WOMEN’S INC.
By Women, For Women, About Women of Central Arkansas
Year of
SUMMAR
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BACK TO SCHOOL ISSUE
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WOMEN’S INC. Editor Lori Quinn Creative Director Stewart Cole Contributing Writers Rachel Parker Dickerson Angie Howard Dr. Patricia Knott Andrea Lennon Jill McCollum Susan O’Keefe Jennifer Stanley Chief Photographer Brandy Strain Contributing Photographers Sara Black Laura Derden Courtney Spradlin Gerald Washington Lindsey Faith Watson Retail Advertising Sales Manager Rhonda Overbey Advertising Coordinators Jackie Black Leah Brown Advertising Sales Sarah Allen Tara Mallett Jesica Talbert Betsey Willbanks Advertising Artists Jay Prince Kellie McAnulty Editorial Advisory Board Haley Crafton Fowler Beverly Freiley Mary Harlan Becky Harris Nancy Jackson Helen Lockhart Velda Lueders Misty Morse Carol Patty Lori Ross Mary Margaret Satterfield Traci Kennedy Smith Katherine Thomason Stefanie Holt Vann Jessica Zimmerman Women’s Inc. is published by the Log Cabin Democrat. Questions or Comments? Call (501) 327-6621, e-mail: womensinc@womensinc.net or write to P.O. Box 969, Conway, AR, 72033 www.womensinc.net 4 WOMEN’S INC. / AUGUST 2012
Back to school
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hat a perfect month to highlight all that is new in education in Conway. With the opening of the new high school and Carolyn Lewis elementary, August is going to be a busy and exciting month for the Conway Public Schools. On our cover this month, Conway High School senior Summar Roachell is a high school golf stand out. She was named to the U.S. Junior Solheim Cup Team and was named the Rolex Junior All-American last year. Although heavily recruited by several colleges, Summar has already committed to the University of Arkansas. She looks forward to her future there and a possible future playing professional golf. Thanks Summar, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for you! Stephanie Lovelady, kindergarten teacher at Jim Stone Elementary, sat down with Women’s Inc. for a Q&A about what parents and their kindergartners can expect. With more than 15 years of total teaching experience, Stephanie has taught kindergarten for eight years. Her advice for parents: “know your children are going to be loved and cared for. We are going to love them and do what’s best for them during our time with your kindergartner.” Angie Howard, who is our regular “green” columnist each month, also homeschools her children. Check out her informative story on p.16-17. With more than 2,000 children in Faulkner County being homeschooled, Angie does a great job of shedding light on the popular and growing field of homeschool education. What’s new in downtown: Kicks Active Wear in downtown Conway has recently moved a couple of doors down on Oak Street to their new, larger location. Kicks has just what every dancer, gymnast, cheerleader and twirler needs. Check out their new store and friendly staff. A special coupon section (p. 21-32) in this issue has great deals from Pitza 42 to Sonshine Academy to Cakes by Catie to Branch Out. Clip these coupons and redeem these at one of these great local businesses! Finally this month, check out our Homes section with a great rustic, yet eclectic cabin near Gilbert, Ark., owned by Gary and Nancy Strain, and a beautiful new pool at the home of Chuck and Sara Shipp in Centennial Valley. Don’t forget to fill out your Reader’s Choice ballot located on p. 6. Vote for your local favs!
Until Next Month,
contents
features
columns
7 The year of Summar
12 Beauty Acne and acne scar treatments
Area golf phenom Roachell has eyes on a very bright future.
10 Carolyn Lewis The namesake of Conway’s new elementary school.
14 Stephanie Lovelady Q&A with a teacher.
34
by Angela Jackson and Annie Worley
13 Spirituality A determined walk with God by Andrea Lennon
16 ‘Back’ to school
33 Nutrition What is your why?
Benefits of homeschooling.
by Dr. Christine Hurley
18 Downtown Get your ‘Kicks’ in Downtown Conway.
47 Health Recognizing and dealing with headaches
21-32 CLIP ‘N SAVE COUPONS
by Dr. Patricia Knott
23 Conway High School
48 Life During and after divorce: Put the children first
A new era begins.
30 Blackbird Academy Why it’s seeking 100 partners.
by Fran Scroggins
34 Food
49 Book Review “The House on First Street” by Julia Reed
Food for thought / school lunches.
review by Susan O’Keefe
36-42 HOMES Strain Cabin and Shipp Pool.
50 Community St. Joseph Bazaar turns 100.
events CSO Guild Luncheon
44 45 46
CASA Membership Drive Conway Area Chamber of Commerce Bowling for Business WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 5
6 WOMEN’S INC. / AUGUST 2012
COVE R STORY
The year of Summar Area golf phenom Roachell has eyes on a very bright future By Jennifer Stanley Photos by Brandy Strain Friendly and determined, local high school golf sensation Summar Roachell is driving her way toward a bright future. The only child of Bill and Lisa Roachell, Summar was raised in Conway and will graduate from Conway High School in 2013. “Conway is a great place to grow up, and there is a lot to do. The community support with my golf game and the schools are great. I get to go to the new high school for my senior year, and I am excited about that,” Summar said. Her beginning in golf is credited to her father, who took good advice from a former co-worker. “When I was about 4 or 5, a woman who used to work with my dad was one of the head rules officials for USGA, so she was very into golf. She told my dad there were so many opportunities for girls in golf and that so many scholarships were wasted every year because there weren’t enough people to take
them. She encouraged my dad to take me out to the driving range, so he did, and I just fell in love with it. I literally wanted to go out there all the time,” Summar said. Ironically, neither of her parents golf, both preferring to ride along and watch her play. “I don’t know where I got it from,” laughed Summar. But did she ever get it. She is a member of the Conway High School golf team, which has come in second place in division-7A for the past several years. Summar also plays in an organization called American Junior Golf Association (AJGA). “AJGA runs 94 tournaments a year throughout the United States. I played in AWGA and ASGA when I started, and I started with AJGA at about age 12 to get more experience and get my name out to coaches throughout the U.S. for recruitment. It’s probably the step below college golf, so it is what everyone typically plays before they go to college,” Summar explained. She has played in tournaments throughout the South and beyond through the AJGA, including Florida,
Texas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Indiana. Summar’s accolades are abundant, and one of the highlights was being named to the U.S. Junior Solheim Cup Team. The team consisted of only 12 girls chosen to represent the United States against 12 girls chosen to represent Europe at a tournament in Ireland last year. Other honors include winning the state championship her first three years of high school, being named a Rolex Junior All-American last year and being the youngest to win state match play for juniors. Summar said playing in Ireland has been one of the best opportunities so far. Among stateside courses, she particularly enjoyed Squire Creek in Louisiana, saying, “It was an amazing golf course and one of the toughest I’ve played. It is relatively new at only six years old. I also played at Olympia Fields Country Club where they’ve held U.S. Opens, so that was pretty cool.” She considers Conway Country Club her home course, where she plays and WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 7
Summar Roachell and LPGA golfer Stacy Lewis at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers. 8 WOMEN’S INC. / AUGUST 2012
Summar was named Rolex Junior All-American last year in Minnesota.
