RVL Summer 2014

RVL Magazine

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SUMMER ISSUE JUNE 2014

Hello, Summer!

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behind the lines S

ummer. Remember when you were a kid counting down the days to summer break? There’s nothing that compares to this time of the year. Even though it’s been a while since I’ve heard the last school bell ring, there’s something about summer that always brings a smile to my face. It’s a time for longer days, fishing, swimming, more fishing and family cookouts.

As we dive into this issue of RVL, nothing says summer in the River Valley like a sunny day by the lake. This month in RVL, we will be celebrating summer in all of its glory. June’s theme is lake life and we have a lot of great content planned.

One of our profiles features local angler, Joan Craig. My husband and I had the pleasure of fishing with Joan and her husband in the Angler’s Choice Couples tournaments a few years ago. She is well known for reeling in the fish, wearing a big smile and having great stories to tell.

Our cover story explores the beauty and joys of living on the lake. Mel and Linda Beyer, who live in a condominium at Marina Shores, invited us in for an up-close and personal view of life on the lake.

Ever wondered how working moms who are involved in the community balance their activities all summer? Find

out with our profile on Breanne Davis. And, don’t miss the story of the volunteer with a heart of gold — Lori Grace who founded the Habitat for Humanity in Pope County.

Inside this issue of RVL you will find your summer guide to fashion, food and fun in the sun.

So, if your backyard is begging to host a big party, or if you simply need a reminder as to why the River Valley is a great place to call home, you will find some great ideas for family-fun activities around our beautiful lake. We hope you will find the contents refreshing, just in time for the 100-degree days ahead.

Enjoy your summer, keep safe and…

Good Reading

michelle@couriernews.com

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Lake Living ...................................................6 Mel and Linda Beyer enjoy their Lake Dardanelle home.

A Servant’s Heart ......................................10 Lori Grace has a heart for those in need.

Summer Styles ...........................................12 The Other Foot shares what’s ‘in and trending’ for summer.

Cool Treats ..................................................14 Feel the cool of summer with self-serve yogurt and Italian gelato from Freddo’s.

Making A Splash .....................................17 Nathan Ray — keeping kids safe at the pool.

A Paddled Adventure ...............................18 Local kayaker talks water sports.

Working Mom Does It All .....................22 Breanne Davis serves her family, career and community.

Tastes of Summer ......................................24 Delicious recipes for fly burgers, butterfly cheese sandwiches, grasshopper dip and a ladybug cake.

Hook, Line and Sinker ............................ 28 Local pro angler, Joan Craig, talks fishing.

Play Time ...................................................32 A summer column by Heather Sprinkle.

Summer Must-Haves ............................... 34 Local retailers share this season’s top items.

Photo finish .................................................38

Say “Yes”

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to what you want

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Photos from Tech Travelers’ visit to Canyon Country.

Circulation Mike Geiss

Account Executives Jim Kelley Lauren Lampkin Judy Manning Meagan Wilson

Ad Designer Katelynn McAlister

Photography Joshua Mashon

Advertising Director Michelle Harris

Production David Weaver

Publisher/Editor David Meadows

310 WEST MAIN RUSSELLVILLE 479-968-3117 Published quarterly by The Courier, Russellville, Ark.

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Lakeside Life Story by Shane Crabtree | Photos by joshua mashon

L

ife on the lake, a term generally used to describe the life of anglers and watersport athletes, takes on a nearly literal form when meeting Mel and Linda Beyer of Russellville. Living a little more than 60 feet from the Lake Dardanelle shoreline, the Beyers call the lake home.

The Beyers live in a condominium at Marina Shores, a lakeside gated community with a priceless view of

the lake.

“I think this place is one of the best kept secrets in Russellville for people our age,” Mel Beyer said. “I don’t think there is anywhere else like this in Russellville.”

The 13-unit Marina Shores community was established in 2009 by developer Mike Wilkins and builder Ken Henderson. The Beyers were the first family to move into the community and were the only

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residents of the community for the first few years, according to the Beyers.

The large, semi-panoramic living room windows face west, providing a one-of-akind view of Lake Dardanelle and the distant hills beyond. The outdoor balcony-like deck provides a majestic view of the horizon, providing the sensation that the vision across the lake extends without end.

