Women's Inc. - 11/2015

WINC. NOVEMBER 2015

WOMENSINC.NET

Making a difference Melissa Longing is leading

Conway’s

WALK

FOR A CURE

4 WOMEN’S INC. / NOVEMBER 2015

WINC.

CONTENTS

N O V E M B E R 2 015 / / W O M E N ’ S I N C .

Publisher Zach Ahrens Editor Lori Quinn

Contributing Writers Jeanette Anderton Leah Ashby Detra Clark Colleen Holt Andrea Lennon Jill McCollum Susan O’Keefe Jennifer Stanley Kelly Sublett

WALK FOR A CURE

6

Melissa Longing leading the charge

on a mission

12

Conway Cradle Care’s Kelsey Powell

Chief Photographer Brandy Strain Advertising Sales Director Betsey Barham Advertising Coordinator Molly May Advertising Sales Executives Sarah Allen Tara Mallett Lisa Licht

photo op

16

Giving thanks, vintage style

26

NEW DIGS

UCA’s sorority houses

Advertising Artists Jay Prince Ashley Turnage Editorial Advisory Board Leah Ashby Detra Clark Nicolle Fletcher Haley Crafton Fowler Sarah Frost Mary Harlan Nancy Jackson Cate Ketcheside Leslie Kostecky Caroline LaVan Velda Lueders Candace Meeks Misty Morse Carol Patty Amy Reed Lori Ross Mary Margaret Satterfield Jennifer Stanley Katherine Thomason Stefanie Holt Vann

Questions or Comments?

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

32

gift-filled boxes

Operation Christmas Child

columns

46

holiday flavors

Sides for Thanksgiving

34. art scene

40. book review

42. spiritual

44. music

Stories told through art

by Jennie Strange

Give thanks

by Andrea Lennon

Harper Lee’s “Go Set a Watchman”

by Susan O’Keefe

Classical Music and the age of technology

by Preston Palmer WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 5

cover stor y

Emcee Pamela Smith with Alzheimer’s Walk organizer Melissa Longing.

Taking a walk for Alzheimer’s

By Jennifer Stanley Photos by Brandy Strain Melissa Longing of Conway works tirelessly to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s. She was motivated to do so after losing her father to the disease. She is now recognized as a leading Alzheimer’s volunteer in Arkansas.

Melissa has lived in Conway since she was five years old. She is married to Danny, and they have two children, Monty and Allie.

They also have a daughter-in-law, Megan.

Melissa’s sister is Jayme Claassen, and her mother is Shirley Montgomery. She loves living in Conway, stating, “...so many people have loving, giving hearts. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”

She is the office manager for Danny Longing Properties, which keeps her 6 WOMEN’S INC. / NOVEMBER 2015

extremely busy with more than 180 rental units. She and Danny owned The Carpet Center in Conway for more than 31 years but recently sold it to their son, their nephew and a former employee.

However, she said, “My office is just next door, so I still bug them often!”

Though she has little spare time, she enjoys riding the Gator around their family farm in Guy when she can. She also recently took up cooking and loves trying out new recipes. An avid sports fan, Melissa loves Arkansas Razorbacks baseball.

Melissa lost her father to Alzheimer’s on Sept. 20, 2003. In the two years following his death, Melissa, Danny, Shirley and Alli participated in the Alzheimer’s Walk at the Little Rock Zoo. “After our second year there, I told Mom, ‘Conway is big enough to have a walk of its

own.’ I was really right about that,” Melissa said.

That December at a Christmas party with some of her high school friends, Melissa shared her dream of a Conway Walk with them.

“They all said, ‘let’s make it happen!’”

With her friends and her mother on board, the inaugural Faulkner County Alzheimer’s Walk was held at Toad Suck Park the following September, 2006.

“We had 250 people come, and coach Frank Broyles brought the crowd to tears with his experiences helping care for his first wife, Barbara. This helped me with the grieving process for several years to come,” shared Melissa.

Sadly, Melissa had to grieve again when her mother-in-law died of Alzheimer’s in 2009. Through this process, Melissa said, “I

melissa longing / faulkner count y alzheimer’s walk

transitioned into realizing how much good we could do for the caregivers of living Alzheimer’s patients.”

As such, funds raised at the Faulkner County Alzheimer’s Walk benefit Alzheimer’s Arkansas programs and services in Little Rock.

“There is an Alzheimer’s Association that raises funds for research, as well. We raise our funds specifically for families and caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients. Many times they are the forgotten ones when a friend or family member is diagnosed. Of the funds raised [by Alzheimer’s Arkansas], 88 percent goes to actual programs and services. Their administrative fees are very low, and all funds stay right here in Arkansas,” explained Melissa.

This September’s walk marked the tenth anniversary of the Faulkner County Alzheimer’s Walk. The walk is always held in September or October, and every effort is made to schedule it around popular area events.

“We try and make it where as many folks as possible can come. The walk is totally free, WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 7

but if participants want an event T-shirt, they can get one with a donation of 25 dollars or more.”

In 2014, more than 750 participated in the Faulkner County Alzheimer’s Walk, which raised $35,000.

“We have wonderful corporate sponsors and team money, and we do fundraisers throughout the year in order to reach our goals.”

The John Hawks Charitable Foundation has been the presenting sponsor for the last few years.

This year’s goal is to raise $500 more than 2014. There will be a raffle for a trip to Branson that includes many “extras” at this year’s event; the winner will be announced at the end of the walk. Pamela Smith, communications director for the Little Rock School District, will serve as the event emcee again in 2015.

“Pam does an amazing job getting the crowd into the spirit,” Melissa said.

New to the walk for 2015 is a kid’s zone, which is sponsored by The Purple Cow. Melissa said feeling burned out is one of the biggest challenges of chairing such a large event.

However, she added, “I am fortunate to have a great support group around me! Without their help, I could not continue this year after year. We recruit new people every year, but some people who have been with me for a while include Rhonda Wharton, Vicky Curran, Sharon Thessing and Judy Tipton; these are my high school buddies who have been with me since the beginning.”

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Melissa was recently named the 2015 Alzheimer’s Arkansas Volunteer Advocate of the Year in March. She was the first recipient of the award.

Also mentioned are Karla and Cassidy Cook, Charles and Rebekah Luong, Kathy Jette, Bill Wharton, Polly Miller, Lisa Dillard, Ginny Hogue, Susan Bond and Casey Hawks.

“They are at every meeting and fundraiser,” Melissa said.

She also heavily credits her family, includ-

ing Allie, Monty and Shirley.

“On Walk day, I get help from Larry Curran, Lynn Tipton, Charles and Jeff Lock, Roger McGrew, Diane Whitley and my nephews, Rusty and Salty.”

She also receives help from Delta Beta Sigma social sorority and the Health Occupations Students of America group from

Conway High School, among others.

