AY About You October 2024

NOV 7 JAN 5

1st Nationally Accredited Caregiver Registry in Arkansas.

Fine Arts AMBITIOUS FUTURES

SPANNING 25 SCHOOLS ACROSS CENTRAL ARKANSAS, the Pulaski County Special School District (PCSSD) offers fine arts courses in every grade level. Students are exposed to art and music through elementary programs and are given the chance to grow their creative skills and interests as they progress through middle and high school. No matter the subject, PCSSD fine arts teachers are committed to sharing their craft and art with others.

Caitlin L. Peterson’s goal as the debate teacher at Joe T. Robinson High School is to help her students think critically and learn to articulate information in a public setting. Beyond that, she believes fine arts are one of the most important reasons students come to school. “Fine arts programs give students a way to express themselves safely, develop communication and social skills, and be who they are without fear of judgment.”

At Crystal Hill Elementary in Maumelle, Art Teacher

Jonathan Kaplan encourages his students’ innate creative energy to support lifelong learning. “Elementary students love to make, create and communicate in new ways. If I can get them excited about art at a very young age, there’s a greater chance they will carry that excitement on. We are all capable of being creative and thinking creatively, but that excitement for arts and creativity is what keeps students making art as they get older.”

Mills University Studies High Band Director Ray Cross grew up in a musical family, making his work a natural extension of his deeply rooted love of music. He sees a connection between playing an instrument and higher-level thinking. “Band can improve overall brain capacity due to the multitasking it takes to play musical instruments. All fine arts classes and programs make scholars really think, and in turn, will help them in the rest of their schooling.”

About PCSSD

Andrea Elaine Harris, the Choral Director at Sylvan Hills High, continues to see more of her students major in music. Yet, one of her main goals is to cultivate the next generation of art patrons. “What I really hope to instill in all my students is a lifelong love and appreciation of music so they will become supporters of the arts in their communities.”

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 25 schools. Every school is accredited by the Arkansas State Board of Education. PCSSD has served schools across Pulaski County since July 1927.

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

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ONLINE WRITER

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

Heather Swayze is a mom of two boys and has been married to her high school sweetheart, Dakota, for 10 years. She attended Arkansas State Three Rivers and Henderson State University. Since 2014, she has served the central Arkansas area, providing photography for weddings, couples and families.

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

Lori Sparkman, owner of Lori Sparkman Photography, has traveled the globe to work extensively with beautiful brides and grooms, fierce fitness clients, and growing families, as well as high-profile and corporate clients. She prides herself in capturing their personalities with a sophisticated and lighthearted style.

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

Jason Pederson spent 20 years as KATV’s Seven On Your Side reporter. He is now deputy chief of community engagement for the Arkansas Department of Human Services. He and his wife, Mary Carol, have two biological children and one bonus son. They are longtime members of Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock.

Jamie Lee is a freelance photographer originally from southwest Louisiana who now resides in Little Rock. With a strong focus on portrait, branding and food photography, she loves capturing people’s stories and cultures through the lens, helping businesses build their brands visually, and showcasing the local food scene and small businesses.

Chris Davis was born and raised in Sherwood but now resides in North Little Rock with his wife and 7-year-old son. When his son was born, his wife asked for a new camera to take pictures of their little one. From there, his love of photography grew, and he is proud to be one of the contributing photographers at AY magazine.

AY Magazine, 910 W. 2nd St., Suite 200, Little Rock, AR 72201. Subscription Inquiries: Subscription rate is $24 for one year (12 issues). Single issues are available upon request for $5. For subscriptions, inquiries or address changes, call 501-244-9700. The contents of AY are copyrighted ©2024, and material contained herein may not be copied or reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publisher. Articles in AY should not be considered specific advice, as individual circumstances vary. Products and services advertised in the magazine are not necessarily endorsed by AY

Please recycle this magazine.

Celebrate the season

Better Beginnings quality early care and education providers use positive experiences, researchbased curriculum and learning through play to teach your child about science.

This fall, your child will play outside more in the cooler temperatures. They’ll learn about leaves changing color and falling, and about the fall fruit –pumpkins.

Find out what your child is learning and support their early education with conversation and play.

Explore the great outdoors

Plan a scavenger hunt with your child at a nearby park or playground. In addition to things to collect, list things to look for (bugs or squirrels) and things to listen for (birds chirping or dogs barking). Collect leaves, pine cones, acorns or small stones and sticks. Make a decoration or an arrangement with these items at home. Talk with your child about the differences in shape, color and size of the items and where you found them to help them remember the experience.

Better Beginnings is administered by the Arkansas Department of Education.

Family fun learning: Celebrate the fall season with science.

Written by Kelli Hilburn, Better Beginnings Program Administrator

The Family Resource Library

Better Beginnings provides to families free online resources in the Family Resource Library or Biblioteca de Recursos with tips and activities for learning at home through play. You’ll find ideas for outdoor learning, plus literacy, math and science activities.

Science resources include recipes for sensory sand and uncooked playdough. Learn to experiment

Scan the code or click the Parents and Families tab on our homepage to locate the Family

with oil and water, make a rainbow or a rainstorm in a jar and learn how seeds germinate. Family fun makes the learning memorable.

Find your quality early education provider at Better Beginnings

Click the orange banner at ARBetterBeginnings.com to find star-rated quality early care and education providers who can help your child start kindergarten with a solid foundation from which to continue their education.

Give your child the best start with quality early care and education.

The Treats are on Us

Welcome to the October issue of AY About You! Whatever is your favorite part of fall — looking at the leaves, cheering on the Hogs or enjoying the crisp fall evenings — our magazine is sure to lend to your enjoyment of one of the best seasons in Arkansas.

The Arkansas State Fair is back!

In this edition, we bring you all the details about food, music, pageants and fun that make the fair one the biggest entertainment events of the year as well as one of our favorites. New this year is the return of Barton Coliseum as the main concert venue, so don’t miss it!

This edition is particularly meaningful to me because we visit Jacksonville, my hometown, for our “Bucket List.” I have a lot of fond memories about growing up in J-Ville, which provided everything that makes small towns great. Our “Bucket List” revisits this special place, showing where to eat, what to do and the quality of life that makes Jacksonville a great place to live and work.

Also in this issue, we salute AY About You’s “Intriguing Women,” a collection of some of the most amazing women in Arkansas. Our 2024 class is chock full of successful business leaders, community servants and terrific moms, all of whom combine to make our state the best it can be.

Speaking of amazing women, do not miss our exclusive sit-down with Olivia Walton on the heels of her summit last month on maternal health, and our piece about former first lady Susan Hutchinson, whose continuing work battling child abuse and human trafficking inspires us all. Both are amazing people behind important causes.

All that just scrapes the tip of the iceberg in this jam-packed issue, enough to take us through the whole month and into the start of holiday season. Before we know it, we will swap our goblins for gobblers and then start counting down to Santa. Where did the year go?

As always, thanks for picking up this issue of AY About You. We appreciate each and every loyal reader.

Heather Baker, President & Publisher hbaker@aymag.com

/ heatherbaker_ar

Experience the breathtaking views of the Ozarks this autumn at Top of the Rock Ozarks Heritage Preserve. Embark on a 2.5 mile vibrant journey through the Lost Canyon Cave & Nature Trail and learn the unique heritage of our nation’s first people at the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum. tickets available at : topoftherock . com

The Lost Canyon Cave & Nature Trail and the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum are proudly part of the Johnny Morris Conservation Foundation

CONNECT

READER FEEDBACK INSTAGRAM

FAVORITE BARTON COLISEUM MEMORIES

Best 16-year-old memory: My mom let me load up her Vista Cruiser station wagon with my friends and drive 3 hours to Little Rock to see Van Halen in concert. I saw many great bands and artists at Barton. Glad the concerts are returning!

Carol Langston

Conway Twitty together with Loretta Lynn. FANTASTIC!!

Suzanne Ownbey Mackey

Prince — front row — 1998! But so many others that were great too!

Jackie StClair Rushing

Monster trucks and horse shows.

Bob Briley

Olivia Newton-John….Billy Joel opened for her.

Becki Workman Swindell

Mötley Crüe ‘90.

Bill Hall

WCW Wrestling.

Matt Duffield

BARISTA’S BREW: YULIIA KORNYTSKA, COFFEE CORNER

Awesome! What a success story you are, Yuliia & Bruno! Congratulations! My favorite is honey cinnamon cappuccino, with half flavor…more caffeine, less sweet.

Joyce Richardson Wilson

A CITY ON THE RISE: INVESTMENT, AMENITIES ADD UP TO BIG THINGS IN JONESBORO

You guys nailed it! Great article and great job telling our story! Hope to see you here soon!

Jonesboro Tourism & Visitors Bureau

UA LITTLE ROCK ALUMNUS KEVIN KRESSE PREPARES TO UNVEIL

JOHNNY CASH STATUE TO THE WORLD

Such a talent and a kind soul. Represents the best that Arkansas has to offer! Thanks Kevin Kresse for being You!!

John Kriz

TRENDING ON AYMAG.COM

Russellville’s Feltner’s Whatta-Burger Listed for Sale

Deluca’s Pizzeria Reveals Opening Date of Little Rock Location

Recipe Monday: Creamy Beef Taco Soup

Shorty’s Old-Fashioned Dive Keeps Customers Coming Back for More

Keeney’s Village Store Set to Reopen with Grand Celebration

From pumpkin and apple picking to corn mazes and hayrides, there is something for everyone to enjoy throughout the state. Since Arkansas is blessed with so much fun to choose from, we have compiled a list of great fall activities for our readers to experience. Pictured here: Miracle Farms.

Arkansas Camille Cathey and Miss Arkansas’ Teen Peyton Bolling were interviewed in our September issue of AY. Photo by Chris Davis.

Miss

A New Chapter

SEARCY LIBRARY EXCITES WITH NEW AND EXPANDED SERVICES

OnSept. 18, Searcy’s much-anticipated Janett and Larry Crain Memorial Library officially opened its doors. With the previous space dating back to 1966, the library was well past due for an upgrade. The renovated 33,000-square-foot facility comes with a 300 percent capacity increase and is within walking distance of local schools. With more services and a more centralized location, the library promises to be a lively community hub, offering ample space for meetings, exhibitions and programming for all ages.

A PLACE FOR BOOKWORMS YOUNG AND OLD

• Children’s area: 30 percent more shelf space and a dedicated children’s program room.

• Teen library: an attractive space for after school meet-ups or hanging out in the summer. The area includes a media and game room, a study room, a recording studio, and charging stations.

• Adult collection: improved accessibility with shorter shelving units, wider spacing and multiple seating areas.

MEET, STUDY, WORK

• Reserve an individual study room downstairs or seat large groups in one of the upstairs meeting rooms.

• Computer lab: 19 public computers plus a workspace that seats up to six patrons with their own laptops.

• Small business and career center: Offers specialized resources and assistance for job seekers and small-business owners.

at 1609 W.

To learn more, visit whitecountylibraries.org.

ARTS AND COFFEE

• Exhibition gallery: The second floor will host traveling exhibits and feature local arts and crafts along an indoor walking track.

• Stu’s Brew Coffee and Espresso: Includes an indoor serving area, outdoor seating and a drive-thru. Visitors can use a new bridge to navigate easily between the library, coffee shop and nearby Yancey Park.

in

The newly opened Janett and Larry Crain Memorial Library is

Beebe Capps Expressway

Searcy.

5Top

you just can't miss!

NIGHTMARES HAUNTED HOUSE

Sept. 27-Nov. 2

Kozy Heat Fireplaces — Bentonville

Get frightened for a good cause this month. Nightmares Haunted House will be open all month long in north Bentonville. Proceeds from the intense, high-energy haunted house will go toward supporting the Bentonville Breakfast Lions Club, which then donates the money back into the community. General admission tickets are $25.

JUSTIN MOORE & RANDY HOUSER: THE COUNTRY ROUND HERE TONIGHT TOUR

Oct. 3

Walmart AMP — Rogers

Arkansas’ very own Justin Moore is co-headlining the Country Round Here Tonight Tour with Randy Houser, which will make a stop in Rogers this October. Visit amptickets.com for more information about ticket availability and add-ons.

83RD ANNUAL ARKANSAS STATE FAIR

Oct. 11-20

Arkansas State Fairgrounds — Little Rock

The Arkansas State Fair in Little Rock is back and better than ever, offering everything from the 2024 Bank OZK Concert Series at Barton Coliseum to food vendors, carnival rides and agriculture shows. Tickets start at $12, and ride bands are $35.

JELLY ROLL: BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN TOUR

Oct. 22

Simmons Bank Arena — North Little Rock

Join Grammy-nominated Nashville singer-songwriter Jelly Roll for the Beautifully Broken Tour at Simmons Bank Arena in North Little Rock. Special guests Warren Zeiders and Alexandra Kay will join the country music star for the tour stop.

SIMMONS BANK CHAMPIONSHIP

Oct. 21-27

Pleasant Valley Country Club — Little Rock

Presented by Stephens, the inaugural Simmons Bank Championship will host the top 54 players on the second stop of the PGA TOUR Champions Playoffs in Little Rock. Watch world-class golf and support a variety of charitable initiatives during the weeklong celebration.

Community Health Fair

Saturday, October 19 | 10AM -1 PM Jacksonville United Methodist Church cals.org

CALS has teamed up with local partners to offer free health services, education, and more! Get flu shots, BP checks, glucose screenings from Baptist Outreach, stroke education from Unity Health, and free haircuts. Visit Be Mighty, explore the new CALS Cruiser, and get job search help from the Workforce Mobile Unit. Plus, insurance assistance, first aid demos, and more.

Sponsored by the Windgate Foundation.

Gorgeous new builds on picturesque parcels of land are the calling cards of Randy Wiggins Co.

Site

Randy Wiggins Co., Sherwood & Substance

By

AY STAFF // Photos by LORI SPARKMAN

When putting together one’s custom home project, the building site is as important as the finished build. Some companies can deliver the ideal lot, while other companies can create an incredible finished home, but the firms that can do both are relatively few and far between.

Sherwood-based Randy Wiggins Co. is one of the select few companies as adept at the development of neighborhoods featuring peaceful natural surroundings and breathtaking vistas as it is creating the unique homes from which to take it all in.

“I’ve spent my entire life in the business of land development and custom home building,” owner Randy Wiggins said. “It’s a complicated thing to take a bare piece of ground, enhance it with roads, curbs, city services and all the things you need to do to create a neighborhood out of nothing. Because of that complexity, we’re one of just a few companies that do both development and home building in central Arkansas.

“The thing that is most rewarding about it is to see that piece of ground transformed into someone’s favorite spot on earth, the place they want to build their custom home and spend time with their family and friends.”

Wiggins is the developer behind such prestigious addresses as Millers Pointe and Millers Glen, neighborhoods that have helped put Sherwood on the map as a destination for those seeking a higher standard of living. One of his developments, a community of 42 garden homes, displays his versatility in home styles and creativity in neighborhood design.

“The garden home is a very popular concept, particularly among seniors,” he said. “I just closed on the last lot in Austin Gardens, where we featured that concept very successfully. I plan to do more in the future.”

His latest project, Millers Ridge Estates, is a gated community offering breathtaking views and plenty of ground upon which to build one’s custom home. This will mirror the Millers Pointe ridge homes.

“The development we’re offering right now, Millers Ridge Estates, is incredible. We’re featuring estate lots there that are larger and more secluded, and people love them,” Wiggins said. “It’s a truly beautiful neighborhood. You can see for 20 miles.”

Wiggins’ reputation for creating custom homes with architectural flair and quality workmanship is rivaled only by his skill in developing upscale communities that have made Sherwood an address of choice for luxury neighborhoods and estates.

Being both developer and home builder with countless projects under his belt, Wiggins brings a full suite of expertise to the process, from site development, infrastructural improvements and apportionment of lots to meeting the technical challenges that come with building there.

“People pick out a lot because of the view, but then they’ll step back and realize they need someone experienced to build their home,” said Wiggins’ wife, Shelley. “That’s where having the right builder makes all the difference to take full advantage

Owner Randy Wiggins has worked in land development and custom homebuilding his entire life.

The spectacular homes have helped distinguish several communities in Sherwood.

“ ”

The thing that is most rewarding about it is to see that piece of ground transformed into someone’s favorite spot on earth, the place they want to build their custom home and spend time with their family and friends.

— Randy Wiggins, owner of Randy Wiggins Co.

Some of the state’s most renowned designers have helped Randy Wiggins Co. create homes with timeless appeal.

of that lot. We’ve been around long enough to not only show them plans; we can show them houses where we’ve done what we say we can do.”

A custom-built luxury home is the sum of many complicated moving parts, the bringing together of which is a process Randy Wiggins Co. makes to look easy, even though it isn’t. The end results are cover-worthy creations that combine the client’s many wishes tastefully. Over the years, some of the state’s most talented designers have lent their expertise to the company’s homes, including longtime design professionals Tom Chandler and Martin Potter, who have applied their vision to art placement, symmetry and overall interior beauty.

“Tastes change over time as far as colors and architectural styles. Ten or 15 years ago, no one had even heard of Pinterest, whereas it’s a common thing today for clients to bring a whole bunch of ideas,” Randy said. “We’re experts at accommodating those ideas and adapting to what the client prefers for their own particular style. When you’ve been in busi -

ness as long as we have, there’s not much we haven’t seen.”

Wiggins longevity in the residential real estate market has resulted in relationships and services the competition cannot match, such as offering a financing product through Centennial Bank that offers a one-time close to client which converts from a construction loan to a permanent loan.

More than anything, it is the company’s dedication to total client satisfaction that sets Randy Wiggins Co. apart. Every job, regardless of size or cost, receives the same uncompromising attention to detail.

“There’s a great deal of emotion involved on the custom home side, and clients can feel quite a bit of stress because very often they don’t know the process,” Randy said. “A big part of our job is to manage expectations. We spend a great deal of time consulting our clients, educating them and reassuring them the project is moving along as it needs to.”

“We’re taking a client’s imagination and bringing it to life,” Shelley added. “We’re giving clients something that’s often better than they had in their minds. That gives us a wonderful feeling of pride.”

The great pumpkin rises in Roland

Enjoy a fun-filled day with the family at BoBrook Farms

By AY STAFF // Photos provided

Ask many Generation X’ers about their favorite Halloween traditions, and alongside plastic full-face characters masks and bobbing for apples, many will likely list It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, the classic cartoon chronicling the adventures of the Peanuts gang on Halloween night.

It has been nearly six decades since Linus and Sally camped out in the most sincere pumpkin patch they could find in anticipation of the Great Pumpkin’s arrival, and much about Halloween has changed. The holiday is bigger than ever — Americans spent a record $12.2 billion on all things spooky last year, the National Retail Federation states — but not all traditions have survived intact.

A good chunk of that spend was on costumes for adults, suitable for grown-up gatherings and posting on social media. Door-to-door trick or treating has all but vanished in many neighborhoods, replaced by church-, municipality- or nonprofit-hosted “truck or treats” that many parents view as safer and more efficient.

Such trends are what makes the pumpkin patch experience at BoBrook Farms such a refreshing dose of nostalgia. Starting in late September and running through the first Sunday in November, the attraction tucked into the countryside outside of Roland provides kids of all ages a fun and safe activity and the chance for families to create one-ofa-kind memories.

“I remember one year, we had a man visit us who was 94 years old and had never ridden on a hayride,” said Karen Bradford, who owns and operates BoBrook Farms with her husband, Bobby. “The look on his face was priceless. Seeing that kind of joy is a great reward for all our hard work.”

Like everything else about the farm — the very name of the place is a mashup of the Bradfords’ kids names — the pumpkin patch is an intensely personal attraction, and it shows. The farm creates an entire experience and has multiple games and attractions scattered throughout the property, all of which share an agricultural theme.

“We try to keep things as educational as possible,” Karen said. “A lot of pumpkin patches have things that have nothing to do with farming, like bounce houses. Every single attraction at BoBrook is farm related.”

A short list of attractions besides riding on an actual hayrack behind a tractor include mazes, pig races, hay pyramid, lawn games and picking out a special pumpkin.

“One of the biggest attractions we’ve ever had for the little ones is our corn pit,” Karen said. “We put well over 10,000 pounds of corn in the pit. It is like a giant sandbox, but it is corn. They love it. After the season is over, we grind it up and feed it to the animals and the wildlife.”

This is the 15th year for the attraction, and over time, the pumpkin patch has grown from a neighborhood curiosity to a must-have item on many families’ fall calendars. Thousands of people experience the pumpkin patch every year, Karen said, and that is with the farm just operating Friday, Saturday and Sunday hours for the general public.

The bulk of the visitors are families, although the Bradfords also have a field trip program for schools and other groups. The relaxing surroundings and beautiful setting provide ample

“One of the things we’ve always wanted to encourage with our farm is for people to reconnect, whether that’s a family enjoying the pumpkin patch or a group of friends sharing a bottle of wine.”

— Karen Bradford, owner of BoBrook Farms in Roland

photo ops around every corner.

“We have several mazes,” Karen says. “The one that draws the most people is the sunflower field. It is also beautiful for photos.”

Grown-up guests can also enjoy another unique attraction, the on-premises River Bottom Winery, which offers a variety of traditional and multiple fruit-based wines created and bottled on-site. A large deck provides a popular retreat for guests following an afternoon’s pumpkin picking.

Karen and Bobby Bradford, owners of BoBrook Farms in Roland, help ensure the farm provides for fall family fun.

“One of the things we’ve always wanted to encourage with our farm is for people to reconnect, whether that’s a family enjoying the pumpkin patch or a group of friends sharing a bottle of wine,” Karen said. “Life just moves too fast these days, and everyone is so stressed out and distracted by technology. We provide a place for people

to put all that away for a bit and just enjoy being outdoors with people they love.”

Karen said the pumpkin patch attraction takes a lot of hard work, but the effort is rewarded from the very first guest.

“Our favorite part is seeing those kids’ faces light up and watching them experience everything we have on the farm. A lot of them are seeing farm animals for the very first time, and that’s a really cool thing to provide for them,” she said. “We are thoroughly worn out by the time it’s all over, but it is so worth it”

BoBrook Farms is located about about 5 miles north of Pinnacle Mountain State Park on Arkansas 300. The pumpkin patch is open to the public 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday Sept. 28 to Nov. 3. Admission is $10 per person for ages 2 and up. Private groups and field trips must make reservations in advance. No pets or outside beverages allowed. For full details, visit the farm’s website.

BOBROOK

‘STORY OF Strength’

Breckenridge Village set for comeback

By LANCE BROWNFIELD // Photos by LANCE BROWNFIELD

Little Rock has definitely had its ups and downs, but the community has proven time and again that it can rise to any occasion and come out the other side stronger. One iconic shopping center, Breckenridge Village, has seen half a century of change and is ready for a rebirth of sorts as investors bring in hot new businesses.

Located at 10301 N. Rodney Parham Rd., the shopping center is set for several locally owned restaurant openings in the coming months, including Deluca’s Pizza, Flyway Brewing, the Root Cafe and Scoops Homemade Ice Cream, to name a few. The village is already home to spots such as Waldo’s Chicken & Beer, Eat My Catfish, Neverwhere Coffee, Comics & Oddities, and Mt. Fuji Japanese Restaurant. Another coming attraction is Film Alley, which is set to open by early 2025 in the site of the former Regal UA Breckenridge Theater.

“We recruited experienced restaurant business owners, theater and entertainment owners, and real estate investors to work as a team as owners of this project,” said Hank Kelley, CEO, executive broker and partner at Kelley Commercial Partners in Little Rock. His company helped put together the group of investors that allowed for the revitalization effort.

“We have listened and learned from our partners that are operators of the businesses that have located on our property,” he said. “Our goal is to create a complement of businesses that present great food and drink, entertainment, retail, and business services in a location that is well known, safe, clean and accessible.”

Film Alley will feature eight screens, duckpin bowling on one side of the building and a gaming center on the other side. It will also offer a “more robust” menu with more than just popcorn and sodas. With seven other highly-reviewed locations in Texas, the theater will offer a unique experience for Little Rock moviegoers.

“The movie entertainment center concept that we have in our other Film Alleys has shown us the demand our culture has

We recruited experienced restaurant business owners, theater and entertainment owners, and real estate investors to work as a team as owners of this project.

— Hank Kelley, CEO, executive broker and partner at Kelley Commercial Partners

for quality entertainment and how great the mixture of movies, arcade, bowling, and great food and drinks truly is,” said Jacob Schulman, vice president of Schulman Theatres. “It has been amazing to see the recovery post-COVID[19] compared to others in the theater industry. We believe the future for movie going includes other forms of entertainment to make it a one stop shop.”

Schulman said the improvement costs hover around the $4 million mark. He added that he expects to employ 75 to 125 workers at the new MEC.

Jim Keet, president of Keet Management Co., which is a partner in the overall project, said there were several opportunities to fill the space but that the group held out for the best fit for the development of Breckenridge.

“We have an outstanding ownership group that has contributed time, thought and energy into the revitalization,” Keet said. “I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of this group.”

Building on the established reputation of the shopping center and the nostalgia for its heyday, the investment group is made up of entrepreneurs and individuals from Little Rock and central Arkansas. Breckenridge Village was built in the mid-1970s in the midwest Little Rock neighborhood known as West Village. The shopping center measures about 11.5 acres in total and features 125,000 square feet of storefront.

“West Village is an important neighborhood of midtown Little Rock, and we want Breckenridge to be an anchor of this neighborhood,” Kelley said.

Kelley said the group would like to eventually add medical, fitness, a serviced office and local retail to the mix of tenants.

“Bike shops and health and fitness are at the top of our list,” he said.

The project began in May 2022, but faced several challenges and setbacks, including the tail end of the COVID-19 pandemic, the March 2023 Little Rock tornado and the subsequent microburst in September of the same year, as well as rising inflation.

“No one wanted [the storms] to happen, but in the end, there’s a lot of good that can come from it,” said Travis Hester, owner of Eat My Catfish.

Community spirit was on full display in the aftermath of the tornado, when complete strangers showed up to Breckenridge with drills and hammers, volunteering to do what they could.

“That was really heartwarming, but it’s the same sense of what we’re trying to do together,” Hester said. “We can do

more together. Not one of us could do this center alone, but if we come together and have a shared vision and communicate, then we can make something really great, and I think that’s what you’re seeing here.”

At the center of this multimillion dollar project is a spirit of cooperation between the owners. Uncommon in business today, the restaurateurs and entrepreneurs are not focused on tearing each other down but building each other — and the community — up.

“We just promised each other it’s not about competition. It’s about how can we help one another grow and spend more time with our families in the end?” Hester said, having built friendships with his partners over the past six years. “We call on each other for a lot of things, but in this, we can be stronger together. The whole community can. The whole city can.”

Eat My Catfish has been a staple at the center since 2016, and Hester was eager to embark on the journey to bring Breckenridge back to life.

“It’s nice to see it kind of coming to fruition as we started this back in May of 2022 and had a big setback, and it’s actually here,” Hester said.

Hester said the tornado had a silver lining because the Breckenridge location needed a renovation, and the newat-the-time Riverdale location needed more staffing that seemed impossible to afford. The incident also allowed for new equipment that was long overdue.

“There’s never a good time to close for a couple months to do that,” Hester said, “so when you’re forced to, it works out even better.”

The restaurant was closed for a total of 285 days for repairs and updates.

A symbol of the time before the storm, the original Eat My Catfish sign hangs proudly inside the restaurant today after six months in the elements during cleanup.

“Our staff and guests love this because it is a reminder of the compassion, strength and resilience shown by our team members and the community on that day,” Hester said. “It serves as a daily testament to the strength of our community and our company.”

The remodel of Eat My Catfish added several windows, which make the space feel lighter, brighter, fresher and more modern. Hester said the response has been incredible, and the community has rallied around businesses already in the center, bringing Eat My Catfish sales up since prior to the tornado.

Photo provided

“We’re just really ecstatic about the enthusiasm the community showed,” Hester said. “We feel like it’s one of the iconic shopping centers of Little Rock. If things don’t get life, then they die, and we thought it was just too good to go away.”

The tornado also presented challenges for owners set to open new businesses in the center. Such was the case for Ben Brainard, the market partner at Waldo’s and several Big Bad Breakfast locations. He said he does not plan to bring a BBB to Breckenridge because it is too close to the Bowman location. He is also co-owner at Mt. Fuji and the new Deluca’s location but only serves in an operational capacity at Waldo’s in Breckenridge.

“To us old guys, I grew up in Little Rock, and most everybody involved in this development is from Little Rock and central Arkansas, and Breckenridge was a fixture back in the ’80s and ’90s,” Brainard said.

He added that as the city has pushed evermore towards the west, the Breckenridge area has essentially become the geographic center of the city. He said it is equidistant from west Little Rock, the Heights, Hillcrest and other popular residential areas. That fact paired with the close proximity to Interstate 430 makes it a no-brainer for investment.

“We think we’ve picked restaurants that appeal to everybody,” Brainard said.

Hester and Brainard said it is about more than the businesses and the historic shopping center; it is also about the community and neighborhoods around it. As homes are still being re-

built and new constructions dot the surrounding area, the developers are reminded of the fact that nobody was killed or seriously injured as a result of the EF3 tornado that ripped the roofs off and busted windows in the village.

“The tornado was awful,” Brainard said, “and it was incredibly impactful on our timeline.”

He said in the grand scheme of things, it was a slight inconvenience compared to the many who lost their homes.

“The microburst coming almost a year later and taking the roof off again, that was a little bit more alarming actually,” he said. “All of that to say yeah, it slowed us down, but it didn’t stop us. Actually, it probably motivated us to do things. I mean, this community needed us to open some stuff around here, get some things to talk about. You still see the path of the tornado right outside my office door.”

Now a year after the microburst, Breckenridge Village is

“Breckenridge is the story of strength and the good we can do when we join together as a community.

— Travis Hester, owner of Eat My Catfish

The original Eat My Catfish sign now hangs indoors as a symbol of the time before the March 2023 tornado.

A

slate of well-known restaurants is set to enliven Breckenridge Village.

primed for new businesses to add to the excitement of rebuilding.

“It still kind of looks like a construction zone around here,” Brainard said. “We need to work on some signage and some lighting. … It looks incomplete at the moment, and I think as the construction team starts to disperse and more people learn about us, and certainly with Deluca’s, the popularity of that restaurant, I think traffic is just going to kind of find its way here.”

While the pizzeria is set to open this month, there was a lot of planning beforehand to ensure the same great Deluca’s experience is brought to a new market. The restaurant is a staple in Hot Springs.

“Three years ago, Anthony [Valinoti, owner] handed me a napkin and said, ‘Put a price on this whenever you’re ready to help open a new location,’” said Katie Windham, the first general manager of the new location. “It was a simple gesture, but it carried a lot of weight and possibility. I have immense respect for Heather [Post, the Hot Springs location’s general manager], Zach [Nix, head chef], and Anthony and the incredible culture they’ve fostered at our Hot Springs location. Having dined at all three original spots, I was truly inspired by what they’ve built. When the opportunity came to be part of opening Deluca’s Little Rock, I knew I wanted to be a part of that history. I still keep the napkin Anthony gave me as a reminder of that pivotal moment and the journey that followed.”

Deluca’s is following the philosophy that the only thing better than a pizza is two pizzas, and the only thing better than a pizzeria is two pizzerias. The new addition will likely boost the brand even further while the home base continues to see record growth since getting an 8.7 rating on popular online sports site Barstool’s One Bite Pizza Reviews in February, 2023. The accolade earned staff a trip to New York in September to participate in Barstool owner Dave Portnoy’s One Bite Pizza Fest.

Valinoti is a New York native and said he is proud to be

the first pizza place in the South to be invited to the festival.

“We didn’t realize the magnitude that [Portnoy] actually has as far as the power of the internet,” Valinoti said. “You kind of think that you need to be on TV or a movie star or whatever it is to garner that kind of attention. At last look, I think the combined videos were 6 or 7 million views. He literally doubled our business overnight.”

Valinoti said since the review was posted, people from all over the world have made the journey to try Deluca’s from Europe, Canada, Mexico and across the U.S.

“I know [our Little Rock customers] are all really excited about it, but they all still visit Hot Springs for various reasons,” Post said, “and they still plan to frequent us, as well, when they visit. A lot of them enjoy the vibe of this location, as well. Each place will have its own kind of special vibe but the same good food.”

Post said the Hot Springs location should not be affected much by the new addition to the Deluca’s family but that it will be more convenient for Little Rock patrons. She said the two locations will share “joint custody” of the Little Rock customers.

“We’re thrilled to introduce the new Deluca’s location in Little Rock, where we’ve taken the essence of our Hot Springs spot and infused it with a fresh, exciting twist,” Windham said. “Imagine deep red booths, intimate lighting that sets the perfect mood, and a vibrant mezzanine that’s ideal for enjoying cocktails and bar snacks — and of course,

— Jim Keet, president of Keet Management Co. “

We have an outstanding ownership group that has contributed time, thought and energy into the revitalization. I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of this group.

Photo provided

we’ve added a touch of the unexpected with our signature leopard lamps, bringing an element of fun and flair to the atmosphere. We can’t wait for everyone to experience this unique blend of elegance and energy in our new space”

“When Deluca’s opens, Little Rock will see a unique Italian restaurant that will be all about a great dining experience,” Kelley said.

After Deluca’s opens this month, the Root Cafe is set to open next, followed by Flyway Brewing within the next six months.

“Breckenridge is the story of strength and the good we

can do when we join together as a community,” Hester said. “Too often in today’s climate, retail centers are struggling. We are so fortunate to have friends in business who are invested in the area and have joined us as part of the Breckenridge partnership. Together, we personally invested in our city and seeing this center succeed as a thriving destination. We love this neighborhood and this community. We are so proud to be a part of it and serve it.”

Kelley said he is confident the center is located in the ideal location, which is adjacent to two heavily-traveled thoroughfares, being at the intersection of I-430 and Rodney Parham Road. He said the center benefits from being surrounded by stable neighborhoods where residents are reinvesting. He added that most commercial property west of I-430 has been remodeled or modernized over the past five years, making the project overdue, and with the tornado and microburst damage, he said some of the upgrades are insurance-driven reinvestment, but those repairs have stimulated more focus and investment outside of insurance-related rebuilding.

“We had an idea of revitalizing Breckenridge Village,” Hester said. “Breckenridge is more than just a retail center. As business owners, we share this vision and are committed to working together to make this a regional food-drive destination.”

Hester, Brainard and the other partners said they expect regional attention to grow organically. While attracting tourist dollars will be great for business, Brainard said it is not the main motivation behind the project. Kelley said the group hopes for the property to be designated as an entertainment district and “blend the uses to make the property a great location for businesses to serve their customers day and night.”

“We wanted to do something for Little Rock,” Brainard said. “Frankly, on a personal note, as a central Arkansas guy, I’m kind of sick and tired of hearing about everything in northwest Arkansas, and I wanted to be a part of something cool here, in my home, and we’re getting there.”

