Your Hometown Magazine
SearcyLiving.com
Your Hometown Magazine
SearcyLiving.com
Issue № 4 j 2010
Features Food - Fun & Competition
14
Taking The Gold
26
Hope Endures
28
Farm Family Of The Year
30
Forever Changed
32
The Power Of Prayer
34
A Second Helping
38
For A Lifetime
40
A Day For Advocates
42
Hope...Believe
44
Leading The Way
46
Cover Kid Contest
56
Memories of Melissa
66
Coats For Kids
68
Out & About With The Governor
70
Contents 30 Before you are a leader, success is about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is about growing others. ~Jack Welch
Departments Publisher’s Note
9
Out & About
10
Dinner & A Magazine
12
Living In Searcy
16
We The People
22
Manners of the Heart
27
Health
36
Got 2 Have!
37
Fashion Fun
60
Financial Focus
64
Games & Puzzles
72
46
On the Cover AVA WOODS Photo by George Dillin (501) 268-9304 www.georgedillinphoto.com
SearcyLiving.com
Publisher Christine Walker Business Manager Paul Parker Art Director & Webmaster Garrett Johnson Graphic Assistant Ikey Ray Customer Service Stephanie McInturff Editorial Assistant Cherie Sewell Makeover Coordinator Christine Locke Contributing Independent Photographers Maggie Hendrix (501) 388-3256 Homan Photography (501) 268-2844 Kimberly Brackins (501) 279-1515 George Dillin (501) 268-9304 Kylie Akins (334) 447-9290 Cassie Jones (501) 230-0539 Contributing Writers Cecelia Wilson Jessica Ardrey Kylie Akins
Searcy Living is Locally Owned and Operated 812 South Main Street Searcy, AR 72143 searcyliving@yahoo.com (501) 368-0095 SearcyLiving.com For subscription information go to SearcyLiving.com
Copyright 2010 Shark Promotions LLC. Searcy Living, Cabot Living, and Your Hometown Magazine are trademarks of Shark Promotions. All rights reserved. Ownership, rights, and logos are property of their respected businesses. No part may be reproduced without written permission. Shark Promotions LLC is not responsible for claims, misprints, discrepancies, advice of any kind, or content in advertisements or editorials, but will rectify errors in forthcoming issues. December 2009 - January 2010
CopyrightŠ 2010 Shark Promotions LLC
Searcy Living Magazine is a subsidiary of Shark Promotions LLC.
Your Hometown Magazine
Publisher’s Note
You Can...
A long time ago I read a true story about a six year old child who learned that a community in Africa needed water. He told his parents that he wanted to help. When their son would not stop talking about this, they did some research and found a charitable organization whose mission it was to put water pumps in needy countries. This small child started out by doing chores around the house and saving the change he made in a jar. When the small town he lived in heard about his mission, fundraisers were started and this six-year-old child headed and inspired the effort to raise over $20,000.00 for a well that was placed next to a school at his request. He wanted kids his age to have easy access to the water. Then he decided he wanted to meet the kids whom he had helped. His parents again thought this was an impossible venture, but his neighbors pooled together some frequent flyer miles and this child and his parents were soon on their way to Africa for a visit with some very excited school children. This Searcy Living parallels that story in so many different ways. Our Cover Kid, along with other children, helped raise money for the American Cancer Society (p56). The kids in the stories from Leading the Way inspire and encourage their peers to lead, motivate and change their community (p46). Teens and young adults who led and served on a recent mission trip learned to lead by serving (p32). The VBS kids at Higginson Baptist Church made a donation to the Foster Care Boutique, allowing us to re-organize with much needed new shelving just in time for the parents that consign with Rhea Lana’s to donate seven truck loads of clothing, which then brought forward around fifteen volunteers that included seven children/teens from various youth groups who helped to sort the clothing. This combined effort helped almost fifty foster children and former foster children in less than two weeks (p44). And these are just a few of the many stories in this issue. Don’t think you can make a difference? People representing almost every age group in this issue have a different message for you. If you choose to, you can. Thanks for reading Searcy Living magazine.
Forever Changed
was a trip that would “ This forever change my heart for missions and the people of Haiti. Page 32
”
Farm Family of the Year
Before the children were born, she would “ assist in driving a tractor (if needed) when not teaching school. ” Page 30
Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. ~John Wooden
Manners of the Heart
What do you really want for your “children? The attitude of your heart
determines the success your children will have in school and in life.
”
Page 27
SearcyLiving.com
OUT&ABOUT
“ Change your thoughts and you change your world. ” — Norman Vincent Peale
10 Your Hometown Magazine
Show your support for life and help raise money at the same time! Purchase an Official Choose Life Arkansas License Plate for the rear of your car. You can obtain one through direct purchase from the Department of Finance and Administration. Let’s make the readership of Searcy Living the BIGGEST supporters for life in the state!
“Happiness is a form of courage.” ~Holbrook Jackson
“The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself ” ~Benjamin Franklin
Find more OUT&ABOUT on SearcyLiving.com! SearcyLiving.com 11
d nner
& A Magazine Recipe Submitted by Miguel Espina Semi-sweet Dark chocolate (60/70% cacao) Milk Chocolate Heavy Whipping Cream White Chocolate bar Block for shavings Chocolate Butterflies for garnish, one each glass Blueberries, fresh or IQF Blackberries, fresh or IQF Raspberries, fresh or IQF
8 oz 8 oz 16 oz as needed 10 @ ¼ cup ¼ cup ¼ cup
Dark Chocolate Mousse Melt the dark chocolate in a double boiler so that the chocolate does not burn. Heat the chocolate slowly until it’s pretty hot, approximately 120°F - 130°F degrees measured by a candy thermometer. Whip the carton of 16 oz. heavy whipping cream to a soft peak. Fold approximately 1/3 of the whipped cream into the melted dark chocolate and mix very quickly with a whisk. Fold the mixture of chocolate and whipped cream into the remaining whipped cream. Fold just enough until well blended. Pipe the dark chocolate mousse into a martini glass, filling it about ¼ of the way.
Milk Chocolate Mousse
Miguel Espina
Melt the milk chocolate in a double boiler so that the chocolate does not burn. Heat the chocolate slowly until it’s pretty hot, approximately 120°F - 130°F degrees measured by a candy thermometer. Whip the carton of 16 oz. heavy whipping cream to a soft peak. Fold approximately 1/3 of the whipped cream into the melted milk chocolate and mix very quickly with a whisk. Fold the mixture of chocolate and whipped cream into the remaining whipped cream. Fold just enough until well blended. Pipe the milk chocolate mousse into a martini glass on top of the dark chocolate mousse, to about the 1/2 way mark of the glass. Using a chocolate shaver or sharp knife, shave the white chocolate into very thin curls. Gently place on top of the milk chocolate. Place the desserts in the refrigerator for 1 hour or more in order to allow them to “set”. When ready to serve, decorate the desserts with the chocolate butterflies, and the berries. Yield: 10 glasses (sized as shown)
12 Your Hometown Magazine
Recipe Submitted by Tanya Leckie I visited my Ma in Jonesboro one day and she had a pan of green beans “on to cook”. I sneaked into the kitchen and tasted one and boy, was it good! I think I asked her at least four times what she had added to those beans to make them taste so good, but she never answered me… she just kept talking about other things. I think before I left I had “tasted” about half the pan. I went home and invented my own version. I have no idea what she put in hers, but these are fabulous! You may add more or less of any of the ingredients, but these are approximate measures of how I make it. As my friend, Cheri, says, “You’ll be dreaming about them after the meal is over.”
16 oz pkg frozen cut green beans ¼ c sugar ¼ tsp salt 2 to 3 tsp bottled hot sauce
Place frozen green beans in a medium saucepan and add just enough water to get them wet, maybe 2 Tbsp., but make sure they don’t boil dry during cooking.
Tanya Turner Leckie’s cookbook, Cartwheels in the Kitchen, is available at Midnight Oil Coffee House, Harding University Bookstore, online at www. heylookicancook.com, and by contacting her at lazydaygourmet@ sbcglobal.net.
Add remaining ingredients and cook over medium heat, with the lid on the pan, until they are cooked well enough to fall apart. I normally cook mine for about 30 minutes. Serve hot.
Online Extra Find more recipes on SearcyLiving.com!
SearcyLiving.com 13
T
hose two words alone will spark anyone’s interest. The people at Searcy First Assembly of God knew that when they planned a cook-off as a fundraiser for their Royal Explorers children’s program. The event was not only a contest, but also a potluck and dessert auction. The contestants entered one of three categories: Main Dish, Side Dish or Dessert. The winners from each group received Pampered Chef gift baskets. “When those green beans won Best Side Dish, we about fell through the floor,”
said Rhonda Martin. “But I’ll tell you what, everyone went crazy for those green beans.” However, this was about more than friendly competition. Afterward, church members took the leftovers to factory workers and firemen. Who Dat’s even helped supply red beans and rice for the potluck. The occasion altogether raised over $1,600 with the help of a donation basket set up by the door. “We never want anyone to feel obligated,” said Martin, “but, people just want to give.”
Main Dish - Winners were determined by Judges tasting & scoring on score sheets Side Dish - Winners were determined by Judges tasting & scoring on score sheets Dessert - Auction was held - Winners were determined by Top 2 money makers.
Main Dish 1st - Kay Lawson Meatloaf 2nd - Kay Lawson Mexican Casserole Side Dish 1st - Shelley Faulkner Green Beans 2nd - Ollie Lorton Mexican Salad Dessert 1st - Ethan Martin Chocolate Chip Cookies 2nd - Pat Johnson Strawberry Pizza 3rd - Pastor Vernon Ables Hummingbird Cake Prizes were Prize Baskets with Pampered Chef & Accessories
A very big thank you to the Judges and to Mr. Willie Morgan for donating his services for the dessert auction. Thanks to Mr. Doug Stelley of Who Dat’s for furnishing Red Beans & Rice for the potluck. Royal Explorer sponsors that planned the event: Jason & Tracy Snowden, Wayne & Rhonda Martin, Billy Marsh. Thank you to all the volunteers who made this possible. 14 Your Hometown Magazine
INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 pounds ground beef 1 can 8 oz tomato sauce 1 medium onion 1/3 cup oats 1 egg 1 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. pepper
Lightly beat the egg, then mix with all ingredients. Put in loaf pan, cover with topping and bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours @ 350. Serves about 6 people.
