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issue 1 2018
26 Y.E.S. Business Competition
14
Daughters Of The Other Side
36
Miracles All Around Us 38 God And Family And Friends
44
Jacob’s Place 48 5 Stress Relieving Yoga Postures
50
My Miracle, My Mission 52 Junior Auxiliary Of Searcy 60 How To Reveal Your Team’s Super-Powers
64
“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” Publisher’s Note 10 Over The Counter 16 Fashion Fun 18 We The People 22 Out And About 26
~ John C. Maxwell
38
Financial Focus 40 Imagine And Believe 68 Fab Do It Yourself 76 Dinner And A Magazine 78 Crossword And Riddles 80
On the Cover DAVE SANDERSON A special thank you to United Way and Harding University for introducing Searcy Living to Dave Sanderson SearcyLiving.com 9
Even When He Whispers
“Not all storms come to disrupt your life. Some come to clear your path.” ~Unknown
“Show me the right path O Lord. Point out the road for me to follow.”
“You suddenly have clarity of your purpose…” This is a quote from Dave Sanderson found in the article on page 52. Already this year I feel fortunate that I live in a community where there are so many opportunities for inspiration and encouragement. We are just barely into this year and already we have all had the opportunity to hear Dave Sanderson speak for United Way, and then again for Harding University. In addition, Ron Clark recently spoke at Harding (Lecture Series), and there was a Live to Lead conference recently held, sponsored by Dalrymple Residential, First Security Bank and New Life Church. I shared with you in the last issue that this past year was full of obstacles and unwelcomed learning experiences for me. So I know, just like you do, that there are seasons that are not inspirational, happy, comfortable or welcomed. But, I also know that as we are shaped into the next season of our life, we can often look back and be able to start making the connections that can help make sense of it all. We “suddenly have clarity of our purpose.” One of the consistent petitions I have when I pray is that God will allow me to hear Him even when He whispers... especially after a season when I have not been able to hear Him at all. On page 64, we have another feature story that tells how you can discover the super-powers in your personality. Super-powers to encourage or lead or entertain, or maybe organize. That may not be the normal connotation of superpowers, but we are all blessed with several of those attributes, and they really are super powers that can be used to bless others and enrich our own lives as well. I hope this new season finds you well and with clarity of purpose. I hope you take the many opportunities this community has to offer to inspire and enrich your life. I hope you find your super-powers and rock this world in a productive, awesome way. Most of all, I hope that you hear Him, even when He whispers. As always, thank you for reading Searcy Living.
Psalm 25:4
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Publisher Christine Walker
Art Director & Webmaster Garrett Johnson
Editorial Assistant Cherie Sewell
Makeover Coordinator Evelyn Moss Contributing Independent Photographers Kimberly Brackins (501)279-1515 George Dillin (501)268-9304 Taylor Howard Photography (870)917-8012
Feature Writer Cecelia Wilson
Searcy Living 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 2018 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.
Copyright Š 2018 Shark Promotions LLC
Searcy Living Magazine is a subsidiary of Shark Promotions LLC.
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Y.E.S. C o m p e t i t i o n By Katie Lawson
W
hat are some everyday problems you face? That question was posed to Southwest Middle School 5th grade gifted and talented students to begin their study about inventions and entrepreneurship. The minute they were challenged to poll others for everyday problems they face in the marketplace and invent solutions to solve those problems, they were hooked! Their wheels started turning, and they immediately got to work. The students were given two weeks to investigate problems and create a prototype of their solution to present to the class. After analyzing the ideas and choosing products they felt were most marketable, teams were formed to create business plans for the selected products. Team members then collaborated to prepare the Youth Entrepreneurship Showcase (Y.E.S.) Competition and the SWMS Shark Tank event. As described on the Arkansas Capital website, “The Youth Entrepreneurship Showcase (Y.E.S.) for Arkansas competition was launched by Arkansas Capital in 2006 to give young Arkansans a chance to find out what entrepreneurs go through when starting a business.” Through the business plan writing process, students “engage(d) their core math, literacy, and writing skills, plus the soft skills – creativity, critical thinking, teamwork, and more.” They described the problem, solution, target customers, and product details. Explanations of their product’s innovation, marketing “While
strategies they planned to use, an outline of statement of funds needed, and a one month income statement comprised the business plans that were submitted to the competition. While waiting on the results, the teams had the opportunity to share their ideas with local business representatives and Searcy School District leaders in the SWMS Shark Tank. They created and practiced a 30 second pitch to present, and they received valuable feedback and experience in answering questions about their products. About 50 judges from around the state reviewed the business plans and selected 25 teams to compete at Park Plaza Mall. Exciting news came in mid-December when it was announced that Southwest Middle School’s team, Wrist Switch, had made the cut! Wrist Switch is a product created to hold fitness and smartwatch bands. Upon receiving the news, team members Gowen Bailey, Braden Hobby, Nathaniel Ingram, and Trace Rice got to work with their parents to design a booth display for the competition. They made Wrist Switch products to sell, designed t-shirts, a website, brochures, business cards, a sign and a commercial for marketing, and made and collected items for the display. January 26th was an exciting day as team Wrist Switch boarded the bus and set up at Park Plaza Mall for the competition. Teams were judged in Best Retail Booth, Most Innovative, and Best Marketing Piece. The business plan portion of the competition
waiting on the results, the teams had the opportunity to share their ideas with local business representatives and Searcy School District leaders...”
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“Exciting
news came in mid-December when it was announced that Southwest Middle School’s team, Wrist Switch, had made the cut!”
had been judged during the first round of the competition. The team spent time selling products to customers and meeting with the judges before the competition results were announced at an afternoon ceremony. While they didn’t place in the judged categories, they realized that being selected as one of 25 teams to compete out of 180 submissions was truly a great honor. Throughout this unit of study, students increased their financial knowledge by studying loans. They were given approved websites for “shopping,” and they compiled lists of materials needed to create their products. Loans were issued by the GT department and the materials were ordered. The teams worked to make their products to sell at the SWMS Business Expo, which was held during the February Parent/Teacher Conferences. It was a rewarding night as many teams sold enough products to repay their loans. Overall, $66.69 in profit was generated, and the students will choose something useful to purchase for the GT room with that income. Through this experience, students gained a general knowledge of what is needed to create a business. It has been exciting to watch their enthusiasm soar as they dream of businesses they can create to make the world a better place on both a small and large scale!
