Women's Inc.

WOMEN’S INC.

By Women, For Women, About Women of Central Arkansas

W W W . W O M E N S I N C . N E T

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FATHERS AND SONS All About Our Men Special Issue

Gene Salter and his sons, Nathan, Brent, Jay and Justin.

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 Contributing Copy Editor Ginny Wiedower Chief Photographer Brandy Strain Contributing Food & Event Photographers Sara Black Laura Derden 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 Jan Hicky 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. / JUNE 2012

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Fathers and sons

athers and sons working together. This month’s theme, in honor of Father’s Day, is all about our men. We have some great father and son teams in our community making a difference in so many areas. From farming, to construction, to the medical field, to community leaders, to the car business ... our fatherand-son teams have it covered. Check out these five families we have highlighted this year.

The Salters, on our cover, led by father Gene, are making a bang in the construction business in our area and beyond. The four Salter sons each handle a different aspect of the business. Nathan runs the construction company, Brent handles coordinating projects, Jay manages the properties and Justin handles the company’s insurance needs. You can see the impact they are having from the Rowhouses at The Village at Hendrix to The Plaza at Centerstone on Dave Ward Drive.

Bill and Brad Hegeman are teaming up to co-chair the capital campaign for the new Boys and Girls Club facility at Conway Station Park.

This father and son have made giving back to their community a priority over the past several years.

Under their leadership, the Boys and Girls Club has already reached 90% of their 2 million dollar goal. Thanks Hegemans for all you do!

Smith Ford in Conway has been selling Fords in Conway for four generations. Kenne Ketcheside and his son Sam are dedicated to providing excellent customer service to their customers. These two have a wealth of knowledge about the cars they sell.

Kenne says it best, “our job is really just to keep people happy, keep customers coming back.”

“Medicine is always changing, but it is changing rapidly right now,” says Dr. Bill Freeman. Bill, and his son, Dr. Alex Freeman, run a busy family medical practice in west Conway. These two work together everyday treating patients and providing the most up-to-date medical care. “Patient care always comes first ... we do this because this is what we enjoy.”

Our last father-son trio, the Thrashs, a local farm family, operate a farm just south of the Conway city limits in Lollie Bottoms. Father Joe and his two sons, Austin and Ben, primarily grow crops such as corn, soybeans, wheat, oats and rice. Of farming, Joe says, “You feel like you are really doing something. I think the statistics say that less than 2% of people are farmers, and one farmer feeds 120 people worldwide.”

We are so happy to dedicate one issue every year to highlight the men in our community who are making a difference. Thank you so much to each of these families for taking time to share a little bit of themselves with us.

Until Next Month,

contents

36

features

columns

Fathers and Sons

6 Salter Construction 8 Smith Ford

10 Doctors Freeman

12 Thrash Farm

14 The Hegemans

26 Spirituality

18 Downtown

by Angie Howard

‘What not to do!’

by Andrea Lennon

27 Green An element of surprise

EM Jeans keeping Conway in style

22 Shopping Cool looks for a hot summer

28 Nutrition Women and men

25 In the news

by Dr. Christine Hurley

30 Food

29 Health

A manly meal

Snoring may affect your health

36 Homes: Poolside

by Dr. Patricia Knott

Bobby Barnett’s West Conway home

44 Homes: Back to the Bayou Andy and Carla Blackwell’s Centennial Valley home

54 Community Boy and Girls Club’s Wright looking ahead to bigger things

events 48 Conway Symphony Orchestra Guild’s

49 50

51

All That Jazz Big Brothers Big Sisters Cinco de Mayo UCA Alumni Family & Consumer Sciences Alumni Luncheon American Childhood Cancer Organization fundraiser at Uniquely Greek

42 Design Creating outdoor spaces

by Helen Lockhart

52 Life Summer’s opportunities

by Fran Scroggins

53 Book Review “Defending Jacob” by William Landay review by Susan O’Keefe WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 5

FAthers and sons: SALTER CONSTRUCTION

Building on experience

By Jennifer Stanley Photo by Brandy Strain With their hands in all things residential and commercial property development and management — Salter is one of Conway’s most recognizable surnames.

That is no surprise given the tenacity, work ethic and friendliness of patriarch Gene Salter and his sons, Nathan, Brent, Jay and Justin.

Founded in 1976 by Gene, Salter Construction “is one of the largest privately held family-owned construction and real estate development companies in the state.” Gene, married to Susan and a Conway native, credits his long-term success in a tough industry to “treating everyone fairly, staying driven at all times and in all situations and trying to plan for the unknown.”

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Initially employed by the original family business, Salter Plumbing, “I saw an opportunity to expand into construction and at the same time expand our plumbing business. After doing both for a while, it made sense to focus full time on my construction company,” he said.

Focus he did, growing the company to the presence it is today with the help of his sons. Gene truly enjoys his work, stating the highlights as, “Seeing a satisfied customer at the end of the day has always been at the top of my list. But the actual job is certainly fun. From the first day dirt work moves on the site to handing over the keys at the end, it’s the process that I really enjoy.

And knowing I am doing this in the town I grew up in and raised my family in is a great feeling.”

Of course he also appreciates the ability to work with each of his sons. “I have always wanted them to

do what they wanted in life. I just wanted to get them an education, and they knew I would help out in any way I could. Since they all have their college degrees now and have come back, we have a great opportunity to grow and expand in Conway where we all grew up. Nathan has been running the construction company for some time now and does a great job. After Brent moved back, he has helped us put together projects that we have wanted to do for years. Jay is now helping manage our properties, and it’s great that Justin can assist us with our insurance,” said Gene.

Salter Construction truly runs the gamut. As Nathan, who serves as president of the company explained, “We do everything from multi-million dollar commercial projects to single-family residences.” Nathan, married to Christina Lecuyer Salter, did not initially plan to join the family business. “I really started working with my dad at around 10 years old; I would get in the truck with him and go to work. He worked hard and put us all through school. I think at a young age you want to do something different from your parents. So, though I basically worked in the business my entire life, I swore after school I would do something different. When my uncle, Doug Salter, who ran the family plumbing business, died at an early age it changed a lot for me. I left Fayetteville and changed majors from premed biology to business,” said Nathan.

Upon earning his degree, Nathan joined the company full-time. “My dad was very open about change, growth and progress. When I began working for him, he had one carpenter and a part-time secretary. He allowed me to take some risks that have really progressed the business,” he said. One of the most significant changes was the addition of Salter Properties. “Back then we had some duplexes, a small apartment complex and one shopping center, and there weren’t enough hours in the day. We saw the benefit of creating a separate division to focus on developing new projects and to manage and lease them once they were completed.

That’s how it evolved from my dad and I working together to adding on Brent and the rest of my brothers.”

Among business challenges, Nathan says aspects outside the actual construction can be the most difficult. “There are so many things to do outside of construction — permit processing, drawings and banks.” Though necessary, they take away from what he most enjoys about the job: the actual building. “I love to build — to take an idea or concept and actually see it come to life,” he said.

Of functioning as President of Salter Construction, Nathan said, “I do whatever it takes to get the job done, and I have an unbelievable support staff!

I am completely involved from the front end of our design and build work. I recently had a customer call and say they wanted to build a 300-unit apartment complex, so I began the process by helping them hire the architects and engineers and secure the property. We’ve taken it from literally a phone call and will start construction in August.”

Salter Construction and Salter Properties work hand-in-hand in the process of hiring and permitting projects from conception to the finished product. Brent serves as vice president for Salter Properties and explained, “Salter Construction is a general contractor and construction manager, and they are roughly 90% commercial contractor. ... Of their workload, only about 10% is construction work done for Salter Properties. But when we take on a new project, we have a great resource in that Salter Construction acts as a partner through all steps of the construction phases. Whether it be coordinating with architects and engineers on the front end to ensure the intent of the project is met; that the correct decisions are made with regard to finishes, scale and design to keep the project in budget, it is a coordinated effort to create a successful project from design to implementation. After the project is complete, it is the role of Salter Properties to get the property up and running, leased and keep it maintained for years to come. Everyone has a very important role to play.”

Married to Ashley, Brent came on board with Salter Properties five years ago after some time away, though he was interested in the family business from an early age. “Our dad has had us on a construction site since we were old enough to hold a broom. It’s also cool being able to drive down the street and see how you have impacted change.

When I was a stock broker, there were a lot of dollars involved, but this is so much more tangible.

We have always talked about real estate, critiqued existing structures and said what we would have done differently or what we would have put there if we would have developed a particular piece of land — it’s great to actually be able to do that now and see our visions come to light,” said Brent.

Due to Brent’s financial background, he thoroughly enjoys making the numbers work at the beginning of the building process. “I enjoy the analysis in the beginning and the feeling of accomplishment in the end. There are a lot of pieces that have to come together between those, but I’m a numbers guy and really enjoy the financial aspects.”

