Women's Inc - 4/2016

WINC. APRIL 2016

THE ART ISSUE • WOMENSINC.NET

TAMI RISINGER

Interior design with personal touch TURNBERRY

Custom home ideal for entertaining L O I S giorgis

Artist for a lifetime

INSIDE: ALL ABOUT HOMES | CONWAY PROFESSION ALS WITH YOU EVERY S TEP

4 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2016

WINC.

CONTENTS

A P R I L 2 016 WOM EN ’ S IN C .

Publisher Jeff Hartley Editor Lori Quinn

Contributing Writers Jeanette Anderton Leah Ashby Detra Clark Marisa Hicks Colleen Holt Nancy Jackson Andrea Lennon Jill McCollum Susan O’Keefe Jennifer Stanley Jenny Strange Kelly Sublett Chief Photographer Brandy Strain Advertising Sales Director Betsey Barham

6

TAMI RISINGER

Interior designer showcases skills

12

Turnberry endeavor

Custom home ideal for entertaining

19

all about homes

Conway professionals standing by

lois giorgis

30

Area artist always on the go

Advertising Coordinator Molly May Advertising Sales Executives Sarah Allen Tara Mallett Lisa Licht Advertising Artists Jay Prince Lauren Morgenstern Editorial Advisory Board Leah Ashby Detra Clark Nicolle Fletcher Haley Crafton Fowler Sarah Frost Mary Harlan Nancy Jackson Cate Ketcheside Leslie Kostecky Caroline LaVan Velda Lueders Candace Meeks Misty Morse Carol Patty Amy Reed Lori Ross Mary Margaret Satterfield Jennifer Stanley Katherine Thomason Stefanie Holt Vann

Questions or Comments?

Call (501) 327-6621, e-mail: womensinc@thecabin.net or write to P.O. Box 969, Conway, AR, 72033 • www.womensinc.net

34

FINISHING TOUCHES

Marbella Granite gives rooms new life

54

imatter

Madalyn Prince: Art on her own time

columns 27. health

46. spiritual

48. book review

50. food

Spring cleaning in the medicine cabinet

by David Smith

Everything begins with mothers and fathers Susan O’Keefe review

When life is busy

by Andrea Lennon

The art of food

by Chef Jill McCollum, cc WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 5

cover stor y

6 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2016

TAMI RISINGER

“I have had so many amazing projects it would be impossible to narrow it down to just one. I can say that I have had an amazing career. I am so grateful for that, and hopefully it will continue to grow.”

Welcome home

By Leah Ashby Photos by Brandy Strain

Simply put, Tami Risinger is bursting with creativity and style.

Tami, owner of Tami Risinger Interiors, Inc., has been in the interior design business for 33 years. A native of Little Rock, Tami and her husband, Jack, relocated to Conway from Dallas in 1998. They have two sons: Chase, a student at UCA; and Grant, a senior at Conway High School. Tami began her career in San Francisco after high school but knew at an early age she had a talent for design.

“Honestly, at a very young age I knew it came very naturally for me. My parents would go out of town for the weekends, and when they got home all the furniture in the house was rearranged. It was evident early on that it was a God-given talent and that it was what I had to do with my future,” Tami said.

Tami’s infectious smile and delightful Southern accent make you want to sit down in her beautiful living room and spend the afternoon with her. Evidently, people in Faulkner County and beyond are clamoring to do business with her.

“Success was something that didn’t come overnight. It’s something that was built over several years of hard work, long hours and building relationships with my clients.

Moving from two major cities and then to Conway was certainly a challenge for my career. However, after a few years, I started

Conway interior designer Tami Risinger invites us into her home, discusses career

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 7

8 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2016

meeting people and was able to build my local clientele and have met some great people.

I have clients that have become good friends over the years, and I do not take that for granted,” she said.

Tami provides interior design solutions for both commercial and residential projects.

While the commercial nursing home projects have kept her very busy over the years, she loves the residential side of her business too. Jennifer Crain, who recently enlisted Tami’s help with a lake house update, has collaborated with Tami on several projects over the years.

“Tami is someone who came into my life many years ago, and I have never had a project without her since. She so beautifully creates a timeless space, that after a vast remodel eight years ago, I still have rooms I have never touched because I still love them

just as much as the day she finished. Her sweet spirit combined with her incomparable talent has not only made me love everything she has done for me, but I have also gained a wonderful friend,” Jennifer said.

A design that is near and dear to Tami’s heart is her beautiful Centennial Valley home that was five years in the making. Not one for clutter, Tami prefers a classic scheme with clean lines. She encompassed those design elements and much more when she designed the house.

“I was always inspired by an architect, Bobby McAlpine, who builds homes that are modern with a cottage influence. If you have ever visited Rosemary Beach, Florida, you will see some of his projects. I always loved the clean lines and the light exterior colors that he uses.

“I also love the Bahama-style shutters and

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 9

the other design elements such as the copper finials, interesting gates and the stone pathways that make it feel like a home.

“I had a stone wall added in front of my house to give it more of a courtyard feel as you are walking to the front entrance. One of my favorite spaces in my home is the breakfast room that is surrounded by windows. I love to sit there in the mornings. It is so light and bright, and I have added in 10 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2016

color with art that I have collected over the years and some pillows.

“Everything else in the room is very soft in color.

“It is a very calming space,” Tami said.

In March of 2014, Tami received news that would change her life. She was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer and would undergo surgery and five months of chemotherapy. Surrounded by family and

friends, Tami focused on her career, which kept her focused on something positive during a very difficult time.

“It was a scary time in my life. You never think that something like that will happen.

I was devastated the day I had to shave my head because my hair was falling out. That was a traumatic day for me.

“Then, you realize that hair is no longer important, that it is about survival and

being well again. I had so much support from family and friends, and that was such a blessing and helped me get through some of the toughest times.

“My sons seemed to be so strong through it all, maybe they were pretending for me.

Whatever it was, it kept me strong. Looking back, it had to be so terrifying for them.

“What amazed me the most about the entire journey was that it made me a better

person. It made me realize what is important and what is not.

“It made me look at things in a much different light. It made me a much more giving and compassionate person. I am thankful to be healthy now.

“I am 17 months in remission and thank God for every day. I always had a great attitude the entire time. I think that played a huge part in my healing and my faith in

God that carried me through it all,” Tami said.

While Tami has showcased her talent for a variety of design projects over the years, each is unique in its own way.

“I have had so many amazing projects it would be impossible to narrow it down to just one. I can say that I have had an amazing career. I am so grateful for that, and hopefully it will continue to grow.”

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 11

feature story

CINDY HUDSON HOME

Turnberry endeavor

By Colleen Holt Photos by Brandy Strain

Open and airy, custom-designed home is ideal for entertaining Cindy Hudson of Conway took a vision in her head and turned it into a comfortable home that is the perfect reflection of her sparkly, inviting personality.

Located in the Turnberry neighborhood of northwest Conway, Cindy’s home features 2,200 square feet of living space in a one-and-a-half story design that is open, bright and perfect for entertaining.

“I love to entertain — that’s what I built this house for,” she said. “There are not many places

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 13

in this house where you can’t see all the other rooms. In the kitchen, you can talk to somebody who is in the loft. We designed it that way.”

When Cindy began thinking about building a home, she called on her friend Kevin Watson of Watson Homes to help her with the design. Watson Homes developed the Turnberry neighborhood, and at that time, Cindy was living directly across the street from an empty lot that would eventually hold her new home. The project was started in May or June 2015, and she moved into her new home in October 2015.

