DECEMBER 2019
womensinc.net
Making Holiday Magic at the Mansion
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MAGIC AT THE MANSION
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MAKING MEMORIES
HOMETOWN HEROES
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CHRISTMAS PARTY IDEAS
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A LOOK BACK
NEW HOUSE, OLD THINGS
Contributing Writers Hilary Andrews Cindy Beckman Andrea Champlin Melissa Gates – Cover Story Becké Stuart Photographers
WINC team “We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!” We cannot believe this year is already over! Just going to say it, 2019 flew by! The WINC Team has been working hard this past month to bring our readers the very jolly, full of holly December edition of our magazine. We’re so excited to spread some cheer through our cover story. When our author found out that there’s not only a group of volunteers who help decorate the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion every holiday season, but there’s a great Conway presence of women who are a part of the yearly event, she jumped on the chance to cover the process. What an exciting, bustling time of year it is at the governor’s mansion ... and we didn’t even know it! We’re excited to welcome you guys in to the week-long, “hundreds of ornaments and dozens of volunteers,” behind-the-scenes make up it takes to get everything ready and whose hands are doing the work in our December cover story! Our December WINC has lots of intended cheer as well. In our DIY story, our author takes readers through the many options and opportunities community members have this holiday season to throw that festive party everyone’s been waiting for, kid-friendly ideas and more! In our faith story, our author welcomes everyone in and encourages readers to embrace smallness by remembering what matters most this Christmas season.
Cover photos by
Every year, Antioch Baptist Church puts on its Bethlehem Revisited event. Our “A Look Back,” author decided to take a different approach for 2019 and wanted to let our readers know exactly what it takes to put on such a massive event in such a short, three-day time frame. We’re excited for you guys to check the story out but don’t forget to get out and attend the annual Christmastime event as well! Hometown Hero is one of our special sections that we hold dear to our heart, getting to share the bravery of servicemen and women, and others, in our local community, what their jobs look like and all they do to keep us safe. This month, we really wanted to put a spin on it and honor all our local veterans and the honorable choice they made to serve our country. We can’t say thank-you enough to each and every one of you who have sacrificed so much! Lastly, with the shopping season right around the corner, our own, Conway’s Syndal Cook, takes readers through simple ways to save money, buy used and still reap those benefits. Take a look and see what you can find! Don’t forget to pick up your copy of WINC at our downtown office, The Log Cabin Democrat, located at 1121 Front Street. We hope this December issue brings you a little bit of cheer this holiday season and we wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! The WINC Team
Lulu Photography/Becké Stuart Hilary Andrews Ron Beckman Andrea Champlin Advertising Sales Executives Kelly Booy Crystal Geraldson Editorial Board Hilary Andrews Cindy Beckman Andrea Champlin Eden Cameron Melissa Gates
Questions or Comments? Call (501) 327-6621 e-mail: Hilary Andrews at handrews@thecabin.net or write to: 1121 Front Street, Conway, AR, 72032 www.womensinc.net
Making Holiday Magic at the Mansion Story by Melissa Gates Photos by Lulu Photography/Becké Stuart
Melissa Gates and Arkansas’ First Lady Susan Hutchinson. 6 WINC. | December 2019
I was recently blessed to spend a morning with Arkansas’ First Lady Susan Hutchinson at her home, what she calls the, “People’s Mansion,” more commonly known as the governor’s mansion. It was a very casual, “jeans and sweater,” type of time to unpack Christmas ornaments. These are not just any ornaments. They were commissioned by the first lady to hang in the governor’s mansion this holiday season.
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Hutchinson asked Arkansas high school students to make ornaments depicting countries that the Natural State does business with. “Arkansans don’t understand how many countries are involved with Arkansas,” she said. “I thought Christmas was the perfect time to highlight them. Anytime the art students are involved it’s a win-win. It’s showcasing the creativity of our people and the creative art teachers. The kids will talk about this for years to come.” As we unpacked each box it felt like an early Christmas morning. “How dear! It’s fabulous,” Hutchinson exclaimed while unpacking a set of ornaments from Greene County Tech High School, continuing on to see more that her staff had already unpacked from areas like West Memphis, Harrison and Clarendon. “Look at all the different materials involved – glass, metal, wood! Even geometry was involved with those paper stars!” Greenbrier art students were assigned the country of Brazil. They made colorful ornaments that will hang in the mansion atrium. Hutchinson and her staff “oohed and aahed” as they unpacked each cardboard box. A life-size singing reindeer is always one of Mrs. Hutchinson’s favorite decorations. He is set up somewhere different each year. This time he sits atop an indoor balcony. In my time that morning at the state-owned home, I discovered many local women were also behind the efforts to bring holiday magic to the house. Morrilton-native Patty Shipp serves as the mansion administrator and 8 WINC. | December 2019
Conway-native Sharon Morris is head of restoration and preservation. Each year the first lady comes up with the theme of the decorations then, it’s up to Shipp and Morris to make the magic happen. This year’s theme is Peace On Earth. Ten trees of varying heights will be decorated with the international ornaments. “We went to the AEDC (Arkansas Economic Development Commission) website and found the list of countries that our state does business with,” Morris said. “We wanted the top ten and a few higher profile places like China. The first lady had just visited the Czech Republic so we wanted that represented too.” Several days after the ornament unpacking, I returned to the governor’s mansion to find the hustle and bustle of dozens of volunteers putting the decorations on the trees. There are ribbons, glitter and lights everywhere. Again, I found a group of Conway women at the helm. Laurie Smith ivernor’s study. “It takes a team to make the
magic happen!” Smith said. The volunteers are either on the association board, friends of those on the board or go to Mrs. Hutchinson’s church, Immanuel Baptist in Little Rock. On this particular day, the volunteers range from 25 years old to 81. In all, it will take one week to completely makeover the mansion for the holidays.
