Eye On Jackson May 2015

Eye On Jackson www.eyeonmag.com

34th Annual Portfest Dr. Barbara Diane Sweatt Mother’s Day Breakfast in Bed - by the Kids A Publication of Meadowland Media, Inc.

May 2015

In This Issue 6/Editor’s Note May I Say...

7/Great Tastes

Mother’s Day Breakfast in Bed - by the Kids

8/Seniors, can we talk?

Balance

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13

8

16

9

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9/U of A, Division of Agriculture, Research & Extension A Day With Janet Carson

10/Cover Story

Dr. Barbara Diane Sweatt

13/Faces 13/Notes from the Clearing Day at Play

16/Newport Chamber News 34th Annual Portfest

17/In the Field with Randy Rain Delays

18/I Do

Qualls-Woodall Wedding

20/Things To Do 21/NEDC Report

Exciting Times in Newport and Jackson County

22/Harris Hospitality Our Healthy Women

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?’.

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.

Fishing for a Home Loan?

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.

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For advertising, distribution, or editorial contribution, contact Kimberlee Thomas, 870.503.1150, kthomas@eyeonmag.com.

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 PROOFING Department: Joseph Thomas Kimberlee Thomas Staff PHOTOGRAPHERS: Kimberlee Thomas Joseph Thomas COVER PHOTOGRAPHER Cheryl Mauldin

Cover Photography by Cheryl Mauldin Cover Design by Joseph Thomas

PRINTING COMPANY: Rockwell Publishing

Editor’s Note May I Say...

Eagle Pest

Joseph Thomas

May I say that you look marvelous today... thanks for picking us up to see what May has to offer around the county.

Please read on the find Adrienne Freeman’s favorite Mother’s Day recipes and we are pleased to welcome Randy Chlapecka back as he talks about a late planting season with too much rain yet to come. Caroline Beauchamp drops us another line about Ruth, Sarah Metzger Joseph and Kimberlee Thomas Photo by Cheryl Mauldin talks about Janet Carson and the upcoming Janet Carson Day at ASU Newport Student/ Community Center and Kimberlee shares the Qualls - Woodall Wedding. I bring you a Day at Play and a perfect example for Nursing Week as I bring you Dr. Barbara Diane Sweatt in this month’s Cover Story. Jon Chadwell tells us of just some of the exciting progress in Jackson County and Julie Allen speaks Portfest for the upcoming June festival. Rebecca Pearrow talks about our Healthy Women and Shanell Ransom explains the new Jackson County Community Alumni Network.

Please see our Things To Do page for upcoming events that you don’t want to miss and peruse our Faces to see who we caught out on the town recently. Enjoy and thank you again for taking us along with you. We appreciate your readership.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY, Thank you for my life, your love and your understanding. N

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The ASU-Newport team of Jennifer Leonard, Jamie Campbell, Shana McClour and Katy Dillport finished first in the ALPNA Quiz Bowl competition held recently in Hope.

6 | We are HOME in Jackson County.

Great Tastes Mother’s Day Breakfast in Bed - by the Kids Adrienne Freeman

In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson set the second Sunday in May as an official holiday, Mother’s Day. It was purposefully referred to in the singular possessive so that people remembered their own mother, not all mothers. According to Wikipedia, AT&T and Hallmark, Mother’s Day is the single largest day for long distance telephone calls and greeting cards. Churches report their largest attendance since Christmas and Easter, and florists fill record numbers of orders.

Holiday celebrations usually include special meals and often each family has their own traditions. What would Christmas be without Grandma’s stuffing or Easter without a succulent baked ham? Mother’s Day is no different. Kids everywhere show their love for Mom by treating her to the ultimate luxury – breakfast in bed.

But since kids come in all ages and levels of experience in the kitchen, sometimes this “Ta-da” becomes a “Ta-DON’T.” The recipes below don’t require cooking expertise for supervising dads or helpful children. Most can be prepared with minimal supervision of school-age children.

Smaller children love adding the extras – marshmallows in the fruit salad, sprinkles or candy on the berries, varied fillings in the omelet. Convenience foods, such as pre-cooked bacon, fresh fruit and veggies already cleaned and prepped from the salad bar and instant hot chocolate mix can help inexperienced kitchen kids move everything along more smoothly.

Happy Mother’s Day!

the top and press down into the mix with the back of a spatula or spoon. Chill for about 15 minutes until firm.

With spatula or butter knife cut into bars.

Tropical Fruit Salad 1 small container orange sections, juice drained 1 small container pineapple chunks or tidbits, juice drained 1 cup sour cream 1 cup coconut 1 cup mini marshmallows Mix all ingredients in medium bowl. Stir carefully so you don’t break up the fruit. Chill for 30 minutes before serving.

No-fail Chocolate Dipped Strawberries 2 large chocolate bars (Melting chocolate works better – you can use dark or white) 12 large fresh strawberries, with stems on Wax paper Sprinkles, candies, other fun things for dipping Leave the stems on the berries. This way you can hold them by the stems when dipping. Wash and dry the strawberries. Break chocolate into small pieces and place in microwave safe bowl. Chocolate is delicate; go slow and take care when heating. Microwave on high for 10 seconds, stir, another 10 seconds, stir… until chocolate is smooth. Holding by stems, dip each strawberry. Place on wax paper to cool. N

Easy Teacup Omelet 2 eggs Dash salt Favorite Fillings – Cheese, bacon bits, chopped ham, green onions, cherry tomatoes Crack two eggs in a favorite coffee cup. Add a dash of salt and beat with a fork until well mixed. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of Mom’s favorite fillings and microwave 45 seconds to 1 minute. Carefully remove from microwave (cup will be hot!) and allow to sit one minute before serving.

