New Hope Refuge
first community bank ’s
YOUTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT
Come join the fun! Teach your children the importance of saving by opening a Youth Savings Account for them. No minimum to open and no monthly service fee* Interest paid quarterly at current Youth Savings rate (subject to change) Unlimited deposits, up to 6 withdrawals per statement cycle. A withdrawal fee of $1 will be charged for each debit in excess of six per statement cycle.** Club membership kit when you sign up
Each Member that saves over $100 will receive a Free Squirrel Squad T-Shirt!
firstcommunity.net | 870.612.3400 BATESVILLE 1325 Harrison St. • 3 Eagle Mountain Blvd. • 301 E. Main St. SOUTHSIDE 1 Allen Chapel Rd. CAVE CITY 102 S. Main St. NEWPORT 2525 Malcolm Ave. CHEROKEE VILLAGE/HIGHLAND 1 Iroquois Dr. *Checking accounts without activity may be charged dormant account fees. **Transfers or withdrawals from the account to another account or to third parties by pre-authorized, automatic or telephone transfer are included in the six transactions per statement cycle.
Editor’s Note May Day
Joey Thomas We hope you are all doing more than well this fine day in May when you are getting to see this. The wind and rain have had its way with us in April and we are mowing and walking and prepping the pool for the warmer days ahead. So far, just one warm day to speak of, not bad for this time of year. The grandkids ballgames have just started and we have four playing on different teams at various times, hoping to make them all. May you get to all of your running with your health and heart intact! Thank you for grabbing us up yet again, and read on to see what all falls between our pages to entertain, educate, and heal you! We wish you and yours all the good stuff! N
AQUABLATION
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FROM BPH BPH, or an enlarged prostate, is a non-cancerous condition where the prostate has grown to be larger than normal. 1 in 2 men ages 51 to 60 have BPH, and the incidence increases every decade of life. If left untreated, BPH can cause significant health problems, including irreversible bladder or kidney damage, bladder stones, and incontinence. Aquablation therapy provides an alternative to traditional BPH surgical options. FOR MORE INFORMATION contact the WRMC Surgery Clinic.
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THIS PUBLICATION IS PRODUCED BY: MeadowLand Media, Inc. / 504 Guffey St. / Newport, AR 72112 870.503.1150 / eyeonjoseph@eyeonmag.com. ASSOCIATE EDITOR / CREATIVE DIRECTOR / AD DESIGN: Joey Thomas ADVERTISING / PUBLISHER / MANAGING EDITOR: Kimberlee Thomas, PROOFING DEPARTMENT: Joey Thomas, Kimberlee Thomas STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS: Kimberlee Thomas, Joey Thomas, Robert O. Seat PRINTING COMPANY: MAGNA PUBLISHING COMPANY Eye On Magazine is a publication of MeadowLand Media, Incorporated. Editorial, advertising and general business information can be obtained by calling (870) 503-1150 or emailing Kimberlee Thomas at kthomas@eyeonmag.com. Mailing address: 504 Guffey Street / Newport, AR 72112. Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements, unless otherwise noted, do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Publisher or the staff. Every effort has been made to ensure that all information presented in this issue is accurate and neither MeadowLand Media or it any of its staff is responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. Copyright © 2010 MeadowLand Media, Incorporated. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without the permission in writing from the Publisher. All pictorial material reproduced in this book has been accepted on the condition that it is reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent of the photographer concerned. As such, MeadowLand Media, Incorporated, is not responsible for any infringement of copyright or otherwise arising out of publication thereof.
Cover Photos by Storyteller Images Cover Design by Joey Thomas
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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.
Welcome to BAD BOY COUNTRY
4 Batesville . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Tuckerman
BEGIN IN YOUR HOMETOWN Transfer to complete your Bachelor’s degree. With over 70 transfer agreements with universities across the state, UACCB has options for everyone.
Registration is ongoing. 870-612-2000 www.uaccb.edu
In This Issue 3/ Editor’s Note
21/ In The Field with Randy
6/ Tasty Talk
22/ Thyme Enough
May Day
Rice, Corn, Soybeans
A Biblical Diet: Beans & Lentils
Cheesy Chicken with a Tad of Modernization
7/ Things To Do 8/ Unity Health Harris
Behavioral Health Services
12/ Seniors, Can We Talk? Uncertain?
13/ Local Faces 17/ Book Review
The Stranger in the Lifeboat
18/ Cover Story
Refuge, Brokenness, and New Hope
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Tasty Talk
A Biblical Diet: Beans & Lentils 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.
