Eye On Magazine April 2022

Mandi Curtwright

Eye On

April 2022

www.eyeonmag.com

Magazine

COVERAGE THAT COUNTS WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST

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1-888-780-8391 | firstcommunityinsurance.net INSURANCE AND NON-DEPOSIT INVESTMENT PRODUCTS ARE: • NOT A DEPOSIT • NOT GUARANTEED BY THE BANK OR ITS AFFILIATES • NOT FDIC INSURED • NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY • MAY GO DOWN IN VALUE

Editor’s Note

Thank You for Reading Us! Joey Thomas We appreciate your readership. Let us know what we are missing and have a great month this April!

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WHITE RIVER HEALTH SYSTEM IS PLEASED TO

WELCOME

Independence County Recycle Center

We Recycle:

870 793 8892 Plastic Bottles 110 Environmental Drive Steel Cans Batesville, AR Aluminum Cans Call to receive your Cardboard FREE RECYCLING BIN today!

Newspaper Glass Magazines

Meagan Smith, MD Pediatric Medicine Meagan Smith, MD, is now ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS at The Children’s Clinic.

Dr. Smith provides primary healthcare to children of all ages. She is focused on providing quality care, as well as maintaining direct communication with her patients and the healthcare community.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (870) 262-2200.

Kallsnick, Inc. A Hiland Dairy Distributor 423 Lawrence Street, Batesville, AR (870) 793-3924

The Children’s Clinic 1700 Harrison Street, Suite N Batesville, AR 72501

Serving Batesville and the surrounding area for over 48 years Dairy Products, Deli Meat, Frozen Foods, Fresh Produce Paper Products, Concession Items . . .and More Walk-Ins Always Welcome Open Mon.-Fri. 8-5 and Sat. 8- 1

Family owned and operated Scott Kallsnick , Vickie Kallsnick Moser, Joan Kallsnick

WhiteRiverHealthSystem.com

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THIS PUBLICATION IS PRODUCED BY: MeadowLand Media, Inc. / 504 Guffey St. / Newport, AR 72112 870.503.1150 / eyeonjoseph@eyeonmag.com.

ASSOCIATE EDITOR / CREATIVE DIRECTOR / AD DESIGN: Joey Thomas ADVERTISING / PUBLISHER / MANAGING EDITOR: Kimberlee Thomas, PROOFING DEPARTMENT: Joey Thomas, Kimberlee Thomas STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS: Kimberlee Thomas, Joey Thomas, Robert O. Seat PRINTING COMPANY: MAGNA PUBLISHING COMPANY Eye On Magazine 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: 504 Guffey Street / Newport, AR 72112.

Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements, unless otherwise noted, do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Publisher or the staff. Every effort has been made to ensure that all information presented in this issue is accurate and neither MeadowLand Media or it any of its staff is responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. Copyright © 2010 MeadowLand Media, Incorporated. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without the permission in writing from the Publisher.

All pictorial material reproduced in this book has been accepted on the condition that it is reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent of the photographer concerned. As such, MeadowLand Media, Incorporated, is not responsible for any infringement of copyright or otherwise arising out of publication thereof.

Cover Photos by Storyteller Images Cover Design by Joey Thomas

4 Batesville . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Tuckerman

For advertising, distribution, or editorial contribution, contact Joey Thomas, 870.503.2226 or eyeonjoseph@eyeonmag.com.

Eye On Independence received the 2012 Innovative Project award for outstanding, innovative, continuous or effective coverage of literacy issues, resulting in positive change or improvement.

The Ozark Gateway Tourist Council awarded Eye On Independence the 2014 Wilson Powell Media Support Award for its dedication to tourism in the Gateway Region and Arkansas.

Welcome to BAD BOY COUNTRY

In This Issue 3/ Editor’s Note

20/ Notes from the Clearing

6/ Cherri Design

21/ In The Field with Randy

Thank You for Reading Us!

Lost in the loss of concern

Preparing For the Future - Aging in Place II

Rice Weed Control

7/ Things To Do 8/ Unity Health Harris

Unity Health | Newport Auxiliary

12/ Seniors, Can We Talk?

Eric Shoffner, BPhram, P.D. Pharmacist / Owner

What Works Best for You?

1117 Mclain Street Suite 400 Newport, Arkansas 72112 (870) 523-5555

13/ Local Faces 17/ Book Review

www.iCareRx.com

The Graveyard Book

18/ Cover Story

Rising to the Challenge

TWELVE YEARS IN MAY

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April 2022 5

BEGIN IN YOUR HOMETOWN Transfer to complete your Bachelor’s degree. With over 70 transfer agreements with universities across the state, UACCB has options for everyone.

