AY About You November 2021 by AY Magazine

WANDER AMONG THE Wild

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We Keep People All

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WHAT’S INSIDE

Publisher’s Letter Connect Top Events Murder Mystery Arkansas Backstories

10 12 14 174 176

HOME&GARDEN

Generations of Joy Pining for Tradition

18 26

FOOD&DRINK

Holiday Survival Kit Pastries Recipes Face Behind the Place: Jill Averitt 44 Five Local Foodies 28 36 40

ARTS&CULTURE

112 Holiday Season Guide 124 15 Military Landmarks 136 ZAP! POW! BAM! 150 A Star on the Wall 168 Speaking of the Devil

MENTAL HEALTH 162 A Serving of Gratitude

ABOUT YOU 53 Faces of Arkansas 142 Hijacked! 158 This Side of Seven:

The Final Say

Coffee & Pastries Bucket List, page 32

ON THE COVER ’Tis the season for the good tidings and the tree trimmings, decorations and delectables. Read more: page 18. Designed by Tipton & Hurst. Photo by Jamison Mosley.

ATHLETICS AT PCSSD The Pulaski County Special School District boasts many dedicated educators and administrators from 27 schools across central Arkansas, which now includes the DRIVEN Virtual Academy. These educators devote their careers to investing in young people, and athletic coaches are no different. In addition to duties in the classroom, PCSSD coaches dedicate their time to our student athletes after school, during practice, and at games. Our schools offer a variety of athletic opportunities for our secondary students: baseball, basketball, cheer, cross country, football, golf, soccer, softball, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling. Some schools even offer archery, bowling, diving, esports, swimming, and tennis.

“I believe playing sports is much more than the actual game itself,” said Sylvan Hills Athletic Director Denny Tipton. “It teaches mental and physical toughness, along with discipline and accountability. I believe our youth today need more structure, and studies show that students who are involved in extracurricular activities actually do better in the classroom.”

The PCSSD athletic program aims to instill loyalty, teamwork, and leadership while maintaining honesty and integrity in every student athlete. Since the 2015-2016 school year, student athletes at PCSSD high schools have been awarded 45 athletic college scholarships.

“I became a coach to help youth acquire tools to become successful adults,” said Mills Athletic Director Raymond Cooper. “Many times students don’t understand what they will be facing when they leave high school. Not every student is going to college but they will all become adults. Athletics provides opportunities to grow socially and essential life skills such as punctuality, dependability, teamwork, and dedication.” We want our students, schools, and communities to take pride in the local athletic programs and are proud of the work our athletes put in, with many going on to participate in athletics at the college level. Furthermore, some PCSSD student athletes go beyond the collegiate level and have made it to the pros in their respective sports. You may have even seen a few former PCSSD student athletes represent Team USA in the Olympic games!

About PCSSD

501.234.2000

pcssd.org

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.

PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER

Heather Baker hbaker@aymag.com EDITOR

Dustin Jayroe djayroe@aymag.com

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Mark Carter mcarter@aymag.com

STAFF WRITERS

Emily Beirne ebeirne@aymag.com Katie Zakrzewski katie@aymag.com

FOOD EDITOR

Kevin Shalin kshalin@aymag.com

EDITOR-AT-LARGE

Lisa Fischer lfischer@aymag.com

ART DIRECTOR

Jamison Mosley jmosley@aymag.com

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Mike Bedgood mbedgood@aymag.com

DIGITAL MEDIA DIRECTOR

Kellie McAnulty kmcanulty@aymag.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

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

Janie Jones began her journalism career by writing features for the River Valley & Ozark Edition. After finding her niche as a true crime writer for AY About You, she acted as a consultant for Investigation Discovery. With her husband, she coauthored two books: Hiking Arkansas and Arkansas Curiosities.

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

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

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

Jason Pederson spent 20 years as KATV’s “Seven On Your Side” reporter. He now heads up the Office of the Ombudsman for the Arkansas Department of Human Services. Jason and his wife, Mary Carol, have two biological children and one bonus son, all now adults. They are long-time members of Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock.

Lora Puls lpuls@aymag.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

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

ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER

Jessica Everson jeverson@aymag.com

ADVERTISING COORDINATORS Jacob Carpenter ads@aymag.com Virginia Ellison ads@aymag.com

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Ginger Roell groell@aymag.com

CONTRIBUTORS

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

ADMINISTRATION Casandra Moore admin@aymag.com

INTERN

Maitlyn Harrison mharrison@aymag.com Vicki Vowell, CEO

TO ADVERTISE:

501-244-9700 or hbaker@aymag.com

TO SUBSCRIBE:

501-244-9700 or aymag.com

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

AY Magazine is published monthly, Volume XXXIV, Issue 7 AY Magazine (ISSN 2162-7754) is published monthly by AY Media Group, 910 W. 2nd St., Suite 200, Little Rock, AR 72201. Periodicals postage paid at Little Rock, AR and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to AY Magazine, 910 W. 2nd St., Suite 200, Little Rock, AR 72201. Subscription Inquiries: Subscription rate is $20 for one year (12 issues). Single issues are available upon request for $5. For subscriptions, inquiries or address changes, call 501-244-9700. The contents of AY are copyrighted ©2021, and material contained herein may not be copied or reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publisher. Articles in AY should not be considered specific advice, as individual circumstances vary. Products and services advertised in the magazine are not necessarily endorsed by AY. Please recycle this magazine.

publisher's letter

Thankful I can’t believe it’s already November. It doesn’t seem that long ago we were christening a new year in 2021, and seems like yesterday I was breaking in my backyard pool to welcome the summer solstice. Where did the time go? But rather than fall into a rut of trying to solve the million-dollar riddle of how to slow down time, I’m doing my best to spend the days observing all the things for which I’m thankful. My health. My family. This magazine. Life. As another Thanksgiving draws closer, I hope to come out of it content, grateful and at peace. ’Tis the reason for the season, after all. And we have so many things to help us find that tranquility in this issue of AY About You. We kick things off with this exquisite cover story on our friends over at Tipton & Hurst, the kings and queens of floral arrangements and domestic decorations. Our food theme this month is centered around the latest installment of the AY’s Arkansas Bucket List: Coffee & Pastries. What better time of year than the present to curl up with a steaming cup of java and a warm pastry? This month also marks another edition of our annual Faces of Arkansas special section, highlighting the many “faces” of Arkansas’ diverse vocational landscape. A conversation about thankfulness wouldn’t be complete without mentioning our brave service members, especially amid Veterans and Military Families Month, and as we approach Veterans Day. This month features a variety of stories of this ilk, including a list of 15 places to visit in Arkansas for military history buffs; a feature on Harold Johnson, current curator of the Wings of Honor Museum and former pilot; and a touching story on Beau Wise, a former marine who lost both of his brothers on the battlefield. Finally, we leave you with a story on therapeutic thankfulness, so to speak, which talks about how gratitude and just all-around good vibes are so much better for our mental and physical health than resentment and negativity. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

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

WWW.CABOTFORD.COM

AYISABOUTYOU

TRENDING ON AYMAG.COM AY’s 2021 Intriguing Women Sullivan’s Steakhouse to Open First Arkansas Location in 2022 Recipe Monday: Crock Pot Pineapple Chicken Something Strange in the Neighborhood: Arkansas X Files Moosejaw Opens First Arkansas Store in Bentonville

CONNECT AYISABOUTYOU

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READER FEEDBACK MAD ON ICE RETURNS TO EL DORADO IN NOVEMBER “Thanks for the share.” Murphy Arts District RECIPE MONDAY: HALLOWEEN SWEET & SALTY SNACK MIX “We are so honored to have this feature! Thank you!” Theperksofbeingus MOVIES IN SPA CITY “Thank you AY Magazine for sponsoring the closing night party of #hsdff! You’re at the top of our ‘best of’ list, and we truly value your contribution to the arts in Arkansas.” Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival SPOOKY SEASON JUST GOT A LITTLE MORE FUN “Thank you to JustPeachy, AY Magazine and Nexus Coffee & Creative for enhancing the Halloween decorations at our North Little Rock Adult Center!” United Cerebral Palsy of Arkansas

INSTAGRAM

CONTESTS

Crumbl Cookies is coming soon to Benton!

We went to see the sweetest sweet makers we know: Cinnamon Creme Bakery.

What a great time during media day at the Arkansas State Fair!

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

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

2. LOBLOLLY

There’s nothing like a scoop of delicious ice cream, no matter the season. When it comes to ice cream, you can’t beat Loblolly Creamery. This Little Rock favorite serves up mouthwatering small-batch ice cream, using fresh ingredients and unique flavors. Come and get your favorite flavor, on us. CODE: LOBLOLLY

3. TURPENTINE CREEK

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

Have you read our story on Gary’s Adoptable Dogs?

October WINNERS Rock N Roll Sushi: SUSAN MURAY Loblolly: ELMER RITCHIE Turpenting Creek: LISA BOYKIN

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agenda

Top

you just can't miss! LITTLE ROCK TOUCHDOWN CLUB Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22

Doubletree Hotel — Little Rock The Little Rock Touchdown Club continues to impress, and the stellar lineup of guest speakers has been turning heads since things kicked off with Head Hog Sam Pittman in August. This month’s speaker calendar includes Nathan Brown, Walt Coleman, Andre Ware, Quinn Grovey and Ken Hatfield.

GLOWILD! Nov. 4 to Jan. 15

Little Rock Zoo — Little Rock

See the zoo in a whole new “light” this month. GloWild! promises to be one of the largest luminant experiences in the country this season, featuring thousands of silkcovered lanterns and more than 30 lighted displays throughout the grounds. .

SNOOP DOGG VS. DJ SNOOPADELIC Nov. 10

JJ’s Live — Fayetteville Drop it like it’s hot — some cash on concert tickets, that is, because Snoop Dogg is coming to JJ’s Live in Fayetteville. Snoop’s new studio album, Algorithm, drops this month, and he is celebrating with Arkansans at this pre-release event.

NELLY Nov. 17

The Hall — Little Rock The Grammy-winning artist Nelly is coming to Little Rock this month. Nelly is among the first slate of performers to headline the stage at The Hall, a new concert venue in downtown Little Rock.

HARRY STYLES PRESENTS LOVE ON TOUR 2021 Nov. 24

Simmons Bank Arena — North Little Rock There’s only “one direction” we’re heading at the end of this month — Simmons Bank Arena to see singer-songwriting heartthrob Harry Styles. The concert marks the first time the Brit will have performed in Arkansas.

events

Nov. 25

Top 3 events to do at home Editor’s Note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the events and information listed are subject to change. When attending events this month, please remember to be safe and abide by the most current guidelines set forth by Gov. Asa Hutchinson and the Arkansas Department of Health.

FINDING FAMILY FACTS (VIRTUAL) Nov. 8

cals.org

BABY BOOKWORMS (VIRTUAL) Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 faylib.org

AGFC VIRTUAL NATURE CENTER www.agfcnaturecenter.com

aymag.com

What We’re Thankful For

Be Heather Baker

President & Publisher

“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.” — Willie Nelson

Being grateful for what you have instead of wanting more or coveting what you don’t have is the key. I am so blessed with the most amazing family and friends! I could not be the best me without their support. Beyond thankful for God’s loving hands, healing and forgiveness. Also, I am thankful for everyone who has touched my career. I grow through every experience and cherish my career — it’s my passion! Happiest of Thanksgiving to you all!

Dustin Jayroe, Editor

It was Dumbledore that said, “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” For me, cutting through that darkness of the past year has been the light of my beautiful and talented wife, who I live in awe of and adore more each and every day, and our son, whose joy and dimpled smile provide me with more “light” than I’ve ever known. For my family, friends and all the other lights of my life, I am forever thankful.

Lindsey Castrellon, Arkansas Money & Politics Online Editor

I am thankful to God for giving me two wonderful sons, my husband, my job, decent health, my in-laws, my dog and a brother who has been there for me from day one. And this year, especially, I am thankful for health care workers, educators and vaccines.

Kellie McAnulty,

Digital Media Director & Graphic Designer This year more than ever, I am thankful for my husband, family, friends and health. It’s so easy to take things for granted, so this Thanksgiving I want to be sure to count each and every blessing. To my husband, family and friends, please know you each mean the absolute world to me and I’m forever grateful for you all.

Tonya Higginbotham, Account Executive

I am so thankful for waking up every morning and having a chance to thank my Lord and Savior for all of my many blessings. My heart is full of thanksgiving, for I have an amazing son who I love unconditionally. I am so thankful for my mother who is more than supportive and displays her love for my son and me on a daily basis. My family, friends, loved ones, health and career are all the blessings any woman needs. I am very blessed!

Mary Funderburg, Account Executive

I’m thankful I wake up each day to see my son and for my friends and family. I am thankful that I can go play tennis and enjoy it with my friends. I’m thankful I have a great career to provide for my son and me. I’m thankful for the small things because, actually, the small things are more. I’m thankful for the person I am today!

Shasta Ballard, Account Executive

As my faith continues to soar stronger, I’m incredibly grateful for my relationship with God. He is my “why!” My four girls and grandson are the highlights of my life, my greatest accomplishments, the ones who give me the breath that is needed day after day. My family, my close friends, my church, my career … I’m so thankful for this life he gives me to serve!

Amanda Moore,

Account Executive

I am thankful for my salvation, my marriage to my best friend, Jon. I am thankful for two beautiful and healthy children, my amazing family and my friends at AY.

Jessica Everson, Assistant to the Publisher

I am grateful to be alive, for my good health and the health and well-being of my friends and family. I am grateful for the abundant ways to be outside in this great state, my daughter is a compassionate, crystal-loving hippie, and that so much good music/art was created during the pandemic.

home

ofJoy

GENERATIONS By JULIE CRAIG // Photos By JAMISON MOSLEY

IN THE COMPANY’S I35TH YEAR, TIPTON & HURST CONTINUES TO BRING THE LATEST HOME DECOR TRENDS AND HIGHEST CUSTOMER SATISFACTION TO MAKE THE HOLIDAY SEASON FABULOUSLY FESTIVE.

all is here, and so is that holiday hustle many have been waiting for since the last festive season. The scent of cinnamon, the taste of pumpkin spice and the fresh, crisp cool in the air. And, oh, the beautiful decorations. Each year, upcoming trends in home decor — from tiny details like napkin rings to awe-inspiring floral arrangements — set the tone for the season. The year 2021 is no different, and coming out of a pandemic, quite possibly better than ever as customers begin to search for ways to spruce up upcoming holiday gatherings. Tipton & Hurst is consistently voted Arkansas’ top florist, and for good reason. For more than 135 years, the company, currently led by president Howard Hurst and vice president Chris Norwood, has helped customers celebrate every occasion in their lives, including holidays. “We are a family-owned and operated business,

and we firmly believe we have the best and most experienced team around,” Hurst says. Customers can expect the same standard of excellence every time they order because, for more than a century, that’s been the Tipton & Hurst way. Now, more than ever, local businesses like Tipton & Hurst rely on customer support, and many have trusted the company their entire lives with family holiday traditions. “We often joke that we provide the dressing for Thanksgiving and the merry and bright for Christmas,” Norwood says. As the second oldest specialty retailer in the state, since 1886, Tipton & Hurst has been dedicated to serving customers and the community as a go-to for the latest in floral design, plants, gifts and décor. In fact, the company sources the largest inventory of fresh flowers anywhere in the state with flowers and plants from around the world,

“At our stores, holiday shopping isn’t simply an item to check off the to-do list — it’s a magical experience to be enjoyed.” and a focus on locally grown and made varieties. “Every step of our process is focused on ensuring the highest-quality products possible — from purchasing to transporting in climate-controlled vehicles straight to our stores,” Norwood says. The company boasts its own wholesale warehouse and a network of premier suppliers around the world, and always welcomes customer ideas, praise and critiques to continue its ever-evolving business — with a constant goal of perfection, of course. And despite its growth over the years, customer service has remained the same with customer satisfaction vital to the company’s success. Walking inside any store this time of year, Tipton & Hurst is a winter wonderland, where customers can escape for high design, DIY inspiration and some much-needed whimsy. “At our stores, holiday shopping isn’t simply an item to check off the to-do list — it’s a magical experience to be enjoyed,” Norwood says. So what exactly is trending in holiday home decor this year? “[In floral design], we’re seeing a shift from tall stems to arrangements with lower and more horizontal profiles,” Norwood says. “People are incorporating organic textures like wheat, herbs and pods — or even pulling greenery from their own gardens.”

Muted tones like sage green, oatmeal creams and peaches make for the perfect subtle color palette meant for mixing in tandem with — or to offset — deeper, more traditional choices like eggplant, cantaloupe and pumpkin orange on tabletops, in arrangements and with seasonal décor. If that doesn’t evoke the holiday spirit and provide the ideal backdrop for gathering around the table,

what does? Timeless oak foliage wreaths, as well as more ornate fall choices featuring pods, gourds, pumpkins and cotton, fill the store early on, and soon after the Christmas collection envelops the space with traditional greenery and metallic, mesh and ribbon options. But, Tipton & Hurst is much more than a beautiful floral arrangement or a decorative

Highly sought-after brands, such as Anna Weatherley, Annieglass, Beatriz Ball, Herend, Pickard China, to name a few, work for the holidays — and all year round. Simon Pearce’s traditional glass trees and Mark Roberts’ whimsical collectible fairies are always big hits. Plus, the award-winning Tipton & Hurst team can also provide suggestions for linens, napkin rings and containers that will help make decorating complete — or finish off holiday shopping lists. And if a holiday party or event is finally on the agenda this year, the company can also handle that, keeping in mind early booking is key, as the company usually fills up with a limited inventory and supplies. “While we are extremely busy this time of year, there is great satisfaction in standing back and looking at the wonderful events and beautiful holiday decorations that bring such joy to people at this time of year,” Hurst says.

“We often joke that we provide the dressing for Thanksgiving and the merry and bright for Christmas.” wreath. The beauty goes beyond that. Customers often search out the perfect china and tabletop options because every style preference and price point is found both in stores and online at tiptonhurst.com, an especially convenient way to shop. Holidays can be stressful, so Tipton & Hurst has many options and ways to find them.

Home for for the the Holidays

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Pining for Tradition: MOTLEY’S CHRISTMAS TREE FARM CREATES FAMILY BONDING By KATIE ZAKRZEWSKI // Photos Courtesy MOTLEY’S TREE FARM

s a chill enters the Arkansas air and Arkansans prepare for the holiday season, Randy Motley prepares his Christmas tree farm for a host of celebrations. After 40 years of operating his choose-and-cut tree farm, Motley has had a hand in creating a nostalgic holiday tradition for many central Arkansans. “I meet people who came to our farm as a kid 25 years ago and are now bringing their kids. That proves to me that memories truly last,” Motley says. Motley’s Christmas Tree Farm has grown and expanded over the years, from a small selection of trees to a now-bustling holiday wonderland. The farm features plenty of attractions, such as a hayride, a pig race, a pirate ship, a petting zoo, a jump pillow, a cow train and much more. Motley says that the operation has come a long way since its inception. “We were the lemonade stand of Christmas trees back then,” Motley jokes. “We’ve embraced the agritourism of what we do and have made it an experience.” The chance to choose and cut your own tree remains a formidable competitor to plastic trees, since the ease and convenience of a store-bought tree is replaced with Mother Nature’s memory maker. The process is easy. Take a stroll through acres of Motley’s Christmas trees, select and saw down the perfect tree with tools provided by the farm, then a wagon will haul your tree

in from the field. While your Christmas Tree is prepped and loaded up for the ride home, enjoy a warm, delicious cup of complimentary hot chocolate. If you’d rather not try your hand at cutting your own tree, Motley also offers a fine selection of pre-cut Fraser firs. If you prefer to put up your tree closer to Christmas day, he recommends making a visit early in the season to pre-pick and tag your tree. The tree will remain reserved and in its place until you return. “You can come back any time — no matter how late in the season — to cut it down,” he notes. This is a great option considering 60 percent of Motley’s trees are sold over the first two weekends following Thanksgiving. The hardest part is choosing the right piece of timber among so many options. Motley’s Tree Farm grows more than 8,000 beautiful trees of the soft-needled Leyland Cypress and Carolina Sapphire varieties at any given time, and carefully nurtures them year-round to offer the best selection of Christmas trees in the state. It’s no wonder Motley’s landed on Southern Living’s list of The South’s Best Christmas Tree Farms. Motley acknowledges that this Christmas, like last year, looks different than most, but it hasn’t dampened his spirits. “This would be the perfect year to start a family tradition at home with a Motley’s Christmas tree,” he says.

“I meet people who came to our farm as a kid 25 years ago and are now bringing their kids. That proves to me that memories truly last.”

aymag.com

Holiday

Survival Kit

Nona Bakes’ creations at Nexus Coffee & Creative.

Roasted and Baked, Heated and Sweetened By SARAH RUSSELL Photos by JAMISON MOSLEY

hop, chop and plop — ’tis the season. You need stimulants and soothers simultaneously. Forego the pharmaceuticals — there’s a bean for that. Scuttlebutt has it that a holy man in Yemen, known to heal through prayer, made an unfortunate misstep in who he did or did not rejuvenate. Exiled to a desert cave, the starving Sheikh Omar found a bush with berries, but alas they were too bitter. The berries became inedibly hard beans when roasted; but trying to redeem them still, he boiled them. Prayers answered — not only did he now have a fragrant liquid but one that revitalized and sustained him for days. Once word got back about Omar’s “miracle drug,” his exile was over. Omar was allowed to return to his home town which was named — wait for it! — Mocha. Omar was also made a saint. Sounds about right. No word on whether he traveled much after that, but his coffee beans sure did. Quickly becoming a hot item, coffee has long been an internationally traded commodity, now second only to petroleum. By the 1700s, the bean had traveled far beyond Yemen, but not without a bit of controversy. The issue then

“This changed

when they needed clearer heads to plot the overthrow of British rule .” .

— and even among some experts now — is whether that bean is a dependence-producing drug. Such was the dust-up in Germany that Court Composer Johann Sebastian Bach wrote a little ditty satirizing the matter. The name of the piece? That would be “Coffee Cantata.” No big issue for those who came to the New World. They much preferred knocking back an ale or a whiskey. This changed when they needed clearer heads to plot the overthrow of British rule. In taverns such as Boston’s Green Dragon, the likes of John Adams and Paul Revere planned independence. Not that they had to change drinking places. Most establishments then offered coffee, tea and spirits under the same roof. If you find that concept utterly civilized, you’ll want to make a Revere-like run to the Rogers Onyx Coffee Lab. Under its roof, you’ll not only find incredible coffee, but an upscale cocktail bar, a tasting restaurant, a taqueria and mezcal bar, and yes, a slide. Yes, you read that right; grown-ups need a little fun too.

Cookies, pastries and java at Nexus.

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Thankfully, their great coffee — and tea — is served as well in the other three locations, each of which has its own personality. At the Fayetteville location, be entertained by the latte art crafted by its veteran baristas. The cafe in Bentonville’s Momentary atrium offers its own performing arts. (Yes, the artistry of those handmade drinks but the showstopper is that conveyor belt bringing down the to “Leave” orders.) Their other Bentonville cafe, nicknamed “B’Onyx,” provides cozy refuge downtown. Each café’s coffees are sourced exclusively from East Africa and central South America. Some are permanent pours; other coffees and flavors change with the seasons. There are the “pop-ups” too — those coffees who make short, but oh so sweet, appearances. While each cafe has its own distinctive personality, the intent of Onyx is to provide each café solely with coffee they have sourced — literally. Partners in life and business, Andrea and Jon Allen and their Onyx family live by their logo, indeed their mantra, “Never Settle for Good Enough.” And thus, like our rebellious forefathers, they continually plan to rattle the status quo. “About 95 percent of what we roast leaves our state. We’re probably more well-known outside of Arkansas

than we are inside, but we’re trying to change that. That’s the point of the hometown cafes,” Jon explains. “We roast for about 50-60 countries at a time, and we have coffee represented in all 50 states.” Into their Rogers’ roastery comes product from Colombia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Costa Rica, Honduras and El Salvador. Their determination to always have the highest quality product available keeps this team in a globe-trotting mode. Normally, Jon says, “We tend to visit each country twice a year,” noting, too, that visits to Colombia are five to six times a year. There, the extremely rare coffee Eugenioides, a species resurrected from a seed bank, grows exclusively at a family farm. “The sweetest, strangest coffee you have ever tasted,” describes Jon. With such limited availability, Onyx is only able to offer it — online — every few months. Even at $150 a pound, Eugenioides sells out in about an hour. It’s proved to be priceless for Andrea, who competed using it at the 2020 United States Coffee Championships. Baristas from the coffee epicenters of Washington, Colorado, California and Oregon were thoroughly trounced not only by three baristas from the same company but

Brown Butter Reduction Latte (left) and Fall S’moretado (right) at Onyx. (Courtesy)

“We’re probably more well-known outside of Arkansas than we are inside.” from — where? — Arkansas?! Owning first place in the Barista Competition was Allen, with manager Elika Liftee taking first in the Brewers Cup competition. And Lance Hedrick backed up the ladies with his second-place position in the latter competition. It was a bona fide coup. The subsequent 2020 World Championships was actually delayed to a few weeks ago. One might envy Andrea the pastries of Italy, but the girl actually has her own Rogersbased, “French-inspired” bakery, daily baking for all Onyx locations. (It’s called Doughp, pronounced “dope,” so you’ve had your warning about possible addiction.) Besides, while the Romans did have an early hand in the dough, even they discarded it. Never consumed, their pastry was concocted solely as a shield to keep their meat moist and protected from burning. Not so in the City of Love, Paris, where a little bit of sweetness became entangled with the bold bean, creating an affair for the ages. Widely acknowledged for elevating the once humble pastry into the world of “Grande Cuisine,” Marie-Antoine Careme was, as a small child, literally kicked to the curb by his parents. Named for his Queen, he, too, found his fate dire in the French revolution. His cruel treatment was to be his good fortune — and ours! — as he was swept off the streets and apprenticed into

what would be his life’s work. Napoleon, Talleyrand, George IV and Tsar Alexander sought him out, which is why Antoine has been called the first “Celebrity Chef.” Perhaps less-known is his creation of the chef ’s uniform: the high hat, the doublebreasted jacket — always white. In the Little Rock community, there’s buzz about pastry chef Nona Pruitt of Nexus Coffee & Creative. Her fandom is such that co-owners Amy Counce and her real-life and “Shop Dad” Matt Moorehead created a space within Nexus for Pruitt’s own business, Nona Bakes, the grand opening being held in October. Describing Nexus, one TripAdvisor review wrote: “Inside is a very warm, inviting feeling with Magnoliastyle charm.” In addition to their standard coffees, Nexus’ S’mores Lattes, Classic Cubans and Sweet Potato Lattes are perfect for a seasonal sip. And who knew you could shop and plop at the same time? Nexus has a retail section full of products made in Arkansas, a reflection of their intent to serve their community. Got your babies with you? Let the Nexus baristas pour a “Sleepy Beekeeper.” The honey and steamed milk will soothe little souls too. Your baby is a fur baby? No problem — the Nexus team might be sneaking in a hug though. Shop, chop, plop, sip — you’ve got this handled.

