WINC May 2019 by Log Cabin Democrat

MAY 2019

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s s e M Hot CLUB MOMS

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HOT MESS MOMS

CRISIS ON CAMPUS

MAJESTIC MAMA

MASTER GARDNERS

HOMETOWN HERO

A LOOK BACK

PUBLISHER’S LETTER This month, WINC Magazine is focused on the mothers who make the most of the mess! I am one of them, and as I was reading the cover story by Melissa Gates, I laughed and cried, knowing the true struggles of us “Hot Mess Moms.” The reality is that Mother’s Day is every day. We walk through our lives, no matter the season we’re in, and we just have to say, “Bless this Mess!” It’s a struggle sometimes, and a brilliant reality of the mix of this incredible love we have for our families and the stress of doing everything in our power to balance all the emotions, the moods, the activity, the heartache and the victories. From birth to beyond, raising kiddos is a new world every day. I think moms these days have a need to connect with others, create quasi support groups during play dates and high-fiving one another in Target when there’s a toddler meltdown in the shampoo aisle. And as we traditionally celebrate Mother’s Day this month, it is worth noting that breakfast in bed might not cut it. Maybe we need a mental health day wrapped up in soft blankets and binging on Netflix. But again, the reality is that we want the flowers and the sticky fingers crawling up into our beds and showing us all the love — even if we know we’ll be cleaning the kitchen later. It’s hard to know what we want! But at the end of the day, every day, we want to feel like we’ve soothed a soul, made the impossible work and made a difference. That’s really what makes it all worth it. So, hug a mom this month — a lot. She needs it. And as for my own mother, I am thankful so much for her presence in my life. I am thankful for her extraordinary relationship with my children. We are not at all the same, but in so many ways, we are. Love you, Gwen! This month in the magazine, we also take a look back at city parks; learn how to fashion wallpaper tape and so much more. There’s an article examining mental health, as it is the month to be aware. It’s a must-read. Happy Mother’s Day to the women in my life who wake up putting on the armor of motherhood every day. Happy Mother’s Day to my dear friends who grieve on this day and that it be helpful and hopeful and not at all destructive.

And I promise, if I witness the Target meltdown, know I support you! I’ve been there. I know. Hang in there you Hot Mess Moms! You got this! Publisher Kelly Sublett Contributing Writers Jeanette Anderton Hilary Andrews Cindy Beckman Andrea Champlin Eden Corley Melissa Gates – Cover Story Marisa Hicks Kelly Sublett Photographers Ron Beckman Andrea Champlin Lulu Photography – Cover Story Kelly Sublett Art Director Jay Prince Advertising Sales Director Lisa Licht Advertising Sales Executives Kelly Booy Crystal Geraldson Leigh Anne Gray Editorial Board Cindy Beckman Andrea Champlin Eden Corley Melissa Gates Lisa Licht Kelly Sublett

Questions or Comments?

Kelly

Call (501) 327-6621 e-mail: ksublett@thecabin.net or write to: 1121 Front Street, Conway, AR, 72032 www.womensinc.net

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Bless these ‘Hot Mess’ moms

How Some Central Arkansas Moms Keep It Together by Melissa Gates Mommin’ comes in all shapes and sizes, at many different ages; and looks like many different things. A mom can be your aunt, your grandma, your cousin; or your God-given mom. So this Mother’s Day we are celebrating all the moms and the mom figures in your life. For example, I’m a substitute teacher at my kiddos’ elementary school; and am blessed that some of the kids in all the different classes like to refer to me as “mom.” It really warms my heart to love on these kiddos in addition to my three cuties at home. It’s my honor to introduce you to six Amazing Arkansas mommas. Sometimes they admit they’re barely holding it together but who isn’t?! Here they are in their own words. 6 WINC. | May 2019

Lindsey French

37 years old, Layton and Logan 4, Will 2 Mortgage loan officer for Centennial Bank Mommin’ story: Our boys can’t sit still very long, so I decided to take a golf cart ride around our neighborhood. My son Logan kept standing up and trying to climb back and forth between the front and back seat. I told him several times to sit down. We made a sharp turn, and he flew out of the golf cart. … and, then the golf cart ran over his leg. He was crying pretty hard, but he didn’t have any cuts or bruises, so I figured he was fine. Once I realized he couldn’t stand on it and the crying continued, I figured we should get it checked out. Turns out it was broken. I felt terrible!! That was a rough five weeks of wearing a cast the first half of summer. An average day: We usually are up anywhere between 5:30 – 6:30 each morning. The kids are our alarm clock! It’s definitely a team effort between my husband and me getting everyone fed and out the door. We usually leave the house around 7:45. At the end of the day we typically pick up our starving children

around 5 p.m. from daycare, and immediately head home to start dinner. Dinner is anything between a Hello Fresh meal, something in the crock pot or even good ole’ Chick-fil-a! I try to plan our meals ahead on Sundays, but that doesn’t always happen. Eating out with three boys ages 4 and under is usually a disaster, so we stay home most nights. The boys love to play outside when we get home, so Brad is usually in the back yard with the boys while I cook dinner. After dinner, he cleans up so I can spend time with them. We usually tackle baths and bedtime together. Bedtime is 8 p.m., which gives Brad and me some time to ourselves. I feel like I do laundry every other day. Perfect Mother’s Day: Brad and I like to play golf, so I think we’ll go to the Red Apple Inn in Heber Springs. They have a beautiful golf course and it’s just the right distance from home to feel like we can relax. I’m sure once we get back, that Brad and the boys will cook dinner and spoil me like they usually do. womensinc.net 7

Dr. Mariana Linck 40 years old, Catalina, 2

Vascular Technical Specialist/Biomedical Engineer Mommin’ Story: Edwin and I were living in California when I became pregnant with Catalina. My perspective on life quickly shifted; and my PhD degree and career very quickly took a back seat. We wanted to live near family; but the practicality of moving across the country 6 months pregnant (in a little U-Haul) from the beautiful beaches of California and a successful career at one of the world’s largest medical device companies didn’t feel so practical. While Edwin was loving his job at the Conway Chamber of Commerce, I had applied to over 20 jobs all over the state of Arkansas and did not land a single job. It was a tough time emotionally and financially for us. Shortly after, Edwin got a call from the doctor that his white blood cell count was WAY too high; and we were asked to rush him to the ER right away. I will never forget this brief-moment when our spinning world came to a full stop; Edwin and I had 30 seconds in the kitchen to put our foreheads together in a silent cry, just before jumping in the car to the emergency room with our 5-month old. Later that evening, we would then hear the news from the doctor telling us that Edwin has a manageable form of Leukemia. There are moments in your life when you may not understand God’s plan; but in that moment it became clear to me that God had the bigger plan this whole time; He knew it was more than just Catalina who needed 8 WINC. | May 2019

to be near family during this chapter in our lives. It also became evident to me that not finding a job and having a “road block in my career” was “God’s timing.” Edwin’s health is stable on daily medication; and I have a great job now that I love! Average Day: I’m not sure if I’ve accomplished an average day yet, I’m still working on it. My desired ideal routine is to get up early at 4:30 a.m. for a 5:10 a.m. workout. However, these days, my daughter is in this “cling to mama phase;” wanting mama at all moments of the day, wanting mama to follow her to the potty, and yes, even somehow getting up at night for mama in her sleep. It’s more like a 50% chance that I enjoy a morning workout. My husband, Edwin, and I tag team together in the mornings to get out the door by 8 a.m. and Catalina to school. I’m not sure if “routine” is in our vocabulary these days, as Mondays are dance class, and what seems like every other evening are Edwin’s evening events after work. Perfect Mother’s Day: Edwin has a sweet picture of Catalina and me; where we are both giggling with joy on Mother’s Day last year having lunch at Panera Bread after church. It was such a happy memory for me on Mother’s Day; being mom to Catalina and wife to Edwin has made my heart so full, and Panera Bread’s bakery was the icing on top! A repeat of that would be great.