Registration is ongoing.

870-612-2000 www.uaccb.edu

Cherri Design

Preparing For the Future - Aging in Place II Cherri Rodgers has a B.S. In Interior Design from UCA. She is active in several local ministries & community projects. Most of all, she values time with her family and grandson. Cherri's Interior Design is available for both residential & commercial design or decorating needs. Cherri owns The Kitchen Shop at 610 Saint Louis Street in Batesville for all your kitchen needs.

In my last article, we discussed preparing for our future and being able to hopefully finish our lives in our own homes. This month, we will discuss other areas of our home and how to accommodate for limited ability, such as illness or injury.

If you plan to move from your current home, take careful note of the house’s features. Finding a house that is already equipped for aging in place is ideal, instead of remodeling. A step-free entryway, master bedroom and master bath on the first floor should be a must on your wish list.

The master bedroom on the first floor is much easier to access with an injury or illness. Stairs can be quite a challenge to the elderly or injured. Also, stairs increase fall risk, as well as slowing exit time in case of fire. To prevent tipping, furniture pieces more than waist high should be secured to the wall. Taller pieces should not be placed near the bed. Light switches should always be located by the door, as well as close to the bed, if lighting or lamps are near the bed. Motion activated nightlights aid visibility,

when getting up in the night. If needed, you can install nightlight switches that are lit when the light is off, making it easier to locate the switch in the dark. Be sure all cords are tucked behind furniture or use a floor cord cover to deter tripping if extending across an open space.

In my last article, accessible features and ideas for bathrooms were included. Please refer to that article for information on bathroom safety and accessibility.

A quick review of much needed features includes slipresistant flooring, seat in the shower, grab bars, hand-held showerhead and nighttime lighting.

Kitchens, like bathrooms, can be difficult to manipulate for the elderly, injured or those with illnesses. As with bathrooms, flooring should be slip-resistant. Lever style faucets are easier to manipulate than separate knobs to turn. Cupboard door handles are also easier for arthritic or injured hands. Wall ovens eliminate bending over a hot stovetop, which is a burn risk. Appliance displays need to be easy to read and knobs easy to turn. Push button or voice-controlled controls are ideal. Automatic shut off also reduces risk of fire.

To prepare for the future or aging in place, remember this can be aging, a limiting illness or injury. If you plan to stay in your home, take a close look at accessibility should a life change, either temporary or permanent occur. If a move is in your future, look for accessibility, as chances are that at some point, we will all need it.

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6 Batesville . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Tuckerman

Things To Do

Batesville THURSDAY, APR 14, 2022 @ 6pm: Please save the date for the Children’s Advocacy Center’s You’re So Golden Gala! All proceeds from this event help the Children’s Advocacy Center of Independence County provide services to children victimized by abuse. The agency is funded through community support, grants, and foundation support, making events like this vital in continuing to serve children and families in our area.

Events for the evening include Special Guest Speaker, First Lady Susan Hutchinson, followed by a live auction, dinner, and live entertainment by Dalanie Taylor.

Individual tickets are $50. VIP tables for 8 are $600. You may purchase tickets through our PayPal, Venmo, or Cash App accounts. Write “GALA” in your subject line.

In Venmo: CACIC\ Cash App: $CACIND\ Paypal: https:// www.paypal.com/donate/ or website: cacindependence. org. Contact: Steffanie Evans 870.569.8099 steffanie@ cacindependence.org.

SATURDAY, APR 16, 2022 @ 10am: Local area churches will be hosting a community-wide Easter Helicopter Egg Drop at Pioneer Stadium. The egg hunt will be for kids ages baby- 10 years but the event is for the whole family! We will have food, games, bounce houses, and much more. Summer Sudol 870-834-2976 summer@thecompasschurch.net.

SATURDAY, APR 23, 2022 @ 5:30pm: Please join us for our 3rd Annual Bad Boy Mowers Scots Spectacular!

There will be tons of fun and more excitement! The evening will include: the live Comedy of Hole Hecklers’ Jon Marc Chambers, Live & Silent Benefit Auctions, Cocktails, All You Can Eat “Grazing Stations”, Music and Dancing with the Lockhouse Orchestra and Dalanie Taylor! Please consider donating to our Auctions! ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT LYON COLLEGE STUDENTATHLETES! Pam Palermo 870-307-7365 pamela. palermo@lyon.edu.

Mountain View

Arkansas Craft School https://arkansascraftschool.org/calendar

Newport

www.facebook.com/newportarchamber newportarcity.org/calendar/

Also

see

Monster Nights: Newport’s Downtown Entertainment Series will be sending text reminders on the day of Monster Nights Events. Just call Christel at (870)5231009 to sign up or text MonsterNights (no spaces) to (870) 600-3685.

