Searcy Living Issue 1 2015

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The Smile You Always Wanted

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major concern when you lose teeth is whether you will be able to eat your favorite foods, speak clearly and smile naturally. Our patients that choose a traditional denture usually require a “training” stage in which you gradually accustom yourself to eating, drinking and talking with dentures in your mouth. Not only do you have to get used to the bulk of the dentures, you also must learn to eat with small amounts of food on either side of your mouth, and to avoid foods like crisp apples and corn on the cob to keep from dislodging your dentures.

Now the good news! All on Four! Implant dentistry makes it possible for you to eat anything you want, speak clearly and smile without having to worry about your teeth becoming loose or moving out of position.

Dental implants are placed directly in your jawbone, creating stability and increasing the biting force. Dental implants are an increasingly popular choice for tooth replacement. The restorations look more natural than dentures, and they also help keep your jawbone, where they bond with the bone and stimulate bone growth as you chew normally. Once your gums have healed from the implant surgery and the prosthetic teeth set into place, you will be able to eat normally, without having to avoid any of your favorite foods. All on Four is a significant and positive advancement in dentistry. Get rid of those uncomfortable dentures and limited diet and enjoy a liberating quality of life that you only dreamed of. Call us today for a complimentary consultation.

“I saved the ads from Dr. Jirik’s for over 20 years thinking someday when I get the money and the nerve I am going there. I had the money a long time before I had the nerve. Looking back I wish I hadn’t waited so long!”

Nola Morrison Timbo, AR

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issue 1 2015

20 Making Life Beautiful 20 Hugging Greece Goodbye

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Putting On The Ritz 40 J.C. Franks: Storyteller 44 Making The Most Of Every Day

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Cardiovascular Health & Stress

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Diabetes: A Journey Of A Lifetime 58 The Well Done Run 62 Healing Soul Wounds: It Takes A Village

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Publisher’s Note 11 Hope Believe 12 Fashion Fun 16 Fashion Fun 22 We The People 24

“The difference between winning and losing is most often not quitting.”

–Walt Disney

Over The Counter 64 Fab Do It Yourself 76 Dinner And A Magazine 78 Games & Puzzles 80

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On the Cover

Dr. Katherine Durham & Daughter Abigail Dr. Eric Robinson & Family Dr. Bradley Hughes

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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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I’m not always the best at finding ways to relieve

stress, however, recently I have improved on that subject.

Last issue I shared that I took a vacation that was filled with solitude. Since then, I’ve been finding other ways to enjoy small moments instead of feeling the stress.

On a beautiful, unseasonably warm day recently, I went for a walk on the bike trail with a group of friends. My daughter had a pain in her leg and was having a hard time walking too far, so we laid down on the trail and looked for shapes in the clouds till our friends returned. Luckily, we did not get run over by bikers, and people walking by pretended not to notice. It was something that could have been a small inconvenience, but it turned into a precious moment.

I have the obvious things I do to relieve stress, such as riding a horse, going on a hike, kayaking, or just going out of town for a few days to find an adventure. But, recently, I have tried to become aware of the little things that can be done every day to make a hectic life a bit more manageable - like laying down in the middle of a bike trail to look at clouds. :) This issue has some heavy, thought provoking content, but is also full of stress relieving stories and inspirational moments. As always, I hope we make a great connection with you this issue.

And, again, thank you for reading Searcy Living Magazine.

Remember The Extras On Find Us On Follow Us On

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Hope Believe

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

* 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 and adoptive families. Our awesome Searcy Living readers bring in donations, and DHS case workers 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!

A Big Thank You! Searcy Elks Lodge Pictured:

Don Coots - Elks State President Mona Coots

Martha Hayes

Michelle Rodgers Natasha Baswell Pam Boggan

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Hope Believe

A Big Thank You! To First Christian Church and Cub Scout Pack 98 Pictured are: Braxton Likert and Jacob Abrams

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Thank You To Oak Grove E. H. Club

A big thank you to Aramark!

A special thank you to Tracy Hart’s first grade class in Beebe for donating filled backpacks.

Pictured is Michelle Redman.

A big thank you to Mt. Pleasant 4H! SearcyLiving.com 15

Makeover Alyssa Akridge enjoyed her shopping trip at Hays, receiving an outfit styled by Melissa Prince. Kim Grimes of Symmetrix Day Spa and Salon did Alyssa’s hair, and Doris Yates of The Cosmetic Studio applied her makeup. Our own Christine Walker provided photography. Thank you to all those who faithfully sponsor our makeover page. We appreciate you!

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Christine Locke Makeover Coordinator

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

By

at

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

By

at

2904 Hawkins Dr. • Searcy (501) 268-4540 www.symmetrixsalon.com

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > SearcyLiving.com 17

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I

came from a family of three boys and nine very talented girls, four of which are hairdressers, and I am an Esthetician/makeup artist. I grew up in Benton Harbor, Michigan, and my family came to Arkansas during my teen years due to an opportunity to be near family. I loved the friendly atmosphere of the south and have felt a sense of belonging ever since.

My dad always taught us that hard work pays off and paves the way for a better life. We were expected to work, and I had my first job at fifteen as a waitress. My dad also talked about integrity and the importance of not only building trust, but following through with being an upstanding trustworthy person. I always felt like my upbringing helped me to be aware of others’ feelings and imagining walking in their shoes.

Waitressing taught me how to be outgoing, work with people and, of course, basic work ethics. I feel like these things combined have helped me navigate the business that I have today.

I am married to the love of my life, Craig Yates.

We have one son and two grandchildren. Searcy is an amazing place to live and grow deep strong roots.

I have always loved the beauty industry, but wasn’t sure what direction I wanted to take until I had my first facial in 1981. I had never had a facial before that day, and I still remember the name of the skin care salon where I had it done. They did a deep pore, cleansing facial, and I loved the way it made my skin feel.

It looked so refreshed and bright. The make-up application made my skin look so even, and my eyes became my best asset that day. I knew immediately that this was the profession I wanted to follow. When my Esthetician applied my makeup, I felt beautiful!

I wanted to bring that same feeling to other women.

I immediately enrolled in beauty school in Beaumont, Texas and received my Esthetician’s license in 1983. My love for skin care and makeup had become such a passion that I began taking continuing education classes at every opportunity, traveling to New York, Dallas, Chicago, and Las Vegas for specialized training in make-up. I recently went to Orlando, Florida for a make-up expo where I received training from James Vincent, who has done make-up for everything from bridals to red carpet! His work has included film, television and celebrity work, as well as educational and runway. I was ecstatic to have the opportunity to train under someone of this caliber.

I love cosmetics and makeup artistry, so I opened The Cosmetic Studio in 2007. We’re very proud to offer bareMinerals, Smashbox, Too Faced and theBalm cosmetics, along with other innovative products and ladies’ gifts. We offer special occasion, bridal, pageant and photography makeovers, striving to give our clients the best service and artistic skills. I love being creative and artistic, and I love my business because it doesn’t feel like work! Most of all, I enjoy helping others feel beautiful whether it be a look for their everyday lives, or helping them to make a forever memory of that special occasion.

“I also love my business because it doesn’t feel like work! But most of all I enjoy helping others feel beautiful...”