Of what he finds difficult about the property business, he stated, “Real estate deals take a long time to put together, and there are a lot of moving parts.

This isn’t an instant gratification business, so making sure you keep your eye on the long-term goal has got to be one of the biggest challenges.”

Jay also works for Salter Properties, though he interacts with the construction company daily. As property manger, he manages the smaller apartment complexes, the commercial properties, the single-family homes and all properties in Little Rock and Hot Springs and has been with the company for the past 10 years, the past four of those full-time. Jay was also enthralled with the family business from an early age. “I’ve known I wanted to be involved with the family business since I was a child. When I was younger, I loved riding with my father to look at the jobs he had going at the time, and while on the way, he would always point out the buildings and houses he’d built. It always gave

me a little sense of pride knowing that my dad had built those things; I’m hoping I’ll be able to do the same with my kids one day,” said Jay. Jay counts that pride among his favorite things about working in the family business. “I take pride in everything I do, because at the end of the day, the work I’ve done is a direct reflection on both me and my family,” he said. He stated the biggest challenge of his job as, “maintaining a high occupancy while having to concentrate on tenant retention as well. Making sure the apartments are full is one thing, but making sure the tenants we have are happy is a completely different thing — both being extremely important.” Jay draws on the experience of his father and brothers when he has questions as well. “Working with them is great because when I don’t know something or who to call, one of them can always point me in the right direction,” he said.

Justin is the only brother who is not a direct employee of the construction company or the property company. However, his work is intertwined with theirs, as he is a licensed insurance agent with Sims and Renner Insurance, primarily dealing in property and casualty coverage. Justin, the father of Alyssa, 7; Julia, 5; and Alexander, 4; said of his work with the family companies, “Salter Construction has enjoyed strategic growth through a down economy.

I’ve written the majority of their insurance needs from builder’s risk insurance on new projects to general liability coverage on the company.”

“With a number of current construction projects, as well as rental properties, I work weekly and sometimes daily with my family on their account.

Being able to play a small role in the success of my family’s business brings me the most joy in my job,” said Justin. “The growth and success of the companies has come based off the hard work my dad and brothers have done over the years.” That hard work has obviously paid off.

Among current projects in Conway, the Salter companies are working on The Plazza at Centerstone Phase Two, The Rowhouses where they have partnered with The Village at Hendrix, The Gardens at Southridge subdivision and they are beginning work on Centerstone Apartment Homes Phase Two. They are also working on the Hardee’s on Dave Ward Drive and the arena addition at the Backachers Ranch off College Avenue. They work throughout the state of Arkansas and are also licensed to build in Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi.

“We have 10 superintendents and two assistant superintendents, so we can keep 12-14 jobs going at all times,” said Nathan, adding, “We love working in Conway; we did the Conway Station Park and the new Expo Center as well.”

Of the success of their companies, Nathan said, “We’ve been smart and haven’t tried to grow too fast. We also have some great repeat customers.”

Gene also credits the myriad talents of his sons for the company’s performance, saying, “Although they all do something a little different, we all still work together. I have come to realize that it’s not always true that ‘father knows best,’ but its fun to think it is.”

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FAthers and sons: SMITH FORD

Life in the fast lane

By Rachel Parker Dickerson Photo by Brandy Strain Kenne Ketcheside and his son, Sam, of Smith Ford in Conway, are carrying on a family tradition that goes back to 1916.

Kenne’s wife, Cathy, and brother-in-law, Ted, are the fourth generation of Smiths to sell Fords in Conway. When Kenne married into the Smith family, he had other ideas about employment, but now he has been with the dealership 25 years.

“When we got married, I was working at Security Savings and Loan. I worked there for 11 years. Then I went to work for the original First State Bank for four years. Then Mr. Smith invited me to come work with him.

Ted and I have been buying it from Mr. Smith for about 10 years now,” he said.

Cathy also works at the dealership, along with the couple’s daughter, Cate, Kenne noted. Sam has been with the business four years. Kenne described the family history of the dealership.

“It started in 1916 with S.G. Smith. He never learned to drive. His wife was Ellen Smith, who the school is named after, and she knew how to drive. (The dealership) was downtown on Front Street, of course. His son, my wife’s grandfather, was the next Mr. Smith, S.T. Smith. My wife’s father, Ross Smith, was the third Mr. Smith. The next Mr. Smith is my brother-in-law, Ted Smith. He and my wife are the fourth generation to own and operate Smith Ford, and even though Sam and Cate don’t own it yet, they will.”

Sam, 32, attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he earned a degree in business marketing. He said he looked forward to joining the family business and working with his father.

“He’s been real knowledgeable. I’m trying to soak up as much as I can.

I think he does a good job of leading by example,” he said. “I do sales, the ordering, and help out in financing a little when they need it. I like the selling because of the customer interaction. You get to help them discover things about their new car they might not have known. Most people are in a good mood when they buy a new car, so they’re fun to be around.”

Kenne said of his son, “My viewpoint is he does take a lot of work off my shoulders. He’s ordering vehicles now, which I used to do, and just keeping up with that is nearly a full-time job.”

The father and son team enjoy golfing, sometimes together, although Kenne said Sam’s skill on the golf course has far surpassed his own. They also attend Bible Study Fellowship together. Sam enjoys camping, and Kenne enjoys fishing.

“When he was young, we would go fishing. I came in one day and said, ‘Do you want to go fishing?’ He said, ‘Sure. But dad, can we just call it casting until we start catching them?’” Kenne told the anecdote with a laugh.

Asked to share a story about his dad, Sam said, “Last week, when he hit a hole in one and texted me about it, people weren’t sure what they were more surprised about — the hole in one, or the fact that he could send a text.”

While some good-natured ribbing would appear to take place among family members, Kenne said the business is hard work, and it is important to have family involved.

“It’s a good living. You’ve got to work. It’s not a business where you can really hire people to do your work. You’ve got to be here. Things have got to be taken care of in a family-like way. We’ve got great managers, and I wouldn’t trade any of them. But you just need to be here, and it’s a lot of hours. Our job is really just to keep people happy, keep customers coming back. All you have to do is treat them like family, and they’re OK.” 8 WOMEN’S INC. / JUNE 2012

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FAthers and sons: THE FREEMANS

Doctors Freeman

By Jennifer Stanley Photo by Brandy Strain Doctors Bill and Alex Freeman are keeping their medical practice in the family. With their friendly nature, it is easy to see why their practice has been so successful. They genuinely seem to enjoy their work and interacting with their employees.

Bill attended medical school at UAMS after graduating from Hendrix College and attending graduate school at Ohio State University.

“I knew I wanted to be a physician forever; it always interested me. I also knew family practice would be my specialty early on. There was a push when I was in medical school to do primary care. There wasn’t anything in rotation that I didn’t like, so I was looking to become more of a generalist,” said Bill.

The Freeman family also includes Bill’s wife, Freda; their son, Alex; their daughter, Ashley; and two granddaughters, Kiley and Kate. They lived in Pine Bluff for 12 years where Bill practiced family medicine and was on faculty at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. They moved to Conway in 1996 when Bill went into practice with Dr. Michael Hilman for two years. From there, he became a solo family practitioner, though he still shares call with Dr. Hilman and Dr. Rex Ross, and Dr. John C. Dobbs.

Of the move to Conway, Bill said, “We liked Conway when we were at Hendrix, and Dr. Hilman trained under me in residency. It was an easy fit because we knew people, and we knew the town. We made a lot of friends in Pine Bluff, but I needed to make a professional change. The kids were getting older, and we started thinking about getting them ready for college. Plus, I wanted to go into private practice.”

Bill continued to practice solo until he hired Amy Ennis, APN, five years ago. “We have a great staff here. Amy sees patients with us; we work together because I want the patients to know I am here as well,” stated Bill. The next staff addition was close to Bill’s heart. His son, Alex, also a Hendrix graduate, completed medical school at UAMS in 2008 and joined his father thereafter. Alex didn’t initially set out to become a physician, but a high school program changed his course.

“There was a time when I wanted to fly planes. I had a friend who was into that and still is, so medicine wasn’t in the plans. I ended up doing a match program in high school — it was a summer ‘getting to know the medical field’ program, and that really ended up changing my direction,” said Alex.

“We were excited that Alex was going into 10 WOMEN’S INC. / JUNE 2012

medicine. We never pushed him at all; he still wanted to pursue it even though he could see everything that entailed,” said Bill.

“I did earn my pilots license in high school in my senior year,” added Alex.

“I went to medical school thinking I would do pediatrics, and I thought about obstetrics toward the end, but I ended up in family medicine for some of the same reasons as my dad — it involves everything. When you are doing rotation, you do enjoy some things about all of it, but general practice involves all facets. And it’s a really good schedule,” added Alex.