TOPPING 1/3 cup ketchup 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
Preheat oven to 375. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in chocolate morsels and nuts (optional). Drop by tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
INGREDIENTS 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. salt 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened 3/4 cup granulated sugar 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 1 tsp. vanilla extract 2 large eggs 1 3/4 (11.5- oz. pkg.) mild chocolate morsels 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Makes about 5 dozen cookies.
Judges: Searcy Living’s Stephanie McInturff, Sheriff Ricky Shourd, Judge Mark Pate, Auctioneer Willie Morgan
INGREDIENTS 4-5 cans of green beans (drained) Sprinkle with garlic salt 1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup brown sugar Chop bacon and place on top
Mix butter & brown sugar together and melt in microwave. Pour over green beans. Place bacon on top. Bake @ 350 for at least 35 minutes Option - fry bacon, crumble it and mix it in with the green beans and then bake. Serves about 8 to 10.
SearcyLiving.com 15
in Searcy
At a glance, the Connell family may seem like an ordinary American family with a Dad, Mom, and two kids. A deeper look inside the lives of Patrick and Robin Connell shows the humility and willingness to give their
lives, not only to their own biological children, Olyvia, 10, and Caleb, 7, but to the many foster children who have passed through their lives in the last five years. During this time, Robin has worked at The Child
Safety Center (CSC) which provides child friendly forensic interviews, counseling, and many other resources for victims and families of reported abuse. She and Patrick also get to do something together that they love:
Architecture. Patrick Connell, owner of Connell-Williams Construction, has designed and built several homes for his family and many others. Two years ago, the Connells designed and built the home they live in today. Written by Erica Clause • Photography by Cassie Jones
16 Your Hometown Magazine
The Connell home has an old world feel with English/ European influences. At approximately 4500 square feet, the house, clad in a dark wood, rock, and brick exterior, creates a beautiful balance between form and function. It hosts 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, a spacious kitchen and dining room, a great room, a home office and a game room. Throughout the house, art flows gracefully with various pieces of artwork and photos by local and famous artists, as well as the Connells themselves. “My style of decor is eclectic,” Robin says. “I see things, ideas in magazines and in different homes and I think, ‘Hey, that will work.’” A hallway dressed with crown molding and rich hardwood floors guides you through the home. The dining room offers hospitality with comfortable, upholstered chairs, a striking chandelier and a beautiful rug bursting with the hues of its surroundings. An open great room boasts a stone fireplace overlooking leather furniture, recessed lighting, and a bold animal
skin rug. Inviting you into the kitchen are glazed custom cabinetry paired with granite counter tops. The brilliantly lit environment is perfect for preparing meals and entertaining friends and family. Flowing down a small hallway off the kitchen is a locker room. (Which Robin highly recommends for anyone building a new home or remodeling, especially if they have children). The children’s bedrooms are connected by a Jack and Jill style bathroom. Caleb’s room has an XGAMES type theme with bold colors of blue and orange, grounded by a deep brown. Extreme graphics on the wall and a custom shelf made from brightly colored skate boards make this room a great place for boys to hang out. Olyvia’s room is alive with vibrant colors of pink and lime green. A bright pink chandelier and canopy gives this room a sophisticated, but playful, flair. Upstairs, a game room awaits with room for a crowd or just family time.
The dining room offers hospitality with comfortable, upholstered chairs, a striking chandelier and a beautiful rug bursting with the hues of its surroundings.
SearcyLiving.com 17
The Connell Family Big Hog fans, the Connells decorated the home office with a collection of framed, vintage Razorback programs displayed on leathery walls created with a handcrafted technique. A tray ceiling made from a cedar awning left on the property warms the outdoor area in the backyard. This covered porch is a wonderful place to relax while grilling out or roasting marshmallows in the fire pit. The Connells love sharing their lives and home with others. Robin and Patrick say they wouldn’t have it any other way. Loving their children, foster children, and many others on a daily basis, this home provides a perfect environment for their busy lifestyle. Thank you Patrick and Robin for sharing your home with Searcy Living Magazine at OUR request.
18 Your Hometown Magazine
Olyvia’s room is alive with vibrant colors of pink and lime green. Above - Caleb’s room has an XGAMES type theme with bold colors of blue and orange, grounded by a deep brown.
SearcyLiving.com 19
Throughout the house, art flows gracefully with various pieces of artwork and photos by local and famous artists, as well as the Connells themselves.
Online Extra Go to SearcyLiving.com to see more home galleries!
www.SearcyLiving.com
The Connell home has an old world feel with English/European influences.
20 Your Hometown Magazine
SearcyLiving.com 21
We the People
Third Annual Art to Heart Benefit Changes Things Up The Art to Heart benefit dinner and art auction will be changing things up a bit this year. “The last two years have been a sit down dinner and auction of children’s and professional art. This year, we wanted it to be more interactive with people meeting up after work with friends and co-workers, enjoying time together while appreciating and buying art,” stated board member, Betsy Bailey. This year’s event will be held at the Robbins Sanford Building with heavy hors d’oeuvres being served. Go to SearcyLiving.com for event date and time. “We love the idea of utilizing the local art talent as a setting for helping the one in three abused children in White County,” offered forensic interviewer, Kathy Helpenstill.
G.R.I.T.S.
This year will be an Art show and sale with pre-determined prices. “People are welcome to come and network with friends and associates after work while choosing their favorite piece of art work,” suggested Executive Director Robin Connell. Corporate Safety Center Sponsors will receive complementary tickets. Individual tickets will be $35.00 and all proceeds will benefit the White County Children’s Safety Center located at 501 East Race in Searcy. White County Children’s Safety Center Robin Connell, WCCSC Executive Director; Janice McCutcheon, State Chapter President; and Kathy Helpenstill, Forensic Interviewer.
by Jessica Ardrey photos by Kylie Akins
Harley Hardtail. Miss Crasherella. Daisy Fever. Senorita Smasher. Scarlet O’Horror. If they were looking for names to strike fear into the hearts of people everywhere, these ladies have done it. Who are they? They are G.R.I.T.S., or, Girls Rollin’ In The South, a new roller derby team that has taken over Cabot. The team came together at the beginning of this year and has since grown and gained attention in the surrounding area. “I actually learned about it through Facebook,” said native Searcy girl Kerry Burleson, known as Harley Hardtail on the floor. “I’ve been doing it for three months now, and I absolutely love it.” The girls practice Wednesdays and Sundays from 7-9 p.m. at Joyland Skating Center in Cabot, and are now competing. Each skater is equipped with pads, a mouth guard, a helmet and an abundance of hot pink duct tape to keep it all in place. Elbows fly and women fall and the adrenaline is always high.
22 Your Hometown Magazine
Kathy Helpenstill at last year’s event
Girls Rollin’ in the South
Young children running around the rink serve as a reminder that these ladies are more than just competitors. “Even though our coach’s wife is on the team, when it’s derby time, we are all his girls. He cares about all of us and how we function as a team and as a family,” said Crasherella. “These are my derby sisters and they have my back. No matter what.”
SearcyLiving.com 23
We the People
Locks of Love
Bill Golla before
Hair stylist Shelly cutting 10 inches of Bill’s hair for Locks of Love
Hair stylist Shelly and Locks of Love donor Bill after the hair cut
Bill Golla, Owner of U.S. Truck Accessories, just made his third donation to Locks of Love. Shelly at Symmetrix Salon donated her time and cut Bill’s hair. Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to Locks of Love financially disadvantaged children in the United 234 Southern Blvd States and Canada under age 21 suffering from West Palm Beach, FL 33405 long-term medical hair loss due to any diagnosis. 561-833-7332 They meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair If you wish to donate, anyone can cut your hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by as long as the guidelines listed on LocksofLove. Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a org are followed. We encourage all of our medical condition called alopecia areata, which donors to go to a salon they are already familiar has no known cause or cure. The prostheses with to ensure their comfort when donating. they provide help to restore their self-esteem Link to Locks of Love on SearcyLiving.com. and their confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers.
Bill had Shelly leave some length in his hair so that he can donate to Locks of Love again as soon as possible.
Local Realtor® Lee Teed recently made a donation to Locks of Love also.
Elijah Cannon and Dylan Tippy would like to THANK THEIR SPONSORS for helping make the Searcy 14-Year-Old All Star Baseball team a reality. These players earned their 3rd consecutive State Championship this past summer. The team wants you to know they are proud to live in a community that believes in the values and lessons that sports can teach them.
24 Your Hometown Magazine
SearcyLiving.com 25
We the People
by Kylie Akins
Taking the Gold
F
rom playing in her front yard to making sports history, Augusta teacher and professional football player Brittany Reinbolt took the gold with the first USA Football Women’s National Team in the first Women’s Football World Championship. Throughout high school and college, Reinbolt could only watch as men played the professional game she longed to be a part of, while she was limited to neighborhood games and competing in track and field. Her father heard about the Women’s Professional Football League during her freshman year of high school, and she followed the league closely until she graduated from college at Wisconsin State University. After a lifetime of ragtag games and watching professionals from afar, Reinbolt joined the Wisconsin Wolves Women’s Professional Football League Team in 2007. In 2009, she joined the Los Angeles Amazons and remains on the team’s roster since there is no Arkansas professional team she can play with. This year, Reinbolt was chosen from 1,800 female football players in the USA Football League’s 51 full-tackle teams for the first national women’s football team. “Playing for Team USA was a lifelong dream come true,” Reinbolt says. “It was an honor to represent my country and be a part of something so much bigger than myself. It was great to join together with my biggest competitors and rivals from across the country to become one team with one
Brittany Reinbolt took the gold with the first USA Football Women’s National Team in the first Women’s Football World Championship. mission. Not to mention, this was the very first Women’s Football Team USA, so it was such a humbling experience to be able to help pave the path for the future of women’s football.” Team USA competed against professional women’s football teams from Austria, Brazil, Colombia, Germany, Finland, Sweden and Venezuela, and took the gold in the championship game against Canada July 4 in Stockholm, Sweden. When Reinbolt isn’t playing professional football, she teaches physical education and coaches basketball and track at Augusta High School. Although she says it’s difficult to find time for football and her full-time job, she is still returning to her teaching job after winning the gold. “I love the kids,” Reinbolt says. “I want God to make a difference in the lives of students through me. I know that I am far from perfect, but I want to be a good role model and motivate the students to do something big with their lives.”