The intent was to go very neutral in this home. So, white, black and grey were used on floors, walls, ceilings and counters, with

14 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2016

splashes of color found in the extra décor and furniture.

Cindy said there are very few stains that come in grey, so she personally stained her grey kitchen cabinets using a water-based stain that “you can make whatever color you want it to be.”

From the foyer, you enter what Cindy has transformed into her formal living space/dining room. A beautiful curved staircase with wood accents leads up to a cozy loft overlooking the main living areas.

“I wanted the curved staircase so I could be like Auntie Mame,” she laughed.

Twenty-two-foot ceilings were included to make the home feel larger, and it also allowed for the loft to be included. Cindy said the

loft is one of her favorite places because it is decorated with personal items and is perfect for relaxing. The loft includes a powder room and a wet bar.

“It’s fun to just hang out up here — it’s cozy,” she said.

Family photos and artwork by Cindy and other members of her family give this room a personalized touch.

The importance of artwork is very evident throughout the home. In the foyer, for instance, Cindy introduces her extensive collection of art by Conway artists and personal friends Vivian Noe and Steve Griffith. Everywhere you look, you will see signs of Vivian and Steve’s work — including in the huge mirror on the wall in the dining area.

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 15

“Steve hung that mirror for me,” she said.

“I had no idea how to do it. Vivian and I just stood back and watched.”

Cindy also acquires artwork at various charity events she attends, so her collection is quite eclectic.

Designer Raelynn Calloway of Classically Yours Interiors came into the project as an adviser, providing some “tweaks” to the interior design plans.

One of Cindy’s favorite Raelynn touches in the home is a lovely wood mantle for her fireplace, which she said is something she would have never found or looked for on her own.

Cindy is a gemologist at Fletcher Smith Jewelers, and diamond-like sparkles can be seen throughout her home. Jeweled knobs of all styles can be seen used as drawer pulls, and the light fixtures are especially sparkly.

“I worked with Gina Hambuchen on the lighting. She was so wonderful. She knew me ... she knew I wanted sparkles, sparkles, sparkles. And she found sparkles, sparkles, 16 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2016

sparkles in the lights. It makes the home more of a personal space.”

The beautiful lighting fixtures include a custom chandelier hanging in the formal living room, a retro disco-type fixture in the foyer that spreads facets of light on the ceiling and a jewel-filled hanging light over the jet tub in her master bath.

Cindy refinished most of the furniture used in her home. Her kitchen dining table, a bistro table in her den and several chests of drawers have the “Cindy touch.”

She said she finds items at consignment stores, flea markets and “in my mother’s house and store room.”

One chest of drawers was part of a furniture “trade” with her mom.

“If I wasn’t a gemologist, I would be refinishing furniture,” she said. “It makes me happy to do that. If I can’t work with diamonds, I’ll work with diamonds on drawers.”

Cindy’s mother, Sandra Hudson, was a math teacher in Vilonia for several years.

“She is very artistic, very musical. I didn’t inherit the musical part, but it’s my mother who got me into refinishing furniture.”

Her father, the late Frank Hudson, was an instructor at the University of Central Arkansas.

Cindy said when she moved out on her own at age 19, her mother helped her find second-hand furniture that she could afford, and told her to re-make it in her own style.

“She said to paint it, stain it ... refinishing furniture is just what you do,” Cindy added.

In her spare time, Cindy helps with animal advocacy issues, fosters cats for a couple of rescue groups, serves on the board of the Boys and Girls Club of Central Arkansas and is on the Conway Symphony Guild.

Joining Cindy in her new home are her three rescue cats — The General, Jonesy and Sam. “It’s not a huge house, but I feel so comfortable in it. It’s just the way I wanted it,” she said. “I’m not leaving.”

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 17

18 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2016

S P E CI A L

A L L

F E ATURE

A B OUT

HOME S

FROM START TO FINISH C ON WAY P ROF E SSI ONA LS R E A DY TO A SSI ST E V E RY S TE P OF TH E WAY

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 19

20 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2016

22 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2016

24 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2016

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 25

26 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2016

health

ADVERTISEMENT

Spring cleaning in the medicine cabinet

By David Smith

“Clean up, clean up, everybody clean up...”

How many of you have heard your children or grandchildren sing that catchy little tune? I’m pretty sure quite a few of you have even used it as a ploy to get those same little ones to pick up their toys.

Springtime always seems to sing the “Clean Up” song to us as the nights get shorter and the days get longer and warmer. There’s just something about it that stimulates us to clean out closets (which my wife and I spent almost all of last week doing, by the way) dust the blinds and fan blades, trim the shrubs and tree limbs, de-thatch the lawn and mulch the flower beds. And, after the stiffness and sore muscles get better, we give ourselves a nice pat on the back for a job well done.

Sadly, I’d bet most of us have missed a very critical area that we reach into practically every day and never give a serious thought to cleaning out — the medicine cabinet. I took a quick glance at ours and was rather embarrassed. There. I’ve confessed — and they say confession is good for the soul. So, what’s the big deal about out-of-date medications and just how does one go about disposing of them properly? Here’s a quick rundown for you.

Just so you know, the FDA standards for drug products state that the active ingredient must be present in 90% to 110% of the amount indicated on the label, and the truth is that many medications are still perfectly good

after their published expiration date. There is no magic switch in the tablet, capsule or liquid that turns off at that exact date.

However, there are simply too many variables that can affect stability even before the published expiration date to push that very far.

Some of the more important factors are exposure to humidity, light, high temperatures and containers that do not seal properly. Also, there are quite a few commonly prescribed medications that are potentially hazardous when used beyond expiration date — anticonvulsants, warfarin, digoxin, nitroglycerin, thyroid preparations and oral contraceptives to name a few.

Another problem we, as pharmacists, run into routinely is that of unfinished prescription medications. I’d wager that better than half of all antibiotic prescriptions are never completed.

People start feeling better, and the last three or four days worth of therapy are stored and used inappropriately at a later time. I could write another compete article on the hazards of this practice.

Also, an alarming quantity of legally-prescribed, but illegally-used medications is taken from medicine cabinets of parents or grandparents and sold on the street — yet another good article topic. Make sure that you store ALL of your medications in a secure place.

So how do we get rid of those products in a safe, environmentally-friendly manner? It is perfectly acceptable to crush the tablets and capsules and mix them, along with unused liquid preparations with coffee grounds, kitty litter,

sawdust, etc., and put them into a sealed plastic container. This can be thrown out with your regular trash and safely buried at the landfill.

However, a much better option is to call your local pharmacist and arrange to have a “brown bag” session with him or her. Bring all of your medications — prescriptions and OTCs — including those you are currently taking to the pharmacy. Let the pharmacist sit down and go through everything with you.

Most pharmacies will gladly take any out-ofdate or unused products and dispose of them for you. Plus you’ll gain valuable insight on your entire medication regimen.

I have personally conducted several of these and, without fail, the person always has a greater understanding of their meds after our session. It’s amazing how many medications people bring in and have no clue about why they are taking them.

At Smith Family Pharmacy, we offer this as a free service and welcome anyone, whether they are our regular customer or not, to participate in our “brown bag” program.

Give David or Blake a call today at 501336-8188 and let us schedule a time to help you with this or any of your medication needs.