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Before

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Tessa Floyd, store manager at Shopbella C, styled April Lockhart’s new outfit. April enjoyed a new hairstyle courtesy of Kim Grimes at Symmetrix Day Spa and Salon. Doris Yates of The Cosmetic Studio provided makeup, and our own Christine Walker commemorated the day in photos. Many thanks to all our generous sponsors!

Christine Locke Makeover Coordinator

2411 W. Beebe-Capps • Searcy (501) 279-2929 www.shopbellac.com

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

2904 Hawkins Dr. • Searcy (501) 268-4540 www.symmetrixsalon.com

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ASU-Beebe: Fall Fine Arts Winners Announced The Arkansas State University-Beebe Art Department recently presented awards to students following the 2014 Fall Fine Arts Show in the categories of Drawing I, Painting I and II, and Ceramics I and II. The art works were judged on technique, use of color, contrast and creativity in the categories of ceramics, painting, and drawing.

Winners, along with their hometown and major field of study, are as follows: In the Drawing I category, Harley Spears of Beebe, a liberal arts major, placed first; Hunter Sanders of Bald Knob, a liberal arts major, placed second; Leigha Garrity of Jacksonville, a liberal arts major, placed third; and Megan Nolte of Searcy, a non-degree seeking student and Deanna Ezarik of Jacksonville, a liberal arts major, both received honorable mention.

In the Painting I category, Prasit Kumget of Jacksonville, a graphic design major, placed first; Wonil Kim of Little Rock, an undecided major, placed second; Marcus Hunter of Lonoke, a graphic design major, placed third; Kayla Roy of Brinkley, a liberal arts major, and Nancy Browning of Judsonia, a music major, both received honorable mention.

In the Painting II category, LaVerne Hale of McRae, a nondegree seeking major, placed first and second for different works

Painting II 1st  LaVerne Hale

of art; Melanie Rothfuss of Cabot, a liberal arts major, placed third; and Bob Guess of Hazen, a non-degree seeking student, and Gloria Codianne of Beebe, a non-degree seeking student, both received honorable mention.

In the Ceramics I category, Kayla Roy of Brinkley, a liberal arts major, placed first; Amber Meek of Searcy, a liberal arts major, placed second; Deanna Ezarik of Jacksonville, a liberal arts major, placed third; and Victoria Doughty of Bald Knob, a general studies major, and Sherlon Walker of Beebe, a liberal arts major, both received honorable mention.

In the Ceramics II category, Karen Debaun of Hickory Ridge, a non-degree seeking student, placed first; Krystal Summers of Beebe, a general studies major, placed second; Jenny Goodsky of Cabot, a general studies major, placed third; and Brittney Dunn of Searcy, a liberal arts major, and Gloria Codianne of Beebe, a nondegree seeking student, both received honorable mention.

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 gallery at (501) 882-4495, or visit the ASU-Beebe website at www.asub.edu.

Painting I 1st  Prasit Kumget

Ceramics II 1st  Karen Debaun Drawing I 1st  Harley Spears 24 Your Hometown Magazine

Ceramics I 1st  Kayla Roy

White County 4-H Shooting Sports Club

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Supports Hope Cottage

ne thing that White County 4-H members focus on is community service and giving to those in need. Recently, the White County 4-H Shooting Sports Club voted to collect and donate scarves, hats, gloves/mittens and coats for Hope Cottage, the domestic violence prevention shelter in White County. They also donated a Christmas tree, lights, and ornaments to a family that is transitioning out of the shelter.

It goes without saying that the members of the club went above and beyond in their giving. In all, 1 tree, 4 strands of lights, a huge box of ornaments and Christmas decorations, 4 packages of diapers, 20 scarves, 33 beanie hats, 93 pairs of gloves/mittens, 52 pairs of socks, 14 adult coats, 10 youth size coats and 1 set of kitchen mitts and towels were donated.

4-H is the official youth organization of the Cooperative Extension Service, a division of the University of Arkansas. It is an informal education program for boys and girls ages 5-19.

4-H is conducted locally by volunteer leaders in cooperation with County Extension personnel. It is the largest youth organization in the world. If you are interested in learning more about 4-H in White County, you can contact Amy Heck or Morgan Lassiter at the White County Extension Office at 1-501-268-5394.

The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

Searcy High School

Orchestra The Searcy High School Orchestra under the direction of Mrs. Megan Guthrie performs at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion at the annual open house.

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Arkansas Winter Basketball

Invitational Tournament The Searcy Thunder won the 6th / 7th grade division of the Arkansas Winter Basketball invitational tournament December 6th and 7th. The team went 4-0 against teams from Beebe, Conway and Little Rock. ďƒ’ Pictured are: (sitting) Brock Hendrix, (kneeling l to r) Ty Dugger, Carter Neal, Wesley Jackson, Daniel Parrott: Standing (l to r) Jeffrey Mercer, Cameron Cooperwood, Griffin Newby, Caden Sipe, Landon Hambrick, Adam Fager (not pictured: Braden Oliver, Chase Brown and Palmer Gilbrech) The Thunder are coached by Blake Hendrix and Marc Fager.

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Favorite Facebook Quotes

PBL Donates

To Beebe Public Schools Food Bank Members of the Arkansas State University-Beebe business organization, Phi Beta Lambda (PBL), recently collected 1,026 food items and used $250 donated

by Wal-Mart to purchase 250 canned foods for a total of 1,276 items delivered to the Beebe Public Schools Food Bank during November. Pictured (from left) are Florence Stephens of Searcy, business technology; Meagan Wilson of Cabot, liberal arts; Wanda Posey of Searcy, business technology; DiAndre Woods of Bald Knob, business; Allyson Hendrix, PBL advisor and business instructor; Bailey Moses of Cabot, business; Lezley Jones of Searcy, business; Sarah Carroll of Bradford, liberal arts; Samuel Bearden of Searcy, general studies; and Tonia Spradlin, PBL advisor and business instructor. Business student Billy Tillery (not pictured) of Searcy is an employee at Wal-Mart Distribution and received the donation from Wal-Mart toward the food drive. The non-perishable food items were donated during the organization’s annual holiday food drive. For more information on student organizations, view the website at www.asub.edu.

“We, a bunch of twenty-somethings and I, sat at the dining table sipping coffee and water, munching crackers, gouda cheese and grapes. Our discussion landed in Luke 7... “To what can I compare the people of this generation?” We went around the table, each giving one word descriptions of what Jesus was talking about... “children... apathetic... complacent... narcissistic... selfserving... expectant... wanting... needing... desensitized...” It seems a bit like Jesus was dealing with the same world that we face each day. It’s odd to consider such consistencies in humankind. I guess we are what we are.

My thought this morning is that Jesus, rather than pronouncing holy condemnation on his generation, “had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd.” He loved them, healed them, taught them... and gave his life to save those apathetic, narcissistic, self-serving, complacent, desensitized souls.

As frustrating as our world is... it is still in need of compassion, healing, teaching and sacrifice.

Today I pray for a spirit of compassion...”

~Chuck Hicks

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Searcy Splash Water Aerobics

“Searcy Splash� Water Aerobics members celebrated their annual Christmas Party at the Ganus Center Pool at Harding University. Great Food and Great Fellowship. For more information, please contact Sheron Ward, Instructor (501) 658-3546

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Veterinary Technology

Scholarships Awarded Several students were awarded Veterinary Technology program scholarships at Arkansas State University-Beebe.

Students from the second year class were awarded Arkansas Veterinary Medical Foundation scholarships.

