Eye On Magazine January 2023

Eye On Magazine

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Joey Thomas

Happy New Year, You Beautiful People! So glad to be here, reaching out to You all with this community publication. We have covered so many great local stories, Your neighbors, Your family, and in many cases, You! We look forward to bringing you more lovely faces, awesome things to do, and great stories that might get missed if not for Your appreciated readership.

Thank You for grabbing us up again, or logging in to turn our digital pages. Let us know what is going on in Your life, what great new stories might we share this year? Read on and enjoy!

P.S. We wanted to speak to the history that was made in this local Grubbs City election; Candy Hopkins (first female Mayor) and her son, David Joseph Wood (first black man to vote in Grubbs). We want to congratualte them both, to celebrate our progress, but also to recognize that Grubbs’, once designated as a Sun-Down-Town, is no longer tolerable of such, horrific monikers.

We aren’t naive enough to think we speak for everyone, but hope that such designations in small towns like our own across the country, can wither and die with the maturity and growth of our residence. It is a small world in our day to day lives, perhaps kindness and love can get us through our differences in the end. That is certainly Our hope! N

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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.

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.

Cover Photos Submitted by LAN LAW Cover Design by Joey Thomas

Studio Salon

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

Tasty Talk Winter Gardening

This past year has offered an abundance of free educational classes in Batesville on various topics. One such topic that I have enjoyed attending is gardening. While I have not been as successful as I hoped, I have learned a great deal about how to grow and care for vegetables according to the season. In a past article, I wrote about eating seasonally, which took on a whole new meaning when these free gardening classes taught me that retailers sell seeds and starts out of season and ones that are not best grown in our area. So, this year I would like to discuss eating seasonally per our area.

Probably the biggest thing my mom learned was that we can eat from a garden all year long, even during the winter months. Winter is the best time to plan and prepare for a garden. If you like to grow your own plants, it is best to start seeds indoors due to the cold climate. Some

Things To Do

Batesville

seeds to start indoors in January for our area are lettuce, onions, celery, cruciferous vegetables, and parsley. Indoor herbs with a long germination period should also be planted at this time. Cold temperature plants like radishes, garlic, beets, cabbage, and turnips should be planted directly in the garden outside as the soil must be a colder temperature for it to thrive. February’s temperatures can allow for peas, potatoes, carrots, and parsley to be planted outside.

Knowing what to plant in which months is very helpful in understanding how to eat seasonally. The planting suggestions guide us to eat greens, cruciferous vegetables, root vegetables, and various other foods not mentioned. Our bodies crave hearty, warm meals during the cold temperatures, as it encourages a slow breakdown process of the fat, carbohydrates, and nutrients to keep our bodies warm. These winter crops provide the perfect combination of needed support for our body during this season. They are easily paired with meat, other winter crops, and are also great by themselves.

Parsley is a very medicinal herb and natural diuretic, so it helps keep inflammation down caused from the colder temperatures and increased eating habits to stay warm in the winter. Winter foods not mentioned also include winter squashes like butternut and acorn, and citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, and grapefruit. These fruits also provide support for our health in the winter. In addition, they are natural diuretics to help prevent winter inflammation, provide essential vitamins we lack in winter, and help cleanse, hydrate, and prevent illnesses.

To learn more about gardening and eating seasonally, please join me at the free gardening classes at the Independence County Library and Independence County Cooperative Extension Service. You can follow both organizations on Facebook or call their offices for a list of classes. I highly recommend utilizing the services and resources available to our area to learn more about taking care of ourselves by growing our own and making better food choices. N

Unleashing Passion, Purpose, and Performance

in Younger Generations, Jan. 5, 9-11am at UACCB’s Independence Hall Auditorium. Join bestselling author Mark C. Perna to discover the game-changing strategies that are shifting the education and employment paradigm nationwide. Join Mark to recharge your passion for making a difference and start motivating young people like never before!

A Night at the Oscar’s Annual Meeting & After Party

The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) has announced plans for their Annual Meeting & Gala. The event, presented by First Community Bank, will be held at the Batesville Community Center (1420 S 20th St. in Batesville), on Friday, January 27, 2023. Other event partners for the “A Night at the Oscar’s” themed event are the Hampton Inn, M & A Jones Construction Co., Peco

,

Foods, the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville (UACCB), and White River Health. The night will honor outstanding businesses, individuals and progress in the community.

