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In This Issue 6/Editor’s Note The Slippery Gift of Time
8/NEDC Report
Bringing Things into FOCUS
9/Seniors, can we talk? Trip Report
6
16
8
19
10
20
14
22
10/Cover Story
Rock ‘N’ Roll Highway 67
12/Faces 14/I Do
Sweatt - Menley Wedding
16/Great Tastes
Canning and Perserving
18/Let’s Eat 19/Healthy Women of Unity
Unity Health - Harris Medical Center Welcomes New Administrator
20/Things To Do 20/U of A, Division of Agriculture, Research & Extension Family Day 2015
21/In the Field with Randy The Long and Short of It
22/Newport Chamber News Save The Date
22/Notes from the Clearing The Invisible
August Retraction Mr. Frank Plegge is the photographer of the ASUN Walton Hall image used as the cover of Eye On Jackson August issue, shown to the left. He is a local photographer in Newport with many beautiful photographs exhibited in local businesses.
Adrienne Freeman is a Jackson County based food writer whose work is published statewide. When not at the keyboard, she can be found in the kitchen, focusing on recipes and techniques that can be easily replicated by fellow enthusiastic home cooks. She always welcomes reader response at newport.foodies@yahoo. com.
Julie Allen has served as the executive director of the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce since 2002. She is a 1994 graduate of Arkansas State University with a degree in Communications - Radio/Television.
Sarah Henry Metzger is County Extension AgentInterim Staff Chair for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service. She has worked for Extension the last 9 years, after obtaining a BS and MS from the University of Central Arkansas. She works in the following 4 initiative areas: Food and nutrition, health & aging, resource management and Marriage, parenting and Family Life. Also, 4-H is another important program she oversees. Her free time is spent with her two boys.
Caroline Beauchamp is a local insurance agent for M & P Insurance & Investment Services. She offers personalized life and health insurance solutions and is known for her widely-published informational column, ‘Caroline, Can We Talk?’.
Kacey Clare Burge received her Master’s degree in Professional Writing from Chatham University in 2011. Relocating to Tampa, Florida proffered the opportunity to write for a Southwest Florida lifestyles magazine. Her outstanding work won her the attention of editors and readers alike, prompting her to be featured in REAL Magazine as a contributing copy writer and editor. She has also done work as a debt content writer for a financial advice website and had a successful freelance career for several years. Kacey spends most of her free time with her husband and three rescue dogs, enjoying the outdoors and exploring what the state of Arkansas has to offer. Jon Chadwell is the executive director of the Newport Economic Development Commission (NEDC). The NEDC is funded by a ½ cent sales tax collected in Newport and works to assist in the development of business and industry in Jackson County.
Randy Chlapecka is an agronomist with Farmers Supply Association. He is retired from the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture - Cooperative Extension Service where he served as a County Extension Agent for over 32 years. He is an avid ASU Red Wolves fan and has announced Newport Greyhound sporting events since 1996. He also enjoys vegetable gardening.
Rebecca Pearrow is marketing director at Unity Health-Harris Medical Center. She attained an AA at Central Baptist College followed by a BS at Arkansas Tech University. She completed an MBA from Harding University in 2014. She was employed 12 years at White County Medical Center prior to returning to Harris Hospital, and is now happy to be an associate of the new Unity Health system that resulted from the alignment of the two hospitals. She spends her free time traveling to support her kid’s athletics, gardening, raising chickens and scrap booking.
Meet Your Writers... Eye On Jackson 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 © 2013 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.