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To help depict the Peace On Earth theme, Conway-artist Tim Morris hung angels all around the mansion ballroom, which will hover over palm trees. Mr. Morris also spent the summer painting two huge murals that will also hang at the front of the room depicting the manger scene and the visiting wise men.
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Once the home is ready, the first lady invites everyone to come visit. There is a holiday open house on Dec. 8 and everyone in the state is invited to see the mansion and celebrate the holiday season. Admission is free. Hutchinson said it’s her goal while her husband is in office to welcome as many Arkansans into the home as possible. “I just want everyone in Arkansas to know this is their mansion,” she said. “People don’t think ‘Let’s go see it,’ but it’s their state. That’s my hope with my time here, that people take ownership and pride in this home and realize the history here.” Hutchinson said not one single high school art teacher said no participating in her ornament idea. She says, “The whole thing is amazing with all the countries depicted. The art students are so creative. The Eiffel tower, Japan, even the wooden ornaments for Germany ... everyone wants to do business with Arkansas because we’re so wonderful! 10 WINC. | December 2019
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“People don’t think to drive to Little Rock to see the Capitol all lit up or the mansion decorated for Christmas but I want them to come.” The holiday open house is from 1-4 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion, located at 1800 Center St. in Little Rock. There will be outdoor kid’s train rides, refreshments, visits with Santa Claus. The event is free, open to the public and requires no tickets. Melissa Gates has been telling stories in Faulkner County for more than a decade. She has interviewed a wide variety of interesting people from U.S. Presidents to rock stars and countless community leaders. After growing up in the Midwest, she is thrilled to call Conway home, alongside her husband and three kids.
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The holiday open house is from 1-4 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion, located at 1800 Center St. in Little Rock
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Christmas party ideas for the holiday season By Andrea Champlin When my daughter was four, I took her to the Capital Hotel’s gingerbread decorating class. This was such a wonderful experience and it has impacted every Christmas since. The Capital Hotel at Christmas seemed like a festive heaven and I try to bring a little of that magic to my home every year. .
When I think back on what started my self-confessed Christmas decorating mania, this is the event I go back to. I put in a lot of effort to make our home magical during Christmas and part of that magic is letting our children invite some friends over for a kid-centric Christmas party. This usually involves decorating
cookies, but my first year doing this, I invited about ten girls over for a gingerbread house decorating party. The night before, I sat at my dining room table and put ten gingerbread houses together. It was a super fun party for the girls, but a little too labor intensive for mom and we’ve opted for cookies ever since. womensinc.net 15
Now, I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking that you don’t possibly have time to add one more event to your Christmas schedule, but I love our Christmas parties with children and it’s one of my favorite events of the season. One way it has changed our lives is that we now let each child choose one friend to invite to the party, we may or may not know the family, but in every instance, we’ve parted friends and kept in touch. One of the most important parts of being a parent is knowing who your kids are hanging out with. This is a great time to meet them and their parents. So here are some easy ideas so you can host your own Christmas party! 1. Decorate gingerbread or sugar cookies. You can make these at home or pick them up from the store. I promise the kids won’t care which one you do. 2. Decorate sugar cones. Turn them upside down, cover in green or white icing and sprinkles to make a Christmas tree. 3. Decorate gingerbread houses. If you’re ambitious, you can put houses together the night before and let the children decorate when they get there. It’s fun to see the different houses. 16 WINC. | December 2019
4. Invite Santa and let him be a surprise visitor for the guests. 5. Put chili in a crock pot for dinner. You can make it that morning and it’s ready for guests that night. Super easy and always a favorite. 6. I also make crock pot hot chocolate. There are several recipes online. 7. If the kids aren’t into chili, I have found that cocktail weenies made into pigs in a blanket are always a hit. No matter how many I make, they’re always gone at the end of the night. I hope you can use some of these ideas to bring a little more Christmas cheer into your home! This doesn’t have to be a perfect event. Nothing fancy, just fun. I promise, the children will love it, and I don’t know about you, but seeing smiling children brings me a lot of Christmas cheer.