Bricks are $100 for three lines and $110 for four lines.

For more information contact Christel at (870) 523-1009.

Newport Kiwanis Club annual Pancake Day will be Friday, April 8, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at its new location the First Baptist Church Family Life Center.

Tickets are $10 per person. Proceeds support Jackson County youth. To purchase tickets, contact Courtney (870) 523-3618 and will be available at the door.

Gränges Hiring Event is Friday, April 8, at the Newport Economic Development Commission from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Gränges starting pay is $15.37/hour with opportunities to advance quickly.

ASU-Newport is offering Programmable Logic Controls I on April 11-15 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. located at Tech Depot. This course is for new and seasoned maintenance employees, training coordinators, supervisors, and anyone looking to advance to a maintenance position. This hands-on class presents a deeper understanding to project development tasks and applications. This will include creating and organizing a RSLogix5000 project, creating new programs, routines, periodic event tasks and applications. In addition, you will configure Addon instructions, User Defined Data Tables, Producer Consumer Messaging and PID. To register contact Sharon (870) 680-8743 or email Sharon_wilson@ asun.edu.

Save the Date! Pot O’ Gold returns the evening of Friday, April 22, at the Newport Country Club. Pot O’ Gold is a fundraiser to benefit the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce. Someone will win or split $10,000.

Newport Elementary School Fourth and Fifth grade GT classes would like to invite you to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on Friday, April 22, starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $5.00 each and may be purchase at the Newport Chamber of Commerce or by contacting Ginger Willis at (870) 523-1311.

Newport Gifted and Talented is sponsoring the Miss Springtime Pageant on Saturday, May 7, 2022. The pageant is open to ages infant-12th grade. You may pick up forms at Newport Elementary School Office and Newport High School Office. Entry fee is due at time of application submission. Make checks payable to AGATE. The entry fee is $35, and you can add the following divisions: Best Dressed and Photogenic for an extra $10 each. Deadline for submitting entry forms is April 22.

For more information contact Ginger Willis at gwillis@ newportschools.org or (870) 523-1311.

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The deadline for ordering Veterans Bricks or In Memory/ In Honor Bricks for Memorial Day is Friday, April 1.

TWELVE YEARS IN MAY

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April 2022 7

Unity Health Harris Unity Health | Newport Auxiliary Michelle Foshee is a wife, mother, dog lover, and Newport native who promotes Unity Health Harris Medical Center to improve the quality of health and well-being for the communities we serve through compassionate care. She is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and prior to joining Unity Health, she worked in sales and marketing in Little Rock. She challenges herself and others to be Health Centered – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

National Volunteer Week was established in 1974 and serves as an opportunity to celebrate the impact of volunteer services within our community. This April, we would like to thank those who lend their time, talents, and voice to make a difference at Unity Health Newport.

As the hospital’s volunteer program, Unity Health Auxiliary is comprised of residents who give their time and talents to assist Unity Health’s patients, guests, and associates daily. Our auxiliary members donate more than 36,000 hours of service to the health system every year by providing assistance to various departments and information desks throughout our hospitals. While here at Unity Health Newport, you can easily locate our volunteers by the pink color of their jackets. Some areas they are commonly spotted are assisting in admissions, pushing guest services carts down the hallways, in medical records, delivering messages or packages throughout the hospital, and in the gift shop.

“Our volunteers play an important role within our

health system,” said Margaret Goodman, Volunteer Services Manager at Unity Health Newport. “They help the hospital run smoothly and allow our staff to spend their time focusing on providing the best healthcare for our patients,” says Goodman.

Unity Health Auxiliary also operates the hospital’s gift shop. Tickled Pink Boutique, located at 1205 McLain Street in Newport. Open Monday through Friday, 9am to 4 pm, the Tickled Pink Boutique has a little something for everyone. Whether you are looking for a sympathy gift, a gift for a new baby, a quick snack, or a fun gift for yourself, it’s something you don’t want to miss when you’re visiting our hospital. Funds earned through the Tickled Pink Boutique are reinvested in our hospital through the Unity Health Foundation for annual scholarship programs, equipment, and other special projects.

Another aspect of the auxiliary is our pastoral care ministry. Our Chaplain Services provide spiritual and emotional care to patients, their families, and our staff, regardless of their faith, or for those with no religious

ATTENTION MEDICAL SUPPLY

“Where you get the ATTENTION You deserve!”

