WOMEN’S INC.
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By Women, For Women, About Women of Central Arkansas
Celebrating the Arts
WOMEN’S INC. Editor Lori Quinn Associate Editor Katherine Thomason 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 Sanders Jesica Talbert Betsey Willbanks Advertising Artists Jay Prince Kellie McAnulty Editorial Advisory Board Haley Crafton Fowler Beverly Freiley Mary Harlan Becky Harris Jan Hicky Patricia Hoskins 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. / APRIL 2012
The arts
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n our cover this month: Beth Yockey and her daughter Hannah Dorsey. This artistic mother/daughter team has a “win” with their new business, Branch Out Conway. Branch Out Conway, a paint bar, is a new business concept for Conway, and it has taken off. They offer painting for groups and individuals, a boutique with hand-made jewelry and accessories and a fun, whimsical atmosphere. This place is perfect for a date night, girl’s night out or a fun kid-friendly family outing. Check out Branch Out Conway. You are in for a real treat! Next, Conway’s own Abby Shourd, who recently starred as Scout in The Rep’s “To Kill a Mockingbird,” has had the acting bug since she was seven. Abby is a seventh grader at Conway Christian School, and she plans on keeping acting a priority while she continues her education and other activities, including ballet, cheerleading, choir and band. I think Abby says it best: “I love acting because I love to perform and make the audience happy. I want to do more plays and get more roles; it is just so much fun.” Check out our other feature stories this month, including the Conway Symphony Orchestra’s guest conductor Amy Chang and Conway’s downtown guide to art, including art galleries and The Lantern Theatre. The symphony’s final performance of the year will be Saturday, April 28, at 7:30 p.m. And learn more about the upcoming art events in downtown including ArtsFest and the Art Walk by visiting www.DowntownConway.org. There are great new looks for spring and summer shoes and handbags from some our favorite local stores. Wilkinson’s Mall, EM Jeans and Lefler’s give us a sneak peak of spring’s best and brightest. Turn to our shopping spread and pick your favorites! Chef Jill McCollum, CC, cooks up a great menu for a spring day: Nancy’s Marinated Brisket, Red Skinned Potato Salad and Fudge Ecstasy Cookies. Finally, two unique homes/spaces are highlighted: the Zimmerman’s craft room, with organizational ideas galore, and the Norman Davis home, featuring specialized, accessible design for this disabled war veteran. Until Next Month,
contents
12
features
columns
6 Creative flair
10 Green
Branch Out Conway offers paint bar,
Be a sandwich artist: Bento Lunches
boutique for imaginative customers.
12 In the spotlight
by Angie Howard
Conway’s Abby Shourd brings
15 Spirituality
natural talent to acting performances.
Bloom where you are!
16 Master conductor The Conway Symphony Orchestra has welcomed Amy Chang as guest conductor for its spring season.
by Andrea Lennon
18 Nutrition How to be sick… by Dr. Christine Hurley
20 Downtown The art in Downtown Conway.
24 Shopping
42 Design The benefits of hiring an interior designer
Shoes and more.
by Helen Lockhart
26 Food
48 Book Review
Comfort food for a spring feast.
“One Thousand White Women” by Jim Fergus
30 Home feature
review by Susan O’Keefe
She’s crafty: Zimmerman craft room.
events
36 Home feature
40 Real estate awards
Accessible design: Davis home. 44 HAVEN’s Mac-N-Cheese, Please!
50 Community Political pie auction benefits Home for the Homeless Campaign.
47 CSO Guild Mardi Gras party 46 Chamber Awards banquet WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 5
COVER
“In a world filled with everyday stresses, a paint bar provides an atmosphere where you can leave all your worries at the door, and it’s cheaper than therapy!” -Beth Yockey
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Creative Flair Branch Out Conway offers paint bar, boutique for imaginative customers By Jennifer Stanley Photos by Brandy Strain An interesting scarf blowing in the Colorado wind inspired the beginning of Branch Out Conway — a new paint bar and boutique on Donaghey Avenue. Owned and operated by mother/daughter duo Beth Yockey and Hannah Dorsey, Branch Out has become a hot spot for date nights, birthday parties and girls’ nights nearly overnight. The concept was born when Beth and her husband, Robert, moved their son, Austin, to Denver to attend graduate school two years ago. While dining at a café on their last day in the city, Beth noticed an interesting scarf blowing in the wind on an outside clothes rack next door. “I went over there to check it out and realized it was a paint bar. I talked my husband into letting me go in and paint, and I fell in love with the concept of fun art — anyone can do it,” said Beth. “In a world filled with everyday stresses, a paint bar provides an atmosphere where you can leave all your worries at the door, and it’s cheaper than therapy!” The notion continued to resonate with Beth, and she particularly felt it could be a good fit for Conway. Her husband encouraged her to discuss the possibility of opening a paint bar with their daughter, Hannah, who was then a Speech-Language Pathology student at UCA, and her husband, Ross. “I really fell in love with the idea and wanted to pursue it as a business option once Hannah finished college. It would allow her to work and attend graduate school, so that’s how it evolved.” The next step was taking Hannah to visit the studio in Denver. “She graduated in May 2011, so I offered to take her to Colorado to get her reaction. We’d been doing some painting together during the four years she was in college for fun,” said Beth. “The first night we sat at the studio, I looked over and said, ‘We’re going to open one of these in Conway,’” stated Hannah. “We prayed about it, and the doors just opened, so we embarked on this journey; hence the name Branch Out! We certainly branched out of our own comfort zones; we never dreamt we would do this.” Branch Out Conway opened in October 2011, and they Hannah Dorsey and Beth Yockey, owners of Branch Out Conway. WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 7
are now a partner studio with the location in Denver that provided Beth and Hannah with their inspiration. “Both studios have similar concepts, but we have total flexibility and creativity to create on our own pieces, which gives us the freedom to make it fit Conway, specifically,” said Beth. Beth and Hannah have always been incredibly creative; both painted for fun, and their formal instruction was provided by Debbie Green, an artist offering training classes in Denver and Texas. “I have always been artsy, and we’ve made jewelry for many years. We are proven people. I am somewhat a self-taught artist, because over the years we’ve accumulated art knowledge, and that allows us to relate to those who come in who don’t have that art background. You aren’t going to hear any high-level terminology that the layperson can’t comprehend,” said Beth. The mother-daughter team is no stranger to creativity or entrepreneurial enterprise; they ran a jewelry-making business several years ago that allowed Hannah to purchase her first car. Despite that experience, they didn’t take opening Branch Out Conway lightly, seeking advice from trusted friends and family members. “Everyone we talked to agreed that Conway needed a new method of entertainment that allowed people to get away from the TV or movie screen. It’s something different for adults and for children; people can learn something new with their entertainment dollars and have something to take away from it. Everyone we talked to was very encouraging; there was never a red flag, and a building opened up that was perfect for us to move into. It just seemed to all work out,” Beth said. Branch Out Conway offers themed group painting on a near daily basis. Patrons can paint on their own or can visit with a friend, a group of friends, their family or a significant other. Seats can be reserved by calling or visiting the studio or via the website, www. branchoutconway.com. The website also provides a calendar that shows which painting is scheduled on a given day. Branch Out also offers private parties for birthdays, team building, office parties, church groups, college groups and just about any other group. They also host theme nights including date night and teen night, and they often offer special holiday painting sessions. All classes are instructor-led, with the exception of the open studio times, which are offered weekly. “This is where they can find their inner artist. ‘Branching out’ applied to us when we opened, but it also applies to the people who paint with us who may have never painted a canvas otherwise. We are now giving a ‘Branch Out Award’ during classes to someone who might go outside their comfort zone a little bit during the class. Whether they changed up their colors or maybe they weren’t interested in painting, and a friend drug them here,” said Hannah. Chrissy Parris, owner of Parris Carpet, was one of Beth and Hannah’s early patrons. She said, “We met when they were looking at a neighboring retail space. I was very encouraged and inspired by what they were doing, as a mom and as a business owner. When they found a studio and got set up, my 16-year-old daughter and I painted the retro owl at one of their first sessions. I’d never really painted before, but it was a great ‘mom-daughter date’ experience, and we fell in love with it. I had no idea I was creative; I had no idea how creative my daughter was, or the people 8 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2012
Branch Out Conway offers themed group painting on a near daily basis. They also host theme nights including date night and teen night, and they offer special holiday painting sessions.