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Reader’s Choice Awards 2019
Readers, vote for your favorite businesses and services for 2019 and turn this sheet of paper – found in both the November and December WINC editions – back into the WINC Team at the Log Cabin Democrat, located at 1121 Front St. in downtown Conway. Results will be announced in our January edition. Favorite place to have a salad ______________________________ . Most romantic dinner date restaurant________________________ . I entertain business clients for lunch at _______________________ . Favorite place with patio dining ____________________________ . Best place to meet the girls for lunch ________________________ . On my birthday, take me to dinner at ________________________ . When I want a good burger, I go to _________________________ . My favorite restaurant staff is at ____________________________ . The kids always want to eat at _____________________________ . The sweet treats are always fabulous at _______________________ . I love to order special cakes from ___________________________ . I find the most fabulous shoes at ____________________________ . When I want to dress for the occasion, my first stop is __________________________________________ . I always find the perfect piece of jewelry at____________________ . A sharp-dressed man shops at______________________________ . Best local hair salon is ____________________________________ . My favorite stylist is _____________________________________ . I love to buy cosmetics at _________________________________ . The folks at _________________________________ do a great job cleaning my home and office. The only insurance agent I use is ____________________________ at ____________________________________________________ . The pharmacist with the best customer service is _______________ at ____________________________________________________ . When I need an attorney, I call _____________________________ .
I only have eyes for ______________________________________ at ____________________________________________________ . My favorite OB/GYN is __________________________________ at ____________________________________________________ . For cosmetics procedures I go to ____________________________ at ____________________________________________________ . My favorite local general physician is ________________________ at ____________________________________________________ . The best pediatrician is ___________________________________ at ____________________________________________________ . Our favorite nurse is _____________________________________ at ____________________________________________________ . My favorite veterinarian is_________________________________ at ____________________________________________________ . My pets favorite groomer is________________________________ . When my car needs repair, I only go to ______________________ . I only have family photos taken by __________________________ . When my appliances need repair, I call _______________________ . My dream home would be filled with furniture from ____________ . I like to buy vehicles from _________________________________ . When I need a realtor, I call _______________________________ at ____________________________________________________ . The real estate company I count on is ________________________ . The best personal trainer is ________________________________ at ____________________________________________________ . The best preschool and childcare provider is ___________________ . When I have a problem, the plumber I call is __________________ .
If my car breaks down, I call _______________________________ .
When I need a handyman, I call ____________________________ .
When I need a unique gift, I go to __________________________ .
When I need tools or garden items, my local choice is ___________ .
The top spa in our area is__________________________________ .
I love to receive flowers from_______________________________ .
I love my pool from ______________________________________ .
My ear, nose and throat specialist is _________________________ at ____________________________________________________ .
My favorite massage therapist is ____________________________ . I only trust my smile to ___________________________________ at ____________________________________________________ .
My favorite downtown Conway business is ___________________ . I want to accessorize my home with items from ________________ .
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December Faith Feature
Embracing Smallness By Becké Stuart It has always been my heart’s cry to see Christ fresh during the Christmas season. This year, I keep thinking about how unassuming His entrance was. It almost seems that Jesus purposefully embraced smallness. First, after leaving his throne, he entered the small womb of a virgin teenager. Second, he could have chosen to be born in the grand city of Jerusalem, but he opted for the tiny village of Bethlehem, instead. (Of course, it is only fitting that the “Bread 20 WINC. | December 2019
of Life,” would be born in a city called “The House of Bread.”) Third, even though Jesus is eternal royalty, he didn’t attach himself to a noble family. Lastly, he didn’t opt for an inn or home to be born in. A stable seemed just fine for him. Small, small, small. King of Kings, and yet, he arrived in a humble and insignificant way; God-man born amidst the muck and manure. Who would have dreamed the Son of God, who created the world and holds it in his hands, would
choose to lay down his majesty and enter his creation in this way? Jesus came for my smallness. I couldn’t save myself from my own sinful wretchedness. He came to ultimately die on the cross, conquer death, redeem me from myself and dwell inside of me. He loves to make his home in the small things of life. How profound, that the uncontainable God chooses to contain himself in my inmost being. This season, I am learning to not shun small beginnings.
“For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see …” Zechariah 4:10a. God can take those small beginnings anywhere he wants, even to death on a cross that would be humanity’s only chance of redemption. I am reminded of the story of Elijah and how God’s voice wasn’t found in the grandeur of the wind or the earthquake, but was found in a low whisper, more like a “thin silence.” (1 Kings 19). Even when Jesus rode into Jerusalem, it wasn’t on a war horse, but on a humble donkey. The first cry of Hosanna – “save us!” – had to be fulfilled with the king laying down his life, not setting up his earthly throne.
