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Saline Health System. Part doctor, part friend, and sometimes part mother to her patients, Dr. Smith carefully guides moms through their pregnancies and provides a warm welcome to Saline County’s newest residents. It’s the kind of local and extraordinary care you’d expect in this community where families always come first.

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WO M E N ’ S S E R V I C E S

EDITOR’S LETTER

No American institution is more cherished than Walt Disney World. Covering nearly 39 square miles, and employing over 58,000 cast and crew, it has rightfully earned the distinction as the most magical place—ever! It’s the epicenter of childhood fantasy, a parental fanny pack runway and baby stroller superhighway! It is the most visited vacation resort in the world, with an average yearly attendance of more than 52 million people from across the globe. My family and I just returned from a seven-day trip to this magical vacation kingdom. According to a quick Google search, and now personal experience, we walked an average of 10-12 miles per day while taking in all the attractions and rides, as well as the entertaining character visits, parades, and fireworks displays. Until you’ve done that with a seven-year-old and three-year-old in tow, you’ve never fully lived! We conquered each and every park with a huge smile on our faces [most of the time] and a spirit of excitement. Despite the relentlessly long lines—thank you FastPass—overpriced food and souvenirs, and exhausted children, every second of our adventure was an experience my family will never forget! Even though there might have been some challenges to overcome, the magic of Mickey always won in the end! Speaking of magical payoffs, both the Benton Panther and Bryant Hornet football teams experienced roller coaster seasons that ultimately ended in storybook fashion! Their seasons literally “started off with a bang” at War Memorial Stadium, but later came full circle as both teams found themselves battling for the 6A and 7A State Championships. The Panthers finished the season as runner-up and the Hornets won their first-ever State Championship. We’re so proud of these hometown heroes who represented their respective schools and our county well. What they accomplished was a huge feat and one that deserves to be commemorated and remembered for years to come! Your town. Your life. Your magazine.

2018 Volume 11, Issue 6

PUBLISHER & EDITOR Josh Elrod

jelrod@ignite-mediagroup.com

ART DIRECTOR Krystal Neuhofel krystal@salinecountylifestyles.com

CONTRIBUTORS Contributing Writers Keith Brooks Carolyn Buckner Ed Buckner Charles Crowson Brent Davis Justin S. Elrod Jillian Jacuzzi Katherine N. Knight Ashley Leopoulos Marietta McClure P.J. Noland Jamey South Dr. Sam Taggart Bryant/Benton Sports Actions Photos: Rick Nation & Blake Fogleman

IDEAS/COMMENTS If you have a story idea or comment, please email us at: feedback@salinecountylifestyles.com

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JOSH ELROD Publisher & Editor

If you are interested in advertising in Saline County Lifestyles please email us at: info@ignite-mediagroup.com Saline County Lifestyles is published by:

Ignite Media Group P.O. Box 861 Bryant, AR 72089 www.salinecountylifestyles.com Articles should not be considered specific advice as circumstances vary per individual. Advertised products and/or services are not necessarily endorsed by Ignite Media Group.

2 • Saline County Lifestyles

CONTENTS BOYS & GIRLS CLUB 50TH

NOTES FROM DR SAM

WEATHER UPDATE

FITNESS TIPS

TERROR TO TRIUMPH

04 07 08 12 14 18 22 28 36 38 40 42

CHAMPIONSHIP INTERRUPTED

CHAMPIONSHIP OBTAINED

BINGO IS THE GAME-O

HEALTH UPDATE

INSURANCE INSIGHT

FAITH FOCUS

THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED

Saline County Lifestyles â&#x20AC;¢ 3

Jamol Jones was a kid with a story. A 29-year-old Benton native from the Ralph Bunche community who attended the Boys & Girls Club since the 3rd grade, Jamol grew up with a single mom who raised four boys and worked two and sometimes three jobs to make ends meet. Jamol remembers coming home from school, and if it wasn’t the electricity that was shut off it was the water, or there was no food to eat. “We heard about a place. We heard about a safe haven we could probably go to, to get out of the nonsense we were experiencing in our community at a young age.

4 • Saline County Lifestyles

We heard about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Saline County. A place we could dream and become. This place became my life. It was the only constant in my life.” At the Boys & Girls Club, Jamol learned study habits and daily routines, and he’ll tell you that everything about the person he is today, he learned at the Club. “I learned the true meaning of consequences and discipline and respect for my fellow man. My dreams were established here.” Jamol is now a United States Army Veteran, husband, father and Benton Police Officer with a college degree. This is just one of 50 years’ worth of success stories that began at the

Boys & Girls Club of Saline County. The journey of becoming equipped to serve over 5,000 youth in the community each year has not been without challenges, but it is a story full of love and commitment to a cause that leaves lasting legacies. In the winter of 1968, a dedicated group of city leaders forged a path to establish the Boys Club of Benton. The Club first opened its doors in November of 1968 in the old City Water Works building. In only a few months, membership grew to nearly 200 boys with the primary activity being that of basketball. Although the Club was given its

BO YS

national charter as an autonomous member of the Boys Clubs of America in November of 1969, the Club struggled with finances, inadequate gym space, and a dilapidated facility, but it survived. In the early 1970’s a great deal of growth occurred and the Cox Street location was donated with the stipulation that the Club have the financing and backing to build a new facility within two years. In 1975 the building project began, and in the fall of 1978, the new Cox Street facility was opened. After moving the Club to Cox Street, the programs flourished and the Club became an even more integral part of the community’s recreation

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and sporting program. In the early 90’s the decision was made to officially accept girls for full membership, changing the name to the Boys and Girls Club of Saline County. Unfortunately, in 1994 the Club closed its doors due to lack of funds and community support. The resulting void in the community was tremendous. Then, in the early summer of that same year, the Club re-opened with the energized leadership of the Board of Directors and support of the community. Within 1 year, a new gymnasium, office and program space was built to accommodate growing membership. In early 1998, a new unit opened at the Alexander Youth Services Center called Covenant Connections, and in the continuing desire to serve children in Central Arkansas, on January 4, 2016, The Boys & Girls Clubs of Saline County reopened the former North Garland County Boys & Girls Club just outside the west gate of Hot Springs Village, renaming it The Boys & Girls Clubs of Saline County, Cedar Mountain unit. On April 1, 2017, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Saline County celebrated the opening of a brand new flagship club off Airline Drive in Benton, called Riverside. The stateof-the art 52,000 square foot facility is one of the largest and most sophisticated Boys & Girls Clubs in the nation. Most recently, on November 1, 2017, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Saline County opened Great Futures, a children’s daycare in Hot Springs Village that serves 70 children between the ages of 6 weeks and 6 years.