around me. Beth and Hannah were so encouraging. I also brought my eight year old and her friend, and they painted a cross for their rooms and had so much fun laughing and giggling. I returned with a group of ladies for a friend’s 40th birthday party, and we had so much fun — even outside the painting. I can’t wait to go again! With Beth and Hannah I’ve also made two new friends, so it goes beyond the painting.” Branch Out offers live music bi-monthly, and they also play upbeat music during the instructor-led painting sessions. Coffee, tea and cider are provided for patrons; however, people are welcome to bring in the food and drink of their choice. “We generally don’t begin until about 15 minutes after the sched-
uled start to allow people time to get comfortable in their surroundings and visit with their neighbors. Then we start painting. We introduce the piece we are doing and walk through it step-by-step. We take tons of breaks and encourage them to walk around and take a look at other paintings, get a drink or just look at their own piece from a distance. At the end, they finish and sign their work,” said Beth. Hannah leads the majority of the classes, and there are two others who help part-time. Beth assists painters one-on-one with any details or needs they might have while painting. The front of the store houses a boutique where painters can browse and shop at a discount during their session. The store offers handmade goods and
Fun clothing and accessories are offered in the boutique area of Branch Out.
jewelry, mostly created by local artisans. The entire store and studio has a funky, eclectic vibe that lends itself to creativity and fun. “We try to keep unique product lines for people who want to come in and shop and also for those who browse during the parties,” said Hannah. The typical painting party is about two hours long but can vary depending on the complexity of the scheduled piece. “We really want people to relax and take their time.” Beth and Hannah state their target audience is anyone from age five to 105. “We love doing kids’ birthday parties, and we can tailor a painting around the theme and color. We offer tables for presents and cake, and each child leaves with a 16x20 painted canvas and a photo to take home. We let them run the place, and there is usually some dancing going on at the end.” Private parties are also offered for churches, sororities, fraternities, corporate groups and more. There is a 15 person minimum for a private party, and groups are allowed to combine with other groups. Branch Out always offers discounts to military, teachers, college students and churches. Other theme painting classes include family day, where family groups paint simple, complementary pieces that can be hung in a collective group. “We do a lot of Razorback pieces on those days.” The aforementioned open studio days have also proven popular. “There is no instruction in open studio, but we are always available to help. We see people come in who may want to improve on a piece they tried before. Many people gain confidence and want to try it on their own. We recommend at least one instructor-led class before trying open studio, so they can get their paintbrush wet first,” said Beth. Future additions to the class lineup include speed painting — instead of musical chairs there are musical brushes. “This is a great idea for corporate team building,” said Hannah. Branch Out will offer Jasper’s K-Camp this summer, which is a half-day painting class for children, and they are starting a “Mommy and Me” class for parents with babies and younger children. “Canvas to Go-Go” is also a newer concept — they bring the canvas and materials on-location for larger groups. Added Hannah, “We are staying booked out a month in advance now with private parties and some classes, so get ready for an evening of entertaining art and uncork your inner artist! Grab a few friends, your favorite beverages and snacks, and let’s ‘Take it Easel!’” WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 9
GREEN
Be a sandwich artist: Bento Lunches By Angie Howard
M
om Guilt. Oh, you know exactly what I’m referring to. The second our precious ones enter the world as mothers, we are introduced to this undeniable emotion that will pop up and grip us at each and every opportunity, valid or not. I have lately been experiencing more than my fair share of the dreaded Mom Guilt over something that sounds quite mundane, but in its routine nature is a vital part of my children’s overall health and well being; and
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this would be ... their daily lunch situation. This is terrible to admit, but I used to loathe making kid lunches. Let me defend myself by saying my kids are picky eaters at the least. Most kids are. My darlings won’t even look at an apple with the slightest remnant of a peel left on it, because it’s “contaminated.” I’ve braved up and tried the baby carrots and ranch route and found out quickly that unless the baby carrots are in the EXACT diameter zone of what my kids have deemed as appropriate (maybe 3 carrots out of the entire bag of more than 100 or so meet their stringent criteria), I catch them literally drinking the ranch dressing out of their dipping container and leaving behind the untouched carrots which were in their words, “just WAY too big to eat Mom, they would break my teeth off.” This is what I’ve dealt with, every day, for the past eight years or so, which is why some time ago my lunchmaking routine for the kids was simplified to peanut butter and jellies, complimented by individual bags of low-fat chips or pretzels and a gummy vitamin. That’s it; there you have it. Hence forth the Mom Guilt over providing my crazy picky eaters with non-nutrition packed lunches, because their strong will had me waving the white flag in the chip and goober grape jelly supermarket aisles. Recently though, I reached my breaking point over the daily guilt trip and have finally found our “ah-ha Moment!” in creating extremely healthy lunches that are fun for me to make — and most importantly, that my kids will actually ingest without a knock-down, drag-out confrontation! Mom Guilt, be gone and make way for something called the Bento Lunch. Bento Lunches are really miniature works of art created with the medium of fruits, veggies, hardboiled eggs, sticky rice, lean meats and cheeses, along with some whole grain crackers or breads. The brighter and more varied the colors of fruits and veggies you chose, the better both aesthetically to create the little masterpieces and nutritionally to fill those precious kids’ tummies! Bento Lunches are popular in Asian countries and are catching on quickly here in the states as well. Basically, you take the fruits and vegetables your kids usually turn their noses up to and make it look so fun and appealing by molding and cutting them into fun shapes
and designs they forget what they are eating altogether. Before they know it, the kids have quickly eaten their suggested daily allowance of healthy proteins, fruits and veggies without a thought ... or a fight. Elements that go into creating a Bento Lunch include not only the foods, but also the right tools for creating and displaying the designs, along with just a little bit of creativity to come up with fun creations (or a great Bento Cookbook that can provide the creativity for you). A Bento Box is pretty necessary and can be readily found online in versions as simple or as elaborate as you wish. These boxes are specifically designed to hold Bento creations, many of them with segmented compartments and some including eating utensils, (fork, spoon, even chopsticks!) They are also reusable and cut down on waste from Ziplock baggies and paper lunch sacks! After a Bento Box is found, another great way to compartmentalize various components of the lunches are silicon baking cups. These can be found in a plethora of shapes, colors and sizes. My kids love the brightly-colored cups containing elements such as blueberries or raspberries — even whole grain goldfish or other small snack crackers. The tools for making fun Bento Lunch displays are limitless. I have found my favorite supplies to create the individual food elements include egg molds, which form a hardboiled egg into animal or vehicles; sticky rice presses that shape the rice into great designs; and their coordinating reusable soy sauce containers. There are great vegetable slicers that make “curly-Qs” out of carrots and another that cuts cucumber into zig-zag patters. Other vegetable and fruit cutters are designed to punch out pretty flower shapes. There is no end to the creativity! I am beyond thankful to have banished the Mom Guilt over our daily lunch routine. I’m sure it will manifest itself in another area where I am lacking in mothering skills, but for now, at least, this issue is resolved. I guess that Mom Guilt is pretty much OK if it causes a behavioral change that positively impacts my children and my sanity to boot! 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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F E AT U R E
In the spotlight Conway’s Abby Shourd brings natural talent to acting performances
