Eye OnIndependence www.eyeonmag.com
April 2011
The 32nd Annual Scottish Festival and Lyon College A Publication of MeadowLand Media, Inc.
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Batesville 1325 Harrison St. • 3 Eagle Mountain Blvd. southside 1 Allen Chapel Rd. Cave City 102 S. Main St. highland 1536 Hwy. 62/412
In This Issue 6/Letter from the Publisher April Breezes
7/Fork in the Road “Best of” Restaurant Survey and The Country Store in 2011
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9
24
10
34
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9/The Morning Line George Kell
10/Feature 32nd Arkansas Scottish Festival scheduled for April 8-10
12/Organization Pipe Band Big Part of Festival
15/Main Street Kent’s Firestone
16/Wandering the White River Valley Possum Crown for a King
18/Local Happenings 20/Homes Jerry and Ruth Ann McClain
22/I Do Bridgeman Wedding
24/Youth Batesville Mom Inspired to Become Nurse
26/The Arts 28/People Mark Lamberth / Racing Commission Appointment
30/Notes from the Clearing Breathing It In
34/Birds, Bees, Flowers and Trees A Tree of Many Names
37/Note Worthy Events 38/EOI Movie Review Coraline
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Cover Photo by Robert O. Seat. Cover Design by Joseph Thomas
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Creative Director: Joseph Thomas
MeadowLand Media, Inc. P. O. Box 196, Grubbs, AR 72431 870.503.1150 kthomas@eyeonmag.com
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PUBLISHER: Kimberlee Thomas Associate EDITOR: Bob Pest MANAGING EDITOR: Joseph Thomas ADVERTISING: Daisy Moore Kimberlee Thomas
Staff PHOTOGRAPHERS: Kimberlee Thomas Joseph Thomas CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Julie M. Fidler Clayton Cavaness CIRCULATION: Daisy Moore Joseph Thomas PRINTING COMPANY: Rockwell Publishing
Eye On Independence is a publication of MeadowLand Media, Incorporated. Editorial, advertising and general business information can be obtained by calling (870) 503-1150 or emailing Kimberlee Thomas at kthomas@ eyeonmag.com. Mailing address: P. O. Box 196, Grubbs, AR 72431. Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements, unless otherwise noted, do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Publisher or the staff. Every effort has been made to ensure that all information presented in this issue is accurate and neither MeadowLand Media or it any of its staff is responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. Copyright © 2010 MeadowLand Media, Incorporated. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without the permission in writing from the Publisher. All pictorial material reproduced in this book has been accepted on the condition that it is reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent of the photographer concerned. As such, MeadowLand Media, Incorporated, is not responsible for any infringement of copyright or otherwise arising out of publication thereof.
April 2011 | 5
Letter from the Publisher Kimberlee Thomas Joseph and I are so excited to share this month’s issue with you, our faithful reader. The April breezes and glorious sunshine have thawed our hibernating bones and find us eager for reasons to be outside. One great reason is the 32nd Annual Arkansas Scottish Festival at Lyon College. This year’s festival is free for the entire family. So, if you've never attended, this is the perfect time to come and see what you've been missing. In this issue, Bob Qualls lays out the schedule for the Scottish Fest and describes what events this year’s festival brings. Julie Fidler shares with us the ins and outs of the Lyon Pipers, and Joseph and I catch up with the McClains in Newark for this month’s Eye On Homes. After visiting with Mark Lamberth about his Arkansas Racing Commission appointment in our Eye On People segment we have yet another reason to be outside. We are anxious to catch a race at Oaklawn before the season ends April 16. Mark shares with us about his horses, his passion for the sport, and what his appointment, entails. He also reminisces in this month’s The Morning Line about a day he will never forget. As always, there is so much more packed between the covers. I could go on for days. However, I have a better idea. Grab a quilt, head for the yard, find a nice sunny spot and enjoy this month’s issue of Eye On outside. N
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April Breezes We appreciate your comments on Facebook and through our emails. We are glad to do our part in promoting this area and the wonderful people in it. Hi Kimberlee, Would we qualify as a drop off location at Newport Advanced Physical Therapy? I love this magazine and would love to share it with others! Thanks! Lori Owens Thanks!!! Eye on Independence for one of our best friday nights ever, a little overwhelmed again by all the people who want to eat fish on friday night!! And how many of them that came out because of the wonderful article about us in the magazine...Thanks again and big hug from all the Brady Team especially me. Brenda Brady For advertising, distribution, or editorial contribution, contact Kimberlee Thomas 870.503.1150 kthomas@eyeonmag.com.
Fork in the Road Bob Pest
“Best of” Restaurant Survey and The Country Store in 2011
As we near the first anniversary of Fork in the Road, I thought it would be a good idea and lots of fun to see what our readers think about the food scene in our region. So we are holding our first “Best of” restaurant survey. Restaurants in Independence, Stone, Sharp, Jackson, and Cleburne counties are eligible. The ten categories are listed below. Simply send your favorites to me at bobpest@wildblue.net by April 30. You are not required to enter a selection in every category.
predecessors. The White River Country Store, located across the road from the Batesville Speedway in Locust Grove, is holding on to the character and traditions of the oldtime country store. Like the “quick trip” stores that now dot our countryside, it makes most of its money on gasoline, tobacco products, and lottery tickets. In a different county it might also be selling a lot of beer. But owners Wendy and Roy Moss have also managed to recreate the feeling and spirit of the country store. Morning visitors enjoy Community Coffee while they read the paper and talk about the day ahead. Biscuits and Gravy are popular, as are the Sausage and Egg • Best Pizza and Bacon and Egg Biscuits. The store also carries a wide range of breakfast pastries and juices. The lunch • Best Barbecue menu includes Johnsonville Brats, two choices of soup, baked potatoes, hamburgers, hot dogs, Chicken • Best Donuts Fried Steak, Roast Beef, and BBQ with slaw. Lunch items are cooked to order. Local regulars gather daily • Best Coffee Shop for both breakfast and lunch. Some linger longer, as evidenced by the number of table top games that • Best Breakfast are readily available and used frequently. The vibe is always warm and friendly and no stranger enters • Best Lunch without being greeted by at least one cheerful “Hello.” • Best Dinner The store also carries a useful assortment of cleaning products, health and beauty aids, batteries, • Best Desserts motor oil, and tools. People like me who live in Locust Grove really appreciate being able to skip the trip into • Best Place for a Romantic Dinner town for newspapers, dishwashing liquid, band-aids, toothpaste, bread, or milk. During racing season the • Best Service/Wait Staff scores of RV campers across the road will be equally Winners will be announced in the June issue. happy to have a well-stocked store so close. While the White River Country Store is fairly small, Winners will receive a certificate suitable for it plays a big role in the lives of people in the area, framing and displaying. Please send selections only, serving as a meeting no editorial comments whether place, diner, and positive or negative. Bon appétit! occasional music venue. Local fiddlers, some of whom are regulars on the Courthouse The Country Store in 2011 Square in Mountain The country store has become View, hold frequent something of a relic. A potbelly impromptu jam stove surrounded by old timers sessions, occasionally whittling the day away; the iconic being joined by other cracker barrel; and ongoing area string players. conversations about sports, politics, The store also serves as and fishing have become emblems of an information center a simpler time, replaced by the “one for visitors to the area stop” service station/café/grocery with a full rack of store. These chain operations are Ozark Gateway Tourism useful, ubiquitous, and often open Guides and copies of round the clock, but they usually Eye on Independence. lack the community spirit and Wendy and Roy Moss camaraderie that characterized their are cheerful, generous, April 2011 | 7