“In the future, I would love to see some of the younger committee members take over and chair the walk. This way I will know it will continue even after I am gone; it is so important. Soon, I hope the Faulkner County Alzheimer’s Walk is larger than 1,000 participants and is raising over $50,000 in

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donations. I don’t think we are that far away,” Melissa added.

Melissa was rightfully awarded for her contributions to Alzheimer’s when she was named the first-ever Alzheimer’s Arkansas Volunteer Advocate of the Year in March.

“It was a wonderful evening, and my family and committee shared the excitement with me. That award made the long hours and disappointments wither away and brought joy to my heart. ... I will continue to do my best to help families and caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients,” said Melissa.

“Once, when I was speaking at an organization, I had a lady whose husband has Alzheimer’s tell me that her grandchildren loved coming and walking with their granddad. That story made me feel so good. Sometimes, it is hard to know if we are making a real difference in people’s lives. I know of several families that have received a grant from Alzheimer’s Arkansas in order to help with expenses of the patients they are taking care of. I have come to be known as ‘the Alzheimer’s lady in Conway.’ That is not a bad name at all! If I can make someone feel a little better or let them know what to expect, then I am really glad!”

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dedicated to helping

Making a difference

CONWAY CRADLE CARE’S NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR KELSEY POWELL A NATURAL CHOICE

By Leah Ashby Photos by Brandy Strain Conway Cradle Care has long been near and dear to Kelsey Powell’s heart.

Kelsey was recently named the new executive director of Conway Cradle Care, a nonprofit childcare and outreach program that strives to keep pregnant and parenting teens in school. However, Conway Cradle Care is not new to Kelsey. Born and raised in Conway, she began volunteering for Conway Cradle Care while attending Conway High School.

“I started volunteering with Conway Cradle Care at the age of 16. Through Conway High School’s Child Care Management and Parenting classes, I was able to volunteer in the Cradle Care nursery. I began babysitting for a CHS Resource officer whose child was a community member in the CCC infant room. This allowed me to spend some of my free periods volunteering as well,” she said.

When the previous Conway Cradle Care director of 17 years announced her resignation, Kelsey did not hesitate to apply. It was the obvious and natural choice.

Conway Cradle Care (CCC) was founded in 1995 to assist teen parents who were forced to drop out of school due to lack of support or money for childcare. The program started as a mission for First United Methodist Church but evolved over time as a United Way agency and is supported by local businesses, community organizations, professionals, churches and individuals. The 12 WOMEN’S INC. / NOVEMBER 2015

“Working for Conway Cradle Care is a dream come true for me. ... To be able to incorporate my love of young children and my passion of working in the nonprofit sector is a blessing beyond words.”

— Kelsey Powell mission is simple: to help teens who become pregnant or have a child complete their education by supporting their academic and emotional needs, as well as the developmental needs of the children.

Here are some statistics: • Arkansas’ teen pregnancy rate is 28% higher than the national average, while the teen birth rate is 70% higher.

• Arkansas ranks first in the nation for

KELSEY P OWELL / CONWAY CRA D LE CARE

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teen birth and ranks third in the nation for teen pregnancy.

• About 70% of all students who drop out of school early, do so because of teen pregnancy.

• The drop-out rates among pregnant teens is 90% across the United States.

• Only 40% of teen mothers finish high school. Fewer than 2% finish college by age 30.

• Conway Cradle Care in currently serving 28 teenagers in Faulkner County who are pregnant or parenting.

• For the 2014-15 school year, 87% of Cradle Care senior participants graduated high school.

The mentoring program at Conway Cradle Care is open to all pregnant and parenting teens throughout Faulkner County. Teen fathers are also welcome to participate in the program. CCC offers bi-weekly parent meetings at each school and invites members of the community to speak about common parenting issues.

“Our teen parents are such an inspiration to me. Teen pregnancy can happen regard14 WOMEN’S INC. / NOVEMBER 2015

less of race, religion, ethnicity, background or financial standing. It is such an inspiration to see our teen parents step up to the plate of being a student, parent and often working a part-time job. These students want to do well in school and graduate because they know that their success will directly affect their child’s future. Watching many of our parents take on these responsibilities and doing it well is a testament of what strong young individuals they are,” she said.

In addition to the success CCC currently enjoys, Kelsey has many goals for its future.

“A priority goal for Cradle Care’s childcare center is to become a Better Beginnings Level 3 Center. Better Beginnings is a quality improvement rating system for child care centers in Arkansas. CCC is currently a Level 1 Better Beginnings Center, and I intend to apply for Level 2 certification during this school year. It motivates both our staff and myself to continue our training in early childhood education. It also ensures that our center is providing high-quality learning

centers, proper nutrition and physical activity and a safe, nurturing environment where the children thrive,” she said.

Cradle Care is the only organization in Faulkner County that jointly offers childcare and an outreach program for pregnant or parenting teens. This unique opportunity that provides early childhood education allows CCC to address specific needs of both the parent and child.

Kelsey is eager to continue CCC’s current success, as well as implement new programs for a stronger future.

“Working for Conway Cradle Care is a dream come true for me. I love working with children ages 0-3, and it has always been a goal of mine to be director of a childcare center. To be able to incorporate my love of young children and my passion of working in the nonprofit sector is a blessing beyond words. I look forward to going to work every day knowing that our agency is impacting the lives of not only teenage parents, but the lives of their little ones as well.”

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throwback thanksgiving

Giving Thanks, Vintage Style

By Jennifer Stanley Photos by Brandy Strain Tina Falkner of America Jane Vintage and Donna Benton of WaterHouse Market collaborated to create a fun, ethereal Thanksgiving photo shoot. America Jane Vintage offers vintage clothing, housewares, wreaths and more. Tina describes her aesthetic as “a menagerie of fun and quirky.” She often offers pop-up shows for her vintage clothing and has a booth at Jenifer’s Antiques in downtown Conway, where she sells her created and curated items.

WaterHouse Market, also a fixture at Jenifer’s Antiques, offers reclaimed, painted furnishings from bed frames to buffets, dining tables, consoles and much more. Donna has a penchant for refurbishing pieces to give them a vintagemodern look and is a master with color.

WaterHouse Market also offers home décor items and custom furniture painting.

Tina and Donna melded their mutual admiration for vintage clothing, furnishings and décor to produce a fun Thanksgiving photo shoot, highlighting their offerings.

“The inspiration for the photo shoot came from my and my husband’s first Thanksgiving away from family while we were overseas. I was down. We were far from family, friends, falling leaves and turkey. We just determined to love those who were near and [decided] that giving thanks trumped every other trapping of 16 WOMEN’S INC. / NOVEMBER 2015

america jane vintage + waterhouse market

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the holiday. We made the most of what we had,” Tina said.