“That’s Mount Nebo over there,” Mel said, pointing towards the large, distant cliffside.

“The sun usually sets in that direction. It’s beautiful.”

“It’s a great view. It’s relaxing, especially in the morning,” Mel said. “You can go outside on Saturday morning or Sunday before church and have coffee and enjoy the view.”

While the Beyers are fond of relaxing to the scenery, they are no less pleased by their proximity to the lake. Literally in their backyard, the Beyers have access to a dock where they park a party barge and a Jet Ski pair.

“It works great for when the grandkids come over or if you just want to go out on the lake,” Mel said.

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A servant’s heart

BY LAURA BEAN

I

can do all things through Christ.

It echoed in Lori Grace’s head when she saw the need for homes in her community, when she began the process of bringing Habitat for Humanity to Pope County and when she completes her final term as president, family selection member and resource committee member of the organization.

With a heart that simply cannot say no to those in need, Grace is now going to devote her time serving a different community — her family.

What started as a mission trip to Mexico in 2010 to build houses blossomed into an international organization brought to Pope County to not only build houses but to also build relationships and hope.

Grace became interested in Habitat for Humanity when a trip to build homes in Mexico was canceled be-

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cause of safety concerns. As an alternative, the family traveled to the Appalachian Mountains to meet with her sister’s church group doing missionary work.

Grace’s sister worked with a Habitat for Humanity group in Michigan, and after talking with her about the organization, Grace had the urge to become involved too.

“I was really wanting to do something here; I just didn’t know what,” Grace said. “They encouraged me to look into Habitat.”

But after looking at the requirements to start the organization in Pope County, Grace became discouraged. A sermon

from her pastor at First United Methodist Church and support from her family confirmed her calling to serve the families of Russellville.

“He preached about making a difference, that you should be the one that carries the torch,” Grace said. “I thought, ‘OK, that is my call.’”

Her husband, Danny, and children encouraged her to proceed with what God had placed on her heart.

“They told me that if that’s what God wants you to do, then go for it,” Grace said.

Grace’s parents, Loretta and Charles Leon Earl, were also excited about Habitat and helped her push through the 18-month application process. Both served community outreaches for more than 15 years and were committed to volunteer work, to which Grace credits her own desire to help her community.

Habitat for Humanity of Pope County became a 501(c)3 organization in December 2011, and Grace attributed the completion to community leaders and donors who volunteered their time, funds and efforts to help.

“Everything that has happened in my life as far as Habitat goes has been one blessing after another,” Grace said.

And though Grace served families through Habitat, she realized she was not serving her own. With two teenage boys Continued on page 30

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fashion

Simple & chic

summer styles story BY LAURA BEAN photos by joshua mashon

F

lorals, kimonos and high waisted cut-offs — it’s what is in style this summer.

And they are all available at The Other Foot.

Erin Glover, owner of The Other Foot on Parkway Drive, knows all the trends women will wear this summer, including rompers, jumpers and tie-dye. Glover said mixing bold colors and patterns are already popular, as well as the Bohemian look.

Megan Guarino with The Other Foot said one popular trend is wearing cloth-

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ing that can be appropriate for going to work and going out with friends. Switching from work wear to evening wear is simple by pairing a kimono with dark-trouser jeans and adding a chunky necklace.

“You can take it from day to night easy with accessories,” Guarino said.

Adding statement-piece accessories can revamp old styles. Guarino suggested adding a new accessory to a loose blouse and shorts for a unique style.

“You can make your own new look by wearing what you already have and using a statement piece,” Guarino said.

Statement pieces can include long or chunky necklaces, headbands and layered bracelets. Vintage stretch or beaded bracelets are an easy addition to any style. Tassels, jewel tones and crystals are also coming back into fashion.

“Crystals don’t have to mean prom anymore,” Guarino said, suggesting pairing a crystal necklace with a metallic shoe.

Any shoes that tie, fasten, buckle or have hardware are what women are already wearing this season.

“Metallic on the feet is really big,” Guarino said. “Anything around the ankle is also really popular.”