and optimistic. They are also keeping the community focus of the country store alive at the same time they are meeting many of the consumer needs of the folks in the area. Not a bad way to spend your time! The White River Country Store is open Monday through Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 noon until 4:00 p.m. See you there. Bring your appetite and your fiddle. N
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The Morning Line
George Kell Mark Lamberth Over the course of broad- of the greatest of all time. He continued to regale casting local sports the past 15 me and the radio audience with remembrances from years, I have enjoyed many spe- his past. When asked who was the greatest pitcher cial moments as well as endured he ever faced, he immediately responded without some tough losses. However, one hesitation - Bob Feller of the Cleveland Indians. As a event stands alone as my all time favorite day in third baseman, he talked of the line drive off the bat broadcasting. The occasion was the dedication of of Joe Dimaggio that broke his jaw. “I got up, made the Lyon College Indoor Baseball facility on March a play at third, then passed out.” With a career aver20, 2004. Major League Baseball Hall of Famer and age of .306 and 2,054 hits, he retired in 1957 and Detroit Tigers broadcaster George Kell of Swifton went on to an outstanding career as a Detroit Tigers was invited to speak and to join me in the booth for broadcaster. As that career was beginning, he asked the “Yankee Clipper”, Joe Dimaggio, to be his first the first game of the college doubleheader. The days leading up to the event were filled with broadcast interview. Even though they were friends, research and study of Mr. Kell’s baseball and radio the private Dimaggio declined but finally relented to career; but mostly of intense anxiety. Legendary Kell’s repeated requests. Dimaggio would agree but with one ironclad conHall of Famer and 10 dition – no mention or time All Star George Kell questions regarding Mariwas going to be my color lyn Monroe. As the rains man on a local broadcast! ended so did the stories The big day arrived and, and we had to resume the as Mr. Kell pulled into play by play. the parking lot, Howard I do remember Lyon House and I greeted him. lost that day but little else He was a former Arkansas about the game. As Mr. Highway Commissioner Kell exited the booth, he and instrumental in the thanked me in that deep construction of the White baritone voice, made for River Bridge in Batesville. radio, and for which I We had met previously but would have gladly given this event was “a whole my right arm. I saw Mr. different ballgame.” Mr. Kell one more time before Kell greeted us warmly his death on March 24, and immediately sought 2009. He was being honto put me at ease; but all I George Kell and Mark Lamberth after the rain, doing what they do so well. ored again by his homecould think of during the town of Swifton. He called dedication ceremony was the upcoming ballgame and my role with a “big time me by name and we chatted about the current state of baseball. He graciously signed a picture of us taken broadcaster”. As we took our positions in the broadcast booth, I in the Lyon College booth by the Batesville Guard’s began asking him questions off the air, and he began Paul Glover: George Kell, Hall of Fame ’83. I’ve often wondered what he really thought of my describing some of the fabulous moments of his stellar career in baseball. There was the American performance that day. His reputation as one of the League batting title in 1949 when he edged the great true gentlemen of the game prevented a frank and Ted Williams .3429 to .3427 on the final day of the honest critique. That’s the way it should be. I was paired with a Hall season. Williams went 0-2 with 2 walks while Kell of Famer in a brief went 2-3 and was on deck against Bob Feller when moment in time Eddie Lake hit into a game ending double play. Kell describing the struck out only 13 times during that season, a Major national pastime League record which still stands for a batting chamand for one afterpion to this day. Of all his accomplishments, it was noon - I was a “big evident that he was proudest of that stat. time broadcaster”. As luck would have it, our game was delayed by N rain. How lucky can one get! I was afforded the Howard House and George Kell watching the opportunity to conduct an on air interview with one indoor baseball facility dedication; photo submitted by Lyon College
April 2011 | 9
Bob Qualls
Feature Photos by Clayton Cavaness
32nd Arkansas Scottish Festival scheduled for April 8-10
The Arkansas Scottish Festival at Lyon College began as a way to honor the college’s Scottish roots. The College was founded in 1872 by the Presbyterian Church, which has its roots in Scotland. The festival has since brought in thousands of people to the campus and the Batesville area. The 32nd Arkansas Scottish Festival is set for April 8-10 on the Lyon College campus in Batesville. Admission to the three-day festival is free. As it would in Scotland, the festival will go on rain or shine. The festival gives visitors a glimpse of traditional Scotland. The three-day event brings the best in Scottish games, entertainment and food to Batesville. Proceeds from the festival support the Scottish Heritage Program at Lyon College, including its acclaimed pipe band. Five pipe bands are expected to compete in the Southwest Pipe Band Championships April 9. The bands include the Bannatyne Pipe Band from Dallas, North Texas Caledonians, Northeast Arkansas Caledonians, Wolf River Pipe Band and Monmouth College Pipe Band. Individual pipers and drummers also are scheduled to compete in solo competitions. Members of the Ozark Highlanders from Fayetteville and the Tulsa Pipe Band in addition to members of the other bands will compete in the solo events. The opening ceremonies at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 9, feature a parade of pipe bands and clans. Vendors serve traditional Scottish food such as meat pies, haggis and Highland cattle burgers in addition to customary festival food. This year’s entertainment includes folksinger Alex Beaton and music group Celtic Breeze. Beaton is a staple of the Arkansas Scottish Festival, performing at many of the events. His musical career spans four decades and includes the creation of Glenfinnan Music, which offers a collection of 19 albums dedicated to traditional Scottish music. During his performances, Beaton likes to share fascinating bits of Scottish history to bring the music to life. Celtic Breeze is new to the festival. This Mountain View-based group plays traditional Irish, Scottish and Welsh tunes, which form the roots of much of modern folk, country and western, bluegrass and gospel music. The band consists of Robin Rains, Charley Sandage, Brooke Barksdale, Ron Ford, Charlie Mink, Leonard Clark and Dani Wallander. The Highland Games are another popular event at the festival. The games feature athletes competing in
traditional Scottish events including the caber toss, hammer throw, stone put and sheaf toss. The caber toss is the most famous Scottish field event. In this competition, athletes begin by picking up a caber – a large, tapered log that’s often thought of as a small telephone pole that can be anywhere from 12-19 feet long and may weigh from 30 to 120 pounds. The stone put is similar to shot put in track and field events. Men use a stone weighing 17 pounds, while women use an 11-pound stone. Contestants throw the heavy stones as far as possible. The sheaf toss involves a burlap bag filled with straw weighing approximately 16 pounds. The object is to toss the bag over a crossbar using a three-pronged pitchfork. There is also a Highland Games event for children featuring kid-friendly versions of the original Highland Games. The festival also has other children’s activities including the Child’s Passport program, which is a free activity where children receive a passport and take it to clan and vendor booths. They get the passports stamped at the various booths and bring it back to the Welcome Tent for a prize. Child’s Passport organizer Brenda Lindsey said she usually gives out between 200 and 400 passports during the festival. There will also be bounce houses and other inflatables for children. Other events during the weekend include, sheepdog demonstrations, Highland dancing, library book sale, feast and Ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee), bonniest knees contest, parade of massed bands, Scottish seminars, a British car show and an Iona worship service. The Arkansas Scottish Festival website provides registration information for patrons, groups, vendors, athletic competitors, clans and piping, drumming and band participants. For more information about the festival or to register, visit http://www. lyon.edu/scotfest.