“Through
this experience,
students have gained a general knowledge of what is needed to create a business.” SearcyLiving.com 15
Over the Counter Rodney G. Richmond, RPh, MS, CGP, FASCP Harding University College of Pharmacy
So You Think You Need an Antibiotic? by Mark Egbuka, PharmD, Floyd Moon, PharmD, and Rodney G. Richmond, RPh, MS, BCGP, FASCP
N
obody likes to feel sick. A runny nose, sore throat, and cough are annoying and inconvenient, and naturally you want them to go away. Often, you think “I need an antibiotic to make the symptoms go away”, so you trudge to the doctor believing that is the thing that will make you feel better. But what if an antibiotic actually makes matters worse? Antibiotics are good for bacterial infections, but are they helpful in treating a viral infection? What if your symptoms are simply allergy-related? Do you know how to tell the difference? Did you know that taking an antibiotic can be harmful when it isn’t needed? Did you know there are some over-the-counter (OTC) products that would effectively treat your symptoms, thus avoiding the need to go to the doctor? What’s the difference between bacteria and viruses? Bacteria are tiny organisms that are found both inside and outside our bodies, many of which are beneficial to us. For example, certain bacteria in our stomach and intestines to help us to digest food. However, viruses are organisms that are even smaller than bacteria and they cause sickness by infecting healthy cells. For example, “a cold”, the flu, and typically most sore throats and bronchitis are caused by a viral infection. In fact, the common cold can be caused by one of over 200 hundred different viruses. What does it matter if I get an antibiotic? It’s important to know that antibiotics only work on bacterial infections, and that taking antibiotics for a viral infection will not only have zero effect on killing the virus, but according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), taking an antibiotic when one isn’t needed actually increases the risk of later developing an infection that resists antibiotic treatment. So, if you take an antibiotic when you just have a viral illness, you’ll be spending your hard-earned money on a prescription and will not get better any faster. Have you ever heard of antibiotic resistance? Over the past few years antibiotics have been overused to the point that sometimes they don’t work as well as they need should. There have been many cases where an antibiotic that could previously be counted on to completely kill a particular bacteria will now barely slow it down—this is called “antibiotic resistance.” Because of antibiotic resistance, it is necessary to use more powerful antibiotics that often are associated with more risks or side-effects. The result is that doctors are running out of options to treat infections, because even some of the more powerful antibiotics just don’t work anymore. Antibiotic resistance has become a top priority for the CDC, because they
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have observed that nearly every bacterial strain is becoming stronger and less responsive to antibiotic treatment. Resistant bacteria tend to spread more rapidly between family members, classmates, and coworkers and are more difficult and expensive to cure. Children are of particular concern because they use antibiotics more than anyone. A pediatric study has shown that, in more than 6 out of 10 cases, doctors prescribed an antibiotic when they felt pressured by the parent to do so. On the flipside, doctors prescribed an antibiotic less than 1 out of 10 times when they did not feel pressure from a parent. Another study showed that although an antibiotic was prescribed in nearly 7 out of 10 during a respiratory visit, that 80% of those were not necessary according to CDC guidelines. What can be done about antibiotic resistance? We need to be more careful about when and how often we use antibiotics—this is called antibiotic stewardship. If each of us practice antibiotic stewardship—patients and healthcare providers alike—meaning we choose to not use an antibiotic unless it is actually needed, then antibiotics will remain effective longer and will work when they’re actually needed. Research is being done to develop new antibiotics, but this is a long process and it can take years before a drug is approved for patient use. It is necessary to do all that can be done to help keep antibiotics from losing their effectiveness. How do I know when should I get an antibiotic? Here are some signs to consider that can help you decide what to do: ■■
■■
Fever: If you have fever, shakes, and chills, you could have a bacterial infection, but those are also common with a viral illness such as the flu. Physicians will weigh your likelihood of having the flu. Is it flu season and is the flu circulating in your area at the time? They may consider the number of patients they’ve recently seen with the flu and weigh that against the possibility of a bacterial infection. If you have a fever and the flu is going around in your community, you’ll probably leave the doctor’s office without an antibiotic. You might want to consider getting a flu shot each year. How long you’ve been sick: Viral infections that persist can sometimes morph into a super-infection, such as a sinus infection where bacteria may join the party. A super-infection, for example, is where a bacterial infection develops on top of a viral infection. If your symptoms have been lingering for weeks you may need an antibiotic, so see a doctor.
The color of your goo: Seriously, the color of what comes out when you blow your nose or coughup goo can actually be an indicator of whether you have a bacterial or viral infection. Nasal secretions tend to be thin and clear during a viral infection, while a thick, tenacious green or yellow mucus can be a sign of bacteria. But, some greenish discharges can be viral so the color of your mucous isn’t always a reliable indicator of your need for an antibiotic. ■■ Your sore throat: Although it looks red and is really sore, your doctor may also look for white spots (which can be signs of bacteria) before considering an antibiotic. Most colds start with a sore throat, but a sore throat without other symptoms such as a runny nose can be strep throat. Strep throat DOES require an antibiotic to stop the potentially dangerous bacteria. To know for sure, you’ll need a culture or rapid antigen test. This test takes less than 20 minutes and can be done while you wait. Why does the pharmacist tell me to be sure and finish my antibiotic? Another reason that bacteria are becoming resistant is because people do not finish all of their antibiotics, often stopping after they begin to feel better. If you are prescribed an antibiotic, remember to be sure and take it ALL according to the directions, and don’t stop taking it once you begin to feel better. You should never try to “save some for later.” If you do this it’s less likely to work later, especially if the same infection recurs. While antibiotic resistance has been called one of the world’s most pressing problems, this is one of the most important things you can do to help reduce the problem. ■■
Can OTC herbal products help shorten or ease cold symptoms? Contrary to popular belief, vitamin C alone does very little to help you recover from a cold. It probably will not be harmful in normal doses, but it’s not a miracle cure. Some “natural products” can be used but you must carefully select the right product because claims made by herbal products do not receive regulatory scrutiny by the FDA. There are some products (e.g. elderberry, grapefruit seed extract, zinc, and other combination products) that have been shown to be helpful by reducing the length and severity of colds and viral sinusitis and bronchitis. So what can I do? Remember that antibiotics can only cure bacterial infections. The cold, flu, bronchitis, sore throats (unless your doctor tells you it’s strep), and runny noses are more likely to be viral. Some runny noses and sinus congestion may just be allergies. For additional tips see the accompanying “Get Smart—Know When Antibiotics Work” chart or visit www.cdc. gov/getsmart. If you have questions, talk to your pharmacist or doctor.
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Before
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Evelyn Moss Makeover Coordinator
3005 E. Race • Searcy (501) 268-0800 shophays2.com
By Carlie at
Lay
Charlestown Village 2305 W. Beebe Capps Searcy (501) 268-4540
Susie Dubose Independent Beauty Consultant
Turn the page for more fashion & beauty retailers. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
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Searcy Police Department Awards The Searcy Police Department held its annual Christmas Party and Award dinner on Friday, December 15, 2017. The following employees were honored at the awards dinner: (Left to right in photo) Jason Denison – Patrol Officer of the Year, Central Arkansas Drug Task Force Extra Mile Award Josh King – Officer of the Year Nick Bright – Civilian of the Year Adam Sexton – Detective of the Year Tabatha Castera – Dispatcher of the Year The Searcy Police Department is proud of each and every employee and his or her commitment to serving this community.
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Searcy Elks Lodge Veterans Dinner
Missing Man Table
the Searcy Elks Lodge held a dinner for the Veterans, with over 100 Veterans and their guests served. Thanks to the generosity of several local businesses every Veteran left with a door prize and craft kits from the Elks Veterans Services. We were especially honored to have WW2 Veteran SFC Marvin King, 94, and his family. Mr. King was with us last year, and plans to be back again next year. Kenneth Morton presided over the ceremony for the Missing Man Table. Mark Diggs, with the Purple Heart Chapter, presented E.R. Jamie Schmidt with a plaque declaring Searcy Elks Lodge a Purple Heart Lodge. Thanks to the many volunteers who participated to make this event happen, and a special thanks to Cash Savers of Searcy for donating all the hams for the dinner! Mark Diggs presents Jamie Schmidt with Purple Heart Plaque
SFC Marvin King, World War II
Unity Health is proud to support the Searcy Swim Center and all the opportunities it provides for our community. Thank you Unity Health!
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Kenneth Morton, Missing Man Ceremony
Elk State President Johnny Hutchison
Purple Heart Recipients
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She leaves a little sparkle wherever she goes...
Find yourself on
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Healthy Women of Unity Advisory Council, Christie Brooks, Natalie Horton, Shelley Faulkner, Cassandra Feltrop, Anna Brumfield, Hannah Robison, Brooklyn Davis. Back: Leigh Ann Showalter, Missy Hoggard, Brooke Pryor, Sharon Middleton, Tara Peacock, Kathy Gammill, Morgan George, Farrah Chambliss, and Teresa Blakely, co-chair. (Not pictured, Donna Rippey, co-chair, Jo Ford, Allison Galbreath, Jamie Laughlin, Katie Cullum and Christine Walker.)
Unity Health Foundation Implements
New Organization To Empower Women he Unity Health Foundation recently held a kickoff T luncheon for ladies of the area to learn and join the community’s newest women’s organization, “Healthy
Women of Unity.” Attendees were able to learn how to live health-centered throughout the new year with lessons from speakers including Judy Glenn, RN, of Unity Health Healthworks department and Dr. Katherine Durham, Unity Health cardiologist. A membership drive is taking place now until March 31; all women who join will receive a free shirt for becoming an inaugural member of Healthy Women of Unity. A mixer will be held Tuesday, March 13 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Robbins Sanford Grand Hall in Searcy, for those who are interested in joining the group, or want to learn more. Please RSVP to (501) 278-3184. Healthy Women of Unity is open to women of all ages who are advocates for Unity Health and want to support healthcare in the community. Annual membership options include a standard membership, senior membership (65 and above), junior membership (24 and younger), and Unity Health associate and Auxiliary membership; all memberships are tax-deductible. Members will be invited to special events throughout the year,
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centered on health education, designed to help women maintain a healthy mind, body and spirit. Members will also receive a periodic newsletter with information on how healthcare is being improved for the communities Unity Health serves. The mission of Healthy Women of Unity is to empower women with the knowledge and confidence to make informed healthcare and well-being decisions for themselves and their loved ones. To become a member or learn more, visit unity-health.org/healthy-women-unity-0, call (501) 278-3184 or email foundation@unity-health.org. ABOUT THE UNITY HEALTH FOUNDATION The Unity Health Foundation is a charitable, not-forprofit corporation that serves to provide support for Unity Health. Donations to the Unity Health Foundation provide Unity Health with funding for renovations, state-of-the-art equipment and special projects to enhance patient care. The Foundation extends the mission of Unity Health to create a healthy community through medical excellence and compassionate care.