“I want God to make a difference in the lives of students through me.” — Brittany Reinbolt
Women’s Football Team USA 26 Your Hometown Magazine
Reading, ’Riting, ’Rithmetic, and Respect
“It’s not whether you win or lose that counts, but how you play the game.” Another school year is underway. Between getting everyone dressed and out the door in the mornings, sports, homework, and bedtime, you might as well accept the fact that life is exhausting when you’re raising children. You’re going to lose more sleep, develop more ulcers, and turn gray at an earlier age because of your children. (My hairdresser will confirm the latter if you don’t believe me.) Being a parent is the toughest job you will ever take on. But, it’s also the most rewarding. You can make your job easier by allowing your children to take on age appropriate responsibilities. Notice that I said “allowing,” not “forcing.” Young children are eager to help. You’ve seen the delight in a child’s eyes when a task is successfully completed. It takes patience to allow your child to help in small ways. I know it will take twice as long to cook supper, but it’s a great way for your child to feel important. Many opportunities to teach responsibility before a child begins school are missed. Children rise to the level of expectation when it’s balanced with loving intention, which means teaching perseverance not performance. The process is more important than the outcome. Remember the old baseball adage, it’s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game that counts. Get your children involved as members of the family. Give each child a job to do that each is solely responsible for, such as, setting the table, emptying the garbage cans, bringing in the newspaper, or feeding the pets. Help your children form good habits before bad habits have a chance to form. Use bright colored plastic bins to create special places for school books and supplies for the next day. Once a week, leave little surprises for your children to find when they put their school stuff in their bin. Teach your children to hang their school uniforms on a doorknob before bedtime with socks and shoes sitting below. What is your end goal in raising your children? To be successful in life? To be rich? To be number one in class? To be the most popular, the most beautiful, the most handsome kids in school? Or is it to develop humble confidence? To be unselfish? To be the best that they can be? What do you really want for your children? The attitude of your heart determines the success your children will have in school and in life. Manners of the Heart is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community organization dedicated to transforming homes, schools, and communities through character education we call “Heart Work.” Our programs serve children and adults through professional instruction and application-level learning designed to build character, strengthen morals, and increase respectfulness. Manners are used as the teaching tool in our programs and are taught not as a set of rules, but as an attitude of the heart that is self-giving, not selfserving. SearcyLiving.com 27
“It is the deepest betrayal to be abused by someone that you love and someone you thought reciprocated that feeling.”
Endures by Ashton Reely
o you see her? She may be behind you in the doctor’s appointments and job interviews on time. Meeting just
supermarket line. She may be sitting beside you in the church pew. She may be wearing a smile at soccer practice to mask her pain. She is a victim of domestic violence. Statistics show that one in three women will suffer from abuse and violence during her lifetime. While this is clearly a violation of human rights, in many regions it still continues to be an invisible, unrecognized epidemic in present society. Part of this invisibility results from everyone’s assumption that such a monstrosity could not possibly take place within their circle of friends or welcoming community. Even young people are not immune to the outstretching influence of domestic violence. Forty percent of girls in the 14 to 17 age group report that they have known a girl their age that had been hit or beaten by a boyfriend; similarly, one in five female high school students say they have been physically or sexually abused by a partner. It is because of such hidden pain that groups like the White County Domestic Violence Prevention Program are so important. It is vital to have a group who is on your side; a group that understands that domestic violence comes in many forms and languages, has many colors and exists in varying socio-economic levels. In 1995, Karen Millar and Donna Lowery saw the need to have an outreach for victims of domestic violence. After calling then Mayor David Evans and setting up a 60-person meeting comprised of nurses, policemen and other community members, a 24-hour hotline was set in motion. In January of 1996, a board was formed with the help of the prevention program out of Batesville. A grant helped fund a full-time employee and a phone line, and the First United Methodist Church provided a building to use as a temporary shelter. Still a small operation, they have since added numerous services to help women regain their lives back. In addition to the hotline, they now provide a shelter for them, and supply them with food, clothing, shampoo and other daily necessities that they have left behind. Because many come without vehicles, and to ensure their absolute safety, transportation is offered to help them get to 28 Your Hometown Magazine
their physical needs is an incredible blessing, but the shelter here strives to do so much more than that. “We provide classes for them,” director Kaye Candlish said. “First of all, on the dynamics of domestic violence, because they always come in and say, ‘It was my fault. I shouldn’t have talked back to him.’ So we help them see that it’s not their fault and that they didn’t deserve this.” They also teach them how to be effective in a job interview, how to write a resume and they help them build financial management skills. Additionally, they are put in contact with legal services and other places that provide services that the shelter doesn’t offer. Most importantly, the women are given a sense of hope, said Candlish. “We help them set goals for themselves. They are having to completely rebuild their lives and that’s just overwhelming. If you are looking at having to make all these changes, it can just be paralyzing, so we help them break it down into manageable steps.” According to Candlish, the shelter’s location in White County has been such a blessing because of the people’s generosity and support. Other community shelters have not been so fortunate. There is always room, however, for an even bigger outpouring of assistance. “I want the community to know [domestic violence] happens here, and these women are trapped in a situation they can’t get out of,” Candlish said. “It’s not because they want to. They don’t want to be abused; they don’t want to be beaten, but they can’t get out of that situation. That’s what we’re here for, to help them get out of that situation, and the community can help us do that.” Donations are one major way the community can help. It takes money to run the program, so cash is always much-needed, but other donations are very much appreciated as well. When women move into an apartment, for example, donated furniture, dishes and other household items help her start from scratch. If unable to help financially, volunteers of all kinds are always needed to keep the 24-hour program running constantly. Candlish went on to commend White County for its tremendous support of what they are trying to do at the shelter and thanked
law enforcement for all they are doing to keep these women safe. “I need to brag on White County law enforcement. The sheriff’s office, the Searcy police department and other law enforcement areas in White County are all very supportive of our program. If there are any safety issues, law enforcement people have brought them to the shelter for us. If that information is out there, there might be less fear of abusers following us. I never mind having law enforcement know how much I appreciate them. They are awesome.” If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, it is very crucial that the person call the 278-4673 (278-HOPE) hotline before taking matters into their own hands. Each circumstance is considered individually and a safety plan that meets their particular needs is created. Domestic violence is far more than physical pain; it goes beyond bruises, scars and cuts. It is the deepest betrayal to be abused by someone that you love and someone you thought reciprocated that feeling. Estimates reveal that approximately 3 million incidents of domestic violence are reported each year in the United States. It has been stated that if the numbers we see in domestic violence were applied to terrorism or gang violence, the entire country would be up in arms, and it would be the lead story on the news each night. Instead, it is something that is often overlooked and unnoticed. With our local law enforcement and the prevention program leading the way, it is time for this community to be up in arms about the situation at hand. With our money, our time and our prayers, maybe these women will finally be more than a statistic in a book; they will be a success story ready to be written.
White County Domestic Violence raises money with an annual golf tournament. These funds provide education, training, shelter and healing for victims of domestic violence. You too can have the opportunity to help sponsor, as this tournament is an annual event.
The Twice as Nice Children’s Consignment Sale is another event that aids the White County Domestic Violence Prevention program. The consignors of the Twice as Nice sale have been very generous over the years in their willingness to pass along leftover items to groups and organizations in need of children’s items. SearcyLiving.com 29
By Michael Oxner • Photography by Kylie Akins
Congratulations to the Oxner family - Farm Family of the Year. Michael Oxner shares a few thoughts and a bit of Oxner family history.
by farming, I spent my childhood on the farm with my grandfather, watching and learning everything he did. When I was ten years old, my grandfather helped me plant two acres of soybeans in the garden spot beside our house on R.E. Short Farm in Moro, AR. I plowed them myself with a John Deere MT with a two row belly mount cultivator. I furrow irrigated them with one inch PVC pipe with holes drilled on 38 inch centers. I sold my first beans at Riceland Food in Wheatly, AR, and I was hooked at the age of ten. I continued to work on the farm from then until my graduation from high school in 1986. That fall, I enrolled at the University of Arkansas at Fayettville and majored in Agriculture Business Finance. In 1989, with the help of my grandfather, father, and brother, I rented 700 acres to farm on my own while still attending college in Fayettville. I received my Bachelor Degree in Agriculture in 1990. In 1992, I rented 3,200 acres in Lee County, all of which was dry soybeans. I later included cotton and corn in my crop mix and added irrigation. I continued to farm while pursuing and receiving my Master’s Degree from the University of Arkansas in 1996. As goes the life of a tenant farmer, I rented several farms until the opportunity to rent the Bald Knob National 30 Your Hometown Magazine
Wildlife Refuge in White County arose. I have been farming now for 22 years, and as one can see, farming has always been my passion. Sarah has had to learn row crop farming since meeting me 17 years ago, but she is no stranger to the farming occupation. Being from Marshal in North Arkansas, her early experiences were in the beef cattle industry. Her dad has owned E. Daniel Hardware, which used to be known as “The Farmer’s Exchange of Searcy County,” her entire life. In her younger years, she not only worked in the store assisting area farmers, but she also helped her grandfather and uncle on their cattle farms. She bottle fed baby calves, helped feed and water the herd, helped with yearly vaccinations, and helped gather cattle when it came time to take them to sell. She trained and showed cattle at the County Fair throughout her childhood. A large number of her family members (including her twin sister and her family) still farm cattle today. Sarah graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education in 1994. She taught school for the Little Rock School District while pursuing her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education at the University of
Arkansas at Little Rock, which she earned in 1998. She taught in the Little Rock School District for eight years and in the Beebe School District for two years until our first child was born. She now works full-time in our home, balancing the book work for the farm and home and caring for our three young children who are 5, 3, and 2. She keeps the books for our household and farm, runs errands for the farm, brings lunch to the field when needed, picks up parts, assists our accountant, and offers whatever support is needed.
