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Editor’s Note Rolling Along Joey Thomas November of 2021, who would’a thunk it? Life is so hard to comprehend sometimes. Time is so relative to our frame of mind, so slow and boring when we are young and impatient, so fast and unyeilding as we grow long in the tooth and feel the wear and tear of its gravity. To paraphrase my favorite artist, Ian Fletcher Thornley, ‘We speak of wasting time when time is the one wasting us!’ Read on to find Hannah Rogers’ Just Eat Real Food, Leigh Keller’s Peebles’ Farm, Randy Chlapecka’s Jupiter and Narrow Brown Leaf Spots, Michelle Foshee’s Unity
Health Newport Welcomes Alison Green, M.D. and Paul Silveri, M.D., Nelson and Sandy Barnett’s Stuffed Acorn Squash, and Teriann Turner’s Cover on Laura Jane Collier. There are Things To Do, Local Faces and more, so traverse our pages for more fun information and to see what your neighbors have been up to. If you are a fan of music of all kinds, Clay Buchanan and I have begun a podcast, Musical Chairs, all about our love and take on the subject. Find us at YouTube (& Spotify): Musical Chairs with Joey and Clay, Twitter: @chairs_5150, Instagram: Musical_chairs5150, Facebook: Musical Chairs with Joey and Clay, Musicalchairs5150@gmail.com, and like or subscribe where you can if you enjoy a listen now and then. Reach out and share with us, find us at our usual drop list by clicking on the drop list tab at eyeonmag. com. If you have something to share, please email me at eyeonjoseph@gmail.com. N
JOINT PAIN? Orthopaedic Specialists at White River Medical Center are using state-of-the-art robotic arm technology for partial knee, total knee, and total hip replacement surgery. With the help of the MAKO Robot, surgeons are able to offer a remarkably precise surgical experience, leading to improved recovery for patients.
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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 Photos taken by Robert O. Seat Cover Design by Joseph Thomas
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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.
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 opens Nov. 10. 870-612-2000 www.uaccb.edu 4 Bald Knob . Batesville . Bradford . Cave City . Melbourne . Mnt. View . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Tuckerman
Custom Eyes Vision Care of Newport 1920 Malcolm Ave
In This Issue
17/ Book Review
Amor Towles’ A Gentleman in Moscow
3/ Editor’s Note
18/ Cover Story
Rolling Along
Laura Jane Collier
7/ Tasty Talk
Just Eat Real Food
7/ Tales of a Transplanted Fashionista Peebles’ Farm
21/ In The Field with Randy
Jupiter and Narrow Brown Leaf Spots
22/ Thyme Enough
Stuffed Acorn Squash
9/ Things To Do 10/ Trending @ ASUN
ASU-Newport All-Star Honored
12/ Seniors, Can We Talk? Annual Election Period
13/ Unity Health Harris
Unity Health Newport Welcomes Alison Green, M.D. and Paul Silveri, M.D.
14/ Local Faces Kennadi and Ethan Pretty ELEVEN YEARS STRONG
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November 2021 5
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6 Bald Knob . Batesville . Bradford . Cave City . Melbourne . Mnt. View . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Tuckerman
Tasty Talk
Just Eat Real Food
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.
Our bodies truly are a miraculous creation. They fight, heal, and restore us even when we are not able. Several years ago, I watched my body fight for survival when I had given up. Recently, I witnessed my mom’s body keeping her alive even when it did not have what it needed to live anymore. Her doctors and nurses have been amazed at how she has been alive all this time. Without a doubt, I believe that our bodies are one of the most powerful and strongest of all creations. My mom was recently admitted to the hospital for hyponatremia, severely low sodium. The medical staff was completely confused as to how it got so low. I was told by her doctors and nurses that they have never seen someone with sodium as low as my mom’s levels. Due to risk of brain damage, her sodium could only be raised a few points a day, which became a long and stressful battle. Mom’s hyponatremia was due to an unbalanced diet. Reducing the consumption of foods that naturally contain sodium can lead to a plethora of health problems that can quickly lead you to death. It is essential to our body as it balances our water and electrolytes and is vital to the function
of our nerves and muscles. It regulates our thyroid, blood volume, thirst, affects kidneys, and more. All things that had begun failing mom. While our society wants to eat healthier, not everyone understands the power of essential nutrients and the role food plays to our body. One of mom’s doctors told her about a man who lived his life eating so healthy that he actually caused permanent brain and body damage. He had spent so many years eating a diet very similar to the ketogenic one that certain parts of his body started failing and eventually stopped working. Not eating a balanced diet resulted in him starving his body of essentials like carbs, natural sugars (fruit), grains, and essential vitamins and minerals and overconsuming things like fat. When choosing a diet, we often underestimate the value of the “bad” things we eat. Everyone is quick to jump on the latest diet bandwagon. Even though our bodies will fight for us, we should not test its limits. We must feed our bodies properly. God created vegetables, fruits, grains, and herbs specifically for our bodies. It all works in conjunction to create a balanced diet and a fully operating body for us. Without the nutrients found in these foods, our body will begin to fail and eventually stop working, leading us to an untimely and unnecessary death. I believe “diet” should be omitted from our dictionary. We must consume real foods that came from our Creator, not a factory. Learn to cook, grow/raise your own food, or find trustworthy farmers. Stop supporting American convenience and just eat real food. Stop testing your body’s limits by not consuming real food. You are damaging yourself if you do not and you deserve a long, healthy and happy life. N
Tales of a Transplanted Fashionista Peebles’ Farm
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.
