NOVEMBER 2018
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Holiday Shopping with an Extreme Couponer
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Budgeting mom
TAYSHUn MATTISON
MAJESTIC MAMA
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NAna’s kitchen
HOMETOWN HERO
A LOOK BACK
PUBLISHER’S LETTER Why is November the month where all things seem to converge? I feel completely overwhelmed, but at the same time appropriately thankful. The kiddos are busy and running around like little turkeys, the husband is busy at work, and well, the holiday season at the newspaper/magazine isn’t necessarily a walk in the park. Don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining. November is a time in this business when we get to focus on the best of the community and its people. We cover all kinds of amazing stories of love and thanksgiving, nonprofit and faith organizations in action and overall good will. And Faulkner County is one of the best examples of showcasing the good in people. The preparations for the end of the year are sometimes more than we want to face, from schedules to budgeting to planning time off. But somehow, we all get it together, right? Please tell me we all get it together!! We also have Election Day on Nov. 6, just another awesome way to exercise our right to vote. Veterans Day is November 11, and if you have the opportunity any time, don’t forget to thank a veteran for his or her service to this country. This month, WINC’s cover story tackles that need to tighten up the household budget, highlighting the sheer skill and determination of a master couponer. I need to take copious notes for sure!
Cindy Beckman took on Nana’s Kitchen, documenting her own mother’s best recipes for the upcoming holidays. Majestic Mama Andrea Champlin got real with the task of hosting large family gatherings and supplied a new take on talking turkey. We also feature one young man from Mayflower who writes about his adoption story during this National Adoption Month. A collection of prayers for this Thanksgiving is our WINC faith feature this month, and I find it interesting to know what local residents are thankful for and how they praise God for blessings and hardships. Getting perspective from different people is important to me because it helps me realize my own thankfulness. This month, I chose a grainy older photo from one of the best Thanksgivings in recent years. Before my Mammaw died, we spent a lot of them at the deer camp. From the hue of the photo, I can tell you the campfire was burning, and from the smiles, I can tell you we were having fun together. My husband and baby girl were huddled from the cold on the tailgate of someone’s pickup truck. There is a grass stain on the knee of her jeans, so she most likely had been running through the back field with her boy cousins. I miss those days. But boy, am I thankful for them! And new memories are in the making all the time, so there’s no time to wax poetic. Love your family, folks. Even when they aren’t perfect, just love ‘em. It goes too fast. May you all share a table this year with those you love. May you find ways to give back to those in need, and most of all, thank God for his divine plan that includes all these wonderful people in your life.
Publisher Kelly Sublett Contributing Writers Jeanette Anderton Cindy Beckman Andrea Champlin Eden Corley Melissa Gates – Cover Story Marisa Hicks Kelly Sublett Photographers Ron Beckman Andrea Champlin Amanda Cole– Cover Story Kelly Sublett Art Director Jay Prince Advertising Sales Director Lisa Licht Advertising Sales Executives Crystal Geraldson Leigh Anne Gray Editorial Board Cindy Beckman Andrea Champlin Eden Corley Melissa Gates Lisa Licht Kelly Sublett
Questions or Comments?
Kelly
Call (501) 327-6621, e-mail: WINC@thecabin.net or write to: 1111 Main Street, Suite 102, Conway, AR, 72032 www.womensinc.net
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Plan on Savings From Christmas pajamas to toys and household supplies, one mom makes budgeting simple by Melissa Gates
6 WINC. | November 2018
I love to shop and buy Christmas presents; but I also aim to do it within a budget. With three kiddos nearly the same age (second-grade twins and a first grader) we’re already saving for new-driver insurance, weddings, and triple college tuition. But I thoroughly enjoy a big Christmas. There’s no one in Central Arkansas that can pull off a tightly budgeted, but big, Christmas like 35-year-old Naomi Meeks. She’s a mom to eight kids under the age of 8; and has lots of bargain shopping experience. Naomi says, “I grew up watching my mom coupon and bargain shop. We didn’t have a lot of money back then so we tried to save anywhere we could. I started myself when my husband David and I were first married. I had a huge binder with inserts for all my coupons and a massive collection of items for my friends and family to raid whenever they wanted. I’ve also been able to donate many items to families in need, tornado victims and flood victims.” Naomi and her husband, State Rep. David Meeks, recently adopted a sibling set of five kiddos; after adopting a set of three several years ago. Eight kids later Naomi’s tactics have changed since she was a newlywed. She says, “I no longer have my coupon binder, but I do
get a few coupons from family and friends. I just don’t have the time to keep up with it as much as I did in the past. We have only been a family of 10 for nine months so I try to spend as much time with my family as possible. I use several apps right now I help me save money and time.” One of Naomi’s favorite apps includes a cash back option called Ibotta. She says, “You can buy things on their list, scan your receipt, and once you reach five dollars you get money back via gift card or Paypal.” Naomi goes on to explain how she uses Target’s app called Cartwheel. She says, “You can download deals from groups of items (ie-women’s clothing) to individual things (ie-50 cents off eggs).” She also uses Walmart’s Savings Catcher. She says, “It compares the prices of items purchased to other local competitors’ prices. It refunds the difference of the item to an eGift card.” The Meeks’ use apps all over town to save. Michael’s and Hobby Lobby have 40-percent off coupons on their apps. Kirkland’s has a Spin to Win app in which you spin a wheel for coupons. Naomi says, “Most fast food places have coupons also. McDonald’s, Wendys, and Sonic to name a few. There are apps for almost everything these days and most are there to help and save you money.” But her favorite app is Kroger’s, where she does 95-percent of her shopping. Naomi says, “I can download the digital coupons while I’m shopping and use them immediately. I try to see what coupons are available before I go to the store but I don’t always have the time. The app and my card are linked so it even sends personalized coupons.” When it comes to groceries her trick is to buy in bulk and store it until you need it. Naomi says, “ Kroger regularly has digital coupons that you can use 5 times and I try my best to keep up with sales. Kroger has reoccurring sales on rotation. I buy multiples of sale items at a time and keep them in my pantry. My kids love fresh fruit and vegetables, so we watch the sales. We try to buy local whenever possible. I have a monthly budget that I really try my best to stick to and follow. I have many categories in my budget, including a grocery category and also a category entitled “bulk.” “Bulk” is used for sale items that may spring up randomly through the month. If there is a great deal of chicken, beef, or another item we use frequently, I will buy extra and freeze or store.” Admitting she loves to shop Naomi says budgeting is so important because it gives you the freedom to spend as long as you stay within your set amount. To help keep within her budget, Naomi found $3 Christmas jammies for all eight kiddos. She found them when the season’s changed; her favorite time to shop for clothing. Naomi says, “I actually found them at Wal-mart marked down to $3 from $15 when they were changing to spring and summer clothes. Every Christmas Eve the kids get to open a present that has pj’s for everyone, a movie, and popcorn. They are currently in my gift closet and it womensinc.net 7