ASU-Beebe Veterinary Technology scholarship recipients for the Spring 2015 semester have each been awarded $500. Those receiving scholarships were Haley Lowery of White Hall, John Griffith of Jonesboro, Sierra Cox of Cabot, and Amanda Ramirez of Jacksonville. Lowery plans to work in a mixed animal practice, Griffith is interested in working for a small animal practice or animal rescue, Cox plans to work in mixed animal practice or exotic animal care, and Ramirez is interested in working for a small animal practice.

The scholarship recipients for the Fall 2014 semester were each awarded $250. Those receiving scholarships were Ashton Barron of Bradford and Erin Henley of Carlisle. After graduation, Barron plans to work in a mixed animal practice and Henley plans to work in a zoo or exotic animal environment.

Funded by the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Foundation and the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Association, the scholarships were presented to ASU-Beebe students majoring in Veterinary Technology. The scholarships are based on academic performance and service to ASU-Beebe.

The ASU-Beebe Veterinary Technology program has earned the distinction of accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities. The accreditation assures students that they have achieved specified learning goals, have met a competency threshold for entry into practice, and are eligible for professional credentialing and/or licensure. The ASU-Beebe Veterinary Technology program began in Fall 2007 and graduated the first class in 2009.

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 the 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.

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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Sidney Deener Elementary

Art Class

Third grade students at Sidney Deener Elementary painted the insides of empty water bottles, cut them into spirals, and attached them to a tree made with a tomato cage, chicken wire and lights attached inside the tree. This art project was inspired by the American glass artist Dale Chihuly.

The 3rd grade students shown are:

Back row left to right: Rochelle Tabitha, Erika Treat, Kaley White, and Schon Zeringue.

Front row left to right: Jose Marin, Mary Martin, Darius Brown, and McKenzie Miller.

ď ˝ď ˝WCMC Graduates November CNA Class The White County Medical Center Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program graduated 12 students in December. WCMC offers the CNA training program through a partnership with ASUBeebe. Curriculum for the three-week program includes classroom and clinical instruction, which prepares students to take the state certification exam to become a CNA. The group includes the following: (first row) Heather Asbell from Judsonia, Kaitlyn Manor from Searcy, Djuana Jennings from Bald Knob and Barbara Miller from Searcy; (second row) Sarah Garrison from McRae, Taryn Smith from Searcy and Caitlyn Doherty from Judsonia; (third row) Kadejha Bowman Williams from Searcy, Christal Rakes from Beebe and Hannah Burchfield from Kensett. Not pictured; Erica Jones and Jaree Hunt from Searcy.

For more information about the CNA program, please contact Outreach Education Coordinator Dee DeLoach at (501) 278-3189.

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a

Blessed Season

Calvary Chapel Searcy, an extension of Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale, held a Thanksgiving meal, as well as a candlelight Christmas service recently. “It’s time to count the blessings that our Faithful Father sends and, once again, right at the top are family and friends. At Oak Dale Nursing Facility in Judsonia, Church members enjoyed a great night caroling and brought a little light and cheer to those who could not get out this Christmas Eve. For more information, call (501) 268-7540.

 Calvary Chapel Searcy Sunday School class.

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ďƒ˘Students from Westside Elementary School recently visited White County Medical Center to spread Christmas cheer to all of the patients, guests and associates.

A Merry & Bright Arts in the Hospital Program Students from Westside Elementary School

made Christmas more merry and bright for patients, guests and associates at White County Medical Center. Carolers sang a selection of Christmas tunes for their audience in the WCMC main lobby, at 3214 E. Race in Searcy.

The students performed as part of WCMC’s Arts in the Hospital program. The arts have been known to help speed the healing

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process, and the WCMC Arts in the Hospital program encourages patients and guests to enjoy art during their visit, including musical performances from choirs and bands featuring students of all ages.

For more information about Arts in the Hospital, please contact White County Medical Center Event Specialist Anna Brumfield at (501) 380-1057 or via email at marketing@wcmc.org.

 Youngsters Donate Household Items for Local Mission

1st Graders Give Gifts to

Jacob’s Place The first grade class at Sidney Deener Elementary recently presented Jacob’s Place Homeless Mission with a gift of household items. Students in the five classes collected items such as dishwashing liquid, paper towels, toothbrushes and tissues to donate to the residents of Jacob’s Place.

Board President Mat Faulkner and Board Member Al Fowler visited the students to thank them for their generosity and spirit of giving during the Christmas season.

“We appreciate these students so much for the work they did to make this donation possible,” Faulkner said. “Gifts like this help us to further the mission of Jacob’s Place and help others in our community.”

Students pictured (1st row, seated) Timothy Loftis, Kendall Ferrington, (1st row, standing) Hudson Green, Austin Barnett, Jax Venable, Riley Castleman, Skye Jones, Brayden Ferren, Gracyn Brown and Faith Reese, and (2nd row, standing)

Board Member Al Fowler, Bonnie Davis, Board President Mat Faulkner, Elizabeth Shipp, Kelsey Carter, Kay Lawson and Vicki Rains.

For more information about Jacob’s Place, visit JacobsPlace.org or on Facebook at Facebook.com/ JacobsPlaceHomelessMission.

About Jacob's Place

Jacob’s Place, located in Searcy, serves as a temporary housing refuge for White County homeless families with children and has served 144 families, including 193 children, since it opened in 2008.

The mission empowers the homeless by providing financial, spiritual, emotional and job counseling while receiving shelter.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

– Jeremiah 29:11

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 Welding Student is

Top Three in National Finals Jacob Miller of Greers Ferry, a welding student at Arkansas State University-Heber Springs, a center of ASU-Beebe, recently returned from a successful competition at the American Welding Society U.S. Invitational Weld Trials.

A former West Side High School student, Miller was chosen in the top three at the national trials in Atlanta. Miller is the only Arkansan to advance to this level of the competition. ASUHeber Springs has had three previous welders to compete at the national level, including welding instructor Aaron Carr, who finished fourth in the national competition.

Miller was invited as one of the top 48 welding competitors from the National SkillsUSA Championships in November to begin the four-stage process inclusive of 2013 and 2014 finalists. This invitation came as a result of his gold medal finish at the State SkillsUSA competition. As a finalist, Miller received a $1,000 scholarship and a one-year American Welding Society membership.

ASU-Heber Springs welding instructors Thomas “Tag” Green and Aaron Carr, along with Miller’s high school teacher Randy Carr, were instrumental in providing Miller the mentoring and training required to excel at the national level.

“When you find a student who has the talent to weld, combined with a desire for hard work, teaching them becomes a passion. Jacob Miller is such a student,” Green said. “He pushes himself, this program and all of us as instructors to reach beyond our goals.”

At the American Welding Society U.S. Invitational Weld Trials, Miller competed against five other welders from across the nation in the weeklong competition. The competitors were required to complete several different projects in a 22 hour time limit. Miller received a print  Jacob Miller, an ASU-Heber with all of the project elements and was then responsible for crafting and assembling the Springs welding student, was chosen finished pieces within the time frame.

“Jacob’s win is not only evidence of his outstanding technical skills, but also a testament in the top three at the national welding to his instructors who have invested so much in his training,” said Dr. Chris Boyett, vice trials in November. chancellor for ASU-Heber Springs.