Mountain View

Arkansas Craft School

https://arkansascraftschool.org/calendar Sept 6, 2022: 16 Week Training Program 870.269.8397

Newport

www.facebook.com/newportarchamber Also see newportarcity.org/calendar/ N

Hannah Rogers recently returned home after serving 5 years in the U.S. Coast Guard as a cook. She enjoys time with her dog, baking, hiking, and serving others.

Tales of a Transplanted Fashionista

Hard T imes Make for Resilient Kids

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 have never been one to learn lessons the easy way, so when I was finding the scripture during the sermon on Sunday, I had to laugh to myself at the glaring quote in my Bible, from obviously a very poignant sermon I had heard before. You absolutely learn the hard things by going through the hard times. Just once I would like the opportunity to learn something the easy way, by not experiencing struggle, hardship or sadness, but that doesn’t seem to be the way things work (for me or really anyone else on the planet).

Cole and I were driving back from Jonesboro one cold night, from the Arkansas State Womens’ Basketball game, where we had left at 4th quarter, because it was very clear that our Izzy girl and her teammates had it in the bag (the final score was 95/50 ) and reflecting on how far we have come, in our journey together. When I first found myself as a single mom, I remember laying in bed at night, wondering how on earth I would provide for both of us, wondering if I was going to raise a broken adult if he came from divorced parents, and having a great big pity party, most nights.

Time went by and now he’s in junior high school. We have lived and prayed through so much difficulty, financial hardship, losing my dad, and just dealing with the regular stress of parenting, let alone single parenting. I revel at the thought that God picked me out to be his mom, because I love to imagine what his life will look like one day, and if he will ever reference those lean years of sadness when he is a husband and a father himself. If you’re a newly single parent, please know that he does not really remember the same sadness I felt so deeply, he remembers so much fun and together-time.

Who is to say if more hard times are on the horizon, because it seems like they usually are, but I take comfort in knowing that we have come through so much together, so I have faith in knowing we can

*Winning in life is always fun, but it’s in the hardest battle that you learn the most, always. N

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

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

Leigh Keller is a high school guidance counselor at Batesville High School and the director of the BHS Glass Slipper Project. She lives in Batesville with her son, Cole, and a pack of dogs.

Ribbon-Cutting Held for BK’s Christian Store

Chris Hill

The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of BK's Christian Store on Friday. BK's Christian Store is a bookstore and nutrition center offering bibles, books, gifts, teacher and church supplies, nutritional supplies, and more.

Angela and Andy Sherrill of Southside plan to carry on the tradition of the late Bread of Life owner, Phyllis Cowan, and her impact on the community.

"I worked in this store for years with Phyllis," said owner Angela Sherill. "We discussed the store's future

many times before her passing, and I felt led to keep this store open. We hope to keep her legacy alive."

"If you haven't had the opportunity to go in and take a look, I encourage you to do so," said BACC CEO Crystal Johnson. "The store is full of great stocking stuffers, teacher gifts, and much more."

BK's Christian Store, located at 1215 East Main Street in Batesville, is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. N

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

Paul Glover, Direct Support Professional with Network of Community Options, Inc., accompanied Michael Stobaugh of Batesville, Community and Employment Support waiver recipient, to the 2022 Hawgs For A Cause event in Little Rock held on Oct. 27. This is an annual fundraiser hosted by Arkansas Enterprises for the Developmentally Disabled. THV11’s Craig O’Neill was emcee over the night, which featured a barbecue dinner and included live music, a cash raffle, and live and silent auctions. This year’s proceeds will go toward purchasing playground equipment for the Sammie Gail Sanders preschool program. Attending this event is one of Michael’s most fun things to do!

playground.

Following the retirement of long-time employee, Mrs. Johnnie Moore, a group of Sulphur Rock parents come forward with an idea to build a new playground for the students. The project, spearheaded by parents, has been dedicated in honor of Mrs. Johnnie Moore.

"Mrs. Johnnie has impacted so many people during her career at Sulphur Rock," said Dustin Rose, Sulphur Rock Elementary Principal. "She truly knows what it means for a school to be part of a community."

The school's parental involvement group, Sulphur Rock FANS, led the effort and began raising funds for our playground. "The kids absolutely love it," concluded Rose. N

Photo submitted

The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce held a RibbonCutting ceremony for Sulphur Rock Elementary's new

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?’.