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l 2Twenty1

Fort Smith

l 7 Brew Coffee Various Locations l Angler’s Café Mountain Home

AY’s ARKANSAS

s e i r t s a P d n Coffee a

l Arsaga’s Fayetteville l Baba Boudan’s Espresso Fayetteville

Bucket List

l Mug Shots Express Hot Springs l Mugs Café Little Rock, North Little Rock l Mylo Coffee Co. Little Rock l Nexus Coffee & Creative Little Rock

Presented by

l Onyx Coffee Lab Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers

l Basecamp Coffee Company Fayetteville

l Guillermo’s Gourmet Coffee Little Rock

l PattiCakes Bakery Conway

l Bean Me Up Eureka Springs

l Heroes Coffee Company Bentonville

l Petit Jean Coffeehouse Morrilton

l Blue Cake/Honey Pies Little Rock

l Indigo Blue Coffeehouse Pine Bluff

l Pour Jon’s Siloam Springs

l Blue House Bakery and Cafe Bryant

l JavaPrimo Arkadelphia, Hot Springs, Magnolia

l Red Kite Coffee Company Fayetteville, Springdale

l Blue Sail Coffee Conway

l Jitterbug Coffeehouse Heber Springs

l Retro Roasts Russellville

l Boulevard Bread Co. Little Rock

l Kassi’s Cookies Mayflower

l Rise & Grind Coffee Co. Searcy

l Brew YaYa Coffee + Roaster Cabot

l Kennedy Coffee Roasting Company Bentonville

l River City Coffee Little Rock

l Cafe On Broadway Siloam Springs

l Kollective Coffee & Tea Hot Springs

l Samantha’s Bakery & Cafe Arkadelphia

l Community Bakery Little Rock

l Leiva’s Coffee Little Rock

l Shadrachs Coffee Roasting Company Jonesboro

l Cove Coffee Mountain Home

l Ludwig’s Bakery Arkadelphia

l Sweet Bay Coffee Co. Fort Smith

l Dark Side Coffee Co. North Little Rock

l Mel’s Mudd Coffee & Espresso Beebe

l The Grind Coffee Bistro Little Rock

l Eureka Daily Roast Eureka Springs

l Midnight Oil Coffeehouse Searcy

l The Humble Crumb Sherwood

l Eureka Springs Coffee House Eureka Springs

l Midtown Coffee Dardanelle, Russellville

l T.H.I.N.K. Coffee Conway, Vilonia

l Fidel & Co. Little Rock

l Mocha Jo’s Coffee Company Paragould

l Walter’s Coffee & Speakeasy Little Rock

l Fort Smith Coffee Co. Fort Smith

l MorningSide Coffee House Batesville

l Wild Sweet William’s Baking House Searcy

l Grinds Coffee Co. Cabot

l Mud Street Cafe Eureka Springs

l Zetêo Coffee Conway

3C heck off the Coffee and Pastries List as you visit a small sample of our favorite places. 32

AY About You

Arkansas Bucket List Every Wednesday morning on KARK 4

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Our readers are hungry. 88% of AY readers are looking for dining and entertainment ideas according to Circulation Verification Council. That is 134,315 readers per month.

Kasper’s 501 N. Johnson, Clarksville // Tuesday - Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 5-9 p.m.

(479) 647-4332 kaspersclarksville.com

“Start thinking of your holiday menu and baking needs for the holidays!

Honey Glazed Ham, Honey Glazed Carrots, Candied Yams and don’t forget dessert

Honey Pecan Pie, and Fischer Honey!” 2001 N Poplar Street • North Little Rock, AR 72114 501-758-1123 • fischerhoney.com

s t a E •

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S • R ECIPE

INGREDIENTS BREAD 1 ½ cups flour, sifted 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 1 cup sour cream 1 cup sugar 3 eggs 1 tablespoon lemon zest ½ teaspoon Mexican vanilla ½ cup butter 1 ½ cups blueberries, tossed in flour Dash of lemon zest (optional) LEMON GLAZE ½ cup powdered sugar Juice from ½ lemon Dash of Mexican vanilla

DIRECTIONS 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. 2. Line loaf pan with parchment paper on two sides, creating overhang on two long sides; butter other sides. 3. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in large bowl. 4. I n a separate bowl, mix together sour cream, sugar, eggs, lemon zest, vanilla and butter. 5. C ombine both bowls, and fold in blueberries. 6. Pour batter into pan, and bake for 5070 minutes. 7. Let bread rest for about 10 minutes on a rack, then remove from pan. 8. Mix powdered sugar, lemon juice and vanilla, and drizzle over bread.

LEMON BLUEBERRY

Bread By Kaitlin Barger

This zesty bread is great with morning coffee or as an after-dinner treat. You can add even more lemon zest to the top for an extra kick.

PUMPKIN SPICE

Danishes Adapted from the Puff Pastry Danish recipe by Chocolate with Grace

By Nic Williams Hygge is a Danish term that refers to a feeling of coziness, contentment and well-being. Many Americans are now seeking out the “hygge” moments in their own lives. Try these pumpkin spice danishes the next time you settle in with a warm blanket and cup of your favorite coffee or tea. You’ll see why everyone is making their own “hygge” moment.

INGREDIENTS 2 sheets good puff pastry, such as Pepperidge Farm 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature ½ cup pure pumpkin ¼ cup sugar ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or paste 1 egg, yolk and white divided 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 cup powdered sugar 1-2 tablespoons milk

DIRECTIONS 1. Leave puff pastry on counter for an hour, or put box into fridge to defrost overnight. 2. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. 3. Lightly dust countertop with flour, and use a flour-dusted rolling pin to roll first sheet of puff pastry out to 12-inches by 12-inches, while frequently turning puff pastry to prevent it from sticking to counter. Cut puff pastry into nine even squares, and place them on first cookie sheet. Puncture center of each square with a fork four times. Repeat this process for second sheet of puff pastry, and put it on second cookie sheet. Place both cookie sheets in refrigerator to keep pastry cold. 4. Using a mixer, beat cream cheese, pumpkin, sugar, pumpkin pie spice and vanilla extract together until smooth. Once smooth, beat in egg yolk and lemon juice. 5. Whisk egg white and 1 teaspoon of water with a fork, and brush mixture over each pastry square. Put slightly less than one tablespoon of pumpkin mixture onto center of each square. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until edges are puffed and golden brown. 6. Once cooled, whisk powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon of milk together. The icing should be very thick. If it’s too thick to pour, add second tablespoon of milk. If it’s too thin, add a tablespoon of powdered sugar. Dip a fork in icing and drizzle it over the danishes. Serve the same day.

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Salem Place NURSING & REHABILITATION, INC

You must approve this artwork before production will begin. Send approval with order number to service@moxyox.com

Salem Place offers Memory Care for your loved one with cognitive decline, dementia or Alzheimer’s, including dedicated male and female units. Version 2.1 | 1.16.20

479.419.5879 moxyox.com

• Dedicated Male and Female Memory Care Observation Units • Proactive approach • Person-centered • Focus on strengths vs. individual decits

2401 Christina Lane | Conway, Arkansas 72034 | Phone: 501.327.4421 | Fax: 501.329.8997 www.salemplacerehab.com | We accept: Medicaid, Medicare, Private Pay. 38

Colonel Glenn Health & Rehab is central Arkansas’ newest premier-skilled nursing and long-term care facility. Our skilled team is focused on serving you and your family with excellence.

LONG-TERM CARE

REHABILITATION

RESPITE CARE

13700 David O Dodd Rd, Little Rock, AR 72210 501.907.8200 • colonelglennhr.com 39

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Sisters Joy and Jill.

Face Behind the Place:

Jill Averitt of Blue House Bakery and Café By Kevin Shalin • Photos by Jamison Mosley

Crazy enough, that sweet smell of success coming from Blue House Bakery and Café, the 2-year-old, family-owned business in Bryant, is a bit unexpected but very appreciated. Such is the case for first-time owners with no experience in the industry. “I’m not sure people believe us when I say we had zero restaurant experience other than dining in one. But as we’ve learned the restaurant business, with the help from our amazing food rep and friends who are also local restaurant owners, the day-to-day operation has become much easier,” says co-owner Jill Averitt. “I had never even worked in a restaurant before opening Blue House. My sister, Joy Billson, and I had a small in-home catering business for years, but we learned quickly that this is a whole new ballgame.” Joy and Jill talked about opening a small bakery for more than 10 years. The two have always enjoyed making and sharing meals with loved ones and now view their restaurant as an extension of that. “We get to invite people into Blue House, feed them, and hopefully connect with them in a way that makes them feel loved and cared for, seen and heard,” she says. “If only over a cup of coffee or lunch, we see value in connecting with our community in this way.” From the looks of a typically full parking lot, the Saline County community and beyond have embraced the concept. That includes a casual, comfortable, counter-service setting with a full coffee bar, along with a menu filled with items like muffins, cinnamon rolls and chocolate biscuits and gravy in the mornings, as well as chicken pot pie, lasagna, salads and chicken enchiladas for lunch. “I believe it’s a place you’ll want to spend time in, due to the atmosphere we’ve created, the comfort food we serve, and the amazing customer service that our team offers,” Averitt says.

Joy runs the day-to-day operations with her son, Pryce Billson. “Joy is the heart of the kitchen, and Pryce is general manager,” Averitt says. But that’s not all in terms of Blue House being a family affair. “My mom and two nieces also work with us, but honestly, every other employee is like family to us. They’re an amazing team. I’m so proud of the way they’ve taken our purpose and made it their own while serving our community.” And guess what? That downhome atmosphere Averitt mentions also was a direct result of a family member offering to lend a helping hand in her area of expertise. “My sister-in-law, Krystal Weaver, is an interior designer, and she really helped us bring our vision for Blue House to life,” Averitt says. “Her ideas for the wooden beams to give a lowered ceiling effect, the mixture of glass and brick walls in the front kitchen, and the black granite countertops were some of the suggestions she gave that just really made the space.” It is also impossible to miss the restaurant’s signature decorative item — a massive chocolate gravy recipe hanging on one of the walls. That, too, has a story. “We wanted to bring a part of our family into the space, which we did with family pictures, but I knew we would be serving our grandmother’s chocolate gravy and thought it would be a nice tribute to her by displaying her handwritten recipe card on the wall,” she says. “It’s one of the first things people comment on when they enter the bakery, and it makes me smile and think of her every single time I see it.” Blue House’s Highway 5 location has proven to be a great home. By the looks of things, Averitt and her team could use a little more space and a few more parking spaces, but all in all, the location is a winner. “We really had no idea what we were doing or how the community would embrace us, but we’ve definitely made the best of our square foot-

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“

... Blue House is like a new child in many ways.

age and continue to make investments and changes to better improve efficiency within the bakery,” says Averitt, who’s also been blown away by the local community. “Saline County is amazing. We feel like they’ve welcomed us with open arms. Blue House is like a new child in many ways. My sister and I birthed this thing without any knowledge of ‘parenting,’ and this community has been our ‘village.’ They don’t just show up and order a coffee. They encourage us with their words and actions. They’ve allowed us to become a part of the community and carried us through a pandemic. COVID hit right about the time we felt like we were finally getting the hang of things. As everyone in food service knows, you had to reinvent yourself quickly, sometimes daily. There were days customers would write a check for the amount we needed to just break even for the day. Those first several months were all about surviving. This community helped us not only survive but thrive.”

Qwuithick Bites Jill 1. What is your favorite dish on the Thanksgiving table? Forget the turkey, I’m really a sides girl. I could eat my weight in homemade cranberry sauce and dressing. I also feel like this is a good time to mention I don’t like anything with pumpkin or pecans, so I bring my own cherry pie to Thanksgiving dinner. 2. What is one thing about yourself that not many people know about? I love to fly fish. It’s my husband’s favorite hobby, so I decided to be a good wife one year and book a fly fishing trip for him on our anniversary. I thought it would be special if I joined him in doing something he loved. Little did I know, I would love it, too! For Averitt, the rewards of restaurant ownership seem endless, but once again, that prevailing theme of family stands out. “The most rewarding thing for me has been the opportunity to work alongside my family, the relationships that have come through opening Blue House, as well as the opportunity to bring my daughters up in a business that, as a family, we built from scratch,” she says. “They’ve made many sacrifices over the last two years, as their mama practically lived at the bakery in the beginning. Now, they’re able to come to work with me and see the fruits of our labor. They love to be at the restaurant and help in any way they can. My youngest says she might even want to own a Blue House of her own someday, and that just makes me incredibly happy. I would love nothing more.” While that’s far down the road, in the immediate future, Averitt and her team have their sights set on a potential second location in the upcoming year. That’s if they can survive a busy November at the bakery. “I do expect November to be a busy month,” she says. “We can make the holidays easier in the way of providing your side dishes and desserts. One of our most popular side dishes is our great grandmother’s sweet potato casserole.” See, family saves the day yet again.

3. What was your first pet? I’ve never had a pet. (This is where you gasp and secretly judge me.) I do have children, which keep my heart and hands extremely full. 4. Are you a late sleeper or early riser? I love me some sleep. I’m definitely not a natural early riser. I prefer people talk to me around 10 a.m. Obviously, the hours at the bakery don’t allow that, so I’ve done my best to embrace early mornings. 5. How many tattoos do you have? I have zero tattoos. The needles, the permanence, I just can’t do it. 6. Where is your favorite place to travel? I love Costa Rica. My family of four travels there yearly for mission trips in the mountains. Between the beautiful people and the beautiful rainforest, it’s one of my absolute favorite places on earth.

food

FOODIES What do five folks from varying backgrounds and careers all have in common? A love for food, of course.

By KEVIN SHALIN

Photos by EBONY BLEVINS AND JAMISON MOSLEY

Owner/Designer, Bang-Up Betty Jewelry

STACEY BOWERS You recently opened your shop in Argenta. I imagine it’s been a busy time. Have there been a lot of quick lunches and dinners over the past several months?

Since opening, I’ve eaten a lot of PB&J sandwiches out of a Ziploc bag between ringing up customers. And before that, it was a lot of pizzas out of boxes while sitting on the floor of the new shop.

Have you ever made any food-themed jewelry?

What are three of your favorite restaurants in Central Arkansas?

I’m all about anything Three Fold Noodles + Dumpling Co., and I love Star of India and The Root. Those three restaurants have also been so innovative during the pandemic.

What is one item in your refrigerator right now that might surprise people?

Several varieties of ranch dressing because it goes with everything.

I was so excited to make a rice-themed necklace to benefit the Arkansas Foodbank this year. I created a pendant in the shape of Arkansas and used real Arkansas rice plants to create the texture of rice flowers across the bronze and sterling silver pendants. Proceeds from the Arkansas Rice Flower Necklace benefit the Foodbank. Pizza keeps wedging its way into my work, too. Several years ago, I made a “Food Over Dudes” pizza necklace, and now I have “Hot Slice” pizza enamel lapel pins and vinyl stickers. I’ve also got a “Salty” pretzel necklace. I also created a Bloody Mary lapel pin for members of The Fold’s Bloody Mary Club.

Do you have a sweet tooth?

Does Arkansas Pineapple Whip count as food? Because I’d eat it three meals a day.

Do you have a cocktail of choice? And if so, who serves the best one in town?

Quick, what’s your favorite food truck?

Your store is close to so many great restaurants. Have you gotten a chance to partake in any of them?

How about all of them? I especially love sitting in the little heartshaped table at Ristorante Capeo that faces the entrance of my shop, having the vegetable lasagna, a house salad, and a glass of something sparkly while I people watch through the front window.

Have you ever worked in the restaurant industry?

I’ve been a hibachi hostess, a wine bartender and a pizza server twice. I’m still using what I learned in the way of carrying a lot of things at once, being very polite to people and being efficient. Working in restaurants is hard work, and you learn so much.

Constantly. It’s the only tooth I have. I have to have something sweet after every meal. Preferably chocolate. If I’m treating myself, I’m having the house-made cheesecake at Crush Wine Bar near my shop.

What is one dish you absolutely can’t stand to see on the Thanksgiving table? The turkey. I’m a vegetarian.

Who is the best cook in your family?

Either my mom or my sister. At family gatherings, I usually bring the fruit bowl or salad or something else that came out of a bag. Well, obviously the Bang-Up Berry at The Pantry Crest is the best cocktail in town. It’s named after my jewelry business, but it’s fabulous regardless of my name bias.

What is your favorite food memory from traveling?

I still think about the caju (cashew) fruit I scooped out of the bottom of a Caipirinha (Brazil’s national cocktail) in Brazil once. I would sell my soul for one more of those.

An old friend comes to visit, what is the first restaurant you are heading to?

Ciao Baci. I love their innovative and ever-changing menu, creative vegetarian options and gorgeous patio. And every single dessert.

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MIGUEL LOPEZ

Senior Vice President/Chief Community Outreach Officer, Encore Bank

When you think back to your childhood, what were a couple of your favorite dishes to eat?

In addition to an amazing cook, my mom was a stay-at-home mom. Every day, I would get home from school to a hot plate of delicious Mexican food. My all-time favorite was her Camarones a la Diabla over a bed of white rice. My second favorite was her Albondigas Soup.

Who was the best cook in your house?

Ha, my mom! But my dad is a great cook in his own right. My mom cooked Monday through Friday. So, my dad cooked for us on the weekends. He still makes the best Menudo in the state. Come get you some at our store, El Valle.

What did a typical Thanksgiving meal look like when you were a kid?

Tamales. We always ate Mexican food on Thanksgiving. It took my parents years before they learned to cook what most Americans consider traditional Thanksgiving food. I remember the first time we had turkey and dressing at our house for Thanksgiving, I got a little teary-eyed. Mom still made tamales though.

As an adult, what are a few of your favorite guilty pleasure foods?

Biscuits and gravy. I still remember where I was the first time I ate them. I must have been around 12 or 13 and was at my friend Bradley’s house. His mom made us a fresh batch for breakfast. It was like when I first heard The Beatles — magical.

It’s Friday night in Little Rock. What restaurant will you choose and what are you ordering?

Trio’s. I start with the warm brie with mango chutney. For my entrée, I usually get whatever the special is or the chicken enchiladas. Then finish it off with the Banana Delight for dessert.

Are you a beer, cocktail, or wine guy?

With my meal, I am a wine guy. I love a good Pinot noir. My current favorite is the Presqu’ile.

An out-of-town friend wants to meet up for lunch. Where are you all heading? Gorditas Paty or El Sur for some baleadas.

What is the craziest thing you’ve ever eaten?

Tacos de Labio, which are tacos made of cow lip. So yummy.

I know you love to bike. After a long ride, what’s on the menu? A big bowl of pho from Mike’s Café.

What is one restaurant you love that falls a little bit under the radar? Layla’s.

What is your biggest pet peeve involving food?

That it must be expensive or fancy to be good. You don’t need a silver spoon to eat good food.

How would you describe the Little Rock area food scene?

I travel a lot for work, cities like Tampa, Dallas, Austin, and while those are great foodie cities, I am always impressed when I come back home to see just how our food scene stacks up against theirs. We punch above our weight class. Even if we don’t have a Cheesecake Factory.

What is one area of improvement you’d like to see in our food community?

I would love to see more vegan/vegetarian options. Dallas has a place called Spiral Diner. Everything there is vegan, and you wouldn’t even know it. Same thing with Austin. They have one called the Flower Child, and it’s the same deal, all vegan and all so yummy.

You’ve got one final meal in Little Rock, what dish are you ordering? Osso Buco from La Terraza Rum & Lounge.

Location Manager, Greenway Equipment

BEN ADAMS Could you tell us a little bit about your food blog?

I share pictures on Instagram and Facebook a few times a week of dishes that I cook at home. I cook anything from breakfast to smoked barbeque. The majority is done on my Blackstone and Rec Ted 700 Pellet Grill. Both are under Bearded Chef Guy. I try to give as much detail on ingredients and processes without it sounding like a cookbook.

Cooking is obviously a passion of yours. When did that love for it start?

My mom’s mom and my mom cooked a lot when I was growing up. I don’t ever remember them using recipes to go by, but everything always came out great. I guess I picked it up from them when I was younger, and it has stayed with me all these years. I have copies of some of my mom’s recipes, and it lists ingredients but no measurements.

What is the first dish you remember making?

Even though my mom did most of the cooking, it was my dad that gave me this one: scrambled eggs in the microwave.

What would you say is the best dish you make now?

I think I finally have my pulled pork process down to where I want it. To me, it was a lot of trial and error, and making minor tweaks each time until it came out like I wanted it. I try to keep a notebook and write down what I do each time, so I have something to reference back to.

What is the most rewarding part about cooking for others?

When you cook something for someone else, you are putting your heart and soul in that dish. When people come up to me and say how great it is, it really makes me feel good that I was able to provide them with a meal that they appreciate.

What are some of your favorite seasonings to use?

I really like Meat Church seasonings. They have a wide range of different things to use for all kinds of meat and vegetables. I also use TD’s Brew & BBQ, and of course, some Truth Sauce to keep it local.

You cook a lot, but you must have a few restaurants where you’re a regular. If so, which ones?

On a special occasion, I like a caramel pie from Charlotte’s Eats and Sweets in Keo. I also like going to The Swamp in England and Seaton’s in Scott.

What’s on the menu for Thanksgiving? Are you smoking a turkey?

We keep it pretty traditional on Thanksgiving. Smoking a turkey is on my to-do list, so hopefully we can make it happen. I might cook a pan of my smoked mac and cheese as well.

Are you a big post-Thanksgiving leftovers guy?

Oh yeah. The best thing about leftovers is making different dishes out of them and getting pretty creative while doing so. We head to deer camp after Thanksgiving, and I’ll show up with a cooler full of leftovers. A turkey, mashed potato and cranberry sandwich is pretty tasty.

What is the craziest thing you’ve ever cooked?

This year I made a Tostada Tower for Cinco de Mayo. It was close to a foot tall!

If you’re tired and don’t feel like making it yourself, what restaurant are you heading to for barbeque?

There are lots of good places, but the one I go to the most is Seaton’s in Scott.

aymag.com

HEATHER SMITH

Owner, Domestic Domestic

Before Domestic Domestic, you owned Eggshells Kitchen Co. Thinking back, what was the coolest item you carried at the store?

So many. We “sold” sous vide (immersion circulator). And by “sold,” I mean we stocked them. I loved it, but no one had a clue what it was back then. The Vitamix was a favorite. People were amazed that you can make powdered sugar with it. The PK Grill will forever be top of the list, but the Brownie Edge Pan also brought a lot of joy.

What is one food-related item you sell at Domestic Domestic?

Onyx Coffee. It’s roasted in Arkansas, and we are coffee people. The Southern Weather is the shop favorite.

Have you ever worked in the restaurant industry?

I was a restaurant owner from 2001-06. My first “real” job. It was called Oliver & Annabelle’s in Asheville, North Carolina — a modern diner with an emphasis on breakfast.

What is one of your favorite food memories at a Little Rock restaurant?

Present-day, it’s eating with “family” at Raduno. We love spending hours talking over great food and sipping on cocktails.

What do you think it will take for our food community to keep improving?

This is a two-part answer. For the locals, continued diversity. Keep giving us different flavors and challenge us to try new dishes. Put a bagel shop somewhere close! And for tourism, develop more of a “local” flavor. I’m not buying into the state food of Arkansas being cheese dip. For me, I think Eat My Catfish, I think Trio’s Strawberry Shortcake and Heights Taco & Tamale Co.’s Pickle Fried Chicken Tacos.

What’s your favorite dish to cook?

Goulash. And not a fancy kind either. Just old-fashioned elbow noodles, ground beef and tomatoes.

Do you help out during Thanksgiving, or do you stay away from the kitchen?

It is a joint effort among the family. We each have our dishes. I am known for the cheese grits.

You have to pick one appetizer, one entrée, and one dessert, and all three have to be from different Little Rock restaurants. What are you going with?

YaYa’s Beef Carpaccio, Allsopp & Chapple’s Seafood Tower and The Fold’s Churros.

Your store is right down the street from Le Pops. So, I have to ask, what is your favorite flavor they carry? Chocolate Marvel. It has absolutely perfect flavor and texture.

What is your favorite bar in town to grab a drink?

This summer it has been Ciao Baci. Specifically, I enjoy the Blood Orange Margarita.

You can travel to any city in the country. Where are you going and what restaurant are you eating at first? I am an Arkansas native but also call Asheville, North Carolina, my home. I cannot take a trip out there without first getting a doughnut from Hole and then hitting White Duck Tacos.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever eaten?

Conch Ceviche. My wife, Sarah, and I were in Turks & Caicos on a boat trip. The guide dove into the water and brought up a huge shell, cracked it open with a machete, and prepared the most delicious lunch ever. But after a few hours of red punch on a boat, anything might have tasted that perfect.

With what living, non-political, non-religious celebrity would you like to have dinner?

My “relationship” with Brandi Carlile has been going strong for 20plus years. It is definitely time we sat down to dinner.

Could you describe Little Rock’s food scene in five words or fewer?

“First Come. Reservations not required.” And by this. I mean the playing field is wide open. Not just the food scene, but the small business industry of Little Rock as a whole. Businesses support each other. We need each other, and there is room for growth. I would encourage anyone to open up here in this city. The patrons are nice, open-minded and supportive, and the camaraderie of owners is even stronger.

Executive Director, Pulaski County Youth Services; State Representative, House District 37

JAMIE SCOTT Do you enjoy cooking? And if so, what is your favorite dish to make?

I love to cook. I rarely have time these days. I really enjoy making a variety of quiches for my grandparents, and my mother loves my homemade soups.

With such a busy schedule, are a lot of your meals on the go?

Yes, I eat out a lot because my schedule is hectic at times. I order my meal preps from Kitch’nFit. During [the legislative] session, I coordinate dinners with my colleagues to bring everyone together and support different small businesses. We honestly eat out every night at a different restaurant.

What’s the best restaurant for an important meeting? Copper Grill.

