus comfortable outdoor seating areas. Other restaurants around the state have built outdoor bars, pizza ovens, mini-golf or gardens and scenic paths that wind through the patio. “Restaurant owners seem to be doing more with outdoor spaces now,” Baber says.

Firepits are popping up all over, too — fire being yet another of those primal draws — where friends and couples can gather around the flames, creating happy memories, sometimes even with an order of S’mores.

CREATING UNIQUE ATMOSPHERES

Other patios create intimate spaces that feel not just apart from indoor diners, but from regular life. Several people, including Faulkner County Library Director John McGraw, bring up the “positively idyllic” patio at Rolando’s in downtown Hot Springs.

“The one true greatest patio is Rolandos, up and behind the restaurant in a little hollow before the rock face, surrounded by trees and absolutely a gorgeous place to eat delicious food,” McGraw says. “All others pale.”

McGraw’s wife, Rebecca, loves the outdoor dining at Mike’s Place in Conway. With its central fountain and climbing ivy, she says it’s “like eating in a teeny weenie microcosm of New Orleans.”

Downtown Fort Smith’s Bricktown Brewery is a favorite of retired history teacher Marcus Woodward.

“It has a small shaded patio with an equally small bandstand. The car traffic sounds coming from nearby Garrison Avenue are not overwhelming,” Woodward says. “Less than 5 feet away are the tracks of a functioning trolley of the Fort Smith Trolley Museum. ‘Charming’ does it justice.”

AND SOMETIMES THERE ARE DOGS

Baber-Roe says her restaurants are enclosed and heated for the cooler months so they don’t lose any capacity.

“People will say they don’t want to sit on the patio, imagining it’s going to be cold out there, despite being enclosed,” she says. “I tell them, ‘I promise you, it’s warmer out there than in here!’ We have so many heaters.”

But a tradeoff for the year-round patio dining is that only in the warm breezy months can people stop in with their dogs. “We can’t have dogs outside when it’s enclosed,” she explains, “because of the health codes. But as soon as it starts getting warm, people will be calling and asking, ‘Is your patio open? Can I bring my dog?’”

Amy Forbus, director of communications for Hendrix College, is a dog-lover and a patio-lover. It’s one reason she’s fond of the patio at Conway’s Toad Suck Buck’s, right by the Arkansas River.

“It’s super casual, great steaks, with usually a dog hanging around waiting for someone to finish a t-bone,” Forbus says. “And frequent live music, not too loud.”

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SAY WHAT?

That sound element matters. Crissie McBride, a Fort Smith tattooist, says she loses interest in eating at places that have poor acoustic sound baffling. And it’s an advantage of patio dining.

“A few of the people I dine with are hard of hearing, and I like not worrying quite so much if we’re bothering others outside.” She adds, “Open-air dining feels less crowded even if holding the same amount of people.”

Danielle Asfordeh is a member of the League of Women Voters in Pulaski County.

She says La Terraza’s patio is a favorite hangout, partly because it’s quiet enough to hold extended conversations.

“I have lovely memories of gathering with women there from the League to strategize with friends I don’t see often,” Asfordeh says.

“It’s always the perfect temperature and the volume is always perfect. And you can snack on tapas for hours!”

WORTH THE WAIT

DePippa says he prefers patios that are more relaxing than frenetic.

“I love a patio with character, that seems an extension of the restaurant itself. It can be enclosed, without a view, but so long as it feels cohesive instead of an ‘add on,’ they work so well.”

Baber-Roe says customers often don’t understand how popular the patios are.

“It’s funny, because we’ll be on a wait, and people will say, ‘Oh, we’ll just sit on the patio!’” she says with a laugh. “They don’t realize that’s the prime real estate, the areas that go on the waitlist first. Everyone wants to be outside enjoying this weather.”

Valhalla :: Kitchen + Bar.

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Pat ios

AY’s ARKANSAS

Bucket List

PRESENTED BY Dugan’s Pub 1st Amendment l 2 Fayetteville

rateful Head Pizza Oven l G Hot Springs

l Samantha’s Tap Room & Wood Grill Little Rock

2 Bar and Table l 4 Little Rock

ail Fellow Well Met l H Springdale

assy’s l S Fayetteville

aja Grill l B Benton, Little Rock

l Heights Taco and Tamale Co. Little Rock

callions l S Little Rock

alcony Restaurant & Bar l B Eureka Springs

ill Station l H Little Rock

kybar Gourmet Pizza l S Eureka Springs

eacon Point Restaurant l B Lakeview

l J anssen’s Lakefront Restaurant Edgemont

tickyz Rock’n’Roll Chicken Shack l S Little Rock

ig Orange l B Little Rock, Rogers

l J J’s Grill Various Locations

able on 6th l T Bentonville

lue Heaven l B Benton

aylee’s Lil Shop & Snack Shack l K Harriet

aco Mama l T Hot Springs

rave New Restaurant l B Little Rock

ingfish l K Fayetteville

he Faded Rose l T Little Rock

ricktown Brewery l B Fort Smith

a Terraza Rum & Lounge l L Little Rock

he Fold: Botanas & Bar l T Little Rock

rood and Barley l B Little Rock

oca Luna l L Little Rock

he Grumpy Rabbit l T Lonoke

ubba Brew’s Sports Pub and Grill l B Hot Springs

ocal Flavor Cafe l L Eureka Springs

he HUB l T Bentonville

uenos Aires Grill & Cafe l B Little Rock

ocal Lime l L Little Rock, Rogers

he Pantry l T Little Rock

uffalo Grill l B Little Rock

ost Forty Brewing l L Little Rock

he Parsonage l T Jonesboro

ache Restaurant l C Little Rock

addie’s Place l M Little Rock

l The Patio Café Conway

arol’s Lakeview Restaurant l C Cherokee Village

ar y Tierra l M Little Rock

he Preacher’s Son l T Fayetteville

heers in the Heights l C Little Rock

cClard’s Bar-B-Q l M Rogers

he Root Cafe l T Little Rock

iao Baci l C Little Rock

ike’s Place l M Conway

he Waters l T Hot Springs

opper Mule Table & Tap l C Bryant

edaler’s Pub l P Bentonville

heo’s l T Fayetteville

ypress Social l C North Little Rock

etit & Keet l P Little Rock

oad Suck Buck’s l T Houston

ickson Street Pub l D Fayetteville

izza Cafe l P Little Rock

orchy’s l T Fayetteville

izzy’s Gypsy Bistro l D Little Rock

ed Door l R Little Rock

.S. Pizza Co. l U Various Locations

ugan’s Pub l D Little Rock

ed Moon Tavern l R Little Rock

alhalla :: Kitchen + Bar l V Benton

eed and Folly l F Fayetteville

olando’s Restaurante l R Hot Springs

ood Stone Pizza l W Fayetteville

isherman’s Wharf l F Hot Springs

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

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AY About You

Arkansas Bucket List Every Wednesday morning on KARK 4

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TM

Delightful Charcuterie Creations and Delectable Southern Dishes Boxes Boards Grazes Numbers/Letters And More!

501-515-9752 www.goodeatinar.com

Michelle Hill

2106 Robinson Ave. Conway

1137 Front Street Conway

PattiCakesBakery

patticakesbakery.com

501.205.1969

501.205.1723

Recipes

Summer Corn Salad Corn salads are often drenched in mayonnaise and have no flavor.

But this lighter, fresher version is great for picnics and parties. Every bite is a taste of summer: mellow heat followed by sweet corn, cool lime juice, creamy cheese and a refreshing bite of cilantro. The best part is that it can be made ahead and tastes wonderful at room temperature. Be sure to store leftovers in the refrigerator — assuming your guests didn’t finish it all!

INGREDIENTS 3 limes ½ teaspoon chili powder ½ teaspoon cumin powder ½ cup Mexican crema 10 cobs sweet corn, shucked 1 jalapeño, diced with seeds, stem and ribs removed 1 teaspoon garlic powder 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 3 avocados, diced 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved ½ cup red onion, finely diced ½ cup cotija cheese (or another crumbling cheese) 1 teaspoon chipotle powder Cilantro (optional)

By Nic Williams

DIRECTIONS 1. I n a measuring cup, whisk together zest and juice of 1 lime, chili powder, cumin and crema. Set dressing aside.

2. Stand each corn cob on its end and, using a sharp knife, slide knife down cob to cut kernels off each ear. Place several damp paper towels under and around cobs to prevent kernels from bouncing away.

3. In a large pan set over medium heat, sauté corn, jalapeño and garlic powder in butter for 4 minutes, or until corn is cooked but firm. Remove from heat.

4. In a large bowl, gently toss avocado with juice of second lime, ensuring every piece is coated. Next, add corn mixture, tomatoes, red onion and dressing to bowl. Toss gently again to coat.

5. Sprinkle top of salad with cheese, chipotle powder and cilantro.

Slice third lime for garnish.

Grilled Mexican Street Corn This is one of my favorite summer appetizers. It's so easy to throw on the grill and can feed the whole family. I start off cooking mine in the microwave before grilling. It tastes best served right off the grill.

1/4 cup mayonnaise 1/4 cup Mexican crema or sour cream 2 cloves minced garlic 1/2 cup queso fresco or cojita cheese, crumbled 1 teaspoon chili powder 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper 6 cobs corn 1/2 stick of butter 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped 1 lime, cut into wedges

DIRECTIONS 1. Mix mayonnaise, crema and garlic in a bowl, and set aside.

2. Spread queso fresco on a plate.

3. Combine chili powder and cayenne in a small bowl, and set aside.

4. Place ears of corn (husks on) in microwave for 4 minutes on each side.

5. Let cool for a few minutes, then pull husks down, and cover in butter.

6. Heat grill to high heat, and place corn on directly.

7. G rill corn. Turn occasionally until it is slightly charred on all sides, about 5 minutes, since corn has already been cooked in microwave. (You can grill for longer if you skipped microwave step.)

8. Remove corn, and immediately cover in mayo mixture.

9. Roll corn into cheese crumbles, and sprinkle with chili powder mixture.

10. Top with cilantro and lime juice.

By Kaitlin Barger

Recipes

INGREDIENTS

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food

Don Dugan of

Dugan’s Pub, Dizzy's Gypsy Bistro, Stratton’s Market and South on Main

By DWAIN HEBDA // Photos By JAMISON MOSLEY

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: E C A L P E H T D IN

H E B E C A F

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I

t would be a nice story to say Don Dugan knew early on what he wanted to do in life, executing some grand plan led him to become the respected bar owner and restaurateur that he is today. But such a story would be inaccurate.

No, Dugan came into the hospitality business for the same simple reason many people do: He needed a job.

“I worked off and on at restaurants here in town through high school,” he says. “Denny’s was my first job; I was a dishwasher there. [It] made me quickly realize that I do not want to be a dishwasher.

“When I went to college, I went to school at Arkansas State and took a job at a place called Pancho’s Mexican Restaurant in Jonesboro. Started waiting tables there and really enjoyed it.”

Returning home to Little Rock, Dugan still didn’t have a grand plan, nothing to suggest he’d one day own not one but four landmark Little Rock establishments — Dugan’s Pub, Dizzy’s Gypsy Bistro, Stratton’s Market and South on Main — bringing them intact through the most difficult period the hospitality industry has ever seen.

What he did have were some above-average public-facing skills, a sound work ethic and the bone-deep conviction that working indoors at a restaurant or bar beat the hell out of pushing a mower or roofing houses.

“When I moved back to Little Rock, I started working at Shorty Small’s and I enjoyed it,” he says. “Got an opportunity to work at Pleasant Valley Country Club, and I was there about a year when Chenal Country Club opened up and asked me to come work out there.”

The new country club would play an integral role in Dugan’s development, thanks to Eric Bugeya, the food and beverage director, who became his mentor. Under Bugeya’s tutelage, Dugan climbed the ranks while serving a highly discriminating clientele. “[Bugeya] was the guy who taught me the hospitality stuff,” he says. “I was out there for about five years being a server, then a bartender, then captain of the wait staff, then assistant food and beverage director to acting food and beverage director.”

Armed with that resume, Dugan began to look at the hospitality field less as a gig and more as a career. After stops at the now-gone Kelly’s Bistro on Markham and Julie’s Place [now Khalil’s], he was recruited as the general manager for La Scala and The Afterthought.

“I was there for about five years and worked for Wally Gieringer,” he says. “He absolutely was the guy that really,

More often than not, you get a lot more just by being nice than you do by yelling and screaming at people.

38

really taught me the nuts and bolts of the business aspect of running restaurants.”

Dugan left that job more convinced than ever of his ability to own and run a place of his own once the opportunity presented itself. He’d return to Kelly’s Bistro — soon to be sold and become Markham Street Grill — to await his chance, only to discover he was standing in it. When the owner began to experience serious health problems, Dugan sat down with his boss and bought the bar over drinks.

Dugan took possession of Markham Street Grill in 2006, owning it for five years. During that time, he began to formally consider opening the kind of place he’d always wanted, an Irish pub. Dugan’s Pub opened downtown in fall 2010, about six months before he sold Markham Street. This he followed shortly with Stratton’s Market, a small neighborhood grocery and liquor store adjoining the pub, capably run by his wife, Tasha.

Dugan swears he didn’t have any premonition about the millions in new development that would come to the downtown area in the years since — including a hotel right around the corner — but planned or not, his timing was impeccable.

“It was really strange how things just kind of developed and mushroomed. It was not something that I anticipated taking off the way it has. It’s been great,” he says. “The folks in the neighborhood have been really supportive, especially of the liquor store aspect. There have been a few naysayers here and there, but for the most part, it’s really been wellsupported and well-patronized.”

With the sustained success of the pub, Dugan for the first time came up with a long-range game plan — clone the concept and bring it to every SEC city, so that he could travel around following the Hogs. But the Almighty hadn’t taken any orders from Don Dugan up to that point and he sure wasn’t going to start now.

39

“My wife and I were joking about it earlier today,” he says between guffaws. “You develop a plan and God’s like, ‘Yeah, that’s cool. You’ve got a plan. Here’s what’s really going to happen!’ It’s kind of funny how that goes.”

What did happen was a protracted negotiation with another restaurateur in 2019 to buy an establishment Dugan wouldn’t name. Just as the parties were about to sign, the phone rang with Darla Huie, owner of Dizzy’s Gyspy Bistro, on the other end.

“We had almost closed the other deal; we were supposed to meet up and talk about something at the end of the week with one of their attorneys,” Dugan recalls. “Darla calls me on a Tuesday and says, ‘Hey, I think I’m done. Do you want to buy this?’ I’m thinking, ‘I absolutely do want to buy that.’

“You’ve got something like Dizzy’s, and it’s been successful at this location for a decade, not to mention 15 years down in Benton. It was a proven successful commodity that she was just worn out with and ready to go. So, we hopped on that deal and took care of that.”

The restaurant gods weren’t quite done with Dugan, sending him a phone call from acclaimed chef Matt Bell who was looking to move to Nashville. Would Dugan consider buying South on Main, Bell’s highly-decorated spot that had helped launch the SOMA renaissance? Dugan looked at the numbers, looked at the space and came up with a plan on how to make things work as much for a music venue as for a trendsetting nouveau Southern cuisine restaurant.

Again, God snickered.

“South on Main, I didn’t have a lot of time to think about it, honestly,” he says. “There are some things I would probably delve deeper into if I were going to do this again with somebody else’s business. But I also saw a lot of potential of what it could be and how I wanted it to be.

“Anyway, brilliant timing; February of 2020 we bought

aymag.com

trying to look after 100 employees and their families, making sure that everybody’s still got a job. We took the opportunity while we were closed and relegated to curbside to go through and really clean up and repaint and keep people busy. That way they could still get paid and we could get something out of it.”

Things still aren’t where they were, but they’re much closer and the light at the end of the tunnel grows brighter by the day. As for the future, don’t ask Dugan his plans because there are none.

He knows better.

“Once we get some of this a little more under control and it’s a little more consistent, then I might feel better about jumping in and trying to do something else,” he says. “Currently, I want to get us back up and profitable and get through some of this pandemic debt that we’ve had to acquire just to be open. We’re working through that right now.

“My staff is busting butt and making sure that we’ve got the numbers right and everything’s going in the direction it should. It’s going forward and we’re moving in the right direction, so I feel good about it.”

Asked what advice he has for the next generation of restaurateurs, especially when it comes to leading through adversity in the here-today-gone-tomorrow hospitality industry, he stops for a moment.

“Be nice,” he says at last. “More often than not, you get a lot more just by being nice than you do by yelling and screaming at people. That doesn’t seem to work very well, at least not for me. And you’re not going to succeed by having a bunch of ‘yes’ people around you all the time. Have people around you who are going to be honest and speak truth to power.

“So, that’s it — be honest and be nice. Just be a good human being.”

South on Main. It was like, ‘Hey we’ve got a music venue; crap, we can’t use it! Oh, neat.’”

He laughs again, but in a different key.

“It’s funnier now than it was then, that’s for sure. I’ve at least got a sense of humor about it,” he says. “I totally get the irony of it all and it’s kind of funny. It’s like, of course, why would that not happen to me?”

Somehow, Dugan got creative enough to not only lead all four businesses through 2020 and the teeth of the pandemicrelated restrictions, he also kept most of his 100 workers on staff and busy.

“We just kept going,” he says. “The pandemic has been the weirdest thing in the world to try to manage through,

40

Congratulations to all of our winners this year!

ay's

BE ST of

2022

Thank you to the thousands of readers who nominated Conway Regional as AY’s Best in multiple categories: Best Hospital Best Overall Company Best Place to Work Best Place to Have a Baby Conway Regional is committed to bringing you innovative services, new clinics, more specialists, and expanded access to care.

We’re not just growing—we’re growing together.

19 PHYSICIANS 19 ADVANCED PRACTICE PROVIDERS OVER 600 YEARS COMBINED EXPERIENCE #1 UROLOGY CLINIC ANOTHER YEAR IN A ROW Arkansas Urology thanks YOU for voting us the premier urology clinic and doctor owned hospital!

501.219.8900 | WWW.ARKANSASUROLOGY.COM 43

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24

Celebrating Years of Home Care Serving Central Arkansas Thank you for voting us the best In-Home Care in Arkansas.

BEST OF HOME CARE

In-home care for your aging or disabled loved one that includes assistance with:

• • • • •

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No Minimum Number of Hours • 24/7 CARE Call Elder Independence at (501) 847-6102 today for a complimentary consultation.

Kim Clatworthy, Owner | info@elderindependence.com Online at: ElderIndependence.com

Your Beauty, Our Expertise Thank you for voting Dr. Wright Best Plastic Surgeon in AY’s Best of 2022!

501-575-0088

1701 Center View Dr., Ste. 201 Little Rock, AR 72211 DrWrightPlasticSurgery.com

As a board-certified plastic surgeon and Arkansas native, Dr. Eric Wright is dedicated to helping women and men look and feel their best with both reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery options.

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS Our physicians: seated left to right: Dr. Ashley Halpain, Dr. Dawn Martin, Dr. September Westbrook.

Standing left to right: Dr. Tony Elias, Dr. Kim Skelley, Dr. Jerry Byrum, Dr. Josh Lyon

Thank You to our patients for voting us the Best Pediatric Clinic in AY’s Best of 2022!

afkpeds.org allforkidspediatric allforkidspediatricclinic

Thank you for voting us Best Chiropractor in Arkansas!

And congratulations to Miesia Tull on being runner-up for Best Massage Therapist.

7000 Cantrell • Little Rock, AR 72207 501-663-4101 • Fax 501-663-7526 www.blackmonchiropractic.com blackmonchiropracticclinic

904 Autumn Rd # 100 Little Rock, AR 72211 501.224.5437

blackmonchiropractic

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Lose weight.

F I N D YOU R S E L F. Bariatric surgery is about so much more than just losing weight.

F

or Victor, it was about getting off diabetes medication. For Jill, it was about getting to play with her kids again. For Lisa, it was about protecting her health for years to come.

But for each of them, it was also about reclaiming the quality of life that their weight was holding them back from. They knew they needed to make a change to start living the

Victor started his journey at 442 pounds – and in addition to losing weight after a sleeve gastrectomy, he was able to discontinue the use of cholesterol and diabetes medications.

Today, he’s been able to maintain the weight loss and live the life he’s always wanted to.

way they wanted to, and weight loss surgery helped make those dreams a reality.

At the Bariatric and Metabolic Institute they found a program that catered to their personal goals, and a team that cheered them on every step of the way.

Real support and real results – it adds up to real change.

Jill wrestled with the idea of weight loss surgery since 2018.

After gaining the confidence to go forward on a vertical sleeve gastrectomy with Dr. J.D. Fuller, Jill lost 100 pounds and has maintained it for two years.

I feel better, sleep better and am not

The staff – from housekeeping to

in much pain these days. I get right

food service to the nurses – were all

Lisa lost her mother to diabetes in October of 2020, and it caused her to look at her own health and steps she needed to take to make a change. 90 days after her gastric sleeve, she was down 106 pounds and felt more energized than she ever had before.

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COSMETIC DENTIST Dr. DJ Dailey, Smile Dailey

ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY Superior Conway

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AUDIOLOGY Arkansas Otolaryngology Center CARDIOLOGY CLINIC Arkansas Heart Hospital Clinic CHIROPRACTOR Blackmon Chiropractic Clinic

DENTIST Dr. Montgomery “Monty” Heathman, Heathman Family Dental DERMATOLOGY CLINIC Pinnacle Dermatology

Cosmetic Dentistry, General Dentistry

We want to thank everyone who took the time out of their busy schedules to support us by voting. Here at Smile Dailey we strive to provide excellent patient care, and having that reflected in the voting process is greatly appreciated!!

- Dr.Dailey & Team 17200 Chenal Pkwy Ste. 250, Little Rock, AR 72113 501.448.0032 | WWW.SMILEDAILEY.COM

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A Growing Health System for a Growing Community

Pictured: Regan Gallaher, MD, of the Conway Regional Neuroscience Center

Innovative Services

More Specialists

Regan Gallaher, MD, Neurosurgeon Regan Gallaher, MD, is a board-certified neurosurgeon with over 20 years of experience and a proven record of excellence. He specializes in surgical and non-surgical treatment of spinal illness and trauma at the Conway Regional Neuroscience Center, the only center of its kind in Faulkner County. We're bringing you easier access, more specialists, and innovative services. Visit conwayregional.org for more information.

We’re not just growing—we’re growing together.

Expanded Access

New Medical Offices

Thank you, AY readers, for voting Arkansas Hospice the best provider of care.

In your home on your terms.

877.713.2348

Caring for

Since 1992

Years

Thank you for voting Little Rock Family Practice Clinic Best Family Clinic in Arkansas!

We are excited to welcome Dr. Melinda Patterson to the clinic in August. She will begin taking appointments soon.

PERSONAL CARE FOR A

BETTER WELL BEING 51

Central Clinic

701 N. University, Suite 100 (501)664-4810

West Clinic

4208 N. Rodney Parham (501)228-7200

Visit our website!

www.lrfpc.com

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DR. OWNED HOSPITAL/FACILITY Arkansas Surgical Hospital ESTHETICIAN Natalie Sanderson, Lasercare Skin Clinic FAMILY CLINIC Little Rock Family Practice FAMILY DENTIST Dr. DJ Dailey, Smile Dailey FOOT & ANKLE SURGERY Dr. James Head, Conway Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Clinic GASTROENTEROLOGY CLINIC Conway Regional Gastroenterology Center HAIR SALON Salon Platinum

HAND SURGERY Dr. Jay Howell, Conway Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center HEALTH COACH Audrey-Ana Taylor, Conway Regional Health & Fitness Center HOSPICE Arkansas Hospice HOSPITAL Conway Regional Health System IN-HOME CARE Elder Independence

MEMORY CARE FACILITY Superior Senior Care

MASSAGE THERAPIST Leigh Ann Warriner, MMT, Oasis Massage Therapy

MENTAL HEALTH Facility Indigo Counseling

MEDICAL SPA/NONSURGICAL COSMETIC CLINIC Arkansas Aesthetics

NEUROLOGIST Dr. Robert Archer, UAMS

Thank You for Voting Us the Best Permanent Cosmetics School in Arkansas.