Bill thoroughly enjoys working with Alex and Amy; “We have our own patients, but we do run things by each other. It is nice to have people I can talk to clinically, especially after being solo for 10 years.”

They partially credit their schedule to the hospitalist program at Conway Regional Medical Center. “Call is much different now that Conway Regional has the hospitalists.

Though the five of us share call — me, Alex, Dr. Hilman, Dr. Ross and Dr. Dobbs — we are all available, so we don’t end up getting a lot of night calls. Also, most of our patients know we can see them in our office, which makes a tremendous difference. We get very few after-hours calls, and those are typically on the weekend or for our patients in nursing homes,” said Bill. “Having the hospitalists and sharing call means we can keep a regular schedule and can have a life.”

Of their practice, Alex stated, “Family practice is basically treating anything that walks through the door. We really strive to keep people out of the hospital.” Added Bill, “I feel like we are doing well when we have a pretty low hospital census.” In addition, Bill is the director of wound care at Conway Regional.

Both he and Alex work with patients one half day per week who have chronic wounds.

Of the current healthcare landscape, Bill said, “Medicine is always changing, but it is changing very rapidly right now. In primary care, we are really just sitting on the edge, waiting to see what will happen with the politics. We just don’t know where everything is going to fit in, including us. The whole time I’ve been in medicine we just go with the flow and do what we enjoy. We always put patient care first, but we also do this because it is what we enjoy.”

Of their favorite aspects of practicing medicine, Bill said, “The patient interaction is what makes us go.” Added Alex, “I like sending someone out the door with a solution and asking them to come back, and, when they do return, finding they are better. Finding solutions to people’s problems is as good as it gets.”

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FAthers and sons: THRASH FARM

Growing a future

By Jennifer Stanley Photo by Brandy Strain Just south of Conway’s city limits sits Joe Thrash’s quiet, peaceful family farm. From their shop, the east levee of the Arkansas River, the town of Bigelow and the wheat field that marks the end of the Thrash farm and the beginning of the City of Conway are visible.

With the wind blowing in the grass and plowed fields as far as the eye can see, it’s hard to believe you are mere miles from the west Conway Walmart.

Joe came into his profession naturally: his father, Carroll, and both grandfathers farmed. “My dad farmed with my grandpa, and I started riding on the tractor and playing in the dirt on turn rows when I was six. I always hung around and really took to it. I don’t know anything different, and I can’t imagine any other job,” said Joe. His family, which includes wife, Renee, a school teacher at Ellen Smith Elementary in Conway; sons Ben and Austin and daughters Kate and Anna; is also used to the farming life. That can include long, hot hours in the summer and winter-only vacations.

When Joe first joined his father full-time, they operated on about 1,500 acres and had a handful of employees. “I remember when we got our first airconditioned cab tractor, and we all fought every day about who was going to drive the tractor with the cab,” he laughed. When his father retired, Joe cut down to about 900 acres in Lollie Bottoms and Perry County. “We’ve downsized, so we can do it ourselves.

We cut down to only the property we own and no longer lease,” he said. “We” now refers to Joe and his two sons, Ben and Austin, and it occasionally refers to Carroll, who still drives the tractor and keeps 150 head of cattle.

Austin joined his father full-time a year ago, and the two work side-by-side. Ben works for the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service where he is pursuing his masters degree in entomology; however, he still returns home and works weekends on the farm. They primarily grow crops such as corn, soybeans, wheat, oats and rice. “We get consulting work from Ben right now. Every time I find I bug, I take a picture, send it to Ben, and ask if I should be worried about it and what, if anything, I need to spray on it.

That’s what he does: looks at the pests that are bothering crops and determine how many you have before you need to treat the crop. They travel the whole state, consult with farmers, and provide recommendations,” said Joe. Added Ben, “When I was younger I was on the farm all the time; that’s all I did. I would drive the tractor, roll up gates on rice fields, and work on equipment. I always knew I wanted to do something in agriculture, and I’ve been with the extension for six years now. I pretty much monitor my Dad’s fields for him.

I take a look at them on the weekends when I’m not working at the university. When he needs help I will also drive the tractor for him or do whatever else needs to be done. He recruits me to drive the tractor a lot.”

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Joe and Austin work together daily, and Joe also handles the managerial duties of the farm. “We really do whatever needs to be done on a given day, and that always changes,” said Joe. “We start early and work late. It’s all outside; there is no office space or cubicle.

Out here if you don’t do it, the work doesn’t get done.

You are your own boss, but you’ve got to condition yourself to be your own boss, because nobody is going to do the work for you. Austin and I enjoy working together, and we have some good times. It’s a teaching experience too. I am passing on what I was taught by my dad and my grandfather.”

“I like being outside and being my own boss. It’s as good as you want to make it, and you literally get out of it what you put into it,” said Austin, who always wanted to farm with his father. Added Joe, “That’s true. It’s a lot of sweat equity. We have some long days, but we get some time off when it rains. Though we aren’t off completely on those days; we will work on equipment, which is also what we do in winter.”

They also hold some of their harvest to sell in winter.

“We’ve added grain bins, and most of our commodities we put in the bins and hold until after harvest, when the price hopefully improves. So we also spend our winter hauling that off.”

The majority of their crop is sold at harvest. “Most of our soybeans and wheat we take to Bruce Oakley in North Little Rock. The corn we contract out to whoever is paying most, using a broker,” said Joe. He also stated that most farming operations are larger than in years past, with people adding to their existing land, and there are not many new farmers.

One impediment to new farmers could be operational costs. “The industry has gotten more expensive. We are trying to do things one time instead of multiple times. We’ve gone to no-till and stale seed bedding, where we try to cut our trips across the field.

Fuel costs are so high. When I first started farming, we were buying diesel fuel for 50 cents per gallon; now we pay $3.50 a gallon. It costs us $350 every morning to fill one of our tractors, and that is just for a day! So we are just trying to keep our costs down,” he said. “Seed-variety technology has improved to where we have roundup-tolerant crops — a non-selective herbicide that kills most everything but doesn’t damage the crop. We pay more for those seeds, but it saves us in time and fuel.”

Additionally, technology has progressed. “We use GPS guidance on our sprayers and fuel monitors on our combines, so we can get site-specific data on our fields. This allows us to go straight to problem areas and treat those specific areas instead of doing blanket applications, which significantly cuts costs. We also use centerfield irrigation, which pays for itself then some,” said Joe. Of farming, Joe added, “You feel like you are really doing something. I think the statistics say that less than 2% of people are farmers, and one farmer feeds 120 people worldwide. It’s great to be a part of it, and it’s especially great to do this with my sons.”

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fathers and sons: THE HEGEMANS

For the boys and girls

By Rachel Parker Dickerson Photo by Brandy Strain Retired Conway Corporation CEO Bill Hegeman and Nabholz Construction President Brad Hegeman form an attention-getting father-son team as co-chairs of the steering committee for the capital campaign for the new Boys and Girls Club facility in Conway.

The fundraising campaign, which began in November, is nearing its $2 million goal, hovering around 90 percent, the co-chairs said. The sale of the building on Deer Street, along with a Community Development Block Grant from the city and a similar grant from the state helped quite a bit, as well as a matching grant from the Mabee Foundation for $187,000, they said. Private donations have also been considerable.

“We have had some very generous donors who have stepped up to naming right levels,” Brad said. He said construction is expected to begin in June and to be completed in six to seven months.

The co-chairs highlighted some of the features of the new building. It will have a full-sized gym, a large game room and a large media center with a computer lab, a multipurpose/teen room, arts and crafts room and office space.

“The whole media center is going to be significantly enhanced,” Brad said. “That’s part of the ‘power hour.’ (Executive Director) Robert (Wright) encourages kids to 14 WOMEN’S INC. / JUNE 2012

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get their homework done.”

Bill noted, “With a full-sized gym, they can run two games across the floor, as opposed to just one on the small floor (in the current building).”

The co-chairs said the Boys and Girls Club’s basketball program impacted a significant number of children, with more than 350 participating this year.

The facility on Deer Street opened in 1990, and planning for an expanded facility started in the late 1990s. A fundraising effort began in the early 2000s but never quite got off the ground, and so the ongoing campaign’s theme became “Now is the Time,” the co-chairs said. The city of Conway donated the land at Conway Station Park where the new building will be constructed. It will be 15,000 square feet, compared to the 8,400 square feet at the building on Deer Street.

Bill said, “Having my office right across the street all the years when I was in Conway

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Corp … it certainly is a good program for the community. Now is a good time to get that new facility built, and we’re getting close.

From my personal experience, I’m so happy that Brad and my daughter Beverly kind of picked up on being involved in the community. It makes me feel good that they are giving back to the community that’s been so good to give to us.”

Brad agreed, “I think the impact it has on these young kids, having a safe and nurturing environment after school, is just essential to their continued development.”