FineFall Fo wl

By AMY GRAMLICH // Photos by AMY GRAMLICH

Enjoy autumn on a plate with this heartydish

Take a step away from the usual meat-and-potatoes meal, and try this delicious, layered barbecue chicken and sweet potato dish. In a little more than 30 minutes, cozy up to this warm, sweet-and-spicy dish this fall. This hearty meal embodies the season with its earthy flavors and natural colors of autumn.

With their tender flesh and natural sweetness, sweet potato cubes provide a solid base for tangy barbecue chicken, which hugs the spuds perfectly. As for nutritional perks, sweet potatoes are well known for being rich in vitamin A and vitamin C, as well as fiber, while chicken provides a lean source of protein.

YARD BIRD ‘N’ TATERS

One way to have flawlessly roasted potatoes is to ensure all the sweet potatoes are diced to uniform size. That avoids the issue of some potato cubes baking faster than others. Dicing the sweet potatoes evenly will also ensure each piece is evenly coating of melted butter and brown sugar.Follow these easy steps for uniform-sized cubes:

1. Wash firm sweet potatoes, scrubbing any dirt off the skin.

2. Using a cutting board and a sharp knife, remove the two end pieces of each potato.

3. Slice each sweet potato in half lengthwise.

4. Place the flat side of the potatoes face down onto the cutting board, then slice each potato half into planks about 1/2 inch thick.

5. Stacking the planks on top of each other, cut each plank lengthwise into strips, also about 1/2 inch thick.

6. Cut each strip into cubes about 1/2 inch thick, taking care to keep them uniform in size so they bake evenly.

GET SAUCY

When it comes to finishing up this dish with the ideal barbecue sauce, cooks have multiple options. It all comes down to a matter of taste.

• Honey barbecue sauce provides both sweetness and tang, which pairs well with chicken and sweet potatoes.

• Spicy barbecue sauce appeals to those who like a little kick to their dishes. Spicy barbecue sauce combines chipotle or chili pepper flavoring, which contrasts well with sweet potatoes.

• Sweet and smoky barbecue sauce gives that classic barbecue flavor from a base of molasses or brown sugar that complements sweet potatoes well.

MAKE IT YOUR OWN

Do not be shy about customizing this dish with any number of optional toppings. As with many entrees, this dish comes to life when the toppings are added, including:

• Shredded sharp cheddar

• Diced green onions

• Crispy crumbled bacon

• Sour cream

Choose just one topping or two for a lightened-up dish, or go for a loaded chicken and sweet potatoes meal and add all the toppings. The choice is yours.

MEAL HACKS

• For extra ease, use a store-bought rotisserie chicken for this recipe.

• Fans of advance meal prep can easily divide this dish into multiple containers for a healthy lunch option throughout the week.

• This delicious entree can be refrigerated for four to five days. It reheats easily in the microwave for quick lunches or dinnertime leftovers.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 stick butter, melted

• 1/2 cup brown sugar

• 4 teaspoons cinnamon

• 4 cups sweet potatoes, diced

• 6 tablespoons honey

• 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (or leftover roasted chicken)

• 1 cup barbecue sauce of choice

• 1 cup shredded cheese

• 1/2 cup crumbled bacon, cooked

• 1/2 cup green onions, chopped

• Sour cream to garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Add brown sugar, melted butter and cinnamon to a mixing bowl. Whisk together until smooth.

2. Add diced sweet potatoes and coat in brown sugar mixture. Lay out evenly on a baking sheet and top with leftover mixture.

3. Bake at 475 F for 25 minutes, tossing halfway through.

4. Once potatoes are tender, remove and divide into four individual plates or containers.

5. Add shredded rotisserie chicken, barbecue sauce and honey to a mixing bowl. Stir until well combined.

6. Add 1/2 cup of rotisserie chicken to the top of each plate of cooked sweet potatoes.

7. Top as you desire with shredded cheese, bacon, green onions and sour cream.

Cheers

Steve Landers Jr. taking on American whiskey market

Little Rock native Steve Landers Jr. and his team at Interstate Holdings were smart enough to know they were not whiskey distillers. They are, however, distillery owners and operators now that Interstate acquired Warfield Distillery & Brewery in Ketchum, Idaho, situated in the tourist-centric Sun Valley region.

Interstate is Landers’ growth investment firm and has built a portfolio of diverse offerings, including two cryptocurrency mines in Arkansas. Warfield

By MARK CARTER // Photos provided

represents Interstate’s first foray into the realm of spirits. Landers purchased the distillery from founder Alex Buck, who remains on board as the man who crafts the whiskey, and changed its name to Sun Valley Distillery, though the products retain the Warfield brand.

His goal, he said, is to create a leading independent, national organic craft spirits brand. Warfield spirits are distilled from pale and crystal malts in a Scottish-made copper still. The whiskey is mashed, fermented and distilled in-house from non-glycosidic nitrile grain malts and aged in recycled, recharred oak barrels.

“We’re just excited to be able to purchase such a quality product and have such a quality individual continue to run it,” Landers said. “Alex has such a passion for whiskey and brewing, and we think this partnership is going to elevate the brand to another level.”

Arkansan Steve Landers Jr. recently acquired Warfield Distillery & Brewery in Ketchum, Idaho.

After quitting his job as a corporate attorney and opening the distillery in 2015, Buck discovered he much preferred distilling to operating.

“He is the guy making the whiskey every day,” said Interstate vice president Dustin Curtis. “Our vision is to continue to create high-quality organic spirits and maintain Alex’s commitment to simplicity and traditional methods.”

Since taking over ownership in May, the Interstate team has focused on expanding Warfield’s reach and offerings. Major upgrades planned include automated facilities, improved tours and more. Landers is adding ready-to-drink canned cocktails to the Warfield menu, which already includes organic whiskey, organic and barrel-aged gin, organic vodka and seasonal cider, plus Warfield’s own brewery that produces an impressive collection of India pale ales, stouts, Pilsners, ales, porters and lagers.

Warfield continues to run its own in-house restaurant, as well.

Not only is Landers expanding the reach of Warfield; he is making significant investments in the distillery. Since the acquisition earlier this year, the distillery has undergone a complete upgrade, including the addition of automation that has increased efficiency and production capacity.

The distillery now has three copper pot stills — one 215-gallon gin still made in Washington state and two 1,000-gallon whiskey stills made by Forsyth in Scotland.

Landers called the stills the “backbone” of the distillery and said

they are responsible for the operation’s unique and award-winning flavors.

The new ownership team has expanded the reach of Warfield, once considered a regional craft brand. The distillery’s products are now available direct to consumers in 46 states through an ecommerce platform called LiquidRails. The Interstate team has also introduced the Warfield Whiskey Club subscription service and a holiday subscription service. There is no annual fee to join, and members can cancel anytime.

Membership affords exclusive and private access to Warfield offerings. New releases are made available to members before distribution to local liquor stores in Idaho, though shipping is still not available in all states.

“Whiskey club subscribers will be able to buy any of our special limited-edition releases prior to any release to the public,” Curtis said. “Membership guarantees you first access to any release, a perk exclusive to club members. We’re still not in all liquor stores, but this represents a way to be able to go online and buy our products.”

Then there is the Sun Valley Distillery barrel investment program, which aims to capitalize on the trend of whiskey as a sound investment. Barron’s recently reported that “investing in whiskey is a global phenomenon that shows no signs of slowing down.”

The Sun Valley Distillery 9150 Club offers the chance to invest in full barrels of Warfield American single-malt whiskey. Investing in whiskey has been trending up, and Curtis said whiskey barrels

While the products will retain the Warfield brand, the distillery name changed to Sun Valley Distillery.

Alex Buck, founder

have long shown themselves to be a good investment.

“Good returns from whiskey maturation have been achieved over many years, but historically, only distillers and blenders could benefit,” Curtis said. “The investing process is remarkably straightforward.”

The SVD 9150 Club allows a limited number of qualifying investors to secure holdings that protect wealth during economic uncertainty, deliver consistent growth as the liquid matures over time and provide multiple paths to profitable exit when the time is right, he added.

“Whiskey barrels represent a tangible asset and have proven to be a credible hedge against inflation while often outperforming traditional investments,” Landers said.

The initial offering is limited to 25 positions. Minimum barrel purchase is 100 barrels at $2,000 per barrel for a total minimum investment of $200,000. Curtis said the value of rare whiskey has increased 478 percent over the last decade, and average annual returns per barrel typically range from 12 percent to 18 percent.

“Whiskey in barrels continues to mature, which adds to its value the longer it is left to evolve,” Curtis said. “However, once bottled, the aging process stops. The longer whiskey ages in an oak barrel, the more flavors are imparted from the wood into the single malt whiskey. As the age of the rare whiskey increases, your asset will build momentum to deliver huge returns.”

Whiskey in barrels continues to mature, which adds to its value the longer it is left to evolve. However, once bottled, the aging process stops. The longer whiskey ages in an oak barrel, the more flavors are imparted from the wood into the single malt whiskey. As the age of the rare whiskey increases, your asset will build momentum to deliver huge returns.

“

— Dustin Curtis, vice president

of Interstate

Since it is prone to evaporation, barreled whiskey is classified as a “wasting asset,” which exempts it from the capital gains tax.

There is a growing demand for American malt whiskey. The market was valued at $4.3 billion in 2021 and is projected to hit $6.7 billion by 2031 with an expected annual growth rate through 2027 of 9.85 percent, the American whiskey market report from Statista states.

Curtis said Sun Valley currently produces about 200 barrels a month and runs eight hours a day five days a week. The barrel program was soft-launched to friends of the ownership team and sold out in two days, he added.

“We could do 24/7, but we don’t need to do that,” he said.

Barreled whiskey has a life span of roughly 50 years.

Landers said building strong long-term relationships with other distillers, brands and wholesalers across the United States is a cornerstone of the Sun Valley barrel program.

“By working directly though those relationships, we can offer more lucrative and diverse exit opportunities for our investors,” he said. “With years of experience in the whiskey industry, our team offers unparalleled expertise and insight into the American single malt whiskey market, ensuring each investment is managed with professionalism and care.”

Landers’ vision for his latest venture includes accelerating top-line growth and improving margins through the barrel investment program, building the Sun Valley team, increasing distilling capacity to support five times the current production, expanding distribution and strengthening the brand.

“We want to bring it nationwide and grow the brand,” he said.

The distillery also has a barrel investment program for folks hoping to cash in on the whiskey investment trend.

QUALITY & AFFORDABLE EDUCATION

At UA Little Rock, you really can have it all. Immerse yourself in a vibrant campus community, engage in exciting internships, and build community with dozens of campus clubs. Plus, we continue to lead in affordability with the Trojan Guarantee. This scholarship ensures a zero-tuition bachelor’s degree for eligible students by covering remaining tuition and fees after financial aid.

With over 500 student organization events, there’s always something happening on campus. From leadership roles to creative outlets, you’ll find countless ways to grow.

With UA Little Rock, you can Expect More. More value, more adventures, and a future full of opportunity.

Scan the QR code or go to ualr.edu/scholarships to learn more

Awaiting Rebirth in Jacksonville

City officials on a run of good momentum

By MARK CARTER // Photos provided

More than a few central Arkansas baby boomers might swear that construction has been underway on the old Jacksonville Freeway since they were kids.

U.S. 67, designated to become part of the future Interstate 57 and long referred to locally as the Jacksonville Freeway, serves as a significant artery between the Little Rock metro and northeast Arkansas. It has experienced various expansions and improvements over the years, so much so that locals take it for granted that driving through Jacksonville will entail dealing with some form of road work.

Currently, the state is widening 2 1/2 miles of 67 that runs through Jacksonville — between the Main Street and Vandenberg Boulevard exits — from four lanes to six to accommodate the heavy volume of traffic and in anticipation of the I-57 designation. The $145.2 million project includes redoing the interchanges at the Vandenberg, James Street and Gregory Street exits, as well as the conversion of frontage roads from two way to one way, and it is expected to be completed in late 2027.

The highway is a major part of an ongoing I-57 expansion that, ultimately, will connect Chicago to Interstate 40 at North Little Rock with interstate-quality freeway the whole 650 miles.

Over the years, the freeway and its seemingly constant road work has been draped around the city’s neck as albatross. Robert Birch, economic development director for the city, said he believes the perception of Jacksonville will change once work is completed on 67.

“I really think once we get construction done, it’ll be our time,” he said.

The city has been nothing but resilient over the past half-century, so Birch’s optimism is warranted. Jacksonville got past the stigma surrounding the cleanup of the abandoned Vertac hazardous waste site, it managed to shimmy itself free from the desegregation lawsuits around the Pulaski County Special School District and launch the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District, and now city leaders anticipate the possibilities of a free and clear I-57 rolling through town.

The last decade has seen the city generate some major momentum with the new school district, the reopening of the old Rebsamen/North Metro hospital by Searcy-based Unity Health, the $150 million expansion by German firearms manufacturer SIG Sauer of its Jacksonville plant — expected to create 625 new jobs over five years — and the ongoing rehabilitation of downtown that included a sparkling new state-of-the-art Jacksonville High School overlooking 67 at Main Street.

The city has always been recognized for its award-winning

Widening

parks department, and festivals are something it has always done well. Last year, the 11-year-old FestiVille on Main Street downtown, compacted to one day, drew roughly 10,000, as much as the event previously drew over two days, Birch said. He added that the event was moved to the area around City Hall as part of efforts to revitalize Main Street.

“We really want to get people centered on that area, and these types of events are something this community thrives on,” he said.

Thrive it does. Jacksonville Parks & Recreation is responsible for a host of events in town, including the annual Christmas parade, the “All Lit Up” holiday celebration with a trail of lights and tree-lighting ceremony, food truck Fridays, a youth fishing derby, the Big BANG on Main Fourth of July fireworks show, the city’s own farmers market and much more.

Plus, the city has always been home to the Little Rock Air Force Base, where many of the world’s C-130 pilots are trained. The relationship with the base has always blanketed the city with a military complexion. Birch said the city in recent years has placed more emphasis on its relationship with the air base.

“Jacksonville is a great place to call home,” Birch said. “We’ve got new housing developments going up for the first time in a while with more planned, and by the time the road construction is done, people will be able to see a whole new Jacksonville. That’s a story that doesn’t get told enough.”

Mayor Jeff Elmore is supposed to say things like, “Jacksonville is a hidden gem of the Little Rock metropolitan area,” but even so, when he says it, he means it. The city has often been caught in-between — removed from the heart of the metro but not far enough for some. Elmore, though, said he thinks the city of roughly 30,000 is in a strategic spot just 15 minutes from downtown Little Rock.

“Jacksonville has something to offer everyone,” he said. “Jacksonville is close to all that Arkansas’ capital has to offer while having a suburban atmosphere. The sense of community is strong. Jacksonville offers a small-town feel in a suburban environment with numerous city events and programs year-round. You are sure to find family-friendly fun anywhere you go.”

Elmore also noted the city’s 800-plus-acre industrial park, home to SIG Sauer and longtime city mainstays Lomanco, a homegrown vent manufacturer, as well as Triangle Engineering, which produces components for the welding industry.

“Jacksonville is a fantastic place for families to choose to live, work and play with opportunities everywhere in the city for people of all ages to enjoy all that the city has to offer,” Elmore said.

City officials agree that two landmark events in the city’s history were the creation of the new school district and the reopening of the hospital, which sat unused for several years.

Robert Birch

Kathy Perez, president and CEO of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, called the establishment of the JNPSD a transformative event for the community.

“In a true partnership between the business community and our academy high schools, we are working to revolutionize the school experience for scholars across Pulaski County,” she said. “Our goal is to ensure that every scholar graduates prepared for whatever path they choose, whether that be college or a career.

“The Academies of Central Arkansas are also playing a crucial role in setting up workforce development programs that directly benefit both relocating and existing businesses. By aligning educational outcomes with the needs of local industries, we are building a skilled workforce that supports the economic growth of Jacksonville.”

Elmore said the school district and Unity Health’s arrival in town have helped foster growth in a “period of revitalization and rebirth.”

“As of August 2024, all six schools in the district have new state-ofthe-art buildings as part of a $170 million investment towards school construction,” he said. “These new buildings guarantee that scholars can receive a first-class education in world-class facilities.”

The new school buildings also help apply a fresh new coat of paint to the city’s infrastructure, as did the reopening of the hospital in March 2023.

“Area residents can receive high-quality medical care close to home at Unity Health,” Elmore said.

While locals can drive into Little Rock for medical services, Unity Health-Jacksonville provides acute care services without the drive. It operates a 13-bed emergency department, a 24-bed behavioral health unit, an inpatient/observation unit, and full imaging services with X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, 3D mammography and ultrasounds, as well as inpatient cardiopulmonary services.

“Not only does Unity Health operating in Jacksonville guarantee area residents access to medical attention minutes away from where they live, work and play, the hospital also boosts the city’s economy and encourages job growth,” Elmore said.

because it restored essential health care services to the city and reaffirmed its commitment to the well-being of local residents.

“The hospital’s return has boosted community morale and provided a critical resource for both health care and employment,” she said.

The mayor also stressed the importance of a soon-to-be-completed fire station in the city. The 11,000-square-foot Fire Station No. 2 is replacing an old facility across the street. The new station will include living quarters that provide four individual shower rooms, seven dwelling units, a training gym, storage for emergency medical services and a safe room.

“Great things are on the horizon for Jacksonville,” he said.

Twice a month, Elmore speaks at the air base to newly stationed airmen. He said he does so to strengthen the bond between city and base and also to sell the city. Those who live off base do not need to look beyond LRAFB’s own front door, he said.

“The relationship between the city of Jacksonville and Little Rock Air Force Base spans decades, even before the base opened in October 1955,” Elmore said. “Community members united together to donate land that would become the base. In the years since, the relationship between the city and base has continued to be a strong, working relationship.”

Perez called the base “integral” to Jacksonville’s identity and economy.

“I’m proud to be a Jacksonville native as my father was stationed at LRAFB, and I couldn’t be more honored to support the installation and the community it has helped shape,” she said. “The base brings a diverse population to the area, supports local businesses and fosters a strong sense of community. It’s not just an economic driver but also a key part of the city’s social fabric.”

“Jacksonville is a fantastic place for families to choose to live, work and play, with opportunities everywhere in the city for people of all ages to enjoy all that the city has to offer.”

— Kathy Perez, president and CEO of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce

The Jacksonville Museum of Military History opened in 2005 on the original grounds of the old Arkansas Ordnance Plant administration building to showcase the city’s military ties from the Civil War to the Cold War and preserve the history of local contributions to war efforts. Fittingly, Jacksonville is also the site of the Battle of Reed’s Bridge, during which Confederate troops attempted to slow Union Major Gen. Frederick Steele’s advance into Little Rock in 1863.

Perez said the hospital reopening was monumental for Jacksonville

The city’s military ties represent just one unique feature that distinguishes Jacksonville. Perez said the city sits in a strategic spot between

Mayor Jeff Elmore

Kathy Perez

A new 11,000-square-foot fire station will soon be complete.

JACKSONVILLE’S Next Generation

urban Pulaski and rural Lonoke counties.

“This unique positioning allows us to enjoy the benefits of proximity to urban amenities while maintaining a closeknit, community-focused atmosphere,” she said. “Our residents experience the best of both worlds — the convenience of city life coupled with the charm of a smaller town. This, combined with a welcoming community and a robust support network for local businesses, truly sets Jacksonville apart.”

City officials said they believe a time is approaching when folks will start to reconsider Jacksonville — affectionately referred to as J-ville by locals — and look upon it in a new light that extends far beyond the city’s blue-collar reputation. Whether it is newly arrived airmen looking to find a home for their families or companies looking to relocate, city officials say Jacksonville is open for business.

“We strive to advance Jacksonville by educating, energizing and connecting a diverse group of leaders to serve the community,” Perez said. “A strong economic environment requires a strong community, and Jacksonville offers both. We are truly fortunate to have leaders, business owners, educators and citizens who understand the shared responsibility of creating economic success and happiness within our community.

“The collaborative spirit of Jacksonville, combined with our central location and supportive local government, makes us an ideal place for businesses looking to expand or relocate.”

Elmore is bullish on Jacksonville, and he advised folks to hop on the bandwagon while they can.

“The completion of the roadway construction, infrastructure that is important to central Arkansas, which sees thousands of travelers every day commuting through Jacksonville, will undoubtedly bring exciting opportunities to Jacksonville,” he said. “Jacksonville is in the beginning stages of a prosperous rebirth.

“Whether in Jacksonville for a moment or a lifetime, we welcome visitors and residents alike. Opportunities for a high-quality education, career and entertainment are available in Jacksonville, and we invite everyone to soar with us to new, unprecedented heights.”

Third-generation owner Christian Gwatney proud to serve hometown

By AY STAFF

Christian Gwatney has been around the car business for as long as she can remember, having grown up on and around the Chevrolet dealership founded by her grandfather, Harold Lloyd Gwatney, in 1957. Despite the dealership growing into one of the state’s largest, Christian did not immediately see her future in the car business.

“I worked at Gwatney Chevrolet back when I was in high school, but I didn’t see it as a long-term career path at the time,” she said. “It wasn’t until about seven years ago, while I was working for my grandfather, that I began to develop an interest in the business. I wanted to learn more about what made the dealership so successful.”

A personal tragedy would nudge Christian into a shareholder role when her father, Bill Gwatney, a state senator and the chairman of the Democratic Party of Arkansas, was murdered at his desk at the party’s Little Rock headquarters in 2008. Her grandfather died in 2022, and earlier this year, Christian took over the role of president of the family business, which now also includes Gwatzilla WashN-Lube and Gwatney Collision Center not far from the dealership at 1301 T.P. White Drive in Jacksonville.

“It turns out that I love the car business just as much as my grandfather did,” she said. “It’s never the same thing two days in a row, and what drives me is the

Christian Gwatney

challenge of making every customer’s experience as simple and enjoyable as possible.”

Gwatney gave credit to her elders for establishing a strong set of values by which the company has endured over the years, including creating 115 jobs across all three businesses.

“What has kept Gwatney Chevrolet successful is the fact that we put family first,” she said. “We’ve made it a priority to build an environment where our employees can thrive, both at work and at home, with policies that support a healthy work-life balance.

“Our customers are just as much a part of this family. If you’ve ever bought a car from us, you’ve probably received an invitation to dinner too. We do this because we want to build long-lasting relationships. It’s our way of showing that we’re here for you throughout the entire car ownership experience, not just on the day you drive it off the lot.”

She said the community has rewarded this business ethos with loyal patronage, helping the business grow.

“Doing business in Jacksonville just makes sense because it’s an affordable place to live with lots of amenities in close proximity to Little Rock,” she said. “That makes it an attractive location for both customers and businesses. Plus, the Little Rock Air Force Base provides economic stability to Jacksonville through jobs and government support.

“Jacksonville is a place that is family friendly, that offers parks, sports facilities, recreation activities and community events like FestiVille, It is also a community where people support one another; Gwatney Chevrolet is proud to partner with organizations like Seis Puentes Education and Resource Center [in North Little Rock.]"

While much has changed in the business over the years, Gwatney said the traditional values and friendly faces of her hometown have helped connect past generations with current ones.

“Gwatney Chevrolet is legendary because it had two legends running it, and anyone who ever met Harold or Bill Gwatney knows what I mean,” she said. “They were men who had clear goals and met any challenges they faced head-on. I’m so grateful that I watched and took notes from them and the management team over the years.”

WINGS OF FREEDOM

Little Rock Air Force Base anchors Jacksonville community

By LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE PUBLIC AFFAIRS STAFF

In 1941, a 9,000-acre-site was surveyed 12 miles northeast of the Arkansas River near the small, little-known town of Jacksonville.

On June 8, 1941, the War Department announced an arms production facility would be built at the site. That ordinance plant was the beginning of what would become Little Rock Air Force Base.

The United States Air Force was established on Sept. 18, 1947, and four years later in 1951, a group of Little Rock businessmen discovered an Air Force requirement for heartland basing and decided the Arkansas congressional delegation should lobby to get an Air Force base in central Arkansas. After much deliberation and evaluation among several possible sites, Congress eventually authorized the budget to construct Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville, but only if the land was acquired without cost.

Fundraising efforts began without delay. By the end of September 1952, the Pulaski County Citizens Council, currently the LRAFB Community Council, had collected almost $1 million, allowing the Air Base Committee to begin buying property from more than 150 private landowners near Jacksonville.

That same month, the USAF announced it would build a $31 million jet bomber base on the site. Fundraising and land purchase took nearly 18 months, and construction began Nov. 6, 1953.

From day one, the local community surrounding Little Rock Air Force Base has been critical to mission success. In the 1950s, the local community sought out the United States Air Force, and more than 70 years later, the base is still proud to call Jacksonville its home.

The installation’s economic impact on the local community is calculated from local area spending based on budgetary expenditures. For the computation of average pay, the local community includes Little Rock, North Little Rock and Conway. All information captured herein is current as of March 1, 2024.

The total value of Little Rock Air Force Base’s economic impact is $1.4 billion. The base is the 12th largest employer in the state of Arkansas, providing more than 7,750 jobs on base.

Since it first opened its gates in October 1955, the base and community have enjoyed a prosperous symbiotic relationship. Throughout numerous mission changes, including reconnaissance, strategic bombing, nuclear missiles and tactical airlift, the community has ensured resident airmen were always supported.

The base hosts the Little Rock Honorary Commander Program with the purpose of educating those with limited knowledge about the Air Force and the installation. Honorary commanders are selected among elected officials, mayors, chamber of commerce members, principals

A U.S. Air Force C-130J Hercules aircraft assigned to the 61st Airlift Squadron.

(U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Patrick Evenson)

and various other influential members of the community. The program provides an opportunity for community leaders to develop relationships with base commanders providing trusted advice and counsel, and working towards increasing understanding and cooperation between the civilian community and Little Rock Air Force Base.

The Little Rock Air Force Base Community Council is another one of the many ways the base is connected to the local area. The city of Jacksonville recognizes the council as a civilian nonprofit organization made up of central Arkansas community leaders who are dedicated to serving the Little Rock AFB, its mission and its people.

The Little Rock AFB also has a long history of engaging with and helping local communities. Little Rock AFB personnel actively volunteer for a variety of community programs and initiatives, including Eagle’s Watch Foundation, Gifts for Families, Fisher House, Air Force Aid Society, Air Force Spouse and AF Wounded Warrior.

The base provides regular updates to several local chambers of commerce, including Jacksonville and surrounding cities, since those local bodies often come together to support the military personnel on base and their dependents.

Two U.S. Air Force Academy cadets sit with a 41st Airlift Squadron loadmaster on the ramp of a C-130J Super Hercules during a familiarization flight at Little Rock Air Force Base. During the flight, the cadets were shown a multitude of C-130 tactical airlift capabilities and learned about different Air Force careers.

(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Julian Atkins)

CHRISTIAN GWATNEY, OWNER OF GWATNEY CHEVROLET

Smorgasbord

Locally owned restaurants provide plenty of options for Jacksonville diners

By SARAH DECLERK

As a community of nearly 30,000 people, many of whom come to town by way of the Little Rock Air Force Base, Jacksonville is tasked with not only appealing to a variety of tastes but, oftentimes, providing the first taste of Arkansas cuisine to newcomers.

The restaurant scene is a lively one composed of restaurants that have been there seemingly since time immemorial and newcomers eager to grow a local fan base. Many established restaurants that have undergone a change in ownership look to continue the same great service locals have become familiar with or reimagine themselves as something new.

Jacksonville is a diverse and dynamic city, and its restaurants represent that culture. Mom-and-pops are, perhaps, the best place to get a feel for the local flavor, and fortunately, Jacksonville has several good ones to choose from.

THE HOOK

Alow-key catfish joint off Military Road, the Hook stands out not only by specializing in one of the Natural State’s favorite meals but also because of the relative longevity that garners the restaurant ample name recognition among locals. Founded by David and Gayle Bush in 1985, the catfish restaurant has long been a Jacksonville staple.

After David’s death in 2020, their daughter, Christi Jeffries, and her husband, Scott, took over the business. Jeffries said she grew up in the restaurant business with her brother, Brian Bush.

She and her husband changed a few things, such as adding TVs, new carpet and a fresh coat of paint, but stayed true to the restaurant’s original recipes.

“It’s been there a while, just doing the same thing that we did from the beginning, like keeping it simple, keeping it the same, not making changes to the fish. It’s the same fish,” Jeffries said.

Her favorite menu items include the fried catfish and homemade hush puppies, she said, but the restaurant also serves grilled and blackened catfish and fried and grilled shrimp, as well as burgers, chicken strips and grilled chicken. Top sides include french fries and pinto beans.

The catfish is sourced from Mississippi, Jeffries added.

Quality food at an affordable price keeps folks coming back to the Hook, but Jeffries said the down-home, familyfriendly atmosphere is the main reason the restaurant has stayed in business all these years. That includes the many loyal staff members who lend the establishment its charm.

“Some of them have been there a very long time, and they treat it like their own business,” Jeffries said. “They worked for my dad, and now they work for us, and some of them have been there a really long time and have just treated it like their own.

While catfish is a familiar meal at occasions great and small throughout the South, people from other parts of the country might never have tasted it, and Jeffries said she is eager to hook them, as well as grow the local fan base that has kept the Hook on the radar for nearly 40 years.

“I think people outside of Jacksonville may not know about it or have forgotten about it, so [our goal is] just to continue to grow the business to get new customers, people who don’t know they like catfish,” she said. “The Little Rock air force base is there, so some of them probably aren’t familiar with fried catfish.”

Tuesday through Thursday: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Closed Monday

Founded in 1985, the Hook is one of the best-known restaurants in Jacksonville.

I think people outside of Jacksonville may not know about it or have forgotten about it, so [our goal is] just to continue to grow the business to get new customers, people who don’t know they like catfish.

— Christie Jeffries, owner “

THE BAR-B-QUE SHACK

Home of the smoking cannon, the Bar-B-Que Shack is another long-standing establishment on the southern edge of the city. Those who have not visited the Bar-B-Que Shack in a while might want to plan a lunch trip; the establishment now boasts a new menu courtesy of owners Adrian and Brittany Trevino, who purchased the business last year.

“It’s been a great experience,” Adrian Trevino said. “We love to see people happy, and seeing everybody eat the food and talking about it and how great it is. I like to come out and talk with the customers and see what they thought, hear any suggestions they have for me, and hearing how good it is and how happy everybody is with it. It’s a great feeling.”

Trevino said he has a passion for barbecue. He moved to Arkansas from Texas, where his family has a food trailer that served burgers. One day, his uncle suggested they sell barbecue, and they sold out in about an hour. It is safe to say the experiment was a success.

When he moved to Arkansas, he said, he was unable to license the trailer as a barbecue truck, so he sold it. However, his neighbor, Gary Green, just so happened to own the Bar-B-Que Shack, and it just so happened to be for sale. Unfortunately, another buyer was already interested, but when that deal fell through, the Trevinos were able to purchase the establishment.

“We’re a totally different style,” Trevino said. “He cooked with hickory, and we’re true to Texas, so we use post oak. It’s a totally different taste, totally different menu. Everything’s different. The building is pretty much the same.”

Ribs, brisket, chicken, sausage and pulled pork are highlights of the menu, and the restaurant also offers nachos and loaded baked potatoes that weigh in at about a pound each, Trevino said.

Sides include barbecue beans, turnip greens, green beans, cole slaw, potato salad, french fries, fried okra, and smoked mac ‘n’ cheese. Trevino said his wife and daughter also bake a rotating selection of desserts.

The meat is pulled fresh out of the smoker every day, so diners are advised to get there early to make sure there is plenty available, he added.

“We aim to please people,” Trevino said. “It’s just a great environment. It’s a good place to get some good food and get treated like you’re part of the family.”

Ribs, brisket, chicken, sausage and pulled pork are highlights of the menu, and the restaurant also offers nachos and loaded baked potatoes that weigh in at about a pound each.

THE BAR-B-QUE SHACK

1000 S. Arkansas 161, Jacksonville 501-982-1009

Facebook: Bar-B-Que Shack

Tuesday through Saturday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (or until sold out)

Closed Sunday and Monday

Now

under new ownership, the Bar-B-Que Shack is building a following for Texas-style barbecue.

CHICKEN COUNTRY OF JACKSONVILLE

Barbecue and catfish are, of course, Southern staples, but when it comes to the food Granny sets out on the table every Sunday, the centerpiece is nearly always fried chicken. Chicken Country of Jacksonville has seen its share of Sunday dinners, having opened in 1976.

“It all started with a passion for fried chicken and home-style cooking,” said Bridget Burton, owner. “My father-in-law used to say, ‘We’re not fast food. We do small batches more often.’”

Throughout the years, the restaurant has retained its welcoming atmosphere and friendly service while taking pride in its fresh food. In addition to fried chicken, the restaurant serves chicken livers and gizzards, and guests can find chicken and dumplings there on Fridays.

In addition, the restaurant offers ribs, fish and more than 20 vegetables. Wash it all down with a big glass of sweet tea, and finish the meal with peach cobbler, apple cobbler or pecan pie. (For those of you

from outside the state, that’s pronounced PEE’-can and rhymes with “man.”)

To newcomers, Burton recommended a plate of Southern fried chicken and veggies, which include steamed cabbage, brown beans, fried okra, two kinds of potato salad and many other options.

“We enjoy the community and the many regular customers who have been visiting us for 40-plus years,” Burton said. “We don’t host events often, but we are active in the Jacksonville community, serving sports teams, the local military community and the police force.”

In the future, she added, she hopes to expand Chicken Country to other locations, but for now, guests can visit the establishment near the Jacksonville Community Center in the heart of the city for what she described as “the best home cookin’ around.”

“The atmosphere is amazing,” she said.

CHICKEN COUNTRY OF JACKSONVILLE

1922 W. Main St., Jacksonville 501-982-2424

chickencountryjax.com

Monday through Saturday: 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Chicken Country of Jacksonville has been serving up home-cooked favorites since 1976.

“In 1949, my father and a group of community leaders wanted to provide financial services to the small town of Jacksonville. With that, Jacksonville State Bank was born. Fast forward seventy-five years and my dad’s vision has grown to serving customers and communities across the state of Arkansas. Our distinguished past was built on the shoulders of many great people. We do not rest on our legacy, we look to the future!”

–LarryWilson,ChairmanandCEO

FAB&T grows right alongside community Home, Sweet Home

By AY STAFF

The word “community” is not in the company name of First Arkansas Bank & Trust, but it certainly is in its DNA. The Jacksonville-based bank has a long history in the city and today invests about 3,000 hours annually — an average of more than eight hours per day — in handson volunteer and community service efforts. In 2022, the company also donated $150,000 in monetary and in-kind donations spread across more than 100 worthy organizations.

Roger Sundermeier, senior vice president and chief brand officer, said that level of philanthropy and volunteerism is right in step with the community FAB&T calls home.

