Eye On
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April 2012
Independence
Double Vision Just The Bear Facts Supporting the Exodus Springtime in the Grove
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In This Issue 6/Publisher’s Note
Oh, This Coil of Spring
7/Fork in the Road
New Chef Resurrects the Anderson House Inn
9/The Morning Line
Springtime in the Grove
10/Travel On
A Mother’s Day Getaway
12
26
15
31
16
34
24
39
12/Cover Story
Double Vision
15/Your Health
Do You Know Your Numbers?
16/Feature Just Jo
19/The Nature of Things The Bear Facts
20/Faces 22/We’re Still Out Here Stopping the Exodus
24/Faces 26/I Do
Wedding Planning for Two: 5 Simple Tips on Working Together
28/Batesville Area Arts Council 31/Tales Of a Transplanted Fashionista
The 10 Things Every Woman Needs In Her Closet This Spring
32/Notes from the Clearing Unspoken Vapors
33/Advertorial
Independence County Off Road
34/The Myopic Life
The Sounds of Change
36/Things To Do 38/Faces 39/American Cancer Society
Eye On
April 2012
Eye On Independence om
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s Just The Bear Fact dus Supporting the Exo Springtime in the
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Cover photography by Robert O. Seat Design by Joseph Thomas
Eye On
Meet Your Writers... Autumn Hunter obtained a Wildlife Biology degree from Arkansas Tech University. She worked in a number of zoo organizations training birds of prey for educational performances. Currently, Autumn works for North Arkansas College as an Educational Talent Search (ETS) Counselor hosted at UACCB. The E.T.S. program is a national student assistance TRIO program. Autumn does college preparation workshops each month at Cave City, Midland, and Pangburn highschools.
Leigh Keller is now a high school Spanish teacher. She is also a colorguard coordinator for Batesville Public Schools. She received her BA in English, Spanish and ESL from Arkansas Tech University, and an MS in Counseling from John Brown University. She is married to Allen and they have one son, Cole.
Mark Lamberth is the Voice of the Pioneers on KZLE 93.1 FM Radio and Suddenlink Cable Channel 6 for Pioneer Football. He is President of Atlas Asphalt, Inc., a Member of the Arkansas Racing Commission, and a graduate of University of Arkansas. Photograph by
Keith Sturch.
Alisa R. Lancaster is an Advanced Practice Nurse for the U of A Medical Sciences Area Health Education Center. She has been in health care since 1983, the last 17 years with the UAMS system. Alisa and husband Scott have four children and a granddaughter. Alisa’s mission is to improve the health and welfare of others through education and practice. She welcomes feedback at AlisaAPN@gmail.com or 870.698.1023. Bob Pest is the president and Co-founder of Ozark Foothills FilmFest and the T Tauri Film Festival and Movie Camp. He works as a community development consultant for First Community Bank, teaches film classes at UACCB, and currently serves as vice-president and is former president of the Ozark Gateway Tourist Council.
Kristi Price spent all her life as a transplant, having grown up military. The Ozarks have always been in her blood though, and she’s proud to call Batesville her home after many years on the move. Kristi holds a BA in English and blogs about family and other mishaps at www.themyopiclife.wordpress.com. She is married to Erin and mother to Ethan, Emily, and Maggie.
Tanner Smith is a native of Manila, Arkansas. He has written movie reviews for the T Tauri Galaxy (www.ttauri. org/galaxy) for several years and is a five year veteran of the T Tauri Movie Camp. He has made a number of films, ranging from horror to documentary, and has won awards in filmmaking and screenwriting. THIS PUBLICATION IS PRODUCED BY: MeadowLand Media, Inc. P. O. Box 196, Grubbs, AR 72431 870.503.1150 kthomas@eyeonmag.com PUBLISHER: Kimberlee Thomas Associate EDITOR: Bob Pest MANAGING EDITOR: Joseph Thomas ADVERTISING: Kimberlee Thomas Creative Director : Joseph Thomas AD DESIGN Department: Kimberlee Thomas Joseph Thomas PROOFING Department: Joseph Thomas Kimberlee Thomas Staff PHOTOGRAPHERS: Kimberlee Thomas Joseph Thomas Robert O. Seat 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 admin@meadowlandmedia.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.
For advertising, distribution, or editorial contribution, contact Kimberlee Thomas, 870.503.1150, kthomas@eyeonmag.com.
Guest Writers... Author of Places of Our People, 2011, available at Hastings, writes pre-civil war history of the White River Valley.
Julie M. Fidler earned a bachelor of arts degree in media arts from Lyon College. She is an award-winning freelance writer and photographer whose work also appears in the Arkansas DemocratGazette's Three Rivers Edition. Julie lives in Batesville with her husband, Don Taylor. She is the mother of two grown sons, Vincent and Nicholas.
Publisher’s Note
Oh, This Coil of Spring Kimberlee Thomas
Kimberlee and Joseph Thomas photo by Robert O. Seat
The coil of Spring is upon us and how sweet it is. Our home is a mixture of new baby smell (as so poignantly put by Kristi Price), cool pollen filled breezes, and the very subtle burnt toast smell of our computers as we prepare this April issue (I hope that is the computers I’m smelling). Anyway, we first want to congratulate the winners of the Chamber’s annual Business Expo. The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce honored Bad Boy, Incorporated as Large Business of the Year; the Batesville Motor Speedway as Small Business of the Year; U.S. Pizza as New Business of the Year; Randy Reichardt as Past Chairman; Vonda Oberbeck as Volunteer of the Year; and Cynthia Harris as Ambassador of the Year. We actually missed this event in order to get the March issue picked up and put out in a timely manner, we are sorry we missed it and want to thank President and CEO Crystal Johnson and the entire staff of the Chamber for the work and effort they put into what they do. We are very pleased to bring you this month’s issue and invite you to snag one for yourself, find a nice breeze, and enjoy this read. We bring you Autumn Hunter’s encounter with Bear Management and Mark Lamberth’s Morning Line, “Springtime in the Grove,” because racing season is upon us. Bob Pest talks more about the challenges facing rural communities in WE’RE STILL OUT HERE and Renee Taylor gives us an intriguing idea for a Mother’s Day gift mom will not soon forget. There is much more within these cover’s, including the Cover Story which highlights Robin Long and Renee Brock. Our feature this month is Judge Jo Hart, Kristi Price brings us “the Sounds of Change,” and Leigh Keller unveils “The 10 things that Every Woman Needs in Her Closet.” There is still more, but I will leave you to it and allow you to peruse for yourself. Happy Mother’s Day MOM, Happy Easter, Happy Days, and we will see you next month. N
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Eye On
Fork in the Road
New Chef Resurrects the Anderson House Inn Bob Pest
A new chef, Rusty McKenzie, his wife Laura, and their son Kyle own and operate the Anderson House Inn restaurant in Heber Springs, maintaining the casual atmosphere that once made the restaurant so popular, while serving a sophisticated, creative menu. Lunch is served Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Highlights include the Salmon and Baby Spinach Salad, served with crumbled bacon, hardboiled egg, and a refreshing citrus vinaigrette. The four ounce salmon filet is high-quality and grilled to perfection. Equally delicious is the Spinach and Mushroom Flatbread Pizza, featuring caramelized onions, tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese on garlic bread, served with a side Caesar salad. My favorite is the Bleu and Bacon Burger, an eight ounce burger seasoned with Cajun spices and topped with bleu cheese sauce,
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bacon, and bleu cheese crumbles. The menu also includes a soup of the day, made fresh daily. I've been impressed with both the Cheesy Taco and Minestrone soup and the Creamy Chicken Vegetable. Although the dinner menu is impressive, be sure to ask about specials; the crab-stuffed pork chop, for example, was a pleasant surprise. Regular items include Pasta Alfredo, Pesto Chicken Pasta, Grilled Shrimp and Grits, and Apple Jack Pork Chops. I highly recommend the Chicken Roulade, a chicken breast stuffed with cream cheese and spinach, rolled and coated in panko bread crumbs and baked, topped with a ginger drizzle, and served with mushroom rice pilaf and the vegetable of the day. Most of the lunch items appear on the dinner menu, some with minor changes or larger servings. The appetizers are creative and
