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Saline County Lifestyles • 1

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

Saline County Lifestyles • 1

EDITOR’S LETTER

At the risk of sounding like an allergy commercial, do you suffer from itchy, watery eyes, sneezing and a runny nose? Isn’t it a coincidence that in the time of year you most want to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the outdoors, you sometimes can’t? Thought you left the seasonal sniffles with your sandals and shorts? Not so fast. Spring isn’t the only season that can make you suffer—autumn can also be a red-eyed, runny-nosed minefield.

There is no question that fall is my favorite season. Nothing beats 70-degree afternoons, but I can often have trouble enjoying them because of my allergies.

Surprisingly enough, a tiny thing like ragweed and pollen can stop up my nose, clog my ears, and make my eyes water, all the while making my favorite foods taste bland. All of the senses I use on a daily basis come under attack.

You don’t realize how much of a wonderful impact the senses have on your life until they are hindered. This Issue is a tribute to the senses, discussing how to maximize the use of these God-given gifts we sometimes take for granted.

I’m sure most of you know the 5 senses are smell, touch, taste, sight and hearing.

Unless something goes wrong with one of these basic senses, the ordinary person generally doesn’t give them a second thought. As you read this, I’d challenge you to slow down and reflect on some of the subtle sensory moments we don’t often take time to appreciate. For me, it’s the gentle touch of my six-month-old daughter’s hands on my face as I smooch her precious baby cheeks. The sounds of the Razorback fight song, as I root on my favorite team. The taste of my wife’s game-changing banana bread, fresh out of the oven, or even the smell of the crisp morning air as I take the kids to school with the top off the Jeep. If I just open my eyes, it’s easy to see all the blessings—big and small—around every turn.

I should give Mother Nature a thank you. Not that I enjoy having seasonal allergies, but at least now I realize how I’ve been taking my senses for granted.

As soon as you get out of bed, your senses are hard at work, connecting you to your environment. This Issue will show how you can “strengthen your senses” and put them to work in the community around you, as you take in the sights, sounds and smells of your surroundings. Your town. Your life. Your magazine.

2021 Volume 14, Issue 5

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 Brent Davis Justin Elrod Dr. David Gibson Jillian Jacuzzi Ashley Leopoulos Marietta McClure PJ Noland Gina Simpson Dr. Sam Taggart Contributing Photographer Lela & Lyla Photography

>> ON THE COVER WHO: Sarah Farmer, D.D.S. Saline County Children’s Dentistry

WHAT: Caramel Apple Latte WHERE: Blue House Bakery | Bryant IDEAS/COMMENTS

JOSH ELROD Publisher & Editor

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 • Sharpening the Senses

CONTENTS EQUIPPING WOMEN

NOTES FROM DR SAM

FITNESS TIPS

HEALTH UPDATE

INSURANCE INSIGHT

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Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses • 3

How can just 12 weeks change a life?

Christian Women’s Job Corps, or Women Equipped, is a new Christian-based ministry that strives to empower women through Christ for jobs and life. Under the leadership of Susie Everett, Kelly Cowden, Stephanie McDonald and Cindy Haltom, Saline County women now have a unique opportunity to equip women for life in a Christian context through career-focused classes, Bible study, and building meaningful relationships.

“Women Equipped is about relationships; we all are broken, and we need positive relationships to grow in life. First and foremost, a relationship with Christ, then relationships with others that cause us to grow,” says Susie Everett.

4 • Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses

Our community will benefit from women who will have the potential of being outstanding, trustworthy, skilled employees.

“I have been on the board of the Women’s Job Corp in Paragould. I knew it would be beneficial for Saline County but could not see how I would have the time and energy to pursue this ministry in my community. I did not feel called to launch Christian Women’s Job Corp until two and a half years ago. I was driving down South Street and somehow focused on New Beginnings Pregnancy Resource Center, and the ladies that come to this center, I thought, could benefit so much from this program. It was then that God laid it on my heart. At that moment I called a strong Christian friend and told him what I felt led to do in our county. Calling this friend helped me to stay accountable and pursue this task. I would never have attempted this ministry if I did not feel called by God,” Everett adds.

The program, in its first semester, provides participants with important life skills that promote community among women, provides educational and employment opportunities and most importantly, provides a place of faith, hope, and love. “We are so excited about the potential

impact of Women Equipped. As a student’s life is mended, life choices are improved, and self-confidence grows. Then this can bleed over into the lives of their children, breaking a negative cycle and impacting families for generations to come!

“Our community will benefit from women who will have the potential of being outstanding, trustworthy, skilled employees. We are hoping our students will have many opportunities to obtain employment because of this training and graduation certificate,” explains Susie. Among other skill sets, Women Equipped offers development of communication, computer efficiency, resume writing, interview training, and selfconfidence and self-sustainment.

There are specific classes to choose from including, Stepping Stones, Complete Guide to Money, A Long Walk to Water, Find Your Voice, Boundaries, 5 Love Languages of Children and Adulting 101.

Women Equipped teachers will take participants step-by-step, chapter-bychapter through these inspiring books with lecture, discussion and takeaways from each session. The Boundaries curriculum, written by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend, will help women have clear boundaries essential to a healthy, balanced lifestyle. The authors offer biblically-

based answers to tough questions that show how to set healthy boundaries with parents, spouses, children, friends, co-workers and even ourselves.

Classes are free but all applicants must be 18 years or older, have a desire to make a change, be willing to participate in Bible study, commit to attend all classes, and have a willingness to work with the Women Equipped Leadership Team and teachers to achieve goals.

The first session offered for students began September 7. Classes are held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Students may enroll through the month of September, but the sooner the student begins class the better the success will be, organizers say.

The next session begins in late January or February. The dates for the spring semester will be posted later, on the website. Contact Women Equipped early, as the maximum

Cindy Haltom

Retired Teacher & Site Coordinator “It has been a blessing to help establish Women Equipped in Saline County. It has been so rewarding to blend my background in teaching with God’s call to serve women in this ministry.

It is our prayer that we will help equip women with lifetime skills that will lead to a productive, significant and rewarding life for their families and for them personally.”

Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses • 5

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As a student’s life is mended, life choices are improved, and self-confidence grows.

enrollment is only 15 students at one time. Classes are currently held at First Baptist Church in Benton, but spring classes will be held at 218 W. South Street in Benton (formerly the “old Care Clinic”), recently renovated for this ministry’s use.

Many Saline County residents have partnered with the Leadership Team and serve on the Board of Directors. They are Becky Fulcher, President; Luke Vance, Vice President; Trisha Stewart, Secretary; Melinda Armstrong; Treasurer; Traci Baugh, Lita Gattis, David Hendrix, Frances Raley, Michael Reese, Linda Smith and Edd Spurlock. “Women Equipped is incorporated and is a 501(c)(3) organization. The group has more than 50 volunteers, and no one receives compensation for what they have done or will do.”

There is an abundance of opportunities to get involved in this valuable ministry including positions in hospitality, teaching, becoming a journey partner, and office administration. And because Women Equipped is a non-profit, financial donations are always needed.  Charles Crowson

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If you would like more information, or to enroll in 2022 classes, visit womenequippedsaline.org or send an email to infowomenequippedsaline.org.

6 • Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses

Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses • 7

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Good Day, I hope this note finds you well.

In my first book, We All Hear Voices, Jack, the cook at Moon’s Bar and Grill, has the gift of synesthesia; he tastes shapes and sees sounds. He is fascinated by the stock car track across the road from the café and becomes absorbed in the brightly colored cars as they maneuver around the oval track.