practices almost daily when she is not traveling for tournaments. It comes as no surprise that Summar was heavily recruited by several universities. Much to the delight of Razorbacks fans, the Arkansas native has committed to the University of Arkansas. “I attended golf camp at UofA when I was 10, and I loved the campus and the program. I knew if I got the opportunity to play I would more than likely go there, but when the whole recruiting thing came about, I decided to keep my options open. I visited Ole Miss, TCU, LSU and Oklahoma State. I just wanted to make sure, and I didn’t want to choose without even seeing any other places. After visiting all of the schools, I just knew that choosing UofA was the right decision for me,” she said. When asked what strengths she will bring to the University of Arkansas team, she stated, “My biggest strength is probably my short game. I think I will
bring that aspect to the team, and I think the coaches will help me a lot with my long game. Another plus I bring to the team is that I am able to interact well with people, which is always an asset on a team. I know a lot of the girls on the team already, and they are great. There are two girls from Fayetteville as well, so there will be three Arkansans, which will add some excitement. And we should be contenders,” she said. Her college career goals include winning both the SEC championship and the national championship. “We will have a good team, so it will be a case of getting out there and doing what we know we can do.” As for post-college, Summar plans to pursue professional golf. “But my parents have always encouraged me to have something to fall back on, because of the low percentage of people who actually make it as professionals.” As such, she plans to major in a sportsrelated business field, possibly sports management. However, she is still keeping her options open. Asked what her advice would be for parents of young girls considering the sport, Summar said, “Definitely let them have a shot at it. There are so many opportunities that people just don’t realize. I know people who shoot in the 90s who have gotten full-ride scholarships. You don’t have to be one of the top-ranked juniors, and you don’t have to play in tournaments that are far away. Just being able to play and compete in your city or your state — there are so many unused scholarships. I would say try it out but don’t force it. If your child enjoys it, keep them in it, and it will pay off at some point. Maybe not as a scholarship, but it will pay off in some way.” She also cited the many junior camps available through
local country clubs as good opportunities to introduce children to the sport. As for her immediate future, Summar will continue to play or practice daily. “Golf is such a momentum game that I need to keep it going when I am playing well,” she said. She also enjoys playing with others for the company and the competition. Soon, Summar will travel to California to play in a tournament outside San Francisco. That trip is followed by an appearance as a member of the U.S. Wyndham Cup Team, which includes 20 players east of the Mississippi River and 20 players west. That tournament will be played at Arnold Palmer’s course in Orlando. “I also got some exemptions into some big tournaments, so summer is really flying by,” added Summar. “I am so grateful for golf. It has opened so many doors for me, and I really, really enjoy it.”
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F E AT U R E S T O R Y
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The namesake of Conway’s new elementary school By Rachel Parker Dickerson Photo by Brandy Strain Carolyn Lewis, namesake of Conway’s newest elementary school, has devoted 42 years of her life to education as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, principal and a member of the board of education. “I’ve been a lifelong student,” said Lewis, a Conway native and Conway High School graduate. She graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in 1965 and later earned her master’s degree there in 1983. She began her teaching career in the Pulaski County Special School District, where she taught first, third, fifth and sixth grades over the span of eight years. From 1975 to 1980 she taught at Mayflower, and then she worked in the Conway school district until her retirement in 1999. She was a teacher at Ellen Smith and Marguerite Vann and also served as assistant principal at Marguerite Vann. In 1992 she applied and was selected as principal at Sallie Cone Elementary School. On the day of her retirement party, someone asked her what she planned to do, and she joked about running for school board. Not long after that, Dr. Terry Fiddler called her and asked her if she would run for a vacant seat. All her friends and family encouraged her to run, and she did so in 2000. She served on the board 10 years. “I loved it, and I really miss it. I do try to keep informed. Education has been my whole life. I’m thankful to be in Conway where we have good public and private schools,” she said. Lewis said she has always enjoyed children. “I never encounter a child I can’t have a conversation with. I can walk up to a child, and that child is very shy, and I will know something to say to engage that child. When I realized I could do this, you weren’t worrying about stranger danger. It’s sad that now we have to have that worry for our children. “I spent 32 years with kids. It’s just natural for me to want to talk with them and find out about them. Also, you do a lot of talking when you’re a teacher, so it’s hard to break that habit.
“Children are so honest, and I love that about them. They are very forgiving. Up until a certain age they adore you because you’re their teacher. I have learned a lot from children. It was a rewarding career. I can’t think of a career more important, because you have such a direct influence on those children’s lives, and you’re such a role model for them every day.” She said teaching has its heartaches as well. Some of the students she tried to steer in the right direction have ended up in prison, she said. “So much has to do with their home life. If you could take them out of that life, they wouldn’t be in prison today. You take every child, you do the best you can and try to enrich their lives. I have kids that are in colleges, kids that are going to be lawyers, one that’s an F16 pilot, some that are National Merit students. “I cared about those kids so much. There were many of them I could have brought home and raised as my own children. I am very proud of all my students that I have contact with today, regardless of their choice of occupation.” As for having a school named after her, Lewis said,
“Your goal is never to have a school named after you, or even a street in your town. As an educator, this has been the hardest thing for me to wrap my mind around. “I grew up with a dad and a mother who instilled in me the value of hard work, and that you should always be thankful for your job and that you are no better than anyone else — that you should treat people the way you would like to be treated, have the highest ethics and protect your reputation and your family’s reputation. So, I feel very honored that the Conway Board of Education felt that 42 years of my life devoted to children in the state of Arkansas made me worthy of this honor.” Dr. Greg Murry, superintendent, said of the school on Old Military Road, “It’s a very nice building, and we’re proud of it. It’s named after a very wonderful person. I think it represents the wonderful work she’s done in this district as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and school board member. All our schools are named after people who were involved in education in one way or another. I think it’s a representation of what Conway cherishes.”
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BEAUTY
Acne and acne scar treatments
By Angela Jackson and Annie Worley
Microdermabrasion is one of the most effective acne and acne scar removal treatments. Microdermabrasion removes gently uneven dead surface skin cells and initiates cellular turnover at the dermis and epidermis level. Microdermabrasion for acne scars is a non-invasive, best non-surgical cosmetic procedure to reduce acne scars. Microdermabrasion strips dirt plugs (blackheads) out from your pores via a combination of mild skin abrasion and suction. The layer of skin that comes off is very fine (about 10-15 microns) but it has no live cells. This is why the skin is not damaged in the process (you cannot damage something that’s not alive). The wand or crystals used in microdermabrasion abrade the skin, while the vacuum sucks up any dead cells and dirt that clog your pores. When used on acne, micro dermabrasion needs stronger suction to unclog all of the pores, because the sandblasting cannot get in that deep on its own. And it does work. Microdermabrasion for acne scars, acne, large pores and discoloration works best as consecutive series of treatments. Angela Jackson, owner of studio SKIN has been a licensed aesthetician for 14 years. Angela is a member of Associated Skincare Professionals, an organization dedicated to the promotion of safe, quality skin care. Angela practiced in the Fayetteville area for over 12 years under the direct supervision of a board certified plastic surgeon. Angela has been offering skincare in the downtown Conway area for the last 3 years. She offers expertise and certifications in corrective skincare, facials, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and make-up. 12 WOMEN’S INC. / AUGUST 2012
Mild chemical peels Chemical peels are a category of advanced clinical skin rejuvenation treatments that assist in reversing damaged skin due to such factors as aging, sun-exposure, acne, and acne scars. Chemical peels use a chemical solution to improve and smooth the texture of the skin by removing its damaged outer layers. It has proven to be extremely effective for, but not limited to, those individuals who suffer from facial blemishes, wrinkles and uneven skin pigmentation. Juvederm for acne scars Most acne scars are depressed. Juvederm, a clear Hyaluronic acid, can be injected to help acne scars. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in every living thing. It’s job is to fill the gaps between collagen and elastin fibers in our skin. The depression of the acne scar in part is caused from fibrous scar tissue that attaches to the underlying sub cutaneous fat which pulls the scar downward, causing it to be depressed. During the injection of Juvederm, these fibrous tissues can be released, then the Juvederm is injected, allowing the area to become even with the surrounding skin. This procedure is performed in as little as 15-30 minutes, and results are immediate. Annie Worley, RN graduated from Baptist School of Nursing in 1997. She worked for a plastic surgeon for 5 years in which time she gained extensive experience in injectables including Botox, Juvederm, Radiesse, and spider vein injections. She has been injecting for 6 years in which time she has attended numerous trainings on injection techniques. In the fall of 2010 she attended the advanced palate training which is the highest level of training that is available to nurse injectors. Please contact Annie Worley, RN at Sudio Skin in Conway (501)358-4653
SPI R ITUALITY
A determined walk with God
By Andrea Lennon
T
here comes a point in the Christian’s life when every believer in Jesus Christ has to exercise determination in their walks with God. This point comes at different times and for different reasons. For some, determination is needed to get real about controlling cycles of sin. For others, determination is needed to recognize overwhelming fears. Then, most of us face times when determination is needed to deal with issues from the past. Without a doubt, determination is needed every day if we long to embrace God’s call on our lives. At the heart of determination is a desire to grow closer to God by demonstrating a relentless pursuit of His plans for our lives. In this context, determination has nothing to do with will power. If will power made up determination, we would simply demonstrate what we can do apart from God. Rather, determination for the believer in Jesus Christ is a beautiful combination of a personal decision to follow God’s will as well as a daily surrender to God and His life changing power. Ultimately, determination is exercised each time we embrace God’s plans, even when His plans are hard to understand and hard to accept. Jesus displayed determination during His time on this earth. Luke 9:51 states, “As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” (New International Version) Luke 9:51 challenges me on many levels. Jesus knew the reason He was returning to Jerusalem. Jesus knew it was time for His death. Nothing about Jesus’ death was going to be easy. His death was going to be painful on every level. Jesus would experience separation from His Father as He bore our sin debt. As Jesus faced the task of returning to Jerusalem, the Bible states that He was resolute in His determination to accomplish the will of the Father. Not only was Jesus resolute, He took the necessary steps to be obedient to God when He “set out” for Jerusalem. Jesus’ life provides the perfect example. Jesus responded to the hardest call on His life with a relentless pursuit of God’s plan. Today do you face a situation that requires a God-sized amount of determination? Perhaps this situation involves overcoming an area of sin, facing an overwhelming fear, dealing with an unresolved issue from your past or daily answering God’s call on your life. If so, set your mind to action by making a decision to follow God’s will for your life as you daily surrender to your need for His life changing power. Then “set out” to accomplish His will by taking the necessary steps, both big and small, to make spiritual progress in your life. As you do, you will demonstrate a determined walk with God that is not based on your ability but rather God’s power at work in you. 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 13
Q&A: STE P HAN I E LOV E L ADY
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Get to know Mrs. Lovelady By Jennifer Stanley Photo by Brandy Strain With summer drawing to a close, many area residents are beginning the process of getting kids ready for back to school. Jim Stone Elementary kindergarten teacher Stephanie Lovelady took the time to talk with Women’s, Inc., about preparing to return to the classroom and what kindergartners might expect. Married to local builder, Rex, they are the parents to Charlsey, a senior at UCA who is also going into the teaching field; Gray, a sophomore at UCA; and Garrett, who will be a senior at Conway High School this fall. Stephanie earned both her undergraduate degree in education and her master’s degree in reading from UCA. She has been a teacher for 15 years, and she has taught kindergarten for eight of those years. Of teaching for Conway Public Schools and Jim Stone Elementary in particular, she said, “I love it there! It’s such a fun, family atmosphere!”