One of the Bible’s healing foods mentioned regularly are beans and lentils. They are often mentioned together, as they were used to make the same types of foods, such as soup and bread. Beans and lentils have many health benefits, as well as being inexpensive and filling. Beans and legumes were a part of Daniel’s diet, used as Ezekiel flour for making bread, what David was fed in Mahanaim, and part of Esau’s pottage that Jacob made. Legumes serve several purposes for our body. They are plentiful in foliate, especially important for pregnant women. Red kidney beans help relieve menopause symptoms, as they contain phytoestrogen. Legumes contain high amounts of antioxidants,
reducing risks of diseases, obesity, diabetes, many types of cancers, and encouraging healthy aging. Legumes are low in saturated fats, reducing the risk of heart disease and lowering cholesterol. Its high protein and fiber value are essential for our body to properly function, making legumes a good, healthy food for non-meat eaters. Legumes are also packed full of essential vitamins and minerals for healthy growth and aging. In addition, the color of the bean coat affects the antioxidant capacity, correlating with the bean’s total phenolic content. For example, colored beans possess greater antioxidant activity than white beans. Archaeological data suggests that the beans mentioned in II Samuel and Ezekiel are broadbeans, which are a staple in the Nile Valley and widely cultivated throughout the Middle East. In this region, beans are the traditional breakfast food, eaten boiled, mashed, or used to make a bread. Since legumes contain oligosaccharides, they can be difficult for people to properly digest. Oligosaccharides are a complex sugar that cannot be digested without help, as
6 Batesville . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Tuckerman
our bodies do not produce the enzyme needed to break it down. To circumvent this, soak legumes and beans overnight in filtered water before cooking. Considered a superfood, lentils are nutrient dense and inexpensive. They reduce the risk of chronic diseases, support the digestive system, help manage blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and cholesterol, and are a rich source of plant protein. As a result, they are a healthier choice for the heart than red or processed meat. By weight, lentils contain the third highest amount of protein of any legume or nut. Since lentils are low in a few essential amino acids, they are often consumed with grains, like rice or wheat. Red lentils cook in just a few minutes, while other varieties take about twenty minutes. Lentils are best known for being used in soups, flour for bread, served hot with rice, or served cold in a salad. For added health benefits in your diet, consider beans and lentils. These healthy foods are budget friendly and quite filling, as they are packed with protein and fiber. Both are available in various colors and varieties. N
Things To Do
Batesville 6th Annual Carius Concert Saturday, May 7 @ 7:30pm. mainstreetbatesville@ gmail.com 870.569.1572. Growing Happy Tomatoes May 10 at 10am, Master Gardener, Cathy Shonk, will offer her best tips. 870793.2121. oirm.educator@gmail. com. oirm.org. UACCB Raised Bed Gardening May 10 @ 6pm, Cheryl Anderson shares her knowledge and insight, 870.612.2082 katrina.stevens@ uaccb.edu. Cathy Shonk teaches May 24 @ 10am. Batesville HS Graduation/Preschool Graduation May 13 @ 7pm batesvilleschools.com/home. BPA Spring Tour of Historic Homes May 15 @ 1pm, see The Ball House, The Barlett-Kirk House, The Casey-Grammer House, and The SmithHuss House. Amission $15 per person or $25 per couple. 870.796.0207 awperrine@gmail.com. Bark in the Park 2022 The Humane Society of Independence County will host its annual Bark in the Park on May 21, 2022 from 3 pm - 9 pm at the Batesville Riverside Park. The price of admission is a donation to the shelter (money, food, toys, cleaning supplies, etc.) We have lots of awesome things planned and have partnered with a few local food trucks for dinner. Bring your pup out to Riverside Park and join us for some fun! (Dogs must be on a leash at all times). If you are interested in being a vendor or sponsor please contact Megan Trail at 870.262.7130.
Gränges Fun Night with Marshall Mitchell’s Cowboy Music for Kids will be Saturday, May 7, located at the Terry Scoggins Memorial Stage starting at 7:00 p.m. Marshall Mitchell will delight families with his western cowboy music and songs that celebrate what is best in all of us. Everyone is invited to come out for music, fun, and positive energy. Art Up the Port sponsored by A&P Commission will be Tuesday, May 10, guided by Artist Carol Davis. The class begins at 7:00 p.m. located at the Jane Parnell Performance Hall. Artist Carol Davis is from Bay and is a favorite at the Delta Arts Festival. The event is FREE and all materials are supplied. Space is limited so reserve your spot by calling Christel (870) 523-3618. Gränges Hiring Event is Friday, May 13, at the Newport Economic Development Commission from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Gränges starting pay is $15.37/ hour with opportunities to advance quickly. Mark you calendar for Kids’Fest on Saturday, May 14. located in Downtown Newport. Kids’Fest is from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and is FREE. Everyone come out and enjoy all things KIDS. Everything from a petting zoo, pony rides, rock wall, stunt dog show, and carnival rides will keep your family busy. N
Mountain View
Arkansas Craft School https://arkansascraftschool.org/calendar
Newport
www.facebook.com/newportarchamber newportarcity.org/calendar/
Also
see
Newport Gifted and Talented is sponsoring the Miss Springtime Pageant on Saturday, May 7, 2022. The pageant is open to ages infant-12th grade. You may pick up forms at Newport Elementary School Office and Newport High School Office. Entry fee is due at time of application submission. Make checks payable to AGATE. The entry fee is $35, and you can add the following divisions: Best Dressed and Photogenic for an extra $10 each. Deadline for submitting entry forms is April 22. For more information contact Ginger Willis at gwillis@ newportschools.org or (870) 523-1311.
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May 2022 7
Unity Health Harris Behavioral Health Services 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.
