AY About You June 2023

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, due to having to learn the medicine for each case and applying the law to the circumstances to each case.

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 field of medical malpractice. Crisp is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating for an attorney practicing in the United States. He has been honored by numerous publications in Arkansas and around the South as one of the best lawyers in the field of medical malpracticve, as well as peer-reviewed associations such as being a MidSouth 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.

Make 2023 Your Year for the

Scott is enjoying his new smile with porcelain veneers

With 40 years experience providing clinical excellence you know you’re in good hands. Dr. Wyant is Arkansas’ only Accredited Fellow 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 Dr. Wyant can help you have an incredible smile by calling today for your complimentary smile consultation.

501.819.3608

Photo by Jason Burt

www.pcssd.org

The Pulaski County Special School District is committed to providing a quality and equitable education to all students. Our hard work is exemplified each year through the accomplishments of our students. Nearly a dozen students, representing all four feeders in PCSSD, are headed to Arkansas Tech University this summer for Arkansas Governor’s School. Four rising seniors share their thoughts and expectations as they prepare for Governor’s School later this summer.

Samantha Lee from Maumelle High will spend the summer program focusing on mathematics. “I chose to be part of Governor’s School because it will open opportunities for me when it comes to college and further education. I hope to figure out a career path. As of right now, I’m undecided about what major I’ll pursue let alone a career. By surrounding myself with intellectuals and mentors, I hope to become inspired.”

Sylvan Hills High’s Tyler Forst will participate in the instrumental music program this summer. “I really enjoy playing my French Horn and was hoping I could make some connections while I’m there. I hope to learn some life skills. I am excited for this opportunity and hope that I’ll learn something that will change my life.”

Kalinda Loomis from Mills University Studies

High will also spend the summer program focusing on instrumental music. “I have been involved with orchestra and band for half of my life, and orchestra is a big part of me. I plan to pursue a career in music education, and Governor’s School will give me skills to be prepared for it. It will be a new and useful experience for me to be around more people in music, and at Governor’s School I can have experiences I won’t have anywhere else.”

Yash Vyas attends Joe T. Robinson High and will be in the natural science program this summer. “I want to dive deeper into the field of natural science and experience the environment of a college class. Learning more in the field of science will also allow me to refine the material I have learned throughout high school. By gaining a deeper understanding of the coursework, I can better prepare myself for college.”

The 44th Annual Arkansas Governor’s School will take place on the campus of Arkansas Tech University from July 5 to August 1. The program is a unique experience for incoming seniors to live on a college campus and focus on a particular interest, including choral music, development engineering, drama, English/language arts, instrumental music, mathematics, natural science, social science, and visual arts.

ABOUT PCSSD

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.

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

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

Cassidy Kendall, born and raised in Camden, Arkansas, currently lives and works in Hot Springs as a full-time freelance journalist. In the past year, she has published her first book, “100 Things to Do in Hot Springs Before You Die.” She graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a Bachelor of Arts in Print Journalism in 2018.

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.

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.

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

Jamie Lee, born and raised in Southwest Louisiana, now lives in Little Rock with her husband, daughter, two dogs and a cat. Jamie is a published senior photographer and shoots everything from portraits to branding to food. She has over 15 years of experience in the photography business and over 25 years in travel and tourism.

Jenny Boulden has been writing professionally for more than 25 years. She now works at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield but still enjoys freelance writing for AY and other publications. Her creative focus is writing about people, film, books and food, some of her favorite things.

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 ©2023, 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.

One for the Guys

Welcome back to another edition of AY About You, where we celebrate all the things that make Arkansas such a great place to work, play and live. Now that school is out and graduation season is over, it’s time to turn the page to summertime and all that comes with it. As the old song says, “the livin’ is easy,” but it sure doesn’t slow down much. From family reunions and backyard barbecues to swimming holes and ice cream cones, there’s a lot going on!

This month, we salute all the men out there with our inaugural MAN ISSUE, chock-full of articles for and about our dads, brothers, sons and significant others. We showcase a dazzling bachelor pad, discuss men’s health, meet some mentors and provide a few tips to help men live their best lives as a salute to the great guys out there.

Speaking of stuff that makes men drool, check out our barbeque bucket list, showcasing some of the finest in smoked meats and sides anywhere. While Arkansas doesn’t have its own style of ‘que like they do in other places, our location gives pitmasters plenty of inspiration and influences from other states from which they borrow and blend to come up with something completely unique. Consult our list for the best places to chow down!

And what would great barbeque be without an icy cold beer to wash it down? Within these pages, find our second installment touring craft breweries in Arkansas. This month, we look at the southern half of the state, including Central Arkansas, to show you where the best suds can be found. Check out an old favorite or try something new this summer.

That just scratches the surface of what’s in store with this loaded issue. We hope you enjoy it as we enter the meat of the summer season; take us to the lake, the beach or on vacation, and drop us a line to share your adventures.

Thanks for reading AY About You – we wouldn’t be here without you!

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

READER FEEDBACK

GADWALL’S GRILL IS NEXT ON THE BURGER BUCKET LIST

“The Burgers are so good, but my favorite is the Chicken Nachos…basically everything is great at Gadwall’s but when they were open for Breakfast, the Omelets were my all-time favorite. No other breakfast place has Omelets like Gadwall’s had! Need to add this to lunch/dinner menu.”

Judy Burkhead Dover

THE PEOPLE BEHIND YOUR NEWS: D.J. WILLIAMS

“DJ is absolutely outstanding! Really enjoy him and the KARK morning crew. Lots of energy, and a very entertaining show. They have taken the lead as the best of them all morning shows.”

Randy Allison

‘DIRTY DANCING IN CONCERT’ COMING TO LITTLE ROCK

“This would be fun to go see.”

Michelle Harris

WATCH JENNIFER MAUNE ON MASTERCHEF WITH GORDON RAMSAY

“So awesome! We will be rooting her on!”

Fennel&Fire

AY SUPER MOMS 2023: BARBIE JONES

“I love this story! What a remarkable young woman with a beautiful soul. The world is a better place having you in it!”

Michelle Mitchell

GO RED FOR WOMEN: BRENDA MCKEEVER

“Brenda is a remarkable woman! Kudos to AY Magazine for featuring her.”

Wilma Harvey

LITTLE ROCK’S KORTO MOMOLU TO RETURN TO ‘PROJECT RUNWAY’ FOR ALL-STAR SEASON

“That’s awesome! Congratulations! Love her.”

Katie Lamb

TRENDING ON AYMAG.COM

New Charlotte’s Eats and Sweets Owner Keeps Keo as the Center of Pie Universe

Update: Conway Olive Garden Expected to Open This Fall

Update: Whataburger in West Little Rock Opens

Don Pepe’s Moving its Conway Location

Korean Fried Chicken Restaurant to Expand Across Arkansas

When it comes to Arkansas Razorbacks football legends, D.J. Williams is one of the talented players that come to mind. But in the last few years, Williams has shifted his focus from the football field to the broadcasting room.

Jennifer Maune – a home chef, entertainer, decorator and photographer from Arkansas – has revealed she was selected to audition for MasterChef with Gordon Ramsay.

Linda Davis to Perform at 2023 Arkansas Country Music Awards

It’s time to get to know the heart and soul behind every restaurant experience: the server. Lance Strawser has been a server on and off at Loca Luna since 2011 when he started bussing tables as a teenager.

in planting roots and cultivating relationships

William J. Ogles

Congratulations to Will, recipient of the 2023 Frank Elcan II Young Lawyers Leadership Award from the Arkansas Bar Association, recognizing his leadership as Chair of the Young Lawyers Section.

Thank you, AY Readers, for recognizing these WLJ attorneys as "Best Lawyers" in Arkansas in 2023:

Mark H. Allison

Adrienne L. Baker

Charles T. Coleman

John D. Davis

J. Charles Dougherty

Judy S. Henry

Nicholas D. Hornung

Jane A. Kim

Jessica Pruitt Koehler

Gary D. Marts

Lee J. Muldrow

Antwan D. Phillips

Troy A. Price

Gordon S. Rather, Jr.

Glenn S. Ritter

Quinten J. Whiteside

5Top you just can't miss!

“MADAGASCAR: THE MUSICAL”

June 2-3

Walton Arts Center // Fayetteville

If you were a big fan of “Madagascar,” you and your family are sure to enjoy this musical rendition of the zoo-based comedy. This musical features all of the best crack-a-lackin’ friends as they escape from New York’s Central Park Zoo.

2023 MUD RUN: LITTLE ROCK’S DIRTIEST 5K

June 3

War Memorial Park // Little Rock

Satiate your appetite for adventure this June at Little Rock’s Dirtiest 5K: 2023 Mud Run. Participants don’t have to run through the mud, but skipping, trotting, walking and jogging are all also encouraged. All proceeds from this unique race will go toward benefitting Little Rock Parks & Recreation.

THE FOO FIGHTERS

June 14

Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion // Rogers

“Times Like These,” don’t present often, so fans of The Foo Fighters should make plans to visit Rogers, as the band will be performing live this month. Join other fans and hear your favorite hits in-person.

KANE BROWN DRUNK OR DREAMING TOUR

June 17

Simmons Bank Arena // North Little Rock

Kane Brown fans can “Thank God” because the high-energy performer will be bringing his latest tour to Simmons Bank Arena this June. The country star with “Famous Friends” will also be joined by Chris Lane and Restless Road for the North Little Rock performance.

WILLIE NELSON AND FAMILYOUTLAW MUSIC FESTIVAL

June 29

Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion // Rogers

Willie Nelson is “On the Road Again,” and this time, he’s bringing 2023 Outlaw Music Festival to Rogers. Join Nelson, Margo Price, Flatland Cavalry and Particle Kid this June and hear from one of the greatest living country music stars.

MILLION DOLLAR VIEWS

Overlook project a home fit for The Bazz

By DWAIN HEBDA // Photos By JASON BURT

t first, David Bazzel’s house in the Overlook neighborhood of Little Rock looks like just another of the elegant homes that line both sides of the street. Known for its panoramic views of the Arkansas River below, lots here boast any number of styles, from contemporary to traditional to somewhere in between.

Whatever preconceived idea you may have about the abode of Little Rock’s king of media and promotion – not to mention dynastic Arkansas Times’ Sexiest Man titleist – quickly disintegrates into pure jaw-dropping wonder upon entry. Not just for the stylish, sun-splashed layout and décor, impressive though it is, but for the transformation the space has undergone to get to its present, glorious state.

“I found the house, and I’d actually been watching it for a while,” said Keith Hardin, builder and owner of KHC Design, Inc. “I called David and said, ‘Hey, I think I found something that might work.’ He went and looked at it, and he was like, ‘Wow, it is a cool house, but it is ridiculously terrible the way it is.’ ”

The 1970s-era home was in reasonably good condition, but the floorplan and appointments were a far cry from the modern bach-

elor pad Bazzel had in mind. Worse, the home’s best selling point – the breathtaking river view – was minimized by low ceilings and impeded sightlines. But while Bazzel was skeptical, to say the least, Hardin was emphatic about the potential for the home.

“They’re not making any more river view lots. That was the main thing,” Hardin said. “I was working on a very substantial project above him up on Overlook at the same time, and I just knew that this house had potential.

“I said [to Bazzel], ‘If you like the view, I can change everything else. We can create and design and transform it into something special.’”

Hardin enlisted Rodney Parham, designer and associate principle with Polk Stanley Wilcox, to refine and focus the vision.

“I met Keith there one afternoon and walked through it with him,” Parham said. “He said, ‘What do you think? What do you see?’ I said, ‘Keith, this is what I would do.’ I just kind of spelled it out after walking around the property. He said, ‘OK, let me get David up here.’ That’s the first time that I met David, and I don’t know if it was the next day or the day after. I said, ‘I don’t know what your budget is, but this will make a dramatic difference to this house. I could do the drawings, and you could see about how much this will cost.’

They’re not making any more river view lots.

Clad in gray metal and wood, the house provides a sleek modern profile that oozes masculinity.

“I came back to the office, did the design on it, and we actually took some pictures of the views of the river from the exterior and then superimposed it on our drawings to be able to show him this would be your future view if you do these revisions. Of course, David got very excited at that point because you could actually see almost a photograph of it. That’s kind of how it started.”

Revisions focused on opening up the interior and maximizing the view, originally impeded by interior walls and a roof that split the back wall, which was studded with small story windows. The design combination made looking out over the river akin to watching an IMAX movie through paper towel tubes.

“It didn’t take me 30 seconds to walk in there and go, ‘That has got to go,’” Parham said. “In the grand scheme of things it’s just a minor structural revision, but it completely changed that house by opening it up.”

Parham drew up similar changes for the main bedroom, altering the roofline and removing a fireplace. The changes resulted in a jewel box wall effect along the entire back of the home, fully engaging occupants with the natural splendor outdoors.

“Taking up the rooflines, opening it up even more, raising some ceilings, creating more openness; those were big priorities for David,” Hardin said. “It’s basically like a treehouse now. David and I worked hand in hand with every decision. He was very good to work with; he knew the materials, but he trusted my judgment and my vision from the start. We really never had any disagreements on anything throughout the project.”

Artwork and mementos hearkening back to Bazzel’s playing days bring spaces to life throughout.

The finished space is a masterfully executed marriage of design and construction. Outside, the T1-11 siding was replaced with a dark gray metal exterior and a gargantuan front door, through which the visitor enters an open area comprised of kitchen and seating space, anchored by a one-of-a-kind polished stone island. Down one hallway lies the master bedroom and en suite bathroom; down another, a hidden laundry room and guest bedroom

with bath featuring a tub and massive shower.

Down a few steps from the seating area is the living room, above which is tucked a loft that provides Bazzel’s office space. All spaces are drenched in natural light from the soaring windows that reach the ceiling. A deck runs three-quarters across the back of the house, accessible through various points, including sliding French doors off the kitchen. Control panels at various places on the wall hint at the smart technology at work throughout the stylish space.

Finishing the physical aspects of the house was only part of the story. Bazzel himself took the lead role in the décor of the home, and it is rife with symbolism of his life and career. Memorabilia from his playing days with the Arkansas Razorbacks football team abound, as do tokens of his work to create or collaborate on some of college football’s most hallowed awards. These include the Broyles Award, Dan Hampton Award and others, replicas of which line one wall in the living room.

Also on ready display are huge pieces of artwork, most of them photographs Bazzel himself took in his various travels. The work, capturing scenes from Italy, Cuba and other exotic locations, speak of him as a photographer with an exceptional eye. And at the home’s center, an oversized black and white art piece of Elvis on one wall holds court over homeowner and guests alike.

But the most impressive element of the décor lies in the kitchen where black and white photos line the walls in stylish array. The vintage pictures capture Bazzel’s grandparents, noted Florida restauranteurs Jimmy and Lucille Branch, and other family members. Punctuated by memorabilia from that era – including the original dishes and drinkware from his grandparents’ establishments – the collection lends a poignant personal touch, adding warmth to the stylish space, transforming the house into a home.

As with any project, things didn’t always go exactly as planned during the remodeling of the place. Bazzel himself admits with a smile it might have been easier and less expensive to knock the property down and build fresh. But seeing it put together now –the total greater than the sum of its parts – it’s been a journey well worth taking.

“This wasn’t anything super out of the ordinary — other than it’s on the side of the mountain looking out over the river, access was challenging, steep driveway,” Hardin said with a chuckle. “The drawback about redoing houses is you don’t really know what you’re getting into until you get into it. This was a much bigger project than what we thought we were taking on.

“But it was done the right way, and we created something special. It was fun to kind of go outside the box and design a house in keeping with David’s style. It’s a guy’s-guy’s house. We picked out some very unique countertops that are one of a kind. We did a lot of others things that were unique. This is not a cookie-cutter house, by any means. It is a top custom-designed home for a single guy. It’s really cool, and it was a fun project.”

This wasn’t anything super out of the ordinary — other than it’s on the side of the mountain looking out over the river, access was challenging, steep driveway.

Floor to ceiling windows ensure there’s never a shortage of natural light in any living space.

Natural Beauty,

S KILL and C RAFT

Architect Burt Taggart Keeps Nature, Client Dreams as Design Priorities

By KELLI REEP // Photos submitted

Arkansas is The Natural State, and we take that to heart in our homes and surroundings. According to Arch20. com, the top trends of 2023 include biophilic urbanism, which is the development of homes and buildings that are economically friendly and efficient in the use of resources. This can include solar panels, green roofs, native plants in landscaping and maintaining natural habitats to keep the local climate stable and healthy.

Burt Taggart with Taggart Design Group has been on the leading edge of this trend for more than 15 years now. Founded in 2008, Taggart Design Group is a Little Rock-based architecture, construction and design firm specializing in clients and projects that require a high level of design sensitivity, technical expertise and hands-on principal involvement. Offering a skilled set of consultants and professionals who work together to shepherd projects from design to construction to interior décor, Taggart Design Group offers full-service design with a focus on custom residential homes.

“A home is the single most important material thing in our lives, and we strive to make the ones we create exceptionally great,” Taggart said. “We design homes that expand the way we live while also excelling in both beauty and craft, and we believe that process starts with a dedication to understanding our clients’ project needs and then working tirelessly until those dreams are met. Our longstanding relationships with a skilled set of consultants such as landscape architects, civil and structural engineers, framers, trim carpenters, cabinet makers and more set our practice apart.”

Take, for instance, the group’s modular construction home on Rattlesnake Ridge, which also utilized the biophilic urban trend in its design. Utilizing 70 to 90 percent of the construction components, which are constructed at the manufacturer and delivered to the residence’s site, this trend allowed Taggart Design Group and the home’s owners to incorporate more efficiency in the home’s development and construction. The uniqueness of the home’s design, its vast use of natural light and its landscape make the residence a showplace for the latest in both biophilic urbanism and modular construction trends.

The Rattlesnake Ridge residence is not the only exceptional home Taggart Design Group has helped make a reality. Consider this from

Dan Compton, a homeowner who worked with Burt and Paul Taggart to develop his family’s new abode.

“We hired Taggart Design Group to build our dream home,” Compton said. “We had a unique lot, and we wanted a unique home. Burt and Paul accomplished this assignment with skill, imagination and hard work. They kept us in the loop on all aspects of construction and truly listened to our requests.”

Client Patricia Paixao agrees. She said, “My husband and I hired Taggart Design Group to build our dream home, and that is exactly what they did. Their team is very helpful and accommodating; they are versatile and worked with our needs and concerns. Building during the pandemic was not easy, but definitely worth it.”

The firm is held in equally high regard by its project partners. Nathan Ragsdill, an audiovisual consultant and client of Taggart Design Group, has experienced the firm’s inspiration and process, both as a partner and as a homeowner.

“I work with various professionals in the design and construction community,” he said. “Taggart Design Group’s attention to detail and emphasis on aesthetics are most impressive.”

AY About You caught up with Burt Taggart about his design aesthetic and what Taggart Design Group seeks to accomplish for home and business design, planning, remodeling, construction and management.

Taggart Design Group takes a holistic approach to its work, creating dream properties that blur the line between residence and work of art.

AY: Why hire an architect?

Burt Taggart: An architect can help a client achieve something about their home — both aesthetically and functionally — that perhaps could not have been reached without their involvement.

AY: How does the process work between architect and homeowner when creating a custom home? Where does that process start?

BT: We start by first getting an understanding of the site, followed by a meeting with the homeowner about how the house or space needs to function as well as how they intend to inhabit it.

AY: What element of the project is the best place to begin?

BT: In the case of new construction, many times we are brought in as the client is searching for a site location. This is preferable, when possible, as it allows us into the conversation from the very beginning, and we can help in discussing the possibilities that different lots offer.

AY: Your designs include The Fold: Botanas & Bar; residences in Rattlesnake Ridge, Bear Den, Etrier, Pinnacle View, Sologne, Beau Vue and Robinwood; a lake house on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs; a home in Searcy; and other construction in Arkansas and Louisiana. With these varied terrains, how do you incorporate the existing landscape into the custom home design?

BT: The existing site conditions play an exceptionally significant role in the solutions we offer, from maximizing views, realizing the economics and efficiencies of existing topography, etc.

AY: Who and what inspires your designs?

BT: Our designs are guided by the terrain and our client’s aesthetic style then filtered through our own design process.

AY: Do you model your designs after other architects?

BT: No, nothing specifically. We are, of course, informed by things we find captivating though.

AY: What do you see as the 21st century’s style to date?

BT: The continuation of contemporary architecture has expanded with a greater sense in the residential realm; but then, too, post-pandemic, I think there is a sense that, above all, our homes should feel comfortable and serene.

AY: In addition to architecture and construction, Taggart Design Group provides interior design. How do you come to an agreement on home design when working with a couple or family to develop what the home looks like? The residences you have helped come to fruition seem to have an effortless flow to them both inside and out.

BT: It usually happens organically. Once we have a strong understanding of what the client is looking for, our solution is usually on target. Once we achieve that, we begin to further refine the concept to make sure it is succeeding in every way that the client wants.

AY: What would you say clients see as your design aesthetic?

BT: I could not easily say we have only one, though we might be perceived as leaning more modern than we are at our core. That said, the homeowner is driving the decisions regarding style. They point us in a

Taggart projects work in harmony with the home’s natural surroundings, accentuating interior spaces with natural light and other elements of the great outdoors.

stylistic direction, and then we try to thoughtfully create something in that genre.

AY: What trends do you see that people should avoid?

BT: The thing that comes to mind is a sort of overabundance of Pinterest ideas, where you fill a house with too many unrelated elements. That is not great.

AY: That makes a lot of sense. Many times, people are inspired by personal collections and make that the center of the home, and it does not always translate.

Do you work with any Arkansas artisans in your custom homes?

BT: One of our clients had [Arkansas artist] James Hayes create a kind of wall installation of colorful glass objects at their house. It turned out really beautifully.

AY: Does Taggart Design Group work exclusively in Arkansas?

BT: Not exclusively, but most of our projects are in the state. We have done a few projects in New Orleans that have been really fun to work on.

AY: What is one thing you think your clients say after you design their home?

BT: I hope they would say we are attentive, thoughtful and are worthwhile collaborators on their projects.

AY: What would you like prospective clients to know before hiring you as an architect?

BT: We really try to go above and beyond to serve our clients. No person or business is perfect, but our mantra, as much as there is one, is to try and deliver next-level design and construction services.

EXPL or E THE o UT door S THIS SUMME r

Explore 10,000 acres of the Ozark Mountains this summer at Dogwood Canyon. Experience nature in bloom with countless outdoor activities including horseback riding, fishing, kayaking, wildlife tram tours, hiking and biking.

dogwoodcanyon . org

Right On, ‘Cue

Arkansas BBQ masters perfect the

blend of meat,

There are a lot of things the world doesn’t like to give the United States credit for which are rightfully ours, regardless of where they originated. People will tell you the cowboy evolved from the South American gauchos, that true football is played on a pitch, and beer is the golden child of Europe.

And while technically that’s true – it’s intellectually dishonest, after all, to pretend that a nation that’s less than 250 years old isn’t late to the historical party on a lot of stuff – anyone who says we didn’t invent or perfect anything of note is not being honest or simply not telling the truth.

There’s a reason – many, actually – why the poor huddled masses wanted to get here in the first place and why so many still dream of reaching our shores. Diners. Muscle cars. Big screen TV. The Fender Stratocaster. Blue jeans. And nowhere does the Hall of ῾Murican Innovation smell sweeter than where we keep the barbecue.

Yes, I know: They’ve dug up remnants of a roast pork throwdown near Stonehenge; people of the Carribean were cranking out barabicu long before Old Glory unfurled; and excellent examples of grilled meats can be found from Johannesburg and Brisbane to Buenos Aires and Tokyo. But let’s not kid ourselves here. Barbecue, at its most smoky, fatty and glorious, is an American creation, born of necessity and perfected by generations of ingenious cooks specifically for the working class.

Look, I love my bulgogi, and I’ve eaten my weight in Brazilian churrasco, both wonderful examples of what carnivores can do when they put their heads together. But in the same category as, let alone better than, barbecue? Bless your heart.

heat and smoke

Now then, within these United States the debate becomes more nuanced. Barbecue is so revered that regions, nay cities, have developed their own style and culture of ῾cue. If you’ve been fortunate enough to move about the country a bit, you know what I’m talking about: the tangy Memphis variety, the sweeter Kansas City style, the mustard-and-vinegar enclaves of North Carolina, and the Texas brisket culture where you take your life in your hands if you apply any sauce at all.

Ask around and you’ll generally discover Arkansas doesn’t really have its own signature style, something local pitmasters chalk up to location. Being on the doorstep of both Texas and Memphis, and not that far from KCMO for that matter, it hasn’t taken much for the best of those styles to leach into our culinary terroir. In other words, folks, we get to enjoy the best of all possible worlds when it comes to our ῾ cue.

Of course, as with anything else, there are various strata of barbecue nerds and snobs that exist, the folks who will drive hundreds of miles and spend hours in a line because XYZ Joint is the only place that does burnt ends “correctly.” And while I, too, have my favorite haunts – everybody does – I nonetheless find such Holy Grail attitudes a little too precious.

Take Austin, Texas, for instance, which many claim to have elevated the craft to its highest art form, especially brisket. Everybody raves about Franklin’s Barbecue and with good reason, but when publications from The Austin Things to Conde Nast can’t get a must-try eateries list of less than 10 entries, you’re trying to tell me that walking up the street or driving across town somehow cheapens the experience? And if that’s true within just one city, there’s no reason why Arkansas can’t be in the

By Dwain Hebda // Photography by Jamie Lee

mix as well, a fraction of the price.

Now, I grant you, there are regional preferences that come with regional flavors, and if I had to guess, I’d say brisket sales among Arkansans probably trails pulled pork and ribs by a snout or two, but to say that it’s only done right and proper elsewhere is just wrong and hilariously incongruous with the humble origins of the art form.

In fact, it misses the whole damn point of ῾cue as the great unifier, the dish that reached across racial lines in times when we needed it most, that places us across picnic tables instead of ideology. Barbecue fights off the racing jackals snapping at our heels, forcing us to slow down, wait for the cook and savor, methodically, one bone, one bite after another.

Arkansas is singularly blessed with a growing number of pitmasters whose fare can hang with anyone, a few on whom you’ll meet on the following pages and more that make up this month’s Bucket List. Use it as a roadmap to uncover something new and wonderful right here in The Natural State. Rediscover how barbecue, like all masterpieces, tells a story of family, famine and faith, reminding us to gather and get our hands dirty, following the smoke signals that fragrantly beckon us and follow us home.

Count Porkula

It’s been a brisk few months for the mad meat alchemists at Count Porkula (countporkula.com), opening new permanent digs in Maumelle and at Cantrell and Mississippi in Little Rock. Expanding into multiple locations has brought the usual battery of changes in all ways but the menu, which is as succulent as ever. One look at the jammed dining rooms tells you as much.

“We have a lot of proteins because everybody’s different,” said Walt Todd, who owns the place along with Kelly Lovell. “We sell more pork than we sell anything, but the turkey always kills it. Everybody’s always surprised how good our turkey is.

“For me, it’s the brisket or the ribs. We use certified angus prime brisket; that’s the top 4 percent of brisket produced. We hang our hat on that. As far as how we cook it, we put salt and pepper on it and cook it correctly, and that’s all we do.

“It’s not like we’re using some secret coffee rub, nothing special like that. It’s not like Memphis, where you get the shaved brisket, heavily sauced. We do more of a traditional Texas brisket. We don’t sauce.”

As much as the duo strives for consistency of one given product, they are equally creative when it comes to dreaming up new things to introduce to the menu.