playing, but they are really learning. They love that and want to go every day. What can parents of new kindergartners do to prepare their children to enter school? One thing parents can do is get their child into a routine of going to bed a little earlier. When they come to us, we are going to get them on a structured schedule and in a routine, so starting that process at home really helps. Also, make sure you read to them or let them read to you and let them write during the summer.
What are your favorite things about teaching kindergarten? It sounds funny, but the older I get, the more youthful they keep me. They keep me laughing. The children come to you at different levels, but they grow so much in kindergarten. I think one of the greatest rewards is seeing their growth and knowing you contributed to that. Also, kindergartners will say anything. You might not be having the best day, and they will say something to make you laugh. They really keep me laughing and on my toes.
What are some common problems/issues for new students? How can those be dealt with by parents? One of the biggest issues is detachment. A lot of the kids have been home with their parents all along. We do a kindergarten camp that helps. It also helps if the parents are positive about the kids being at school. Some children who might be able to get away with anything at home have to learn they can’t get away with anything at school, so it takes some patience on my part. The first few weeks are about establishing procedure and routine and then the repetition of that routine. Kids will come home exhausted for the first few weeks since they aren’t used to the schedule, but they will adjust. They love coming every day, and I want them to love it! Also, the teachers are so excited just like the kids, but we are also nervous and scared. We have the same thoughts and feelings, and we all get butterflies, and I try to explain that to the students.
What does it take to prepare for your class? A lot of time. I am always at the school in the summer before we go back on contract because it takes so much time to put everything back in place and prepare — you almost have to do it in steps, furniture arrangement, cleaning. Then I plan for what I will be teaching the kids. You also have a lot of paperwork, which is just part of the job.
If you had one piece of advice for parents of incoming kindergartners, what would it be? Know that your children are going to be loved and cared for. It’s hard to let go of that little one for the first time. We do the “Boo-Hoo Breakfast,” which helps. We are going to love them and do what’s best for them during our time with your kindergartner.
How many students do you typically have? We have 20 students to a class, and I almost always have a full classroom. We had five kindergarten teachers last year, and I believe we have four this year. I’ve heard that we’ve had a “kindergarten boom” throughout the district this year, so we may have to add teachers!
I have my own new kindergartner, Kate, who will start this fall. She had a couple of questions for you too, if you don’t mind. Her first one is, “What does it look like?” Oh, that is so cute! Of course I don’t mind, and I would love for her to be able to see my classroom! My class is full of bright colors — turquoise, lime green, hot pink and orange — and I use a lot of monkeys. My kids call my classroom “the monkey class.” I have a lot of things that are interactive and that relate to their age. This is their home away from home, and I want them to love it and be excited about it.
What are the basic skills you teach? We now have a core curriculum, and this will be our second year. We also started a new program a few years ago called “Phonetic Connections,” and it really helps the children with letters and sounds. Our focus in math is very hands-on and includes learning numbers and counting. By the end of kindergarten, we get into some addition and subtraction. We do reading assessments at the beginning of the year, and obviously we want to see them reading some by the end of the year. The kids come to us at such different levels, and they progress at different levels as well, so we have them work at their own paces. At this age, we incorporate science and social studies into the literacy part of our learning. Kindergarten is a great grade to see student growth, and you really see that in their reading and their writing. We also use a lot of centers where the kids think they are
She also asked if you have a pet. I don’t currently have an in-class pet, but I’ve had them in the past. Our dog, Lilly, comes to visit once in a while, so she is like the class pet. My husband brings her to the classroom. I ran into one of my former students at Stoby’s last week, and he came over and gave me a hug and told me he’d gone to the beach and made Lilly in the sand. That is another of the fun parts — seeing former students as they grow up. These little kids fulfill something for me since our own children are grown. I laugh every day, and I think that is so good for us. Obviously I am there to help them learn, but I learn from them every day, and they help me grow as a person.