As a result, Miller’s top three finish position qualifies him to compete in the AWS Society TeamUSA Finals, to be held in February, 2015. The gold medal winner from the national finals competition will represent the U.S. at the WorldSkills Welding Competition in Sao Paulo, Brazil on August 10-16, 2015 and receive up to $1,000 in AWS publications, a four-year AWS membership and a $40,000 four-year scholarship from the AWS Foundation and the Miller Electric Manufacturing Company.

Dr. Boyett stated, “The university greatly appreciates the generosity of the entire community for their support of Jacob as he attempts to reach this goal.”

For more details about ASU-Heber Springs or the Welding Technology program, call (501) 362-1271 or visit 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.

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Student

Artist

Favorite Facebook Quotes

Zeke Blake, a 2nd grader at Sidney Deener Elementary, has been selected to be the Searcy Schools February 2015 Student Artist of the Month. Zeke is holding his Statue of Liberty done in oil pastels and construction paper.

Pictured are: Kneeling L-R: Carter Neal, Braden Oliver, Brock Hendrix, Wesley Jackson, Jeffrey Mercer Middle L-R: Palmer Gilbrech, Ty Dugger, Landon Hambrick, Chase Brown, Adam Fager Back L-R: Coach Marc Fager, Kam Cooperwood, Griffin Newby, Coach Blake Hendrix Not pictured: Daniel Parrott, Caden Sipe

The Searcy Thunder The Searcy Thunder 6th grade boys won the Hoop Play Winter tipoff tournament in Hot Springs. Competition included teams from Little Rock, Benton, Hot Springs, and Camden. The Thunder went 4-0 in the tourney winning each of their games by more than 20 points.

“There is a lot of buzz in the news media about the police. I am afraid it has been a lot more negative than positive. On this past chilly and sunny Saturday morning, I took Rickey (my son) to Wal-Mart. We talked for the best part of an hour about our favorite super heroes and their different suits. In fact, the main reason I was there was to get him a Captain America mask. We walked outside and there were 2 black and white SPD patrol cars parked beside the building. Two of Searcy’s finest had just gotten out of their cars and were approaching one another at about the same place on the sidewalk we had intended to cross. I looked down at Rickey and asked him if he would like to meet a couple of reallife super heroes? His face lit up as he nodded yes. I pointed to the two officers and said there they are. He walked up and greeted them. One officer crouched down and shook his hand - the other leaned in and gave him five and rustled Rickey’s hair. I told them to be careful, thank you and to have a great day. As Rickey and I headed on to our truck I told him that super heroes on TV wear costumes, but real super heroes wear uniforms. God bless all of the men and women in uniform!”

~ Robbie Hare

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Harding University In Greece Directors Return To Searcy

ive years ago, my wife, Beth, and I left our culture,

language, friends and family for an unknown adventure.

In 2010, when we accepted the role as directors of the Harding University in Greece (HUG) program, it was a whiteknuckle decision, but the rewards have been astounding.

On a hot August day, we arrived in Athens and looked at each other with amazement, wondering about our decision to leave everything and come here. We were given the keys to our residence and did not know the language, culture, rules or even the full extent of the job. We had no friends, family or associates and were alone together for the first time in our lives.

When we left for Greece, we sold our house and cars and gave away all furniture to our kids, with three of these families living in Searcy. We made a five-year commitment and left behind only some boxes in a storage building.

The hardest part of the move was breaking from family. We love our family and treasure our time together. We regretted missing school events, holidays and birthdays of our children and grandchildren. But trips back to Arkansas between semesters helped.

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We quickly learned that the job as directors is all-inclusive. We managed all activities for the program — academically, socially and physically. We lived and worked in the Artemis, formerly an apartment hotel, which is now a residence for almost 40 Harding students who choose to participate in the HUG program each semester.

It is a full operation, much like running a university on a miniature scale. We taught the classes, arranged all travel and provided for room and board. Our job was 24/7, and our working hours were almost constant.

Our job has been filled with amazing travel, challenging academic work, wonderful companions and new adventures every day. Since we are nearing retirement, this assignment has awarded us a new outlook on life. We have been re-energized for the rest of our lives.

We have made more than a dozen weeklong tours to cities in Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Jordan and throughout Greece, traveled to most cities in Europe annually, and have clocked up close to 500,000 air miles along the way.

With our travels, we have visited five of the seven Wonders of

the Ancient World. We have also been able to walk in the footsteps of Jesus and Paul. We have been able to see the Athens Acropolis and the grandeur of ancient history before our own eyes. We visited the Holy Land, with excellent guides, where we walked in the footsteps of Jesus, saw and touched the places where patriarchs of old were guided by God, and climbed Mount Sinai where Moses saw the hand of God and led the Israelites from Egypt. Other highlights include cruising the length of the Nile and witnessing the culture of the great people of Egypt.

We are blessed to see each of these every semester through the eyes of our wonderful HUG students. I think the best part of traveling is the way it broadens your scope of life. You discover other cultures, foods and languages. It enables you to appreciate the worldviews of those who are so different than the American culture.

As we found ourselves moving back to Searcy this December, we returned with memories for a lifetime. As a photographer, I have been able to document our journeys with my camera, amassing nearly 50,000 images in my photo library, some of which are available to view on www.imagesofhug.com.

As moving day drew near, we looked forward to being closer to children and grandchildren once again, but we also found ourselves dreading the goodbyes with close Greek friends, cultures, food and weather.

But, even after all we have seen, we’ve learned that there are loving and gentle people everywhere who value kindness, and we have tried to spread our own kind of gentleness in the places we have traveled.

The more we give of ourselves, the more Beth and I realize how truly blessed we are, and that we can have profound effects on whomever we meet.

Bio: Mike and Beth James have been a part of the Searcy community for 45 years. Mike, a professor of communication at Harding, will begin a new role as dean for the University’s Honors College in January 2015. Beth is a former Rosebud Elementary School teacher.

It’s funny to go back and look on things from could tell you about the times Mike and Beth took care of students the past — even the recent past. I say this because I’ve noticed something about my past: My college career began and ended with Mike James.

The summer before starting my freshman year of college, I went to Harding’s Summer Stampede. During this time, incoming freshmen learn about what to expect at Harding, sign up for classes, and participate in various other registration and introduction activities. Considering majoring in public relations, which I ended up doing, I went to a session explaining the department of communication. It’s funny; I didn’t think anything of it at the time. To a kid about to enter college, the speaker was a nameless professor that I didn’t think I’d really see again, or at least certainly not for a long time. To put it simply: I was wrong. This was only the beginning of my time with Dr. Mike James.

I had Mike for two classes during my college career, pledged the club he was a sponsor for, and attended his home Bible study for a year. As I was finishing my junior year, it looked like Mike would disappear from my life as he accepted the job as director of Harding University in Greece (HUG), a program I attended the previous summer.

Halfway into the fall of my senior year, the position for assistant to the director at HUG became available. I applied, and joined Mike and Beth for their second semester at HUG in January 2011.

In those four years, we’ve seen it all and had fun along the way.

I could tell you about Mike’s Imhotep mummy impersonation or the time he let the HUGers throw him in the pool. I could tell you about the time Mike and I got locked in our office for over an hour.

I could tell you about the times Mike and Beth made the classes come alive in Greece. We’ve taken photography students all over Attica for day projects. We’ve taken HUGers to the local street markets to experience the culture they study while at HUG. And I

as their own kids. We’ve had HUGers face sickness and death in their families, divorce, and even sickness while studying in Greece.