“We like to sprinkle in specials,” Todd said. “Fridays, we do our brisket burnt ends, and we sprinkle in some pork belly burnt ends here and there. We’ve done stuff like chimichangas; that got us on ‘Burgers, Brews and ῾Que’ on the Cooking Channel.”

Even the sides get special attention here, including the ones so counterintuitive they’re generally the mark of a local regular, someone who knows their way around Count Porkula’s menu.

“The dill pickle pasta salad is probably our signature side. It’s unique. No one else has one,” Todd said. “Every time someone tries it, it’s one of those ‘wow’ dishes. People take a bite, and they’re just kind of floored. They don’t know what to expect. The people in the know always get the pasta salad.”

It takes a little while for new barbecue places to earn that wonderful patina of residue smoke and aroma, but early indications are that Todd and Lovell are fast overcoming the new-restaurant smell with old-school ῾cue and the desire to improve and innovate.

“It’s barbecue; everybody cooks it the same way, but with a different result,” Todd said. “We don’t want to rest; we want to constantly evolve. If you’re not getting better, then you’re losing ground, so we try to do improve every day.”

“We sell more pork than we sell anything, but the turkey always kills it. Everybody’s always surprised how good our turkey is.”

WHOLE HOG CAFE

Not since Genesis has the rib enjoyed the kind of attention Rich Cosgrove and company pay it daily at Whole Hog Café (wholehogcafenlr.com) in North Little Rock. To call him obsessive is like calling the sun warm, as there’s seemingly nothing he won’t do to ensure the perfect plate, even on those (very) rare occasions it isn’t.

“We’re extremely proud of the ribs; you don’t get a tough rack of ribs with us,” he said. “I’m not going to say that every now and then we won’t slip up and get a dry rib. But I can spot one on a plate, and I’ll immediately swap it out for a good, fresh rib.”

Cosgrove’s zeal-o-meter buries the needle at evangelistic, calibrated by decades of competitive smoking. Besides the high-quality standards for the meat, Cosgrove invests similar attention in areas the layman would likely never consider, like smoking over expensive pecan wood that’s been precisely seasoned and cut to exacting specifications.

“Our traditional ribs are glazed. It’s a very mild, subtly flavored glaze that basically shines the ribs up,” he said. “In the last few years, we’ve served dry-rub ribs. We take the ribs, soon as they’re out of the oven, and spritz them with apple juice and sprinkle our dry rub on there. The rub recipe is one my little brother developed 28 years ago. We won in Memphis with that rub. To this day, we sell way more of the dry-rub

ribs than we do the glazed ribs.”

Side dishes (try the mac and cheese, if you can get it) and other proteins come under the same withering attention to quality, as does the service. Cosgrove would have it no other way.

“We cook competition barbecue. That’s where we cut our teeth,” he said. “[Our food] has to be able to pass muster with a Kansas City or a Memphis judge.”

As a result of all this, the North Little Rock location, opened in 2007 (all Whole Hogs are independently owned and operated), oozes expertise among the staff in the same way sauce oozes across what’s on the plate. Cosgrove holds that skill in such high esteem, he eschews job titles as a show of respect.

“My motto is ‘Maniacal Attention to Detail,’” he said. “We’ve seen some good barbecue joints come into the area, and the competition is fantastic for everybody. We’re doubling down on our game because we have to stand on our every-single-day quality.

“We don’t say we’re in the barbecue business or in hospitality and no, we’re not in the restaurant business. Take it to the next level; we’re in the business of enchantment.”

SMOKIN’ BUNS BBQ & CATFISH

It’s been said the best barbecue joints are the mom-and-pops, the little shacks set out in the middle of nowhere that take some gettin’ to. The kind of place where if you know, you know, and if you know, you go.

Smokin’ Buns (smokinbuns.net) isn’t in the boonies, exactly, but it is set apart from Jacksonville a piece, enough to throw off the car’s GPS on the first pass, making for a longer drive and intensifying one’s hunger. Which is a good thing, actually, all the better for jamming as much smoky goodness down your gullet as possible.

“We have a real different story than most people. Most people are like, ‘I was an amateur cook, loved to barbecue in the backyard, whatever,’” said Steve Jenkins who owns the place with son, John Allen, daughter-in-law, Liz and other family members. “We just like to eat. We live out here in this part of the neighborhood, so we were very familiar with Smokin’ Buns.”

The new owners, who came on in January, might not have known their beans from their biscuits in the kitchen, but as serial entrepreneurs they knew a winning formula when they saw one. As a result, Smokin’ Buns hasn’t skipped a beat with regulars while continuing to attract new fans, eager to sample the litany of smoked delights. Which, incidentally, includes most of the menu.

“We cook competition barbecue. That’s where we cut our teeth.”

“The name is Smokin’ Buns,” Steve said. “We do smoked brisket, smoked ribs, smoked chicken and beef. We have smoked chicken quesadilla. We have smoked barbecue baked potatoes, smoked barbecue nachos. Every Wednesday, we have prime rib day; it’s not really a barbecue, but we serve it smoked. We are smoking everything, even our baked beans.”

John Allen chimed in, “I recommend our burnt end plate. They’re delicious. It’s got a good crunch to it. Good crunchy outside, but a nice soft inside with a brown sugar glaze.”

The Jenkins are hands-on owners who with their staff deliver an outstanding customer experience to go with the great food. Liz Jenkins works the front of the house and hears firsthand how the place is doing in the eyes of the clientele.

“The last thing we wanted to do is come in there and shake things up and get the customers who have been coming here for years riled up,” she said. “Regulars come up to me and say, ‘things are going great, keep it up.’ It gives me a huge sense of pride to be associated with this successful restaurant. I just feel very blessed that we’ve had the opportunity to continue on and hopefully keep making it better.”

WRIGHT’S BARBECUE

Few events have generated the level of excitement that Wright’s BBQ’s impending Central Arkansas location has among barbecue aficionados. Birthed in 2017 as a Fayetteville food truck by former Tyson employee Jordan Wright, Wright’s BBQ has steadily built a rabid following on food that’s solidifying Arkansas as a barbecue force to be reckoned with.

“Our success is built on having a standard and never being OK with less than our best as a company,” Wright said. “That’s just the way we walk and the way we live our life and try to do the business the best way we can. It takes a lot of focus on the details and the little things to make a restaurant continuously deliver on quality food, quality service, clean restaurants.

“Each day is a little bit different because there’s just so many variabilities in barbecue. But the fundamentals are the same, and the customer service is the same, and that has to be at a high level.”

Wright earned his obsession as a patron. On a corporate trip to Texas, he visited barbecue stalwart Salt Lick (he’d endeavored to eat at Franklin’s, but they’d run out). There, he sampled the brisket that changed his life. In time, he’d develop his skills, launch a food truck, quit his cushy corporate gig and start a revolution in Northwest Arkansas, a revolution that opens a new front in Little Rock later this summer.

“We’re kind of a mix; we just like to cook good food,” Wright said. “We do Texas-style brisket. We do more our own style of ribs, from the glaze we use to how we season it, to make the best product possible.

“I’d say the hardest to master is definitely the brisket. There’s just a lot of variation in the briskets;

you can get a consistent supply, but every cow is different.”

Wright’s BBQ is a balanced combination of its Texas inspirations and signature twists to make something completely new. For the first-timer, Wright recommends the Texas Trinity, comprised of brisket, ribs and house-made jalapeno cheddar sausage, and building from there.

“I’d get a side of bacon burnt ends, and I’d probably split that with somebody because it’s a lot of food,” he said. “Then I’d pick collard greens and mashed potatoes. I love my shells and cheese. There really is not a miss on our sides.

“Our turkey is a sleeper; it’s really delicious. We’ve also got brisket burgers from our trim that we’re cooking, and they’re fantastic. That’s probably the biggest thing that’s catching on right now. Everybody’s falling in love with our brisket burgers.”

“We are smoking everything, even our baked beans.”

“Our success is built on having a standard and never being OK with less than our best as a company.”

Photo submitted by Wright’s Barbecue

l 1817 Grille

Wyndham Fort Smith City Center

Fort Smith

l AC Lounge

AC Hotel by Marriott

Little Rock

l Bar RX

Four Points

Little Rock

l Benihana

Wyndham Riverfront

North Little Rock

l Bridges Restaurant & Lounge

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel

Little Rock

l Capital Bar & Grill

The Capital Hotel

Little Rock

l Capriccio Grill

The Peabody Memphis

Memphis, TN

l Cedar Creek Bistro

Embassy Suites Rogers

l Chef’s Table

Chateau on the Lake Resort Spa and Convention Center

Branson, MO

l Chez Philippe

The Peabody Memphis

Memphis, TN

l Crystal Dining Room

Crescent Hotel

Eureka Springs

l Eden Hotel Hale

Hot Springs

l Ella’s Table

The Inn at Carnall Hall

Fayetteville

Restauraunts

l Giardina’s Restaurant

The Alluvian

Greenwood, MS

l Heritage Grille Steak and Fin

Little Rock Marriott

Little Rock

l Ignite Steakhouse

Southland Casino

West Memphis

l Legends Sports Bar

Saracen Casino Resort

Pine Bluff

l One Eleven

The Capital Hotel

Little Rock

l Prime Time in the Fountain Room

Arlington Hotel

Hot Springs

l Red Oak Steakhouse

Saracen Casino Resort

Pine Bluff

l Rib Room

Eureka Inn

Eureka Springs

l Table 28

The Burgundy Hotel

Little Rock

l Tap Room

Wyndham Fort Smith City Center

Fort Smith

l The Avenue Restaurant

The Waters Hotel

Hot Springs

l The Balcony Restaurant

Basin Park Hotel

Eureka Springs

l The Bistro

Courtyard by Marriott Downtown

Little Rock

l The Boxcar

The Peabody Memphis

Memphis, TN

l The Bugler

Oaklawn

Hot Springs

l The Grand Tavern Grand Central Hotel

Eureka Springs

l The Hive

21c Museum Hotel

Bentonville

l The OAK Room & Bar

Oaklawn

Hot Springs

l The Oaklawn Jockey Club

Oaklawn

Hot Springs

l The Palm Lounge

Eureka Inn

Eureka Springs

l The Rooftop Bar

The Waters Hotel

Hot Springs

l The Worman House Bistro

Big Cedar Lodge

Ridgedale, MO

l Trophy Room

Graduate

Fayetteville

l Venetian Dining Room

Arlington Hotel

Hot Springs

l WXYZ Bar + Lounge

Aloft

Little Rock, Rogers-Bentonville

FACE BEHIND THE PLACE

On Tapas Their Game AC Hotel shines for meetings

It’s often said that the devil is in the details. Fortunately, the exact opposite can be true as well: attention to the smallest of details can be what takes something from good to great, and from great to exceptional. AC Hotel by Marriott prides itself on being “the Perfectly Precise Hotel,” where every detail, from the guest rooms to the breakfasts to the bar, is carefully considered.

“We want all of the design to be purposeful,” said Marti Nicholson, director of sales at AC Hotel Little Rock Downtown. “It’s very minimalist because we want it all to be thought of and intuitive. We put thought into the details, so you don’t have to worry about the details.”

The AC Hotel Little Rock Downtown is situated in the Capitol-Main Historic District, just down the street from the Richard Sheppard Arnold United States Courthouse and only a few blocks away from the Arkansas River. This convenient location makes the AC Hotel a hotspot for the business crowd, especially those in the legal business.

By JOHN CALLAHAN // Photos Submitted

The AC Lounge forms the social nerve center, where guests of every description come to gather, connect and relax.

For leisure, one can find the Riverfront Park, Downtown Athletic Club, River Market District, Museum of Discovery and Rock Town Distillery, among oither attractions, all within less than a mile.

The timing of the AC Hotel’s opening in Little Rock was unfortunate to say the least; the new location opened in February 2020, and no explanation is needed for what came right on its heels. Despite this, the hotel has survived and thrived, and its long-delayed grand opening event was finally held just last year.

The hotel occupies two adjacent buildings, both of which are on the National Historic Register. The first is the Hall Building, constructed in 1923, which for much of its history was used as office and retail space. The second is the Davidson Building, constructed in 1946 as an annex to the Hall building and used primarily as a textile factory to support its neighbor’s retail space.

The two buildings underwent a two-year, $25 million renovation to suit the much more modern and minimalist style of AC Hotel, yet many historic features have been left intact, creating a unique juxtaposition and harmony of designs separated by nearly a century.

“We kept all the original architecture on the outside, as well as some of the features inside – the original crown molding and original marble walls, the penny tile floors. Even the brass mail chute that goes all the way up the building,” Nicholson said.

The hotel has a total of 114 rooms, split between 92 single king rooms and 22 double queen rooms. Several corner rooms provide more space and more windows for better views of the city. Here the minimalist design principles of AC Hotel are on full display. Minimized clutter maximizes space, with as many surfaces left open as possible. Even closets are open to provide easy access and visibility, while crisp white bedding completes the flawless look. Rooms are designed with accessibility in mind, so options for roll-in showers or hearing-accessible rooms with visual alarms and notification devices for doors and phones are available.

But of course, rooms alone aren’t enough to make a great hotel, it’s the details that take it to the next level. With AC’s pride in refining every detail, the kitchen and lounge are just as much a part of the experience as the room guests occupy. The first AC Ho-

tel was established in Madrid, Spain, in 1999, lending a rich European flavor to the food and drink menus.

Breakfast is served at the AC Kitchen Monday through Friday from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. and on the weekends from 7 to 10 a.m. It’s no continental breakfast of waffles and sausage either, but a refined spread of freshly baked croissants, hand-shaved prosciutto, fresh fruit, espresso and more.

The AC Lounge, meanwhile, opens daily from 4:30 to 11 p.m., and forms the primary hub for eating, drinking and all-around merrymaking. Two happy hours are hosted, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and 10:30 to 11:30 p.m.

“The AC Lounge is a defining, timeless and dynamic focus of the public space,” Nicholson said. “Our goal is to create experiences and spaces that flow organically, so that guests feel a profound overall effect of harmony. In the AC Lounge, the bar is the anchor of the public space, celebrating cocktails and libations, heritage and social connections.

“AC Hotels seek to engage the modern traveler, and the AC Lounge seeks to define the AC Hotel. Dynamic in nature, the AC Lounge is a place of work and connectivity during the day, welcoming focus with its clean, current design and comfortable seating. Once evening arrives, the bar takes center stage in the AC Lounge. Within view of the front desk, the AC bar draws guests in with its energy.

“Whether our travelers are seeking a perfectly crafted cocktail, amazing eats or insider tips, they

Our goal is to create experiences and spaces that flow organically, so that guests feel a profound overall effect of harmony.

Every element of AC Hotel has been engineered to a standard of casual, approachable elegance.

will find it at the bar. Because every place should have a pulse, the AC Lounge is the pulse of the hotel, and that pulse echoes the rhythm of its surroundings.”

The lounge is a casual dining destination with a menu set to match. As a popular spot for corporate happy-hour groups and social receptions, the AC Lounge focuses on small, well-crafted plates and the time-honored Spanish tradition of tapas, made to snack on and share among friends.

That being said, the Lounge experience is not entirely foreign. For all of its European inspirations and Spanish wines, the spot locally sources all of its beers and as many of its ingredients as possible. The hotel’s Food and Beverage Director, Kelly Cappuccetti, creates innovative daily dinner specials to offer a new expe-

From classic favorites to innovative new sips, AC Hotel’s resident mixologists elevate libations to drinkable art.

rience every night, and she can build a menu to suit the catering needs of any event held at the lounge.

“Our beverage menu is thoughtfully curated with smart and elegant choices. Our skillfully made cocktails, craft beers and storied wine selection encourage our guests to share our passion,” Nicholson said. “We’ve taken our respect for the bar craft seriously when curating the bar. With a sophisticated beverage menu and a thoughtful selection of spirits, our bartender can craft something to suit a guest’s taste or make them the best version of their favorite cocktail. Each item on the AC Lounge menu will make anyone want to sit back, relax and try an old classic or discover something new.”

The AC bar’s signature cocktail is the ACGT, “A Custom Gin Tonic,” which forms the perfect example of AC Hotel’s dedication to perfecting the details. The drink is served in a scientifically engineered glass that took almost three years to develop, combining a variety of design factors to heighten the specific tastes and aromas of a gin and tonic.

Events and meetings are essential to the character of AC Hotel; a meeting room with space for 12 to 15 people and a 75-inch smart TV is well-suited for business presentations or video conferences. Meanwhile, floor-to-ceiling windows provide a beautiful space for more relaxed social gatherings with seating options at the bar, in front of TVs and at tables for a more classic dining experience.

“At least once a week, the AC Lounge will host an event designed to give both locals and guests some exciting reasons to join us. From an immersive mixology presentation by our AC bartender to an exclusive exhibit from a local artist, we want to show our guests and the local community that there is always something interesting happening in the AC Lounge,” Nicholson said.

Other repeat attractions include a jazz guitarist who plays in the lounge each Tuesday evening and B98.5’s Tom Scott, who leads trivia games, scavenger hunts and other engaging activities each Wednesday. The lounge has also played host to numerous events and fundraisers such as a Central High School class reunion mixer.

One event held at the lounge, “For the Love of Art,” was a free-admission concert and fundraiser by Art Porter, Sr. Music Education, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to scholarships and programs to promote music education in the memory of famed Arkansas jazz musician Art Porter. The organization will be returning to the AC Lounge on Aug. 4 for another free event named “Porter Player’s Jam Session.”

“We want to do everything we can to make the event planning process as easy as possible,” Nicholson said. “That’s my job, to manage expectations and figure out how I can make things simple. I worked for a nonprofit, and I know how hard it can be to plan an event, so I always want to be the easy part. I want to make it as uncomplicated as possible.”

From the rooms to the menu to the venue, Nicholson and the AC staff are always looking for new ways to improve and add to the experience, paying attention to every detail so you don’t have to.

The craft beer breweries of southern Arkansas Southern Suds

By BRIAN SORENSEN

Craft beer has gone from a subculture to a craze to a massive industry, attracting natives and tourists alike to sample local, hand-crafted brews. Arkansas is no exception as the number of breweries in The Natural State attest. AY is About You tapped author and noted beer expert Brian Sorensen to pen a snapshot of the state’s breweries and provide a guide for your next quest for hops. This month, he takes us south of Interstate 40 to see what’s brewing.

In April’s AY is About You, we detailed the rise of Arkansas craft breweries. After an inkling of activity before Prohibition, legislation enacted by teetotalers killed the state’s brewing industry. The return of legal booze in America enabled breweries in Arkansas to start producing again, though beer made here was nearly absent until brew pubs started popping up in the 1990s. The number of beermakers in the Natural State has increased significantly since the turn of the century, with a substantial uptick over the past five to 10 years.

Today there are far more breweries in the northern half of the state, though the southern part has its fair share, too. Little Rock is the natural hub for brewing activity in the southerly segment but there is plenty of action in the smaller towns and communities that straddle and sit below the Interstate 40 corridor. In fact, some of the most interesting breweries in the state are in this neck of the woods. From monks and organic farms to bathhouses and brewhouse radio stations, the diversity of brewing operations in southern Arkansas is hard to miss.

Here is a look at the breweries of southern Arkansas.

Burks

Saline County doesn’t usually come to mind when one thinks of craft beer, but Burks Brothers Brewing – or B3 Brews, for short – has been in operation there since early 2021. The folks behind the brewery parlayed their experience living in beer centric Austria with homebrewing know-how to get into the commercial brewing game. It’s a family affair at the brewery, with a husband-and-wife team and their sons all involved in the business. Their success over the past couple of years has led to the construction of a new brewery and taproom, which is nearing completion. Like many small Arkansas breweries, the tap list at B3 Brews rotates constantly. Noteworthy beers of late include Dirty Seven IPA and Brews Willis, another IPA variant.

Diamond Bear Brewing Co.

The year 2000 was pivotal for Arkansas beer. Until then, no production brewery in Arkansas found sustained success in the post-Prohibition era. Brew pubs were gaining traction, but it wasn’t until Diamond Bear entered the scene that bottled beer made in Arkansas proved it could sell in a sustainable manner. In 2014 the brewery moved across the river to the former Orbea bicycle distribution center in North Little Rock. The new location provided plenty of space for the brewhouse, taproom and onsite kitchen and restaurant. Today the brewery is best known for year-round staples such as Little Red Strawberry Lager, Pig Trail Porter and Victory English Style Pale Ale.

Flyway Brewing

314 Maple St. North Little Rock

Flyway Brewing was born in 2012 in the basement of Little Rock’s Quapaw Towers. What started out as a tiny half-barrel operation has grown into a significant enterprise in North Little Rock’s Argenta District. Bluewing Berry Wheat is one of the more ubiquitous offerings from Flyway, though Lord God Triple Chocolate Imperial Stout is the one that gets its fans swooning. The brewery’s kitchen has garnered attention for reasons aside from suds. A few years ago Flyway was featured on an episode of the Food Channel’s “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives,” where host Guy Fieri was head over heels for the brewery’s gumbo cheese fries.

Vino’s 923 W. 7th St. Little Rock

One can’t say enough about Vino’s’ place in the Arkansas beer pantheon. It is currently the longest-running brewery in the state, first brewing beer in 1993. Vino’s earned medals at the Great American Beer Festival in 2006 and 2008 for Rock Hopera Imperial IPA. At least two generations of Arkansans have enjoyed pizza, beer and punk rock at the downtown hotspot. And a number of esteemed brewers have commanded the brew kettle, including Bill Riffle (now of Gravity BrewWorks in Big Flat) and Josiah Moody (who is close to opening his own brewery space in Little Rock). A visit to the capitol city isn’t complete without a slice of Vino’s pizza and a pint of the state’s senior-most suds. Pinnacle IPA is always a good choice.

Stone’s Throw Brewing

402 E. 9th St. Little Rock

Located in Little Rock’s MacArthur Park Historic District, Stone’s Throw Brewing is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The brewery has successfully filled the niche of neighborhood watering hole for the entirety of that time with an abundance of delicious beers flowing from its taps. Two of the best are Amadeus Vienna Lager and Shamus Oatmeal Stout. The brewery recently started canning its beer, making four-packs of Amarillo Warrior Imperial IPA another tempting takeaway. Intimate and friendly, Stone’s Throw is the kind of place where everyone truly knows your name.

Camp Taco is a small-batch brewery pitched on the site formerly home to Rebel Kettle Brewing Co. and East Sixth Brewing Co. Just down the road from its big brother – Lost Forty Brewing Co., which share ownership with the joint – Camp Taco is the place for experimental beers, retro aesthetics and Mexican-inspired cuisine. The beer menu is constantly rotating with interesting offerings – Good Weather IPA and Rooster Illusion are currently worth a try – but what sets it apart from other beermakers is a menu replete with frozen popsicles spiked with rum, tequila and other boozy spirits.

Lost Forty won the mid-sized brewery of the year at the 2020 Great American Beer Festival, making it the most heralded brewery in Arkansas brewing history. The brewery dwarfs other breweries in the state, producing around 15,000 barrels of beer each year, which is nearly double its closest counterpart. Mixed fermentation beers – wild, sour and tart – are a mainstay at Lost Forty. The brewery’s east Little Rock taproom features a food menu that attracts locals and outof-towners by the carloads. The house-made gumbo is a delectable dish that pairs well with just about any beer on the tap list. Beer distribution is statewide making Lost Forty varieties – such as staples Love Honey Bock and Rockhound IPA – one of the most readily-available Arkansas beers today, stocking fridges throughout The Natural State.

Ouachita Brewing’s claim to fame is being the first brewery in a dry county following the 2019 state law that made such a feat possible. It’s a bit of a brewing outpost, with the next closest brewery being 90 minutes away in Fort Smith. Ouachita Brewing was an outgrowth of a previously existing (and thriving) coffee shop in the Polk County seat. The caffeine-and-beer combination gives it an uppers-and-downers vibe that is hard to beat. Rise & Grind is an aptly-named coffee cream ale that embodies Ouachita’s approach to brewing.

The small town of Ozark rests on the banks of the Arkansas River. There are fewer than 5,000 people within the city limits, but local beer flows from more than one brewery there. Arkansas Brewing Co. opened in 2020 and produces a number of beers in a building constructed way back in 1945. The brewery has a diverse food menu – more than just pub grub – and a slate of beers that are sure to please. Hillbilly Lager and Wanna Be Stout are two of the most popular on the tap list.

Logan County beermaker, Pridgin Family Brewery, opened in August 2020. It’s a family affair, with David Pridgin Jr. and his brother-in-law Heath Spillers serving as co-brewers. Pridgin’s parents are also involved in the business, as are his three sisters. According to the matriarch of the family, Reba Pridgin, there is some history of brewing in the area, with nearby Morrison Bluff serving as a settling point for German immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries. Like many newcomers from Deutschland, they are thought to have brought their penchant for brewing beer with them from their mother country. You won’t find many German styles at Pridgin Family Brewery, though. It’s an American palate served there, with cream, pale, and red ales dotting the menu.

A second brewery in tiny Ozark is Ox Bend Brewing. It was established in 2017 in an assuming cinderblock and wood-clad building with a red awning that shades the windows and entryway. A sign out front advertises “local craft beer.” There are usually eight Ox Bend beers on tap, and a selection of pizzas to help lay down the proper foundation for imbibing. Drunken Sailor (a wheat ale) and Purty Mouth (a stout) are two fan favorites. In the shadows of the dramatic architecture of Subiaco Abbey is a small brewery run by the school’s Benedictine monks. Dressed in robes and sworn to the vows of obedience, stability and conversion, the brothers of Subiaco brew and sell beer to support the health care needs of their elders. You won’t find traditional Belgian beers at Country Monks; here, you’ll enjoy classic American styles such as pale ale, amber ale and stout. The most unique beer on the menu is Peanut Brittle Beer, which conjures up memories of holiday treats. The tiny tasting room down the hill from the school is only open limited hours, but canned offerings can be found in several retail outlets across the state.

An organic farm in Logan County has sprouted a brewery and restaurant that is small, quaint and – pound-for-pound – as interesting as anything you’ll find in the state. Brewmaster Liz Preston uses small batch ingredients to craft beers that delight the senses. Blue Centennial is one such beer; a brown ale made with blue malt from Troubadour Maltings and Centennial hops. Other beers are made with sumac, tea, elderberry and various other fragrant ingredients. Prestonrose is currently working on a full-service farm-to-table restaurant in downtown Clarksville. Progress is being made, and a grand opening announcement isn’t too far away.

Housed in a former Coca-Cola bottling plant, Point Remove is an attractive stopping point for those traversing I-40. It’s a massive space with room to spread out and plenty of real estate to grow as the brewing volumes increase. Point Remove also makes wine under The Point Winery label. As for the beer, canned offerings have quickly been introduced and are increasingly available throughout the state, including Black Jack Pirate Ale (a cream ale), Long Pool APA (an American pale ale) and Petit Jean Lager.

Amity is just a dot on the map, but it has been home to a small brewery since 2018. The Clark County beermaker is a good jumping off spot for those seeking recreational opportunities on the nearby Caddo River. Last year, Slate Rock founders Orianne and Shawn Burgess sold the business to a new ownership team, but the vibe largely remains the same. There is ample outdoor seating and a food truck to fill patrons’ bellies. Gold Rush IPA is a beer that many people favor at Slate Rock, and there is also homemade root beer for those that desire a non-alcoholic option.

Bubba

A few miles west of Hot Springs, in the unincorporated community of Bonnerdale, Bubba Brew’s Brewing Co. makes beer that is sold at its Lake Hamilton taproom and restaurant. The Bonnerdale location was once home to a Bubba Brew’s-branded restaurant, but now it’s an unaffiliated Mexican eatery with the Bubba brewhouse out back. Fans of Skullcrusher IPA and 10-Point Bock now visit the lakeside destination to quench their thirst and nosh on chicken fingers and cheeseburgers. The number of boats docked outside the restaurant is a testament to Bubba Brew’s popularity in the Spa City.