Last month Ruth and I talked about the Annual Election Period (AEP), what you could do during the Annual Election Period and when it was.

Whether it’s due to the large amount of mail you may receive, phone calls you get trying to enroll you in a plan, or TV ads, what you can do and when you can do it may be still be confusing.

The AEP is over. Unless there is another enrollment period you qualify for, the plan you have or just changed to is the prescription or Medicare Advantage plan you’re going to have in 2023.

Does that apply to your Medicare Supplement and dental or dental/vision plan? NO!

Here’s the part that can get confusing. Every product or plan has a different enrollment time.

When you turn 65 and have enrolled

in Medicare Part A and Part B, you can enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan. There are no medical questions. Your application will be accepted regardless of the medications you take or the medical conditions you have. This is the only time you can enroll without answering medical questions; your application is guaranteed to be accepted.

The exception (got to have an exception, right?) is if you are under 65 and on Social Security disability. Once you have been on Social Security disability for about 24 months, you are enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B. This makes you eligible for Medicare Supplement plan B – only plan B. When you turn 65 you have another enrollment period. During this enrollment period, you may enroll in any plan that is available based on your Medicare Part A effective date. Your application is guaranteed to be accepted regardless of the medical condition that caused your disability.

Later if you decide you want a different Medicare Supplement plan or if the premium increases and you’d like to look for a plan with lower premiums, you

will have to answer medical questions. Based on your answers and medical history, your application may be accepted or denied. When you enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan, make certain it will meet your lifelong needs.

Medicare prescription plans and Medicare Advantage plans may be reviewed and changed every year during the Annual Election Period. Medicare Supplement plans may not ever be changed.

Now let’s talk about dental and dental/vision plans. You can enroll in a dental or dental/vision plan or change your dental or dental/vision plan any time – 12 months out of the year! There is no enrollment period for dental or dental/vision plans. What an extreme, right?

You may have thought your health, dental or dental/vision insurance was going to be simple when you turned 65, but not so. You need to stay on your toes.

If you want to scratch your head or have any questions, call 501-868-6650 and say “Caroline, can we talk?” I’m happy to guide you through the maze. N

Lyon College students launch rockets for science

Colton Strader

You’ve probably heard the old adage, “it’s not rocket science,” before. It is used to designate a task as “easy” by comparing it to rocket science. What happens when the task itself actually is rocket science? Well, you get Lyon College sophomores Taylor Mitchell, Braden Glenn and Katherine Hunter who have been blasted off last semester as part of their rocket research program.

Led by Lyon College W.D. Bryan Professor of Biology Dr. David Thomas, this group of rocketeers has had quite the timeline since being recruited to Thomas’s research team early last summer.

“Students have always been a part of my research program,” Thomas said. “I recruited the current students during their first year so I hope to have them in the lab for several years to come.”

Thomas himself has been dabbling in model rocketry since he was about 10 years old. While his research originally focused on cave microbiology, he

switched to atmospheric microbiology when COVID-19 hit and put caving on hold.

Hunter, alongside her two other rocket researchers, is a biology major. Something she says, may seem a bit odd at first.

“It may seem unconventional that biology majors would spend time researching, building and launching rockets,” Hunter said. “But the information we gather lines up well with what we are learning in our classrooms and labs.”

The goal of the rocket research program is to collect microbes from different altitudes and safely return them so they may be used to study atmospheric microbiology. As part of their research experience, students learn to design and build rockets to safely incorporate scientific payloads.

The rockets themselves are quite varied. With some being small enough to fit in one’s hand, others are several feet in length and require much more precision to launch effectively. The key

research piece is the vacuum pump in the nose of the rocket that activates at different altitudes, collects the microbes, and safely returns them to Earth. The information gathered can help explain how microbes exist in more extreme environments such as those with low oxygen.

Students even attended a fourday rocketry workshop at Southern Arkansas University over the summer where they designed, built and launched high-power rockets, gaining themselves level-1 high-power certification.

“At high-powered rocket camp, everyone else was an engineer. So being the only biology kids there launching rockets was new,” Glenn said.

With a fleet of rockets under their control, the group’s current goal is to continue doing launches and refine their craft. For more information on the rocket research program, email david.thomas@lyon.edu N

Lyon College and UACCB Sign Transfer Agreements

Jodie Hightower

Officials from Lyon College and the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville recently signed five new articulation agreements to facilitate the seamless transfer and degree completion for UACCB students planning to pursue bachelor’s degrees at Lyon College.

