Women's Inc. - May 2017

WOMENSINC.NET

WINC. M AY 2 0 1 7

Never giving up Ashley and Brent Salter seek surrogacy after\rare diagnosis

quick and easy slow cooker recipes for busy families

MOTHER’S DAY ISSUE

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CONTENTS 6

Never giving up

Ashley and Brent Salter seek surrogacy after rare diagnosis

M AY 2 017 WOM EN ’ S IN C .

WINC. Editor Lori Quinn

12 FITNESS FOR MOMS Class includes moms before and after delivery

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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 Advertising Sales Executives Crystal Geraldson Sara Grady Leigh Anne Gray Rusty Hunnicutt

FOOD

Advertising Artists Jay Prince Lauren Morgenstern

Slow cooker solutions

18 HOMES

Nikki Burk’s personal touches showcased in elegant abode

iMATTER

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Savannah, Madeline and Jonathan Raup keep it all in the family

columns 40. spiritual

God’s Best

by Andrea Lennon 4 WOMEN’S INC. / MAY 2017

42. book review Clementine: The Life of Mrs. Winston Churchill Susan O’Keefe review

Editorial Advisory Board Leah Ashby Jenny Cabantac Detra Clark Alyson Fish Nicolle Fletcher Haley Crafton Fowler Sarah Frost Mary Harlan Nancy Jackson Cate Ketcheside Leslie Kostecky Caroline LaVan Velda Lueders Christina Munoz Madsen 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: WINC@thecabin.net or write to P.O. Box 969, Conway, AR, 72033 • www.womensinc.net

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cover stor y

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the salter family

Never giving up Ashley and Brent Salter seek surrogacy after rare diagnosis

By Jennifer Stanley Photos by Brandy Strain Ashley Salter of Conway proves the path to parenthood is not always a straight line….rather, it can include the twists and turns that come with unexpected. Regardless, the end result is always more than worth the journey.

Married to husband Brent for nine years, the couple met while attending the University of Tulsa. “We dated through college, then broke up during our senior year,” says Ashley. She moved to Dallas, and he moved to Los

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Angeles. During this time apart, they realized they were meant to be together. After five years they reconnected, married, and moved to Conway.

While Brent is a Conway native, Ashley is from Siloam Springs in Northwest Arkansas.

“It made sense to move back to Brent’s home, and we knew it would be a good place to raise a family,” she says. Brent joined his family’s business and works with Salter Properties. Ashley is an outside account executive with Bloomberg BNA. Currently, she is involved with working on the committee to build the new HAVEN house. The couple also supports the American Heart Association.

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While attending college, Ashley was unexpectedly diagnosed with a rare heart condition. “I was playing basketball intermurals and went into cardiac arrest while playing,” says Ashley. “That is when they diagnosed me with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD). According to the Cleveland Clinic, “ARVD is a rare form of cardiomyopathy in which the heart muscle of the right ventricle is replaced by fat and/or fibrous tissue. The right ventricle is dilated and contracts poorly. As a result, the ability of the heart to pump blood is usually weakened.”

ARVD is often genetic, and its cause is unknown. Ashley had a defibrillator put in after her diagnosis. She has undergone additional

surgeries to replace batteries in her device as well, which is typically done every seven to 10 years. “In 2005, when I lived in Dallas, it was shocking me a lot. They tried to do an ablation to the heart, and I got a blood clot in my lung somewhere during the process,” she says. As a result, Ashley was also diagnosed with a blood clotting disorder. She has been on blood thinners since this time, in addition to taking medication to regulate her heart rate. ARVD is quite often fatal.

At the time of her initial diagnosis, Ashley was primarily occupied with learning about her condition and its management. While her cardiologist broached the subject of children, she was not in that phase of life during

that time. “When I lived in Dallas, I would talk about having children with my doctor, but it wasn’t really on my radar.” However, when she and Brent settled in Conway, the subject resurfaced. “We really started talking about it, and I wanted to know what my options were,” she says.

Once she established an Arkansas-based cardiologist, she questioned her new doctor about having children. “He said no. He would be more comfortable if I didn’t,” she says. “Much of it is the medication I have to take. They also don’t know what would happen to me or to the baby,” says Ashley. She wanted to be certain, so she also consulted her cardiologist in Dallas, who sided with

her Arkansas doctor. “We even went to a doctor at UAMS for a third opinion, and he basically said, ‘you would be signing your life away.’”

After the third clear “no,” Ashley and Brent were determined to study their options.

“We decided to go to Arkansas Fertility for a checkup and to learn about our options.

Everything [with us] checked out great. We learned we could basically take one of two routes: adoption or surrogacy,” she says. “We decided to go the surrogate route once we had time to discuss. We found out Arkansas Fertility worked with an agency out of Texas, so we started the process,” she says. There are multiple ways to use a gestational carrier, and

the Salters considered many options. Ashley thought about her sister as a potential gestational carrier, but she was pregnant at the time so was not a viable choice.

The couple made the decision to find a gestational carrier using the services offered through the clinic. The process of matching with a surrogate was lengthy and involved.

“In our application, we explained what we were looking for in a person down to religion and personality. It is a long-term relationship, so it has to be a good fit.” Brent and Ashley reviewed applications and found a surrogate they felt could potentially be a good match.

“Once we selected someone we were interested in, that person reviewed our informaWWW.WOMENSINC.NET 9

tion,” explains Ashley. “We wanted to have a big role in the process and be hands on, where others may not want to be involved at all and don’t meet their surrogate until delivery. We also wanted someone in Arkansas but ended up with someone in Oklahoma.

That was fine; we truly went with the best fit for us.”

Another reason an Arkansas-based gestational carrier would have been simpler is the legal system. According to Ashley, Arkansas and California were considered among the most surrogate friendly states at the time as far as legal protections and procedures. Oklahoma, where the Salters’ surrogate delivered, was considered much less friendly. “Fortunately, the county she lived in was known for being a little more surrogate friendly than most of the state. And the doctor we chose used a gestational carrier as well, so they were all familiar with the process, and it made that part a lot easier,” says Ashley.

“When we first met Lindsey Taylor [the surrogate] and her husband, we liked them right away.” Ashley explains it is best for gestational carriers to have already had their own children, as it helps with the post-birth process. “Once we decided on our surrogate, the agency helped with the pairing up and the paperwork. They take care of the financial and legal parts, the things you don’t want to talk to the surrogate about, so you can enjoy the pregnancy.”

The Salters’ surrogate came to Arkansas Fertility to undergo in-vitro fertilization.

