Searcy Living Issue 3 2015

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2 Your Hometown Magazine

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issue 3 2015

Basketball Bonds 42 1,000,000 Pennies Challenge

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Laughter In Love 46 Tips Of Bridal Shower Etiquette

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A Promise Made A Promise Kept

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Peace In The Valley 58 Taylor’s Journal 64 Things For Kids This Summer

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Roo And You 74 Searcy Youth Tennis League

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Mission Machine 78 Playing On 84 Once Upon A Train 88 An Important Lesson 90 Heartburn And Reflux 92

Out & About Publisher’s Note 11

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Hope Believe 12 Fashion Fun 18 Favorite Facebook Quotes

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We The People 24 Over The Counter 68

“Life is like a mirror. It will smile with you, if you smile at it.”

–Unknown

Out And About Photos 91 Dinner And A Magazine 94 Games And Puzzles 96

Out & About

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On the Cover

Asher Beard

Photo by

Kimberly Brackins (501) 279-1515 www.kbrackins.com SearcyLiving.com 9

Publisher Christine Walker Art Director & Webmaster Garrett Johnson Graphic Assistant Ikey Ray Editorial Assistant Cherie Sewell Makeover Coordinator Christine Locke Office Manager Chasity Thomas Contributing Independent Photographers TJ Boarman (501) 416-7034 Kimberly Brackins (501)279-1515 George Dillin (501)268-9304 Cassie Jones (501)230-0539 Candace Skarda (501)281-6297 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 2015 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 2015 Shark Promotions LLC

Searcy Living Magazine is a subsidiary of Shark Promotions LLC.

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Out of the Box

Just like you, I like to be happy, fun and adventurous. I don’t normally worry about tomorrow, because it will take care of itself! But life does occasionally make that attitude seem impossible. In fact, when I read a Facebook post entitled “Confessions of a Real Person” (page 22), I asked the writer if we could print it in the next issue of Searcy Living, because at that moment I could so relate!

It had been a bad month all around, beginning when an ice storm caused my office roof to leak. The clean-up crew left trash at the back of the building, so while I was cleaning it up on a Saturday afternoon I tripped on the way to the dumpster, rolling my ankle and landing head first into a box. Now I’m always a little extra wimpy when I’m sick and I was suffering from my third sinus infection of the year, along with a major lack of sunshine (need vitamin D!!!), all together creating a totally bad day. I laid on the ground with my head still in the box and just cried, pleading with God for mercy. Eventually I pulled my head out of the box, pulled my boot off and with a rapidly swelling ankle hobbled back inside, giving up on that miserable project of the day. The next couple of weeks were not much better, with weird random problems popping up and then a last minute minor surgery to top it all off.

Then one day I was just minding my own business working on a project before deadline, and suddenly remembered to return a call I had missed early that morning. I am so glad I did! It was a retired friend who just wanted to be encouraging. They had been praying and I had come to mind. I was complimented on everything from my character to, well, everything. The comments were sincere and so appreciated. It reminded me of the power we all have to brighten someone’s day. A simple, sincere phone call, a random act of kindness, something that only takes a few minutes, but can help someone having a bad day.

We are all going to occasionally have a bad day (or month). I hope your bad days don’t include falling in a box; but even if they do, I hope someone communicates kindness to you and I hope you remember to do the same for others. That bad month has made me more aware of others hurting around me, even when my little world is good.

I’m now enjoying sunny days and more adventures, and I hope you are, too. If not, may God put you on someone’s heart to show you compassion and encouragement along the way until good days return again :) The power of encouragement is amazing!

And, as always, thank you for reading Searcy Living! ~

Christine

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Remember The Extras On A Promise Made, A Promise Kept

Mission Machine

Taylor’s Journal

“Be better today than you were yesterday, and better tomorrow than you were today.”

“It’s about restoring dignity first and foremost.”

“‘She’s got something,’ was (literally) music to the Eaves’ ears!”

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Page 78

Page 64

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Hope Believe

Foster Care and Adoption Boutique *

The Searcy Living 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 and foster parents are 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!

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s!

Thank

!

Thanks

Thank Y o

u!

Fact: Children enter foster care through no fault of their own. Most are in care due to abuse or extreme neglect.

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Hope Believe Thank Y o

u!

We need diapers in all sizes!

!

Thanks

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s!

Thank

As the old Proverb says, sometimes it does take a village to raise a child. Not one entity can provide the resources and support for all the children in need, but we can pull together and do our part. The children that the Foster Care Boutique helps are sometimes the most extreme needs in the community. Thank you for the clothing, diapers, and volunteer hours you have provided to this project.

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Hope Believe A Big Thank You! A special thank you to The Sassy Stitch for the recent donation to the Searcy Living Foster Care & Adoption Boutique!

s!

Thank

A big thank you to the Oak Grove Extension Homemakers Club!

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“How we walk with the broken speaks louder than how we sit with the great.” ~Bill Bennot

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Our spring makeover, Brenna Arnold, wears a new outfit styled by Amanda Taylor at Hays.

Doris Yates of The Cosmetic Studio applied Brenna’s makeup, and Robin Martin of Bliss Salon and Day Spa did her hair. Portraits by Kimberly Brackins showcase the results. Thanks to all our generous sponsors for making Brenna’s day special!

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Before

Outfit from

Hays Christine Locke Makeover Coordinator

3005 E. Race St. • Searcy (501) 268-0800

Makeup by

Doris Yates at

Cosmetic Studio

By Doris

Hair by Robin

Yates at

In the Heart & Soul Plaza 1623 E. Beebe-Capps • Searcy (501) 279-2526

Martin of

Bliss Salon

Hair by

hair

Robin martin at

219 W. Market Ave. Downtown Searcy 501-279-2544

Photography by

Kimberly Brackins

Turn the page for more fashion & beauty retailers.

> > > > > > > > > > > >

119 N. Spring St. • Searcy (501) 279-1515 www.kbrackins.com SearcyLiving.com 19

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Favorite Facebook Quotes

Confessions Of A Real Person

Casey McLeod

I have decided that for a while, I am only going to post real life stuff...the things we don’t want people to see. I admit I get down when I see pics and statuses that people post of their perfect families with children that always get along, coordinating outfits, athletic superstars, perfect vacations, etc.

So...here goes. Yesterday, I overslept and didn’t go to the gym, again. I got mad at my girls for having messy rooms and not getting ready “on time.” I may have yelled. I was giving Todd the cold shoulder (which he probably enjoyed too much) because I was mad about something that I don’t even remember now. My day was super busy with work and school events and I was stressed all day about needing 2 of me to get it all done. WAA, WAA! I wore wedges all day so my feet hurt. I was mad about that, too.

My dogs are almost never groomed....and they stink.

There is dog hair on my floors all the time (except for Mondays, thanks to Shianna).

I frequently forget to put clothes in the dryer so they mildew in the washing machine.

When I do remember to dry the clothes, they stay wadded up in a laundry basket for days.

My girls fight like cats and dogs.

My house looks clean but please don’t open a drawer or a closet. They look like an upcoming episode of hoarders.

I guess that’s enough for now.

I worry. I worry a lot. I worry about my kids. I worry about money. I worry about our business. I worry about my husband. I want to control everything in my world so it fits in my perfect little box. What I have found about myself is that I have a serious lack of trust. I long to trust God like a little one trusts her Daddy, not questioning the how or why, but just trusting all is well and I will be taken care of. Truth is that’s not where I am. SO....what next???

I REPENT. I CHANGE MY THINKING. I TAKE MY THOUGHTS CAPTIVE. It is a process. It is a choice, but it is a choice I am making. Hold me accountable, friends.

Ask me, “Are you trusting the One who holds all things in His hands or are you trusting yourself?” I want deep within to be the Proverbs 31:25 gal!

“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”

Proverbs 31:25 New Living Translation (NLT)

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Confessions Of A Real Person, Continued...

I was in a stinky mood last night. I let taxes and the current state of health care in America, both of which have a significant impact on my life, control my attitude. I took it out on my kids and my husband. I went to bed at 8. The leftover Easter pork butt we ate last night was still on the kitchen counter this morning...gross! My closet is still a disaster. If something is actually on a hanger, I should probably give it to Goodwill because I probably haven’t worn it in a year.

I have become a really good martyr. “Waah, Waah! I have to do EVERYTHING. WAA, WAAH!!! The weight of the whole world is on my shoulders! WAA, WAAH!” Isn’t that disgusting?!?

TRUTH FOR TODAY THAT I NEED TO HEAR!!!

I’ve got it so good! We have food on the table and a warm place to sleep. I have a good job (though be it stressful at times). I have all I need and then some. THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD IS ON THE SHOULDERS OF ONE WHO CAN CARRY IT...JESUS! NOT ME!!! I heard something this morning that I am going to share (mainly because if I don’t write it somewhere I’ll never remember it). IF ASKING QUESTIONS DOES NOT LEAD ME TO JESUS, STOP ASKING THOSE QUESTIONS! HUMAN REASONING WILL NOT BRING PEACE!

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 18: 1-4

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Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting ďƒ™ the sassy stitch recently celebrated the grand opening of their new location at 3532 E. Race next to FroYo in Searcy.

National Day of Prayer

Observance Unity Health associates and Searcy community leaders recently gathered together in the Unity Health – Specialty Care campus atrium to observe the National Day of Prayer.

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Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs welcomes

Lane Bailey

Rotary Club  Mabe Mabry receives certificate for President of the Year (District 6150) presented by Paul Ford.

We are excited to announce the newest member of our team: Deputy Director Lane Bailey!

The director of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs announced Lane Bailey, of Searcy, as the new deputy director for the agency charged with the long-term care, burial honors and advocacy for over 250,000 Arkansas veterans.

Enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 1989, Bailey served as an infantry squad leader and security forces squad leader until his honorable discharge in 1993. He went on to earn two graduate degrees to include a Master’s in Public Administration.

He also holds certifications as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and as a Certified Public Manager (CPM). He serves as the President for the Arkansas Society of Certified Public Managers.

Bailey has experience in both the private and public sectors. He is currently employed by the Arkansas Department of Information Services, overseeing that agency’s project management office.

“Lane brings a different skill set and background to the table that will make us a great leadership team,” said Matt Snead, director of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs, “I believe he is just what we need to move the ball down the field on behalf of Arkansas veterans.”

Bailey’s duties will include supervising various agency departments and staff functions. He will also focus on developing the business plan for the operation of the planned Central Arkansas Veterans Home.

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ASU-Beebe: Senior High School Art Show Winners he Department of Fine Arts at Arkansas State UniversityBeebe recently presented awards following the 39th Annual Senior High School Student Art Show and Exhibit.

Senior high school students from 10th, 11th and 12th grades submitted artwork using different media, such as watercolor, oil, pastels and colored pencils. The exhibit was judged by retired ASU-Beebe art instructor Bill Long.

Winners, along with their represented high schools, are as follows: 10th Grade First place, Juan Amaya, Jacksonville; second place, Vanessa Martinez, Cabot; and third place, Gabby Okvath, Vilonia.

Honorable mention was Advianna Morris, Cabot.

11th Grade First place, J.R. Landers, Vilonia; second place, Cheyenne Emerson, Jacksonville; and third place, Michelle Peck, Cabot.

Honorable mention was Meghan Wooley, Vilonia.

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12th Grade First place, Sara Westmoreland, Cabot; second place, Tucker Felix, Jacksonville; and third place, Angela Meneses, Jacksonville.

Honorable mentions were Olivia Fredricks, Cabot; Meghanne Dunn, Cabot; and Hanna Moler, Jacksonville.

ASU-Beebe is the only two-year college in the state of Arkansas that offers an Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) degree. The AFA degree has an emphasis in vocal music or instrumental music, theater, graphic design, or creative arts enterprise. This degree is a comprehensive two-year curriculum designed specifically for transfer toward a bachelor’s degree in fine arts.

The England Center Art Gallery exhibits works of art by students and featured artists throughout the academic year. The gallery, located at the corner of Center and Orange Streets in Beebe, is open to the public, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, contact the art gallery at (501) 882-4495, or visit the ASU-Beebe website at www.asub.edu.

Sara Westmoreland received first place in the 12th Grade category.

J.R. Landers received first place in the 11th Grade category.

Juan Amaya received first place in the 10th Grade category.

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Hole in One! Dwayne Cox won an EZ Go Golf Cart on hole #3 at the

Course at River Oaks during the Searcy Childrens Home Golf Tournament recently. The golf cart was sponsored by Golf Carts of Searcy located on Main St. in Searcy. Congratulations Dwayne!