I could tell you about the time Beth stayed with a student who was in the hospital for an entire week, never leaving the student’s side for even a moment.

As each semester winds down, I usually ask each student what he or she will miss most. What did they enjoy most? Of course, they mention various things about Greece and our trips. These answers usually differ a bit based on personal preference. But without fail, almost everyone says, “I’m going to miss Dr. J and Mama B.” At our best, we functioned as a family here. Mike’s the dad, Beth’s the mom, and I’m the older brother. I can say this with total confidence because even for me — especially for me — they are family. There’s no other way to look at it. For the past four years, we have lived in close quarters, eaten almost every meal together, traveled Greece, Israel, Egypt and Turkey, each, numerous times, and helped hundreds of HUGers learn about and experience the magic of Greece. I know them, and they know me as if we were family by blood. They are my “Greece parents.”

Searcy is lucky to have Mike and Beth James returning home.

I know many family and friends are eagerly awaiting their return.

But they come back to Searcy with more than when they first left.

Now they have more than 300 “other kids,” HUGers that are also excited to have their “Greece parents” back home. And I, for one, am already planning my first visit to their new home. I have a feeling that our time in each other’s lives is far from over.

Steven Chandler, ’10

Assistant to the Director of Harding University in Greece

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I had the opportunity to participate in the girls’ teatime, I think most of us felt we could talk to them about HUG program for the 2014 spring semester. I remember stepping through the arrivals gate at the Athens airport and the James’ greeting us by name — they wasted no time in getting to know everyone in our group.

Any fears and nervousness I had of being so far from home and in a foreign country were soon forgotten after spending just a few days with my new HUG family, whom we all called “Dr. J” and “Mama B.” I remember going on an errand with Mama B at one point in the semester and asking her close to a million questions about what it had been like to move so far away. We talked about the adjustment it was to interact with a different culture, learn the language, make new friends, and still be in touch with loved ones back home.

I still admire her courage and faith for undertaking such a new adventure, as well as her confidence in Dr. J and the decisions he often had to make for the group. I think it says a lot about their relationship to be able to almost completely start over in a new place, often relying solely on each other for support, companionship and familiarity.

The James’ are a team — both with different roles, but both with a talent and ability to truly connect with a new group of students every semester.

They often provided guidance, encouragement, advice and friendship to all of us. Whether it was a late night run for halfpriced doughnuts at a local bakery or sitting with Mama B at

38 Your Hometown Magazine

anything, anytime — silly or serious.

Though I know their leaving Greece will be bittersweet, I’m excited for their next adventure back home. They will have plenty of catching up to do at Harding, in the community, and with their families, who will hopefully not mind them being pulled away for the occasional HUG reunion.

It’s an incredible experience to be able to travel abroad, and an even more incredible experience to travel with people who challenge you to see things differently and gain new understandings.

The James’ and our other tour guides were able to challenge our worldviews, and create a lasting impression of what it means to see the world and experience new cultures. I once asked Mama B if she ever got tired of visiting the same places, and she told me ‘no’ because she learned something new every time.

Spending the semester overseas with the James’ has encouraged me and so many other students who studied in Greece to continue traveling and to continue to stay curious. I think it’s safe to say that we will always have a special place in our hearts for the people who showed us the world.

Bethany Aspey, ’14

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Pictured at left: Members of the Charity Ball commitee: Ashley Wimberly, Emily Boyd, and Molly Hale. Hair

by Rhiannon Ferrie of Salon Bliss and cosmetic application by Doris Yates, owner of The Cosmetic Studio.

helps to raise money for worthwhile causes in our community. But this year we also wanted to bring you a story of how Junior Auxiliary builds friendships and aids in the training for volunteering in other community arenas.

hen I became a provisional member of Junior Auxiliary, I didn’t know what to expect.

I liked what I heard about the projects, but I didn’t know very many of the members, and I worried about fitting in.

Sarah Oxner was in my provisional class, and she was one of the first people I met. Wow, that girl could talk a lot, but she made everyone feel welcome and comfortable. We bonded. We both were named Sara(h). We were both teachers and drove Hondas.

And we were the only two members of our provisional class who did not have children. Five and a half years later, when we completed our term as active members, Sarah had three beautiful children! So many other changes occurred during those five years.

We both experienced peaks and valleys, and we were blessed to have JA friends through them all.

After I became a part of the organization, I didn’t immediately have forty new best friends. The friendships formed over packing food baskets, shopping for Angel Tree, and planning events for the Sunshine School. Junior Auxiliary requires each member to spend at least 72 hours with the organization each year. Since I had no children at the time and very few obligations outside of my job, it was easy and enjoyable for me to spend more time. And after a year or two, some of my closest friends were women I had met through Junior Auxiliary.

40 Your Hometown Magazine

I can truly say that Junior Auxiliary changed my life. The experience I gained working on the projects gave me the confidence to volunteer for roles in my church and for organizations such as Center on the Square, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Dr. Robert E. Elliott Foundation. I believe that contacts I made through JA helped open doors for me to have a job that I enjoyed for five years.

“The experience I gained working on the projects gave me the confidence to volunteer for roles in this community.”

Junior Auxiliary-related introductions made the largest impact on my life on December 16, 2005. Sarah Oxner invited me to a Christmas party she was helping host, and at that party, she introduced me to Casey Dacus, and he and I married a little over one year later. Just before I became Mrs. Dacus, some of my friends gave me a special girls’ night party, and I looked around and realized that all of the hostesses were friends I made through Junior Auxiliary.

Because of the close friendships I formed with Sarah and other girls, and the meaningful work of the projects, my time as a Junior Auxiliary member is the most enjoyable volunteer work I have ever done. She and I are still involved as life members, but I miss the weekly camaraderie, and I will always love Junior Auxiliary.

hen I was asked to join the Searcy as provisional sisters in 2003. Twelve years Junior Auxiliary in 2003, mixed emotions later, after seeing each other through many

filled my mind. I did not feel like I fit the JA Profile (or what I mistakenly thought was the JA profile). First, I was not a native of Searcy, and we only knew a handful of people here. Second, I was not a stay at home mom, or a mom at all at the time. Third, I commuted out of town to work every day. How would I have time for it? Most importantly, I would not know ONE SOUL in the provisional training class. The whole situation could be awkward, but my husband and I decided I should accept the invitation. It was one of the best decisions we have ever made.

Joining JA changed our lives in Searcy. It gave me the opportunity to bond and build friendships with women from all walks of life, while working together on service projects and fundraisers to help the children of White County. Our friendships strengthened while working on Angel Tree, Food Baskets, A Day of Caring, Covering Kids, Child Lures, Scholarships and the Sunshine School. Several functions included our husbands too, so Michael also made many new friends.

As I consider every aspect of our lives in Searcy today (church home, our children’s schools, after school activities, friendships, acquaintances, business connections, volunteer work, etc.), I can trace a link back to my Junior Auxiliary involvement in nearly every instance! A great example is Sara Dacus. We met blindly

trials and triumphs (including me introducing her to her sweet husband), our friendship still flourishes. We served our 5 1/2 years and both remain active as Life Members of JA, continuing to help the chapter any way we can. We both developed a passion to serve others while in JA, and it has led us to volunteer and lead in other community organizations as well.