Peebles’ Farm has been a favorite October trip for us every year since Cole was itty bitty. So we don’t feel like we have fully experienced fall until we go. Augusta is a short drive from Batesville, and as a bonus, you can stop either on the way there or on the way home to eat at some of our amazing local eateries. Peebles’ farm has something for every age kid, from the petting zoo and the hayride, to the gerbil wheel and the creepy corn maze. They are open every weekend in October, so if you missed them this year, plan to visit next year when they reopen. *Also plan to get sunburned, and pack plenty of water, since every time we have been there, temperatures always reach the 90s (and then there is everyone else wearing fall sweaters and boots and it is miserably hot). Here’s our list of the things you and your sassy preteen absolutely must do while you’re there: ELEVEN YEARS STRONG
Eat the BBQ nachos with slaw. Do the corn maze (get the map, my cute Cub Scout drop out did a great job navigating us through it, even though we were the only humans we found in there, which I guess is because everyone else was posing in the flowers while wearing sweaters, boots and hats in the 90 degree weather.) Try out the gerbil wheels, much later after you eat those nachos, just a suggestion. School some dads in combine basketball. Pebbles’ Farm continues on page 22
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November 2021 7
Welcome to BAD BOY COUNTRY
8 Bald Knob . Batesville . Bradford . Cave City . Melbourne . Mnt. View . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Tuckerman
Things To Do
Batesville
UACCB BASIC LIFE SUPPORT (BLS) CLASS THURSDAY, NOV 4, 2021 @ 5:00PM 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, 8706122082, katrina.stevens@uaccb. edu. THE JOHN HERMAN HICKMAN FOUNDATION GOLF CLASSIC SUNDAY, NOV 7, 2021 @ 8:00AM Cara Taylor, 870.613.0853 ctaylor@pecofoods.com. UACCB HEARTSAVER CPR AED THURSDAY, NOV 11, 2021 @ 5:00PM Heartsaver® CPR AED is a video-based, instructor-led course that teaches adult and child CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) use. The training includes infant CPR and how to relieve choking in adults, children and infants. This course is for anyone with limited or no medical training. Participants are asked to bring their cell phones to download the QCPR learner app and watch their progress as they practice CPR. A Heartsaver® CPR e-card will be issued upon successful completion of the course. Katrina Stevens, 8706122082 katrina.stevens@uaccb. edu. WALK WITH A DOC SATURDAY, NOV 20, 2021 @ 10:00AM with the Physician Staff at UAMS and WRMC for a free 60 min walk in the Batesville Rec Center Parking lot. SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY SATURDAY, NOV 20, 2021 @ 12:00PM. TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY ON IN THE POCKET PARK SATURDAY, NOV 27, 2021 @ 8:00PM. UACCB ADOBE ACROBAT PRO TUESDAY, NOV 30, 2021 @ 8:30AM In this introductory class, students will learn to fill, sign, create and edit PDF files. Learn how easy it is to create PDF files from Word documents and Excel workbooks, and to export PDF files into Word and Excel. Contact: Katrina Stevens, 8706122082, katrina.stevens@uaccb. edu. OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS FRIDAY, DEC 3, 2021 @ 12:00PM.