Camden is about as far south as one can travel on the Arkansas beer map. Located about 45 miles from the Arkansas-Louisiana border, the brewery is without a doubt lower Arkansas’s favorite beermaker. The husband-and-wife duo that run Native Dog were pharmacists in their previous lives; today they are prescribing good beer for the citizens of Camden while at the same time helping revitalize the city’s downtown area. Notorious D.O.G. Double Hazy IPA and Queen City Kölsch are a couple of standouts on the tap list.

Hot Springs’s Central Avenue has seen its fair share of history. Gangsters, movie stars and baseball royalty have strolled the tree-lined sidewalks on either side of the historic boulevard. Today, in a building that once greeted visitors eager to “take the waters,” Superior Bathhouse Brewery pours pints of beer made with water from the springs that emerge from the adjacent mountain. History engulfs those that now choose to “take the ales’’ of Hot Springs. Sitting in a window seat provides a view that is simply second to none. Space Force is a hazy IPA that is not only popular in the taproom, but also at bars and restaurants throughout the Spa City, but there’s also something new and inventive springing from the minds of the resident beermakers.

SQZBX

A pizza place, a brewery, and a FM radio station all in one – that’s the best way to describe SQZBX Brewery & Pizza Joint in downtown Hot Springs. Walk up to the window on Ouachita Avenue and you will see a disc jockey to the left and pizza dough being tossed high in the air to the right. SQZBX is short for “squeeze box,” another name for the accordion. Both owners of SQZBX played the quirky instrument before opening their pizzeria and brewery. Amarillo Biscuit – a German-style maibock – and Campfire Porter are a couple of standouts from recent months.

Studduck

According to the 2020 U.S. Census, Lonsdale has a population of 103. The miniscule nature of the Garland County community didn’t stop home brewers Brad Bassett and Jerry Luckett from slapping down a shipping container on the land that was once Bassett’s great-grandfather’s farm to open a commercial brewery. The modular nature of their shipping container-brewery allows the pair to add space as demand grows. Studduck is one of the most rural-feeling breweries in the state, making it an interesting side trip for those that are more accustomed to urban taprooms. The brewery’s most recent seasonal release is Happy Birthday, Mr. Brewer – a carrot cake Irish red ale.

BY LOCAL ARTIST MELISSA ORSINI

The Best Watering Holes

Whether it’s enjoying a refreshing hand-crafted beverage on the Ozarks Tap and Pour Craft Beverage Tour or cruising down a scenic water trail on a kayak, we love our city and know the best places to eat, drink and play.

SEE YOU IN SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI

The Modern GENTLEMAN

There are some things a man should just know how to do, be it looking after his finances, dressing well, working hard or playing harder.

As part of its inaugural MAN ISSUE, AY About You reached out to experts in the community to get their takes on what the modern man should know on a variety of topics. They shared their expertise to help keep men healthy, wealthy and wise, a primer for living one’s best life. Here’s what they told us:

ADVICE FOR THE MODERN GENTLEMAN HOW TO BE A REAL MAN

Irecently went to dinner with my family before two of our boys were to leave for Morocco on Mother’s Day. My wife, Melissa, asked our sons what they would like to have as their “last home-cooked meal” before they left. As the boys paused to answer, I started throwing out options (most of which involved a grill). Duncan, our 20-year-old son, realizing it was Mother’s Day weekend, wisely asked, “Well, Mom, since it is Mother’s Day, what would you like?”

There was a great example of the teacher learning from the pupil! When we think of “manliness,” we tend to think of toughness, a high threshold for pain, a sternness of character, discipline and leadership. However, I would also acknowledge that such traits, in their extreme, can be toxic to the man and those around him.

The one aspect of manliness that would be hard to overstate, that doesn’t get the airtime and discussion it should, is “otherness.”

By “otherness,” I mean focusing on loving and serving another. Being a real man is focusing your time, attention and love on those most important in your life. And I would argue that one of the best ways to serve the important “other” in your life is by caring for your mind and body.

Research supporting the benefits of exercise are overwhelming. Dr. Peter Attia, a longevity expert steeped in the science of living a longer and more healthy life, states, “Exercise is associated with the reduction in risk of many adverse conditions, including the Four Horsemen of chronic disease: metabolic dysfunction (such as diabetes), cardiovascular disease, cancer and neurodegeneration.” Dr. Attia goes on to say that exercise outperforms any known medicine for prevention of the Four Horsemen.

Being a real man isn’t achieved when you looked ripped in the mirror. Looking good is a byproduct of a more noble pursuit of longevity and well-being. When we pursue health and well-being for the sake of others, we are truly being “real men.”

While a better mind and body take time to develop, there is one thing you can do today that will have a direct impact on your health and well-being: regular checkups and screenings. The absolute best time to reduce your risk of serious illness or death from disease is to identify it early. Go see your primary care physician for regular wellness visits. Get your colonoscopy. See a dermatologist.

Please don’t mistake me as someone who’s figured it all out or is “holier-than-thou.” I’ve been blessed by a great wife who has often been more concerned about my health than I have. About six years ago, as I was shaving one morning, she pointed out a funny-looking mole on my cheek, just under my right ear. Its location made it difficult to see and easy to forget. As men are prone to do, I blew her off. For several weeks she kept harassing me to get the mole checked out, and for weeks, I kept sidestepping the issue.

However, she epitomized the “other” focus and wouldn’t leave it alone. She gave me an ultimatum: Get my mole checked out “or else.” I’ll leave out the “or else” definition here, but suffice it to say that it wasn’t divorce and didn’t involve sleeping on the couch. It was, nonetheless, something very important to me. A few days later, I was in my dermatologist’s office getting that sucker biopsied!

It wasn’t long before I was informed that my mole was a melanoma – a very serious skin cancer.

Melissa’s “other” focus very well could have saved my life. The lesson here is that having an “other” in your life means you care enough to act boldly and persistently. So be “other” focused, and get into the gym, seek professional help if you’re struggling with mental health, see your doctor, and honor those you love by taking care of yourself.

It is the manliest thing you can do.

When we pursue health and well-being for the sake of others, we are truly being “real men.”

MATT

HOW TO TRICK YOUR RIDE

If it’s more about the journey than the destination, then it’s surely even more about the wheels you take that journey with. In most cases, your vehicle makes a first impression long before you get the chance. No man wants to be caught in anything less than an eye-catching ride, but many make the mistake of thinking that their options begin and end at the car dealership.

The scenario: You’re in the market for a new vehicle, and you decide to shop around at the local lots. You search for hours before you finally find the perfect vehicle – well, almost perfect. You’re not huge on the cloth seat interior, but you also won’t be shelling out an extra $8,000 just for the leather seats you really want. So, what can you do when none of the cookie-cutter models are your exact dream?

That’s where an aftermarket company such as Elite Motorsports & Restyling comes in. Elite Motorsports works closely with local Arkansas dealerships to accessorize their customers’ vehicles. Instead of turning over your wallet to pay for upgrades you don’t need in pursuit of the ones you want, you can take that “almost perfect” ride to the aftermarket experts and customize it to your own set of specifics.

new favorite toy.”

And you don’t have to stop with the trim. Other accessories and add-ons you might consider include remote starters, heated seats and rear media systems, as well as exterior add-ons such as bed covers, bumpers and steps.

For trucks and Jeeps in particular, the most popular way to change up the look of your vehicle is to lift it and change the wheels and tires. There are several styles of lifts available, depending on the look, ride and function you’re after. On the budget-friendly side is the spacer lift. It gets the job done, but doesn’t do much to help your truck ride any smoother. To address that, you’ll want to upgrade your shocks or add lifted struts. If you opt to change the factory wheel and tire size, you will also need to add a speedometer calibrator that will reset your speedometer back to factory.

For the Jeep lover specifically, always consider adding a steering stabilizer. The stabilizer will basically act as a shock absorber and stabilize the side to side “road walk” of the front tires through the steering system. No matter how you trick out your ride, remember to visit your aftermarket shop to have them retorque the lift after 500 miles.

Don’t settle when it comes to your new favorite toy. Whether you want to add some flair to your vehicle with lights and stereos, or you need more functional accessories such as leather seats, spray-in bed liners or all-weather floor mats, the friendly and experienced staff at Elite Motorsports & Restyling will be there to help you find the perfect upgrades for your perfect vehicle.

“Don’t settle when it comes to your

HOW TO BE AN OUTDOORSMAN

It goes without saying that the owners of Fort Thompson Sporting Goods, one of the most iconic hunting and fishing outfitters in a state known for its hunting and fishing, would be avid outdoorsmen.

Spending time in the Arkansas wilds — whether in the deer woods, on the lake or, these days, flying across the mountain bike trails — is an Arkansas birthright. For Fort Thompson owner Tom Dennison and his son, Taylor, spending time together outdoors is a given.

“I started hunting and fishing with my dad at a very young age, and we are luckily still able to spend a lot of time outdoors together to this day,” Taylor said.

As an avid hunter, Tom passed down not just his love of hunting but his wisdom as well. Things that have been passed from father to son as a result of these adventures includes knowledge of hunting etiquette, what works and doesn’t work and most importantly, respect for hunting’s role in their lives.

The following are the resolute concepts Tom passed to Taylor, in the time-honored manner of good fathers passing wisdom to sons, and smart sons taking their fathers’ lessons to heart.

SLOW DOWN AND ENJOY THE MOMENT.

For Tom and Taylor, not appreciating every last minute they had together in the woods just wasn’t an option. Time passes too quickly to waste opportunities to spend time together, and so they are intentional about savoring each outing. “Everyone these days is busy with day-to-day life, and we should never take for granted any time spent hunting with family and friends,” Taylor said.

NEVER TAKE THINGS FOR GRANTED.

The demands of running a successful business and meeting individual family responsibilities puts spare time as a premium. Nevertheless, the Dennisons never missed an opportunity to get out to the deer woods or duck blind, weather or sleep be darned.

“When the opportunity comes along to go on a hunt, always go,” Tom said. “Conditions might not always be perfect, but sometimes it works out in your favor, and you’ll be glad you didn’t sleep in.”

PASS IT ON.

Taylor said the wisdom his dad shared with him will be passed on to the next generation of Dennisons.

“I would say the most important thing would be to keep passing the tradition of hunting down by getting your kids involved at an early age,” he said. “This is even more prevalent to me now that my wife and I have two sons of our own.”

And that extends to any of their sons’ friends who might not otherwise have a chance to be involved in hunting, he said.

RESPECT

This simple ethic will certainly take one far when it comes to the hunt, but it also applies in far more places and situations than the outdoors. Growing up in the Dennison house, it was reinforced until understood as rote, Taylor said.

“Always have respect for the outdoors, other hunters and the animals you are pursuing,” Taylor said his dad taught him. “Having respect for all three of those will allow everyone in your hunting party and others hunting around you to have a much better experience. We should all be very thankful that we are able to get away and spend time outdoors.”

“Keep passing the tradition of hunting down by getting your kids involved at an early age.”

HOW TO DRESS

As it has long been said, you only get one chance to make a good first impression. Be it networking in business, managing your personal life or moving in social circles, what you wear says a lot about you to prospective employers, potential clients and future mates.

With the onset of casual Fridays and the work-from-home ethos of the pandemic, dressing well has fallen by the wayside for many men. And while there’s nothing wrong with being comfortable, there’s also something to be said for good taste, an eye for detail and pride in one’s appearance that starts with one’s wardrobe.

Part of the problem that has degraded men’s wardrobes has been the disappearance of independent men’s clothing stores that once helped gentlemen of all ages find their style, build their collection and maintain their image as well-tailored people of taste. As society increasingly turned to the shopping mall and, more recently, to online shopping for their clothing needs, men’s clothiers disappeared in droves, taking with them the old-world commitment to quality and expertise for which such places were known.

Fortunately, not every such store has gone the way of the rotary phone. Mr. Wicks, located in Little Rock’s elegant Heights neighborhood, is keeping the tradition of the well-dressed man alive. The knowledgeable staff and comfortable

environment of Mr. Wicks has welcomed generations of men who appreciate the look and feel of fine clothing at work and leisure. Mark Evans, owner, shared some pointers for the well-dressed man — timeless advice that can be applied to any generation or price point.

• Every man’s closet needs a charcoal, navy or black suit. A high-quality navy sport jacket that pairs well with khaki slacks or a nice pair of jeans always makes a man’s wardrobe complete. Be sure to have a pair of black slip-on dress shoes, but don’t forget to have a comfortable pair of nice tennis shoes that work with most everything on this list. Throw in a tie or two with a few pairs of great, colorful socks and you’re wardrobe-ready.

• Be sure your clothes fit! How many times have you seen a guy who is wearing pants that are 2 or 3 inches too long and a suit jacket with sleeves that are down to his knuckles? Don’t let fit ruin your look – go see a tailor. A few tweaks and a clothing disaster looks like a custom fit.

• Mixing patterns helps you make the look your own. A tie with stripes pairs well with a shirt that has checks. Also, a tie with dots works perfectly with a striped shirt.

• Accessories are a great way to add color that pops without causing you to stand out too much. A pocket round al-

ways adds a touch of class with a sport coat, whether you’re wearing it with slacks or jeans.

• Another popular way to add color is with fun socks. There are endless options that really do make statements of fun and fashion.

• Transitioning your wardrobe from season to season isn’t too difficult here in Arkansas; the key is to wear layers. Add a quarter-zip pullover that you can easily slip off, and have a great color T-shirt underneath. Off the clock, wearing a fashion sweatshirt with shorts is always a good outfit as seasons change.

Transitioning your wardrobe from season to season isn’t too difficult here in Arkansas; the key is to wear layers.

HOW TO DEVELOP FINANCIAL MATURITY

Whether you’re transitioning from “dude” to “dad” or already daydreaming about retirement, leveling up your financial habits is the best way to make the most of your hard-earned money. Thanks to pros like financial advisor Beckie Comstock with Raymond James, diving into the wide world of wealth building doesn’t have to be an intimidating prospect. “Setting goals is an important part of life in general, and financial planning in particular,” Comstock said. “Investing without knowing what you’re trying to achieve is like trying to drive across the country without a map or GPS.”

You can always pivot to meet changing circumstances, but you can’t adjust a plan you don’t have. The sooner you take the time to set your eyes on a particular prize – a comfortable retirement fund, starting a business, building a new house – the more time you have to work toward it. And, when you are finally ready to splash some cash on that big purchase, make sure you’ve done your research and are spending wisely.

Once you’re on your way towards that goal, how do you invest strategically to keep from being swept up in the unpredictable movements of the market?

“Disregard short-term forecasts,” Comstock said. “Base your investment decisions on variables that are knowable, such as your degree of diversification, your time horizon and the amount of money you need to reach your goals.”

A systematic investment approach is the way to go for long-term success. That system includes investing money regularly, and in equal amounts. And don’t sleep on your workplace retirement plan either.

“Having retirement plan contributions automatically deducted from your paycheck eliminates the temptation to spend that money on things that might cause you to incur debt,” Comstock said.

Speaking of debt – how can you tackle those outstanding balances to make sure your money is going towards your goals instead of your creditors?

“As the saying goes, ‘A penny saved is a penny earned.’ If you carry a large amount of debt, one of the easiest ways to reduce spending is to reduce the ongoing amount you must pay in interest,” Comstock said. “There are several ways to reduce the cost of debt. You can implement one or a combination of them, depending on the amount and type of debt you are carrying.”

Refinancing might be a good idea if you’re currently making payments on a high-interest consumer loan (think a mortgage or auto loan) and interest rates have come down since you first borrowed the money. If you’ve got multiple small loans,

you might consider consolidating them so you’ve only got one monthly payment.

Other options, such as taking out a home equity loan or taking money out of other investments to pay down debt, come with their own advantages and disadvantages, so make sure you consult with an expert before making any major money moves.

With a solid plan in place, you’ll be better equipped to handle life’s ups, downs and in-betweens. The legacy you leave behind for your loved ones starts with the choices you make today, so it’s important not to put off getting all your financial ducks in a row.

“If you don’t already have life insurance, consider getting it. If you already have life insurance, reevaluate your coverage,” Comstock said. “If you’re working, consider disability insurance that could help replace a percentage of your income if you’re unable to work as a result of an illness or injury.”

If you’re a dad or dad-to-be, start a college fund and contribute to it every month, even if it’s only small amounts at first.”

But, Comstock warned, don’t fund college at the expense of putting aside money for retirement.

When it comes to ensuring your financial legacy reaches your heirs as intended, now is the time to make proper arrangements, whether it’s a will, a trust, a beneficiary designation or joint ownership arrangements. You might even consider setting up custodial investment accounts for your children so they can get a jumpstart on their own financial future.

“Stay involved in your family’s financial decision-making and planning, and one day, you can pass your financial know-how on to your child,” Comstock said.

“Setting goals is an important part of life in general, and financial planning in particular.”

HOW TO UP YOUR SNEAKER GAME

Let’s face it, there’s no better time than now to get started on your sneaker collection, but as a man, you have a lot on your plate. In between balancing all that life has to offer, it may be difficult to even stop and think about fashion, let alone keep up with the sneaker trends.

This is where Little Rock’s Rock City Kicks comes in. Rock City Kicks is a sneaker and clothing boutique that keeps up with all of the latest trends, including Nike Jordans, Adidas, Nike Air Force 1’s and many other sneakers that can be dressed up or dressed down. No matter how you choose to wear your favorite pair of kicks, Corey Bacon will make sure you’re dripping in style.

Bacon says you should rarely throw out a pair of high-end sneakers because shoe trends, like fashion trends, cycle in and out over the years. Particularly in the world of Jordans, Bacon owns a handful of styles and still wears later releases.

“You’ll know when it’s time to retire a pair. I’ve outgrown some styles, some are too bulky for my personal preference. But hang on to them as long as you can; there’s always a chance for a comeback,”

Bacon said.

In order to keep your sneakers fresh and clean, Bacon has a few tips to keep you stylish and ready. Frequently bought products at RCK include Crep Protect Sneaker Protector Spray for new or like-new shoes. Sneaker Lab sneaker wipes and Jason Markk cleaning kit are also recommended.

“Crep is very effective and easy to apply, and it protects your shoes from dirt and spills. Sneaker Lab Sneaker wipes are where Sneaker Lab really shines above other brands; the wipes are fantastic for travel and on-the-go application,” Bacon said.

“Jason Markk’s shoe cleaning kit includes a bottle of concentrate cleaning solution, a brush and a microfiber towel. When it’s time for a laces-deep clean, Jason Markk is your best bet.”

It is as true now as ever that investing in your personal style is a necessary part of life. Shoes are an important area of your wardrobe, and investing in high-quality models is never a bad idea. According to Bacon, there are three styles of sneakers that you can never go wrong with: Nike or Nike SB Low Dunks; a running shoe, such as New Balance 2002’s; and a funky choice, such as Saucony Retro Runners, Puma Clydes, Nike Air Max 1’s or Air Jordan 1 Highs. Bacon also recommends investing in a pair of Adidas Stan Smith or Sambas.

“You can also just go crazy and step into something completely new,” he said. “There’s no shortage of funky footwear nowadays. Find something that fits you, something that inspires confidence. A sneaker is more than just a shoe; you’ll know when you find it.”

For dressier occasions, sneakers and suits have been a popular style trend, and

Bacon predicts it will continue to be crucial to have sneakers for dress up. According to Bacon, there are typically three truisms when it comes to pairing a suit with sneakers.

“First, black leather low-tops can be worn with almost any suit,” he said. “That can be said about brown leather low-tops and even white/white sneakers. Second, the simpler the better, and third, suits fit differently, as do sneakers. Pay attention to the length and leg opening of your pants. I’m not saying you need to hem your suit to complement your shoes, although it’s cool if you do.”

The way your pants fall (or “breaks”) on your sneakers is important, and depending on their length and width, a clean mid- or high-top may be a good choice, according to Bacon.

“Definitely keep it clean and classy. Over-the-top sneakers or weekend beaters aren’t going to impress anyone; suit or no

“Find something that fits you, something that inspires confidence.”

HOW TO WAGER ON SPORTS

Whether calling the Hogs or following a favorite pro team, there’s nothing like the thrill of sports. For many people, wagering only adds to the excitement of a live sporting event. Saracen Casino Resort offers the following Sports Wagering 101 to get you up and into the action in no time.

WHAT’S THE MONEYLINE?

WHAT’S A SPREAD?

A moneyline bet is the most basic wager in sports betting. In the simplest terms, it is a bet on which team or player will win a contest. There’s no point spread and no conditions, just pick the winner.

One of the essential elements of sports betting is the point spread, designed to create a balanced bet for both sides in a contest. Some competitors might be unbeatable without the spread, because the moneyline would be set too high and no one would bet the underdog.

Let’s say Arkansas -6 is playing LSU; if you bet on the favored Hogs, they have to beat LSU by more than six points for you to win. The underdog Tigers, meanwhile, pay off if they pull the upset and

win or if they lose by fewer than six points. Spreads are less effective in lower-scoring sports like baseball, hockey and soccer, but they still exist (called the run line in baseball and the puck line in hockey). Both the run line and puck lines are generally set at -1 1/2 for the favored team.

WHAT IS BETTING THE OVER AND UNDER?

A bet on the over means you think both teams will combine to score more goals, points, or runs than the total listed. Con versely, an under bet means you think they will score less than the total listed.

WHAT

DOES +110 OR -110 MEAN?

The minus sign (-) usually refers to the favorite and the plus sign (+) usually refers to the underdog. So if you bet the favorite at -110, you have to bet $110 to return your stake and win $100. On the other hand, if you bet the underdog at +110 and you bet $100, you will win $110 for a higher payback, plus your original $100 stake.

WHAT’S A PROP BET?

Prop bets generally refer to anything that is not directly tied to the outcome of a contest. They can be over/ under bets or they can be how many times a player does something in a game. They can even be bets on which team will do better in general on a certain topic, such as which team will gain more running yards. Whatever an oddsmaker can imagine can become an interesting prop bet.

WHAT ARE PARLAYS AND PARLAYS WITHIN THE SAME GAME?

Parlays combine bets; if you place a three-bet parlay, all three bets have to win for you to cash in. If you win only two of them, it does not pay. Obviously, if you’d bet them individually, you’d have won two bets and only lost one, but parlays multiply the odds, which is the big reward of parlay bets.

Parlay within the same game is a special feature of the BetSaracen app. Traditionally, many bets were not allowed because they are correlated or closely related. The Parlay Same Game feature on BetSaracen allows players to make more combination wagers that usually would not be accepted.

CAN I BET A CONTEST AFTER IT HAS STARTED?

In-play wagering is betting on a game already in progress, and many of the most popular pregame bets morph into an in-play format once the game begins. These include point spreads, moneylines, totals and props. Players can even parlay multiple live bets together or mix and match live and pregame wagers as they see fit. The possibilities aren’t endless, but they’ll often feel that way. Be quick, though, as in-play odds constantly change as game conditions change.

WHAT

ARE FUTURES?

Per the name, futures bet on something that will happen in the longer-term future. A prime example is who’s going to win the National Championship in college football. Future bets also offer the best odds for a casual bettor to hit it big.

HOW TO SEE THE WORLD

If you work hard, it’s essential to take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and see the hidden gems this world has to offer. Cindy Minor, president of Small World Big Fun travel agency, said it is important to hire a travel advisor to avoid unnecessary stress, especially when planning to vacation outside of the country.

“Small World Big Fun advisors are trained professionals with in-depth expertise in the travel industry,” she said. “It can be time-consuming to plan a trip, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the destination or have complex travel requirements.”

The company handles the entire planning process and offers clients suggestions and insider tips, so every vacation is a personalized and unique travel experience. In addition to the wealth of knowledge that the travel agency offers, Small World Big Fun also has access to exclusive deals, discounts and packages that are not available to the general public.

“Travel Advisors provide ongoing support before, during and after your vacation,” Minor said. “If any issues or unexpected changes arise, such as flight cancellations or rescheduling, we can handle arrangements and help you navigate through the situation.”

TIPS FROM THE EXPERT

INTRIGUING DESTINATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL MEN OF MYSTERY

Minor suggests the following destinations for an unforgettable vacation, from a snowy wonderland to scenic jungle and even a galaxy far, far away:

VIETNAM

Offering an experience unlike any other, Minor suggests a visit to Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City, the most populous city in the country. After absorbing the culture of the city, she also advises clients to embrace tropical life at Ha Long Bay, situated on the Gulf of Tonkin. Other popular destinations include Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom in Cambodia, with ancient temples that tell the rich history of Asia.

CROATIA

For this dramatic and unique destination, Minor suggests chartering a private yacht to explore the Adriatic Coast, where you’ll explore medieval towns, see local villages and learn about history ranging from Diocletian to the Cold War.

ARCTIC EXPEDITION CRUISE

Perfect for the man seeking encounters with the natural beauty of the Arctic, these cruises take you up close and personal with glaciers, arctic wildlife and even the Northern Lights. Consult Minor and her team for the best time of year to experience your adventure.

GALACTIC STARCRUISER

For the ultimate experience any “Star Wars” fan could want, consider The Galactic Starcruiser twonight adventure, the most immersive “Star Wars” experience ever created. The trip is one part immersive theater, one part themed environment and one part real-life, role-playing game and happens to be one of the best trips a man can book.

The final voyage for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will take place Sept. 28-30, 2023.

Minor offers the following tips and tricks that will make life easier when traveling, starting with getting a passport.

“Any true international man of mystery has a passport. He knows where it is and when it expires,” she said. “Many destinations will require your passport to be valid for six months after the last date of vacation; allow at least eight to 12 weeks to get it updated.”

OTHER ITEMS ON ANY GLOBE-TROTTER’S CHECKLIST INCLUDE:

• Power bank – keep your gadgets charged, anywhere

• Power adapter/converter – can’t plug in a laptop without it

• Small bills in the local currency for tipping – take care of the people who take care of you

• Packing cubes for luggage – organize your stuff when you go

• Capsule wardrobe – plan your attire around key clothing items to maximize luggage space

For the aspiring international man of mystery, traveling is a key component. Whether you consider yourself an expert traveler, or you are beginning your journey to international destinations, Small World Big Fun can help ensure each trip is hasslefree and memorable, no matter where your travels take you.

Mama’s Boys

Behind every successful man there stands a powerful woman, and for many a man, that woman’s name is Mom. No matter how popular or successful he becomes, there’s one person who knows him to his core. No matter how important a station he holds or how large an empire he creates, there’s one who sees right through him.

For our inaugural Man Issue, we captured some well-known men of Arkansas and the women who brought them up, kept them humble and even today serve as their greatest cheerleader.

To every Mama’s Boy out there, this is for you.

MEN’S CLOTHING SPONSOR:

MR. WICKS, 5924 R Street, Little Rock, (501) 664-3062 (mrwicks.com)

WOMEN’S CLOTHING SPONSOR: DILLARD’S, Multiple locations (dillards.com)

HAIR/MAKEUP SPONSOR: THE FIX SALON, HANNAH KARR 3700 Old Cantrell Road, #101, Little Rock, (501) 319-4554 (fixsalonar.com)

Scott & Linda

SCOTT McGEHEE, Chef/Yellow Rocket Concepts restaurateur LINDA BROWN, Scott’s Mom

When Scott was little, he loved pushing his chair over to the kitchen island next to me to cook. He really showed a special affinity for it at such a young age; he loved all the different flavors and all the different textures and trying new foods. He always loved coming up with different recipes, even when he was really little; I think he was like, 6 years old. He came up with a little cookie recipe, and it didn’t work out exactly perfectly, but it worked, it tasted OK.