32nd Arkansas Scottish Festival Schedule of Events Friday, April 8 noon — Festival opens noon — Select vendors open for business 6 p.m. — President’s Reception (invitation only) 8 p.m. — The BIG SHOW, talent show Saturday, April 9 8 a.m. — Festival opens Throughout the day — Alex Beaton; Celtic Breeze 8 a.m. — Solo piping competition begins 8 a.m. — Library book sale 9 a.m. — Sheepdog demonstrations begins 9 a.m. — Heavy athletic competition begins 10 a.m. — Highland dancing demonstrations 10 a.m. — Children’s games begin 10 a.m. — British car show noon — Highland dancing demonstrations 1 p.m. — Opening ceremonies; clans/bands 2 p.m. — SW Pipe Band Championships Competition 2 p.m. — Highland dancing demonstrations 4 p.m. — Awards ceremony 4 p.m. — Highland dancing demonstrations 5 p.m. — Festival closes 6 p.m. — Ceilidh cocktail hour 7 p.m. — Feast & Ceilidh Sunday, April 10 8 a.m. — Festival opens Throughout the day — Alex Beaton; Celtic Breeze 8:30 a.m. — Iona Tea & Scones fellowship 9 a.m. — Iona Worship Service 10 a.m. — Sheepdog demonstrations 10 a.m. — Children’s games begin 10 a.m. — Highland dancing demonstrations noon — Bonniest Knees Contest 1 p.m. — Lyon College Pipe Band demonstration 2 p.m. — Festival closes April 2011 | 11
Organization Julie M. Fidler
Photos by Julie M. Fidler
Remove bagpiping, drumming and Highland dancing, and you’ve got a much quieter, less colorful Arkansas Scottish Festival. The Lyon College Pipe Band has been a part of the celebration since the beginning in the early 1980s, and Kenton Adler’s been with the band since 1998. Employed by Lyon as academic computing coordinator, web master and instructional technologist, Adler plays bagpipes. His wife, Nancy Love, is a drummer for the band and competes in solo piping competitions. A big part of the annual Scottish Festival, the Lyon Pipes and Drums keep busy year round. “We have 15 people involved directly in the band,” Adler said. “There are a couple of Highland dancers that don’t go with us all the time, and the drum major is always there for special events.” Jimmy Bell has been pipe major and director of the festival since 2004. Although bagpipes are not the first instrument one might choose to play in a band, Lyon is never lacking potential members. “We have a good size recruiting class with as many as five or six pipers and potential drummers for this fall,” Adler said. If you are a bagpiper or are interested in learning the instrument and joining the band, opportunities abound. “Go through the admissions office and tell The Pipers of Lyon College
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Pipe Band Big Part of Festival
them you’re a piper,” Adler said. “They’ll put you in touch with Jimmy Bell and set up an audition process.” Most often, the college’s admissions department combines pipe band recruiting with other events such Kenton Adler Piping away as honors day or recruiting day. Potential members tour the campus and talk with Bell about opportunities for scholarships, grants and loans. “Some of them do pretty well and are able to put a lot of money toward tuition,” said Adler. Most pipers arrive freshman year and, hopefully, stay until they graduate. The college has seen quite a few transfer students too. “Our leading drummer came from Saint Andrews College in North Carolina his sophomore year,” he said. Members range in age from 18-24 for the most part. The college’s Outreach Program also gives lessons to those who are not college age, including youngsters who have an interest in learning how to play bagpipes. “We had a retired guy in his 60s come from Jonesboro to take lessons,” said Adler. “He was already playing a bit and wanted to get better.” “People from all over have come in and taken lessons and played with the band for some length of time, but the band’s core is students and some of us who work here.”
This year, the Lyon band will compete in the Scottish Festival. “Generally, if we don’t compete, we will still put on performances,” said Adler. “We’re busy all the time.” The band can be seen in parades and Scottish celebrations all around the country and, sometimes, in other countries. Recently, the band participated in several St. Patrick’s Day parades including Little Rock and Hot Springs. They also played with the Chieftons in Fayetteville at the Walton Arts Center recently and at Presbyterian ceremonies in Jonesboro.
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Members also enter solo competitions. Piper Elliott Smith recently competed in the Metro Cup in New Jersey. If you would like to become a part of the band, engage the band for a performance, or are interested in participating in the Outreach Program, e-mail Jimmy Bell at: james.bell@ lyon.edu or call 870-307-PIPE. For more information, visit www.lyon.edu, click on the “Scottish Heritage” link and follow it to learn more. N Above: Pipers fill the campus with the sounds of Scotland setting the mood for a weekend you won’t forget Below: The Scottish Alleyways of Lyon College’s Scottish Festival and a birds eye view. Photos above and below by Clayton Cavaness of Select Shots
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Main Street
Kimberlee Thomas
Kent’s Firestone
Kent’ Firestone 1316 E. Main Street, Batesville, AR
What do you like about being on Main Street? Main Street has always been the hub of Batesville business, both in 1962 and 2011. Main Street is is Owners: Johnny Kent, Bobby Kent, and Ronnie easy to find when you come to Batesville and we are Jeffrey proud to be a Main Street Business. Number of Employees: 9, Service Technicians: Tim Scholl, Tommy Harris, Tyler Herrington. Service Station Manager David Presley and General Service Jeremy Matthews. Clerical Manager Lisa Kent. What does your business offer the public? We offer a full line of passenger and light truck tires. Kent’s offers all types of auto and light truck repairs. Alignments , Road Force wheel balancing, front end repair, brakes , shocks and struts, muffler and exhaust repair and replacement, oil changes, airconditioning, along with high tech diagnostics. When did Kent’s Firestone Open for business on Main Street? February 1, 1962
Johnny Kent April 2011 | 15
Wandering the White River Valley Freda Cruse Phillips
Photos submitted by Freda Phillips
As a girl I worked off a $51 debt to my parents at $1 a day for each visit with my great grand father, John Richard “Dick” Chitwood, born in 1876, and writing down what we talked about. Day 32: Grandpa found a dead possum. We skinned it, nailed the hide to a big cypress board with the head, tail, arms and legs still on it. When grandpa was my age his grandma Sarah (Fulks) born in 1840’s told him about her grandpa Francis Ward, from England being made Chief Fivekiller of the Cherokee. He married Tame Doe whose white name was Catherine Carpenter. Her momma was Nancy Broom and her daddy was Tom Carpenter. Nancy’s daddy, Imatoy Moytoy, was to be crowned the Emperor of the Cherokee by King George making them a “Royal Family”. They invited him to come to England to be crowned but he was to sick to go. Tame Doe’s husband and brothers Stalking Turkey, Clogitah, Tathtowel, White Owl and Killaneck went to England. A fella Comings told them they had to kneel before the King for grand father to be Emperor of the Cherokee, so when they met the King they all got down on their knees. Grandpa started making a talking stick taking down a dried fox tail to put on the end. He said in order to be allowed to talk you had to have the talking stick in your hand. If you had it in your hand you were allowed to hit the other people who interrupted in the head with it and until you gave it up you were the only one to talk. He said I needed hit in the head a lot. Grandma Nancy Broom made the crowns for her father and the King out of the finest fat possums and dyed them red with elderberry mash. Red was a sign of power and having a crown made of possum was an important status. The possum could climb a tree and
Traditional Indian fiddles dating from 1800 were made from gourds, yucca, cactus, and other lightweight plants like this one in a museum display 16 | eyeonmag.com
Possum Crown for a King
hang by his tail. He could see the world from many different ways, so wise leaders wore hats more like big fur bands or crowns of possum fur. White Owl also took the King a talking stick and a gourd fiddle. King George told the Ward family of England to marry the sons and daughters of the Emperor of the Cherokee to make them family. They married their children to other royal children so that they wouldn’t make war on each other. Grandpa Imatoy died while they were gone. When they got back White Owl was made the new emperor. FACT: April 3, 1730 Amatoy Moytoy sent several members of his family with Alexander Cummings to England. There King George II dubbed them the “Royal Family of the Native People” creating an alliance between the Cherokee and the British. The Trustees of Georgia painting depicting the scene hangs in the British Royal Museum of London. After the loss of the American Revolution to the colonists, fearing persecution many descendants of the Moytoys moved into the isolated region of the White River Valley where they denied being Indian or British. In 1780 Abraham Ruddell, one of the first white settlers of Batesville (the oldest surviving city in Arkansas), was taken prisoner at age 6 at Ruddell’s Fort, by the Indians during the migration. He and his brother Stephen were raised as brothers to Tecumseh. ** Scheduled for release April 2011, Phillips newest book, Places of Our People, includes pre-Civil War history and stories of the White River Valley. She also writes weekly history pieces for the Stone County Citizen, White River Current and takes photographic assignments for the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. N
Ruddell Mill near Ruddell Hill in Batesville is on the NRHP, built by the Ruddell family who was held captive by the Shawnee and raised as Tecumseh’s brothers
Ozark Native American traditions are kept alive through local dances and performances. This one held at the Carl Warner Center in Heber Springs.