IN y t f G i F

y t if

Saline County Lifestyles • 5

FAMILY

Lifestyle

Today, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Saline County boasts a membership of over 3,300, with membership constantly increasing. With a staff of 131 people, the Club of Saline County and its branches invest daily in the lives of over 640 children and youth. Basketball, soccer and flag football alone allow roughly 1,000 youth to be part of a team and learn how to work together for a common goal.

“I learned the true meaning of consequences and discipline and respect for my fellow man. My dreams were established here.” The Boys & Girls Club of Saline County has evolved over the last 50 years, from its origins as a place for kids to play sports to a comprehensive program that teaches Character and Leadership; Health and Life Skills; Arts; Fitness and Recreation and Education and Career Development, through quality time with caring staff and mentors, and the use of constructive and innovative technology. Through the vision of the Club, “Provide a world-class Club Experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who enters our doors, with all members on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character and citizenship, and living a healthy lifestyle,” and the selfless dedication of those who lead the organization, the mission of enabling all young people, especially those in need, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens is coming to fruition in the lives of the next generation of Saline County residents. As the Boys & Girls Club of Saline County enters its next 50 years of operation, Saline County is dedicated to giving our kids, like Jamol, a place to be replenished with love, where self-worth is fed and confidence grows.  Carolyn Buckner 6 • Saline County Lifestyles

Good Day, I hope this note finds you well. In times of quiet, my mind often comes to dwell on the distant past. During long bicycle rides and runs I dream about the days on Gum Ridge when I was a child. This morning, it’s cold and rainy and the surface of the lake outside of my window is still. After making a brief trip outside, I return to find both of the cats curled up in the chairs across the way. Annette is putzing away in the kitchen. In 1945, Sam L. Taggart, my father, walked down the ramp of the USS Enterprise in San Francisco Bay and returned to the Gum Ridge rice farm in East Arkansas. Within days of returning to the farm, he and my mother, Sina Belle McAlexander, married, moved into a small sharecropper’s shack and began a new life. I was born about a year later. The house in the country was a two room-affair raised up off the ground on pyramidal shaped concrete blocks, it had a tin roof with tarpaper shingles coating the outside of the house and was heated with an old wooden stove. I can clearly remember a single electric light bulb hanging from the center of the living

space. In the corner, near the front door was a small table with a handme-down wooden radio. You could see through the floor slates to the ground. The outhouse was about fifty feet from the backdoor and it was a very cold place in the winter. There are any number of Magical Memories that populate my mind; memories that have been created through family stories and photos. My Grandfather Taggart died when I was one year old. There is an extant photo of Grandpa Jim holding me as an infant; in the photo I am not a happy camper, nor is he. For the longest, I was convinced that I could remember that event, but clearly that could not be so. My first real memory is probably the great pigsty debacle. By the time I was three, one of my sisters had been born and my mother coerced Dad into adding an additional room and a back porch to the house. In the late fall of that year, after the crops were in, Dad and his brothers began working on the new addition. While the grownups worked on the project, I was constantly underfoot, running off with tools that were left unattended. For Christmas of that year, I was given a toy carpentry set with a small

hammer, a metal saw, pliers and screwdrivers. It seems that after the gifts were opened, I marched out of the house in search of my first project. Un-noticed by my parents, I sawed the gate off the hinges for the pigpen. It took a short time before the pigs discovered their newfound freedom. Dad spent the rest of that Christmas day rounding up the errant swine. I don’t remember ever seeing that saw again. That time and that spot have a warm place in my heart. Have a nice journey, Sam Dr. Sam Taggart is a retired doctor/ writer/ marathon runner in practice in Benton for the last 35 years. He recently published The Public’s Health: A narrative history of health and disease in Arkansas, published by the Arkansas Times. His two other books, With a Heavy Heart and We All Hear Voices are available at your local booksellers or online at Amazon.com.

Saline County Lifestyles • 7

8 â&#x20AC;¢ Saline County Lifestyles

URBAN

Lifestyle

WEATHER WATCH Snow: A Love/Hate Relationship By Ed Buckner, THV11 Chief Meteorologist

Let’s face it: Arkansans have this weird love/hate relationship with snow. Just the mention of a flake or two gets us all riled up and running for the nearest source of milk and bread. For me it’s cheese dip and salsa, but that’s not the point. We hunker down and prepare to ride out whatever accumulation of whatever type of precipitation we might receive. Some embrace this “sort of ” annual ritual with great excitement and anticipation: “Hey Ed, when’s it going to snow?” while others are a little more demanding: “Now Ed, I don’t want any snow this year.” I love it. Regardless of how you feel as winter begins, chances are at some point before freezing temperatures and wintry precipitation end, you’ll hear someone say, “I’m ready for spring.” But don’t be so hasty. If winter 2019 brings us snowfall, why not make the best of it? Of course, there’s sledding, building snow forts, snowball fights and making snow ice cream. Records of snow ice cream recipes date back to the second century B.C. with accounts of Alexander the Great consuming a mixture of snow, ice, honey and nectar. From flavored snow cream to oldfashioned maple candy made in the snow, the white fluffy stuff gives us the opportunity to have some fun and create lasting memories that we don’t always get to enjoy in Arkansas. But is it safe to eat? There are conflicting reports. According to a NPR report first published in January of 2015,

as snow falls it collects pollutants such as black carbon, or soot, from the sky. However, researchers have discovered that snow acts as a “scrubbing brush” of sorts for the atmosphere; so, the longer it snows, the lower the pollution levels. John Pomeroy, a scientist who studies water resources and climate change at the University of Saskatchewan, adds that even if you begin to collect snow as soon as it starts falling, contaminants in the snow are “all at levels well below toxic.” If you decide to make snow ice cream, collect snow that has been falling for a while; don’t collect snow that has been on the ground for long periods of time, of course; avoid the “yellow snow;” and the “pink snow” can also pose a threat in the form of a rose-colored algae that

can form in the snowdrift. So far, winter of 2018/1019 has started out slowly in terms of snowfall, but there are expectations of a few very cold episodes that could lead to brief snow events into February. Our normal winter average is around 3-4 inches of snow, and this year may be a little less than that. Regardless, this is Arkansas, and we may get all that snow in one day or just a bit for a few days. Love it or hate it, it’s always a possibility even into late March. So use common sense about making snow cream, and bon appetit! 

Vanilla Snow Ice Cream

Coffee Snow Cream

• 8-16 ounces of snow (see article for details) • 10 ounces of sweetened condensed milk • 1 teaspoon of vanilla Mix ingredients and place in covered bowl. May be placed in freezer for hardening.

• 8 cups of snow • 1 cup of sugar • 1 cup of water • 2 tablespoons of instant espresso powder • 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract • ¼ cup sweetened condensed milk In a small saucepan, bring the sugar and water to a simmer, over low heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.

Spicy Honey Candy with Sea Salt • 8 ounces of honey • 1 teaspoon vanilla • Cayenne Pepper and sea salt to taste Mix honey with vanilla and cayenne to desired level of heat. Pour honey into clean snow and roll until a ball forms. Remove from snow and sprinkle with sea salt.

