RVL Fall 2014

VL RVL Magazine

FALL ISSUE SEPTEMBER 2014

CINDY MAHAN STAYS FOCUSED ON QUALITY CARE | PAGE 7

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behind the lines

W

elcome to the autumn edition of RVL Magazine! As I write this, we are experiencing the hottest part of what has been a record low summer. By the time you are reading this - we will be a few weeks closer to the first day of fall. Parents should be settled into their busy back–to-school routine and River Valley sports will be in full swing. To help you experience everything this season has to offer, we have added a new special fall events community calendar to keep you up-to-date on upcoming activities and events that you don’t want to miss.

Also in this edition, we sit down with some of our community’s busiest volunteers. Cindy Mahan, founder and CEO of nonprofit organization Friendship Community Care, shares some of her favorite memories of taking the organization from a one-room, two-person organization to an organization with 1,100 employees statewide who serve more than 1,800 people.

Don’t miss our story on Margie Smith, who focuses her volunteer efforts to helping the youth in our community and surrounding areas.

During Smith’s 14-year tenure on the Russellville Board of Education, she joined the River Valley Prevention Coalition and helped ignite the Teen Leadership Summit. Read about what Elisabeth Kimball is doing for area veterans as a leader with the American Legion and Auxiliary in Pope County as well as the State of Arkansas American Legion and Auxiliary.

In the spirit of food & fun, Becki Bryson, owner of Kitchen Essentials, shares some of her favorite dips and spreads. Be sure to check out these easy recipes that will bring a lot of new flavors to your next tailgate party. Short on time? Head downtown to Fat Daddy’s for a pre-game meal.

Here at RVL, there is a big celebration underway. This year is our fifth

anniversary of publishing RVL. The primary focus has always been to capture the spirit of the Arkansas River Valley. From human-interest stories and business profiles to fashion and food, our goal is to show what’s available locally, right here at home. We also want to thank our staff (past and present) and the many individuals and businesses that have been a part of our growth.

We look forward to bringing you future issues and invite you to send your ideas for topics and profiles of area individuals and businesses.

We welcome your questions, suggestions and comments, which can be emailed to michelle@ couriernews.com. We ask only that you please include your first and last name as well a telephone number and any other pertinent information when making a suggestion.

As always, thank you for reading.

Advertising Director

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what ’s inside Cindy Mahan ..............................................7 Success derives from humble beginnings.

Fat Daddy’s ...................................................10 Barbecue restaurant explores new location.

Tracey Brown ............................................12 Brown leads Lady Red Devils with experience.

Elisabeth Kimball

..............................14

Kimball embodies ‘Service above Self ’ motto.

Margie Smith ..............................................16 Smith devotes her life to helping young people.

Short Cuts ........................................................20 Trends in hair and nails transition to fall styles.

Woody’s Boots ..............................................22 A walking example of local tradition.

Fashion ................................................................26 Fall styles for the whole family.

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Standing Ovations .............................44 Joe Kleine keynoted the annual Standing Ovations, a Boy’s and Girl’s Club sponsor’s banquet.

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Account Executives Jim Kelley Lauren Lampkin Judy Manning Meagan Wilson

Ad Design Katelynn McAlister

Photography Joshua Mashon

Advertising Director Michelle Harris

Production David Weaver

Published quarterly by The Courier, Russellville, Ark.

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BY LAURA BEAN

rowing up in the small mountain town of Marshall, Cindy Mahan watched her family foster young men, taking them in through employment at their hardware store and including them in their families’ lives.

In addition to providing mentally and financially disabled men work, the owners of Dave’s Department Store also opened their homes and their hearts.

“It was just our way of life to help these young men and women to have hope and live dignified lives,” Mahan said.

“Our family exposed them to opportunities where they were able to grow beyond their work at the store. They were included in celebrations and holiday festivities and made to feel they belonged to the Mays family.”

With such a driving force in Mahan’s life, it was her nature to develop a company for people in need.

Shortly after graduating from the University of Arkansas, Mahan opened a school for special-needs children in the Arkansas River Valley.

The old Mountain Springs schoolhouse, on Skyline Drive in Russellville, was cold with old floors, no

indoor toilet and a pot-belly stove.

But Mahan was comfortable in this environment and knew she could excel in creating a new system of care for River Valley families.

In addition to Cindy’s involvement, her husband carried meals from the public schools to the old Mountain Springs school and developed a partnership with Russellville public schools assuring children with special needs had a new beginning.

Countless meetings, hours and caring individuals such as Don Dover, Harvey Young, Juanita and Robert Young, Jim Weatherl and Jon Sanders, along with a board of directors, made this seemingly impossible feat a reality.

Fast forward more than 40 years, and the two-person operation has transformed into 1,100 employees statewide serving more than 1,800 children and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities,

attention deficit disorder, learning disabilities, autism, behavioral and mental health and offering a broad range of therapies and specialized services for seniors.

Mahan, the founder

and CEO of the nonprofit organization Friendship Community Care, said that though the best memories are still centered in that small, one-room school house on Skyline Drive, it’s the day-to-day interactions

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with families and consumers that provides the spark to continue to secure quality care.

“It doesn’t matter what job you have, it’s the amount of dedication you put into it,” Mahan said.

“I was lucky to have found a very fulfilling job, which has become my life’s work.”

Mahan is very proud that Friendship’s mission has been defined as “a forwardthinking and humanitarian organization Kathy Weatherl (left), VP of Adult Services, and Cindy Mahan, CEO, in 1989. that promotes excellence and leadership in the care we With more than 47 “I’m extremely grateful offer our communities.” locations throughout the that our community has Friendship Community state, Friendship Community embraced us,” Mahan said.

