Eye On Magazine November 2018 Issue

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THIS PUBLICATION IS PRODUCED BY: MeadowLand Media, Inc. / 504 Guffey St. / Newport, AR 72112 870.503.1150 / eyeonjoseph@eyeonmag.com.

PUBLISHER / ASSOCIATE EDITOR / MANAGING EDITOR / CREATIVE DIRECTOR / AD DESIGN: Joseph Thomas ADVERTISING: Kimberlee Thomas, Adrienne Freeman PROOFING DEPARTMENT: Joseph Thomas, Kimberlee Thomas STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS: Kimberlee Thomas, Joseph Thomas, Robert O. Seat PRINTING COMPANY: Corning Publishing Company Eye On Magazine is a publication of MeadowLand Media, Incorporated. Editorial, advertising and general business information can be obtained by calling (870) 503-1150 or emailing Kimberlee Thomas at kthomas@eyeonmag.com. Mailing address: 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 © 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.

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Cover Photo by Robert O. Seat Cover Design by Joseph Thomas

For advertising, distribution, or editorial contribution, contact Joseph Thomas, 870.252.0013 or eyeonjoseph@eyeonmag.com.

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

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

Serving Bald Knob, Batesville, Cave City, Melbourne, Mountain View, Newport, Southside, Swifton & Tuckerman.

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In This Issue In This Issue 6/ Editor’s Note Hopeful

7/ Trending @ ASUN

Opening the Doors to Manufacturing

9/ The Often Overlooked Just One More Thing

10/ Unity Health Harris

Unity’s New Provider Spotlight / Dr. Clevenger

12/ Cherri Design Plants Part 3

13/ Cole’s Canine Corner

Lela, Our Fury Foster Friend

14/ A Minute in Mich’s Mind 19/ Thyme Enough

21/ Tasty Talk

Natural Sugar Alternatives

21/ Local Faces 31/ Things To Do 34/ In The Field with Randy Rice Weed Control

35/ Tales of a Transplanted Fashionista

Why you should get yourself to the nearest animal shelter right now

36/ Author of the Month 38/ Cover Story

Sargent Jason Cartwright, U.S. Marine

42/ Myers-Davis Life Coaching Make Your Bed Part 2

45/ Notes from the Clearing The Weight of One Sock

Mama’s Cornbread Dressing

20/ Seniors, Can We Talk?

Reducing Prescription Cost

Independence County Recycle Center

We Recycle:

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870 793 8892 110 Environmental Drive Batesville, AR Call to receive your FREE RECYCLING BIN today!

Editor’s Note

experienced. While some women love to dote on Joseph Thomas family and friends as the perfect hostest, it Here’s to you all, no shouldn’t be expected. I matter your background, would point out too, the skin color, political subtle ways we all are choices or demeanor, taught to treat women sometimes cranky is a as limited: “Son, you’re coping skill! I hope you photo by Robert O. Seat throwing like a girl, I’m all have a wonderful gonna need you to man November. up.” Any reference to being like a girl is This is a month for saluting our meant as a rib or push to do better, be sage, worn, torn and amazing veterans. stronger. Any reference to man is meant We thank you for your sacrifices, your to show admiration or again, strength. duty and your time away from all the I’ve heard women use these tactics too good you left to defend it, to secure us. and don’t think everyone fully realizes Man, woman, soldier, thank you. From the impact, but I’ve seen too many Jason Cartwright, to my Uncle Bill young girls and women feel like they Bice and his days in Tigerland, and my are nothing or not capable and I know ex-wife, Virginia Samu, your place in a better, I just want them to know better long and honorable line is appreciated. too. I purposefully raised my children as I would also like to recognize and much without gender specific colors and salute all of the women who have stereotypes to prevent as much of this as ever stood upon this earth for dealing possible. I’m not here to tell them who with, putting up with and surviving they are. I’m just here to keep them as the slanted and sometimes degrading safe as possible to think for themselves society we have surrounded them with, and make their own decisions about the since time began, as far as we know. I world around them. believe it is better than in days past, but I have been raised by, grew up with it probably depends on the day you’ve and am honored to have raised some

Hopeful

Before

After

Before

amazing women (and a son who treats women as equals) and they are all capable of so much more than they are given credit for, from the world at large.

I am thankful for all of you!

Please read on and enjoy: Randy Chlapecka’s article on Rice Weed Control, Scott Parker’s look at our only native marsupial, Kacey Burge’s cover on veteran, Jason Cartwright and my twelfth installment of the Weight of One Sock. Dr. Sandra Massey discusses Manufacturing Day, Leigh Keller and Cole Keller both discuss Foster Babies, Lindley Barnett talks Mama’s Cornbread Dressing and Michelle Foshee shares a new provider spotlight on Dr. Cheryl Clevenger. Hannah Rogers writes about Natural Sugar Alternatives, Cherri Rodgers continues her look at house plants and their benefits to our health, Myers-Davis shares the second part of Make Your Bed and Faith Posey shares a recent heart warming trip. We have Things To Do, Faces and much more.

You can find our drop list by clicking on the drop list tab at eyeonmag.com. If you are seeing our magazines in your area and have something to share, please email me at eyeonjoseph@ gmail.com.

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After

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Opening the Doors to Manufacturing Dr. Sandra Massey has been Chancellor of Arkansas State University-Newport since September, 2013.

Previously serving in student affairs and academic leadership posts in Arkansas and Oklahoma, she and her husband Ward make Newport, Arkansas home.

They have two children, Brittany and granddaughters Maggie and Ava of Jonesboro, Arkansas and Reese and granddaughter Maybelle Scout of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Dr. Massey enjoys running, lake activities and spending time with her granddaughters.

Manufacturing is a staple in our economy. Across Northeast Arkansas, manufacturing continues to provide thousands of jobs, but the manufacturing industry faces a large hurdle filling those jobs with skilled workers.

Statistics from The Manufacturing Institute show over the next decade nearly 3.5 million manufacturing jobs will likely be needed, and 2 million of those are expected to go unfilled due to the skills gap. Arkansas State UniversityNewport is here to help fight that lingering outcome. We train students in Advanced Manufacturing, Industrial Maintenance, and Welding. We produce talented and skilled workers ready to take on these manufacturing jobs, but that’s not where we stop.

ASUN realizes the need for these workers.

Manufacturers across our service area tell us they need more qualified workers. So where can we find more of them? The answer sits inside our public schools.

Manufacturing Day is a nationwide event dedicated to introducing high school students to the possibilities in manufacturing. The day allows for students to interact directly with leaders in the manufacturing industry.

A survey issued by Deloitte found that by attending a Manufacturing Day event 89% of students were more aware of manufacturing jobs in their communities, and 64% of students were more motivated to pursue careers in manufacturing. With these results, ASUN wanted to be part of making this type of change in our communities.

Charley Appleby, Vice Chancellor for Economic and Workforce Development, and Jeff Bookout, Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives, lead the way to bring Manufacturing Day to ASUN-Jonesboro. In early October, with the help of ASUN faculty and staff, nearly 200 students from Bay, Brookland, Harrisburg, Hillcrest, Hoxie, Jonesboro, Nettleton, Paragould, Riverside, Tuckerman and Valley View attended Manufacturing Day. They received industry tours, a tour of ASUN-Jonesboro, received free materials promoting manufacturing, and met with industry leaders to learn about what industries are located in Northeast Arkansas.

We are so grateful for Anchor Packaging, Apex Tool Group, Arkansas Glass Container Corporation, Butterball, Hytrol Conveyor Company, Camfil APC, Frito-Lay, Great Dane Trailers, Nestle, Nice-Pak, Post Consumer Brands, Southern Manufacturing Affiliates, ABB, TrinityRail Maintenance Services, and Unilever for supporting our event and helping encourage students to enter the manufacturing industry.

While being ecstatic about the turnout of students and industry partners, we were more pleased by the reaction

from students. A majority of the students thanked us for providing this type of learning experience. It was amazing to hear students speak directly with industry leaders and tell them how they wanted to have a career in manufacturing. With the variety of schools in attendance, it is our hope that we are able to encourage students to learn more about the manufacturing facilities in their respective cities.

For every $1.00 spent in the manufacturing industry, $1.89 is added to the economy. By changing one young person’s perspective of manufacturing, we can positively change our economy and the families that live in our communities.

It is ASUN’s mission to provide an accessible, affordable, quality education that transforms the lives of our students, enriches our communities and strengthens the regional economy. Through events like Manufacturing Day, we are fulfilling that mission.

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November 2018

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The Often Overlooked Just One More Thing

Scott Parker is a native of Harrisburg Arkansas who never felt the need to stray very far from home for any real length of time. He is an amateur Herpetologist, amateur Entomologist, amateur Mycologist, amateur Botanist, amateur Woodworker, amateur Writer, and a professional Dog and Cat lover.

As my dad used to often say, “Well looky here people,” it’s November! The cool October nights have become the cool days AND nights of November. Mother Nature is wrapping up the last few details of the growing season, making the pecans fall and the Indian turnip berries turn red. Mosquitos are only a bad memory, and all the young animals of Spring are ready for their first winter on their own.

And speaking of animals, did you know that there is one animal here in Arkansas that is different from all the rest? One critter that is totally unrelated to all of the others? Well, if you don’t believe me...

You’re gonna laugh when I tell you this, but I’m talking about the Opossum. Or Didelphis Virginiana to be precise.

The Opossum, (just plain Possum to friends), is the only Marsupial native to North America. Marsupials give live birth to their young, but the young are nourished and grow in a pouch located on the females belly, just like a Kangaroo.

And while the Possum lacks the, lets just say, photogenic qualities of other marsupials, they are no less unique.

After a gestation period of only 12-14 days the female gives birth to her young which then crawl to her pouch and attatch to one of 13 teats. The Joeys as they are called, then spend the next 90-100 days maturing in the pouch.

