Eye On
www.eyeonmag.com
January 2012
Independence
David Grimes / New Year on a Long Road Betsy Tucker / Female Master Photographic Memory Local Faces
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In This Issue 6/Publisher’s Note Happy New Year
7/Fork in the Road
2011 Local Food Review
9/The Morning Line
Accountability at the U of A
10/Cover Story
New Year on a Long Road
10
28
16
30
18
35
22
36
14/Eye On Nature
Shake, Rattle, and Roll
16/Feature
Betsy Tucker, Female Master
18/Eye On Health
New Year’s Resolutions
20/Faces 22/ Ozark Museums Part III
Museums Celebrate the History of the Ozark Gateway Region
24/Faces 26/Batesville Area Arts Council 28/I Do The Wolf Wedding
30/Tales Of a Transplanted Fashionista New Year’s Fashion Resolutions for 2012
33/Things To Do 34/The Myopic Life
Photographic Memory
35/Notes from the Clearing Buying Outright
36/Smith’s Verdict Take Shelter
38/Ribbon Cuttings
January 2012
Eye Onndependence
www.eyeonmag.com
I
David Grimes / New
Year on a Long Road
le Master Betsy Tucker / Fema ory Photographic Mem Local Faces
A Publication of
, Inc.
Meadowland Media
Cover photography Robert O. Seat Cover design by Joseph Thomas
Meet Your Writers... Autumn Hunter is the regional Academic Talent Search coordinator for North Arkansas Community College, based at UACCB. Academic Talent Search is an Upward Bound, college preparation program.
Leigh Keller is now a high school Spanish teacher. She is also a colorguard coordinator for Batesville Public Schools. She received her BA in English, Spanish and ESL from Arkansas Tech University, and an MS in Counseling from John Brown University. She is married to Allen and they have one son, Cole. Mark Lamberth is the Voice of the Pioneers on KZLE 93.1 FM Radio and Suddenlink Cable Channel 6 for Pioneer Football. He is President of Atlas Asphalt, Inc., a Member of the Arkansas Racing Commission, and a graduate of University of Arkansas. Photograph by Keith Sturch
Tanner Smith is a native of Manila, Arkansas. He has written movie reviews for the T Tauri Galaxy (www.ttauri. org/galaxy) for several years and is a five year veteran of the T Tauri Movie Camp. He has made a number of films, ranging from horror to documentary and has won awards in filmmaking and Screenwriting.
THIS PUBLICATION IS PRODUCED BY: MeadowLand Media, Inc. P. O. Box 196, Grubbs, AR 72431 870.503.1150 kthomas@eyeonmag.com PUBLISHER: Kimberlee Thomas Associate EDITOR: Bob Pest MANAGING EDITOR: Joseph Thomas ADVERTISING: Kimberlee Thomas Creative Director : Joseph Thomas
Alisa R. Lancaster, APN AlisaAPN@gmail.com 870.698.1023
AD DESIGN Department: Kimberlee Thomas Joseph Thomas PROOFING Department: Joseph Thomas Kimberlee Thomas
Bob Pest is the president and Co-founder of Ozark Foothills FilmFest and the T Tauri Film Festival and Movie Camp. He works as a community development consultant for First Community Bank, teaches film classes at UACCB, and currently serves as president of the Ozark Gateway Tourist Council. Kristi Price spent all her life as a transplant, having grown up military. The Ozarks have always been in her blood though, and she’s proud to call Batesville her home after many years on the move. Kristi holds a BA in English and blogs about family and other mishaps at www.themyopiclife.wordpress.com. She is married to Erin and mother to Ethan, Emily, and Maggie.
Eye On
Staff PHOTOGRAPHERS: Kimberlee Thomas Joseph Thomas Robert O. Seat PRINTING COMPANY: Rockwell Publishing Eye On Independence 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 admin@meadowlandmedia.com. Mailing address: P. O. Box 196, Grubbs, AR 72431. 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 Š 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 Kimberlee Thomas, 870.503.1150, kthomas@eyeonmag.com.
Publisher’s Note
Happy New Year
Kimberlee Thomas We welcome you to a new year with new opportunities and a slightly new look to Eye on Independence. We are seeking to streamline our look and improve our Eye appeal, so if you have an opinion, let us know. We urge you to pull up a chair by the fire and join us yet again on our monthly exploration through the mountainous terrain of Independence County and its, more often than not, restful natives. We are omitting the Eye On Homes for January to make room for the ribbon cuttings and events that we
Photos courtesy of FEARS Photography
missed as 2011 wound down. We have a new feature we call FACES to show you local faces at local events and THINGS TO DO for all of the upcoming events so you don’t miss a thing. Joseph brings us the January Cover Story featuring local artist David Grimes in “New Year on a Long Road.” I DO features our oldest daughter, Lindsay, and her husband, Hunter Wolf, who wed in September. Mark Lamberth brings us “Accountability at the U of A” and Tanner Smith reviews the movie Take Shelter. Alisa R. Lancaster talks about resolutions for your
health while Bob Pest brings us the food year in review. Also look for The Myopic Life with Kristi Price and Tales of the Transplanted Fashionista with Leigh Keller. We hope you enjoy this issue, we are preparing for Christmas while we finish this one so we hope yours was merry. We also wish you all a very happy New Year and look forward to seeing you all soon. May your resolutions take hold and your family flourish and live happily. N
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Fork in the Road
2011 Local Food Review Bob Pest
2011 was a difficult and challenging year for restaurants in our community and our region. Batesville and Independence County experienced at least six restaurant closings in the second half of the year, including four that I reviewed—the Wing Shack and Cheeseburger Grill, the Smoke House, the Cinnamon Stick, and Brady’s Fish Fry. Both the Wing Shack and Brady’s got off to impressive starts, but neither made it to the new year. The Cinnamon Stick was an ambitious undertaking that, despite the owners’ efforts, closed because of limited investment capital. The Smoke House, located on South Side across from the airport, developed a strong lunch clientele but was forced to close due to lease issues. Scott Dickie, the owner and manager of the business, is exploring opening a Smoke House closer to downtown. Claudel’s also closed not long after opening in the space previously occupied by Western Sizzlin. Obviously, the weak economy and higher gas prices had negative impacts on dining out. My wife and I cut back considerably on our restaurant visits, and ordered judiciously when we did venture out. Chain restaurants seemed to hold their own by offering low price specials like the $5 Footlong and extending their hours. Both Taco Bell and Arby’s underwent significant upgrades both inside and out. More home cooking was the default solution for most of us. Unfortunately, grocery prices increased more than a little, so I found myself becoming a passionate coupon clipper and scouring the aisles at Kroger looking for special values available with my cherished Kroger Card. When my wife and I do dine out we invariably noticed most diners, like us, left with Styrofoam containers holding leftovers that would become lunch or dinner the
On
next day. On the flip side, the community welcomed Colton’s move to St. Louis Street enthusiastically. Three new eateries entered the scene in the second half of the year. The House of Brew, a cozy coffee house and café also on St. Louis Street, has developed a steady morning coffee and lunch clientele. The emergence of U.S. Pizza, the third new addition to St. Louis, has excited many locals, due in part to its ability to sell alcoholic beverages. After all, what is pizza without beer? The Patel family has done an outstanding job of turning the former home of an outdoor store into a comfortable dining spot with a back room for private events, plenty of parking, and a growing flock of regulars. The Greasy Spoon on Main Street, a cheerful, colorful café with a nostalgic look and feeling, makes the best pancakes in town and includes sweet potato fries, one of my personal favorites, on its menu. Several popular restaurants have managed to hold their own in these difficult times. Elizabeth’s continues to offer a wide range of lunch and dinner selections featuring irresistible yeast rolls, tasty appetizers, hearty entrées, and delicious desserts. The Italian Grill has undergone an impressive interior face-lift and continues to offer outstanding food at reasonable prices. It is also truly a family-friendly restaurant and eager to accommodate private gatherings and events. Natalie’s continues to add creative new dishes to the menu and offers daily specials worth checking out. Charles Lil’ Shop of Coffee, inside Natalie’s, has become a morning “hot spot,” thanks in part to the scrumptious homemade cinnamon rolls. Josie’s remains stable thanks to a loyal following, informal environment, and frequent live music. Josie’s River Room, with a dramatic view of the White River, has also become a frequently used