Care envisions a state where Care has made an impact “Russellville knows the every community receives not only in the Arkansas value of the company and quality services that provide River Valley but the state as what it has brought to the children, adults and seniors a whole. community and state.” individualized opportunities Mahan said none of the She said she is grateful in growth and development, nonprofit’s success would be families have the opportunity thus enabling them to lead possible without the support to seek support early on dignified lives. of the community. in a child’s life and that

the culture of Friendship is family focused not only for the families served but employees as well.

“My life work has allowed me to be a good mom and grandmother,” Mahan said of her one son, two daughters and seven grandchildren. “It’s about balance.” n

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Restaurant explores new location

BY SHANE CRABTREE

L

ittle can define the history of the Deep South as well as traditional barbecue. From Missouri to Louisiana and Texas to Florida, the range of barbecue traditions is as diverse as the regional inhabitants. Each region has a barbecue pulse — Texas, with its dry jerky style, Louisiana with its spicy Cajun flair and Missouri with its sweet, honey-like flavor.

But in the Arkansas River Valley, barbecue tradition has its own soul with a similar dream of being unique. In downtown Russellville, there is a comfortable diner known to all as Fat Daddy’s — living proof of the diverse nature of barbecue.

“We want to be unique,” Eric Markle, Fat Daddy’s Bar-B-Que general manager and head chef, said. “We

strive to be different than any other barbecue style. We want people to come in and sit down and taste our food and experience a unique and fun environment.”

Hosting a distinctive barbecue style, Fat Daddy’s has seen an extended period of growth. Expanding from a single location in Blackwell to a convenient roadside food place in August 2006, Fat Daddy’s President Gordon Shirron said the high growth rate made it inevitable that the home-style diner move into a new stage. The new stage came in November 2013 when Fat Daddy’s opened a new location in downtown Russellville.

“We purchased the building in downtown Russellville for a reasonable price,” Shirron said.

“It was built in 1958. There was originally a pool hall on the other side of the building

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and several businesses had been there. When I became convinced of the building’s worth, we went forward with the plans to move into the new location.”

For a little more than a year, Shirron and crew renovated

the building, striving to create a one-of-a-kind feeling.

“It was never going to be a chrome and brass shiny building,” Shirron said.

“We always knew that. But we had the old rafters and the concrete floor. We were

able to incorporate that urban-industrial setting.”

Assigning local artisans such as architect Jeff Harrison and contractor David Keener to assist the Fat Daddy’s crew in bringing its dreams to life, Markle and Shirron said the

result was better than they envisioned it.

“We gave Jeff our ideas and he did it perfectly and we did the same with David — we told him what we wanted and he put his spin on it,” Shirron said. The Fat Daddy’s downtown location was not merely renovated — it was designed with everything local in mind. According to Markle, the rafters seen over the open eating area are designed out of renovated military equipment crates returned to Arkansas Tech University’s Reserve Officer’s Training Corp (ROTC) program.

“Downtown Russellville is where everything started years and years ago,” Markle said. “Gordon wanted to bring things back to the heart of Russellville. And in the end, it all came together. It’s unbelievable.” n

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BY TANNER OTT

A

tkins Lady Red Devils softball and volleyball coach Tracey Brown has experienced dramatic come-from-behind victories, conference titles and state championships, but none of those compare to the feeling of just being a coach.

“The best part is seeing the light bulb go off,” Brown said. “It’s when you see them implement something you taught them in a game. It’s when they look at you and say, ‘I did it coach.’”

Brown is no stranger to success. Fresh off a volleyball conference title in 2013, in which her Lady Red Devils went an unblemished 16-0 in 3A-4 action, Brown knows how to win.

But if it wasn’t for an athletic director back in 1999, Brown may not have ever picked up a whistle.

“I had my license when I went to Atkins,” Brown said.

“But I just wanted to be an elementary P.E. teacher.

Coach Carter, who was the athletic director at the time, told me to coach basketball and softball.”

Brown proceeded to act as assistant softball coach for the next two years before taking over the head job in 2001.

As Brown began to build the Lady Red Devils softball program, she leaned on the lessons she learned as a player in high school.

“I had the opportunity in basketball to play for Carla Crowder,” Brown said. “I admired her knowledge of the game, her professionalism and the respect she demanded.

“I am constantly trying to get better,” Brown said. “I feel I can always learn.”

Brown said she works with area college coaches, including Arkansas Tech head volleyball coach Kristy Bayer.

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“I like taking my team to clinics,” Brown said. “I even take a notepad with me sometimes because I’m learning things too.”

Brown has put her lessons to work. After being named the 2013-14 Atkins High School coach of the year and 3A-4 Conference coach of the year, Brown was selected to be an assistant coach for the East team in the 2014 Arkansas High School All-Star volleyball game.

“I got to work with topnotch coaches in the all-star game,” Brown said. “It was an honor. I felt like I learned things I can take back to apply

to my own team.”

Brown’s trip to the allstar game in 2014 was not her first. In her first year as softball coach, the Arkansas Activities Association added an all-star softball game to its slate.

Brown was selected to be an assistant coach by Ashdown coach Riley Cunningham.

For Brown, softball has been a life-long sport. She did not put the bat down in competitive softball until five years ago. Through all of the countless memories, one stands alone at the top for Brown.

“My best memory is definitely the state championship in 2011,” Brown said. “My daughter was a senior, and she played first base. It was so special in a lot of areas.”