After emerging they stay with their mother, riding on her back, for about two more months before heading out on their own. Like most marsupials, the opossum has a short life span. The Virginia Opossum has an average life span of two years in the wild, and only four in captivity.

Far from being the smelly nuisance that may people think it is, the Possum it actually a meticulously clean animal. They rarely harbor parasites of any type, internal or external. They exhibit a resistance to many poisions such as arsenic and even have some resistance to snake venom.

Few diseases affect the possum, even rabies is execedingly rare, due to their low body temperture, which is around 90 degrees.

The Possum is, if nothing else, a survivor. They will eat anything that doesn’t try to eat them first. Insects, grain, fruit, nuts, fish and meat, fresh or, uh, otherwise. I once saw one crawl out of a long dead cow carcass. He looked a bit gooey... Well fed, but gooey. Fruits and insects make up the bulk of their diet, and any persimmon tree or muscadine vine will be visited by every possum in the area.

One of the Possums most distinctive features is its hairless tail. While not what one would call beautiful, it is the multipurpose tool of the animal kingdom. The tail is used to store excess fat, keeping the body smaller, allowing

easier access into smaller openings, while still providing ample storage for leaner times. The tail is prehensile, acting as an extra gripping point when climbing. It is also used to help maintain balance in much the same way a tight rope walker uses a balancing pole.

When I was 14 or 15 I encountered a young possum walking across our yard early one morning. Being the card carrying southern boy I was, I chased it down and picked him up by the tail, and put him in a large cage we kept at my dad’s shop. He and I spent a couple of days getting to know each other, which honestly, consisted of me looking at him and him snarling and hissing at me. By the second day we struck an uneasy truce, where he didn’t hiss any more, but instead just stared in my general direction with a look of utter contempt. Being caged was oblivously not his idea of fun, but it did nothing to curb his appetite. In those two days, he ate 2 cans of tuna, 2 chicken drumsticks (bone and all), a banana, peanuts, and a baked sweet potato. I released him the second night, well fed and none the worse for wear.

I spotted him several more times ambling around the shop yard. My mom and dad both saw him often enough that we named him. We called him Columbo, because he reminded my mom of the somewhat disheveled Detective Columbo.

So if you by chance run across North America’s only Marsupial this fall, show a little respect. Though he may not look like much, but he’s tougher than you. N

Unity Health Harris

Unity’s New Provider Spotlight / Dr. Clevenger Michelle Foshee is a wife, mother, dog lover, and Newport native who promotes Unity Health Harris Medical Center to improve the quality of health and well-being for the communities we serve through compassionate care. She is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and prior to joining Unity Health, she worked in sales and marketing in Little Rock. She challenges herself and others to be Health Centered – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

Unity Health – Harris Medical Center would like to welcome new provider, Dr. Cheryl Clevenger to Newport, AR. Clevenger is the new internal medicine physician from Texarkana, TX.

201 Hazel, Newport 870-523-1009 “The mission of the Newport Economic Development Commission is to facilitate an environment that will be conducive to economic growth and stability. The commission will work to enhance, promote, and create increased opportunities for economic well being by developing and implementing strategies that will improve quality of life, community aesthetics, and encourage new investment in Newport and Jackson County.”

How long have you been practicing medicine? – 30 years.

What areas do you specialize in? – Acute care.

Where did you receive your degrees from? – Oklahoma State University (undergrad) and the University of Oklahoma Medical College.

Where did you previously practice? – Collom & Carney Clinic in Texarkana.

Do you have a fun fact you would like to share? – I was a member of the pom squad at OSU. What hobbies do you enjoy? – We have a ranch where we raise Angus and miniature donkeys. I also love hiking, traveling, gardening. Mostly spending time with my family.

What is your favorite movie? – The Last of the Mohicans.

What is your favorite food? – Chocolate.

What are you most looking forward to about joining Jackson county and Unity Health? – We don’t have any local ties, but we love the area and the people we have met so far.

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Kallsnick, Inc. A Hiland Dairy Distributor 423 Lawrence Street, Batesville, AR (870) 793-3924

Serving Batesville and the surrounding area for over 48 years Dairy Products, Deli Meat, Frozen Foods, Fresh Produce Paper Products, Concession Items . . .and More Walk-Ins Always Welcome Open Mon.-Fri. 8-5 and Sat. 8- 1

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November 2018

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Lovely 4 bedroom, 3 Bath home in Southside. This home features a large Clean Country Home on 4 acres of land with 3BR/2Bath! Open floorfloor living room, a huge den with a fireplace and a large fenced in backyard for plan, beautiful kitchen with rich, dark cabinets, stainless & black applithe kids or the furbabies or even both to play. In the back is a large shop ances, Corian countertops in kitchen and both baths. Home was built to with a section for projects and a section for a car or RV. be handicap accessible including a huge tiled shower in back bathroom.

Master bedroom is very large with an enormous walk-in closet. Storm This beautiful home in the River view area is ready for you to give cellar off carport, small storage building. Updates include CH/A, siding, it your personal touches. gutters, windows, water heater, appliances in 2009.

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Cherri Design

Plants Part 3

Cherri Rodgers has a B.S. In Interior Design from UCA. She is active in several local ministries & community projects. Most of all, she values time with her family and grandson. Cherri's Interior Design is available for both residential & commercial design or decorating needs. Cherri owns The Kitchen Shop at 2485 Harrison St. for all your kitchen needs.

This month, our discussion of houseplants continues, and the more I learn about them, the more amazed I am.

There are so many options that you may need to do some quick research for the plants that will work best for your space.

Cornstalk Dracaena resembles a cornstalk and will add beauty to your home. This plant is a good starter plant for beginners, as it can tolerate some neglect. It removes formaldehyde, trichloroethylene and benzene from the air in your home. Keep this plant near a window for filtered light, but not in direct sunlight. It will survive if the soil dries out some between watering, but the soil needs to stay moist.

Creeping Lilyturf is an evergreen generally used outdoors, yet it thrives indoors and has lavender flowers in summer and fall. This plant removes toxins, such as formaldehyde and ammonia. It requires very little upkeep and prefers a mixture of sun and shade. Weekly watering works well, unless it is hot outside.

English Ivy has been shown to reduce 60% of airborne mold and 58% of airborne feces after only six hours in a room and cleans benzene, xylene, formaldehyde and toluene from the air. It is relatively easy to maintain, so keep it at a constant temperature with plenty of direct sunlight and water generously in well-drained soil.

Ficus trees are one of the most popular indoor plants.

This plant is excellent for removing airborne poisons, such as formaldehyde, and can cover a large area. If it outgrows the area, prune it down to size. Ficus trees are forgiving, but tend it well, so it looks its best for your home. It does well in both sunny and shady spots, but do not place in direct sunlight during summer months.

Peace Lilies are a nice plant with dark green leaves and pure white flowers. It is one of the most valuable indoor plants, as it removes formaldehyde, ammonia, trichloroethylene, benzene, toluene and xylene from the air. This plant can thrive without consistent watering and little sunlight. Keep the soil moist, but not overwatered.

To encourage blooming, move it away from sunlight.

Philodendrons are one of the most durable houseplants, and NASA says it removes high concentrations of formaldehyde. Place in medium-low light, mist regularly and keep the leaves free of dust. Allow the soil to dry between watering, but it should be kept evenly moist.

Rubber plants have an oxygen output that is higher than most indoor plants, thus it cleans more air in less time.

It is excellent at removing toxins, especially formaldehyde.

Place near a window, but not in direct sunlight. Plant in high quality soil and water it only occasionally. This is an easy care plant.

With the right air purifying plants, it is possible to filter your indoor air and live a healthier life. NASA concludes that the plants you choose make a vast difference in your indoor air quality. Next month, we conclude with two of my new favorites. I predict a plant shopping spree in my near future! N

12 Bald Knob . Batesville . Bradford . Cave City . Melbourne . Mnt. View . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Sidney . Tuckerman

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Cole’s Canine Corner

Lela, Our Fury Foster Friend Cole is a third grader at Central Elementary.

He loves Math, Playing outside, laughing with friends and family, tortellini, and of course, dogs.

All about Lela: Three months ago me and my mom went to the humane society and we met Lela. Lela is now our foster dog. She is a one eyed, black and white dog who is always happy and loves children. We made the decision to foster Lela, because one day when we walked her back to her kennel, she was just so sad. We knew then that we had to give her a happy home where she could learn some dog skills. So far, our big dog, Rhino, has taught her how to dig in the yard, drink out of the toilet, lay on the couch and fish in the litter box. We cannot wait to foster more dogs like Lela.

N eyeonmag.com

eyeonjoseph@eyeonmag.com

November 2018

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A Minute in Mich's Mind Michelle has been a licensed Property/Casualty & Life/ Health agent since 2007. Before joining Randy and the Reichardt Insurance Agency, she was the owner of multiple small businesses. Outside of work Michelle enjoys volunteering, beekeeping, reading, and travel with her family. She loves being mom to daughter Bailey, and fur-kid Abby.

When the sweltering temps of summer turn mild, the days shorten, and the leaves begin to fall, we know that winter is coming, and with it the frigid cold and sometimes ice and snow that we can experience in north-central Arkansas. For a homeowner, it’s a great time to consider a fall maintenance plan.

Thankfully, it doesn’t take long to prepare for the winter months as most everything can be taken care of in a single weekend- if you’re organized. A big perk of inspecting your home on a regular basis is that your maintenance is kept up, resulting in a longer lifespan for your home and its systems, and preventing serious risks to your family and guests. Best of all, without unexpected issues popping up due to lack of maintenance, you should keep more money in your pocket!