8 Batesville . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Tuckerman

2200 Malcolm Ave., Suite C Newport, AR 72112 (870) 523-2408

affiliation. Caring for the whole person includes providing spiritual and emotional support during times of joy or suffering, calm or crisis, and at the beginning or the end of life. Our on-call chaplains are available to listen with compassion and understanding as patients and family members sort through feelings, concerns, fears, and difficult decisions that surface during a hospital stay. Each day, our volunteer chaplains provide a prayer to remind us that God’s presence can make a dramatic difference in our life.

Volunteering can be a source of pride, enjoyment, and challenge. “We’re all here to help care for the patients, staff, and guests of the hospital”, says Vickie Smith, Unity Health Newport Auxiliary President. “But it goes much further than that. We also care for each other, our auxiliary family, outside the hospital as well. It’s a great group to be involved with,” says Smith.

If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity, challenge, or new friends, Unity Health Newport may be the place for you to make a difference. If you are interested in becoming an important part of our hospital team, you can contact Margaret Goodman at 870.512.3030 for more information. N

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TWELVE YEARS IN MAY

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April 2022 9

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Thompson’s Jewelry Serving you since 1924 870-793-7136 255 E. Main Street - Historic Downtown - Batesville Where your hometown jeweler should be

10 Batesville . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Tuckerman

TWELVE YEARS IN MAY

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April 2022 11

Seniors, Can We Talk?

What Works Best for You?

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 widelypublished informational column, ‘Caroline, Can We Talk?’.

As I was getting ready to walk out the door to meet Ruth for lunch, Janet called. Janet recently got home from five (5) days in the hospital and has already received her hospital bill. She said, “Medicare did not pay anything on my hospital bill.” I reminded her that, since she has a Medicare Advantage plan, her bills are paid by her Medicare Advantage plan not Medicare.

Here’s a little of Janet’s history.

Before she turned 65, she called to talk about Medicare options. We talked about Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plans – the benefits provided as well as her monthly premium. Which fit in her budget? And not only the monthly premium, but what she could potentially owe when she needs care.

Janet’s budget was tight, and she was unsure of her “retirement” income.

She liked the Medicare Supplement plan and the idea of paying a monthly premium then owing very little when she went to the doctor or hospital or had tests run (the $233 Part B deductible in 2022). But the monthly premium did not comfortably fit in her budget.

Since Janet was healthy, went to the doctor seldom and didn’t have much medical history, she was interested in the -0- premium (no monthly premium) Medicare Advantage plan.

We talked about the benefits and potential charges/expenses she might have to pay when she goes to the doctor(s) or hospital or has tests run.

The plan she liked has no copay when she goes to her primary care doctor but there is a copay when she goes to a specialist. Depending on what else she has done, some services have a copay, and some do not. If she is admitted to the hospital, she would have to pay $375 a day for days 1 through 5. Even if she has lots of doctor visits, many tests run, Janet will have a maximum that she could be out-of-pocket (that she

would have to pay). This assumes she goes to “in network” providers.

The next step was to make certain her doctors and hospital were in the network – they were. Then we checked her prescriptions. The prescriptions copays were low and manageable.

Janet was willing to “take a chance” on the Medicare Advantage plan and knew she needed to make certain she went to “in network” providers.

Every year Janet tells me she likes her plan and it’s working great for her.

She does not want to make any changes.

Then . . . this year she went to the hospital and got an unexpected bill for $1875 ($375 per day for 5 days stay in the hospital) – not in her budget.

She was familiar with her Medicare Advantage plan and the potential hospital costs – she just was not expecting that bill.

What works better for you? Low/ no monthly premium and “pay as you go” or pay a monthly premium and avoid surprise bills? I’d like to hear from you - call me at 501-868-6650 and say “Caroline, can we talk?”

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12 Batesville . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Tuckerman

Local Faces OIRM Announces New Executive Director Laura Reed Old Independence Regional Museum’s (OIRM) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Mandi Curtwright is the Executive Director of OIRM effective February 15, 2022. Curtwright joins the museum with a wealth of knowledge in public relations, management, grant writing and nonprofit management. Mandi joins current staff Terri Crawford, Humanities Educator and Laura Reed, Office Manager.

“I understand the history of our area and its importance to the citizens,” Curtwright said. “I’m excited to take on this role. It’s an opportunity for me to continue the momentum at the museum. I’m optimistic and looking forward to where the journey leads.”

Curtwright has been involved in various fundraisers benefitting OIRM. She has also been a supporter of the museum’s mission and events. Curtwright has also led educational events at the state level pertaining to historic preservation and has advocated on behalf of historic property owners.

Curtwright was honored as one of the ”20 to Watch” in 2013 by Arkansas Democrat Gazette, “Spirit of Independence” by the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce in 2021, and was honored as a Distinguished TWELVE YEARS IN MAY

Alumni for “Community Service” by her alma mater.