Also of their overseas Thanksgiving, Tina shared, “My husband loves pecan pie. Pecans are not a universal nut. We were so excited because we found some but weren’t able to completely read the package. So we made our pie and took it to join friends. After the first bite, it was obvious they were barbecue flavor! When you can’t be with ones you love, love the ones you’re with. If you don’t have your normal fare, take what you have and make the most of it — like barbecue pecan pie! Giving thanks can definitely change your attitude trajectory,” Tina added.

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The photos certainly represent eclectic thankfulness at its best. Tina believes this inspiration shows itself in objects such as fabric pumpkins, book page leaves and needled felt acorns.

“Hand-me-down dishes are a great way to remember those you love who have gone before you. Our hand-stamped spoons are also great visual reminders of what this holiday is about. The young folks in the picture are dressed in wearable, everyday vintage. The rad plaid pants were the starting point, and we designed the other outfits from there,” Tina said.

WaterHouse Market was enlisted to help

set the stage for this vintage dinner party.

Of her role, Donna said, “When helping a client pick colors for their home, I like to go straight to the closet. It is such a fun way to pick a color, and getting to choose from vintage clothing was a blast! It seems to have all the current colors of today: The rich gray in the stripe of the plaid pants, the orange dress that Emily is wearing. You can add a punch of color, like yellow in the shirt Joe has on.

By adding the fun print with the polka-dot dress, you now have a room that is completely your own style, with grandmother’s furniture and her dress.”

WaterHouse Market built the custom

farm table and the industrial light fixtures seen in the photos. They also painted the furniture. To see more of their work, visit www.waterhousemarket.com.

The images are simultaneously vintage and modern. They may instantly bring to mind a Norman Rockwell scene; however, a closer inspection reveals on-trend plaids and industrial-style light fixtures. These unexpected touches add interest and really represent what both businesses are about.

Visit America Jane Vintage and WaterHouse Market at Jenifer’s Antiques to bring home your own vintage Thanksgiving wares today.

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festive atmosphere

in the

Holiday spirit

By Leah Ashby Photos by Brandy Strain

The table is always set for family and friends at the home of Helen Claire Brooks.

Helen Claire and her husband, Dr. Teryl Brooks, recently moved to Conway from Pine Bluff to be near their daughter, Katherine Thomason, and family. Helen Claire has entertained family and friends for years, and this Thanksgiving is no exception. A unique mix of old and new, this holiday’s table setting includes her mother’s china, her 20 WOMEN’S INC. / NOVEMBER 2015

“Trying new things and being creative is the fun of it.

I always determine what my guests will appreciate and begin there.” — Helen Claire Brooks

daughter’s antique silver goblets and recently purchased place mats with a fall leaf motif. Cased crystal wine glasses and monogrammed linen napkins accompanied by antique silver spoon napkin holders round out the design. The pumpkin centerpiece

was a gift from Katherine years ago and has made an appearance somewhere during the holiday every year since.

“Trying new things and being creative is the fun of it. I always determine what my guests will appreciate and begin there. This

helen claire brooks / thanksgiving table

year my mother’s china became the focal point because I knew that was something my family would cherish,” she said.

Helen Claire wanted an elegant fall table to entertain her family, and the heirloom china and silver pieces, in addition to autumnal accents, achieved that goal. According to her husband, she arranged the table at least 12 times before the table setting was complete.

The result is a dining table that celebrates the beauty of fall and provides the perfect backdrop for enjoying a delicious meal with family.

Helen Claire’s Thanksgiving menu is a WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 21

traditional mix of favorites, including turkey and dressing with a few twists.

“I am not the turkey or the dressing or the gravy queen. I am the Brussels sprouts queen!”

In addition to her beloved Brussels sprout recipe, the menu also includes a carrot soufflé recipe that is a family-favorite. While many of the recipes remain constant, she always introduces a new dish each holiday. The inspiring menu, along with the beautiful table, provide a Thanksgiving gathering that Helen Claire’s family looks forward to year after year.

“I love cooking. I love entertaining. I love people. They all just go together.”

BRUSSELS SPROUTS, MY WAY Helen Claire Brooks 6-8 servings About Brussels Sprouts: People who don’t care for Brussels sprouts have usually had them overcooked and mushy. Braised, baked or sautéed, they are most delicious when cooked tender crisp. Be particular when selecting your sprouts. They should look and feel fresh. At Thanksgiving time I buy them still on the stalk from specialty grocery stores. If the sprouts are different sizes, cook in two pots according to size. This is a make ahead recipe.

2 lbs Brussels sprouts 6 cups low sodium chicken stock, reduced to 4 cups 1 T. chopped fresh tarragon (Use dried tarragon if you must, about ½ T.) 3 – 4 T. unsalted butter Salt and pepper to taste. Start with ½ tsp.

1 - 2 tsp lemon juice or more, if desired Remove loose leaves from each sprout and trim off about ¼ - ½ inch of its base. Then cut an X in the bottom of each sprout. This will enable better heat distribution. Bring reduced stock to a boil and add tarragon and ½ tsp. salt. Cook on medium heat until tender crisp, uncovered. This will take 4-6 minutes depending on the size. Don’t overcook. Remove pot from the heat and let sprouts cool in the stock as they continue to absorb flavor. At this point you can put them in a container, cover and refrigerate overnight. (That strong smell will be gone when you reheat them.) Two – three hours before serving, drain the sprouts and roll them up in towels. They need to be dry so they will brown during the reheating process. When ready to serve, melt butter in a large skillet and cook the sprouts in batches at moderate heat for about 5 minutes – until they show brown patches. Do not crowd them.

When all are brown, add the lemon juice, a sprinkling of chopped fresh tarragon and salt and pepper to taste. Cover the skillet and keep warm on very low heat.

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Shop ’til you drop at the Christmas Open House throughout Conway Sunday, November 8.

Special discounts, door Prizes, refreshments and special holiday previews.

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to shop early for Christmas!

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living on campus

A home away from home

By Colleen Holt Photos by Brandy Strain

Sometimes it’s hard for students to feel at home when they’re away at college. For several lucky young women who have joined five University of Central Arkansas sororities, that feeling will be a real thing!

UCA recently completed the first phase of the new Greek Village project, which includes five brand-new, two-story sorority houses on the north side of campus — namely on Donaghey and Augusta avenues. Homes have been built for Alpha Sigma Alpha, Delta Zeta, Sigma Kappa, Alpha Sigma Tau and Sigma Sigma Sigma.

According to the UCA website, 32 girls will live in each home. Each residence has been built to match UCA’s overall architectural design scheme, yet each has slight exterior variations (such as different roof lines or use of columns on the front façade). Fourteen double rooms and four single rooms are included.

Each home has 10,400 square feet of living space, with the opportunity to include design styles and décor unique to that specific sorority.

The Alpha Sigma Tau house, for instance, has a distinct Southern traditional look. It is at 405 Donaghey Ave. Haley Crafton Fowler, who is the Alpha Sigma Tau alumni adviser and house co-chair, said designer Raelynn Calloway of Classically Yours Interiors talked with the girls to see what they wanted and needed for their new home. “We really wanted the house to fit the girls’ personalities, to be what college students would like to live in. Our first priority was to create common living areas where they could eat together and hang out.”