With the stimulation of the sights and sounds of the stock car track, Jack returns to the café and creates great banquets of food. Soon, Moon’s Bar and Grill is considered the best little eatery in this part of the mid-South.

Jack’s gift of synesthesia is technically defined as a union or combining of the senses. Prior to the 1990’s, this gift was thought to be rare but with the advent of the Internet it has become clear that it is reasonably common.

The most common form of synesthesia goes by the name of grapheme; these folks see numbers or letters in color.

Most authorities have estimated that this trait is far more common in artists, writers, musicians and scientists.

This gift has been known to science for well over three hundred years, but it wasn’t until the early twentieth century and the advent of Kandinsky, a Russian born painter, that synesthesia began to garner

significant attention. He is credited as being the father of modern abstract art and helping to shape many of our ideas about the relationships among color, form, and emotion.

Prominent artists, writers and scientists have acknowledged that they have this gift. Franz Liszt and Rimsky-Korsakov both discussed the impact of synesthesia on their music.

Duke Ellington often spoke of the ‘blue and yellow’ sounds emanating from the horn section of his orchestra.

In the early 1920’s, Georgia O’Keeffe painted a series of delightful pieces that she entitled “Pink and Blue Music.” John Mayer, the popular guitarist, has discussed synesthesia and its impact on his music.

The first major motion picture that featured elements of synesthesia was the 1940s Disney movie of fantastic realism, Fantasia; the whale song and floating keyboard are right out of Kandinsky. Another landmark movie with clear synesthetic elements is the movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind; the climactic scene where the mother ship lands and communication begins is a primer in cross-modal communication.

Jack’s, all of us have some “crossmodal” potential. What is ‘loud’ about a bright red shirt? What is ‘sharp’ about cheddar cheese? What is ‘bitter’ about a cold wind? Each of these questions involves a synesthetic metaphor. Where did we come up with these metaphors? Research suggests that as young infants we all have the capacity to cross the normal lines of sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch. As we grow, most of this is pushed into the background; but what happens if these lines blur in the materials to which we are exposed as small children? Is it possible our grandchildren will be synesthetes?

Is it possible they already are?

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 45 years. He recently released Country Doctors of Arkansas, published by the Arkansas Times. His other books, The Public’s Health: A narrative history of health and disease in Arkansas, With a Heavy Heart and We All Hear Voices are available at your local booksellers or online at amazon.com.

Scientists working in the field feel that though we may not all be born with a genetic gift as dominant as Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses • 9

ACTIVE

Lifestyle

FITNESS TIPS Stress: Senses on Overload

By Marietta McClure, Head Trainer, McClure Fitness

When someone asks what you’ve been up to, how do you respond?

For me it’s usually something like, “Oh, just staying busy!” Then the conversation quickly turns to how we’ve all got so much going on and there’s just no time for anything.

I’ve got a gym to run, four kids to keep alive, and a marriage to give attention to. But I’d never undermine the stay-at-home Mom that has a week full of cheer practice, football games, and playdates; or the Mom with a full-time job; or the college girl with a full class schedule and part-time job. I see you.

This urge to compare our “busy” like a badge of honor is exhausting.

Whether it’s an unreasonable workload, a lack of support, the stress of responding to emails afterhours, or even financial worries, burnout can leave you physically stressed and emotionally drained.

If you have no motivation to get up in the morning and you now hate the things you used to love, it’s time to make a change. While stress-relieving activities like watching Netflix, getting a pedicure, and reading can all help combat burnout symptoms, the real powerhouse is exercise.

According to a Stress in America survey published by the American Psychological Association (APA), over half of adults say they feel good about

themselves after exercising, and 30% of adults say exercising makes them feel less stressed. Here’s the kicker: that same survey said 39% of adults have skipped exercise in the past month when they felt stressed. If you’ve been experiencing work or life burnout, the best thing you can do for your physical and emotional health is work it out!

The Burnout is REAL The burnout is real.

Seriously—it’s not just you.

The Mayo Clinic explains that while burnout isn’t a medical diagnosis, it’s a series of symptoms including excessive stress, fatigue, insomnia, irritability, and even serious conditions like heart disease and high blood pressure.

While burnout is not the same as stress, it’s often the result of unrelenting stress. Being burned out means feeling empty inside, feeling mentally exhausted, being beyond caring, and quite honestly, being devoid of all motivation.

Burnout can come from a lack of control in the workplace, unclear job expectations, tricky workplace dynamics, and work-life imbalance.

And that’s just to name a few.

Whether your job has you screaming into your pillow at night or home life has you feeling completely exhausted and unmotivated, there’s some good news. Once you recognize you’re

10 • Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses

burnt out, you can fix it—or at least improve it greatly—with exercise.

Feel The Burn The best way to combat burnout? Feel the burn!

We’re all working ourselves to the bone, but what many don’t realize is that exercise and physical movement not only makes you healthier overall, but it’s incredible for stress relief.

While physical movement can kick burnout to the curb and help manage your stress, you also get added benefits like improved mood, appetite control, weight loss, increased energy, lower blood pressure, reduced risk for heart disease and stroke, better sleep…the list really does go on.

Get Your Mind Right While burnout most certainly affects you physically and can even lead to serious conditions like heart disease and high blood pressure, most of the initial symptoms are all in your head.

The little things we pile in with our “busy” aren’t harmless. All of that stress festers and grows until your entire life is a bit gloomy. The mental exhaustion sets in and we start to feel the consequences.

When stress affects your brain, the rest of your body feels that impact.

The good news is, this goes both ways: If your body starts to feel

better, your mind follows suit.

Exercise produces endorphins, or the natural painkiller chemical in the brain, which improve your ability to sleep and also reduce stress. Those effects snowball into relieving burnout. When you get your workout in and put your mind and body in sync, amazing things happen like lower tension, improved mood, and better sleep.

Best Workouts to Kick Burnout to the Curb We know from surveys and recent research that group exercises have an incredible impact on your mental, physical, and emotional health. One of the things I absolutely love about group exercise is the “one-mind” mentality. No matter what you had going on when you walked in, once class starts, we all get focused on one thing. Each movement, every breath, and every struggle is felt together.

From the mindfulness of yoga to the rhythm of kickboxing and the intensity of a HIIT class, we get stronger together. Any physical activity that gets your heart rate up will have the wonderful effects of reducing stress and improving your mood.

Whatever you do, don’t skip your workout because you’re feeling burnout. That’ll start a rapid downward spiral that could actually be helped by making your way to the gym. Working out doesn’t have to be a burden, and by including it in your lifestyle, you can actively defeat stress and burnout.

Find the Workout Program For You Sometimes, work stress gets in the way and things get overwhelming.

You’re exhausted and you still have to come home to cook, clean, and tend to your littles. It’s easy to get and experience burnout!

It’s not selfish to take care of yourself.

One of the best things you can do to practice self-care is to work out.

Make it a priority. The day you’re feeling the most stress is the day you need that workout the most.

Better yourself, your family, and your life, one workout at a time!  Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses • 11

HEALTHY

Lifestyle

HEALTH UPDATE Helping You Breathe Easy

By Dr David Gibson, Respiratory Care/Cardiopulmonary Director

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a group of lung diseases making breathing more difficult. COPD is typically classified into four different categories of mild, moderate, severe, and very severe, as defined by Pulmonary Function Testing and clinical symptoms. The main risk factor for COPD is tobacco smoking, but other environmental exposures and air pollution may contribute.

