Women's Inc. - 1/2015

WOMENSINC.NET

JANUARY 2016

WOMEN

IN BUSINESS

Diamond Achievement Award Recipient PAM McDOWELL

INSIDE: FAULKNER COUNTY MEDICAL DIRECTORY

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WINC.

CONTENTS

J A N U A R Y 2 016 / / WOM EN ’ S IN C .

Editor Lori Quinn

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

6

HUMBLY HONORED

Pam McDowell

15

Chief Photographer Brandy Strain Advertising Sales Director Betsey Barham

9

women in business

2015 Honorees

18

20 years of service

‘a living historian’

24

46

Central Arkansas ENT

Ty Lanehart’s Cobblestone Shoe Repair

Advertising Coordinator Molly May Advertising Sales Executives Sarah Allen Tara Mallett Lisa Licht 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

farmhouse living

Donna & Joey Benton home

a perfect score

Jillian Tang’s high marks

columns 30. art scene

34. book review

32. spiritual

42. food

Cinderella the Ballet coming to Conway

by Jennie Strange

The Power of God

by Andrea Lennon

36. events

Faulkner Co. Board of Realtors Christmas Gala & HAVEN Christmas Coffee

Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter

by Susan O’Keefe

Winter treats

by Chef Jill McCollum, cc

38. in the news

Teacher/intern honors, Bard Ball and raising money for Conway Cradle Care WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 5

cover stor y

Paul Helton; Pam, Jay, Michelle and Tanner McDowell 6 WOMEN’S INC. / JANUARY 2016

diamond achievement winner pam mcdowell

Humbly honored

WOMEN IN BUSINESS AWARDS DIAMOND ACHIEVEMENT HONOREE PAM MCDOWELL INSPIRES FROM A LIFETIME OF SUCCESS

By Jennifer Stanley Photos by Brandy Strain The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce presented its fourth annual Women in Business Awards on Tuesday, Dec. 1 at Centennial Valley Country Club.

The distinctive Diamond Achievement Award is presented to an individual with at least 25 years of professional experience who has inspired women and who has had a positive impact on those in her profession and in the community. This year’s honor deservingly went to Pam McDowell of Pam McDowell Properties.

The awards were sponsored by the UCA Foundation and Simmons Bank. For the first time, this year’s Women in Business Awards included nonprofit honorees in addition to corporate.

The 2015 Outstanding Women in Business and Nonprofit included: • Elizabeth Blankenship, Southridge Village Assisted Living • Mary Clements, Middleton Heat & Air • Tiffany Duhamel, Regions Bank • Patti Stobaugh, PattiCakes Bakery and Stoby’s Conway • Judi Lively, Bethlehem House, Inc. (Nonprofit) • LaTresha Woodruff, Conway Police Department (Nonprofit) Of being honored with the Diamond Achievement Award, Pam said, “I was totally shocked.”

The Chamber accepted award nominations from the community, and a panel of executives outside the state reviewed the nominations and selected the recipients.

Pam is more than deserving of the honor.

The blue and white signs for Pam McDowell Properties can be seen all over Conway — in

front of residential homes and commercial properties, on television and on social media.

Pam’s family includes son, Jay McDowell and daughter-in-law, Michelle. Also, Pam enjoys every moment with her two-year-old grandson, Tanner Gray McDowell.

Pam is soft-spoken and friendly. Raised in Clarksville, Arkansas, she moved to Conway in 1971. She purchased her first home in 1972. She sold it and bought her second house in 1974. She sold that one and bought yet another in 1977.

“By that time, I gained a genuine interest in buying and selling real estate,” she explained.

She procured her real estate license and took a job working for Pete Hart and Betty Dunaway. She enjoyed working there for around two years.

“I had the highest respect for Pete and Betty. They were wonderful to work for.”

Pam left her job to start Conway Real Estate Group, along with Camilla Marr, Freda Thompson, Frank Shaw and Ken Stewart.

Pam loved this venture — until interest rates skyrocketed to 20 percent in 1982, prompting them to sell the business.

Pam took a temporary hiatus from real estate. However, during this time, Doris Underwood, then with Coldwell Banker, called Pam almost daily, encouraging her to come back to real estate and work with her. Pam eventually conceded, saying her heart was really in real estate. She went to work for Doris in 1989 and stayed there until Doris sold the business. About that time, “real estate in Conway started to boom,” Pam said.

In 1995, Hal Crafton approached Pam with the prospect of starting a real estate company to market his properties. The result was a partnership with Hal and Rush Harding, forming Pam McDowell Properties. Of WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 7

their successful business relationship, Pam stated, “Hal and Rush are fabulous to work with and are just great people. We are so fortunate.”

At the company’s inception, Pam brought Pat Edwards, Sharon Rietzke and Teresa Vaughn with her from Coldwell Banker. She also quickly hired Velda Lueders as the office manager, and, in short order, persuaded her to obtain her real estate license. Velda quickly joined the sales team at McDowell.

When asked about the lengthy tenure of her agents, Pam said humbly, “You have to be fair in everything you do. We have the same rules for every agent, and we are very fair.” That mantra has served her well.

Pam largely attributes Pam McDowell Properties’ staying power throughout many economic changes to their agents.

“Our agents set us apart. We are a family, and like family, we may argue amongst ourselves, but we are fiercely loyal to each other. We are very caring and charitable and have a great mix of people.”

Pam’s agency is also successful due to their relationships with clients. They encourage sellers to price their homes reasonably up front and be realistic about their needs. They also know buyers want to feel like they are getting a good deal. In that same sense, Pam encourages buyers to be realistic about their needs and wants and to convey those clearly to the agent. McDowell Properties enjoys many repeat customers and is a force in Conway and the surrounding areas.

When asked about the future of Pam McDowell Properties, Pam responded enthusiastically, “There is a real excitement in the Conway area market with the retail growth. Acquiring a Sam’s Club, Bed Bath & Beyond, Chico’s and others will bring job opportunities and tax revenue for improvements. More importantly, the huge expanse in the medical field with the new Baptist Health Medical CenterConway and the alignment of CHI St. Vincent with Conway Regional Medical Center are vital to reviving the housing market from the downturn of 2008.”

Pam also praises the energetic attitude in Conway and the current emphasis on health and wellness, which helps attract people to the area.

In addition to Pam’s myriad accomplishments, she can now add Diamond Achievement Award recipient to the list.

The prize included a pearl necklace made by Fletcher Smith Jewelers in Conway, which featured a medallion engraved with Pam’s name.

Certainly, Pam will continue to inspire and encourage generations of women in business in Conway for years to come.

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2015 WOMEN IN BUSINESS HONOREES

The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s fourth annual Women in Business Awards took place Tuesday, Dec. 1 at Centennial Valley Country Club. The sellout event honored Outstanding Women in Business, Outstanding Women in Nonprofit, and one Diamond Achievement Award recipient.

Pam McDowell of Pam McDowell Properties is the 2015 Diamond Achievement Award recipient. This award is presented to an individual with at least 25 years of professional experience who has inspired and empowered many generations of women and who has had a positive impact on those in her profession and in the community.