At Unity Health, we believe caring for your mental and emotional health is just as important as your physical health. We offer compassionate behavioral health services close to home on both an outpatient and inpatient basis for all ages. Behavioral Health is a term covering a full range of mental and emotional well-being – from the basics of how one copes with day-to-day challenges in life, to the treatment of mental illnesses, such as depression or personality disorder, as well as substance use disorder and other addictive behaviors. Our team of psychiatrist, licensed mental health counselors, psychiatric nurses and other specialists provide medication management, counseling and therapy services, and psychological testing to people of all age groups. Outpatient Services Unity Health offers outpatient mental health services at our Clarity Health and Wellness clinics in Searcy, Cabot and Newport. Our team of psychiatrists can provide medication management as well as our therapists who provide counseling sessions to people of all ages. Some specific areas of treatment include: Depression, Anxiety, Grief, Life stressors, Trauma and Psychosis. If you would like more information about our outpatient services, please call 501.203.0055 in Searcy, 501.442.6431 in Cabot, or 870.495.1260 in Newport. Adolescent Care At Unity Health – Specialty Care in Searcy, our adolescent inpatient acute behavioral unit offers therapy
to children ages 12 – 17. Courage is an 11-bed unit for adolescents who are still in school but are having emotional or behavioral health difficulties that require short-term hospitalization. The young patients at Courage will meet with their psychiatrist and other members of their treatment team daily to review their progress and work on their individual goals. Patients will take part in therapeutic group activities, while an on-site certified classroom ensure that they won’t fall behind in school during their stay. Adult Care Our Compass program, location in both Searcy and Newport, provides short-term impatient care and treatment for adults ages 18 – 54. Patients at Compass receive a full range of mental health treatments for emotional and behavioral difficulties. They will meet with their psychiatrist and members of their treatment team daily. Patients will also take part in therapeutic group activities and recreational therapy. Senior Care Our Clearview inpatient program, located in both Searcy and Newport, serves adults age 55 years and older. Our Clearview team provides comprehensive treatment to address the unique behavioral health needs of seniors. Clearview offers help for seniors dealing with loss, depression, anxiety, and other behavioral health concerns. Patients may take part in individual counseling sessions, group therapy, family therapy, and activity therapy. Our utmost goal is for our patients to move to a more independent lifestyle. To make a referral to one of our Inpatient Behavioral Health units, please call toll-free 844.255.8229. For additional information or to learn about other healthcare services, visit our website at unity-health.org. N
Thompson’s Jewelry Serving you since 1924 870-793-7136 255 E. Main Street - Historic Downtown - Batesville Where your hometown jeweler should be
AVAILABLE NOW The Newest Batesville Puzzle A Portion of the proceeds are donated to Maxfield Park
8 Batesville . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Tuckerman
WWW.KENTSFIRESTONE.COM 1316 E. Main, “at ST. Louis and Main”
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May 2022 9
Financial Literacy isn’t just for April. Grow your savings. Learn about budgeting. Prepare for retirement. Plan for a mortgage. Start a business. thecitizensbank.net/learn
10 Batesville . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Tuckerman
Wright Receives Lifetime Achievement Award Submitted The Arkansas Museum Association (AMA) and The Old Independence Regional Museum (OIRM), have announced that Twyla Gill Wright was honored as the 2022 Peg Newton Smith Lifetime Achievement recipient. Established in 2003, the Peg Newton Smith Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes significant and ongoing contributions to the preservation of Arkansas heritage through a lifelong – 20 years or more - involvement in, and commitment to, the museum community and other cultural organizations with a significant portion of that service occurring in Arkansas. Twyla Gill Wright has been a volunteer for the museum since its beginning, in 1998. “We started [working on the project] in 1991, and we didn’t have a museum at that time,” Wright said. “I was president of the Independence County Historical Society, and they wanted to start a museum. So I formed a planning committee.” Wright said the committee had about 20 people, and they planned the museum for two years. After meeting with historical experts in the community, Wright said, in 1993 she became the founding board president of the Old Independence Regional Museum. “We got our building by 1995, which was deeded to us when we had raised $400,000 in gifts and pledges,” Wright said. “We were able to do that in seven months.” The Old Independence Regional Museum opened on Sept. 12, 1998, and Wright has been a part of the facility since that day. She served as interim director of
the museum for the first partial year it was open, until a full-time director was hired. Since then, she has served as Curator of Exhibits and is a Lifetime Trustee. Wright is currently leading a group of volunteers who are working on a new exhibit titled, “Off the Top of My Head.” The exhibit opened April 22 to the public. N
Independence County Recycle Center
We Recycle:
Plastic Bottles Steel Cans Aluminum Cans Cardboard Newspaper Glass Magazines
870 793 8892 110 Environmental Drive Batesville, AR Call to receive your FREE RECYCLING BIN today!
Quality Name Brand Clothing for the Entire Family
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May 2022 11
Seniors, Can We Talk? Uncertain?
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?’.