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Scenic views on the Course at River Oaks SearcyLiving.com 27

ďƒ™ ASU-Searcy practical nursing students are pictured (from left), first row: Rachel Tinsley, Sherry Kendrick, Summer Rios, Frank Franks; second row: Brittany Nelson, Aerielle Foster, Ashtin Tater, Amy Burks; third row: Kristen Portale, Heather Gordan, Jordan Rogers, Morgan Shepard. Not pictured are Laura Evans and Angel Calloway.

ASU-Searcy:

Practical Nursing Students Compete at Statewide Event

Rotary Golf Tournament

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Find more on SearcyLiving.com

ASU-Beebe: PBL Donates to Arkansas Children’s Hospital  Members of the Arkansas State University-Beebe business organization, Phi Beta Lambda (PBL), recently participated in the Hearts for Arkansas Children’s Hospital charity fundraiser which collected $375. Pictured are (from left) Tonia Spradlin, PBL advisor and business instructor; Wanda Posey of Searcy, business technology; Pamela Hill of Conway, business management; Lezley Jones of Searcy, business; Hunter Plante of Beebe, business; DiAndre Woods of Bald Knob, business; Lauren Wright of Cabot, non-degree seeking; and Allyson Hendrix, PBL advisor and business instructor. For more information on student organizations, view the website at www.asub.edu.

Ladies of Character Banquet Pangburn

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 ASU-Heber Springs student Jacob Miller was honored with a reception and presented an Arkansas Senate Citation and a proclamation from Cleburne County for being chosen as the only Arkansan in the top three at the national welding trials.

   Excellence in Welding Several ASU-Heber Springs faculty, staff, and administrators, as well as community and state leaders, attended a reception to honor Miller’s achievements in numerous state and national welding competitions. Pictured are (from left) West Side High School and ASU-Heber Springs welding instructor Randy Carr; Executive Director of the Cleburne County Office of Economic Development Dara Samuel; Miller; Cleburne County Judge Jerry Holmes; ASU-Heber Springs welding instructor Thomas ‘Tag’ Green; and Vice Chancellor for ASU-Heber Springs Dr. Chris Boyett.

Searcy Living Magazine

Girl’s Softball Team Team Photos by Jeff Montgomery 30 Your Hometown Magazine

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Citizenship Award winners ďƒ› Arkansas State University-Beebe Citizenship Award winners Mason Strayhorn (left) and Bailey Moses were chosen by the faculty and staff for their contributions to the university in areas of education, activities and leadership.

Faculty & Staff Award Winners ďƒ› Dr. David Jones (left), assistant professor of English, received the Positive Faculty Award, and Frank Taylor, of Student Life, received the Positive Staff Award at the Arkansas State University-Beebe Student Awards Banquet recently. The Positive Faculty and Positive Staff Awards are voted by the students.

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Left to Right: Unity Health nurses Michelle Davis, RN; Barbara Turner, RN; Karen Torrence, RN; Shala Smith, CSA; Jeniffer Bajorek, CSA; Chelsea Davis, Health Unit Coordinator; Peggy Turner, RN, Assistant Vice President/ Director of Nursing; Melissa Morris, RN Clinical Director.

Foundation Celebrates Generosity of Donors Unity Health Foundation Thanks Donors & Presents Award

Searcy Children’s Home Golf Tournament

Find more on SearcyLiving.com

ASU-Beebe: New Logo Branding Announced Arkansas State University-Beebe administrators recently unveiled a new logo brand and new official colors for the university.

The Arkansas State University System and Board of Trustees met on February 20 and officially approved the new ASU-Beebe logo brand for implementation. Along with the logo, the university now has new official school colors of blue and gray with a red accent. The symbolic icon features a mirror image ‘B’ on a shield with an arch shape on the top. The four quadrants of the ‘B’ represent each of ASU-Beebe’s campuses and also resemble a window with panes.

In addition to the logo and colors, ASU-Beebe also approved the use of a spirit mascot called the Vanguard. The mascot pays tribute to the first newspaper publication on campus, which started publishing around 1951. A vanguard is a group of people leading the way to new developments or ideas and has a special meaning for students, faculty, and staff in ‘leading the charge’ in education.

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Who’s Who Among Students ASU-Beebe students named to the 2014-2015 Edition of Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges are pictured (left to right), front row: Austin Foot, Cari Beth Halk, Amanda Wyman, Aaron Hicks, Taylor Eichler; middle row: Lesa May, Megan Nicole Cook, Leah Harrison, Laci Rios, Meleah Bustos, Mary Ann McAllen; back row: Brooke Alexis Murray, Destany Lytle, Jonathan Mason Strayhorn, Hope Schueren.

 Blake Hendrix presents an autographed copy of “When Life Throws You Curves, Keep Swinging” to Harding Academy librarian Kacy Barden on behalf of the Searcy Rotary Club.

The author of the book, David Vince, a baseball coach in the collegiate and high school ranks for 29 years, spoke to the Searcy Rotarians recently. Vince earned 470 victories despite the fact he walks on two prosthetic legs and has never played baseball.

He discussed his book “When Life Throws You Curves, Keep Swinging.” For more information, visit davidvince.com.

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Musical Talent Needed Christ Church of Searcy AR invites the community (especially children!) to share their voices and/or musical talent with Searcy Healthcare Center residents, located at 1205 Skyline Drive. A piano and hymnals are provided. For more information on upcoming gatherings and/or to be added to the participants email list, call 501-230-7225.

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Art Contest

Winners

Delta Dental of Arkansas sponsored an art contest in February for K - 3rd grade. The “Draw Your Dentist” and “Color the Tooth Fairy” contest had 8 winners statewide and the two 3rd grade winners are White Co. residents.  Pictured with Dr. Beth Patterson are Lucca Anderson (l) of Crosspointe Preparatory Academy and Alissa Shreves (r) of Riverview Judsonia Elementary. The winners were awarded their framed artwork and $100 cash.

Students Coordinate

Community Service Projects Pictured are Arkansas State University-Beebe students and volunteers (from left) Natashia Hilentzaris, Jessica Jongekryg, William Tremaine, Louis Kouhler and his sister (front), Monica Eanes, Sarah Mikula, Travis Newman, Sabrina New, and Andrea Fair. The group recently held an Easter Egg Hunt and distribution event. Not pictured were Megan Seville and Christopher Miller. Students in the Honors Program and Gamma Beta Phi at ASU-Beebe held several community service projects during April. Natashia Hilentzaris of Beebe, a liberal arts major, coordinated volunteers to distribute 36 packs of diapers and 35 Easter baskets to 23 families. The group raised $303 and accepted donations for the distribution. Additionally, Megan Saville of Jacksonville, a liberal arts major, spearheaded a campus-wide effort to collect 1,000 books for needy children as part of ‘A Bookcase for Every Child’ program. The ASU-Beebe Honors Program is a rigorous course of study with a required sequence of classes and projects designed to promote good citizenship, social responsibility and intellectual experiences. For more information about ASU-Beebe or programs offered, call (501) 882-3600, or visit the website at www.asub.edu.

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National Day of Prayer Calvary Chapel Searcy, an extension of Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale, evangelist Sid Langley was one of the special Prayer Warriors to Lead in Prayer this year. Also Friends and Church Family members attended and got a Great Blessing.

For more information please call 501-268-7540.

White County Single Parent

Scholarship Donation Loyal and Cosondra Crawford recently made a donation of $10,000 to the White County Single Parent Scholarship Fund, Inc. (WCSPSF, Inc.) The funds will be used to award an annual scholarship for each of the next ten years in the name of Loyal's parents, the late Keith and Dorothy Crawford. Loyal is a long time board member of WCSPSF, Inc. and currently serves as vice-chair. He recently retired as County Administrator of White County Department of Human Services. For more information about WCSPSF, Inc., contact Executive Director Dan Newsom at 501-2302414 or email him at wcspsf.inc@gmail.com.

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 Over 300 people attended the annual ASU-Beebe Employee Appreciation Banquet held on April 17 to honor several faculty and staff for their contributions to the university. The event also celebrated the newly launched ASU-Beebe logo branding and colors.

   ASU-Beebe: 800 Years of Service Recognized Honoring 800 years of service to Arkansas State UniversityBeebe, a service and recognition awards banquet for faculty and staff was held on Friday, April 17, in the Student Center.

Exactly 60 members of the ASU-Beebe faculty and staff were recognized for years of service to the various campuses, which includes campuses located at Beebe, Heber Springs, Searcy and the Little Rock Air Force Base.

The highest honors were given to Cricket Stapleton, business manager at ASU-Searcy, for 30 years of service; Mike Haynes, mathematics instructor at ASU-Searcy, for 35 years of service; Merle Cunningham, skilled tradesman at ASU-Beebe, for 40 years of service; and Philip Petray, assistant professor of social sciences, who has 45 years of service to ASU-Beebe.

Others recognized were Addie Banks at ASU-Beebe, Ketta Murray at ASU-Searcy, Thomas Reilly and Lisa Jackson, both at ASU-Beebe, for 25 years of service. Those honored for 20 years of service were Beverly Brady, Charlene Chambers, John Clowers, Mark Hastings, Qifang He, Michael Kelly, Rachel Lewis, Roger Long, Keith McClanahan, Melissa Meador, Connie Nowell, and Chuck Wisdom, all at ASU-Beebe. Six employees were honored for 15 years of service, while 10 were honored for 10 years of service, and 24 were honored for five years of service.

Dr. Dennis Humphrey, chair of the English and Fine Arts Division, and Nancy Meador, director of Marketing and Public Relations, each received Assessment Awards for their contributions to the assessment program at ASU-Beebe.

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Additionally, ASU-Beebe Chancellor Dr. Eugene McKay presented 12 individuals with the 2015 Chancellor’s Award for extraordinary service to the campus and the community. Those receiving awards were Sarah Beadle, Human Resources assistant, ASU-Beebe; Al Brucks, Physical Plant skilled tradesman, ASUBeebe; Karen Cooper, assistant to vice chancellor, ASU-Heber Springs; Cathy Crymes, Payroll accountant, ASU-Beebe; Tag Green, welding instructor, ASU-Heber Springs; Carl Harvey, Information Technology Services manager, ASU-Beebe; Sylvia Hiltz, Financial Aid specialist, ASU-Heber Springs; Pam Hinkle, administrative specialist to vice chancellor, ASU-Searcy; Tonya Luten, purchasing and accounts payable specialist, ASU-Searcy; Jeany Meyer, business manager, ASU-Heber Springs; Joe Newnum, air conditioning instructor, ASU-Searcy; and Nancy Meador, Marketing and Public Relations director, ASU-Beebe.

For more information about ASU-Beebe and its programs, call (501) 882-3600, or visit the ASU-Beebe website at www.asub.edu.

Arkansas State University-Beebe is a regional state university that is an operationally separate, two-year institution of the Arkansas State University System. With campuses located in Beebe, Heber Springs, Searcy, and Little Rock Air Force Base, the university offers associate degrees, certificates, and non-credit training for business and industry. The Beebe campus also collaborates with Arkansas State, a four-year university in Jonesboro, to offer baccalaureate and graduate degrees on the Beebe campus.

ArkansasGives program ďƒ™ Members of the White County Community Foundation Board of Directors celebrate funds provided to local nonprofit organizations through the ArkansasGives program, a statewide online giving event hosted by the Community Foundation on April 2.

Four nonprofit organizations received a total of $37,709.06 through ArkansasGives, including donations raised from the public, bonus dollars added by the Community Foundation and prizes provided by event sponsors First Security Bank and Jane Hunt Meade. Pictured, from left to right: Dewitt Yingling, White County Community Foundation board member; Dana Stewart, White County Community Foundation Executive Director; Scott Glascock, White County Community Foundation President; and Amy Daniels, White County Community Foundation Vice President. Local patriating nonprofit organizations included CASA of White County, Friends for Life, Veterans Outreach Ministries and White County Domestic Violence Prevention, Inc.

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Gone Fishing

with Hope Outdoors!

Attend this free event on Saturday, June 13, 2015. This event will take place here in White County in Russell, Arkansas, just minutes from Searcy. Directions will be provided for all participants. Fishing will start at 8 a.m. that morning. There will be volunteers at the event to help bait hooks and get fish off poles.

Everyone will be able to fish up until around noon. Lunch will be provided for everyone followed by special guest speaker, Chuck Farneth, ESPN Sports Fly-Fishing Champion Fisherman. Chuck is also a professional trout fishing guide in Heber Springs, Arkansas.

Please call Hope Outdoors Arkansas chapter directors Paul or Christy at 501-278-4856 for more about this fun filled day!

“Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” –Psalm 31:24

Art Contest at Pioneer Village Front L-R: Cameron Merritt, Nick Coleman, Jayden Hughes, Makayla Pruitt 2nd Row L-R: Emily Humphrey, Kaitlin Johnson, Lainey Powell 3rd Row L-R: Abigail Johnson, Antiwan Williams Not Pictured: Mary Free, Bryce Smith, Myndon Middleton

 Conley Transport, Searcy, Arkansas driver, Donna McCoy, was recently named as one of the Top 10 Semifinalists in the 2015 Overdrive Magazine’s Most Beautiful contest. Donna is a second generation truck driver and has been driving accident free for 17 years.

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By Kimberly Mote

wedding! I’m thankful both coaches saw basketball as a tool that teaches young ladies about life. Both men placed God and relationships above the game of basketball. That’s way more important to me than our record. Those things last.

Many tears were shed and many hurts were felt for various reasons playing basketball, because that’s just part of growing up.

When your child’s heart hurts because of a torn ACL, surgery and rehab, your heart hurts too, maybe worse. But what I remember most are the smiles, not the tears! I remember crazy random shots ut for this momma and aunt, and a lot of other people going in and winning buzzer shots and smiles in the stands and that I know, the relationships far outweigh the records hugging and dropping food off at the bus for hungry girls and or trophies. Winning records and trophies are great fun. passing out locker treats. I remember washing sweaty uniforms I didn’t say that they weren’t, but trophies gather dust and records and workout clothes, some that stayed in a locker or gym bag way are forgotten. Relationships last forever. When you see pictures of too long. Now I laugh at that memory. teams celebrating championships or consoling one another after My sister passed away 4 years ago after a long battle with cancer, tough losses, you know that there are more stories between the and I know Ally (her daughter) has missed her mother’s face in the people on those teams than can ever be told. This is ours. crowd. Ally was a 7th grader when her mother died.

For 10 years I’ve been watching a #24 on the basketball court, She inherited the number 24, becoming the 3rd Lady Wildcat of my two daughters and my niece. I wonder how many games I’ve the family. Head Coach Rusty Garner also lost his mother, not too sat through? Too many to count! I remember team camp games long before Ally did. So he connected with her in a special way in the summer where there were 4, and sometimes as many as 8, during such a difficult time. This relationship is one Ally will games in a day! It was grueling. Yet for 6 years with each child, cherish way more than any number of trophies. Lady Wildcat 7th - 12th grade, we were sitting right beside the parents of the girls Relationships are so special. on the team and becoming a family. We cheered each other’s kids.

My sister Lori was such a fan of sports and her kids. When Ally We helped one another through sicknesses and deaths and injuries. was still in elementary school, playing travel ball, she hired our We shared making team meals every week when they were in high Searcy Jr. High coach that we both loved dearly to help Ally with school. We traveled all over this state countless miles together basketball. I sat beside that man, coach Gary Tackett, at Ally’s with a common goal, to support our girls and each other. And we Regional Championship game pictured here. I was touched that watched, as our 7th grade girls grew into young women together as he came to support her. He recalled a story that blessed us. He said that senior year came way too quickly. he would set up pillows and a blanket in his garage so Lori could My daughters’ experiences and relationships made Lady Wildcat sit comfortably and watch her daughter practice with him. It didn’t basketball a rich part of the tapestry of their growing up years. matter how sick she was, she wanted to watch Ally play and she Both of their coaches mentored them and loved them dearly. I didn’t want to miss it. He teared up telling my mother that tears am forever grateful for Coach Mathews and Coach Garner. My filled Lori’s eyes one day, as she told him she was never going to daughters have graduated now, but they still connect with their get to watch her daughter play ball. But he told her, “Yes you will!” coaches. Coach Mathews even performed my oldest daughter’s

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The Lady Wildcats You see, this is just another example of why basketball for us is about relationships. Gary Tackett loved on Ally. He loved on my sister. And he had driven to Rose Bud to be eyes to watch and support my niece. Wow, that’s special.

I am super blessed to be my niece’s fan! All three girls have given me some truly fun and thrilling moments watching them on the court. I don’t know if Lori sees or not, but I hear her voice above the crowd often, saying, “Go Ally!” I like to think she’s close.

It’s nearing the end of another season! Ally only has one more season to play. When I go out in Searcy now, I run into parents and grandparents of my kids’ teammates and I just smile. And remember. They are extended family. Who knows if we will win one game at state this year or win it all? All I know for sure is that Lady Wildcat basketball is way more than basketball. It’s way more than a winning record. It’s the people and the forever relationships.

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In 2001 my mom passed away.

Let me tell you a story that has inspired me to do this challenge.

I got married in 1995. My dad gave me away. My, how my family looked beautiful on that day. My mom and dad both were happy. I miss that. I miss them.

I believe it was in September that I was at home playing a video game. My husband came home from work and said, “Come on let’s go.” He hadn’t said where at that time. While he was driving, we were talking. Of course, I was a bit worried because I didn’t know what was going on. Later, during the drive, he told me we were going to the hospital - that my mom was in the hospital.

She had a heart attack. While we were visiting with her she told us that she was walking to an appointment she had that day, and that somebody had found her lying in the road. She had just crossed the railroad track. Thank God she had. She knew something was going on but wasn’t sure what. Her heart had been beating a little fast and her appointment was to see what was going on.

I believe that she had to have a 5-bypass heart surgery. Surgery went well. It wasn’t until later that things started changing for the worse. She had her medicine for her heart and for high blood pressure, I think. Well, you better be sitting for this: She had gotten an ear infection. Little did the doctors know at that time that the medicine prescribed to her for the ear infection had a counter reaction to the medicine that she was taking already. The medicine messed her up. She didn’t know what was going on. She knew who she was and who we were, but didn’t know the year. I can’t go into too much detail on this because it has been 15-20 years to say the least. Anyway…

Other than that, she seemed to be doing well. I think she might have had a stroke or something. She was never herself after that.

This was sad, but kind of funny. They had to have her restrained

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to the bed at the hospital. She kept wanting to get up and go home.

She wanted to go home. But they had to figure out what was going on.

Time passed and a few years later she was diagnosed with diabetes. My dad worked and didn’t make a whole lot of money, but he had done the best he could. He got mom her medicine. And he provided food. Not that it was really healthy, but he did the best he knew how. He wasn’t blessed with the help I have now.

Then, in 2000, my dad got sick. He was hospitalized with cancer and was there for maybe a month before he passed. Before his passing, the doctors had done all they could for my dad and then moved him to a regular room.

He must have been waiting for something, because he was hanging in there. He was not ready to leave us just yet. I think he was worried about my mom. We had visited as much as we could, as I was in vo-tech school at the time. Later on the doctor had given me a call. “Your father has expired,” is what he told me. I some how knew what he meant by that and I was in tears. When my husband came home from work, he saw that I was in tears and asked if it was about my dad. I told my husband my dad had died.

As they were getting things ready to send my dad off to Little Rock for a special procedure, the nurses were telling me that my mom couldn’t go home by herself. She needed someone to take care of her. We took her to our home. Later on, we took her to her house so she could get her things that she wanted to bring with her.

It was cold and we could only get so much. She made a request for her record collection. As I said earlier, my mom was not herself but she had remembered her record collection and wanted it. So we grabbed the records and whatever else we thought had importance.

Over the next few weeks we got as much as we could for her. It was really cold, because they had no heat. I was happy to be able to help my mom out.

A month later she got to where she couldn’t do any more for herself. She got sick. We did what we knew to do and then called

an ambulance to take her to the hospital. I couldn’t help her, as she was a good sized lady.

I miss how she used to smile. Even when she was like she was after the medicine had messed her up she did smile once in a while. Not the beautiful smile that she had previously, but still it was a smile.

My mom was hospitalized for three weeks before she passed.

I guess you can say my dad was calling for her. They knew their kids were in good hands.

After both my parents had passed, over the years, one by one, my aunts and uncles were being diagnosed with diabetes. With that going on, I started to learn to do some things that can better my chances. I’m worried that when I get in my 40’s I too shall become diabetic.

This brings me to want to help others. I know what it is like to not have money. Not being able to afford to buy medicine and good food. I know it was hard for my dad. He had done the best he could have done. Dad might not have had the help he needed at that time. I feel blessed, because if I need help I have it now.

My parents had not.

This is why I want to learn as much as I can about eating better and exercising. To prolong my chances for avoiding diabetes.

This is why I’m doing this million pennies challenge - in honor of my mother. I heard about the challenge on the radio a few years back, and I figured I would give it a go. I run a little home business and I hope to be able to raise money to help people with diabetes who are unable to help themselves.

A few years back I had found out about a favorite singer of mine that was diabetic, too. In the 80’s I watched his music videos and I would have never thought he would be a diabetic.

He was skinny and in decent shape. In fact, I had never even

heard about diabetes until my mom had gotten it. The singer that is my favorite is Bret Michaels. He is scheduled to be in Magic Springs this summer. I am hoping to get to team up with him with this fundraiser, with the money we raise going to the American Diabetes Association.

I have a few things planned for this challenge, but first I need to talk to some people about being sponsors. I hope to be able to give away gift cards. If some people donate a higher amount of pennies, I will put them in a drawing. Hopefully, so they, too, can meet Bret Michaels. With this fundraiser, I hope to bring more awareness to diabetes. I also hope to be able to provide a service to those who need help with getting testing supplies and healthy meals.

I am collecting just pennies with this challenge. I do have another way for you to help out if you choose. Check out my website: www.lilmommagifts.com. You can make a purchase through my website and proceeds will go towards Lil Momma’s Care, which is an organization I hope to be able to use to help other organizations. I hope that you can check it out.

In loving memory of my mom, Shirley Dorton, and my dad, Larry Dorton.

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Story and Photos by Cassie Jones

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n the morning of May 10, 2015, dark clouds hovered over Searcy Arkansas. It was raining. But the moment I walked into the bridal suite of Harding University’s Cone Chapel, not even the pouring rain could dampen the spirits of the bride. Laura Beth Mullins, sat happily sipping a smoothie with the word “BRIDE” in heavy red ink across the front and laughing as Amber Bettley styled her hair. It was the day she’d dreamed of for so long — the day she would marry the love of her life, Seth Laughter. She wasn’t letting anything get her down.

She was calm, collected, and relaxed as the day unfolded around her.

The morning started off with hair and makeup in a room surrounded

by Laura Beth’s closest friends and family. There was singing, dancing to great music and so many great memories made as they each readied themselves to support an amazing couple on the happiest day of their lives.

As their photographer, I ran around creating a back up plan for portraits.

We were disappointed about the rain, but hopeful that we could perhaps snag a few outdoor portraits that Laura Beth had hoped for. A few hours into the day, Laura Beth and I sat down to look at the weather. Nearing the time for their first look, Laura Beth and I saw that even though it was cloudy, there was no longer rain forecasted during photo times. We were ecstatic.

The morning went by quickly. Instagram images with the hashtag #laughterinlove were pouring in as people were getting ready to attend.

Excitement was building. And in the bridal suite, Laura Beth’s mom, Lisa, was helping her daughter into her wedding dress. Laura Beth’s dress was made of a beautiful and intricate lace and had a scooping back accompanied by a row of covered buttons cascading into a train of layered lace puddled into the floor behind her. The moment had come, and it was time for Laura Beth to meet her groom.

Laura Beth and Seth’s first look was an emotional one. Seth had an amazing reaction when he saw his bride for the first time. We spent the next several hours walking Harding University’s beautiful campus (which was amazingly mostly dry after all the rain we’d had). The lush greenery and beautiful landscaping provided a stunning background for the beautiful couple’s portraits. We finished out the time before the ceremony with the bridal party and family taking their portraits and making fun memories.

Seth had an outstanding group of men to stand with him, just as Laura Beth had an amazing group of girls. I was so impressed by their camaraderie throughout the day. Their bridal party made their day such a joy to photograph. It was so wonderful to see so many people celebrating their love. Their families were each overjoyed to be spending Mother’s Day gaining new family.

As time for the ceremony neared, beautiful music from a stringed quartet (Nichole Cook, Hallie Hite, Alexander McCready, and Audrey Mayes) filtered down the grand staircases of the Heritage Building and greeted guests as they arrived. Their coordinator, the fabulous Betsy Bailey, calmly and efficiently oversaw all the details as guests took their seats. Silence filled the room as the ceremony began with the bridal party making their way down the aisle. Family members were seated and both moms sat proudly on the front row. The Mother-of-the-Bride stood proudly as the music started, and Laura Beth walked into the room on the arm of her grandfather. As she made her way down the aisle, her eyes locked with her sweet momma, and in wordless expressions connected in

a way only the two of them understood. Seth anxiously awaited his bride at the end of the aisle with an indescribable joy on his face. Laura Beth was handed off to him and so began their new journey together.