Here is a quick list of preventative maintenance ideas and ways to prepare for winter: 1) Inspect your HVAC system. It’s a good idea to have your furnace, heat pump, central system serviced. If you have a window unit A/C remove it from the window or cover it with a cover to prevent cold air from leaking inside. Having an inspection done can alert you to any potential problems and can keep your system operating efficiently. Also, keep your filters changed and if you haven’t had your ducts cleaned and inspected, consider doing that as well.

2) Have an outdoor clean-up, inspection and repair day. If you have any tree branches hanging near your roof, windows, or driveways, trim them back and remove any dead branches. Clean out your gutters. Clogged gutters can lead to the formation of ice dams on your roof during ice and snow. Also, neglected gutters can lead to wood rot and pest problems. Inspect your roof, siding, foundation, and pipes for repairs and insulation needs. This is also a good time to seal gaps where pests can enter your home. Check wood decks for rotting boards, railings, and stairs. Shut off exterior faucets and drain and store hoses. Rake leaves and remove debris from the yard. Finally, install storm doors and windows and block air leaks with weather stripping and door sweeps.

3) Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and inspect fire extinguishers. Replace batteries and refill/replace extinguishers. Then test them.

4) Maintain your appliances. Clean, or have your external dryer exhaust vent cleaned as the buildup of lint can be a fire hazard.

Check the hoses on your washing machine, dishwasher, and ice maker. Clean your refrigerator coils and replace filters.

5) Schedule a chimney cleaning. Call a professional to check and perform an annual cleaning to prevent dangerous chimney fires or malfunctioning flues.

6) Prepare a 72-hour emergency kit. This kit should contain food, water, and other needed supplies for a loss of power or inability to drive due to weather conditions.

Routine maintenance is a sure way to prolong the life of your biggest family investment. It doesn’t take much to get your home winter-ready so take an upcoming weekend and inspect/winterize your home.

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Soup of the Day Available by the Cup, Bowl or Bread Bowl!!

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November 2018

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November 2018

17

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18 Bald Knob . Batesville . Bradford . Cave City . Melbourne . Mnt. View . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Sidney . Tuckerman

Thyme Enough

by guest writer, Lindley Barnett

Mama’s Cornbread Dressing 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.

Thanksgiving is ripe with opportunity. Opportunity to gather with family and friends. Opportunity to spend time together in the kitchen, at the table, and with a full belly in front of the television. In my family, preparing the Thanksgiving meal is also ripe with opportunity for a full-on kitchen skirmish, and no recipe holds the potential for just such a dust-up as does Mama’s Cornbread Dressing.

“Mama’s,” of course, refers to all the mothers in a long line mothers on my mama’s side of the family, and the usage of the word “cornbread” is redundant, I suppose, because what other kind of dressing is there in the South?

Nevertheless, I can still hear the echoes of the Conditt girls, my Mamoo and her sisters, as they argued over this one vital Thanksgiving dish. Dressing runs the risk of a variety of disasters, the least of which includes too salty, too sagey, too brothy, or too dry. The greatest of all dressing offences, however, is for the dressing to be “gummy.” I lived in fear of gummy dressing, imagining that the resulting debacle might end up in the back yard followed by a great Conditt exodus, the screeching of Dodge Darts and Chrysler New Yorkers punctuating the shouts of “I told you sos!” Interestingly, so far as my memory serves, gummy dressing is an old wives tale because I never recall having anything but the perfect accompaniment to roasted turkey, cranberry ice, green bean casserole, and hot buttery rolls. (I purposefully left out the giblet gravy. I never could wrap my head around that!)

I have pages of recipes, scrawled in the various handwritings of the women I love most and have loved most in all the world, but making Mama’s Cornbread Dressing was an education based in practice rather than from following a handwritten recipe. Sitting atop a kitchen stool while watching, listening, and questioning was the way we all learned how to perfect this delicious Thanksgiving staple. As a result, the following recipe is chatty rather than measured.

Cornbread dressing in mama’s kitchen always begins at least a day ahead of time because you have to boil a fat hen for broth. No decent Conditt woman would admit to dressing made with broth from a can or a box, and heaven forbid she choose to skim off the fat! While the broth cools in the refrigerator, make a 10-12 inch iron skillet’s worth of your favorite cornbread recipe. We’re a savory bunch in my family, so no sugar in our cornbread, but if you’re a sweet Southerner, knock yourself out! Crumble the cooled and cooked cornbread into a large green Tupperware bowl. (I hope you have one.) Add a slice or

two of stale bread to the mix. If I’m feeling particularly Bon Appetit, I might use a chunk of leftover baguette, but I’ve seen Sandy toss in a slice of plain old crusty white bread, but not more than a cup’s worth. Make sure it’s not fresh bread, though. Remember, beware of gummy dressing! Let the crumbles sit out for at least a day with a tea towel draped over the bowl so that they will continue to dry.

Only then does the real dressing process begin.

On Thanksgiving morning, dice a large onion and three or four celery stalks. My mama usually sautés these aromatics in a wee bit of butter or olive oil until they are barely transparent so that they won’t be crunchy in the finished dish. Toss the vegetables into the cornbread mixture. Crush a palm of dried sage into the mix (maybe even as much as a tablespoon or two) along with several grinds of the pepper mill. This is your dressing base.

Now is when the recipe gets a bit tricky.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees at least 90 minutes before you plan to eat. Warm the chicken stock from the day before, just enough so that you can pour it into a measuring cup. Beat 6-9 eggs in a small bowl. (Typically, with a 10 inch skillet of cornbread, I would use 6 large eggs). Now stir this mixture into the dressing base and begin by adding 3 or 4 cups of your homemade chicken stock. You’re going to have to go with your good sense here. Uncooked dressing should be about the consistency of the perfect bowl of oatmeal, not too thin, not too thick.

Salt to taste based upon the salt in your cornbread recipe and in your chicken stock. Don’t skimp, but if your taste buds or your dietary guru opposes salt, then by all means allow your guests to salt at the table.

Pour the dressing into a deep enough buttered casserole dish so you will be able to give it a stir as it cooks.

I have learned at my mama’s knee that this is the key to a dressing that is cooked through and moist, yet has a nice crusty top. Put the dressing in the oven, allowing at least an hour and half baking time. Check the dressing about 30-40 minutes into the baking time, stirring along.

At this point, I have a memory of a gaggle of Conditt sisters and daughters hovering around the oven in deep discussion. Each in turn would grab a spoon and give the dressing a taste. Decisions were made as to salt, texture, and doneness. Keep cooking if it’s too moist.

Add a bit more broth if it seems too dry. Stir and scrape the lovely brown bits from the bottom of the pan to the top as you add the broth, and then let it continue to bake.

After about an hour, give a quick check as to how the rest of the meal is coming along. If the rest of the meal needs a little more time, check the dressing again to make sure it’s not getting too dry. Add more broth and stir it through again if it is needed.

In the end, remember to count your blessings and enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday . . . even if your dressing turns out gummy.

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November 2018

19

Seniors, Can We Talk?

Reducing Prescription Cost

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?’.

WOW! the cost of drugs is amazing. Some cost $1.88 while others may cost $301.88. You’re sure lucky if you fall in the $1.88 category.

What can you do to reduce your prescription costs? Let’s talk about that. One thing is to try to be healthy. Eat smart, exercise, try to avoid accidents – all that stuff you’ve heard for years. Sometimes those things just don’t work. When your doctor suggests that you take a prescription, ask if there’s a generic version.You may want to go a step further and check your Medicare prescription plan’s formulary book to find out what prescriptions are in Tier 1 or Tier 2. This can keep your cost down.

What if the only drug that can help your condition is an expensive Tier 4 drug? You have the right to contact your Medicare prescription plan and ask for an exception. Do they always grant an exception? I’m sure they don’t but I do have customers that have been granted an exception. What a great surprise when you find out that the drug you thought was going to cost $240 a month is only going to cost $35.

Review your current prescription plan every year during

the Annual Election (enrollment) Period October 15 through December 7 (actually you can start looking at plans October 1). Your prescription plan will change January 1; all Medicare prescription plans change January 1. Will you wake up January 1, go to your pharmacy and find out that your prescription costs twice as much as it did a few weeks ago in December?

What kind of things can change? The copay you pay at the pharmacy or through mail order may change. The actual drugs that are covered can change (is your plan still going to cover the drugs you take?) The premium may go up or may go down. The deductible may also go up or down or there may not even be a deductible. (The maximum deductible is set by the government. Your plan may have the maximum deductible, a lower deductible or no deductible at all).

Something you may really want to avoid is step therapy.

No, that’s not a dance or an exercise! Step therapy means you must try another or several other new, improved and cheaper drugs before your plan will cover your old, more expensive drug. This is intended to be a way to keep prescription costs down. If you’ve ever had to do this, you probably were not happy and want to avoid it.

If you’ve done your homework and know that your current drugs will be covered in 2019, are you comfortable with the new premium, new copays and the new deductible? Then keep your current plan. You do not have to change plans.

Don’t have a prescription plan? Now is the time you can get one.

Got questions or concerns and need to talk? Call me (the insurance lady) at 501-868-6650 before December 8 and say “Caroline, can we talk?”

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20 Bald Knob . Batesville . Bradford . Cave City . Melbourne . Mnt. View . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Sidney . Tuckerman

Tasty Talk

Natural Sugar Alternatives

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.

Last month we discussed artificial sweeteners and potential effects they have on our bodies. The good news is that we do not have to succumb to these chemicallybased sweeteners to get our sugar fix. Natural sugars are abundant and have a positive effect on our bodies.

Full of essential vitamins, minerals, and anti-aging properties, the best natural sugar is fruit. Fruit contains sugar that is real and natural in nature. This natural sugar can best be tasted in certain fruits like kiwi and dates, while others like tomatoes are less noticeable. In baking, dates make a great binding agent, as well as a natural sweetener. When using berries, the natural sugar content can easily be extracted by simmering the fruit in a pot of water until it has reduced and thickened. Puree fruit to use them in smoothies and baking. An added bonus is the citrus peels can be used to reverse aging, promote healthy, clear skin, and even eaten if boiled until soft.

