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Editor’s Note Cycles
Joey Thomas So, we turn into the cycle of seasons as Spring takes over and thrusts such amazing colors and signs of life at us. I think about how each year of my life, each season has taken on new meanings. I remember the forboding of tornado season when I survived my first taste of destruction. I watched out the bathroom window at the age of twelve and saw our out building that my brother and I helped my Dad erect. It looked like it was crumpled straight down by a massive invisible hand and then sucked up into the air like it was weightless. I used to think Winter began in November, surely, as I thought it would always snow before Christmas, at least once. Summer was camping time, my favorite with my family (late night cards, sleeping outside in my hammock, waking to the barking squirrels and singing blue jays). Now the seasons mean less and less as my accomplishments mean more and more. Wasting time was not a worry, now it means the less I will have done before my days are done. Whatever it means to you, enjoy each day as best you can and give yourself a break if you are typically hard on yourself. I know, the harder I make things on myself, the more I time I end up wasting. We have our usual line up of great writers with new stories to peak your interest, like: Cherri Rodgers talking about Smart Thermostats, Hannah Rogers teaches us about the health benefits of Paprika, the Barnett’s share the Best Meatballs, Caroline Beauchamp shares her Medicare knowledge, Michelle Foshee shares Unity Health Harris’ Pediatrics, and ASUN shares a new work partnership with St. Bernards. So, read on, hunker down during the tornadoes, and take care of yourself and your family! Do you want to share your story, your experiences? Reach out and share with us on facebook or email me. You can find our usual drop list by clicking on the drop list tab at eyeonmag.com. While we are delivery during this shut down, I’ll post our drop list each month. If you are seeing our magazines in your area and have something to share, please email me at eyeonjoseph@gmail.com. Photo taken by my good friend, Clay Buchanan, pictured right. N
Dr. Doreen Kamoga (870) 262-1510 3443 Harrison Street Batesville, AR (inside The Diagnostic Clinic at WRMC)
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THIS PUBLICATION IS PRODUCED BY: MeadowLand Media, Inc. / 504 Guffey St. / Newport, AR 72112 870.503.1150 / eyeonjoseph@eyeonmag.com. PUBLISHER / ASSOCIATE EDITOR / MANAGING EDITOR / CREATIVE DIRECTOR / AD DESIGN: Joseph Thomas ADVERTISING: Kimberlee Thomas, PROOFING DEPARTMENT: Joseph Thomas, Kimberlee Thomas STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS: Kimberlee Thomas, Joseph Thomas, Robert O. Seat PRINTING COMPANY: Corning 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 Photo taken by Meeta Foster Cover Design by Joseph Thomas
For advertising, distribution, or editorial contribution, contact Joseph 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.
4 Bald Knob . Batesville . Bradford . Cave City . Melbourne . Mnt. View . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Tuckerman
WWW.KENTSFIRESTONE.COM 1316 E. Main, “at ST. Louis and Main”
In This Issue 3/ Editor’s Note
17/ Tasty Talk
7/ Cherri Design
18/ Cover Story
8/ Unity Health Harris
20/ Thyme Enough
8/ Batesville Area Arts Council
21/ In The Field with Randy
Cycles
Paprika
Smart Thermostats: Do You Need One? Your Child is our Top Priority
11/ Trending @ ASUN
St. Bernards and ASU-Newport Announce Work Partnership
12/ Seniors, Can We Talk?
Retiring? Know Your Medicare Options
13/ Things To Do 14/ Local Faces 15/ Church Directory
Fostering Hope and Awareness The Best Meatballs 2020 Arkansas Grow for the Green Soybean Yield Challenge
Kallsnick, Inc. A Hiland Dairy Distributor 423 Lawrence Street, Batesville, AR (870) 793-3924
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 ELEVEN YEARS STRONG
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Never Miss an Issue! Eye On Magazine is available online at
www.EyeOnMag.com Current and Past Issues from Eye On Independence Eye On Jackson and Eye On Magazine
Registration is open now. 870-612-2000 uaccb.edu
6 Bald Knob . Batesville . Bradford . Cave City . Melbourne . Mnt. View . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Tuckerman
Cherri Design
Smart Thermostats: Do You Need One? 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.