Most fans would expect a state championship team to — CONTINUED ON 33 —

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BY JEANETTE ANDERTON

T

o those who know Elisabeth Kimball and her family, it comes as no surprise that

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she advocates for veterans at the local and state level.

Of Kimball’s seven children, five served in the Army and National Guard with a combined total of

more than 110 years of service. Four of her children served in Operation Desert Storm in 1990-91 at the same time.

“I am very proud of my

children,” she said.

Kimball is an active member of the American Legion and Auxiliary in Pope County and has acted as treasurer, vice president, chairman of legislative committee and chairman of the scholarship for Poppy and Girls State committees with the State of Arkansas American Legion and Auxiliary.

She also served as secretary for a military service organization for several years.

“Working with my unit and the Department of Arkansas is really important to me because of their

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“Our motto is ‘Service not Self’. We work with the Wounded Warrior Project and American Legion Baseball. We sponsor Girls and Boys State and give scholarships to young people, plus other projects.” mission in working with veterans and our military families, our young people and the community,” she said.

“I love our military and what they have accomplished in trying to keep our beautiful country safe and our freedom, which now I wonder about.”

Kimball’s late husband and father to her children, Kermit Womack, retired as a Colonel in the National Guard.

“After being single for two years, my high school sweetheart came through Russellville to visit his brother and called me,” she said.

“After two months of seeing each other, we decided to get married.”

Womack died in April 2010 from serviceconnected injuries, Kimball said.

She met her current husband, Allen Kimball, in August 2011.

The couple married a month later and will celebrate their third anniversary this month..

Kimball said Allen served during the Korean Conflict and serves with her in the American Legion and

Auxiliary.

“The American Legion and Auxiliary’s main purpose is the veterans and military, but we also do a lot for the community and our young people,” she said. “Our motto is ‘Service not Self.’

We work with the Wounded Warrior Project and American Legion Baseball.

We sponsor Girls and Boys State and give scholarships to young people, plus other projects.” n

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BY JEANETTE ANDERTON

M

argie Smith has devoted most of her adult life to helping young people.

Smith has served on the Russellville Board of Education “14 short years,” she said with a laugh, and has been a member of the River Valley Prevention Coalition (RVPC) for 15 years.

Smith said she feels a strong obligation to “pay it forward.”

“God has blessed my family and has placed me

in situations where I can benefit others, and I must make a difference,” she said.

Smith and her husband of nearly 37 years, Michael, have two sons and daughters-in-law and two grandsons.

Ultimately, a desire to spend more time with her grandsons led Smith to the recent difficult decision to not seek re-election to the school board.

“The term is now for five years instead of four,” she said. “That was a commitment I did not know if I could honor. My life has changed and I have several

new avenues to pursue — two grandsons that I want to see grow and develop, and I wanted them to be able to visit and be part of my life.”

Smith said she plans to continue to serve with RVPC. She got involved with RVPC by attending meetings in an effort to help combat “the meth crisis we faced in Pope County and Arkansas.”

As the drug problem improved, she said, the group’s focus began to include other risky behaviors such as underage drinking, distracted driving, tobacco use, suicide and more.

About eight years ago, the

Teen Leadership Summit was formed after an RVPC member presented data which suggested peer-topeer discussions about these problems were more effective than assemblies and guest speakers. During the annual Summit, students from 15 area high schools are provided with tools to recognize risk factors and to help them create action plans to take back and teach other students in their districts.

“My goal was for every [area] school to have a representative attend the Summit and take back to

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their community a plan to make a difference,” Smith said. “I can’t change their community, but they can.”

This year will mark the seventh annual Summit, which Smith called “the most rewarding project I have ever had the privilege to be a part of.” Whether making decisions on the school board, leading Summits with RVPC or spending time with her grandsons, Smith’s desire to help young people shines through.

“Everything I have done is to offer opportunities to as many youth as possible,” she said. n

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BY LAURA BEAN

W

ith school back in session and cooler weather approaching, hair and nail trends transition from summer to fall. Short Cuts Salon stylist Abbey Darnell offered the latest fall styles.

The long bob was one of the trendiest haircuts of summer and will continue to be a favorite throughout the fall, Darnell said. Cut to frame the face and

emphasize strong features, the long bob sits near the shoulders and is easy to style.

Beach waves are also a classic, go-to hairstyle and can be easily created by Awapuhi Texturizing Sea Spray. The Paul Mitchell product will help hair dry wavy rather than straight and can be bought at the salon, Darnell said.

For hair coloring, ombré is popular among young adults.

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RVL Magazine 21

require frequent touch-ups and portrays artistic flair. In general, hair color will become darker in the fall, Darnell said.

“We will see more lowlights,” she said. “People will want to go darker, like adding some brown if they are blonde.”

Face-framing highlights

are desirable for any face shape or season, as the highlights bring more attention to eye color, Darnell said.

Though Short Cuts Salon specializes in hair, the staff also offers manicures and pedicures.

Bright pink, green and blue

nails have been popular for the summer, but Darnell said darker colors, like deep purple, brown and gray will become more prominent throughout the fall.

“Shellac is also very popular,” Darnell said. “It lasts for two weeks and doesn’t chip like regular nail polish does.”

Shellac is applied like regular nail polish, except a UV lamp cures the polish between coats to create durability and shine.

Hair and nail specialists at Short Cuts Salon provide a relaxing experience and smooth transition from summer to fall fads. n

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BY SHANE CRABTREE

I

n a growing environment, tradition often finds itself thrown to the side. New business tactics and economic vantage points rise to power, leaving many of the ways of old in the dust. But for Vonna Titus, co-owner of Woody’s Boots, tradition is about much more than the grade of leather wrapped around a customer’s foot.