When you want to relax and just hang out with friends and family, what are two or three restaurants we can find you? Cypress Social, Allsopp & Chapple and YGFBFKitchen Restaurant & Catering in Conway

You can keep only one dessert and the rest are gone forever, which one are you keeping? Cupcakes, for sure! I’ll eat cupcakes like the next person drinks Starbucks coffee. That’s how much I love cupcakes. My favorite flavor is wedding cake.

Speaking of desserts, Thanksgiving is right around the corner. What’s your go-to confection on the holiday?

OMG, I love a good classic pumpkin pie! However, I usually order pecan pies from Berdoll Pecan Candy & Gift Company out of Texas. It’s my go-to gift for the holidays. They’ve been a big hit with my friends and colleagues.

If you could have dinner with one living politician, who would it be and where would you go?

I would love to have dinner with President Barack Obama. I’ve been told that one of President Obama’s very favorite breakfast spots is the Valois Restaurant in Chicago, Illinois. I hear it’s a great place for omelets, steaks and hash browns. Who doesn’t love a great omelet?

What’s your favorite food town outside of Central Arkansas?

Oh, I love Craig’s Bar-B-Que in DeValls Bluff. If we’re talking about outside of Arkansas, New Orleans would be my top pick without a doubt. I could eat gumbo every single day.

Has it been nice to see the North Little Rock food scene grow so much in the past few years?

It’s been so nice and exciting to see our food scene grow in North Little Rock. I think there’s a little bit of everything in the Argenta area right now for families or anyone looking to get out and support our small businesses during these challenging times. I love the Angry Bird Chicken Sandwich from North Bar in the Park Hill area.

What is one under-the-radar North Little Rock restaurant you’d recommend to others?

I would highly recommend Walker’s Restaurant if you love soul food. I also like Mr. Cajun’s Kitchen.

Do you have a favorite Food Network show?

Beat Bobby Flay and Iron Chef America. I watch Delicious Miss Brown with my grandparents all the time.

What’s a food memory that stands out from your childhood?

Growing up, I ate at Lindsey’s BBQ every day after school, before it burned down, before I went to the North Little Rock Boys and Girls Club. I used to love playing in the pie house. I always wanted to learn how to make our family’s famous fried peach and apple pies.

Finally, what is one food word that gets under your skin? Ummm ... octopus or squid.

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2021 DIAMOND JOURNALISM AWARDS

AY Media Group is proud of those staff members recognized in the 2021 SPJ Diamond Journalism Awards, which honor the state’s top journalists.

Heather Baker

Special Section, Print/Online Second Place, Arkansas Mental Health Guide Judges’ comments: “This topic may not be front and center for many, but COVID-19 has brought the issue to a wider audience. These well-written stories document journeys that others may have had. Plus, there is a full listing of resources and help for anyone seeking aid. Good job.”

Dustin Jayroe

Winner, Outstanding New Journalist Judges’ comments: “The mark of a good writer and storyteller is when the reader can glide through a story without stopping. That’s what you get from Dustin Jayroe. The research is spot-on, the writing is conversational. From topic to topic his work stands out. It’s hard to believe he’s only been in the profession for fewer than five years. Congratulations.” Editorials, Magazines

First Place, Editor’s Letter, Arkansas Mental Health Guide

Commentary, Print/Online

Second Place, Deserts for Trees column, AMP

Health, Science & Environment Writing, Print/Online Second Place, Pandemic reporting, AY

Ongoing Coverage, Magazines

Third Place, Substance Use reporting, AY, *Shared with Dwain Hebda

Jamison Mosleey

Photo Spread/Essay Second Place, A Fight to End the Fight, AY *Shared with Ebony Blevins and Ian Lyle. Judges’ comments: “Dramatic black and white photo spread of a protest of mostly black young people. The eight pictures showed a lot of emotion. Special use of color in the flag draped around one young man’s shoulders really popped.”

Mark Carter

Editorials, Magazines Second Place, Editor’s Letters, AMP Sports, Magazines Second Place, “Enjoying the Ride,” AMP Judges’ comments: “The pandemic has given thousands of people the chance to explore the world of road biking and mountain biking. This story puts that into perspective to show how the activity is growing by leaps and bounds. And, it’s important to the state’s economy. A good piece. A good read.” Business Writing, Print/Online Second Place, Pandemic and business reporting, AMP

Rebecca Robertson

Magazine Design First Place, Food and Home series, AY Judges’ comments: “This submission truly reflects the elements of modern magazine design. Large, beautifully composed and well-lit photographs are accompanied by nice page layouts and a combination of fonts and color palettes that fit the mood and theme of the stories, amplifying their messaging and overall storytelling power.” Magazine Design Second Place, Business series, AMP

Lora Puls

aymag.com

Williams AR AY 2021.pdf

9/22/21

3:17 PM

Building Community Support for Education The Williams family boasts three Little Rock Central High grads and a past president of the Central High PTSA. Supporting education and other local causes is important to Arkansas Community Foundation fundholders Darrin and Nicole Williams. They made giving back a tradition for their family, starting with birthday parties that benefited nonprofits chosen by DJ and Payton.

“If I could offer any advice to someone exploring charitable giving or starting to build a legacy, I’d say ‘don’t wait.’ It is liberating and incredibly fulfilling. The Foundation makes it easy,” said Darrin.

CMY

To learn more, contact the Community Foundation staff today. We offer tools to help you give where you live to support the causes you care about.

Contact our staff at

arcf.org

501-372-1116

2021

By Emily Beirne, Katie Zakrzewski and Dustin Jayroe

Photography by Ebony Blevins, David Yerby, Bob Coleman and Jamison Mosley

AY About You is proud to present the 2021 Faces of Arkansas, some of the most influential leaders and businesses in the entire state. From banking and real estate to fitness and interior design, these men and women are at the top of their games, cementing lifetime legacies in their respective fields. Flip through these pages to learn what makes this year’s class exceptional and deserving of such acclaim. Sponsored Content 53

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THE FACE OF THE OUTDOORS

ARKANSAS GAME AND FISH COMMISSION For more than 106 years, the mission of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has been “to conserve and enhance Arkansas’ fish and wildlife and their habitats while promoting sustainable use, public understanding and support.” This requires AGFC to nurture, shepherd and safeguard our natural resources. Still, as they do this, they are conserving something much more delicate and important: the outdoor character of Arkansas that gives us our distinctive identity. Director Austin Booth calls this “common man conservation,” and it is what led him to become the 19th director of the AGFC. From the agency’s perspective, common man conservation has three implications. First, it means every effort and asset of the AGFC is for the benefit of Arkansans. Second, it means that they not only serve Arkansans, but all Arkansans — from all parts of the state, from all walks of life, and with all types of interests. Third, it means AGFC serves current and future Arkansans, ensuring that the Arkansas outdoors is better for our grandchildren than it has been for us. The implications of common man conservation for business in Arkansas are obvious. At least 63 percent of Arkansans participate in outdoor recreation, and the industry can boast 96,000 jobs that give hard-working men and women of Arkansas $2.5 billion in wages and salaries. The Arkansas outdoor recreation industry generates roughly $9.7 billion annually in consumer spending. With an ethos of common man conservation, the AGFC will do its part to perpetuate this economic powerhouse. AGFC will modernize its vast inventory of aging infrastructure to ensure that it can indefinitely manage natural resources and provide the public with meaningful and consistent access. AGFC will educate Arkansans about the importance of conservation, stewardship and the national treasure that lies in our very backyards. And AGFC will continue a rich 106-year heritage of habitat management and preservation, not just on the land and water they manage, but for private landowners and leaseholders through its Private Lands Program. AGFC is not without challenges. Threats to natural resources, aging infrastructure, changing demographics and people’s changing interests are but a few. But the outdoor character of this state, the prosperity it brings, and its distinctive virtues are worth fighting for. And AGFC is ready for it.

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission - 501-223-6300 - AGFC.com 60 . APRIL 2016

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THE FACE OF CANCER CARE

CARTI Since its founding in 1976, CARTI has been the state’s leading cancer care provider. An independent, not-for-profit organization, CARTI receives more than 90,000 patient visits each year from every county in Arkansas, as well as from across the country. From the CARTI Cancer Center in Little Rock to 17 additional locations across the state, CARTI’s medical, surgical and radiation oncologists, diagnostic radiologists and additional medical providers deliver unparalleled cancer care using the most advanced technologies and techniques. While providing the best treatment available, the CARTI team also feels compelled to help remove the fear and uncertainty that can accompany a cancer diagnosis. Patients diagnosed with cancer face

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psychosocial concerns ranging from transportation needs to resources for their caregivers. CARTI’s resource coordinators provide specialized services designed to facilitate treatment and improve quality of life for the cancer patient and their families. Areas of assistance for those who qualify include housing and transportation, as well as financial, emotional and nutritional counseling. At CARTI, patients will find themselves under the care of Arkansas’ leading cancer experts, all of whom are led by five medical directors: Scott J. Stern, M.D., Chief Medical Director and Medical Director of Surgical Oncology; Rhonda Gentry, M.D., Medical Director of Medical Oncology; Matthew E. Hardee, M.D., Ph.D., Medical Director of Radiation Oncology;

Pictured above from left to right: David Hays, M.D.; Scott Stern, M.D.; Rhonda Gentry, M.D.; Sam Makhoul, M.D.; Matthew Hardee, M.D., Ph.D. 56

David Hays, M.D., Medical Director of Radiology; Sam Makhoul, M.D., Medical Director of Clinical Research

its team to include medical and surgical oncologists and diagnostic radiologists.

It was 45 years ago that CARTI was founded as the Central Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute and opened its doors on the St. Vincent campus in Little Rock. At that time, CARTI was a single, centrally located treatment facility solely devoted to one modality of cancer treatment — radiation therapy. In 1988, CARTI opened its first satellite facility in Searcy. Between 1988-2011, CARTI opened five additional locations in Mountain Home and Conway and on the campuses of Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock, Baptist Medical Center in North Little Rock and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. In August 2011, CARTI announced that it would be expanding

In November 2015, CARTI opened its first comprehensive cancer center, the CARTI Cancer Center, in Little Rock. This facility gave the CARTI staff the opportunity to provide a comprehensive, cohesive location for all of their services. Since then, CARTI has opened additional locations across the state, including three additional Cancer Centers (Conway, North Little Rock and Russellville), and are currently under construction on two more (El Dorado and Pine Bluff) plus the CARTI Surgery Center in Little Rock. CARTI has also expanded its physician team, which now includes 44 physicians representing 17 specialties.

CARTI - 501-906-3000 - CARTI.com / CARTIArkansas

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THE FACE OF EDUCATION

THADEN SCHOOL Thaden School is an independent school in Bentonville, Arkansas serving grades 6-12. The school opened in fall 2017 with 50 students and will grow incrementally to an enrollment of 525. Today, Thaden has close to 300 students in grades 6-12 and celebrated its first graduating class in 2021. Thaden School was born with a history that continues to enrich the character and content of the school’s connection to this community. The 30acre campus, nestled in the heart of Bentonville’s

Market District, was formerly the site of the Benton County Fair. Prior to that, it was the site of Bentonville High School in the early 1920s when it's namesake, aviator Louise Thaden, was a student there. From the choice of physical location to the architecture and design of its indoor and outdoor spaces, the features of the campus ensure that students develop a real and enduring sense of place. In addition, Thaden’s program recognizes that learning is strongest at schools where students have abundant opportunities to

Thaden School - 479-268-5321 - thadenschool.org 60 . APRIL 2016

make real connections to the world around them, and seek opportunities for our campus to serve as a gathering place for the entire community. The curriculum empowers students to think ethically, critically, and creatively about global issues and their local manifestations. Through independent and collaborative work, they are encouraged to see connections among the humanities, sciences, and mathematics as integrative disciplines in the search for knowledge and meaning. In our three signature programs —

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Meals, Reels, and Wheels — students combine multiple fields of study and engage with the community in ways that build self-confidence and a strong sense of civic engagement and social responsibility. In these and so many other ways, Thaden School gives students roots and wings — strong foundations in the history and culture of their community, and soaring aspirations for the future.

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THE FACE OF MENTAL HEALTH

THE BRIDGEWAY The BridgeWay Hospital has been serving the community’s mental health needs for almost 40 years. “The BridgeWay Hospital provides inpatient behavioral health services for children, adolescents, adults and seniors who need hope and recovery requiring intensive services,” CEO Megan Miller says. “Our continuum of care also includes Partial Hospitalization Programming and Intensive Outpatient Programming that help adults take the next steps in healing on an outpatient basis.” The BridgeWay Hospital offers inpatient and outpatient ECT that relieves the suffering of those with depression or acute mania, those who cannot tolerate or have a lack of response with antidepressant medications, and some suicidal patients who are not able to wait for the full effects of antidepressants. Empathy is BridgeWay’s highest held value, and through the care and support of every staff member in the hospital, empathy is at the forefront of every action and conversation. “I remember reading The Diary of Anne Frank as a child,” Miller says. “There was a quote that still stands out to me: ‘How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.’ That’s really what this work is about; helping a single person make a change in their world that improves a community, that will impact the world. I feel privileged to be part of The BridgeWay team, doing our part to improve the world of those suffering from mental health concerns.” Ready to serve for another 40 or more years, The BridgeWay prides itself on the quality care available to Arkansans looking for assistance.

The BridgeWay - 501-771-1500 - thebridgeway.com 60 . APRIL 2016

aymag.com

THE FACE OF MEDSPA

THE SKIN RETREAT AT SHEWMAKE PLASTIC SURGERY The Skin Retreat at Shewmake Plastic Surgery is a state-of-the-art physician-directed MedSpa in Little Rock, co-owned by Kris Shewmake, MD, and Jennifer Gabbard, RN. Opening the Skin Retreat in 2013, associated with Dr. Shewmake’s surgical practice, is one of their proudest achievements. Having an accomplished plastic surgeon as partner and medical director ensures their patients an exceptionally high level of care and safety with excellent results. Dr. Shewmake has been an acclaimed plastic surgeon since 1996, with a passion for helping patients transform their lives by helping them achieve a more youthful, natural, rested appearance. “At The Skin Retreat, everything we do is focused on the patient, and we ensure their experience is the very best MedSpa experience available” says Dr. Shewmake. “We have built our business and reputation on our personal commitment to service and attention to detail. Our amazing team is dedicated to delivering next-level, concierge care to each and every patient.” An experienced and skilled nurse, Jennifer Gabbard loves her chosen career. She has been a surgery nurse for almost 30 years, with 20 of those being in plastic surgery and aesthetics with injections. “We genuinely love helping others look and feel their best,” adds Gabbard. “A positive self-image is one of the most powerful tools a person can carry with them each day, and we are honored to be a partner in our patient’s success. Our staff has the training and expertise to gracefully enhance your natural beauty and bring out your best, most confident self.” Both Dr. Shewmake and Gabbard have devoted countless hours to mission work in Honduras performing reconstructive surgery on both children and adults. The privilege of contributing in this way has helped develop their commitment to helping patients live healthier, better lives through the services they offer. As nonsurgical skin enhancing and anti-aging technologies evolve, they intend to be the first to offer it to their patients.

The Skin Retreat at Shewmake Plastic Surgery - 501-492-8967 - TheSkinRetreat.com 60 . APRIL 2016

aymag.com

THE FACE OF TILE AND BRICK

ACME BRICK TILE & STONE Acme Brick Tile & Stone strives to make products that outlast a mortgage, a roof, even a lifetime. When you see the Acme name stamped in the end of a brick on your new home, you know that you’re getting both Acme quality and the 100-year guarantee. But Acme is more than just a product and name; it is its people. Many different jobs come together to ensure the satisfaction of our customers. From drivers to accounting, from sales representatives to kiln-workers, all employees of Acme work together to create a positive experience to match the lifetime of its brick. “What I most enjoy about my job is seeing the skills and knowledge of our staff come together to provide a great customer experience,” says district manager Chad Bowie. “Our company is over a century old and built on a foundation of brick manufacturing, but we continue the pursuit to offer more than just the essentials to homebuyers, builders and architects.” An Acme Brick home delivers benefits that transcend curb appeal, including natural insulation, reduction in maintenance costs, lower insurance rates, a higher resale value and fire protection. Acme offers a vast selection of natural and manufactured stone, custom iron doors, outdoor living products and one of Arkansas’ largest selections of designer tile. “Nothing makes us more proud than a customer leaving educated and ready to say, ‘Acme Brick is the best thing to have around your house.’”

Acme Brick Tile & Stone - 501-812-5574 - brick.com/littlerock 60 . APRIL 2016

THE FACE OF DERMATOLOGY

ARKANSAS DERMATOLOGY Given that its specialization is in the largest organ of the body, Arkansas Dermatology is used to covering large areas. Serving in 10 locations across Central Arkansas, Arkansas Dermatology treats various skin conditions. Excellent experiences for patients is the goal and with five board-certified dermatologists and 12 nonphysician dermatology providers, any one of the 10 clinics a patient walks into is prepared for any situation. Providing same-day and next-day appointments, urgent dermatologic problems can be addressed in a timely manner. A special feature brought out by the pandemic is the inclusion of telemedicine, an online appointment platform for patients uncomfortable with leaving their homes at this time. The office is also ready with hand sanitizer, masks and maintains an environment so clean, acne is afraid of it. Living by the motto, “Your skin deserves the best,” Arkansas Dermatology offers the most advanced and comprehensive dermatologic therapeutics available. From better skincare techniques to the most experienced Mohs surgeons in skin cancer, the practice prides itself in providing the best quality of care.

Arkansas Dermatology - 501-791-7546 - arkansasdermatology.com 60 . APRIL 2016

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THE FACE OF UROLOGY

ARKANSAS UROLOGY Arkansas Urology provides the latest innovations in medical technology and surgical techniques to patients through its eight Centers of Excellence in urological specialties. The physicians and professional staff comprise one of the most experienced and respected urological practices in the country. Arkansas Urology treats approximately 110,000 patients a year in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Benton, Conway, El Dorado, Heber Springs, Harrison, Monticello, Pine Bluff, Stuttgart, Russellville, Fayetteville and Bentonville. Additionally, the privately owned practice recently announced the purchase of seven acres for a Northwest campus in Springdale. Arkansas Urology is made up of 19 physicians, 21 physician extenders, and more than 300 clinical and business staff employees. Arkansas Urology has nationally recognized clinical pathways. These pathways ensure that patients get the best individualized treatment plan. Arkansas Urology has a dedicated radiation oncologist, Dr. Jack Wang, who over the past 11 years has treated more than 3,000 prostate cancer patients and 125,000 radiation therapy treatments — more than any radiation oncologist in the region. With CEO E. Scot Davis at the helm, it’s clear that Arkansas Urology is dedicated to helping Arkansans live fuller lives today.

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Arkansas Urology - 501-219-8900 - arkansasurology.com / arkansasurology / ar_urology 66

THE FACE OF BRUNCH

AT THE CORNER

In 2014, At the Corner opened up shop in downtown Little Rock. Its familial founders — Kamiya Merrick, Helen King, Leila King and Helen Grace King — did not have a lot of experience in the restaurant industry, but what they did have was a vision, each other and enough passion to make up for the inexperience. In no time, the women’s eatery — a modern diner — became one of the capital city’s most beloved establishments. “Diners have always had a special place in our hearts,” the owners say. “They were found in our favorite movies and stories from our childhood, and always represented happiness. When we began designing At the Corner, we wanted our diner to be like nothing we had ever seen before. We dreamed of creating a place that incorporates fresh, local ingredients into consistently dynamic, innovative menus.” One of the most popular aspects of its menu is the weekend brunch series, served from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. There’s plenty of classics from which to choose, such as the Breakfast Sampler, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, and breakfast sandwiches. But, in typical At the Corner fashion, there are just as many unique and original surprises in store, such as the Pyro Poutine, home fries topped with fried chicken, gravy, cheddar and hot sauce. There are also a handful of menu items that revolve with the changing of the seasons, like the Sweet Potato Chicken & Waffle that headlined its October brunch menu. “Our aim with At the Corner Modern Diner is to constantly revolutionize traditional recipes, transform farm-to-table, inspire a ‘make yourself @ home’ vibe, and ultimately modernize the diner,” the owners say. “From fresh farm eggs to farm-raised beef to local, organic vegetables, fruits, nuts and honey, our modern diner is everything we dreamed it would be and more.” At the Corner - 501-400-8458 - thecornerlr.com 60 . APRIL 2016

aymag.com

THE FACE OF AUCTIONS

BLACKMON AUCTIONS Blackmon Auctions, a third-generation, family-owned, specialty auction company is celebrating its 83th year in business. “I’d like to say that there isn’t any situation you can throw at us that we haven’t seen, but the auction business is always shocking,” says Thomas Blackmon, president of Blackmon Auctions. “I seem to learn something new everyday.” Blackmon Auctions is unique, as its specialty is still on-site live auctions with internet bidding. “Many auction companies have gone to online-only auctions but I think they are missing what makes an auction exciting, and that is the live bidding energy and competition,” Blackmon says. The successful auction company has done business in all of the lower 48 states. But Blackmon says that his success is due in part to getting back up when you fall down. “My first auction I booked was a disaster. It was bad on multiple levels. After the auction was finished, my dad and I got in the car for the long drive back to Arkansas from Alabama,” Blackmon recalls. “First thing he asked me was if I learned anything. I told him that I had learned a lot about what not to do next time. He said, ‘Good, let's go to Dairy Queen.’ He always believed that failure was the greatest motivator to do better next time. I constantly fall down but learn what not to do next time. The greatest lessons are the ones that cost you the most.” Blackmon has proved over the decades that his business can withstand any challenges thrown its way, as well as the test of time. Blackmon Auctions - 501-352-4702 - blackmonauctions.com 68

THE FACE OF CHIROPRACTIC

BLEDSOE CHIROPRACTIC

Conway’s Bledsoe Chiropractic is a full-service chiropractic clinic to ‘Give Hope Through Healing’ to every patient that enters its door. Bledsoe Chiropractic offers chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, massage therapy, rehab, custom orthotics, laser therapy and many more services. CEO and Chiropractor Amanda Bledsoe offers some insight into why she loves her job and her business. “My love for chiropractic seems to grow with each passing day,” she says. “One of my ultimate goals for patients is to make chiropractic care not just effective for all but affordable. Better yet, we provide care that is safe for all ages — from the youngest member of your family to the oldest grandparent or great grandparent.” When Bledsoe was 14, she was diagnosed with significant scoliosis of the spine. “At the time, it was recommended that I visit a chiropractor, but didn’t end up seeing one until I was 18,” she says. “After experiencing firsthand how effective chiropractic care was coupled with the fact that I always wanted to work in health care, it became the perfect career path for me.” Bledsoe’s love and gratitude for her ever-growing community propel her to offer the best version of herself and her business every day. “When I first opened Bledsoe Chiropractic, I did so with the goal in mind that it would all be to bring glory and honor to God,” she says. “I achieved this by getting involved in the community and with local nonprofits. I am so thankful for the opportunity to serve in this capacity, not so people know the name ‘Dr. Amanda Bledsoe,’ but because I want people to know that they are welcome to our clinic and can expect love and hope from everyone.”