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F E AT U R E S T O R Y
Back to school — at home
Photos and story by Angie Howard “Whoa, really?!?” These two words I encounter quite a bit, usually from a genuinely curious, somewhat shocked, wide-eyed acquaintance after the natural course of our conversation has led to me tell them what school my children attend. Why the shocked reaction? Well, I think maybe because we are seemingly too “normal” to school our children in a way that some may perceive as marginally atypical. You see, I don’t dress my kids in Von Trapp family matching outfits I’ve sewn the night before from living room curtains (I can almost promise the only place I coordinate our cuties is on family vacations to Disney World — and that’s so we can keep up with them easier ... plus it makes for some super sweet vacation photos). I admit to buying processed Country Crock spread at Kroger rather than churning our own butter on the back porch from cows we milk each day. Tossing a “Make a Meal” in the pre-heated oven is truly my version of intensive home-cooked meal preparation. And, get ready for these last two confessions of normalcy, because they’re the good ones ... We watch TV together as a family — lots of it! I can quote entire episodes of Disney’s “Phineas and Ferb” and know with instant recall all the mindnumbing “My Little Pony” show titles Netflix has to offer. We also love a good episode of “Shark Tank” and some “Wheel of Fortune.” But finally, probably most painful to admit, my kids play video games — way too many of them — though I limit them to Lego games because they are non-violent. The worst that happens is a Lego man breaks into pieces and then glues himself back together really quick. So I guess at least we’re OK there. All that to say, “yes, we are a ridiculously normal family,” and despite that fact, hold on to your hats, “Whoa, really!!” We homeschool!” But we prefer to call it “Home’S cool” because, we love it. OK, to be perfectly honest and fair, we love it on average of 165’ish out of 170 annual school days. (Everyone is human, and we just have to allow for occasional “stinky attitude school days” from time to time — but minus those five or so stinky days we do love it.) My husband and I chose to begin homeschooling when our oldest was in first grade. It was not a decision taken lightly or made in haste by us; rather it was one we committed to prayer and a careful analysis of how a traditional public or private school education vs. that of a homeschool education would best fit our family dynamic and the interest of our children according to their personalities and aptitudes. Since homeschooling obviously involves the time and commitment of a parent(s), my husband and I also considered our careers and how by virtue of us working the majority of time from home and/or with somewhat flexible work scheduling it would allow us 16 WOMEN’S INC. / AUGUST 2012
both to be active partners in their education. It is a true team effort of our family, and for that reason it’s working well for us. All things considered we found homeschooling as our clear choice, though I will readily agree with anyone that Faulkner County has an excellent set of school systems. I proudly attended and happily graduated from Vilonia Public Schools myself more than several years ago and would not trade a day of that experience! We just favored an option that allows us to choose our children’s curriculum with a purpose to excel their potential in areas that they are gifted and slow down our crazy break-neck schedules of wake up, school, carpool line, extracurricular activity, homework, bath, Bible story and bed only to repeat that cycle again in 10 hours for five of seven days a week. Don’t get me wrong, our schedules with homeschooling are still crazy, but I feel like I see my children again during their “peak” hours rather than when they were tired little cranky people who only looked like the well-rested kids I knew on the weekend or during summer break. Homeschooling isn’t the best option for every child and family, but for us and for now, it fits quite perfect. So once the decision was made, I went from being Room Mom at my son’s former school to becoming Room Mom of our homeschool classroom, and surprisingly enough, the roles were more similar than different. I still enjoy helping to plan class parties, organizing putting together a yearbook for each of my kids at the end of their school year, making sure that parent/teacher conferences are enjoyable and catered (usually these double as date nights with my husband over dinner at one of our favorite restaurants to discuss how the kids’ year is progressing) and coordinating with a large group of fellow homeschooling momma friends to plan field trips for our kids and share information of available programs and
resources. And, it just so happens there are some awesome programs and resources available for homeschoolers in Faulkner County! In addition to parent-directed learning cooperatives for elementary-aged students and co-ops which contract teachers and professors from local colleges to instruct courses such as upper-level laboratory science classes, math classes and composition courses for older students, various athletic leagues for homeschoolers have become popular as well as enrichment homeschool blocks offered by area establishments. Sonshine Academy in Conway will begin offering this fall and spring a weekly homeschool program modeled on public school’s Gifted and Talented classes which will provide hands-on, focused instruction in the disciplines of mathematics and science, as well as a course on physical fitness. These classes will present students in grades K-2 and 3–5 the opportunity to engage in fun and interactive science experiments, chess clubs, logic exercises and organized physical education activities taught by hand-picked experienced master teachers. Blackbird Academy, also located in Conway, provides another homeschool block of classes which primarily teach principles of various art disciplines with weekly classes entitled; “Creative Writing,” “Music,” and “Art.” Teachers instruct students in grades K-2 and 3-5 on the principles of music, including learning about famous composers, the basics of reading a musical score and exposing them to a variety of instruments. In creative writing classes, poetry and creative prose are explained and explored as children write their own poems and short stories. Finally, through Blackbird’s art classes, children are taught and encouraged to use different media to express themselves by way of visual art they display and take home as individual art portfolios at the end of each semester.
And don’t forget the sports! Athletic organizations catering to area homeschoolers include but are definitely not limited to: the Faulkner County Homeschool Basketball League (the Falcons), www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/faulkner-countyhomeschool-falcons-(conway,ar)/basketball/home.htm and the Arkansas Christian Youth Athletic League, www.arkansaschristianyouthathleticleague.com, which provides sports opportunities in the areas of youth tackle football (ages 5-17), youth all-girls flag football (ages 5-17), and youth cheerleading (ages 3-17). Our kids are signed up for several of these programs and love the experience and diversity of learning gleaned from a broad range of activities separate from their core curriculum which we administer here at home. Additionally, it gives them regular social classroom interaction with their peers and a sense of independence from being with their parents all day. These activities, coupled with finding a group of fellow homeschooling moms to join for encouragement, idea-sharing, laughter and the occasional necessary survival tips, provides for teacher-moms and student-kids to share in the experiences of field trips, lunch dates and class parties celebrating holidays as well as milestones such as kindergarten class graduations, end of the school year celebrations and back to school bashes. Educating your kids by which ever means your family may chose (home, private or public) is a journey for which the experience should be as much a focus as the outcome. I don’t know what my children will choose to become after they grow up. I do know however, I will never make them wear matching outfits I’ve sewn from curtains. It’s likely they will never eat bread with fresh-churned butter from cows we grow in the backyard. And, sad to say, we draw a hard line at sacrificing our TV — and probably not even all the Lego video games — though we are working on weaning them off those a bit. And let me tell you it’s a painful process for everyone involved. Just like other moms reading this, my daily prayer will continue to be that God uses our precious kids for His purpose and my husband and I merely equip them to the very height of their potential through providing them with schooling tailored to their individual learning styles, strengths, weaknesses and interests. For our family, homeschooling is during this season of our lives, but it might be public or private schooling in the future. We take it one year at a time with the decision to be content and thankful for the path we’ve prayerfully chosen to walk together as an adventure. As an active “Home’S cool” family we are so thankful for the opportunities made available to amplify and broaden the education and athletics for our children and the nearly 2,000 other homeschooled students who currently reside in Faulkner County! WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 17
DOWNTOWN
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Get Kicks your in Downtown Conway By Rachel Parker Dickerson Photos by Brandy Strain What could be more stressful than having a dance studio’s entire clientele in your retail store at once clamoring for service? How about packing up your merchandise and driving across the state to that studio to serve its entire clientele? Dione Vetsch, manager of Kicks Active Wear, has brought fresh ideas and lots of new product lines to the store, and most recently moved it into a larger location. For two years she has managed the store on behalf of Joe and Mary Cook, who have owned Kicks since 1997. “(Mary) called me and said, ‘I hear you’re the perfect person to run my store,’” Vetsch said. “I’ve taken a little bitty store and totally turned its life around.” She has a lifetime of experience in
retail — from the small town level when she was a small child to working for a national company and being on a plane every day. Retail management is what she loves best, she said. The new storefront, located on Oak Street just a few doors down from the former location, opened July 2. In addition to quite a bit of additional space, Vetsch has added new products and has ideas for future projects. “In actual storefront, we’ve got 1,000 extra square feet,” she said. “In storage and other usabilities, we’ve got another 2,000. We may put in a dance room. We have space to do a lot of fun things with. We just haven’t decided what all we’re going to do. I know we’re going to start doing things we’ve never done before.” Vetsch said she foresees various clinics and workshops being held at the store, such as hair and stage makeup, decorating pointe shoes, etc. The unused space is large enough for a dance studio, and
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putting one in would open up a world of possibilities, she said. A tricky thing about running a retail store catering to dancers is handling the extreme highs and lows in sales, Vetsch said. August and September are like the Christmas season in her business, because dance studios start their classes around the same time that schools start, she said. “You’ve just got to be able to know, ‘This month I make worlds of money, but in two months, nothing is coming through the door.’ It makes it a hard business to survive in. It’s not just Arkansas that doesn’t have a lot of dance stores. It’s all states, for that very same reason,” she said. Because of the scarcity of dance stores, Vetsch and her staff have traveled all over the state to towns that have dance studios but no store for the students to buy their shoes, leotards, tights and other necessities. Instructors tell her what type of items they want, and Vetsch loads a van with enough merchandise to fit as many as 300 students in one night. Kicks caters not only to dancers, but also to gymnasts, cheerleaders, and most recently, twirlers. Vetsch said she has improved these selections in her time at the store. “There was a little gymnastics and cheer. I have increased it greatly. There was nothing for the twirlers. I carry batons; I carry special shoes for them. We
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carry performance apparel for them.” New to Kicks this year will be special cheer shoes and a shoe designed by Bloch especially for Zumba. “Every fitness magazine that has reviewed them has loved them and is touting them as one of the best shoes out there for Zumba,” Vetsch said. She also noted that, with the move to the new store, the decor is no longer pink with teddy bears. She chose a color called sea glass, combined with black, cream and gold, to create a sophisticated and more gender-neutral look. “We’re seeing more boy dancers all the time, and I think that’s due to the TV shows,” she said. She added the store serves customers ages “2 to 90.”