“There was a lot of coordination involved; she had to take shots and go through the process of IVF.” The surrogate became pregnant on the first transfer, and the Salters learned they would become first-time parents to a baby girl. “We were able to tell our parents on Christmas Eve,” shares Ashley.

“As a female, you may dream of being pregnant and having your own kids. When you can’t, it can be heartbreaking, plus you

Ashley and surrogate, Lindsey Taylor.

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have to trust someone else to take care of your child [while pregnant]. Developing that relationship and expecting a baby is a lot at one time. Someone told me to think of it as them babysitting your child for nine months.

You have to pick your battles,” says Ashley.

She and Brent remained in constant communication with their surrogate throughout the pregnancy. “We talked all the time.”

Nine months later, the couple’s first child, daughter Sutton, was born. She is now three and-a-half years old.

Through the process, Ashley and her surrogate became friends. She and Brent remained so involved, they knew who to contact when they began discussing a sibling for Sutton.

“Once we decided to have another baby, we knew we wanted to go through the process with the same gestational carrier since we already had such a good relationship,” says Ashley.

They implanted their one remaining frozen embryo from the first round of IVF, but it was unsuccessful. They then went through the same process a second time and had a textbook IVF experience. “They put in two and found out we were having two! We knew there was a good chance because they showed us the statistics before the transfer; we de-

cided we would go for it.”

Both Brent’s and Ashley’s mothers, along with Sutton, accompanied them to the ultrasound, where they were able to see the twins. “Our surrogate was so excited; she was rooting for us to have twins. Brent’s jaw dropped!” She carried the Salters’ twins, Sterling and Salem, now one, to almost 37 weeks.

“It was a long process, but it was overwhelmingly positive. We wanted the perfect person, and it could not have worked out better. She was put on this Earth to have children; she was a rock star. She was never sick with either pregnancy,” says Ashley.

They maintain contact with their gestational carrier today. “She and her sons just came for the twins’ birthdays,” Ashley says.

As for life now, she says, “The days are crazy! It is hard, and the first days are a fog now. With the twins, there were nights when Brent and I would not know which one had just eaten! They looked so much alike; we didn’t know who to feed. Everything was wild with kids 30 months apart and one set of twins.” They make sure to accept help from their parents and grandparents when they can. Ashley adds, “I wish time would stop for just a minute. It is crazy, but fun, and I wouldn’t trade it!”

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feature story

Fitness class includes moms before and after delivery Submitted story Photos by Lanette Rogers CarrieBeth Sherwood of Conway, a personal trainer with the Conway Regional Health & Fitness Center, is leading a class that changes how pregnant women and post natal moms view fitness. CarrieBeth is an ACE certified personal trainer and an Oh Baby! Fitness certified teacher.

How do you describe the class?

CarrieBeth: “It is for women who are currently pregnant and for women who have recently had a baby. We want to keep them healthy while they are pregnant and help them get back in shape after the baby arrives.”

Can you talk about how this class is different from typical workout classes?

CarrieBeth: “It’s really different; there are a lot of things you have to take into account. For the women who are pregnant, working on the abdominal muscles and strengthening the back are very important. There is certain equipment that could cause injury that we don’t use. Stabil12 WOMEN’S INC. / MAY 2017

fitness for moms

“We want to keep them healthy while they are pregnant and help them get back in shape after the baby arrives.”

—CarrieBeth Sherwood ity balls are important, and there is no lifting of heavy weights. We use body weight for most of the exercises.”

What is the class like for post natal moms?

CarrieBeth: “The class is also different for post-natal moms because they can bring their babies to class. That’s a big deal; especially for new moms who don’t like to leave their babies. The class also helps them bond with their babies. It can get a little crazy if the babies all get fussy at the same time.”

What inspired you to start this class?

CarrieBeth: “I heard about Oh Baby!

Fitness on the ‘Today Show.’ It addresses a lot of the myths about how you are not supposed to exercise when you are pregnant.

I wanted to get certified so that I could help women who are at the same stage of life that I am in right now. I have two kids and I found out there are a lot who doctors don’t really tell you about fitness.”

What do we need to know about you?

CarrieBeth: “I have lived in Conway my whole life. I graduated from Conway High School and have three degrees from UCA (a bachelor’s degree in Writing and master’s degrees in Mid Level Teaching and in School Counseling). I met my husband (Derek) the last day before I graduated from UCA. We have two kids: Berkeley, 5, and Sam, 4. Derek is the clinic manager of Baker Eye Institute. I was a middle school teacher at Guy Perkins High School for a year. I am really passionate about fitness and decided to pursue personal training while my kids are in school so I could be closer to them.”

Do you have a favorite quote that has inspired you?

CarrieBeth: “Collect moments, not things.”

About the Class: Pre & Post Natal Fitness is taught at the Conway Regional Health & Fitness Center as a series of six, 45-minute classes on Saturdays beginning at 10:30 am. Cost is $40 for members and $56 for non-members.

For more details, call Mallory Lefler, Fitness Coordinator, 450-9292, ext. 309.

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shopping

MEET

THE OWNERS

& STAFF

An introduction to who is responsible for some of Conway’s best cloting boutiques.

All ladies are modeling clothes available at their stores. Let them help you find the perfect gift for Mother’s Day!

ese h t r at s fo ’s p e o sh tiqu ther o u bo ue m fts iq gi un day

E. Leigh’s

Cassandra Greenfield, Conway Store Manager

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mother’s day

French Lily

Renée Notto, Store Owner

Abby King, Owner

HipSway

Emily Wright, Store Supervisor

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Lefler’s

Brooke Lefler Ludford, Store Co-owner

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Maegan Mathis, Assistant Store Manager

Vesta’s

Stacia Adams, Store Manager

health

By David Smith Did you ever wish you were a frog? No? Well, neither have I to be honest. But if we were frogs at least we could “eat what bugs us” to quote some lyrics from a children’s musical at our church that my wife directed a number of years ago. Seriously, I think the bugs are winning and I’m convinced that mosquitoes really like the way I smell, since adult mosquitoes use their sense of smell to locate hosts.

What brings this to mind is a CE certification on travel vaccines that Blake Johnson, our other pharmacist, and I are doing. It’s a pretty involved process, actually. We have to complete 6 hours of online study, then a 4-hour live course just to be certified to administer the yellow fever vaccine. There are a surprising number of folks who travel to areas that are indigenous to yellow fever, so it’s definitely a need we want to fill.