The chronic airflow limitation characteristic of COPD results from a mixture of small airways disease and parenchymal destruction (emphysema).

The severity of COPD varies based

on spirometry testing and symptoms.

COPD is a common, preventable, and treatable disease characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitations due to airway and/or alveolar abnormalities often developing from significant exposure to noxious particles or gases. COPD is influenced by a host of factors, including abnormal lung development.

Unfortunately, COPD is the third leading cause of death by disease in the United States. COPD’s prevalence increases along with tobacco smoking.

The more you smoke, the higher your chance for developing COPD. Recent evidence suggests the COPD disease process may exacerbate cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. COPD should be considered in any patient who has shortness of breath, chronic cough or sputum production, a history of recurrent lower respiratory tract infection, or a history of exposure to associated risk factors.

If you think you may have COPD, you should discuss your symptoms with your physician or provider. Your physician may decide to evaluate your pulmonary status by ordering a pulmonary function test. These tests typically take about 30 minutes and include various breathing techniques and maneuvers. A respiratory therapist typically performs this test, in a pulmonary lab. If you do have COPD,

12 • Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses

there are several treatment options.

The most common option is treatment with an inhaled medication such as Albuterol MDI (Metered Dose Inhaler). This medication is classified as a bronchodilator, and can treat or prevent bronchospasm associated with COPD. Your physician may prescribe any of several different medications based on your pulmonary function test results. Another (underutilized) treatment option is “Pulmonary Rehab.” Pulmonary Rehab is a comprehensive intervention based on a thorough patient assessment. This patient-tailored treatment includes exercise training, education, and self-management intervention.

The goal is to improve the physical and psychological condition of people with COPD, and to promote longterm adherence to healthy living.

Pulmonary Rehab should be considered part of integrated patient management and typically involves a range of various healthcare professionals. Interestingly, Pulmonary Rehab has proved to be the most effective therapeutic strategy to improve shortness of breath, health status, and exercise tolerance.

Pulmonary rehab really works and is a great treatment option for people with chronic lung disease like COPD. This program helps keep people active and aims at improving their quality of life.

Not all COPD is smoking-

THE GOAL IS TO IMPROVE THE PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CONDITION OF PEOPLE WITH COPD, AND TO PROMOTE LONGTERM ADHERENCE TO HEALTHY LIVING. related. Approximately 3% of our population has something known as “Genetic COPD” (inherited), which was formally known as Alpha-1 Antitrypsin deficiency. While there is no cure for Alpha 1 Antitrypsin disease, treatment options help tremendously. A simple blood test can detect it. Alpha-1 occurs when there is a lack of protein in the blood called alpha-1 antitrypsin, or AAT. The main function of AAT is to protect the lungs from inflammation caused by infection and inhaled irritants.

Again, if you feel you may have contracted COPD, or you may have Genetic COPD, the most important step is to discuss it with your primary care physician. 

Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses • 13

FAMILY

Lifestyle

INSURANCE INSIGHT Be the Listener

By Dennia Beard, State Farm Insurance

It’s a Saturday morning, midSeptember in Arkansas. My senses light up as I step out on my back patio and walk to the wooden chair that sits near our wilderness space behind our house. I slide into the comfortable chair and feel the hard, rough surface of the fire pit against my bare feet as I prop them on it. A cool breeze hits my skin just right, as I slowly sip hot black tea in my favorite double-wall glass mug. The water falls off the pool slide and I realize my “spidey” senses are tingling in a good way.

Experiences like this prove that some events stimulate all of your senses, sometimes all at once.

Humans have 5 basic senses: touch, sight, hearing, smell, and taste. The sensing organs associated with each send information to the brain to help us understand and perceive the world around us. A song that gives you goose bumps…the smell of a baby’s head and the spine of an old library book…the taste and smell of barbeque smoking on a grill…the way your skin feels when slipping into a hot bath…the way the smell of warm chocolate chip cookies baking fills your heart…. This heightened sensory engagement really gets the blood pumping to your brain and will help you think differently

about whatever is on your mind.

Thinking about the significance of our senses and how they work together has me considering those who have lost their taste and smell due to COVID-19. How challenging that must be! While the loss of taste and smell isn’t as dramatic as shortness of breath or debilitating fatigue, the impact can be quite upsetting.

I do have a favorite sense, though, that I hope I never lose. As an insurance agent, I am sure it comes as no surprise how important I feel listening is. In my business, I do it all day long. Effective, active listening skills can improve all of the relationships of our lives.

It’s great news when customers want to meet to talk about their insurance needs. As agents we are taught to put our agenda aside and strive fully to comprehend everything our customers are saying.

The best in our business are the best not because of their knowledge of insurance, but because of their ability to build lasting relationships.

Your insurance agent should show a genuine interest in you. At my offices, we challenge ourselves to embrace listening as a key part of how we operate and ensure that it runs deep into what we do and how we do it.

14 • Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses

Imagine if I called you on the phone and tried to sell you insurance and I didn’t really value you. If you were just another line on a spreadsheet that I had to call, you would see and feel that, even if I tried to fake it. You wouldn’t—and you shouldn’t—buy anything from me.

Let’s talk about parenting. It’s difficult enough to be a parent during the best of times—and these are definitely not the best of times. As parents, being able to listen to our children in a way that makes them feel valued is maybe the single most powerful thing we can do to elevate their communication, especially when stress levels are peaking. Instead of mom, right now I feel more like a therapist. When it feels like I have nothing left in my cup, I still have to reach in and find compassion because that is what we all need.

It’s so hard though, isn’t it?

We must be so intentional.

Here are a few behaviors I am continuously working to improve: • I try to be present. How many times have you sat listening to your spouse or your coworker thinking “I can’t forget about that appointment tomorrow,” or something like that?

All the time, right? Yikes; in the new Zoom universe, our habit of checking

FAMILY

As parents, being able to listen to our children in a way that makes them feel valued is maybe the single most powerful thing we can do to elevate their communication, especially when stress levels are peaking. email or multitasking during meetings has only gotten worse. If you are truly present in a conversation, you aren’t doing anything else. Let’s just be honest with ourselves and admit that we aren’t fully present when we are multitasking. There is no such thing as multitasking while actively listening.

• Focus on compassion. When having a conversation with someone, compassion isn’t always our first response, especially if we are having a hard time relating to what the person is saying. I feel like sometimes I have “compassion fatigue” these days.

When I feel tapped out, I disconnect and exercise or spend time with family to recharge. Compassion also includes not judging the other person.

If you struggle with this, try “sunset listening.” When we look at a sunset, we don’t judge its shortcomings or find ways it could be better. It’s just beautiful…just the way it is. A conversation should be the same.

• I try to respond quickly. This one embarrasses me most. Doesn’t everything feel like a pressing priority these days? When it feels this way, following up on questions or conversations (or texts!) may feel low on your list of to-dos.

People expect a response and when they don’t get it quickly, it could affect your relationship.

Ultimately, when we listen and truly hear, it is not only about how we can serve each other in a more meaningful way. It is about making space for new voices and perspectives to influence and shape our communities where we can all thrive. 

Lifestyles

SALINE COUNTY

We come together

for reaching goals.

Saline County is where you invest in the future, and it’s where we love to watch you grow. You inspire us to make banking easier, so we all have more time to enjoy life as we take our next step together.