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CONWAY HIGH SCHOOL
A NEW ERA ,
more opportunities resources await area students By Rachel Parker Dickerson Photos by Brandy Strain The towering edifice greeting Prince Street at the Conway High School campus is nearing completion. Dr. Greg Murry, superintendent, said the new building will not only provide much-needed space, but also offer students and teachers the latest in technology. Murry, who is beginning his sixth year as superintendent, said “One of the first conversations I had when I first got here was with a prominent person. One of the first things he said was ‘When are we getting a new high school?’ I thought, ‘That must be something people are concerned about.’” About four years ago the board of education began working on a 10-year plan, he said.
“Another thing is the size of the library media center. It’s a magnificent space, a very large, nice place for volumes and for meetings. It’s much more functional than what we had.” “Several things sprung from those conversations with staff and community. One of those things was serious work at the high school. The classroom space, even though it was quaint and inadequate — there were classes that had been split in half, and some rooms were no bigger than a very large closet; you sometimes had to walk through a classroom to get to another classroom — it was never going to fall down. It was not a matter of danger. It was just a matter of, ‘Is this the best we can do for our kids?’” He added one major problem was the building only had one science lab, and state standards say at least 20 percent of science class work should be done in a lab. “When you only have one lab — they did the best they could. Now they’re going to have state-of-the-art labs.” The third floor is almost exclusively science, WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 23
“... The classroom space, even though it was quaint and inadequate — there were classes that had been split in half, and some rooms were no bigger than a very large closet; you sometimes had to walk through a classroom to get to another classroom — it was never going to fall down. It was not a matter of danger. It was just a matter of, ‘Is this the best we can do for our kids?’” with 10 science labs of every kind, he said. “Another thing is the size of the library media center,” he continued. “It’s a magnificent space, a very large, nice place for volumes and for meetings. It’s much more functional than what we had.” Significant advances in technology will be evident in the new building, including wall-to-wall wireless internet, six computer labs, smart board technology with projectors in virtually every classroom and 10 to 15 laptops for student use in core classrooms. The new building will also have a 120-seat lecture hall that will also feature a significant amount of technology. “I think it will help us be able to make a huge turn in how we teach in that building,” he said. “We want our folks to be able to work in a 21st century environment.” Murry noted part of the reason the building is so large is 10th grade will be back at the west campus again. “It’s really where 10th grade belongs, because they’re getting to the point where they’re taking some of those upper level classes. We wanted to cut out shuttling as much as possible. It really will be more of a traditional Arkansas high school.” Upon opening, the campus will have a student population of about 2,000, he said. He said it will take 10 years for the school to reach its capacity of 2,500. The board of education has already started planning for a second high school, but Murry said, “I will honestly be surprised if that building is built in my career.” A millage increase passed by voters allowed the school district to build and equip the new high school (and a new cafeteria) – a $40 million project – as well as a new elementary school on Old Military Road. Murry said, “I really do appreciate this community and its willingness to increase the millage a small amount in 2010, and I hope as our community drives by the new elementary and the new high school, they will have a sense of pride about this community and what it represents. I think the high school in particular is a testament to what we value in this community in public education. I’m just proud to be here.” 24 WOMEN’S INC. / AUGUST 2012
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UALR professor Stephanie Thibeault teaches a master class for Blackbird dance students. JENNIE STRANGE PHOTO
Why Blackbird is looking for 100 partners By Jill Nulsen When Blackbird Academy of Arts opened their doors in 2009, the primary goal was to bring affordable arts education and enrichment to the citizens of Conway, and that goal has not changed. Three years later Blackbird is still firmly dedicated to the idea that all people should have access to quality arts education and experiences. Beyond offering classes in music, creative writing, pre-professional dance, theatre, digital film-making, sewing, visual arts, and a homeschool arts program, Blackbird also offers a full complement of workshops, camps, performances and field trips to its students and audiences both young and old. In addition, they work in conjunction with Conway based therapy group Pediatrics Plus to provide I Can!Dance, a dance program for kids and teens with disabilities. In order to offer arts education to more people, Blackbird instituted an ongoing scholarship program that has since awarded more than $43,000 in tuition over the past three years, with over $21,000 of that total awarded in the past year alone. One parent of a scholarship recipient wrote in response to the award: “In our family, two things have always been of utmost importance: education and the arts. They have been so important to us that we have sacrificed over the years, giving up many material things that comprise the American Dream to ensure that our daughter would value both learning and the arts. In May of 2010, the unthinkable happened: I became an economic statistic when I was let go at my place of employment in a 25% staff reduction. When I was let go, one of the hardest decisions my wife and I faced was telling our youngest daughter she would have to stop taking dance lessons. We cannot thank Blackbird Academy – and its donors – enough for allowing our daughter to continue studying, improving her technique and the opportunity to pursue her passion in dance.” -Father of 15 year old Blackbird student This family is just one of many who have been affected by Blackbird’s commitment to making the arts both accessible and affordable. One teenaged student wrote to her instructors to say, “Blackbird has, over the past year I’ve been here, become my second home and extended family.” The sentiments of these students could be echoed by many more of Blackbird’s almost 300 students, and show the passion and dedication that their faculty put 30 WOMEN’S INC. / AUGUST 2012
Dr. Arlene Biebesheimer works with students during Triple Threat Camp. Michael Goodbar PHOTO
Ava Camfield participates in a Blackbird art project during ArtsFest. Jennie Strange photo
into every class. As with any other non-profit, a good portion of Blackbird’s annual budget comes from fundraising, donors, and grants. These forms of community support make it possible for Blackbird to continue its scholarship process, as well as provide the highest quality of instructors and arts programming to more people around the Central Arkansas area. As Blackbird Academy’s reputation and commitment to quality arts education has increased, so has its population of students. In order to meet the demands for classes, the organization has made plans for a move to a larger location at the end of the summer. After major renovations, Blackbird will be moving downtown to the former home of the Log Cabin Democrat, allowing for more classrooms, larger teaching spaces, and more opportunities for students to take their art into the downtown community. While the population of students and need for space has grown, so have requests for scholarships and
Miranda Palmer during a music technology workshop. Jennie Strange photo
Blackbird homeschool music students Jennie Strange photo
thus the financial needs for the non-profit organization. In an effort to answer these needs, Blackbird recently launched a new support program called “100 Blackbird Partners”. The goal of the program is to get 100 local businesses, families, or individuals to pledge $1,000 for the next year, either as a onetime donation or an $84 monthly contribution for twelve months. These partners will help insure Blackbird Academy can continue to increase its range of arts programming, maintain scholarship funding, update necessary equipment and supplies, and keep it’s talented staff where they belong-in the classroom teaching artists of all ages how to do what they love. Blackbird is a registered 501(c)(3), allowing all donations to be tax deductible. In addition, donations to the program come with a long list of perks for donors. All partners will be promoted throughout the year in a variety of advertising formats, from website features and display banners to a full page ad
in the Log Cabin Democrat. Partners will also receive complimentary tickets to all performances during Blackbird’s 2012-2013 season. Just to give you an idea of how important these donations are, consider that a donation of $1,000 could give two students scholarships for acting classes for an entire year. It could keep the lights on at Blackbird for five weeks, or provide the sets for their annual ballet production. One Partner could be the difference in a child reaching their goal of a becoming a professional dancer, or artist, or writer. But more than anything, a donation of $1,000 helps keep the arts alive and well in the Central Arkansas community. For more information regarding Blackbird Academy’s arts programs or how to become one of the “100 Blackbird Partners,” contact Blackbird Academy at (501) 336-8200 or view their website at www. blackbirdacademy.org. WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 31
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NUTRITION
What is your why?