Beth Reed

38 years old, Brooks 10, Reilly 6 Interior Designer for Salter Properties and Owner of Design Actually Mommin’ Story: I’m usually pretty good juggling my crazy calendar, but one evening I got home and started to cook dinner when I got a phone call from my son, Brooks. It took me a few minutes to realize that he was not calling me from home, I had forgotten him at K-Life! I felt so bad! Average Day: My goal is to wake up at 5:30 a.m., jump in the shower and then get a quick workout in before the craziness of the day begins.Yes, it seems backwards, but I can’t wake up well without a hot shower. It’s usually a scramble in the morning to get lunches made and kids out the door. I know I should lay out their clothes the night before and find matching socks but it just doesn’t happen in my world. At 5 o’clock in the afternoon, I pick up Reilly from after school care and drop her off with my husband, Neal, and Brooks. Then, I usually have client

meetings in the evenings or am working on projects so, dinner is usually whatever my kids can find in the pantry. That’s a little embarrassing to admit!! Brooks also sits at the dining room table with me, which is my makeshift office, to do his homework and I can help him. Neal does a great job picking up the slack when I am unavailable. He is fabulous with the kids and can grill the heck out of some meat. I couldn’t do all that I do without him! After reading a bedtime story to my daughter, I usually finish up a few things on the computer. Perfect Mother’s Day: I would get a hotel room for myself so I could be alone to recharge. The hotel would have a fabulous spa where I would be pampered. Then, I would have room service bring me salad, salmon and ice cream for dessert so I could watch girly movies. womensinc.net 9

Dr. Deandriea Bass-Carrigan 36 years old, Mercedes 22, Bryson 14, Emma 1 Deputy Chief of Field Services/Ark. Rehabilitation Services Mommin’ Story: If I had to pick one story that would give you a glimpse into our family life it would be my son. Bryson was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was 6 months. Our journey together has not been easy but I wouldn’t change anything for the world. Because of Bryson, I met my husband and now have two awesome daughters. He is nonverbal but his nonverbal language skills are powerful. He has the biggest personality and his laugh will light up a room. His older sister is his best friend and his baby sister adores him. Bryson drove me to be who I am as mother and professional. Average Day: Ummm, “average”? Our day commonly starts when my 1 year old pops out of bed to request a cup of milk at 3 a.m. and my 14-year-old has what we call “an episode” due to his seizure disorder. Their bodies are synced. After getting them back to sleep about 30 minutes later, we hug the bed for a few hours. We start getting the kids up around 6:15 a.m. Bryson wants his same bowl of Fruit Loops every day and Emma wants milk (which she tries to pour out on the floor, and succeeds sometimes)! We have “Alexa” set to keep us on track. “Baby Shark” is our 7 a.m. reminder and “Yesterday,” by Mary Mary, is our “you are going to be late” 7:10 a.m. reminder. We get both kids dressed; which 10 WINC. | May 2019

requires the skill of persuasion when you have a 14-year-old with cerebral palsy with sensory challenges and a 1-year-old baby ninja! We are moving non-stop until they head out the door at 7:15 a.m. (well, 7:30 most days). After school, daycare, and work every evening is filled with, “Emma ‘get down’ Emma!” or “Get that of your mouth!” Some evenings we are at the bowling alley with Bryson’s bowling league. Dinner usually consists of a meal that I have put in the crockpot or picked up on the way the way home. Some days I get to sneak away for my Boot Camp and Zumba class for TWO whole hours. Who knew working out could bring so much joy OR is it the “me-time.” (I’ll never tell)! After dinner Bryson’s awesome big sister or cousin helps him with his daily objectives and we all take a breath (just for a moment) before we start our next BIG thing — baths. Once both kids are down my husband and I like to take time simply to do nothing, look at each other and watch a show that does not sing or dance. Perfect Mother’s Day: A perfect mother’s day for me would start with my family and me going to church and dinner. Afterwards, I would get everyone down for a nap and sneak off to get a manicure and pedicure; and maybe a massage.

Fallon Conner

35 years old,Teddiann 15, Elijah 12, Madilyn 10, foster son 2 (name withheld for privacy reasons) Stay at home mom with side hustle Mommin’ Story: My toddler foster child is a burn victim; so I am always driving to Arkansas Children’s Hospital for his appointments and keeping up with his therapies and court hearings. I’d say the most challenging thing in my life right now is having a child with trauma and understanding his needs. Some days it’s exhausting, and by the time hubby gets off work I’m like, “Going to Target, see you in three hours!” There’s always broken bones with athletic kids. Last year, my youngest daughter fractured her thumb at softball practice and my son broke both bones in his wrist playing football at recess. And along with that, grasping that I’m not getting any younger, sucks. Lines are appearing under my eyes and on my 35th birthday I had my very first panic attack. “Happy birthday to me, here’s a whole basket of anxiety!” Average Day: I’d like to say I’m one of those awesome moms that gets up at the butt crack of dawn and walks out of the house looking like a million bucks but that would be a lie! I am NOT a morning person AT ALL. Matter of fact, my kids and husband tiptoe around not to wake the devil! So my hubby gets the school aged kids out the door and I sleep until the toddler

wakes! A typical day for me while the older kids are in school is chasing a toddler, preparing lunch for the hubby, running errands, missing appointments, rescheduling the appointments I missed; and cleaning the house. Then when the kids get home I become a taxi driver. My 12-year-old son plays baseball, football, basketball and is in band. The other day when he asked to join track I told him to “get out of my face with that.” Then my 10-year-old daughter plays league and travel softball. A typical week for us is running them to practice at least three to four days a week. That makes for either very early dinners or 9 o’clock at night dinners. We always make sure to sit at the table, so that’s my favorite part of the day. When the kids finally go to bed, I finish any vinyl orders that the toddler wouldn’t allow me to do earlier or I lay in bed with hubby; and binge on Netflix until I pass out. Perfect Mother’s Day: My perfect Mother’s Day would be going to Magnolia Market at The Silos in Waco, Texas! The hubby and I are both huge fans of Chip & Joanna Gaines; and my 15-year-old and I love to visit all the flea markets in the summer. I love to decorate, so I’d be in heaven there. womensinc.net 11