Laura Beth and Seth promised themselves to one another with vows that were heartfelt and sentimental. They exchanged rings and took communion together, taking a moment to remember the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus and the love of our Father. A prayer was said, hands around the room lifted towards them. They were pronounced Husband and Wife, and a joyous roar lifted around them as they celebrated with a kiss. A celebration awaited them across town at the historical Robbins-Sanford Grand Hall.

The bride and groom and all their guests made their way to the reception where they were greeted with an elegant room filled with beautiful details, stunning florals by Lea Holtz, elegant table settings and delicious food made by Lisa Mullins and her sister, Stacy Freeman from Arkadelphia. The bridal cake, made by Monica Emberson, stood elegantly at the front of the room. A photo booth was hosted in the carriage room and a dance floor was being entertained by DJ Lance of Central Arkansas Entertainment.

Laura Beth and Seth shared their first dance as the celebration began, and continued dancing through the night.

The couple was sent off with cheers as they ran through a line of their guests and families, who held sparklers to light the way to their get-away vehicle, which was, shall we say, expertly decorated for the occasion. A huge congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Laughter and their families as they begin a new life together.

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1. Always provide the hosts with a typed guest list including names and addresses. No host should ever have to track down names for your guests.

2. Invite your family and friends to only one shower. It is perfectly acceptable to invite them to a party where gifts are not expected, but people often feel guilty attending a shower empty-handed. If you invite a close family member or friend to more than one shower, ensure that you tell them not to bring a second gift.

3. Adhere to the number of guests your host/hosts have allowed when making your list.

4. Always provide your hosts with small hostess gifts.

5. Be mindful of the time of the shower, and arrive a few minutes early to greet your guests.

Always leave at the ending time of the shower. Guests will take your lead when it is time for the shower to end.

6. If you invite a guest to a shower, always invite that person to the wedding unless it is a small, private affair or a destination wedding.

7. Be sure you write a “thank you� note to the hostesses and each guest who attended and brought a gift.

8. Never use your wedding gifts until after the wedding is over.

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promise made in 1968: a promise kept in 2015.

That promise, which spanned over 47 years, was made good by Robert Scott Bell, Jr. to his mother Elwanda Bell concerning her desire for him to complete a college degree.

In 1968, Bell dropped out of Arkansas State University after spending almost nine semesters in college study. His U.S. Army Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) requirements at ASU had already been completed, but due to a deficiency in required courses for his major, he left school, enlisted in the army, and in January of 1969, shipped off for basic training. All the while he assured his mother he would go back to college upon completion of his military service.

Looming large also at this particular time was the draft, and war in Vietnam. America was training troops at a rapid pace, and he felt the call to serve his country. After enlisting, he was assigned to basic training at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina, and there he graduated as the Outstanding Trainee of the post. As a reward for his stellar performance, he was named as the Aide to the General of the post for a day.

The general was impressed by his military acumen and asked the question, “How did you acquire the personal skills that have distinguished you as such an outstanding troop?” Bell spoke of his past history of ROTC training at ASU and also related to the general that his father was a decorated World War II veteran who was later killed in the line of duty during the Korean conflict.

Perhaps it was just a part of his genetic makeup.

With all this personal information and outstanding performance record, the general initiated paperwork for Bell to be awarded a direct commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. While this paperwork worked its way through proper channels, he was posted to Ft. Gordon, Georgia, and while there, his commission came through and he was sworn in. So, in October of 1969, he set out to lead rather than follow.

From there, he was ordered to the Infantry Officer Basic Course (IOBC) at Ft. Benning, Georgia, where he was an honor graduate in his class. He was then posted to Ft. Riley, Kansas, as a part of the 1st Infantry Division (the Big Red One). It was there that he volunteered to serve in Vietnam.

Before shipping out to Vietnam, he trained under the command of the late Colonel A.J. “Bo” Baker, also a Searcy native, at the U.S. Army Jungle Warfare School in the Panama Canal Zone.

With two weeks of jungle training in Panama under his belt, Bell arrived in Vietnam in August of 1970. There he served as an 52 Your Hometown Magazine

infantry platoon leader and spent six months in the field leading search and destroy missions with the 196th Light Infantry Brigade.

He then became company commander, even though he was not the senior lieutenant in the battalion. This was highly unusual, but demonstrated command’s faith and confidence in his ability to perform leadership skills valuable in warfare. Interestingly enough, his mother, Mrs. Bell, received two calls that validated the trust placed in him. One was from a colonel and one from an enlisted man who emphasized to her that he was one of the finest officers with whom they had ever had the privilege of service.

Over the years, Bell has extolled the service of some of the most outstanding soldiers that America had to offer and counted it an honor to serve with them. Some of those men he maintains a close relationship with to this day.

One such combat veteran was African-American Staff Sergeant George L. Robertson, who was fondly known as Sgt. Rob. That name would have prophetic and special meaning in years to come, because several times Sgt. Rob was the one who protected Bell and better schooled him in jungle combat. On one such occasion, Sgt. Robertson even saved his lieutenant’s life by covering him when Bell was an intended victim of sniper fire. Sadly, later in his tour, Sgt. Rob was killed in action, and Bell would have the difficult task of identifying his body.

Bell was stationed at Firebase Mary Ann as a part of his combat duty in Vietnam. A book by Keith William Nolan entitled Sappers in the Wire: The Life and Death of Firebase Mary Ann (WilliamsFord Texas A&M University Military History Series, Texas A&M Press, College Station, Texas, 1995) outlines information leading up to, during, and after the attack on the American detachment at this firebase. This battle has been designated as the last large battle in which American units served in Vietnam.

In August of 1971, Bell returned home a decorated warrior.

Recipient of the Army Commendation Medal with V for Valor, the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster (two bronze stars), the Air Medal for 25 Combat Assaults, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, and the Combat Infantryman Badge, he decided that his service was complete, and he would get on about the business of life. This he did by trying to make good on that promise to complete his college career, but the horrors of war were too fresh in his mind to allow him to study for a degree.

Time marched on, and the normal course of life events that all humans seem to seek became important. He sought employment at the Arkansas Employment Security Division. He began as

Scott in Vietnam

HH HH HH H H H H H H HHH Over the years Bell has extolled the service of some of the most outstanding soldiers that America had to offer and counted it an honor to serve with them.

a veteran’s counselor (rising to a supervisory position and eventually completing a 29-year distinguished career there).

He proposed to Rosemary Langley, who was a music teacher at Sidney Deener Elementary School, and they married in December of 1972. In 1976, a son, Robert Scott Bell III, was born, and while his father’s and his grandfather’s name was bestowed on him, there was another reason to call his son Rob as his name also honors that very special staff sergeant in Vietnam: Sgt. Rob. Along the way, Bell was plagued by critical health issues. He had his first heart attack at 37, and over the years, has endured three cardio-vascular by-pass surgeries. His hearing was severely impaired, and he still suffers from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Interestingly enough, studies connected early onset of heart disease for many Vietnam soldiers exposed to Agent Orange, a poison used by the military to defoliate jungle terrain for better combat conditions. In 2011, he was classified as one hundred percent disabled by Veterans Affairs due to the early onset of heart disease and other combat-related conditions.

When he retired from the Employment Security Division in 2000, his thoughts turned to that promise he made to his mother in 1968. From time to time, he would investigate what it would take for him to complete his B.S. degree from ASU. It seemed a daunting task given his debilitated health condition.

That nagging feeling, however, that “Bells Don’t Quit” kept coming to him over and over. Another factor that strongly influenced his decision to pursue this goal, after 47 years, was that when he spent 17 years as a fourth grade Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church in Searcy, he always tried to impress upon his children that even when we fail, we have to get up and try again. He noted he felt a hypocrite by insisting this of those fourth grade children, his own son, and his niece and

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nephew when he had failed to follow this philosophy himself.

Finally, in June of 2014, he was steered to Arkansas State University officials who took a real interest and realistic approach to the 130 hours he had completed previously and the wealth of his life experiences.

Specifically, Erin Lynn, his advisor, and Dr. Gina Hogue, one of his instructors at Arkansas State University, diligently studied his transcripts and past military and vocational contributions and engineered a degree plan for him to graduate with a B.S. degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.

After classes in the summer and fall sessions of 2014, and a class in the spring of 2015, he graduated wearing an honor cord as a decorated veteran in the May 9, 2015, commencement ceremony at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, which just happened to coincide with the Mother’s Day weekend.

It was a grand occasion for celebration as he, a 68 year-old veteran, walked across the stage, and received his diploma with family there cheering him on and a host of friends sending congratulations from all over the United States.

He would hope this journey of determination might inspire others, especially his grandchildren, Allie and Connelly Bell of Conway, and his greatnephew and niece, Gowen and BelleAnn Bailey of Searcy, to know it is never too late to realize a dream, and as his friend Ronnie McFarland says: “Be better today than you were yesterday, and better tomorrow than you were today.�

Sadly, Elwanda Bell passed from this life in 2006. If she were here, she would whole-heartedly agree and be proud that he honored his commitment and has striven to be better each and every day of his life.

Graduation from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro: Scott Bell with his son, Rob Bell, grandson, Connelly Bell, and Rosemary Bell, his wife

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By

Mike Wilson

s you travel along Highway 25, north of Batesville, toward the communities of Charlotte and Cord, you will pass by a tall slender sign that marks the prayer garden that is a part of John 3:16 Ministries. In this prayer garden you find both a booth where you can take a free Bible, and a place to write down a prayer request. It is the only sign on that highway that tells of the nearby camp, but signs of John 3:16 Ministries are becoming more visible all over northeast and north central Arkansas in the men and their families that have been residents there.

John 3:16 Ministries was started in 2003 by Bryan and Beverly Tuggle on a site that once housed a camp for Vietnam veterans.

In those early days twelve years ago, there was only one resident and the Tuggle’s vision of helping men with drug and alcohol addiction. As they followed the path that God had paved for them, the camp steadily grew. Since that first resident, more than 600 men have graduated from that camp and more and more come each year. Today, there are more than 100 residents attending.

This is a spiritual boot camp for men with addictions. It is a refuge from the interruptions and temptations of the outside world where the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ is not only taught, but shown. Many residents have only known a life of crime and drugs, jails and prisons, yet, there are no locked doors, no fences, and no security at John 3:16. It is not a place that someone is forced by the courts to attend, but an opportunity to change lives.

There are some requirements to attend this spiritual lighthouse in the foothills of the Ozarks. First, you must be ready for a change in your life. Secondly, you must attend services each Sunday morning to be eligible to go through the interview process. Thirdly, you must commit for at least a six month stay that could extend to a year. There is no cost to attend this amazing facility. John 3:16 is funded totally by private donations and by fund raising events throughout the year.

While attending this camp, you will begin to understand very quickly that you are in a unique place. In the twelve year history of the ministries existence, there has never been a fight. It is a camp

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of restoration. Not only will the residents be restored to health and a life free of chemical crutches, the families of the residents will find a peace and renewed hope for their loved ones. John 3:16 teaches, first and foremost, that God is the cure for the addictions in everyone’s lives. A chemical dependency has to be replaced with a relationship with God. They also instill self respect that is often lacking in the lives of their residents, with encouragement and a sense of accomplishment through work. Each resident is expected to work on one of the many crews that the camp has.

One of the benefits of attending this camp is a support network that helps residents realize that they are not alone in their struggle.

Graduates of John 3:16 are encouraged to stay involved with the ministry and are welcome to come and stay for a visit at any time.

Once someone graduates from the program, there are a couple of transitional houses that will help acclimate them back into society or just give them an option of a place to go. There is a house in Jonesboro and one in Poplar Bluff, Missouri that offers the graduates lodging and fellowship with others from the program, while getting back on their feet. Life-long friendships are formed at the camp and at these houses that will aid in the support and accountability throughout life.

“It is a refuge from the interruptions and temptations of the outside world where the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ is not only taught, but shown.”

“A chemical dependency has to be replaced with a relationship with God. They also instill self respect that is often lacking in the lives of their residents, with encouragement and a sense of accomplishment through work.”

Life on the camp is very relaxed. Most mornings have breakfast and Bible study beginning at 6:00 am. The work day begins at 8:30.

There are several areas of work offered by the camp. They include auto-body repair, a screen printing and banner shop, construction and carpentry shop, mechanical shop, rock and masonry work, tree trimming and removal service, camp maintenance, landscaping and lawn care, as well as a group that works in the laundry department at White River Medical Center laundry services.