“I’ve been cleaning up messes!” was the first thing I said to Ruth at our monthly lunch. I got two frantic phone calls last week – one from a customer and one from a friend who says he is “his own agent”. A prescription plan company’s report showed John, my customer, had a prescription plan that was not in effect. I called John to make certain he was aware of this. John knew nothing about this and was panicky. I found out his prescription plan had cancelled when he enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. John said he did not enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. He did call his prescription plan company about his mail order prescriptions. Apparently, they offered him a “deal” that might save him money on his prescriptions, he said “ok” and was
enrolled. John either was not told the details, or he didn’t understand what he was told. He didn’t realize he could not keep his Medicare Supplement plan and have the Medicare Advantage plan he just enrolled in. John was unhappy and confused - “I want what I had. I didn’t know I could not keep my Medicare Supplement plan. I just thought my drugs might cost less. How do I fix this?” He was able to re-enroll in his prescription plan which automatically disenrolled him from the Medicare Advantage plan. Yes, it can be confusing. Unfortunately, when you call your prescription plan or Medicare Advantage plan company, you may be connected to someone who wants to sell you something. Before you make any changes, talk with your agent. Tom, one of my “pew buddies” at church, called. He is “his own agent” which means he works directly with insurance companies instead of working with an agent. Tom received a letter from his prescription plan company that he was disenrolled from the plan. What? How did that happen? Since I am not his agent, the only thing I could do was to get on a conference
call with him and the company and guide him through the conversation. They told him his plan was in effect and all was ok - we thought. Sunday at church he handed me an envelope about another issue. He had a letter from a different company thanking him for enrolling in their Medicare Advantage plan including an ID card and his doctor’s name. What? How did they get that information? He had to have given it to them, right? Obviously, he called an 800 number, enrolled in their plan which disenrolled him in his prescription plan. Included in his welcome letter was a phone number to call to cancel the plan. He called it and confirmed that his prescription plan is active. There are CMS non-compliant issues occurring with call centers – these may be examples. Work with your certified agent – it does not cost more. When something seems different, contact your agent. You will appreciate having a personal advocate/advisor. Concerned? Call 501-868-6650 and say “Caroline, can we talk?” N
Congratulations
Connor 12 Batesville . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Tuckerman
www.mandp.bank
Local Faces Batesville Rotary accepting Community Award Nominations Amanda Dickey Now taking Community Award Nominations. We are looking for nominees from our area in the five areas listed below. The winners will be awarded at the annual Rotary Award Banquet. Please submit all nominations by June 1, 2022 to: BatesvilleArRotaryClub@gmail.com Rotary Club of Batesville Attn: Amanda Dickey/Community Awards
HSIC PAWSOME NEWS Alisa R. Lancaster On May 21, 2022, the Humane Society of Independence County (HSIC) will hold the 14th annual Bark in the Park (BITP) fundraiser. BITP will take place at Riverside Park from 3 to 9 PM. This is a FUNdraiser for our Furry Friends and their humans. There will be vendors present, Canine Contests, pictures with pets, sniff trail, etc. Our Batesville Police Department K9 Unit will hold a live demonstration of K9 handling that you won’t want to miss. The entry fee will be any animalrelated donation (such as dog food, cat litter, etc.).
TWELVE YEARS STRONG!
2121 Harrison St. Batesville, AR 72501 1. Making A Difference Service Award: 2. Doctor/Nurse/Care Worker of the Year Award: 3. Outstanding Community Service Award: 4. Educator of the Year: 5. Role Model of the Year: N Seventy-five percent of the animals that come into HSIC are due to abuse or neglect. This event helps fulfill the HSIC mission. YOU can help US be their DEFENDERS by participating and having a fun FURRY filled day. If you would like to be a sponsor, vendor, or would like more information, visit our website www. HSICShelter.org/events or call the shelter at 870793 -0090. You may also email the shelter at Office@ HSICShelter.org We do require all dogs to be kept on a leash and under control, at all times, as there will be many other dogs and children present.. Alisa R. Lancaster/ HSIC Board Chair / 8708050798 AlisaRLancaster+HSIC@gmail.com. N
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Independent Stave Company to Open New American Oak Stave Mill in Independence County Chris Hill Independent Stave Company, a manufacturer of highquality oak barrels and cooperage products, announced they will construct a state-of-the-art mill near Batesville to produce staves for bourbon and wine barrels. The company, which is the largest barrel maker in the world, will invest more than $30 million in the facility and create approximately 60 new jobs. “This has been an exciting time as we continue to invest in our current and new facilities to support our customers and the growth of the industry,” said Brad Boswell, CEO of Independent Stave Company. “This new stave mill will be our seventh domestic mill, and an important addition allowing us to expand our supply of high-quality American white oak.” Independent Stave Company operates six stave mills and three cooperages—with a fourth cooperage projected to open at the end of 2022—throughout the United States as well as a mill and cooperages overseas. Established in 1912, the company manufactures staves, barrels, and oak alternatives for customers in 40 countries around the world. “I’m thrilled to welcome Independent Stave Company to Arkansas,” said Governor Asa Hutchinson. “As a family-owned company, they embrace the same values of Arkansans— family, innovation, community, and hard work. I am confident they will be a valuable business partner to Batesville and Independence County.” Arkansas has a wealth of natural resources and raw materials necessary to manufacture cooperage products. A stave is a narrow length of wood with a slightly beveled edge used to make the barrels distillers and winemakers use to age wine, bourbon, whiskey, and other spirits. White oak, which is plentiful in Arkansas, is used in barrel staves because white oak has proven to be the best for crafting a liquid-tight container. “White oak is just one of the 160 species of hardwoods grown in the state,” said Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston. “Timber is vital to the Arkansas economy. It contributes slightly more than five percent of our economy and employs
