Your health means everything. And now is the time to make the most of it. It’s time to address those concerns, large or small, that you’ve been putting off. We’re here to help, providing a range of quality healthcare services, from routine screenings, to surgeries, to emergency care. Don’t make your health wait. Get the care you need now.
To find a healthcare provider, call 501.387.0163 To learn more, visit SalineMemorial.org
EDITOR’S LETTER
As I sat down to write this Editor’s Note (May 6, 2021), it was my 38th birthday. It got me thinking of my younger days, when a birthday would be full of nothing but presents, cake and fun. Don’t get me wrong; I still make every effort to celebrate the day. But as I get older, I have to face the inevitable truth that daily “adulting” responsibilities have gained precedence. It is just another reminder that I can’t avoid aging. Of course, tongue-in-cheek sayings like, “Life begins at 40,” or “Fifty is the new 30” do their best at trying to make me feel better about it. But I still can’t stop wondering if 50 is “old,” or when it is that people stop being “young.” But keep reading—things get better. Before I could find myself deep down a rabbit hole of searching for the answers to life’s difficult questions, I was quickly pulled out of my thoughts by the endless loop of the early 2000’s R&B song “Nothing But A Number” by Pretty Ricky. As a disclaimer, I wouldn’t recommend a Google search on the lyrics of that song. For the most part, they are words that could make a grown man blush. But it’s the chorus that repeats, “Age ain’t nothing but a number,” that rang so true with me. Age really is nothing but a number. We’ve all heard the old adage that you’re only as old as you feel. I couldn’t agree more. Neither could a group of 500 people between the ages of 55 and 74 from a study conducted at Purdue University. The results indicated that most folks felt about 12 years younger than their chronological age. So I can proudly say I’ve accepted the notion of age in all its perceived ugliness, and choose to bask in its glory. With my age I have a new appreciation for my experiences, memories, learning and wisdom. The author of The Power of Positive Thinking wrote, “Live your life and forget your age.” Throughout your days, some numbers are inescapable. Your age can be one number that tells you how far you have come, and how far you still have to go. For Saline County Lifestyles, the number 13 represents the years we have gratefully served our community, and we look forward to continuing to grow together for many more great years to come. Your town. Your life. Your magazine. PS: If the saying “Kids will keep you young” is true, then consider me in my early 20’s, as Crystal and I were blessed with our sweet daughter (and third kiddo) Gemma Rose Elrod on March 28th. She is the best early birthday gift a guy could ask for!
JOSH ELROD Publisher & Editor
2021 Volume 14, Issue 3
PUBLISHER & EDITOR Josh Elrod
jelrod@ignite-mediagroup.com
ART DIRECTOR Krystal Neuhofel krystal@salinecountylifestyles.com
CONTRIBUTORS Contributing Writers
Carrie Amox Dennia Beard Carolyn Buckner Charles Crowson Justin Elrod Jillian Jacuzzi Ashley Leopoulos Dr. Rex Luttrell Marietta McClure Nate Olson Gina Simpson Dr. Sam Taggart Jason White IDEAS/COMMENTS If you have a story idea or comment, please email us at: feedback@salinecountylifestyles.com
ADVERTISING 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 • 13th Anniversary Edition
CONTENTS SECOND CHANCE RANCH
NOTES FROM DR SAM
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Saline County is blessed to have a place of love, a place of compassion, a place of hope and a place of second chances. “Second Chance Youth Ranch loves, protects and provides a home for children who do not have a place
to call home and experience the love and protection a family usually gives,” says Susie Everett, long-time supporter of the organization. “I love Second Chance Youth Ranch! Dwight and I feel they are a ministry in our community who are truly making a Kingdom difference.” Second Chance Youth Ranch, or 2CYR, was founded in 1999 by Pastor Perry Black of Family Church in Bryant. 2CYR places special emphasis on prayer, encouragement, life skills, love, values, and safety. “Our philosophy is that the past doesn’t have to define our kids. We serve a God who restores and redeems. Jesus can provide hope in what may
4 • Saline County Lifestyles • 13th Anniversary Edition
have felt like a completely hopeless situation. They can begin to see their own value and get excited about the good things that God has planned for them,” adds Pastor Perry. Everett has been involved with 2CYR since 2016, and since then has made significant donations over the years, including sharing the cost of a van. “We found out about the need for the vans because we contacted Rachel and asked about their needs. There are several other needs, but since we are in the transportation business, we thought the vans were a perfect fit for our donation,” says Susie. She also recalls the special memories made possible through her involvement with the organization. “One of my very favorite involvements with 2CR has been visiting and speaking to the girls living in the transitional homes in Bryant. I got to meet with these young ladies, speak about their potential and give them my story; then with the help of Gina’s Catering we provided
“OUR PHILOSOPHY IS THAT THE PAST DOESN’T HAVE TO DEFINE OUR KIDS. WE SERVE A GOD WHO RESTORES AND REDEEMS.”
lunch and had lunch with these girls. I’ve had the neat experience of their remembering me when I saw them working at Chick-fil-A, and also getting a hug at a 2CYR banquet! Another favorite need we contributed to was the building of a pool at the Ranch. The pool gives those kids hours of fun and just might change the fear of a new place into excitement.” Rachel and Billy Hubbard are the Operations Directors at Second Chance Youth Ranch. “We currently have two campuses: one in rural Saline County near Paron, and one in Bryant. We have six homes on those two campuses, and we are just finishing completion of a seventh campus home in Bryant. Each of these homes can accommodate up to eight children,” explains Rachel. The goal is to provide homes large enough to allow big sibling groups in foster care to stay together. If children coming into foster care must be separated
from their parents, then they should not have to endure separation from their brothers and sisters also.” The addition of a new home on the Bryant campus is a tremendous gain for 2CYR because it will allow foster parents to care for even more
EVERETT HAS BEEN INVOLVED WITH 2CYR SINCE 2016 AND SINCE THEN HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT DONATIONS OVER THE YEARS. children, but transportation for so many people is crucial as well. “We are in need of three new 15-passenger vans for hauling big families to all the things that big families do: soccer
practices, dance classes, karate lessons, church services, doctors’ appointments—there’s always so much going on!” Rachel noted that the vans also would be used for the harder things that children in foster care experience, such as court hearings, family visitations and therapy sessions. The total cost for purchasing three vans will be approximately $120,000. To meet this goal, 2CYR is relying on the generosity of Saline County, starting with Everett who has donated $30,000 towards meeting that goal. “Everett has been a faithful partner of Second Chance Youth Ranch for several years. They are regularly asking us what they can do
Saline County Lifestyles • 13th Anniversary Edition • 5
to help, and they have certainly helped in many ways. Their donation toward these vans and their commitment to helping us raise the remaining funds is a huge blessing,” says Rachel. “Everett is making sure that our kids have what they need, and we could not be more grateful. The loyal partnership with Everett is something that we have learned we can lean on, and they have truly been an integral part of the expansion that we have experienced in the past few years.” Rachel and Billy are devoted to Second Chance Youth Ranch and love all the children with a fierce passion. The couple invites the community to get involved and help change the lives of our precious youth. “We would love for the community to get involved in helping us to meet the need for three new vans, and we are always recruiting more foster parents.” 2CYR is currently searching for foster parents at the rural campus, and there is also a need for more foster parents from the community to foster in their own homes as well. “There is a huge need for more homes for children in crisis in our state right now, and we are looking to open as many homes as possible!” Donations for purchase of the vans can be made by visiting www.2cyr. org and choosing the “VANS” designation, or by mailing a check to PO Box 901, Bryant, AR 72089. To learn more about becoming a foster parent through Second Chance Youth Ranch, please email Rachel and Billy at hubbard@2cyr.org. Carolyn Buckner