saves me a little bit during the Christmas season. The changing out of the seasons is when you find the best deals on clothes in any store. I also found solid blue, khaki, and gray shorts for $1 each.You can’t beat that price. I regularly find good sales at Kohl’s, Old Navy, and Children’s Place and they often have good coupons as well. I love shopping for clothes in the off-season. You can find summer clothes for 75-90 percent off in the middle of winter.” David and Naomi have fostered many children in their home so they’re frequently buying toys. Naomi’s secret for finding them at bargain prices is Kroger. She says, “I find about 80 perfect of our Christmas toys at Kroger all throughout the year. They have a clearance section by the toy section that has toys on sale around 50 percent off and sometimes even more. I have a closet of toys and gifts that I can access to all year long. MONEY SAVING TIP – The best time to find toys on sale is usually in September and October. They are clearing out the toy section to get ready for all the new Christmas toy inventory. Last year we saved hundreds of dollars on toys. What we didn’t end up using we donated to other foster children.” Surprisingly she’s not big on Black Friday. If there’s something they want they’ll run out and grab it but otherwise are at home. But she fully admits, “There are seasons in life and change happens frequently. As the kids get older and their Christmas lists get more complicated, I am sure that our Black Fridays will change as well.” Naomi doesn’t know exactly how much she saves every month but feels very confident in saying it as at least several hundred dollars. She says, “My love language is giving. My biggest reason for saving money is so we can give more to family, friends, my church or my children’s school.” So take it from a pro; there are so many ways to save money. One dollar here and there will add up quickly, ensuring you an even bigger Christmas.
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Melissa Gates has been telling stories in Faulkner County for more than a decade. She has interviewed a wide variety of interesting people from U.S. Presidents to rock stars, and countless community leaders. After growing up in the Midwest, she is thrilled to call Conway home, alongside her husband and three kids.
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Nana’s
Preserving a family heritage Photos by Ron Beckman, story by Cindy Beckman November is a time to give thanks for all of God’s blessings so what better time to share one of my greatest blessings — my Mom. Family and heritage are a huge part of who she is. She has spent numerous hours preserving past memories of our family and that includes a special family recipe that started with my great-grandmother, Malissa James Hankins. “Mama” Hankins raised a houseful of children in the Pleasant Valley community south of Wooster during the 1920s, but she also took in anybody else that needed a place to stay. Her father-in-law, Riley Thompson Hankins, one of the first settlers in the area and a Confederate veteran, lived with her large family, even after his son, Mart, died in 1940. The holidays brought all the family members together at Mama Hankins house where a large spread of food was brought out. Even neighbors and visitors would show up during the day to partake and visit. One of the dishes Mama Hankins always made for those special occasions was her chicken and dressing. When her daughter,Viola Hankins Burnett, in turn, began to host family gatherings, she also made sure Mama Hankins’ homemade dressing was on hand. 10 WINC. | November 2018
Some of my earliest memories at Grandma Burnett’s house were during the holidays when all her children and grandchildren would come for Thanksgiving. Mama Hankins, now elderly and leaving the cooking to her daughters, came as well. Grandma’s sisters and brothers might also stop in. Grandma Burnett made that chicken and dressing for every major holiday at her house and she also made it to take to every Pleasant Valley Baptist Church homecoming, every Hankins family reunion, every funeral meal, and any other occasion that called for it. It was anticipated and expected by all who came to eat. In the 1990s, the ladies of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church put together a cookbook, Generations: Recipes I Learned on My Mother’s Knee. The introduction said it was a book compiled “by common people with one common interest—a dedication to keeping families well and happily fed.” It contained new recipes, but it also contained heirloom recipes handed down from generation to generation. Of course, the chicken and dressing recipe was included. Grandma continued to make the chicken and dressing well into her 80s. My Mom, Evelyn Starkey Burnett, took up the mantle of responsibility for the chicken and dressing in Grandma’s last year as she battled cancer. Grandma passed away in 2007 and the family gatherings at her house ceased. But the chicken and dressing recipe lives on. Evelyn makes it every Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas and takes it to practically every Pleasant Valley Baptist Church Homecoming and funeral meal. She also makes it for the monthly fellowship dinners held at the church. “This recipe is a part of our family’s history and heritage. We have spent many happy times together visiting and eating chicken and dressing,” said Evelyn. Evelyn’s kitchen is of her own design; she drew out the plans for the house that my Dad, Eddie Burnett, built on the hill above Grandma’s house about 17 years ago. The kitchen is in the center of the octagonalshaped living area and has custom cabinets circling a center island with a work sink. She has two ovens, so she has room to cook the chicken and dressing as well as everything else.
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Name: Evelyn Jane Starkey Burnett Husband of 60 years: Eddie Burnett
“I used a computer program to draw out the house plans. My husband, Eddie, built the custom cabinets. Having a work sink near the two ovens really helps when preparing a large meal for family.” Evelyn had made some adjustments to the recipe over the years. She uses her food processor to chop the onions and mix the bread after they are finely chopped. She also has added more ground sage as desired to taste. After mixing all ingredients together and before baking, she also sprinkles baking powder on top of the uncooked dressing and folds it in. Adjustments have also been made to the type and size of the baking pan and the temperature of the oven to insure doneness. Today Thanksgiving dinners at Mom’s house are much smaller affairs. My brother, Robert, and I have only one son each so there are usually only eight seated at Mom’s Thanksgiving table. But family tradition is continued as all dig into the chicken and dressing, remember the cooks of previous generations and thanking Mom for continuing to use this family recipe. If you know a favorite family cook and would like to nominate them for a feature, please email ksublett@thecabin.net.
Children: Cindy Beckman and Robert Burnett Grandchildren: Will Beckman and Max Burnett What they call her: Maw Maw
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Chicken and Dressing • 1 large fryer • 1 (10-inch) pan cornbread • 5 slices bread, toasted • 1 large onion
• 1 can cream of chicken soup • 1 stick margarine • 2 tsp. poultry seasoning • 7 eggs
Cook chicken until tender, bone and skin; set aside. Grate onion, add cornbread & toasted bread, margarine, poultry seasoning and cream of chicken soup. Pour chicken broth over this and add all of chicken but breast. Mix well & add eggs & mix again. Put dresssing in buttered pan. Divide chicken breast & place on top of dressing. Bake slow at about 300 degrees until brown & done in center.