By Jennifer Stanley With her easy smile, her smattering of freckles and her bob haircut, it’s easy to see how Conway’s Abby Shourd was cast as Scout in The Rep’s rendition of the classic Harper Lee novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Beyond looking the part, Abby has spent significant time honing her craft with the support of her parents, Jon and Cathy Shourd. Abby began exploring acting at age seven, when she participated in Children’s Theatre To Go under the direction of Bob May, through which she appeared in eight productions from 2006-09. “I was in the choir at church, and when Abby was three, she was in a Christmas program we did. She just sat there like a perfect angel and said her part; people commented on how well she did. She was also very animated and could do different facial expressions from a young age. So, when she was seven, my 12 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2012
sister saw the auditions in the paper and encouraged us to take her, and it just went from there,” said Cathy. Both she and her sister, Haley, attend Conway Christian School, where Abby, a seventh grader, participates in cheerleading, choir and band and is an honor student. In fact, Abby acted in two plays at Conway Christian as Anna in “The Best Christmas Present Ever” in 2009 and as Miss Louisa in “Miss Louisa and the Outlaws” in 2010. “I love Conway Christian because we get such a good education, and I like seeing my friends at school,” said Abby, who also takes ballet lessons at Blackbird Academy. “(Acting) is the one thing she’s always chosen over everything else — dance, gymnastics, softball,” stated Cathy. Some of her additional performances include being in the ensemble in Arkansas Shakespeare Festival’s “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and playing Loopy the Dwarf in Blackbird
Academy of Arts’ “Mirror, Mirror, A Ballet of Spells and Enchantments,” both in 2011. Abby also acted in UCA’s Youth Theatre of Central Arkansas as Ernie in “Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations” in 2010 and as Dawn in “The Black Pearl of Faulkner County” in 2009; she particularly enjoyed working with Ruthann Curry Browne in the UCA program. She was also in the ensemble cast of Conway Dinner Theater’s “In Love with Broadway” in 2010. In 2010, Cathy began researching the two-week musical theatre program at The Rep, Summer Musical Theatre Intensive (SMTI). Abby auditioned for the program and was accepted. “It’s like a theatre camp; they teach, then they put on a show at the end of the two-weeks. They work on singing, dancing and acting and do shows at the end. They bring students
BRANDY STRAIN PHOTO
back for a combination show in the fall where they polish and mainstage the summer performances for patrons of The Rep,” explained Cathy. Her first show with The Rep was playing Emily Jane in “A Christmas Story” in December 2010. Her second was last summer’s SMTI production. “We did ‘That 80’s Show.’ Mom and Dad loved that because that’s when they went to high school,” shared Abby. She returned in December 2011 in the role of Martha Cratchit in “A Christmas Carol.” Abby auditioned for “A Christmas Carol” in October and “To Kill a Mockingbird” in November, earning parts in each. “The director asked us if we were sure we could do this. We knew it would be challenging participating in three productions back to back, but we really wanted to because she’s at that
age where she can still do the kid roles, and she won’t be able to do that forever, so we wanted her to have that experience,” said Cathy. Both Jon and Cathy rave about Nicole Capri, director of education at The Rep. “She is in charge of the young actors and the summer program, and she is wonderful. She always steps in as their teacher and makes sure their interests are protected, so she’s been amazing. Ms. Nicole doesn’t only focus on the play and the kids getting out there and getting the attention. She really wants them to be good adult. She says ‘we are raising good human beings,’ whether they end up being a lawyer, a doctor or an actress. They really teach them work ethic and don’t baby them. It also gives them self esteem, which is very important,” said Cathy.
“She is doing a good job of teaching the kids how to be professional. In fact, the majority of the “To Kill a Mockingbird” cast was from New York, and several of them told us how the kids were well-behaved and easy to work with. As a parent, that’s great to hear,” added Jon. Jon, Cathy and Abby each made huge commitments when Abby was cast as Scout. The play, which began in mid-January, ran for about three weeks and included approximately 26 shows and six-day-a-week rehearsals. The performances were also six days a week with added matinees on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Abby also had a significantly increased amount of dialogue compared with her just-completed role in “A Christmas Carol.” “I really read the script over and over with my parWWW.WOMENSINC.NET 13
Abby with brother Jem looking at soap dolls mysteriously left in the knot hole of the tree by neighbor Boo Radley. (Abby as Scout and Damon McKinnis as Jem)
ents, and the director broke it into steps so we could focus on certain pages on certain days,” explained Abby. “Her only extremely long dialogue was the jailhouse scene. Other than that, there was a lot of coming and going; it’s a lot more than remembering the lines — she had to know where to stand and when and make it look natural,” added Jon. The commitments for Abby went beyond rehearsal and production time. The play featured an adult Scout as the narrator, and Abby had to dye and cut her hair to look more like her adult counterpart. She also had to drop cheerleading because she couldn’t attend games and ballet because she couldn’t make the classes. Inevitably, one of the biggest lessons she learned was time management. “Seventh grade helped since she has study hall. She learned to complete her homework there, so she wouldn’t have such late nights,” said Cathy. “For a 12-year-old she is extremely driven. She has a really positive outlook on things and stays on top of things. She studied on the way to the play and back when she had tests,” said Jon. Another challenge for the Shourds was explaining certain adult elements of “To Kill a Mockingbird” to Abby. “She wasn’t aware of several topics involved in the story, so, just for her to audition for the part, we had to sit down and explain some things. As a mom I was thrilled that she’d never heard certain derogatory terms that are used in the play; we had to explain that to her as well as some of the other subject matter,” said Cathy. “It was pretty shocking to sit in the audience and hear those words; it took my breath away. Of course, little sister couldn’t see it, and she wasn’t happy that she couldn’t go!” The play itself opened to rave reviews and quickly sold-out shows. “We really got an excellent response. The show actually sold out before it even opened. It sold out so quickly they added two extra shows, and those sold out in an hour,” said Abby. “One of the coolest things is that the ninth through twelfth graders from our school came and brought about 140 people 14 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2012
Abby begging the boys not to tempt Boo Radley to come out of his house. (Abby as Scout, Damon McKinnis as Jem and Spencer Davis as Dill)
to see the show. One of the moms brought her flowers, which made her feel very special,” said Cathy. When asked about her favorite scene from the play, Abby said, “I really liked during the courtroom scene where Scout stands up for her father at the end. And the ham scene was fun, too. ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ has taught me to stand up for what is right no matter what challenges may arise against you. “When you do that many shows, things are going to happen. One night, Jem fell. I lost the hickory nuts one night toward the end. I was supposed to take one out, look at it and put it back in the bag, but they all fell out. I spent the whole time talking while picking them up; you just have to keep going,” said Abby. “She had to eat cookies, cornbread, a cupcake and chew a piece of gum during each performance, and she had to do that while speaking and acting naturally,” added Jon. “She also had to learn to really project her voice, since they weren’t miked. “The cast provided such a family atmosphere. All the actors became very close, and the adult actors in the show were so good to Abby and to the other kids, acting as mentors,” added Jon. Abby also made a joint appearance with the adult Scout on Channel 7 to promote “To Kill a Mockingbird.” “She’s had so much fun with it and has made so many memories. And to be part of presenting a story that was so pivotal to our history was a great opportunity,” added Cathy. Abby plans to resume her ballet instruction and to attend choir camp at OBU this summer. Of her future plans, she said, “I love acting because I love to perform and make the audience happy. I want to do more plays and get more roles; it is just so much fun.” Added Cathy, “We are so lucky to live here in Central Arkansas because there are so many opportunities for kids who want to be involved in the arts. We plan to do this for as long as Abby is interested.”