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SHS EAST
Conference Team
T
he SHS EAST Conference Team has been selected. This team will present our high school EAST program during the annual EAST Conference in Hot Springs March 13 - 15. A few of the projects that will be featured in the SHS booth are Searcy Miracle League, Ella Street Sidewalk Proposal, a Bullying Reporting website, an SHS Spirit Store, and the Teachers As Clients project.
Students pictured left to right: Sidney Ezell, Madison Phillips, Melody Zheng, Jason Faucett, Andrea Flores, Kirkland Corbin, Bethany Ellis, Ashleigh Frazier, Carrington King
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Riverview Octagon Optimist Club The Riverview Octagon Optimist Club (ROOC) has already done three service projects. They helped the Optimists with Trick or Treat on the Square, did a mitten tree at Christmas for needy kids, and volunteered for the Salvation Army at Christmas ringing the bell in front of Walmart. They are awesome kids and so excited. Sure they will do great things!
 The Optimist Club’s last meeting for 2017 was a Christmas party. The top three door prize winners were Herman Hendon with two tickets to the Oak Ridge Boys, Second was Whitney Bratcher and her husband Colin Bratcher was Third. They are the latest two new members.
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Celebrating Marriage I went to New Orleans and Pensacola Beach in 2017 for mine and my late husband Jimmy Reed’s 6th Anniversary. This year on Feb. 22-25, 2018 my daughter Bella Rodriquez, grandson Xander, & Randy Sterling are going with me to New Orleans for their first time. It will be their 2nd time to Pensacola, except for Xander, as it will be his very first time to go see Pensacola Beach’s White Sugar Sand. I will always go down there every year to get more memories of Our Beach life.Our Marriage memories will never fade, and he will always be in our hearts no matter where we go. He is our Guardian Angel, too. He has been gone 20 months and I miss him every day. This year will be very hard for me, as he’s been gone since June 11, 2016. Our loves never stop loving each other!!!!! To the Love of my Life, Jimmy Reed: You will always be in my heart forever, until I grow old until we meet together again in heaven. Happy 7th Anniversary to you Baby! Love, Always Jo & Jimmy Reed, \m/
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Daughters of The Other Side (DOTS): Our Story (A Ministry of The Other Side – Wilburn, AR – Jay Cupit President, Founder) Our Mission was a dream in the heart of a young
lady named Ottelle Farrell. “O.T.”, as we call her, was an addict made overcomer thru faith in Jesus and His power to transform and heal a life, with a heart to reach other broken addicts. Her dream revisited and along with our passion for the broken have come together for the purpose of the DOTS program. We are a 12-month, faith based restoration home for females. We are a community mission supported by donations and giving, fundraisers and partnership with our local churches. We have created a program that is restoring using the Word of God and prayer. We are also utilizing many pastors, leaders and teachers from various denominations and non-denominations. As we are not a church, we are inter-denominational. Our program also consists of Saturday Chapel at 10 am, including some incredible overcoming speakers, music, testimonies and dramas, with a potluck following with our DOTS and their families. We have witnessed amazing and beautiful transformations already. The love of God is very powerful. Love will cause you to stay longer and go farther with people. Not enabling, but rather learning to put boundaries in place that protect families and the addict. It is a very hard and emotionally, financially and spiritually draining battle for families of the addict. But, it’s a battle well worth the fight. Generations are in the balance and at risk. We are in a battle for the future of our sons and daughters. Our vision is to give children sober moms, and our moms sober children. We want to minister to families for future generations. Changing our culture and helping to produce healthier families has become the heart and goal of our ministry. In my own family history there has been much brokenness due to addiction. My oldest sister passed away in 2012 from an overdose. She was a Jane Doe for 2 weeks before we found her. She was in a state of
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constant seizure from over stimulation and died a few days after we were informed. I have worked with addicts and the broken for many years informally, and also in the role of leading a local Celebrate Recovey for many years. After my marriage dissolved from the effect of addiction, I began looking for ways to become a person of bringing change for my children and grandchildren and their children. I believe we can each one make a difference. One life at a time... My hope is to one day in the very near future to be a part of a group of people to change laws in our state concerning addiction. We have watched as our children and our grandchildren, our loved ones, destroy themselves in a slow process of losses and physical deterioration, social decline and failing. Families suffer daily without any true power to step in and make decisions when our beloved addict has lost the ability to make sound decisions. Many lives end in overdose and in institutions and prisons. We will be announcing a meeting in the near future. We would ask you to consider supporting Daughters of The Other Side with prayer, giving to needs and financial partnership. For more information contact Sharon Hughes at 501-230-5101 or daughterstos@gmail.com. I would like to take this oppprtunity to thank you for your love and support. Our community is amazing! Sharon Hughes, Director, DOTS Everyone can do something!
“Changing our culture and helping to produce healthier families has become the heart and goal of our ministry.”
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Timothy R. Kamerman, D.C.
T
hat is a phrase that I have seen from different writers, and there are several books that have been written with the same title. As I stop to ponder the phrase, I am reminded of the many miracles that I have seen in close to thirty years in private practice. Here are some thoughts from different writers on the topic of miracles: Billy Graham said, “Evidence from the Bible as well as personal experience convinces us that guardian angels surround us at times and protect us.” Max Lucado says, “We wonder, with so many miraculous testimonies around us, how we could escape God.” David Hanson Bourke says, “Witnessing a miracle doesn’t make it any more understandable. But, I have witnessed one, and I know that miracles don’t just change the course of events, they change hearts.” Charles Ryrie stated, “A true miracle is something beyond man’s intellectual or scientific ability to accomplish.” And C.S. Lewis on the subject says, “Seeing depends upon where you stand.” I like the version from William A. McGarey, M.D. stating, “There really isn’t a miracle cure for anything, for miracles are just amazing happenings that come about from application of truths lodged somewhere in the realm of the yet unexplained laws of the universe.” That last quote may have to be read a few times to let it soak in, but it has some real interesting realities within it. As stated before, I have observed the child unable to walk begin to walk, the child with a loss of hearing restored to normal, the woman with loss of peripheral vision restored, the child with thirty seizures per day restored to zero seizures, the loss of balance of an athlete restored in an instant, and a hundred other symptoms that could fill this page.
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All Around Us
Before you start to point a finger and raise questions, remember this. I am not the author of miracles. Miracles are the happenings within a human being that is designed by an amazing Creator. I have just been the innocent bystander and observer that has been allowed to see miracles unlocked. They sometimes happen so quickly and effortlessly through a prayer, a touch, a kind word, or through a procedure, medication, supplement, or essential oil. Whatever the avenue that is attributed to it, the miracle is almost electric. It leaves us wondering about the miracles that truly are all around us and I can’t wait to hear about the next one.
“Miracles are the happenings within a human being that is designed by an amazing Creator.�
Timothy R. Kamerman, D.C.
Call 501-268-2273 2924 Hawkins Drive Searcy, AR searcychiropractor.com SearcyLiving.com 39
Financial Focus:
What Should You Do With Your Tax Refund? You may not get much of a thrill from filing your taxes, but the process becomes much more enjoyable if you’re expecting a refund. So, if one is headed your way, what should you do with the money?
