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In This Issue 6/Editor’s Note Jackson in July
9/Seniors, can we talk? Cancelled?
10/Cover Story
6
13
9
17
10
20
13
21
Coach Morgan Wayne Gilbert
13/Faces 13/Notes from the Clearing Serenity
17/Great Tastes Peaches
19/I Do
Your Wedding
20/Things To Do 20/In the Field with Randy
Summer Insects and Grain Sorghum
21/U of A, Division of Agriculture, Research & Extension Storing Produce Properly
You’re busy...Let us make some noise for you! email kthomas@eyeonmag.com or call Kimberlee at (870) 503-1150
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.
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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 PROOFING Department: Joseph Thomas Kimberlee Thomas Staff PHOTOGRAPHERS: Kimberlee Thomas Joseph Thomas
Cover Photography by Elizabeth Johnson Cover Design by Joseph Thomas
COVER PHOTOGRAPHER Robert O. Seat PRINTING COMPANY: Rockwell Publishing
For advertising, distribution, or editorial contribution, contact Kimberlee Thomas, 870.503.1150, kthomas@eyeonmag.com.
Editor’s Note Jackson in July Joseph Thomas
Joseph and Kimberlee Thomas Photo by Cheryl Mauldin
Well thank you again for choosing to read along with us this, our second July. We have plenty to share with you. Adrienne Freeman speaks Peach Green Tea and Cobbler, Susie Metzger tells us how to store produce properly, Caroline Beauchamp talks about Medicare and Randy Chlapecha discusses grain sorghum and the pests that love them. Lisa Turner
is looking for Foster Care help, I’ve got you a cover with Coach Morgan Gilbert about his legendary career, Jon Chadwell touches on real teamwork and I share some serenity in this month’s Notes from the Clearing. We share some things to do, local faces from local events and much more so tag along and enjoy the ride. N
Seeking Foster Care Help Lisa Turner
The Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Children and Family Services(DCFS) is seeking to create connections for children by targeting individuals, businesses, and organizations to build community partnerships while recruiting for foster family providers. Currently there are over 4,300 children in the state foster care system and about 2,700 foster beds. In Independence County there are 71 children in care with 19 homes and 43 beds, and in Jackson County there are 53 kids in care 4 homes and 12 beds. This leaves children reliant on group homes, emergency shelters, psychiatric facilities, and hospitals. Although the reason for shortages of foster homes can vary, many misconceptions exist. Some people believe if they apply to become a foster parent they will have no control over the types of children for whom they care. Others may think there will not be any or little support from DCFS: while still others have heard that all children in foster care have special needs. Although children in foster care may have special needs; many are children with typical needs just like any other. The only differences are, of course, that children in foster care had to be removed from their parents due to abuse or neglect. DCFS wants prospective foster families to identify their strengths in regards to supporting and caring for children. In doing so, the type of children for whom they desire to care or support may be matched with an appropriate level of care or support. DCFS wants to build partnerships so foster families will not only have the support of DCFS, but also support of others in their local community. For example, perhaps a local business can offer discounts to foster parents or maybe a local community service group can offer to cook dinner for a foster family once a month or offer baby-sitting services to provide foster parents with a break. If you are interested in ways that you can support children in foster care or are ready to take the next steps to become a foster parent, please call Lisa Turner- Family Social Worker/ Community Engagement Specialist at 870-347-2537 ext. 121 or cell 870-301-9056. You may also visit the website at www.Fosterarkansas.org to apply or email lisa.turner@dhs.arkansas.gov. Please select ARCCC to let us know what prompt you to inquire when submitting online. N 6 | Jackson County Arkansas
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Watermelon Fest Welcomes Shenandoah Submitted
Cave City’s 36th annual Watermelon Festival is set to welcome new events and Grammy award winning band Shenandoah the weekend of August 6th, 7th, and 8th. Since the 1980’s, Cave City has celebrated and shared their “world’s sweetest melons” with surrounding communities and returning friends during this annual festival. This year’s festival features old favorites like seed spittin’, watermelon feasting, and the Watermelon Festival parade and welcomes new events such as a wet zone for children, and rodeo events. Along with the new events, 2015 welcomes a new committee of festival leaders. Julie Johnson, Chairperson of the Watermelon Festival Planning Committee; “To me the Watermelon Festival is about much more than watermelons. While we celebrate watermelons during the festival, the event is about home. It’s about roots, it’s about coming home. The school hosts an all school reunion the week of the festival. Many families plan family reunions around the festival. We want everyone who comes to the festival to feel like they have come home.” Activities kick off Thursday, August 6 at 5:00 p.m. with watermelon judging, the Barking Beauties dog show, and a truck pull. The Palmers, a family bluegrass band originally from Arkansas and now residing in Louisiana, take the stage at 8:00 p.m. Friday’s events begin at 9:00 a.m. with the kids’ fishing derby. Friday evening will feature live music from local bands The Lockhouse Orchestra and Kingsdown. The Cave City Cruizers will hold a drive through and burn out, and the night is set to end with a rodeo event co-sanctioned by the Arkansas Cowboy’s Association / International Professional Rodeo Association. The festival ends with a full day of events on Saturday. The 3rd annual Melon Dash 5k begins at 7:00 a.m. Sponsored