I sold my first beans at Riceland Food in Wheatly, and I was hooked at the age of ten. Before the children were born, she would assist in driving a tractor (if needed) when not teaching school. In addition to working in the home and for the farm, she volunteers in our church and community. She is involved in our church as an AWANA instructor, summer Bible School teacher, pre-school worship teacher (Quarterly) and serves on the Mom’s and Me committee. She also volunteers as a homeroom mom and guest reader in our daughter’s kindergarten class and attends all trips and events as a parent volunteer. She is a life member of the Searcy Junior Auxiliary where she served our community as a volunteer for Angel Tree, Food Baskets, A Day of Caring, Shots for Tots, Covering Kids, the Sunshine School, Special Olympics and the JA Scholarship Committee. She served as JA Parliamentarian, cotrainer for a provisional class, Auction Co-chair for the Charity Ball, and Chair of the Covering Kids Committee. She is serving on the Pillars of Health Committee for White County Medical Foundation and is a member and serves as Vice-President for P.E.O. Chapter CT of Searcy. As part of our farming agreement with the US Fish and Wildlife, we provide water impoundments for migratory birds and also a venue for bird watchers who frequently visit the Bald Knob Wildlife Refuge. We flood fields in the fall for public hunting and provide a sanctuary for over wintering migratory water fowl. We grow rice, millet, corn, and native grasses to leave in some fields, which provides food for wildlife.
SearcyLiving.com 31
by Chris Massey
I
n April of 2009, myself and several others embarked on a trip to Montrouis, Haiti. This was a trip that would forever change my heart for missions and the people of Haiti. When I moved to Searcy to take the Student & Family Pastor position at Fellowship Bible Church, I knew I wanted to give that opportunity to others. In September, I got a team together for a trip to Haiti. We had 16 spots available and filled them quickly. We started praying and raising support right away. We were excited with anticipation of the plans God had in store for us and the people of Haiti we would be working along side. Matthew 28:19, tells us to “Go” and that is exactly what we wanted to do! On January 12th a devastating earthquake hit the nation of Haiti. This earthquake drove a nation already filled with poverty into even more despair. As the severity of this new disaster unfolded, the hearts of our team and church were heavy. We spent a lot of time in prayer for them and immediately served by sending funds to Samaritan’s Purse. 3.7 million people were impacted by the quake, that is almost the same amount of babies born in the United States each year. This statistic was hard to believe. I couldn’t help but think that our trip might be put on hold, even though we were not supposed to leave till June 5th. We could do nothing but pray and continue to raise funds for the trip and the supplies we would take with us. God provided! Finally, the night of June 5th came and we were off on a mission trip we felt God had been calling us to do all year. When we arrived, the devastation we were expecting was not right away visible at the airport. We came out of the airport and what we encountered was unbelievable. The devastation was mind numbing. The poverty was more severe than anything we could have anticipated. I just prayed for God to give our team strength as we saw this, and He did. The further we drove in the rain the more tears fell. We had been in Haiti for 2 hours and the team was already in shock. The Cannan Orphanage is located in Montrouis, Haiti and is home to over 70 children. The orphanage felt the earthquake, 32 Your Hometown Magazine
but was not destroyed by the tremors. Many children spoke of that day and how they had lost loved ones or some were still missing. Canaan is an oasis of hope and safety in the midst of poverty and despair unimaginable to most Americans. The efforts of Sister Gladys, Pastor Henri, and their staff, along with the time and money donated by volunteers from around the world, provide these children with food, shelter, an education, and most importantly, love. Our job while we were there was to love on children and that was exactly what we were able to do. When we were working on different activities at the orphanage, we always had a child beside us helping us with our task. While many of us helped a couple of times by going to get water for the orphanage, some helped in the school and the medical clinic that Canaan provides as an outreach to the community. A special thanks to Larry’s Pizza and McAlister’s for opening their doors for several fundraisers, along with Searcy High School for donating soccer uniforms, soccer balls, and basketballs for us to give to the children. At the end of the week we were able to put those items to good use and partake in a big soccer/basketball tournament that was happening in the town. As our time came to a close at Canaan, I wondered really how the week in Haiti had affected the group personally and as a whole. We really got to see the world through the eyes of Christ. Tears fell once again as our hearts became one in Haiti. It was hard to say good-bye, but we trusted God had a master plan and would continue to provide for these kids. That week will forever change our team’s view of others in Haiti, as well as back in the states. Haiti still has an urgent crisis, and the world has responded. We now need to look ahead and help Haiti in its long-term recovery. We feel Canaan Orphanage is helping in the longterm recovery effort. If you would like more information about Canaan Orphanage or on how you can help, check them out online at http://www.canaanorphanage.org.
“ Matthew 28:19, tells us to “Go” and that is exactly what we wanted to do!
”
“ We really got to see
the world through the eyes of Christ.
”
SearcyLiving.com 33
Written by Norman Hale Photography by Kylie Akins The Hale Family
I
n June of 1991, I graduated from the Law Enforcement Academy in Camden, Arkansas. I had become a full time certified Law Enforcement Deputy with the White County Sheriff’s Department. Since third grade I had dreamed of being in Law Enforcement. I did not know it, but in four months I would be fighting for my life. It started in September of 1991, when I had the flu. The doctor gave me medication and I got better. When the medication ran out, I got sick again and went back to the doctor. Again, another round of medication and I got better. When it ran out, I got sick again. I remember working the night shift at this time. I had worked an accident and taken a few reports before eating and getting sick, then calling in sick for the rest of the shift. The next day, at the doctor’s office, I told him I had to get well, so he took blood to test and sent me home. I stayed cold all the time, lying under five blankets in the bed. My wife, Tonia Hale, came in and said we needed to go to the hospital. I remember asking her who was sick, and, with tears in her eyes, she said, “You are.” Some things from this point I remember and some were told to me later. I entered the hospital and began receiving the first of 15 blood transfusions I would receive over the next three months. The doctor had told Tonia he did not know if the transfusion would kill me or I would live. You see, at this time I had only one third blood volume, and the doctor did not know why I had lost blood. 34 Your Hometown Magazine
I think it was the next day when a specialist by the name of Dr. Ketel came to the hospital room to see me. She was a nephrologist. Tonia was lying in the bed beside me, holding my hand. Dr. Ketel stood at the end of the bed and at first did not speak, but was looking around the room. I don’t remember if it was Tonia or I that asked, “Can we help you?” Dr. Ketel introduced herself and began reading numbers from a blood lab result. It was all Greek to us, so we stopped her and asked if she had ever seen this before. She responded, “Yes,” and began reading the lab results again. We stopped her again and asked where she had seen them before. Dr. Ketel stood silent for a moment. She said, “I have seen them in two cases before. In someone unconscious or dead, but I have never in my career seen these kinds of numbers in a person that was conscious, let alone worked in the kind of job you do.” She then began to explain that I had kidney failure and I learned what all of the numbers from the blood labs meant. I lived on dialysis for the next few months and my dream of Law Enforcement was beginning to be in doubt. The White County Sheriff’s Department was very supportive. I would go to dialysis three times a week in uniform. I would sit attached to a machine for three hours, and then walk out the door, get in my patrol car and check in for service. To continue in my career, I would have to have a kidney transplant. My mother, Mary Hale, was tested to see if she was a match. A match she was, and in January
“Never question God’s plan for you.
He works His miracles in His own way.” of 1992 I received a kidney. After surgery, blood began to show in the catheter. I was rushed back to surgery. I can still remember the pressure of the scalpel as it cut me back open before I was asleep. The kidney had to be fixed where a blood vessel was leaking. This burst the kidney, but it was the only choice the doctor had or I would bleed to death. As a result, I would need another transplant. As many others have done when times get hard, it was during this experience I asked God, “Why me?” I did not have an answer and came to conclude that God had his own agenda for my life and I must accept it as it is and move on. I began to learn the power of prayer. During the next year, my father, Norman Hale, Sr., was tested for a kidney match. In January of 1993, I received a kidney from my dad. Things went as well as could be expected for the next few years. Then I began to have knee pains and in early 2000 learned that I was having hip problems, the result of long term steroid use. Steroids are a regular part of the medications I must take daily to keep the transplanted kidney from rejection. I was told to wait as long as I could before hip replacement because at my young age I would most likely need another hip replacement in my later years. I made it until the fall of 2007, and it was time. I had bilateral hip replacement and life became much easier. Again, I settled into my life and day to day activities. Thanksgiving of 2009 I did not feel well. I stayed in bed Friday morning with stomach pains, but was better that afternoon and spent time with visiting family. Saturday morning, November 28th, after taking my regular medications, I became ill and was not able to hold the medications down. When I get sick and cannot hold down my anti-rejection medications, I have to go to the hospital for fluids. So, I went to the hospital. X-rays showed I had a bowel obstruction. On December 2nd, they surgically removed 6 inches of small intestine. Doctor Gibbs sent it off for testing, as a routine. To everyone’s surprise, the results came back as cancer. The preliminary results showed I had sarcoma cancer. The tumor had been sent to Emery University for further testing, but it appeared my life would not be long. Many prayers were lifted up and everywhere I went someone would tell me I was on their prayer list. The next week I was at the oncologist and was told the final results of the tumor test. I had lymphoma not sarcoma. Prayers had been answered, because I was very treatable. A PET scan was set up for January 8th, 2010. This test would show where any more active lymphoma was in my body. I continued to receive prayers on my behalf and the prayer chain continued. I have no idea how far the prayer chain went, but God was listening. The PET scan showed no more active cancer in my body. I would receive one treatment a week for the next eight weeks, as a prevention plan. I now have part of the answer I had asked God in 1992, “WHY ME?” You see, if I had not had a kidney transplant, I would have stayed home sick on November 28th, thinking I had a stomach bug. I have since learned that what I had could have killed me in a short period of time. Staying home fighting a stomach bug would have killed me. Surgery saved my life. Then, the blockage came back as cancer. If the blockage had not occurred, the cancer would not have been removed, then later it would have grown throughout my body. Again my life was saved, all from kidney failure in 1991. Lesson learned? Never question God’s plan for you. He works his miracles in His own way. We do not have to understand why what is happening to us is happening. Have faith in God and he will work miracles in your life. You just have to give Him control and accept the life He gives you. God is listening to your prayers. Like a parent, He does not always give us what we want, but what we need. To all those who prayed, I thank you. May God return to you one hundred fold in blessings, as you have blessed me. To my family, you have been by my side as we have traveled through life. It is the support and love I always knew would be there that has given me my strength and faith. I love every one of you: My family - Tonia, Jacob, and Paige.