Mountain View
Arkansas Craft School https://arkansascraftschool.org/calendar ELEVEN YEARS STRONG
The Love and Hunt for Craft GALA On Thursday, November 18, 2021, we will hold our 12th annual GALA ($35), “The Love and Hunt for Craft”. The event will begin at 6:00 pm at the Skillet (Ozark Folk Center, 1032 Park Ave, Mountain View, AR 72560). All sponsorship support received for the Gala will be used to provide scholarships for students, class-specific tools, equipment, and supplies for the ACS studios. The evening event will feature a catered meal, silent and live auctions of beautiful handmade items made by master artisans from all over the state, plus live music by noted guitarist, Danny Dozier. For Gala inquiries and ticket purchases contact Len@ arkansascrafschool.org or stop by the Craft School Friday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Because this popular event always sells out well ahead of time, all tickets must be purchased in advanced.
Newport
www.facebook.com/newportarchamber Also see newportarcity.org/calendar/ for upcoming classes and events!
One-On-One Consulting Fri, November 5, 01:30pm - 03:30pm Meet one -on-one with a business consultant to discuss your questions about business plans, financing, market research, marketing, management, and profitability. Counseling session is free but registration is required. Call 870-972-3517 to register! N
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870 793 8892 110 Environmental Drive Batesville, AR Call to receive your FREE RECYCLING BIN today!
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November 2021 9
ASU-Newport Asking for Community Input As It Plans for the Future Mallory Black Arkansas State University-Newport is looking to the future and needs your input. As a community college serving Northeast Arkansas, ASU-Newport strives to provide affordable, accessible, and quality educational options. While we are proud of our past, it is time to look to the future. How can ASU-Newport best serve the needs of our students, employees, and communities? ASU-Newport’s administration, faculty and staff are drafting a five-year strategic plan. As a community college, we want to hear from you. ASUN invites community members and stakeholders to join the conversation. Join us for one of three community meetings designed to help us learn how we can better serve you. Refreshments will be provided, as well as activities to entertain children. Newport Monday, November 1, 2021 @ 4:30-5:30pm NEDC/Chamber 201 Hazel St, Newport, AR
---------------------------------------------------------------------Marked Tree Tuesday, November 9, 2021 @ 4:30-5:30pm ASUN-Marked Tree, Delta Grill 33500 U.S. 63, Marked Tree, AR ---------------------------------------------------------------------Jonesboro Thursday, November 11, 2021 @ 4:30-5:30pm ASUN-Jonesboro, Fowler Family Hospitality Building 5504 Krueger Dr, Jonesboro, AR ---------------------------------------------------------------------ASU-Newport held a number of employee meetings in October. Your feedback, paired with our employees and students, will give us a comprehensive view of where ASUN needs to focus its strategic planning efforts. For more information regarding these meetings, email chancellor@asun.edu. N
10 Bald Knob . Batesville . Bradford . Cave City . Melbourne . Mnt. View . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Tuckerman
ASU-Newport Faculty, Staff, Alumni and Student All-Star Honored at the 2021 Arkansas Community Colleges Conference Arkansas State University-Newport is honored to be represented by such distinguished alumni, faculty, staff and students. At the 2021 Arkansas Community Colleges (ACC) Fall Conference, four individuals were honored for their success and dedication to ASU-Newport. ACC recognized each honoree during their virtual event on October 11 and 12. Outstanding Alumni: Dr. Katlyn Steimel Katlyn Steimel joined ASU-Newport as a concurrent student in 2007. In 2010, she graduated from Newport High School and also earned her Associate’s degree from ASUN. Katlyn obtained her B.S. Biology at A-State in 2013 and graduated from the accelerated BSN program in 2015. She attended the University of Arkansas, obtaining her Doctor of Nursing Practice, FNP in 2020. Dr. Steimel served as the Director of the Arkansas Rural Nursing Education Consortium (ARNEC) LPN-to-RN Program in 2020 before joining A-State as an Assistant Professor of Nursing. She and her husband enjoy traveling and spending time with their Yorkie-poo.
Academic All-Star: Alicia Ballard Alicia Ballard is proof that people can achieve their dreams. Alicia started taking classes with ASUN through distance learning and was successful. She has now completed 28 hours toward her AA degree with a high G.P.A. Alicia has helped to mentor other young women starting college, all while working and raising her children. Alicia plans to pursue a social work degree at A-State after she graduates from ASUN. She is an inspiration to those who know her, and she is always offering to help anyone she can.
Outstanding Faculty: Irina Reynolds As an Assistant Professor of Oral Communications/ College & Life Skills, Irina works closely with ASUN’s newest students to ensure their successful transition into post-secondary education. She exemplifies ASUN’s values, especially being student-focused. Irina takes a genuine interest in the lives and success of each of her students, and as a result, is known and loved by all. She is one of ASUN’s most positive and engaging faculty members, as well as one of its most community-oriented employees. Irina regularly participates in events on campus and throughout the community, and she always does so with a great attitude and a smile.
