AY About You March 2022 by AY Magazine

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

The Buffalo Turns 50 | Legendary Eateries | Businesses About You $5.00 U.S.

To HOPE...to HEAL... TO LAUGH...TO LIVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

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11501 Financial Centre Pkwy. Little Rock, AR 501.223.3322 • 800.880.3322

10 OF THE BEST REASONS TO CHOOSE

OUR HOSPITAL

Arkansas Surgical Hospital

Dr. Brad Thomas

Dr. Scott Bowen

Dr. William Hefley, Jr.

Dr. Samuel Moore

Dr. Owned Hospital / Facilit y Specialt y Hospital

Neurologist Neurosurgeon

Or thopedist

Dr. Jason Stewart

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Or thopedist

Hand Surger y Surgeon - Upper Extremit y

Foot & Ankle Surger y Or thopedist Surgeon - Lower Extremit y

Foot & Ankle Surger y Podiatrist Surgeon - Lower Extremit y

Arkansas Surgical Hospital’s Best of 2022 Top 5 For nearly two decades, Arkansas Surgical Hospital’s mission has been to provide exceptional care to our patients—and year after year, you let us know that we’ve accomplished that mission. Thank you, Arkansas, for once again recognizing our hospital and its surgeons among the best of the best! Make Arkansas Surgical Hospital your hospital by calling (866) 260-0542 to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.

Physician Owned. Patient Focused. 866-260-0542

| w w w.arksurgicalhospital.com

M Y L A G O S M Y W AY

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

We Keep People All

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“People all over Arkansas trust Drs. Lee Wyant and Alyssa Lambert with their smile. With a combined 40 years of experience in providing clinical excellence you know your smile is in good hands. Dr. Wyant is Arkansas’ only Fellowed Cosmetic Dentist. Credentials, experience and caring concern for each individual patient insures that you’ll receive exceptional esthetic results regardless of the challenges presented. Learn more how Drs. Wyant and Lambert can help you have an incredible smile by calling today for your complimentary smile consultation.”

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WHAT’S INSIDE 10 16 20 142 144

Publisher’s Letter Connect

Top Events Murder Mystery Arkansas Backstories

HOME&GARDEN

ACME

FOOD&DRINK

egends Never Die L ood Hall of Fame Winners F Face Behind the Place: Matt McClure 52 Recipes 58 AY Readers’ Restaurant Poll 30 36 46

TRAVEL

76 50 Years of the Buffalo River 92 Little Miss(issippi) Sunshine 100 MTB in NWA

ARTS&CULTURE

106 Break Maiden 112 The Human Touch 120 And the Oscar Goes To ...

ABOUT YOU

Legendary Eateries Bucket List, page 34

69 Businesses About You 128 This Side of Seven: Defying the Odds

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

ON THE COVER The Buffalo National River is celebrating its 50th birthday this month. Read more: page 76. Photos courtesy ADPHT, Tony Milligan. Composite by Jamison Mosley.

The Buffalo Turns 50 | Legendary Eateries | Businesses About You $5.00 U.S.

2022-2023 PCSSD REGISTRATION OPEN Registration for the 2022-2023 school year is now open for new and returning students to the Pulaski County Special School District. PCSSD’s mission is to provide equity and excellence for all students through rigorous college and career readiness instructional strategies. We serve 26 schools across Pulaski County which include 16 elementary schools, four middle school campuses, one junior high campus, four high school campuses and an online K-12 school. RETURNING STUDENTS Current PCSSD families can submit a letter of intent to return to the District next school year. The letter of intent will replace the need for returning students to re-register this year. The letter of intent can be found at bit.ly/PCSSD-22-23LOI. NEW STUDENTS Parents of students who are new to the district can register their children through the online registration portal. The NEW STUDENT registration portal is only for students K-12 who did not attend a PCSSD school in the 2021-2022 school year and reside in the PCSSD attendance zone. The online registration portal can be found on the PCSSD website.

PRE-K The PCSSD Pre-K program is part of the Arkansas Better Chance program and supported by the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education. It provides students with a strong foundation of knowledge and skills to build on through kindergarten and into elementary school. Students must meet certain requirements. Contact prek@pcssd.org for more information.

SCHOOL CHOICE For families who do not live within the PCSSD school zone but wish to attend one of the schools, the Arkansas School Choice Act is an option. The Arkansas School Choice program enables a student in kindergarten through grade 12 to attend a school in a nonresident district. School choice applications are being accepted through May 1 this year. If you have specific questions related to registration and school choice within PCSSD, please contact the Office of Equity and Pupil Services at 501-234-2021.

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.

PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER

Heather Baker hbaker@aymag.com SENIOR EDITOR

Dustin Jayroe djayroe@aymag.com

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Mark Carter mcarter@aymag.com

STAFF WRITERS

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

EDITOR-AT-LARGE

Lisa Fischer lfischer@aymag.com

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Mike Bedgood mbedgood@aymag.com

ART DIRECTOR

Jamison Mosley jmosley@aymag.com

DIGITAL MEDIA DIRECTOR

Kellie McAnulty kmcanulty@aymag.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Lora Puls lpuls@aymag.com

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

Janie Jones has been a journalist for more than 20 years. She and her husband, Wyatt, co-wrote two books: Hiking Arkansas and Arkansas Curiosities. She is also the author of The Arkansas Hitchhike Killer: James Waybern “Red” Hall, a book that originated from a two-part article she contributed to AY About You.

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

Ebony Blevins After obtaining her bachelor’s degree in photojournalism from Arkansas State University, Ebony Blevins has worked for and with numerous publications and marketing companies around Arkansas. Along with freelancing, she is currently developing her fine art photography body of work.

Angela Forsyth lives in Northwest Arkansas. Her articles have been published in AY About You, Arkansas Money and Politics, Food & Drink, Modern Home Builder, Manufacturing Today, Inside Healthcare, Retail Merchandiser and many more magazines. She’s a happy wife and mom to four kids and a dog.

Jason Pederson spent 20 years as KATV’s Seven On Your Side reporter. He is now Deputy Chief of Community Engagement for the Arkansas Department of Human Services. He and his wife, Mary Carol, have two biological children and one bonus son. They are long-time members of Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock.

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Stephanie Wallace swallace@aymag.com Linda Burlingame lindaaymag@aol.com Tonya Higginbotham thigginbotham@aymag.com Mary Funderburg mary@aymag.com Tonya Mead tmead@aymag.com Shasta Ballard sballard@aymag.com Amanda Moore amoore@aymag.com

ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER

Jessica Everson jeverson@aymag.com

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

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Ginger Roell groell@aymag.com

CONTRIBUTORS

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

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

TO ADVERTISE:

501-244-9700 or hbaker@aymag.com

TO SUBSCRIBE:

501-244-9700 or aymag.com

Nic Williams, an Arkansas native, is a practicing lawyer and contributor to AY About You. He has developed original recipes for more than half a decade and considers Ina Garten as his inspiration. Most importantly, he’s a proud doggy dad and is grateful for his supportive friends and family.

AY Magazine is published monthly, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11 AY Magazine (ISSN 2162-7754) is published monthly by AY Media Group, 910 W. 2nd St., Suite 200, Little Rock, AR 72201. Periodicals postage paid at Little Rock, AR and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to AY Magazine, 910 W. 2nd St., Suite 200, Little Rock, AR 72201. Subscription Inquiries: Subscription rate is $20 for one year (12 issues). Single issues are available upon request for $5. For subscriptions, inquiries or address changes, call 501-244-9700. The contents of AY are copyrighted ©2022, 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.

publisher's letter

worst night of my life

what happened By HEATHER BAKER

NOV. 12, 2021, WAS THE WORST NIGHT OF MY LIFE.

publisher's letter

he night started off just like any other Friday night; in hindsight, that realization terrifies me. After a long work week, Ryan, my boyfriend, and I enjoyed dinner and visiting with friends in the Heights neighborhood in Little Rock. The Heights is an affluent Little Rock neighborhood boasting popular and trendy restaurants. After what happened, the hustle-and-bustle of the area on nights like these is also terrifying to think about. Before 10 p.m., we decided it was time to head home, back to west Little Rock. Our route took us down Polk Street. I knew something was off when a silver SUV passed us, then strangely popped a U-turn to pull in front of us. Our vehicles now nose to nose, their high Police presence in The Heights after the shooting. beams on, I watched in seemingly slow motion the vehicle’s doors open, and two figures slide out. I couldn’t make out much of a description of either through the flare of their headlights, but as safety. I frantically looked over Ryan’s body for a bullet they approached our car, I caught a glimpse of a gun. wound, blood, anything. He did the same for me. Nothing, After that, time whipped past in a flash, but also felt like save for a glancing graze on top of my head. it stood still. I know I screamed to Ryan, “Go! They have When we met up with police, more of the reality of the guns!” I know I forced the shifter into drive and felt the moment began to set in. As they inspected our car, noting surge of acceleration when Ryan stepped on the gas. And and snapping pictures of each bullet hole, we arrived at the I know what gunfire sounds like. Up to this night, I’d only same question they did: How are we alive? Windows were heard it; after we whipped around their vehicle and sped up shot out. There were bullet holes in our doors. There was a the road, I felt it.

NOV.12,

2021

HOW ARE WE ALIVE? Windows were shot out. There were bullet holes in our doors. There was a bullet hole in the seat I was sitting in.” Rapid-fire shots echoed through the air and penetrated our vehicle. We couldn’t tell where they were hitting or where they were going. We could only duck and pray. Glass shattered around us. The car’s metal frame rang with simultaneous strikes. It was a literal rainstorm of bullets. They were trying to kill us. I know I cried. I know I thought I was going to die. And I know I called 9-1-1 as I came to the end of Polk. To this day, I’m not sure how we did. All told, I believe that 30 shots were fired at us on that night. Eighteen struck our vehicle. It was such an overwhelming amount of gunfire that, in the immediate aftermath, neither of us could believe our state of relative

bullet hole in the seat I was sitting in. I felt my back, half expecting to find a gushing wound. Nothing. Most of the events that transpired that evening remain surreal, like a nightmare you can’t quite shake. But the thing about dreams is that, eventually — no matter how bad they are — we do wake up. But this, this trauma is deep, lingering. No matter what I do, it’s like a psychological tumor has taken root in my brain, constantly forcing me to relive the night’s events. We’ve tried traveling to repair our souls. But even a secluded cabin in the middle of nowhere is not far enough away to outrun these memories. We’ve tried to get back to work, the old “business as usual” approach. This has all been little more than a Band-Aid on our problems. Sometimes in

a flutter, other times like lighting, the nightmare is a constant. Police finding the individuals who did this would help, as it would at least be some semblance of closure. As of yet, they’ve made little progress. From what I’ve gathered, this trauma will never go away. There’s a Heather Baker before Nov. 12, and a Heather Baker after.

There’s a part of me that feels weird even doing this. The start of 2022 has been met with a wave of violent crime in the capital city. My story is but among many, most even more unfortunate than mine. I was lucky — we made it out alive. As of Feb. 7, according to the City of Little Rock’s Weekly Crime Report, there were seven homicides in January, up two from 2021; robberies were up to 43 from 30 in 2021; aggravated assault up to 336 from 276. Altogether, the city reports violent crime is up by as much as 21 percent

to start the year. Among the victims of these January shootings included a baby. In the wake of this, officials deemed the situation a Public Health Emergency. It’s numbing to be a statistic in this post-pandemic (if you want to call it that) crime surge. It’s also frustrating, and frightening, and maddening and debilitating. I was aware of crime before, don’t get me wrong. But now, it’s all I can think about. When I’m at Walmart, the people in the parking lot are all potential threats, just like a car that’s behind me on the road a little longer than usual, or a pair of headlights in my neighborhood that I don’t recognize. As Ryan and I discuss often, it’s enough to drive you insane. I can’t imagine how people feel who have lost loved ones to this meaningless violence, terror that goes around and around — it really is like Groundhog Day. When I see another news report outlining a string of weekend shootings in Little Rock, I don’t know if it’s from this weekend, or the last, or the one before. We have to do something about this.

Police analyze the vehicle for potential evidence.

30 SHOTS

WERE FIRED

AT US 13

aymag.com

publisher's letter

It’s sad that, sometimes, we don’t see the light until we are forced into it. I could have done more before my trauma, should have, even. But I can’t change the past or what happened to me. All I can do is try to find a silver lining somewhere, perhaps even make a difference, no matter how small. Such a realization of how broken the system is came almost immediately. There’s a program in the state called the Arkansas Crime and Victims Reparations Program, which is a method of compensating and assisting victims and the dependents of victims who have suffered personal injury or death as the result of a violent crime. It’s a great service to victims of violence, except: To date, neither I nor Ryan has received a penny. This despite twice-a-week therapy sessions nearly every week since the incident where we have both been

Through my network of connections and the people I’ve spoken with in the program, such “victims reparations” often take months — or more than a year — to arrive in the hands of victims, and by that time are either too late or too little to make a constructive difference. And so the cycle of violence and untreated mental health issues continues. Arkansas is at or near the bottom in both subject matters. Crime is a product of poverty, adversity, marginalization, mental health and so on. Until we do something institutionally to interrupt this vicious cycle, nothing will change — it might even get worse. Ironically, Little Rock voters were presented a bill last year that would have devoted money and infrastructure to “rebuilding” the community — with millions of dollars going to parks and recreation, as well as crime and safety. The majority voted “no.” Whether it was that bill or another, we have to take some sort of initiative.

BEFORE

NOV. 12, AND

AFTER But when a system is failed, I suppose it takes everyday heroes to fill in the gaps.”

diagnosed, and medicated, with mental health afflictions as a result of our trauma. Without the safety net of this fund — despite qualifying for it and being in contact with all the necessary individuals — these have all been out-of-pocket expenses for us. I’m aware of my privilege, and the fact that I am able to afford such healing better than most. But what about everyone else? We’ve spent thousands of dollars thus far; most people never get the help they desperately need because they can’t afford it.

I’d go so far as to say that doing something is our civic responsibility to the community. That includes reporting abnormalities that we witness firsthand — if you see it, report it. One of the few people and organizations who has actually helped me and Ryan and others like us is Jajuan Archer with Women’s Own Worth. She was a victim of violence herself, namely domestic, and since then has founded the organization with a mission to help as many victims as possible. (And no, not only women who are victims of domestic violence — they will help virtually anyone dealing with violence.)

GOD HAVING A PURPOSE FOR MY LIFE

They do it through housing, financial assistance, recovery plans — just overall support at every level. But the sad thing is, they probably shouldn’t have to do as much as they do. But when a system is failed, I suppose it takes everyday heroes to fill in the gaps. If you would like to donate to the critical services provided by Women’s Own Worth or learn more about its cause, visit womensownworth.com.

There remain few answers to completely conclude what happened to me and Ryan. We will continue to attend therapy and attempt to find as much healing as humanly possible while we wait. This story doesn’t exactly have a happy ending, except for this: I’m alive. I shouldn’t be, but I am. I will not take a second chance for granted. If I’m still here, it’s because I’m supposed to be. I’m taking that as God having a purpose for my life. And I’ll do everything in my power to work toward a world in which no one has to go through what we did.

If you have any information regarding the shooting in The Heights on Nov. 12, please call (501) 371-4829.

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

*If you live in the area and have residential cameras, such as a Ring doorbell, please review your footage from that night and notify the authorities of any findings.

2022 LITTLE ROCK CRIME NUMBERS Homicide: 10 (+67%)

Aggravated Assault: 423 (+30%)

Robbery: 51 (+42%)

Violent Crime Total: 504 (+27%)

Source: Little Rock Police Department, “Year-to-Date Crime Stats for Week Ending Feb. 14, 2022.”

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TRENDING ON AYMAG.COM Little Rock’s Shorty Small’s Relocating Face Behind the Place: Mike Coats of Mike’s Place AY’s 15 Favorite Pizzas in Central Arkansas Opening Date Set for Waldo’s Chicken & Beer Unforgettable Halftime Show Choreographed by Arkansas Native

CONNECT AYISABOUTYOU

AYISABOUTYOU

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READER FEEDBACK TOP WEEKEND EVENTS: FEB. 17-20 “Thanks, AY Magazine.” Mosaic Templars Cultural Center THIS SIDE OF SEVEN: THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME “A lovely read. Well done.” Tracy Decker THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS “Great article on your beautiful daughter, Sondra Browers Masters!” Tonya Villines FACE BEHIND THE PLACE: MIKE COATS OF MIKE’S PLACE “This is the best article I’ve read on this AMAZING man, Mike Coats and Mike’s Place restaurant.” Angela Hinkson

INSTAGRAM

CONTESTS

AY is honored to be nominated for the Arkansas Country Music Award for Best Publication/Blog/Podcast. We’d appreciate your vote starting March 1!

Brood & Barley in North Little Rock made the Romantic Dinner Bucket List tour

We compiled a list of 12 romantic retreats for an Arkansas getaway.

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

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

2. ALLSOPP & CHAPPLE

If you’re looking for a mouthwatering meal, Allsopp & Chapple is the place to be. The chef prepares delicious, fresh meals, ranging from shrimp and grits to a Tomahawk ribeye. Enter for a chance to win a gift card and find out what all the fuss is about. CODEWORD: ALLSOPP

3. TURPENTINE CREEK

Take a walk on the wild side at Turpentine Creek. This Eureka Springs refuge provides a home for abandoned and neglected big cats, from tigers to lions to leopards. Win two tickets to tour the refuge and see all the amazing animals! CODE: CATS

We’re feeling recharged thanks to this gift basket from our friends at the Central Arkansas Library System.

February WINNERS Gadwall’s: KATHY ADAY Rock N Roll Sushi: SUZETTE DIDIER Turpenting Creek: LORI BLACK

CAMP OUT INSIDE THE ICONIC MEMPHIS PYRAMID

A ONE-OF-A-KIND OVERNIGHT EXPERIENCE

BIG-CYPRESS.COM

Thank You for voting Dr. Montgomery Heathman one of AY’s Best Healthcare Professionals!

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

2021

501-223-3838 heathmanfamilydentistry.com 12501 Cantrell Rd., Little Rock HeathmanFamilyDental 18

agenda

Top

you just can't miss! HAIRSPRAY

March 4-6 Robinson Center — Little Rock

“You can’t stop the beat” this month in downtown Little Rock. Broadway’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy Hairspray is coming to the Robinson Center.

WORLD’S SHORTEST ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE RETURNS

March 17 Bridge Street Live Entertainment District — Hot Springs The end of the rainbow is so close we can almost taste the gold, and there’s no better place to find it than at the First-Ever 19th Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Hot Springs.

GEORGE STRAIT

March 18 Simmons Bank Arena — North Little Rock

The King of Country himself is coming “Strait” to the Natural State this month. He’ll be joined on stage by special guest and Arkansas native Justin Moore.

JOURNEY

March 19 Simmons Bank Arena — North Little Rock One of the most legendary rock bands of all time will be in Central Arkansas this month, joined by special guest Toto.

HAMILTON

March 22-April 3 Walton Arts Center — Fayetteville Just one month after making its Arkansas debut in Little Rock, Hamilton is back in Arkansas — this time in Northwest at the Walton Arts Center.

events

March 17

Jimmy Eat World & Dashboard Confessional The Hall, Little Rock

10-12

Mountain View Spring Bluegrass Festival Ozark Folk Center, Mountain View

18-20

The Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival Cedar Glades Park, Hot Springs

Casting Crowns Simmons Bank Arena, North Little Rock

Eric Church Simmons Bank Arena, North Little Rock

Craft Beer Fest Argenta Arts District, North Little Rock

Alabama Simmons Bank Arena, North Little Rock

Jim Gaffigan Simmons Bank Arena, North Little Rock

aymag.com

MAC Metal Architectural siding

Natural Stone

A version of this story has run previously.

BEYOND

BRICK By JULIE CRAIG

With a portfolio of homework all across Arkansas, Acme Brick Tile & Stone is more than just brick but a luxurious lifestyle.

MAC Metal Architectural siding

IMAGINE FOR A MERE SECOND that your home can have nearly any look or style you desire, and on top of that, it will last a lifetime. An extraordinary facade with true curb appeal mixed with an out-of-this-world eye-catching interior can really come to life with the right partnership, and Acme Brick & Tile has helped homeowners achieve their dreams for more than a century. Dream it, and Acme can help you achieve it. “All Acme Brick is backed by our 100-year guarantee, ensuring the exterior of the home to be not only aligned with the customer’s tastes but also efficient and longstanding,” says David Messersmith, an outside sales representative in central Arkansas. When many customers think of brick, both “traditional” and “exterior” come to mind first. But, Acme Brick is much more than that. When it comes to brick, the company creates traditional and cutting edge styles on both the exterior and interior. In fact, many homeowners are choosing special effects from full, beautifully painted brick to a unique whitewash off finish, mirroring the look of historic Europe and your favorite pair of distressed jeans.

ROMABIO Classico Limewash

Classico Limewash

ROMABIO Classico Limewash is a popular product used to expose brick for that aged, antique farmhouse style. In only a couple of hours, this one-coat finish can transform unpainted brick or masonry without any primer at all. For the best results with limewash, choose a warm or cool color in the same tones as your home. For the weathered look that’s on-trend right now, parts of the product are washed off just after application. “Our wide range of blends, variations and textures allows each individual the opportunity to make a selection that will be unique and beautiful,” says Messersmith. If you’re looking to liven up a tired home and a polished, painted brick is more your style, Acme Brick uses ROMABIO flat and textured masonry paints that are non-acrylic and non-latex, but “made from nature.” Using this product is a two-coat process diluted with water but also no primer. It has a hefty 20-year warranty, which means no chipping or peeling. Combine the everlasting design of the paint or finish with the brick foundation, and it makes for a home that will last a lifetime with all the right aesthetics. Acme is on the cutting edge in trends with more than just brick as a material. MAC Metal Architectural siding is a new way to incorporate the look of wood in a modern way without the maintenance. Not only is it pleasing to the eye as it mixes

ROMABIO Classico Limewash

Platinum bedroom feature wall. Platinum bathroom wall.