Michael Sims | Market President 501.575.6061 | michael.sims@regions.com

regions.com © 2021 Regions Bank. Regions and the Regions logo are registered trademark of Regions Bank. The LifeGreen color is a trademark of Regions Bank.

Dennia Beard, Agent 501-778-6066 www.insurebenton.com BENTON LOCATION

1408 Military Road Benton, AR 72015 FORDYCE LOCATION

1112 W. 3rd. St. Fordyce, AR 71742 SERVICES: Auto Insurance Home and Property Insurance Life Insurance Health Insurance

Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses • 15

Guy Fieri, Giada De Laurenitis, Ina Garten and (former Arkansas Razorback) Eddie Jackson: These men and women are among many who’ve become household names based on both their incredible talents in the kitchen and the fact we see them almost nightly on The Food Network.

“One of the best things for the culinary industry was the appearance of cable food television, The Food Network, which began in the mid-1990s,” said Robert Hall, lead culinary instructor at the University of Arkansas Pulaski Tech. “That

16 • Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses

programming put an incredible spotlight on the food service industry and has only grown more popular.”

The food craze fueled by shows like “Chopped,” “Diners, Drive-In’s and Dives,” and “The Great British Baking Show” (not on The Food Network) has sparked an interest in aspiring Central Arkansas chefs and bakers, and the place many go to grasps the fundamentals of life inside a professional kitchen is the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management (CAHMI) program at Pulaski Tech.

“Our school started as an apprenticeship program not connected to Pulaski Tech, back in the mid1990s,” said Associate Dean Renee Smith. “It was later named the Arkansas Culinary School, then became part of Pulaski Tech in the fall of 2006 because the hospitality industry is the second largest employer in Arkansas.”

In 2013, students began coursework in the new Pulaski Tech Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Institute. The program has continued growing annually, boasting an enrollment of more than 250 students today and a separate curriculum for students with learning differences, called the 3D Program.

“Whatever their backgrounds, whatever their interests, these students want to infuse that into their culinary careers,” said Hall. “A number of them want to own restaurants or work in large restaurants, on cruise ships or in hotels and resorts. Some even want to own food trucks.

“I also see a lot of the baking and pastry students, many aspiring to open their own bakeries, both large and small,” he added. “We really do see it all and try to give our students as much experience as possible in the two years they’re with us.”

CAHMI Program Director Jan

Lewandowski says accommodating such a diverse group of students brings with it many welcomed and exciting challenges.

“We have students ranging from those just out of high school to older adults,” she said. “Many of our students are parents, work fulltime or commuting from other cities. Trying to make our classes accessible is one of our main focuses.

“We know our students all have different goals, and it’s important that we help build those foundations so that, wherever they may choose to go, they’re starting on solid footing,” she added.

When discussing the foundations culinary students will be exposed

to while at Pulaski Tech, Robert Hall insists nothing is left chance.

“The base rules are all still the same. It can begin with one of the first lessons on how to use a knife,” he said.

“As our students move into more specialized classes, the pieces they learn evolve. In a class like Restaurant Industry, there is some finesse to learning how to properly prepare profit and loss statements for the business side of a smaller restaurant versus a larger restaurant.”

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Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses • 17

pandemic have certainly affected all students’ learning processes, especially in a field predicated so heavily on the sense of taste. But Hall, who is completing his doctorate through the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, sees this moment as an opportunity to expand the way students learn.

“I’m working to find out if a culinary arts education can be as effectively delivered online, as it is in person,” he said. “Teaching the cooking techniques is uniform, so by using resources like Zoom for distancelearning, I’m exploring whether or not the educational experience can be as beneficial, if not identical to having a student present in the classroom.”

Prior to the pandemic, Renee Smith says Pulaski Tech touted some of the most enjoyable non-credit community courses for those simply wanting to become better in the kitchen. Think of it like auditing a class with a future Gordon Ramsey (sans swearing).

Lewandowski said, prior to COVID-19, one of the most popular community courses was sugar cookie baking. “(Baking sugar cookies) can seem like a daunting task for someone just learning to cook. It’s fun to watch them progress,” she said.

“The great thing about those community courses is, when the students arrive, all ingredients, pots, pans and utensils are ready and waiting,” said Lewandowski. “It takes so much of the guesswork out of (cooking) and makes the experience much more fun. The best part?

Students don’t have to clean up when they’re done. We take care of that, too.”

Associate Dean Smith added that kids can get in on the act, too.

“We offer a summer camp for kids between the ages of 10 and 16.

They come for a week-long camp, learning about proper culinary techniques, baking and decorating.”

You can learn more about the University of Arkansas Pulaski Tech’s Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management by going to https:// uaptc.edu/culinary  Charles Crowson

18 • Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses

• 2 basic cleanings per year • SAVINGS OF UP TO $155. Plus you will receive: • 2 routine exams with cleaning • Up to 15% off any dental treatment • Oral cancer screening with cleaning • Excludes Whitening, Orthodontics, BOTOX, Electric • 1 emergency exam with X-ray per year Toothbrushes, and Prescription toothpaste/rinses • 1 set of routine X-rays per year as determined necessary at time of cleaning.

• 2 basic cleanings per year • SAVINGS OF UP TO $150. Plus you will receive: • 2 routine exams with cleaning • Up to 15% off any dental treatment • Oral cancer screening with cleaning • Excludes Whitening, Orthodontics, BOTOX, Electric • 1 emergency exam with X-ray per year Toothbrushes, and Prescription toothpaste/rinses • 1 fluoride treatment per year with cleaning • 1 set of routine X-rays per year as determined necessary at time of cleaning.

• 3 periodontal maintenance visits per year • SAVINGS OF UP TO $225. Plus you will receive: • 2 regular exams per year with perio visit • Up to 15% off additional treatment • Oral cancer screening with cleaning • Excludes Whitening, Orthodontics, BOTOX, Electric • 1 emergency exam with X-ray per year Toothbrushes, and Prescription toothpaste/rinses • 1 set of routine X-rays per year as determined necessary at time of cleaning.

Did you know that 40% of Americans do not see a dentist regularly? Primary reasons for not seeing a dentist likely include fear of discomfort and perceived costs of treatment.

While many people have third party dental insurance coverage, many do not. We always assist our patients in maximizing the benefits included with their third party insurance plans; however, these plans do have limitations. There are deductibles and co-pays, annual maximum benefits

(which have not increased in many, many years), and most plans dictate which procedures they will help cover a portion of and which they will not.

Our office recently developed and has begun offering an alternative to traditional third party dental insurance in the form of an annual dental membership plan. This membership plan will enable us to offer simple, affordable, and personalized care directly to you, our patients, with no insurance middleman in the way.

Think of it like other subscription services you join such as Netflix or Amazon Prime. You pay an annual fee to us and in return, receive preventative care and discounts off other treatment.

If this is something you’re interested in, give us a call. We will gladly discuss your options.

And until then, Don’t forget to floss.

Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses • 19

EXCEPTIONAL CARE FOR EXCEPTIONAL LIVING. Whether your stay will be short-term or long-term, we want Evergreen Living Center to feel like home while you are here. That’s why we make certain everything, down to the smallest detail, is designed with your comfort and care in mind. Take a look and see what we can do to make your stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

We are open for visitation!