David Smith is the owner and chief pharmacist at Smith Family Pharmacy where he works with his wife Shirley and staff. He graduated from the UAMS College of Pharmacy in 1974 and has been a pharmacist in Conway for over 41 years. He loves spending time with family and is NO1POP to 5 wonderful grandchildren.

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 27

beauty

By Angela Jackson

ADVERTISEMENT

Triple Crown Facial

This three-step facial speeds up collagen and elastin production, two vital proteins needed for your skin to remain youthful and glowing. It is both preventative and restorative for a complete AGELESS look. It gives the facial muscles a workout, draining away puffiness, making your skin taut, enhancing your skin elasticity and firmness, eliminating fine lines and wrinkles.

The benefits you get are cumulative. In essence, it will sculpt your face. It restores a youthful and glowing complexion, no matter what your age!

It’s called the Triple Crown facial because there are three components: A diamond microdermabrasion at the beginning; I don’t do any facial without that step. Then the majority of the facial is done with microcurrent, which drains excess puffiness, tightens the muscle and restores the skin. The final part of the facial is an oxygen treatment, which is 98 percent pure oxygen, infused with a serum of vitamins, peptides and antioxidants.

The first step is a unique approach to refining your skin with microdermabrasion. This advanced method of microdermabrasion far exceeds other methods of exfoliating the skin. Your skin will be smoother, fresher and will have a natural glow. Microdermabrasion is gentle enough to be used on the most skin types, even sensitive skin.

Microdermabrasion is then followed with the oxygen part of the Triple Ceown Facial. In just one treatment, the oxygen will make your skin silky smooth, erasing fine lines and wrinkles.

Your face will be visibly hydrated, younger and

28 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2016

radiant. Oxygen will gently resurface your skin, getting rid of a dull and lifeless complexion.

Using the correct serum with the oxygen gently extracts excess oils that can lead to clogged pores and blackheads. And because pure oxygen is anti-bacterial, it kills acne-causing bacteria that can lead to breakouts, giving you the complexion you always wanted.

The trendsetter, Madonna, along with other A-list Celebs, have made the oxygen facial essential in their beauty routine, Madonna — going so far as to hire her own private esthetician and buying her own oxygen machine.

The second step is a non-invasive way to look years younger without going under the knife, and its been a closely-guarded secret by the Hollywood elite. Microcurrent facials can define your jaw line, make your cheek bones more pronounced, firming and tightening your skin.

Microcurrent is a low level of electricity that mirrors the body’s own natural electrical currents, triggering chemical reactions at a cellular level to enhance the production of natural collagen and elastin, providing circulatory benefits,

and re-educating the muscles of the face. The result is immediate firming, smoothing, and re-hydration of the skin while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

The third step and bonus of this facial is LED light therapy. This is what In Style Magazine had to say about LED light therapy: “LEDs activate the skin’s natural rejuvenation process for a smoother, more even complexion. ... [In just] six weeks of treatment with LEDs you can significantly improve the appearance of fine lines.”

For your skin, this translates into sometimes dramatic improvement of the obvious signs of aging, taking years off your skin and preventing future damage from occurring. LED Light Therapy stimulates the production of ATP, the fuel that powers life at a cellular level, speeding up collagen and elastin production. The results are visible in the increased elasticity and firmness of your skin.

Additional benefits you will get are: reduction of enlarged pores, a more even skin tone and radiant looking skin.

Angela Jackson, owner of studio SKIN has been a licensed aesthetician for 16 years. She currently sits as an appointed member on the Arkansas Dept. Of Health advisory committee.

Angela is a member of Associated Skincare Professionals, an organization dedicated to the promotion of safe, quality skin care.

Angela practices in the Fayetteville area, has for over 14 years, under the direct supervision of a board certified plastic surgeon. Angela has been offering skincare in the downtown Conway area for the last 6 years. She offers expertise and certifications in corrective skincare, facials, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, airbrush tanning, full body waxing and make-up.

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 29

feature story

Happy Medium Area artist always on the go with painting, chiseling

By Jennifer Stanley Photos by Brandy Strain Local artist Lois Giorgis is a study in lifelong learning. An avid painter from the age of 15, she took up sculpting at age 80. Her work is currently on display at Art on the Green in Conway.

“I always wanted to try sculpting and was interested in doing something tactile,” she said of sculpting.

Her medium of preference is alabaster, which requires chiseling. She orders the stone from Colorado and occasionally from New Mexico. The end

“I had been drawing since I was little. . . My teacher took a picture of one of my paintings and sent it to a national contest in New York, and I was one of 25 winners in the United States.” result is simply amazing; what starts as a block of rock may end up as an intricate trio of birds.

The alabaster creates innate movement in its varied hues of black, gray, white, ivory and red.

In getting started, she sought the advice of Bryan Massey, a professor in the art department of the University of Central Arkansas, who has experience with alabaster.

Lois began painting in high school. She knew she had a love and talent for the art form.

“I had been drawing since I was little. When I was in high school, I had started doing some small oils at home. In my third year of art. ... I asked to work with oils in class. My teacher took a picture of one of my paintings and sent it to a national contest in New York, and I was one of 25 30 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2016

lois giorgis

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 31

winners in the United States,” she said.

That earned her a summer art scholarship to the University of Denver. She went on to major in art in high school and minor in college. She also spent a summer studying at the esteemed Art Institute of Chicago and was named “Young Artist of the Year” in northern Illinois.

She primarily paints in oil, acrylic and watercolor and does portraiture, landscapes and 32 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2016

abstracts. Portraits are her specialty. In fact, she has been commissioned to paint more than 200. She is a master of watercolor and is certified by Mid-Southern Watercolorists, a non-profit dedicated to the promotion of watercolor painting.

A former high school counselor and vice president of student services at College of St. Francis, Lois retired to Arkansas more than 20 years ago.

Since relocating, she has shown work in Arkansas and Texas.

Lois has won awards at the Conway League of Artists and with Mid-Southern Watercolorists.

She continues to show, mostly her abstract work, at Art on the Green.

To contact Lois about her gallery pieces or about commissioned work, please email giorgis@cyberback.com.

real estate

ADVERTISEMENT

Safety — home and away

We are very blessed to live in the great state of Arkansas.

However, over the past decade we have seen an increase in crime regardless if you live in a city or small town. Unfortunately, this has also affected the Real Estate industry.

It is imperative REALTORS, buyers and sellers all take additional precautions to reduce the risk of theft or physical injury to all. Many REALTORS, have risk-reduction training and are members of the Beverly Carter Safety Certified Office Program.

SELLERS

Before listing your home and having photos taken, remove valuables to a safe location.

Items that are most at risk are jewelry, medications, electronic data, mail and firearms.

Often homeowners will keep these items in a very common location, such as keeping jewelry on the bedroom dresser or in the top drawer, medication (especially pain medications) are kept on the kitchen counter or in a cabinet near the kitchen sink and firearms are often in or under the night stand next to our bed.

The bad guys know this and are looking to grab and go. It’s a good idea to have these items hidden, your PC shut down, and any mail hidden from view during showings.

REALTORS, do attempt to keep buyers together during a showing, however it’s not always possible. When you return home after a showing, it’s a good idea to make sure all doors and windows are locked. Speak to your REALTOR, about the pros and cons of only allowing pre-qualified buyer to show your home.

REALTORS

The Real Estate business is a high risk business, and, in

fact, it is the eighth highest risk business according to the Department of Labor Statistics.