SearcyLiving.com 35
Thirty Seconds to Live by Dr. Tim Kamerman
A colleague recently asked me this question: If you had thirty seconds left to live, what are three things you would tell your children that are the most important things that you have learned to live a happy life? It took a little thinking before I put it to paper. My answer has nothing to do with obtaining the biggest house or the finest car or traveling to the most exotic places. Don’t get me wrong. Those are all nice things, but have nothing to do with happiness per se. So, number one at the top of my list was to accept Christ as Savior and give of yourself in service. From my perspective, if you don’t have that, nothing else matters. Number two, to live congruently, or living what you believe, with character. Some people call it walking the talk. Many times we can give lip service to what we believe and yet there is no congruency or matching up to what we say. I find the character traits found in the character first program to be highly advantageous to reviewing ones own character. And number three is to live life with discipline: to train or to develop by instruction or to bring one self under control. Many times we live what we believe or say what we believe, but yet do we do it consistently day in and day out? This takes discipline. Many people are disciplined in one aspect of their life, like playing sports, and yet are not disciplined in their daily lives according to their belief system. So, there you have it. My answer to the
36 Your Hometown Magazine
tough question. These are things that in my profession as a health care provider also make a difference regarding a person’s overall health. We spend much of our time helping patients to create discipline and living a more consistent healthy life style. So, now my question to you is: What would be the most important things to you if you only had thirty seconds to live? Think about it.
About Dr. Kamerman Dr. Tim Kamerman is the founder of The Chiropractic Care Clinic on Hawkins Drive in Searcy. If you have any questions, comments, or would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kamerman, please call (501)268-2273.
2 ot ghave!
iConsign-furniture
• Selling furniture on consignment. • Estate sales once a month. • High end furniture. www.iConsign-furniture.blogspot.com Contact Amy (501) 993-6800 amyrwhite5@gmail.com
Searcy Florist
We support the Lions! We offer Lion merchandise, gifts, and homecoming corsages. 1507 W. Pleasure, Searcy (501)268-0240
SearcyLiving.com 37
P
lastic cups in an assortment of colors floated in the tub of soapy water like boats on the Mekong River. The cups were being scrubbed in their morning ritual before loaded on to the back of a truck alongside containers of powdered milk and peanut butter made from local produce. When sacks of crusty rolls had been wedged into the last remaining space, the truck eased on to the highway in route to the first of five villages scattered around the outskirts of Phnom Penh. On an earlier trip to Cambodia, I had heard about this particular “Nutritional Feeding Program for Children” sponsored by Partners in Progress, a non-profit, faith-based organization headquartered in Little Rock, AR. Poor nutrition in children during the pre-adolescent years of life often contributes to delays in both mental and physical development. The objective of this program was to offer fortified milk and peanut butter to young children who are malnourished. Monitored growth and development had confirmed success. Standing at the back of the truck, I waited while the children in the village formed two lines. One by one they came to me, each with his hands held together in front of his chest offering the traditional gesture of greeting and appreciation. In exchange, I handed each one a piece of bread smeared with peanut butter, a cup of milk and a permanent place in my heart. Although I left Cambodia a short time later, I never left the children behind. Their faces became the impetus for A Second Helping, LLC, and after years of planning, A Second Helping opened in April, 2010, to invite the children of the world to share a meal at your table. When food is purchased at A Second Helping, a portion of the proceeds is donated to non-profit programs, such as Partners in Progress, which are dedicated to the relief of hunger in children around the world. As a registered dietitian, I am interested in not only what we eat but also in how and where we consume it. While fast food offers convenience, it rarely promotes home-based hospitality and a relaxed atmosphere for dining. Meals at A Second Helping are prepared daily with fresh ingredients and packaged in carry-out containers safe for both the oven and microwave. A rotating menu of casseroles with an assortment of vegetables and desserts presents an opportunity for families to gather at home for a meal without the hassle of preparation and clean-up. Dinner at home can be ready in a matter of minutes. During the past decade, I have shared meals with children from Haiti to Zambia to Cambodia, and I have enjoyed generous hospitality in humble settings. You will notice in our store window an oversized table which was custom built as a gift. Instead of individual dining chairs, there are benches along each side of the table reminding me that there is always room for one more guest at any meal. Out of sight at one end of the table is a small bronze plate inscribed with the words, “May those who come to this table be blessed.” At A Second Helping the children of the world are always welcomed. You will find our doorway a few steps west from the court square in downtown Searcy at 213 West Arch Street. Hanging on our walls are the faces of children who will never know you by name, but will know that you love them when they receive a cup of milk and a piece of bread. We look forward to meeting you and hope you will partner with us as we work to “Feed Your Family—Serve the World.”
38 Your Hometown Magazine
Allison Justus of A Second Helping helps feed children in Cambodia. When food is purchased at A Second Helping in Searcy, a portion of the proceeds is donated to non-profit programs.
A Second Helping 213 W. Arch • Searcy, AR • (501) 279-2001 www.a2ndhelping.com and Facebook Open Mon-Thurs 10:30-5:30, Fri 10:30-2:30
By Dan Newsom
40 Your Hometown Magazine
“Give a person a fish and you can feed them for a day. Teach them how to fish and you can feed them for a lifetime.” This is the philosophy of the White County Single Parent Scholarship Fund, Inc. The White County Single Parent Scholarship Fund, Inc., awards scholarships to single parents who are attempting to finish their college education and provide a better life for themselves and their children. According to WCSPSF Executive Director, Dan Newsom, “There are over 97,000 single parent families in the U.S., and 50% of those families are living at poverty level. In White County, we have 1,851 single parent families with 43% living at poverty level. The goal of the WCSPSF is to break the cycle of poverty and give these families a chance for a better life.” Since its beginning in 1999, the WCSPSF has awarded 253 scholarships valued at $114,562.00. The program has been very effective over the years. According to Newsom, “The WCSPSF has a retention rate of 86%. The national college retention rate is 40%. The average age of our scholars is 31, and they are very motivated.” One of the WCSPSF success stories is Judy Collins. Collins grew up in Searcy and attended Searcy High School, graduating in 1977. Judy became a single mom. Her son, Jordan, is now 14. Collins took a few college courses over the years and gradually became actively involved in the community. She organized a neighborhood youth block party and co-founded and served as President of Concerned Citizens for a Better Community in Searcy. This resulted in Collins being named Woman of the Year in 2004 for White County by the Kensett Civic Awareness Club for her diverse leadership. Collins also served on the steering committee for White County Involved in Substance Abuse Eradication. For these volunteer services, she was named the James R. Stover Community Volunteer of the Year by the Eaton Corporation. Collins eventually met WCSPSF board member, Cheryl Cherry. Cherry encouraged Collins to become a board member of the WCSPSF. Collins relished her new involvement with the WCSPSF and eventually served as board treasurer. After serving on the WCSPSF board and seeing what was being done to help the single parents in White County complete their college degrees, Collins decided to return to college and applied for her own WCSPSF scholarship. Collins was approved for the Bald Knob Rotary Club WCSPSF scholarship and enrolled at Harding University, where she eventually earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science. She is currently working in the Harding University Career Center via an Assistantship and working on her Master’s Degree in School and Clinical Counseling. Commenting on what she wants to accomplish in life, Collins stated, “It is my desire that the students whom I interact with will be a productive part of society by volunteering and performing community service. Along with these ideas is also an inherent desire to build the self-esteem of my students and allow them opportunities to open themselves up and let others see their inner selves.”