These agreements, sometimes called 2+2 plans, lay out a specific pathway between the two institutions so that students can easily transfer from UACCB to Lyon College and know exactly what they need to complete a specific degree program. The new agreements link associate degrees from UACCB to biology, business and psychology degrees at Lyon College.

A partnership between the two institutions has existed since UACCB and Lyon College created the College Opportunity Program so that students in the Independence County/Batesville area have an opportunity to receive a quality baccalaureate education at an affordable price without leaving home.

The new agreements facilitate transfer from the UACCB’s Associate of Science in Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to Lyon College’s Bachelor of Science in Biology and Bachelor of Arts in Biology.

Agreements also facilitate transfer from UACCB’s Associate of Science in Business to Lyon College’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Bachelor of

Arts in Economics. An agreement also assists students in transferring from UACCB’s Associate of Arts in General Education to Lyon College’s Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.

“It is rare that a community of our size is home to two institutions of higher education. What makes this even more rare – and special – is the degree to which the two institutions work together for the betterment of the community,” said Dr. Brian K. Shonk, UACCB chancellor. “Both institutions realize the importance of providing educational opportunities locally to ease the financial and other burdens normally associated with ‘going away’ to college. And, we realize providing opportunities locally will lead to more students staying and working in our area after graduation.”

“We are excited to be able to continue expanding our pathways that enable students to seamlessly transfer from UACCB to Lyon College to complete their educational journey,” said Dr. Melissa P. Taverner, Lyon College president. “We look forward to developing additional agreements with UACCB in the future.”

UACCB students interested in transferring to Lyon College should contact their UACCB academic advisor or Samantha Long, Lyon College transfer admissions counselor, at (870) 307-7402 or Samantha.Long@lyon.edu. N

Dr. Melissa Taverner, Lyon College president, shares a smile with Dr. Brian Shonk, chancellor of the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville, at Tuesday’s articulation agreement signing ceremony. (Photo by Blayne Stewart).

Lyon College and UACCB faculty and staff present for the articulation agreement signing included (front row, from left) Dr. Kurt Grafton, Dr. Melissa P. Taverner, Dr. Brian Shonk and Dr. Holly Smith; (back row, from left) Justine Yatska, Van Taylor, Tina Goodman, Tracy Thomas, Mickey Freeze, Tiffany Guinnip, C’aira Stewart, Kristi Price, Dr. Cassia Oliveira, Markeita Williams, Dr. Kim Crosby, Beverly Meinzer, Dr. Radek Szulga, Ashley Walker, Doug Muse, Seanna Horn, Dr. Andrew Seely, Casey Bromley, Dr. Vernon Hoffman, Heath Wooldridge, and Samantha Long. (Photo by Blayne Stewart).

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

Q U A L I T Y . V A L U E .

C O N V E N I E N C E

Ribbon-Cutting Held for BSD Lending Libraries

Chris Hill

The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) held a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for the Batesville School District’s Lending Libraries.

“While revising the IMPACT Independence County plan, residents identified building a culture of reading as a strategic opportunity for our area to better cultivate the skills and talents of students and strengthen the workforce pipeline,” said Jamie Rayford, Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce’s chief operating officer. “We are so proud of the initiative taken by our schools and community partners. I can confidently say that our community is showing up in unique ways to support our schools’ focus on higher literacy rates.”

Batesville School District Community Schools Coordinator Laura Howard outlined the partnerships in completing the project, saying, “It’s taken a large team from our community to complete this project. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette provided the newspaper boxes, which were restored and powder-coated by Intimidator Group. The University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville’s Workforce Development Center customized the interior and waterproofed the boxes, and the Chamber helped us with the decals.”

At their 2021 Tale Gate Party, BSD collected over 8,500 books, which will now be re-distributed in the Lending Libraries. The Libraries have been placed at First Baptist Church in Desha, the Dollar General stores in Cushman and Sulphur Rock, The Melba Theater in Batesville, La Alegria

Mexican Store in west Batesville, Cutters Corner in east Batesville, and the White River Health Children’s Clinic. Community members are encouraged to borrow a book from one of the seven locations.