When the work day is over at 5:00 pm, residents are free to do as they like. Bible studies are offered on a voluntary basis every night of the week except Monday, when it is a requirement to attend. After Bible studies and on the weekends, or any free time a resident has, can be spent in a recreation room that offers video gaming systems, pool tables, ping pong tables, shuffleboard, and weight training and exercise machines. A basketball court, volleyball court and horseshoe pits are also located on the camp.

There is a two acre lake in the center of the camp and residents are welcomed to bring fishing gear.

Residents are also seen out in the community serving in a wide number of outreach programs throughout northern Arkansas and southeast Missouri. It is taught that the only way to change the

way others look at the residents is through serving others, just as Jesus served.

The residents are housed in several faith houses around camp.

These are unsupervised houses that range in size from two-man cabins to twelve-men houses. Each resident has his own private bedroom with television and desk. The houses are overseen by a house dad that is elected by the members of that house. House keeping and other aspects of the house are checked on a daily basis by the maintenance crew and an instructor.

John 3:16 is making strides to broaden its reach of assistance, with an outreach center located in Lake Village, Arkansas that helps serve southern Arkansas, western Mississippi, and northern Louisiana. They have residents from many states at any given time.

To contact John 3:16 Ministries, call 870-799-2525 or go to their website at john316thecure.com.

Mike’s Testimony My name is Mike Wilson. I am a new creation in Christ. Revelation 12:11 says, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” This is my testimony.

I began drinking in high school in the mid ’80s. At first it was just the occasional camping trip. As high school faded into college, my drinking increased to the point that I was unhappy anywhere I went. I joined the Army after one semester of college and was stationed in Germany. This is not the best place for a problem drinker to live.

Alcohol became an everyday event.

After just one year in the Army, I was honorably discharged and returned to Arkansas where I met my first wife. As time went by, I had scaled back my drinking to the weekends. In February of 1991, I was involved in a fatal accident that took the life of my brother in law. Alcohol was involved. As I recovered from the injuries that, by all accounts, should have killed me, I began to drink even more to cope with the loss of a man that had become as close as a brother to me. This trend held steady for many years.

During the Christmas holiday of 2004, my daughter was diagnosed with lymphoma.

Again, my drinking increased to cope with the fear and uncertainty of what was going to happen. It was due to this increased drinking that my second marriage ended.

In 2009, I left a job that I had held for twenty one years to take some time to myself and pursue another line of work. It was during this idle time that my drinking went to a new level. I no longer waited for weekends or special occasions to drink, but started

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drinking any day and at any time of day. Later that year I went to work for a company that required great amounts of travel. It was during this period that the weeks away from home and the empty hotel rooms drove me to the bars and clubs near the hotels I was staying in. It was because of this that my last marriage failed. With no one to return home to and no one to keep tabs on me, my drinking became who I was. This went on for a few years until June of 2014 when I was arrested for second offense DWI while working in Jonesboro, Arkansas. The judge sentenced me to seven days in jail and it was there that I realized that I had to change my life or I would die.

The officer of the court that processed my pretrial information told me of John 3:16 Ministries. I informed my parents that they should check into what it would take to get to this place. Even though I had grown up in church and made Jesus my savior at an early age, I had not made Him Lord of my life. After three weekends of interviews at John 3:16, I was allowed to be a resident. This was the beginning of the greatest transformation of my life. I rededicated my life to the Lord and began learning how to walk in a way that was pleasing to God. As time went on, I began to understand how turning your life over to God takes away the emptiness, the void that I so long tried to fill with alcohol. It is such a refreshing feeling to know that I am truly cured from my addiction because Jesus took away the desire. I find more peace and more joy from prayer, church, and serving others than I ever found in the bottom of a bottle. “Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.�

Bryan and Beverly Tuggle, Directors

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Isaiah 58:8

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By Cecelia Wilson everal years ago, singer/songwriter Taylor Eaves received a journal from her grandmother. On each page, she was to pen her thoughts, her experiences – the lyrics of her young life. It wouldn’t be the first time she had put pen to paper, but formally binding those words together may have had a certain symbolism. It marked a transition from the scribblings of a little girl to the poetic words of a young lady about to embark on an incredibly exciting musical journey.

She grew up around music. Whether it was hearing her father, Les, play saxophone with a flair for jazz, or listening to her mother sing along with the Beatles or whatever genre happened to be playing in the house, Taylor’s parents and her two older sisters filled her days and theirs with music. Her first public performance was at a church talent show when Taylor was about five or six. “I sang, ‘It’s My Party,’ ” Taylor remembers, “and I think I won either 1st or 2nd place.” She admits she was nervous when she began, but it didn’t take long for that initial stage fright to fade when she knew her audience was in sync with her.

The youngest of three girls, Taylor is now a junior at Searcy High School and she is the last of the Eaves daughters living at home with her parents. Her older sisters, Heather and Aly, now have families of their own, but when they were all still under the same roof, Taylor loved nothing more than emulating her siblings. When they sang, she followed suit, and, as the youngest, she absorbed their examples. As the two oldest girls moved out to choose their own paths in life, Taylor was left in a less hectic household -- and she took advantage of the quiet time. She continued to write lyrics in her journal and set them to music, but now she had more time to contemplate what she really wanted to do with her own life. She learned from her sisters’ mistakes and their successes, and she was soon confiding in her mother, Denice: she wanted to build a career in music.

64 Your Hometown Magazine

She could not have shared her ambition with a more empathetic audience.

Taylor credits her mother for being the biggest inspiration in her life to date.

“The way [my mother] carries herself, her dedication, her selflessness…she is hard-working and I think I get my work ethic from her. When she sets her mind to do something, she’s going to achieve it,” the 17-year-old says of the qualities she sees in her mother and is adopting in her own life. Others in the family have said that Denice was identical to Taylor at the same age. It is a compliment mother and daughter happily accept.

After hearing her teenage daughter’s aspiration, it didn’t take long for Denice to record her daughter singing and see that the casual recording made its way to a producer’s desk in Nashville.

Denice knew her “mom’s ear” liked what she was hearing, but she was anxious to get a professional opinion. The verdict was better than they could have hoped for. “She’s got something,” was (literally) music to the Eaves’ ears! That was 2013. By the following summer, Taylor’s producer had waded through hundreds of songs from established songwriters so Taylor could whittle the list down to four songs she could record.

Whisked off to Music City, Taylor recorded her master tracks at The Tracking Room, one of Nashville’s premiere recording studios, over a period of three days. Working with excellent studio musicians, instrumentals were laid down one day and vocals laid down the next. But, as excited as Taylor was to record the songs, she was even more excited to hear them on air. Those tracks are currently getting considerable play time on radio stations around Arkansas. She even recorded an additional song during her Spring Break this past March.

“

The exposure has attracted the

attention of three major labels currently in discussions with Taylor and her family.”

The exposure has attracted the attention of three major labels currently in discussions with Taylor and her family. And while they can’t divulge any of the details, talks are underway and hopes are high that Nashville’s doors may open for Taylor shortly – perhaps even before press time for this article. In the meantime, Taylor’s doing her best to remain grounded and focused on her studies, cheerleading and soccer at Searcy High. She plans to finish the current semester and looks forward to her senior year and graduation in May 2016. Looking beyond, she has considered studying dermatology at Vanderbilt or perhaps even entering college at Belmont. But, all of that could change with a single phone call.

Ten years from now, Taylor hopes to be a professional singer/ songwriter sharing a successful music career with someone special she has met. But, she knows to get there, she’ll not only have to work hard, she’ll have to remain grounded. She has followed the careers of Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift and, just as she did with her sisters, she has taken note of both women closely to glean what she can for her own journey. She particularly points to Taylor Swift’s level headedness in the face of extreme fame. It is something she wants to mimic. “She’s a great writer and a good role model,” the young Eaves says with admiration.

So, for now, Taylor opens her journal and writes, and fingers a tune on her piano until she has a song just right. She smiles at the older lyrics in the front of that journal, written from a child’s heart.

And she thumbs through the blank pages at the back of the journal and marvels. What will the rest of life’s journey bring to inspire the lyrics in the rest of her journal?

Please visit her artist’s Facebook page at: Taylor Eaves.

Taylor with her producer in Nashville.

In Nashville after a business meeting.

Taylor with studio musicians from her recently released song, “Lonely Tonight.”

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Steps in the

 The Tracking Room Studio

The Castle Recording Studio

From the set of Good Morning Arkansas

66 Your Hometown Magazine

Photo by Dwayne LaForce

Taylor Eaves performing at the Wise Coalition Jared Blake Concert.

Photos on this page by Dwayne LaForce

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Over the Counter Rodney G. Richmond, RPh, MS, CGP, FASCP Harding University College of Pharmacy

Medicine Cabinets: The New Drug Dealers

By Garrett Wilkerson, PharmD and Rodney Richmond, RPh, MS, CGP, FASCP

A

rkansas currently leads the nation in the number of teens that abuse prescription medications, with 1 in 5 high school seniors reporting that they have taken prescription drugs meant for another person. This is not a statistic we should be proud of, especially considering the majority of these drugs come from a parent or grandparent’s medicine cabinet. More than half of teens in the United States report that prescription drugs are easy to obtain from their homes. The availability of these drugs combined with the notion that prescription drugs are safer than other recreational drugs has led to an epidemic of teen drug abuse that is centered around our great state. Adults should take responsibility for the safe storage and disposal of their medication in order to remove these temptations that can lead to serious injury or death. Remember to store all of your prescriptions in a place not easily accessed by your children, and to remove any unused medications from your

68 Your Hometown Magazine

home. Having unused prescriptions in your home may make you a target for theft, so properly dispose of all unused medications at one of your local prescription drug take back sites around the state. These sites are usually located at Sheriff’s departments, courthouses, city halls, or other local government buildings and provide a safe site for people to dispose of any medications anonymously for destruction.

Parents should also talk to their teens about the dangers of abusing prescription drugs and explain how they are just as dangerous as other illegal drugs. Teens may be the ones abusing the drugs, but it is up to us as responsible adults to prevent these medications from ending up in the wrong hands. Thank you for taking the time to read this medication tip provided by the Harding University Center for Drug and Health Information.

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– Josh H

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Things for Kids 1

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This Summe

3

Garvin Gardens

www.garvangardens.org

Camp Wyldewood

www.campwyldewood.org

2 Magic Shows • Concerts Petting Zoos • Balloon Artist And Much More!

4

Summer Reading Programs at the Searcy Public Library For schedule visit www.searcyliving.com!

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White County Pioneer Village www.whitecountypioneervillage.org

What Businesses Are Saying Dear Searcy Living Management & Staff, I wanted to express my gratitude to be featured in your publication. From the interview to the editorial, your work is stellar and FIVE star.

I’ve enjoyed working with you the past year and look forward to many more.

Best Regards, Mark D. Sullivan, Owner Sullivan Funeral Care

Searcy Living Office 501.368.0095

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Roo &You! anti-bullying campaign We would like to thank you for participating in our Roo & You Anti-Bullying Campaign.

Follow the progress on SearcyLiving.com and Facebook!

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By Kerri Behel, SYTL Director Photos by Jeff Montgomery

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Soccer, baseball, softball, gymnastics, basketball, voice lessons...

As mom of our three young children, I can tell you that if it’s not on our family schedule, it doesn’t happen. Which is exactly what I kept telling my mom, who desperately wanted to see her grandchildren play tennis. “No, mom, we cannot drop everything we are doing to travel to various USTA (United States Tennis Association) tournaments throughout Arkansas.” Since Searcy didn’t have an organized tennis league for children, there just wasn’t a convenient way to fit tennis into our schedule. Despite the fact that we, as a family, love the game of tennis and have taught our children to play since they were old enough to hold a racket, we were simply invested in too many other activities to make the kind of commitment to tennis that involved traveling all over the state in order for them to compete. This is how the idea for the Searcy Youth Tennis League (SYTL) began. My mom, Gwen Wiggins, was determined to watch her grandkids play tennis.

What began with a conference room full of tennis enthusiasts in Searcy soon developed into the largest ever inaugural junior team tennis league for the USTA in the entire state of Arkansas. The SYTL, in its first season, has 114 players ranging in ages from five to eighteen on twenty-four teams. After four initial tennis clinics, (one of which, hosted by members of the USTA, trained parent captains to coach the basics of tennis) the players in the SYTL, overseen by Harding University tennis coaches

Marco Ruiz and Helio Hashimoto, compete in team matches at Berryhill park on Saturday afternoons in April and May. Just like other sports whose youngest participants use age-appropriate, scaleddown equipment, our eight-and-under tennis players use smaller, portable nets and bigger tennis balls to learn the fundamentals. Our approach focuses on the kids having fun while they’re learning and hopefully developing a love for the sport!