When he was about 12 years old, all the other kids would get off the school bus and go into the little local market and get chips and dips and candy. He started getting things like artichokes. He’d cook the artichoke and make a little easy hollandaise sauce, and that would be his after-school snack.

Linda: MaxMara Weekend blazer (light blue, $495) and pants (green, $295); Hugo Boss top (open white, $168); Schutz shoes (beige, $148); Kendra Scott earrings (dark blue, $98)

Scott: Johnnie O “Prep Performance” shirt ($138); Atlas pant ($178); Flylite Loafer shoes ($128); belt ($125)

Davonte

& Terrie

DAVONTE “DEVO” DAVIS, Arkansas Razorback basketball star

TERRIE HOLMES, Davonte’s Mom

Davonte was a good kid. And he was always on the A and B honor roll his whole life. Always been smart academically. I was a bad kid growing up, but he was the opposite. Thank you, Jesus.

One thing, though, he was such a picky eater. When he was little, if I gave him say, a Pop-Tart and it was broken or tore in half, he wouldn’t eat it. He wouldn’t eat anything that was broken. And that irked me because it’s going to taste the same, and it’s a waste of money.

Davonte was spoiled. He was a crybaby if he wasn’t in your arms. I got pictures of him in his walker crying, high chair crying. But he’s always been a good child; never had a problem with him, never. He’s a great kid, and I’m not saying that because he’s my baby. He’s a great kid.

Terrie: Maison Tara dress (fuchsia, $98); Venita Aspen X Gianni Bini shoes (sorbert, $118); Anna & Ava ring (gold, $20); Gemma Lane earrings (multi, $38), necklace ($38), square bracelet ($34) and cuff ($40).

Davonte: Johnnie O “Felix” linen shirt (raspberry, $148) and “Atlas” 5-pocket pant (stone, $178).

Daniel & Debbie

DANIEL ROBINSON, Banker/Philanthropist

DEBBIE ROBINSON, Daniel’s Mom

When Daniel was a teenager, we took a trip to the Czech Republic, and he got to experience playing soccer with a Czech pub team. He scored their only goal in that game. There was a lot of ruckus over that. One team was saying, “You got scored on by an American.” The other team was saying, “You had to get an American in order to score.”

Daniel would try anything. He rode a unicycle, he’s a side magician. That’s how he gave his wife, Tiffany, her engagement ring, in a magic trick. They dated for seven years, so he had to try to figure out a way to surprise her. So, he decided in one of his magic tricks, he would have the engagement ring, and he told Tiffany he was going to do this trick, and he wanted her to participate. But she said, “I know that trick.” He said, “Well, it’s new. I changed it up.” So, he managed to pull it off.

Debbie: DKNY dress (black/white, $149); J Renee shoes (navy, $89); Simon Sebbag earrings ($135); UNODE50 bracelet (silver, $155/$200), ring (silver/ pearl, $155), nail bracelet (silver, $170), ring (silver, $110), dragonfly ring (silver $125)

Daniel: Horn Legend shirt (black/white, $130); Johnnie O “Cross Country” pant ($135) and shoes

“Knit Range Runner” ($168); Emelio Scott belt ($98)

DJ & Vicky

D.J. WILLIAMS

KARK Morning Show/ Razorback football great VICKY WILLIAMS, D.J.’s mom

When D.J. was little, the first thing that he just loved was the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” The first movie had just come out when he was 2 going on 3, and whenever it was over, he would go to his sister and say, “Rewind that for me.” He would just watch it, and he could repeat that show verbatim. He absolutely loved it. I think his favorite turtle was Donatello, the more laid-back one, which is kind of like his personality. He had all the action figures; we got him the jammies, too.

As he got older it turned into Power Rangers. That was just a slight phase, then he got into Batman, which he still is today. A funny little story: In his college days, they would have scooters to ride around the campus – he had his Batman cape, and his friend had a Superman cape, and they would ride those scooters around U of A with that on.

Vicky: Hugo Boss blazer (bright pink, $645), top (open white, $168) and pants (bright pink, $248); Antonio Melani shoes (Spanish sand, $98); Anna & Ava bracelets (gold, $20/$40); Gemma Layne earrings (gold/pearl, $20)

D.J.: Peter Millar “Crown Crafter” pant ($175), belt ($150) and “Drift V2” shoes ($175); Horn Legend shirt ($97).

David & Carolyn

DAVID BAZZEL, 103.7 The Buzz host/ Razorback football great CAROLYN BAZZEL BRANCH, David’s mom

David was always one of the most Mr. Personalities you’ve ever seen. Oh my gosh, such a personality! It started in kindergarten, and even in kindergarten he always had a plan. Kindergarten teacher, every teacher, loved him dearly because he was just so loving and so cute. But the bad thing is, teachers couldn’t hardly stop him from talking. He talked so much.

In first grade he had a first-year teacher. She kept saying, “I can’t stop him from talking.” Well, I’m a young mother, and I told her ‘Just do whatever you’ve got to do.’ You know what she did? She put tape on his mouth. Imagine that! Today, she would be in big trouble. I felt sorry for him, but she was just trying everything.

Then second grade he got sent to the principal’s office. For what? Talking. It just went that way. Talking was the thing that always got him in trouble, and that’s the thing that now provides him a living.

Carolyn: IC Collection dress (black, $198); Cezanne silk scarf/shawl (black, $88); Donald Pliner shoes (black, $188); Natasha bracelet ($38); Gemma Layne earrings ($34); Dillard’s ring ($25)

David: TailoRed wool suit (black, $795); Scott Barber shirt (grey, $125); Edward Armah silk pocket square (grey/purple, $48)

A Growing Health System for a Growing Community

Expanded Access

Heart Care Where You Need it Most

Our region is thriving, and we believe a growing community deserves a growing health system. As leaders in innovative heart care, Conway Regional’s cardiovascular physicians are available to see patients in Conway, Clinton, Dardanelle, or Greenbrier At Conway Regional, we are proud to expand access to high-quality care to the communities we serve.

To schedule an appointment with our providers, call 501-358-6905.

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

Left to Right: Ronak Soni, MD, Don Steely, MD, Rimsha Hasan, MD, and Yalcin Hacioglu, MD of Conway Regional Cardiovascular Clinic

Let’s Hear IT FOR THE Boys

By JOHN CALLAHAN

There are some things that men just don’t like to talk about, but they’re important all the same. Simply put, the plumbing is going to need some work sooner or later, and it’s best that you get comfortable with the idea and get the pipes checked before something breaks, rather than after.

Urology is the branch of medicine concerned with the urinary tract for both men and women, and the reproductive system for men. Little Rock-based Arkansas Urology is at the forefront of all things urological in the state and nation, from treatment to research to outreach. Formed in 1996 as a combination among three independent groups, Arkansas Urology treats the large majority of urological cases in the state and has clinics stretching from Bentonville to El Dorado. The organization’s CEO, E. Scot Davis, also sits on the board of the Large Urology Group Practice Association, which represents urologists from around the country.

“I see patients young and old and in between,” said Tim Goodson, a doctor at Arkansas Urology and president of the Arkansas Urological Society. “We’re not just old-man doctors, which is kind of what people think. Obviously, we see a lot of men as they mature. But we can do vasectomies for them when they’re young, and we deal with issues for men throughout their lives.

“Females can have bladder problems, urinary tract infections, cancers of the bladder, cancers of the kidney. People don’t always think of us as cancer doctors, but that’s the large majority of what we do. Because we treat prostate cancer and bladder cancer, we treat renal cell carcinoma, which is kidney cancer, as well as cancers all up and down the system.”

Kidney stones are another urological affliction that can happen to anyone. Goodson noted that kidney stones are the second most common condition they treat, after prostate cancer. Though they are most common over the age of 30, they have become increasingly common in teenagers and can occur in children of any age. Moreover, Arkansas is part of the so-called “Kidney Stone Belt,” as research has shown that the American South suffers from a higher incidence of kidney stones.

Men also suffer from a number of unpleasant conditions such as erectile dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease and low testosterone, which can make intimacy with a loved one difficult. Goodson noted that low testosterone in particular is quite rampant and can have serious negative effects on a man’s vitality and energy to live life and get work done.

For any of these afflictions, there are treatment options avail-

Dr. Tim Goodson Scot Davis, CEO

able – many more and much better options than were available in decades past. Within living memory, treatment for men with prostate or testicular cancer was to literally remove those body parts. Now, Arkansas Urology can offer an array of cancer treatment options such as oral therapies, immunotherapies, radiologic therapies and surgical intervention. Soon, a new cutting-edge option will also be made available: radioligand therapy, in which a molecule called a ligand, which can seek out certain types of cancer cells, is “tied” to a radioactive isotope that then kills those cancer cells while leaving nearby healthy cells unharmed.

“There isn’t anything that we don’t offer,” Davis said. “So, when patients are diagnosed with prostate cancer, there’s really no reason for them to go to a named cancer institute outside of Arkansas. They can get it all right here from a nationally recognized urology practice that can offer any and all of those services to those patients.”

Goodson said, “When I first started my practice, erectile dysfunction medication had just kind of come on the scene. That was a big change because there weren’t good medications for that. Now those are commonly available, they’re generic now. But there are other things when those medicines don’t work, there are procedural things we can do to help a man restore his erection. There are medicines, there are shots, there are surgeries that can be done.

“Testosterone is an important component of a man’s sense of well-being and their energy level. We have injections, we have pellets, we have different things we can do to help restore testosterone levels.”

Treatment, however, is only half the battle. Screening and early detection have been a major emphasis for Arkansas Urology and its fundraising wing, the Arkansas Urology Foundation, for catching cancer in its early stages, when it can quite literally be the difference between life and death.

According to the National Cancer Society, if prostate cancer is found and treated before it metastasizes (expands outside of the prostate itself), it has a five-year survival rate of 99 percent. That means that almost every case that is detected early can be cured. If the disease does metastasize, the five-year survival rate drops dramatically, to around 30 percent. Even these advanced stages have treatment options, but an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

To this end, Arkansas Urology opened a new diagnostic and treatment center at its Little Rock Clinic in late April. The new center is equipped with a Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) scanner and an advanced 3 Tesla MRI scanner, which will allow for extremely detailed imaging in one location, thus saving patients the trouble of traveling and setting up appointments at other facilities. These types of scans are also necessary to the aforementioned radioligand therapy, ensuring the process will be optimally streamlined once it becomes available.

“Another important thing is just the prevalence of family history,” said Chris Shenep, Director of the AU Foundation and Marketing. “My granddad always said when I was growing up it wasn’t if, it was when he was going to have prostate cancer. He got it when he was 78. He lived to be 99 and passed away in 202l, but it wasn’t because of prostate cancer. Thanks to him being on top of it, he was able to beat it and treat it and live a normal healthy life. That just goes to show how easy it is to stay on top of.”

Davis said, “Being as I’ve had to deal with some health issues myself, there’s certain things that men have to do at 50. You’ve got to get a prostate screening early if you have family history; you’ve got to have a colonoscopy; you’ve got to get checked for colon cancer and all these things. You’ve also got to do your routine checkups. And guys are just really bad about doing that. So, we try to lighten it and take away the stigma of having a prostate exam to make it seem like not so much of a big deal.”

Arkansas Urology holds multiple events throughout the year such as Kickoff to Men’s Health held each September, which is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. During last year’s event, free prostate screenings were held at five locations across the state to reach uninsured or underinsured men, those who may avoid screening due to anxiety about the procedure or those who are at a higher risk of prostate cancer due to race or other factors. Prior to last year’s event, some 8,000 free screenings were provided by Kickoff to Men’s Health; about 1,500 to 2,000 of those screened were diagnosed with an enlarged prostate.

“This was our 18th year to do it, and you see guys who are wearing shirts from all different years who have been coming back year after year, and this is their annual checkup,” Shenep said. “This annual exam is their lifeline.”

Davis explained that the strategy has been to reach men where

The overall funding of research for men’s diseases is actually fairly low when you compare it to the money spent on women’s research. Particularly in breast cancer versus prostate cancer, there’s probably $10 spent on breast cancer research, historically, for every $1 or $2 spent on prostate cancer research.

they are by figuring out where they are and what they like. The organization commonly advertises at football stadiums, basketball arenas, golfing events, talk radio and touchdown clubs. Various spokespeople have joined in to help spread the word, such as legendary NASCAR driver Mark Martin. Two radio hosts for Arkansas Urology’s events have even had live on-air prostate exams. To help sweeten the deal, men who get a screening at the Kickoff to Men’s Health event are entered for a drawing to win a free 60inch television.

“And so, it’s just kind of fun,” Davis said. “That’s how you take away the stigma. You let guys know that it’s normal, and it’s nothing to be afraid of. It’s quick, it’s painless, it’s convenient, it’s free. Basically, it’s no big deal. Everyone else is doing it, and you get a chance to win a TV.”

He explained that sometimes men need a little pressure to get a screening, and that can often be applied by appealing to the women in their lives. According to the Centers for Disease Control, women are twice as likely as men to visit the doctor for annual examinations and preventative care.

“Women are more apt to go to their doctor; they get their annual exam and pap smear; that’s become a routine part of their world,” Goodson said. “They’re probably more comfortable with doctors. Men don’t have that situation where they always have to have a doctor. A middle-aged man can go a long time without ever seeing one if they’re blessed with good health, so there’s a little bit more intimidation there when they come to see one of us.”

Davis recounted one case where he was on the radio and said, “Women, if you’re in the car with your husband about to go out to dinner, tell them to turn that car around and come to our clinic for a free screening.” Sure enough, a woman came to the clinic and said that she had heard Davis and made her husband get a screening.

The size of Arkansas Urology also makes it a national leader in research. At any one time, the organization is running from 15 to 20 studies. Because it treats somewhere from 60 to 70 percent

The Arkansas Urology Foundation, led by Chris Shenep (at right) works in partnership with the medical practice, funding community outreach, testing and education programs to complement Arkansas Urology’s cutting-edge treatment.

of the prostate cancer cases in the state, research entities often come to Arkansas Urology to test their newest pharmaceuticals and devices in clinical research, keeping the practice on the cutting edge of treatment and screening options. Many of the major advances in the field over the past five years, such as oral oncolytics, have begun as research projects at Arkansas Urology and practices much like it.

Goodson noted that while a great deal of progress has been made in the field of urology, there is certainly more work to be done.

“We are probably a little bit behind our colleagues that treat breast cancer, in terms of research dollars,” Goodson said. “We’ve made a lot of advances, but some of those advances the folks that were treating breast cancer probably made a decade ago. We’re kind of catching up. The overall funding of research for men’s diseases is actually fairly low when you compare it to the money spent on women’s research. Particularly in breast cancer versus prostate cancer, there’s probably $10 spent on breast cancer research, historically, for every $1 or $2 spent on prostate cancer research.”

Another issue is the disparity in health care among socioeconomic groups. According to Goodson, Black men have a genetic predisposition to get prostate cancer at a higher rate than their white or Asian counterparts, and it tends to be more dangerous when they get it. This compounds with the fact that in many rural areas of the state, such as the Delta, many people do not have access to the kind of medical care available in Little Rock. Much of the work of the foundation has been to try to bridge that disparity and make quality care less dependent on one’s income.

If you’re wondering what you can do to protect your urological health, the first and most important step is to go get a screening. Free first-time screenings are available at Arkansas Urology clinics year-round, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. This screening involves a battery of tests for cancer signs, testosterone levels and other things not directly related to urology such as blood counts, liver functions and cholesterol.

Day to day, the best thing you can do is to watch your diet and exercise. A colorful diet low on fried foods and animal proteins, good hydration and frequent exercise are the keys to a healthy urological system and a healthy love life, not to mention the benefits to your heart. For those who just want to help, Arkansas Urology has volunteer options available through its website and won’t turn away anyone who wants to pitch in.

“I couldn’t be prouder of our organization,” Goodson said. “I think we’re doing good work, we’re heading in the right direction and have grown a lot. The future really looks bright in terms of our availability to make a difference in people’s lives. And that’s an exciting thing to do, it really is. It’s a great thing to be a part of.”

Boys to Men

By MARK CARTER

Mentors provide the tether needed to help keep young males on right track

The 19th century philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson foresaw the negative effects of careening society, the Industrial Revolution having redefined progress.

And contemporary society is nothing if not careening. If one’s not careful, it’s easy to lose one’s mooring. Emerson was a noted proponent of individualism and self-reliance, but he also recognized the importance of being held accountable.

“Our chief want in life is somebody who will make us do what we can,” he wrote.

Without such a tether, many young males today emerging into adulthood are ill-equipped to succeed and become productive members of society. Two Little Rock men are determined to provide that tether and help keep local youths moored.

This is their story.

Kevin Hunt. Sr. works to lead young people to brighter futures. “I don’t want to see these brothers or little sisters end up in prison, dropping out of school, getting involved with any of this stuff. It’s a tough life out here.”

(Photo by Dwain Hebda)

evin Hunt Sr. is a junior-high dropout and former gang member who ultimately spent three-and-a-half years in prison. He had already been in and out of prison when his moment of epiphany came calling. Unfortunately, it took the death of a loved one to shake the gangbanger out of the destructive cycle that had led him astray.

In 2001, Hunt’s maternal grandmother died on the day before his 28th birthday. The two were close, and for years, Hunt had promised her that he’d come clean. After her death, he struggled to reconcile those broken promises. Eventually, he chose to use them as motivation.

“Her passing gave me life,” Hunt said. “I was upset that I had lied and didn’t follow through.”

Though Hunt was raised in a stable home with both parents active in his life, the siren call of gangs ultimately led him to pursue what he plainly describes as a series of bad choices: choices that led him to drop out of school before finishing ninth grade; choices that led him to be pulled in by the false promises of the street; and ultimately, choices that landed him in prison.

Even after his “legal timeout” at the Tucker Unit in the 1990s, Hunt — the “Sr.” addendum still years away — remained stubborn. He had his own road laid out before him.

“When I was in prison, I knew I was gonna go right back into the gangs,” he said.

But then his grandmother died, and something changed. Hunt renewed his faith and secured his GED. Before he knew it, he’d earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Philander Smith College and finally, an MBA from Webster University. He got married, started a family and even landed a job in the office of former Gov. Mike Beebe before serving as a fellow at the Clinton School for Public Service.

Ultimately, Hunt was destined to return to his own journey’s starting point, working to help young males make better choices than he did. Launched in 2018, Hunt’s Lessons Learned youth-development and intervention program works with kids in fourth grade and up at four Little Rock schools — Mabelvale Elementary, Mabelvale Middle, Cloverdale Middle and Southwest High.

Through the program, funded through a grant from the city of Little Rock, Hunt shares his story, teaches students about the consequences of making bad choices and, maybe most importantly, is just there to provide an ear or a fresh perspective.

“It’s not all about bad kids or kids involved with gangs,” he said. “It’s about kids who may have just had a bad day or a bad week. I’m able to go in and talk to ῾em and see if I can figure out what’s going on and build a relationship. It’s all about positive reinforcement.”

Hunt said he talks to students about grades, helping them get jobs, making good decisions and just anything going on in their lives.

Jarry Jackson is a rising senior at Southwest and one of Hunt’s students. He’s a popular 16-year-old who starts for the Gryphon football team and doesn’t come across as a kid destined for gangs. But that’s the point: Hunt is there to help keep it that way, and the two have become close.

Having grown up in a full house, Andre Bradley doesn’t bat an eye when he comes home each day to a home full of sons, daughters, cousins, uncles, friends, even a godson.

For the West Helena native and longtime recreation director of the Penick Boys and Girls Club in Little Rock, coming home every day to a full house feels normal. After all, it’s his job to wrangle a club full of kids at Penick. What’s another house full of folks?

In his role at Penick, Bradley interacts with hundreds of central Arkansas kids ranging in age from 6 to 18. For many of them, the club represents their only source of positive affirmation. For some, it delivers the only real meal of the day.

“That’s my guy,” Hunt said. “I’m always checking on him. We check on each other in and out of school. He comes from a good family, got a good mom and dad in his life. But you know, I just want to make sure that he’s getting additional positive reinforcement outside of what he’s already getting.”

Jarry’s path almost mimicked Hunt’s. Despite a stable home with both parents, Jarry made his own bad decisions and almost landed in alternate learning. He’s able to relate to Hunt in ways he can’t with others, and having him as a role model has been a big help, he said. After graduating, Jarry plans to go to college and enroll in a business/entrepreneurship program.

“He’s more helpful than the majority of people that I talk to,” Jarry said. “They’re supposed to help me, but [Hunt] helps me way more than they do. He makes sure my grades are good. He’s basically there to make sure I’m on the right track.”

Jarry is one of the lucky ones. Hunt estimates that 30 percent of the kids he works with are “going through some stuff” at home. That could mean an absentee dad, a parent who calls them profane names, living in a house with no food or where the water and gas are shut off.

“It’s just so much they could have been going through to make them respond the way that they do,” he said. “And that’s one thing I preach to the adults – you can’t expect these kids to come in here and be perfect. They didn’t come up like that. That’s not how their household is set up.

“When they come here angry and mad, you’ve got be able to see that and try to adjust and work with the kid where they’re at. Sometimes, it may be a kid sitting in the class not saying anything. Leave him or her alone. Because we don’t know what exactly that kid just went through.”

Working with the students inspired Hunt to launch another initiative, Two Suits, No Choice. It’s based on the notion that the streets will choose for you if allowed to do so, and “You’ll wind up in a prison suit or the suit they bury you in.”

Hunt’s goal is to make sure “the Jarrys of the world push through life,” he said.

“I don’t want to see these brothers or little sisters end up in prison, dropping out of school, getting involved with any of this stuff. It’s a tough life out here.

“I tell all the kids, and I try to tell the teachers too, ‘Hey, these kids are going to make mistakes. You’ve got to understand. They’re going to make mistakes all the time.’ What I do is try to get them to learn from their mistakes, so they don’t have to make the same mistake. You’re going to make mistakes, but just don’t keep doing the same thing over and over. ῾Cause that doesn’t end up well.”

As far as he’s concerned, Bradley is mentor to every kid who walks through the door. But one young man, a seniorto-be at Southwest, caught his attention last year and has grown to become a de facto member of the Bradley clan.

It was only November, and 16-year-old Tayshaun Lotharp was already on his third stop of the school year. His single mom had moved the family from Texas to Bald Knob and finally, Little Rock. Tayshaun is the oldest of five kids, and his dad is not a part of their lives. With his mom working long hours to support her children, Tayshaun and his siblings were signed up for Penick’s af-

ter-school program.

And Tayshaun, shy and reserved to begin with, struggled to fit in both at school and the club.

Bradley quickly recognized in him someone who badly needed a positive role model in his life, a father figure, and thus someone he needed to mentor. Tayshaun is the only kid Bradley has mentored outside the club, and he’s a regular at the Bradley house. He’s even been a part of family trips.

“At first, I was nervous to talk, to be honest,” Tayshaun said. “I was quiet. I didn’t really say anything too much.”

Bradley said the first thing Tayshaun needed help with was his self-confidence. And that lack of confidence allowed others to define him.

“He’s quiet; he’s shy. I’m trying to get him to walk with his shoulders back and his head up. He would always walk looking down at the ground. That’s a confidence thing,” Bradley said, noting that kids will pick up on insecurities. “They’re like sharks; it’s like blood in the water to them. If you show any signs of weakness or insecurity, oh, they’re going to be on you. So, I’m teaching him to be confident in who you are. You know, walk with your head up.”

Bradley said there’s a difference between being prideful and being proud. He teaches Tayshaun the difference.

“I said pride and boasting mean that you’re going to brag. You don’t have to do that,” he said. “But still, you’ve got to show some pride in who you are. And the way you show that is walk with your shoulders back and your head up.”

Tayshaun is learning, even if his introduction to the 2,100-student Southwest High — and then to the Bradley family — was a shock to the system at first. In the Bradley household, shy and reserved won’t cut it, and the initial exposure to it tested Tayshaun. Slowly, Bradley’s mentorship has opened him up.

“We get on each other, we poke each other, we laugh at each other,” Bradley said. “And in the beginning, it took Tayshaun a while to understand that we’re not doing it out of harm. We’re just making laughter. And if you can survive our household, you can pretty much deal with what the world can do to you.

“That’s the one thing about our household. When one hurts, we all hurt. When one’s happy, everybody’s happy. We try to share everything. Feelings, and whatever else comes with it. And the one thing I always tell Tayshaun, ‘If you want something, you better talk.’ My dad, my brothers would always tell me, ‘You have not, ῾cause you ask not.’ And I try to get him to understand if you want something, say it. If that person can’t accommodate you, OK. But you’ll never know until you ask. If you ask and they say no, what did it hurt?”

Bradley played college football for Missouri State. His older brothers, Melvin and John, played college ball too. Melvin was an all-SEC defensive lineman for the Razorbacks in the late 1990s, and John played at Arkansas State and now is the defensive coordinator at Jackson State.

All three played high school ball for legendary coach Frank McClellan at Barton. Though the Bradley boys had their own supportive parents, McClellan became a mentor and positive influence for each. Bradley uses his example of tough love when mentoring Tayshaun and helping other kids at the club, as well as stressing to adults – be they father or father figure – how important their role is.

“Go out in the front yard and play catch, and if they don’t want to play catch, sit down with them at the game system, even if you don’t know what you’re doing,” he said. “Go into their worlds, and then bring them into your world.

“I always talk about what we used to do when we grew up compared to what they’re doing now. And that’s a good thing. Try to compare and contrast to how things are going now. That’s how we can find that middle ground and try to keep their attention.”

Under Bradley’s wing, Tayshaun has taken some big steps. He even ran the concession stand during basketball games at Penick this past winter. When he graduates, Tayshaun wants to further his education and hopes to do something in the tech world.

“I’m trying to show him more of a positive image of Black males,” Bradley said. “I want him to see that you don’t have to be what you generally see in our communities; you can be above that. You can be better. You can do things. You can set examples. I want him to become who he wants to be and not what outside entities want him to be. Because it’s him coming in now.”

Bradley sees kids who come from challenging environments, and he rails against the notion that today’s generation is lazy or somehow lacking. They simply have too many options, options older generations didn’t have, he said.

“They get so much information, and they need us to help guide them through that information,” he said. “Because if we don’t, they’ll end up making the wrong choices. I’m a product of mistakes, but I’m also a product of people pointing me in the right direction and staying on me and telling me this is the way you need to go.”

Tayshaun Lotharp was in his third school in three months when he connected with Andre Bailey at the Penick Boys and Girls Club in Little Rock. Bailey has mentored Tayshaun and become a father figure to the 16-year-old. (Photos by DeWaine Duncan)

100 BLACK MEN

By SARAH COLEMAN

Arkansas is chock-full of organizations dedicated to making The Natural State a better place to live, grow, raise children and enjoy life. 100 Black Men of Greater Little Rock, Inc. is a nonprofit organization founded on the mission of improving the quality of life within communities through mentoring, education, health and wellness, economic development and, more recently, violence prevention.

According to Chapter President Marcus Johnson, these pillars have been focal points for the organization, allowing young men a reliable path to follow.

“We help the community in many different ways, and we touch on every one of our pillars,” Johnson said. “Our newest pillar, violence prevention, is still in its workshopping phase, but we are working on ways to incorporate this into what we do at 100 Black Men.”

Johnson has been involved in 100 Black Men of Greater Little Rock since 2016, with 2023 marking his first year as president of the chapter. The national organization began in New York City in 1963. Little Rock’s chapter was established in 1999 and has impacted over 1,000 young men throughout the years.

Currently, the organization is involved through the Romine Reading Program, No Hungry Kids Feeding Program and 100 S.M.A.R.T Academy, among other initiatives.

