Eye On Magazine MARCH 2023

Editor’s Note

Happy New Year?

Joey Thomas

You know, some believe this is the original first month of the year? Makes since, Octa means eight, Decaten. Also, the Spring Equinox seems logical to bounce the new year off just right, doesn’t it?

Either way, it is nice to feel the warmer weather take hold, to see the color of budding flowers, smell their evolving aromas upon the breeze. To run under the sun for awhile.

We hope this season meets You with rejuvinating energy and that all of Your’s are more than well!

Read on to find our offerings of local community news, Hannah Roger’s Buzz on Food, Leigh Keller’s tips on a life well lived, Sandy and Nelson Barnett’s tasty recipes, Randy Chlapecka’s agricultural wisdom, Caroline Beauchamp’s Medicare, Medicaid, and Insurance knowledge, as well as, Michelle Foshee’s Provider Spotlight, and Dr. Terrell Tebbetts in depth Book Reviews!

My next novel (TRIPPING NEVADA; a psychological thriller), will be released May 1, with preorders soon available at Amazon.com & BarnesandNoble.com can find my first two there, Ebook and paperback for those of you who still love the smell and feel of a good book. If you are inclined and enjoy, as I hope You do, leave a review and I’ll keep You updated on the next release. I plan to release one every May 1, until Hollywood woos me and has other ideas. N

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Stephen Ko to our team! Dr. Ko uses state-of-the-art technology to provide radiation therapy services for cancer treatment. Radiation therapy is one of many cancer treatment options. Dr. Ko works with individual patients to plan the best course of treatment depending on the type of cancer, stage of the disease, and overall health of the patient.

THIS PUBLICATION IS PRODUCED BY: MeadowLand Media, Inc. / 504 Guffey St. / Newport, AR 72112 870.503.1150 / eyeonjoseph@eyeonmag.com. ASSOCIATE EDITOR / CREATIVE DIRECTOR / AD DESIGN: Joey Thomas ADVERTISING / PUBLISHER / MANAGING EDITOR: Kimberlee Thomas, PROOFING DEPARTMENT: Joey Thomas, Kimberlee Thomas STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS: Kimberlee Thomas, Joey Thomas, Robert O. Seat PRINTING COMPANY: MAGNA PUBLISHING COMPANY

Eye On Magazine is a publication of MeadowLand Media, Incorporated. Editorial, advertising and general business information can be obtained by calling (870) 503-1150 or emailing Kimberlee Thomas at kthomas@eyeonmag.com. Mailing address: 504 Guffey Street / Newport, AR 72112. Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements, unless otherwise noted, do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Publisher or the staff. Every effort has been made to ensure that all information presented in this issue is accurate and neither MeadowLand Media or it any of its staff is responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. Copyright © 2010 MeadowLand Media, Incorporated. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without the permission in writing from the Publisher. All pictorial material reproduced in this book has been accepted on the condition that it is reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent of the photographer concerned. As such, MeadowLand Media, Incorporated, is not responsible for any infringement of copyright or otherwise arising out of publication thereof.

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

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

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

87% Medical school acceptance rate over the last 20 years–more than double the national average of 41%

11:1 student-to-faculty ratio

Here at Lyon College, students don’t just earn a degree. They don’t just have the college experience. They find their why Small class sizes, dedicated staff and faculty, and our mission to nourish the whole person and not just the student is what makes Lyon different. Our liberal arts education creates a fuller, richer understanding of your community and yourself, while also preparing you for your future. Take the first step to finding your why at lyon.edu

Cover Photos by Storyteller Images

Cover Design by Joey Thomas

Tasty Talk

The Buzz on Food

to a garden as both honey and native bees help fruit set and produce higher yields. Bumble bees improve the fruit set and size of tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants, as they vibrate the flowers and shake pollen loose from the anthers. In contrast, leafy greens, cole crops, root crops, legumes, and tuber crops do not require bees to produce an edible harvest.

Bees are a major contributor to floral landscapes and provide nourishing habitats for other animals. They pollinate about 80% of all flowering plants, in which one bee colony is known for pollinating 300 million flowers each day. So, it would make sense that they would be beneficial for a garden.