• Integrative Massage & Bodywork • Manual Lymph Drainage • Oncology Care • Breast Cancer Rehab

“Thank you for voting for me!

I am grateful beyond words and my heart is full!”

w o y r k d o f o B r Al Seasons of d n a h c u o T g n i r u Life” “Nurt Leigh Ann Warriner, MMT, CMLDT 3200 Tyler Street, Ste. B, Conway, 72034 501-205-1908 oasisappts@gmail.com To book: massagebook.com/oasis

11908 KANIS RD. G6 • LITTLE ROCK, AR • 501-725-5127

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NURSE INJECTOR Paige Kelly, RN, BSN, Wright Plastic Surgery NURSE PRACTITIONER Ebonye Greene, APRN, UAMS NURSING HOME Briarwood Nursing & Rehabilitation Center OB/GYN CLINIC Cornerstone Clinic For Women ONCOLOGIST Dr. Sanjay Maraboyina, UAMS Cancer Center

RELAXING

NEUROSURGEON Dr. Regan Gallaher, Conway Regional Neuroscience Center

EXCELS

Little Rock n Bryant n Conway n Fayetteville n Fort Smith n 800-342-5541 Hot Springs n Mountain Home n North Little Rock n Pine Bluff n Russellville

We at Salon Platinum couldn’t be more proud to win the 1st place Best Salon in Arkansas this year for AY Magazine. We thank you for all your votes!

We are a full service salon taking pride in all we do for the past 5 years. We have several professional and passionate stylists who specialize in the following : • Hair Extensions • Colors • Brazilian Blowouts • Eyelash Extenions • Eyelash lift and tints • Formal/ Wedding hair and makeup • Cuts • Spray tans • Teeth Whitening • Brow Lamination and waxing

900 Alford St. Conway, Arkansas 72032 (501) 499-9941

We will also be introducing permanent cosmetics come Fall of 2022.

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R&H Wellness

d Dr. Andreya Reed Despite her psychiatry office only being in business for less than a year, Dr. Andreya Reed and R&H Wellness have already made quite a difference. So much so, in fact, that she was recently voted the “Best Psychiatrist” in the state in the AY’s Best of 2022 awards, decided by the magazine’s readers.

“Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to vote,” she says with joy. “It was truly an honor to be nominated amongst such great doctors.”

Reed is founder and co-owner of the brand, alongside fellow co-owner, Dr. Renea Ash Henderson. The pair operate two clinics to serve Arkansas’ psychiatry needs in two different regions. The Central Arkansas office is on McCain Park Drive in North Little Rock, and the Northwest Arkansas location is on SW I Street in Bentonville.

While accolades and notoriety are appreciated and graciously accepted, Reed remains focused on what’s most important, not losing sight of the reason she worked her way into the field and opened her own practice.

“I absolutely love being a psychiatrist,” Reed says.

“It is truly a joy to see folks and see their lives improve. I’m thankful for all of my current and future patients for allowing me to be their doctor.”

3805 McCain Park Drive, Suite 116 North Little Rock 3101 SW I Street, Suite 23 Bentonville

randhwellnessar.com 54

A Growing Health System for a Growing Community

New Medical Offices

More Specialists

Expanded Access

Innovative Services

Orthopedic Excellence At Conway Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center, our team of talented orthopedic surgeons and specialists are dedicated to helping you regain mobility and recover from injury and disease.

We are honored to have been voted "Best Sports Medicine Clinic” in the state by the readers of AY Magazine for three consecutive years.

Visit ConwayRegional.org to learn more.

We’re not just growing—we’re growing together.

Left to Right: J. Tod Ghormley, MD, James T. Howell, MD, James L. Head, MD, H. Scott Smith, MD, Grant W. Bennett, MD, and Robert F. McCarron, MD

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Left to right: Jesse D. Abeler, D.O.; David M. Rhodes, M.D.; Jason G. Stewart, M.D.; William F. Hefley, Jr., M.D.; Samuel A. Moore, D.O.; W. Scott Bowen, M.D.; Jesse B. Burks, D.P.M.; Larry L. Nguyen, M.D.; Paul K. Edwards, M.D.

A Winning Team.

We’re proud to announce our winners in AY’s Best of 2022 Awards!

Thank you to everyone who voted for us. It is more than just a feather in our cap – being recognized as one of the Best of 2022 is a testament to our dedication to our patients, and our mission to provide the highest quality care available in the state.

Once again, our sincerest thanks – we are truly humbled and honored!

We won in the following categories: Beauty & Health Orthopedic Group - Bowen Hefley Orthopedics Orthopedist - William F. Hefley, Jr., M.D. Podiatrist - Jesse B. Burks, D.P.M.

THE BEST SURGEONS. THE BEST TREATMENT.

Physical Therapist - Steve Longinotti, MSPT

ALL FOCUSED ON YOU. www.bowenhefleyortho.com

L I T T L E R O C K | N O R T H L I T T L E R O C K | J A C KS O N V I L L E | C A B OT | R U S S E L LV I L L E | H OT S P R I N G S V I L L A G E

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OPHTHALMOLOGY CLINIC McFarland Eye Care

PERMANENT COSMETICS EK Professionals

OPTOMETRIST Dr. Thomas Chwe, McFarland Eye Care

PHYSICAL THERAPIST Steve Longinotti, MSPT, Bowen Hefley Orthopedics

ORTHODONTIST Westrock Orthodontics

PLACE TO HAVE A BABY Conway Regional Health System

ORTHOPEDIC GROUP Bowen Hefley Orthopedics

PLASTIC SURGEON Dr. Eric Wright, Wright Plastic Surgery

ORTHOPEDIST Dr. William Hefley Jr., Bowen Hefley Orthopedics

PODIATRIST Dr. Jesse Burks, Bowen Hefley Orthopedics

PAIN SPECIALIST Conway Regional Advanced Pain Management Center PEDIATRIC CLINIC All for Kids Pediatric Clinic

PROSTHETICS Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics PEDIATRIC DENTIST Kitchens’ Pediatric Dentistry

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PSYCHIATRIST Dr. Andreya Reed, R&H Wellness

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NURSING & REHABILITATION LIVING PROFILE

Briarwood Nursing and Rehab is a 120-bed skilled facility located in an urban setting within the heart of Little Rock, in the neighborhood of Briarwood. We are located just minutes from downtown Little Rock and are only one block off interstate 630.

We provide long-term care and short-term rehab care. All residents are monitored throughout the day with assistance in providing daily care as is needed: bathing, dressing, feeding and providing medications.

Briarwood staff also work at ensuring the best care for residents through individual care plans of residents' needs, as well as daily activities, which allow for a variety of interests and abilities.

Nearly all - 98 percent - of our rehab residents return to the community as a result of positive, caring therapists. Briarwood's approach has provided healing to many people in the community.

At Briarwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, we are committed to ensuring that the best possible care is given to you or your loved one in an atmosphere that is calm, quiet and focused on healing. We endeavor to ensure that all aspects of your well-being — mental, physical and spiritual — are cared for in a peaceful and safe environment. Our staff strive to promote dignity, respect, and independence as much as possible, in a beautiful, soothing enviornment that was designed with our residents' comfort in mind.

Briarwood's service-rich environment is made possible by its dedicated staff, from our nursing staff and therapists, to our operations and administrative employees. At Briarwood, our residents enjoy three generations of staff and families. That is over 30 years of service to the community!

501.224.9000 • 516 S. Rodney Parham Rd., Little Rock • briarwoodnursingandrehab.com 59

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Thank You for voting Dr. Montgomery Heathman the Best Dentist in Arkansas!

At Montgomery Heathman and Associates, our team is 100% focused on your oral health. We offer our patients the very best that dentistry has to offer through advanced technologies and procedures.

2021

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12501 Cantrell Rd., Little Rock • 501-223-3838 2001 South Buerkle St., Stuttgart • 870-683-2687 heathmanfamilydentistry.com •

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Voted AY’s Best Pain Specialists

Conway Regional Advanced Pain Management Center Chris Maranto, MD, Heath McCarver, MD, and Mikio Ranahan, MD

Voted AY’s Best Gastroenterology Clinic Conway Regional Gastroenterology Center

Martin Moix, MD, Owen Maat, MD, Brandy Eason, APRN, Marissa Plata, APRN, Sarah Atkins, APRN, and Lindsey Sierra, APRN aymag.com 61

RADIOLOGIST Dr. Daniel Clark, Conway Regional Medical Center REHABILITATION HOSPITAL Conway Regional Rehabilitation Hospital RETIREMENT COMMUNITY Villas of Chenal

SPA Rejuvenation Clinic Day Spa SPECIALTY HOSPITAL Arkansas Surgical Hospital SPORTS MEDICINE CLINIC Conway Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Center SURGEON Dr. Lewis Porter, Saline Surgical Associates SURGEON (LOWER EXTREMITY) Dr. C. Lowry Barnes, UAMS SURGEON (UPPER EXTREMITY) Dr. Jay Howell, Conway Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center

TATTOO PARLOR 7th Street Tattoo and Piercing THERAPIST Margaret Ann Standridge, LCSW, Indigo Counseling UROLOGY CLINIC Arkansas Urology

CLOTHING CHILDREN’S CLOTHING Tantrums

LOCAL WOMEN’S CLOTHING Whimsy Whoo

LOCAL MEN’S CLOTHING Mr. Wicks

SHOP LOCAL

The Best of the Best

for a Better State of Health

We proudly salute our Team UAMS members recognized as AY’s Best of 2022 by the readers of AY Magazine.

Best Oncologist – Sanjay Maraboyina, MD Best Nurse Practitioner - Eboyne Green, APRN Best Neurologist – Robert Archer, MD Best Surgeon (lower extremity) – C. Lowry Barnes, MD UAMS strives for excellence every day, ensuring you have access to the best care, right here close to home. With a staff of the best and brightest, personalized medicine and convenient access to clinics, you can feel confident knowing the state of your health is in exceptional hands.

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DINING ASIAN FUSION Three Fold Noodles + Dumpling Co.

BURGER Big Orange

BAKERY PattiCakes Bakery

CATERER Good Eatin’ Arkansas

BBQ Whole Hog Cafe

CATFISH Eat My Catfish

BREAKFAST At The Corner

CHEESE DIP Heights Taco & Tamale Co.

BRUNCH Lost Forty Brewing

COCKTAILS Petit & Keet

COFFEE SHOP Nexus Coffee & Creative

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Thanks for Voting us BEST SUSHI! Little Rock 12800 Chenal Pkwy.

1224 South Main Street Conway 975 S. Amity Dr.

www.rnrsushi.com |

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Thank you for voting us AY ’s Best

WE ARE LADIES, MEN AND JUNIORS CONSIGNMENT CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES. As a business our greatest source of credibility are our customers. We're not just building a business, we're building into our community. What we're doing here matters. It's about loving and serving the community. Our mission at Yours Truly is to be a good neighbor, we believe people are the purpose not the clothes. We have an opportunity here, in this place, at this moment to do a lot of good. Our team, our consignors and our shoppers are all contributing to it. You can classify every type of community by the purpose that brings them together, here we are building a movement where Neighbors are helping Neighbors.

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We are processing and sending out 20,000 new or like new items each month and we're selling over 95% of it.

1052 Harrison St. Suites 1-6 • Conway, AR • 72032

Thank You

Kayla Mohr, MD | Andrea Mabry, MD | Marla Wirges, MD

For Voting Us Best Dermatology Clinic in Arkansas At Pinnacle Dermatology, we are dedicated to providing the highest quality patient care by offering the best in medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatologic services.

Welcome our new certified Physician Assistant (PA-C), Hailey Arens!

We could not be top professionals without our wonderful patients and staff!

501-817-3923 16115 St. Vincent Way | Suite 300 | Little Rock CLINIC LOCATIONS: Clinton | Little Rock | Russellville

medical | surgical | cosmetic 67

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Upholstery | Pillows | Drapery | Headboards | Wallpaper | Home Accessories WE DO IT ALL

1023 WEST MARKHAM DOWNTOWN LITTLE ROCK

C o m e enj oy o u r two g r eat pat i o a r eas, o n e i s d o g fr i en d ly!

THANK YOU For Voting US Best Steaks in Arkansas

501-376-1195 • DOESEATPLACELR.COM

SUMMER

Hours: Mon-Fri 10-5; Sat 10-4 • 1523 Rebsamen Park Rd Little Rock • 501-663-0460 • cynthiaeastfabrics.com

CREOLE/CAJUN The Faded Rose

MEET

OUR

Golden

Girl,

BETTY WHITE

DESSERT Charlotte’s Eats & Sweets DINING FOR KIDS The Purple Cow FINE DINING Arthur’s Prime Steakhouse FOOD TRUCK Delta Biscuit Co. ITALIAN Bruno’s Little Italy

LittleRockZoo.com

INDULGE

THIS

Thank you, Arkansas\You’re FAB!

Design & Events by: Ari AY’s Best Of Special Event Planner

Event planner for Weddings, Showers, Parties and Fundraisers.

Seasonal Designer decorating your home or business for all holidays, Christmas, Fall, Halloween and any other.

Design & Events by: Ari 501-454-8731 // amfason@yahoo.com

Ari Fason

Thank you for voting us the best Hotel in Arkansas!

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entrally located in the heart of downtown Hot Springs, The Waters Hotel offers luxury accommodations perfect for you to relax, explore and escape. The hotel features The Avenue, a full-service restaurant and a lounge overlooking Bathhouse Row and The Rooftop, a restaurant and bar where you can enjoy breathtaking mountain views. Our historic boutique hotel will leave you refreshed and eager to come back!

The Waters / 340 Central Avenue / Hot Springs, Ar. 501-321-0001 / www.TheWatersHS.com 69

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Proud to be the Best Innovators in Artificial Intelligence for Advertising

Best of 2022 Winner Marketing Consultant: Amanda Propst We are honored to be voted finalists for: + Advertising Agency + Marketing Firm + CEO: Richard Howe

R

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SPECIAL OCCASION Cypress Social STEAK Doe’s Eat Place MEXICAN Heights Taco & Tamale Co.

SUSHI Rock N Roll Sushi

PIZZA DeLuca’s Pizza RESTAURANT (GENERAL) Cypress Social RESTAURANT (NEWLY OPENED) TopDog Hot Dog Company

ROMANTIC

SEAFOOD Oceans at Arthur’s

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US BEST RV DEALERSHIP IN THE STATE

“ARKANSAS’ OLDEST FAMILY OWNED RV DEALERSHIP” 2320 ALBERT PIKE RD, HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK • (501) 767 - 3486 WWW.RAZORBACKCAMPERSALES.COM 71

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Home technology with you in mind.

From security to entertainment to complete home control, Triple-S has the solution for you.

501-664-4599 2820 Cantrell Road, Little Rock triplesalarm.com

Since 1938, Better Auctions Have Always Been Blackmon Auctions.

5423 Kavanaugh Blvd Little Rock, AR 501-664-4526 blackmonauctions.com

Thank you to all of the readers of AY About You for voting Blackmon Auctions the Best Auctioneer in Arkansas! blackmonauctions

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blackmonauctions

Thank you for voting Capitol Glass the Best Auto Glass Repair in the State!

Established in 1950, Capitol Glass Company Inc is the oldest locally-owned and operated glass company in the Little Rock area.

501.374.6422

capitolglassinc.com

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801 S Broadway, Little Rock

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ENTERTAINMENT

& LEISURE ART GALLERY Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

EVENT VENUE Rusty Tractor Vineyards

CASINO Oaklawn Hot Springs

FAMILY ATTRACTION Little Rock Zoo

CIGAR LOUNGE West End

FESTIVAL/FAIR Wild Wines at Little Rock Zoo

CONCERT VENUE Simmons Bank Arena

HOTEL The Waters

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LIVE THEATER The Rep

Voted AY’s Best Chief Executive Officer Matt Troup

AY’s Best Radiologist

AY’s Best Health Coach

Daniel Clark, MD

Audrey Taylor

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OUR MISSION: Expanding Individual Potential Through Innovative Instruction

Thank You for Voting ACCESS® Best Special Needs School in Arkansas!

• • • • • •

accessgroupinc.org // (501) 217-8600

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EVALUATIONS THERAPY EDUCATION VOCATIONAL TRAINING MENTAL HEALTH THERAPY COMMUNITY INTEGRATION

LOCAL TOURIST ATTRACTION Garvan Woodland Gardens MUSEUM Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art PARK Petit Jean State Park RESORT Big Cedar Lodge

HOME, HOME SERVICES &

FINANCE

SEASONAL ATTRACTION GloWILD at the Little Rock Zoo

ACCOUNTING FIRM Todd & Associates CPAs

FABRICS & DRAPERIES Cynthia East Fabrics

WHISKEY BAR Capital Bar & Grill

BANK Simmons Bank

HOME ACCESSORIES Park Hill Home

CREDIT UNION Arkansas Federal Credit Union

HOME BUILDER Parkinson Building Group

ELECTRICAL COMPANY Gary Houston Electric Company

Voted Best Of The Best

Three Years In A Row!

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Thank You for voting us AY’s Best of AUTO/TRUCK ACCESSSORIES. Goodsell has been helping people customize their trucks, jeeps and cars for over 30 years. We not only carry all the top brands, but we also can install your new bed liner, bed cover and more.

WE SELL:

• Bedcovers

• Camper shells • WeatherTech Floor Liners

• Grille Guards • Bumpers

• Winches

• Yakima & Thule Racks • BikeRacks • Hitches

• LED Lights • Seat Covers

AND MUCH MORE!

Drop by or give us a call TODAY! GOODSELL TRUCK ACCESSORIES 401 MUNICIPAL DRIVE JACKSONVILLE,AR 501-982-1300

goodselltruck.com sales@goodselltruck.com

ROLLER FUNERAL HOMES Ladies Boutique

Dressing you for Work or Weekend 711 S Pine St Cabot, AR 72023 thehumblethread.com

YEAR AFTER YEAR, THE READERS OF AY CHOOSE ROLLER.

Thank you for your votes!

"Thank you for voting

Puzzle Piece Media the

Best Marketing Firm in the state!

“The perfect fit for YOUR small business social media management needs!” laurenramsey@puzzlepiecemediaar.com

PuzzlePieceMediaAR

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HOME CONTRACTOR/ REPAIR/REMODELING Top Notch Home Services HOME SECURITY Triple-S Alarm Co. INSURANCE FIRM Charlotte Potts, State Farm INTERIOR DESIGNER Debi Davis Interior Design INVESTMENT FIRM Legacy Capital Group

REAL ESTATE AGENT Brandy Harp

SOLAR POWER Today’s Power

REAL ESTATE COMPANY The Janet Jones Company

SWIMMING POOLS Diamond Pools of Arkansas

KIDS & EDUCATION

KITCHEN STORE/SUPPLY Eggshells Kitchen Co.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College

LAWN CARE The Good Earth Garden Center

PRIVATE COLLEGE Harding University

MORTGAGE LENDER Simmons Bank

PRIVATE SCHOOL Little Rock Christian Academy

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PUBLIC SCHOOL Little Rock Central High School PUBLIC UNIVERSITY University of Central Arkansas SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOL ACCESS

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Thank You For Voting Us BEST PEST CONTROL

Central Arkansas’s Trusted Pest & Wildlife Control Experts Since 1976 • Termite Control • Pest Control • Mosquito Control • Wildlife Control • Bedbug Management • Moisture Control • Door Sweeps / Pest Control Brushes Pest Control Services for Home & Business 2700 South Booker St. / P.O. Box 1700 Little Rock, AR 72203 / 501.663.9464

Thank you for your trust, loyalty, and support.

A CBD Specialty Shop Creating personal relationships, built on trust, allows our CBD specialists to understand and fulfill the needs of our customers.

8210 Cantrell Rd. Little Rock AR 501-313-5243 healinghempofarkansas.com

TheBugManInc

aders, best!

2222 Cantrell Rd Little Rock, AR 72202 (501) 221-2032

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Bring Your Dreams

To Light!

Thank you, Arkansas!

For voting Dwain Hebda of Ya!Mule Wordsmiths AY’s Best Reporter/ Columnist for 2022.

Thank you for voting Gary Houston Electric Company the best Electrical Company in Arkansas!

Need a Writer?

Use YA words!

(501) 375-8330

GaryHoustonElectric.com

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Call (501) 813-9559 Email dwain@ya-mule.com

aymag.com

u! o y nnkk

TThhaa

FOR NAMING TOP NOTCH

BEST HOME SERVICES CONTRACTOR IN ARKANSAS TWO YEARS IN A ROW!

CONTACT US 501-545-5410

topnotchservicesar@gmail.com www.topnotchservicesar.com

Sara & Steven Long, Owners

THANK YOU FOR VOTING THE JANET JONES COMPANY AS BEST REAL ESTATE COMPANY

We are proud to be celebrating 40 years as The84Gold Standard of Central Arkansas Real Estate!

COLUMNIST OR REPORTER Dwain Hebda

PEOPLE & PLACES

MARKETING CONSULTANT Amanda Propst, Inuvo

FUNDRAISER Chocolate Fantasy Ball

RADIO PERSONALITY Roger Scott, 103.7 The Buzz

PERSON OF THE YEAR Sam Pittman, Arkansas Razorbacks Football

MEDIA ADVERTISING AGENCY GWL Advertising

TV PERSONALITY Craig O’Neill, KTHV-Channel 11 WEATHER PERSON Todd Yakoubian, KATV-Channel 7

PLACE TO WORSHIP New Life Church WEDDING VENUE Rusty Tractor Vineyards

Thanks for naming us a Best Bank and Best Mortgage Lender!

Simmons Bank is honored to be named a “Best Bank” and “Best Mortgage Lender” by AY readers. For more than 100 years, we have been committed to serving you and helping make your financial dreams come true — and we constantly strive to get even better.

All accounts subject to credit approval. Simmons Bank NMLS #484633.

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A Growing Health System for a Growing Community

Pictured: Roy Denton, MD, Medical Director of the Conway Regional Rehabilitation Hospital

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M

Y

CM

MY

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CMY

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Innovative Services

More Specialists

AY’s Best Rehabilitation Hospital Conway Regional Rehabilitation Hospital is a 28,500 square-foot inpatient acute rehabilitation hospital that includes 26 beds, a dedicated gymnasium, private dining areas, covered open air patio, a landscaped ambulation track and courtyard, and onsite parking.

The hospital offers onsite physical, occupational and speech therapy.

Visit conwayregional.org for more information.

We’re not just growing—we’re growing together.

Expanded Access

New Medical Offices

We’re Proud to be a Winner for Sales and Service 6100 Landers Road russellchevrolet.com

Home Loans Local lenders. Local decisions. Local servicing.

As one of the largest and most trusted lenders in Arkansas, we offer local lending and servicing from start to finish. So we’re with you every step of the way—from your first questions to your last payment.

afcu.org/local 800.456.3000 Membership with Arkansas Federal Credit Union is required.

Apply online in minutes!

No cost to get pre-qualified.

Lock in your low rate today!

NMLS: 418494

HARDING UNIVERSITY

Style.

Thank You

for voting us the best in Siding/Windows/Roofing Crafted for you. in AY’s Bestjust of 2022

100+ Undergraduate Majors

15 Preprofessional Programs

40+ Graduate & Professional Programs

Pella windows are rated #1 by Little Rock homeowners for highest quality.* 6 Study Abroad Programs

NCAA Division II Sports

Style.

