Ouachita High Country Magazine - Summer 2014

Welcome to the Water

Plus: Adam Faucett Summer Grilling The Vista Trail Ziplining

Learning by Nature

Where to Have a Blast on the Fourth Professionals in the Park Ou a c hit a H ighCo u ntr y .com 1

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What is Basecamp?

Basecamp is a Club for outdoor enthusiasts who want to get moving and enjoy life outside. Surrounded by the Ouachita National Forest, the Ouachita Mountains and numerous lakes and rivers, we have easy access to some of the best mountain trails, wilderness areas and waterways in the state. Basecamp’s mission is to promote the use and conservation of these natural resources through outdoor adventure sports. We’re focused on getting people together to learn more about our recreational opportunities, share new experiences and develop lasting friendships.

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Contents

What’s Inside

20 24

Welcome to the Water

Exploring the High Country: By Paddle Board,

by Boat or with Basecamp

Learning by Nature

Getting Back to the Basics of the Outdoors at an Early Age

29 38

Where to have a Blast on the Fourth

Celebrating Independence Day in the Ouachitas: July 4th Event Listing

Professionals in the Park

A Profile of the People that Take Care of Our State’s Most Natural Assets

Ou a c hit a H ighCo u ntr y .com

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ART

Creative Director Marisa Rodgers

COPY

Chief Writer Jim G. Miller Copy Editor Ciara Cerrato Contributing Writers Jeremy Mackey Kristal Mackey Michelle Cole

P H OTO

Chief Photographer/Photo Editor Jeremy Rodgers

Departments New to the Ouachitas

Entertaining

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Ouachita by Air

Experience the Natural Beauty of the Region from New Heights

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The Vista Trail

Lake Ouachita’s Newest Must-Do for Hikers & Mountain Bikers

Grove Park

Opening New Possibilities for Farmers, Artists and Community

Central Park Fusion

Giving Back & Highlighting Historic Park Avenue

Music & Arts

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Adam Faucett

Wading Through Blind Water with Adam Faucett and the Tall Grass

Abstract Balance

Tansill Stough Balances Details and the Abstract while Making a Splash

O u ac h i ta Hi gh C ou nt r y

The Boys from Southern Krunk Society Share Some of Their Favorite Summertime Sides

Setting the Summer

Outdoor Décor Ideas for a Fine Southern Evening

Glance Back

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Fare

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Summer Grill Out Recipes

Quaff the Elixir

Tracing the History of America’s Favorite Spring Water

In Each Issue

7 20 50

Letter from the Editors

What is Ouachita High Country?

Calendar of Events

What’s Happening This Summer

In Your Words

Readers Submission: The Old Mill by Audrey Breshears Old Dove Road by Angie Macri

Contributing Photographers Chris Sale Steven Miles

S A L ES

Jim G. Miller Marisa Rodgers Ouachita High Country is a production of Destination Design Initiative, pending 501c3 in partnership with Hot Springs Village.

For advertising opportunities: ohcads@rendercreativegroup.com or call 501-620-4520 For editorial queries: Please write to: Render Creative Group attn: Ouachita High Country 801 Central Avenue, Suite 30 Hot Springs, AR 71901 or email info@rendercreativegroup.com To subcribe, please visit: ouachitahighcountry.com

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L e t t e r F r o m t h e E d i t o rS

What is Ouachita High Country?

The scent of honeysuckles in full bloom enlivens the sense of summertime and the Ouachita High Country is alive with rigorous opportunity for leisure and recreational activity. More than just a designated outdoor destination on a map, or in a magazine, Ouachita High Country is a cornucopia of ideas for establishing and nurturing the places and communities of people that make this region vibrant.

Illuminating the region’s uniqueness and broadening the scope of possibility, Ouachita High Country is a catalyst for encouraging the pursuit and enjoyment of the great outdoor lifestyle.

Through our Destination Design Studio Initiative the placemaking team has already done some groundbreaking work in establishing the new Grove Park and will continue in its efforts to further emphasize the possibilities and features of the surrounding Ouachita setting. Studying the unique and obscure qualities that this natural oasis has to offer, Destination Design Studio maps out the mainstream features of the Ouachita Mountain Region. Through spearheading projects that are in conjunction with the Ouachita High Country mission, Destination Design Studio strives to pursue future collaborative efforts with the goal of partnering with others in the State of Arkansas.

By all of us working together we can seamlessly identify the infinite outdoor potential of Arkansas to both locals and visiting guests for current and future generations to enjoy.

In this first summer issue, we focus on ways to entertain yourself this season in the Ouachita outdoors. We explore the explosive spots to admire fireworks with family and friends this Independence Day. In this issue you may also discover brand new ways to experience the mountains, perhaps by visiting the Ouachita Vista Trail or even zip lining them. We have also taken the opportunity to recognize some of the real people who have made it their life’s work to nurture the environment and educate others about the region. Supporting our natural surroundings and the organizations that are responsible for managing them, we at Ouachita High Country hope to continue delving deeper into the rich qualities of the area. Together we can all work to create and sustain outdoor opportunities for visitors and residents to cherish in Arkansas throughout the years.

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NE W TO T H E O U A C H I T A S

Ouachita by Air

Have you ever had a dream you were flying only to wake up disappointed mid-dream? Flight has always intrigued humans. Maybe because it’s something, until fairly recently, that we couldn’t achieve. Even now, most flight is still reserved for those with specific training or extraordinary monetary means. But, there is another way to fly and feel the Ouachita wind in your face.

For years, zip lining has been growing in popularity across the U.S. and, it is even its own tourism industry in some countries. In the last year two zip line companies have opened up here in the Ouachitas, and they are making ‘flight’ possible for the rest of us!

The basics are pretty simple and involve a series of cables, a helmet and harness, carabiners, pulleys, and an experienced

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Experience the Natural Beauty of the Region from New Heights with Several New Zip Line Adventures

by Jeremy Mackey photograph by Chris Sale

guide. I’ve actually built a zip line of sorts for my 3 year old son, but it’s nothing like what I experienced at Adventure Works and The Zip Lines at Ouachita Bend.

It’s not only the height and length of the lines or the speeds you achieve, but the unique perspective of the Ouachitas that these companies are offering that is truly breathtaking. The experience is both exhilarating and safe for all ages, and it’s more than just a quick adrenaline rush. Something extraordinary happens when you and a group of friends do a tour. There’s a bond that is formed while experiencing the outdoors in this way that is unlike anything else, which is why zip lines are perfect for family outings and team building exercises. “We’ve hosted church groups, high school teams, corporate retreats, and even the TCU women’s basketball team,” says lead

guide Tony Smith from Ouachita Bend, “but the neatest group we had the privilege of taking out was a ‘Celebrate Life’ group.

It’s always exhilarating to feel like you’re flying, but what gives me the rush now is the people.” Tony is a cancer survivor as well, which he said made guiding the Celebrate Life group that much more rewarding. I quickly found out that these types of stories are not uncommon.When I arrived at Adventure Works to interview Skyler, the manager, I found myself in the middle of just such a story.

Max Petitfils and his mom Mindi had just driven up from south Louisiana to visit the High Country, but specifically for a zipline trip that day, Earth Day. “Max is eight and that’s an adventurous age,” Mindi explains. “We wanted to do something in the mountains and to give him a different experience, that’s why we came.” While

7 11 C e n t r a l av e n u e Copperpennypub.Com our guide Chris was giving us the safety briefing I noticed Mindi paying especially close attention, but it wasn’t until the sky bridge when I realized why. She was afraid of heights.

The time passed quickly as we climbed the towers and zipped through some beautiful scenery. Adventure Works is situated next to Catherine’s Landing RV park on the old Humphrey’s Dairy property. There is a lot of history on that land and if you’re in your 30’s or older, you surely remember the school field trips there and the chocolate milk. Skyler, who has been in the zip line industry for over seven years, was originally hired just to build the course, but was hired on as manager and fell in love with the area. “I’m hooked. Not only do I get to spend time outside (for my job) but we’re the vehicle for people to experience the outdoors in a whole new way. If we can get kids off their iPads and outside, then we’ve done our job.” In this respect they were definitely doing their job as Max was all smiles as he dropped off tower after tower backwards. It was awesome to watch him and his mom come together, laugh, and bond in a way that only comes from being outside together.

Each of the new zip line tours offer a unique outdoor experience, and each has its own character and personality.

Whether you’ve never experienced this type of thrill or you’re an experienced zip line aficionado, give Ouachita Bend and Adventure Works a go. You’re sure to come away with a positive experience and just may take home a few stories of your own.

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NE W TO T H E O U A C H I T A S

The Vista Trail

The Lake Ouachita Vista Trail began just as any other trail does, simply with a trail head sign. The Little Rock Boy Scout Troop led by Eagle Candidate Rhett Gill installed the sign designating the trail head at Brady Mountain Road. From there the trail meanders 6.8 miles up and over both Brady Mountain and Blakely Mountain.

Massive machines controlled by the Progressive Trail Design Team groomed the trail, and the U.S. Forest Service, the Army Corps of Engineers, Arkansas Game and Fish, and the Arkansas Wildlife Federation all collaborated and worked alongside volunteers to complete this ambitious project. These volunteers are affectionately referred to as Trail Dogs, and the trail could not have been completed without their assistance.

The trail wanders some distance from Lake Ouachita in many places, but it

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Lake Ouachita’s Newest Must-Do Destination For Hikers & Mountain Bikers

by Jim G. Miller photograph by Jeremy Rodgers

consistently provides more than forty miles of excellent hiking and mountain biking as well as awe inspiring vistas throughout its stretches such as the one over Blakely Mountain Dam. The trail also boasts amazing perspectives of the Ouachita River Valley south of the dam.

Ending at the Avery Recreation area, the trail was officially completed on April 11th of this year.

The project received significant grants from the Arkansas Highway Department, the National Recreational Trails program, Montgomery County, the Mount Ida Chamber of Commerce, the Lake Ouachita Resort Owners, and the Montgomery County Health Advisory Committee to name a few. On top of all the financial support, there were over 12,000 hours of volunteer labor put into the project.