Operating around retail flower shops while growing up in northern Oklahoma, Vonna spent many of her early years learning the skills of retail business, including management, customer service and budgeting. After meeting and marrying her husband, William, Vonna left the retail world behind.

But when tragedy struck her family, the customer service

skills she had learned were awakened.

“After our daughter passed on from cancer, Bill, my husband, wanted to buy a business to give me something to do,” Vonna said.

“In 2007, he just came to me and said, ‘Vonna, I’m going to buy Woody’s.’”

Choosing to maintain the name of the shop, Vonna went to work, along with her husband and her son, Mitch Turner, building the company’s social and financial assets.

“When we bought Woody’s, there was very little there,” Vonna said. “There were a few brands that they were still selling, but it was barely hanging on.”

She said her husband encouraged her and Mitch to revitalize the business, providing them both a

distraction from the troubles of everyday life and an economical benefit.

“So, he bought the business and we started working on Woody’s and bringing it back up,” Vonna said. “But then, two years to the day after our daughter passed away, Bill passed away from cancer.

But we kept building it, and building it and building it.”

Starting at the foundation and working their way up, Vonna and her family began filling their shelves with new boot brands.

Now a thriving footwear business at Russellville’s heart, Vonna said Woody’s Boots owes its success to the quality of customer service provided. Don Pennington, master cobbler for 53 years, does the repair work.

Pennington was approached

by Bill in 2007 who asked

him to help Vonna with the business and keep it going. “I won’t tell her what to do, but I’ll tell her what not to do,” he replied.

Pennington continues to offer his repair services, including resoling boots, new heels, and cleaning, conditioning and shining boots and shoes.

“Woody’s is the only fullservice boot store in the River Valley,” Vonna said. “We are a customer-oriented business.

We deal with the farmers and ranchers and the everyday working man. They’re our main customers, and that’s what we want to keep it as. I believe in an old-fashioned way of business. It’s the only way to go.”

Now in the seventh year of business alongside her son, — CONTINUED ON 30 —

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fashion

BY LAURA BEAN

W

hat started as a jeans store 41 years ago has grown to include the latest fashion trends for men, women and teens.

Located at 116 E. Main St. in Clarksville, the owners of Morgan’s Fashions promise

to provide the styles every customer wants with high satisfaction. David and DeAnna Morgan are ready to serve customers with the newest fall fashion in their nearly 10,000-square-foot store.

DeAnna said gray, brown, black, eggplant, royal blue and caramel are popular colors for the season.

“We see a lot of inserts

with leather,” DeAnna said, adding leather jackets and boots compliment nearly any fall fashion choice.

Animal prints and tunic tops, which are both carried

by Morgan’s Fashions, are also suitable for contemporary women and juniors.

DeAnna caters to contemporary women styles through brands like Karen

Kane, City Girl and Joseph Ribkoff.

“Ribkoff is very sophisticated and strong selling right now,” DeAnna said, while wearing a black Ribkoff tunic with a studded neckline.

Morgan’s Fashions boasts popular juniors’ brands such as Miss Me, Rock Revival and Silver.

“Miss Me jeans are still

RVL Magazine 27

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shining,” DeAnna said, referring to embellishments and studs on the jeans.

“We have them clean and distressed.”

Skinny, bootcut, flared or palazzo, DeAnna carries all varieties of pants to flatter any figure, including the

recent romper trend.

“Newness, uniqueness and different styles are important,” DeAnna said.

“Fashion is anything you want it to be, as long as you put the pieces together correctly.”

The proper shoes and jewelry complete every fashion choice. DeAnna said Madeline boots and short booties will continue to be in style for any age.

Brighton jewelry is

a top seller at Morgan’s Fashions because it complements nearly any outfit. Chunky, small, long or short, silver and gold necklaces are a classic choice, DeAnna said.

“Whatever you want to do can be right,” DeAnna said. “We’re not limited in fashion anymore.”

A variety of perfumes are also sold at Morgan’s Fashions, including DKNY, Coach, Calvin Klein, Vera Wang, One Direction and Michael Kors.

For men, the store offers fragrances like Calvin Klein, Gucci and Bvlgari, along

with a variety of clothing.

David serves every type of male with brands like Columbia, Fayettechill, The North Face, Levi’s, Fox and Hurley.

“Columbia pullovers are great for men,” DeAnna said.

Laredo Boots and Sanuk slip-ons pair well with the Oakley sunglasses.

Whatever a customer is looking for to complete his or her fall wardrobe, DeAnna and David make a point to ensure satisfaction.

“The most important thing is customer service,” DeAnna said. “They are doing us a favor by coming in our store. n

RVL Magazine 29

BY TRAVIS SIMPSON

W

hen Ashley Prochazka grew up cheering for the Russellville Cyclones cheer and dance team, she had no idea she would one day take the field as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader.

Prochazka won the spot earlier this summer in a competition against 500 ladies from 36 states and four countries.

But it began on the sidelines at Cyclone football games and under the goal at basketball games.

“In a way, being on the cheer squads, it taught me how to be an ambassador,” she said. “People look at you a lot more than someone who is in the stands. You have to represent your program well. Your school is your brand.”

Prochazka has been involved in competitive cheer since fourth grade and has garnered just about every accolade available for active athletes in the sport. She won a national and world championship in 2009 with a traveling cheer squad from Dallas, Texas, and cheered four years for the Baylor University Bears where she earned a bachelor’s degree in health sciences prephysical therapy.