ROMINE READING PROGRAM

100 Black Men of Greater Little Rock has been providing this service since Sept. 27, 2013 at Romine Elementary. This program features a weekly reading program for all three of the elementary school’s second grade classes. According to Johnson, the group sends members of its organization each week to read and discuss at least one book in each class.

According to Literacy Action of Central Arkansas, 23 percent of Arkansans are at or below the lowest level of literacy, and 38 percent of Arkansans are below a level two of literacy. Level two of literacy is defined by LACA as near proficiency, but still struggling with text-based tasks.

The purpose of a program such as Romine Reading Program, is to work to improve the literacy rate of the children it reaches, and through this program, children gain reinforcement in the importance and fun that reading can be.

NO HUNGRY KIDS FEEDING PROGRAM

The No Hungry Kids Feeding Program provides healthy snacks to various elementary schools in central Arkansas. According to Johnson, 100 Black Men of Greater Little Rock not only recognizes hunger as a serious issue in Little Rock and in surrounding areas, but stresses to its members their individual responsibility to alleviate hunger for all children in need.

According to Feed America, one in six people face hunger, and one in five are children. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits many within the state, with 48.3 percent of the recipient households in Arkansas having children in the home.

The organization stands firm in its stance that all children deserve to have access to healthy food,

regardless of their background or their circumstances.

“Our organization continually receives grants so that we are able to provide books and nonperishable food items to the area,” Johnson said, explaining that parts of central Arkansas remain impoverished despite the growth of the population.

100 Black Men of Greater Little Rock accepts donations for its No Hungry Kids Feeding Program as well as recruits volunteers to help prepare and distribute snacks.

100 S.M.A.R.T. ACADEMY

The 100 S.M.A.R.T. Academy is one of the many ways members are able to mentor generations below them. Young men between ages 13 and 17 are mentored throughout this program with the goal of this mentorship to provide participants with guidance, support and education.

S.M.A.R.T. stands for success, motivation, academics, respect and trust, all of which are values that 100 Black Men of Greater Little Rock uphold and wish to instill into mentees.

“One of our mottos in this organization is ‘Real men giving real time,’

100 S.M.A.R.T. Academy pairs young Black males with adult mentors to provide positive role models and help navigate the challenges of growing up.

Through its community service programs, the group serves students throughout Little Rock to combat hunger and improve learning.

so, for eight weeks, our organization works to mentor participants through education and personal development,” Johnson said.

According to Johnson, this program meets for 90 minutes on Saturday mornings for eight weeks. The requirements of this program for participants are clearly spelled out for those who are interested: stay in school, graduate from high school, be role models to their peers, have a desire to go to college, and become mentors to future S.M.A.R.T. program participants. The program allows mentors to hold mentees accountable to these goals.

“This past year, we saw one of our biggest S.M.A.R.T. classes. There were 50 participants who will graduate from the program. We provide them all with suits and shoes for the banquet and then for job opportunities afterward,” Johnson said.

The website explains that African American teenagers may face many obstacles in school and the workplace, and the purpose of the program is to equip young Black men with tools that will help them to navigate these challenges.

FINANCIAL LITERACY

100 Black Men of Greater Little Rock has several initiatives that focus on fostering financial literacy, career development, financial planning, investment management and fiscal responsibility. The organization has done this through a program called Wallet Wise, which touches on all of the above subjects.

“A lot of people come to us for economic advice,” Johnson said. “We have various classes and workshops we host. We speak in the community, and we talk to parents about how they can instill financial literacy in their children.”

Mills University High School also offers financial literacy courses each semester in order to grow high school students’ knowledge of financial topics.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Johnson hopes to be able to expand the organization’s health and wellness initiatives throughout his term. In the past, 100 Black Men of Greater Little Rock has partnered with Blue Cross Blue Shield in order to provide fruit and vegetables to fourth and fifth graders at Washington Elementary School and Stephens Elementary School.

The organization has also been involved with the Prostate Health Education Network and The Center for Healthy African American Male Partnerships, which is a collaborative effort among many organizations to improve health for Black men.

Delta Dental Arkansas provided the organization with a $30,000 grant in 2021 to support teaching the basics of good oral hygiene. 100 Black Men of Greater Little Rock was one of the 21 organizations to be chosen for this grant, and it has allowed the group to expand to teaching children and adults the importance of oral health on a daily basis.

THE COLLEGIATE 100

100 Black Men of Greater Little Rock launched its collegiate chapter, The Collegiate 100 in 2020, a program it has grown to include mentorship of Black men at Philander Smith College.

The college chapter continues to mentor, oneon-one and in groups. Roosevelte Williams III currently serves 100 Black Men of Greater Little Rock as treasurer, and he was also one of the Collegiate 100’s founding charter members.

The group officially came to Philander Smith College’s campus in 2020, the same year Williams graduated from the institution with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts with a concentration in political science.

“The Collegiate 100 really shaped me as a man. It allowed me to learn how to better serve individuals, and how to be active in the community of Little Rock,” Williams said. “I graduated the same year the organization chartered on campus, but I continued to advise the chapter for the 2021-2022 academic year.”

According to Williams, one of the most beneficial parts of the Collegiate 100 came through the Leadership Institute, which provided scholarships, internships and a national conference for chapters to connect with each other.

“The Collegiate 100 shaped me, gave me resources and allowed me to tackle any obstacles that came my way during my college years,” Williams said, explaining how his previous position as an adviser allowed him to pour back into students the way he was once poured into.

The Collegiate 100 is currently in the process

One-on-one connections and straight talk about life helps the organization connect with youth.

“What kids see, they will be, and through integrity and excellence, we can help in the development of young men and show them a pathway to being productive members of society.”

of opening a chapter at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and will hopefully be chartered by August 2023.

Williams, like other members of 100 Black Men of Greater Little Rock, values personal responsibility, accountability and strives for continued greatness.

“My time in this organization has been worthwhile, to say the least,” Williams said.

In his current position, Williams has a greater opportunity to impact the entire community of Little Rock and surrounding communities. As treasurer, he works to secure grant funding and apply it to the programs the group provides.

“100 Black Men of Greater Little Rock continues to sponsor activities in the community. We seek out ways to get students involved. We provide support in socioemotional situations, in creating opportunities to learn about financial literacy and by continuing to sponsor events,” Williams said.

Currently, 100 Black Men of Greater Little Rock sponsors Mosaic Templars Cultural Center’s Juneteenth celebration in downtown Little Rock, in addition to its other events. The organization also hosts the Moncrief Delph Brewer Legacy Awards every year for students who have been through programs provided by the organization.

The organization has impacted many young men over the years, and under Johnson’s leadership, 100 Black Men of Greater Little Rock will continue to pave better pathways to adulthood.

“What kids see, they will be, and through integrity and excellence, we can help in the development of young men and show them a pathway to being

productive members of society,” Johnson said. He added, “One of the best things I have noticed through this organization is that young men are given a different perspective on life. So many men have the goals of playing sports professionally, and while we want our kids to reach their goals, we also continue to provide them with different avenues to success aside from relying solely on sports. Most young men know nothing about mentoring, but I believe that if a mentor reaches at least one person, there is something to celebrate.”

Johnson has seen the impact of this organization through matching young students with mentors with careers that fall in their interests, through encouraging education and continued education and through sparking community involvement.

There are many opportunities for those interested in volunteering. Visit 100blackmengreaterlr.org for more information.

“We want everyone to know that there are opportunities for everyone interested to serve,” Johnson said. “Don’t hesitate to get involved with 100 Black Men. We are very open and inviting, and this group offers like-minded people the opportunity to support younger generations.”

The organization’s pillars stress community service and educational achievement as vital to achieving personal fulfillment.

Marcus Johnson Roosevelte Williams III

TO ALL OF BEST of for

Congratulations 2023

In any career or business, it can be hard to separate yourself from the competition – that is, unless you’re considered the best at what you do by the overwhelming majority of AY About You’s discerning readers.

It’s been a long road for our champions: in January, readers from all over the state sent in thousands of nominations across nearly 200 categories in retail, beauty, services, dining, media, health care and education. From there, the field was narrowed down to the top five in each category. In March, we kicked off the second phase of the competition, where readers cast more than 100,000 votes to make sure their favorites were one of the top three finalists.

We honored those finalists in our special 35th anniversary issue this May, providing a well-vetted list of must-shop businesses, must-eat restaurants and other standouts in their fields. But in the end, there’s no place like first place, so the time has finally come to announce the number one, bonafide, capital “W” winners.

Whether it’s clinics or salons, brunch spots or hotels, home builders or beloved weather personalities, place and thing in between – the 2023 class of AY’s Best Of is just that: the cream of the crop. The pick of the litter. The cool side of the pillow. The smooth surface of a fresh jar of peanut butter.

Earlier this year, we called upon the wisdom of our readers to make this list the best one yet, and you all have more than delivered. Each of these winners is, literally, second to none, according to the good word of their peers, customers and anyone else who has had the pleasure of doing business with them. No second fiddles here: they’re trendsetters, industry experts and, most of all, they’ve developed a relationship with their community that has catapulted them into the top flight.

Since AY About You is all about highlighting what makes the great state of Arkansas just that, you’ll certainly be seeing more of these champs in future issues and special sections yet to come. But here and now, take a moment to see them all gathered together in the winner’s circle. while you’re at it, pat yourself on the back for helping get your favorites to the top spot.

We know you’re on the edge of your seat, so here it goes: congratulations to AY’s Best of 2023!

HEALTH&BEAUTY

ALLERGY CLINIC

Arkansas Asthma & Allergy

ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY

Presbyterian Village

AUDIOLOGY

Arkansas Otolaryngology

CARDIOLOGY CLINIC

Arkansas Heart Hospital Clinic Arkansas

CHIROPRACTOR

Pain Care Associates

COSMETIC DENTIST

Smile Dailey General and Cosmetic Dentistry

COSMETIC SURGEON

Suzanne Yee, M.D., Cosmetic & Laser Surgery Center

DENTIST

Rock Family Dental

DERMATOLOGY CLINIC

Pinnacle Dermatology

DR. OWNED HOSPITAL / FACILITY

Arkansas Urology

ESTHETICIAN

Maegan Whitehead, LE, Wright Plastic Surgery

FAMILY DENTIST

Montgomery “Monty” Heathman, DDS, Heathman Family Dental

FAMILY PHYSICIAN CLINIC

Little Rock Family Practice

FOOT & ANKLE SURGEON

James Head, M.D., Conway Regional Health System

GASTROENTEROLOGY CLINIC

Conway Regional Gastroenterology Center

HAIR SALON

The Fix Salon

HAND SURGEON

Bryan Head, M.D., Conway Regional Health System

HEALTH COACH

Meg Green, RD, Meg Green RD, PLLC

HORMONE THERAPY

Sei Bella Med Spa

HOSPICE

Arkansas Hospice

HOSPITAL

Conway Regional Health System

Congrats Dr. Yee!

Named Best Cosmetic Surgeon in Arkansas

“I love 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 2023!

Thanks for voting us BEST SPECIALTY HOSPITAL

At Arkansas Surgical Hospital, we truly deliver care that moves you. We take pride in having a team of top-notch surgeons and a talented, thoughtful staff who collaborate to free you from pain and discomfort with a shared goal of elevating your quality of life.

It’s why we’ve received five-star ratings from CMS and are among the top 5% in the nation for patient experience. All while performing more joint replacements than any other hospital in the state.

Dr. Jesse Burks | BEST PODIATRIST

Dr. William Hefley | BEST ORTHOPEDIST

Thank you for trusting our family with yours.

Arkansas Hospice

The state’s largest nonprofit provider of care

Arkansas Palliative Care

Support and comfort beyond treatment.

Arkansas Advanced Care

In-home primary care for seniors.

First Choice Senior Care

Excellence in in-home care.

2023

Have you been on the weight loss rollercoaster for decades? Do you feel like you’ve lost touch with your inner self along the way? Tuning back in to your body is where real success lives. I am grateful to be recognized as one of AY’s top health coaches in the state.

My personalized program helps women just like you revitalize their metabolism, reset hormones for optimal wellness and get the body they deserve.

For

2023

HEALTH&BEAUTY

IN-HOME CARE

Elder Independence Home Care

LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY

Superior Health & Rehab

MEDICAL SPA / NONSURGICAL COSMETIC CLINIC

Wright Plastic Surgery

MEMORY CARE FACILITY

Superior Senior Care-Conway Office

MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY

Renew Mental Health and Wellness

NEUROLOGIST

Robert L. Archer, M.D. UAMS

NEUROSURGEON

Regan Gallaher, M.D., Conway Regional Neuroscience Center

NURSE INJECTOR

Paige Kelly, RN, BSN, Wright Plastic Surgery

NURSE PRACTITIONER

Danielle Lynch, Renew Mental Health and Wellness

NURSING HOME

Greenbrier Nursing & Rehab Center

OB/GYN CLINIC

Conway Regional Renaissance Women’s Center

ONCOLOGIST

Neelakanta Dadi, M.D., Conway Regional Health System

OPHTHALMOLOGIST

Edward Penick, III, M.D., Central Arkansas Ophthalmology

OPHTHALMOLOGY CLINIC

McFarland Eye Care

OPTOMETRIST

Rusty Simmons, O.D., Simmons Family Eye Care

ORTHODONTIC CLINIC

Daniel & Jones Orthodontics

ORTHOPEDIC GROUP

Bowen Hefley Orthopedics

ORTHOPEDIST

William F. Hefley, Jr., M.D. FAAOS, Bowen Hefley Orthopedics

PAIN SPECIALIST

Mikio Ranahan, M.D., Conway Regional Advanced Pain Management

PEDIATRIC CLINIC

All For Kids Pediatric Clinic

PEDIATRIC DENTIST CLINIC Leap Kids Dental

TO BE ADOPTED

In Arkansas 292 children, teens and sibling groups are waiting in foster care to be adopted. These kids are hoping, longing, dreaming and praying for a family to call their own. Project Zero believes that every single waiting child, no matter how old they are, deserves a place to call home.

The mission of Project Zero is to diligently and enthusiastically promote adoption through the foster care system and build hope during the wait, with the ultimate goal of finding a forever family for every child, teen and sibling group waiting to be adopted.

Thank you for the honor of being voted AY’s Best Non-Profit of 2023!

For more information please visit us at www.TheProjectZero.org

2023

Thank You

for voting Dr. Montgomery Heathman Best Family Dentist in Arkansas!

Healthy Smiles & BEAUTIFUL TEETH for the Whole Family

HEATHMAN FAMILY DENTAL

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.

Congratulations Dr. Hef ley for being voted “Best Orthopedic Surgeon”in AY’s Best of 2023 Awards! This honor is well-deserved and hard-earned. You and your team work tirelessly to provide the highest level of care with unmatched skill, professionalism, and integrity. Way to go!

A Winning

www.bowenhefleyortho.com www.drbillhefley.com

We’re proud and humbled for being voted Best Orthopedic Group in AY’s Best of 2023 Awards! It’s truly an honor to be recognized in this presitigous awards program. We are dedicated to our patients, and are committed to providing the very best care and treatment available.

THE BEST SURGEONS. THE BEST TREATMENT ALL FOCUSED ON YOU.

www.bowenhefleyortho.com

William

Hefley, Jr., M.D. Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Hefley is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons

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.

2023

HEALTH&BEAUTY

PERMANENT COSMETICS

Lucinda Posvar, RN, Aesthetic Ink

PHYSICAL THERAPY CLINIC

Caleb Marsh, Conway Regional Home Health

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

Megan Santiago, PA-C

PLACE TO HAVE A BABY

Conway Regional Health System

PLASTIC SURGEON

Eric Wright, M.D., Wright Plastic Surgery

PODIATRIST

Jesse Burks, DPM,

Arkansas Surgical Hospital and Bowen & Hefley

PROSTHETICS CLINIC

Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics

RADIOLOGY CLINIC

RAPA

REHABILITATION HOSPITAL

Conway Regional Rehabilitation Hospital

RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Parkway Village, A Baptist Health Community

SPA

THE SPA’AH

SPECIALTY HOSPITAL

Arkansas Surgical Hospital

SPORTS MEDICINE CLINIC

Conway Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Center (COSMC)

SURGEON

Logan Lynch, M.D., St. Bernard, Jonesboro

SURGEON (LOWER EXTREMITY)

James Head, M.D., Conway Regional Health System

SURGEON (UPPER EXTREMITY)

Jay Howell, M.D., Conway Regional Health System

TATTOO PARLOR

7th Street Tattoos & Piercing

THERAPIST

Mindy Moore Psychotherapy

UROLOGY CLINIC

Arkansas Urology

2023

The

ASIAN FUSION

Three Fold Noodles + Dumpling Co.

BAKERY

The Croissanterie

BBQ

Whole Hog NLR

BREAKFAST

Big Bad Breakfast - Little Rock

BRUNCH

Raduno Brick Oven & Barroom

BURGER

Deluca’s Pizzeria

CATERER

DownHome Catering

CATFISH

Eat My Catfish

CHEESE DIP

Baja Grill

COCKTAILS

RŌBER :: Cocktails + Culinary

COFFEE SHOP

Petit Jean Coffeehouse

CREOLE/CAJUN

The Faded Rose Restaurant

DESSERT

The Croissanterie

DINING FOR KIDS

Purple Cow

THANK YOU For Voting Us Best Hormone Therapy in Arkansas

Dr. Trussell practiced internal medicine for 20 years before she retired and opened Sei Bella Med Spa. She has been providing bioidentical hormone pellet therapy for 13 years. Her focus grew out of the search for something to treat her own menopause symptoms that didn’t involve synthetic hormones. The creams and gels just weren’t working for her. If you’re experiencing night sweats, hot flashes, brain fog, mood swings, fatigue or low libido, it’s time to schedule a consultation. Bioidentical hormone pellets are a quick and simple in office procedure that only needs to be done about every 4-6 months.

Voted Best Place to Have a Baby FOUR YEARS IN A ROW!

At Conway Regional, we provide all women and their newborns with dignity, respect, and compassionate care. Our Women's Center cares for mothers and newborns from admission to discharge, offering reassurance and support as you welcome your bundle of joy. Conway Regional was also voted “Best Place to Have a Baby” by the readers of AY Magazine for two years in a row. To learn more or to see a virtual tour of our facility, visit ConwayRegional.org/Baby.

2023

Thank you for voting Oaklawn your Best Hotel

s a Realtor, I am incredibly grateful to have been recognized by the readers of AY Magazine as the “Best Realtor” in Arkansas. It is an honor to have been chosen for this award, and I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to all of the readers who voted.

I am proud to be a part of The Charlotte John Real Estate Company, which has a longstanding reputation for providing exceptional service and expertise to our clients. Our team of professionals is committed to helping our clients achieve their real estate goals, whether they are buying or selling a home.

I believe that what sets me apart as a Realtor is my dedication to providing personalized service to each and every one of my clients. I understand that buying or selling a home can be a stressful and emotional process, and I strive to make the experience as seamless and enjoyable as possible.

Once again, I would like to thank the readers of AY Magazine for this incredible honor. It is truly humbling to have been chosen and I will continue to work tirelessly to provide the highest level of service to my clients.

April Findlay

HOME, HOME SERVICES & FINANCE

HOME SECURITY

Triple S Alarm

INSURANCE FIRM

Crum Insurance, Ben Crum

INTERIOR DESIGNER

Hunt Design Group

INVESTMENT FIRM

April N. Pollard, CFP, Edward Jones

KITCHEN STORE / SUPPLY

Eggshells Kitchen Co.

LAWN CARE

The Good Earth Garden Center

MORTGAGE LENDER

Arvest Bank

REAL ESTATE AGENT

April Findlay, Executive Broker, The Charlotte John Company

REAL ESTATE COMPANY

The Charlotte John Company

REPAIR / REMODELING

Scott Lucas Construction & Custom Homes

SOLAR POWER

Seal Solar

SWIMMING POOLS

KellCo Pools & Spas

COMMUNITY COLLEGE

University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College

PRIVATE COLLEGE

Harding University

PRIVATE SCHOOL

Mount St. Mary Academy

“Keeping

PUBLIC SCHOOL

Little Rock School District

PUBLIC UNIVERSITY

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOL

Access Academy

2023

2023

ADVERTISING AGENCY / MARKETING FIRM

Stone Ward

COLUMNIST OR REPORTER

Dwain Hebda of Ya!Mule Wordsmiths

MARKETING CONSULTANT

Jane Embry Selig, CJRW

2023

FUNDRAISER

Chocolate Fantasy Ball, Ronald McDonald House Charities

PERSON OF THE YEAR

Bobby Martin

RADIO PERSONALITY

David Bazzel, 103.7 The Buzz

TV PERSONALITY

Craig O’Neill, THV11

WEATHER PERSON

Todd Yakoubian, KATV

MEDIA PEOPLE & PLACES

PLACE TO WORSHIP

Calvary Baptist Church

WEDDING VENUE

Rusty Tractor Vineyards

Orthopedic Excellence

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

2023

ARCHITECT

Amber Banks, Cromwell Architects Engineers

AUCTIONS

Blackmon Auctions

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Arkansas Medical Staffing

DOG GROOMER

The Doggie Spa

DOGGY DAY CARE

The Barking Lot

DRY CLEANER

Oak Forest Cleaners & Laundry

FUNERAL HOME

Roller Funeral Home

HEATING & A/C SERVICE

Freyaldenhoven Heating and Cooling

HOUSEKEEPING

Molly Maid

JEWELRY DESIGNER

Sissy’s Log Cabin

LAW FIRM

The Law Offices of Katherine E. Blackmon

NON PROFIT

Project Zero

PARTY PLANNING / PRODUCTS / RENTALS

Tipton & Hurst

PEST CONTROL

Empire Pest Solutions

PHOTOGRAPHER

Jason Masters

PLUMBER

Ray Lusk Plumbing

PROMOTIONAL SERVICES

Trivia Marketing

SEASONAL DESIGNER

Tipton & Hurst

SIDING/WINDOWS/ROOFING

Diamond State Restoration

SPECIAL EVENTS PLANNER

Ari Crum, Evergreen Designs

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US ONE OF THE BEST IN ARKANSAS!

YOU

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

HOME IMPROVEMENT STORE

Haynes ACE Hardware

JEWELRY STORE

Sissy’s Log Cabin

SPIRITS

BREWPUB

FITNESS CENTER/GYM

The Athletic Clubs

GOLF COURSE

Pleasant Valley Country Club

OUTDOOR LIVING

Congo Fireplace & Patio

SHOPPING CENTER

The Promenade at Chenal

LIQUOR STORE Legacy Wine and Spirits

PERSONAL TRAINER

Christian Troxler, WorkHarder Gym

SPORTING GOODS STORE

Fort Thompson Sporting Goods

BOSS

Nicole Hurst Puckett, Superior Senior Care

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Quincy Hurst, Superior Senior Care

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

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&Arkansas’ Best Lawyers Best Lawyers AY’s 2023

Legal Eagles

Arkansas attorneys noted for excellence

Lawyers come from all manner of backgrounds and experience, and they serve a number of important functions from parsing state-specific legal hoops to making sure every “i” is dotted and “t” crossed on that contract you’re about to sign. Whether they’re practicing corporate or criminal law, guiding families through tricky divorce proceedings, defending injured clients or holding the powerful to account, lawyers of all stripes play a crucial part in keeping the gears of society turning smoothly.

There’s a reason the word for “lawyer” in many languages sounds a lot like the English word “advocate.” The Latin root, advocare, means literally “to call for” or “to call to one’s aid.” If you’ve ever poured over mountains of dense paperwork or tried unsuccessfully to smooth talk your way out of a speeding ticket, you know just how hard it can be to take legal matters into your own hands. When you’re up against a corporation or other groups with a wealth of time and resources at their disposal, it pays, oftentimes literally, to call in the experts.

In criminal defense or personal injury litigation, the right representation can make the difference between a jail sentence and/or thou-

sands of dollars’ worth of settlement money and getting off scot-free. No matter the area, the ins and outs of law are extremely complex and having someone on your side to navigate a maze of documents and procedures is worth its weight in prevented headaches.

According to the American Bar Association’s annual survey, there were a little more than 1.3 million lawyers actively practicing across the United States as of last year. That number has grown steadily over the last decade, increasing by 6.6 percent from 2012 to 2022. The field is also diversifying, slowly but surely. The percentage of female lawyers grew from 33 percent to 38 percent, while lawyers of color increased from 12 percent to 19 percent.

Arkansas’ share of that pool has stayed consistent at around 6,800, shaking out to about 2.3 lawyers per 1,000 residents. That’s lower than the national average of four per 1,000 residents, making the role of Arkansas lawyers even more crucial as they defend clients in underserved and rural areas.

The legal profession is also especially sensitive to social, political and technological advances. In addition to staying sharp in the areas they know best, lawyers have to keep up with major

changes that can alter their field of practice or create entirely new ones. Legal software company Clio recently singled out cybersecurity, cannabis, labor, elder law, energy, intellectual property, health and student loan law as the fastest-growing areas of law for 2023 and the years ahead.

In its 2022 legal trends report, Clio also noted the demand for legal services reached record highs last year. Since early 2021, the rate of new casework has averaged 10 percent higher than the 2019 baseline, and in March 2022, new casework spiked to 24 percent. Paired with the fact that the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the legal profession to grow faster than the average for any other occupation, at an anticipated 10 percent jump by 2031, it’s clear our need for counsel of all kinds is not going anywhere anytime soon.

While the utility of these legal liaisons cannot be overstated, there are a notable few who stand suit-and-briefcase above the rest. With that in mind, AY About You is proud to highlight the Arkansas Bar Association’s award-winning lawyers ahead of its annual meeting and 125th anniversary celebration June 14 to 16, as well as our readers’ picks for the best lawyers in the state.

And JUSTICE for ALL

Local attorneys meet challenges of changing legal landscape

By DWAIN HEBDA // Photos Submitted

The legal profession is one of the most stable industries there is and generally among the most conservative when it comes to adapting to change. But that was before the pandemic when every industry was forced to examine how it did business and pivot, in many cases radically, to meet the changing market landscape.

These challenges, combined with shifts already underway in society, have put many attorneys in uncharted territory.

In the field of family law, for instance, the changing nuclear family dynamic is bringing new issues to legal firms as they deal with cases of divorce, custody and other matters related to the most important societal unit.

“Without a doubt, the biggest change I have seen in almost 30 years of practice is the progression to a joint custody presumption,” said Katherine Blackmon Carroll, owner of Law Offices of Katherine E. Blackmon. “I have watched the transition from the traditional ‘Mom has custody and Dad has visitation’ scenario that was the norm back in the day to the courts ‘favoring’ a joint custody arrangement, although still rarely ordered, to today’s presumption that joint custody is to be the standard.”

The premise of joint custody presumption is rooted in the commonly held belief that children are better off with the influence of two equally enabled parents, not counting households where domestic violence is present, versus custody decisions that casts one as the primary parent and the other as the weekend sleepover. Per Forbes, proponents also point to the number of non-custodial parents that suffer severe financial hardship as a result of excessive child support judgments in divorce.

Critics say presumptive joint custody ignores systemic issues that don’t rise to the level of abuse but that nonetheless contributed to the failure of the marriage in the first place. Joint custody

requires extensive communication and teamwork, even from separate households. Couples who can’t manage these requirements well can actually create more strife and anxiety in the lives of the children.

Blackmon said the issue of joint custody presumption extends beyond problems between individual couples. In many cases, Arkansas’s included, the statutes covering such scenarios often leave much to be desired, adding a layer of procedural challenges for attorneys in representing their clients.

“Our firm does not disagree with the sentiment behind the new joint custody presumption law,” she said. “But the way the Arkansas legislature has modified the statute to reflect this presumption has been problematic and confusing for attorneys and judges alike to navigate.