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: Kimberlee Thomas MANAGING EDITOR: Joseph Thomas ADVERTISING: Kimberlee Thomas Creative Director : Joseph Thomas AD DESIGN Department: Kimberlee Thomas Joseph Thomas
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Editor’s Note The Slippery Gift of Time Joseph Thomas
Joseph and Kimberlee Thomas Photo by Cheryl Mauldin
So, September....already. It seems to go faster everyday, this gift of time that we lose track of in our daily to and fro. As I grow longer in the tooth, I feel more and more pressured by self to use it wisely. Weighing out work and play is the trick that we all seem to have such a hard time with, most of us with too much weight on the work side. As well as not enough work that doesn’t feel like work, we could probably all use more of that. Which ever side of time you find yourself on, we hope that you enjoy this new month of September in this dwindling year of 2015. In that vein of conversation, we
emplore you to tag along with us to read Adrienne Freeman’s article about canning and perserving, Jon Chadwell’s piece on FOCUS and Julie Allen’s save the date. Sarah Metzger speaks about Family Day, Rebecca Pearrow introduces a new administrator and Caroline Beauchamp tells of Ruth’s road trip. Our Cover showcases the Rock ‘n’ Roll Highway Museum, Kimberlee brings us the Sweatt Menley wedding, Randy Chlapecka shares the long and short of crop season, we have local press releases, Faces and Things To Do. Thank you for visiting with us again and we will see you in October. N
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ASUN Announces 2015-16 Student Ambassadors Van Provence Arkansas State University-Newport announced recently that Candace Montgomery, Bri Phillips, Sara Helms, McCabe Cordell and Colton Willis have been selected to serve as Student Ambassadors on the Newport campus for the 2015-16 school year. The students are selected based on leadership capability, community service experience and high recommendations. All six students will receive a scholarship in the amount of $1,000 per semester. The ASUN Ambassadors serve as representatives of the student body by serving as the student leaders on the ASUN campus. These students are charged with serving as greeters at ASUN and community events, assisting with planning and coordinating on-campus events and presenting themselves as leaders inside and outside of the classroom. Montgomery is a General Studies student from Swifton and is a graduate of Tuckerman High School, Phillips is a Business student from Tuckerman and is a graduate of Tuckerman High School, Helms is a Liberal Arts student from Tuckerman and is a graduate of Tuckerman High School, Cordell is a General Studies student from Newport and is a graduate of Newport High School and Willis is a Business student from Newport and is a graduate of Newport High School. N
Selected to serve as ASU-Newport Ambassadors for the 2015-16 school year are (front row, from left) Candace Montgomery, Bri Phillips and Sara Helms. (Back row, from left) McCabe Cordell and Colton Willis.
NEDC Report Bringing Things into FOCUS
Jon Chadwell, Economic Development Director Newport has long been blessed with leadership that seeks for positive change in the community. One of the most important traits of positive leadership is the ability to be proactive. Not being satisfied with the successes of the past, Newport’s community and economic development leadership has looked for new ways to make the efforts of the various groups even more effective for Newport and Jackson County. Most people don’t realize that we have nine different groups that work hard to make this a better place to live and do business. The nine groups have worked well together over the past decade and the result for Newport has been growth in manufacturing and retail. In February, the Newport Economic Development Commission and the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce started doing research into how the most effective communities in the state operate in relation to their organizations engaged in community and economic development. The results of the study showed that several of the most successful communities had a much more coordinated approach than did Newport. While we work together well on projects, we found we could be even better with a coordinated planning approach.
After months of research and discussion, the Newport Economic Development Commission (NEDC), the Downtown Revitalization and Improvement Volunteer Effort (D.R.I.V.E.), the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce, Moving Jackson County Forward and three other groups have come together on a unified plan. The plan will be known as the FOCUS Plan and will work to coordinate and “focus” the strategies and actions of each group into a more cohesive development effort. This new FOCUS will allow us to use the strengths of each organization to get the maximum benefit for Newport and Jackson County. Each organization will retain its own board, its own bank accounts and its own funding stream. The groups will work together through a common staff who will coordinate the efforts of each one. The new look or “FOCUS” received the unanimous support of the Commissioners of the NEDC, the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the D.R.I.V.E. Board of Directors as well as the other groups. We are excited about the new opportunities that lie ahead and we become even better at “focusing” on our bright future in Jackson County. N
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Seniors, can we talk? Trip Report