Platinum and desert black fireplace.

up the textures on any exterior to give it a certain pop with its rich color, but the topof-the-line metal siding can add even more durability. The siding requires absolutely no maintenance and a 40-year warranty that brings any homeowner peace of mind and true excitement when it’s added to the mix. Its resistance against UV rays, bad weather and extreme climate make it the perfect choice for homeowners who want the look of wood without the constant upkeep. Natural stones are another way Acme helps homeowners create their dream home. Luxurious in style, slimline stone laminates can transform the mundane into magnificent. Added to woodwork, walls, ceilings, countertops or cabinets, this material is an amazing, quick addition to a space. The perfect combination of materials is an integral part of the balance of homebuilding. “At Acme, we pride ourselves on providing the highest quality materials, combining sustainability and style, used to help each homeowner’s vision come true,” Messersmith says. As a company and since 1891, Acme Brick is focused on “creating a better-

built environment — naturally.” Brick, derived from clay, is always a great ecofriendly option for homeowners looking to craft something beautiful that will last for decades. Designing with brick means building with little waste and using a material that will transcend decades in durability and versatility. Because brick is made from naturally occurring materials, when it’s used as an interior finish, it contributes to healthy indoor air quality because it emits no harmful gases. Who wouldn’t be behind that? Indoor brick also ensures indoor temperatures are more consistent, which can reduce energy costs, especially during these cold months of the year. Furthermore, the size of the HVAC system can be smaller with the use of indoor brick. All of this is merely in addition to the immediate ability of the textured material to spruce up even the smallest area in an instant. Can we say game-changer? The benefits of brick — whether interior or exterior — are beyond astounding, including natural insulation, reduction in maintenance costs, a higher resale value, lower insurance rates and even fire

protection. It’s no wonder brick has made a comeback in the last several years. “Nothing gives us more satisfaction than having homeowners happy to agree that Acme Brick is the best thing to have around your house,” says Messersmith. There is no question that Acme is more than brick, but rather an entire array of materials and products for a home — from porcelain, ceramic tile and natural stone tile to hardwood flooring, decorative iron doors (with built-in drainage) and even products for outdoor living like fireplaces and fire pits. The company’s employees all focus on working together to achieve whatever it is the customer is looking for on a project. “What I most enjoy about my job is seeing the skills and knowledge of our staff come together to provide a great customer experience,” says Chad Bowie, Acme Brick district manager. “Our company is over a century old and built on a foundation of brick manufacturing, but we continue the pursuit to offer more than just the essentials to homebuyers, builders and architects,” he says.

Discover a complete decorative resource in North Little Rock: • porcelain and ceramic tile; • natural stone tile, mosaics, and countertops – as well as economical manufactured stone; • hardwood and laminate flooring; • sturdy cladding from MAC Metal Architectural; • products for gracious outdoor living, such as fireplaces, fire pits, and kitchen equipment; and • decorative iron doors that make a strong first impression. Acme Brick Tile & Stone is Central Arkansas’ best resource not only for brick but also for quality and service. Ready to think outside the brick? Come see us.

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food

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Doe’s Eat Place, Little Rock.

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oliticians, athletes, entertainers and entrepreneurs — Arkansas has been home to an impressive number of these folks, many of whom are bona fide legends. There are other legends among us. In our food scene, there are those places that are as familiar and beloved as a grandmama’s hug. Just say the name, no directions needed. There, doors swing open to warm welcomes, plates are piled high with everyone’s favorites and sweet tea just keeps coming your way. It’s the Southern “hello” that never gets old. And the recipe to the secret sauce of their success? Now the answer to that can be as muddy as the Mississippi. “I’d argue the formula is complex,” agrees Stacy Hurst, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. And this lady has the knowledge to back her statement up. In 2016, under her leadership, the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame was created. “One common denominator is excellent food, of course. A second is great ambiance or a setting that is memorable,” Hurst notes. “These components help create those memories for customers that give a restaurant staying power.” Indeed, for three of our region’s well-known names — Doe’s Eat Place, PattiCakes Bakery and Stoby’s Restaurant — those are definite ingredients in their success. These places have long been the backdrop for much of our lives. Jeff LeMaster, Hurst’s Chief of Communica-

By Sarah Russell // Photos By Jamison Mosley 31

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Stoby’s legendary cheese dip.

It goes back to that which is innately Southern — treating everyone like they’re family. tions, celebrated his 18th birthday at Doe’s, a day made particularly memorable as his father told him about the many famous politicians who had sat at those tables. Years after leaving college, other kids then his age are now adult Yelp reviewers still raving and craving about Stoby’s iconic cheese dip. And PattiCakes? Well, a sweet treat from there has been known to soothe multiple generations of cuts, scraps and broken hearts. As Deep South Magazine once wrote, “During tough times, you rely on two things: church and food.” And might we add family? Perhaps this is the elusive ingredient in that secret sauce? It may not be a coincidence that each of these places was started by families who are still very much hands-on. Like all good Southern food, their recipes are infused with the love, techniques and creativity of generations of family and friends. The result is an almost intangible ingredient that brings people back to the table again and again. Chef David of Doe’s was once asked what his secret ingredient was for his famous steaks. His reply? “Love juices.” Speaking of juices, Doe was a bootlegger — Dominick “Doe” Signa of Greenville, Mississippi, that is. A major flood had put hard times in Doe’s projected path forward. While Doe was out dispersing his spirits, wife Mamie was putting her own spin on a tamale recipe she’d been given. Eventually, things got right, Doe opened his place complete with Mamie’s tamales on the menu. It was quite the understatement to say it was nothing fancy, but no

Stoby’s Restaurant.

matter, customers then and now don’t give a hoot. Neither did an Arkansas restaurateur named George Eldridge. This amateur pilot certainly didn’t mind winging it over to Mississippi to keep his taste buds happy. But closer to home would be nice, so Eldridge decided to do take-out of a different variety. He negotiated a deal that allowed him to transport the name and menu to Little Rock. Location, location, they always say, so the business savvy Eldridge plopped his place down in an area as unpretentious as that in the Delta was. The book Eat Your Way Across the U.S.A. describes Doe’s as “sort

of pool-hall chic with a worn linoleum floor, pictures of Delta bluesmen on the wall, and waitresses in blue jean cut-offs and sneakers.” LeMaster’s father was right. It wasn’t long before the politicians, athletes and entertainers started lining up with all the working folks. Over time, the walls had a few more pictures added, especially after famed photographer Annie Lebowitz snapped presidential candidate Bill Clinton at Doe’s while he was being interviewed for Rolling Stone magazine. Not only did Katherine Eldridge, George’s daughter and current Doe’s owner, get an invitation to his subsequent Inaugural Ball, but Chef Lucille Robinson was right there beside her. Bill went to Washington, but back home, Doe’s was winning awards. The love was getting passed around as plenty were also voting PattiCakes Bakery as their choice for “Best Bakery” as well as “Best Desserts.” By the early 2000s, Patti Stobaugh had been, like Clinton before her, eyeing a new office of sorts. She had a successful corporate career, an empty nest and an itch to bake some cookies — just cookies. OK, well that and maybe a few pies for her husband’s business, Stoby’s. But you know life likes to have its own way with us. Before long there was that feature in Martha Stewart Weddings about the gorgeous seven-foot-tall cake that caterers needed a knife — and ladder! — to cut. Then came more media love from Southern Bride, Style Me Pretty and The Knot. Every year, it was becoming all too evident to Patti that things had gotten far beyond cookies, not to mention her original mission statement: “To Make Great Food That Was Reminiscent of a Visit to Grandma’s House.” The thing was that 16 years later, Patti was a grandmother herself, albeit one who was still spending almost every weekend at customers’ weddings. Things had to be reined in a bit — after all, family is family. So, it’s official: PattiCakes will hereafter no longer do custom cakes, wedding or otherwise. No need for a severe case of angst — none at all — because on its website are PattiCakes’ “customizable” cakes which are still going to be making show-stopping appearances at all kinds of celebrations, including — whew! — weddings. Just don’t be expecting anything seven-feet tall. “My favorite thing about having done weddings is, not only do we do their wedding cake, but then their baby shower cakes and then it just becomes a family tradition. We have been doing birthday cakes for some kids since they were born,” Patti says. PattiCakes and Marie Antoinette might agree on the whole “let them eat cake” thing, but cakes aren’t the only things cooking in that kitchen. It’s actually so much that they’ve just added another location, commercial kitchen sized. Not only does PattiCakes offer its desserts, light lunches and take-away casseroles and dips, but you might say there are some commingled assets going on here. Remember Patti’s original plan — just cookies and maybe some pies for her husband’s business? Well, she’s keeping the pies coming for him, but now it’s homemade ciabatta, croissants and hoagies as well. And the husband? Well, that would be David Stobaugh,

owner of a pair of award-winning restaurants, both named Stoby’s. Not only did the Food Network list Stoby’s as one of its “Top Places to Eat,” but David was just honored by the 2022 Arkansas Food Hall of Fame. But before there was a Mrs. Stobaugh, there was a Mrs. Smith. The latter had a pie shop, and a young Mr. Stobaugh approached her with a business idea he had. Mrs. Smith had her some ideas of her own, and well, the lady must have been a pretty good negotiator. In short order, Stobaugh had his own sandwich shop and his first employee — one Mrs. Smith, who took him on like family, even leaving him her beloved recipes, many of which are still on the Stoby’s menus. Those sizable Stoby’s menus are like a roadmap to the South — flavors and ingredients from all cultures and regions. He likes to pull ingredients from within Arkansas’ borders too, items such as Petit Jean Meats and Round Mountain Coffee. And in true Southern fashion, David and his family of employees haven’t stopped tinkering with their ingredients and recipes, creating one which is a legend in its own right. Food historians cite Arkansas as the birthplace of the cheese dip, specifically Hot Springs’ Mexico Chiquito, circa 1935. Rightly, this state hosts the

Doe’s Eat Place.

World Cheese Dip Championship as well. But if you’re like most of us and need more than an annual fix, you’ll find many a local who swears by the Stoby’s recipe for cheese dip. The need for cheese is understood there — where else can you get a burger with a side of Cheetos? It is, after all, an unpretentious place, albeit a mecca for foodies from far and near. Not that any of them have gotten bragging rights to any of Stoby’s recipes — be that cheese dip or pie. The only ingredient Patti is giving out might just be the one to the secret sauce of success. David, she says, “pays attention to the smallest details of what goes into our food and what we serve to the public.” It goes back to that which is innately Southern — treating everyone like they’re family. And at these legendary eateries, it’s a “we feed you like we feed our own” attitude. So, go on now, be on your way to one of Arkansas’ legendary eateries — where you are sure to get a warm welcome, a plate full of comfort food and sweet tea that just keeps coming. Nothing like a Southern hello to put a smile on your day.

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AY’s ARKANSAS

L egendary Eateries Bucket List Presented by

l Brave New Restaurant

l Feltner’s Whatta-Burger

l Nick’s Bar-B-Q & Catfish

runo’s Little Italy l B

l Hoots BBQ

l Oark General Store

uffalo Grill l B

l Jones’ Bar-B-Q Diner

l Ozark Cafe

urge’s Hickory Smoked l B

l Keeney’s Food Market

l PattiCakes Bakery

l Lassis Inn

l Rhoda’s Famous

Little Rock

Turkeys and Hams Lewisville, Little Rock Texarkana

McGehee

Marianna

Little Rock

attleman’s l C

Russellville

Steak House

l Ciao Baci

Little Rock

olonial Steak House l C

Pine Bluff

otham’s In the City l C

Little Rock

airy King l D

Portia

l DeLuca’s Pizzeria Hot Springs

l Doe’s Eat Place

Bentonville, Fayetteville, Little Rock

d Walker’s Drive-In l E

Malvern

Little Rock

l Magnolia Bake Shop Magnolia

l McClard’s Bar-B-Q Hot Springs

l Mexico Chiquito Little Rock

l Monte Ne Inn Rogers

l Murry’s Restaurant Hazen

l Myrtie Mae’s

Eureka Springs

l Neal’s Café Springdale

& Restaurant Fort Smith

Carlisle Oark

Jasper

Conway

Hot Tamales Lake Village

l Skyline Cafe Mena

tar of India l S

Little Rock

toby’s Restaurant l S

Conway, Russellville

l Taylor’s Steakhouse Dumas

l The Craig Brothers Cafe De Valls Bluff

l The Venesian Inn Tontitown

oad Suck Buck’s l T

Houston

l Trio’s Restaurant Little Rock

hite House Cafe l W

Camden

3C heck off the Legendary Eateries List as you visit a small sample of our favorite places. 34

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Arkansas Bucket List Every Wednesday morning on KARK 4

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2 0 2 2

WINNERS

Arkansas Food Hall of Fame

By DUSTIN JAYROE Photos By BOB COLEMAN, JAMISON MOSLEY AND LACEY WEST

On Feb. 7, Arkansas Heritage announced the latest inductees into the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame. The program was launched in 2016 to recognize legendary restaurants, proprietors and food-themed events across the state. These kings and queens of the state’s culinary scene may be new to the Hall, but not to our hearts — nor our taste buds. Each entry represents so much of what makes the fabric of Arkansas’s food landscape special, and they have been for a long, long time. The Arkansas Food Hall of Fame categories are: • Gone But Not Forgotten • Food-Themed Event • Proprietor of the Year • People’s Choice • Arkansas Food Hall of Fame “It’s special to see Arkansans from across the state come together to celebrate food, an important part of our state’s heritage and culture,” says Stacy Hurst, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. “We are honored to recognize such incredible proprietors, restaurants and food-themed events that mean so much to our state and its residents.” Winners were selected from a group of finalists announced in January, which were derived from a record number of nominations that flooded in from all 75 counties. This year’s inductees were chosen by a committee of Arkansans who are historians, chefs, foodies and food authors. The committee consisted of Hurst, Arkansas Heritage Director Jimmy Bryant, Paul S. Austin, Chip Culpepper, Quantia “Key” Fletcher, Cindy Grisham, Montine McNulty, Rex Nelson, Tim Nutt, Kat Robinson, Stephanie Wade, David Ware and Stanley Young. The People’s Choice category is the only exception, as it is decided by votes from the community. Arkansas Heritage also named the Food of the Year for 2022 as chicken. Past foods include rice and corn. “Celebrating Arkansas food is a great way for all of us to enjoy our state’s heritage and share it with others, especially during uncertain times,” Hurst says. “We are thankful for each person across the state for getting involved.”

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN “This award remembers the collective culinary legacy of a once-and-always influential Arkansas restaurant that has since ceased operations.”

Coy’s Steak House

1945 - 2009 | Hot Springs

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2022

The humble beginnings of Coy’s Steak House were among the qualities that made it special — as they say, simply “a love for perfectly aged, expertly seasoned steaks.” From there, a restaurant blossomed, then two, then three. But no matter how popular the brand got, or how many customers walked through the doors, the mission always remained the same: work hard and treat people right. Such an endearing essence only made the tragedy that occurred in 2009 more heartbreaking. A fire destroyed the original location in Hot Springs, the only Coy’s remaining at that point. Since then, the brick-and-mortar side of things is gone, but the legacy remains in the famous seasonings — under the name Coy’s Southern Eats — which are available for purchase on the website: coyssoutherneats.com.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE “This award identifies the public’s favorite. It is truly in the hands of Arkansans. The restaurant or food truck that receives the highest number of votes wins.”

La Casa de Mi Abuelita Central Arkansas

(MAWMAW’S HOUSE)

La Casa de Mi Abuelita has had a meteoric rise to food fame over the past few years. The food truck fleet, which nimbly serves multiple cities in Central Arkansas, is the brainchild of Chef Geovanny Villagran. Originally from Mexico, Villagran worked his way through the ranks of many kitchens throughout the state upon taking root here. One thing led to another, and La Casa de Mi Abuelita was born, a mobile way to showcase more authentic Mexican recipes. It might be a relative novelty, but it winning this popularity-based award is a testament to Villagran’s skills and the deliciousness of the fare. In addition to this recognition, Villagran also recently took home the title belt in the statewide cooking competition Diamond Chef Arkansas in 2021.

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PROPRIETOR OF THE YEAR “This award honors a chef, cook and/or restaurant owner in Arkansas who has made significant achievements in the food industry.”

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2022

Capi Peck & Brent Peterson Trio’s Restaurant Little Rock

It’s been a long time coming for Capi Peck and Brent Peterson, the partners behind the inimitable Trio’s Restaurant. Peck and Peterson have both been nominated numerous times, as has their restaurant, Trio’s, a 2021 Food Hall of Fame Finalist. The couple ultimately won the category this year, joining an exclusive group of Arkansas restaurateurs. She is the granddaughter of Henryetta and Sam Peck, local legends in their own right who ran the old Sam Peck Hotel in downtown Little Rock. The path she’s forged with Trio’s pays plenty of homage to their legacy, as many of the menu items at the restaurant originated from her grandfather. In addition to her executive chef/co-owner title at Trio’s, Peck also serves as the City Director of Little Rock’s Ward 4, is chair of the Advertising and Promotion Commission of the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau and is past president of the Arkansas Restaurant Association. Peterson co-founded Trio’s alongside Peck in 1986. He is also a native Arkansan, who attended the University of Arkansas at Little Rock where he graduated with honors and captained the swimming and water polo teams. Prior to teaming up with Peck on Trio’s, he worked in various vocations, including as a wellness professional, an administrative aide for Rep. Beryl Anthony and waiter at Anderson’s Cajun’s Wharf.

FOOD-THEMED EVENT

“This award honors a community food-themed event or festival that makes our state a great place to live and visit.”

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2022

World Championship Duck Gumbo Cookoff If there’s one thing that attracts the masses to Stuttgart every year, it’s the ducks. That, and the World Championship Duck Gumbo Cookoff, a branch of the Wings Over the Prairie Festival. Thousands of people — from around and outside of Arkansas — flock to the city every year for the heralded event. Over the years of tradition, heritage and good times it represents, it has become one of the most popular social gatherings in the state’s history. So much so, that it’s not uncommon to rub shoulders with literal celebrities at the festivities. Jerry Jones is one of the frequent flyers, as are numerous politicians and big-time business folk. Between all the socializing is the star of the show — gumbo. Dozens of teams compete for the crown of World’s Best Duck Gumbo, while attendees compete to get a taste of each and every one.

Stuttgart

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FOOD HALL OF FAME “This award recognizes those long-standing restaurants that have become legendary attractions in Arkansas.”

Colonial Steak House PINE BLUFF

Dairy King PORTIA

Neal’s Cafe SPRINGDALE

FOOD HALL OF FAME “This award recognizes those long-standing restaurants that have become legendary attractions in Arkansas.”

Colonial Steak House has a history that is as rich as the food. The location was originally an elementary school in 1912 and became a training facility for returning veterans after World War II. What is now Colonial Steak House was founded by Mildred Compton in 1974 a few blocks away, later moving into the old school/veterans facility in 1987 after a fire destroyed the restaurant. It’s passed through the hands of several owners along the way, most recently Allison Hall, but its impact on the community and its popularity have never wavered.

Discreet would be a word to describe the fabled Dairy King location in Portia. Its unassuming building is located in an indiscreet town — thankfully, you can’t pass through without someone pointing you to the building that simply reads “Dairy King: Ice Cream, Catfish, Steaks, Shakes.” No frills, just food. But, as folks already familiar with the legendary spot can attest, that’s about all you need to know. No further advertising necessary. Its origins date back to the 1950s, as it began as “Dairy King Drive In.” Like many long-standing restaurants, a few things have changed over the years — but not much. It’s a place dripping with nostalgia, comfort and stick-to-your-ribs Southern fare.

For more than 70 years, Neal’s Cafe has been a landmark in Northwest Arkansas. Founded in the 1940s by Bertha and Toy Neal, it is a cultural and culinary staple of the region. Neal’s is one of those places where it is hard to narrow down the crowd favorites. The breakfast spreads are chattered about for miles, but so too are lunch and dinner. The chicken fried steak turns heads, along with the meatloaf and chicken and dumplings. Its walls are filled with taxidermied elk and deer heads, rifles and a stone fireplace. It’s the perfect concoction of everything that is good about old-fashioned, country cooking.

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Congratulations to the 2022 winners!

Arkansas Food Hall of Fame Colonial Steak House (Jefferson County) Dairy King (Lawrence County)

2022 Arkansas Food Hall of Fame Food of the Year - Chicken

Neal’s Café (Washington County) Food-Themed Event World Championship Duck Gumbo Cookoff (Arkansas County) Gone But Not Forgotten Coy’s Steak House (Garland County) Proprietor of the Year Capi Peck and Brent Peterson (Pulaski County)

Chicken Piccata by Capi Peck and Brent Peterson of Trio’s.

People’s Choice

Scan QR Code below for the chicken piccata recipe.

La Casa De Mi Abuelita/ Mawmaw’s House (Jefferson County)

ArkFoodHOF.com

Thank

! h c u M o S u o Y

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2022

2022 Arkansas Food Hall of Fame Inductee Gone But Not Forgotten Category

info@coysoutherneats.com • coyssoutherneats.com 43

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food

Matt McClure.