SPI R ITUALITY
Bloom where you are!
By Andrea Lennon
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ne trap many women face is the trap of comparing their lives to the lives of others. The comparison trap occurs in many areas. A few examples include: • “If I had the talent she has, I could...” • “If I had the background she has, I could...” • “If I had the resources she has, I could...” • “If I had the appearance she has, I could...” • “If I had the family and friends she has, I could...” • “If I had the calling she has, I could...” The list goes on and on. I will admit that I have spent my fare share of time living in the comparison trap. I am certain that I have voiced all of the statements listed above. The comparison trap is dangerous because we take our eyes off of the Lord and the lives He is calling us to live. When that happens, we place our eyes on ourselves and others as we evaluate our lives based on what we believe is missing. The end result of living in the comparison trap is desiring a life that God has called someone else to live. This desire leads us to forfeit the opportunity to live the amazing adventure God has for us. One passage of scripture that helps break the cycle of the comparison trap is found in Colossians 2:6-7. “So then just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him,
strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” (NIV) Each time I read this passage of scripture I am reminded of four crucial truths. These truths release us from living in the comparison trap so that we can embrace the amazing adventure God has for us. First, we need to continue to live the lives God is calling us to live! When we find ourselves caught in the comparison trap, we need to refocus on God’s plans for our lives. How do we refocus? Colossians 2:6 encourages us to think back to the first day when we received Christ Jesus as our Lord. Without a doubt, on that day, we experienced an openness to living the lives God had for us. I know on the day when I received Jesus as my Lord, my heart was full of excitement, gratitude and love for Jesus. As a result, I was open and ready to embrace God’s plan for me. Second, we need to live our lives “rooted and built up in Him!” Being rooted and built up in Christ occurs as we understand that once we are saved from our sins, God desires to change us into His image a little more every day. This on-going call for change helps us avoid the comparison trap because it keeps us focused on the goal of becoming more and more like Jesus and less and less like those around us. Third, we need to live lives of strong faith! A life of strong faith makes us willing to take risks for Jesus. Taking risks for Jesus helps us to fight the comparison trap because it allows us to step outside of our comfort zones and do what others are not called to do. When
we live outside our comfort zones daily, we begin to see and fulfill God’s unique plan for our lives. Finally, we need to embrace a heart of thankfulness! A heart of thankfulness is the primary weapon that we can use to fight the comparison trap. A heart of thankfulness helps us to see all the great things God IS doing in our lives. Often when living in the comparison trap, we forget to recognize the sweet blessings God grants us throughout our ordinary days. Looking for these blessings helps us to refocus on the way God meets our needs and lavishes His love in our lives. Often when I take my kids to school I remind them, “Today God is allowing you to walk on His earth and breath His air.” When we look at life from this perspective, it is easy to find a lot of reasons to be thankful. Following the teachings found in Colossians 2:6-7 positions you to forsake the comparison trap and embrace the life God is calling you to live. Forsaking the comparison trap helps you foster a deep sense of openness and gratitude in your heart to Jesus. The outcome of this openness and gratitude is a God-given ability to bloom where you are! 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.
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F E AT U R E
Master Conductor By Rachel Parker Dickerson Submitted photo The Conway Symphony Orchestra has welcomed Amy Chang as guest conductor for its spring season. CSO director and conductor Israel Getzov has been awarded a sabbatical this semester and will return this summer, the CSO reported. Chang is the director and conductor of Yu-Yun Orchestra and a professor at Taipei Municipal University of Education in Taipei, Taiwan. She arrived in Conway in January and has been spending the semester teaching orchestra classes at the University of Central Arkansas. She is preparing the university students to work with the professional musicians in the Conway Symphony orchestra, she said. “The coming concert is going to be the most difficult of the season,” she said. The classical concert to which she referred will be 7:30 p.m. April 28, at Reynolds Performance Hall on the UCA campus. Go to ConwaySymphony.org to purchase tickets. Chang said one difference between Arkansas college students and her students in Taiwan is that most of her students have played an instrument all their lives, whereas UCA students may have only been playing a few years. “The thing I like here is the kids growing up with a wider vision,” she said. “They probably wanted to be a scientist or a doctor. For them music is a hobby. I feel their life in their music.” She said the ability to communicate emotion through music is difficult to teach, but UCA students seem to come by it naturally. “Maybe the skill is not (the same as) what I teach in Taiwan, but I think the students have more maturity to share their life in the music,” she said. Amy Chang’s final performance with the Conway Symphony Orchestra will be the season finale concert, Saturday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m., at Reynolds Performance Hall. Ms. Chang selected the repertoire for the concert to feature the orchestra at its best while also being enjoyable for a wide range of audiences. Tickets, which are $6 for children and students and $20-$38 for adults, are available at (501) 4503265 or www.conwaysymphony.org.
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NUTRITION
How to be sick... By Christine Hurley
W
hat!!? Who wants to be sick? I don’t really know anyone who enjoys being sick or even running on less than full speed. But still here is the list of how to, just in case you really want to check it off your
to do list:
1. Don’t get enough sleep — day after day if possible. 2. Eat lots of sugar and greasy fast food, and eat high-carb, lowvegetable, zero-green foods. 3. Do not ever exercise. 4. Drink lots of stimulants to keep going — caffeine-filled energy drinks or coffee ... and never drink water. 5. Take medicines to cover up symptoms instead of curing the problem. 6. Be angry and unforgiving. Holler at cars that pass or cut you off. Okay… I’ve had enough of that how about you? Let’s list out the how to be healthy contrast: 1. Sleep- If you are not sleeping well consider what you are doing during the day first. Caffeinated products after 3 p.m., heavy meals close to bedtime, lights in the room and staying up late and sleeping in when its daylight all have a negative effect on sleep patterns. Sleep is like a bank account you have to give back if you keep taking away or you can create a shortage that leaves you feeling chronically tired. Our bodies heal in the sleep cycle. 2. Food- Plates need green on them. A lot of people don’t eat at home much anymore so it takes effort to establish a pattern of ordering food that is healthier or making time to plan meals that support your body. It isn’t easy, but it is worth it. Here’s a challenge — try one week of making your plate include a minimum of a vegetable or fruit at every meal. Eat more simply, it can make cooking easier for example; grilled chicken, a salad, baked potato and raw carrots. Raw fruits and veggies are best, cooking takes nutrients out so learn to enjoy raw and incorporate it into meals when possible. 3. Exercise- Even the smallest exercise is a start. Challenge yourself from where you are now to the next level. If you have to use your arms to push out of a chair, challenge yourself to stand up 5-10 times without arms. Doing that every day will allow strength to build. Studies have shown that even slow walkers improve their cardiovascular health and build bone. This is so important for women, get out and move.