Beginning as a labor of love twelve years ago, Jerry Shields and Al Gathright wanted to create this hiking and biking trail along the southern shore of Lake Ouachita to provide a terrific experience for those who already enjoy this beautiful part of the country as well as add a new tourist attraction to the area that would help bring “shoulder season” traffic to the resorts, restaurants, crystal shops, and other businesses in the Ouachita area.

Walking down an old service road to cut through a portion of the Ouachita Vista Trail, we spoke with Jerry Shields and Alan Gathright, the two men who were integral in establishing the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail system (LOViT). “We couldn’t have done it without the collaboration of the U.S. Corps of Engineers and the Forest Service,”says Gathright. Mike Wade, one of the Forest Service rangers, completed an emergency response system with GPS

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mapping of the entire trail in the event of an emergency. Now the Montgomery County Sheriff’s office can successfully provide any possible assistance to those enjoying the trail. It spans more than fifty thousand linear feet and was contracted to the Progressive Trail Design team, a crew based out of Arkansas. It was important for the LOViT team to get an Arkansas contractor to excavate the trail. “They’re trail people, and that was important to us. When they aren’t helping establish trails, they’re hiking or biking on them,” says Shields.

The LOViT Trail Dogs are a group made almost entirely of retired professional people. “We all often asked ourselves while sitting at a desk, why the hell aren’t we out there?” says Shields, referring to his life before pursuing his passion. Their organization doesn’t have bylaws. There are no meetings and no dues. Their only goal is to meet and make sure that the trails in the area are the best they can be.

“When we’re not working, I miss these guys. We like the camaraderie. We feel like we’re creating the first thing in our lives truly for posterity’s sake,” says Gathright.

Right now the basic trail has been completed, but the Trail Dogs still have a lot to do in terms of placing signage.

Originally the trail was going to end at the vista overlooking Blakely Dam, but the group decided to extend it down to the Avery Recreation Area to make it easier for those finishing the forty-mile stretch.

“We want this to be one of the first class trails in the state,” says Shields. Currently the trail is being inspected by the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) and will most likely be given the status of “Epic Trail” which will go further in establishing the trail as one of the premier hiking and biking destinations, not only in Arkansas but also in the entire country.

Recently Shields stated that they may have also discovered an Arkansas Champion Tree on the second portion of the trail.

A short leaf pine, if granted Champion Tree status, will be listed on the Arkansas Forestry Commission website and also given official recognition along the trail.

There is something for everyone on this one of a kind trail. There are roads and recreation areas throughout the entire trail with the exception of the vast wilderness in the remote area found between Crystal Springs and Brady Mountain road. This stretch of about ten miles provides hikers and mountain bikers with an uncommon sense of isolated beauty while on the trail. The trail also boasts some challenging portions especially near Hickory Nut Mountain, which is the highest point on the trail. There is also a handicap accessible portion of the trail with a wildlife viewing area near the very beginning of the trail. For comprehensive updates about the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail and events that will be taking place on the trail throughout the year visit www. lakeouachitavistatrail.com.

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NE W TO T H E O U A C H I T A S

Grove Park

Every village needs an area where individuals can congregate and meet local area farmers, artisans and musicians.

Luckily, thanks to some expert planning and initiative, there is now an area specifically set aside for these purposes in the Hot Springs Village. Designed by Dr. Yang Luo, Director of Placemaking, the new location is located at 1105 Desoto Blvd., in the center of the Hot Springs Village near the Woodlands Auditorium.

Grove Park officially opened to the vendors of the Green Market in early May and will now be providing a convenient locale for farmers and patrons of the market to share their customary seasonal fare throughout the rich growing season.

By meeting the farmer who grows your food it’s putting you closer to the earth and helps out a great deal in appreciating the beautiful environment in which we live.

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Opening New Possibilities for Farmers, Artists and the HSV Community

by Jim G. Miller photography by Jeremy Rodgers

You can find the farmers of the Green Market along with artisans there every Thursday morning from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Acting as not just a new home for the Green Market, Grove Park will also act as a community gathering place for the new Artisan Market, which will offer everything from jewelry, pottery, woodworking and more. The Artisan Market is a perfect marketplace for purchasing local handmade arts and crafts. The Artisan Market will host quarterly gatherings beginning Sunday, June 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you are interested in submitting an application to be an official vendor at the market email fhancock@hsvpoa.org.

Grove Park will also be acting as a new outdoor live performance venue for the Rock Porch music sessions. The Rock

Porch Sessions feature some of the best touring singer-songwriters and bands from all over the country, taking place at its new location on the first Saturday of every month.

Only the first addition of many more exciting future developments reshaping the HSV community, Grove Park offers a destination for individuals to shop locally while also enhancing the outdoor pleasure derived by visitors and guests to the Ouachita area. Whether it’s a live concert during the Rock Porch Sessions, or a morning cup of coffee and conversation with your favorite vendor at the Green Market, Grove Park will continue to deliver a plenitude of options for locals and newcomers wanting to get outside their homes and mingle amid the surrounding culture and richness of this beautiful region.

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Upcoming Membership Events Sporting Swap Meet:

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Saturday, June 07, 2014

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Balboa Pavilion Swap Meet Rules:

1. ORG Members only can rent a table at the Swap Meet $5.00 per table, payable on the day of the event.

2. Arrive by 8:15 am to setup. All setup / breakdown is the responsibility of the table seller / vendor.

3. Those selling should bring sufficient change for their transactions.

4. Items for sale must be hunting, fishing, boating or shooting related.

5. Guns must be unloaded with action open and must be shown to an on-site safety officer before being allowed entry.

6. No live ammunition is allowed on the property the day of the sale.

7. Contact dbotkin@hsvpoa.org to register; first-in/first served.

Ouachita Rod & Gun Club Fish Fry:

Saturday, July 5, 2014

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Balboa Pavilion The Ouachita Rod & Gun Club will host a Fish Fry on July 5th at the Balboa Pavilion as part of the Stars & Stripes Festival. Food will be served from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Enjoy a delicious meal, beach side and find out more about the benefits of the Club.

Tickets are $7 for the Fish Fry and can be purchased online at HSVTicketSales.com.

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FARE

Central Park Fusion

Matt Fuller’s 10-month-old white English bulldog named T-Bone greets me at the door and curiously sniffs my feet as we sit down for the interview. I can hear the sound of metal scraping asphalt from the construction going on directly in front of the restaurant. Right across the street is where the Majestic Fire had taken place a little more than a few months ago. Although the rubble still sits where the portion of the hotel once stood, Fuller remains positive about events that are going on in downtown Hot Springs.

Head chef and proprietor at Central Park Fusion on Park Avenue now for six years, Fuller is recently recovering from the busy aftermath of his seventh Oaklawn racing season. Constantly striving to produce and deliver the freshest and highest quality ingredients in an exclusive and yet casual dining

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atmosphere, Central Park has easily become the go-to destination for both local foodies and visitors to Arkansas who are craving elegant fare. Fuller chose the location of Central Park Fusion initially because he believed in the movement to breathe new life into the historic district of downtown Hot Springs.

Central Park has been a thriving example for other successful businesses that have recently popped up in the area. Laying the groundwork for other businesses to successfully establish themselves was not an easy task because until recently the neighborhood often was not considered to be very appetizing to local dining enthusiasts and visiting guests of Hot Springs. The tide has changed, however, and with the development of new community areas and businesses, Central Park Fusion has been busier than ever.

More Than Just Fine Dining: Giving Back & Highlighting Historic Park Avenue

by Jim G. Miller photography by Chris Sale

Running one of the most successful restaurants in downtown Hot Springs, Fuller feels confident for the future of the region and hopes that more positive change happens soon. A major advocate for giving and helping others, Fuller has teamed with other organizations and hosted numerous fundraisers to benefit the Arkansas Children’s Hospital as well as Project Hope Food Bank. “There’s nothing that really trumps the cause of taking care of sick kids and feeding hungry people,” says Fuller, quite aware of how many people have been impacted by the work done at the Children’s Hospital. “Being in the food industry, it also just seems like a natural match to work with the food bank,” says Fuller.

Project Hope Food Bank provides food to shelters like the Jackson House and The Masters Table, both of which are in the downtown Hot Springs area.

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Aside from his philanthropic efforts, Fuller and his staff at Central Park Fusion continue to be dedicated to providing the finest cuisine to his dining guests. Using free range, local and other alternative source ingredients, Fuller scouts out safe and reliable avenues for seafood and meats that are used to sculpt the excellent array of featured entrée items.

One staple of the menu has been prime Australian Wagyu Beef. With the prices of quality beef skyrocketing, Fuller now only uses the upgraded Australian beef for his entrees and has recently started using fresh Hawaiian fish.

The fish tacos are an excellent summer appetizer, complimented with just the right sauce and a dash of cabbage, it’s a great starter before ordering an entrée from the array of fine fusion cuisine items. When available the Filet Mignon is excellent especially when accompanied by the right

wine. Always look for new and surprising things on the menu at Central Park whether it’s pork, seafood, or any specialty entrée.

Always innovative and consistently giving back to important causes, Central Park Fusion will be hosting the First Annual Hot Springs Food & Wine Festival on October 4th. A large outdoor event that will section off a portion of Arbor Street, it will host tented $50 general admission outside and $150 VIP admission inside the restaurant.

There will also be a live auction providing additional assistance to Project Hope Food Bank. If you are interested in attending the festival, contact Matt Fuller at Central Park Fusion via email at info@ centralparkfusion.com. If you have not had the pleasure of experiencing his fine dining, visit him Tuesday through Saturday at 200 Park Avenue where they open for dinner at 4:30 p.m.

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MUSIC

Adam Faucett

I first saw Adam Faucett perform at the White Water Tavern in Little Rock with another celebrated musician and songwriter named Damien Jurado. Wearing small round prescription sunglasses Faucett has the quiet demeanor of a folk genius. Through his songs he delivers both wondrous and imaginative musings on Central Arkansas and whatever else his imagination cares to regale listeners with.

The societal commentary that’s especially unique to his experiences is voiced in Faucett’s signature bellow. With a somber and Southern Gothic finesse to many of his best songs Faucett reflects on his youth growing up in areas like Sparkman and Benton, both cities featured in songs on the most recent album, Blind Water.