Face Behind the Place:

Matt McClure of The Hive, Bentonville

STILL BUZZIN’ By DWAIN HEBDA // Photos By BOB COLEMAN

“I’mbyhumbled what we have achieved in the community.

”

att McClure’s first venture into Northwest Arkansas — enrolling in the University of Arkansas’ engineering program — didn’t end as he had envisioned, as the Parkview grad quickly determined the field wasn’t for him. His second, as executive chef for The Hive in Bentonville, hasn’t panned out as many expected either, but for the better. The acclaimed restaurant has logged nearly a decade of setting the bar for fine, creative dining in the region and, if Chef McClure is to be believed, there’s lots more where that came from. “I think there are many ways that I view success,” he says. “In the beginning, I wanted [The Hive] to be the place that trained the next generation of chefs in Arkansas. The national recognition in itself is success, but actually, it has just given us credibility to do things that I didn’t necessarily realize were possible. It continues to evolve.” McClure’s skill in the kitchen has attracted the kind of attention that is the envy of any fine restaurant, including been named winner of Food & Wine’s “The People’s Best New Chef ” award for the Midwest Region and six times being named a James Beard Foundation Best Chef Semifinalist Nominee. He’s been equally successful in his charitable work over that time, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for anti-hunger and child nutrition campaigns in the state, as well as partnering in a chef-driven seed group trying to develop better-tasting fruits and vegetables for the next generation of chefs. “I’m humbled by what we have achieved in the community,” he says. “I think we have an opportunity and, quite frankly, an obligation to keep pushing. What I thought I wanted to accomplish five years ago versus what I actually have accomplished and what I want to keep pushing for in the future is constantly evolving.” The word “groundbreaking” is thrown around a lot, but in The Hive’s case, the term is particularly apt. Everything about the restaurant is unique — from its atmosphere to its menu. And while it’s fair to say that only native Arkansans could have read the local tea leaves well enough to see that the area could take root in The Natural State, McClure still marvels at how far the region has come to make The Hive feel at home. “I remember driving through Bentonville when I was at the University of Arkansas at some point, and talk about a sleepy, nothing-going-on area,” he says. “Even nine years ago, I remember asking them, ‘Do you really want a chef like me to do the kind of food that I want to do in Bentonville?’ “Obviously, Crystal Bridges [Museum of American Art], when it opened, was the beginning of a seismic shift around here. And the more I learned about it and the investments being made in quality of life, I was like, ‘OK, I think this is worth a shot.’ I don’t think I would have predicted it would have gone as well as it has, nine years later.” McClure’s journey to The Hive follows a predictable arc, but only after a certain point. Until his engineering studies fizzled, he never harbored any plans to become a chef. But looking back, he can see how the foundation for his life’s calling was being laid early.

No matter the dish, The Hive has a unique and delicious rendition.

“My family was always interested in food and cooking,” he says. “My dad was a big outdoorsman and did a lot of hunting and fishing. Growing up in Little Rock it was very peaceful to go out into the woods to escape and then get to work with all these very unique ingredients like muscadines or wild blackberries and crappie. “I enjoyed cooking, I enjoyed eating as a family. But we were humble cooks. We were not these skilled, refined chefs. I worked in restaurants when I was in high school, but when I went to college, I didn’t think about going to culinary school and turning this thing into a career until one of my professors mentioned they had almost gone to culinary school. I was like, ‘I’m there.’” McClure attended New England Culinary Institute in

Vermont, then headed to Boston where he ran the traps of proving himself in the prestigious kitchens of Troquet, Harvest and No. 9 Park under the direction of Barbara Lynch. Neither he nor the metropolis knew what to make of each other at first. “Growing up in Little Rock and then being in a big city way up north, it was a little different,” he says. “I think the one thing that really attracted me was this intensity around service and being focused. There is an addiction to being so focused you can shut the world off around you and just perform these little tasks and make delicious foods. It’s almost like two parts: one, the actual focus of doing it properly and two, the reward of having something so decadent that you get that instant gratification. “I was lucky enough to be in an environment with peo-

B EN T O N V I LLE 48

The interior decor is as unique as the menu and accolades.

ple who were very talented, natural educators, and I learned a lot. I can’t tell you how fortunate I am to have come up around this group of people.” A phone call from Lee Richardson drew McClure back to Arkansas where he joined the crew at the Capital Hotel, a seminal proving ground for culinary talent in the state. “The Capital Hotel was undergoing this massive remodel, and there were several people who were from Arkansas who had gone to other big markets and really developed a skill set that now had a place to land when we came home,” he says. “[The Capital Hotel] was the catalyst that just drew people who wanted to cook at a higher level but didn’t have the venue for it. It holds such a special place for me because of that.” During his time there, McClure not only continued to hone his kitchen chops, but he developed strong relationships with local farmers and producers, rediscovering the unrivaled agricultural resources of his home state. “New England has a great farmer’s network, lots of organic produce, but let’s be real, the growing season is like two months, and the rest of the year everything comes in from California,” he says. “I remember trying to get a case of okra up there, and it was half-ruined by the time it got to my door. I grow okra in my backyard garden, and it’s hard to keep up with.” By the time he got to The Hive, McClure had ordered the various influences and relationships of his educational and work background in a way that enabled him to view

the heirloom cuisine of the South through a fresh lens. “The creative piece just grows over time,” he says. “I know a lot of people say chefs are artists, but I don’t know. I have a good understanding of food and cooking, and I do realize there is some creativity in that. But I think what sets people apart is attention to detail and refinement. “It can be something as simple as chili or gumbo; you’re not reinventing the wheel, but there are people that can put the onions and garlic and chilis in there at a certain right time and cook them for the right amount of time, using the same ingredients as somebody else and get night and day difference. I’ve always loved that, and that’s where technique sets chefs apart.” That skill has elevated The Hive to compete with any restaurant in the country. It’s not lost on McClure that it’s seeded a new field of inventive culinary ventures within the state. All in all, not a bad day’s work. “I’ve always wanted to be a chef in a restaurant that was very ingrained in the community, using local farmers and supporting local charities,” he says. “I think it was pretty amazing to develop this skillset in a bigger market and then bring it back to a place like Arkansas. “I’ve been able to do everything that I wanted to do and be super well-received in an environment that, frankly, didn’t exist in Arkansas 20 years ago. It’s incredible. It really is amazing that there was a market in Northwest Arkansas for what we wanted to do. It’s been pretty unbelievable.”

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

Recipes

Cardamom Coffee Cake Like many people, I discovered cardamom in Indian desserts and quickly understood why it is one of the most popular ingredients in the world. It is warm with a bit of spice — much like cinnamon and nutmeg — but with its own entirely unique flavor. While the air is still brisk, pair a slice with your morning cup of coffee or a hot cup of tea in the evening. Inspired by Ina Garten’s Sour Cream Coffee Cake from her book, Barefoot Contessa Parties!

CAKE INGREDIENTS 2 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for light dusting) 1 teaspoon cardamom powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon salt ½ cup unsalted butter at room temperature 1 cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 tablespoon lemon or orange zest 1 cup whole-fat sour cream

TOPPING INGREDIENTS 1 cup light brown sugar (packed) 1/3 cup of all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon nutmeg (if desired, omit nutmeg and double the cinnamon) ½ cup chopped nuts, such as pecans or pistachios 4 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature By Nic Williams

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. 2. Grease a 9x13 cake pan with nonstick baking spray. Lightly dust it with flour, tapping pan over sink to remove any excess. 3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cardamom powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt until all ingredients are evenly distributed. Set aside. 4. Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and beat, one at a time, until incorporated. Then add vanilla extract and citrus zest, mixing until well-incorporated. 5. Using a mixer set to low, add 1/3 of dry ingredients to bowl, followed by 1/3 of sour cream. Beat until ingredients are wellmixed (about 15-20 seconds on low). Repeat this process two more times until well-combined. Scrape down sides and bottom of bowl with a rubber spatula to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed. Pour batter into greased pan, and set aside. 6. In a separate bowl, combine all topping ingredients except for butter, and mix well. Next, use a fork to mash butter into dry ingredients until you see “crumbs” of butter and spices of roughly uniform size begin to form. Evenly sprinkle topping over batter. 7. Bake for 23-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with just a few crumbs. Place leftovers in an airtight container, or cover tightly with plastic wrap.

Nori’s Famous Tiramisu This recipe was shared with me by my friend Nori Menegaldo. You may remember her as the former owner of Zaffino’s by Nori in Sherwood, but now she is teaching at-home cooking classes in Central Arkansas. She tells me it originated in Treviso in Northern Italy. It translates to “pick me up” in Italian. This light and fluffy treat goes great with coffee after a meal or for breakfast.

INGREDIENTS 3 cups black coffee or espresso 2 tablespoons Amaretto liqueur (or as much as you like) 4 eggs 8 teaspoons sugar 3 8-ounce packages of mascarpone cheese 2 packages ladyfingers (preferably Delallo brand) 1 tablespoon cocoa powder 8x12 ceramic or glass baking pan

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Start by brewing your coffee, and set it aside to cool. Add Amaretto. 2. Separate egg whites from yolks. Preferably with a mixer, beat egg whites and 4 teaspoons sugar until you have stiff peaks. The mixture should not move when you turn bowl over. Set aside. 3. Whisk egg yolks with 4 teaspoons sugar until sugar is completely dissolved. 4. Mix yolk and white mixture together, then fold in mascarpone cheese until smooth. 5. Dip each ladyfinger into coffee, and squeeze out excess. Make sure not to oversoak, or final product will be soggy. 6. Tightly line pan with ladyfingers, arranging to completely cover bottom of pan. 7. Spread half of mascarpone mixture on top of ladyfingers, and lightly cover with half the cocoa powder. 8. Add another layer of ladyfingers and mascarpone mixture, then sprinkle remaining cocoa powder on top.

By Kaitlin Barger

Recipes

9. Let rest for one hour in freezer, then one hour in fridge. (It tastes even better the next day!)

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Thank you for voting us into AY ’s Best of for 2022. We are honored that our Roots community nominated us for these awards. 303 S. Main Street Jonesboro 870-336-1212 • rootsrestaurant303.com

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www.Kemurirestaurant.com • 2601 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, AR 72205 • (501)-660-4100 57

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Hungry Yet? Whole Hog Cafe North Little Rock

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Allsop & Chapple Little Rock

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YaYa’s Euro Bistro Little Rock 17711 Chenal Pkwy, Little Rock, AR 72223 (501) 821-1144 www.yayaseurobistro.com

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businesses about you

or years, our publication has registered familiarly with thousands of Arkansans as AY Magazine. It’s concise, straightforward, catchy. And while we continue to live by the popular nickname, we’ve also made a concerted effort to make commonplace our full name: AY About You. We didn’t do this for us, and we won’t correct you for using the shortened title (in fact, we still use it, too). We just wanted to make sure that it was clear what we put first — our readers and the wonderful stories that they, and the other residents of our state, have to tell. But this backbone is not singular to us. It’s a customer-first philosophy that the best enterprises have adopted for centuries or more. And there are a number of Arkansas-run businesses that do the same. Because of that, we created this special section to showcase some of the other companies around the state who live by this customer-focused code and operate for the betterment of the state and the people in it, no matter the vocation or specialty. Thank you to the following businesses for taking part in this edition of AY’s Businesses About You. And thanks also to you, for reading our magazine and utilizing these companies for the many services each provides. Anything that we do is only possible with your support. It’s about you.

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businesses about you

Charlotte Potts STATE FARM INSURANCE

ince 2013, Charlotte Potts has been serving State Farm customers in Central Arkansas with the value and coverage that she would expect for herself, her family and her property. To her and her teams, value is all about finding the right coverage for each customer. It’s not chasing the lowest price; it is providing everyone who enters her office reassurance they are properly covered. Whether you are looking to properly cover your auto, home, life, disability, or business, Potts’ teams are eager to assist you. The teams at both locations are fully licensed, have years of experience, and have a desire to serve our customers and future customers. “We believe in giving the help and quality of service that we would want as a customer,” she says. “We want to get to know you so we can better determine what policies fit your particular situation. Then we will craft a package for any circumstances that might arise. We encourage customers to meet with us every year or so to review their policies so we stay current with what matters in their lives today. “Let us build a policy package for you that provides you certainty when things go awry. Things happen, and we want to ensure that you feel safe and protected when they do. We offer policies for your car, truck, motorcycle, home, camper, RV, motorhome, dog, cat, or other pet. We also offer business insurance. . Ask us about a life insurance policy to allow your dreams and wishes for your family to continue even if you’re not here. We will help you calculate an annual amount for as many years as you’d like or even a policy to cover final/funeral expenses.” Charlotte and her team strive to be true risk managers for their clients. Whatever a family’s risks may be, they want to help them understand how to offset those risks. Her office also educates clients on how their policies work for them and where potential gaps may be. “We strive to become referable and stay referable,” she says. “We have a genuine love for others and do our best to be trustworthy members of the communities that we serve. Thank you to each of our clients, future clients and friends for allowing us to serve you and your families!”

17200 Chenal Parkway, Suite 290 • Little Rock • 501-821-1441 • charlottepotts.com 707 Main Street • North Little Rock • 501-791-1100 • charlottepottsinsurance.com 70

businesses about you

KELLCO REAL ESTATE S

ince 1994, real estate professional Tracie J. Kelley has dominated the market at every angle and her business has evolved into a collaboration of more than 35 team members delivering exceptional services and unwavering customer service at every level. Kelley recognizes that her many successes through the industry continue to be deserved only by the team that she has carefully grown. “My work is only as good as the people I chose to work with,” she says. As president and chief executive officer of KellCo Custom Homes, Inc., Energy Air, Inc., and KellCo Real Estate, Inc., Kelley maintains the ability to provide powerful insight for her clients, whether it be the design or building of a new home, selling her homes or the overall mechanics of the home, this level of service has set Kelley apart from the market. KellCo Real Estate is proud to team with its principal broker, Mary A. Freeman, who instills a wealth of knowledge into the firm. Mary has been in the real estate industry since 1984 and delivers outstanding customer service. Together, the team at KellCo Real Estate works hard for its clients and delivers only the best in expectations. Whether you’re in the market to buy, sell, or even build, KellCo stands ready to over-deliver and outperform, any day — serving all of Central Arkansas. “Let’s get you closed!”

930 E Kiehl Ave., Sherwood • (501) 993-5232 • kellcocustomhomes.com 71

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businesses about you

SUNSET LODGE AT RUSTY TRACTOR VINEYARDS

n summer 2011, Sheree and Doug Meyer, the owners of Rusty Tractor Vineyards and Sunset Lodge, planted 200 muscadines on a one-acre field. Upon seeing the ancient beauty of the vineyard in their own backyard and the bounty of fruit the muscadines produced, the pair were influenced to expand their grape plantings. After years of planning and cultivation, an additional 5,000 vines of multiple grape varietals were added to the property in the fields across from McHenry Creek. The romance of the vine is what inspired them to bring us Rusty Tractor Vineyards. Doug and Sheree built Sunset Lodge in hopes of bringing the beauty of the vines to everyone. Our expansive grounds can cater to anything from a celebration of hundreds to an intimate gathering of two. The Tasting Room offers a huge selection of wines and light fare. The Sunroom addition holds breathtaking views of the vineyard and is

perfect for any event you can dream up. The property has a long history of agriculture, as seen in The Barrel Room. This 100-year-old dairy barn was renovated into an ideal setting for intimate gatherings of up to 50 people. The covered patio, that can accommodate up to 300 guests, will awe you with its spectacular view of the immaculately manicured vineyard rows, while protecting you from the sun and rain. “We are more than happy to help you pick exceptionally qualified vendors from a well-curated list,” the Meyers say. “With a vast array of wines, ample amounts of space and a dazzling staff ready to cater to your every need, Sunset Lodge is the ideal event venue.” Whether you are looking to taste wine, host a 50th-anniversary party, get married, get engaged, hold a business meeting, or anything in between, Sunset Lodge at Rusty Tractor Vineyards is perfectly suited for all of Central Arkansas’ needs.

10 Rusty Tractor Lane, Little Rock • 501-916-2294 • info@rtvwine.com • rustytractorvineyards.com 72

businesses about you

SEI BELLA MED SPA C

ombining beauty and medicine, Sei Bella Med Spa, owned by Anne R. Trussell, MD, has created a balance of services that combine to integrate wellness and beauty. All while keeping Mother Teresa’s famous words, “A life not lived for others is not a life,” in mind. Trussell is board-certified in anti-aging medicine, and also completed a fellowship in aesthetics after retiring from internal medicine. “As a medical spa and not a day spa, our commitment is to delivering health, wellness and beauty,” Trussell says. “Whether you have a desire to remain healthy, slow down the effects of aging, have better body contouring, correct your skin, or balance your hormones, we offer some of the least invasive services proven to provide lasting results.” Sei Bella Med Spa offers body contouring and fat loss, age management and hormone therapy. Unlike your typical spa, Sei Bella has a doctor on-site to perform medical procedures daily, along with a nurse and two aestheticians. Trussell performs all injectable services, Ultherapy and bioidentical hormone pellet therapy, with her nurse

of 25 years responsible for laser and lab draws, Emsculpt Neo and Emsella. Medical aestheticians add unique services such as Vivace Radiofrequency Microneedling, Plasma Pen and Skintox for the face and hyperhidrosis of the hands. Sei Bella Med Spa was originally run out of Trussell’s internal medicine practice, but in 2015 became Trussell’s sole practice, in a location on Markham Street in Little Rock. “Every patient is treated as an individual with their own concerns for health, wellness or beauty,” Trussell says. “We feel like a family, and we want our patients to feel like they are included in that.” Sei Bella Med Spa prides itself on complete honesty relating to services and procedures. Sei Bella Med Spa focuses on working with patients’ budgets and concerns. Everyone at Sei Bella Med Spa found a second career after working in offices, marketing, sales and critical care nursing. “We do what we do now because we love it and feel we’ve found our niche,” Trussell says.

10310 W. Markham Street, Suite 202, Little Rock • 501-228-6237 • seibellamedspa.net 73

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businesses about you

WARHORSE RANCH T

he folks at Warhorse Ranch have been roping hearts since 1873. Conveniently located just 30 minutes southeast of Little Rock, Warhorse Ranch covers a scenic property set in one of the most beautiful locations of the southwest in the lush rolling hills and river valleys of Arkansas. This beautiful area provides ample space, as well as scenic backdrops for programs, activities and events. CEO Kristian Nelson shares that folks come to Warhorse Ranch for plenty of activities, from learning to ride a horse to hosting a small dinner party. Nelson explains that cattle and horse husbandry runs in the family and that he was born into it. “We are here to serve our customers and share our knowledge of horses as well as some of the best food this side of the Sun,” Nelson proclaims. Nelson shares that the folks at Warhorse Ranch also board horses for folks going on vacation, as well as rescuing horses and other animals when the opportunity arises. He hopes that Arkansans remember the legacy of Warhorse Ranch as one of Southern hospitality, respect for all, and the love of Jesus. Nelson invites all Arkansans to come and give Warhorse Ranch a giddy-up.

501-945-0000 • warhorseranch1873.com 74

DDS DENTURES + IMPLANT SOLUTIONS OF CONWAY

DS Dentures + Implant Solutions of Conway offers a wide variety of dental services, including dentures, dental implants, implant supported dentures (fixed and snap-in dentures), extractions, and other general dentistry services such as partials, crowns, bridges, root canals and hygiene services. DDS Dentures + Implant Solutions is able to provide same-day service on dentures in most cases through its on-site lab. At DDS Dentures + Implant Solutions, you’ll receive excellent care from compassionate, experienced professionals. The clinic offers several financing options (now able to offer one exclusive and unique financing option) and can work with any budget to provide exceptional dental care at affordable prices. The staff of DDS Dentures + Implant Solutions believes that dental care should not just be for the privileged, and they will work with you to ensure that you get the treatment and care you deserve. “I am so incredibly grateful for being able to come into my clinic each day and work with the most phenomenal staff as we provide dental care to the most amazing patients,” says General Manager Laura Brunson. “To see our

businesses about you

patients go through such transformations — to see it impact their confidence and self-esteem, to be able to touch people’s lives and see them smile again — is more rewarding than I could ever put into words.”

501-238-9801 // conwaydentures.com

Museum of Discovery

Room to Grow Gallery Plans

ocated in the heart of downtown Little Rock, the Museum of Discovery is a hands-on science center with exhibits and programming meant to engage the audience. The Museum of Discovery is home to a large collection of animal ambassadors who help draw attention and educate about conservation and ecosystems. Originally founded as the Arkansas Museum of Natural History and Antiquities in 1927

by Bernie Babcock, the museum relocated several times until settling at the River Market in 1998, being renamed officially as the Museum of Discovery. Kelley Bass serves as CEO of the Museum of Discovery, whose mission is to ignite and fuel a passion for science, technology, engineering, arts and math through dynamic, interactive experiences. Recognized both in Arkansas and across the country by multiple organiza-

businesses about you

tions, the museum has been nominate d once again for USA Today and 10Best’s Best Children’s Museum, with voting open until March 14. The Museum of Discovery was voted sixth-best children’s museum by the program in 2020 and 2021. Additionally, Museum of Discovery educator, Kevin Delaney, has appeared on numerous episodes of The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, performing science demonstrations. This year, the museum will host several installations, and renovations will also take place. In November, the museum plans to unveil a two-story, three-tower climbing structure. In 2023, guests can expect completely new exhibits in two new galleries: Science Lab and Dynamic Earth. The museum plans to renovate the WoW Gallery and Room to Grow, the space for children 6-years-old and younger, following the completion of necessary fundraising.