The Hegemans’ volunteerism has a long history and goes back to the St. Joseph Bazaar, where they have volunteered together for many, many years.

Brad said of his father, “He’s a pleasure to work with. He’s been a great role model for me. He instilled in us at a young age that we constantly benefit from our community, and we have an obligation to give back.”

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DOWNTOWN

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Keeping Conway in style

By Rachel Parker Dickerson Photos by Brandy Strain With 26 years of experience under their belts, Liz Snipan and Larry Rogers say moving EM Jeans downtown was the best decision they could have made.

Six and a half years ago when EM opened its doors in the newly constructed building downtown, the fire that wiped out half a block of Oak Street was a fresh memory and the revitalization of downtown was a thing still discussed with crossed fingers.

“I think we were both blown away by the reaction to us doing this,” Snipan said. “All of downtown Conway is destination shopping now.”

Rogers said, “When we moved downtown, every day was like

Christmas. Now people are coming in from Maumelle, Little Rock, Benton, Cabot, Russellville – even Fayetteville comes, which is wild.”

The couple originally opened as Express Male at 211 Farris Road in 1986. They were living in the back of the small store.

They could not afford a custom sign, so they put one together with salvaged neon letters – an E and an upside-down W. They painted in the rest of the words “Express Male,” but from the University of Central Arkansas campus, all that was visible was “EM.” And so by the time they moved to the Conway Towne Centre in 1988, they began calling themselves Jeans by EM. At the Conway Towne Centre on Skyline Drive, they did a lot of business over the years. Their son, Nicholas, was born in 1989.

They expanded that same year and again in 1992, taking up 5,100

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square feet at the store’s largest. The idea of moving to downtown seemed risky, the couple said.

Snipan noted, “At the time, the Towne Centre was kind of on a decline, but our business was fabulous.”

When the reaction to EM locating downtown was positive and also encouraged other businesses to consider downtown, Rogers reported a surprising occurrence.

“People were trying to get us to put stores in other towns to revitalize their downtowns. I said, ‘No. Conway is a special town.’”

Their feelings for Conway become clear when they discuss the big names in fashion who come to EM Jeans to discuss trends.

“We are one of the top 10 denim stores in the nation, right here in Conway,” Rogers said. “Michael Silver, the owner of Silver Jeans, has flown in a couple of times. The owner of Agave Jeans (and) the owner of Fidelity Jeans (are) here a lot.

They will talk to us about what our customers say, because we sell so much product. (They ask) ‘Why is this selling more than my brand?’ The body style, the silhouette. Little tweaky things like a quarter inch in the thigh.

“They walk in the door and say, ‘Why are you here? You guys should be in New York or LA.’ I say, ‘No. Conway is a good little secret, and we’re going to keep it that way.’”

Snipan said, “I think they fly here and call here because (Rogers) has a big tendency to listen. It doesn’t take long to work on the floor and start hearing things, if you listen, (about) how people want their clothes to fit.”

She noted they have added about 800 feet called the West Wing, dedicated to more classic men’s clothing.

“A lot of our history, people perceived us as a kids’ store. I think because we’ve gotten a little older, we added this space.

We do try to touch on the trendy stuff, but we try to do some classic in there too.”

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SHOPPING

EM

HAS YOU COVERED

TOP LEFT, Larry Rogers in a wild floral print shirt by George Roth and brown tipped khaki shorts from Jet Lag. TOP MIDDLE, Tom Ludford in a golf outfit — black paid pant by Oakley, paired with Loudmouth lime tipped black shirt and lime patent belt.

RIGHT, Jon Ross Henderson in a golf outfit with yellow shorts, random stripe shirt and white patent belt — all by Puma.

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TOP LEFT, Cerrutti nested grey suit with pick stitch detail lapel worn with white short sleeve dress shirt from Stone Rose and shoes by Native.

TOP RIGHT, Nicholas Rogers in DKNY with Thomas Dean shirt and Ted Baker tie, along with Johnston & Murphy dress shoes and Marcoliani socks.

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TOP LEFT, Tom Ludford fit for a backyard barbeque with striped linen shorts by Zenfari with printed linen floral shirt from Margaritaville.

TOP RIGHT, Jon Ross Henderson in a casual outfit with Agave corded denim jeans and white linen shirt by Stone Rose with detailed collar with roll-up sleeves. Belt by Johnston & Murphy. Outfit completed with loafers from Hushpuppies.

A special thanks to George Covington and Covington Classic Auto Sales for providing the photo shoot location.

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IN THE NEWS

Emilie Sanders, CHS student; Mrs. Diana Byrd, Director, Conway Cradle Care; Caitlin Avant, FCCLA Presdent; and Mrs. Sarah Fisher, Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at Conway High.

Donation to Cradle Care The Conway High School Chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America recently donated $500 to Conway Cradle Care.

High School students enrolled in Sarah Fisher’s Child Care Program, volunteer at Cradle Care once a week. This enables the students to earn lab hours needed for the class.

The mission of Conway Cradle Care is to help teens who become pregnant or have a child complete their education by supporting their academic and emotional needs, as well as the developmental needs of their children.

Cradle Care will be using the money to purchase supplies, books, and equipment.

Makeover winner update Our makeover winner, Nicolle Fletcher, is seen at Head to Toes Salon with owner Anne Clarizo. Nicolle received a Shellac manicure and pedicure as a part of her prize package.

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SPI R ITUALITY

By Andrea Lennon

H

‘What not to do!’

ave you watched the television program “What Not to Wear?” The premise of the show is simple. Unsuspecting women, who are challenged in the area of fashion, are nominated by family and friends for a fashion makeover.

If selected, they are ambushed by the hosts of the show, Stacy and Clinton. A trip to the 360º mirror reveals all of their fashion faux pas. New fashion guidelines are set, and a shopping spree to New York is offered to those who will follow the new rules. By the end of the program, a true transformation has taken place.

In the Bible, King David, Israel’s greatest King, could have been on a television program called “What Not to Do!” Without a doubt, David made his share of mistakes.

From murder to adultery, David often found himself in a difficult situation as a result of his actions.

The book of 1 Chronicles details an incident where David made another mistake.

In 1 Chronicles 13, David decided to move the ark of God from an obscure village called Kiriath Jearim to the capital city of Jerusalem, also known as the City of David.

Certainly moving the ark was not a bad idea. The ark, which represented the visible presence of God among the people of God, should have been in the center of Israel’s focus. The mistake David made was not found in his decision to move the ark. It was found in how he went about performing his actions.

To be honest, everything about David’s approach was wrong.The chapter begins with David consulting others before he consulted God. 1 Chronicles 13:1 states, “David conferred with each of his officers ... Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul.” (New International Version) Anytime we ask others their opinion of our actions before we talk to God, we set ourselves up for failure.

Once David had the blessing of the people, he placed the ark of God on a new cart in order to transport it. Immediately red flags should go up when you think about David using a “new cart” as the mode of transportation. The ark had to be carried on poles by the Levites. As a result, when the the oxen pulling the cart stumbled, the ark started to

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fall. A man named Uzzah reached up to steady the ark and immediately was struck dead. This is an important point because David knew how the ark was to be transported. He simply did not care. At this point in the story, David had lost all fear of the Lord and simply did what he wanted to do.

Following Uzzah’s death, David was angry and afraid.

David no longer felt like he could bring the ark to Jerusalem. Therefore, David sent the ark to the home of a man named Obed-Edom. Unfortunately, David thought the ark was the problem; so he removed the one thing that represented the presence of God in his life. Certainly the ark was not the problem — David was!

Thankfully the story does not end with David’s mistakes!

Chapter 15 provides the rest of the story and could be titled “What to Do!” This chapter opens with this verse: “After David had constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it.” Verse 2 lets us know how serious David was about bringing the ark of God to Jerusalem in the right way. David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the Lord chose them.” Verses 3 through 24 detail how David assembled the people of God around him to move the ark in the right way and for the right reasons.

Chapter 16, verse 1 provides the end of the story. “They brought the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David pitched for it.”

Each day we have a choice to make. Will we live according to our desires? Or will we live according to the teachings found in the Bible? Much like the program “What Not to Wear,” we can experience a true transformation as we invite God’s word to set guidelines for the way we live. As we do, not only will our actions be impacted but also the reasons behind our actions will be impacted. This impact will lead to a life that does the right things, in the right ways and for the right reasons.

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.

GREEN

An element of surprise

By Angie Howard

A

bout six hours ago we had a wonderful family dinner at our favorite local restaurant, and following the meal cut into a cake that was no ordinary cake at all. It was a “gender reveal” cake and by virtue of icing color inside, told all of us whether our last little blessing (4th and final) would be a baby boy or baby girl!

It went a little bit like this: We had an ultrasound, requested that the baby’s gender be written down without our knowledge and placed in a sealed envelope. Immediately after the ultrasound visit, we took the envelope to the bakery where they bake a “He/She Cut to See” cake that was more adorable than words.