Chelsea Burton

31 years old, Jack 12, Emery 9, Kennedy 4 Office Manager/501 Collision Mommin’ Story: I was recently diagnosed with Bipolar II disorder. As women and mothers society expects us to be ‘on’ all the time. It’s exhausting trying to reach such an unattainable standard. For years I felt immense guilt because I couldn’t be the mother my children deserved. Not only was I falling short as a mom, I was failing terribly as a follower of Christ, wife and friend. Thankfully, I now know this isn’t something to be ashamed of, nor does it mean I’m broken. Being able to have conversations about it with my friends, family, and other moms has helped me feel less isolated. It’s opened my eyes to how many people struggle with it. Making mental health education a priority for my family has been a game changer and I’m slowly but surely becoming the mother my kids deserve. I already feel like I’m part of a collective exhale in a series of sighs of relief heard around the world. Average Day: My alarm goes off at 6:45; but let’s be honest, I hit snooze until 7:10. I press start on the Keurig and hope I put a cup under it this time and then I wake up the kids. On a good day, I remembered to lay their clothes out the night before. On a not-so-good day, it’s every man for himself! From there it’s a blur of breakfast, brushing teeth, doing hair, and telling everyone 12 WINC. | May 2019

we’re going to be late if they don’t stop looking at themselves in the mirror, chasing the animals, changing shoes for the 107th time, and tattling on each other. I drop the kids off at school and I go to work. Once we’re home, the kids have snack, read and do homework, play, eat dinner, take showers, brush teeth, and go to bed. After the kids are asleep, my husband and I try to spend time together. It’s also prime time for laundry, cleaning, showering, reading, or on those not-so-good days, just giving up and going to bed when the kids do! Your perfect Mother’s Day: A light coma; 12-18 hours of deep, uninterrupted sleep and food. A very Happy Mother’s Day to these amazing mommas, and to you and yours! Mommin’ is the hardest job around. May it be a day of peaceful relaxation, good food, and maybe a manicure/ pedicure! **Special thanks to Central Baptist Church for letting us use their new indoor kids play area on our rainy day photo shoot.To find service times visit www.conwaycentralchurch.org.

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Master Gardeners Annual plant sale set for May 11 by Hilary Andrews April showers bring May flowers … and plenty of them. Approximately 9,000 of them will be available to purchase during the 18th annual Faulkner County Master Gardeners (FCMG) — a group whose mission is to bring beauty and research-based gardening know-how to the community — Plant Sale 8 a.m.-2 p.m. May 11 at the Conway Expo Center and Fairgrounds. The event is reportedly the largest Master Gardeners plant sale in the state,” Joyce Fiddler, master gardener, said. More than a dozen categories will be represented during the sale from sun and shade annuals and perennials to irises, lily bulbs and daylilies to ferns, succulents, vegetables, shrubs and trees. “FCMGs with expert knowledge will be available in each of these areas to answer your questions,” Fiddler said. “You can go on a plant walk and visit informational booths on beekeeping, composting, rose gardening, fire ant management and container gardening.” In addition, the Faulkner County Horticulture Agent Richard Klerk will be there to help guide guests through Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale applications. 14 WINC. | May 2019

Visitors will have the chance to purchase gardening tools from County 76, or bring their own garden tools from home to get them sharpened from the group for free. Fiddler said raffle tickets can be purchased during the event for a gardening bench and a piece of outdoor furniture and as an added bonus, the Conway League of Artists has also agreed to set up a local art exhibition. “You don’t want to miss it,” Fiddler said. Pam Trent, co-chair of the 2019 plant sale — alongside Cindy Thornton — said they had a great turnout last year but that didn’t come naturally. “It’s a work in progress,” she said. “It’s an ongoing, more than just two months of the year [task].” Trent and Thornton took on their new roles in August 2018. “We’ve been going … I mean, now, it’s every day, every day and hours and hours,” Trent said. In the past seven to eight months, the duo have worked to secure the expo, get volunteers signed up, inventory the many plants, organize digs where eight to 12 Master Gardeners will go out and pick up donated plants and other organization focuses.

For Trent, though, this is what keeps her young, keeps her For anyone interested in getting started with gardening, Trent said, the plant sale in May is the way to go. moving, the plant sale her favorite part of what she does. With the many different types of nature options plus the “The digging and the learning because everytime you go, ‘oh my educational booths and info boards, a person will be sure to walk gosh, what is that plant,’ well, someone’s going to tell you what away more knowledgeable than when they first walked in. that plant is,” she said, matter-of-factly. Trent said the best place for someone to start is right there … As a “worker bee,” the plant sale, getting to dig in the ground, at the start. she said, is a perfect place. Gardening for her comes a little “You get to see it start from a small easier since she grew up with it, having Faulkner County plant and by the time we finish, it’s a mother and grandmother who had Master Gardeners: gorgeous,” Trent said. “beautiful yards.” • 250 members. She said they’ve been working on “It’s part of my culture,” Trent said. • 19,925 volunteer hours logged. getting all the plants together and Despite, she continues to take it • Almost 40 projects & committees. prepped for the show. They take them to one plant at a time — she’s actually • 6,738 educational hours calculated. a specific location, organize them, work getting into natives currently to help • $8,000 in scholarships given out. the pollinators but admitted to loving all them into their best shape with water • Partnered with the University types of plants, especially sun perennials and fertilizer and whatever the plant of Arkansas System Division of and ferns, anything with color. needs and have five to six people doing Agriculture Cooperative Extension “You’re going to make mistakes,” she that every week. Service, Faulkner County Extension, said. “We make mistakes still.” Just a few days ago, Trent and several Faulkner County Quorum Court and Fiddler piped up with some advice. others were putting together the the City of Conway. “I kind of want to throw in Janet hanging baskets that would be ready to Carson’s, ‘if you’ve never killed a plant, purchase come plant sale time. you’re not a gardener,’” she said. “I thought, ‘yup, that’s a good “Just the creating, I think it gives our creatives juices a place to one.’” go and you know, you get to be outside,” she said. Trent said the Faulkner County Master Gardeners have a little Right before the show, they’ll label the plant, what it likes, sun bit of everything. or shade, whether it’s an annual or perennial, price, and other “We’re just a bunch of people who love the outdoors, love to “good information.” garden [and] love to see the beauty of what we do,” she said.