“Unfortunately, until the Court of Appeals or Supreme Court renders opinions on the new joint custody presumption statute, which will take several years, those of us in the family law field are essentially flying blind on the factors that may overcome this presumption under the clear and convincing standard as promulgated by the legislature.”

Family law practices are also adapting to clients’ changing attitudes on the institution of marriage itself. According to findings by the National Survey of Family Growth released in 2021, the percentage of married Americans dropped five percent since 1995 to 53 percent in 2019 while cohabitation rates rose about correspondingly. Also telling is the percentage of 18to 44-year-olds who had ever cohabitated was substantially higher than those who had never been married, 59 percent to 50 percent, respectively.

The numbers hint at attitudes that run deeper than just the way we’re living now; a good segment of the population today believes marriage isn’t a necessity for society to function. Among survey respondents 18 to 49, 53 percent said so. And while all adults 18 and over don’t see it that way, the margin is narrowing with just 53 percent of respondents saying marriage is still the way to go.

“With the younger generations, there is and will continue to be less of an importance on the legal recognition of marriage, so ultimately there may be fewer divorces as the younger generations get older,” said Jalen Toms, associate attorney with Law Offices of Katherine E. Blackmon. “However, it is important to note that even without the legal label of ‘marriage,’ marital-like issues are likely to arise in any kind of long-term relationship.”

Another area of the law that has emerged in recent years has been in the collegiate sports arena. Name, Image and Likeness (NIL), the means by which the NCAA allows col-

Katherine Blackmon

legiate athletes to receive compensation through sponsorships, has only been around since 2021, but has already sent shockwaves through the sports world.

In an eyeblink, amateur athletes went from facing suspension for accepting a sandwich from a booster to negotiating endorsement deals, some of which run into the millions. It’s a wide-open, nearly no-holds-barred system, the likes of which the legal field has been running hard to catch and hold by its tail ever since.

“There have been attempts at guardrails, but for all practical purposes it’s still pretty uncertain territory for most places,” said Antwan Phillips a partner with Wright Lindsey Jennings and a founding member of WLJ Sports Law. “I will say it’s not the NCAA, but probably more individual institutions that have implemented things that bring some certainty and perimeters to these cases.

“For example, the University of Arkansas has prohibitions; [athletes] can’t do any NIL deal that concern gambling, drugs, alcohol, any sexual-oriented businesses. All those things are off limits. Also, the university has to approve a contract before the contract can be signed. You can’t just go out and sign a deal; the university must be aware of it and sign off on it before you can proceed. Those things have helped, but that’s on an institution-by-institution basis, not necessarily by the NCAA.”

The firm had been active in professional athlete represen-

Jalen Toms

Carroll

“Without a doubt, the biggest change I have seen in almost 30 years of practice is the progression to a joint custody presumption.”

tation for some time, which was helpful in quickly mobilizing resources to accommodate NIL business, and a potentially substantial book of business at that. In just its third year of existence, NIL has already had a marked impact on the college sports landscape, changing how young athletes and prospects plat their future both on and off the field, court or diamond. And with proposals introduced in the last legislative session to allow Arkansas high school athletes to pursue NIL deals, chances are such activity will only accelerate in the future.

“I think the athletes are more aware today,” Phillips said. “It’s more intuitive for them now just because of social media. They were already branding themselves, already building a following. So, they kind of get that. Often, what they don’t get is the legal aspect of it and that’s where we come in, to make sure they understand what their contractual obligations are and should be and what they are giving up in exchange for compensation and whether that’s a fair exchange.

“We always tell our athletes your number one priority is do well in school and do well on the field of whatever sport you play because these NIL opportunities don’t happen without you doing either.”

Phillips said the potential for growth in this area of the firm is great, considering how many athletes are still trying to handle their NIL opportunities in-house.

“I would say legal representation is not as common as it should be. There are probably more people conducting NIL deals without legal representation than those who do have legal representation,” he said. “There are a lot of folks who are handling these deals themselves or it’s a parent, an uncle or whatever, helping out. But like we tell all our clients, you’re dealing with a contract, these are legal issues. Can you do it yourself? Yeah, you can, just like you can do most things yourself, but it’s always better to have a professional guiding you who’s dealt with this.

“One thing we tell our people is when you don’t have a

team like we have – we have a sports law team made up of about seven attorneys in addition to having a firm of about 80 attorneys – you could miss out on opportunities when they happen.”

There have been other trends that have had a substantial impact on the practice of law in recent years, regardless of legal specialty, most of it stemming from a wider prevalence of technology.

“Since the pandemic, the legal process has become more conducive to electronic means,” Toms said. “In most counties, parties are no longer required to go to court in person for uncontested divorce hearings and instead can file affidavits answering the questions that would have historically been asked in court.

“During the pandemic, Zoom hearings and court procedures were conducted almost exclusively via Zoom. However, most judges, even those in larger counties, have transitioned away from allowing Zoom hearings unless necessary or to address basic procedural issues in advance of a trial.”

Technology has also played a role in changing how clients approach their legal matters as the internet has put a wealth of information at anyone’s fingertips. But while clients are in general more well-versed as a result of this, it doesn’t always work in their favor.

“With the advent of Google, clients definitely come to initial consults more prepared, but unfortunately, most of the research that they have done does not apply to Arkansas law or their particular case,” Blackmon Carroll said.

“Searching for legal advice on the internet is, in my opinion, dangerous. Laypersons do not always understand that the information they find online might not be relevant to Arkansas law, the specific facts of their case, or take into consideration decisions being handed down from the Court of Appeals.”

For everything that’s new of late, what hasn’t changed in today’s legal market are the consultative roles and responsibilities attorneys hold for their clients, helping them not only with the specifics of the case at hand, but for the ramifications such proceedings have for the client’s future.

“Being an NIL attorney, we’re really aware of this,” Phillips said. “The majority of athletes aren’t going to get rich doing NIL deals, but there are other benefits. You’re starting to see players stay in school longer, athletes that are on the fringe. If I was willing to take a chance that I was going to be a late-round draft pick three years ago, now I can stay on campus, continue to be the big man/big woman on campus and make some money. I think that’s going to incentivize people to stay longer than they would have in the past.

“Another thing that gets lost on people, because we just think about the money, are the important life lessons for the athletes as well. And that’s one thing that’s important to our firm; we want to do life with all our clients, especially these young folks. Imagine being 20 years old and now you understand contracts. Now you have a relationship with a lawyer, a law firm. You understand the value of your time. You understand how to negotiate a deal.

“Those intangible things that help with an athlete’s personal and professional development are important, things we don’t’ always talk about from NIL. That’s beneficial and we’re happy to be a part of it.”

Antwan D. Phillips

“We always tell our athletes your number one priority is do well in school and do well on the field of whatever sport you play because these NIL opportunities don’t happen without you doing either.”

Andy L. Caldwell Attorney at Law

Law Offices of Katherine E. Blackmon

Katherine Blackmon Carroll is the founder and managing attorney of the Law Offices of Katherine E. Blackmon, a trauma-informed boutique family law firm with an emphasis on helping clients navigate difficult seasons with empathy and expertise.

Carroll takes pride in surrounding herself with brilliant individuals and is thrilled to have skilled associate attorneys Lydia H. Hamlet and Jalen Toms on her team, helping to fight passionately for all their clients. This passion and empathetic approach also means that they just as frequently walk with clients through the myriad of emotions that go hand-in-hand with a family law matter.

“I think people would be surprised to know that while 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, Hamlet and Toms to apply their thorough knowledge and experience, unique individ-

ual backgrounds, and sheer creativity in developing the legal side of cases while at the same time utilizing their emotional intelligence and intuition when interacting with individuals impacted by trauma when a family is disrupted.

It takes a special kind of law firm to truly understand how a divorce or custody matter impacts every area of a person’s life. This group of attorneys and legal support staff recognizes that each client and each case is multifaceted and warrants meticulous attention to detail. While Carroll, Hamlet and Toms know that prevailing in court is important, and certainly enjoy doing so, they prefer to envision the entire journey a client is on, not just reaching the “end of a case.”

“We take a holistic approach,” Carroll says. “Practicing family law is about helping empower people. It is helping guide a client through one of the most traumatic experiences of their lives. We remind our clients that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Though they may not be able to see it yet, we will walk with them to help them get to the other side. There really is light at the end of the tunnel.”

A heartfelt “thank you” to our loyal clients and supporters for once again voting us Best Lawyers in AY’s Best Lawyers 2023. Our firm will continue to provide caring and zealous representation for our clients as they navigate the emotional waters of a matter.

Lydia H. Hamlet

Katherine Blackmon Carroll

Jalen Toms

ARKANSAS’ BEST LAWYERS

Whether 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 125th Annual Meeting June 14-16, as well as our readers’ choices for the best lawyers in the state.

Letter from the President

The Arkansas Bar Association is a voluntary association of almost 5,000 lawyers who hail from every part of our state. Its 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.

This year, the association will celebrate its 125th anniversary at the association’s Annual Meeting, June 14-16, 2023, in Hot Springs. Our theme, “Building for the Future: A World of Opportunities,” speaks to our vision of a better future – not only for the association, but more importantly, for the clients our members serve.

Like most other professions, the pace of evolution in the legal profession is faster now than ever. Lawyers are looking for and embracing new ways to practice law so they are more effective, more efficient, and better able to live up to their pledge to zealously represent their clients, protect the rule of law and advance the cause of justice.

The Arkansas Bar Association is with them every step of the way, helping them to identify, learn about and put in practice new and innovative opportunities to build that better future.

We will kick off this year’s meeting with a special 125th Anniversary Celebration to honor our past. The event will be held June 14th at the Oaklawn Casino Resort. Enjoy cocktails with collegees, a silent auction, dinner, the Arkansas Bar Association and Arkansas Bar Foundation Joint Awards ceremony, special guests and dancing.

Throughout the meeting, we will focus on the future with CLE on current topics and innovative ways to improve your practice. We will also recorgnize those listed below who have gone above and beyond this year to lay the foundation for a better tomorrow.

We hope you will join us in Hot Springs June 14-16 as we honor our past and build towards an even better and brighter future.

Presidential Awards of Excellence:

Bob Edwards

Jamie Huffman Jones

Brian M. Rosenthal

Aaron L. Squyres

Young Lawyer Section Awards:

Caroline Kelley

Ledly S. Jennings

Frank LaPorte Jenner

William Johnson Ogles

Golden Gavel Awards

Leslie Copeland

Tim J. Cullen

Brent Eubanks

Sarah Coppola Jewell

Christopher A. McNulty

Molly C. McNulty

George M. Rozzell

The Arkansas Bar Foundation and the Arkansas Bar Association will recognize several persons to honor because of their outstanding contributions:

Chief U.S. District Judge D. P. Marshall Jr.

Donald H. Bacon

Craighead County Bar Association

Pulaski County Bar Association

Sebastian County Bar Association

Congratulations to the following members who have been admitted to the practice of law in Arkansas for 50 years:

Charles A. Banks • Judge Ben T. Barry • Stephen Bennett

Anthony B. Cameron • Andrew L. Clark • David R. Cravens

Edward Allen Gordon

• David Greenbaum

• Ralph J. Blagg

• Chauncey Brummer • C. Douglas Buford, Jr.

• Charles D. Davidson, Sr.

• Justice James H. Gunter, Jr.

• James M. Duckett

• Forrest Eugene Dunaway

• Judge David F. Guthrie • John Wesley Hall, Jr.

David Michael Hargis • Joseph Hill • Robert Howard Hopkins, Sr. • Judge Michael E. Irwin • Charles Cole Jeffries, Jr.

Fred C Kirkpatrick • Thomas L. Mays • Henry N. Means III • Walter A. Murray • Wyck Nisbet, Jr. • Richard P. Osborne

Thomas L. Overbey • Judge William P. Rainey • John Boyd Robbins

• Stephen M. Sharum

• Theodore C. Smit • Hon. Jim D. Spears

James D. Sprott • L. David Stubbs • Zachary David Wilson • William G. Wright

Joe F. Kolb Arkansas Bar Association President, j.kolb, Little Rock

Arkansas

Bar Association Annual Award Recipients

Presidential Awards of Excellence

Bob Edwards; The Edwards Law Firm, Little Rock; for work as Sponsorship Committee Chair.

Jamie Huffman Jones; Friday, Eldredge & Clark, LLP, Little Rock; for work as Member Value Task Force Chair.

Brian M. Rosenthal; Rose Law Firm, a Professional Association, Little Rock; for work on the Arkansas Bar Association Legal Hall of Fame.

Golden Gavel Awards

Leslie Copeland; Leslie Copeland Law & Mediation, Fayetteville; for work as Family Law Section Chair.

Aaron L. Squyres; Wilson Law Group, Little Rock; for work on the Program Review Task Force.

Brent J. Eubanks; Little Rock; for work as ArkBar PAC Chair.

Tim J. Cullen; Cullen & Co., Little Rock; for work as Governance Drafting Committee Chair.

Sarah C. Jewell; McMath Woods P.A., Fayetteville; for work as Chief Engagement Officer.

Christopher A. McNulty; Rose Law Firm, a Professional Association, Little Rock; for work as Annual Meeting Co-Chair.

Molly McNulty; Law Clerk to the Honorable Raymond Abramson, Arkansas Court of Appeals, Little Rock.

George M. Rozzell; Miller, Butler, Schneider, Pawlik & Rozzell, PLLC, Fayetteville; for work as Legislation Committee Chair.

Other Awards

Frank Elcan, II Young Lawyers Leadership Award: William J. Ogles; Wright Lindsey Jennings, Little Rock; for commitment and dedication to the Young Lawyers Section.

Judith Ryan Gray Young Lawyer Service Award: Caroline Kelley; Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, P.L.L.C., Rogers; for extraordinary service and outstanding contributions to the Young Lawyers Section.

YLS Award of Excellence: Ledly S. Jennings; L. Jennings Law PLLC, Little Rock and Magnolia; for organizing the YLS Social in Magnolia.

YLS Award of Excellence: Frank LaPorte-Jenner; Pulaski County Attorney’s Office, Little Rock; for organizing the YLS Mid Year 2.0 Social.

YLS Award of Excellence: Caroline Kelley; Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, P.L.L.C., Rogers; for work on the Wills for Heroes Event.

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: Chief U.S. District Judge D. P. Marshall Jr.; United States District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas, Little Rock; given in recognition of exceptional competency, efficiency and integrity on the Bench and exemplary service to the administration of justice.

Outstanding Lawyer Award: Donald H. Bacon; Friday, Eldredge & Clark, LLP, Little Rock; given in recognition of excellence in the practice of law and outstanding contributions to the profession.

Outstanding Local Bar Association: Craighead County Bar Association

Outstanding Local Bar Association: Pulaski County Bar Association

Outstanding Local Bar Association: Sebastian County Bar Association

When it comes to the wide and multifaceted field of legal representation, it can be difficult to know who to call, even though options abound. According to the American Bar Association, one of the best ways to find a reliable lawyer is “a recommendation from a trusted friend, relative, or business associate.” Luckily for you, AY About You has collected those recommendations in one convenient spot. But don’t just take it from us: our list of AY’s Best Lawyers is based on nominations sent in by keen readers from all over the state, covering a wide array of specialties and practices.

ADMINISTRATIVE/ REGULATORY LAW

Mark H. Allison

Wright Lindsey Jennings

David Fuqua

Fuqua Campbell, P.A.

Skye Martin

U.S. Corps of Engineers

G. Alan Perkins

PPGMR Law

Quinten J. Whiteside

Wright Lindsey Jennings

AGRICULTURE AND FARMING

Grant Ballard

Ark Ag Law, PPLC

Paul Keith

Gibson & Keith, Attorneys at Law

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Vicki Bronson

Connor & Winters

Charles Darwin “Skip”

Davidson

Davidson Law Firm

David Fuqua

Fuqua Campbell, P.A.

Scott Hilburn

Hilburn & Harper, Ltd.

Lucas Z. Rowan

Dodds, Kidd, Ryan & Rowan

APPELLATE

Vicki Bronson

Connor & Winters

E.B. “Chip” Chiles IV Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull, PLLC

Suzanne G. Clark Clark Law Firm

Gary D. Marts, Jr. Wright Lindsey Jennings

G. Alan Perkins

PPGMR Law

Troy A. Price Wright Lindsey Jennings

Catherine A. Ryan Dodds, Kidd, Ryan & Rowan

BANKING AND FINANCE LAW

John Adams Fuqua Campbell, P.A.

Charles Darwin “Skip”

Davidson Davidson Law Firm

BANKRUPTCY

Vanessa Cash Adams ARlaw Partners, PLLC

Stephen L. Gershner

Davidson Law Firm

Brandon Haubert wh Law

Scott Hunter, Jr. Hunter Law Firm

Sydney Rasch

Turner, Rasch, & Martin, LLP

BUSINESS

Jarred Kibbey

Natural State Law, PLLC

Scott Lauck

Scott G. Lauck, Attoerneys at Law

Charles D. McDaniel

Eichenbaum Liles, P.A.

Dustin McDaniel

McDaniel, Wolff, PLLC

Jennifer Wilson-Harvey

The Wilson Law Group

BUSINESS LITIGATION

Adrienne L. Baker Wright Lindsey Jennings

Phil W. Campbell Fuqua Campbell, P.A.

Charles Darwin “Skip”

Davidson Davidson Law Firm

Stephen L. Gershner Davidson Law Firm

Cliff Gibson

Gibson & Keith, Attorneys at Law

Judy S. Henry

Wright Lindsey Jennings

Don M. Schnipper

Schnipper, Britton & Stobaugh

Michael Smith

Wright Lindsey Jennings

R. Ryan Younger

Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull, PLLC

CIVIL LITIGATION

Paul Byrd

Paul Byrd Law Firm

Josh Drake

Drake & Street, P.A.

Julie DeWoody Greathouse

PPGMR Law

Molly Shepherd PPGMR Law

Art Singleton Paul Byrd Law Firm

John S. Stobaugh

Schnipper, Britton & Stobaugh

CIVIL RIGHTS

Michelle Banks Odum Humphreys & Odum

Sheila F. Campbell

Sheila F. Campbell Law Firm

Paul Keith

Gibson & Keith, Attorneys at Law

COMMERCIAL INSURANCE

Phil W. Campbell

Fuqua Campbell, P.A.

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION

Mark H. Allison

Wright Lindsey Jennings

M. Stephen Bingham

Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon & Galchus, P.C.

Vicki Bronson

Connor & Winters

Bob Cearley, Jr.

Cearley Law Firm, P.A.

Richard Donovan

Rose Law Firm

John R. Elrod

Connor & Winters

Julie DeWoody Greathouse

PPGMR Law

Jessica Pruitt Koehler

Wright Lindsey Jennings

Kelly McNulty

Gill Ragon Owen, P.A.

Emily Mizell

Connor & Winters

Bruce Munson

Munson, Rowlett, Moore & Boone, P.A.

G. Alan Perkins

PPGMR Law

Troy A. Price Wright Lindsey Jennings

Steven W. Quattlebaum

Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull, PLLC

Gordon S. Rather, Jr. Wright Lindsey Jennings

John E. Tull III

Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull, PLLC

Ralph W. Waddell

Waddell, Cole & Jones, PLLC

Samuel T. Waddell

Waddell, Cole & Jones, PLLC

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

Heartsill Ragon III

Gill Ragon Owen, P.A.

Patrick Spivey

Fuqua Campbell, P.A.

Christopher Travis

Gill Ragon Owen, P.A.

CONSTRUCTION LAW

Charles Darwin “Skip”

Davidson

Davidson Law Firm

Matthew B. Finch

Gill Ragon Owen, P.A.

Stephen L. Gershner

Davidson Law Firm

David M. Powell

Rose Law Firm

CORPORATE FINANCE, MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

Chad L. Cumming, Jr.

Gill Ragon Owen, P.A.

John Lessel RMP

Paula Storeygard

Hilburn & Harper, Ltd.

CORPORATE LAW

Michele Simmons Allgood

Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, PLLC

Charles D. McDaniel

Eichenbaum Liles, P.A.

Daniel Whitehouse Owens

Gill Ragon Owen, P.A.

Patrick Spivey

Fuqua Campbell, P.A.

Vince Ward

McDaniel Wolff, PLLC

Rufus Wolff

McDaniel Wolff, PLLC

CRIMINAL DEFENSE

Patrick J. Benca

Patrick J. Benca, Attorney at Law

Greg Bryant

Greg Bryant, Attorney at Law

Brandi Collins

Collins, Collins & Ray, P.A.

John Collins

Collins, Collins & Ray, P.A.

Pam Epperson

Epperson Panasiuk Law

Shane Etheridge

Etheridge Law Firm

John Wesley Hall

John Wesley Hall

Josh Hurst Hurst Law Firm

Mircha King

The King Law Firm

Lee Miller

Morris Law Firm

George “Birc” Morledge

Morledge Law Firm

Doug Norwood

Norwood & Norwood, P.A.

David W. Parker

Dodds, Kidd, Ryan & Rowan

Brian Ray

Collins, Collins & Ray, P.A.

CRIMINAL DEFENSE: BLUE-COLLAR

William O. “Bill” James, Jr.

James Law Firm

David W. Parker

Dodds, Kidd, Ryan & Rowan

CRIMINAL DEFENSE: WHITE-COLLAR

J. Blake Hendrix

Fuqua Campbell, P.A.

William O. “Bill” James, Jr.

James Law Firm

David W. Parker

Dodds, Kidd, Ryan & Rowan

CRIMINAL LAW: PROSECUTION

Chad Green Green & Gillispie, Attorneys at Law

Corinne Kwapis

Pulaski County Prosecutor’s Office

Jonathan Martin Monterrey Law Firm

DUI/DWI DEFENSE

Patrick J. Benca

Patrick J. Benca, Attorney at Law

Shane Etheridge

Etheridge Law Firm

David W. Parker Dodds, Kidd, Ryan & Rowan

EDUCATION LAW

Suzanne G. Clark

Clark Law Firm

Chad L. Cumming, Jr. Gill Ragon Owen, P.A.

ELDER LAW

Gayle Corley

Corley Law Firm

Frank Dudeck Dudeck Law Firm

Justin Elrod

The Elrod Firm

EMPLOYMENT LAW

Bryant Cranford Rose Law Firm

J. Bruce Cross

Cross, Gunther, Witherspoon

Galchus, P.C.

John D. Davis Wright Lindsey Jennings

Jane A. Kim Wright Lindsey Jennings

Cindy W. Kolb

Cross, Gunther, Witherspoon

Galchus, P.C.

Randy P. Murphy

Anderson Murphy & Hopkins

Brian A. Vandiver

Cox, Sterling, Vandiver & Botteicher, PLLC

Paul D. Waddell

Waddell, Cole & Jones, PLLC

Carolyn B. Witherspoon

Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon & Galchus, P.C.

ENERGY LAW

G. Alan Perkins

PPGMR Law

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

Vicki Bronson

Connor & Winters

John R. Elrod

Connor & Winters

Julie DeWoody Greathouse

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McMath Woods, P.A.

G. Alan Perkins

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PPGMR Law

Brian Rosenthal Rose Law Firm

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Natural State Law, PLLC

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Robertson, Oswalt, Nony & Associates

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Katherine E. Blackmon

Law Offices of Katherine E. Blackmon

Jessalyn Born

Born Law Firm, PLLC

Charlie Cunningham

ARlaw Partners, PLLC

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Shane Etheridge Etheridge Law Firm

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Law Offices of Katherine E. Blackmon

Sam Hilburn Hilburn & Harper, Ltd.

Jonathan D. Jones

Jonathan Jones, Attorneys at Law

(L to R): Briana Spinks Nony, Chris Oswalt, Bonnie Robertson

Mircha King is an aggressive litigator who works hard to provide his clients with high-quality, personalized representation. Following the tragic death of his sister, King was inspired to dedicate his efforts to ensuring just compensation for families who have lost a loved one and others who have suffered injury under the care of medical professionals. King’s background includes clerkships with the Arkansas Public Defender Commission, Pulaski County Circuit Court and law firms throughout Atlanta and Little Rock. He also served as a deputy prosecutor in the Eleventh-West Judicial District of Arkansas and as the legal coordinator for the Federation of Southern Cooperatives in Atlanta, where he provided legal guidance over a five-state area. A first-generation Trinidadian American, King obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. He holds concurrent degrees from the William H. Bowen School of Law and the Clinton School of Public Service.

Judson C. Kidd

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James, House, Swann & Downing, P.A.

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Robertson, Oswalt, Nony & Associates

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Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull, PLLC

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LITIGATIONBANKRUPTCY

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Friday Eldredge Clark, LLP

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PERSONAL INJURY LITIGATION

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Bridewell & Bridewell

Attorneys

Paul Byrd

Paul Byrd Law Firm

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Cearley Law Firm, P.A.

Neil Chamberlin

McMath Woods, P.A.

Hugh Crisp

Crisp Law Firm

Michael Crowe

The Crowe Firm

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Law Offices of Gary Green

Kayce Green

Law Offices of Gary Green

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The Brad Hendricks Law Firm

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Taylor King Law

Brad Hendricks

The Brad Hendricks Law Firm

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Rainwater Holt & Sexton

Sarah C. Jewell

McMath Woods, P.A.

Austin King

Taylor King Law

Taylor King

Taylor King Law

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Lancaster Law Firm

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Peter Miller

The Law Offices of

Peter Miller

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Andrew Norwood

Denton & Zachary

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The Brad Hendricks Law Firm

Sach Oliver

Bailey & Oliver

Steven W. Quattlebaum

Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull, PLLC

Michael R. Rainwater

Rainwater, Holt & Sexton

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Dodds, Kidd, Ryan & Rowan

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Rainwater, Holt & Sexton

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McMath Woods, P.A.

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RMP

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Davidson Law Firm

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McDaniel Wolff, PLLC

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Eichenbaum Liles, P.A.

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Pamela A. Haun

Waddell, Cole & Jones, PLLC

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Waddell, Cole & Jones, PLLC

Kasper Huber

RMP

John Lessel RMP

Charles D. McDaniel

Eichenbaum Liles, P.A.

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WORKERS COMP LAW

S. Shane Baker

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Andy Caldwell

Caldwell Law Firm, P.A.

Lee J. Muldrow

Wright Lindsey Jennings

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Walker Law Firm

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

AY About You will never miss an opportunity to shine a spotlight on women, and the DECEMBER 2023 issue of our magazine is no exception. We want to hear from you — our readers — on who you think should make the cut. Be it a physician or pharmacist, nurse practitioner or CNA, if she represents exemplary work in any medium of healthcare, nominate her now at aymag.com!

Like Their Chicken Fried

Country stars align for Poultry Festival blowout

By DWAIN HEBDA // Photos SUBMITTED

Some of country music’s brightest stars are converging on Rogers for the annual Poultry Festival. The star-studded entertainment, featuring headliner Chris Janson and special guests Ray Fulcher and Southerland, will take the stage at Walmart AMP on June 10.

A native of Missouri, Janson is no stranger to The Natural State. The award-winning singer-songwriter has played a number of Arkansas gigs in his career and said he was looking forward to the festival experience.

“Heck yeah, I love Arkansas,” Janson said. “Good people, real people, real deal heartland. I’m so looking forward to the concert and seeing everybody happy. I love my fans.”

Dubbed a “live legacy in the making” by Rolling Stone, Janson is a platinum-selling recording artist, celebrated entertainer and multi-instrumentalist. Known for his raucous live shows, Janson hit big with “Buy Me a Boat,” a quadruple-platinum number that earned iHeartRadio Music Awards Country Song of the Year honors. Another effort, “Drunk Girl,” was a Country Music Association Song of the Year nominee and winner of the Academy of Country Music Video of the Year. Both tunes were included on the Nashville Songwriters Association International’s “Ten Songs I Wish I’d Written” list.