April 2011 | 17
Local Happenings Photo by Julie Fidler
Over $7,000 was raised at the 10th Annual Polar Bear Plunge held on February 26, 2010 at the White River Sand Bar. The Plunge and the Penguin 5K/10K Run both help to raise important funds that benefit Special Olympics Arkansas. For more information about Special Olympics in Batesville contact Jessica Fagan at 870-3070383 or jessmike-
fam40383@sbcglobal.net N
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Photo by Clayton Cavaness
Photo by Julie Fidler
Above: Dave McQuary wins the Plunger for his fundraising expertise Below: B.U.B.B.A.’s showing their support at the plunge
Above: Shannon Box running the Polar Plunge 5 K Below: Just a couple of the brave who took the plunge for a good cause
Photo by Julie Fidler
Photo by Clayton Cavaness
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Homes Joseph Thomas
Photos by Joseph Thomas
As Jerry and Ruth Ann McClain’s growing family began to spill out into the world, the farming couple moved to a house on Highway 122, a fairly large house on a four acre lot. Everything was great, save for too much house and yard to maintain. They were looking for a smaller, more manageable space. Finding a layout they both liked in a book, they modified it to their specifications and decided to build their own in a location they knew well, a few houses down from a previous home of theirs and right next door to their daughter, Lisa, in Newark. They hired Ricky Gardner as a contractor to make it happen, and Jerry helped build when he wasn’t working their farm. The McClains speak highly of Ricky Gardner and all the help he gave them with the signature touches he added to their home. Jack Ragle of Jack’s Custom Cabinets in Batesville designed the beautiful stove surround. Ruth Ann says it was a tight schedule for the build and the move. Thinking their previous house wouldn’t sell very quickly, of course, sped up the process and it sold immediately. Fortunately, the buyers gave them the few months they needed to get their new home finished. The 1800 square feet of two bedrooms and three baths make the perfect size for the McClains. They have two bonus rooms upstairs, a beautiful kitchen, spacious garage, and a nice shop added later. The porch space in back is the family’s favorite space. Many barbeques and birthdays later, they wouldn’t have built it any other way. Jerry and Ruth Ann McClain have two children, Lisa and David. Lisa has two daughters and four grandchildren, and David has four children. Six grandchildren and four great grandchildren make each celebration more and more profound. The McClains are looking forward to their 49th wedding anniversary and, of course, all of the warmth and love that their children, grand children, and great grandchildren have a knack of adding to every new day. N 20 | eyeonmag.com
Jerry and Ruth Ann McClain
The porch space in back is the family’s favorite space. Many barbeques and birthdays later, they wouldn’t have built it any other way.
The 1800 square feet of two bedrooms and three baths make the perfect size for the McClains.
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I Do Kimberlee Thomas
Photos by Stacy Pretty Photography
Josh and Charla’s story began many years ago when they both attended school at Newark-Cedar Ridge. Josh was a friend to Charla’s younger brother and so the two saw each other often, although neither one felt drawn to the other beyond the normal boundary of friendship. Charla moved to Conway to begin her college career and would come home on the weekends and hang out with her brother and of course there would be Josh. On one such weekend the group attended a haunted house. Josh did the gentlemanly thing and protected Charla from all the ghosts and goblins and won her heart for his efforts. Two years came and went and Josh decided it was time to propose marriage. With the help of his mother and his future mother in-law Josh picked out the perfect ring. His original plan was to propose on his birthday, but once he had the ring in hand he simply could not wait. Charla had been out visiting her grandparents and cousins for the day enjoying some family time. Josh had called several times to inquire as to what she was doing and when she might be home. When his calling did not bring her home he again enlisted the aid of his future mother in-law and had her call Charla. Charla’s 22 | eyeonmag.com
mother asked if she would bring her some allergy medication she knew Charla had at her home. Charla admits to being frustrated at this point in having to cut her visiting short. She also admits she was a bit confused as to why her mother would need the medicine from her home when she always kept her own medicine cabinet stocked with such necessary items. But away she went to do her mothers bidding. Upon entering her home she was headed straight for the medicine cabinet when the sight of a blue jewelry box with a shiny diamond inside perched on the corner of her living room chair caught her eye. As she stood staring in disbelief Josh stepped from the shadows where he had waited for more than an hour. He knelt on one knee and asked Charla to be his wife. She immediately said yes and began to cry. Josh Bridgeman and Charla Murphree were united in Holy Matrimony June 5, 2010 at the First Baptist Church in Newark, Arkansas. Brother Bill Goodwin presided over the ceremony. The chapel was decorated with two beautiful flower arrangements made up of orange, pink, and white Gerber Daisies. The ends of the
Bridgeman Wedding
pews were decorated with flower balls hanging from coordinating ribbons. The bridal party consisted of four bridesmaids and four groomsmen. Josh’s younger sister served as Maid of Honor while Charla’s younger brother severed as Best Man. Charla’s stepbrothers served as ushers and candle lighters. Three young ladies Charla had baby sat as a teenager pulled out the aisle runner. The couple chose traditional wedding songs for the ceremony and “Memories of Us” by Keith Urban as “their song”. A reception was held immediately after the wedding in the Family Life Center of the church. A slide show with several photos of the couple throughout their childhood and dating years was presented while several of the couples favorite songs were played. Huge pink, white, and orange paper lanterns hung from the ceiling. Vases of orange slices and Gerber Daises along with polka dotted pails, which held bubbles for the send off, adorned the tables. Sabra Elmer of Newport provided both the four-tiered wedding cake and the 3-D Razorback grooms cake. Josh tossed the traditional wedding garter to the single men. Charla tossed a very unique throwaway bouquet to the single ladies. The bouquet was made up
of several single stem flowers each with a special verse about love attached. Almost every girl went away with their own stem. The couple honeymooned in Nashville, Tennessee. They attended the CMA Fest and visited many museums and downtown Nashville. Josh and Charla enjoy spending time together watching Razorback sports, attending country music concerts, and spending time with their families. They are both Newark-Cedar Ridge graduates. Charla holds an associate’s degree from UACCB and a teaching degree from ASU Jonesboro. She currently a seventh grade teacher at Newport
Junior High and plans on obtaining her master’s degree in the near future. Josh is currently a student at UAMS in their respiratory program. He is employed by White River Medical Center in Batesville and plans on entering an electrician program this summer. The couple currently resides in Union Hill in a family owned home. They both agree this is wonderful benefit for them as a young couple just starting out. Their future plans included starting a family of their own and purchasing a home closer to the Newark area. N
April 2011 | 23