by the Bethany Project, all funds from the 5K support the organization’s Smart Start back to school event. The Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast is a community favorite and will be serving plates until 10:00 a.m. The Watermelon Festival parade begins at 10:00 a.m. and kicks off an afternoon full of children’s activities. D&S Arena will host a farm animal petting zoo, bounce houses and a wet zone will be held at the park with arm bands available for $10 and Mattie’s Flea Market will host a “Meet the Animals” featuring Baby Tito the capuchin monkey, Rudy Roo the kangaroo and a baby camel. Also scheduled for Saturday, the Cave City Cruizers and the Tri County Antique Tractor Club will be set up and showing off. The Cave City Sharpshooters will host a horseshoe pitching tournament as well. The Watermelon grower games will begin at 3:00 p.m. featuring watermelon eating, melon tossing, watermelon stacking and more. At 4:00 p.m. the Cave City registered watermelon growers will host a feast with the world’s sweetest melons available for sampling. A seed spittin’ and watermelon eating contest will follow. At 5:00 p.m. the prize melon will be auctioned with all of the proceeds
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being donated to Arkansas Children’s Hospital. At 7:00 p.m. the D&S Family Rodeo will present mutton busting and a kid’s bull riding competition at the D&S Arena. Saturday is also a day full of music. Headlining this year’s Watermelon Festival is Grammy award winning band Shenandoah. Another must see band taking the stage is Country Fare featuring Congressman Rick Crawford. David Lynn Jones, Garrett Duncan and Luke Stroud and the 50’s Beat are all set to perform throughout the day as well. Admission to the festival is free, with the main stage and most scheduled events taking place at the Cave City Park. Artisans, food and craft vendors, kid’s activities, and free entertainment will also be set up around the park. Parking will available adjacent to the park. On Saturday night, to accommodate the expected turnout, additional parking will be available at the Cave City High School and Middle School with a shuttle service available for a small fee. Whether you’ve never attended or never missed a festival, bring your lawn chair and plan to make yourself at home in Cave City for the 36th annual Cave City Watermelon Festival. For more information about the entertainment and/ or additional activities and events that may be added to the festival schedule please call 870-283-5301, visit www. cavecityarkansas.info, or like the “Cave City Watermelon Festival” page on Facebook. N
July 2015 | 7
NEDC Report Teamwork is a Community Skill
Jon Chadwell, Economic Development Director The term “teamwork” is thrown around a lot in our world today. Obviously it is used heavily in the sports arena where groups of athletes form a “team” and “work” together to win. The “team is only as strong as the weakest link” and other metaphors have made their way into many corporate settings. There are hundreds of books available about business teams, forming a team for a non-profit organization or implementing the team structure in manufacturing. One thing that Newport and Jackson County have been blessed with over the last decade is a community team. Our community team is a group of people and leaders who work together as a team to make the community better. The mayor, the county judge, the Chamber, the Newport Economic Development Commission, local businesses, local churches, nonprofits and many others work together every single day on projects that make this county one of the best places to live in Arkansas. Many communities have horror stories about how the city and the county are at odds with each other or how the chamber and the economic development group can’t get along. Yet, in Jackson County you don’t hear any of those stories.
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And we have some great team members who live outside of Jackson County as well. Several state agencies like the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and the Arkansas Development Finance Authority regularly work on projects in our county to make us strong. White River Planning and Development District works with us each month to find and write grants, handle solid waste issues and much more. The list of team members from outside of Jackson County who work right beside is long and impressive. Another team member is each of you. You decided to dedicate funding to economic and community development by passing the economic development tax in Newport. The successes that we are seeing are a direct result of the abilities created by that vote. Without the funding, we would not be able to compete with other communities for the jobs, the grants or the projects. We have a cohesive and unified team that many other communities would love to have in place. And you are part of that! Thanks for being part of the Jackson County community team! N
Seniors, can we talk? Cancelled?
Caroline Beauchamp
Betty called and asked if she and some of her friends could meet with me – kind of a “lunch and learn”. They each had concerns and questions. Betty’s four (4) friends shared their situations – you may be in the same Premade Wreaths situation as one of these ladies. Wreath frames Edwina was very concerned because her Medicare Supplement plan had Ribbon / Mesh been cancelled. Silk flowers Her bank draft was returned from the bank “unpaid”. How did that Decorative Items happen when Edwina said there was money in her account? Why didn’t she reply to the letters she got from her insurance company? Now she has to answer questions based on her medical history to get another plan. Fortunately she’s still healthy and she now has another Medicare Supplement plan. It irritated Bobbie when her Medicare Supplement premium increased so she cancelled her policy. Now she only has Original Medicare. Two weeks ago she had to go to the hospital and just received a large, unexpected hospital bill. She’s had time to think about this and is very concerned. I