Shoes fit for wearing this summer also include wedges and peep-toe booties.

Wedges textured with cork or ropes are suited for a short-summer dress, and peep-toe booties are ready for work when socks are added.

“These look really cute paired with high-waisted pants,” Guarino said of both shoe types.

Simple and chic, The Other Foot has all the styles women are seeking this summer.

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A fun place for cool treats story By Jeanette Anderton photos by joshua mashon

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f you’re looking for a place to cool off and get a sweet summer treat, look no further than Freddo’s Frozen Treats.

“We wanted to create a really cool atmosphere,” co-owner Robert Ford said. “The experience is as important as the product. It feels good to be there.”

Freddo’s offers self-serve frozen yogurt, Italian gelato, retro candy and bulk candy in a family-friendly atmosphere.

The store opened in late August 2013. Ford said he wanted to create a different kind of experience, something “totally new for Russellville.”

“Actually, it’s totally new, period,” he said. “Freddo’s is a whole new concept in frozen treats and cool eats.”

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Dennis Overman, who co-owns Freddo’s with Ford, said a lot of thought went into the name and the logo.

“We came up with the name first,” Overman said. “We decided we wanted to have a logo.”

After a neighbor designed the written logo, the owners decided the store needed a mascot.

“We kept thinking of the Arctic fox for a couple of reasons,”he said. “For one thing, it’s so darn cute, and we really liked the alliteration of the name Freddo Fox.” And so, a mascot was born.

Overman said Freddo’s is in the process of creating a children’s book with the back

story about how Freddo Fox came to Russellville.

Because the Arctic fox is on the endangered species list, Overman said, it would give them an opportunity to help by donating proceeds from the book to preservation efforts.

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making a

splash story By Jeanette Anderton photos by joshua mashon

N

athan Ray is the lifeguard manager at M.J. Hickey Pool this summer.

Ray graduated from Russellville High School — where he was a member of the swim team — in 2012 and has worked as a lifeguard for two years.

In order to become a lifeguard, Ray got certified through the American Red Cross by taking classes and passing tests which included learning CPR and practicing saving lives.

“I think the best thing is being able to know that you can save people, even if you’re not working,” Ray said. “If you’re out at a public pool or a lake that you don’t know a lifeguard at, you know if anyone needed help, you could help them.”

Ray, 20, is now a junior at Southern Illinois University where he is a member of the college swim team. He is majoring in business management. He comes home in the summers to work as a lifeguard and to visit family and friends.

He said the biggest challenge a lifeguard faces is being able to quickly assess a situation.

“Balancing between babysitting the kids and actually trying to figure out if someone needs help [is a challenge]”, he said.

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A paddled adventure local kayaker talks water sports

Story by Shane Crabtree photos courtesy of david gillson

A

s spring slowly merges into summer, the seasonal transition often brings with it rain aplenty. The rainwater fills lakes and rivers to nearly flood level, its excess spilling over into connecting streams. This results in rapids and steep waterfalls — fast, furious and frightening displays of Earth’s mighty power.

But there are a many who, though admitting the water untameable, see the opportunity to put their athleticism and fitness to good use during the summer months. These people, such as Chuck Bewley of Lamar, kayak Earth’s floodgates for the fun experience that it is.

Bewley, a 38-year-old kayaking veteran with 15 years of experience, said while many see maneuvering a kayak through churning, rock-filled rapids as dangerous, that it is in reality no different than driving down the interstate.

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“You know, kayaking is a lot like rock climbing,” Bewley said. “I recommend that people put some effort into researching it before they jump in and that you get some training first, but it is a lot like just driving a car on the interstate. You’re going fast, things are coming at you fast and you have to know what to do.”

Having kayaked a diverse range of water bodies from the local and serene Lake Dardanelle to the unnerving professional Idahoan course on the North Fork Payette River, Bewley said, “There isn’t anything like kayaking, wherever you go.”

“I’ve rock-climbed and gone mountain biking, but nothing gives me a rush like kayaking and hitting a falls or a rapids,” Bewley said. “It’s just plain exciting.”