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Perhaps like you, I’ve been in a season of needing God to show up. I’m pondering during this Christmas season that God’s ways are often quiet. Humble. Seemingly insignificant. Unassuming. Silent. Without fanfare. Small. Unobtrusive. Meek. Gentle. Hidden. Lowly. Inconspicuous. Simple. It’s quite possible the answers we seek won’t come with the fanfare of a majestic marching band. It probably won’t be with the dramatic flair or sensationalism our culture thrives on. If it is of God, there is a good chance it will be found in the humble and unassuming path, where the voice of God is almost a thin silence. God’s ways might even include a wooden manger covered in a pasty concoction of grain and livestock saliva. It could have been so easy to miss Christ’s first coming. Angels could have announced his arrival to every single person on earth, but they picked a few mere shepherds. It would be easy to miss Jesus in our daily lives, as well, but I believe that Jesus is always at work on our behalves. Always. We can pray for eyes to see and ask for glimpses of glory along the way, we can prepare our hearts to see Jesus in the unexpected and in the small, we can train our ears to listen for the gentle whisper of His voice. “How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts the blessing of His heaven. No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in,” O’ Little Town of Bethlehem “Whenever I have seen God’s wondrous work in the case of 22 WINC. | December 2019
some miraculous healing or some extraordinary deliverance by His Providence, the thing that has always impressed me most was the absolute quietness in which it was done. I have also been impressed by the absence of anything sensational and dramatic, and the utter sense of my own uselessness as I stood in
the presence of this mighty God, realizing how easy all this was for Him to do without even the faintest effort on His part, or the slightest help from me.” A. B. Simpson This Christmas season, let’s remind our hearts of one simple truth: faith sees that God often embraces smallness.
Becké Stuart has always been drawn to the written word, but she fell into penning the words herself when she found herself needing an avenue to process grief. For Becké, writing has been one way to dive headlong into the hard stuff of life, allowing God to meet her right there in the mess and answer her chief prayer: “Lord, give me eyes to see!” Becké’s deepest desire is that her words might offer readers a glimpse of Jesus and His infectious love. Becké has been married to her husband, Eric, for 21 years. Together, they are raising four boys ranging in age from 6 to 19. When she isn’t cheering her clan on in sports, she enjoys photography, singing, and having coffee with friends.
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Nana’s 24 WINC. | December 2019
Making memories Greenbrier’s Linda Langley is known for her pecan pies. “I give them to people just like you would send a card to somebody or take flowers, I usually take them a pie,” she said.
The 73-year-old has been making the sweet treat ever since she can remember. Growing up as the only girl in a sibling set of six, coconut pies were her mother’s dessert of choice – “we never left a piece on the plate.” When she was old enough to take on the kitchen herself, she started baking her own items. “I’ll just make what I want,” Langley thought. So in came the pecan pie. At 17-years-old, Langley got married and over the past 55 years, the dessert has become a household staple, along with several others including chocolate, coconut and more. She doesn’t make nearly as many as she used to, now saving them for birthdays, holidays and seeing the grandkids, who live just across the road. Either way, the food item is something her daughter, Lynita, and grandkids have grown up with. “My grandson, ever since he was just a baby, he called in Nana’s Nut Pie,” Langley said. “That’s his pie.” Over the years, she’s even put her own twist on it. While working the ingredients, she takes about a cup of pecans and puts in a Ziploc bag and crushes them with a cup for the inside. After, she picks out the whole, “pretty” ones for the topside decorations. Langley said her grandson mentioned to her recently how he always knows which pies are hers because of the top designs. “It’s just kind of gotten to be a habit that we do it this way,” she said, smiling. Her grandson is 11 years old but already knows his way around a kitchen. “He loves to help me cook,” Langley said. “He knows the ingredients. He’ll go and get things out for me.” womensinc.net 25
Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas!
volunteered for an archaeological dig in Alaska,” she said. “I was the cook. I had 22 people to feed. All I had to cook on was a Coleman stove. There was no electricity, no phones, nothing, no people, uninhabited. We were out there for seven weeks. I made homemade pies for them, lots of pots of stew. It was cold.” Langley said some from the group hadn’t ever even eaten pecan pie before, a dessert which seems to more a southern treat than anywhere else. has learned a thing or two about Over the years, she said she’s perfecting the desert item. The had a few failures here and there, trick to baking pecan pies is the botching a few recipes from time 30-minutes check when she looks to time, but just kept on cooking, to see how brown the outside is. eventually developing some favor“The biggest problem you have with pecan pie is it gets brown be- ite dishes that people often request fore the insides get done cooking,” including fried okra, cream-style she said. “Therefore, if you take corn, cornbread, pot roast and it up, the insides will be runny. more. That’s not very good.” While she enjoys cooking for her After 30 minutes, she’ll pull it loved ones, providing those homeout and put a piece of foil over the made means, it’s in the baking that top and let it cook for another 20 Langley finds the most fun. minutes. “The cooking part ... part of it Outside the home, Langley has is it’s out of necessity,” she said. “I also shared her cooking secrets guess really, I enjoy baking, makwith others from her community ing the desserts, cookies, cakes, and even further away. “Probably the most unique expe- pies, stuff like that. That’s fun. I riences I’ve had with my pies ... I enjoy that.” Relaxing for the holidays will be easy with this leather, power-reclining set!