Community Prayers for Thanksgiving My prayer of Thanksgiving is that the Lord has decided to put me on planet earth, in Conway Arkansas, with the family I have, in the job I’m in, and with the sphere of influence I have – all for His purpose. I’m thankful that He’s given me giftings and resources to serve where I am at and a LOT of grace and knowledge over the last few years to focus on the positive, get my eyes off of myself, and think about what His purpose is for me in the world around me and how He can use me! — Courtney Leach
My prayer of Thanksgiving is one of great gratitude for this year’s blessings and lessons learned. Losing my grandfather a few months ago will make our Thanksgiving much different so I pray that our family finds peace in our many memories of holiday festivities with him. We pray for others to know the love our family has for each other and for God’s word. We are so thankful for this beautiful life we’ve been given and pray we keep Jesus in the center of everything we do. — Emilee Hillis
Thanksgiving is a time for me to reflect on the mercy, grace, and blessings God has poured over me. Certainly thankful for the opportunity to spend time with family and friends. — Casey Bisek
My prayer is for the health & safety of my family & friends. I’m so grateful to God for my husband, our marriage & our boys. — Rita Hudgeons
This year I am especially thankful for God providing a path of rescue through Renewal Ranch for men who battle addiction. God can and does provide hope and purpose for those who are willing to receive that which he makes available to all. — Jay Runyon
I am thankful that God is our provider, protector and that he is in control my life and my future. — Michael Harrison
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Life or Death: One family has decisions to make by Kelly Sublett When most of us sit down to look at a family picture, we laugh at hairdos or tell stories about our relatives that make us laugh. For Angela Venable Sallis, it’s to point out the number of them who died from a little-known genetic mutation, passed from one generation to the next without warning. “This is the last picture that was made of my father and mother and my whole family,” she says during a recent interview with WINC. Magazine. “There’s nine of us. She has passed on. She has passed on. … Four of us have had cancer of some sort, and I’ve had three sisters pass of cancer.” Angela and her doctors determined, through a series of circumstances involving breast cancers, colon cancers and stomach cancers that seem rampant in the family, that a gene mutation labeled CDH1 is the root cause. Her paternal grandmother, died at 59 of colon cancer, and after pulling her death certificate from 1957, Angela says she at least has a starting point to begin fighting the battle. 16 WINC. | November 2018
“Although we don’t know for sure, we believe she is the one that probably passed on this gene,” Angela says. “This CDH1 involves the stomach, the breast and the colon.” Angela’s sisters, Paulette, 24, died of uterine cancer. Another, Mary Nell, passed at 55 of scleroderma and breast cancer. One of her father’s sisters died at 44 of stomach cancer, and another aunt had breast cancer and died in her 70s. A doctor along the way pointed out the possibility of CDH1. “When I wound up with breast cancer, my doctor tested me to see if there was a mutation gene on my father’s side of the family,” Angela says. “It came back I had the gene. I could have fell out of the chair. … I’ve never had acid reflux or stomach issues or anything.” Dr. Brian Hughes, a gastroenterologist in Little Rock, is one of the doctors treating the family. Angela says he only has had five patients with this gene, and four of them in the same family. Now, he has a whole other group — Angela, her niece Robbye Langston, Angela’s daughter Vanetta Bloom and her 21-year-old
The Venable family was photographed for the last time together in 1973 at a family reunion. Since this photo, four of the nine children have died and Angela Sallis, standing far right, is leading the charge to explain why. twins Haley and Alexis Hamons — all who tested positive for CDH1. “He calls this the silent killer,” Angela says. “All tests for [stomach cancer] can come back negative, even if it is present because it is in the lining of the stomach. Just because you have these biopsies done doesn’t mean it is going to show anything.” The only course of action to stop the spread of the cancer before it is too late is stomach removal surgery. Not only is the genetic test costly on its own, but the medical procedures that accompany treatment are limiting financially, considering the preventative nature of the surgery. Angela had her stomach removed on August 30.Vanetta’s surgery was September 13 and Robbye’s was October 4 of this year. Haley and Alexis, both college students, are next. They are waiting on gathering enough money for an insurance deductible to take the required steps to preserve their lives. “The CDH1 gene doesn’t present symptoms and doesn’t cause a tumor, but by the time you realize it, it has spread to other parts of the body, and I think that is what happened to my
sisters,” Angela says. “The cancer basically starts in the stomach and by the time it spreads to other parts of the body, they are not concentrating on the stomach.” Robbye says her mother and Angela’s sister, Mary Nell, was diagnosed with breast cancer, but at the time of her death, her stomach was “as hard as a rock.” “When it comes back in your bones, there is nothing they can do anyway,” Robbye says. “We feel like hers probably started in the stomach and they found it in the breast.” The family says there are few people in the United States or the world who know about this cancer gene or even who have been tested. The women have joined online groups and have self-educated on their conditions with doctors who have been instrumental in the process. Doctors have to step in with insurance companies to personally explain the necessity of initial testing and procedures, even though paperwork provided by each of the women identifies a positive result for “Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer” and states “High Cancer Risk.” womensinc.net 17
“Basically, one biopsy can come back positive and the next one negative,” Vanetta says. “It’s either biopsies every six months or have your stomach removed. From what I have seen in our family, it has been discovered in the lobular cancer. It’s always the focus on breast cancer, breast cancer, breast cancer, and then you forget about the other. Once it breaks through that [stomach wall], it spreads to her breast, her back, her bones. …” Just a week before the interview with WINC., Haley and Alexis tested positive for CDH1. The girls are just realizing the implications moving forward. There is no avoiding the inevitable without stomach removal, doctors say. “They can pass it on to any children that they have,” Robbye says. “It does not skip generations. My son is going to have to be tested. I have one boy. He’s 29.” Angela says, “If I had tested negative, my bunch would have been A-OK. My sister tested negative so her children don’t have it. For the girls, they not only have to decide to have their stomachs removed, but whether or not to have children because now they take the chance of passing this on to their children.” Vanetta, who is still serving in the U.S. military, says the choice is tough for herself and her daughters. Because breast cancer is highly probable, the each of the women has to decide also whether to get a full mastectomy. “Looking at the history of our family, basically everyone who has tested positive for lobular … no one knows to look in the stomach,” Vanetta says. “Other stomach cancers they can pick up on, but it seems like this one is evasive.” Of Vanetta’s three children, Haley and Alexis have been the only one’s tested. Her