Many REALTORS and Brokerage Firms have safety protocols in place to protect themselves and their Buyers and Sellers. The Arkansas Realtors Association Safety Task Force has developed and encourages all REALTORS to take their Safety Pledge and become a Beverly Carter Safety Certified Office, which has resources for the safety benefit of REALTORS, buyers, sellers and the general public.

BUYERS

Please know that your first meeting with a REALTOR should be at the agent’s office of a “Safe Harbor” location. It doesn’t benefit anyone to run and look at a property without an initial meeting where you can share your home requirements, locations, price ranges and where you are at in the loan process (pre-approval).

This is a great time for your REALTOR to explain the home-buying process. Even if you are not a first time homebuyer, many things have changed in all aspects of the home-buying process.

As a part of the REALTORS safety protocol, you may be asked for a copy of your driver’s license, pre-approval letter and client intake sheet.

Today, sellers and REALTORS want to know who is entering their homes and vehicles. Most agents will only show homes during daylight hours, especially vacant properties for both the buyers’ and REALTORS’ safety.

The items listed above are just a small sampling of the potential risks and precautions in today’s world, so please be sure when you are discussing all the other aspects of marketing, selling and buying a home, that safety is an important part of that discussion.

Be Safe: Bill Tobias

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 33

feature story

FINISHING TOUCHES

By Jennifer Stanley Photos by Brandy Strain 34 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2016

MARBELLA GRANITE & MARBLE INC. GIVES ROOMS NEW LIFE

If you are in the market for marble, granite, quartz or other solid surface counter top materials, look no further than Marbella Granite & Marble, Inc. of Conway.

Locally owned and operated by Khalid and Nancy Shaikh, the business opened in April 2004. A true family affair, their daughter, Maliha Wise, also works for Marbella, which is located at 23 Kings Highway.

Their materials are used for counter tops, fireplace surrounds, bathtubs and showers, among other areas.

“Kitchen counters are our most requested product,” Maliha said.

They also provide sinks, tile and faucets for

MARBELLA GRANITE & MARBLE INC.

“We’ve been doing granite in the area for over 12 years; we strive to offer the best products with a familyowned feel. ... We are a true father-daughter team.”

— Maliha Wise

purchase. Their most requested items are granite and quartz, as well as sinks.

Of their offerings, Maliha said, “We’ve been doing granite in the area for over 12 years; we strive to offer the best products with a family-owned feel. ... We are a true father-daughter team.”

Maliha, a design enthusiast, loves home décor and enjoys helping customers with material and color selection.

She also has a booth at Rusty Gold Antiques called Wobbly Pine Market.

She would be glad to offer her expertise and experience to help you with your décor needs.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

SUBMITTED PHOTO

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 35

artscene

Mary Ruth Marotte, Shauna Meador, Paige Reynolds, Geneva Galloway and Rebekah Scallet

Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre: A Family Affair

By Jennie Strange Photos by Brandy Strain If you talk to anyone involved with the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre (AST) for long, you are bound to hear the word “family.” And you don’t have to look too deep into the trenches to find out why. Leading this Conway-based company is an extraordinary group who work together to not only bring Shakespeare’s plays to life for a new generation, but also strive to create a genuine sense of family amongst their staff, actors, volunteers, and the local community itself.

At the helm of this team is Mary Ruth Marotte, now in her sixth year as the Executive Director. Marotte was first involved with AST through her role as a professor of English at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA), then joined their Board of Directors shortly after. She became highly invested in 36 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2016

the mission of the company and thus was the perfect candidate when the Executive Director position became a need.

Rebekah Scallet joined AST as the Producing Artistic Director in 2011. Originally from Little Rock, Scallet grew up watching her father as the President of the board of the Shakespeare Festival of Arkansas, and later moved to Chicago where she herself was involved with the Illinois Shakespeare Theatre.

While the newest hire within the yearround AST staff, Geneva Galloway is certainly not new to the company. As a teenager she watched her siblings take part in the first season’s productions. Later, as a student in the UCA Theatre Department, Galloway served as Scallet’s administrative assistant and then as summer company manager for four seasons. She took on the newly created position of General Manager in February 2016.

Though the AST rehearsal and performance

season is primarily in May and June, Marotte, Scallet, and Galloway work year round to keep the company constantly moving forward.

Through weekly team meetings and constant email interaction, they create what Marotte describes as “an atmosphere of mutual respect.

We’ve done our best work in collaboration.”

Galloway agrees- “It’s nice to be in an environment where they support good and new ideas.”

Also playing integral roles in the process of bringing AST’s vision to life are Paige Reynolds and Shauna Colclasure-Meador.

Reynolds, a professor of English at UCA specializing in Renaissance studies, has long been a part of AST, starting when she was cast in their first production of Romeo and Juliet. She now serves as the company’s head dramaturge, a position tasked with providing historical research and context for the each production to the cast and crew. She also

spotlight

Geneva Galloway

General Manager, Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre (AST) Originally From: Little Rock, AR Educational Background: I have a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre with a minor in Marketing from the University of Central Arkansas. I also completed the highly competitive apprenticeship program at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago as their 2014/15 Development Apprentice.

How did you get involved in theatre? I come from a large family of performers and artists. In college my theatrical focus was in performance and directing. It wasn’t until my junior year of college when I started working as Rebekah Scallet’s assistant (with AST) that I even began exploring the idea of arts administration.

What made you want to work for AST? Interestingly enough I started wanting to work for AST after I saw A Midsummer Night’s Dream during their inaugural season almost ten years ago! I was in high school at that time and AST was a lot of the reason I decided to come to UCA. When I started attending school there I began to navigate my way into the AST fold.

What does your job as General Manager with AST entail? I work primarily in Finance, Artist Contracting, and Marketing. In addition to that I work to support both the Executive and the Presenting Artistic Directors with fundraising and educational outreach efforts.

What is your favorite part of working with AST? Meeting and getting to know people in our community. Our board and patrons are so dedicated to this organization and watching AST grow every year by reaching more and more people in our state makes all the hard work worth it.

Favorite Shakespeare play? The Tempest. I’m a sucker for all that magic!

Favorite quote? “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” from Shakepeare’s Hamlet

initiated an internship program for dramaturgical studies with UCA and AST. Meador, part of the UCA Theatre faculty, holds the position of costume shop supervisor for AST and also manages the production budgets.

Beyond the individual passions and skill sets that each of the above bring to the table, there is something else that makes AST look strikingly different than most regional theatre companies – this leadership team is comprised entirely of women.

“It’s rare to have a classical theatre company run by women- it’s been a primarily male-dominated world.” Scallet explained.

“One thing I hear repeatedly from various actors and designers is that they really like that about AST- it’s refreshing.”

When you realize that AST is run by a group of full-time working women, many of whom have children, you realize why that idea of family resounds throughout the com-

pany. “It’s challenging to make a career in the arts and have a family,” Scallet expressed.

“But our team shows other young women it’s possible to do both. “ Marotte agrees “There’s a real life quality to it. Rebekah and Paige have both been pregnant while working on productions-we’ve been in staff meetings before where Rebekah was nursing her baby while we’re talking about productions . My own kids have grown up around this.”

Scallet laughingly recalled the first season she directed as a mother- “There were some 12 hour days where I had to bring my son with me to rehearsals. I would just pass him around to the actors to take turns holding him. It’s great that I could do that and make it work.”

That same sense of understanding, flexibility, and “make it work” attitude spreads out to the entire cast and crew. Galloway reiterated

that the theme of family flows throughout the company, “We try to get the actors out in the community, interacting not just with each other, but also with our board of directors and our audiences.”