Bledsoe Chiropractic - 501-504-6999 - bledsoechiropractic.com 69

aymag.com

THE FACE OF FURNITURE BRASHEARS FURNITURE Brashears is a beloved third-generation, family-owned furniture store with three locations in the Ozarks and roots that go back all the way to 1935. Susan and Doug Brashears both grew up in Springfield, Missouri. They both lived and worked in Dallas during the 1980s, but later moved back to the Ozarks, where they eventually returned to furniture retail. The pair took over the family business in 1991. The store has been a staple for furniture buyers in the region because of the unique shopping experience and unique mix of products. However, to them, no product is worth more than the people in the store, from the loyal customers who have been regulars for decades to the employees who are practically family. “We think our people are our most important asset. It doesn’t matter if you have a great selection and great values, if you don’t have good people you fail, and we believe we have the best,” the owners say. “We have many long-term employees who have worked at Brashears most of their adult lives and they are truly part of our family.” A big part of the shopping experience is the knowledge of the staff. Because of this, Brashears is able to offer topnotch, in-store complimentary design and decorating services, which has been a huge hit with customers over the years. It’s the product quality and team effort that have led to the store’s many accolades. In recent years, it has been named the National Home Furniture Store of the year, was selected by the National Home Furniture Association as the National Retailer of the Year, and was chosen by ABC’s Extreme Home Makeover to participate in both the Joplin Makeover and the Camp Barnabas Makeover. Just like its motto says, Brashears is “just a little store that got way outta hand,” in all the best ways. Brashears Furniture - 870-423-4433; 479-751-7222; 417-337-5028 - brashears.com / BrashearsFurniture

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THE FACE OF RETIREMENT LIVING

BRIARWOOD NURSING & REHABILITATION CENTER For more than 30 years, Briarwood Nursing & Rehabilitation Center has prided itself on being a place and a face that its community can trust and its residents can feel comfortable in. Briarwood is a 120-bed facility that specializes in both short-term rehabilitation and long-term care, providing the flexibility to meet each and every client’s needs, without sacrificing care quality — of which the team at Briarwood aspires for the highest of standards. Be it transient rehabilitation or extended stay retirement, the staff is committed to creating and maintaining a supportive relationship that reinforces the dignity of every resident. This relationship-building transcends the here and now and translates to generational resident care. There is, perhaps, no better example of this embodiment than the center’s administrator, Joan Robbins. Robbins was literally raised in a nursing home, by her mother, who also worked in the profession. Robbins became a nursing assistant at age 13 and has dedicated her entire life since to the practice. After attaining her LPN and RN designations, Robbins became the director of nurses at Briarwood. When her mother retired from the administrator position at the center, Robbins was next in line, and the torch was seamlessly passed to the next generation of leadership at Briarwood. “Our organization is special because we are third-generation employees providing care for, oftentimes, thirdgeneration residents,” Robbins says proudly. “We are like a family with everyone — staff and residents.” Briarwood Nursing & Rehabilitation Center - 501-224-9000 - briarwoodnursingandrehab.com 71

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THE FACE OF REAL ESTATE

CAPITAL SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY Capital Sotheby’s International Realty is a locally owned residential real estate agency comprised of professionals offering global reach with iconic representation, unparalleled hospitality and extraordinary outcomes. Led by CEO Susan Desselle, Director of Marketing Chris Marsh, and Director of Operations Jennifer Newbern, the team at Capital Sotheby’s International Realty are passionate about raising the standards of professionalism and expertise in real estate while providing an unparalleled experience for buyers, sellers and agents. Capital Sotheby’s International Realty launched in Little Rock in October 2020, merging locally owned and operated Desselle Real Estate with the world’s leading luxury real estate brand. Sotheby’s International Realty is the world’s only real estate company with true, extensive global reach, including more than 1,000 offices in 75 countries and territories and more than 37 million distinctive visitors to the world’s No.1 real estate website. At Capital Sotheby’s International Realty, you’ll find a staff dedicated to having an extraordinary and positive impact on buyers, sellers, agents, the community and the real estate industry through their commitment to their creative, distinctive and collaborative agency culture. Capital Sotheby’s International Realty is a client-focused agency committed to the highest level of expertise, professionalism and hospitality. With a culture that is vibrant, collaborative, positive and abundant with an unwavering focus on professional and personal development, skill set development, community connections and client service excellence, the team is eager to be key facilitators and architects of people’s journey home. Capital Sotheby’s International Realty - 501-551-0207 - capitalsir.com

THE FACE OF SENIOR SERVICES

CARELINK

Despite the complaints, time does keep moving, and thus the aging process continues. CareLink, the Central Arkansas Area Agency on Aging, has all the resources for the inevitable. Founded on June 12, 1979, CareLink has been helping families and individuals transition into the next stage of life with ease ever since. The nonprofit organization provides many services at no cost to the person or family. “It’s the way someone smiles, relaxes their shoulders or gives a sigh of relief when they realize someone has heard them and is working on a solution to their struggles,” says Director of Marketing and Development Meredith Hale. “It’s reading the card from a son or granddaughter letting us know how much we helped their family when their older loved one needed us.” Putting the people first, CareLink will connect individuals and families with other organizations should their needs be better suited elsewhere. “As an Area Agency on Aging and nonprofit, we are here for you,” Hale says. “We are here to make sure you know you have options when the effects of aging start to make everyday tasks difficult. We’re about making sure you have the confidence and support needed to age gracefully in the comfort of your own home.” The pandemic may have caused CareLink to make adjustments and work harder, but with the help of its donors and the dedication of the staff, the organization is providing services so long as time keeps going. CareLink - 501-372-5300 - CareLink.org

THE FACE OF HEART HEALTH

CHI ST. VINCENT CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY CLINIC The CHI St. Vincent Heart Institute provides access to Arkansas’ largest and most diverse network of providers, serving more than 25 communities across the state. The institute is part of the CHI St. Vincent regional health network, which has served Arkansas since 1888, and part of CommonSpirit Health, a nonprofit Catholic health system. CommonSpirit Health is dedicated to advancing health for all people by creating healthier communities, delivering exceptional patient care and ensuring every person has access to quality health care. U.S. News and World Report’s Best Regional Hospital Rankings recently named CHI St. Vincent Infirmary No. 1 in Arkansas for cardiology and cardiovascular surgery for the second year in a row. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons also awarded CHI St. Vincent Infirmary cardiovascular surgeons its highest-quality rating for Isolated CABG procedures in 2021. CABG procedures are used to treat coronary artery disease, and only 6 to 10 percent of participating groups receive this highest, three-star rating, placing the CHI St. Vincent Heart Institute among the elite cardiovascular surgery groups in the United States. The CHI St. Vincent Heart Institute is also partnering with Pennsylvania-based Penn Medicine to accelerate heart surgery research into innovative new approaches. Heart Clinic Arkansas began more than 20 years ago and partnered with CHI St. Vincent in January 2012. The CHI St. Vincent Heart Institute has since grown to become the state’s largest group of cardiovascular surgeons. CHI St. Vincent Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic - 501-666-2894 - CHIStVincent.com/heart

THE FACE OF NEUROSURGERY CHI ST. VINCENT ARKANSAS NEUROSCIENCE INSTITUTE The CHI St. Vincent Arkansas Neuroscience Institute is a comprehensive program incorporating all aspects of neurosurgery and the spectrum of neurological disorders, including skull-base surgery, vascular neurosurgery, neuro-oncology, spine and spinal cord surgery, epilepsy surgery and surgery for movement disorders. Led by the acclaimed Dr. Ali Krisht, the Arkansas Neuroscience Institute Research and Education Center works to improve treatment outcomes for patients, map the human brain and provide training for neurosurgeons to develop the skills necessary to tackle the most complex cases. The Arkansas Neuroscience Institute is more than a comprehensive program that addresses all aspects of neurosurgery and neurological disorders. It is an internationally recognized neurosurgery destination here in Central Arkansas where surgeons from around the world can learn how the world’s best neurosurgeons conduct procedures and address unexpected discoveries. Krisht joined CHI St. Vincent in 2009 to establish the Arkansas Neuroscience Institute. CHI St. Vincent formally completed the latest phase, the Arkansas Neuroscience Institute Research and Education Center, in Sherwood in June 2019. “Centers just like the Arkansas Neuroscience Institute at CHI St. Vincent exist and will not give up on patients, even when others tell them their condition is non-operable or cannot be treated,” Krisht says. “We do not play the statistics game because we realize that each of those lives is invaluable to their families.”

CHI St. Vincent Arkansas Neuroscience Institute - 501-552-6400 - chistvincent.com/clinical-services/neurosciences/ani / CHIStVincent / CHIStVincent 75

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THE FACE OF BARIATRIC SURGERY

CONWAY REGIONAL SURGICAL ASSOCIATES Dr. Anthony Manning has been in practice for more than seven years, primarily as a general surgeon. In addition to numerous general surgical procedures, Manning began performing bariatric surgery, more commonly referred to as weight loss surgery, shortly after his relocation from Temple, Texas, to Conway in August 2018 to join Conway Regional Surgical Associates. When he began planning the move to Conway, Manning approached Conway Regional in the very early stages to discuss a bariatric surgery program, which Conway Regional was very supportive of from day one. “We have an incredible team at Conway Regional helping individuals prepare for bariatric surgery,” Manning says. “Our Diabetes Education and Wellness Department supports our patients as part of the initial preoperative visit, as well as following them throughout the process, and walking them through diet changes after surgery.” Manning goes on to describe the procedure. “The gastric sleeve reshapes and reduces the size of the stomach from being the size of a sack to that of a banana to limit the amount of food a person can consume,” he says. “A few of the improvements are relatively straightforward, such as increased energy and self-esteem. However, there are many other medical conditions that improve as a result of weight loss surgery. In some cases, patients can reduce medications for other conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.” Some of Manning’s best days in the clinic are when he can celebrate with patients who have come a long way in their weight loss journey. “I’m passionate about weight loss surgery at Conway Regional because of the overarching benefits for the patient,” Manning says. Conway Regional Surgical Associates - 501-327-4828 - conwayregional.com / ConwayRegional 76

THE FACE OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE

CONWAY REGIONAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT Dr. Wade Gregory has practiced Emergency Medicine at Conway Regional for nine years. He went to college in Fayetteville at the University of Arkansas and came back for medical school at UAMS in Little Rock. He has experienced a host of unbelievable events, including helping international media through interviews during the aftermath of a devastating F4 tornado in 2014. Gregory and fellow Conway Regional physicians and nurses treated more than 100 patients in the Conway Regional emergency room within a few hours. “The moment I enrolled in medical school, I knew I wanted to practice emergency medicine. It is the type of medicine that fits my style. It changes every day and there’s always something new,” Gregory says. “I came to Conway after my wife, Jenny, had already started a medical practice in Little Rock. Conway was the perfect opportunity; a town that was growing with an established emergency department. I love learning and growing together with Conway.” Gregory grew up in rural Augusta on the family farm. His family has managed the same farm in the area for 200 years, and Gregory says his agricultural upbringing shaped his life from a very young age. “My parents and my upbringing provided me with a strong work ethic and a need to give back to others in return for the blessings I'd been given. I always knew I needed to do something that was going to stimulate my mind,” Gregory says. “It keeps me motivated to practice a style of medicine that puts me in a position to help those at their time of greatest need.” When your family needs emergency care, you can trust the board certified providers at Conway Regional to provide you with the comprehensive care you deserve when you need it most.

Conway Regional Emergency Department - 501-329-3831 - conwayregional.org / ConwayRegional 77

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THE FACE OF HOSPITALS

CONWAY REGIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM MATT TROUP, FACHE, PRESIDENT AND CEO For the past 100 years, Conway Regional Health System has provided high-quality, compassionate health care to the communities it serves. As these communities continue to grow, Conway Regional grows in lockstep to provide innovative services, new clinics, more specialists and expanded access to care. In 2019, Conway Regional began to implement a multi-phase capital investment plan that is expanding and enhancing services throughout the health system — including a new medical office building, a new critical care unit, renovation of the 8,000-square-foot health and fitness center and expansion of the hospital’s clinic in Greenbrier. Additionally, the health system added a second state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization laboratory, two 3D mammography devices to improve detection of breast cancer, and recruited numerous highly talented physicians to the medical team in the areas of neuro spine surgery, rheumatology, infectious disease, neurology, hematology-oncology, pain management, gastroenterology, pulmonology, vascular surgery and general surgery. At the helm of this vast operation is CEO and President Matt Troup. Troup has more than 20 years of executive leadership experience in the health care industry, serving in various administrative roles in hospitals in Texas, Oklahoma and Florida. He moved to Arkansas in 2014 as vice president of ancillary and support services at CHI St. Vincent and was named President and CEO of Conway Regional Health System within one year. “My perspective is that work without a calling is drudgery. Those who work in health care, including leadership, should have a calling,” Troup says. “That calling enables us to commit to providing excellent care to people when they need it most.” Troup says that, in all things, Christ is his inspiration, as well as his wife. “The integration of my work and faith is fundamental,” he says. “In addition, my wife, Melissa, is a key source of inspiration and support. She is a brilliant spouse, mother, educator and supporter. She has been a sounding board and girded my faith during challenging times." Conway Regional Health System - 501-329-3831 - conwayregional.org / ConwayRegional 78

THE FACE OF DENTURES & IMPLANTS

DDS DENTURES + IMPLANT SOLUTIONS DDS Dentures + Implant Solutions of Conway offers a wide variety of dental services, including dentures, dental implants, implant supported dentures (fixed and snap-in dentures), extractions, and other general dentistry services such as partials, crowns, bridges, root canals and hygiene services. DDS Dentures + Implant Solutions is able to provide same-day service on dentures in most cases through its on-site lab. At DDS Dentures + Implant Solutions, you'll receive excellent care from compassionate, experienced professionals. The clinic offers several financing options (with one very unique and exclusive financing option coming to the clinic very soon) and can work with any budget to provide exceptional dental care at affordable prices. The staff of DDS Dentures + Implant Solutions believes that dental care should not just be for the privileged, and they will work with you to ensure that you get the treatment and care you deserve. “I am so incredibly grateful for being able to come into my clinic each day and work with the most phenomenal staff as we provide dental care to the most amazing patients,” says Clinic Manager Laura Brunson. “To see our patients go through such transformations — to see it impact their confidence and self-esteem, to be able to touch people's lives and see them smile again — is more rewarding than I could ever put into words.”

DDS Dentures + Implant Solutions - 501-229-5993 - conwaydentures.com / ConwayDentures

THE FACE OF INTERIOR DESIGN

DEBI DAVIS INTERIOR DESIGN A good decorator will help save you from owning rooms full of mistakes that result from random purchases. We all need a plan for our rooms and where pieces can realistically fit or go, yet we all do not have the skills to make our dreams a reality. Fortunately, Debi Davis, owner and founder of Debi Davis Interior Design, has a knack for making any living space feel like home. Her talents are in high demand across the Natural State and the country, and her design capabilities reach just as far and wide. Davis estimates that she puts more than 40,000 miles of mileage on her vehicle every year, traveling to do what she loves and delivering one-of-a-kind designs for her clients’ homes. Her imagination is fueled by her clients’ desires, and she can work with any budget. She prides herself on being both functional and fashionable — and in the Davis design world, it’s always timeless, not trendy. “Always remember, a trend is a temporary direction,” she says. “Design concentrates on a specific period of time, so remember to not overdo a certain trend when designing a new project. I find that my clients are happier in the long run when I inject conventional designs with contemporary elements.”

Debi Davis Interior Design - 501-221-2032 - debidavisinteriordesign.com / debidavisinteriordesign / debidavisinteriordesign 80

THE FACE OF WOMEN’S WELLNESS

DRIP LOUNGE

Drip Lounge is a mobile IV hydration and vitamin therapy business with a goal of improving its patrons’ overall health and wellness. “Many adults are dehydrated at baseline or could use a nutrition boost, not to mention the impact of humidity, sports, chronic illness, jet lag, the common cold or late-night parties,” says owner Heather L. Whaley, MD. “We deliver convenient, customized hydration and vitamin therapy on-demand.” From customized, in-home therapy, to multi-day events with hundreds of participants, Drip Lounge is able to travel and scale to fit your needs. Drip Lounge is physician-owned and operated, and has supported large and small events, on-site, all across Arkansas — from the Ozarks to the Delta. Whaley believes that its mobile delivery is what truly sets it apart from others. Currently, Drip Lounge is launching a home IV membership to provide recurring, premium service where people need it most. “Seeing patients improve their quality of life is my No. 1 goal, and it is very satisfying,” Whaley says. “With Defy Age Med Spa and Drip Lounge hydration therapy, we can help even more people improve everyday life, sport-specific performance, recover from a night out or manage a chronic illness.”

Drip Lounge - 501-900-6331 - driploungear.com / driploungeAR / defyagemedspa 81

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THE FACE OF COSMETIC SURGERY

DEVLIN COSMETIC SURGERY MICHAEL A. DEVLIN, M.D.

Dr. Michael Devlin believes the key to providing excellent care is getting to know a patient on a more personal level. He and his aesthetic team take time to get to know your lifestyle, personality and your aesthetic goals in order to provide you with the results that you will love. He has helped thousands of men and women across Arkansas and beyond to feel more beautiful and confident in their bodies through skillfully performed breast, body and facial cosmetic surgery. Practicing cosmetic surgery since 2001, he has mastered the art of blending science and art. “The most important thing with cosmetic surgery is that you make it look as natural as possible,” says Dr. Devlin. His most common surgical procedures include breast augmentation, tummy tucks, and liposuction for the body and facelifts, browlifts and eyelid surgery for the face. Dr. Devlin also offers non-surgical options, injectables, lasers, peels and medical-grade skincare products. Dr. Devlin’s work demonstrates the importance of looking good and feeling even better. “I treat every patient as if they are my own family.” Devlin Cosmetic Surgery • 501-227-8811 • drdevlin.com /devlincosmeticsurgery

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THE FACE OF FINANCIAL PLANNING

APRIL POLLARD, FINANCIAL ADVISOR, CRPC April Pollard, a financial advisor with Edward Jones and the founder of Women Influencers, her team loves treating their clients like family. “We build lifelong strategic partnerships with our clients as if they were our own family,” Pollard says. “Understanding what is most important to them, as an individual, is the foundation of what we do. It’s about their goals, their long-term and short-term objectives and partnering with them as they build, protect and ultimately transfer their wealth to their family or organizations they love.” Pollard has had a passion for finance and economics since she was in high school. “I learned how to trade stock in high school because of the Economics Arkansas’ Stock Market Game. I was hooked. While in college I was the weird friend reviewing my friend’s parents’ 401k portfolios and helping them to build stronger accounts while reading Financial Advisor & Money magazine. I’m a nerd about what I do,” Pollard says. “I was constantly learning and building my expertise, all the way back in high school. Now, I get to do it for a living, guiding my clients through all phases of their lives, knowing that my expertise can help my clients build long-lasting family legacies, even after they are gone.” Women Influencers is a local organization founded on the principle that women want more and deeper connections with other women in their professional lives. “Competition creates silos when we would all be stronger to lift and encourage each other. There is plenty out there for all of us,” Pollard says. “Let’s stop competing and start connecting — lifting and encouraging each other, even if we are in the same industry.” April Pollard - 501-907-5747 - edwardjones.com/april-pollard /aprilpollardedwardjones

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THE FACE OF IN-HOME CARE

ELDER INDEPENDENCE HOME CARE Elder Independence Home Care has been serving Central Arkansas for 22 years. At Elder Independence, you’ll find a dedicated staff that offers in-home, nonmedical care, assistance with basic activities necessary for independent living, medication reminders, bathing, incontinence and dressing, light housekeeping, hygiene and grooming assistance, companionship and cheerful conversation, grocery shopping, transportation, meal preparation, hospice support, Alzheimer’s and dementia care and hospital sitting. Elder Independence also provides special-needs care to all ages, and its services can be short- or long-term — from as little as one hour to 24/7 care. Locally owned and operated, Elder Independence Home Care was founded in 1999 by Mike Gross. Kim Clatworthy became a partner with Gross in 2012 and purchased the business in 2014. Clatworthy describes herself as an old soul. “My whole life I have always identified with older people,” she says. “My paternal grandmother lived in the home with us, being cared for by my parents. Caring for people has always come naturally to me. As well as connecting people to resources to help them live healthier, happier lives.” One of Clatworthy’s greatest achievements is the co-founding of the Arkansas Hospice Angels program in honor of a friend who passed away. Her friend expressed concerns about not having a legacy. The Arkansas Hospice Angels program provides opportunities for caregivers and hospice patients to experience a last wish or a dream. It’s apparent that Clatworthy is determined to make sure that no one is left behind. It’s this determination and concern for others that Clatworthy exhibits at Elder Independence Home Care.

Elder Independence Home Care - 501-847-6102 - elderindependence.com

THE FACE OF NEW PRINTING & WRAP TECHNOLOGIES

GAMETIME WRAPS

Since its founding in 2017, GameTime Wraps has become one of the fastest-growing graphics companies in the country. “This business began as an idea roughly 10 years ago that was born from a conversation with a friend in the coatings industry who asked if we could make my vinyl graphics stick to his gym floor polyurethane,” says Robert Sahr, founder and managing partner, adding that his ability to merge the two industries has been unlike anything seen before in the sports floor industry. “Fast forward to today, my partners (Wes Kirtley of Little Rock, AR and Robbins Sports Surfaces of Cincinnati, OH) and I have turned that idea into a viable business which is pushing the newest graphics technologies to companies and contractors all across the country.” It’s no secret that the specialty at GameTime Wraps is their custom vehicle wraps — be it fleet graphics for your business or something more specific for the personal car enthusiast — but their wide array of services does not end where the rubber meets the road. GameTime Wraps also provides storefront graphics, interior graphics, architectural dimensional graphics, banners and even coroplast and dibond signage. GameTime’s patented permanent vinyl floor graphics systems have launched the company’s success onto the national stage, first, having designed the basketball court for Baylor University, the reigning NCAA Men’s National Basketball Champions, while also having been very recently highlighted on ESPN, Fox Sports and several other media outlets for their recent full-court wrap execution at Paul Quinn College in Dallas, Texas, where many are calling it “the hottest court in the country.” “If we could wish for one thing”, Sahr says, “it would be that our local customers and potential new business partners could know that when they choose GameTime, they are choosing so much more than the typical wrap shop. With quality products, incredible craftsmanship, and people who take pride in the work they produce, our mindset is simple — always go beyond what the customer expects. In turn, they reward us by coming back and spreading the word. GameTime has recently begun manufacturing its own sealer and finish products in-house, where they will continue to drive the industry forward with new and improved technologies and systems. GameTime Wraps - 501-771-WRAP - gametimewraps.com - gametimerevolution.com 85

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THE FACE OF CELEBRATIONS

GRETCHEN LARKAN EVENTS Gretchen Larkan Events is a wedding and event planning company with a mission to create unique, one-of-a-kind experiences for clients and their guests. Gretchen Larkan Events was founded in June 2021. “Designing an event to reflect their vision is my top priority,” says owner and founder Gretchen Larkan. “My favorite memories from growing up are helping my mom with parties and supper club dinners that were hosted at our home. It was then that I discovered my passion for serving others through hosting and planning events.” Larkan had never intended to make a career out of planning events. But after planning her own wedding in 2020, Larkan’s love for wedding planning was reaffirmed. “After years of encouragement by my peers in the industry, I am excited to get back to my ‘roots’ in planning all of life's milestone celebrations for my clients,” she says. After graduating from the University of Arkansas in 2015 with a bachelor of science in nutrition and hospitality, Larkan started working as an event assistant in the wedding industry in Northwest Arkansas. In the wedding off-season, she planned several corporate events and thrived in the fast-paced environment. That was when Larkan’s corporate event planning career began. “For the past six years, I have had the opportunity to work in the nonprofit, health care and technology industries, and have loved building relationships in the talented event vendor community we have in Arkansas and serving my clients in various sectors of the industry,” she says.

Gretchen Larkan Events - 870-930-7854 - gretchenlarkanevents.com / gretchenlarkanevents / gretchenlarkanevents

THE FACE OF FAMILY DENTISTRY

HEATHMAN FAMILY AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY Monty Heathman, DDS, is the founder and owner of Heathman Family and Cosmetic Dentistry and the Dental Clinic at Stuttgart. Dr. Heathman is a member of the American Dental Association, the Arkansas State Dental Association, the Central Arkansas District Dental Society, and he has served in various local and national dental organizations. Heathman is an Arkansas native from Springdale. He obtained his bachelor of science degree from the University of Arkansas and his Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in 2000. He is a second-generation dentist, following in his father’s footsteps, the late Dr. Norman “Dwight” Heathman Jr. After practicing in Springdale for 10 years, Heathman moved to Little Rock. He worked as an associate for a couple of years until he founded Heathman Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Little Rock and the Dental Clinic at Stuttgart. “The best part of my job is developing patient relationships over the years and my passion for the many disciplines of dentistry,” Heathman says. “What gives me and my team the greatest satisfaction is to see the transformation of our patients’ oral health, and their trust in us as their family dental home. We take pride in listening to our patients’ wants and needs in order to guide them on their journey, and to deliver exceptional service in a kind, caring and understanding manner. We use state-of-the-art techniques and equipment in order to deliver healthy and happy smiles.” Both clinics serve both children and adults and provide many services, such as prophylaxis (cleanings), toothcolored fillings, crowns, bridges, extractions, implant restorations, root canal therapy, veneers, smile makeovers, allon-four fixed dentures, Botox and dermal fillers. For the patient who might have anxiety, the clinics also provide nitrous oxide and other therapies in order to make appointments as comfortable as possible. “Our primary goal is to serve others,” Heathman says. “I remind our team of this every day. That’s our mantra.” Heathman Family and Cosmetic Dentistry - 501-223-3838 - heathmanfamilydentistry.com

THE FACE OF BEAUTY

LASERCARE SKIN CLINIC Dr. Bruce Sanderson is the magician behind some of Arkansas’ most beautiful faces. Sanderson is an internal medicine specialist and diagnostician, an occupation he has been practicing in the state for more than 40 years. In 2006, Sanderson was moved to open Lasercare Skin Clinic after receiving laser skin treatments himself to remove squamous cell carcinoma on his face. “I was amazed at what laser skin rejuvenation could do,” he says. “I studied under some of the leading cosmetic dermatologists and plastic surgeons in both Los Angeles and New York. I also attended Harvard University seminars to ensure that Lasercare Skin Clinic is always able to provide its patients with the most cutting-edge and effective treatments in the world of aesthetics today.” Lasercare Skin Clinic offers skin treatments, fillers and injectables, advanced micro needling, as well as tattoo removal and other fancy facial treatments and excellent skin care products. Sanderson’s daughter, Natalie, is the clinic’s boardcertified esthetician. Together, the father-daughter duo live by the clinic’s favorite motto: “You are never too old to become younger.” “Our business is small and allows us to fully invest in our clients and provide customized treatments and attention we believe they deserve,” Sanderson says.

Lasercare Skin Clinic - 501-232-6419 - lasercareskinclinic.com

THE FACE OF LAW LAW OFFICES OF KATHERINE E. BLACKMON Katherine Blackmon Carroll is the owner and managing attorney of the Law Offices of Katherine E. Blackmon, which is a trauma-informed family law firm with an emphasis on helping clients navigate difficult times with empathy and expertise. After Carroll passed the bar exam and received her license to practice, she began renting a one-room office in the Centre Place building in downtown Little Rock. “I asked God to send me clients in the area of law where I was most needed, and my first custody case walked through the door,” Carroll says. “More than two decades later, I own the 11th floor in that same building, and I am still practicing family law.” For as proud as Katherine Blackmon Carroll is of her own accomplishments, she is even more proud of and thankful for her team — the people who truly make her law firm thrive. Senior associate attorney Allison Koile has practiced law since 2011 and attributes the biggest break of her professional career to date as joining the Law Offices of Katherine E. Blackmon. "I was attracted to Katherine's tenacity, dedication to her clients, and the close-knit group she has created of exceptional attorneys and staff. We are a collaborative team and quick to respond to emails or answer a phone call, even on the weekends or at night." Associate attorney Alexandra Waddell believes that their firm is special. "The expertise, dedication, and hearts of the attorneys and staff is unique as are Katherine's fantastic litigation skills and the willingness and ability of the firm to adapt to best serve our client's needs on a case by case basis." Associate attorney Jalen Toms wanted to work in an area where she felt as if she was helping people. "I love being there for the people in my community and making sure they feel like they have a confidant to help them through this difficult time in their life." Toms feels that she works with a truly one of a kind law firm. Under Carroll’s leadership, the team at the Law Offices of Katherine E. Blackmon fights aggressively for their clients and just as frequently talks their clients through the emotions that go hand-in-hand with experiencing a divorce or custody matter. “I think people would be surprised to know that while we are a tough group of attorneys, we are also a very sensitive group of people,” Carroll says. “We genuinely care not just about the case but how our clients feel while going through it and, ultimately, how they feel when their case is over.” Law Offices of Katherine E. Blackmon - 501-372-7636 / KEBlackmon 89

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THE FACE OF NWA REAL ESTATE

LINDSEY & ASSOCIATES, INC. Lindsey & Associates is a hyper-local, results-driven real estate company specializing in all areas of real estate — from residential to commercial and land to rentals. With more than 250 professional agents and three locations, Lindsey & Associates is positioned to help you with any of your real estate needs, anywhere in Northwest Arkansas. The thing that makes Lindsey & Associates special is the people who work for the company. The salesforce at Lindsey & Associates is one of the most highly trained, caring, hard-working group of real estate agents in the industry. Owners Jim Lindsey and John David Lindsey have often been described as the “salt of the Earth.” If they tell you something, you can take it to heart. Combine those elements with an outstanding, attentive staff, and Lindsey & Associates becomes the perfect team to serve Northwest Arkansas’ real estate needs. Founded in 1973 by Jim Lindsey and JW Gabel, Lindsey & Associates set out to create a custom-tailored experience for Arkansans determined to find the space in which to build their dreams. “We believe in taking care of our people, and our people take care of the community,” says Senior Vice President and Executive Broker Mike Warner. “Our agents and staff work together to build relationships with our clients. That teamwork element across our three offices not only fosters efficiency but brings us all joy. We know we can lean on each other and that is a breath of fresh air.” After a successful 28 year career in banking and finance, Warner moved to Northwest Arkansas in 2003. He received his real estate license in 2005 and his broker’s license in 2010. He is the 2021 President of the Northwest Arkansas Board of Realtors and a Zone Director at the Arkansas Realtors Association.