Favorite Breakfast Bars ½ cup peanut butter or Nutella 1 large jar marshmallow creme 1 Tablespoon vanilla ¼ cup butter (1 stick) ½ box cruncy flake cereal (like Wheaties Energy Crunch or Crunchy Raisin Bran) 1 cup granola, plain or with nuts In a large bowl safe for the microwave, melt butter 1 minute. Stir in vanilla. Add peanut butter and marshmallow creme and stir well to combine.

Add Wheaties to the mixture and spread it out in a large (9” by 13”) plastic container. Add granola to

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May 2015 | 7

Seniors, can we talk?

Balance

Caroline Beauchamp

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(870) 523-8946 Jackson County 206 North Harwood Newport, AR 72112

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Ruth stopped by my office and asked if we could talk. She sat down and, with a sigh of relief, said she was so thankful. About what? Ruth said she’d been thinking and reading and here’s what she shared with me.

What can many women over age 65 expect? To live 2.3 years longer than men? To rely heavily on Social Security Benefits and to receive less benefits than men? To be by themselves and not know how to handle day to day events, pay bills, know where next month’s income is coming from? Or not to be married and have to depend solely on themselves. Then only to wake up one day and realize they didn’t make a plan.

Ruth said women can no longer afford to take a back seat in the decision surrounding their retirement.

A woman needs to better understand her retirement options and/or what’s going to happen if her husband predeceases her.

She and Bob (her deceased husband) planned together. He had a life insurance policy that replaced his social security check so Ruth’s income would remain the same at his death. Yes, they had other assets but life insurance was quick, guaranteed, income tax free cash. Bob knew the policy would be paid at his death regardless of the stock market, regardless of the current value of farm land or whether Ruth could quickly find a buyer who was willing to pay the fair market value of their land and business.

Bob didn’t buy life insurance because he thought he was going to die. He bought life insurance because those he loves were going to live. He knew that whatever excuse he made not to buy a policy would sound ridiculous to his widow. A friend had told him that fun is like life insurance; the older you get, the more it costs!

So true! Bob knew he needed a life insurance policy whether the money would pay off their mortgage, fund a child’s or grandchild’s education, supplement Ruth’s retirement income or protect their business.

They had talked about their personal situation and made a plan. Ruth told me the “3 legged stool” story.

For three legged stools to be comfortable, they need to be balanced and need all three legs and so do you when planning. You need three advisors, a financial advisor, an attorney and an insurance agent. Each has something to offer. Like a stool with only two legs, it just doesn’t work well when one or two legs are missing.

Ruth got kinda teary eyed and said you really need a good balance of compassion, human interaction, and, yes, technology. You must make a plan. Make a financial dream and work to achieve it.

It’s about being responsible for tomorrow but still making sure you enjoy each day.

Everyone has a plan. What’s your plan? Need to talk? Call me at 501-868-6650 and say “Caroline, can we talk?

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8 | We are HOME in Jackson County.

FBA-CO-123_AR_JACKSON_SMITH-3.6x9.8.indd 1

4/17/15 11:19 AM

U of A, Division of Agriculture, Research & Extension A Day With Janet Carson Sarah Henry Metzger

The Jackson County Cooperative Extension Service, ASU-Newport, Jackson County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee and the White River Garden Club will host a gardening seminar “”A Day with Janet Carson” in Newport, Arkansas, on Thursday, June 11, 2015, at the ASU Newport Student/Community Center.

Registration will begin at 9:00 a.m. The program will start at 9:30 a.m. and will end by 3:00 p.m..

The Cost is $15 (Paid in Advance) which includes lunch , door prizes and other goodies. The coffee break refreshments will be provided in part by the Jackson County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee, Kroger, Walmart and Price Chopper.

Other goodies will be provided by Unity Health Harris Medical Center and Newport Diagnostic Center. You must pre-register and your $15 be received by June 4. You may call the Jackson County Extension Office 870 523 7450 or email wbarker@uaex.edu to pre-register. Please make your check payable to WRGC and mail it to 649 Jackson 917, Newport, Ar 72112 . We hope to see you at this fun, informative event June 11th.

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326 Lindley Lane

870-523-6539

Amanda Eich

Mallory Davis

Valerie Nelson

ASU-Newport Students Shine at ALPNA Competition Van Provence The Arkansas State University-Newport Licensed Practical Nursing program posted several top-three finishes at the Arkansas Licensed Practical Nursing Association competition held recently at The University of Arkansas Community College Hope campus.

Representing the ASUN Newport campus, the team of Jamie Campbell (Newport), Katy Dillport (Walnut Ridge), Shana McClour (Weiner) and Jennifer Leonard (Newport) took first place in the Quiz Bowl competition. Also finishing first was Alexis Roberson (Tuckerman), who won the Prepared Speaking competition when she spoke on “Changes in Today’s LPN Career.”

Valerie Nelson (Alicia) placed second in the Medical Terminology competition, while Amanda Eich (Newport) finished second in the Pharmacology competition. Mallory Davis (Jonesboro) finished third in the Anatomy and Physiology competition.

This month’s competition marked the first time in 10 years that ASUN competed in the event. N

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May 2015 | 9

Eye On Cover Story Dr. Barbara Diane Sweatt Joseph Thomas

We were told about Dr. Barbara Diane Sweatt’s untraditional path to success from her father, Dr. Roger L. Green. I’m familiar with untraditional paths and I enjoy revealing them when I can, because most adults are raised to believe that straying from the typical way things are done leads to failure. I have tried to raise my children to be open to following their instincts if there is a passion in it. I was seventeen when my CrystalAnn was born and have seen so many in the same situation criticized for throwing their lives away when the fact is, they haven’t thrown anything away yet and this doesn‘t mean they will. I was fortunate in that my parents raised me to be very grounded and I knew, even at sixteen, that being a father would be the most important role of my life and that whatever else I did, I must make that successful. My children have been raised with struggle, but it has made them strong and full of character and I am so very proud of them all for who they have become.