Just as rewarding of a listen as his first album, Blind Water picks up further and delves deeper into the vessel of Faucett’s mind

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Wading Through Blind Water with Adam Faucett and the Tall Grass

by Jim G. Miller feature photograph by Jen Heimbaugh

and the small facts and fictions conveyed by his music. Faucett’s brand of folk blends characters into a southern backdrop that rests between the raw streets and unrefined rural landscapes of Arkansas.

“I don’t try to sound Americana. I play the guitar like that because that’s just how I play it and it just makes the chords sound less boring,” explains Faucett. “Lyrically I’m not trying to be country. I grew up on the freeway as a mystified kid and everything was about ghosts and spirits. I don’t care about the patriotic white South, but it plays into it. I was raised here and generations of my family are here. I grew up fishing, riding four wheelers and going to churches that were a step away from breaking out the snakes.”

Faucett’s throat-ringing holler fills up a room and demands attention from

even the most oblivious member of the audience. Wearing a large beard that customarily covers his entire face Faucett has a quiet and calm presence upon meeting him. But when he erupts with song he truly becomes a listening spectacle. It is his modest stage presence and unequivocal songwriting ability that enlightens those to his genius like moths to a summer flame.

With pockets of support now throughout the country Faucett plays a uniquely genuine and homespun style of music that is very Arkansas at its roots. His dialect and the background of his song writing translates easily to Arkansas natives, but it has taken him quite some time to gain the support that he now has. “I’ve played to the floor or to peoples backs even in places like White Water Tavern for a lot of years before people started taking notice,” says Faucett.

Hot Springs where much of Blind Water was written before globetrotting around some of the best venues in Arkansas and the rest of the world. Playing occasionally as a solo artist he also travels with his band, the Tall Grass, and has enjoyed sharing the stage with many talented artists and musicians such as Lucero, Chuck Ragan, and Jason Isbell. Faucett will be touring throughout the summer with King Buzzo, guitarist for the Melvins, and will be returning to Arkansas sometime mid-August.

“It took me about six years for people to really start listening to me—the people who are now my biggest supporters wouldn’t give me the time of day. They’d keep booking me because I at least had enough friends who would come and drink beer,” says Faucett.

Recently listed as one of the top southern recording artists to be listened to by Southern Living magazine Faucett has been showered with recognition and praise by Paste magazine and numerous other media outlets.

Critics and fellow musicians have praised his abilities throughout the course of his solo career, which began only about seven years ago. Faucett’s recent praise and esteem as of late has not made him pretentious, it has simply led to him having more tour dates.

Living in Little Rock, Faucett is originally from Russellville and experienced a brief stint in

You’ll see him bar side or center stage at just as many local Arkansas venues

and clubs — sharing thoughts and telling stories — with his wailing soulful voice. A twinge of country and a touch of blues, his Americana folk musings and guitar strumming emanate something that is both original and uniquely Arkansas.

Faucett strums along to well-written songs that are played to the tune of a blissful harmony. Ciphered through a warm and colloquial voice, like many great singersongwriters he takes you by surprise if you have not been fortunate enough to hear him. It’s perhaps like hearing the echo of a fierce balladeer while traveling through the hillsides and forests of Arkansas. Drudging up the thought of a lost love or communicating a devalued sense of purpose. It is a voice of passion only divulged in the echoing of his soul.

Faucett leaves tendrils of thoughtful homespun melodies that convey the same type of heartfelt and provocative beauty that could only otherwise be illustrated by the best imaginations born from somewhere beautiful.

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A R TS

Abstract Balance

As a working artist living in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Tansill Stough has done quite well for herself recently, presenting work at the American Art Gallery, Gallery M2 in the Argenta arts district of North Little Rock, the Governors mansion, the Garland County Library and also the Hale Bathhouse of Hot Springs. Stough also has a large amount of work hanging on the walls of private homes throughout the world as she frequently is commissioned for her work.

Her true passion is the abstract. “A lot of my pieces are about accepting the emotions that I am feeling at the time, and I think that this connects with others who are feeling the same way,” says Stough. Balancing light and dark like the good and the bad, Stough strives to paint works that relate to the emotions of the person who looks upon the canvas. It is

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Tansill Stough Balances Detail and the Abstract While Making a Splash

by Jim G. Miller photograph by Jeremy Rodgers

through this harrowing development in her painting that she finds validation in her work.

Stough relishes in painting the various landscapes of Arkansas and has also become interested in the duck hunting culture. “The way I generally come to understand something is by painting it,” says Stough.

She also has a deep understanding and appreciation for history as displayed in her collection entitled ‘Fading Memories of JFK’. Each piece exhibits an ethereal moment captured forever on canvas. “I like people to learn things,” says Stough as she explains the story of the coconut that saved JFK’s life.

The majority of the JFK pieces like “End of Camelot” and “The Procession” are

currently on display at the Governors Mansion. Other pieces from this most recent work are presented at the American Art Gallery during the 50-year tribute to President Kennedy’s life.

Painting for 10 years, Stough had always had a skill at detailed drawing but did not begin pouring herself into the canvas until major changes in her life had taken place. She looks back and understands that she is now in a much better place, both emotionally and mentally. “There were things I needed to put down on canvas before I went crazy,” says Stough. Always finding encouragement from her father who had commented on her talents at a young age, Stough understands the importance of having a mentor or someone who may be able to motivate you during a dry spell.

“Whether it’s a family member or a

501-318-3711

ziplines@ouachitabendadventures.com MIDD-05141-Ouachita High Country.pdf

much more successful artist, I hope that I can mentor, and I hope that I can be an encouragement to other artists,” says Stough.

Stough’s preferred medium is oil, and her work ranges from abstract expressionism to portraiture and landscape. Stough was recently awarded first place for mixed media in a national contest through Artist magazine for her portrait of ‘The Writer.’

With cold concrete floors and no running water in her present studio space, Stough laughs about having her dream studio, “most people have a dream house, well I have a dream studio,” she says, showing me a photo of it that she found and cut out of a magazine.

Stough received her degree in Studio Art from UALR but credits a majority of her art education to the hours she spent learning at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. She has also done numerous workshops in San Miguel, New Mexico.

“I’ve noticed that I get a significant amount of energy from working near water now that I’m back in Hot Springs.”

Her garage studio is located near Lake Hamilton. “I grew up here, there is a part of me in that lake of water.”

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S U MME R E V ENT C A L END A R

j June

1-14

Hot Springs Music Festival Various Locations in Hot Spings hotmusic.org

5

5-7

6

6-7

Flavor in the Park Exchange Street Parking Deck 5-7pm | Downtown Hot Springs The Arkansas State HOG Rally Hot Springs Convention Center Midsummer Night’s Dream Ballet Woodlands Auditorium, HSV

37th Annual Lum & Abner Festival: Radio Shows

Janssen Park, Mena visitmena.com

Five Star Theatre presents “Tuna Does Vegas” 701 Central Ave., Hot Springs

6-15

Pocket Thester presents “A Boys Life” 170 Ravine St., Hot Springs

Remmel to Rockport Regatta, Rockin’ the River 1pm | Rockport White Water Park, Malvern

Magic Springs Concert Series “Austin Mahone” Timberwood Amphitheatre

Rock Porch Sessions “Delta Donnie” 5pm | Grove Park, HSV

Shriner’s Golf-a-Rama Balboa Golf Course, HSV

7

Annual Cossatot River Clean-up Wickes

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11-16

Bruno Mars at Verizon Arena 7:30pm | Little Rock

56th Annual Petit Jean Auto Show & Swap Meet

Museum of Automobiles, Morrilton

11-16

15-17

Blend-a cappella 50’s at its Best Five Star Theatre 701 Central Ave., Hot Springs

Village Big Band Concert 6:30-7:30pm | Whittington Park Hot Springs

The Glenn Miller Orchestra 8pm | Robinson Center Music Hall, Little Rock

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37th Annual Turkey Track Bluegrass Festival Waldron | turkeytrackblugrass.com

Miss Arkansas Pageant Hot Springs Convention Center

Hot Springs Boys & Girls Club: 2014 National Title Boxing Championship Tournament 109 Belding St., Hot Springs

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Lake Greeson Days Daisy State Park, Kirby

25th Annual Children’s Fishing Derby Lake Greeson, Kirby

Magic Springs Concert Series “Thompson Square” Timberwood Amphitheatre

Five Star Theatre presents Magician Scott Davis Five Star Theatre 701 Central Ave., Hot Springs

Magic Springs Concert Series “For King and Country” Timberwood Amphitheatre

TRI-the-Village Sprint Triathlon Hot Springs Village

25-28

Magic Springs Concert Series “Casting Crowns” Timberwood Amphitheatre

27

The Witness Opening Weekend 1960 Millcreek Rd., Hot Springs

Rock Porch Sessions “Tuff E Nuff” 7pm | Grove Park, HSV

Arkansas Arts Center 56th Annual Delta Exhibition Little Rock

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Blake Shelton at Verizon Arena 7pm | Little Rock

Artisan Market at Grove Park Grove Park, HSV

63rd National Square Dance Convention Statehouse Convention Center

4th Friday Arkansas Jazz Experience

6pm | Quapaw Bathhouse

314 Central Ave., Hot Springs

34th Annual Malvern Brickfest 27-28

Malvern City Park

Magic Springs Concert Series 28 “Daughtry”

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Timberwood Amphitheatre

j July Short Game Golf Skills 2 Tournament

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Magellan Golf Course, HSV See Page 34 for a list of Independence Day Events

j August 1

25th Anniversary of Hot Springs Gallery Walk Downtown Hot Springs

The Pocket Theatre presents “4 Weddings and An Elvis” 170 Ravine St.