Lindsey & Associates, Inc. - 479-721-2701 - lindsey.com

THE FACE OF FAMILY FUN

LITTLE ROCK ZOO

As the only Association of Zoos & Aquariums-accredited institution in the state of Arkansas, the Little Rock Zoo inspires people to value and conserve our natural world. The Little Rock Zoo is a leading cultural attraction in Central Arkansas, and one of the largest attractions in the state. The zoo provides recreational opportunities for families and educates the public about the importance of saving wildlife and wild places for future generations. Not only does the zoo serve Arkansans with a family-friendly educational experience, but it also impacts conservation efforts worldwide. The Little Rock Zoo is able to thrive under the leadership of a talented and dedicated team of individuals, including Susan Altrui, Little Rock Zoo Director; Joy E. Matlock, JD, Director of Marketing and Development; Christy Garrett, Director of Guest Experience; and Dustin Bean, Special Events Coordinator. “There are more than 500 animals who make their home at the Little Rock Zoo on our 33 acres. More than 200 species are represented, many of which are endangered,” Matlock says. “The zoo participates in important conservation breeding programs and also coordinates with partner organizations to help save species in the wild. Our education efforts inspire the next generation of scientists, researchers and conservationists.” Garrett explains that, “The Little Rock Zoo is the only place that the majority of Arkansans would have the opportunity to see lions, tigers, gorillas, elephants and so many more animals.” “Another thing that makes us special is our people,” Bean adds. “Our staff all work from their hearts and want to see the world become a better place for all living things. Our entire staff work to make sure we are working to make our mission a reality. Special events are critical for attracting guests, raising funds and creating opportunities to educate our guests on the importance of conservation.” The Little Rock Zoo was founded in 1926 with an abandoned timber wolf and a circus-trained bear. Many of the buildings that still stand today were built in the 1930s under the Workers Progress Administration (WPA) of the Roosevelt Administration. Little Rock Zoo - 501-661-7200 - littlerockzoo.com / zoolr

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THE FACE OF BRIDAL SALONS

LOW’S BRIDAL

Forty-four years ago, Low’s Bridal started with one woman, six wedding dresses and a dream to put smiles on brides’ faces. That same bridal store, now owned and operated by Margo Low’s daughter, Dorcas Prince, is still putting smiles on brides, just with a few more dresses in stock. “Low’s is in the top five bridal salons in the U.S., in both sales and inventory,” Prince says. “In-store, we have around 2,500 wedding dresses in sizes 0-34, with one of the most inclusive plus-size departments in the bridal industry.” During the pandemic, that stock of inventory became even more vital. In fact, Low’s has increased its inventory over the past year because wedding dresses are taking much longer to produce and ship. “Brides do not always have time to special order,” Prince says. “We carry dresses of all sizes, styles and colors that are available immediately.” Getting to where the store is today was not without its challenges. Prince and her husband began the process of purchasing Low’s Bridal from her mother in 1994 after a little push. “The building we are currently in was The Great Southern Hotel, which my husband and I owned as a bed and breakfast and did catering for brides that visited my mother’s store,” Prince says. “The building was hit by a tornado in 1994 that ripped the roof off and put 8 inches of water through the building. We had to decide what to do. The answer was to rework the building and make it Low’s Bridal. Low’s is by the ‘Grace of God and a freak of nature.’” Prince believes that a bride’s reaction is everything. Through natural disasters, pandemics and finding the perfect dress, love conquers all.

Low’s Bridal - 870-734-3244 - lowsbridal.com

THE FACE OF COFFEE

MUGS COFFEE CO.

Mugs Coffee Co. owns multiple coffee cafe concepts, including Mugs Café, Mylo Coffee Co. and Mugs Roasting Co. Mugs Cafe has two locations, with the flagship location in the Argenta district of North Little Rock and the second in the Heights area of Little Rock. Mylo Coffee Co. and Mugs Roasting Co. are in the Hillcrest community. At its core, Mugs Coffee Co. is a craft coffee company that takes pride in roasting the best coffee possible. Their cafes allow these coffee locations to showcase their beverages as well as their made-from-scratch breakfast, lunch and pastry items. Owners Michael Hickmon and Matt Runnells proclaim that their success is due to its hard-working staff. “Our team is full of very talented individuals,” the owners say. “Our Head Roaster Josh Brown brings years of experience sourcing and roasting coffee. From selecting our green coffee, to ensuring the quality of each cup served, Josh’s love for this industry shows through in his final product. We are lucky to have some of the best baristas and chefs in Arkansas. This team allows us to be creative with our coffee and food menus and provide our customers with what they expect when dining at one of our cafes.” Just as important, Hickmon and Runnells give thanks to a host of devoted customers and Arkansans. “We love being able to serve our local community and loyal customer base. We are fortunate to be in three great neighborhoods in the Central Arkansas area and have customers that we know by name. We love being able to serve these areas with locally roasted coffee and made from scratch food each day.”

Mugs Coffee Co. - Mugscoffeecompany.com

THE FACE OF FITNESS

MCCLURE FITNESS

There’s an old saying about making your own path if you don’t find one that leads to the destination you’re looking for. McClure Fitness, the largest fitness gym in Arkansas, is a great example of this saying. “As a young professional, I couldn’t find the style of workouts I wanted to do after work,” says owner Marietta McClure. “A local community center, Bishop Park in Bryant, let me hold a couple of workout classes. It was definitely a slow start, but the word of mouth success stories kept the classes growing.” Growing is an understatement, as there were 75 to 100 people showing up to one of her classes. She quit her fulltime job, opened McClure Fitness in 2013 with nine trainers and 40 classes a week, and the rest is history. Now offering more than 65 classes a week, online workouts and a staff of more than 30 people, McClure Fitness is the place where all can find their path — and maybe a few friends along the way. “We meet our clients every day wherever they’re at — broken, happy, sad, frustrated, stressed, etc.,” McClure says. “ McClure Fitness trainers get one hour with our clients, and our goal is for them to leave that hour in a different headspace. It’s a privilege we don’t take for granted. It’s not just about a calorie burn, it’s about investing in others’ lives. It’s a form of ministry; it’s a very special outlet.” Big moves are on the horizon at McClure Fitness, which includes having a franchise in the works. They believe that this style of gym — with multiple classes all in one spot — is the future of fitness.

McClure Fitness - 501-269-1662 - mcclurefitness.com

THE FACE OF COMMUNITY GATHERINGS

NEXUS COFFEE & CREATIVE

Nestled on the corner of South Cumberland Street and President Clinton Avenue is a coffee shop brewing more than just cappuccinos and chai. Nexus Coffee & Creative started out with a dream on a napkin between founder Amy Counce and her father, Matt Moorehead. “The ‘why’ and heartbeat behind the company is community; taking care of each customer by showing them value and making sure they feel seen,” says founder Amy Counce. “The ‘how’ is through coffee, roasting, baking and events.” Three years into the business, Nexus Coffee & Creative has expanded to include a local mercantile supporting other locally crafted businesses and makers. Community is an integral part of Nexus, and community begins inside the doors of the coffee shop. “As a teammate, friend and leader, I am most proud of our team members. I am proud of who they are and how they have grown into the leaders they are today. I am proud of the strengths and gifts they bring to the table. I am proud of their voices and the story they each tell as they make their dreams come alive at Nexus,” Counce says. “We believe in the ‘inside out’ model. We strive to empower and take care of our family, so they can take care of our community and customers.”

Nexus Coffee & Creative - 501-295-7515 - nexuscoffeear.com / nexuscoffeear / nexuscoffeear

THE FACE OF PAIN MANAGEMENT

PAIN TREATMENT CENTERS OF AMERICA DR. MERAJ SIDDIQUI Pain Treatment Centers of America (PTCOA) is Arkansas’ largest fully comprehensive pain management practice with multiple locations across the state. In 2014, Drs. Ronald Tilley and Meraj Siddiqui acquired Dr. Carl Covey’s Little Rock-based practice, which ultimately became PTCOA. Since then, it has become home to numerous board-certified, fellowship-trained physicians, highly qualified mid-level practitioners and staff with one focus – to help restore the quality of life for their patients. Pain Treatment Centers of America uses state-of-the-art surgery centers, medication monitoring, CLIA certified labs, physical therapy and regenerative medicine in its quest to achieve this goal for its patients. Dr. Siddiqui became the sole owner of Pain Treatment Centers of America in 2018, and he has continued to promote a culture of mutual respect and a high level of compassion for patients as well as staff. He firmly believes that every staff member at PTCOA plays an integral role in a patient’s medical journey and their combined collective intelligence and open-mindedness makes this organization unique. “Pain management first sparked my interest when my father was diagnosed with diabetes. I witnessed him suffer greatly with severe leg pain,” Siddiqui says. “He didn’t have many options for chronic pain management associated with the disease, so I pursued a career in pain management because I wanted to make it more prevalent and available.” Dr. Siddiqui is a member of multiple nationally recognized societies, has taught courses on pain management, published several articles in peer-reviewed journals and is actively involved in pain management research through Lyon’s College in Batesville. Dr. Siddiqui knows the power of patient education and the vital role it plays in pain management. “Seeing the improvement in the quality of life of our patients is what brings me the most joy,” he says. “Watching a patient go from barely walking to having an active lifestyle is profound.” Pain Treatment Centers of America - 844-215-0731 - ptcoa.com / ptcoa

/ ptcoamerica

/ pain-treatment-centers-of-america

THE FACE OF SPECIAL EVENTS

PARTY TIME RENTAL AND EVENTS Party Time Rental and Events is an event rental and planning company that provides all of the items and guidance for people to have an event of a lifetime. With a dedicated and diversified team of professionals, the crew at Party Time is determined to make sure people have a party to remember. Established by the Smith family in 1980, Party Time has been serving Arkansas for decades and ensuring that every event is a smashing success. Owner Ray Imbro purchased the company in 2005 and has been at the helm for the last 16 years. He says that “a successful person is someone who is willing to do the things that failures will not.” Even though he is a successful business owner, Imbro considers his greatest accomplishment to be his family.

Party Time Rental and Events - 501-224-3133 - partytimerentalandevents.com 97

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THE FACE OF WEDDING PLANNING

PERCEPTION BY ANNA DICKINSON Anyone who’s been through it can attest that your wedding is among both the most exciting and most trying moments of your life. To help with the latter and make even better the former, Anna Dickinson created Perception in 2017, a white glove service company offering planning, design and coordination for weddings and events. “After I sold my store White Goat to another designer in Little Rock, I had to keep creating,” Dickinson says. “I was asked by a good friend to plan her 400-person black-tie country club wedding. I was hooked. I fell in love with the design process, and the vendors embraced me every step of the way.” In just a few short years, Dickinson has made quite a mark on the industry, recently becoming the contracted and exclusive wedding and event planner for P. Allen Smith’s Moss Mountain Farm. “These are not just parties — these are people’s weddings!” Dickinson says. “The very thing that little girls dream of and act out while playing. We get to make that dream a reality. My favorite part is the moment the bride sees her reception room for the first time. The ‘WOW’ factor and her reaction is my ‘why.’”

Perception by Anna Dickinson - 501-920-8015 - perceptionbyanna.com / perceptionbyanna / perceptionbyannadickinson 98

THE FACE OF LITTLE ROCK

POWERWOMEN

The PowerWomen platform is social media-based and designed to encourage, mentor and leverage women in the community toward higher achievement in order to live a big life without limiting beliefs. This is also done through the organization’s monthly newsletter, podcast, news segment, coaching and book, Ring or Fling. After becoming single and struggling in the dating space in 2019, Claire Brown, founder of PowerWomen, experienced heartbreak. “My journaling took off at a high level, and it was then I realized the lack in my world was close relationships with women,” Brown says. “So, I contacted some moms at my kids’ school and church, put the six of us in a private Facebook group, and Little Rock PowerWomen was formed.” The group grew from six members to more than 1,500 in fewer than three weeks. Almost three years later, Little Rock PowerWomen now has more than 11,000 members, providing empowerment platforms to the many women who’ve joined. The mission continues to be fulfilled daily by leveraging one woman at a time.

PowerWomen - 501-454-3480 - thepowerwomen.org Little Rock PowerWomen, Little Rock PowerMoms, NWA PowerWomen, PowerWomen of Real Estate

THE FACE OF CUSTOM HOME BUILDERS

RIVER ROCK BUILDERS

River Rock Builders of Central Arkansas was founded by Patty and Keith Wingfield in 1999. For two decades, it has brought dream homes to life through state-of-the-art virtual technology and superior energy efficiency. Patty has since retired and retains an advisory role with the company; Keith maintains oversight of the day-to-day operations. River Rock is responsible for not only some of the most dazzling homes in the state but also the most innovative. Keith is a Certified Graduate Builder, Certified Green Professional and LEED AP, and River Rock is the most active Energy Star® Builder in Central Arkansas. In fact, River Rock built only the third single-family home in the world to meet L.E.E.D. v4.1 Platinum standards. This project was the nationwide winner of Outstanding Single Family Project of the Year and People’s Choice Residential Project of the Year by the United States Green Building Council. What also sets the company apart is its in-house 3D design capabilities that enable the team to give clients a unique experience where they can virtually walk the space of their dream home before it becomes reality. And because Keith and the team love to accept a challenge, they also have a penchant for building on difficult terrain. Whether it’s a charming home built on a steep hillside, something modern perched on a ridge or a transitional-styled home hanging off both sides of a mountain, there is hardly a limit to what location they will take on next. “I often say that we are married to the client during construction, and in some cases forever,” Keith says. “We have to work together to achieve a common goal much like a husband and wife work together to make a good marriage. Our ultimate goal is always the same on every project, and that is to make the customer happy. We want customers to have the home of their own dreams.” River Rock Builders - 501-225-4134 - riverrockbuilders.net

THE FACE OF CATERING

RIVERSIDE GROCERY AND CATERING Arkansans take food seriously, and luckily, so does Riverside Grocery and Catering. Located off the banks of the Saline River, the little convenience store and restaurant has the goods for every meal. “Our company is not fancy, but it is run by good people who care about each other and taking care of the customer,” says owner Rick Bellinger. “We provide food that is second to none, and we are proud of what we do. It makes no difference if you just stop for gas, need a drink, want to eat in the store or hire us to cook for your group, we are going to do our best to give you quality and great customer service.” Bellinger and his wife, Mattie, cook up homestyle meals including biscuits and gravy, fresh-ground sausage, smoked meats, their famous catfish and so many more options that they have to change up the menu every day. “Lunch can be anything from tacos to fried pork chops, to meatloaf, to Salisbury steak — depends on the mood of the cook, and what they have to work with,” he says. “Thursdays are always BBQ days with fresh BBQ pork, smoked chicken, beef brisket and pork ribs. Friday is catfish day with catfish and all the fixins’ served from 10:30 am to 8 pm.” The couple added a mobile kitchen 10 years ago to take their food on the road and cater for parties, weddings, family reunions — basically any event under the sky. They have since added two more mobile kitchens to cover more ground and give the people what they want. Whether shopping the store, dining in, taking out or catering, the only thing that matters is the good food that’s always there. Riverside Grocery and Catering - 501-794-0329 - riversidegrocery.com 101

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THE FACE OF FINE DINING

ROOTS RESTAURANT

Roots Restaurant is a modern fine dining establishment highlighting cuisine from both of the owners’ Southern and Ecuadorian cultures. The Lowe family believes in empowering the local community by sourcing their product as much as they can from farmers around the region, always taking into consideration the seasonality of their product. Roots Restaurant’s menu changes completely every three months, according to season. Paula and Karl Lowe are a husband and wife team that have a passion for what they do. “Being two chefs in house with different backgrounds helps us complement each other in every menu we develop and as a company itself,” they explain. “Our diversity is a big part of what makes us special. Our slogan sums it up best: ‘Kitchen, Culture, Community.’” Showcasing cuisine from two very different backgrounds has helped Roots Restaurant become what it is today. “We are very proud of partnering with farmers, as this insurance is the best product we can get and empowers our community by sourcing products from local farmers,” the owners say. “Respecting seasonality is very important for us. The impact on sourcing only seasonal product is huge as a restaurant, from produce to fish and shellfish. This is why our menu changes completely with every season.” Roots Restaurant was founded in spring 2019, fulfilling the culinary dreams of the Lowes.

Roots Restaurant - 870-336-1212 - rootsrestaurant303.com / roots303 / rootsrestaurant303

THE FACE OF LEADERSHIP

SCHOOL OF MAN

All of us have had a moment in life where we have fallen in a rut or two. The School of Man (SoM) is waiting with an outstretched hand to pull stumbling men back up. “It’s an organization of like-minded men who have come together individually to not only better themselves mentally, physically, emotionally and relationally but in turn to better each man within the group,” says Cole Rodgers, founder and lead follower of SoM. “It’s a pay-it-forward program.” Bringing together men from all walks of life to strengthen the mind and body, SoM’s foundation is built on the mission of rebuilding and being reborn. “I founded SoM out of my own personal pain,” Rodgers says. “I didn’t know it at the time, but it eventually became my ‘why.’ Searching for a men’s group that embraced vulnerability, extreme accountability and attention to results, I set out on a new course to create something to help men truly become reborn and seek the progress they long for.” SoM works by many mottos, but one rings the loudest to Rodgers and his brotherhood. “‘One Team, One Fight.’ Why? Because it is what we are all about — brotherhood and family. And when life delivers a knock at the door, we as a family will fight together what is on the other side,” Rodgers says. “Aroooo!”

School of Man - schoolofman.live / theschoolofman / theschoolofman 103

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THE FACE OF GAMING

SARACEN CASINO RESORT Saracen Casino Resort is very unique: It is the first purpose-built licensed casino in Arkansas history and the state’s first Las Vegas-style experience. Saracen has created 900 jobs in Jefferson County since its opening — and has no plans of stopping anytime soon. Owned by the Quapaw Nation of Oklahoma, Saracen Casino Resort gained its gaming license when Quapaw leadership, along with lobbyist Don Tilton, worked to make the case for a license locally. In the end, others seeking the Jefferson County license chose not to swim upriver, and instead focused on Russellville. Carlton Saffa, the chief market officer at Saracen Casino Resort, was the first employee of the organization, hired in June 2019. Saffa is a graduate of the University of Arkansas. He and his wife, Kristen, live in Little Rock with their young children, Stella and Charlie. “I am most proud of the jobs we’ve created in Jefferson County,” Saffa says. “These jobs were created without government subsidy, and our gaming taxes have allowed for long-needed local first responder pay raises.” Saffa has often been called an “action-junkie.” He says, “The draw of a $300 million project with such a high profile, coupled with the complexities of the gaming business, was irresistible.”

Saracen Casino Resort - 870-686-9001 - saracenresort.com

THE FACE OF STEAK RED OAK STEAKHOUSE, SARACEN CASINO RESORT Red Oak Steakhouse at Saracen Casino Resort is not just another steakhouse. At Red Oak, you’ll find nothing but the top cuts of meat, as well as in-house-aged beef. Red Oak is one of only 38 restaurants in America that offers authentic Japanese Kobe Beef. With appetizers and sides that are only found in fine dining, world-class establishments, Red Oak pushes the boundaries on what guests expect out of a luxury dining experience. When Executive Chef Joe Coleman was 8 years old, he moved to the Philippines for three years. “At that time, my grandfather, who was a chef and didn’t speak English, used to wake me up at 5 in the morning to go to the local market,” he says. “I distinctly remember the smell was not very pleasant, and animals were being slaughtered in front of me, and it was also very loud. We would walk up and down the market, and he would put food in my hand, making a gesture for me to eat it. From that time, I was hooked on the idea of making special creations with just about every type of food available.” Coleman states that he’s only as good as his worst chef — that’s why he’s determined to make sure that everyone in the kitchen is performing at their very best. “As a chef, I like to take risks and push myself to create new dishes — things that I have never done before,” he says. “I’m fortunate to work for the Quapaw tribe, Saracen Casino Resort, the management team and my staff, who all share the same values and ambitions as I do. When taking risks and trying new things, it requires critical support and vision — and that’s what we have here.”

Red Oak Steakhouse - 870-686-9001 - saracenresort.com/dining/red-oak-steakhouse

THE FACE OF FILLERS AND BOTOX

SEI BELLA MED SPA

At Sei Bella Med Spa, you’ll find a staff committed to health, wellness and beauty. Whether you have a desire to slow down the effects of aging, contour your body nonsurgically, improve your skin or balance your hormones, Sei Bella Med Spa offers minimally invasive services proven to provide lasting results. Dr. Anne R. Trussell opened Sei Bella Med Spa in 2010 after practicing internal medicine for 20 years. She does all the injectables, fillers, Sculptra, Kybella and Botox, as well as Ultherapy and bioidentical hormone pellet replacement therapy. Sei Bella also offers laser resurfacing, laser hair removal, IPL and Sculpsure for permanent fat loss. The med spa has two aestheticians providing a full range of services including facials, chemical peels, extractions, Plasma Pen, Skin Classic, dermaplaning, Oxygeneo and microdermabrasion. Trussell explains how she discerned the call to the medical field. “I was always interested in science, and I read all 15 volumes of my grandmother's medical encyclopedia by the time I was in 6th grade,” she says. “The only other things I ever wanted to be besides a doctor were an artist or a hairdresser. Since I can hardly draw a stick figure and my mother and grandmother felt that hairdresser was not in my future after seeing the hairdos I did for them, I decided to stick with doctor.” Trussell shares how rewarding she finds her line of work. “What I love most about my job is helping people feel better about their appearance and feel better physically,” she explains. “It's so nice to see people who want to come to my office instead of coming because they have to.” Sei Bella Med Spa - 501-228-6237 - seibellamedspa.net 106

THE FACE OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT

SERENITY PARK RECOVERY CENTER

Serenity Park Recovery Center is a privately owned provider of sub-acute detox and residential substance use disorder treatment services. At Serenity Park, you’ll find a staff that is committed to providing holistic, evidence-based treatment to everyone they serve, empowering clients and their families to live sober and productive lives. Serenity Park strives to provide tools enabling a lifetime of recovery and healthy living. In everything that they do, Serenity Park strives to demonstrate a mindset of care that is spiritually based on the considerations and guidance of a higher power. It is the hope of every member of the Serenity Park team that each individual will see this power as it impacts them through the care received from those who provide services at Serenity Park. Under the guidance of CEO Tara Tinnin, Serenity Park is committed to educating the public concerning the disease concept of substance abuse related to recovery. At Serenity Park, a host of qualified and generous caregivers are committed to the perpetual study, evaluation and implementation of proven programs in the field of substance abuse.

Serenity Park Recovery Center - 501-313-0066 - serenityparkrecovery.com

THE FACE OF FINE JEWELRY

SISSY’S LOG CABIN

Sissy’s Log Cabin is a family-owned and operated jewelry destination with five locations — Pine Bluff, Little Rock, Jonesboro and Conway, as well as Memphis, Tennessee. The team at Sissy’s sells both modern and estate jewelry, timepieces, including namesake brand, Rolex, and more. With multiple graduate gemologists, as well as master jewelers and designers, Sissy’s is more than a retailer — it is a one-stop shop for jewelry design, craftsmanship, repair and life-long service. The “Sissy’s Experience” of high-quality jewelry and second-to-none customer service is what makes shopping at Sissy’s Log Cabin special. Under the direction of CEO Bill Jones, the staff at Sissy’s strives to make everyone feel at home when they walk through the door of any of the five locations. Sissy’s Log Cabin is dedicated to serving its customers and strives to be the place that people trust for any jewelry needs. In 1970, founder Sissy Jones decided to rent a log cabin on Camden Road in Pine Bluff. Estate jewelry emerged as the top item Jones appraised for her clients at what was then a decorating and antique store. Jones became a local jewelry authority to help her clients with valuations. She also began buying these heirloom pieces when clients offered to sell, thus beginning Sissy’s Log Cabin as it is known today. With her business growing as people came from near and far for jewelry appraisals and unique new finds, Jones knew it was time to fully commit her focus to jewelry. Joined by her son, Bill, and other members of the Jones family, Sissy’s Log Cabin has grown to be the pinnacle of jewelry and shopping. With a passion for helping communities, Sissy's Log Cabin gives to many charities each year. The company's motto "Because life's too short for ordinary jewelry" rings true with every interaction, and the Jones family legacy of making each person feel extraordinary when they visit Sissy's Log Cabin will continue for years to come. Sissy’s Log Cabin - 501-663-0066 - sissyslogcabin.com

THE FACE OF WINE AND SPIRITS

THE RIDGE WINE AND SPIRITS The Ridge Wine and Spirits is a fine wine, beer and liquor retailer. With a large selection of wine from all over the world, The Ridge has the luxury of service catered to the needs of each customer while also being able to purchase unique items or place special orders. In addition, The Ridge offers delivery, curbside service and drive-thru pickup. “We’re a local small business that focuses on catering to our customers’ wants,” says CEO Zach Gray. Gray outlines some of the many benefits of choosing The Ridge. “Our store has a wide array of customers who we cater to,” he says. “We enjoy helping a couple plan a wedding reception beverage list while staying on budget, as well as helping plan small birthday gatherings. Our staff can help find just the perfect bottle of wine for a special occasion or just a regular Thursday. We also provide corporate services as well, from specialized gifts at Christmas to corporate gatherings or retreats. We offer pre-set orders for our customers as well where they have a set product and quantity, they pick up either weekly or monthly, and we ensure these items are in stock and waiting with their name on them.” At The Ridge, you’ll find an attentive staff that thrives on customer interaction. Whether you’re a regular customer or new in town, the folks at The Ridge are eager to assist you with all of your beverage needs. Gray says that he enjoys the opportunity to continue learning. “There are so many facets of the wine/liquor/beer industry, and they are always changing,” he says. “It’s great to learn where these products originate from through to the finished product. Sharing this information with our customers is also a great connecting point.”