A recent U.S. Department of Energy survey found interesting facts about our home heating habits, most of which are not good habits. Only 4% of our homes use a smart or internet-connected thermostat, whereas more than 41 million of us still use a non-programmable thermostat. About 40% of us set our thermostat at one temperature and leave it at this temperature, while 26% of us adjust our thermostat at night or when no one is home. Per this survey, 70 degrees Fahrenheit is the average daytime temperature setting for households when someone is home. In addition, 40% of our homes set the thermostat at 70 or higher at night when everyone is sleeping. Another find is that 38% of our households use a secondary heat source, such as electric space heaters, fireplaces or infrared heaters. Before we get into smart thermostats, a few tips for saving on your monthly heating electrical bill are included in this paragraph. Adjusting your thermostat before bedtime or when no one is home and lowering the temperature just a few degrees daily can result in big savings on your monthly energy bill. Just lowering the temperature from 70 to 68 degrees can make a big difference in usage. Also, dress appropriately for the temperature setting, warm clothes versus shorts and t-shirt in winter months. Also, be sure to change furnace filter regularly to ensure efficient performance. Installing a programmable thermostat optimizes savings and your comfort level. I have a simple programmable
thermostat, and it is so easy to operate. I also like the fact that it displays my home’s inside temperature. If you upgrade your older unit, invest in an ENERGY STAR, as these use less energy than standard units. In addition, these are often tax deductible and incentives are sometimes offered. Smart thermostats can be useful, but consider carefully if you actually need one in your home and does it fit your lifestyle. For me, this is a waste of money, but I adjust my thermostat at bedtime and when I leave home in the morning. Smart thermostats learn your heating and cooling preference and establish a schedule that adjusts to energy saving temperatures when not at home, asleep or according to occupancy. It also provides home-energy usage data that tracks and manages your home’s usage. A smart thermostat enables you to control your HVAC system remotely via your smartphone, tablet or computer. Wi-Fi network is required in your home for any smart-home device. Also, a mobile app must be installed on your smartphone or whatever device you choose to use in order to control it remotely. Even if you have no other smart-home devices, you can still install a smart thermostat. Consult with a HVAC professional before installing and get an opinion based on your family’s needs. Also if hiring a professional installer, be sure to get several quotes. Next month, we are going to take a look at why you might consider purchasing a smart thermostat for your home. N
If a gem could speak, what would it say? This Mother’s Day give her the sound of you voice!
It is traditional jewelry that uses twenty-first century technology. Think of it as a locket that will hold your innermost thoughts and dreams, your memories and your love until the end of time.
Thompson’s Jewelry
“I Love You Mom!” “We Love you Mimi!”
Serving you since 1924
870-793-7136 255 E. Main Street - Historic Downtown - Batesville Where your hometown jeweler should be
Traditional lockets can hold a loved one's picture, but Momento jewelry can hold their voice. The Galatea Momento Pearl is hand-carved and embedded with an NFC (near field communication) chip so you can share your special moments with a loved one using an Android or iPhone.
ELEVEN YEARS STRONG
It's like a digital locket that will live next to her heart forever.
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May 2021 7
Unity Health Harris Your Child is our Top Priority 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.
Unity Health is pleased to now offer Pediatric Services in Newport. Leanna Heisler, APRN is accepting new patients in Newport. She has been caring for little patients since 2003 as one of the nursery nurses here at Unity Health in Newport. Since she recently furthered her education and received her nurse practitioner license and it only seemed natural to maintain her focus on children. Leanna will treat infants to adolescents for all their healthcare needs. When not at work, Leanna enjoys gardening, baking, and in the summer she spends her weekends at the lake with her family and friends. Leanna is pleased to bring this much needed service to our community and looks forward to taking care of some of the babies she has already cared for and watching all of her patients grow. If you’re a parent or about to be one, call 870.495.1594 today to discuss your children’s health needs. Unity Health Pediatrics is located at 1200 McLain Street, Suite D in Newport. N
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St. Bernards and ASU-Newport Announce Work Partnership St. Bernards Healthcare is partnering with Arkansas State University-Newport (ASUN) to provide employment for individuals dislocated from work or struggling with poverty. The partnership, part of the Arkansas Delta Workforce Opportunities for Rural Communities (ADWORC) program, aims to increase the labor participation rate in ASUN’s service areas by preparing workers in manufacturing, hospitality and allied health industries. ADWORC participants will undergo a free, five-week training course through ASUN while also earning a $100 per week incentive. Upon graduation, they will begin working at St. Bernards in the Nutritional Services or Environmental Services departments. St. Bernards Vice President of Human Resources Lori Smith said ASUN will source program candidates through Goodwill Industries International, Inc. while also making personal visits to lower income neighborhoods throughout Jonesboro and Trumann. “St. Bernards believes in breaking poverty cycles that have plagued our region for far too long,” Smith said. “As the largest employer in our region, we’re always looking to provide gainful opportunities where they may not have existed. The ADWORC program aligns with our mission of providing Christ-like healing to the community through education, treatment and health services, and it’s exciting to see what will come from this partnership with ASU-Newport.” As background, St. Bernards joins a select list of other local employers in the ADWORC program. ADWORC is completely funded by a $2.3 million federal grant with the dollars shared among five Arkansas Delta Training and Education Consortium (ADTEC) colleges. Eligible participants must either have an annual household income below $86,475 or be unemployed because of a layoff. The ADWORC programs takes place on the ASUNJonesboro campus, but the program is open to individuals across Northeast Arkansas.
Congrats
More information about the ADWORC program and ASUN is found at https://www.asun.edu/programs/adworc. Please email marcus_woodson@asun.edu with questions. N
Kennadi!
ELEVEN YEARS STRONG
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May 2021 11
Seniors, Can We Talk?
Retiring? Know Your Medicare Options 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?’.