venue for meetings and community events. MorningSide Coffeehouse seems to be in the midst of a renaissance. The new, expanded hours are Weekdays 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A new manager, Ashley Altom, and a new chef, Ingrid Meisner, have added new breakfast and lunch selections ranging from biscuits and gravy to Reuben Sandwiches. Ingrid‘s potato soup is out of this world, her hummus is the best I’ve ever had (and I love hummus), and her shortbread cookies are truly unique. The coffee beverages, the scones, and the Almond Coffee Cake are as good as ever, maybe better. MorningSide’s catering business has blossomed into one of our community’s finest. MorningSide is also one of very few local cafes and eateries that offers free WiFi. FoxCreek BBQ has settled into their new home at the Depot. I recently discovered that their burgers are as good as their barbecue, which is high praise. Local troubadour David Grimes is performing a solo acoustic show (I could call it David Grimes Unplugged) on Fridays when he is not playing elsewhere alone or with his band. Like the residents of most rural communities, local citizens are weathering the economic downturn by cutting back, sacrificing, and stretching every dollar. Restaurants are no different. I have no doubt that the economy will improve in 2012. I am really looking forward to visiting restaurants that I have yet to visit and hope that rumors of new restaurants are true. I am looking forward to seeing fewer empty tables in our restaurants, cafés, and coffee shops. I also think my wife is looking forward to a little less of my home cooking. Me too! N
January 2012 | 7
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The Morning Line
Accountability of the U of A Mark Lamberth The job of head football coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks is a high profile position. Along with the millions of dollars in salary and perks comes responsibility and accountability. With those thoughts in mind, I’m confident that everyone is now familiar with the incident involving Coach Bobby Petrino near the end of the second half thrashing LSU laid on the Hogs. As LSU kicked a late field goal to add to an insurmountable lead over Arkansas, Petrino took exception to LSU Head Coach Les Miles’ decision. Petrino was caught on the national television broadcast issuing four letter expletives toward the LSU bench which could hardly be mistaken for best wishes to you over the remainder of the Thanksgiving holiday. I’ve given some thought to that game and the season and have come to my own personal conclusions. Was LSU trying to run up the score and embarrass Arkansas? My answer is a resounding no. In this day of computer generated polls, head coaches feel compelled to put as much distance between them and an opponent as they can. Miles was
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trying to beat Arkansas by more points than Alabama’s win over the Hogs to enhance his number one position atop the polls. I feel Petrino would have done the same thing given the opportunity. Did it hurt the image of the University of Arkansas, its football program, and perhaps our state? I don’t think we helped ourselves with football recruits, their parents, and high school coaches. They saw Petrino’s intensity in its rawest form. That intensity is great but you have to learn how to control it and channel it. It is evident that he has lost sight that he represents more in his position that just the U of A football team. I can just imagine the comments by parents of potential Razorbacks as they watched. Parents and high school coaches notice and make decisions based on reactions to real game situations and there has been a lot of TV time featuring Coach Petrino and his reactions to negative situations this season. And finally, Athletic Director Jeff Long’s reaction to the whole matter was particularly unfortunate.
He was disappointed CBS chose to play the incident multiple times. Apparently, he was not disappointed in his coach’s actions and attempted to shift the blame to the media. Why not issue a simple apology that would end the entire controversy and put all concerned in a better light, including the State of Arkansas? Of course the executives at CBS loved it as it added some real spice to a game that was already decided; not to mention the anticipation of the rematch next year in Little Rock. That game will be circled on a lot of calendars and the countdown to that kickoff has already begun. There’s still plenty of time to do the right thing.. N
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Eye On Cover Story New Year on a Long Road Joseph Thomas
Photos by Robert O. Seat
David Grimes is my favorite kind of person: a singersongwriter, motivated individual, daring personality, and all around great guy. I have been fortunate to know David for going on seven years now and have enjoyed watching him perform many times in that span of time. I was also very fortunate to sit down with Grimes and another friend, Bob Pest, to hear about the long road Grimes set upon with guitar in hand. “I took off in 1977 with my guitar, very little money, and the idea to see America while playing and writing music. I hitchhiked from Chicago to Joliet on I-55, turned west, and hitchhiked all the way to the coast. It was a great adventure across the United States,” Grimes said. He speaks of seeing the Great Lakes, Salt Lake, the Teton Mountain range, the Snake River, Vegas, and Tahoe. He says he went all the way back to the Columbia River up around Oregon and back down through Yellow Stone. He stayed in Salt Lake for a year and then settled in the Reno-Carson City area for over twenty years. He expresses his love for that area and was drawn by the music scene as well as the people. Grimes spent the first few years by playing his guitar, writing songs, and experiencing the life around him. A drummer named Dick Kinnison found them their first gig near Virginia City for $25 each per night. He describes it as an old gold mining town with a rustic but neat bar and they were asked to play from noon to whenever. Grimes and Kinnison set up and started playing to an empty house at noon, but “by 3:00 p.m. we had a nine piece band and the place was packed to the rafters. These big bearded guys came in their hip boots, chewing tobacco, and it was really awesome.” That was the beginning of a musical career that continues to this day. While working at the Comstock Mother Lode, the richest silver mine in the country, David joined forces two other musicians and he formed his first band, The Comstock Nuggets.”That was fun,” muses Grimes, “but not everyone could play full time, and that’s what I wanted to do, so Dick Kinnison and I ended up seeing this guy named Duke in Carson City playing at a casino. He asked Dick and me if we wanted to form a trio. We played together as ‘3D Country’ for a year. I was 20 years old, making $600 a week plus tips, and that was a long way from $25 a night.” They started playing at another club and Duke had to return to the casino and it was then that Grimes was pushed to sing lead; he has been out front ever since. From there it was all about getting his name out there with booking agents; Grimes headed several bands throughout the years worked fifty weeks a year on the Nevada circuit and side gigs all over the west and
Canada. He became well known as a lead performer on the casino circuit. His last band in Nevada, Diamond Ridge, was the house band for Baldini’s Casino, and drew bigger crowds than Johnny Lee, who was at that time in his heyday. Asked why after more than twenty years of successfully performing in the Nevada area he would come to Batesville, Grimes says “Let’s just say that I was living life in the fast lane. What they say about ‘Sex, Drugs, and Rock’n’Roll,’ is true. I was working as a chef during the day and playing music and partying every night. I took a hard look at myself one morning and realized that I needed to slow down if I wanted to see forty. I was raised by my paternal grandparents near Jonesboro and had some family, including a brother I had never met until I was twenty seven, living here. So in 1993 I loaded up my car and headed east.” Listen to Grimes album, “Back Home,” and you’ll get a sense of how meaningful family is to this singer/songwriter that calls Batesville home. After moving to Arkansas, David worked with a singer from Conway, Joe Frates, who had a band called “Frates Train.” They played in the Kewadin Casino in the Upper Peninsula area of Michigan with Gene Watson, Tommy Overstreet, and Toby Keith. Frates had a discount card for Cracker Barrel. David tells of taking his wife, Paula, with him on the tour bus up to Michigan, “She can tell you where every Cracker Barrel is between here and there,” he jokes, “We didn’t eat at another Cracker Barrel for about five years.” Grimes met his wife a year after moving back. The couple moved to Melbourne, Arkansas and owned and operated the Market Place for eight years before moving back to Batesville in 2005. Grimes began performing in Salem on the Gene Cooper Television Show which was syndicated and helped to further expose his name and talent. Grimes had the idea to bring in big name musical talent on a regular basis and found no support for the proposition. Grimes then began