Haley said Raelynn envisioned a “transitional yet timeless design. We wanted a style that would last, yet appeal to college-aged girls.”

Alpha Tau is generally considered “a traditional, conservative sorority with Southern charm and values,” Haley said. “We wanted to carry that character and sophistication forward but add some fun.” This was done through the 26 WOMEN’S INC. / NOVEMBER 2015

uca sorority houses

use of brighter colors for pillows and other accessories.

The design of the Alpha Sigma Tau house includes some quiet areas where the girls can study, a beautiful kitchen with two refrigerators and conference rooms. In order for all 32 girls to sit down for a meal together, lots of dining space is available — including a nine-foot custom harvest table made by a Faulkner County craftsman. A spacious chapter room was also included for use when all 169 members of the sorority are gathered together. This space has more of a contemporary, younger vibe but maintains the overall theme. The room has already been used for Family Day activities.

Another fun activity the group has held was a movie night on the lovely back patio.

The inclusion of the sorority colors of green and gold adds another personalized design element. They also have a huge anchor in the front yard, donated by a pledge class. Alumni donated all of the artwork, and about 95 percent of the furniture was bought locally in Conway or Faulkner County. Several of the rooms were sponsored in honor or memory of a loved one — plaques are placed throughout the home to note these donations.

“This house couldn’t have been built without the help of our alumni and all their support,” Haley said. “It has been amazing.”

“We had local alumnae volunteers assist with the selections and work together to provide the overall cohesive look throughout the home.”

— Rebekah Fincher, Delta Zeta alumnae adviser

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“We really wanted the house to fit the girls’ personalities . . We wanted a style that would last, yet appeal to college-aged girls.”

—Haley Crafton Fowler, Alpha Sigma Tau alumni adviser and house co-chair Traditional and classical was the theme chosen for the Delta Zeta house, reflecting a traditional sorority house feel. The home is located at 430 Augusta Ave. Alumnae adviser Rebekah Fincher said the traditional Delta Zeta colors of rose and green are woven throughout the home’s décor, with “Southern and timeless” designs seen in everything from the parlor to the kitchen.

The women of Delta Zeta received design assistance from David Williams of Kemp Interiors in South Carolina, a professional designer who decorates all the Delta Zeta houses.

“We had local alumnae volunteers assist with the selections and work together to provide the overall cohesive look throughout the home,”

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Rebekah said.

More than 300 donors contributed to the Delta Zeta project, raising more than $125,000.

“Working with our chapter’s designer and chapter collegiate director and advisers, upgrades were selected throughout the home. Alumnae and parents have continued to donate household items, from kitchen items to other typical items you would need in a home.

This project took many dedicated hours from the chapter’s advisers — from upgrade selections, planning and communication,” she said.

Also, the chapter’s leadership had input in the house’s upgrades and selections.

“Since they live in the home, we wanted a

collegiate perspective. I remember taking 11 of them through Home Depot to select upgrades.

It was quite the experience for 12 women to collaborate on selecting upgrades throughout the home. It’s an experience I will never forget,” Rebekah said.

She added that the Delta Zeta house is the only home in UCA’s Greek Village to have all the showers tiled. Nabholz Construction Corp. did this type of tile work at Conway Regional Medical Center. Being an employee of the medical center, Rebekah was able to work with Nabholz to carry this design to the Delta Zeta house.

“The showers provide an added upgrade for the members to enjoy,” she said.

A truly unique room in the home is the Delta Zeta Parlor. While all the new sorority houses have a parlor, the Southern, timeless and classic theme is particularly prevalent in this parlor. For instance, the wainscoting was designed by the chapter adviser, chapter designer and Nabholz. A beautiful Ralph Lauren chandelier located in the parlor is a limited design that provides the final touch for

a timeless feel.

The Delta Zeta Patio is named after Pat Otto, who has had an active involvement with Delta Zeta since her graduation 50 years ago.

For the home’s groundbreaking activities, Pat designed flower arrangements “to enhance what the designer had designed — to reflect the atmosphere of the house.” She said the home is very pretty, and with it leanings toward a traditional feeling, she used silver vases to hold Delta Zeta pale pink roses.

“I chose silver pieces to embrace the rose color. All of the colors really go together,” Pat said.

As for the naming of the parlor, Pat said, “I really don’t know how that came about, but I am very, very touched and honored. I didn’t do any of the hard work; I just helped after the fact.”

Being in a sorority has been a life-shaping event for Pat. “It did a lot for me, and I try to give back,” she said. “I have friends from all through the years. I’ve made some absolutely wonderful friendships.”

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in the news

registration begins for project angel tree The Conway Optimist Club and CAPCA invite you to share in the joy of making a child’s Christmas bright by participating in Project Angel Tree.

Registration is held on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:30-11:30 a.m., and 1:30-3:30 p.m., at the CAPCA office, 707 Robins St., Suite 700, Nov. 3-26. Applicants must provide proof of household income and social security numbers.

Adopt an Angel: Angels will be ready to adopt from Tuesday, Nov. 10 to Dec. 2.

Gifts must be returned by Dec. 11.

Angels can be picked up at the Log Cabin Democrat at 1111 Main St., Suite 102 in Conway.

For more information, or if your business would like to be a sponsoring Angel location, contact Cynthia Crabb at 501-4280514.

Conway Schools focus on School Bus Safety Every day in the Conway School District, 3,673 students are transported on school buses. Bus drivers cover more than 3,600 miles each day with parents’ most precious cargo — their children.

Conway Schools recently joined the State of Arkansas to promote School Bus Safety Week. But safety on buses is something that is a year-round effort.

“Safety on our school buses is a top priority,” said Ed Dow, transportation supervisor for Conway Public Schools. “We work yearround to make sure we get all our kids to and from school safely each and every day.”

Recently, “Buster the Bus” made visits to all nine Conway elementary schools. Buster is a robotic school bus equipped with load/ unload lights, a stop sign and a crossing arm.

He is interactive with the students — he can move around, open and close his eyes, wink, talk, move his eyes from side to side and, most importantly, talk to students.

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“We show the students how to go to and from the bus stop, how to prepare to cross the street, how to get on the bus and how to behave on the bus,” Dow said. “We also talk about the area around the bus (the danger zone), and the areas that are safe around the bus. At the end of the presentation we take all the students and let them load and unload on a full-size bus. The students get stickers that show they have gone through the presentation.”

This is the third year of the program, and it has been a successful tool for the district.

Conway Public Schools also uses community awareness campaigns such as “Flashing Red, Kids Ahead” to remind drivers to stop for kids loading and unloading at bus stops.

“This is our biggest problem out on the roadways and we continue to ask drivers to watch for bus stop signs,” Dow said.