Caroline Beauchamp I’m happy to report that Ruth, Betty and David had a wonderful “road trip” vacation. They enjoyed great food and had lots of new adventures. One thing they did discover was that it was difficult reading road signs. They ended up in places they did not intend to and it took a little longer to get to some of their destinations. Does this sound familiar? Afterwards they laughed and said they probably all needed to get their eyes checked. It had been a few years since their last exam and an exam was obviously overdue. We all have a tendency to get lazy about having an annual checkup until someone tells us our shoes don’t match or it becomes very frustrating trying to find a new place because the signage isn’t BIG enough! Let’s talk about each of their situations when they got their eyes examined. Ruth had added vision insurance when she bought her dental plan. She uses a participating provider (a provider who participates in the insurance company’s plan and accepts what the plan pays). The $10 copay was all she had to pay for her annual exam. Obviously her lenses needed to be “upgraded” (a gentle way to say strengthened!). Ruth only had to pay a $25 copay to get new single vision lenses. She didn’t get new frames but decided to keep the “cute” frames she and Betty selected last year. Betty’s Medicare Supplement provides an annual vision exam, if she goes to a participating provider. (Remember to always check if the provider is in your plan’s network before you make your appointment – it will really save you money.) Betty did confirm her optometrist is in her plan’s network and her exam was covered in full. Her Medicare Supplement does not cover lenses but does offer a small discount. Since Betty wears no-line progressive lens, she appreciated that discount. Then there’s poor David. David has not been wearing glasses. (Since he did most of the driving on their trip, do you think that’s why they had so many unplanned adventures?) David has no vision insurance and his Medicare Supplement plan does not provide for an annual exam. Even though he went to the same optometrist that Ruth and Betty went to, his exam cost $120! Plus he needs glasses – surprised? He needs single vision lenses plus he has to select frames. Luckily he has Ruth and Betty to help him select some handsome frames particularly since he has to pay full price for them. After David paid his bill of over $300, he is now looking into a vision plan. Which situation are you in? Ruth who only paid copays, Betty who is covered by a participating provider for her exam and gets a small discount on lenses and frames or David who just had to get his checkbook out? Want to talk about your situation and how it’s working for you? Just call 501-868-6650 and say “Caroline, can we talk?” N
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September 2015 | 9
Eye On Cover Story Rock ‘N’ Roll Highway 67 Submitted
In the spring of 2009, then Governor Mike Beebe signed a bill that designated a stretch of highway that ambled through rice fields and soy bean farms Rock ‘n’ Roll Highway 67. Many locals didn’t think much would come from it, but music enthusiasts, local historians and long-time residents remember well the special times when Elvis Presley motored over from Memphis to play his music to the teenagers and fans well before he became “The King.” Johnny Cash, a poor farmer’s son from just down the road, his crowd-pleasing pianist Jerry Lee Lewis, Conway Twitty when he was known as Harold Jenkins and local Sun recording stars like Billy Lee Riley and Sonny Burgess and the Pacers all came over to Jackson County to play the new exciting sound, Rock and Roll, (or Rockabilly, depending on who you talk to) at the dozen or so bars and lounges along Highway 67. Although the Rock ‘n’ Roll Highway designation originally started in Jackson County and went straight north through Lawrence, Randolph and Clay counties, the lions share of the action took place in Jackson County. Long known for its rich musical heritage, the stretch of black asphalt was lined with nightclubs and honky-tonks in the 50’s and early 60’s that hosted dozens of early Rock and Roll pioneers. The county seat of Jackson County, Newport, was a favorite because it was ‘wet,’ meaning fun seekers could have a cocktail while they listened to the raucous and racy sounds of the new music. Many memories were made and stories passed down through the generations, but as time waits for no man, the preservation of the memorabilia was quickly slipping away behind the crumbling concrete of the old honky tonks and aging memories of music lovers. When the legislation was passed and interest was at its peak, Sonny Burgess said, “If we don’t do something in the next 10 years, the history will be forgotten.” Henry Boyce, a long-time lover of music and somewhat of a historian himself, heard Sonny loud and clear. “That’s when I moved beyond just the stage show and began collecting memorabilia.” Boyce, who organizes an annual music heritage festival, Depot Days, set out to find a way to preserve the memories. Beginning with a generous loan of photos, guitars, posters and other displays from Sonny Burgess, Boyce started the Jackson County Highway 67 Museum in an empty conference room in the Newport Economic Development Commission building. More traffic to the museum brought more interest and the contents of one small conference room has spilled into the wide adjacent hallways and common spaces. “Thanks to the City of Newport and NEDC we now have an attractive place to display the history,” Boyce affirms. 10 | Eye On Jackson
“The latest acquisition is a 1950’s upright piano on loan from the Jackson County Historical Society. It was the house piano at Porky’s Rooftop in Newport and was the one Elvis would have used when he played his first concert in 1955.” The museum features many vintage photos of early rock pioneers including Sonny Burgess, Carl Perkins, Conway Twitty, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Roy Orbison. Boyce says, “The museum is a work in progress, a part of the community. I encourage anyone with stories, memorabilia, or artifacts to contact me.” Nowhere else will you see the exhibits and read the history gathered here. The history was significant enough to deserve official name recognition and signage ordered by the Governor of Arkansas in 2009. Scores of later rock legends including The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, Bruce Springsteen and many more give the music heard on the Rock ‘N Roll Highway 67 credit for having inspired their own careers. The museum is located at the corner of Second and Hazel in downtown Newport. It was recognized as a finalist for the Henry Awards, the Governor’s Award for Tourism. If you have memorabilia to donate, please call Henry Boyce at 870-664-0908. The 18th Annual Depot Days will be held September th 26 on Front Street in Downtown Newport. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Highway Museum will be open that day from noon to 4:00. N
September 2015 |  11
Faces
Dr. Nicole Lawson and her staff at the St. Michael’s Medical Clinic Open House in Newport, AR. She has been named Medical Director of St. Michael’s where she will be providing care.