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6 • Saline County Lifestyles • 13th Anniversary Edition
Good Day, I hope this note finds you well. Among the most gratifying aspects of the practice of medicine are the relationships you develop with your patients and friends. Being a family doctor allows you to be with families from cradle to grave. I used to joke that for the first five years of practice you see everyone who comes through the door, in part, because you aren’t sure if you are going to survive. The second five years, the ones who don’t like you, tend to drift away. After fifteen years, you begin to nudge those you don’t like toward the door. So, for most of us, we spend our years of practice with people we like, who like us. One of those families in whose care I had the pleasure and honor to participate was the Elrod family of Saline County. Jimmy and Kathy Elrod came to see me early in my practice and we developed a close relationship. I watched as their children grew up; one of those kids, Josh Elrod, and I developed a close bond. As most of you know, he grew into a well-spoken, bright, industrious young man. About 14 years ago, he called and asked if he could come by the office and talk to me about a
project he was pursuing. He was in the process of creating a magazine reflecting modern life in Saline County called Saline Lifestyles. As I write this note, he is now finishing the 13th year of publishing his journal. He knew of my penchant for writing and asked if I would write essay pieces to open his journal. Needless to say, I was tickled to death to be asked and readily agreed. My one stipulation was that I didn’t want to write about the practice of medicine: nothing technical, nothing that was too heavy, just the musings of an old man on life. Since that time, he and I have had a delightful relationship. And every month or so, I send him a missive that he publishes under the title: Notes from Doctor Sam. Most of these have reflected my impressions of life in Saline County and rural Arkansas in general. The very first essay related a chance encounter I witnessed between a homeless man and waitress in a local café. It was raining, and the man came walking in from the storm. He left his pack at the entry and sat down in the booth next to me. The waitress brought him a cup of coffee and took his order. Soon, she returned with his scrambled eggs, ham, and
toast. She refilled his coffee cup and then quietly asked, “May I sit with you?” The man looked up from his food, smiled and nodded. I could not hear what was said but when he finished and got up to leave, I heard her say, “Have a good journey.”
The very first essay related a chance encounter I witnessed between a homeless man and waitress in a local café. I think at that moment in time, that waitress reflected the good people of Saline County at their very best. Have a good journey and stay safe. 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 • 13th Anniversary Edition • 7
ACTIVE
Lifestyle
FITNESS TIPS
You Are More Than a Number on the Scale
By Marietta McClure, Head Trainer, McClure Fitness
The scale. UGHHHH. It is so easy to get obsessed with a number and let it control your daily habits. But I would argue that it is just as easy to pretend that your weight doesn’t matter. If I’m honest, I have experienced both extremes. Here’s one truth to hold onto: the number on the scale does not define you. Ahem…it does, however, matter if that number gets too high and starts to affect your quality of life. You’re not able to keep up with your kids or grandkids, your doctor puts you on blood pressure medicine at your yearly checkup or alerts you that you’re now at risk of diabetes and future health problems. Check out these interesting numbers that have nothing to do with the scale, yet will help keep your quality of life up and your risk of health problems down. WAIST TO HIP RATIO The waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is a measurement comparing the size of your waist in inches to the size of your hips in inches. The WHR is just one of several ways you can estimate your risk for cardiovascular disease and overall heart health. Calculating your WHR is easy to do, takes very little time, and doesn’t cost anything. In addition, you can easily track
your progress as you slim down. Your goal is to have an 8-10 inch difference between your waist and hips. Simply measure your waist at your belly button and your hips around the largest area of your bottom. For example, if your waist is 32 and your hips are 42, that difference falls within the healthy range. But if your waist is 42 and your hips are also 42, you would fall into the risk range. Keeping track of several key measurements is an encouraging way to keep you motivated when the scale doesn’t move as quickly as you’d like. Simply keep a dated log of your arms, chest, waist, hips and legs. Measuring every two weeks is a good starting point to track your results. HEART RATE Maximum heart rate is an estimate of the highest recommended heart rate a person should reach while exercising strenuously. The usual formula for calculating maximum heart rate is 220 minus your age. 220 - 40 years old = 180 max heart rate for strenuous exercise, like running. It becomes more
8 • Saline County Lifestyles • 13th Anniversary Edition
important to be aware of your heart rate as you get older. Note: the better shape you are in, the lower your resting and active heart rate. When you first start exercising, do not be surprised if your heart rate surpasses your “zone,” but be aware that your heart is a muscle and it will get into better shape as you consistently exercise it. Not long ago, it was difficult to know exactly what your heart rate would be during a workout, but now there are many fitness trackers available. Apple Watch, FitBit and
ACTIVE
It becomes more important to be aware of your heart rate as you get older. Garmin are several brands with good fitness trackers that can monitor your heart rate while you exercise. They make it easy to keep track of your progress, which can also motivate you to work harder if you’re not reaching your maximum heart rate zone. These trackers also tell you how many calories you’ve burned during a workout and how far you’ve walked or run, which can encourage you to keep challenging yourself during your workouts. If you can get uncomfortable just for a little while, your heart will get stronger, and that will keep your cardiovascular health in great shape. BLOOD PRESSURE Having high blood pressure forces your heart to work harder. It increases your risks for heart disease and stroke, as well as for kidney disease and heart failure. You can have high blood pressure and never know it or feel it, so it’s important to get tested routinely.
more health benefits if you ramp up your exercise to 300 minutes or more of moderate aerobic activity a week. Application time! I’ve put together an ideal weekly workout program for you that will get and keep your heart rate to a healthy zone, your waist to hip ratio appropriate and keep your blood pressure down. FIVE workouts a week for 45 minutes each (225 minutes for the week) is ideal. I think this is the sweet spot because it’s more than the recommended minimum of 150 minutes, but less than the 300 minutes or more. Sunday: Rest Day Monday: Aerobic Day: 45 minutes of heart max movements: running, boot camp, intervals. Your heart rate should hit its max several times during the workout. Tuesday: Strength Day: 45 minutes of lifting hand weights or body weight like squats, pushups, lunges
Lifestyle
or barre or Pilates class. Heart rate will elevate, but not to the max. Wednesday: Rest Day Try a Yoga class! Thursday: Aerobic Day: 45 minutes of heart max movements: running, spinning, swimming, boot camp, etc. Your heart rate should hit its max several times during the workout. Friday: Strength Day: 45 minutes of lifting weights or body weight like deadlifts, chest press, sit-ups or barre or Pilates class. Heart rate will elevate, but not to the max. Saturday: Aerobic Day: 45 minutes of heart max movements: spinning, running, boot camp, intervals, etc. Your heart rate should hit its max several times during the workout. Reminder! If you’re just starting out, begin with two days a week and add an extra day every two weeks until you’ve built up to five days. Start moving your body and focus on the numbers that affect your health and quality of life, not the number on the scale.