501-213-0547 6907 AR Hwy. 5 Bryant, AR 72022 EvergreenHealthAndRehab.com

SALINE COUNTY LIBRARY NATURE PLAY SPACE PURCHASE A BRICK PAVER FOR $150 TO SUPPORT THE LIBRARY’S NEW NATURE PLAY SPACE. 3 LINES OF TEXT • 13 CHARACTERS PER LINE

To purchase a paver, send inscription and check to: FRIENDS OF THE SALINE COUNTY LIBRARY 1800 Smithers Drive | Benton, AR 72015 20 • Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses

What is a Nature Play Space?

The Nature Play Space located at the Saline County Library will be an outdoor learning area designed for children to have hands-on play with natural elements.

Studies have shown that outdoor play has many benefits for children who regularly play in natural settings including:

- Ability to cope with stress - Increased activity levels - Improvement in fine and gross motor skills - Increased self-discipline, observation, and reasoning skills - Improved concentration - Strengthened immune system - Decreased symptoms of ADD/ ADHD and behavioral disorders Where will it be located?

The Nature Play Space will be housed at the Saline County Library Benton branch, located at 1800 Smithers Drive.

When will it open?

Groundbreaking is scheduled for September 2021, and the grand opening is scheduled for May 2022.

How is it being funded?

This project will be made possible with help from you, the Friends of the Library, and with American Rescue Plan Act funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act Grants to States program and administered by the Arkansas State Library.

How can I get involved?

Individuals and organizations alike are welcome to purchase a brick for $150 or a play feature for $2,000 to advertise their organization, honor a loved one, or show community support. Brick pavers can feature up to three lines of text and up to 13 characters per line. Play feature sponsors will get a custom plaque that will be displayed on their purchase(s). We reserve the right to approve all engraving.

DIGGING TABLE

Covered tops filled with sand and other materials allow kids to explore their senses.

NATURE KITCHEN

A simplified Nature Kitchen brings imagination alive while staying clean and being easy to maintain.

SENSORY GARDEN

The Sensory Garden will allow kids to discover and use their five senses in an interactive way.

CHALKBOARD

To purchase, fill out the form on our website or send inscription and check to: Friends of the Saline County Library 1800 Smithers Drive Benton, AR 72015

Kids can practice their drawing and writing skills in a fun way for everyone to see.

PLAYHOUSE

All the fun of playing house will be moved outside so kids can use outdoor elements.

Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses • 21

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then there are myriad words to describe the beautiful moments captured by Lela and Lyla Photography—but some of the first that come to mind are “joy-filled” and “authentic.” What started as college suitemates taking pictures in fields for fun, turned into a business between best friends who now celebrate nearly a decade of photographing their clients during some of their happiest moments.

From the Delta to Dickson Street and everywhere in between, Jessica and Anja have

22 • Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses

photographed weddings across the region. Committed to providing an experience, as well as beautiful imagery, they have always aimed to reflect the meaningful, in-between moments of their clients’ lives and love. As their business has flourished over the years, they have come to realize the worth of working in their local communities and are excited about focusing their talents in central Arkansas.

Named after co-owners Anja DeWitt’s and Jessica Barksdale’s daughters, Lela and Lyla Photography began as a dream of two young moms who wanted it all—a career they were passionate about that gave them the opportunity to spend their days working from home with their babies.

Spending time with their kids during the day and working on nights and weekends made their schedules hectic, but helped strike a balance for the duo. “Our biggest motivators were our families,” explains Jessica.

“Photography gave us the flexibility of being able to raise our babies at home when they were little. That has been one of our biggest blessings.”

Fresh out of college, Ouachita Baptist University was the perfect starting place for a wedding photography company. “Ring by spring” is a common saying on campus, and as graduation grew closer, many of their friends were getting engaged and married. College friends knew them as the girls with cameras in their hands—from parties to new profile pictures, they were always documenting the moments.

While Anja was drawn to Ouachita Baptist University because of its strong graphic design program, she found herself on the other side of the camera.

“I majored in Graphic Design, and in my senior year of college I geared my

senior project towards photography.

I purchased my first camera and got to work shooting everything I could,” explains Anja. “I love the ability to create art that makes sense and captures people. I loved the idea of creating my own schedule and being able to contribute financially as I grew my family and while my husband, Clinton, went to law school.”

Jessica graduated from Ouachita Baptist University with a degree in Biology, and while she loved science, she felt a calling pulling her in a different direction. “I always considered us creative people,” said Jessica. “Even though I was decent at science, I

always wanted to fill my time with something else. I wanted to be with my friends and a camera gave me the perfect excuse. We always joke that Anja was my first muse, but after enough photo shoots together we realized that both of us being behind the camera was where the real magic happened.”

While on the Ouachita Baptist campus, Jessica met Dexter Barksdale in her Chemistry 1 class. It was love at first sight. They shared the same friend group and had several classes together and by January of their freshman year they were a couple. They married in college and after graduation, moved

Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses • 23

to Dexter’s hometown in Bryant.

Dexter served as an educator before becoming the assistant principal of Bryant High School in 2020.

As Jessica settled into her new hometown, she was offered an opportunity to shoot for Saline County Lifestyles by owner and publisher, Josh Elrod. “He asked me if we would be interested in taking photographs for the magazine and we jumped at the chance,” explains Jessica. “I’ve met so many amazing people through this magazine and it really brings people together. Bryant feels like home.”

With an established clientele base and their children now in school, Anja and Jessica are adjusting their sails to the changing winds of this new chapter in life. “We love weekends with our families and we typically shoot 40–45 weekends out of the year.

That can be hard,” said Jessica.

“We had a great focus on high school seniors this year, which has given us more weekends at home.”

While weddings will always be the core of their company, senior portraits have become an equal focus.

“Seniors are so carefree and fun—the best feeling is when someone walks into a session nervous, and leaves feeling confident,” says Anja.

Jessica and Anja have worked together for 10 years now and have kept their “why” at the center of every moment they capture. “While photography is important, how people feel at the end of something that is so personalized is the most important to us.”  Ashley Leopoulos

OPHTHALMOLOGY ASSOCIATES OF BENTON ALAN W. HUGHES, M.D. PHILLIP SUFFRIDGE, M.D. Cataract Surgery Laser Surgery Glaucoma Treatment Diabetic Eye Exams Eyelid Surgery Optical Shop Contact Lens Fittings

BENTON 501.778.1113 LITTLE ROCK 501.315.4999

#3 MEDICAL PARK DRIVE, SUITE 300 BENTON, AR 72015

24 • Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses

Eye candy for your walls

TAMMY IOSBAKER

501-316-4113

216 EAST SEVIER ST. BENTON, AR 72015 (inside Madison’s of Benton)

@TheFrameMakerAR Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses • 25

During the past 18 months of COVID-19, the idea of physically distancing ourselves from one another without the thought of a hug, a handshake, or even a peck on the cheek has become commonplace.

Kristi Sims, owner of The Skin Bar & Med Spa in Saline County, has noticed the continuing “hands off” approach and admits it’s a bit disappointing. “With continued social distancing and masking, it just seems like we’re getting further and further apart. The human

26 • Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses

touch is a necessity for people and we want to be able to help pamper and relieve stress,” she says.

And when things return to normal, Kristi knows how important it will be for all of us to feel comfortable and relaxed while also having skin that’s perfectly smooth to the touch.

For over one hundred years, people have flocked to Arkansas to enjoy our world-renowned spas, but are you aware that Saline County has its own award-winning spa? The Skin Bar & Med Spa offers the best and latest skin care technology and has been making a difference in people’s lives for almost a decade.