“I’ve honestly not been as excited about the potential of Jacksonville as I am right now,” Sundermeier said. “Between the school districts and Unity Health coming back and investing in our hospital, there are some really big things happening in Jacksonville.”

Sundermeier said the community offers a unique demographic unlike just about anywhere in Arkansas in the form of stationed military personnel retiring and separating from the U.S. Air Force finding their way into the local business community.

“Most of the time, someone who is retiring from the military is still in the prime of their life,” he said. “We get a lot of those military members who came through Little Rock Air Force Base and want to retire here in Jacksonville because we’ve got all of these amenities. We’ve got mountains, we’ve got lakes, and every-

thing is within an hour’s drive, at most, for whatever you may want to do. Our quality of life is really something special.

“We’re able to keep those high-quality, high-character individuals who have this incredible work ethic, people you’d love to have on your team as an employee or to see them start a business of their own. I think that’s something else that’s unique about Jacksonville as a community — we really like to support our local businesses. That is incredibly encouraging to a potential entrepreneur.”

Sundermeier encouraged potential visitors and residents not to take his word for all the good things happening in town but to come experience the vibe personally. He insisted more people would be surprised than not.

“I would encourage people to do their own research and come experience Jacksonville for themselves,” he said. “There’s a lot of good things going on here and a lot of wonderful, amazing people. Most of all, there’s a lot of potential; we have a great story yet to be told. This is an amazing town.”

Roger Sundermeier

Museums, parks and libraries boost quality of life Something to

Discover

By SARAH COLEMAN // Photos provided

Known for the Little Rock Air Force Base, a military installation built in 1955, which contains the world’s largest C-130 training program, Jacksonville has a long and colorful history. It is also a community with a high quality of life thanks to schools, parks, events and activities. Whatever the occasion or mood, Jacksonville is a city full of amenities to match its charm.

ESTHER D. NIXON LIBRARY

Part of the Central Arkansas Library System, Esther D. Nixon Library is not only an abode for books but serves as a foundational part of the Jacksonville community. The library has been a part of the community since 1959 and has stood on its current location since 2009.

As a resource, Nixon Library offers programming and activities as a way to not only enrich the youth of the city but also to help others where it can. Branch Manager April Hicks is passionate about the work Nixon Library does for Jacksonville.

“My favorite part of managing this branch is the staff, who make my days easy,” Hicks said. “Jacksonville is special to me because my husband’s retired military, and the work we do at the base makes living here special.”

Hicks, who has a background in psychology, is also excited about the work Nixon Library does with homeless people. She appreciates the opportunity to work with the social workers on staff, who assist individuals with necessary resources.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation Shooting Sports Complex draws visitors from across the state.

“The social workers are employed within the system, and that’s been huge because we assist a lot of homeless people,” she said. “Jacksonville doesn’t have a shelter or many resources, so the fact we have social workers is super awesome. I enjoy that part, being able to help people.”

Hicks said Nixon Library offers the only community fridge in Jacksonville, which is heavily used as is the library’s free pantry. Both services are donation based, which often strains the offerings’ inventory, she said.

“We would definitely like people to know about the fridge and the pantry and want to encourage those who can donate to do so,” Hicks said, adding that donations can be made inside the library during normal business hours.

Regular programming depends largely on the ages of attendees, which is cyclical, Hicks said. The Jacksonville branch offers several story times for children, as well as adult activity times, tech help to assist guests patrons with phone and laptop setup, video games during Afternoon Arcade, and more.

“Right now, we’re seeing more little kids coming in here than bigger kids, so we’re mostly offering story times,” Hicks said. “We also have adult crafting programs, video games once a month, a book club, and we do a lot of sewing and crocheting.”

A new club, Garden Ramblers, officially began this year following the construction of a garden in 2023.

“We took the first year to learn the garden and learn what we could grow in each season, and we just started doing programming with it recently,” Hicks said. “We’re trying to have the kids help us weed the garden, plant new things, pick things that are ripe and learn about food. Everything we grow, we either save for seed to grow more or we put in our fridge or our pantry for people to take.”

Nixon Library has several innovative materials, including birdwatching kits, engravers, fishing poles, telescopes and the system’s only toy library, which allows members to check out two toys per library card.

With Little Rock Air Force Base being located just down the road from the library, Hicks said Nixon Library has been able to do a lot of

Various programs and a community garden are highlights of Esther D. Nixon Library.

outreach on the base, as well as with the schools.

“We have a really good relationship with the schools and the air base,” she said. “They have a library on base, but they don’t have a huge staff, so they don’t have any programmers. What we do is go out there and do their story times, as well as a school-age program and a teen program.”

October is an exciting time at Nixon Library, and Hicks said they have planned a variety of fun activities, including Learn How to Draw with children’s book artist Rich Davis on Oct. 12, a beginner painting class on Oct. 26, a virtual story time and Halloween garden party on Oct. 30, and Halloween treat bags on Oct. 31.

The Nixon Library also offers access to several electronic databases, which offer a variety of resources to take practice tests for the ACT, SAT, GRE, driver’s license and more, as well as the ability to create resumes and apply for jobs, in addition to a myriad of other things.

SHOOTING SPORTS COMPLEX

The Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation Shooting Sports Complex is a state-of-the-art public shooting range facility and is the largest multiuse complex of its kind in the state. Offering 14 trap fields, three skeet overlays with three lit fields, voice activated trap, a lake, two pavilions, a 3D archery range currently under construction and more, the amenity is truly unique.

Trap shooting allows for the use of 12-gauge and 20-gauge shotguns, and skeet shooting allows for 12-, 20-, 28-gauge and .410 shotguns.

“We are exclusively for shotguns. We have everything a person needs to shoot trap or skeet, from eye and ear protection and shells to coaching, guns and shooting vests, in our pro shop,” said Jerry Hill, manager. “You can bring your own gun and ammo if you want. Just remember, no homedefense shotgun, no shot larger than 7.5, and no steel shot. Bring target loads only; you’re just shooting a clay target.”

October tends to be a busy month for the shooting sports complex, he said, adding that the complex is full every Friday and Saturday of the month. Events include corporate outings, coaches training, a breast cancer awareness event, a 4-H event, and fundraisers for Children’s Protection Center, Baptist Children’s Home, Baptist Health and church groups.

“If you like to shoot, let us host your next event,” Hill said. “Remember to check in with us early because we host over 60 events a year with over 1.2 million targets thrown a year.”

Hill said the largest event the Shooting Sports Complex hosts is the Youth Shooting Sports regional and state tournaments.

“The YSS regional and state tournaments start in late April, goes every weekend in May and finishes with the top 64 teams for state,” Hill said. “Five thousand kids from fifth grade to 12th grade compete in four regions, along with 700 volunteer coaches.”

The next biggest event is the Arkansas State Shoot, which is a weeklong event that takes place in June and has 17 different states represented by over 600 shooters.

JACKSONVILLE PARKS & RECREATION

Community is important in Jacksonville, and one way this community has been built and continues to be sustained is through the work of Jacksonville Parks & Recreation. By offering events, fitness classes, a youth center, facility rentals, a community center and a variety of regularly scheduled activities, Jacksonville Parks & Recreation has created an environment that flourishes.

“Parks & Recreation provides green spaces and parks that offer a place for people to relax, exercise and enjoy nature, which can improve mental and physical health,” said Marlo Jackson, assistant director. “We have some of the best maintained facilities around central Arkansas. Some of our amenities include sports facilities, picnic areas, dog parks and the inclusive playground, making our parks more appealing to more people.”

The parks also offer a number of sports and hobby activities, including facilities for fishing, baseball and basketball, a water park, and walking and jogging trails. Individuals can play baseball at Excell Park, stroll with friends at Jimmie White Park, plan a family picnic at Johnson Park, play pickup basketball at Northlake Park and fish at Paradise Park.

Additionally, Pleasure Park includes the Martin Street Youth Center, Splash Zone, a pavilion and a playground; Stagecoach Park offers an assortment of playground equipment for all ages; Stonewall Park has the Howard B. Dunn Memorial; and Dupree Park has a host of enjoyable activities, including the dog park.

Jacksonville is also home to Reed’s Bridge Battlefield Heritage Park, an official Trail of Tears site listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The park includes an 1860-era replica homestead and a walking trail with narrative historical markers that highlight the Little Rock Campaign Civil War battle of 1863.

Jackson said the department also offers many events and programs for community gatherings at its facilities and parks. The highly anticipated annual events include Easter egg hunts, Youth Shooting Sports tournaments and the Arkansas State Trap Shoot. Other events include Big BANG on Main, Titans Obstacle Course, FestiVille, the Christmas Parade, and All Lit Up! Merry & Bright.

Attend these upcoming Jacksonville events:

• Oct. 12: Breast Cancer Awareness PINK OUT Shoot/Big 50 at Shooting Sports Complex

• Oct. 28: The Great Pumpkin Plunge at Jacksonville Community Center

• Oct. 31: Trunk or Treat at Dupree Park

• Nov. 22-23: Holiday Craft & Gift Sale at Jacksonville Community Center

• Dec. 7: Jacksonville Christmas Parade on Main Street

• Date TBD: All Lit Up! Merry & Bright at Jacksonville Community Center and City Hall featuring a trail of lights visible through New Year’s

“The Great Pumpkin Plunge is a way to dive into the spooky season with the Jacksonville Parks & Rec Aquatics Department,” Jackson said. “Children ages 3 to 12 are invited to the community center pool to take a plunge in order to gather pumpkins floating in the pool.”

Admission to the Great Pumpkin Plunge is $5 per participant, and takes place the Friday before Halloween. On Halloween night, Trunk or Treat will take place, and this year’s theme is “Haunt the Night with Spooky Delights.”

“It’s Halloween time, ready or not. Meet us at Dupree Park parking lot for Trunk or Treat,” Jackson said. “It’s free to get in and trick or treat safely with friends. There will be trunk contests, music and more.”

The award-winning Jacksonville Community Center is one of the many facilities operated by the Parks & Recreation department. Offering 56,000 square feet, the center includes a fitness area, aquatics area, family fitness area and the North Hall Events Center.

Kyly Hawk, community center manager, said the event center hosts a wide variety of private events, from birthday parties and baby showers to military balls.

Athletic programs are offered year-round, including spring and fall league baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men and co-ed youth flag football, geocaching, and youth and adult kickball. Spring and fall league softball, youth girls volleyball, and coed and single-division pickleball and soccer are also offered.

Events such as Trunk or Treat keep the community lively.

Additionally, aquatic programs are available, including water aerobics classes, open swim, swim lessons, lifeguard certification courses and the Dolphin-Lasers, a competitive swim team that uses the Jacksonville Community Center as one of its primary practice locations.

The facility includes several features for members, including aerobics, an exercise classroom, department offices, pickleball and racquetball courts, indoor and outdoor walking tracks, weight equipment, and a meeting room with a kitchen.

Individual, senior and family memberships are available. Individual memberships are $30 a month and senior memberships are $25. For those who are not members, $5 day passes are available with government ID. Those younger than 16 must be accompanied by a guardian.

JACKSONVILLE NORTH PULASKI SCHOOL DISTRICT

A great place to live and work, Jacksonville is also known for its innovative public schools, which are focused on providing the best education possible. Jacksonville North Pulaski School District offers leadingedge student programs such as career technical education programs, free meals for students and more.

As a Purple Star School District, JNPSD is recognized for its major commitment to serving students and families connected to the nation’s armed forces.

“Our district is committed to supporting the unique educational and social-emotional needs of military connected children,” said Cheesa Williams, director of communications. “Jacksonville North Pulaski School District provides resources and programs to address the unique challenges faced by military families, such as frequent relocations and transitions between schools.”

Williams said JNPSD is committed to living out its mission statement, which is to foster a culture of ownership and accountability through partnerships that enhance learning and success both inside and outside of the classroom.

“Through collaboration with local businesses, industries and higher education institutions, our educators and administration create multiple pathways for student success,” Williams said. “Teachers encourage scholars to take responsibility for their academic growth while exploring diverse career opportunities.

“Our board members work to secure valuable resources and support innovative programs, ensuring that every scholar is equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the future.”

The school district offers state-of-the-art facilities, which include modernized classrooms and career-focused labs. Williams said the district is focused on creating an environment where scholars can thrive.

“As we continue to grow, our district is steadily emerging as a standout example of excellence in preparing scholars for both college and career pathways,” Williams said.

This fall, the district opened new facilities for two schools — Bayou Meto Elementary and Murrell Taylor Elementary — achieving its goal of having all-new school buildings by 2024.

“With expanded resources and enhanced technology, the new schools are better equipped to support personalized learning and innovative teaching methods, ensuring that every child receives the attention and tools they need to thrive academically,” Williams said.

In spring 2025, JNPSD is also set to launch a school-based health clinic, as well as an on-site daycare center to continue to meet the needs of its students. Since 2016, the district made the decision to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students daily, ensuring every student has access to nutritious meals.

“We are able to provide meals through the community eligibility program and Provision 2 program,” Williams said. “Providing free meals to scholars is not only significant for addressing hunger but also essential for fostering educational success and overall student well-being. Free meal programs contribute to improved health, academic performance and attendance while reducing stigma associated with food insecurity.”

Williams said JNPSD is a hidden gem and is making remarkable strides toward becoming a leader through its career pathways and readiness pro-

grams. The career and technical education pathways available at Jacksonville High School include curricula in cybersecurity, becoming a certified nursing assistant, culinary and hospitality, criminal justice, teacher cadet, automotive, welding, business, marketing and early college readiness.

“Scholars at Jacksonville High School have a wealth of choices in building their educational experience,” Williams said. “The CTE program delivers high-quality, cutting-edge services that equip scholars with the most competitive skills for future success.

“Students enrolled in the pathways receive hands-on learning that blends academic instruction with real-world skills.”

Williams said students are able to participate in both classroom learning and practical applications throughout the program, often working with industry-standard equipment and engaging in projects that mirror real workplace scenarios.

“In some cases, students may complete internships, earn industry certifications or even experience work environments like a student-run restaurant,” Williams said. “This experience not only prepares them for post-graduation employment but also provides a strong foundation for those continuing to higher education or vocational training.”

The student-run restaurant, Simply Delicious, is inside Jacksonville High School and operated by culinary scholars and their instructors. The restaurant is open to the public twice a week and also provides catering services to groups within the community.

“Our culinary pathway equips scholars with practical, hands-on skills that can directly translate into employment opportunities,” Williams said. “For scholars interested in the food and hospitality industry, these classes provide foundational knowledge in cooking techniques, food safety, nutrition and customer service, giving them a head start in pursuing careers as chefs, restaurant managers or even starting their own food-related businesses.”

The local school district sets high goals for its students and facilities.

Unity Health fills long-awaited niche in Jacksonville community

By AY STAFF

The quality of life in a community is directly tied to available health care, something that in Jacksonville has been sorely lacking since North Metro Medical Center abruptly closed its doors in 2019.

With the opening of Unity Health-Jacksonville, however, the community is facing a brighter, healthier future.

The new hospital opened its doors earlier this spring with a suite of medical services to meet acute care needs, including a 13-bed emergency department, a 24-bed behavioral health unit, an inpatient/observation unit, full imaging services and inpatient cardiopulmonary services.

Jacksonville Mayor Jeff Elmore told the media at the hospital’s grand opening that he was particularly excited to have an emergency room and mental health services in the city.

“Having the ER here will be great and [mental health services] is going to be a much-needed tool for our area,” he told THV 11. “There has not been a lot of mental health offerings north of the river. This will be really good.”

Unity’s emergency department features board-certified physicians and certified nurses and is a member of the IDHI Stroke Program in partnership with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. Formerly known as AR SAVES, IDHI is a telemedicine

program that allows staff to connect with an off-site neurologist to diagnose and treat people suspected of having a stroke.

Through Compass, the behavioral health provider, Unity offers short-term comprehensive care, treatment and rehabilitation for adults 18 and older with a wide range of diagnoses, including depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder and psychotic disorders.

“We have a very diverse group here. We very much, to me, look like Jacksonville,” Unity Health-Jacksonville administrator Kevin Burton told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. “I couldn’t be happier about the people we’ve hired here. It’s the reason that I can say confidently that people can come here and get great care.”

Proudly Serving Jacksonville

Unity Health - Jacksonville provides convenient care, close to home. Services include:

• Radiology, MRI, ultrasound, CT, X-ray

• 3D Mammography

• Emergency department

• Laboratory

• Outpatient counseling and psychiatric treatment

• Inpatient adult psychiatry

Unity Health is proud to be a

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Jacksonville Bucket List

EATS

Bar-B-Que Shack

Blade and Barrel Brewing Co.

Chicken Country of Jacksonville

Dream’s Pizza

First Street Cafe

The Hook

Keith & Co. Artisan Sandwich Shoppe

Pho and More

Smokin’ Buns

Taquería Amigos Mexican Restaurant

Whiskey Smoke BBQ

PARKS & RECREATION

Dog Park

Dupree Park

Excell Park

Fireman Park

Galloway Park

Jacksonville Community Center

Jimmie White Park

Johnson Park

Martin Street Youth Center

Northlake Park

Paradise Park

Pleasure Park

Ron Newport Recycle Park

Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation Shooting Sports Complex

Skate Park

Stagecoach Park

Stonewall Park

HISTORY & MUSEUMS

Jacksonville Historical District

Jacksonville Museum of Military History

3 Check off the Jacksonville Bucket List as you visit a small sample of our favorite places.

WE SUPPORT JACKSONVILLE

At Lomanco, we’re not just another company; we’re your neighbors. Our family has been a cornerstone of the Jacksonville community for generations, choosing to root our business here because we believe in the enduring spirit and potential of this city.

JOIN US IN BUILDING THE FUTURE OF JACKSONVILLE

We invite you to be part of our Jacksonville story and join our Lomanco family. Experience the difference that a local, familyowned business can make. Let’s grow together, ensuring that the prosperity we’ve enjoyed continues for future generations. We provide competitive wages as well as excellent benefits. Visit www.lomancojobs.com to see current job opportunities.

www.lomanco.com Jacksonville, AR 501.982.6511 | 800.643.5596

What makes a woman “intriguing?”

For some, it is success and accomplishment in the business arena. For others, it is public service and philanthropic work. Still others find a devotion to home and family intriguing as the fundamental glue that binds a community together.

In fact, “intriguing” can mean all of those things and more, as demonstrated by AY About You’s 2024 “Intriguing Women” roster. This collection of outstanding Arkansas women demonstrates the best the state has to offer across a variety of demographics, careers, interests and accomplishments.

To be intriguing is to inspire curiosity, admiration and joy, and every one of 2024’s honorees lives up to that definition and more. As a publication with both a female owner and a female president and publisher, AY About You values the important contributions women make every day in the workplace, charity space and neighborhoods across Arkansas. It is with tremendous pride, therefore, that AY presents some of the state’s most intriguing women.

Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees.

Some Q&As have been edited for length and clarity.

Special thanks to HOWSE in Little Rock for their hospitality and accommodation in providing picture-perfect photoshoot venues.

Edit by MAK MILLARD Photos by LORI SPARKMAN • JAMIE LEE • CHYNA BOTTOMS

Shannon BEDORE

CEO

Sightline Retail, Blue Elephant Food Group USA

Shannon Bedore would not trade her job for the world — and since that gives her the opportunity to see the world anyway, why would she? Bedore said she finds it hard to imagine another role that would allow her to achieve such professional fulfillment, accomplishment and mental stimulation and to meet such talented coworkers. Annual business trips to Thailand have also given Bedore and her family the opportunity to explore new countries every year and for her children to develop their own overseas travel skills. Everyone should experience life abroad at least once, she said, because it “can leave a profound impact on your soul.”

What advice from the women in your life has turned out to be truer than you first thought?

“The days are long, but the years are short.” With three kids, their activities, my own full-time job and various community commitments, some days are overwhelming. Yet it won’t be long until my kids are out on their own. The hard work seems worth it when I put it into this perspective.

What causes are closest to your heart and why?

I have spent a lot of time trying to close health care gaps for the cystic fibrosis community. I was the board president for several years in northwest Arkansas and worked to help open an adult CF clinic in NWA. I’m happy to say the clinic is thriving and is above patient target, meaning there is money to invest to further develop more robust patient care.

What is your favorite thing about Arkansas?

The people! The people make it great — my neighbors, my co-workers, the employees at my local Walmart, the school district bus drivers, my yoga instructors and even strangers who wave at me as I’m walking by. I wouldn’t change anything about where I live.

What is the most unexpected talent you possess?

I have owned a boat, an airstream and jet skis, but I have never figured out how to back up a trailer. It is an unexpected talent to make it this many years, with so many trailers, and still not know how to go in reverse.

What is something you would never spend money on?

A new car.

What is the one thing you always notice first about another person?

How much time they spend talking about themselves instead of learning about others around them.

What is something that is easy for you but difficult for most other people?

I can travel internationally for weeks and do it all with one carry-on and a backpack. I am fairly low maintenance, even at home.

What is your secret for dealing with conflict?

Knowing the difference between when to fight versus when to walk away.

Erin COURTWAY

Nurse Practitioner, owner

PRISM Aesthetics

Erin Courtway’s medical spa is more than just a nod to her professional moniker, the “Rainbow Injector.”

It is also a reflection of her hard-fought entrepreneurial journey. While obtaining her family nurse practitioner credentials, Courtway juggled three jobs and single parenthood, withdrawing from school more than once to make ends meet. In 2020, she worked on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City. Starting her own med spa was not in Courtway’s plans upon her return, but demand for her injection services turned the part-time gig into a fully booked operation. PRISM Aesthetics now boasts 15 employees and two locations in Rogers and Fayetteville.

What experiences have had the biggest impact on the way you see the world?

I survived a home invasion and assault during my second year of nursing school, and the trauma from that experience debilitated me for many years. As I healed, I began to realize that bad things happen to all of us. Just as a flower needs rain to grow, we can take our greatest trials and obstacles and let them push us to new heights we never knew were possible. This perspective has transformed the way I view the world.

How did you pick up your favorite hobby?

I’ve never been great at singing, but I’ve always had a love for music. DJing has allowed me to create music in a different way. Mixing music is often healing and sometimes feels like therapy, making it a great hobby and outlet to focus my energy on. My living room is filled with laser lights, so it’s like my own personal club.

What is your catchphrase? “F--- around and find out.”

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

Last year, I went skydiving. I said I’d never do it, and that’s exactly why I did it. It was the most invigorating experience of my life, and I would do it one hundred more times if I could.

What is something you think everyone should experience at least once in their life?

I think everyone should work a 9-to-5 job that some might consider “bottom of the barrel.” When I was 16, I spent a summer working as an exterior house painter in the scorching sun, earning $7 per hour. That experience definitely built some character.

What person, past or present, do you admire most?

My grandmother, Betty Courtway, was a go-getter and a woman whose beliefs in women’s empowerment were ahead of her time. She had a servant’s heart for others and was active in serving her community. She left a lasting legacy in Conway, and there’s even a school named after her.

by

Photo

Laquan Williams

Gail HEARNSBERGER

Owner

Midtown Social, Off the Beaten Track

Gail Hearnsberger has a gift for seeing the potential in places others might overlook. Such was the case with Off the Beaten Track, a dilapidated-structure-turned-elegant-spot for weddings and other events. Hearnsberger is pulling off a similar magic with Midtown Social, a new entertainment venue in Nashville, Arkansas. The long-abandoned lot has seen an extensive overhaul and is due to start welcoming guests for karaoke, concerts and more this year. Hearnsberger said she finds inspiration and motivation everywhere, especially when it comes to her hometown. “Nashville is a small town with a huge heart,” she said. “The citizens are ready for new things at Midtown Social, and I am hopeful for change.”

How did you get to where you are now?

Trials, tribulations and hard work.

If you could have any other job, what would it be?

I really can’t imagine doing anything else than what I’ve been doing for the past 45 years. It has been very rewarding.

What is your approach to getting things done?

My motto is, “I will figure it out.” Your passion for something will make it perfect.

What is your secret for dealing with challenging situations? Taking the high road is recommended, but sometimes you need to have a squeaky wheel for things to get accomplished.

What advice from the women in your life has turned out to be truer than you first thought?

I come from a long line of women who were and are hard workers. I think they lead by example, and that was their advice.

What is the best advice you have ever received in general?

Think before you speak. I realize that comes with age.

What is something you think everyone should experience at least once in their life?

Travel. It opens your mind.

What is something that you wish you could experience again for the first time?

Marrying my soulmate, John Emmett Hearnsberger.

How do you recharge at the end of a long day?

Have a glass of wine, work at a crossword puzzle and visit with my husband about our days.

What is your proudest accomplishment thus far?

My family, of course.

What would you do with $1 million? I would like to find out!

Who was your childhood hero? My mother.

What is the best gift you ever received? Grandchildren, of course, and everyone’s health.

Who is a woman in Arkansas you admire?

Jessica Steele Gunter, a lawyer and judge. Jessica is not motivated by money. She just wants to do the right thing.

What is something you would never spend money on? Politics.

What causes are closest to your heart?

Anything to do with children.

What is something you look forward to every year? Spring.

Hearing what song makes you feel 21 again? “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin.

Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life?

Maybe Meg Ryan or Jodie Foster.

If you could meet one historical figure for dinner, who would it be, and where would you go?

Mary Magdalene, and we would go to Santorini in Greece.

Veronica LOVE

Founder, CEO

Home Health Care Agency of Arkansas

President

Southern Carrier Services

The opportunity to learn from the best in the business is not one to miss, even when one’s business is in a completely different industry. Before Veronica Love founded her in-home care agency, she reached unprecedented heights in the automotive world. Working her way up from the sales floor into management, Love became the first African American woman in Arkansas history to serve as general manager for a franchise dealership, Crain Mazda in LittleRock. Working among some of the biggest car magnates in the state gave her the foundation from which to start building her own million-dollar empire and fulfill her dream of producing generational wealth for her family.

How did you get to where you are now?

My spiritual faith is how I was able to get to this point in my professional and personal life. I have always strived to go above and beyond by doing more than what was required of me by seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit and putting God first.

If you could have any other job, what would it be?

I would like to own an adult daycare and provide housing for homeless veterans.

What experiences have had the biggest impact on the way you see the world?

Living with my father, who battled multiple sclerosis, was an experience that had the biggest impact on how I view life and treat others.

What advice from the women in your life has turned out to be truer than you first thought?

Before I got married, my aunt who raised me told me that I was going to have to love “in spite of,” that I was going to have to give love even when I felt like it was not being reciprocated, and no matter what, just keep giving love. She said, “Love hides a multitude of thoughts,” and I’m just now understanding what she meant.

How did you pick up your favorite hobby?

I picked up my favorite hobby, fishing, while on a boat in the middle of the Mississippi River.

What is the best gift you have ever received?

The best gift that I have ever received was God’s forgiveness for me because I know that I do not deserve the blessings that I have been given. My businesses are his gifts.

Who is a woman in Arkansas you admire?

Mrs. Ebonye Green, who is an APRN at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences [in Little Rock].

Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life? Angela Bassett.

If you could ask your future self one thing, what would it be? “What does your savings account look like?”

What person, past or present, do you admire most?

Two women: The late Janett Crain and former first lady Hillary Clinton. Janett Crain was the wife of the late Larry Crain Sr. She always walked in grace while raising her children to be successful entrepreneurs and was the glue to holding her family together. I admire Hillary Clinton because she always managed to show the strength of a woman by remaining resilient in various stages of her life.

What is something that is easy for you but difficult for most other people?

Speaking with people I have never met before. I never meet a stranger.

Jennifer RAGSDALE

Chief administrative officer, senior vice president

Uniti Group

Human resources often gets a bad rap, especially when organizations use it more like the principal’s office than an actual resource. Jennifer Ragsdale is eager to dispel that misconception. “At Uniti, HR is a critical part of the company’s day-to-day operations,” she said. “My team is integral to business success and continuity.” With the real estate investment trust named a certified Great Place to Work for the last seven years, suffice it to say those efforts are paying off. Ragsdale shares her skills outside of the office, as well, mentoring others in the community and helping empower the next generation of Arkansas leaders.

How did you get to where you are now?

By surrounding myself with people who care about my success as much as I do. I currently have the strongest support systems that I’ve ever had in my team at work, my friends and social groups, my family, and my biggest supporter, my husband.

What is a profession you admire but could never be a part of?

Anything medical. I am CPR- and first aid-certified, but as soon as one of my kids has the tiniest boo-boo, all of my training flies out of my head, and I’m handing them over to Dad. I would like to wear scrubs every day, though.

What causes are closest to your heart and why?

My husband and I were foster parents in our early 30s, before we ever had children of our own. The experience has left a forever love and passion for children in foster care, including those aging out of foster care.

What is something you look forward to every year?

My husband and I host an annual murder mystery party where our friends graciously dress up and act like fools for our enjoyment. My favorite so far has been a circus-themed “carn-evil.”

What advice from the women in your life has turned out to be truer than you first thought?

Insert your boyfriend’s name into 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 each place it references love. If it’s not true, move on.

What is the best gift you have ever received?

I’ve never met a gift I didn’t like.

If you could ask your future self one thing, what would it be?

“Did the expensive eye cream work?”

If you could meet one historical figure for dinner, who would it be and where would you go?

I would take Mary Magdalene somewhere with good wine.

What is the most “useless” talent you possess?

When I was a teenager, I would assist our next-door neighbor with police K9 training. You would think that because I picked up a few things from that, my dog would be the best trained on the block. Instead, he practically laughs at me in my face as he does whatever he wants.

What is the best advice you have ever received in general? “Live where your boots are.”

Katy BARTLETTWAKE

Executive creative director

Stone Ward

Katy Bartlett-Wake came by her creative talents honestly. After all, she grew up among the pioneering minds at her mother’s advertising agency, Stone Ward in Little Rock. One of her earliest memories is watching the production crew make rain with a fire hose. “There was something magical about being able to dream up a world and create it,” she said. Post college, Bartlett-Wake honed her skills as a journalist before joining the ad firm. She started out as a PR account executive, soon finding her way back to her first and greatest love — creative. “I’m grateful to work at a place where our mantra is ‘building good,’” she said. “It’s my daily mission to come through on that promise for my team, our clients and my family.”

What is the best gift you ever received?

My engagement ring. In 2023, my now husband, Marc, got my daughter and two bonus sons involved in a surprise proposal. We got married in January of 2023, and our blended family brings me great joy.

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

In 2018, I went on an African safari, where I had the opportunity to take a hot air balloon ride over wildebeest as they were migrating. The landing was quite the experience as the pilot told us to duck and hold on tightly. We landed in the middle of a savannah after crashing into several large termite mounds.

How do you recharge at the end of a long day?

I’m in the stage of life where the days are long, but the years are short. Most days, you’ll find me in a gym or in the stands at a sporting event. It’s a nightly and weekend commitment I’m grateful to have. When I’m not in fan mode, I enjoy sitting on a patio or my back deck with family and friends.

What is something you look forward to every year?

Jeep season. A few years ago, I gifted myself an older model Wrangler, and when the weather takes a turn for top-down days, it’s always fun to get behind the wheel.

What quality do you admire most in other women?

Support. I’ve experienced it and love it when women help other women.

What is your approach to getting things done?

Two of our guiding principles at Stone Ward are, “The person in charge of making things better is you,” and “Find a better way.” The agency business can be fast paced and demanding but also very rewarding when you help your clients grow and succeed. Creative isn’t just about great work; it’s also about problem-solving. To get things done is one thing. To get things done well is the ultimate goal.

Cristin BEENE

Executive director

Central Christian Academy

The best advice Cristin Beene ever received was to stay curious and never stop learning. That mantra has guided her growth and kept her passion for education alive. Beene founded Central Christian Academy in Greenbrier in 2008, and 16 years later, the school is a thriving hub that serves more than 500 students and offers a variety of resources and programs. An educational entrepreneur, Beene continues to plan ambitiously for the school’s future. “Being able to make a positive impact on students’ lives and seeing them grow and succeed is incredibly motivating,” she said. “Being surrounded by a supportive leadership team and community keeps me driven to continue pushing forward.”

How did you get to where you are now?

I have accumulated invaluable experiences through working in various educational settings, which shaped my understanding of the challenges students and families face. By identifying gaps in resources and support, I was inspired to create my own solutions and ventures that would make a positive impact. My work at Central Christian Academy has allowed me to combine my passion for education with my skills in grant writing, enabling our school to offer even more opportunities for our students.

What experiences have had the biggest impact on the way you see the world?

Over 12 years ago, I was diagnosed with a serious immune disease, which requires that I receive plasma transfusion therapy every two weeks to maintain my health. This experience has greatly impacted the way I see the world and has also taught me the importance of resilience and staying positive in the face of adversity.

What is your favorite thing about Arkansas?

The genuine sense of community and the beautiful natural scenery make Arkansas a special place to call home. I am grateful to be able to make a positive impact in my community while being surrounded by such natural beauty.

What advice from the women in your life has turned out to be truer than you first thought?

A dear friend once told me, “You are enough just as you are.” This wisdom has resonated with me throughout my journey, reminding me to embrace my authenticity, and even inspired a deeply meaningful tattoo that reads “be-you-tiful.”

What is your leadership style, and how has that changed over time?

Early in my career, I often directed rather than engaged. However, I’ve learned that empowering team members leads to innovative solutions and a more cohesive effort towards our goals.

What expensive thing is absolutely worth the money?

Investing in quality education and resources, especially early education for children, is always worth it.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

Stay true to yourself, stay passionate, and never stop learning. Surround yourself with a supportive network, and don’t be afraid to take risks. Most importantly, remember that setbacks are opportunities for growth. Dream big, work hard and believe in yourself.

Teresa BELEW

Activist (retired)

Although she is officially retired, Teresa Belew is described as a fearless advocate, fierce activist — and occasional gadfly. Several causes are close to her heart, from injury and violence prevention to addiction and mental health treatment. She is appointed to the Arkansas Alcohol and Drug Abuse Coordinating Council, in addition to serving as chairman of the board for Speakup About Drugs. As former executive director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving in Arkansas, she chairs the Arkansas Impaired Driving Prevention Task Force, among other boards and coalitions advising on policy and supporting access to services for all victims. A top concern of hers currently is crime victims’ rights, since Arkansas is one of 15 states without a constitutional amendment for victims.

What is a misconception people have about you?

My tenacity is often underestimated. Being indefatigable is my superpower.

What is something you think everyone should experience at least once in their life?

Chocolate gravy! Using our Granny Hawk’s secret recipe, our family actually won the very first World Championship Chocolate Gravy Cookoff.

What is something that you wish you could experience again for the first time?

All the “firsts” with my son: first smile, first tooth, first steps, first day of school, first day of summer vacation, first scout badge. As my only child, everything was a first and a last.

Who was your childhood hero?

My childhood and adulthood hero is my amazing big brother, Jerry. Being deaf never stopped him from doing anything he set his mind toward.

What is the best gift you have ever received?