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She said she did the same thing with her daughter when she was young but the purpose behind was different. Back then, Langley and her husband both worked, so, as a way to help out, at around 6 years old, Lynita began baking in the kitchen. Langley said she wouldn’t let her around the stove top, but inside was just fine. “I put her in the kitchen early,” she said. “It was more of a job back then because I really needed it done, but she grew up being real comfortable in the kitchen. She’d just take over. I didn’t worry about her getting in there. She grew up to be a marvelous cook. We still like her grilled pork chops.” Cooking with her grandkids, Langley said, is more about fun rather than necessity. “I’m big on making memories,” she said. “I lost my dad when I was 8. I didn’t know any of my grandparents, they all died before I was born. I just always thought it was important that you share experiences so those kids can remember. “My grandson the other day said, ‘Nana, I just love coming to your house. When I walk in the front door, it’s all those good smells.’ He’s a special little boy.” Over the years, Langley said they’ve made dozens of pies, but
Third annual Christmas at ACE This is our Christmas gift-back to the community for all the support they give us each year. To start, we will have pictures with Santa, live reindeer, cookies and hot cocoa and kids crafts. For the second year, two local schools – Sacred Heart in Morrilton and Conway Christian in Conway – will be volunteering to help serve the cookies and cocoa and will help with the craft area as well. The whole event takes place at each of our stores where the community can already shop and enjoy our Christmas display. Conway has 20 trees fully decorated in different themes throughout the store. Morrilton has it own unique trees as well that cater to each community.
This year Christmas at ACE will be from 2-6 p.m. Dec. 12th in Morrilton and 3-7 p.m. Dec. 12 in Conway. This event has become a staple for our customers and the community they start asking months in advance on when it will be and if we are having it again. We will also have our black Friday ad as always. The great thing with ACE is the ad starts Nov. 20 so you can save now. We will also have a special Black Friday ad edition in the Thanksgiving day Log Cabin Democrat. The best sales right now are on The Weber SE-410 Gas grill now only $699, regularly $949, and all of our Yeti is priced at prices we can’t mention … you just have to see to believe.
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A most unusual Christmas gift I just love Christmas! I love the music, the lights, the smells, the sappy Hallmark movies – the whole nine yards. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year. But, the absolute best thing about Christmas is the true reason for the Christmas season – the birth of our Savior, Jesus. His sacrifice made it possible for all mankind throughout the ages to have eternal life simply by accepting Him as Lord and Savior. Have you done that? I sure hope so. Another thing I love about Christmas is giving gifts to people. Notice I didn’t say shopping for gifts. We guys all know whose job that is. Wink, wink. Nod, nod. Bless my wife’s heart, she stays on point literally all year long and comes up with a treasure trove of goodies for everyone on our list. I don’t know how she does it, but the grandkids love it, and I get half the credit! Pretty neat, huh? There is one person, though, whose gift I am solely responsible for and I bet you can figure out who that is. Truthfully, Shirley and I don’t really buy gifts for each other at Christmas. She’s not big into jewelry, fancy clothes, shoes, purses, etc. so she’s kind of hard to buy for. I don’t need much either, so we usually just get some small things for each other’s stockings. But I got to thinking, she really deserves something special for all the work she puts in for everyone else and for putting up with me. Since we do pretty much everything together, I thought if I could come up with a unique couple’s
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activity, that would really make her happy. Then, the perfect idea hit me. I arranged for us to have a couple’s colonoscopy! Just think of all the positives about this. It’s thoughtful – she is, after all the most important person in my life and her mother did have colon cancer. It’s a one-of-a-kind gift, quality time spent together, and it’s free – thanks to Medicare. Brilliant, right? In my mind’s eye I can just see two brightly colored porta potties sitting side by side in the middle of the circle driveway in front of our house, with big red bows wrapped around them. I could put a couple of big baskets filled with red and white corn cobs beside them, and a big Sears catalog inside each one along with a paperback book of bathroom games and some Poo~Pourri. Given enough time I might even find a “two-holer” like the outhouses used to be in our great-grandparents time. Talk about a real bonding experience! On Christmas morning, I could blindfold Shirley and lead her outside for the big surprise. She’d be speechless. I bet the Centennial Valley Neighborhood Association probably wouldn’t like that idea though. By now, I’m sure you realize that I am kidding, but we really do have our colonoscopies scheduled on the same morning this week, and by the time you read this, they will be but a distant memory. My friend, Dr. Kevin Heath, and his staff will have taken good care of us and
hopefully given us a clean bill of health for another three to five years. By far and away, the worst part of a colonoscopy is the prep. Used to be, all that was available was a gallon-sized jug of what I describe as “soapy saltwater” that one had to drink one glassful at a time. It was, in a word, awful. It was only made worse by the flavor packs one could add. These do still exist and most of the time are the required products covered by insurance because they are much less expensive than the newer, less gross alternatives. The prep Shirley and I are using – which will actually be tomorrow at the time of this writing – is called Suprep. Thankfully, our Medicare Part D covered most of the cost. Bottom line (pun intended) if you are 45 years old, you should start getting screened for colorectal cancer. Colonoscopies can detect these cancers at an early stage at which point they are largely curable. While the thought of the process is less than pleasant, you will sleep through the whole thing and it is completely painless. Maybe you, too, should give yourself and the one you love this same unusual Christmas gift. Bottoms up and Merry Christmas, everyone. David Smith is the owner and chief pharmacist at Smith Family Pharmacy where he works with his wife Shirley and staff. He graduated from the UAMS College of Pharmacy in 1974 and has been taking care of people in the Conway and surrounding areas for more than 43 years.