encouraged her to ask about options when her premium increases. Bobbie now knows that all premiums may increase, talk with your agent before you cancel anything and ask what options are available that are within your budget. Mary enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan because the premium was lower than a Medicare Supplement plan and the copays were affordable. The agent told her it was a “good” plan. Ouch! (CMS does not allow an agent to use “good”, “bad”, “better”, etc. when describing a plan.) The first time Mary went to the doctor she found out her doctor does not accept her plan. Another Ouch! So Mary cancelled her plan and only has Original Medicare. Because Mary has medical conditions, the Medicare Supplement plan that she qualifies for now has a premium that will cause her to re-adjust her budget. The plan pays what Medicare does not so at least she knows her monthly insurance expenses will only be her premium. Poor, Sue. When she turned 65 and became eligible for Medicare Part A and Part B, Sue didn’t realize there was an enrollment period during which she could get a Medicare Supplement plan that was guaranteed issue. This initial guaranteed enrollment period meant no medical questions would be asked and that she was guaranteed that a policy would be issued. Fortunately, Sue is in good health and could get a Medicare Supplement policy. Sue was a little nervous thinking about what could have happened if she had not talked with Ruth. Ruth has certainly come a long way since Bob died. She has gone out of her way to talk with Medicare beneficiaries and to try to help them. As she said when she and “the girls” left my office, “Edwina, Bobbie, Mary and Sue, pay attention to your mail, ask questions before doing anything, if it sounds too good to be true, it may be and call Caroline with any questions.” Thank you, Ruth. Do you have something you’d like to talk about? Call me at 501-868-6650 and say “Caroline, can we talk? N
July 2015 | 9
Eye On Cover Story Coach Morgan Wayne Gilbert Joseph Thomas
“I’ve never had a bigger thrill than when so many players came back for my retirement,” says Coach Morgan Gilbert. “I hope that all the players I coached feel that I treated them fair and gave them a chance to win. I always felt that our success had less to do with the Xs and Os and more to do with the Jimmys and Joes.” Gilbert says he just wanted to be a players coach and to fit in with the student body as much as possible. He says there were forty or fifty former students that attended both his retirement and his one thousandth win. Sonny Burgess told me about Coach Gilbert and said he would make a great story. Fortunately, the legendary coach was happy to share his story, so I met with Gilbert at his home to ask him about his legacy. I asked him about his fondest memory and he has a hard time choosing between so many important moments; be it game play, visiting former players, setting records, etc. One accomplishment he is quite proud of is that the former letterman have setup the Morgan Gilbert Athletic Scholarship to give to a deserving student athlete starting with the class of 2015. Gilbert is always happy when his former players say “Hi” to him when he is out, but even more so when students he never had a chance to coach show him the same respect and admiration. He says they often quote his favorite bonus question, which was his Do-Right-Rule: “Every situation has a right and wrong solution. You know what they are. Do Right.” Gilbert played Little League, Pony League, Babe Ruth and Legion Baseball, as well as Junior High and Senior High Basketball at Tuckerman. After high school, he played Baseball for Arkansas State Teachers College, which is now UCA. He says, “I played ball until I was too old to play, so then I coached and now that I’m too old to coach, I watch.” He enjoys watching the Bulldogs play often. He also watches A State and the Razorbacks Play as often as possible, and has always been a St. Louis Cardinals fan. Gilbert used to 10 | Jackson County Arkansas
drive up to St. Louis and spend the week after school was out, before his Summer Baseball Season and spend $150 watching every game and staying in a motel. He tells me that you can’t do that anymore, not for that kind of money anyway. Retirement was something Gilbert thought about for a while, but didn’t want to retire too early and regret it. He says he enjoyed his last year, he worked hard and had some success, but he has found out that there is another world outside of ball. Gilbert enjoys doing yard work, reading the whole paper (not just the sports page), and antiquing. “You don’t coach almost fifty years and not miss it, but I coached as long as I wanted to. I enjoy my time, not being rushed in the morning and am very proud of my life as a coach.” Austin Tanner was the principal of Tuckerman during Gilbert’s Junior year and told Gilbert he would be a good coach. He told him to go to college and he’d help him get a job after. Gilbert did just that and after graduating, he did his practice teaching at Bald Knob. Turns out they needed a Basketball Coach and season was just beginning, so Gilbert coached while finishing his practice teaching. The next year, Wayne King was leaving Tyronza for a new position and called Gilbert to see if he wanted to fill his position. Gilbert did and coached there for three years. “I was watching an A-State game when someone told me that there was a coaching position open at Bay, so I stopped by on my way to Tyronza that night and asked for the job. I figured I didn’t have anything to lose. They asked me if I could meet with them the following Monday and after that interview they gave me the job,” explains Gilbert. He coached in Bay for five years and then in 1974, there was an opening at Tuckerman. He got that job and never left. Gilbert says he thought he was ready to coach when he first started at Bald Knob and quickly found out he wasn’t, but he jumped in with both feet and though he often thought he didn’t do so great those first few years, all of those students would tell you different.