The principal vector is the Aedes aegypti mosquito. It has successfully established populations across the southern border of the United States. In addition to yellow fever, this blood-sucking little insect carries other viruses responsible for Dengue fever, chikungunya (whatever that is), and more commonly known to folks around here, the West Nile and Zika viruses. You may think that you don’t need to worry about contracting one of those, but I’m here to tell you that it (West Nile virus) happened to me and it was not a pleasant experience — high fever, hard chills,

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Just Bug Off!

etc. And I’m sure you’ve all read about the increased risk of developmental defects in infants from a Zika virus infection.

This has caused a pretty significant amount of interest in mosquito control products both in commercial application settings and products to wear or spray on personally. How many of you “baby boomers” remember the old days when the mosquito spray truck would trundle down the street putting out a chemical fog that would choke a bull moose?

We must not have been too bright because we used to chase after the truck running in and out of the fog. It’s a thousand wonders we didn’t develop some form of lung disease or cancer from the chemicals we inhaled. I’d just bet that those chemicals have long since been banned, and the newer ones don’t seem to work all that well.

At our house, we have a commercial system installed around our outdoor living areas to control the pests and, truthfully, I’ve been less than thrilled with the results. I’m sure it helps some, but we still find ourselves swatting and slapping, and sometimes giving up on really bad days and going back inside.

We’ve even considered screening in some areas. With those thoughts in my head, along with itchy bumps on my ankles, I did a little research on which products or devices seem to work and which don’t. Here’s what I found.

There is a very detailed article that was published this year in the Journal of Insect Science — yes, there really is a publication by that name — that compared various products

in various settings. The remainder of this article is pretty much directly from the abstract of that article. The short answer is that spray-on mosquito repellents that contain DEET and oil of lemon eucalyptus appeared to be the most effective types according to the study while wearable repellent bracelets and sonic repellers appeared to be mostly ineffective, according to New Mexico State University researchers behind the study.

So you can make a good, informed decision of what products to buy before peak insect season, here are some of the products that performed the best in the study. The most effective spray-on products included Repel Sportsmen Max Formula, Ben’s Tick and Insect Repellent, Cutter Lemon Eucalyptus, and Kids Herbal Armor. OFF! Clip-on was the only wearable device that had an effect in the study.

As for the Smiths, we’re waging war in our back yard — our spray system is juiced up and the electric mosquito zapper is plugged in. We’ve planted lavender, rosemary, basil, and mint all around. Mosquitoes don’t like the way they smell but we do, and the fresh herbs taste amazing. Have a bug-free Spring!

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.

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homes

PERSONAL TOUCHES

By Colleen Holt Photos by Brandy Strain

A house is definitely not a home until personal touches are added. For Nikki Burk of Conway, these personal touches have everything to do with family, fun and friendship.

Nikki’s home in The Reserve at Centennial Valley has a relaxed European style, which means lighter neutrals have been used on walls and floors. Different textures are seen in the granite countertops, tile work and custom lighting. Plus, richer tones are used in the accessories placed throughout the 3,300-square-foot home.

Calling this her “forever home,” Nikki is adamant about creating an inviting and relaxing place to live.

“My previous home had dark walls, dark furniture, and draperies. I don’t want any room to feel dark and dreary, so you will see mostly lighter tones throughout this home.”

For a living, Nikki is an Acute Therapeutic Sales rep for Abbott Nutrition. For fun, she decorates! “A friend of mine, Ashley Adams, will occasionally call to jokingly ask if I have any furniture to sell,” she said. Her ideas come mostly from an interest in looking at magazines and visiting stores “like Cobblestone and Vine or Restoration hardware.” She also enjoys stopping in antique 18 WOMEN’S INC. / MAY 2017

burk home

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stores to find unique accessories.

The older women in Nikki’s family have always shared their interest in decorating. “One of my fondest memories of my childhood was spending time with my grandmother Sue. Every night I spent with her she would make a bedtime snack and we would look at magazines. That’s where I first became interested in landscaping and decorating. I still love looking through any magazine I can get my hands on to see how small touches make a room have a wow factor.”

Nikki also learns from her aunt, Cheryl Bruns. She has had “a big influence on the choices I make because she has a natural ability to design,” Nikki said. “I’ll take pictures of pieces when I’m out browsing, and text them to her to get her input. If I find something I think she will like for her family I’ll also send it to her. My sister, Jennifer Seifert, recently commented that I’m just like

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my Aunt Cheryl in constantly adding or changing pieces in my home.”

An interest in decorating is starting to blossom in Nikki’s daughter, Bailey, but not so much with her husband, Brad, and son Blane. “My husband is more focused on the landscaping and pool area. Brad and I constantly joke that I take care of the inside of the home, and his job is outside.”

In addition to the pool, a favorite place to spend time for the Burk family is in the bonus room. “I wanted the feel of the room to reflect special events in our lives. The kids have a fascination with rocks. They have collected them on various family vacations (Maine, Maui, St. Martin, Gulf Shores, and even at Bob Townsell’s cabin). I’ve had some of these shadow boxed for art on the walls.”

Photos from various vacations have been placed along the stairwell, and the master bathroom design is based on a master bathroom the Burks saw in Cabo.

“Our master bath was designed with modifications from a trip on our 10th anniversary to Cabo. We loved the layout of the shower and bath area and made adaptations to our house plans to keep it open as much as we could in replicating it.” The bath is truly spa-like, with a huge walk-in shower with built-in seating, a relaxing jet tub, a double sink vanity, custom lighting and tiled wet areas.

Other special décor touches can be seen in the master bedroom. “I have my daughter’s dress and shoes she wore home from her birth at the hospital also shadow boxed.

I’m a little behind on getting my son’s done. It’s one of those things on my to do list,” Nikki said.

A Conway native, Nikki began dating Brad — a transplant from Nebraska in 1988 — in high school. “We married in our early 20s. We 22 WOMEN’S INC. / MAY 2017

“I have my daughter’s dress and shoes she wore home from her birth at the hospital also shadow boxed. I’m a little behind on getting my son’s done. It’s one of those things on my to do list.”

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will celebrate our 21st anniversary this June,” she said.

Both are graduates of the University of Central Arkansas – Nikki has a master’s in nutrition and Brad has a degree in business finance. Brad has been employed with Farm Bureau for 21 years.

Of course, all their time is not spent at home, since the Burks have two active kids. “My daughter Bailey is active in volleyball, both school and club, along with track. My son Blane is active in club baseball and Optimist football. My dad Ron Hill is his coach. There’s always a practice or game of some kind we have going on year round.”

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health

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Hearing vs. Understanding

Our ability to hear is not the same as our ability to understand. Hearing sensitivity is a function of the ear. Speech understanding is a function of the brain. The outer ear, ear drum, ossicles, cochlea etc. function to collect sound and transmit it to the auditory cortex of the brain. There the brain must translate what the ears have collected into something that it can understand.