more than 27,700 people. With more than 19 million acres of forestland in the state and a workforce that is second to none, I am confident that Independent Stave Company will find the resources they need in Arkansas to continue on the newest path of their journey.” “We are proud to welcome Independent Stave Company to Independence County,” CEO of the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce and City of Batesville Economic Development Crystal Johnson said. “Our community strategic plan, IMPACT, has a strong focus on local leadership working together to recruit and expand industry sectors that have the greatest potential to create new jobs, raise incomes and elevate standards of living. This exciting announcement is directly in line with this vision of progressive economic growth.” Brian K. Shonk, chancellor of University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville, said, “UACCB is excited to welcome Independent Stave Company to the region. Their selection of Independence County for their new stave mill adds to the already fast-growing advanced manufacturing sector in our area. UACCB looks forward to helping Independent Stave Company build their workforce and to continuing to support the company and their employees in future education and training needs.” “On behalf of the citizens of Independence County and our Economic Development Commission, I extend a warm welcome to Independent Stave Company,” said Zachery E. Harber, chairman of Independence County Economic Development. “Our business and civic leaders recognize the economic impact of Independent Stave Company’s decision to move to our community and greatly value their investment. We are prepared to assist Independent Stave Company with site improvements and workforce development initiatives during this transitional time.” Independent Stave Company plans to start operations at the end of 2023. For more information, including job opportunities, please visit www.independentstavecompany. com. N
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BAAC Held Ribbon-Cutting for White River Soft-Wash & Hustle Cycling Studio Chris Hill The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) held a RibbonCutting Ceremony for White River Softwash. White River Softwash is a professional roof and exterior cleaning service specializing in softwash and pressure cleaning of concrete, roofs, gutters, windows, and exteriors for commercial and residential properties in North Central Arkansas. Serving many communities in North and Central Arkansas, White River Softwash boasts state-of-theart equipment and is ready to provide residents, community, and commercial properties in the Batesville area with the most professional exterior cleaning experience. “Soft washing is the ideal approach to efficient exterior cleaning,” said White River Softwash owner Anthony Bennett. “From window cleaning to soft wash siding, we’ll deliver a level of clean that makes your home or business look as good as new again.” Learn more at whiteriversoftwash. com or by calling (870) 376-8685. N
The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) held a RibbonCutting Ceremony for Hustle Cycling Studio. Hustle Cycling Studio is located at 50 Batesville Blvd., Suite B, in Batesville, and offers instructional cycling and bungee fitness classes for both health and recreational activities. Hustle offered gifts, lunch, mini-classes, and huge discounts to celebrate their grand opening. “I am so excited to introduce our team to you,” said owner Lynleigh Hunter. “They are full of energy and are ready to help you reach your goals! Hustle’s group spin and bungee classes are high-energy and fastpaced. With classes available daily and throughout the day, you can find the right fit for you. Hustle Cycling Studio welcomes participants of all ages. For those concerned about the intensity or impact of either course, Hustle invites you to stop by to check out the equipment and classes for yourself. The first class is always free. “We look forward to building relationships with each of our clients and providing a valuable asset to increase the health and wellbeing of our community,” concluded Hunter. Learn more and sign up for classes at www. hustlecyclingstudio.com. N
The Best of Modern Praise and Worship Independence Counties very own local, contemporary worship station
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World Wide Live Internet Stream: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/kbap-88-1-fm Phone: 501-203-6953
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May 2022 15
Smith Named as UACCB Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Jodi Hightower Dr. Holly Smith has been hired as the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville (UACCB). Smith currently serves as the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Arkansas State University-Newport. Smith replaces Dr. Brian Shonk who was promoted to Chancellor at UACCB in January. “Having lived in and contributed to the community for the past 8 years, I am very excited to be joining a team that makes such a positive impact in the lives of families just like mine,” Dr. Smith said. “I look forward to quickly becoming more actively engaged in the community in my new role as Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at UACCB.” Smith has 16 years of higher education experience in the areas of instruction, institutional research, accreditation, program development and assessment, and academic administration. She is a resident
of Independence County and has a deep passion for Arkansas’s rural community colleges and the positive impact they have on the students and communities they serve. Dr. Brian Shonk, Chancellor of UACCB, said, “I have worked as a colleague of Dr. Smith for many years, and I have the upmost respect for her knowledge, professionalism, and passion for helping students.” Her focus is developing environments that support student success and build opportunities for faculty and staff growth and development. She values a team comprised of risk-takers, engaged in innovative practices, and she works to build an environment that supports work and life balance. Smith begins her new role April 18, 2022. The University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville is a comprehensive two-year community college serving Independence
County and the surrounding communities with both transfer and career-technical programs. Students can complete their first two years of a bachelor’s degree affordably and close-to-home, then transfer virtually anywhere. Students can also complete a credential in a variety of work-ready programs such as allied health, construction, welding, cosmetology, and more within a semester to one year. For more information call (870) 6122000 or visit www.uaccb.edu. N
Citizens Bank, Batesville Schools honor Kim King for going ‘Above & Beyond’ Sara Doerfler Kim King, Special Education Teacher at White River Academy, was named Monday to receive the April “Citizens Bank Above & Beyond Award.” Since 2012, Citizens Bank and the Batesville School District have recognized staff members who go “above and beyond” to realize the district’s mission to empower today’s students for tomorrow’s challenges. Staff in all schools and departments throughout the district nominate award recipients, who receive a Certificate of Excellence, a $25 gift card and a 20-ounce insulated tumbler from Citizens Bank. The award is presented at the Batesville School Board meeting each month. Willing to teach in any setting with a heart that cares, fellow staff spoke of Kim’s commitment to see her students succeed: · “Mrs. King has demonstrated time and time again her dedication to her profession, her love for her students, and her willingness to take on additional responsibilities. She will come to work early and stay late to make sure that deadlines are met. She travels to other school sites and other locations to provide educational services to students. She is a fine example of what a professional should be.” · “Mrs. King does whatever it takes to make sure her students are successful. She is willing to give up her
own time to work with her students, and she will even work with her students off-campus, if necessary. Mrs. King loves her students, and her students love her.” · “Kim fits the bill for “Above and Beyond” on a daily basis! Her relationship with every student she meets shows how much she truly cares! Always with a happy spirit, she helps her students learn, be it here at W.R.A, the High School, students’ homes, or wherever she needs to be to connect and encourage them. She shares that same uplifting spirit with coworkers and staff. She’s truly a blessing!” N
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Kim King receiving award from Ashley Engles.