Gilbert says the coaching and teaching profession is one of the best jobs to be had. Although they are still not the best paying jobs around, the retirement and insurance are solid and the payoff is the students and the relationships you build with them. He says he can’t imagine having done anything else. Gilbert was born March 12, 1942, in Tuckerman, to Fred and Audrey Gilbert. In 2014, Gilbert was inducted into the National Federation of State High School Association Hall of Fame. He is the tenth recipient from Arkansas to receive this award. He also received the Curt King Award presented by the AHSCA to individuals whose qualities of service and dedication are basic to a successful coaching career. Gilbert won twenty-one district championships in basketball and made thirtyeight trips to state playoffs. He won twenty-seven baseball championships, made thirty-nine state playoffs and won the state championship in 1992. His one thousand and thirty wins in baseball are still the record for games won for any one coach in Arkansas History. Gilbert also has one thousand and seventy seven basketball wins making him the only coach in the nation with one thousand wins in both sports. His basketball record is as follows: Tyronza 52-34, Bay 125-62 and at Tuckerman 900-497 for a total of 1,077-593. His baseball record is as follows: Tyronza 58-17, Bay 94-22 and Tuckerman 878-357 for a total of 1,030-396. Gilbert is: a member and former president of Tuckerman Service Club, a member of Tuckerman
Chamber of Commerce, president of Tuckerman Alumni Association, member of the Trails to Tuckerman Historical Society, member of Tuckerman Church of Christ, Head Coach of the first Arkansas AllStar baseball game, Arkansas Education Association member, AHSCA lifetime member, Arkansas Retired Teachers Association Lifetime Member, Northeast Arkansas Baseball Tournament executive lifetime committee, Lifetime member of the UCA Letterman Club, Basketball Conference Coach of the Year twentysix times, Baseball Conference Coach of the Year twentyeight times and in 1998, the Tuckerman Baseball Field was named in honor of Coach Morgan Gilbert. Gilbert ranks among the top ten all-time leaders in both sports in the NFHS National High School Sports Record Book. Never did Gilbert have a losing season in his forty years at Tuckerman and he surpassed thirty victories in a season four times, including a thirtyone to three record in 1991. Basketball saw his best winning streak from 1992-1994 when his teams won one hundred and nine games, losing only thirteen. His character and integrity are easy to find in the man’s presence and in the stories told by students, co-workers and friends. His legacy is as valid and strong as his record and I for one, am glad to find him in our home of Jackson County. N
July 2015 | 11
neck pain back pain herniated disc numbness headaches sciatica shoulder pain knee pain hip pain degenerative disc disease scoliosis weight loss neck pain back pain herniated disc numbness weight loss sciatica shoulder pain knee pain hip pain degenerative disc disease scoliosis weight loss neck pain back pain herniated disc numbness headaches sciatica shoulder pain knee pain hip pain degenerative disc disease scoliosis weight loss neck pain back pain herniated disc numbness headaches sciatica shoulder pain knee pain hip pain “GET WELL, STAY WELL.” degenerative ( 8 7 0 ) 5 6 9disc - 4 9 0 9disease scoliosis weight loss 920 Harrison St., Suite A Batesville, AR neck pain back pain herniated disc numbness Judy Felts joins the Board of Gateway CASA Margaret Price
Judy Felts has been named to the Board of Directors of Gateway CASA. Gateway CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) represents foster children in the 3rd Judicial District of Arkansas which includes Sharp, Randolph, Lawrence, and Jackson Counties. Ms. Felts retired as Elementary Principal in Newport after spending over 38 years as an educator. She has served on the Christian Community Clinic of Jackson County Board where she worked closely with the staff at the weekly clinic. She is a charter and lifetime member of Junior Auxiliary of Jackson County where her activities include Newcomers and PEO Chapter DT. She is a member of the First Baptist Church, the Ruth Sunday School Class and Precepts Bible study. Gateway CASA has been involved in Jackson for over 10 years. In 2014 the need arose to open a local office in Newport. Margaret Price serves as the Jackson Advocate Coordinator in Newport at 2313 Hwy 367. “Judy Felts was recommended for our board by one of our volunteer advocates”, said Margaret Price, “it is great to have representation locally as we recruit volunteers and strengthen our presence”. The Newport Office now works on 18 cases with the effort of 8 dedicated volunteer advocates. 12 | Jackson County Arkansas
CASA volunteer advocates are trained and certified by Gateway CASA. They are sworn officials of the court that serve at the Judge’s request on select cases. They are the “eyes and ears” of the Judge charged with visiting the child at home, in school and elsewhere. They work closely with Department of Human Services and other officials to ensure a child in the court system receives the good/fair treatment. “In the 3rd District some 170 children are involved in the court system. Gateway CASA can presently only serve 30% of them”, said Greg Bess Gateway CASA Executive Director, “we are very happy to add a community minded leader of Judy’s caliber to our board”. “I am honored to continue serving children and Jackson County as a board member of CASA”, said Judy Felts. Gateway CASA is an non-profit organization headquartered in Ash Flat, Arkansas at 37 East Main Street. They are funded by community donations and grants from State CASA and Federal Agencies. To learn more about their work in your area or to volunteer or contribute to their efforts call 870 994-7844. In Newport, Margaret Price can be reached at 870 307-4614 or via email at mprice@gatewaycasa.org. View and LIKE their Facebook page at “gatewaycasa”. N
Faces
Unity Health-Harris Medical Center made a donation to the Veteran’s memorial and music park that is being developed through the D.R.I.V.E. initiative (Downtown Revitalization & Improvement Volunteer Effort) with NEDC (Newport Economic Development Commission). Unity Health is a major contributor to the project, pledging $5,000 per year for five years for a total pledge of $25,000. Unity Health is also sponsoring the “Unity Health Fitness Park” which will be located downtown across from the NEDC/Chamber office. This will include a walking track with static exercise stations. Expected cost of the fitness park will be about $18,000. Pictured L to R: Ladonna Johnston, Jon Chadwell, Ray Montgomery, Stuart Hill.