Pella Window & Door Showroom

8740 MaumelleCrafted Boulevard, just North for Littleyou.

Rock 501-758-5050 |Visit PellaLittleRock.com our newly

Windows & Doors

renovated Showroom.

*Based on a 2020 survey of leading window brands among homeowners. © 2021 Pella Corporation

Christ-centered Education

pursue your meaning & purpose

Pella Window & Door Showroom

harding.edu

Windows & Doors

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8740 Maumelle Boulevard, North Little Rock 501-758-5050 | PellaLittleRock.com

Thank You For Voting Us Best of 2022!

Winner Best Florist Best Gift Shop Best Seasonal Designer Best Party Planning

Guaranteed Satisfaction Since 1886

SERVICES ARCHITECT Bram Keahey, TAGGART Architects

FUNERAL HOME RollerFuneral Homes

AUCTIONEER Blackmon Auctions

HEATING & A/C SERVICE Freyaldenhoven Heating and Cooling

CUSTOMER SERVICE David’s Burgers

HOUSEKEEPING Molly Maid

DOG GROOMER Hounds Lounge Pet Resort & Spa

JEWELRY DESIGNER Sissy’s Log Cabin

DOGGY DAY CARE Chenal Pet Palace

LAW FIRM Law Offices of Katherine E. Blackmon

DRY CLEANER Oak Forest Cleaners & Laundry

MARKETING FIRM Lauren Ramsey, Puzzle Piece Media

PARTY PLANNING/ PRODUCTS/RENTALS Tipton & Hurst PEST CONTROL The Bug Man

1 Pleasant Valley Dr. Little Rock, AR pleasantvalleycountryclub.net 501-225-5622

there for you

WHEN IT COUNTS

ben@cruminsuranceagency.com 501.516.6472

NONPROFIT Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas

P

leasant Valley Country Club, a sprawling sanctuary located in the heart of West Little Rock, offers members and guests memorable experiences and top quality golf play.

Thank you AY readers for choosing PVCC as winner in Best Golf Course category!

I would like to thank the readers and voters of AY Magazine for naming Crum Insurance one of Arkansas’ best.

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THANK YOU FOR VOTING USUSONE THEOF THEBEST BESTININ ARKANSAS! ARKANSAS!

BUILDING CUSTOM HOMES WITH PRECISION AND CARE. We’re a custom home building firm that is focused on your needs and desires. We work with you to identify the perfect lot, design a plan and budget, and build a place you’ll love to come home to forever.

See our best work at ParkinsonBuildingGroup.com 501.954.8570

AY’s BEST OF 2022 BEST LAW FIRM Katherine Blackmon Carroll, Jalen Toms, Alexandra Waddell Tricarico and the entire team at the Law Offices of Katherine E. Blackmon are honored to provide zealous representation for our clients and grateful to be recognized for our continued commitment to those we serve. As a trauma informed family law firm, we do not take lightly the families entrusted to us during extremely difficult times. Thank you to all who continue to support our firm. We are grateful.

HELPING EMPOWER PEOPLE Katherine Blackmon Carroll has practiced family law for more than two decades and, with her team, provides a unique approach to representing clients. It takes a special kind of attorney to recognize how a divorce or custody matter impacts every area of a person’s life. Katherine knows that prevailing in court is important, but the entire journey must be considered. “We take a holistic approach. Practicing family law is about helping empower people. It’s helping guide a client through one of the most traumatic experiences of their lives and reassuring them that it will be ok.”

212 Center Street 11th Floor, Centre Place Little Rock, AR (501) 372-7636 facebook.com/KEBlackmon

PHOTOGRAPHER Sydney Rasch PROMOTIONAL SERVICES Trivia Marketing SEASONAL DESIGNER Tipton & Hurst SIDING/WINDOWS/ROOFING Pella Windows & Doors SPECIAL EVENTS PLANNER Ari Fason VETERINARIAN Lake Hamilton Animal Hospital VIDEO PRODUCTION Dave Creek Media WEB DESIGN Web Monster

SHOPPING ARKANSAS HANDMADE PRODUCTS Truth Sauce

FLOORING Akel’s Carpet One Floor & Home FLORIST Tipton & Hurst

BOUTIQUE The Humble Thread

FURNITURE Down South

BRIDAL STORE Low’s Bridal CBD STORE Healing Hemp of Arkansas CONSIGNMENT STORE Yours Truly Consignment, Inc. EYEWEAR McFarland Eye Care

C MFORT C MFORT C MFORT C MFORT THE BEST IN COMFORT - ALL YEAR LONG

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING OUR TRANE COMFORT SPECIALISTS THE BEST OF 2022!

®

www.freyaldenhoven.com

KEEPING ARKANSAS Comfortable FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS (501 ) 329-2951

|

Toll Free: 1 (888) 329-2951

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|

1101 Front Street, Conway, AR 72032

Lic # 0101223

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GARDEN CENTER The Good Earth Garden Center GIFT STORE Tipton & Hurst GROCERY STORE Edward’s Food Giant HOME IMPROVEMENT STORE Haynes Ace Hardware JEWELRY STORE Sissy’s Log Cabin OUTDOOR LIVING Congo Fireplace & Patio SHOPPING CENTER The Promenade at Chenal

SPIRITS

BREWPUB Lost Forty Brewing

LIQUOR STORE Legacy Wine and Spirits

HAPPY HOUR Heights Taco & Tamale Co.

SPORTS FITNESS CENTER/GYM Jolly Bodies

SPORTING GOODS STORE Fort Thompson Sporting Goods

GOLF COURSE Pleasant Valley Country Club PERSONAL TRAINER Lee Ann Jolly and Burke Jolly, Jolly Bodies

TOP EMPLOYERS BOSS Nicole Hurst, Superior Senior Care

OVERALL COMPANY Conway Regional Health System

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Matt Troup, Conway Regional Health System

PLACE TO WORK Conway Regional Health System

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Kim Adams, Sissy’s Log Cabin

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VEHICLES DEALERS & SERVICES AUTO DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT Russell Chevrolet

CAR SALESPERSON Patti Railey, Mercedes-Benz of Little Rock

AUTO GLASS REPAIR Capitol Glass Company

NEW CAR DEALERSHIP Russell Chevrolet

AUTO/TRUCK ACCESSORIES Goodsell Truck Accessories

RV DEALERSHIP Razorback Camper Sales

USED CAR DEALERSHIP Bale Chevrolet

BOAT / MARINE DEALERSHIP Bradford Marine & ATV

TIRE CENTER Discount Tire

WINDOW TINT SunStop Window Tinting

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Thank You

to all of our friends and clients for selecting us as AY’s Best of Investment Firms for 2022 Financial Planning / Legacy Planning / Asset Management / Insurance Solutions

legacycapitalwp.com

(501) 376-7878

Legacy Capital is an SEC Registered Investment Advisory firm

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SHERWOOD

NURSING & REHABILITATION CENTER, INC

We are devoted to providing high quality care which celebrates the dignity and grace of every person who enters our facility.

At Sherwood Nursing and Rehab we are committed to providing the highest quality of patient care. Our qualified staff is here giving support for the tasks of day-to-day living, allowing for the enjoyment of more pleasant and carefree activities.

We specialize in Short-Term Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care services.

SHERWOOD

NURSING & REHABILITATION CENTER, INC

245 Indian Bay Drive Sherwood, AR 72120 Phone: 501.834.9960 Fax: 501.834.5644

NATIONAL

CNA WEEK

Thank You

for Making a Positive Difference every day!

JUNE

17-23 BRIARWOOD NURSING & REHABILITATION CENTER 501.224.9000 • 516 S. Rodney Parham Rd. • Little Rock briarwoodnursingandrehab.com

arts&culture

Food Fight AHRA’s Serving Up Solutions Aims to Take a Bite Out of Hunger

By JENNY BOULDEN // Photos By JAMISON MOSLEY

hen Sharon and Carl Vogelpohl accepted the roles of chairing the 15th annual Serving Up Solutions fundraiser June 16 for the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance (AHRA), they knew one thing right off. This wasn’t just something Sharon, president of MHP/Team SI, and Carl, chief of staff to Lt. Gov Tim Griffin, would take on. Their kids, Carson, 13, and Jonathan, 10, were going to be right in the middle of supporting AHRA with them.

“We’re not ‘smile and dial’ people,” Sharon explains. “I like the active part. That’s really a lot of what this initiative is about, including the kids. When Carl and I accepted the invitation to chair this, we thought, ‘What a great opportunity to be able to involve the whole family.’”

AHRA is a statewide alliance of more than 500 entities working to keep food on the tables of Arkansans and shape public policy related to hunger in the state. Sharon

says MHP/Team SI, a full-service marketing agency, has been involved with the alliance since AHRA’s inception (this year it revamped the Serving Up Solutions branding with a new logo), but she was excited about getting more hands-on involvement within her family. At 10, Jonathan was a bit young to volunteer at the Arkansas Food Bank, but she and Carson showed up to volunteer as individuals, doing

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whatever needed doing.

Carson says she was impressed with the efficiency of the operations. “The first day there were big boxes of cans, and we would take them and sort them into categories like vegetables, fruits, pasta, etc. Then the second time we went, we were making bags with different snacks in them,” she says.

“There were people with snacks like applesauce, bars, all the things, who were putting them in the bag. You just walked in a circle with the bag, dropped the bag off, got a new bag, and walked in a circle. It was really good.”

The next time they volunteered, so did Carson’s whole soccer team. “It’s not a big-time commitment,” Sharon says.

“It was two hours, super-organized, and it was such a great experience with her team.”

Then they thought bigger. “I went to the Arkansas Rising Soccer Club and asked, ‘How many teams do we have?’”

Sharon says. “They embraced the idea. Between volunteer hours of multiple teams and families and cash donations that we solicited, we were able to put together the equivalent of 50,000 meals through that program. It was easy, it was fun, it was educational, people enjoyed it; we had a great time.”

Another family outing involved all four Vogelpohls taking the enlightening grocery shopping trip AHRA offers to teach people how to shop nutritionally within a budget. It’s one of many programs AHRA coordinates to create longterm solutions for hungry households; other in-person and virtual programs have taught cooking skills, gardening and other ways to get more nutritional benefits from each food dollar.

Jonathan was particularly surprised by what he learned about his family’s wheat bread.

“So the bread, basically it has more sugar in it than you’d think,” the 10-year-old explains. “And the bread we buy, Nature’s Own, is honey wheat, but it turns out it’s actually white, and they actually just dye it brown to look more nutritious!”

“There’s no whole wheat in the wheat bread!” Carl adds.

Carson was impressed by the number of sugar packets that a single 20-ounce bottle of Coca-Cola contained.

“There were I don’t even know how many sugar packets lined up in front of it,” Carson says.

“It was 12! I counted,” Jonathan says.

Perhaps the most evocative activity the Vogelpohls undertook to understand the food insecurity struggles of 22.5 percent of Arkansans — including one in three of the state’s children — was doing the SNAP Challenge, another program AHRA uses for education and awareness.

The challenge is to subsist on only the $4.15 per person, per day that the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides for groceries for a week. If free school breakfasts and lunches are available to children, those meals don’t have to be included, so they help stretch the scant budget.

Accustomed to buying whatever strikes their fancy, the family prepared what they thought was a reasonable shopping list, only to realize that they’d have to shrink it considerably to meet their budget.

“I couldn’t believe the cost of ground beef !” says Sharon, who dropped the beef but insisted she couldn’t function without coffee (basic store brand, nothing fancy). Wanting

to get ample fruits and vegetables, Carson negotiated her V8, and wanted crackers to go with the 15bean soup they bought. To make room for those, they dropped a bag of apples and seven yogurts, Jonathan says.

“I was shocked by the amount of planning that went into the shopping, and then the preparation time and all of the things that we take for granted with how we eat every day and how little $4.15 is,” says Sharon, who professes to not being a cook. “And I think Jonathan learned a lesson in that process.”

He nods sagely before pronouncing, “Hungry people can get grumpy, and you can be aggressive with your food.”

Using hand gestures to indicate the amounts, Jonathan says, “I used to pour a bunch of milk into my cereal. But when I realized there’s a limited amount, I started being more conservative. Now instead of pouring a bunch on like this big, I’m now only pouring this much.”

Carson adds in her best big sister voice, “And not only policed himself, he also policed other people. It was like, ‘Get away from the milk!’”

“Hey,” Jonathan says. “Whatever someone puts in front of you, if you’re hungry, you’ll just eat it, straight up. I’m not joking. I wanted to lick my plate, but that’s impolite.”

Blending Solutions Decreasing children’s hunger is a part of AHRA’s mission that’s particularly important to the Vogelpohls. One area Sharon was working on before the pandemic was the challenge of getting nutritious school breakfasts to hungry kids, while circumventing the stigma of free breakfasts and the logistic difficulties of getting the children from food-insecure homes reliably to school early enough for breakfast.

Sharon says in 2019 she joined AHRA Executive Director Kathy Webb and the organization in advocating for an innovative program that would replace sit-down breakfasts with nutritious fresh smoothies in take-out cups. “Then the kids not only are getting that complete meal, they’re able to just take it and eat it between first and second periods. So the adoption rate of that was really, really high.”

Post-pandemic, she says AHRA is working to get the program implemented in more schools. Schools already have the ingredients, but the impediment for most cafeterias is that they don’t have the disposable smoothie cups and need a commercial blender that costs about $1,000. These hurdles struck Sharon as simple solutions donors can solve for a huge benefit to children if they can just get the word out.

“The science and the data show that kids who eat breakfast have less absenteeism, less illness, better school performance, better behavior, etc.,” she says. “So, it makes a big, big difference having access to those breakfast programs.”

Higher (F)Ed The hunger doesn’t stop after 12th grade. Carl’s been working on a connector program with AHRA to unite Arkansas colleges and universities in meeting the “major need”

The Vogelpohls displaying how much sugar is in a bottle of cola.

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for food pantries for college students.

“Hunger and food insecurity continues all the way through college,” he says. “I think we had 30-some-odd colleges that came to the program. One of the challenges in talking about the issues is, [in] a lot of programs like this, you need to put a face to it, a name to it.

But like Sharon said, there’s a stigma attached.

“Just like kids going through elementary school at their age can’t concentrate, the adults going through college programs can’t perform best if they’re hungry. They’re worried about, ‘Where’s my next meal coming from? Can I feed my kids?’ They can’t perform, either.”

He says AHRA’s statewide umbrella connecting these programs is particularly helpful because so many things happen in a vacuum.

“Arkansans see a need and are generous and want to fill it,” Carl says. “That’s great, but being connected across the state through an alliance or a larger program really benefits because there are some shared experiences, shared knowledge of, ‘Who can we connect with resources to bring those programs together?’ Working cooperatively makes a big difference.”

Public (Table) Service Sharon says she thinks one reason they were chosen as chairs is that “the other huge piece of the alliance’s responsibilities is advocacy, working towards getting lawmakers to better understand how these things work and how they can be helpful.” And that’s Carl’s expertise.

Carl says one reason he’s enthusiastic about Serving Up Solutions is its unique approach among Arkansas nonprofits. Rather than simply listening to a presentation of hunger statistics on a stage, guests participate throughout the evening in dynamic discourse about AHRA’s work with their wait staff, who happen to be Arkansas legislators.

The 40 to 50 legislative wait staff, who will serve up dinner and solutions from both sides of the aisle, will also be competing with each other for the biggest tips from their tables. The tip money goes to their designated local food pantry or other hunger-related nonprofit.

“What I can tell you as someone who’s been on the policy-making side of the equation for over a decade now, is … education goes beyond listening to someone talk or seeing graphics,” Carl says. “If you can involve people in the process in a meaningful way, that’s gold. And Serving Up Solutions provides an opportunity for legislators to engage with these issues directly.”

Carl says hunger is also something about which the politically divided state can unite.

“Hunger is an issue that brings a lot of people from a lot of different political viewpoints across the spectrum together, because we come from affected communities across Arkansas.

This is not something that knows liberal, conservative, moderate, any of the equations. It’s something that touches all Arkansans no matter where they are. And it’s something that we

can realize, ‘But for the grace of God, there go I.’ Sharon says that while they’re working to make the program less “stage-based” and more interactive, the event will include a seated dinner catered by local restaurateurs who are donating their skills and food, a silent auction and a live auction that is centered on uncom-

“You can’t get an education or hold down a job if you’re hungry.” mon experiences. “We’ve approached different folks about donating unique experiences,” she says. “A great example is Gov. Hutchinson has agreed to host a luncheon for six at the mansion with him, a perfect time to discuss issues important to you.”

“With this year being our agency’s 50th

anniversary, we’re participating in a lot of things,” Sharon explains. “But when it came down to the decision about what event Carl and I and the family wanted to contribute to, this transcends everything. There’s no more basic need than making sure people don’t go hungry in Arkansas.”

“You can’t get an education or hold down a job if you’re hungry,” Carl says. “It’s a basic need. Food, shelter. If you’re hungry, I don’t care how much money the government sends to schools, to education, to anything else — if the kids are hungry, they’re not going to learn.

It’s unconscionable that we have the hunger that we have in this country. But we can’t fix anything else until we fix that.”

Sharon says like the event and AHRA’s work connecting hunger resources across the state, the most important message they hope to share is solution-focused. Besides giving money — which is wonderful and always appreciated — there are countless ways to contribute to solving Arkansans’ food insecurity individually and in large groups. “Volunteer hours are as good as money to them, because without volunteers, they have to pay people to do these ongoing jobs.”

“Whether it’s as an individual family, through your workplace, through your kids’ sports, do something,” she urges. “Challenge yourself to do something, because there is an enormous amount of opportunity to get involved in this issue, and it’s about as foundational as it gets. Food and literacy, baby. That’s what’s going to change the world.”

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CELEBRATING 15 YEARS OF SERVING UP SOLUTIONS

Join us.

Help us.

Because No Arkansan Should Ever Go To Bed Hungry.

Serving Up Solutions June 16, 2022 6-9 p.m.

Albert Pike Masonic Center 712 Scott Street, Little Rock

In conjunction with the Arkansas Legislative Hunger Caucus.

Learn more at arhungeralliance.org.

arts&culture

A Party

Foundation to Host Second Juneteenth Bash

By DWAIN HEBDA // Photos By EBONY BLEVINS

with a Purpose

Brandon Kimbrough is an American success story. The Little Rock native and family man owns his own landscaping company, continuing a long line of family business ownership and job creation. He’s also a man of few words, preferring to let his actions speak for him. It’s a trait he inherited from his family predecessors, people to whom he gives a lion’s share of credit for his success today.

“I was raised by my grandparents, and I had the opportunity to be around my great-grandparents as well. They taught me a lot: hard work, respect, discipline, being well-mannered and striving for the best things in life,” he says. “Go after what you want to achieve, education and things of that nature. Also, entrepreneurship and business ownership; a lot of my family are entrepreneurs.”

Kimbrough was also immersed in his family’s history and culture, to better understand the journey they took to get here, the struggle for equal rights and legitimacy in the eyes of the law, and how that legacy was shared by all people of color.

“We had a fireplace in the living room, and it had a big Brandon Kimbrough. bookshelf full of encyclopedias and Black history books,” Kimbrough says. “We were encouraged to read and, actually, we had nights that we would sit in there and everybody would take a turn reading out of the books, making sure we understood what was going on.”

It is upon this kind of legacy that the Kimbrough Family Foundation was born, the brainchild of Brandon’s wife Ebony.

And it is in this spirit of community and identity that the Foundation returns in 2022 with its second Juneteenth celebration, slated for June 18 at Interstate Park in Little Rock.

“The Kimbrough Family Foundation just recently became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and the goal for the foundation is to simply give back and bring the village back,” Ebony says. “We see a lack in the Black and brown communities’ resources, unity, in education for sure. You have a lot of foundations that do a lot of wonderful things, but we wanted to do things and impact those directly that are in our community.”

The organization’s first events were last year’s inaugural Juneteenth as well as a back-to-school promotion, and both proved to be immediate successes. The festival, which was put together almost on a whim, was a blowout hit as people looked for a return to normalcy following 2020’s lockdown on events.

“Now, this is crazy,” Ebony says. “I made a post and I’m like, ‘Ya’ll, are we doing anything for Juneteenth?’ Everybody was like, they hadn’t seen anything with Juneteenth around here in a very long time. I’m like, ‘We need to throw our own.

Let’s do it!’ We did it in three weeks.

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“We had over 5,000 in attendance. We had over 200 vendors. It was insane. So, if we can do that in three weeks, imagine if we’ve been planning for almost a year now. I think we could have maybe 10,000 attend this year.”

Like her husband, Ebony is a self-made entrepreneur whose elders spent considerable time and effort to ensure she understood and embraced her rich cultural heritage growing up. And friend, she’s not afraid to tell it.

“My grandfather was a Black Panther affiliate. I was raised knowing the history of my people and that didn’t start with slavery,” she says. “Slavery is a part of our history, but we created a lot of things, too. We were mathematicians, we were scientists.

“I always learned the royal side first. I always learned the productive side first. I was taught that the history that we have been taught is not necessarily the true history, so it always made me dig a little deeper for my roots. We teach our children you didn’t start with slavery, you started as kings and queens.”

Ebony got the idea to form the Kimbrough Family Foundation in part to honor her family-in-law’s accomplishments by bringing messages of positive self-identification and cultural awareness to Black and brown communities. The group’s lofty ambitions quickly drew support from others, 16 of whom serve on the Juneteenth Celebration organizing committee.

Monica Hale, owner of real estate firm Plush Homes Company Realtors in Little Rock, became involved not only to support her community but to provide a means of connection for people of other backgrounds.

She said the festival provides a fun environment for the very serious work of racial bridge-building by exposing other populations to Black culture through food, music and businesses.

“The festival empowers people, people who wouldn’t normally participate in something like that.

It gives them that at-home feeling,” she says. “If I truly feel Ebony Kimbrough. good here, I can connect with these people. When they come to the festival, they will feel that genuine family love. Everybody just comes together.”

Organizers say while many will attend simply for a good time, the larger underlying goal is to provide an opportunity for education for all people in appreciating the Black experience. This process starts at a fundamental level, they say, such as understanding the very holiday the event is commemorating.

Slavery technically ended with Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, which went into effect Jan. 1, 1863.

That executive order’s legitimacy was upheld by the Union’s

triumph in the Civil War in April 1965. But it wasn’t until Union Gen. Gordon Granger’s forces arrived in Galveston, Texas, and he announced on full authority of the U.S. government that all African Americans were free, that what had been the law of the land for 30 months became real, codified in the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in December 1865. Juneteenth is a nickname derived from the date of Granger’s historic statement, June 19, 1865.

Members of the organizing committee say such details, as with many elements of the Black experience, are commonly glossed over or omitted entirely in the classroom. Left unchecked or uncorrected, this degrades the view future generations have of their full story.

“I’ve always taught my children to challenge what they don’t believe is factual,” says Tiffany McGehee, committee member, entrepreneur and mother of three. “My son, I always call him the historian because he always researches things, and he’s like, ‘I learned this in school but I was watching whatever and it said this.’ He’ll pick up a book — and he has a lot of Black history books. Some things that I didn’t even know he’s educated me on, just about our history. With me being a part of this board, it’s helping me understand that for some things we do have to dig deeper into research and get the facts about it.”

Just as Frederick Douglass once famously asked, “What to a slave is the Fourth of July?” the members of the event’s organizing committee have held up to the light the question, “Why care about Juneteenth when so many other problems exist today?” And to a person, they insist the two are not mutually exclusive; that the answer to many of the issues facing communities today starts with a lack of understanding, promulgated through decades of curricular omissions and centuries of systemic bigotry, coloring how we see each other and perceive our own individual worth. Sometimes, they say, a celebration is all it takes to start bringing that perspective back into focus.