Get tested every two years if you have normal blood pressure, once a year if your blood pressure is high-normal (between 120/80 and 139/89). Ask your doctor how often you need to be tested if your blood pressure is high (140/90 or greater). What’s a healthy blood pressure? According to Harvard Health Publishing, less than 120/80 mm Hg. EXERCISE The one thing that will improve all of the above numbers is EXERCISE! Get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity—such as brisk walking, swimming or mowing the lawn—or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity—such as running or aerobic dancing. You can also do a combination of moderate and vigorous activity. You can achieve Saline County Lifestyles • 13th Anniversary Edition • 9
HEALTHY
Lifestyle
HEALTH UPDATE
Obesity: Definitions, Trends & Solutions By Dr. Rex Luttrell (General & Bariatric Surgeon at Saline Memorial Hospital)
Obesity is a common and serious disease in the United States. Its prevalence has increased over the past 20 years, and today over 17 million people in the United States are obese. We define obesity by the body mass index (BMI). The BMI is obtained by dividing a person’s weight by the square of the person’s height. A range of 25-30 is considered overweight, a range of 30-40 obese, a range of 40-50 morbidly obese, and a range greater than 50 is super morbid obesity. Seek the recommended range for a BMI of under 25 to guard against comorbidities. The risk factors associated with obesity are cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, certain types of cancer, and osteoarthritis. Specific clusters of risk factors constitute the metabolic syndrome of obesity, including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol. All of these increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Obesity has many causes; some of these individual socioeconomic and environmental causes include poor diet, lack of physical activity, genetics, medications, and mental disorders like depression. Depression can lead to obesity and obesity can lead to depression. Thankfully, we have learned that certain foods can boost our mental health. Foods high in omega 3 fatty acids have a positive impact on brain health. These include
canned tuna, salmon, or sardines. And antioxidants improve overall health. Generally, the more color your food has, the more antioxidants it contains. And the good news is that even the slightest weight loss can improve health problems associated with obesity. Several strategies for weight loss have been used over time. The most important obesity prevention measures people can take are starting a good healthy diet and exercise plan. Fiber is a carbohydrate the body cannot digest. Most carbohydrates are broken down into sugar molecules; fiber cannot be broken down into sugar molecules, instead passing through the body undigested. Because of this, fiber can help food move through your digestive system, promote regularity and help prevent constipation. Great sources of fiber are whole fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and beans. To increase fiber intake, substitute whole fruits for fruit juices, replace white bread and white rice with brown rice and whole grain products, and choose beans instead of meat two to three times per week. Despite eating healthy and exercising, some people can still be at risk of developing obesity. After all conservative measures have been taken, surgery can be a long-term solution for helping keep weight under control. Weight loss surgery in conjunction with dietary intervention and physical activity tends to give the greatest results
10 • Saline County Lifestyles • 13th Anniversary Edition
for improved health and sustained weight loss. Although surgery is not an option for everyone, for those who are candidates, it can be a very powerful tool in the fight against obesity. Studies have considered the social stigma of carrying extra weight, and its consequences. The obese person could experience the loss of a job or promotion opportunity, or even being wrongfully perceived by others as unintelligent or lazy. The obese person can become isolated and withdrawn, especially in our modern society in which food can be delivered and bills paid online. There is not single solution to the obesity epidemic. The solution is not always to eat less and walk more. Obesity is a complex problem that demands multiple strategies. Although the main key to successfully treating obesity is adopting healthy lifestyles including dietary modification and physical activity, a multiple modality approach, which includes surgical intervention, is perhaps the best approach for many morbidly/ super morbidly obese individuals. Surgical intervention need not be considered the last resort. Preventing known comorbidities directly related to obesity from occurring is a pathway many people are pursuing. Individuals and professional weight loss teams should have longterm goals and pathways in place.
HEALTHY
Lifestyle
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Saline County Lifestyles • 13th Anniversary Edition • 11
FAMILY
Lifestyle
INSURANCE INSIGHT Focusing on the Figures
By Dennia Beard, State Farm Insurance
I think we would all agree: finances are one of the most intimidating parts of running a business or a household. Even though I have been a business owner for more than 20 years, I still get stumped from time to time on certain tax forms and the “right” way to do something when it comes to my business or my household dollars. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, so many people have started cool new side hustles and businesses! When sitting down to write this article, I became overwhelmed with the need to share
my own struggles with owning and running a successful small business. If you’re anything like me, you are way more excited to work on creating a great product or approach or launching a powerful marketing campaign (swoon…I love the marketing part) that will boost your sales, but unless you know your numbers, your business is on shaky ground. Considering we built these things with our blood, sweat and tears, it’s sometimes painful to consider the grey area of what “could be.” What “could be” if we just cozied up to our business numbers? Chances are, we are all leaving time and money on the table. Since starting my own insurance business, I have had the opportunity to work with hundreds of business owners across this great state. From retail ownership, to photography to virtual assisting, we all have brains that swirl with what needs to get done before our feet even hit the floor in the morning. Ultimately, this can be overwhelming and paralyzing. While I do believe there are a few essential numbers every CEO must know and
12 • Saline County Lifestyles • 13th Anniversary Edition
understand, I don’t believe you need to get a finance degree in order to run a profitable small business. Did we just become best friends? I hope so! If your money sometimes has you wanting to pull your hair out as well, read ahead. Let’s first look at your revenue. This is the total amount of dollars you have brought in from all income streams. That can be services, products or other passive streams of income. Think of this as “dollars in.” You can keep track of this with a bookkeeper, like I do, or just jot these numbers down on a piece of paper. Obviously, the bigger you are, the more tedious this process can be. Secondly, there are the expenses. Expenses go by many names and can get out of hand quickly if you’re not careful. They can be referred to as Job Costs or more commonly, Overhead. Think of expenses as the “dollars out” of your business. Expenses go to pay to actually produce your goods or services, including labor costs and of course, insurance. Right before I started writing this article, I was scurrying around, digging up old receipts trying to get as many writeoffs as I can as I prepare for tax time. Here’s the thing, though… expenses are not just important to
FAMILY
Lifestyles
There is a huge difference between six figures of revenue and six figures of profit. Profit is like balancing the checkbook. understand at tax time. Expenses tell us a TON about our businesses! If you’re spending too much on each project that means your price either needs to go up or your costs need to go down to produce a profit. Let’s print our bank statements and get highlighter happy! (Oh, and make sure you have a separate bank account for your business. This makes it easier and faster to track finances.) Ahhh, profit. Let’s talk about “the leftover.” It is simply total sales minus total expenses! You need to know how much money your company has left after “running it.” This is not only an important number to the IRS as they determine how much income tax you’ll owe from the business, but an important number that matters to everyone. At the end of the day, I want my company to be profitable. I see a lot of creative and fun entrepreneurs these days (especially in this age of social media) throwing around lots of fancy-sounding dialect around money, but don’t be fooled. There is a huge difference between six figures of revenue and six figures of profit. Profit is like balancing the checkbook. You always want to make sure your ending number stays positive and not negative. Here’s the deal: you don’t have to be an accountant or understand the IRS handbook, but as a business owner, knowing and understanding your numbers is essential to working smarter but not harder. I have no doubt that even as a “non-money” person you have the ability to understand the few essential numbers you need to run a profitable business!