The story behind The Skin Bar is one of perseverance and passion. As a teen, Kristi experienced a series of skin issues that left her feeling insecure and awkward. “I began having skin issues around the age of 12. I was very selfconscious about my skin and became frustrated. My parents spent a lot of money on different treatments, but I rarely saw lasting effects. As I got older, my drive to help others resulted in my going to esthetician school.”

As time passed and Kristi learned more about treating her own skin, she began exploring ways she could pass along the knowledge to others with similar challenges.

Determined to make others feel good about themselves, Kristi has made it her mission to provide help to people of all ages by providing a wide range of services from custom facials, personalized massage, laser treatments (including “The Skin Pen”), even the option of private sauna sessions.

The Moment You Walk In “It’s such a chaotic, stress-filled time we are living,” she said. “We want to create an atmosphere of

comfort, peace and relaxation.

That’s our focus from the minute people walk in.” And she does!

Kristi is quick to thank her loyal clients and talented staff for the expansion to two locations. With locations in Benton and Bryant, Kristi’s story of building The Skin Bar & Med Spa into Saline County’s finest personal care business is one of opportunity, perseverance, and as she says, divine intervention.

“This is definitely a ‘God thing.’

To be able to open up a second business during a pandemic and enjoy a partnership with ‘The Drip Doctors’ is a gift from Him.”

“I always wanted my place of business to be somewhere that was calm and peaceful, a place where people could come in and immediately relax,” she added.

Her humble gratitude and “be the change” philosophy have been winning perspectives for Kristi and The Skin Bar & Med Spa, as with each passing year, the need for more space and additional help grew.

Today, you can visit The Skin Bar & Med Spa at one of its two locations in Bryant and Benton. Clients can choose from a host of options, including skin care, facials, chemical peels, waxing, and tattoo removal.

“Our Bryant location has more

Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses • 27

of that expected med spa feel.

That’s where you’ll have more of a treatment experience,” Kristi said.

“Our Benton location is in a beautiful older home and offers a comfortable atmosphere that’s geared more toward the relaxing day spa experience.”

Meanwhile, both locations can be booked for private parties.

Kristi admits the path to The Skin Bar & Med Spa’s success wasn’t one she’d ever imagined, and even though the business has experienced considerable growth since opening, she says her original motivation hasn’t changed at all.

“Simply put, we want everyone who comes in, regardless of background or status, to feel unique and special during their time with us. Developing relationships is our goal,” she said.

“You hear people in business say this all the time, and I genuinely believe it: I’ve made some lasting relationships, thanks to what we do. It may seem cliché, but a lot of the clients we serve have become our personal friends.”

Because COVID-19 has changed many things with how businesses operate, safety and feeling safe is also important to the staff. “All of our staff wear masks for protection, our equipment gets sanitized and our rooms are wiped down after every visit. It’s so important that people feel at ease while here.”

For more information on The Skin Bar & Med Spa, with locations in Benton and Bryant, call 501.303.6000 or visit www.theskinbarmedspa.com.  Charles Crowson

28 • Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses

Your care. Your safety.

Our priority.

We are open for visitation!

As our loved ones age, we want to make sure they are living their best possible life. Often, that means access to specialized care that can’t be provided by family alone. Alcoa Pines provides a loving and supportive home for our residents in every sense of the word. We welcome each resident as a member of our family because to us, they truly are.

501-315-1700 | 3300 Alcoa Rd. Benton, AR AlcoaPinesHealthAndRehab.com Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses • 29

Leaves crushing, waves crashing, babies crying, choirs singing—all these things are enjoyed through hearing, one of the most invigorating human senses. In fact, humans develop this sense very early on. By about the 18th week of fetal development, a baby’s ears start to hear things like the mother’s heartbeat. By week 29, they start to hear things outside of their mother’s body such as voices, and by the time they are full-term, they have the capability of hearing at the same level as an adult.

We all come to love (and loathe) different sounds as we grow into adulthood. Aside from speech and hearing to help us communicate,

our sense of sound gives us comfort.

We can be easily soothed through a favorite song or the various melodies of the natural world.

To help nurture and care for our hearing so we can fully enjoy this wonderful human sense, there are businesses like Saline Audiology. The ability to hear and understand to the best of one’s ability is what the clinic strives to give all patients so they can experience the sounds of life.

Founded in 1997, Saline Audiology has two offices: one in Benton and one in Hot Springs Village. They offer a wide range of hearing health care including:

30 • Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses

The clinic also provides hearing aid cleanings and repair, and custom hearing protection such as musician plugs, including inear monitors, and swim molds.

“Our clinic’s main purpose is to provide quality professional hearing health care for all ages, pediatric to geriatric, that is close to home,” says Audiologist Lisa Richey, who founded the clinic with Audiologist Credonna Miller.

Richey, Miller, and the rest of the staff are all from Saline County. “We love our patients and know most of them,” Richey adds. “We want to provide a wide range of hearing

health care to our hometown folks.”

Hearing is essential for communication. Many patients who have hearing loss say that they hear but do not understand what is being said, Richey explains. Hearing-impaired people may smile and nod without really knowing what was said.

“Being able to hear your grandchildren, birds singing, and hearing others and participating in conversation is so important,” Richey says. “Many times, people start becoming introverted when they can’t hear. They choose to stay home rather than participating in social events.”

realize what they were missing. They are so grateful. I have one patient who had that initial reaction over 20 years ago and still calls me her hero every time she comes in.”

Early intervention is essential where hearing loss is concerned, Richey notes. As such, Saline Audiology participates in the state infant hearing screening program. If a baby fails a newborn hearing screening, the clinic is set up to test those infants.

“Our state has an excellent infant hearing program. We don’t want to miss any newborn baby that has

hearing loss. Being able to hear is so very important in the development of speech and language skills.”

Miller adds that being able to hear also helps develop social skills. “The earlier a hearing-impaired child can get identified and fitted with hearing aids and start speech therapy, the more successful that child will be educationally and socially.”

Observing how speech therapists work is what sparked Miller’s interest in audiology. She was a young mother of two, in college and substitute teaching for the public

Tools such as hearing aids do so much more than help people gain back their sense of hearing. These tools help them resume normal activities and participation in social gatherings.

“They are able to participate in conversations again,” Richey says.

Miller shares that there have been many occasions when she has put hearing aids on a very hearingimpaired patient for the first time and “they literally cry.” “It can be a very emotional, happy time to be able to hear. It’s like they didn’t

Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses • 31

Caring When it Matters Most.

We are open for visitation!

Being able to hear your grandchildren, birds singing, and hearing others and participating in conversation is so important schools. “I got really interested in the work the speech pathologists were doing, so I went back to college to study speech path’ and then fell in love with the audiology field.”

Richey became interested in the hearing-impaired world after attending church camp as a youth and observing the deaf interpreters.

While in college, she took her first audiology class, “and it became very clear that God wanted me to be an audiologist. I love my job.”

Richey and Miller went to high school together, were in graduate school together, and worked together for years before deciding to start their own hometown business. They have been at it now for 24 years and counting.

Amberwood Health + Rehabilitation in Benton, AR specializes in providing short-term transitional services and long-term care services. If you or a loved one needs short-term rehabilitation to accelerate recovery and get you back on your feet or needs a long-term care setting, then Amberwood Health + Rehabilitation is here to help.