For the first time, this year’s awards luncheon honored Outstanding Women in Nonprofit in addition to Outstanding Women in Business. The honorees embody high standards of excellence, dedication and accomplishment to their respective organizations, industries and to the business community. The 2015 honorees are as follows: • Elizabeth Blankenship, Southridge Village Assisted Living • Mary Clements, Middleton Heat and Air • Tiffany Duhamel, Regions Bank • Patti Stobaugh, PattiCakes Bakery/Stoby’s • Judi Lively, Bethlehem House (Nonprofit) • LaTresha Woodruff, Conway Police Department (Nonprofit) The selection committee consisted of women executives outside Conway: Mary Wheatley, Rheumatology Research Foundation (Atlanta, Georgia); Kelle Marsalis, Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce (Dallas, Texas); Kuma Roberts, Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce (Tulsa, Oklahoma); and Elyse Cullen, North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce (North Little Rock, Arkansas).

About the Event This year’s speaker was Kristi Crum, vice president of strategy and distribution for Verizon Wireless. An Arkansas native, Crum is a graduate of Hendrix College and has worked in the telecommunications industry since 2001.

Presenting sponsors for Women in Business were UCA Foundation and Simmons Bank. For more information about Women in Business, visit ConwayChamber.org.

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PAM McDOWELL

2015 Women in Business diamond achievement award recipient With more than 20 percent of the market, Pam McDowell Properties is the leader in sales in Faulkner County. Owner Pam McDowell’s career in real estate spans more than three decades, and she has been a business owner for 20 years.

“Conway has been so good to me in the past 44 years with the tremendous growth,” she said. “The support from the agents at Pam McDowell Properties has made me the person I am.”

McDowell was the first woman chosen to serve on the Conway Planning Commission. She is active on the Faulkner County Board of Realtors, having served as president, secretary, and treasurer. In 1982, she was chosen as the Faulkner County Realtor of the Year.

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McDowell has fostered a work environment that has given opportunities to women of all ages and all different stages of life – from single moms to college graduates to women who are re-entering the workforce. Pam McDowell Properties currently employs more than 30 women ranging in age from their 20s to their 60s.

“Every woman in our office is incredible and brings unique talents and gifts to our company,” she said.

McDowell and her late husband have one son, Jay. He and his wife, Michelle, have a two-year-old son, Tanner Gray McDowell, who Pam describes as “her pride and joy.”

elizabeth blankenship 2015 Women in Business Honoree Elizabeth Blankenship has dedicated her 40-year career to the care of seniors and elders. As the CEO and owner of Southridge Village Assisted Living, she oversees four assisted living facilities. Blankenship purchased an 11-bed, residential care facility in Heber Springs in 1994 and eventually opened additional locations in Conway, Cabot, and Russellville.

“Promoting the advancement of quality, person-centered care for elders has always been a passion of mine,” Blankenship said. “I wanted to make a difference, and it became evident that the best way to do so was to own a business and be the person responsible for making decisions concerning the residents’ care.”

Blankenship’s passion for long-term care goes beyond her role as a business owner. In 2001, she helped make assisted living a reality across the state by working with the Arkansas legislature to write the state’s rules and regulations for assisted living. She also wrote the curriculum for the first Assisted Living Administrator Certification course and currently teaches a section of the course semiannually.

mary clements 2015 Women in Business Honoree Mary Clements has a nearly 20-year career in office management.

She previously worked for a judge and attorney for several years before entering the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning industry.

“I am grateful to be able to manage an office and know I am trusted, supported, and worthy of the respect from others,” she said.

As office manager for Middleton Heat and Air’s Conway office, Clements is solely responsible for managing five technicians, ordering and stocking parts, receiving invoices and tickets, maintaining accurate records and logs, and communicating with both residential and commercial customers, among other duties.

“I prioritize things regularly, and I juggle everything,” Clements said.

“This past year, I’ve have experienced some health issues, which has made finding a balance between my personal and professional life more difficult.

However, I have maintained my faith and stayed strong. I am fortunate to have had the support of friends and family.”

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tiffany duhamel 2015 Women in Business Honoree Tiffany Duhamel is a mortgage loan officer at Regions Bank. She began her career in banking as a teller and later worked as a loan assistant during college, sacrificing much of her social life and college involvement for her goal to become a loan officer. At the beginning of her final semester at the University of Central Arkansas, she gave birth to her daughter, Kennedi.

“I missed only one week of class and juggled being a new mother and a full-time student while working as a loan assistant,” Duhamel said. “I was determined to earn my college degree and reach my goal of becoming a loan officer.”

Duhamel’s perseverance and dedication paid off. As a mortgage loan officer, she has helped more than 225 families achieve their dream of homeownership. She is currently ranked among Regions Bank’s Top 5 loan officers in the state of Arkansas for loan-closing volume.

judi lively 2015 Women in Business Honoree For 10 years, Judi Lively has served as executive director of Bethlehem House, a nonprofit that provides shelter and support services to homeless individuals and families in Conway. Lively recently led a capital campaign to raise $1.5 million to build a new facility and oversaw the construction process. Under her leadership, Bethlehem House’s annual revenue more than doubled, and the new facility was paid off within 18 months.

Lively made a career change in her mid-40s, choosing life impact over salary. “I often remind myself that in my job, I am responsible for much more than a ‘product,’” she said. “The decisions I make and the work I do can literally mean the difference in life and death.”

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patti stobaugh 2015 Women in Business Honoree Patti Stobaugh is the owner of PattiCakes Bakery. The Conway bakery opened nine years ago, and has become a staple in the community – much like Stoby’s Restaurant, which Stobaugh and her husband, David, also own.

“Making it past the five-year mark was an important milestone for us,” Stobaugh said. “Most independent bakeries close their doors within five years.”

Stobaugh has worked to transform PattiCakes Bakery in Conway into a from-scratch bakery, meaning nearly everything is made fresh daily with the exception of a few items the bakery does not have the production facility for. She uses this same hands-on approach as a leader.

“The best way I can show my team how to do something is to do it myself and then walk alongside them as they learn to do it,” she said. “I’ve been fortunate to be a first-employer or an early employer for many young women. I hope that in the time they worked for me, they saw what it means to work hard and do your best.”

latresha woodruff 2015 Women in Business Honoree LaTresha Woodfuff has been in the communications industry for 20 years, beginning her career as a television news reporter. In January 2011, she became the public information officer for the Conway Police Department, making her the first civilian to serve in this role.

“I had just left my job as a television news reporter when I heard the former public information officer received a promotion,” Woodruff said. “I convinced the police chief that my experience in media would make me a good fit. I then became the first civilian public information officer for the Conway Police Department and only one of three in the state.”

During her time at the Conway Police Department, Woodruff has started an annual Child Safety Fair and increased outreach both in the community and online through social media.

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conway specialists

central arkansas ear, nose and throat clinic

Central Arkansas ENT celebrates 20 years of service

By Colleen Holt Photos by Brandy Strain

The staff at Central Arkansas Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic in Conway is celebrating the clinic’s 20th year of providing the highest quality of care for patients of all ages.