The answer depends somewhat on the size of the refund. For the 2017 tax year, the average refund was about $2,760 – not a fortune, but big enough to make an impact in your life. Suppose, for example, that you invested this amount in a tax-deferred vehicle, such as a traditional IRA, and then did not add another penny to it for 30 years. At the end of that time, assuming a hypothetical 7 percent annual rate of return, you’d have slightly more than $21,000 – not enough, by itself, to allow you to move to a Caribbean island, but still a nice addition to your retirement income. (You will need to pay taxes on your withdrawals eventually, unless the money was invested in a Roth IRA, in which case withdrawals are tax-free, provided you meet certain conditions.) Of course, you don’t have to wait 30 years before you see any benefits from your tax refund. If you did decide to put a $2,760 tax refund toward your IRA for 2018, you’d already have reached just over half the allowable contribution limit of $5,500. (If you’re 50 or older, the limit is $6,500.) By getting such a strong head start on funding your IRA for the year, you’ll give your money more time to grow. Also, if you’re going to “max out” on your IRA, your large initial payment will enable you to put in smaller monthly amounts than you might need to contribute otherwise. While using your refund to help fund your IRA is a good move, it’s not the only one you can make. Here are a few other possibilities: ■■ Pay down some debt. At some time or another, most of us probably feel we’re carrying too much debt. If you can use your tax refund to help reduce your monthly debt payments, you’ll improve your cash flow and possibly have more money available to invest for the future. ■■
Build an emergency fund. If you needed a new furnace or major car repair, or faced any other large, unexpected expense, how would you pay for it? If you did not have the cash readily available, you might be forced to dip into
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your long-term investments. To help avoid this problem, you could create an emergency fund containing three to six months’ worth of living expenses, with the money kept in a liquid, low-risk account. Your tax refund could help build your emergency fund. ■■
Look for other investment opportunities. If you have some gaps in your portfolio, or some opportunities to improve your overall diversification, you might want to use your tax refund to add some new investments. The more diversified your portfolio, the stronger your defense against market volatility that might primarily affect one particular asset class. (However, diversification, by itself, can’t protect against all losses or guarantee profits.)
Clearly, a tax refund gives you a chance to improve your overall financial picture. So take your time, evaluate your options and use the money wisely. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.
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God and Family and Friends By Luke Theisen
F
rom rehab assistant, to truck driver, to owner of “I went in for a physical one day and they said I had high blood Family and Friends Emporium, Janet Teague’s story pressure and I couldn’t pass my physical,” Janet said. “That was is a testament that with a lot of determination and very unusual for me; I’m very health conscious. I went in that day hard work, you can accomplish and told my boss, ‘I’m going to any goal. have to take a leave of absence.’ He The story of Family and Friends said to just take six months off to Janet, right, Emporium starts when Janet see if I could get my blood pressure with mother Georgie decided to quit her job working under control and then come back. at the White County Hospital as a I really intended on doing that, rehab assistant to become a truck coming back later.” driver. As someone who has a hard time “My husband is a truck driver sitting still and needs to keep herself and I had a son who wanted to go to occupied, as soon as Janet stopped college at the time. I wasn’t making working, she was already looking a lot of money and college is for things to do during her time off. expensive,” Janet said. “A friend of “A few days later I said to myself, mine said ‘Jan, go down there and ‘Well, what am I going to do for six take some training and start driving months?’ I had been going in to with your husband, you can make some consignment shops, and that around $60,000 a year.’ So that’s day I said to my mother, “I have a what I did. We did that for about big garage. We’re going to clean the “...The story of Family and Friends four to six years.” garage out and start our business in serves as an incredible reminder to hold Despite the good money, Janet the garage to see how it goes first.’ tight to your family, stay close to your did not enjoy the job and knew that We called my aunt and told her to friends, and to trust God and look to it was not what she wanted to do, bring everything over. So, we had Him in everything you do.” but she felt she had no choice. Little my stuff, we had my mom’s stuff, did she know that her choice was and we had my aunt’s stuff. And I about to be made for her. looked at that garage, and I said, ‘No way.’ I guess you could say I’m a very determined person,” Janet said. “Every time I think, ‘Well, Jan, this isn’t really working, maybe you should just quit and do something else,’ I say, ‘You know, if this person over here can do it, I can do it.’” That afternoon the three of them piled into the car and they went out and leased their first building. Janet said the reason she called it “Family and Friends” is because of how willing her family and friends were to jump in and help her and her mom get started. Family and Friends moved around a couple of different times for seven years, and had only been in their previous building for a year until this past April, when the current building became available. “It was pretty big, and it was kind of scary. And I asked my mom what she thought, and she said, ‘Jan, you’re the person that can do it. I think you should do it.’ And so here we are! I would not be able to run my business without my mother, Georgie Landis. I tell 44 Your Hometown Magazine
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everybody just about every day that I could not do it without my mother. She comes in every morning and opens the store for me.” The size of the new building has had a very positive impact on business, as it allows Family and Friends to house over 66 booths, and there’s never an empty space. It also put Janet in a position where she could finally pay her mom a decent wage for her work. But most importantly, Janet and her mother are having an amazing time, and they know that this is where God wants them. “I have a very strong faith and so does my mother,” Janet said. “Before we make a decision we ask God about it, because we want to be in His will. I want God’s will, especially with this business. You can ask my mother, and I get tears in my eyes even thinking about it. He has really blessed us. He wants us here. We always pray to God before making huge decisions. We prayed before we moved here. If you don’t have God, you don’t have anything.” Janet’s story and the story of Family and Friends serves as an incredible reminder to hold tight to your family, stay close to your friends, and to trust God and look to Him in everything you do. As Janet put it, “God says to put Him first, then your family, then your friends.” And without those three things, she would not be where she is today.
“Janet Teague’s story is a testament that with a lot of determination and hard work, you can accomplish any goal.”
46 Your Hometown Magazine
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E m p o we r i n g H o mele s s Fa m i l i e s
Written by Kevin Boyce, Employee • Edited by Lisa Tipton, Board Member
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ife is a long road with many bumps along the way. Some of these bumps can be closer to mountains for single mothers. Single mom Kayla found herself needing help scaling one of those mountains, and she says she has found the help at Jacob’s Place. “It is getting me back on my feet. I think it is going to get me where I need to be. Stability and a place for me and my girls is where I need to be.” - Kayla, Jacob’s Place Homeless Mission Resident. Kayla also stated that she has only been a resident at Jacob’s Place for a couple of weeks, but her girls feel right at home: “I thought that they would feel uncomfortable here. But they are not at all. I can tell when they wake up with smiles on their faces.” The organization’s mission is to show the compassion of Christ, support them spiritually, and equip them with confidence and new life skills. The program is designed to last 3 months and tries to help each family with their most pressing needs. Every case is different, but Jacob’s Place can help with anything from food, deodorant and clothes to life skills such as budgeting, parenting, and job searching. The goal is to have clients leave Jacob’s Place
“ The goal is to have clients leave Jacob’s Place with the ability to be self sufficient.” with the ability to be self sufficient. Kayla hit the ground running as soon as she arrived at Jacob’s Place, and had a job within the first two days. “It has been a great experience. I thought it would be hard, but they make it easy.” With a goal of being sure children like Kayla’s have a place to come home to, churches in the area came together to start Jacob’s Place Homeless Mission in 2005. The Searcy Ministerial 48 Your Hometown Magazine
Alliance surveyed the area and found that White County had more than 80 homeless families living around the county. With monetary donations from the community and a building provided by First United Methodist Church, the shelter was opened in 2008. It accepts families and single women. The shelter considers “families” to be married couples or single parents with legal custody of children. Pregnant women are also considered a family. Jacob’s Place Homeless Mission has served over 185 families since it opened, and its staff and board has fought long and hard to keep those numbers growing. The shelter takes an average of $150,000/year to operate and that number is met primarily with donations from the community. Marvin Robinson has been volunteering 2 nights per week for over 5 years. He says it is a calling. “I take this job very seriously. I love helping people.” - Marvin Robinson, Jacob’s Place Homeless Mission Volunteer.
It truly is a team effort with everyone that has a heart to serve. Roxanne Kelly has been working for Jacob’s Place Homeless Mission for a few months, and she says it is incredible to see the difference that Jacob’s Place makes in the lives of children. “The best part of this job is being able to see children thrive here. You get to see them become kids again, with no worries in their hearts.” – Roxanne Kelly, Jacob’s Place Homeless Mission Staff Member Financial support is the biggest need for Jacob’s Place Homeless Mission, but there are other ways to serve. The possibilities are endless: perhaps you have a background in counseling, or you have the ability to build kitchen shelves, or even the patience to organize an overflowing garage. All contributions help clients like Kayla, and help give a sanctuary for her little ones. “I love when they run off the school bus, excited to come home. You can tell they love it here,” said Kayla. The current shelter can support up to 3 families at a time. With continued generosity of donors and the grace of God, the shelter will continue to serve families for years. If you would like to donate or volunteer, please call 501-380-8283.