Pollination is the deposit of pollen grains from the anther (male structure) to the pistil (female structure) of the same plant species. Successful pollination results in the production of viable seeds and a fruit to protect them. While most crop plants are pollinated by insects or wind, many fruits and vegetables require or benefit from insect pollination. Common insect pollinators include butterflies, flies, and bees being the most important

If you notice your garden is producing female flowers, but no fruit develops, then the problem may be a lack of pollinators. Even fruit trees require proper pollination to produce an edible harvest. The amount of fruit or vegetables being produced is a result of how many times bees have visited that tree or plant. If you do not have bees, hand pollination can be conducted on plants by taking a paintbrush to gather the pollen inside the male flower and transferring it to the stigmas of an open female flower. This works best if done in the early morning when the anthers are open. Shaking tomato, pepper, and eggplant plants in the early morning can also be done in place of having pollinators. However, creating a pollinator habitat near the garden

to attract bees is the best long-term solution for a good garden production without the time consuming task of hand pollinating all the plants.

Attracting pollinators is as simple as planting native flowering plants for a season-long bloom in or near the garden. Having a nesting habitat for ground and cavity-nesting bees is beneficial for their protection. Avoid spraying insecticides and fungicides on flowering plants or fruit trees just before or during bloom, as they are toxic to bees. All types of bees are essential pollinators, but honey bees also produce honey that can be harvested and consumed.

Over the past decade, the bee population has drastically declined. By working to create safe habitats for them, we are ensuring a higher yield of our florals and food crops. Home gardens especially benefit from bees, as the fruit set and higher crop yields with less human effort. For more information on bees and creating a habitat for them in your yard, contact the Old Regional Independence Museum. They have an educational bee class every first Saturday of the month. N

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

Things To Do

Batesville

Chess, a Lyon College Musical Theatre Production on ThursdaySaturday, Feb. 9-11, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 12, 2 p.m., will be in the Sloan Auditorium, Brown Fine Arts Building. Lyon College, 2300 Highland Rd., Batesville. Kristian Ameigh, Stage Director With original music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA and lyrics by Ulvaeus and Tim Rice, “Chess” is the story of an American chess champion, his Russian opponent who defects to the west, and a Hungarian born American who transfers her affections from the American to the Russian. $10 general admission; free admission for Lyon College students, faculty and staff with ID.

Jerry Fields and the Journey of Jazz, Monday, Feb. 20, 7:30 p.m. in Sloan Auditorium, Brown Fine Arts Building on Lyon College Campus, 2300 Highland Rd., Batesville. Atlanta-based jazz trio presents an evening of jazz music with special guests Eric South and Tim Crouch. The free event is open to the public.

Heritage Market, Sat., March 4th 10am-4pm at First Baptist Church (610 E. Main St.). Come enjoy a fun experience with us celebrating our history! This family-friendly event includes unique shopping, photo booth, era games, State Park Interpreter, Living History, Civil War Re-enactors, and more. Admission is free, but asking for a non-perishable food donation for the church food pantry.

Mountain View

Arkansas Craft School

https://arkansascraftschool.org/calendar

Sept 6, 2022: 16 Week Training Program

Newport

www.facebook.com/newportarchamber

Also see newportarcity.org/calendar/ N

870.269.8397

Adult Education

Welcome to BAD BOY COUNTRY

Unity Health Harris

Provider Spotlight | Don Pate, M.D.

Dr. Pate has been practicing in our community since 2011. He is a boardcertified General Surgeon, Fellow American College of Surgeons. For our community he is our general surgeon, a hospitalist, and over sees the New Vision drug addiction withdrawal program at the hospital.

Pate has been practicing medicine for thirty-one years; he has five years of residency training and twenty-six years of private practice experience. He received his training at the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon, Georgia. After training he had a private practice in Sparta, Tennessee from 1996 until 2011. He then relocated to Newport and has been here since. Dr.

Pate decided to go into medicine because his first son was born prematurely, and he spent several weeks with him at a NICU at Georgia Baptist in Atlanta. It’s here that Dr. Pate became intrigued with medicine and decided to pursue a career in healthcare. He went back to school and completed his pre-requisites, took the MCAT and got accepted into medical school.

Dr. Pate understands the family side of medical situations, as his experience is what lead him to this career, and he is passionate about the care they receive. When not at the hospital working, Pate enjoys playing golf. He is an avid golfer and has shot his age several times. He also enjoys spending time with his family, who are all Newport natives and Newport High School graduates or will be, Kay class of ’94, Ella class of ’24 and Evin class of ’30. As the picture suggests, “I love my family and we love the beach,” says Pate. Dr. Pate is always willing to lend a helping hand and Unity Health and our community are lucky to

have him as part of our team.