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1408 Military Road Benton, AR 72015 FORDYCE LOCATION
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Saline County Lifestyles • 13th Anniversary Edition • 13
There’s truth in the adage, “Preparation is the key to success.” Yet, preparing for college admissions can feel like a daunting process for both students and parents. From making good grades, to taking college entrance exams and writing essays, there is a considerable amount of planning and effort involved in the process.
Since 1997 Class 101 has helped OVER 5,000 STUDENTS receive more than $357M in offered college SCHOLARSHIPS. Whether your child is an eighth grader headed towards his or her freshman year of high school or your student will enter the halls as a senior this fall, Class 101 is a team of educators and counselors ready to provide your child with the right support for the right college. Class 101 provides a tailored college prep experience for every student with test prep for the ACT, SAT, and PSAT, college searches and admissions
coaching, and even financial aid processing. Class 101 in Bryant offers students the tools they need to reach their maximum potential. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the average composite score for Arkansas high school seniors in 2018 was 19.4, falling just below the national average of 20.4. While more than 30,000 Arkansas students took the ACT in 2018, the testing mean remained flat from 2017 to 2018. On average, Class 101 increases students’ ACT scores by 3.1 points. What’s more, since 1997 Class 101 has helped over 5,000 students receive more than $357 million in offered college scholarships. In 2019, Class 101 seniors received more than $175 million in scholarships to more than 200 colleges. Class 101 Franchise Director Missha Mize began her role with a passion for helping students. She understands firsthand the investment it takes to prep students for college and the importance of finding a school that’s the right fit for each child. “No two experiences
14 • Saline County Lifestyles • 13th Anniversary Edition
are alike,” explains Missha. “We help kids get higher scores and support them by preparing them. When this opportunity presented itself, I knew I wanted to get involved—for me, it’s so much more than just a job.” Missha’s daughter graduated from high school this May and will soon be navigating her own college career in the fall. The skills and support Class 101 have provided have been invaluable to Missha’s family as her daughter
begins the next chapter of her life. Students enrolling in Class 101 gain access to a number of courses, including four-week intensives. Students take practice tests and Class 101 performs assessments to see in which subjects the students can improve. Students receive an ACT prep book that helps them practice areas of struggle to ultimately improve their scores. As of May, over 50 students are enrolled in Class 101 courses in Bryant. For students who prefer a oneon-one approach, Class 101 meets every child’s specific needs. Whether that means special test accommodations or encouragement to build confidence or to overcome test anxiety, Class 101 offers a full college-planning package for families. ACT prep packages begin at $399 and $599. For the full college-planning experience, tiers range from
It’s never too soon to start planning for college. COLLEGE RESEARCH • ACT/SAT PREP COURSE CHOICES • ESSAYS/RÉSUMÉS • SCHOLARSHIPS GRADES • FINANCIAL AID • DEADLINES We offer a range of services for both students and parents including ACT/SAT training courses and finding ways to effectively pay for college. 501-213-0318 21941 Interstate 30 Suite 27 Bryant, Arkansas
class101.com/CentralArkansas Saline County Lifestyles • 13th Anniversary Edition • 15
freshman level at $3,799, sophomore at $3,499, junior at $3,299, and senior at $2,999. Payment plans are available and can be spread out over your child’s high school career. Once students have taken the test and achieved their desired test scores, Class 101 can also help them focus on which college to choose. Class 101 works with students to discover areas of interest and occupations they may want to pursue. From there, Class 101 identifies colleges specializing in the students’ areas of interest, researches costs of attendance, and helps students find scholarships. Missha says this is a central goal for Class 101. “We work with the student on a plan and try to get everything for college paid for.” According to U.S. News & World Report, the average annual 20202021cost of attendance of public universities was just under $10,000 for in-state residents and over $21,000 for out-of-state students. For private colleges, the annual cost was more than $35,000. With college costs on the rise, it’s important to have a resource available for you and your student to get every advantage. “We listen to kids and mentor them to learn more about what they want to do,” explains Missha. “We form relationships with the students and parents, and we talk to them in confidence about the support we can provide.”
A PASSION FOR FASHION
For more information about Class 101, visit www.class101.com/ centralarkansas. Ashley Leopoulos
16 • Saline County Lifestyles • 13th Anniversary Edition
Much like this publication, in October of this year, Fulks Family Dentistry will turn 13. In 2008, after three years of practice as an associate in a nearby town, I moved to Benton, opened a scratch dental practice, and welcomed my child, all in a three week window. Fulks Family Dentistry began with one employee, two dental chairs and one patient. He was a childhood friend who showed up at 8 am and was seated in chair one. Everything went smoothly. The dental work and the new equipment. We went to lunch at noon. He returned at 1 pm to be my second patient, in chair two, where incredibly, everything worked there too.
As the years have gone by, we have been fortunate to see our practice grow. There are more of us now. And we have been blessed with more patients who trust us and consider us to be their dental home. While there are some perks to a small, two operatory practice, growth has allowed us certain benefits. Now with four hygienists, often we can schedule multiple family members in a single time slot. With more than one doctor in the office, we have flexibility in scheduling and expanded office hours. Numbers are all around us. And many are important with significance and meaning. We brush twice a day, for two minutes. We schedule cleanings
twice a year. We have 20 baby teeth and 32 permanent teeth. We have one chance to make a positive first impression with a smile. But ultimately, numbers make me think of time. Time is something we only have so much of and I often find myself wasting it on things of little importance. As we move forward into 2021, let’s remind ourselves to spend our time wisely and make the most of each day. It’s my goal to buy as much time as I can in order to spend it with the ones I love and care about. And don’t forget to floss.
Saline County Lifestyles • Saline 13th Anniversary County Lifestyles Edition • 17
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Saline County Lifestyles • 13th Anniversary Edition • 21
First Electric lineman Bo Mitchell of Benton sets a power pole for a new home in rural Saline County. Photo by Gary Bean of the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas.
First Electric Cooperative Corporation has been powering Saline County for more than 70 years. The first local branch office opened in Benton on South Street in 1950. Today, First Electric operates two offices in the county. It is the second largest distribution cooperative in Arkansas and one of the 33 largest of the nation’s more than 900 electric cooperatives. First Electric is a not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative, incorporated in April 26, 1937, under the direction of the Rural Electrification Act as signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It was the first electric cooperative in Arkansas, explains Vice President of Marketing and Development Tonya Sexton.
across its five offices, and it owns and maintains more than 10,123 miles of distribution power lines, over 201,000 power poles and 46 substations. The cooperative’s headquarters is located in Jacksonville, with four full-service offices in Bryant, Heber Springs, Perryville and Stuttgart. The Saline County member service office is in Bryant at 3230 Market Place, Suite 1, and the operations center is located in Benton at 8271 Congo Road. First Electric’s Board of Directors comprises nine members representing its five districts. Karissa Rushing and Robert Maertens represent the Benton District.