6420 ALCOA ROAD | BENTON, ARKANSAS amberwoodhealthandrehab.com Accepting New Admissions for Short Term Rehabilitation & Long Term Care Services Please visit us for a personal tour or call 501-778-5401

The staff is like one big family, Richey says. “We all have jobs that make our clinic run like a welloiled machine. Saline Audiology is a great place to work, and we want every patient who walks through our doors to have an amazing experience.”  Jillian Jacuzzi

32 • Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses

Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses • 33

Colette Collatt describes herself as competitive. Mix in a thirst for knowledge, a nose for fragrances, and a determination to succeed, and you have the story that is Salt Soap Co. Step inside her store in Downtown Benton at 111 W. South Street and you will experience a treat for all your senses, especially your sense of smell. Soaps and other products with fragrances ranging from honeysuckle to espresso are there for the sniffing. If you are looking for a specific fragrance, just ask Colette.

For example, “Anytime a customer is looking for something to relax them, our first recommendation is obviously lavender. After that I’d definitely suggest chamomile.”

34 • Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses

For those with sensitive skin, Colette can help there as well. “We have a specialty soap table with products that are specially formulated for specific skin conditions such as eczema, acne, feminine hygiene, and sensitive skin. Each of them is comparable in popularity, but if I had to choose the customers’ favorite, I’d definitely have to say the charcoal facial bar: very popular, and we have seen the results ourselves. It’s amazing what a natural soap with zero synthetic additives, and only using what nature gives you, can do for you.”

The products at Salt Soap Co. are popular with women, but men like them as well. “Our top three women’s soap fragrances are definitely Cashmere, Salt Signature, & Honeysuckle. The top three men’s favorites are Kentucky Bourbon, Antique Sandalwood, & Narcissist.”

Opening her own business is a dream come true for Colette, one that became reality a few years ago.

“We opened Salt Soap in March of 2019 on a whim, actually,” recalls Colette. “I had taken a hiatus from working at the time because my parents were getting older and sickly. I needed to be attentive to them. During that time, I began reading about cold process soap.

After about a month, I felt I was invested so I should try my hand at it myself. I did and it was terrible.”

But that didn’t stop her. “I’m a competitive person, so I was back at it determined to make this soap that intrigued me so much. After the second go, it was a success, and I continued knocking out soap loaf after soap loaf until my entire formal dining room was filled with soaps. Cold process soap takes 4-6 weeks to cure, meaning it has to sit and rest to let some of the liquid evaporate to make

it a harder, longer lasting bar. Therefore I had loaves of soap curing throughout my home. I decided to try and sell it at a local flea market, and it did well. Most of my adult life, I’ve always wanted to open a store in our charming downtown area, and luckily one day a spot opened up. I rushed down with big dreams and a little apprehension whether I could pull it off. I landed the perfect spot and the rest is history.”

Taking the leap with Colette was the store’s general manager, Haley Ziemski. “Haley, whom I call Hal,

is the girlfriend of my oldest son, Keaton Collatt. Hal was around the house throughout high school. She’d end up in the soap room questioning me and wanting to get her hands dirty, so I taught her. She was a quick learner, and was addicted just like I was. When we decided to open up shop, Hal was a huge part of it and is still bringing fresh ideas and knocking out products every day.”

Colette says there is a lot of science involved in soap making. “Honestly, making soap is a lot of chemistry. It’s somewhat like baking and cooking.

You must have a knowledge of the oils and their properties as well as whether you’d like to use essential oils only, fragrances, or both. The key to being a good soap maker is simply knowledge. The more you read recipes and learn oils, fragrances, additives, and textures & techniques of the soaps, the better and more fluid soaper you’ll be. Whenever we get a new fragrance in, Hal & I both try to get dibs on it, because whoever gets their hands on it first gets to design that

Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses • 35

soap. We’re competitive like that.”

The soaps at Salt Soap Co. have a distinctive look. Colette explains the design process. “We decide how we design our soaps by how the fragrance smells out of the bottle. For instance, a light floral fragrance I would imagine having light pink or soft yellow, or both. A coffee or espresso fragrance we’d obviously make different shades of brown and incorporate some tan or a cream color and because coffee grounds are used as a mild exfoliant in bath and beauty products, they’re added to our soap for both an exfoliant as well as design. Our fragrances are critical to our design, and sometimes the fragrance itself can completely dictate whether it’s a detailed one.”

Soaps are not the only products available at their store or through their website (www.SaltSoapCo. com). Along with goat’s milk soaps, they sell bath salts, bath bombs, face scrub, foaming sugar scrub, shower steamers, bubble bars, solid shampoo & conditioner bars, lip balm, hand sanitizer, wax melts, linen spray, body balm, and moisturizing body oils. They also have an entire men’s line of products such as beard oil, beard soap, shave soap, and an entire table of men’s fragranced soaps.

Since the beginning, Colette has maintained consistency in her products as well as her approach to business.

“We have been blessed to have the best customers literally from the very beginning. Even throughout COVID, our customers appreciate being able to get quality bath products and down-home service right around the corner. I can’t express just how much my customers have lifted me and supported us, both as a small business, and throughout some pretty big life changes. During the start of COVID, we were able to keep our doors open because we were “essential”. Our customers did not disappoint. We were able to provide free delivery within city limits as well as curb-side services for those apprehensive or at risk to come inside.”

Without a doubt, Salt Soap Co. is experiencing the sweet smell of success.  Brent Davis

Our newest branch is on your phone.

At Simmons Bank, we believe in making banking as easy as possible. So you can bank when you want, where you want and how you want. Learn more at simmonsbank.com.

36 • Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses

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See website for details.

Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses • 37

FAMILY

Lifestyle

What Consumes Your Mind?

By P.J. Noland, Lead Pastor at Collective Church

“…take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

2 Corinthians 10:5.

Have you ever paid attention to how much media you consume every day?

How much news do you watch or read?

How much time do you spend scrolling social media platforms? How many shows have you binge-watched lately?

I’m sure you’ve noticed how consumed people are with news sources and other media outlets. I get it; at times it’s extremely difficult not to be captivated by all the news around the world. In 2020, while people were at home social distancing or in quarantine, many suddenly had time to be immersed in more media. To

stay informed about COVID-19, the election, and the racial tensions in our nation, I began to watch and read the news more than I ever had before.

But, as the days of 2020 turned into weeks and the weeks into months, I realized I was feeling anxious, depressed, and discouraged. As I engaged with others in my church and friends in the community, I realized that they had similar feelings—feelings of fear and thoughts of doubt.

While connecting with people and reflecting on my own life, it became clear that many of God’s people, myself included, were forgetting what His Word tells us: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8.

As we near the end of 2021 and begin making plans for 2022, what if you made the decision now to filter what you allow your eyes to see and your mind to think about?

What if you made a choice to think on the spiritual things of God and less on things of the world?

I believe this begins by making the decision to meet with the Lord,

38 • Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses

God’s word will enable you to filter what you set your heart and mind upon. He will equip you for productive living and train you in righteousness. daily, in His Word. After all, the Lord tells us, “All Scripture is Godbreathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16–17.

I can confidently express that you can trust His word always to be right, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, and excellent. His Word will never fail to point you to the one, Jesus Christ, who is worthy of praise.

God’s word will enable you to filter what you set your heart and mind upon. He will equip you for productive living and train you in righteousness.

So, as the time ticks onward, please allow me to remind you of this timeless truth: “Blessed is the one… whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever he does prospers.” Psalms 1:1–3.. 

FSBC Bryant Join us Sunday!