“I have two boys and a daughter, and I’ve noticed that with them, nothing is being taught,” Ebony says. “A lot of times when Black history is taught it’s taught in correspondence to the health of white history, and that’s just not factual. I’ve even had instances where during Black history, the teacher says, ‘Let’s talk about slavery because Black history started with slavery.My son’s like, ‘Yo, no, it didn’t start with slavery.’ That poses a problem.

“I think that as parents and as nonprofits and as a community that’s where we have to step in and let them know. I think a lot of the crime that happens, a lot of the misfortunes that happen around our Gen Z children, is because they don’t understand their value and their roots.

They don’t truly know where they come from. Everything that they see says their race is subpar. But if they were truly taught history, they would see that you’re equivalent, you’re not less than.”

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arts&culture

...

‘Misfit’ Goes HOLLYWOOD

.....

Former Eurekan Bayou Bennett Making Filmmaking Dreams Come True

By BECKY GILLETTE // Photos courtesy BAYOU BENNETT

.....

L

...

ots of little girls enjoy dressing up and acting like a character in a film. Few grow up to be successful filmmakers in Hollywood like Bayou Bennett, who was raised in Eureka Springs and was about 7 years old when she and her friends started filming their performances.

Today, Bennett lives in Hollywood with her husband/co-director Daniel Lir, and their 6-yearold son, Jordan River Bennett-Lir. She has advanced to become a highly regarded filmmaker who has won dozens of national and international awards for her work. She recently received an award from the Warsi International Organization’s Global Women’s Award Academy, which acknowledges women around the world who are making a positive impact.

Bennett graduated from Eureka Springs High School in 1995 before moving to Fayetteville, where she got an undergraduate degree and then a Master of Fine Arts at the University of Arkansas. While she appreciated the artistic culture of Eureka Springs, she had her sights set on making it big in the entertainment world. After selling her car and art, she took a train to New York City, where she became a top professional dancer and then one of the youngest professors and first woman to teach in the media studies department at the prestigious Parsons New School.

Bennett and Lir founded Dream Team Directors in 2007 and have now won about 50 awards at national and international film festivals, including 33 awards alone for their film Tombstone Pillow, which can be viewed on Amazon Prime Video.

The film is about a 9-year-old girl “who gives the Philippines’ wealthiest widow a tour of a graveyard thousands of poor people call home, where she discovers what real riches are.” The film embodies the couple’s passion for telling uplifting, feel-good stories.

Bennett moved into filmmaking after realizing that, as a dancer and teacher, she could only reach the people in a room.

“As a filmmaker, I can reach billions,” Bennett says. “My goal is to help people open their eyes and make a change. My intention is to uplift people by creating these beautiful films. I am

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Bayou Bennett.

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“I want audiences to be overwhelmed with beauty and brought into a world of magic and inspiration, resulting in them forgetting all their troubles.” lucky all the training I got from dancing allowed me to be the director I am. You have to use all the skills you have. You have to lead all the people in the crew. That is what I used to do in high school.”

Bennett was captain of the dance drill team in high school, which she founded.

“I think the opportunities that were given me there helped me realize I could do great things in bigger places, as well,” she says. “My mom was a teacher and sponsor of the drill team.

She made me realize I could do anything from art to sports to music. I would go to Fayetteville to practice violin. I very much think Eureka gave me the core opportunities that most people would be surprised a small town could offer.”

She did an exchange program living in New Zealand during her junior year of high school, lived in Rome while working on her MFA, and taught filmmaking classes in Amman, the capital of Jordan.

“I realized I could take on any challenges,” Bennett says.

Bennett met her husband at a coffee shop in New York City.

In addition to their independent films, they do work for high-profile brand clients and collaborators, including MTV, Coldplay, Atlantic Records, Chrome Hearts, Juliette Lewis, Lindsey Stirling and many more. They have had the opportunity to collaborate, direct and produce with talents including Oscar-nominee Mark Ruffalo, Golden Globe-nominee Anthony Mackie and the legendary Billy Idol, among others.

Women filmmakers are still a rarity, and Bennett has experienced prejudice from certain men.

But she has not only made a name for herself, but she now works to mentor others. She ultimately wants to be remembered as a female director who encouraged other female artists. Bennett is passionate about inspiring other filmmakers to create positive and meaningful content and to realize they are important and can uplift society.

“Bayou is all about empowering women and positive affirmations,” says Bennett’s mother, Donna. “There are very few women filmmakers, and she has to work very hard to get published.

I’ve never met anyone with the perseverance Bennett has. She was born like that. She just won’t give up. I’m so happy she is getting rewarded for all her hard work and hope it spreads to other women around the world.”

One of her first professional films was a documentary called Me, My Father and the Hurricane about her legendary musician father, Washboard Leo Thomas, who played with Bill Clinton

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in a band called the Greasy Greens. Hillary Clinton invited the Greasy Greens to play on the White House lawn for his birthday when Bill was president. That film ended up doing well at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival. That was when Bennett realized she had something as a filmmaker. From that, she co-wrote Text Me, which was before texting became a big thing, which ended up in 15 film festivals and went viral on YouTube. It was shown in Times Square in New York City, and was featured in Seventeen, Teen Vogue and New York Press.

“After that, I told my husband we needed to move to Hollywood,” she says. “We’ve been doing film work here in Hollywood now for 13 years.”

Daniel Lir and Bayou Bennett.

Another early project was LA Aboriginals about artist Dave Tourjé, which was the official selection of 26 film festivals worldwide and led to a whole artistic movement called California Locos featuring artists such as Mr. Cartoon, Shepard Fairey and Chaz Bojorquez.

“It was inspiring,” Bennett says. “It brought awareness there could be different types of art.

He and his friend did street art, but it was high art. Then my next big break occurred while working on a Doctors Without Borders documentary in the Philippines. I noticed there were 6,000 families living in a cemetery and decided we had to bring awareness to it.”

As a result, she co-directed Tombstone Pillow, which came out during the pandemic and took off.

“It is heartwarming,” Bennett says. “A rich woman finds the real riches are helping someone.”

Another “dream come true” for her was co-directing Time is Eternal after being approached by rising star actress and model Berite Labelle, who wanted to do a film with them about Cleopatra and Mary Wollstonecraft, a women’s rights advocate who lived in the 1700s.

“It was one of my favorite films to do,” she says. “It is a very Eureka film in a way because I created such a fantasy world. It is about the power of women across history and the imagination.”

That film has been nominated for 10 awards, including best director, costuming, best actor and best cinematography at one of the top film festivals in the world, the La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival in June.

“I want audiences to be overwhelmed with

beauty and brought into a world of magic and inspiration, resulting in them forgetting all their troubles and all we have been through as a human race in the last two years,” Bennett says.

Bennett and Lir are currently finishing a documentary, Destination Angels, executive produced by Dru DeCaro, which is being done in conjunction with the estate of novelist Jack Kerouac, who wrote On the Road and other hits during the 1960s. The documentary follows a group of musicians who retrace Kerouac’s footsteps and make music based on travel. The film just got accepted to a festival in Cannes, France, and is being developed into a TV series.

“It is a story about sobriety, overcoming childhood trauma, and it is about music,” Bennett says.

Bennett and Lir go against the grain in Hollywood that lean toward action and horror films.

Their positive messages about social change are very important to them.

“It has been an amazing journey to reach our dreams together as a couple in love,” Bennett says. “To me, it was important to have someone as driven as I was, artistic, and someone wanting to make change.”

To find her future she had to dig up her past.

Tombstone Pillow TIMELESS ENTERTAINMENT and DREAM TEAM DIRECTORS present “TOMBSTONE PILLOW” drected by BAYOU BENNETT and DANIEL LIR story by FRASER SCOTT, BAYOU BENNETT and DANIEL LIR screenplay by FRASER SCOTT executive producer LOURDES DUQUE BARON cinematography by MYCKO DAVID edited by BELLA JONES starring LOURDES DUQUE BARON and KENDRA SISON DE MESA production designs MARIELLE HIZON composer HAGAY MIZRAHI

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arts&culture

2022

Arkansas Country

Music Awards

I

t’s finally time to celebrate the fifthannual edition of the Arkansas Country Music Awards, put on by Arkansas Country Music Awards, Inc.

Earlier this year, the group behind the awards opened the competition up to nominations and then multiple choice-based voting for the general public. Those votes, along with the careful considerations of the special selection committee come together to decide who all will take home an award — or awards — this year.

The categories are vast, and all of the artists are incredibly talented. Congratulations to all the nominees!

2022 NOMINEES ENTERTAINER David Adam Byrnes Erin Enderlin

Lance Carpenter

Sylamore Special Tyler Kinch

AMERICANA ARTIST Grace Stormont Maybe April

Melissa Carper Posey Hill

Ten Penny Gypsy

BLUEGRASS ARTIST Arkansauce

The Gravel Yard

Spillwater Drive

Sylamore Special

Tacie and the Sunshine Band

COUNTRY ARTIST Blane Howard

David Adam Byrnes Erin Enderlin

Lance Carpenter Pamela Hopkins

INSPIRATIONAL ARTIST The FlatLand Gospel Band Grace Stormont Marybeth Byrd

Tacie and the Sunshine Band

David Adam Byrnes, 2021 Country Artist of the Year.

Erin Enderlin, 2021 Entertainer of the Year.

MALE VOCALIST

ALBUM

SONG

David Adam Byrnes

ivin’ a Damn (Don’t Go G with My Outfit), by Pamela Hopkins. Produced by P.T. Houston, Lonnie Abbott and Andy Wallis.

“ Bullet or a Bible.” Written

by Tyler Kinch, Drew Glover, Jackson Hagerman, Nathan Jeffers, Avery Snyder and Ryan Controneo. Performed

by Tyler Kinch.

Jabe Burgess Jocko Deal

Lance Carpenter

I Play Country Music, Volume 1 and Volume 2, by Phil McGarrah. Produced by Phil McGarrah, Mark Capps and Randy Kohrs.

Zach Davis

ACOUSTIC ACT Anna Brinker

I ’m Not Broken, by Sarah Jane Nelson. Produced by Brian Irwin.

Apple & Setser

Grace Stormont Ryan Harmon

On Your Own, by Grace Stormont. Produced by Jon Raney and Grace Stormont.

Trey Johnson

Phoenix, by Huckleberry Jam. Produced by Ty Sims and Huckleberry Jam.

VOCAL DUO / GROUP Huckleberry Jam elsey Lamb / K Taylor Goyette

ary Heather Hickman / M Stephanie Joyce

“ God Wears Boots.” Written

by Lance Carpenter and Joey Ebach. Performed by Lance Carpenter. “ Jesus and Janis.” Written

by S.J. McDonald, Brittany Moore and Aaron Clafton. Performed by Brittany Moore.

“Ouachita River.” Written and performed by Mary Heather Hickman and Stefanie Joyce. “ Yours.” Written by Jeannie Seely. Performed by Diane Berry and Joe Wade Smith.

Nik & Sam

The Roads Below

The Villines Trio

FEMALE VOCALIST Abby Lindsey Kelsey Lamb Mae Estes

Mary Heather Hickman Pamela Hopkins

Mae Estes, 2021 Female Vocalist of the Year.

Arkansauce, 2021 Bluegrass Artist of the Year.

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SONGWRITER

RADIO STATION

Billy Don Burns

DXY, 104.9 The Fox, K Jonesboro

Erin Enderlin Kenny Drain

Lance Carpenter Rodger King

MUSIC PRODUCER

Maybe April, 2021 Americana Artist of the Year.

HPQ, Hot Country K Q-92.1, Clinton

KMJX, 105.1 The Wolf, Little Rock XRD, Red Dirt 96.7, K Fayetteville

Andy Wallis

KZHE, KZ-100, Magnolia

Mike Bailey

RADIO DJ

Jon Raney

Travis Mobley Tyler Bell

SOUND ENGINEER Bryce Roberts Jon Raney

Mark Malone Mike Bailey Ryan Ceola

Christie Matthews, KDXY,Jonesboro

VENUE

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Charles Barnes

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J im & Lisa, KKYR, Texarkana

The Hall (Little Rock)

Tom Duke, KQUS, Hot Springs

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Western Red, KISR, Fort Smith

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PUBLICATION / BLOG / PODCAST

PROMOTER Alice Walker

Beth Brumley

Johnny Sprayberry Jon Walker

Marty Scarbrough

YOUNG ARTIST

AY Magazine

coustic Music Talk with Brad A Apple Arkansongs

Dillon Massengale

The Render Sisters Sarah Cecil

The CMBeat Raise

Sierra Carson

Your Spirits Music Series

Sylamore Special

Dennis Crouch

Doug DeForest

Jeremy Huddleston Michael Rinne

DRUMMER David O’Neal

Evan Hutchings Quinn Hill

Ryan Controneo Scott Gibson

FIDDLE PLAYER Garry Murray Jenee Fleenor

VIDEO

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“ The Crown (For Mama),” by Rockey Don Jones. Directed

by Drake McGuire.

Tim Crouch

Wayne Massengale

“ If I’m Not in Hell,” by Erin Enderlin. Directed by Ryan Nolan

GUITAR Player Casey Paraday

“ Put Some Country in Your Country,” by Cory Jackson.

Directed by Kenny Jackson.

Charlie White Jon Conley

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Luke Williams

Randall George Lance Carpenter, 2021 Male Vocalist of the Year.

Cody Russell

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STEEL / DOBRO PLAYER

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Josh Matheny Larry Hight

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arts&culture

The Kids are ALL RIGHT:

Sylamore Special is Keeping Bluegrass Young

By EMILY BEIRNE // Photos courtesy SYLAMORE SPECIAL

I

n case anyone was concerned about how older music styles will fit into the younger generations’ playlist, the members of the band Sylamore Special are proof that at least the bluegrass genre will remain alive and well for many years to come.

Five teenagers from Northwest Arkansas sharing a love for the music of the mountains decided to form a band a year ago. In this one year, the group has won awards, traveled together and will take to the Arkansas Country Music Awards stage in June 2022.

“Our ages range from 15 to 19,” says Mary Parker, the band’s fiddler and manager. “There’s my brother, Gordon Parker, on the mandolin; Turner Atwell on the guitar; Lillianne McCool on the banjo; and Mercy Grace on the bass.”

While the five teenagers may have played together at random times, the group was never official until an opportunity presented itself in 2021. Until then, the members each found their music outlets in picking with family, performing with other groups and strumming with friends. After a bit of instant success as an ensemble, Sylamore Special was born.

“There’s a bluegrass competition in Branson’s Silver Dollar City called the KSMU Youth in Bluegrass Band Contest, and I thought for the heck of it I wanted to put a band together so we could compete. I didn’t think it would be an ongoing thing, I just wanted to do it for fun and they were all my friends and great musicians so I knew we’d have a fantastic time competing together,” Parker says. “We got together in January [2021] and they agreed to do it; we started to practice in May and then we competed in June. We ended up winning first place, and after all the fun we had we decided to continue on with the band.”

Sylamore Special has returned to perform at Silver Dollar City since their win, along with a growing list of other venues. The summer of 2022 will find the band at some of the largest venues yet with the Arkansas CMAs stage on June 6 and the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on June 26. “[The National Mall] is probably our biggest gig yet. We’re really looking forward to this one,” Parker says.

“I haven’t asked the rest of the band, but I think Silver Dollar City has been one of the best places we’ve performed at so far. The stage and the engagement with the crowd are great — not to mention that [Silver Dollar City] is a fun place for all ages so we have a great time on and off the stage.”

The Arkansas CMAs stage will soon join the band’s line-

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up of favorite stages. Sylamore Special has been nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Young Artist of the Year and Bluegrass Artist of the Year. “[Being nominated] was a little bit unexpected. I mean, not just for one category, but for three. Entertainer of the Year — I think that really took us by surprise, for sure,” Parker laughs. “We are definitely honored. We’ve had such a fun time just performing, going to competitions and starting to travel a lot more. We love being able to represent Arkansas, especially in the ‘Bluegrass’ category.”

At this point in their journey, Parker believes the group is a family, and every family has their roles. Lillianne McCool, the eldest of the band members at 19, is referred to as the band’s “Grandma.”

“It’s fun being in a group of teenagers, but it can be a handful with all of them. She’s the one that’s keeping us on track, and when someone starts to get out of hand, she straightens them out pretty quick,” Parker laughs.

On the other end of the spectrum, the youngest, Gordon Parker at 15, is known as the quiet one — until he gets on stage, that is.

“He kind of keeps to himself, but he’s a great entertainer when we’re performing. We call him ‘Sugarfoot’ because he always amazes the crowd with his dancing.”

With a mix of characters in the band, life for Sylamore Special surely isn’t boring, and Parker believes some of their best moments are when the band members are simply hanging out and being themselves.

“A lot of our memories are behind the scenes. Performing on stage is a lot of fun, too, but behind the scenes and back-

stage we’re all chatterboxes and we have fun together,” Parker shares. “We’re all best friends, and while we can get out of hand sometimes and a little loud, trying to figure out what

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we’re doing and making plans together is definitely the best.”

On the “business” side of the band, some of Sylamore Special’s best moments are when their talent is being recognized.

“Winning the KMSU Youth Competition in Silver Dollar City was amazing,” Parker says. “We also went to an international bluegrass band competition in Nashville, Tennessee, where we competed and we were honored to take third place. That was pretty exciting for us.”

In January 2022, the band released their first single, titled “This Old Barn.” This is the first of many songs to be released in the next year. “[This Old Barn] was one I actually wrote back in November or December. I was trying to come up with at least one song for the band, an original, but I couldn’t find the right subject. I finally wrote a line and then a melody, and I took it from there. I showed it to the band and they said they liked it — I hope that was true,” Parker laughs. “We sat down together and we came up with some arrangements for the song and all of [the band

members] played a great part. They added their musical abilities and harmony parts. I think it turned out great.”

The band recorded their song with Jon Raney at Raney Recording Studios in Drasco.

“We’re hoping to release an album. We’re currently working and practicing to hopefully release an album by late summer or fall,” Parker says. “We hope it includes some originals as well as covers.”

As the band’s career continues to progress and the members mature, Parker and her bandmates understand that things might be more difficult before it gets better, but in the end, they have a solid foundation. They’re just playing with friends.

“We definitely hope to continue the band and take it as far as we can go. It’s a little bit difficult as some of us are still in high school, one of us is going to college in Branson, one of us has work. It’s hard to balance out our schedules but we’re making it work as best as we can,” Parker says. “We just love performing together and we’re all best friends — that’s what makes it a whole lot better.”

“We love being able to represent Arkansas, especially in the ‘Bluegrass’ category.”

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arts&culture

Playing Her Own Tune

Pamela Hopkins

By SARAH COLEMAN // Photos courtesy PAMELA HOPKINS

A

rkansas is home to many country music songwriters, singers and musicians, including Pamela Hopkins — the one-of-a-kind independent, global-touring country musician.

It is commonly theorized that people play different roles and live different lives as they grow into the person they become. Hopkins has done just that, and according to her, she has accomplished this by not mimicking anyone else in their journey.

A dueling piano player by trade, Hopkins is a multi-instrumentalist, and she leads her own band. She first picked up a cello in the fifth grade, which led her on the path to attending a fine arts and science junior high school. The Central Arkansas native then curated her vocal skills while attending Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School, which in return led Hopkins to the University of Central Arkansas on a choir and orchestra scholarship. With a knack for making music, she started her music career in the ’90s, produced by Seymour Sounds Recording in Nashville, where she released her original self-titled album.

As a multifaceted person with multiple different skill sets, Hopkins was able to live out all of her career ambitions. She graduated from UCA with a bachelor’s in psychology and became a police officer. She pursued a career in law enforcement for 13 years, ranking as a sergeant by the time she decided to forge a new path.

As a DARE officer, Hopkins spent a lot of time in the schools and loved it. When promoted, she decided she missed working in a school and being around her own kids.

This revelation ultimately led her back to UCA, where she earned her master’s in teaching. Hopkins taught English for five years for fifth and seventh graders and all subjects for fourth graders.

As her own kids were growing older and more independent, Hopkins found her desire to make music was also growing.

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“There’s this inner voice that bothers you when you know you need to do something. It’s like an itch that won’t go away,” Hopkins says. “My kids were getting older and could fend for themselves and my inner voice was just like ‘I can do this, I can make a career out of this.’”

Her passion for music reignited quickly, leading Hopkins to once again set out on a new path. She knew music, and she knew how to sing, but it was at Ernie Biggs, a former bar in downtown Little Rock, where she first started as a dueling piano player. Under the mentorship of other dueling piano players, David Rasico and “Frisbee” Robert Coleman, she learned the craft.

Eventually, Hopkins worked full-time as a musician leading her to at one point make the switch to Willy D’s Rock & Roll Piano Bar. This not

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only gave Hopkins a new skill but also allowed her the time to curate her own voice once again, making her own, unique sound.

Hopkins looks up to other Arkansas country music artists, like Ashley McBryde, as well as a variety of ’90s country music artists.

“Way back in the ’90s, Reba [McEntire] really got me into country music. Reba and Garth Brooks are some of my favorite musicians, especially in the ’90s,” Hopkins says. “Honestly, I purposely don’t get attached to other celebrities. I want to make my own way.”

With a diverse career resume, Hopkins says there isn’t really anyone that’s on the same path that she is.

“I guess you could say my path is unique and different, but I believe opportunities that are meant for me will come to me, and I work hard

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to reach my goals,” Hopkins says. “I feel like God will open the doors that I need to walk through, and I think that path will be shown to me and that it will push me.”

With direction, goals and drive, Hopkins has worked hard to become a person her future self can be proud of.

“I want to look back and be able to say, ‘I did that,’ and I know my path is different from other artist’s paths,” Hopkins says. “There is truly no one else I want to be just like; I just want to be me.”

By staying in tune with herself, Hopkins has been able to intuitively find her way in life, which looks significantly different than other musicians’ paths.

However, Hopkins’ music career is not limited to the title of “Dueling Piano Player.”

Hopkins spent years teaching English, so it really comes to no surprise that she is still putting pen to paper, creating messages and sharing stories along the way.

Hopkins has collaborated with several Nashville writers, including Billy Lee, Scott Barrier, Dave Lenahan and others. In what started as a networking circle, Hopkins sits down weekly with other writers to work, finding a way to get the words to match the music.

“We relax, we catch up, we talk about our ideas and we get to work. It’s very rare that we aren’t able to finish a song,” Hopkins says. “If I dream about something, see something, or think of a song title, I add it to the running list I have in my notes app” Every creative has a different way of creating, and in Hopkins’ unique method, she has found success. In creating a sound to match her vibe, Hopkins now has several awards and nominations to show for it.

In 2021, Hopkins was a finalist for the Sweden Film Awards for Somebody Here is Walkin’ – the same video was chosen as the officially selected music video for the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival and won Best Music Video at the Golden Wheat Awards, Hollywood Venus Awards and Twilight Tokyo Film Festival. These awards and nominations barely scratch the surface of Hopkins’ accolades.

This year, Hopkins is up for several nominations for the Arkansas Country Music Awards, the International Singer-Songwriters Association and the Josie Awards.

In the unusual event that Hopkins has free time, she enjoys pursuing other creative outlets.

“I love to paint, I love to craft, I love to nap and I love shoes,” Hopkins says.

Hopkins’ sound may make her stand out in the lineup of other country rock artists, but her shoes make her stand out in the crowd. She

has around 150 pairs of heels — most of which are marked with bling, which her friends jokingly say is her brand.