If hearing loss prevents the ear from picking up all of the sounds of speech then the amount of information that the brain has to work with becomes limited and speech understanding suffers. If this lack of stimulation goes unchecked for many years the brain effectively forgets how to process speech. It’s a case of use it or loose it and thus why early diagnosis of hearing loss and early intervention with the proper hearing aids is so important.

There are two primary components of speech, volume and clarity. These contribute to our understanding. The volume of words comes from loud, low frequency vowel sounds that we make with our vocal cords.

The clarity of words comes from soft, high frequency consonant sounds that we make with our lips and teeth. If high frequency

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hearing loss prevents us from hearing the soft sounds at the beginning of a word and we only hear the loud vowel sounds, then we don’t know if the person speaking said, Hat, Cat, or Sat. We just hear, “at” and accuse the speaker of mumbling. This seems worse in a noisy place like a restaurant because all of the sound waves colliding in the air further exaggerate the condition and the auditory environment just seems like a dull roar.

Hearing aids used on a regular, daily basis can provide great improvement in not only hearing but understanding as well.

Research shows that most people with hearing loss wait seven years between the time that they first start having problems and the time that they get a hearing test. In this time period the brain is losing practice at understanding. If the hearing loss is too severe and goes on for too long there is always a chance that it can not be improved, but almost always, patients who choose to correct their hearing loss sooner rather than latter and who wear their hearing aids often will hear and understand speech much better.

An accurate examination can reveal exactly where the deficit lies along the

spectrum of speech sounds and which type of hearing aid circuitry and programming will best aid the listener in regaining the ability to understand speech more clearly.

This is where the experience and training of your audiologist comes into play in order to incrementally give the user the correctly prescribed settings, in the correctly prescribed amount of time so that the brain can be appropriately reintroduced to the subtle differences between consonant sounds.

Hearing loss is the 3rd most prevalent chronic condition in older adults behind hypertension and arthritis. The majority of hearing loss, 90%, in adults is sensorineural, for which hearing aids are the only treatment available. Hearing aids are also a viable treatment option for conductive hearing losses where surgery is not an option JAMA 2003:289(15).

“I hear but I don’t understand.” “People just mumble when they talk to me.” “People talk too fast.” There is a solution to this lack of understanding. The first step is getting an examination, preferably in a medical clinic that specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the ear and hearing. Hearing health is an important aspect of our daily lives and poor hearing that leads to poor understanding can contribute to numerous negative health consequences ranging from depression and isolation to dementia. (http://www.aarp.org/health/brainhealth/info-07-2013/hearing-loss-linkedto-dementia.html)

real estate

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Home Ownership ‘The American Dream’

Most Realtors want a well-informed home Buyer who’s prepared to take on the responsibility of home ownership. Of course, not everyone is enlightened about the home buying process when they start out to purchase a home. This is true for first time home buyers and some repeat home buyers who have not purchased a home in the last few years. One way we like to get Buyers prepared for homeownership is to provide the Buyer a homebuyer education information class before they launch their search.

We conduct free homeownership readiness classes for prospective clients, which includes the entire residential home buying process. This will include discussion by ourselves covering the home buying process basics, Mortgage Lenders, Title Companies, and Home Inspectors. There are also some community programs also.

Homebuyer courses aren’t just a benefit to consumers; they’re good for the Realtor also. If we take the time to educate our clients about what’s expected before we even put them in our car, it’s going to be easier for everyone to go through the transaction.” That means fewer delays and potential less stress for the Buyer.

Many Americans are still facing obstacles in buying a home. But depending on the age group, the biggest hurdle can be quite different. For example, members of Generation Y as well as those nearing retirement say saving for a down payment

is their biggest barrier to achieving home ownership. However, those aged 30 to 39 say that having too much debt is their biggest hurdle. Those aged 40 to 49 say that job security is their biggest barrier.

“The good news is that Americans are able to overcome many of these barriers to home ownership by creating a smart financial plan and sticking to it, they can save up to pay down their debt and build their

down payments, all while improving their credit scores and making themselves more attractive to mortgage lenders. The dream of owning your own home doesn’t have to be out of reach if you have a plan.”

The study also found that more than a quarter of home owners do not expect to pay off their mortgage by the time they turn 65. The age group closest to retirement age—50 to 64 years old—were the most likely to say in the survey that they would still be paying off their mortgage after age 65, at 37 percent. Meanwhile, 81 percent of Gen Y and 30 to 39 year olds say they plan to have their mortgage paid off by age 65.

For the hopeful Buyers age 21 to 39 who have allot of debt it’s not too early to speak with a lender that can help provide you with a plan to enhance your credit score and drive down debt. If you would like to attend one of our free educational sessions just contact us to be put on the next class waiting list.

The Tobey Team at Crye-Leike Realtors Conway are one of Faulkner County’s leading, knowledgeable and top producers. We are full time agents with the knowledge, dedication, customer focus, and commitment to all aspects of your Real Estate needs. Call us today with your real estate questions 501358-0023 Data sources include REALTOR® Magazine Daily News and local Real Estate knowledge

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pet health

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Recognize and Treat Common Pet Parasites

Cats and dogs are beloved members of the family, and when they aren’t feeling well, it can put a damper on all family activities. Parasites can be a problem for companion animals. Fortunately for family pets, parasites are highly treatable. It is quite common for pets to become affected by external or internal parasites in their lifetimes.

Fleas and ticks are examples of external parasites that feed on animals, and these same parasites may serve as intermediate hosts for other parasites that will develop internally. The internal parasites commonly seen in cats and dogs manifest themselves as worms in various parts of the body. The areas most affected include the intestinal tract and the circulatory system.

According to The Companion Animal Parasite Council, an independent council of veterinarians, veterinary parasitologists and other animal health care professionals, there are a number of intestinal worms that can infect dogs and cats, and they vary according to the species. These include hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms, and roundworms. Heartworms affect the heart, lungs and blood vessels.

Worms are quite prolific and can produce more than 100,000 eggs per day. These eggs are excreted through feces and can affect other animals in the area. Some pet

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parasites also can cause health problems in humans. Therefore, it is best for pet owners to educate themselves about parasites and make sure that pets get their immunizations, medications and checkups they need to remain healthy.

Roundworms: Roundworms are the most common parasitic worm found inside dogs. They are contracted in different ways, but dogs usually get them as puppies when their mother passes on roundworm larvae through the uterus. Larvated eggs also can be eaten from the environment or if a pet eats a small mammal infected by roundworms. Roundworms may be seen in fecal matter and will require treatment.