“My favorite place to kayak is on the West Fork Horsehead Creek in Johnson County, about four miles north of Coal Hill,” Bewley said. It has 20-foot waterfall and 25-foot waterfall. Take those with the rapids and it’s my favorite kayaking place in Arkansas, or anywhere for that matter.”

While Bewley has earned his experience over his many years of practice, he said it is important to practice the proper water safety routines before tackling a professional kayaking course.

“Before I would put you in the water, I would ensure that you knew and had an understanding of basic safety,” Bewley said. “You need to learn how to swim before you boat. And after that, you need to learn how to exit. There’s no point learning the fancy stuff right off the bat.”

The kayak emergency exit, which Bewley references as a 815 N. Arkansas 479-968-4322

“wet exit,” is taught in case a kayaker is trapped upside down.

“If you flip over and you can’t get back above water, there’s a rip cord that you pull,” Bewley said. “What that does is that it lets the compartment that you’re sitting in fill up with water and it lets you slide right out. From there, it’s all about swimming back.”

Once the safety basics of kayaking have been learned, Bewley said he would recommend learning the Eskimo roll. Though an awkward motion, it allows the kayaker to return the kayak to a right-side up position should they capsize.

“The Eskimo roll was developed by the Inuits. It’s an old, old Continued on page 31

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profile Working mom does it all family, career, community

By Jeanette Anderton | PHOTOS BY JOSHUA MASHON

B

reanne Davis is a woman who does it all — she works, volunteers, spends time with family and remains an active member of the community.

Davis, 31, and her husband of nine years, John-Paul Davis, have three children — Riley, 6, who attends kindergarten at Oakland Heights; Darby, 2 and Blaze, 1.

Davis works full-time at Blackstone Construction in Russellville. She has been with the company since 2008.

“It’s an amazing company that understands the importance of family,” Davis said. “They encourage personal growth and success in their employees, and push me to be better than I was the day before. Blackstone found me at a pivotal time in my life, and I’m grateful to be a part of that family.”

Aside from her full-time jobs as wife, mother and office assistant, Davis manages to find time to stay involved in the community.

“A big theme in my life right now is to be intentional,” she said. “As a mom who works full-time outside of the home, it’s easy to feel guilty about not being with your kids more, but I realized a long time ago that it’s not necessarily about the quantity of time I spend with my family, it’s about the quality of that time together.”

Davis has served on the Russellville Board of Education since 2009, and was elected board president in October 2013.

She is on the Downtown Master Planning Committee and volunteers at Partners Against Trafficking Humans (PATH) in Little Rock, which is a home for rescued victims of sex trafficking.

Davis said she and John-Paul make a good team.

“I don’t always balance it all very well, but,

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thankfully, I have an extremely supportive husband who totes three kids around with ease,” she said. “I also try to do practical things when I’m at home with my kids, like put my phone away so I’m not distracted. It’s helps me be present in the moment and make the most of our time together.”

Davis said being involved in the community is important to her, and so she makes time for it.

“Our community is only as good as we work to make it,” she said.

“If we all decide that we’re too busy with our own lives to get involved in the community, then we really have no room to complain when we don’t like the direction things are going. If we aren’t change agents, then who will be? I don’t want to leave that in the hands of someone else, hoping someone else will do something. Beyond the excuses we make, everyone has something to contribute.”

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tastes of summer

Bugs buzz in for summer parties The amusing invasion of insects-both edible and otherwise-can make any picnic or children’s party a special occasion.

Fly Burgers

16 Slider Buns 1 pound ground beef 32 thin green onion slices*

Shape hamburger into 16 patties, 2 inches each. Grill or fry patties.

Drain on paper towels. Place a beef patty on each bun. For wings, cut a narrow V shape from each roll top; position each patty (discard removed sections). Secure with toothpicks. For eyes, pipe two dots of ketchup near the edge of each patty opposite the V; top with onion slices.

Yield: 16 sandwiches.