1-10

Magic Springs Concert Series “Chris Young” Timberwood Amphitheatre

2

Magic Springs Concert Series “Rodney Atkins” Timberwood Amphitheatre

Blend-a cappella 50’s at its Best Five Star Theatre 701 Central Ave., Hot Springs

Rock Porch Session 7pm | Grove Park, HSV

Magic Springs Concert Series “Matthew West and Rhett Walker Band” Timberwood Amphitheatre

38th Annual Hope Watermelon Festival 800 Mockingbird, Hope

The Great War Memorial Balloon Race War Memorial, Little Rock

Magic Springs Concert Series “Plumb and Chris August“ Timberwood Amphitheatre

6-8

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11-13

“John Calvin Brewer” 12 Concert

7pm | Balboa Club, HSV

Magic Springs Concert Series “Steven Curtis Chapman and Tim Timmons” Timberwood Amphitheatre

Culinary Series: Sunny Flavors of Sicily Garvan Woodland Gardens Magnolia Room | 11am-2pm

Magic Springs Concert Series “Bridgit Mendler” Timberwood Amphitheatre

Lookout Point Cooking School: “Puff Pastry Magic” 11am-3pm | 104 Lookout Circle Hot Springs

6pm | Quapaw Bathhouse 314 Central Ave., Hot Springs

South Hot Springs Lions Gun & Knife Show Hot Springs Convention Center

15 19 23

4th Friday Arkansas Jazz 25 Experience

25-27

7-9

8

The Birth of an Artist Silent Auction and Reception

benefiting “Cutwell 4 Kids”

Embassy Suites Hotel & Spa,

400 Convention Blvd. 7-10pm

8-9

9

E-Waste Collection Event Hot Springs Convention Center Hot Springs Barbershop Chorus Concert Hot Springs Convention Center Summerfest on Park Avenue 100-700 blocks of Park Ave

Cossatot State Park Star Party 8-10pm | Wickes

Magic Springs Concert Series “Switchfoot” Timberwood Amphitheatre

15

4th Annual Johnny Cash

Music Festival Jonesboro

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Back to School Bash Lake Balboa, HSV

Aaron Neville in Concert Oaklawn’s Finish Line Theatre 2705 Central Ave. 4th Friday Arkansas Jazz Experience Quapaw Bathhouse 6pm | 314 Central Ave.

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SOZO Recovery Golf Tournament Magellan Golf Course, HSV

22

Crystal Music Festival Board Campground, Mena

22-23

22-24

Queen Wilhelmina Rod Run Queen Wilhelmina Lodge, Mena

Silver Lode Sectional Bridge Tournament Casa de Carta, 1101 DeSoto Blvd.

Knights of Columbus Golf Tournament Magellan Golf Course, HSV

18th Annual Hot Springs Blues Festival Hill Wheatley Plaza & Various Locations in Hot Springs

Cossatot River Visitors Center

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29-31

Arkansas State Parks 29-9/7

Legacy Week

September Mark Your Calendar!

4-6

5-6

6

8-12

Hot Springs Motorcycle Open Rally Hot Springs Convention Center 45th Annual Ham Fest Queen Wilhelmina State Park Antique Motorcycle Club Exhibition Hill Wheatley Plaza, 629 Central Ave.

Smokey Joe’s Café HSV Concert Association Woodlands Auditorium

16-21

23rd Annual Jazz Fest Various Locations in Hot Springs

Ou a c hit a H ighCo u nt ry.com

21

B A SE C A M P

Welcome to the Water Exploring your passion in the High Country by paddle board, by boat, or with the aid of a new outdoor sports club.

by Jeremy Mackey of Ouachita Outdoor Outfitters — photography by Jeremy Rodgers

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When I began working at ‘the shop’ during the spring of 1999 kayaking was the furthest thing from my mind. I was 18 and just looking for a cool summer job. At that time we were maybe only stocking 4 kayaks for a whole season and from what I could tell it was a sport reserved for ‘dare devils’ and ‘adrenaline junkies’ who wanted to slide down the mountain creeks of Arkansas following a deluge.

Still, it was intriguing and I soon found myself upside down in Lake Hamilton, fumbling with a paddle trying to reach the surface in a maneuver known as simply, ‘the roll’. That was my start: little did I know what a profound effect this sport would have on my life.

I imagine that’s just the way life is. Your passion finds you. Over the next few years we, along with rest of the country, began noticing a rise in a “new” form of kayaking called recreational paddling.

The boats were modest in both design and price, allowing more people to experience kayaking. Here in the High Country, the sport exploded! With four

Working in the outdoor industry for almost 13 years, I’ve seen trends come and go. Kayaking is just a natural fit for our area. There are a group of passionate individuals who are willing to participate in the sport. Whether you’re into whitewater, fishing, recreation, or expedition paddling, the opportunities are endless in the High Country.

Paddling, or SUPing, started becoming popular in coastal regions quite some time ago, but moved inland in 1998. From short day trips, to fishing, expedition paddling, whitewater, and even yoga, Stand Up Paddling offers something for everyone in a fun, challenging, and relaxing setting. Ernie Brassard, a 25year surf industry veteran and lifelong waterman and surfer, began SUPing in 2004 and hasn’t looked back. Ernie has seen first hand the explosive growth of this sport and was involved in the first official SUP race in the country. “There’s that fascination with seeing someone standing on water and the sport is amazingly social. There’s a fitness aspect to Stand-Up, but it’s also a great family sport for all ages because the learning curve is so immediate. To be good, it just takes time on the water.”

A new water-sport that is just starting to gain popularity is Stand Up Paddling, and like kayaking it is a natural fit for the area and is quickly becoming a passionate sport all on its own. Stand Up

As a long time whitewater enthusiast, I was surprised by how much and how quickly I became enamored with SUPing. I bought my first board last year and spent a considerable amount

pristine lakes of unique character and hundreds of river miles to explore, kayaking was no longer a ‘fringe sport’, it had become mainstream. These days you can’t drive around town without spotting a vehicle with at least one kayak strapped to the top. Even our State Parks got involved and started renting kayaks.

Lake Ouachita State Park was the first to offer overnight guided kayaking trips, which are always booked to capacity.

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B A SE C A M P

of time on Lake Hamilton in the early morning taking a “stroll.” Normally Lake Hamilton is known as a social lake and not for its abundant ‘natural beauty’. Stand Up offers a slower pace than kayaking and because of the unique perspective, I noticed more than I thought. What I was feeling as I paddled felt familiar and I found myself staring at the lake while driving across bridges, and an idea kept popping into my head. I could paddle from Blakely Dam to Carpenter Dam on my SUP. I knew I was hooked, and on a random Tuesday I paddled the length of Lake Hamilton on a Stand Up Board. Not the most epic trip I’ve ever been on and definitely not epic compared to Chris Bertish, who plans on crossing the Atlantic Ocean on his SUP this fall or Ernie who just returned from a SUP trip to central Brazil on the Amazon River.

“I’ve been lucky to have had so many pivotal moments on my board,” says Ernie, “ it has expanded my reach to our water world in ways that I had not thought possible.”

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Stand Up Paddling is not just a trend but is becoming easier to try without a large investment. Currently DeGray Lake State Park is considering adding paddle boards to their rental services, Ouachita Outdoor Outfitters is on their second season renting boards, and a new program in Hot Springs Village, known as Basecamp, is also providing kayak and SUP rentals. Basecamp’s mission is exploring the Ouachita Region and to discover it’s wealth of adventure. The Ouachita National Forest, Ouachita Mountains and numerous lakes, rivers and streams offer plenty of opportunities for the Outdoor enthusiast.

Basecamp emboldens those who relish in the splendor of what lies just beyond their doorstep. Members are provided an opportunity to participate in the endless options available year round. Whether it is kayaking or paddle boarding expeditions on the plenitude of lakes in the area, or rock climbing and bouldering through the Ouachita Mountain region, the opportunities are there.

Basecamp is the perfect avenue for accessing and celebrating adventure sports and activities that are perhaps off the beaten path, such as crystal mining, geocaching or riding an ATV. There are numerous opportunities for water sports such as fishing, boating, skiing, snorkeling, and even spear fishing. Many of these activities are able to be enjoyed thanks to the conservation efforts of a community of people who cherish the boundlessness and camaraderie of the true outdoor experience. As Arkansans it is quite nearly impossible not to be both invigorated and appreciative of the possibilities throughout the natural state. Exploration need not be something you have to travel in order to achieve, especially when in the heart of the Ouachita High Country.

No matter what activity you choose the goal is to find something larger outside of yourself, to unplug from our 24/7 world, to find your rhythm, and give your soul and senses a well deserved cleansing.

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O u ac h i t a Hi gh C ount r y

Learning

by Nature Getting Back to the Basics of the Outdoors at an Early Age

by Jeremy & Kristal Mackey

Few would disagree that nature is vitally important to human beings. Not only does it provide us with food and shelter at the most basic level, it generously gives of itself completely in other ways–it provides recreation and becomes a playground, it puts our hearts at peace, and it restores our innermost being to its roots. It gives us perspective, it reminds us to be grateful, it reminds us that we must be diligent

|

photography by Steven Miles

stewards of creation. And most of all, it instills in us a strong need to pass this wisdom on to the next generation. Richard Louv says, in his revolutionary book No Child Left Behind, “In nature, a child finds freedom, fantasy, and privacy: a place distant from the adult world, a separate peace.” However, in our fast paced and modern society, exposing our children to nature so that they may achieve this

“separate peace” often seems terribly difficult and worrisome. And while it is true that there are challenges, there are always ways to circumvent them. In the Ouachita region, we’re fortunate to live in an area that has abundant natural resources and nearly as many varied ways to take advantage of them. So how do we teach our children about the importance of nature? Let’s explore...

Ou a c hit a H ighCo u nt ry.com

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K I DS I N N A T U R E

and playgrounds. Lake Catherine State Park is a favorite for outdoor families, as it has a shorter hiking trail that’s possible for preschoolers to conquer with little help from parents and even ends with a view from the top of a waterfall and a swinging bridge. It’s not unusual to see parents with infants strapped to them happily hiking with their young children. Our state parks also offer interpretive programs that are often geared towards kids, especially in the summer.

The downtown Hot Springs area boasts several hiking trails, including West Mountain and North Mountain that are easily hiked by younger children and close enough to downtown to stop for some popcorn or gelato on the way home.

The new skate park, located on Valley Street near the Hollywood Greenway, is a fun place for kids to experiment with their new skateboards or ride their bikes and skateboards along the paved trail. While this is not what one typically thinks of as a traditional “outdoor” activity, it reinforces to children that nature doesn’t exist solely in a protected environment; sometimes, spending time in nature means enjoying an inner city creek or a paved bike trail.