Stir the espresso powder into the hot syrup until dissolved. Whisk in the vanilla and condensed milk and chill before using. To serve, mound 2 cups of fresh clean snow or finely ground ice in each serving bowl. Drizzle with 1/4 cup coffee syrup and serve immediately.

Saline County Lifestyles • 9

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Saline County Lifestyles â&#x20AC;¢ 11

ACTIVE

Lifestyle

FITNESS TIPS Fitness Trends

By Marietta McClure, Head Trainer, McClure Fitness

Fitness trends - they come and go. Indoor cycling was popular in the 90’s and then fizzled out in the twentieth century. But over the last five years, a new type of indoor cycling has taken off like wildfire. Except it is not called indoor cycling anymore: it’s “spin,” or “spin class”.

NOW THE CLASS IS DARK WITH LOW LIGHTS OR BLACK LIGHTS AND EVERYONE RIDES TO THE BEAT OF THE MUSIC. These new spin classes are very different from the sprints and climbs of indoor cycling. Now the class is dark with low lights or black lights and everyone rides to the beat of the music. Sure, there are still hill climbs and sprints, but spin class now includes fun new moves. I’ll compare them to squats and pushups on the bike done to the beat. So maybe it’s like a dance on a bike. Sound like fun?! It is! In fact, it’s addictive. 12 • Saline County Lifestyles

Reasons why Spin Class is Worth Trying: 1. It is one of the most fun ways to get your cardio done. The loud music, low lights and rhythmic moves make it feel like you’re at the club (if you had those

days) instead of a fitness class. Class is suddenly over and you’re covered in sweat having torched a ton of calories! 2. It’s one of the most low impact workouts out there, because the knees and lower back get zero pressure or pounding like they do

ACTIVE

from high intensity moves like running and Burpees. The bike supports your weight and there’s a restricted range of motion. You will be able to continue spinning as you age without fear of painful side effects. 3. Spinning is good for weight loss because the high intensity cardio is an effective and time efficient way to burn calories. In 45 minutes you will have burned 500+ calories, and spiked your metabolism from the high intensity workout. 4. You will also get resistance training from pedaling. During climbs (like climbing a hill) you turn the resistance up so that pedaling becomes significantly more difficult. 5. In my opinion, the best thing about spin is that it is the most diverse class for any fitness level. Because you turn the resistance knob you are in control of the difficulty of the workout. Does that mean you can cheat? YES! If you’re dying and need a break, take it! No one will know you took the resistance down a notch. Then when you are ready to jump back

Lifestyle

in, turn the resistance up! This is my favorite thing about the spin classes. Anyone can take a class and feel good about their workout. Plus, it helps that the lights are out and no one can see you.

Things to know: 1. Arrive to your first class fifteen minutes early to have the instructor help you set up your bike - and to get a bike on the back row. 2. Expect to take breaks that first class. Sit down and recover. Watch the instructor. Consider your first class a learning experience. 3. There is a learning curve to spin class. You have to adjust to the bike and try to catch the moves. It takes three to four classes to figure it out. But once you do, you will be hooked! 4. Spin is great to do two or three times a week. Any more frequently and you could risk overuse (just like any exercise). I challenge you to try something new this year! Find a spin class near you and sign up. I hope you (can learn to) love it! 

Saline County Lifestyles • 13

14 â&#x20AC;¢ Saline County Lifestyles

If ever there were such a thing as a hollow victory, Bryant Coach Buck James experienced it on that hot, sticky, late-August Saturday night at Little Rock’s War Memorial Stadium. Just moments before, he had been frantically trying to locate his wife and young son in the stands as thousands of panicked fans ran for the gates or jumped recklessly over the eight-foot tall sideline wall. His team huddled

on through the weekend. Fourteen weeks later, there was an entirely different scene on a Saturday night on the turf under the same lights. Hornets players dumped a Gatorade bucket on James, and there were hugs and smiles aplenty. And this time, there was a group photo taken with the trophy. It was the Class 7A State Championship trophy – the first state football title

had. Coming back and watching them practice, you knew they had the potential to accomplish that goal.” Benton hadn’t beaten Bryant since 2005 when they beat them in the Salt Bowl 14-7 and 35-28 in the playoffs that same season for the sweep. Beating the Hornets was almost as important to Panthers’ Coach Brad Harris as winning a state title.

“It could not have scripted it any better. Great coaches and great young men on both teams that I watched put in the work beginning way back after last season and they never stopped grinding and believing.”

against the wall, worried that there might be a gunman in the stands. After it was determined there was no threat, but only a false alarm triggered by a chain of events that had occurred in the stadium and the concourse, a decision on the game’s outcome remained unmade. Bryant led the Salt Bowl game 28-14 over county rival Benton early in the third quarter when the game came to a startling halt. When school and game officials decided the scene was too tense for play to continue, Bryant received the win as per Arkansas Activities Association rules. “My biggest worry was accounting for our kids,” James said. “We had kids scattered everywhere, and there was so much uncertainty. Getting everyone together was on my mind more than anything else. I didn’t give the game a lot of thought.” Bryant coaches and players reluctantly accepted the Salt Bowl trophy – a moment that traditionally includes a large group photo filled with sweaty, smiling faces. No one felt like celebrating. For many of the more than 38,000 in attendance, the anxiety of the night lingered

in school history. It was the end of a historic day that also had seen Benton play for a Class 6A state title at the stadium nine hours earlier. “From a personal standpoint, I really struggled for a long time after the Salt Bowl because I really was upset for the seniors and did not want their last memory in War Memorial Stadium to be what happened at the Salt Bowl,” said Shane Broadway, Salt Bowl organizer and Bryant High School alum. “So, for their last memory of a stadium that has meant the world to me since my mom used to take what little money she had saved up and buy tickets every year on the 50th row of the south end zone, to be one that they can tell their kids and grandkids they played in a state championship game in their final game is simply priceless. “It could not have scripted it any better. Great coaches and great young men on both teams that I watched put in the work beginning way back after last season and they never stopped grinding and believing. I knew going into the Salt Bowl (and I said it on several occasions) that they both could begin and end at War Memorial Stadium this year based on what they

In late July, he beamed while surveying his depth chart and believed 2018 was the year his team could pull off both of those feats. But at the 2018 Salt Bowl, Benton players looked on in horror as panicked Bryant fans tried to escape the perceived danger. The Panthers headed for the West tunnel, but when they arrived at the dressing room, the door was locked in a routine security measure to keep belongings secure. Many of the players flooded into the parking lot and others nearby, including those of the University of Medical Sciences Hospital, and even nearly a mile down Van Buren Street, past the Little Rock Zoo. Emotions festered over the weekend, as the Panthers tried to regroup for their game the following Friday at defending Class 4A champion Arkadelphia. “The Monday after [the Salt Bowl] was kind of like a counseling day,” Harris said. “Our coaches talked, and we had some players talk, and we just kind of discussed the experience because a lot of guys didn’t know what happened. We talked about some of the positive things that Saline County Lifestyles • 15