As a multi-instrument musician and a singer, Hopkins says she set herself up perfectly for being able to pursue music full-time.

“I always tell other aspiring musicians that they need to learn an instrument. They need to learn to accompany themselves,” Hopkins says, speaking on how to become more accessible. “If you want to make your mark and make your sole income, learn to do it yourself. Otherwise, you’ll always be depending on a band or instrument. Make yourself independent of anyone else and be a do-ityourself artist” Hopkins also encourages young people to seek out ways to diversify their craft.

“If you only have a voice, it’s harder to get gigs,” Hopkins says. “Learning an instrument is work, but it’s not unattainable and the time is going to pass whether you do something with the time you have or not.”

Hopkins also tours internationally, as part of Armed Forces Entertainment and ProTour Productions. Military tours mean a lot to Hopkins, whose husband, Jason, is a disabled veteran. These tours have taken her to Spain, Greece, Cuba, Italy, Portugal and several other destinations.

In the effort to create her own destiny, Hopkins has been unworried about what her destination will look like. Whether it’s a military tour or a cruise, she is willing to step through any doors that open to her.

This year, fans can expect a lot from Hopkins, including touring, shows and new music. Listeners can stay up-to-date on all of her musical endeavors by visiting her website.

“The band is now booked, and I couldn’t be more excited. My goal really is just to get music out to as many people as I can and hope they connect with it,” Hopkins says. “The big man upstairs got it no matter what.”

“There is truly no one else I want to be just like; I just want to be me.”

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From festivals to history to art to theater, downtown Fayetteville Jerry and Deidre.

Makeup by Amari B Studios

It’s OK

to be a

Little Selfish Little Rock Couple Brings Innovative Business to Central Arkansas, Elevating Selfies into Works of Art

By SHELBY BREWER // Photos By JAMISON MOSLEY

N

o more selfie sticks. No more embarrassing backgrounds, bad lighting or photo bombs from strangers. Boring and uninspired selfies are a thing of the past, thanks to an intriguing locally owned business in Little Rock.

Nestled among the shops in the Outlets of Little Rock is a colorful, whimsical place called Selfish House of Selfies. The first of its kind in Arkansas, Selfish House of Selfies is an interactive photography studio designed for people to use their cell phones to capture unforgettable photos. Think funhouse meets art gallery meets unlimited source of creative content.

Commonly referred to as “selfie museums” — so called because of their art gallery-like installations — the rise of these modern-day photography studios has been featured by media giants such as The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker and Vanity Fair.

Now, Little Rock is home to one of these novel businesses, joining a list of cities around the globe including New York City, Miami, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Atlanta and Tokyo.

Owners Deidre Vigil and Jerry Cordova, who have been married for 12 years, opened the studio on New Year’s Eve 2021.

“We felt Arkansas needed something new, something bright, something shiny, something to bring us all together,” Deidre says. “Selfish is our way to bring love and joy to our community.”

Both 41 years old, Deidre spent her childhood between Oceanside, California, and Nashville, Tennessee, while Jerry hails from the Chicago area.

When entering the studio, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the hypnotic bright colors, dazzling lights and wildly creative details of each of the 17 themed sets or “selfie stations.”

Some of the mind-bending selfie stations include the “Upside Down,” which features a cool optical illusion; a candy-themed set featuring giant lollipops, an oversized cupcake and a candy cart filled with cotton candy; and sets with giant pink angel wings, UFOs, rainbows and disco balls. One of the newest sets, Flight to Utopia, which debuted in April, features a VIP plane with Pepto Bismol-pink leather seats and windows with a view of the friendly skies.

“People leave with so much content! It’s different than studios in the past where you had to wait and go back to the studio, and then get charged a million bucks to get your pictures printed,” Deidre says.

“Here, you leave with all the photos on your phone, and you can post them immediately.”

For $25 per hour, people can bounce around from set to set at their own pace and produce Instagram-worthy photos, TikTok videos, Facebook photos and more.

“It’s affordable for your budget. When you come in here, you get to be a model for a day. You have this place to do whatever you want to do with it,” Jerry says. “You get to use that guilty-pleasure part of your brain, be a little selfish, and really lose yourself and escape.”

Every station comes with a professional ring light with two cell phone holders. Customers are given a shutter remote that syncs with their phones, enabling them to snap photos without the hassle of using

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self-timers. Only 20 people are allowed in the studio per hour to ensure that customers have the time and space to express themselves without experiencing overcrowding. Private dressing rooms are available for costume changes.

“People can edit their photos and add whatever filters they want to bring out their personalities,” Jerry says. “Some people may bring three ring lights into their stations to make the photos appear ultra-washed out. Some people just use natural light. It’s interesting to see each person’s approach.”

“I like to use the analogy that our studio is like a candy shop,” Deidre says. “You can be indulgent. You can be silly and be a kid for a little bit.

Everyone needs that right now. It’s really cool to see the creativity that comes out of here.”

Although all shoots are interesting to watch, Jerry and Deidre share a few that have really stood out.

“One day, a lady came in with her granddaughter to celebrate her 76th birthday,” Deidre says. “She referred to herself as ‘The Purple Lady.’ She literally had purple hair, a purple dress, purple shoes, purple nails, purple phone — purple everything. She rolled up her sleeves and showed us a Purple Lady tattoo in small letters on her arm.”

One night, a couple came into their studio on a date, and one of them was not so enthusiastic about being there.

“You could tell the guy was playing it cool. But he eventually started to loosen up,” Deidre explains. “We heard them laughing, and he came to us and said, ‘This was a lot of fun! I didn’t think I was going to like it.’

He did a complete 180. People will often tag us in whatever they post.

The next day, he tagged us in eight pictures of just himself, and didn’t include any of him with his date!”

Although it’s referred to as a selfie studio, the business attracts more than just individuals wanting to capture unique selfies. It’s a popular place for family nights, date nights, girls’ nights, birthday parties, corporate group events — you name it. Many teenagers have used the backdrops for their senior and prom pictures. The studio is available for private events and private sessions.

In addition, models use the studio to add work to their portfolios, which brings us to the subject of professional photographers. “We wel-

June 21 is

#NationalSelfieDay! Here are a few fun facts about selfies and the history behind the national holiday:

• The

selfie culture has become so popular that the phrase “selfie” is listed as a word in the Oxford English Dictionary.

• The

first selfie is widely credited to Robert Cornelius, a pioneer in the history of American photography.

In 1839, he had to sit still for 10 to 15 minutes to create the first self-portrait using the daguerreotype method of photography.

• In 2014, Rick McNeely, DJ/radio show come photographers,” Deidre says. “Photographers can bring their cameras and take photos. They just need to pay the regular admission rate.”

Jerry says the studio offers photographers an attractive benefit.

“Most of them tell us it’s a nice alternative to having to find a location and making sure the weather is right for their shoot,” he says. “Models and photographers can still do their thing. They can incorporate their style projected upon what we built.”

Only a couple of weeks after opening, the studio gained the attention of an awardwinning fashion photographer, Orlando Behar. His clients have included InStyle, Psychology Today and The New York Times magazine. He chose the studio as a background for an editorial photoshoot called “Walking in a Dream.” The photo collection was published in Solstice, a fashion and beauty magazine based in the U.K. Behar is an in-house advertising/fashion photographer for Dillard’s.

Another professional photographer, Renee Giambalvo, owner of Elegance by RG Photography based in Benton, uses the studio to book sessions for her clients.

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host for the Texas-based Fishbowl Radio Network, founded National Selfie Day, which was made official in 2017.

He said he choose the date because in 2014, June 21 landed on the summer solstice, the longest day of light.

• Since

2014, National Selfie Day has gone viral, with many well-known celebrities participating, such as Ellen DeGeneres, Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian and the Muppets.

• Selfies became a worldwide trend in the early 2000s with the introduction of the first cell phone camera.

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“We felt Arkansas needed something new, something bright, something shiny, something to bring us all together.”

“I saw a post a friend of mine had shared on social media about their grand opening and I knew I had to look into it myself,” Giambalvo says. “The studio attracts those who really want the different types of backgrounds, to let their inner child be free and have the ability to be as creative as they want to be.

“It gives us photographers and everyone else the ability to step outside of the normal outdoor or indoor mundane backdrops. It helps both me and the models tap into our deepest and most creative selves.”

Jerry and Deidre are both artists themselves. Before launching the studio, Jerry was a graphic designer and played bass guitar for several local bands. Deidre was a hairstylist, salon owner and color educator.

“Literally, there were times when Jerry had two band gigs on the same night,” Deidre says. “He was running all over the place. I was running my salon, and at one point traveling three weekends a month teaching color. We weren’t taking days off.”

An unfortunate yet familiar story: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted their jobs. Jerry got laid off from his full-time graphic design position and went from performing in about five bands to eventually none; Deidre’s salon business had to be put on hold due to COVID-related restrictions.

“The pandemic put a screeching halt to things,” Deidre says. “We kind of got still for a second. And we realized that it wasn’t so bad to be still.”

Rather than wallow in self-pity, the couple used this strange time of stillness to their advantage.

“We would take long drives and get lost in Arkansas,” Deidre says.

“While driving, we would have long conversations about what we could do next.”

For years, they had entertained the idea of opening a business together that would merge their talents.

“We both have big personalities,” Jerry says. “The question has always been, what would we be good at? I’ve done construction, design work, and I’ve been a musician. She’s run a business before. How do we combine our powers to make something of value?”

They had heard of the selfie museum business model and were curious to learn more.

“This business format seems like it fits every bit of our skills and personalities,” Jerry says. “We decided to go see one of these firsthand.”

The closest selfie museum was in Memphis.

“On a Sunday, we got up, put on some cute clothes, bought our tickets and headed there,” Deidre says. “We had a blast. The next day, I went to work at the salon and my landlord walks in with the lease. That’s when it hit me like a ton of bricks: I realized that I can’t do hair anymore.

I loved it, but it takes a real toll on my body.”

The couple knew what they had to do next. Deidre closed her salon in June 2021 after being a hairstylist for 19 years.

“On Sunday, we checked out the business model. On Monday, we started planning it,” Jerry says. “This business is a big experiment and an experiment with our lives, but building this studio uses the perfect

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combination of our skills.”

From concept to creation, it took about five months for them to gather supplies and build the structure and sets.

“We blacked out all the windows of the studio while we were building and painting. We weren’t taking days off, and we were working through the nights,” Jerry says. “It was like working on the surface of the moon. We didn’t know if it was day or night. It could have been raining, snowing, or on fire outside and we wouldn’t know. We kind of lost touch with reality and lost track of time, which was good during the pandemic.

It allowed us to escape.”

Jerry and Deidre decided to build everything themselves rather than hire a crew.

“It was a big empty space with only one wall when we leased it. We built all the walls and sets. Everything is hand-painted,” Jerry says. “It separates us from anyone else who would want to do this. Anyone could order stuff online and put it together and pose in front of it. It’s different when you find the things yourself and piece them together. It puts our personalities on display.”

For the sets, they used oddities they found at flea markets during their road trips in Arkansas.

“We love taking forgotten things and making them into something,” Deidre says. “We had a table in the back room that we would eat dinner on at night. Jerry said to me, ‘Can I cut this table up? Look at the legs on it! They would look great for a candy cart.’ Now we eat at a folding card table every night.”

The couple are the sole employees at the studio, which means they are working long hours every day, except on Tuesdays when they give themselves a day off. But they say it is worth all the hard work and effort.

“It’s so gratifying to see people come in and smile and have a good time,” Jerry says. “I think they can feel the energy and the love and work we put into this. It’s wonderful having a front-row seat to this every day.

It never gets old.”

JUNE EVENTS IN NORTH LITTLE ROCK

June 3: Blackberry Night Market (St. Joseph Center of Arkansas) June 4: 2022 ArtChalk Arkansas (Argenta Plaza) June 7-12: Arkansas Travelers (Dickey-Stephens Park) June 10-11: Argenta Dogtown Throwdown (Main Street) June 11: Women & Children First Donation Drive (McCain Mall) June 11: West Luck Blooms Pop-Up (Bang-Up Betty) June 13: Jazz at The Joint ft. Peter Slavov (The Joint) June 14: Pub Run (Flyway Brewing) June 16: Argenta Acoustic Music Series ft. Bill Mize (The Joint) June 17: Third Friday Argenta Art Walk (Main Street) June 23: Dude Perfect (Simmons Bank Arena) June 21-26: Arkansas Travelers (Dickey-Stephens Park) June 24: Argenta Vibe Music Series ft. North Mississippi Allstars (Argenta Plaza) June 25: Faucette Festivals (Faucette Park) Mondays: Crawfish Boil (Cypress Social) Tuesdays: Punchline Stand-Up Comedy (The Joint) Wednesdays: Dogtown Yoga (Argenta Plaza) Saturdays: Argenta Farmers Market, St. Joseph Farm Stand

NorthLittleRock.org | @exploreNLR, #explorenlr

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FAVORITEVILLE: V

Though First Called by the Hogs, Visitors Always Fall in Love with Downtown Fayetteville

iewed in the past mainly as the destination to see the University of Arkansas Razorbacks football games, Fayetteville is undergoing a culture resurgence that offers many more incentives for visitors to travel to the northwest corner of the state.

Travelers would make the long trek up the hill on I-49 or across the state on U.S. 63 to see the games, perhaps visit Dickson Street for any postgame celebrations and then head back.

But there are many other things to see, local officials say, and it’s a reason to stay for a while.

“This is a special place,” says Director of Experience Fayetteville Molly Rawn of the Northwest Arkansas town of 94,000. “The Razorbacks are a huge part of it. They are our No. 1 tourism driver, but there is so much more to do here.

By KENNETH HEARD Photos by MEREDITH MASHBURN; courtesy ADPHT, EXPERIENCE FAYETTEVILLE

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“If you come up here for a game, come for an extra night or two.

Once people see what we have, they’ll look up here for a weekend destination. Our downtown is resonating with more things than they think.”

The town has always been a scenic destination, nestled in the Boston Mountain in the northwestern corner of Arkansas. Settlers, attracted by the Big Spring that ran off the edge of the mountains, first moved to the area in 1828. They named the town Washington.

Later, the postmaster wanted the town’s name changed to avoid confusion with the town of Washington in Hempstead County.

Two local council members who were originally from Fayetteville, Tennessee, chose Fayetteville as the town’s new name.

It, along with Bentonville, Springdale and Rogers, has become a vibrant part of the state; there is some good-natured rivalry between

The downtown area is vibrant with life, be it the custom murals or the sights and sounds of Dickson Street.

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the four towns, says Fayetteville Director of Public Works Chris Brown.

But the towns have worked together, he adds, to better the area. The four worked on creating the Razorback Regional Greenway, a 36-mile bicycling trek through all the cities.

In April 2019, Fayetteville voters approved a $226.1 million bond initiative to fund several projects in the town that officials knew would draw more visitors. The bond issue featured proposals for $74 million in street repairs, $37 million for police and $31.7 million for the city’s Cultural Arts Corridor.

“We just put this city on course for about the next 15 years,” Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan said after the election results were tallied.

“This is a very gratifying win tonight.”

The bond is funded by an existing one-cent sales tax; the city expects it to be paid off within 10 to 15 years.

Part of the project includes the Cultural Arts Corridor, a 12-acre plan that will feature a 2.5-acre Civic Plaza, a 9.5-acre wooded area and a parking garage.

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That’s part of what city leaders expect will draw people to the town “We had to define a mobility plan,” Brown says. “We needed a better parking plan.”

He said parking along West Dickson Street, Fayetteville’s entertainment row that connects with the University of Arkansas campus on the western end, is limited on busy nights.

“We found that the parking gets full on Dickson quickly,” he says.

“There’s quite a bit of a walk for some. We discovered we didn’t have the best pedestrian connections.”

Using the bond money, the city widened sidewalks, added ramps to meet up with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements and installed more lighting.

“There were corridors of limited lighting,” Brown says. “We put up decorative fixtures to create a streetscape for the downtown. It provides more lighting and safety and adds to the feel of the downtown.

“We’ve got a ways to go, but we’re making headway.”

The Ramble, an outdoor urban park that Rawn says is unlike any

other city park, is a gathering place with an event lawn, treeshrouded pathways, a public plaza and garden spaces. Work should be completed by early 2023, and it is located between the downtown square and the university campus. It’s also close to the Walton Arts Center, TheatreSquared and the Fayetteville Public Library.

Plans also call for renovating the Tanglewood Branch Creek park with the addition of sidewalks and more lighting.

“Fayetteville is a growing part of the state,” Rawn says. “We have a great mix and a great balance. We have the natural beauty that we’ll put up against anywhere else in the state. We have the Ozark Mountains, and the Buffalo River isn’t too far.

“The Walton Arts Center is tremendous, and we have a quality theater that opened two years ago with national acclaim.”

She adds that Fayetteville has a symphony and, after a hiatus because of the pandemic, live musical performances have returned to the city.

Because of its focus on bicycling, Fayetteville was recently

From festivals to history to art to theater, downtown Fayetteville checks all the boxes.

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“The Razorbacks may bring them here, but downtown will keep them here.” named a “Bike City” by the Union Cycliste Internationale, a world governing body of cycling. It’s the only city in the United States to have received that designation and one of 14 in the world, including the likes of Vancouver, Paris and Copenhagen.

The Union’s 2022 Cyclo-Cross World Championships were held in Fayetteville in January, only the second time the event has been held in the U.S. “We’re not slowing down,” Rawn says. “After the pandemic was over, we are excited to be back. We’re gearing up for a phenomenal season.”

The university’s sports teams do bring in people, she and Brown admit. The Razorbacks had a successful football season under head coach Sam Pittman and won nine games. The university’s basketball team also fared well and the baseball team is consistently ranked as one of the top teams in the country.

But there’s so much more than just the sports.

“When people come to the downtown square during visits to see a game, they recognize this is a special place,” Brown says. “We’ve had people come for a game and then want to move here.

“The Razorbacks may bring them here, but downtown will keep them here.”

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It’s a Fayetteville Kind of Summer Fayetteville Farmers Market Every Saturday 21 W. Mountain Street

Live Music

Every Weekend George’s Majestic Lounge

Miss You Like Hell June 1-July 10 TheatreSquared

HSHS Music Fest 2022 June 3-5 Prairie Street Live

Madagascar the Musical June 3, 4 Walton Arts Center

80’s Rock Night June 10 JJ’s Live

Fayetteville Roots on the Avenue June 17-19 East Avenue

Iron Pig Festival June 18 Drake Field

Electric Avenue: The 80s MTV Experience June 18 JJ’s Live

Better Than Ezra June 24 JJ’s Live

A Chorus Line

June 24-26 Walton Arts Center

FLEX

June 29-July 17 TheatreSquared

Fayetteville Movement Festival July 1-3 Mount Sequoyah Center

Gimme Gimme Disco July 9 JJ’s Live

Fayetteville Roots Festival Aug. 25-27 Downtown Fayetteville

Oliver Tree Aug. 26 JJ’s Live

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On the

South Side of Town

By MATTHEW MILTON // Photos courtesy SOUTH YARD LOFTS

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A

s one of the fastest-growing communities in the whole country, it’s easy to see how quickly the landscape of Fayetteville changes and evolves. One could leave for only a few months to return to find new businesses, new living spaces, new art. Thoughtfully designed buildings spring up from the ground seemly every week, and new life is routinely breathed into old structures.

And now, the south side of town is getting a taste of that new, exciting flavor.

Make your way to the southwest corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and South School Avenue, and you’ll find a great deal of new activity, starting with a massive new building that will soon be the home of the University of Arkansas’ new flagship art studio and design center.

The Windgate Studio + Design Center will bring students and faculty together from across seven different current campus locations. The four-story 154,600-square-foot building will give the community the opportunity to participate in exhibitions, attend events with visiting artists, designers and Jeremy Hudson CEO, Specialized Real Estate Group.

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scholars, and it elevates the experience with a courtyard and ampitheater.

A block to the east, spanning the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and South School Avenue, is soon to be another major draw. The space has been in the works for a while, but it has begun to take shape, and it’s getting a lot of exciting attention in the process: South Yard.

South Yard, a major multiuse project by Specialized Real Estate Group (SREG), will feature spaces for shopping, dining, imbibing and even living. Spanning roughly 9 acres that are enclosed by Tanglewood Branch and the Razorback Greenway, South Yard will turn vacant buildings, like the former Farmers Cooperative, into shops, restaurants, and, eventually, a hotel. New structures are underway that will soon feature living spaces, including 128

new apartments — the South Yard Lofts.

The spaces will be tied together with a boardwalk that follows the route of a longgone rail line that once served the local timber industry.

“The inspiration for South Yard comes from the community-focused nature of this very site,” says Kaitlyn Fondano, SREG’s director of development. “The farmer’s co-op was a hub for locals to gather and share stories and build community. We intentionally maintained as much of the original structure as possible, and are excited that we have an opportunity to breathe new life into a very important piece of Fayetteville’s history.”

The firm’s intentionality for the space is already receiving high praise. SREG was recently recognized by Fitwel, the world’s leading certification system committed to building health. The project achieved a 3-star rating, Fitwel’s most prestigious rating, and became the first Fitwel-certified project in Arkansas.

To achieve the certification, the project had to address a broad range of health behaviors and risks. A few of the ways the project accomplished that include: enhanced transit stops, which encourage active transportation to enhance mental health; providing a designated display to post community events and public information in residential and public spaces to increase awareness of community events and support social engagement, contributing to enhanced social health and feelings of well-being; and training local volunteers in emergency preparedness procedures.

“We are thrilled to have another first in Arkansas. As the leaders in cultivating healthy spaces, having a Fitwel-certified project and a 3-star rating is a milestone I am proud of our team for achieving,” says SREG’s CEO Jer-

Back in Time Those who spent time on this end of town years before the new development will quickly remember what once called it home.

Just up the block from the corner, Brenda’s Bigger Burger once served up greasy burgers to hungry students from the University and Fayetteville High School, who would sit out front at picnic tables.

Next door was the Art Experience, a community art education nonprofit started in 1993. Once housed in a colorful house near Hill Avenue, the nonprofit has since moved to College Avenue.

And at the corner where the community will soon come together to live, eat and play, stood the Farmers Cooperative where folks could buy tomato starters, little yellow chicks, feed and supplies. Gone, too, are the Korean food market and Thai restaurant that once stood around the corner of South School.

Those blocks will soon be full of life again, as locals and tourists alike will come to enjoy art, food and community.

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“Keeping the original structure wasn’t the most cost-effective approach, but we felt like it was an important piece of the neighborhood ...” emy Hudson. “South Yard Lofts will be a cornerstone of Fayetteville, and what better way to join the neighborhood than a certification that exemplifies our dedication to our residents and community’s well-being.”

In addition to the Fitwel certification, the folks at SREG are in pursuit of the Indoor airPlus program, administered by the EPA as part of their commitment to indoor air quality.

“With each project, we take an opportunity to improve on our unit plans with a focus on residents’ experience and extending access to quality outdoor spaces,” Fondano says. “From the building better perspective, we’ve gone beyond a focus specific on building construction to a focus instead on building a community through a mixed-use site plan; the Fitwel program drove us towards a project based on ur-

ban design best practices and to consider the health and wellness of our residents outside of our buildings through its initiatives.”

SREG envisions the space serving as a basecamp for explorers, foodies, casual adventurers and everyone in between. For future residents, interested locals and traveling tourists, South Yard will offer restaurants on-site and a variety of live music, art and retail within steps.

Soon to be a key feature of the bourgeoning neighboring Cultural Arts Corridor, South Yard will be home to local art, too, as developers have teamed up with local artists to enrich the community with murals and other works. The space is also connected to the outdoors, with two access points to the Razorback Regional Greenway trail system. A pub-

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lic city-owned park will be developed along the stream banks of Tanglewood Branch.