Junior Auxiliary opened many doors for Michael and me. It was the gateway that helped show us a town with great people and real friendships. It provided us a great place to serve and to make a difference in other people’s lives. It helped show us a great place to raise a family. Junior Auxiliary will always hold a very special place in our hearts!

“It provided us a great place to serve and to make a difference in other people’s lives.”

Junior Auxiliary Charity Ball

Searcy Country Club

March, 7

Fundraiser to raise money for community projects such as: Sunshine School, Backpack Program, Angel Tree and much, much more.

 Sara Dacus and Sarah Oxner are not just lifetime JA members, but lifetime friends.

 The Junior Auxiliary would like to say a special thank you to NorthStar EMS for their help with the Junior Auxiliary projects recently.

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42 Your Hometown Magazine

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By Carol Ann (Franks) Frank

S

torytelling has been around since the beginning of time. Fairy tales, folk tales, and fables are stories that have been passed down from generation to generation both in written and oral form.

Native Americans told stories to their children and grandchildren to preserve their heritage and beliefs. Jesus told stories in the form of parables to help in our understanding of scripture. The art of telling a good story is a gift, and my daddy has been blessed with that gift.

Several years ago, while listening to Daddy tell one of the stories from his youth, we girls said, “Daddy, you’ve got to write these down.” Our family, both young and old, would sit around the dinner table and listen attentively while he captivated our imaginations with images of a boy growing up near the banks of Old River in Southwest Louisiana. Many of these tales have lived in our hearts and minds over the years until Daddy began to record them on paper. Some are new and some are old. Some were born of fiction or partial fiction, while others are factual truths just as they were remembered in Daddy’s mind.

Daddy recalls, “I began to write the stories several years ago, and they kept coming, one after another. Then it began to be fun to go back in time and remember the places, times, and people that meant so much to me.

It’s been said that you can’t go home again.

This collection of writing brings back to life some of those old stories that enable us to do exactly that. The people we are today had a lot to do with the folks of yesterday.

At this time in my life, when I try to write these pieces of history, I am disappointed that I didn’t listen more carefully to my older family members and neighbors about times gone by. Their stories could breathe life back into memories of the past.”

Over the past several years, Daddy has written about 100 stories and articles and has compiled them in three spiral bound books.

They started out as a historical collection of memories and entertainment for our family, but as others found out about them, many have requested to borrow or own a copy.

I think preserving life stories is one of the greatest gifts you can give your children and the generations to come. When I read these stories, I get a glimpse into the life of a great man and a great storyteller, my Daddy.

 J.C. Franks telling stories to family.

44 Your Hometown Magazine

By J. C. Franks

S

yrup was one thing that was on rural folks’ table three times a day in my early days. It was almost unheard of and socially taboo for syrup not to be in every household. A farm lady would be embarrassed to set a meal without it. It was not that old stuff made in New York or even Texas. It was made at home.

Sugarcane had to be grown to have cane syrup. Just a few farmers in our community grew sugar cane. Uncle Jim Wright was the first I remember who did. Then too, there were only a few sugar mills around to process it. Uncle Jim had his cane ground and made into syrup at a local cane mill that could supply the demand. He had his syrup put in wooden whisky barrels for storage.

Early on he supplied our family with our syrup.

When I was about ten or twelve years old, we began to grow our own sugarcane to make our own syrup. Papa and his brother, my Uncle Carl, determined that a spot on the back side of our field was ideal for growing cane. They were right. The back side of the field sloped down toward a creek where the soil was rich. They planted about five rows there, and we grew some fine sugarcane.

About this time, a couple of my cousins put a cane mill in on Old River near our home.

This was great for us. About Thanksgiving week, the cane was cut, loaded on a wagon, and hauled to the mill.

The cane mill was an interesting thing to see. There was a heavy metal grinder mounted on a sturdy platform about six feet high. A long wooden pole, about fifteen feet long, extended down to about two feet high.

This was the key to the whole operation.

A horse or mule was hitched to the end of the pole. As the animal walked around in a circle, the grinder was activated. Stalks of sugarcane were fed into the grinder by hand.

The cane juice came out one spout and the spent stalks came out another. The juice was caught in tubs or buckets and poured into the cooking pan. This metal pan was about four feet wide, eight feet long, and ten inches deep. It was mounted on a brick platform about three feet high. A fire was made under the pan to cook the water from the juice.

This required a lot of wood. The juice was constantly stirred with a wooden paddle as it cooked in the pan.

The next part was tricky. It required a person of experience to know when the cooking was done and the syrup reached perfection. Uncle Ace was the man who could do that. The pan was mounted with a slight slope toward one end. When done, the finished product was drained from the pan by a valve on the lower end. It was caught in one gallon syrup buckets. After that, you had several gallons of fine homemade pure cane syrup.

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“ Syrup had many uses. It was a must at breakfast, with hot biscuits and bacon, but it was usually on our table at all three meals.”

My last work day at the old sugar mill, my aunt and I had the chore of removing the cane chews, as we called them, from the mill.

We threw them down the bluff bank into the river. She was wearing a pair of rubber boots. At some point, as a prank, I grabbed one of her boots and attempted to drag her down the pile of cane chews toward the river. She wiggled her foot, her boot came off, and I was the one who almost went into the river.

Syrup had many uses. It was a must at breakfast, with hot biscuits and bacon, but it was usually on our table at all three meals. Our mothers made syrup cakes and cookies with it. When we kids got off our school bus, we had to walk about three hundred yards north to our place. In the fall and winter, when we faced the north wind going home, we could tell by the smell that Mama was baking syrup cookies. We picked up our step for the treat awaiting us. If you were ever around during the syrup making process, you could take a cup and catch some of that fresh cane juice at the mill. That was good stuff!

Some years ago, on a Saturday in November, our senior adults group from church went to Grant, Louisiana where we saw exactly what I have described in this article. They had an open house for the public to go back in time to see all these things most people have never seen before. There was an old sugar mill in operation to make the cane syrup. On the ground, was a place to eat, where you could have a breakfast of hot biscuits and homemade cane syrup. It was a great day except for one thing. We felt sorry for that poor donkey that had to pull that long pole around and around.

Syrup making was an interesting thing to see. I’m glad I got to participate in such a process that I enjoyed with many members of my family. I especially enjoyed the taste of fresh cane syrup on a hot, homemade biscuit.

 Granny’s kitchen.

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By J. C. Franks

H

“ My mama must have had a lot of confidence in me. Her nine year old boy had solved her fox problem.”

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aving chickens and having baby chicks in season was a must on the farm. We had a fairly large family of seven all together. We also had a good bit of company and an occasional preacher to have lunch with us on Sunday. If you failed to hatch out about forty or more baby chicks to grow up to meet this demand you were definitely in trouble. You would be considered a freak of nature in our day if you did not eat home grown fried chicken. My mother could meet this challenge and enjoy every bit of it. If there was anything she enjoyed each spring, it was having about four old hens hatch off a brood of little chicks.

She fed and watered them as prized possessions till they reached maturity.

There was one problem with the little chicks that involved me. Chicken Hawks and varmints of all kinds loved chicken as well as we did. Therefore, it was a constant battle to see that we got more of our yearly crop of chickens than they did.

Chicken Hawks were bad, but I think foxes could be worse. They could quietly slip over our chicken fence, grab a little chick, and be gone in a flash. Foxes were mortal enemies as far as my mother was concerned. That is where I came in.