Do you remember David, Betty’s single charming cousin? David was getting ready to retire and, before he could, he was offered another job. Now David is really going to retire in June – stop working totally. With summer quickly approaching it seems that several are getting ready to retire so they’ll have an “extended vacation”. Since David has been covered under his employer’s group health insurance, Ruth suggested he contact me to help him transition into Medicare and Medicare products. Actually, David joined Ruth and I for lunch – he really is a nice guy and really likes Ruth! I asked David if he had Medicare Part A and Part B. He immediately said yes then asked how he could know for sure. I told him he could 1) look at his red/white/blue Medicare card which will show Part A with an effective date and Part B with an effective date or 2) he must pay for Part B which is either deducted from his Social Security check or, if he is not getting Social Security, he’s sent a bill. David called and said he was so glad he double checked because he only has Part A. Now what? His first step is to enroll in Part B effective June 1 when he’s retiring. He can enroll either through the Social Security office
or online. Once he is enrolled, he will receive a letter and a new Medicare card showing both Parts A and B. Can he keep his current group health insurance? If so, what would it cost? What are the benefits? David checked with his human resource department and was told he cannot keep his current plan. David was concerned about not having insurance June 1 when his group plan ends. Someone told him he had to wait until Open Enrollment in October to enroll. It is confusing since there are lots of enrollment guidelines. Since David is losing his group health insurance plan, he qualifies for a “special enrollment period” (referred to as a SEP). His Medicare plans can start June 1. The Open Enrollment Period in October (aka Annual Enrollment Period) is the time Medicare beneficiaries may enroll or change their prescription plan or Medicare Advantage plan – this does not apply to him. The rules are very specific to each person’s situation. Once David is notified, he is enrolled in Part B, we’ll look at his Medicare options including Medicare Supplement, prescription or Medicare Advantage plans. The plans available to him are based on when his Part A was effective and the county he lives in. Since there are over 30 prescription plans to choose from, it is helpful to know the prescriptions he takes and the pharmacy he uses. This will help determine which plan will have the lowest copays. Which plans does David enroll in and why? Next month we’ll talk about it. If you’re in the same situation as David, call 501868-6650 and say “Caroline, can we talk?” N
Things To Do
Fri, May 21 at 8pm. Batesville Beach Blast Girls Fastpitch Softball Tournament May 28 at Noon, and fundraiser and camp for Lyon College at 3pm.
Batesville
Children’s Advocacy Center Playground Dedication Fri, April 30 at 10am. Please join us to celebrate the culmination of Child Abuse Awareness Month events and honor the House Family with a playground dedication ceremony. All are welcome to join us for grilled hotdogs, drinks, and chips. Safe Sitter Essentials with CPR Sat, May, 1 at 9am. Safe Sitter® is for boys and girls in grades 6-8 who are ready to learn the skills they need to care for themselves and younger children. Safe Sitter® teaches young teens how to practice important safety skills, how to handle emergencies, and how to treat illnesses and injuries. Students will also learn skills such as choking rescue and CPR. In addition, students learn important business skills, like how to screen jobs, set a wage, and work with employers. Each student will receive his/her own Safe Sitter® Student Handbook!\ nNote: This class will be from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. There will be a 30-minute lunch break, so please make sure to bring a sack lunch. For more information, call 870-612-2082, katrina.stevens@uaccb.edu. Spring Family Day Sat, May 1 at 10am. Celebrate Batesville’s Bicentennial year with crafts, games, and demonstrations at the Old Independence Regional Museum! Community Fest 2021 Join an amazing night of worship with Casting Crowns, May 1 at John 3:16 Ministries. Drive-in event, limited spots, buy tickets now! 870-799-2222, www.itickets.com/events/451625.html. Batesville Motor Speedway May 7 & 8 at 6pm, Bad Boy/GRT - Joe Garrison Memorial LM Plus. Auto King MOD Madness on May 21 at 6pm. batesvillemotorspeedway.com
Economic Prosperity Hub Plannning Series Independence County residents interested in improving our community with regard to economic development are invited to attend this planning series from May 11, 18, 25, June 1 & 8. Location and times are TBA at https://chamber.batesvilleareaalliance. com/calendar/. Contacts: Robb Roberts, Hub Leader - robb. robers@firstcommunity.net Micah Beard, Hub Leader - micahb@ thecitizensbank.net. Basic Life Support Thurs, May 13 at 5pm. The Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR certification course provides healthcare providers and public safety professionals the knowledge and skills necessary to respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies in adult, child and infant patients. Upon successful completion of the course, learners will receive a 2-year Basic Life Support digital certificate. This course meets the requirements for healthcare professionals. Katrina Stevens, 870-6122082, katrina.stevens@uaccb.edu. Southside Graduation Thurs, May 13 8pm. Cedar Ridge Graduation Fri, May 14 at 7pm. Walk with a Doc Sat, May 15 at 10am with the Physician Staff at UAMS and WRMC for a free 60 min walk on the 3rd Saturday of every month in the Batesville Rec Center Parking lot. Batesville High School Graduation ELEVEN YEARS STRONG
Mountain View
Iris Festival April 30 and May 1 from 10am to 4pm, with music at 4pm on at the courthouse stage and a street dance Saturday night at 7pm. Arkansas Craft School Check out the founder and maker of Monaco Bowls at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cj4MF88p9o. If you are able, please consider donating to an arts organization, like the ACS, and invest in the future of the arts in Arkansas. If you are not a member of the ACS family, join us. Already a member, you are greatly appreciated. Why not consider increasing your membership level or donating? Please check out the ACS website for membership information or join our email list for the latest schedules at www. arkansascraftschool.org. Now is the time to support your favorite arts and cultural organizations, like the Arkansas Craft School. Thank you for being part of our creative family. Questions can be directed to arkcraftschool@gmail.com.