Perhaps one of the most popular natural alternatives is raw honey. It also makes for a good binding agent in baking. Raw honey is anti-bacterial, promotes digestive health, boosts the immune system, reduces inflammation, and is high in antioxidants. Studies show that eating honey for eight weeks significantly lowered blood triglycerides and bad LDL cholesterol and

increased good HDL cholesterol in diabetic patients. It is said that consuming local honey can even help with seasonal allergies, so there may be more benefits to using raw honey as a sugar alternative. Honey can also be used to make facial masques to strength the skin and eliminate dry, rough patches.

For people who are on no-sugar diets like the ketogenic diet, the best natural sugar alternative and most affordable is stevia. Extracted from a plant, it produces two different kinds of compounds with a very distinctive taste and different amount of sweetness.

Studies show that it can lower high blood pressure by 6-14%, lower blood sugar and insulin levels. Beware though, because most stevia products are mixed with chemicals and products, making it an unnatural product.

Stevia comes in either a powder or liquid form and comes with a higher price tag. Liquid is the best form of stevia to use, as it is almost always pure stevia. It is so sweet that you only need to use a couple drops. When purchasing stevia, read labels to ensure that the only ingredient is stevia rebaudiana.

Next time you choose a sweetener, opt for something more natural and healthier. Chemical based sweeteners will eventually take a toll on your body.

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Local Faces Eagle Mnt Students Greeted by Dino Pam Baxter Eagle Mountain students were greeted by a T-Rex recently on the way into the front door. The Dino was there to remind all parents and students about the Fall Festival at school. There were lots of games and activities for everyone. They also sold Hamburger and Hotdog dinners. This was Eagle Mountain’s PTO big fund raiser for the year. They will use it to support the teachers and students with supplies and activities throughout the year. N

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November 2018

21

Citizens Bank Named National Community Commitement Winner Chuck Jones

Citizens Bank was nationally recognized recently with a 2018 Community Commitment Award from the American Bankers Association Foundation for its Impact Loan & Grant Program and its role in the IMPACT Independence strategic community plan.

The award cites Citizens Bank for its efforts to redevelop Historic Downtown Batesville, as well as for its support of the IMPACT Independence effort to increase economic development across Independence County. The award was presented to CEO Phil Baldwin in New York City on Tuesday, Oct. 23, at a national gathering of America’s leading banks.

Citizens Bank was ranked as the top bank in the United States in the ABA Foundation’s Community & Economic Development category, above hundreds of other banks nationwide that were also nominated.

Citizens Bank’s innovative community services program includes collaboration with community leaders on IMPACT Independence, a multi-faceted and countywide strategic initiative to overcome challenges, improve the local economy and provide for a high quality of life for community residents.

Citizens Bank reinforced the plan in 2016 with its Impact Loan & Grant Program, a five-year commitment offering a $10 million redevelopment fund for low interest rate loans and a grant pool of $100,000. Thus far, the program has helped 45 businesses open or

improve their properties.

“These Impact programs demonstrate Citizens Bank’s strong and passionate commitment to bettering the lives of its customers and local community,” said Rob Nichols, ABA president and CEO. “Their work embodies the mission of the Community Commitment Awards and they are a truly well-deserved recipient.”

“Citizens Bank and our employees are always working to find new and meaningful ways to positively impact our community,” said Phil Baldwin, Citizens Bank CEO. “We are humbled and honored to accept this award for our efforts.”

Entries in the annual ABA Foundation Community Commitment Awards were divided into six categories, including affordable housing, community and economic development, financial education, economic inclusion, protecting older Americans and volunteerism. Award winners were chosen by a field of nationally-recognized experts.

The selection committee chose six banks based on the creativity and thoughtfulness of programs – traditional or innovative in nature and structure – that embody the ideals of corporate social responsibility and demonstrate success in measurable terms.

To learn more about the ABA Foundation Community Commitment Awards, visit aba.com/ awards.

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Eagle Mountain 3rd graders Design Earthquake Proof Houses Pam Baxter Third graders at Eagle Mountain Elementary have been studying disasters in the STEAM classes. The students decided to design earthquake proof houses because Arkansas has had so many earthquakes registered in the last few years.

They used the materials from the class. Some made metal buildings, some made wood and others rock or brick homes. They had to have doors and windows with only one story and be at least six inches tall. An earthquake table was made that was appropriate for the building size. All of the homes withstood the earthquake although some were damaged. They were able to evaluate their structure to see what they could have done differently.

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Jayden Massey (top-left), McKayle Miller (top-right), Ella Insell (bottom-right) and Bayleigh Penn are cutting and building a house of wood and clay brick to make it earthquake proof.

Ian Haag’s group are using wood for their earthquake proof house.

Hopper Termite & Pest Management Ribbon Cutting Shelly Hendrix

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held for Hopper Termite & Pest Management, Tuesday, October 16, 2018.

Hopper Termite & Pest Management has been family owned for over 55 years. They offer services such as residential and commercial pest service and termite control. For more information about their services please contact Hopper Termite & Pest Control at 870-251-4332.

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The Reunion Generals... John G. Pennington and David Black are the principal masterminds of this Reunion of the Undefeated 1968 Hounds. Alton T. Walker chronicled the night as he always does the NHS Greyhounds!

In Memory of #70 - Bud Black Class of 1968, “We miss you, Bud!�

UACCB Offers Fall Non-Credit Classes Hannah Keller Flanery NOVEMBER Microsoft Access Fundamentals / Nov 8 / $69 Microsoft PowerPoint / Nov 29 / $69 DECEMBER Macros Using Excel / Dec 13 / $69 For more information or to register, email communityed@uaccb.edu or call 870-612-2082.

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experience-independence.batesvilleareaalliance.com

National Walk ‘n Roll to School Pam Baxter Eagle Mountain Elementary is promoting Healthy Lifestyles by having the national event, Walk n Roll. Around 100 people of all ages and sizes participated in the event, which is sponsored by the Safe Routes to School Organization and the Department of Transportation. They used bikes, trikes, scooters, skates, and, of course, feet.

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Dr. Micheal Hester(left), Mayor Rick Elumbaugh, and Principal Byron Difani lead the group of walkers and wheelers along the path to school.

Students and parents line up to start the walk.

Participants, (from left) Aspen Willett, Molly Lucy, Catherine and Kylan Anderson, Alexa Anderson and Chloe Cordell are rolling there way to school.

Eagle Mountain Special Olympic Bowling Team Pam Baxter Eagle Mountain Elementary has a team that is competing in the Special Olympic Bowling event. They recently went to Hollywood Bowls to practice for their event N

(Front Left) Macy Bryant and Kaden Insell (Back Row from left) - Brayden McClurg, Mathew Holt, Giovanni Garcia, Carlei Mabes, Melody Garcia, Leonore Leon, and Faith McClurg.

(From Left) Brayden McClurg with Teresia McGhee, Macy Bryant, and Leonore Leon are practicing for Bowling Special Olympics.

(From Left) Melody Garcia and Macy Bryant with Teacher Jessica Ward and Lisa Briggs are practicing bowling.

24 Bald Knob . Batesville . Bradford . Cave City . Melbourne . Mnt. View . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Sidney . Tuckerman

Phase One Wayfinding Sign Program Complete in Batesville Kyle Christopher Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribboncutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of phase one of the Independence County regional wayfinding program on October 4th, 2018.

The wayfinding program was developed through the IMPACT Tourism Committee and was the vision of the citizens in Independence County. “The goal of the wayfinding program is to direct visitors to the various attractions and destinations throughout our community.

We strive to improve the visitor experience and economic impact of travel in our community. Wayfinding signs are just another piece of the puzzle.� said Tourism Director, Kyle Christopher.

Funding for the signage was provided by the City of Batesville Advertising and Promotion Commission.

For more information about the wayfinding program or tourism information, please contact the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce at 870-793-2378 or visit www. experienceindependence.com.

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More Manufacturing Day images from ASUN

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November 2018

25

Spanish Gypsy Boutique Ribbon Cutting Shelly Hendrix

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held for Spanish Gypsy Boutique, October 19, 2018. Spanish Gypsy Boutique is owned by mother/daughter duo, Jeanetta Harris and Vanessa Williams. The stylish women’s clothing boutique carries all sizes in the latest trends. For more information please visit their Facebook page or call 870-612-9245.

Ambassadors in attendance included: Adam Curtwright (Centennial Bank), Brittney Harris (Independence County Off Road), Jennifer Green (Lyon College), Cara Richmond (Peco Foods), Bridget Goforth (Southern Bank), Julie Hinkle (Southern Bank), Robin Milligan (WRAAA), Chad Whiteaker (WRDE), Gena Reis (WRDE), Kim Whitten (UACCB) and Josh Conlee (UAMS).

N 26 Bald Knob . Batesville . Bradford . Cave City . Melbourne . Mnt. View . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Sidney . Tuckerman

Operation Christmas Child Distribution Trip Faith Posey When I close my eyes, I can still see the shining faces looking up at me, these dear ones sitting cross legged on the floor of an empty room, lit only by the sunlight streaming through the open windows. They sat by age groups, the boys on one side and the girls on the other. 2-4 year olds up front, the 5-9 year old in the middle and then in the back, the 10-14 year olds. I can hear their excited chatter and squeals of delight and anticipation. I can smell the earthy smells of little unwashed bodies. I can still remember the feel of their little hands in mine.