Still — she never quite dreamed it

would go this far. She became interested in the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders in high school when a former teammate tried out and failed to make the team.

“I guess that’s when the idea first came in my head,” she said.

“The Cowboys were the only football team I ever paid attention to, so it put that thought in my mind.”

Prochazka first tried out in 2013 but didn’t make the team. In her words, the tryout process was more than she expected. When she returned a year later to try again, she was ready.

“I think it made me grow a lot,” she said. “It was my first time to not achieve something in cheer that I had gone after. It was very humbling. I think it was God letting me know that not everything is handed to you. I’ve always worked hard, but I learned that for some things you have to work extra hard.”

Prochazka’s rise through the ranks was documented for season eight of Country Music Television’s (CMT) “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team,” a reality show which documents the difficulties involved in being selected for America’s most well-known cheer squad. The show, which first premiered in 2006, shows the progression each candidate must follow in order to make the final roster and take the field on opening day at Cowboys Stadium. First comes an open audition “cattle call,” then personal interviews, uniform fittings, BMI testing, physical fitness testing, etiquette training, mock media interviews and calendar shoots. The girls are even tested on knowledge of the Dallas Cowboys’ history, the NFL in general, the rules of the game, general history and current events. That was something Prochazka hadn’t expected on her first go-round, but came well-studied for round two.

“This year, I studied a lot,” she said.

“Last year I didn’t know what to expect, but this year we made study guides. I’ve

been out of college for a year now, but I was studying like I would have for a test. We [other applicants] would quiz each other, ask questions. Ultimately, we’re out there representing the organization. We aren’t just cheer and dance. We have to be able to hold a conversation, so they have to test us like that.”

Participants undergo dance choreography tests and are hand-picked by a panel of experts. Scoring is based on physical appearance, fitness, dance style, poise, grace, intelligence and showmanship.

From there, the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleading camp opens and the ladies undergo more tests. A woman can be cut at any time. Of the 500 who tried out, only 47 were brought to camp and only 39 survived to officially make the squad.

“Every night could be cut night,” Prochazka said. “You could be let go.

You have to learn over 30 routines in a month-and-a-half period just to perform in front of the judges each night.”

Common reasons to be cut include — CONTINUED ON 33 —

30

RVL Magazine — CONTINUED FROM 23 —

Mitch, Vonna said she has worked with the business from the very start and that she doubts she will ever be completely separated from the business’ operations in the future.

“My primary responsibility right now is to make sure that everything flows smoothly with the accounts and I do a lot of the public relations work still,” Vonna said.

“I will retire within the next couple of years because Mitch and the others have the operations down pat.

“I’ve already given up a lot of the micromanaging. We have such a great, wonderful staff here that works very hard to bring the best experience to our customers.”

Although Vonna said she plans on an eventual retirement, she said the act has little to do with the future

of the company. With more than 5,000 boots, the store needed more space. Woody’s added around 1,300 square feet of space in July and doubled its inventory.

Standing firm on the traditional foundations she grew up around, Vonna said Woody’s Boots is not necessarily successful because of her or because of the nature of the business itself, but by the community of people who have supported it through the years.

“We’re just a family-owned business,” Vonna said.

“We deal with families every day. We love to work with family events, whether it be weddings or birthdays.

We call it the old-fashioned way of doing business, and I believe truly in that way of business. The customer always comes first.” n

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RVL Magazine 31

Fan Favorites!

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RVL Magazine 33 — CONTINUED FROM 13 —

garner a record along the lines of 33-1, 29-5 or at the worst 24-10. But not the Lady Red Devils.

“We finished our season 16-18,” Brown said. “We came into the tournament as a four seed, and we just made upset after upset. It was the best thing I’ve ever been a part of.”

The story doesn’t end there. It was the night, or say, morning, that made it memorable.

“Our game was delayed several times,” Brown said.

“It was actually the first AAA event to be played on a Sunday morning.” The 3A state championship game was set to begin around 4 p.m. on May 21, 2011, but after 6 1/2 hours of delays, the first pitch wasn’t thrown until past 10 p.m.

“During the delay, my shortstop, Emily Ward, came up to me and said she needed to catch a ball,” Brown said. “So I took them over to another field, and we practiced a while. When we were done,

she looked at me and said she was good to go now.”

A normal high school softball game consists of seven innings. This classic went nine. After the Lady Red Devils built a 2-0 lead in the first two innings, the Lady Curley Wolves tied the game on a single in the sixth inning. Neither team would score until the top of the ninth, when Atkins’ Jagger Hendrix hit a sacrifice fly and Kourtney Stubbs scored after being caught in a pickle between third base and home.

From there, Lady Red Devil pitcher Molly Gibson struck out the final three Lady Curley Wolves to give Atkins the state championship -- at 1:15 a.m.

Brown does not give her 2011 group all of the credit for her state championship.

“Chelsey Riley was a special player,” Brown said.

“She was one of the best pitchers Atkins has ever had.

She was a part of a big group that graduated the year before

our state championship. They laid the groundwork.”

Another memory Brown shared was when Courtney Loveless smacked a home run off the scoreboard.

“I have so many great memories,” Brown said. “I’m lucky to have had some really good kids come from Atkins.”

Just as Brown was getting settled into softball in 2003, Atkins added another girls sport: volleyball.

“I had never been around volleyball much when we began it here,” Brown said.

Brown acted as head volleyball coach in 2003 before Kevin Lee, a former graduate assistant volleyball coach at ATU, took over the job from 2004-06.