Golden Dragon Acrobats to Per form at ASU-Newpor t Van Provence
Arkansas State University-Newport announced that the Golden Dragon Acrobats, the premier Chinese acrobatic touring company of today, will perform at the ASUN Center for the Arts Tuesday, October 13 at 7:00 p.m. Reserved seating tickets for the show went on sale Monday, August 17 at 10:00 a.m. and are priced at $25 for adults and $10 for children ages 12 and under. To purchase tickets, log on to tickets.asun.edu or call the ASUN Business Office at 870-512-7802. All wheelchair accessible seating must be purchased through the ASUN Business Office. The Golden Dragon Acrobats represent the best of a time-honored tradition that began more than twenty-five centuries ago. The Golden Dragons are recognized throughout the United States and abroad as the premiere Chinese acrobatic touring company of today. The performance will feature astounding acrobatics with theatrical enhancements and Chinese traditional dance. The group features contortionists, tumblers and jugglers in acts such as plate spinning, bicycle pagoda and juggling everything from balls to umbrellas using not only hands but feet. The acrobats will be seen perching atop a 30-foot tower of chairs, bending like rubber and balancing human 12 | Eye On Jackson
pyramids while riding moving bicycles. With performers trained in the rigorous art of Chinese acrobatics since early youth, the Golden Dragon Acrobats have garnered international acclaim. The reputation of the company is solidly rooted in a commitment to the highest of production values and an attention to artistic details that is unparalleled in the art form. World renowned impresario Danny Chang and choreographer Angela Chang combine award-winning acrobatics, traditional dance, spectacular costumes, ancient and contemporary music and theatrical techniques to present a show of breathtaking skill and spellbinding beauty. N
DEPOT DAYS FESTIVAL "Dedicated to the early history of Rock 'n' Roll"
SEPT 262015 TH
FRONT STREET DOWNTOWN NEWPORT, AR
Schedule of Events 9:30 a.m.
Lion’s Club Auction
12:45 p.m.
Opening Ceremonies
Presentation of the Colors – NHS ROTC
ADMFREE ISSIO
N
National Anthem – Brenda Wilson 1:00 p.m.
The Jimmy Dunham Family (Rockin’ Gospel)
2:00 p.m.
Zyndall Raney Band (Bluesy Country Rock)
3:00 p.m.
J. R. Rogers and The Allstars (Smokin’ Piano Rock)
4:00 p.m.
Ace Cannon (Sax in the City!)
5:00 p.m.
Sonny Burgess and The Pacers – (Rock ‘n’ Roll Pioneers)
6:00 p.m.
Tim Crouch & Band (Genuine Article, Arkansas Bluegrass)
7:15 p.m.
Martin McDaniel (Nashville Newcomers)
8:45 p.m.
Ricochet (#1 Hitmakers)
Children's Activities, Crafts, Food, Vendors, BBQ Contest. For more information go to www.depotdays.org or contact Julie Allen, director@newportarchamber.org, 870-523-3618
Jackson County’s Highway 67 Rock ‘n’ Roll Museum Second and Hazel Streets, Downtown Newport, Arkansas Open Weekdays 8:00 to 5:00 Will be Open from Noon to 4:00 During Depot Days, September 26
“Paid For With A Combination Of State Matching Funds And Ozark Gateway Funds” visit www.ozarkgateway.com to plan your next vacation
September 2015 | 13
I Do Do
Photography taken by family and friends
Sweatt - Menley Wedding Kimberlee Thomas
The paths of Barbara Sweatt and Wayne Menley had come very close to crossing on more than one occasion but had never quite done so. Both attended Arkansas State University and had graduated with their respective bachelor degree from ASU as ASU Indians. Ironically, they were on ASU Jonesboro campus some of the same years. Barbara’s son, Tristan, and Wayne’s daughter, Morgan attended Newport High School together and graduated the same year. Tristan and Wayne’s son, Dalton had played on the Newport Greyhounds baseball team together. Barbara and Wayne had attended many of the same events involving their children. It was truly a wonder these two had never met before some prompting from mutual friend, Heather Allen, brought them together. Barbara and Wayne initially visited on Facebook and then communicated via text message to arrange their first meeting. Barbara recalls, “We set everything up and had never even spoke to each other on the phone.” As I am sure you surmise things went well on that first date and the two grew very fond of one another. Wayne was to attend an annual business meeting in Hot Springs and invited Barbara to go along. The two went early and did a bit of site seeing. Wayne had made dinner reservations at one of the local restaurants where the two enjoyed each other’s company and conversation. Upon their return to the hotel Wayne surprised Barbara with the perfect ring, because of course he had gone to Jared’s. She promptly and very excitedly answered, “Yes.” The couple married on May 16, 2015 at the United Methodist Church in Newport. Pastor Paul Seay presided over the double ring ceremony. Their union brought together five children all of whom were in the ceremony. The couple’s grandchildren were also included in the bridal party. Heather Allen served as Barbara’s matron of honor. Barbara shared, “She was very instrumental in getting us together.” Barbara and Wayne worked together to plan and arrange their wedding. “Wayne went with me to Lows Bridal in Brinkley to help pick out my dress; it was the second one I tried on. We made many of our items including all the bouquets, boutonnieres, flower baskets and the ring bearer pillow.” The couple agrees they owe many of their friends’ tremendous thanks for helping with the ceremony, “We could not have pulled it together had it not been for them.” The newlyweds spent six days enjoying the east coast. They spent three days in Cape Cod, Massachusetts and three in Boston. They visited Plymouth Rock, took the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard, enjoyed many lighthouses, attended a Boston Red Sox game and the ballet at the Boston Opera House. Barbara explains, “We also had the best clam chowder either of us had 14 | Eye On Jackson