Bryant made its way back to War Memorial Stadium for a title-game rematch with North Little Rock after disposing of Fort Smith Northside on its home field after the Grizzlies upset Bentonville.

came out of it. Usually, we get on the field and get ready for the next opponent, but that Monday we just talked and watched the Bryant game film, and that was about it. And after that, it was behind us.” Benton went on to steamroll the Badgers and didn’t lose a game until Week 8 at defending Class 6A Champion Greenwood. “I’m really proud of where we went after that Salt Bowl game,” Harris said. “We handled Arkadelphia, the Class 4A champion, easily and then beat Class 7A Cabot. We played really good football in that stretch, and knew we needed to be undefeated in the conference going into that Greenwood game if we wanted to win the conference.” Benton entered the Class 6A playoffs as a No. 2 seed and was awarded a first-round bye. Jonesboro nearly ended the Panthers’ state title dreams in Benton. However, the Panthers held on to win 38-37. Their reward was a trip to West Memphis on Thanksgiving weekend to play the undefeated Blue Devils. Despite being considerable underdogs, Benton pulled off a 3017 win and prepared for its second state title game in five years. “I was proud of our kids,” Harris said. “That may have been the highlight of the season, winning that game at West Memphis. They have a very talented football team, and we played very well.” Standing in their way of a title was an undefeated Greenwood team looking for back-to-back crowns. Greenwood played even better than it had in the first game on its 16 • Saline County Lifestyles

home field. Try as they might with a solid first quarter, Benton didn’t have an answer in a 45-14 loss. Two weeks after the Salt Bowl, Bryant lost a heartbreaker at home to Fayetteville. In Week 9, the Hornets were playing at North Little Rock for the 7A-Central Conference championship and shocked the Charging Wildcats with a 21-0 first-quarter lead, but NLR stormed back and stole a 38-31 win. Bryant made its way back to War Memorial Stadium for a titlegame rematch with North Little Rock after disposing of Fort Smith Northside on its home field after the Grizzlies upset Bentonville. The defending champion Wildcats were playing in their third state title game in as many years, and had won 32 of their past 34 games in a 25-game streak. Nevertheless, Bryant controlled the game with a stifling defense and won 27-7. The Hornets held NLR to its fewest points since it lost 34-4 in Coach Jamie Mitchell’s first season in 2015. The title marked the first in Bryant history and capped off an historic first three years for James. He has led the Hornets to their best finishes in school history, qualifying for the semifinals the first two seasons. “It was a great feeling,” James said. “I was so happy for our kids with all of the work they have put in. I knew it was going to be difficult to get to [the title game], but I thought if we could get to War Memorial Stadium we could win it. We are 10-1-1 at that stadium the past 11 games, so we felt like we had a chance there.”

More than 30,000 fans combined (The Class 7A game was the secondlargest title game crowd in history) attended the two title games. The figure would have been even bigger had the games been a true doubleheader without the lag time in between. Some Benton fans headed home after the first game. Still, it was an example of the support Saline County has for high school football. “After our game, our kids became Bryant supporters,” Harris said. “A lot of them headed back to War Memorial Stadium to cheer them on to the state championship. I think that was awesome. That was one of the good things that came out of the Salt Bowl.” The Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, which manages WMS, announced immediate changes to security protocol following the incident. Authorities used metal detectors, checked bags, and prohibited patrons’ congregating in the concourse. Subsequent Little Rock Catholic and Little Rock Parkview games took place without incident, as did the University of Arkansas home game with Ole Miss, and the six state championship games in December. Stadium and school officials expect the same for the 2019 Salt Bowl with another record-setting crowd. “We’ve had discussions in Salt Bowl committee meetings about filling up [War Memorial Stadium], more than 50,000 fans,” Bryant athletic director Mike Lee said. “That won’t change. I can speak on behalf of Bryant that we will be there. We are committed to supporting our cheer squad, dance team and football players and coaches.” Both schools will enter the Salt Bowl with a better feeling than they had in August. “We played at War Memorial Stadium twice after the Salt Bowl, and it was fine, and the Salt Bowl wasn’t even talked about,” Harris said. “[The incident] may be in the back of some of the players’ minds, and it will be talked about before next year’s game but our big concern will be getting ready for Bryant.”  Nate Olson

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18 â&#x20AC;¢ Saline County Lifestyles

Coaching legend Vince Lombardi once said, “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.” If Mr. Lombardi is correct, the 2018 Benton Panthers football season can be labeled an unmitigated success with a 10-3 record. For head coach Brad Harris, the journey began when the 2017 season ended. The final record, eight wins against five losses. “Our guys had a tremendous offseason,” says Harris. “We talked about playing in week 14 of the season even back during our off-season workouts. Our guys really bought into everything we did and I think that was a huge positive for us this past season.” Going into the 2018 season, the team goal was to get to the state championship game. “We didn’t talk about winning a conference championship, we talked about playing for a state championship. We want all of our players to have the mentality to play for state championships,” says Harris. “One of our mottoes this year was CTG - which means Change The Game. This was a reminder for our players that every day they step on the field they have the opportunity to impact the game on every play, regardless of if it is on offense, defense, special teams, or from the sideline as a supporter of the team.” First focus? Defense and special teams. “We had to replace seven defensive starters from 2017. I would say it was the biggest concern coming into this season.” Kelby Caffrey came back to the team after not playing as a junior. “He was the biggest surprise for us,”

says Harris. “He ended up starting as our strong safety and leading the team defensively.” Camron Ross, free safety, “really played well this year after making a position move. He led the team in tackles.” On special teams, “We still struggled at times with our kickers until Garrett Eason came back from injury about mid season.” Sophomore Preston Barker was a huge surprise. “Going into the state championship, he only had two punts returned for a total return of two yards. That is due to Preston doing a great job with our directional punting and our coverage team.” After an abbreviated Salt Bowl lead to the first loss of the season, the Panthers went on a six-game winning streak, outscoring their opponents 305 to 107. During this stretch, Harris says, “I thought we played really good football”. During the Siloam Spring game, starting senior quarterback Colen Morrow was lost to injury. Most teams would have folded, but the chance to catch excellence continued and players stepped up to fill the void. Sophomore Garrett Brown replaced Morrow. “Our offense did a good job of rallying around our sophomore. During this stretch we relied heavily on our run game of Zak Wallace and D’Anthony Harper. Going into Week 7 and a matchup with El Dorado, we knew we had to play a great game, and our guys responded well with a huge win against a good El Dorado team. Next, the matchup we had a hoped for and a chance to play Greenwood for a conference championship. I told the guys they were ready to play the defending state