“It was a great opportunity to learn from him,” Brown said.

After Lee left for Lavaca in 2007, Brown took over as head coach. Even though it took several years to win the conference, Brown found the

right formula. “It was a battle to get athletes because it was new,” Brown said. “I had a group come through that peaked out last year.

“We had never been above a four or five seed in conference,” Brown said. “To go undefeated in conference was a great memory.”

One of Brown’s fondest memories off the court was a trip for a camp to Branson, Mo., she took with her girls.

“We all rode the big sky coaster,” Brown said. “It was really fun. It was good for my girls to see me away from the court like that.” Sharing memories with her girls away from the field and court go hand in hand with the life lessons Brown teaches. “We always pray before a game and after a game,” Brown said.

“God is a part of us.

“I teach them to have respect, be good citizens and be a role model. You are an outlet for your school and community.” n

don’t join until finals, so they do get an advantage, but they still aren’t guaranteed a spot on the team every year.”

Prochazka said she believes she is exactly where she is meant to be.

Her faith is important to her. There’s a time to every season, she reminds herself, including a time to dance.

“No matter how great a dancer you are, sometimes it might turn out that this isn’t where you are supposed to be and that’s hard,” she explained.

“I think that’s one of the hardest things for people to take in — when their plans don’t match what God wants.

“I have been blessed by

making the teams I have tried out for. God has given me the talent to be on some of the best cheer teams in the nation and the world. When I didn’t make it last year, it was hard for me to accept that.”

But she didn’t give up.

According to Prochazka, God had put the desire in her heart for a reason. n

— CONTINUED FROM 29 —

failure to correctly perform dance routines, failure to display an elite level of skill and a lack of physical fitness or meet the body fat requirements.

“Every year is not guaranteed. You have to try out again each year,” Prochazka said. “The veterans

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September

TUESDAY, SEPT. 9 POPE COUNTY FAIR, continues through Saturday, Sept. 13, Pope County Fair Association, 517 S. Knoxville Ave., (479) 970-9799.

ARKANSAS TECH VOLLEYBALL STUDENT WELCOME, Green and Gold Night vs. Henderson State, 6 p.m., Tucker Coliseum on the campus of Arkansas Tech University, (479) 968-0389.

SATURDAY, OCT. 4 ARKANSAS TECH FOOTBALL FAMILY DAY vs. Arkansas-Monticello, 6 p.m., hone Stadium on the campus of Arkansas Tech University, (479) 968-0389.

THURSDAY, OCT. 9 ARKANSAS TECH VOLLEYBALL 80S AND I BLEED GREEN AND GOLD NIGHT vs. Southern Arkansas, 6 p.m., Tucker Coliseum on the campus of Arkansas Tech University, (479) 968-0389.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 12 ARKANSAS TECH WONDER BOYS FOOTBALL GOLF TOURNAMENT, Russellville Country Club, 186 Country Club Plaza, (479) 968-0389.

SATURDAY, OCT. 18 ARKANSAS TECH FOOTBALL vs. Henderson State, 2 p.m., hone Stadium on the campus of Arkansas Tech University, (479) 968-0389.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 13 2ND ANNUAL ARKANSAS ZOMBIE CHALLENGE 5K OBSTACLE RACE, Hector (begins at Hector High School), (479) 880-1195.

SATURDAY, OCT. 25 23RD ANNUAL DOWNTOWN FALL FESTIVAL AND CHILI COOKOFF, 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Downtown Historic District, (479) 967-1437.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 20 ARKANSAS TECH FOOTBALL vs. Southern Nazarene, 6 p.m., Thone Stadium on the campus of Arkansas Tech University, (479) 968-0389.

TUESDAY, OCT. 28 CASTING CROWNS CONCERT, The Center for the Arts on the campus of Russellville High School, 2209 S. Knoxville Ave., (479) 498-6600.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 23 ARKANSAS TECH VOLLEYBALL PACK THE STANDS NIGHT vs. Harding, 6 p.m., Tucker Coliseum on the campus of Arkansas Tech University, (479) 968-0389.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 29 ARKANSAS TECH VOLLEYBALL KIDS NIGHT vs. Lyon College, 5 p.m., Tucker Coliseum on the campus of Arkansas Tech University, (479) 968-0389.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 27 67TH ANNUAL MOUNT NEBO CHICKEN FRY, Veterans Memorial Riverfront Park, Dardanelle.

BATTLE OF THE BANDS, River Front Park, Dardanelle, (479) 229-3290.

36TH ANNUAL OZARK MEMORIES DAY, Pancake breakfast at 6:30 a.m. at Dover Middle School cafeteria, gate opens at 9 a.m. and parade at 10 a.m., Dover High School, (479) 967-2367.

POPE COUNTY FALL CLEANUP, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., (479) 968-7487.

Downtown Cleanup Day, Russellville, (479) 968-7487.

SATURDAY, NOV. 1 ARKANSAS TECH FOOTBALL HOMECOMING AND SENIOR DAY vs. East Central, 3 p.m., hone Stadium on the campus of Arkansas Tech University, (479) 968-0389.

October

FRIDAY, OCT. 3 ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY JAZZ ENSEMBLE CONCERT, 7:30 p.m.

Witherspoon Auditorium on the campus of Arkansas Tech University, (479) 968-0389.

8TH ANNUAL COMMUNITY IN UNITY, 7-9 p.m., also Saturday with parade at 9:30 a.m. and music at 2 p.m., James Park, Independence and 4th streets, (479) 280-1878 and (479) 264-3250.