This two-physician practice provides comprehensive care for both adult and pediatric patients, treating problems ranging from ear infections to head and neck cancer. Some specialty areas offered include allergy testing and treatment (both medically and with immunotherapy for patients suffering with allergic rhinitis), sleep management, balloon sinuplasty (recently approved and less invasive method to treat chronic sinus infections) and hearing problems, including providing

and servicing hearing aids.

Dr. Collie Shaw and Dr. Ralph Marrero are both board-certified and remain current in the latest medical and surgical treatment of ear, nose and throat disorders. The staff — which also includes audiologist Dr. Samuel Kelso, two LPNs and four office employees — is committed to treating their patients as they themselves would like to be treated.

Central Arkansas ENT opened in 1995 with Dr. Shaw and Dr. Kelso on board. Dr. Marrero joined the practice in 2009. By offering topquality treatment options right here in Conway, your family can stay close to home, eliminating the need to travel.

Dr. Collie Shaw grew up in north central Arkansas before attending the University of WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 15

Central Arkansas, where he graduated with highest honors in 1986. From there he attended medical school at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, graduating in 1990. He completed his Otolaryngology residency in 1995 from West Virginia University and returned to Conway that summer to open Central Arkansas Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic. Dr. Shaw practices general otolaryngology with interests in pediatrics, sinus and allergy problems, hearing and balance disorders, and head and neck cancer.

Dr. Ralph Marrero was born and raised in Dallas. He was awarded the President’s Scholarship to attend college at Southern Methodist University, where he majored in Biology with a minor in History. He attended Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. His residency training was done at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C. After practicing for 10 years in Paris, Texas, he relocated to Conway to be near family. His board certification in Otolaryngology was received in 1998. In addition, Dr. Marrero passed the board exam in 2012 in the subspecialty of Sleep Medicine. His clinical interests include pediatric otolaryngology, allergy and sinus disorders, snoring and sleep apnea, insomnia, skin cancer, ear problems and salivary gland surgery.

Dr. Samuel Kelso was born and raised in Greenbrier, Arkansas, and attended the University of Central Arkansas, where he graduated in 1992, before attending the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and finishing his Doctor of Audiology at the University of Florida. Dr. Kelso specializes exclusively in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss in adults.

Central Arkansas ENT accepts most health insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid.

If you do not have insurance, please contact the office at (501)327-3929 to discuss the clinic’s uninsured policy — an effort will be made to work with you regarding a payment plan. The office utilizes an Electronic Medical Record, or EMR, to keep track of your medical information and also offers an online Patient Portal to help you better manage your health care.

Located in Medical Plaza Building 3 at Conway Regional Medical Center, Central Arkansas ENT is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday.

To reach the office during regular office hours, please call 501327-3929. More information about the clinic — including patient information sheets and other medical forms — can be found on the clinic website at http://centralarkansasentclinic.com/

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local business

Ty Lanehart, owner of Cobblestone Shoe Repair 18 WOMEN’S INC. / JANUARY 2016

CO B B LESTONE SHOE REPAIR

‘A living historian’

By Colleen Holt Photos by Brandy Strain Ty Lanehart has taken his love for leather work and turned it into a new career as a modern-day cobbler at Cobblestone Shoe Repair on Oak Street in Conway.

Calling himself “a living historian,” Ty’s connection to shoe repair began following a simple shopping trip. As a Civil War reenactor, Ty learned about leather work, repairing antique items and making eraaccurate equipment and bags.

One day he was in search of a particular type of linen thread and stopped in at Cobblestone Shoe Repair in Little Rock.

The store’s owner, Richard Barber, saw his interest in leather work and invited Ty to become an apprentice of sorts.

For the next seven or eight years, Ty would help out in the shoe shop on weekends and when the weather wasn’t conducive for him to work in his lawn care business. He also stayed busy helping another former partner open the Toppers pizza franchise in Conway.

The Barbers have owned the Little Rock store for about 25 years. Cobblestone had been a small franchise in the South for many years when the Barbers bought in.

Today, they have four additional employees and the business is doing well. So, when it came time to expand, they thought of Ty. Although he grew up in Little Rock, Ty said he has been in and out of the city for years.

Now, people come from places north of Conway — such as Heber Springs — for shoe repair. He said Conway has become a hub of commerce in Central Arkansas.

“They had a lot of customers from Conway, and they knew I wanted my own store.

They thought Conway would be the ideal place for me,” he said. “I’m a leather worker who backed into the shoe business.”

Cobblestone Shoe Repair in Conway offers a variety of services, everything from heel and sole repair, shoe stretching and dying, repairing vintage leather items and WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 19

fixing a zipper on luggage.

“We do patchwork, fix purses and knife sheaths, repair coats and belts,” Ty said.

“People bring in items that belonged to their grandparents. I help keep vintage stuff alive.”

A lot of Ty’s clients have a favorite pair of shoes that they would love to get through just one more season. Just by adding new heels or soles, the shoes can be rejuvenated. A simple polish and shine can do wonders, he added.

“The majority of my repairs are under $20, so it’s very reasonable compared to the price of a new pair of shoes.”

Ty said the United States has become “a throw-away society,” largely because the current generation doesn’t know about cobbler shops and where to take their items to be repaired. This is unlike an earlier generation where cobbler shops were on most blocks and families had their favorite cobbler. Now, however, there is a move toward being a more “green” society, thus the need for reconditioning and repairing items.

“It’s a gratifying business when people are happy when I can repair and refurbish their favorite pair of shoes.”

Since World War II and the advent of the tennis shoe, being a cobbler has been a dying business, Ty said. By reinventing the craft, many cobblers now also work on leather belts, saddles, purses and gun slings; snaps, zippers and straps on backpacks; and patches on biker jackets.

“We have had to expand from just doing boots and shoes. We have to think outside the box.”

Ty said the business is particularly gratifying when people are happy with his repair and reconditioning work. Through the use of sprays and colors, Ty can bring back and recondition items, giving them new life.

“I consider myself somewhat of an artist.”

In his shop, Ty has cabinets full of rivets, material scraps, heels and buckles, along with threads “in all the colors of the rainbow.” Because of this, he is more accurately able to match a new rivet on a purse with an existing rivet. He also “repurposes” parts and pieces (such as the webbing and 20 WOMEN’S INC. / JANUARY 2016

zippers) of old bags and backpacks that he finds around town. Also included at the shop is a room where he does heel work, a space for stretching shoes and boots, and another area for polishing, dying and spraying.

He said most of his work is performed on a 1910s Singer machine. The machine

itself is a piece of art, he said, pointing out the Art Deco-type scroll work and iron work around the treadle. He also has a more “streamlined” Singer machine from the 1940s that is used for some jobs.

“It’s a gratifying business when people are happy when I can repair and refurbish their favorite pair of shoes,” he said.

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homes

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the BENTONs’ home

Contemporary Farmhouse

By Leah Ashby Photos by Brandy Strain

Tucked at the end of the street in Greenbrier’s Woodridge neighborhood sits a home bursting with charm and innovative design.

For Donna and Joey Benton, designing and building a home was a project destined to become a family affair.