“The South Yard Lofts development is on mile one of the Razorback Greenway and is also contained within the Outdoor Refreshment Area of downtown Fayetteville,” Fondano says. “There will be plenty of on-site options for food and drinks to offer opportunities to connect with neighbors, and the proximity to trail access and walkability to the city center encourages neighbors and visitors to traverse by foot and help strengthen the sense of community by connecting with those around us.”

For the folks at SREG, preserving familiar spaces was just as important in the design of South Yard as the promoting of connectivity.

“Keeping the original structure wasn’t the most cost-effective approach, but we felt like it was an important piece of the neighborhood and had value beyond just economic considerations,” Fondano adds. “We try to focus on improving the neighborhoods we work in and conserving this structure allows us to show another layer of this neighborhood.”

The residential phase of the project is nearing completion with an expected opening later this year. The final phase of the South Yard project includes a hotel to serve tourists and travelers, plugging them into the vibrance of the space as they come to town for concerts, sporting events, and more.

While neither was planned with the other in mind, the South Yard project and the Windgate Studio + Design Center will certainly complement each other for years to come. Both are pieces of the larger puzzle that is the reconfiguration of South School Avenue. That project was a part of a 2019 bond measure approved by Fayetteville voters. Later this year, the city will start work to turn South School Avenue into a three-lane roadway for cars with a dedicated lane for bikes and pedestrians.

The two projects, in addition to the efforts of the city, are sure to serve as catalysts for growth and development on the south side of town, which hasn’t seen as much TLC as other corners of Fayetteville. And as the city of Fayetteville continues to grow and its landscape evolves, South Yard will soon be a hub for activity and an anchor for connectivity for both new residents and longtime locals alike.

YOUR NEW FAVORITE DAY See the Fayetteville Historic Downtown Square transform into an outdoor arts and music celebration. From 5:30 - 9pm, this free, family-friendly event includes a diverse lineup of live music, artist demonstrations and installations, food trucks, group bike rides and an arts market featuring more than 30 independent artists who create items in a variety of mediums.

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There’s nothing like a road trip. And there’s never been a better time to get out and see everything our state has to offer. Get inspired today and plan your trip at Arkansas.com.

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Happenings HOT SPRINGS

JUNE 2022

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RUNNING OF THE TUBS June 4 Downtown Hot Springs

BRIDGE ST. LIVE! June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Bridge Street

39TH ANNUAL PHOENIX BASS FISHING LEAGUE ALL-AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP June 2-4 Lake Hamilton

LIVERPOOL LEGENDS — BEATLES TRIBUTE June 4 The Legendary Vapors

ARKANSAS LAVENDER FESTIVAL June 3, 4 Hot Springs Farmers Market

MATT STELL June 4 Magic Springs Theme & Water Park

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HOT SPRINGS MUSIC FESTIVAL June 7-11 Central Theatre

STUDDUCK BEERS BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL June 11, 12 128 Basset Tr., Lonsdale

HOT SPRINGS BIKE FEST June 9-12 Downtown Hot Springs BUCKCHERRY, HINDER AND SAVING ABLE June 18 Magic Springs Theme & Water Park

LONE STAR SKYNYRD TRIBUTE June 10 The Legendary Vapors GYPSY SOUL HOLISTIC FAIR June 25, 26 Hot Springs Convention Center

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WILLIAM O. “BILL” JAMES, JR.

JAMES LAW FIRM 1001 LA HARPE BOULEVARD LITTLE ROCK 501.375.0900

JAMESFIRM.COM

WILLIAM O. “WILL” JAMES, III What do you do when your birth announcement proclaims you are a “Future Attorney,” and both of your parents are in law school when you are born? You go to law school, join the firm your parents started right out of law school, and then start to prepare to take the helm leading the firm into the future.

William Owen James III (WOJIII) was born April 12, 1994. The birth announcement for WOJIII featured an announcement that the “Future Attorney” had been born. The birth occurred just a couple of weeks before the elder (WOJJR) took his last round of finals at the UALR Bowen School of Law before graduation. Judge Patti James (mom) was finishing her second year of law school when WOJIII was born.

Six Months later, the James Law Firm was opened in an 8x10 office in the Pyramid Building in Downtown Little Rock.

Now, 28 years later and a total of nine attorneys in the firm, the James Law Firm and founding member Bill James are widely recognized as being among the top criminal defense firms in the State of Arkansas.

What is even more notable, is that WOJIII is also being recognized as one of the best criminal attorneys in Arkansas just three years after graduation from law school. Like father, like son?

The James Law Firm was founded on the idea that it is possible to give clients aggressive representation at a fair price. When Bill James was asked what the secret of the success of the James Law Firm has been, he responded that it was “largely due to a willingness to go to trial on even the toughest cases combined with the ability to get better than average results in those tough cases.”

When William James was asked about his take on the secret to the firm’s success, his answer was simply that “we work hard, and we play hard.” While that recipe doesn’t work in all cases, it certainly seems that the James Law Firm has hit on something that seems to be working generation after generation.

ARKANSAS’ BEST LAWYERS W

hether they are needed to help someone get out of a legal situation, set up a business or find resolutions to family issues, lawyers play a substantial role in keeping our society moving forward. According to the American Bar Association’s annual National Lawyer Population Survey, the number of attorneys in the country increased by 15.2 percent over the last decade. There are more than 1.33 million attorneys actively practicing law in the United States, and more than 6,000 practicing in Arkansas. With so many to choose from, it can be difficult for a potential client to know they are getting the best representation possible. With that in mind, AY About You is highlighting the Arkansas Bar Association’s award-winning lawyers ahead of its conference on June 15-17, as well as our readers’ choices for the best lawyers in the state.

Letter from the President

T

he Arkansas Bar Association brings lawyers from different backgrounds, different practice areas, and different geographic locations throughout the state together into one voluntary Association supporting the legal profession. Our members are the face of the Association.

We work together to promote the effective and efficient administration of justice. We work together as one profession to accomplish common goals. The leadership and support of our members are invaluable to our profession. We work to create valuable experiences for our member lawyers, so they find value in supporting their Association.

The Arkansas Bar Association is excited to host our 124th Annual Meeting, Joint Meeting with the Arkansas Judicial Council, at the Hot Springs Convention Center, June 15-17, 2022. We look forward to getting together in person this year, hence our theme — “Let’s Get Together!” For 124 years, lawyers have traveled to “Get Together” in the company of others who chose a life in the law. In 2022, good fellowship for a couple of summer days, amid the magnolias flowering on Central Avenue, is just the restorative tonic we need.

The Arkansas Bar Association, along with AY Magazine, is proud to recognize our state’s outstanding attorneys. As association president, I am honored to recognize members for their efforts by presenting the awards listed below during a special awards ceremony on June 16, 2022.

Presidential Awards of Excellence: Lillian Dee Davenport Jason B. Hendren Anton L. Janik Jr. Golden Gavel Awards Payton C. Bentley David Biscoe Bingham Maya S. Goree Alan L. Lane Kristin L. Pawlik Adam D. Reid George M. Rozzell

G. S. Brant Perkins Cathy Underwood Brook-Augusta Ware Brett D. Watson Patrick D. Wilson Other Awards: Payton C. Bentley Vincent C. Henderson II Frank W. Jenner Caroline Kelley Shane E. Khoury William J. Ogles

Zachary Trail Richard P. Walt Brett D. Watson The Arkansas Bar Foundation and the Arkansas Bar Association will recognize several persons because of their outstanding contributions: Jean Turner Carter Judge Barbara Halsey Jonathan Q. Warren Pulaski County Bar Association Sebastian County Bar Association Washington County Bar Association

Congratulations to the following members who have been admitted to the practice of law in Arkansas for 50 years: James E. Baine • Ken F. Calhoon • Charles (Larry) Carpenter, Jr. • Orville C. Clift • Robert R. Cloar Don N. Curdie • Judge Robert Edwards • Byron L. Freeland • Allan Gates • Morton Gitelman Gregory B. Graham • Ronald L. Griggs • Stuart W. Hankins • Robert W. Hardin • L. Cody Hayes Robert (Skip) L. Henry, III • Don Hollingsworth • Clifton H. Hoofman • Eugene Hunt • James W. Hyden Hermann Ivester • Peter G. Kumpe • Fletcher C. Lewis • J. David Maddox • Bobby McDaniel B. Jeffery Pence • John V. Phelps • Judge Ronnie A. Phillips • Jerry Clark Post • Judge Joe Ramos William (Randy) RiddellTed C. Skokos • Howard L. Slinkard • Justice Rex Earl Starr • Joseph A. Strode A. Glenn Vasser • Tom D. Womack • Ronald G. Woodruff •

Bob Estes Arkansas Bar Association President, Attorney at Law, Fayetteville

Arkansas Bar Association Annual Award Recipients Presidential Awards of Excellence Lillian Dee Davenport, Simmons Bank Private Wealth, Little Rock, for several years of planning the Mid Year Meeting.

Jason B. Hendren, Hall Booth Smith, P.C., Rogers, for work on the Membership Task Force.

Anton L. Janik Jr., Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, P.L.L.C., Little Rock, for several years of chairing the Editorial Advisory Board.

Other Awards Continuing Legal Education Award: Vincent C. Henderson II, Bureau of Legislative Research, Little Rock, for planning of the Government Practice Conference.

Judith Ryan Gray Young Lawyer Service Award: William J. Ogles, Wright Lindsey Jennings, Little Rock, for extraordinary service and outstanding contributions to the Young Lawyers Section.

Continuing Legal Education Award: Shane E. Khoury, Arkansas Energy and Environment, Little Rock, for planning of the Natural Resources Conference.

Frank C. Elcan Award: Payton C. Bentley, Clark Law Firm, PLLC, Fayetteville, for commitment and dedication to the Young Lawyers Section.

Continuing Legal Education Award: Richard P. Walt, J. David Reynolds Company, Camden, for planning of the Natural Resources Conference.

YLS Award of Excellence: Caroline Kelley, Kelley Law Firm, Rogers, for work as Secretary and Treasurer of YLS, Wills for Heroes Clinic and Chairing the YLS Annual Meeting Reception.

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Other Awards Maurice Cathey Award: Brett D. Watson, Searcy, for contributions to The Arkansas Lawyer Magazine.

YLS Award of Excellence: Frank LaPorte-Jenner, Pulaski County Attorney’s Office, Little Rock, for work on the Statute of Limitations Handbook and Wills For Heroes Project.

YLS Award of Excellence: Zachary R. Trail, Wright Lindsey Jennings, Little Rock, for work on the Statute of Limitations Handbook and Wills For Heroes Project.

Golden Gavel Awards Kristin L. Pawlik, Miller, Butler, Schneider, Pawlik & Rozzell, PLLC, Fayetteville, for work as Annual Meeting Co-Chair.

Patrick D. Wilson, Wright Lindsey Jennings, Little Rock, for work as Annual Meeting Co-Chair.

Brook-Augusta Ware, Cordell & Cordell, PLC, Little Rock, for Family Law Track Planner for Annual Meeting.

George M. Rozzell, Miller, Butler, Schneider, Pawlik & Rozzell, PLLC, Fayetteville, for work as Chair of the Legislation Commitee.

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Golden Gavel Awards Adam D. Reid, Gill Ragon Owen, P.A., Little Rock, for work as Tax Law Track Planner for Mid Year.

Maya S. Goree, Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon & Galchus, P.C., Little Rock, for work as Elder Law Track Planner for Mid Year.

Payton C. Bentley, Clark Law Firm, PLLC, Fayetteville, for work as Chair of the Young Lawyers Section.

G. S. Brant Perkins, The Perkins Law Firm, P.A., Jonesboro, for work as Chair of the Finance Committee.

Cathy Underwood, Attorney at Law, Little Rock, for work on the Paralegal Affiliate Membership Program.

Alan L. Lane, Odom Law Firm, P.A., Fayetteville, for work on the ABOTA Masters in Trial.

Brett D. Watson, Attorney at Law, Searcy, for work on the Handling Appeals in Arkansas Handbook.

David Biscoe Bingham, Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, P.L.L.C., Little Rock, for work as Chair of the Jurisprudence and Law Review Committee.

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Arkansas Bar Foundation and Arkansas Bar Association Joint Awards The Arkansas Bar Foundation was established in 1958 to support efforts at improving the administration of justice.

The foundation’s mission is to promote educational, literary, scientific and charitable purposes, and it is classified as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

Founded in 1898, the Arkansas Bar Association is the premier legal association in the state. As a voluntary organization of more than 5,000 members, the Association’s primary mission is to: support attorneys; advance the practice of law; advocate for the legal profession; foster professionalism, civility, and integrity; and protect the rule of law.

THE ARKANSAS BAR FOUNDATION AND THE ARKANSAS BAR ASSOCIATION have selected the following persons to honor this year because of their outstanding contributions. Those selected are:

Outstanding Jurist Award: Judge Barbara Halsey, retired, Jonesboro, given in recognition of exceptional competency, efficiency and integrity on the Bench and performed exemplary service to the administration of justice.

Equal Justice Distinguished Service Award: Jean Turner Carter, Center for Arkansas Legal Services, Little Rock, given in recognition of her commitment to and participation in equal justice programs, including pro bono efforts through legal services program.

Outstanding Lawyer-Citizen: Jonathan Q. Warren, Stephens, Inc., Little Rock, given in recognition of outstanding participation in and excellent performance of civic responsibilities and for demonstrating high standards of professional competence and conduct.

Outstanding Local Bar Association: Pulaski County Bar Association

Outstanding Local Bar Association: Washington County Bar Association

Outstanding Local Bar Association: Sebastian County Bar Association 157

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Crisp

Law Firm Hugh Crisp has been a trial lawyer for 38 years, but he still feels like he’s never worked a day in his life. Being a trial lawyer fulfills both a passion and a lifelong dream for Crisp.

“Things worked out perfectly for me,” he says.

From the firm’s office in downtown Little Rock, Crisp’s work includes an emphasis on medical malpractice and catastrophic injuries. These are some of the most difficult cases imaginable, navigating both the scales of justice and carrying a level of empathy and responsibility for his clients, many of whom and their families are dealing with some of the most traumatic events they’ll ever face.

Instances of medical malpractice are when a patient is harmed by the negligence, acts or omissions by a medical care provider.

Wrongful death in a medical malpractice case is a death caused by the negligent acts or omissions of medical care providers. Recent studies show that one of the leading causes of death in the United States is medical errors,

accounting for 251,000 deaths annually.

“At the Crisp Law Firm, we have a personal relationship with each individual we represent and are committed to devoting the time and resources necessary to achieve the very best results for our clients,” he says.

Such a deep-hearted commitment to the client brings about peace of mind, in addition to his many distinguishing honors that identify him as one of the best in the legal profession. Crisp is rated AV Preeminent by MartindaleHubbell, the highest rating for an attorney practicing in the United States. He has been honored by numerous publications in Arkansas and around the South for his work in malpractice, as well as peer-reviewed associations such as being a Mid-South Super Lawyers honoree for many years, and Best Lawyers in America.

The accolades and accomplishments go on and on for Crisp, all of which are rewarding. But at the end of the day, it hasn’t moved the needle on the most important things in his mind — his clients, and helping them find justice.

221 W. 2nd Street • Little Rock • 501-376-6264 crisplawfirm.com

Gibson Elected Chairman of the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees The Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas elected new officers at its Jan. 26-27 regularly scheduled meeting, and C.C. “Cliff ” Gibson III, of Monticello, was elected to serve as Chairman of the 10-member board for the upcoming year.

“I consider it an incredible honor to serve alongside this distinguished board and look forward to working together to continue ensuring the integrity and success of the state’s premier university system.”

We are honored to have eight attorneys listed among the best lawyers in Arkansas.

Because every client deserves excellent representation.

• Business and Commercial Law • Employment Law • Real Estate Law • Banking Law • Civil Rights Defense • Intellectual Property • Nursing Home Defense

Phil Campbell

Business Litigation Commercial Insurance

Annie Depper Criminal Defense

David Fuqua

Eric Gribble

Abbie Rucker

Patrick Spivey

Alternative Dispute Resolution Administrative/Regulatory Law

Litigation Health Care Law

• Insurance Law • Probate • Family Law • Criminal Defense • Administrative Law • Litigation • Appeals Haley Heath

3700 CANTRELL ROAD SUITE 205 • LITTLE ROCK 501.374.0200 • FACSIMILE: 501.975.7153 • FC-LAWYERS.COM

Family Law Trademark Law

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J. Blake Hendrix

Criminal Defense: White-Collar

Labor & Employment Employment Law

Corporate Law Commercial Real Estate

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ADMINISTRATIVE/ REGULATORY LAW Mark Allison Wright Lindsey Jennings Randy Bynum Wright Lindsey Jennings David Fuqua Fuqua Campbell, P.A. Steve Giles Wright Lindsey Jennings Chad Green Green & Gillispie, Attorneys at Law Megan Hargraves Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, PLLC Kim Kelley Law Offices of Kimberly L. Kelley Cal McCastlain Wright Lindsey Jennings Katie McCollum Prescott SHARP, Inc Debby Winters Eldridge Brooks Partners Nicole Winters Windstream

AGRICULTURE AND FARMING Cal McCastlain Wright Lindsey Jennings ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION David Fuqua Fuqua Campbell, P.A. Scott Hilburn Hilburn Harper Cyril Hollingsworth Wright Lindsey Jennings Taylor King Taylor King Law Lloyd W. “Tré” Kitchens Brad Hendricks Law Firm Richard Ramsay Ramsay Mediation & Arbitration Lucas Rowan Dodds, Kidd, Ryan & Rowan Jim Tilley Watts, Donovan & Tilley, P.A. APPELLATE Gary Marts Wright Lindsey Jennings Catherine A. Ryan Dodds, Kidd, Ryan & Rowan Andy Taylor Taylor & Taylor Law Firm, P.A.

Tasha C. Taylor Taylor & Taylor Law Firm, P.A. BANKING AND FINANCE LAW James Beachboard Wright Lindsey Jennings Kim Kelley Law Offices of Kimberly L. Kelley Jennifer Wilson Harvey The Wilson Law Group BANKRUPTCY Vanessa Cash Adams AR Law Partners BUSINESS Allison Gladden Barber Law Firm Harold Hamlin Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, PLLC Nicole Lovell Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, PLLC Dustin McDaniel McDaniel, Wolff & Benca Derrick Smith Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, PLLC

BUSINESS LITIGATION Adrienne Baker Wright Lindsey Jennings Phil Campbell Fuqua Campbell, P.A. J. Carter Fairley Barber Law Firm Stephen L. Gershner Davidson Law Firm Judy Henry Wright Lindsey Jennings Kelly McNulty Gill Ragon Owen Michael Smith Wright Lindsey Jennings J. Andrew Vines Keech Law Firm Kent Walker Walker Law Firm CIVIL RIGHTS Michelle Banks Odum Humphreys Odem and Eubanks Shawn Childs Walker & Childs, PLLC Thomas McGowan Provost Umphrey Law Firm Austin Porter Jr. Porter Law Firm

Kevin Staten and Brian Brown have both been partners at Laser Law Firm PA, in Little Rock, for over thirty years. The Laser Law Firm has been engaged in civil defense, specializing in all areas of insurance defense litigation, for more than sixty years.

LASER LAW FIRM, P.A.

415 N. McKINLEY STREET, SUITE 760 LITTLE ROCK

501-376-2981

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Judson C. Kidd Dodds, Kidd, Ryan & Rowan

J

udson C. Kidd is a long-time veteran of the Little Rock law scene, presently serving as managing partner of Dodds, Kidd, Ryan & Rowan.

Kidd earned his bachelor’s at Hendrix College in 1972, and his Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas’ Leflar Law Center in 1975.

Stepping into the field of law and his current role at Dodds, Kidd, Ryan & Rowan was a natural one for Kidd, as it’s the very firm that his father and grandfather founded in 1950. He grew up around the legal field, and thus developed an appreciation for the work and service that lawyers provide their clients, who are often going through difficult times.

During his time at the distinguished firm, he has joined his fellow partners in various accolades and

recognition. He’s been named one of SuperLawyers “Top 50” lawyers in Arkansas, and he also serves as a fellow for the American College of Trial Lawyers , the American board of trial advocates, and has served as an Arkansas Supreme Court Special Justice.

Kidd’s primary areas of expertise at the firm include: family law, personal law, criminal law and medical malpractice. But no matter the focus area, Kidd and his colleagues continually live out the original mission from the firm’s founding every single day — aspiring for excellence and client service through hard work.

“That commitment remains at our foundation, which we believe sets us up to remain one of the most pre-eminent law firms in the future,” the partners say proudly.

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CONGRATULATIONS BIRC MORLEDGE ON BEING AMONG 2022’S BEST LAWYERS! You want to know that your criminal defense attorney can get the job done. Knowing that he cares about you and your criminal case will give you confidence in your situation.

George “Birc” Morledge, IV of Morledge Law Firm can handle any aspect of your criminal case whether you have state or federal charges. With his office centrally located in a Little Rock, he is able to easily travel state wide. From Fayetteville to Fordyce, Paragould to Texarkana, no Arkansas Court room is too far away for Birc to provide award winning representation.

DRUG CHARGES

DUI & DWI

VIOLENT CRIMES

Call Us: 501.590.3050 300 S. SPRING STREET • SUITE 615 • LITTLE ROCK 164

Morris Thompson Morris Thompson Law Firm COMMERCIAL INSURANCE Phil Campbell Fuqua Campbell, P.A. COMMERCIAL LITIGATION Conner Eldridge Eldridge Brooks Partners Patrick James James, House, Swann & Downing, P.A. Kelly McNulty Gill Ragon Owen, P.A. Gordon Rather, Jr. Wright Lindsey Jennings Michael Smith Wright Lindsey Jennings COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE Robyn Allmendinger Rose Law Firm Melissa Bandy Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, PLLC James Beachboard Wright Lindsey Jennings

Charles Darwin “Skip” Davidson Davidson Law Firm Cal McCastlain Wright Lindsey Jennings Heartsill Ragon Gill Ragon Owen Patrick Spivey Fuqua Campbell, P.A. Jay Taylor Friday, Eldredge & Clark, LLP Christopher Travis Gill Ragon Owen CONSTRUCTION LAW Matthew B. Finch Gill Ragon Owen, P.A. David Gershner Davidson Law Firm Cyril Hollingsworth Wright Lindsey Jennings Sach Oliver Bailey & Oliver Law Firm CORPORATE FINANCE, MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS C. Douglas Buford Jr. Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, PLLC Randall Bynum Wright Lindsey Jennings

Ryan J. Caststeel Hopkins Caststeel, PLC Chad Cumming Gill Ragon Owen Gregory M. Hopkins Hopkins Caststeel, PLC Nicole Lovell Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, PLLC Cal McCastlain Wright Lindsey Jennings David McDaniel Kutak Rock, LLP Paul Parnell Rose Law Firm Fred Perkings Wright, Lindsey & Jennings, LLP Paula Storeygard Hilburn & Harper Ltd. CORPORATE LAW Amber Bagley Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon & Galchus, P.C. Stephen Bingham Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon & Galchus, P.C. Richard “Dick” Downing James, House, Downing & Lueken

Conner Eldridge Eldridge Brooks Partners Kim Kelley Law Offices of Kimberly L. Kelley T.J. Lawhon Wright Lindsey Jennings Kristi Moody Windstream Joe Purvis Wright Lindsey Jennings Heartsill Ragon Gill Ragon Owen Patrick Spivey Fuqua Campbell, P.A. Charley Swann James, House, Swann & Downing, P.A. Chris Travis Gill Ragon Owen Danielle Whitehouse Owens Gill Ragon Owen Rufus Wolff McDaniel, Wolff & Benca, PLLC

Congratulations

Paul Keith

Voted among the best lawyers in Arkansas Providing expert legal advice to clients across the state for more than 35 years.