10:30 AM IN-PERSON | ONLINE Peter Cunningham, Pastor

www.FSBCBryant.org 604 S. Reynolds | 847-3014

Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses • 39

FAMILY

Lifestyle

In Perfect Harmony

By Gina Simpson, Gina’s Catering/Grab & Go

While many see food as a gateway to the sense of taste, when done correctly it can open the pathway to an experience rich with all five: taste, touch, smell, sight and sound.

the platters of food for our Southern breakfast mini-buffet. Our family gathers and my father says our daily prayer at the head of the table, and the second it is concluded with the family “Amen,” my siblings and I immediately dig in. I quickly grab the prettiest looking cinnamon roll that I’d had my eye on since we sat

I remember as a child waking up to the smell of a homemade breakfast my mother was making before school, the sweet scent of cinnamon rolls and the sound of crackling bacon making itself known as I walked into the kitchen. Seeing my mom drizzle the sweet, homemade icing on the fresh cinnamon rolls, like the professionals do INGREDIENTS in fancy cooking • 2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off shows, while • 1/2 tsp salt sneaking a crispy • 1 tsp baking soda piece of bacon • 1/2 tsp baking powder from the plate • 1 tsp ground cloves behind her and • 1 tsp ground cinnamon trying to stealthily • 1 tsp ground nutmeg wipe the grease • 1-1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted onto her apron.

As she begins to wrap up her cooking, I set the table with our favorite dish set and bring

butter, softened • 2 cups sugar • 2 large eggs

• 1 15-oz can 100% pure pumpkin (I use Libby’s)

down, battering away at the hands of my siblings reaching for the same one. The saltiness of the bacon mixed with its satisfying crunch makes me appreciate these family meals and times spent in the kitchen, which would later lead to my career.

Looking back on these memories of family banter and homecooked meals,

Pumpkin Bread

SERVING S

2 LOAVE S

PREP TIME

20 MINUTES

COOK TIME

65 MINUTES

TOTAL TIME

1 HOUR 30 MIN

DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat the oven to 325°F and set an oven rack in the middle position . Generously grease two 8 x 4-inch loaf pans with butter and dust with flour (alternat ively, use a baking spray with flour in it, such as Pam with Flour or Baker’s Joy).

2. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisk until well combined; set aside.

3. In a large bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until just blended. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until very light and fluffy, a few minutes. Beat in the pumpkin. The mixture might look grainy and curdled at this point -- that’s okay.

4. Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until combined.

5. Turn the batter into the prepared pans, dividing evenly, and bake for 65 – 75 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the loaves cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

6. Fresh out of the oven,the loaves have a deliciously crisp crust. If they last beyond a day, you can toast individual slices to get the same fresh-ba ked effect.

40 • Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses

I enjoy being able to recreate those moments with a family of my own, as well as helping other families create their own memories and traditions through my catering business.

IN LOVE WITH OUR NEW LISTINGS...

Now I spend my time in the kitchen with my own daughter, recreating and passing on the memories I had as a child, hoping she can do the same. We create our own experiences making passed-down recipes we tweak to make our own, continuing the family banter over who gets the best cinnamon roll and spending quality time with family at the breakfast table.

Along with spending time with my own family, being able to donate breakfast food to schools for class events, catering weddings and family events helps tie together good memories with a good background—the things you shouldn’t need to worry about if your main focus is reconnecting with friends and family, or getting married— to help other people reminisce the next time they take a bite of crunchy bacon or smell a sweet cinnamon roll.

Helping people share these experiences with their families while I do so with my own is one of many factors that pushed me to create my catering business. Building this company has allowed me to bring people together in the ways I want my family to be brought together: with food, fun, and quality family time.

Food is a way to bring together all five senses to a place of harmony.

Without smell, there is no taste.

Watching your mom make breakfast for the family makes you appreciate it so much more. The smell and sound of cracking bacon with the oven preheat “beep” being what gets you out of bed in the morning. The feel of holding hands with your family while blessing the food before you end up sticky-fingered and covered in cinnamon, icing and bacon grease. It’s almost like the senses are another happy family; when they’re all together, good memories are to be made, while eating good food at the table with those you love. 

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Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses • 41

FAMILY

Lifestyle

By: Justin S. Elrod, Certified Elder Law Attorney, The Elrod Firm Michael Jackson’s music video for the song “Thriller” was one of the most influential in history. Jackson himself transformed into not one, but two terrifying beings—a werecat and a zombie—and a number of other frightening creatures made appearances as well. Vincent Price, a horror film legend at the time, provided a chilling voiceover. The combination of the plot, the sounds, the costumes, and the graphics prompted Jackson to insist on including a disclaimer at the beginning of the video that said, “Due to my strong personal convictions, I wish to stress that this film in no way endorses a belief in the occult.” The video was a groundbreaking artistic success.

Despite costing an unprecedented (at the time) $900,000 to produce, the video was a huge financial success as well. It pushed the album that shared its name to become the highest selling in history, with estimates in excess of 100 million copies worldwide. The album was nominated for 12 Grammys and won eight, another record. Even the documentary about its production,

“The Making of Thriller,” sold a million copies. People regularly recreate the iconic dance scenes to this day, and most would recognize the song after only two notes.

But as groundbreaking and lucrative as it was, if you look up the description of the song, “Thriller,” on Wikipedia, here’s what you’ll learn: “Thriller” is a post-disco/funk song. Set in the key of E major, the song has a moderate tempo of 120 beats per minute. The lyrics and sound effects on “Thriller” pertain to frightful elements and themes.

Not particularly thrilling.

Sometimes the substance of a thing is hard to describe in basic terms.

Sometimes you have to dig a little deeper to comprehend its value.

This concept extends into my field of estate planning more than you might expect. I’ve grown intentionally repetitive with my use of the phrase, “you need a plan.” I even made that the title to my book. But the truth is, simply declaring, “I have a plan,” without going deeper is about as helpful as

42 • Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses

You need a plan, but not just any plan.

Failing to plan is scary, but so is relying on a plan destined to fail. describing “Thriller” as a song set in E major. It doesn’t tell you much.

The top estate-planning goal for most families is to stay out of probate court, but a plan that relies solely on a last will and testament won’t do that. A will is actually a set of instructions to the judge who will handle your probate, not a tool to help you stay out of probate. You must go further to meet the goal of probate avoidance. And you should—the probate process is not something I’d wish on any family.

Another goal for many families is asset protection from the rising costs of long-term care, but almost no typical estate plan will do that. It takes specialized planning to shelter

FAMILY

Lifestyles

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assets from nursing home and other long-term care costs. But many think what they’ve done—created a revocable trust, for instance—will do the trick. There’s nothing scarier than facing imminent major longterm care costs thinking you’re protected and learning at the last minute that you’re not. No estate plan is very valuable to a family if there’s no estate left to pass on because of debilitating healthcare costs late in life.

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There are a lot of songs set in the key of E major, even some with a tempo of 120 beats per minute, but that doesn’t make them “Thriller.”

There are a lot of people who can honestly say they have an “estate plan.” But that doesn’t mean they have a good plan, a thorough plan, a plan that will come through for their family when life hits. Unfortunately, many plans are not actually designed to meet the goals their creators had in mind when they finally sat down to put something in writing.

You need a plan, but not just any plan. Failing to plan is scary, but so is relying on a plan destined to fail. Check out ElrodFirm.com. Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses • 43

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44 • Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses

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46 • Saline County Lifestyles • Sharpening the Senses