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Butterfly Cheese Sandwiches 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened 1 tablespoons milk 1 tablespoon mayonnaise 1 tablespoon sour cream 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon onion powder 2 teaspoons dry Ranch mix 12 slices white bread 12 slices American cheese 22 pitted ripe olives Medium size butterfly cookie cutter In a small mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, milk, sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder and ranch seasonings until smooth; set aside 1/4-cup mixture. Spread 1 tablespoon of the remaining cream cheese mixture over each slice of bread. Top each with a cheese slice. Cut out each sandwich with a butterflyshaped cookie cutter. Discard trimmings. Cut 12 olives in half lengthwise; place two halves, cut side down, in the center of each sandwich for butterfly body. Cut remaining whole olives into slices; place two on each wing. Set olive ends aside. Cut a small hole in the corner of a pastry or plastic bag; insert a small star tip. Fill bag with reserved cream cheese mixture. Pipe a star on each olive slice; pipe two stars on front of each butterfly body for eyes. Cut olive ends into small pieces; place on eyes. Yield: 1 dozen.

Cheese Worms with Grasshopper Dip Flaked coconut Green liquid food coloring 1 small tube chocolate icing 6 plain mozzarella string cheese sticks 6 twirled mozzarella cheese sticks Dip Bowls: 1 large green pepper for dip bowls 12 green onions 2 pitted ripe olives Dip of your choice Place coconut in a resealable plastic bag; add food coloring and shake until color is evenly distributed.

Sprinkle coconut onto a serving plate. Make two small dots on each cheese stick for worm eyes As cheese sticks reach room temperature, they can be positioned to appear more worm-like. Cut green pepper in half lengthwise. Remove and discard stem and seeds. Cut the white portion from green onions; save for another use. Bend the green portion of onions in half for legs. Attach six legs to each pepper half with toothpicks. For eyes, cut olives widthwise in half; attach to grasshoppers with toothpicks. Fill pepper halves with dip. Yield: 12 cheese worms and 2 grasshopper bowls.

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Ladybug Cake 1 package (18 1/4 ounces) chocolate cake mix 1 1/4 cups water 1/3 cup vegetable oil 3 eggs 1 tablespoon mayonnaise 1 1/3 cups vanilla frosting Red paste food coloring 3 Boxes of Junior Mints 1 strip black rope licorice 1 piece black shoestring licorice In a large mixing bowl, beat the cake mix, water, oil, eggs and mayonnaise on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes.

Pour into a greased and floured 2-quart ovenproof bowl.

Bake at 350 F for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from bowl to a wire rack to cool completely. Place on a serving plate.

Place the frosting in a small mixing bowl. Reserve 4 tablespoons of white frosting to be used for eyes. Add red food coloring to icing for ladybug cake. Spread evenly over cake. For eyes, pipe reserved white icing in to a white oval for each eye. Place a Junior Mint on each oval for pupil. Arrange remaining Junior Mints on body for spots, pressing down gently. Cut rope licorice into six pieces; insert into cake for legs. Cut a small piece from the shoestring licorice; add for mouth. Yield: 12-16 servings.

The Cake Place

Cindy Jones and Lauren Stinson (left), mother-daughter coowners of The Cake Place in Russellville, graciously created the Ladybug Cake displayed in this feature. Visit www. thecakeplacebakery.com or call 968-8945 for more information about this River Valley dessert boutique.

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Taken hook, line & sinker Local pro angler talks fishing Story by Shane Crabtree

F

ishing resonates through history as a pleasurable summer pastime. Andy Taylor and his son, Opie, were headed to fish in the introduction of every Andy Griffith Show for years. Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer would spend hours on the riverbank with their homemade fishing poles.

Few things are as typifying of rural American pleasures as the sport of fishing. There is a feeling, a sense of emotion connected to fishing, whether for sport or recreation, that is indescribable by those who have never cast a hook and line.

Joan Craig, award-winning angler of London, knows the feeling well. Like Huckleberry and Tom, Craig spent her childhood outside, but with one exception — Craig had never gone fishing.

“I grew up around here as one of six children,” Craig said.

“I liked doing tomboy stuff more than girl stuff. My mother had us swimming before we could walk almost. But I just never fished.”

But that would soon change. In the early 80s, Craig began dating her future husband, Lester.