Dr. Pate practices at Unity Health Newport Surgical Clinic at 1117 McLain St., Suite 600 in Newport. Office Hours are Monday through Thursday 8 a.m.5 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. To schedule an appointment, please call (870) 523.6796. N

Provider Spotlight |

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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.

Tales of a Transplanted Fashionista

Changing Seasons

It’s no secret that transitioning to Junior High or High School has its struggles, so my child was definitely not immune from those. With the arrival of 7th grade came new classes, new and old friends, and a year of maturity and adjustment under his belt (or under his athletic shorts and hoodie). Cole made the decision over the summer between 6th and 7th to join the 7th grade basketball team, a giant leap for his self confidence and for my own mama heart.

On “Basketball Days” (A Days), I found myself waiting on pins and needles to hear how practice was, how many reps he got in and if he got to practice a lot. Our little family schedule from November-February involved me getting donations from other amazing mamas for snack bags for the boys, and chasing a bus to games all over Northeast Arkansas. I changed the chairs in the back of my car from soccer mom chairs to basketball chairs, and figured out how to like concessions stand food (and the easiest route to Paragould during the crazy rain). Cole picked up some training sessions with a coach on the side who pushes him to clean up his diet, work on his form, and encourages him to continue to work hard. My own mother created a fan base for herself along the way, and perhaps did not make any friends in several gyms too (Mountain Home, I promise not to bring her back).

This season he did learn a lot about himself, and I enjoy getting to watch him dig in. He is a good team player who loves to cheer on his teammates, whether he is on the bench on in the game, a rare quality in so

many humans. As a counselor myself, I love to cheer for his teammates, and I hate to see their shoulders drop when they miss a shot, when they miss a pass, and when they don’t feel like they played their best. There are so many life lessons in sports, and so many of those are not learned in the wins, they are learned in the losses. I know that coaches feel that pressure to win all the time, but in the big picture, kids learn so much more from losing, discussing why they lost and what they could do differently, and making healthy changes for the next practice or game.

I can’t wait to see what Cole does with his one big life, and how he’s going to use that sense of humor and bright light to help those around him. I realize that he is learning so much every day about how to respond to criticism, how to work as a team, and how he can use what he is learning from his trainer to apply to his every day life on the basketball court, in the classroom and in his life in general. I’m just so glad every day to get a front row seat to his life, whether it be a soccer mom chair, basketball bleacher seat or a seat at our dining

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.

Seniors, Can We Talk?

Happy Valentine’s Day Gifts

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?’.

Remember last month I told you about Ruth’s brother, Greg, passing away after several long illnesses? Well, as soon as I saw Ruth for our monthly lunch, she wished me Happy Valentine’s Day then started talking about Toni, Greg’s widow/Ruth’s sister-in-law.

“Guess what’s going on with Toni?” Ruth said. I immediately took a deep breath and said “What?” (thinking something bad had happened to Toni; kinda the natural first thing you think, right?).

It was good news. Toni had gotten two (2) Happy Valentine’s Day gifts.

Toni has a wonderful support group. Both her sister (Linda) and her best friend (Judy) have been thinking about moving closer to her. In fact, their move is Toni’s Valentine’s Day gift from them! They just unpacked and are planning their Happy Valentine’s Day celebration with Toni!

Since her sister moved from Florida and her best friend moved from southern Arkansas, they must make some changes to their Medicare health insurance plans. Why? With a Medicare Prescription plan, the plans available are determined by the state you live in. With a Medicare Advantage plan, the plans available are based on the county or zip code you live in.

Linda had enrolled in a Medicare Supplement plan and Prescription plan while living in Florida. She may keep her Medicare Supplement plan, since there is no Special Enrollment Period to enroll in an Arkansas Medicare Supplement plan (a Special Enrollment Period allows you to change plans without answering medical questions). Her premium may change since she’s now an Arkansas resident.

Linda must enroll in a different Medicare Prescription plan. Medicare Prescription plans are specific to the state you reside in. Linda is making a list of prescriptions she takes, the dosages and the pharmacy she uses so I can review prescription plans with her.

Once I have Linda’s list of prescriptions, I’ll get her medical history. Based on her medical history

she may be eligible for a Medicare Supplement plan that would save her money.