Dr. Green is very proud of his daughter for her choices and her success and so are we. This month, we celebrate Nursing Week and give our salute to all of the amazing nurses that serve Jackson County with their best everyday. Having said that, we thought Sweatt the perfect embodiment of what that means.

Sweatt invited me out to her fiancé’s house for a nice visit where I learned her full story. Wayne Menley and Sweatt were to marry five weeks after our interview and we wish them all of the best in the joining of their families. She credits Heather and Anthony Allen for hooking them up, but their kids knew each other and have supported the pairing of their parents since the beginning. They plan on honeymooning in Boston with time to see the area.

Sweatt’s parents were high school and college sweet hearts from Doniphan, Missouri. Dr. Green was doing his residency in Memphis and Barbara was born there.

Two years later there was a brother born and two years after that, the family moved to Newport, Arkansas. They lived on Forrest Drive very near to Newport School.

She went to elementary at Gibbs Albright until they moved in her sixth grade year to Normandy Acres. “Back when I went to school, Newport had two elementary schools. Gibbs Albright and Castleberry and both had first through sixth grade. Which school you attended depended on what side of town you lived on. I attended Albright through 5th and we moved, so I attended 6th grade at Castleberry. My kindergarten was a private one and it was ‘Miss Doris’ who was Mrs. Doris Travis.

Kindergarten was optional then. Both my two girls had the pleasure of attending preschool at ‘Miss Doris’”, adds Sweatt. Of course she attended NJS and NHS until the tenth grade, when she says she hit a little rebellious streak and decided that Thanksgiving she wasn’t 10 | We are HOME in Jackson County.

going back. She quit school, got married when she was sixteen, gave birth to her oldest daughter, Emily, when she was seventeen and figured out very quickly that life was going to be hard without a diploma. “I owe Mrs. Lucille Dillingham so much for her help. She taught at White River Votech (now ASUN), and I took class with her for nine days, took my test and passed it. That gave me some much needed encouragement. I actually earned my G.E.D. in 1978, the same year I would have graduated high school,” explains Sweatt with a smile.

She was eighteen, married with a baby and attending LPN School. At nineteen she was an LPN working at the old downtown Newport Hospital in Critical Care and working nights. At the age of twenty, Sweatt gave birth to her second child.

You would have had a hard time catching her sitting still. A twenty year old mother of a three year old and a five month old, working full time decides she has not yet filled her plate and begins taking night classes at Newport High School. Those were her first college courses which were concurrent for ASU Jonesboro. Sweatt earned her Associates of Science in Nursing (ASN), in 1984, her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), in 1990, her Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN), in 1995 and most recently, her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), in 2012.

Sweatt left Newport Hospital so she could work the weekends and earn her BSN through the week. Central Arkansas Hospital in Searcy, Arkansas was her next place of employment working the weekend option. “That was a great deal, because I worked a day option, twelve hours every Saturday and twelve hours every Sunday, but was paid for thirty-two hours which gave me full time benefits. So, that allowed me to have insurance for me and the kids and it was perfect,” says Sweatt. “I have done it all. Worked weekends so I could attend school through the week, taken weekend classes while working through the week, worked nights so I could attend day classes and worked days to attend night classes.”

Sweatt worked Critical Care for nineteen years at Newport and at Central and made some of her best friends in those years and is still in contact with them today. She says that one of them, Susan Collier, found out that Sweatt was about to earn her BSN and Registered Nurse Practitioner (RNP), and told her husband about her. Collier’s husband, Dr. Steve Collier is still the Medical Director of what was then White River Rural Health (WRRH) and is now AR Care. Sweatt was the first RNP that WRRH hired, she began working there in 1991 and worked in all three clinics on rotation, the Augusta clinic, Desarc clinic and Cotton Plant facility. At this point, Sweatt was a divorced mom, raising a ten and seven year old, working five days a week for Dr. Collier at AR Care, working weekends at Central and decided to go back to school for her Masters. If she is not a gluten for punishment, perhaps she is a workaholic. She’d always

wanted to earn a Doctorate, but felt it was so far from her reach until she decided to reach for her Masters.

So, when ASU began their Masters in Nursing classes, Sweatt was in one of the earlier classes. She would leave AR Care at noon Friday from which ever clinic she was working that day, drive to Jonesboro and attend evening classes, drive back home to Newport and back to Jonesboro for an eight a.m. six hour class on Saturday. “I would feel brain dead by the time that Saturday class was over,” admits Sweatt. She had to cut back on her Central hours to do this, but still worked there on Sundays.

A Masters was earned by Sweatt in 1995 and she walked in her August graduation while pregnant with her son. She says she worked her last day at Central in January and he was born in March of that year. She worked at Newport four years, Central for ten and left ARc Care in 1997 after seven years of service to begin working at Wackenhut Correctional Facility as an Advanced Practice Nurse. She worked there from March of 1998 to August of 1999 and many of her dearest friends still work there. Sweatt and a physician worked for Wackenhut about six weeks when the physician had a heart attack, leaving her as the only health care provider for the men’s and women’s units. She speaks of eating in the prisoner’s cafeteria and their tasty homemade food and adds, “That was a vastly different experience than any other facility I worked at. All of the inmates were very respectful of the medical professionals.”