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It’s OK to not be OK...Reconciling Faith and Mental Illness

by Leigh Anne Gray When I heard that this month was Mental Health Awareness month, I jumped at the chance to write the faith feature. Anyone who knows me well knows that I’m extremely passionate about two things: Faith and Mental Health. I love Jesus fiercely and I’m a complete and utter psych nerd. I’ve heard it said that each of us were created with different things that “make our hearts beat fast and keep us up at night.” Without a doubt, those are mine. You see, when I left high school and started college at UCA back in 2002, I was confident that I wanted to major in Psychology; I was fascinated by all that I had learned and wanted to continue learning more about the mind and all that it is capable of. However, the following statement that I ever-so-naively uttered several times throughout my freshman year has haunted me in the years since: “I don’t know what I want to do, but I know I don’t want to sit around and listen to people’s problems all day.” Oh, how I have paid for that statement for the last 17 years! Let’s just say that life hit and I was humbled…quick! I’ve experienced a lot of pain in my life. While most of it was a direct result of my disobedience and consequences for my choices, I’ve also experienced great pain and grief beyond my control. At this point in my life, it is my greatest desire to come alongside hurting people and help them see that there is light

on the other side. One of my favorite verses of scripture is 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 which says “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” This is my life verse, folks. I’m confident that there is purpose in my pain. God will not let His Word return void and He tells us that He works ALL things together for the good of those that love Him. But that being said, how do we reconcile faith and mental illness? How does a good God, who so carefully and intricately created us, allow us to walk through seasons of suffering? Why has He allowed mental illness to be so prevalent in our society? I know it’s not what we want to hear, but this side of heaven, we may never know the true answer to that. What I do know is this: Despite how things may look at a particular season of your life, God is still good. When the world is spinning out of control, the God who created it is still very much in control. Despite how alone you may feel God sees you. He sees your pain. He sees your fear. He sees your heartache.You are not forgotten, my friend. I feel like someone needs to hear this today: It’s OK to not be OK. Life. Is. Hard. It’s perfectly OK to seek help if you need it!

“If God is so good then why do bad things happen to good people?”

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Whether that’s with a good friend, trusted pastor or mental health counselor; find someone you’re comfortable opening up to! I don’t know where you are today.You could be on the highest mountaintop or in the darkest valley, but wherever you are, I just want you to know you’re not alone.

A few tips:

• If you know someone experiencing a challenging season of life, just show up.You don’t have to fix their situation…in fact, most of the time, you can’t. Just be present. Pray with them. Sit with them. Let them know you care. It will mean more than you’ll ever know. • We’ve all heard it said that “comparison is the thief of joy”; and that certainly couldn’t be more true in today’s society.There’s no doubt that social media contributes to our unhappiness. Don’t compare your life with someone’s life on social media. It’s not real! • There is a difference in being suicidal (making plans to take your own life) and simply not wanting to go on. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please seek help immediately! The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s toll-free number, 1-800-273-8255, connects the caller to a certified crisis center near where the call is placed. • We’re not meant to do life alone. Find help in your people and your community!

But who is to blame? One of the greatest questions we can wrestle with is “If God is so good then why do bad things happen to good people?” When tough things happen in life, I think it’s natural to explore the cause and assess blame. We see this first hand in John 9 when Jesus heals a man who was born blind. His disciples asked a very straightforward question: “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?” Jesus answered them by saying “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins. This happened so that the power of God could be seen in him.” Wowwww. Let that sink in for a minute. “This happened so that the power of God could be seen in him.” We may never know the reason we’re called to walk through our so-called valleys, but God does. He can and will use every situation for your good and His glory if you’ll allow Him to. No one chooses mental illness. Mental illness is a result of genetic predisposition and/or life’s circumstances. It’s as simple as that. Just like no one chooses to have cancer or the flu, no one chooses anxiety, depression, personality disorders or other mental illnesses. This is why it’s perfectly OK to seek help!

the waves of our emotions threaten to wash over us, we have to remind ourselves that our God is the Creator of ALL THE EARTH. Everything in existence belongs to Him. We have to choose to stand on His Word and not our feelings. God can choose to intervene at any point in your journey and put His glory on display. Trust in Him.

A Special Note for Moms: As mothers, it’s very easy to put the needs and desires of our families above our own and, to a degree, that is the epitome of sacrificial love. However, if you aren’t taking care of you then you aren’t able to properly care for your family. Self-care is not selfish. Self-care may look different for each Mom: it could be a Sunday afternoon nap, manicure, massage or my all-time favorite: hiring a cleaning company to tackle the housework so I can enjoy my weekend! Whatever that looks like, take time for you! Happy Mother’s Day!

Leigh Anne Gray is a Multi-Media Sales Executive with the Log Cabin Democrat, a self-proclaimed psych nerd and recent graduate of Central Baptist College. She has a passion for ministry, mental health and helping people navigate the challenges of life.

My Focus: Breaking the Stigma I stumbled across this quote from the National Alliance on Mental Illness and said a hearty “AMEN!” “There’s a virus that’s keeping people from getting the mental health care they need. It’s called stigma! But we can cure the virus of stigma by talking about it with friends, loved ones, family and others.” We, as a community, must do our part to break the stigma of mental illness. Fifty percent of all chronic mental illness begins by age 14 and 75% begins by age 24! And most people wait decades before getting help because of the stigma. Can you imagine the difference we could make in the lives of others if we weren’t afraid to speak up? Well, I’m here to do my part! I’ve struggled with depression for years. My struggle began as postpartum depression after the birth of my son and has come and gone over the years. I’m not suicidal whatsoever, but some days, I just wouldn’t mind if Jesus took me right on home to glory. Wow, is that hard to admit publicly! When

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From Our Nanas (and Moms) To Yours

Nana’s

Sheila Parsons Painter’s Palette Soup

It’s OK to play with your soup! Potato leek soup any way you want to make it, but puree it.

• ½ tsp. Chicken bouillon • 4 leeks — white parts only

• 4 large potatoes • Salt and pepper

Dice & cook together until soft, then puree in small batches in a blender. Add whole or 2% milk to the right consistency. After all is pureed, keep warm or refrigerate until serving time. The Paints: In separate pots, salt and boil them to a vigorous simmer • Pot 1 — ½ lb. chopped baby carrots and 1 Tblsp. Sugar • Pot 2 — a couple of beets cut into little sticks and 1 Tblsp. Sugar • Pot 3 — blanche a bunch of spinach and 1 Tblsp. Sugar Then, individually puree those. These are your paints. Dribble a little of each color in the soup and drag a toothpick through it for design. Voila!

Orange Julius Mimosa

• Vanilla Ice Cream (or Vanilla Bean Ice Cream) • Orange Juice • Champagne/Sparkling Wine • Vanilla Directions: Put half a scoop of ice cream in the bottom of a champagne flute. Add two or three drops of vanilla. Pour orange juice to halfway point of champagne flute. Finish with champagne or sparkling wine. Stir gently. (You may be able to substitute vanilla bean ice cream for the vanilla, or use both. I had the cheap gallon of vanilla ice cream because I use ice cream to bribe my kids, and it was still fantastic!)