November

THURSDAY, NOV. 6 7TH ANNUAL MISTLETOE MARKET benefiting The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Arkansas River Valley, also Friday and Saturday, 600 E. 16th St., (479) 968-7819.

ARKANSAS TECH VOLLEYBALL SENIOR NIGHT vs. Arkansas-Monticello, 6 p.m., Tucker Coliseum on the campus of Arkansas Tech University, (479) 968-0389.

FRIDAY, NOV. 7 CHRISTMAS WISH LIST NIGHT. SATURDAY, NOV. 29 SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY, (479) 968-2530.

WINTER WONDERLAND, continues through Jan. 6.

RVL Magazine 35

BioMed students help ‘Lead the Way’

BY JEANETTE ANDERTON Students in the Russellville High School (RHS) BioMed classes had reason to be extra excited about the school year being back in session — lab coats!

All students who were enrolled in the RHS BioMed classes received their white lab coats on Tuesday, Aug. 19.

On the second day of the

BY HEATHER SPRINKLE

S

ummer break seems like it came and went in a flash. Really, where did the time go?

Usually, I’m so ready for school to start and for schedules to get back to normal, but this summer our weekends have been busy and I found myself wishing for a few more weekends of playtime before school started.

Getting ready for school to start in itself is quite a task — hunting for appropriate footwear that fits, outfits for hot and cool temperatures and enough pencils, it would seem, to have one for every week of the school year!

school year, these students proudly donned their new coats. The BioMed program is led by RHS teacher Jared Fuller. Students in Fuller's program are part of the Project Lead the Way program.

Project Lead the Way is a nonprofit organization that develops hands-on, project-based STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) curriculum and

provides development training for teachers.

The organization's mission is to prepare students for a global economy by increasing the number of students prepared to enter STEM fields in the workforce. To achieve that goal, the program is designed to help students link math and science concepts to real-world problem solving.

Project Lead the Way will host a white-coat ceremony for Fuller's students later this year. Visit www.pltw.org for information about Project Lead the Way. n

Reminiscing about the good ole days of when going back to school didn’t conjure up images of the dreaded trip to the store to complete the school supply list makes me feel old … and cheap.

Of course, my son informed me the night before school began this year that they (students) learn more than their parents did in school. He added that kids are smarter today. He’s positive he knows more at the age of 9 than the 9-year old version of me did.

And I hate to admit it, but in some ways he’s right. Which is good and bad, depending on how you look at it.

Aubrey and Arlis both created PowerPoints for school

projects in second grade … my mother still has problems using email and uploading pictures to the computer. And, my kids can use Google docs from their home computer to work on school projects.

My daughter even has the equivalent of virtual study sessions. Last year, she and her partner would meet online at the same time each evening to work on a joint presentation!

They could share their presentation with one another and make changes as they went — all online.

Their online accounts are tied to their school accounts, so there can be no sharing with anyone other than students and teachers. And now, even for fun, both kids create PowerPoints at home … not for a grade, just for fun. The age

of online research has not only transformed the workplace, but the world of elementary academia. But, could they use the card catalogue? I think I would have them beat at that particular task.

They both still read books, and that makes me smile. I love that I can download a book straight to my phone, but I still love to actually hold a book. Neither child has a phone, iPad or Kindle, etc., so at least for now, some things are done the old way at our house.

It’s only fourth and fifth grade for my two this year — what will middle school be like next year? If they get much smarter, they might have to help with my work, instead of me helping them with their homework! n

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RVL Magazine

tastes of fall

When most of us think of beef, it’s usually a juicy steak or a thick hamburger. But when it comes to feeding a gang, flank steak is our go-to-cut.

Its thin, flat shape lends itself well to marinatingpreferably in a zip-top plastic bag that you can easily wedge in the fridge.

It’s an ideal size – 2 to 3 pounds, comfortably feeding up to 6 people. It’s not an inherently tender cut, which is why it takes so well to marinatingsometimes for days-after which it becomes super flavorful. And it’s durable. If you put off dinner for a day or two, no worries. It won’t get mushy the way fish will. When cut across the grain, it’s tender and easy to manage, with no messy bones to dispose of.

Pile the slices on your favorite bread and serve with your favorite chips, dips and spreads.

From the editors of Relish Magazine

Korean Grilled Flank Steak Marinade Feeding a large crowd? Buy an extra flank steak and double the marinade. Wrap the steaks tightly (without slicing) and store in the fridge.

1⁄2

cup reduced-sodium soy sauce cup rice vinegar 1⁄4 cup mirin (sweet rice wine) or sherry 3 green onions, finely chopped 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh gingerroot 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil 1 teaspoon sriracha chili paste 1⁄4

RVL Magazine 37

Beef Steak Sandwiches 2 cups seeded and diced tomatoes 6 tablespoons pitted, chopped kalamata olives 4 tablespoons chopped fresh basil 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion 4 teaspoons balsamic or red wine vinegar 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 (1-pound) round Italian or French bread loaf 4 thin slices provolone cheese 11⁄2 pounds Korean Grilled Flank Steak, thinly sliced 2 ounces arugula 1. Combine tomatoes, olives, basil, red on- ion, vinegar and olive oil in a small bowl.

2. Slice bread horizontally. Toast, cut side down, until surface is crisp and golden.

3. Place cheese on bottom slice of bread. Top with tomato mixture, steak and arugula. Top with remaining bread. Slice into wedges. Serves 6.