Notes from the Clearing Serenity
Joseph Thomas Warm evening air mingled with a sense of freedom and relief that all would be as it should...and that she should be happy. She deserved to be happy after all. She was good to people because she wanted to be, because she wanted others to treat her that way. She cared, genuinely cared and she tried hard until she got it right in every thing she did. She carried a sense of calm and peace that comes with feeling good about who you have become; about the roads not taken...and about the path woven in the tall complicated weeds that stand in our way, but are merely waiting to grace our hands ever so gently as we pass through them like high fives from little fans. N
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July 2015 | 13
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Van Provence ASU-Newport hosted students from Newport High School last week as part of the Academy of College Excellence cohort. The students participated in various leadership and college preparation activities during their time on our Newport campus. Pictured are (front row, from left): Debbie Snetzer, ASUN Academic Coordinator and Irina Reynolds, ASUN Coordinator of College and Life Skills. (second row, from left): Jamaal Rainey, Peyton Inman, Monique Pope and Sarah Howard. (back row, from left): ACE Instructor Laura Hoffman, Brandy Gore, Maegon Mayes, Mariah Campbell, Zach Altom, Lindsey Lewis, Tori Treece, Dr. Martie Shull, ASUN Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Lori Hutton, ASUN Assistant Professor of English N
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4/17/15 11:19 AM
ASU-Newport Announces Chancellor’s List
Van Provence Over 260 Arkansas State University-Newport students were named to the Chancellor’s or Vice-Chancellor’s lists for academic excellence for the Spring 2015 semester, the college announced Tuesday. To be named to the Chancellor’s list, students must carry a minimum of 12 credit hours, excluding developmental courses, during the semester and earn a 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA), based on a 4.0 scale. Students enrolled at the Newport campus, the Marked Tree Campus or the Jonesboro campus and on the Chancellor’s List are: Batesville – Samantha Finney and Christina Haigwood, Bay – Sheila Whitlock, Bono – Ashlyn Cook, Sarah Guffey and Anna Mitchell, Bradford – Joseph Cagle and Timothy Snodgrass, Brookland – Phillip Hitchcock, Alysha McKay and Aaron Redmond, Cabot – Samantha Shaw, Cash – Felicia McCall Cave City – Ashley Harris, Conway – Rhonda Robichaux, Harrisburg – Edwin Brietz, Amanda Broglen, Brandi Deckelman, Korey Harlson, Steven Pierce and Christie Willbanks, Hoxie – James Phillips, Joiner – Julius Bolden, Jonesboro – John Angelo, Hannah Bergman, Tipton Boling, Haley Bratton, Gerald Brewer, Steven Brimlett, Santosha Burton, Tiffany Byais, Jason Drake, Thomas Gabbert, Katherine Gann, Cheketa Hall, Abigail Houston, Tangula Jones, Rachael Keith, William Light, Brittany Lusk, Morgan Malugen, Jane Onovwerosuoke, Trupti Patel, Sasha Potter, Ronald Ragsdale, Stephen Rasnic, Savanna Reed, Jordan Richmond, Cassandra Saddler, Amber Throgmartin, Erin Tovar, Braxton Vaughan, Haley Watkins, Dylan Whitehurst, Brandy Williams and Andrew Wilson, Lake City – Katherine Faulkner, Lepanto – Jennifer Carroll and Kelsey Day, Little Rock – Colten Highley, Marianna – Renee Reese, Marked Tree – Tuesday Gaddis McCrory – Autumn McCuan, Kayla McDonald, Samantha Rudick and William Wiggins, Newark – Natasha Lovell, Newport – William Bowen, James Brannon, Edgar Garcia, Kaelin Hutchinson, Rita King and Chandler Pigg, Paragould – Christopher Tilley and David Wells, Powhatan – Kennedy Soden, Prescott – Evan McKay, Rose Bud – Brian Buchanan and Teresa Buchanan, Saffell – Renee Hutchison, Swifton – Cassandra Simpson, Texarkana – Taylor Belk, Trumann – Monte Arnold, Amanda Atkins, Alicia Dyer, Kayla Knoll, Keiron Sims, Tommy Thorn and Mandy Wiley, Tuckerman – Corey Doyle, Samantha Dunavion, Drake Hopkins and Kimberly King, Turrell – Rico Lowery, Waldron – Dalton Dozier, West Memphis – Katrina Morris. To be named to the Vice-Chancellor’s List, students must carry a minimum of 12 hours, excluding any developmental courses, and earn a GPA of 3.50 to 3.99. Students enrolled at the Newport campus, the Marked Tree Campus or the Jonesboro campus and on the ViceChancellor’s List are: Batesville – Candice Hicks and Amanda Tugwell, Bay – Caitlyn Jones, Melissa Scott and Casey Stanley, Benton – Cody Brady, Berryville – Kollyn Scitern, Blytheville – Marco Trawick, Bono – Matthew Brown, Amber Householder, Phillip Johnston, Hannah Knight, Traci Lackey, Katie Mitchell, Jessica Rucker and Haven Saffell, Bradford – Megan Ballard, Ashtyn Gray and Lindsey Matthews, Brookland – Shawnda Carpenter, Andrea Qualls, 16 | Jackson County Arkansas