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Andrea Champlin

Happy Mother’s Day! Terry Hall

Skillet Apple Pie

• 1 stick butter • ¼ cup brown sugar In an iron skillet on medium heat, whisk the butter and brown sugar until melted then remove from heat. Do not let it caramelize. Then add: • Splash of vanilla • ½ tsp. Cinnamon Mix together: • ¼ cup warm water mix in 1 Tbs. of cornstarch And pour into skillet. Then add:

• 2 cans apple pie filling Mix gently all together in skillet. (If using fresh apples, add more sugar.) Add: • ½ cup caramel bits sprinkled on top of mixture Then top the skillet with a double pie crust. Apply a gentle egg wash and sprinkle raw sugar. Then bake at 350 degrees until crust is slightly brown. Serve with ice cream, caramel drizzle and walnuts.

Diane Brown No Boil Lasagna

• 1 LB ground beef • 1 medium onion, chopped • ¼ teaspoon garlic salt • Pepper • 1 can/jar of spaghetti sauce (25-32 oz.)

• 16 oz. cottage cheese or ricotta cheese • ⅓ cup parmesan cheese • 16 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese • No-boil lasagna noodles

Brown meat, onions, garlic salt, and salt and pepper. Drain excess fat and add spaghetti sauce. Remove from heat. In a 9”X13” pan, spread about 1 cup of meat mixture. Place a layer of lasagna noodles on top. Spread noodles with half of the cottage cheese and parmesan cheese, which have been beaten together. Add half of the remaining meat mixture on top with half of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers of noodles, cheese, meat and cheese. Cover with foil, making sure edges are well sealed. Bake for 1 hour (may take longer) at 350 degrees. Let set 10 minutes before serving.

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Thank God for Angels It may come as a surprise to many of you that the articles I write each month for Women’s Inc. are actually classified as “advertisements.” Smith Family Pharmacy actually pays for them to appear in each month’s issue. I really do try to provide relevant medically related information most of the time. Sometimes, however, they deal with very personal issues. Such was the case last month. You may recall that article dealt with the fact that our daughter is dealing with breast cancer. With your indulgence, I have some follow-up thoughts that I feel compelled to share. This morning, as we do every morning, Shirley and I were having our short quiet time together before work. We recently discovered an amazing devotional book written by Rev. Billy Graham entitled Unto The Hills. It is uncanny how often the topic of the day is just what we need personally. Coincidence? I think not. For example, the title of today’s devotional was “Be Aware of Angels.” Have you ever wondered if you may have encountered an angel personally? I can think of at least two instances that were very real examples of that in our lives. From an article I found on wordpress. com, there seem to be three specific reasons angels appeared in the Bible: “To make an announcement of a coming event such as a birth, to assist us in furthering God’s plan, and to intervene for believers in need.” Martin Luther described angels as “spiritual creatures created by God without a body, for

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the service of Christendom and the church.” Rev. Graham specifically mentioned modernday angelic influences in the devotional this morning. He said, “We may not always be aware of the presence of angels. We can’t always predict how they will appear. But angels have been said to be our neighbors. Often they may be by our side without our being aware of their presence.” He goes on to say, “Many experiences of God’s people suggest that angels have been ministering to them. Others may not have known they were being helped,” which brings me to my point. When Jennifer first met with the breast surgeon about a month ago, he asked her if she had ever had an injury to the breast in which they found the cancer. Her initial response was no. Then she remembered that she had a bad fall back around Christmas time. With a food dish in her hands and some small children all around her, she tripped and tumbled down two steps. Trying to avoid landing on one of them, she took the brunt of the fall and landed hard on her chest causing a huge bruise that lingered for several days. The surgeon said, “There you go. I see this all the time – falls, seat belt injuries, etc. Breast tissue is sandwiched between layers of fat, and when you damage those layers, what is hidden can now be seen.”

Believe what you will, but you will never convince us that God didn’t send one of his angels to cause her to fall down those steps. Psalm 91:11-12 says, “For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” You see, had Jennifer not fallen, she most likely would not have discovered that lump for a long time. At age 37, she would likely not have had a mammogram for at least a few more years, and I shudder to think about what stage her cancer might have been by then. Thank God for angels, indeed. As I write this it is the day before Jennifer’s big surgery. The waiting has been the hardest part for her – for all of us really. While no one looks forward to surgery, she (we) are more than ready to get this done. Tomorrow will be a big step on her journey to what we pray will be a complete recovery. Removing the cancer will only be the beginning. Her treatment plan will depend largely on the pathology report after surgery. That brings me to this final thought. So many of you have been “angels” to Jennifer and to us. Your many acts of kindness have been overwhelming. 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 taking care of people in the Conway and surrounding areas for more than 44 years. He loves spending time with family and is No1POP to 5 wonderful grandchildren.

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Crisis on Campus

Mental Illness on the Rise

by Melissa Gates It’s tough enough leaving home, acquiring a new roommate, and being responsible for where your next meal will come from. For some students it’s all made even harder due to mental health issues. And by “mental health issues” I mean anything from a tough break-up, an argument with your roommate that’s too tough to resolve, to a serious medical diagnosis. According to mental health research conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness: • One in four students have a diagnosable illness • 40% do not seek help • 80% feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities • 50% have become so anxious that they struggled in school Campus counseling groups are dealing with the full gamut of issues. They’re also seeing way more students than in years past. For example at the University of Central Arkansas, counselors saw just more than 400 students

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in the fall of 2017, this past fall (2018) they saw nearly 550. Their waiting rooms are full and clients are having to wait weeks just to get an appointment. “If someone comes in the office crying because they’ve experienced a bad break-up with their boyfriend or girlfriend I have to tell them I can’t see them for weeks,” said therapist Kayla Gowin. “I hate that. This has not been an issue until the last one to two years.” Gowin says they need more counselors to keep up with the heavy intake of new clients. She holds an afternoon support group each Tuesday for students dealing with anxiety. Gowin teaches coping skills such as mindfulness, thought stopping, reframing, distress tolerance, and healthy communication skills. Her support group clients are very diverse; male and female from all different walks of life. “Group is an amazing asset to one’s treatment plan,” she says. “It normalizes experiences and feelings and helps clients see that they are not alone.” Gowin is also trying to reduce the stigma around mental illness with students, clients, faculty, and staff. That’s part of the reason they offer outreach opportunities and group discussions. Director of the counseling center at UCA, Dr. Susan Sobel says students are facing a wide range of social/emotional problems and conflicts. Her staff has to be ready for the very simple to the very complex. “An example of a fairly simple issue to resolve would be anxiety over struggling academically for the first time,” Sobel says. “An example of a complex issue would be a student with a family history involving violence and/or neglect, who is struggling with trauma and trying to juggle academic, financial, and personal responsibilities with very little social support.” With nearly 12,000 students, UCA has five full-time senior staff members, one parttime senior staff member, and eight graduate trainees. Each takes a case load of about 60 students. UCA president Houston Davis acknowledges the great need in mental health services amongst college-aged adults; and is concerned for those affected. “The health and safety of our students is a top priority for us, and we strive to care not only for their physical health, but also their mental health,” Davis says. “To that end, our counseling center offers a variety of services to our students, from consultations and screenings, to one-on-one and group counseling sessions and support groups. We’re glad that more and more of our students are visiting the Counseling Center to seek the mental health support and treatment they need.” Counselors at UCA take turns taking a pager home each month to respond in the middle of the night if need be, should campus police call. “If a student is experiencing psychosis we need to be there,” Gowin says. The Counseling Center offers individual, couples, and group counseling to assist students in learning to cope with and manage such issues. Counseling is also available to UCA faculty and staff.