Judy has a Medicare Advantage plan. Since Medicare Advantage plans are specific to the county or zip code you live in, Judy will have to change her plan. The good thing is that based on her move she qualifies for a Special Election/Enrollment Period (SEP) and can change plans now without being concerned about being turned down. Judy is gathering her information.

In addition to her prescription information, she will need to include her list of doctors. In reviewing plans for Judy, we want to make certain her existing doctors and any new doctors are in the plan’s network (the plan’s network is the providers who accept the plan and accept the benefits the plan provides). Judy takes several prescriptions and sees several specialists so this is really important that her providers accept her plan.

I’m excited for Toni that her sister and best friend are here with her.

I hope you have a Happy Valentine’s Day. Please call me at 501-868-6650 and say “Caroline, can we talk about what’s going on with me?” N

Local Faces

Lyon College Music Department’s Spring 2023 Schedule

Carol Langston

From classical, jazz and Celtic music to a musical-theatre production and student creative arts and research forum, the Lyon College Music department has something for everyone this spring – with most events free and open to the public. Location for all events is the Brown Fine Arts Building on the Lyon College campus, 2300 Highland Rd., Batesville.

The spring 2023 season got underway Sunday, Jan. 29 with a guest faculty recital, “The Magic of the Piano,” featuring Harding University professor and director of piano studies Scott Carrell.

Following is Lyon College’s spring 2023 schedule of music events:

“Chess” / Lyon College Musical Theatre Production, Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 9-11, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, 2 p.m. in the Sloan Auditorium, Brown Fine Arts Building, Lyon College, 2300 Highland Rd., Batesville. Kristian Ameigh is Stage Director, with original music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA and lyrics by Ulvaeus and Tim Rice. “Chess” is the story of an American chess champion, his Russian opponent who defects to the west, and a Hungarian born American who transfers her affections from the American to the Russian. $10 general admission; free admission for Lyon College students, faculty and staff with ID.

Jerry Fields and the Journey of Jazz, Monday, Feb. 20, 7:30 p.m. at the Sloan Auditorium, Brown Fine Arts Building Lyon College, 2300 Highland Rd., Batesville. Atlanta-based jazz trio presents an evening of jazz music with special guests Eric South and Tim Crouch. The free event is open to the public.

World Music Night, Thursday, March 16, 5 p.m. in the Bevens Music Room, Brown Fine Arts Building, Lyon College, 2300 Highland Rd., Batesville. A celebration of Celtic music and music from around the world. The free event is open to the public.

Quapaw String Quartet, Sunday, March 26 at 3 p.m. in the Bevens Music Room, Brown Fine Arts Building, Lyon College, 2300 Highland Rd., Batesville. Founded in 1980 as the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra resident quartet, the Quapaw Quartet will perform selections of old and new masterpieces from the string quartet canon. The free event is open to the public.

Composers Forum, Thursday, March 30, Noon in the Bevens Music Room, Brown Fine Arts Building, Lyon College, 2300 Highland Rd., Batesville. Lyon College composers will premiere their own works, performed by campus musicians. The free event is open to the public.

2023 Student Creative Arts and Research Forum (SCARF), Wednesday, April 12, 4:30-8:30 p.m. in the Sloan Auditorium and Bevens Music Room, Brown Fine Arts Building, Lyon College, 2300 Highland Rd., Batesville. Organized by Lyon College’s Mortar Board chapter and SCARF Committee, the event features Lyon College students, who will showcase their research, art and projects. The free event is open to the public.

Faculty Recital: Die schöne Müllerin (The Beautiful Miller’s Daughter) D 795 by Franz Schubert. Michael Oriatti, Tenor, Kristian Ameigh, Piano, Saturday, April 15, 3 p.m. in the Bevens Music Room, Brown Fine Arts Building, Lyon College, 2300 Highland Rd., Batesville. A musical offering of the 20 songs comprising the 1823 song cycle by Schubert. The free event is open to the public.

Gospel Choir Concert: “The Promised Hope”, Sunday, April 16, 4 p.m. in the Sloan Auditorium, Brown Fine Arts Building, Lyon College, 2300 Highland Rd., Batesville. Barretta Robinson, Director / Sonya Rucker, Assistant Director / Justin Shaw, Accompanist. The Lyon College Gospel Choir joins guest gospel choirs from the region in prayerful songs of praise. The free event is open to the public.