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4. Energy- If you need the boost of energy drinks or coffee or you are looking for doughnuts, candy or other sugar snacks in the afternoon; consider what your body really wants. Energy. Before we launched the 8 weeks to wellness program in our office everyone on our staff went through the program. First thing I noticed was the laughing, talking and basically higher energy in the after lunch hours. When we support our bodies with water, rest, good food in regular doses throughout the day, the result is real energy. 5. Cover up- It is all too common in our society these days to take a pill in an effort to resolve issues that may have a simple cause. Note I said simple not easy. For example, taking aids for constipation when eating more fiber and drinking water might produce the same result. That isn’t always easy since it takes more effort to cook with vegetables than to run through the drive thru. Likewise if you are drinking lots of caffeinated beverages and trying to cover up stomach pain with antacids simply decrease those drinks and watch fast food intake and many stomach complaints will calm down. There are also enzymes for digestion that help both stomach pain and constipation. Add in a probiotic and stomach distress can be a thing of the past. 6. Emotional state- Our emotions affect our health. From songs that remind us to live this day as if it was our last to movies that make us laugh and cry we all need perspective occasionally. Every day bad things can happen, but we don’t have to dwell on them. We can choose to let it go and we can focus on the great things in life. There truly is power in positive thinking. Maybe this list of healthy choices sounds different than most. The reason for that is that from a natural perspective it isn’t necessary to use items that kill germs to stay healthy. The idea is to make the body healthy. A healthy body will be able to fight off bacteria or viruses. A healthy body has more energy and is able to enjoy life more. Every one of us has that potential inside of us.
HURLEY
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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DOWNTOWN
20 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2012
DOWN TOWN A R T •
By By Rachel Parker Dickerson Photos by Brandy Strain Downtown Conway, home of the Art Walk and ArtsFest, is home to a few places where art appreciation is the first order of business. The Lantern Theatre, which serves as a base of operations for Conway Community Arts, is located at 1021 Van Ronkle St. Liz Parker of Conway Community Arts said The Lantern Theatre is now in rehearsal for a show called “Secrets of a Soccer Mom,” which will open April 19. Cast members include Libbi Whitehurst, Cindy DeRosa and Ashley Carnahan. A garden has been planned in a grassy area outside the theater, and it will likely be finished by the time the April 19 show opens,
•
Parker said. She noted The Lantern Theater has begun a late night series of shows, presenting “more edgy stuff” starting about 9 p.m. On May 11, Improv Little Rock will be at the facility, and later that month a play will be presented. In the summer, the Lantern Theatre will present “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves,” a child-friendly show. At 1014 Front Street, BJ Abrams’ art gallery has for more than 10 years been a fixture in downtown. The gallery goes by the name SamBaRellas Art Gallery, although in the recent past it was called Arkansas Arts Beautification Society Studio and Gallery. Abrams has been painting since she was a child and has a very eclectic style, she said. “I probably have a couple hundred pieces
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ranging from mountain streams, valleys, people dancing, picking cotton — my art is so diverse that, if you don’t look at the signature, you won’t know it’s all mine. I like to think I paint for a global population. “My favorite medium is oil, but with the economy being what it is, I have been painting a lot of acrylic. That allows people to purchase an original painting for $75 or $100. People really should support not just me, but all their local artists. Today’s art is tomorrow’s masterpiece.” Abrams is a member of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce. Her gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, but lately she has been traveling extensively, so she encourages patrons to call ahead at (501) 908-6951 to make an appointment.
Abrams has been trying for a number of years to start a nonprofit organization. She enjoys working with children and helping them discover their artistic talent or find other ways to occupy their minds. “I work with kids any way I can,” she said. “What I want to do is, any money that comes into the nonprofit will be used to help enhance the youth in the community. I’ve had a lot of young people I’ve had come through that I’ve helped find a hobby or something to do besides drugs and sex.” Carmen’s Antiques, located at Oak and Chestnut Streets, also has fine art for sale on a regular basis. Depending on taste, patrons can find art that will suit it at a number of places in downtown. Funky Junk, Anything and Everything Design and Main Street Bakery are a few places that regularly have art for sale by local artists.
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SHOPPING
SHOES AND MORE G-lish hand stitched beaded animal print sack bag, $275, shown with Kelsi Dagger “Ambrosia” flat white sandal, $69. Available at EM Jeans.
Charmes coral lazer cut handbag, $109.99, shown with Restricted “Kaitlyn” brown & coral flat $29.99. Available at Wilkinson’s Mall.
G-lish hand stitched beaded multi-color sack bag, $275.00. Available at EM Jeans.
Pink HOBO clutch “Sable,” $128, black HOBO wallet “Robin,” $88, lime green HOBO clutch “Mavis,” $118, yellow HOBO billfold “Belinda Solid,” $110. Available at Lefler’s.
UGG “Vivyan” flat coral sandal, $94.99. Available at Wilkinson’s Mall.
Amy Kathryn tan and brown patch handbag, $89.99; scarf, $19.99; shown with Sam Edelman “Josie” leopard cork wedge, $124.99. Available at Wilkinson’s Mall. 24 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2012
Kelsi Dagger “Lilliana” animal print wedge, $108. Available at EM Jeans.
Seychelles “Mixed Emotion” polka dot and floral peep toe, $80. Available at EM Jeans.
Seychelles “Time Will Tell” coral sandal, $105. Available at EM Jeans.
Seychelles “Aloof” melon and lemon sandal, $105. Available at EM Jeans.
Urban Expressions turquoise and gold studded handbag, $59.99, shown with Volatile “Fort Night” bronze jeweled flip flop, $59.99. Available at Wilkinson’s Mall.
Vintage Nine West “Overated” brown sandal with teal beads, $69.99. Available at Wilkinson’s Mall.
BCBG “Tandee” natural sandal with jade stones, $71.99. Available at Wilkinson’s Mall.
Seychelles “Harmony” leather and lace heel, $105. Available at EM Jeans.
Minnentonka “Nicki” cork wedge with brown leather fringe, $58.99. Available at Wilkinson’s Mall. WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 25
FOOD
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Comfort Food NANCY’S MARINATED BRISKET RED SKINNED POTATO SALAD & FUDGE ECSTASY COOKIES By Chef Jill McCollum, CC Photos by Lindsey Faith Watson
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TIPS FOR COOKING BRISKETS
B
risket can be cooked to varying levels of doneness, from medium rare to very well done. Internal temperature is one indicator of the tenderness of brisket, but it’s not perfect. The best final “done test” is to check the meat with a fork. With a little practice, you can feel when it’s done to your liking by the way the meat “gives.” If cooked between 135 and 145 degrees (medium done or less), it’s fairly tender when sliced thinly across the grain. Since each brisket is unique, with varying amounts of fat and connective tissue and from old to younger cattle, giving an exact internal temperature that tells you “your brisket is done!” just isn’t possible. The different levels of doneness lie within a range. Use the fork or thermometer probe to know for sure when it’s ready. Medium Rare-Grilled 140ºF Remove at 130-135ºF
Well Done-Slicing 180-195ºF Remove at 180-195ºF
Medium-Grilled 150ºF Remove at 140-155ºF
Well Done-Shredding 190-205ºF Remove at 190-205ºF
Nancy’s Marinated Brisket 3-4 pound brisket 6-9 buds garlic, peeled 1 prepared cooking bag 1 cup ketchup 1 cup wine Trim brisket; make slits in meat and insert garlic in slits. Place brisket in prepared cooking bag. Mix wine and ketchup; pour over brisket. Seal bag and marinate overnight. Before cooking, cut small slits in cooking bag, place in shallow pan and bake at 325 degrees for 2½ to 3 hours. Cool, slice very thin across the grain of the meat. Serve with sauce.
Red Skinned Potato Salad 2 pounds clean, scrubbed red potatoes 6 hard boiled eggs, peeled and crumbled 1 pound bacon, cooked and diced 1 onion, finely chopped 1 stalk celery, finely chopped 2 cups mayonnaise Salt and pepper to taste Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm — about 15 minutes. Drain and set in the refrigerator to cool. Chop the cooled potatoes, leaving the skin on. Mix all ingredients together. Add salt and pepper to taste.