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putting together a benefit concert at Ozarka College, made contact with Narvel Felts for the first time, and with his help drew a crowd of around five hundred. The town then got on board with the idea, so “North Arkansas Entertainment” was born and the David Grimes All Star Band was formed. The first national act David and Paula promoted at Ozarka College was Ray Price, “The best part of the Ray Price show was in the men’s dressing room. Between Danny Dozier, Timmy Crouch, and Price’s fiddle players, it was a Hoedown.” Grimes said. The next concert was Gene Watson. “We got him just in time; he signed our contract and then he had a hit record and got lots of air play. He did two sold out shows. Everybody wanted to see him.” With the crowds and recognition brought in by Gene Watson, David and Paula promoted other famous musicians, including Charlie Daniels, the Bellamy Brothers, Don Williams, Billy Joe Royal, Bobby Bare, and others, including legendary Merle Haggard. Regarding Haggard, Grimes says, “We signed a contract and within a week we were sold out with no paid advertising.” Grimes had known Haggard for many years by then but didn’t know that two of the Hag’s band members were old friends from Reno. “That was quite a reunion,” he said. So many people clamored for a repeat show that David and Paula brought Merle back the next year, selling out that show in two weeks, again with no paid advertising. “At Merle’s suggestion,” says Grimes, “We added fifty seats
on the stage and sold them for $100.00 each. After both shows, Merle stayed around and signed autographs, which is not something he normally does.” Merle also invited Grimes and his wife to attend the Willie Nelson picnic as his guests, and says it took about two seconds for them to say yes. “We got to park where the buses were and visit with a lot of the performers who were there, as well as actually being on stage with Willie, Merle, and Ray Price, among others. That was a great experience.” David currently operates a food service business at Future Fuel and plays most Friday evenings at Fox Creek BBQ at the Depot. Grimes states that his job leaves him plenty of time to play music locally and he couldn’t be happier. The David Grimes All Star Band, composed of Johnny Parish, David Robison, Tim Arnold, Jimmy Dillard, and Grimes, play special events such as company picnics, reunions, and concerts They opened for and served as back-up band for Narvel Felts August 20th at the Landers Theater, which was a fundraiser for Main Street Batesville, where his wife Paula is the highly-respected executive director. David also has a sound and lights company and recently ran sound for the Rodney Black Project at a benefit for the Ozark Foothills Film Festival. Grimes and David Robison will provide sound for the Pam Tillis concert at ASU Newport on January 28th. David can be reached at (870) 613-3859. N
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Chamber to Increase Opportunity to Attract Business Prospect
Batesville Chamber to Increase Opportunity to Attract Business of the Arkansas Site Selection tool for the City of Batesville and Independence County. The registered prope Prospect manager is responsible for adding, maintaining, and editing all properties. This tool will increase the opportu
November 21, 2011 - The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce has assumed responsibility as property ma
to be more competitive in attracting business prospects. Sites must be a minimum of 10 acres and buildings
The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce has assumed responsibility as property manager Properties that do not meet the required specifications will be added to a separate database for local economi of the Arkansas Site Selection development recruiting efforts. tool for the City of Batesville Independence The with detaile Arkansas Site Selectionand is a statewide buildings and sites database County. and GIS mapping application registered property is portal to hel demographic and business data, county and community profiles, and manager a geospatial data download economic developers, site selectors, real estatefor consultants, business maintaining, owners/CEOs, and the national business responsible adding, community with a way and to geographically analyze sites. It also includes interactive editing allpotential properties. This toolmaps, coordinate extraction from high-resolution aerial photography for precise mapping, automatic emails to ensure accuracy will increase the opportunity to web-based tools that enable real estate professionals and economic development organizations to post comme be more competitive in attracting and industrial properties on the site. business prospects. Sites must beplease a visitminimum of 10 oracres and For additional information www.arkansassiteselection.com contact Crystal Johnson at 870 793 2378. buildings must be a minimum of 10,000 square feet. Only completed About The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce: questionnaires will be accepted and The Batesville Area Chamber Commerce is the leading can ofbe returned tovoice of business in Independence County, provid
be a minimum of 10,000 square feet. Only completed questionnaires will be accepted and can be returned to crystal.johnson@mybatesville.org.
crystal.johnson@mybatesville.org.
advocacy, promotion and resources for chamber members. The Chamber of Commerce sets the standard for
excellence in member service, community collaboration, business growth and achieving a high quality of life the Batesville area.
Customer Appreciation Day
50% off ENTIRE MENU January 25th
Properties that do not meet the required specifications will be added to a separate database for local economic development recruiting efforts. Arkansas Site Selection is a statewide buildings and sites database and GIS mapping application with detailed demographic and business data, country and community profiles, and a geospatial data download portal to help economic developers, site selectors, real estate consultants, business owners / CEO’s, and the national business community with a way to geographically analyze potential sites. It also includes interactive maps, coordinate extraction from high-resolution aerial photography for precise mapping, automatic emails to ensure accuracy and web-based tools that enable real estate professionals and economic development organizations to post commercial and industrial properties on the site. For additional information please visit www.arkansassiteselection.com or contact Crystal Johnson at 870-793-2378. N
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Eye On Nature
Shake, Rattle, and Roll Autumn Hunter
In October I was attending a work conference in Oklahoma City when the earth began to shake. It was eleven p.m. and I had arrived less than three hours previous. At 5.6 on the Richter scale my first earthquake experience was a memorable one. It felt as if the entire ground were atop an unevenly loaded washing machine. Unfortunately, my second experience was just as scary at 4.7 magnitude and came two days later. I was ready to get away and return home. Which seems odd since Arkansas is closer to an actual fault line. Seismology is the study of earthquakes. The FEMA website states, “An earthquake is ground shaking caused by a sudden movement of rock in the Earth’s crust. Such movements occur along faults, which are thin zones of crushed rock separating blocks of crust. When one block suddenly slips the energy released creates vibrations called seismic waves that
A. radiate up through the crust to the Earth’s surface, causing the ground to shake.” Several scales measure magnitude, or the amount of energy released at the earthquakes center. The Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale is reported in roman numerals. The Richter scale is more commonly known and ranges from 0- 10+. The 5.6 earthquake in Oklahoma only ranks as moderate. Haiti was 7.0 on Richter scale two years ago in January 2010. The winter of 1811-1812 impacted the town of New Madrid, Missouri with a series
of three major earthquakes. All measured 7.5 or stronger. Different stages of earthquakes are: micro, minor, light, moderate, strong, and major to great. There are three seismic zones in the central U.S.: New Madrid, Wabash Valley, and East Tennessee. We live closest to the New Madrid fault line. According to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas Culture and History, “The New Madrid seismic zone runs northeast from Marked Tree Arkansas. It generally follows Interstate 55 in a zigzag pattern through Blytheville,
B. crossing five state lines and cutting across the Mississippi River in three places.” The zone ends near Cairo, Illinois. Other than reinforcing your structures and bolting your belongings to the wall, there is little a person can do to prepare for an earthquake. They come without warning and there is no definite safe place. However, it’s best to drop to the floor, crawl under furniture (such as a table), and hang on so that you can stay under the furniture as it moves. If this is not an option get against a wall and cover your head with arms as is typical during severe tornado weather. The part that comes after is where preparation is paramount. In the aftermath of a major earthquake transportation and communication systems may take several days to restore. You’ll need to be prepared to take care of your family for several days before emergency rescue can reach your