Sydney Smith, Burdette – Candace Dean, Caraway – Brandi Bryan, Ethan Hurst and Krystal Pettit, Chidester – Eric McGee, Des Arc – April Branham, Earle – Michelle Hollis, Fouke – Brennan Plunk, Grubbs – Kelby Nicholson and Melissa Sprague, Harrisburg – Jeremy Beard, William Block, Tamara Forester, Jordan Gardner, Chelsea McGowan, Keely Moore and Bryan Muse, Jonesboro – Odai Alburaty, Katie Barnes, Chelsea Barnett, Tamera Buckner, Meghan Cantara, Toni Cecil, Kimberly Cole, Amanda Cooper, Jeremy Elkins, Elizabeth Forkum, Kaitlyn Gathright, Latoryia Gilmer, Christian Gott, Grayson Grant, Zachary Gregory, Al-Fredia Hampton, Cassandra Hart, Elias Hernandez, Phyllip Hopkins, Shae Hughes, Ebony Johnson, Zelda Jones, Hayden Kiech, Tylan Lewis, Vanessa Lewis, Bonnie Long, Maria Martinez, Mallorie McCollum, Sierra Moore, Nathan Moss, Darby Osment, Holly Pruitt, Anees Rahman, Brittany Reed, Branston Rhoads, Zachary Riggs, Patricia Russell, James See, Katelyn Sharp, Robert Stone, Jeremy Summers, Kayla Teague, Zoe Terrell, Lewis Tiner, Madeline Treat, Bethany Tyner, Laura Vargas, Clifton Wheeley, Matthew Wheeley, Stephen Williamson and Adrienne Winters, Keiser – Kristy Henderson, Lake City – Scott Hutton, Sasha O’Guinn and Stephanie Timms, Lepanto – Kayla Burcham, Amanda Gatlin and Susana Gonzalez, Little Rock – Jason Atherley, Manila – Madison Brodie, Marion – Kayla Smith, Marked Tree – Sondra Bishop, Michael Cooksey, Mary Grubbs, Natalie Hawkins and Blake Stone, McCrory – Logan Briley, Dakota Conerly, Nathan Daniel, Matthew Dix, Erika Immel and Tabatha Plummer, Monette – Katelyn Sparkman, Newport – Raven Burton, Leticia Caballero, Donita Davis, Abrahm Garcia, Matt Glidewell, Lisa Howerton, Genie Jackson, Katherine Kellams, Niya Ransom and Christina Scudder, Paragould – Sheila Dowdy, Freddy Horad, Sarena McCord, Britane Moore, Eric Moore and Travis Worthington, Piggott – Jacob Richardson, Pocahontas – Austin Hibbard, Sage – Brian McGirr, Searcy – Ali Eubank and Mildred Jackson, Smithville – Emily Gates, State University – Catrina Clark, Thida – Madison Randleas and Amanda Tarpley, Trumann – Derrik Adams, Kenzie Bateman, Nathan Buie, Deandre Campbell, Alexa Dillon, David Gross, Lee Hammell, Tonya Jackson, Macy Kelley, Nathan Maxwell, Madeline Ray, Jackie Simpson and Tabitha Williamson, Tuckerman – Sarah Brunner, Brittany McComb, Deborah Metheny, Stephen Montgomery and Taylor Peavy, Tupelo – Colton Montgomery, Tyronza – Kaitlyn Lard, Krystal Reed and Kelley Smith, Walnut Ridge – Kenny Mashburn, Weiner – Kelsey Jones, Wilson – Courtney Brown, Wynne – Glenda Bolden. N
Great Tastes Peaches
Adrienne Freeman Late spring to early summer bring on the delicious peach. With flesh ranging from white to deep orange, the tender juicy peach can turn up in any dish on the table; beverages, condiments, salads, side dishes and of course, the dessert. According to the USDA, peaches are low in sodium, carbs and calories with only 59 calories for a medium size fruit. The peach adapts easily to savory dishes as well as sweet and lends itself easily to canning. The peach is a tree and a fruit. Native to Northwest China, its juicy edible fruit, also called a peach, was first domesticated and cultivated there before making a quick trip to Europe and the New World. Peaches and nectarines are the same family, even though they are regarded commercially as different fruits, their main difference being the fuzz on the skin – peaches have it and nectarines do not. There are hundreds of peach and nectarine varieties, but all fall distinctively into these two categories - the freestones and the clingstones. The juicy flesh of the freestone separates easily from the pit and clingstones, well, cling. Fuzz or no, clingy or not, this fruit is full of natural sweetness and juice. Finding information about peaches and recipes that use them is easy, but finding information about the phrases “peachy keen,” “just peachy” or even “peaches
and cream” is a little more difficult. PEACH GREEN TEA RECIPE Ingredients: 2 whole fresh peaches 1 family size bag green tea, or 6 single ones Water 1/2 – 3/4 cups sugar or preferred sweetner Directions: Boil water for tea on stove in a small saucepan. When water comes to a boil add tea bags and remove pan from heat. Let steep for about 15 minutes. Cut peaches in chunks and add to blender. Add 1 or 2 cups of the green tea concentrate. Blend on high for 1 – 2 minutes. Strain peach and tea mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a 2 quart pitcher. Add sugar or sweetner and mix well. Add enough water to fill pitcher. Serve over ice. FRESH PEACH COBBLER Recipe courtesy Jean Boyce of Newport. Ingredients: 6 Tablespoons butter 2 cups sugar, divided use ¾ cup all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder Dash of salt ¾ cup milk 2 cups fresh sliced peaches Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter in a 2-quart baking dish. Set aside. Peel and slice peaches. Combine with 1 cup sugar. Set aside. In a medium bowl, stir together dry ingredients, including remaining sugar. Add milk and stir until mixed. Pour over butter in baking dish. Do not stir in. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes until crust is puffed and lightly golden brown. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream, if desired. COOKS TIP: Make sure peaches are prepared before stirring crust together – otherwise, the crust mixture could start to rise in the bowl. N
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Let’s Eat OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!