son, also active duty in the military, has not been tested.Vanetta’s sister and Angela’s daughter, Rose, tested negative, and another sister, Renee, has not been tested. “It’s just so hit or miss,” Angela says. “It’s just so scary. You see how fast this could spread,” Angela says. “It could just explode.” And again, finding a positive result is more than a diagnosis. If Vanetta’s son is positive for the gene, stomach removal would mean the end of his military career. Vanetta has hit her 20-years and will soon retire from the military. The whole paternal side of Sallis’ family, consisting of 27 grandchildren, are considering testing for CDH1 if they haven’t already. All the family members agree getting doctors involved is key. Dr. Ahmed Ali at Noydeen Clinic in Conway is Angela’s primary care physician and supported her telling the family’s story for awareness. “I think about it because it is what it is,” Alexis says. “I would rather have the surgery and get used to it and not be old and deal with it — no offense grandma — people don’t really know about it and people aren’t getting tested.” November is National Stomach Cancer Awareness Month. For more information on the CDH1 gene, log onto ghr.nlm or nih.gov. 18 WINC. | November 2018
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National Adoption Month
Who is Tayshun Mattison? Story by Tayshun Mattison, photo by Hilary Andrews I was born Tayshun Jordan Michael Bean on November 3rd, 2001, in Mesquite, Texas, to Kesha Williams. I went into foster care at the age of 4 years old. I had many experiences in the foster care system. I was in and out of foster homes, both good and bad. Many of the good experiences were with my little sister Taylor. I also have an older brother, whom I do not know so well because we were separated into different homes while in foster care. Sometime around my 6th birthday I was supposed to meet my mom but that did not happen because I found out that she had been killed a couple of days before my birthday. This event was a sad part in my life along with the time I flew to Dayton, Ohio. I was supposed to be adopted by a family who wanted me, but they later changed their minds. These were both heartbreaking times in my life. The excitement from these two events were short lived as the plans did not fall through but it was after these incidents, I made it my mission to get adopted, by anyone. At that point I did not care who it was. I just wanted to be somewhere permanently. In 2010, I arrived at Ridgeview Drive hoping that this would be my final destination. From the jump, I made it clear that I wanted to be adopted. I stayed at this home for a little over three years and I had saw many kids go in and out of the Taylor’s house. I
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began to become hopeless thinking it would never happen for me. I remember sitting on the stairs and praying to be in a home. I did not know it, but my prayers were being heard and they were being answered. Ms. Taylor’s mother came to visit often. I remember thinking how wonderful she was. For almost 4 years, Ms. Taylor was my foster mother but on April 3rd, 2014 she became my sister. Ms. Taylor’s mom and dad, Jeannie and Ricky adopted me. For the first time in my life, I had a forever home. I moved to Conway and my journey of uncertainty had come to an end. Six months later after being adopted, we legally changed my name to Tayshun Jordan Michael Mattison. For the first time, I felt accepted. I had a mom, dad, a 45 year old sister, a 39 year old brother and many nieces and nephews. I even have a nephew the same age as me. I had a family. Now it has been 4 years and I am a junior in high school. Even though my high school career will be coming to an end, I feel like my life is just beginning. Some of the goals that I have for the future is to get my high school diploma and go to college. I don’t quite know what I want to do yet but I do know that I want to be successful. I am very self-motivated. I have gone through some of this stuff by myself and obtained bumps, scars and bruises. But through it all, I keep my head high. When I turn 18 my mom is
going to give me files from foster care. I am anxious to see how much I have grown. My love and involvement in sports and other recreational activities have helped me to overcome all adversity. On August 16, 2017, my adopted papa Roy Lee Jones Sr. passed away. He was a big influence in my life. His legacy and love for family still lives on and will always be a part of me. Aside from him, my role model and hero is my mom Jeannie Mattison. Her love for family comes from her dad, my papa. She is my role model because she believes in me even when I don’t believe in myself at times. She has always treated me like her son and nothing less. She has owned and operated her daycare for over 40 years and through it she has touched many people’s lives. My mom is the best and I have the best family in the world. I am Tayshun Jordan Michael Mattison, and this is my story. — Tayshun is a junior at Mayflower High School. He is a member of the football, basketball and track teams and several academic organizations. He is an honor roll student. He aspires to go to Texas A&M or Baylor University to pursue business and marketing degrees. This essay was written as an assignment for Sabrena Thacker’s Advanced Placement U.S. History class.
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Home Ownership “The American Dream”
Most Realtors want a wellinformed 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. Homebuyer courses aren’t just a benefit to consumers; they’re good for the Realtor as well. 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 22 WINC. | November 2018
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. At ERA Team Real Estate our #1 Goal is excellence in service to our clients. We are here to assist you in any and all of your Real Estate transactions. If you would like to attend one of our free educational sessions just contact us to be put on the next class list. Data sources include REALTOR® Magazine Daily News and local Real Estate knowledge
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TOWN E M HO
HERO
WWII veteran lives life to the fullest by Kelly Sublett On October 16, World War II veteran Floyd Brantley turned 93 years young, and is still dancing through life. Floyd Brantley was a U.S. Navy Pharmacist Mate Second Class, stationed in the Solomon Islands during World War II. He also served in the Korean Conflict as a Navy Medic and in the Air Force Reserves at age 50 as a cook stateside during the Vietnam War. “In the military, you grow up fast,” he says. “There’s a lot of discipline and a lot to be proud of. I believe in teaching patriotism in schools.” The nonagenarian is a vibrant, happy soul who doesn’t buy into the concept of getting older and slowing down. He reflects with ease, recalling the best moments of a life well spent. Also in October, he completed the 15-mile Big Dam Bridge bicycle race (and it wasn’t the first time), and is proud he wasn’t last in the pack. “I did get passed by a 2-year-old,” he laughs, explaining a mother was riding with a child. “But I wasn’t last. I mean, I didn’t pass anybody, but I wasn’t last!” Floyd says his reason for signing up for the Navy was personal, as his brother was killed in action during World War II. “My brother was 19 when he was killed during the Battle of Guadalcanal,” Floyd says. “When told my mother [I was enlisting], I was 18 years old and had a year left of high school. She said she had already lost one son and didn’t want me to go. I know she wanted me to finish school, and I promised her I would.” And he did. Floyd returned from war and was one of only three of 13 who returned to his town to graduate at his high school in Lufkin, Texas, at age 20. He ended up going to Baylor University and earned his teaching and business degrees. 24 WINC. | November 2018