champs and thought we had a great chance to beat them at their place.” In the third quarter, Greenwood broke the game open and the Panthers suffered their second loss of the season. The team refocused and won four more games before facing Greenwood again for the state championship. Saline County Lifestyles • 19

to win ten games, so they have a lot to be proud of and nothing to hang their heads about. They helped get our team to a place we want to be at every year.” Several players had a standout season. Zac Harris “was our guy” this year, as a player and a leader. Gaining more than 1,500 rushing yards, he now holds the AllTime record for the Panthers. Joshua George anchored the offensive line at center, helping lead the team on offense. Wide receivers Gavin Wells, Michael Allison and Garrett Body had more than 600 yards each. Senior quarterback Colen Morrow was having a great year until his injury in the Siloam Springs game. Sophomore QB Garrett Brown came in and managed to throw for 2,000 plus yards, a tremendous year for a sophomore. On defense, Camron Ross led the team in tackles with 158, an alltime single season record at Benton. Kelby Caffrey was our most explosive player on defense. He led the team in interceptions, with several quarterback sacks and tackles for loss. Devin Griffin was the team’s best cover corner and always had the task of covering the opposing team’s best wide receiver. Kyvin Carroll, a senior linebacker, had another solid season and did a great job of playing with great energy every week. Dylan Ferguson did a great job of pressuring the quarterback from his defensive end position. Coach Harris has the program moving in the right direction. But more than that, the city and fans of the team are behind their beloved Panthers. Coach Lombardi also said, “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.” Clearly, our Panthers have shown the will and strength of character to pursue perfection, and in the process have attained excellence.  Brent Davis Photos by Rick Nation & Blake Fogleman

20 • Saline County Lifestyles

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It’s Sunday afternoon, the first weekend of the NFL Playoffs, and Bryant Head Football Coach Buck James is doing exactly what you’d expect. He’s at home, watching football. “I’m still a football junkie, a sports junkie,” he said. “I try to be a fan when I watch on television, but I still have my lineman roots, so I’m watching a lot of the game within the game.”

IT’S BEEN A LITTLE MORE THAN A MONTH SINCE JAMES’ HORNETS CLAIMED BRYANT’S FIRST STATE TITLE WITH ITS 27-7 REDEMPTION WIN OVER THE NORTH LITTLE ROCK CHARGING WILDCATS AT WAR MEMORIAL STADIUM. It’s been a little more than a month since James’ Hornets claimed Bryant’s first state title with its 27-7 redemption win over the North Little Rock Charging Wildcats at War Memorial Stadium. That’s given this lifelong coach plenty of time to reflect on his program’s climb to Arkansas high school football’s mountaintop. “Hard work paid off. That’s really it in a nutshell,” James said. “The last two years, I thought we were physically inferior to some of the

top teams, but this year, we turned that corner and were able to physically match up with them. “To be a champion in this league, it comes down to being more than just a good team. There are so many good teams at this level,” he added. “You have to have some luck, but you also have to be a complete team at all levels. You can’t just have a good running back or a good defense. It has to be complete, and when we made that turn, I think, is when it all paid off.” Success is often born from setbacks along the journey, and that’s exactly what James points to in his Hornets’ run to the 7A title. While undefeated at home, Bryant suffered two road losses during the 2018 season, a 36-35 defeat at Fayetteville and 34-28 at North Little Rock. “That was just what the doctor ordered for us. We had to see what was needed to improve, and that’s what our players did,” James said. “Walking off the field at North Little Rock, I told our coaches, ‘That may be the best thing that could’ve happened to us.’ After that loss, our guys returned to the practice field and got to work. It was raining, but they got out there and had some of the best practices of the season. They held one another accountable and put in the work. We were determined it wasn’t going to happen again.” Coaching through a season with high expectations is Saline County Lifestyles • 23

not a new experience for James. He was an assistant coach at Monticello during the Billies’ 1994 state title run. As head coach at Camden Fairview, James led the Cardinals to a 90-12 record during nine years, three state title appearances and a championship over Batesville in 2012. “At Monticello, our coaching staff was so small, just four of us. It may have been the smallest staff in the state at that time, so to take a program that had never been there before to a championship was special,” he said. “At Camden Fairview, I was the head coach, and sometimes you doubt yourself after losing two. But we got it done in 2012. That was more of a relief than anything. “Here, I was able to enjoy this so much more,” he added. “It was our first time there against a team we hadn’t beaten a few times, but our team had a real sense of resolve and confidence. With such a great coaching staff and me as more of a CEO, it was easier to see the process, where we’d been and what

“I GET ENJOYMENT OUT OF COACHING YOUNG MEN AND WANT TO KEEP ON DOING SO FOR ANOTHER 10 YEARS. I’M STILL HUNGRY AND WANT TO COMPETE.”

24 • Saline County Lifestyles

we’d become as a program. I had a chance to soak it in and celebrate what we’d accomplished together.” The path to a championship is long and often years in the making. For James, his hard-nosed, blue collar approach is one to which his players can attest. “I sometimes tell my guys it’ll take them until they’re 30 to get over playing for me.” Even with that determined approach, though, James wasn’t opposed to making some changes to get the best from this Hornet squad. “One of the things we have to be careful with regarding our players these days is burnout,” he said. “In the past, we may have pushed them too hard at times, so we worked to change that this year. “I would cut practices short, giving them some time off and breaks, just trying to keep them fresh because our schedule

Photos by Rick Nation Photography

was the hardest Bryant has ever played. It was grind, but by the end of the year, we were playing our best football and still getting better. The kids knew their job, what was expected, and they delivered for us.” One thing that’s unique for Bryant, especially in the 2018 season, was where they began and ended their season. With a 10-1-1 record at the legendary War Memorial Stadium, James says his players are clearly comfortable there and see it as sort of home away from home. “We use War Memorial as a home field advantage,” he said. “Our fans are awesome, and when we play there, they come out to support us. North Little Rock is such a difficult place to play, and we kept telling our kids, ‘If we can get them on a neutral field, it will be different.’ Fortunately for us, that’s how it played out.” Now regarded as one of the best high school football coaches in Arkansas and the winner of the Farm Bureau

Insurance Coach Of The Year, James says the fire to succeed that started during his playing days in Pine Bluff is still strong, and as he sees it, there’s still more work to be done. “I’d like to do it again, to win another state championship,” he said. “I get enjoyment out of coaching young men and want to keep on doing so for another 10 years. I’m still hungry and want to compete.” His teams begin and end every

session together with the chant, “Be the best.” That’s a mantra he’s carried with him for more than 25 years. The Hornets also tout the unique motto of #212. “That’s the temperature where water boils,” James said. “We use it to describe our effort. At 211, water is hot, but with one more degree of effort, it will boil an egg, produce steam, even power a locomotive. Sometimes, that little extra degree of effort is all you need.”  Charles Crowson