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Fudge Ecstasy Cookies 1 cup butter, softened ¾ cup sugar ¾ cup packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 eggs 4 tablespoons cocoa ½ cup sugar (mix sugar together with cocoa) 2¼ cups sifted all purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt 12 ounces chocolate chips Cream butter, sugar, brown sugar and vanilla until fluffy. Add eggs and beat well. Stir in cocoa/sugar mixture. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by teaspoon full onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes. 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 WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 29
“I just wanted a place where I could do my projects, and if I had to go somewhere, I could leave it.” -Jessica Zimmerman
Sophie, the Zimmerman’s dog, poses front and center on the tall work table which is the focal point for the room.
30 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2012
ZIMMERMAN CRAFT ROOM
SHE’S CRAFTY PROJECTS TAKE SHAPE IN SPACE DESIGNED FOR IDEAS By Rachel Parker Dickerson Photos by Courtney Spradlin Organization is like a second language to Jessica Zimmerman, who turned a small bedroom in her Conway home into an uber orderly project room. Zimmerman’s plans for a craft or project room began to take shape when, as a new bride, she found herself writing thank-you notes at the kitchen table and clearing her work away to serve dinner, only to start all over again. “I just wanted a place where I could do my projects, and if I had to go somewhere, I could leave it,” she said. “It’s nice to have a place where you get things done and you don’t clutter up the rest of your home.” Transforming the room started with a tall work table, the focal point of the room. Zimmerman saw a table for sale that gave her the idea, but she ended up drawing one that had the exact features she wanted. Her husband and father-in-law built the piece for her. It has adjustable shelves on one end; drawers on the other end, including a tall, deep drawer designed for storing wrapping paper; short, wide open spaces for storing flat documents, such as unframed photographs; and regular desk drawers for supplies. “This is a tiny room, but it’s functional,” Zimmerman said. “I’m a big believer in (the idea that) you don’t need a big space, you just need it to be functional.” An antique wardrobe has been outfitted with adjustable shelves and filled with all kinds of supplies — from recipe cards and paint to the couple’s video camera. Zimmerman also enjoys using antiques that are functional, as well as coming up with creative ways to store things. An antique paper organizer and an antique pencil holder sit atop her work table, serving the very same functions they WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 31
Jessica used adjustable curtain rods to hang spools of ribbon and a peg board in an antique picture frame to hang and display her craft tools. 32 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2012
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served 40 or so years ago. She purchased adjustable curtain rods at Target for about $6 and used them for hanging spools of ribbon. She hangs her tools on a peg board dressed up with an antique frame she purchased for $35. “You just have to get creative with it,” she said. “It doesn’t have to cost a fortune to organize.” She said having an orderly work space is very important to her and comes naturally. “I always say, ‘What’s your time worth?’ I don’t want to spend 30 minutes looking for a pair of scissors,” she said. Zimmerman and her husband love to travel, and so she places travel-related decor in most rooms of the home. In the project room, she has a photo from a trip to Austria, a painting purchased in Paris and a globe. “I think you should have things around that you love and find ways to use them in functional rooms,” she said. The couple hopes to build a home soon, and Zimmerman is already dreaming of a larger project room should that opportunity come about. She said she has spent a lot of time thinking about the layout of a new project room and how she would like it to work. “I want a mud room/project room combo,” she said. “I want to be able to throw my coat down, throw my keys and the mail down, and there’s a space for it. That’s where all that messy stuff happens, and it’s still a good-looking room.”
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“Building a home for someone with a disability opens your eyes. Things we take for granted like doorways, counter height and getting in and out of the shower are a process.” -Kevin Watson
This sliding cedar barn door was custom made by Norman’s friend, Bob Crawford, as a housewarming gift. 36 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2012
DAV I S H O M E
This custom home features a five-foot hallway and all doors in the home are 36”.
accessible design WEST CONWAY HOME BUILT FOR DISABLED VETERAN By Jennifer Stanley Photos by Courtney Spradlin
The shower features an extra wide entry, a bench, and removable shower head.
Norman Davis’ home in West Conway’s Chapel Creek subdivision has made his life significantly easier. As a disabled Vietnam-era war veteran, the home includes specialized, accessible design that was made possible through the Department of Veteran’s Affairs’ Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant Program. The 1,900-square-foot, three bedroom, two bath home, completed in November 2011, was built by Kevin Watson of Watson Homes in Conway. Norman previously resided in an older home in Downtown Conway and desired a home that would make mobility and access easier. He also wanted to be closer to his daughters and his five grandchildren. “The lot itself attracted me to this specific area as well. There is easy access to the highway, but there isn’t much traffic. I like it out here. One of my daughters is one street over, and my other daughter is two housing additions away. They help me a lot, so it is great being closer to them. It’s also kind of like being in the country out here still; I can sit out here and see cows,” said Norman. Norman credits the SAH grant program as making the move possible. “The grant process took about two years. Applicants must qualify for 100% disability, and the grant pays for the handicap-accessible parts of the house, but not the remainder of the construction. More people should be aware of the availability of this grant; it’s a significant amount of money, and I just found it online through the VA and applied,” stated Norman. The SAH grant can be used for modifications to existing homes or for new construction. As for the building and planning processes, Norman was incredibly involved in the layout, working in combination with Kevin. “Building the home was fun. I’d built handicap-accessible homes before, but I’d never done the VA grant process guidelines from start to finish, and it was a learning process. We cerWWW.WOMENSINC.NET 37
Builder Kevin Watson helped Norman Davis design a kitchen specifically for him.
Pull out drawers make accessibility to Norman’s appliances much easier.
38 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2012
The oven is one of the adapted appliances opening out instead of down.
The laundry room offers ample space to maneuver and a counter area for working and folding.
tainly had to ‘dot the Is and cross the Ts,’ which I respect, but it was worth it,” said Kevin. “Building a home for someone with a disability really opens your eyes. Things we take for granted like doorways, counter height and getting in and out of the shower are a process. While some of the technical part was a learning curve, the application was fun. We did our homework up front, and we feel like it was successful for us and for Norman. And it was an honor to build for a vet. That grant money is out there and available to those who need it,” added Kevin. Additional handicap-accessible features include stained concrete flooring throughout the home, making it simpler for Norman to navigate the rooms, and a sliding barn door leading to an amazing saltwater aquarium room. The door was made by Norman’s friend, Bob Crawford, as a housewarming gift. It is entirely composed of cedar with a driftwood handle. The home also features a five-foot hallway, and all doors are 36” — many are pocket doors. The light switches are lowered in certain areas as well. The kitchen features lowered, granite counters and some adapted appliances. The storage and shelving are all pull-out. The living area is very open and easily-navigated. The back door in the living space leads to an open patio — and there is no threshold, allowing Norman to easily move to the back yard, where he enjoys grilling and gardening. The master bed and bath are also handicap-accessible. Perhaps most impressive is the huge, fully-tiled shower that includes a large entry and features a bench and removable shower head. The closet is entered through swinging doors and includes a spacious dressing area. There is also an entry to the back patio from the bedroom that culminates in a five-foot sidewalk that wraps around three-quarters of the home, which was a requirement of the VA grant. “The grant process took a long time. There is a lot of paperwork, and they had to integrate with the ‘regular’ home loan, but it was worth the work. I also suggest using a realtor who is familiar with the grant process; I used Bill Tobias with Crye-Leike Realtors. The grant program has been going for a long time, but very few people know about it, and I want to help get the word out,” said Norman. According to the VA website, “The goal of the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant Program is to provide a barrierfree living environment that affords the veterans or servicemembers a level of independent living he or she may not normally enjoy.” For more information on the SAH grant program and eligibility criteria, please visit www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/ sah.asp.