Sunday - Thursday Noon to 9:00pm Friday & Saturday Noon to 10:00pm
MJ’s
Restaurant and Catering To Go OPEN: Tuesday - Friday 11am - 2pm Catering To Go: 8am - 4pm
Best Chicken Salad in N.E. Arkansas
870-523-5788 104 Third Street - Newport, AR Cash, Check, Major Credit Cards Accepted/ Gift Certiicates Available
ou t Che ck’s Me n u! id t he K
Tuesday - Saturday 6am - 7pm Sunday 6am - 3pm
Serving Breakfast All Day Plate Lunches & Dinners Join us Every Friday for All U can Eat Catfish!!!
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308 Front Street, Newport / 870-201-1509
ing r e t a C & t OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! Restauran
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870-523-2278 2123 Malcolm Avenue, Newport
Reserve Elizabeth's for your next special event... Rehearsal Dinner / Wedding Reception /Bridal Shower Anniversary Celebration /Business Functions Spectacular Catering Menu for any occasion
231 East Main St. - 870-698-0903
For information on how you can advertise your business here contact: Kthomas@eyeonmag.com 18 | Jackson County Arkansas
I Do Do
Your Wedding
Kimberlee Thomas So, you got married....had a wonderful honeymoon , I hope? And now what,...other than enoying the rest of your life with the one that you love, let us know how it came about! Email us at kthomas@eyeonmag.com and we will ask you some questions...it’s just that easy, so what are you waiting for? We love to talk about you and would be more than happy to honor your special day with Jackson County and the world. N
CustomEyes Vision Care of Newport 2105 Suite A.,Maclolm Ave Newport AR 72112 870-523 3333 CustomEyes Vision Care of Pocahontas 110 W Broadway Pocahontas, AR 72455 870-892-9169 CustomEyes Vision Care of Trumann 807 W Main St Suite A Trumann AR 72473 870-483-0096 Dr. Gavin McDowell and Dr. Amy Tolbert
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Things To Do
Discovery Hour Join the fun every Thursday at Jacksonport State Park beginning June 11 through July 30 for Discovery Hour. Enjoy a fun-filled hour from 10 to 11 a.m. at the park pavilion for eight weeks for ages six to 13. The programs are free! Park interpreters will be ready with action-packed games, crafts, storytelling, artifacts and the occasional live animal. Organized groups are welcome. For more info call 870-523-2143. Real Deal Camp A Real Deal Camp will also be held for students entering the 10th grade. The camp will be held July 13-16 in Walton Hall, and will run from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. The camp will focus on STEM, as well as Leadership/Professionalism, and is designed to introduce high school sophomores to the college learning environment. There is no cost to attend the camp, but registration is limited to the first 25 students enrolled. More information and registration forms may be picked up on either the Newport or Jonesboro campus or by calling 870-512-7844. Registration forms may also be obtained by emailing Debbie Snetzer at Debbie_Snetzer@asun.edu. Every Hero Has a Story Every Hero Has a Story at the Jackson County Library in Newport. Story time begins at 10 a.m. with a craft to follow every Wednesday through July 29 for kids 12 and under. Local heroes will be reading books to the children including a doctor, veterinarian, military, policeman with a police car visit, postman, fireman with a fire truck visit and the final event of The Kinders on July 29 with a finale picnic. UnMask! UnMask! Is a program open for teens ages 12-18 to be held on Thursdays at 2 p.m. at the Jackson County Library beginning July 11 through July 30. Programs include: June 25 - Villain Spotlight - Book and film discussion with villainous snacks July 2 - Save the City Boot Camp - shield training and strength test July 9 - Save the City Boot Camp - all about strategy July 16 - Heroes vs. Villains - Battle for the city July 23 - Who Really Won? - Trivia Contest July 30 - Finale Party with Awards, movie and snack Cooking Class at the Jackson County Library July 21, July 28 and Aug. 4 - Cooking Class with Sarah Metzger at 2 p.m. in Newport 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. 20 | Jackson County Arkansas
Tuckerman City Council Meeting The 2nd Tuesday of each month. Tuckerman Water & Sewer 870-349-5336. N
In the Field with Randy Summer Insects and Grain Sorghum Randy Chlapecka
With the increase in grain sorghum acreage, there are several farmers who are either new to the crop or haven’t grown it in a long time. With that being the case and with insects being a potentially bigger issue with grain sorghum than most of our other crops, I want to take time to remind everyone of the recommendations for scouting and control of the common grain sorghum insects. The first insect to scout for is typically sorghum midge. This can be a very destructive insect but is typically more of a potential problem in later planted sorghum. Begin scouting for the sorghum midge when 25 to 30 percent of the heads have begun to flower. Look for a tiny fragile looking orange insect flying around the head. The best way to see these is by quickly slipping a clear plastic bag over the head and looking for the midge. Treat when the number of midge adults found averages one per head. If midge adults are found in similar numbers 3 to 5 days after treatment and sorghum is still blooming, treat again. The next insects to look for are the head feeding worms. These include sorghum webworm, corn earworm, and fall armyworm. These insects feed on the developing grain and can obviously cause a lot of damage if not detected and treated. Sorghum webworms are kind of a small, somewhat hairy worm. Treat when an average of 5 or 6 small larvae are found per head. Corn earworms and fall armyworms should be treated when numbers exceed an average of one larvae per head and these larvae are at least one-half inch long. The sugarcane aphid is a new insect pest of grain sorghum first discovered in Arkansas in 2014. The aphids were found in Jackson County last year and some fields were treated. These aphids secrete a sticky substance referred to as honeydew. Yields can be reduced and the biggest problem can be difficulty in harvest caused by the stickiness of the plant. The combine can become choked up by this sticky plant tissue as it tries to go through the combine. The aphids can be easily found by looking for the shiny honeydew on the upper sides of the leaves. If you look on the bottom of these leaves, you will find the aphids. Treat when 25 percent of the plants have 50 aphids per leaf. For more information, feel free to contact me at 870318-0739 or by e-mail at randychlapecka@gmail.com. N