Saline County Lifestyles • 25

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You know the song by heart: “B-I-NG-O.” More than likely, your first introduction to the game was playing bingo in elementary school or perhaps at your church or school fundraiser. In 2019, you will have three chances to reminisce and possibly win big at the Benton Area Chamber of Commerce Bingo Night. Bingo was first introduced to North America in the early 1920s and has been a popular game for people of all ages ever since. Whether you used bingo to learn letters and numbers as a kid, or enjoy it as a pastime as an adult, bingo’s simple appeal reaches a broad audience. The Benton Area Chamber of Commerce wanted to create a new experience and provide an evening where members of the community could gather to enjoy a meal, play a game and meet new people. The Malvern Chamber has experienced great success at a Bingo Bash it hosts each spring. Gary James, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Benton Area Chamber of Commerce, met with surrounding area chamber presidents and together bounced ideas back and forth about a Bingo Night. “Malvern Chamber of Commerce has been a great resource for us as I have been learning all the state rules 28 • Saline County Lifestyles

and regulations for Bingo Night,” said Amy McCormick, Director of Events with the Benton Area Chamber of Commerce. “They’ve been a great support. We are far enough away geographically to not intrude on their event.” In August of 2017, the Benton Area Chamber of Commerce hosted their first Bingo Night at the Benton Event Center. To their surprise, more than 500 people arrived that night to play. “Bingo Night was a whole new world,” said Amy. “We didn’t know what to expect. We hoped for 500 people and we ended up

dragging out chairs and tables to that everyone could participate! It’s a relaxed setting and it’s been something new and fun for people to attend.” Word quickly spread about Bingo Night and the two events in 2018 brought in 700-800 people each night. At the end of each game, the winner receives a cash prize and raffle tickets are sold. At the end of the evening, the winning raffle ticket is drawn. The previous winners have won between $1,500 and $2,000 in cash. “Our goal is to have a fun, safe evening,” said Amy. “We give away

Tickets for the event can be purchased over the phone by calling the Benton Chamber of Commerce at 501-860-7002 and be mailed or picked up in person. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Additional bingo cards for games 1-16 are sold for $1 each and Raffle tickets are sold for $10 for 10 tickets or $2 for a single raffle ticket. Guests must be 18 or older to purchase tickets and participate in the event.

AFTER

cash and that is appealing to everyone. We give away about $8,000 in cash in one night and that makes a difference for people. Everyone comes in with the hope, ‘what if I win.’ Plus, you never know, you might become friends with the person sitting next to you!”

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In 2019, new food options will also be available and will include snacks, drinks and a cash bar for an additional cost. Volunteers walk around selling raffle tickets and additional cards so you do not spend your time waiting in line. “People bring their good luck charms,” said Amy. “When you win, we want you to stand up and scream! It’s a huge professional bingo hall and you have to stand out when there are hundreds of people in the room. The winners run up to the prize table to claim their cash.” The evening’s emcee is Lamont Cornwell. He calls out the bingo numbers and “he keeps things flowing,” said Amy. “He’s a comical guy who makes the night fun and he keeps everyone on the same page.”  Ashley Leopoulos Saline County Lifestyles • 29

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WINTER

banquets CHAMBER BANQUETS CELEBRATE ECONOMIC SUCCESS WITH WORLD RENOWNED, INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKERS

Boasting economic growth and attracting new residents, Saline County provides a quality place for development and everyday life. As Gary James, president and CEO of the Benton Area Chamber of Commerce, puts it: “Saline County is considered an emerging market with substantial and exciting economic growth and development. It has become a place where companies are looking to grow and create their businesses and where the quality of life for its residents is first class.” The county’s chambers of commerce help propel this growth. To celebrate all of the exciting things happening in different parts of the county, the chambers host their anticipated banquets each year. Both banquets are fortunate to have notable keynote speakers. Environmental activist Erin Brockovich, made famous for the film in which Julie Roberts portrayed her, is the featured speaker for the Benton banquet. Former TV sports anchor Paul C. Morrissey who is 32 • Saline County Lifestyles

“Saline County is considered an emerging market with substantial and exciting economic growth and development. It has become a place where companies are looking to grow and create their businesses and where the quality of life for its residents is first class.” now traveling the world pursing his comedy dream is set to entertain guests at the Bryant banquet. The Bryant Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet takes place first on Thursday, Jan. 31, at The Center at Bishop Park. Benton’s banquet will take place Tuesday, March 12, at the Benton Event Center. The mission of both the Benton Area and Bryant Area chambers of commerce is to serve their members and the region by fostering growth of business, education and economic development that will enhance quality of life for the good of the community.

BENTON HIGHLIGHTS The banquet is an opportunity for area professionals to come together to network, get to know each other and to have a fun evening, says Amy McCormick, director of special events. “We also strive to secure a speaker who inspires and motivates people in both their personal and professional lives. “We want each attendee to relate to the speaker on some level and take away something from the evening that can help them in their unique circumstances. The speaker needs to be someone who hasn’t spoken in the area recently, who has a first-class reputation and who is likeable.” When organizers saw Erin Brockovich’s name as a prospect, they were immediately interested, McCormick says. She is a well-known consumer advocate, author and television host. As president of Brockovich Research & Consulting, she is currently involved in numerous worldwide environmental projects. She first gained attention while working as a file clerk in the law office of Masry & Vititoe in California. There, she found medical records that would eventually catalyze a direct-action lawsuit resulting in Pacific Gas & Electric’s paying out the largest toxic tort injury settlement in U.S. history to over 600 Hinkley, California, residents. This part of her life formed the plot of the Julia Roberts film. Brockovich is one of the most requested speakers on the international lecture circuit, so for her to make a stop in Benton is an honor, McCormick says. More than 700 people are expected to attend the banquet, McCormick says. Being able to accommodate a larger audience since the Event Center opened in 2013 has been a welcome change. “The event has become an evening people look forward to all year and plan their schedule around so they can attend.”