Student Recital, Tuesday, April 18, 7:30 p.m. in the Sloan Auditorium, Brown Fine Arts Building, Lyon College, 2300 Highland Rd., Batesville. Lyon College music students perform vocal and instrumental selections of classical and popular music. The free event is open to the public.

Spring Band Concert, Tuesday, April 25, 7:30 p.m. in the Sloan Auditorium, Brown Fine Arts Building, Lyon College, 2300 Highland Rd., Batesville. Fredrick Brown, Conductor. The Lyon College Symphonic Winds and Jazz Band perform under the direction of Fredrick Brown. Reception will follow in Bevens Music Room. The free event is open to the public.

Spring Choral Concert, Friday, April 28, 7:30 p.m. in the Sloan Auditorium, Brown Fine Arts Building, Lyon College, 2300 Highland Rd., Batesville. Michael Oriatti, Conductor. The Lyon College Concert Chorale and Batesville Choral Society perform choral music from the Early to Modern repertoire. The free event is open to the public.

Duo Senior Lecture/Recital, Garrett Russell and Logan Richerson, Saturday, May 6, 7:30 p.m. in the Bevens Music Room, Brown Fine Arts Building, Lyon College, 2300 Highland Rd., Batesville. A lecture and performance of the new album project re-envisioning folk music from the John Quincy Wolf collection. The free event is open to the public.

ASUN Nursing Students Earn 90% Pass Rate on National Exam

Jeremy Shirley

Arkansas State University-Newport is proud to announce the traditional Registered Nursing students, who graduated in December 2022, achieved a 90.4% pass rate on the NCLEX, the National Licensing Examination for Nurses.

Of the students who took the exam, 19 passed on their first attempt, demonstrating the high-quality education and training they received at ASU-Newport.

Nursing is a high-demand career field, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting that employment of registered nurses will grow 7% between now and 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by an aging population and increasing demand for healthcare services. ASU-Newport is committed to providing students with a strong education and hands-on experience that prepares them for successful careers in the healthcare industry.

For more information about the nursing program at Arkansas State University-Newport, please visit www. asun.edu/programs/nursing N

ASU-Newport to Join Athletic Association

Jeremy Shirley

Arkansas State University-Newport is the newest member of the National Junior College Athletic

Association (NJCAA). ASU-Newport received the news of its acceptance on Thursday, January 19, 2023.

With this new affiliation, ASU-Newport will begin the process of starting two sports teams including men’s basketball and women’s softball. These teams will participate in Region 2 of the NJCAA at the Division II level.

ASU-Newport is joining several other Arkansas 2-year colleges including ASU-Mid South, ASU-Mountain Home, National Park College, Northwest Arkansas Community College and South Arkansas Community College. N

Chamber of Commerce Gala Draws Sold Out Crowd

Chris Hill

The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce’s (BACC) Annual Meeting and Gala was held on January 27, at the Batesville Community Center. The “Night at the Oscars” themed event attracted five hundred guests and awarded outstanding businesses and individuals for the first time post-pandemic.

The event followed an “Oscars” format, with TikTok comedic sensation Jaron Myers hosting the awards portion of the show. Among those winning awards were: Lifeplus International (Excellence in Business); Excel by 8’s LENA project (Community Collaboration); Community Insurance Professionals (Excellence in Customer Focus); Jennifer Sandage, Chief Nursing Officer for White River Health (Leader in Health Care); Batesville School District’s Pioneers RISE (Leader in Education); Southside Family Chiropractic (New Member of

the Year); and Tammy Foster of First Community Bank (Chamber Ambassador of the Year).

The 2022 Leadership Batesville Class also graduated from the 9-month program Friday night. Graduates include Kevin Bledsoe (Batesville School District), Amy Bullard (UACCB), Taylor Cothern (M & A Jones Construction, a FARCO Company), Kristi Cox (Batesville School District), Katherine Dunegan (Gross Therapy Services), Mary Duvall (Bad Boy Mowers), Carson Grant (White River Planning and Development District), Angie Hooker (Citizens Bank), David Justice (City of Batesville), Jordan Layrock (Bad Boy Mowers), Ronald Mergy (Grandhands.org), Micah Moody (White River Health), Justin Russell (The Bank of Cave City), Karen Savell (Citizens Bank), Brittney Scarbrough), Cassandra Skelton (Centennial Bank), Kristopher Wyatt (Ozark Technology).