Collins had this to say about her assistance from the White County Single Parent Scholarship Fund, “If not for being a WCSPSF recipient, these accomplishments would have created a financial burden for me. The encouragement of other leaders guided me and showed me that I could accomplish anything to which I put my mind. Thanks WCSPSF for allowing me to serve on your board of directors and for awarding me a scholarship which helped me achieve my dreams of a higher education.” According to Newsom, the WCSPSF has a goal in 2010 of awarding 46 scholarships with a value of $29,900. The budget of the organization for 2010 is $30,500, which means that all funds raised by WCSPSF are used for scholarships, except for $600, which is used for incidental expenses. The WCSPSF is directed by a board of 17 volunteers. Newsom’s salary has been provided by a 2-year grant from the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund. Funding for the scholarships comes from grants, partial assistance from the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund, donations, and fund raisers. According to Newsom, the organization’s largest fund raiser is a Bunko Extravaganza, which will be held on Saturday, October 2. Last year’s event raised over $12,000 for WCSPSF. To qualify for a scholarship, an individual must be a single parent with a child under the age of 18, be a single head of household, have completed high school or have a GED, and be enrolled in a post-secondary school with the goal of achieving skilled employment. A successful candidate must also have applied for a Pell grant and must maintain a 2.5 GPA. According to Newsom, a committee of board members reviews the applications and verifies the applicants’ eligibility. “That’s one of the reasons why our success rate is so high,” Newsom explained. “Each candidate is carefully screened before selection. Only those applicants who truly qualify and who show the best chance of success are selected.” Give a person a fish and you can feed them for a day. Teach them to fish and you can feed them for a lifetime. Ask Judy Collins. With the help of the White County Single Parent Scholarship Fund, she’s preparing herself for a lifetime of success. Those interested in applying for a WCSPSF scholarship may go to the organization’s website at www.aspsf.org/county_white.html. Interested individuals may also contact Newsom at 501-230-2414 or fabfour64@sbcglobal.net.
For more great inspirational stories go to
SearcyLiving.com
SearcyLiving.com 41
A Day For Give the gift of safety and love. Be an advocate for a child. Become a foster parent, CASA volunteer, or give financially to an organization that serves abused children (such as an emergency shelter or the Safety Center). Everyone can help in some big or small way. Statistics say that 95% of the time kids tell, nobody does anything. Lets change that statistic.
Love, safety, not being beaten or molested. Some things most take for granted. But the sad truth is that one out of every six girls and one out of every eight boys are molested before the age of eighteen and child abuse runs rampant through even the best of communities. The Child Abuse Awareness Seminar was an event that brought teachers, ministers, foster parents, CASA, law enforcement, medical personnel, DHS workers and others who care about helping children together. The speaker, Barbara Marek, did a great job with her presentation. The 1-day seminar was held at Harding University with almost 200 in attendance and the evening seminar was held at the First Baptist Church with around 50 in attendance. Thank you to our sponsors for making this special day a reality: a special day for advocates of abused children to gather.
“I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the Child Abuse Awareness Seminar with speaker Barbara Marek. Although the class was on a topic most individuals do not like to think about, I found the information to have useful tools for my line of work. I enjoyed Barbara Marek’s techniques and skill. She is a gifted speaker and I would definitely attend another class presented by her. I sincerely thank Searcy Living Magazine and all the program sponsors for assisting with the seminar and helping to open the eyes of those who want to keep “Child Abuse” hidden. Thanks again.” ~Inv. Anne Rigsby Searcy Police Department’s Crimes Against Women Unit
“We know it was what needed to be heard but was very hard to take (the reality of child abuse in every community). It was so worth the time to go and hear all the storys that hit home in so many ways.” ~Charles & Gena Glenn - Foster Parents
“It was such an honor to be a part of such a wonderful group of people. Just when I start thinking that there are not any “good” people left in the world, God sends me to Searcy, AR! Wow, what a great community, with so many great folks.” ~Barbara Marek, Advocate for sexually abused children and speaker at our Child Abuse Awareness seminar held on Aug. 3rd.
“Barbara Marek’s presentation was thorough, well organized and full of compelling examples. We had 15 (White County) CASA volunteers attend and I wish that all my CASA volunteers could have been there to be inspired and informed by Barbara. The setting was perfect and the extra touches in decor and the wonderful meal made everyone attending feel honored to be invited. With almost 200 in attendance, it was especially encouraging to see how many people are all working for the children in White County. Thanks again for a great seminar experience.” Nita Cochran Executive Director, White County CASA 42 Your Hometown Magazine
Advocates
Program Sponsors Simpson, Simpson & Collier Law Firm Valley Baptist Church River of Life Church CASA Fellowship Bible Church White County Children’s Safety Center Searcy Living Magazine Cloverdale Church of Christ Complete In Christ Haymond Insurance Life Church First Baptist Church Lunch Sponsors Searcy Living Magazine Harding Place Door Prize Sponsors Artistic Florist First Security Bank Gourmet Gift Basket ASU Beebe ORR Toyota Chesapeake Energy Staples Hays Charlie’s Auto Paint & Body Carren’s Flowers Searcy Living Magazine Stanley Pharmacy Simmons Bank White County Medical Center 1st Southern Bank
“They say God moves in mysterious ways, but tonight’s generosity and compassion from the congregation at First Baptist Church in downtown Searcy was no mystery. Time and time again the youth, the parents and grandparents show an amazing devotion to the needs of foster children in White County. The way they supported the Searcy Living Magazine’s presentation of the Child Abuse Awareness Seminar, its awesome speaker and attendees was simply from the heart and soul. Thank you, thank you and may God continue to bless the church and everyone within its walls every day of your lives.” ~Paul Parker - Foster Parent
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Thank you to the VBS kids at Higginson Baptist Church who made a donation to the Foster Care Boutique, allowing us to re-organize with much needed new shelving just in time for the parents that consign with Rhea Lana’s to donate seven truck loads of clothing, which then brought forward around fifteen volunteers that included seven children/teens from various youth groups who helped to sort the clothing. This
combined effort helped almost fifty foster children and former foster children in less than two weeks. If you would like to help the foster children, there is always a need for socks and under clothes (we accept used clothing but new only for socks and underwear please). For more information please go to SearcyLiving.com
Before After
to Rhea Lana’s for the donation made to the Foster Care Boutique. A lot of children have and will benefit from your generosity!
For more information on the Searcy Living Foster Care Boutique, please go to 44 Your Hometown Magazine
photo by Zoe Portrait Art
SearcyLiving.com
75
Years Strong
Congratulations to the White County Fair!
SearcyLiving.com 45
by Kylie Akins & Jessica Ardrey
Photography by Kylie Akins
is a program open to 4-H, Future Farmers of America, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes members in elementary and high schools across the county. The program seeks to recognize students who show a drive to succeed, a commitment to give back and an enthusiasm to lead. Students are nominated by members of the community throughout the eight-week program, and a winner is selected each week. Each student’s school is awarded a computer in their name. At the end of the eight weeks, the students are invited to attend a dinner where two students are randomly drawn to win a personal laptop computer. This year, Caleb Mason and Andrew Hawthorne were the winners of the laptops. 46 Your Hometown Magazine
Down a gravel road on the outskirts of Beebe lies the Moore’s farm. There is an old John Deere slowly making its way through the fields in the July heat. In that tractor is Seth Moore, a young man with a rich family history and a passion for farm life pumping through his veins. He hops off the tractor and slips through the barbed wire fence, moving easily amongst the cattle. He has complete control over them, working from a mutual respect with the creatures. As the fifth generation in his family to be in the dairy business, his connection with them has been a defining aspect of his life. “He’s been in the barn since he was a year old,” George Moore, Seth’s father, says. “There’s a lot of history in dairy in this family. It’s something you have to love to do. There’s nothing prestigious about it. It takes a lot of dedication to live this life.” Seth was a member of Beebe High School’s FFA for four years, was on the dairy team and was president for two years. But even before that, he was showing cattle at local fairs since the age of ten. He won the title of Grand Champion at the White County Fair for eight consecutive years, as well as the titles of Reserve Grand at the Arkansas State Fair and Premiere Breeder. Beebe’s FFA sponsor and agri teacher Daren Hawkins nominated Seth, who was completely shocked when he received a call notifying him that he was chosen as a recipient of the award. In fact, he thought it was a prank call at first. Seth graduated in May and will be a freshman at ASU- Beebe in the fall, studying toward a degree in business. He recently made a purchase of 42 dairy Holstein cattle to help him work through and pay for college. His main priority was to stay close to home, to the farm, to his world. “Cattle is my life,” Seth says. “It’s where I’ve grown up. I love being around them. I love being here. I love being in the hay field. It may sound weird and like a lot of hot, hard work, but this? This is easy.”
“As the fifth generation in his family to be in the dairy business, Seth Moore’s connection with them [cattle] has been a defining aspect of his life.” (continued)
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“It’s about the family that surrounds Amanda on and off of the field.”
Story & Photos by Kylie Akins
Anyone could see it in her eyes, the way she talks about the game as she looks out onto the drizzly softball field. “I love it,” Searcy High School senior Amanda Richardson says.”Just being out here. It’s something I’ve grown up with since I was itty-bitty. There’s just something about coming out and being on the dirt and knowing that it’s okay to get dirty. It’s where I’m really comfortable.” She relaxes into the metal bleachers and stares out from the dugout. It’s not just the dirt or softball uniforms. It’s much more than catching a fly ball or hitting a home-run. It’s about the family that surrounds her on and off of the field and the Christians she knows would help her through any struggle. Amanda is a member of the high school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes, serving as a huddle leader that organizes the group’s Fields of Faith events. Fields of Faith usually starts with a game of ultimate Frisbee or dodgeball in Searcy High School’s Lion Stadium and concludes with a devotional and prayer. “As people in general, it’s hard to have your faith and be an athlete,” Amanda says. “You get so wrapped up in all the stuff that you do, you just need that time to get away and say, ‘Okay, God, this is you and me time.’ It’s just nice to know that there are other people around you who are doing the same things you are that might have a hard time in their walk but are finding time for God, too. And it’s a good way to reach out to people who might not know who God is.” The best thing about being in an organization that brings together Christian athletes, she says, is knowing there are people around her that understand and care for her. “They’ll 48 Your Hometown Magazine
give you advice and pray for you; and that isn’t something you can just ask of anybody,” Amanda says. Searcy Coach Mike McCain, sponsor for the Searcy FCA, nominated Amanda for the Chesapeake award. He recently took over the local branch of the club and has shown his dedication to the club by working hard to keep it active and growing. Amanda will serve as the student body president as she enters her senior year this fall and will keep a busy schedule as she is also a member of the softball team, volleyball team, Beta Club, National Honor Society and FCA. No matter how busy she gets, though, she constantly remains close with her teammates. “It really is like a big family,” Amanda said. “You’re with each other almost more than what you’re actually with your family. So they become a part of your family.”