500 President Clinton Avenue // Little Rock // 501-396-7050 // museumofdiscovery.org

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travel

A National Treasure

By JOE DAVID RICE // Photos by TONY MILLIGAN

Fifty-one years ago this month, I took my first canoe trip on the Buffalo River, a three-day, two-night adventure that ended at the old Buffalo River State Park southeast of Yellville. A little more than five decades later, I can vividly recall paddling for hour after hour hard against a bone-chilling wind that always seemed to be blowing upstream, and then struggling to stay warm in a sleeping bag that was far better suited to a summer excursion. Yet that chilly journey — with memories of incredibly clear water, noisy shoals, towering bluffs and too many stars to count — remains one of the highlights of my life. The 2,500-acre Buffalo River State Park, along with the much smaller Lost Valley State Park, were absorbed into the Buffalo National River, a brand-new unit of America’s national park system, in 1972. Stretching eastward some 135 miles from the Boston Mountains to the stream’s confluence with the White River, this 95,000-acre corridor is among the true gems of the Natural State. Canoeists discovered the Buffalo in the 1960s, although it was already known by a select few. One of them was Ray Bergman, a long-time editor with Outdoor Life magazine. In his 1942 classic, Fresh-Water Bass, Bergman recounts a memorable fishing trip down the stream: “The Buffalo River flows through a valley of soul-inspiring scenery. Each bed of the stream brings forth new beauties of unusual distinction. In all my travels from coast to coast, I have never witnessed more impressive beauty that can be found in the Buffalo River of Arkansas.”

But much of this scenery was nearly lost to a pair of reservoirs planned since the late 1930s by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The outbreak of World War II temporarily halted the projects, but the proposed dams resurfaced in the early 1960s. A heated struggle developed between vocal supporters of the impoundments and equally vocal proponents of a free-flowing Buffalo River, a conflict that eventually involved such political notables as Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, Arkansas Gov. Orval Faubus, Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt, Sen. J. William Fulbright, and even President Richard Nixon. And it birthed The Ozark Society, an organization that half a century later continues to address key environmental issues in Arkansas and adjacent states. For a blow-by-blow account of this fateful controversy, spend some time with The Battle for the Buffalo River, Dr. Neil Compton’s 481-page record of a clutch conservation victory. Today, as a result of that historic win, some 800,000 visitors annually enjoy the Buffalo in one fashion or another: hiking along the 100mile trails system; riding horseback; camping; overnighting in a CCC cabin; skipping rocks; birding; and, of course, paddling beneath those sheer bluffs. Tens of thousands of memories have been made because of countless Buffalo River experiences over the years. As a special feature to mark the 50th anniversary of the Buffalo National River, AY About You asked a handful of people to share some of their thoughts and recollections, and the responses can be found in the pages that follow.

“The Buffalo River is one of Arkansas’ crown jewels, kept undammed and pristine thanks to

the conservation efforts of Neil Compton, Governor Bumpers, Senators Fulbright and McClellan, Congressman Hammerschmidt and others. As governor, I supported the Arkansas Wilderness Act of 1984, federal legislation that ultimately protected the upper and lower ends of the Buffalo River, along with 11,800 acres along Richland Creek, one of the Buffalo’s major tributaries. About 800,000 people visit the National Park each year, where they can float, fish, and raft the river with its breathtaking views, and see the ruins of a 10,000-year-old Native American culture and remnants of the first European settlers in the late 1700s and early 1800s. I first discovered the Buffalo when I was 16 on a field trip led by my junior class English teacher, Lonnie Luebben. We stayed in Jasper, saw an Audie Murphy movie in the small theatre, and visited sites along the river, including a cave which still had gun powder kegs from the Civil War. When I ran for Congress in 1974, I visited every community along the Buffalo and near it, in Searcy, Newton, and Madison counties and in the southern parts of Marion, Boone, and Carroll counties. I vividly remember Boxley, Ponca, Parthenon, and many more. I remember spending many hours in the home of my friend Hilary Jones in Pruitt where there was an old cemetery with birthdates dating back to the 1700s and where Hilary provided a decent burial to people from the area who died without the means to pay for it. Most people I talked to were against the national river because they thought the government was going to take away the land that had been in their families for more than a hundred years. I said how important it was that the Buffalo was the first river in the country to be protected as a national treasure. And that I thought their problem could be solved if the government, instead of forcing sales upon their deaths, took a scenic easement of all the land in the protected area, preventing any development or degradation but allowing them to pass along their land to their families. I didn’t win the election, but I did carry every precinct along the Buffalo River, including many that had always voted Republican before. And I made a lot of lasting friendships, just by listening to them and getting to know them. I also learned to try to balance the competing claims of man and nature in one of our country’s most wonderful areas. In the process, I fell in love with the beauty, wildlife, history, and people of the Arkansas Ozarks. I could write a whole book with my interactions with them over the years. Here’s to fifty more great years.”

William J. Clinton, former Governor of Arkansas and President of the United States “I was in law school when I discovered the Buffalo River, and like so many Arkansans, I view the Buffalo as a particularly pretty piece of God’s creation. As an outdoorsman, I have a personal interest in preserving the health and beauty. As governor, I devoted resources to help care for the Buffalo. My family and I have canoed the river and hiked along its banks. The Buffalo watershed is more than a clear-running body of water — much of our history bounces off the walls of the Ozarks and echoes through its magnificent caves. My hope is that we will sustain this palace so that our children and all the generations that follow can share this natural masterpiece with a beautiful river that runs through it.”

Asa Hutchinson, Governor of Arkansas

“Known for its turquoise waters, towering sandstone bluffs, majestic overlooks and abundant wildlife, its ancient currents give life to more than 300 species of fish, insects, freshwater mussels and aquatic plants. These attributes have made it an attraction for the area’s inhabitants all the way back to prehistoric times. … Today, five decades after Congress passed that historic bill, millions of our citizens, both from within the state and beyond our borders, have enjoyed the wonders of the Buffalo National River. They’ve explored its caves, photographed its wildlife, hiked its trails, camped along its shores, ridden horses through its valleys and canoed its rapids and pools. In the words of native son and songwriter Jimmy Driftwood, the river is ‘Arkansas’ gift to the nation, America’s gift to the world.’”

Mike Beebe, former Governor of Arkansas “It’s hard to call just one of the many natural treasures of Arkansas the ‘crown jewel,’ but the Buffalo National River would be on most people’s list. Pristine cool waters and stunning views of scenic bluffs are just part of the majestic charm. Once, while on a float trip with my wife and a group of friends — that included thenState Parks and Tourism Director Richard Davies, Buffalo River outfitter and tourism guru Mike Mills and my security detail from the Arkansas State Police — we had stopped on a gravel bar for lunch when we observed some young men hurling beer cans at the bluff to watch them explode. My head exploded in rage to see someone show such disrespect for this sacred place. I went immediately over to the young men as the rest of our group and the state troopers were frozen with jaws dropped that I had gone over to engage these littering lunatics. I asked, “Where are you from?” I was glad to know it wasn’t Arkansas! I proceeded to tell them we valued the scenic beauty of our state and didn’t tolerate those who trashed it. I explained that the fine for littering was $1,000 per violation, and their choice was to pick up their trash, or I would introduce them to the Arkansas State Police who were standing nearby. Looking back, perhaps it was impetuous and foolish to confront those guys, but trashing the Buffalo was like coming to my home and throwing trash on my living room floor. They picked up their litter, and those in our group picked up their jaws, and we continued our float trip. And those fellows from out of state? On 99 days out of 100, they could beat me to a pulp. But on THAT day, they messed with the wrong guy who didn’t take kindly to folks not treating our one-of-a-kind Buffalo River with some respect!”

Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas “The lion’s share of the credit for the passage of the act naming the Buffalo National River as America’s first national river rightfully goes to my good friend, the late John Paul Hammerschmidt, then the congressman from the Third Congressional District of Arkansas. We should also thank Dr. Neil Compton and other members of the Ozark Society for their tireless work to preserve Arkansas’ natural heritage. Designating the Buffalo a national river guaranteed environmental protections that otherwise might never have existed, preserving this free-flowing river for the recreational use and enjoyment of generations of outdoor enthusiasts. My family and I have spent many splendid hours on the Buffalo, floating, fishing and relaxing. I have always thought of Arkansas as one of the most scenic and beautiful states in America, and without a doubt, the Buffalo National River proves this point.”

David Pryor, former Governor of Arkansas and Senator

“The free-flowing living waters of the Buffalo River wind through the mountains, valleys, caves and karst of one of the most beautiful places on Earth. As a person that married into a family with deep connections to this area (my kids are the seventh generation to live in the Ozarks), I am proud to finally call this place home. After a long life and career of moving throughout the country with the National Park Service, serving in national monuments, parkways, recreation areas, seashores, memorials and parks, I know I am drawn to the water — drawn to the sustaining powers of a river, finally, this river, the people’s river. This river belongs to the people who lived here, hunted, fished, and depended on it for thousands of years. It belongs to the pioneers who forged their homesteads here when it was on the western frontier of a growing nation. It belongs to the people who fought a bitter struggle between ways of life and for the soul of that nation. The Buffalo River belongs to the people who thought it should be dammed, the people who thought it should remain in private ownership, and to the ones who fought to make it America’s First National River. We all share the stewardship of this river. We owe it to the generations to come. This river will change you if you let it. Come and see.”

Mark Foust, Superintendent, Buffalo National River “The Buffalo National River influence I have experienced is the driving economic force it has become behind the small towns and villages in its watershed. Jasper’s quality of life and economy, I believe, are directly dependent on the love, proximity and usage from both residents and tourists of this river. … Our natural setting provides jobs and recreation — plus, the real reason most of us are here and people are continuing to come, which is to experience the awe-inspiring beauty of where we live. Our big job will be to manage and maintain what we have for ourselves and for future generations.”

Jan Larsen, Mayor of Jasper “I truly believe the Buffalo River is a magical place. Its beauty with its clear waters and majestic bluffs is what stole the hearts of me and my wife, and what enticed us to move to the area. I am constantly told stories by locals and visitors alike about how the Buffalo has influenced them — it may be something as simple as an overnight fishing trip with their grandfather to an annual family float trip to meeting their spouse while floating with friends. The stories are all unique, and each so special in its own right. The Buffalo is a magical place that keeps people coming back, year after year, so they can introduce the younger generations to its beauty so it can be appreciated for years to come. If you haven’t had a chance to visit the Buffalo National River, I want to personally extend an invitation to you.”

Alvin “Chip” Johnson, Mayor of Gilbert “I remember the first time I saw the Buffalo National River. I grew up in Pine Bluff and when I was a young-ish teenager, my family took a road trip one beautiful spring day to Dogpatch. We traveled north on Highway 7 and pulled over at Pruitt to see the river. I had never seen anything like it — the majestic bluffs and beautiful winding river below. I was smitten, and I’ve been in love ever since. Like many Arkansans, I’ve taken my share of float trips and enjoyed every single one. In my current position with state government, I had the opportunity to play a role in achieving a resolution to the C&H Hog Farm dispute. Led by Gov. Hutchinson, the settlement was a very good day for our national river and for the state of Arkansas, and I will always be proud of our work. Now, I continue to serve on the Buffalo River Conservation Committee as an appointee of the governor, and I continue to take pride in the opportunity I have to protect and promote this incredible natural resource.”

Stacy Hurst, Secretary, Department of Parks, Heritage & Tourism

“I have always believed that an underlying reason that the Buffalo River was saved and made into the first National River was that it had the state park there. Most Ozark rivers had little or no visitor service facilities like what the state park provided. Access to places like that was limited along most other rivers. Consequently, for decades, thousands of families were able to access the river, enjoy it, and become not only fond of it but also protective of its beauty and uniqueness. No other Ozark river had such a constituency. It made a difference.”

Richard Davies, former Director, Department of Parks & Tourism “Growing up in Northwest Arkansas, my family and I visited the Buffalo River often. It was one of our treasured places to canoe and camp, and to this day we still gather as many family members as possible for an annual float trip. The Buffalo River epitomizes the beauty of Arkansas, from its deep ravines to steep cliffs, its waterfalls as well as fishing holes. It helped instill in me my love of the Ozarks, which inspired me in founding Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art to focus on the connection between art and nature.”

Alice Walton, philanthropist “The Buffalo River has been an important part of my life for more than 60 years. … With the urging and example of Dr. Neil Compton, Margaret and Harold Hedges, Mary Virginia and Hubert Ferguson, and my parents Eunice and Paul Noland, I have since the mid-1970s been involved in ongoing efforts with the Ozark Society to continue the preservation of the Buffalo National River. As a long, narrow park, possible threats to its integrity have been and always will be present. I feel I have a responsibility to be a part of its protection.”

Stewart Noland, Ozark Society “The Buffalo River carries a heavy weight on its shoulders as it attempts to demonstrate to the world what a living Ozark stream should be. It cannot do that alone. It requires its land, its tributaries and its native life. This requires us to live sustainably and work to save as much of the natural world and as many rivers as we can. The Buffalo has not been saved forever. It has only been insulated temporarily from the degradation all around it. To paraphrase the poet John Donne, no stream is an island. It is a part of the main, a part of the whole. We must remember, too, that the work of saving never ends because there will be natural changes and ongoing challenges. Rivers are never finally saved. We must instead see the work of saving them as an ongoing process with no endpoint and dedicate ourselves to that as a life-long battle.”

Debbie Doss, Arkansas Canoe Club “Much of my work is in rural areas, where I have observed the challenges facing farmers and ranchers trying to provide for their families. I have heard the need for the river to provide more benefits to the people that live and work in its watershed. Now, the Arkansas Nature Conservancy, the Buffalo River Foundation, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Searcy County Agricultural Cooperative and other partners are working together with landowners on projects that address erosion issues for improved farm financial sustainability that also helps the river. The people benefit, and the river is healthy. Working with landowners on their needs that also benefits the river — this is the future of conservation.”

Scott Simon, Director, Arkansas Nature Conservancy “In the late ’70s and ’80s, I got to know the folks who were determined to save the Buffalo. I thank God for them and Sen. Dale Bumpers, who never gave up. We owe them and the Buffalo so much.”

Kay Kelley Arnold, former Director, Arkansas Nature Conservancy “My blood pressure drops at least 20 points the moment I exit I-40 heading north to the Buffalo River Valley. For more than half my life, this has been my go-to place, my retreat — sometimes with family, sometimes with friends, often alone.”

Jim Dailey, former Mayor of Little Rock

“I have been doing paintings paintings of of the the Buffalo Buffalo River River for for 40 40 years, years,and andI Istill stillfind findreasons reasonsto tocome comeback backto toit.it.… I grew up in where there are are no rocks, andand the the waters are are brown. Clear water running overover rocks is still … I grew upLouisiana in Louisiana where there no rocks, waters brown. Clear water running rocks magic to me.”to me.” is still magic

William McNamara, artist The Buffalo Giant Bluffs Rise like Medieval Castles above this Ancient River Sending us back to a time when all our land was wild Leaves rustle with stories from a past known only to the land Legends whispered from one forest glen to another Of brave deeds Performed by magnificent antlered stags for doe-eyed mates Nature’s memories held safe captive By these towers of time … By this Wilderness

“My fondest memory of floating the Buffalo was back in the 1980s when I had the extreme pleasure of being in the same canoe with Dr. Neil Compton, who, of course, led the campaign to save the Buffalo as a free-flowing stream. What he emphasized to me and our viewers on that float trip has stuck with me ever since. That it takes only one person to do his or her part in preservation and conservation. That the challenge goes on — there are other streams and wilderness areas to save. Each one of us must do our part to protect and care for the wild places we love — those places that resemble a bit of heaven on Earth.”

Chuck Dovish, AETN-PBS personality

“Following congressional designation of the Buffalo as a national river, local activists throughout the nation could point to the free-flowing stream as a sterling example of the diverse natural wonders found across the entire nation. The legacy of the fight for the Buffalo could also be measured in the growing regard in Arkansas for places that fed wonder and awe rather than as parcels valued chiefly for human enterprise.”

Ben Johnson, historian

Susan Morrison, poet “The Buffalo River itself is certainly the main character. But to me, the supporting cast of towering painted bluffs, wilderness vistas, variety of wildlife, colorful wildflowers and hundreds of thundering waterfalls are what have shaped my character and given me unlimited subjects to build my nature photography career on.” Tim Ernst,

photographer

“I was born in California. Moving to Arkansas in the early ’70s, I thought I was leaving all the beauty behind! Imagine my delight when I began to experience the natural wonders this state has to offer. … Very early on residing in my new state, some friends took me on a float trip to the Buffalo River. I was clueless regarding a canoe, camping and floating! I could not believe the incredible scenery I saw on that first trip. I cannot forget the best night’s sleep I had ever had in a sleeping bag, on a gravel bar on the river. It began a very long love affair with the Buffalo. … I am so thankful to all who came together to preserve our true natural treasure — the beautiful Buffalo.”

Gay White, former First Lady of Arkansas

“When the Buffalo was designated as our first national river, it did something more important than simply bringing additional visitors to our state. It helped us, after many years of population losses and various embarrassments in the national news, begin to believe in ourselves as Arkansans. Having the first National River made us proud and helped us begin to understand how abundant outdoor recreational attributes might play a role in economic development. We finally started to understand that economic development is about more than attracting factories. It’s about quality of life. I truly believe the National River designation changed the trajectory of Arkansas as much as the growth of Walmart.”

Rex Nelson, columnist/writer “Anyone who spends time on the Buffalo needs no explanation of its priceless value to them and all of us. It is why I’ve pledged myself as an opinion journalist to do all in my power to keep our state informed of anything that appears to threaten the river and all it means to so many across Arkansas and nationwide, as did my uncle, the late Third District Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt.”

Mike Masterson, columnist

“It is my special place — my goto place, and I am at peace and can enjoy just being still whenever I am there.”

Bryan Day, Director, Little Rock Port Authority “The Buffalo River was a special place for me and some of my U of A friends in the ’60s. We would frequently leave campus for the weekend and spend the entire time on the river camping and floating. Since we were broke college students and this was such a great experience at virtually no coast, it was our Disneyland. Those memories are still very vivid today.”

“My love of rivers was passed down from my dad. … I first floated the Buffalo in 1965 from Pruitt to Hasty. During my college years at Hendrix, I had a canoe, a tent and knew how to run a shuttle for a day float. After college, I started my first business, The Wilderness Company, renting canoes and camping equipment from my apartment in Fayetteville. In 1974, I moved to Ponca, and in 1976 founded Buffalo Outdoor Center, and the rest is history. I have more than 25,000 miles canoeing the Buffalo National River. Ponca to Kyles Landing is my favorite and the best of the best!”

Mike Mills, Owner, Buffalo Outdoor Center

“As a historian, I have always been fascinated by the Buffalo, both the river and the communities through which it flows. Gov. Orval E. Faubus grew up in Madison County not far from the Buffalo, the family being a good example of the hardscrabble life led by many who tried to farm the thin Ozark soils. That family would produce a governor who, in his final term in office, took a stand that ensured the river would not be dammed. While Gov. Faubus’ work on behalf of racial segregation forever stained his legacy, his determination to save the Buffalo ensured that he cannot be condemned without at least one caveat.”

Tom Dillard, historian

Shelby Woods, Chairman Emeritus, CJRW

“I graduated from Marshall High School and the University of Arkansas before embarking on a long career in the U.S. Air Force. During my travels and interactions with people around the country, the Buffalo National River was a source of pride that I shared with others. … As the eighth generation of my 10 generation Searcy County family, I work tirelessly for the people of Searcy County and the Buffalo River Watershed, where the vision of economic prosperity for the locals has never been close to being realized. May the next 50 years not only continue to preserve this great treasure that we share with the world but may the vision of widespread economic benefit for the residents of the watershed finally be realized.”

Darryl Treat, Director, Searcy County Chamber of Commerce

“Of all the memories, what stands out the most is my dad (who spent a lot of time on the Buffalo) telling me stories of the ‘local’ resistance to the national river and people stringing barbed wire across the river to prevent access. He said because he and his friends were regular floaters and campers, the locals knew him and let them lift up/pass through the barbed wire without any problems, hassle or threats.”