It was overwhelming to pick up a shoe box that had been lovingly packed and prayed over by someone in North Carolina, or Wisconsin, or Arkansas seven months before and then place it into the waiting hands of a child who had never been given a gift before. Often the tears would come from nowhere as I felt the love of the Father for that individual child. To hand a child a tangible reminder of God’s love for them, give them a smile and a hug was why I had traveled so far and it was definitely worth it.

My journey to Malawi, Africa actually started about 21 years ago when I began packing Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes with my young children. We had just moved to Batesville from overseas and I did not want my kids to forget how most of the world lives with so little. Operation Christmas Child is a wonderful hand’s on project for children. They can pack a shoebox with school supplies, hygiene items, and small toys. This became one of our fall traditions and now that my children are grown, they still pack boxes because they haven’t forgotten how blessed they are.

After volunteering with Operation Christmas Child for several years, I was blessed to be invited to go on a distribution trip this past May. This was called a “vision trip” and indeed it was eye-opening! One of the things that was impacting was the excitement created by simple things in the children’s boxes. The fancy toys people packed were often overlooked and even confusing to the children. But they were overjoyed by things that you wouldn’t expect children to be excited about. Such things as water bottles, flash lights, and wash cloths brought squeals of delight. I realized that these things were game changers for them.

Imagine if you have no water in your home and have to walk to a common water source to get a drink, a water bottle enables you to take water back with you and then you can have a drink in your home when you are thirsty, even at night. A flash light means you can read or do homework after dark in your home. There are no ceramic tiled bathrooms, so a soap holder or toothbrush holder means you can keep your hygiene items clean at the village well.

Also, clearly evident was the providence of God. When we had a distribution at the blind school, I could not imagine how that was going to work out. “These children won’t be able to see the things in the boxes!” I thought. It was here that many of the boxes contained small musical

instruments, flutes and recorders. And the children were thrilled! When we were on the shores of the huge Lake Malawi, that’s where the fishing kits and beach balls showed up in the boxes. And at the church where a man is trying to start a sports ministry to the neighborhood children, there were soccer balls and pumps in those boxes.

Eye-opening as well was the faithfulness of the national volunteers on the other side of the box. These dear souls volunteer year-round to make certain these boxes make it from the harbor to the hands of these waiting children and every step in between, not a simple feat in underdeveloped nations.

I am grateful that I got to see for myself the sight of joyful children eagerly opening these treasure boxes. I will keep packing each autumn as long as I am physically able to do so. If you have never packed a box before, it really isn’t hard to do. You can choose to pack your box for a boy or girl, 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14 years old. Buy useful things such as notebooks, pencils, crayons, toothbrush, wash cloths, shoes, or clothes, and you can add a small toy or two as well.

You can put these in a shoebox size plastic box or a card board shoe box works too. You can add a family photo and letter if you’d like and be sure to add $9 to cover the shipping charges. You even have the option of paying your shipping online so that you can track your box and see where it went. Go to www. samaritanspurse.org/occ to get more details. During the week of November 12-18, drop your boxes at Calvary Baptist Church, 1775 Lyon Street.

They will gladly collect your boxes and send them on their way to these little ones who, through your generosity, will have their eyes opened to God’s love for them. N

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November 2018

27

Citizens Bank Travel Club: Natchez Chuck Jones The Natchez Fall Pilgrimage drew 54 members of the Citizens Bank Travel Club to Natchez, Miss., which was a prominent city in the pre-Civil War years as a center of cotton planters and Mississippi River trade.

Over four days in September, Travel Club members visited eight antebellum mansions and toured the area, learning much about the city’s role as one of the oldest and most important European settlements in the lower Mississippi River Valley.

Established by French colonists in 1716, the strategic location of Natchez, on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, ensured that it would be a pivotal center of trade, commerce, and the interchange of ethnic Native American, European, and African cultures in the region.

On their first evening in Natchez, the Travel Club visitors toured Landsdowne Mansion, which was built in 1853. Following dinner, the group was treated to a concert that featured varying musical styles from Mississippi’s past, ranging from gospel to rock’n roll.

The following day, the Travel Club toured the beautiful yet unusual Longwood Mansion, which is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark. Construction on the nation’s largest octagonal mansion began in 1860, but was halted in 1861 by rising tensions over the Civil

War. All but the lowest level of the mansion’s interior was left unfinished – and will always remain unfinished to preserve its historical significance.

One of the other antebellum homes on the Natchez Fall Pilgrimage was Choctaw Hall, which was built in 1836. Owners David Garner and Lee Glover treated their guests to a lavish dinner, tour and historical presentation about Choctaw Hall. Garner and Glover formerly owned the Marlsgate Plantation in Scott, Arkansas, which the Travel Club visited in 2017.

Reservations are currently being accepted for the two major trips that have been scheduled by the Travel Club for 2019. “Classic Italy by Rail” is the destination for the club’s premier international excursion for 10 days in October 2019. The prime domestic trip next May will cover nine days and includes the Holland Tulip Festival in Holland, Michigan, two nights in the historic Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, and other tours. The Citizens Bank Travel Club’s complete 2019 calendar of events will be announced soon.

For additional information about these trips, visit the Citizens Bank Main Branch in downtown Batesville, or contact Chuck Jones by email at chuckj@ thecitizensbank.net or call 870-698-6233.

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Longwood Exterior: Connie Moss of Newark (foreground right) takes a photo of Marilyn Brewer and Caliene Coop, both of Batesville, on the porch of Longwood Mansion in Natchez, Miss.

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Choctaw Hall Staircase: Travel Club members file up and down the unique circular staircase between the first and third floors of Choctaw Hall. The staircase is an example of late Federalstyle architecture.

28 Bald Knob . Batesville . Bradford . Cave City . Melbourne . Mnt. View . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Sidney . Tuckerman

Wood-Lawn Inc. Purchases Uniforms for PN Students Hannah Keller Flanery Wood-Lawn Inc. purchased all uniforms for practical nursing students this semester at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville. Each student also received $225 to help offset the cost of supplies needed for the nursing program. Judy Belcher, director of Wood-Lawn, said, “We wanted to make an impact in our community and relieve some of that financial stress for these students. We provided funds for everything they would need.” Wood-Lawn also provided a full scholarship for Glenda Walker, a student in the PN program, as well as uniforms for high school students in the CNA program. N

Lani Beagle, Nita Gregg & Linda Montgomery at Green Leaves: Lani Beagle (from left) of Batesville, Nita Gregg of Sulphur Rock, and Linda Montgomery of Grubbs pause for a moment to relax on the back porch of Green Leaves, a Greek Revival mansion which was completed in 1838.

Longwood Interior: A guide at Longwood discusses the mansion’s unusual and unfinished history with Travel Club members.

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November 2018

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The Batesville Inaugural Indoor Triathlon was a success Brandon Shrader The City of Batesville Parks and Recreation Department is happy to announce that Inaugural Indoor Triathlon hosted at the Batesville Community Center September 22nd, 2018 was a success. The triathlon consisted of a 200yard swim, 6-mile bike, and 1 and ½ mile running portion. Close to 40 participants were apart of the inaugural event as well as another 80 volunteers and spectators. Batesville welcomed triathletes from as far as Little Rock to the event while over 15 participants would call it their very first triathlon. Awards were given to the top two male and female participants in each of the following age groups 14&U, 15-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55+. Along with top 3 male and top 3 female overall (listed below). This is just one of many more events planned which we hope to develop into a series.

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Brandie Cannady 37:20:00

KateGunter 35:42:00

Melody Fitterling 39:00:00

Stephen Gadberry 31:38:00

Tony Hammack 31:30:00

Nathan Hernandez 34:25:00

Wyatt Chosen as UACCB’s 2018 Outstanding Staff Hannah Keller Flanery Debbie Wyatt strives to help students reach their full potential by overcoming barriers that may be hindering them from obtaining a college degree or certificate. Her student-centered mentality and dedication led to her being selected as the 2018 Outstanding Staff member at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville. Wyatt was recognized at a luncheon at the annual Arkansas Community Colleges conference in Little Rock Oct. 15.

“It’s an honor to be recognized for this award, especially when I work with so many outstanding people,” Wyatt said. “I would like to thank FutureFuel Chemical Company for their support of UACCB and recognition of UACCB employees.”

A Batesville native and graduate of Batesville High School, Wyatt worked for the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services before joining the UACCB staff in 2011. She began as the Career Pathways Initiative academic advisor and in 2012 was selected as the Career Pathways Initiative director. She holds a Master of Public Administration and a bachelor’s in political science, both from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Wyatt is also a Certified Career Services Provider.

“Through the UACCB Career Pathways Initiative, I get to work with students who might need help finding

and affording childcare so they can attend class; assist students with paying tuition and fees; or simply provide encouragement to students to stay on course,” Wyatt said. “I enjoy helping students overcome those barriers.”

Wyatt and her daughter, Wren, live in Rosie.

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Debbie Wyatt

30 Bald Knob . Batesville . Bradford . Cave City . Melbourne . Mnt. View . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Sidney . Tuckerman

Eagle Mnt Fifth Graders are Learning Coding Pam Baxter Eagle Mountain Elementary School STEAM Class teacher, Pam Baxter, is teaching the 4th and 5th grade students how to code the small robots called Ozobots.

They are working in pairs to teach the little robots

Parker Rogers (left) and Rourke Sevier are strategizing the path that their bot needs to take.

where to go and learning the codes themselves. The students will start with simple games like knocking down the bowling pins to creating their own board for the Bot to follow.

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Alexa Anderson (left) and Nelly Villa are testing their Ozobot to see if they gave it a correct color code to knock down the pins.

Things To Do

Alice Knott (left) and Gabby Barker are studying and discussing the code sheets to figure out how to make their robot follow the path.

Local Faces

variety of arts & crafts. This craft fair is definitely worth coming to. We are in a very good environment and location. Lunch will be served in the dining room.