“I have always written songs for myself first,” he said. “I’ve always had the mindset of if they make me happy, I figure there’s a good chance they’ll make somebody else happy too, hopefully anyway.”

Currently on tour, Janson is also looking forward to the release of his latest album, “The Outlaw Side of Me,” due out June 16.

“There are some amazing collaborations on this album: Darius Rucker, Brantley Gilbert, Dolly Parton and Slash, the latter two joining me for ‘21 Forever,’” he said. “This is hands-down my favorite album to date. I wrote every song; it’s fun, it’s upbeat, it’s outside the lines and rules of standard protocol. The album was made with heart and soul and is 100 percent authentic in every way.”

Joining Janson at Walmart AMP is Ray Fulcher, the pride of Harlem, Georgia, who first rose to prominence as a songwriter, co-penning eight of the 12 songs on Luke Combs’ debut, “This One’s for You.” The two artists have continued to work together; Fulcher contributed three songs for Comb’s “The Prequel” and co-wrote additional tunes for “What You See is What You Get.”

“I moved to town to be the guy on stage, to be the artist, and it just

kind of was one of those things where, without planning it this way, the writing side of my career took off before the thing that I actually moved to town for,” Fulcher said.

“I still see myself as that guy, as the artist that also writes for other people. I still get a ton of fulfillment out of that. It’s two very different hats that I wear. I would definitely say I’m an artist first and writer second.”

Chris Janson (upper left) is headlining the Poultry Festival with special guests Ray Fulcher (upper right) and Southerland.

The success of the collaboration, including the chart-topping “When it Rains, it Pours” and “Even Though I’m Leaving” has boosted Fulcher’s performing career. He’s released three EPs, the latest, “Somebody Like Me,” included the hot single “Anything Like You Dance.” Previous EP efforts include his debut,, “Turn it Up” in 2013 and 2016’s “Here We Go Again.” Notable singles along the way have included “That’s My Thinkin’” in 2014 and “Song of the Summer” in 2015. Every gig he plays these days is building a fan base, one country music fan at a time, including at the upcoming festival where he’s playing the AMP for the very first time.

“It’s definitely a grind, but this is the dream, right? You get to go around the country and play your songs,” Fulcher said. “I think the coolest thing for me is when, as you’re playing the shows and meeting new people and somebody new finds your music, then you may get a message from them later going, ‘I listened to your album, and this song right here really spoke to me. I went through this exact same thing.’ You know that person is going to go tell 10 people about the song because of that, and those are the fun moments to me.

“I’m excited about playing the AMP; I’ve heard a lot of great things about it. I played in Little Rock with the Josh Abbott Band, in the Rev Room, and I played a couple other things in Arkansas but never got to play the AMP. I’m pumped to play there.”

Fulcher, like Janson, represents the new breed of country music stars raised on a mix of classic influences and more contemporary performers. They’re also a part of a creatively collaborative community, where performers cross paths as songwriters and guest stars on projects. Just as Janson’s songwriting chops enhanced Jason Aldean and Tim McGraw’s catalogues and Fulcher’s talents helped launch Combs, that same cross-pollination led Fulcher to introduce songwriting pal Chris Rogers to fellow up-and-coming performer Matt Chase.

The resulting friendship and creative sympatico led Chase and Rogers to form the country duo Southerland, which is also on the Poultry Festival’s slate of musical entertainment.

“We played a lot of shows just as two buddies coming up, before we were ever a duo,” Rogers said. “Been a lot of long car rides back to Nashville. We had kind of tossed around the idea after we’d been playing together for a while, like, if we were to be a duo, what would we even do? We’d always come back to, it would have to be something authentic and genuine.”

The duo released two EPs, 2021’s “Boot Up” and a self-titled effort released earlier this spring, and are now making the rounds building name recognition through relentless touring. It’s all part of the process for achieving their goals in the music industry.

“The best part of right now where we’re at is just experiencing the firsts,” Chase said. “Even with us being in Nashville for a while, we are still a relatively new band. It’s fun to watch your songs connect with people in real time, watching you turn that someone into a fan. And it’s fun to play the bigger festivals. My fiancée is from Greenwood (Arkansas), went to school at U of A; they spent their entire college years going to AMP, and now we get to play that stage. Stuff like that excites us.”

Rogers said for those who have yet to experience Southerland’s music, to expect a nice blend of old-school musicianship with a modern, multigenre flair.

“That’s always a tough question, ‘What do you sound like?’” he said. “It’s real instruments, a lot of guitar-driven stuff. We’ve got a lot of riffs in our songs. It’s definitely country, but I grew up listening to a lot of rock as well, so we have a lot of moments in our live show where we take it in a different direction. I think we do a great job of keeping everybody engaged.”

POULTRY FESTIVAL MARKS 63 YEARS

Now in its 63rd year, the annual Poultry Festival welcomes thousands of guests to its events celebrating the contributions of the poultry and egg industry, its producers and the companies that bring those products to the masses.

Arkansas enjoys a particularly robust poultry and egg industry, nationally ranking second in turkey production (26 million birds, representing 556 million pounds); third in broilers produced (1.1 billion birds, representing 7.4 billion pounds); and seventh in egg production value (4.2 billion eggs with a production value of $912 million.) Last year, these three product segments supported about 158,000 jobs in Arkansas and combined for total economic activity of about $39 billion.

All told, there are more than 6,500 farms in The Natural State that produce some kind of poultry, with the top five poultry-producing counties being Benton, Washington, Madison, Carroll and Yell, respectively.

Even the festival itself is a major economic event; in 2022, 4,500 festival tickets were sold, drawing federation members and friends of the industry from across the country. Last year’s two-day celebration impacted the Rogers economy to the tune of $4.2 million.

In addition to the concert, the 2023 event – a Las Vegas-themed celebration dubbed “The Chicken Strip” – will also host a number of fun offerings including a golf tournament, fishing contest, trap shoot and multiple barbecue contests. The event will also host a women in poultry luncheon and awards ceremonies to recognize the best in the poultry and egg business as well as a scholarship program to seed the future of the industry.

The Poultry Festival, slated this year for June 9 and 10 at the Rogers Convention Center and Walmart AMP, is put on annually by The Poultry Federation (thepoultryfederation.com). Headquartered in Little Rock, the group represents the poultry and egg industry in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri.

Food, fun and frivolity await festival goers at the 2023 Poultry Festival in Rogers.

Lakewood Health and Rehab offers skilled professional care in a supportive and compassionate atmosphere.

Lakewood Health and Rehab offers skilled professional care in a supportive and compassionate atmosphere.

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TALES FROM THE TOUR

Morrilton’s Billy Hice Shares Music Memories

By SARAH COLEMAN // Photos By DEWAIN DUNCAN

It was the late 1950s, and high school student Bill “Billy” Hice caught an irreversible itch to perform. As he tells it, he originally became interested in playing the guitar after watching a couple of friends perform at an assembly, but the small band didn’t need another guitarist, they needed a double bassist. Before long, Hice, who is self-taught, was playing every weekend, touring through Arkansas and into other parts of the world.

“I watched two of my buddies play at a school assembly, thumbing on their guitars in front of the whole school,” Hice said. “I finally told them I needed them to teach me how to play the guitar, but they needed someone to play the bass fiddle, so that’s what I learned.”

The bass took Hice all throughout Arkansas with the United Theatre Circuit; it encouraged him while he was stationed in England during

his time in the United States Air Force; and it led him to meeting and interacting with some of the music industry’s greats before anyone knew how big they would become.

Prior to his introduction to the bass, Hice had no music background. He ended up paying $15 down and $13 a month for his first instrument, which he proudly bought from Sears and Roebuck.

“We went up to Arkansas Tech because they had a guy that could play the bass fiddle,” Hice said. “He was older than us and was attending college on his GI Bill, and he learned how to play in Korea. He showed me how to tune it and play it. I didn’t know where the chords were or anything, but I learned to play by ear.”

Hice started off in a band called The Midnite Rockers with Donnie Norris, James Hamm and Mike Davis, a band that would perform nearly every weekend, often into the wee hours of the morning.

The Midnite Rockers played in the same venues as Roy Orbison, Warren Smith and The Teen-Kings throughout Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee. In addition, they played for a radio program, opening for the Riverview Drive-In and traveling with Cactus Vick, one of Arkansas’ first TV personalities.

“We traveled all over the state and would come back to Morrilton to get ready for the school day. We had our own radio show on KVOM that aired every Saturday. We also played at Pine Bluff Channel 7, it was the only TV station in Arkansas that had a studio at the time,” Hice said, reminiscing on what he says were some of the best memories of his life.

The band was often just a part of the evening’s entertainment. Hice said many Saturday nights the group would play in Pine Bluff with baton twirlers, roller skaters and anyone else who wanted to play and sing. But by the end of the night, The Midnite Rockers were able to perform their own songs, making it all worthwhile, according to Hice.

“In around 1955, the Theatre Circuit had come down from Little Rock and hired us to go all over Arkansas every weekend. We went to different towns and just played at the theaters,” Hice said. “There was a piano player that wanted to go with us when he found out we were doing that. We unfortunately didn’t have room in our van for another person and a piano.”

It was years later, when the group reunited, and after being asked to play a number on the jukebox, Hice was surprised to find out that the man responsible for the catchy tune was someone they had crossed paths with all of those years ago.

“I remember putting a nickel in and thinking ‘Wow, that’s a really good song, who is that?’ and then we played another one of his songs, and I just thought ‘This is incredible,’” Hice said. “And then finally someone in our band told us it was Charlie Rich, the guy we couldn’t take with us because our van didn’t have enough space.”

“Back then, he was just a kid playing piano, and then he grew to be what we all know him for today.”

Rich, the renowned old-school country music star, hailed from Colt and graduated from Consolidated High School in Forrest City. While Rich pumped out many celebrated songs, he’s best-known for his 1970s hits “Behind Closed Doors” and “The Most Beautiful Girl.”

I just love playing, and I’ll continue to play while I still can.

Hice shows off the tools of his trade. The Morrilton bassist has been rockin’ Arkansas since the 1950s.

Hice’s band was still performing at the Malco Theaters every weekend when they eventually crossed paths with Roy Orbison and his crew from west Texas.

“They were playing at all of the same venues that we were playing at, but they made Morrilton their headquarters, even though they were playing every night in a different town,” Hice said. “We would go out there and just jam with them until 2 or 3 a.m. We’d play and play until we got tired. I think I ended up missing two weeks of school just doing that.”

Orbison’s sound took off quickly, as he was signed to Sun Records in the ῾50s and played all over the world, with 30 songs reaching the Billboard Hot 100, including 10 Top 10 hits and two, No. 1 hits. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, a member of the Hall’s second class.

During one of the theater circuit performances Hice and his drummer, Mike Davis, were approached by a young Harold Lloyd Jenkins, known by his stage name, Conway Twitty. While this encounter was many years before he rose to fame, it was one that Hice will certainly never forget.

“He lived only a short walk from the theater we were playing at, and he kept wanting Mike to come take a look at his new drum set. So, we walked down there to go look at it,” Hice said, recounting the connection to another musical great that happened to have a stint in The Natural State. “He had taken all the furniture out of his mother’s dining room and had a brand new set of drums sitting up there. Mike showed him how to use his drumsticks and showed him a couple of licks on the drums.”

When Hice was stationed in England, he found himself in yet another encounter with Twitty. At the time, England was similar to New York in terms of entertainment, with dancers similar to the Rockettes and musicians performing shows often. Hice continued to play the bass fiddle while he was abroad when he met Kenny Hanks, who ended up being his guitar player.

Hanks, like Hice, claimed to have met Twitty, so when the artist was playing in London, Hice took his friend on a short trip to see the singer. Hice was skeptical of Hanks knowing Twitty, but wanted to visit with his old acquaintance regardless.

“I knew Conway Twitty was staying at The Savoy Hotel in downtown, so I took Kenny there half-expecting him to faint, fall on the floor or crawl out the door when he realized, but he didn’t,” Hice said. “He just calmly walked up to the doorman and told him his name and that he needed to speak to Harold Jenkins. He invited us up to his penthouse, and we spent a few days together, partying and jamming.”

During this visit, Hice recalled a conversation between himself and Twitty, being the only two awake on Sunday morning.

“We were drinking coffee, and he looked up at me and said ‘Billy, this rock ῾n’ roll ain’t going to last; I’m going country,’” said Hice, who initially would try to talk him out of his decision. Today, he said, he’s relieved that Twitty didn’t listen to him.

Originally from Mississippi, Twitty moved to Helena, Arkansas, when he was a child. It was in Arkansas where the musician was part of his first country music band, The Phillips County Ramblers. As Conway Twitty, he’d become famous for singing everything from blues and rock to country, having 55 No.1 singles and being regarded often as “The High Priest of Country Music.”

Playing abroad had its perks, and Hice remembers enjoying his time in England, despite any trouble he may have wandered into. Jerry Lee Lewis was coming abroad to play, and Hice’s band was planning to backup for the artist who would go on to become a four-time Grammy Award-winner. However, due to many reasons, Lewis was unable to perform. A show the group was supposed to attend for Ed Sullivan was also canceled, due to budget cuts.

Hice also missed an encounter with the one-and-only Elvis Presley. He received a letter from his friends that Elvis was coming through Fort Chaffee for a haircut, as he was a U.S. Army enlistee. Elvis stayed in the area for a bit and while Hice wasn’t around, his fellow band members managed to meet one of the biggest superstars the music world has ever known.

“They had been bragging about how they had met Elvis and visited with him while he was there. I thought they were all just lying, but then they sent me a picture of them with Elvis. It was in the paper,” Hice said.

The Arkansas Gazette, now the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, captioned the photo as the following: “Donnie Norris, left, and James Hamm visit with Elvis Presley when Elvis came to Robinson Auditorium in Little Rock in 1956.”

While Hice didn’t get to chat with Elvis like his other bandmates did, he does have fond memories of watching Elvis at Robinson Auditorium’s Friday Night Frolics.

Today, Hice is local to Morrilton, where he also owns his own tax preparation business. He can still be spotted at venues throughout the state playing with his band, Risky Business, as he has for 18 years now. The only member of The Midnite Rockers still living, he holds his memories playing with the group near to his heart. In fact, Risky Business still takes requests, but only for songs recorded before 1964.

“I just love playing, and I’ll continue to play while I still can,” he said.

SHORT-TERM REHAB, LONG TERM CARE & RESPITE SERVICES

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T

o know what you want to do with your life from a very young age is certainly a blessing, one that North Little Rock’s Corbin Pitts does not take for granted. The 17-year-old actor, director and producer began his career in the entertainment industry at age 5 and has grown up surrounded by the arts.

While his isn’t what many would consider to be a normal childhood, Pitts grew up with the freedom to explore the arts in ways many do not. Through ballet, modeling, dance and more, Pitts found his footing not only in front of the camera but also behind the scenes.

Pitts PERFECT

By SARAH COLEMAN

“Growing up in the entertainment industry was interesting,” Pitts said. “I grew up working, every day, after school. I would get home and go straight to the theater stage, or a film set, and of course that came with its own challenges But my childhood was very enlightening, and it’s given me a lot of unique experiences and stories. It’s made me who I am today.”

As a North Little Rock native, Pitts is passionate about the creative culture that exists in The Natural State.

“My favorite thing about this area is the small-town vibe it has while still being a pretty big city. What I love about both Central Arkansas and Northwest Arkansas is the big, thriving arts community that belongs to these spaces. I love seeing it grow,” he said.

Living life in a family that celebrated art in all its forms, he and his sister Grace grew up performing together often. The sibling stars modeled for a few catalogs, ran lines together in theater and worked alongside each other including once on a New York City Broadway premiere musical workshop, “The America Project: A New Musical.”

According to Pitts, Grace has always been more drawn to theater, and in pursuit of her own dreams, she is currently attending the University of Alabama for a theater arts degree and has a long list of accomplishments that follow her name.

“When we were younger, we both were part of a ballet academy. We danced, did recitals together, and we did a lot of theater together when we were young. We even did magazine ads for kids’ toys and such when we were younger. Grace and I have always done our own thing, but at times we would collide and work together, especially in local theater,” Pitts said, adding he and his sister starred together in nearly every production he participated in at The Arkansas Repertory Theatre.

Pitts describes his craft as something he was born to do and has had several moments where his dreams and life have aligned perfectly with the projects he has worked on. The talented teenager is known widely for his role of Mike Ardoin in HBO’s “True Detective” and playing young William in “Ghosts of the Ozarks,” among many other roles. In “Murder at Hollow Creek,” Pitts played the young Gavin Brooks.

“Starring in ‘True Detective’ was an amazing experience. It was obviously one of the biggest productions I’ve worked on this far, and honestly, it was intimidating,” he said. “It was scary, but Mahershala Ali, Stephen Dorff, Carmen Ejogo, Brandon Flynn and everyone on the set were so down to earth and welcoming, and they were all very open. ‘True Detective’ got me into that side of Hollywood, and it was a really good first-set experience.”

Pitts has been chasing his dreams since before he was tall enough to ride rides at amusement parks, and it is something that has created a very unique worldview for him. When he was 11 years old, he launched his production company, Heroe Productions Entertainment, LLC.

Through Heroe Productions Entertainment, Pitts has created several of his own shorts and films, including “Plunderbund,” “When the Palace Sleeps” and most-recently, “Salad Days,” a film that tells the story of a depressed single father balancing his son and sudden life changes. Among the cast is local celebrity Alyson Courtney.

“It’s been a long transitioning period. The moment where it all kind of clicked for me was about a year ago when I screened my movie ‘Salad Days,’” Pitts said. “Seeing all of the love and support right in front of

my eyes was my a-ha moment. I was already taking it seriously before, but that day put gasoline on an already growing fire inside of me.”

Pitts began following his filmmaking passions in middle school, taking his craft seriously with his friends, much like Sammy Fabelman does in “The Fabelmans.” His first film was a short called “Dr. Who” that he created for a science project in fourth grade, when he was only 9 years old.

“I’ve been able to pretty much pinpoint every moment in my friend group for the past five years because every time we could hang out, we would make a short film. It’s bittersweet, but that’s what I love about it,” Pitts said, noting he began documenting his life through short films the year before entering middle school.

“It was definitely great timing to capture all of these moments with my friends, and I have thousands and thousands of hours of video and terrible films,” he said. “But it’s been awesome and having this company has helped me see my friend group in a different way, and it’s definitely given me a lot of character development.’

Running his own company, acting and going to school has now become the norm for the 17-year-old.

“As an independent production company, I’m not pumping films out every single month, and for me, it’s a one-man show,” he said. “I take care of everything from maintenance on the website to

Pitts gained national attention for his role in HBO’s “True Detective.”

“Starring in ‘True Detective’ was an amazing experience. It was obviously one of the biggest productions I’ve worked on this far and honestly, it was intimidating.”

writing a ton of scripts, planning, doing my own taxes and finances and managing everything.

“A lot of people don’t understand that the entertainment industry is one of the only industries that utilizes every other industry in trade. From catering to construction and fashion, film utilizes it all.”

While Pitts has grown up living the life that many can only dream of, he has also created a beautiful life for himself, one that he hopes to be able to sustain in the future. Outside of the film industry, he has hobbies similar to many other teenage boys including playing video games, reading and mountain biking.

“I have a pretty normal life, and I think that a lot of people believe that I have a weird life,” he said. “Since COVID hit, I started doing online school, and as kids started to slowly trickle back to in-person learning, I decided to stick with it.”

A perk of not being in class is it gives Pitts the ability to make his creative and entrepreneurial lifestyle work outside of school.

“I live like a retired man. I do everything on my own time, and I exercise, collect vinyl and just do normal kid things,” Pitts said.

Pitts collects both video games and music; some of

“I define success as to be able to fully pursue what I’m doing right now.” Movie poster from Pitts’ directorial effort “Salad Days.”

his favorite artists to listen to represent an eclectic mix, including Logic, Steely Dan and Erykah Badu.

Outside of these artists, Pitts looks up to a number of actors and producers in Arkansas, including Daniel Campbell, Graham Gordy, Jay Russell, Jeff Nichols and Harry Thomason.

“I’m so grateful for the people who took the time to mentor me,” he said. “Daniel Campbell worked on the first film I ever produced about 11 years ago. He’s a very busy guy but, he would take time to meet with me weekly at coffee shops and just talk to me; he’s always been like an older brother to me.

“I love them all. They’re all great, knowledgeable guys, and I’m excited to see what these relationships bring me in the future.”

Pitts has a bright future ahead of him, with a lot of talent and knowledge bolstering his opportunities in the industry. As for his long-term goals, he really only has one, to accomplish his definition of success.

“I define success as to be able to fully pursue what I’m doing right now, to be able to use art to express my emotions and thoughts full time without having to work a side gig or anything. I just want to make enough money as an artist to live comfortably,” Pitts said. “This passion of mine was what I was put on earth to do.”

This year is turning out to be a big one for Pitts, as he has a few projects going with some big production companies, though nothing has been announced yet. In addition to his collaborative projects, he has also been working on developing a film for the past nine months, and hopes to shoot sometime this year targeting a release either in late 2023 or early 2024.

“I know it’s never going to be perfect, but I’m just trying to make [the project] as perfect as possible in mind,” Pitts said.

Pitts never knew where the entertainment industry would lead him, but most recently, it led him to a school in Los Angeles where he studied to pass the California equivalent of the GED. This certification allows Pitts to be legally 18 years old on set, although he is not opting out of high school in Arkansas.

“This career makes me happy, and these projects are what make my clock turn,” Pitts said. “I have no clue what the future holds, but I’m just riding the wave and taking life as it comes.”

Our doctors listen

Physicians are on the medical staff of The BridgeWay, but, with limited exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of The BridgeWay. The facility shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians.

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYES: THE EXPERTS ON VISION HEALTH

By MAK MILLARD

According to the Centers for Disease Control, an estimated 93 million adults in the United States are at high risk for serious vision loss, but only half had visited an eye doctor in the past year. Another study estimates that more than 1.6 million people living with vision loss or blindness are younger than 40, and vision disability is already one of the most prevalent disabling conditions among children. This month, AY About You caught up with a few authorities in the field of vision to learn more about common issues, how they’re treated and how to maintain your eye health for as long as possible.

Cataracts

“If you live long enough, you’ll probably get cataracts to some degree,” said Austin Bell, an ophthalmologist with BoozmanHof in Rogers, who specializes in cataract and glaucoma surgery. “Cataracts are the natural lens of the eye going through an aging process, kind of like wrinkles in your skin.”

As you get into your 40s and 50s, the lenses of your eyes are less able to change shape, making it harder to adjust to see at different distances, an early precursor to cataracts.

“In another 10 or 20 years, not only is [the lens] stiff and doesn’t change shape anymore, it’s starting to get cloudy,” he said.

“That’s what a cataract is.”

Cataracts come with a number of other symptoms that are hard to miss from both a patient and provider standpoint. Bell often hears from patients who no longer drive at night because they don’t see as well because the cataract is scattering the light from oncoming headlights. As time goes on, other activities can take a hit as well.

Dr. Austin Bell

Cataracts are the natural lens of the eye going through an aging process, kind of like wrinkles in your skin.

“I get a lot of folks who have trouble seeing a golf ball, trouble fishing, things like that,” Bell said.

Thankfully, the procedure to treat cataracts is about as quick and easy as they come. Bell said cataract surgery has come a long way since the 1980s and 1990s, with better procedures, faster healing times and more advanced lens technology.

“We take the cataract out, we put a new lens in the eye, and the eye sees better than before – almost as good as new,” he said. “It’s a fun thing, as a surgeon, to take care of folks with cataracts. They see better within a day or so, no pain, and they’re just thrilled.”

Goodbye, Glasses

the cornea itself, as the cornea must be thick enough to withstand the procedure and heal correctly.

A concern prospective patients often have is whether the results of LASIK surgery wear off with time. While not impossible, Newbolt said only about 3 percent of U.S. patients will need a followup procedure.

“Long term, our eyes can slowly change, which can decrease the effectiveness of the procedure,” he said. “Typically, if this occurs, it is 10 to 20 years after the initial surgery.”

As with any procedure, there are potential complications, which is why Newbolt only performs LASIK surgery on patients he expects to have a good outcome. The most common issues are dry eyes and halos or glare after the procedure, but even these side effects have decreased over the last 25 years, thanks to continued technological improvement.

“While no surgery is without risk, LASIK is a very safe surgery with a great long-term track record,” Newbolt said. “Patients who had their LASIK procedure years ago tell me it is the best thing they’ve ever done.”

Among the most widespread vision issues are problems including nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. These so-called “refractive errors,” happen when the cornea (the front of the eye) causes light to focus in front of or behind the retina (the back of the eye). Refractive errors cause blurry vision and are usually treated with glasses or contact lenses.

For those wanting to avoid the hassle of prescription lenses, there are a number of surgical options, arguably the most common of which is LASIK surgery. This involves using a laser to reshape the cornea, removing the refractive error and allowing the eye to focus correctly on its own.

Evan Newbolt, MD, a board-certified cataract and LASIK surgeon with McFarland Eye Care, described LASIK as “low-risk, high-reward,” and he should know. He underwent LASIK surgery himself a decade ago and is able to give prospective patients a firsthand account of his experience.

“The surgery is an approximately 10-minute procedure that is done in our office. The patient is relaxed with oral medication, and there is minimal discomfort,” Newbolt said. “The patient goes home with eye drops to help heal and prevent infection and instructions to take a nap.”

According to Newbolt, the best candidates for LASIK are those in their 20s and 30s with a mild to moderate refractive error. Another key consideration for refractive surgeries is the thickness of

In addition to LASIK, breakthroughs in technology and surgical techniques have given patients other options in recent years. One of these innovations, known as SMILE, is quickly making a name for itself as a popular alternative to LASIK.

“I think it’s going to transform refractive surgery,” said Dr. Steven Vold of Vold Vision in Fayetteville. “That doesn’t mean LASIK is going to go completely away, but [SMILE] is becoming more of a dominant force in corneal and refractive surgery.”

Dr. Evan Newbolt

While no surgery is without risk, LASIK is a very safe surgery with a great long-term track record.

A fellowship-trained glaucoma subspecialist who also specializes in corrective vision surgeries, Vold was among the first surgeons in the country to perform SMILE after it gained FDA approval in 2016. His practice, Vold Vision, was also the first in the state to offer SMILE.

“In LASIK, you basically cut the corneal flap, lift up the flap and then laser underneath it. With this, we make a tiny incision with the laser, and then we remove a little sliver inside the middle of the cornea,” Vold explained.

“Just think about this: The cornea is about half a millimeter thick. We’re able to change all these prescriptions by removing something that’s just a fraction of a millimeter, and we can correct vision almost overnight. It’s unbelievable.”

Another option, known as PRK (photorefractive keratectomy), does not use incisions at all but reshapes the cornea on the surface of the eye itself. However, PRK does have a longer recovery time, making SMILE a kind of happy medium between

More Serious Problems

For more serious eye conditions, the overwhelming message from ophthalmologists, including Bell and Vold, is that time is of the essence. Diseases such as glaucoma require constant management to preserve as much vision as possible.

“Glaucoma is optic nerve damage related to the pressure in the eye,” Bell said. “The eye makes fluid and drains fluid, and that fluid goes back to your bloodstream; it doesn’t come out, like with tears. For folks who have high eye pressure, their drain system is not working properly.”

As we age, we’re at higher risk of that drain system slowing down. The more fluid in the eye, the more pressure there is on the optic nerve, eventually leading to vision loss and, if left unchecked, blindness.