In speaking with families for whom nature is a paramount priority, they all say the same thing: nature is a part of them. Laurin Miles says that, because we live in a society of constant distraction, it’s easy to lose the intrinsic appreciation of the turning of the seasons or even the passing of a day. To return their focus to the outside world, Lauren and her family frequently go hiking and camping. However, she says, there is also a happy simplicity in just sitting in the grass in the front yard. Finding ease in your immediate outdoor surroundings also enables parents to avoid that ever present ticking clock that says there’s no time for outside. Children have an innate

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O u ac h i t a Hi gh C ount r y

ability to enjoy the journey, whether it’s to a trail or the backyard. Let them smell flowers, throw rocks, draw in the dirt with sticks, and find shapes in clouds. Slowing down and being completely present with her children is what Jona Parker says is the key to enjoying the outdoors with kids-and making sure they always look forward to that “together time” as well.

It’s easy to say that we don’t have enough time to get outside. The Ouachita region does offer easy options for everything from camping trips to day hikes and dozens of things in between. The state parks in our area are excellent options for camping and most have a lake or river, hiking trails,

Garvan Woodland Gardens is an excellent option for a short day trip that’s enjoyable for kids. The gardens are partially paved, allowing for easy stroller access, and the 210 acres of flowers, trees, water features, bridges, and wildlife are sure to have them enthralled.

The 1.5 acre children’s garden is located at the bottom of the gardens and has a waterfall, a cave, along with plenty other natural features to explore. Also, if you ask at the entrance, you can get a scavenger hunt chart for your child that encourages them to pay close attention to their surroundings. They look for bugs, leaves, birds, and flowers and get a prize at the end!

Besides being an enjoyable way to spend family time, studies have also shown that nature has many health benefits for children. From a purely physical standpoint, being active outside is shown to increase fitness levels to combat childhood obesity. It also exposes children to vital Vitamin D and improves distance vision. Exposure to the outdoors has also been effective in reducing ADHD symptoms and schools with environmental

programs have shown increased scores on standardized tests.

Studies have also shown that children’s stress levels fall within minutes of seeing green spaces. In fact, when my own son was a baby, some days were devastatingly difficult. He would cry constantly, wouldn’t calm down, and wouldn’t sleep. Exhausted and emotional, one day I was near frantic and at a loss as to what else to do. To get a breath of fresh air, I picked him up and went outside...and an amazing thing happened. He instantly calmed down. He stopped crying and looked around our back yard. Despite the intense August heat, the bright sunshine in his face, and my anxious heart pounding in his ear, he sighed and settled into me. Going outside together became our routine. Under our covered porch, he became a tiny observer of clouds, a mimicker of birds, a companion to our dogs...and the only crying he did was when it was time to go back in. Even now, almost four years later, he still seems to revert to his most true self when he’s outside...every stick is magical,

every rock is sacred, and every acorn is treasured. Playtime outside also rounds out a child’s social repertoire, warding away anxiety and depression and enhancing social interactions and value for community and close relationships.

According to naturallearning.org, outside play boosts creativity and problem solving skills, as children are more likely to engage in imaginative play outdoors.

grasshopper, in the garden and he chose for “Grasshopper the grasshopper” to live in the brussel sprouts. Last week, when brussel sprouts were on the menu, we were surprised as he told us “These are in our garden!” and ate one. Obviously, a connection was made with the source of his food and he was happy to eat all of his vegetables and then proceeded to ask for more.

The website also reports that gardening with children improves their nutrition.

Children who assist in growing their own food are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables and continue healthy eating habits into adulthood. Gardening also teaches children a level of self-reliance that can’t be purchased at the nearest grocery store. My son, until just a few weeks ago, wouldn’t touch a brussel sprout. Last month, though, we began getting the spring garden ready for planting. While we planted vegetables, he helped by spreading dirt and watering the newly planted veggies with his watering can. We even let him put his own garden decoration, a small metal

In our area, it is too easy to get our children outdoors and to appreciate its benefits. Not only does it create opportunities to have intimate family time, but it teaches our children about the importance of maintaining the integrity of our natural world. We asked children what nature meant to them and received a variety of answers including “Nature is the world all around us” says Jaxon age 9. Another child said nature is “Happy, Fun, Awesomeness”. The most startling answer, though, came from a petite little lady, Amelia Miles age 4, who summed up all of what nature is and what it should be for adults and children alike... “Nature is something that is easy.”

Ou a c hit a H ighCo u nt ry.com

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Do you have psoriasis?

TERMINIX HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE

Do you have red, thick patches on your skin? Do they often itch and have silvery scales?

If so, you may have plaque psoriasis.

Right now, we’re enrolling adults who have had moderate to severe plaque psoriasis for at least six months in our research study of an investigational medication. To qualify, you must have moderate to severe plaque psoriasis on at least ten percent of your body.

Compensation may be provided.

501.620.4449 3633 Central Avenue, Suite I Hot Springs, AR 71913

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O u ac h i t a Hi gh C ount r y

“Power over Pests” Protecting the health and property of Arkansas people Locally owned and operated in HSV since 1970

5 Ponderosa Way Hot Springs Village (501) 922-3585 www.terminixhsv.com

Call for Information

PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH

®

3rd Annual Sprint Triathlon Saturday, June 14th Registration is now open, visit www.TRItheVillage.com!

This USAT-sanctioned event includes a 500-yard swim, a 13.5 mile cycle ride and 3.5 mile run in beautiful Hot Springs Village and is managed by DLT Events with support from and in benefit of Teen Challenge of Arkansas.

ALSO! Participants can play golf Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning for member rates $28.10 with cart plus tax. Call 501.922.2858 to book.

TRITheVIllage SponSoRS: MounTaIn Valley WaTeR, VacaTIon RenTalS, SaM’S club, ST. VIncenT healTh SySTeM, lefleR DenTal, MT. caRMel coMMunITy anD STaTe faRM. Ou a c hit a H ighCo u nt ry.com

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4TH Of JULY

Where to have a Blast on the Fourth Celebrating Independence Day in the Ouachitas

by Jim G. Miller

Fourth of July is America’s Independence Day. It’s a holiday filled with nostalgia for youth, colorful summer evenings and true kinship. It brings to mind funnel cakes and checkered blankets, barbecue and coleslaw, smoke bombs and bottle rockets, and the sound of children laughing while running with sprarklers beneath a blanket of Arkansas stars.

For many lake enthusiasts, and July seasoned beach bums, it becomes even more of an enjoyable time where you

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can still be surprised by the awe and spectacle from the fountains of light bursting in the black sultry summer night. For July 4th there is no shortage of places that you can devote your evening.

Some Independence Day gatherings offer evening bonfire glows, good food and live music to help celebrate the national holiday. No matter where you go this Fourth of July you’ll notice that the entire Ouachita High Country is aglow with the brilliance of rockets, and

roman candles erupting in dazzling colors throughout the evening. If you are intending to do your own firework display this year, just remember to be safe and responsible. If you don’t want to miss out on the fireworks at any of these upcoming events found throughout the area then be sure to show up at least an hour or two early, depending on whether you have to set up the lawn chairs and charcoal grill, otherwise just lay back and enjoy the show with family and friends.

July 4th Event Listing Brady Mountain F ireworks D isplay

The Brady Mountain Resort on Lake Ouachita Fireworks Display continues its long tradition of lighting up the sky over Lake Ouachita on Saturday, July 5th. For more information, contact Brady Mountain Resort at (501) 767-3422.

F ree Day at the C linton Library

In honor of Independence Day, the Clinton Presidential Library will offer free admission.

F I R E WORK S OV ER L A K E OUAC H I TA

Mountain Harbor’s Fabulous Patriotic Four Wheeler, Golf Cart and Mules, Etc. PARADE! The fun starts on the morning of July 4th at the park in Harbor South and winds down through the resort ending around the Lodge. The fireworks show starts at 9:30 p.m. but you should get here early. Expect big crowds and limited parking. For more information contact: Mountain Harbor Resort & Spa at (870) 867-2191.

F rontier F ourth of July at H istoric Arkansas Museum

From 2 to 4 p.m., the Historic Arkansas Museum presents a day of 19th century patriotism. For more information, please call (501) 324-9351.

J U LY F ou RT H AT S H ERWOOD F OREST

Sherwood Forest, located at 1111 West Maryland Avenue in Sherwood continues its tradition of fireworks, entertainment and free hot dogs. From 6 to 9 p.m., shuttle service is provided and lawn chairs are welcome. No pets, skateboards or coolers. Call (501) 833-0476 to learn more.

L ake Degray State Park Firework Display

The display takes place in front of Degray Lake Lodge at about 9:30 p.m. For more information, call (501) 865-5810.

M agic S prings & Crystal Falls

See “Tesla” live in concert as part of the Magic Springs Summer Concert Series.

Ride rollercoasters, including the new “Sky Shark,” splash in the water park and then enjoy a Fireworks Display. Fireworks will also be featured every Friday in July.

For more information, please call (501) 624-0100 or visit magicsprings.com.

Maumelle Celebration

Maumelle has a parade, carnival rides, a concert and a fireworks display at Lake Willastein on July 4th. The parade begins at 4:30 p.m., the band will go on at 8 p.m., immediately followed by fireworks. For more information, call (501) 851-6990.

Pinnacle M ountain Celebration

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. join park interpreters for fun wet and wild games and activities for the whole family. It’s free on July 4th. For more information, call (501) 868-5806.

Petit jean fun and games day

Join the park’s staff for an “old-fashioned” celebration of our nation’s birthday.

Numerous family-oriented activities will be offered, including a bicycle parade, contests, and water balloon games.

Admission is free, contact the park for a schedule at (501) 727-5441.

Pops o n the River

Pops on the River will begin on July 4th at noon in the River Market area of downtown Little Rock with free activities for kids in the Kid’s Pavilion, a classic car show, a marketplace for shopping, food trucks and entertainment for all ages. Presented by the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, the entertainment will be provided by the Air National Guard Band and the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. off Main Street Bridge. The event is free to the public and a portion of proceeds benefit Our House Children’s Programs. For more information, please call (501) 378-3807.