The Ridge Wine and Spirits - 11611 Cantrell Road, Little Rock - 501-225-8060 - theridgewineandspirits.com

THE FACE OF EXOTIC CATS

TURPENTINE CREEK WILDLIFE REFUGE Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is a nonprofit rescue facility created to care for the neglected and abused victims of the exotic animal trade. Turpentine Creek is dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating these exotic animals to full health. The refuge’s 459-acre ranch is situated amid the Ozark Mountains, 7 miles south of Eureka Springs. Under the leadership of Tanya Smith, Turpentine Creek is one of the most extensive facilities of its kind open to the public anywhere in the world. Exotic cats have been rescued from many states, including Arkansas, Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, New York, Kansas, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Montana and Tennessee. They are provided a home in a caring and nurturing environment. Turpentine Creek operates on the funds accrued through admissions, lodging, retail, donations, fundraising and adoptions. As a nonprofit, the refuge receives no federal, state or city funding and and rarely receives financial reimbursement when an animal is rescued. Much of the meat and animal food products fed to the big cats at Turpentine Creek is donated by several major Arkansas corporations, such as Tyson Foods and Walmart. Typically, the refuge feeds between 800-1,200 pounds of raw meat per day to their rescued friends. When asked about Turpentine Creek’s greatest achievement, Smith explains that, “Sharing TCWR’s mission is critical. We welcome school groups to the refuge and offer interactive tours for the students with our highly trained staff.” In 1997, Turpentine Creek established an internship program for students desiring more experience in the care of exotic cats and animals. Intern applicants are college graduates with degrees in the fields of zoology, biology, animal psychology, veterinary sciences and other animal-related areas. More than 500 biologists and zoologists now employed at zoos, sanctuaries and veterinary clinics worldwide have graduated from its internship program.

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge - 479-253-5841 - www.tcwr.org

THE FACE OF ARKANSAS ENTERTAINMENT

TYLER KINCH

Tyler Kinch is the lead singer of Kinch, a local band formed in 2019. Each band member has been involved in music for practically their entire lives, even being involved in other bands before finding their ways to each other. As far as Kinch himself is concerned, he believes that each of them was born for the stage. Kinch was raised around music and it has been a huge part of him all of his life. His father played in rock bands growing up, and gave Tyler his first guitar when he was 4 years old; he has been playing ever since. Kinch is also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Believe it or not, for a band frontman, he actually considers himself to be shy. But when his feet hit the stage and the music starts playing, all of that fades, and his true personality shines with the lights. The band Kinch is looking forward to releasing its debut album in 2022 and upcoming gigs with several big named country stars. The band also has an upcoming show with Granger Smith on December 4th at The Hall.

Kinch - kinchmusic.com / TylerKinchmusic / tylerkinchmusic

Your Guide to the

Holiday Season

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas — and Thanksgiving and the New Year and all things in between — everywhere we’ve been going. The five and ten is glistening once again. Back in seasonal vogue are the candy canes, silver lanes, just as well as the plump turkeys and honey hams or tofurkey and candied yams. All right, we know — it’s only November. But some of us with planning genes like to stay ahead of the crowd and check our lists (twice) a little early. It’s the most magical time of the year, after all, where’s the harm in enjoying it before it’s even begun? Anyway. One thing most can agree on is that the holiday season can be overwhelming at times. Presents here. Christmas lights there. A theater show here. Food over there. So, this year, we wanted to help you (and us) through it all with this resource guide to navigating the season in Arkansas. It’s not exhaustive by any means, but it is at least a great jumping-off point for all to utilize. From shopping to shows and bakeries to bows, we’ve got a little bit of everything for you here.

iday l o H y p Hap

LIGHT DISPLAYS

Arkansas State Capitol Little Rock

Bentonville Heart Lites Bentonville

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Christmas at the Park Jonesboro Conway Christmas Lights Extravaganza Conway Creekmore Holiday Lights Fort Smith Downtown Eureka Springs Eureka Springs Edgewater Neighborhood Maumelle Emma Avenue Christmas Parade Springdale Enchanted Land of Lights and Legends Pine Bluff Finney’s Christmas Wonderland Crossett Garvan Woodland Gardens Hot Springs

GloWild! at the Little Rock Zoo Little Rock Historic Downtown Holiday Lights Display Hot Springs

Lighting of the Square Bentonville Lights of the Delta Blytheville Lights of the Ozarks Fayetteville North Forest Lights Bentonville

North Hills Neighborhood North Little Rock Pleasant Ridge Town Center Little Rock Pleasant Valley Neighborhood Little Rock Reverse Christmas Parade Jacksonville

Searcy Holiday of Lights Searcy Sherwood’s Enchanted Forest Sherwood Stewart Family Christmas Lights Fayetteville The Heights and Hillcrest Neighborhoods Little Rock White River Wonderland Batesville Winter Nights and Magical Lights Camden

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Bright Colors For The Tree (Blues, Pinks & Golds)

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EVENTS

It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play November 23- December 31 Murry’s Dinner Playhouse, Little Rock Arkansas Craft Guild’s Christmas Showcase Dec. 3 Arkansas State Fairgrounds, Little Rock A Charlie Brown Christmas December 3-23 Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Little Rock A Christmas Carol December 3-26 TheaterSquared, Fayetteville Freedom Frosty 5k Dec. 4 Bentonville Million Dollar Quartet Christmas Dec. 4 Robinson Center, Little Rock

A Very SoNA Christmas December 11 Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville Ugly Sweater 5k Race and Elf Dash Dec. 11 Little Rock The Snowman: A Family Concert December 12 Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville Decor Trends

Metal and Ceramic Pieces Asymmetrical Wreaths Christmas Card Displays Rustic Foliage

Ballet Arkansas’ Nutty Nutcracker Dec. 9 Robinson Center, Little Rock The Holiday Channel Christmas Movie Wonderthon December 9-11 Fort Smith Little Theatre, Fort Smith Ballet Arkansas’ Nutcracker Spectacular Dec. 9-12 Robinson Center, Little Rock Christmas with CeCe Winans Dec. 10 Reynolds Performance Hall, Conway Conway Community Christmas Caroling Dec. 10 Red Curtain Theatre, Conway

The Heart Of Christmas December 11-26 TheaterSquared, Fayetteville Celtic Angels Christmas Dec. 16 Reynolds Performance Hall, Conway Kris Allen Holiday Spectacular: Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Dec. 17-19 Robinson Center, Little Rock Who’s Holiday December 17-20 The Studio Theatre, Little Rock The Polar Express December 23 Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville

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FOOD/CATERERS Big Sexy Food Springdale

Gina’s Catering Benton Glee! Festivities & Confectionaries gleeteehee.com Good Eatin’ Arkansas Central Arkansas

Blue Cake/Honey Pies Little Rock Bobbie D’s Southern Cuisine Little Rock Boulevard Bread Co. Little Rock

Burge’s Hickory Smoked Turkeys and Hams Little Rock Capitol Smokehouse and Grill Little Rock Community Bakery Little Rock Crave Catering Company Central Arkansas DownHome Restaurant & Catering Little Rock Etcetera Stuttgart Events! Catering North Little Rock Fire Dancer BBQ Benton

Gretchen Larkan Events Central/Northeast Arkansas Heritage Catering Little Rock Homer’s Restaurant Little Rock Honey Baked Ham Company Bentonville, Fayetteville, Jonesboro, Little Rock, North Little Rock IDK? CAFE + Catering Rogers Lindsey’s BBQ and Hospitality House North Little Rock PattiCakes Bakery Loca Luna Conway Little Rock Petit Jean Meats Low Ivy Catering Morrilton Decor Trends Little Rock Antique Tree Toppers Postmasters Grill Myrtie Mae’s Cafe Checkerboard Print Camden Eureka Springs Tablescaping Rabbit Ridge Farms Bee Branch Simply Divine Catering Bentonville Southern Food Company Fayetteville Taylor’s Made Cafe Conway Three Sams BBQ and Catering Mabelvale Trio’s Restaurant Little Rock Two Sisters Catering Sherwood Vibrant Occasions Catering Benton YGFBFKitchen Restaurant & Catering Conway

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DECORATORS/DECORATIONS Affordable Interior Design North Little Rock Alber’s Christmas Decor Fort Smith Amy Baker Interiors Hot Springs Bethany McMillion Finch Cabot Camden Flower Shop Camden Carrington Electric Pine Bluff Christmas Decor of Northwest Arkansas Lowell Christmas Light Installation Pros Benton

Curly Willow Designs Cabot Eve’s Interior Decorating Maumelle Four Seasons Landscaping Springdale Ground Crew, LLC Jonesboro

Guess and Company Des Arc Handsome Holiday Heroes Rogers Ho Ho Ho Lights Fayetteville Interpretations by Brenda Benton L West Jr Designs Little Rock Lights By Sparky Little Rock, Fayetteville, Conway, Hot Springs Patty’s Wreaths and Decor Jacksonville SheFlair Searcy

Silks A Bloom Little Rock

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Decor Trends Outdoor Winter Woodland Creatures Recycled Paper Wrapping Nostalgia/Vintage Decoration Pieces Large Bows On Doors Large Ornaments Knitted Blankets and Tree Scarfs

Tanarah Luxe Floral Little Rock The Details Fayetteville The Everyday Chef Jonesboro The Light Guys Installers Texarkana The Lighting Master Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, Springdale Tipton & Hurst Conway, Little Rock, Pine Bluff Wreaths By Lindsay Cabot

GIFTS A.G. Russell Knives Rogers

Aromatique aromatique.com Art Group Gallery Little Rock Box Turtle Little Rock Cinnalightful Gourmet Cinnamon Rolls cinnalightful.com Curly Willow Designs Cabot Eggshells Kitchen Co. Little Rock Fayettechill fayettechill.com Fischer’s Honey Co. fischerhoney.com Flowers & Home Bryant Fort Thompson Sporting Goods Sherwood Gearhead Outfitters Little Rock Gifts of Arkansas Little Rock Guess and Company Des Arc High Cotton Decor Little Rock House of Webster Rogers Kitchen Store & More Conway

Laura Stanley Personal Jeweler Little Rock LIVSN Outdoor Apparel livsndesigns.com Midtown Vintage Market Little Rock Ozark Outdoor Supply Little Rock Riffraff Fayetteville Rock City Outfitters Conway

Tipton & Hurst Conway, Little Rock, Pine Bluff Townsend Spice and Supply Melbourne

Decor Trends

Personalization and Thoughtfulness... Make Your Home You! The Vintage Mercantile Sherwood

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NOV 4 — JAN 15, 2022

GLOWILD! A LARGER THAN LIGHT EXPERIENCE

Learn more at LittleRockZoo.com

Arts & Culture, Inc.

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DOE'S KNOWS LUNCH & DINNER Locally owned & operated for 30 years!

Charcuterie Workshop Fall Workshop: 11/4/21 at Nexus Coffee & Creative Winter Workshop: December Date Announced Soon

FULL BAR & PRIVATE PARTY ROOM GRAZE by GLE is a collection of grazing tables and seasonal charcuterie boards by Gretchen Larkan Events

Gretchen Larkan gretchenlarkanevents.com/graze gretchen@gretchenlarkanevents.com 870-930-7854

T-F: lunch 11-2 t-th: dinner 5-8 fri & sat 5-9

1023 WEST MARKHAM • DOWNTOWN LITTLE ROCK 501-376-1195 • DOESEATPLACELR.COM

The state’s largest and longest running production is back in full force! Experience Ballet Arkansas’s beloved holiday tradition of the “Nutcracker Spectacular” with live music from the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, the 14 professional dancers of Ballet Arkansas, and a community cast of over 200 performers at the Robinson Center December 9-12, 2021. • Added performances on Thursday & Sunday evening, December 9th and 12th • Tickets start at $20 at www.balletarkansas.org/tickets For an extra dose of holiday cheer, experience a LAUGH OUT LOUD world premiere of the “Nutty Nutcracker” - appropriate for all ages!

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GLEE! curates party kits for birthdays and holidays conveniently delivered to your door. Every Box of GLEE! includes fun, bright, on-trend themed tableware, decorations, party favors, and an easy to assemble balloon garland. No driving from store to store or hours searching online for party supplies. A Box of GLEE! contains everything you need to host a stress free and enjoyable party for everyone. AND there’s cake! It’s so easy you’ll be singing:

“TEE-HEE-HEE!! OH, IT'S GLEE! A PARTY BOX WITH A CONFECTIONERY!”

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hope Is The Foundation. recovery Is The Journey. Quality Care Rooted in Arkansas

The pandemic has caused people to consume alcohol at unprecedented levels. The BridgeWay offers hope and recovery for adults struggling with alcohol or other substances. Led by Dr. Schay, a board-certified psychiatrist and addiction specialist, our continuum of care includes: • Medical detoxification • Partial hospitalization • Intensive outpatient program To learn more about our continuum of care for substance use disorders, call us at 1-800-245-0011. Physicians are on the medical staff of The BridgeWay Hospital but, with limited exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of The BridgeWay Hospital. The facility shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. Source: Journal of the American Medical Association.

Dr. Schay

Medical Director of Substance Use Disorders

CABOT HEALTH & REHAB, LLC

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

ACCOMMODATIONS & SERVICES

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

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C si n

ab reh

cabo t

REHABILITATION

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

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

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5 STAR Ratings Skilled Nursing Facility • 2 Courtyards • Cable System • Modern Furnishings • Private & Semi Private Rooms • State-of-the-Art Rehab Gym

• Restaurant Style Dining • Separate Rehab Dining • Hospice & Respite • Physical, Occupational, Speech Rehabs Offered

Medicare • Private Pay • All Major Private Insurance We are an 80 bed facility with both private and semi-private rooms. We offer Rehab services (PT, OT, and ST) as well as Long-Term Care.

121 Spring Valley Rd., Cabot, AR 72023 (501)605-1545 | Fax: (501)605-1505

Greystone

Nursing and Rehab, LLC

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Tours available daily—call today to schedule yours!

www.GreystoneNursingAndRehab.com

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Places to Visit for Military History Enthusiasts Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park (Prairie Grove) Here’s a little out-of-the-way museum to pay a visit this Thanksgiving season. Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park is huge — 900 acres, to be exact. It is one of America’s most well-preserved battlegrounds, and every even-numbered year, the largest Civil War reenactment in Arkansas takes place here in December (the next one won’t be until 2022, unfortunately). Also on site is the Hindman Hall Museum, where bullets, weapons and other artifacts from the battle are kept on display.

November is Veterans and Military Families Month, a time set aside to give thanks for the sacrifices so many Americans have made for our country. It may not be mentioned often, but Arkansas possesses a rich military history. There’s a plethora of museums and landmarks scattered all over the state that tell the stories of the more than 200,000 veterans living in Arkansas. There’s no time like the present to learn about the past, so here are 15 museums, parks and landmarks that honor and celebrate our veterans.

By ZANE GROBER Photos courtesy ADPHT

MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History (Little Rock) Named in honor of Arkansas native Gen. Douglas MacArthur, the MacArthur Museum is a major hub of military and veteran history right in the heart of Little Rock. The museum boasts a variety of military artifacts from 1840-1970. Tours are self-guided, and visitors are able to explore the three floors of the museum at their leisure. If you want to learn more about the roles Arkansas has played in our nation’s past military conflicts, the MacArthur Museum has you covered. Even better — admission is free.

Pea Ridge National Military Park (Pea Ridge) This park preserves the historic Pea Ridge battleground, where more than 20,000 soldiers fought for control of the Missouri-Arkansas border in the early days of the Civil War. Visitors can tour the battlefield themselves, or alongside a knowledgeable guide. Plan on spending a couple of hours here. There’s something sobering about walking around an old battlefield. See the old replicas of cannons, read the markers, walk the trails and take in the sights. It’s a beautiful and peaceful area, a perfect place to reflect on the past and appreciate the present.

Arkansas National Guard Museum (North Little Rock) The Arkansas National Guard Museum tells the story of our National Guard, going back to the year of its inception in 1804 and chronicling its roles in a variety of conflicts. The museum features models of weapons and artillery utilized by the National Guard, showing its progress from an old-fashioned militia to a modern-day fighting force. The museum is located within Camp Joseph T. Robinson, meaning that entry requires a valid ID, vehicle registration and proof of car insurance.

Museum of Veterans and Military History (Vilonia) Hidden away in Vilonia, this small museum makes up for its size with the rigorous passion that goes into its maintenance. Local veterans, teachers and high school students work together to maintain the collection and educate visitors. A really cool aspect of this museum is the fact that many local veterans volunteer here and have an active role in cultivating the museum’s archives. Originally founded in 2012, a devastating tornado destroyed the original museum two years later. Now reopened, there’s a need for financial assistance to expand the museum. If you wish to help out, more information can be found on the museum’s website at veteransmuseumvilonia.com.

B-17 Memorial Park (Sheridan) This park is a somber memorial to nine men who lost their lives in a tragic plane crash during World War II. It is located about 6 miles north of Sheridan, in the field where the plane originally crashed. The centerpiece of the park is the life-size B-17 bomber replica with the names of the nine crash victims on the wings. There is also a memorial wall inscribed with the names of various soldiers who fought and died in World Wars I and II.

Jenkins’ Ferry Battleground State Park (Leola) Jenkins’ Ferry is another Civil War battlefield, located in south-central Arkansas on the banks of the Saline River. The Battle of Jenkins’ Ferry resulted in a Confederate victory, forcing Union troops to flee across the Saline River back to Little Rock. With the park being right on the river, visitors can take the opportunity to explore the battlefield on foot or by boat. Markers and signs describe the battle and its historical context, and there’s a plaque dedicated to the memories of the soldiers lost in the fighting.

Arkansas Air and Military Museum (Fayetteville) The Arkansas Air and Military Museum plays host to a staggering array of military artifacts. From planes to Air Force uniforms, old engines and more, visitors can get up close and personal to real pieces of history. Feel free to wander this place at your own pace; there’s a lot to soak in. Spread out over three separate hangars, there are tons of both military and civilian planes on display, so don’t worry if you don’t have time to view the whole collection at once.

Wings of Honor Museum (Walnut Ridge) Speaking of planes, the Wings of Honor Museum in Walnut Ridge is another hidden vestige of Arkansas military history. Built on the site of an old pilot training school, the museum memorializes the many cadets who died in training. The museum seeks to tell these cadets’ stories and educate the public on the manufacture and usage of the “warbird” bombers utilized at the school. At the moment, plans are in motion to construct a new hangar to house a BT-13 bomber on museum grounds. Go a little out of your way and give the Wings of Honor Museum a visit. There’s no entry fee, although you are encouraged to donate however much you can.

Fort Smith National Cemetery (Fort Smith) This cemetery is almost as old as Fort Smith itself. The grounds were cleared to house the remains of 44 U.S. soldiers who died while garrisoned at Fort Smith in the early 1800s. After leaving Fort Smith for a time, the army returned and refurbished the site. The cemetery has grown ever since, now encompassing 32 acres. Various memorials have also been built over the years to commemorate those who died at Pearl Harbor, in Vietnam and in Korea.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Little Rock) Located on the southeast corner of the State Capitol grounds, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a lovely place to pay tribute to those we lost in Vietnam. The memorial itself is a black wall with the names of the 662 Arkansans who died in Vietnam etched into it. Standing before the wall is a statue of a young soldier with all the branches of the U.S. military inscribed at his feet. The memorial is one of many at the venue, including the Medal of Honor Memorial and the Law Enforcement Officer Memorial, so take a stroll around the area, and visit as many as you like.

Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum (North Little Rock) The Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum features two restored naval vessels: the USS Razorback and the tugboat, Hoga. The Razorback is 90 percent operational, and going inside gives you a chance to have an authentic submarine experience. This means close quarters and a 14-foot climb down a ladder into the sub itself. Visitors can also walk around topside, visit the Hoga’s main deck, and read about the roles these two ships played at the tail end of World War II.

Little Rock National Cemetery (Little Rock) Located 2 miles south of Little Rock, this cemetery is currently the resting place of 25,172 people, the majority being soldiers. The cemetery was used in its early days to bury and honor the myriad soldiers who died in Arkansas during the Civil War and has steadily grown ever since. It is also home to a monument built in the memory of a detachment of Minnesota soldiers who fought and died in Arkansas during the Civil War.

Jacksonville Museum of Military History (Jacksonville) The Jacksonville Museum of Military History explores the history of local military conflicts and the actions of Arkansas soldiers abroad. While the museum has the usual array of bullets, uniforms and the like, it also tells less battle-centric stories. For example, there’s an exhibit that shares the story of WOWs (Women Ordnance Workers) who built bombs and munitions at the Jacksonville Ordnance Plant in World War II. There are several exhibits dedicated to all the individual conflicts America has participated in, although the museum is primarily WWIIcentered.

Arkansas Korean War Veterans Memorial (Little Rock) When you go to the MacArthur Museum, don’t forget to stop by the Korean War Veterans Memorial located on the grounds. Dedicated in 2007, the memorial features three statues, one representing the fallen soldiers, one for the Korean people and one dedicated to the medical personnel who served in the conflict. The memorial also honors six Arkansan Medal of Honor recipients.

Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

• SHORT-TERM REHABILITATION • LONG-TERM CARE • RESPITE SERVICES

Russellville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is nestled in the heart of the River Valley in Russellville, Arkansas. Our staff provides skilled professional care in a compassionate and supportive atmosphere. Russellville Nursing & Rehabilitation Center not only provides long-term care services, we also offer a wide range of rehabilitative services. Our physicians, nurses and staff all believe strong relationships with residents and their families is essential to the healing process. The entire staff is devoted to providing quality care, which celebrates the dignity and grace of every single resident.

Winner of the

GOVERNOR’S QUALITY AWARD FOR 2019

215 S. PORTLAND AVE. RUSSELLVILLE, AR 130

479-968-5256 • russellvillenr.com

Hot Springs happenings

DREAMS - A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac Nov. 5 The Legendary Vapors

Levi Hospital Baron’s Ball Nov. 6 Horner Hall

The Blues Brothers on a Mission From God Nov. 6, 11 The Legendary Vapors

Glenn Miller Orchestra Nov. 12 Horner Hall

Hot Springs Renaissance Faire

Sinatra Tribute With Comedian Bob Goss

Nov. 5-7 Garland County Fairgrounds

Nov. 12 The Legendary Vapors

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home! Welcome

Quapaw Care & Rehab Center offers modern conveniences in a gracious setting. Nestled in a quiet neighborhood, Quapaw Care & Rehabilitation Center is a unique, family-oriented facility offering skilled care in a loving, supportive atmosphere. Our licensed nurses, physician assistants, dentist, podiatrist and other specialists believe that building strong relationships with their families is key. Our home is conveniently located just off Hwy 7 South, past Hot Springs Mall, on Brighton Terrace, under the medical direction of Dr. Hosam Kamel. 138 Brighton Terrace, Hot Springs

quapawcr.com

Call us today! 501-525-7140

Specialized Rehab | Long Term Care | Respite Care

THE WATERS HOTEL

History & Architecture Enjoy southern hospitality and a relaxing environment in downtown Hot Springs. Our rooms feature unique architectural details for the ideal blend of comfort and luxury. Complete with city views, famous rooftop bar and valet parking. Choose a getaway that leaves you feeling refreshed and eager to come back. And with Christmas right around the corner, The Waters has gift certificates available for you and yours. THE WATERS • 340 Central Avenue • Hot Springs • 501-321-0001 • www.TheWatersHS.com

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arts&culture

ZAP

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BAM! By EMILY BEIRNE // Photos By TONY MILLIGAN

Bradbury Art Museum Brings Storytelling to Art with ‘Legends‘ Exhibition

isregard everything that parents and grandparents have ever said against comic books, manga and everything in between because comics have officially been declared art. Those frame-by-frame stories with compelling characters and worlds have moved from the page to the gallery. Bradbury Art Museum (BAM), located on the Arkansas State University campus, is an art gallery turned museum that features contemporary art exhibitions and programs with free admission to the public. The newest offering to fly into the museum is “Legends,” a collection of art from a diverse group of artists with one goal in mind: to tell a story. “‘Legends’ is a storytelling exhibition, and we used comics and graphic novels as a jumping-off point to drive a larger dialogue about storytelling and contemporary art,” says BAM director, Garry Holstein. The museum hosts multiple exhibitions a year with visiting and local artists. One annual exhibit, “Inspired,” brings in regional

schools to explore the museum and the students create a piece “inspired” by the works they saw. “We actually had a person enter into the show a single comic graphic novel piece, and we had so many students respond so positively to it, we decided to take that feedback and create an exhibition that focused on that as the starting point,” Holstein says. “We reached out to Dr. Randy Duncan. He’s at Henderson State University, and he is the director of the Center for Comic Studies and he’s written a textbook on the study of comics called The Power of Comics. And we worked with him to identify some foundation artists that we used to build the exhibition from.” Among the represented artists is Peter Kuper, the current illustrator of “Spy vs. Spy,” a wordless comic strip in Mad Magazine. Another featured star is Trina Robbins, known as the first woman to draw Wonder Woman. “There are several bigger named artists mixed in with some regional artists as well, and from this foundation that [Duncan] helped us create, we said, ‘What do we need to do to make sure that we’re representing the diversity of artists and the diversity of ways of making art?’” Holstein says. A popular form of art currently is the use of digital media to create art, typically with the use of a computer or some form of technology. BAM’s diverse set of featured acts includes a digital

artist by the name of Sarah Anderson. “Anderson does ‘Sarah’s Scribbles,’ which is a webcomic showing little slices of life,” Holstein says. “She might talk about her newest obsession with frogs or some experiences she has with her cats. The cool thing about this exhibition is that everybody can find something they can connect with.” Ceramicist Kevin Snipes uses his experience of drawing comics of himself when he was younger to make his ceramic pieces pop with characters and scenes adorning his unconventional pottery. He is internationally recognized for his unique pieces, and five

“

The cool thing about this exhibition is that everybody can find something they can connect with.

of his ceramics are included in the “Legends” exhibit. Mythic Times, an artist group highly recognized in the contemporary art world, creates performance-based pieces. The full costumes worn in the performances are also used as installations in galleries. A set surrounding dreams and stories from life are included in the “Legends” exhibit. The concept of the installation is to allow viewers to project their own stories into the art and become a part of the story. A familiar name to the Arkansas art scene, Joo Young, is also among the notable faces in the “Legends” group. A featured artist at Crystal Bridges Museum some time ago, she explores identity and how humans relate to one another through the use of video art and collages. Her project “The Cosmic Womb” featured in the exhibit tells of her life in becoming who she is, who society is and how everyone relates to one another. Each artist in the exhibit expresses their experiences and perception of life in alternative ways, yet all are storytellers. “Iron Man shows up in the space, but it’s not just about superheroes,” Holstein says. “It’s about people telling their stories, and it can range everywhere from artists who are writing graphic novels about labor strikes to conversations about buying all the frogs you can buy on the internet.” The pieces from “Legends” will be the source material for January 2022’s Inspired exhibition. As the tradition continues, students will come in, explore the featured works and begin their own projects based on the “Legends” exhibit. “A priority in planning was to make sure that all the students who might be visiting would have a way to connect with [the exhibit],” Holstein says. “There could be a scenario where a visiting student might be intrigued and say, in not so many words, ‘I’m interested in comics, but how do I make something not being a comic artist myself in response to this?’ I think we have put together such a diverse group of artists and art forms that there is something to connect with.” Not only for the students, BAM has designed the exhibit to attract the public and first-time visitors to the museum. Traditional graphic novels and comic books give that twinkle of nostalgia many adults are trying to find to feel that sense of childlike wonder and fascination. Some stories are personal, some are fantasy, but all can be intertwined. “This is the kind of exhibition that a person who might not necessarily see themselves as a museum-goer can really connect with. [The exhibit] is accessible, and you don’t have to feel like

”

you are a person that knows a lot about art to walk in and find something that is exciting to you,” Holstein says. “That being said, we have artists that have been working in the field that are experts, so if you do have a significant background in art you can walk into the space, and you can find ways of making that artist connection. Many different demographics can connect with the show, and that was our goal. I think we’ve been successful doing just that.” “Legends: An Exploration of Contemporary Storytelling from Frame to Experience” will run through Dec. 8.