Outstanding Staff: Deborah Metheny As an Admissions and College Engagement Specialist, Deborah is one of the first people ASUN students interact with when they come to our Jonesboro campus. She is always there to greet students with a smile and to serve their needs in any way she can. Students seek Deborah out by name because of her excellent customer service and cheery demeanor. She is always willing to extend her knowledge to others in her department and across the institution as well. Deborah has served in many roles during her tenure at ASUN, and she has adapted quickly to change and done so with enthusiasm.
Please join us in congratulating these four individuals who represent ASUN on a daily basis with pride, dedication and service. N ELEVEN YEARS STRONG
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November 2021 11
Seniors, Can We Talk? Annual Election Period
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?’.
To say times are changing is almost an understatement today, right? Lots of changes are taking place and more is about to change. Yes, it’s the Annual Election (Enrollment) Period (AEP) for Medicare beneficiaries. “How can I improve what I have now?”, Ruth asked at lunch. Ruth had lots of questions in anticipation of the AEP. “Are there better choices for me in 2022?” Better choices may lead to better decisions that affect your wallet, ease of getting medical care and protect your family. How do you know if you could be spending less and be more efficient? As Ruth and I do every year, review your current Medicare prescription plan and/or Medicare Advantage plan. From October 15 through December 7, you can review your Medicare prescription plan and/or Medicare Advantage plan and make changes. Your 2021 plan will not stay the same for 2022. All Medicare prescription and Medicare Advantage plans are subject to change January 1 of every year. What can change? Your monthly premium, the copay you pay for each prescription, the drugs that are covered, your deductible and the pharmacies. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you need to look further. Will your doctors still accept your plan
in 2022? What is the maximum you can be out-of-pocket in 2022? In addition to changes to your plan, your situation may have changed. Do you take the same prescriptions you took last year? Take more prescriptions? Take fewer prescriptions? Do you see different doctors or more doctors? Even if you take more prescriptions, see more doctors, or have more conditions than you had last year, you may make changes without answering any medical questions – you are GUARANTEED to be able to change plans. How do you compare your current plan with other plans available in 2022? Make a list of your prescriptions, including the name of the drug, dosage, how often do you take it, how often do you get it filled and what pharmacy you use. With a Medicare Advantage plan, include the doctors and hospitals you use. What county do you live in? (You must reside in the service area that a Medicare Advantage plan is offered; all plans may not be available in your county.) Once you’ve made your list, then what? Contact a professional, full-time health insurance agent certified to discuss these plans with you. Even though Ruth has a Medicare Supplement plan, every year she asks about changing her Medicare Supplement plan during the AEP. Guaranteed changes during the AEP do not include changes to your Medicare Supplement plan. Guaranteed changes during the AEP are only related to Medicare Prescription plans and Medicare Advantage plans. How is your current Medicare Prescription plan or Medicare Advantage plan going to work out for you in 2022? Will it still meet your needs? Fit your budget? Call someone who cares about you to find out. Questions? Call me at 501-868-6650 and say “Caroline, can we talk?” N
12 Bald Knob . Batesville . Bradford . Cave City . Melbourne . Mnt. View . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Tuckerman
Unity Health Harris Unity Health Newport Welcomes Alison Green, M.D. and Paul Silveri, M.D.
870.523.4600
CHINESE BUFFET
Unity Health is pleased to be adding to our provider base to better serve our community. Starting November 1, 2021, Alison Green, M.D. and Paul Silveri, M.D. will begin accepting patients in Newport. Both Dr. Green and Dr. Silveri specialize in preventative care for all ages including, newborns and treatment of acute and chronic conditions for the entire family. Alison Green, M.D. is the daughter of Dr. Roger Green. She was born and raised in Newport where her dad practiced for many years. She has been practicing since 2014, most recently in Wells, Maine where she and her husband Dr. Silveri practiced together. When not at work, Dr. Green enjoys spending time with family, especially her two sons Arlo (born in 2019) and Alton (born in 2020). She also enjoys sewing, painting, reading and traveling.