Here’s to your good health - Merry Christmas!
501.336.8188
smithfamilypharmacy.com Download our app for convenient pharmacy access. 28 WINC. | December 2019
A Look Back...
Photos courtesy of Antioch Baptist Church
Volunteers help assemble the walls of Bethlehem Revisited.
A Look Back: Bethlehem Revisited
Julie Riddle combs through costumes being organized for Bethlehem Revisited.
For 22 years now, members of Antioch Baptist Church, located in Conway at 150 Amity Road, have been sharing the Good News of Jesus’ birth by inviting visitors to experience what it might have been like when Jesus was born in the small city of Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago. Bethlehem Revisited first began in 1997 after pastor Jason Aultman, then Antioch’s youth minister, suggested the church stage this unique walk-through experience. He had seen it performed at a church in Texas and thought it might give the church a special opportunity to minister to the community at Christmastime. The church had recently relocated to its new home along Interstate 40 with space now available to offer something of this magnitude. “This would be our Christmas gift, a blessing to every person and family that visits,” Aultman explained, “It would allow people to sort of step into the Christmas story, to step back in time where a visitor gets to walk into the village of Bethlehem and take part in a re-creation of what the bustling village might have been like on the night of Christ’s birth.” womensinc.net 29
Much has changed since the first Bethlehem Revisited. In the early days, the walls of Bethlehem were literally made of painted cardboard. “That worked OK unless we got rain or wind, which seemed to happen almost every year!” Aultman said. “One night a cold front came blowing in with sudden high winds. The walls of Bethlehem literally began to fly away!” According to Aultman, Bethlehem Revisited really exceeded the vision in terms of longevity and community impact. Attendance has more than doubled over the past decade with anywhere from 6,000 to 8,000 guests visiting Bethlehem each year, many from other states. Church groups travel by buses while numerous families return, making the trip an annual family tradition. The cardboard walls have been replaced with more durable plywood walls and the size of the city has grown too. The costumes are more elaborate and authentic and the Roman soldiers don’t wear plastic armor anymore. Last year, Bethlehem was further expanded and the shops began to feature more interesting and
Photos courtesy of Antioch Baptist Church
Mary and Joseph, with the baby Jesus, are portrayed by the Lewis family.
authentic details. A taller Bethlehem star was also erected, enabling passersby on I-40 to see it. The check-in process has also streamlined to handle the larger crowds more smoothly and efficiently. For the 2019 event, a new path has been created to facilitate foot traffic to an even larger re-created Bethlehem. Assistant pastor Shawn Hammontree has visited with guests as they exited Bethlehem for years,
Visitors gather in the Inn before traveling on to the manger scene. 30 WINC. | December 2019
often hearing comments such as, “We have been bringing our kids since they were little and now, we are bringing our grandkids! It brings the whole Christmas story to life for them.” Nearly 500 people are involved in the three-day re-creation of Bethlehem, each using their own special God-given talents and skills to assist in this ministry. Janel Tilley, Antioch’s operations associate has an active role in planning and managing the event. “Everyone has a skill set that can be used somewhere,” she said. Some volunteers work yearround developing and maintaining the site for or shopping for costume materials. “Kim Tyler, for one, is looking year-round for fabrics that can be used,” Tilley said. Three main people oversee the costuming but many more help construct and maintain the costumes and armor worn by the villagers and Roman soldiers. Bethlehem Build Day, which
Photo courtesy of Michael Priest
Zach Rhodes, the middle school pastor at Antioch Baptist Church, stands watch as a centurion at Bethlehem.
takes place on the Sunday before the event, involves some 250-300 people working inside and outside the church. The fun begins as plywood panels are assembled together, much like Legos, to form the walls while volunteers decorate the church foyer, activity center and worship center, others making the starters for the candle shop where visitors may make their own candles. The day before Bethlehem opens to visitors, culinary volun-
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teers start baking the cookies that will be served at the end of the tour. The ovens are on for three days straight to produce the 5,000 cookies that will be served. Anywhere from 250 to 300 actors portray characters each night in Bethlehem. Some church members have been involved in the production for years, many demonstrating crafts while others share various wares like bread and candy, made from recipes authentic to the region where Jesus was born. During the three-day event, even more volunteers work inside, greeting and checking people in for the tour. Others continually fill plates of cookies and make hot chocolate and coffee which are served afterward – 10,000 to 12,000 cups of hot chocolate and coffee are prepared each year. While guests are waiting for their tour and again while enjoying refreshments and warming up after the tour, they are welcome to wander into the worship center where a group of eight to 10 musicians led by worship arts pastor Travis Sellers sing Christmas favorites.