ever eaten.” Barbara received her Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Tennessee in 2012. She is currently employed with Doctors Health Group at the St. Bernard’s Newport Family Medical Clinic as a nurse practitioner. Wayne is co-owner and has been employed with Miller-Newel Engineers for twenty years. The couple resides in Newport where their youngest son, Dalton will graduate from Newport High School in 2016. When asked about future plans Barbara explained, “Wayne and I both very much enjoy traveling, camping, and experiencing new things together; such as visiting various museums, opera, ballet, and sporting events. We also enjoy seeking out and trying the local cuisine during our travels. Our future plans will include all those things.” N
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RETIREMENT! Guilford Dudley, M.D. & Retha Dudley, A.P.R.N. will be retiring October 1, 2015. Thank you for many years of dedication to the citizens of this community.
For more information about scheduling an appointment at Unity Health - Internal Medicine (formerly Harris Internal Medicine Clinic), please call (870) 523-2320.
Manna
Cynthia Lochridge Manna Food Pantry is located in the Newport Pentecostal Church of God at 205 Ray street in Newport. They are an open door pantry which means people that are in need can come in and choose the items that their family will enjoy. They do not go by any kind of income guide lines and are open every Tuesday from 9 a.m.
until 1 p.m. They have partnered with the NEA food bank in jonesboro and so are able to help more people in need. Anyone looking to donate to the pantry can contact Cynthia Lochridge. at 870-219-0857 or can log on to www.newportpcg.com. They also accept food donations. N
Great Tastes Canning and Perserving Adrienne Freeman
Fresh, in season fruits and vegetables always taste the best – served at the peak of perfection, often right from garden to table with not much needed but a little cooking and complementary seasoning. But what to do when a garden’s production turns from super to superfluous? When the sharing of a co-workers bounty is no longer “Oh yeah!” but “Oh, no!” Preserving food has been a necessary tradition for thousands of years. It has touched every culture throughout time. The main reasons are to prevent bacteria and oxidation from deteriorating the quality of the food and allowing spoilage. Drying, pasteurization, refrigeration, freezing, smoking, salt and sugar cures are all ways to preserve food for use at a later date. Canning and pickling are some of the easiest and most rewarding for home cooks. Garden vegetables like tomatoes, squash, okra, cucumbers, radishes, carrots and onions are just a few of the vegetables that are abundant in the summer and are perfect candidates for canning and pickling. Water bath canning and pickling procedures are pretty straightforward: sterilization, fill, seal and process. Spices can be varied between recipes. Peppercorns, mustard seeds and coriander are common, but others can be substituted. In pickling, all salt is not the same. It is very important you always use Kosher salt or pickling salt because it has no iodine, added minerals, or anti-caking agents that can make your pickles bitter and your brine cloudy. Acid is what helps to preserve vegetables and kill off harmful bacteria. Vinegar is the acid in pickling and preserving. Substituting vinegars is like substituting anything -- it will change the flavor. Distilled white vinegar is the gold standard in canning and pickling. Try the recipe below from the famous maker of canning jars. ANTIPASTO VEGETABLES Recipe adapted from the Jarden Company, makers of both Kerr and Ball mason jars - www.freshpreserving.com 7 whole black peppercorns 4 bay leaves 1¾ cups white vinegar 1 cup lightly packed brown sugar 2 Tablespoons Kosher salt 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped 16 | Eye On Jackson
1 Tablespoon dried oregano 6 medium tomatoes, peeled, cored and coarsely chopped 3 bell peppers, seeded and chopped (combination of red, yellow and green can be used) 2 carrots, peeled and diced 1 stalk celery, diced 1 large onion, coarsely chopped 6 (8 oz) half pint glass preserving jars with lids and bands Directions: Tie peppercorns and bay leaves in a square of cheesecloth, creating a spice bag. Combine vinegar, brown sugar, salt, garlic, oregano and spice bag in a large stainless steel saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Stir in tomatoes, peppers, carrots, celery and onion. Reduce heat and boil gently, stirring frequently, for 1 hour, until thickened to the consistency of a thin relish. Discard spice bag. Prepare boiling water canner. Heat jars and lids in simmering water until ready for use. Do not boil. Set bands aside. Ladle hot relish into hot jars leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles. Wipe rim. Center lid on jar. Apply band until fit is fingertip tight. Process jars in a boiling water canner for 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude. Remove jars and cool. Check lids for seal after 24 hours. Lid should not flex up and down when center is pressed. N