119 S Main St, Monticello, AR 71655 P.O. Drawer 447 P: (865) 280-1312 (Toll Free) F: (870) 367-8306 gibsonkeithlaw.com

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Katherine Blackmon Carroll is the owner and managing attorney of the Law Offices of Katherine E. Blackmon, which is a trauma-informed family law firm with an emphasis on helping clients navigate difficult times with empathy and expertise. Carroll earned her bachelor of arts from Southern Methodist University and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles and founded the firm in 1997.

Under Carroll’s leadership, the team at the Law Offices of Katherine E. Blackmon fights aggressively for their clients and just as frequently talks their clients through the emotions that go hand-in-hand with experiencing a divorce or custody matter.

“I think people would be surprised to know that while

A heartfelt “thank you” to my loyal clients and supporters for voting me Best Lawyer in AY’s Best Lawyers 2022.

My firm and I will continue to provide caring and zealous representation for our clients as they navigate the emotional waters of a family law matter.

we are a tough group of attorneys, we are also a very sensitive group of people,” Carroll says. “We genuinely care not just about the case but how our clients feel while going through it and, ultimately, how they feel when their case is over.”

Family law allows Carroll to use her intelligence and creativity to develop the legal side of cases while also working with the emotional aspect of trauma that so often results when a family is disrupted through divorce and the surrounding issues.

“We take a holistic approach,” she says. “Practicing family law is about helping empower people. It’s helping guide a client through one of the most traumatic experiences of their lives and reassuring them that it will be ok.”

212 Center Street 11th Floor, Centre Place Little Rock, AR (501) 372-7636 facebook.com/KEBlackmon 166

Voted Best in Workers’ Compensation

Caldwell Law Firm, P.A. 25 Rahling Circle, Suite C Little Rock 501.500.5512 Main Line 501.500-5513 Direct Line 855.535-8485 Facsimile caldwellfirm.org Andy L. Caldwell Attorney at Law 167

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CRIMINAL DEFENSE Patrick Benca McDaniel, Wolff & Benca, PLLC Erin Cassinelli Lassiter & Cassinelli Annie Depper Fuqua Campbell, P.A. David W. Kamps Kamps & Ward, PLLC Jack Lassiter Lassiter & Cassinelli Erin Lewis Erin W. Lewis Law Birc Morledge Morledge Law Firm David Parker Dodds, Kidd, Ryan & Rowan Kelly Ward Kamps & Ward, PLLC CRIMINAL DEFENSE: BLUE-COLLAR Tamera Deaver Law Offices of Tamera Deaver John Wesley Hall John Wesley Hall

Mark Hampton Mark F. Hampton, P.A. William “Bill” James, Jr. James Law Firm Michael Kaiser Lancaster & Cassinelli William Ogles Wright Lindsey Jennings Charlie Pearce Bailey & Oliver Law Firm Frank Shaw Shaw Law Firm Lee Short Short Law Firm Brad Williams Bennett & Williams, PLLC Cara Boyd Connors Law Office of Boyd Connors Pam Epperson Epperson Panasiuk Law John Wesley Hall John Wesley Hall Michael Kaiser Lancaster & Cassinelli Paul Keith Gibson & Keith Attorneys at Law Leonardo Monterrey Monterrey Law Firm

George Birc Morledge IV Morledge Law Firm Charlie Pearce Bailey & Oliver Law Firm Jacob Potter The Potter Law Firm Charlcee Small Bogart, Small + Naylor CRIMINAL DEFENSE: WHITE-COLLAR Chuck Banks Banks Law Firm Erin Cassinelli Lassiter & Cassinelli Chad Green Green & Gillispie, Attorneys at Law John Wesley Hall John Wesley Hall J. Blake Hendrix Fuqua Campbell, P.A. Bill James James Law Firm Jack Lassiter Lassiter & Cassinelli George Birc Morledge, IV Morledge Law Firm Charlie Pearce Bailey & Oliver Law Firm

CRIMINAL LAW: PROSECUTION Chad Green Green & Gillispie, Attorneys at Law Benecia Moore U.S. Attorneys Office DUI/DWI DEFENSE Tommy Bennett Bennett & Williams, PLLC John Collins Collins, Collins & Ray, P.A. Brent Houston Baxter, Jensen, Young & Houston Quentin May Quentin E. May, PLC Leonardo Monterrey Monterrey Law Firm William Ogles Wright Lindsey Jennings Sach Oliver Bailey & Oliver Law Firm David Parker Dodds, Kidd, Ryan & Rowan Brian Ray Collins, Collins & Ray, P.A. Lee Short Short Law Firm

Congratulations

On being selected as Arkansas’ Best Lawyers!

Skip Davidson

Brian Ray and John Collins would like to thank the public and our peers for giving us a vote of confidence in selecting us as two of the best.

Our firm has been honored to represent people in cases involving drug and alcohol impairment.

Call if you have been injured by a drunk driver, and we will put that experience to work for you.

912 West 4th Street • Little Rock

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Sara K. Lingo

Celebrating 40 years of protecting Arkansans.

LITTLE ROCK 724 Garland | P.O. Box 1300 Little Rock, Arkansas 72203 501.374.9977

WHEN IT’S SERIOUS ... CONTACT US

Steve Gershner

CONWAY 1422 Caldwell St. Conway, Arkansas 72034 501.336.9944

HOT SPRINGS 100 Ridgeway, Suite 4 Hot Springs, Arkansas 71901 501.620.4242

Mike Munnerlyn, p.a.

Voted Best Trusts and Estates 10350 Riverview Corporate Drive | North Little Rock, AR 72113 501-663-5620 | mikemunnlaw.com

Going The Extra Mile is simply doing what others are not willing to do.

THANK YOU LITTLE ROCK! THANK YOU LITTLE ROCK! THANK YOU LITTLE THANKS FOR VOTING MEROCK! ONE OF AY’S BEST LAWYERS OF 2022!

Pamela Epperson

11300 N RODNEY PARHAM RD., SUITE 110 LITTLE ROCK EPPERSONPANASIUKLAW.COM

501.404.7400

EPPERSONPANASIUKLAW@GMAIL.COM

Congratulations Payton Bentley for being voted among the best lawyers in Arkansas and being awarded the Golden Gavel Award and the Frank C. Elan Award by the Arkansas Bar Association!

A TRUSTED LAW FIRM FOR YOUR LITIGATION NEEDS 121 W. South Street Fayetteville 479-856-6380

clark-firm.com

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Thank You for Voting us Among the Best Lawyers in Arkansas

Matt Finch

Dylan Potts

Labor and Employment Law Beth Echols

Construction Law

Family Law

Mergers & Acquisitions

Chad Cumming

Danielle Whitehouse Owens

Roger H. Fitzgibbon, Jr.

Adam Reid

Heartsill Ragon III

Jenny Holt Teeter

Christopher Travis

Trademark Law

Kelly McNulty

Business Litigation

Taxation

Labor and Employment Law

Corporate Law

Commercial Real Estate Commercial Real Estate

Drake Mann

Trademark Law

425 West Capitol Avenue, Suite 3800 | Little Rock | 501.376.3800 | gill-law.com 170

EDUCATION LAW Mary Carole Young Munson Rowlett Moore & Boone, PA Chad L. Cumming Jr. Gill Ragon Owen, P.A. Khayyam Eddings Friday Eldredge & Clark, LLP Cody Kees Bequette, Billingsley & Kees, P.A. Gary Rogers Wright Lindsey Jennings Lawrence Walker Walker & Childs, PLLC ELDER LAW Gayle Corley Corley Law Firm Frank Dudeck Dudeck Law Firm Justin Elrod The Elrod Firm Jennifer Glover Natural State Law PLLC Raymon Harvey The Raymon B. Harvey Law Firm, P.A. Brandon Haubert whLaw

John Peace Wright Lindsey Jennings EMPLOYEE BENEFITS Shawn Childs Walker & Childs, PLLC Bryant Cranford Rose Law Firm Kayce Green Law Offices of Gary Green, P.A. Lawrence Walker Walker & Childs, PLLC EMPLOYMENT LAW Carl Trey Coope III Wright Lindsey Jennings J. Bruce Cross Cross Gunther Witherspoon Galphus, P.C. John Davis Wright Lindsey Jennings Missy Duke Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon & Galchus, P.C. Jenny Holt Teeter Gill Ragon Owen, P.A. Abbie Rucker Fuqua Campbell, P.A. Michael Sutterfield Law Offices of Michael U. Sutterfield

Brian A. Vandiver Cox, Sterling, Vandiver & Botteicher, PLLC ENERGY LAW Mark Allison Wright Lindsey Jennings Randy Bynum Wright Lindsey Jennings Lawrence Chisenhall Jr. Barber Law Firm Kimberly D. Logue PPGMR Law, PLLC Richard Williams Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, PLLC ENVIRONMENTAL LAW Mark Allison Wright Lindsey Jennings Julie Greathouse PPGMR Law, PLLC Samuel E. Ledbetter McMath Woods, P.A. Richard H. Mays Richard Mays Law Firm, PLLC Ross Noland Noland Law Firm Alan Perkins PPGMR Law, PLLC Brian Rosenthal Rose Law Firm

ERISA Bryant Cranford Rose Law Firm Missy Duke Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon & Galchus, P.C. Troy Price Wright, Lindsey & Jennings, LLP Brian A. Vandiver Cox, Sterling, McClure & Vandiver, PLLC Allison Allred Allred Law Firm FAMILY LAW Kayla M. Applegate James, House, Swann & Downing, P.A. Betsy Baker Rose Law Firm Katherine Blackmon Law Offices of Katherine E. Blackmon Tjuana Byrd Law Offices of Tjuana Bird Beth Echols Gill Ragon Owen

313 West Second Street dkrfirm.com Contact us today for a free consultation 501-375-9901 171

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Jennifer Glover Natural State Law, PLLC Chad Green Green & Gillispie, Attorneys at Law Adrienne Griffis Wright Lindsey Jennings Betty Hardy Montgomery Wyatt Hardy, PLC Haley Heath Fuqua Campbell, P.A. Sam Hilburn Hilburn & Harper, Ltd. Paul Keith Gibson & Keith Attorneys at Law Jud Kidd Dodds, Kidd, Ryan & Rowan Michael Knollmeyer Knollmeyer Law Office Kristen Komander Bogart, Small + Naylor Clint Lancaster The Lancaster Law Firm, PLLC Sara K. Lingo Davidson Law Firm Molly Lucas Lucas Law Frim Samuel Mason Bailey & Oliver Law Firm Charlie Pearce Bailey & Oliver Law Firm Jacob Potter The Potter Law Firm Sydney Rasch Tuner & Rasch Helen Rice Grinder Grinder Law Firm Bonnie Roberton Robertson, Oswalt, Nony & Associates Gary Rogers Wright Lindsey Jennings Sidney Stewart Taylor & Taylor Law Firm, P.A. Jocelyn Stotts The Law Office of Jocelyn Stotts Charley Swann James, House, Downing & Lueken Erin Warden Lewis Erin W. Lewis Law Megan Wells Hilburn & Harper Ltd. Megan E. Wooster M.W. Law, PLLC

HEALTH CARE LAW Amie Alexander Friday Eldredge & Clark, LLP Steve Brooks Eldridge Brooks Partners Eric Gribble Fuqua Campbell, P.A. Jenny Holt Teeter Gill Ragon Owen, P.A. Lynda Johnson Friday Eldredge & Clark, LLP Gabriel Mallard Mallard Gardner, PLLC Lee Muldrow Wright Lindsey Jennings IMMIGRATION LAW Arminda Ferguson Ferguson Immigration Law Jonathan Martin Monterrey Law Firm INSURANCE Amy C. Markham Spicer Rudstrom, PLLC Derrick W. Smith Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, PLLC Kevin J. Staten Laser Law Firm LABOR & EMPLOYMENT John D. Coulter McMath Woods, P.A. Denise Hoggard Rainwater, Holt & Sexton Jenny Holt Teeter Gill Ragon Owen Jane Kim Wright Lindsey Jennings, LLP David Martin Rose Law Firm Melanie J. McClure Simmons Bank Missy McJunkins Duke Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon & Galchus, P.C. Abtin Mehdizadegan Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon & Galchus, P.C. Amanda G. Orcutt Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, PLLC Dylan Potts Gill Ragon Owen James D. Robertson Barber Law Firm Abbie Rucker Fuqua Campbell, P.A. Jenny Teeter Gill Ragon Owen Danna J. Young Law Office of Danna Young, P.A.

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LABOR LAW Khayyam Eddings Friday Eldredge & Clark, LLP Joseph Kraska Cross Gunter Witherspoon & Galchus Dylan H. Potts Gill Ragon Owen, P.A. Brian A. Vandiver Cox, Sterling, Vandiver & Botteicher, PLLC LITIGATION Betsy Baker Rose Law Firm Payton Bentley Clark Law Firm Bart Calhoun McDaniel, Wolff & Benca Robert Cossio Law Office of Robert M. Cossio, PLLC Matthew Finch Gill Ragon Owen Jennifer Williams Flinn Taylor & Taylor Law Firm, P.A. G. Spence Fricke Barber Law Firm Eric Gribble Fuqua Campbell, P.A. Judy Henry Wright Lindsey Jennings, LLP Scott Hilburn Hilburn & Harper Ltd. Jonathan Horton Wright Lindsey Jennings, LLP David Jones Wright Lindsey Jennings, LLP David Kamps David W. Kamps, P.A. Dustin McDaniel McDaniel, Wolff & Benca, PLLC Kelly McNulty Gill Ragon Owen David Mitchell Rose Law Firm Rusty Mitchell Taylor King Law Jaimie Moss Wright Lindsey Jennings, LLP Randy Murphy Anderson, Murphy & Hopkins, LLP Edward Ogelsby The Brad Hendricks Law Firm Bob Sexton Rainwater, Holt & Sexton Amber Wilson Bagley Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon & Galchus, P.C.

LITIGATION BANKRUPTCY James Beachboard Wright Lindsey Jennings Randall Bynum Wright Lindsey Jennings Charlie Coleman Wright Lindsey Jennings Robert Danecki Danecki Law Firm, PLC Lyndsey D. Dilks Dilks Law Firm Richard Donovan Rose Law Firm James Dowden James F. Dowden, P.A. Allison Gladden Barber Law Firm Tom Hardin Rose Law Firm William Harris IV Heaton & Harris, LLP Brad Hendricks The Brad Hendricks Law Firm Adam Hopkins Rose Law Firm Steve Joiner Rose Law Firm Michael Knollmeyer Knollmeyer Law Office Jennifer Lancaster The Lancaster Law Firm, PLLC Caroline Lewis Brad Hendricks Law Firm David Martin Rose Law Firm Kelly McNulty Gill Ragon Owen David Mitchell Jr. Rose Law Firm Paul Parnell Rose Law Firm Charlie Pearce Bailey & Oliver Law Firm David Powell Rose Law Firm Kent Pray Pray Law Firm Mike Rainwater Rainwater, Holt & Sexton John Rainwater Rainwater, Holt & Sexton Bourgon Reynolds Rose Law Firm Brian Rosenthal Rose Law Firm Mary Tipton Thalheimer Rose Law Firm Danyelle Walker Law Office of Danyelle Walker

Congratulations to our McDaniel, Wolff & Benca partners for being named AY’s Best Lawyers in Arkansas!

DUSTIN MCDANIEL Litigation, Government Relations

RUFUS WOLFF Business & Corporate Law

VINCE WARD Business & Corporate Law

BART CALHOUN Litigation, Government Relations

Our firm combines decades of professional experience to provide outstanding service in all aspects of our

PATRICK BENCA Criminal Defense

clients’ legal needs. We are honored to have these five partners recognized for their commitment to quality.

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LITIGATION - INSURANCE Randy Bynum Wright Lindsey Jennings Tony A. DiCarlo III Anderson Murphy Hopkins Betty Hardy Montgomery Wyatt Hardy, PLC Michael Smith Wright Lindsey Jennings Richard Watts Watts, Donovan & Tilley, P.A. LITIGATION - TRUSTS AND ESTATES John Peace Wright Lindsey Jennings Charlie Pearce Bailey & Oliver Law Firm MEDIATION Cyril Hollingsworth Wright Lindsey Jennings Joseph Patrick Jaynes Jaynes Mediation and Consulting Drake Mann Gill Ragon Owen

Lucas Rowan Dodds, Kidd, Ryan & Rowan John Dewey Watson ADR, Inc. PERSONAL INJURY LITIGATION Richard Bright Taylor King Law Sheila Campbell Sheila Campbell, P.A. Hal Cook Cook & Cossio Whitney Cossio Cook & Cossio Hugh Crisp Crisp Law Firm Tony DiCarlo III Anderson Murphy Hopkins Kayce Green Law Offices of Gary Green, P.A. Gary Green Law Offices of Gary Green, P.A. Randy Hall Little Rock Trial Lawyers Matt Hartness The Brad Hendricks Law Firm Brad Hendricks The Brad Hendricks Law Firm

Stephen A. Hester Spicer Rudstrom, PLLC Anthony Johnson Johnson Firm Taylor King Taylor King Law Lloyd W. “Tré” Kitchens The Brad Hendricks Law Firm Jack Lofton Johnson Firm Tiffany Martin Bailey & Oliver Law Firm Sach Oliver Bailey & Oliver Law Firm John Rainwater Rainwater, Holt & Sexton Mike Rainwater Bailey & Oliver Law Firm Michael Smith Wright Lindsey Jennings Carter C. Stein McMath Woods, P.A. Andy Taylor Taylor & Taylor Law Firm, P.A. Tasha C. Taylor Taylor & Taylor Law Firm, P.A. Jim Tilley Watts, Donovan & Tilley

Tab Turner Turner & Associates, P.A. REAL ESTATE LAW Robyn Allmendinger Rose Law Firm Melissa Bandy Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, PLLC Don A. Eilbott Eilbott Law Monte Estes Wright Lindsey Jennings Stephen L. Gershner Davidson Law Firm Ernest Harper Jr. Hilburn & Harper Ltd. T.J. Lawhon Wright Lindsey Jennings Samuel Mason Bailey & Oliver Law Firm Cal McCastlain Wright Lindsey Jennings Kent Walker Walker Law Firm Shellie Wallace The Wilson Law Group Jennifer Wilson Harvey The Wilson Law Group

AR Law Partners, PLLC, is a local firm, with local attorneys who value honesty and integrity.

We focus on the individual and families and dedicate the time and resources needed for their case.

Vanessa Cash Adams is co-founder of AR Law Partners, PLLC, bringing 16 years experience to the firm and practicing primarily in the areas of consumer and business bankruptcy law. Born and raised in central Arkansas, Vanessa is proud to partner with other Arkansas attorneys to represent AY’s Best Lawyers 2022.

Little Rock (501) 710-6500 • Fayetteville (479) 480-4900 • arlawpartners.com 174

TAX LAW Michele Allgood Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, PLLC Matthew Boch Wright Lindsey Jennings Steve Brooks Eldridge Brooks Partners Adam Crow Rose Law Firm T.J. Lawhon Wright Lindsey Jennings Charles McDaniel Eichenbaum Liles P.A. Michael Parker Wright Lindsey Jennings Reba Wingfield Wingfield & Corry, P.A. TAXATION Michael Parker Wright Lindsey Jennings Adam Reid Gill Ragon Owen Robert Smith Friday, Eldredge & Clark, LLP Jennie Stewart Kutak Rock, LLP

John Tisdale Wright, Lindsey & Jennings, LLP Vince Ward McDaniel, Wolff & Benca, PLLC TRADEMARK LAW J. Charles Dougherty Wright Lindsey Jennings Roger H. Fitzgibbon Jr. Gill Ragon Owen, P.A. Jamie Fugitt PPGMR Law, PLLC Haley Heath Fuqua Campbell, P.A. Mark Henry Henry Law Firm Drake Mann Gill Ragon Owen K. Brandon Middleton Wright Lindsey Jennings Debby Winters Eldridge Brooks Partners TRUSTS AND ESTATES Wayne Ball Wayne B. Ball, P.A. Gayle Corley Corley Law Firm

Cade L. Cox Cox, Sterling, Vandiver & Botteicher, PLLC Bethany Gulley Pike The Elrod Firm Raymon Harvey The Raymon B. Harvey Law Firm Laura Johnson Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon & Galchus, P.C. Cal McCastlain Wright Lindsey Jennings Charles McDaniel Eichenbaum Liles P.A. Mike Munnerlyn Mike Munnerlyn, P.A. John Peace Wright Lindsey Jennings Elizabeth Richardson Elizabeth Richardson Attorney at Law John Tisdale Wright Lindsey Jennings Dan Young Rose Law Firm WORKERS COMP LAW Andy Caldwell Caldwell Law Firm, P.A.

John Gary Davis Gary Davis Law Firm Monte Estes Wright Lindsey Jennings Ken Kieklak Kieklak Law Firm Jarid Kinder The Law Offices of Craig L. Cook Joseph Purvis Wright Lindsey Jennings Michael G. Smith Wright Lindsey Jennings

Congratulations!

Thank you, Arkansas, for recognizing Brian A. Vandiver & Cade L. Cox as two of AY’s Best of Lawyers in 2022.

EMPLOYMENT LAW LABOR LAW ERISA TRUST & ESTATES

Visit us at our new location at Pavilion in the Park!

8201 Cantrell Road, Suite #230, Little Rock, 72227

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MALLARD GARDNER

KAREY W. GARDNER GABRIEL D. MALLARD Wesley W. Harris

A T T O RAttorneys N E Y Sat Law AT L AW

Gabriel D. Mallard

D: 501.850.8485 Health Law • Employment Law • Corporate Law • ELicensing/Accreditation : Gabriel.mallard@mallardgardner.com Business Organization • Educational Services

Thank you for voting Mallard Gardner as one of AY’s 2022 Best Lawyers in Arkansas! With more than 30 years of providing representation to healthcare clients, the attorneys of Mallard Gardner are uniquely positioned to assist those involved in the healthcare industry today. Having represented clients ranging from the solo practitioner to large hospital systems, the attorneys of Mallard Gardner have experience with clients of all sizes.

1422 Scott Street | Little Rock, AR 72202| (501) 850-8501| mallardgardner.com

Want to know what’s happening for the weekend?

Tune in on 103.7 The Buzz every Friday morning when AY Media Group President & Publisher Heather Baker is their guest!

1422 Scott Street  Little Rock, AR 72202  O: 501.850.8501  F: 844.778.1750  www.mallardgardner.com

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This side of SEVEN – By Jason Pederson

AND THE WINNER IS …

A

Anybody up for a road trip to Fargo?

On June 25, the National Federation of Press Women will hold its annual communications conference in North Dakota. I’m invited because I was a part of a team effort at the Department of Human Services that will be recognized. Our efforts to bring attention to some of Arkansas’ most deserving foster families have been deemed award-worthy. Have we earned first, second or third place? You must show up to find out.

Located along Minnesota’s western border, Fargo is North Dakota’s largest city, with about a quarter of a million people living in and around the city. While winters are brutal, summers are ideal. Average high temperatures of 78 degrees await.

That sounds wonderful, but I will not be trekking to Fargo. While it is nice to be recognized as part of a team that is doing quality work, winning awards just doesn’t move the needle for me anymore.

There was a time when that was not the case. When you start out in a career like journalism, winning awards is affirmation that you are a fit for the profession. It can mark a transition from surviving to thriving. Every Arkansas Associated Press award provides affirmation. Every Arkansas Society of Professional Journalists award boosts confidence.