substantial; give the Spinach Dip in a Bread Bowl a try, or the Crab Stuffed Mushrooms topped with Parmesan cheese. Desserts are also made fresh daily. Popular favorites include cheese cake, chocolate cake, and a hard-to-resist chocolate ĂŠclair. Sunday Brunch features the usual favorites-Western Omelets, Shrimp and Grits, French Toast, Eggs Benedict, and the universallyloved pancake-as well as tempting surprises, including the Seafood Crepe, two crepes filled with crab meat stuffing finished with shrimp and scallop garlic cream sauce. The traditional brunch cocktails, the Mimosa and the Bloody Mary, are available at the surprising price of $2.00. The service at the Anderson House is impeccable. The restaurant serves wine, beer, and mixed drinks; both the beer selections and the wine list provide a variety of choices. Restaurant prices are surprisingly low given the quality of the food and the generous servings. Live music is currently featured in the cozy lounge, complete with fireplace, on an irregular basis; the plan is to establish a regular live music schedule as word gets around. The Anderson House Inn, located at 201 E. Main Street in Heber Springs, is open Wednesday through Saturday for lunch from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and dinner from 5 to 9. Sunday Brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. N
Check us out at mybatesville.org and follow us on Twitter @mybatesville
April 2012 |  7
Welcome to Independence
The Morning Line
Springtime in the Grove Mark Lamberth While the advent of spring always signals the return of baseball at all levels from tee ball to the major leagues, it also means the resumption of auto racing at the Batesville Speedway. The managing partner of the facility is the gregarious local personality – Mooney Starr. He is also the prime promoter of the track and is second to none in his ideas and actions which make it the favorite facility of racers around the country. It is great family entertainment that is affordable and brings race fans to Batesville and Independence County from not only Arkansas but from surrounding states as well. The quality of racing makes the Batesville Speedway a destination for major dirt racing teams as well as its legions of fans. The economic impact of the track on this entire area can be seen on many weekends from spring to early fall. One only has to cruise by motel row north of Batesville and see the trucks and car carriers that are parked in every corner. The influx of out of area (including out of state) money has a tremendous impact on our city and county. From restaurants to retailers, people are spending money with local folks that sustain jobs for our residents. That’s why I was particularly pleased that the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce honored the Batesville Speedway with its small business of the year award last month at its annual Business Expo. Doubtless there are many locals that have never attended a racing event at Locust Grove but everyone
B. in the community benefits from its impact on the local economy. I’m not advocating that everyone needs to be a dirt racing fan. We all have our favorite sports such as high school football or other activity that conflicts and prevents us from attending the races. However, we should as citizens appreciate the valuable product that Mooney Starr brings to our area that help fuel and power our economy. It was the first home track of NASCAR legend, Mark Martin. Locals Bill and Gail Davis and their racing team won a Daytona 500 and a Truck Series Championship. Couple these with Mark’s museum located at the Mark Martin Ford dealership, Kirk Shaw owner of New Vision Graphics (car wraps and promotional products), and the Larry Shaw Racing Shop that builds race cars for racing teams all over the
country and it’s no wonder that Batesville, Arkansas is recognized as a premier location for all facets of the racing world. Every spring Mark brings in a couple of race celebrities such as Rick Hendrick, Tony Stewart, and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. to his annual Fan Appreciation Weekend held at the dealership. In checking license plates from last year’s show over half the states in the United States were represented – a tribute to NASCAR’s popularity and a shot in the arm to our community. There’s not another Arkansas community that can match our varied and valuable racing related resources. Finally, someone took notice and honored a vital cog in the Batesville economy that has never received its proper recognition. It was long overdue. N
A.
C. A. Mooney Starr / image from dirtondirt.com. B. B.M.S banner from batesville motor speedway.net. C. Mark Martin Ford / image taken by dealership. April 2012 | 9
Travel On
A Mother’s Day Getaway Renee Taylor It is hard to believe that spring has sprung already this year! The early burst of warm weather, blooming flowers and longer days makes us all start dreaming of being outdoors and getting away to wonderful sunny destinations. Also with spring comes Mother’s Day. It seems that every year I start early trying to think of something different to honor my mother, who has everything! I have given her the normal candles, perfumes, flowers, garden plants, and of course the beloved framed family pictures. If you are searching for something special to honor your mother, why not consider a gift of time spent together on a weekend getaway? Many of my Independence County clients have moved to spending Christmas holidays traveling with family rather than the typical gift giving of the season. You can do the same for Mother’s Day by planning a short trip that would be something that you mother especially might enjoy. Here are some of my favorite places: St. Louis, MO - Besides all of the museums, shopping, and downtown dining, the Missouri Botanical Gardens are beautiful and I don’t know of a single woman that doesn’t love exotic flowering gardens! The gardens opened in 1859 and today is a National Historic Landmark covering 79 acres. There are Chinese,
Springtime brings warmer weather, beautiful flowers, and Mother’s Day! Surprise your mother with a special get-a-way planned by our professional Travel Advisors!
Japanese, English and Victorian gardens just to name a few! Charleston, SC – This area is so rich in history and beauty that there is plenty to do for everyone! Stroll the streets of the historic downtown and enjoy the shops and dining. Visiting a 300 year old “still working” plantation that has one of the world’s largest oak lined avenues is a must do in Charleston. Or, just relax on one of the beautiful pristine beaches of the area. New York, NY – What woman wouldn’t love a weekend getaway to the city of all cities? Take Mom on a 5th avenue shopping spree where she can visit all the famous designer shops. Then top it all with a night on Broadway and dessert at a famous restaurant where she is sure to spot a Broadway celebrity. N
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February 2012 |  11
Eye On Cover Story Double Vision Julie M. Fidler
One twin is in the Kiwanis Club, the other in Rotary. They work in the same bank, one in the trust department and the other in lending. Because Robin Brock and Renee Long are identical twins, customers and even other Citizens Bank employees get them mixed up. The two have worked at the bank for over 30 years. They grew up in Rosie and went to school at Oil Trough. “One time we switched boyfriends,” said Robin. “We didn’t much like that though.” “We were 16,” said Renee. “We switched one class,” said Robin. “I got afraid. I went to sit in her class and went, ‘Oh Lord, just get me out of here.’” Everyone has heard stories about twins feeling each other’s pain or emotions. “With us,” said Robin, “It’s more or less the expressions on each other’s face. I can tell if something is not right or something dramatic is going on with Renee.” “I can finish her sentences, and she can finish mine,” said Robin. “We didn’t go to college,” Robin said. “We married two weeks apart of one another right after high school.” This summer, the twins will have been married to their respective spouses for 40 years. “It’s amazing my husband hasn’t killed me yet,” Robin said, laughing. Her husband is Eddie Brock, a retired educator and the owner of The Uniform Shop in Batesville. Renee’s husband, Tommy Long, works for Independence County’s senior citizens program and was a long-time employee of Stanley Wood Chevrolet. “Renee started to work here before I did,” Robin said about The Citizens Bank. “(It was) when J.K. Southerland was at the bank. I worked at the Clinic Drug Store. J.K. came down one day, and he said, ‘If I just had you down there, I’d have a set of bookends.’ Literally, we are bookends at each end of this bank.” “I’ve been here 34 years,” said Renee. “That’s a long time for anyone to stay in one place.” Before the two started working at the bank, they