Mayor Everett King wanted to open a clinic in Tuckerman and wanted Sweatt to lend her professional services to the health of his community. She started working for Harris Hospital at their Tuckerman Health Clinic about six months before leaving Wackenhut and stayed on there until June of 2005. She left the Tuckerman Health Clinic to work along side Dr. Roddy Lochala, when she wasn’t filling in for him. “Diane Pratt was Dr. Junkin’s nurse and became my nurse when I began working there. She knew it all and was a tremendous asset to me. I met her son on a visit to the clinic and ask him if he had a girlfriend,” Sweatt says with a chuckle, “Diane said ‘No’ and I told them, ‘Well he is just as cute as he can be, my daughter doesn’t have a boyfriend.’ To make a long story short, we exchanged pictures and those two have been married for seven years and have two kids.” Sweatt worked at the Family Practice Clinic well over a year before starting to work for Harris Family Practice Clinic, where she still works today. Of course, being the workaholic that she is, she began a position as Clinical Nurse Consultant at Harris Hospital Senior Care in August of 2010 and also works there currently.

Sweatt is a Certified Nurse Practitioner for the State of Arkansas, a Registered Nurse for the State of Arkansas, has a Certificate of Prescriptive Authority in the State of Arkansas, has a Drug Enforcement Administrative Certification for a mid-level Practitioner, is American Nurse Credentialing Center Family Nurse Practitioner Certified, is ANCC Family Psychiatric and Mental

The Care You Need.

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The Tuckerman Medical Clinic is now open and accepting new patients!

Call (870) 624-2892 today to schedule an appointment.

102 Elm Street | Tuckerman, AR WhiteRiverHealthSystem.com

White River Health System is an Equal Opportunity Provider & Employer

Health Certified and is a Basic Life Support Certified Provider. She is associated with the American Nurses Association, the Arkansas Nurses Association, the Sigma Theta Tau International, Honor Society of Nursing, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, the American

Sweatt was nominated by friends and peers for the American Association of Nurse Practitioners 2014 State Award for Excellence in Clinical Practice. Above Sweatt just after the award ceremony with fiancé Wayne Menley.

May 2015 | 11

Association of Nurse Practitioners, the Jackson County Medical Society and is a Northeast Arkansas Nurse Practitioner Association Charter Member. She has been awarded the American Association of Nurse Practitioners 2014 State Award for Excellence in Clinical Practice. She was nominated by her friends and peers. She maintains a committee service with Arkansas Department of Health Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Board Member representative of Arkansas Nurses Association and still finds time for more. Her interests include socializing, reading, walking and traveling. She enjoys gardening, cooking and sharing those garden fresh foods. She was telling Cheryl Mauldin and I during the cover shoot about her blossoming Peach Trees and the lovely fruits they bear.

Sweatt says nursing is so versatile, that anyone can find a niche that fits their skill set and says if it wasn’t for the diversity, she never would have thrived so completely within nursing.

“My newest adventure is running.

In 2014 I ran my first half marathon. It was the Little Rock Marathon and that was the year we had sleet, freezing rain, etc. I talked Wayne into doing the 5K and

12 | We are HOME in Jackson County.

10K this year, which was his first marathon. We are training to do several more, including the St. Jude’s half marathon in December,” adds Sweatt. Sweatt has three children and five grandchildren: Emily Babb, age 36, has her Master of Education and teaches special education in Conway High School. Her husband, Terry Joe works at Kimberly Clark.

They have 3 children. Her oldest daughter is Talmadge age 12 years, Levi age 7 years, and Cora is 4 years old. The second oldest is Kristina Pratt, age 34, and she is a registered nurse. Her husband, Joe Pratt is an electrician and works at Skelton Electric. They have 2 children. Adaline age 5 years and Jozlynn age 2 years.

Her youngest is Tristan Sweatt age 19 years and he is a full time honor student at ASU Jonesboro.

Sweatt is truly a dynamic person with so much to offer in her daily life outside of the medical arena. I can only imagine how amazing this caring, genuine woman is in her chosen field to her patients. We are proud to have her in Jackson County and so glad she is just one of so many wonderful nurses to keep us healthy in this community we love so.

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Faces

201 Hazel, Newport 870-523-1009 “The mission of the Newport Economic Development Commission is to facilitate an environment that will be conducive to economic growth and stability. The commission will work to enhance, promote, and create increased opportunities for Above are some familiar local Faces from the March 31 Chamber Banquet. Kimberlee joined them for some mingling, pictures and recognition of the past years achievements.

Notes from the Clearing Day at Play

economic well being by developing and implementing strategies that will improve quality of life, community aesthetics, and encourage new investment in Newport and Jackson County.”

Joseph Thomas

Breezy attack just over the hill, a thousand blackbirds soaring through my hair and clothes. The day has met me in the middle and come to play. The sky is fully attentive, calling the grass to attention and tickling the willows like a father come home. I’m met with a sense of wondrous unlimited time, the kind children live all over. I meet it with a smile reserved for the world at large.

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May 2015 | 13

Here are more familiar Faces from the March 31 Chamber Banquet.

Jasmine Star Peavy recently signed with Lyon College to play volleyball as a Scot. Congratulations again in this month of graduation, play on Jasmine.

Childbirth & Baby Basics Class: May 9th - 10 – 2 p.m.

July 11th –10 – 2 p.m.

September 12th –10 – 2 p.m.

November 14th – 10 – 2 p.m.

Classes are held in the Harris Medical Center Community Room at 1205 McLain St. in Newport.

Classes are FREE. Classes are taught by a Certified Lactation Counselor with 27 years OB experience.

She is a BSN with National Certification in inpatient obstetrics. Call 870-512-3475 to register.

Breastfeeding Class: December 12th – 10 – 12p.m.

June 13th –10a– 12 p.m.

August 15th –10 – 12 p.m.

October 10th –10 – 12 p.m.