Fast forward a few days and just as soon as our pink and blue plastic knives sliced into that cake it was obvious we managed to even-up the family playing field with my two oldest being boys, and now two youngest girls. Our three-year-old little girl is elated to be having a baby sister, and (perhaps more important to her) pink icing inside that cake!

My husband’s reaction, well ... I think it quickly dawned on him that he will now be the daddy to not one, but two little princesses as it showed apparent on his color-drained face while he choked down that pink cake.

My poor dad was in the same situation. With the exception that I am an only child, meaning that news of me must have scared him so badly he didn’t want to chance the odds of repeating his fate.

Daddies and daughters have a special bond. I had that with my dad, and I see it between my husband and little girl. Witnessing it will melt your heart.

I remember loving to do anything with my dad. I was a very “girly-girl” just as my daughter is, but odd enough my most favorite thing in the world to do with dad was making our weekly daddy/daughter trash hauls to the dump.

Small wonder now, looking back, that I have ended up working with trash as a profession!

We would pile trash bags in the back of his pickup and head off the 30 minutes or so from Vilonia to Conway. Our usual routine was a stop at the local convenience store to let me pick out a York Peppermint Patty and/or frozen Slurpie, and then we’d drive and talk about whatever was going on at the time. The early years I remember conversations revolving around our family dog and my ballet classes; as I got older trash haul date topics included boyfriend discussions and reprimands for my driving habits. Those are cherished memories of great quality time with my father that I will forever be grateful for.

Funny enough, my kids get equally excited to make landfill hauls with their daddy! Both boys and my daughter all fight to be the first to run and pile up in his truck (which fate would have it, is my dad’s cherished old pickup).

There is one quite notable difference though, between trash dates that I took with my dad vs. the trips my husband and kids make now days. You see, today a “dump” really isn’t a dump at all.

“Dump” is a common and generic term used by those not in the trash business, but will ruffle the feathers of any red-blooded sanitation worker quicker than about any other four-letter word. Reason being, “dumps” have been illegal for about 20 years due to the extreme environmental and human hazard they pose to those in proximity to them.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued Federal Subtitle D which prompted all states to close the “dumps” of old and open what we refer to today as “Sanitary Class I Landfills”.

These Landfills are actually a complicated and highly-technical system of separately dug cells that a mixture of geologists, engineers and other skilled professionals are enlisted to assist in the planning, development and construction process. A good example of the rigidity of Sanitary Landfill standards in comparison to the requirements of operating a “dump” is obvious by the number of sanctioned refuse disposal locations in Arkansas that reduced from 65 prior to the adoption of Subtitle D to only 24 locations post Subtitle D. Conway’s sanitary landfill opened in the early 1990s and has the reputation of being a flagship for landfills throughout the state, many times used as an example for state dignitaries to tour as an illustration of how a landfill should be operated.

It’s quite the impressive place these days for weekly daddy/daughter dates if I might say so myself.

So, back to my sweet husband and his pink cake ... short of him looking into constructing a nice, large gun closet right beside the front door and making both our girls’ bedrooms “safe rooms” under the guise of tornado shelters, he hasn’t shown any notable signs of cracking yet under the news.

I’m betting that just as with my dad and I, years filled of quality-time daddy/daughter trips to the local sanitary landfill (not a “dump!”) will ensure my girls get tons of great advice about life in general and allow them to make precious memories with their father that will last them a lifetime as well, and he will make it though helping me raise those two little ladies and their big brothers just fine!

Angie Howard is a wife and mother of three. She is recycling coordinator for the city of Conway and the Faulkner County Solid Waste District. Angie can be reached at angela.howard@conwaycorp.net.

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NUTRITION

Women and men

By Christine Hurley

T

his month we are honoring men and the role that they play in our lives. I wanted to share some tips that would help both genders.

Cycles This is not exclusive to women but let’s start with us girls. What many women never know is how their cycles actually work. We don’t always know how to deal with the unpleasant parts of the female cycle. First, I want to address attitude because I feel like that is critical to everything we do in life. If it is common to address that “time of the month” as “The Curse” or worse try a change of thought process. Our cycles are what make us uniquely women. It is a beautiful blessing that we can create precious new life and that the first home a baby lives in for nine months is refreshed monthly in expectation of a possible new guest. I think that when we feel bad is the time we start thinking of curses. It is estimated that 80% of women have some type of premenstrual symptoms and some are so severe as to be debilitating. There are no measures of severity but bloating, tenderness or fatigue seem on the lesser end and insomnia, headache or migraine, forgetfulness and stress are more severe reactions. Certainly the emotional challenges of feeling these symptoms in an unsupportive culture are significant too.

Men also have a hormone based cycle. Changes in weight, productivity, fluctuations in mood, energy, sex drive and even depression have all been documented by various researchers. When severe, it even has a clinical name; the Irritable Male Syndrome (IMS). Again addressing attitude first, “real men” don’t do this or that starts down a road of negative expectation. A real man is going to have changes in feelings or energy or even interest in relationships based on his place in life.

Hormones Testosterone fluctuates daily and is higher in the morning than the evening, and seasonally higher in November and lower in April. Also in the 40-55 range men may experience a male “menopause” or Andropause which can create lethargy, fatigue and depression due to the decrease of the production of testosterone. Testosterone levels have been noted to decrease during fatherhood and also during the initial phase of being in love. While there could be a lot of speculation about the reasons and effects of that occurrence being aware of it is certainly important. While this supports building loving relationships and families, some men are affected negatively by that drop in their hormones.

Getting pregnant In the female cycle, ovulation (the release of the egg needed to start a new baby) occurs 14 days before your period begins. That is a very significant distinction because most people understand that it is 14 days after your period begins. So for couples trying to hit that magic window when the egg and sperm both are both viable recognize that if you are not having the perfect 28 day cycle that window just moved up or down the calendar by several days. I have helped several patients that were frustrated and had not gotten pregnant simply with this knowledge.

Answers First, take a really good mutli-vitamin. I prefer products with natural ingredients, minimal fillers, no coloring and supported by research.

For women, B6 and zinc are especially influential as they affect progesterone production, and that is critical for stabilizing the female cycle. I have used it to help women start a cycle that has gotten so irregular or absent that they cannot get pregnant, or are debilitated when they do finally have a period.

Also a great choice, is calcium and Evening Primrose Oil. For men, try to improve testosterone levels naturally with Vitamin D and zinc — additionally, getting good sleep and reducing stress which increases cortisol production and further reduces testosterone. Vitamin C, more than 1000mg per day, has been shown to lower cortisol levels.

For both, I recommend Fish Oils (Omega 3’s) which are great for reducing inflammation and, of course, help with cardiac risk factors. Magnesium works stabilizing mood and assisting with insomnia. The biggest support for the energy depletion so many people feel is B-Vitamins (B complex).

All of these recommendations are very generalized. It is always best to work with someone very knowledgeable in nutrition and supplements. Many times we see success with a different quality of supplement or a different amount than the minimum recommended. Our doctors are happy to assist you with personalized care, offering many options for the best in natural health and wellness.

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.

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H E A LT H

Snoring may affect your health

By Dr. Patricia Knott

F

ortunately for me (and my husband), I am one of those women who isn’t frustrated by her husband’s snoring. From Day 1 of marriage, I was lulled to sleep by a steady, softly purring human motor. Then one night I was abruptly awakened by a loud snort which was to be the prelude to a new unsettling dimension in our sleeping contentedness. As long as my husband performed a steady rhythm of throaty vibrations, I could sleep as well as anyone listening to a soothing waterfall. But now, he made multiple loud, horn-honking noises at unexpected intervals throughout the night. Needless to say, I invested in a pair of ear plugs for a period of time.

During one of the times I was awakened by my husband’s new snoring pattern, I discovered he was not breathing! Just as I was about to perform CPR, he rattled off a loud snort. By this time, I was in medical school, and I began to suspect John had sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is a cessation of breathing during sleep.

There are three types of sleep apnea: central (the brain does not tell the muscles to breathe), obstructive (blockage of the airway) and mixed (combination of central and obstructive). Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea.

My husband was exhibiting one of the most noticeable signs of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) — snoring.

OSA occurs when the soft tissues at the back of the throat relax during sleep and block the airway. These tissues include the soft palate, the uvula (long piece of tissue which hangs from the soft palate in the back of the throat), the tongue and the tonsils. When the tissues block the airway, the person stops breathing for 10-20 seconds (sometimes longer), which lowers the oxygen level in the bloodstream. The brain senses this and briefly wakes the person up so that he takes a breath. The moments of wakefulness can occur all night long, up to 30 times or more an hour. They are so brief that often the person is not aware of them, and he will tell you that he slept through the night.

He may be completely unaware that he has snorted,

choked and gasped from darkness until dawn.