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Healthy Women of Unity Unity Health - Harris Medical Center Welcomes New Administrator Rebecca Pearrow
On July 7th, Ray Montgomery, President/CEO of Unity Health announced the appointment of Darren Caldwell to the position of Administrator at Unity Health - Harris Medical Center. Darren has extensive experience in hospital administration. He joins Unity Health from DeWitt Hospital and Nursing home where he has been CEO for 12 years. He holds a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration and a State of Arkansas Nursing Home license. In 2014 he was awarded the A. Allen Weintraub Administrator of the Year award by the Arkansas Hospital Association. Most recently in 2015 his hospital at DeWitt was recognized by CMS for being a 5 Star Hospital for their HCAHP scores. “As a part of Unity Health, I would like to continue to install its brand in the community and help prove the true commitment of the organization in providing quality healthcare services through its physicians and inpatient and outpatient services,” Caldwell said. “We want people to realize we are serious about meeting the community’s needs. It is my hope that we can also improve flow of referral services and bring to rest any concerns with the recent acquisition of the hospital and its ownership stability.” Caldwell had served Arkansas for more than 25 years through his healthcare career and he has overseen
326 Lindley Lane
870-523-6539
projects which include remodeling of the existing structure and building a new facility for the hospital-based rural health clinic. He was instrumental in securing a $400,000 grant for capital improvements to the critical access hospital through U.S. Congressman Marion Darren Caldwell Berry’s office. He also opened a second home health office in a neighboring community, extended the hospital’s ambulance service to a community 35 miles away and replaced all of the diagnostic equipment in the organization within his first three years there. Twice he organized successful campaigns for 1.5-cent sales taxes to support DeWitt Hospital and Nursing Home. And, for a 15-month span in 2012-2013, he filled the CEO position simultaneously for DeWitt Hospital and Delta Memorial Hospital. A member of the Arkansas Hospital Association board of directors since 2008, he was elected in 2013 to serve as the group’s treasurer. In addition, he has chaired AHA’s Medicaid committee for the past three years, helping AHA and its member hospitals transition through various changes associated with the state’s multi-payer Payment Improvement Initiative and the implementation of Arkansas’ Private Option plan to expand healthcare coverage to low-income Arkansans. He holds various membership/leadership positions at the local, regional and state levels in civic, church and health care organizations. Darren’s first day in Newport will be August 17th. N
Things To Do
U of A, Division of Agriculture, Research & Extension Family Day 2015
Sarah Henry Metzger Watersheds of War: Making Nature’s Medicines How physicians, yarb doctors and granny women treated Today’s To-Do List: get the kids ready for school, do a patients with botanicals found at the river’s edge during and after load of laundry, work eight hours, pick up the kids from the Civil War. Medicinal principles and uses of common plants at after-school care, pick up dinner, feed daughter before Jacksonport State Park on September 5 from 2 to 3 p.m. For more dance lesson, take daughter to dance lesson, feed son info call 870-523-2143. before basketball practice, pick up daughter from dance Depot Days lesson, help kids with homework, do dishes, put kids to The 18th annual Depot Days Festival to be held bed - the list continues. With long work days, complicated Saturday, September 26 on Front Street in Downtown school schedules and extra-curricular activities, everyone is Newport. Booths are now available for the festival. pulled in different directions. Many parents find it difficult Booths are $25 each. to keep up with their children’s lives, not to mention their The Depot Days committee is excited to welcome own. Days may go by without the whole family spending Ricochet, Martin McDaniel, Sonny Burgess & the any time together at all. Legendary Pacers and much more! For more info, One important way families can stay connected is by contact the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce at sharing a meal. Finding time each day when everyone can (870) 523-3618 or go to www.depotdays.org. sit down together goes a long way toward strengthening family relationships. For many families, eating dinner Farmer’s Market together has become a lost art—but it proves to be a Don’t forget to stop by the Farmers Market every simple, effective way to reduce the risk of youth substance Saturday and Wednesday mornings starting at 7 a.m. abuse and to raise healthier children. Located in the market pavilion next to Newport Lake. According to recent surveys, less than half the families ASUN Patron Series in the United States actually sit down to a meal on a Tickets for all three performances in the 2015-16 regular basis. Yet, studies report family meals are strongly ASUN Patron Series, including the Sept. 17 Clint Black related to the development of children’s mental health and concert, remain