Twenty-four years ago, a man I had just met gave me two sugar cookies in a little white sack. He was my Cookie Man. We were married and had a wonderful life together until his death last year. I still have those two sugar cookies in that little white sack. Best gift ever.

What is something everyone gets wrong about you?

My true age. On Jan. 1, 2012, after noticing some friends were claiming to be 49 for several years in a row, I announced that I was going to lie about my age by rounding up 10 years — my theory being that rounding up was more believable than rounding down. People often tell me I look great for my (rounded up) age!

What expensive thing is absolutely worth the money?

My loud-mouth, wrecking-ball Maltese puppy, Winston Churchill.

Hearing what song makes you feel 21 again?

“I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor.

What is your leadership style?

My approach is to treat others as they want to be treated and be able to discern what is efficient and effective and what is not. I want people to be able to work within their strengths and in the timeline that is most useful to them as long as they’re getting the job done. Work hard, play hard.

What advice from the women in your life has turned out to be truer than you first thought?

“Age is only a number.”

What is the best advice you have ever received in general? If you don’t have the money, you can’t do it.

What is your proudest accomplishment thus far?

Being able to support my daughter through her struggle with addiction.

Who was your childhood hero?

My grandfather, Kearney Dietz.

What is your favorite thing about Arkansas?

The people, the hospitality and the outdoors.

Who is a woman in Arkansas you admire?

Sharon Bale for her dedication to the children of the community.

Ginni BRACY

Operations Manager

Elder Independence Home Care

Caring for others is more than a career — it is a calling, and Ginni Bracy has been called to do so both personally and professionally. As the operations manager for Elder Independence Home Care in Bryant, Bracy plays a vital role in making sure the company can continue to provide home care services to families across central Arkansas. She has also felt the impact of Elder Independence’s work at home, since her position has allowed Bracy to connect with indispensable resources in caring for her own parents. The best gift she has ever received, she said, is that knowledge of how to care for others.

What expensive thing is absolutely worth the money?

A good pair of blue jeans and a pair of boots.

What causes are closest to your heart and why?

Eating disorders and the opioid epidemic. They are both causes that I have personal experience with.

What is something you look forward to every year?

Going to the beach.

Hearing what song makes you feel 21 again?

“Miss You Much” by Janet Jackson.

Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life?

Scarlett Johansson.

What is something you find yourself saying often?

“In my opinion…”

What is the most unexpected talent you possess?

Tap dancing.

How would you like to be remembered?

As a caring, kind and loving human being who made others feel comfortable and accepted.

Tammy BROWNING

Co-owner, executive broker Trademark Real Estate

Stuttgart native Tammy Browning now calls Spa City home, making her mark as a powerhouse executive broker with Trademark Real Estate. Nearly a decade into her career, Browning has closed over $135 million in transactions and is consistently recognized as a standout among her peers. Helping people make one of the largest financial decisions in their lives is a dream job, she said, and she is fortunate to be able to do that each and every day. Her proudest accomplishment, however, lies not in her professional work, but in her son, Beau, who is chasing his own dream of becoming a professional bass fisherman, just like his father.

How did you get to where you are now, professionally and/or personally?

Like that Morgan Wallen and Post Malone song, “I Had Some Help!” I definitely have had the best mentors in business and personal life that have inspired me along the way. My biggest cheerleaders are my amazing husband and son, who encourage and support me every day.

What experiences have had the biggest impact on the way you see the world?

Losing my parents as a young adult gave me a different perspective than most people my age and taught me to appreciate every day with those closest to you. No one is promised tomorrow.

What is your secret for dealing with conflict?

Be an active listener, show genuine compassion, and be kind. I try to remember that everyone I meet is doing the best they can at that time.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

My friend LeAnne Bird told me once to “dress for the job you want, not the job you have.” I never forgot that.

What is something you think everyone should experience at least once in their life?

Traveling outside the United States and immersing yourself in another culture — it will change your perspective.

How do you recharge at the end of a long day?

I sit on the back porch and take in the views of Lake Hamilton.

What is something you look forward to every year?

Fall is my favorite because of the cooler weather, fall foliage and college football.

What is something you find yourself saying often?

“How you do anything is how you do everything.”

Carrie CARR

Investment advisor ARIA Wealth Management

The United States Navy promises to teach a few life lessons, even for civilians. Before she built a career in financial advising, a mid-20s Carrie Carr spent two years teaching English composition to enlisted sailors earning college credits at sea. Carr met hundreds of people among six ships, several missions and about 40 countries, and she credits the experience for teaching her that talking to strangers, and introducing herself first, was the key to not just surviving, but exploring, learning and having fun. Not one to shy away from an adventure, Carr summed up her approach with a quote from a fellow Carrie — Fisher, that is: “Stay afraid, but do it anyway. What’s important is the action.”

What is a misconception people have about you or your work?

Building wealth is unlike what we see in the dramas of Wall Street or Boiler Room. In fact, it is routine and simple. Time and discipline, along with contributing even small amounts to several types of accounts over many years, are the mainstays to future financial freedom.

What is something you think everyone should experience at least once in their life?

Snorkeling or scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef.

How did you pick up your favorite hobby?

Watching live theater. After graduate school, I went with a group from University of Arkansas in Fayetteville to study theater in London and Stratford-upon-Avon. We went the gamut from high brow to experimental theater, from performances in the West End to ones in pubs. I love concentrating on actors’ expressions, pauses, speech and postures.

What was the hardest time of your life, and how did you make it through?

When my mom passed earlier this year, a longtime public school friend sent me a text that said, “You are kind to everyone. That’s why you are so loved.” These words really helped me, as that is what my mom taught me and my sisters to do since we were little. I felt the love from her and so many others.

If you could meet one historical figure for dinner, who would it be?

Gertrude Stein in a salon at her French home. She’s a problematic figure during the Vichy regime in France during World War II, but I want to sit with her and other modernist writers and artists circa. 1912 to understand what they were searching for. Some say she created a cubist style of writing, much like cubist painters such as Cézanne or Picasso.

What is the one thing you always notice first about another person?

If they’re good at listening.

If you could have any other job, what would it be? Culinary chef.

What advice from the women in your life has turned out to be truer than you first thought?

My mother always said, “Focus on taking care of you first so you can be of some good to others.”

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done? Helicopter ride over Las Vegas — with a fear of heights.

Where do you go for inspiration and motivation?

I look to my children for inspiration and motivation. Their happiness and achievements let me know I am doing something right in my life.

What would you do with $1 million?

Invest in people that have had a great impact on my life.

What is something you look forward to every year? Christmas.

Mia DeL ACROIX

Chief financial officer in behavioral health

Mia DeLacroix’s keen money sense put her on track for a job in finance, but it was her determination to not take no for an answer that allowed her to build a life and career that she loves. DeLacroix has an analytical approach to getting things done, outlining her goals and steps to ensure every “t” is crossed and “i” dotted. Over time, however, she has also learned the importance of collaboration. Delegating responsibilities to others while supporting their success has allowed her to set a powerful example for her team. Personally and professionally, DeLacroix wants to be remembered as someone who was as caring as she was resilient.

What causes are closest to your heart, and why?

The National Breast Cancer Foundation. I have lost many in my immediate family to breast cancer.

Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life? Sanaa Lathan.

If you could ask your future self one thing, what would it be?

“Is it all worth it?”

What quality do you admire most in other women? Confidence.

What does success mean to you?

A journey of self-discovery, personal growth, and being fortunate enough to pursue what I want in life and achieve it.

What role does faith play in your life?

Faith involves reliance and enduring in the face of doubt, and it has been a constant expression in my everyday life.

Holly DRIVER

Executive broker, co-owner Signature Properties

Holly Driver spent the first act of her career in teaching but decided to stay home after the birth of her second child. Although she intended to return to the field at some point, fate had other plans. Facing a tumultuous housing market alongside her homebuilder husband, Driver obtained her real estate license in 2007 and never looked back after jumping into the business full time. When she is not serving clients and supporting her team with a keen eye for details and organization, the University of Arkansas alum can often be found cheering on the Hogs in Fayetteville, where her two youngest children are current students.

What is a profession you admire but could never be a part of?

Nursing. This was something I thought I wanted to do until I volunteered one summer at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock and found out I was not cut out for this job.

What experiences have had the biggest impact on the way you see the world?

My growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

What is your secret for dealing with challenging situations?

In real estate, we are dealing with lots of emotions when people are buying or selling. Sometimes it is a happy time, and sometimes it is not. One of my main jobs is to keep the emotions out of the negotiations. Present facts, and help people get to their desired goal.

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

Starting my own real estate company.

What is something that you wish you could experience again for the first time?

Motherhood.

Where do you go for inspiration and motivation?

Morning devotionals and driving to the office, listening to Christian music. This helps me get my day started right.

How did you pick up your favorite hobby?

A new hobby I have is tennis. I started playing with some Realtors in my company, and I’m obsessed now.

What is something you look forward to every year?

Razorback games and lake season.

What is something that is easy for you but difficult for most other people?

Organization and planning ahead.

Who is a woman in Arkansas you admire?

Ann Rice. She is one of the first women I ever Bible-studied with and we have recently started back up. She is so biblically smart and someone I have always admired.

Nicole ECKARD

Licensed professional counselor, owner Resilience Therapy

Nicole Eckard was born and raised in Jonesboro, leaving only for college and graduate school before moving back in 2020. Now, as a licensed professional counselor and counselor-supervisor, Eckard helps facilitate growth and resolution for the people of her hometown so they can become their healthiest, most complete selves. Eckard believes that everyone should try therapy at least once, since “We all have something we need to heal from.” A therapist’s job is more than just listening, she said, adding,“We are people who struggle like our clients and see therapists. We laugh and cry with you. We provide you with practical tools to help you live a mentally healthy life.”

If you could have any other job, what would it be? Singer.

What is a profession you admire but could never be a part of?

Medical doctor. Addressing and increasing awareness about the body is something I implement in therapy, but I could never see and treat the things they do.

What experiences have had the biggest impact on the way you see the world?

Being a Black woman in America, being a Christian, becoming a mental health therapist and having a child.

What advice from the women in your life has turned out to be truer than you first thought?

Make sure you take time for yourself. This advice has helped me in countless ways.

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

In graduate school, my now husband and I flew to Washington, D.C., for a day. Then we took a train to New York and spent a day there. We did all of this without a hotel.

Who is a woman from Arkansas you admire?

Maya Angelou.

Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life?

Kerry Washington.

If you could ask your future self one thing, what would it be?

“Did you build a legacy?”

What piece of media changed the way you thought about the world?

The documentary 13th

What person, past or present, do you admire most? Rosa Parks.

If you were handed a million dollars, what would you do with it? I would pay off debt, donate to mental health treatment centers and invest in a mind-body-spirit retreat center.

How did you pick up your favorite hobby?

While in graduate school, I got tired of spending money on fast food, so I taught myself how to cook. It is so much fun creating and then enjoying what you made.

What was the hardest time of your life, and how did you make it through?

Being a teenager was a significantly difficult period. I had a really awesome youth group that was there for me. That is also when I started journaling.

BY BESSEL VAN DER KOLK

Hailey FARRIS, M.D.

Family medicine physician, chief of staff

Dardanelle Regional Medical Center

Associate program director

Conway Regional Family Medicine Residency

Rural Training Track

Russellville native Dr. Hailey Farris wears a lot of hats as part of the Conway Regional team, so she needs a foolproof routine to relieve stress at the end of a long day. Thankfully, she has found that her ideal way to reset is through exercise, whether that be weightlifting, a high-intensity interval training workout, swimming or riding her bike. Even when it is not with the goal of unwinding, Farris finds plenty of time to get her hands dirty with a variety of other adventurous activities, from mountain biking and canoeing to scuba diving and, most recently, learning to ride a dirt bike.

What is a profession you admire but could never be a part of?

Teaching is an inspirational and selfless career. My 7-year-old son wears me out sometimes, so I can’t imagine having a classroom of 30 kids that belong to someone else. It is a calling that deserves the utmost respect.

What is your secret for dealing with conflict?

I like to hit things head-on. If there’s an issue, let’s fix it sooner rather than later.

What is the most unexpected talent you possess?

Riding horses. I grew up showing horses and rodeoing most weekends. I barrel raced and won the state championship as a child; I don’t compete or even ride much anymore, but having horses instilled a hard work ethic and a competitive spirit from an early age.

What is your proudest accomplishment thus far?

I don’t look at my life in terms of accomplishments. If I want to do something, I set my mind to it and achieve that goal. Now I have a career that I really enjoy, and I am making a difference in the lives of our community, but the thing I’m most proud of is my son. He brings me the greatest joy.

What is the strangest situation you have ever found yourself in?

I went skydiving in Las Vegas just because I found a Groupon. Being the last person left on the airplane and watching your family all fall out before you was quite a weird feeling.

What would you do with $1 million?

I would travel the world for a few months, then come back and do the same thing I’m doing now, although I’d likely cut back to part time. I’d also pay off my mortgage and invest the rest.

What role does faith play in your life?

I love Jesus. Enough said.

Jessica HUGHES FORD, APR

Chief communications officer Arkansas Community Foundation

Jessica Hughes Ford hates being told no when she knows yes is possible. Her approach to life’s challenges is simple. “Find a way,” she said. “There is always a solution that can be found or a compromise that can be made.” That attitude has served her well in her career. She is now at Arkansas Community Foundation, a linchpin for nonprofit efforts across the Natural State. The Community Foundation works closely with all manner of donors and awards more grants than any other entity in the state. “Anyone can be a philanthropist,” Ford said. “It just takes the willingness to make a difference.”

If you could have any other job, what would it be?

President and CEO of PBS.

What is your secret for dealing with conflict?

It wouldn’t be a secret anymore if I told you but my primary tactic is to not take things personally. It’s never personal.

What is the best advice you have ever received in general?

Through my yoga teacher training, I was taught, “That which we avoid is probably our medicine.” The hard thing you don’t want to do is usually the path to freedom from it.

What is something you would never spend money on?

A big house. I’m drawn to minimalism.

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

I just returned from Alaska, where my son is a zip line tour guide in Denali National Park & Preserve. I never thought I’d be ziplining through the Alaskan wilderness with my life in my son’s hands, but there we were.

What is something you think everyone should experience at least once in their life?

Traveling to a developing country and meeting people in rural areas.

What is the strangest situation you have ever found yourself in?

Riding in an elevator in California in the Montage Beverly Hills Hotel with an alpaca and the First lady of Rwanda.

What was the hardest time of your life, and how did you make it through?

Being a single parent was hard. I made it through because of my village of family and friends. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have my career and this wonderful life.

What expensive thing is absolutely worth the money?

A good massage.

What is No. 1 on your bucket list?

Visiting the Anne Frank House and Auschwitz.

Donna HAGEWOOD

Co-owner Southern Interiors

A degree in dental hygiene is not the most likely precursor to owning a successful flooring business, but life is funny like that. Five years into a career cleaning teeth — and pregnant with her second child — Donna Hagewood left her job behind to join her husband in opening Southern Interiors in Sherwood. Now celebrating 25 years and counting, the business is an industry leader in the home improvement space. The only thing that gives Hagewood more pride than the company’s success is her family. Two of her three children have already graduated college, and the youngest is currently a junior at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

If you could have any other job, what would it be?

Pharmacist. I worked in a pharmacy through college and loved it.

What is your leadership style, and how has that changed over time? It used to be to delegate things to others, but I find most of the time, I’d rather do it myself.

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

Skydived and bungee jumped.

What is something that you wish you could experience again for the first time?

Having a baby.

How do you recharge at the end of a long day?

By watching a good movie.

How did you pick up your favorite hobby?

My dad used to take us to the driving range but would never take me on a golf course. I asked my brother to go with me, and I’ve been hooked on golf ever since.

What would you do with $1 million?

Take our family on a dream vacation, buy myself a pretty piece of jewelry and let my husband invest the rest.

What is the best gift you ever received?

For my 40th birthday, my husband got us a trip to Pebble Beach [in California] to play golf.

What is something everyone gets wrong about you? That I am intimidating.

What is your favorite thing about where you live? I love living on a golf course.

What song makes you feel 21 again? “Fancy” by Reba McEntire.

What is something you look forward to every year?

Going to Heber Springs, renting a house on the lake and playing in the Red Apple Mixed Golf Tournament with my husband and kids.

Cynthia HALL

While many people can say they had a rough go during 2020, Cynthia Hall had a uniquely stressful quintet of circumstances — a major injury, a divorce, a move, the loss of her father and a career change — at the same time. She leaned on faith and her friends to see those challenges through, and see them through she has. Hall brought the studio concept Hammer & Stain to Hot Springs, and now residents and visitors alike have an ideal space in which to explore their creative sides. Now enjoying life with husband Boyd, Hall is proud to be “Mom” to her two sons and daughter-in-law and “YaYa” to her twin grandsons.

If you could have any other job, what would it be?

Travel guide. I love seeing the world.

What is something you find yourself saying often? “Good gravy,” or, at the studio, “I’ll give it a try.”

What is a misconception people have about you or your work?

People think Hammer & Stain is a franchise. However, it is an independently owned business, and that it isn’t just playing with paint. Many long hours go into it.

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

Ziplining in Nicaragua with monkeys throwing mangos at us.

What is something you think everyone should experience at least once in their life?

The Holy Lands, to walk where Jesus walked.

What is the strangest situation you have ever found yourself in?

High in the Andes Mountains of Peru in a village square, I found myself the only English speaker surrounded by native Peruvians. All I had was a stack of paper and markers to communicate. I drew pictures, and we helped each other with respective languages with a lot of laughter.

Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life?

Sandra Bullock. She already has the knack to fall down and get back up then make fun of yourself. Think Miss Congeniality.

What person, past or present, do you admire most?

My mother. She came from a humble family of nine children. She received her GED after her kids graduated from high school. Alongside my father, she grew a successful business and gained respect from her business peers. She and my father gave back to others in so many ways, including traveling on many mission trips foreign and domestic.

When do you feel like the best version of yourself?

When helping others, whether in the studio or in everyday life.

Owner Hammer & Stain Hot Springs

Stacy HAMILTON

CEO Little Rock Realtors Association

Stacy Hamilton entered real estate in 2008, when things were grim to say the least. Her determination and grit quickly carried her to top producer status, and she continues to make waves as a leader and role model. She is a two-time Little Rock Realtor of the Year, past president of the Little Rock Realtors Association and Central Arkansas Multiple Listing Service, and former district vice president of the Arkansas Realtors Association. In her new role at the Little Rock association, Hamilton leads the group into a new era of growth and success through training initiatives and political advocacy for the 1,600 agents in central Arkansas.

What is a misconception people have about you or your work?

There are so many misconceptions of Realtors. We are not salespeople; we are consultants and counselors of real estate. The role of a Realtor extends far beyond a real estate transaction. Realtors bring value, partnership and expertise to every aspect of the property ownership journey.

What experiences have had the biggest impact on the way you see the world?

A career in real estate looks glamorous. However, inside the industry, we know you are experiencing the life stages of your clients in a very personal way. Working with clients going through a crisis, a death or a tragic event changes you. I have walked hand in hand with many clients who needed hope and direction. It was a humbling experience and taught me the true strength we all carry inside

What would you do with $1 million?

I own The Baker in downtown North Little Rock, and I love being a boutique inn owner. If I had a million dollars, I would open a second location. I already have the building picked out.

What is your leadership style?

I work from a coaching leadership style. I have two incredible women in my office. My role is to educate, encourage and let their talents build the program that leads to success. I want my team to oversee projects they can be proud of.

Who is a woman in Arkansas you admire?

Janet Jones, owner of the Janet Jones Co. Starting your own firm isn’t easy today, and certainly, it was more difficult for a woman to do in 1980. I respect and admire her tremendously.

What does success mean to you?

As a Realtor for 15 years, I know the time and dedication our members give to each of their clients. Realtors are dedicated guides; without one, you are missing the single piece that can make a smooth and enjoyable transaction. Success for me will be when the local public recognizes the need for a Realtor in every transaction, both residential and commercial.

What causes are closest to your heart and why?

I have two: the Beverly Carter Foundation, which strives to create a substantive, positive impact on safety that every agent needs and deserves. The second one is Ozark Mission Project, which repairs homes and installs wheelchair ramps for those in need.

What is your favorite thing about where you live?

I moved here from Austin, Texas, back in 2005, and I intended to be here for just two years. I absolutely fell in love with this city. Little Rock offers the arts and culture you find in bigger cities, but this city is so much easier to use. Our traffic is minimal. Cost of living is outstanding. Raising children here is so much easier than it would be if I had stayed in a much larger city.

Ashley HUNEYCUTT

Owner Beyond Wellness

Starting a business from scratch takes a bit of bravery and a lot of hard work. Leaving behind one’s stable career for an entirely different industry, however, and growing that new business to three locations in just two years is on a whole other level. In fact, it might sound virtually impossible to many — but not to Ashley Huneycutt. With locations in Little Rock and Lonsdale, Beyond Wellness is redefining the health care landscape in Arkansas, and while Huneycutt said the journey so far has “certainly been a whirlwind,” she is proud of the team she has assembled and the growth they have had in such a short time.

What is a profession you admire but could never be a part of?

I have come to admire the high-end food industry. Working in the restaurant business would be my worst nightmare, but the way Michelinstar restaurants create exceptional experiences and provide incredible hospitality is akin to what we want to model at Beyond Wellness.

What was the hardest time of your life, and how did you make it through?

When my daughter was a baby, she had some big health challenges. She was suffering, and we suffered right along with her. It took a lot of research, trial and error, and a couple of years before we were able to get the help she needed. We found help using an alternative approach and root-cause medicine. This was where my passion for holistic medicine began and was one of the driving forces behind starting Beyond Wellness.

If you could have any other job, what would it be?

Definitely quality control at Häagen-Dazs.

What is a misconception people have about you or your work?

A lot of people don’t know I am an introvert. In my former role as an educator and my current role at Beyond Wellness, I have had to interact with people pretty much all day every day. I absolutely love what I do, but a lot of it isn’t part of my natural personality.

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

I did the sky coaster once. It is this big human slingshot thing attached to bungee cords. Never again. I have a fear of heights, and I am claustrophobic, so that takes me out of a lot of adventurous things.

If you could meet one historical figure for dinner, who would it be and where would you go?

Steve Jobs. However, he was well known for his unusual eating habits, so I’d probably need to let him choose where we’d go.

What is the most “useless” talent you possess?

I can list all 50 states in alphabetical order in under 30 seconds.

Kathy JAMES

Mental health therapist LCSW

Kathy James credits some of her success to the indispensable support of family, friends and mentors. The greatest gift she has ever received, she said, is their unconditional love. As with many careers, however, there is no replacement for good old-fashioned commitment and a calling to serve others. James went back to school to complete her master’s degree in social work, and she considers it her proudest achievement thus far. Success, for James, is found in helping people believe in themselves, and she hopes to be remembered as someone who did her part to make the world a better place.

If you could have any other job, what would it be? Lobbyist.

What is your leadership style, and how has that changed over time? I probably used to micromanage, and now I believe in empowering people to find their own truths.

What is your secret for dealing with conflict?

It is not always easy, but try to lead with love and gratitude. Try to utilize the compliment sandwich: For every negative, find two positives. There is always something positive to point out in every person and situation.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

To not take myself so seriously and to be humble and teachable.

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

Shark diving in Bora-Bora with our family.

Where do you go for inspiration and motivation?

Prayer, meditation, church and quiet time with God.

How do you recharge at the end of a long day?

Walking outdoors with my dogs.

What is your favorite thing about Arkansas?

The natural beauty of the state.

What causes are closest to your heart and why?

Food banks because my mom was a young single mom, and our church food bank helped us when needed.

What is something you look forward to every year?

Fall and the trees changing colors.

Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life?

Meryl Streep.

What is No. 1 on your bucket list? I would like to go to the Maldives.

Tori JAMES

Chief operating officer

Revive Lifestyle Medicine

Revive Lifestyle Medicine in Little Rock is more than just a medical spa, and few people know that better than Chief Operating Officer Tori James. As a leader, she makes it a priority to lead by example. “I will never ask my staff to do a task that I’m not willing to do, as well,” she said. “I have always lived by the motto ‘first to arrive and last to leave.’” James is proud to play a role in providing patients with a luxury medical clinic experience centered around hormone, thyroid, weight loss and aesthetic services, and she said she is truly blessed to have such an amazing and talented team of coworkers.

What experiences have had the biggest impact on the way you see the world?

The night of my high school graduation, one of my dear friends was killed in a car accident. That moment changed me forever. From then on, I decided to never take anything for granted.

How do you recharge at the end of a long day?

My husband and my dogs are my world. No matter what has happened at work, coming home to them each night makes even a long day perfect.

Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life?

Reese Witherspoon.

What is your secret for dealing with conflict?

Being able to look at any situation from the other person’s perspective. Listening and hearing out someone’s concerns is so important with any conflict or challenging situation.

What is the best advice you have ever received in general?

Treat everyone with respect. It doesn’t matter if they are a CEO or a janitor; you treat them the same.

What is your favorite thing about Arkansas?

Arkansas is a little piece of heaven. We have some of the most beautiful lakes, mountains and rivers. Everyone should experience an Arkansas lake sunset.

What is a profession you admire but could never be a part of?

Teachers. My mother was a first-grade teacher for 37 years. Teachers are truly angels and don’t get enough credit for everything they do.

Who was your childhood hero?

My grandmothers, Rose Mary and Avonene. They both were godly women, worked extremely hard and loved their family more than anything.

What is the best gift you have ever received?

Before she passed, my grandmother Avonene gave me her fur coat and diamond ring. Every time I wear them, it feels like a piece of her is still with me. I cherish both items so much because I know how much she loved fashion and how happy she was to give them to me.

If you could have any other job, what would it be?

Party planner. I love hosting and celebrating friends and family.

Kalena JONES

System director

Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me, Baptist Health

Kalena Jones, who has a Doctor of Health Science, credits her career success to consistency, dedication, commitment and tenacity. Those attributes serve her especially well at Baptist Health, where she serves as system director of ARHOME, a health program focused on improving the lives of certain at-risk populations.

Maternal and infant care are especially dear causes to Jones, and her own pregnancy complications gave her firsthand experience as to the difference access to adequate care can make. In the midst of Arkansas’ maternal health crisis, Jones said she wants more than anything “for women to be educated, empowered and provided access to quality care early on in pregnancy.”

If you could have any other job, what would it be?

I would work on Broadway in stage production. I love building things and crafting.

What is a profession you admire but could never be a part of?

I admire the work of graphic designers. I find the way they effortlessly bring ideas to life so fascinating.

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

I jumped off of a cliff into the ocean while on vacation in the Bahamas.

What is something that you wish you could experience again for the first time?

I wish I could experience the feeling I felt when my children were placed on my chest immediately after birth.

What is something everyone gets wrong about you?

Not many people know that I am classically trained on the piano and violin and that I can sight-read music pretty well.

What is your favorite ‘unpopular opinion’?

I’m from the South, but I do not care for sweet tea.

What song makes you feel 21 again?

“Drop it Like it’s Hot” by Snoop Dogg.

If you could meet one historical figure for dinner, who would it be and where would you go?

Due to her ability to shatter glass ceilings and cultivate diversity so long ago, I would love to meet Shirley Chisholm. I would have a private meal prepared at my home by one of my favorite local chefs.

If you could ask your future self one thing, what would it be?

“Why did you wait?”

Kristi JONES, APRN

Owner SYNOLO Wellness

After a decade practicing traditional family medicine, Kristi Jones was tired of treating symptoms rather than causes. She wanted to find a better way, not only for her patients, but for her own health journey. Feeling good, she said, did not come easy, and the hormonal impact of giving birth affected her relationally, spiritually and emotionally. She refused to give up on her health, and that drive led her to pursue certification in functional medicine. Jones opened SYNOLO Wellness to provide an integrative approach to treating women’s thyroid and hormone conditions. “The answers were out there,” she said. “I am thankful I didn’t stop trying to find them.”

What is a misconception people have about you or your work?

That all “wellness” is the same. Knowledge matters. Experience matters. I am beyond blessed to have been able to receive the levels of accreditation and training, both traditionally and functionally, that I have. It makes a difference for my patients.

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

I ran up Pikes Peak a few years back. I trained with a group of friends for over a year. It was the hardest physical thing I have ever done, but I wouldn’t trade the accomplishment for anything.

How did you pick up your favorite hobby?

Outside of reading, which I do a lot of, running is my favorite hobby. I certainly got into it for the health aspects, but it’s also about friendship. The conversations and companionship I have shared over a run are a vital part of my life.

What is your favorite thing about where you live?

I live in East End, but I travel to work in Little Rock. I love that East End is just a short drive from midtown. Arkansas is incredible. We can be in the mountains, a beautiful lake, a gorgeous stream or a great restaurant in no time at all. To have that kind of access to so many different experiences is really cool.

What is your catchphrase?

“Is that a fuel food or a fun food?” So many people have no idea that food is one of the absolute best medicines for your body. I spend a tremendous amount of time teaching people to have a healthy relationship with food.

What does success mean to you?

Living the best I can with whatever I have. I just want to live life well, experiencing all the wellness, all the joy and all the love I can for as long as I can. I want to teach others to do the same.

How would you like to be remembered?

As someone who believed it was her God-given responsibility and privilege to help others experience total wellness.

Paula JONESMcFADDEN

Homemaker, co-owner

ICM Technologies;

Improved Construction Methods

Paula Jones-McFadden’s happy place is at home, surrounded by family, her husband, Mark, and more than just a few decorations. Visitors would be hard-pressed to find a bare spot in the JonesMcFadden home, least of all around the holidays. Selecting the right pieces and coordinating colors in just the right ways comes naturally to her, she said, and that knack was only deepened by time spent studying interior design at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. Whether she is putting together a fall palette, gathering pumpkins for Halloween, setting the table for Thanksgiving or decking out a Christmas tree, “I think I was born to decorate,” she said.

What experiences have had the biggest impact on the way you see the world?

I was a household name for about 15 minutes 30 years ago, and new reports about me were so skewed and manipulated that I lost trust in all media. I’ve learned that not everyone who seeks to help you is a friend, but I also learned who I could trust and who I could not.

What is your secret for dealing with conflict?

I’m very reactive. I have to get the situation settled and under control immediately.

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

Back in 2002, when I was more agile, I got talked into a celebrity boxing match with the figure skater Tonya Harding for Fox. Someone forgot to tell Tonya that you can’t hit a sweet Southern girl in the face.

How do you recharge at the end of a long day?

Sitting on my porch, watching the sunset with the dogs running across the field and just enjoying the beauty of God’s creation.

What is your proudest accomplishment thus far?

Being a mother to my three amazing sons and “Hunny” to my four adorable grandchildren.

What was the hardest time of your life, and how did you make it through?

No doubt, menopause. When I started going through menopause, I was told about a hormone specialist, and after several years of hormone therapy, I’m back to feeling pretty much normal again. I would advise any woman of a certain age to do their own research and to get help. I’m certainly glad I did.

What is something you would never spend money on? Tattoos.

Katelyn LANG

Veterinarian, founder Healthy Life Pet Clinic

After veterinary school in Oklahoma, Dr. Katelyn Lang found herself drawn back to Arkansas for its natural beauty and friendly residents. Picking up and moving away from the familiar is a worthwhile experience, she said, and one that everyone should try at least once. Lang soon had the opportunity to move once again, trading northwest Arkansas for North Little Rock to become the founding veterinarian at Healthy Life Pet Clinic. Scheduled to open in December the new practice will give Lang the opportunity to educate pet parents about keeping their furry family members healthy for longer, which is one of her favorite parts of the job.

What is a misconception people have about you or your work?

That the only reason I am in veterinary medicine is because I love animals. While that is largely true, it is not why I wanted to be a vet. It is actually because I love people who love their animals. Getting to work with both animals and their people makes this the best job in the world in my eyes.

Who was your childhood hero?

Jane Goodall. I remember thinking how cool it was that she was a scientist that was so immersed in her work she lived it literally by living among chimpanzees in the wild. Later, I would come to appreciate how amazing it was that she was a woman scientist who was out in the jungle, conducting her research.

If you could have any other job, what would it be?

A florist. I love finding aesthetic colors and textures that could go together well. It seems so simple, but these arrangements seem to find people in all walks of life, from bereavement to achievement.

What is something everyone gets wrong about you?

I am actually a nice, approachable person, despite what my resting face may say. I love making connections with people.

What expensive thing is absolutely worth the money? Traveling and experiences with friends and family.

What was the hardest time of your life, and how did you make it through?

Vet school during COVID-19. Professional school was already difficult as a nontraditional student, but lockdown felt even more isolating than I could have imagined. I would have never made it through without my family and community in veterinary medicine, in my classmates and beyond. The same community constantly empowers me to challenge myself, and I am so grateful to have them.

What quality do you admire most in other women?

I admire women who choose to empower and lift others up instead of cut them down. Women who foster a sense of community and celebrate others’ successes are my kind of people.

There are dream teams and dynamic duos, and then there is the partnership between Kelli LaPorte-Jenner and her husband, Frank. The pair met after Kelli graduated law school, and if not for Frank’s convincing, she would have taken her services to California rather than back home to Arkansas. Last year, the LaPorte-Jenners opened their eponymous law firm in Little Rock, where Kelli wields her expertise in criminal defense and family law to fight for the rights of her clients. An avid reader in her spare time, Kelli’s ideal way to recharge after a long day at the firm is with “a hot bath and a good book.”

What is a profession you admire but could never be a part of?

Shark biologist. Sharks are just so cool, but I’m not swimming with them.

What is your secret for dealing with challenging situations?

I approach everything head-on. In my opinion, conflict is always made worse when you don’t communicate and instead let everything fester. It’s important to tell people how you feel in a kind but assertive way so that everyone can be on the same page.

What is your proudest accomplishment thus far?

My daughters. Harper is 3 years old, and Norah is 6 months old. Norah is a sweet little baby who is always smiling at her sister. Harper is an amazing little person who is 100 percent herself.

Kelli La PORTEJENNER

Attorney LaPorte-Jenner Law

What would you do with $1 million?

Pay off my house, take my family on a European vacation and invest the rest.

If you could meet one historical figure for dinner, who would it be?

Gloria Steinem. Obviously, we’d go to a dive bar and talk about how women are the superior sex while drinking beer and eating curly fries.

Who was your childhood hero?

Nancy Drew. She was such a good role model for a girl growing up in the ‘90s. Smart, kind and inquisitive — all things I strive to be today.

What is something you look forward to every year?

Travel. Frank and I found an amazing Airbnb in the Ouachita Mountains in 2020. We were supposed to go to Portugal, but COVID-19 happened, so we ended up finding a cabin in the middle of nowhere. We are going back for the third time this year.

What person, past or present, do you admire most?

Ernest Shackleton. Wow, don’t get me started. He was an early 20th century explorer who led a crew to Antarctica, where they got stuck for about a year and a half. Somehow, he was able to keep all of his men alive and get them back home. (Un)ironically, his ship was called the Endurance. It’s such an amazing story.