By Dr. Christine Hurley
W
herever I go it seems I hear about another weight loss gimmick or someone moaning about the weight that has snuck up on them over the years. I see whole offices trying to lose weight together or making competitions out of losing weight. Sometimes the more competitive people will do crazy things to be the winner, like drinking a gallon of water before they weigh in to add some pounds they can drop more easily. This is just not the kind of weight loss program that lasts and provides benefits beyond today. The thing is that unless you have a compelling reason to lose weight it will be increasingly difficult to sustain a program that involves a shortage of food or a restriction of your regular favorites or typical habits. Can a weight loss program be fun and healthy? Without drugs or stimulants that are later banned? Can we just feel better and stronger and not play games with our hearts or long term health? Is it really possible to change your life no matter what age, no matter your current pain or problems, no matter how big you are now? The answer is emphatically YES! The road to success in weight loss and health starts with why. Why are you interested in losing weight in the first place? Most people like the idea that they will look better but that can rarely sustain you when your stomach starts grumbling. The reasons you have for weight loss will distinguish between improving your health and damaging it more. Start by writing those down. It is well known that roller coaster dieting causes an overall increase in weight, and that starving yourself or even just skipping breakfast can affect your metabolism, slowing it down so that it isn’t doing the job of burning calories the way it did before you started. Additionally, a program without exercise to build a stronger body is seriously lacking. Our bodies need movement and our core needs stability and strength. Our muscles provide a jump start to metabolism and extra calorie burning. We need energy and that may require supplementation especially if we are restricting our food intake for the purpose of weight loss. That isn’t news but
using a system to maximize your workout without causing damage is a new concept. Most programs are designed for people that are already fairly fit. Currently our population is increasingly deconditioned and overweight. It takes knowledge and caring to design a program that is going to produce results for every individual from a 35 year old man that is over 400 pounds to a 65 year old woman that is overweight and has too much pain in knees and back to walk very far. We create this level of personalization at our office. You can create a personalized plan for yourself as well. While our clinic provides an option for many different types of people our ultimate goal is to help anyone we can to achieve a healthier life. There are a lot of internet sites that can help with a variety of diets and workouts. Start simple and work up slowly. Gradually you will get stronger and be able to take on more in your workout. The reason this 8WW program is so successful is because it unites all the components of health, our goal is to empower you with the concepts and the tools to live better longer and to help you enjoy what you would if your gut wasn’t stopping you from bending or your knees didn’t hurt too much to play with the kids. And from that point forward to plan that as we age we can continue to be strong, healthy and independent. Healthy is not a dress size, but getting weight under control is one step in the right direction. The best feature of a great program is that it is based on healthy choices and having energy and vitality, to obtain all the goals we might have in life. True health is being able to do the things that you want to do. Whether it is walking the dog, playing golf, picking up the baby or even just not falling asleep on the couch at the end of the workday we all would enjoy a measure of improvement from where we are at this point in our life. Every day needs to take us a step closer to health. Dr. Christine Hurley is the CEO of Hurley & Wellness Center and is a wellness expert in nutrition, women’s health and many other areas. She has published articles, changed thousands lives with chiropractic care and raised three children with these and more health principles. WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 33
FOOD
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Food for thought By Chef Jill McCollum, CC Photos by Lindsey Faith Watson
Chocolate-Dipped Apples 10 small Granny Smith apples ½ cup chopped roasted peanuts ½ cup candy-coated milk chocolate candies 2 pounds semisweet chocolate, chopped Insert wooden craft sticks or lollipop sticks into the cores of the apples at the stem. Place the roasted peanuts and candies on separate plates. Set aside. Place chocolate into a metal, or glass bowl and set over a pan of barely simmering water. Stir frequently until melted. Remove from the heat. Dip apples into the melted chocolate, turning to coat completely. Dip or roll in candy or nuts, then place on a sheet of waxed paper. Repeat with remaining apples. Allow apples to set at room temperature until the chocolate is firm, about 20 minutes, before serving.
School Lunch Bagel Sandwich 1 tablespoon herb and garlic flavored cream cheese 1 multigrain bagel, split and toasted 2 thin slices Cheddar cheese 2 slices dill pickle ¼ cup shredded carrot 1 leaf lettuce Spread the cream cheese on the toasted bagel. Layer the Cheddar cheese , pickle slices, carrot, and lettuce onto one half of the bagel, then top with the remaining bagel half. 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
Tips for school lunches • About food safety: lightweight, freezable cold packs or frozen juice boxes enable you to send the kids to school with perishables such as pasta salad, egg salad, meat sandwiches, yogurt or tuna • Get your kids into the habit of washing their hands before eating. Include antibacterial hand wipes if that’s what it takes. • Make lunches the night before to ease the morning rush out the door. • Reusable lunchboxes are earth-friendly and save the expense of brown bags, but be sure to was them out frequently. • You’ve heard this one before, but a little note from you ticked into a lunch once in a while is a comfort. Keep notes small enough so kids don’t have to haul out a long, loving letter from home in front of the rest of the lunchroom. • Get the kids involved with planning and making lunches because they’re more likely to eat it if they helped pack it. After all, you won’t be there to lay down the “three more bites before you can leave the table” law. • When you pack nutritious lunches you know your kids will love, you might even feel okay about slipping a cookie or a brownie into the bag!
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STRAI N CAB I N
Wanna getaway? CABIN ON THE BUFFALO RIVER PROVIDES PERFECT SETTING FOR RELAXATION By Rachel Parker Dickerson Photos by Brandy Strain Nancy Strain of Strain Photography has found her little piece of paradise in “the coolest town in Arkansas.” For five years she and her husband, Gary, have had a log cabin in Gilbert, Ark., population 33, which is literally, at any given time, cooler than any other town in the state. Located on the Buffalo National River, the town’s population swells to hundreds on the weekends when tourists from all over the world flood in to float, canoe, hike or picnic. “When I was little I always wanted a log cabin,” Strain said. “I’ve always been fascinated with them. I’ve always loved the river. I’ve always been kind of drawn to water. I loved the scenery down there.” Her sister lives in the area, and she began going to visit and renting a cabin. Eventually, her sister told her about a log cabin that was for sale. The couple leased it for a year first before buying it. “The people there are wonderful,” she said. “We fell in love with all the people. There’s a lot of people we have things in common with.” Aside from their photography skills, the Strain family is also known by almost everyone for their love of the Arkansas Razorbacks. Plenty of Hogs décor can be found around the cabin. Also, work by folks from Gilbert is featured, and artwork by the family. Strain said, “We’ve been able to find local craftsmen to do work for us. Mitch Mortvedt, the mayor, did staining for us, built my cabinets, built the vanity in the bathroom, painted my doors. He’s just wonderful.” Of course, the doors are painted Razorback red. WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 37
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A wood carver in Alpena, Ark., has been the source of several pieces that enhance the home, including some custom-made pieces. On the back deck are carved wood Razorbacks. On the front porch is a bear with its arms raised. The family says the bear is “calling the Hogs.” They dress him in a jersey and a hat on game days. A sign that says “Home is where the Hog Is” and one with palm trees that says “Hawgaritaville” also indicate the family’s fun-loving and Hog-loving nature. Inside, more Hog-themed art can be found — a few canvasses and a “Touchdown Arkansas” sign for the average Hog fan.
For the viewing pleasure of the truly committed, an actual wild hog’s head is mounted in the living room, and in the kitchen a Razorback is sandblasted on the granite bar top. Strain has not neglected traditional cabin décor, however. The living room furniture has a pattern with bears, and a chandelier made of antlers hangs over the dining table. An aspen log bed is at home in the downstairs bedroom. She also collects river rocks shaped like hearts and uses them in her décor. A favorite feature for visitors to the cabin is the staircase, where names of the family members are spelled out in metal letters on the front of each step.
At the top of the stairs is a portrait of Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean, one of Strain’s celebrity favorites. That portrait and a collection of framed album covers (Jimmy Buffet, the Eagles, Bob Dylan) let Strain’s personality shine through. Her grandchildren, Major and Gracen Mahar, also love weekends at the cabin, she said. It is a place where the whole family can relax and let the weight of the world fall from their shoulders. “This cabin will be handed down to my grandchildren. I want my grandchildren to always have access to the river,” she said.