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Story by Jessica Ardrey Photography by Kylie Akins
Her arms barely reach around the bag. It’s filled with clothes and food. It’s unbearably hot out, but April Waller manages to make it up the stairs and into Jacob’s Place with the donations. “I like giving them things. It makes me feel helpful,” says April. April is nine years old, and like any nineyear-old, she likes to ride her bike for fun. But while most of them fill their days with video games, April spends her time with the Big Creek 4H. Her efforts mainly go toward projects that better the community. She regularly helps gather donations for Jacob’s Place Homeless Mission. She enjoys walking dogs at the shelter, but always has a hard time leaving them there. Her favorite 4H activity is playing Bingo with the elderly. “They have cool memories,” says April. April also likes to show goats at the fair. She particularly likes giving them baths. She even has four goats of her own: Fancy, Jackson, Brownie and Cinderella. But her soft heart shines through when she admits the best part of her division at the fair is that everybody wins. April will be in fourth grade in the fall. She was the only elementary-age winner of the Chesapeake award. Her older sister heard about the award on the radio and nominated her. April also won a desktop computer for her classroom. As she progresses through school, the computer will move up with her. It’s clear to see, however, that April won’t be spending too much time at that computer. On the lookout for new opportunities, this young girl is an energetic asset to 4H and to the community. “She always wants to know what our next activity will be,” says April’s mom. “She just likes to do.”
Her favorite 4H activity is playing Bingo with the elderly. “They have cool memories,” says April.
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Story & Photos by Kylie Akins
Andrew Hawthorne knows about leadership. He took the agriculture class at his high school. He has been to conferences and conventions. He was vice president of the Future Farmers of America at Searcy High School his senior year and continues to serve as a FFA state officer. But Andrew’s dedication to service and hard work didn’t result from any lecture he heard or office he held. It’s the kind of person he is. “We have put in hours of preparation for the contests and preparing for FFA activities and with our animals, and through all of those activities Andrew has always been the one to show up early and stay late, who put others above himself,” FFA sponsor and Searcy High agriculture teacher Addison Safley says. “I just felt like he was a prime candidate for the nomination process.” Andrew has more hard work ahead of him as well. Andrew graduated from Searcy High School last year and is now an incoming freshman at the University of Arkansas, where he plans to major in poultry science and pre-medical. He plans to attend the University of Arkansas Medical to continue his education and receive his medical degree in cardiology. He joined FFA his sophomore year of high school after hearing about it from a friend. “It sounded like a cool idea, but I never thought I would be this involved with it until years later,” Andrew says. “I’m glad I joined.” Since joining, he has shown lambs at the county, district and state levels, attended several conferences and participated in service projects. Andrew’s favorite FFA activity was the Washington Leadership Conference he was able to attend. The conference emphasized “Living to Serve” and encouraged each participant to create
a service project to implement in their own hometowns. After cleaning up inner city parks while in Washington, he returned with ideas of his own. He collaborated with students from Texas and Virginia to send letters and care packages to service men and women overseas. The FFA has participated in many service projects over the years, including working with White County Children Safety Home, participating in the Annual Tree Project and stuffing Easter eggs for the Sunshine School. “Over the last two years I have seen him grow an immense amount in his desire to serve others and his willingness and drive to instigate new programs and new thoughts of study,” Safley, Andrew’s nominator, says. “I would put him up against any other leader in any other organization.”
“Over the last two years I have seen him grow an immense amount in his desire to serve others and his willingness and drive to instigate new programs and new thoughts of study,”
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Caleb Mason
Story by Jessica Ardrey Photography by Kylie Akins
The rain falls hard on the roof of the barn, but Caleb Mason doesn’t mind. He looks around at the fields surrounding his house, one hand resting comfortably on the head of a brown heifer. Stepping onto the long front porch, he is met by a swarm of eager dogs, all vying for his attention. Caleb is a sophomore at Bald Knob High School. He is an independent member of 4H and is a regular at the county fair. He’s shown everything from cattle to produce. He won two Grand Champion titles and a Reserved Grand for cows, and placed fourth in the state two years ago. He even won Grand Champion and placed seventh in the state for watermelons. “You learn a lot about your animals [at the fair], spending so much time with them,” Caleb says. “I just like being around them. I like seeing different kinds and how different people raise them.” He has, however, made sure to steer clear of the cooking competitions. “If it’s not microwavable, I can’t do it,” he laughs. But Caleb’s life doesn’t revolve around the fair. The other 51 weeks of the year, he keeps himself busy with school groups and community projects. Caleb is a member of 4H, FCCLA, FBLA, FCA and Beta Club, and has served on Student Council in the past. He worked to raise donations for Haiti, school debt and Habitat for Humanity. “With all he’s involved in, even with school and the community, it’s worth recognizing,” says Linda Mason, Caleb’s mother. “He had a lot of opportunities and he took them and he did well with them.” As if that weren’t enough, Caleb’s schedule also includes football, baseball, golf and track. But no matter what sport he’s playing, it’s clear that he has a heart for service. “If nobody did these things, we wouldn’t have a real community,” he says. “You’ve got to do the small jobs like picking up trash as much as the bigger things. I just do whatever I can.”
“He worked to raise donations for Haiti, school debt, and Habitat for Humanity.”
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Winners include: Seth Moore, Beebe • Caleb Mason, Bald Knob • Andrew Haggard, Searcy • Lindsey Adkins, Bald Knob • April Waller, Pangburn • Amanda Richardson, Searcy • Monica Gonzales, Beebe • Andrew Hawthorne, Searcy. Not all of the winners were profiled in this article as we were unable to contact them all.
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Photography by Kylie Akins 54 Your Hometown Magazine
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Cover Kid Winner!
Competition
Community
Determination 56 Your Hometown Magazine
photo by George Dillin
This is a letter of sincere thanks for letting the American this school year, there will be essay entry forms presented to our Cancer Society be apart of such a wonderful fundraiser. The schools. The topic will be “What Cancer Means To Me.” I believe cancer survivors of White County send out a loving thanks for this will open our eyes to how the children in our community view supporting such a wonderful organization. Thanks to you and cancer and what we can do to help. Recognizing their passion and many others, Arkansas has raised 4 million dollars for cancer desire to help fight this disease will only motivate others to do research, education, service programs, and advocacy. the same. The Cover Kid Contest was not only competitive but also full of With the help of Searcy Living Magazine and the local paper, heart. Each of these contestants have a connection to cancer and The Daily Citizen, we have reached out to an audience that has I feel like it made them eager to participate. We could not have never been touched before. There are thousands of readers who done it without your generous support. Allowing did not know the American Cancer Society was one of these kids to be on the cover of your present in our community, but now they know. magazine truly was a dream come true. I can’t tell you how powerful that is. For We hold you and your staff with the someone to survive cancer, whether highest regard. I think the most they are diagnosed themselves, or a “Each of these contestants have wonderful thing about Searcy caregiver to a loved one, to simply a connection to cancer and I Living is how you are so involved know that there is help can change feel like it made them eager to in our community. You continue the entire healing process and make to amaze me with your support them feel so much more secure. participate.” towards our foster child efforts, Day Thank you so much for supporting Of Caring, Relay For Life, and so much the Cover Kid Contest and for being so more. Meeting with you is always such a kind to us. Words cannot express how happy I pleasure because it is clearly evident that you and am with the donations that were raised. your staff have huge hearts and so much love. Many sincere thanks, I would like to personally thank all the parents for participating in our contest. They truly shocked me with their determination and competitiveness with getting donations. They spent hours American Cancer Society making calls and asking for support and I want them to know Community Representative how much that means to us. Amber Gibson, team captain for Families Fighting Back, was an angel. She organized all the Top 4 fundraising kids featured on the next page! entries, scanned photos, answered questions, and kept the website manageable. This contest would not have been possible without her patience and endurance. I would also like to thank Mike Murphy with The Daily Citizen for being kind enough to jump on board with the upcoming essay contest. His ideas for the contest were endless and every time I speak with him, I feel that he is 110% supportive of our efforts. I am very eager to continue on with our essay contest. During
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Cover Kids that raised the top four amounts for the American Cancer Society:
1
st
Place:
Ava raised $2,015.00
2
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nd
Adisyn raised $1,120.00
Place:
3
Place:
rd
Clayton raised $770.00
4
th
:
Place
Bella raised $560.00
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Christine Locke
Many thanks to the sponsors who gave Haley Stain her day of pampering. Special thanks to Hays for her jeans, top and sandals and Unique Boutique for the bangle set with earrings. Salon Milan gave Haley’s hair a fresh look, and Cosmetic Studio provided make-up. Photographer Kylie Akins commemorated the day in pictures. You look great, Haley!