Other symptoms of OSA can include excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headache, uncontrollable high blood pressure and dry mouth or sore throat upon awakening. The person with OSA will tend to snore loudest when on his back. People with OSA may be chronically fatigued and irritable.

Though OSA occurs generally in the older population, it can occur in anyone, even children. It can usually be taken care of in children by removing large tonsils and adenoids. Certain factors in adults may place them at greater risk for OSA. These risk factors include: • Gender. Men are twice as likely to have OSA as women.

• Age. Adults over 65 are two- to three-times more likely to develop OSA. • Postmenopausal women.

• Smoking.

• Alcohol and sedatives use, which relaxes the throat muscles.

• Race. OSA occurs more frequently in African Americans and Hispanics.

• Being overweight. About 70 percent of those found to have OSA are overweight, though thin people can develop OSA as well.

• Diabetes mellitus. OSA is three times as common in people with this diagnosis.

• Nasal congestion.

• Large neck (greater than 17 inches circumference in men or 15 inches in women).

• Family history.

If left untreated, OSA can cause serious complications, including hypertension, heart failure, stroke, atrial fibrillation and cardiac death. OSA can lead to difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness and impotence.

It can cause depression, glaucoma, complications after general anesthesia and motor vehicle accidents because of excessive drowsiness. Also, the snoring can cause sleep deprivation in your partner. You should see your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. Your primary care provider may be the first to see you, but

he or she will probably refer you to a sleep specialist who may order some tests to check your oxygen levels during sleep. The definitive diagnosis of OSA is made with an overnight sleep study in a lab (there are also some specialized home studies) during which brain waves, eye, chin and leg movements, oxygenation and heart rhythms are monitored. Your doctor may also have you see an ear, nose and throat doctor (ENT) to check for blockage of the nose or throat.

Treatment for OSA may include losing weight, smoking cessation, a nasal decongestant, decrease in alcohol consumption and/or learning to sleep in a position off the back for milder cases. For more severe cases, you may be fitted with a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine, which is the most common and successful treatment. Increased air pressure is delivered through a mask placed over the nose to keep the airway open. Other appliances are available that work under a similar concept.

Oral devices are available to help keep the airway open and can be fitted by a dentist.

Surgical treatments for OSA include surgeries to remove excess tissue at the back of the throat, jaw surgery to move the jaw forward and rarely, tracheostomy (creates an opening in the neck through which a tube can be placed) for more severe cases. Sometimes nasal surgery is required to straighten a deviated septum.

These surgeries are not always successful in alleviating OSA and are not without possible complications.

Obstructive sleep apnea can be a life threatening condition, and anyone experiencing symptoms should seek help in order to diminish the threat of life-changing complications. Even with treatment, you may have to undergo further sleep studies in the future to monitor the success of that treatment.

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.

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FOOD

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By Chef Jill McCollum, CC Photos by Lindsey Faith Watson

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lways let your steak come to room temperature (70 degrees) before cooking or grilling. If your room’s temperature differs from 70 degrees, then just adjust your time accordingly.

A cold steak will contract when it hits the heat and this will cause it to toughen. This is possibly the first biggest mistake people make.

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erator at least 30 minutes before you plan to cook them, sometimes as long as 60 minutes (depending on size).

Do not salt your steaks just before cooking. Salt after the steak is cooked to your liking, has rested the required time and just before serving.

Remove your steaks from the refrig-

Rare—120 degrees F Medium Rare—125 degrees F Medium—130 degrees F

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

Man Lovers Steak 2 (8 ounce) beef rib-eye steaks, cut ¾ in thick 1 teaspoon steak seasoning 3 thick sliced bacon 2 teaspoons butter ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce ¾ teaspoon Dijon mustard 8 ounces small mushrooms, quartered 2 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese Prepare your outdoor grill. Season steaks on both sides with steak seasoning.

While charcoal heats up, fry the bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Remove from the skillet and drain on paper towels. Leave grease in the pan. When charcoal is ready, put the steaks on the grill. Cook for 12 minutes, turning once, or to your desired degree of doneness. While steaks are cooking, stir the butter, Worcestershire sauce and mustard into the bacon grease. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until butter has melted. Add the red bell pepper and mushrooms; cook and stir until tender. To serve, place steaks onto plates. Top with bacon, then blue cheese and then the vegetables. Serve immediately.

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Ultimate Twice Baked Potatoes 4 large baking potatoes 8 slices bacon 1 cup sour cream ½ cup milk 4 tablespoons butter ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon pepper 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese, divided 8 green onions, sliced, divided Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake potatoes in preheated oven for 1 hour.

Meanwhile, place bacon in a large skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside. When potatoes are done, allow them to cool for 10 minutes. Slice potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop the flesh into a large bowl; save skins. To the potato flesh, add sour cream, milk, butter, salt, pepper, ½ cup cheese and ½ the green onions. Mix with a hand mixer until well blended and creamy. Spoon the mixture into the potato skins. Top each with remaining cheese, green onion and bacon. Bake for another 15 minutes.

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F E AT U R E H O M E

poolside Tropical influences provide a vacation at home

By Jennifer Stanley Photos by Courtney Spradlin The large back yard of Bobby Barnett’s West Conway home was made complete with the construction of his new, concrete pool. Installed by Jerrell’s Pools & Supplies of Conway, the freeform shape of the pool and the design of the pool area are both immaculate and unique.

Bobby moved into his home around a year ago and says, “There was nothing in the back yard. We started construction on the pool in December, and it was finished in early April. I was originally interested in installing a liner pool. I ended up going with concrete because of my particular goals; I wanted the stone coping, and I didn’t want the white, plastic steps. I also wanted seating areas in the pool, and I wanted the shape to be freeform.”

In addition to the stone coping, he installed a hot tub that also features the same rock work; the water from the hot tub cascades into the pool. There is also an additional, freestanding rock cascade. The use of concrete allowed for built-in sitting areas throughout the swimout area of the pool as well. “You can seat around eight people in the pool, and we also have the tanning shelf, which is

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another option that isn’t typically available in a liner pool,” says Bobby.

Decorative ceramic tiles were added to the edge of each sitting area and to the edge of the tanning shelf to alert swimmers of the edges. The tiles were chosen to match the stone coping. Bobby was incredibly involved in the planning process, even choosing where to place the benches to best allow for conversation areas. He also added a fire pit in keeping with the rock work around the pool and used in the cascades and hot tub.

The walking area around the pool is washed rock and was implemented by David Richard of Richard Brothers Concrete. “He did a great job because it isn’t rough on the feet. It also added texture and color that worked with the rock work and with the stained concrete on the porch,” says Bobby. The landscaping also incorporates rock and includes palm trees, Japanese maples, and annuals. It was done by Carden Farms in Bigelow.

Of Bobby’s choice to utilize the less traditional concrete for the pool, Melissa Jerrell of Jerrell’s Pools & Supplies says, “Installing a concrete pool does take a little longer. We did concrete pools years ago and have just recently started doing them again, as they are becoming more popular. It’s not a better or worse option - just a different one. One of the big advantages is the ability to do the tile border. You also don’t have a liner, which has to periodically be replaced,” she says. Of working with Matt Jerrell to design the pool, Bobby says, “Matt freeform designed the pool.

I went with Jerrell’s because they could meet all of my needs and are local. They’ve been great to work with.”

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DESIGN

Creating outdoor spaces

By Helen Lockhart

D

ear Red Chaise Designs, With summer here, what are your suggestions for creating a comfortable area outside?

—Catherine ------When extending your living space to the outdoors lots of the same design concepts apply as indoors. Some suggestions for creating a comfortable outdoor living space: Create spaces with a focal point • The focal point could be a great view, a wildflower garden, or even a water feature or fireplace but chose a focus and arrange your furniture around it.

• Often times it is easy to throw out some chairs facing away from the house and call it a day, but being intentional in your arrangement will create a comfortable atmosphere that begs to be used.

Create drama with lighting • It can be very hard to enjoy your outdoor space when it is drowning in flood lights. Consider stringing some lights in some trees or even around the house.

• Hanging solar powered soji lanterns in the trees will also add some drama to the space.

Accentuate the accessories that already exist in your back yard.

• Your landscape can serve as breathtaking accessories to your outdoor space. Use those colors in your design so that everything has a cohesive flow. For example, pull out a color from your flowers to use as seat cushions.

Don’t be afraid to use fabrics outside!

• Fabrics are a great way to bring the comfort of inside outside. Many stores now carry a wide variety of outdoor fabrics for cushions and pillows.

• Some stores have ready-made items to choose from, which include curtains that can be used to hide unsightly storage or block the view of a neighbor’s yard.

Update your furniture with spray paint.

• If your furniture is a bit older and maybe dated, freshen it up with some spray paint.