Completed in 2007, literally every inch of the home was touched by a member of the Benton family, including their two sons. Much of the furnishings and décor, from the custom built furniture to the refurbished antiques, was created in the workshop attached to the home. In addition, all of the artwork was created by Donna herself.

“I am happiest when we are all in the workshop together, creating and inventing. When we designed our home, we wanted the inside to be an extension of the outdoors.

Every room has big glass doors that open out onto porches and outdoor entertaining areas.

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When we entertain, we open up the house, and guests can flow in and out. Our boys, Ben, who is a senior at Greenbrier High School, and Joseph, a junior at Hendrix College, do lots of entertaining here, hosting outdoor movies, fire pit bonfires and cooking for their friends on the open barbecue.”

Donna describes the style of her home 26 WOMEN’S INC. / JANUARY 2016

as contemporary farmhouse. Using a monochromatic palate of gray and white, she introduces blasts of color and texture with pillows, upholstered pieces and art.

Because so many colors complement gray, Donna easily and inexpensively changes the look of a room by simply changing a few elements. Whether it’s the hutch built by Joey to accompany the eight-foot

doors or the twin antique chandeliers hanging over the dining table, each piece throughout the home has a story to tell.

“Our home balances on the edge between rustic and elegant. I love a crystal chandelier, a glass vase and a stately classic buffet, but I like to dress down those formal elements with a more relaxed painted finish and natural elements like concrete or reclaimed wood,” Donna said.

After sharpening her restoration skills on pieces for her own home, Donna offers her one-of-a-kind, vintage and antique painted furniture, and custom built pieces through WaterHouse Market. Her home furnishings and vintage finds can be found on the web at www.waterhousemarket. com, as well as inside Jenifer’s Antiques in downtown Conway.

“We help clients who want a new look without spending big bucks. Often, we are able to tie in their existing pieces by giving them new custom finishes.”

While the furnishings and artwork are continually changing in the Benton’s home, Donna’s creativity and passion for design remain constant.

“I have always been a collector of fun vintage finds and classic furniture. I have some gypsy in me, and since I can’t just take to the road, I think I satisfy my need

“Our home balances on the edge between rustic and elegant.”

—Donna Benton

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for change by continually changing the look of my home. I am always bringing in a new (old) piece of furniture, architectural pieces and discovered objects. Of course, in the real world, I couldn’t afford to continually redecorate my home, so I started painting my own furniture. Nothing pleases me more than rescuing classic pieces with good bones and stylish structure that may be in the last days of functionality and bringing them back to life in fabulous ways with contemporary colors.”

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real estate

ADVERTISEMENT

THE TO B E Y TEAM

Who am I: The Tobey Team’s Cindy Drye Cindy Drye has been a REALTOR® and a part of the Crye-Leike Realtors Conway family since 2007.

Her business has been immensely blessed over the last three years which is evident in her ranking in the top 5% of the Faulkner County Board of REALTORS®. Cindy noted she wants to continue to grow her business while providing the highest level of services to her clients. Therefore, she has decided to become a member of the Tobey Team at Crye-Leike Realtors Conway.

She stated, “The Tobey Team exemplifies the same quality customer service and professionalism which I strive to provide.”

Prior to being a REALTOR® she was a science teacher in grades seven through twelve for eight years. One of the best of these was when she was chosen as Teacher of the Year at Mayflower.

She said, “I truly loved being a part of the students’ lives and building their self-esteem through respect and appreciation for each unique individual. Teaching was and is a challenging job and I have the utmost admiration for all of our teachers in the classroom today. Teachers are dedicated to their job because of their extreme desire to make a difference in a child’s life. This level of dedication I had in caring about my students is

the same level of dedication I have in caring for my buyers and sellers. Each buyer and seller is someone’s son or daughter, mother or father, and my goal is to take care of them as though they were my own family. I want their experience in home buying or selling to be a positive one because of the level of service I have provided.”

Cindy was born in Conway, graduated a mighty Wampus Cat, and went on to UCA where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Education and Biology. She commented about being proud of her hometown for being rated one of the best communities for people to raise their families. Being a Conway native allows her to better serve her clients because of her knowledge of the area and as Cindy said, “I have been around Conway for ... let’s just say a long, long time!”

She is looking forward to 2016 as a Tobey Team Member and said, “As always I’m committed to taking the best care of you and your family’s real estate needs.”

The Tobey Team at Crye-Leike Realtors Conway consists of four full-time full-service agents, consisting of Bill Tobias, Janet Tobias, Kathy Rumbo and now Cindy Drye, providing all aspects of professional real estate service to both buyers and sellers. All members are certified as “Relocation Specialists” and

Cindy Drye

are members of the National Board of REALTORS®, Arkansas REALTOR® Association and the Faulkner County Board of REALTORS®. The Tobey Team members are the recipients of the Award of Excellence since 2007 and over 35 years of customer satisfaction and marketing experience.

It takes knowledge and expertise to sell a home. Place your trust in a proven Team, The Tobey Team at Crye-Leike Realtors Conway.

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the arts

Arts Scene

Cinderella the Ballet to be presented

by Blackbird Academy of Arts

By Jennie Strange Submitted photos

This January a cast of 37 dancers from all over Central Arkansas will take the stage at Reynolds Performance Hall to tell the age-old story of Cinderella. The ballet, presented by Blackbird Academy of Arts, is choreographed by Deanna Karlheim, a company member with Ballet Arkansas, and set to a score

by Sergei Prokofiev.

This will be Blackbird Academy’s sixth annual ballet production — each year the non-profit organization takes a well-known story and brings it to life on stage through classical ballet, one-of-a-kind costumes, sets, props and lighting design.

The goal behind the performance is two-fold: first, to give local dance students a chance for hands on experience in a full-length ballet process; and second, to provide a professionally-presented, family-friendly ballet production to the Conway area.

Karlheim noted the importance of ballet students to get to take part in productions such as this.

“They are given the opportunity to take what they have been working on in daily classes and apply it in rehearsals and on the stage. The performance aspect of ballet is one of the many reasons why this art form is so amazing.

Getting to share the gift of dance with an audience at such a young age is a truly wonderful experience.”

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The process for Cinderella began back in August with open auditions. Then the production team, made up of choreographer Karlheim, Blackbird’s artistic director Travis Sellers, stage manager Trent Reese, and rehearsal assistant Megan Hustel, cast the show and began rehearsals. The cast has been rehearsing on Fridays and Sundays since September, while a variety of local artists and craftsmen have been designing and creating original sets, props and costumes.

Blackbird Academy’s operations director, Cecelia Cecil, noted, “It’s amazing to watch the full creative process. From the first step of deciding what ballet we will be doing, to watching the choreography, set building and every other part. There is so much that goes into the show, and I love seeing the final

product on stage.”

Cecil, who has two daughters in the show, also remarked that she loves the confidence this experience instills in her children.

The cast will perform two public shows on Saturday, Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 10 at 2 p.m. They will also present a third show the following Monday for local schools. This performance is a free field trip opportunity and will allow more than 1,000 elementary and middle-school students the chance to see a live ballet, many of them for the first time.

Tickets for the public shows range from $5-20 and are now on sale at www.blackbirdacademy.org/cinderella.