3005 E. Race St. • Searcy (501) 268-0800 60 Your Hometown Magazine
1211 E. Race St. • Searcy (501) 268-1700
Town & Country Plaza 207 N. Poplar • Searcy (501) 268-7035
Turn page for more information on makeover sponsors and other health & beauty retailers
kylie akins PHOTOGRAPHY
Heart & Soul Plaza 1623 E. Beebe-Capps • Searcy (501) 279-2526
(334) 447-9290
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SearcyLiving.com 63
Financial Focus
with Jeff Kernodle
Are TIPS Right for You? Maybe so, if you want to include inflation protection in an existing portfolio, don’t mind fluctuating interest payments and are in a financial position to hold securities until maturity. As its name implies, Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (or TIPS) are a special type of Treasury bond that help offer some protection against rising inflation. Like other Treasuries, TIPS pay interest (coupon payments) every six months at a fixed rate and pays the original principal, or adjusted principal - whichever is greater when the security matures. The security provided by TIPS is that the underlying principal (the price you receive when the bond matures) is adjusted to compensate for inflation as measured by the Labor Department’s consumer price index for all urban consumers (CPI-U). When the principal of the security is adjusted, the interest you receive (the semiannual coupon payment) is also adjusted. So, when the CPI-U (gauge of inflation) rises, the underlying principal and the coupon payments of TIPS automatically increase. Additionally, if the CPI-U falls, the underlying principal and coupon payments will decrease. Like traditional Treasuries, TIPS are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government if held to maturity. If you are considering buying TIPS for your portfolio, your Financial Advisor can help you understand how TIPS work. Be mindful that they are a relatively new security (introduced in 1997) and represent a small percentage of the Treasury market. TIPS are offered in maturities out to 30 years, and are offered in multiples of $100, with a minimum purchase of $1,000. There are three sources of return for TIPS: the periodic adjustments based on inflation that affect the bond’s par (face) value at maturity (the principal); the coupon rate (annual interest paid every 6 months) that represents a real yield in excess of inflation; and capital gains due to changed in interest rates (possibly tax advantages). Because the coupons of TIPS represent real rate of return, they are typically lower than those of traditional Treasury bonds. Unlike other Treasuries, the par (face) value of TIPS is constantly changing as it is adjusted to reflect changed in inflation as measured by the CPI-U. Here’s an example: If you purchase as new issue for $1,000 and the CPI-U increases by 3% in the first year, the bond’s par (face) value would increase $30 per bond ($1,030). If you purchased a 10-year TIPS and inflation increased at 3% annually for the life of the bond, the maturity value of the security would be $1,343.97 ($1,000 compounded at 3% for 10 years). Because inflation is not a constant and no one can predict if it will go up or down, the principal is constantly adjusted. The result is that, when you purchase TIPS, there is no way to know what the full value of the bond will be at maturity. However, TIPS have a safety net as far the principal is concerned (the coupon payment amount will adjust accordingly with the rate of inflation.) If you hold a TIPS issue until it reaches maturity, the Treasury guarantees you will receive the adjusted principal or the original principal, whichever is greater. This feature can make the purchase of TIPS economically sound, because your real rate of return (the growth of your purchasing power) is guaranteed if held to maturity. This helps provide some protection against inflation. The downside is that, because of this extra safety, TIPS offers a comparatively low return. Like the features of all investments, this one must be weighed against your overall investment objectives and goals. As noted earlier, TIPS pay interest at a rate that is fixed when 64 Your Hometown Magazine
the bond is purchased. Because the rate is applied to the adjusted principal, however, interest payments can vary in amount from one period to the next. The actual coupon payment (the amount of interest you receive), then, will fluctuate every six months, because it is calculated based on the new “inflation adjusted” full value of the bond for following year. So, if you own TIPS when inflation rises, the interest payment (your cash flow) will increase because income is paid against the adjusted value. In the words, your income will vary every six months. You need to consider whether variable income is a factor that fits your lifestyle, goals and needs. You always have the option of selling TIPS before maturity. The Treasury securities market is one of the largest and most liquid securities markets in the world, and there is currently an active secondary market for TIPS. However, TIPS may be less active than traditional Treasuries due to a relatively small volume of outstanding issues. This could result in a slightly wider bid/ask spread. Although the Treasury provides a guarantee that you will receive a minimum of par “face” value at maturity, remember that the par value is not the same as a market value. In this respect, TIPS are no different than traditional Treasuries. TIPS prices will rise and fall depending on the movement of interest rates. In fact, the market price of a TIPS issue could fall if inflation accelerates and interest rates rise, even as the inflation adjusted par amount (face value) of the security increases. It is also important to keep in mind that, when purchasing TIPS, the total cost of the security represents the market price multiplied by the index ratio (inflation factor), plus any accrued interest. This is another reason that TIPS are best suited for investors who plan to hold the security until it matures rather than use it for active trading. To learn more about TIPS and whether they are a type of investment that would fit your investment objectives and goals, talk to your Financial Advisor today.
This article was written by Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Jeff Kernodle in Searcy at 279-0101. Bond prices fluctuate inversely to changes in interest rates. Therefore, a general rise in interest rates can result in the decline of the value of your investment. TIPS interest rate, which is set at auction, remains fixed throughout the term of the security. The principal amount of the security is adjusted for inflation, but the inflation-adjusted principal will not be paid until maturity although the adjustment will be subject to income tax in the year it was earned. TIPS have special tax consequences, generating phantom income on the “inflation compensation” component of the principal. A holder of TIPS may be required to report this income annually although no income related to “inflation compensation” is received until maturity. Wells Fargo Advisors does not provide legal or tax advice. Be sure to consult with your tax and legal advisors before taking any action that could have tax consequences. Investments in securities and insurance products are: NOT FDIC-INSURED/NOT BANK-GUARANTEED/MAY LOSE VALUE Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. ©2010 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. All Rights reserved.
About the Writer Jeff Kernodle is a Senior Financial Advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC in Searcy located at 707 W. Beebe-Capps Expy. Tune in to News Talk 99.1 every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 7:30 a.m. to hear Jeff discuss investments and the economy. For more information on this and other articles, please call Jeff at 501-279-0101
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Melissa Brooks Eads
Melissa Brooks Eads was a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a daughter, a sister and a friend to all. Her life was a life of love she freely gave and shared with all and that love was returned by all. She always had a smile that would brighten your day regardless of what the day brought you. Her profession was helping others whether on the job or in everyday life, but it was also a quality of life that made her who she was. Those who knew her will never forget her because she was the type of person if you met her one time you would remember her for a lifetime. Her love for others was an attribute that was a natural part of her, and as a child of God it was a blessing she used to touch all those she knew. Her life on earth is an example to all and one that has impacted the lives of all who knew her. Although God has called her home, she will never be forgotten and the love she shared will remain in our hearts. We love you Lisa and you will be missed. When we meet you again at Heaven’s Gate, we know you will greet us with that smile that touched so many.
I wished everyone had a cousin like you. Your smile, your laugh, your loving ways too. You touched so many by just being you, kind & loving, caring too. You were loved by everyone just by doing the things you done. You were special to everyone you knew, and the love you shared it always grew. I’m not saying goodbye, just see you around, because I know you’re heaven bound. God will take you by his hand, and lead you to that promise land. The angels will be singing their victory song, because they know that’s where you belong. I’ll see you in heaven on that glorious day, when God comes back to take his children away. Love you forever, Cousin Mary
By Boris Willhile We all too often tend to take life for granted, but in reality life is just a moment in time. We live our lives believing we have plenty of time to do this or do that but in the moment of a twinkling of an eye it could end without notice. We live our lives to the fullest and as we get older we can always look back and realize time has come and gone and it seems just yesterday we were so young in our youth and remember as if it just happened yesterday. We are never promised another day and we should live the one we’re in as if we’ll never see another one. It’s not what we say we will do tomorrow or what we will do later that matters,
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because in an instant we may be leaving this life today. Today is the time to make a difference in the lives of our loved ones and friends and others. Today is the day we will be remembered for what we have done. Tomorrow is our dream of what is to come, but today is the dream of what we hoped for yesterday. So take today as if it were your last and help those in need. Share your love with all you come in contact with, no matter who that may be, because life is just a moment in time that we may not see or live again.
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SEARCY ROTARY CLUB
Pete Steinsiek, Paul Ford and Judy Steinsiek of the Searcy Rotary Club (Below) Thank you to the local cleaners who have helped with this project
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CAMPAIGN Searcy Rotary Club President Paul R. Ford announces the start-up for the 2010 “Coats for Kids” Campaign. Club President Ford reminds all White County Residents of the annual drive, sponsored by the club, which has been carried out over a fairly long period of time. During the 2009 Drive, more than 500 coats were collected and distributed to churches, schools and other organizations where children needing coats were identified to the Rotary Club volunteer workers. Barrels, appropriately labeled with the “Coats for Kids” logo, will be placed in schools, churches, banks and other places throughout White County where donated coats may be placed. Three cleaning establishments in the Searcy area (Comet, Halls and Gladdens) have again generously agreed to clean, free of charge, the donated coats needing cleaning before being passed out to needy organizations. Organizations having coats to be donated, whether they have a barrel in their facility or not, may call either Judy Steinsiek at 268-8745 or Pete Steinsiek at 305-3701. Either will be glad to pick up donations from stores or individuals who do not have barrels. Organizations who desire barrels to be placed in their facilities for collection should call the same two individuals and the barrels will be delivered. Organizations desiring to obtain coats for kids associated with their activity, should also call these two volunteers providing the name and a contact phone number of a responsible individual in their organization who can provide sizes and a deliver point for the coats. Persons or organizations having questions concerning the Searcy Rotary Club’s 2010 “Coats for Kids” Campaign should call Judy Steinsiek at 268-8745 or Pete Steinsiek at 305-3701. Rotary Club “Coats for Kids” committee members are: Pete and Judy Steinsiek (Co-chairmen), John Baker, George Carder, Kim Dollins, Teresa Holden, U.W. Mullins and David Spradlin. Herb Bacon and Jack Simons are volunteer helpers.
OUT&ABOUT with the Governor
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Photos by Kylie Akins
Games & Puzzles
Crossword
ACROSS 2. Busy Senior & Student Body President with Innings of Faith 4. Organization that brings together Christian Athletes 5. White County Fair’s Grand Champion Title winner for eight consecutive years 7. FFA leader and future cardiologist 9. Discovering tomorrow’s leaders 10. Feed your family, serve the .
DOWN 1. Christian Athletic Event 3. American Cancer Society cover kid winner. 6. Farm Family of the Year 8. Independent 4H member and County Fair regular
STUMPED? Get the answers, play games, download wallpaper and tons more online at SearcyLiving.com!
www.SearcyLiving.com
Riddles
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WHAT IS A HUNDRED FEET IN THE AIR BUT ITs BACK IS ON THE GROUND?
THE AGES OF A FATHER AND SON ADD UP TO 66. THE FATHER’s AGE AND THE SON’S IS REVERSED. HOW COULD THIS BE?
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