Classes are held in the Harris Medical Center Community Room at 1205 McLain St. in Newport.

Classes are FREE. Classes are taught by a Certified Lactation Counselor with 27 years OB experience.

She is a BSN with National Certification in inpatient obstetrics. Call 870-512-3475 to register.

Sibling Class: June 27th –10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Classes are held in the Harris Medical Center 14 | We are HOME in Jackson County.

Community Room at 1205 McLain St. in Newport.

Classes are FREE. “Use same copy as WCMC.” Call 870512-3475 to register.

Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings: AA meetings are held each Saturday at 7:00 p.m. in the Harris Medical Center Community Room.

Living Well with Diabetes: May 11 – 11:00 a.m.

June 8 – 11:00 a.m.

July 13 – 11:00 a.m.

Living Well with Diabetes is a multi-session program for people with diabetes or pre-diabetes and their families. Classes offer tips for managing blood glucose, blood cholesterol and blood pressure. Simple meal planning strategies and cooking demonstrations and tasting are provided by a Registered Dietician and Family & Consumer Science Specialist. Classes are FREE. Call 870-523-7450 to register.

American Red Cross Blood Drive: Blood drives will be held April 21, June 23, August 18, October 20 and December 22 from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. in the Blood Mobile in front of Harris Medical Center on McLain St. Call 501-515-4669 for information. N

ASUN Skills Contest Winners Van Provence

Arkansas State University-Newport's Marked Tree Campus played host to the Northeast Arkansas Career and Technical Thursday for competition in Collision Repair and Refinishing and in Automotive Skills. Students from 13 Northeast Arkansas high schools were represented in the two competitions. Pictured here are the winners from the Collision Repair and Refinishing competition (from left): David Milam, ASUN Instructor of Collision Repair Technology; second place winner Tanner Drummonds of Valley View High School; first place winner Harley Earls of Greene County Tech High School; third place winner Carlos Hernandez of Jonesboro High School and Robert Summers, ASUN Dean for Applied Science. Earls was awarded a full tuition renewable scholarship to ASUN for winning the competition, Drummonds was awarded a $750 renewable ASUN scholarship and Hernandez was awarded a $500 renewable ASUN scholarship.

Arkansas State University-Newport's Marked Tree Campus played host to the Northeast Arkansas Career and Technical Thursday for competition in Collision Repair and Refinishing and in Automotive Skills. Students from 13 Northeast Arkansas high schools were represented in the two competitions. Pictured here are the winners from the Automotive Skills competition (from left): Michael Nowlin, ASUN Instructor of Automotive Technology; second place winner Blake Williamson of Paragould High School; first place winner Aaron Williams of Westside High School; third place winner Preston Hargrove of Westside High School and Robert Summers, ASUN Dean for Applied Science. Williams was awarded a full tuition renewable scholarship to ASUN for winning the competition, Williamson was awarded a $750 renewable ASUN scholarship and Hargrove was awarded a $500 renewable ASUN scholarship.

May 1 at 6 p.m.

Jackson County Relay For Life

May 11 at 11 a.m.

Community room

Living Well with Diabetes Class – Harris Medical Center

May 14 at 9 a.m.

WRAAA Health Fair in Village Mall

May 15 at 4 p.m. Murray Dinner Theater Day Trip to Little Rock May 18 at noon

Bingo – Tuckerman Senior Center

May 19 at noon Lunch N Learn – Harris Medical Center Community Room May 21 at 10 a.m. Bingo – Newport- Harris Medical Center Community Room May 22 at noon

Bingo – Bald Knob Senior Center

Spring is here and PrimeTimes is busy! We are excited about social activities available in the month of May. There’s always something to get involved in at Unity Health or events we sponsor in the community. Take advantage of these opportunities to promote your good health this month! For more information or to join PrimeTimes, contact Margaret Goodman at 870-512-3030. N May 2015 | 15

Newport Chamber News 34th Annual Portfest

Julie Allen, Newport Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director The 34th Annual Portfest “Rollin’ on the River” Festival will be held on June 5-6, 2015 at Jacksonport State Park and is organized by the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce.

June 5, 2015 The Marshall Tucker Band found significant success during the course of the ‘70s, with most of their albums going gold thanks to songs like “Can’t You See” and “Fire On the Mountain.” Their peak came with the millionselling album Carolina Dreams and its Top 15 single “Heard It in a Love Song” in 1977.

Opening the show on June 5 is Arkansas’ own Riverbilly. Along with their amped-up live show, Riverbilly’s incredible sound with three-part harmony combined allows them to continue the winning of fans in city after city, night after night.

Tickets for June 5 are $15 in advance or $20 at the gate. Kids six and under get in free. Riverbilly performs at 7 p.m. followed by the Marshall Tucker Band at 8:30 p.m.

June 6, 2015 Josh Thompson burst onto the music scene in 2009 with his debut single “Beer on the Table” followed by the success 2010’s singles “Won’t Be Lonely Long” and “Way Out Here.” His second album Turn It Up debuted at number seven on the Top Country Albums Chart

and features “Cold Beer with Your Name on It” and his current single, the album’s title track, “Turn It Up.” Founded in 1998, Little Texas produced hit singles throughout the early to mid-90s. “First Time for Everything,” “What Might Have Been,” “God Blessed Texas,” “My Love,” “Kick a Little,” and “Amy’s Back in Austin” are just a few of the most popular releases from their gold, platinum and double platinum albums.

Tickets for June 6 are $10 either in advance or at the gate before 4 p.m.; they will increase to $15 at the gate after 4 p.m. Kids six and under get in free. Little Texas is set for 7 p.m. followed by Josh Thompson at 8:30 p.m. with the fireworks extravaganza ending the show.