Youth Julie M. Fidler A Batesville mother’s life changed drastically eight years ago when her son was born with a rare genetic disorder. Paula and Leasul Long’s son, Landon, was diagnosed at birth with trisomy 4, a duplication of the fourth chromosome, affecting nearly every system in his body. Landon was her inspiration for earning a nursing degree to help other families dealing with special needs children. The Longs were surprised, scared and confused when Landon was born at White County Medical Center in Searcy. Right after he was born, Landon was flown to Arkansas Children’s Hospital where doctors in the genetics department saw something they hadn’t seen in 30 years in practice. The Longs were told their son’s disorder was the third documented in the United States, and that documentation came from London, England. “It’s a rare chromosome disorder,” Long said. “It’s the duplication of the fourth chromosome. The genetics department did all the testing at Children’s while he was still in the Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit. They came back and said he was the third child anyone knew about having this.” The couple were already parents of 16-year-old daughter, Alexa. Before entering the registered nursing program at University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville in August 2010, Long worked for a non-profit organization. “I was only working part-time because, the rest of the time, I was taking care of my son,” she said. Although Landon is physically 8, he has the cognitive ability of a 15to 18-month-old. “His cognition is delayed,” Long said. “His mobility is impaired; 24 | eyeonmag.com
Photo by Paula Long
Batesville Mom’s Son Has Rare Genetic Disorder, Inspires Her to Become Nurse
Long wasn’t a newcomer to the medical field when she signed on for nursing classes. She realized her passion for caring for others as a hospital teen volunteer. She was on the Bethesda Fire Department and earned her EMT (emergency medical technician) license by the time she was 19. Marriage and her first child caused the nursing career to go on the back burner. Long studied early childhood and ran a day care center when Landon was born. “That’s how we have to think of our lives,” she said. “There’s preLandon and post-Landon.” Landon’s had 20 surgeries at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock and many stays didn’t include surgery. “We lived down there pretty much,” said Long. “I have stayed at the Ronald McDonald House.” “Being with him and being so involved made me realize how strong my passion was,” she said. “Numerous people would say, ‘You’ve missed your calling. Why aren’t you a nurse?’ I felt like the good Lord was telling me something. Finances and everything fell into place, and here I am.” Long said she has a very closeknit group of caretakers that includes her husband, her daughter and her parents, Alvie and Fay Needham of Batesville. No one else would know what to do with her son, she said. “He’s a happy child,” Long said. Long said she looks forward “He’s very loving. He laughs and to moving into the new nursing smiles a lot.” building at UACCB this summer Landon is unable to enjoy TV and graduating next December as because of his impairments. His a registered nurse. mother said he would rather inter“My ultimate goal is to work at act with people or hold a little Children’s,” she said. “It may take radio he can feel vibrate. a little while to get there. I want to “He loves people,” she said. help other families like us who are “He loves rolling and playing. He scared or lost and have no idea of has chimes and things that make what’s going on. I just want to be sound. He’s a very pleasant child.” able to be a comfort to them.” N he is hearing impaired; he is sight impaired; he wears hearing devices called Baha’s (attached behind each ear with titanium studs). He doesn’t walk. He doesn’t sit up. He uses special walkers and his wheelchair to get around.” None of the above keep Landon from communicating. “We as caregivers know his grunts and his cries,” his mother said. “He is making a few more sounds, but he doesn’t speak. With his hearing, he is making slow progress.” Long said her son’s prognosis as far as overall health is good. “They think he could live a fairly healthy life,” she said. “He’s susceptible to everything because of his immune system. He’ll always need one-onone care. He’s never going to be independent.” She said Landon is making progress with mobility and he may eventually walk. He also has dysplasia of both hips. Landon attends school at West Magnet where he is on the dance team. Sarah Humphrey is Landon’s “one-on-one.” She gets him where he needs to be at school.
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The Arts Arkansas Craft School Offers Spring Craft Classes
Daffodils are blooming, the trees are budding and it is a perfect time to experience spring in the beautiful Ozark Mountains. The Arkansas Craft School in Mountain View invites you to sign up now for Craft classes to be presented during the month April. The month of April begins with three very special artisan studio workshops. April 7 – 9, stained glass artisan Roberta Katz-Messenger, who is known regionally for her exceptional glass work, will be presenting an intensive tutorial for a limited number of stained glass enthusiasts in her home studio and showroom in Clinton, AR. Participants will have three days of exposure and experience, working in professional studio, on a stained glass project of choice. April 8 – 10 offers an opportunity for an extraordinary get-away to the country-side studios of two very special artists. Robert and Mary Patrick live and work in the beautiful rural area of Everton, Arkansas. They are offering the rare chance for students to not only work in their personal studios, but for a very limited number of participants; to be able to stay there as well. Mary will be presenting her class “Ozark Gizzard Baskets” at the same time that Bob will be presenting his “Basic Blacksmithing” class; promising an exciting
and creative weekend retreat. Also on April 8 – 10, wildlife woodcarver Gerry Chisholm will be in residence at the Arkansas Craft School. In this beginning to intermediate level woodcarving class, students can learn how to carve a songbird; half life size, so it can be finished in 3 days. Students may also choose other projects, with permission of the instructor. Class lessons will include sharpening tools, choosing and working with wood, the carving process, making legs and feet; painting, finishing, and mounting. Branching out into the field of Mixed media, Little Rock artist, Lugene Woods will be in town on April 23 to present a one-day workshop entitled “Found Object Boxes.” Have you been wondering what to do with all those small knick-knacks and whatnots that have been cluttering up your drawers? How about re-cycling, re-purposing and re-using them to make a fun, quirky shadowbox? Also on April 23 – 24, award winning Fayetteville ceramic artist, Don Nibert, will offer potters the opportunity to explore his unusual techniques for throwing extreme, bellied-out forms; and of experimenting with his extraordinary firing techniques in the Craft School’s new raku kiln - in a class entitled “Extreme Raku.” Finishing up the month, Ozark Woodturner’s President, James
755 St. Louis Street Batesville, AR 870-793-2645 + tax + tax
26 | eyeonmag.com
Pruitt will offer the course “Introduction to Woodturning” April 29 – May 1. Considered by some to be the premier woodturning studio in the state of Arkansas, the Arkansas Craft School will be the site for this foundational course. The class will cover the equipment, tools, safety, and techniques used in the art of woodturning. This class will be “hands on”, and students will come away with the firm foundation needed to begin turning wood safely; as well as small projects created while learning these new skills. Visit the Arkansas Craft School’s website, www.arkansascraftschool.org
for more information on these and other upcoming classes, as well as registration forms and scholarship applications. The registration process has recently been streamlined, with a $50.00 deposit now securing your place in class. The Arkansas Craft School, located in Mountain View, Arkansas is dedicated to the education of aspiring and practicing craft artisans for success in the Creative Economy. The Craft School partners with Ozarka College which offers Continuing Education credits for all of its courses. Support for the Arkansas Craft School is provided, in part, by the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Arkansas