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SHIPP POOL
A TOTAL TRANSFORMATION COMMON BACK YARD TURNED INTO AN ELEGANT RETREAT WITH POOL, FEATURES By Jennifer Stanley Photos by Courtney Spradlin The addition of a beautiful new pool and an amazing pool house transformed the new backyard of Chuck and Sara Shipp into a relaxing oasis. Situated in the heart of Centennial Valley, the Shipp’s home, which they purchased one year ago, is three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and approximately 3,000 square feet. The couple bought the home with a pool in mind. “We knew we would install a pool. We moved from a smaller home and talked about putting a pool in there, but we decided we might not get a good return on the investment. So we definitely bought this house knowing we would do it when we moved,” said Sara. They looked to local specialists Jerrell’s Pools and Supplies at 4106 Prince Street in Conway when they began construction in February. “I really didn’t know exactly what I was looking for. I liked some of our friends’ pools, and I looked through a few magazines for ideas,” said Sara. They ended up with a lagoonstyle, saltwater pool with a water feature. In addition to the installation of the pool, the Shipps had an immaculate pool house built in keeping with the design of the main house. The pool house can also serve as a guest quarters and includes a fold-out couch, an entertainment center and a small kitchen area, providing as much beauty as functionality. The pool house was built by local contractor Rex Lovelady of Conway Custom Builders. The entire pool and pool house project was completed by the beginning of April, just in time for summer enjoyment. Sara also added extensive landscaping around the stained concrete surrounding the pool. She did a WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 41
WOMEN’S INC. DI R ECTORY OF SE RVICES
large portion of the work herself with some help from Lawson Farms of Bigelow. She added some trees to eventually provide shade as well, as the pool installation required cutting down their only tree. The addition of large, potted plants and several seating areas add to the invitingness of 42 WOMEN’S INC. / AUGUST 2012
the backyard space. “We have really enjoyed it so much! We’ve never had a pool before, so it has been great. Our teenagers have especially enjoyed it,” said Sara of her children, Zac, 23; Maddie, 19; and Molly 16. They will certainly enjoy it for years to come.
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CSO GUILD LUNCHEON
Sandra Hudson, Patsy Desaulniers
Bev Freiley, Carolyn Lewis
Patsy Newton, Marilyn Muyers, Maribeth Garrison
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Meleah Arnold, Caroline Morgan, Katherine Thomason
CASA MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
Merita Cagle, Annabeth Jackson, Brittany Blackwell, Amanda Jackson
Tess Fletcher, Kat Dull
Meleah Arnold, Patti Montgomery, Margaret Razer
Michelle Hull, Caroline Morgan, Lynne Crafton
Jen Ryken, Yanci Gibson , Joely Costello
Katherine Thomason, Lori Quinn, Brandie Martin
Sherri Alveraz, Stephanie Smith, LeeAnna Boyce
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CONWAY AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOWLING FOR BUSINESS
American Management Corporation
Arvest Bank
Delta Trust
Flake & Kelley Commercial
Hampel Oil
Log Cabin Democrat
Friday’s
Verizon
Conway Area Chamber of Commerce
University of Central Arkansas
Conway Corporation
Crafton Tull
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H E A LT H
Recognizing and dealing with headaches
By Dr. Patricia Knott
Y
ou see a woman’s fingers gently massaging her temples and you know without asking that she is suffering from a very common condition most of us have experienced at one time or another. Just as choking has a universal sign, the massaging of the temples scream, “HEAD-
ACHE!” A headache is a pain in the head or upper neck. Though there are many causes of headaches, the types of headaches can be narrowed down into two categories — primary headaches which are not caused by other diseases, and secondary headaches which are associated with other diseases such as strokes, brain tumors and meningitis. Secondary headaches can also be triggered by caffeine withdrawal. The three main types of primary headaches include: • Tension headaches. This is the most common type of headache and is usually a dull pressure or tightness, mild to moderate in intensity. A tension headache is described by many as a sensation of a tight band around the head. This type of headache has or will affect about 90% of adults and most commonly affects women. It tends to occur on both sides of the head and sometimes the neck and can last from 30 minutes to a week. This headache can occur infrequently or daily. The person with this type of headache may experience tenderness to the scalp, neck or shoulders. If tension headaches occur more than 15 days a month for at least three months, they are considered chronic. • Migraine headaches — affect children and adults and are the second most common headaches in this category. They will affect about 12% of us. Migraines are characterized usually by a moderate to severe throbbing pain and occur 60% of the time on one side and 40% of the time on both sides of the head. They can last anywhere from four hours to 72 hours. Symptoms quite often include nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity and increased pain with physical activities. Blind spots or flashing lights may accompany migraines. • Cluster headaches — affect men more than women. They are characterized by sharp, boring, severe pain to one side usually around or behind the eye. They occur once or more daily and can last from 15 minutes to 1½ hours. The person suffering with cluster headaches may complain of nasal congestion, runny nose and tearing on one side. Though tension headaches are the most common headaches, the exact cause of these headaches is not known. Once thought to be caused by muscle contraction in the face, neck and scalp, the experts now lean toward some interference involving the nerve pathways to the brain. Muscle tenderness may result from overactive pain receptors.
Knowing the triggers for headaches can possibly help to prevent some of them: • Stress • Weather changes. On sunny days, wear sunglasses. • Strong smells such as perfumes and paints. • Tight hair accessories. • Strenuous exercise (including sex). • Incorrect posture. Your teachers and parents were right about not hunching your shoulders and slouching in your chair. A common culprit is using the space between your ear and shoulder as a phone cradle. • Cheese, red wine and cold cuts contain tyramine believed to trigger headaches. • Hunger • Smoking (also secondhand smoke) • Caffeine — drinking too much coffee can cause headaches, but you can also have caffeine withdrawal headaches. You should seek medical attention if you cannot function well at home or on the job or you take medications for headaches more than twice a week. Also seek attention if your usual headache pattern changes. Seek emergency help if you have a sudden severe headache or a headache with fever, stiff neck, confusion, seizures, visual changes, weakness or numbness. These could be signs of a brain bleed or other neurologic event. If your doctor suspects that you may have a secondary cause of your headache, he may order a CT scan or an MRI of the head to look for tumor or aneurysm. Treatment for tension headaches can range from simple over-the-counter medications to prescription drugs. Beware, however, as some of these medicines, including Tylenol may cause medication overuse headaches. Over-the-counter medications include aspirin, ibuprofen and Aleve. Indocin and Naprosyn require prescriptions. Your doctor may recommend combination medications such as aspirin or Tylenol mixed with caffeine or a sedative. For migraine sufferers, an injectable medication such as Imitrex may be used. Preventative medications such as Topamax, Neurontin, Amitriptyline and other antidepressant may be suggested by your physician. As common as headaches are, no one has invented a cure or a vaccine. Preventative care and working closely with your physician if you have frequent and/or painful headaches may be the key to maintaining a productive lifestyle. Patricia Knott is a graduate of LSU Medical School in New Orleans and is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. She serves as the Medical Director for Conway Regional Rehabilitation Hospital.
WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 47
LIFE
During and after divorce: Put the children first By Fran Scroggins
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s the summer winds down, our thoughts change from summer play to the new school year and children. I want to share some thoughts which I feel are really important. During the course of my work over the last several years, I have seen entirely too many custody, visitation, child support and other child-related issues in which the children have not been the primary concern. Divorce is a devastating and emotional time for adults. However, those same devastating feelings are felt by the children as well. Children see the divorce and separation as the death of the family as they know it. Children go through the same emotional stages during a divorce as others will experience during the death of a friend or loved one. As parents and other family members, it is important to continue to encourage the children in these situations and reassure them that the parents care for them. Degrading or bad-mouthing the other parent may satisfy a vindictive need of the adult, but those remarks in the presence of the child are very hurtful. Each child has a right to believe his or her parents are the greatest people in the world and that the adults around them share the same thoughts. Feelings of insecurity which are present in children undergoing the stress of their parents’ divorce can lead to long-term feelings of low self esteem. Children need to understand that the parents are no longer going to live together and remain as a cohesive unit, but that the relationship of the parents to their child remains unchanged. Never tell a child that the other parent has left “us.” The child needs to understand that the parents both love the child and that the problems with the marriage are problems between the parents and are not due to any fault of the child. I recently read “Children Come First: Mediation, Not Litigation When Marriage Ends” by Howard H. Irving, Ph.D. Irving talks about the importance of joint parenting and the important efforts parents must make to put their children’s needs above their own. He also discusses the importance of keeping the children first both during and after the divorce for the welfare the children. Irving discussed the Bill of Rights for children drafted by the Family Courts in Milwaukee, Wisc. Some of the pertinent provisions in their Bill of
48 WOMEN’S INC. / AUGUST 2012
Rights are as follows: 1. The right to be treated as an interested and affected person and not as a pawn, possession or chattel of either or both parents. 2. The right to know the non-custodial parent and to have the benefit of that parent’s love and guidance in adequate visitations. 3. The right to have a positive and constructive relationship with both parents, with neither parent or allowing others to degrade the other parent in the mind of child. These rules are not unique. While the courts in the 20th Judicial District (Faulkner, Van Buren and Searcy Counties) do not have a Bill of Rights for children, there is a standing order which is placed in effect which governs the parties during the divorce. This order sets out visitation times and gives some direction about the behavior of the parties. The courts in other counties have similar although not identical orders. Other resources are also available. Counseling for the children is available through most of the practices in the area. If you are unable to cope with the other parent and keep the children in a neutral environment, counseling to help you adjust to the new lifestyle may benefit you and your children. Many therapists deal with children and divorce issues more than others. Other therapists have joint parenting counseling which helps parents learn to joint parent their children during and after the divorce. Mediators are also available. Mediation provides a nonadversarial environment wherein the parties can resolve their issues. Utilizing this non-adversarial means provides an opportunity in which the mediator encourages the parties to reach a settlement and that environment enables the parents to focus on the best interests of their children. The mediator cannot force any type of decision but will encourage the parents to try to resolve their disputes and reach a resolution. Fran Scroggins is a graduate of the Bowen School of Law at UALR. She has been practicing law in Conway since 1996.Voted Best Attorney in Faulkner County by readers of the Log Cabin Democrat, Fran resides in Conway with her husband of nearly 35 years.They have five children.
BOOK REVIEW
‘The House on First Street’ by Julia Reed By Susan O’Keefe
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t’s a post-Katrina memoir complete with eccentric situations and quirky characters. “The House on First Street” gives readers a peek at the Big Easy from the perspective of a woman who was in love with the city before she could legally buy a frozen daiquiri at one of the countless drive-thru establishments. Raised in Greenville, Miss., Julia Reed and her family would often trek to New Orleans to find out what all the fuss was about. In a subtle way, Reed was captured by the city’s charm. Nearly 40 years later, and after living as a gypsy reporter, she marries, settles down and buys her first house in the historic Garden District. The 6,000-square-foot Greek Revival landmark is nearly falling down. Without missing a beat, the updates and upgrades are under way. Hammers pound and saws buzz. Julia’s contractor, Eddie, however, misses a few beats and then some. There are constant setbacks as repaired ceilings leak and collapse, sub-contractors are no-shows and Julia rants and raves. It’s a love/ hate relationship between Julia and Eddie. As is the case with many home improvements, the two-week projects take six weeks, and the six-week projects take three months. From purchase date to move in date, nearly a year passes, and the house is still on the mend. But the striking moment in the story for me takes place just a month after Julia and her husband spend their first night in their new quarters. There are no curtains, but the bar is stocked. There are few pieces of furniture, but the refrigerator is packed. In just a few weeks, Julia and hubby John have hosted dinner parties and served every scrumptious food that screams “New Orleans.” Parts of “The House on First Street” read as cuisine critiques as Julia provides delicious details of her food fascination. Bartending and passing hors d’oeuvres is Antonie.
He’s homeless, an unreliable drug user and just the sort of personality Julia hires. That’s when Hurricane Katrina hits. As a contributing editor at Vogue and Newsweek, Julia’s press credentials are good as gold when she returns to New Orleans days after Katrina. First task: tackle the refrigerators — her own as well as those of a few friends and neighbors. Alongside a Vietnam vet and a chemotherapy survivor, the trio could only
manage 30-second stretches of the repugnant stench. The surgical masks they donned proved useless. “One thing I can’t get out of my head was the condition of the refrigerators and how they were disposed of. The thought of those refrigerators and having to clean one out created an almost physical reaction,” commented one book club member. Julia’s benevolent spirit exploded on the disastrous scene. She fed 700 Oklahoma National Guardsmen and not only nourished their physical needs, but helped a hole-in-the-wall Mississippi bar-b-que joint meet its quota for the month. After weeks of dirty work, she eventually planned and participated in grand reopenings of restaurants and businesses. When the mayor, governor and FEMA were MIA, Julia and company were walking and wading the streets. Julia returned to her house on First Street and found only minimal damage. The guilty gratitude of knowing her house survived while hundreds lost their lives and thousands lost their livelihood hits home. Before and after Katrina, Julia always had an open seat at the dinner table. “I loved how she would invite anyone and everyone to her house to eat,” offered another reader. The author’s feisty yet warm character affords readers the luxury of feeling like a dinner guest. Readers travel alongside this heroine as her adopted city battles a comeback. “The gumption and gusto of New Orleanians is told from a whole new perspective,” said one reader. “I could almost hear Julia’s voice, telling me her very personal story about ‘The House on First Street.’” Susan O’Keefe is a wife to Jack, mother to four children, and eager to face the crazy, awesome, fun things God delivers daily. She and her family recently moved to Oxford, Mississippi, where Susan will continue to read and review, instruct fitness classes, and embark on this next adventure in life.
WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 49
COMMUNITY
St. Joseph School Bazaar turns 100 By Rachel Parker Dickerson Courtney Spradlin photos The St. Joseph School Bazaar is turning 100 this year, and the St. Joseph community is celebrating by bringing back old favorites while hanging onto newer additions. The bazaar will be Aug. 2-4, with many chances to win prizes, bid on items and be entertained. Laura Hiegel Williams said this year on the midway, which will be Thursday and Friday night, Aug. 2 and 3, the Old Country Store will be back. She said it was the part of the bazaar people missed most when it was gone. “The country store is the most expensive, but it’s entertaining,” she said. “You can win actual bags of groceries.” The country store will have tote bags, which should come in handy throughout the bazaar, she added. “You can purchase the tote bags and fill them up with these bigger prizes like a ham. People normally walk around with their arms full of prizes.” Also, for the first time, she said, the midway will have live entertainment. 50 WOMEN’S INC. / AUGUST 2012
“Dry County will be there Friday night. We’ve never had live music before. People are welcome to bring a chair. It really is a community event. You can play games with quarters and dimes. It’s really cheap entertainment. You can win ham and bacon, sausage and cheese. A lot of the elderly like to visit in the shade and play regular bingo, and it has great prizes like glassware.” She said at the alumni booth, 100-year T-shirts will be for sale, as well as balloons and 100-year books telling the history of the bazaar. Two different types of raffles will be going on. Drawings for a “must be present to win” raffle, in which ticket stubs from every game of chance played will be entered into a drawing for prizes, will be held at 9 p.m. Friday. Prizes will include items such as a charcoal grill and gift certificates. Raffle tickets may be purchased for a “need not be present to win” drawing, to be held at 10:30 p.m. Friday. Prizes will include a muzzle loader, one-year tuition to St. Joseph after school care, and a “pampered for a day” prize. Williams said, “When we ask people what they miss, a lot of people have said raffle alley.” She continued, “The duck pond that we’re bringing back is (popular). It has an old water trough. You
grab a duck, and whatever number it has is the prize you win. “The kids get so excited about the fish pond. You throw a cane pole over a wall, and you can’t see what you’re going to get, whether it’s candy or a toy. That’s one of the kids’ favorites.” Live animals will be at the event this year. “We’ve never had a petting zoo, and we’re having a petting zoo this year,” Williams said. Friday night the dinner will be held, and Saturday night will be the silent auction, which will feature some valuable items. “They will have a deer stand and a Titleist bag signed by Bryce Molder. They will also draw for the Jeep that night,” she said. Williams said the bazaar started 100 years ago to help keep tuition cost more affordable at St. Joseph School. She said her grandparents, father and she all attended the school, and now she has four children enrolled there. “I loved it. It was really family oriented,” she said. “We have generous people that give back. It’s a great circle of people to be with. At the same time, we love doing service outside in the community, and we hope everyone will come.”