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With roughly 1,400 students, Hendrix College is also following the national trends of more students needing services. Dr. Mary Anne Seibert is the director of counseling services there. “In the past decade student demand for individual therapy has increased by 110%. Demand for psychiatric services has increased 250%,” she says. To meet the increased demand for services, the number of counseling center staff has increased from one full-time counselor to two. The college has also added one part time counselor. Psychiatric services were added for the first time in 2011. The psychiatrist is on campus 2.5 hours per week. “Various programs and groups have been developed and offered to meet the needs of the student body, including depression/anxiety screenings, grief workshops, suicide prevention programming, relationship workshops, and, most recently, a weekly sexual assault prevention and support group,” Seibert says.

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In contrast, a spokesperson for Central Baptist College says they are not seeing an increase in the need for counseling services. With less than 1,000 students, the college has two counselors. Rachel Steele, Associate Vice President for Student Services says, “I would say numbers have been fairly consistent in recent years. The number of clients the college sees fluctuates depending on the time of year. The clinic seems to be busiest during finals week and the holidays.” UCA therapist Gowin says it’s important that those struggling with anxiety or depression have peer support as well as time with a counselor. “It’s so important to encourage one another.You are not alone if you are struggling with these types of issues,” she says. Contact the UCA Counseling Center for help: 501-450-3138. After business hours call the UCA Police Department for help: 501-450-3111.

photos by Jeanette Stewart Melissa Gates has been telling stories in Faulkner County for more than a decade. She has interviewed a wide variety of interesting people from U.S. Presidents to rock stars, and countless community leaders. After growing up in the Midwest, she is thrilled to call Conway home, alongside her husband and three kids.

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WN METO O H

HERO

One Chaplain’s Story: Care, Advise, Facilitate Prior to his service, Bewley says he’s “worn lots of shoes.” The University of Central Arkansas graduate took home a business management degree in 1993 and in 1998 completed Terry Bewley is a polished, peaceful man, and he’s convicted, his Master’s in theology at Missionary Baptist Seminary in Little too. Rock. The U.S. Navy Chaplain grew up in Central Arkansas and From 1990-98, Bewley served in the Air National Guard 188th resides in Conway with his wife, Tina. The couple has two boys. Tyler, 20, is a U.S. Marine serving in Okinawa, Japan, and Josh, 22, is Fighter Group. He pastored churches in Arkansas from 19952008, when he joined the Navy. a police officer in Texarkana. by Kelly Sublett photos submitted

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By 2009, he was deployed to Marjah, Afghanistan, as part of the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines as a Lieutenant. “I don’t think you’re ever prepared,” he says of that deployment. An HBO documentary “The Battle for Marjah” released in 2010 details the mission, and Bewley says it is “raw.” Many times, it was he who spent the most time with embedded reporters from the United States and Europe. It was the biggest military operation since the beginning of the War in Afghanistan. Bewley was not armed during his deployment, as is the policy with military chaplains. He had a bodyguard at all times — a Religious Program Specialist who would be his administrative assistant during non-deployment. “I was shot at a lot,” he recalls softly. “But I never felt like I needed a gun.” In the seven-month deployment, Bewley says the young men he served were on average just 20 years old. Out of 1,500 Marines and Sailors, his unit lost 10 Marines and another 250 were wounded. “As a chaplain, we have two [edicts],” he says. “No. 1, protect everyone’s religious freedom; and No. 2, provide religious services. We provide, care, advise and facilitate. In doing this, I protect my own religious freedoms.” Bewley says managing his purpose with the realities of war time often were difficult, as men and women in his unit sought answers to big life questions — not in the least being, “why?” “Mostly, it was two things,” he says, blotting quiet tears with a pocket square. “The question of why they lost buddies, and when they killed someone — that moral dilemma. It was just the rawness of it.” In those moments, he says, there was no definition of religion. It didn’t matter if they were Catholic, Jewish or Muslim. The questions were the same, and the answers he gave were from a place of love and conviction.

“I have a very strong conviction and a conservative interpretation of the Bible,” he says. “But it was a ministry of presence, just being there with them. “All of the young men in that position tend to think and bear toward faith more. They ask complicated questions.” The “battle space” Bewley occupied spanned nine positions in the field, and he held three to four services each week. “It didn’t matter if I showed up on a Thursday,” he says. “We had Sunday service. And nobody ever told me what I could say or preach. It was my job to be respectful of everybody. “It was the best and the worst ministry. It was the best because I was there and I helped. It was the worst because, well … And there were times, you know, I didn’t have a chaplain. “You know, we have lost as many from that [unit] after deployment as we did during — suicide, car wrecks. It’s tough. It’s always tough.” In 2011, Bewley left active duty and is currently a Reservist. He trains chaplains now as a Commander in the Marine Forces Pacific Command. “I train young chaplains to be prepared for when they need us,” Bewley says. “I make sure all chaplains are trained, equipped and ready to go. We want good retention just because of the kind of job that is.” And although Bewley can retire soon, he has no plans to do so. And serving his command, which is based in Hawaii, he admits that is not awful, either. In addition to his service, Bewley is the Chief Investment Officer for Strong Tower, a Christian-screening investment firm, based in Central Arkansas. When Tyler decided to enlist, Bewley says he had reservations. But he also knew his son was making the decision of a lifetime. “He and I are both Airborne,” he says. “I went to jump school [Fort Benning, Georgia] in 2009, and in 2017, I got to pin my wings on him. That was a proud moment. But I told him, ‘This is one of the hardest things you will ever do, but you will serve a purpose bigger than you.You will build life-changing relationships, and this service will change who you are.’”

“I was shot at a lot, but I never felt like I needed a gun.”

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Conversations with a

Daniel & Katelin Whiddon Children: Ashlynn, 9, and Aleah, 7 Occupation: Daniel is a corporate pilot for Simmons Bank and Katelin is a nurse practitioner for Sherwood Urgent Care. What’s something people wouldn’t generally know about you? Daniel enjoys scuba diving and flying. He had his first flight lesson on his 16th birthday and has been flying more than half of his life! Katelin can’t hardly sit still and is always busy. She loves couponing and finding great deals. She used to teach coupon classes to help others save money too!

What’s the last music you listened to as a family while driving? Both: Either Kidz Bop or KLove

Do you prefer mountains or the beach? Both: prefer the beach

Who is the better driver? Both: Daniel for sure – that’s unanimous

What’s your guilty pleasure? Both: We watch some reality TV and Netflix series and documentaries.