Skip Rutherford, former Dean, Clinton School of Public Service

Buffalo River National Park

Bear Creek Log Cabins

ear Creek Log Cabins has been in the business of taking care of families for over 20 years for vacations, large reunions, weddings, and weekend romantic get-aways. Six unique and spacious cabins, a new pavilion, and RV sites are scattered across over 1200 acres in the heart of Buffalo National River country in North Central, Arkansas just minutes away from Tyler Bend Visitor Center, Grinder’s Ferry and several other river access areas. Bear Creek is a large tributary that makes its way throughout our prop-

• 6 UNIQUE CABINS

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• ACCOMODATES UP TO 52

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erty and features rare towering buttresses and flowing waters ideal for fishing, swimming, floating and even occasional arrowhead hunting as it makes its way towards The Buffalo. There are miles and miles of trails perfect for hiking, but we also allow ATV, Side by Side, and mountain biking for our guests over the hills and valleys of our Ozark Mountain ranch. Guests also enjoy hunting in season, photography, stargazing, and wildlife watching. We are in a secluded section of Searcy County but still centrally located for quick day trips to area attractions like Mountain View, Branson Mo, Little Rock, Fayetteville, or Eureka Springs. Thousands of visitors return year after year to float the beautiful crystal-clear waters of The Buffalo National River making Bear Creek Log Cabins their favorite home away from home. 6403 US 65, St. Joe 870-448-5926 buffaloriverlogcabins.net

6403 NORTH HWY 65 • ST. JOE, AR 870-448-5926 • BuffaloRiverLogCabins.net BearCreekCabinsbyBuffalo

Bear Creek Log Cabins

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Buffalo River National Park

Cotter Trout Dock

DeVito’s Restaurant

stablished in 1954, Cotter Trout Dock hosts guided trout fishing trips, Arkansas fishing and camping trips and White River guided trout fishing. All about relaxation and fun, guided fishing float trips take place at the White River, North Fork River and the Buffalo River, allowing for scenery and wildlife sightings. Depending on the guest’s experience level, guides can do everything, including casting. With camping trips also available, guests can fish by day and camp under starlit skies on the river’s edge. Famous for the shore lunches and camp cooking, Cotter Trout Dock not only serves fresh trout but also offers other outdoor-cooked meals on its menu, including steak. As fishing masters, the guides also bait hooks, manage tackle, drive the wide-Jon boat, cook and serve meals. Cotter Trout Dock is one of few concessionaires authorized to conduct guided fishing trips on the Buffalo National River by the National Park Service. 321 Big Spring Parkway, Cotter 870-435-6525 cottertroutdock.com

arrison’s DeVito’s Restaurant has been an Ozark Mountain tradition for decades, offering upscale dining and rainbow trout fishing at Bear Creek Springs Trout Farm. Serving traditional Italian cuisine, DeVito’s has served people from around the world. Originally founded in 1986 by Jim DeVito, a fifth generation Italian cook, DeVito’s saw instant success from their made-from-scratch meals. Today, DeVito’s Restaurant is owned by DeVito brothers Steve, Chris and Joe, who actively work within the kitchen and on the floor. Bear Creek Springs Trout Farm allows patrons to catch their own rainbow trout, without a limit on catches and no fishing license required. Guests can bring their own tackle or can use tackle available for free with bait, fish cleaning and packing in ice. Guests are only required to pay for their catches, with the option of having their same day catches cooked at the restaurant during its normal business hours. 350 DeVitos Loop N., Harrison 870-741-8832 devitosrestaurant.com

Ads paid for by state and Ozark Mountain Region Funds

Loco Ropes

t Loco Ropes, you can awaken your adrenaline junkie by crossing three high-wire, heart-pumping tree-course segments totaling 30-plus challenges. This includes zip lines, Tarzan swings, swinging logs, roped bridges and many more serial obstacle courses to test your nerves, endurance, agility and strength. Get a quick shot of excitement with our Tower Adventures: the 300 foot Flying Pig Zipline with a bonus roundtrip cable ride to the tower platform, the 35-foot HotShot FreeFall that cable drops you straight to the ground, and the Planks Peak Climbing Wall giving you five attempts with beginner to advance climbing choices. “Loco” is Spanish for “crazy,” and for many of us, performing challenging feats high above the forest floor is crazy. But as Walt Disney said, “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible!” Or as we like to say, “It’s Sooie-tTM.” We set you on your way to an adventure in the forest canopy, getting you next to and around trees in an up-close-and-personal way that most have never experienced before. How many of us have wondered what it feels like to fly like a bird and see the world from up high? How many treehouses opened the door for our imaginations to flourish? Ozark Folk Center State Park, Mountain View 888-669-6717 locoropes.com aymag.com

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Best g n i h s i fSpots IN ARKANSAS by Species By Dustin Jayroe

our line is spooled, rods all accounted for, and your tackle box restocked. Your bobbers, weights and lures are all organized to the color. There might have been some winter weather-induced boredom behind that Marie Kondo-esque tidiness to your tackle, and things may not look that neat by summer’s end, but either way — the time has come to put it all to good use. To cast your line and try to land a hook in what lurks beneath the water’s surface. But just as polarity and superstition can surround the bait and artificials of preference, so too can it encompass one of the most important decisions of all: where to fish. Here are a few of our favorites, broken down by species.

Walleye

Crappie

Like with trout, the Natural State is well known for its ample and sizable population of walleye. And also like trout, walleye are a cool water fish, commonly found in streams, rivers, clean lakes and tailwaters.

Many anglers consider the crappie as the hidden gems of the fishing world, so to speak. Not only is the species one of the best-tasting freshwater fish around, but they generally take a little more work to find. However, crappie typically congregate in schools, so once tracked down it’s bound to be a productive day on the water.

LAKES

RIVERS

Bull Shoals Lake Greers Ferry Lake Lake Catherine Lake Greeson Lake Hamilton Lake Ouachita Lake Norfork

Black River Current River Eleven Point River Kings River Spring River White River ate

R e co

r d

22 pounds, 11 ounces; Greers Ferry Lake (1982)*

LAKES

RIVERS

- Mississippi River - Spadra Creek - White River

Beaver Lake Bull Shoals Lake Cane Creek Lake Lake Conway Lake Dardanelle Lake Greeson Lake Overcup Nimrod Lake

cor d W

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ingo C

St at k

2011

5 pounds

C ra p pi

*Also the 12-pound-line-class World Record.

i te

Trout The state is probably most renowned to visitors for its abundant trout fishing opportunities, thanks in large part to the fisheries developed over the past 50 years by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC).

cord Str

Arkansas also has a very good track record when it comes to bass fishing, especially largemouth bass. The species is very available practically anywhere in the state, but a few spots can churn out bigger splashes than others. And as the warmer weather turns the clock on the largemouth’s return to shallower waters, this time of year is perfect for anglers.

d B ass •

St at

Bass

64 pounds, 8 ounces 2000

1981

hite R

STATE RECORD • Cutthroat Trout: 10 pounds, 2 ounces; White River (2018) • Lake Trout: 11 pounds, 5 ounces; Greers Ferry Lake (1997)

19 pounds

r ve

St at

Little Missouri River Little Red River Spring River White River

•W

Norfork Lake Bull Shoals Beaver Lake Lake Ouachita Greers Ferry Lake

co r d R a

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RIVERS

TAILWATERS (DAMS)

RIVERS

- Arkansas River - Buffalo National River (smallmouth) - Cossatot (smallmouth) - Little Red River (smallmouth) - White River

Beaver Lake Bull Shoals Lake DeGray Lake Greers Ferry Lake Lake Chicot Lake Conway Lake Dardanelle Lake Greeson Lake Millwood Lake Norfork Lake Ouachita Mallard Lake Table Rock Lake

STATE RECORD • Largemouth Bass: 16 pounds, 8 ounces; Mallard Lake (1976)

aver Lak

Catfish If crappie is among the most delicious fish to eat from Arkansas’ waters, then catfish have just as much a case to make on that front. (Which is best probably comes down mostly to personal preference.) Catfish are also one the largest game fish in the state and are among the most plentiful species as well. Arkansas River Little River Mississippi River St. Francis River White River

80 pounds

1989

• Blue Catfish: 116 pounds, 12 ounces; Mississippi River (2001) • Channel Catfish: 38 pounds; Lake Ouachita (1989)

co r d Fl a t

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STATE RECORD

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Degray Lake Greers Ferry Lake Lake Atalanta Lake Conway Lake Greeson Lake Hinkle Lake Millwood Lake Ouachita Lake Wilhelmina MacArthur Park Lake White Oak Lake

a d C at f i s

RIVERS

TAILWATERS (DAMS)

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travel

Little Miss(issippi)

e n i unsh

By HEATHER BAKER he perks of living in Arkansas are endless, but one that doesn’t receive enough credit is our close proximity to the rich culture and attractions one state over in Mississippi. Arkansans are accustomed to driving straight through the neighboring state to get to the warm white sand and blue waters of the gulf, but the Magnolia State has so much to offer. Almost to the state border of Mississippi and Alabama lies the city of Meridian — and the first stop on my weekend getaway. Driving in, I immediately felt as though I was being transported to the roaring ’20s era, and after spending time exploring the downtown area and getting acquainted with the city’s bustling energy, I believe I really did travel back in time. The charming architecture and attention to historic details were only the beginning of my journey through the past. The Threefoot Hotel in downtown Meridian.

My first excursion was to the spectacular MAX Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience, commonly known as The MAX. This museum — though “museum” doesn’t really do this experience justice — shed some light on the Mississippian culture I was catching glimpses of driving into town. Featuring everything from physical art to Mississippi’s extensive footprint on the entertainment industry, I could not get enough of each gallery. The number of people — globally recognized people — who have come out of Mississippi is truly amazing. Faces like Oprah Winfrey, John Grisham and Morgan Freeman only scrape the surface of the influencers who trace their roots back to Mississippi soil. Creativity simply oozes from this state, and while walking through the “Hall of Fame” and learning about the featured influential figures’ lives growing up in a state not so different from my own, I was moved and motivated to say the very least. The next stop on my museum list was the Mississippi Children’s Museum. Bringing history and culture down to

to inspire children to put their stories in motion, pulled out all the stops in the entertainment department with a childsized replica of the local opera house, a recreation of “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore” and my personal favorite, the “Puppets’ Playhouse.” Not many peo-

Oprah Winfrey’s display inside the Mississippi Hall of Fame.

a level children can understand, the museum has created a wonderland for kids to learn about the state’s foundation and what the future can look like for the next generations. The assumption might be that this museum was not designed for adults, but a few minutes spent inside will prove that this journey through time is for all ages. As an adult wandering through the galleries, I was astounded at the creativity put into designing each exhibit. One exhibit, in particular, took me back to that childlike joy many adults seem to lose over time. “My Storybook Factory,” a gallery meant

Heather being interactive inside the Mississippi Children’s Museum

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ple can say that they have performed a puppet show, but I can. I was able to be goofy and let loose, and that’s something adults take for granted. Letting go of the weight of reality and being a kid again, even if only for a moment, really is refreshing. Once the fun was done, food was the next priority, and when in Meridian the place to go has to be Weidmann’s. Opened in 1870, Weidmann’s is the oldest restaurant in the state. The staple of the joint, peanut butter and crackers, caught me off guard. I curiously asked the waitstaff about the interesting starter, and they explained how The oldest restaurant in Mississippi the tradition dates serves up peanut butter. back to the 1940s when there was a shortage of butter. Peanut butter was suggested as a replacement because it was readily available and kept for long periods of time. The restaurant now has locally-made peanut butter crocks on each table, and for die-hard Weidmann’s peanut butter fans, there are crocks on hand ready for purchase. Just like a chips and queso situation, I may have gotten full from the peanut butter crackers before the food arrived. Preparing to turn in for the evening, I got a glimpse of the Threefoot Hotel. This historic hotel was once known as “The Crown Jewel of the Queen City,” and in my opinion, that name still holds. Fully encompassing the ’20s atmosphere I experienced driving into town, the Threefoot Hotel has been revitalized to maintain that fiery style of art-deco with the comforts of modern updates. I’ve stayed in many hotels throughout my life, and I’ve developed an eye for quality stays. The Threefoot rooms were clean, offered extraordinary views of the city and the details in the decorations were exquisite. As far as dining services go, Threefoot had it all. The Boxcar on the ninth floor of the hotel has outdoor seating and a panoramic view of the city skyline. Nothing really tops watching the sunset while enjoying a drink in the cool air, except maybe the food at the hotel’s restaurant, 601 Local. Lavish, trendy and pristine probably best sum up this hotel stay. The next day, after a fantastic breakfast at 601 Local, I let Meridian

continue to amaze me. Art has a tight grip on the downtown area which made for a beautiful morning walk around the city. Popping into the MSU Riley Center, I explored the Grand Opera House. Built in the 1880s, the Riley Center has been fully restored and brings in roughly 60,000 visitors every year. I, being one of those visitors, was completely enraptured by the opera house. Part of the League of Historic American Theatres, the Grand Opera House has an extensive history of hosting traveling shows, minstrel shows and some of the earliest silent movies back in the day. When movie theaters were brought onto the scene, the opera house like many others closed its doors and stayed closed for decades. Fully functioning once again after the efforts of community leaders and Mississippi State University, the opera house is a sight to behold. Looking out from the stage at the thousands of seats and the twinkling lights shining down, the space really is a sight to behold. Once again, as I repeatedly experienced while in Meridian, being in the opera house was like looking through a portal into another life. Merrehope, a Victorian mansion, is considered to be a

Riley Center’s Grand Opera House.

must-see for obvious reasons. Built in 1858, the 26-room historic house is frozen in time. Strolling through the gardens and reveling in the architecture could make anyone wish that walls could talk. Making the final stops in the Meridian leg of the trip, I end up at Threefoot Brewery. The brewhouse was one of the more modern joints I experienced in the city, but the charm was there all the same. The brewing machines Breakfast at 601 Local inside are there inside the seating the Threefoot Hotel. area so guests can see where the magic happens, and for those who like to stay moving, such as myself, there are giant checkers and Connect 4 games to bring out that competitive side. A meal at Harvest Grill rounded off the Meridian experience and might I say it ended with a bang. Chef Marshall has a reputable culinary career, and after going back and forth many years between states, Marshall and his little family decided to make Meridian their perma-

Movement in the state nent home. His passion of Mississippi made me for food was clear in more aware of how brueach dish, and it’s obvital life has been for Black ous the locals are proud Americans. There were to have him. many firsthand accounts Saying goodbye to that took the breath Meridian was bittersweet right out of me. I spent as I was sad to leave bethe majority of my time hind the gorgeous step sitting in the Emmett back in time, but I was Till exhibit and taking ready to see what Jackin the tragedy that could son had to offer. have been prevented had First things first, I humankind never judged checked into the Fairanother person by the view Inn. I’m a sucker color of their skin. This for boutique hotels, and museum is at the top of this one hit all the marks. my must-see list because Charming and elegant, the lessons learned from the room had a spacious history should never be living room, whirlpool forgotten. tub, fireplace and the list The Fairview Inn located in Following my visit goes on. The hotel is on Jackson. to the Civil Rights Muthe National Register of seum, I then explored Historic Places, and for the Mississippi Museum guests wanting quick acof Art. The museum feacess to the best sight in tures art from many time the city, the Fairview is in the perfect location. periods and styles. While Before diving into the rich history of Jackson, Mississippi, in the museum store, I took I thought a little shopping break would re-energize me. The my time browsing through District at Eastover and Highland Village both offer top-tier the exhibition-related items shopping. Throughout my entire stay in Jackson, I continuand the locally made jewelry, ously saw little birds in store windows and businesses, and afWolfe Fine Arts Studio. apparel and objets d’art. The ter walking into Wolfe Fine Art Studio I found the source. jewelry captured my Wolfe Studio has been attention straight around since 1946, and Mississippi History and Civil away, so I made sure while the torch has Rights Museum. to buy a few pieces. been passed through Ending the day the generations to curon a warm note, I rent owner Bebe Wolfe, dined at the Manthe Wolfe Birds remain ship Wood Fired a constant. I, of course, Kitchen. I am rarely had to get my hands on left speechless, but one of the famous figuthis meal rines, and it proudly sits blew my on my shelf at home. mind. The After some light steak had traveling and heavy a fantasshopping, it was time tic flavor for this woman to eat again. Brent’s Drugs and the has been a popular diner and soda fountain Brussels spot in the Fondren Historic District since sprouts 1946, and I understand why. The burgers were some were amazing, and the milkshakes made of the best me want to slurp it all down in one go. I’ve ever Another food highlight was the Salhad. All in tine. As the name implies, Saltine was Amazing meal at Manship Wood Fire Kitchen. all, every all about fresh seafood, more specifically drink and fresh oysters. Inside the restaurant is an every bite oyster bar with lines of fresh oysters spanning the entire counter. The food was good; the atmosphere was fun, and of food was top-notch and unforgettable. Manship is now in my top favorite restaurants, and definitely my new favorite place to eat in MisI saw more mollusks than I ever thought possible. Getting back to business, I went to the Mississippi History and Civil sissippi. Taking a little break from Jackson for a few hours, I drove to VicksRights Museum. I went into the museum not really knowing what to expect, but I can confidently say that I left as a different person. Each ex- burg the next day. First on the list of places to see in this historic town hibit I went into and every story I read about the American Civil Rights is none other than the Vicksburg National Military Park. The park pre-

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Vicksburg National Military Park. warm brushstrokes of sunset. This is why I seek out the restaurants with perfect views of the evening colors, and 10 South Rooftop Bar & Grill fully delivered in more ways than one. Sitting in the glowing hues, reflecting on the weekend thus far with a hot dish of divine shrimp and grits, I felt completely renewed. Whoever said nothing good happens after dark obviously wasn’t a fan of the things that go bump in the dark. For the final night in Mississippi, I paid a visit to the McRaven House, otherwise known as Mississippi’s “Most Haunted House.” This home has story upon story of the unexplained, and from the stories my dear tour guide Grace shared, I believe it all stems from the sorrow laced within the McRaven history. Without giving the plot of the ghost story away, the McRaven House has seen its fair share of death and heartbreak to last for eternity. I’ve serves the site of the been a part of a few ghost tours, but none has made me American Civil War feel the way the McRaven House did, nor have I left a tour Battle of Vicksburg, looking over my shoulder every few seconds until now. and standing on that Ghost-free spots to visit in Vicksburg include Rusty’s field where so many Riverfront Grill, The Biscuit company, HC Porter Gallery Americans died and the Attic Gallery. Each place holds a historical and sends shivers down cultural significance in the community, and they are truly the spine. The field gems to behold. where it all hapThe Vicksburg Civil War The finale of the trip was a tour of the Mississippi pened, the soil that Museum. Governor’s Mansion in Jackson. I am always interabsorbed American ested in seeing how each state styles its Governor’s blood and the trees Mansion because they are all unique and special to the that witnessed it state. The furnishings in the Mississippi mansion were all — it’s heavy. The beautifully ornate and detailed, but I learned while I Vicksburg Civil War Museum in downwas touring that during the Civil War, furniture was town exhibits the artillery and ammutaken from the mansion to off-site storage, but was nition used during the war, uniforms never found. There are essentially original governors’ of soldiers and other artifacts from the furnishings out there, possibly in flea markets, just tragic time. Time and time again on waiting to be returned home. this trip, I was shown how many feet My time in these three Mississippi towns was evtread through Mississippi with stories erything and more. Fully immersing into a city and to tell. learning what makes it tick never fails to astonish me. Many people may not know this, I learn, I become connected and I leave feeling like The haunted tour of the but bottled Coca-Cola originated in my world grew that much bigger. Veer off the highMcRaven House. Vicksburg with the Biedenharn famway and spend a few days ily. The bottling site in any of these cities; you has been turned into a won’t regret it. museum for visitors to But don’t just take my learn more about the word for it. Head over to beginning of Coca-Covisitmississippi.com to see la, see the reproduction more. of the equipment first used to bottle Coke and my personal favorite, the history of CocaCola advertising. Call me a nerd, but I could have spent the entire day browsing through the original advertisements and Coca-Cola memorabilia. The Coke float I enjoyed was also a highlight, of course. Everyone has a favorite time of day, and mine happens to be the

The Mississippi Governor’s Mansion in Jackson.

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By MATTHEW MILTON // Photos courtesy ADPHT, BIKE NWA

Northwest’s Cycling Scene Continues to Grow 100

earch “mountain biking capital of the world” on Google. What do you get? Not Moab or Park City, Utah. Not Lake Tahoe, California. And not even Crested Butte, Colorado. It’s Bentonville, Arkansas. And, for those who have spent any time there in the last few years, they know it’s all of Northwest Arkansas that can claim some ownership in the stratospheric rise of biking culture and all that comes with it. For someone who has returned to the region after some time away, you can be forgiven for thinking the Northwest Arkansas mountain biking culture sprang up seemingly overnight. But ask a local — one who’s been around a little bit longer — and they’ll tell you that this scene dates back to at least the 1980s when the state hosted its first festival for the sport at Devil’s Den State Park. Hidden Diversity Trail opened in Rogers in 2006, well before folks were flying in from states away with bikes in tow. The better-known Slaughter Pen trail opened a year later. And every day since, the culture and the opportunities that come with it seem to grow by the mile. But what does it take to make a place Disney World for mountain bikers? Trails, sure. They’re there. Infrastructure, of course. And that requires money to invest, of which local benefactors have plenty. The sheer jaw-dropping beauty of the region helps, too. “The natural beauty of this state is one of the most valuable, and probably underutilized, resources this state has,” Steuart Walton said on a recent episode of the Startup Junkies Podcast. Walton is the grandson of Walmart founder Sam Walton, and he’s also the co-founder of Runway Group, a holding company that invests in real estate, hospitality and other businesses in Northwest Arkansas. An outdoorsman and biker himself, he and his brother, Tom, have done a great deal of work to make the region what it is today. “People associate us with mountain biking and bike trails, but to me, it’s a lot bigger than that,” he says. “It’s all about providing access to the outdoors. Arkansas is probably the most underappreciated state in the country in terms of natural beauty, and it’s because it’s spectacular. … It touches the soul.” But what sets Northwest Arkansas apart from many other destinations, according to those who live there, is the accessibility. According to them, that’s a story that needs to be told. “Northwest Arkansas has made cycling extremely accessible and is continuing to do that for more and more of our surrounding communities,” Scotti Lechuga says. Last year, Lechuga and her husband Ernie — both former UCI Pro Road cyclists — opened Natural State Rock & Republic, a multifaceted retreat and lodging facility that provides courses, expeditions, rentals and more. Ernie is the former Mexican U23 Time Trial Champion, and Scotti competed in Women’s World Tour races like Tour Down Under, Amgen Tour of California, the Giro, and the women’s Tour de France on the Champs Elysees. Scotti and Ernie won the pairs 2019 Silk Road Mountain Race and hold the pair’s record for the Arkansas High Country 1,030-mile route in 4 days 20 hours. They brought their years-worth of knowledge and experience to Springdale to share with anyone interested in the sport, from beginner to pro. “The opportunity to find trails, people to ride with, groups of similar interest, it’s everywhere,” Scotti says. “Whether you’re just getting started, turning pro, or looking for a place your kid can ride safely, it’s here. We brought our cycling and endurance sports coaching business here about a year ago, and we’ve been so touched by the support of our community upon landing here.”