S A L I N E COUN T Y FA M I LY FES T

Taking place on July 3-4 at the Saline County Fairgrounds. There will be plenty of fun activities for the whole family, followed by fireworks on July 4th. Admission is free. For more information, contact Kerry Murphy Promotions at (501) 580-3737.

S PA B L A S T AT OA K LAW N

Presented by Coco Beverage, this free event begins July 3rd from 4-10 p.m. and will include fireworks, a fun kid zone, a rock wall, petting zoo, beer garden & live entertainment headlined by “Downday.”

For more information, visit oaklawn.com.

S TA RS A N D S T RI P E S FES T I VA L

Sponsored by Ike Eisenhauer at State Farm Insurance, the Hot Springs Village Stars and Stripes Festival begins on July 2nd at 8 a.m. with a short game skills tournament at Magellan Golf Course.

July 3rd, beginning at 9 a.m., there will be kayak and paddle board races, followed by some poolside water sports, a big band concert at 7 p.m., a boat parade at dusk and a night swim at 10:30 p.m. On July 4th, there will be a free 5k walk/run, water games, mini golf, and a fireworks party beginning at 7 p.m. at Lake Balboa. July 5th, the Hot Springs Village Anglers will host a Children’s Fishing Tournament and Team fishing for adults. Also, on the 5th, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, water games, a Balboa Beach Party, a Ouachita Rod and Gun Club Fish Fry and a Paradise Party fundraising event for Balboa Boardwalk sponsored by Boomers Rock which includes a live Jimmy Buffet Tribute Band, Mo Brothers, food trucks, and a bon fire. For more information, please visit HotSpringsVillageAR.org.

TA P L EY PA RK I N ME N A

On July 5th, the Mena Advertising and Promotions Commission will offer an event including live music and bounce houses for kids (both wet and dry). Free to the public. There will also be food vendors.

Call (479) 394-8355 for details.

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R E C I P ES

Southern Krunk Society’s

Summer Grill Out Recipes story by Jim G. Miller • photography by Jeremy Rodgers

BBQ recipes made easy is essentially the mantra of southern grill masters Andy Allen & Randy Hill of Southern Krunk BBQ. They met up about seven years ago at a Hot Springs BBQ competition and their lives have never been the same. “When we first met Randy said he’d never travel more than 5 miles for a BBQ cook off,” says Allen. About a month later Hill asked Allen if he wanted to go to Kansas for a Que contest and they’ve been traveling the country ever since. Along with their smoker dubbed “Juanita” they have been slinging barbecued ribs, brisket, poultry, pork, beans, margaritas…and more at some of the most prestigious BBQ Competitions in the U.S. The duo is recently hot off the heels of winning best ribs at the Jack Daniels

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International BBQ Cook-off. Food junkies since birth the two enjoy an adventure.

Self-taught wizards of the basting rod the team has mastered the low and slow method of cooking BBQ. Characters with a real zeal for the thrill of sinking their teeth into perfectly cooked meat, they have been featured contestants on the reality television series BBQ Pitmasters on the TLC channel and have also been regularly featured on the Travel Channel’s BBQ Crawl with world champion and fellow Pitmaster competitor Diva Q. The dirty and dynamic ‘krunk’ duo made up of Allen & Hill peruse the country nearly every weekend with faithful Juanita on the trailer hitch and a stock of Gatorade, Mojo bricks, and prime cooking ingredients. Using your typical

commercial ingredients in unique and creative ways they have a direct approach in adding that fresh little something to their BBQ. Luckily the boys from Southern Krunk were kind enough to share some of their most cherished recipes for your summer grill out, featuring roasted corn & black bean salsa, and a smorgasbord of meat all basted in Southern Krunk’s patented peach glaze sauce. The grilled lime on the cocktail glass though would have to be the Krunkrita, Southern Krunk’s personal spin on the traditional margarita. It’s a choice libation to wash down whatever you decide to grill out this summer. To keep tabs on the boys of Southern Krunk BBQ Society visit them on their website at www. southernkrunk.com.

Peach Glaze Sauce Roasted Corn & Black Bean Salsa

Ingredients

1 cup of Bacardi Black Spiced Rum ½ cup of brown sugar 1 bottle of McClards BBQ Sauce 1 jar of peach preserves Freshly sliced peaches

Simply combine your rum, brown sugar, McClards BBQ sauce & peach preserves together to glaze on top of your desired choice of meat. We prefer it on pork tenderloin or possibly chicken but it also goes well on ribs.

Ingredients

Roast whole corn cob on the grill until tender, boil black beans until done, chop up desired amount of fresh cilantro & pineapple. Combine ingredients mixing them thoroughly and enjoy. Dish pairs well as an appetizer with corn chips or simply by itself as an optional side.

2-3 large ears of corn 1 cup of black beans Fresh cilantro 1 freshly squeezed lime 1 sliced pineapple (optional)

Krunkrita (as featured on BBQ CRAWL) Ingredients

1 cup white sugar 1 cup water 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice Don Julio Blanco Tequila

Serves 4

Cointreau 4 limes sliced Kosher salt mixed with zest of lime

1 Make simple syrup. In a medium sauce pan bring water 2 3 4 5 6 7

and sugar together to a boil. Remove from heat once sugar has dissolved thoroughly and chill.

Add 1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice to simple syrup.

Mix 2 cups lemon juice/simple syrup mixture to 1 cup Julio Blanco Tequila. Add in ½ cup Cointreau.

Set aside to chill in the fridge.

Grill limes medium high direct heat for 2-3 minutes until grill marks appear. Remove from heat and set aside.

Rim cups with a slice of grilled lime then salt.

Shake over ice and pour into cups.

Add an additional squeeze of grilled lime. Shake and enjoy.

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ENTE R T A I N I N G

S O UT H E RN CHA RM An outdoor setting is perfect for inviting some friends over for a grill out or some sultry summer entertaining. Living in the South amid its gorgeous and pristine nature – whether near the water or along a woodland landscape – there is an unmatched charm to dining and visiting outdoors this time of year. Create an outdoor living space that’s casual and comfortable for everyone to enjoy. Just add a little mood lighting, a few lightning bugs, and the warmth of your guests.

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Setting the Summer Outdoor Décor Ideas for a Fine Southern Evening

by Gary Morris photography by Jeremy Rodgers

It’s summer and that means it’s usually time to hit the lake and entertain with friends and family while enjoying the warm summer breeze. On a cool sultry Arkansas day there’s nothing better than entertaining until dusk.

The exceptional sunsets bring out the most complimentary colors of your outdoor decor. Of course, this is usually highlighted even more by a group of smartly dressed friends sitting amidst

the glow of candlelight. That was the look we were going for in this “fun in the sun” style outdoor setting on beautiful Lake Hamilton. Thankfully my friends at Knollwood Lodge Cottages were gracious enough to allow us to use their lakeside property to host an elegant and yet casual evening with friends and family. With just a few simple additions to this outdoor lake pier we were able to convert it into a posh summer hangout.

C H E E R IT UP The trick is using a bright color palette. Bright colors make people smile and there was plenty of joy amid the splashes of bright color for this outdoor lake setting. There’s a lovely spontaneity in incorporating some of what you have along with a brilliant color palette that lends to that distinct feel of summer.

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ENTE R T A I N I N G

WA S T E N OT WA NT not This mentality has always been a go to for designing, and when working with an exterior space it’s easy to repurpose something that still has plenty of shelf life to it. Perhaps you can reupholster or cover that old sofa or chair rather than throw it away. We used some basic furniture that had been repurposed.

Pairing with the right decorative pillows can make anything happier and give it more of that summer look. In addition we added some beautiful yellow wooden lawn chairs to provide a border of color.

And using a painted teal cocktail table, we finished the focal point off with just the right punch of color.

natural attraction By incorporating plants such as simple ferns or flowers you can add a splash of green and natural summer color to any place setting. Throw in some margaritas, your summer grilling favorites and you have yourself a party on the lake. During the shoot we even had some friends drive by on their party barge just to see what all of the fuss was about.

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3 ON 3 Basketball Tournament Giant Water Slide, Balboa Beach Party Ouachita Rod & Gun Club Fish Fry Buy meal tickets at HSVTicketSales.com Gary Morris has been doing interior

design and floral arrangements for the past sixteen years. Doing it because, according to him, it doesn’t feel like work and he has enjoyed every possible minute of it along the way.

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Professionals in the Parks

by Jim G. Miller photograph by Chris Sale • portraits by Jeremy Rodgers

If you were to ask most people who visit or live in Arkansas “What is the most fundamentally unique thing about this state?” most of them would say it’s the natural beauty. The scenic qualities of Arkansas are in fact the most valuable aspect of living in this great state.

Arkansas residents and visitors from all around the world enjoy the natural waterways and the multitude of parks, making the Natural State what it is today, an economical asset and natural destination for those who want to experience the wilds of one of the last frontier states. One question that we decided to ask in this summer issue of Ouachita High Country is, “Who are the people that steward, manage and foster awareness about the natural aspects of our state?” In order to answer that question we sought out experts at nearby state and national parks as well as other employees that work hand in hand with the state to help make Arkansas a great natural vacation destination.

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P EO P L E

James Wilborn Assistant Superintendent Lake Ouachita State Park Encouraged by a college professor who was a seasonal ranger at Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado, Wilborn has been a state park employee of some kind for the past 22 years. Trained now in nearly every task afforded to a state park employee, he began his career as a seasonal ranger at Mt. Nebo State Park. He also worked at Lake Catherine State Park before becoming Assistant Superintendent at Lake Ouachita.

Where are you from?

Benton, AR What College did you attend?

University of the Ozarks in Clarksville B.A. in History & Public Administration What do you love most about your job?

I don’t do the same thing twice, whether it’s patrolling the lake or working at the marina, training new staff, building new campsites, or dealing with wastewater plant operations; it all just depends on what’s going on that day. There’s never a set routine.

What’s your favorite time of year?

All seasons have different aspects and focuses. During the winter we concentrate on a lot of projects with cabins and maintenance. During the spring and fall we start having more visitors, which means we do more patrols and the weekends are pretty busy. Come summer everyday is busy so there’s not much time for other projects. We just usually

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wait for someone to bring us a problem.