Book Review
The Stranger in the Lifeboat
Terrell Tebbetts has taught English at Lyon College for over 50 years.
Mitch Albom’s seventh novel, “The Stranger in the Lifeboat,” hit the #1 spot on the New York Times Bestseller List when it came out last fall and remained on the list many weeks. It deserves the attention it’s been getting. The plot begins when a multimillion-dollar yacht full of rich and powerful people suddenly sinks in the middle of the Atlantic. A deckhand named Benji spots an empty life raft, swims to it, pulls himself aboard, and passes out. When he awakes, several others are with him in the raft, including the billionaire who owned the yacht, and they soon spot a little girl grasping a deck chair and pull her aboard. The plot thickens three days later when a young man comes swimming to the raft and climbs aboard. They all ask how he survived because he should have died in just hours from hypothermia in the 67-degree water. “Thank the Lord we found you,” one of the survivors says. “I am the Lord,” the young man replies. “Why are you here,” one asks him. “Haven’t you been calling me?” he replies. When they ask if he has come to save them, he says he will when all of them believe in him. Albom has condensed the whole globe into a lifeboat, with a dozen survivors representing the earth’s population. They come from across the globe. Benji is an IrishAmerican. The yacht owner, Jason Lambert, is also American. But the survivors also include a woman from India who founded an international cosmetics firm, an English media
executive named Nevin, a onetime Olympic swimmer and now successful businesswoman named Geri, a Greek diplomat named Yannis, the yacht’s hairdresser named Nina, and Jean Philippe and Bernadette, an Afro-Caribbean couple from the yacht’s crew. The stranger gives the survivors a few signs that he is who he says he is, signs taken right from the New Testament. And he speaks wisdom: when Benji demands why his wife had to die, for example, the Lord tells him that when we mourn those we lose we should ask not why God took them but why God gave them to us: “What did we do to deserve their love, their joy, the sweet moments we shared?” Just as in the New Testament, some believe the stranger is indeed the Lord—the simple folks, Jean Philippe, Bernadette, Nina. Some do not, notably the rich and powerful. Readers learn all this from a notebook Benji keeps writing in, one of the supplies aboard the raft. He writes “letters” to Annabelle, his late wife, the love of his life, lost to cancer not too long ago. Readers know from chapter two that the raft has washed ashore on a Caribbean island with no sign of survivors, so they’re prepared to see the survivors perish as days pass with no rescue. Benji’s notebook, found aboard the raft, tells the story of each passing, except for the mysterious and silent little girl. When the local Inspector finds the notebook and reads it, his story becomes interwoven with the story of the life raft. He and his wife lost their 4-year-old child some four years prior, and the Inspector is still grieving, his marriage a shadow of what it once was. How will the notebook’s story of the survivors affect him? The third element in the novel is the news reporting interwoven with the notebook and the Inspector’s story. The news reports sketch the lives of the prominent survivors and the search to find the wreckage and TWELVE YEARS STRONG!
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determine the cause of the sinking. Albom pulls the three elements together by the end of the novel. And he delivers an ending that surprised me in a good way. That is to say, I didn’t see it coming, but I didn’t find it a “trick” that dismissed everything as if it had been dream or delirium. Albom knows that “we move about in worlds unrealized,” as Wordsworth put it, and suggests that the peace and joy we all want will come only when the whole earth believes and God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven. In sum, Albom has successfully brought the age-old “Ship of Fools” story into our age. N
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Kimberlee Dannette Thomas is a Chandler, Oklahoma native. She relocated to Jackson County in 1986. She has five children, five grandchildren, is co-owner and creator of Eye On Magazine. She is recognized from her years of co-hosting on many Cable Channel 15 & 6 broadcast with Bud & David Black. She earned her Associates from ASUN in Fine Arts.