Tickets will be available at outlets throughout the region including Searcy, Batesville, Jonesboro and Newport.

Other Portfest related events include: Friday, May 1 – Two-Person Golf Scramble at Newport Country Club.

Saturday, May 16 – 5K Walk & Run at ASU-Newport.

NEW!!! Healthy Women of Unity Kids Color Run at the Portfest 5K. Saturday, May 30 – Kids Fishing Derby at Newport Lake.

Wednesday, June 3 – Carnival Opens at Jacksonport

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State Park.

Thursday, June 4 – Carnival Armband Night at Jacksonport State Park.

Saturday, June 5 – Buddy Bass Fishing Tournament on the White & Black Rivers.

Saturday, June 6 – Horseshoe Pitching Tournament at Portfest.

There will be a lot of information shared in the coming weeks regarding all things Portfest including a schedule of events, announcements on new attractions, ticket outlets and details about the various contests.

Be sure to like “Portfest Festival” on Facebook to get the most up-to-date information or visit www.portfest.org. N

In the Field with Randy Rain Delays Randy Chlapecka

As I write this article in mid-April, we are into our third straight wet spring with major delays in planting.

Only a very small percentage of the corn, rice, and grain sorghum acreage has been planted and if the current forecast is correct, it will be at least April 25th before there is much of a chance of things getting better on many of our soils.

With that said, we can still have a good crop. Even though we had planting delays in 2013 and 2014, we ended up with two of our better overall crops in history.

The delays in those years may not have been as bad as 2015 is setting up to be, but there were significant delays. If we can have a summer with moderate temperatures and timely rainfall, a lot of that lost potential from delayed planting can be overcome.

Corn planting date studies conducted from 20082013 by Dr. Jason Kelley of the University of Arkansas have shown that the estimated relative corn yield potential in northeast Arkansas is 98 percent for the planting dates of May 1-10. This is when planting Bt hybrids. The yield nightmares that many remember

from May planting are from when we did not have the Bt hybrids to fight off the damage from corn borers.

Rice yields generally start dropping significantly in May. Some varieties hold up better to later plantings and should be considered especially as we get past early May. In general, Jupiter and the hybrids have fared better in planting date studies conducted by the University of Arkansas. The new variety LaKast yielded 199 bushels per acre at the May 21 planting date in the 2014 study.

My first boss as an Extension Agent in Randolph County always told farmers they could plant grain sorghum as late as July 4th and maintain decent yields.

While this can be true, insects are likely to be a problem with later plantings and could be costly to control. The sorghum midge, headworms, and the sugarcane aphid are all potential insect issues with later plantings.

For more information, feel free to contact me at 870-318-0739 or by e-mail at randychlapecka@gmail. com. N

May 2015 | 17

I Do Do

Qualls-Woodall Wedding Kimberlee Thomas

Mom knows best or so the saying goes; thanks to the friendship of Lisa Bailey-Qualls and Missy Aaron, two young children would grow up in each other’s company and as young adults become husband and wife.

Sidney Lee Qualls and Matthew Tyler Woodall met as children and had many friends in common throughout their lives. As life goes, Sidney and Tyler became the best of friends, not truly seeing the potential their friendship held for romance. Life handed them each a few hard knocks and they were always there to pick each other up. The two spent a lot of time together volunteering in public ministry and in Bible education work. In 2011 Tyler traveled to Walkill, New York where the world headquarters of the Jehovah’s Witnesses in located. He spent his time there volunteering on construction projects through the ministry.

When Tyler returned home from New York, he and

18 | We are HOME in Jackson County.

Photography by Larry Donald & Cheryl Wilcox

Sidney found themselves spending more and more time together. It wasn’t long before Tyler realized his future wife had been by his side as is best friend all along. The couple became inseparable. Sidney shared, “I was so happy.

I constantly wanted to see him, talk to him, to hear him laugh. He always made me smile and I fell more in love with every smile. I knew he was who I wanted to spend forever with.”

Tyler wanted the proposal to be special for Sidney.

He gathered friends that had recently participated in the wedding of Tricia and Grant Collom, and asked them to help him recreate a reception party. The group excitedly agreed and their friend’s back yard on Triangle Lane overlooking the city was transformed into the perfect setting. At dusk on September 22, 2014 the group gathered in their formal attire, hundreds of candles flickered in the evening breeze as music floated through the air. Tyler had a cake made and waiting on a decorated table in the gazebo. When Sidney arrived he walked her down the candlelit pathway pausing to take in the view before leading her to the gazebo. Sidney

recalls, “He got down on one knee, then he looked up at me with a nervous smile and asked me to marry him. Of course I said yes!” Their friends joined them as they celebrated and danced the evening away.

The young couple wed on January 3, 2015 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Batesville.

Tim Hamlett, an elder in the congregation, presided over the ceremony.

Father of the bride, Joe Qualls, struggled to keep his composure as he walked his beautiful daughter down the aisle to her awaiting groom. “When we were announced as Brother and Sister Woodall, I could not have been more happy.

Our life together was about to start,” recalls Sidney. Over two hundred friends and family members gathered to celebrate the union of Sidney and Tyler.

The reception was held at the Independence County Fairgrounds. The metal industrial building was transformed into a lovely reception hall thanks to the hard work of the mothers of the bride and groom. The father of the bride and multiple family members and friends pitched in as well. Guests feasted on steak and chicken fresh off the grill with traditional sides and a bevy of desserts. Brad Dillon from Jonesboro was the DJ for the evening and kept the crowd dancing for hours to great tunes and fantastic lighting. It was a wonderfully festive occasion.