Newport
www.facebook.com/newportarchamber
85th Chamber Banquet and Picnic The 85th Annual Chamber Banquet and Picnic in the Park will be held on Friday, May 7 in downtown Newport beginning at 6 p.m. Network, reconnect and have fun with entertainment on the main stage by John Parks, dinner from IMAD, annual awards, announcements and special recognitions. Masks strongly encouraged, safety measures will be followed. Casual attire. The event includes a 50/50 pot and auction for the Christmas parade grand marshal and street sign naming for a year at Newport Lake/Farmers Market. Must RSVP by Friday, April 23 by calling the Chamber office at 870523-3618. Tables can be reserved for your business or organization, or in true picnic style, feel free to bring your own comfy lawn chair, blanket or quilt, bottle of wine, etc. Tickets are $30 each and must be purchased in advance. ASUN Offering Microsoft Excel II Class & Osha training April 13-15 from 8am - 5pm, $175 for MEII and May 26 &27 for Osha 10-hour training course for general industry, $175 for each class and includes all materials. All on ASU-Newport Campus, Jeff Bookout, 870.358.8614.
12th Annual Delta Arts Festival Save the Date! The 12th Annual Delta Arts Festival will be held June 4-5 in downtown Newport with over 200 visual artists, 70 musicians, 30 authors and 8 filmmakers. Full details coming soon. Check out the Delta Arts Festival page on Facebook. Foster Recruitment Team Meeting. The Arkansas Department of Human Services invites everyone to come together to share ideas and resources to help recruit more foster parents. For more information call Brandy Jones (870) 2171072 or email brandy.jones@dhs.arkansas.gov.
Swifton
The annual Swifton Rodeo is scheduled for May 14& 15, 2021. Tabitha Johnson, 870-485-2662. N
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May 2021 13
Local Faces ICBA Chairman Appoints Jim Gowen, Jr. to ICBPAC Tara Salinas The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) recently announced that local community banker Jim Gowen, Jr., President and C.E.O of Merchants and Planters Bank based in Newport, AR was named to serve on ICBA’s Political Action Committee (ICBPAC). ICBA is the nation’s voice for community banks. “I am honored to represent our industry and share my experiences as a community banker and civic leader to help ICBA communicate the positive story of community banking,” Gowen said. “Community banks are trusted relationship-based lenders, invested
in the success of their customers and the economic prosperity of their community.” In addition to helping shape and advocate ICBA’s national policy positions and programs, Gowen’s duties include engaging in grassroots activities in Arkansas to promote procommunity bank policies and serving as a liaison between community banks and ICBA staff and leadership in Washington, D.C. “Jim is a dedicated community banker who is highly respected in his community and by his industry peers,” said ICBA Chairman Robert
Citizens Bank Announces Adam Mitchell as New CEO Sandy Starnes Citizens Bank, headquartered in Batesville, Arkansas, announced that Adam Mitchell is stepping into the role of CEO, succeeding outgoing CEO Phil Baldwin. Baldwin’s retirement, originally planned for mid-year, has been shortened due to the successful completion of a planned transition earlier than expected. “When I announced my retirement in August of last year, my original plan was to stay on through June of this year,” said Baldwin. “These last few months have proven to me that Adam and the dynamic leadership team at Citizens Bank are completely prepared for the future. I’ve decided to take my retirement three months early and enjoy every minute with my family.” Mitchell has been working
alongside Baldwin since 2018. With 23 years of experience in the banking industry. “Adam has been an instrumental leader, especially during the pandemic, mobilizing the bank to quickly facilitate PPP loans and thoughtfully serve small businesses across Arkansas,” said Jeff Teague, board chairman of Citizens Bancshares. “He will continue to uphold our mission-driven, community-centric core values.” Mitchell is an advisory board member of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and, together with his wife, Kristie, was honored with its Living & Giving Award in 2017 and served as co-chair of the Central Arkansas Heart Ball in 2014. Mitchell also currently serves
M. Fisher, president and CEO of Tioga State Bank, Spencer, New York. “We are delighted Jim has accepted this appointment and generously volunteered his time and professional talents in pursuit of creating an environment where community banks, and the communities they serve, continue to flourish.” N
as a board member for USAble Life Corporation and Arkansas Health Group. “Our mission has and always will be about putting people first in everything we do,” said Adam Mitchell, newly-instated CEO of Citizens Bank. “I am humbled and excited to take on this new role and will take this job seriously, making sure that all of our stakeholders benefit from all the things that Citizens Bank can and will deliver.” N
Bobbitt Announces Search Committee for UACCB Chancellor Nate Hinkel University of Arkansas System President Dr. Donald R. Bobbitt recently announced the formation of an advisory committee to assist in the search for the next chancellor of the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville (UACCB). Deborah Frazier, who was named chancellor at UACCB in 2007, is retiring May 31. “Chancellor Frazier has proven to be an exceptional leader for the campus, and she leaves her institution on excellent footing when one considers the quality of its
academic programs, the quality of its student body, and in its finances,” Bobbitt said. “Identifying the next chancellor for UACCB is about fit, and we will find a leader who appreciates the progress the institution has made, while articulating a vision for the future that meets the needs of the community and the state.” An interim chancellor to take over after Frazier retires is expected to be named later this month. N
Welcome to BAD BOY COUNTRY
The Best of Modern Praise and Worship Independence Counties very own local, contemporary worship station
Fellowship Bible Church of Batesville
9 am & 10:45 am Sundays at The Landers 332 E. Main Street, downtown Batesville Office: 276 E. Main, 870-698-9244 www.fellowshipbatesville.com Facebook & Instagram: @fellowshipbatesville First Baptist Church Batesville
610 E. Main St, Batesville, AR 870-793-9859 Sunday School 9:30 am Sunday Evening Worship 6:00 pm Wednesday Prayer/Children Activities 6:00 pm Thursday Night, The Gathering 7:00 pm www.fbcbatesville.org
Quail Valley Freewill Baptist
4000 East Harrison St, Batesville 870-698-1622 / Pastor Robert Jones Sunday School 10:00 Sunday Service 11:00 A.M. & 6:00 P.M. Wednesday Prayer Meeting 7:00 P.M. You can find us on Facebook!