C. area. Here are a few things necessary for survival: know how to turn off utilities, have several days’ supply of food and water per person/pets, batteries, flash lights, matches, and a waterproof container, medications, cash, first aid kit, and toiletries. The experts say our area is overdue for a significant earthquake. Now is the time to prepare and plan ahead to protect our families and stay safe Arkansas. N
A. Damage from earthquake in Virginia B. Japan earthquake opened this rift in the highway C. New Madrid fault line
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January 2012 | 15
Eye On Feature Betsy Tucker, Female Master
Foreword by Bruce Oakley
Photos submitted
Betsy Tucker of Batesville is the state's 2011 Female Masters (40 and older) Runner of the Year, chosen by the Arkansas Chapter of the Road Runners Club of America (http:// www.arkrrca.com/). Tucker, 55, finished third overall in the ARRCA's 20-race Grand Prix competition, behind Olympic hopeful and former UALR standout Leah Thorvilson, 32, and Tracy Tungac, 29. Tucker and Tungac tied in the standings, but the younger racer won the tiebreaker in head-to-head results. The Grand Prix series also has age divisions, with points awarded to the first ten series competitors at each race in each age division. Runners may compete in all 20 races, but only their 10 best performances are counted. This was Tucker's first year in the competition. Tucker dominated the Grand Masters (50 and older) category, with nine first places and one second place, beaten in her first race of the year by a tenth of a second by Barbie Hildebrand, a Grand Masters state record holder. She beat Hildebrand in later races. As the season went on, Tucker broke state female Grand Masters records in the 8K and 20K, and missed the 5K record by seven seconds. The records came at the Rock Run 8K (5 miles), May 28 in Little Rock, in 34:56.8, which is 7:02 per mile, and the Arkansas 20K (12.4
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miles), September 17 in Benton at 1:35:32, which is 7:42 per mile. She ran the Watermelon 5K Aug. 13 in Hope in 20:38. Tucker had never broken 22:00 in a 5K until July, and she had never run an 8K or 20K before her record runs. Besides her third place finish overall and her first place in Grand Masters, Tucker earned second place in the Masters division, edged out in late races by ultra-marathoner Tammy Walther, who just turned 40 this year. Tucker is a member of the White River Roadrunners (http:// www.wrroadrunners.org/) and finished near the top overall in several Batesville-area races this year as well as her 12 races in the statewide Grand Prix. Her daughter, Kevan Beth, also a White River Roadrunners member, finished second in the 20-24 age division of the statewide Grand Prix series, with six first place finishes of her own. The ARRCA awards were announced at the chapter's annual meeting, held Saturday (Nov. 19) at the Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs after the Spa 10K, the final race in the 2011 Grand Prix series. Eye On: Have you always been a runner or is this something new for you? Betsy: I started running a few
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years ago after I sold my gymnastics business, Stars & Stripes, in 2005. After I sold the gym, I was looking for a workout. I started running and walking for cardio and stress relief. I wanted to run a race but kept putting it off. A cousin visited for Easter in 2006, and he encouraged me to run the 1040 Tax Run (on Batesville's Eagle Mountain) that weekend. He won that race. That was my first race, April 15th, 2006, and the first time I ever ran a 5K (3.1 miles) without stopping. I turned 50 years old 2 months later. When did you decide to start competing and why? My first race was the 2006 Tax Run, then I ran 2 or 3 races a year after that and had several minor injuries. As I prepared better and ran more, it got easier. My running friend and coach, Bruce Oakley, encouraged me to join the Arkansas Grand Prix competition this year and run some of those races. I ran a lot this year, actually nineteen races. Share with us any challenges you may have faced when you first began running -- physically, emotionally or environmentally. As for challenges, I have had a few minor injuries, nothing huge. I run mostly around my home. But I venture out all over town, preparing for local races and trying to get long runs in. It helps that I don’t work full time or have small children at
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home. I don’t see how people find the time or energy when they work. Actually my son Shane started running first. He ran the Little Rock Marathon in 2005. I watched him finish and was inspired! Now Shane and my daughter, Kevan Beth, who is in medical school at UAMS, both run with me. We all three plan to run the ARRCA Grand Prix Race Series in 2012. Kevan Beth finished second in her age group in the Grand Prix this year. How do you choose which races you will run and how do you prepare? Bruce helps me select which races to run and how to prepare. It helps me to have a group to train with. I usually run "speed work" at the track one day a week, short but fast. I had never done that before Bruce started coaching me this year. I run long, slow distance, 6-10 miles, one day a week. And I run medium speed and distance one day. Bruce helps me adjust the workout distance and speed for each race. Is there one race or event that stands out for you more than another when you look back? Actually two races stand out. The Go Mile!, a short one-mile race in Burns Park in North Little Rock, was so much fun. We ran in heats and Kevan Beth, Shane and I were all in different ones. We got to watch each other and the elite runners. It was super fun. And also the long 20K (12.4 miles) in Benton, it was a surprise how much I enjoyed it. And I broke the state record for Grand Masters (50 and older) there! I had never raced that distance before. I plan to run the Grand Prix series again in 2012. My daughters and I are trying to recruit a few more runners so that we can have a White River Road Runners team in the Grand Prix team competition this time. We need three racers at 10-16 events. For me, Bruce says we are going to add some cross-training and technique work in 2012. He says we only scratched the surface in 2011, adding track runs and going from about 20 miles a week to a
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steady 25-30. He thinks I can break more state Grand Masters records. What would you tell someone who might be considering running? I hope no one will ever feel like it’s too late in life to start running. I "walked/ran" for a long time. Please, tell us a little about yourself. I taught gymnastics for 27 years, then I taught at Hope Lutheran Montessori School part time for two years. This year I am working with the Lyon College Cheerleaders. My husband, Tommy, and my youngest daughter, Bonnie, work at Lyon College. Bonnie is an admission representative and Tommy is the director of financial aid. Tommy and I went to Lyon, so we have come full circle. Bonnie is going to run more races with me this year. Shane attends Lyon and started a running club there in the fall. Through running I have made new friends not only here in Batesville, but all over the state. I have found runners to be a friendly bunch, eager to offer helpful advice and encouragement. The White River Road Runners and Women Run Arkansas are two organizations that are making a difference in the health and well-being of many local people. I owe many local runners a big thanks for all they have done to give me tips and encourage me. Most especially, I am thankful to God for giving me the ability to run at this point in my life, and for giving me strength as I go on. N
A. Tucker with Leah Thorvilson B. Tucker with daughter, Kevan Beth at the Sara Low 5k C. Tucker with Bruce Oakley at the Sara Low 5k D. Tucker doing what she loves E. Tucker showing awards after local race in Batesville.
January 2012 | 17
Eye On Health New Year’s Resolutions Alisa R. Lancaster
By now, your list of New Year’s Resolutions will have been made. And, according to CNN.com, the number one New Year’s Resolution for Americans is to lose weight. Although it is the top resolution made, few people will follow through and be successful. The key to being successful is to make changes, changes that you can maintain for the rest of your life, in your eating habits and exercise regimen. Your health and quality of life can be improved with just losing five to seven percent of your body weight. For example, it would mean losing 10 to 14 pounds for a person who weighs 200 pounds. Here are some simple suggestions to help you be successful: Set a goal, but be specific ~ “I want to lose five to 10 pounds.”