Artists at the L egends Exhibit: Sarah Anderson

Peter Kuper

Gustav Carlson

Chad Maupin

Joo Young

Mythic Times

Choi

Josh Neufeld

Michelle Czajkowski

Trina Robbins

Neil Emmanuel

Eric Shanower

Sean Fitzgibbon

Kevin Snipes

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ost M e h t e of n O f o or y ry t o s t i S H . e S d . i The Ins ijackings in U y HAROLD JOHNSON H ourtes hotos c P / Bizarre / D HE A R NNE T By K E

Harold J ohn South ern Air son from his ways p t ilot, 19 ime as a 72 .

t began as an ordinary flight when pilot Harold Johnson, of Walnut Ridge, boarded Southern Airways Flight 49 in Memphis on Nov. 10, 1972. It ended 30 hours later after three hijackers took over the plane, demanded $10 million, threatened to crash it into a Tennessee nuclear plant and forced 12 stops, including two in Cuba. During the hijacking, Johnson, now 86 and the curator of the Wings of Honor Military Museum in Walnut Ridge, was shot in the right arm. The fragments of the hijacker’s bullet are still lodged in Johnson’s arm, and he can’t lift it over his shoulder nearly a half-century later. This ordeal, one of dozens of hijackings in the early 1970s, resulted in sweeping changes in security at all U.S. airports. Johnson has always been enamored with flight. He learned to fly small aircraft while still in high school in Walnut Ridge in 1951, and earned his private pilot’s license a year later. He and his wife, Janie, moved to Malden, Missouri, where he worked as a mechanic’s helper at the airport and earned his commercial pilot’s license. Five years later, the two moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he enrolled in the Spartan School of Aeronautics. While there, he met a Beechcraft dealer who sold airplanes and operated a flight school in Memphis who asked Johnson to go to work for him. Johnson sold planes and taught others to fly, but in 1965, his wife realized the job had no future for growth. Johnson applied for pilot jobs with American Airlines and Southern Airways, and shortly after was hired by Southern in Atlanta. His first flight was from New Orleans to Baton Rouge, to Vicksburg, Mississippi, and Monroe, Louisiana. Johnson was the co-pilot. His captain was William “Billy Bob” Haas. The next time the two flew together was on the fateful Southern Airway Flight 49. Johnson and his wife eventually moved back to Walnut Ridge, and Johnson would fly his Cessna 150 to Memphis whenever he was scheduled to fly. On Nov. 10, 1972, Johnson made his 45-minute flight to Memphis and boarded the airplane. He learned that the captain who was supposed to fly with him couldn’t make the trip, and Haas was called in as a reserve. “We never worried about hijackings,” Johnson says. “Before, hijackers always wanted a free taxi ride to Havana. They just wanted to get out of Dodge.” Even the aircraft had an unworried approach. Painted on the nose of the plane was Southern Airways’ logo — a huge yellow face with a beaming smile. The plane flew from Memphis to Birmingham, Alabama. Three men — Henry Jackson, Louis Moore and Melvin Cale — boarded the flight in Alabama. They smuggled handguns and a grenade onto the plane simply by wrapping them in a raincoat. When they went through what constituted as security then, each would pass the coat to another while going through a metal detector. Johnson says he later learned the three had visited several airports in the South to observe security measures and deemed Birmingham’s airport as the “most lax.” “Any semblance of airport security in the 1960s was virtually nonexistent,” Johnson says. “You drove to the airport, purchased a ticket, checked your baggage, walked to the gate and boarded the airplane. Perhaps a policeman

may have been around somewhere, but there was no ‘airport security’ at that time.” The plane took off at about 7:10 p.m. with 31 passengers and three crew members and headed to Montgomery to pick up additional passengers before heading to Miami. Within 10 minutes, though, Johnson heard scuffling noises in the galley behind the cockpit. The door burst open, and Jackson shoved flight attendant Donna Holman in. He pointed a gun at the crew and said, “We’re taking over this airplane,” and indicated they wanted to fly to Detroit and then to Cuba. Jackson told Johnson and Haas that he and his partners were tired of the way Detroit police were targeting him and other Black people and wanted $10 million from the city. Then began what Federal Aviation Administration officials called one of the most “bizarre” hijackings in U.S. history. Haas flew the plane to Jackson, Mississippi, to refuel, and then headed to Detroit. The plane circled Detroit at 20,000 feet for 90 minutes while city officials negotiated their $10 million demand. They were then ordered to fly to Cleveland. After landing there at 12:30 a.m., Jackson threatened to detonate the hand grenade when FBI marksmen approached the airplane. The plane then flew to Toronto, circling Toronto International Airport for three hours before landing at 4:44 a.m. FBI agents offered the three $500,000, which they rejected. Flight 49 took off again at 6:16 a.m. and headed for Knoxville, Tennessee. When negotiations failed again for the $10 million, the three threatened to crash the airplane into the Atomic Energy Commission facilities at Oak Ridge, Tennessee. “We’ll make this look worse than Munich,” one of the hijackers told authorities, referring to the deaths of 11 Israeli athletes and a coach taken hostage at the 1972 Olympics held in Munich, Germany, that summer. Because fuel was running low again, Haas landed at Lexington, Kentucky, at 9:35 a.m. They left 15 minutes later and flew toward Knoxville again. The plane then landed at Chattanooga, Tennessee, where FBI agents gave the hijackers $2 million in cash and buckets of Kentucky Fried Chicken. By then, Johnson and Haas had been flying for more than 16 hours. “When they got the bags of money, they were in a good mood,” Johnson says of his captors. “They started handing us money. They were quite generous.” The three then said they wanted to go to Cuba to meet dictator Fidel Castro. They landed at Jose Marti Airport in Havana at 4:49 p.m., Nov. 11, where Johnson climbed out of the cockpit window to help with the refueling. “I was off the airplane,” he says. “There was a strong temptation not to get back on. I was in a quandary. If I stayed off the plane, they may have shot my captain.” Grudgingly, he climbed back into the plane, and after negotiations to meet with Cuban authorities failed, the three ordered the plane back into the air again. They landed at Key West, Florida, for the fifth fueling, and then the hijackers said they wanted to fly to Algiers, Africa. “We didn’t even know where Algiers was,” Johnson says. “We told them we couldn’t make it across the Atlantic. Air Traffic Control said we’d end up ditching the plane in the water. “But they had the guns. We didn’t.”

FBI agents gave the hijackers $2 million in cash and buckets of Kentucky Fried Chicken.

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Johnson returned to flying in 1973. The bullet fragments in his arm set off metal detectors installed at airports. Between 1968 and 1972, 137 United States airplanes were hijacked. Most were done by Cuban nationalists who wanted to go home. Others were done by American residents disenchanted by the country’s politics. Two weeks before Johnson’s plane was taken, four armed men hijacked a plane from Houston to Cuba. As a result of Jackson’s flight, the Federal Aviation Administration required every U.S. airport to install passenger screening operations and increase all security measures. By 1973, the administration required the inspection of all carry-on bags and passengers. Although Johnson regretted not meeting Castro, the dictator did send him a cigar. Now, 49 years later, Johnson still has the cigar. He returned to Cuba with Haas as his captain a few years later. The crew was transporting South Dakota State University’s basketball team to Havana to play in a tournament. “I never was nervous about flying after,” Johnson says. “Security tightened up, so we weren’t that worried.” He retired from Southern Airways in 1987. In 2017, Johnson was nominated into the Arkansas Aviation Historical Society’s Hall of Fame. “He was a shoo-in,” says society president Richard Dawe. “In addition to his [commercial] flying, he has the museum in Walnut Ridge and has been

Harold Johnson (left) receiving the Airline Pilots Association Gold Medal of Heroism, 1974.

After flying about 200 miles over the Atlantic, the hijackers realized the futility of their idea and ordered them back to the United States for yet another refueling stop in Orlando. Louis dragged Johnson out of his cockpit seat and tried to shoot at a fuel truck. After FBI agents shot the airplane’s tires. Jackson then forced Johnson into the third row of passenger seats and said, “Stand up. I’m going to kill you.” “I asked him, ‘Why?’” Johnson says. “‘We did everything you asked us to.’” Moore stuck his .38-caliber revolver into Johnson’s ribs. “I knew I was going to die right there,” he says. He pushed Moore’s arm away and dove to the floor. Moore’s gun went off, striking Johnson in the right arm, shattering the bone and rendering the arm useless. Moore then put the gun to Johnson’s head and pulled the trigger again. Johnson heard a ‘click,’ and realized the gun had misfired. “Billy Bob came out and said, ‘We can’t fly the plane without the co-pilot,’” Johnson says. “I got back in my seat, and we were off.” Johnson says by then he was in shock and didn’t remember flying the plane back to Cuba. When they landed, authorities were able to arrest the three. Medical personnel wanted Johnson to slide down an emergency chute because of his injuries. “I’m not going to slide with a broken arm,” he recalls saying. “I’m walking down the stairs.” He says he took a harrowing taxi ride to a Havana hospital that was more frightening than the hijacking. “He didn’t slow down for anything,” Johnson says of his cab driver. He tried calling his wife, but he couldn’t find a phone that Harold Johnson today. (Kenneth Heard) worked. The next day, he, his crew and passengers flew back to Miami. “I finally called my wife,” Johnson says. “I said, ‘We were hijacked. Did you involved in aircraft his entire life. He has made significant contributions to know about it?’” aviation in the state.” His wife, Janie, replied, “The whole world knows about it.” There are a few reminders of Johnson’s ordeal at his military museum in He spent three months in a hospital and another three months in Dallas Walnut Ridge. Tucked in a shelf between several books on aviation is Odyssey undergoing therapy and treatment for any post-traumatic stress disorder he of Terror, Ed Blair’s account of the event. may have suffered Scattered near a printer are pages chronicling the timeline of the hijacking. The three hijackers spent eight years in a Cuban prison before they were Johnson doesn’t talk about it much, but he does have one wish. returned to the States. Moore and Cale each were sentenced to an additional “I need to stick around another year,” he says, smiling. “So I can say it 20 years in prison. Jackson was given an extra 25 for shooting Johnson. happened 50 years ago.”

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Star on the Wall

By DWAIN HEBDA // Photos courtesy BEAU WISE

The Wise brothers.

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eau Wise is getting better at talking to people. The veteran had had a time of things getting back to civilian life after 12 years in the United States Marine Corps. He didn’t have much to say to the very people whose freedom he’d protected, who’d flown the flags and cheered at football games after the National Anthem. Darkness, he knew; death, he knew. It was living with them that he couldn’t quite piece together. For a long time, if you hadn’t worn the uniform or tasted the Iraqi sand or felt the Afghan wall above your head spatter under enemy fire, he didn’t know how to talk to you. And the stuff that even those comrades couldn’t fathom only his journal heard, especially once he came home. But home is a strange concept to the lost, and Wise was, for a time, as lost as they come. His brothers, Jeremy and Ben, alternatingly his North Star and his rudder his entire life, were gone and some suit who’d never faced Haji took him out of a position to do something about that. See, the thing is, so much of him was left out there, scattered like Bedouin tents under the desert sun and stars, it just took a while for all the personal fragments — or the memory of them — to make it back to Oklahoma to coalesce in the memoir of his brothers, Three Wise Men: A Navy SEAL, a Green Beret, and How Their Marine Brother Became a War’s Sole Survivor. “I started journaling for my own cathartic reasons,” he tells AY About You. “I did not like talking to people at all, especially anyone who wasn’t a service member. Even in the service, if they weren’t in Iraq or Afghanistan, I really didn’t talk a whole lot. It was the guys who had been downrange; I had no problem talking to them. But at home, I was a vault, which is very not healthy. I would say that is one of the biggest problems that we have, is family members who are struggling to get vets to talk. “There were a lot of things I wanted to say [in the book], and I think and hope and pray that I allowed myself to be as vulnerable as possible, so people could learn from my successes and failures, my weaknesses and my strengths, and from Jeremy’s and Ben’s. That was the most difficult thing in the writing process, was to allow them to be human. As amazing as they are, they’re humans and flawed.” None of the Wise boys had to go into the military, but something in them wouldn’t be satisfied with anything less. Growing up in El

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Jeremy Wise.

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Dorado, they were often regaled by their mother’s stories about their grandfather’s and great-uncle’s exploits in World War II, military glory that skipped a generation, as he puts it. Sons of a doctor, the Wise brothers had other options — Jeremy even made it to his third year of medical school before finally answering destiny’s call — but the lure of military service was just too strong, especially after 9/11. And as one went, Ben first, so did the other two. “I was kind of torn, because the family was clinging to me like please, please, please don’t do it,” says Beau, who initially enrolled in college to study music. “But the whole time I spent in college, I lived vicariously through my brothers. When they enlisted, I’m like, ‘Man, that sounds awesome.’ I couldn’t stand it anymore, and I was like, ‘Dad, I’ve got to go.’” In 2009, like his brothers before him, Beau was deployed to the Middle East. By then, Ben was an Army Ranger, and Jeremy had completed his final tour as a Navy SEAL and joined a military contractor, doing top-secret missions for the Central Intelligence Agency. In December of that year, Beau and Jeremy shared a satellite call in which Beau asked his big brother, “When will you be home?” “Sooner than you think,” replied Jeremy before the line fell silent. A few days later, the prediction came true. Beau was informed by the battalion chaplain that his eldest brother had been killed by an explosion, what he later learned was an informantturned-suicide bomber in an on-base incident later portrayed in 2012’s Zero Dark Thirty. Beau punched a hole in the chaplain’s desk, then tried to channel his pain into his work which, when you’re in the business of killing people and breaking things, can get dicey. “After coming back from burying Jeremy, my Marines, my brothers — and I’m talking about

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the guys left and right of me — had to put me in check a couple of times,” he says. “Like, ‘Dude, you’re going to get yourself or somebody else hurt or killed. Hang your temper up, and keep a level head.’ They were absolutely right.” Not even three years later, in January 2012, Ben was severely wounded fighting the Taliban in northern Afghanistan and died six days later in a military hospital in Germany. This time, Beau was there to say goodbye. “Hindsight is 20/20; looking back, I don’t think I was able to completely mourn Jeremy until Ben was killed. Then it was real, and there was no running from it anymore,” he says. “Your mind, your heart plays tricks on you in the face of trauma, especially when you have to find a way to put it on the shelf and go back to a war zone. Your mind just puts things away, and you make a habit of blocking yourself and stopping yourself from grieving. “I don’t know what it is but people tend to prohibit other people from grieving, too. We think that it’s bad for them for some weird reason. And I did that myself. I would very rarely allow myself to grieve.” Despite the loss, Beau was ready to get back to work, but

Jeremy and Ben.

the Marines had other ideas. Under a regulation many know only from the movie Saving Private Ryan, he was immediately removed from combat assignments under the military’s Sole Survivor policy. “When I got declared Sole Survivor by the comandante, I was not told the full extent of what that was,” he says. “I didn’t even know if it was just something that he said word of mouth, if it was a piece of paper. Nobody ever gave me any paperwork on it. All I found out after the first year or two was that I could not go to a Green Zone or a deployable unit. I was going to be stateside.” As it turned out, the move was a blessing. Aside from the obvious — being taken out of implicit harm’s way — Beau had just reenlisted, and so that hitch, along with a stint in the reserves, gave him a step-down approach that helped the adjustment to civilian life. Still, it wasn’t entirely smooth after the Marines; one night, a drunk and depressed Beau put a gun to his head only to hear his brothers’ voices telling him in no uncertain terms to grow up, saving his life. “In the past 10 years, I have gone through a lot of pity parties where I felt sorry for myself, and I would get down on myself and sit in a corner and sulk and try to self-medicate in very unhealthy ways,” he says. “There was this period of reflection where [I thought], ‘Why me?’ Jeremy and Ben were fathers. I should have been the one who was killed. Jeremy’s and Ben’s work was very deliberate. I’m just a grunt. I’m cannon fodder. “Then I thought about it, and I said, ‘OK, let’s say I had gotten my way, and Jeremy or Ben had been one of the guys left behind. How would they be dealing with this? What would Jeremy do if he were in my shoes? What would Ben do?’ I don’t think Jeremy and Ben would have dealt with it very well at all, because of the fact that they were the older brothers. I never bore Jeremy or Ben as a responsibility; I was the responsibility. I was the one they always had to look out for.” In Three Wise Men, co-written by Tom Sileo, Beau now bears his brothers’ legacy through an unflinching account of an ordinary American family in extraordinary circumstances. And like his brothers, who sacrificed all for the good of someone else, he hopes the story sheds light on that which both Gold Star families and veterans in general struggle through. “I personally have seen how many companies boast about being the top 10 or No. 1 veteran employer, and the veteran doesn’t even get a phone call back about a job,” he says. “Or you get a phone call, and then the interview gets canceled. You do some Googling and find out that you got passed over for someone who has no life experience in the things that you have. I’ve personally experienced that. “For a lot of veterans, it’s really, really tough. I’m almost certain that by 2020, I’d lost more brothers and sisters to suicide

than I did in Iraq and Afghanistan combined.” Released in January, the book has taken off like a flare in the night sky. National and international media of every political stripe have clamored for interviews and Beau, once loath to talk to anyone, has embraced them all. He’s regained some of his personal momentum, as well, with two small kids of his own. And while he’s a little put back by the recent adulation, he’s happy his brothers will always be remembered because of Three Wise Men. “It’s been absolutely humbling,” he says. “As far as Jeremy and Ben, it’s not just their life in the service, but the fact that they died saving lives that I wanted to draw attention to. Ben, for instance, rescued a woman and children from a cave before he kept on fighting. Those little things are the things that I wanted to say. “As far as how to help people or what should you do specifically, what’s the magic formula? I’m not a psychologist, and I didn’t want to speculate doing that. I’m a religious man, but I didn’t want it to be a religious book. I wanted it to be an American book. I think I’ve done that, and, hopefully, it can encourage people to get connected to those who can help them solve their problems. “To get this kind of response after having gotten it all out about Jeremy’s and Ben’s efforts for the preservation of life, not for taking lives, and to see how many people who now know what kind of heroes they really were, means the absolute world to me. I consider it mission complete.”

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This side of

SEVEN – By Jason Pederson

the FINAL SAY I

f, during the course of this pandemic, you have given thought to a world without you in it, you are not alone. Death has been all around us these past 18 months. There are the daily and running COVID-19 death tallies. There are the masks, reminding us constantly that a contagious, potentially deadly disease is in the ether. And there are all the obituaries of lives lost from COVID-19. In terms of death totals, heart disease and cancer kill more Arkansans. But because these ailments aren’t contagious and do not strike in waves or surges, neither is deemed an imminent threat worthy of topping the nightly news. But a loved one dead by heart disease, or cancer, or a car accident, or suicide, or a drug overdose, is just as missed as a loved one claimed by COVID-19. And just as worthy of a proper send-off. “John Houghtaling, the inventor of the ‘Magic Fingers Vibrating Bed,’ a coin-operated fixture in American motel rooms in the 1960s and ’70s, has died. He was 92.” Thus begins one of the many obituaries I have clipped and saved over the years. Feature obituaries, like the one from 2009 relaying the passing of Houghtaling, are usually reserved for individuals of some prominence, quirk or infamy. My real interest gravitates to obituaries of everyday Arkansans, and what I might learn from

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their recently completed journeys. Up until May 1993, there was no charge for an obituary published in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. As of a couple of years ago, the first 50 words of an obituary remained free (the price for an obituary in the Dallas Morning News starts at $170). After that, the cost was 99 cents per word. The average obituary is 100-150 words. A 600-word obituary, with a photo (an extra $30), that runs in the statewide edition of the newspaper costs close to $1,000. Frank Broyles’ obituary cost more than $2,000. People dying have literally helped keep newspapers alive. And that income comes with little effort, as families and funeral homes provide almost all the content on the obituary pages. Obituaries do not have to run within three days of a person’s death, but usually, they do. Most obituaries are boring and uninspired. That is not a reflection of the life lived. It reflects the reality that little or no thought is put into the challenging task of summarizing a life in a few column inches. The limited time available following a death, coupled with the grief, does not allow for much reflection or creativity. And that is a shame. Because when everyday Arkansans are given the send-offs they deserve, we can all learn from the lives lost. At their best, obituaries are about the dead but for the living. In 2003, former Arkansas DemocratGazette reporter Casey Munck wrote what remains my all-time favorite Arkansas obit. It begins, “For as long as anyone can remember, Sylvia ‘Gummy’ Diane Hicks Collins ate gummy bears. Inside her Benton home she kept an industrialsize bucket of the candy within reach at all times. She loved the candy so much her family nicknamed her ‘Gummy.’” Collins died of a heart attack at age 67. “Usually wearing loud prints, mumus and costume jewelry, Collins proudly showed off an eclectic style on her 5-foot2 frame.” Then, a quote from Gummy’s daughter: “She wore whatever she wanted to wear. If it matched, fine. If not, then we had to get over it.” Collins loved romance.

She wanted it in novels, preferably by Danielle Steel, in movies and in her life. “She liked men,” her daughter said. Munck concludes, “Collins lived life without worrying what people would think. And that is what she will be remembered for most, her family said.” I got to know Gummy in death and wished I had known her in life. That is the mark of a good obituary. Gummy teaches us to care less about what other people think. The obit of Ellis “Water Boy” Stafford of Gurdon is nearly 30 column inches. Born a Black man in the South in 1921, Stafford lived to be 87. His was a hard but ultimately successful life. Stafford spent his 30s working for the railroad, carrying 2-gallon buckets of water to the crews laying the tracks. “Ellis held the job as water boy for about 10 years. Hence his nickname as ‘Water Boy’ will remain legendary throughout the railroad industry and amongst his friends and acquaintances around the United States.” Imagine being called “Water Boy” as a grown man. And imagine working as a water boy for 10 years. For Stafford, it was a job and a title worthy of mention in his goodbye to the world. It represented overcoming,

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rising above, and a dignity that can be found in any work. Stafford started out making $2.47 per day and ended up making $2,500 per month. Mr. Stafford teaches us to persevere. I learned in the obituary of Freeda Cummings (80) that, “Freeda disliked very much any Texas or Alabama football team and considered any game those states won as rigged or otherwise not on the up and up. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you instead go fishing. Watch a Razorback game. Eat a well-made pecan pie. And love.” Cummings teaches us that there are times to love and teams to hate. Eloise “Weesie” Goss, born in 1931 and dying at age 89, was the cook for the Country Club of Little Rock for 48 years. “Eloise reached out to the disenfranchised, the ignored, and even the racists in the neighborhood when she first moved to the Central High neighborhood — yes, she fed them, too. At the end of their lives, they asked for forgiveness and asked why she took care of them when they were so hateful. She said she was following God’s law to love your neighbor as yourself.” Ms. Goss teaches us the freeing power of forgiveness. The obituary for Paul Wallace (72) of Little Rock reveals that, “On his last day, Paul told his doctor that he felt like he was passing on, but his family and friends kept waking his a** up! His wit was alive and well until his last moments.” Mr. Wallace teaches us to always leave ’em laughing. Born in Fordyce and buried in Lewisville, the recap of William Patrick Bryant’s life includes a harrowing tale

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from World War II, in which he was mistaken by the French for a German spy. “With a gun pointed to his temple, Bryant insisted he was from Arkansas. That is when an American woman intervened. She had married a Frenchman and knew about Arkansas. She asked Bryant the name of the baseball team in Little Rock and Bryant answered, the ‘Travelers.’ That convinced her and the Underground that he was indeed American and his life was spared.” He lived to be 85. Sr. Master Sgt. Bryant teaches us that where you are from can matter. It can matter a lot. From the obituary of Susan Francis Clark, who, starting at age 12 lived the entirety of her life at the Arkansas Children’s Colony (later renamed the Arkansas Human Development Center) in Conway before passing at age 67: “Susan was — despite underestimation of her true abilities — an extraordinary human being, a true innocent, an Earth angel. Susie has returned now to Heaven, where she will be as she could have been but for one small chromosomal breakdown.” Susan teaches us that all lives have value. Meredith Rose Weinstein Baskin (34), Thomas Joseph “JT” Vanpelt (27) and Brittany “Bee” Ann Harrison (34) are just a few of the brutally honest obits scripted by families left to grieve the losses of loved ones to addiction. The obituaries of these young people teach us that tomorrow is promised to no one. And then there is the obituary of

You lived the story. Have the final say. Greenbrier’s Jason Coleman, written by his 17-year-old daughter, Annsley, after Coleman took his own life at age 44. “To some people, depression may seem like a simple case of sadness or an excuse to avoid a difficult task. I want people to realize that depression is so much more, and no one will understand just how strong someone like my daddy was. If you, or anyone you know, is suffering from depression, please take action, and take it seriously, before it is too late, before it seems as though there is no other option. My daddy didn’t want to die; he was just tired of living.” A daughter’s tender summary of her father’s tortured life teaches us understanding. And empathy. After your death, will anything be learned from the brief summary of your life? Or will it be, as renowned Philadelphia obituarist Jim Nicholson calls it, a “desperate chronology” of jobs, achievements and survivors? You lived the story. Have the final say. Teach ’em, touch ’em, or leave ’em laughing.