Per serving: 500 calories, 20g fat, 80mg chol., 25g prot., 41g carbs., 2g fiber, 780mg sodium

Beef 2 pounds flank steak, 1-inch thick 1 teaspoon coarse salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1. To prepare marinade, combine all ingredients and mix well. Makes 11⁄4 cups.

2. To prepare beef, combine marinade and beef in a zip-top plastic bag. Seal bag and knead, rubbing marinade into beef. Refrigerate 2 to 24 hours.

3. Heat grill. Remove beef from marinade and pat dry. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. When grill is ready, place beef on grill rack. Cook 3 to 4 minutes total, until desired doneness. Remove from grill and let rest 10 minutes. Slice steak thinly against the grain to serve immediately. Serves 6.

Per serving: 250 calories, 14g fat, 65mg chol., 27g prot., 3g carbs., 0g fiber, 780mg sodium

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RVL Magazine

Easy does it!!

Spicy dips and sweet spreads team up and will keep fans screaming for more. Prepackaged dips are super easy and bring a variety of flavors to the party. The Wind & Willow Dips we used can be found locally at Kitchen Essentials in City Mall.

Cut a large red pepper in half 1 package Wind & Willow Roasted Red Pepper Dip Mix 1 cup mayonnaise 1 cup sour cream Serve with your favorite chips, crackers or veggies

Potato Skins One package of Wind & Willow Smokehouse Bacon & Cheddar Mix 4-6 Medium Potatoes 8 ounces of cream cheese 4 Tablespoons of butter Bake the potatoes. Cut in half lengthwise and scoop out the inside leaving the skin

and about ½ inch thickness of potato. Combine cream cheese, butter and mix. Stir until smooth and add potato.

Fold all ingredients together then spoon into potatoes.

Sprinkle with Topping. Place in baking dish and bake at 400 degrees until warm and mixture begins to brown.

About Kitchen Essentials

A special thank you is extended to Becki Bryson, the owner of Kitchen Essentials, for providing the selected Wind & Willow Dips and Spreads we used for this feature.

Visit www.kitchenessentials.net or call 479-280-1933 for more information about this unique River Valley Business. Kitchen Essentials is located in the City Mall.

407 N. ARKANSAS AVE, SUITE 10 ~ CITY MALL RUSSELLVILLE • 479-280-1933 www.kitchenessentials.net

Are you ready for KICK-OFF? We have all the Essentials you need for football parties and tailgating

Gourmet Coffee & Foods • Cookware/Bakeware • Cutlery • Electrics Gadgets • Bridal Registry • Gift Cards • Wish Lists

RVL Magazine 39

Key Lime Cheese Ball One package of Wind & Willow Key Lime Pie Mix 8 ounces cream cheese 4-tablespoons butter (optional Combine all ingredients and refrigerate until firm. Roll in Topping. Serve with graham crackers or sticks, cookies or a variety of fruit.

Blue Buffalo Dip One Package of Wind & Willow Blue Buffalo Dip Mix Combine with one cup of mayonnaise and one cup sour cream. Best chilled 2 hours to allow flavors to blend.

Serve with chicken wings, tenders and veggies.

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RVL Magazine 41

EUROPE AN TAPESTRY

T

STORY AND PHOTOS BY TECH TRAVELERS

ech Travelers spent 10 days enjoying the western coast of Europe on board one of Oceania’s finest ships, the Nautica.

Travelers flew into Lisbon, Portugal, and had a great time seeing sights in Lisbon such as the Belem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, Rossio Square and so much more.

Travelers boarded the Nautica in Lisbon and embarked on their European Tapestry to Oporto, Portugal. Touring in Oporto was such a treat due to its beautiful patchwork-like townhomes, Baroque churches, tiled exteriors and a tour of their famous Port Wine being made.

The next day we cruised to La Coruna, Spain, which is known as the “Glass City.” Our must see was the oldest working lighthouse in Europe! Following the western coast of Spain, we enjoyed Bilboa, Spain. Bilboa is known for its art and architecture, and the top of the list is the beautiful Guggenheim Museum! Guggenheim was so great and seeing contemporary art in this part of the world was extraordinary.

Our last two nights on the Nautica was spent in Bordeaux, France. So many Gothic churches, mansions and vineyards in the countryside with their chateaux was enjoyable.The wine festival of the year in Bordeaux was enjoyed by all from onboard our ship (looking) or walking among the festivities! Shopping in Bordeaux was a plus! All great things come to an end, but after crossing the English Channel and arriving in London, some of the travelers stayed in London for a post trip!

One of our Tech hosts, Phyllis Stone, loved the Nautica and it’s wonderful food! “If you have never cruised on Oceania, you have missed a one in a lifetime experiences,” Stone said.

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The River Valley Business Expo, one of the largest expos in Arkansas, gives businesses the opportunity to showcase and sell their products and services to a captive audience.

A wide variety of businesses participate each year, including those offering home improvements, lawn and garden,

cellular, real estate, financial, healthcare and educational services.

The expo, which was themed this year after classic comic books and superheroes, gave the public the opportunity to see the diverse range of businesses and the products and services they offer in the River Valley.

RVL Magazine 43

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RVL Magazine

J

oe Kleine, Olympian, NBA Champion and former Arkansas Razorback, keynoted the annual Standing Ovations, a Boys and Girls Club sponsor’s banquet. The banquet celebrated three individuals who have significantly impacted the club — Mariah Ellis, Tyson Foods and James Biggers — and the 25th anniversary since the opening of the club in Russellivlle.

RVL Magazine 45

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R E G I O N A L

H E A L T H

S Y S T E M