BACC Staff with Jaron Myers.

Leader in Education - Pioneers RISE - Batesville School District.

Reservations are now being accepted for the Adventure First Travel Club’s tour next fall of the “Belles of the South” – Charleston, Savannah and Jekyll Island – three classic American destinations dripping with Spanish moss and steeped in history. Charleston, S.C., is regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in America.

Sarah Barnhill, a Paragould native, is a Crowley's Ridge College graduate. In her new role as BACC’s Director of Membership and Programs, Barnhill will strengthen and grow the Chamber network by collaborating with members to understand their objectives, seeking and sharing the most innovative strategies and best practices, connecting and guiding partnerships, and delivering training and programs that drive business growth.

Excellence in Business - LifePlus.

Leader in Education - Excel by 8Lena Project.

Leader in Health Care - Jennifer Sandage - White River Health.

More, “Night At The Oscars” Chamber Gala!

Leadership Batesville - class of 2022.

Southside Robotics Competition Win

Rachel Harville

Congratulations to the Southside Junior High and Senior High Robotics teams for their wins at the NAESC Robotics Competition. The competition was hosted by the Northcentral Arkansas Education Service Cooperative (NAESC) on Monday, Feb 7, 2023 .

The Kool-Aid Crusaders team made up of Adrian Ziranda-Ring , DJ Brown, Kyle Minyen, and Jayden Halsell won first prize in the competition by successfully completing several rounds of clawbot missions. The particular games and scoring software for this competition were invented by Southside’s own Zander Johnson and other Robotics students.

Southside had five junior high teams and three senior high teams compete. “These students got a chance to display their hard work, strategic thinking and creativity with these clawbots,” states Southside Robotics sponsor Daniel Powers. “It was a fun day full of challenging competition and it’s always nice to bring home a trophy!” Congratulations Southside Robotics! N

The Life of the Party

Macy Bryant was three years old when we first brought you her story in March of 2016. Seven years have quickly come and gone; I felt a pull to reach out to her mom recently to see how things were going for the family and Macy. Ronda was quick to let me know that during those 7 years Macy has continued to flourish and the family has continued to evolve.

Macy was born from an uncomplicated pregnancy. Soon after birth she was diagnosed failure to thrive. After several hospital stays and numerous tests, she was diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome at 5 months of age. Angelman Syndrome is caused by a partial deletion or mutation on Chromosome 15. It causes severe developmental delays, debilitating seizures, lack of speech, and motor delays. Ronda recalled, “When she was diagnosed, we were told she would not be able to walk, talk, or learn, and to prepare for her to be a “vegetable.” Our family decided that very day, that the prognosis given wouldn’t work for us and that Macy would be given every opportunity for success.” The family began supporting Angelman Syndrome research through this process, as well. Through fundraising efforts, such as the Macy’s Stroll and Roll, over $45,000 has been raised in honor of Macy for the Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics (FAST). Josh and Ronda have been invited twice over the last few years, to travel with a small group representing FAST, to visit with scientists working on the cure for Angelman Syndrome.

Macy’s diagnosis has lead both of her parents to

take new career directives. Josh went to nursing school and became a registered nurse. Ronda, a certified teacher, went into special education in order to help other students and families reach their potential. During the summer of 2019, the family relocated to Northwest Arkansas. Josh is now the Vice President of Business Development for Home Helpers, which provides home care services for seniors and those with complex healthcare needs. Ronda is now with the Siloam Springs School District working in the District Special Education Central Office as a special education designee.

As for Macy, she just celebrated her 10th birthday. She is in her 6th year of competitive gymnastics, competing in the HUGS* special needs division. When she began competing, she was the first HUGS competitor in the state of Arkansas; now Arkansas has seen a growth in HUGS athletes and competitors. Macy has competed in national level competitions for gymnastics, and was even the 2019 AAU Sapphire National Champion! She also, began riding horses at the age of 2. Ronda shared, “She still loves horses, and always seems at peace when in the saddle.” This past year, Macy began competing with the Lincoln Riding Club and does extremely well each competition. She has been very active in Special Olympics from a young age, as well. This past fall, she won 1st place in the Area 3 Bowling competition, sending her to state competition, where she placed 2nd in the state. She is also a member of the inaugural Siloam Springs Special

Macy after a gymnastics meet.