Roundworms may be passed to humans and contracted through contact with feces or soil where feces have been left standing.

Heartworms: Heartworm is a potentially fatal disease. Although it can affect both cats and dogs, it’s rare in cats. Heartworms are transmitted through mosquitoes.

Microscopic worms infiltrate the animal’s bloodstream and migrate to other areas of the body. Dogs can get hundreds of worms in their bodies, and heartworms can greatly affect their overall health and quality of life.

Cats may only get a handful of worms, and these worms do not live to adulthood.

Hookworms: Another parasite more common in dogs than cats, hookworms fas-

PETHEALTH ten to the walls of the small intestines and suck blood. They can be contracted from contaminated soil or passed to a puppy from mother’s milk.

Tapeworms: Tapeworm is transmitted to dogs (and cats) that ingest fleas. They’re noticed when end segments of the worm are seen in stool or in the fur under the tails of dogs and cats. These segments contain the eggs of new worms.

Ear mites: Ear mites are transmitted through social interaction with other infected animals, which can include grooming, sleeping and playing together. They are common in cats, but dogs can get them as well. Inflammation around the ears and scratching of the ears or shaking of the head is symptoms of ear mites. Only a veterinarian can accurately diagnose the various parasites that dogs or cats can contract.

Vets also will be able to develop the proper course of treatment to kill the parasites and prevent reinfection.

fashion

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By Renee Notto “Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking.” Miranda Priestley’s famed remark from The Devil Wears Prada may live on in infamy.

That said, each year we get a better reoccurrence of this oldie-butgoodie, and there are new ways to make this old look seem cool again. A symbol of renaissance and rejuvenation, flowers are synonymous with springtime. Fashion’s ongoing love affair with floral prints continues for Spring 2017.

Be prepared to embrace your inner flower child with floral print dresses, pants, swimsuits, sunglasses, and anything else designers could stick a flower on. This season’s florals come in soft pastel colors along with vibrant hues, all of which are some variation of the spring garden. This year’s crop brings oversized florals motifs that even include 3-D designs. Florals are all about having fun with fashion and embracing the joy of spring. Perhaps this is why the floral trend is one that just won’t go away.

Renee Notto, owner of French Lily, has worked retail her entire life. She managed The Limited, American Eagle Outfitters and Gymboree.

Before opening French Lily, she was office manager for Notto Chiropractic Health until she realized a desk job was not a good fit for her.

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food

SLOW COOKER I

solutions

By Leah Ashby and Linda Mars

f you are a busy mom looking for quick and easy meal preparation, look no further than your slow cooker. Getting weeknight meals on the table takes planning, but you can pull dinner together in no time with a slow cooker. Just toss everything in the slow cooker before you leave in the morning, and when you return, dinner is ready. Busy moms need quick meal solutions that work, and the slow cooker is all about simplicity. Try these recipes to make feeding your family easier any night of the week.

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Conway residents Leah and Linda are longtime friends who love entertaining family and friends. Leah is a business analyst at Acxiom Corporation, and Linda is a Registered Nurse at Circle of Friends Clinic at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

Slow cooker cilantro lime tacos WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 35

Slow Cooker Lasagna

Ingredients • 1 pound ground beef • 1 jar (26 ounce) spaghetti sauce • 1 cup water • 1 container (15 ounce) Ricotta cheese • 1 pkg. (7 ounce) Mozzarella cheese, divided • 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan cheese, divided • 1 egg • 2 tablespoons chopped, fresh parsley • 6 lasagna noodles, uncooked Instructions 1. Brown ground beef. Drain.

2. In the same pan stir in spaghetti sauce and water.

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3. In bowl, mix ricotta, 1 1/2 cups mozzarella, 2 tablespoons parmesan, egg and parsley.

4. Spoon 1 cup meat sauce into slow cooker. Top with layers of half of each of the noodles (broken to fit) and the cheese mixture.

Cover with 2 cups meat sauce.

Top with other half of each the noodles (broken to fit), then the cheese mixture. Top with last of meat sauce. Cover.

5. Cook: on low (never high) 4 to 6 hours or until liquid is absorbed.

6. Sprinkle with remaining cheeses. Let stand 10 minutes covered or until cheese is melted.

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Ingredients • 2 – 3 pounds chuck roast • 1 ½ pounds baby red potatoes • 1 pound baby carrots, cut and peeled • 1 package Lipton Onion Soup mix • 1 white onion, roughly chopped • 3 cups beef stock (may substitute 1 cup with red wine) • Cavenders seasoning, to taste • Tiger seasoning, to taste • Salt and pepper, to taste Instructions 1. Season chuck roast with Cavenders, Tiger seasoning, salt and pepper and brown each side.

2. Place carrots, potatoes, and onion in bottom of slow cooker. Place roast on top.

3. Heat beef stock in microwave 3 – 4 minutes and dissolve soup mix. Pour over meat and vegetables.

4. Cook on low for 6 -8 hours.

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Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos

Ingredients • 2 pounds skinless, boneless, chicken breasts (fresh or frozen) • 1 packet taco seasoning mix • 1 (16 ounce) jar salsa • ⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro • Juice from 2 small limes Instructions 1. Place chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker.

Sprinkle taco seasoning over the top, then cover with salsa, lime juice, and cilantro.

2. Place lid on top and cook for four hours on high or 6-7 hours on low. Remove chicken from crock pot to a separate bowl and shred with two forks. Moisten chicken with small amounts of juice left over from the slow cooker, if needed.

3. Serve with taco shells or tortillas, adding your favorite toppings. Some options are shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, avocados, cheese, and sour cream.

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spiritual

God’s Best

By Andrea Lennon

My family moved to a new home. We are still in Conway, Arkansas and we are slowly settling in to our new space. We love it! I walk around my house every day and thank God for it.

The buying and selling process is not for the faint of heart. During our buying and selling process, we had our eyes on another house. I knew that it was “the one!” I drove past it several times a week (ok...

I drove past it every single day) and I prayed that it would be ours. I wanted that house! It had a double oven which is like the Promised Land for a mom of boys.

In the end, we did not get that house. While it was a great house, God had a better plan. He was going to provide a house that could meet our needs in ways that I could never ask for or even imagine.

A few weeks after the “dream” house fell through we looked at another one. It was even better than the first house. We made an offer on it and within a week we had two offers on the house that we were selling. Literally, everything fell into place! It was stressful, but God made it happen. I have no doubt about it.