Taking on things as they occur, whether it’s a boat that’s late coming back, or the parking is backed up on the boat ramp, or someone’s been hurt from a fall.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job?

I get to live where I work so it’s very convenient. It’s not a 9 to 5 type of job so you’re always on call.

What do you do for recreation?

Racquetball How important do you think the parks are to the state of Arkansas?

It’s one of our big draws in regards to the local economy and tourism. There are 52 state parks in Arkansas and we’ve got one of the best park systems in the country. It’s well organized, everyone has good morale and there are good opportunities for advancement. The training is outstanding and it’s ongoing

throughout your career, whether it’s law enforcement, search and rescue, chainsaw classes, administration, or wastewater management. When being trained as law enforcement for the state parks system you go to the Arkansas Law Enforcement Academy and receive the same type of training that a county sheriff would go through.

If you were going to suggest this job to anyone what subjects would they need to study in school?

I would suggest having a good business background something like small business accounting, public administration/government, and also have a good background in writing and basic problem solving.

Favorite Trail: Caddo Bend State Park you like to visit/or would like to visit most: Devil’s Den State Park

Jake Whisenhunt Wildlife Management Officer Game and Fish Commission at Hulsey Fish Hatchery

Jake Whisenhunt has been at the Hulsey Fish Hatchery for 4 ½ years. A former Fish Hatchery Biologist, Whisenhunt is now a wildlife biologist who focuses on fostering wild game throughout areas of the Ouachita National Forest. Lately he has been monitoring the turkey population out at the Winona Wildlife Management Area.

Where are you from?

Magnet Cove, AR What College did you attend?

Arkansas Tech University in Russellville What do you love most about your job?

Being able to get paid to do surveys of local wildlife, and hang out and help cultivate unique landscapes. I’m very fortunate to be able to come back to the area where I was most familiar and where I first cut my teeth hunting and fishing.

What’s your favorite time of year?

Springtime. Turkeys start gobbling. There’s bass and crappie up on the beds. I love it.

State/National Park you like to visit/ or would like to visit most: Yellowstone National Park. When I retire my wife and I are going to make a horseshoe of a trip around the country and Yellowstone is going to be the main destination.

What’s your favorite trail/waterway?

My favorite place would probably be the south side of Lake Ouachita near Hickory Nut Mountain. That’s where I grew up hiking, hunting and fishing.

Most rewarding aspect of your job?

It wasn’t that I always wanted to be a Wildlife Biologist I just wanted to be in nature and to work for Game & Fish in the area where I grew up as a boy hunting and fishing. I’ve hunted and fished the Ouachita Region my whole life.

What do you do for recreation?

Turkey Hunting. I’m not as much of a hardcore fisherman as I used to be. I’m more of a seasonal fisherman. On my off days I just go out to the deer lease or drive around the Ouachita National Forest.

Always finding an excuse to get out there.

If you are a hunter you can communicate with people better about the hunting prospects and answer any questions that the public may have about hunting and fishing in the area.

How important do you think the parks are to the state of Arkansas?

There are a lot of areas for camping, fishing, hunting – there are some really good programs within the various state parks. I think the most important thing is getting kids interested in nature and recruiting more people to be interested in the outdoors and preserving the natural beauty of the state.

If you were going to suggest this job to anyone what subjects would they need to study in school?

Be as diverse as possible with your career goals because it may help you work your way up at your job. Make sure you get your college degree and go to a school with a good background in the specific area that you wish to study. Also always take advantage of internships whether it’s with Game & Fish or the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

Get yourself out there and let people know you’re interested.

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P EO P L E

Adriane Barnes Spokeswoman The Arkansas Forestry Commission

What do you love most about your job?

I’ve traveled and had the opportunity to leave but I just love helping to protect, preserve and make this the Natural State.

I also love my team. They are all dedicated and committed to making Arkansas a better place. And many of them put their lives on the line to do so.

What’s your favorite time of year?

Fall. I love the colors and I love that it’s a time that is misunderstood. Everyone loves Spring because it represents renewal and growth. I think in the Fall the trees just say I can go to sleep now and it’s so peaceful and calm. It’s the Earth’s way of saying that it’s our turn to rest. I think it’s beautiful that even in dying nature finds a way to be vibrant.

What’s your favorite state park?

I grew up going on Petit Jean, the old camps still remain up there, and Cedar Falls. “My favorite place to be is in the middle woods without phone service.”

What’s your favorite trail/waterway?

Little Missouri Falls. I also grew up on the Arkansas River skipping rocks, watching barges, and fishing catfish out of our pond which was backwater from the AR River.

Adriane Barnes has worked in some capacity in and around the Arkansas Forests for the past six years. Previously, she worked three years for the Arkansas Forestry Commission as a Fire Wise Information Officer. Prior to being hired as spokeswoman for the Arkansas Forestry Commission, she was a Director of Marketing for the Tripennants family of resorts on Lake Ouachita, Lake Degray and Lake Greeson. “Those two to three years were valuable working in tourism and gave me a rich understanding of how to market Arkansas, combining the knowledge I had already gained previously with the Arkansas Forestry Commission.”

One of her first tasks as spokesperson for the Arkansas Forestry Commission was regarding the search for pilot Jay Carroll, whose plane was found in the Ouachita National Forest just South of Oden.

“Although it was a tragedy, it did show how the Arkansas Forestry Commission often has the opportunity to work with other agencies, like the United States Forest Service, Arkansas Game and Fish and the Red Cross,” explains Barnes.

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Where are you from?

Perryville, AR What College did you go to?

University of Central Arkansas—Speech Communication/Writing “I’ve always wanted to be outside. My daddy was a forester for Deltic Timber (Ola, AR).

It’s just in my blood. My first job was with the Arkansas Forestry Commission and I also participated in the Red Card program.

This allows forestry commissioned folks the opportunity to be able to go out to see fires on federally owned lands. You learn what to expect depending on the terrain.

There is a major difference between AR wildfires and those in other parts of the country. And, alot of people don’t know how fighting a wildfire is different from a structural fire. With wildfires you let the fire come to you in most cases, accomplishing many objectives. Sometimes allowing a fire to burn may help a forested area. Often times the Arkansas Forestry Commission will work with the Nature Conservancy, the US Forest Service, and even private landowners to do prescribed burns.“

Most rewarding aspect of your job?

Forestry education is very rewarding. I enjoy encouraging the planting of new trees. We often go to city parks throughout the state to teach people how to take care of seedlings. I just enjoy educating, conserving, and keeping the state natural for all future generations to come.

How important do you think the parks are to the state of Arkansas?

From an economical and tourism view, the parks and woodland areas of the state are invaluable. The educational aspects are also core in promoting further awareness on preservation and responsible practices.

If you were going to suggest this job to anyone what subjects would they need to study in school?

Whether going into forestry, biology, or parks and recreation just combine it with knowledge in computers, writing and communication skills because there are so many great stories to tell. There’s a plethora of ways to work outside and still have those technical skills. There are so many ways to be a part of this career. You continue to learn something new everyday.

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Where are you from?

I’m an army brat from El Paso, TX. My mother was from Bangkok and my father was born and raised here in Hot Springs, AR. I always spent all of my summers here and I still have family roots here.

What College did you go to?

Ohio State University. Automotive Engineering. I worked to support my hobbies, which were kayaking, rock climbing, and scuba diving. I came back to Arkansas after the big General Motors lay off and started working for Weyerhauser and went back to school at National Park Community College for an Associates degree in Recreational Leadership. I later got my degree in Parks and Natural Resource Management at Henderson State. I had no idea you could get paid to do what I do today and I never thought I’d have the opportunity to go back to school and get this job that allows me to do what I love doing already.

The National Park teaches you how to do a skill and then break it down in a way to teach others. I’ve been training for this my whole entire life and had no idea.

What do you love most about your job?

Teaching people about the outdoors and outdoor skills and dealing with plants and animals, just seeing them get it and the recognition of understanding that lights up their eyes, makes it all worth it. It’s important to explain how and why we do certain things to protect the environment we live in.

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What’s your favorite trail/waterway?

Lake Ouachita is one of the best lakes.

It’s pristine with no housing units. I think some of the best fishing though is in the South Fourche. I love kayaking/fishing on some of the creeks. The Buffalo National River is also on the top of my list just for enjoying nature. My favorite trail is Goats Bluff also on Buffalo National River.

How long have you been with the park?

Four years at Hot Springs National Park— All of the stars and the moon aligned for me. The benefits and opportunities with a National Park System are great. It’s not that easy to become a park ranger for the federal government. I’m very fortunate and very lucky to have a job that I love to do.

How important do you think the parks are to the state of Arkansas?

The 52 state parks that Arkansas has are some of the best parks I’ve ever seen. Great programs, great funding, they belong to the people of Arkansas. The people take care of the parks and it blows my mind how passionate people are about them.

If you were going to suggest this job to anyone what subjects would they need to study in school?

In all honesty it is an open field. We have park rangers who are historians, and experts in a variety of fields. Whatever it is if you have a passion for something and you want to make a difference you can do it here in the National park system.

Where are you from?

Greer, SC What College did you go to?

Virginia Tech. I studied Forestry with an emphasis in Outdoor Recreation.

What do you love most about your job?

In recreation, if you don’t like interacting with people it’s a difficult job. It is all about loving and understanding that the things that we do have both an individual and community impact.

Opening Charlton Campground for instance, seeing kids in campers, riding their bicycles, it’s a great moment for their family that’s why we do this stuff.

We’re helping to provide a valuable memory to that individual’s childhood.

It’s all about the people. I can’t go to a park or trail without assessing it even on my time off. We don’t hang up our hats even when we go home or are hiking. Always on the job it seems like, but that’s okay, because I love what I do.

What’s your favorite time of year?

Fall through Winter and even the Spring.

I’m almost able to do all of the recreational stuff that I love doing 12 months out of the year. I could really do without the pollen but you do what you have to do for what you love.

What’s your favorite state/national park?

The Kings Range National Conservation Area in North Central California.

Chris Ham Recreation Wilderness Program Manager United States Forest Service What’s your favorite trail/waterway?

Cossatot corridor near the Candy Creek wilderness. It’s wild and scenic it doesn’t get much better. It’s almost iconic stuff in that forest, just astonishingly beautiful.