Mallori LEVENGOOD

Psychiatric nurse practitioner

Southeast Arkansas Behavioral Healthcare System

Mental health might be enjoying a surge of awareness in some circles, but there are still those who assume Mallori Levengood’s work as a psychiatric nurse practitioner is for so-called “crazy people.” She sees that misconception as an opportunity for education. “I work with individuals much like you and I,” she said. “Just like we prioritize our physical health needs, I help others prioritize their mental health needs to live a healthier life.” Levengood applies that improvement mindset to herself, as well. She strives to be the best version of herself, reflecting on strengths and weaknesses so she can learn and grow both personally and professionally.

How did you get to where you are now?

By believing in myself and knowing I was capable of any and every goal I set.

If you could have any other job, what would it be?

I have always been intrigued with crime and crime TV. I would be an FBI investigator.

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

The most adventurous thing I have ever done was white water rafting in Costa Rica. It was such an exhilarating experience that I would do it over again, no doubt.

What is the best gift you have ever received?

The gift of salvation.

What is your secret for dealing with conflict?

To always be open and trusting. Conflict is much more likely to be resolved if you are consistent and reliable when communicating with others. In addition to trust, it is important to be transparent about your thoughts, feelings and needs during conflict, even though it may be uncomfortable.

What is your favorite thing about where you live?

I live in Star City, which is a very small town. I love the tight-knit community this small town brings. Everyone knows everybody, which is a blessing, especially in times of need. I always tell my husband I like traveling, but I love coming back home to our small town.

What expensive thing is absolutely worth the money?

Taking trips and taking them often. The memories made are worth every penny.

What is something you look forward to every year?

I look forward to the holiday season because it’s a special time to share with family and friends, carrying on traditions.

How would you like to be remembered?

For me, as a daughter, sister, mother, wife and friend, I want to be remembered as someone who was caring, kind and generous. I want to be remembered as someone who was a pleasure to be around.

Angela MANN

Attorney, co-founder Mann & Kemp

Good things come in threes, especially when one leasts expects them. Just a few years out from graduating law school and moving to Little Rock, Angela Mann and her husband decided to have a baby. They ended up with three instead. Mann enjoys a challenge, both in terms of her bustling family and her career. While family law makes for difficult cases, Mann relishes the opportunity to help clients through the hardest times in their lives. When she is not hurrying to and from court, Mann can be found spending time with her children or enjoying the occasional well-earned happy hour.

If you could have any other job, what would it be?

I would be a doctor, probably a surgeon.

What is a profession you admire but could never be a part of?

I admire stay-at-home moms and dads. They are definitely some of the hardest working people, and they are way underappreciated.

What is your approach to getting things done?

To do it myself. I am a perfectionist, so I will redo something if it’s not done right, even reload a loaded dishwasher or refold folded towels.

What is a misconception people have about you or your work?

Many people want a lawyer who will agree with them and be their friend. I’m not that lawyer. One of the hardest but most important parts of my job is telling people the truth, setting reasonable expectations and even telling them when they’re wrong.

What was the hardest time of your life, and how did you make it through?

My boys were born at 27 weeks. We barely made it to the hospital the night they were born. We spent five months in the NICU between UAMS [the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences] and Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock. After they came home, life was complete chaos for many years. They’re 10 now, so although we still have too many kids, life is more manageable.

What is something everyone gets wrong about you?

I have RBF, so people think I’m mean, but I’m not — unless I don’t like someone.

What is your favorite thing about Arkansas?

I moved to Little Rock in 2011, and I hated it at first. Now I’m here to stay. Little Rock is a great place to raise a family. We have a small but smart and supportive legal community, and there are so many things to do outside — and we have great restaurants.

What expensive thing is absolutely worth the money? Vacation.

Samaria MASCAGNI

Dentist

Arkansas Family Dental

In a world where the dentist’s office is just as likely to be looked upon with a shudder as with a smile, Dr. Samaria Mascagni aims to change the narrative. Mascagni describes Arkansas Family Dental as the most progressive dental office in Arkansas, and she is constantly thinking of ways to make every visit into a positive experience for her patients. A smile is a powerful thing, and Mascagni considers it a privilege to reignite people’s confidence and transform lives. “Every smile I help create is an opportunity to uplift someone, and that is what I cherish most about what I do,” she said.

How did you get to where you are now?

From the beginning, I made a commitment to always go the extra mile, constantly improving my skills and staying up to date with the latest advancements. Providing exceptional customer service has been at the core of everything I do, ensuring that every interaction leaves a positive and lasting impression.

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

Cliff jumping in Jamaica. I don’t particularly enjoy heights, so this experience was not only a thrilling adventure but also an opportunity to confront and overcome my fear.

Where do you go for inspiration and motivation?

I have many coaches who advise me in business that are experts in fields such as practice management, financial, law and accounting. I read nonfiction continuously to learn how to improve in all areas of my life. There is always more that can be done to improve and enhance your skills.

How did you pick up your favorite hobby?

My mother had me in the kitchen at a young age, and those moments we shared were truly special. It was our time together, filled with laughter, conversations and the delicious aromas of home-cooked food.

What cause is closest to your heart and why?

Addressing the lack of access to dental care. That’s why we started an incredible initiative called AFD Gives Back. We shut down our office for a day and bring in dentists from all over the state to provide free dental care to those in need. Last year alone, we gave away $220,000 worth of dental services to Arkansans.

What is the one thing you always notice first about another person? Teeth, of course.

What does success mean to you?

Beyond personal freedom, true success lies in the impact I leave behind. It’s about living a life of purpose where I’ve not only pursued my own passions but also helped others along the way.

Jill McDONALD

Executive chef

The Croissanterie

The best advice Jill McDonald ever received was, “Do it right the first time, and you won’t have to do it again.” Nowhere is that maxim more evident than the labor of love that is the Croissanterie. From farmers markets and food trucks to a brick-and-mortar cafe — and growing — McDonald and fellow culinary mastermind Wendy Schay have never shied away from hard work in business or the kitchen. While the much-loved Little Rock establishment is known for the caliber of its namesake pastry, McDonald does have one thing to clear up. “People think I can bake,” she said. “I cook, not bake. Two different things.”

How did you get to where you are now?

Hard work, perseverance, believing that failure was not an option, fantastic mentors, loving and supportive family, and the most incredible partner.

If you could have any other job, what would it be?

Realtor or historian.

What is your favorite thing about Arkansas?

The Delta, the history and the beauty of our state. Outside of politics, Arkansas is low-key awesome.

What experiences have had the biggest impact on the way you see the world?

Working with people. Everyone is different. You never know what someone is going through that day, that week or that life.

What is your leadership style?

Doesn’t matter who — what you do for one, you must do for all. Take care of those people, and don’t ask someone to do something you wouldn’t do yourself.

What is a misconception people have about you or your work? “Anybody can open a restaurant. How hard can it be?” Ha!

What is something you think everyone should experience at least once in their life?

Flying.

What is something you wish you could experience again for the first time? College.

How did you pick up your favorite hobby?

Playing golf with my dad.

What was the hardest time of your life, and how did you make it through?

High school. I survived.

Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life?

Melissa McCarthy.

Rachael McGREW

Business development director

Landmark CPAs

Naturally, Rachael McGrew was devastated to lose her previous job after nearly a decade with the company. Her tenure at Landmark CPAs, however, has given McGrew a new perspective on her hometown, in addition to allowing her to do all the things she loved before and then some. “I had a vast national network within my previous role, but I didn’t know many people within the local business community here in Fort Smith, so it’s been a lot of fun these past seven years to have the opportunity to be so involved,” she said. “Every day is different, and I love that.”

What is a profession you admire but could never be a part of?

New York Times best-selling author.

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

Canyon jumping in Switzerland. You jump off a 300-foot platform and freefall into the Grindelwald Glacier Gorge. After the freefall, you swing between the canyon walls over a river.

What is something you wish you could experience again for the first time?

Dating and falling in love with my husband. That was such a carefree time in our lives, and it was exciting to dream about what the future would hold for us.

Where do you go for inspiration and motivation?

The gym.

What is something everyone gets wrong about you?

My age.

How would you like to be remembered?

As being kind and willing to help. I want people to remember me for showing up, listening and lending a hand.

What song makes you feel 21 again?

Anything by 3 Doors Down or Matchbox Twenty.

How did you pick up your favorite hobby?

I loved reading when I was kid, but as I got older, I just didn’t make time for it. When my daughter was in first grade, she had to keep a reading log and read a certain amount each week. We got into the habit of reading together at night, and it just stuck. I read most nights instead of watching TV.

Who was your childhood hero?

My grandma, Meemaw. She lost her leg when I was a baby and fought through it for her grandkids. She used to pick us up from school most days and keep us during the summer. She made the best vegetable soup.

What is a quirk of yours few people know about?

I’m always early. On time is late.

What is No. 1 on your bucket list?

Visit Greece.

Is there anything else we should know about you?

You’d never guess I used to have my tongue pierced.

Lori CASE MELTON

Senior vice president , Business development officer

First Community Bank

When Lori Case Melton began her career in banking, women in executive positions were a rare sight. Rather than worrying about a lack of seats at the table, however, Melton pushed to make her own space. As a single mom, Melton had little time for fear, focusing instead on the work it would take to see results. She also chalks some of her success up to good fortune — like the opportunity to be employee No. 1 at a then-brand-new bank. “It took everything out of me to make it all happen, but I did it,” she said. “I am very proud of the way it turned out.”

If you could have any other job, what would it be?

Stand-up comedian.

What advice from the women in your life has turned out to be truer than you first thought?

One of my early female mentor’s advice to me was, “Always have your lipstick on.” I laugh about that today. What she was really saying was look professional, and it will make you feel more confident.

How did you pick up your favorite hobby?

I loved to play softball and did until I was 40. It was something I excelled at, and now I get to watch my granddaughter do it.

Who was your childhood hero?

Carol Burnett.

What is something you find yourself saying often? “The world is run by people who just show up.”

What is something everyone gets wrong about you?

They think I’m a dingy blonde. Sometimes I am, but I was valedictorian of my high school — OK, so there were only 19 graduates!

What is something you would never spend money on?

An expensive purse. The ones from Target work just fine.

What is your proudest accomplishment thus far?

I recently won the Lloyd Westbrook Good Neighbor Award from the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce. To me, this award says I’m a good person, I help others and people respect me for that.

What cause is closest to your heart and why?

Deliver Hope in Faulkner County. I helped found this faith-based organization for underserved youth in our community.

What is a quirk of yours that few people know about?

I love to drive a tractor.

What role does faith play in your life?

I loved growing up in a small country church. My mom played the piano, and we never missed a service. I’m moving home now and can’t wait to get back to that church. I can’t imagine living without Jesus.

How would you like to be remembered?

“She came, she saw, and she did.”

Robin J. MILLER

CEO, owner Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Arkansas Realty

Robin J. Miller has encountered many different kinds of leaders over nearly four decades in real estate. There were those bosses who yelled and screamed and those who invested in their people. There were those who were indifferent and those who genuinely cared about the success of their team. Each of those experiences, Miller said, taught her valuable lessons that she now uses with her own group of successful agents. “If you take care of your people — clients, employees and agents — you are often forgiven for many mistakes,” she said. “This approach has shaped my leadership style to prioritize empathy, support and trust.”

If you could have any other job, what would it be?

I would love to be a travel journalist. The opportunity to explore the world’s most beautiful destinations and write about them would be incredibly fulfilling.

What is a profession you admire but could never be a part of?

Emergency medical services, including EMTs, nurses and doctors. Those in emergency medical positions truly are saving lives. Their dedication and ability to handle life-and-death situations is incredibly inspiring.

What role does faith play in your life?

It is everything. It plays an integral role in my life. It is the foundation upon which I rely. My faith in Jesus Christ is transformative and provides me with eternal perspective and strength. I truly could not navigate life without it.

What is a misconception people have about you or your work?

A common misconception about real estate agents is that we are solely focused on making a sale. However, this is not true for me or my team. Our goal is to build lasting relationships with our clients. We strive to be their trusted advisors for life, their forever agent.

What is your secret for dealing with conflict?

Remain calm and consider the perspective of the other party involved. This helps me understand their viewpoint and work towards a mutually beneficial resolution.

What is your favorite ‘unpopular opinion’?

Minimalism leads to a richer life. By owning fewer things, we can focus on what truly matters and reduce stress. Over the past few years, I’ve found that decluttering and simplifying my possessions has been incredibly liberating.

Lindy O’NEAL

Veterinarian

Animal Medical Center

Dr. Lindy O’Neal grew up absorbing her family’s motto of “Never give up,” and it has carried her through life’s challenges ever since. A selfproclaimed “doer,” O’Neal has a knack for what she calls ultra-multitasking, and her approach to most obstacles is to make a plan and get it done. That attitude came in handy early on in her career, where she was managing a new business in a new town with a new baby — all while building a house. “I have zero examples of how I handled that time with grace,” O’Neal said, “I made it through because you just have to.”

If you could have any other job, what would it be?

My mother and I have always dreamed of having a wedding dress shop.

What is a misconception people have about you or your work?

People think that being a veterinarian must be a sad job because we see so much sickness. There are certainly parts of my job that can be emotional, but other times, we are delivering puppies, removing cancers and healing all kinds of animals.

Where do you go for inspiration and motivation?

Any time I can be creative, draw, color, paint or glue, I find inspiration. I have painted canvas, made pottery and even have a cookie business for decorated sugar cookies.

What is your favorite ‘unpopular opinion’?

Sugar is worse than drugs.

Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life?

Anne Hathaway. She’s smart, funny and can be serious too.

What is something you would never spend money on? Haircuts.

How did you pick up your favorite hobby?

My grandfather was a beekeeper, and I was already intrigued by the bees at a young age, but really, I joke that we ran out of honey so we got bees. Honey bees are so purposeful and hardworking.

What is something you find yourself saying often?

This may sound morbid, but as a surgeon it fits: “A chance to cut is a chance to cure.”

What causes are closest to your heart?

Breast cancer awareness has always been close to my heart ever since my grandmother passed from breast cancer. When I pledged Zeta Tau Alpha, I learned breast cancer awareness was part of the philanthropy and continued with the Race for the Cure for several years.

What is a quirk of yours that few people know about?

I really hate the way T-shirts feel around my neck. This includes my surgical gowns, so I always have to be tied in with my gown just a little loose around my neck.

What is No. 1 on your bucket list?

Go to the moon.

Kuna OKONG, M.D.

Physician

Conway Regional Medical Center

Louisianan by way of Cameroon, Dr. Kuna Okong came to the Natural State in 2020, when she joined the hospitalist team at Conway Regional Medical Center. After studying at the University of Yaoundé in Cameroon, Okong completed her residency in family medicine at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, in addition to obtaining a Master’s of Public Health from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City. Guided by her strong faith, Okong is passionate about helping underserved communities, and she has seen firsthand the difference access to health care can make in a person’s quality of life.

How did you get to where you are now?

Dedication, commitment, consistency, resilience, hard work, and support from family and friends.

If you could have any other job, what would it be?

I would be a musician.

What is a profession you admire but could never be a part of?

I admire artists and dancers.

What experiences have had the biggest impact on the way you see the world?

My faith, world travels and interacting with other people has made the biggest impact on the way I see the world.

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

Indoor skydiving and thrill rides.

What is something you think everyone should experience at least once in their life?

Indoor skydiving.

How do you recharge at the end of a long day?

I like to catch up with my friends and family, watch a good TV show, and sometimes have retail therapy.

If you were handed a million dollars, what would you do with it?

I would take missionary trips around the world in underserved areas and equip their health care facilities to help improve the quality of care received by all.

What is your favorite thing about Arkansas?

The people, food and Southern hospitality.

Who is a woman in Arkansas you admire?

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

What is something you look forward to every year?

Christmas holidays.

Kristin L. PAWLIK

Lawyer, partner

Miller, Butler, Schneider, Pawlik & Rozzell

While the legal profession has no shortage of intrigue, Kristin L. Pawlik’s personal life is full of adventures of a different kind. Participating in the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Becoming an Outdoors Woman program gave Pawlik the opportunity to learn hunting, fishing and other outdoor skills, and she and her girlfriends continue to go out with the BOW program as often as possible. She has also gone dune buggy exploring in Utah’s Sand Hollow State Park, caught tarantulas and hunted scorpions in the desert. At the end of the day, however, Pawlik still finds nothing beats enjoying the sunset from her porch.

How did you get to where you are now?

I was fortunate to encounter other lawyers who cared enough to mentor me, who encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone and who allowed me to design a life where I could raise my kids and try cases, cherish my family, and aspire to leadership in my profession.

If you could have any other job, what would it be?

Moderator of Meet the Press.

Who is a woman in Arkansas you admire?

Dean Cynthia Nance at the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville.

What experiences have had the biggest impact on the way you see the world?

Working as a checkout girl at Barry’s IGA [in Bentonville] in high school and as a public defender.

What is a misconception people have about you or your work?

That being a “bulldog” is a crucial attribute. Tenacity and toughness are critical, but empathy, compassion and the ability to tell a story are qualities that help me stand out.

How do you recharge at the end of a long day?

Slippers and TV time with my husband and boys.

What is your proudest accomplishment thus far?

Serving as 2024-2025 president of the Arkansas Bar Association.

What is your favorite ‘unpopular opinion’?

Pumpkin spice is trash.

What expensive thing is absolutely worth the money?

My hairdresser gets all my money. She charges more per hour than I do, and she is worth it.

What causes are closest to your heart and why?

Access to justice — legal aid and public defender work. Our legal system must be accessible to low-income Arkansans to be fair and equitable.

If you could ask your future self one thing, what would it be?

“Do you regret wearing heels every day?”

What is the most “useless” talent you possess?

I am really good at sudoku.

What person, past or present, do you admire most?

Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

What is No. 1 on your bucket list?

I’d like to visit Pompeii.

Dawn POWELL

Owner Paramount Financial

Maya Angelou once said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.” This has been a guiding principle in Dawn Powell’s life, both personally and professionally. Success, for Powell, is found in using her talents and abilities to excel while knowing she has made a difference for others. She strives to be the best version of herself, but she is also careful not to focus on the details of her development at the expense of loving who she already is. “My goal is to always do my best. In doing so, I know I was the best version of myself today. Today was a success. The person I want to become will always be a moving target,” she said. “I will always be a work in progress.”

What quality do you admire most in other women? Integrity.

What is the most “useless” talent you possess?

There is no such thing as a “useless” talent. While some may have talents they feel are useless, I disagree. I believe that individual has simply not yet found a “useful” situation in which to channel her talent.

What causes are closest to your heart, and why?

Helping others gives me a sense of purpose and direction. Through my volunteer work with the 20th Century Club, the Dorcus House, Junior League, Girls Scouts, and the Centers for Youth and Families, I have the chance to connect with my community and to make a difference in the lives of others. I am also active in my church, I love helping at both of my daughters’ schools, and I enjoy being an alumnae of Pi Beta Phi sorority.

What is something you find yourself saying often?

“Give 100 percent in all you do, because if you do, it’s always enough. Always.”

Where do you go for inspiration and motivation?

My family. Matt and I have two amazing daughters, Abby Rhea and Lilly. When my emotional tank is running low, and I know it needs to be recharged, I turn to them. They help me gain perspective about what is futile and what truly matters.

What is something that you wish you could experience again for the first time?

Nothing! Life is a journey filled with wonder, challenges, highs and lows, and memories that define our experiences as humans.

What advice from the women in your life has turned out to be truer than you first thought?

Time is the most precious thing in life. Once it goes, it is gone forever. Time doesn’t come back for anyone, as it runs only in a forward direction and never looks back.

What is the best gift you have ever received?

My children.

What is a profession you admire but could never be a part of?

Teaching. Teachers deserve a special place in heaven.

What is your secret for dealing with conflict?

If things get heated, the best thing is to take a moment of silence to reflect on my feelings and allow the other person to reflect on theirs.

What advice from the women in your life has turned out to be truer than you first thought?

Always learn from the men in your life.

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

I spent a year as a nomad, staying in Airbnbs in different states.

What is something you wish you could experience again for the first time?

Holding my grandson.

How do you recharge at the end of a long day?

Sitting on my balcony and watching the city.

How did you pick up your favorite hobby?

It was a result of my business. I’m in aviation, so I travel for business, which turned into traveling as a hobby.

Gina RADKE

Owner, CEO Galley Support Innovations

As an accomplished businesswoman, speaker and author, Gina Radke can attest that “overnight” success does not really exist. Turning a momand-pop interior hardware business into a multimillion-dollar aerospace manufacturing operation has taken not only an indomitable work ethic, but a purposeful approach to leadership. Radke is a staunch proponent of solution-based thinking and rarely gives an answer straight away. Allowing her team to take ownership of the problem-solving process allows both individuals and the business itself to grow. If the first step in her career was “putting my head down and not looking up,” she said, the second was “spending more time investing in people than in products.”

What was the hardest time of your life, and how did you make it through?

The last three years, I lost five family members — including my parents six weeks apart — four friends, my marriage and my home. I made it through with prayer, tears, an amazing friend group and the constant thought that the future had to be amazing, along with Lizzo, Kelly Clarkson and Adele playing 24/7.

Who was your childhood hero?

My mom.

What is your favorite thing about where you live?

I love living in the River Market. I have access to all kinds of food and entertainment at my doorstep.

What cause is closest to your heart?

Immerse Arkansas. They work with the youth who age out of foster care. These kids are so forgotten, and foster care is a pipeline to prison.

What quality do you admire most in other women?

The ability to be soft regardless of what the world has thrown at you.

What book changed the way you thought about the world?

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.

Leslie RUTLEDGE

Lieutenant governor Arkansas

Leslie Rutledge holds the distinction of being not only the state’s first female lieutenant governor but also serving as the state’s first female attorney general from 2015 to 2023. After finishing her undergraduate studies at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Rutledge obtained her Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law. Her greatest accomplishment and the greatest gift she ever received was the birth of her daughter, Julianna. “When I became a mom in 2018, all my priorities and perspectives changed instantly,” she said.

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

I flew in a 1940s biplane wearing a leather helmet and doing rolls and dives in the air — think Snoopy!

Where do you go for inspiration and motivation?

My family farm in Independence County. The scenery and time with family always helps clear my mind and remind me of what is actually important: faith, family, friends and our freedoms.

Who was your childhood hero?

My Granny, Dishie Leonard. Before I started school, she was my babysitter and home ec teacher, where we spent our days cooking for the “men folk.” When I was school age, we went to her house almost every day after school and every Sunday for lunch after church. She had an eighth grade education, raised eight children, survived an abusive husband, got her beautician license and ran a business out of her home. She had more faith and grit than anyone I have ever known.

What is something everyone gets wrong about you?

Apparently, I look much taller on TV.

Who is a woman in Arkansas you admire?

My strong and supportive mother, Nancy. She has the patience of Job and is the most kind, thoughtful, hardworking, Christian, nurturing, devoted mom and Meemaw.

What expensive thing is absolutely worth the money? Health insurance.

What causes are closest to your heart and why?

My nephew Riley is on the autism spectrum. My family has dealt with the struggles of finding the right educational path for him, finding the right therapist and navigating a morass of insurance policies. Because my brother and his wife never gave up and had an incredible support system, I have watched Riley develop into an incredible musician and bring joy to others.

What is something you look forward to every year?

Last day of harvest. Being the wife of a soybean farmer means Mother Nature controls more of my schedule than I do.

Leslie SMITH

Wife, mother, business owner Smith Family Funeral Homes

The funeral profession is rife with misconceptions, something Leslie Smith knows well. While people might assume her work at Smith Family Funeral Homes is depressing, in reality, Smith said it is very fulfilling to help and encourage others through the hardest seasons in life. The job is also a poignant reminder of what is truly important, as evidenced by the lesson Smith has learned from the women in her life. “Time flies. Enjoy each day, the good and the bad,” she said. “Soak in good days, and remember hard days make you a better person if you choose to let them.”

If you could have any other job, what would it be?

Space travel agent.

What experiences have had the biggest impact on the way you see the world?

Traveling the world. Although living styles and situations are different, people at their core are still the same. A smile speaks all languages.

What is your leadership style?

Surrounding myself with people who are wiser and smarter than me and ask lots of questions.

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

Paragliding in Austria.

Who was your childhood hero?

My mimi. She was a prayer warrior and always encouraged me to pray about everything.

What is the best gift you have ever received?

An oil painting of my family. My husband and kids totally surprised me with this on Mother’s Day.

Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life?

Reese Witherspoon.

What is something you look forward to every year?

Christmas time. I love the festivities, lights and all our families coming together.

If you could ask your future self one thing, what would it be?

“What age do I die?” I want to be prepared and have all my ducks in a row.

What is No. 1 on your bucket list?

Australia. My husband and I have always dreamed of going there together.

What quality do you admire most in other women?

Authenticity. It’s rare to find truly authentic women who are comfortable being who they are with no pretense.

NORTH LITTLE ROCK AL BIERNAT’S IN DALLAS TED LASSO

Sara STONEBURG

Veterinarian

Little Rock Zoo

Regardless of what one says about veterinary and wildlife medicine, it is hard to call it a boring job. While there is a popular misconception that Dr. Sara Stoneburg, veterinarian at the Little Rock Zoo, spends all day playing with zoo animals, in reality, she constantly switches out one crucial role for another — general practitioner, emergency medicine doctor, ophthalmologist, dentist, surgeon, oncologist, radiologist and much, much more. Stoneburg deals with everything from checkups to difficult end-of-life decisions and plenty of situations in between. No matter what each day might bring, her work plays an essential part in fulfilling the conservation mission of the Little Rock Zoo.

What is a profession you admire but could never be a part of?

Nursing and human medicine.

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

I traveled to South Africa with a couple of friends, and we toured Kruger National Park together. Afterward, I ventured out on my own and traveled to Namibia.

Where do you go for inspiration and motivation?

Swimming and exercise. I was a collegiate swimmer, and I often saw the sport as a job, so some of the wonder of the pool was lost during that time. In the past few years, the pool has become a place I can go to relax, let things go and reflect.

What is your proudest accomplishment thus far?

My job at the Little Rock Zoo. My mother will tell you at the young age of 4, I would tell everyone I wanted to be a zoo veterinarian, and that never changed. This position was a lifelong dream coming true.

What is the strangest situation you have ever found yourself in?

Strange situations are par for the course at the zoo. Every day is a new chance for strange experiences. Whether it is diagnosing a new disease or figuring out how to get our animals to participate in their medicine, strange situations are normal for me.

How would you like to be remembered?

I would like to be remembered for practicing good medicine, for being someone people can depend on and for bringing happiness and levity when people needed it.

What expensive thing is absolutely worth the money?

Running shoes. We only have one body, and we should respect and care for it. Putting money into appropriate footwear will save you in the long run.

What is something you look forward to every year?

Mother-daughter trips with my mom.

Annastasia TAYLOR

Accounting Manager

Winrock Automotive

Not every piece of advice one receives from their one's sticks, but the ones that do can make a world of difference. Annastasia Taylor fondly remembers the succinct wisdom offered by her grandfather: “Can’t never could.” She took the maxim to heart and applies it to everything she does. When starting out as a cashier for an automotive dealership, for example, Taylor had no intentions of kick-starting a career in accounting.

More than 20 years later, however, hard work has taken her up the ranks to her current position at a company she enjoys. “Those three little words are my drive, determination and grit,” she said.

If you could have any other job, what would it be?

I am a bit of a nerd and love science, especially geology and archeology.

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

I purchased my own motorcycle and drove it to Fayetteville.

What is something you think everyone should experience at least once in their life?

Travel to another country.

What is something that you wish you could experience again for the first time?

Fishing with my grandfather.

How do you recharge at the end of a long day?

British comedies with my husband.

How did you pick up your favorite hobby?

I love antique shopping so much my husband and I have started a small Etsy shop as a hobby.

What is your proudest accomplishment thus far?

My son.

If you were handed a million dollars, what would you do with it?

Purchase a house in England and live closer to my husband’s family for half the year.

What is your favorite thing about Arkansas?

We camp often, so I love that in about an hour, we can be at a lake for the weekend.

What is something you would never spend money on?

A gun.

What expensive thing is absolutely worth the money?

Luxury handbags and travel.

Morgan JESSUP TIDWELL

Personal wardrobe stylist, stay-at-home mom

There is something special about a hometown, especially when one gets the chance to see it through new eyes. Morgan Jessup Tidwell traded DeWitt for Fayetteville to attend the University of Arkansas, moving down to Little Rock post-graduation. Fifteen years later, Tidwell and her husband knew they wanted to raise their children a little closer to their roots. The couple moved to her family’s farm in Lodge Corner, making their home in a renovated church that Tidwell’s great-grandparents, grandparents, father and uncles grew up attending. “We chose to come back here because of how incredible the community is,” she said. “This small spot on the map has become our whole world.”

If you could have any other job, what would it be?

Actress on Broadway, private investigator or author.

What experiences have had the biggest impact on the way you see the world?

My family, childhood and having a sister with Down syndrome.

What advice from the women in your life has turned out to be truer than you first thought?

How people treat you almost always has nothing to do with you.

What is something you think everyone should experience at least once in their life?

Jesus. One time is all it takes.

Where do you go for inspiration and motivation?

My closet.

What would you do with $1 million?

Buy groceries. That’s about how much the grocery bill is now anyway.

What is the best gift you ever received?

Not long before our wedding day, my husband’s truck got broken into, and the jewelry he bought me was stolen. On the day of our wedding, I opened up his gift, and it was a harmonica. I had said before that I’d always wanted to learn to play, and he remembered.

What is something you would never spend money on?

I have yet to find that thing.

Alternatively, what expensive thing is absolutely worth the money?

Hair tools. Hair dryers matter.

Anna WHISENHUNT

As Anna Whisenhunt sees it, Arkansas’ status as the Natural State could not be more fitting. An avid outdoorswoman, Whisenhunt’s love for hunting and fishing only grew after she met her farmer husband. While the life of a farmer — hog or hemp — is far from easy, nothing relaxes Whisenhunt at the end of a long day like sitting outside and soaking up all the natural sights and sounds. From the forests to the mountaintops, she finds inspiration and motivation in everything her home state has to offer. “I just love Arkansas all around,” she said.

How did you get to where you are now?

Definitely God and my husband.

If you could have any other job, what would it be?

I’ve always wanted to be a nurse. Hog farming is very close to it.

What is your approach to getting things done?

Getting things done the first time.

What is your secret for dealing with challenging situations?

Staying calm and rolling with the flow.

What is a misconception people have about you or your work?

That farming is easy and anyone can do it.

What is the best advice you ever received?

The only way to do great work is to love what you do.

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

Stayed in a tent in the freezing cold just to turkey hunt for a whole week.

What is something you think everyone should experience at least once in their life?

To travel and experience the world we live in.

What is your proudest accomplishment thus far?

Succeeding at all of our dreams.

What was the hardest time of your life, and how did you make it through?

When my dad almost died from cancer. God got me through it.

What would you do with $1 million?

Buy a big ranch on a river with lots of animals.

What is the best gift you have ever received?

My children.

What is something everyone gets wrong about you?

My age. Everyone always thinks I’m older.

If you could ask your future self one thing, what would it be?

“Aren’t you proud of yourself?”

Hog farmer; hemp farmer; food truck owner

Erica YORK

Real estate developer and general contractor

Erica York knows that hard work and determination can make or break one’s success, and she learned that lesson early on thanks to her paternal grandparents. Adopting her at 12 years old, York’s grandparents were successful entrepreneurs who modeled the kind of optimism and work ethic she would need in her own career. One of the most important lessons York has learned from her time in the real estate industry is that small sacrifices now can have huge payoffs down the road. “It takes discipline, and most people aren’t disciplined enough to do it,” she said. “If it were easy, everyone would do it.”

How do you recharge at the end of a long day?

Going for a walk with my daughter, Ella, and watching the sunset. We chat about our day and other things. It’s my favorite part of the day.

What is your proudest accomplishment thus far?

My daughter will always be my greatest achievement in this life. Not everyone gets to be a mom, and I’m beyond grateful. Children really are the greatest blessing.

Who was your childhood hero?

My paternal grandmother, Mimi. She raised five sons and then selflessly raised me. It was not an easy task, but she did it gracefully, willingly and with a sense of humor. She never complained and always had a solution for every problem.

What expensive thing is absolutely worth the money?

Anything that helps improve your mental or physical health. After going through a health scare last year, I realized that health is the ultimate wealth and something that should never be taken for granted.

What is something you look forward to every year?

Autumn. Sweater weather, pumpkin spice lattes, no more bikini body worries, fireplace nights with a bowl of popcorn and a movie or book, a breath of crisp air, an extra hour of darkness (more sleep), the leaves changing colors, leggings becoming pants — it’s the best!

Hearing what song makes you feel 21 again?

“Bitter Sweet Symphony” by the Verve.

Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life?

Blake Lively.

What does success mean to you?

Having passive income and thus freedom to do more of the things I enjoy, such as travel, spending time with loved ones and making health a priority.

The Perfect Event Destination

with 16,000 square feet of entertaining space.

In the heart of Arkansas, something truly special was brewing. After visiting countless venues, it became clear that the area needed something different, something extraordinary. And so, Blue Agave Venue was born—a place where events are not just hosted but experienced.

Blue Agave Venue is designed with every detail in mind. From the sleek bar serving craft cocktails to the unique lounge that offers an atmosphere unlike any other, every corner of this venue exudes elegance and style. The LED lights cast a vibrant glow, and the 400-square-foot screen captivates with stunning visuals. But it’s the entrance that truly takes your breath away, setting the tone for an unforgettable event.

This venue stands as a testament to collaboration and dedication. We extend our deepest gratitude to our partners who made this vision a reality. American Structure Inc. devoted countless man-hours to meticulously constructing Blue Agave Venue, ensuring every detail was perfect. Techniza brought their visionary expertise to the table, seamlessly integrating cutting-edge technology and designing a website that captures the venue’s essence.

Together, we’ve created something Arkansas has never seen before. Welcome to Blue Agave Venue, where every event becomes a memorable experience.

Arkansas State Fair marks return to legendary Barton Coliseum Party The Barn

A arts & culture

fter 83 years, the Arkansas State Fair in Little Rock has seen a little bit of everything yet continues to redefine itself as one of the preeminent state fairs in the country. The annual event is coming off of its best attendance year ever, having welcomed just fewer than 560,000 fans through the gates in 2023.

That kind of success might lead one to think State Fair administration would be content to rest on its laurels for a spell, but one look at the lineup for the 84th Arkansas State Fair, which kicks off Oct. 11 and runs through Oct. 20, shows that is not the case, starting with the resurrection of an iconic Arkansas venue, historic Barton Coliseum, which for the first time in recent memory will host the State Fair’s slate of concerts.

“That’s probably the biggest change this year,” said Tiffany Wilkerson, general manager. “That’s the thing that everyone is talking about.”