on sale through ASUN’s new ticketing stability. Research shows that there are nutritional, as well website and the ASUN Business Office. Tickets are as social, emotional and academic advantages that occur in selling quickly, and fewer than 100 remain for the Clint children when families share meals together. Black show. Music fans planning to attend the concert Eating together regularly promotes not only adultare encouraged to purchase their tickets while they child communication skills, but it also fosters a sense last. To purchase tickets online, log on to the ASUN of security and stability for children as they thrive on ticketing website by logging on to tickets.asun.edu or routines. Mealtimes also provide a time for shared learning by calling the ASUN Business Office at 870-512-7802. about family traditions and values. So how are busy Other Patron Series performances include the Arkansas families expected to fit this important “to-do” item on Symphony Brass Christmas Concert December 3 and their daily list? Make family mealtime a priority. Choose a “Monroe Powell’s Salute to the Platters” scheduled for time and put it on the calendar. Just as you would schedule April 23. basketball practice or time for dance lessons, plan ahead for family mealtime. Newport City Council Meetings Think creatively and make adjustments to fit your Tuesday September 8 and Monday 21st at 6 p.m. family’s schedule. Family mealtime doesn’t always need to Newport Economic Development Commission be at dinnertime. You could plan a Saturday breakfast or September 10 at 7 a.m.(second Thursday of every Sunday lunch. A picnic on a blanket before or after a ball month). For more information call 870-523-1009. game counts too. If your family usually watches television during Jackson County Book Nook mealtime, decrease the habit slowly. Begin with one or two The Jackson County Book Nook, located directly behind television-free meals a week and gradually increase the Umsted Methodist Church on McLain St., is open each Wednesday number. By turning off the television, you eliminate the from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They offer a wide range of books for all distraction that can interfere with mealtime conversations. ages. Friends of the Jackson County Library operate the Book Let the answering machine pick up calls or turn off the Nook and all proceeds go to help with programs and needs of the phone ringer to avoid interruptions. A phone call can library. always be returned after the meal. Tuckerman City Council Meeting The MyPlate recommends serving a variety of foods, The 2nd Tuesday of each month. Tuckerman Water & Sewer but that doesn’t mean you need to prepare an elaborate 870-349-5336. N five-course meal every night. Keep meals simple and easy. Family meals are a perfect time to teach children about making nutritious food choices as well as a time for 20 | Eye On Jackson
modeling good table manners. To keep the family coming back to the table, make mealtimes pleasant and fun. Focus on positive table conversations by asking questions such as, “What was the best thing that happened to you today?” Involving children in the planning, preparing and serving of meals helps build teamwork and cooperation. In 2007, the President, all 50 Governors and more than 750 Mayors and County Executives proclaimed and supported Family Day, A Day to Eat Dinner With Your Children. Family Day is a national movement launched by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) in 2001 to remind parents that frequent family dinners make a difference! To download a free Family Dinner Kit that includes conversation starters plus menu cards and placemats that kids can color, visit www. CASAFamilyDay.org. This year, Family Day will be celebrated on Monday, September 28, 2015. Mark the date on your calendar and make it a priority to give the gift of a family meal, spend time reconnecting with your children, enjoy nutritious food and pleasant conversations and strengthen family values. For more information regarding Marriage, Parenting and Family Life, educational materials can be found at the Jackson County Extension Service, 649 Jackson 917, Newport, AR or visit www.uaex.edu. To learn more , contact the Jackson County extension office at smetzger@uaex.edu or call 870-523-7450. N
In the Field with Randy The Long and Short of It
Randy Chlapecka Harvest season is finally here! In some ways it seems like it has been a long crop year and in some ways it seems like it has been a short year. It took forever to get the planting season in full gear and that made it seem long but the late planting also made the season more compact and that actually made it a little shorter season. With harvest getting underway, many will consider the use of a harvest aid. Depending on the crop, harvest aids available include Sodium Chlorate (salt), Roundup, and Paraquat. These harvest aids can make harvest easier and more efficient by drying down the green tissue on the crop itself or weeds that may be in the field. They also have the potential to negatively impact yield and quality if they are applied too early and/or if harvest is not timely. Grain sorghum is probably the crop with the highest percentage of acres that a harvest aid is used on. Options include Sodium Chlorate and Roundup. Sodium Chlorate basically just dries up the leaves on the grain sorghum plant and any weeds in the field. Roundup provides more of a thorough kill of the grain sorghum