Make your goal realistic ~ it needs to be achievable and something you can maintain. Develop a plan to reach your goal ~ “I’m going to exercise four times a week.” “I’m going to eat smaller portions.” Set a time frame to reach your goal, say 28 to 30 days ~ it generally takes 28 days to develop/change a habit. Remember, to lose weight you must take in fewer calories than you use, plan for healthier eating, and engage in regular physical activity. Slip ups will be made, but don’t use that as an excuse to give up. For further information, The National Institute of Health offers some guidelines to consider for those planning a weight loss program. Good luck! N
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January 2012 | 19
Faces
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A. Angela Connell, former Batesville Chamber Membership Director, gears up for her turn to shoot. B. Crystal Johnson, Chamber President, shooting skeet. Also pictured is Rocky Wilmuth and a youth representative for the range. C. Polly Livingston shooting skeet. D. Richard Hawkins - Modern Woodman of America Rep. E. Rocky Wilmuth delivers a speech welcoming the visitors. All photographs taken by Tony McGuffey
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Paul H. “Rocky” Wilmuth Sport Shooting Complex was a cooperative effort between the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Independence County and the City of Batesville. The threefield combination skeet/trap range also offers a static archery range and is open to the public. It is located on 3600 N. St. Louis St.
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The Arkansas Pepsi Challenge was held on December 10th and 11th at Hot Springs. Stars and Stripes of Batesville competed in the Level 4 and Level 5 competition. A. Level 6 team 2nd place from L to R; Taylor Williams, Cortlynn Harris, Katie Fielder, B. Level 5 team 4th place from L to R; Ava Wilson, Lauren Hill, Anslee Wilson, Caitlyn Fincher, and Summer Fools, C. Level 4 first place team from L to R; Caroline Booker, Ashley Guadamuz, Brooklyn Panneck, Aubrey Decker, Sydney Faulkner, Vanessa Thompson, Miracle Sentell, Gracie Booker, and Mary Claire McNabb . Pictures submitted by Stars and Stripes. D. The annual Fire Show hosted near 600 firefighters October 29th at the Arkansas Forestry Commission (AFC) Rural Fire Office in Greenbrier. Center Point Fire Department, a rural fire district just outside of Hazen in Prairie County, was the grand prize winner of the 1973 AM General Brush Truck. For more information on this event log onto www.eyeonmag.com to see the entire story. To contact the Rural Fire office, call 501-679-3183 or visit www.arkansasforestry.org. Pictures submitted by Arkansas Forestry Commission. 20 | Log onto eyeonmag.com for past issues, photo albums, and what’s happening in Independence right now!.
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Kennadi Pretty
Photo by Stacy Pretty
T TAURI
Film Festival & Movie Camp July 16-28, 2012
ttauri.org
141 W. Main Street, Batesville 870-698-9998
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January 2012 |  21
Part 3 s m u se u M y a w te a G Ozark
Museums Celebrate the History of the Ozark Gateway Region: Part III Bob Pest
Many of the Arkansas State Parks include museums that chronicle and celebrate the rich and varied history of the region. Five of those museums are located in the Ozark Gateway Region at Mammoth Spring, Davidsonville, Powhatan Courthouse, Jacksonport, and the Ozark Folk Center state parks. Each captures the spirit of the region with exhibits, activities and entertainment for the entire family, and annual events and celebrations. Mammoth Spring State Park Step back in time when you enter the restored 1886 Frisco Train Depot as it was at the turn of the 1900’s. Fourteen life-sized human figures portray travelers, station hands, and train crew. Two short videos tell the story of the booming city of Mammoth Spring, a manufacturing center in the late 1800’s, linked by rail and wagon roads to cities and raw materials. The museum’s baggage room includes exhibits of railroad artifacts. A Frisco caboose parked just outside is also open for touring. Welcome Center manager Adam Davis calls the Frisco Depot “a window to the past for those who didn’t experience it firsthand.” In addition to the depot, exhibits are on display in the Welcome Center and at the dam and power plant. Mammoth Spring, properly named, is the 10th largest spring in the world. The first mill was built in 1836, driven by the nine million gallons of water that gushed from the spring per hour. In 1888 the Mammoth Spring Water Power Company built a 225-foot-long dam to bring electricity to the area long before other Ozark communities. The dam created Spring Lake and the stunning 15-foot waterfall. The park is on U.S. Highway 63 in Mammoth Spring. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday and on Holiday Mondays except Christmas and New Years Day from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Admission is $2.35 for adults and $1.25 for children age 6 to 12. Group rates are available with advance notice. For information call 870-625-7364, email mammothspring@arkansas.com, or visit www.arkansasstateparks.com/ mammothsprings/ . Davidsonville State Park Davidsonville State Park, formerly known as Old Davidsonville State Park, preserves and celebrates the history of Davidsonville, a frontier settlement that served as a regional trading center in the early 1800’s. Historical records document the steady flow of goods from Europe, New England, and New Orleans. A ferry that crossed the Black River connected to a road to Memphis that helped the town thrive. It became the first county seat of Lawrence County and boasted a two story courthouse in the town square. In 1817 it became one of two U.S. mail centers in the Arkansas portion of the Missouri Territory. Some say that an epidemic, perhaps cholera, decimated the population and led to abandonment of the town. Economic factors were probably the true cause, however. The rivers, which contributed to the importance of the town, also led to its decline. The area was prone to flooding, isolating the area for much of the time. The rerouting of the Southwest Trail, the major road through the area, away from the town, as well as the growth of nearby Pocahontas and Batesville, the latter some fifty miles to the south, contributed to the decline. In 1829, the county seat was moved approximately fifteen miles to the west to the new town of Jackson. About the same time, the U.S. land office was moved to Batesville. Having lost its governmental importance, the town slowly died. Today little is left of Davidsonville, but visitors can Gateway Museums part III continues on page 25
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Welcome to Independence
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Batesville Team Wins World Archery Tournament ORLANDO, Fla. – For the third year in a row Eagle Mountain Magnet School’s archery team found themselves in Orlando competing for a world title. On October 8, for the second time in three years, they won. Batesville qualified for a trip to Disney World by placing first in the Arkansas National Archery in the Schools Program state tournament and second in the National Archery in the Schools Program national tournament in Kentucky. Their score of 3,291 set the new elementary school world record, beating the previous world record of 3,287. They never would have made it without Coach Susan Parker. Parker has been a physical education instructor in the Batesville schools for more than 20 years and has coached the team since its formation in 2009. “This is an incredible opportunity for our students and our state. We couldn’t have done it without the strong support of the parents and the Batesville School District,” Parker stated following their win. Top elementary archer in the World was Jack Looney with a 292. Six Eagle Mountain Magnet team members were also recognized for their Top Five Finishes in their grade level. Jack Looney and Celsey Wood took first place in the male and female fifth grade division. Also finishing in the fifth grade division was a third place award for Ronnie Jeffrey. Sixth grade division winners were Katie Allen (4th place) and Natalie Craft (5th place). Gina Mishark placed 4th in the fourth grade division. Of the 24 team members, 15 will return next year to defend their title. NASP originated in 2002 with 21 Kentucky middle schools. The organization has grown to 9,000 schools and 2 million student archers. N
Jack Looney finished first place in 5th grade male division. All pictures submitted. 24 | Log onto eyeonmag.com for past issues, photo albums, and what’s happening in Independence right now!.