“Lester, he just loved fishing. He grew up fishing,” Craig said. “For our dates, he would take me out on his boat and he’d fish and I’d lay in the boat and sunbathe. One day, though, my curiosity just got too big and told him I wanted him to teach me how to fish, and he did.”

Lester took Craig out onto Lake Dardanelle. Lester, being

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RVL Magazine 29

the more experienced fisherman, used his open-faced reel — a rod and reel that leaves the fishing line coil exposed — while Craig used the common closed-faced reel.

Craig attempted to mimic Lester’s use of a buzzbait, a lure with blades designed to hover on the water’s surface.

“He caught two or three on his buzzbait, so I finally tied on a buzzbait and threw it in,” Craig said. “But the closed-faced reel doesn’t have the same line ratio as the closed-face, so I was having to reel fast to keep the lure on top the water. And then this fish blew up right out of the water and I was like, ‘Did you see that?’”

The excitement Craig encountered on her first fishing experience lit a passion for the sport within her.

Craig’s passion grew further when, in 1985, she joined Bass ‘N Girls, a local fishing club for women.

Craig began competing in tournaments with and against professional female anglers. Craig’s first tournaments were local, alternating locations such as Lake Dardanelle and Piney Bay. In the years that followed, Craig attended numerous national tournaments, placing high on statistic charts. In 2005, Craig competed in the Women’s Bassmaster Tour, placing 58th.

“I’ve traveled all over America for fishing tournaments and competitions,” Craig said. “I’ve won several, placed well in several and I’ve done bad in some, too. But what matters is that I had fun and I enjoyed it. Because no matter what it is, if you aren’t having fun, you just shouldn’t be doing it.”

Craig said she loves taking children and first-time anglers out onto lakes and helping them experience the thrills of fishing.

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“Fishing gives me a feeling like nothing I can get anywhere else, and I want people to have that opportunity,” Craig said. “If someone says that they don’t know how to fish or they are having trouble catching fish, then I’ll tell them to come and fish with me.

It only takes that one tug on the line and you’re hooked.”

“You’ve just gotta get that blood pumping and you will never want to stop fishing,” Craig said. “You’ll just be wanting to go out there again and again.”

For beginning local anglers, Craig said there are a few important tips to always keep in mind. They are as follows: • Pay attention to the weather — “The weather is the first prominent thing that determines what you need to do,” Craig said.

“If it’s a cool day outside but the sun is out shining on the water, the fish will stick to the shallows a bit more. But if the sun isn’t out and it’s cloudy, the fish retreat.”

• Test the water temperature — “Fish, especially bass, are lazy,” Craig said. “They like to just sit there and wait for their prey to get right in front of them before they bite. So pay attention to the temperature. It could tell you the depth to fish it for the best chance of bites.”

• Water clarity and using the right bait — “Depending on the area, season and the weather, water areas like Lake Dardanelle will change clarity a bit. Sometimes it will be muddy and brown and at others it will be a murky blue. If it’s muddy, you don’t want to

- CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11 -

use your clear water stuff.”

“Fish live in the water. They can’t see much more than you can,” Craig said. “You want to use bait and lures that mimics their normal prey but that stand out enough to draw that fish in.”

Craig said that although she can talk fishing with a new angler all day for days on end, that the words will never equal the experience.

“I can’t tell you what I know and then say to go fishing, it doesn’t work that way,” Craig said. “It’s an experience of learning all the time, every time. It’s a process.”

“Go out there and just have fun,” Craig said. “When the fish hits the hook and you set that hook, there’s just nothing like it. It’ll hook you for life, too.”

r valley

arkansas rive

Medical tory Direc20 13

and a husband to tend to, Grace realized she needed to devote more time to her own family. When her term ends this year, she will not return to her role as president of the organization.

“It got to the point when I realized I wasn’t doing a very good job being a mom or a wife,” Grace said. “I was just not listening.”

Spending more time with her family will take up the three to four hours dedicated to Habitat almost every night, Grace said.

Grace was blessed with two wonderful sons, she said, Ethan and Seth. Ethan, who recently graduated from Russellville High School, will attend Arkansas Tech University this fall with an academic scholarship. Seth will be a senior at RHS and continue playing soccer for the Cyclones, where he was a member of the state championship soccer team.