Cinderella is sponsored in part by Hutchinson Financial and the Conway Advertising and Promotion Commission.

J AN U AR Y e v e n t s

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

January 7, 8, 9: Freud’s Last Session @ the Lantern Theatre; 8 p.m., www.conwayarts.org (A) January 9: Cinderella’s Glass Slipper Cocktail Party fundraiser for Blackbird Academy of Arts @ UCA Campus, 12 Elizabeth St.; 4:30-6:30 p.m., www.blackbirdacademy.org/cinderella (A) January 9: Cinderella the Ballet presented by Blackbird Academy of Arts @ Reynolds Performance Hall; 7 p.m., www.blackbirdacademy.org/cinderella (G) January 10: Cinderella the Ballet presented by Blackbird Academy of Arts @ Reynolds Performance Hall; 2 p.m., www.blackbirdacademy.org/cinderella (G) January 10: Cinderella’s Tea Party presented by Blackbird Academy of Arts @ Reynolds Performance Hall; 4 p.m., www.blackbirdacademy.org/cinderella (G) January 10: Faculty Chamber Recital @ UCA Snow Fine Arts Recital Hall; 3 p.m., www.uca.edu/cfac (G) January 12: Carl Anthony and Kazuo Murakami Faculty Piano Recital @ UCA Snow Fine Arts Recital Hall; 7:30 p.m., www.uca.edu/cfac (G) January 15: An Evening of Old Time, Appalachian, and Ozark Fiddling @ UCA Snow Fine Arts Recital Hall; 7:30 p.m., www.uca.edu/cfac (G) January 16: Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre’s Bard Ball @ Reynolds Performance Hall; email mrmarotte@arkshakes.com (A) January 19: Clarinetist David Shifrin Public Recital @ UCA Snow Fine Arts Recital Hall; 7:30 p.m., www.uca.edu/cfac (G) January 21: Baum Gallery Public Reception for New Exhibits @ UCA McCastlain Hall, Baum Gallery; 4-6 p.m., www.uca.edu/cfac (PG13) January 22: Monterey Jazz Festival @ Reynolds Performance Hall; 7:30 p.m., www.uca.edu/reynolds (PG) January 26: Gail Robertson Euphonium Recital @ UCA Snow Fine Arts Recital Hall; 7:30 p.m., www.uca.edu/cfac (G) January 26: Fiber Artists Lanny Bergner and Eve Deisher Public Presentation @ UCA McCastlain Hall 143, 6 p.m., www.uca.edu/ cfac (G) January 28: Elvis Lives! @Reynolds Performance Hall; 7:30 p.m., www.uca.edu/reynolds (PG13) January 28: Blackard Stevens Percussion Recital @ UCA Snow Fine Arts Recital Hall; 7:30 p.m., www.uca.edu/cfac (G) January 30: Double Reed Day Workshops and Master Classes @ UCA Snow Fine Arts Recital Hall; all day, www.uca.edu/cfac (G) January 30: All You Need is Love… and Music presented by the Conway Symphony Orchestra with the Liverpool Legends @ Reynolds Performance Hall; 7:30 p.m., www.conwaysymphony.org (G) January 30: Art, Pray, Love Art Show and Sale @ St. Peter’s Episcopal Church; 6:30-9 p.m., Marilyn@artexperienceinc.com (G) January: C. Ford Riley “Stuttgart Series” on display @ Art on the Green; Mon-Fri, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., email artonthegreen.net (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 Megan Hustel

Company Dancer at Ballet Arkansas / Ballet Teacher at Blackbird Academy of Arts

Originally from: Carmel, Indiana How long living in Arkansas? I moved to Arkansas in 2014 to dance with Ballet Arkansas. This is my second season with the company.

When did you start dancing?

I started dancing at the age of 3, when my parents took me to see a production of the Nutcracker. I saw the girls on stage dancing and told my mom I wanted to do that too!

What is your dance education background? I grew up dancing with Suzann Delay in Indiana where I had the opportunity to perform leading roles in many different ballets. I also performed at the Regional Dance America MidStates Festival and in Youth America Grand Prix. I went to college at the University of Utah where I received my BFA in Ballet Performance.

What made you want to be a professional dancer? There is no single moment I can think of – I have just never imagined myself doing anything else. My whole life has always been about dance, ballet specifically. There is nothing like the feeling you get when you are performing, feeling all of the hard work come together into something beautiful that people can relate to.

What do you like most about teaching dance? It is so exciting when you see your students grow and improve. Knowing that I had something to do with that growth is so humbling. My favorite part is when they have an “Aha” moment, and you can see the corrections click in their minds and bodies. That’s how you know you are doing your job. I also hope to inspire students to love dance and the arts. It is so important to keep the arts alive and the best way to do so is to pass on your own knowledge and passion to your students.

What is your favorite role you’ve danced in a ballet? My favorite role I have danced is Swanhilda in the ballet Coppelia. When I was a senior in college, a man named Rene Daveluy choreographed his own version of this comedic ballet, and I was cast in the lead role. It was the first time I really had to act on stage and carry a full-length ballet on my back. The choreography was challenging, as well as all different aspects of the character.

Which ballets do you most love to watch? I have two ballets I could watch over and over again. The first is Sleeping Beauty - I have always been absolutely mesmerized by this ballet. It requires perfect technique and I just love the story.

The second is Don Quixote. This ballet is more sassy and exciting with lots of big jumps and partnering tricks.

Do you have a favorite quote? “Comparison is the thief of joy” by Theodore Roosevelt. I think it is so relevant to dance. It is important to try to not compare yourself to other people around you and to remember why you’re doing it.

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spiritual

“When I am weak, then I am strong.”

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andrea lennon

The Power of God

By Andrea Lennon

2016 is here! Can you believe it? I wonder what you are dealing with as you head into the new year. Is your life turning out like you thought it would — or are you facing a set of circumstances that leave you feeling powerless? Maybe you are asking questions like: “How can I trust again?” or “How can I move on?” or “How can I have hope for the future?”

The truth of the matter is that our circumstances can be overwhelming.

Thankfully we do not have to conquer life on our own. God offers His life-changing power to us!

An important step in accessing God’s life-changing power is to recognize that we do not have the necessary strength to navigate life on our own. Our sinful condition, along with our circumstances, renders us powerless. In and of ourselves, we are weak. Weakness is the quality or feature that prevents someone or something from being effective or useful.

While weakness is a reality that we often face, we do not have to stay in a place of weakness. Our weakness can actually become our greatest strength.

Jesus said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9, New International Version) In response, Paul proclaimed, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.

For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

(2 Corinthians 12:10-11) Each day we have a choice to make.

Will we remain in our weakness and be made ineffective, or will we embrace God’s life-changing power and be made strong? Accessing God’s life-changing power is not an easy task. Often it requires us to accept difficult realities.

Maybe it is the death of a loved one, a financial circumstance that is hard to face, a character issue that we need to address or a loss of a dream.

When we get real with God and with ourselves, this positions us to access God’s life-changing power. In order to make spiritual progress, we have to accept the truth. Truth allows us to recognize our weakness and address the areas of life that

are broken. It is from the place of truth that we hear the gentle voice of God saying, “My child, with My power, you are strong.”