Arkansas School Bus Safety Week was Oct. 19-23.

Renewal ranch kicks off ‘road to recover’ The Arkansas Governor’s Mansion was the setting recently for a gala hosted by Gov. Asa Hutchinson and First Lady Susan Hutchinson to kick off the Renewal Ranch Road to Recovery Capital Campaign to build a build a $1.5 million multipurpose building for the ministry. The event raised more than $225,000 to begin the fund-raising efforts.

Renewal Ranch is a faith-based ministry that helps men break the chains of addiction through the power of Christ. The ranch, located west of Conway on a 100-acre ranch is in its sixth year of restoring lives that have been broken as a result of drug and alcohol addiction. The 12-month program includes counseling, teaching, Bible study and oppor-

tunities to serve others through community work projects.

“Our infrastructure has to catch up to the incredible needs of the men and their families who come each week to apply for a chance to change the direction of their lives. Although bed space has been added, we currently have a dozen men sleeping on couches, cots or inflatable mattresses on the floor — and more apply each week,” said James Loy, director of Renewal Ranch.

The new facility will provide chapel space for the weekly Saturday chapel service. The chapel area also serves for family visitation, meeting with new applicants for paperwork and personal interviews.

bethlehem house plans ‘empty bowls’ event Local churches are invited to partner with Bethlehem House in the battle to feed the hungry with its Empty Bowls event.

National Hunger and Homeless Awareness week is held each year the week before Thanksgiving. This year, Bethlehem House is partnering with local churches to bring that awareness to the community through its annual Empty Bowls event.

The proceeds of these events will be used to support the work of Bethlehem House.

Bethlehem House’s mission is to improve the life situations of the homeless and nearly homeless in the community. In addition to offering a home for the homeless, the shelter provides an evening meal daily and operates a food pantry to serve the needs of those who do not have adequate resources for food.

“Thanksgiving is a time we think about

what we are thankful for, a perfect time to share compassion with our neighbors who are experiencing hunger and homelessness,” said Bethlehem House executive director Judi Lively.

For more information or to organize an Empty Bowls event at your church, call 501329-482 or visit bethlehemhouse.net.

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operation christmas child

Its’ time again to start packing Operation Christmas Child, the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind, will deliver gift-filled shoeboxes using any means necessary — boat, plane, dog sled and even elephant — to reach the hands of needy children.

In preparation for National Collection Week, hundreds of individuals, families and groups are filling empty shoeboxes with gifts of toys, school supplies, hygiene items and notes of encouragement. Operation Christmas Child uses the gift-filled shoeboxes to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to needy children around the world.

When/where are boxes collected?

National Collection Week: Nov. 16-23 Local Drop off Location: 1051 Hogan Lane Conway, AR Collection hours during collection week: M-Fri 10-2; Wed 7-9; Sat 10-1; Sun 1-6; final Mon. 9-12 In 2014, our collection center collected 11,060 shoeboxes. This year our center hopes to contribute 12,200 gifts to the global collection goal of 11 million gift-filled shoeboxes.

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has delivered gift-filled shoeboxes to more than 113 million children in more than 150 countries.

Operation Christmas Child also offers a year-round opportunity to pack personalized shoeboxes online. Go to samaritanspurse.org/ occ to select toys and gift items, write a note of encouragement and “pack” them in a shoebox.

These gifts will go to children in some of the hardest-to-reach countries around the world.

A $7 postage donation is suggested. Also, participants can follow their box online to discover where in the world their gift is delivered by using the donation form found at samaritanspurse.org/occ.

You can also visit the GO store that has quality items at greatly discounted prices for your boxes. The GO store is located at the Ministry Center, 766 Harkrider St., Building B in Conway.

Boxes will also be available at Lighthouse Christian bookstore and Chick-fil-A.

What To Pack?

Toys: Include items that children will immediately embrace such as dolls, toy cars, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, balls, toys that light up and make noise (with extra batteries), etc.

School Supplies: pens, pencils and sharpeners, crayons, markers, notebooks, paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.

Non-Liquid Hygiene Items: toothbrushes, bar soap, combs, washcloths, etc.

Accessories: T-shirts, socks, hats, sunglasses, hair clips, jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries), etc.

A Personal Note: You may enclose a note 32 WOMEN’S INC. / NOVEMBER 2015

to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. If you include your name and address, the child may be able to write back.

Do Not Include: Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food (you CAN include hard candy that is not out of date and we recommend that you place that in a baggy); out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans.

More Information: For additional information about Operation Christmas Child, please visit samaritanspurse.org/occ or contact the local coordinator, Dawn Wilson, at 501-269-0434.

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the arts

Arts Scene

stories told through art

By Jennie Strange

Gaman – Remembering the Japanese Internment Camps From the time I was a child, what drew me into the arts were the stories being told, and those waiting to be told. Whether it was dance, writing, visual arts, music, or theatre, there were layers of characters and emotions and meaning just waiting to be discovered. Often, the best way stories can be told is through movement or music or even a single image; sometimes that is the only way true, lasting understanding can be translated to an audience. This is why I believe the arts are such an integral part of the human experience – they enable us to relate to people we have never met, experiences we have never had, and entire periods of history that could otherwise be forgotten.

This November you will have the opportunity to see a beautifully crafted example of exactly this concept. The CORE Performance Group, a contemporary dance company based out of Houston and Atlanta, will present a series of talks and performances created to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the closing of the Japanese internment camps. Gaman, a new dance/theater work, shares the story of the internment of American citizens of Japanese descent during World War II, remembering those interned in two Arkansas camps. Of the 10 camps operated by the War Relocation Authority in the western United States, two camps were located in rural Arkansas. The Arkansas camps, Rohwer and Jerome, were the forced home of more than 8,475 citizens. The word “gaman” is a Japanese word of Zen Buddhist origin which means “enduring the seemingly unbearable with patience and dignity.”

Gaman explores how challenges can be overcome by courage; and expresses the conflicting emotions of sorrow and joy, confinement and liberation experienced by the interned Japanese34 WOMEN’S INC. / NOVEMBER 2015

American citizens. The professional artists of CORE Performance Company, under the artistic direction of Sue Schroeder, have collaborated with renowned visual artists, composers and writers to create a universal experience from the historical events.

“I was introduced to the existence of two Japanese-American Internment Camps in rural Arkansas by Art Historian Dr. Gayle Seymour of the University of Central Arkansas,” said Schroeder. “I was moved by the plight of these innocent Americans who were ordered into these camps after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. As we learned more about these citizens’ experiences in the camps, I felt that I needed to share this story. The artists of CORE and I have been inspired by the courage and resilience of these Japanese Americans. Their story has universal overtones that resonate today. Too often our national dialogue turns to defining the ‘enemy,’ and there is an impulse to

define an entire community through the actions of a few. Through Gaman we will share multiple points of view, through multiple artistic disciplines, to open a dialogue as to how we define and treat the “other” in our society.”