Danny recently retired from Entergy, and now that Grace works as Farm Credit Services’ project manager, the family will have more time for hobbies they all enjoy.

Though she will still volunteer with Habitat, Grace knows her heart is not complete without taking a break with her loved ones.

“I would not have been able to do all of it without them.”

More information about Habitat for Humanity of Pope County can be viewed online at www.hfhpca.org.

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RVL Magazine 31

- CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27 -

motion,” Bewley said. “But it’s an unnatural motion. For example, say you’re in your kayak. You’re upside down. What you have to do is turn your spine and bend until you’re in a c-position, and then you have to snap yourself into the other direction so that the momentum carries you over and spins the kayak back above water.”

Bewley said he practiced his Eskimo roll every Monday at the Arkansas Tech swimming pool prior to the pool’s closure and removal in 2011.

“They had kayaking practice on Mondays at the pool,” Bewley said. “I practiced my Eskimo for four months before I figured it out. Four months. It was hard. I watched a 10-yearold girl come in and get the roll down on her second or third try. It was embarrassing, but now that I know it, I know that I can handle any situation that comes my way.”

As an added experience bonus, Bewley said to get in touch with an experienced kayaker and learn from them.

“Find somebody that is better than you and latch on, learn all that you can from them,” Bewley said. “That’s my favorite part about kayaking. It’s the people. The people I’ve met are really good people and down right good friends. They’ll help you. Just ask.”

Bewley said to get involved with the Arkansas Canoe Club if interested in learning to kayak.

“The club is a great place to get started,” Bewley said. “You meet a lot of great people and you have a lot of fun. And working with other people is a big part of not getting discouraged. There are gonna be ups and downs, but don’t let yourself down.”

“The most important thing to remember about kayaking is that it’s not about anyone else,” Bewley said. “Don’t do what everyone else does. Know your own limits.”

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Play Time

column by Heather Sprinkle

S

ummer! In our family that signals one thing. Well, actually it signals several things.

First, it means later bedtimes for my son and daughter and since their waking up time doesn’t change, the later bedtime means I can expect more grumpy mornings.

Second, it means I’ve waited too long to make our camping reservations for our annual trip to Roaring River. So, there will likely be a vacancy during the week we want, but we probably won’t get our favorite spot.

And third, and perhaps most importantly (depending on who you ask) might be the fact that summer in the River Valley means the annual Summer Musical.

For the second year, my kids decided to audition for the play and once again talked me into participating too. So that means practice, practice and late evening practices….ugh. We’ve just hit the fourth week of practices for Oliver and I’ve hit the “why did I agree to do this again?” point.

This year it seems my son has decided to try method acting for his role in the pick pocket gang.

On the Monday afternoon of the second week of practice, his

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RVL Magazine 33

sister hit him in the face with a golf club while they were practicing for First Tee golf camp which began in June. He had half a “shiner” at practice. I don’t think anyone noticed, but I sure did.

The next afternoon he ran into twine wrapped around the fence posts in the back yard marking the new fence my husband is building. Luckily the horrible rope burn just missed his eye!

The welp turned bright red during rehearsal and many parents and kids asked about his “gash.” Over and over I explained it was a rope burn from the twine in the backyard marking the new fence in progress.

Wednesday passed with no new injuries, just his icky head burn that looked like a scratch.

Then while I was having lunch with friends on Thursday the school nurse called to tell me Arlis needed to see a doctor just in case he needed stitches… on the top of his head!

He’s wearing a white bandage wrapped completely around his head holding some gauze in place when I picked him up and the story was something “poked him in the head as he was walking to recess.”

He did indeed need stitches and missed play practice that night.

It’s been more than two weeks since his last incident, so we’re hoping he’s done with the method acting.

Ah, summer. So glad you’re finally here.

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Hot, hot, hot Local retailers offer must-haves for summer

S

ummertime in the Arkansas River Valley equals increased time outdoors enjoying the sunshine and taking advantage of the numerous activities offered in our own little paradise.

Aside from sunscreen and flip-flops (both summer staples for everyone) there are several must haves that can aid in the enjoyment of the great outdoors and keep residents safe, cool and stylish.