MAKING A STATEMENT
By the Numbers First Electric energized its first power lines on April 15, 1938, near Jacksonville, with three employees and serving 150 members. Now, First Electric serves more than 97,770 member accounts throughout parts of 18 counties in central and southeast Arkansas, Tonya says. The cooperative employs 216 employees
Mission and Uniqueness First Electric’s overall goal is to provide safe, reliable, affordable energy for its members, Tonya says. Safety is the top priority, and it is a lifestyle the company promotes and lives every day. “Our mission is to improve quality of life, which we have been doing for more than 84 years.” First Electric belongs to those it serves—its members. “We are organized as a not-for-profit business and return capital credits to members on a recurring basis,”
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Richard and Donna Soellner chose Solar Services by First Electric for their lake house in Cleburne County. Photo by David Copeland of First Electric Cooperative.
In December 2020, First Electric Cooperative returned more than $9.56 million to its members in capital credits, bringing the grand total to more than $124.3 million since First Electric began the practice in the 1940s. Photo by First Electric Cooperative.
In June 2020, First Electric shared the high voltage safety demonstration with fire departments from Northeast Saline County, Shannon Hills, Quail Creek, Arch Street, Wrightsville and Collegeville. At First Electric, safety is the top priority, and the co-op works with first responders on how to work safely around electricity. Photo by First Electric Cooperative.
Tonya says. “With the 2020 capital credit refund of $9.56 million, the total amount refunded to members is now more than $124.3 million since the practice began in the 1940s.” In addition, each year First Electric educates thousands of students and professionals on the dangers of electricity and how to work and play safely around it. Going for Solar First Electric launched Solar Services by First Electric in 2020 to offer residential solar to those in and near our service area. The company launched this service after recognizing the huge interest in renewable energy that exists today, says David Copeland, marketing and development representative for First Electric. “For this reason, we see it as an opportunity to assist homeowners and make sure they fully understand the pros and cons of solar and ultimately what their electric bill will look like once they have solar installed.”
There are many factors to consider with solar, such as location, shading, array sizing, warranties, financing and more, David says. “For homeowners looking at solar as an investment, the precise rate you are paying for electricity must be used for accurate savings projections. Using national or regional averages will often result in a system that looks good on paper but truly is not worth the long-term investment.” Location and Solar Energy Solar panels need a clear view of the sun. For Arkansans, having panels that face the south is most preferable. Facing them any direction other than south can result in a considerable decrease in their ability to produce their maximum rated amount of power, David points out. “If your home does not have enough ideal roof space for solar, a ground-mounted array is an option to consider. Having a ground-mounted array allows the solar panels to be
In May 2017, First Electric dedicated a one-megawatt solar field at 8271 Congo Road in Benton. The solar field produces enough energy each year to power nearly 100 homes and has saved members approximately $360,000 per year in wholesale energy savings. Photo by Daniel Riedel of First Electric Cooperative.
Saline County Lifestyles • 13th Anniversary Edition • 23
ideally positioned to get the maximum power output throughout the year.” Solar by the Numbers Your home’s energy consumption must be considered to properly size a solar array. Failure to use historical consumption data can result in an undersized system that does not meet expectations, or an oversized system meaning you will have paid for extra panels that you did not need. Solar will not eliminate your electric bill, says David. “Not unless you close your electric account and install solar coupled with enough battery storage to meet your needs 24 hours a day. There are costs associated with having electric service available to you 24/7, which are shared by all members of First Electric.” For this reason, even if you install enough solar to offset your entire annual kilowatt-hour usage, there will still be a minimum bill from your electric provider, David adds. “The minimum bill is the service availability fee which is a fixed charge designed to recover the basic monthly costs of providing poles, wire, transformers, meters, billing, etc.” First Electric offers free, noobligation quotes. “Simply call, ask, and within a very short period, a custom quote can be prepared for you,” David says. Jillian Jacuzzi
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male and female survivalist who meet for the first time and are given the task of surviving a stay in the wilderness—completely naked. After they meet in the assigned locale, the partners must build a shelter and find water and food.
What happens when two complete strangers—minus their clothes— arrive in one of the most extreme environments on the planet? Each male-female duo is left without food, water and clothes, allowed only one essential (read ‘helpful’) item as they attempt to survive on their own for 14 very long, difficult days.
The events of each couple’s quest play out in a single episode of the show. They are provided with rough cross-body satchels containing a personal diary/camera for use when the camera crew is not there at night, and a map. They all wear identical necklaces with a center bead that is a microphone with a wire connecting to a wireless audio transmitter hidden in the satchel. Some personal jewelry is allowed. There is a camera crew who are not allowed to intervene except for medical emergencies when it is “absolutely necessary.”
This is the premise of ‘Naked and Afraid’, a reality series that airs on the Discovery Channel. Each episode chronicles the lives of a
Security companies help local families lessen their risk, yet the expert Saline County residents depend on did not play it safe for himself for 14
26 • Saline County Lifestyles • 13th Anniversary Edition
days. So just who is Matt Garland and what inspired him to join the show? Matt is a Benton native and a local nature survivalist—and ‘Naked & Afraid’ enthusiast— who recently appeared in Season 12, episode 7 that aired on April 4, 2021, and took place in the Chiricahua Wilderness in Arizona. The local home security expert with Advanced Alarm Technologies was goaded into applying for a spot on the show, and the rest is history. “I’m one of those people who have watched and re-watched every episode of the show, and always have it on in the background when I’m at home and ‘couch quarterback’ as I watch. One day my friends and wife, Kelsey, goaded me into signing up for it, and I thought nothing would come of it. I was surprised when they called me,” said Matt. “I’m a third generation Eagle
Photo Courtesy of discovery+
Scout and earned the rank of Order of the Arrow. Being a boy scout is a rite of passage in my family. I have spent my entire life preparing for this survival challenge,” shared Matt. “The premise of scouting is to ‘always be prepared’ and the show takes away that advantage, since you can only take one item with you.” “My helpful item is what I call a ‘matchet,’ which is a modified hatchet,” said Matt. “It is a really helpful, multi-use tool that I made. I keep it in the back of my truck and use it for everything— as a hammer, to skin deer.” When asked what his victory with the show was, Matt is quick to say “Completing the 14-day show was my victory,” said Matt. “Before the show (as a viewer), I had an outside perspective and judged the participants a lot. Now that I’ve lived it, I understand that every single thing is a battle. To do anything is hard—if
you’re hungry, you have to pursue your food. Thirsty? Go find the water, prepare it to be able to drink it. I realized how much I take for granted every single day,” said Matt. The biggest surprise of the show was all the difficulty with traps. “For instance, I had to come up with six feet of cord for one simple snare. It took hours to make the cord. In hindsight, if I had more time and patience during the show, I could have re-used some of the cords,” said Matt. When asked what he had to overcome in the 14-day survival challenge, Matt answers candidly, “I had a very inexperienced partner, and there were parts of that dynamic that were super difficult to overcome. We disagreed strongly, and it caused friction. We did end up apologizing, and we did overcome it, but gaining my partner’s trust was difficult,” said Matt.