As I look back on the process, I am reminded about an important spiritual truth. Do not settle for less than God’s best! Think about that statement for just a moment. We settle for things that are “good enough” all the time.

We settle for a little bit of freedom and it is enough.

We settle for a little bit of victory and it is enough.

We settle for a little bit of God’s power and it is enough.

What would our lives be like if we stopped settling for less than God’s best? Our lives would be full. Our lives would be free. Our lives would be powerful. Others would see Jesus in us.

The weekend that we moved, I was out of town leading a retreat in Northwest Arkansas. The timing for the retreat was not great, but it could not be avoided. Jay and the boys took the lead on the move and

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andrea lennon did a fantastic job getting everything moved to the new house. The following day, twenty of our good friends showed up and they helped unpack boxes and arrange furniture. Within twenty-four hours, we had a new home and were unpacked and settled in. God is so good!

Here is the deal. God is faithful to provide on every level. He provides for our physical needs as well as our spiritual needs. My encouragement to you: Do not settle for less than His best! Ask God to show you areas where you are settling for less and then ask Him to help you. Often times God’s plan for us is more than what we can ask for or even imagine. His plan is bigger than what we can create for ourselves. God is way ahead of us and He is paving the way. He is frustrating the plans that need to be frustrated and He is blessing the plans that need to be blessed.

Let’s put our eyes on Him and press on. He is faithful to provide. Never, ever settle for less than God’s best!

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.

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book review

Clementine: The Life of Mrs. Winston Churchill

Authored by Sonia Purnell Reviewed by Susan O’Keefe

She mothered a nation, perhaps even a world, or at least the Allied World. Many say she mothered strangers better than she did her own brood. Either way, Mrs. Winston Churchill played a pivotal part in the victory of World War Two. And yet, her name is barely known. She’s received few accolades or ink space in history books.

To the English nationals, however, she is deemed a heroine. Most people called her Clementine, but to the select few in her inner circle, she was fondly called Clemmie.

Spectacularly written, Clementine; The Life of Mrs. Winston Churchill introduces readers to the girl whose mother pushed her toward London’s society life even though she had a natural bent toward university life.

Clementine’s parents divorced when she was a little girl. Multiple emotional scars are revealed throughout her life. Perhaps one reason for her unwavering commitment to her turbulent marriage of nearly sixty years was the sheer fact that she wanted to stay married. Winston was a complicated man, to say the least. His children say that their father came first. Second. Third. And even fourth.

“For all the good he did for his country

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and to lead the Allied Forces, he was certainly self-centered. Where was he when his wife was having babies or struggling? Did he support her the way she supported him?” questioned one reader.

It was a routine dinner party that brought Winston and Clementine together. At the ripe old age of 22, Clementine was still a single. As a smart, regal woman, who seemed confident in her own skin, she had many suitors. Two of them even proposed and she accepted; only to break the engagement before matrimony, claiming she was bored with the run-of-the-mill men.

But after being seated next to the rising politician at dinner, Clementine was smitten as much as Winston. Turning heads was nothing new for Clementine, but discussing and conversing with a man was new.

Their conversations would spark and ignite a relationship that was to be at the top of England’s social scene for six decades. After his initial meeting with Clementine, Winston regarded her with immense pleasure and wrote to tell her so. “What a comfort and pleasure to meet a girl with so much intellectual quality,” he penned. It wasn’t long before the two were engaged and eventually married.

Published in 2015, author Sonia Purnell writes with phenomenal grace as she boldly tells the stories behind the scenes. It is a

candid view at a complex couple. Substantial historical figures fill nearly every page.

There are so many stories within the story regarding how Clementine won favor from top politicians, business tycoons, and movers and shakers of the day.

“I particularly enjoyed the chapters where Clementine spent dozens of hours preparing for the American envoy that she was trying to impress. It was pertinent to gain the United States’ support for the war,” shared one reader.

It’s no secret that President Franklin D. Roosevelt wasn’t necessarily a Churchill fan, at least not a fan of Winston’s, but there was a capable quality about Clementine that wooed the President. He appreciated her keen mind and attention to detail. He even called her Clemmie following a late night round-table discussion with world leaders.

For all of Winston’s faux paus and gruffness, there was Clementine to smooth away the rough edges. She edited his speeches, advised him on allies and adversaries, called him an old goat when necessary, and for most of their married years, slept alone in separate bedrooms.

The couple had five children, and while Winston ached for a boisterous house brimming with family, he loathed the parenting part in the trenches. The book chronicles

susan o’keefe

some of the family’s misfortunes, including three-year old daughter Marigold’s death, and oldest son Randolph’s rowdy drinking and general bawdy behavior, many times to the embarrassment of his parents. Through every circumstance, however minute or grandiose, Clementine is the glue that holds the Churchills together, even if only by a strand.

During Winston’s second time in office as Prime Minister, English women would write letters to Clementine, knowing full well that she was a woman of action. When

lavatories were overflowing in shelters, or food rations were dangerously low, commoners would inform Clementine and plead for help. She would immediately appoint a political minister to handle the situation and within days, conditions were rectified or at least improved.

Reading somewhat like a combination of history books, movie scripts, love letters, and general prose, Clementine; The Life of Mrs. Winston Churchill is an astounding book. It provides suitable evidence that

behind every great man, there is not only a great woman, but also a great story, eager to be told.

Susan lives in 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 Communication and a minor study in Health and Wellness. Susan enjoys the adventures of motherhood as she parents Lucy, John-Freeman, Henry, and Hogan (plus Oxford, the family’s black Labrador).

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ask detra

‘...robbing Peter to pay Paul’

Question: “Do you have any tips for balancing work, children, and community service duties? I often feel like “I’m robbing Peter to pay Paul” to balance all of my commitments in life!”

Answer: I often reference one of my favorite quotes from financial guru Dave Ramsey, but use it in reference to time rather than money. “Tell your time where to go instead of wondering where it went”. Here a few things that I personally try to keep in mind when scheduling or committing to an activity for myself, kids or family.

1. Family first every time as much as possible.

2. Do you really want to do what you are being asked to do? Are you going to be dreading it? If so, the answer should probably be no.

3. Don’t be unrealistic about what you can fit into one day. There are only 24 hours in a day. I think both stay at home moms and working mothers alike would agree that we could easily fill each and every hour with something. Just because we can doesn’t mean we should.

If it doesn’t work that day…plan and simple…it just doesn’t work.

Don’t overfill your calendar… remember you are in control of what you schedule.

••• Question: “What are three tips you have a for a working mother?”