Shimmering Diamonds Available at Joshua’s Fine Jewelry Owner Chris George said that summer is the perfect season to showcase diamonds and Shimmering Diamonds add a touch of elegance to any outfit (hint, hint guys). They can even be worn while exercising, so runners, why not add a little shimmer to your day!

Delightful Smoothies Available at Health Food Gardens Brenda Ringhardt, owner of Health Food Gardens in Russellville, advises that smoothies are not only a refreshing way to hydrate, but also offer much needed nutrients to everyone’s diets. “Smoothies are a delicious and nutritious way to stay happy, healthy and cool in the summer.

We also offer soups, salads and sandwiches — all made from scratch with healthy ingredients.”

Summer Kimono/ Shirt Dress Available at Button Eyed Crow Brittany Duvall, owner of the girlie-girl boutique, the Button Eyed Crow in Pottsville, said the one must have fashion item for women this summer is the kimono shirt/ dress in a variety of styles, colors and patterns.

“Our kimono shirts are a must have this summer. They add a touch of elegance when worn as a cover-up and also look great paired with shorts or pants for any occasion.”

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RVL Magazine 35

Costa Eyewear Available at Lieblong Eye Clinic “Dark lenses don’t necessarily equal adequate protection from UV rays,” Chloe Lieblong advised.

“We carry several great lines that can be fitted with prescription lenses and offer maximum protection from UV rays. We added the Costa line this year in response to requests from locals who fish and want great eyewear that is also great for fishing.”

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Summer Hair Stuff Available at Shortcuts Salon Hair also needs a little added TLC during the summer and Shannon Short, owner of Shortcuts Salon in Russellville, suggested using leave-in products that contain sunscreen and products that give hair the illusion of beach hair without the hassle or the damage to create great summer “locks.”

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Kymco Agility 50cc Scooter Available at Hubbard ATV “The perfect fuel-efficient vehicle for teens to and from their summer jobs and those two-a-day practices,” Glen Hubbard said.

Suunto M5 Available at Feltner’s Athlete’s Corner “It’s a heart rate monitor with exercise guidance” Richard Feltner said. “Also new from Suunto is the Ambit2 R- a GPS watch made specifically for runners, available in white and black.”

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RVL Magazine 37

Hickey Pool Pass Available at the Hughes Center “It really is our most economic deal for families who want to utilize the pool all summer,” Mack Hollis advised. “Beat the heat, hang out and just have a good time at the pool this summer.”

Smoke Hollow SH7000 Grill Available at Atwoods Ranch & Home “The perfect grill for all of your summertime outdoor grilling needs,” Tiffany Holiman said.

Pocket Garden Hose Available at Leonard’s Hardware “The incredible expanding hose is a great item,” Lucy Carr said. “It’s three times stronger than a traditional hose and it comes in an itty-bitty package that actually fits in your purse.”

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CANYON COUNTRY story and photos courtesy of tech travel During the month of March, Tech Travelers enjoyed visiting the Canyon Country. The travelers flew into Scottsdale, Ariz., and this is where the adventure began. Immediately, they started with a Chili Cookoff in Scottsdale and the next day went to visit Old Scottsdale.

On their way to the canyons, they had a beautiful day in Sedona and managed to take a very rough jeep ride, which got them up close and personal with the terrain. Their next night and day was spent enjoying the magnificent South Rim of the Grand Canyon. After spending the night at the Grand Canyon and seeing the sunset and sunrise, this beautiful site reinforced their belief that this is one of the most beautiful sights in the world.

The next two days were spent at the Lake Powell Resort. After having a breakfast cruise on Lake Powell, the Tech Travelers went to Monument Valley and had a wonderful visit with the Navajo tribe members. Their last two canyons were Bryce and Zion. The formations at Bryce are called Hoodoos, which are created by wind and water erosions, and they are orange and red hues. Zion National Park was awe-inspiring, and the group had a great overnight within the park. Their last two days were spent in Las Vegas seeing shows, eating great food and relaxing. “What a wonderful, well-planned trip with the forces of nature continually amazing you throughout the trip!� Rita and Jeff Rotten commented.

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