Family; Macy, Josh, big sister Emma, little brother Miller, Ronda.

Macy and Josh at Silver Dollar City.

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.

Olympics Cheer Team. As if she wasn’t busy enough, Macy started taking dance this year, where she has many friends who love to dance with her. Like any typical 10 year old girl, she loves hanging out with her friends. Ronda stated, “Macy is always the life of the party and can put a smile on anyone’s face!”

* HUGS is a division within USA Gymnastics. USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for the sport in the United States. It gets this designation from the U.S. Olympic Committee and the International Gymnastics Federation. HUGS, Hope Unites Gymnastics with Special Athletes, goal is to encompass all special needs competitive programs, which includes: Women’s Artistic, Men’s Artistic, Rhythmic, Trampoline and TeamGym. N

Competing for Riding Club on her 10th birthday with mom and dad.

Macy in the water.

Book Review

LESSONS by Ian McEwan

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

English novelist Ian McEwan became widely known in America when the movie based on his novel “Atonement” starring Keira Knightly and James McAvoy won a host of awards. I was reading him before that and have continued reading him afterward. I even reviewed his 2021 novel “Machines Like Me” in these pages two years ago.

McEwan now has a new novel out, one titled “Lessons.” Not being one to repeat himself, McEwan has come up with a whole different kind of story. In “Lessons,” he portrays the life story of an Englishman named Roland Baines. Born in the late 1940s and in his 70s as the novel concludes in 2021, Baines is a Boomer. McEwan makes the story of his life into the story of the Baby Boom generation.

Earlier generations did as my father and grandfather did: they settled on a single career and stayed with it, often spending decades with the same company. Boomers are different: they change careers an

average of seven times in their working years.

So McEwan’s Baines never settles on a single career. During the life portrayed in the novel, he works in construction in his youth, travels widely (and cheaply) in his 20s, plays in a band, teaches tennis, and ends up a lounge pianist in one of London’s fine old hotels. In his school days, he played like a piano prodigy, capable of becoming a concert pianist. But Baines never even tries for that. He drifts.

Earlier generations respected the teachings of Christian churches even if they were not members, giving churches considerable influence over personal and public life, as when they played roles in ending slavery and fighting racism. Boomers and their children have detached from religion, with both belief in God and church membership falling, with the influence of churches sometimes being challenged in court. Baines is such a Boomer. He claims no religion and, from time to time, inveighs against churches, their leaders, and their influence.

Earlier generations married young and started families; that pattern, in fact, produced the children who became the Boomer generation.

Boomers, on the other hand, invented the “new morality” in which cohabitation without marriage became common. Baines starts having sex at 14 and has many lovers in arrangements he calls “serial monogamy.”

Baines finally marries in his late 30s, and he and his wife Alissa have a son when he’s 38. But his wife abandons husband and son, leaving Baines to rear little Lawrence on his own. He rises to the task rather than handing Lawrence over for adoption, and, as he returns to his pattern of “serial monogamy,” his son becomes the only steady and continuing relationship in his entire life beyond his sometime lover and all-time friend Daphne, whom he finally marries in his 60s but loses to cancer just months later.

Baines’ and Alissa’s parents provide a foil to two elements of Baines’ Boomer lifestyle. Both sets of parents have marriages that last through decades and end only on death. And both fathers pursue lifelong careers. McEwan challenges readers to consider if these parents’ lives provide more personal fulfillment and contribute more to their communities than Baines’ life does.

Runaway wife Alissa provides a foil

Bar routine at gymnastics meet.

After State Bowling competition. Playing outside with Miller on her bike.

to another element of Baines’ Boomer lifestyle. She leaves him to return to Germany, where her English mother and German father raised her. She does so to concentrate on writing. She had written two unpublished novels and decided she had to be free of all relationships and work single-mindedly on writing if she was going to grow as a novelist.

Though she does not seek a divorce, Alissa never establishes another relationship, living an almost hermit-like existence through the ensuing decades. She alienates herself from her parents, publishing a memoir blaming them for giving her a miserable childhood. She turns away her son when he seeks her out as a young adult. She has only her housekeeper, her cigarettes, and her booze as constant companions.

But she does grow as a novelist, becoming renowned in Germany and throughout the world as Germany’s greatest novelist, always rumored to be in line for the next Nobel Prize in Literature. Baines himself admires her work.