Curtwright has lived in Independence County her entire life. She graduated from Midland High School in Pleasant Plains in 2005. She married Adam Curtwright in 2006 and moved to Batesville while they were attending the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville.

The Curtwrights have three children.

OIRM members are invited to a Members Mingle at the Museum on Thursday, April 7, 2022 from 6-8 p.m. to meet and welcome the new director. N

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April 2022 13

Eagle Mnt. Elementary Poetry Slam Winners Pam Baxter Eagle Mountain Elementary 5th graders recently held a Poetry Slam Competition with Artist in Residence, Clayton Scott. Mr. Scott did several poetry classes with the 5th grade classes and the Poetry Slam Competition was the final class. Parents were able to attend the Readings of the students own written poetry and the judges picked the winners.

Left to Right 3rd Place: Enrique Arana Watson 1st Place: Hallie Adair 2nd Place: Parker Childers

With Clayton Scott, artist in residence.

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BACC Held Ribbon-Cutting for HSIC Land Rover Defender Chris Hill The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) held a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for the Humane Society of Independence County’s (HSIC) custom Land Rover Defender vehicle. The Ribbon-Cutting was held at HSIC’s Fleaman Barkus Thrift Store on Thursday, March 17.

HSIC received the fully-customized 2022 Land Rover Defender after winning a nationwide competition.

Voters chose a video HSIC produced that outlined the organization’s unique transportation needs.

“We are so thankful for our community,” said Alisa Lancaster, President of the HSIC Board. “Through the years, we have received many gifts to help us get our work done. We are so proud that our community came together

to get enough votes to win this vehicle for the Humane Society.”

Recognized for its rescue, safe shelter, and loving home security work for abandoned, abused, and unwanted dogs and cats, HSIC was announced as the winner of the Animal Welfare category of the first-ever Land Rover ‘Defender Above & Beyond Service Awards’ last fall.

“We didn’t pay a single penny for this wonderful vehicle,” said Megan Trail, HSIC Shelter Director. “It has a winch, trailer hitch, cages, a watering system—it has everything we could ever need for animal rescues. And we have it because of the votes and support from our community.”

“Thank you for supporting us at Fleaman Barkus and for your support in helping us win this incredible vehicle,” concluded Lancaster. N

14 Batesville . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Tuckerman

UACCB Student Stays the Course Andrea Bruner Lillian Bishop was told more than once that college would not be possible for her. She struggled in school particularly with math and was placed in special education classes. “My parents were like, ‘There’s something beyond her test scores,’” Bishop said. With their encouragement, Bishop found success at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville (UACCB), where she will graduate in May with her associate degree.

Bishop said there is a part of her that would like those who didn’t believe in her to look at what she’s accomplished. As she put it, “A test score and IQ doesn’t mean anything,” she said, and they do not define who she is.

To others in a similar position, Bishop said she would tell them: “When you have a dream, just do it, keep on, push through and don’t let anyone stop you.” N

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April 2022 15

Citizens Bank, Batesville Schools honor Haley Smith for going ‘Above & Beyond’ Sara Doerfler Haley Smith, Secretary at Sulphur Rock Elementary, was named Monday to receive the March “Citizens Bank Above & Beyond Award.”

Since 2012, Citizens Bank and the Batesville School District have recognized staff members who go “above and beyond” to realize the district’s mission to empower today’s students for tomorrow’s challenges. Staff in all schools and departments throughout the district nominate award recipients, who receive a Certificate of Excellence, a $25 gift card and a 20-ounce insulated tumbler from Citizens Bank. The award is presented at the Batesville School Board meeting each month.

With a heart for students, faculty and staff, Haley takes on multiple projects to help keep the school running smoothly. Her peers said: · “Haley is always helping in any way she can.

We have a very limited staff and she has had to take on multiple people’s jobs. She always does this with a smile and is always so calm.” · “She is Sulphur Rock. She not only takes care of all the school stuff, she also makes sure everyone is okay personally as well. She has one of the biggest hearts for kids that I have ever seen. She goes out of her way to make sure every kid is taken care of, bus routes are perfect, and every kid is where they are supposed to be at the end of the day. With so much change on campus, she has taken it all in stride. She never shies away from

a challenge; she is Rock Solid!” · “Haley has taken on multiple jobs this year and has done it without question! She is awesome!” N

Haley Smith with Citizens Bank’s Jeffrey Freiert.

16 Batesville . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Tuckerman

Book Review

The Graveyard Book

Terrell Tebbetts has taught English at Lyon College for over 50 years.