While attending high school in Newport she played tennis and plans to pick it up again soon. Paul Silveri, M.D. grew up in nearby Marion, Arkansas and graduated residency in 2015 from UAMS Area Health Education Center Northeast in Jonesboro. Since graduation, he has practiced at Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, Sanford Health, and most recently Wells, Maine. When he’s not working, Dr. Silveri also enjoys spending time with family, cooking, model building, and stand-up paddle boarding. While living on the coast he was an ocean lifeguard for nine years. Dr. Green and Dr. Silveri have practiced together for the last five years and love figuring out tough cases together. They are excited to be back in Arkansas and in Newport, where they feel they can make an impact caring for our community and be closer to family. They will be located in Green Family Practice Clinic at 1200 McLain St, Suite G in Newport. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 870.523.0193. N
HUNAN
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.
112 N Harwood, Newport CLOSED MONDAY Tue - Sat 11-9 Sunday 11-8
ELEVEN YEARS STRONG
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November 2021 13
Local Faces UACCB Celebrates Workforce Training Center Opening Chris Hill A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville’s Workforce Training Center. UACCB opened their new Workforce Training Center in January 2020, but had limited capacity due to COVID-19 restrictions. They held a ceremonial ribbon cutting recently in conjunction with their annual community picnic complete with tours of the facility. UACCB partners with the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, area businesses, and industries to respond to industry needs. Training programs combine classroom learning with hands-on work that allows learners to gain experience in their desired field. “The Workforce Training Center provides
students hands-on experience that replicates industry best practices. These are world-class educational opportunities in our backyard,” said Zach Perrine, Interim Chancellor and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at UACCB. “This center is a key part of our area’s economic
development because these programs are available to adults and high school students. Regardless of where someone is in life, UACCB has a way for them to get involved,” he continued. To search current training opportunities, visit uaccb. coursestorm.com. N
BACC Held Ribbon-Cutting for The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr., Commission Chris Hill A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr., Commission. The Commission was created by Act 1216 of 1993 and is a division of the Arkansas Department of Education. The Commission exists to preserve the legacy of Dr. King, promote the principles of non-violence, and advocate for equality among all citizens. The ribbon-cutting, hosted at First Community Bank, was held to celebrate new partnerships formed in the community. DuShun Scarbrough, Executive Director of The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr., Commission, said joining the Batesville community was a “humbling moment.” “As a state agency, this is a public demonstration of the commission’s commitment to work with the City of Batesville, Independence County, and the great citizens of Batesville,” said
Scarbrough. “Today’s ceremony serves as a tangible reminder of our joint commitment to inspire a lifelong passion for service and education.” Scarborough presented Batesville Mayor Rick Elumbaugh with a gift recognizing the City of Batesville with the Beloved Community Partner Award. Speakers included: Crystal Johnson (Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce), DuShun Scarbrough (Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr., Commission), State Representative Stu Smith, Mayor Rick Elumbaugh (City of Batesville), Dr. Melissa Taverner (Lyon College), Judge Robert Griffin (Independence County), and Jonelle Fulmer (Chair of the Republican Party of Arkansas). To learn more about The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr., Commission visit arkingdream.org. N
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Book Review
Amor Towles’ A Gentleman in Moscow
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tensest moments here. Will their plot work? Whether it works or not, what will the Communists do to Rostov when the plot comes to light? In A Gentleman in Moscow, Towles gives readers a highly likeable central character and a saga-like plot. This novel will appeal to readers of all sorts of fiction, from the romantic to the historical. Look for Towles’s third novel set for release this fall, The Lincoln Highway. You can find a synopsis on Amazon. N
CHINESE BUFFET
The American novelist Amor Towles has a second huge hit in the literary scene. After working for some 20 years as an investment banker in New York, he published his first novel, Rules of Civility, in 2011. When it became a best-seller, he was able to commit himself full-time to writing. In 2016 he published his second novel, A Gentleman in Moscow, which also became a best-seller and is the subject of this review. Towles (rhymes with “bowls”) says he got the idea for A Gentleman in Moscow on a second business trip to Switzerland when he noticed many of the same people at his hotel that he’d noticed the first time he visited. They seemed to be in residence there. So he imagined this scenario for A Gentleman in Moscow: suppose that the Bolsheviks, following their victory in the Russian Revolution, sentenced a Russian aristocrat to a life term under house arrest at the great Metropole Hotel just off Red Square in Moscow. And so the novel begins: in 1922 at age 30, Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov, a wealthy bachelor, receives such a sentence simply for being an aristocrat, barely escaping execution because, luckily, he had published a poem that had inspired the revolutionaries. Rostov must live in in a small attic room meant for servants, but he is allowed to bring a few pieces of family furniture to the room, including one that has a large cache of gold coins hidden in it, coins that a friend secretly exchanges for rubles from time to time, allowing him to dine well at the hotel and order new clothes as needed. But for the next 32 years of the novel, Rostov is confined there under threat of death