“We are starting to get a reputation among national theatre and Shakespeare circles for being a great place to work because of the community feel.” Scallet stated. “We all really love this festival- there’s no way we would do this if we didn’t.”

To find out more about AST’s team and their upcoming 10th anniversary season, you can check out www.arkshakes.com.

Jennie Strange is the founder and Executive Director of Blackbird Academy of Arts, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing quality performing and visual arts education. She lives in Conway with her husband, Statler, and a random assortment of dogs, goats, and chickens. To submit your arts calendar events, email Jennie@blackbirdacademy.org WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 37

artscene: calendar April Arts Events – Please check out the event website for more information and pricing.

April 7: Hungrytown Concert @ Faulkner County Library; 7:00 p.m. nancy@fcl.org (G)

April 17: UCA Jazz Ensemble Concert @ UCA Snow Fine Arts Center Recital Hall; 7:30 p.m. www.uca.edu/cfac (G)

April 1, 2: Hansel and Gretel presented by the UCA Opera Theater @ UCA Reynolds Performance Hall; 7:30 p.m. roberth@uca.edu (G)

April 7: UCA Chamber Singers Concert @ UCA Snow Fine Arts Center Recital Hall; 7:30 p.m. www.uca.edu/cfac (G)

April 18: Hendrix College Wind Ensemble Spring Concert @ Outside Hendrix College Staples Auditorium; 5:30 p.m. Call (501) 450-1243 (PG13)

April 1, 2: Hendrix College Dance Ensemble Spring Concert @ Hendrix College Staples Auditorium; 7:30 p.m. Call (501) 450-1343 (PG13)

April 7, 8, 14, 15: Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale presented by UCA Theatre @ UCA Bridges/Larson Theater; 7:30 p.m. www.uca.edu/cfac (PG)

April 19: Shakespeare Sonnets Reading Marathon @ Hendrix College Bertie Wilson Murphy Building Seminar Room; 5:30 p.m. Call (501) 450- 1399 (PG13)

April 3: Hansel and Gretel presented by the UCA Opera Theater @ UCA Reynolds Performance Hall; 3:00 p.m. roberth@uca.edu (G)

April 8: Painting and Pizza Parents Night Out @ Blackbird Academy of Arts; 6:00-8:00 p.m. www.blackbirdacademy.org (Ages 5+)

April 19: UCA Symphonic and University Bands Concert @ UCA Reynolds Performance Hall; 7:30 p.m. www.uca.edu/ cfac (G)

April 1-30: Nina Ruth Baker’s New Spring Collection @ Art on the Green; (501) 205-1922 (G)

April 8: UCA Trombone Choir Concert @ UCA Snow Fine Arts Center Recital Hall; 7:30 p.m. www.uca.edu/cfac (G)

April 19: UCA Concert Choir Concert @ UCA Snow Fine Arts Center Recital Hall; 7:30 p.m. www.uca.edu/cfac (G)

April 1-30: Conway on Canvas @ Art on the Green; (501) 205-1922 (G)

April 9: Sewing Workshop for Adults “Baby Gift Set” @ Blackbird Academy of Arts; 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. www. blackbirdacademy.org (Ages 16+)

April 21: Melissa Gill Sabbatical Show, Lecture, and Reception @ Hendrix College Art Building A Lobby; 5:00 p.m. lopas@hendrix.edu (PG13)

April 9: Sock Monster Workshop @ Faulkner County Library; 2:00 p.m. nancy@fcl.org (PG)

April 21: UCA Wind Ensemble Concert @ UCA Reynolds Performance Hall; 7:30 p.m. www.uca.edu/cfac (G)

April 4: Josh Radnor Lecture @ Reynolds Performance Hall; 7:30 p.m. www.uca.edu/reynolds (PG) April 5: Conway Arts Awards presented by the Conway Alliance for the Arts @ Hendrix College Trieschmann Fine Arts Building; 7:00 p.m. www.artsinconway.org (G) April 5: UCA Public Graduate Thesis Film Screening @ UCA Reynolds Performance Hall; 7:00 p.m. www.uca.edu/ cfac (A)

April 9: Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale presented by UCA Theatre @ UCA Bridges/Larson Theater; 2:00 p.m. www.uca.edu/cfac (PG) April 12: UCA Percussion Ensemble Concert @ UCA Snow Fine Arts Center Recital Hall; 7:30 p.m. www.uca.edu/ cfac (G)

April 21: Guest Piano Recital by Gwen Mok @ UCA Snow Fine Arts Center Recital Hall; 7:30 p.m. www.uca.edu/cfac (G) April 21, 22: Contemporary American Theatre Project: Senior Theatre Capstone @ Hendrix College Cabe Theatre; 7:30 p.m. Call (501) 450-1343 (PG13)

April 5: UCA Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble Concert @ UCA Snow Fine Arts Center Recital Hall; 7:30 p.m. www.uca. edu/cfac (G)

April 13: UCA String Chamber Recital @ UCA Snow Fine Arts Center Recital Hall; 7:30 p.m. www.uca.edu/cfac (G)

April 7: BA/BFA Juried Senior Art Exhibition Reception @ UCA Baum Gallery; 4:00-6:00 p.m. www.uca.edu/cfac (PG)

April 14: Hendrix College Senior Art Show Reception @ Hendrix Trieschmann Fine Arts Building; 4:00 p.m. lopas@ hendrix.edu (PG13)

April 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28: “Smoke on the Mountain” @ The Lantern Theatre; 7:30 p.m. www.conwayarts.org (PG)

April 14: UCA University Choir Concert @ UCA Snow Fine Arts Center Recital Hall; 7:30 p.m. www.uca.edu/cfac (G)

April 23: Contemporary American Theatre Project: Senior Theatre Capstone @ Hendrix College Cabe Theatre; 2:30 p.m. Call (501) 450-1343 (PG13)

April 15: Spring Music Recital presented by Blackbird Academy of Arts @ Antioch Baptist Church; 6:00 p.m. www. blackbirdacademy.org (G)

April 24: Book Talk with Beth Bricknell @ Faulkner County Library; 2:00 p.m. nancy@fcl.org (G)

April 15: Harold Thompson Concert series: Olivier Latry, Organist @ Hendrix College Greene Chapel; 7:30 p.m. Call (501) 450-1243 (PG13) April 16: Disney in Concert with the Conway Symphony Orchestra @ UCA Reynolds Performance Hall; 7:30 p.m. www.uca.edu/reynolds (G) April 17: The Robinsons in Concert @ Faulkner County Library; 2:00 p.m. nancy@fcl.org (G) April 17: BA/BFA Juried Senior Art Exhibition Reception @ UCA Baum Gallery; 2:00-4:00 p.m. www.uca.edu/cfac (PG)

April 22: Spring Art Show @ Blackbird Academy of Arts; 5:00-8:00 p.m. www.blackbirdacademy.org (G)

April 24: “Smoke on the Mountain” @ The Lantern Theatre; 2:30 p.m. www.conwayarts.org (PG) April 24: Chamber Players, Jazz and Composers Forum @ Hendrix College Reves Recital Hall; 7:30 p.m. Call (501) 450-1243 (PG13) April 25: Chamber Orchestra Spring Concert @ Hendrix College Reves Recital Hall; 7:30 p.m. Call (501) 450-1243 (PG13) April 26: Book Talk with Mark Spitzer @ Faulkner County Library; 2:00 p.m. nancy@fcl.org (G) April 26: Voices of Central Arkansas Concert @ UCA Ida Waldran Auditorium; 3:00 p.m. www.uca.edu/cfac (G) April 28: Aonian-Literary and Visual Art Contest Reception, Reading, and Exhibition @ Hendrix College Bertie Wilson Murphy Building Seminar Room; 4:30 p.m. Call (501) 450-1399 (PG13) April 28: UCA Film Festival @ UCA Reynolds Performance Hall; 7:00 p.m. www.uca.edu/cfac (A) April 28: Carmina Burana presented by the Hendrix College Choir @ Hendrix College Staples Auditorium; 7:30 p.m. www.hendrix.edu/music (PG) Rating key: G – Suitable for all ages PG-Suggested for ages 7+ PG13- Suggested for ages 13+ A- Suggested for Adults 18+

38 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2016

real estate

ADVERTISEMENT

Ideas to Help You Sell Your Home Faster

By Tracy Hunt, ASID with Arkansas Property Brokers

Selling a family home is not only an emotional experience for some families, but also an analytical process of determining what changes should be done to incur minimal costs while selling the home faster.