Neil Gaiman’s “The Graveyard Book” surprised me. It’s a young adult fantasy novel, a type I don’t generally care for. But it captured me and kept me interested all the way through after I bought it at a used book store. It won a host of awards when it come out back in 2008 and was on the NYT Best Sellers list, so plenty of others have liked this novel as well.

The plot is suspenseful: an eighteen-month-old toddler awakes in the night and wanders out the door and up the street to an old churchyard and thus escapes a murderer who slips into his home and kills his parents and sister. But the killer’s still bent on murdering him as well.

The fantasy begins when the toddler reaches the churchyard, which is a kind of village populated by the ghosts of all who were buried there. All of them are friendly ghosts, for this is consecrated ground, after all. They decide to adopt and protect the toddler with the help of a mysterious figure named Silas, a spiritual being rather like a tough angel. The Owens family adopts him and names him Nobody Owens, “Bod” for short, and Silas becomes his guardian.

After Bod grows up a bit, Silas tells him it’s too dangerous to leave the cemetery, so Bod continues to grow up there, learning the ways and skills of his ghostly family. He can see in the dark and can “Fade”— i.e., disappear like a ghost. He can pass through physical objects and “Dreamwalk”—i.e., appear to people in their dreams. The Owens, who never had a child but always wanted one, nurture him as their son, former teachers educate him, and Silas, who can enter the world

and appear to be a mere mortal, brings him food and clothing.

As he grows, Bod begins having adventures. He discovers the entry to a Celtic burial chamber deep under the cemetery and encounters the nearly invisible guardian, a huge tentacled spirit monster protecting its treasure and awaiting its Master’s return. He experiences the fear and terror the monster provokes. Read and see how that turns out!

Bod also finds the entryway to the underworld of ghouls, goes on in, and becomes their captive as they threaten to make him a ghoul like themselves or, worse, to kill and devour him. Read and see how that turns out!

As a young teen, Bod talks Silas into letting him attend a nearby school. He finds trouble there as surely as he does in his adventures in the ghost world. He intervenes to get two bullies to stop extorting money from younger kids, and one of the bullies, who’s the niece of a policeman, lies to get him arrested.

How does he get out of that?

When Bod meets the ghost of a young witch buried in adjoining unconsecrated ground, he determines to get her a proper headstone and takes a bejeweled broach from the underground burial chamber to sell for cash to buy it.

When he goes to a pawnshop, he finds himself locked in a backroom, with the owner about to contact a mysterious man looking for a lost boy—that man being the murderer of Bod’s family. How’s Bod to get out of this?

Bod made one human friend as he grew up. Since the cemetery filled up long ago, it’s now a park as well as a cemetery. A young mother brought her little girl Scarlett there to play in the past, and Scarlett met Bod while her mother sat reading.

She joined Bod in several adventures and witnessed his ghostly powers.

When she told her mother about him, she told Scarlett that he was an Imaginary Friend.

TWELVE YEARS IN MAY

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Scarlett’s family moved away, and Bod didn’t see her again till her family returns to the city when she and Bod are 15. It’s just at that moment that the determined murderer is on the verge of finding Bod, and he uses Scarlett as his avenue. The thrilling final chapter kept me turning pages fast!

“The Graveyard Book” is a coming-of-age novel, a fantasy novel, and a suspense novel, all at once. It’s quite a read! N

Support Our Advertisers ASPSF--------------------------------------- 22 ASU Newport-------------------------------- 4 Attention Medical Supply------------------- 8 Bad Boy Mowers---------------------------- 5 Bank of England---------------------------- 9 CustomEyes Vision Care of Newport------- 21 Delta Medical-------------------------------- 13 First Community Bank---------------------- 2 Heber Springs Schools---------------------- 9 iCare Pharmacy----------------------------- 5 Independence County Library-------------- 3 Independence County Recycling Center--- 3 Kallsnick, Inc.------------------------------- 3 KBAP 88.1 FM------------------------------- 22 Kent’s Firestone----------------------------- 10 Merchants and Planters Bank-------------- 12 M & P Insurance and Investment Services-12 Rae’s Clothing Co.---------------------------15 Red Tie Meat Shop-------------------------- 20 Southern Tire Mart-------------------------- 22 Southside School District------------------- 16 Storyteller Images--------------------------15 Studio Salon-------------------------------- 20 The IMAD Village Community Talk Show-- 20 Thompson’s Jewelry------------------------ 10 UACCB--------------------------------------- 6 Unity Health Harris Medical Center-------- 24 White River Health Systems---------------- 23 White River Medical Center----------------- 3 eyeonjoseph@eyeonmag.com

April 2022 17

Kimberlee Dannette Thomas is a Chandler, Oklahoma native. She relocated to Jackson County in 1986. She has five children, five grandchildren, is co-owner and creator of Eye On Magazine. She is recognized from her years of co-hosting on many Cable Channel 15 & 6 broadcast with Bud & David Black. She earned her Associates from ASUN in Fine Arts.