worked together elsewhere. “We both worked at North Arkansas Clinic and moved out to the med center,” said Robin. “We were across the street from one another.” When the two were little, their mother made their clothes. “We always dressed alike,” said Robin. “We were very poor, and our mother made our clothes by hand,” said Renee. “We grew up in a large family. We were the only twins. My mother had twin brothers and twin uncles. We were the 13th set of twins to be born in our family.” The two experience everyday confusion at the bank. Renee said, “Someone was in Robin’s office and was told that she was out of town. I guess (the customer) went downstairs. I saw her in the hallway, and she said, ‘How’d you get here?’ Then, I went to Rotary, and they thought I was Robin. (Independence County) Judge Griffin started talking about the hydro (project)and calling me Robin. I finally had to tell him it was me. He was getting over my head.” “People ask how it feels to be a twin,” said Robin. “I wouldn’t know. I can’t imagine what it’s like to not be a twin.” How did people tell them apart as young girls? “She was meaner than I,” Robin said, laughing. “We parted our hair on different sides,” added Renee. Today, the two have different sets of friends but spend a lot of time together. Renee and Tommy Long have two sons, Aaron Long of Batesville and Alan Long of Fayetteville. Robin and Eddie Brock’s son, Andrew Brock, lives at Southside. Robin has two grandchildren, and Renee has four. None of them are twins. Another set of grown sisters in Independence County are twins, but they are very different in several ways. Brenda works for the city of Batesville, and her sister, Linda, works for the Southside School District. Their mother says they are identical twins, but they don’t look very much alike. They were born in Austin, Texas, and went to school at Pleasant Plains and Southside. Brenda said being a twin is
Eye On
“something I can’t really explain.” “We don’t look just alike,” said Linda. “The special connection is the most fun thing about being a twin,” Brenda said. Linda said she especially likes “knowing you’re never alone and having someone to lead, and all you have to do is follow.” Growing up, the two of them would get called the wrong name a lot. “People were always saying, ‘Now, which one are you?’” Brenda said. “We would get our names mixed up,” Linda agreed. As far as the special bond that many twins have, Brenda said, “We have had at times the same pain in the same area or have sensed that there was something wrong.” “Yes,” said Linda. “We sometimes have the same aches and pains in the same leg or foot.” There are a couple of other sets of twins in the family too. Their grandmother on their father’s side was a twin. Brenda said, “I also have13-year-old greatnephews who are twins.” The fraternal teens are Linda’s grandsons. Linda and Brenda grew up with three brothers, Richard, Troy and Danny (now deceased) and a sister, Wanda. www.photobyseat.com
How do people tell the two apart? “I’m the taller one,” said Brenda. “I’ve always been the dominant one, and have always been taller.” Linda says people tell them apart “by calling us the wrong name. Then they know. Also, Brenda is very outgoing and loves crowds. I don’t and am not outgoing. I’m a homebody.” When asked if they spend a lot of time together, Linda said, “Not as much as we should, but more lately.” When they were kids, the two had more time to spend together. “While growing up, we were always together,” said Brenda. “We both played basketball and ran in the same group of friends.” “We don’t dress alike now, but we do have similar hairstyles,” said Brenda. “A lot of the time, our hairstyle is the same,” Linda agreed. “Mom dressed us the same.” “We were very close as young girls and teen-agers,” Brenda said. “We both married young, within three months of each other. As children and other things in life came along, we grew apart, but have gotten back together now that our children are grown and gone. We live within 10 miles of each other and have always lived close by.” N
SOUTHERN BANK NAMED TOP COMMUNITY BANK Southern Bank announced recently that it was included in SNL Financial’s listing of top 100 community banks for 2011. Among all publicly-traded community banks in the United States, Southern Bank’s 2011 performance was ranked ninth. Among all public and privately owned community banks in the listing, Southern Bank was ranked 25th. Southern Bank is a subsidiary of Southern Missouri Bancorp, Inc., which trades under the ticker “SMBC” on the NASDAQ Global Market. March 22, 2012, marks Southern Bank’s 125th anniversary of its founding as a building and loan association. Today, Southern Bank has grown to a fullservice commercial bank focused on pairing community bank service with the latest technology in delivering financial services to its valued customers. The bank operates 18 branches in Missouri and Arkansas. Southern Bank was selected by SNL Financial based on criteria including its profitability, asset quality, efficiency, and loan growth. This marks the second consecutive year that Southern Bank has been included near the top of SNL’s annual listing. At December 31, 2011, Southern Bank reported assets of $773 million, an increase of 12% from a year ago. Southern Missouri Bancorp completed a secondary offering of its common stock in November of 2011,
providing additional capital to support continued growth of the organization. “We’re always looking for effective ways to deploy shareholder capital, provide a good return on that investment, and continue to serve communities in Missouri and Arkansas,” said Greg Steffens, President and CEO. SNL Financial is a leading provider of news and data on a number of industries, including banking, financial services, insurance, real estate, energy, and media/ communications. Leading investment banks, investment managers, corporate executives, rating agencies, government agencies, consulting firms, and media rely on SNL to provide the best possible information on companies in the sectors they cover. N
Eye On
Your Health Do You Know Your Numbers? Alisa R. Lancaster According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 1 in 3 adults have high blood pressure. That’s approximately 68 million people. It’s estimated that having high blood pressure costs the US $93.5 billion annually in health care visits, medications, and days of missed work. High blood pressure can strike anyone, including children, and greatly increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, which are the first and third leading causes of death in the US. Blood pressure is the force of blood against your artery walls. It normally varies throughout the day, but can cause harm when it stays too high for too long. High blood pressure is called the “silent killer” because many people don’t even realize that they have high blood pressure. There are often no warning signs or symptoms. That’s why it is important to get your blood pressure checked at least twice a year, or as recommended by your health care provider. A normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg. The first (higher) number represents the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart beats. The second (lower) number is the pressure in your vessels between heart beats or when your heart is at “rest.” High blood pressure can damage your health in
many ways. It can harden your arteries and thereby decreases the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart muscle. This decrease in blood flow can cause chest pain (angina), heart failure, and ultimately a heart attack. It can also cause a stroke by bursting or blocking arteries that supply the brain. Some of the risk factors for developing high blood pressure can be controlled, but others cannot. For example, you cannot control your age, race/ethnicity, or family history. You can control your health, medications, and other habits. So, eat healthy, be physically active, don’t smoke, limit alcohol intake, and check your blood pressure at least twice a year. You can make a difference! N
Blood Pressure is the measurement of force applied to artery walls.