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Gateway Museums part III continued
walk the trail through the town site and see the exhibits in the visitor’s center. The park is located at 7953 Highway 166 South. For information call 870-8924708, email davidsonville@arkansas.com, or visit www. arkansasstateparks.com/olddavidsonville/. Powhatan Courthouse State Park In the 1800s, this busy river port on the Black River was the chief shipping point for a large territory. In 1888, an Italianate courthouse was built atop a hill overlooking the busy riverfront from bricks made on site. This courthouse is the park’s dominant feature.
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Explore exhibits that interpret the commerce, politics, and lifestyles that shaped north Arkansas and illustrate the history of Lawrence County, the mother of north Arkansas counties, from its beginning to the early years of the 20th century. Take a guided tour through five buildings that share the stories of domestic and commercial life here in the 1800s. In addition to the Powhatan Courthouse, be sure to visit the Powhatan Jail, Ficklin-Imboden Log House, Commercial Building, and Powhatan Male and Female Academy, a two-room schoolhouse. Nearby are the old steamboat landing and the 70-foot-high pylons of the large suspension bridge that once spanned the Black River at Powhatan. Guided tours are available. The park is on Arkansas Highway 25 in Powhatan. For information call 870-8786794, email powhatan@arkansas.com, or visit www. arkansasstateparks.com/powhatancourthouse/ . Jacksonport Courthouse Museum at Jacksonport State Park When you visit Jacksonport State Park, just a few miles from Newport, you stand in a place that was a thriving river port in the 1800s. Located near the confluence of the Black and White Rivers, Jacksonport was a busy river port that welcomed steamboats from the Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers throughout the Gateway Museums part III continues on page 38
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ContacttSouthernnBankkaboutthow toodownloaddourrexcitinggnewwapp forryourriPhoneeorrBlackberry.
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870.612.1212 January 2012 | 25
January 21st, 2012 - Basket Weaving Class Instructor: Mrs. Fielder Location: Main Street Gallery Time: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Cost: $45 which includes some supplies. Participants will need to bring a dishpan size container (for water) and a bath towel. Pre-registration is required... w/ $15 deposit.
SOUPER BOWL SATURDAY St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Saturday, Feb. 4th 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Tickets: $8 per quart on Feb. 4th $7 per quart for advance ticket sales (prior to Saturday, Feb. 4th Some of the best area cooks and restaurateurs will be contributing a variety of home-made soups again this year. Special VIP offer for ticket holders: Those who purchase advance tickets can choose soup from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., however, we will have a SPECIAL VIP HOUR for ticket holders from 9 a.m. – 10 .a.m. for early bird Souper Bowl supporters.
BAAC offered a lot of fun for kids with their Cookie House workshop. Using candy and icing, creative houses were built by all children of all ages. On December 9th - 18th Dustyn Bork and Carley Dahl shared their work with an exhibition. During Second Friday, they each provided a gallery talk about the displayed work as well as their own reflections through a question and answer session. December 10th - Marie fowler, local author and artist, provided a book reading for children five and under at the BAAC Art Gallery on Main. December 10th, BAAC provided a Pastel Painting Class with Barbara Inglehart. The Batesville Area Arts Council would like to thank Eye on Independence for the support during the past year. We would also like to extend our deepest appreciation to all the area businesses, schools and individuals who continue to support our mission. We wish everyone a very Happy new Year.
In March, Marlene Gremillion will be providing a two day "Multi Media Workshop" The latter part of April, Diane Ziemski will provide a second Watercolor Workshop. Look for upcoming gallery exhibitions from Susan Gibson, Ozark Foothills Fiilmfest Poster Winner, Young Arkansas Artist Exhibit January 30th through February 3rd, the Cultural Kaleidoscope' will have their Irish Touring Program providing an AIE residency at Batesville's Eagle Mountain Magnet School. February 27th - March 2nd , Arts In Education artist, Clayton Scott will be providing a residency at Batesville's West Magnet Elementary.
The BAAC has "miniexhibits" of local artists' work in three other locations in Batesville. Great local art is on display at the Row Johns Library on the campus of UACCB and at the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce. In addition, The Friday Painters maintain an exhibit of members work at the White River Medical Center. Call BAAC at (870) 793-3382 for more information.
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1. Gracie Roark and Jaylyn Jefferson 2. Joyce Pickett and Presley Rogers 3. Kolt Wallis 4. Anthony Manning and Crystal Manning 5. Zoe Alexander 6. Gantt Tucker, Jonathan Tucker, and Jennifer Daniels
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Mon-Wed 11-7
Thur-Sat 11-8
Pork * Beef * Brisket * Chicken * Ribs * Homemade Desserts * Cookies
Dine In or Carry-Out and Catering
Thank you for your patronage in 2011. First Lady Ginger Bebee and author John P. Gill were on hand in Batesville for a book signing at the BAAC Main Street Art Gallery thanks to Citizens Bank. Bank President John Dews was on hand to greet them as shown above.
We look forward to serving you in 2012. 870-698-0034
129 Lawrence St. behind Karpet Korner
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The Wolf Wedding Fears Photography Kimberlee Thomas
What do you get when you take an outdoors “Daddy’s Girl” and pair her with a good ole’ country boy? A match made in camo heaven. Lindsay and Hunter first met in March 2008. Lindsay had just started working at Josie’s in Waldenburg as a waitress and Karaoke organizer. She recalls the first time she saw Hunter, “I saw him the second he walked in the door. I don’t know if it was love at first sight but there was definitely an instant attraction and curiosity.” Lindsay asked the young lady that trained her if she knew who this young man was. The girl laughed as she told Lindsay that he was her cousin and that he had already been asking about her. They visited over the course of the evening and on March 21 they had their first date, it was a double with Hunter’s cousin and his girlfriend. Lindsay and Hunter discovered they share a vast love for the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and back roading. As most young girls do, Lindsay had always dreamed of meeting Mr. Right and having a fairytale proposal and wedding. On December 26, 2010 Hunter brought Lindsay’s dreams to life. It was the first day of the three day Christmas slug hunt and the couple rolled out of bed at 5:00 a.m. They met Lindsay’s daddy, her brother, her cousin, and Hunter’s dad and headed out for a full day of deer hunting. They had not been out long when her dad stopped the truck along a county road and all the men got out of the truck to scout things out a bit and discuss where to begin this day of hunting. Lindsay being a rather impatient girl finally got out to see what the holdup was and to ask “who has the snacks?” Hunter’s dad called Lindsay around to the opposite side of the truck to discuss hunting locations with them. As she rounded the back of the truck she saw her daddy, her brother, her cousin and Hunter’s dad all standing together and just in front of them was Hunter down on one knee, ring in hand. “Lindsay Ashton Edwards . . . Will you marry me?” She replied in true Lindsay fashion, “Are you serious?” “Yes!” Lindsay claims “For this little country girl it was the perfect proposal, camo and all.” The couple was wed on September 10, 2011 at Sunset Ridge Retreat Center in Judsonia. It was a beautiful outdoor wedding attended by the couples families and close friends. Pastor Brandon Gates of Tuckerman presided over the double ring ceremony and the brides' grandfather blessed them with a special prayer. The couple honeymooned in Prim at the Longbow Resort. “We had an awesome time! The cabins are built right into the rocky landscape. It is so secluded that there is no cell phone service. It was right up our alley,” stated Lindsay. Lindsay and Hunter reside in Balch. She is a student at ASUN working towards her RN degree. Hunter is employed at Engines Inc. in Jonesboro as a generator tech. The couple is expecting the arrival of their first child, a boy, in March. They are both very excited about becoming parents and spending the rest of their lives together, camo and all. N 28 | Log onto eyeonmag.com for past issues, photo albums, and what’s happening in Independence right now!.