Cover Story Rising to the Challenge

Living in a small town has its rewards and challenges.

If you are a woman of any age living in the Newport area you know that finding quality clothing for yourself and your family locally presents a huge challenge. That was until Shelly Davis and her family opened Rae’s Clothing Company last fall. Shelly recently took some time from stocking the store to visit with me about her family’s contribution to the shopping community of Newport and Jackson County.

Shelly is a Newport Native born at Harris Hospital in the 70’s. Her father was in the grocery business and was relocated several times throughout Shelly’s childhood.

She is a graduate of Malvern High School and holds a cosmetology license from Searcy Beauty School. She and husband, Curt, were married in 2012. They have a beautiful blended family consisting of six children; Hunter, Hannah, Morgan, Abby, Presley and Emily. The couple also enjoys their six grandchildren. Shelly laughed as she admitted, “They all have us wrapped around their fingers.”

I was curious how Shelly came up with the idea to open a family clothing store in Newport. She explained, “Curt has worked in the gas and oil industry since before we met. He was finally able to get a job at home, in Arkansas. The catch was he had to be within 30 minutes of work.” The family sold their home and seven acres in Wilburn, Arkansas and moved to Newport in June

of 2021. “At the time I was working in Searcy and the drive was just really what started it all,” Shelly recalls.

As the family finally got settled in their new home her wheels started spinning. Shelly began to search for business ideas she could do in Newport based on what she enjoys and what the community needed. Shelly remarked, “Let’s be honest, what woman doesn’t love fashion?” I honestly couldn’t think of anyone. Shelly did her research, and began to ask her family members for opinions and pointers.

It was late August of 2021 and Shelly had made up her mind. She began to pick the brains of everyone around her trying to get a good feel for what everyone needed and wanted in a clothing store. September came and she had secured her necessary licenses and even settled on her location, “We looked at several buildings but this one just spoke to me; it was the dressing windows.” She made her first of many clothing orders and began to prepare her space.

Rae’s Clothing Company is located in Newport inside the Village Mall at 2105 Malcolm Avenue. When you step into the south entrance of the mall you are greeted by those great “dressing windows” displaying the season’s best fashions for your entire family. They carry clothing, shoes and accessories for men, women and children.

Shelly is proud of the variety of name brands she carries, “You will find Silver Jeans & Belts, KanCan, Flying

Monkey, Blowfish, Twisted X, Corral Boots, Fieldstone, Myra Handbags, Versa Totes and many other brands.

We have Panhandle Slim and Rock and Roll Denim coming in the fall.”

Shelly is pleased with the response the store has received, “I honestly just wanted our family to be part of and fill a need for the community, and we’ve accomplished both. We will continue to be here for the community providing friendly customer service and quality name brand clothing at great prices.”

So folks you can mark that small town challenge off your list now, or just move it on over to the reward side.

There is nothing more satisfying than doing business with your own friends and neighbors in your own small town.

Not to mention the gas you’ll save by shopping local.

Join Rae’s Clothing Company on Facebook and Instagram and browse their web-site www.raesclothingco. com.

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Monday - Friday 10:00 - 6:00

Saturday 10:00 - 5:00

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Studio Salon 141 West Main Street, Batesville, Arkansas

Call (870) 698-9998

For those in need

or canned donations: Fire Dept. Food Box Grubbs City Hall 870-252-3487

Notes from the Clearing Joey Thomas

The restless young warrior put down her axe and unstrung her bow from around her shoulders to lay down beside the first weapon. She was primed for battle, knowing the warring tribe could be upon the plains at anytime. She had been strapped up and readied for four days and the relentless attention was exhausting. She had just finished another perimeter check and stopped before the babbling brook, a consistent source of water for her people. She, worn with readiness, put down her arms for the cure of the cool water. She put down her attention for forgetfullness and submerged her worry with ease. Forgetting to be scared, not remembering to imagine how awful the battle would be, idle in the ease of relief. Lost in the loss of concern, she held her breath and closed her eyes to disappear once again below the surface. It was then that the monsters, the ghosts, and the battle ready foes that she put out of her mind, melted away with the fear that created them N 20 Batesville . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Tuckerman

In The Field with Randy Rice Weed Control Randy Chlapecka is an agronomist with Farmers Supply Association, 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.

Spring planting season is here and hopefully the weather will be favorable for getting a lot planted in April. Things have changed from 20-plus years ago when we used to plant corn first sprinkled in with some rice, followed by the majority of the rice crop, and then soybeans. Now we’ve learned that early planted soybeans (April) generally have the highest yield potential, and that with Bt corn we can plant into early May and maintain good yield potential.