The Searcy Youth Tennis League has inspired dozens of children throughout White County to give a new (new for Searcy!) sport a try. It teaches the youngest players the joy of the game while giving the older kids experience to bring to their high school matches. The SYTL connects people in the community who are interested in playing tennis.

Even the adults are joining in the fun!

I have overheard many of the parents scheduling matches between themselves or playing mixed doubles with their spouses because they see how much fun the kids are having and they want to rekindle that joy they once found when picking up a racket.

I look forward to seeing these young children develop as athletes and nurture an appreciation for this lifelong sport.

For more information, or to register for our fall league, visit searcytennis.com.

“Searcy Youth Tennis gives local kids an opportunity to participate in a sport that has been missing in Searcy for a while. It has introduced local kids to a sport they can enjoy for a lifetime.”

– Scott and Cassie Goode

“Searcy Youth Tennis League will be instrumental in developing quality players for future scholastic teams...PLUS it can provide an avenue for recreation that creates friendships that will last a lifetime.”

– Scott & Jan Barker

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By Seth Simmons On a very hot spring day in April of 2004, the 4th to be exact, we rolled into Baghdad, Iraq knowing

well that it would be a long, tough road ahead before we would have a chance to return home. What I didn’t know is how different life would be from that day forward...

I grew up in NE Arkansas in a working middle class family.

The son of two educators, an older & younger brother who each excelled at basketball in high school & college, I was the middle child. I was pretty content to go with the flow, as most middle children do. My family was committed to church & we were there every time the doors were open. Despite this faithfulness, I grew up in a Christian home, left for college and transitioned into the military, never knowing people actually lived on the streets. I guess I always assumed that there was plenty of houses in the world for everyone. I continued to think this way until the age of 27. Then one day at Fort Hood, TX I watched as a soldier was being dropped off at the front gate with nothing but a duffle bag slung over his shoulder. This struck a chord inside me & reminded me of what I had witnessed on my first tour of duty in Iraq.

As a soldier returning from war I struggled with many things, but what bothered me more than anything was the extreme poverty that the Iraqis endured day after day. I had never actually witnessed anything like that in person. It was almost an everyday occurrence.

I would watch young children chasing our convoys down the streets of their villages in nothing but their birthday suit, or clothes but no shoes. It didn’t take long before it started eating away at me.

I had been blessed to be a part of an amazing church family back in Temple, TX who would then send shoes and supplies for me to pass out while visiting these villages. Day after day I struggled with the realization that not everyone in the world had been given a chance for a different life. I literally sold almost everything I owned at one point between my tours because I felt so much guilt about my abundance. I was having to rent a storage facility while

I was away to have a place for all the stuff I thought for so long I had to have. As soon as my 2nd tour was over, I was transferred to central Arkansas to continue my military career and go to officer’s school. I turned down orders to go to Germany to be closer to home and attend officer’s school. Meanwhile, I also began attending the University of Central Arkansas, in Conway. Go Bears!

Upon returning home, enrolling in school, and maintaining my commitment to the military, I began to see the poverty that existed around me more and more. It was as if something had been peeled back from my eyes during my deployments and I could see the needs of those around me as if they were staring me in the face.

Around this time I heard about a guy who was organizing a coat drive for the homeless. Without knowing much about it, or even the person in charge, I started asking my friends & family to give the coats they had had hanging in their closets for quite some time to benefit this cause. I then found out more information about this guy with an idea to supply coats to those in need, managed to get his phone number and asked to meet up with him to drop off the coats I had collected. That was the day I met Aaron Reddin.

“Day after day I struggled with the realization that not everyone in the world had been given a chance for a different life.”

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“It didn’t take long before my trips to Little Rock would end, because I was finding new homeless friends every week right here.”

Aaron was a former homeless veteran whose life goal was to change the face of homelessness. I listened to everything he said in amazement, as if I had finally met someone who seemed a lot more like Jesus than anyone I had ever encountered. He didn’t look like what I imagined. He had several tattoos, short hair, and there was no crowd surrounding him. What I was most fascinated by was his choice to put his own desires away, to move from the fast paced, rat race we call life, and instead to choose to hang out with felons and murderers. I continued collecting and started delivering more and more coats to Aaron and spending time with him at the shelter where he worked. For some reason, it became the only place I ever felt like I could just be me.

We collected over 3200 coats that year and began supplying children in elementary schools in Little Rock who didn’t have winter coats. Ever since that experience, I’ve never felt comfortable unless I was spending time with homeless, or fighting to improve the lives of those in poverty.

Shortly after this life changing encounter, I would meet a girl who would also contribute in steering my course of serving my new homeless friends. Jenny is one of the most amazing people I have ever met, and at the age of 31, I finally decided to give the marriage thing a try.

I hadn’t previously imagined a ministry to the homeless as a husband.

This meant I would have to relocate from Conway to Searcy. The streets would change, the hurdles would be in different places, yet the need for homeless advocates, would still remain. I have now lived here longer than any place in my life and yet at times I still feel like an outsider.

I would continue helping Aaron in Little Rock for a few years.

During the spring of 2011, what Aaron had begun officially became a full-fledged 501(c)(3) licensed non-profit organization with the goal of ending homelessness. Aaron named the organization “The One, Inc.” The purpose was to find every single homeless who weren’t living in shelters. You see, in Little Rock there aren’t enough beds available in all

“I have now lived here longer than any place in my life and yet at times I still feel like an outsider.” the shelters combined to accommodate the large homeless population. There are so many that don’t have a place to go & he wanted to find everyone who was left out. Aaron got his hands on a cargo van and would keep it stocked with everything a person who was homeless needed to survive. He would go out into the woods, alleys, behind dumpsters, abandoned houses, and anywhere else he could to find homeless. It was all about making sure that every person on the streets knew that someone out there cared about them, and wanted them to survive.

Soon everyone just called our organization “The Van” for obvious reasons. However, Aaron had another dream, and that was to put more vans in more places. He continued to get the word out and wanted others to see his vision. If we could only find people to donate vans so that we could reach the homeless in other communities within our state.

In late winter of that year, a former dirt bike racer would connect with us to donate his 1983 Kawasaki green Chevy cargo van (my least favorite color). I would gladly accept the donation, & bring it home to Searcy to put the Mission Machine into action. We would begin to find new friends right here in White County. Since then we have placed the Russ Bus in Russellville and the River Giver in Batesville.

Since the homeless landscape was different in Searcy, I decided to start doing what we call “Loads of Love” events at local laundromats. I knew there had to be homelessness & poverty in this area, but I didn’t always know where to look since it didn’t closely compare to the streets of Little Rock. So we put on the first Loads of Love event in hopes of meeting some new homeless friends. We showed up at the laundromat with a bucket of quarters, some detergent, and we kept the machines running for anyone and everyone that came in until I ran out of quarters. I walked in with fingers crossed that someone would 80 Your Hometown Magazine

show up that day, and I was blown away. It took 3 hours of every machine constantly running to run out of money. I met so many new friends that day, to include the very first homeless friends I would make here in Searcy.

Almost 3 1/2 years later, I still stop by to see those same friends on a regular basis, except now they have their own house. As a matter of fact, they had their own jobs and an apartment within the next couple of months and still hold the same jobs today.

It didn’t take long before my trips to Little Rock would end, because I was finding new homeless friends every week right here. Since then I witnessed the numbers of homeless rise and have tried hard to keep up. For the first 3 years it was just Jenny and I funding and operating the Mission Machine. After an article came out in a local publication last summer about the Mission Machine, things began to become more overwhelming. It went from just going out every night to check on and chill with my friends on the streets or in the woods, to handling the daily calls and messages of interested donors and inquisitive locals. Meanwhile the homeless population hit a sudden spike and my head started to spin! My wife was running a dermatology practice here in Searcy 4 days a week and also seeing patients in Heber Springs weekly. I was carrying a full time job from around 9-6 every day, and then spending the next couple of hours after leaving work listening & responding to voicemails, before loading the van and going out to see all my friends.

“Then came the brutal January temperatures and I was desperate to make sure that this winter I wouldn’t have to find any of our homeless frozen to death.”

Then came the brutal January temperatures, and I was desperate to make sure that this winter I wouldn’t have to find any of our homeless frozen to death. I contacted Janie Orr at the FUMC, begging her to let us use the church’s gym to get all of our homeless in out of the cold. She and the FUMC family went above and beyond to make sure we had a warming shelter for all of them. Countless church members and volunteers not only made sure our friends stayed warm, they made sure they ate well, slept well, and gave of their time to get to know our friends. It was during this time that I realized that Jenny and I just couldn’t do it alone any more and, more importantly, that there were people who wanted to help.

In the few months prior to the shelter opening I had gotten to witness some magical moments happen for our homeless at the hands of some amazing people who had shown up to volunteer. We then asked if they would like to become official members of The One, Inc. / Mission Machine family. These fine folks have revolutionized everything about the work that we have going on in and around Searcy. Every night, instead of just going and hanging out with my friends, I now get to take them home cooked food, courtesy of the meal train. Instead of personally having to keep up with every single thing that comes along when meeting a new friend, we now have individuals that take on different tasks that have to be accomplished to speed up the process. The Mission Machine family now consists of Christie Brooks, Jimmy Cooper, Bill Ford, Ryan Gibbons, Stephanie Kleypas, and Kim Wyatt, in addition to Jenny & I. In January of this year, the 1983 Chevy van began to fall apart on us. I started just using my truck, but it wasn’t very useful or efficient in loading or accessing all the supplies that our homeless need. I posted about our dire need for another cargo van on our Facebook page. It took a little while, but we were led to some amazing followers, and collected the money to purchase what was previously a Direct TV fleet van, a 2009 Chevy Express Cargo van. There was only 1 problem. It was solid white, and our friends were used to the big green machine! Charlie’s Auto Paint and Body wanted to do something about that, so they took the gas tank cover off the original van, matched the paint, and then repainted the new van Kawasaki green (still not my favorite). Before it was even finished getting painted, another

Ways to get involved: 1. Follow us on Facebook (“MissionMachine”).

2. Sign up to prepare food for the meal train via our website www.missionmachine.org.

3. Purchase or donate needed supplies posted on our Facebook page regularly (seasonally).

4. Donate $5, $10, or $20 monthly through PayPal on our website. (All gifts are tax deductible.)

5. Spread the word to your churches, employers, or civic organizations that may want to help.

6. Pray for our friends & also our team members who serve.

7. Collect quarters for Loads of Love.

8. Have a fundraiser to raise $ and also awareness.

9. Buy a t-shirt, or better yet buy two, one for yourself and one to donate to a homeless friend.

“It’s about restoring dignity first and foremost. The goal of regaining a firm grasp on life can’t even begin without first feeling as though they are worthy of having one.”

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supporter, & conveniently also a graphic designer, Will Krech offered to design a logo for the van. Meanwhile, I also received a call from Conley Graphics wanting to contribute by decorating the van with vinyl lettering to make it stand out even more. Now, not only do we have a new van, it is also professionally painted and displays our logo, thanks to several of our community friends who stepped up to the plate to fulfill a need. Now, every night we are able to pull up to our friends’ locations with a fully stocked van, home cooked meals, and iced down water, all in a big green van our homeless friends call the Mission Machine.

With a team of insanely talented individuals, over 6K followers who read our Facebook post, and others who just jump on the opportunity to help, we meet a new homeless person, lay out a plan of attack for them, and go to work to help change their situation for the better. What once was something I struggled months to accomplish is now happening literally overnight sometimes. Our team provides an instant community for every new friend we meet.

Since the winter of 2011, 34 people right here in Searcy are able to say that they are homeless no more! Every day we see more and more of our friends move closer to being able to say that exact same thing. They are our family. They are my brothers and sisters.

I’ve been nose to nose defending them, sat in the jail to visit them, eaten dinner with them, and sometimes even road tripped with them. Even when they get off the streets and into their own place, we still go visit them. They are the best example of community that I’ve ever seen. I’ve witnessed them giving their last dime away to help another. I’ve seen them outwork anyone I’ve ever known. I’ve seen them point others to us who they knew were struggling. They can’t stand to see others hurting. They love celebrating together when a birthday comes around, and even more so when they get to see one of their friends get off the streets, out of jail, or out of rehab. It is real life. No one wears a mask on the streets or in the woods. They are brutally honest, they don’t try to impress, and they fight like cats and dogs to make it every day because they are survivors.