From Films to Antiques, Museums to Race Cars, Batesville is Happening
Bob Pest Batesville, Arkansas’ oldest existing city, offers visitors a rich variety of places to go and things to do. The annual Ozark Foothills FilmFest, held for five days in late March or early April, has been praised as “the best small town film festival in America.” It has also been honored for the past three years as one of the Top 20 Tourism Events by the Southeast Tourism Society. The festival features independent feature films, documentaries, animation, restored classics, foreign language films, and short films by emerging filmmakers. It takes place at a number of venues around town, including Lyon College, the University of Arkansas Community College, the historic Landers Theater building, and Old Independence Regional Museum. Several social gatherings are scheduled where attendees can meet and talk with visiting filmmakers. Admission prices are extremely low ($5 for individual screenings) and discount festival passes. Visit
www.ozarkfoothillsfilmfest.org for schedules and more information. Old Independence Regional Museum, located at Ninth and Vine streets, preserves the history of the original 1820 Independence County, which included all or part of what are now Baxter, Cleburne, Fulton, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Marion, Poinsett, Sharp, Stone, White, and Woodruff counties. The museum hosts a wide variety of programs, exhibits, and educational events, as well as maintaining a wealth of historic research and genealogical materials available for public use. A number of semipermanent exhibits chronicle how our region has evolved. Batesville is also home to the Mark Martin Museum, a “must see” for racing fans with dozens of trophies, scores of photos, comprehensive exhibits of Martin’s racing suits and helmets. But the museum’s six central exhibits, each built around and featuring a car that played a role on Martin’s
career, steal the show. The museum, located inside the driver’s Ford dealership, hosts Fan Appreciation Day, with Martin and other wellknown drivers, at least once a year. Admission is free. Downtown Main Street is home to a variety of businesses, including Thompson’s Jewelry, Old World Lanterns by Benoit, Simply Southern Music Hall, Paper Chase Book Store, the Batesville Area Arts Council Gallery, Elizabeth’s Restaurant, Randy’s Music, and several outstanding antique shops. The arts council gallery showcases work by local and regional artists, as well as hosting touring programs such as the Arkansas Arts Council’s Small Works on Paper exhibit and White River Juried Arts Exhibition, created by the Batesville Area Arts Council and featuring work by artists from eight states. While you are shopping be sure to check out the Pocket Park, an outdoor concert venue and good place to rest; the historic court houses mural; and the
Batesville’s Happining continued on page 39
Eye On Feature Just Jo
Freda Cruse Phillips
It was the 1970’s. No matter what image the 70’s evoke for each of us, it was a time of change. Amidst this background Judge Jo Hart, a young fresh-faced attorney with the Highsmith Law Firm opened her law practice in Mountain View and Batesville. She remained with the Highsmith firm, becoming a partner and leaving only when she successfully won election to the Arkansas Court of Appeals in 1999. Not only was Judge Jo one of the first women to represent clients in the area, she was the first woman from the area to be elected to a position with the higher courts of Arkansas since Arkansas became a territory in 1819. She didn’t set out to become a role model. She meant only to do as she had been taught by her parents: “A job, any job, is a job worth doing well.” Judge Jo’s eyes twinkle when she’s asked about the challenges she met breaking the boundaries for women in rural Arkansas. “Oh well, yes, they are interesting, but not as interesting or as challenging as the stories of a new Lieutenant in the U.S. Army serving in the Far East.” Judge Jo, a graduate of Arkansas Tech and a Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, is proud of service during the Vietnam War era and her position with the JAG Corps of the U.S. Army. Another young lawyer, Judge Connie Barksdale, hung her shingle out in Calico Rock. “Not only could I hardly wait to get into the courtroom but my husband and I had deferred starting a family until I finished law school and we were waiting breathless to find out if our dream of a family was within reach. Life was good and we were both ecstatic when we learned that our wait was over. Unfortunately a traumatic miscarriage not only foreclosed our dream of a family but left me in deep despair. Judge Hart, known to all as “just Jo,” watched me struggle to cope with my shattered dreams and gave me sage advise.” “Connie,” she said, “the world is full of children who need love and many of those need parents to give them a home. That may be your mission in life.” At first I did not want to hear any suggestions of adoption. But as time passed the idea took deep roots. A few months later, I got a call from Jo. Earlier in the week, she was on her way home from court in one of the far northern counties when she noticed the light was still on as she passed by a lawyer’s office that she needed to discuss a case with. Upon entering the
office she unwittingly heard a loud and angry discussion between a couple involving an unexpected and unwanted pregnancy. Sensitive to the circumstance, she quickly went to the office phone. “This was before cell phones,” Connie says laughing. “Jo called the lawyer on his own office phone, who clearly wanted any reason to quiet his clients and a ringing phone was it. He answered and Jo called his name saying, “I have a solution. If you will ask this couple to meet me at my office tomorrow after five o’clock I will discuss with them the possibility of a prebirth adoption. Jo was doing what Jo does so well - find solutions to impossible situations. Her effort enabled me my husband not only adopt our first child but gave us an opportunity to experience the breathless wait for the birth.” It was late on a Sunday night when our daughter was born. Jo was talking with the doctor who was giving her an excellent report on the health of the baby when she unexpectedly asked, “What color is the baby’s hair?” The doctor reluctantly said, “Well, it is red but that could change,” Jo said, “I hope not, her new mother is a flaming redhead.” Everyone in the county wanted to know how Jo had managed to find me a redheaded baby. Jo responded, “God provides.” When I asked about fees for her services, Jo said, “the wealth of our nation is not in money but is in neighbors helping neighbors, you raise this baby and I will be well paid.” Two years later Jo brought us our second daughter. Ultimately we adopted three children.” “I was not the only beneficiary of Jo’s practical solution to a seeming complicated situation. My friend in a nearby county tells the story of how Jo brought him and his wife a blanket wrapped baby on Christmas Eve. Just the idea that she would leave the comfort of her home and family to help others and drive miles to meet with the doctor and take a child to its new parents, continues to inspire my life and my work.” Stories of Jo Hart abound with people who know her in Arkansas, from her childhood in Pope County, to the fresh faced lieutenant who had to learn to juggle an ever increasing work load in a man’s army, to the children and families whose lives she has impacted in her practice, she is always “Just Jo.” N
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The Nature of Things
The Bear Facts Autumn Hunter
I recently had the very cool opportunity to tag along with the Arkansas Game and Fish (AGFC) to check a bear den near the small town of Fifty Six. The current estimated population of black bears in Arkansas is 3,500 - 4,000. This population inhabits three regions: the Ozark and Ouachita mountain ranges, and the lower White River. Myron Means is the State Bear Coordinator for Arkansas. When we arrived at the site we were treated to a short educational session on bear management and a couple scenarios of what to expect at our destination. Betty was the name of the particular female to be visited this day and she is known as a “runner”. Betty is 12 years old and produces two cubs every other year. She’d had her GPS collar on for three years so they hoped to dart her in order to change out the collar and gather biological data on her and the cubs. Ozark bears generally have 2 cubs at a time while Ouachita bears average 3 cubs. Bears may breed from May-July. Females have a 60-65 day gestation period, but they don’t give birth until January. This is known as delayed implantation. If the females do not gain enough fat before winter then they will not have a successful pregnancy. Cubs stay with their mother for two years before they are on their own. Females mature at 4 years old. So if an adult produced 2 cubs every other year and lived 20 years she would produce 16 cubs in
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her entire life cycle. Mother bears do not eat, drink, or go to the bathroom during the 3-4 month natal period. They come out of den mid to late April when cubs can walk. Dens with yearling bears come out earlier, midFebruary, since bears are not true hibernators. Mast refers to the fruits of woody plants. Soft mast includes berries and sassafras. Hard mast fruits have a tough exterior, such as acorns. Both types of mast are essential in the diets of our southern wildlife. Fat bears are in good condition for cubs. When there is good mast production most females have at least two cubs. Production cycles of mast determine reproduction rates and also influence harvest numbers. If there is not enough soft mast then nuisance bear problems increase. In 2007 many parts of Arkansas had a hard freeze at Easter and soft mast food supply was wiped out. In response bear reproduction rates in 2008 dropped significantly. In 2009 there was no quota in Ozarks and 400 bears were harvested in zone 1, more than in whole state. When natural events are followed by a season of high harvest, quotas are set until the population numbers increase. Mr. Means explains, “Since bears have 2 year reproductive cycle, when bears are hard hit in one season they don’t bounce back quickly. It may take up to 20 years for numbers to come back.” The two main pieces of