plants and susceptible weeds in the field. If grain sorghum sucker heads and susceptible weeds are an issue, then Roundup is clearly a better choice. Roundup can be applied after the grain moisture is below 30 percent. It is probably better to wait until 25 percent moisture or lower to minimize the amount of time the plants have to stand in the field waiting to dry. Sodium Chlorate should be applied about 5 days prior to anticipated harvest with the grain moisture nearing the mid teens. Some rice producers apply harvest aids to every acre, some apply only in specific situations, and some never apply harvest aids. Sodium Chlorate is the labeled material for rice and should be applied when the average moisture is below 25 percent. Milling quality reductions are potentially a problem if rice kernels get too dry, so it is important to harvest within 5 days of a Sodium Chlorate application to prevent overdrying and potential milling quality reductions. Soybeans are the crop with the least acres with a harvest aid used in our area. Paraquat is the product most commonly used although Sodium Chlorate is also labeled and Sharpen is now available we well. The University of Arkansas recommendation is to apply Paraquat when one-half of the soybean leaves have dropped and the other one-half are yellow on determinate soybeans. For indeterminate soybeans, apply when 65 percent of the pods are brown and remaining pods are turning yellow. Louisiana research has shown that as long as the seeds within the pod have separated from the white membrane in the pod, then harvest aids can safely be applied. For more information, feel free to contact me at Farmers Supply Association at Tuckerman. The office number is 870-349-1316 and my e-mail address is randychlapecka@gmail.com. N September 2015 | 21
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22 | Eye On Jackson
Newport Chamber News Save The Date
Julie Allen, Newport Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director The Newport Area Chamber of Commerce will host the annual “Trashiest Team” contest on September 18-19. The contest is held in conjunction with the Great Arkansas Clean-Up, the annual fall statewide litter pickup campaign promoted by Keep Arkansas Beautiful (KAB), a state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful Inc. and a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. Businesses, organizations and individuals are asked to form a four to six person team that will pick up trash on a one-mile stretch of road. Teams compete for the “Trashiest Team” title and plaque, determined by the team that collects the most trash. There are approximately 100 volunteers each year who collect an average of 150 bags of trash in the Newport area. This includes parks, roadways and lake banks. We are proud to organize this friendly competition each year and are thankful for those who participate. *** Entries are being accepted for the annual Jackson County’s Best Backyard BBQ Contest, to be held on September 26 at Depot Days in downtown Newport. Teams will be judged in the Boston Butt category and the Ribs category. Businesses and organizations are asked to consider forming a team for this fun competition. It could win you up to $150 in each division and the title of Jackson County’s Best Backyard Barbecue! Judging in the ribs division begins at 3 p.m., Boston butt division at 4 p.m. Cost to enter is only $25 per team. General booth space is currently being offered for only $25 for any arts & crafter, school organization, business or group. This would be a perfect opportunity to receive some exposure for an organization or business! Depot Days will begin at 9:30 a.m. on September 26 with the Lions Club Auction. Music begins at 1 p.m. Get a complete entertainment schedule of events, booth forms and bbq contest information at www.depotdays.org or call the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce at (870) 523-3618. *** It’s not too early to start planning your Christmas float for the annual Newport Christmas parade. It will be here before we know it! Mark your calendar for Thursday, December 10. The parade will begin at 6 p.m. Entry is free! Entry forms will be available at the Chamber office beginning in November. If you would like to know more about Chamber or community events in and around Newport/Jackson County, call (870) 523-3618 or email director@newportarchamber.org to sign up for our free “Upcoming Events” email. N
Notes from the Clearing The Invisible
Joseph Thomas I don’t always see the flying bits that fill the room, but when the sunlight filters through as a cat’s delight, it highlights those bits and I can watch their flight. I don’t see the breeze that blows at my neck and cools my after run sweat so beautifully and yet it is there. I don’t see others choices or their genetic traits so I must be careful judging their actions without determining their intent. I don't always see what causes me to feel and react the ways I do, so I analyze my own disappointing actions so as to cease my childish temper and learn to properly emit dignity, open-mindedness and respect. N
Carries a lot. Including Features.
The 2015 GMC Canyon
Toll Free: (800) 250-3664 Sales & Service: (870) 523-2792 501 Hwy 367 North Newport, AR 72112 W W W. G E O R G E K E L L M O T O R S . C O M
B r ow s e o u r e n t i r e i nve n to r y o n l i n e a n d s c h e d u l e a n ap p o i n t m e n t w i t ho u t p i c k i n g u p t h e p ho n e ! September 2015 |  23