By determining what needs to be done before listing the property, the homeowner can be assured that the home will show at its best the first time ... and every time!

In some cases, new and current trends in design can be used to “update” the home with minimal costs. In other cases, simply de-cluttering can go a long way.

The first design element to think about that can help update the home is color. Whether used in wall paint or an accent pillow, a good use of color goes a long way. If the home has bold or dark wall colors, it can make the house seem smaller to a potential buyer. A neutral wall color can help make a space look bigger, lighter and a little friendlier to perspective buyers. It’s always good to have a “friendly” house!

New color trends show a move from the browns and tans that have been used for the past decade to a more taupe neutral. Gray is the new black! Even using several shades of gray in one room is acceptable. But don’t think color is completely out. Saturated colors of blue, yellow, green, red, orange and purple can be used with these shades of gray to give warmth and a fresh, new look to any room just

by adding accent pillows, artwork, accessories, or even floral arrangements.

Another design element to consider is the finish of plumbing fixtures and hardware on doors and cabinets. Please, please, please, if brass is still in the home, Take It Out! Most potential buyers will shy away from brass fixtures thinking they are outdated, and some could think it means the home has not been kept up to date in other respects. Cost-effective finishes to consider are brushed stainless or brushed chrome, oil rubbed bronze and wrought iron. Chrome is acceptable for a more contemporary home. Pewter and nickel finishes are beautiful, but have become more dated as some tend to look more pink than others.

Flooring is an integral part of design that can make or break a potential offer on the home. Whatever the type of flooring in the home, make sure it shows well. A buyer will look at flooring and hesitate before making an offer due to flooring replacement costs.

Sometimes replacement isn’t needed, and a few things can be done with current floors to help them show at their best. Carpets with winkles just need to be re-stretched. Carpets with stains should be cleaned. It isn’t as costly as you would think, and a clean carpet goes a long way with potential buyers. Wood floors should be cleaned and maintained, and concrete floors need to be buffed. Also, you don’t want to see more than two types of floors in view at once.

If a buyer walks into a home and the first thing they see is three different types of flooring, it

can appear as if a remodel was not completed or flooring transitions were not considered in the design of the home.

Lighting is a little more invasive to change, but can help immensely in updating a home quickly. Brighter lighting helps a space look bigger, and decorative fixtures can give any room a design element boost. Current trends show more industrial fixtures, but for resale of a home, the best way to go is in a traditional fixture that looks new, bright and updated, but not too trendy.

Finally, when a potential buyer enters a home, the first thing they need to do is see themselves living there — not the current homeowner. If a buyer can’t see themselves living in the house, they will not make an offer.

Usually, a perspective buyer will determine if they will make an offer in the first five minutes of entering a home. Those first five minutes do not need to be encumbered by seeing the existing family living there. Personal photos, mementos and extra accessory items should be taken down and stored. Removing extra furniture in rooms also helps the space look bigger.

A home with minimal, but correctly-placed furniture will normally sell faster than a home that has furniture packed into each room. This also helps with de-cluttering and getting an early start on packing!

Selling a home is a process that requires a lot of thought and consideration. Sometimes small changes can have the biggest impact on a home and help get it sold fast and for the best price!

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 39

in the news MAT@UCA: 10 Years of Teaching Excellence

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) graduate program at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) was initiated during the fall of 2006 with 40 students signing to a five-semester program that would result in an Arkansas teaching license through an alternative route.

What started as a program with a part-time director and two adjunct faculty members has evolved into one of the most successful graduate programs at UCA. Recognized by the Association of Teacher Educators (ATE) as the 2010 Distinguished Program in Teacher Education, this award winning program prepares highlyqualified, mid-career professionals and recent graduates of higher education as classroom teachers.

40 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2016

The program is housed in the UCA Department of Teaching and Learning, where 18 faculty members work with more than 300 graduate students each semester.

The first graduates were in May, 2008. At that time, 37 of the original 40 students graduated, with 33 of those students already working in teaching positions in high-need areas of the state.

Since then, 688 graduates have completed the program. This year, the program celebrates 10 years of what has become the largest graduate program at UCA. An anniversary reception to celebrate and honor the success of these graduate students, the partnership schools, the mentor teachers and UCA faculty from both past and present on will be held on Sunday, April 24 from 2-4 p.m. in Brewer Hegeman Conference Center.

The public is invited.

$500 Donation

The Faulkner County Board of Realtors presents a check for $500 to Last Chance Ministries at their March luncheon at Centennial Valley Events Center.

‘Family Night’

Ellen Smith Elementary’s Family Night incorporated a Dr. Suess theme. There was a great turnout and everyone had a blast.

Dragon Boat Festival set for April 23 at Beaverfork

Individuals and teams from Conway and the surrounding region will converge on Sat., April 23, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Beaverfork Lake Park for the 2nd Annual Conway Dragon Boat Festival.

Through a partnership with High Five Dragon Boat, based in Tampa, Florida, the Junior Auxiliary of Conway is continuing their strategic efforts to create and recruit teams to participate in this one-of-a-kind event.

“The festival is a large-scale effort to raise funds to support the mission of Junior Auxiliary of Conway, which is to render charitable assistance to youth in need in our area,” said Jessica Clawson, chair of the Dragon Boat Festival Committee.

The funds raised will go directly to a new scholarship and mentoring program called “Uplift and Equip.” This program will help young women whose education has been delayed or interrupted due to pregnancy and who strive for success in the face of challenges. A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Dragon Boat Racing is great fun for anyone, young or old. This local event will attract primarily co-ed teams from corporations, public service groups, small businesses,

Corporate team fee: $1,250

A corporate team is a for-profit company that sponsors their employees and/or friends and family of the company to race in the event or represent a for-profit company by way of the team bio, team T-shirts and/or team name.

Community or non-profit team fee $900: ($45/person for team of 20) high schools, colleges and universities. It is also anticipated that a handful of dragon boat “club” teams will travel to Conway for the weekend to participate from the surrounding states. There are now more than 70 communities hosting Dragon Boat Festivals in the United States alone and more than 60 million participants worldwide.

Entering your own dragon boat team in the races is easy! Paddles, life vests, boats and steerspersons will be provided as well as one training session in advance of the event.

Each team just has to provide 20 paddlers; a minimum of eight must be female, and there must be a drummer. On race day, each team will race in three heats on a 350-meter straight course.