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

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mental health

A Serving of

GRATITUDE

By SARAH RUSSELL

t had been a rough year for them. Many suffered from the isolation, being away from family and friends. Almost all of them lost someone to the illnesses they had no cure for. They struggled against an outcome they could not control. But it was fall now, the fields had yielded enough to see the Pilgrims through the winter. They were truly thankful as they set their tables, surrounded by family and friends. It was the first Thanksgiving. And now? Well, nobody’s saying it out loud, but a whole lot of people secretly wish the whole dang thing was canceled out. “During the holidays, most people get an intense dose of family. It’s what we want, but also what we dread,” says Dr. Deepak Chopra, the renowned expert in integrative medicine and personal transformation. Yes, dread. For many people now, Thanksgiving is hardly a Hallmark experience. The dread is only compounded by the extension of the modern family — marriages, remarriages, exes, step/half/full siblings, step-in-laws — many of whom will be, sometimes resentfully, at the same table. Feathers will be furiously

flying in kitchens where the turkey has already been plucked. Barbs and snarks will be passed with ly flying in kitchens where the turkey has already been plucked. Barbs and snarks will be passed with green bean casseroles around the table. Surreptitiously Tums will be popped, wine will be tossed back, and eyes will be rolling — most just trying to graciously endure. Conspicuously missing from many of these tables is a serving of gratitude. “Ingratitude is monstrous,” said playwright William Shakespeare.

The man doth speak accurately. Aggression, depression, stress, pain, insomnia, high cholesterol and/or blood pressure, heart disease — overall, studies have shown, those who don’t express gratitude are their own worst enemy, producing higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol, also known as the “death” hormone. So how did we get to the point that we routinely, unconsciously inflict such damage on ourselves and others? “A lot of times in our society, gratitude is hindered because we are always focused on wanting more, and we are always comparing our lives to others, maybe focusing on what we don’t have,” explains Lauren English. As a licensed professional counselor with

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Pinnacle Pointe Hospital, English has worked with children, teens, adults and families. She has reached an even wider audience with her appearances on the Therapeutic Thursday segments of KATV-Channel 7 as well as AY’s Wellness Wednesday online features. Contributing also, she adds, is “anything that you fill your life with — whether that’s people, whether that’s music, whether that’s constant news — that’s depressing or focused only on what’s going wrong in the world, it can definitely have an effect on your brain.” The effects are not irreversible. You can learn to create gratitude, which is a whole lot happier and healthier for you. That said, don’t count on the one giving you the side-eye across the table to have a miraculous transformation. Yes, that one is the dreaded emotional time bomb. But you don’t have to be one, nor do you have to be provoked into joining the unpleasantness, which poisons the occasion not just for you but for all who are there. English suggests a mental reset by telling ourselves, “I can’t control others around me, but I can control my response.” The emotional residue of that nastiness has been festering at least a year now — maybe much, much longer. The hurt, the anger — shouldn’t you at least have the right to fling a verbal drumstick

back at the source of your misery? Chopra weighs in here: “What you’re entitled to is releasing those feelings so that they aren’t stuck. What you aren’t entitled to is aiming them at another person.” It’s important for your mental and physical health to clear bad feelings, but as Chopra further points out — this type of emotional purge is best done privately. Here’s how it goes: Allow yourself a hissy fit on hormones. Set a timer — lingering too long over those feelings is unhealthy. Next, have at it: Rant, rave, cry, scream out loud every nasty thing your heart desires. Release, release, release. And when your cargo hole is emptied, we begin again. As philosopher and educator Samuel Johnson said, “Gratitude is a fruit of great cultivation.” Said cultivation is quite easy actually. But as English points out, it takes mindful intent. She suggests what is called “mental subtraction.” She explains, “If you look back on your life, if things hadn’t gone a certain way, imagine what your life might have been like if a positive had not occurred … if you hadn’t gotten that job, if you hadn’t met that person, if you hadn’t formed a friendship.” This, she adds, allows us to focus more on the good, on the things that have happened to benefit you. Purposely thank others, pick up an extra coffee for someone, text/email/write a few words to an older relative, leave a sweet card or note for your spouse or child letting them know they’re noticed and appreciated. And yes, put down the cell phone for a moment and show your gratitude for someone’s company by actively engaging with them. Make no mistake: This is powerful. Writing for Organixx.com, Marnie Clark noted that a 2009 study showed that, “Feeling grateful provides the psychological ‘glue’ that binds individuals closer together.” When expressing gratitude, you secrete “oxytocin,” a hormone referred to as the “bonding hormone.” If you wanted to wave a magic wand over those love relationships, if you wanted to tone down the behavior of a child, showing out with gratitude goes a long way. “Get outside your own head and focus on others. If you put yourself in a position to serve, you can’t help but be grateful,” English suggests. Not to be left out in all of this, she notes, is that

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“Gratitude is a fruit of great cultivation.”

actively role modeling thankfulness teaches your children healthier behavior and attitudes. Involve them in projects such as food drives, donating clothes, or making a card or cookies for the neighbor who lives alone. When picking them up from school, she suggests, ask gratitude-focusing questions such as, “What was fun today? What was the best part of your day? What was nice that you didn’t expect to happen?” This is all very well, you might be thinking, but there’s still that Thanksgiving table and having to deal with Halloween’s leftover witches. Yes, but you do have the power to reframe your thoughts about them. English points out that even the people in our lives who haven’t been supportive, who even cut us down or talk negatively about us, can be seen with eyes of gratitude. Truthfully, they may be or have been motivators for us to take a better direction. English suggests another take on the situation by saying to yourself, “I was able to push on, and for that I am grateful.” It’s been a rough year for many. Some of us have felt isolated from family and friends. Almost all of us know of someone who has been lost. That for which we have no cure remains among us. But we are together still, and for that, we can be sincerely — intentionally — thankful. How nice to share a serving of gratitude.

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Speaking of the

Devil

Victims Carter Elliott and Timmy Robertson.

In May 2002, Conway awoke to the shocking news that a prominent local

businessman and his protégé had been found in the former’s home, shot execution-

style. It was the first double-homicide in the city’s history and the beginning of a much longer journey for Ashley Elliott.

By DWAIN HEBDA 168

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shley is the daughter of one of the victims, Carter Elliott, the founder of Detco Industries, discovered face-down in his foyer while his employee and handyman, Timmy Robertson, lay dead in the next room. Ashley was understandably shaken by the incident; she and her father had withstood a straining of their relationship following the divorce of her parents, after which Ashley lived with her mother, Lark Gathright. But things had gradually improved, and the soon-to-be bride looked forward to her father walking her down the aisle. Instead, she was withstanding the shock of his sudden and violent ending, not knowing the bizarre turns the case would soon take into kidnapping, the drive for justice and her fight to put away the demon who altered the course of her life. Almost 20 years later, Elliott has told her family’s story in a new book, The Demon in Disguise, released in September. “I think writing a book has always been a thought, but I had a lot going on in my life. I had children, marriage, things of that nature,” she tells AY About You. “I had been in therapy for approximately three or four years. My therapist mentioned, ‘Maybe you should just write a book; that would be very helpful for you.’ I was just like ‘OK.’ I kind of didn’t take it quite seriously because it’s a huge undertaking. “I also knew that taking on this task would be triggering, so I had to allot time to be not disruptive to my family unit and not check out of life. I wasn’t sure what I was going to uncover or find.”

The true-crime narrative of the book is nearly stranger than fiction, thanks to the eccentric central character of the late Dr. Richard Conte, a Utah physician who courted and married Gathright after she relocated following her divorce. Conte was an enigmatic figure to whom the word “odd” is often applied, yet doesn’t feel quite adequate, given his penchant for telling wild stories about being a secret government assassin, frequently deployed to hotspots around the world in between shifts at the local emergency department. But for all of that, two things were clear: Conte was a gun collector, and he was obsessed with Gathright, especially after she divorced him following a short marriage. His behavior, which included breaking into her apartment to leave her love notes and gifts, as well as unsolicited phone calls where he was supposedly under fire and calling to say he loved her should he not make it out, was erratic at best. So, when her mother turned up missing about a month after her father’s funeral, Elliott knew immediately who had perpetrated the crime. “I was actually in Conway, and someone called me and said, ‘Your mom has not shown up for work today,’” she says. “In my head, I’m like, ‘What? My mom always goes to work.’ I immediately called family members; I called the police. I went through this whole process of hunting her down because I had just lost my dad, and I was not about to lose my mom if there was anything I could do about it.

Conte was an enigmatic figure to whom the word “odd” is often applied.

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“I convinced the Salt Lake City twice. Each time you do those types police that she was missing and to of things you are retraumatized. enter her home and describe to me And those individuals who sit on what her home looked like. My mom the parole board are ultimately the is just an impeccable person; she loves decision-makers. So, if they decide order, cleanliness. So, if something he gets parole, then your whole life was out of place, something was is wrecked.” wrong.” It would take nearly a decade The police found signs of things and turnover in the prosecutor’s amiss, so Elliott followed her gut office, but Elliott eventually won instinct and reached out to Conte to out. Conte was extradited to confront him. For once, he set aside Arkansas, tried and ultimately his wild stories and told her the truth convicted of the slayings, seeing which, to anyone’s way of thinking, Carter Elliott as a romantic rival was wild enough. and Timmy Robertson merely “I knew immediately he had my being in the wrong place at the mom,” she says. “I called, got a hold wrong time. Conte got life and died of him, and I was correct. He had in prison in 2018. kidnapped her from the state of Utah As pleased as she was with and had driven her to his cabin in the the final verdict, it did nothing to state of Nevada.” alleviate the emotional scars of the Conte surrendered and was crime upon Elliott, including PTSD convicted of kidnapping in 2002, and anxiety. Ironically, however, earning himself 15 years in the the deep-dive it took to research Nevada State Prison. But what The Demon in Disguise, which she should have been the capstone to wrote with Michael Coffino, proved the tale only proved the prelude, as ultimately cathartic and helpful Elliott pushed Conway authorities to in her continued coping with the extradite and try the disgraced doctor pivotal event in her family’s life. for the double murder in Arkansas. It “I was kept out of the courtroom was an eye-opening experience, to say [during the trial], so I didn’t get to the least. experience that. I testified, but I “I just thought it was like the didn’t get to be there every day and Ashley Elliott. (Nick Sokoloff Photography) movies, you know? Good guy, bad listen to everyone else’s testimony,” guy, you go to court,” she says. “That’s she says. “When we obtained the kind of like the first thing; I just court transcripts, I got to read didn’t know how [the justice system] worked. I also did not know the everybody’s testimony, and that was an extremely healing process to put prosecuting attorney is an elected official, and the only individuals that to rest any questions that I had. I didn’t have to depend upon anybody can hold him accountable are the voters. So, I didn’t have a clue.” else’s information. Elliott’s book talks about the frustrations she experienced, the same “Just to be able to have the actual documents that the judicial system ones many crime victims’ families share in seeking justice for their loved had was probably the most satisfying part of the whole thing. I could ones. sit and read what they had to go off of. I don’t know if it’s every single “I don’t want to say [prosecutors] were uncooperative, because they thing, because I know some of the documents have been destroyed, but did their job. By the law, by the book,” she says. “Could they have been that brought closure because I knew the whole story. I knew what they more cooperative? Absolutely. They could have returned phone calls. knew.” They could have been a little kinder. I think the judicial system as a The book written, Elliott considers the record set straight, something whole, once you’re in it, you get very calloused, and I can see how they she knows not all victims’ families get to say. As an advocate for such become calloused. families, she hopes to inspire others to keep pushing for justice. “I don’t want to sound like they’re horrible people; they’re just doing “My book is extremely transparent,” she says. “I think anybody their job. But it was the first double homicide in Conway, so I’m like, who has experienced life could pick it up and relate to the story. Our ‘Hey, you could have just returned my phone call, or you could have circumstances are going to be different, but we’re all human, so we’re all shown up for work and not avoided our family who sat there and waited going to have similar responses. for you all day.’” “The day the book was done was one of the greatest days of my life Prosecutors initially declined to bring charges against Conte on the because I could just close all of those chapters and be finished with it. I grounds of a lack of evidence, later trying to assuage the family to take don’t have any more questions. Any questions that I have, they’re never comfort in the fact that he was locked up in Nevada anyway. That wasn’t going to be answered, and I’m OK with that. That was an excellent thing enough for Elliott. to actually be finished and to go, ‘OK, this is the past, and I can stop “I lived in fear that Dick Conte was going to get out of jail for reliving it.’ kidnapping my mom and that the prosecution in Faulkner County was “The promotion part of it is probably the most difficult part, because not going to bring charges against him,” she says. “That was a fear that I I’m promoting the most vulnerable part of my life and the most lived in for, my goodness, 10 years. And that was a constant fear. vulnerable parts of my family’s life. But I’m definitely at a better place, “We had to go before the Nevada Parole Board and convince them as the part that’s enjoyable in just being able to say, ‘I’m better. I’m doing to why Dick Conte did not need to be released from prison, not once but well.’”

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PRIVATE SETTING HOLDS APPEAL FOR PATIENTS CONWAY REGIONAL CLINIC OFFERS RELIEF TO PEOPLE WITH CORE AND PELVIC CONDITIONS.

arla Cathcart spends much of her time alleviating her patients’ fears and misunderstandings surrounding the very private and isolating conditions that she treats. Cathcart is a physical therapist and the director of Conway Regional Health System’s Core & Pelvic Physical Therapy Clinic. Cathcart and her staff of five licensed physical therapists rehabilitate the muscles of the pelvis, pelvic floor, lower abdomen and trunk to help patients overcome bowel, bladder and pelvic pain conditions. They also provide rehabilitative services for pregnant and postpartum women with lower back and pelvic pain and bowel and bladder issues. About a third of the clinic’s patients are pregnant and Cathcart says about 70 percent of women will experience some type of lumbar or pelvic pain during pregnancy. The other two thirds of the clinic’s core and pelvic patients experience issues for a variety of other reasons, with 10 to 20 percent of their patients being men. They also work with children with bowel and bladder problems. “Core and pelvic issues are not exclusively problems for women,” Cathcart says. PRIVATE THERAPY Patients experiencing incontinence, constipation and pain during sex among other sensitive conditions are common, so all of the Core & Pelvic Physical Therapy Clinic’s services consist of private, one-on-one sessions with each patient. To treat her patients, Cathcart helps them to overcome the fear of talking about private issues. “Oftentimes, we are reassuring the patients that this is not like going to another physical therapy clinic,” Cathcart says. “They are not going to be out in the middle of a gym

with incontinence or back pain during pregnancy, pain during sex and other issues. For some patients, just getting them 50 percent better can change their lives. We will tell a patient if we don’t think therapy will help after the evaluation, and direct them to an appropriate treatment option.”

talking about bowel and bladder issues. They are not going to be doing treatment in a big open space.” She adds, “You are in a private room with a therapist who has experience dealing with these issues. Our clinic is focused solely on working with people who have bowel, bladder and pelvic pain or pregnancy or postpartum related conditions.” Knowing they are not alone in experiencing a medical condition helps decrease the anxiety. A typical first visit will last about an hour and will include a medical history and a physical exam to assess muscles, joints and nerves to determine the physical problem. “Core and Pelvic Therapy does not cure everyone, but we believe it can improve quality of life for many people,” Cathcart says. For instance, exercises to strengthen pelvic floor muscles can be effective in treating urinary incontinence, Cathcart explains. A quarter to a third of men and women in the U.S. will suffer from urinary incontinence, according to the Urinary Care Foundation. After the initial visit, a treatment plan is developed and most patients go home with a set of exercises to begin rehabilitating the muscles of the affected area of the body. “We make sure you are moving in the direction of healing and doing treatment at home that can prevent reoccurrence,” she says. “Patients don’t necessarily have to live

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HIDDEN GEM Cathcart is on a mission to educate the public about pelvic health therapy and how to visit the clinic. “One of the things that we hear over and over is that our patients did not know this service existed,” she says. “This is such a hidden gem within health care, and we want to let people know about it. Also, because of the history of physical therapy, people assume they have to have a physician referral. That is not always the case. They can reach out to us directly.” A Louisiana native, Cathcart was in the fourth year of her physical therapy career in Shreveport when she was encouraged to apply for a women’s health residency at Duke University. After completing her residency, she returned to Shreveport and established a clinic there. In 2013, she moved to Conway to teach in the Physical Therapy Department at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA). After five years, she began to miss patient care and left UCA to help establish the Core & Pelvic Physical Therapy Clinic under Conway Regional’s leadership. Over the past 11 years, she has also been one of the course instructors who teach pelvic and pregnancy therapy to other therapists throughout the United States. “I love teaching and being in the clinic,” Cathcart says. “It’s the best of both worlds.” The Core & Pelvic Physical Therapy Clinic is located on the first floor of the Conway Regional Medical Office Building, Building #4 on the Conway Regional Campus at 2108 Ada Ave. For more information, call 501-513-5108 or visit www. conwayregional.org.

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

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

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

MURDER MYSTERY: JACK THE KNIFE

– By Janie Jones

is prey is nocturnal, so he hunts at night. Like a shadow himself, he moves through the degrees of darkness and attacks our most vulnerable citizens. Little Rock seems to have a serial killer in its midst. His victims are pedestrians, and his weapon of choice is a knife. Twitter followers and online true crime devotees have been calling him the “Little Rock Slasher” or the “River City Ripper.” The murderer first struck around 2 a.m. on Aug. 24, 2020. The victim was 64-year-old Larry McChristian. Police found his body in the 2200 block of South Gaines Street. He had been stabbed multiple times. August 2020 had been stormy and cooler than usual all month. It was the wettest August on record for Arkansas. After a brief spell of tranquil weather, more rain moved into Little Rock on Sept. 23, 2020, and the temperature dropped into the low

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60s. About 3 o’clock that morning, officers responded to a 911 call from a man in the 4200 block of West 12th Street. The caller explained he was looking for shelter when he found his friend, known to him as “Old School,” lying dead on the front porch of a house. Police saw what they thought were puncture wounds on the victim’s neck. The medical examiner used fingerprint records to identify the deceased as Jeff Welch, 62. The year came to a close without any more stabbings similar in nature, but the Little Rock Police Department (LRPD) continued to work the two cases, just as they did many others. The city’s finest had seen an increase in murders in 2020. The force has seven homicide detectives, and each one averaged seven new cases by the end of the year. That’s three or four more than is recommended by the U.S. Department of Justice. The novel coronavirus pandemic had an effect on the overall crime rate.

During the lockdown phase, robberies and property offenses were less frequent because people were staying home. The same could not be said for homicides, especially those involving domestic disputes. When April 2021 rolled around, the problem of drag racing had become a safety concern in the city, so LRPD was dealing with that while still trying to keep up with violent crimes. From the dawn of the new year to mid-March, the homicide rate escalated to a 57 percent increase over the same period in 2020, but it was not until April 11 that an attack similar to those from August and September happened again. Same modus operandi, same time frame, same area, and almost the same victimology. Almost because the target of the third attack was a woman. Debra Walker, 42, was not just the slasher’s first female prey; she was the only victim to survive. At 3:33 a.m., police received a call about a stabbing at 1906 South Pulaski Street. Upon their arrival, they found Walker bleeding from numerous knife wounds. She told police she had been walking near the intersection of 19th and Marshall Streets when a man accosted her and started stabbing her with a knife. She could not state in which direction he had fled. Walker was taken by ambulance to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences campus where medical personnel ascertained she had been stabbed 15 times. She was able to tell detectives that the perpetrator was Black and about 6 feet tall with a slender build. Officers collected the clothing Walker had been wearing, and they also looked for clues at the crime scene. The stabber’s bloodlust was so strong that he killed a man only 27 hours after the attempted murder of Walker. This fourth victim was 40-year-old Marlon Franklin. His body was discovered in the 2700 block of Wright Avenue. The police report listed Franklin as homeless. At the end of April, LRPD Chief Keith Humphrey issued a public alert, saying investigators believed all four attacks were related. He warned residents and workers in old historic Little Rock to be aware that a menace was among them. The department assigned uniformed and plainclothes detectives to the area and increased patrols there. Humphrey appealed to the public for help, asking that anyone who had seen anything suspicious, or thought they might know the stabber, to call a tip line at (501) 371-4636. The department’s Public Information Officer Mark Edwards verified that the person or persons who could provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of the guilty party would receive a $20,000 reward. Investigators obtained videos of the killer from surveillance cameras in the vicinity of the crimes. Though the videos are dark and of poor quality, in one portion the killer can be seen as he walks toward a street intersection, hesitates and retraces his footsteps before turning around again and strolling toward

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A map showing the locations of the incidents. (Little Rock Police Department)

the street corner and out of the camera’s view. He appeared to be wearing gloves. Humphrey mentioned the randomness of the attacks. Three of the victims were white, and one was Black. Neighborhood residents are taking precautions, following police advice that they do not walk alone. For more than a year, people have been practicing social distancing, but with a cold-blooded killer roaming the streets, they find safety in numbers. According to statistics in a 2017 FBI crime report, guns are used in the majority of slayings, but roughly 10 percent of people who commit murder in the United States use knives and other cutting instruments as weapons. Though none are considered run-of-the-mill, officers now focus on each stabbing with more intensity. On Aug. 13, North Little Rock Police arrested a young male in the fatal stabbing of a 55-year-old man at the Kroger store on Camp Robinson Road. However, just because the police nab someone who has stabbed an individual and fits the general description of the most wanted killer does not mean he is the one who has been terrorizing the capital city. The FBI and its Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) have been assisting local authorities in the stabbing incidents. The federal agencies have more resources at their disposal, including advanced technology and national databases that collate evidence from comparable cases. The BAU also has more experience with serial killings. Analyzing the murders includes looking at the victimology. On the surface, the only thing the victims had in common was being in the same area in the wee morning hours. Does the offender live or work in the community? He seems familiar with the territory. Otherwise, how has he gotten through the police dragnet? What kind of job would allow a person to be out and about in the middle of the night without attracting attention? What is his motive? Does he do it for kicks or to make himself feel powerful? Does he live alone? If not, does a roommate or family member know or at least suspect something is amiss? Where is he now? Is he already in police custody on other charges? Maybe he has moved on. Or maybe he passed you on the street today. Don’t worry … unless you, too, are a creature of the night.

aymag.com

Tarantulas By Joe David Rice

f you assume tarantulas, the largest spiders in the United States, can only be found in the desert landscapes of Texas, Arizona and New Mexico, you are mistaken. Although these palm-sized spiders are relative newcomers to Arkansas — they got established here about 8,000 years ago, a very short time in biological terms — they reside in two-thirds of our counties. This part of the world had a drier and warmer climate back then, much like that of today’s Southwest. Tarantulas, despite their startling appearance, are no threat to you, your children, or your pets. These hairy beasts seldom bite humans and the rare wound approximates a bee sting. Interestingly, Dr. William J. Baerg, a University of Arkansas entomology professor, performed much of the early scientific work on these intimidating spiders beginning in the 1920s. A Kansas native with a PhD from Cornell, Baerg authored The Effect of the Poison of Tarantulas in a 1921 issue of The Journal of Parasitology. Using a large female tarantula he’d captured on a rocky hillside near the Fayetteville campus, Baerg conducted a series of experiments to determine the potency of the venom. In the first of three trials, the spider was forced to bite the shaved inside rear leg of a guinea pig. The little pig squealed when struck by the tarantula’s fangs, but all other observations — temperature, respiration, movement — indicated no adverse effects. A young albino rat was the subject of the second experiment. The rat screeched and struggled when bit and went through a four-hour period of partial paralysis, spastic motions and restlessness before fully recovering. Baerg found a human volunteer — himself — for the third phase. On the morning after his tests with the guinea pig and the rat, he returned to the lab and had the same tarantula twice strike the little finger of his left hand. The experience felt like “the stab of a pin” with discomfort disappearing within 45 minutes. No swelling or stiffness occurred. The next day Baerg repeated the experiment: same spider, same human finger, same results.* In the wild, tarantulas use their fangs to deliver venom which immobilizes crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, cicadas and similar prey. Rather than constructing webs, they patiently wait near the opening of their burrows — which can extend two feet underground — and then strike when an unsuspecting victim wanders by. Females seldom venture more than a couple of feet from their burrows, but males will travel up to a mile or more in search of a mate during the autumn months. Tarantulas live longer than you might expect. The spiders don’t reach

sexual maturity until they’re 8 to 10 years old. Males typically die after breeding, but females can live for 20 to 25 years. Regarding habitat, tarantulas prefer dry sites — usually facing south or east — such as rocky hillsides or upland glades. When the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission conducted a statewide tarantula survey in 2004, reports indicated these massive spiders were all but absent in eastern Arkansas except along Crowley’s Ridge. Most observations occurred north and west of US Highway 67, which bisects Arkansas from southwest to northeast. I’ve seen many of these unusual creatures over the years, almost always in the fall tiptoeing across highways of the Ozarks or Ouachitas. I now know these were male tarantulas engaged in the eons-old quest to continue their species. As for Professor Baerg, he enjoyed a distinguished career — to include international research as both a Fulbright Scholar and Guggenheim Fellow. He accumulated an extensive list of publications, among them a definitive 1958 book on tarantulas — which has since been reprinted. And he lived to the ripe old age of 95. *Baerg later had a far different reaction when he induced a black widow spider to bite the middle finger of his left hand. He experienced swelling and “excruciatingly severe” pain, had trouble breathing and speaking, and spent 66 hours in the hospital.

Joe David Rice, former tourism director of Arkansas Parks and Tourism, has written Arkansas Backstories, a delightful book of short stories from A through Z that introduces readers to the state's lesser-known aspects. Rice's goal is to help readers acknowledge that Arkansas is a unique and fascinating combination of land and people – one to be proud of and one certainly worth sharing. Each month, AY will share one of the 165 distinctive essays. We hope these stories will give you a new appreciation for this geographically compact but delightfully complex place we call home. These Arkansas Backstories columns appear courtesy of the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at the Central Arkansas Library System. The essays have been collected and published by Butler Center Books in a two-volume set, both of which are now available to purchase at Amazon and the University of Arkansas Press.

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At Good Shepherd Nursing and Rehabilitation 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.

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GOOD SHEPHERD Bobby Lamb, Administrator 3001 Aldersgate Road, Little Rock AR 72205 • Phone 501-217-9774 • Fax 501-217-9781 www.goodshepherdnr.com

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

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