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
World Wide Live Internet Stream: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/kbap-88-1-fm Phone: 501-203-6953
Church Directory
482 East Main St, Batesville, Arkansas Sunday Services: 8:00 am & 10:30 am Morning Prayer: M-F @ 8:30 in the Chapel Wednesday Evening: 5:30 pm in the Chapel www.stpaulsbatesville.org stpaulsbatesville@gmail.com Batesville First Assembly of God
1949 Lyon St, Batesville, AR 72501 870-793-5489 / www.batesvillefirst.org Sunday 10:30 am services, 9:30 am & 6:00 pm small groups Wednesday: children & youth activities, adult class 7:00 pm Sulphur Rock Baptist Church
470 N. Vaughn St, Sulphur Rock, AR 72579 870-799-8641 Sunday School 9:45 am Sunday Morning Praise & Worship 10:55 am Sunday Evening Bible Study 5:00 pm Sunday Evening Praise & Worship 6:00 pm Wednesday Evening Service 6:30 pm Walking the Walk, Talking the Talk – Matthew 28:19-20
First Community Bank makes donation to BHS Athletic Dept. Angela Connell First Community Bank’s Chris Milum, vice president commercial lending, presents a donation to the Batesville High School Athletic Department coaches, Kelly Rush and Dave King. First Community Bank was the presenting sponsor of the 2021 Pioneer Classic baseball tournament held at the Terry Sims Diamond Sports Complex on April 2 and 3. Milum said, “We are a local community bank and supporting our schools is very important to us. We were excited to make the contribution, and it was great to be a part of the Pioneer Classic.” N
Pictured L to R: Kelly Rush, Chris Milum, and Dave King.
Batesville Community Theatre Turns 50! Angela Weaver BATESVILLE COMMUNITY THEATRE IS 50! “We were thrilled to be invited to perform Murder on the Menu at Stella’s Pizzeria and Bistro” said Tommie McDonald, Batesville Community Theatre’s (BCT) board vice president. “After a disappointing 2020, this was a wonderful opportunity to start our 50th year.” Laurie Gottschalk, co-owner of Stella’s selected the play, and recruited BCT to perform. The group jumped at the chance to get back on stage after cancelling every live performance for over a year. “A fun and funny script, excellent food and service, a cool venue, and sold-out audiences – what’s not to like?” said Colyn Bowman, BCT board chair. BCT was officially organized in 1971 and presented the first production, Warm Wednesday, in January 1971. For 50 years BCT has presented productions through the generosity of many entities allowing them to use their facilities: Lyon (Arkansas) College, UACCB, Batesville and Southside Schools, the fairgrounds, local restaurants, parks, cemeteries, front steps, and gardens. “Besides marking our 50th year, 2021 will also be celebrated as the year we began to realize our dream of having our own space,” said Suzanne Magouyk, BCT board treasurer. Renovation of the former Van Atkins building into a performing arts center ( PAC ) has started. Even though the capital campaign has been severely hampered by the pandemic, BCT will continue to raise money with smaller productions and by appealing for donations to accomplish their dream of a home of their own. “I keep calling it PAC of Dreams, but no one else likes that name,” Suzanne laughed. “We are 50 years
strong; we aren’t going away!” All donors contributing to the performing arts center renovation will be recognized in a beautiful foyer on the “Wall of Fame.” “ No gift is too small!” Contact us if you are interested in helping at bctarkansas.com. Click donate, bctarkansas@yahoo.com, or mail to BCT, POB 2343, Batesville, AR 72503. N
16 Bald Knob . Batesville . Bradford . Cave City . Melbourne . Mnt. View . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Tuckerman
Tasty Talk
M -Th 10 to 6 / F & S 9 to 5 24 hr book drop
Paprika
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. Hannah is currently in the process of establishing Hananel Bakery in Batesville.