This month I’ll focus on one of the most favorite and least favorite aspects of my job, and that is rice weed control. It is one of my most favorite when farmers overlap and keep residual herbicides active, and it is one of my least favorite when they don’t and we have to depend on postemergence herbicides to clean the field up.

I have been collecting and submitting barnyardgrass seedhead samples from Farmers Supply Association members over the last 3 years to have tested for herbicide resistance by the University of Arkansas. Of course, these are from fields where there are escapes so they are more likely to have resistance issues.

We sent off 6 samples in 2021. All 6 were resistant to Facet and Newpath, 5 were resistant to propanil, 2 were resistant to Clincher, and 2 were resistant to Regiment.

Of note, none of the 6 were resistant to Command or glyphosate.

Over the three period, 21 samples were submitted.

15 were resistant to propanil, 15 to Facet, 12 to Newpath, and 5 to Clincher. None of the samples have been resistant to Command. One of the samples had 40% reduced control from glyphosate.

Barnyardgrass is considered by most to be the number one weed of concern in rice. These test results continue to add to the mountain of evidence of what we already know, barnyardgrass is much easier to control before it emerges than after.

Starting clean and keeping residuals active from planting until permanent flood is the name of the game.

This may mean up to 3 separate residual applications. I like to have the overlapped residuals activated no later than 3 weeks from the time of the activation of the previously applied residual. I’m usually looking for opportunities to get those overlaps applied no later than 2 weeks from the previous activation, depending on the forecast. Activating rains are the key to the whole program, so you need to be watching forecasts closely.

Besides Newpath and Preface in the Clearfield and TWELVE YEARS IN MAY

FullPage systems, residuals available for barnyardgrass control are Command, Facet, Prowl, and Bolero. There are also premixes available including Obey (Command plus Facet) and RiceOne (Command plus Prowl).

Command and Facet can be applied immediately at planting while Prowl and Bolero should be applied delayed preemergence (after the rice seed has imbibed the moisture it needs for germination).

Sharpen and League are residuals that have a fit in fields with certain weed spectrums and can be applied in a tank mix with your Command. Sharpen has an 8 rating on the annual sedges (rice flatsedge, whitemargined sedge, umbrella sedge) and has activity on several broadleaves including pigweed. League has good activity on coffeebean, indigo, and yellow nutsedge. It has decent activity on redstem and smartweed.

For more information, feel free to contact me through Farmers Supply Association by e-mail at randychlapecka@gmail.com or by cell at 870-318-0739.

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Custom Eyes Vision Care of Newport 1920 Malcolm Ave

eyeonmag.com

eyeonjoseph@eyeonmag.com

April 2022 21

Ozark Gateway 2022 Banquet Cathy Drew

The Ozark Gateway is happy to announce their 2022 Annual Banquet on April 28 at 5:30pm in the Loft of the Independence County Library at 267 E. Main Street in Downtown Batesville (use the rear entrance and elevator).

This year’s event features Kim Williams, Arkansas Travel Writer, who will discuss the 2024 Solar Eclipse.

Nicholas Bertucci, former Iraq Combat Medic and new tourism lodging owner, and author, will be sharing his new book about his time in service.

Make plans to learn about upcoming announcements for the region and enjoy a fun evening and delicious meal with friends from around the area.

Call Cathy Drew at 800264-0316 for tickets, they are first come first serve and should be purchased by April 18.

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Haleigh used her single-parent scholarship to earn a nursing degree so she can take care of patients — and her daughter.

Ready to help hardworking single parents succeed? Donate now at aspsf.org.

“I was not alone in this journey. There were people who wanted to help me!”

Haleigh S. & her daughter Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund Recipient

The Best of Modern Praise and Worship Independence Counties very own local, contemporary worship station

22 Batesville . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Tuckerman

World Wide Live Internet Stream: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/kbap-88-1-fm Phone: 501-203-6953

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Apply online at WhiteRiverHealthSystem.com/careers. Call (870) 262-1226 for more information.

Orthopaedic Care Kellie Darnell, APRN will provide orthopaedic services for children and adults in Newport while working with Thomas Day, M.D. from Unity Health Orthopaedic & Spine Center in Searcy.

Services include treatment for: Arthritis | Bursitis | Carpal tunnel Fracture care | Joint dislocation Joint pain | Plantar fasciitis Rotator cuff injuries Sports related injuries | Tendonitis

Kellie Darnell, APRN | Thomas Day, M.D.

WEDNESDAYS Newport Surgical Center 1117 McLain St. Ste. 600 | Newport (870) 523-6796

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