BRYANT HIGHLIGHTS In choosing this year’s featured speaker, Bryant Event Coordinator Anna Brimhall says the chamber wanted to do something that they had not done in the past. So, they chose a comedian. Paul C. Morrissey has gained a loyal fan base from various TV appearances and headlining events. He headlined the 2018 4th of July Armed Forces Entertainment Tour for US & Coalition Troops in Iraq, and he has headlined several comedy festivals throughout the world. He co-hosts the popular “Come To Papa” podcast and radio show with Tom Papa on Sirius XM. He also has appeared in the Nike “Riquickulous” commercials with NBA star Chris Paul. Morrissey’s one-hour comedy special, “A Real Humdinger,” premiered in 2018 to rave reviews. Throughout the Bryant banquet’s history, Brimhall says, “We have looked for ways to make it intriguing for our members so they look forward to attending. We are always looking for new and fresh ideas to keep our members engaged.” About 450 people are expected to attend this year. Bryant is growing “by leaps and bounds,” Brimhall notes, adding that the largest upcoming impact exciting the city is the Heart Hospital. Groundwork has alreay begun, with plans to open the doors in 2020. Membership is not a requirement for attendance to either banquet. “The banquet is a wonderful opportunity for someone who is not familiar with the Benton chamber to get a small taste of who we are and meet wonderful people from our community,” says McCormick. Brimhall adds, “This is our annual meeting for our members, but we would more than welcome future members to attend the banquet.”  Jillian Jacuzzi Saline County Lifestyles • 33

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HEALTHY

Lifestyle

HEALTH UPDATE

CONNECTING DIET TO DIAGNOSIS By Katherine N. Knight, APRN, AG-PC, NP-C

It’s no secret that diet and exercise are good for your overall health and wellbeing. Unfortunately, it often takes a diagnosis or “wake up call” for patients to consider what they eat or how much they move. In this article, my goal is to provide you with information and resources that may be helpful with a diagnosis

36 • Saline County Lifestyles

such as hypertension, congestive heart failure, renal insufficiency, peripheral vascular disease, coronary artery disease, prior cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and diabetes. Even though we often wish we could simply take a pill and forget about it, many illnesses are led by and exacerbated by what we eat. Often,

a condition can change in just one day, because of too much sugar or salt and not enough water intake or exercise to balance the effect it will have on your system, or to keep your body at a normal balance. This is why it is important for everyone to be diligent in what they consume. Here are a few facts and summaries that may help in doing so. First, the DASH diet has been known to decrease systolic blood pressure greater than 10 mmHg and reduce the risk of coronary artery disease and CVA by 21%. The basic components of this diet include more servings of fruits and vegetables with nuts, seeds, or beans; low-fat dairy products; lean meats and oily fish; while limiting red meats, cholesterol and sodium intake and sweets. The Mediterranean Diet is known to lower all cause mortality by 8% and reduce cardiovascular events by 10%. This diet recommends a few less servings of fruits and vegetables per day compared to the DASH diet while increasing soluble fibers by consuming more whole grains such as in pastas, brown rice, oatmeal, and corn. The goal is that you consume more protein from vegetables than from meat. Limitations to sweets and red meats also apply in this diet, but they offer some preferred options such as dark chocolate, sorbet, low fat yogurt and baked goods with less than 4 grams of fat per serving.

HEALTHY

Lifestyles

Even though we often wish we could simply take a pill and forget about it, many illnesses are led by and exacerbated by what we eat. As far as diabetes goes, it’s more of an individual plan that you need. For insulin-dependent diabetics it is important to eat consistently and to adjust your insulin. This is when consuming a set amount of carbohydrates at each meal and adhering to that set plan is most helpful. Other recommendations are omitting sugar beverages, skipping meals and planned snacks, then modifying your diet with portion control and good choices. Diabetics who are not insulindependent should have two goals: regulate blood sugar first, then address weight and finally make the dietary and lifestyle changes needed to reach the goal. The above addresses consumption of what you eat at meals and briefly states that omitting sugar beverages can be helpful. However, I often notice that many people consume more sodas than water. Water intake is important and can be helpful in regulating blood sugars; increasing kidney function; decreasing appetite, constipation, urinary tract infections and skin irritation; helping with respiratory congestion, and many other things. Many patients have told me they just don’t like to drink water, while others have said they really didn’t know it was so important. Unless you have congestive heart failure or have a fluid restriction, you should incorporate 6-8 glasses of water into your diet each day. Talk to your provider about what diet should be encouraged with the illnesses you have; and if you don’t have any current illnesses, it is still a good idea to address this in hopes that you can prevent the onset of disease. I would like to encourage anyone who isn’t currently under the care of a primary care provider to seek evaluation and start the New Year off with a healthier start. 

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FAMILY

Lifestyle

INSURANCE INSIGHT Because there are More Important Things in Life By Keith Brooks, State Farm Insurance

To snow or not to snow? That eternal question comes around each year about this time, as kids all over Central Arkansas long for that elusive school-closing blizzard. According to the NOAA National Climatic Data Center, our average snowfall in the Little Rock Metro Area is about 3.5 inches per year. Although major snow events may be hit or miss in these parts (everyone likely remembers Christmas 2012 where we faced blizzard-like conditions), we still get our share of wintry precipitation. Snow, sleet, freezing rain and the dreaded all-out ice storm can wreak havoc on roads in our area. Of course, with challenging roads comes an increase in traffic accidents, related to our general unfamiliarity with driving during these conditions. Even if you don’t experience winter storms often, it’s still important to know how to drive in any season’s conditions. Here’s how to take to the road during winter weather. IF YOU DRIVE IN:

Heavy rain: Avoid slamming on the brakes or abruptly correcting your steering. If your vehicle begins hydroplaning, ease off 38 • Saline County Lifestyles

the gas pedal and steer straight until you regain control. Dense fog: Use fog lights. If your vehicle has front fog lights, they can help illuminate the road and make your vehicle more visible to other drivers. Some vehicles have rear fog lights, which help those behind you see your vehicle from farther away. Keep headlights on low beam (highbeams just reflect off the fog and don’t illuminate the road ahead), and hug the right edge of the road. If you need to pull over, move far away from traffic and turn off your lights.

Other drivers might see taillights and think you’re in the traffic lane, which can lead to their going off the road. Icy conditions: Don’t make sharp turns or corrections, and avoid slamming on the brakes – it could cause skidding. When approaching a hill, wait until the vehicle in front of you has reached the top before you start up. Drive steadily up the hill but avoid going too fast; that could cause you to swerve. Snowy weather or on snowcovered roads: Don’t pass snowplows or sanding trucks – they are likely

FAMILY

Lifestyles

In all winter weather scenarios, avoid using cruise control, drive slower than usual, and leave plenty of stopping distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. trying to clear the road ahead. Approach intersections slowly, and brake gently to avoid skidding. If you slide, turn your steering wheel in the direction your vehicle is sliding. And in all winter weather scenarios, avoid using cruise control, drive slower than usual, and leave plenty of stopping distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. Multi-vehicle accidents are much more common during winter weather driving, but are easily preventable with proper precautions. One other essential part of winter weather driving is planning. In Arkansas, we have an outstanding resource to assist. IDrive Arkansas is a technology provided by the Arkansas Department of Transportation to help with a variety of traffic-related needs. From current road conditions, highway closings and constructions projects, to a network of traffic cameras in all parts of the state, many people will find IDrive Arkansas helpful no matter the season. If your family is hitting the road, and you are concerned with what you may find on your trip, be sure to check out this site to ensure a smooth adventure. You can access it online at www.idrivearkansas.com, or download it as an app on your smartphone. Finally, if recent history should repeat itself, and we get that coveted winter wonderland, make the most of the slow pace with your family and friends. Build a fire (safely of course), put on some hot chocolate, and read a good book or binge watch that favorite show. You’ll be thankful for the chance to get a break from the hustle and bustle. 