We had an old fox that was eating us out of house and home as for as baby chicks were concerned. Late one spring, Mama declared, “Something has to be done.” Papa held a stake-out in a hiding place behind our barn several times with the shotgun hoping to stop that critter. He waited tirelessly day after day expecting to catch a glimpse of the killer fox and put an end to him. When he had no success, Mama turned to me, a very dependable nine year old. My thought was this, “If grownups could not solve a fox problem, what could I do?” I had to go to school, so I could not watch a fox all day.

Then one Friday evening, Mama had a plan. She suggested that I try to surprise that fox on Saturday. The plan was for me to go out early on Saturday morning, take the gun, and go hide in some bushes by a trail in an old field below the barn. I followed the plan. Just as I was getting bored, there was movement down the trail.

It was the fox. I raised the old shotgun to my shoulder, my heart nearly racing out of my chest. He got closer and closer. When he got about fifteen yards from me, I pulled the trigger. That was the end of that chicken-catching fox.

My mama must have had a lot of confidence in me. Her nine year old boy had solved her fox problem. I know that she was proud of me that day and I was a happy boy.

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50 Your Hometown Magazine

Students at CrossPointe Preparatory made models of local landmarks around Searcy!

We were excited to see the Searcy Living office included. Great job!

SearcyLiving.com 51

orking late hours, caring for loved ones, balancing finances and keeping up with everyday tasks; one thing is for certain, slowing down and taking time out in life is difficult. Over time, these activities can take a toll and can cause stress to build. Stress can often have an indirect impact on one’s health, specifically one’s cardiovascular health. That is why it is important for one to learn how to manage stress levels in order to maintain a healthy life and body.

According to the American Heart Association, stress causes a chain of events to happen. Your body is presented with a stressful situation that in most cases is not harmful, but can be upsetting.

The body then reacts by releasing adrenaline hormones that temporarily cause heavy breathing, heart rate to speed up and blood pressure to rise. Although these events can occur, there is no proof that they have a direct effect on cardiovascular health.

The concern arises when people make unwise choices about how to handle their stress during stressful times and situations.

Often times, people resort to eating, smoking, alcohol or substance abuse to try to cope with stress. These lifestyle choices can cause problems with not only heart health, but overall, general health that can ultimately affect heart health such as high blood pressure, hypertension and neurochemical changes.

For the cardiologists at White County Medical Center Cardiology Clinic, the importance of finding healthy ways of managing stress for one’s cardiovascular health is evident. While it may be challenging to find time to take out of their busy schedules to refocus and recharge, it is a practice they strive to implement in their own lives and in their own unique ways.

52 Your Hometown Magazine

“The relationship (between heart disease and stress) is mostly indirect,” Blue said. “When you have periods of stress or chronic stress, your blood pressure tends to run higher, your heart rate runs higher and then your cholesterol and neurochemicals in the body also run at higher levels that make you more likely to develop coronary disease. It’s more of an indirect effect that tends to aggravate underlying problems that are already present, such as hypertension or high blood pressure. When you are stressed, you tend to make poor food selections and are more likely to binge eat, but stress directly produces neurochemical changes that can cause cholesterol to run higher. It can be a multi-factorial situation.”

According to Blue, the effects stress has on the heart muscle are all through secondary mechanisms such as high blood pressure, heart rate and neurochemicals, although there is one very unique situation: Takotsubo Syndrome. Takotsubo Syndrome, or what is also known as “Broken Heart Syndrome” is where a sudden, very stressful emotional or physical situation can cause a sudden weakening of the heart muscle. The symptoms can look exactly like a heart attack. Fortunately, Blue said it is usually temporary and improves over a matter of weeks or months with the proper treatment.

While stress cannot be avoided, there are different things that can be done so that your body can respond to stress in a more healthy way.

Dr. Leon Blue “

for its healing and power to relieve stress...”

“Stress goes with life, it’s what reminds you that you’re alive,” Blue said. “Life is not stress free, but it’s how you handle your stress so that you have some outlet to help modulate the potential bad effects of stress.”

Having run in multiple races, including all of the Disney World Marathons, Blue says he encourages patients to adopt daily aerobic routines and remain faithful to those exercise habits to help manage stress. “I have been a runner for more than 35 years,” Blue said. “I run five days a week, but even then, it’s very important to take days off.

I’m not a slave to my running. If we go on vacation, I might run but it’s because I enjoy running someplace different than I normally wouldn’t get to see.”

While Blue enjoys running, he says running may not be for everyone.

It is important for any patient to start with an exercise routine that reflects where they currently are physically. For some older patients, he suggests to start walking for five minutes a day whereas a younger patient who is already in good physical shape might be able to set larger goals. Whatever the goal, he says it is very important to be faithful and regular in exercise.

Along with running, Blue enjoys hobbies such as reading and playing guitar to help get his mind off of everyday routine and stress. “With guitar, it was something that I always wanted to do so I finally said, ‘By golly, I’m going to do this,’” Blue said. “I decided that I was going to take lessons and it was just something I decided to do for myself to help me take a rest and a break from everything else my mind seems to be wrapped up in.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, music has the ability to counteract depression, encourage feelings of relaxation and has a calming effect.

Music has long been known for its healing and power to relieve stress.

“ What might stress one person out, might not be stressful to someone else and vice versa. Because stress and the causes of stress are so different, managing stress will be different for different people.”

– Dr. David Evans

Dr. David Evans with Alana Dr. David Evans, cardiologist at WCMC Cardiology Clinic, has been taking piano lessons for five years. When he began taking lessons, his son was also beginning to take piano lessons. Taking lessons, and progressing in knowledge of music and piano, not only provided a way to bond as father and son, but also provided an outlet for stress.

According to Evans, playing music is a good way to take one’s mind off of stress and is a hobby that he enjoys greatly. “It is important for people to find something; whatever gets their mind off of stress and do it,” Evans said.

“Stress is an individual matter. What might stress one person out, might not be stressful to someone else and vice versa. Because stress and the causes of stress are so different, managing stress will be different for different people.”

One suggestion Evans makes for helping relieve stress and improve cardiovascular health is walking at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week.

One way to encourage daily activity is having a pet. Alana is Evans’ highly trained and extremely obedient working-class German Shepherd that answers to German commands. Evans said having a pet forces one to go outside and get exercise by taking your dog for a walk or playing with it; Evans enjoys playing Frisbee with his Alana on a regular basis. The American Heart Association has noted that dog owners who walk their dogs regularly are more likely to achieve the recommended amount of daily physical activity and according to Psychology Today, pets have been shown to improve both mental and physical health such as lowering blood pressure and heart rates.

Not only does owning a pet force one to go outside for exercise, but it also encourages one to spend time in nature, which can bring a sense of calm.

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Drew Barrymore once said, “In a world and a life that moves so fast, photography just makes the sound go out and it makes you stop and take a pause. Photography calms me.”

For Dr. Bradley Hughes, cardiologist at WCMC Cardiology Clinic, he finds that photography, specifically nature photography, provides a calming effect for him as well.

With a position that requires him to spend time in an office every day, being able to take time in nature is an important aspect of managing stress. When it comes to other avenues of dealing with stress, Hughes said he believes it is an individual decision. “Dealing with stress is a very individual thing,” Hughes said. “It is important for every person to find something that they enjoy doing and something that is relaxing to them. Once you find that, then it is important to incorporate it into your schedule as much as possible.”