Will also have many baked goods for sale. Proceeds from the event go toward supporting the Sr Adult and Children’s ministry projects at the church. Call 870-6981994 or email bnazchurch1925@gmail.com to reserve your booth.

Batesville

Ceremonial Bond Burning The University of Arkansas Community College will host a ceremonial bond burning for Independence Hall beginning at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Dr. Stuart Delta Symphony Performance Patterson Memorial Gazebo on campus. A reception will Sunday, Nov 4, Dr. Neale Bartee will conduct follow in the east side of the Independence Hall banquet this orchestra in Mozart’s Impresario Overture, hall. The public is invited to attend.

Tchaikovsky’s 4th Symphony and Albinoni’s Concerto Joy of Living Ladies Bible Study The Joy of Living ladies Bible Study are from 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. This community wide, interdenominational Bible Study meets each Tuesday during the school year and is hosted by West Baptist Church. This year the study will focus on the life of Christ. Childcare is provided and all ladies are welcome!

for Two Oboes and Strings (Dan Ross & Katie Bowden, soloists) at 3pm in the Sloan Auditormium in Brown Chapel, there is a pre-concert lecture at 2:15pm in the Bevens Music Room. Free admission / Donations Welcome.

Merchants & Planters Business After Hours Block Party Tuesday, November 20 from 5 to 6:30pm on Main Street.

The Kitchen Shop 2nd Anniversary ***The Kitchen Shop (at 2485 Harrison Street - White River 3K Fun Run Suite 3 in Batesville) will celebrate their 2nd anniversary November 29 at 6:30pm at the Batesville on November 10, 2018. Some of our local vendors will Community Center, runners, joggers and walkers of all be here from 12-2pm to help us celebrate, so come visit ages will take on a 3K benefitting Batesville Montessori with them and sample their products.

School. Rock your ugly Christmas sweater, awards for ugliest sweater for top 3 males, top 3 females and Church of the Nazarene Arts & Crafts Sale children under 12. For more info or to register, log onto December 1st, 9 am - 2 pm / First Church of the www.facebook.com/Wonderland3k www.raceentry.

Nazarene is having their 6th annual arts and crafts sale, com or pick up entry forms at Community Center, 2080 “Christmas in the City.” Rental booths are available Harrison st. Suite C. inside for $20 or outside for $15. There will be a wide eyeonmag.com

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November 2018

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Batesville Kiwanis Christmas Parade Mon, December 3 at 6pm on Main St Batesville.

Cookies with Santa December 15 at Sweetie Cakes on Main Street from 3pm to 4:30pm.

Melbourne

Find out what’s going on in Melbourne when you log onto www.mymelbournearkansas.com

Mountain View Log onto the link below to find all of the great things going on in Mnt. View, too many to add here.

Great food and events all year. www.yourplaceinthemountains.com.

Newark Santa’s Craft Shop & Pancake Breakfast The Cedar Ridge PTO is excited to host the 4th Annual Santa's Craft Shop & Pancake Breakfast on Dec 1, 2018 from 8am to 2pm at the Cedar Ridge Elementary School. Join us for Shopping, Pancakes, a Silent Auction, Pictures with Santa and more! If you'd like to purchase booth space at the craft shop, please mail your check to 400 East 9th, Newark, AR 72562 or contact Shanda Stout at 870.799.7560.

Newport

etc. from school groups, area clubs or businesses.

Participants will be traveling down Hwy. 69 to Malcolm Avenue then down to Village Mall parking lot. Plaques will be awarded for first, second and third place for both the commercial and non-commercial categories.

Entry is free, and participants may choose their own holiday theme. However, since the real Santa will be flying in early as the last entry in the parade, please do not incorporate a “fake” Santa into your float. Float judging will begin at approximately 5:30 p.m. Forms are available in the school office. In the event of inclement weather, parade participants will be notified of an alternate date. For an entry form, go to www. newportarchamber.org or call 523-3618.

Manna Manna Food Pantry is located in the Newport Pentecostal Church of God at 205 Ray Street in Newport. They open every Tuesday at 8 a.m. until food is gone. First Tuesday of every month is for Jackson County pickups only. They have partnered with the NEA food bank in jonesboro. Donate to the pantry by contacting Gail Poole at 501-473-1560 or log on to www.newportpcg.com. Accepting food donations.

If your community is not represented here, please send us any upcoming event information and we will be happy to share with our other communities/ eyeonjoseph@gmail.com. N

Light the Night Wednesday, October 31, Newport Campus of Central Baptist Church is having Light the Night from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. located behind the Village Mall (2301 McLain St). Come for food, music, fellowship and trunk or treating. Stop by the photo booth and capture a lasting memory of this great night.

Story time Spooky Craft Wednesday, October 31, Jackson County Library will have Story Time with a special spooky craft at 10:00 a.m. located at 213 Walnut Street.

Medicare Part D Open Enrollment Fair Thursday, November 13, White River Area Agency On Aging is having Open Enrollment Fair 2018 for Medicare Part D from 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. located at WRAAA Newport Office (next to the old US Pizza building) 1200 Ar. 367. Bring your Medicare card and current medications.

The Stage Awaits You. Registration opens

Nov. 14

870-612-2000 uaccb.edu

Pictures with Santa Saturday, November 17, Junior Auxiliary of Jackson County will host Pictures with Santa. Mrs. Clause will be reading at 1:30 and pictures from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at NEDC Building located at 201 Hazel Street. Picture cost $20 Newport Christmas Parade The Newport Christmas parade will be Thursday, Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. The parade committee is seeking floats, antique vehicles, beauty queens, horseback riders, 32 Bald Knob . Batesville . Bradford . Cave City . Melbourne . Mnt. View . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Sidney . Tuckerman

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November 2018

33

In The Field with Randy

Rice Weed Control

Randy Chlapecka is an agronomist with Farmers Supply Association. He is 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.

In my September article for Eye On Magazine, I reviewed some of the reasons why the rice crop in Arkansas was weedier than normal this year. These included weather, weed pressure, not being able to make timely herbicide applications, herbicide resistance, and application issues. In this article, I’ll discuss some things to consider as we look to improve on our rice weed control in 2019. While there are no silver bullets, there are several things we can do to improve our chances of a successful weed control program.

To me, it all needs to begin with the use of residual herbicides. About the only fields where this can be difficult is on fields that have recently been leveled. Otherwise, overlapping residual herbicides should be a standard practice. By this, I mean applying a residual herbicide after planting and before the first rainfall event or flush, getting that herbicide or herbicides activated and then applying another residual herbicide or herbicides before that first application runs out and before another rainfall or flush.

This can provide you with continuous herbicide protection for an extended period of time.

We primarily have 4 residual grass herbicides to work with. These include Command, Facet, Prowl, and Bolero.

There are several generics available along with tank

mixes and premixes that can be used as well. Command and Facet can be used immediately after planting while Prowl and Bolero need to be used no earlier than delayed preemergence meaning that the rice seed needs to have imbibed the moisture needed for germination before they are applied.

Making timely postemergence applications is another big key to a clean crop. Weather can obviously be an important part of this but planning adjacent crops can be important as well. While you can’t control your neighbor, sometimes you can discuss it with them and make things easier. You can often make timely applications easier by avoiding putting different herbicide technologies such as Clearfield and conventional next to each other, and by planting STS or Bolt soybeans next to rice.

Knowing any resistance issues you might have is obviously very important. I know of at least a couple of fields where the only herbicide families where barnyardgrass is still susceptible are the ones with Bolero and Prowl in them. If you are suspicious of resistance issues, mature seedheads of the suspect weed can be collected and sent to the U of A for testing.

Proper application equipment and setup, using adequate spray volume, using any recommended spray additives, and spraying in the proper conditions are all critical to obtaining good coverage from any herbicide application.

For more information, feel free to contact me through Farmers Supply Association at 870-318-0739, my e-mail is randychlapecka@gmail.com.

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34 Bald Knob . Batesville . Bradford . Cave City . Melbourne . Mnt. View . Newport . Southside . Swifton . Tuckerman

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Tales of a Transplanted Fashionista

Why you should get yourself to the nearest animal shelter right now

Leigh Keller is a high school guidance counselor at Batesville HIgh School and the director of the BHS Glass Slipper Project. She lives in Batesville with her son, Cole, and a pack of dogs.

I have always been a dog hugger, and cats, or really any animal with a face. So of course, Cole is the same.

He would adopt all the animals if we had the space, so volunteering at the Humane Society has been such a good fit for him. We had the talk before that first visit, where we were spending time with these dogs to help them trust people, so that they can be adopted eventually.

Cole fell in love with one dog early on, Echo, and worried so much about his cage, about when he would be adopted, about how lonely he must feel. Then when he was adopted into a wonderful home, where he gets to run free and sleep on his owner’s bed, Cole cried so hard in the car. I always want to raise Cole with compassion, but letting the dogs go is so difficult, even when you know they scored big with a forever home.

We love our weekly trips to the Humane Society, getting to see our furry friends every week who light up so much when they see Cole. Somewhere in our journey, someone had mentioned fostering to us. Now, I know how attached we get to the dogs we see every week, so I had not even considered fostering. Until the day that we met Lela. We had walked her before, and then took her out by herself one day. She clung to Cole, touching foreheads with him, and leaning in. When we went to return her to her kennel, she stopped at the door, whimpering and refusing to go back in. The next day we went to see her at an adoption event, and she managed to get herself near Cole again, refusing to leave his side. That next week we applied to open our home to fostering, specifically for Lela.

Since we currently have pets, they needed to get their rabies vaccinations, and then Lela was able to come to our home. Fostering has been a perfect fit for our giant dog, Rhino, the only creature we really worried about. She has adapted so well to living in a home, instead of the shelter, sleeping on the bed with me or with Cole, she is “treat trained”, knowing that it’s time to go back into the house when we leave for school.