Early this year, The Arkansas Department of Education recognized the Batesville School District as a gold-level R.I.S.E. Community for its commitment to promoting literacy beyond school buildings and into surrounding communities.

“We are so thankful for our community partners,” continued Howard. “This project would have been impossible without their help!”

Following the Ribbon-Cutting ceremony, free book bags were distributed to families attending the showing of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” at the Melba Theater. N

Book Review

The Annunciation, Ellen Gilchrist

Have you ever read a work that gave you a glimpse of a mindset totally different from your own, a worldview so opposite from yours that it might as well be that of an alien not just from another planet but from another universe? I had that experience a few weeks ago.

I’ve known of novelist Ellen Gilchrist for a long time—not surprising given that she has published eight novels and thirteen short story collections since her first collection in 1981 and that she has lived in Fayetteville and taught in the University of Arkansas’s creative writing MFA program for a number of years. Her second collection, “Victory Over Japan,” even won the National Book Award for Fiction.

But I hadn’t gotten around to reading any of her work until I came across her first novel, 1983’s “The Annunciation,” among some used books earlier this year. I picked it up for a couple of bucks, brought it home, and gave it a read. What a different world it presented!

I say that despite the fact that two of the three settings of the novel are familiar territory. The central character, Amanda McCamey, grows up on a plantation on the Mississippi delta, while I grew up partly on an Arkansas cotton farm—not so grand, but still—and she ends up living on Mt. Sequoia in Fayetteville, where Diane and I took many a walk while enrolled in graduate school at the university. The physical world Gilchrist presents in “The Annunciation” is familiar territory.

It’s the interior world of Amanda McCamey that took me to a whole new universe.

From childhood on, Amanda rejects all outside influences, declaring that no one will ever make her do what she doesn’t want to do,

that she will do only what she wants to do, and that she doesn’t care what other people think about what she does. Never mind that other wise, experienced, and loving people could offer her helpful advice and guidance.

Thus it is that at age 14 she seduces her 18-year-old football-star first cousin Guy and has sex with him. Afterward he is horrified at what they’ve done and calls off any repeats, but Amanda is not horrified at all. She is pregnant, however, and having done what she wanted, at age 14 she is still under family control and is sent to a “home” run by nuns, gives birth, and gets just a glimpse of the baby before it’s taken off for adoption. Then off to boarding school she goes, but not without trying, unsuccessfully, to seduce a grown man on the train east.

Going to boarding school is the last time Amanda does what others want. She rejects both cultural norms and religious morals. She marries a man she doesn’t love because he’s rich. Though he loves her and does all he can for her, she never comes to love him and ends up divorcing him, wondering why she can’t love other people.

Religious morals especially anger her, probably because she intends to have sex with whomever she wishes— and does so. She sneers at Baptists and Methodists and especially hates the Catholic church, even saying she’d like to murder the Pope.

When she gets to Fayetteville, she begins work translating poems by an 18th-century French girl who had an affair, was sent off to a convent, wrote a body of sonnets on her love and on her hatred of the church, and then committed suicide. Amanda soon falls for a 25-year-old guitar-playing quasistudent, and a torrid affair commences with a fellow who’s younger than the daughter she gave up for adoption. She’s 44, too old to become pregnant, right? Uh huh, right.

Amanda represents one type of writer/artist, one consumed by an ego that drives her to put herself before a hopefully worshipful world in the form of her art. That’s not the only type of artist, of course, but Gilchrist’s portrait of Amanda is convincing. Such writer/artists are among us, and Gilchrist must have known some when she wrote the novel.

At the finale, Amanda becomes blasphemous, muttering, “My will be done . . . hallowed be my name . . . my kingdom come, my will be done, amen.” Does that sound like an idolatry of self-worship to you? It chilled me to the bone. N

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Dr. Allgood to Retire, Dr. Ko Welcomed Jerrika Davis

Dr. John Allgood, Radiation Oncologist at White River Health, has announced his plans for retirement. As a Radiation Oncologist, he has dedicated his practice to specializing treatment plans for patients based on their individual needs. He is currently in practice at White River Health Cancer Center, previously known as WRMC Cancer Care Center.

Dr. Allgood has been practicing as a Radiation Oncologist for 22 years. Prior to his career as a physician, Dr. Allgood served in the Navy and then went on to become a Physical Therapist (PT). He worked as a PT for several years before going to medical school.