Barton Coliseum has never closed and is frequently pressed into service as a venue for graduations, larger sporting goods shows, hunting expos, and other events. It also has never ceased to be part of the Arkansas State Fair, playing host to a variety of livestock competitions during the event, as well as the annual Sale of Champions.

However, the building’s usage as a concert venue was thought by many to be a thing of the past, certainly on the level that the coliseum once enjoyed. Fair officials have long looked for a way to reintroduce Barton Coliseum to wider usage during the fair, deciding to make it a central venue for the 2024 headliner musical acts coming to town.

Will Hornburg, director of sales and promotions at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds, said the main challenges for returning state fair concerts to Barton was a logistical one.

“The challenge was trying to host both concerts and the Arkansas Livestock Show during the 10 days of the fair in the same building with very different needs,” Hornburg told Arkansas Money & Politics. “The dirt is very costly and time consuming to move in and out of the building while doing a changeover.”

Fair officials discovered a flooring product at last year’s International Association of Fairs and Expos trade show that made it possible to handle both jobs with an easier, more efficient changeover.

“Now the dirt stays in the building, and we are able to put modular flooring together on top of the dirt,” he said. “We will have the floor down to start the fair with seven national acts playing over the first three days. On Sunday night, after the last concert, we are able to load out the stage, sound and seating overnight while also pulling up the floor from the opposite end of the stage. We will be ready to show livestock in the building by Monday evening. It was a collective decision, with the livestock, entertainment and maintenance departments having to flesh out

By DWAIN HEBDA AND MARK CARTER

and make sure we could implement the process.”

Wilkerson said resolving the flooring issue, as well as investments in the coliseum’s sound system, put the state fair in a good position to maximize the draw of the acts and aim for a higher quality of show compared to the outdoor stage setup of recent years.

“The decision to move inside protects us from bad weather,” she said. “A couple of years ago, we had some shows scheduled, and they had to be canceled because of the weather. With the concerts moving indoors, even if we do get rain and have to shut down everything else, we can still have the show and not lose the money that we’ve invested to get the acts here.”

Another change that comes with using Barton is all shows will now be ticketed — prices range from $25 to $50 — and include gate admission versus past years, when it was the other way around and an $8 admission let one take in the show.

“The new pricing is all about trying to get better entertainment,” Wilkerson said. “Costs are increasing for everything, and we figured if we were able to sell tickets for a better show, people would support that.”

Whether the experiment works or not remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure, the experience will provide serious deja vu to many fairgoers of a certain age who remember when Barton Coliseum was an attractive middle stop for national touring acts thanks to its central placement to St. Louis, Dallas and Memphis. On top of that, the coliseum — which started as an open-air rodeo arena before being roofed in 1948 — delivered a great concert experience for crowds.

“The size and acoustics of the building work together to give a more intimate feeling than attending a concert in a large arena,” Hornburg said. “There’s not a bad seat in the house. There have been some improvements and upgrades made through the years but not any major remodel to change the look and feel of the building.”

The alumni of acts that played Barton throughout its heyday is long and distinguished, estimated to number 1,400 or more. Musical pioneers such as Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Tina Turner and James Brown; rockers Van Halen, Kiss and Aerosmith; and country acts Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash and Ricky Van Shelton all played Barton, as well as many other artists, from Alabama to ZZ Top.

“In my opinion, the growth of the music entertainment industry in America paralleled Barton Coliseum’s run as the premier venue in Arkansas,” Hornburg said. “Arkansans grew up being entertained in Barton Coliseum, and geographically, Little Rock sits in a great spot for concert tours, affording Arkansans a chance to see their favorite bands play here. I hear so many people wax nostalgic about Barton Coliseum and the times they spent here in their youth.”

Whether one’s tastes run to rides, livestock, music or pageants, the 2024 Arkansas State Fair offers something for everyone. Information below is accurate as of writing; check arkansasstatefair.com for the most up-to-date information.

ADMISSION & PARKING

Adults:Advance

Seniors (age 60-plus): Advance price — $4

price — $8 / Gate price — $12

Gate price — $6

Children (ages 6 to 12): Advance price — $4

Gate price — $6

Parking:$10 / Premium parking:$20

DAILY SPECIALS AND PROMOTIONS

The state fair will feature special promotions each day of the event, allowing families to save on admission, rides, parking or a combination of the three.

Also back this year is Lunch at the Fair, which is sponsored by Entergy. Between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. weekdays, fair patrons can enjoy free parking and free gate admission.

FRIDAY, OCT. 11

KARK-4 AND FOX 16 RIDE DAY

From 11 a.m. to close, buy an armband at a midway ticket booth for $35 and get unlimited rides.* 6 AT 6 PRESENTED BY THE BOX

From 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., adults receive $6 gate admission courtesy of 96.5 the Box.

SATURDAY, OCT. 12

POWER 92.3/102.1 KOKY/PRAISE 102.5 RIDE DAY

From 11 a.m. to close, buy a $35 armband at a midway ticket booth and get unlimited rides.*

POWER 92 POWER PACK

Ninety-two minutes of free gate admission for children 12 and younger from 11 a.m. to 12:32 p.m.

SUNDAY, OCT. 13

THE POINT 94.1, AY, AND AMP MAGAZINE RIDE DAY

From 11 a.m. to close, buy an armband at a midway ticket booth for $35 and get unlimited rides.*

BANK OZK DAY AT THE FAIR

All Bank OZK employees who present a valid Bank OZK employee ID or any Bank OZK customer who presents a Bank OZK debit or credit card will receive $2 off gate admission. The discount is valid for four people per party.

MONDAY, OCT. 14

KIDDIE DAY

Kids ages 6 and younger can ride the kiddie rides free from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. There is free gate admission 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for adults bringing children. Parking is included.

THE POINT 94.1 TWO DOLLAR DAY

Gate admission, parking and rides are only $2 each all day. THV 11 MISSION HOME DAY

Visit the THV 11/Triple-S Alarm tent at the main gate for child safety wristbands and meet THV 11 personalities.

TUESDAY, OCT. 15

MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY SPONSORED BY TRIPLES ALARM AND THE EDWARDS FAMILY

Free gate admission for military personnel and up to three immediate family members with a valid ID.

SENIOR DAY DAY SPONSORED BY PRIMEWELL HEALTH SERVICES

Free gate admission for all Seniors age 65 and older.

HOT 94.9 TUESDAY

Buy a special $35 armband and get unlimited rides from 11 a.m. to close.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 16

100.3 THE EDGE RIDE DAY

Buy a $35 armband and get unlimited rides from 11 a.m. to close.*

KSSN 96 LADIES NIGHT OUT

Free gate admission for women 21 and older from 6 p.m. to close.

THURSDAY, OCT. 17

iHEART RADIO THRILL THURSDAY SPONSORED BY 100.3

THE EDGE, KSSN 96, 105.1 THE WOLF AND HOT 94.9

Buy a $35 armband at a midway ticket booth and get unlimited rides.* 100.3 THE EDGE COLLEGE NIGHT

From 6 p.m. to close, free gate admission for college students with valid school ID.

FRIDAY, OCT. 18

103.7 THE BUZZ/106.7 THE BUZZ AND ARKANSAS CANCER COALITION RIDE DAY

From 11 a.m. to close, buy an armband at a midway ticket booth for $35 and get unlimited rides.* SCHOOL DAY AT THE FAIR

$3 fair admission sold at gates from 1 p.m. to close for all school children through 12th grade.

SATURDAY, OCT. 19

KSSN 96 RIDE DAY

Buy a $35 armband at a midway ticket booth and get unlimited rides.* ENTERGY DAY AT THE FAIR

All Entergy employees who present a valid Entergy Employee ID receive $2 off gate admission. The discount is valid for four people per party.

FFA, FCCLA, SCOUT DAY, AND 4-H DAY

$3 Fair gate admission sold until 5 p.m. to FFA and FCCLA students, Scouts, and 4-H members, including teachers, sponsors and bus drivers.

SUNDAY, OCT. 20

LEGENDS RESORT & CASINO AND 105.1 THE WOLF RIDE DAY

From 11 a.m. to close, buy an armband at a midway ticket booth for $35 and get unlimited rides.*

* Gate admission and parking are not included

ENTERTAINMENT

Concerts are back at Barton with a lineup of rock, soul and country that continue the proud musical legacy of the iconic venue.

Stephen Pearcy of Ratt, Quiet Riot and Vixen

After forming Ratt in 1982, Stephen Pearcy led the band to massive success with multiplatinum albums such as Out of the Cellar. Known for hits like “Round and Round,” Ratt sold more than 20 million records worldwide and played countless shows.

Quiet Riot, a pioneering heavy metal band, has sold more than 15 million records worldwide. Its 1983 album, Metal Health, was the first heavy metal album to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart and has sold more than 10 million copies globally. Key hits include “Cum on Feel the Noize,” and “Metal Health (Bang Your Head)”.

Vixen, the iconic all-female hard rock band from the ’80s, sold more than a million albums, had six No. 1 videos on MTV, and had four Billboard Top 100 hits. Formed in St. Paul, Minnesota, by guitarist Jan Kuehnemund, the band gained fame with their self-titled debut album in 1988, which features hits such as “Edge of a Broken Heart.”

Dru Hill and Ginuwine

Over more than 25 years, Dru Hill has sold more than a million records globally, topped the Billboard charts multiple times, and received numerous awards, including the Urban Music Icon Award at Black Music Honors. Dru Hill's dynamic performances and timeless music have solidified its status as one of the greatest R&B groups of all time.

A major R&B artist of the 1990s, Ginuwine signed with Epic Records and released multiplatinum albums and singles. His 1996 debut single, “Pony,” produced by Timbaland, became a massive hit. Ginuwine’s second album, 100% Ginuwine, further established his fame.

Chase Rice and Ella Langley

Chase Rice has sold more than 2.4 million albums and amassed more than 2.5 billion streams, making him a prominent figure in Nashville and beyond. Known for his high-energy concerts and passionate fanbase, Rice has toured with Kane Brown, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, and Garth Brooks and consistently sells out venues during his headlining tours. He will join Jelly Roll and Old Dominion for arena shows later this year.

Ella Langley’s music blends smooth Alabama country storytelling with rock ‘n’ roll energy. Hailing from Hope Hull, Alabama, she honed her craft at local bars and festivals before moving to Nashville in 2019. Building a following through social media and singles such as “If You Have To” and “Damn You,” she has garnered tens of millions of streams. She debuted at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and was named a Spotify Hot Country Artist to Watch for 2023.

Bank OZK Concert Series

Barton Coliseum (Concert ticket required.)

Friday, Oct. 11 — 7 p.m.

Stephen Pearcy of Ratt/Quiet Riot/Vixen

Saturday, Oct.12 — 7 p.m.

Dru Hill/Ginuwine

Sunday, Oct.13 — 7 p.m.

Chase Rice/Ella Langley

Outdoor Stage

Daily — 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m.

Tanzanite African Acrobats

Friday, Oct. 11 — 3 p.m.

Arkansas State Fair Talent Showdown

Monday, Oct. 14 — 7 p.m.

Jettway Performance Group with Zac Dunlap

Wednesday, Oct. 16 — 7 p.m.

DJ Deja Blue

Thursday, Oct. 17 — 7 p.m.

Karaoke Khaos

Friday, Oct. 18 — 7 p.m.

Whistlin’ Dixie

Saturday, Oct. 19 — 7 p.m. The Rocktown Sparks

Hiland Dairy Fun Zone (All showtimes are daily.)

Great American Pig Races — 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m.

Tanzanite African Acrobats — 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m.

Kunze All American High Dive Show — 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m.

LIVESTOCK

Exhibitors from across Arkansas will bring their prize animals to compete in hopes of winning the coveted blue ribbon and grand champion rosette. Youth work all year to raise and groom their animals.

Competition this year will be held for cattle, sheep, swine, goats, rabbits and poultry. The full schedule of judging by category is available at the fair website. On Oct. 18, the annual Sale of Champions will begin at 11:30 a.m. at Barton Coliseum. The event raises money in a mock auction for the top competitors across various species.

Again this year, fair goers can get up close and personal with a variety of animals at the petting zoo, which is presented by Arkansas 4-H chapters. Entry is free with gate admission.

PAGEANTS AND TALENT

Attend the Arkansas State Fair talent and pageant events to see the best Arkansas has to offer in beauty, ability, talent and community service. The Arkansas State Fair pageants are beloved events that have taken place for more than 100 years.

After qualifying at the county level, Miss Arkansas State Fair and Jr. Miss Arkansas State Fair contestants represent their hometowns with pride at the state fair competitions. Elite Ms. Arkansas State Fair, Ms. Arkansas State Fair and Sr. Ms. Arkansas State Fair do not have a regional step and advance directly to the finals of their respective divisions. In addition, a number of youth pageants and talent competitions are held for younger competitors, giving them their start on stage and a moment in the spotlight.

Talent show finals this year will be held on the Hiland Fun Zone Free Stage.

Miss Fair and Jr. Miss Fair pageant winners receive a bevy of prizes, including thousands in college scholarships and, together with the Ms. Fair, Elite Ms. Fair and Sr. Ms. Fair winners, spend the year making appearances around the state.

FRIDAY, OCT. 4 — 6 P.M.

Jr. Fair Queen Pageant (ages 14 to 17) Barton Coliseum

SATURDAY, OCT. 5 — 5 P.M.

Sr. Fair Queen Pageant (ages 18 to 23) Barton Coliseum

FRIDAY, OCT. 11 — 10 A.M.

Junior, Senior and Adult Talent Divisions Arkansas Building

SATURDAY, OCT. 12 — 9:30 A.M./6 P.M. Youth pageants and kids talent competitions Arkansas Building

SUNDAY, OCT. 13 — 2 P.M.

Elite Ms. Pageant (ages 24 to 34); Ms. Pageant (ages 35 to 55) and Sr. Ms. Pageant (ages 56 to 75) Arkansas Building

FOOD

FOOD

What would the State Fair be without great fair treats diners can only get on the midway? In addition to the classic favorites corn dogs and funnel cakes, the Arkansas State Fair concessionaires offer a little bit of everything, from ice cream to pizza and turkey legs to cotton candy. Folks who check them out this year may not believe what can be deep-fried and served on a stick.

A partial list of vendors is below. Visit the state fair website for the entire lineup and full menus.

Bennett Concessions: Pork tenderloins, cowboy burgers, krazy frys

The Big Show Diner Farm-to-Table Project: Texas Twinkies, baconwrapped jalapenos

Busch Light Cooking Shack: Hamburgers, grilled chicken sandwiches

Center Stage Grill: Hamburger, nachos, polish sausage

Corky Westmoreland Concessions: Funnel cakes, lemonade, nachos

Don Elote: Tacos, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos walking tacos

Eggroll Love: Soul Food Roll, chipotle chicken eggrolls, pizza eggrolls

Fried What?!: Deep-fried Oreos, key lime pie, cheesecake, pickles, PB&J

Gold’s Boss Hogg: Turkey legs, ribs, chicken

Gold’s Skillet: Reuben sandwiches

H2Que BBQ & Catering: Big Poppa tots, fried ribs, fried fish

Haack’s Concessions: Blooming onions, onion rings, loaded tater tots

Hall Family Foods: Battered cheese curds

CREATIVE ARTS

See the very best Arkansas has to offer across a wide range of hobby and homemaking categories, including cooking and baking competitions, art and photography, needlework, and more.

Some of the daily activities are drop-in and require no advance entry or qualification. Guests who check them out and plan to attend and participate might walk away with a prize.

Cooking Competitions and Exhibitions Arts and Crafts Building

SATURDAY, OCT. 12

Arkansas Clogging: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Adult Open Bake Competition and Judging: 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

SUNDAY, OCT. 13

Arkansas Clogging: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 14

Arkansas State Fair Pie Contest and Judging (Apple): 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Arkansas State Fair Pie Contest and Judging (Sweet Potato): 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.

University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College Demonstrations: 3:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, OCT. 15

Hiland Dairy Cooking Contest and Judging: 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Petit Jean Meats Cooking Contest and Judging: 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.

UA-Pulaski Tech Demonstrations: 3 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 16

Arkansas State Fair Pie Contest and Judging: 11 a.m. to noon

Hall of Industry: Grilled chicken sandwiches, hamburgers

L&M Concessions: Cheeseburger waffles, roasted corn

Larry’s Gator House: Gator bites, boudin eggs, red beans and rice

Linda Chan’s Concession: Fried rice, wings, eggrolls

Linda’s Lemonade SW: Lemonade shake-ups

McKinney Corn Dogs: Footlong corn dogs

Michener Kettle Corn: Pig skins, kettle corn

Midway Café Patton Concessions: Steak sandwiches, chicken baskets

Mr. Keith’s Gourmet Kettle Corn: Gourmet popcorn

Ormics Dippin’ Dots: Dippin’ Dots, ice cream, yogurt

Ormics Mickey’s Grill: Beef kabobs, chicken kabobs, turkey legs

Ormics Taco Kings: Tacos, quesadillas, burritos

Paizi’s Greek Foods: Gyros, pitas, Greek salad

Roger Westmoreland Concessions: Funnel cakes, lemonade, nachos

SW Candyman: Cotton candy, candy apples

SW Corn Dogs: Dipped corn dogs

SW Two Brother: Ice cream, pineapple whip

State Fair Funnel Cakes: Funnel cakes, shaved ice

Sticks N Things: Chicken on a stick

Swain’s Pizza: Pizza on a stick, spicy pickle pizza

WonderStick Ice Cream Cones: Ice cream

THURSDAY, OCT. 17

Arkansas Cattlewomen’s Chili Cook-Off and Judging: 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Arkansas Cattlemen’s Roast Competition and Judging: 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.

FRIDAY, OCT. 18

People’s Choice Chili Contest and Judging: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

SATURDAY, OCT. 19

Youth Baking Competition and Judging: 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

Youth Pumpkin Painting and Judging: 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Rehabilitative

WINNERS

FArkansas Food Hall of Fame

By DWAIN HEBDA

ood is the heartbeat of any culture, a means of expression and storytelling that brings people together like nothing else does. Food is a collective memory, a family’s pride and the unique calling card of people in families and communities.

Arkansas has a rich food tradition, born of the land we love to call home.

For generations, Arkansas cooking has combined the humblest ingredients into something transcendent, beginning at church potlucks and backyard barbecues and followed down to Main Street and beloved restaurants that feed both body and soul.

Launched in 2016 by the Department of Arkansas Heritage, the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame celebrates Arkansas’ unique culinary heritage by recognizing its best restaurants, proprietors and food-themed events.

AY About You is proud to congratulate these outstanding individuals and restaurants. Thank you for everything you do to bring a little spice to the Natural State.

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.”

WI N NER

Rob Nelson

Tusk & Trotter

Bentonville

Despite growing up the son of a commercial baker, Rob Nelson’s first foray in life took him to the political area where he worked in Democratic campaigns. It did not take him long to realize his true passion was elsewhere. The first chance he got, the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville graduate dove into culinary school and never looked back.

After completing culinary school in Boulder, Colorado, he also spent time studying and working in Avignon, France, including at Michelin-star restaurant La Mirande in Rousse.

“Being in France was intense, and understandably so. They’re the forefront of the culinary world,” Nelson said. “I got the greenness knocked out of me there, for sure.”

Nelson returned to the states committed to putting what he had learned to use. When his wife landed a job at Walmart, Nelson took the leap with Tusk & Trotter in Bentonville, introducing the flavors of high South cuisine that offers the freshest ingredients prepared to the highest culinary standards.

“The closer the food is to you, the less herbicides and pesticides you’re going to have, the fresher it’s going to be, the healthier it’s going to be,” he said. “We opened up Tusk & Trotter, the first farm-to-table, chef-driven restaurant in downtown Bentonville, and the rest is history.”

The success of Tusk & Trotter led to other food ventures. Under the umbrella Good Gravy Group, Nelson opened popular Bentonville spots the Bend and Trash Ice Cream, also in Rogers, plus a second Tusk & Trotter location in Rogers. Other concepts are under development or in construction at writing, including a soon-to-open barbecue restaurant in Bentonville.

Nelson has been well-recognized in the industry as a five-time participant at the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, both as talent and by serving on the advisory council (2014-2018). He has presented coursed dinners at the famed James Beard House in New York City (2013, 2016 and 2019) and won Best Whole Hog at Pig Island in New York City in early 2020.

In addition to supporting local growers through his establishments, Nelson also celebrates the very place where so many of his ingredients and inspiration comes from.

“The way I like to sum it up is I focus on what’s running around, flying around, swimming and growing in these mountains. I want to tell an origin story of our region and its people through food,” he said. “You know, we’ve got a great story here. We’ve got a unique ecosystem that grows a lot of different things that are different from other parts of the country.

“We have such a variety of different animals and different products we can showcase through recipes from the area. We’ve also got a unique style of cooking up here, and I like to be a microphone for the whole region.”

FOOD HALL OF FAME

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

Doe’s Eat Place

Doe’s Eat Place in Little Rock, the iconic shabby-chic downtown joint, defies most easy characterization. Brought to Arkansas in 1988 by restaurateur George Eldridge, who wanted to replicate the original Greenville, Mississippi, location, his favorite steak place, Doe’s turned Arkansas dining on its head.

For nearly 40 years, Arkansas’ original Doe’s has been a sought-after spot for the famous, the infamous and the normal person on the street looking for the ultimate steak experience. The photographs lining the dining room walls chronicle the history of the place, as do the generations of Arkansans who have sidled up for a feast that is as much about tradition as it is about the amazing food.

“Our T-bone, porterhouse and sirloin are all served family style. We recommend a pound per person,” Katherine Eldridge, George’s daughter, who took over in 2012, told AY About You last year. “We serve it in the middle of the table, just like you were at grandmother’s on Sunday, with tongs so everybody can serve their plate.”

The high-quality beef, aged 21 to 30 days and sold by the pound, has been the responsibility of Chef David Brown for almost as long as the place has been open. That, along with several well-seasoned members of the friendly and efficient wait staff, ensures a trip to Doe’s Eat Place exceeds every expectation, be it the first or the 101st.

“My staff, they’re like family. They know the product well, and they take pride in our business because that’s their livelihood. This is what they’ve chosen for their career,” Eldridge said.

Great eating places, especially long-lived ones, tend to develop an atmosphere of their own, lending to the overall experience. The legendary Doe’s is no exception, from its dark, well-used dining room to its more exclusive niches — including the Power Room in the back, where then-Gov. Bill Clinton and his associates noshed on tamales and plotted a path to the White House.

Truth be told, the place is intimate enough that whatever seat one grabs, chances are someone famous, from Tom Cruise to Hunter S. Thompson to Willie Nelson, sat in it.

“We just treat everybody the same,” George Eldridge told the Arkansas Times in 2020. “When I go by your table, I don’t care what color you are or what your hair length is or what you’ve got on as long as you’re not naked. I thank you for coming, and I appreciate it.”

FOOD HALL OF FAME

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

Herman’s Ribhouse

A home game tradition for decades of Arkansas Razorback fans, Herman’s Ribhouse lays claim to being the oldest restaurant in Fayetteville, as well as one of its most beloved.

The history is as thick and saturating as the decades of fragrant smoke flavoring the succulent ribs and steaks. The restaurant started when Rolla Finch bought an acre and a little white farmhouse as home for the Royal Oaks Tavern. In 1964, Herman and Irene Tuck reopened the joint as Herman’s, offering smoked meats and libations just outside the Fayetteville city limits. A modest menu offered just nine selections, sandwiches, ribs and T-bone steak among them.

When Herman Tuck, who split his time between being a restaurateur and a professional musician, retired, he leased the place to Bruce and P.J. Barnes. The move established Herman’s as a taproot for the local dining scene when the duo later left to open Mister B’s Steakhouse in Rogers. In 2000, Tuck sold Herman’s altogether to Benny Spears and Shelby Rogers. Recovering from a fire in 2004 and following Spears’ death in 2005, Rogers ran the restaurant until 2013. She sold the legendary spot to Nick Wright, who learned the business from dishwasher on up, and his wife, Carrie. Herman Tuck died in 2015.

“A restaurant is all about quality. It’s all about consistency,” Nick said in a 2019 AY About You interview. “This restaurant has been here since 1964, and people have been coming here since 1964, and they expect to get the same thing every time. If you can duplicate that, you can stay in business as long as we have.

Over the years, the menu has expanded, but the main draw remains the proteins, be it the smoked baby back ribs or the outstanding steaks.

“Honestly, there’s not really a complicated process,” Nick told AY. “We buy it. We wet age it 21 days. We cut it. We season it. We cook it.”

In addition to welcoming generations of regulars and Hogs fans, the restaurant has also developed its own celebrity clientele from the worlds of business, politics and sports. Presidents, NBA Hall of Famers, billionaires and multiple U of A coaches have all sidled up to a red-and-white clothed table for the specialties of the house.

The tradition continues today; diners can order meals named after Arkansas head football coach Sam Pittman, women’s golf coach Shauna Taylor, and the newest head Hog, men’s basketball coach John Calipari.

FOOD HALL OF FAME

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

The Faded Rose

When Ed David decided to leave Dallas and his computer programming career in 1981, he did so seeking something new, both professionally and personally.

“We sold everything we had and moved,” he said in a 2015 feature in Rock City Eats, which was republished in AY About You. “I was burned out, traveling around doing software development, and decided I wanted to open a restaurant.”

Much has been written about the risky nature of the food business, and failed ventures outnumber successful ones by several multiples. However, the Faded Rose, David’s New Orleans-inspired eatery, would both capture Arkansans’ imaginations and thrill their taste buds for the next 42 years.

Today, the restaurant’s great steaks, soaked salad, and lineup of delicious Creole and Cajun entrees are foundational to the Little Rock food community, welcoming many patrons weekly to the familiar confines of its intimate Riverdale location. A true regular knows it is not the original restaurant. The place started in a much smaller space next door — just one of the lovely bits of trivia that have grown up through the years.

From time to time, expansion beckoned. The Faded Rose appeared in Texarkana and then Hot Springs, North Carolina and west Little Rock, all have come and gone. David and his wife, Laurie, also branched into other concepts, including Zac’s and Bubba and Garcia’s, but it is the original Faded Rose that has shown to have the staying power, retaining its hold on diners by weaving its own unique brand of special culinary magic with every hearty plate.

“I wanted it to be a place that felt like it had been there forever. I wanted people to feel comfortable coming in, feel like they belonged there,” Ed David told AY. “Mostly, too, I wanted to [serve food] at a price where people could afford to come as much as they wanted.”

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.”

WI N NER

Beech Street Bistro

Beech Street Bistro in Crossett is living proof that with passion and faith, nearly anything is possible. Chester and Laura Huntsman opened the eatery to combine two great loves — music and food — and help resuscitate some of what was fading in Crossett.

“We’re just trying to create some excitement in a small town,” Chester told Rex Nelson for a 2023 column in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. “Laura’s father gave us two houses, and … we tore the other house down for the parking lot. We started renovating the house on April 1, 2017, and opened on July 2, 2018.

“We want people to have a good time, but I also like to think that having a place of this quality helps economic development. They’re always bringing business prospects in here to eat.”

The restaurant is decorated to resemble a bayou juke joint with menu and music to match. Chester moved to Crossett at age 5 and learned the restaurant game at the elbow of his brother, who launched a chain of restaurants known as Johnny’s Pizza House across the border in Monroe, Louisiana.

Chester worked for his brother while playing in several bands that took him across the South, and during that period, he started to envision the type of place he would one day open.

The restaurant’s menu is a revelation highlighted by crawfish pie, alligator and po’boys served on bread from the famous Gambino’s Bakery in New Orleans.

The good food, friendly service and welcoming atmosphere were not enough to shield the venture from the ravages of COVID-19, including extended closures that threatened to put the company out of business. Fortunately, help arrived in the form of personal protective equipment and paycheck protection program grants, as well as assistance from the Barstool Fund launched by Barstool Sports to help family-owned restaurants in the wake of the pandemic.

All of that pales in comparison to the loyal support the restaurant has received from locals and hungry people from throughout the region passing through, some of whom visit Crossett specifically to try the food. Patrons have been so impressed, Beech Street Bistro has been nominated five times for the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame People’s Choice, counting this year, and twice as Proprietors of the Year, advancing to finalist in that category in 2023.

For their part, the owners give all the credit for the survival of their dream to their customers and hard-working staff.

“A great crew of people, they’re the ones who make it,” Chester said.

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

“This award remembers the collective culinary legacy of a once-and-always influential Arkansas restaurant that has since ceased operations.”

Juanita’s

Little Rock

It would be enough for a restaurant to say it pioneered an entirely new food category in its community, became a hallowed performance venue or even — in Arkansas, anyway — claimed at least a share of the trunk of cheese dip’s family tree.

For Juanita’s to be able to say all three is the best testament to the impact of the seminal Tex-Mex restaurant that hosted a dizzying array of musical acts and helped solidify cheese dip as Arkansas’ unofficial state appetizer.

Juanita’s sprang from Chef Mark Abernathy, an Arkansan who spent years in Texas, where he helped open and manage TGI Fridays and similar concept restaurants. Those years were an excellent education and gave the young Arkie a passion for Tex-Mex. Returning to Arkansas, Abernathy pined for the cuisine, and with nothing of the kind in the marketplace, he endeavored to open a restaurant that would introduce it to Little Rock.

“I found this great burned-out shell of a building with Spanish architecture on South Main Street. At the time, the area was crawling with winos and hookers,” he told AY About You in 2023. “My civic leader friends at the time immediately warned me that I was crazy to locate it there, but I realized … that the [Interstate 630] expressway was about to open just two blocks down the street. When it did, almost overnight, everything changed.”

Abernathy’s establishment, Juanita’s Mexican Cantina, opened in1986 and was an instant hit. One the state’s first farm-to-table restaurants, the kitchen turned locally sourced ingredients into handmade tortillas, the first fajitas in Arkansas, revolutionary salsa and cheese dip, and other delicacies never seen before in the market, he said.

Juanita’s legions of fans included former President Bill Clinton, for whom Abernathy often hand-delivered chicken enchiladas to the kitchen of the Governor’s Mansion when Clinton was governor. As president, Clinton was even pictured jogging while wearing a Juanita’s T-shirt for a piece in Time magazine.

The place was equally regarded by musicians, and the spot became a famous venue for touring acts of all genres. Levon Helm, Def Leppard, Tito Puente, Edgar Winter, Leon Russell and Steve Earle are just a few of the luminaries to have graced the intimate stage, not to mention Abernathy’s own band, the Torpedoes, for whom Tuesday and Thursday were generally reserved.

“If you were a live act in Arkansas, you really wanted to play Juanita’s,” Abernathy told AY. “Plus, the food was damn good.”

Abernathy sold his interest in Juanita’s in 1996, leaving to start a string of other iconic restaurants, and a succession of owners and relocation to the River Market district failed to sustain the magic. Juanita’s closed for good in 2015, but the memories of the early days still elicit a smile for many.

FOOD-THEMED EVENT

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

WI N NER

Mount Nebo Chicken Fry

Yell County

“Pickin’, chicken and politickin’” is a phrase that has been used to describe the Mount Nebo Chicken Fry, one of the oldest festivals in the state.

The event was launched in 1947 or 1948, depending on one’s appetite for historical precision. In 1947, successful businessman and inaugural Dardanelle Housing Authority Director Fred Burnette decided to host a fish fry for residents of Mt. Nebo, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette states. Afterward, Burnette was approached by Harold Snyder, another successful entrepreneur who is widely credited for bringing the poultry industry to the Arkansas River Valley.

The two men decided to expand the event to include chicken, provided by Snyder, starting in 1948. At some point, fish was dropped but not the popularity of the event, which drew throngs of people for decades up the side of Mt. Nebo for the annual feed. The event was so popular, making an appearance became a tradition among Arkansas politicians, from members of congress to mayors to county judges, as well as those endeavoring to win such seats.

A litany of Arkansas governors have sampled the fare, from Orval Faubus and Winthrop Rockefeller to Asa Hutchinson and Mike Huckabee. Notable among them was then-Gov. Bill Clinton, whose 1985 campaign stop amid the yardbird drew more than 10,000 people.

The unique event got so noteworthy, the smell of frying chicken even reached the Big Apple, where a writer at the New York Times described the scene thusly in 1982:

“Mix 1,200 pounds of chicken, six candidates for governor, 40 gallons of baked beans, two potential state senators and 60 pounds of cumin rice, season with turtle races, sheriff’s race, pottery sales, congressional candidates and log sawing contests, and you have the 34the Annual Mt. Nebo Chicken Fry, one of the edible classics of American politics.”

Now an event of the Dardanelle Chamber of Commerce, which donates the proceeds to worthy organizations, the chicken fry moved to the flatlands of Dardanelle for a bit but in recent years has returned to its original location atop Mt. Nebo. There, new generations of families gather to enjoy games, musical entertainment and the famous chicken dinners, just as Arkansans have done for the past three-quarters of a century.

arts & culture

A statue of music icon Johnny Cash will represent Arkansas at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Goes to Mr. Cash

Washington

By DWAIN HEBDA // Photos by DWAIN HEBDA

The text message that reached my phone was simple and direct — Johnny was in town at last but would soon be shipping out. If I wanted to come and see him, this would probably be my last chance before he left for good. My fingers tapped out a reply: I would be there.

Arriving at the appointed time in a small, climate-controlled warehouse felt a little like visiting a languishing family member for the final time. I was led down one corridor, then another, each step bringing me closer to an encounter that felt very much final.

Around the last turn, I could see the unmistakable profile at the end of the hallway, etched sharp and dark against the lightly painted walls around where he stood. He looked older than the last time I saw him — don’t we all — hands and face lined with time.

“There he is,” said my guide and pal, Little Rock artist nonpareil Kevin Kresse.

“There. He. Is.” I said in measured reply.

“He” was Johnny Cash, or at least, Kresse’s rendition of him, cast in bronze and ready for his debut at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. There, he will take his place alongside civil right activist Daisy Bates as the two individuals most worthy of the name Arkansan.

I had had the honor of chronicling the stat-

ue’s evolution for various publications, including AY About You, as Kresse worked his magic from a clay bust to an 18-inch scale model to a fullsized 12-footer in clay to make the mold and, finally, the hulking finished bronze piece that loomed before me.

Being given the opportunity to see him once more before Kresse gave him to the ages was a rare honor, at least in my eyes. Johnny Cash was not only acceptable musically in my childhood home; he was, as far as I could tell, the only popular figure to be admired despite his brushes with the law and dances with the devils of addiction. Such was the duality of the man himself, which is one of the things I like most about Kresse’s depiction of him. Even in his static pose and unshifting gaze, forces salvific and caustic — salvation and sin — roil just beneath the surface.

“Sometimes I am two people. Johnny is the nice one. Cash causes all the trouble.”