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January 2012 | 29
Tales Of a Transplanted Fashionista New Year’s Fashion Resolutions for 2012 Leigh Keller 1. I vow to never wear leggings as pants. Leggings are meant to be worn under skirts or dresses during cold weather, with boots or ballet flats, as a warmer alternative to tights. Just because you have a cute little hiney does not mean your classmates, co-workers, fellow shoppers at the grocery store, or your Spanish teacher, wants to see it. 2. I vow always to make certain that the hem of my pants is an appropriate length. When your hemline meets the top of your flat, or the heel of your fabulous heel, the effect is slimming and very flattering. 3. I vow to always wear appropriate hemlines and necklines in public. It can be difficult to find a balance between trendy and what works best on your body. The most flattering length for most women is right above the knee. Anything shorter is not appropriate for most workplaces or any other non-casual environment. Save the mini-skirts for your date nights or nights out with the girls. 4. I vow to always look appropriate for wherever I am. I’m a high schoolteacher, so my daily wardrobe varies from sheath dresses with cardigans or jackets, chunky fun jewelry and heels, to slacks, ballet flats and
jackets or layers (my classroom temperature varies on a hourly basis, so layering is a must!). You should dress for the job you want, not the job you’ve got, assuming that everyone is at some point aiming for a raise. The rule of appropriate dressing not only goes for work, but also for anywhere you might see real, live people, such as shopping at the grocery store. You should look appropriate enough that your children would not run from you if they see their friends or you don’t throw yourself into the egg display if your boss rounds the corner. Pajamas are a no-no for anywhere but wherever you sleep, and if you have to run in to get some hot dog buns on the way to the lake, please don’t ever wear your swimsuit to the grocery store. 5. I vow to dress for my age and body-type. Nothing is less attractive, or aging, on a grown woman than a statement tee you bought in the juniors section, worn with the sparkly jeans you also bought in the juniors section, or clothes that used to fit you but now physically pain you to wear. I promise you that if you wore something in the actual size you are now,as a gorgeous grown woman who has a figure, a figure you probably got by giving birth to one or two beautiful children, you will look far slimmer than in those old clothes that you need to give away. N
IRA or Roth IRA? Get timely advice about opening or contributing to an IRA or Roth IRA for retirement. Your Modern Woodmen representative can help you decide which is best for you. Modern Woodmen of America offers financial products and fraternal benefits. Call today to learn more.
Career Opportunities Available *Registered representative. Securities offered through MWA Financial Services Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Modern Woodmen of America. Member: FINRA, SIPC.
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The Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the winners of the 2011 “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” Competitors were Parade. placed in one of two divisions; nonprofit/civic organization and commercial. Points were calculated by correspondence to theme, originality/difficulty, and overall appearance. In all, there were 13 floats entered in the parade. There were two volunteer judges who were along the parade route that scored each float according to the criteria. Business: 1st Place Sonic Drive-In
Milligan’s Gifts & Party Decor
Nonprofit/Civic Organization: 1st Place Emmanuel Baptist Church, 2nd Place Modern Woodmen Group “Child’s Play,” 3rd Place American Legion Honorable Mention: West Baptist Church N
Tue - Fri 9am to 5pm Saturday 9am to 2pm Closed Sunday & Monday
870-793-3029
styles may vary 450 Heber Springs Rd., Batesville
milligansparty@hotmail.com
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Things To Do Zack
Godshall Will Lead FilmFest Screenwriting Workshop
“Writing Engaging and Dramatic Screenplays” Set for March 29 at the Landers Theater building. The 11th annual Ozark Foothills FilmFest, March 28 to April 1 at various venues in Batesville, will include a Screenwriting Workshop by writer/director Zack Godshall. To learn more about this event and Godshall, log onto www.eyeonmag.com to read this release in its entirety.
Cannon Center for the Performing Arts brings you guest conductor, Steven Reineke and Terry Mike Jeffrey & Band on January 7, 2012 at 8pm. This annual birthday tribute known the world over brings back Terry Mike Jeffrey and his band for a great performance of some of the music that not only turned Elvis king, but has kept his reign everlasting!
The Cannon Center also brings you ABELS Global Warming, TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17, Little Russian, and RACHMANINOFF Concerto No. 3 in D minor for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 30 Rossen Milanov. will be the guest conductor and Lilya Zilberstein will man the piano on January 14, 2012 at 8pm. You can catch this performance on the 15 at 2:30pm at the Germantown Performing Arts Centre Pam Tillis will be in concert at ASU Newport January 28th at 7pm. This will be "An Acoustic Evening with Pam Tillis." The show will begin at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $15.00 and may be purchased at the bookstore located in the student/ community center at ASU Newport. David Grimes will be assisting David Robison with the sound. Friday, February 24, 2012 @ 7:00 pm The Memphis Symphony Orchestra with The Classical Mystery Tour (all Beatle music) See www.asun.edu for more information
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Library to begin Storytime The Independence County Public Library will hold a public Story Time every Wednesday beginning from 10:30-11:00.
870-793-4441 January 2012 | 33
The Myopic Life Photographic Memory Kristi Price I’ll bet a handful of you got new cameras for Christmas. I have managed to go two years without breaking my Canon Powershot, so I’ll just have newcamera-lust from afar. I’ve noticed we’re a nation of amateur photogs. And these days, with the merging of exceptional photographic technology and mobile phones, we always have something in our palm to record the moment. Photography tells truth in a way that real life cannot. I learned this unfortunate fact while standing at the Walgreen’s photo counter, flipping through my daughter’s finally-developed beach pictures. My mom had given her a disposable camera for the trip. The photographic result of Emily’s snap-happy ways? Twenty freshly-printed pictures of me in a swimsuit. Swell. Life in motion always looks different than life in freeze frame. Life in motion moves. Even if you’re standing still, shadows move, light moves; the look of our faces is fluid and changing. But still shots reveal to us an elusive truth not found elsewhere. (Or else, they reveal to us that our noses are still growing and we have
got to get our roots done.) The post-Christmas period, that dark, slow slog to spring where I can quietly clean the house out and make sense of the last two months of frenetic activity, is a reflective one for me. I find myself staring at the pictures from Christmas parties, wondering when my Granny got so old and softly wrinkled, for in motion, she’s still young and sassy to me. Children who I thought were babies while I fixed their plates and herded them to the kids’ table look so much different in snapshots – paused, I can see their lengthening legs and the flattening of their once dimpled cheeks. Life in motion doesn’t leave much time for thinking. Still life reveals the truth of where we’ve been. So enjoy your cameras. They create a record of the past and are an eye into the future. Just please, don’t take pictures of people in swimsuits. N
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Notes from the Clearing Buying Outright Joseph Thomas
Upon this time line, this year of new I analyze my place within it to refrain from stagnation. And every time I do, try to live anew, I realize to that every day, every step is a new and daunting station. So I keep on keep‘n so as to dare and to do. Standing taller than I am and growing into my shoes With all of the passion of a child and singer of the blues And it is here that I will be at joy and at peace Buying my life outright, no longer will I lease.