Two of the four presentations by CORE will be held in Conway. On Friday, November 6, there will be a free lecture and demonstration at the Hendrix College Mills Center at 4 p.m.

There are no tickets required to attend this event. The following Monday, November 9, there will be a public performance at Reynolds Performance Hall on the University of Central Arkansas campus. Admission is free, but tickets can be reserved at http://tickets.uca.edu.

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

november events

november Arts Events

November Arts Events – Please check out the event website for more information and pricing.

November 1 • Beethoven’s Ode to Joy presented by the Conway Symphony Orchestra at Reynolds Performance Hall; 4 p.m. www. conwaysymphony.org (G) November 2 and 30 • Painting by Heart with Bonnie McKay and Art on the Green; 6:03 p.m. (501) 2051922 (PG13) November 3 • Percussion Ensemble student concert at UCA’s Snow Fine Arts Recital Hall; 7:30 p.m. www.uca.edu/cfac (G) November 4 • Pinnacle Brass Quartet showcase concert at UCA’S Snow Fine Arts Recital Hall; 7:30 p.m. www.uca.edu/cfac (G) November 5 • BA/BFA Juried Senior Art Exhibition public reception at UCA’s Baum Gallery; 4-6

p.m. www.uca.edu/cfac (PG13) • UCA Concert Choir student concert at UCA’s Snow Fine Arts Recital Hall; 7:30 p.m. www.uca.edu/cfac (G) November 5 and 6 • Theatrical Experience: Radium Girls at UCA’s Snow Fine Arts Bridges/Larson Theater; 7:30 p.m. www.uca.edu/tickets (PG) November 5, 12, 19, 20, 27 • Lunch with the Artist at Art on the Green; noon; (501)205-1922 (A) November 6 • Pizza and Painting: Parents Night Out for ages 5+ at Blackbird Academy of Arts; 6-8 p.m. www.blackbirdacademy.org (G) November 9 • Gaman: Honor the Innocent by the CORE Performance Dance Company at Reynolds Performance Hall; 7:30 p.m. www.uca.edu/ tickets (G) November 13 • Shrek Jr. the Musical presented by Blackbird Academy of Arts at Antioch

Baptist Church; 6:30 p.m. www. blackbirdacademy.org (PG) November 17 • Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas at Reynolds Performance Hall; 6 p.m.; www.uca. edu/reynolds (G) November 19 • University Chorus student concert at UCA’s Snow Fine Arts Recital Hall; 7:30 p.m.; www.uca.edu/cfac (G) November 22 • BA/BFA Juried Senior Art Exhibition public reception at UCA’s Baum Gallery; 2 p.m. www.uca.edu/cfac (PG13) • Jazz Ensembles student concert at UCA’s Snow Fine Arts Recital Hall; 7:30 p.m.; www. uca.edu/cfac (G) Rating key: G – Suitable for all ages PG-Suggested for ages 7+ PG13- Suggested for ages 13+ A- Suggested for Adults 18+

Artist Highlight Suzanne Bannister

Assistant Professor of Voice at Central Baptist College/ Instructor of Music at the University of Central Arkansas

Originally from: Jennings, Louisiana At what age did you start singing?

My parents said I was singing before I started talking; I started taking voice lessons as a junior in high school.

What made you pursue vocal music as a career? My dad was a high school choral director. He did musicals every spring and I always took part in them from the time I was a child. I loved performing in the musicals and singing solos in church.

Where did you study music? My undergraduate degree is from Louisiana College and my master’s degree is from Loyola University at New Orleans –

both are in Vocal Performance.

Are there any vocalists who inspired you?

I love listening to sopranos – my favorites are Renee Fleming and Kathleen Battle.

What is your favorite thing about teaching? The best part about teaching is getting to work with a young singer for four years and helping to mold that young voice into a mature, beautiful singer. I love the one-on-one relationships I have developed with so many over the years. I really grow to love my students.

Do you have a favorite performance? I have so many favorite performances. I loved singing the role of Anna in “The King and I”- I also loved the role of Maria in “West Side Story”, as well as singing the solos in Handel’s “Messiah.”

Favorite quote: Something that I always say: “Work hard… play hard!” Also I think it is important to always do your best and really use the talents that God has given you!

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events

36 WOMEN’S INC. / NOVEMBER 2015

americ an c ancer societ y conway celebrit y waiter

Adam Lewis, guest of honor for the event.

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events

alchemy song writing competition

Blackbird Academy board.

38 WOMEN’S INC. / NOVEMBER 2015

fashion

Although the desire to hibernate may be strong, stepping out into the cold can lead to chic things. Winter is starting to set in, and we are definitely feeling it. If the cold weather has got you down, lift your spirits by stomping the sidewalk in a faux fur vest.

By Renee Notto Avoid reaching for your winter coat as long as possible by supplementing your wardrobe with a fur vest. There is no better way to keep warm and stand out then in a fun fur. They scream “Look at Me!” From animal prints to pastel, faux fur gives everything an added touch of luxury. It doesn’t hurt that this attention-grabbing item is the winter equivalent of a statement necklace — guaranteed to get you noticed.

Fur vests are versatile and comfortable.

They can easily be combined with any piece in your wardrobe. Faux furs are the best layer-

ing transition piece out there but instantly dress up a look when worn over jackets, sweaters, plaid, denim or a sexy dress.

Spice up your dull, repeated outfits with a faux fur vest — you won’t be sorry. It’s sophisticated, luxurious, trendy, grungy and classy all rolled into one chic piece. It’s all a matter of personal style and how YOU pair it with different items.

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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book review

‘Go Set a Watchman’ by Harper Lee Reviewed by Susan O’Keefe With global fanfare and much anticipation, readers continue to dig in and savor every sentence of acclaimed author Harper Lee’s timeless writing. “Go Set a Watchman” is billed as a companion to Lee’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

Readers are reintroduced to Atticus, Gem and Scout. For those who need a refresher course on characters and settings, the book falls flat.

“I needed a few reminders. I was disappointed that the characters weren’t developed more or at least given a bit of background to help us place them in this new era,” offered one reader.

“For the first hundred pages or so, the book really dragged,” complained another reader.

Once the story picked up, however, it was 40 WOMEN’S INC. / NOVEMBER 2015

an amazing revelation. The little Southern tomboy affectionately known as Scout is forced to grow up. Now answering to her proper name of Jean Louise, she returns to Maycomb, Alabama, to find as much as things have changed, things have remained the same.

Jean Louise is literally slapped across the face with lessons in maturity, social justice and making one’s own choices based on one’s own conscience. Like many girls, Jean Louise has placed her father on a pedestal.