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Paprika is most often associated with Hungarian dishes, but it can be used for so much more in our diet. This mild, sweet or intensely spicy pepper is used by Hungarians as an essential part of their most well-known foods, such as paprikash and goulash. But there is so much more to this spice with many health benefits. Originating in Mexico, paprika was brought to and introduced to Spain by Christopher Columbus. Originally, farmers hung these peppers up to dry and then crushed them underfoot, as part of the process of making paprika powder. In Europe, these peppers are air-cured for up to twenty-five (25) days and is known as Spanish paprika. In America, paprika is typically dried artificially for approximately thirty (30) hours. Therefore, Spanish paprika is spicier than its American cousin. European nobility decorated their gardens with this plant. American Indians used paprika for healing purposes. Countries, such as Turkey, Spain and Croatia, add this powerful little spice to any dish that needs a little kick. Here in America, we are not as familiar nor as comfortable with this spice, so it is mainly used on deviled eggs for a punch of color. In 1937, Hungarian scientist Dr. Szent-Gyogyi won the Nobel Prize for isolating vitamin C in paprika. The vitamin C in this pepper has a more potent vitamin C punch than citrus fruit. The anti-oxidant vitamin A is also found in massive amounts in paprika. It is high in anti-oxidants, fights inflammation, helps maintain eye health, and helps keep your heart strong. In addition, it boosts the treatment for autoimmune conditions and diabetes. Also, it is shown to potentially help with the treatment of cancer. These health benefits are a good reason to incorporate this spice into your diet. When heated, paprika releases its flavor and color, so while it adds color when sprinkled on foods, it does not add its spice unless the food is cooked. Paprika tends to burn easily, as it has a high sugar content. Be careful not to cook it over high heat for too long. The flavors of paprika range from mild to sweet to hot, depending on how the peppers are processed. The hottest peppers are the pale ones, not the brightly colored ones as we would think. These peppers are also smoked for added flavor, and smoked paprika is a popular addition to food and smells wonderful. Often used as a coloring agent in foods, paprika is also used in cosmetics for coloring. In zoos, paprika is added to the food fed to flamingos to help keep their plumage a bright pink. This health packed spice can be used in just about any food, but it must be used in appropriate amounts so as not to overwhelm the tastebuds. Experiment with paprika in foods, such as soups, seafood, meat and sauces, and reap good health benefits too! N
ELEVEN YEARS STRONG
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ASU Newport-------------------------------- 9 Attention Medical Supply------------------- 19 Bad Boy Mowers---------------------------- 15 Bank of England---------------------------- 9 Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce---- 9 Citizens Bank-------------------------------- 10 Coldwell Banker Choice Realty------------- 20 Crowly’s Ridge Development Council------ 4 CustomEyes Vision Care of Newport------- 4 Delta Medical-------------------------------- 22 First Community Bank---------------------- 2 Greenway Equipment, Inc------------------ 21 Independence County Library-------------- 17 Independence County Recycling Center--- 9 Kallsnick, Inc.------------------------------- 5 KBAP 88.1 FM------------------------------- 15 Kent’s Firestone----------------------------- 5 Merchants and Planters Bank-------------- 12 M & P Insurance and Investment Services-12 Red Tie Meat Shop-------------------------- 8 Southside School District------------------- 22 Studio Salon-------------------------------- 9 Thompson’s Jewelry------------------------ 7 UACCB--------------------------------------- 6 Unity Health Harris Medical Center-------- 23 White River Health Systems---------------- 24 White River Medical Center----------------- 3 Woodcrest Assited Living------------------- 6
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May 2021 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.
Fostering Hope and Awareness My oldest daughter recently shared with me a project that is dear to her heart as well as to those who founded it. Foster Your Community is a blessing to all who find themselves in need of the services they provide. The cries of a tiny baby lead to the call of God upon the heart of Amber Ellis, she rose graciously to the call. Following is her story. EO: What is Foster Your Community? Amber: Foster Your Community is a non-profit serving Jackson, Independence, and Craighead County. We supply starter bags to children who come into care and/or are already in care. Our bags contain a week’s worth of clothing and essentials needed to get them started after having to leave all their belongings behind. We recently added a visiting center that will be available to the department for family visits. EO: What was the catalyst for FYC? Amber: Foster Your Community was God’s plan. My husband and I became foster parents back in 2016, with the end goal to adopt. It’s been five years and our goal went in a completely different direction that only God could have known. Mark & I had 7 kids come into our home in little over a year. Within that year, we learned about the needs in the foster community. For example, we had a little girl come into our home late one evening, sound asleep in her car seat. She was only a month old, and arrived with a blanket that had to be thrown away due to the smell, a sack of dirty boy clothes, and half a can of formula that ended up being hard on her tummy. This image of her has never left my mind, but what was going through her mind will always be a mystery. I spent that night getting her cleaned up and Mark ran to the store to get some diapers, wipes, etc. We spent 13 months with her while she built a relationship with her dad who she was reunified with. During those 13 months we were able to build a relationship with her birth family as well. We made a point to keep in constant contact with her dad while she was in our care. We planned and monitored visits with him, and made a point for him to see her during holidays and her birthday. Now 5 years later we have a good relationship and we co-parent with him. In this particular case that is what works best for everyone involved. With this experience I just felt we need to spread awareness about foster care. There is a stigma and we need to break that. We are hoping to bring some positivity to the foster community through our organization.