Praise God that we do not have to face life on our own! God’s Spirit goes before us, comes behind us and gives us the strength that we need to move on in Jesus’ name. As we move on, we demonstrate God’s life-changing power which is more than able to meet our needs and move us forward in our walk with God. As you enter the new year, ask God to use your unexpected circumstances to bring you closer to Him. When you do, your weakness will become your strength as you open your heart and life to God and invite Him to make you strong. This request will draw you into a deeper relationship with the Lord and demonstrate His grace in your life. Like Paul, we can say, “When I am weak, then I am strong.”

Andrea Lennon lives in Conway, Arkansas, with her husband, Jay, and sons, Jake and Andrew. Andrea ministers to the women of Arkansas through a speaking and writing ministry called True Vine Ministry. To learn more about this ministry, access Andrea’s website at www.andrealennon.net.

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 33

book review

Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter Reviewed by Susan O’Keefe

This story is such a product of the times. Irish-Catholic immigrants being shunned from established Boston civic clubs and neighborhoods. Women wearing pearls while wiping baby spit as the governess diapers another child.

And the shunning of people with mental disabilities and limitations as if they are less than human. Lock them away and pretend they do not exist. That is one of the tragic, yet haunting truths of the life of Rosemary Kennedy.

Author Kate Clifford Larson remarkably recounts the life of the eldest Kennedy daughter. Her primary sources are documents housed in the John F. Kennedy library plus a few interviews she conducted.

In September of 1918, Rose Kennedy went into labor and planned to deliver her third child at home, just as she had her previous two children, Joe Jr. and Jack. As Rose’s labor pains heightened, she was told to hold back, an attempt to slow the birthing process. This advice was given by the obstetrics nurse who abided by the unwritten code to allow the doctor to deliver the baby. When the doctor was delayed, the nurse told Rose to cross her legs. Then the nurse “held the baby in the birth canal for two excruciating hours!” Surely, a loss of oxygen scarred Rosemary Kennedy’s entrance and existence in this world.

Readers grapple with this implausible information on the first few pages of the book. Clearly, it is a book with gripping appeal. Once hooked, it is entirely possible to sit and read for hours without taking a breath. The story is that captivating.

34 WOMEN’S INC. / JANUARY 2016

As a baby and toddler, Rosemary’s mother noticed the girl had trouble holding a baby spoon and seemed to be slower at reaching milestones her older brothers had conquered easily. There was always a competition in the Kennedy household. Children were expected to do their best, and their best should be exceptional. As more children were born into the Kennedy clan and her closest siblings caught up and eventually surpassed her physical and academic measures, Rosemary also became aware of her own limitations.

She was enrolled in numerous schools.

Her mother never told the full truth upon registration. There was such a strong hope that Rosemary would grow out of whatever problems plagued her. But she never did.

However, her social prowess was amazing. As she was presented at Buckingham Palace, she turned heads and enjoyed, as a rarity, being part of the Kennedy magic. All too soon though, she was attending summer camps and being asked to leave early. Rose Kennedy told counselors in no uncertain terms that they could “deal with it” regarding Rosemary’s difficulties. During discussion, there were certain matters regarding Rosemary that were simply undisclosed.

As Rosemary grew, her siblings enjoyed her playful nature, unless a moody tantrum erupted. Oftentimes siblings were in charge of keeping an eye on their unpredictable sister. As Rosemary aged, her mother seemed to refuse the fact that her daughter simply would not advance past a fourth or fifth grade level.

Joe, however, continued as a man on a mission, to find a cure for what he called his

daughter’s “backwardness.” With a temper, a flair for women and a nose for business, one reader described Joe as an abyss of ambition.

He haggled and wrangled a Wall Street business deal which reportedly netted millions for the parties involved. At the same time, however, his wife had just given birth.

He saw the child four weeks later.

In some ways, Joe was more of a manager than a father. He began grooming and guiding his children at young ages for political positions, business opportunities and social scene setters. While Rose vacationed away from him and the children, Joe took it upon himself to act as supervisor for his now 23-year-old daughter. Desperate to please her father, Rosemary wrote letters in her childish grammar, professing her love for her hero dad and promising to do anything that would make him happy.

In his desperate need to control Rosemary and prevent her from embarrassing the family or threatening his long-term political plans, Joe made a dangerous decision to submit his daughter to brain surgery. The risky prefrontal lobotomy was not endorsed by the American Medical Association. It did not have research and experience on its side. It was a perilous procedure that eventually robbed Rosemary of the physical and cognitive capabilities that she previously enjoyed.

In November 1941, Joe and Rosemary arrived at George Washington University Hospital. During the procedure, Rosemary was wide-awake. With a great yearning for her father’s approval, Rosemary did as the doctor ordered. She recited nursery rhymes

and silly songs. She counted. She sang. But when she suddenly fell silent, the doctors abruptly ended the surgery.

Admitted to a rehabilitation unit and eventually a Catholic church-run facility in Wisconsin, Rosemary lived to be 86 years old. In the Kennedy family album, Rosemary seems to have been blotted out for a number of years. Eventually, during his run for presidency, brother Jack reportedly stopped to visit. Eunice ultimately cared for her sister and re-established a sisterly bond from childhood days.

Our book club discussion returned repeatedly to the fact that people were ignorant as far as how to help those who seemed out of touch. There was no research. There was no knowledge. The mentally disabled were simply kept out of sight. There were no therapies. There were no discussions. There were no advocacy groups or calls to action.

This book shines a spotlight on the complications of being a Kennedy. Yet it seems the idea of dismissing or keeping Rosemary quiet produced a boomerang effect. Even from the grave, she continues to speak volumes. As a human being, shouldn’t everyone have a chance to be heard?

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).

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 35

events

36 WOMEN’S INC. / JANUARY 2016

f a u l k n e r c o u n t y b o a r d o f r e a l t o r s c h r i s t m a s GALA

HAVEN CHRISTMAS COFFEE

HAVEN Christmas Coffee hostesses WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 37

in the news

Theodore Jones Teacher/Intern Receive Awards Theodore Jones Elementary School received a “double blessing” as two of its staff members were honored by the Pi Beta Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education at the University of Central Arkansas.

Maddi Mosler was awarded Student Intern of the Semester, and Lindsey Jones was awarded Mentor Teacher of the Semester. Only one other time has a mentor and intern team both been awarded at the same time.

Jones is in her sixth year of teaching at Theodore Jones Elementary School.

Her principal said she and Mosler were a “dream team” from the start.

“From the first day, this dynamic duo taught together, great things Lindsey Jones and Maddi Mosler pose with Theodore happened for our kids. Their passion, Jones Elementary School Principal Dr. Tammy Woosley. knowledge and dedication helped to motivate students and make them excited about school and learning,” tion have already set her up for a successful said Dr. Tammy Woosley. “We are very career. She loved each child and worked proud of Lindsey and Maddi both.” daily to strengthen her relationships with Jones said she was truly humbled by her my students. I hope my little girl can be in award but was most excited for her student her class someday!” intern, whom she said has tremendous Maddi Mosler had perhaps the highest potential. praise for her mentor teacher.