At the first stop of the tour, visitors listen as the Old Testament prophet Isaiah speaks of the prophesy regarding Christ’s birth. From there, they encounter Mary, hearing of her visit from the angel, Gabriel. Then it’s on to the city where guests experience the sights, sounds and smells of the open-air market. The smells of venison cooking over an open fire, stew cooking in an open kettle and fresh-baked bread coming out of the oven mingle with the sights of craftsmen busy at work in their shops, many of which have hands-on activities for all ages, and music typical of the period intermingles with the sights and sounds of the city, a multi-sensory experience for all. Care is taken to ensure the various shops are as authentic as possible, with townspeople wearing authentic costumes and demonstrating skills of the period. The bread and candy handed out in the shops are made using authentic recipes and small toys, authentic to the period, are also given to the children. Costumed townspeople and Roman soldiers
Your one-stop-shop for DIY soaps, bath bombs, lip gloss, lotions, shampoos, conditioners, DIY kits, bath bomb molds and so much more! Order online or visit us at 253 Sturgis Rd., Conway Have questions, we can help! Give us a call at 501-470-9689
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remain in character the entire time they are in the city. “After spending time in Bethlehem, visitors are led to the inn where they find there is no room for them there.” Aultman explained. “They are invited to rest before being taken to the manger scene in the stable where they find Mary and Joseph with the baby Jesus.” At the end of the tour, visitors are encouraged to look off toward the lighted crosses of Calvary, symbolizing that the story doesn’t end in Bethlehem ... it’s just the beginning. Hammontree, said he’s heard many exclaim over the years, “We enjoy this every year!” “This is impressive!” and “This is so much bigger and better than we thought!” “We are always amazed,
however, by how many people come for their first visit,” Aultman said. “It seems that every year there are large numbers of return guests, but there are also multitudes of people who show up to experience it for the very first time. It is certainly a thrill to see the wonder and joy in the eyes of so many as the Christmas story comes alive around them.” This year’s Bethlehem Revisited takes place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. from Dec. 11-13. There is no admission charge. “Come with your heart open to hear, see and smell the sights, sounds and fragrances of Bethlehem,” Brian Gunnels, the church’s director of operations said. “Dress warmly! Bring the whole family! This memorable experience is good for all ages!
OUR DOCTORS Stephen K. Magie, M.D. • Melanie F. Smith, M.D. Justin Charton, M.D. • B. Scott Koontz, O.D. Jeffrey J. Strossner, O.D.
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Cindy Beckman is a local freelance writer and columnist who has authored several local history books and articles. Her weekly History Mystery and Artifact of the Week columns appear in the Tuesday edition; the A Look Forward column appears bi-monthly in the Sunday edition; and the Yesterdays column appears daily in the Log Cabin. She is also editor of Faulkner Facts and Fiddlings, the journal of the Faulkner County Historical Society. She may be reached at beckman@wind stream.net.
A Mad Russian’s Christmas SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 7:30 PM
The Nutcracker with Arkansas Festival Ballet, followed by the hardest-rocking, biggest baddest Christmas show ever! Sponsored by and
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1175 Morningside Drive Conway, AR 501.327.7642 womensinc.net 33
WN METO O H
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HEROE
The Noble and the Brave Story by Hilary Andrews Every day, I am thankful for the ones who give up their lives in service to our country, for my freedom. I’ve heard story after story of how war has affected the men and women it spits out, terrorizing them, the weight sometimes too much to bear. War takes its toll. I’ve also been witness to the strength our military service personnel have pulled from within themselves to keep going and power through. It’s remarkable. I was privy to a moment recently during the annual Veterans Day ceremony at the University of Central Arkansas. Every year, like clockwork, the band present plays each march song for the branches of the U.S. Armed Forced and as their tune is played, veterans rise to their feet, some sing along, others stand in solace. I cry. Seeing the room year after year, packed with those who have given so much to the service of our country, is always incredibly moving. I cry not because I’m sad, but because I’m proud and thankful. These men and women chose, daily, to give up what they want in order to make sure I have the freedom to do and say whatever I please, taking on demons I know nothing of, learning skills I
34 WINC. | December 2019
couldn’t even fathom having and following that rank and file to the tee. They are the true heroes, though they don’t often accept the title. They don’t often get “Thank-you’s” or tokens of appreciation, but it doesn’t matter, they continue on, doing their job, what they’re trained to do. We take so much of their service for granted, walking around, forgetting where we come from and the amount of blood that has been shed to bring us all to where we are today. We must honor our veterans not just on the one day a year set aside to do so, but every day, remembering, making sure our history books aren’t the only education the younger generations are receiving but keeping them in touch with their ancestors, the strife that has come before them, the trials we have endured and come out of, talking with one another about where, we as a nation, have been and are going.
womensinc.net 35
Photo courtesy of Marisa Hicks
This 2019 Veterans Day, we remember and we thank you for your service, the noble and the brave.