Cover Story EO: Once the idea was put forth how long did it take to see it come to fruition? Amber: We were official in August of 2019. We began promoting our organization through social media and by word of mouth. The donations came in immediately. We have been so blessed by the community with all the wonderful items we have received. In March of 2020, we were able to give out our first bag to the CALL organization. They passed our business cards to the Independence county office and from there the department started contacting us from that point. EO: Who all was involved with the process? Amber: The FYC team is amazing group of ladies! They took what God laid on my heart and helped make it a reality. They have great ideas and work hard to see that this organization succeeds for the children. We put our team together in 2019 that consisted of me as the Founder/President, Meeta Foster – Vice president, Taylor Cox – Secretary, and Brooke Cherry – Treasurer. Last summer (2020) we added Myrissa Rodely to the board as Marketing & Promotion Officer. She helped expand this organization into Craighead County. In January of this year we added our first volunteer, Lindsay Epperson! She stays in charge of packing bags and helps keep donations sorted. We also had Lauren Creighton recently join us! She is an Occupational Therapy graduate of Arkansas State University and will be interning with us this spring. EO: Why do you feel an organization like FYC is important? Amber: Our organization is like the middle man. The department and foster parents have more than enough to do. If we can supply them with clothes, beds, or essentials that is one step off their list. EO: What are your hopes for the future of FYC? Amber: We will continue to bring awareness to the foster community. Our ultimate goal is to have a FYC home. An actual house, so that we can have numerous visiting rooms set-up for the different age groups and a yard for them to use on pretty days. We will expand our clothing closest, and have a place for holiday visits or birthday parties. We want a home atmosphere for everyone to feel comfortable. When Mark and I would monitor visits for our foster child and her birth dad we would have to sit in a restaurant many times. Honestly, it’s awkward for everyone and not a fun place for the parents and kids to build their relationship. EO: How can our readers help? Amber: If you would like to contribute you can donate by going to our website http://www. fosteryourcommunity.net . If you have items you would
ATTENTION MEDICAL SUPPLY
Newport 2200 Malcolm Ave., Suite C Newport, AR 72112 (870) 523-2408
Heber Springs 2102 Highway 25B North Heber Springs, AR 72543 (501) 362-2441
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like to donate, we have a few drop off locations at the following: Batesville: Carlee’s Hallmark 682 Harrison St. Hours: M-F 9:00-5:30, Sat: 10:00-3:00 / Clara Jane & Jax 120 E Main St. Hours: T-F 11:00-4:00, Sat: 10:30-4:00 Jonesboro: Carbon Skin+Wellness 509 Southwest Dr. Hours: M-F 9:00-4:00 / Arkansas Muscle Gym 3235 E Matthews Hours: M-F 5AM-11PM, Sat-Sun: 7AM-10PM / Ralvis Training Center 3418 One Pl. Hours: M-F 3:30PM-6:30PM.
Lindsay Epperson, Myrissa Rodely, Amber Ellis, Taylor Cox, and Meeta Foster. Both photos taken by Meeta Foster.
We will accept donations at our Newport location (1619 Dill St.) by appointment only to refrain from interruptions during visits & meetings. If you would like to follow us you can find us on Facebook, Foster Your Community or @FYCNewport. We are also on Instagram (fosteryourcommunity)! To contact us you can email us at fyc@fosteryourcommunity. net or call/text 870-503-0593. N Taylor Cox, Meeta Foster, Amber Ellis, and Brooke Cherry.
295 Morgan Road, Batesville MLS #20-610 / $228,500
492 BATES Street, Batesville MLS #20-591 / $139,900
Beautiful hilltop setting with a spectacular view from the covered back deck and also from dining area. Solid oak wood floors in main living area. House features three large bedrooms with a bonus room perfect for nursery, office, music room, the possibilities are endless! Kitchen features newer appliances, cabinetry and quartz countertops. Upstairs bedrooms are oversized with lots of room. House features an oversized garage with plenty of room for vehicles plus extra storage. Above ground pool surrounded by a large deck with two levels sits behind a partially fenced in area. Beautiful yard of more 3 acres m/l. Very Close to the Course at Eagle Mountain.
This unique, historical home was built by Charles Mosby circa 1887, remodeled in 1915, and updated elect & plumbing in 1990. Just freshly painted inside & out and new carpeting upstairs. Large rooms have 12 ft. ceilings, many 10 ft. doors with working transoms, hardwood floors and TONS of character and charm! There are 2 CHA (new ductwork 2014) & a double carport with a shop/bonus area above. Shingles new 2014. Home Warranty Included.
3 Cisco Circle, Cherokee Village MLS #20-667 / $67,000 Cute bungalow with 2 bedroom 1 bath ready for your new home or a weekend retreat. Nicely updated with new central heat and air, new flooring, large laundry/mud/storage room
Buying? Selling? Relocating? The Choice is Clear...Choice Realty www.BatesvilleRealEstate.net
513 Batesville Blvd., Batesville, Arkansas
Thyme Enough The Best Meatballs
Nelson and Sandy Barnett met in college. They have been happily married for 58 years and are still having fun cooking and living! Find Sandy’s newly published thriller Dead in the Shadow of Doubt on Amazon.com.