U of A, Division of Agriculture, Research & Extension Storing Produce Properly Sarah Henry Metzger
Why is it you can purchase the most beautiful produce, bring it home, then days later it is wilted and looks nothing like what you bought? Proper storage can be the issue. Our refrigerators come with crisper drawers that should be used for optimal storage of most fruits and vegetables. Different fruits and vegetables require different temperature and humidity levels for proper storage. Most fresh fruits and vegetables keep best stored in a clean refrigerator at a temperature of 40° F or below. Fruits should be stored in a separate refrigerator crisper drawer from vegetables. Fruits give off ethylene gas which can shorten the storage life of vegetables. Plus, some vegetables give off odors that can be absorbed by fruits and affect their quality. Refrigerate fruits and vegetables in perforated plastic bags to help maintain moisture yet provide air flow. These bags are available in most supermarkets and discount stores and have a slightly rough texture. Un-perforated plastic bags can lead to the growth of mold or bacteria. If you don’t have access to food-grade, perforated bags, use a sharp object to make several small holes in a food-grade plastic bag (about 20 holes per medium-size bag). There are some foods that taste best when stored at room temperature. These include onions, potatoes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and winter squashes. They should be stored in a clean, dry, well-ventilated place, away from direct sunlight and away from areas where meat, fish, and poultry are prepared. Avoid placing
produce in a sealed plastic bag on your countertop. This slows ripening and may increase off-odors and decay from the accumulation of carbon dioxide and depletion of oxygen inside the bag. To prevent cross contamination, store meats on pans or plates below the produce to prevent meat juices, which may contain harmful bacteria, from dripping on them. Probably one of the hardest rules to follow is wash produce before you use it, NOT when you bring it home! Fresh produce has a natural protective coating that helps keep in moisture and freshness. Washing produce before storage causes it to spoil faster. When you are ready to use the produce, remove and discard outer leaves. Rinse under clean, running water. Don’t use soap or detergent. Rub briskly, scrubbing with a clean brush or hands, to clean the surface. Dry with a clean cloth or paper towel. Moisture left on fruits and vegetables helps bacteria grow. Cut away bruised and damaged areas. Bacteria on the outside of produce can be transferred to the inside when they are cut or peeled. Rinse produce, even when the peel is going to be removed, such as for melons and citrus fruits! Once you have cut through the protective skin of fruits & vegetables, bacteria can enter. At this point all fruits and vegetables should be refrigerated, including melons. And don’t forget to refrigerate cut or peeled fruits and vegetables within TWO hours! No exceptions! For more information, e-mail me at smetzger@uaex. edu or call 870-523-7450. N
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July 2015 | 21
Support Our Advertisers Batesville Spine & Health Solutions------- 12 Custom Eyes Vision Care------------------- 19 Darling Pharmacy---------------------------- 3 Darling’s Fine Things------------------------ 3 Dillinger Funeral Home--------------------23 D Q Grill & Chill----------------------------- 13 Eagle Pest------------------------------------- 6 ENG Lending--------------------------------- 5 Farm Bureau--------------------------------- 15
On June 1, 2015 the Collier-Massey Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4683 awarded 5 scholarships and the Ladies Axillary awarded 3 for a total amount of $3500. We were excited to be able to help so many deserving students to further the educations. Above is a photograph of the 2015 Collier-Massey VFW Post 4683 scholarship recipients. Pictured from left to right are Sr. Vice Commander Chris McDonald, Quartermaster Wendy McDonald, recipients Sierra Green, Lindsey Lewis, Jasmine Harris, Taylor Honey, Cole Walker, Ladies Aux. President Rachel Howard, and Talia Capers. Not pictured are Summer Bright and Jaqueline Macias-Garcia.
Fortune Inn and Suites--------------------- 14 George Kell Motors, Inc--------------------23 Greenway Equipment, Inc.------------------ 3 H & R Block Tax Services------------------- 19 Let’s Eat-------------------------------------- 18 Lindley Health & Rehab Center, LLC------ 8 Merchants and Planters Bank--------------- 6 N E D C--------------------------------------- 13 Newark Furniture, Flowers and More----- 9 Purdy’s Flowers and Gifts------------------- 4
Merchants and Planters Bank proudly hosted the Dr. Red Bell Memorial Golf Tournament at The Course at Eagle Mountain in Batesville. From left: Jerry Henderson, Randy Ramsey, Randy Cross, Andrew Brock, Joey Treadway, Lee Conditt and Jim Gowen, Jr.
Southern Tire Mart--------------------------- 7 St. Michael’s Place---------------------------24 Studio 1910 Photography------------------- 11 T-L Irrigation Company--------------------- 9 T Tauri Movie Camp------------------------ 19 Unity Health Harris Medical Center------- 2 WRMC Newport Diagnostic Clinic-------- 17 22 | Jackson County Arkansas
New Student Orientation June 16 on the ASUN Jonesboro campus. Two sessions = double the new faces!
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 !
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