“The best part of this job is being able to see children thrive here. You get to see them become kids again, with no worries in their hearts.” – Roxanne Kelly,
Jacob’s Place Staff Member
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5
Stress Relieving Yoga Postures 1.
Legs Up The Wall
2.
Standing Forward Bend
3.
Reclined Bound Angle Pose
4. Savasana Pose
5. Child’s Pose
50 Your Hometown Magazine
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By Cecelia Wilson
T
Dave Sanderson
was named in the “Top Leadership Speakers for 2018” list by Inc.com, a part of Inc. Magazine which is a leading publication for entrepreneurs and business owners.
he week of the 9th anniversary of the Miracle of the Hudson, Dave Sanderson spoke to an attentive audience from Harding University in the Grand Ballroom at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion. Representatives from the United Way and the American Red Cross were seated at one of the head tables. All had come to hear the story of a survivor, but left inspired knowing the depths of despair don’t need to spell defeat, but can motivate to greater heights. On January 15, 2009, Dave Sanderson was the last passenger off US Airways Flight 1549 after it crashed into the Hudson River. From takeoff at LaGuardia to crashing, being rescued, and then hospitalized, the entire flight took only about 30 minutes, but the traumatic experience changed Dave’s life forever. He eventually left his career and is now an inspirational speaker and author who focuses on empowerment, faith, leadership, teamwork and personal development. He reminds his listeners that how you face your own personal plane crash (whether that’s a fire, a flood, a health scare, etc.) makes all the difference in your own survival and growth moving forward. Prior to the Miracle on the Hudson, Dave was in sales and his career kept him busy traveling. To be fair, he was simply following in his father’s footsteps. “It was Dad’s pattern,” Dave remembers. “He was never around.” That’s what a busy position meant for Dave and his family as well — Dave was often absent from family functions. But on that cold, fateful January day, Dave’s life would literally be turned upside down. 52 Your Hometown Magazine
Time and circumstance meant Dave had a destiny with history. “I wasn’t scheduled to be on that flight,” he recalls the events that landed him in seat 15A, four rows behind the left wing. Originally scheduled to leave on a 5:00 p.m. flight back to his home in Charlotte, North Carolina, Dave finished his day at his company’s distribution center in Brooklyn sooner than expected. Seizing the opportunity, Dave decided to book Flight 1549 so he could get back to his wife and children earlier. Some people might consider that change to an ill-fated flight a tragedy, but Dave views it through a different lens. “I truly believe I was booked on that flight for a reason.” It turns out, Dave would only be aboard the Airbus A320-214 for approximately five-minutes. The plane departed LaGuardia at 3:25 p.m. The temperature that day was 21° and the skies were partly cloudy. Morning snow showers had ended and the visibility was so good that Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenburger even remarked to First Officer Jeffrey Skiles, “What a view of the Hudson today!” At 3:27 p.m., at an altitude of approximately 3,000 feet the plane encountered a flock of Canadian geese. For Dave and the 154 other people who had just taken their seats, it had all begun so routinely. “I put my briefcase down, pulled out a magazine and started reading,” he says. “I didn’t know where the exits were. I guarantee every time I get on a flight now, I do because I now know how important it is to be aware on a plane.” Dave remembers hearing an explosion. “I had never heard anything like that on a plane before, so it got my attention.” Glancing out
“You suddenly have clarity of your
purpose. I prayed and I was calm. I wasn’t sad; I was resolved. I knew I would either survive or be in a better place.” Faith played a big part in that peace of mind.”
the window, he saw fire coming out of the left wing. What he didn’t immediately know was that the same scene was playing out on the right side of the plane. There was no mistaking the seriousness of the situation. A fellow passenger asked Sanderson what was happening and, feeling the plane bank, Dave assumed they were returning to the airport. Losing thrust in both engines, the aircraft was now essentially a glider. “Fortunately,” Sanderson shared, “we had a captain who not only had 40 years of experience and 20,000 hours of flight time, but was fighter pilot in Vietnam (and a certified glider pilot); and as important, if not more important, a first officer who also had 20,000 hours of flight experience.” For Sanderson, the next few minutes are etched in his memory. “As soon as the plane cleared the George Washington Bridge, [Sully] said the only words he would say the entire time on the plane: ‘This is your Captain. Brace for impact.’” Fortunately, calm reigned supreme. “When people start to panic, they start to make irrational decisions…This day it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.”
On January 15, 2009, Dave Sanderson was the last passenger off US Airways Flight 1549 after it crashed into the Hudson River.
“This is your Captain. Brace for impact.” After hearing the Captain’s instructions, Dave knew the situation was dire and he did two things before putting his head down: 1) he prayed; and 2) he reached down in his briefcase, got his wallet, and put it in his pants pockets so his body could be identified later. Bent over, head down, and praying, Dave remembers the “movie of my life” playing through his mind. “You suddenly have clarity of your purpose. I prayed and I was calm. I wasn’t sad; I was resolved. I knew I would either survive or be in a better place.” Faith played a big part in that peace of mind. Suggestions to return to LaGuardia or New Jersey’s Teterboro Airport were nixed by Sullenberger and at 3:30 p.m., the aircraft ditched into the Hudson River at a speed estimated at 120 mph. The hard hit tossed Dave’s head back and forward again, but when he saw light out the window, he believed he would survive. Water was SearcyLiving.com 53
“...His late mother’s admonition spoke loudly: ‘Do the right thing and God will take care of you.’”
now coming in from beneath the damaged fuselage and from the back of the plane. “My first thought was to get out — up the aisle and out,” Dave admits. But his late mother’s admonition spoke loudly: “Do the right thing and God will take care of you.” Harkening to his sports background where teammates always had each other’s backs, Dave changed direction and went to the back of the plane to see if anyone needed help getting out. Dodging luggage that had fallen from overhead bins and wading in ankle-deep and then waist-deep water in the darkened back of the plane, Dave saw that young and old made their way to the exits and out into the cold New York day. “When I got to the door, there was an amazing sight: there was no room on that boat for me; there was no room on that wing for me. [But] people were already being rescued.” Radar and tower personnel had immediately notified the Coast Guard, who had responded with an emphatic: “We have launched the fleet.” The water was a numbing 36° and ferry crews who had seen the plane go down or noticed it floating in the water sped toward the passengers who were now standing on the wings or huddled in life rafts. The Thomas Jefferson was the first to reach the aircraft and was joined by the Athenia, the Admiral Bennis and a dozen other boats. Dave jumped in and swam to the closest boat he could find. Hampered by the effects of the frigid water, he was then unable to climb aboard, but was pulled up by two men who still remain unknown to Sanderson. Once on deck, a gentleman handed his cell phone to Dave and insisted he call his family. Dave left a voicemail message his daughter would later intercept and relay to the rest of the family: “…I’ve been in a plane crash.” When Dave reached the New Jersey shore, there were three people waiting for him. “There were two EMTs and a gentleman from the American Red Cross with a blanket. That’s why I’m a national spokesperson for the American Red Cross. There were a 54 Your Hometown Magazine
lot of groups that touched a lot of people that day, but there were two groups touching every one of us: the ferries and the American Red Cross from the New York and the New Jersey sides.” Of the 155 passengers, most walked away from the crash. In fact, it was difficult to get an accurate headcount because so many of the passengers simply went home! From the people on Flight 1549 that day, ten were taken to hospitals: seven to New York hospitals and three to New Jersey hospitals. Of those hospitalized, only two were kept overnight: Dave (the last passenger out) and Barry (the first passenger out). It would take five hours to simply warm Dave’s body. Shots of Dave were plastered on newsfeeds and beamed across the airwaves; news reporters attempted to board his ambulance. Even his eventual flight back to Charlotte was brimming with spectators anxious to get a glimpse of one of the Miracle on the Hudson survivors. Once again Dave was last off a Charlotte flight —this time by choice, to avoid the onslaught of curiosity seekers. But, this homecoming was different than any he had ever experienced. “When we landed,” he recalls, “my family was there, US Airways was there, but also the Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross was there with my family. That was the most important thing that happened for me during that whole two-day period.” Dave recalls the people he met while visiting places like Ft. Hood, tornado-stricken Oklahoma, hurricane-ravaged Palm Beach. “I get a chance to talk with people [just after these events] and one thing I found is this — people like me get taken care of, but often the families are forgotten. [The American Red Cross] took care of my family. That’s why I’m so passionate about what they do. That’s where my miracle turns into my mission.” His message is simple. He found himself in a situation in which he had no control and, when he realized he would survive, he acted on those things he learned as a child from his mother: do the right thing, never say “I can’t.” Surviving taught him to prioritize his life in a way his father never did: family first, business second — not the other way around. The message he spreads to others is to grow from your personal plane crash, learn from it, and become something better than you were before. It has been nine years since Sully became a hero when he glided that airliner into the Hudson without the loss of life. For Dave Sanderson, it has been nine years filled with a greater purpose and a more focused life. He left his audience in Arkansas’ capital with thoughts from Romans 5:1-5:
“Suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us.” For more information on Dave Sanderson: https://davesandersonspeaks.com/ Continued on next page
“He reminds his listeners that how you face your own personal plane crash (whether that’s a fire, a flood, a health scare, etc.) makes all the difference in your own survival and growth moving forward.”