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While places like Moab and Park City indeed boast some of the best places to ride in the country, Northwest Arkansas offers visitors and locals alike a chance to dip their toes in the water, to learn and to experience. And a big reason behind that accessibility is the investment in infrastructure. “You can bandy around phrases like, ‘Colorado of the Heartland,’ and embrace these more outdoor lifestyle companies and locales. … I think Arkansas has all the real opportunity to become a state like that,” Walton says. “If you’re going to get people out into nature, besides having the good story there about why they should, is that you’ve got to have good infrastructure out there so that it’s not too hard. “If you have to have all this gear, special books, secret trails and all this stuff that takes all this work, you are inevitably going to have fewer and fewer people that are going to put forth the effort to go out and experience it,” he adds. “You have to have onramps to these activities and in an environmentally sensitive way.” Walton’s work through Runway Group has done just that. The organization has invested heavily in developing vast trail systems, preserving green space through parks and connecting communities through nature. The group has invested both individually and through partnerships in projects like Coler Mountain Bike Preserve, Monument Trails, Kessler Mountain, OZ Trails, Osage Park and many more. “I think the Ozarks, given their geographic proximity — the Ozarks and the Ouachitas are the most isolated ranges in the United States — you have to invest in the narrative, the infrastructure and make it accessible,” Walton says. That work has helped make the sport accessible, physically, to more and more enthusiasts and newbies. But a great deal of work continues to make the biking culture as welcoming to all as it is accessible. That story needs to be told, too. And that’s precisely what Victoria Smith is doing. Smith is an executive at Resplendent Hospitality, a PR firm with roots in both Austin, Texas, and Fayetteville. She serves clients like ETHIC, a nonprofit that launched in 2021 with the merger of NWA Trailblazers — an organization that has developed 300-plus miles of multi-use trails, including the OZ Trails network — and BikeNWA, a bicycle advocacy and education-focused organization. Last spring, she began working with ETHIC on their Slow Streets NWA program, an effort dedicated to advocating for safer places for

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people to walk, bike and explore their cities for recreation and transportation. Soon after, she helped the organization launch the inaugural Critical Mass Summit, a two-day summit designed to empower and connect women and other underrepresented genders — which includes cis women, trans women, women of color, the non-binary community, and those who are otherwise marginalized — with the trails, cycling and active transportation community. During that time, Smith says she has seen interest in biking compound, and that’s thanks in part to grassroots work to bring the sport to those who might otherwise have been left behind. “BikePOC has been instrumental in getting BIPOC and other marginalized peoples to explore cycling,” Smith says. “Pedal It Forward NWA is getting bikes to people in need. They’re like Oprah: ‘You get a bike, and you get a bike!’ So much good work to get people on bikes. Women of Oz has been instrumental in getting women on mountain bikes and creating an inclusive community for women cyclists.” But that hard work got even more complicated last year when legislation passed in Little Rock caught the attention of both the national and international cycling communities.

“During the spring of 2021, Arkansas passed anti-transgender legislation that stirred cyclists around the nation, with many cyclists calling for boycotts of Arkansas and its events,” she says. The move threatened to put a spoke in the wheel of the Cyclocross World Cup event in October 2021 and the 2022 Cyclocross World Championships, both of which were to be held at Centennial Park in Fayetteville. For those unfamiliar with the sport, the latter of those two events is considered the Super Bowl of cycling, drawing in competitors and fans by the masses from dozens of countries across the globe. Advertised as, “The World Comes to Fayetteville,” it was only the second time in the 72-year history of the event that it was to be held in the United States. But rather than let the measure stop their momentum and halt a massive, world-class event, those working at the grassroots level in Northwest Arkansas took the opportunity to zero in on the work that still needed to be done. They leveraged that national and international attention to shine a light on that work. “Along with strife and frustration, this brought a time of awareness and unity within the local cycling scene of Northwest Arkansas,” Smith says. “BikeNWA held Pass the Mic: LGBTQIA+ in NWA and the Cycling Community on Oct. 12, 2021, and brought in experts, athletes and community members for a panel discussion. Conversations like this, on and off the bike that had previously never been discussed much, happened regularly around the community.” Smith and her colleagues at Resplendent continue to amplify these conversations in hopes of bringing more people into what they hope to be a big tent culture. “We are looking forward to year two of the Critical Mass Summit and continuing our partnership with the great folks at ETHIC,” says Mary Mickel, co-founder of Resplendent Hospitality. “This community is rife with incredible humans looking to propel this movement. And because we actually live here and our office cycles — at varying levels — we’re here for it.” As that movement continues to grow, so too do the opportunities for those, like Lechuga, who have made cycling culture the center of their life’s work. With every new mile of trail and every new person going out for their first ride, there’s a tangible impact on the local economy. “In my opinion, it will have a positive impact within the local economy,” Lechuga says. “Healthy people are happier, live longer, explore more and give back more within their communities. No one can argue against cycling being a good thing for people to do, so with the increasing infrastructure of cycling throughout our communities, my hope is that it will continue to get people out to local breweries, restaurants, state parks, coffee shops — everyone benefits.” She knows that as well as anyone because she’s seen it first-hand. “We’ve been so touched by the support of our community upon

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landing here,” Lechuga adds. “We’ve had other small businesses and entities collaborate with us immediately, which is unique to this area. Everyone pulls for others’ success here, and in that sense, the rising tide raises all the boats. Our coaching business has definitely grown since we transitioned here.” That type of bubbling economic activity not only bolsters local hospitality businesses but also draws in scalable ventures and spurs innovation and technology that can use the region as a testbed or launching pad. And not just apps or websites with maps and trail conditions, but new products and advancements to existing ones that net big bucks from cyclists with disposable income eager to spend on their favorite pastime. “Technology is so much more than apps on a phone,” Walton says. “If you look at mountain bikes from 10 years ago compared to the mountain bikes of today, they’re prehistoric. … They were good, but the ones today are multiple factors better in terms of the ride, the suspension. “As entrepreneurs across the board look for opportunity … there’s innovation to be had in manufacturing, experiences. There’s innovation across all areas of the [mountain biking] economy.” aymag.com

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plays altz B e s nal Ro origi yard e h t on their e in hors 40. in 19

Break Maiden:

The Peerless Pocahontas Pony Called ‘Wonder Horse’ By KENNETH HEARD | Photos courtesy RANDOLPH COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM

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After Baltz obtained his patent and a company bought it, a plastic version of the horse was created. (Kenneth Heard)

hile Oaklawn jockeys raced on their horses in Hot Springs, Roy Rogers rode off into the sunset on Trigger and Festus limped after the steeds in Gunsmoke, thousands of children galloped in their own homes half a century ago. The Wonder Horse, a popular spring-action toy that replicated the riding motion of a horse, was a staple entertainment for kids around the country in the 1950s and ’60s. It continued when children grew up and gave the toys to their own kids. Despite its massive popularity back then, the Wonder Horse had a humble beginning, created in the workshop of a Pocahontas man who was constantly making things for his own children. William Baltz, an engineer and Randolph County surveyor, built the horse for his 3-year-old son, Billy, in December 1939. Baltz, born on Sept. 15, 1888, said he was getting 107

too old to bounce his son on his knee to imitate the trot of a horse and devised the toy, according to Rodney Harris, an associate professor of history at Williams Baptist University and the director of the Randolph County Heritage Museum. The museum, located on the Pocahontas town square, has a display dedicated to Baltz and his invention. The first wooden horse was made of cypress floor joists and old packing crates. Baltz painted the horse tan and brown and suspended it on four frame posts by thick, heavy springs. Handles jutted out on either side of the horse’s head, and riders gripped them, rocking back and forth to get the horse moving. Depending on the weight of a child, the toy could either gallop like a 3-year-old thoroughbred making the final turn at Churchill Downs or plod along like a plow horse turning a muddy field. aymag.com

olph Rand age : t f e L rit ty He ctor Coun ire um D is. Muse arr ltz. ey H m Ba Rodn a i l l i t: W Righ

“I think it’s such a testament to the imagination of a child. ... It’s such a crude sort of thing in design, but that horse was all I needed.” Baltz called it the Wonder Horse because, at that time, Arkansas’ nickname was “The Wonder State.” His children would ride the horse in the yard at their home at Bettis and Rice streets. Bettis Street was the main thoroughfare through Pocahontas back then, and motorists who traveled from Little Rock to St. Louis would often stop to see the horse. And they asked if Baltz could make the toy for them. He began making the horses for customers in a workshop in his basement in 1940. He and a local carpenter could make up to 50 horses a day. He couldn’t keep up with the ever-increasing demand, though. Baltz had done well even before creating the Wonder Horse. Born to German parents as one of 14 children, he didn’t speak English until he was 9. He became an engineer and, at the age of 29, was appointed as a county surveyor by Arkansas Gov. Charles Hillman Brough. It was a position he held for 50 years. He was also a Works Progress Administration supervisor for Randolph County in the 1930s and owned a small factory that made window and attic fans. Baltz applied for a patent, and on March 29, 1945, he was

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granted U.S Patent 24371015A for a “suspended horse.” Nearly 200 companies rejected his patent when he tried to sell the idea to a manufacturer. In 1944, though, A.G. Manning of Memphis, the owner of Associated Woodworks, Inc., bought the patent and began making the horses at his Collierville, Tennessee, factory. The company produced four models of the horse for different ages and opened a second factory in Rockford, Illinois, to help meet customers’ demands. There was the Original Wonder Horse, a plastic vinyl horse with a wooden frame for children ages 1-3. The saddle measured 16 ½ inches off the ground. The Regular Wonder Horse was made of hardwood, and its saddle was 21 ¼ inches from the floor. The Wonder Horse Mare was plastic, and its saddle was 19 ½ inches tall. The Wonder Horse Deluxe was the top of the line with a saddle height of 20 ½ inches. The toys ranged in price from $10.95 to $29.95. The horse’s motto, according to a sale brochure, was, “It’s gaited,” and it promised its “magic spring action develops grace, rhythm and muscle coordination.”

The design William Baltz used to gain a U.S. Patent in 1945. (Kenneth Heard)

Lynn Garrott of Cordova, Tennessee, received a Wonder Horse when she was 2 or 3. She rode it so much, she says, that she developed blisters on her hands from grabbing the two handles. But did that deter her? Neigh. She pulled off her socks and put them on her hands to keep riding. “I was a better problem solver then than I am now,” says Garrott, 72, a retired school teacher. She gave her son, Daniel, a Wonder Horse when he was about 3. The family lived in Arizona then, and Daniel was immersed in the Western culture of the area. He wore a cowboy hat and boots and strapped on a toy six-shooter when riding the horse. “He was quite impressed with himself,” Garrott says. “He rode the fire out of it.” Seventy years after he rode his Wonder Horse, Atlanta artist Michael Goettee is still thinking of the ride. Goettee, 74, paints western scenery as a background and ads carved elements into the picture. One work contains a carved, blue Woodie automobile that appears to leap out of a scrub brush landscape. Another features an armadillo-plated travel trailer parked near a red rock bluff. His art is displayed in the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville, Georgia. Thinking of the horse, Goettee says, gave him an idea for yet another western art project. He wants to paint a desert scene with the front half of

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a carved Wonder Horse model jutting from the landscape. “I think it’s such a testament to the imagination of a child,” Goettee says. “It’s such a crude sort of thing in design, but that horse was all I needed. I rode it in the 1950s, and I can still hear the sound of the springs.” Dozens of people wrote of memories on a Facebook page devoted to the horse, saying they rode the Wonder Horse as a child and then passed it on to their children and grandchildren. “Cracked my head open twice on one of those,” wrote Jay Rice, a priest in Liberty, Missouri. “We had one for our girls,” another person wrote. “And they rode many miles.” There are no records to indicate how much money Baltz may have made by selling the horses, Harris says. “So many people had them,” Harris says. “I’m sure the original horse spawned other ideas, too.” The museum director says Baltz must have done well with his idea. It funded the purchase of a 1,500-acre farm in Randolph County. Baltz died in 1979 at the age of 90. In a July 1976 interview with the Pocahontas Star Herald, he credited his long life to having “never smoked or drank whiskey.” Harris says the Wonder Horse display is a popular one at the museum. So many people had a horse but weren’t aware of its origin “They were really popular then,” Harris says. “People are finding a lot of them in their attics around here now.”

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arts&culture

The

Human Touch By DWAIN HEBDA Photos By JAMISON MOSLEY

The elderly couple shuffling down the street pause to get their bearings, the light falling across their faces just so. From inside his car, Kevin Kresse glances casually at the pedestrians, and his heart leaps into his throat. At last, he thinks. Kresse had been beating his head against an artistic wall for some time, trying without success to get his depiction of the Good Samaritan, to be displayed at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock, just right. Time was ticking for his first piece of public art and with it his frustration as the expression of the benevolent Biblical do-gooder eluded him. And now, the perfect face was shuffling right alongside him. “I kind of had in mind this type of a kindly but interesting-looking face for the person helping the other one,” Kresse remembers. “I was driving down Kavanaugh … and I remember my twins were toddlers in their car seats. I saw this older couple walking down the street, and I went, ‘Oh my God! There he is! That’s him.’

Kevin Kresse.

Xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxx xxxx Kresse’s attention is xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx. focused on every de-

tail of his Johnny Cash statue.

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“I go turning around the block and get up ahead of them and pull over. And of course, I sound like a complete crazy person getting out and going, ‘OK, so here’s the deal …’ I explained everything, and he looked at me, and he goes, ‘I have a heart condition.’ I said, ‘Well, this shouldn’t be that strenuous.’” Kresse, as is his wont, punctuates the story with a laugh smooth as polished marble. In the years since that first public piece, he has become one of the most well-known artists in Little Rock, if not Arkansas — to say nothing of the rest of the country, too — with paintings and sculptures brightening public and private spaces from coast to coast. Experience has sharpened his eye and steadied his

the gallery would sell. “But to me, it’s all fine because you’re still getting into that core part of you, reconnecting with your true self. When I’m creating something, it doesn’t matter if I’m painting or if I’m sculpting; I’m still shaking hands with myself. That’s where the joy of the art comes from.”

***

hands to be sure, as only time can do. But the magic still lies in such happy accidents, the serendipitous aligning of time and place and person that ultimately breathes life into his work. Creation is nothing without that spark, and it can come from some pretty unexpected places. That part of the journey, Kresse says, is and always has been much of the fun. “I don’t think I had a clear idea of the kind of artist I would be,” he says. “As a kid, my big heroes in grade school visually were Michelangelo and da Vinci. I loved Michelangelo; he painted and sculpted. I don’t think I ever determined to become a sculptor; I was painting because that was more accessible to me when I first started. “My first large bronze was sort of a happenstance thing, and because of that, it led to my first public piece. Then, being responsible for a wife and eventually three kids, quite frankly, the commissions of sculpture helped me budget out what was going on to keep the boat afloat for the family, as opposed to waiting to see if paintings in

Kevin Kresse has always been surrounded by faces. The 10th of 11 kids, the North Little Rock native worked his way through parochial school, Catholic High and UA-Little Rock where he majored in art. Initially, he divided his skills between his passion and a day job in advertising, a reliable groove he was resigned to stay in had the most influential voice in his life not said otherwise. “When we were pregnant with the twins, I was maybe eight or nine years into working as an artist doing gallery shows and things,” he says. “I had started to build a name and was selling OK from the galleries and stuff, primarily paintings. But knowing that I had kids coming, I was thinking to myself that I need to go get a real job and be responsible as a father. “My wife, Bridget, was the one who said, ‘That’s not you. We’ll be OK.’ And I’ve got to say, I’ve got other friends that their partners couldn’t live with the instability of erratic income, and I’ve seen other relationships fall apart. But she really props me up when I’m in darker areas.”

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I don’t think I had a clear idea of the kind of artist I would be.”

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Another inspiration was the Little Rock band The Gunbunnies, with whom Kresse — who is as enamored with, if not as accomplished in, music as he is visual arts — lived for a spell. During that time, he watched band member Chris Maxwell daily hone his craft and hustle the band to club owners and record execs alike. “You could hear him in the morning working through scales; you could hear him calling the record company. He was really getting after it, and it was nice being around someone so driven,” Kresse says. “I was thinking, well, they were really doing what they love, and they’re paying their share of the rent. Maybe I could do it, too.”

***

True talent is always discovered; it’s just a matter of when. Whatever a smaller market like Little Rock may have lacked in notoriety it more than made up for in familiarity. Thus did Kresse’s reputation build, one project at a time. In the what-have-you-done-lately world of the independent artist, each piece put him in the running for another, then two, three or five more, begetting more projects. Kresse stood out from the field for his unique talent to create sculptures of anonymous as well as well-known people, capturing the subject’s individual aura in ways that are hauntingly alive. Five years ago, a commissioned sculpture of musician Levon Helm coalesced three of his most foundational elements — art, music and the Natural State — and set him on a path

to create a series of busts of other noteworthy Arkansas figures. To date, Glen Campbell, Al Green, Sister Rosetta Tharp, Daisy Bates and Louis Jordan crowd for space in his Stifft Station living room, next to Helm. Johnny Cash holds a special place in this lineup, represented in three pieces. A bust of the lean country barnstormer over here, another of a fleshier, older Cash in a corner near the front door. Both are remarkable in the external conveyance of dark and light that hints at the twin bobcats of sin and salvation wrestling inside Cash his entire life. But the one that stops the visitor in their tracks is Kresse’s latest, a full-body version of Cash from which one literally cannot take one’s eyes. Guitar slung over his back, Bible in his chiseled hand, head dipped, the piece poses more questions than answers. Is Cash pondering his good fortune or assessing his life’s wreckage? Praying in thanksgiving or silently begging for mercy? Just like with the man himself, the answer changes with the angle. The remarkable piece is soon to be cast as an oversized bronze statue to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C. Last year, Kresse won the honor for his Cash, selected over artists’ designs from across the country, to stand next to Daisy Bates representing Arkansas. The finished work is expected to be unveiled sometime later this year. For the Arkansas kid, it’s hard not to rank the accomplishment at the very top of an already-remarkable career, especially with what it took out of him to get there.

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“When I was working through these different poses and trying to get to ‘the One,’ I was thinking it would resolve itself, and I would know when I had arrived,” he says. “But along the way, there would be times where I would go, ‘Oh my God, come on! What am I missing?’ I talked with Michelangelo; I talked with Bernini. And I did a lot of talking with Johnny along the way.” As he works out the details on the Cash project, Kresse is more in demand than ever. He’s recently dedicated a statue of Natalie Wood on Catalina Island in California and is working on another piece for a corporate client in Northwest Arkansas. More projects wait in the wings, patiently anticipating their time under the hands of a master. Asked if he’s got a white whale, a subject he’s tried and failed to adequately capture, he sheepishly confesses The Beatles as being just outside his artistic reach. But who knows, he chuckles; walking down the street, shopping a farmer’s market or sitting on a park bench, he may find them yet one day. “I see faces all the time,” he says. “You can look at certain people and either there’s a light behind their eyes or there’s just something about them that draws you to them. It can be just the initial outer features that kind of catch your eye. If it stops right there, then I’m not interested. “But if there is that extra-special something that’s so intangible and hard to put words to, then for sure, I’m so interested. I’m not content just giving a likeness. It’s got to go deeper.”

Want to know what’s happening for the weekend?

Tune in on 103.7 The Buzz every Friday morning when AY Media Group President & Publisher Heather Baker is their guest!

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CABOT HEALTH & REHAB, LLC

is a skilled nursing facility offering resident-centered care in a convenient and quiet location. Cabot Health & Rehab, LLC is located in beautiful Cabot, AR near the city center, medical offices and hospitals. Our team consists of licensed nurses, physicians, therapists and other medical specialists who believe in building strong relationships with our residents and their families. We believe this is essential to the healing process.

ACCOMMODATIONS & SERVICES

Cabot Health & Rehab, LLC offers both semi-private and private rooms (when available). Our staff is dedicated to ensuring that our residents are provided a robust activity calendar, a superior dining experience in a warm, family-like setting. When recuperation and convalescence is needed, our staff works as a multi-disciplinary team to develop a comprehensive rehabilitation program to facilitate a return to home.

health &

C si n

ab reh

cabo t

REHABILITATION

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CABOT HEALTH & REHAB, LLC 200 North Port Drive Cabot, AR 72023 Phone 501-843-6181 Fax 501-843-6736

When indicated, our team of therapists work with residents to customize a rehabilitation program which can include physical, occupational and speech therapy with a focus on improving mobility, endurance, safety and facilitating a return to home. A tailored treatment plan will allow residents to recapture health and an independent lifestyle when possible. The enrichment of daily physical function can significantly improve a resident’s self-reliance and overall happiness.