if he leaves. What a large life can develop in such a small space! Rostov decides he must work, so he joins the staff of waiters at the hotel and rises to head waiter. After all, as an aristocrat he knows all the rules of fine dining, and the Metropole needs someone who does, for it’s the hotel the Communist officials send all international diplomats to— and eventually come to patronize themselves. It seems even powerful communists like to be treated like aristocrats. Rostov’s relationships with the hotel’s staff and his interactions with those powerful communists form one part of the novel’s plot. Rostov develops love interests, of course, they are of two kinds. His romantic love is for a young Russian actress he comes to know when she stays at the hotel on her visits to Moscow. The ons and offs, ups and downs, of the actress’s career and of their relationship forms a second part of the novel’s plot. Rostov’s parental love is for the daughter (not his) of another young woman he knew first as a child when she’d come with her mother to dine at the hotel restaurant. When she becomes a young woman, she joins an idealistic young communist group working to further the goals of the revolution and has a little girl by a young man in the group. When the young man is sent to Siberia and the young woman prepares to follow him, she begs Rostov to care for her little girl until she returns. But she never returns, so Rostov becomes a father. His fatherly, nurturing relationship with his (now) daughter forms a third part of the plot. When his grown daughter is selected for a ballet troupe’s international tour in 1953, the possibility of her escaping to the West arises. The plot reaches its
HUNAN
Terrell Tebbetts has taught English at Lyon College for over 50 years.
November 2021 17
Teriann Turner is the Advancement Officer for Arkansas State UniversityNewport. She is a graduate of Arkansas State University and has been fortunate enough to call Newport home for nearly a decade.
Cover Story Laura Jane Collier
I first met Mrs. Laura Jane Collier in 2017, when she graciously accepted an invitation to tour the Nursing and Health Professions facilities at Arkansas State University-Newport. That day, as I sat with Laura Collier and a dozen nursing students over lunch, I was amazed at how effortlessly she was able to connect with the group which consisted mostly of millennials and Gen Zers. Collier told us about the special nurses that had cared for her late husband just a year prior. She asked the students why they had chosen to pursue a career in nursing, what their lives were like before enrolling in the program, and about the obstacles that challenged their success. As Mrs. Collier listened to the future nurses share their stories, impressed with their determination; I couldn’t help being impressed by the woman who wanted to help them succeed. That day Laura Collier established an annual scholarship to help nursing students build a brighter future, while I established a deep admiration for this kind woman with a servant’s heart and a knack for connecting with those in need. Laura Henson (Collier) was born March 14, 1935. She has been a resident of Jackson County for the vast majority of her 86 years. Laura played piano in church where she discovered both her faith and her future husband, James, a student at Southern College of Optometry in Memphis. During their 66-year marriage, James and Laura built a family, welcoming daughter, Suzette, in 1956, and son, James David, Jr., in 1959. Together the couple operated a successful optometry practice in Newport. While Dr. Collier tended to patients, Laura worked the front desk and took responsibility for many other aspects of the business. Always one to go above the call of duty, Laura found herself volunteering with the National Optometric Association, eventually serving as President of the organization. In 1997, as Dr. Collier was retiring from his practice of 48 years, the city of Newport was completing construction on the State’s first privately managed prisons. And Laura Jane was feeling led to help the incarcerated. After reaching out to the chaplain for McPherson Women’s Prison, Laura began working as a volunteer, first without credentials, and later as a Certified Religious Assistant (CRA). Collier spent many years working with inmates at the prison, passing out Gideon Bibles, teaching classes and helping newly released inmates adjust to life on the outside. “When you get out of prison, they give you one change of clothes and fifty bucks, then kick you out the door,” said Collier, “Most people don’t realize how many challenges these inmates face once they have been released. It’s why so many of them end up going back.” Whether she was spending her time working with
Eric Shoffner, BPhram, P.D. Pharmacist / Owner
inmates or doing good deeds throughout the community, Laura Collier has always made helping those in need her priority. Her eyes twinkle as she recalls a time, she and her fellow volunteers managed to bag twenty-four thousand cookies in less than two days for a prayer retreat at McPherson Women’s Prison; or the many days she spent running Jackson County in Action, a community food bank. One of Laura’s favorite acts of service has been working with Angel Tree, the program which provides Christmas gifts for children with incarcerated parents. Collier confessed to me her favorite part of the program is, “Being the person delivering the gifts and getting to see the excitement on the faces of the children.” There is no doubt that Laura Collier made quite an impact in the 14 years she spent working with inmates. In 2005, she was recognized as the State’s Volunteer of the Year. Collier was surprised with the award at a dinner and ceremony where she was presented with a plaque commemorating her work as the “Oldest Most Faithful CRA.” Laura Collier has spent the past few