A special thank you to Pat Downs of United Way for assisting us with this story.
UNITED WAY OF WHITE COUNTY United Way of White County was formed in 1979 by a group of far-sighted business men headed up by Mr. Albert Yarnell and Mr. Zeke Chronister. These men saw the need for one large fund raising effort that benefited many different organizations rather than numerous fundraisers benefitting one cause at a time. The first campaign goal was $75,000. Mr. Jim Baugh Jones was the first campaign chairman and under his leadership $125,000 was raised. Mr. Richard Hatfield served as the first President. The mission was to increase the organized capacity of people in White County to care for one another. After thirty-nine years, the mission remains the same. Today United Way of White County raises funds to benefit sixteen different agencies. Some of these agencies must have local money to qualify for federal and state funds. The funds raised are allocated to these sixteen agencies and the allocations they received from United Way of White County help them to provide needed services to thousands of men, women, and children in White County. We are very grateful for the generosity of the people in White County who contribute to United Way to improve the quality of life for those in need.
“Going through things you never thought you’d go through will only take you places you never thought you’d get to.” ~Unknown SearcyLiving.com 55
Students from Harding University and Board members of United Way get their picture at the Arkansas Governors Mansion with Dave Sanderson
56 Your Hometown Magazine
“Surviving taught him to prioritize his life...family first, business second — not the other way around.”
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“All had come to hear the story of a survivor, but left inspired knowing the depths of despair don’t need to spell defeat, but can motivate to greater heights.”
58 Your Hometown Magazine
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Junior Auxiliary of Searcy
a Spirit Of Service Still Alive Today
By Natalie Horton
On June 29, 1961 Junior Auxiliary of Searcy received their charter for active membership in the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries. The ladies who started this organization gave countless volunteer hours to projects such as running the concession stands for the Little League Association, working with Special Education Classes at the Searcy Grammar and Primary Schools and working with the Crippled Children’s Clinic.
I
n September of 2014 I became a Provisional member of Junior Auxiliary of Searcy. I soon learned about all of the many projects the organization did in the community and was blown away by the number of people this one organization touched. When I started working on this article, I combed through Junior Auxiliary of Searcy scrapbooks dating back to the organization’s beginning, and asked Life and Associate members to share about some of their favorite projects. As a result, I found a common theme of love for our community, the people in it and a spirit to serve those in need. Today, Junior Auxiliary of Searcy is made up of 21 Active members and 7 Provisional members. Our projects have changed a little over the years, but one thing that has remained the same is the spirit of service for our community that each of the organization’s members, past and present, hold dear. All of Junior Auxiliary’s projects focus on meeting the needs of the community, especially the children of White County. The Sunshine School is at the heart of Junior Auxiliary of Searcy’s service projects. In 1964, the Sunshine School started under the sponsorship of JA of Searcy. It began as a half-day program for seven developmentally disabled students, and has turned into a full-time school for students of all ages. The 60 Your Hometown Magazine
Sunshine School was a favorite project of JA of Searcy Life member, Anne Gardner, “I was present for the beginning of the school and am very grateful that my fellow Junior Auxiliary members have supported the school for these many years.” Today, JA of Searcy volunteers with the school year around. We host a Halloween Carnival every fall and an Easter Egg Hunt in the spring, as well as monthly birthday parties to celebrate the students and teachers. Every summer we assist with the school’s summer day camp by helping with arts, crafts, and swimming. Audra Wray, JA of Searcy Life Member, who served as the Sunshine School chair for two years says, “One of the most profound moments for me was when my then two year old son came to the Easter egg hunt. I looked over and watched as he helped the students hunt eggs. What was supposed to be a blessing to the Sunshine School kids turned out to be a defining moment in teaching my son how to help others.” Junior Auxiliary of Searcy’s Angel Tree project was born in 1978 in hopes of involving the entire community in giving, and helping to meet the needs of their neighbors. Junior Auxiliary set up Christmas trees at local banks decorated with handmade Angels. Community members who adopted these angels would receive a list of wants and needs that they could fulfill and bring back to be distributed by Junior Auxiliary members. Today,
Angel Tree remains one of Junior Auxiliary of Searcy’s largest projects. Starting in November, you will see trees set up at area banks and Junior Auxiliary members sitting at Harps adopting out angels. When gifts are returned, members spend hours organizing and getting them ready to deliver to the families. If an angel is not adopted or all of their needs are not met, members of Junior Auxiliary purchase gifts for the children. Ashley Harvey, JA Life member, who served as the Angel Tree chair in 2011 says, “On Christmas morning I had a great feeling knowing so many children were waking up to Christmas gifts that people in Searcy provided. It meant that parents got to experience the joy on a child’s face when they received all those gifts.” This past Christmas, through the Angel Tree project, we provided Christmas for 308 children in 116 families. In 1994, Junior Auxiliary of Searcy partnered with the White County Health Department to start a program called Shots for Tots and Teens, where free immunizations and lunch were provided to families who were unable to afford the services. The first year of this program, more than 100 children were immunized and lunch was served to them and their families. Shots for Tots and Teens planted the seed for what is now A Day of Caring, which is a medical mission sponsored by Unity Health, where participants can receive basic medical care and needs such as food, school supplies, personal hygiene products, socks, shoes and underwear. Junior Auxiliary of Searcy is still very involved with A Day of Caring. Through our Covering Kids Project, we give underwear to every child that comes through the event, and with the help of local businesses, we also provide lunch for all of the participants. JA Life member, Diane Killough said that the Covering Kids Project impacted her a great deal, “I was a teacher at Searcy Public Schools when I joined JA. I was able to see up close and personal the good deeds that this organization did for our community. From
“All of Junior Auxiliary’s projects focus on meeting the needs of the community, especially the children of White County.”
getting new shoes, backpacks, clothes, or even school supplies, this project really does make a huge difference in a child’s life.” In 2017, Junior Auxiliary of Searcy provided underwear for over 650 children through Covering Kids and served 1200 meals to participants and volunteers at A Day of Caring. Junior Auxiliary of Searcy members work on many other projects in addition to the Sunshine School, Angel Tree, and Covering Kids. Every November, we partner with Searcy Schools to collect and distribute food baskets to area families in need. We help the Searcy Learning Center by providing weekly snacks for the students. Junior Auxiliary of Searcy also awards the Maribeth Chapman/Marilyn Clubb and Dottie Corder Memorial Scholarships to two Searcy High School seniors each year. Junior Auxiliary gives members the opportunity to learn more about our community and create lasting friendships. Life Member Ashley Marshall says, “JA is an amazing group of women who work really hard in our community, and I’m so grateful for all of the sweet friends I made. I became more active in our community because of JA.” Junior Auxiliary of Searcy’s projects would not be possible without the support of the Searcy community. Every year we
Charter Presentation
National President, Mrs. James Robinson, presents Junior Auxiliary of Searcy President, Mrs. Perrin Jones, with the Junior Auxiliary of Searcy Charter on June 29, 1961 in the Terrace Room at the Mayfair Hotel. On the right is Miss Martha Wise National Executive Secretary.
Junior Auxiliary of Searcy
Presents
The Roaring 20s Charity Ball Saturday, April 14, 2018 Searcy Country Club
Tickets:
$65 per person or $120 for a couple All the money raised will go towards Junior Auxiliary of Searcy’s projects that benefit the children of White County
Covering Kids 2017
Junior Auxiliary members prepare to hand out underwear to children at A Day of Caring 2017. SearcyLiving.com 61
“Junior Auxiliary of Searcy’s projects would not be possible without the support of the Searcy community.”