Heritage, and the National Endowment of the Arts. Batesville Area Arts Council Offers Workshops
Richard Stephens, graphic designer and watercolorist from Hot Springs, will provide a Drawing Class on May 13th and 14th from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day at the BAAC Art Gallery on Main Street. The class is open to all levels from beginners to the more experienced artist. The fee will be based on the number of participants who pre register. For more information, contact the BAAC Art Gallery (870) 793-3382. A $50 deposit is The Arts continued on page 36 April 2011 | 27
Joseph Thomas
People Photos by Coady Photography
Kimberlee and I have gotten to know Mark Lamberth from filming Pioneer Football the last four season. We were proud to hear of his appointment to the Arkansas Racing Commission and wondered what that entailed. He was gracious enough to share some of his time and explain that appointment. We admire the integrity that he carries on a daily basis and wanted you to know more about him as well. Eye On: What is the appointment that you have received? Lamberth: It is the Arkansas Racing Commission and I was appointed by Governor Mike Beebe on January 20th, 2011. It is a five year term. Governor Beebe knew me and my interest in racing. There are five commissioners: Cecil Alexander of Heber Springs is the Chairman (a former AP&L Executive), Jimmie Don McKissack of Pine Bluff (a former legislator), Thomas Akin of Russellville (a logistics operator for Tyson and Peco), Alex Lieblong of Conway (a financial funds manager and big time horse owner), and myself. The mission of the Arkansas Racing Commission is to regulate Greyhound and Thoroughbred Racing in the state of Arkansas. There are rules of racing for the state of Arkansas that are formulated and based on the rules of other jurisdictions. The commissioners lay out the rules for trainers, jockeys, and drug testing for the horses. There are three stewards at Oaklawn who sit above the races that record and regulate the race as it is run. They make decisions based on what they see in cases of inappropriate behavior, such as one horse and jockey clipping the heels of another, impeding the progress of another horse. Punishments can range from disqualification of a horse to giving a jockey days, which means that jockey can’t ride for those days specified. It is the Racing Commission that then handles any appeals by jockeys and trainers on the punishments
Mark Lamberth / Racing Commission Appointment
or rulings made by said stewards. We either uphold, overturn, or modify the steward's decisions and we have done all three since my appointment. We upheld a ruling about two weeks ago where a jockey was given three days, but we also modified another ruling on a jockey from three days down to one because he was on a young horse. It’s not just racing. It is all the rules and behavior around the track, anything illegal, immoral, or inappropriate for the track. If anyone is hired, it goes through the stewards and then it goes through the Racing Commission. But, also, we are there to uphold the integrity of the track. The track doesn‘t have any stakes in any of the races. The players are betting against each other, not the track. The track takes its 17 % off the top, which is part of the State and County tax. Eye On: How long have you been into Horse Racing? Lamberth: I’ve been frequenting Oaklawn since the late seventies, while attending college. I have owned horses since the mid-eighties. That started with Jamestown, a partnership with Bill and Janis Walmsley. Bill is one of my partners here at Atlas Asphalt and an Attorney in Batesville; I have owned several horses with him. When my son, Lance, was heavy into high school and college baseball, so was I. The horses took a back seat while we followed his baseball career. About five years ago I found a renewed interest and took up a partnership with a national company called West Point Thoroughbred and I have owned three horses with them. That led to my partnership with D. Wayne Lukas, who I own a horse with now; a horse called Buzzin and Dreamin. Lukas earned a master’s degree in education at the University of Wisconsin, where he worked as an assistant basketball coach for two years. He became a
Partners, D. Wayne Lukas and Mark and Dianne Lamberth pose with Glowing Report after his big win at Oaklawn on Feb 17th, 2011
Eye On People continued on page 30 28 | eyeonmag.com
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Happy Easter from Kennadi LeeAnne Pretty
Happy Birthday Ms. Kennadi on April 2nd
April 2011 | 29
Eye On People continued from page 28 teacher and was a head high school means it is used to determine the basketball coach for nine years field for the Kentucky Derby. It’s a before becoming one of the most big deal and I was just blown away. successful horse trainers in AmeriSo, we go down for the race can Thoroughbred horse racing and it is a $250,000.00 race. We history and a Racing Hall of Fame were given no shot, I think maybe inductee. He is one of the giants in we were sitting at 60 to 1. Well, the industry, winning various cups Buzzin and Dreamin runs the race and derbies, including the Ken- of his life and places third. All of tucky Derby four times. a sudden he is a stakes placed That came about because I owned horse and I had only bought in a horse with West Point Thorough- two weeks earlier. I was living the bred and the President of WPT dream. People spend years trying was in partnership with Lewis to get a Derby horse, so I’m just on Lakin and Lukas. I saw Buzzin and cloud nine. Roughly three weeks Dreamin at Oaklawn two years ago later, the horse got hurt. He didn’t when he won his maiden race. So run all of 2009, but we brought I called Jeff Lifson, Executive Vice him back last year and he ran two President of WPT, to congratu- or three races before getting hurt late him. He said, “Well, thanks. again. They were sure then that he Would you like to own a piece of had run his last race and so Lukas that horse?” I said, “Well, yes… took him to a farm in Kentucky. maybe.” So, they shot me a price About a month ago, Lukas tells me and I bought a piece of him. About that he may be able to run again. two weeks later, WPT called me The horse had a bowed tendon and said Lukas was going to enter in his front leg, so we may get to Buzzin and Dreamin in the South- bring him back. west Stakes, a stakes race for three I told Lukas I wanted another year olds at Oaklawn Park Race horse with him, so he found a Track in Hot Springs in mid Febru- filly named Glowing Report last ary. It is a graded stakes too, which year out of Churchill Downs and I
bought a piece of her. She has raced at Oaklawn three times now, placed 2nd her first run and on February 17, 2011 won a $42,000.00 allowance race. This past Friday she placed 2nd in another $42,000.00 allowance race. We have another filly named Lottery Lass. We named her after my wife, Dianne, because she’s Chair of the Arkansas Lottery Commission. This one we have with Jamestown, that is Bill Walmsley, Vurl Bud Shreve, and myself. She is still a maiden after a few runs at Oaklawn, but she has a race coming next week, so we’ll see. Eye On: Are there any changes that you would like to see made under your assignment as a commissioner? Lamberth: There are some things that I’m very passionate about. Safety is the main thing. Obviously, there are some serious situations in a typical day at the track, but we want everyone to be able to come out, relax, and enjoy a safe, exciting race. Eye On: We’ve talked about the horse track, what about the
Notes from the Clearing Joseph Thomas
Breathing It In
April is the whisper of her name so fair. The scent on the strand of the cool Spring air. A wave of Lilac and Tulips gone rogue, wild as she was in those days of old. Her name is pure, a word unsaid and she visits my memory in every sunset. With a wink and a smile and a nod that says it all, she carries me through this long Summer’s Fall. And as if she were merely ether and dream, she’s gone again in the image of a scream. She lies with me, though, never far away, for I am the keeper of her tree like sway. She is the scent of the strand of the cool Spring air And April is the whisper of her name so fair.