Unfortunately, it takes a span of nearly three decades before Jean Louise sees her father, lawyer Atticus Finch, as a mere mortal. Jean Louise’s eccentric intellectual Uncle Jack discloses the obvious. “...now you, Miss, born with your own conscience, somewhere along the line fastened it like a barnacle onto your father’s.

As you grew up, when you were grown, totally unknown to yourself, you confused

your father with God. You never saw him as a man with a man’s heart, and a man’s failings – I’ll grant you it may have been hard to see, he makes so few mistakes, but he makes ’em like all of us. You were an emotional cripple, leaning on him, getting the answers from him, assuming that your answers would always be his answers.”

Answers are needed as change is undoubtedly on the horizon. The Supreme Court’s Brown vs. Board of Education decision creates a chaotic atmosphere in the otherwise quiet town of Maycomb.

The revered and respected Atticus Finch is now in his 70s. His lawyer-laden mind still thrives on the art of discipline, routine and law. But Atticus has his own ideas on social change and the tempo of integration. His actions anger Jean Louise in a way she never thought possible.

Living in Yankee-land, New York, how could Jean Louise understand the daily

go set a watchman strains in the South? Reading about separate water fountains and drinking from them are two different things. For thousands of Atticus Finch fans, the very possibility of his bigotry is unspeakable.

“I went to law school because of Atticus Finch!” confessed one reader. His ideals and principles for fairness and equality motivated and moved many toward a life of law. And yet, the heroic character attends a concerned citizens council meeting, which some liken to a Klan meeting, but with faces unveiled.

Memories of Scout’s childhood play a significant role in the story. There are flashbacks to sweet summer playtime and the housekeeper Calpurnia’s bottomless pitchers of lemonade. When Jean Louise goes against the grain and visits Calpurnia’s home in the African-American section of town, she is startled at a wrinkled old woman rocking rhythmically and sitting in silence.

Befuddled if her memory had failed her and questioning if love can cross racial divides, Jean Louise daringly asks, “Didn’t you

love us, Cal?” True to her heart, Cal answers in the affirmative. This is ammunition to attack her father, the one who once fought for the life of an African-American man accused of a crime against a white woman.

Scout’s transformation didn’t happen overnight. It was 20 years in the making.

One reader commented that, “Scout needed a conscience sensitive to more than just what she saw on the surface.”

“Blind, that’s what I am. I never opened my eyes. I never thought to look into people’s hearts; I looked only in their faces.

Stone blind ... Mr. Stone. Mr. Stone set a watchman in church yesterday. He should have provided me with one. I need a watchman to lead me around and declare what he seeth every hour on the hour. I need a watchman to tell me that is what a man says but this is what he means, to draw a line down the middle and say here is the justice and there is that justice and make me understand the difference. I need a watchman to go forth and proclaim to them all that twenty-six years is too long to play a joke on

anybody, no matter how funny it is.”

It’s true that the serious subject is no laughing matter. As the story concludes, readers are hopeful once again as Jean Louise is encouraged to follow her own conscience, which just might lead her home to Maycomb to be an instrument in the ever changing culture. Perhaps, she could bridge more gaps than she even knew existed.

Questions have swirled regarding the preservation of “Go Set a Watchman.” If Ms. Lee indeed penned the entire account, then she surely deserves the title of prophetess. Her accuracy in detailing the struggles, strains, fears and faults in race relations of the mid-1950s is uncanny.

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

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spiritual

Give Thanks 42 WOMEN’S INC. / NOVEMBER 2015

By Andrea Lennon “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, New International Version) How often do you ask the question, “Lord, what is your plan for my life?” I love a simple answer. God’s word is clear. We are to give thanks no matter what is going on in our lives.

To be honest, sometimes being thankful is hard. Instead of saying “thank you,” we would rather ask the question, “Why did this have to happen to me?”

Questions are normal — especially during hard times. If we do not ask questions, we may not be working toward a place of healing and acceptance. Let’s not forget that the book of Psalms is full of gut-wrenching questions.

David asked, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?”

(Psalm 22:1) David shared honest hurt in the middle of a challenging time. I, for one, am thankful for that.

During hard times it is easy to focus on what is missing from our lives. Maybe it is a relationship, a resource or an opportunity. These missing pieces can leave us feeling left out and forgotten. Certainly

andrea lennon these feelings make it hard to be thankful.

How can we give thanks in all circumstances? I have one idea to share with you. Instead of focusing on what is missing, focus on what is present.

I was reminded of this truth at a women’s conference in Northeast Arkansas. I was talking to a group of ladies and we were sharing our life stories. One lady made an incredible impression on me.

First, let me tell you that she was 99 years old. That is right — 99 years old! She shared about a hard time in her life. Following 52 years of marriage, her husband was tragically killed in an accident.

She shared her feelings and questions in the days following the accident.

In the midst of her grieving process, the Lord reminded her of 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and the

call to give thanks in all circumstances. She asked the Lord, “How can I give thanks when I just lost my husband?” This precious lady shared God’s answer with our group.

She said, “The Lord told me to focus on the 52 years of marriage that we had together.”

I wish you could have been in that circle listening to this sweet lady share her story. The passion in her voice left me speechless.

This sweet lady had not only learned this truth, she had lived it.

Year after year, following her husband’s sudden death, she found a way to give thanks.

Now, as the time draws near for this sweet lady to be reunited with her husband in heaven, the peace in her life speaks volumes about her confidence in God. She knows that God is real and that His ways are good. The conversation left me saying, “I want to be like that when I grow up!”

Are you in the middle of a hard time in your life?

If so, know that God sees you and that He is with you. Ask Him to show you a way to be thankful in all circumstances. As you do, you will find that peace is not the absence of problems but rather the assurance that God is with you.

Today, if you want to follow God’s plan for your life, simply stop and give thanks.

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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music

preston palmer studios

Classical Music and the Age of Technology

By Preston Palmer

As adults, we remember and hopefully still believe the research that shows classical music has a positive impact on the human brain.

With cellular devices, the Internet, television and computers available to anyone at any time, it is perhaps more difficult than ever to focus on something that you can’t physically touch or see. Not only can classical music exercise our imagination, it can most definitely help to improve and lengthen our and our children’s attention spans.

In this busy and technological day and age, it is so easy to hand our kids an iPad or cell phone to keep them occupied. Why not hand them a harmonica or kazoo instead?!

New research shows that letting our children frequently watch television and use cell phones for prolonged periods of time is significantly lowering their attention span.

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, a.k.a ADHD, can greatly benefit from listening to classical music and/or actually playing a musical instrument. Studies prove that music can effectively calm a child with ADHD and even bring out the musician in them!

The “Mozart Effect” is defined as a set of research results indicating that listening to composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s music may induce a short-term improvement on the performance of certain kinds of mental tasks known as “spatial-temporal reasoning.” Who knew that just listening to music could be so good for the brain?

Here at Preston Palmer Studios, we obviously promote learning how to play and appreciate music. Our instructors believe that music is essential in the development of children and adult brains and will go to great lengths to provide outstanding instruction for any and every type of student.