Cash was born in Kingsland and moved with his family to Dyess in the northeast quadrant of the state. His family was part of a great experiment, a function of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, in which farm families were issued land, housing and startup supplies by which to make a living out of agriculture. It was no handout. The families — most of them domestic refugees displaced by the alternating sucker punches of drought and flood that reduced the poorest of the Arkansas working poor to indigents — would pay the advances off in time, provided they had the guts and gumption to stick things out.

Fortified by faith and supplemented by song, the Cash family did that, unbowed by the backbreaking work and unrelenting heat. They put everything they had into the ground, including one of their own, Cash’s

older brother, Jack, who died in a sawmill accident. Cash would carry the pain and grief of the event for the rest of his life, and carry off he did, first to the U.S. Air Force and, after being discovered in an audition for Sam Phillips, founder of Sun Records in Memphis, to all parts of the country and around the world, rewriting the history of art and culture for the human race.

His contributions are as legendary as his personal battles. He is enshrined in five major music halls of fame recognizing songwriting, country, rock and gospel music and others. His live recording from Folsom and San Quentin prisons in California solidified him as a performer for the underdog, and his album Bitter Tears addressed the plight of Native Americans. Along with pal Waylon Jennings, he ushered in outlaw country, which traded sanitized lyrics and subject matter for the seamier, grittier side of life well known to the working man.

Little Rock artist Kevin Kresse was meticulous in the details of the statue.

“I wouldn’t let anybody influence me into thinking I was doing the wrong thing by singing about death, hell and drugs — ’Cause I’ve always done that, and I always will.”

He also battled addiction to pills for much of his adult life, famously getting busted trying to smuggle a load of prescriptions across the U.S.-Mexico border in his guitar case in 1965. Despite the black clothes and anti-establishment image, though, Cash never did hard time as is often misrepresented. Per biographers, he finally turned the corner on his addiction thanks to June Carter, who he married after a long and, for the time, taboo affair.

After a dry spell of hits in the late 1970s and 1980s, Cash unexpectedly came roaring back in the mid-1990s and 2000s with the American albums. Produced by Rick Rubin, best known for his work with hip-hop artists, Cash turned in his finest work in decades, giving his own take on contemporary originals and covers that earned him legions of new fans, industry recognition, critical acclaim and extended his influence by generations to musicians across the musical landscape.

“I think [country music] speaks to our basic fundamental feelings … of emotions, of love, of breakup, of love and hate and death and dying, mama, apple pie, and the whole thing. It covers a lot of territory.”

I took my time taking in this last up-close viewing, marveling over each minute detail — the stitching on his guitar strap, the fabric imperfections of his waistcoat, the curled and worn Bible Kresse gifted him in his right hand. The book’s pages are uneven between the covers, and no doubt Cash’s was, too, not just for how he studied it on Sunday, but for the way he must have furtively searched for answers during the darker periods of his life.

Of all these millions of specks that somehow coalesce into the whole, the detail that makes the piece so masterful is something everyone will feel, yet few will be able to put their finger on. Kresse left a small nub in the top center of Cash’s pupils, an artist’s skill that brings life to the eyes. The nubs break up the orbs and catch just enough light to simulate the spark of life. Leave those off, and Cash’ face is soulless, with two gouged-out sockets like the eyes of a doll. With them, his stare is haunting and inescapable, especially at the angle which Kresse aimed Cash’s head.

A couple years ago, when I first saw the scale model, I wrote the viewer cannot tell if the singer is bowed in prayer or bent by demons, and having seen it loom over me as if to ask what I decided, I still do not know. When I told Kresse, he smiled and nodded. In five years of shaping the Man in Black, he never really knew what was to come until it was there.

“There’s no way around grief and loss ... sooner or later, you just have to go into it. ... The world you find there will never be the same as the world you left.”

The world said goodbye to J.R. “Johnny” Cash in September 2003. Tributes poured in from all corners of the world, eloquent words from brilliant people trying in vain to capture what the man and his music meant to them and to humanity. None of them succeeded, and this essay will do much the same.

Kresse’s tribute, however, is different. People from across the globe will travel specifically to view this masterwork, and just as many will discover him looking for something else. Time has a way of elevating legend and reducing the truth, and while neither is completely accurate, together, they tell a story, captured here forever. Our state is singularly honored for what Kresse has created — the first professional musician featured in the national collection.

“I forgave myself. When God forgave me, I figured I’d better do it too.”

I had no set time limit for my silent conversation with Johnny, but something internal told me about 45 minutes in that it was time to go. Kresse mentioned he had learned that the way the piece will be positioned in the National Statuary Hall, the singer’s guitar slung over his back would not be seen straight on. I therefore let my eyes linger on it, then put my hand on the surface of the statue as if to connect through this vessel of art with the man it will memorialize and the people it will stand for.

In the weeks that followed, the papers celebrated the statue’s pulling out of Little Rock bound for the east coast and its Sept. 24 official unveiling, but Johnny was already crated and strapped inside a big rig. I felt honored to have been given such access to the project, to have gazed upon the finished statue one last time, patted its shoulder and wished him well.

Hello, world. He is Johnny Cash.

The Man in Black was one of Arkansas' most famed musicians.

Getting Better

Breastcancer detection, treatment advances lead to more specialized care

By SARAH DECLERK // Photos provided

In 1985, the American Cancer Society launched a weeklong awareness campaign that eventually became Breast Cancer Awareness Month, celebrated in October. At the time, routine mammography had just become standard, and although America did not yet know it, the lifesaving screenings would soon cause a significant drop in breast cancer deaths.

That is not the only factor that has changed for patients with breast cancer. Dr. Jerri Fant, a breast cancer surgeon who practices at CARTI in Little Rock and North Little Rock, said when she received her training more than 25 years ago, the medical establishment’s understanding of how cancer works was rudimentary compared to today.

Back then, radical mastectomies and axillary dissections that removed all of a patients’ lymph nodes were the norm, she said, but physicians can now treat patients more effectively with less surgery.

“We’ve gotten much better at curing breast cancer than we were 25, 30 years ago, and we’re doing it with less harm to the patient on the back end, which is great news for us as patients and for our patients that we’re treating,” she said.

Other advances have taken shape over the years, from more precision when it comes to staging breast cancer and determining its type to new treatment options and genetic tests that can help predict a patient’s risk of developing breast cancer. With new imaging and treatment options in the works, the next 40 years could see as much advancement as the past 40.

THE SCIENCE OF SCREENINGS

Dr. Michelle Walters, a radiologist at the Breast Center, which has multiple locations in northwest and north-central Arkansas, said she has watched cancer screening technology develop significantly over the course of her 27-year career.

“The mammogram and ultrasound

equipment have improved,” she said, “and with the improvement of the equipment, our sensitivity in detecting breast cancers has improved.”

In addition to the advent of 3D tomography and automated breast ultrasounds, MRI technology has made great progress, offering faster acquisitions and improved spatial resolution, she said, adding that contrast-enhanced mammography is on the horizon.

The American Cancer Society began recommending routine mammograms for women in 1980, and according to the National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program data, U.S. breast cancer deaths, previously unchanged for 50 years, have dropped 43 percent since the shift. Meanwhile, breast cancer deaths among men, who receive the same treatment as women but are not screened, have remained the same.

There are almost no risks involved with mammograms besides pain or discomfort during the exam, Walters said. However, a 2016 study published in Annals of Internal Medicine suggested that the radiation used in mammograms could potentially cause breast cancer, especially for those who require more frequent or intensive screenings. The study concluded that the benefits of screening outweigh any potential risks.

Walters said such models are extrapolated from other radiation data, and the risk of developing breast cancer from mammograms is hypothetical. There are no controlled studies that examine such risks, she added, and there is no way to prove breast cancer that develops among patients who receive mammograms are caused by mammograms.

“The low dose of radiation used in a screening mammogram has not been proven to cause

Dr. Jerri Fant

Dr. Michelle Walters

harmful effects,” she said. “The benefit of early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer far outweighs the risk of the small amount of radiation received during a screening.”

Dr. Gwendolyn Bryant-Smith, professor of radiology and division director at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, who is also the director of the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Breast Center and Mobile Mammography Program, agreed that there are minimal risks associated with mammograms.

The amount of radiation used is small and highly regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, she said, and mammograms are safe as long as the facility used is certified by the FDA.

“There is constant background radiation in the world that all of us are exposed to daily,” she added. “The radiation dose from a mammogram is equal to about two months of background radiation for the average woman.”

Other concerns about mammograms include overdiagnosis and overtreatment. According to the American Cancer Society, overdiagnosis likely does not occur often, and while estimates vary of how many breast cancers may be overdiagnosed by mammography, the most credible estimates range from 1 to 10 percent.

While there is always the potential that a mammogram may result in a biopsy that yields a benign result, any harm done by such biopsies is minimal when considering the potential to diagnose and treat breast cancer early to ensure a successful outcome, Bryant-Smith said.

“Consistent annual mammography gives your radiologist a full library of images for comparison, which decreases the likelihood of benign workups,” she added.

Another myth that has emerged in recent years is that thermal imaging can be used to detect breast cancer. The FDA has debunked such claims, stating, “There is no valid scientific data to demonstrate that thermography devices, when used on their own or with another diagnostic test, are an effective screening tool for any medical condition, including the early detection of breast cancer or other diseases and health conditions.”

“There is no current data that shows that thermography saves lives,” Walters said. “There are no controlled studies. Essentially, there is no scientific data for thermology.”

Some alternative screening methods are in the works, however. Walters said abbreviated, rapid MRI and non-contrast MRI are in the research phases as potential alternatives to mammograms and adjunct ultrasounds for patients with average risk. MRIs can also be used to provide more accurate scans for women with dense breast tissue and high risk factors, Fant said.

A BRAND-NEW SCAN

There is a new and more effective way of detecting breast cancer at the Arkansas Heart Hospital in Little Rock’s Genesis Imaging, the first center in the state to offer the Koning Vera Breast CT scanner, said Jamie Childress, breast CT technologist. The scanner does not use compression, making it more comfortable for patients, and it has a 90 percent higher detection rate for breast cancer than traditional mammograms, she added.

“It captures detailed images that reveal lesions and abnormalities that traditional 2D mammograms might miss,” she said. “The scanner’s technology allows for the examination of breast tissue, including areas behind implants and dense tissue, offering a clearer, more precise and comprehensive view of potential cancerous developments.”

Although “heart” is in the name, Dr. Bruce Murphy, CEO, said Arkansas Heart Hospital works to provide comprehensive health care that promotes full-body wellness and longevity.

“By partnering with Genesis Imaging to host their advanced breast CT technology, we can help patients detect breast cancer early, significantly reducing the strain on their cardiovascular health that often accompanies advanced cancer stages and treatments,” he said. “Our commitment to removing barriers to quality care aligns with our mission to

offer innovative solutions that address both heart and overall health.”

TAILORED TREATMENT

Fant said when she first started her career, the medical establishment knew about the different types of breast cancers: estrogen receptor positive, progesterone receptor positive, HER2 positive or triple negative, meaning the cancer tests negative for all three. Over the years, the FDA has approved more drugs to treat the various types of breast cancer and prevent recurrence.

Dr. Brooke Brander, a medical oncologist at Highlands Oncology, which has locations in northwest Arkansas and Mountain Home, said precision diagnostics help develop customized treatment plans for each patient, and she expects treatment to become even more personalized in the future.

“We are making more advancements in utilizing more targeted treatments,” she said. “We now have more options in treatment than just chemotherapy and radiation. We have medications that add to the effectiveness of hormone blocking for those breast cancers that feed off estrogen and progesterone.”

CDK4/6 inhibitors such as Ibrance, Kisqali and Verzenio have been shown to increase disease-free survival among metastatic breast cancer patients, she said, and physicians are now prescribing such drugs to patients with Stage 1 breast cancer to prevent recurrence.

provides state-of-the-art technology to detect breast cancer.

Dr. Gwendolyn Bryant-Smith

Jamie Childress

The Koning Vera Breast CT scanner at Arkansas Heart Hospital in Little Rock’s Genesis Imaging

Dr. Bruce Murphy

Other new developments include antibody drug conjugates for treating advanced breast cancers. The medications, which include Trodelvy, target receptors on the cancer cells, which allows the delivery of a chemotherapy molecule directly into the cancer cells, minimizing side effects to normal tissues.

“It is an especially important option in advanced triple-negative breast cancer as an effective, nonclassical chemotherapy treatment option in a subset of breast cancers that had, up until recently, no other good treatment options other than chemotherapy,” she said.

Triple-negative breast cancer does not have estrogen or progesterone receptors and tests negative for the protein HER2. The aggressive cancer tends to grow and spread faster than other forms. Immunotherapy using the drug Keytruda can now be used to treat triple-negative breast cancer in both early and advanced stages, Brander said.

She added that she expects technological advancements to increase speed and accuracy when it comes to detecting, diagnosing and monitoring breast cancer. A new diagnostic imaging agent, Cerianna, can be used during PET scans to determine if estrogen receptors are present in metastatic lesions caused by breast cancer, indicating that hormone therapy is a good treatment option, she said, adding that Cerianna was recently incorporated into the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines.

Another emerging technology includes the Breast Cancer Index, a test that examines the genetic profile of tumors to predict how likely a cancer is to metastasize and may be able to identify premenopausal women who could benefit from ovarian suppression, she said.

“This test would give doctors a new tool to personalize treatment for premenopausal women with estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer,” she said. “More data is needed to confirm these results. We are already using this to help determine which individuals would benefit from continuing on hormone-blocking treatment for longer periods of time.”

Also in the works is the HER2DX, a genomics test that would identify which patients with early HER2-positive breast cancer can safely avoid chemotherapy. Brander said the test, which would be the first test specifically designed to identify which HER2-positive patients are at high or low risk for recurrence, would provide some patients with a better quality of life by allowing them to avoid chemotherapy without compromising long-term outcomes.

“We are moving to more individualized treatment strategies based on the genetic markers and behavior of each person’s own cancer,” she said. “Personalized and targeted care will be more and more common for the future of breast cancer patients.”

Fant said she expects both genomics and immunotherapy to play a role in helping shift breast cancer into the realm of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease rather than remaining a potentially fatal diagnosis.

“The goal would be to not lose patients to breast cancer, and we’re so much better at that today than we were even when I trained 25, 30 years ago, and we will continue to get so much better,” she said. “The next generation of health care providers is going to have a much greater armamentarium of things to help protect their patients than even we have today, with genomics and immunotherapy. Those are the things that are very exciting for the future of cancer care.”

RECONSTRUCTION REPORT

Dr. Ronda Henry-Tillman, a surgical oncologist, division chief of breast surgical oncology, and professor and vice chair at the UAMS Department of Surgery Division of Breast Oncology, said advancements in technology have allowed breast cancer patients to keep more of their breast tissue which streamlines the reconstruction process.

“The management of breast cancer has truly evolved,” she said. “The innovation is truly in the specialization. Most breast cancers are small and can be treated with breast-conserving technology. This requires expertise in localization, a critical step in finding small cancers for removal.”

One such advancement is oncoplastic surgery, a breast cancer treatment that combines tumor removal and plastic surgery during the same operation. The surgical method removes breast cancer while preserving the breast’s natural appearance and color and can also address patients’ desire for reshaping, she said.

“Most patients today will require some type of surgical reconstruction, either immediate or delayed reconstruction, with remodeling of the breast, including nipple areolar complex preservation and sensation,” she said. “Oncoplastic techniques create many more options and require specialized training.”

Dr. Eric Wright, owner of Wright Plastic Surgery in Little Rock, said the discussion about whether to have reconstructive breast surgery should occur soon after diagnosis, and plans for reconstruction can be finalized once the patient’s cancer management has been determined.

“

We are moving to more individualized treatment strategies based on the genetic markers and behavior of each person’s own cancer.”

— Dr. Brooke Brander, Highlands Oncology

Dr. Brooke Brander

Dr. Ronda Henry-Tillman

Dr. Eric Wright

Dr. Michael Spann

“There are certain patients where the reconstruction can occur during the same surgery as the cancer removal, an immediate reconstruction,” he said. “Other patients will have reconstruction at a different surgery following the cancer treatment. Numerous factors and discussion will help determine the appropriate timing and type of reconstructive surgery.”

The two most common options for mastectomy patients are implant-based reconstruction or autologous flap reconstruction, which uses a patient’s own tissue, he said. For patients who require the removal of the nipple and areola, recreating the nipple using a 3D tattoo after the breast reconstruction is complete is an important part of the process, he added. The aesthetic results can be impressive, he said, and nipple reconstruction is becoming even more comprehensive.

“When a mastectomy is performed, the nerves are removed which provide sensation to the skin and nipple or areola. This leaves the skin and chest numb,” he said. “The most exciting new surgical technique is called Resensation. This involves connecting nerve grafts to repair the removed nerve, providing the potential return of sensation. I performed the first Resenstation surgery in Arkansas earlier this year.”

While not every patient wants or requires reconstruction and the decision to pursue reconstruction is up to each individual patient, reconstructive breast surgery offers physical and emotional benefits to those who receive it, Wright said.

“The goal of breast reconstruction is to restore the appearance of the breast, improving a patient’s self-esteem and confidence,” he said. “Reconstruction can provide a sense of normalcy after cancer treatment by allowing patients to avoid the need for external prostheses.”

Dr. Michael Spann, a plastic surgeon at Little Rock Plastic Surgery, said there have been a number of dramatic shifts in breast reconstruction over the past 20 years. In addition to ongoing advancements in nipple reconstruction, surgeons now more consistently utilize abovethe-muscle reconstruction, he said.

In addition, cohesive gel implants have gained prominence, allowing patients to achieve more natural results with less concern in the event of a rupture, and methods that use patients’ own tissue have made progress, particularly in flap techniques and the fat-grafting process, he said.

“All of these, combined with experience by the individual surgeon, give the patient a more complete and realistic reconstruction,” he said.

A “huge hurdle” that the industry has yet to overcome is the restoration of soft tissue volume without the need for major flap reconstruction or tissue transfers, he said, adding that advancements in that area may come in the form of off-the-shelf products or augmenting patients’ tissue.

“Ultimately, if we can undo all the byproducts of the mastectomy, this can go a long way to give the patient a complete reconstruction,” he said. “In the end, if there’s a way that we can give back to the patient that which the cancer took, then we’ve done our part.”

A MOMENT FOR MEN

Although breast cancer is less common among men, it is deadlier. Bryant-Smith said about 2,800 are diagnosed with breast cancer in the

U.S. each year, and about 530 of them die from the disease.

“Less than 1 percent of breast cancer diagnoses are in men,” she added. “The average lifetime risk of a man getting breast cancer is 1 in 726 as compared to 1 in 8 for women. However, each man’s individual risk varies according to other personal risk factors for breast cancer.”

Those factors include age, family history, gene mutations, radiation exposure, heavy alcohol use, liver disease, estrogen treatment, obesity and Klinefelter syndrome, a congenital condition in which men have more than one X chromosome, she said. She added that 1 in 5 men diagnosed with breast cancer have a close relative who had the disease.

“Unfortunately, the diagnosis of breast cancer in men is often made late, which can lead to higher mortality rates,” Bryant-Smith said.

Most male breast cancers present as masses, Fant added, so men should be sure to visit their primary care providers if they notice any lumps in their chest wall. Nipple discharge can be another warning sign in both women and men, she said.

Men also have a place during Breast Cancer Awareness Month; President Joe Biden designated Oct. 17 to 23 as Men’s Breast Cancer Awareness Week in 2021.

Imaging has become easier to interpret over the past decades, and that is just one way technology has changed the game for breast cancer patients.

At

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“I will always cherish the memories and the people at UAMS who were part of my journey. They were amazing! I can’t thank them enough for loving me through all this.”

*The Proton Center of Arkansas is a collaboration of UAMS, Arkansas Children’s, Baptist Health and Proton International.

Lyndra Romack

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A League of Her Own

Olivia Walton shakes up the status quo

By DWAIN HEBDA // Photos by CHYNNA BOTTOMS

During a pivotal moment of the Aug. 21 Arkansas Maternal Health Roundtable at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, host Sen. John Boozman fielded a question about the inadequacies of current medical reimbursement to health care organizations affecting patient care, especially among low-income patients. Boozman’s answer walked the crowd through a series of challenges on the issue packaged neatly in senatorial lingo.

At the conclusion of his answer or perhaps half a beat before, Olivia Walton launched the follow-up seemingly everyone in the audience was thinking: “So what do we do about it?”

The moment, while respectful in all aspects, was telling. Walton, a highly successful in-law to the dynastic Bentonville family behind Walmart, is not one to sit still on the issues that move her, be they art, business or, of late, the state of Arkansas’ maternal health care.

“I have three kids. I’ve had two of them down here in Arkansas, and I had the last one up in New York City,” she said during an exclusive sit-down interview with AY About You. “I had good care here in Arkansas, and still, the experience was really different. Having a baby down here really opened my eyes to what a lot of women were going through and just how much help I needed, even in a hugely privileged position.

“You know, I am so fortunate to be in the family that I’m in, a family that has a deep belief in doing something because you can and leading. We live here, and we want to make a difference, and the issues we work on affect the people we love and care about and live next to. [Maternal health] was just right along those lines.”

Walton’s activism on the topic comes at a pivotal moment in the state’s history, one in which the northwest corner of the state, an area defined in no small way by the Walton family, is growing at rocket speed on new ideas. At the same time, communities in the Delta and points east have struggled to coax the same ideas into reality, none more pressing than deficient or absent health care.

Specific to maternal health, Arkansas falls well short of par by nearly every assessment out there. The state ranks last in the nation on maternal mortality at 43.5 deaths per 100,000 live births, the nonprofit Arkansans for Improving Maternal Health states. Of those deaths, the organization notes, 92 percent could have been prevented with proper care, yet with nearly half of Arkansas counties lacking a single obstetrics provider, access to even the most basic prenatal care is a monumental challenge.

The Bentonville roundtable was the second held in Arkansas this year, signifying the emphasis lawmakers and state leadership are giving to the issue. Asked about the tone and turnout of the event, Walton, while expressing gratitude for the attention to the issue, leaned in on what action should come next, echoing again, “So what do we do about it?”

“My understanding of what’s going on down here in Arkansas has been growing, I think, from the moment I tried to get pregnant,” she said. “What I’ve learned along the way is that we really do know how to tackle this crisis. There are lots of places doing it better. There are programs that work. There are policies that work. We just need to run those playbooks down here in Arkansas, and we’re not doing that quite yet.”

Maternal health activist is just one of the titles Walton has

“

I had good care here in Arkansas, and still, the experience was really different. Having a baby down here really opened my eyes to what a lot of women were going through and just how much help I needed, even in a hugely privileged position.

— Olivia Walton

Sen. John Boozman

worn during her career, and while she may not have envisioned the specific arenas in which her life would play out, there is no doubt she was destined to accomplish big things. Born in New York into a line of strong, accomplished female entrepreneurs — her mother was an art dealer and her grandmother, a business owner — she was invested with a rare sense of what was possible in life.

“I wrote my college admissions essay about wanting to run the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York,” she said.

Walton completed a double major in history and political science with a minor in art history at the University of Pennsylvania, then attended graduate school at the London School of Economics and Political Science, completing what she described as a global political economic degree. The first act of her career played out in journalism, and she worked as a business correspondent for NBC News and MSNBC and as an anchor for Bloomberg Television in New York and London.

In every chapter of her professional life that was to follow — including, currently, chairperson at Crystal Bridges, executive board chair of the Momentary, founder of Ingeborg and co-founder of the Heartland Summit, all in Bentonville, as well as her health advocacy work — her journalism background has been leveraged to great aplomb.

“I have always loved storytelling,” she said. “I think that’s the real connection between journalism and working at the museum. What the museum’s really trying to do at its core is lift the voices and stories of artists to tell a fuller story of the history of American art and thus the history of America.

“That’s kind of what you’re doing with pulling together a group of people for a talk about maternal health. You’re trying to tell that story and raise awareness, so storytelling’s kind of been the solid line throughout.”

Another theme that has run from her childhood taproot throughout all of her current ventures is lifting women, be it through financial acumen, professional opportunity or health. Her company, Ingeborg, monikered after her grandmother, fulfills those goals through Ingeborg Investments, which seeks invest-

The Arkansas Maternal Health Roundtable took place at Crystal Bridges in August.

ment opportunities that have venture-scale potential and empower women by filling gaps in opportunity, access, equity or experience, and Ingeborg Initiatives, which seeks to improve outcomes for women in other ways, be it maternal health or, Walton’s other mission targets, improving paid leave and financial empowerment.

The interrelatedness of the missions is undeniable. Statistics show the more financially stable a woman is, the better health care she tends to have access to, for example, just like poorer women’s diet and lack of medical access feeds more negative outcomes.

Given how closely a mother’s health and wellness impacts her pregnancy and, therefore, that of her family, it would be easy to broaden one’s view on myriad health issues at once. Walton said choosing to focus on maternal health specifically over equally significant issues such as the impact of smoking and diabetes or factors related to infant mortality was strategic, opening the doors to wider conversations by starting with the outer layer of a very large societal onion.

“I think once people start to realize that this is the most impactful point of intervention, it becomes obvious that we should be focusing on maternal health,” she said. “As Cara Osborne [senior fellow at Heartland Forward in Bentonville] said on the panel, that window during which you’re pregnant and right after you have the baby is the most consistent engagement you have with medical care at any point in your life.

“I mean, I went my entire 20s without going to the doctor. Suddenly, I got pregnant around 30, and then it felt like I’m at the doctor every two weeks. If you want to change the trajectory of a woman’s health or a family’s health, this is your best window of opportunity to do that.”

Walton’s crusade marches in two columns — improving access to medical care and the reimbursement of that care, particularly for low-income women. On the access side, she said models exist across the country and around the world of serving populations smaller, poorer and more remote than those in Arkansas — namely the deployment of doulas and midwives to underserved areas.

“A lot of countries with far less resources than we have are doing this,” she said. “There are states that are more rural than us. For example, Alaska — Alaska has, like, 30 times the midwives we do, and they have lots of places in Alaska to train to actually become a midwife.

“The doula piece is really important for individualized and more frequent care and what’s going on with that person because there’s lots of pieces that are nonmedical related to the health and wellbeing of the mother that are going on in that pregnancy period, so the solutions are within reach. We know how to do this.”

As for the financial piece, Walton acknowledged meaningful change cannot come without the cooperation of the statehouse. She said she was encouraged by the involvement in the issue of Boozman, Rep. French Hill and Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, all of whom participated in the February roundtable.

“I believe one of the most important things [politicians] can do is reevaluate the reimbursement rate,” Walton said. “I think unbundling the reimbursement rate, raising the reimbursement rate, both those things are really where the rubber meets the road. Behaviors aren’t going to change until doctors and providers up and down that ladder are incentivized to offer better care.”

Sanders did not hesitate to follow up on the first roundtable

with an executive order creating the Arkansas Strategic Committee for Maternal Health to provide input and support the development of a statewide strategic maternal health plan. Presented in September, the committee’s report provided a broad outline for addressing the factors contributing to maternal health — or lack thereof — providing a blueprint for improvement.

“I am grateful to the governor for her leadership on this issue,” Walton said. “At the end of the day, she is a mother of three children. She gets the importance of this stuff. I respect her so much for talking about her own experience with baby blues while she was in the White House. I mean, if anybody knows what’s going on with this stuff, it is Sarah Sanders, and so I think she’s perfectly suited to lead.”

Legislators and the medical establishment are not the only stakeholders that need to be moved to reconsider long-held attitudes about care. Walton said patients themselves must be educated about approaches that may differ from what has always been.

“I think that many people believe you could only have a safe birth in an emergency room or at the hospital with an [OBGYN],” she said. “Listen, I’m a hospital girl. I had three epidurals, and I wouldn’t do it any other way, but there are lots of safe ways to have a baby at home in a lower intervention environment. That’s not right for everybody, but that is a piece of the puzzle here.

“If you’re having a noncomplicated birth, [midwives] are very

Alice Walton

Walton and Boozman field questions during the maternal health panel.

well equipped to help deliver that baby in a really safe and effective way. They’re also really well equipped to refer someone to the specialist if something’s going on.”

Walton said she hoped audience members went home from the maternal health roundtable with kernels of new information, willing to take the discussion back to their local communities and decipher how they could begin to move the state toward better maternal health outcomes one company, one health system and one expectant mother at a time.

“I hope people went home and realized that they can do more,” she said. “If they are a private employer, there’s more things they can be doing for their employees. If they’re a private citizen, there are the things they can be doing to

Tackling the Problem

Governor puts maternal health center stage

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has wasted no time underlining the state’s newest health care priority — maternal health. Together with Sen. John Boozman and Rep. French Hill, Sanders hosted an expert roundtable event on the subject in February at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. The following month, she issued an executive order creating a strategic committee on maternal health for the express purpose of examining how the state’s health systems can better serve expectant mothers.

In September, the committee returned its report, which was comprised of input from more than 100 stakeholders representing dozens of organizations that met more than 20 times during the six-month study period.

“As the first mom to lead Arkansas, maternal health is personal,” Sanders said in a statement announcing the report. “I’m not interested in headline-grabbing policies or duplicative government programs that don’t actually change maternal health outcomes. Instead, this committee pursued a comprehensive, coordinated approach that will help healthier moms have healthier babies.

“I’m grateful to all the stakeholders who participated in this discussion, and I look forward to continuing our work to turn these ideas into action.”

The statistics in Arkansas surrounding maternal health are nothing less than shocking. Health care statistical polling by KFF ranked the Natural State near the bottom of reporting states in maternal mortality with an average of 38 deaths per 100,000 births recorded from 2018 to 2022, ahead of only Tennessee, Mississippi

and Alabama. A 2024 fact sheet from the Arkansas Maternal Mortality Review Committee found 95 percent of deaths from 2018 to 2021 were preventable.

A comprehensive report compiled by the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement identifies nine points on a healthy birthing journey. On each, Arkansas fared well below national averages, in some cases ranking at or near the bottom of states in the nation.

Among the sobering statistics are:

• 1 in 3 Arkansas mothers experienced an unintended pregnancy in 2021.

• 1 in 5 Arkansas mothers received inadequate prenatal care in 2022.

• More than 1 in 3 live births in Arkansas are cesarean, compared to 32 percent nationally.

• Less than 1 in 4 new mothers breastfed their babies exclusively in 2019.

• 1 in 5 new Arkansas mothers suffered from postpartum depression.

• Almost 1 in 3 Arkansas mothers traveled 30 minutes or more to the nearest delivery facility.

The report delivered to the governor sets a number of nearterm and long-term priorities in four broad areas: date reporting and technology, health care access and Medicaid, clinical practice and improvements, and education and outreach. Medicaid reform looms large in the committee’s recommendations, which noted Medicaid covers 50 to 60 percent of all pregnancies in Arkansas.

volunteer. If they vote, which I sure hope they do, there are things they can be demanding from their politicians, like having a place in the state to actually train to become a midwife.”

Walton said she would like to see more events held to continue the discussion and hold those in power accountable to move the agenda forward. Her grading curve — she said she wants to see the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 cut in half in the next five years — is aggressive yet commensurate with the importance of the mission.

“As a rural state, we’re never going to have the population density to support having an obstetrician and a delivery room in a hospital in every single county. That’s just not realistic,” she said. “That’s not the only way to have a safe birth, however, as you see in maternal mortality rates in much poorer countries and in other states, such as Alaska. What we need to have is this whole ladder of care built out so it’s not just an OB or nothing. There’s actually lots of levels of care that you can receive along the way where those rungs on that ladder are communicating with each other about the care of that patient.

“At the same time, we’ve done focus groups, and people don’t have any idea just how deep the crisis in maternal health is in Arkansas, so it starts with awareness. Until there’s awareness, patients aren’t going to demand better from their doctors or from their politicians.”

In the end, Walton said the key element necessary for the success of improving maternal health is a rejection of the problem as just a women’s issue, a campaign she is more than happy to spearhead on behalf of the families in her adopted home state.

“I feel really fortunate to be able to play a role in leading more and more awareness around this issue. I think that’s what it’s going to take to make real change,” she said. “I’m glad you’re talking to me about it today because I hope what that says is this is an urgent priority. It’s not just a women’s issue. Making sure Mom is healthy and financially secure is the single most impactful thing we can do to strengthen our families, to strengthen our communities and to strengthen our economies.”

“Medicaid pays for more than half of the pregnancies in our state, so it’s critical that we implement reforms so that care is available and encouraged every step of the way before, during and after birth,” said Janet Mann, Arkansas Department of Human Services deputy secretary of programs and state Medicaid director. “These recommendations and changes will remove barriers, improve care and deliver better health outcomes.”

Federal law requires states to provide pregnancy-related Medicaid coverage for 60 days postpartum, Medical Marketing and Media states. The publication also noted that Arkansas is the only state that has not passed postpartum Medicaid coverage, which ensures women have uninterrupted health care coverage for up to a year after giving birth, despite 20 to 29 percent of Arkansas women being uninsured at some point before they conceive or after they deliver.

While the new Arkansas blueprint does identify areas for new Medicaid funding — such as “payment reform modeling” that would create a mechanism for Medicaid reimbursement to doulas and community health organizations — it is clear that reform does not automatically mean expansion.

In response to the issue of postpartum Medicaid coverage, Sanders said more can be done to inform women about what is currently available rather than simply layering on additional levels of bureaucracy.

“I don’t believe creating a duplicative program just for the sake of creating a program is actually going to fix the issue,” Sanders told reporters. “We already have so many women who aren’t taking advantage of the coverage that exists. Creating more coverage doesn’t get more women to the doctor.”

The full report is available at governor.arkansas.gov/maternal-healthrecommendations.

Photo by Lori Sparkman

For the Love of Children

Griffins to be honored by CACar

By AY STAFF // Photos provided

The brightly colored pinwheels, dozens of them, planted on the lawn spin lazily in the afternoon air. Each one is a delight to the eye, and together, the display is dizzying. Inside the trim yet modest building, there are other whimsical touches. Toys rest akimbo on a settee or congregate in a box under a mosaic of handprints splotched on the wall in all their tempera glory: fire engine red, sunshine yellow, royal blue.

The space could pass for a day care or a pediatrician’s office, but the purpose of the place is something far more somber. This is a Child Advocacy Center, one of many scattered throughout Arkansas, a place of welcome and safety for children who have little to none of that at home. Here, they can tell their stories of abuse and sexual violation, stolen innocence at the hands of other adults, many times their own family members or acquaintances.

It is not an easy thing, recounting these horrors, not only for the nightmarish subject matter of it but because to do so is to speak over the warnings in their head planted by their abuser.

“Tell anyone about this,” many were told, “and I’ll hurt you even worse.”

“People like myself grew up with ‘stranger danger,’ but I think they’re shocked that 90 percent of criminal activity is done by people the children very much know and that others know and very much respect,” said Susan Hutchinson, former Arkansas first lady and former board member for the nonprofit Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas.

“People hearing me talk about this issue publicly and people hearing others talking about this subject publicly helps them to have confidence that there is help today and that they don’t have to try to hide their children from certain people or move away. Awareness allows them to know that there is a place where they’ll be heard and understood, and their account will be recorded.”