Answer: 1. Don’t forget to make time for things that you personally love. Self-care is a must! Remember our kids need you healthy and well. Our house-

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holds and our children function better when we take time for ourselves. Not only is this necessary for our own well-being, but it serves as a great example to our children as well.

2. Take the team approach to handling chores and tasks at home. Your kids (and spouses) want to help, and even if they don’t, it’s important that they help anyway. Every person on the team has a job to do. It’s the same concept in a family. Delegate chores and responsibilities to each member of your family, and let them own it. This teaches your child independence and responsibility, but also allows you some time to focus on other tasks.

3. When possible get up earlier than everyone else. In his book, Miracle Morning, Hal Elrod emphasizes that how we start our day will greatly determine the flow and quality of our day, our work and our life.

•••

Question: “I drink a lot of caffeine and consume a lot of sugar out of habit and convenience. Do you have any suggestions for good healthy, easy snacks that will give me energy throughout the day?”

Answer: I try to lead a healthy lifestyle, but I’m no expert. I’m happy to share my go-to healthy snacks. A good rule of thumb for me is to try to eat whole foods and avoid pre-packaged foods when possible.

1. Water – try drinking half of your body weight in water every day. This will give you an excuse to buy a cute non-plastic water bottle.

2. Almonds- I have some in my work bag and in my car 3. Apple slices and nut butters 4. Oranges 5. Boiled eggs (yum) 6. Hummus and celery or pita chips 7. Grape tomatoes and cucumber slices ••• Question: “I hate working out but know fitness is important. Do you have any tips for how to implement a healthier lifestyle including exercise?”

Answer: Exercise makes me better. I think more clearly, I have more energy, and I generally feel better about me because I’m investing in my health. I don’t always love it, but I’ve learned that I need it. Here are a few tips that have helped me stay committed to my workout regimen over the last 6 years.

1. Beachbody trainer Chalene Johnson stresses the need to schedule your exercise time, and to make this time non-negotiable. Nonnegotiable meaning, that 30 min-

detra s. clark utes or that one hour is taken… Period. You already have a scheduled meeting at the gym, your house, or wherever you have planned to work out, so stick to the schedule.

2. Do what you love and make it fun. You’re more likely to stick with it if you enjoy what you’re doing. I prefer high intensity training like sprints and quick movements. I find that although its challenging, it energizes me at the same time. I have friends who feel this way about distance running or dancing. The type of movement is not as important as being consistent and feeling good about what you’re doing.

3. Find people who are working towards the same fitness goals that you are. Accountability is one of the reasons exercise has remained a part of my routine. On days that I don’t feel like getting up to go to a 5 am class, I know my people are waiting on me or some days they are calling me to make sure that I’m awake. “Iron sharpens iron.”

4. On days you want to quit, remember your “why.”

5. Take natural plant based supplements to fill in gaps in your nutrition including the use of a good probiotic daily.

••• My husband is very helpful around the house. He’s a great dad and helps me with the kids. With work and activities, life and schedules the chores can be overwhelming and I do the majority of them. How can I get him to be more helpful and take initiative without my having to ask!?

Answer: That’s a tough one. It would be great if people could read our minds, especially our husbands. I think if we try to remember that our husbands want to help, it makes asking less of a task. I suggest not talking yourself out of asking for what you need. If we have a need, it’s our job to ask for it. Asking increases the likelihood of getting our needs met, and allows the other person the opportunity to do what is needed without guessing. It’s not a flaw or weakness that husbands are human and can’t read minds. Here are some suggestions for helping your husband better identify your needs: 1. Be appreciative. Say thank you for what he already does. Positivity and gratitude generally produce good feelings and reinforce that his help is both needed and appreciated.

2. State what you need 3. Own your feelings – remember that it is okay to need or want help. Do not feel bad for communicating that, and don’t fault him for not knowing what you have not yet stated or in some cases restated.

Detra S. Clark is a licensed clinical social worker with almost 10 years of clinical experience. She lives in Conway along with her husband Bryan and 4 children. Detra is currently in private practice at Detra Clark LCSW, LLC located inside of Conway Women’s Health Center. To learn more about her practice, access Detra’s website at detraclarkcounseling.com.

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arts

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CON W AY ARTS A W ARDS P RESENTED B Y CAFTA

ARTS CALENDAR

May 2017 Events – Please check out the event website for more information and pricing.

May 4: 13th Annual UCA Film Festival- the best short films by UCA students @ Reynolds Performance Hall; 7:00 p.m. www.uca.edu/cfac (A) May 7: Hieronymus Bogs in concert @ Faulkner County Library; 2:00 p.m. nancy@fcl.org (G) May 13: The Misadventures of Professor Bird presented by Blackbird Academy of Arts @ Reynolds Performance Hall; 6:30 p.m. www.blackbirdacademy.org (G) May 19: An Evening in the Park presented by Blackbird Academy of Arts @ Simon Park; Food and Music 6:00-7:30 p.m., Performances 7:30 p.m. www.blackbirdacademy.org (G) Rating key: G – Suitable for all ages PG-Suggested for ages 7+ PG13- Suggested for ages 13+ A- Suggested for Adults 18+ Jennie Strange is the founder and Executive Director of Blackbird Academy of Arts, a non-profit 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 47

events The Conway Corporation Center for the Sciences on the UCA campus was the site of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s after-hours social event, Off the Clock. The event – presented by Conway Regional Health System and Whisinvest Realty and underwritten by Smith Ford – served as the business community’s introduction to new UCA president Dr. Houston Davis and gave attendees an opportunity to experience “A Tour of the Universe” in the Dr. Edmond E. Griffin Planetarium.

Preston Palmer of Preston Palmer Studios provided live music, and Mosaique and Great American Cookies – two retail businesses located in UCA’s Donaghey Hall – served hors d’oeuvres and dessert.

For more information about Off the Clock and other Chamber events, visit ConwayChamber.org.

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off the clock

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events

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UN I TED W AY J EANS N B L I N G

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M eet t h e W I N C T eam

Candace Meeks Editorial board member Business Name: Simmons Bank Job Title: Mortgage Loan Officer Description of your business or job title: I’ve been in banking at Simmons for 17 years this month. Started as a drive thru teller and worked my way here.

How you came to Conway and/or Faulkner County: We moved to Conway in 1998 from Lawton Oklahoma. My dad had a job transfer. I started my junior year at Conway High, went on to UCA and then graduated from CBC and haven’t left.

Tell us a bit about your Education, Awards or community involvement you have: I graduated from CBC, with a Business Degree and continued to grow in banking while raising my 2 boys.

In 2013 I was nominated Top 5 Women in Business (HUGE HONOR), have worked on various boards, including Conway Chamber, United Way (board president), and currently on Haven’s Capitol Campaign.