Team entry fees go toward the benefit of the Junior Auxiliary of Conway.

A community team is either a non-profit company that sponsors their employees and/ or friends and family of the company to race in the event, or a group of friends and family that gather together to form a team.

Corporate sponsorships still available.

Contact Jessica Clawson for more information.

If you’re interested in entering your own Dragon Boat team, visit www.conwaydragonboat.com for details.

Junior Auxiliary of Conway is the local chapter of the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries. It is a non-profit organization that provides services of a humanitarian nature to children and their families in the Faulkner County region.

The organization has been an integral part in founding or supporting programs such as: Faulkner County Day School, Safety Town and HAVEN house, among others.

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 41

events

42 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2016

3 r d A n n u a l “ C r u i s i n ’ 4 A l z h e i m e r ’ s C a r e ” b e n e f i t t i n g A l z h e i m e r ’ s A r k a n s a s C o n w a y Wa l k

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 43

feature story

pital for the oppornts shine!

ARTISTS REVEALED ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL, A STANDARD AT CONWAY REGIONAL, EXPANDS WITH TECHNOLOGY TO EXPLAIN THE WORK BEHIND THE ART

By Shannon Chamoun, K-6 art instructor at St. Joseph School Photos by Brandy Strain St. Joseph Catholic School has been providing Conway Regional Hospital with a children’s art display for the past 13 years.

This display is located on the fourth floor of the hospital and made up of student artwork, Kindergarten through 6th grade.

The students take great pride when their work is selected for the display.

The school has always received good feedback from patients who have spent 44 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2016

time in the hospital. Playful children’s artwork can lift the spirit of patients and help in the healing process.

One family shared that while their son was recuperating in the hospital the doctors encouraged him to walk the halls. He told his mother I can make it to the next picture.

This year, with the help of parent volunteer Christy Trantina, the school is incorporating technology into the art display.

Each piece of artwork will display the QR code along with instructions.

Upon scanning the QR code, the viewer

will see an interview with the artist. The videos give students the opportunity to teach their audience about different techniques, tools and mediums used for art instruction. Many viewers may see simple coloring and painting, but the students explain in detail how they constructed their piece based on the assignment given.

Using technology in this way builds students’ writing, speaking and presentation skills, and provides a personal interaction with their audience, extending art education beyond school walls.

St. Joseph School is so appreciative of

art at conway regional

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 45

spiritual

Life

When

is busy

Some seasons in life are busy.

I just concluded this type of season. Let me tell you — it was hard, and I was overwhelmed. I would never try to hide this fact from you. Busy seasons are hard seasons.

Even now, I am fighting the urge to tell you my list of things I had to accomplish. My list was long, and it seemed impossible. Can you relate?

During my busy season, I had to focus on the task in front of me. I do not think this is necessarily the best way to live; but for me, it was the only way to make it through. As I walked through my busy season, I read a passage of scripture that spoke directly to me. This message gave me hope, direction, and determination. You can read the entire passage in Psalm 118.

I want to share two verses with you. I pray that these verses give you hope, direction, and determination, too!

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Psalm 118:1, New International Version).

During the busy seasons, we need to remember the eternal love of God. One temptation during busyness is to function with tunnel vision. Tunnel vision occurs when we only think about what we have to accomplish during our day. This can easily cause us to feel overwhelmed as we look at a long “to-do” list and think, “there is no way!” When we are overwhelmed by the temporary things of this world, we can forget about the eternal things of God. Daily, we need to focus on the truth that God’s love endures forever. This means that God’s love has no end!

Thankfully this is not true when it comes to our “to-do” list. This world and our “to-do” list are passing away. They are temporary.

46 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2016

ANDREA LENNON “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24, New International Version).

On busy days we can rejoice and be glad. We can see our “to-do” list as a burden or as an opportunity.

If we see it as a burden, then we simply try to survive by tackling each item on the list. Often we use our own strength to try and accomplish these tasks. If we see our “to-do” list as an opportunity, then we surrender to God and know that He will give us the wisdom, strength and resources that we need to thrive during our busy day.

I will be the first to admit that I failed this test more than once during the past six weeks of my life.

We fail this test when we forget that God is the owner and creator of our day! He is in charge; and we can rejoice and be glad because our purpose in life does not come from our “to-do” list. Rather, our purpose comes from simply following Jesus, step-by-step.

I want to give you one word of caution. If you constantly find yourself in a busy season, you need to pull back and take an inventory of your life. I have found that we often use busyness to hide deeper issues that need to be healed by our loving Father. We add more and more things to our “to-do” list because we are trying to find purpose and meaning or we are trying to avoid dealing with a hurt from the past. Busyness for a season of life is different than busyness as a way of life.

If you are in a busy season, let me encourage you to do two things. First, focus on the eternal love of God. This busy season will pass away! Stay focused on the things that truly matter. Second, rejoice in the opportunity to trust God to provide exactly what you need. When you do, you will not only make it through the busy season, you will grow in your love relationship with God through it.

For all of you busy people, let me pray for you.

“Father, I thank you for Your eternal love. It is true.

Nothing can separate us from You! Please help us to refocus on the things that really matter in life. Lord, help us to see our busy seasons as an opportunity to trust You. We know that you are faithful to provide exactly what we need. I want to lift up each person who is reading this article. Lord, grant them peace, give them direction and fill them with Your love. We know that You are the ultimate source of our strength.

Help us to reflect You during every season of life especially the busy ones.” In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Andrea Lennon lives in Conway, Arkansas, with her husband, Jay, and sons, Jake and Andrew. Andrea ministers to the women of Arkansas through a speaking and writing ministry called True Vine Ministry.

To learn more about this ministry, access Andrea’s website at www.andrealennon.net.

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 47

book review

everything begins with mothers and fathers Reviewed by Susan O’Keefe “How had it begun?”

The opening words of chapter two provide a heavy answer with the simple phrase, “Like everything: with mothers and fathers.”

Mothers and fathers and their mothers and fathers and their mothers and fathers ... isn’t this the answer to most all of life’s questions?

In her debut novel “Everything I Never Told You,” readers remain divided even after the final page as to whom “I” refers as well as “you.” The Lee family is full of oddities and nuances.

Lydia’s mother and father married without their parents’ blessings. They had tied the knot and agreed to leave everything unpleasant or difficult in the past. Lydia’s parents were as different as night and day. They were from different countries and cultures. She wanted to stand out.

He wanted to blend in.

The author sets the majority of her story in a small college town in Ohio.

It’s the 1970s and women are housewives, not medical doctors. It’s no secret that Lydia’s mom hasn’t quite accepted her homemaker destiny.

She prefers lab coats and Bunsen burners to Hamburger Helper and homeroom mom. To appease Lydia’s father, though, she makes the most of her role while he supports the family on a meager professor’s salary at a small community college.

It wasn’t his job of choice. He thought the Harvard job was his for the taking. Superiors had implied it. Colleagues had hinted. Was it because of his Chinese-American heritage?

In the 1970s, the word diversity had barely dried in the dictionary.

When Marilyn and James Lee arrived and 48 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2016

susan o’keefe

settled in Ohio, they once again vowed to let bygones be bygones, but the past always reveals itself — sometimes in painstaking particulars.

“I just got so pulled in when I realized that Lydia had never written a single word in those journals,” said one book club reader.

Why wouldn’t a seemingly involved and active teen write in her diaries? Every year, Marilyn had given her oldest daughter and favorite child a diary in which to write about the dreams that would definitely come true.