He taught math and science in public schools but struggled to make a living. He accepted a text-book sales job for Simon & Schuster, and he was required to live in Arkansas to cover his territory. He worked in the job for 25 years and remained in the Reserves. Floyd and wife, Elizabeth, now live at College Square in Conway, and although his wife has some health issues that prevent her from traversing town with him, he takes every opportunity to show her photo around and beams at the “lucky” man he is. “I married a good woman and have a good family. I had a good job,” he says. “I served my country. I finished school like I told my mother I would. I’ve been retired now longer than I worked. Life is good.” Floyd takes every opportunity to travel globally. His son, Charles, is an airline pilot and that helps. “I like to travel,” he says. “I love history and I read a lot. I think that is one thing I took away from my service. “When you’re overseas, life is different. When I was overseas, I was homesick and I just kept telling myself I would love to see America again, to see the American coast. I was so happy the first time I saw the American coast, coming home from war on a ship. It was thrilling. “Now, I travel every chance I get. I even won a trip once to Germany and England. I stay active and have done lots of mission trips to China, Russia and volunteered with the Red Cross. In Russia, I gave a man shoes, clothes and a Bible. He cried. My translator told me he was crying because he had never received a gift in his life. It is experiences like that that keep me going.” Floyd’s life lessons are gems he doesn’t mind sharing. He is a believer in God and Country and has spent the last few decades telling his story. “... Even for my grandkids, if I could emphasize the importance, first of all their relation to God, … then the relation to the freedom we have in the United States of America. For them, if it is the will to fight for it, to work for it, to do whatever it is, to promote our form of government and try to encourage youngsters in the future generations because we have lost so much and we can lose more unless we are willing to work and study and fight for it,” he told a historical interviewer in 2007. “There are mistakes I made, oh yes, but you look back and say you can’t thrive on the mistakes. Just look forward and try correcting and do the best you can in your personal life and your spiritual life. … I don’t know how long the Lord has got me here but I think there is a purpose for every life.”
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Living Sustainably with Jewelry I recently helped one of our co-workers prepare for her wedding and she mentioned that she was really wanting to use her Grandmother’s watch as her ‘something old’. Sadly, the older watch no longer had a watch band and like many older, manual movement watches, it no longer worked. Another brilliant co-worker had the idea to just make it into a bracelet by stringing a strand of seed pearls together to form a band. It turned out beautifully and this young lady now has a wonderful, and more importantly, sentimental piece of jewelry that she wears and enjoys every day! We’ve since found a designer that specializes in “up-cycling” old watches, coins, lockets or practically any sentimental piece you have, old or new. “Living sustainably” has been a trend in the fashion scene lately and some have adopted it as a way of life. It encourages us not to be the ‘throw-away’ society that we have
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become but to appreciate older, vintage and even used pieces and to accept that they still have plenty of usefulness and even abundant beauty! Every one of us has a treasured piece that we love for it’s sentimental meaning, but many of these pieces are sitting in our jewelry boxes and never get to be enjoyed or shown off. Whether it’s the costume
jewelry necklace you wore to your senior prom, a coin you brought back from a wonderful trip, or even an inherited piece that you just didn’t feel was your style, all can be easily transformed into very stylish pieces of jewelry or art for your home. Some of the most beautiful and eye-catching pieces of jewelry that I’ve seen have been pieces that had rich sentimental meaning to the owner and many have undergone some form of transformation that made them the perfect style for that person. I challenge you to go on a little treasure hunt through your jewelry box and see what pieces you might have that can be transformed into a sustainable new, and truly one-of-a-kind, piece of jewelry!
Cindy Webb is the owner of Francis M. Fine Jewelry in downtown Conway. She received her Bachelor of Science in Speech/Communications from UCA, her Graduate Gemologist title from GIA, her Certified Gemologist title from AGS and has continued her education with GIA by receiving the Pearls diploma and Insurance Replacement Appraisal diploma. Cindy has worked in the fine jewelry business for the past 25 years in literally every capacity and is also a practicing numismatist. She and her husband, Donald, live in Conway with their 3 adopted cats.
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Houseguest Survival Guide
by Andrea Champlin
There are a lot of well-known Benjamin Franklin quotes; in fact, there’s a whole book of them. My husband bought a copy of it on a business trip to Boston as a present for our daughter, Annabel. She’s a 10-year-old history fanatic and he thought she’d like it. He was right. To honor the beginning of houseguest season, I thought it only appropriate to share a quote from Franklin: “Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days.” If you’ve ever had houseguests, I don’t care how dearly they are loved, sometimes nerves can get a little frayed when everyone is under the same roof. As a hostess, it’s your job to make sure guests feel welcome and comfortable. And to keep peace, harmony, and sanity in the house. When we have guests for the holidays, I kind of think of myself as the director. I make plans for entertainment and meals, shop, and make sure we have everything necessary for all of our plans in the house. Planning is key to a successful visit. I spend hours planning and shopping; when guests arrive, everything is on autopilot and I’m able to enjoy spending time with family and friends. Here are some tips guests staying in your home: Use Paper Plates and Cups Buy paper plates, disposable cups, utensils and paper napkins! This will make life so much easier.You won’t need to worry about running the dishwasher three times a day or running out of forks for pumpkin pie. I have found that exactly zero people are ever offended by this. And if you’re not washing dishes you’re actually able to talk to the people that came there to see you anyway. And don’t forget a sharpie to write names on cups. Meal Plan I plan all meals for the duration of the stay. I know when we will be going out to a restaurant and when we’ll be having meals at home. I buy all of the groceries needed and take note of any special dietary requests. By the way, this is way more organized than I am in my normal, non-houseguest life. A Honey Baked 30 WINC. | November 2018
Ham is always present at some point during the holidays, we’ll usually have it as a meal and the leftovers will be eaten for days after. If I buy Hawaiian rolls to go with it, my kids will make sandwiches for themselves for days until the ham (or bread) is gone. Premade Breakfast I stock up on frozen breakfast items, yogurt, bagels, cereal, fruit and make sure I have plenty of eggs on hand. If you don’t have a Sam’s Club membership, now is a great time to get one. If I’m feeling especially domestic, I’ll make a breakfast casserole to pop in the oven one morning. Everyone usually gets up at different times, so I let our houseguests know where things are and usually breakfast is on your own.