She was such an easy dog to potty train, because she is so very smart. We feel like we have changed the course of her life, because now a potential forever family will know how smart she is, how well she gets along with dogs and cats, and so much more about her personality that they might not have learned simply by meeting her in the shelter.

I have so many people tell us that they could never volunteer at the humane society, simply because of the sadness. So many of the animals have been there for their entire lives. Most will never be adopted, mostly

because they are terrified of humans, or have developed other behaviors that make them seem like not the best future pet. Lela was so very sad when we met her, we could have easily overlooked her. After our first meeting, she had to have one of her eyes removed because of a medical condition, moving her into the “special needs dog” category. The only thing we can see impacted by the loss of that one eye is that she is usually looking in the fridge for a snack when I open the door, and I have to nudge her out of the way because she doesn’t see the door closing.

You and your family can become a foster family for the Humane Society. You will save that dog’s life, and then open a spot for the Humane Society to take in another animal, essentially saving two lives. You simply need to apply, provide personal references and vet references. While we are on the fence about when Lela will become Lela Rose Keller...because Cole is committed to the fostering process and wants to foster more dogs.

As we keep loving on Lela and helping her learn how to love humans, we are also still focused on volunteering and reminding people that you don’t have to purchase a dog from a breeder, there are so many amazing souls just waiting for a forever home at the Humane Society.

Contact the Humane Society at 870.793.0090 for more information, or better yet, go by there and meet a furry friend like Lela.

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November 2018

35

EyeAuthor On’s of the Month THE SIGMA FACTOR by J W Bell Joseph Thomas JW Bell and his wife, Catherine, live on an acreage in Northeastern Arkansas along with the ten kids still living at home. The two oldest live near Little Rock with their own families. The large family shares their space with five dogs, several chickens, two pot-belly pigs, and a white pony that the youngest girl wishes was a unicorn .

Before he retired from the workforce, he worked in varied fields including several years as an Artillery Officer in the US Army, an oilfield roughneck, an owner/manager for restaurants, and as a teacher of music and theatre.

He moved around quite a lot when he was younger– across the US, the Pacific, and Asia. He has experienced Europe and the Caribbean too. He draws on all of the experience and flavor of the different places he’s been for his novels.

The arts have always been important to him and he has composed several pieces of music, including his first symphony. His hobbies are reading, theatre, and traveling.

His first published book, The Sigma Factor is packed with suspense, thrills, humor, and plenty of plot twists. It keeps the reader’s interest throughout the entire novel. While this is the only book he has published, his next book has already been accepted for publishing, and he is currently drafting the sequel to The Sigma Factor.

Everyone wants a chunk of old Stan. An anti-terrorism Federal Task Force, a group of conspirators and the local arm of Isis want him dead.

And a female assassin is on the hunt for him. Hell, even his shrink tries to turn him in. It’s a free for all search-and-destroy mission with guns blazing, smartass comments flying, and unexpected twists all the way to the gunshot at the end.

A confused, inept man with an unusual memory problem searches for his past and finds himself embroiled in conspiracy, terrorism, and bloody vengeance N

36 Bald Knob . Batesville . Bradford . Cave City . Melbourne . Mnt. View . Newport . Southside . Swifton . Tuckerman

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To be the best in banking, you have to employ the best.

Obviously, we do.

Sargent Jason Cartwright, U.S. Marine Kacey Burge graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, and later received her Master of Art degree in Professional Writing from Chatham University. She has had a successful writing and editing career as both an on-staff writer, as well as on a freelance basis for almost a decade.

She has written dozens of features for a Southwest Florida Lifestyles publication, as well as a wide array of content for the web. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family. Kacey is a health and fitness enthusiast, yoga aficionado and animal lover.

Shake a Hand This Month November 11th is Veteran’s Day. While every day is a good day to show gratitude to our military, this month I challenge you to be even more deliberate in that action.

Whether a friend, a family member, or a loved one, most of us know a soldier. Someone who has dedicated their life to the armed forces so that we can live freely. It’s not a job for the faint of heart or the weak. It takes physical and mental strength that many people don’t have. A commitment that most people can’t make. Seek out that soldier this month and shake their hand. Whether active military or a veteran, make sure they know how much we appreciate their service. There are over 20.4 million military veterans in the United States, 252,279 residing in the state of Arkansas alone. At Eye On Magazine we like to dedicate the month of November to our veterans, the men and women who have dedicated their lives to the United States military and bravely served our country. This November, we’d like to put the spotlight on one of our own- Marine Veteran, Sargent Jason Cartwright of Southside.

A Small Town Man Determined To Make a Big Difference Jason Cartwright was just a 24 year old young man searching for a purpose in life. Something he could do to make a difference. Something to belong to. Something that would challenge him. Something he could take pride in. The military seemed like the perfect fit for this eager fellow with an adventurous spirit. His father, the late Bob Cartwright, encouraged his son to consider the Army, as he himself served in this branch in Vietnam.

Jason was open to it but wanted to embark on something that would be the most challenging venture and push him outside of his comfort zone. He set his sights on becoming a soldier in the the United States Army Special Forces, colloquially known as a Green Berets.

After some thought and meetings with recruiters, he ultimately decided to take the ASVAB and see what opportunities awaited. After initially failing the exam, he was persistent in his pursuits, truly believing that the military was his rightful path. He dusted himself off and retook the test, passed and enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. He was inspired by the sense of camaraderie and pride that seemed to exist among Marines. He was on his way to becoming a soldier in what is arguably one of the toughest branches of the United States military. A branch that requires a great deal, both physically and mentally, from its recruits.

A branch that would transform him from boy to man, man to soldier.

Cover Story Welcome To The United States Marine Corp: Semper Fidelis Cartwright was ready to embark on a new chapter in his young life. He had been living at home with his parents, never been out of the state of Arkansas and never set foot on an airplane. “I remember being both excited to start my military career, and scared because I had never left home before,” Jason shares. “I didn’t know what to expect.” On October 10th, 2000, he was whisked away to San Diego, California where he would begin his bootcamp training as an official United States Marine recruit.

Training started almost immediately after his plane landed. “We got on the bus and were instructed to put our heads down for the what seemed like an hour as they drove us to this unknown destination,” Jason shares.

It was at this unknown destination that he would be tried and tested both physically and mentally for the next 13 weeks as he completed his boot camp training and ultimately stepped into his role as a Field Artillery Specialist with the U.S. Marines. “There were times during boot camp that I remember being scared and worried that I wouldn’t fit in. Here is this shy, momma’s boy from a small town in Arkansas,” he laughs, “but one day I was looking out the window and it hit me. I was here and I was going to go full force.” And, true to his go-getter nature, he did. It wasn’t long before Jason fell proudly into his role, confidant in the path he chose.

“The Marines fit me,” Jason said, “it was like a hand and glove.”

After a short leave back home in Southside, he was shipped back to San Diego for Marine Combat Training where he would learn land navigation, patrols and formations, first aid and do a lot of heavy artillery shooting. Cartwright was a self-described “cannon cocker” and learned to shoot 50 calibers and some heavy-duty machine guns and assault rifles like the M249 SAW and M240G. After a few months here, he spent the next few months in Military Occupational Specialty training in Ft. Sill, OK where there would be even more extensive firearms training. During MOS school his skills were carefully honed in the areas of ammunition training and setting fuse times, and he became an expert operator of the M198 Howitzer.

During this phase of his journey, he forged many lasting friendships with fellow Marines that he still keeps in contact with today.

Cartwright was stationed on base in Twentynine Palms, CA before his first deployment would come about just 1 year after entering the Marines. He was sent to Okinawa, Japan where he would spend 6 months providing artillery support for the Japanese Army. Ironically, while serving overseas, the deadliest of terrorist attacks to happen on American soil occurred right at home on September 11, 2001.

It wasn’t until 2003, though, that Cartwright would receive his orders for a deployment to Iraq. While there

he would do fire support in a desert area south of Baghdad and act as part of a patrol unit responsible for protecting gasoline silos in a more populated area of the country. The tour was fairly uneventful, but Jason gained a wealth of experiences during his return to the states which happened over a 2 month period upon a US Navy ship. “I got to visit Australia and Hawaii. Those are 2 places I would never have gotten to see if it hadn’t been for my military work,” Jason says.

He wouldn’t be back on base long before receiving orders for his second overseas deployment to Iraq, which came in 2004. During this tour, Jason would return in a provisional military police role, providing security for Iraqi government officials. This tour proved too difficult for Jason to talk about freely as he saw combat this time and experienced some things that were uncomfortable to relive. He was able to share, however, that he had the honor of earning his Combat Action Ribbon during his time there.

One of Jason’s fondest memories during his active service was when he joined the ranks of non-commissioned officers in the U.S. Marines as a Sargent.

“I felt like a true leader,” Jason says of this accomplishment. “The Marines have taught me invaluable lessons in leadership.” These lessons helped Jason in various roles he would have in his life outside of the military from positions in the workplace to personal relationships.

Life After Active Duty As Jason’s 4 year enlistment period came to a close, he was faced with a decision: to go home and figure out what’s next in his life or reenlist with the Marines.

As he mulled it over, he found he was unable to shake an emotional telephone conversation he had with his father during his active service. A news report announced the death of some Marine soldiers and one of the photos of the deceased strongly resembled Jason. “I was planning on reenlisting for another 4 years but I knew it would put a lot of stress on my family,” Jason explained. “Hearing my dad crying, I knew my reenlisting would be too much of a hardship on them. So, I decided to come home.”

However, coming home didn’t prove to be as simple as just, well, coming home. Like many soldiers, Jason struggled with PTSD when he returned to civilian life. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, up to 20% of veterans who served in Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Enduring Freedom (OEF) have PTSD in a given year.