It’s about restoring dignity first and foremost. The goal of regaining a firm grasp on life can’t even begin without first feeling as though they are worthy of having one. Being able to surround them with a strong community of support, leading them to employment from business owners who truly care about their

“We have never handed money to

anyone. They are more than willing to earn what comes to them. ”

employees, and helping them receive medical treatment to regain physical wellness, all lead to a strong foundation that causes a noticeable change in their outlook on life. You know when their dignity is restored because it’s like a light comes on, they have a pep in their personality, and pride in their accomplishments.

We have never handed money to anyone. They are more than willing to earn what comes to them. All we do is show up for them and point the way to open doors that lead them to accomplishing their dream of getting their lives back together.

I already anticipate that this article will send hundreds of “Do we really have homeless?” questions my way. My hope is that one day I never hear the question again because The One, Inc. and the Mission Machine have accomplished Aaron’s dream of ending homelessness.

“They are the best example of community that I’ve ever seen. I’ve

witnessed them giving their last dime away to help another. I’ve seen them outwork anyone I’ve ever known. I’ve seen them point others to us who they knew were struggling. They can’t stand to see others hurting.” ~ Seth Simmons referring to the homeless population.

A fresh paint job donated by Charlie’s Auto!

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Conley Graphics generously donated the logo on the side of the van!

What An Amazing Community!

Join the Mission Machine on FaceBook!

Had a good day. Loads of Love was a success as always. I mean how could you ever consider spending a day making new friends a bad day?

The cherry on top was that a couple we met at the very 1st Loads of Love we ever did 3 yrs ago was there as volunteers today! Their homelessness ended a month after we 1st met, & their still going strong!

After serving in OIF & OEF, I can’t stand to ever see a Veteran livin on the streets. It happens though.

Crazy as it may seem, there is a rather unsettling number of homeless Vets all over this country.

Someone put their life on the line for their country & now they’ve been dumped under an overpass.

This is what got me involved in ‘06. My stomach still gets quizzy every time I meet another one living out in the elements.

Met Flex on the streets yesterday. We served in the same streets in Baghdad, but never crossed paths.

He’s been working full time at McD’s, and picked up a second job today! Come Monday we will get word on a move in date for an apartment! W/just a little hand, things can fall into place sometimes.

HE’S A SOLDIER!

like any other day but turned into one of my top inspiring days of Searcy Living. I wasn’t feeling well that day, but I went to Rotary out of curiosity after reading the e-mail telling about the day’s speaker.

I knew we had a homeless issue in Searcy, but I did not know just how bad it was. I knew our local homeless shelter stayed pretty full, but that was about the extent of my knowledge.

I was just blown away after hearing Seth speak, so I stayed after to see if he would be interested in writing an article for Searcy Living.

I also requested that he let me ride with him for an hour or so to have a better understanding. We stopped at a couple of locations where he knew no one would “be home” because he had helped them get jobs. He told me more about the problem of homelessness in Searcy. It was amazing to see how much God had used one person to rally support to help people. What was really impressive was the system he used to help get people on their feet. Helping homeless get jobs was on the top of his ‘to do’ list.

He kept mentioning one man in particular whom he was worried about. He had helped him and then he just seemed to disappear.

As we were driving down Race St., suddenly Seth saw him and pulled over. They talked for awhile, Seth offered him some food, then Seth suggested to the man that he jump in his vehicle so he could take him to get a haircut. We drove over to Kim’s Cutz and she donated a haircut on the spot. What a great community we live in!

Irene Grey presenting Seth with a check from the Rotary Club of Searcy for the Mission Machine.

Kim from Kims Cutz getting a hug from an appreciative customer. What an inspiring day for Searcy Living!

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By Ashton Reely ray hen asked about a musical piece that personifies his love of music, Riverview High School senior Wesley Lamendola smiles slightly, as if he’s recalling a familiar friend. The words to Frank Ticheli’s “Earth Song” is what comes to his mind: “But music and singing have been my refuge, and music and singing shall be my light.” These lyrics, Wesley explains, perfectly describe what music has always been for him. Wesley has repeatedly made All-Region jazz, band, and choir, and has earned drum major honors from several marching band competitions. He also earned a spot in the All-State band and choir this year, the first Riverview student to ever do so.

But his music-making won’t stop at his high school graduation: “Music is an infinite happiness for me,” he said. “I want to be able to share that happiness with others and teach others.”

That’s why he is planning to major in music at Henderson State University. Between his band and choir endeavors, the university is giving him $10,000 a year in scholarship money.

He was also this year’s recipient of the Arkansas Small Band Association Scholarship in the amount of $500.

Band director Trey Reely wasn’t at all surprised: “Wesley is one of the best leaders I have ever had. He will make a great band or choir director someday.”

Twin brothers David and Jonathan Yanes were instilled with the love of music from a very young age. “My dad was a pastor so we did the church band together with my sister and we all played together for a number of years,” Jonathan explains. Both brothers have had achievements at the All-Region and All Star competitions and have continually challenged each other to be better players.

College, however, will be uncharted territory since the two have chosen to attend different universities. Jonathan names horn instructor Ashley Veatch as one of his biggest influences and credits her with introducing him to the University of Central Arkansas’s (UCA) music program and all that it offers. The university has offered him a yearly $3500 scholarship to be in their band program.

While David won’t be majoring in music like his brother, he is still excited about joining several musical ensemble groups at Arkansas Tech University and is thinking about majoring in Spanish education. Jonathan recalls when he knew what collegiate path he wanted to take: “It’s when I realized that the only part of school that I very much enjoyed was going to band and being with my friends. That’s what I looked forward to. And that’s when I 84 Your Hometown Magazine

realized that’s what I would love to be doing the rest of my life.”

Reely will miss the brothers and what they brought to the band program. “Jonathan played some very important horn solos the last two years and performed them well,” he said. “David is a versatile musician who has played saxophone in the jazz band and horn in marching and concert band.”

Like David Yanes, senior Alyssa Lee won’t be majoring in music, but also felt like it wasn’t time for her musical journey to come to an end: “I didn’t want to cut it out all together,” she said.

“I’m not going to major, but it’s still fun and creates bonds. I want to continue that bond.” An All-Region participant in choir, what Alyssa enjoys most about being in a musical group is that “it’s really cool to see the expressions on everyone’s faces and how they change-- and the emotion that we give to them. It just makes them feel good.” She is contemplating a major in English with a minor in Spanish and is attending ASU-Beebe before eventually transferring to the Jonesboro campus. Reely says that while Alyssa originally joined band to be a part of the color guard, she learned saxophone her junior year and served as an excellent flag captain.

Andrew Warren’s musical start came from knowing his parents were both in band and wanting to continue in their footsteps; he names them as major influences, as well as his grandmother: “My grandma is also a big influence. On senior night, she actually drove 8 hours to see me.” The meaning of her act is clearly visible on his face. He also acknowledges Reely for pushing him to make AllRegion and never giving up on him. This year, his perseverance paid off and Warren made All-Region for the first time.

Warren plans to major in music at Henderson State so he can “become a director like Mr. Reely.” Reely appreciates Andrew’s versatility as a musician and says he was fortunate to have him as a sousaphone, marching baritone, saxophone, and horn player at various times during his high school career.

Senior Misty Anderson’s interest in music is also influenced greatly by family: “Seeing my sister play while I was growing up was really inspiring to me. Her band director was really cool, and I would come in as a kid and play the different instruments.”

She recognizes director Trey Reely for continuing that inspiration.

“I kept wanting to do better because of him; to impress him.”

According to Reely, she did just that: “Misty is the most improved trumpet player I’ve ever had. She didn’t start trumpet until 9th

grade and was my first chair player her junior and senior year.” Christie Fudge, Riverview choir director, says that Misty is a true, optimistic leader who encourages everyone around her to do their best.” Misty has also been a regular member of All-Region and All-Star bands, as well as All-Region and All-State choir groups.

She is undecided on if she will focus more on band or choir, but majoring in music at Henderson State University was an easy decision.

The school has offered her a yearly $4000 scholarship for choir, and she is awaiting news of how much her band scholarship will be. She is hoping that the familial aspect of music programs will apply in college as well: “They say in sports that whoever you play with is like your family. It’s on so much more of a deeper level in band ... you grow with each other for four years. It’s like having a family at school. It’s a really tight community.”

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Fellow band senior Kayla Dyson, who will be Misty Anderson’s roommate at Henderson, is also a choir and band scholarship recipient. A prospective music major, Kayla says “figuring out this is what I want to do for the rest of my life” was an exciting moment in her high school career. Fudge echoes her realization: “Kayla is very detail oriented, a great quality for a choir director.” She tried sports and other activities without success, but found her niche in music. Her All-Region, All-Star and All-State honors in band and choir prove that music is where she’s meant to be. She encourages others to find their place: “Don’t give up on it,” she says, “I don’t understand people who get a job, not because it’s what they want to do, but because they can make a lot of money doing it ... stick with it because you love it, because it’s not really work if you like to do it.”

One senior who is following such advice is Katie Schmidt, who Reely calls “one of the hardest-working and most helpful students I have ever had.” Her hard work seems to have paid off. Katie has earned All-Region, All-Region jazz and All-Star honors in band, as well as All-Region choir achievements. University of Arkansas-Monticello wasn’t originally on her college radar, but she says she “visited the campus and met the people and professors and felt really comfortable and fell in love with it.”

She plans to major in music and has already received $1800 a semester for band and $2515 a semester to be in the choir. She hopes to garner the same relationships in college as she formed in high school: “You get to be around people you don’t know and--in four years--in such a short period of time-- you feel like you’ve known each other forever. And you get to know people that you never thought you would be associated with.”

“Sydney Brewer is a very fine leader who has always been willing to do whatever it takes to make the band better,” Reely said. When Sydney walks in, his assessment rings true.

Her personality and humor is contagious. “I’ve begun to notice how other directors treat him [Mr. Reely],” she laughs. “He’s kind of the jazz. Mr. Reely is the big cheese ... I think he knows what he’s doing. He’s kind of got it figured out.” She also remembers the time they did really well at contests and were given an interesting prize: “My favorite memory is when [Mr. Reely] let us shave his head. I got to physically shave his head. We all helped out. Teamwork.” Even though she’s decided to pursue finance banking, economics and entrepreneurship in college, she’s continuing her musical ambitions: “Band is great. The people you meet, they stick with you forever. No matter what, I’ll always be able to have a common ground with people because of music.” She is beginning her college career at ASU-Beebe with one year already under her belt because of AP courses, and she plans to later transfer to the Jonesboro campus to complete her degree.

Reely and Fudge both believe this is one of the best senior classes they have ever had and surely hold Riverview records for having the most students continue their musical studies past high school. “I will really miss them,” Reely said. Fudge agrees and adds, “They really helped take the Riverview band and choirs to the next level.”

The kids are equal parts nervous and excited about their next chapter, but one thing is clear: their musical expeditions are far from over. And the relationships they formed while a part of Riverview’s band and choir programs have left an impact: “I know the kids we have here are going our separate ways,” Jonathan Yanes said, “but the friendships we have are going to always mean something to me.”

Good luck in college, Riverview seniors. May music continue to serve as your refuge and light.

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By James S. Woodroof

I

t was the Fall Semester (1992) of Harding University’s campus (HUF) in Florence, Italy. I was one of the teachers assigned to lecture that semester. Throughout the city of Florence signs were being displayed advertising an exhibition being held in Genoa featuring the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ discovery of America. We couldn’t resist attending.

So, when time came for “free travel,” my wife Louine and I headed for Genoa to get in on the celebration - hoping to discover loads of interesting information on America’s history.

How disappointed we were when we realized the exhibition did not in any way measure up to our expectations. The event turned out to be mostly an extended commercial on the various industrial achievements of the participating European nations. We boarded the train back to Florence terribly disappointed at having received no information on Columbus’ voyage to America.

Returning to Florence, I taught the next few weeks at HUF and prepared to go to Germany to check out the accommodations we had made in Oberstaffen for hosting Louine’s family, who were coming to visit at the end of the semester. We took the overnight train to Munich and prepared to catch the first train to Oberstaffen. We boarded and waited... and waited. (German trains always depart on time - no exceptions, or so we thought.)

But the delay extended. As we waited, I spoke to a man across the aisle, expressing my surprise at the delay. He agreed, and we both got up and went out onto the platform to see what was causing the delay. While standing there we exchanged pleasantries and discussed the delay.

The man was Raoul Pollak, an Israeli from Tel Aviv. When I asked what was the occasion for his being in Munich, he said he was returning from Spain where he had gone for a vacation...

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seven years earlier! (He was a retired banker and evidently could afford a seven-year vacation!)