There were dreams of math fairs and science projects. There should be pages of scholarship notes. Where were the doodles of medical school dreams, merits and awards? It seems the dreams for 16-year-old Lydia were just a complicated coverup to keep her mother from running away, from deserting her family again.

“It was such a sad cycle. The mom, Marilyn, was a product of her own mother’s shortcomings and her absent father.

“But then, Marilyn duplicated the cycle with her own twisted set of issues,” said one reader who confessed to being captivated by

the book, but in a sad sort of way.

There was so little communication among the family members. Problems were buried.

Frustrations and feelings were smothered. No one expressed themselves. The closest thing to honesty was the parents expressing their pride in Lydia, and how much they wanted her to succeed. It was a classic case of the parents living vicariously through their child.

Lydia was the middle of the three Lee children. Nath, her Harvard-bound older brother, could hardly wait to escape from the land of Lydia. Although the two older siblings shared a unity of disregard and disgust for their parents, there was still a desire to create function out of total dysfunction.

“My favorite character was Hannah, the younger sister. She was always watching, so observant of even the slightest movements.

But why was her room was in the attic?” objected another reader.

Hannah was the youngest of the three Lee children. She desperately wanted to please her parents, but usually she blended into the background. As the baby of the family, she was the final straw that broke her mother’s

dreams of becoming a doctor.

Hannah is the one who noticed a slight attraction between Nath and the high schooler next door. Could that relationship have anything to do with Lydia’s death? When the teen is found dead in the local lake, there are dozens of questions for family members and friends. But questioning friends is difficult because there are no friends, much to the chagrin of Lydia’s parents.

“Everything I Never Told You” is an emotionally-involved story. From beginning to end, there are valuable lessons in the privilege of parenting and the responsibilities of being parented.

After all, everything begins with mothers and fathers.

Susan recently moved to Augusta, Georgia, where her husband, Jack, is the Augusta University Men’s Golf Coach. Susan originally hails from Kentucky and graduated from the University of Louisville with a major study in Communications and a minor study in Health and Wellness. Susan enjoys the adventures of motherhood as she parents Lucy, JohnFreeman, Henry and Hogan (plus Oxford, the family’s black Labrador).

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 49

food

50 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2016

food presentation

the

ART of food

By Chef Jill McCollum, CC Photos by Brandy Strain The art of food should be more than just the smell and taste of the food — you should also expect a visual feast when serving food.

“We eat with our eyes first” in terms of food presentation and food plating.

When you are plating food, you want to balance out the tastes, colors and textures and make it like a painter’s pallet.

A visual presentation can actually change your opinion of the taste of the food. If food is not visually appealing, it can affect how it tastes.

It’s easy to make your food appealing by adding bright colors.

Dusting your plate with very finely chopped carrots and fresh parsley before plating, or sprinkling parsley on top after plating are the most common color additives.

Guacamole | Pico de Gallo | 7-layer dip

Chef Jill McCollum, CC is the Caterer and Food Service Director for Central Baptist College. Jill is the owner of Jill McCollum Catering in Conway. She can be reached at jmccollum@cbc.edu or (501) 730-4422 WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 51

Guacamole 3 avocados 1 Roma Tomatoes, diced 1 bunch green onion, diced Juice of 1 lime ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves, diced 1 to 2 fresh jalapenos, diced ½ teaspoon garlic powder ½ teaspoon black pepper Salt to taste Halve avocados lengthwise, remove pits and dice the flesh inside the shell. Squeeze the diced avocado into a bowl. Mix in remaining ingredients, add salt to taste.

Pico de Gallo 3 yellow or red onions 12 Roma tomatoes 2 cups fresh cilantro leaves 2 to 3 jalapenos, finely diced 1 lime Salt to taste Dice up equal quantities of onion and tomato. Roughly chop the cilantro. Slice jalapenos in half. With a spoon, scrape out the seeds, unless you like things spicy, then leave seeds in. Place all ingredients, except for lime, in a bowl, sprinkle with salt and stir till combined.

Add lime juice; taste to make sure additional salt is not needed.

52 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2016

7-layer dip 16-ounce can refried beans 2 cups sour cream 1 package taco seasoning mix 2 avocados, pitted, pilled and mashed 2 teaspoons lemon juice

3 cloves garlic, minced 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 4 green onions, diced Âź cup black olives, sliced 1 tomato, diced Tortilla chips

Spread beans in the bottom of a 10-inch round or square clear glass dish; set aside. Combine sour cream and seasoning mix, spread over beans. Mix avocados, lemon juice and garlic; layer over sour cream mixture.

Sprinkle with cheese; top with onions, olives and tomato. Serve with tortilla chips.

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 53

imatter “I choose to do art on my own time. I started out copying other art. I doodle, I paint and I’ve done a lot of fun stuff like pop art with a mixture of pastels and acrylic. I have entered other contests and not won. I will enter more. But that’s not all I do.”

Art on her own time

CONWAY’S MADALYN PRINCE SUSTAINS ENJOYMENT OF PASTIME

By Kelly Sublett Submitted Photos Conway fifth grader Madalyn Prince is not necessarily unlike any pre-teen kiddo you know, and she tells people that confidently. If she had to choose one thing that sets her apart, she would point to her artwork.

“I don’t like to so something that pressures me into something. I’ve always really 54 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2016

liked drawing, and I like learning new ways to do art.

“But I don’t always like to do things by request, like a face of someone or something like that. I mean, what if I get an eye wrong or something?” she asks in mock horror.

Madalyn does, however, enjoy gifting art to people. She painted an angel baby for her cousin who was celebrating her child’s first Christmas and a cardinal on canvas

for another gift she was proud to describe.

“Acrylic painting is my favorite,” she says. “I would like to learn how to do watercolor really well and portraiture really well.”

She has taken art lessons at The Art School in downtown Conway since the third grade.

The Ruth Doyle Middle Schooler is humble, but even with just a few years of practice and execution under her brush,

MADALYN PRINCE

Madalyn has won several awards on the local and state level for her artwork.

She is a blue-ribbon county fair award winner, and two years ago, won second place in the Arkansas Wildlife art contest for her painting of a bobcat.

“Mine was super colorful,” she beams.

“It was of a bobcat sitting in the sunlight on a meadow.”

Madalyn encourages other young people her age to try something they are interested in and to not hold back.

“I choose to do art on my own time,” she says. “I started out copying other art.

I doodle, I paint and I’ve done a lot of fun stuff like pop art with a mixture of pastels and acrylic. I have entered other contests and not won. I will enter more. But that’s not all I do.”

Madalyn’s perspective is well rounded and realistic about her talent, while she continues to study with encouragement from her family, parents Jay and Meg and older brother, Jacob.

Until she shows her artwork in galleries around the world, Madalyn says she’s happy just being a kid. She likes to read a lot, play Minecraft, dreams of going on vacation to Disney World and taking a cruise. She enjoys her two dogs, Bandit and Yoshi and her cat, Flower.

“You know, I like casual things every kid does,” she says smiling through a big shrug.

Young people are often the pulse of a community, as sporting events, school events and activities bring them into the spotlight. Women’s Inc. wants to showcase these young people in a special feature each month. iMatter will seek to tell the stories of a new generation of community, skill, success and achievement. Do you know a student in Faulkner county, ages 1023, who is truly one of a kind? Send youth’s name, school, parents contact information (if under 18) and a brief explanation of why you think your youth or you would make a iMatter candidate to womensinc@thecabin.net.