I am excited for the opportunities ahead in my new position as a mortgage lender. Conway is such a thriving market with great people. I love the relationships I have built over the years. This community has allowed me to raise my boys where “giving back” is everyday life. As woman, we have endless opportunity to do anything we put our minds to.

Simmons has been such an incredible company to work for.

We have grown substantially and continue to improve on our products and services. They have allowed me time in the community, balance with my boys, all the while growing me and challenging me to new heights.

Family: Hayden 13 Deagan 10 52 WOMEN’S INC. / MAY 2017

in the news Conway Schools Announces New Head Boys’ Basketball Coach

Conway Public Schools has named Brian “Salty” Longing as their new High School Boys’ Basketball Coach.

Longing has been the Assistant Coach for the Wampus Cats for the last 16 years.

His record includes a State Championship in 2010, State Runner-Up in 2008, three conference championships, and 255 wins.

Conway Athletic Director Steve Daniels says Longing will lead the Wampus Cats to more than just victories.

“Coach Salty Longing brings a true commitment to the Conway High Boys Basketball Program,” says Daniels. “His integrity, knowledge of the game, and love for the Wampus Cats will serve him well in his new role as our head coach.”

Longing, a native of Conway, is a proud alumni of Conway High School where he played for the Cats during his school days.

He went on to play at Hendrix College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History.

He coached at Conway Junior High School and Bob Courtway Middle School before becoming the Conway High Assistant Coach in 2000. He currently teaches World History, American History, and Government at CHS. The head coaching job is a capstone moment for Longing.

“I am humbled and excited about getting to lead the Wampus Cat Basketball program,” says Longing. “I grew up watching the Cats win championships in the mid-70’s, played in the 80’s, started coaching in the 90’s, and now it has come full circle. I look forward to continuing the awesome Conway Wampus Cat Basketball tradition.”

Master Gardener Plant Sale

The Faulkner County Master Gardener plant sale will be held Saturday, May 13th, 2017 from 8AM to 2PM at the Conway Expo Center located at 2505 East Oak Street (Hwy 64 East).

A wide variety of annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, trees, shrubs, and grasses will be on sale along with containers, houseplants, succulents, and garden art. Some special varieties of hostas, ferns, caladiums, and daylilies will also be on sale. A beautiful handmade potting table will be raffled, and Janet Carson, Extension Horticulture Specialist, will speak at 10:00. Master Gardeners will provide demonstrations and advice regarding the available plants. Proceeds fund scholarships for students majoring in plant sciences. For more information contact the Faulkner County Extension Office at 501-329-8344.

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imatter

ALL in the family

By Cindy Beckman Submitted photos

Ryan and Kim Raup’s teenagers are a talented bunch. They are also actively involved in their community.

For the past few months, they have all been rehearsing and performing in the Conway High School musical, “Mary Poppins” which was held at the James Clark Auditorium April 20-22. Savannah, 18, had the lead role of Mary Poppins while her sister, Madeline, 16, was the Bird Lady. Their younger brother, Jonathan, 11, also had a role as one of the penguins.

These three have been involved in many local stage productions. All three have performed in the last three CHS musicals, “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” “Footloose,” and “Peter Pan.” They also had roles in “The Music Man,” a Red Curtain Theater production last summer. Savannah and Madeline both had roles in “The Wiz” (2012) while Savannah also was in “Hairspray” (2011) and “Beauty and the Beast,” (2013).

These siblings also exercise their musical talents in other areas. Savannah is in the CHS Choir while Madeline plays the flute and is in the CHS flag line. Jonathan has also been in choir and recently began learning trumpet at Ruth Doyle.

“We have always tried to encourage our

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kids to get out and be a part of something,” Ryan Raup said. “Like many parents, we support them whenever possible and insist that they have fun and do things they enjoy.

Our job is to raise kids that will be contributors to their community and live life to its fullest with brave intensity to lead by example.”

The whole family recently participated in packing meals for Tacos for Life. The Tacos for Life Foundation, headed by Austin and Ashton Samuelson, holds a MobilePack session semi-annually to pack meals that are donated to Feed My Starving Children.

Ryan, a first grade teacher at Ellen Smith, has also involved his children in an annual

Christmas tradition at his school. Every year, Ryan dons his Conductor costume for “The Polar Express.” After reading the book and doing various learning activities based on the story, pajama-clad students at the school gather on the Friday before Christmas break to watch the movie. Savannah, Madeline and Jonathan have all helped with tickets and served hot chocolate to the children.

Savannah has also worked at the Women’s Shelter and helped with the semi-annual FBLA blood drive at Conway High School.

Last summer, she headed up the drama class at the Centennial Summer Camp. She also helps provide childcare at First Presbyterian, on Sundays.

SA V ANNAH , MADEL I NE AND J ONATHAN RAU P

GENERATION

imatter

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 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 Winc@thecabin.net

When asked what motivates her to be involved in her community, Savannah said, “Your community is part of who you are so you want to give back. You’ve gotten so much so you want to give back and make a difference.”

Both Savannah and Madeline have been in Girl Scouts for several years. They have supplied many with their annual cache of Girl Scout cookies. Madeline has been in Girl Scouts for 11 years and has participated in numerous service projects such as collecting shoes for Waterstep which builds wells for people in Africa. The troop has also collected books for the Bookcase Project, served meals at Bethlehem House and made hats for Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

Jonathan, during his three years with Cub Scouts, participated in a variety of commu-

nity activities. He has also participated in Little Dribblers, flag football, chess club, and a running club.

When asked why he felt it was important to be involved in his community, Jonathan said, “I do it to show that I care about our community.”

Jonathan is also involved in a coding club.

Last year, Jonathan and two classmates created an app, “School Works,” which helps individuals organize websites that they use at school. The trio later entered the project in a coding competition.

“Their schedules can be daunting at times but somehow they manage to stay focused and relentless,” Raup said. “Their grandparents have been concerned for years that they are too busy. We maintain that they only do what they can handle. They never disap-

point.”

Savannah will be graduating in May and will be off to college. She will be working on her middle grades education degree at UCA. She will be in the EDGE residential college and will continue her stage activities as part of the UCA theatre. Madeline and Jonathan, no doubt, will continue to find ways to be involved in theatre, music and their community.

“We are so excited and proud that each of them are leaders at school, caring souls, friends to others, outgoing and driven to do things that others would be tentative to even try because it may be out of their comfort zones,” said Raup. “They love to laugh and are passionate about life. We are truly blessed to be parents of three most excellent kiddos.”