The newlyweds spent a fun filled week honeymooning at the Hard Rock Resort in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Their all-inclusive package allowed them the opportunity to whale watch, snorkel, and zip line. They also went on a jungle excursion via a Polaris Razor and took a biking tour through Nuevo Villara.

Sidney and Tyler agree it was the, “Best vaca ever!”

Tyler is employed at Southwest Steel Processing in Newport as a Computer Aided Design Draftsman.

The young couple resides in Batesville and look forward to traveling together as Tyler’s job requires. They are currently spending this year in the artsy college town of Berea, Kentucky as Tyler is receiving additional career training.

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May 2015 | 19

Things To Do

Hometown Days May 15 & 16 in City Park Hometown Days is an annual fundraiser to help support the Tuckerman Ambulance Service. This volunteer service has covered all of northern Jackson County for 45 plus years providing emergency services to approximately 4,000 individuals.

This festival has been the primary source of income that allows the volunteer service to continue to operate and maintain two ambulance units and stock necessary supplies.

This family friendly event has free music, entertainment, food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, carnival, kids fishing derby, and an auction, as well as the Tuckerman Ambulance Services famous BBQ. So, join the fun this year for a great cause.

Watersheds of War: Melodies Along the River Join one of our park interpreters in the campground to learn about the history and heritage in song that the soldiers brought with them to the civil war encampments that dotted the area. Through these traditional and martial melodies we will discover that these brave young men were hard-working, everyday folks that we can share a connection with even today. May 9 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Jacksonport State Park. Email jacksonport@arkansas.com or call 870-523-2143 for more information.

And More Jackson County Book Nook The Jackson County Book Nook, located directly behind Umsted Methodist Church on McLain St., is open each Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They offer a wide range of books for all ages. Friends of the Jackson County Library operate the Book Nook and all proceeds go to help with programs and needs of the library.

Newport City Council Meeting This month’s meetings will be May 4 and May 18 at 6 p.m. and all city council meetings are held at 615 Third Street in Newport and open to the public. For more information call (870) 523-6568.

Tuckerman City Council Meeting The 2nd Tuesday of each month. Tuckerman Water & Sewer 870-349-5336. N

The My GNP app puts the personalized, caring service of your local Good Neighbor Pharmacy close at hand on your mobile device. Use the app to refill your prescriptions, look up store information, learn about special offers and more!

20 | We are HOME in Jackson County.

NEDC Report Exciting Times in Newport and Jackson County Malcolm and Stegall Roads. These new offices will enhance Jon Chadwell, Economic Development Director

What an exciting time to live in Newport and Jackson County! Construction projects throughout the community have people excited. New businesses provide more choice and selection for local citizens and several new looks for existing businesses are creating a fresh face to the town.

The new shopping center in the former Wal-Mart building has barely been open six months and now Hibbett Sports announces that they are joining Tractor Supply, Dollar Tree and Goodwill to fill the retail space in the center. Hibbett will add several new jobs and offer another retail shopping outlet for Newport and Jackson County.

People interested in jobs at Hibbett can apply online at www.hibbett.com/jobs/.

Downtown is seeing new businesses open as well. All That I Am Books has opened on Walnut Street offering printing, photography, publishing and much more, including wedding services! A new plate lunch diner will be opening in the former Depot Diner and offer many of the favorites people remember from the days of Fred’s Grill.

And Bouncin’ Around Kid Zone and Family Fun Center will be opening on Front Street. Bouncin’ Around will offer indoor bouncy houses, an obstacle course games and much more. It will be open regular hours and also available for private birthday parties.

New office space is going up in Newport with professionals building new space for their firms on

www.darlingsfinethings.com

the appearance of Newport. Construction is underway at both George Kell Motors and Harris Ford on four-lane US Highway 67. The state of the art dealerships are going to be a wonderful welcome to Newport for people traveling south on the four-lane and are going to help jumpstart development along that corridor. O’Reilly Auto Parts has started construction on their new location on Highway 367, which is quickly becoming the new commercial district for Newport and Jackson County.

Construction is progressing nicely on the new Jackson County Detention Center at the Airbase. The new facility will give local law enforcement better tools with which to do their job. Plans are underway to convert the jail that will be vacated into another use to benefit the downtown area. The work on the new White River Bridge is also progressing well. The new bridge will provide an upgraded entry into Newport across the river.

And then there are the plans for the new Veterans Memorial and performance park on Front Street.

Conceptual plans are complete and work on preparing the site will start within the next 30 days. Bands are already being booked for monthly concerts. Bricks are available to honor veterans and to honor or memorialize people who have meant something special to you or to our community.

The new park will be a huge asset to Jackson County and a great community gathering place.

This column could continue on with other great things happening in our schools, at ASU-Newport and a couple of great announcements we anticipate in the near future. But unfortunately, they only allow us 500 words so we’ll have to end with this thought. The bright future is exciting, it is arriving in Newport and Jackson County and each one of us is fortunate enough to be part of it!

For more frequent updates follow the NEDC on Instagram at nedc_newport_ar, like us on Facebook or sign up for our email list. Also remember, download the Newport App on your smart phone so you can have local business information at your fingertips!