Local Attractions Have some guests that want to explore a bit on their own? It’s always a good idea for everyone to have a little personal time. Have a list of local things that are going on. I try to have several options available, and who knows? You may all want to go! Toiletries Make sure you have extra toothbrushes and toothpaste, soap and shampoo, especially if you have guests flying in. Some of these are difficult to fly with. An extra hair dryer might not be a bad idea too! And if you’re behind on laundry, make sure you have enough towels in the bathroom for all of your extra guests.
I would tell you to have enough toilet paper, but I’m going to assume you already know that. Football Schedule We have family from all over the United States, and some of their football teams aren’t very popular here. I mean seriously, I’ve had to teach some how to call the Hogs. I try to find what channel their team’s game will be on and the time, and let them know in case they want to watch. Board Games Board games are always fun, for adults and kids. Some of our family favorite games are the classics like Scrabble and Monopoly,
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but and I really want to get the Pie in the Face game this year. Board games are a great way to spend time together! Coffee Have plenty of coffee, regular and decaf. Show everyone where the coffeemaker is and how to use it. We have one persnickety uncle (Uncle Rich, I’m talking about you) that only drinks half and half in his coffee, so I make sure that’s on hand too. Trash Bags Have lots of trash bags.You will need them for all of the paper plates. Wifi Password Hopefully no one is on electronics very much during all this family bonding time, but you will eventually be asked for your wifi password. Write it down and stick it on the fridge so it’s accessible for anyone who needs it. Gather Extra Pillows and Blankets Know where everyone is sleeping and make sure you have enough pillows and blankets for everyone. If you have an air mattress that you’re using, make sure you have a pump to blow it up. It’s good to check for holes before your guests arrive too. And there you go! The recipe for domestic bliss over the holidays. What could go wrong? However, if this doesn’t work, and your houseguests begin to remind you a bit of fish, there’s always the hotel option.
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Andrea Champlin is a Conway transplant with a new appreciation for toads and mythical creatures. She’s a wife, mom of three, and likes to create pretty things all while trying to get the mom thing right. Andrea can usually be found toting her kids around or planning their next trip, but always with paint on her hands.
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Conversations with a
Darrell & Leslie Amy
Photo by Angie Davis
Children: Hayley 29; Megan, 27; and Paxson, 14 Hometown: Leslie grew up in Maumelle. Darrell grew up in London, Ontario Canada. Occupation: Darrell is a Sales and Marketing Consultant and Amy is a newborn, maternity and child photographer at Leslie Amy Photography in Conway. What’s something people wouldn’t generally know about you? Darrell became a naturalized citizen in April 2018 and although he holds a political science degree, has never been able to vote in an election until now. What’s the last music you listened to as a family while driving? Him: Mosaic MSC Her: Maybe the Greatest Showman soundtrack What’s your guilty pleasure? Him: Words With Friends Her: The Bachelor reality show What’s the one thing in your home you want to get rid of but that your spouse won’t allow? Him: The stash of reclaimed wood in the garage Her: His giant papasan chair Who is your favorite animated character? Him: Foghorn Leghorn Her: Well my grandbaby girls are both very animated and dramatic so I’m going to say they are my favorite animated characters :)
Her: Australia in 2014. Amazing vacation! Do you prefer mountains or the beach? Him: This is a toss up. Her: Both - Costa Rica or Hawaii - you get both! Who do you most admire? Him: My late friend and mentor, Mike Bernadsky. Her: My parents. They just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, that’s a pretty awesome accomplishment. They are both incredibly loving and patience people. Which is your favorite restaurant in town? Him: Whichever restaurant Leslie is craving Her: Oh gosh, I love so many. Short list: Zaza’s, US Pizza, Tazikis, Tacos4Life, David’s, Pasta Grill, On the Border.
What are you most passionate about? Him: Helping men recover their hearts. Is your family more Her: Making (and documenting) great Elvis or Beatles? memories in life. Him: Beatles Her: I love BOTH What is the furthest you’ve been for sure. from home and why? 34 WINC. | November 2018have clients there. Him: Australia—I
Who is the better driver? Him: Me. Her: Me. He’s a little lead-footed :) Who is the calmest? Him: Me. Her: We are both pretty calm. I guess he’s probably the most calm though. What is your family’s favorite hobby? Both: We love to sail on Lake Maumelle when the weather is nice (sadly, that’s not very often in Arkansas.) And we LOVE to travel! Where do you go to church? Both: New Life Church What is your favorite memory as a family? (this isn’t really a “family” memory, it was just us two..?) Both: Our favorite memory right now is our trip to London, Paris and the French Alps this past spring. It was so incredible! Cody Sublett is a native to Faulkner County. He is a local business owner and enjoys sharing the personalities of the people he meets. Whether it is another small business owner or a family he has had the pleasure of working for, the Cadron Creek Craftsman is happy to share a little bit about the people who make Central Arkansas unique and diverse.
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Winter Is Coming
I’m a big fan of The Game of Thrones, a wildly popular HBO series which started back in 2011. In fact, I’m rather impatiently waiting for the supposedly “final” season to air in 2019. The setting for the series is the mythical land of Westeros in which there are multiple Kingdoms and Noble Houses. One of these is House Stark, rulers of the northernmost territory where winter hits the hardest. “Winter Is Coming” is the motto of House Stark, and the meaning behind these words is one of warning and constant vigilance. Winter is coming, literally, before too many more weeks go by, and with it we can expect some days when porches, sidewalks, and driveways are going to be wet and slippery. The admonition of constant vigilance certainly applies in order to avoid some potentially nasty falls. Each year, millions of people aged 65 and older have a fall. More than one out of four older people falls each year, and one out of five falls results in a serious injury such as a broken bone or a head injury. In fact, falls are the number one cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries in older Americans. Statistically, the numbers are staggering – no pun intended – 29 million falls, 3 million emergency department visits, 800,000 hospitalizations, and 28,000 deaths, according to the CDC website. The true number of falls is quite probably much higher because less than half of patients who fall tell their doctor. Many falls do not cause injuries, but those that do can make it hard on a person to continue with normal everyday activities or continue to live independently. There is a
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psychological component to be considered as well. Many people who fall, even if they are not injured, become afraid of falling. This fear may cause a person to cut down on their everyday activities. Less activity leads to less muscle strength, and thus an increased chance of another fall. In fact, falling once actually doubles your chance of falling again. As you might expect, government “bean counters” have put a price tag on the cost of these on the healthcare system. Older adult falls resulted in more than $50 billion in medical costs in 2015 alone, with approximately 75% of those costs falling on the shoulders of Medicare and Medicaid. So, it comes as no surprise that the CDC is working to make fall prevention a routine part of clinical care for seniors through its STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries) initiative. STEADI uses some established protocols and strategies to help primary care providers screen their older patients for fall risk, identify risk factors that can be modified, and offer these patients some solutions that work. You can download a couple of very useful brochures for patients and caregivers at www.cdc.gov/steadi. Most falls are caused by a combination of risk factors. The more of these a person has, the greater their chance of falling. Here are a few risk factors that can contribute to falling. See if any of them apply to you and begin to think about ways to modify the ones you can to keep you from becoming a statistic.