years continuing her mission of encouraging individuals with troubled pasts through her work at Project New Start’s Esther House, a women’s recovery home that is known as a place of hope and healing. “I love those girls,” said Collier, “Some of them never had a birthday party, so every birthday or holiday I would buy table decorations, plates, cups and a cake and we’d have a party! They enjoyed those parties so much we started having one almost every week.” She remains in touch with many of the women she has helped over the years, and misses the few who didn’t make it. The octogenarian is wise enough to know she can’t help everyone, but says, “If you can help even one or two then you’ve made a difference. Seeing someone who has made it brings me joy.” When asked about the many lasting relationships she has developed over the years through her volunteer efforts, Collier said, “I discovered that sometimes if they’ve got someone to believe in them and support them even a little, they’ve got a better chance of making it. It’s about being available when you are needed. That’s what it’s all about. It’s what I’ve spent my whole life trying to do, just be there when I am needed.” Mrs. Collier says she has finally started to slow down a bit, but I doubt there will ever be a time she is not giving of herself. Laura can still be found handing out Gideon Bibles or working as a volunteer in the Tickled Pink Boutique at Unity Health Newport. In the four years since starting the Dr. James and Laura Jane Collier Health Professions Scholarship at ASU-Newport, 36 Nursing scholarships have been awarded. Recently, Collier decided to endow the scholarship with a gift of $100,000, guaranteeing that students in need will benefit from her generosity for years to come. We are honored by, appreciatetive of, and wish only the best to this admirable lady of grace. N
1117 Mclain Street Suite 400 Newport, Arkansas 72112 (870) 523-5555 www.iCareRx.com
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124 Cross Creek Road, Ash Flat MLS #21-284 / $249,000
Peaceful cabin w/ serene views of the White River from the large screened in back porch & master bedroom. This 2 bed 1 bath house sits on a 1.11 acre level lot w/large trees overlooking the White River. Cabin features hardwood floors, pine ceilings & large bedrooms. Access to boat launch is just a few hundred feet away.
This mini farm has a 3 Bedroom 2 Bath open floor plan home and is located close to town, but is very secluded and located at end of the road. Property has a barn ready for your needs, and land is partially fenced and there are several fruit trees. There is a well but the house is now on the rural water system.
Eagle Cove, Evening Shade MLS #21-269 / $18,000 Beautiful lake lot with over 160 ft of lake shore in Deer Run subdivision in Evening Shade. Build your dream vacation home or bring your RV and enjoy fishing, kayaking and relax in the peaceful sitting. Lot is gently sloping to the water and has minimal restrictions.
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20 Bald Knob . Batesville . Bradford . Cave City . Melbourne . Mnt. View . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Tuckerman
In The Field with Randy Jupiter and Narrow Brown Leaf Spots
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.
Rice yields were very good in 2021 for most of the farmers that I have spoken to. I have heard some reports, however, of some disappointing Jupiter yields around. This is somewhat surprising as Jupiter and the hybrids are typically ones that we can count on for consistency in a good way. I’m not exactly sure the reason for these lower yields, but some are pointing the finger at narrow brown leaf spot, caused by the Cercospora fungus. This has historically been considered a minor disease, but over the past several years it has been implicated for significantly lower yields on certain varieties in certain years. Symptoms include short, linear, brown lesions found most commonly on leaf blades. The lesions tend to be narrower, shorter, and darker brown on more resistant varieties and wider and lighter brown with gray necrotic centers on susceptible varieties. On lower leaf sheaths, the symptom is a “net blotch” look or spot in which cell walls are dark brown and areas in the cell are tan to yellow. There are several management items that can help
in regard to preventing or reducing yield loss from this disease. Looking at available disease ratings, none of our currently grown varieties are rated as resistant to Cercospora. CLL16, Rice Tec XP753, and the new medium grain Lynx are all rated moderately resistant. CLM04, Diamond, the new long grain Jewel, ProGold 1 and 2, Titan, and the other Rice Tec hybrids are all rated as moderately susceptible. Jupiter, by the way, is rated as susceptible. Although there are differences in susceptibility among rice varieties including the hybrids, resistance can be an unreliable control method due to the ability of the fungus to produce new races. Proper fertility plays a part in disease management. Potash can be especially important. Be sure and maintain at least adequate levels of potassium. Clean fields can eliminate alternate hosts that allow the fungus to survive and infect subsequent rice crops. Weedy rice, in particular, can be more affected by narrow brown leaf spot. In susceptible varieties, apply propiconazole (Tilt) containing fungicides during the boot stage. Fungicides containing propiconazole have shown activity against the Cercospora fungus if applied as recommended. This would coincide with the typical kernel smut and false smut application. For more information, feel free to contact me through Farmers Supply Association by cell at 870-318-0739 (cell) or by e-mail at randychlapecka@gmail.com. N
WWW.KENTSFIRESTONE.COM 1316 E. Main, “at ST. Louis and Main”
ELEVEN YEARS STRONG
eyeonmag.com
eyeonjoseph@eyeonmag.com
November 2021 21
Pebbles’ Farm continues from page 7
Try the freshly squeezed lemonade (the funnel cakes left a little to the imagination, just save your sweet tooth for the Bulldog on your way home). Don’t bring home a barn cat (this one is specifically to my mom.)