information needed for effective bear management are recruitment and reproduction: how many leave and how many enter a population. To sustain a population, 10% can be harvested per year. Monitoring the number of harvested bears and checking dens provides both pieces of critical data for the program. Limits on bear populations are based largely on society’s capacity for tolerance, not necessarily habitat availability or carrying capacity of the land. Managed population sizes are directly related to public perception. State wide there are currently 35 collared, adult females. Mr. Means says 25 are needed in each region. They use a pilot to locate signals from the collars and are able to locate them each year. The preden assessments begin in January when cubs are a week old and about the size of a 5 ounce coke can. Information acquired during this time is whether the den is at cub or yearling cycle, how far to hike, how difficult a hike, and if the den is human or vehicle accessible. Cub work starts in mid-February when cubs are around 3lbs. Both cubs at the Fifty-Six site were female and weighed 6 lb. at 7 weeks old. Betty did run and they were not able to dart her during this visit. This meant we had less time to see the cubs since Betty was pacing on a ridge nearby watching the den. Lisa Fletcher and her boys, Blake age 10 and Adam age 12, got to tag along when her mother-in-law bid on a certificate at a banquet auction supporting Easter Seals. The AGFC gives away ten bear den certificates to non-profit fundraising each year. Bear hunting season in the Ozarks is from Oct 1 – Nov 30, Ouachita hunts run Sept 15-Nov 30, and White River has a short season in early Dec. I learned a lot about bear management and even got a rare chance to hold a 7 week old cub. N A Bear cub being weighed. B. Fletcher family. April 2012 | 19
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A.) Lyon College Board of Trustees President Ray LaCroix and wife Dianne. B.) Tony and Stacy Gunderman with daughter Lauren. C) (Top to bottom) Lyon College students Megan Holifield, Maggie Hance, Mattie Erby and Hannah Ellis D) David and Chris Heringer of Batesville E.) Left to right) Doug Smith, Congressman Rick Crawford and Bridget Nutt F.) Paul and Vonda Oberbeck of Batesville G.) (Left to Right) Carolyn Peiserich and Lucy Yeager H.) Frank and Jane Lyon of Little Rock I.) Dr. Chris and Jo Beller of Batesville J.) Kegal and Susie Smart of Batesville K.) Perry Wilson and mother Patricia Wilson of Little Rock L.) Josh Manning and Brandie Engles Black Tie Blue Jeans Ball raises $100,000 for student scholarships More than $100,000 was raised for student scholarships at Lyon College’s first Black Tie Blue Jeans Ball Feb. 24 at the Cow Palace at Chimney Rock in Concord. Nearly 300 people attended the ball, which featured a gourmet dinner, silent and live auctions and a dance. The event was emceed by Congressman Rick Crawford, and Dr. Frank and Jane Lyon served as honorary chairs. More than 100 silent auction items ranged from a custom made Black Tie Blue Jeans duck call from Killer Kalls to student and faculty artwork. Live auction items included jewelry from Sissy’s Log Cabin, a duck hunt at Wingmead Farm in Stuttgart, deep sea fishing trip for six atTiki Island, Texas, a weekend getaway at Summer Wind Farms and Keeneland Thoroughbred Racing, one-year membership to Cooper’s Hawk Golf Club, and a one-night stay including dinner and brunch for two at Capital Hotel, Acadia and Ashley’s in Little Rock and more. The auction even included a black angus heifer donated by RCI, Inc. in Batesville and an organicallyraised steer from Highrock Farms in Batesville. Students played an active role at the event, sharing their stories of why they chose Lyon College and
how scholarships play a big part in their college careers. Lyon College awards $7 million annually in scholarships and grants to help students attend college. Vice President for Administration David Heringer said the ball was so successful he plans on making it an annual event. Next year’s Black Tie Blue Jeans Ball is scheduled for Feb. 23, 2013. N
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We’re Still Out Here Stopping the Exodus Bob Pest
Most talented students in small towns become disenchanted at age 15 or 16. To quote the average “A student” in any rural high school, “There’s nothing to do here.” In all fairness, there is a lot of truth to this complaint. Small towns generally lack the resources to construct and sustain live music venues, movie theaters, bowling alleys, or art galleries. High schools may offer occasional movie screenings, touring art exhibits, or touring bands, but school events lack the “grown up” feeling that bright, impatient teens are seeking. When I was a similarly frustrated teenager in Wheeling, West Virginia a local civic group purchased an old train station and turned it into the “Depot Dance Hall” for teens. It was open every Friday and Saturday evening and open to students from all of the area schools. I ultimately left my home town to attend college on an academic scholarship in Pennsylvania, but my last two years of high school were much more tolerable and I made many friends from other schools at the dance hall. While nobody wants to discourage students from attending the best possible college or urge them to turn down scholarships to “stay at home,” students with good memories of their high school years and a network of friends at home feel more connected to their communities and are more likely to consider returning after they complete their education. The “Stayers” and “Returners” also frequently appreciate cultural or recreational opportunities and become involved themselves in creating and maintaining similar activities for their children. Some communities have taken more aggressive approaches, offering free land to students with desirable skills who return after college. In Hollowing Out the Middle, authors Patrick Carr and Maria Kefalas point to the example of Ellsworth County, Iowa. The county offers land, free utility hook-ups, a waiver of the building permit fee, a family golf pass, and a family swimming-pool pass. It also offers a “down payment” assistance program for families who enroll their children in public schools and commit to keep them there for at
least three years. Families are given $1,000 for the first child and $250 for each subsequent child enrolled. Other communities have embraced the “economic gardening” approach. This approach focuses on a come back/give back approach. The strategy is to engage youth by encouraging supporting their ideas for improving the community and providing an incentive for staying or returning to participate fully in the growth and advancement of their home town, using their own ideas. We are all more likely to live in a community that we helped to shape, that recognizes our contributions, and that provides us with opportunities to grow, flourish, and leave our signature. Of course, staying or returning also depends upon available, well paying, and satisfying employment. Rural communities that are redefining themselves and retooling to participate in the “green economy,” the “field to table movement,” and new, emerging technologies are more likely to attract the “Achievers” than rumors of a new plant. In the final analysis, communities must recognize and play to their strengths if they expect their talented youth to start families, build homes, start new businesses, and become civic leaders. Small towns that learn and develop innovative ways to both plug the rural brain drain and nurture the young people who remain at home can look to the future with pride, optimism, and confidence that a bright future lays ahead. N
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A.) Health-improvement grants, Nicole Stroud, Literacy Council of Independence County, and Kari Jones, Christian Health Center of Batesville. B.) Crowd mingling at the Second Friday Art Exhibit for Mandy Maxwell. C.) Mandy Maxwell in front of her painting RED at her Second Friday Art Showing. D.) Independence County Independence Museum. E.) Literacy Project President Andrea Hammack Wins United Way Award of Excellence.
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Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce Business Expo & Annual Awards Ceremony Honors Six The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2012 Business Expo and Annual Awards which took place Thursday, March 1st, 2012 from 10:00am-2:00pm on the campus of UACCB in Independence Hall. The event also featured keynote speaker Governor Mike Beebe. There were 67 Vendors from Batesville and surrounding areas and nearly 400 in total attendance. The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce honored Bad Boy, Incorporated as Large Business of the Year; The Batesville Motor Speedway as Small Business of the Year; U.S. Pizza as New Business of the Year; Randy Reichardt as Past Chairman; Vonda Oberbeck as Volunteer of the Year; and Cynthia Harris as Ambassador of the Year. Robert Foster, co-owner of Bad Boy, Incorporated, accepted the award for Large Business of the Year. Bad Boy, Incorporated was founded in 1998. They have experienced tremendous growth and they continue to experience significant growth and expansion. This business participates in a variety of community activities. Their increase in total sales and market penetration are due to a combination of a competent and dedicated workforce managed by a team of employee oriented leaders. The working environment is team oriented, much like a family. They continue to develop innovative ideas and evaluate the potential for other business opportunities to diversify its business model. Mooney Starr, owner of Batesville Motor Speedway, accepted the award for Small Business of the Year. As long time residents of Independence Co., Connie and Mooney Starr know how to promote their business and our county, bringing in thousands of visitors to Batesville each year having a large economic impact on our area. They are very involved in the community, sponsoring events like A Night at the Races benefiting United Way. Chintan Patel, owner of US Pizza of Batesville,