MATT IS A BENTON NATIVE AND A LOCAL NATURE SURVIVALIST— AND ‘NAKED & AFRAID’ ENTHUSIAST—WHO RECENTLY APPEARED IN SEASON 12, EPISODE 7. Matt is quick to say what the experience taught him. “I learned a lot about patience over the course of 14 days,” said Matt. But he is also eager to relive the challenges and take on new ones. “I’m not done—I want to go back and be on the show again, and my goal is to complete a 21-day traditional challenge and then a 40-day challenge.” Sometimes all it takes is 14 days of living an adventure to realize it is just the beginning, and there is more to experience, even if it means living in the wilderness naked and feeling afraid. Carrie Amox
Saline County Lifestyles • 13th Anniversary Edition • 27
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Saline County Lifestyles • 13th Anniversary Edition • 29
Jason Brown had an idea flown past him—literally. Two years ago, the 43rd Annual Women’s Air Race Classic raced across the country and stopped at the Saline County Regional Airport in Bryant. A crowd of around 300 was expected to greet the group but instead nearly 3,000 spectators showed up. That sparked an idea from Brown, the Bryant Chamber of Commerce President and CEO. Since then, he’s been working on an air show called Wings Over Bryant, which will be held on Saturday, June 19th, which falls on Father’s Day weekend, at the airport.
with activities for children. There will also be an array of food trucks available, Brown said. Children 12 and under receive free gate admission, and adult tickets are $20 online or at the gate and $15 at all Big Red convenience store locations in Pulaski, Saline, Grant and Garland counties. Patrons are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. A VIP area with seating will also be available. Parking for the event will be available at the airport and as lots fill up, parking with shuttles will be available at the schools surrounding the airport.
“I was like, ‘Hmm, we need to do an air show,” he said. “So, we started the process, and that is where it stemmed from.”
Sixteen sponsors are included in Wings Over Bryant. Arkansas Heart Hospital is the title sponsor with Arvest Bank, McLarty Nissan of Benton, First Security Bank, and Big Red Stores as presenting sponsors.
The show is the only one scheduled in the state this year and one of the largest in the country, Brown said.
The Brooke Andrews State Farm Agency is the VIP sponsor, and other sponsors include the City of
“We are just excited about doing this for Bryant and for Saline County, and for the United States,” he said. “We
Gates will open at 10 a.m. with the show beginning at 1 p.m. and running till around 4 p.m. Several air acts are planned as well as aircraft to view and the Lil’ Aviator’s kid zone
30 • Saline County Lifestyles • 13th Anniversary Edition
Bryant, Arego’s Guns, Coca-Cola Consolidated Bottling Co., Henderson State University Department of Aviation, First Electric Cooperative, Bank of England Mortgage, Clinton National Airport, Fence Brokers, DC Aviation Maintenance, DNT Media, Midtown-Mechanical Services, Eagle Bank Mortgage, Clark&Co Realty and Whetstone Law Firm.
THE SHOW IS THE ONLY ONE SCHEDULED IN THE STATE THIS YEAR AND ONE OF THE LARGEST IN THE COUNTRY.
really want people to enjoy the show.” Brown and a committee of 30 members from “all walks of life” in Saline County have worked hard to put the event together. Brown said he has a contact who has organized around 100 air shows who sent him potential acts for the program. Brown then OK’d the acts and contacted them. A Federal Aviation Administration contact has helped secure all of the paperwork necessary to have the show approved, and Brown has worked with all law enforcement officials to secure the grounds.
has been a blessing, and working with everyone in the community on a project like this is just fun.” The show itself includes 14 acts with 153 minutes of pulse-pounding excitement from performers who hail from across the nation. The event begins with skydivers (presenting the National Anthem), and ends with them as well. Brown is particularly excited about two acts. Kevin Coleman, a pilot
for Red Bull and recognized as one of the top pilots in the country, is a former U.S. National Champion and has been seen on numerous televised competitions. He will be performing in Act No. 9 at 2:30 p.m. At 2:58 p.m., Act No. 12, Team Aeroshell, will perform. Brown said they are the No. 1 air show act in the United States. The four planes fly in formation, do wild aerobatic maneuvers with a lot of
“When this thing finally gets done, we are all going to sit back the next day and go, ‘Ahh,’” he said. “This is going to be an amazing thing we are able to do for our community. It is great to see something this big actually happen. Working with the Airport Commission has been a blessing, working with [the City of Bryant]
Saline County Lifestyles • 13th Anniversary Edition • 31
smoke, and also fly individually. Brown expects many children to attend the event with their dads and families. The Midtown Mechanical Services Little Aviators Children’s Area will be $10 to enter and will include a rock climbing wall, inflatables, airplane train and more. A large variety of food vendors will be set up on the grounds, including Jimmy Jerk Chicken and BBQ, Riverside Grocery and Catering, Kona Ice, Smoke Beast BBQ, LLC, Our Mobile Kitchen by Chef Serge and Trippy Hippy Tacos. Brown said the event, which will be held annually, was designed to be an economic boost for the area. The crowd is expected to be between 35,000 and 50,000 people. He expects many of those in attendance to travel from long distances. The Chamber has heard from aviation fans and families from all over the United States, who have expressed interest and plan to visit the area. “I know people are literally coming in from all over the country,” he said. “People from all over the United States are calling and emailing us about it. This is literally going to put Saline County on the map. People around the world and the United States that haven’t heard of Saline County will know where we are now.” For more information and to watch videos of all of the acts performing in Wings Over Bryant, visit wingsoverbryant.com. Nate Olson
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Saline County Lifestyles • 13th Anniversary Edition • 33
Turn on the news, grab a newspaper, or do a Google search, and you’ll have no problem finding research and commentary regarding the increasing costs of higher education and questions about the value of that education relative to the debt students incur. Some will caution that these are legitimate concerns. And when Saline County students return to school for the Fall 2021 semester, many will receive opportunities to continue
their educations and skills training through the new Saline County Career Technical Campus (SCCTC), in partnership with Arkansas State University (ASU) Three Rivers. “It’s an incredible investment the county has made,” said ASU Three Rivers Chancellor Steve Rook. “The campus sits on a 27-acre site, with 22 of those [acres] developed to include a 134,000 square foot facility. That’s the equivalent of three football fields of conditioned space.” Funded by a countywide tax approved by voters in 2018, the SCCTC carries a price tag of $44 million. This includes land, construction and the educational technology needed to give all students a chance to prepare for the 21stcentury workforce when they arrive on campus in mid-August. “We’re going to have our doors open to all students who have interest,” said Scott Kuttenkuler, Assistant Vice
34 • Saline County Lifestyles • 13th Anniversary Edition
Chancellor for SCCTC. “We’ll have some students who are going to take the traditional college path, and that’s great. We’re also going to work with students who didn’t think they would even finish high school, and that’s incredible. “We’re currently looking at kids from six high schools, approximately 524 students in total,” Kuttenkuler added. “This is generational change for these students. It’s going to change the ability for their families to grow and prosper, and it’s something we hope will have positive impacts for years to come.” Kuttenkuler says SCCTC will offer 10 courses of study, ranging from cyber security and industrial maintenance to welding and automotive. “There was a tremendous dialogue in choosing the programs we’d be offering through the Technical Campus,” he said. “I think the selections that were ultimately made were for those professions that will be around and will have a need for workers in the future.” Partnering with the SCCTC is ASU Three Rivers, based in nearby Malvern. The campus has been in existence for more than 50 years, serving first as a vocational school, then expanding to a technical college. After years of discussion, the school joined the Arkansas State University System last year, something Chancellor Steve Rook believes only makes his
students and their opportunities better. “I believe there is strength in numbers,” he said. “By gaining access with a central office, we’re provided with services we otherwise wouldn’t have. Also, considering Henderson State has come on board with the ASU System, it gives our students options for other institutions where they can continue their education.”