Don’t forget the water trough duck game, still a favorite for Cole after ten years. Help little kids play on the teeter totter (Cole Keller, my sweet kid). Buy a Cinderella pumpkin. N
M -Th 10 to 6 / F & S 9 to 5 24 hr book drop
The mission of the Independence County Library is to inspire lifelong learning, advance knowledge, and strengthen our communities. 267 E Main www.indcolib.com 870.793.8814
Monday - Friday 10:00 - 6:00
Saturday 10:00 - 5:00
A Better Choice for Your Main Course
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103 Lindley Lane,Newport Thyme Enough Stuffed Acorn Squash
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.
We had dinner a few nights ago with our friends who live in the suburbs of Locust Grove on the river. Being there is treat enough because it is a beautiful spot, but the food is always mouthwatering. A little aside - these are the friends we’ve made ravioli from scratch with before. His family is Italian, and homemade ravioli is delectable. That night she served baked acorn squash stuffed with sausage, cheese, and good stuff. This meal is not only delicious, but simple and with a salad and a good bread is all you need to have a fine dinner. Unfortunately, I have been unable to contact her for the recipe, so I am about to do something we’ve not done before – write about a recipe untried in our kitchen! This recipe is for two, but could be expanded. Our friend used ground Italian sausage, but said that any combination of ground meats could be used. This one is from Allrecipes.com. Also shown are many variations, including the addition of apples or oranges, or even marmalade for added sweetness. Give it a whirl. I’ll guarantee that Sandy and I will soon!
Stuffed Acorn Squash II from www.allrecipes.com Ingredients: 1 acorn squash halved lengthwise and seeded, salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, cooking spray, ¼ pound lean ground beef, ¼ pound ground pork sausage, vegetable oil, 1 small onion/chopped, 1 clove garlic/minced, and 2 ounces Cheddar cheese/cubed. Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Sprinkle squash with salt and pepper, and lightly spray with cooking oil. Place in a baking dish flesh side down, and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave on high for 10 to 15 minutes, or until flesh is fork-tender. Meanwhile, cook beef and pork in 1 tablespoon of oil on medium high heat until well browned, stirring frequently to crumble. Drain, and set aside. In the same skillet, cook the onion and garlic until onion is translucent. Combine beef and pork with cheese and onions, and spoon mixture into squash halves. Bake, uncovered in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and squash is lightly browned. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot. N
22 Bald Knob . Batesville . Bradford . Cave City . Melbourne . Mnt. View . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Tuckerman
Providing care for the entire family
Alison Green, M.D. | Paul Silveri, M.D. | Tanya Walker. APRN Mon. - Fri. | 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. 1200 McLain St, Suite G | Newport (870) 523-0193
Unity-Health.org
Giving TIS THE SEASON OF
LifeLights
As we reflect on the pandemic that has affected all of us, we think about those there for us in times of need, those who inspire us, those who endure despite facing tremendous challenges, those we love without fail, and those we lost. This season, as you think about these people, consider making a gift in their name to the 2021 White River Health System Foundation Life Lights campaign. When you give to Life Lights, the names of those honored or remembered will be publicly acknowledged on White River Health System’s website and social media pages, displayed in the lobbies at White River Medical Center, and listed in local news publications. Acknowledgement cards will be mailed to the individual honored or families of those remembered. You may choose to make your gift anonymously.
Make a donation at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/liflig. All Life Lights gifts support White River Health System Cancer detection and treatment services.
For more information, call (870) 262-1834 or visit WhiteRiverHealthSystem.com/WRHSFoundation.