Photo courtesy of Marisa Hicks
Photo courtesy of Marisa Hicks
Photo courtesy of Kelly Booy
36 WINC. | December 2019
The Noble and the Brave: A Veteran’s Day Tribute “When America had an urgent need, These brave ones raised a hand. No hesitation held them back, They were proud to take a stand. They left their friends and family, They gave up normal life. To serve their country and their God, They plowed into the strife. They fought for freedom and for peace, On strange and foreign shores. Some lost new friends, some lost their lives, In long and brutal wars. Other veterans answered a call, To support the ones who fought. Their country had requirements for, The essential skills they brought. We salute every one of them, The noble and the brave. The ones still with us here today, And those who rest in a grave. So here’s to our country’s heroes, They’re a cut above the rest. Let’s give the honor that is due, To our country’s very best.” By Joanna Fuchs
Photo courtesy of Kelly Booy
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
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Photos by Brandy McCroskey Howard Digital Image Emailed
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New house, old things Story and photos by Hilary Andrews
There are some people out there that are bargain hunters and some who struggle finding that deal. I spoke with Conway’s Syndal Cook to get a couple of tips to make it easier for everyone. Syndal said her family believes small incremental changes over time can yield substantial financial results. As a result of this belief, she said they felt if they found a creative way to earn while spending less we would have more freedom to follow God’s call as we pour into others. One of the ways they’ve done that is through bargain shopping. Going back 16 years, one of the ways Joey purchased Syndal’s en-
gagement ring was through selling items on eBay. “Which, as a result, saved us lots!” Syndal said. Nowadays it’s not eBay but Facebook marketplace. “We recently moved into a new home and furnished approximately 80 percent of our furniture through Facebook marketplace,” Syndal said. “Also the furthest I had to drive to purchase an item was Benton. Most items I found within a 25 mile radius of Conway.” Not only did the Cooks furnish most of their new home, but they were also able to sell items they didn’t want to move and ended up making a little under $1,000 in womensinc.net 39
one month by using the Facebook selling site. “It’s very easy to list items and search for items through Facebook marketplace,” Syndal said. “Simply search for items you are looking for, or hit sell and list the items you are wanting to sell.” The Cooks are no strangers to using the selling and buying site. Items the family has acquired from Facebook marketplace include: A Samsung stainless steel fridge, a pair of matching arm chairs, risers for their washer and dryer, their 1978 Volkswagen Westfalia, two brand new, matching, grey Ashley couches, an outdoor sectional, a queen bed frame, a golf cart, an FJ Cruiser, a night stand, two matching accent chairs and a 1972 Honda 250xl Cafe Racer. You can do it too! To be successful and most importantly, safe, Syndal suggested a few guidelines for shoppers to follow. To ensure safety • Check ratings. • Take a friend. • Always have someone home with you if they are coming into your house to view a large item. • If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. • Look for mutual friends • I don’t recommend Craigslist. How to help be successful when buying • Look for other items they have sold via their FB marketplace profile. • Look for why they selling. Generally we ask, “Do you mind if I ask why you are selling it?” For example, we bought our “new to us” fridge and were worried about it possibly not working but when we asked the “why,” they were needing a new fridge with bigger freezer space. So, we came home 40 WINC. | December 2019
with our new working fridge. • If someone is coming to pick up an item, leave it on the porch and have them leave the cash under the doormat. No promises but I’ve never had anyone not leave the cash. Since you are operating through Facebook you have their profile info. • Be patient. It took me three weeks to find our couches. How to help be successful when selling • Search for items similar to what you are trying to sell and price accordingly. • Check your messages. • Take multiple, clear pictures of items. • Keep furniture staged while taking pictures. • Be clear in your description. • Measure items.
“In short, we are huge fans of bargain shopping,” Syndal said. “There are also many rewards other than the financial side. The family that bought our house viewed it through marketplace. Years ago Joey sold a bike and met our friend and now insurance agent Shawn Evans through that transaction. Be smart, be safe and enjoy the hunt!”
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42 WINC. | December 2019
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A Growing Health System for a Growing Community
More Specialists
New Medical Offices
Expanded Access
Our community is growing, and so is Conway Regional. For nearly 100 years, it’s been our honor to provide you with high-quality, compassionate health care. Now, we’re building new clinics, expanding access, and bringing new services to the community. We want to thank you, our patients, for continuing to trust Conway Regional with your health care needs. We’re not just growing—we’re growing together.
When you need compassionate health care in Conway, find it at any of these clinics:
URGENT & EMERGENCY CARE Conway Regional After Hours Clinic 437 Denison, Suite 2 | 501-504-2330
PRIMARY CARE CLINICS Conway Medical Group 437 Denison | 501-327-1325
2302 College Avenue | 501-329-3831
Conway Regional Medical Clinic - Prince St. 1 Medical Lane | 501-329-2948
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