Unfortunately, awareness of PTSD (what it was, how to spot it and ultimately how to treat it) wasn’t what it is today

when Jason first return home in 2005, and like so many other veterans, he self-medicated. According to Recovery First, a substance abuse rehabilitation center in Hollywood, FL with specialized experts in Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in members of the United States Armed Forces, “Alcohol is very widely abused by current and former service members, and PTSD, TBI and pain may all trigger vets who otherwise did not struggle with problem drinking, to begin abusing alcohol when they return home.” Through his struggles with PTSD and its associated problems, Jason was blessed to have a strong support system in his family and attributes a great deal of the strides he’s made to his wife Lauri and her dedication to him and his health.

A Bright Future: Acknowledging Accomplishments and Pursuing Dreams Over the past decade, Jason had his physical and emotional struggles as a result of his military experience and endured his share of heartache and loss. But his natural, innate go-getter attitude coupled with the steadfast courage and persistence that the military cultivated within him, carried him through to the other side. Today, Jason is proud to report 1 year of sobriety. And despite a diagnosis of Sarcoidosis which hinders his ability to work a full-time conventional job, he has a bright and positive outlook on life. He is currently enrolled in a gunsmithing course online through the Sonoran Desert Institute where he is studying repairs, replacements, and engravings with plans to complete the program in July of next year.

He has aspirations to apprentice and ultimately open his own gunsmith shop. And, with the help of the small business military loan available to him as a Marine Veteran, his dreams could very easily become a reality.

We’d like to give a special thanks to Marine Veteran, Sargent Jason Cartwright for allowing us a glimpse into his life and for sharing his story with us here at Eye On Magazine. If you see him around town, shake his hand and let him know how much you appreciate his dedicated service to our country. And, a Happy Veteran’s Day to ALL the men and women who have served. We respect you and are grateful for your courage and commitment.

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Soup of the Day Available by the Cup, Bowl or Bread Bowl!!

220 E Main Street - Historic Downtown Batesville

Open: Monday - Friday 11am Saturday & Sunday at 1pm

40 Bald Knob . Batesville . Bradford . Cave City . Melbourne . Mnt. View . Newport . Newark . Southside . Sulphur Rock . Swifton . Sidney . Tuckerman

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November 2018

41

Myers-Davis Life Coaching

Dr. Edward P. Myers & Angela D. Davis founded Myers-Davis Life Coaching Institute. They both have leadership experience and are Certified Professional Life Coaches. "Doc" is the author of seven books and contributor/editor of several more. He received his Ph.D. from Drew University, is a Certified Professional Life Coach, a Certified Master Life Coach, a Certified NLP Practitioner, and a Certified Practitioner of the Law of Attraction.

Angela D. Davis, received a M.S. degree in Psychology and has been successful in promotion and personal development in chambers, schools and businesses.

Make Your Bed Part 2 6. If you want to change the world … slide down the obstacle head first. Racing through the challenging obstacle course there is a thirty-foot tower with a nylon rope attached to the top of the tower, anchored at the bottom one hundred feet away. It is referred to as the “Slide for Life.” There is a “commando style” of going head first down the rope (which is faster, but also has a greater risk of falling and injuring you) or you could slowly move down the rope (easier and safer) but allowing your body to hang below the rope as you make your way down to the bottom (possum style). One old Vietnam vet said, “When are you going to learn Mr. Mac? . . . That obstacle course is going to beat you every time unless you start taking some risks.” One week later he pushed his fears aside and went down the rope head first finishing in his personal best.

Life is filled with risks for everyone. Being up to the challenge means we have to conqueror our fears and take risks. But who likes to take risks? Especially if those risks might cause personal bodily harm. But taking risks is a part of being a leader. We are not talking about aimlessly going through life haphazardly, but taking calculated risks in order to reach the goal.

7. If you want to change the world … don’t back down from the sharks. The sharks in the waters off the San Clemente coast. Facing them requires courage; i.e., allowing nothing to stand in your way of reaching the goal. Without courage, especially when things are tough, it allows others to define your path forward. He writes, “Without courage, men will be ruled by tyrants and despots. Without courage, no great society can flourish. Without courage, the bullies of the world rise up. With it, you can accomplish any goal. With it, you can defy and defeat evil.” In the light of opposition, a leader must summon the courage necessary to do what is right. When swimming the tough waters of life, you must have the courage to swim with the sharks.”

8. If you want to change the world …be your very best in the darkest moments. Facing the challenge of an underwater swim in the San Diego Bay, undetected as he planted a plastic limpet mine on the bottom of a ship. You have nothing to assist except a compass and small green light with which to see and follow the direction pointed by the compass. On the shore, before the mission began, the chief petty officer said,

“Tonight, you will have to be your very best. You must rise above your fears, your doubts, and your fatigue. No matter how dark it gets, you must complete the mission.” We all have dark times we face in life. Times when we cannot see our way clearly and have to rely on our moral compass to guide us through the dark waters of life. Being your best is absolutely necessary to reach success as a leader.

He concludes the chapter with these words, “At some point we all confront a dark moment in life. If not the passing of a loved one, then something else that crushes your spirit and leaves you wondering about our future. In that dark moment, reach inside yourself and be your very best.”

9.. If you want to change the world … start singing when you’re up to your neck in mud. The mudflats we faced on Wednesday of Hell Week. It was, unmistakenly, the greatest challenge of the week. More students quit during this drill than at any other time. The instructor offered the comfort of a fire, hot coffee and chicken soup to everyone if only five students would walk out of the mud pit and quit; everyone could enjoy the warmth of the fire. Suddenly one voice began to sing, then two, then three, another, and another until all were singing. “Once again, we had learned an important lesson: the power of one person to unite the group; the power of one person to inspire those around him, to give them hope. If that one person could sing which neck deep in the mud, then so could we. If that one person could endure the freezing cold, then so could we. If that one person could hold on, then so could we.”

10. If you want to change the world … don’t ever ring the bell. Aside from the challenges of the vigorous training a person goes through to become a SEAL, ringing the bell is probably known more than any other part of the training.

This is because ringing the bell (three times) meant one thing: YOU QUIT. “Of all the lessons I learned in SEAL training, this was the most important. Never quit. It doesn’t sound particularly profound, but life constantly puts you in situations where quitting seems so much easier than continuing on. Where the odds are so stacked against you that giving up seems the rational thing to do.”

But quitting is never an option if you wish to succeed in life. You might fail at something, but don’t quit. You might think it can’t be done, but try – and don’t quit. Maybe no one else has done it before, but don’t quit. Don’t quit. Don’t quit.

Don’t quit.

The book closes with the printing of the graduation speech. Even if you have heard the speech on YouTube, it is inspiring to read. A simple task, make your bed first thing in the morning, you know at the end of the day, you’ve accomplished at least one thing of significance. He writes, “If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished your first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed.

Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter….If you can’t do the little things right, you will never do the big things right.”

It is a small book. And easy read. But powerful in its presenting “little things that can change your life . . . and maybe the world.

N

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Notes from the Clearing

The Weight of One Sock Joseph Thomas

Part XII

Maddi continued to reposition her right foot, thinking she should be able to slide her left foot free, but the dirty, bare foot was just slick enough from all of the outside walking today to slide deeper into the fork than it would have had it been in a sock (let’s say a blue, unburnt one). Maddi felt like a child with her head stuck in a stair banister, shaking her head in frustrated humor twenty-four feet above the ground. She was slightly embarressed, but at least she was here because she’d help get the girl safely down...and Chief Holder would be the one to help her safely down; hand in strong hand.

Sarah decided Maddi needed a story to keep her distracted. The little blonde haired pixie sat beneath the tree and cleared her throat very theatrically, to announce she was to be heard, now. “Once upon a time, there were two young ladies out for a walk. Uh...one was tall and strong and the other was short and strong. They could have been sisters, but they were not sisters. The tall lady held the hand of the shorter one and they walked through an open field of the greenest grass, uh, below the bluest sky. They walked out to the edge of this field to what they would discover, that they were really on a large cliff top. There at the edge, was a grand view of the ocean and high view to the beach below. Oh, and the tall one only had one sock on...it was as blue as the sky.”

“And the other was dirty, fithly, SHEW!” Maddi added with a smile.

Sarah looked up at her and giggled the cutest, most contagious giggle.

Before Sarah could continue, they both were startled by the burst of a siren not far away. Maddi could see, before Sarah, that it was the red Station 54 Ladder Truck. Sarah looked up to her for confirmation, “Is that who you called? Did you call the Fire Department?”

“I sure did. I’ve got friends capable of being in high places, now. Watch out for the truck, but you can stay and watch!”

“Oh, I ain’t going anywhere!”

Maddi giggled at the girl’s zest. The large dark, red truck rounded the corner, just a block to the south and quickly parked out in front of her, poor, dead car.

The white ladder on top was impressive and a bit of overkill for the twenty feet she needed to be helped down, but it was extremely fitting for the day she was having.

Holder step out of the driver’s side door and smiled the biggest smile, “Hey Maddi, what’s shaking?” He looked to Sarah and stepped to make her aquaintance before Maddi could respond with more than a quiet giggle. “And, who are you Miss?”

Sarah smiled shyly and met Holder’s handshake, “I’m very well, thank you.

And you?”

Holder’s smile overtook his face. He looked to Maddi and back to Sarah, “Well, I am very well too. I am so glad to meet you.”

“It is good to meet you too.” Sarah added finishing the shake, “Are you going to save my new friend, Maddi? She helped me down just now. I was stuck too.”

“Yes Ma’am. I’m gonna raise that ladder up to where she is and walk her back down.”

“Not unless you can get this dirty foot unstuck, you aint.”

With another laugh, Holder responded, “Well, let’s see what we can do about that.”

N

To Be Continued...

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November 2018

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