But the main reason I enjoyed winning awards, especially the more prestigious ones like an Edward R. Murrow or an Emmy, was

Erik and Layla.

because my hometown newspaper back in New Richmond, Wisconsin (population 10,000), would write an article. That was a big deal for my parents and especially my grandparents.

Over time, the desire to win awards faded.

In 2008, when a round of layoffs hit KATV, the guy with the most Emmy statues was the only on-air talent who lost his job. It became more and more obvious that, while management liked to trumpet award wins, they didn’t really value award wins. Awards did not lead to greater job security or pay raises — they just gave the promotions department something else to promote. I suppose they might help you move on to a larger television market if that was in your plans. But that wasn’t in my plans.

In 2015, I was nominated for an Emmy.

Just like with Fargo, nominees were invited to the ceremony not knowing who would win. In this case, the ceremony was to be held in St.

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Louis in early October. My wife Mary Carol and I like St. Louis. I proposed to her in St. Louis, we celebrated our 10-year anniversary there, and we decided that it would be fun to take our then 16- and 14-year-old teens with us for a weekend trip to St. Louis.

We went to Six Flags. We went to the St. Louis Zoo.We stayed in a very nice hotel. It was a fun getaway that the Pederson “core four” really needed.

And, oh yeah — I did not win.

Here is how I recapped our evening at the Emmys for my Facebook friends at the time: “It’s an honor to be nominated.”

That’s a common refrain heard by award nominees who do not bring home a little gold statue. Our family just returned from a trip to St. Louis for the 39th Annual Mid-America Emmy Awards — statue-less.

It was a well-attended, black-tie affair. The

personal pain and loss that follow natural disasters, police shootings, political scandals and the like were for one night celebrated as professional achievement. I know we’re just doing our jobs. And it can be a hard job. But I cringed at times when nominations for Ferguson coverage were cheered by tables of eager, alcohol-emboldened storytellers.

I didn’t win the investigative category for which my reporting was nominated. A St. Louis reporter who tracked down a cop who had hidden a camera in the men’s room of a restaurant took home top honors. So, while my acceptance speech went undelivered, I listened to many others. And a common theme emerged: regret. Not for the work, which was excellent. But for the price paid for that excellence. For getting home late, again. For missing a daughter’s dance recital or a son’s ballgame. More than one winner thanked his/ her spouse “for putting up with me” and “my chosen profession.”

I enjoy my job. I put in an honest day’s work and am paid fairly. I do well enough to every once in a while get nominated for — and even win — awards. I could probably win more. I could be a better reporter. But spending more time and effort on one thing requires taking time from something else. Or someone else.

While it is an honor to be nominated, it is truly an honor to be my wife’s husband and do my best to support her in being all God designed her to be. It is an honor to work to raise two children to walk worthy. It is an honor to provide for my family. It is an honor to be used

by God to help others in their time of need and expect nothing in return. How I am ultimately judged in these areas will really matter.

This isn’t sour grapes.

I’m truly happy for the winner of my category and for all the winners Saturday night. I just hope the price paid for their little gold statues wasn’t too high.

A few years later, I did win a little gold statue, but my opinion didn’t change. In fact, the day I was presented with that Emmy, I was also presented with a contract offer that again reinforced the notion that awards mean little in a bottom-line business. So, I moved on to

The Pederson family.

another profession, where I find the work can still be judged and awards can still be won.

Every one of us has something to offer this world and our fellow man. In Christianity, these attributes are called spiritual gifts. You may have the gift of administration, or evangelism, or giving, or leadership, or wisdom.

There are at least a dozen more. You will ul-

that cannot be earned. “But on judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value” (I Cor 3:13, NLT).

The passage goes on to say that, “If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.”

What are the rewards?

What is the loss? Scripture offers hints but no definitive answers. First, submit your life to Jesus. Then, do the best you can to serve and honor God with the spiritual gifts you have been given. If you do so, eternal rewards await. If you don’t, you will escape the fire but may smell like smoke.

Bottom line: If you want to really win at life, dedicate your time and your energies to the things that matter. They don’t fit on a shelf or a wall. And they won’t be found in Fargo.

“If you want to really win at life, dedicate your time and your energies to the things that matter.” timately be judged on what you do with the spiritual gift or gifts that you have been given.

Again, from the Christian perspective, Earthly awards mean nothing. I Corinthians teaches that how we use the gifts we are entrusted with is what will matter. That is how we will ultimately be judged. It will not determine admission into Heaven. That is a gift

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 award-winning 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.

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B

ehind the scenes of the Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission events that capture the attentions of thousands worldwide, DuShun Scarbrough is an average guy who values family, friends, and serving others. Many say that he bears a close resemblance to civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scarbrough also shares a birthday (April 27) with Coretta Scott King, wife of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. With these attributes, it is ironic that Scarbrough is the leader of the state’s Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission.

As the director of the state’s official agency bearing the name of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Scarbrough works selflessly to promote Dr. King’s legacy of diversity, equity, reconciliation and nonviolence across the state through education and community service, especially targeting rural and underserved communities and youth, providing thousands of hours of volunteer service. His life is a testament of grace.

As its leader, Scarborough has taken the Commission to heights unknown.

Formed in 1993, The Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission — a division of the Arkansas Department of Education — serves Arkansans of all ages and cultural backgrounds throughout the four congressional districts in its effort to encourage Arkansans to reflect on the life and teachings of Dr. King. through educational endeavors, cultural performances, exhibitions and public community outreach projects that are multiethnic and family-oriented.

The Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission’s efforts have caught the attention of MLK organizations, commissions and nonprofits from across the

country who have requested training and technical assistance in fundraising, sustainability, organizational management, programming and structure from Scarbrough; he has formed several interstate partnerships with these commissions and committees.

“If you’re passionate about other people, the outreach and the programming ideas will come naturally,” Scarbrough says. “When people see that you are making a difference, you are helping others, they will want to join your work. If you have a desire to help people, to make a difference, start right now with what you have, regardless of size. The resources and the participants will come. But you must get started.”

The commission hosts the largest day of service in the nation and the fourth largest event in the nation for volunteerism during the Dr. King holiday weekend.

And the commission provides outreach year-round, donating more than 40 thousand pounds of food, toys and coats to citizens Scarbrough and his wife, Angela, have share three children: DuShun Scarbrough Jr., Kennedy and Braxton.

For more information about the Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, call 888-290-KING.

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health

Hope in the

Face of

ALZHEIMER’S

By ANGELA FORSYTH

L

ast year, at the 2021 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), researchers from the University of Washington announced their projection that the number of people living with dementia worldwide will triple from an estimated 57 million in 2019 to 152 million by 2050. It is estimated that 20 new cases of Alzheimer’s disease are discovered every minute worldwide. In Arkansas, it is projected that in 2025 the number of cases will be 67,000.

Dementia is the umbrella term for a range of neurological conditions affecting the brain that get worse over time. Under dementia, there are many different conditions that can cause memory loss. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common by far. Other conditions under the umbrella are frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Lewy body dementia and vascular dementia.

Sadly, dementia is the result of changes in the brain that cause nerve cells, or neurons, to stop working properly and eventually die. Experts have discovered some links to risk factors for memory loss, but in most cases, the cause is not known.

Gohar Azhar, M.D., Professor of Geriatrics and Director of Clinical Research with UAMS, wants people to take heart amid the severity of the situation because many important advances are being made in this area.

“This is an exciting time,” she says. “We can help people and caregivers a whole lot. People should remain optimistic. Things will keep on improving.”

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Who should get evaluated?

Azhar recommends people go in for an evaluation if they notice they are not remembering things they used to know.

Not remembering a recent conversation with someone, if it’s a total blank, that’s a reason to see a doctor. Forgetting names, dates, your keys or purse once in a while is normal.

It doesn’t mean you have dementia. But when it occurs more frequently, and you have trouble remembering things you should know — and that you used to remember — that is concerning.

Azhar also notes to look for emotional changes. Some concerning signs include apathy and depression.

Apathy is much more common in people with dementia than in people without dementia.

With apathy or depression, people will become less interested in Graphic courtesy CDC. things they used to enjoy. They may move slower or have problems completing a usual task like writing checks, using a computer, driving, or speaking. Some, who were in community programs like a Bible study, might now find they can’t do it. These are causes for concern.

Decision-making is another sign to look for. A person who is developing Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia may lose the ability to make decisions well. A mechanic or an engineer who used to be able to assemble complicated parts may no longer be able to do a difficult job correctly. A person who in the past was good at planning and organizing events may find they can’t do these projects anymore.

Many may attribute this to aging. Even some general physicians might dismiss some of these examples as normal signs of getting older.

“People sometimes say, ‘I don’t remember things as well as I used to,’ and they are very high functioning people. We should not dismiss that.” Azhar explains, noting that this form of memory loss is referred to as subjective cognitive impairment. People may even come into her clinic with concerns of memory loss, take the initial memory test and pass with a perfect score. “Many of the people who have complained of memory loss score well on the test because the test is relatively simple.” When they are sent to more intensive, comprehensive testing such as a neuropsychological test, it is determined that there has indeed been a decline from where they used to be.

According to Azhar, these types of cases need to be mon-

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itored because sometimes, subjective cognitive impairment can develop into mild cognitive impairment, and from there, 50 percent of people go on to develop dementia.

“We are now taking mild cognitive impairment very seriously,” she notes. “We are being more aggressive and starting therapy earlier.”

In the past, treatment began when people scored poorly on the initial screening. The problem is that by then, the person is already experiencing quite a bit of memory loss.

“We want to treat it earlier because now we have the knowledge of the disease,” she notes.

Dementia has been known to start 15 to 20 years before a person gets to the point of not passing the initial assessment.

Catching it in its early stages is important because, with dementia, as neurons become injured and die within the brain, they cannot regenerate.

“If you wait too long, you won’t be able to rescue the brain,” Azhar explains. For this reason, the emphasis is on early diagnosis at the stage of mild cognitive impairment when actual dementia has not set in yet.

Holding on to Hope For families dealing with the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, there exists a spark of hope. Medical research in recent years has led to a growing understanding of memory loss diseases. Current treatments are available that temporarily improve symptoms of memory loss and confusion. In addition, experts are hopeful about new treatments, currently in trial stages, that could stop or significantly delay the progression of Alzheimer’s.

Several new monoclonal antibodies may prevent or remove the protein beta-amyloid from the brain. Beta-amyloid are microscopic clumps of protein — also referred to as plaques — which are a characteristic sign of Alzheimer’s disease. Monoclonal antibodies mimic the antibodies the body naturally produces as part of the immune system’s response to foreign invaders or vaccines.

“This is an exciting time,” Azhar says. “In the past, we did not have monoclonal antibodies, and now there are different monoclonal antibodies developed by different companies.

Experts are hopeful about new treatments, currently in trial stages, that could stop or significantly delay the progression of Alzheimer’s.

We have a lot of options. Before, we could only use certain drugs, and we didn’t have anything to attack the root of the problem. Now we do. Now what we have to do is diagnose it early to prevent the progression.”

Azhar, who is also the director of the Pat Walker Memory Research Center, says UAMS’ Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging is currently recruiting subjects for a new trial to test the efficacy of a drug that might reduce cardiovascular issues impacting dementia.

Prevention Although we still don’t quite know what causes Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, we do know some preventative measures. Healthy overall habits may help ward off memory loss diseases. The following are some recommendations for brain health.

Physical exercise. Doctors recommend 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise at least three times a week to slow down or prevent Alzheimer’s.

Brain exercise. Remain engaged socially and cognitively.

Do puzzles or brain games on the computer. Write a paragraph every day; writing is a very good exercise.

Nutrition. Follow the “mind diet.”

It’s a combination of the dash diet and the Mediterranean diet, which has been reported to improve high blood pressure. Eat more vegetables and less meat. The mind diet has been shown to slow down aging by 7.5 years and reduce the progression of Alzheimer’s.

Eat more strawberries and raspberries.

Snack on nuts and have fish once a week.

Sleep. Make sure to get good sleep. Sleep apnea is harmful because it causes breathing to stop frequently. The brain can become damaged if it doesn’t get enough oxygen while you sleep.

Vitamins and hormones. Have labs done regularly to check for vitamin deficiency, such as B12. Check your thyroid, which can also be linked to memory loss.

Help for Arkansas Arkansas families dealing with the difficulties of Alzheimer’s and other memory loss conditions can find help through the Arkansas chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. While the chapter is involved in advancing critical research and public policy, the organization’s daily focus is to reach out to local communities affected by this disease.

Kirsten Dickins of the Arkansas chapter urges anyone who needs help to call the 24/7 helpline at (800) 272-3900. This line is available to anyone who has even the most basic questions about Alzheimer’s. Volunteers manning the phones are ready to connect people with the information and resources they need. Also, check out the www.alz.org/arkansas website for community and fundraising events, such as the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, which will take place on Nov. 9.

Medication. Limit over-the-counter medications such as pain medicine, sleep aid and antihistamines. These block the action of the neurotransmitter. You don’t want to stop taking medication you need, but it’s a good idea to have a geriatrician or geriatric pharmacist review your medications because many can affect brain function.

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MURDER MYSTERY: TERROR IN TULSA,

PART I – By Janie Jones

G

eraldine Cornwell Martin was a fun-loving, vivacious student at Tulsa Junior College in February 1975. Employed at a Tulsa attorney’s office, she was originally from Conway, Arkansas. The 28-year-old coed had attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where she met Joyce Faulkner in 1966. Faulkner described her friend “Geri” as “a quirky beauty — one that made people pause and reflect on how the room changed when she arrived.” Twice divorced, Martin fell in love easily, but her romantic relationships had short blooming seasons. She enjoyed singing and often sang along with tapes of The Supremes. She would have felt right at home at a karaoke party, but before karaoke became widely popular in the United States, Martin met her death at the hands of a man who committed violent acts of the most extreme and horrific kind.

The weather was below freezing on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 1975, when Martin left her evening art class early to join a friend for dinner. She called to say she would be there in 20 minutes. The friend waited, but Martin never showed up. When her dinner date reported her missing, police released information to the media, describing her as 5 feet, 7 inches tall with brown hair and blue eyes. She was wearing slacks, a green sweater and a beige coat.

The case was assigned to Tulsa Police Department (TPD) cadet Mike Huff. It was his first homicide investigation. Lawmen suspected foul play from the get-go.

“It did not matter what we called it,” Huff says. “We had the gut feeling it would end up a tragedy.”

They had located her Volkswagen car parked near the college, but her belongings were not in it. On Thursday, they found her purse beside the Broken Arrow Expressway, and it contained her car keys and eyeglasses. The day after Martin’s disappearance, a department store clerk notified authorities after a man tried to use a blood-stained credit card in the decedent’s name, but he fled before police arrived. He also cashed a $98 check signed “Jerry Martin” at the victim’s bank. Employees at the department store and bank gave a description of the individual to an artist, whose composite of the suspect was distributed to the media to help in the search for Martin. When the likeness drew dozens of phone calls from the public, the FBI developed a more detailed sketch of the man. Officials, however, believed he might have found the victim’s checkbook and credit card after the murderer discarded her purse.

Meanwhile, Martin’s father, John Cornwell, left his home in Conway and went to Tulsa where he joined searchers as they looked on roadsides, under buildings and in vacant houses, mining areas, gravel pits, ditches and horse barns. He maintained a hopeful attitude, saying, “She is very sharp, and she knows it is not wise to resist an attacker. She would have cooperated until she found a way to escape.”

Cornwell added, “I could understand if she were a swinger and ran around with bad characters, but

190 190

apparently, she was just a woman in a parking lot alone at night. You read about things like this, but you don’t think it can happen to someone in your family.”

Friends of the Cornwells offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to Martin’s safe return.

Nineteen days after the disappearance, laborers were renovating a vacant apartment complex on North Osage Drive in Tulsa when they discovered Martin’s nude body in a second-floor closet. Clothing found beside her matched the outfit she had worn when she was last seen. Her father, who had returned home, drove back to Tulsa to identify her body.

An autopsy determined Martin had been raped, and the cause of death was strangulation. The murderer had used a cord as a ligature and with such force that her neck was compressed to about half its size. According to the FBI, she had suffered blunt force trauma to her face, and her breasts had been mutilated postmortem. A small part of her that was missing may have been taken by the killer as a trophy. A sample of fluids from the body was preserved, though DNA was merely a topic for scientists at the time.

Mike Huff rose in the ranks to become the TPD’s homicide supervisor and remained with the force until his 2019 retirement. He participated in an interview for VoicesofOklahoma.com in 2013 and discussed the Martin case. He said Sergeant Roy Hunt, the homicide supervisor during the initial investigation, pulled him aside and told him, “Tulsa just hit the big time.” When Huff asked why, Hunt replied, “We got visited by a serial killer.” Huff asked how he knew that, and Hunt said, “Oh, about 25-30 years of working homicide.”

Martin’s murder had a huge impact on Joyce Faulkner, who spent many sleepless nights weeping for the loss of a dear friend and imagining how frightened she must have been during the assault. The slaying affected Faulkner in other ways, too.

“When she was killed, I was terrified, even though I didn’t live anywhere near Tulsa,” Faulkner said.

“Knowing what that bastard did to her turned my timidity into rage, though.”

Fear and fury became Faulkner’s motivation to learn all she could about serial killers. And when she had gained enough knowledge about psychopaths, their compulsions and aberrant behavior, she wrote the book Username. It is a work of fiction about “a predatory ghoul who kidnaps young women and hurts them.” Faulkner had already written four books (now roughly eight) and co-authored others. The award-winning author regards historical fiction as her most natural genre but is considering true crime, perhaps about Martin’s murder.

“From my perspective,” Faulkner wrote recently, “she had it all together and was gonna take on the world — an unstoppable force of nature. I admired her spunk and sense of humor. I was disappointed that it was her death that made her famous, not her considerable talents and drive.”

As Sgt. Hunt had predicted, Geraldine Martin was only the first in a series of slayings. Two others very similar to Martin’s occurred in 1975. On a sunny morning in April, a passing motorist spied the body of Marian Hope Rosenbaum about 50 feet from the road on the other side of a barbed wire fence near Sapulpa, Oklahoma, southwest of Tulsa. She was naked except for a necklace and a bracelet. The killer had stabbed her approximately 65 times. One wound, severing her throat, almost decapitated her.

Like Martin, Marian’s breasts were mutilated. In August, the Rev. Charles Farah discovered the body of Suzanne Oakley 200 yards off a jogging trail along the Arkansas River in Tulsa. She had been strangled with her bra, as well as beaten, raped and stabbed. Marian was 16 years old, and Oakley was 24. The killer seemed to pick his victims at random.

As fear among women in and around Tulsa reached a fever pitch, the sadistic murders stopped. Mike Huff would spend the next 27 years trying to catch the man responsible for the barbaric crimes. Then, on a Friday afternoon, he received a call from a detective in California that would blow the Martin case wide open.

TO BE CONTINUED. 191 191

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Alligator Snapping Turtles

By Joe David Rice “Can we take it home?” I asked, my 10-year-old voice quivering with excitement.

The “we” in the above sentence included my parents, two younger sisters and me. The “it” was an enormous, ugly beast — about the size of a washtub — which bore an unsettling resemblance to a turtle. A turtle, that is, from another planet.

Our chance encounter occurred on a remote gravel road in rural north central Arkansas as we returned from a summer vacation on Lake Norfork.

We had pulled aside to examine this strange monster which occupied most of the middle of the road.

“Don’t get too close,” my father warned as we climbed from the car and gathered around the animated boulder.

Its head, about the size of a small ham, appeared much too large for the body. Each leg, easily as thick as an adult human fist, ended with a set of long, sharp claws. But it was the shell which appeared so foreign. A dull brownish-black with a series of three prominent ridges running down the back, it looked like something straight from the dinosaur age. As big as it was, the shell appeared insufficient to accommodate all the bodily parts emerging from it.

I bent down and took a closer look at the head. Mouth gaping, it hissed at me. I stared at the beady eyes and noticed the sharply hooked jaws.

When I glanced up, my father held a stick in his hand, maybe 2 feet long and an inch or so thick. “I want y’all to watch this,” he said, and then gently poked the base of the turtle’s unusually long tail. In an instant, the turtle spun around, grabbed the stick with its mouth, and bit it in two.

We all gasped and retreated several steps.

“This is an alligator snapping turtle,” my father said. “If you really want to take him home, we’ll have to put him in the back seat with you kids. The trunk’s full.”

My sisters immediately and loudly objected to this option. Recognizing my role as a responsible and example-setting older brother, not to mention that this rapacious reptile was the scariest thing I’d ever seen, I gallantly chose not to pursue the idea.

Oblivious to our discussion, the turtle turned and marched across the road. It crawled under a barbed wire fence, apparently en route to a large pond another 50 yards ahead, and soon disappeared.

That first experience with Macrochelys temminckii, commonly known as the alligator snapping turtle, made me a lifelong fan. I’ve since discovered they’re the western world’s largest freshwater turtle with fossilized ancestors going back 20 million years. The upper shells — called carapaces by herpetologists — of older turtles (and some will live as long as 100 years) can reach 32 inches in length with a tail nearly that long. A mature male alligator snapper can weigh more than 200 pounds, although females seldom exceed 50 pounds. The head, with those formidable jaws, can be up to 10 inches wide and 10 inches long.

Behind those jaws and inside the mouth is a unique appendage — a small worm-like extension — which serves as a lure. Lurking at the bottom of a stream or lake, the turtle opens its mouth, wiggles this special adaptation to attract fish, and chomps down on unsuspecting victims. But fish are by no means the sole selection in an alligator snapping turtle’s diet.

They also consume crawfish, mussels, clams, snakes, other turtles, alligators, ducks, beavers, armadillos, squirrels, raccoons and carrion. In addition, they’ve been known to gather under persimmon trees and muscadine vines to gorge on the fruit.

Alligator snappers reach sexual maturity in the range of 15 to 17 years.

Species expert Dr. Peter Pritchard says the males don’t bother with any courtship rituals to impress the females, although they will fight, claw and bite others of their gender during competition for females. Mating takes place in the spring with nesting in mid-summer. Females dig small pits near water, but high and well-drained, and lay around two dozen eggs, each about the size of a pingpong ball, which they cover by dirt. Three months later, the hatchlings emerge, provided raccoons or other predators haven’t devoured the eggs, and the young turtles are on their own.

The alligator snapping turtle has a limited range, living in selected waterways from the Florida panhandle to east Texas and north into upper Missouri along the Mississippi River and its tributaries. Except for those short journeys undertaken by females to nest, the turtles spend most of their time underwater, surfacing every 30 to 45 minutes for air. The sloughs, bayous and backwaters of Arkansas are prime habitat for this increasingly rare indicator of an undisturbed environment.

Describing the alligator snapping turtle, famed naturalist Louis Agassiv wrote, “They are as ferocious as the wildest of beasts of prey.” Earl “Turtle” Ivey, a veteran Arkansas fisherman, had a more colorful recollection: “I never heard of a turtler that lost a finger, but I heard plenty of ’em holler when they got bit by one.” In April 2016, an Oklahoma teenager arrived at The Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City missing his left index finger which had been cleanly severed by an alligator snapping turtle. In an article in Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, his doctors wrote, “The turtle consumed his finger and neither the turtle nor the digit could be recovered.”

Face-to-face meetings in the wild with fully grown alligator snapping turtles are uncommon these days. Between the 1960s and 1980s, the turtles were overharvested for connoisseurs of turtle soup, making them so scarce that they’re now a protected species. These relics from eons ago are fascinating and tenacious creatures — and I hope you get to see one. As for that monster specimen I happened upon as a youth, I’m thinking it might still be alive.

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 and the University of Arkansas Press.

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