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Smith’s Verdict **** Take Shelter
Reviewed by Tanner Smith
“Take Shelter” brings about a subject that is one of the main envelopments of mankind—fear. Everyone is afraid of something and how we, as people, deal with that fear is up to us. “Take Shelter,” written and directed by Jeff Nichols, is about a man who deals with his fears while not completely understanding them. Curtis (Michael Shannon) is a working-class man with a loving wife named Samantha (Jessica Chastain) and an adorable little daughter named Hannah (Tova Stewart), who is deaf. Curtis has dreams about an apocalyptic storm. Each night, the nightmares get worse and more vivid. He soon starts to believe (and fear) that the dreams are not only dreams, but also visions of an impending disaster. So he gets the idea of rebuilding the old tornado shelter in his backyard and reconstructing it into a safe haven for him and his family if the visions are indeed accurate. But there’s a problem here—Curtis is dealing with his fear in this way while also fearing something that runs even deeper. You see, his family has a history of mental illness—his mother (Kathy Baker) has been confined to a home since Curtis was ten years old. Is Curtis slowly but surely going crazy? Are these visions signs of possible schizophrenia? It’s unclear, but while Curtis goes to see several doctors and counselors about his dreams, he’s still working on that shelter to be ready in case he isn’t crazy. How’s everyone else with his “home improvement project?” Samantha is concerned, but will stick with him through thick and thin like the loving wife she is. What’s really happening here? Curtis doesn’t know, and a great thing about “Take Shelter” is that I didn’t know either. I sit in my seat watching this man as he deals with his fears in these ways. Is he going mad? Is there something dangerous headed our way? Is Curtis
protecting his family from an impending storm or himself? I won’t say. “Take Shelter” presents masterful filmmaking. Jeff Nichols, whose previous outing as a writer/director was the excellent indie film “Shotgun Stories” (also starring Michael Shannon), creates this story with a real intelligence for its audience. For example, the dream sequences—anyone in the audience can tell that a certain scene is one of Curtis’ nightmares. And I hate those old, cheap payoffs in which the dreamer wakes up in a cold sweat. But the thing is, there’s always a small feeling that these aren’t just dreams. With the way the story is developing, it’s hard to tell whether or not what we just saw will relate to anything else in a later scene or not. That’s another great thing about “Take Shelter”— it’s unpredictable. The story is told in a way that any of the two possibilities could be real. And then when the film hit the climactic moment in the final moment, I had chills. I couldn’t tell what was going to happen. I won’t dare give away what will happen, but either way you expect it to go down, it’s hard to deny that the final product has a great sense of dramatic tension. Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain deserve Oscar nominations for their work. Shannon delivers a powerhouse performance, showing emotional fragmentation, and Chastain is excellent as the reactor to Curtis’ problems and deeds. To be honest, I’m not sure if I’m making “Take Shelter” sound like the great movie that I sincerely think it is. Let me put it this way—I wrote in an above paragraph that I thought Nichols’ earlier film “Shotgun Stories” was excellent, and I think that his follow-up “Take Shelter” is even better. It’s inspired, unpredictable, chilling, wonderfully-acted, wellexecuted, and intriguing. N
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Ribbon Cuttings
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B. A. Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Ribbon Cutting October 27th at 3050 Harrison Street in Batesville. Pictured in the center is Tony Stephens, owner, with students and instructors Wes Obrigewitsch and Wes Sharp. Photo by Michael McGaha B. UACCB Nursing and Allied Health building Ribbon Cutting was held on October 28th at UACCB. On hand was guest speaker and State Representative James McLean, Mayor of Batesville Rick Elumbaugh, UACCB Chancellor Debbie Frazier, UACCB’s Student Government Association President, Linh Tran, and WRMC CEO and Administrator Gary Bebow among others. C. Amedysis Home Health Care Ribbon Cutting was held on October 21st located at 1929 Harrison in Batesville. Pictured in the center is Care Transition Coordinator, Michele Pasilis, Amedysis staff, and Chamber Ambassadors.
Gateway Museums part III continued
year. The town became the Jackson County Seat in 1854. In 1869, construction began on a stately, twostory brick courthouse. The structure was completed in 1872 and the town flourished; however, when bypassed by the railroad in the 1880’s, the town of Jacksonport began to decline. Curiously, it was the citizens who voted against the Iron Mountain and Southern Railroad request for a spur and depot in Jacksonport. In 1891, the county seat was moved to nearby
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Newport; Jacksonport’s stores, wharves, and saloons soon vanished. Today the restored courthouse serves as a museum where exhibits themed, “If These Walls Could Talk,” incorporate first-person dialogue audio, court records, and vintage photos to tell Jacksonport’s story. The town was occupied by both Confederate and Union forces during the Civil War because of its critical location. Exhibits demonstrate the suffering of residents during that dark era. Mark Ballard, Park Superintendent, also points out that “guided tours are available that provide unique insight into the history of the area and also gives visitors a fun, educational experience.” The park is on Arkansas Highway 69 in Jacksonport. For information call 870-523-2143, email jacksonport@arkansas.com, or visit www.arkansasstateparks.com/jacksonport/. Ozark Folk Center State Park The Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View opened in 1973 as “a home for traditional mountain music and crafts.” Over the years it has added additional elements to reinforce its mission of preserving the heritage of the Ozarks. The crafts village offers demonstrations of basketry, blacksmithing,
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D. Colton’s Ribbon Cutting was held on September 5th at the new Colton’s location on 1553 St. Louis Street in Batesville. Pictured in the center is Debbie Jones, Manager E. FoxCreek BBQ Restaurant Ribbon Cutting was held on August 26th at 129 Lawrence Street at the Depot. Pictured in the center is owner, Bill Daum and his wife, Jane. Also pictured are chamber ambassadors
F. Home Instead Ribbon Cutting was held on July 29th at their Batesville location inside Regions Bank on Main Street. Pictured in center is Brooke Sutton, Marketing Director. G. Pathfinder Ribbon Cutting was held on August 31st at 420 Barnett Street in Batesville. Pictured are chamber ambassadors and Pathfinder staff and clients. All photographs submitted by the Batesville Chamber.
candle making, broom and doll making, pottery, quilting, wood carving, printing, spinning, weaving, and other crafts rooted in the Ozarks. Grady Spann, Park Superintendent, appreciates the park’s unique focus, “The craft village at the Ozark Folk Center State Park is a unique experience for every visitor. Each one of the twenty-two crafters demonstrates crafts that were unique to the Ozarks at the turn of the 19th century. These are “one of a kind” creations that are not found in any department stores. They are truly Ozark crafts.” Visitors are welcome to participate in demonstrations of weaving, pottery, blacksmithing, and other heritage crafts. The Heritage Herb Garden and Greenhouse contain garden and medicinal plants used by mountain folk as far back as 1820; old-time pass-a-long plants such as rosemary, scented geranium, sages, mints, and coneflowers are arranged in cottage garden planting. More than a dozen distinct herb gardens showcase the entire range of medicinal and edible herbs, as well as those used for other purposes. Garden workshops are scheduled regularly on topics such as cooking with herbs, container gardening, and the culture of herbs.
The Folk Center preserves and celebrates music predating WWII. Regular concerts take advantage of the many local musicians who keep the traditional music alive; in addition, nationally-known folk groups, such as The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, also find their way to the Mountain View. Folk dancing is treated with great respect and enthusiasm; jig, square, and clog dancing performances are common and audience members are invited to participate. The Folk Center also houses the Ozark Cultural Resource Center, an unrivaled collection of Ozark music and historical documents. For information call 870-269-3851, email ozarkfolkcenter@ arkansas.com, or visit www.ozarkfolkcenter.com. For additional information about the Ozark Gateway region, including restaurant reviews, visit www.ozarkgateway.com, call 800-264-0316, or pick up our free annual tourist guide magazine, available at stores, restaurants, hotels, gas stations, museums, state parks, and visitor centers. Watch for new articles coming soon. N A. Jacksonport Courthouse at Sunset B. Mammoth Springs