Connecting Families with Residents

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Alma Nursing and Rehabilitation Center’s residents and staff are ready to roll up their sleeves so they can do away with FaceTime visits and visits through the windows, and get back to life as normal with friends and family.

Alma Nursing and Rehabilitation Center 401 Heather Lane • Alma, AR 118

479-632-4343

We are a skilled nursing facility with a state-of-the-art rehab center offering personcentered care in a quiet and serene setting.

Awarded Bronze National Quality Award by the American Health We are a skilled nursi Association.

center offering person-c Awarded Bronze National

1092 West Stultz Road, S

1092 West Stultz Road, Springdale 479.750.3800 ShilohHR.com We are a skilled nursing facility with a state-of-the-art rehab center offering person-centered care in a quiet and serene setting. Awarded National Quality Award by the American Healthrehab Association. We areBronze a skilled nursing facility with a state-of-the-art center offering care in a quiet and serene setting. 1092 West Stultz person-centered Road, Springdale | 479.750.3800 | ShilohHR.com Awarded Bronze National Quality Award by the American Health Association.

1092 West Stultz Road, Springdale | 479.750.3800 | ShilohHR.com

Nestled in the center of a quiet neighborhood, Innisfree Health & Rehab is a unique, family-oriented facility offering skilled care in loving, supportive atmosphere. Our licensed nurses, physician assistants, dentists, podiatrist and other specialists believe that our residents need strong relationships with their families and is key to the healing process. The entire Innisfree staff is devoted to providing the highest quality care possible, in a manner which celebrates the dignity and grace of every resident.

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Our home is conveniently located just off Walnut in Rogers close to Walmart, under the medical directions of Dr. Kimberly Burner.

Our home is conveniently located just o to Walmart, under the medical direction 301 S. 24th Street | Rogers, AR 72758 | 479-636

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arts&culture

And the Oscar Goes to …

Jayme Lemons: From Small-Town Roots to the Big Leagues of Hollywood By JENNY BOULDEN Photos courtesy JAYME LEMONS

e’ve all heard the stories. The about-to-give-up actress who had less than a dollar in her bank account before landing her iconic role. The A-lister who worked years as a Hollywood carpenter years before getting cast in a breakout hit. Then there’s the story of the western Arkansas girl who delivered tea to Laura Dern, instantly became her best friend and moved to LA where they stayed BFFs for more than 20 exciting years and became business partners, launching a creative company that within four years had produced an Academy Award-winning film. It sounds like blind luck, but it’s more a story of human connections and the power of friends who make you, as producer and Waldron native Jayme Lemons puts it, the best version of yourself you can be. “Even as a kid, I would rather watch TV or a movie than do almost anything else,” she says. “But I never understood that this world could be a reality. How would a kid from Waldron have a career in Hollywood?” Lemons has never stopped being a superfan of movies, TV or especially of the people who make them. She has immense gratitude and mad respect for the people who have been part of her own story. Her friends may be household names, but they aren’t names she drops with anything resembling pretension. Rather, she speaks of them fondly and familiarly with something like awe for the opportunities she’s earned to be in their spheres and learn from the best. [ AN UNLIKELY PATH \

Born in El Dorado but raised in Waldron, Lemons went to Arkansas Tech University in the early ’90s, thinking she’d go into politics or law. But an elective theater class focused her attention like nothing else had. She changed her major to theater history just because she loved it, then entered grad school at the University of Arkansas with dual emphases in film and political communications. “I was playing it safe. I still thought there wasn’t a path to working in film,” she says. And Lemons’ first experience on a movie set nearly destroyed her interest in filmmaking. “I interviewed for what I thought was a position of assistant to the director on a tiny film being shot in Arkansas. I thought I’d fetch coffee for people,” she says. “Instead, it turned out the position was First Assistant Director. And they hired me! Which should tell you something about the quality of that production that they’d hire someone with zero experience to be first AD.” The shoot was hell. Lemons doesn’t dwell on details, but says the “duct-taped-together production” did everything the worst way possible. “I thought, ‘Well, let me go back to grad school. If this is what making a movie is, this is a nightmare.’ I didn’t know how any movie ever got made if that’s how they did it,” she says. But the job introduced Lemons to casting director Sarah Tackett, president of The Agency, a Little Rock-based talent firm. Tackett persuaded Lemons to give film one more try, suggesting a small job on a film Billy Bob Thornton and Laura Dern were making around Little Rock. The film was Daddy & Them (2001), a little-seen but star-filled dark comedy Thornton wrote and directed. Working on it was the most pivotal event in Lemons’ life. As a cast assistant, she’d drive cast members to set and do errands for them, such as picking up lunch or bringing Dern a cup of hot tea.

“It was crazy. I went from being a grad student to driving Brenda Blethyn! I got to know Andy Griffith and remained connected with him the rest of his life. We all had a ball and became best friends,” she says. “They exceeded everything I could ever have expected.” [ LEARNING FROM FRIENDS \

Closest of all were Lemons and Dern. They became fast friends, in both senses. Lemons describes it as one of those kismet things; two people who instantly “get” each other suddenly connect and build a trusting, lifetime friendship. The only improbable bit was their lightning-fast mutual connection was between a grad student running errands and a bona fide movie star. But the friendships she formed with Dern and the cast make perfect sense. Verbally agile and funny, Lemons can hold her own among some of the world’s top creatives. And yet, she’s grounded, practical and crazy likable. If she were running for president, she’d be the candidate you’d want to sit down and have a beer with. And the one you’d trust to get things done. After Daddy & Them wrapped, Lemons quit grad school, moved to Los Angeles (a place she’d never visited), and worked as an assistant to Dern and Thornton. She calls it the best possible job she could have to learn the business. “That spring, I had written a paper about Robert Altman, and that fall I was working on a Robert Altman movie,” she says, shaking her head at her own story. Lemons didn’t yet know she wanted to be a producer — or even what producers did — but she had a front-row seat to what everybody on set was doing. “As an assistant, you find out what you’re most interested in — costumes, cameras, sets,” she says. “I was definitely most interested in the scripts, the story, putting it together. More than any one department, I was interested in the creative whole.” While learning to navigate showbusiness, Lemons also worked in development for Courteney Cox, another “good Southern girl” and mentor. “Courteney’s one of the most gracious, hard-working, constantly-reinventing-herself actor/director/producers you’ll ever come across. Just so extraordinarily talented and creative,” Lemons effuses. “She is someone who just refuses to let you be anything other than the best of yourself. She’s a crucial part of why I am where I am able to be.” [ CREATIVE MIND-MELDING \

Lemons says, “Laura and I had always wanted to produce something together. But we didn’t know that we could have a company. When we first started thinking about it, not a

Lemon s

lot of actors, certainly not many women, had real working production companies.” Lemons joined Dern as co-producer of Enlightened, the critically acclaimed HBO series Dern created with Mike White. It opened even more doors for her producing career. Then in 2017, the BFFs launched their long-dreamed-of production company, Jaywalker Pictures. Lemons’ mom came up with the name, blending together the names of Dern’s children. But Lemons adds, “The name resonated with us because, like us, it’s rebellious … but not felonious. It pushes the boundaries ever so.” She now spends her days finding work that speaks to that creative sensibility she and Dern share. “We always want our work to mean something, to move the needle forward, even if it’s not overt,” Lemons says. “It’s just too hard getting things made to spend time on projects that don’t move you.” It’s the creativity that charges her, and the pursuit of producing meaningful art that drives Lemons ever forward. She’s not the kind of producer who just hands over a check. “Oh, that’s definitely not me!” she says. In contrast, Lemons shines as a creative producer by staying intimately involved in shepherding the projects she and Dern decide to take on, from their inception to getting them in front of audiences. Her fingerprints are on every part of the production. Their production efforts vary: comedy, drama, animated, documentary, TV, film, whatever moves them. One day Will McCormack, a good friend who had co-written and -directed an animated short about a family’s grief after gun violence, showed them an early draft. “We loved it and said we’ll do everything Lemons and Laur a De

rn.

and Co

urtene y Cox.

“I love my Ark ansas Razorbacks in all forms and fas hions. ... I watch all the sports they play. I do n’t think I’ve mis sed a Razorback ba seball game in three years.”

we can for it,” she recalls. “Everything they could do” turned out to be not only getting the film, called If Anything Happens, I Love You, on Netflix, but last April, winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Short. The profoundly moving (prepare to ugly cry) film is only 12 minutes long, but the week it debuted, ranked in Netflix’s Top 10 titles worldwide. “The lives it’s touched, the calls we’ve received from parents,” Lemons says quietly, “it remains one of the most special things either Laura or I have ever been involved with.” Another Jaywalker Pictures production was a 2020 documentary, The Way I See It, about former Chief White House photographer Pete Souza’s career chronicling Presidents Reagan and Obama. Starting production this spring are two projects. One, Mrs. American Pie, is a 10-episode series starring Kristen Wiig that will be on Apple+; Abe Sylvia, writer of Dead to Me and The Eyes of Tammy

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Faye, is adapting Julia McDonald’s novel. And Dern plans to co-star with Benedict Cumberbatch and Noah Jupe in Morning, a sci-fi film about a society in perpetual daylight that takes a pill so no one needs sleep or dream. They have other not-quite-announced products underway, including with North Little Rock writer/director Graham Gordy. [ ROOTING FOR HER ROOTS \

One more thing Lemons is vehemently passionate about: her home state. Surprisingly, Lemons is not Zooming into this interview from LA. “No, I’m living in . Fort Smith right now! It’s my favorite place,” r mom and he s she says. She’s been there since early 2020, n o m Le moving home from the big city for what she thought would be a few weeks of a Lemons and Dan pandemic. “Here I am, still here! I yelle Mu sselman love it,” she says, launching enthu. siastically into praise for the city’s downtown revitalization, the “so cool” Miss Laura’s Visitors Center (a historic, former bordello) and the new skate park. “It’s amazing.” She’s also an avid (but not terribly good, she says) golf player and an obsessive Hog fan. “I love my Arkansas Razorbacks

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in all forms and fashions,” she confides. “Thank God for the ESPN app! My assistant knows never to book meetings when the Hogs are playing. I watch all the sports they play. I don’t think I’ve missed a Razorback baseball game in three years.” When asked about her family, as she’s only mentioned her mother, with whom she’s extremely close, the question comes up: is Lemons married, in a partnership? Does she have kids? She’s currently single, or, as she puts it, “I have not yet found a husband, nor father for the children I do not have.” Then she laughs, “I’m a Razorbacks fan. I play golf. Why don’t I have a husband? I’m fun!” Lemons is also rooting for the Arkansas Cinema Society. A member of its board with colleagues like Gordy and one of her other favorite people, the great Mary Steenburgen, she urges, “Support it! They say representation matters, and it does. Growing up here, the only Arkansan I saw working in film was Mary. If I’d had the Arkansas Cinema Society, I’d have been able to see that working in film and television is a possibility for any kid in any part of the state of Arkansas. You can do it. The Arkansas Cinema Society is holding that light up and showing kids across the state and around the South that it is possible.” “Come see us and hang out with us at ACS,” she encourages young Arkansans dreaming of moviemaking, “and we’ll show you how.”

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When considering a facility for short-term rehabilitation services, families want the best they can get for their loved ones, and they have to look no further than Superior Health and Rehab in Conway.

Our rehabilitation gym offers state-of-the art rehab and features interactive equipment to enable our licensed therapists to create a comprehensive therapy program designed to get our residents back to their prior functional level, regain their self-reliance and facilitate a return to home as quickly as possible.

625 Tommy Lewis Drive • Conway, AR• 501-585-6800 • superiorhrc.com

Best of

2018

When you you walk walk into into the the Robinson Robinson Nursing Nursing && Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Center Center you you will will feel feel aa comfortable comfortable atmosphere atmosphere different different When from any other facility you have visited. We feature tall ceilings and an open floor plan. We have a lovely dining room and 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. a covered outdoor patio area. We specialize specialize in in short-term short-term rehabilitation rehabilitation and and long-term long-term care care services. services. The The short-term short-term rehabilitation rehabilitation area area has has its its own own We diningarea areaand andday dayroom. room.From Fromthe themoment momentyou youenter enterour ourfacility, facility,we wewant wantyou youto toexperience experiencethe thedifference differenceour ourfacility facilityhas has dining to offer. offer. From From our our light-filled light-filled day day areas areas to to our our beautiful beautiful outdoor outdoor areas, areas, we we want want you you and and your your loved loved one one to to feel feel comfortable comfortable to and safe safe when when staying staying with with us. us. You You will will also also notice notice the the pride pride we we take take in in our our facility facility by by keeping keeping our our building building sparkling sparkling clean clean and from the the inside inside out. out. from Our team team isis dedicated dedicated to to providing providing aa safe safe and and comfortable comfortable environment. environment. Robinson Robinson Nursing Nursing and and Rehab Rehab offers offers modern modern Our conveniencesin inaagracious gracioussetting. setting.We Weprovide providedaily dailyplanned plannedactivities activitiesled ledbybyCertified certifiedActivity activityDirectors, directors, like like social social events events conveniences and outings outings and and pastoral pastoral services services with with spiritual spiritual care care for for all all religions. religions. We We strongly strongly encourage encourage family family participation participation in in group group and activities, meals meals and and celebrating celebrating family family birthdays birthdays and and special special days. days. activities, To help help you you plan plan your your visits, visits, we we provide provide aa monthly monthly event event calendar calendar and and aa monthly monthly meal meal planner. planner. Robinson Robinson Nursing Nursing and and To Rehab does does not not have have set set visiting visiting hours. hours. We We view view this this facility facility as as the the “home” “home” of of each each resident. resident. Rehab We try try our our best best to to communicate communicate with with patients patients and and families families to to help help alleviate alleviate the the anxiety anxiety that that accompanies accompanies this this journey. journey. We Our team of nurses, therapists and support staff work closely together to develop a plan based on the individual needs of 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. each person. We recognize that rehabilitation involves not only the patient,

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

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This side of

SEVEN – By Jason Pederson

DEFYING THE ODDS This spring, Dylan Johnston will graduate from Harding University. But unlike many of his classmates, he will enter the workforce with no college debt. He has paid for his car in full. And at the age of 22, he no longer pays rent; he pays a mortgage. “Dylan is the exception and not the rule,” says Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley. “The majority [of kids with Dylan’s background] fall into addiction. They were in-and-out of foster care and didn’t have a father-figure for direction.” That was true of Johnston, too. His parents divorced when he was 10-years-old, and he says two years later his dad took his battles with depression and addiction to Pennsylvania. Johnston and his two younger sisters were left with an overwhelmed mom who struggled to find gainful employment and respectful boyfriends. “We moved so many times, I can’t recall how many,” Johnston says. “We were definitely always on the go. We were having yard sales on the weekend and just selling what we had. We were selling the TV in the living room, selling the couch in the living room, just to pay the rent.” When the possessions ran out, so did the rent money. That led to eviction and homelessness for a 15-year-old Johnston and his sisters, ages 12 and 3. “We’re with my mom, couch surfing or sleeping in our car, trying to keep everything on the low because we don’t want to go into foster care. We don’t even know what that is at this point.” But when his mom got into some trouble with the law, things unraveled. “There was nothing I could do at that point,” Johnston recalls.

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“I don’t know where I’m going. Why am I running? So I ended up meeting with [a DHS case manager] that day.” After spending two-and-a-half weeks at the Open Arms Shelter in Lonoke, during which time he continued to attend school every day in Cabot, an aunt and uncle (with two young Dylan Johnston. children of their own) took in Johnston and his sisters. Tight quarters and an even tighter budget made things stressful. “I don’t think they were ready completely housing-wise and financially, even with the assistance you get from DHS,” Johnston remembers. He butted heads with his uncle regarding rules and privileges. Trust was broken, and Johnston needed to find a new place to live. He gave the social worker the names of three families he knew from the Cabot Church of Christ, and one agreed to take him in. Johnston enjoyed stability with that family for more than two years — the rest of the way through high school. They helped

ship and a Pell grant, but she is not getting the monthly stipend or insurance reimbursements, discounts, etc. that her brother received. Johnston says it has been a more difficult road for her. According to Immerse Arkansas, a Little Rock nonprofit, more than 200 youths age out of foster care every year in Arkansas; 1,000 youths in Central Arkansas are homeless. The National Foster Youth Institute estimates that 20 percent of the teens who age out of foster care instantly become homeless. The Children’s Advocacy Institute at the University of San Diego says, “The typical youth — one who does not have a history of abuse or neglect — does not achieve true self-sufficiency until age 26. We know that parents invest a median amount of just under $50,000 on their young adult children after age 18, thus giving their children a chance at becoming productive, self-sufficient adults. Foster youth, on the other hand, are thrust into the world at 18 years of age, with no safety net, and receive on average less than $10,000 of financial assistance — and most of that help goes towards the paltry 3 percent who manage to defy the odds and obtain a college degree.” “Defying the odds” has become Dylan Johnston’s personal motto. “I looked up the statistics on foster kids who age out,” he says. “It’s not pretty. I’ve always felt a weird weight on my shoulders to avoid becoming one of those statistics.” Johnston wants to somehow use his “Defy the Odds” motto and his life-verse, Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through him who gives me strength.” Maybe a blog, maybe as a guest-speaker with an audience of kids in foster care, he’s not quite sure. “Dylan is very intelligent,” Sheriff Staley him make some major life decisions, including says. “He is always respectful, he has a drive, where to go to college. and he has talent. He has overcome extreme “They helped me transition to Harding,” he obstacles and has a bright future.” says. “I initially was going to go to Jonesboro, Johnston’s father moved back to Arkansas and then decided on Harding because of the and now lives in Bentonville. He entered a discounts they give to kids coming out of fosdrug treatment and recovery program and is ter care. If you choose to stay in foster care past nearly three years sober. 18, it is like your best decision ever. I’ve got my “My sister and I went to his graduation whole school paid for. I haven’t paid a single ceremony from his program,” Johnston says. dime for school. Isn’t that crazy?” “We had never seen our dad talk about anyFor many kids who grow up in foster care, thing that had to do with the Bible. He was the finish line is their 18th birthday. They want up there talking to these other guys and out, and the sooner the better. But extended sharing what God has done in his life. It’s foster care offers youths like Johnston genercrazy … the transformation.” ous benefits.In exchange for a $750 per month Johnston’s mom has remarried and lives boarding payment, Johnston agreed to check in in Searcy. He says losing her kids to foster occasionally with a support family (which was Johnston at work at Nova Joe’s in care was a blow from which she continues to really needed when residence halls close over Searcy. work to recover. school breaks, during the summer or during As for what’s next for Johnston, he hopes to use his Integrated Marpandemics) and attend ILP (Independent Living Program) classes keting Communications degree to continue to help his employer, Nova once a month. Plus, any teen who ages out of foster care and wants Joe’s. He started as an employee but now helps with the marketing, to continue their education can qualify for up to $5,000. per year in social media, branding and merchandising for the drive-thru gourmet tuition assistance. coffee shops in Independence and White counties. “When you stay in foster care, you can get up to $750 per month,” The statistics show that within four years of aging out, 70 percent of Johnston says. “Plus discounted tuition at Harding, plus two local former foster children will be on government assistance. Only half will scholarships, a Pell grant. … I had more than I needed. So I would put have a regular job, and those who do make an average annual income that money into savings or pay down debt.” of $7,500. Less than 3 percent will earn a college degree. When she turned 18, his sister didn’t have the option of extending Dylan Johnston knows the statistics. And he plans to continue to foster care as she had been raised under legal guardianship. Now 19, defy the odds. she is paying for community college classes online. She has a scholarJohnston outside the Searcy home he purchased with the help of Flat Branch Home Loans in Cabot.

JASON PEDERSON For two decades, Jason Pederson served as KATV-Channel 7’s Seven On Your Side reporter. Now on the other “side” of his award-winning time on the news, he now serves as Deputy Chief of Community Engagement for the Arkansas Department of Human Services. His perspective-filled and thought-provoking column, “This Side of Seven,” publishes exclusively in AY About You magazine monthly.

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NURSING & REHABILITATION LIVING PROFILE

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M A R C H

I S

COLON CANCER AWARENESS MONTH By Sherra Armstrong Illustrated by BK Simmons

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States for both men and women combined. Every year, about 140,000 people in the United States get colorectal cancer, and more than 52,000 people die of it. Only about two-thirds of adults in the United States are up-to-date with colorectal cancer screening.

TREATABLE

COLON CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

SCREENING AND EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES

Regular screening, beginning at age 45, is the key to preventing colorectal cancer. If you’re 45 to 75 years old, get screened for colorectal cancer regularly. If you’re younger than 45 and think you may be at high risk of getting colorectal cancer, or if you’re older than 75, INDUSTRY > ask your doctor if you should be screened.