Founded in 1999 as the Arkansas Association of Children’s Advocacy Centers with just three centers, the group changed to its present name in 2003. The group provides a safe place for children suspected of being victims of abuse to begin the process of reporting the crimes, as well as a link to the resources that walk them on the long journey toward coping with what has happened to them.

Among CACar’s services are forensic interviews by staffers who have been trained to take into account the victim’s age and trauma as they gather information in a way that does not jeopardize further investigation and adjudication of cases. CACar provides specialized medical exams that can detect child abuse, collect important evidence, and ensure the health and safety of the victim. There is also a mental health program that assists children when it comes to dealing with the residual emotional damage brought on by such crimes, which can reduce the long-term effect of traumatic experiences.

Non-offending family members also find assistance through CACar as they try to navigate medical, legal and other challenges in the

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin and his wife, Elizabeth, will be honored at the Children's Advocacy Centers of Arkansas 2024 Inspiration Gala.

wake of the abuse. In addition to providing a roadmap to the process of investigation and prosecution of the case, families are connected to services, including those for mental health, legal assistance, immigration and more.

In addition, CACar educates and leverages various community resources in the ongoing battle to prevent abuse and detect and prosecute crimes against children where they occur. The organization provides a range of community awareness and education outreach, including mandated reporter training and talks on body safety, internet safety and prevention. Finally, CACar partners with local, state and federal law enforcement and other agencies to help create pathways by which victims can be served and future crimes may be prevented.

“Few things are more difficult to overcome for families than when a child is victimized,” said Elizabeth Griffin, wife of Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin. “In the midst of the hurt, confusion, all of the ‘what-if’ and ‘what next’ questions that families have, it is vital that they have an advocate by their side in determining facts, reporting information, navigating the criminal justice system and much more.

“The Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas does a tremendous job in caring for victims and their families by being a champion for justice and, ultimately, healing.”

Elizabeth first learned about the organization and its work through Hutchinson. She and her husband got involved on its behalf about the time he took office as state attorney general.

“Over the years, Elizabeth and I have been involved in a number of charities that focus, at least in part, on the well-being of children,” Tim said. “Like Elizabeth, I learned of CACar’s stellar work and reputation as a result of first lady Hutchinson raising awareness. My engagement with CACar started about the time that I became attorney general almost two years ago.

“We need to move toward healthy families being the foundation of our society. When a family is rooted in love, respect and a sense of responsibility to one another, you’re going to see far fewer instances of abuse and victimization. Strengthening families doesn’t happen from a government-driven, top-down approach, but what government can do and what I am committed to doing in my capacity as attorney general is to make it clear to would-be criminals that there is zero tolerance for harming children.”

As a family of deep faith, the decision to support the organization was rooted in the biblical commands of serving the less fortunate and defending children. As the state’s constitutionally

elected top cop, Tim’s commitment runs even deeper.

“I take my responsibility very seriously, and it’s been a top priority of mine to increase the capabilities of the office of the attorney general in relation to protecting children,” he said. “I worked with the legislature and the governor during this year’s fiscal session of the general assembly to increase the number of investigators in my office.

“We also added a dedicated human trafficking investigator, and by adding these other positions, we freed up existing agents to focus exclusively on investigating internet crimes against children.”

As much as has been done on all levels in law enforcement and through state statutes to toughen laws in defense of children, the sad truth is much more work remains to be done. Tim said the unpleasant fact of the matter is families must be vigilant and willing to talk about sensitive subjects to guard against predators and bring those who would prey upon children to justice.

“As uncomfortable as it may be at times, conversations about things like abuse and, especially, the telltale signs of human trafficking are conversations that we as parents, caregivers and engaged citizens must have,” he said. “That needs to happen institutionally, as well as communally.

By way of example, Tim pointed to the information shared at last year’s Human Trafficking Summit, which his office hosted. The 1,500 in attendance heard from experts in law enforcement and victim advocacy about the threat human traffickers pose in Arkansas, as well as strategies for turning the tide.

“I think more intentional efforts like that, even on a smaller scale locally, can make a big difference,” he said. “When people know what to look for, they can say something when they see something, whether they are law enforcement, a health care worker, a victim advocate or just a neighbor down the street. The more people we have looking for those signs, the more lives we’ll save.”

For their untiring work and advocacy, the Griffins will be honored along with Blue Ribbon Award recipient Jennifer Long at this year’s Inspiration Gala, CACar’s main fundraiser. Elizabeth said the couple was humbled by the honor.

“I don’t know that we could ever do enough to provide resources to those who have been victimized, and I want to take the opportunity to thank the men and women who work in these roles, either as a career choice or as volunteers,” she said. “They are heroes in their own right, and too often, we don’t adequately recognize that.

“We are incredibly humbled and honored by this recognition, and we want to use the gala as an opportunity not to highlight ourselves but to point back to the incredibly important and incredibly difficult work done by the staff and volunteers of CACar and by all who stand up for the rights and welfare of children in Arkansas.”

“When people know what to look for, they can say something when they see something, whether they are law enforcement, a health care worker, a victim advocate or just a neighbor down the street. The more people we have looking for those signs, the more lives we’ll save.

— Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin

2024 INSPIRATION GALA

October 10th at 7 p.m.

Statehouse Convention Center, Little Rock

For tickets, visit inspirationgala.com

Children's Advocacy Centers provide support for victims of abuse.

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Jeepers Creepers

SARAH COLEMAN // Photos provided

October is a month for observing the scenic route, especially in the Natural State, which is arguably one of the best places to witness fall foliage. It is a month for decorating, enjoying seasonal drinks, visiting pumpkin patches, apple picking, eating candy corn, going on hayrides and breaking out fall sweaters.

With Halloween right around the corner, it also marks a month of facing fears, and Nightmares Haunted House in north Bentonville is the ideal place to check that item off one’s autumn to-do list.

There are dozens of frightening haunted houses to choose from throughout the state, but Nightmares Haunted House remains one of the elite experiences, ranked by The Scare Factor as the No. 1 haunt in Arkansas in 2023. Nightmares Haunted House has been scaring northwest Arkansas since 1987, when Chris and Linda Michaels began the venture as a Halloween hayride for friends and family.

HAYRIDES AND HAUNTED HAPPENINGS

As legend has it, the Michaels’ hayride began near Cave Springs and traveled to Osage Creek, where the ride would end with a bonfire, hot dogs and s’mores. As the tradition continued with greater attendance each year, the Michaels expanded the experience by adding scary stories and friendly scares. According to the haunted house website, the Michaels’ friends began dressing up to scare passengers on the way to the bonfire, and by 1994, the scares became more defined thanks to Randy Gaudian, who is still a scare partner.

The hayride morphed into a haunted house set up at the Michaels family home, a venture that was, once again, wildly popular. However, space became limited as the number of visitors increased, leaving the Michaels with no choice but to move Nightmares Haunted House to the grounds of the Kozy Heat Fireplaces warehouse in Bentonville.

The most defining year for the operation to that point was 2003, when Nightmares Haunted House officially partnered with the Bentonville Breakfast Lions Club, which brought the haunted house to the next level. Lions members Terry Franklin, Tom Gray and Ron Guadian were all involved in the merger that led to the current site, funded by Guadian, being built on the grounds.

The Bentonville Breakfast Lions Club has partnered with Nightmares for more than 20 years, and the club’s president, Jeff Necessary, has been involved with the local chapter for eight years.

“My favorite part in getting to partner with Nightmares Haunted House is, of course, getting to have fun with the community and getting to see all of the smiles on the kids’ faces as they go through the haunted house,” Necessary said.

Necessary said the partnership is a major undertaking for both organizations, and it serves as the club’s largest fundraising event each year. As such, Nightmares Haunted House is instrumental in helping the Lions Club fulfill its mission of serving its community, while the Lions Club’s involvement has been key to creating the haunted house that is known and loved today.

According to many reviews, one of the biggest attractions of Nightmares Haunted House is its unusual beginning to the scare. As the Michaels began the Halloween venture as a hayride, the annual haunt implements a scary bus ride to the experience, Phantom 13. The introduction makes for a preview of what lies ahead in the spooky abode.

“The biggest thing that sets Nightmares Haunted House apart from others [around the region] is definitely the bus ride from the staging area to the haunted house,” Necessary said. “We have a movie playing on the bus, and the bus’s movement is synchronized with the action and sound in the video that shows in a theater-style setup. That’s the biggest draw to the bus itself.”

While the ride may feel like a long distance, Necessary said the haunted house has compressed the journey quite a bit, making it the distance of about four city blocks.

Attendance has consistently increased every year, and visitor counts are in the thousands. This year is no different, and the team is expecting between 12,000 and 13,000 guests, Necessary said.

Nightmares Haunted House in Bentonville lays on the screams, but it also benefits the Bentonville Breakfast Lions Club.

SPOOKY SURPRISES

As is true for any haunted house, guests should expect to be frightened in a fun way. While many expect a haunted house to begin at the doors, the Nightmares Haunted House experience truly begins the second one enters the parking lot. From the time of arrival, guests are greeted by spooky actors and should expect to be frightened throughout the entirety of the visit.

Visitors will likely see Necessary when they visit, since he and other Lions Club members work on grouping together the lines and presenting a small snippet about what the club is and where the money goes, in addition to explaining the rules of the haunted house. The attraction is highly energetic, complete with the best and latest in technology, which contributes to Nightmares Haunted House’s top rating. The attraction is ever-changing. No two years at the haunted house look the same, in part because of technological advancements and also because the theme changes annually.

Necessary said this year’s theme is based on Jeepers Creepers, the 2001 horror movie depicting a brother and sister’s journey home for spring break, which descends into a terrifying encounter with a flesh-eating creature.

Regardless of theme, each year’s haunted house offers many memorable jump scares. Asked which of the many themes stands out to him, Necessary said he has enjoyed them all and that each year makes for a good time.

In addition to being surrounded by scary figures while waiting in line, guests can also buy concessions while they wait to board the bus for the harrowing ride to the house.

There is little to no use in being scared for no reason at all, so Nightmares Haunted House ensures the screams are worth it. The main purpose of the event is to create fun, memorable scares for friends and family to enjoy, followed closely by giving back to the community.

After arriving, guests wait in a second line as they prepare to be met with their fears. While not every guest completes the tour in the same amount of time, on average, the haunted house only takes about 20 minutes to get through.

Any amusement of such magnitude does not come together without the people behind the scenes, many of which are part of Bentonville Breakfast Lions Club. Actors are recruited from local high school students who donate their time, as well as staff and volunteers.

“It comes together with the help of the volunteers, who we’re grateful for,” Necessary said. “They serve as actors, work parking and crowd control in various forms, in addition to our paid security.”

SCARY FOR A GOOD CAUSE

There is little to no use in being scared for no reason at all, so Nightmares Haunted House ensures the screams are worth it. The main purpose of the event is to create fun, memorable scares for friends and family to enjoy, followed closely by giving back to the community.

Bentonville Breakfast Lions Club is a chapter of Li-

ons Clubs International, the world’s largest service group organization. The club’s core beliefs are rooted in serving the local community and in Bentonville, the organization is focused on the gift of sight by conducting vision screenings, equipping hospitals and clinics, distributing medicine, and raising awareness about eye disease. Through its SightFirst program, the Lions Club is dedicated to eradicating blindness.

“At Bentonville Breakfast Lions Club, we primarily work to provide assistance to underprivileged people in need of eye health-related services. That is our primary focus right now. … We help people get glasses when they reach out to us,” Necessary said. “We also work to provide expenses for those in need of eye surgeries and other eye health needs, and we give to the Arkansas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Little Rock.”

Additionally, Lions Club supports several community projects that help local children and schools through scholarships, recreation and mentoring, in addition to its international work awarding grants to support humanitarian projects around the world and disaster relief efforts.

“The best way to support our Lions Club right now is to visit the haunted house,” Necessary said.

Nightmares Haunted House will be open every Friday and Saturday through Nov. 2 from dusk until 11 p.m. On the last evening, ticket sales will end at 10 p.m. General admission tickets are $25 in advance, and fast pass admission is $40 in advance. All tickets can be purchased online at nightmareshauntedhouse.net.

The thrills start on the Phantom 13 bus and continue throughout the tour.

Lady CHAMP is a

The Former Arkansas first lady Susan Hutchinson still fighting for Arkansas children

By DWAIN HEBDA // Photos provided

Of all the people former Arkansas first lady Susan Hutchinson has encountered through decades of public life, both as the wife of a politician and in her own career as a well-traveled community servant, it is amazing to ponder that the person who, to this day, crystallizes her life’s mission best is one she has never met.

Seated at her home office desk, Hutchinson described the young child who was brought into a local Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas location after the girl was behaving inappropriately toward her baby brother.

“They took her back to talk to her, and her eyes were rolling around the back of her head, they said, and she’s a little underweight,” Hutchinson recalled softly, her gaze drifting to the side in memory. “They asked her her name, and she said, ‘Idiot. My name’s Idiot.’”

The rest of the story is predictably tragic — the child was found to be a victim of sexual abuse by a family member, a horrific set of circumstances revealed by the child’s stark self-identification. Hutchinson has no shortage of such stories, having spent years on the CACar board, building an organization to pick up the pieces of shattered innocence.

“How long does your childhood last?” she said. “It lasts a lifetime. Everything that happens in your childhood, you take it with you, and you remember. You place your values through your experiences — what you think of people, what you think of God, what you think of life, what you think of the arts, what you think about learning, what you think about the world, everything. It’s all rooted back in your childhood.

“If you have somebody coming in and corrupting it and twisting it and making it foul on purpose for their own gruesomeness, that’s what the children are up against. This is not what family means. This is not what being a good neighbor is. This is diabolical.”

For all the skills Hutchinson developed during her unanticipated life in public service — the poised public appearances, the flawlessly delivered press quotes, the polished skill at hiding her introvert tendencies — her ability to read people and accurately translate what she sees has always been there. These truths she speaks most directly, knowing that secrecy is the soundproof room in which some of society’s darkest ills play out and that, but for the grace of God, might have been hers.

“I wasn’t aware of child abuse growing up. I mean, people might get too heavy a spanking or something, and those things we would consider abuse today, but not intimate crimes against children,” she said. “Looking back, I became aware of certain things that could have been a red flag or was a red flag. I remember once, we visited my mom’s best friend from back when they were teenagers. They were really close, and we finally went over to visit her. She had some children a little bit older than me, and one of the boys told a real off-color joke — I’ll just put it that way.

“I was puzzled by it, and I was always one who had to know why and how and everything, so I innocently told my mother about it and how he’d said it was a joke but I

“

How long does your childhood last? It lasts a lifetime. Everything that happens in your childhood, you take it with you, and you remember.

— Former Arkansas first lady Susan Hutchinson

didn’t see anything funny about it. She didn’t say anything, but she never mentioned that friend again, and we never went back over to that house.”

A native of Atlanta, the former Susan Burrell’s parents married young and poor, pulling themselves and their seven children up to the middle class by a deep work ethic, an even deeper faith, and the kind of pragmatism with which she would regard the world and its inhabitants forever thereafter. She and her six siblings were taught to aspire and achieve while still holding a healthy appreciation for how muddy real life actually is.

“Both of my parents had extreme hardship in childhood — no fault to their parents. Life gave them some bad blows,” she said. “My mom lost her dad to a drunk driver, hit and run, when she was 9 and put them in immediate poverty. My dad fared a little bit better except both his parents were dead by the time he was 8 from tuberculosis. When you think of what we went through with HIV and not understanding how it could be transferred, people were afraid of tuberculosis like that. There was a lot of rejection [of patients], even within their extended family. They wouldn’t get close to them.

“So my parents had a little trouble being optimistic, but at the same time, they wanted us to do well. We needed to study hard and do our best. They did mention college early on, but it wasn’t every day or anything like that. It was more of just a classic salt-of-the-earth upbringing: Love God and do right. Respect your mom and dad. Mind your manners. Most of all, God’s given you gifts, and whatever God’s given you, be sure that you use them.”

Even as her parents worked steadily, the lessons of life’s harsher side remained ingrained in the household. Hutchinson remembers buying close-dated groceries, meat and produce to take advantage of markdowns. She also learned from her mother, who worked in the garment industry, how to work magic with a wardrobe.

“Mom knew how to dress us and pinch the pennies,” she said. “I went to my 20-year reunion from high school, and one of the guys said, ‘Oh, you always dressed nice.’ Well, he didn’t know. We didn’t go shopping until the sales came on after Christmas, and I had five basic pieces, and I could put them together in different ways to have a different outfit every day.”

Graduating high school as class valedictorian, Hutchinson carried her working-class sensibilities to Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina, where she eyed a career in medicine and worked off part of her tuition by cleaning dorms. Senior year, she attended an on-campus dinner that changed the arc of her life when she was seated across from a lanky Arkansan named Asa Hutchinson.

“We were all supposed to eat at the same table for several weeks at a time, and then they’d shift us around to a different table with different people so we got to meet a wide range of students,” she said. “His table couldn’t be used that night because they didn’t have enough students, so they economized and squeezed us into the open spaces. He sat down across

Susan Hutchinson

from me — out of all those students that night at that particular meal.

“I’d heard his name, but I’d never laid eyes on him. We didn’t have classes together because we were in different parts of the campus because of our majors. I was intrigued. He asked me questions the whole evening, and I was slow to finish my dinner.”

Relationships were highly regimented and followed a strict code of behavior back then. Just talking to a member of the opposite sex on campus was considered a date, and dormitory phones did not connect to the boys’ and girls’ respective quarters. Students found a way to express their feelings via a sophisticated note-passing network, and through that, augmented by a little background checking, Susan was smitten.

“We just had so many things in common,” she said. “Asa was a country boy from Arkansas, and I always wanted to live on the farm. He was raised in the Christian faith. Everybody liked him, and he was a leader. He wasn’t full of himself, but he was plenty smart. I was in love with him within four weeks.”

The young couple took a detour from their original plans after graduation; Susan had planned to attend graduate school and medical school at Clemson University in South Carolina, while Asa planned to attend law school in South Carolina. Instead, she started teaching in Memphis, and he wound up in law school in Fayetteville, where, as is now Arkansas lore, he famously hitchhiked to see her once a month for two years. The couple made it official in 1973 with no hint of a life in politics on the horizon.

“All that came later,” she said. “He likes to use the word ‘evolved.’ You find the things to do at hand, and you do them, and then you see other things that you could do or should do, and then you pray on it and see if that’s what you should do next.”

Hutchinson is actively involved in the Children's Advocacy Centers of Arkansas.

Politics did follow, of course, and once Asa started gaining higher-profile roles — from U.S. attorney for the Western District of Arkansas appointed by then-President Ronald Reagan to Asa’s election to Congress in 1996 to two positions during former President George W. Bush’s administration in the Drug Enforcement Administration and Department of Homeland Security — Susan found herself in Washington, D.C. There, she quickly learned to separate true allies from people spurred by ambition and ego.

“I really felt sorry for them because they thought this was the life. Like, you didn’t get any better than D.C.,” she said. “People would tell me, ‘I can’t believe you don’t want to live here forever,’ and I would say to them, ‘Well, you’ve obviously never visited Arkansas.’ Many people didn’t want to meet you or talk to you if you weren’t somebody who could advance their personal career or get them a better job. I just found that to be so shallow. Life is about people enjoying their family, doing for others. That’s what makes you human.”

When the couple returned to Arkansas, Susan thought she had seen the end of the campaign trail, only to be surprised when Asa revealed he had been approached to run for state office. In 2014, benefiting from the state’s reddening political landscape, he was elected the state’s 46th governor and would follow that up with a landslide reelection win in 2018. Through his two terms, Susan remained the realistic voice that showed the possible downsides to her husband’s optimism-rooted initiatives.

“I’m your red-flag girl,” she said with a laugh. “You can tell me your plans, and I can tell you what’s wrong with them. Asa had to learn that about me. He’s Mr. Positive, and I’m someone who considers the negatives.

“Many times, Asa would say, ‘So you don’t want me to do this? You’re

“ The challenge now is how do we reach those people who have been trafficked, and what’s it going to take to get them whole? You’ve got to have friends, you’ve got to have community, and you have to have that spiritual awareness and reinforcement to be who God intended for you to be before all of your relationships were violated.

against it?’ and I said, ‘No, it’s a great idea. I just don’t want anybody to sabotage it. This person is capable of doing such and such. Watch your flank.’ I never wanted to see him fail.”

Susan did the usual rounds of luncheons, community festivals and State Fair appearances expected of first ladies but was not content to simply judge pies and smile for pictures. Prior to Asa’s first gubernatorial term, she had already discovered the nonprofit Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas and thrown herself behind its mission to serve children and youth suffering abuse, including sexual abuse. The organization’s network of centers provides a safe haven for minors in crisis and helps connect them to needed medical, legal and law enforcement resources.

“Well, actually, the Lord made it easy for me because I discovered Children’s Advocacy Center, how they work, how they operate, back in 2010,” she said. “I’d made a friend with another soccer mom, and I don’t know why, but she mentioned one day that her dad was a pedophile. She said her mother didn’t know, and she had a sister that he violated, as well, and they wouldn’t tell their mother because they knew it’d break her heart, so instead, my friend prayed for her daddy to die so her mom could marry a nice man. That was haunting.”

Susan Hutchinson’s time on the CACar board, which just recently ended, saw the number of community centers grow from

TOP: Natalie Tibbs, Beverly Engle and Hutchinson at an open house fof the Benton County Children and Family Advocacy Center.

BOTTOM: Hutchinson helps cut the ribbon on the CAC in Benton.

14 locations to more than twice that statewide. In many places, the group educates law enforcement and mandatory reporters about how to recognize signs of abuse and connects victims and their families to a variety of services, from mental health to court preparation, in addition to performing community education to help create greater awareness of how perpetrators operate. Today, almost 10,000 child victims and their non-offending family members are served annually by Child Advocacy Centers throughout Arkansas.

As first lady of Arkansas, Hutchinson’s platform got bigger, and she not only brought greater awareness to the problem but helped push public policy changes that stand up for victims and landed additional sources of funding for the efforts.

For her work, she was honored at the group’s Arkansas Woman of Inspiration luncheon that has now grown into the Inspiration Gala, CACar’s major annual fundraiser. The 2024 version will be held Oct. 10 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin and his wife, Elizabeth, will be honored.

Even as she cycled off the CACar board after 14 years, Hutchinson remained committed to the cause, saying she is not done fighting for victims of abuse in Arkansas. She said the next chapter in her personal crusade lies in combating Arkansas’ growing problem with human trafficking.

“Commercial sex trafficking is here, and it’s huge,” she said. “The sex trafficking victims that we’ve seen come through the children’s advocacy centers are just the tip of the iceberg. That’s the reason we’re honoring Attorney General Timothy Griffin for his work on getting it out in the open and doing something about it. A law was passed just before Asa was elected that empowered the attorney general, and Tim Griffin has picked up on that law and he’s acting on it.

“People still look at [victims] and think they’re doing sex work because they don’t have a conscience or they don’t have morals and they’re choosing this life. The challenge now is how do we reach those people who have been trafficked, and what’s it going to take to get them whole? You’ve got to have friends, you’ve got to have community, and you have to have that spiritual awareness and reinforcement to be who God intended for you to be before all of your relationships were violated.”

Hutchinson’s continuing quest is a massive undertaking, one where progress is slow, the line of victims long and few are the gratifying moments accompanying a positive outcome. When the target audience is underage crime victims, there are not many chances for advocates, even

former first ladies, to meet the people benefiting from their efforts.

Every so often, however, God sends a ray of light through an otherwise cloudy day, like the time a CAC in central Arkansas sent her a framed piece of artwork. One side bore two tiny handprints, while on the other was the simple inscription, “From the girl formerly known as Idiot.”

“Adults come up to me after meetings, people who suffered trauma in their childhood and never had it fully addressed, and tell me how they’ve now had the courage to get help from counseling,” she said. “Others say, ‘Oh, I wish I’d had a CAC, and I’m so thankful you’re doing this.’ I know CACar is making a difference, even when it’s unseen by me. It’s heavy, but people are worth it.”

When you walk into the Robinson Nursing & Rehabilitation Center you will feel a comfortable atmosphere different from any other facility you have visited. We feature tall ceilings and an open floor plan. We have a lovely dining room and a covered outdoor patio area.

When you walk into the Robinson Nursing & Rehabilitation Center you will feel a comfortable atmosphere different from any other facility you have visited. We feature tall ceilings and an open floor plan. We have a lovely dining room and a covered outdoor patio area.

We specialize in short-term rehabilitation and long-term care services. The short-term rehabilitation area has its own dining area and day room. From the moment you enter our facility, we want you to experience the difference our facility has to offer. From our light-filled day areas to our beautiful outdoor areas, we want you and your loved one to feel comfortable and safe when staying with us. You will also notice the pride we take in our facility by keeping our building sparkling clean from the inside out.

We specialize in short-term rehabilitation and long-term care services. The short-term rehabilitation area has its own dining area and day room. From the moment you enter our facility, we want you to experience the difference our facility has to offer. From our light-filled day areas to our beautiful outdoor areas, we want you and your loved one to feel comfortable and safe when staying with us. You will also notice the pride we take in our facility by keeping our building sparkling clean from the inside out.

Our team is dedicated to providing a safe and comfortable environment. Robinson Nursing and Rehab offers modern conveniences in a gracious setting. We provide daily planned activities led by certified activity directors, like social events and outings and pastoral services with spiritual care for all religions. We strongly encourage family participation in group activities, meals and celebrating family birthdays and special days.

Our team is dedicated to providing a safe and comfortable environment. Robinson Nursing and Rehab offers modern conveniences in a gracious setting. We provide daily planned activities led by Certified Activity Directors, like social events and outings and pastoral services with spiritual care for all religions. We strongly encourage family participation in group activities, meals and celebrating family birthdays and special days.

To help you plan your visits, we provide a monthly event calendar and a monthly meal planner. Robinson Nursing and Rehab does not have set visiting hours. We view this facility as the “home” of each resident.

To help you plan your visits, we provide a monthly event calendar and a monthly meal planner. Robinson Nursing and Rehab does not have set visiting hours. We view this facility as the “home” of each resident.

We try our best to communicate with patients and families to help alleviate the anxiety that accompanies this journey. Our team of nurses, therapists and support staff work closely together to develop a plan based on the individual needs of each person. We recognize that rehabilitation involves not only the patient but the entire family.

We try our best to communicate with patients and families to help alleviate the anxiety that accompanies this journey. Our team of nurses, therapists and support staff work closely together to develop a plan based on the individual needs of each person. We recognize that rehabilitation involves not only the patient, but the entire family.

This side of SEVEN

– By Jason Pederson

G DIVE IN!

No time like the present to pursue one’s dream

oals are dreams with deadlines.

That is a statement attributed to Diana Scharf-Hunt, an author who has written timemanagement books targeting college students and procrastinators in general.

Not long ago, it was Joel Pederson’s dream to golf again.

It was Halloween Day 2019 when Pederson, my dad, propped up a ladder against the roofline of our western Wisconsin home. The ladder’s feet were positioned on a newly paved driveway. I guess the surface was slick because as Dad climbed up the ladder, it slid out from under him, and he rode it to the ground. His pelvis was shattered and ribs were broken.

He was put back together with rods and pins and expertise, but he was not going to be able to walk for a while. As for golf? Probably not in 2020, given all the balance, coordination, hip movement and skill the game requires. Maybe not ever.

That was inconceivable and unacceptable to my father. Dad played league golf on Tuesday and Thursday evenings during the beautiful Wisconsin summers. It had been that way for decades.

Golf in a small town is about more than making pars and getting a little exercise. It is also about community, camaraderie and competition. It is about praising the good shots of other golfers, as well as razzing them for their bad shots, on the way to the 19th hole. It links different generations.

In his mind, he was much too young to give it up, so his dream became a goal: to be ready for the start of league play, which was five months away. To meet his goal and make his dream come true, he would need a plan, and he would need to attack that plan. As Friedrich Nietzsche once put it, Dad would need “a long obedience in the same direction.”

The medical experts encouraged him to have a more realis-

tic goal. After all, 74-year-old bodies do not heal quickly, and not everyone who suffers such injuries at that age makes a full recovery. Dad was determined to defy his doctors. He booked a condo in Hot Springs Village for the month of April so he could get a head start on his golf game.

Over the winter, he was diligent with his therapy. He progressed from wheelchair to walker to cane and from basic exercises to short walks to weights. The support bars installed in the bathroom, the ramp added in the garage, and the chair lift needed to get up and down the stairs of their split-level home would soon no longer be necessary.

Dad had always kept himself in great shape, which made a huge difference, and he had support from Mom, but the biggest factors in his recovery involved attitude, determination and setting a goal that included a deadline. Dad’s goal was to golf again by the time league play started, and he did it.

He called me in July 2020 and said, “I shot a 35,” with excitement in his

Joel Pederson, pictured at 75, would not let injury deter him from pursuing league golf, and he is not a bad swimmer, either.

voice that I had not heard in a long time. Even par at his home course is 36, and making or breaking even par is a common goal for most golfers. Not only was he golfing again; he was golfing well.

The photo of Dad diving into a pool was taken on his 75th birthday. He is now 79 and has just wrapped up another season of league play. My younger brother is on his team, as are several of my high school classmates. Dad fits right in, although his knee has been bothering him, and he is not hitting off the tee as far as he would like. Still, the team made the playoffs and finished in the top 8 while having a lot of fun along the way.

There are plenty of sayings involving the importance of setting goals. Without goals, you are like a plane without a place to land, a boat without a port or a football player without an end zone. That is why it is called the goal line; the goal is to cross that line and enter the end zone.

As a television reporter, I had daily deadlines. Television newscasts start at the same time every day, and they do not delay or change those times because a reporter is running late. The goal is to always make deadline, and doing that takes organization and discipline.

The deadlines for a monthly magazine article are a little looser, and the deadline for a self-published book does not exist at all. I had to set a deadline for myself because the perfectionist in me was making that project take too long.

So what is your goal? What is it that you are working toward that brings purpose to your life, that requires “a long obedience in the same direction”? Without setting and working toward a goal, life can lack focus and meaning. Finishing the latest season of a hit Netflix series is not much of a goal, although I have, admittedly, set that goal and checked that box myself.

While goals vary, the way to achieve them is somewhat universal. I like the SMART criteria, an acronym coined more than 30 years ago and slightly altered over the years that gives users a blueprint for setting and reaching goals.

Specific: Target a particular area for improvement.

Measurable: Quantify, or at least suggest, a way to indicate progress.

Achievable: Identify what it will look like when the goal is met.

Realistic: Given the available resources, identify what is possible.

Time-bound: Include a timeline for expected results.

Writing down your goal and sharing it with someone else, along with weekly updates, adds accountability and increases your chances of achieving your goal. I tried several times without success to read the Bible in its entirety, but it was not until I involved others in the process that I succeeded. Finally, as a Christian, before I set a goal and employ the SMART process, I consult with God. Do his goals for my life align with mine?

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

— Proverbs 19:21

Many men of the Bible had big goals and achieved great things. Noah built the ark, Joseph stored up grain for seven years in advance of a great famine, Nehemiah rebuilt the wall around Jerusalem, and Jonah and Paul shared the Gospel in areas where it had not been heard. None of those men came up with those goals on their own. Those callings were placed on them by God. Faith and humility are also essential elements of goal setting.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

— Proverbs 3:5-6

Are you ready to set, pursue and achieve your goals?

Do not delay. Dive in!

JASON PEDERSON

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

SHERWOOD

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

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

We specialize in Short-Term Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care services. 245 Indian Bay Drive Sherwood, AR

Phone: 501.834.9960 Fax: 501.834.5644

Mosaic Templars

By Joe David Rice

More than a century ago — Oct. 15, 1913, to be exact — famed educator and author Booker T. Washington gave the dedication speech for the Mosaic Templars National Grand Temple at the corner of Broadway and West Ninth streets in Little Rock. With more than 2,000 people packed into the third-floor auditorium and hundreds more filling the sidewalks outside, it was truly a grand occasion.

The Mosaic Templars of America had been founded about 30 years earlier by John E. Bush and Chester W. Keatts, two former slaves with exceptional entrepreneurial skills. Realizing the difficulty Black people faced obtaining insurance at competitive rates, the men established the fraternal organization, which offered health, death and burial policies to African American men and women. Not only were their rates more reasonable than those of the competition; they allowed their policyholders to pay by the month. Their business model struck a receptive chord, validated by the rapid enrollment in the programs. During the 1920s, the Mosaic Templars was one of the largest Black organizations in the world at more than 100,000 members spread across 26 states and six foreign countries.

tion expanded to include a building and loan association, a hospital and nursing school, a business college, and a newspaper. A two-story annex was added to the headquarters in 1918, and a third building joined the complex in 1931.

The Mosaic Templars of America had a solid half-century run before it fell victim to the Great Depression. Out-ofwork policy holders could not pay their premiums, forcing the organization into receivership. In the years to follow, the headquarters building housed a moving company, auto parts store and upholstery shop — and was even vacant for periods of time. When news got out that the building’s razing was under consideration, the city of Little Rock bought the structure in 1993 and transferred it to the Department of Arkansas Heritage in 2003. An extensive restoration was underway when a fire destroyed the building in early 2005.

Beginning in 1913, the Mosaic Templars’ burial insurance policies provided for headstones made of Vermont marble. The distinctive markers can still be seen in cemeteries across Arkansas and in many other states.

Yet the Mosaic Templars was much more than an insurance company. It was also a close-knit support group emphasizing thrift, self-reliance and personal growth. The organiza-

In 2008, the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center opened at the same site as the original headquarters. A close replica of the 1913 structure, it contains more than 8,000 square feet of exhibit space devoted to preserving, interpreting and celebrating the post-1870 African American experience in Arkansas: business, art, education, society and politics. Among the many highlights at the center is the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame.

In November 2023, the center celebrated its grand reopening following a $3.5 million renovation, which created a new permanent gallery filled with rich local history. The unveiling of the space coincided with the 140th anniversary year of the founding of the Mosaic Templars of America.

Joe David Rice, former tourism director of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, wrote 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 — a story 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 readers 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 on Amazon and at the University of Arkansas Press.

Mosaic Templars Cultural Center

Orthopedic Excellence

At Conway Regional, our team of talented orthopedic surgeons and specialists are dedicated to helping you regain mobility and recover from injury and disease.

We are honored to have been voted "Best Sports Medicine Clinic” in the state by the readers of AY Magazine and “Most Admired Company” by readers of AMP for multiple years. Several of our surgeons have also been voted AY’s Best for muriple years in a row.

Learn more about our award-winning providers at ConwayRegional.org or make an appointment by calling 501-329-1510

Left to Right: J. Tod Ghormley, MD, Tom Roberts, MD, James Head, MD, Scott Smith, MD, James Howell, MD, Bryan Head, MD, Austin Cole, MD, and Grant Bennett, MD