• This can also be used to clean up furniture that has rusted - just take a wire brush to the rust and then spray paint it a fun color.

Make sure you are using items made for outdoor use.

• Because your outdoor living space will be exposed to the elements it is important to use fabric and wood pieces that have been specially treated. This will improve the longevity of your pieces and ensure they stay looking beautiful.

Helen Lockhart is the owner of Red Chaise Designs, a full service interior design firm. Red Chaise Designs is located in Conway, where she lives with her husband, Paul, and two children.

You can reach her at: helen@redchaise.com.

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WOMEN’S INC. DI R ECTORY OF SE RVICES

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F E AT U R E H O M E

Back to the bayou Centennial Valley man cave provides escape from everyday life

By Jennifer Stanley Photos by Courtney Spradlin Tucked away upstairs in the Centennial Valley home of Andy and Carla Blackwell is a man cave devoted to all things related to hunting, sports, and their two sons, Chase and J.T. The back wall of the room is lined with windows overlooking the Centennial Valley Golf Course, providing a peaceful and breathtaking view.

The Blackwells moved in to their amazing Elms-Clowers Construction-built home in February of this year. “We’d been looking at the house, and part of the purchase was them building out the room we intended to make Andy’s man cave,” says Carla. The finished product resulted in a perfect place for Andy to hang out and enjoy downtime.

Carla designed the room with assistance from RaeLynn Callaway of Classically Yours Interiors.

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“RaeLynn gets all the credit; she is awesome. I got some things together, but she made it work,” says Carla. “I was astounded. When you can get my boys up here talking about how great a room is; that is a big deal,” adds Andy. The space features personal touches that give the room sentimentality while maintaining its masculinity.

The custom-made bar was created by Donna and Joey Benton of Greenbrier. “They repurpose old furniture and build furniture. They are so sweet and do amazing work,” says Carla. Fleur de lis are carved into the wooden front of the bar and into the mirrored shelving behind the bar, which was also made by the Bentons, as homage to Andy’s being a Louisiana native. In addition to the fleur de lis, Louisiana State University’s purple and gold provide further evidence of his heritage. An LSU Man Cave sign proudly hangs over the entry, and Andy’s LSU memorabilia is used throughout the room as well.

Adding additional Louisiana flavor is the sign over the bar reading “Blackwells on the Bayou” which was also created by Donna and Joey Benton. “To take that sign and build it from scratch, making it look like the old west, is amazing,” says Carla. Also featured on top of the custom bar is a rattlesnake Andy killed while deer hunting. Hanging just behind the bar are framed letters the boys wrote their parents upon graduating high school. “They are so sweet; they thanked us for coming to every ballgame,” says Carla.

On the opposing side of the room sits a leather couch facing a large, flatscreen television. Under the television sits a tribute to Andy’s days as a motocross racer. “I raced both amateur and professionally and quit in my early 20s. The bike frame was given to me when my grandfather passed away; he had saved it all those years. I always thought I would do something with it, but it sat torn down in a closet for several years,” says Andy. Carla surprised him by having his bike frame refinished. She also framed and added photos of his days in motocross to the wall above the refurbished frame.

Continuing on the next wall is a collection of Chase’s and J.T.’s sports memorabilia, interspersed with some LSU items. There are framed photos of Chase bull riding, cage fighting, playing baseball, and hunting. “I don’t know which was worse: the cage fighting or the bull riding,” laughs Carla. “We

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wanted to capture everything the boys have ever done. Baseball was my big thing, so Chase played catcher for four years at Conway High School and had a very successful high school career. J.T. was on the state championship team last year,” says Andy.

J.T.’s glove and high school championship ring are also featured on the wall.

The opposite wall highlights the boys’ hunting exploits. As Carla says, “All of the pictures are of Andy and the boys. If they can hunt it or fish it, they do.” The hunting photographs span the years and include dove and deer hunting in West Texas, pheasant hunting in South Dakota, and Andy’s first turkey kill. There are also photos of a young Chase in Carla’s best version of facial camouflage and both boys with their first deer. There are pictures of all three men hunting, camping, fishing, and floating with their buddies as well. “I still hunt at home in Louisiana. Chase and J.T. are so close, and they still hunt together,” states Andy. There is even a photo of J.T. and a friend with an alligator they caught in Tichnor. All photos hang under two mounted deer and a mounted pheasant, all killed by Andy.

Rounding out the room is a poker table from Jones Brothers in North Little Rock surrounded by leather, upholstered chairs. “They were great in helping us choose the table, and they brought it out and set it up,” says Carla. “Now the guys are ready to come play,” adds Andy of his six golfing friends who also make up his poker group. Thrilled with his man cave, Andy says, “It is just fantastic.

Carla and RaeLynn did such a great job, and I know I will really enjoy it for a long time.”

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Conway Symphony Orchestra Guild’s All That Jazz

Caroline Morgan, David Morgan Jazz band

Melanie Conner, Bo Conner Liz Gorn, John Krebs

Artist Amy Ness completes a painting that was auctioned later in the night.

Dr. Karen Young, Reverend Michael Vinson, Dr. Sally Roden 48 WOMEN’S INC. / JUNE 2012

Sandra Hudson, Joe Stane

Paige Miller, Andy Miller

Katherine Thomason, Joely Costello, Allison Vetter-Cone, Lori Quinn

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS CINCO DE MAYO

Emile Shaw, Sarah Shaw, Bliss Hilderbrand

Tina Pike, Lee Milligan, Kristy Ross, Lila Ashmore Mary Goodwin, Donna Townsell, Shelley Youngblood, Linda Koger, Amanda Bright

Kyle and Amy Kordsmeier, Barron and Marla McCormack

Marla Fisher, Bo Rowe

Lauren Lee, Michael Lee

Brett McDaniel, Judge Amy Brazil, John Hilderbrand

Lisa Deleon, Nelicia Brown

Maggie Meyer, Anna Street

Nathan Brand, Shannon Brand WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 49

UCA Alumni Family & Consumer Sciences alumni Luncheon

Diane Brown, Marna Farris, Suzanne Jones

Cara Erwin, Addie Wilson, Caroline Fridell

Lucy Pennington, Elizabeth Mayes

Megan Herbert, Sarah Stephen

David Bynum, Lauryn Impson

Kevin, McKee, Keriann McKee

Layne Adams, Morgan Moseley, Sharon Wheeler

Jamie Newton, Michael Newton

Jim Hall, Heather Hall

Gloria Magee, Nancy Magee, David Magee,

Brooklyn Pyburn, Angela Bradshaw, Molly Taylor Jones

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Shelby Waire, Christy Waire

American Childhood Cancer Organization fundraiser @ Uniquely Greek

Ashton Rainey, Amy Rainey, Barbara Sossamon, Riley Townsell (front), Kara Campbell, Jessika Ballew, Donna Townsell

Courtney Campbell, Allie Harvey, Brooke Mobbs, Claire Valentine, Anna Turner

Kara Campbell, Donna Townsell, Riley Townsell (front), cancer survivor

Courtney Campbell modeling a shirt made for the event

Kara Campbell, owner of Uniquely Greek WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 51

LIFE

Summer’s opportunities

By Fran Scroggings

T

his is the June issue of Women’s Inc., and it is hard to believe as you read this that summer has already begun.

Graduations are over, and schools are out for the summer.

With the beginning of summer comes extended summer vacations, gardening, caring for lawns and my personal favorite, the beach.

As I make plans to go to the beach again this summer, my mind slows to a calmed pace when I remember the beauty that I have experienced each time on the beach. For me, it can be the Gulf or the beaches of the Atlantic or Caribbean. The beaches each have their unique characteristics but have a beauty and distinction all their own.

I am certain, though I have not seen them, that the beaches of the Pacific and other places in the world are just as beautiful.

My daughter and I spent one week at Panama City Beach last year and plan to do the same this year. I can sit for hours watching the water without tiring. The fascination of sitting and watching the water washing onto the sand accompanied by the sounds of the water gives me a sense of peace and well being. A few hours of that peace can rejuvenate my mind as nothing else.

Walking along the beach barefoot is a joy in life that must be experienced and cannot be adequately described by words. Whether an adult or child, you see people of all ages walking along the edge of the water, many of them barefoot. It is not uncommon as you watch others, to see them carrying shoes in hand as they walk through the sand.

Walking along the edge of the shore and looking for shells is something that can be seen for hours each day. Small children with their parents walk up and down the water’s edge, reaching down every few feet as they attempt to retrieve a special treasure from the sea. The excitement on the faces of the children as they find a small crab or a shell brings a smile to my face every time. At night, you can see the children out with flashlights along the water’s edge as they try to find the small sand crabs that are everywhere on the beach.

Last year from the balcony of our condo, we were able to see dolphins jumping out of the water as they were swimming close to the shore. Their sleek bodies moved effortlessly in sync while they moved with a sense of grace and beauty. I wished I were out in the water swimming along side of them.