Sunshine School Donation
Junior of Auxiliary of Searcy donated $5,000 to the Sunshine School in May 2017.
62 Your Hometown Magazine
host a Charity Ball to raise money needed to continue with all of these projects. This year’s Charity Ball theme is The Roaring 20s, and it will take place at the Searcy Country Club on April 14th. Kristi Valencia, chair of this year’s event says, “Charity Ball is a chance for our community to come together for the children of White County. We have a great night of fun planned that will include dinner, a silent and live auction, and entertainment. Rodger Cargile will be our auctioneer and music will be provided by Crown Entertainment.” Tickets to the 2018 Charity Ball are $65 per person or $120 for a couple. If you would like to purchase tickets, or if you are a business who would like to support our efforts by sponsoring or donating an auction item, call 501-254-9181, email juniorauxiliarysearcyar@gmail. com, or contact any Junior Auxiliary of Searcy member. If you cannot attend Charity Ball, but would still like to support Junior Auxiliary of Searcy’s projects, you may send a donation to: Junior Auxiliary of Searcy, P.O. Box 156, Searcy, AR 72143
Officers 1966
Junior Auxiliary of Searcy Officers in 1966. Â From left, Mrs. Jack Wiseman, president; Mrs. Logan Cothern, vice president; Mrs. Dean Langford, recording secretary and Mrs. Jack Gardner, treasurer.
Angel Tree 1978
Junior Auxiliary of Searcy members, Mrs. James Golleher, Mrs. Bob Covert, Mrs. Peter Bednar, Mrs. D.D. Young, Jr. and Mrs. David Corder decorate a Christmas tree at First National Bank, where a table was set up for those who wanted to help with the Angel Tree project.
Angel Tree 2017
Junior Auxiliary of Searcy uses some of the money raised from Charity Ball to help provide Christmas gifts to children who are not adopted off of the Angel Tree.
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How to Reveal Your Team’s
Every member of your team has super-hero powers, it’s our responsibility to use them.
By Paul H. Grau, Jr. “You are much stronger than you think. … with great power, comes great responsibility.” - Spiderman
C
an you imagine working with a team of superheroes? Well, believe it or not, you and your team all have ‘super-powers’ just waiting to be revealed. The problem is, many of us live our lives without allowing our super-powers to ever be fully exposed. Many of us end up settling for what life deals us. Think about what your greatest gifts are and then ask yourself if you can use those gifts at work, at school, in church, or at home. All too often, we know what our ‘super-powers’ are, yet we remain silent and keep them hidden. If you have seen the previews of the new Incredibles movie (due to come out later this year), you have seen the youngest member of their family reveal his powers. Up till the last scene in the first movie, they didn’t know if the baby had any super-powers or not. Ironically enough, we are not much different than the Incredibles’ baby; we all have powers that are hidden and/or not being properly utilized. I have the privilege of working with a variety of teams, from small businesses of 3-4 people to large corporate teams, and there’s one thing never ceases to amaze me: the excitement and elation that comes when people have their super-powers revealed. I call these “lite-bulb moments.” That excitement only gets greater as they begin to use their powers to contribute to the team. I use a tool called the DISC Personality System that has four primary personality behavioral groups. The results of the assessment normally places individuals in two or three personality behavioral groups, with one being the dominant group (or their primary personality). The results also give you a breakdown of their strengths, communication techniques, and greatest ‘areas of opportunities’ (often referred to as weaknesses). Here’s an interesting fact about the DISC Personality System: it was created by Dr. William M. Marston in 1926. The interesting part is Dr. Marston was also the original creator of Wonder Woman. 64 Your Hometown Magazine
He basically created Wonder Woman as the “perfect woman,” being perfectly balanced in all four personality behavioral styles. Each of her powers and various items of her uniform represent a different style/group. When I work with teams, I like to focus on the positive powers of each personality group. I first learned about this technique from my friend Jill Davis, who works extensively with the DISC profile system. The D-style provides direction and keeps the team focused on the agenda. The I-style provides entertainment to the team and is very sociable. The S-style provides comfort and ensures the team is safe. Finally, the C-style provides order and logistics and ensures the team is completing the job correctly. Knowing which group you fall in is only the beginning. When you start to dissect this information, you can see exactly where everyone on your team can thrive. Many times, team members are misplaced in positions that contradict how they were designed to operate, and this can cause stress and/or serious conflict within the team. Maybe more importantly, when people of your team are misplaced, they can cause your team’s productivity to plummet. However, when your team members are properly placed according to their personality, strengths, communication factors, and areas of opportunities, your team will operate like a well-oiled machine; your team will flourish! Think of it this way. The Avengers alone were powerful, as they all had unique super-powers. However, when they work as a team they compliment each other because they can focus on what they do best. They can concentrate on their super-power(s), and nobody can slow their team down! Your team can function the same way if you understand how each member can utilize his/her super-powers to their fullest potential. Comparably, the Bible talks about spiritual gifts and different parts of the body. To paraphrase 1 Corinthians 12, everyone is given different gifts, and the body is made up of many different parts. It’s unrealistic to expect your hand to see or your eye to make a fist. The point is that we need every part of our body, and
in much the same way, you need every member of your team. If any member of the team is trying to do something they aren’t designed to do, the entire team suffers! Here’s an example: Somebody with a D-personality will have a difficult time being comforting and empathetic with other team members. However, an S-personality thrives in those areas, yet will have a difficult time being forceful and directional; this is where the D-personality is most comfortable. In much the same way, you would not want to ask a C-personality to take uncalculated risks or answer phone calls all day; however, an I-personality would enjoy those tasks. Conversely, an I-personality would feel like they are living in their worst nightmare if you ask them to crunch numbers all day and/or enforce rules throughout the day, yet the C-personality would feel right at home. Recently, I was honored to have the opportunity to work with Christine Walker and her team at Searcy Living Magazine. If you want a snapshot of what a great team looks like, I challenge you to visit them to see firsthand how they operate together. Their team utilizes each other’s super-powers in a way that compliments each other. Christine told me the DISC system & training was “lifechanging” for her team. The cool thing is, the training simply revealed their super-powers and allowed them all to understand how everyone contributes most effectively. I started this article with a quote from Spiderman. However, Spiderman wasn’t the first person to tell us that we are responsible to use our powers. Jesus told us “to whom much is given … much will be required” (Luke 12:48). Your gifts, a.k.a. ‘super-powers’ were not given to you to be concealed; they were given to you for you to use and to help others on your team. What super-powers are you not utilizing? Unleash them today!
“Start living your life the way God designed you to live, and utilize your strengths to their fullest capacity.”
The bottom line is that we all have special gifts (a.k.a. ‘superpowers’) that we were created to use. Start living your life the way God designed you to live, and utilize your strengths to their fullest capacity. I challenge you to sit down with your team and figure out how you can better use each other’s gifts. The sooner you can do this, the more productive your entire team will be, and level of morale and overall engagement will skyrocket. We were all given unique gifts; it’s our responsibility to utilize them, and in doing so, we can change the world! Run to Your Challenges... to Achieve Greatness & Stand Out Among Leaders! For more Leadership information & blogs, go to RuntoyourChallenges.com Have Paul work with your organization by contacting him directly at PaulGrau@CurrentLeadershipCoaching.com or at 501-743-5614.
“...Many of us live our lives without allowing our super-powers to ever be fully exposed.”
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It benefits you!
Produced by
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What Foster Parents Are Saying
How You Can Help
Amazing Donors
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Imagine a world where every child has a safe and loving home. Believe it can happen! Your Hometown Magazine
Only a few are willing to give their time, their home and their life to serve orphans. But the rest of us can be an amazing support team! The Imagine & Believe Foundation has office space, utilities and Foster Care Boutique space that is 100% donated by a local business. Your donations are put to great use in the serving of foster children.
foundat i on
Find Us On imaginebelieve123.com
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What is the purpose of the
Imagine & Believe Foundation? We provide the Foster Care Boutique, which is where your donations of clothing and diapers are connected to foster parents.
We connect seasoned mentors (former foster parents) to new foster and adoptive parents, giving
them a resource to ask questions and glean wisdom from someone who truly understands their journey.
We help new foster homes get set-up with things such as play pens and child safety gates. We help fill in the gaps. There are so many things to get and do to prepare to be a new parent of a child or children of varying ages. We know
the journey of fostering and adopting is very rewarding, but it can also have great times of discouragement and loss. We try to be an encouragement system and reminder that this community really does care about the orphans and the caretakers of the orphan ministry.