Sandy made spaghetti and meatballs recently and spent a good deal of time looking for an old recipe that she was sure she had, but couldn’t find, so she settled for an online recipe. The meatballs were good, but not quite the quintessential meatball she wanted. So, a-hunting she did go and sure enough she found the one she’d been seeking safely hiding in the recipe card file where she looked the first time. I don’t know about the rest of you all, but our house must have 10,000 recipes randomly scattered in a rather tattered copy of Finders Keepers (a book made for writing recipes in), in card files, in too many cookbooks, and in dozens of print-outs from recipe searches online. No wonder she has trouble finding what she wants when she wants it, but now that the lost is found we’ll share. This recipe for meatballs and sauce served on spaghetti is special indeed. It came from a friend of ours from long ago. Unfortunately we have lost track of the friend, but we still have her recipe and the memories.
Chris Collins’ Spaghetti and Meatballs Sauce: 1 onion, chopped 3 Tbs. Oil 1 #2 can of tomatoes (2 ½ cups) 2 6 oz. cans tomato paste 2 cups water 1 Tbs. Sugar 1 teaspoon Salt ½ teaspoon pepper 1 bay leaf Pinch of oregano Pinch of Italian seasoning Meatballs: ¾ lb. ground beef ¼ lb. ground pork 1 cup bread crumbs (not Panko) 1 small bunch parsley, chopped 3 garlic cloves ½ cup milk 2 eggs, well beaten Salt and Pepper Saute onion in oil until golden. Add all ingredients in part. Cook at least 1 hour. Form meatballs and brown, then add to the sauce and simmer. Serve over spaghetti. Serves 4-6. N
20 Bald Knob . Batesville . Bradford . Cave City . Melbourne . Mnt. View . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Tuckerman
In The Field with Randy
2020 Arkansas Grow for the Green Soybean Yield Challenge 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.
There continues to be interest in pushing soybeans for high yields. While some of the practices being used are costly and may not be proven, some cost little or nothing in addition to normal practices and can also be beneficial to growers who are using a more conservative approach. I’ve reviewed the production practices of the 24 producers who yielded over 80 bushels/acre in the 2020 Arkansas Grow for the Green Soybean Yield Challenge and want to discuss some of these this month. Most of these producers are planting on beds to facilitate drainage and early planting. Many are preparing their fields in the fall, again to help facilitate early planting. Early planting is important in setting up a field for high yield potential. Almost every time I hear yield contest winners speak, the first thing they mention is the importance of early planting. Of these producers who yielded over 80 bushels per acre, 13 planted in April, 9 in May, and 2 in June. Two of these yielded over 100 and they both planted on April 10. Variety selection is also very important. Every single one of these producers planted an indeterminate Group IV variety, with all but 2 of these in the 4.5-4.8 range. Twenty-one were Xtend varieties, one Liberty Link, one Roundup Ready, and one conventional. The average seeding rate among the 2020 contest entrants was 137,000 seeds per acre. This number has steadily decreased over time. All of the entrants used an insecticide/fungicide seed treatment and some used an inoculant and/or various biological seed treatments. Fertility is one of the big keys to producing high soybean yields. Potash is the big one, and on our high pH, silt loam rice soils boron is also critical. Aspire fertilizer contains potassium and boron in the same prill. This is
ELEVEN YEARS STRONG
an excellent source of taking care of those 2 key elements. 100 pounds of Aspire will get you the boron you need and then you may need to add more potash fertilizer to satisfy the potash needs. Some of these producers apply nitrogen and/or sulfur as well. The benefits of these elements is not as cut and dried, but I think there may be situations where they could be beneficial. Although soybeans produce their own nitrogen, it may not be enough for producing high yields especially above that 70-80 bushel range. I heard a Mississippi State fertility specialist say that sulfur could become the next potassium for soybeans, so it is something we need to be thinking about as well, especially on our sandy soils that are typically low in sulfur. Weeds need to be controlled early before they have time to compete. The best way to do this is by effective use of residuals. When weeds do emerge, postemergence applications need to be made timely. Some of these producers make automatic applications of pyrethroids for insect control. I’m not a big fan of this because it often does nothing more than kill beneficials. I am a big fan of being proactive when it comes to controlling corn earworms, however. With the biological herbicide Heligen, I would recommend applying it at the first sign of corn earworms in the field. It can give season long control once it gets going. Prevathon and Besiege can also provide extended control and might be considered as well. Fungicides can be very important especially in a high yield scenario. All of these guys use a foliar fungicide with some using 2. Foliar diseases can result in premature senescence which can have a big negative impact on yield. I’ve been told that 2 goals for high yields should be to achieve canopy closure by the summer solstice (so you can intercept all that light available during the longest days of the year) and to keep the plant green as long as possible (requiring Gramoxone to harvest). For more information, feel free to contact me through Farmers Supply Association at 870-318-0739, my e-mail is randychlapecka@gmail.com. N
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May 2021 21
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