Lower body weakness, low vitamin D levels, difficulty with walking and balance, foot pain or numbness, ill-fitting shoes, vision problems, and home hazards such as throw rugs or clutter are all very common risk factors. One very controllable risk factor is your medication list. That’s where your pharmacist can play a major role. Far too many seniors are on medications – both prescription and over-the-counter – that cause drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion, or otherwise affect their mental acuity. In fact, there is a very comprehensive list of these called the Beer’s list of potentially inappropriate medications for older adults. I emphasize the word, potentially, because some of them are very helpful to seniors when monitored closely. At least once a year you should set aside a few minutes and take all of your medications to your pharmacist and let him or her evaluate them. That’s what we call a “brown bag” special, and it won’t cost you a penny. Do exercises to strengthen your legs and improve your balance, use hand rails on stairs, have your eyes checked, remove trip hazards, and make sure you have plenty of light when you get up at night to go to the bathroom. Winter is coming. David Smith is the owner and chief pharmacist at Smith Family Pharmacy where he works with his wife Shirley and staff. He graduated from the UAMS College of Pharmacy in 1974 and has been taking care of people in the Conway and surrounding areas for more than 44 years. He loves spending time with family and is No1POP to 5 wonderful grandchildren.
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A Look Back...
World War I inductees are pictured with examining physician Dr. J.S. Westerfield, seated in the center of the second row. Photo credit: FCHS housed in UCA Archives
World War I Centennial Anniversary by Cindy Beckman
Patriotic rallies were held, and flags were hoisted around Conway while young men at the colleges began volunteering. November 11, 2018, marks the 100th anniversary of the Seventy-five men joined a company of guards organized at State Armistice that officially ended World War I. More than four Normal School by Prof. R.E. Womack and Prof. G. Daniel Estes; million American families sent their sons and daughters to serve both had military training at the University of Arkansas. The in uniform during the Great War. With a casualty rate far greater Normal School cancelled graduation activities in early May on than World War II, 116,510 U.S. soldier died from combat and account of the national crisis. disease while another 200,000 were wounded. Once the U.S. entered the war, a total of 199,857 Arkansans, Although World War I began in 1914, the United States did not ages 21-45, were registered. This caused a great labor shortage enter the conflict until April 1917. Even before the U.S. entered, in the state while new job opportunities were provided in the however, the fighting affected Arkansas. Armies needed cotton construction of Camp Pike in North Little Rock, named for Gen. for uniforms and bandages as well as lead and zinc which were Zebulon Pike, and Eberts Field in Lonoke County. mined in the state. A factory was also built in Helena to craft Various campaigns were launched in Faulkner County to rifle stocks from the local hardwoods. support the war effort. More than 200 black farmers gathered at Dr. J.Z. Bailey and Theodore Smith quickly began organizing a the black school building to discuss how to meet the food needs, 65-man machine gun company in Conway after war was declared. supplying both the soldiers and the people at home. A committee Eight other Faulkner County men joined the Morrilton company was established to distribute khaki-bound testaments to the of the Third Regiment, Arkansas National Guard. Still others Faulkner County boys going to war. Conway women began to were recruited by the various branches of the military. “sew for soldiers,� making bed coats, sweaters, pajamas and Dr. J.S. Westerfield, who practiced medicine in Conway from socks. 1894 to 1933, served as the examining physician for the World Fundraising efforts also began as every community was given War I inductees from Faulkner County. Physicals of prospective quotas to raise its share of liberty loans, bonds, war savings soldiers across the state revealed chronic health problems stamps and other funds. Money was also raised to provide a including hookworm. library and a Victrola for soldiers at Camp Pike. New taxes were 38 WINC. | November 2018
This statue of a WWI “doughboy” was unveiled in 1920 on the west lawn of Hendrix’s Tabor Hall but was moved to Young Stadium in 1923 and became known as the “Young Memorial.” In 2013, it was restored and expanded to also honor the two Wise brothers, both Hendrix alumni who lost their lives fighting in Afghanistan. It was placed outside the new YoungWise Stadium which was completed that year. also placed on railroad passenger fares to raise money; a ticket to Little Rock was raised to exactly a dollar. As the war progressed, more sacrifices were made at home. Citizens observed “meatless” days as butchers were notified they could not sell meat on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Faulkner County young women began enrolling in the US Student Nurse reserve as the call went out for 25,000 nurses. The first death of a Faulkner County serviceman occurred in December 1917 when William Luther Fulmer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Fulmer of Beryl, died at Camp Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina. Faulkner County lost at least 20 young men in the war. Cindy Beckman is a local freelance writer. She writes A Look Back, a weekly Tuesday column; A Look Forward, a bi-monthly Sunday column; and the daily Yesterdays column for the Log Cabin. She has also authored several local history books and articles. She may be reached at beckman@windstream.net
Bells of Peace “Bells of Peace” will ring at various locations around the state on Sunday, November 11 at 11 a.m. People and organizations around the state will ring bells 11 times to celebrate the end of World War I and remember the millions who fought, suffered and died in what was hoped to be “The War to End All Wars.” Area Participants in “Bells of Peace” • Faulkner County Museum, 801 Locust, Courthouse Square, Conway • Peace Lutheran Church, 800 S. Donaghey Ave., Conway • Jacksonville Museum of Military History, 100 Veterans Circle, Jacksonville • Perryville United Methodist Church Bell Choir, 123 Cross St., Perryville Anyone wishing to participate can send the name of their organization and the address at which the memorial bell-ringing will take place to info@arkansaspreservation.org and their information will be added to the list below. For more information, send an email to the address above or call (501) 324-9886. Area Remembrance Events • Faulkner County Museum — A World War I exhibit has been assembled in the front exhibition room with pictures and documents pertaining to Faulkner County men who served in World War I. • Hendrix College — November 2017-November 2018 —“The Great Wars: Life at Hendrix 19141918…and After” exhibit at the Bailey Library on the Hendrix campus. Open during regular library hours. • Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum, William Grant Still and WWI Exhibit, 120 Riverfront Park Drive, North Little Roc, • MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, 503 East 9th St., Little Rock, “A Soldier’s Haversack,” A WWI-themed loan box available for schools; “First Call: American Posters of WWI” exhibit; • Arkansas National Guard Museum — “Camp Pike Exhibit,” Camp Robinson, 704 E. Military Dr., North Little Rock, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Arkansas State Archives — “On the Fields and in the Trenches: Relics of the First World War, One Capitol Mall, Little Rock • Arkansas State Capitol — “The Great War: Arkansas in World War I traveling exhibit and “The World Remembers” exhibit, Arkansas State Capitol, 500 Woodlane St., Little Rock, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. until November 11, 2018. womensinc.net 39
Getting Used to Hearing Aids and Better Hearing By Dr. Sam Kelso, Au.D. You’ve finally decided that it’s time to get hearing aids, or maybe you just recently got your first pair but aren’t quite sure about what to expect. Hopefully your doctor gave you some tips for realistic expectations and you’re moving along without a hitch. I hope that this short article will inform you about what to expect and/or motivate you to seek a diagnosis and treatment for your hearing loss. I’ve written in this space on prior occasions that hearing sounds and understanding speech are different. Hearing is the ability of your ears to detect the presence of a sound while understanding is the ability of your brain to formulate those sounds into something that is meaningful. The primary complaint of all patients with sensory neural hearing loss is. “I hear but I can’t understand”. The brain must be constantly stimulated to process sound and ironically it is our ability to ignore unwanted sounds that help us hear better in noisy places. In order to begin to hear better, new hearing aid users must learn to filter out what they don’t want to hear the same way that they did when their hearing was normal. People with normal hearing have the ability to do this and don’t even think about it.