30 | eyeonmag.com
Greyhounds? Lamberth: Honestly, Greyhound racing is something new to me and I am learning as I go. Southland Greyhound Park is a great track and I am headed down there tomorrow to take the grand tour and learn how the facility operates. I want to learn the ins and outs and do the best job that I can as commissioner. Eye On: Tell us a bit more about Oaklawn Racing and Gaming Park. Lamberth: I took that grand tour last week. It is an amazing facility and is operated as such. There is gaming now, which has definitely improved the numbers of visitors. You can now bet from your home or anywhere else with A. D. W.‘s (Advanced Deposit Wagering sites). Oaklawn is a firstclass, nationally known Park. Eye On: Is there anything else you want to tell us about? Lamberth: I’m very proud of my horses. I told you about Glowing Report. She has one win and two 2nd place achievements winning about $37,000.00 so far this year. Lottery Lass has placed 6th and 3rd and races again next week. Buzzin and Dreamin is undergoing rehab on a farm in Kentucky. We also have two 2 year old horses in
Hot Springs on a farm in a part- Jockey, Terry Thompson, riding Glowing Report at nership with my father-in-law, Oaklawn. Photo by Coady Photography Howard House, Bill Walmsley, and our accountant, Jim Pickering. We have a colt, Kid Sidney, and a filly, Kevil Kid, named after Howard’s home town of Kevil, Kentucky and we think she may be something special. These horses are just learning to run. They will both continue their training in our stables until mid-Summer and then we will send them to training facilities. Kevil Kid will begin her racing career in Louisiana, where she was bred and Kid Sidney will probably go to Kentucky with Jinks Fires and start his racing career there. This is my dream job. I really love the atmosphere and it is an honor to be appointed. I appreciate Governor Beebe having that kind of confidence in me and I am going to do everything I can to make sure that Oaklawn and Southland both remain racing tracks that Arkansas can be proud of. N Governor's Appointments Dr. James "Randy" Willison SR of Batesville, to the Southern Regional Education Board, for a term expiring June 30, 2014, replacing Naccaman Williams. Myra Looney Wood of Batesville, to the Governer's Trauma Advisory Council, for a term expiring July 1, 2012, replacing Ken Kelley. April 2011 | 31
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Birds, Bees, Flowers and Trees Autumn Hunter I regret not taking Dendrology, the study of trees, in college. When I moved into my house in the country, I was curious about the tree that was the focal point of the front yard. Many months later the tree bloomed and the tulip shaped flowers helped me to identify the species. It is known as the tulip tree, tulip Poplar, or tulip Magnolia. One common name abroad is American tulipwood. It’s most commonly known as yellow Poplar even though this species is a member of the Magnolia family and not related to any Poplar species. Another name is “whitewood” due to the color of the tree. The early settlers called it canoewood. In the book Great American Forest we learn that some Indian tribes utilized this species for dugout canoes because “the grained logs are easy to work, easy to split, and grow very tall.” Even Daniel Boones’ sixty foot canoe was a hollowed tulip tree. The tulip tree is known as the tallest hardwood in the eastern forests. On average each tree reaches eighty to one hundred feet. However, this species can reach up to one hundred and ninety feet tall with a ten foot diameter trunk. Even though it is no longer abundant in the United States, this tree is still common in the eastern forest. Found farther back from where the river banks overflow annually in the flood plains, this species grows quickly in river drainage areas where the soil is well drained but remains moist throughout most of the year.
Queens Giant 34 | eyeonmag.com
Tulip Tree
Photos submitted
A Tree of Many Names
The area where this species is at its maximum potential is in the Ohio River valley and the mountains of North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Kentucky. According to the book Hardwood Timber of the South, these areas still have the “highest numbers of the species mainly due to inaccessibility to transportation routes. “ The tulip shaped flowers can appear toward the end of April and are typically gone by July. The flower consists of six greenish-yellow petals, each with orange at base. The flowers can reach up to two inches. The leaves turn a golden yellow in the fall. The seed is also colorful and can remain on the tree throughout the autumn. Fall is the best time for planting the seed because winter dormancy is needed for growth. The seedling will appear in the spring, just like planting the tulip flower. If you’re interested in growing this tree species it needs well drained, high nitrogen enriched, loose soil that retains moisture. It is not a good drought tolerant species. It responds well to fertilizers with low concentrations of sodium. When transplanting the seedling into a larger container, do so in early spring before the leaves appear.
Tulip Tree in my yard
prized as an aesthetic flowering tree species.
Another benefit of this tree is its fast growth. Some fast growing species do not have long life expectancies. The tulip tree maximum life expectancy in ideal habitat with preferred soil could reach three hundred years. However, within a mixed grove in the borough of Queens in New York City, there is an individual tulip tree that is estimated between three hundred fifty and four hundred years of age. This individual tree is known as the Queen’s Giant. In 2005 it was measured at 133.8 feet tall. It is fenced to protect it and there are no signs to lead you to this magnificent specimen. It is however, pointed out on an Urban Park Rangers tour of the city. It is thought to be the oldest living thing in the entire metropolitan area and is highly This species has high commercial prized and guarded by the citizens. value due to its tall, straight trunks and lack of lower branches. A few During the fossil record, this uses are railroad ties, fence posts, species was found widely across pallets, interior of houses, siding, North America and Europe in the and especially in the design of the Cretaceous and Tertiary periods. musical instrument, the organ, due Today, the tulip tree is found to its ability to be precisely cut. growing naturally in the eastern Non-commercial value for this forests of North America. It has species provides a food source for also been successfully introduced wildlife species including nectar in many western states. If you are produced in the orange parts of looking for a beautifully flowering, the flower for hummingbirds. It’s ornamental shade tree to cover also a valued honey tree. However, a larger area of your property, the strong, reddish honey is most keep the tulip tree in mind. Make popular with bakers but not often sure you have enough room for it used on the family dinner table. It to grow tall in full sun since this is a sought after shade tree and is species is not tolerant of shade. N
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1335 College Street, Batesville, AR April 2011 | 35
The Arts continued from page 27 required. Sign up now, as space is limited. Richard will also be our featured artist for the Downtown Second Friday Event, May 13th. Batesville Area Arts Council will host the Kid’s Summer Art Program featuring Troupe d’Jour Shakespeare Camp. Camp will begin August eight and continue through the twelfth. The camp is designed for students in second through eight grades. There will be morning session from 9 a.m. to noon and an afternoon session from 1:00 to 4:00 daily. Enroll by April 30 and pay only $85 those enrolling after the deadline will pay a ten-dollar late fee. For payment options and more information concerning camp contact BAAC at 870-793-3382 The “Go for Baroque” concert scheduled for April eleventh has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. The Batesville Art Gallery on Main Street has seen a flurry of activity. Artist Diane Ziemski presented a Watercolor Workshop February 21st. The Ozark Foothills Filmfest held their poster unveiling on February 22nd. Jim Oberst was the winning artist. Oberst provided a watercolor demonstration at the BAAC Art Gallery on Main during the Main Street Second Friday Event held March 11th. Jennifer Dickey, a volunteer with the Art in the Afternoon Program works with students from age eight to thirteen every Tuesday afternoon in the BAAC Art Gallery. This program is held from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and will continue through the remainder of the school year.