Cover Story Refuge, Brokenness, and New Hope
To say Miranda Childers is a small town girl would be an understatement. She grew up in Smithville, Arkansas where the population was a grand total of 73 souls. She attended school at Lynn. However, before Miranda could graduate from high school she discovered she was pregnant and dropped out. She later earned her GED and attended three semesters at UACCB. Like so many young teen parents, Miranda, began to feel she was missing out on life and one errant decision led to a landslide of others. “My poor decisions led me to spend a lot of time drinking and partying on the weekends. What started with mostly marijuana and alcohol led to methamphetamine usage” she explained. The desire for more became blinding, “Soon it went from using on weekends to something that I wanted every day and felt if I didn’t have it that I couldn’t function.” The Methamphetamine addiction had taken control of her life, “My addiction spiraled out of control for three years. I left my child with my parents and I spent most of my time getting deeper and deeper into a pit that became so hopeless I didn’t think I could get out.” Miranda would be arrested three times within those three years. Each time she would promise it would
be her last, “I would say this is the last time and try to pick myself up and do better, with every time leaving me feeling defeated and lost not knowing what to do or how I got to this point of desperation.” In April of 2007 Miranda was arrested again. This time she was in deep, “I had landed myself in jail with 5 felonies and I was finally at a point where I was willing to do anything to change the direction my life was headed.” Miranda called multiple rehab centers to find no one had an opening available. The only remaining course of action Miranda and her family decided was the outpatient program at St. Bernard’s Behavioral Health in Jonesboro. “I would like to say that this would have been enough, but I believe that God used the most important thing in my life to shake me and motivate me to do whatever it took to get better.” Three days after being bonded out of jail Miranda was served with legal papers stating there was to be an emergency custody hearing over her child, “This was my pivotal moment. I was guilty of everything that was said against me and I knew that I was about to lose my baby girl.” The courts awarded temporary custody to her daughter’s father. Miranda would spend the following months putting everything she had into changing her life, “I cried out to the One and only person that I thought could save me,
GOD! I asked him to save my soul and to give me the strength to fight this addiction and fight for my life and He did just that.” Miranda began to attend Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist church and also became involved with John 3:16 Ministries. “I spent my time in classes and therapy at St. Bernard’s and the rest surrounding myself with good accountability.” After a few months of showing consistency in her new routine and proving that she was indeed changing for the better, Miranda was able to begin visiting her daughter. It was during one of those visits that her daughter wanted to go home with her, “Her dad explained to me that he had only taken her because he felt like that was what it was going to take for me to get help. He had watched me take every step toward overcoming my addiction and he felt like I had done just that. He allowed our daughter to come back home with me that day!” Miranda is now living out her purpose, “I felt a calling on my life after serving in ministry for years. I knew that when I was able to help other women find the hope that I had found, I was doing what God wanted me to do with my story.” Miranda and her husband have spent years training and growing in God’s word, “My husband and I would pray about what God was leading us to do. It wasn’t until we got the same answer again and again over time that we spoke the words and started to have the vision of a place for women.” The day came that they both agreed that it was time to step out in faith and see where God was leading. Miranda called a real estate agency in town, “The agent told me that he knew of some property that wasn’t on the market but he felt led to tell me about it.” That night Miranda loaded up her family, which now included her husband of 11 years and 4 daughters. The family drove to Bethesda to where the Independence Baptist Church Camp is located. Miranda had been there at a women’s retreat a few years prior, “When we drove onto the property we immediately felt like this would one day be our home. It was absolutely perfect for the vision that we had and all we knew was it would take a miracle for us to get it. And a miracle is what we got!” The property and all the buildings had been shut down for a year and the association had decided that it was costing more to keep it open than it was making. Miranda made a phone call the next day and expressed their vision for the property and asked if a meeting could be scheduled. The couple presented their vision, and was told that the association wanted the camp to stay in “Kingdom Work”. Miranda recalls, “Then came the waiting. From October to March we presented our vision, went to a loan officer with little to nothing to start with and prayed and looked for other places and prayed some more. It seemed like so long and I grew so much in that time and learned once again that God is never late, He is always right on time.” The couple agrees God worked a miracle providing a way for them to buy the property and further His Kingdom. In May of 2020, New Hope Refuge opened their doors to their first two residents. New Hope offers a safe refuge for women while they are overcoming addictions. Miranda shared, “The number one
requirement for women to enroll is that they have to be at a place of brokenness and be ready to commit to the program.” The program is voluntary and requires a minimum of a 7 month stay. “The women can be court ordered but they still have to be willing to be here” she stated. While living at New Hope the women spend daily time in God’s word. They participate in community service activities throughout their stay. They are instructed with loving Christian guidance and are taught life skills as well as courses in dealing with personal struggle for each resident. Therapy is also a part of their stay. There is a transition phase where the women are taught to manage their finances and time, “this is important in setting them up for success in helping them become productive members of society.” They are assisted in getting a local job and arranging weekend visitation with their children. New Hope Refuge has celebrated the graduation of 13 women since opening their doors in 2020. The program is completely free to the residents. New Hope Refuge is a non-profit 501c3. They operate on individual and church donations and fundraisers held during the year. They were recently the recipient of a $15,000 check from Citizens Bank. The funds were raised during the Citizens Bank Red Hot Ladies Luncheon held in early April, it is the largest donation given to a beneficiary since the program began. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction there is help available. You may contact New Hope Refuge by phone at (870) 271-9828, email newhoperefuge619@gmail.com or visit their web-site http://Newhoperefuge.org. N
Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! 3309 Hwy 157 N, Judsonia MLS #22-71 / $106,000
Lot 8 Southridge Subdivision, Batesville MLS #22-18 / $49,500
84 White Oak Circle, Highland MLS #22-76 / $175,500
Nice 3BR 2BA home on approx .86 acres within walking distance to White County Central School. Home was remodeled and added onto approximately 3 years ago with new metal roof, insulated windows, appliances. There is also a bonus room that can be used as an office or 4th bedroom with addition of closet. Minerals DO NOT convey.
Wooded lot in Eagle Mountain with a view of the Eagle Mountain golf course and even beyond that.