accepted the award for New Business of the Year. Patel is a graduate of Batesville High School and is a multibusiness owner at a young age. His leadership abilities are a necessary asset, managing over 40 employees. His goal is to bring new business to Batesville and take business into a new direction. This new business has filled a need in our community. Randy Reichardt, owner of Randy Reichardt Insurance Agency, accepted the award for Past Chairman. Reichardt has dedicated himself to serving the community and is given credit to the placement of the Westside Substation. Vonda Oberbeck, Executive Director of United Way, accepted the award for Volunteer of the Year. Oberbeck moved to Batesville in 2003 but no one would argue that she is already an important leader in this community. She leads by example and is an excellent manager of her volunteers that contribute to her success. She is a hard worker who is dedicated to helping others and leading by example. A quote from her… “You all must be willing to be the change you want to see”. Cynthia Harris, manager at Maurices of Batesville, accepted the award for Ambassador of the Year. Harris is always willing to volunteer her time and effort in areas needed for the Chamber of Commerce. Harris has been an Ambassador of the Chamber since 2009. Presenting sponsor was First Community Bank. Diamond sponsor was Wal-Mart. Gold Sponsors were UACCB, WRD Entertainment, Wade’s, White River Medical Center, Batesville Printing, Schwegman’s, First National Banking Company, FutureFuel, and Merchants and Planters Bank. Silver sponsors were Liberty Bank, Terminix, Citizens bank, Centerpoint Energy, Southern Bank, and Health Resources of Arkansas. N
Literacy Project President Andrea Hammack Wins United Way Award of Excellence Nicole Stroud have participated since January 2011. Each month, a Family Reading Night is held at the United Way of Independence County’s Award of Batesville preschool for all families with children ages Excellence is given to a person who has shown him or birth to five. Children make themed crafts with help from herself to be wholly committed to the cause of a member their parents, then they gather in a circle for storytime. agency and has proven that commitment by outstanding At the end of the night, each child takes home a book work done at and for the agency. The Ozark Foothills courtesy of Jr. Auxiliary. Andrea and a small team put Literacy Project is proud to announce that board together the themed events, such as “Souper Reading,” president Andrea Hammack has been presented with a “Seuss on the Loose,” and “Christmas around the World.” 2012 Award of Excellence. Because of Andrea’s commitment to literacy, local Andrea is a former school teacher, mother of five, children are experiencing reading in a fun, exciting and women’s ministry leader at the Jubilee Family way. Parents discover or rediscover the joy of reading Church in Batesville, AR. Although Andrea has only lived with children, and families are given an opportunity to in Batesville for a few years, she is very engaged in her grow their home libraries. Andrea’s dedication to Family community -- both as a member of the Junior Auxiliary Reading Nights has impacted dozens of families across of Independence County, and as president of the Ozark Independence County by encouraging reading, family Foothills Literacy Project board. time, and a sense of community. She has reached many In late 2010, Andrea facilitated a partnership people through her ability to develop partnerships and between Jr. Auxiliary, the Literacy Project, and Parents to devise creative, educational programming, as she as Teachers, which resulted in “Family Reading Nights.” seeks to help the Literacy Project fulfill its mission of Thanks to Andrea’s efforts to develop this program, improving communities through literacy. N hundreds of Independence County children and parents April 2012 | 25
I Do
Wedding Planning for Two: 5 Simple Tips on Working Together Kimberlee Thomas
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Tradition has it that the bride takes most of the responsibility for planning the wedding ceremony. However, this does not mean that the groom should sit idly on the sidelines. Let us remember this is his day too. Thankfully, gender stereotypes are being challenged and more and more brides are getting their grooms involved in the planning process. How nice it will be to reflect on your wedding day and know it was everything you both envisioned. I included Joseph on every detail of our planning, which had to be done via the internet since we decided to embrace our wild hairs and marry in Tain, Scotland. It was a dream of both of ours to see Scotland and we still cherish our two weeks across the pond. The following lists some simple ways for you and your groom to share in the planning process: 1) Have a one-on-one discussion with your groom. Ask him to what degree he would like to be involved regarding wedding planning. Avoid trying to read his mind about his feelings about being involved in planning your special day. You should both think about planning your wedding together as a special, oncein-a-lifetime opportunity for you to bond in a unique way and learn more about one another through the wedding planning process. 2.) Make wedding planning fun for your groom. Work together to create manageable tasks that your groom can be involved with and take accountability for, such as ordering the wedding invitations, addressing them and mailing them to your guests. You can help lower his anxiety about wedding planning and boost his self-confidence by complimenting him on his creativity,
organizational skills, musical tastes, etc. Work with your groom’s special interests and talents. For example, if your groom loves cooking, have him plan the menu for your wedding lunch or dinner. If your groom loves music, have him plan the musical entertainment for your reception. 3) Ask your groom if there is a special area that he would like to be responsible for, such as wedding music, flowers for ceremony, flowers for reception, planning your wedding lunch or dinner menu, finding tuxedos, researching and visiting reception site, or even planning the honeymoon. 4) Brides, avoid the “Bridezilla” phenomenon. A “Bridezilla” is defined by the following behaviors and characteristics: controlling behavior irritability yelling making all the decisions being hard-to-please criticizing the groom’s tastes, ideas and preferences 5) Ensure that you have open and honest discussions about your wedding budget, including the overall budget, budget for ceremony, reception, and honeymoon. Discuss what expenses the groom, the bride, the couple, the bride’s parents and the groom’s parents will be responsible for. AVOID fighting over wedding planning and wedding budgets. Finances is the number one topic married couples fight over. Start your marriage on the healthy path by having loving, mature, productive discussions about your wedding finances N
1. Offering the LOVING CUP to our bagpiper, Colin. They all got a good laugh at how much whiskey Joseph poured him. 2. Newly Weds in their castle in Tain, Scotland. 3. Our wonderful Wedding Party, David and Dianne Tassie (far left and far right), Jimmie and Dylis Cunningham (at top), and Ken Gordon just behind
Joseph with our Reverend, William Wallace behind in the blue shirt. 4. Joseph and myself in a close-up shot of number two. 5. Colin playing us out after. All photos were taken by Ken Gordon. We met them all online while planning the wedding and they all made our day even more special.
26 | We’ve got our EYE ON INDEPENDENCE!
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Each Tuesday afternoon, from 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. each week during the school year, the BAAC Art Gallery on Main hosts “ART IN THE AFTERNOON.” Ms. Jennifer Dickey provides art activities for area students ages 8 – 13. Contact BAAC at (870) 793-3382 for more information.
April 13th Second Friday at BAAC – Diane Ziemski will be the guest artist at BAAC Art Gallery on Main. She will provide a gallery demonstration and gallery talk.
The Art of Susan Gipson will be on exhibit at the Main Street Art Gallery April 3 through April 27.
The Batesville Community Theater will be casting the actors/ actresses for Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” summer production. The performance dates are July 26th at 7:00 p.m., July 27th 1:00 and 7:00 p.m., July 28 at 7:00 p.m., and July 29th at 2:00 p.m. These performances will be held at the Batesville Auditorium on Water Street currently Batesville Administration site. April 3rd – April 27th Susan Gibson will be exhibiting her work at the BAAC Art Gallery on Main. Susan won “Best of Show” in the 2011 White River Juried Exhibition held in Batesville last October. Susan is a member of the Mid- Southern Watercolor Association, southern Watercolor Society, the Artists workshop Gallery in Hot Springs and the Mena Arts Gallery in Mena, AR. Upcoming Gallery exhibition in May will be Young Arkansas Artists Exhibition (students k – 12th grade touring exhibition) from the Arkansas Arts Center.
Call BAAC at (870) 793-3382 for more information.
Clayton Scott who provided an AIE residency at Batesville’s West Magnet during the week of Feb. 27th – March 2nd. This was provided through a partnership with Batesville School District and the Batesville Area Arts Council.