“THIS IS GENERATIONAL CHANGE FOR THESE STUDENTS. IT’S GOING TO CHANGE THE ABILITY FOR THEIR FAMILIES TO GROW AND PROSPER, AND IT’S SOMETHING WE HOPE WILL HAVE POSITIVE IMPACTS FOR YEARS TO COME.” Today, Chancellor Rook says ASU Three Rivers carries a 50/50 split between transferable degree offerings, and technical programs and certificates for the workforce. In the 2018-19 school year, the College awarded more than 650 different awards, degrees and certificates. “We offer an associate of arts degree, which is our traditional transfer degree,” he said. “That includes the first 60 hours of almost any fouryear degree in the state of Arkansas. In total, we have about 300 students enrolled in our transfer program.” Among its course offerings, ASU Three Rivers’ largest program is in nursing. With 100 students accepted into the practical nursing program and another 100 enrolled in the registered nursing program annually, Chancellor Rook sees tremendous opportunity for those looking to enter the healthcare sector. “Last fall, we had 135 applicants for 50 slots,” he said. “As many nurses as we are graduating annually, there is still a tremendous demand for this field, and it only seems to be increasing. Saline County Lifestyles • 13th Anniversary Edition • 35
These are highly transferable positions, which can go almost anywhere in the country, not just in Arkansas. There are jobs everywhere because of the consistent demand.”
THESE ARE HIGHLY TRANSFERABLE POSITIONS, WHICH CAN GO ALMOST ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY, NOT JUST IN ARKANSAS. Chancellor Rook and Scott Kuttenkuler agree the need for skilled and talented workers in Central Arkansas presents a chance for ASU Three Rivers and SCCTC to continue growing to meet that demand. “This is an incredible opportunity for us and for these students in Saline County,” Chancellor Rook said. “We look forward to building relationships within the industries and looking for opportunities where we can grow once things start.” “Our mission is to train Saline County kids for Saline County jobs,” Kuttenkuler said. “That way, these students will consider staying and strengthening Saline County and its workforce.” Construction on the Saline County Career Technical Campus is scheduled to wrap up in late June, with students slated to arrive and begin working August 16. ASU Three Rivers will be hosting its Foundation Golf Tournament on May 24 at Malvern Country Club. For more information on that event and on course offerings through the school, go to www.asutr.edu. Charles Crowson
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FAMILY
Lifestyle
24: The Number to Focus On By Jason White, Lead Pastor GracePoint Church
How many remember the action/ drama TV series, 24? This TV series followed the main character, Jack Bauer, in a real-time format as he took on terrorist plots, assassination attempts, and other suspenseful situations. What made the TV show so interesting was that the one-hour show basically carried us into one hour of Jack Bauer’s day. Thus, a season was comprised of 24 episodes making that season one day in Jack’s intense life. Why do I bring that up? For that one hour each week, I was locked in! It caused me to think, “What if I devoted this much focus on each hour of each day?” Isn’t that how God intended us to live our lives? To answer my own question, yes it is. The Bible is full of scripture that lays out the importance of living day-today. We often spend so much time and mental energy thinking about future plans, problems, and goals, that we have forgotten we have to live today in order to make the most of those plans. We must achieve our goals in these 24 hours if we intend to ever reach the long-term goals we hope to attain. Jesus made us very aware of the importance of focusing on today when he laid out the example of how to pray in Matthew 6:9-13. Verse 11 says, “Give us this day our daily bread.”
Again, later in his teaching on the hillside overlooking the Sea of Galilee, he would say, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Yet we exert massive amounts of mental energy thinking about every day BUT today!
Moments are what make a life full of purpose. How many wonderful moments in these 24 hours are we breezing right by because we are thinking about a problem that hasn’t even materialized? Now, I feel I must clarify a few things. I’m not suggesting that you shouldn’t plan for the future. I’m not promoting that we shouldn’t have goals. What I am suggesting is that we become more aware of what God wants to do in our lives in this 24 hours. How does he want to use you to love your spouse today? How does he want to demonstrate his love through you to your children? Maybe these 24 hours are the very day that God uses you to help change
38 • Saline County Lifestyles • 13th Anniversary Edition
the course of eternity for a friend, coworker, or even a total stranger by leading them to a relationship with Jesus. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16). In other words, the smartest way to live our lives is by taking advantage of the God-ordained moments that we encounter in our day. Moments are what make a life full of purpose. How many wonderful moments in these 24 hours are we breezing right by because we are thinking about a problem that hasn’t even materialized? Or, maybe we are so attentive to future plans that we miss those tender, eternity-filled moments with our children? We are always, “Just working for the weekend,” as Loverboy sang in their 80’s hit. What about the other 120 hours in the week? Let us be more aware of the 24 hours we are in at this moment. Let God help to make you alive to the beauty and significance of today. Our prayer is that God would give us this day our daily bread. When thinking about your future plans, goals, or even eternity, we must come to the realization that those things—yes even eternity— have begun in these 24 hours!
Saline County Lifestyles • 13th Anniversary Edition • 39
FAMILY
Lifestyle
Baker’s Dozen: 13 Things to do with Dad By Gina Simpson, Gina’s Catering/Grab & Go
enjoy the peace and quiet together. Most of the time I spent with my Dad while taking in the lovely dad as a child consisted of doing scenery Arkansas has to offer. 3: Take a Trip to the outside yard work, helping fix broken Farmer’s Market 2: Go Fishing gates and lawnmowers, and grilling. It Help support local farmers Take out the family boat, hunt down was in these moments that I realized while also shopping for delicious that unused canoe or pull up alongside the hard work my dad put in to foods to grill with your dad at the riverbank and go on a fishing trip. help maintain the household, and I home. Nothing beats homegrown, While patiently waiting for the big realized how important it is to take the fresh veggies and fresh meat. catch, take the time to catch up and time to spend quality time with him. This Father’s Day, take the initiative DIRECTIONS: to spend some 1. Rinse the chicken and pat dry. Toss the ginger with 2 tablespoons of quality time with salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Sprinkle half of the mixture on the chicken; your father or father reserve the rest. Refrigerate the chicken, uncovered, at least 2 hours. figure. And if you’re 2. Meanwhile, make the sauce: pour the ginger beer into a wide skillet; cover out of ideas, Saline and bring to a boil. Uncover and cook over high heat until reduced by half, INGRED about IENTS County has a lot of 30 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the tea bags and steep 10 minutes ; • 6 chicken quarters different activities discard the tea bags. Add the onion, tomatoes, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, (4 to 4 1/2 pounds total) brown sugar and thyme. Return to high heat and cook, stirring occasion to offer. Here’s a ally, until thick, about 50 minutes, using a potato masher to crush the tomatoes during • 2 tablespoons ground ginger list of 13 activities the last 5 minutes. Remove the thyme. Set aside half of the sauce for serving. • Kosher salt and freshly to do with your ground pepper 3. Bring the chicken to room temperature about 30 minutes before father this summer: • 6 12-ounce bottles ginger beer grilling. Preheat a grill to medium with indirect heat: On a charcoal grill, 1: Go on a Hike bank the coals to one side; on a gas grill, turn off half of the burners. • 6 black tea bags • 3/4 cup minced onion 4. Brush the chicken with some of the butter and sprinkle with some of the Enjoy the remaining ground • 1 28-ounce ginger mixture. Place skin-side up on the cooler side of the grill; cover and can diced tomatoes Natural State cook until it starts browning, about 18 minutes, basting with more butter • 1/4 cup dijon mustard and sprinkling and take a hike. with more ground ginger mixture halfway through. Brush the chicken with a • 3 tablespoo ns thick Not only will layer of sauce. Cover and cook until a thermometer inserted into the thickest Worcestershire sauce part you be getting registers 160 degrees F, about 20 minutes, basting with more sauce halfway • 1/4 cup packed light or through. your steps in, dark brown sugar 5. Brush the chicken with more butter, then turn skin-side down and but you will have • 12 sprigs thyme place on the hotter side of the grill (over direct heat). Cook, uncovered, until marked, about 2 minutes. Rotate the chicken to make crisscross grill the opportunity • 1 stick unsalted butter, melted marks and cook 2 more minutes. Transfer to a board and let rest about to spend quality 10 minutes. Season with salt and serve with the reserved sauce. time with
Ginger-B eer G lazed Grilled Chicken
40 • Saline County Lifestyles • 13th Anniversary Edition
FAMILY
4: Get Crafty
Find that old toolbox and build something fun yet useful, whether that be a birdhouse, bookshelf or a simple porch table. 5: Play Yard Games Spend some time outside playing some fun, yet competitive games. Dust off that old cornhole set-up, or break out the old horseshoes, and enjoy a fun day outdoors.