What do you do for recreation?

I’m a mountain biker and I’m really enjoying the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail.

I rode the new section from Avery to Brady Mtn. Road. It’s a well-constructed beautiful piece of trail. There are definitely some challenging spots for both hikers and bikers but also nice family spots near Danby Bay or you can come suffer a little bit on the west side of Hickory Nut Mtn. How long have you been with the park?

17-18 years in some capacity for forest service, park service, and bureau of land management.

How important do you think the parks are to the state of Arkansas?

It’s not just a natural destination, but it’s also historic. When I came to Hot Springs from out west it was because I realized that this area was a hub of natural recreational resources. Sitting near Lake Ouachita, the Hot Springs National Park. The sheer abundance of forest and recreation activities is amazing. We’ve got that here like nobody else and there’s so much public land for people to use. You can learn about historic structures, go out on the lake, be in a developed downtown, or have a picnic by a creek off the road. Brilliant things we have going on here with a diversity of opportunity.

You might be going for one reason but you’ll find plenty of reasons to stay.

If you were going to suggest this job to anyone what subjects would they need to study in school?

There’s not a prescribed way to get here but there are a lot of things you can do. You’ve gotta love the outdoors and people. You often work closely with individuals, families and communities. It doesn’t hurt to go to a college of forestry and it’s a positive thing to get a degree in a science. The emphasis used to be just on a forestry background but its much more broad now, you can do social science, history, but the positive sciences are definitely important.

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GLANCE BACK

Quaff the Elixir

Modern language has little use for the word “quaff” just as modern medicine has lost its taste for “elixirs” as curealls. However, the phrase has long been associated with the spring water that bubbles up from the depths of the Ouachita mountain range. The waters were reputed to heal a multitude of maladies, from indigestion to rheumatism.

As non-natives began to settle the area, “quaff the elixir” became the siren call of the heart of the Ouachita mountain range and marketing easy-to-quaff spring water became a business that thrives still today.

The story of most marketed mineral water has ended with barely a noise. Some stories are but a whisper in the history books and just a few sentences in age old tales traded in souvenir shops and antique stores or passed down privately through families whose business is

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Tracing the History of America’s Favorite Spring Water

by Michelle Cole photography courtesy of Mountain Valley Water

water. Most likely, the stories of many mineral water entrepreneurs have been lost forever to flood, fire and the most voracious thief of knowledge, time.

Among the marketed waters whose memories are not popularly remembered are Allen’s Alterative Springs, which was an all-you-can-drink stop that promised relief of “dyspepsia as well as liver and kidney troubles” for a mere five cents.

In addition to Allen’s, the 1888 edition of Cutter’s Guide to Hot Springs also promoted the Blue Sulphur Well where a Mr. Grissum would sell his mineral water for one cent per glass.

There are also bottled mineral waters that are lost in the past. Potasul, water drawn and bottled from the Potash Sulpher Springs, whose promoters in an advertisement urged potential consumers

to “Look for the bottle with the sanitary crowns and the little box attached containing new extra cork.” And finally a brand whose memory seems to be only in an advertisement in the Hemming Directory Company’s Hot Springs City Directory of 1903—Red Lythia Water. Red Lythia was manufactured and distributed by the Ledgerwood Brothers Bakery and Confectionary in Hot Springs.

There are more less-known marketers hidden in those old Hot Springs city directories. BF Simanton, located on the corner of Park and Ravine who sold and delivered his water by the half-gallon, appeared in the 1910 Polk’s City Directory along with Jamison & Wilcher and the Rock Spring Water Company. The 1912 edition of the directory added Chewaulka Mineral Springs (which later became Sleepy Valley Water), Glenaqua Springs

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and Mountain Blood Water. 1915 brought Crystal Lithox Springs, Radio Magnesia Springs and Sodium Spring.

Up to the 1960s the mineral water business was in constant flux. Only four names remained constant—DeSoto, Ar-Scenic, Happy Hollow and, of course, the oldest continually operational mineral water company, Mountain Valley Spring Water.

In 1871 pharmacist Peter Greene and his brother John Greene took “Lockett’s Spring Water” and started a company whose product has since been revered by a multitude, from Hot Springs citizens and visitors to Elvis to Secretariat. These and more are proudly named in most Mountain Valley Spring Water literature and on the company’s website.

CEO Breck Speed explained the initial interest in Mountain Valley and other spring waters and why waters from various springs in the Ouachita region were seen as curative. The first reason was that public water wasn’t treated for most of the period of time that people were flocking to drink and bathe in the Ouachitas. People were either not drinking water at all or were drinking unclean water which actually caused some of the ailments that they were coming to Arkansas to treat. Also, aspirin wasn’t marketed until the beginning of the 20th century, so pain relief wasn’t within reach. In addition, naturally occurring iron in many of the water brands left the anemic with a strength they hadn’t

experienced. And, of course, there is the placebo effect, which places human will far above any fact of nature. In the end, people really did feel better coming here and drinking the water.

Bottled water has once again made its way back to the forefront and Mountain Valley Spring Water Company is certainly prepared. Mr. Speed noted that people are giving up the high acid, sugar-laden drinks and switching to water and that the trajectory now appears to be that people are going to continue to be mindful of the beverages that they consume.

Mountain Valley Water remains a shining example of bottled water. By “standing on the shoulders” of the people who brought the company through 143 years of continuous operation, the owners are still availing themselves of the experience and knowledge of the history and the employees of company. The packaging is both eco-friendly glass and PET plastic, which is 50% recycled resin. The water is tested every ten seconds and, of course, tested by agents of the state and federally.

As Breck Speed says, the future of bottled water is bright in a world where people want to know what is NOT in their water.

Wayne Fields in the 1991 American Heritage article, “The Double Life of Hot Springs” shared a similar sentiment, “What our ancestors marveled over for the special things it contained now seem miraculous for what is missing.”

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I N Y O U R W O R DS

The Old Mill

by Audrey Breshears

My dad yanked me out of the way before the snake could strike. We were walking in the creek on the way to our favorite swimming hole – a pool next to where an old grist mill had once ground corn for the Fountain Lake community. All that remained was part of a stone wall and the rock housing where the wheel had been.

The day was hot and my dad, in his rolled up pants and old tennis shoes that he reserved for wading, walked ahead of me. He was wearing a straw hat. “Let me walk in front and I’ll knock down the spider webs,” he said. He pushed aside limbs and knocked down the webs in the overgrown trail like Prince Charming whacking his way through the brambles that surrounded Sleeping Beauty’s castle. We had been walking along the trail beside the creek, but then he said, “Shoot, let’s just walk in the creek. Maybe it’ll be easier.” As Dad started to step into the water, he suddenly sidestepped and simultaneously grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the way.

“Cotton mouth!” he said loudly.

I looked down in time to see the snake slipping away into the bushes. It took my heart a few seconds to react to what my eyes had seen, and when it did, it beat wildly. I held my dad’s hand and he said to the entourage of family and friends behind us, “Y’all watch out for snakes. We ‘bout stepped on one.”

“Oh, Jerry, stop it,” said Linda. We were making our way single-file to the old mill on the South Fork of the Saline River which flowed across the back of our farm. She thought he was kidding.

“No, really. Y’all be careful.” I, for one, was taking his advice. Every stick became a viper to my wary eyes. We made it to the swimming hole and set up our folding lawn chairs right in the shallow water so we could keep our feet cool and set the ice chest nearby.

Suzanne, Joe T, and I squatted at the creek’s edge (I still looked around carefully for snakes) and slowly lifted stones to see if we could catch crawdads, salamanders, and what we called baby catfish – little two inch black fish with whiskers that lived in creeks. I always wondered why you never saw bigger versions of the same fish. Suzanne, my sister, was pretty good at catching crawdads and she nabbed a good sized one right behind its pinchers on its back. We had been catching little ones and letting them pinch our fingers, which didn’t hurt at all because they were so tiny. As she held this one up, she knew from experience that his pinch would hurt a lot worse. Joe T, our visiting friend, knew little of creek and farm life, so he qualified as a ‘greenie,’ our term for town kids.

“Here, Joe T, let him pinch you,” she said. She held up the creature and Joe T obligingly held his index finger next to its pincher.

“Yow!” he shouted. He slung his hand around and the crawdad hung on for dear life.

Each of them was anxious to be freed from the other, but they were trapped in the steps of a dance neither of them wanted to dance.

“Help!” Joe T yelled. He ran to his laughing father who said, “Hold still a minute.”

Gordon removed the mini-lobster and dropped him back in the water.

Dad called a halt to our crawdadding and Mom said it was time for lunch. She and Linda, dressed in their pedal pushers and sleeveless blouses, fixed us bologna sandwiches with mustard which we ate as we sloshed around in the water. Keds tennis shoes are pretty good at helping you deal with creek rocks. We always just left them on when we swam even if we had to empty out the pebbles occasionally.

Let’s eat that melon,” Dad said. I don’t recall how we got that watermelon all the way down to the old mill, but we did, and it was a good one. Suzanne, Joe T and I buried our faces in the long cut slices and spit the seeds as far as we could.

We spent the whole afternoon on the creek swimming and laughing and eating with our friends from out of town. When the sun got low, we loaded up our gear and went home tired, sunburned, and happy.

I think Joe T’s finger got all right.

50

O u ac h i t a Hi gh C ount r y

Old Dove Road

by Angie Macri

is stuck in dead wood, the honey tree dead with swarming bees (honey in your head).

Answer with fire at night, love.

Hold me close as we burn it low to cinders that cool the next day, cinders brown as the bees driven out. For a day, we wait in embers. Wait in fox flames of night to taste.

Hold me—call it controlled burn.

The leaves begin to fall, cheers roar through stadiums and a slight nip is in the evening air.

Submit your most memorable Fall story or creative writing piece, we would love to feature it in our next issue.

Send your writing submissions to: Render Creative Group attn: Ouachita High Country 801 Central Avenue, Suite 30 Hot Springs, AR 71901 or email info@rendercreativegroup.com

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From organic fruits & vegetables to herbs — to jewelry, pottery, woodworking and more — your marketplace for farm fresh food to arts and crafts galore.

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