communication. Each week ends with a student “Poetry Slam” competition engaging student’s in performing their own work created during the residency. Patty Carreras, AIE Artist from Memphis Tennessee, provided a residency for first grade students at Southside Elementary. Patty works with students and teachers to create a puppetry storytelling event integrating theatre arts within the reading curriculum. Students performed “The Hungry Hungry Caterpillar”. Patty was also guest artist at the BAAC Art Gallery on Main on Thursday, March 17th where she provided three short one-person performances and a mime/character workshop. Hal Evans and Tracey Hultz, AIE artists from Spring, Texas, worked with students and staff at Batesville’s Central Magnet School and Sulphur Rock Magnet School. Evans and Hultz incorporate theatre arts within the literacy curriculum to address the writing process. They engage students by incorporating movement, text analysis, and focusing skills, which address both oral and written communication. Cultural Kaleidoscope’s Australian AIE artists will be working with Batesville’s Eagle Mountain Magnet School of Health and International Studies during April. They will bring interactive cultural experiences from Australia to students and staff. The culminating student performance program on the final day of this residency will be open to the public. *These AIE residencies are funded AIE Artists in Local Schools in part by the Batesville Area Arts Clayton Scott is a Poet Laure- Council, Batesville and Southside ate of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Scott School Districts and the Arkansas worked with Batesville’s West Arts Council, which is an agency of Magnet School for the Visual and the Department of Arkansas HeriPerforming Arts as well as South- tage, and the National Endowment side’s Middle School program. Stu- for the Arts. N dents are sparked through creative approaches to writing for effective
36 | eyeonmag.com
Note Worthy Events Children’s Health and Safety Fair
The 9th Annual Independence County Children's Health and Safety Fair. Will be held Saturday, April 2 from 9:00 a.m. – Noon at the Independence County Fair Grounds. This event is co-sponsored by the Junior Auxiliary of Independence County and Success by Six. Rajun Cajun Event
The Junior Auxiliary of Independence County will host their annual Rajun Cajun Event on Saturday, May 7 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Batesville’s Riverside Park. There will be plenty of Crawfish and all the fixing's and hot dogs for the kids. There will be a live and a silent auction, door prizes, live music, a bounce house and more. Tickets available at Carlee's Hallmark and Ivory Owl or you may contact any local JA member. The event will be held Rain or Shine. Cultural Events at Lyon College
All events will be held on the Lyon College campus and all events are free and open to the public except as noted. This event calendar will be updated throughout the year on the College’s Web site: www. lyon.edu. Juried Student Art Exhibition April 4 – May 6, Kresge Gallery
An annual competition juried by an external artist, this show gives Lyon College students a chance to compete for monetary awards and prestige, including the coveted Presidential Purchase Award. The 32nd Arkansas Scottish Festival Friday-Sunday, April 8-10, Lyon College campus
The Arkansas Scottish Festival celebrates Lyon’s Presbyterian and Scottish roots. The opening ceremony Saturday will feature the Parade of Clans and Bands. Festival highlights include competitions for pipe bands, individual bagpipers, drummers, dancers and Scottish athletics, sheepdog demonstrations, Scottish food, music and a traditional Feast and Ceilidh on Saturday night. The Iona Worship Service will be held Sunday morning. For more information or to purchase advanced tickets call (870) 307-7473 or visit www.lyon. edu/scotfest.
Annual Mabee-Simpson Library Book Sale Weekend of Scottish Festival, April 8-10
Hundreds of books, magazines, DVDs, videos and CDs will be on sale. The library will also be hosting seminars. Some topics of the past have included Highland Cattle, British Motor Cars, Scots and Irish History, the poetry of Robert Burns, storytelling and Scots Gaelic. And there will be food too!
Bakers of the “Friends of the Library” will be selling delicious cinnamon rolls along with hot coffee. Springtime Concert Monday, April 11, 7:30 p.m., Bevens Music Room
Directed by Joel Plaag, the Lyon College Concert Chorale and the Batesville Choral Society pay tribute to the season of spring in this joint concert.
Lyon Community Orchestra Sunday, April 17, 2:30 p.m., Brown Chapel
Barbara Reeve directs this group in its annual spring concert. Senior Recital: T. J. Guajardo performs a program of vocal selections Monday, April 18, 7:30 p.m., Bevens Music Room Senior Lecture-Demonstration: Alex Moeller Thursday, April 21, 7:30 p.m., Brown Chapel, Room 6
Senior music Major Alex Moeller lectures and performs on the instruments of the percussion family. Lyon Band – Student Recital Tuesday, April 26, 7:30 p.m., Brown Chapel
An end-of-the-semester program by Lyon’s band, directed by Joel Plaag, and individual music students.
Lyon College Flute Choir Sunday, May 1, 4:00 p.m., Bevens Music Room
This ensemble, directed by Laura Stinson, presents its annual spring concert. N
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April 2011 | 37
EOI Movie Review Reviewed by Tanner Smith Smith’s Verdict: ****
Coraline
turns from mysterious dream to living nightmare. Then, the final half of the movie turns into a huge Coraline is a terrific animated climax of chases, wit, and monsters and it does have entertainment for the whole family. its share of scares. So, you might want to take that Although, like other family films into consideration if you have very young kids (say, such as Monster House and The Spiderwick Chronicles, under 8 years of age) that want to see this movie. it may leave a few viewers below a certain age How the buttons are sewn into the eyes isn’t shown unnerved…especially towards the end, which I will but just the idea of it just unnerves me. not give away. This is director Henry Selick’s fourth feature film and his first since the 2001 disaster There is also comic timing in this adventure by Monkeybone Selick has directed two great animated the supporting characters—there is a giant Russian features made up of stop-motion animation—The trapeze artist (voiced by Ian McShane) who claims Nightmare before Christmas and James and the Giant to have jumping mice in his act, two overweight Peach—and with Coraline, he delivers the stage actresses (Jennifer Saunders and goods again. It’s great. Dawn French) who claim to predict the future (and they can too), a neighbor Coraline—based on a short novel boy named Wybie (voiced by Robert by Neil Gaiman—was done with Bailey, Jr.) whose name is short for about the same process as those two Why Born, and Wybie’s cat (voiced by features with a few digital effects Keith David), who has a mysterious thrown in as well. It has been shown side of his own. All the voice actors in 3-D in select theatres. With the are perfect for the roles and Dakota new 3-D process introduced with Fanning is wonderful as Coraline. last year’s Journey to the Center of the She has the ability to make an Earth, it doesn’t disappoint. unpleasant girl a true heroine. I mean, she probably deserved to be put into The story focuses on a blue-haired, this terror because she was so unpleasant unpleasant little girl named Coraline Jones so maybe she’ll learn a lesson. (voiced by Dakota Fanning) who has moved to a real old mansion in Oregon. Now, let me just get this There are a lot of dazzling sequences in this out of the way—Coraline is no Pippy Longstocking. movie—including one involving a self-playing piano She is an unpleasant little girl with an attitude. I with glove controls, a garden where flowers dance, didn’t think movies like this would even dare to try that Russian circus man’s circus tent where there to have those character traits for the child lead. really are jumping mice, and more. They’re so surreal and as strange as the chocolate factory scenes in Coraline’s parents (voiced by Teri Hatcher and 2005’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. John Hodgman), who are writers, have no time for Coraline so she basically just does whatever she wants Coraline is a truly intriguing piece of animated in the old house. While exploring, she discovers a work. I was stunned by almost every minute of it. The secret door in the wall. By day, it seems to be bricked plot has some familiar elements but there are some up. But by night, it becomes a portal to another twists and turns and the best thing about it was that I dimension, as it seems. Coraline crawls through the never knew exactly what was going to happen—that tunnel and finds herself in her own house. However, is praise. N there is something different about it—it seems sort of magical and her parents (her “other” parents) have a lot of time for her. But the weirdest thing is that they have buttons for eyes. In the morning, she wakes up in her own house. But every night, she returns to the “other” house and sees it as a dream come true. However, what starts out as a dream could become a nightmare. And now, she must rely on her wits to escape her “Other Mother” forever. The animation here is so smooth that it almost seems like CGI. It’s amazing and visually astounding. Seeing it in 3-D makes it seem even better. A lot of critics will probably be more astounded by the animation—it’s possible their jaws will be dropped the whole time—than the plot. I love the way the plot 38 | eyeonmag.com
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