As with the two sets of parents, McEwan leads readers to consider Alissa’s single-minded achievement in comparison to Baines’ directionless drift through life: which has more personal fulfillment? Which contributes best to the world they live in? Baines’ only achievement is rearing Lawrence into a fine young man, who is a researcher, a husband, and a father at the end of the novel. Which is of greater value—Lawrence and his life or Alissa’s great novels?

Readers who love life sagas and enjoy weighing such questions will enjoy “Lessons,” perhaps finding a number of lessons in these characters’ lives.

In The Field with Randy

Burndown

March is here and it’s time to get to the field. It’s been a wet February and about the only field work has been done with an airplane. It’s time to think about burndown herbicide programs if you haven’t started one already. Most are using burndown herbicide programs in one form or another. Burndown herbicide programs are used to keep fields clean where stale seedbed or no-till systems are going to be planted with no further tillage. They are also often used to keep the weed situation manageable which allows the fields to warm up and dry up more quickly in situations where tillage is planning on being used.

Roundup or Gramoxone are typically the base herbicide for most burndown applications. In general, I recommend Roundup before pigweeds start emerging and Gramoxone after. Depending on the weeds present and plantback intervals to other crops, I typically recommend tank mixing other herbicides such as 2,4-D, FirstShot, or Sharpen with the Roundup to broaden the spectrum of control on weeds that Roundup is weak on and for control of Roundup-resistant weeds.

If you’re considering Gramoxone, look at using a PSII inhibiting herbicide in a tank mix with Gramoxone. PSII inhibiting herbicides help the Gramoxone get into the plant better. Gramoxone is an outstanding contact herbicide but doesn’t translocate into the plant very well itself. For that reason, control may be lacking on some weeds because of that failure to translocate into the weed plant. The addition of the PSII inhibitor herbicides (metribuzin before soybeans, atrazine or metribuzin before corn or milo, or diuron before cotton) help the Gramoxone get into the plant and therefore raise the level of control. If you look at the ratings in the MP-44, many of the weed ratings from Gramoxone are increased 1 or 2 points with the addition of the PSII. There is not a PSII available to use in front of rice.

Another burndown situation becoming more common every year is ryegrass. There was some use of preemergence herbicides last fall to keep ryegrass from emerging and that is what I recommend especially where we know we have a problem. Dual, Zidua, or Anthem Flex can be used if corn, grain sorghum, or soybeans are going to be planted the following spring. Boundary can only be used if soybeans are going to be planted the following spring. Command got a label last fall to be used if rice is going to be planted the following spring. These herbicides should typically be applied in late October/early November.

In burndown situations in late winter/early spring, clethodim (Select and generic Select formulations such as

Section Three) can be used prior to jointing of the ryegrass. After jointing, we need to switch to Gramoxone or preferably Gramoxone plus a PSII if rice is not the crop to be planted. It may take 2 applications to get adequate control.

A residual herbicide such as Valor should be considered to keep fields clean after a burndown. Remember there is a 30 day plantback to everything except soybeans and peanuts when using Valor.

Always consider plantback intervals with any of these herbicides with soil activity. For 2,4-D, the plantback is 28 days for cotton, 21 days for rice, 14 days for soybeans, and 7 days for corn and grain sorghum. For FirstShot, the plantback is 14 days for corn, grain sorghum, and cotton. It is 7 days for soybeans and 0 days for rice. With Sharpen, there could be concern for soybeans planted on extremely sandy soils, and there is a 3 month plantback to cotton and 5 months to peanuts. Don’t forget that there is a 30 day plantback for rice, corn, and grain sorghum when following a clethodim application.

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

Notes from the Clearing

Joey Thomas

The majestic tree, rooted in the beautiful meadow, stands proud below the volley of birds that come and go, flitting, flying, and gluiding. All under the canvas of sky where clouds roil and turn, stretch and fade, while the lowly fungus bloom to gather in circles and bloom along, in the footsteps of man. Which means more, or might they all hold equivalence in the epic scheme of it all? Is the breath of a blade of grass really less important than the snorted retort of a giant Sperm Whale? Mosquito? And, who thinks they get to decided? N

Randy Chlapecka is an agronomist with Farmers Supply Association, retired from the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture - Cooperative Extension Service where he served as a County Extension Agent for over 32 years. He is an avid ASU Red Wolves fan and has announced Newport Greyhound sporting events since 1996. He also enjoys vegetable gardening.

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