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The primary complaint of all patients with sensory neural hearing loss is. “I hear but I can’t understand” No hearing aid can distinguish between what you want to hear and don’t want to hear as well as your brain can. The longer you go without hearing well the harder it is for your brain to relearn to understand speech in the presence of other noises. We can all get used to things to the point where we ignore them. If you were to move in to a house close to the railroad tracks, you might not sleep for weeks, or even a few months because you would
be so aware of the trains going by. After several years someone might ask you, “How can you stand that?” and your response would be, “Stand what?” The train didn’t get quieter, but you became so used to it that your brain learned to ignore it and it no longer interferes with your normal activity or sleep. The more that you wear your new hearing aids the more sound you will be hearing, and your brain learns to better sort out things that are not important so that it can focus on the sounds of voices that keep you engaged in the conversation. Getting used to your hearing aids should only take a couple of weeks and most patients tell me that they don’t even know they are wearing them after a few days. I generally tell a patient that they should expect a 75-80% improvement in their ability to understand. This is meant to imply that you will hear much better but can sometimes miss what was said. It helps to be self-motivated and stay positive about hearing and understanding better. Hearing aids have improved dramatically in the past few years but more importantly those improvements have helped patients regain much of their speech understanding that was once lost to them. They can help you too!
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Explore a new world of twirl by Kelly Sublett Central Arkansas Baton Twirling has been an option for young people in Conway for 10 years, and owner and coach Janice Jackson Seamands says there are more benefits than one might expect in the sport. “You can have fun while learning, and you get out of the competition what you put in,” she says. Baton twirling has a long history, beginning with drum majors who were male. Eventually, women began to enhance the techniques and skill associated with the baton and “majorettes,” as we know them now, were born. “There is a whole baton twirling world, and unless it has been promoted in the area you live in, you might not know there are scholarships and world competitions,” Janice says. “I think one of the biggest things it does for people is that it gives you confidence and the ability to be relaxed while presenting yourself. It even helps with interview skills, especially for those who will go on to twirl for colleges.” Baton twirling has several categories by which twirlers can be judged in a competition. An event might include strutting events, which consist of constant motion.
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Janice Jackson Seamands “It is likened to walking the football field with the band, twirling the whole time,” Janice says. “It’s not easy.” There are other categories of competition, too, including the actual number of batons in the air at once (up to three), rhythmic twirling, flag twirling, duets and trio performances and military strut among them. “The skill involved is fascinating because there are so many parts of it,” Janice says. “It is very important to have a strong dance technique.”
And all ages are welcome for instruction at Central Arkansas Baton Twirling, considering competitive age groups begin as young as age 1-6 and age 16 and older. Both girls and boys are welcome in the sport. “And yes, we still do fire batons,” Janice smiles. “That’s always fun.” Janice has an impressive resume as a coach, but her first introduction to the world of twirl was humble and created a lasting bond with her father. “My dad was an audio engineer,” she says. “One day he came home from working a dance recital and said, ‘I think I saw something at work last night that you might like.’ I guess I was 8 years old. I figured out really quickly twirling was for me, and my dad always supported me.” And her grandmother helped foster Janice’s skill in the sport, opting for buying lessons instead of Christmas presents. “I was happy with that,” she says. “That was a big gift and she paid for lessons, competitions and costumes. I meant so much to me. I probably got to travel to 90 places I would never have gone and see a lot of the world. It opened up a world to me I wouldn’t have otherwise.” Janice now has taught baton twirling for 35 years for athletes across the United States. She also judges competitions worldwide.
She was the USA World Team National Coach in 2009, 2012, 2015 and 2018. She was the acting president of the World Federation of National Baton Twirling Associations in 2015 for the world championships. She is a charter member of the National Baton Association Baton Twirling Hall of Fame. Janice’s students include Miss Texas 2012 DaNae Couch, Miss Texas 2011 Kendall Morris and Miss Texas 1993 Bashara “Bo” Chandler, among others. She trains featured twirlers for colleges, including the University of Central Arkansas, University of Arkansas, Arkansas Tech and even Ivy League colleges like Yale University. Central Arkansas Baton Twirling now is accepting new students, and Janice invites those interested to visit the studio at 1089 Front Street in Conway to get an idea of the multi-facets of the sport. For more information, follow Central Arkansas Baton Twirling on Facebook, or call 501-733-1131.
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tennis. gardening. hiking. Get back to jogging. boating. With the new Mako Robotic Technology, replace your knee or hip with more precision. When you need a hip or knee replacement, know that Conway Regional is the only hospital in Conway to offer the Mako RoboticArm Assisted Technology. With the Mako System, your surgery is less invasive and more precise than traditional methods. And only at Conway Regional will you have the personalized care of RecoveryCOACH to guide you through your surgical journey from pre-op to recovery. Call us today to schedule a consultation. ConwayRegional.org/Mako
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