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40 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2012
Area Realtors recognized with awards Team Name
Leader Name
Firm
City Award Level
PAM MCDOWELL
PAM MCDOWELL
MCDOWELL
CONWAY
Diamond
TRACY & GEORGE TEAM
ERA HENLEY REAL ESTATE
CONWAY
Diamond
THE PARSLEY TEAM
RE/MAX OF CONWAY
CONWAY
Diamond
STEWART TEAM
RE/MAX OF CONWAY
CONWAY
Diamond
THE TOBY TEAM
CRYE-LEIKE
CONWAY
Diamond
FOWLKES TEAM
VILONIA REALTY
VILONIA
Silver
Individual Name EVELYN DEAN VELDA LUEDERS LINDA ROSTER
Firm RE/MAX OF CONWAY MCDOWELL LINDA ROSTER WHITE REALTY
City Award Level Designations CONWAY Diamond CONWAY Diamond ABR,CRS,GRI,SRES GREENBRIER Diamond
MICHAEL ARGO PHIL DAYER RICHARD HENLEY PATRICIA HEPNER TIMOTHY POWELL RHETT THOMPSON
CRUTCHFIELD,CLARK MCDOWELL ERA HENLEY REAL ESTATE FAULKNER COUNTY REALTY, INC RE/MAX OF CONWAY THOMPSON REALTY
CONWAY CONWAY CONWAY CONWAY CONWAY CONWAY
Platinum Platinum Platinum Platinum Platinum Platinum
VALERY BRAMLETT DAVID BROADWAY MARK BURRIER PATRICIA EDWARDS BONNIE ERWIN MATT GRISSOM WHITNEY LONG GELINDA MUDGETT MICHELLE NABHOLZ JONNA SHAW DEBORAH STOBAUGH MARK WILLIAMS MARY WOOTEN
JC THORNTON MCDOWELL LEGACY REALTY MCDOWELL ERA HENLEY REAL ESTATE CRYE-LEIKE MCDOWELL CRYE-LEIKE CENTURY 21 DUNAWAY & HART MCDOWELL JC THORNTON FAULKNER COUNTY REALTY, INC WOOTEN REALTY
CONWAY CONWAY CONWAY CONWAY CONWAY CONWAY CONWAY CONWAY CONWAY CONWAY CONWAY CONWAY GREENBRIER
Gold Gold Gold Gold Gold Gold Gold Gold Gold Gold Gold Gold Gold
SHERRY ATKINSON MIKE BERNADSKY ZETTIE CAUDLE SHAWN CERNANTES VICKIE CRUTCHFIELD LUANN DEERE CINDY DRYE CARLA FIX ASHLEY GARDNER WANDA GOODRICH JOYCE HALL SEAN HOLLENDER JANET MARTIN TAMI MCCONNELL TALEDA MCKEE PAUL NAHLEN KATHY NICKLES RHONDA POULSON BLAKE ROUSSEL KELLI SMALL LISA SMITH LORI STEPHENS C.MICHAEL STOUT ANGELA SMITHPETERS HARRY SYLAR
CENTURY 21 DUNAWAY & HART ERA HENLEY REAL ESTATE MCDOWELL CRYE-LEIKE CRUTCHFIELD,CLARK FAULKNER COUNTY REALTY, INC CRYE-LEIKE RE/MAX OF CONWAY ERA HENLEY REAL ESTATE LEGACY REALTY MCDOWELL ERA HENLEY REAL ESTATE 501 PROFESSIONALS REALTY & INVESTMENTS MCDOWELL CENTURY 21 DUNAWAY & HART CENTURY 21 DUNAWAY & HART CENTURY 21 DUNAWAY & HART FAULKNER COUNTY REALTY, INC EXIT NATURAL STATE REALTY MCDOWELL MCDOWELL MCDOWELL COLDWELL BANKER SALTER CRYE-LEIKE MCDOWELL
CONWAY CONWAY CONWAY CONWAY CONWAY CONWAY CONWAY CONWAY CONWAY CONWAY CONWAY CONWAY GREENBRIER CONWAY CONWAY CONWAY CONWAY CONWAY SEARCY CONWAY CONWAY CONWAY CONWAY CONWAY CONWAY
Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver
KARA BLOOMFIELD BELINDA BOYD
SANDSTONE LEGACY REALTY
CONWAY CONWAY
Bronze Bronze
GRI,CRS,CRB
ABR,CRS,GRI
EPRO,ABR,CRS,GRI,SFR
ABR,CRS,GRI
CRS,GRI CRS,GRI,SFR
EPRO,ABR,GRLA,SRES GRI
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DESIGN
The benefits of hiring an interior designer
By Helen Lockhart
D
ear Red Chaise Designs, I read your articles all the time and appreciate the information you give but wonder, in this do-it-yourself culture, why it would benefit me to hire an interior designer. Thank you, Kim. ------Dear Kim, Thank you so much for this question! This is in the Top 5 of questions I get asked and is a really good one. An interior designer is invaluable to you if any of the below items apply to you: • You want to make sure that purchases you make are done with a full design plan in mind so that you don’t buy piecemeal and make mistakes. All of us have been there at some time or another: You are in a store and something — it could be a small accessory or even a large upholstered piece — screams out: “Buy me!” You cave in from love or, more likely the deal you get, and once it’s in your home, you find that it doesn’t quite fit, doesn’t quite go with your existing décor or worse, to make it work you will have to completely redecorate! An interior designer will discourage you from making ANY purchases until an overall design plan has been created, reviewed, adjusted, edited and approved by you. In this way, you will know that everything that is purchased is part of the design scheme and will result in beautiful, functional and comfortable spaces. • You realize that there’s more to life than white, cream and beige and want to select fabulous colors for a room with fabrics and furnishings that will complement each other. An interior designer can ascertain what is appealing to you and then will select colors that you love and assemble wonderful fabrics and furnishings that will make your home look put together and polished! • You are unclear about the size and configuration of the furniture that will fit into a space. Seeing a sofa or table in a showroom is WAY dif42 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2012
ferent than imagining it in your home. It’s difficult, even for the most experienced shoppers, to know what will fit and what won’t, what is too small and what is too overwhelming for a space, let alone the easily overlooked details like, will it even fit through the door?! An interior designer will take accurate measurements of every nook and cranny of a room, put the room dimensions on an autoCad plan and then determine what size pieces work best in a space and how the furnishings should be configured. Then you will really know the scale of the items that will work and how they should be set up to maximize functionality, beauty and comfort.
• You want custom or unusual pieces in your home but are limited to where you can find these, what they should look like and how and if they could be fabricated. Interior designers are always on the lookout, whether it’s by shopping, reading, surfing, traveling, poking around in out of the way haunts — for fabulous sources for furnishings, fabrics and accessories and are aware of all kinds of options available. Interior designers can also design one-of-a-kind pieces to be fabricated by talented craftsmen. All of these items will make a home beautiful, functional, comfortable and UNIQUE!
• You don’t have the time (or desire) to do it on your own but you want a beautiful AND functional home — Several of my clients fall into this category. Interior designers are able to cull through all of the many options out there and make a thorough presentation in a concise, thoughtful and enjoyable way, what will work best in a home aesthetically and functionally. If any of these apply to you, then hiring an interior designer is a great choice. A good designer will work with you to set a realistic budget and implement a design plan that is conducive to your life and how you live it. 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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HAVEN’S MAC-n-CHEESE, PLEASE!