A retirement reception will be held on January 12, 2023 from 2PM to 4PM in the White River Medical Center Conference Rooms. The event is open to the public.

Dr. Allgood will continue seeing patients until the end of the year. Dr. Stephen Ko, Radiation Oncologist, will begin seeing patients at White River Health Cancer Center at the beginning of 2023. Patients established at the clinic do not need to take further action to transfer care. Dr. Allgood will remain at the clinic to assist Dr. Ko during the transition.

Dr. Ko has over 15 years of experience as a Radiation Oncologist working at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville,

Florida. Dr. Ko attended the Biology Program at the University of Texas at Austin. He completed his Doctor of Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He completed an internship in the Department of Medicine at the University Hospital and Veterans Administration Hospital. His Residency was completed in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Irvine Medical Center at Irvine, CA. Dr. Ko is Board Certified in Radiation Oncology by the American Board of Radiology.

The White River Health Cancer Center is located at 525 Virginia Drive in Batesville. The clinic is open Monday through Thursday from 8AM to 5PM and Friday from 8AM to Noon. For more information or to make an appointment, call (870) 262-6200.

Dr. John Allgood

Dr. Stephen Ko

LAN LAW Music

Lance Curtis comes from music. His first request, at one-year-old, was a guitar. Brother, Lawson Wayne, traveled with Lance and their Papa’s family band, back and forth to Nashville. Submersed in music, too, he trailed a beat, while listening to his family’s music and the radio. His parents and grandparents watched him cultivate the drummer inside. Lawson was eleven when he received his first Cajon and Electric Drum Set.

A week later, Lance and Lawson opened up for Barrett Baber. The boys have always turned heads in Nashville, because the music industry recognizes talent.

The family band broke up when Grandpa, or “Papa”, passed away. The boys learned everything from him, they both hear and write music just like Papa.

Mom and Dad knew that this wasn’t just a hobbie, that Lance had a passion for it that could drive him in music the rest of his life. “Lance was a nominee for Young Artists of the Year for 4 straight years at the Arkansas Country Music Awards! He was also a nominee for Young Artists of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year at the Josie Music Awards!,” Mom boasts.

Lance was fifteen, Lawson twelve, when Mom (Jennifer Caughron), joined them in recreating the family band for Lance’s solo career.

Lance continued writing, playing gigs, and shuffling back and forth to Nashville for recordings. He signed his first recording contract with Dolly Parton’s Producer, Kent Wells, after friend from Batesville, Debbie Cochran, mentioned Lance to Kent.

Kent took a listen, reached out, and worked with Lance, until, 2021. It was in 2022, that the boys decided to join forces to create a duo called LAN LAW.

More recently, the boys were official nominees for Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Drummer, Songwriter of the Year, Singer of the Year, and Duo of the Year at the Cliff Ayer’s Awards in Arkansas!

Jennifer catches us up, “They have been writing and playing as many shows as they can! They recently landed a HUGE meeting with Bart Butler, Jon Pardi’s producer and Bart has extended the invite to start working with boys! The guys are also touring Texas this spring through Fall and are already booking for this coming music season!”

Lance Curtis is now 21, and Lawson Wayne 17. Jennifer says they are very blessed to have met the right people in the music industry, at the right time. “They are wanting to take us to the next level! We are excited about bigger opportunities and touring! Currently, we are looking for sponsors! We have written and recorded jingles, done commercials, modeled, advertised on all of our social media pages and basically try to accommodate

their advertising needs! If you’re interested please let us know at lanlawmusic@gmail.com.”

“As their parents, we couldn’t be prouder for the progress our boys have made! We have watched them grow exponentially in their craft and skills! We enjoy traveling with our boys and spending quality, family time together! We love watching the process of them writing a song and it coming to life through the radio! We have worked hard, we have paid our dues, we have slept in the car, I (Mom) even booked us to stay at a nudist colony completely by accident just trying to save a few bucks! (lol). Obviously we did not stay there, once we realized, but for a moment my boys thought I was the coolest mom EVER! Haha!!”

Even though it has cost them everything they make to help their son’s pursue their dreams, to one mom and dad, it is all worth it! “Putting together the right team who believes in them as much as we do has been the biggest challenge! There are tons of sharks in the pond! It cost a ton to do what they do, so sponsors and investors are a huge help!”

https://www.facebook.com/lancecurtismusicpage N

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.