Who do you most admire? Daniel: George Makris Jr, Bob Fehlman, Marty Casteel, Steve Massanelli – all executives of Simmons Bank. I couldn’t just pick one of them because they all have great individual characteristics which has led the bank to be very successful and one of the best places to work in the country.

Who is the calmest? Both: That probably depends on the situation. We both can get revved up about things depending on what it is regarding.

What’s the one thing in your home you want to get rid of but that your spouse won’t allow? Daniel: Katelin’s decorative lanterns and birdcages Katelin: All of Daniel’s extra “stuff” in the garage Who is your favorite animated character? Daniel: The Grinch Katelin: Tigger or Dory What are you most passionate about? Daniel: My family and my career Katelin: Family, career, and education. Educating my patients and also educating nurse practitioner students What is the furthest you’ve been from home and why? Daniel: The Panama Canal on a cruise we took with Katelin’s family Katelin: Hawaii in the early 2000s for my grandparents’ anniversary. I can’t wait to |go 32 WINC. Mayback! 2019

Katelin: My mamaw and granddad. They loved their family and the Lord hard.They sacrificed things to take care of their family. They were the type of people that would do anything for anyone and always loved on everyone. They left a mark on the lives of more people than I will ever know both locally and across the world through mission work. Which is your favorite restaurant in town? Daniel: David’s Burgers Katelin: Mike’s Place Is your family more Elvis or Beatles? Daniel: Neither Katelin: Definitely the Beatles

What is your family’s favorite hobby? Both: Camping (in an RV of course – we like to go “glamping”) Where do you go to church? Second Baptist Church What is your favorite memory as a family? We couldn’t think of one specific and neither could the kids. We all felt there too many to list. Altogether we enjoy each spending time on vacation, on the lake, and camping together. Cody Sublett is a native to Faulkner County. He is a local business owner and enjoys sharing the personalities of the people he meets. Whether it is another small business owner or a family he has had the pleasure of working for, the Cadron Creek Craftsman is happy to share a little bit about the people who make Central Arkansas unique and diverse.

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DIY Washi Tape Wall by Andrea Champlin One of these days I’m going to wallpaper a room, but right now I just can’t commit. I saw a washi tape wall on another blogger’s Instagram feed (She Gets It From Her Mama) and I thought I’d give it a try. It’s a great way to add some pattern to a room. It’s also inexpensive, easy to put up, and easy to take off. This wall is 13 feet tall and 9 feet across, and it took me six rolls of tape and three hours. I had to order more tape midway through because I ran out! It’s a great project for a wall or the back of a bookshelf. The tape was very easy to reposition and it’s not falling off. Here’s what you’ll need: • Washi tape (I used silver and gold and there’s a link on my blog with the product I used) • Scissors • Ladder

I did not measure. I did not have a plan. I just taped the shapes I wanted where I wanted them, stepped back to look, and put the tape where I thought it should go. Truly one of the easiest projects I’ve ever done.You really can’t mess it up! I was careful with the type of washi tape I used, because I read from the blogger mentioned above that some of the washi tape she tried peeled off the wall.You certainly don’t want that. If you decide to do this project and use a different washi tape, I’d suggest trying a roll first to see if it will stick to your wall. You’ll notice in my before photo that the trim around my door is white. I painted all of the interior doors in my house black a couple years ago, and I love it. I decided to paint the trim around this door too. Also in the before photo, there’s a dead orchid on the coffee table, because I like to keep it real.

Andrea Champlin is a Conway transplant with a new appreciation for toads and mythical creatures. She’s a wife, mom of three, and likes to create pretty things all while trying to get the mom thing right. Andrea can usually be found toting her kids around or planning their next trip, but always with paint on her hands.

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Untreated Hearing Loss Affects Brain Structure and Function by Dr. Sam Kelso, Au.D. Recent studies shed light on the importance of timely treatment of hearing loss. Most people believe that hearing loss is a condition that only affects their ears. In reality, untreated hearing loss can affect so much more, including brain structure and function. According to a 2013 John Hopkins University study, hearing loss may increase the risk of cognitive problems and dementia. A 2011 dementia study monitored the cognitive health of 639 people who were mentally sharp when the study began. The researchers tested the volunteers’ mental abilities regularly, following most for about 12 years, and some for as long as 18 years. The results were striking: The worse the initial hearing loss, the more likely the person was to develop dementia. Researchers say that there are plausible reasons for why hearing loss might lead to dementia — the brain’s hearing center, called the auditory cortex, is very close to the regions where Alzheimer’s first starts. Hearing loss also has a noted link to brain shrinkage. Although the brain naturally becomes smaller with age, the shrinkage seems to be fast-tracked in older adults with hearing loss, according to the results of a study by Frank Lin, M.D Ph.D. through Johns Hopkins University and the National Institute on Aging. The report revealed that those with impaired hearing lost more than an additional cubic centimeter of brain tissue each year compared to those with normal hearing. Those with impaired hearing also had significantly more shrinkage in particular regions, including the superior, middle and inferior temporal gyri, brain structures also responsible for processing sound and speech. When a person is affected by untreated hearing loss, their auditory cortex becomes “impoverished” due to the lack of

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sound stimulation. Treating hearing loss in a timely matter, however, can help offset this. These studies indicate the urgency in which hearing loss should be treated. “If you want to address hearing loss well,” Lin says, “you want to do it sooner rather than later.”

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A Look Back...

Conway Parks by Cindy Beckman

Quality of life has always been important to Conwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s citizens and concerted efforts have been made over the years to make the city a great place to live as well as work. In the 1960s, Conway business leaders began to consider the development of recreational amenities that would not only improve the quality of life in Conway but also attract potential industrial clients to locate in the city. During the administration of Mayor Walter Dunaway (1962-74), the city developed plans for a 50-meter Olympicsize municipal swimming pool, a wading pool, two tennis courts, handball court, shuffleboard area and basketball court. The plan included applying for a federal grant for 50 percent of the $509, 000 projected cost of the overall development. Unfortunately, the voters of the city rejected, 444 for and 527 against, a $325,000 bond issue what would have helped pay for this project 38 WINC. | May 2019

Undeterred, the city scaled back its plans and in late June 1968, the Conway Chamber of Commerce Parks Committee toured the sites for future Cedar Park, Laurel Park, Gatlin Park, Fifth Avenue Park and Mountain View Park.