Excellent location, in a quiet subdivision Brick 3 Bedroom 2 Bathroom on 1 acre with 1963 sq ft. Excellent location, in a quiet subdivision. Home features new HVAC 2021, new flooring, new doors in back with built in blinds, fenced in backyard, wood fireplace, carport with 2 storage areas, keyless entre, and beautiful mature trees. Plenty of room to add a garage, shop or storage building. Lots of possibilities and ready for your personal touch. Motivated sellers! Schedule your tour today.
Buying? Selling? Relocating? The Choice is Clear...Choice Realty www.BatesvilleRealEstate.net 513 Batesville Blvd., Batesville, Arkansas 20 Batesville . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Tuckerman
In The Field with Randy Rice, Corn, and Soybeans 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.
Wet weather has been the story so far this year. As I write this on April 21, we have had 10-12 inches of rain in much of the area since March 1. Planting has been limited to say the least, with limited acres of rice, corn, and soybeans in the ground. We certainly still have time to make a good crop, but that top end yield potential is slipping away quickly. Corn yields remain very stable through the month of April and generally start trending downward after the first of May. With that being said, it’s not unusual to see good yields through much of May. A lot of people used to say that you couldn’t plant corn past late April because of the risk of hot weather affecting pollination. In reality, the fact that we didn’t have Bt hybrids or effective insecticides for corn borers was the main problem associated with later plantings 20-plus years ago. We now have both to overcome the corn borer issues. Rice yield potential in relation to planting dates varies considerably from year to year. As a whole, the earlier planting dates (late March) often have the highest yield potential. But in some areas and some years, mid-late April planting dates will often shine. As a general comment, I would say that yields of the non-hybrids often start trending downward around April 20. The hybrids are a different story as their yields often hold up through most of May. Top end yield potential for soybeans typically occurs with April plantings especially on good, well-drained soils. But we all know that good yields can be made into June, they just won’t be those top end yields. So we still have time. We just need to miss a rain and when that happens, we’ll be hollering drought within 2 weeks! For more information, feel free to contact me through Farmers Supply Association by e-mail at randychlapecka@gmail.com or by cell at 870-318-0739. N TWELVE YEARS STRONG!
Custom Eyes Vision Care of Newport 1920 Malcolm Ave
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r the are fo Hair Ce Family Entir
Thyme Enough
Cheesy Chicken with a Tad of Modernization 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.
Our kitchen bookcase is blessed with millions of recipes. Now, I know that’s an exaggeration, even a gross exaggeration, maybe only a hundred thousand give or take a few. Just saying, when you have recipe collections from the no-longerliving, plus many recipes that you’ve clipped, jotted down, or printed-off over the years from periodicals and emails, plus those from dinners and parties given and gone- to, you have a bunch of recipes! Too many! And alas, some of them get lost. For example, recently we invited friends for dinner, and as Sandy usually searches for something good to cook from among the many recipes available to her, I stand nearby for consultation and for a bit of theatre. There is almost something witchy, spellbinding about the way she hovers over these slips of paper waving her hands around until The Very One, the very recipe seems to float up to the top…(which reminds me …have I told you about the time I volunteered to plan and cook for friends and I went to our near and dear little grocery store and bought pre-cooked frozen stuff to reheat. Seemed like a bright idea at the time. Apparently not. Our guests for dinner that night included one of the premier cooks of town! Needless to say, Sandy was embarrassed and now, I’m only allowed to watch the process of selection, and quietly make suggestions.) All of that is to say that recent day in looking for something good to cook she delved into her ‘Favorites’, a ring binder-ed and tattered book that she has scribbled recipes
Studio Salon 141 West Main Street, Batesville, Arkansas
in for years. She found an old favorite. A recipe from Mary Frances Dodd named Cheesy Chicken Casserole. It used to be an old stand-by for many this’s and that’s at our house but had gotten lost to time. Mary Frances Dodd was an excellent cook whose delectable dishes were always highly anticipated. I understand her daughter is also an excellent cook. Hint, hint. Cheesy Chicken with a Tad of Modernization Ingredients: 1 chicken: It can be a 3- 4 lb. fryer if you’re lucky enough to find a fryer, or it can be a couple of chicken breasts, or a grocery store roasted chick if you’re in a pinch for time. 2-10 oz. packages frozen broccoli. Or an equivalent amount of fresh broccoli flowerets. But the flowerets have to be precooked a tad. 1 1/2 to 2 cups milk 2- 8 oz. packages cream cheese, ½ to 1 teaspoon salt depending on taste ¾ teaspoon garlic salt, or minced garlic 1 cup cheddar cheese, ½ cup parmesan cheese. (Note: you may use 1 ½ cups parmesan) Cook chicken if raw. Pull from bone unless it doesn’t have a bone and cut into bite-sized pieces. No ruler necessary. Cook broccoli… if fresh, cut if needed, and line bottom of buttered casserole dish. Blend milk, cream cheese, salt and garlic salt. STIR in ¾ cup grated cheese. Stir until smooth. Pour 1 cup over broccoli in dish. Top with chicken. Pour remaining sauce over chicken. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Bake for 30 minutes in 350 degree oven. Yumm! N
Kallsnick, Inc.
Eric Shoffner, BPhram, P.D. Pharmacist / Owner
1117 Mclain Street Suite 400 Newport, Arkansas 72112 (870) 523-5555
Call (870) 698-9998
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
www.iCareRx.com
Family owned and operated Scott Kallsnick , Vickie Kallsnick Moser, Joan Kallsnick 22 Batesville . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Tuckerman
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