“I tell patients all the time, ‘I’m a glorified plumber. Your eye is like a sink,’” Bell said. “Eye drops are kind of like turning the faucet down. When you get lots of fluid that builds up in the sink, we have some lasers that are kind of like putting Drano in the sink. There are a lot of plumbing analogies, but basically, there’s only one treatment for glaucoma, and that’s to lower the eye pressure.”

One of the most dangerous aspects of glaucoma is the very slow pace at which it works in the vast majority of cases. Vision loss associated with glaucoma begins peripherally and works towards the center, making it easy to miss in the beginning.

“I’ve had patients who were referred to me for really severe glaucoma, and they’re 20/20, but it’s like looking through straws,” Bell said. “They have no peripheral vision at all, and they’re weeks or months away from losing their vision totally.”

Vold and Bell emphasized the crucial role of early detection, since

the PRK and LASIK procedures.

With any of these procedures, overall eye health determines whether one is a good candidate for surgery. When interviewing prospective surgeons or medical practices, both Newbolt and Vold stressed the importance of asking the right questions.

“I suggest asking about both the surgeon and the laser. I think it’s important to know if the laser being used is the most advanced available, and if the surgery is completely done by laser, rather than a portion of the surgery utilizing a metal blade,” Newbolt said.

“When choosing a surgeon, I suggest asking how many surgeries of this type the surgeon has done, and if the surgeon lives in-state and is available to see their own patients for aftercare and follow-ups.”

vision lost to glaucoma is irreversible. Anyone older than 40 should be screened on a yearly basis, especially if they have a family history of the disease. Some people can have glaucoma even younger, making regular checkups with an optometrist a must.

“The folks I see that have severe cataracts or severe glaucoma are folks who said, ‘I’ve always been able to see pretty well, and I’ve never been to an eye doctor for 20 years,’” Bell said. “Screening, and having a good relationship with your optometrist, is a wise thing to do, just like seeing your primary care doctor every year.”

“I think people think you don’t have glaucoma if you don’t have symptoms,” Vold added. “The reality is most people that have glaucoma don’t have any symptoms at all. That’s what I worry about, because if you don’t take something seriously, it can be a problem.”

Surgical options for managing glaucoma have also benefitted from

The reality is most people that have glaucoma don’t have any symptoms at all.

Dr. Steven Vold and staff

technological innovations including minimally invasive procedures that have proven effective in treating milder cases.

“You need to find a glaucoma surgeon who can do it all, who’s not just going to pigeonhole you into something new and fancy if it’s not going to work very well. Even the gold-standard surgical options for glaucoma aren’t a cure,” Bell said. “You’ll always have to have your pressure checked, you’ll always have to make sure that the glaucoma is not

Prosthetic Eyes

getting worse.”

Another serious eye condition is macular degeneration, which progresses from the center of the eye outward. The leading cause of blindness in the United States, there are a number of medications and treatments in development to help prevent vision loss from the disease. Additionally, wearing UV eye protection, such as sunglasses, can help mitigate both minor and major eye issues.

In even more severe cases, such as an eye that no longer sees or must be removed due to injury or disease, there are a multitude of considerations that go into keeping the remaining eye healthy. That is where specialists like Michael Kaczkowski come in. Kaczkowski is the lead ocularist and anaplastologist at Real Life Faces Artificial Eye Clinic & Alloplastic Facial Reconstruction, where he designs and creates custom, lifelike prostheses for patients of all ages.

“Stabilizing a socket by putting a prosthesis in helps the sight of the sighted eye, because the eyes are connected,” Kaczkowski said. “If you get poked in one eye, what happens to the other one? It closes and waters in ‘sympathy’ of the other. If one socket is affected it’s going to take that energy from the sighted eye.”

There are other problems associated with a missing eye that can be remedied by an ocular prosthesis. The lack of weight and asymmetry can cause migraines and sinus problems. In children especially, prostheses are essential to ensure proper growth of the skull as they age.

Then, of course, there are the social and emotional aspects of having a lifelike prosthesis, which can give patients a huge psychological boost.

“I have patients that have walked around with a cloudy, unsightly eye for their whole life and have had to deal with the reactions from that,” Kaczkowski said. “It’s a huge thing; it becomes part of their identity.

“I just fitted a nurse with a prosthesis where the whole thing is less than a millimeter thick. Her [affected] eye is about the same size as her sighted eye, so we just make it that thin. The appearance is slightly bigger, but when you’re talking to her, no one notices. It’s critical for her profession.”

Maintaining the health of the socket becomes even more important as a patient ages. The prosthesis needs to be changed every so often, and patients often report that the vision in their sighted eye improves after the new prosthesis is put in.

Though rare, eye-threatening injuries can and do happen. Even in cases where you don’t notice any serious symptoms or vision loss, it’s important to get checked out by a professional to avoid potential long-term effects.

“If you don’t think it’s that bad of an injury, it doesn’t matter. Schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist, number one,” Kaczkowski said. “Have them do scans, check the retina, make sure that there’s no internal damage that manifests later.”

For more acute injuries, an oculoplastic surgeon will determine how much of the damaged eye, if any, should be saved. Kaczkowski’s role comes in after those procedures, but since ocular prostheses make up only a small number compared to other areas of the body, he is able to be involved very early on in the process.

“I work with all the hospitals here in town,” he said. “Lots of times, when these patients come, we have communication: ‘I’m going to send them over; they were in the ER, we just did ABC and D. Take a look, see if there’s anything else you recommend for surgeries.’”

When it comes to the future of ocular prostheses, Kaczkowski said, the real work is in tissue engineering. That involves using human stem cells to grow an eye or regrow damaged nerves. Paired with advancements in neural surgery, there could come a time when surgeons are able to reconnect and repair the optic nerve itself.

With that kind of breakthrough still a ways off at best, though, it’s worth taking care of the eyes you have now, since odds are they’re the only ones you’re going to get.

Michael Kaczkowski

Stabilizing a socket by putting a prosthesis in helps the sight of the sighted eye, because the eyes are connected.

Making Patients Feel Whole Again

AR clinic offers artificial eyes for patients across the the country

The Center for Alloplastic Facial Reconstruction/ Arkansas Artificial Eye Clinic serves the needs of patients needing artificial eyes and prosthetic facial reconstruction. The results are extraordinarily lifelike, giving the recipients a sense of closure and restoration to a long and painful journey.

Clinic Ocularist and Anaplastologist, Michael Kaczkowski (aka “Mike Kaz”) creates these life-changing prostheses not just for practitioners and patients in the United States, but for patients throughout the world who seek the exclusive experience and services of the clinic.

Says one patient: “Everyone is amazed at how real it looks; people can’t tell it’s a a prosthesis. I love it!”

FACIAL PROSTHESIS FACIAL PROSTHESIS IN SITU

michael kaczkowski Face of Prosthetic Eyes and Facial Anatomy

MICHAEL KACZKOWSKI FINISHES UP A PATIENT’S NEW PROSTHESIS

MURDER MYSTERY: The Good Girl

– By Sarah Russell –

She was the quintessential good girl. Until she wasn’t. Then the smart, beautiful, upper-class girl proved herself quite capable of ferociously stabbing an innocent person 70 times. Equally as stunning to those who knew this Woman was who her victim was: Janie Conner Ballard, her mother.

This all started in an unlikely place, the Little Rock Athletic Club. A guy – Mike, he said – homed in on the shy Leslie Ballard. Long-haired, bronzed and buffed, he was at 5-foot-6 even shorter than her. But he carried himself with a cockiness that had long convinced himself (and often beautiful women) that he was the embodiment of MacKool, his last name.

A more mature woman might have have sent him scuttling back to his weights, but Leslie was intrigued enough to let him into her world. She had just turned 24; he said he was 36. It was his first lie. There would be more.

was made easier by her introverted nature. Playtime might be with the neighborhood kids, but she didn’t go to school with them. It was always private schools, including the all-girls, college preparatory high school Mount St. Mary Academy.

That day in the gym, MacKool offered to set her up with an exercise and diet plan. Once self-described as “isolated and alone,” Leslie now had an instantaneous boyfriend. It wasn’t long before Leslie’s workout program included MacKool’s moves in the bedroom. She was hooked, and MacKool had within months moved into Leslie’s condominium, a graduation gift from the Ballards.

The Ballards suspected that of all their daughter’s attributes, MacKool was most interested in her access to their considerable fortune. By December, the new beau was clearly marking his territory, taking Leslie on a Christmas ski trip to Colorado. He had plans for her new year too. A brunette, Leslie bleached her hair, got breast implants and adopted a wardrobe that looked like the kind of working girl she wasn’t. She was nothing the Ballards recognized as their own, but she was everything all MacKool’s women had been.

Feeling their daughter slipping away from her former self and them, the Ballards had MacKool investigated. There had been several businesses that his wealthy parents set him up with. He no longer owned them, nor did he seem to have a current source of income. What he did have was a $765,000 bankruptcy judgement, a major portion of that –$400,000 – came as a result of his scamming a Gold’s Gym owner.

Yet for this, and a litany of other charges, MacKool never did jail time. Charges were always dismissed or resulted in probation, even charges for bad checks and stolen property. Cocky as ever, MacKool even got arrested at Home Depot for impersonating a police officer while trying to return the goods he had just five-fingered there.

It was August 2000. With an MBA from the University of Arkansas, fast-tracked by her 119 IQ, Leslie had come right back to Little Rock, taking her place at Shepherd’s Printing. Owned by her parents, Lester and Janie Ballard, the printing and engineering architectural supply firm on West Market had provided an impressive financial return on their efforts. Nonetheless, the Ballards were unpretentious people, satisfied with their modest brick home on Cedar Hill Road.

Their love and checkbook were endless for their only child. Both of this baby girl’s chosen names – Leslie Jane – proudly reflected who her parents were and the Ballards’ tendency to shelter their daughter

Even first-degree murder charges had been filed against MacKool, when in high school he’d struck and killed another teenager. As an adult, MacKool took his own child hostage once in a five-hour standoff with police, resulting in terrorist threatening charges. Yes, MacKool was a father twice-over from three marriages, the last one still legal. Oh, that first lie? MacKool was not 36 years old; he was pushing 50.

None of this seemed to matter to Leslie, as she would eventually quit both her job and her family. As the Ballards pressured Leslie to sign the condo back over to them, MacKool didn’t panic, knowing Leslie still had a trust fund, money that financed his spring divorce and the lovers’ May elopement. The wedding was held at the Hot Springs Mountain Tower, but that wasn’t the groom’s first choice; he originally wanted to

The Ballards

have vows exchanged as they stood in the back seat of his speeding yellow Corvette. The minister was able to persuade him otherwise.

In December 2001, two bizarre events took place, possibly just ploys to open the Ballards’ door and bank accounts. First, MacKool filed a protection order against Leslie, claiming he now feared for his life. Asserting she had multiple personalities, MacKool cited as proof her black widow spider tattoo named Candy. Notably, MacKool made no attempt to move out.

Leslie then attempted to kill herself, writing in a suicide note, “It seems like everyone I thought cared about me is just out to screw me over.” By the time she was released from a 72-hour hold, the single superficial swipe of the Exacto knife on her wrist had all but healed.

Despite all of this, things appeared to proceed normally: Leslie didn’t adhere to the order of protection, file for divorce, seek counseling or contact her parents for help. Instead, the MacKools took a $15,000 Christmas trip financed by a company credit card, courtesy of Shepard’s Printing.

In July 2002, Lester Ballard went into hospice while the estranged MacKools went to Florida. When Lester died on Aug. 19, it took 10 days for the MacKools to return to Little Rock. Not only had Lester been given no opportunity to say goodbye to the child he loved so dearly, but Leslie had also missed his funeral.

Nevertheless, the MacKools had unfinished business in Arkansas, as Leslie began to pressure a reluctant Janie into meeting with her. What is known of the Sept. 7 meeting that eventually followed is this: Leslie learned that Lester had changed his will. What she expected was $750,000; what she would get instead was $25,000.

Leslie would later maintain that, no, she wasn’t upset by that at all. It would still be enough, she claimed, for her to leave MacKool. Janie’s take on the conversation was certainly in contrast. Telling friends she feared the MacKools would murder her, she immediately had a security system installed. She would be dead in less than a week.

Whether he honestly believed it or whether it was merely to motivate her, MacKool told Leslie the will had a loophole. If, he explained, Janie died within 30 days of Lester’s death, Leslie would inherit it all, $2.4 million. MacKool, an ex-Marine, also convinced Leslie she was better-suited for killing. Buying her an 8-inch butcher knife, MacKool showed her what parts of Janie’s body to target.

In the late afternoon of Sept. 13, Leslie, dressed in dark clothes, waited in the bushes near the Ballards’ garage door. After her mother drove in, she silently followed her into the house. The unsuspecting woman was immediately put to the floor as her only child attacked her mercilessly. Over and over, she plunged in the knife, stabbing her kidneys and lungs, even slashing deeply into her skull.

Leslie then went into the second phase of MacKool’s plan, stealing the Ballards’ jewelry and coin collection to appear as if this was a burglary and Janie was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Leslie could have now left but, as jurors would later hear, she instead turned Janie over and slit her throat.

Janie’s body was found the next morning by a friend who coinciden-

tally worked as a crime scene specialist. According to the medical examiner’s report, Janie had incurred severe and extensive defense wounds. She fought hard to live. When she was found, one hand was shielding her face. Could it have been possible that she was indeed still alive when Leslie delivered the cruelest of goodbyes?

Janie’s stated fear that the MacKools would kill her, along with obvious rage behind the attack, made quick work of the investigation. The MacKools, though, were gone. They were in Hot Springs again, this time trying to sell Janie’s jewelry.

Their arrival home was greeted with handcuffs and within a few hours, they turned on each other. MacKool, left alone in an interview room, smashed a thermostat, took a piece of broken metal, and cut himself. It got him a trip to the hospital, but this time, there would be no way out of jail. Both were charged with capital murder, a death penalty offense. By the time they went to trial, the latter had been dropped.

Not surprisingly, Leslie didn’t make her mother’s obituary but Janie’s bulldog, Gracie Mae, did. And while Leslie never received the bulk of her parents’ estate, she was allowed the $25,000 amount that had so enraged the MacKools in the first place.

Despite his continued insistence that this was all on Leslie, MacKool was sentenced to 40 years without parole. Further tacked on was 20 years for a theft-of-property conviction. He will be 82 years old upon release. That won’t come a minute too soon for prison guards, as his behavior in jail has resulted in him upgraded to a maximum-security prison.

A dual defense was offered to Leslie’s jurors: “duress” and “mental defect.” Leslie claimed duress because MacKool offered her no options – it was kill or be killed. Her mental defect, an expert witness explained, came because Leslie had allegedly been abused to the point of being incapable of breaking free from MacKool’s control. The jurors were unmoved, returning a sentence of life without parole.

While incarcerated, Leslie has not publicly commented except to say she has divorced MacKool and taken back her Ballard family name. Nonetheless, Inmate #708336, a prisoner in a medium-security facility, remains listed as Leslie Jane MacKool. The real mystery of this murder has never been solved: Who is she really? Mugshots taken throughout the years reflect no remorse at all. In all of them, she smiles broadly at the camera – always the quintessential good girl.

Leslie Jane MacKool

Leslie and Mike MacKool

Best 201 8 of

When you walk into the Robinson Nursing & Rehabilitation Center you will feel a comfortable atmosphere different from any other facility you have visited. We feature tall ceilings and an open floor plan. We have a lovely dining room and a covered outdoor patio area.

When you walk into the Robinson Nursing & Rehabilitation Center you will feel a comfortable atmosphere different from any other facility you have visited. We feature tall ceilings and an open floor plan. We have a lovely dining room and a covered outdoor patio area.

We specialize in short-term rehabilitation and long-term care services. The short-term rehabilitation area has its own dining area and day room. From the moment you enter our facility, we want you to experience the difference our facility has to offer. From our light-filled day areas to our beautiful outdoor areas, we want you and your loved one to feel comfortable and safe when staying with us. You will also notice the pride we take in our facility by keeping our building sparkling clean from the inside out.

We specialize in short-term rehabilitation and long-term care services. The short-term rehabilitation area has its own dining area and day room. From the moment you enter our facility, we want you to experience the difference our facility has to offer. From our light-filled day areas to our beautiful outdoor areas, we want you and your loved one to feel comfortable and safe when staying with us. You will also notice the pride we take in our facility by keeping our building sparkling clean from the inside out.

Our team is dedicated to providing a safe and comfortable environment. Robinson Nursing and Rehab offers modern conveniences in a gracious setting. We provide daily planned activities led by certified activity directors, like social events and outings and pastoral services with spiritual care for all religions. We strongly encourage family participation in group activities, meals and celebrating family birthdays and special days.

Our team is dedicated to providing a safe and comfortable environment. Robinson Nursing and Rehab offers modern conveniences in a gracious setting. We provide daily planned activities led by Certified Activity Directors, like social events and outings and pastoral services with spiritual care for all religions. We strongly encourage family participation in group activities, meals and celebrating family birthdays and special days.

To help you plan your visits, we provide a monthly event calendar and a monthly meal planner. Robinson Nursing and Rehab does not have set visiting hours. We view this facility as the “home” of each resident.

To help you plan your visits, we provide a monthly event calendar and a monthly meal planner. Robinson Nursing and Rehab does not have set visiting hours. We view this facility as the “home” of each resident.

We try our best to communicate with patients and families to help alleviate the anxiety that accompanies this journey. Our team of nurses, therapists and support staff work closely together to develop a plan based on the individual needs of each person. We recognize that rehabilitation involves not only the patient, but the entire family.

We try our best to communicate with patients and families to help alleviate the anxiety that accompanies this journey. Our team of nurses, therapists and support staff work closely together to develop a plan based on the individual needs of each person. We recognize that rehabilitation involves not only the patient but the entire family. 501.753.9003 • 519 Donovan Briley Boulevard, NLR • www.robinsonnr.com

Colonel Glenn Health & Rehab is central Arkansas’ newest premier-skilled nursing and long-term care facility. Our skilled team is focused on serving you and your family with excellence. 13700

By Jason Pederson

This side of SEVEN CALLING ALL MEN

According to 2022 statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, 19.5 million children, 1 in 4, live without a biological, step or adoptive father in the home. Children with a father in the home do better in school, are less likely to be mistreated and are more emotionally stable. Children who grow up with absent fathers are more likely to live in poverty; boys are more likely to become absent fathers; and girls are more likely to become single mothers. These facts, from the National Fatherhood Initiative, are worrisome. What can be done?

In the summer of 1991, a fresh-faced 22-year-old college graduate didn’t know how to solve all of society’s ills, but he wanted to do something. Jimmy Sorvillo signed up to volunteer as part of a summer program at STEP Ministries in North Little Rock. His expectation was to spend three evenings one week working with a child from the Eastgate Terrace low-income housing community. That’s how he met 13-year-old Jermaine Hervey.

“If I had to describe my life without Jimmy in it, I think that would be a hard pill to swallow,” says Jermaine today. “I would have a lot of bitterness toward the world, probably would have gone through a lot of dark times, and I would not be the father I am today.”

Jermaine is now 45 and the proud father of two. His son is in the military and going to college studying to become a doctor. His daughter is in 11th grade and wants to be a nurse. Jermaine has been an involved and present father in their lives, in large part because of the example Jimmy set for him. The two remain close.

“The reality is that mentoring, in its simplest form, is a relationship, consistently being there to love and support,” says the now 54-year-old Sorvillo. “Walking with someone through the good and bad. It is being patient, nonjudgmental and placing yourself in their shoes to better understand their situation.”

You will not find the word “mentor” in the Bible. But there are many examples of mentorship. Early in the wilderness journey, Moses begins to mentor Joshua. Naomi mentors Ruth, her Moabite daughter-in-law. Barnabas mentors Paul when he is a new Christian, and Paul later mentors Timothy.

Like Jimmy, I have always felt called to mentor. The first young men I mentored through our church are now almost 40 years old. I was a coaching group leader to Paul, Josh, Phil, Andrew, Chris, Caleb, Lee, Matt, Doug and Patrick

from 7th grade through 12th grade. I sprinkled in lessons about faith, finance, service and leadership during dinners and while on camping or rafting adventures. I’ve seen a few of them in adulthood, but most I haven’t seen since they graduated high school.

All of these young men were from stable, two-parent families. I sometimes wondered if they truly needed a mentor. So, I decided to join the Little Rock School District’s Volunteers in Public Schools program, or VIPS. According to the LRSD’s website, students of all ages are eager to be placed with a mentor. And children who are mentored are 46 percent less likely to use drugs, 52 percent less likely to skip school and 33 percent less likely to get into fights.

Over the years I have mentored Rayshon, Josh, Darian, Brandon, Josiah and Jaeveon … not as a group, but one-on-one. Just this week, I asked one of the 3rd graders I am currently mentoring what he did over the weekend, as the weather had been beautiful. He said his mom told him to “Go outside and touch some grass.”

About five years ago, I started noticing the young people I worked with were getting phones at a younger and younger age.

Mentor Jimmy Sorvillo (right) shares a conversation with Jermaine Hervey. The two men connected through STEP Ministries in North Little Rock when Jermaine was only 13.

If they didn’t have a phone, they were obsessed with the phones of others. More and more it seemed that adventure, fun and excitement were being found inside a screen rather than outside the house. The feeling of a joystick or iPhone has become much more familiar than the feeling of grass.

Some of these boys would like to ride their bike to a friend’s house, go exploring down by the creek or dribble their basketball down to the neighborhood court. However, the neighborhoods they are growing up in do not mirror the small-town life that I experienced. Moms who are working two jobs or long shifts instruct their children to stay inside where they know it is safer. They are doing the best they can to keep their kids housed, clothed, fed, comfortable and safe.

What a mother is best at — what she is truly designed for — is to love, nurture, comfort, feed and care for her children. It’s why children so often cry for their mothers. It’s why moms both get and give the best hugs. It’s why the grown kids always come back for Mom’s home cooking. She can work two jobs and pay the bills and handle the discipline, but it’s more of a struggle, especially with boys who need to run and wrestle and take risks.

Both of our children, Spencer and Shelby, love the outdoors. They enjoyed climbing Pinnacle Mountain. Mom? Not so much. We would also on occasion climb train cars parked near the Big Dam Bridge and jump from the top of one car to the next (and promise not to tell Mom about it). We would skip school on a sunny spring day and drive to a secret fishing hole in Clark County. I built a treehouse in the backyard.

But my job wasn’t all fun and games. It was my name that their mother would invoke when a major infraction occurred: “We’ll deal with this when your father gets home.” My kids loved me a lot and feared me a little. And when the teen years got a little turbulent, I was the rock that both my wife and my children needed.

crave adventure. They want to go to the trampoline park. They want to ride in the back of a pickup. They want to go places: a pumpkin patch, a state park, a fishing hole, the zoo, the movies. But there are rightfully limits on how much adventure I can offer, as they are not mine.

I wish their fathers could see what they are missing. My own children taught me to give and live and love in ways that I had never experienced. I was tested and changed. I was humbled and proud. It is a journey I would not change and one I hate to think that so many men are missing out on.

“If I had to describe my life without Jimmy in it, I think that would be a hard pill to swallow. ... I would not be the father I am today,” says Jermaine Hervey, who remains close with mentor Jimmy Sorvillo (right) to this day.

I learned about Jimmy and Jermaine’s story after my wife, Mary Carol, took the reins as Executive Director for STEP Ministries. STEP has a long and successful history in North Little Rock of providing Christian, oneon-one mentors for at-risk youth. Youth who join the program and stick with the program have a 93 percent graduation rate, which is much higher than the overall rate for North Little Rock High School. STEP will soon be expanding south of the river into Little Rock, giving more Jimmys the opportunity to meet more Jermaines.

I certainly wasn’t a perfect dad, but I provided some things that a man is designed to provide: protection, discipline, direction and adventure. Who is offering up these things for the young men being raised by single mothers? Kids aren’t designed to look at screens all day. They need to get out and touch some grass, and moms know it. It’s just … adventure can be scary in a big city.

I have asked mentees about their fathers. On more than one occasion, the response has been “I don’t have a dad.” It is soul-crushing to me when I hear that. And while uncles and grandfathers along with male teachers and coaches and mentors can help fill the gap, we are all poor substitutes for a loving, engaged and present father or stepfather.

All the young men I have mentored are great kids, which is a credit to their mothers and all the others who were or are helping to raise them. And they all

“Jimmy showed me how to become a man, and what I mean by that is he showed me what it looks like to be a father and a leader,” Jermaine says. “When it comes to the problems today, the lack of fathers creates a lack of guidance and structure. Too many kids become followers rather than leaders. Without the fathers in the home, the kids are often led by their peers.”

If you think you might be a good mentor, you are right, and Romans 15:14 confirms it. “I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another.” If all you lack is the courage to get involved, Jimmy has a message for you, borrowed from Nike: “Just do it.”

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.

I certainly wasn’t a perfect dad, but I provided some things that a man is designed to provide: protection, discipline, direction and adventure.

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.

245 Indian Bay Drive Sherwood, AR 72120

501.834.9960 Fax: 501.834.5644

Briar wood 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!

Grapette

By Joe David Rice

Thirty years after Col. John Pemberton unveiled Coca-Cola in Atlanta, a gentleman by the name of Benjamin Tyndle Fooks left the lumber business and bought a modest bottling outfit in Camden, Arkansas. A year later, in 1927, he purchased another small plant in Arkadelphia and shortly thereafter a similar operation in Hope. Unfortunately, his timing could hardly have been worse.

The Great Depression soon overtook the country, hitting the soft drink industry with particular fury and forcing Fooks to sell his Arkadelphia and Hope properties. Driving across Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas, the desperate entrepreneur peddled “Fooks Flavors” from his car. But Fooks must have been doing something right because in 1932, he had to add two salesmen to his organization.

Noticing that customers strongly preferred his grape flavors, Fooks set about concocting the ultimate grape-flavored beverage. In 1939, when he was finally satisfied with the distinctive taste he’d developed, Fooks took the train to Chicago and paid a visit to the Sunset Liquor Company – which owned the “Grapette” name. Fooks purchased the trademark, returned to Camden and introduced Grapette to the world in the spring of 1940.

The new beverage was an immediate hit, largely due to its unrivaled taste. Fooks then introduced another element to his marketing plan: unique packaging in the form of lightweight, clear bottles that displayed the drink’s brilliant purple color. The firm did very well, adding Orangette to its product line in 1947. For the next two decades, the Grapette Company continued to grow, not only domestically (300 bottlers in 38 states) but in Latin America as well.

Between changing consumer tastes and aggressive competition (and consolidation) from other bottlers, Grapette’s sales fell in the 1970s. By the 1990s, although international revenue continued to hold its own, these Arkansas beverages had all but vanished from the American marketplace. In fact, the brand names had been sold, and the prospects for Grapette were dim indeed.

But Sam Walton met with Grapette International executives in the late 1980s and insisted he wanted to sell the flavored drinks in his stores. The beverages, using the original Grapette and Orangette recipes, were soon placed in the aisles of Walmarts across the country. Then in 2000, the brand names were purchased by Grapette International – and within a couple of years, Sam’s Choice Grapette and Sam’s Choice Orangette were made available to Walmart shoppers nationwide.

So, if you haven’t sampled a Grapette since your childhood days, you no longer have an excuse. For an additional treat, buy an extra bottle, and share it with your favorite youngster.

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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We perform the safest methods of surgery by the most experienced surgeons. Our patient outcomes speak volumes about our quality. On average, we help over 500 people lose weight and improve their health every year with weight loss surgery.

Baptist Health Bariatric Center-Little Rock is designated as a Bariatric Center of Excellence and a Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Institute of Quality. This designation identifies our surgical team and program as providing quality, effective patient care before and after surgery.

Recently, Baptist Health was recognized as one of the Best Hospitals for Bariatric Surgery by Leapfrog and Money Magazine.

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