I asked him what he did during those seven years. He answered: “I spent the time researching and writing a book.” I asked, “What was your subject?” He said, “The Jewish Contribution to Columbus’ Discovery of America.”

My heart literally leaped inside me. I had gone all the way from Florence to Genoa to learn something about this subject and learned nothing. By pure coincidence (?) of a train delay I was given this unexpected potential treasury of information.

The signal was given; the train was ready to depart. We went back to our seats but continued our conversation. He began telling me things you would never read in print in a hundred years - at least not unless and until his book was published. He told of a certain cartographer named Toscanelli from Florence who had made a map of the world as it was perceived at that time.

Toscanelli had given the map to Columbus thinking it might be of help to him in his upcoming voyage. But also, said Mr. Pollak, the cartographer was afraid if the Pope knew of the map it would be confiscated and he would never see it again. He asked

Columbus to smuggle it out of the country which, according to Mr. Pollak, Columbus did. Columbus, however, told Toscanelli that he had begun to suspect the earth was not flat, as the map indicated, but in fact spherical.

As Mr. Pollak continued revealing the contents of his book, he could see I was increasingly shocked to the point of being incredulous. And rightly so. He told me Columbus made his way to Spain to meet with Queen Isabella to request she finance his planned upcoming expedition. When Isabella denied his request, he departed for Portugal, hoping to get a more favorable response from the king of Portugal. In route to Portugal, he was overtaken

by Isabella’s representatives. She had changed her mind; she would sponsor him after all. However, Mr. Pollak indicated it was wealthy Jews who actually financed Columbus’ expedition.

And here is where the story became beyond belief. Columbus arrived in Spain during the Inquisition, which had begun in Spain in 1478 by Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. By 1490, the inquisition was well under way. The target of the inquisition was the Jewish population. The Jews had been harassed for years and in that very year of 1492, while some 200,000 Jews were being deported, Columbus was approached by some Jews who volunteered to go with him on his expedition.

Now, get this: According to Mr. Pollak, those Jews hoped that in their exploring with Columbus they might find the ten lost tribes of Israel!!

At this point I must have rolled my eyes or given some other indication that I found his story beyond belief. He sensed that and said, “Just a moment.” He reached for his briefcase and pulled out a manuscript which must have been an inch and a half thick. He handed it to me. I was astonished. I looked first at the bibliography.

It alone was 37 pages long. He obviously had well researched his book. I sat there stunned as I read. What could I say?!

But that’s not the end of the story. When Mr. Pollak learned I was teaching in Florence, he immediately said, “You must help me.” I asked, “How?” He said, “The map Toscanelli gave Columbus is on display in one of the Florence museums. Will you find it for me and send me the location of it?” I, of course, replied, “Yes.” I could hardly wait to get back to Florence to begin the search for the map.

The search was much easier than I had imagined. When I arrived at HUF I told the director, Robbie Shackelford, of my conversation on that train in Munich. Robbie said, “I’ll help you find the map,”

and he immediately began the search. Within no time he had found the map on display in a local museum. We got in Robbie’s car and proceeded to the museum. There it was - under glass - what appeared to be the very map Toscanelli had given Columbus at the start of the adventure which eventually led Columbus to the new world (see footnote). I immediately wrote Mr. Pollak and gave him the name and address of the museum.

Mr. Pollak and I kept in contact with each other for several years, exchanging correspondence and phone calls. One day, in the course of our conversation, he told me he had suffered a stroke.

After revealing that news (and I had some difficulty understanding him), he said, “I have two things left: I have one finger that I type with, and I have my sense of humor.”

In the course of one of our phone conversations Mr. Pollak said, “Jim, I love you! But, more than that, I trust you!” That was quite a compliment coming from a man of Jewish heritage whom I had known such a relatively short time - and that mostly from a distance. I later sent him weekly chapters from the Gospel of Mark. I don’t know if he ever read any of them; the vast majority (75 to 80%) of Israelis do not believe in the very God who made them such an exceptional race of people.

I haven’t heard from him in years; I doubt he is still alive. He was a kinsman of Jesus of Nazareth in the flesh but probably nothing beyond that. As far as I know, he remained an unbeliever.

But, he did get a glimpse of the Spirit of Jesus as I explained to him one day the philosophy by which I tried to live:

This philosophy of Jesus, reflected by the apostle Paul, was attractive to Raoul Pollak. I only wish he could have not only smelled the aroma of Christ, but could have identified and accepted it. That chance meeting in Munich could have had a different outcome for that interesting man I met... once upon a train.

Personal correspondence with Margherita Azzari, lecturer at the 1992 Congress at University of Florence (Piazza San Marco) revealed that the “Toscanelli map (1474) is definitely lost. We have only some reconstructions (the most known was designed

by J.G. Bartholomeu in 1884) in “A Literary and Historical Atlas of America.” In this map Paolo Dal Pozzo Toscanelli, the Florentine mathematician and cartographer, demonstrated how Cippangu (Japan) was aligned with the Canary Islands and how it was possible to... reach the East by sailing West: the Colombian discovery and then the Vespucci discovery of the New World emerged from a Toscanellian error of considering the Eurasian continent excessively extended in longitude and the western Ocean (other than the Atlantic, the future Pacific Ocean) of smaller dimensions. At the Biblioteca Colombina of Seville was recently made the discovery of a copy of the letter of Toscanelli’s (June 25, 1474), from which it was possible to perform the reconstruction of the Toscanelli’s cosmographic suggestions. About this map you can see: Alessandro Scafi, Il paradiso in terra: mappe del giardino dell’Eden, 2007.”

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An Important

During my second month of nursing school, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one: “What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?”

Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired, and in her 50s, but how would I know her name?

I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.

“Absolutely,” said the professor. “In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello.”

I’ve never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy. ~Author Unknown

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Out & About

“Life is so much brighter when we focus on what truly matters...” ~Unknown

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By Casey McLeod, Medical Center Pharmacy I thought I would take a moment to add a personal note to a “professional” article. (It’s hard for me to write without just telling a story.) Anyway, I personally deal with reflux. My throat burns most mornings when I wake up. For years I thought it was allergies, but it’s NOT. I drink WAY too much coffee, which is one of the primary No-No’s of reflux. I love spicy food, salsa, tomatoes, jalapenos, and citrus fruit….more No-No’s. And now for the REALLY embarrassing confession…I forget to take my medicine. Yes, I am a pharmacist. And wife. And mom. And business owner. And I’m busy, like everyone else. SO, anytime I’m at work and whining about the burning in my gut or my sore throat, my sweet co-workers say, “Did you take your Nexium?”

Anyway, when I remember to take my medicine, it works. The best regimen I have tried is a Magnesium supplement daily and Nexium when I’ve eaten too much of the bad stuff. Enjoy the article! I’m going to take my meds.

-Casey Gastro Esophageal Reflux disease (GERD), more commonly known as heartburn or acid reflux, affects 20 to 30 percent of Americans on a weekly basis and up to 60 percent at least once per year. Although acid reflux is not a debilitating disease, it can impact many aspects of daily life. Due to the wide range of symptoms, reflux is often mistaken as something else.

Symptoms of Acid Reflux Burning sensation in chest or throat Difficulty swallowing Hoarseness Regurgitation of food Nausea

Chest pain Dry cough Sensation of a “lump” in the throat Sour taste in the mouth Asthma symptoms

Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid or bile backs up into the esophagus. When you swallow, the esophageal sphincter muscle around the bottom of the esophagus relaxes in order to allow food into the stomach. When that muscle contracts, it prevents food, bile and acid from entering back into the esophagus. If that muscle is damaged or is too relaxed, reflux can occur. There are several factors that increase the risk of experiencing reflux.

Common risk factors for acid reflux Large or greasy meals Eating before lying down Spicy food Pregnancy Smoking

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Obesity Coffee and tea Acidic food Alcohol Some medications

Foods to avoid FOR Acid Reflux

 Mint/peppermint  Caffeine  Citrus fruit  Tomato/salsa

 Chocolate  Fried foods  Alcohol  Dairy

If acid reflux occurs frequently enough and goes untreated, it can lead to other health complications. Continued exposure to bile and acid will cause the lining of the esophagus to become inflamed, which can in turn lead to esophageal bleeding, ulcers, and narrowing of the esophagus. In more serious cases, patients may develop a condition called Barrett’s esophagus, a precancerous condition.

There are many options for treating reflux. The first step in getting reflux under control is lifestyle modification. Weight loss, not eating before lying down and eating smaller meals may help decrease heartburn. Also, avoiding certain foods can help prevent the uncomfortable symptoms of GERD. Smoking and tobacco cessation, wearing loose clothing, and eating slowly are also ways to control acid reflux.

If lifestyle modifications are not sufficient to stop acid reflux, the next option is over the counter medications. Occasional heartburn is easily treated with OTC products such as Tums® or Maalox®. These products neutralize the acidic environment in the stomach. These medications generally contain Calcium, Aluminum or Magnesium. Magnesium supplements at a dose of 200 to 400mg twice daily have also been proven to decrease acid reflux.

Many OTC heartburn medications such as Pepcid® and Prilosec® were once available by prescription only. Pepcid® and Zantac® both work by decreasing the secretion of acid in the stomach. Prilosec®, Prevacid®, and Nexium® are in a class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors. These actually decrease the production of gastric acid. It is important to understand that, though proton pump inhibitors are very effective for treating reflux, they do interact with some other medications and can decrease your body’s ability to absorb important nutrients. Unless directed by your healthcare provider, Prilosec® and similar drugs should not be taken for an extended period of time.

If reflux persists after OTC treatments, it may be necessary to see a doctor. A physician may decide to run diagnostic tests to determine the source of the problem. Acid reflux can be caused by bacteria, which requires treatment with antibiotics. Gallbladder dysfunction can also cause symptoms similar to GERD. If the source of acid reflux cannot be determined or corrected, long term treatment with medication may be necessary. Often, the most cost effective option for treatment is one of the proton pump inhibitors available by prescription since most insurance covers some of the cost of those medications.

“...heartburn or acid reflux, affects 20 to 30 percent of Americans on a weekly basis and up to 60 percent at least once per year.”

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Cheeseburger Pizza If you consider yourself a failure at making great pizza, then this recipe might just change your life forever! It starts out with a crust that contains no yeast and doesn’t require rising time, so it goes together in a snap. The base, instead of a tomato sauce type, is simply a combination of yellow and Dijon mustard. Get those kiddos or dinner guests in the kitchen helping you chop, dice, and shred and you’ll have dinner ready in less than 30 minutes! The pan I prefer looks like a wire grate (it allows for a crispy crust all over) but a stone will also work well.

combine

crust 7 oz FAGE plain Greek yogurt 1 1/2 c. unbleached plain flour 1 1/2 tsp Rumford baking powder (it contains no aluminum) 3/4 tsp salt

Combine these four ingredients in a large bowl and mix well until it forms a ball. If you have a stand mixer, simply use your bread dough hook and allow it to run at medlow speed until the dough ball forms. Seriously, it is that simple.

ROLL

On a lightly floured countertop, roll out the dough to the approximate size of your pizza stone or pan. Transfer dough to pizza pan or stone and tuck edges under where needed so it fits the pan. On the dough, place the topping ingredients in the order listed.

topping 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard and 2 Tbsp regular yellow mustard (spread to ALMOST the edge as you would any pizza sauce) 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded 1/2 c. cooked ground beef 1/4 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese 1/4 c. diced onions 1/4 c. chopped dill pickles (Kroger Private Selection brand “Baby Baby” dill pickles are DIVINE!) 1/4 c. diced tomatoes

bake

Preheat oven to 450 degrees and place pizza stone or pan on lowest possible rack to bake. Bake for 10 - 12 minutes or until toppings are bubbly and crust is toasty brown.

Remove from oven, slice, and serve.

I will humbly suggest you make two of these, because they go fast. If you’d like a good source for organic ingredients please email me and I will be happy to share my sources (some local and others online). Lazydaygourmet@sbcglobal.net

Tanya Turner Leckie’s cookbook Cartwheels In The Kitchen, is available at Tonya’s Consignment, 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.

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Across

2. Taylor hopes ________’s doors will open.

4. The laundromat ministry for the homeless is known as ________ of Love.

5. According to “Earth Song” music and singing are a refuge and ________.

6. Ruth wants to learn as much as she can about eating ________ and exercising.

8. John 3:16 Ministries provides a ________ network for those struggling.

What two letters can spell the word candy?

Down

1. Columbus told Toscanelli that he had begun to suspect the earth was not ________.

3. GERD is more commonly known as ________.

7. Bells don’t ________.

You are my brother, but I am not your brother.

Who 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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