If you have ever wanted to learn to play an

instrument, or find out how to really exercise your vocal cords, why wait? The sooner you start, the sooner your brain will reap the benefits!

Criticizing modern technology does nothing to assist in the expansion of the human brain, but informing you wonderful Women’s Inc. readers of something you hopefully are already aware of, can positively help change the community!

Preston Palmer is the owner of Preston Palmer Studios, a local music school offering group and private instruction on everything from guitar to tin whistle. PPS also houses a nationally recognized instrument repair shop specializing in stringed instrument repair. For more info, visit: www.prestonpalmerstudios.com

44 WOMEN’S INC. / NOVEMBER 2015

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food

Holiday

Sides

By Chef Jill McCollum, cc Photos by Brandy Strain

46 WOMEN’S INC. / NOVEMBER 2015

thanksgiving

Carrots with Walnuts and Honey 1 pound peeled, cleaned, julienned carrots ¼ cup butter ¼ cup honey ½ cup walnuts Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Cook carrots until crunchy. Drain carrots. Melt butter and honey, add walnuts. Toss carrots in butter-honey mixture. Garnish with parsley. Serves 4-6.

Fun facts about Thanksgiving today

• In the United States, about 280 million turkeys are sold for Thanksgiving celebrations • Each year, the average American eats between 16-18 pounds of turkey • Californians are the largest consumers of turkey in the United States • Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November • Although Thanksgiving is widely considered an American holiday, it is also celebrated on the second Monday in October in Canada • Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving in the United States, where it is the beginning of the traditional Christmas shopping season

Fun Turkey Facts

• The average weight of a turkey purchased at Thanksgiving is 15 pounds • The heaviest turkey ever raised was 86 pounds, about the size of a large dog • A 15-pound turkey usually has about 70% white meat and 30% dark meat • The five most popular ways to serve leftover turkey are sandwiches, stew, chili, casseroles and burgers • Turkey has more protein than chicken or beef • Turkeys will have 3,500 feathers at maturity • Commercially-raised turkeys cannot fly • Turkeys have poor night vision • It takes 75-80 pounds of feed to raise a 30-pound turkey Chef Jill McCollum, CC is the Caterer and Food Service Director for Central Baptist College. Jill is the owner of Jill McCollum Catering in Conway. She can be reached at jmccollum@cbc.edu or (501) 730-4422

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Big Soft Ginger Cookies 2 ¼ cup all purpose flour 2 teaspoons ground ginger 1 teaspoon baking soda ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground cloves ¼ teaspoon salt ¾ cup margarine, softened 1 cup white sugar 1 egg 1 tablespoon water ¼ cup molasses 2 tablespoons white sugar

Icing

Powder sugar and milk Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the water and molasses. Gradually stir the sifted ingredients into the molasses mixture. Shape dough into walnut sized balls, and roll them in the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar.

Place the cookies 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet, and flatten slightly.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet. Optional-mix powder sugar and a very small amount of milk, spread mixture on cookies for icing.

48 WOMEN’S INC. / NOVEMBER 2015

Heavenly Cranberry Sauce 2 pounds cranberries 2 cups walnuts, chopped 3 cups granulated sugar Juice and grated rind of 2 lemons 2 cups orange marmalade Wash and drain cranberries well. Place in shallow baking dish and cover with chopped walnuts, sugar, juice and grated lemon rinds and orange marmalade. Cover tightly and bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

Makes 2 quarts.

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imatter

First responder

GENERATION

Caleb Hunt’s quick reaction beneficial to fallen neighbor

imatter

By Kelly Sublett Submitted photos Caleb Hunt, 8, is a good neighbor. As he was waking up in his bedroom on the morning of Sept. 8, Caleb heard the sound of someone groaning as though in pain.

“I looked out the window and saw Mrs. Watson on the floor of her garage,” he later told the Log Cabin Democrat.

For the past two years, Caleb had known Sue Watson, 81, as the “very nice” lady across the street who brings treats to him and his little sister for Halloween. Now he ran out of his house barefoot and over to Watson’s garage, breaking a Hunt house rule never to leave without telling a grown-up first. His quick response may have saved his neighbor’s life.

Watson had stepped out into the garage of her house in the Southwind subdivision to take out the garbage. When she turned around to go back inside, somehow she became “swimmy-headed,” as her daughter-inlaw later put it, and had taken a terrible fall.

Seeing Mrs. Watson lying injured and hurting, Caleb quickly ran back home and told his mother, who called 911.

Recovering in the hospital the next day from injuries that include a broken hip and a dislocated shoulder, Watson expressed gratitude for Caleb’s help.

50 WOMEN’S INC. / NOVEMBER 2015

“We told Caleb he’s our hero.”

— Cindy Watson

Kendra Hunt (left) brings daughter Hannah, 6, and son Caleb, 8, to Conway Regional Medical Center on Sept. 9 to visit a woman Caleb helped the day before.

“He showed a lot of kindness for a little boy,” she told the Log Cabin. The Hunts are good neighbors, she added.

Daughter-in-law Cindy Watson agreed.

“We told Caleb he’s our hero,” Cindy Watson said.

“This act of kindness just shows the type of character he has,” Caleb’s father, Greg Hunt, said.

After school the day after the incident, Caleb went with his mom, Kendra, and his 6-year-old sister, Hannah, to visit Watson in

“This act of kindness just shows the type of character he has” — Greg Hunt

“He always makes the right choices” — Hannah Hunt

the hospital and bring her flowers.

Kendra Hunt said she’s impressed, but not surprised, by the way her son responded in an emergency.

caleb hunt

“He’s such a good kid — so thoughtful,” she said.

“He always makes the right choices.” Hannah agreed, saying she thinks what her big brother did is “awesome.”

Kendra Hunt said there’s a lesson for everyone in what happened.

“Be aware of your surroundings,” she said. “Get to know your neighbors.”

At Carolyn Lewis Elementary, where Caleb is a student, his favorite subject is writing.

If he were writing a story about what happened, what might he title it? Caleb considered, then said maybe “The Day I Saved a Life.”

What advice would he offer to other kids who might find themselves in a similar situation?

“Do not be slow to help,” Caleb offered. Then, aiming an impish grin at his mom, he added, “Even if it means breaking a house rule.”

Mayor Tab Townsell proclaimed Sept. 22, 2015, as Caleb Hunt Day in Conway.

Young people are often the pulse of a community, as sporting events, school events and activities bring them into the spotlight. Women’s Inc. wants to showcase these young people in a special feature each month. iMatter will seek to tell the stories of a new generation of community, skill, success and achievement. Do you know a student in Faulkner county, ages 5-23, who is truly one of a kind? Send youth’s name, school, parents contact information (if under 18) and a brief explanation of why you think your youth or you would make a iMatter candidate to womensinc@thecabin. net.