This Father’s Day, think about how throwing in a little extra time and love could make all the difference for Dad! 6: Watch a Movie
Enjoy a nice throwback movie, picked out by your father. You could end up going “Back to the Future,” or even visiting the “Lone Ranger.” Grab your favorite snacks and popcorn, and go back to simpler times. 7: Visit Memory Lane Take a trip down memory lane and break out the old family albums. With most things in this day and age being digital, take the time to reminisce about your childhood, while also spending quality time with those who raised you. 8: Have a Game Night Get competitive and challenge your father to a classic game of Checkers or Blackjack. Spend time with your father while having fun along the way, as long as you don’t bet your entire wallet on that game of Blackjack. 9: Take a Day Trip to Big Rock Race one another on the go-karts, grab a couple clubs for mini-golf and play some arcade games at Big Rock Mini Golf and Fun Park. Spark up that competitive spirit; just don’t wreck your go-kart. 10: Go to the Park/Have a Picnic Get a breath of fresh air, and take you and your dad out for a nice picnic
at Mills or Tyndall Park. Catch up on your day while enjoying some good finger foods and cool beverages. 11: Shop Local Help support local businesses around town, while also finding a good, useful gift for your dad. There are many businesses in Downtown Benton and within the Bryant area that would love your support. 12: Visit a Local Brewery Enjoy a nice night out with your dad while also supporting some local breweries. Many local breweries offer tours through their facilities, as well as taste testing. 13: Grill Together And of course, there is the classic art of grilling. Learn some new grilling techniques from your dad, while also bonding over the staple dad hobby. The phrase “baker’s dozen” means providing more than a dozen. In
Lifestyles
other words, when we buy a dozen of an item such as vegetables, fruits, or a bakery snacks, the seller gives one or two extra items out of love or generosity. This Father’s Day, think about how throwing in a little extra time and love could make all the difference for Dad!
more minutes in your day to spend with your loved ones. HOME-COOKED MEALS MADE EASY.
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Lifestyle
By: Justin S. Elrod, Certified Elder Law Attorney, The Elrod Firm Numbers matter. Nowhere is that more true than in Major League Baseball. Players, coaches, executives, and fans keep a close eye on the numbers in all professional sports, but they take it to a whole different level in baseball. Take for instance the number 2,632. All true fans know that is the number of consecutive games that “Iron Man” Cal Ripkin, Jr. played without missing a single outing, despite suffering a handful of injuries along the way that would have kept mere mortals out of the lineup. Since Ripkin, no player has reached even half that total. Or the number 3,562, the recordsetting total number of games played by Pete Rose during his career. How about the number 262, the nearly unfathomable hit total Ichiro recorded in 2004? Or the number 1,406, Ricky Henderson’s impossibleto-match career stolen base total. What about the number .366? That’s the highest career batting average in history, a record held by Ty Cobb. Or the number 762, the recordshattering (and controversial) career home run total turned in by Barry Bonds. Or the number 2,297, the
most runs batted in over a career, a record held by Hank Aaron. But among all these giants, one player stands out above the rest. He only played in 1,382 games during his 10-season career, nowhere near the record set by Pete Rose, with no “Iron Man” streaks like Ripkin. He never had more than 203 hits in a single season, so he didn’t threaten Ichiro’s record. His career batting average was a solid .311, but not a threat to the number posted by Ty Cobb. He only stole 197 bases, hit 137 home runs, and batted in 734 runs during his career, so he didn’t threaten the lifetime numbers posted by Ricky Henderson, Barry Bonds, or Hank Aaron. Don’t get me wrong—this player had a very impressive career and some inspired single season numbers at the plate. He was named rookie of the year in 1947 and National League MVP in 1949. He was on the All-Star team in six of his 10 seasons, and he played in six World Series for the Dodgers. But his statistics and awards do not explain why his jersey number, 42, is the only number retired by every single major league baseball team in the league.
42 • Saline County Lifestyles • 13th Anniversary Edition
When a father takes the time to get his affairs in order the right way through estate planning, he sets an example to his family. His stats do not shed much light on why every single player and manager wears jersey number 42 every year on April 15. No, Jackie Robinson stands out among the other giants of baseball because of the impact he had on the game beyond wins, losses, and statistics. Every year on Jackie Robinson Day, the date in 1947 when he broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball by starting at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers, we honor Robinson’s legacy, not his numbers. Often when I meet with families to discuss estate planning, they start by saying, “We don’t have much, but what we have we want to pass on to our family.” That is a good goal to have. The alternative, of course, without planning would be the risk of losing a large portion of the estate
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to lawyers, courts, taxes, or even nursing home costs. But I take issue with the premise of that comment— the “we don’t have much” part. Just like Jackie Robinson’s impact on the world was much bigger than the numbers he posted in 10 seasons for the Dodgers, what these families have is much more than the numbers that show up on their bank statements. When a father takes the time to get his affairs in order the right way through estate planning, he sets an example to his family as to what it looks like to be organized and prepared. When a mother puts a solid estate plan in place, she shows that she cares about what her children would be going through after she’s gone. The value of a person’s legacy is measured in more than the number of dollars he or she passes on to the next generation. Think about the legacy you want to leave behind, and invest enough time and effort into the planning process to ensure you do it right. At The Elrod Firm, our top priority is helping families leave a legacy, not just an estate. To learn more about how we can help families with estate planning and long-term care concerns, visit our website at ElrodFirm.com. Saline County Lifestyles • 13th Anniversary Edition • 43
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