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May 2015 | 21

Support Our Advertisers AR Care---------------------------------------- 3 Arkansas Hospice---------------------------- 3 Batesville Spine & Health Solutions------- 16 Darling Pharmacy---------------------------20 Darling’s Fine Things----------------------- 21 D Q Grill & Chill------------------------------ 7 Dr. Barbara Diane Sweatt------------------- 3 Dr. Green-------------------------------------- 3 Eagle Pest------------------------------------- 6 ENG Lending--------------------------------- 5 Farm Bureau---------------------------------- 8 Fortune Inn and Suites--------------------- 17

Harris Hospitality Our Healthy Women Rebecca Pearrow

The Healthy Women of Unity (formerly Healthy Woman) advisory council has reconvened to plan some exciting health centered events for 2015! In an effort to promote population health and wellness as their mission, the council wanted to host an event centered on children and exercise. We are excited to partner with Newport Chamber of Commerce at their PortFest 5k event to bring you the first annual Healthy Women of Unity Kids Color Run on Saturday, May 16. Kids 12 and under can join us for this event held in conjunction with the regular PortFest 5k. Kids will run a half mile on a flat track while being showered with colored powder (food-grade corn starch), so that by the end of the race they will be wearing thousands of vivid color combinations! They wear white t-shirts for the best effect. Join us at the run and Healthy Women of Unity sponsored activities that include face painting, bouncy houses, balloons, healthy snacks and lots of fun and exercise! This event is free to children 12 and under, but they must register to receive a race t-shirt and ribbon, goody bag and snacks. Please call Rebecca Pearrow at 870-512-3081 for registration information. N

George Kell Motors, Inc-------------------- 19 Greenway Equipment, Inc.-----------------23 H & R Block Tax Services-------------------20 Lindley----------------------------------------- 3 Lindley Health & Rehab Center, LLC------ 9 Merchants and Planters Bank--------------- 6 N E D C--------------------------------------- 13 Newark Furniture, Flowers and More---- 19 Purdy’s Flowers and Gifts------------------- 4 Southern Tire Mart--------------------------- 6 St. Michael’s Place---------------------------24 Studio 1910 Photography------------------- 12 T-L Irrigation Company--------------------- 9 Unity Health Harris Medical Center------- 2 Unity Health Harris Medical Center------- 3 Unity Health Prime Times----------------- 15 WRMC Newport Diagnostic Clinic-------- 11

22 | We are HOME in Jackson County.

Introducing the 2015 Healthy Women of Unity Advisory Council. L to R: Margaret Goodman, Ginger Carlyle, Jenna Austin, Sherrie Hanley, Teriann Dildine, Calli Beck, Lisa Forrester, Tara Salinas, Sara Michael, Heather Long, Lauren Sampson, Lisa Whitehead, Rebecca Pearrow, Advisor, Kristen Smith. Not pictured: Susan Fletcher, Carol Falwell, Leslie Altom, Gina Slagley, Raquel Nwokeji, Kimberlee Thomas, Amanda White, Sandra Massey, Deborah Hardin

Arkansas Agriculture Department Accepting Specialty Crop Grant Proposals

Zachary Taylor The Arkansas Agriculture Department is accepting applications for proposals to enhance the competitiveness of Arkansas specialty crops such as fruits, vegetables, floriculture and nuts. Applications will be considered for inclusion in Arkansas’ grant proposal for funds provided by the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Under grant guidelines, state corporations, commodity associations, nonprofit organizations, state and local government entities, and colleges and universities may be eligible. Applicants and/or their business or educational affiliation must be located in Arkansas.

Applicants are asked to submit proposals for projects to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops.

Applications must be received by the department by close-of-business May 29, 2015. Questions regarding the program may be directed to Zachary Taylor, the department’s director of marketing, at 501-219-6324 or email Zachary.

Taylor@aad.ar.gov. Application packets may be found at: www.aad.arkansas. gov . A complete list of eligible specialty crops may be found at http://www. ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/SCBGPdefinitions. N

Jackson County Unveils Community Alumni Network Shanell Ransom

After eight months of research, the Newport Economic Development Commission will reveal the much awaited Jackson County Community Alumni Network. A central aspect of the Network is a database that contains contact information for Jackson County current and former residents. This Network will exist to connect current and former residents to their hometown, market economic opportunities, and help mobilize on legislation and development initiatives that affect the area.

“The Jackson County Community Alumni Network will allow us to reach out to people who love Newport and Jackson County and recruit them as part of the growth process leading to our bright future,” says Jon Chadwell, Executive Director of the Newport Economic Development Commission. Helping the organization plan the project were University of Arkansas Clinton School students Joyce Akidi of Pader, Uganda, Charles Alex Lanis of Ada, OK, Shanell Ransom of Columbia, SC, and Jeremy Ratcliff of Raleigh, NC. The team researched database creation and management to design the Community Alumni Network for Jackson County. The team also collaborated with a committee of community leaders to constantly engage the voice of Jackson County.

Similar to many Delta towns, Jackson County experienced economic challenges in recent years and many people and businesses have left the city seeking communities that offer additional opportunities. The city has since recovered from the economic decline of the 1980s and 1990s, and now hosts very popular attractions such as Depot Days, PortFest, and the Delta Visual Art Show.

The intended impact of the Community Alumni Network is to eliminate economic stagnation by increasing development in Jackson County. The

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influence of this project is limitless but the desired effects are retaining residents. Population growth will lead to an increase in tax revenue, resulting in additional funding for the Newport Economic Development Commission initiatives, and countywide infrastructure development.

Julie Allen, Executive Director of the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce stated, “The anticipated impact of the Alumni Network is huge. Anytime we can let people who care about our community know of the great opportunities happening today, they always want to get involved. It will bring a lot of resources and talent back to Newport, plus we will get reconnected with family and friends in new and exciting ways.”

The Network will be unveiled at a reception and public presentation on Thursday, April 30, 2015 at 5 pm. This will take place at the Newport Economic Development Commission, 201 Hazel Street, Newport, Arkansas.

About the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service: The University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service promotes a vision of world leaders who work with others to build healthy, engaged and vibrant communities. Its mission is to educate and prepare individuals for public service, incorporating a strategic vision, an authentic voice, and a commitment to the common good. More information about the Clinton School is available at www.clintonschool.uasys. edu. N

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May 2015 | 23