For some reason which I can not understand, the sunsets near the edge of the water also seems to hold an extra measure of color and beauty. As a few clouds would gather along the horizon, the sun would

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magnificently change to the sky into a vast explosion of color. The beautiful combination of blues, pinks and golds cannot be adequately described by words. This same holds true for the sunrises, although I have a hard time being awake early enough to see many of those!

Each evening, we would sit on the balcony in the evening watching the moon and stars and listen to the sound of the water. One night a storm was coming toward the shore late in the evening. After I went to bed, I opened the curtains and watched as the moon and clouds were highlighted on the night sky by lightening. The sky seemed to almost come alive every few seconds as the lightening appeared. Just as it miraculously appeared, it would then disappear.

We made a trip one day last summer to the state park just outside Panama City Beach. While there, we were able to see wildlife in their natural habitat. A blue heron was sitting in the trees as we walked on a path in the distance. While standing near the edge of the water, we were confronted by two sets of eyes as they came up out of the water.

On closer inspection, we could see the alligators just submerged in the water waiting on some unsuspecting prey. Noting that alligators are not known for being docile, it was amazing to see them at a distance of only 10 feet not separated by bars or any type of cage. When one of the women standing near us realized what was in the water and that one could easily come on shore, laughter erupted as the discussion turned to how fast we could run if being chased by one of these large creatures.

Not to be outmatched, the food ranks high on my list of things not to be overlooked. As those of you who know me can attest, missing meals is not something which I do with nearly enough regularity.

While there, it was not done at all.

The seafood is one of my favorites and there is not shortage at the restaurants there. Personally, I love the shrimp but you can find the crab, oysters and numerous other kinds of seafood in the restaurants.

One evening we went to dinner with friends and had baked oysters, which was a new experience for me. I do not know what I was expecting but was surprised at the taste which I experienced.

We also went to a shop which had various flavors of homemade ice cream. Not to be confused with the soft serve or other kinds of the tasty desert, it was genuinely homemade ice cream. After a day in the sun and water, a cold dish of homemade ice cream cannot be beat.

Just the thought of these pleasant memories makes me anxious for the time we can go. I hope each of you are looking forward to your favorite things this summer and wish each of you a happy and safe summer.

BOOK REVIEW

‘Defending Jacob’ by William Landay

By Susan O’Keefe

W

e inherit our mother’s eyes. We inherit our father’s love of sports.

But can we inherit undesirable traits such as a murder gene?

Science is researching the matter. Attorneys say it will never be admissible in court. But the concept is introduced, debated, and discussed in William Landay’s legal thriller Defending Jacob.

Since a fourth of my book club readers holds law degrees, our discussion began with the believability and credibility of the story. According to this group, it’s a realistic read.

For more than two decades, Andy Barber has practiced law in a comfortable, safe, suburban Massachusetts town. With his supportive wife by his side, this assistant district attorney has made a name for himself as a tenacious lawyer in the courtroom. His home life is made complete with his moody 14 year old son, Jacob, who seems to be somewhat of an outcast, until a chilling murder makes him popular for all the wrong reasons.

As our discussion ensued, we wondered, to what extent parents would go to protect their children? And from whom were the Barbers trying to protect their son? The media? His peers?

Or himself?

“It appears that Andy found the murder weapon, and just ditched it.

He had no regard for the law or his

personal commitments as an attorney,” argued one reader.

“On the other hand, he believed his son was innocent, but knew the system, and that a knife would surely incriminate his son, even if it was something any teen aged boy would have. He did what he had to do to safeguard the situation,” refuted another.

As the story unfolds, Andy divulges a deep family secret about his ancestors, men familiar with the other side of the law. If one generation murders, will the next generation be naturally inclined to kill? And if that generation commits murder, will the next generation be unable to resist the urge to take a life? This award-winning author writes with gripping detail as the Barber family is consumed in crisis.

The elements of guilt and betrayal come forth in each character, but in varying degrees.

Andy expresses guilt for keeping a secret from his wife. She expresses guilt for questioning if her son is capable of murder. Jacob, however, only has the emotional maturity of a 7 year old, as revealed by psychological testing. He expresses little to no guilt.

As women, we discussed profusely, the level of responsibility parents assume for the actions of their children.

At what point is someone responsible for his own behavior? For thousands of years, mothers have questioned, and the cycle continues.

“Jacob’s mom expressed concern when he was just a toddler; that he was really aggressive on the playground. She said he repeatedly hurt kids. Maybe if she’d stuck with her gut instinct and gotten counseling for her son, their lives would have turned out very differently,” said one reader.

“But kids are kids,” another interjected. “They all hit. We see things as a phase or stage. How can you tell when a child’s actions are going to lead to something horrific later in life?”

Andy continues in a state of denial throughout the novel, even as his son is charged with murdering a classmate.

The subject of bullying is brought to the forefront a few times and yet subtly fades as if the author decided to keep it as a sub-theme. The group pounced on the topic as mother lions ready to protect their cubs.

“It happens as young as third and

fourth grades. With Facebook and texting, it’s an even bigger problem,” said one mom.

Jacob’s lone friend confirms that he and the accused were both bullied, but that was just part of who they were. It was the group to which they belonged, which was the group of nobodies. To Jacob’s parents, the sudden insight into their son’s sad, personal world was shocking. His Internet site choices were particularly alarming.

This provocative page turner is a must read for those who enjoy adventure and suspense. A visit to a federal prison sets in motion another subplot of evil and family dynamics. As Andy tells the story, he begins to refer to time and the future as the land of “After”. After the trial, life will resume as normal. After the trial, my friends will return and see how wrong they were.

After the trial, everyone will know this was all a horrible misunderstanding.

But after the trial only brings more shattering circumstances as Andy and his wife continue to defend Jacob.

Susan O’Keefe is a wife to Jack, mother to four children, and eager to face the crazy, awesome, fun things God delivers daily. Although she and her family are in the process of moving, they are on the road first for summer fun. Follow Susan’s blog at okeefetravel.blogspot.com

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COMMUNITY

Wright looking ahead to bigger things

By Rachel Parker Dickerson Photo by Brandy Strain Robert Wright, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Faulkner County, just completed his third year with the organization and is looking forward to opening a brand new building.

“I am so excited,” he said recently at the Bob Nabholz Unit on Deer Street. “We have 125 at this unit every day. We’ll probably move up to between 175 and 200 right away. It’s in a community where a lot of kids can walk. The Conway Housing Authority and a lot of kids are in the area. I think our numbers will grow. As numbers grow, staff will have to grow.

It’s a lot of opportunity to serve kids we can’t serve now because they can’t get here. If they could walk to

and from the club, they would be here every day. It’s going to be an exciting time for the Boys and Girls Club.”

The new building will be at Conway Station Park, at Robins Street and South German Lane. The square footage will be 15,000, compared to the current 8,400. Construction will begin in June and take six or seven months. The new facility will serve 225 children or more.

Wright said when he started in the position, between 35 and 40 children attended regularly. He talked to a regional supervisor for Boys and Girls Club. “He said just continue to work at it, and the numbers will take care of themselves. We got some grants that helped.

“Right now we are at 125. The numbers have really grown. It’s just a matter of getting a good program, and that’s what I hope we continue to do,” Wright said.

In addition to the power hour – a homework and tutoring program – and the basketball program for grades 1-12, the Boys and Girls Club also offers programs promoting good choices and leadership skills for its members.

The Keystone program is for teens ages 13 and 14.

Teens organize their group, elect officers, hold meetings, raise funds and run their own program.

“It encourages them to be leaders, to do some of the things the Boys and Girls Club instilled in them.

Some of them are mentors for the younger kids,” Wright said.

“If we don’t keep our teenagers going, we won’t have anyone to come back and say, ‘This club really did make a difference.’ We’re investing, more than anything, into the future of the Boys and Girls Club.”

Programs also include Passport to Manhood for boys and Smart Girls.

“We try to establish a leadership for our boys who 54 WOMEN’S INC. / JUNE 2012

Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Faulkner County, Robert Wright.

sometimes see leadership in a negative role. We get a lot of speakers from outside – police department, fire department, bankers. The police let kids know they only arrest bad people. I talk to them all the time about how they can make it and they don’t have to be in a situation where they’re getting in trouble. We’re trying to get them to grow up to be successful men.”

He continued, “Smart Girls is basically the same thing – the responsibilities of young girls. How to dress, how you should be treated, respect yourself.

If you respect yourself, when you get to be a young woman, you should have that same respect from everybody. It teaches them how to go to job interviews, how to present themselves.”

He added, “We can’t get to everybody, but we try. It’s a great feeling. We hope they’ll come back.

There’s just something about kids that you just want to be part of that growth period to make a difference.

“I have people in my life that made a difference. I have a lot of people to thank.”