“I was impressed with Maddi from day “I truly feel like I have become a teacher one. Her continued eagerness to learn, her this semester and I would not have made it positive attitude and her sunny disposiwithout Ms. Jones.”

arkansas shakespeare theatre’s bard ball Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre is excited to announce that Bard Ball 2016, AST’s annual fundraiser, will be held Jan. 16 on stage and backstage in Reynolds Performance Hall on the UCA campus.

Get your backstage pass to this unique celebration honoring 10 years of Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre performances. Guests will relive favorite AST memories with emcee Robert Anderson (“Dogberry,” “Much Ado,” “Polonius,” “Hamlet”), bid on exciting silent and live auction packages (including one-ofa-kind AST mementos), participate in a live community painting with artist Steve Griffith, savor a plethora of hors d’oeuvres with complimentary wine and beer and enjoy live music from Rexy’s Midnight Riders.

Event sponsors include UCA, Arkansas Times, O’Looney’s Wine and Spirits, 107 Liquor and Patticakes Bakery.

Tickets are $75 per person or $600 for a table of 10.

For more information, contact Mary Ruth Marotte at mrmarotte@arkshakes.com or 501-269-9428.

grace presbyterian church raises money for conway cradle care Grace Presbyterian Church hosted the first annual “Conway Festival of Nativities” on Sunday, Dec. 6.

All funds raised at the event went to support Conway Cradle Care. One hundred and six Nativity scenes, new and old, were on display for attendees.

There was also a chili dinner and silent auction.

Grace Presbyterian presented Conway Cradle Care with $1,000 that was raised at the Conway Festival of Nativities fundraiser.

38 WOMEN’S INC. / JANUARY 2016

beauty

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ST U DIO SKIN

The buzz about oxygen facials

By Angela Jackson

An oxygen facial is done with a machine that applies pure, pressurized oxygen onto the skin and helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Oxygen facial treatments also help increase the production of collagen, which can help you have healthier and younger-looking skin. Oxygen facials can include vitamin and antioxidant infusions as part of the process, which can enhance the benefits of the facial and overall health of the skin.

The process is personalized for all skin types and a favorite for all skin types. The oxygen facial is the perfect solution for re-booting or jump-starting your skin. In just one treatment, your skin will be silky smooth, erasing fine lines and wrinkles, and your face will be visibly hydrated and plump.

It uses all professional cosmeceutical grade skincare products to gently unclog pores and remove blackheads/ blemishes. An oxygen facial will help to kill bacteria, leaving your skin a clean and clear complexion. You will experience both immediate and long-term results through glowing and fresh skin.

Oxygen facials and treatments have emerged in the past few years as the newly recognized skin care essential.

They are used by celebrities, dermatologist and high-profile spas as the secret to silky, smooth skin. It is rumored Madonna even has her own oxygen machine and personal aesthetician performing regular oxygen facials, helping her glow at every red carpet event.

Oxygen has incredible regenerative powers, and for decades doctors have used it in the treatment of burns and wounds that simply would not heal otherwise. These two very important functions of oxygen inspired skin care experts to incorporate oxygen into facials and body treatments around the world.

Your skin, the protective barrier between you and the environment, gets hit with pollution, the harmful effects of the sun and other skin-damaging factors every day. It makes sense that using pure oxygen in your facials would have a real benefit to the health and beauty of your skin. Doing so will eliminate stressed looking skin from your life and replace it with visibly younger and more beautiful looking skin.

The benefits of oxygen facials Oxygen facials have a quick recovery time, and the client can almost immediately apply makeup or lotion to her face. Oxygen facials leave no painful

side effects, such as itching, stinging or burning. The procedure itself is quite gentle, and those with sensitive skin or an aversion to needles, are able to undergo this procedure with no problems.

Some of the benefits of the facial are instantly noticeable, with clients reporting glowing, younger-looking skin.

Those suffering from acne and other skin issues have reported a clearing up of these issues after a while.

Regardless of physical benefits, the infusion of oxygen and vitamins to any part of the body is healthy, and they promote cell growth, as well as collagen growth. It also helps detoxify skin that’s been exposed to pollutants such as tobacco smoke and dirty air.

Angela Jackson, owner of studio SKIN has been a licensed aesthetician for 16 years. She currently sits as an appointed member on the Arkansas Dept. Of Health advisory committee. Angela is a member of Associated Skincare Professionals, an organization dedicated to the promotion of safe, quality skin care. Angela practices in the Fayetteville area, has for over 14 years, under the direct supervision of a board certified plastic surgeon. Angela has been offering skincare in the downtown Conway area for the last 6 years.

She offers expertise and certifications in corrective skincare, facials, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, airbrush tanning, full body waxing and make-up.

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 39

health

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smith family pharmacy

Winter Allergies – Nothing to Sneeze At It’s getting chilly out and, just like clockwork; you’re back sniffling again. But before you write off that stuffy nose as just another cold, you may want to consider that the culprit could actually be winter allergies.

There are a few easy steps you can take to tame those bothersome symptoms, but first, what exactly are winter allergies and why do people get them?

Many allergens can result in allergic rhinitis.

Allergic rhinitis occurs when the body’s immune system overreacts to a certain substance, causing nasal inflammation, excessive mucus production, congestion and nasal drip. Common symptoms can include a runny or stuffy nose, coughing and sneezing, and an itchy nose, throat, mouth and eyes. Wintertime typically brings an end to seasonal allergies due to pollen. But once it starts getting chilly and you settle indoors with the windows closed and the heat on, your exposure to indoor allergens such as pet dander, dust mites and mold increases, and here come those nagging symptoms.

What to Do So what should you do if you think you might have winter allergies?

Here are some suggestions from the experts, per Columbia University Medical Center and National Jewish Health: • Keep the humidity in your home below 40 percent to reduce dust mites.

• Wash your hands frequently, especially after touching pets.

40 WOMEN’S INC. / JANUARY 2016

• Remove wall-to-wall carpet, especially carpet on top of concrete. If you can’t remove the carpets in your home, clean them with a HEPA vacuum to reduce dust mites and pet dander.

• Wash bedding in hot water at least once a week, and avoid down pillows and comforters, which can form a habitat for dust mites.

• Turn on the exhaust fan while showering and cooking to remove excess humidity.

• Install high-efficiency furnace filters, which can capture 30 times more allergens than traditional filters.

• Change the filters in your humidifiers regularly to avoid mold and bacteria growth.

• Regularly mop hard floors to reduce dust.

• Treat your bedroom as an “allergy safe haven” by keeping pets, carpets, rugs and plants out.

• Perform an indoor and outdoor survey of your home every month to look for mold.

• Open windows or doors on warmer days, especially right after cleaning.

Medications There are many over-the-counter products available to help relieve the symptoms of allergies, including antihistamines, nasal steroids and decongestants. While OTC medications that contain antihistamines like Zyrtec and Claritin can help relieve allergy symptoms, these drugs may not treat the root of the problem (swollen nasal passages).

To treat this, you may need a nasal corticosteroid spray. For many patients, corticosteroids

are the most effective treatment option because they relieve nasal swelling, mucus production and congestion. You may find symptom relief within a few hours, although it may take several days to notice the full benefit.