Robin Stauffer, Mystic Adams
Amie Smith, Jillian Jones
Velda Lueders, Kelly Burroughs, Nancy Wear, Kelli Small
David Stobaugh, Tim Ester
Karrie Kovalcheck, Ester McClellan
Brad French, Brad Youngblood
Mike and Lou Strain
Hayden, Candace and Deagan Meeks
Gaston, Sophia and Bobbi Jo Feltmon
Traye, Savannah and Lauralee Wilcox
Alli Longing, Chip Shaw
Jeff, Tiffany, Mary Grace, Ellie and Beckett Matthews
Heath Allgood, Vince Scherrey, Alex Rosas Jenny, Parker and Dutch Morse
Emmy and Helen Lockhart 44 WOMEN’S INC. / APRIL 2012
Taryn, Tiffany and Will Childers
Robin Byers, Monica Branton, Marilyn Bynum
CSO GUILD MARDI GRAS PARTY
Caroline Morgan, Joyce Miller
Mary Mosley, Sandra Hudson
Helen Lockhart, Marianne Welch, Vicki Crockett
Bev Freiley, Amy Chang
Amy Chang, Patsy Desaulniers, Virgie Tsuda
Laurie Smith, Barbara Satterfield
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CHAMBER AWARDS BANQUET
Business of the Year (24 or fewer employees)-PrivacyStar
Business of the Year (25-99 employees)-US Compounding
Chamber Ambassador of the Year-Leo Cummings, III
Mark Dance, Janet Dance, Connie Williams, Ronnie Williams
Charles Nabholz, Jim Lambert
Beverly Arnold, Madelyn Adams, Penny Gant
Jeff Standridge, Lori Standridge, Janet Harris, Carl Harris
Rhonda Overbey, Carol Patty, David Patty
Howard Hurst, Brad Lacy, Dr. Jeffery Kirsch
Victor Green, Charlotte Green
David Grimes, Laura Grimes
Mike Kraft, Holly Kraft
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Young Business Leader Award-Brittani Garrett, Hawkins & Garrett, CPA’s, PLLC
Business of the Year (100-499 employees)-Crain Buick GMC
Business of the Year (500 or more employees)-Conway Public Schools
Business Executive of the Year-Lane Housley, PLS, Senior Vice President & Director of Energy Services with Crafton Tull
Good Neighbor Award-Jack Bell
Distinguished Service Award-Senator Gilbert Baker
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BOOK REVIEW
‘One Thousand White Women’ by Jim Fergus By Susan O’Keefe
O
ften times I read, and conclude that I either slept through many of my American history classes in high school, or my Kentucky education has betrayed me. The markedly original novel, “One Thousand White Women,” again brought me to that realization. Based on an actual historic episode, author Jim Fergus provides voices from the American West and its native people in the late 1800s. According to the history books, Native Americans made what seemed to be an odd request of the United States government in 1874. To them, a trade of one thousand horses for one thousand white women was a legitimate and necessary acquisition. It would aid their tribes in an effort to integrate the societies. From the words of Sweet Medicine Chief, “My duty is to see that my People survive. To do this, we must enter the white man’s world — our children must become members of your tribe.” Thus, it would save their land, and their lives. President Ulysses S. Grant politely declined the request. Taking liberty with history, however, the author creates an agreement between the Native Americans and the U.S. government. An assortment of women are collected, interviewed and prepped for life in the tribal community. Main character May Dodd personifies numerous elements that attract and hold readers. Hailing from a prominent Chicago family, she suffers estrangement for falling in love with a man from the wrong side of the tracks, living with him and birthing two children. To maintain a hold on her life, her family wields its power in a conniving way. May is forcibly removed from her home and committed to an insane asylum. Her diagnosis? Promiscuity. Finding resilience in silence, she eventually regains her freedom at the bizarre invitation to join the Cheyenne tribe as basically, a mail-order bride. May’s candid and witty diary entries make up the bulk of the book. Fact and fiction are marvelously intertwined as characters board the train in Chicago, en route to an unknown frontier. The characters are colorful misfits from backgrounds as diverse as the colors of an Indian Chief’s
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headdress. There’s Phemie, the African American non-conformist. She’s a suffragette, a one-woman activist, determined to be a leader in the Native American community. Daisy represents the Southern belle, dreamily waiting for her beau to return to the ball. She packs her trunk with non-essentials, but proves her resourcefulness when tragedy strikes the camp. A couple of twins from hearty Irish stock, plus women pardoned from penitentiaries, and one woman quieter than a church mouse make up the rest of the rag-tag crew. It’s a sorority of the left outs, ne’er do wells and passed over. How the women bond, mature and endure is remarkable. When they reach a Kansas Army outpost, the last stop before fully engaging their new lives as Native American brides, they’re discouraged from continuing. The strappingly handsome and equally capable
Captain Bourke paints a bleak picture of what lies ahead. He describes the “savages” as not fully human, as ones who live crude lifestyles and deserve the reputation earned of vicious and violent. Captain Bourke and May Dodd share lively debates over the clarity of the country’s mission. Does the government know what it’s doing or not? There’s also lively discussion and a shared love of Shakespeare, which the two read to one another. Captain Bourke makes an indelible impression on May, and a relationship sparks, which creates another thread of the story that continues until the very last page. Even with Captain Bourke’s stern warning, the women are undeterred. Their choice: fulfill their commitment to mother one child with a pre-determined Native American husband, or return to a mental institution, the streets, the poorhouse, prison or estranged family. The women found strength in one another. They honored their vows. One reader said, “The women endured many hardships, but there was a good deal of humor, camaraderie and sympathy, which made the depiction seem real.” “Women had little to no power or rights, yet they yielded to having babies with Cheyenne Indians, not realizing they would be treated as outcasts later in life,” expressed another reader. As the women adjust to their adopted Cheyenne families, the basic necessities of life are shared. The language barrier is only that, a barrier to be broken. Devil’s brew, also known as whiskey, is introduced to the tribe. The results of drunkenness are horrendous. Yet, the women pursue. At every chapter, there’s another lesson, another heartbreak or another celebration. Life on the frontier proves exhausting. In an effort to combine the races for a future of peace and harmony, there is an abundance of sacrifice. Susan O’Keefe is a wife to Jack, mother to four children, and eager to face the crazy, awesome, fun things God delivers daily. She and her family recently moved to Oxford, Mississippi, where Susan will continue to read and review, instruct fitness classes, and embark on this next adventure in life.
BETHLEHEM HOUSE POLITICAL PIE AUCTION AT BOB’S GRILL
Judy Lively
Auctioneer Richard Henley
Jill Imboden
Judge Amy Brazil
David Meeks
Max Young
Teri Murphy and Mike Murphy
Andy Shock
Douglas and Anita House
Hugh Tyler, Kerry and Joyce Lancaster
Linda Tyler and Richard Henley
Kyndell and Bobbi Helton
Tim Ryals and H. Allen Smith WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 49
COMMUNITY
Rhonda Wharton displays a dessert up for bidding at the Political Pie Auction at Bob’s Grill.
Political Pie Auction benefits Home for the Homeless Campaign Photos by Courtney Spradlin (see event pictures, Page 49)
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Bethlehem House hosted a fun and tasty fundraiser on March 26. The Fourth Political Pie (and Cake) Auction was held at Bob’s Grill in Downtown Conway. The entire community, political activists or just pie lovers, were encouraged to attend and bid on delicious desserts from local kitchens. By buying a favorite politician a pie or cake, that politician received 90 seconds to convince everyone why he should get a vote. Or the high bidder could have chosen to do the talking. Long time Bethlehem House supporter, Richard Henley, from ERA Henley Real Estate, served as auctioneer for the night. All proceeds went directly to the Home for the Homeless Capital Campaign and will be matched by both the Windgate and Mabee Foundations. Bob’s Grill provided free bottomless coffee and iced tea.