Have you ever known anyone so Twisted, they made you uncomfortable? Someone, so Turned, they scared you? An individual that was so Bent, that sense of solid ground beneath your feet felt at risk of crumbling in their presence?

What if that person was not really a freak? What if you were uncomfortable, because you saw the freedom in their weirdness? What if they were just like you, in every way that counted? What if love were worth the journey, even if the path was Twisted? What if the Turning were a dance, and the Bending, a sway in the breeze?

In The Field with Randy

Lessen Risk and Improve Efficiency

It’s time to close the books on 2022 and look forward to what 2023 has to offer. No two years ever look alike in agriculture and that keeps it interesting for those of us involved and makes it an exciting, yet challenging, career to be involved in.

Looking back on 2022, the main stories had to be the high cost of production and the hot, dry weather we dealt with throughout much of June and July. Fertilizer and fuel prices led the way in making it a very expensive crop to produce. Yields were generally good, but not top end, for rice and soybeans. Corn yields were very disappointing in many instances (many below 140 bushels per acre) although there were some excellent yields in some instances depending on planting date, hybrid, and the ability to maintain adequate irrigation. Fortunately, commodity prices were high enough to keep it from being a totally disastrous year financially.

Looking to 2023, things don’t look that much different

than 2022. High input costs look to continue to be a big issue. A few costs may be down, but others will be higher likely more than offsetting those lower costs. Volatility around the world leaves us just an event away from things becoming much worse in an instant. Weather is always a wild card, never knowing what to expect. Doing anything you can to improve drainage and irrigation efficiency can help significantly in some instances. Look at production practices one by one to see if you can find any places to lessen risk from weather and improve efficiency without negatively affecting your bottom line.

Let me know if I can help you in any way. Feel free to contact me through Farmers Supply Association at 870-3180739 (cell) or by e-mail at randychlapecka@gmail.com. I look forward to a great 2023! N

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.

Thyme Enough

Hominy

Whew! I guess this is the first time I’ve written 2023 and it caused a jolt! Time flies when you are having fun, and we continue to include a little fun and good food as we enjoy friends and family.

We have quite a collection of cookbooks compiled by churches and groups that include recipes from many of those organizations. We both love those books and perhaps some of our favorites are those from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Batesville. The books have been called ‘The Bread of Life,’ and later ‘The Staff of Life,’ but regardless of the name they are a fine collection of recipes, as are all of the cookbooks in this category. Our oldest copy is missing the cover and now resides in a plastic bag! The recipes are tried and true, and it is a delight to recognize the names of those who have contributed to the book. One of our favorites is a Hominy/Green Chili casserole that is always

good. This recipe reminds us of our friend Nancy Stalker who used to bring her hominy casserole to church suppers. It was always good!

Hominy Casserole

2 30 oz. cans hominy – yellow or white, 1 cup sour cream, 1 6 oz. can diced green chilis, 2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, 1 cup Parmesan Cheese shredded.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium sized bowl combine hominy, sour cream, green chilis and Monterey Jack cheese. Spread evenly into a 2 quart casserole dish. Top with Parmesan Cheese. Bake for 1 hour or until golden and bubbly.

And we wish for you and yours a Happy and Healthy 2023 filled with fun and good food! N

Notes from the Clearing Joey Thomas

The only sound he could hear, was the hum of the house; the heat and creaks and moans of the aged wooden structure. His closed eyes let in the golden light of sun sneaking through the sky light. It was another New Year, in this same old space, in this same old life. But, it was new, silently offering the perfect time for renewal, letting go, and firsts. His mind was made for such places, in such times; he was a perpetual phoenix, eager for change. Rebirth. N

Nelson and Sandy Barnett met in college. They have been happily married for 59 years and are still having fun cooking and living! Find Sandy’s newly published thriller Dead in the Shadow of Doubt on Amazon.com.

A LUNG CANCER SCREENING COULD

Men or women ages 45 & up with at least one risk factor can schedule a Lung Screening. Cost is $100, and the risk factors include:

Long-term smoking history of 10+ years History of secondhand smoke exposure

Work environment involving chemicals, dust, diesel, herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, and fertilizer Exposure to asbestos Two or more first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, grandparents) in the same household

Call Chelsey Davis, RN TTS, Oncology Nurse Navigator, at (870) 262-6205 to schedule your screening at White River Medical Center. Caring Beyond Healthcare