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The 10 Things Every Woman Needs In Her Closet This Spring Leigh Keller Nude Heels Every woman needs a good pair of nude heels. Worn with a skirt or dress they elongate your leg for that “wow!” effect. Dark Washed Denim Dark denim creates an instant slimming effect, especially if you’re wearing your appropriate size. Boot cut, or trouser fit, are the most flattering for all bodytypes. Skinny jeans are iffy for most bodies. A Shirt-Dress It’s kind of a 1950s look, but it’s a look that’s flattering on every body type. I have had the same Michael Kors shirt-dress for almost 7 years, and have found boundless ways to wear it. You can dress it up or down with your shoes and jewelry. A Bra that Fits Ladies. Go in for a bra fitting! Wearing the right size bra will reduce those icky bulges you get below the elastic when your bra is the wrong size. You should not have too much exposed above the cup of your bra, in order to create a smooth line. Color-Blocking Color blocking is a huge trend for the spring and summer. Wear twothree big colors together for a fabulous effect. A Military-Inspired Jacket Structured jackets with lots of buttons, military inspired, adds instant texture to a simple sheath dress, or tank with pants. Spectator Pumps Spectator pumps are some of the first shoes I remember my mother wearing. They never go out of style and are THE classic shoe. This is an amazing Miu Miu pair. Tailoring No matter what size you are, wearing tailored clothing will make you look slimmer and make your clothing look more expensive. A Motorcycle Jacket Every woman needs a lightweight leather jacket. It can be a casual replacement in a pants-suit to the suit-jacket, or worn with jeans as a casual look. In addition, a motorcycle jacket can dress down a frilly dress for a more casual look. Neon This trend from the 80s is back. Find one item (not head to toe neon...please) you love and add it to your wardrobe. N
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Independence County Off Road CHAMBER CEO GRADUATES FROM CENTER FOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXCELLENCE Crystal Johnson, President/CEO, Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce has successfully completed Center for Chamber of Commerce Excellence training. CCCE is a program created by a partnership with The University of Oklahoma and multiple regionally located state and local chambers. The three year program is designed to provide necessary skills and training to enhance knowledge of Notes from the Clearing chamber executives. The program is guided by a Board Unspoken Vapors of Regents from a four-state Joseph Thomas area of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas. Vapor like sentences prepare to light from my motionless tongue with no sound Crystal Johnson stated, “Success in today’s increasingly and it is there that the possible disintegrates into that which never was. competitive marketplace Hesitation therefore is the destruction of what could have come round and challenging economic times requires chamber to be more than it is but it utterly vanishes to be gone because professionals to stay up-tothere was no belief that it could have, should have been. date on management topics and chamber practices. For doubt is the end of what should have been and done, I am looking forward to like the ancient windmill blown apart by the very wind implementing new programs and policies that will benefit that was asked to push along it’s sails one by one. our business community.” We are our own defeat, our own weakness, our own undoing, Johnson is also pursuing a Masters degree from the fretting over all that we can’t control and failing to control what we can. University of Central Arkansas But then, life has it’s way of rolling and stewing, boiling and brewing in Community and Economic within this chalice of wood and root that tastes of honey and not the things of man. N Development. N
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Independence County Off Road
Joseph Thomas 675 Heber Springs Road, southwest of Batesville, has a new look as of late. The address of Independence County Off Road ATV Specialists has expanded with the addition of a new showroom for its ever expanding line of brand name ATV’s, UTV’s, lawnmowers, and motorcycles. This is one of those businesses that begin with a history; Independence County Off Road began in a garage and has grown to an impressive 12,000 square feet of work space with seven employees. Kramer started on this path racing four wheelers with friend, Brad Covington, on a national circuit when they were fourteen. In 2003, Kramer began buying and parting out four wheelers on EBay in his parent’s garage at the same time, Covington was building racing engines at his parent’s home. They decided to combine their efforts and started at a location by Hipp Lumber. After moving to 675 Heber Springs Road in 2007, Kramer bought out his friends share so Covington could pursue other interests. Early in the company’s growth, Bad Boy Mowers was looking for a local dealer and Independence County Off Road was the perfect fit. As the business grew Kramer began seeing this new building as the next step in their evolution, in order to expand his ability to offer more brands, such as Bad Boy and Artic Cat. In 2010 he began planning the new 6000 square foot showroom and now this part of the evolution is complete. Kramer says he was hoping for a bit of a “wow” factor and the lay of the building provides
just that. You enter with an idea of size and are taken aback by the space. To fill that space Independence County Off Road carries a large selection of pre-owned ATV’s and preowned motorcycles, including Harley Davidson, with approximately thirty pre-owned motorcycles in stock. They offer service and carry parts and accessories for every ATV and Motorcycle with a trained staff of certified technicians. The show room nicely showcases Artic Cat ATVs and Prowlers and Bad Boy Mowers and UTV’s, with an envious collection of pre-owned motorcycles to fit anyone’s taste. Kramer has reached a goal with this new facility and has set his sights on bringing in a wider selection with more brands to choose from. Making UTV’s street legal is another service Independence County Off Road now provides. So, whether for work, hobby, or play they can get you set up and ready to roll. They are your one stop shop for anything power sports, offering financing with approved credit. Kramer talks about leaning on his wife Shani and twenty-month old son Ian, for support. They keep him grounded and further his investment in this community. Kramer says, “I am proud to be a business owner in Independence County and strive to offer the best deals and service to our friends and family in this area. Come on by and let us offer your family the service, functionality, and fun that you need.” N
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built better for a better $ 2999 price priceS Start at
675 HEBER SPRINGS ROAD
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April 2012 | 33
The Myopic Life The Sounds of Change Kristi Price Erin and I got a new washing machine. It’s one of these fancy-schmancy High Efficiency things that lacks an agitator and supposedly uses a teaspoon of water to clean a whole load of dirty blue jeans. We installed it on a Monday night; the untimely Sunday morning breakdown of our old washer had left us with barely any clean underwear or socks. Erin, who is an engineer and therefore distrustful of all things, stood in front of the machine for the entire 76-minute run of its virgin cycle. Which meant: for 76 long minutes, I had to listen to Erin say, “This just doesn’t sound right. I just don’t think this sounds right.” The clicks and the hums and the whirring were completely foreign to us. We kept a wary eye on the machine, half-expecting it to burst into flames too large for the teaspoon of water to extinguish. Eventually, I decided to look in the owner’s manual. (We don’t do that kind of thing first. We Prices like to live on the edge.) There, on the front page, it said, “YOU CAN BE KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED IF YOU DON’T FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS.” Whoops. Wrong page. Eventually, I found this helpful phrase buried in the trouble-shooting guide: “At different stages of the wash cycle, you may hear sounds and noises that are different from those of your previous
washer.” Well, okay. And when our house didn’t burn down, and our clothes came out at least smelling clean, we breathed a little easier. But it got me to thinking about change. The sounds of change, the appearances of change, can be very disconcerting. Our community is on the precipice of many changes: some wise, some bone-headed, some completely out of our control. And your opinion of them will differ from your neighbor’s. I humbly ask that we all treat one another’s opinions of change with grace and respect, knowing that the shiny new machine you might be proud of sounds like a ticking time bomb to someone else. In this way, we will hopefully navigate change together and come out stronger on the other side. N
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34 | We’ve got our EYE ON INDEPENDENCE!
Things To Do
www.eyeonmag.com has more information
Monday April 9, 2012 Arkansas Scholars Banquet 6:00PM Also On This Day: Registration opens for new/readmitted students Monday April 2 Fall/Summer Registration Begins Friday April 13 Spring 2012 - Last Day to Withdraw Mon-Sun 16-22 Spring 2012 Online Class Final Exams Monday 23 Spring 2012 - Last Day of Class Tue-Mon 24-30 Spring 2012 - In Class Final Exams
The 33rd Arkansas Scottish Festival is set for April 13-15 on the Lyon College campus in Batesville. Organizers said admission to the three-day festival www.lyon.edu will be free. Read more at www.eyeonmag.com
9th annual Renaissance Days Sword fighting, mini-jousting, tug o’ war, archery, maypole, storytelling, costumes, banners, and Renaissance music and dance All activities are free and open to the public. Friday, April 27th 9:00 a.m.-2:15 p.m. Saturday, April 28th 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Friday Night Showcase, April 27th 6:30 p.m. FREE ADMISSION UACCB’s Commedia dell ‘Arte Players, UACCB Renaissance Chamber Singers, and other professional Renaissance Faire performers. Contact Marla at 870-612-2038 or email marla.bennett@uaccb.edu http://web.uaccb.edu/renaissancedays/
www.uaccb.edu
10th Annual Independence County Childrens Health and Safety Fair Saturday, April 28th, 2012 9am - noon at the Independence County Fairgrounds in Batesville. Featuring Car Seat Distribution Check up Event (separate area to line up for car seat check - watch for signs.) Photo ID’s, Bicycle Safety, Children’s Play Activities, FREE Admission to a Bounce House, and much more! Free while supplies last - come early!! Bike Helmets, Life Jackets, Safety Bags, DNA Kits, Door Prizes, and 2 Bikes (drawing to be held for bikes). Sponsored by Junior Auxiliary of Independence County and United Way Success by 6. For more information, please contact Staci Ringwald at 870-307-3736.
Relay For Life Team Captain Meeting Meetings to be held at The Citizens Bank annex building. Future meetings are set for: April 10, Tuesday 12 or 5:15 May 8, Tuesday 12 or 5:15 I look forward to seeing you all there!!