NURSING STAFF: (LISTED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) SELMA KEEFER, SUZETTE SIEGLER, CHIQUITA ROSS, ALICIA WELLS, GISELLE RIOS KIRTLEY, JODI GARDNER, AND BRANDY BURRIS

MEET THE HEROES Kanis Endoscopy Center’s mission is to provide the highest quality of GI care to all members of our community, Our physicians and staff are highly trained and dedicated to saving lives. Procedures are done in a comfortable outpatient setting, designed with high quality of care, safety and patient privacy, and convenience in mind. Wait Days, Not Weeks For An Appointment Office Visit And Procedure In One Building Advanced Technology Endoscopy Suite

HOW CAN I LOWER MY RISK? Eat a low-fat, high-fiber diet If you use alcohol, drink only in moderation. If you use tobacco, quit. If you don't use tobacco, don't start. Alcohol and tobacco in combination are linked to colorectal cancer and other gastrointestinal cancers

Exercise for at least 20 minutes three to four days each week. Moderate exercise such as walking, gardening or climbing steps may help

health

Preventing Colorectal Cancer By ANGELA FORSYTH

ewer than two years ago, millions of people were shocked by the devastating news of Chadwick Boseman’s death. The star of 42 and Black Panther was only 43 years old when he died of colon cancer, bringing the spotlight onto this disease that is increasing among people under 50. More recently, 39-year-old Resident Evil actress Jeanette Maus, again, shocked us when she passed away from colon cancer early last year after an eight-month battle with the disease. In honor of National Colorectal Awareness Month, we want to draw attention to this serious disease. Sadly, colon cancer kills more than 50,000 people across the country each year. According to a report by the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement (ACHI), colorectal cancer is the fourth leading cancer in terms of rates of new cases and deaths, both nationwide and in our state. They estimate that 1,500 Arkansans are newly diagnosed, and 500 Arkansans die of this disease each year. The silver lining is that colon cancer is highly preventable. In fact, it’s one of the most preventable cancers if you undergo routine colonoscopy screening starting at age 45. Dr. Ranga Balasekaran, a gastroenterologist at Northwest Gastroenterology in Bentonville and Springdale — and a strong proponent of routine colonoscopies — says colon cancer can be prevented in close to 90 percent of cases where polyps are removed before they become cancerous. “The only way to do that is to get a colonoscopy,” he stresses. Regarding the rising numbers in younger patients, Balasekaran says the numbers have actually doubled, going from 5 percent to 11 percent. “At this time, there is no clear explanation for this increase in younger people,” he admits. “Some studies are being conducted to follow the effects of red meat and processed meat. They’re also researching possible links to obesity, antibiotics, excessive alcohol and smoking. These are all factors that are being studied, but to nail down exactly what is causing this, we don’t really know.”

Get Screened

Health experts may not have all the answers as to why some people develop cancer, but one thing is for sure: Finding cancer in its earliest stages through routine exams makes a huge difference in survival rates. Almost all colorectal cancers begin as precancerous

New Cancer Cases by Sex, Arkansas, 2013-2017

Arkansas Department of Health

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polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon or rectum. For colorectal cancer, colonoscopy is the gold standard for screening. What many people don’t know is that 50 is no longer the recommended age for getting a colonoscopy. The age is now 45. Last year, Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed Act 779 of 2021 into law, which lowered the age range for insurance-covered colorectal cancer preventive screenings from 50 and above to 45 and above. This new law went into effect Jan. 1, and follows the recommendations made by the American Cancer Society and the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF). Despite the new law, Balasekaran has seen some insurance companies reject coverage for patients under 50. They should cover the exam, but he recommends patients call their insurer beforehand so there are no surprises. For those below the age of 45, the gastroenterologist suggests they be aware of “alarm symptoms.” These are warning signs that there may be a deeper issue. Alarm Symptoms include: • Any blood in your stool • Change in bowel habits (constipation, diarrhea, consistency change in stool) • Persistent abdominal pain (cramps, gas, discomfort) • Unexplained weight loss • Persistent fatigue • Feeling you can’t empty your bowel completely If you have any of these symptoms, even if you’re younger than 45, a colonoscopy is recommended. “We are finding cancer in very young people,” Balasekaran notes. “Some of these cases include genetic conditions; some are sporadic. I found cancer in a 25 year old. So, for any of those alarm symptoms that need exploration, we proceed with colonoscopy, regardless of age.”

Be Aware

It’s important to note that at-home screening tests are not equal to colonoscopies. These tests — which are available over the counter and are highly advertised — detect colon cancer. They do not detect precancerous polyps. Balasekaran warns, “There’s a huge difference — prevention versus detection.” At-home stool DNA tests only detect what is already there. If it’s positive, you may already have cancer. A colonoscopy, on the other hand, can find polyps that can be removed before they become cancer.

Cancer Deaths by Sex, Arkansas, 2013-2017

Arkansas Department of Health

“It’s a very dangerous perception for somebody to think they don’t need a colonoscopy because they do regular home tests,” he adds. “That’s a misconception, and frankly, the commercials we see on TV for these tests are misleading.” When scheduling a colonoscopy, do some research first to make sure you choose the right doctor for your procedure. Look for a board-certified gastroenterologist. Some other physicians also perform this screening (internists, family physicians, general surgeons...) but board-certified gastroenterologists have the most training and expertise in this area.

Not Your Parent’s Colonoscopy

If you’re hesitant to sign up for this type of exam because you imagine it could be pretty uncomfortable, rest assured colonoscopies have changed dramatically in the last couple of decades. You no longer have to drink a gallon of diuretic liquid the night before. Nowadays, there are multiple low-volume prep options as well as a pill option. The procedure itself is not painful. You’re kept comfortable under anesthesia, and the camera diameter is only the size of your index finger. A colonoscopy typically takes about 30 to 60 minutes. During that time, the doctor can study the inside of the colon with a tiny camera and take tissue samples using small instruments. If a polyp is found, it can be removed right then. After the exam, it takes about an hour to recover from the anesthesia, and then you should have someone else drive you home. If the test is completely normal, you don’t need to have another screening for 10 years — it has a 10-year protective factor. If polyps are found, those are removed, and the next exam should be in three to five years.

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Healthy Colon

Overall, the most effective way to reduce your risk of colorectal cancer is to get screened. Aside from that, there are a few recommendations for behaviors that could help prevent colon cancer. They are similar to the preventative measures for most diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), research is still underway to find out if diet can reduce risk. However, medical experts recommend eating plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains and limiting animal fat. There have also been some findings that show that taking low-dose aspirin can help prevent cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer in some adults, depending on age and risk factors. Increasing physical activity, limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding tobacco is recommended for better general health, which can only help better your chances at keeping diseases away. Actions that may help prevent colon cancer: • Get a colonoscopy • Avoid smoking • Increase fiber intake • Lower red meat intake • Exercise • Maintain a healthy weight • Take a baby aspirin daily starting at age 50

The Bottom Line

To help prevent colon cancer, live a healthy lifestyle and get a colonoscopy!

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PHYSICIANS URGE THE PUBLIC TO BEGIN SCREENINGS AT 45; IT CAN BE A LIFESAVER

n recent years, the American Cancer Association (ACA) has lowered the minimum age for colorectal screening to age 45 for individuals, regardless of gender, who do not have a family history of colon cancer. Individuals with a family history of the disease should be screened at age 40 or ten years earlier than the age their affected family member developed colorectal cancer. “A colorectal screening for people over age 45 can be a lifesaver. It’s the biggest takeaway that I can give you,” said Owen Maat, MD. “Ninety percent of colorectal cancer can be detected with the screening.” Maat has been a gastroenterologist since completing a fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center in 1997. He currently practices at the Conway Regional Gastroenterology Center. His partner, Martin Moix, MD, explains, “A colonoscopy isn’t viewed as a pleasant experience, but it is something that everyone should do. It’s a tragedy when someone over the age of 50 gets colon cancer, because it could have been easily prevented. The screening is very effective.” Using high resolution video scopes, gastroenterologists can detect polyps as small as several millimeters during a colonoscopy. If found, the polyps are removed and later tested for cancer. “Polyps are a precursor to cancer, so, no polyps, no cancer,” said Moix “By getting people in for screening at age 45, finding the polyps, and removing them, we can prevent them from progressing to cancer some time in the future. We can also identify patients who are at risk for potentially developing more polyps.” He added, “Even if someone is at high risk for colon cancer, as long as you can stay in front of the polyp to colon cancer transformation, you can theoretically prevent them from getting the disease.” The Conway gastroenterologists have the capability to detect potentially cancer-causing

Owen Maat, MD

polyps up to a few millimeters in size. Moix said, “The optics and electronics are better. When we were doing this in school, we were using a 13-inch screen, and now we use an 80-inch screen and the image is in high definition.” GUIDELINES According to the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program, a study of colorectal cancer data revealed national incidence of colorectal cancer in both men and women under the age of 50 increased two percent between 1995 and 2016. These findings led the ACA to lower the screening age to 45. “There was a subset of people who were not getting routine screenings and they developed cancer,” said Moix. The SEER program is the authoritative source for cancer statistics in the United States. If a screening is negative and the person has no family history of the disease, the next colonoscopy can wait until they are 55. If polyps are removed, the person needs to be screened sooner, depending on the number and type of polyps. The gastroenterologists have found that the number of pre-cancerous polyps is on the rise in Arkansas. Like many diseases that are prevalent in the South, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and other forms

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of cancer, diet and exercise can prevent serious health risks. Nationwide about 30 percent of men and 20 percent of women develop pre-cancerous polyps but that number is much higher in Moix’s practice. “I would say the number has doubled, maybe tripled, the national average,” he said, “and I attribute that to the same variables that lead people to get cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other types of cancer.” Those risk factors are obesity, poor eating habits (not eating enough fiber, fruits, and vegetables), consuming high fat foods Martin Moix, MD (such as smoked meats and fried foods), inactivity, and smoking. “I have found in my practice that smokers tend to have many more polyps,” said Moix. While colon cancer can be hereditary, it is less common to have healthy people develop the disease. “As a general rule, people who eat right and exercise are going to have a lower rate of colon polyps and cancer,” he said. Moix added, “Colon cancer screening is probably the part of my practice where I can make the biggest difference in someone else’s life because I can prevent them from getting a horrible disease and that’s a good feeling. After all, we’re here to save people’s lives.” SYMPTOMS In most instances, people with precancerous polyps do not have symptoms until cancers develop. The most prominent symptoms of colorectal cancer are: • Persistent bleeding • Changes in bowel habits • Unexplained weight loss • Iron deficiency • Positive fecal screening In some instances colorectal symptoms can include anemia from blood loss, resulting in weakness, excessive fatigue, and sometimes shortness of breath. Additional warning signs include bleeding from the rectum, cramping, or discomfort in the lower abdomen and false urges to have bowel movements.

arch is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, and while colorectal cancer is among the easiest identifiable and preventable cancers, it remains the secondleading cause of cancer-related deaths in adults. Founded in 1971, GastroArkansas remains physician-owned with a mission of providing high quality, cost-effective and medically necessary health care to patients with hopes of helping to eradicate the high death rate associated with colorectal cancer. With clinic locations in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Benton and Conway, GastroArkansas also has Ambulatory Surgery Centers in Little Rock and Conway. Designed with quality and convenience in mind, the endoscopy centers offer in-center sedation that allows for the safest level of comfort during procedures.

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GastroArkansas was the first multi-physician group specializing in gastroenterology in Arkansas, and prides itself on patientfocused, high-quality care. As Arkansas’ largest gastroenterology group for the past 50 years, GastroArkansas maintains its commitment to providing the best possible care to patients. By offering preventative care and screenings such as colonoscopy procedures, GastroArkansas specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. At GastroArkansas, the focus is always patient driven, with staff working every day to ensure care and respect for the patient. gastroarkansas.com

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R E D R U M : Y R E T S M Y AB M U R DERS ,

TH E MO

Pa rt 1 – By Janie Jones

CRYSTAL TURNER AND KYLEN SCHULTE were kindred spirits who were happiest when indulging in their mutual favorite pastimes of hiking, fishing, hunting and camping. They also enjoyed riding Turner’s treasured Harley Davidson. Their love of the great outdoors had brought them together, and it would be in the great outdoors where they died together. Turner, 38, and Schulte, 24, met in 2019 on one of the many trails around Moab, Utah. Schulte, after ending an abusive relationship, had moved from Billings, Montana, to Moab to be closer to her father, Sean-Paul Schulte. Turner was sometimes called Crystal Turner Beck. Legally, she had not dropped her ex-husband’s last name. She was from Hot Springs and had moved to Salt Lake City in October 2017. Both women had experienced tragedies and battled their own inner demons, but that all changed when they became friends. In time, they became more than friends. They brought out the best in each other and believed they were soul mates with the freedom to be themselves. In April 2021, they got married in a treehouse at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs. Afterward, they went back to make their home in Moab, where Schulte worked at the Moonflower Community Cooperative Grocery Store and Turner had been an employee at McDonald’s for several years. On Aug. 12, 2021, a 911 call brought the police to the site of a domestic dispute in progress in a Moab parking lot. It was the beginning of a true-crime saga that gripped the nation from late summer well into autumn. The two people arguing loudly in the parking lot were Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie. They soon became household names, and their private lives became public after she disappeared and he was sought for questioning. Authorities recovered her remains in Wyoming on Sept. 19 and found his skull in Florida a month later. In a not-so-simple twist of fate, the parking lot quarrel between Petito and Laundrie had occurred outside

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the Moonflower Co-Op, and within days of that incident, Moonflower’s own Kylen Schulte and her spouse became victims of violence, too. On Friday, Aug. 13, Schulte and Turner went out for drinks at Woody’s Tavern. They told their friends at the bar that they had set up a campsite for the weekend and mentioned a “creeper dude” in a nearby tent. They left the tavern around 9:30 p.m. and then visited with some friends who lived nearby. They would have arrived at their campsite sometime around midnight. Turner was scheduled to work on Sunday, but she did not show up, and Schulte was absent from her next shift at the co-op. The two were punctual and never missed a day without calling in. Their coworkers and friends were worried and contacted the authorities to report them missing. The Grand County Sheriff ’s Office led the search, but Sean-Paul Schulte asked for help from everyone, including Facebook users. A friend of the Schultes, Cindy Sue Hunter, began her own search on the Wednesday following the disappearance. No one knew exactly where the women were camping, so Hunter started driving around, checking various trails and camping areas, constantly on the lookout for anything unusual, even stopping to look in ravines and over cliffs, in case Schulte and Turner had been in a car accident. They usually drove their Econoline van on their outings, but something was wrong with it, so they took their silver Kia Sorrento instead. Along the way, Hunter showed pictures of the couple to hikers and campers she encountered, asking if they had seen the women. The area she traversed in the La Sal Mountains was vast. Roads branched off in many different directions, but she seemed almost psychic and listened to her inner self, letting it guide her to the left or right. About five hours after she started her quest, she went down curvy Geyser Pass near the La Sal Loop Road on the South Mesa. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a flash of

silver glinting in the sun. She followed it down a narrow path and came upon the Kia. She got out of her car, and the first thing she noticed was a bunny in a pet carrier inside a hay-covered hutch on the ground. The rabbit belonged to the missing women. They called her Ruth and always took her with them. Ruth’s container had not been cleaned, and Hunter thought that was a bad sign. She peered around the open tent flap and saw that the interior was in disarray. She called the sheriff ’s office, and they told her to wait there, that they were en route. As she walked around, she noticed several Gatorade bottles strewn on the ground and a row of trees behind the tent. Between the tent and the trees were some clothes, and just beyond that was what she described as a “creek.” To her horror, she saw a body in the water, and she knew immediately it was Schulte because Schulte was much bigger than Turner. In shock, Hunter got back in her vehicle and locked the doors until deputies arrived. Turner and Schulte had both been shot multiple times in the front, sides and back. They were naked from the waist down, and one of them had her bra pulled up above her breasts. It appeared that Schulte was shot first. Turner was several yards away. The scene indicated a struggle had taken place, and Turner’s mother was quoted as saying her daughter “would have gone down fighting.” Authorities have said that the women probably died on Saturday and that neither victim was raped. The creek to which Hunter had referred was actually an irrigation ditch, and sheriff ’s investigators shut off the water with a control valve. They looked for clues both before and after draining the ditch. As officials began the task of collecting and examining evidence and interviewing people, including persons of interest, two grieving families made plans for the victims’ funerals and memorial services. Schulte’s relatives set up a GoFundMe page to help with expenses. They wanted to take her back to Billings, Montana, to bury her next to her brother, Mackeon Schulte, who had been shot and killed accidentally by a friend in 2015, when he was only 15 years old. And Schulte had lost a baby when she was 16. Turner was predeceased by three brothers, and her father had died when she was a little girl. The Schultes raised enough money to share it with Turner’s family. Turner was cremated, and some of her ashes were

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buried with Schulte. Moab, Utah, is a busy tourist destination, being the gateway to Arches National Park, a major attraction. But it is also a small town. At last count, the population was fewer than 5,500, so many residents were acquainted with Turner and Schulte. Once the initial shock wore off, they were filled with questions about the murders. Why would anyone commit such a savage attack? Was it the act of one person or more than one? And, perhaps most troubling of all the community’s concerns: Would the killer — or killers — strike again?

TO BE CONTINUED… aymag.com

Lost Valley By Joe David Rice

ewton County can claim more than its fair share of Arkansas’ iconic natural features — places such as Hemmed-In Hollow, Big Bluff, Indian Creek, Richland Falls, Whitaker Point and, of course, the Buffalo National River. To that impressive list can be added Lost Valley, a rough-and-tumble canyon southwest of Ponca formed over the eons by the erosive actions of Clark Creek, a minor tributary of the Buffalo. Named after Abraham Clark, one of the original pioneers who settled in the area during the 1830s or 1840s, this intermittent stream plunges some 1,200 feet in the 3-mile stretch from its source to its confluence with the river. It was one of Clark’s descendants who guided a trio of government surveyors up the creek in 1898 to an enormous rock shelter. Deep in its dry interior, they noticed bushel upon bushel of tiny corn cobs left centuries earlier by Native Americans. Dubbed Cob Cave, the picturesque landform became known among the locals and provided an attractive setting for occasional Sunday afternoon picnics. In 1931, a University of Arkansas expedition led by archeologist Samuel C. Dellinger bushwhacked to the cave, seeking Indian artifacts. Spending roughly three weeks digging through the dust, leaves and gravel in the deepest section of the shelter, Dellinger and his team uncovered, in addition to the ubiquitous cobs, an assortment of gourds, sunflower seeds and woven baskets — all of which had been preserved due to the site’s extremely dry conditions — but they failed to find the expected burials. Dellinger’s collections, made possible by a grant from the Carnegie Foundation, are still used today by researchers examining food and fiber practices of Native Americans. Things remained fairly quiet along Clark Creek until the spring of 1945 when a resourceful state publicist by the name of Avantus Green brought Willard Culver, a staff photographer from National Geographic magazine, to Newton County. Green, who’d been given the task of presenting Culver with interesting subject material, had heard rumors of the cave and decided he’d take his guest to the remote location. Not only did they come upon Cob Cave after an arduous hike, they found a series of waterfalls beyond the rock shelter and also another cavern with an underground cascade. While the magazine opted not to use any of Culver’s photographs taken that day, Green was smitten with its spectacular beauty, naming it The Lost Valley. Green’s releases about the isolated gorge caught the attention of Margaret Maunder, a feature writer for the St. Louis Globe-Democrat. Flying to Little Rock in April 1946, she was met by Green and Harold Foxhall, the Arkansas state geologist, who drove her to Harrison and then to the valley of Clark Creek the next morning. In its Sunday, June 2, 1946, edition, the newspaper ran a full-page article (with six photographs) describing Maunder’s adventure, beginning: Oddly enough, in a country combed by the wandering footpaths of 140,000,000 people there still exist spots of rugged yet ethereal beauty, virtually unknown to present-day Americans. One of these is the newly-discovered Lost Valley in the verdant, rocky wilderness of northwestern Arkansas, scarcely more than 325miles from the heart of St. Louis. Here, as recently as one year ago, mighty waterfalls cascaded over clifflike palisades as tall as 40-storybuildings and pounded on ancient slabs of pure marble many feet below all without their thundering roar touching the eardrums

or their sun-glistening beauty catching the eye of modern man. Although Ms. Maunder’s piece took a few liberties with the truth, stating that Lost Valley had been unknown until the previous year and that mummies had been found in Cob Cave, it certainly generated additional interest in the narrow canyon. Meanwhile, Avantus Green continued to extol the beauties of The Lost Valley — a name which over time was shortened to Lost Valley. Then, in the early 1950s, students from the University of Arkansas began making the 67-mile trek from Fayetteville to explore this special place they kept hearing about. One of them was Kenneth L. Smith, who in the summer of 1958 wrote two lengthy pieces on Lost Valley for the Sunday Magazine published by the Arkansas Gazette. Smith devoted much of his adult life to conservation of the Buffalo River watershed, to include writing The Buffalo River Country, a classic first published by the Ozark Society in 1967. A 1960 timber sale yielded a bulldozed logging road and a stand of hardwood stumps within sight of Cob Cave, galvanizing public support for protection of the property. In late 1966, just weeks before he left office, Gov. Orval Faubus announced a 200-acre purchase establishing Lost Valley State Park. Imagine the public’s surprise when a front-page story in the Arkansas Gazette the following July revealed that Cob Cave, the waterfalls, and the towering bluffs weren’t included in the original acquisition, but instead were within an adjacent 80-acre tract owned by the former governor. Faubus, who’d quietly bought the land 60 days after leaving office, sold the property to Mr. and Mrs. Albert Heyden of Little Rock for $6,500 (allegedly only $100 more than he paid for it) — and they, in turn, generously donated it to the state. In 1973, this park, along with Buffalo River State Park far downstream were given to the National Park Service for inclusion in the Buffalo National River. Today, Lost Valley remains a popular destination with an easy-to-moderate trail leading to Cob Cave and the nearby falls. The round-trip hike of a little over 2 miles is jam-packed with fascinating photo ops: caves, springs, waterfalls, bluffs, a rock shelter and a natural bridge. When Ms. Maunder described Lost Valley as being “one of the most scenically beautiful spots between the two oceans,” she wasn’t exaggerating.

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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