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FAMILY

Lifestyle

FAITH FOCUS The Simple Truth

By P.J. Noland, Lead Pastor/Church Planter at Oasis Church Saline

It’s the time of year when people of all ages are looking for creative ways to express their love to that special someone. Roses are being ordered. Dinner reservations are being made. And there’s that one aisle at the grocery store lined with rich chocolates, shiny heart shaped balloons and chalky heart candies. Have you ever paused long enough to consider the love of God - specifically, God’s love for you? He didn’t express His love to you with a dozen roses or that beautiful diamond necklace. He expressed His love to you with something so much greater: a savior! His son! “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 According to John 3:16 there are four simple truths about God’s love that we shouldn’t miss. GOD’S LOVE IS UNLIMITED

Think for a moment about the entire world population in connection to the love of God. As of 2017 there were around seven billion people on planet Earth. That’s seven billion people whom God created, and for whom 40 • Saline County Lifestyles

He has a purpose. That’s seven billion souls that God loves deeply! And that doesn’t even begin to number all the generations of people throughout history. What’s more, in humanity we see that God loves diversity. No two people are exactly the same. Therefore, we must conclude that His love is not limited to a single race, social class, nation or people group.

confess that if left alone we are all sick. We need the Great Physician, Jesus Christ to work in our lives.

GOD’S LOVE IS UNSELFISH

GOD’S LOVE IS UNENDING

Romans 3 teaches that we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s standards. We’re all imperfect people! Because God is perfect and we are not, our sin separated us from Him. He created us to live closely connected to Himself. Which means we needed a way to be reconnected to God. The Good News is that God provided the way for you to be reconciled to Himself through His son, Jesus Christ, whom He unselfishly gave for all people.

God’s love for you is an everlasting love. What an incredible gift! The thing about a gift is that it does no good unless it is received and opened. The same is true about salvation. In order for you to experience God’s Love and be saved you must receive the gift, not just know about it.

GOD’S LOVE IS UNCOMPLICATED

In John 3:16 notice the word “whosoever”. Let’s not complicate the love of God. He has made it clear that He loves all people. Jesus said that He came not for the healthy but for the sick. When we’re real with ourselves and with God, we can all

No two people are exactly the same. Therefore, we must conclude that His love is not limited to a single race, social class, nation or people group.

To the reader who may not know Jesus: as you make plans to give that perfect Valentine’s Day gift, will you receive the greatest gift of love you’ll ever be given - eternal life? Will you accept His salvation, which you could never earn but which He bought for you on the cross, and trust in His name? Believer, are you consistently demonstrating the love of Jesus to those around you? Pastor or church leader, are you positioning yourself to share this gift with others? 

Helping People Find

and Experience

Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Best We have a casual atmosphere, great classes for Babies - 5th grade, and a *Special Needs Class during the 9am service! *Visit our website to Register for the Special Needs Class.

Sunday Service Times:

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Check out our website MidtowneChurch.com Saline County Lifestyles â&#x20AC;˘ 41

FAMILY

Lifestyle

THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED By: Justin S. Elrod, Certified Elder Law Attorney, The Elrod Firm February 3, 2019, marks the sixtieth anniversary of the plane crash that resulted in the untimely deaths of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and “The Big Bopper” Richardson, three of America’s hottest rock and roll musicians at the time. If not for a perfect combination of poor scheduling, bad weather, a virus, and a coin toss, it never would have happened the way it did. At the time, Holly’s band consisted of Waylon Jennings, Tommy Allsup, and Carl Bunch. They were touring the Midwest along with other headliners, Valens and Richardson, in buses that weren’t even fit for local school pickup. The tour buses repeatedly broke down and the heat rarely worked, which made the thoughtless planning that regularly put 400 miles between venues more than a little frustrating. On February 2, the tour made an unscheduled stop in Clear Lake, Iowa, after driving 350 miles from its previous show in Green Bay, Wisconsin. After Clear Lake, the next stop was Moorhead, Minnesota, another 365 miles away. Holly was done with the buses. He decided to charter a plane for himself and his 42 • Saline County Lifestyles

band to get a break from the road. If the band had taken that charter flight with Holly, none of them would have survived. As luck would have it, everyone in his band survived. It was Valens and Richardson that went down with Holly. Bunch didn’t feel lucky earlier in the tour when he was hospitalized with severe frostbite after sitting on a broken-down bus in the middle of a freeway in subzero temperatures. But if he had still been traveling with the band in early February, he very well could have been on that plane. Jennings probably felt annoyed, not lucky, when Richardson asked him for his seat on the plane claiming he was coming down with the flu. But Richardson’s virus and Jennings’ begrudging generosity saved Jennings’ life. For the last seat on the plane, Valens challenged Allsup to a coin toss. Allsup thought luck was against him when he lost the toss and his seat on the plane, but we now know better. Holly’s wife of only six months was not with him on the tour. She was two weeks pregnant and not feeling well. She did not attend his funeral or visit his gravesite because she blamed herself for his death.

She suffered a miscarriage in the days after she heard the news. She believed that if she’d traveled with him like she usually did, he never would have booked that flight. Don McLean learned about the tragedy while he was folding newspapers for his paper route, at 13. The accident eventually inspired him to write “American Pie,” the iconic song in which he described the plane crash as “the day the music died.” How often do we assume we are in control of everything that happens in our lives? How often do we assume we’ll have more time to say the things we do not say, to do the things we do not do, and to make the plans we do not make? When Buddy Holly left his pregnant wife at home for this ill-fated tour, when his band negotiated for their seats on the plane, they surely never thought they were dealing with their lives. Planning your estate isn’t going to add another minute to your life. But we don’t really do it for ourselves, do we? We plan for those whom we know we’ll leave behind. We do it to protect them from probate court and the messes that always seem to come with it. We do it to protect them from the

FAMILY

Lifestyles

Planning your estate isn’t going to add another minute to your life. But we don’t really do it for ourselves, do we? We plan for those whom we know we’ll leave behind. family fights that death often brings. We do it to protect them from their creditors, and from their own bad decisions we fear they could make while trying to wrap up our affairs. Like many people who go before their time, Buddy Holly didn’t leave an estate plan. It’s no surprise that his lack of planning led to a number of legal disputes among his heirs for decades after his death. You know you need a plan, you know why, and you know you want to get it right. You just need help with the how. That’s where we come in. Visit our website, ElrodFirm.com, to get started. We’ve been helping families like yours for almost twenty years. Now let us help yours.  Saline County Lifestyles • 43

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