Workers are seen erecting the columns that would be part of the amphitheater that was constructed at Laurel Park in 1976. Photo Courtesy of Log Cabin Democrat (1976 Progress issue)

Laurel Park In 1897, the late James B. and Mattie D. Davenport Moore built this house, on 19 acres at the corner of Prince Street and Western Avenue for $7,000. It was situated atop a knoll on the eastern side of the property. Moore was the owner of J.B. Moore & Sons, a store located at 915 Front Street, where Pasta Grill is located today. Much of the store’s merchandise was kept in closed showcases. Moore also built the building next door that has the mural on its south wall facing Centennial Bank. After Moore’s death, his son, J.O. Moore, Sr. inherited the home, selling it and the land to the city of Conway in 1968 for $100,000. The house was razed following the sale. On February 1, 1969, the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation in the Department of Interior made a grant of $50,000 to the city of Conway to apply toward purchase of this property that would become Laurel Park. The city had made a partial payment at the time of the sale, but the federal grant would be put toward the land purchase. Bob Swartz, chair of the Conway Parks and Recreation Commission, would oversee plans to develop the park. The Conway City Council contracted with Comprehensive Professional Services Corp. of Little Rock to prepare the master plan for Laurel Park’s development. The city applied for the development grant on an 80-20 matching basis with the city being allowed to deduct in-kind contributions of work as part of its share. In 1974, the Conway Civitan Club erected a pavilion in the southwest area of the park with an entrance off of Robinson Avenue and finally, in June 1975, the Economic Development Administration awarded the $100,000 grant that would be used for the development of the park. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in the fall of 1975, signaling the start of several projects in the park. At the groundbreaking, Mayor Jim A. Hoggard, who served from 1975 to 1978, said: “The park project will aid in enhancing the overall environment and beautification of the area and the city as a whole, thereby creating an atmosphere more attractive to potential industrial clients.” Two asphalt tennis courts; a 3,200-feet jogging-bicycling trail; multipurpose play area for basketball, shuffleboard and other court games; softball field; picnic tables with 16 wooden tables and grills; parking and drive area; toilets at the pavilion; one-acre children’s play area and landscaping were planned. There would also be an amphitheater for outdoor productions. Eventually these projects were finished, providing Conway residents with an open green space and recreational facilities. In recent years, improvements were made to the children’s playground area and parking, but the park had pretty much remained the same until the Splash Pad was added last summer. womensinc.net 39

In 1897, the late James B. and Mattie D. Davenport Moore built this house, on 19 acres at the corner of Prince Street and Western Avenue for $7,000. It was situated atop a knoll on the eastern side of the property. Mrs. Moore and her daughter, Della Moore Hines, are pictured standing in the yard while another daughter, Lilla Moore Raper is sitting in the upstairs window. Photo courtesy of Moore’s great-granddaughter, Dr. Amanda Moore, Assistant Director and Graduate & Professional School Connections Coordinator at Hendrix College. Fifth Avenue Park In late June 1967, plans were developed for a new 10-acre city park on Fifth Avenue, south of the intersection of Highway 65 and the I-40 overpass. The land for the park was purchased from Fred. W. Halter. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on May 25, 1968 for the new Fifth Avenue Park. A three-year $60,000 development was planned with matching federal funds. By February 1, 1969, the first two phases of projects at Fifth Avenue Park in the eastern section of the city were near completion with the third phase underway. Fifth Avenue Park would have pavilions with picnic tables, a children’s play area and ball fields. It too, looked pretty much the same as it did upon completion until a new restroom facility was built last summer. A new Splash Pad is currently under construction. Park at Martin and Elizabeth Streets In April 1968, a neighborhood playground was constructed by the Conway Junior Auxiliary at Martin and Elizabeth streets. Land for the project was 40 WINC. | May 2019

donated by Dr. Ethel Wilson and Mr. and Mrs. Dave Ward. Mrs. Bill Bell said the Parks and Recreation department would operate the playground. Nabholz Construction installed the equipment, which included swings, slide and climbing bars, while Conway Concrete donated the concrete used to embed the pieces into the ground. Our babysitter’s house was nearby so this is the park I used to go to when I was younger. The park was removed several years ago, and apartments were built on the property. Mountain View Park, now Curtis Walker Park, and Gatlin Park were not as developed as the other parks but provided some recreational facilities. In

Built in the late 1960s, Fifth Avenue Park has pavilions with picnic tables, a childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s play area and ball fields. It looks pretty much the same as it did upon completion, but a new restroom facility was built last summer, and a new Splash Pad is currently under construction. recent years, both have seen improvements, especially Curtis Walker Park, which now has soccer fields as well as baseball fields along with playground equipment. Improvements have also been made at Beaverfork Park, which has provided recreational facilities since the lake was built in the late 1950s.

Cindy Beckman is a local freelance writer.Â She writes A Look Back, a weekly Tuesday column; A Look Forward, a bi-monthly Sunday column; and the daily Yesterdays column for the Log Cabin. She has also authored several local history books and articles. She may be reached at beckman@windstream.net

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Myth Busters: Home Buyers Edition by Morgan Tidwell You’ve decided to buy a house. So obviously, you turn to your first and most reliable source for information, the internet. Because we know that if it’s on the internet then it must be true, right? WRONG! Add to that, the constant stream of TV shows about building, buying and fixer uppers that give viewers a delusional perspective of the whole process. And while potential home buyers and sellers are watching at home taking notes, your local and educated real estate agent is also watching in horror at everything they misrepresent and don’t show all together. Buying a home is a big decision, but it doesn’t have to be a scary one. If you arm yourself with knowledge and a qualified team of professionals, you’ll be well equipped to make the right choices for your family and financial future. Still, remember that when educating yourself, be sure not to fall for these common home buyer myths… Myth #1:You need a 20% down payment Plenty of buyers are purchasing homes with down payments that are much less than 20% of the total cost of the property. Today, you can buy a home with as little as 0-5% down. Myth #2: Real Estate agents are expensive Actually, a buyer’s agent is FREE for the buyer! Yep, you heard right, FREE! The buyer’s agent is paid through the listing agent’s commission. So as a buyer all you pay for is your new home! (and the other payments that come with it such as insurance, etc.) Myth #3:You don’t need a real estate agent until you’re ready to buy A well trained and educated agent will walk you through every single step of the buying and/or selling process from 42 WINC. | May 2019

start to finish. Real Estate agents are educated professionals who can advise, guide, negotiate for and protect you through your home buying process. Myth #4:You need a high credit score to buy a house You don’t need a perfect credit score to buy the perfect home. There are loans out there that buyers with lower credit scores can qualify for. Although, some of these loans come with additional fees you will need to pay. Speak to a few local lenders or mortgage brokers who will talk you through which options might be best for you. Myth #5: If you look hard enough you’ll find a home that checks every box on your wish list Think of it as your dating/spouse wish list.You have your absolute deal breakers, your compromises, your “I can live with it” areas and your “I absolutely have to have/cannot live without” areas. It’s the same when buying a home. The probability that you’re going to get every single thing on your list is just not realistic for more than one reason. But this is why you need a good Real Estate agent who knows the market and has an educated understanding of your situation and future plans to help advise and guide you in a realistic direction that you’re happy with but that is also reasonable for you financially. These five myths are just the tip of the iceberg. As with anything else, if you aren’t trained or educated in real estate then it is hard to distinguish the facts from the fiction. ERA TEAM Real Estate is a locally owned firm that prides itself in the consistent and effective education and training of all its agents. If you have any questions or if you’re having trouble deciphering the facts from the fiction, call us today at 501.327.6731.

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