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American Floor Care-------------------------- 11 Autry’s------------------------------------------ 32 Bad Boy Mowers------------------------------- 14 Batesville Printing----------------------------- 10 Caring Hands Hospice------------------------ 3 Carlee’s Crown Shop-------------------------- 6 Charle’s Lil Shop of Coffee------------------- 34 Citizens Bank---------------------------------- 37 Dairy Queen------------------------------------ 18 Denim Blues----------------------------------- 18 Donald Skid Steer----------------------------- 11 Elizabeth’s Restaurant & Catering----------- 28 Factory Return Outlet------------------------- 18 Fine Line Body Art---------------------------- 18 First Community Bank------------------------ 2 Frank Kallsnick, Inc.-------------------------- 11 Healthy Glo Tanning-------------------------- 28 Heuer’s Family Shoes------------------------- 11 Independence County Off Road------------- 33 Independence County Recycling Center---- 11 It Works!--------------------------------------- 7 Ivory Owl--------------------------------------- 27 Jonathan’s Fine Jewelry---------------------- 30 Kent’s Firestone------------------------------- 29 Liberty Bank----------------------------------- 35 Mark Martin Kia------------------------------- 17 Milligan’s Gifts & Party Decor--------------- 18 Modern Woodmen Richard Hawkins II---- 18 NADT Dance Academy----------------------- 22 Natalies Restaurant and Catering----------- 34 Newark Furniture----------------------------- 23 Quiznos----------------------------------------- 10 Reeves Propane-------------------------------- 30 Renee Taylor Travel Company--------------- 10 Rich Realty------------------------------------- 31 Robert O. Seat--------------------------------- 3 Sonic America’s Drive -In-------------------- 31 Southern Bank--------------------------------- 29 State Farm Renee Martin--------------------- 21 Sterling Construction------------------------- 18 Studio Salon------------------------------------ 11 The Batesville Chamber Of Commerce------ 7 The Medicine Shoppe------------------------- 40 The Property Shoppe-------------------------- 23 The Uniform Shop----------------------------- 21 Thompson’s Jewelry-------------------------- 40 T Tauri Film Festival-------------------------- 22 U. S. Pizza-------------------------------------- 4 Welcome To Independence------------------ 8 White River Area Agency on Aging---------- 11 Wood-Lawn Nursing Home------------------ 23
It's Official! Union Invasion of Batesville May 12 & 13 Civil War Again! Almost exactly 150 years after the original Invasion of Batesville in 1862, there will be a Reenactment and Confederate Ball. Citizens turned out in 1862 to view the battle and are encouraged to do so again. They can visit the camp before and after the 2 PM battle each day. All at Riverside Park in Batesville. Re-enactors welcome. The Confederate Ball will be Saturday night May 12 at Josie's Restaurant just across from the park. Tickets are limited and are $20 including a meal and music by the Pilot Knob Mountian Boys from Missouri. Music starts at 7 and goes until the dancers get tired. This will be great for young people. Period dress not required. Tickets are available at the Regional Museum,Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, Southern Bank, Citizen's Bank and First Community Bank in Batesville. For more information about the Invasion of Batesville, contact BatesvilleCivilWar@gmail.com N
Kennadi Pretty at the Special Olympics Bowling Fun Day!
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Secretary of State to Speak at Chamber Arkansas Secretary of State Mark Martin will be at the Batesville Chamber of Commerce on Thursday March 22, at 3:15 pm to meet with Chamber members and hear any concerns or comments they might have. The Secretary of State’s office works closely with Chambers of Commerce through its Business and Commercial Services Division which provides a wide range of services to individuals and companies who conduct business within Arkansas, whether they’re based inside the state or elsewhere. The BCS division combines several departments under one convenient umbrella to streamline customer service. BCS is Arkansas’s starting point for people wishing to transact business in the state. Consumers can search for an available name for their company as well as file appropriate documents for their business. The BCS Division also records trademarks, files notary public certifications, issues Authentication of Documents and Apostilles, and records Uniform Commercial Code Filings N.
Scott Wood gave an emotional testimony about his family’s beginning in Independence County at the ground breaking for the new Scott and Stanley Wood family dealerships at 1674 Batesville Boulevard. The community support was evident by the large crowd that gathered to christen this new facility and trusted business.
38 | We’ve got our EYE ON INDEPENDENCE!
Eye On
Batesville’s Happing continued from page 15
restored Landers Movie Theater Building. The Landers has been painstakingly restored and repurposed by the Fellowship Bible Church; it also hosts community events throughout the year. Main Street hosts the annual Arts, Crafts, and Antique Festival, held in late October. The Main Street Batesville organization also produces a number of colorful and enjoyable family events annually. Thanks to Main Street Batesville, new street furniture, including benches and trash receptacles, has been added to downtown for the convenience of visitors. Downtown parking is always free. Visitors have four quality hotels to choose from: Comfort Suites, Ramada Inn, Holiday Inn Express, and Super 8, grouped together at the north end of town. Comfort Suites features an indoor swimming pool, exercise room, and hot tub, as well as an awesome breakfast. Comfort Suites is a recent recipient of the Choice Hotels Platinum Award that recognizes the top 3% of hotels within each Choice brand. The Ramada is home to the Duck Blind (a private club—memberships available at the door) and The Daily Bread restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Esta’s White River Retreat is the ultimate “Get Away” destination, perfect for family reunions, wedding, and corporate
Relay For Life Bake Sale at The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, 2080 Harrison, on April 6 from 8:30 to 5:00 or when all items are gone. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society, world with less cancer and more birthdays! Relay For Life Team Captain Meeting – Tuesday, April 10, Citizen’s Annex Building, attend either at Noon or at 5:30 pm Relay For Life Main Event – June 8 starting at 6:00 pm at Batesville High School (location change due to Southside School Track work being done) American Cancer Society Recognized Volunteers for Their Critical Role in its Cancer-Fighting Mission In celebration of the 39th annual National Volunteer Week, which is April 16—21, the American Cancer Society recognizes and celebrates the efforts of its millions of volunteers nationwide, who make a positive difference for the Society as well as for cancer patients and their families. “Volunteers are the backbone of the American Cancer Society” said Lynn Bray, Relay For Life Independence County Communications Chairperson.
events. The expansive and meticulously-maintained compound, located on the banks of the beautiful White River, includes two lodges and a honeymoon cabin, an in-ground pool, basketball court, pavilion, and boat ramp. Esta’s provides incredible privacy and extraordinary natural beauty less than 15 miles from Batesville. Batesville is the cultural, medical, educational, financial, and market center of the region. It is also a friendly, forward-looking community that is continuing to develop an impressive line-up of compelling, entertaining, and popular events for visitors of every persuasion. Need a break from your daily routine? Tired of the “same old same old.” Follow your call and visit Batesville. You are always welcome. For more information on the area contact the Ozark Gateway Region at 1-800-264-0316 or visit www. ozarkgateway.com. www.eyeonmag.com. N
“Since our organization’s inception in 1913, volunteers have been crucially important in making the American Cancer Society the strongest and most effective voluntary health agency in the world today. As we recognize this special week, I want to thank each of our volunteers here in Independence County for dedicating their time and energy to our cancer-fighting mission. Volunteers impact the community in ways that could not be done without their personal commitment.” “I volunteer for the American Cancer Society because cancer has touched everyone in some way, including my family members,” said Lynn. “To help others in their fight against cancer is truly humbling. At the same time, I volunteer with the hope and resolve that, one day, we will eliminate cancer as a life-threatening disease for future generations” The American Cancer Society saves lives and creates more birthdays by helping people stay well, by helping people get well, by finding cures and by fighting back. For more information, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or visit us at cancer.org. For more information about Relay For Life of Independence County – call Pam Crowell at 307-1089 or Chris Black at 834-2131 or visit RelayForLife.org or Facebook LIKE “Relay For Life of Independence County”. N April 2012 | 39
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2080 Harrison Street, Batesville 870-793-2161