If a foster family does not have the time to come by the Foster Care Boutique, we deliver the clothing and diapers to them. An example of this is them taking in a foster child at 3am and having to be at work by 8am the next morning.
The Imagine & Believe Foster Care Boutique is located at
812 S. Main St. • Searcy, AR
Please send donations to:
Imagine & Believe Foundation • P.O. Box 2042 • Searcy, AR 72145 Phone (501) 593-5263 My check is enclosed to help wherever needed.
$5
$20
Other: ______________
I want to donate my time. My talent is: ___________________________________
Imagine & Believe is a Non-Profit 501(c)(3) • Donations are Tax Deductible 501.593.5263 70 Your Hometown Magazine
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What Is The
Foster Care & Adoption Boutique? * The Imagine and Believe Foster Care and Adoption Boutique is simply a room in the Searcy Living business office that we have dedicated for use in helping foster & adoptive families, and sometimes emergency situations. Our awesome Searcy Living readers bring in donations, enabling foster parents to be able to ‘shop’ for what they need for foster, adopted and disadvantaged children, at no cost. Our office is located at 812 S. Main Street in Searcy. We welcome gently used or new items. Thank you, Searcy, for your generosity and time spent to support the Foster Care Boutique!
L o c at e d In
H ope Believe Thank You for supporting Christmas for the White County Foster Children: Bright Horizons Academy Casa Mojitos - Beebe Dollar General - Center Hill 10 Fitness - Searcy Searcy Athletic Club Stanley Pharmacy Land O’Frost Starbucks - Race Street Trinity Baptist Church - Searcy Crossroads Cowboy Church - El Paso White Co. DCFS Thank you Fellowship Bible Church - Searcy for all your help with the Christmas Toyland. Thank you to Jamie Bates for all her hard work on the Tinsel, Trees and Toys event. Thank you in a HUGE WAY to the master organizer Lorna Burton!
Imagine a world where every child has a safe loving home. Believe it can happen!
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Thank you Providence Assisted Living for hosting the Tinsel, Trees and Toys.
~ WCFPA
Thank Y ou to
10 Fitness!
Optimist Club Donation
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Thank You All Volunteers & Donors!
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A Special Thank You To The Elks! Pictured are Pam Boggan, Anita Varnell, and Michelle Rodgers.
With Much Appreciation Claudette Smith Cub Scout Pack 98 Bold Dental - Donating Toothpaste Venita Salter Insurance Thank you to AAA Storage on Sawmill for their year-round support!
T han k Y ou ! SearcyLiving.com 75
Fab
With Amanda Lutrell
Wall Painting Whether remodeling a house or sprucing up a room, at one point or another most of us have the task of painting walls. So the next time you find yourself with a brush and roller in hand, here are a few tips to help you paint like a pro!
Color and Sheen Basics Don’t rely on paint chips! Always buy a sample of your paint color and paint a portion of the wall in the room you will be painting. (Or paint a piece of white poster board and tape it to your wall.) Look at it during different times of the day to see how the sunlight affects the color. Often, gray will appear blue or even purple, depending on how the light hits it. I recommend using satin or eggshell sheens for walls and semi-gloss for trim. I never recommend using flat paint, as it tends to look dull and the porous texture holds onto dirt, making it difficult to clean.
Start with a Clean Slate I will be the first to admit that it’s very tempting to skip over the prep work and dig right in, but for a beautiful and long lasting paint job, prep work is very necessary. DD Remove all nails or screws from the walls. DD Spackle and caulk wherever needed. DD Remove all switch and receptacle plates and put them in a Ziploc bag for safe keeping. (Don’t try to leave them on and paint around them! If you get paint on them it will look like an old sloppy paint job! It’s better to take the time to remove them.) DD Dust all walls with a Swiffer duster and wipe down all baseboards and trim. Painting over dust bunnies can cause the paint to not adhere properly.
Have the Correct Tools for the Job As with anything, having the correct tools for the job makes the work easier and look better. Be sure and use painter’s tape where needed for crisp straight lines and to avoid painting on anything not intended. 76 Your Hometown Magazine
Use a canvas drop cloth to protect your floors. Paint simply bounces and rolls off plastic drop cloths and soaks thru paper or old bedsheets. Make sure you have a quality paint brush and roller. Those “bargain” paint brushes won’t seem like such a bargain when you have to add additional coats because of the bad coverage, or see the brush strokes on your wall! Angled brushes are the best for edging. For best coverage, I always recommend using a paint and primer in one.
Order is Key If you are painting the trim in your room as well as the walls, always paint the trim first. (Be sure to let it dry completely before using any painter’s tape.) For the best use of time, edge paint around the entire room before rolling the walls. I always edge around the ceiling and anything that needs a ladder or step stool and then work my way down. Once the room is completely edged in, I place my paintbrush in a Ziploc to keep it from drying out between coats. Finish by roll painting the rest of the wall. Always paint at least 2 coats, even if the can says “one coat coverage.” The paint may be thick enough to cover in one coat, but inevitably there will be places missed during the first coat. The second coat ensures full coverage and a good finish. In between coats I put the roller in a plastic bag and cover the pan with aluminum foil. With these simple tips you are sure to have a beautiful paint job that you can enjoy for years to come!
“...
having the correct tools
for the job makes the work easier and look better.”
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Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup Seeing that it’s the beginning of a new year and figuring that many of you are at least making mental resolutions to eat healthier (most of us do this until it finally sticks), I’m pretty excited to share this recipe with you that I have used for years. Even years ago when I THOUGHT I was eating better, I still used the good old canned cream of mushroom soup to make my “homemade” casseroles; I just didn’t know any better. Once I realized that a fabulous version of the canned stuff only had six ingredients in it (as opposed to the numerous ingredients in the canned kind, most of which are preservatives and flavor enhancers) I never bought or used the canned stuff again. I have been known to use the cold weather as an excuse to make a very large batch of this recipe (just multiply each ingredient by the number of batches you’re needing) and put individual servings in glass canning jars to store in the freezer until needed OR dust off the canning pot and can several batches to put in the pantry. It’s so nice to be able to just grab a jar of this straight out of the pantry to use in a dish calling for cream of mushroom soup. Once you realize how easy, economical, delicious, and healthier by comparison this is to canned soup....this might become your greatest discovery in cooking for 2018!
Heat
In a saucepan, heat butter or oil over medium heat and add salt and mushrooms, stirring frequently until mushrooms soften.
3 Tbsp Butter or Olive Oil (Or combination of the two) 1/4 Tsp Salt 2 Whole Mushrooms, Washed well and chopped 3 Tbsp Unbleached Plain Flour 1 C Milk 1 Tbsp Cream Cheese
Roux
Add flour and stir well to incorporate all the ingredients, making a paste (a “roux”), then slowly add the milk, stirring all the while.
Add
Continue cooking and stirring until mixture becomes thick then add the cream cheese and stir or whisk mixture to make sure it is all combined well.
Finish
Remove from heat and either place in a jar to use for later, place in jar, label and freeze for later, place in a canning jar and process to can it for the pantry or use that stuff right away. You’re gonna love it, I’m fairly certain! Happy 2018!
Tanya Turner Leckie’s cookbook, Cartwheels In The Kitchen, is available at Midnight Oil Coffee House, as well as through Tanya by e-mailing her at lazydaygourmet@sbcglobal.net. Partial proceeds through sales benefit the Makonde Team mission work in Tanzania, Africa. 78 Your Hometown Magazine
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Across 3. Paul Grau likes to focus on the positive ________ of each personality group. 5. Janet called it “Family and Friends” because of how willing her family and friends were to ________ in and help her. 6. ________ played a big part in Sanderson’s peace of mind. 7. According to Roxanne, the best part of Jacob’s Place is being able to see ________ thrive. 8. The DOTS vision is to give children sober moms and our moms ________ children.
which is faster – hot or cold?
Down 1. Of the 155 passengers on US Airways Flight 1549, only ________ were kept overnight in hospitals. 2. Through the SWMS Shark Tank, students have gained a general knowledge of what is needed to create a ________. 4. This year’s Charity Ball theme is the ________ 20s.
forwards i am heavy, backwards i am not. what am i?
Find The Answers On
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Keep your head up. God gives His hardest battles to His strongest soldiers.
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!
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