Flonase and Nasacort are available without a prescription. Another treatment option is a decongestant, which can relieve nasal congestion and help ease the symptoms of seasonal allergies. Unfortunately, these medications have multiple side effects, and prolonged use can increase nasal inflammation, so ask us before taking any new medication.

When to See a Doctor If your symptoms persist, a visit to your doctor might be in order. He or she can develop a treatment plan tailored specifically to you.

Allergic rhinitis is nothing to sneeze at, as it’s associated with a significant reduction in quality of life, work performance and a potential worsening of asthma and sinus disease.

The good news is that there is great therapy available and no one should suffer from allergic rhinitis. Give David or Blake a call at Smith Family Pharmacy (501) 336-8188 for more information.

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

music

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PRESTON PALMER ST U DIOS

Get back to music in the new year

By Preston Palmer Happy New Year to all you wonderful WINC readers!

We here at Preston Palmer Studios hope your holidays were full of food, friends, family and fun.

Now that 2015 is history, it is time to start thinking of your 2016 resolutions. Learning to play a new musical instrument would be a superb way to start the new year. Research shows that when an individual plays an instrument, the visual, auditory and motor areas of the brain are all heightened at once.

Surely that’s reason enough to pick up the old guitar that’s been sitting in the back of your closet all this time!

The sooner you start to learn how to play an instrument, the sooner your mind and body will reap the benefits. Ask any musician, when they sing or play an instrument, stress is relieved instantly; therefore, slowing your brain waves and calming your entire body. This is true for children and adults of all ages.

Studying music not only sharpens concentration, it teaches perseverance as well. The saying, “practice makes perfect” applies directly to learning to play an instrument and reading music. When you dedicate yourself to learning to read music, you must engulf yourself in the task to be able to see results.

This will improve your sense of responsibility and discipline.

Everyone wants to enhance their memory.

Memorizing song chords or lyrics will most definitely help strengthen one’s memory. Remember how easy it was to learn our multiplication tables when they were collaborated into a song? Instant memory retention!

From stress relief to concentration and memory retention, learning how to play a musical instrument and reading music has countless benefits. What better time than the start of a new year to learn!

Contact the studio and we can absolutely get you and/or your little one on the right track to learning your perfect instrument.

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 WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 41

food

Winter Treats

By Chef Jill McCollum, CC Photos by Brandy Strain

Snow days mean your kids are home from school, and you get an opportunity to change your schedule and have a fun afternoon romping with them in the powdery fluff. Snow days also give you the chance to cook an array of warm, wonderful and hearty meals to keep your family fueled for the snow play. Here are a few tips and recipes for snow day comfort food.

• Begin with a hearty breakfast • Recharge with lunch or an afternoon snack • Get your kids in the kitchen • Make a hearty meal for dinner • Kick your feet up and relax

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

42 WOMEN’S INC. / JANUARY 2016

chef jill mccollum, cc

Snow Ice Cream 1 gallon clean fresh snow 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk 1 teaspoon vanilla Mix snow, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla together in a bowl until very well mixed.

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 43

Down Home Macaroni and Cheese ¼ cup butter, divided ¼ cup flour 1 cup milk ½ pound Velveta, cut into ½ inch cubes 2 cups elbow macaroni, cooked and drained ½ cup shredded Cheddar Cheese 6 butter crackers, crushed Heat oven to 350 degrees. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in medium saucepan on medium heat. Whisk in flour; cook 2 minutes stirring constantly. Gradually stir in milk.

Bring to a boil; cook and stir 3 to 5 minutes or until thickened. Add Velveta; cook 3 minutes or until melted, stirring frequently.

Stir in macaroni. Spoon into 2 qt casserole sprayed with cooking spray; sprinkle with Cheddar Cheese. Melt remaining butter, toss with cracker crumbs. Sprinkle over casserole.

Bake 20 minutes or until heated through.

44 WOMEN’S INC. / JANUARY 2016

Home-style Hot Cocoa ½ cup white sugar 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 pinch salt 1/3 cup boiling water 3 cups milk 1 cup half and half, divided ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract 8 large marshmallows (optional) Whisk together sugar, cocoa powder, cinnamon and salt in a saucepan; stir in boiling water. Whisk until sugar is dissolved. Bring cocoa mixture to a simmer over mediumhigh heat, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes. Stir milk and ½ cup half and half into water mixture. Cook and stir just until hot, about 2 minutes.

Remove saucepan from heat; stir in remaining half and half and vanilla extract. Divide cocoa into mugs, top with marshmallow and serve.

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imatter

A Perfect Score Conway junior earns highest marks on ACT exam

By Kelly Sublett There’s no better score than a perfect one, and one Conway High School junior holds the honor of that achievement.

Sixteen-year-old Jillian Tang made a perfect score of 36 on the ACT — a standardized test taken by students across the United States as a baseline for college entry.

Tang is the daughter of Chiung-Fang Liang, of Conway. She took the test in October, which was her first attempt to take the 46 WOMEN’S INC. / JANUARY 2016

J ILLIAN TANG

With my mom’s support, I’m able to follow my passions in two completely different fields. Many people call me a dreamer, but she believes in me so that my fairy tales have a chance to become true.” exam in high school.

She previously took the ACT as part of the Duke Talent Identification Program in middle school, where she scored a 30 in the seventh grade.

“I felt pretty confident coming out of it,” Tang said. “I felt like I was well-prepared for the test, so I wasn’t stressed about it.”

Tang said she took the PSAT Prep Course offered at Conway High School over the summer, which helped her with test-taking techniques and vocabulary. She said most of her preparation has been long term, taking college-level advanced placement (AP) classes and maximizing her time in high school. When the scores came out, Tang said she saw her hard work had paid off.

“I actually felt really relieved,” she said.

“Of course my mom was very happy for me.”

Tang said her next step includes taking the SAT in hopes of qualifying for a National Merit Scholarship, and doing whatever she can to enrich her last year and a half of high school. She is a member of the Quiz Bowl team and serves as the pianist for the Arkansas Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Her plans after high school are not finalized quite yet, but right now she said she wants to stay close to home.

“At this point my plan is to study at the University of Central Arkansas. I plan to study piano performance with Dr. Carl Anthony,” she said. “At the same time, I want to build a firm foundation in math and science and establish strong research skills, so one degree in piano performance and one degree in biology seems like the best combination for me right now.”

Conway High School Principal Joel Linn says they will see more great things from Tang in the future.

“We are extremely proud of Jillian. She is an excellent student and an amazingly talented young lady,” Linn said. “Her accomplishments are a direct reflection of the hard work she puts into her academic studies, the great support she has at home and the dedicated work of all the teachers she has had at Conway Public Schools.”

When asked about her favorite classes, Jillian said she loves all of them.

“I’ve had many great teachers,” Tang said.

“They’ve truly gone the extra mile to help me achieve my goals.”

Tang said her mom gives her a lot of freedom to pursue her personal goals.

“With my mom’s support, I’m able to follow my passions in two completely different fields,” Tang said. “Many people call me a dreamer, but she believes in me so that my fairy tales have a chance to become true.”

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