Hughes has enjoyed photography and nature for as long as he can remember.

Modeling his work after his favorite nature photographer, Charles Mangelsen, he enjoys looking at the art of nature through the lens of a camera. “I enjoy photography, because I take a picture of what I like. Then when I show the pictures to other people, there’s always something else in the picture that they see that I didn’t see and that’s always a really cool moment.”

Walking through nature and feeling the fresh air brings a sense of serene peace. Making the time to enjoy relaxing hobbies paired with healthy lifestyle changes is the best way to help manage stress. “Stress is a part of life for everyone and if we’re alive, we are going to have to deal with stress. Lifestyle changes are always what I would recommend first when advising patients on how to deal with stress. Over time, high blood pressure is definitely known to be damaging to the heart, and if stress causes other unhealthy behaviors such as smoking, lack of exercise and overeating, over time it will contribute to heart problems.”

With busy schedules, it can often be difficult to take the time to make healthy lifestyle changes. It can be helpful to set specific times in your schedule to recharge and rest.

WCMC Cardiologist Dr. Katherine Durham understands the busy schedule of being a working professional in a highstress occupation and a full-time mother; jobs that both leave little time to relax and unwind which should be important priorities.

Cardiologist Katherine Durham suggests several reasons why people fail to make relaxation an important priority. “Most women are not good at taking time out, because we’re trying to take care of everyone else around us and we feel selfish if we do things for ourselves,” Durham said. “If women don’t take care of themselves though, they will not be able to take care of everyone else that they’re worried about. I’m amazed at how many times I look at women who come into my office and I ask them how they relieve their stress and they don’t know. I always tell them that before they come back to our next appointment, they need to find something.

Whether it is taking a hot bath, reading a book, going for walks, going out to eat or to grab coffee with friends or your spouse; choose something and then go do it. Most women don’t know what

54 Your Hometown Magazine

Dr. Bradley Hughes

“

and feeling the fresh air brings a sense of serene peace. Making the time to enjoy relaxing hobbies paired with healthy lifestyle changes is the best way to help manage stress.”

their hobbies are or what they enjoy to help relieve stress, and it takes a toll.”

When you are living a very stressful life and you do not take time for yourself, you have a tendency to eat on the go, you do not make the time to exercise and do not rest well; other things start to happen. The chronic level of stress is difficult on your immune system and can relate to high blood pressure. Trying to maintain a fast-paced lifestyle can result in one becoming too busy to take care of simple health maintenances such as going to the doctor for regular check-ups. “One considers themselves to be a young, healthy person so they never go to the doctor, but there are certain things you’re supposed to get checked as you age, such as cholesterol levels or have your sugar taken,” Durham said.

“People can walk around and not know that they have diabetes or high blood pressure because they have not seen a doctor and those things affect heart health.”

When Durham is not at work, she likes to spend time with her husband and daughter. While many women get to enjoy those roles

every day, Durham said it is not something that she gets to enjoy on a regular basis. Her favorite way to relax is to spend time in her kitchen planning meals, looking at recipes or cooking with her 3-year-old daughter, Abigail. “I enjoy getting to prepare meals for my family and extended family and the more dirty dishes and hot pots, the better - it’s my therapy. That’s my release, being a homemaker.” “ don’t know what their hobbies are or what they enjoy to help relieve stress, and it takes a toll.”

Another aspect of dealing with stress that she finds important is support. Durham says her husband is not only her best friend and confidant, but also her support who she can go to when she needs to reset and refocus. Durham’s church family and faith also plays a large supporting role in her life. “I grew up in the church and I always believed, but I went through a real scare when I went through my pregnancy with Abigail. They said I could die. I really learned the power of prayer like I had never learned before.

I found out that during the times of stress and heavy workloads, I just talk to God. In the morning, I pray that God will use me to help someone that day and He gives me the tools to do it. I wouldn’t be able to get up and face what I do without faith. If I had to just believe in me - I couldn’t do this with just my human strength.”

Dr. Katherine Durham & Daughter Abigail

“

meals for my family and extended family and the more dirty dishes and hot pots, the better - it’s my therapy.

That’s my release, being a homemaker.”

– Dr. Katherine Durham

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“ for stress needs to be treated just like a prescription; it’s that important, if not more important. You have to make it a priority.”

– Dr. Eric Robinson

Dr. Eric Robinson & Family

Dr. Eric Robinson also believes in the support of others to help relieve stress. That is why family time, particularly time outdoors, is a high priority for the Robinson family. Self-described as “pathological Arkansas Razorback fans” the Robinson family enjoys going to Razorback football, basketball and baseball games.

“Going to Razorback games is something we can do as a family,” Robinson said. “We also have other family friends that we like to meet up with and go to games. It’s a good way to put differences and problems aside for a while and enjoy something together as a family, although sometimes it can add more stress during some seasons,” Robinson jokingly adds. He said while he likes to run to unwind, he and his three children also enjoy playing golf together, “Children don’t really care about what kind of stress is going on at work, they just want to hang out with dad, so I get to hang out with them and that’s a lot of fun.”

In some cases, Robinson says medications such as those for antianxiety or depression can be used in extreme cases to treat stress.

The answer in treating stress can be found in both medication and lifestyle changes, based on the case and severity. The easiest avenue of handling stress may be through modifying life habits. “Lifestyle and things you do are very important in the way you manage stress,” Robinson says. “I recommend to my patients that they exercise.

It’s great for stress and it’s great for your heart. In particular, I recommend joining an exercise group because fellowship with people is also very important when you find yourself dealing with difficult stressful life situations. I recommend trying to find a hobby, whether gardening, working in the yard or quilting, or something else you might enjoy to occupy your time. For some patients, I recommend meditation such as prayer or yoga; anything to relieve stress. I think, in general, making changes to lifestyle habits is probably more beneficial than medications, but both can be used based on the patient’s needs and doctor’s recommendation.” He says getting engaged with others is imperative and beneficial for stress health. He advises younger people to join a gym or a class where there are people to meet and connect with that help you stay committed to reducing stress. For older patients, he said he often 56 Your Hometown Magazine

suggests getting involved in activities such as volunteering, or church groups. “There are a lot of opportunities in Searcy to find support groups. Start with your church or a community group and get involved so that you have a community to relate to, talk to and help get your emotions off your chest. Or you can start walking everyday with your spouse, a neighbor, a friend or your dog. It is important to schedule that time into your calendar at a specific time; just like a taking a prescription. Whatever you commit to doing for stress needs to be treated just like a prescription; it’s that important, if not more important. You have to make it a priority.”

While life will always include stress, stress can be manageable with the right tools and consistency. It is important to remember that managing stress not only helps improve emotional health but physical health as well. Take the challenge to implement changes for a better, healthier life with decreased stress.

WCMC Cardiology Clinic an outpatient department of White County Medical Center and is your hometown cardiology clinic. With doctors who have been serving the White County and surrounding areas for more than 33 years, WCMC Cardiology Clinic believes it is important to serve the community by providing it with the best quality care possible and latest and most advanced technologies and services available.

Located behind Casa Brava at 711 Santa Fe Drive, WCMC Cardiology Clinic hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information about services, please call 501-279-9393.

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I know. If I have heard it once, I have heard it a thousand times. I know. Especially when my children were little, or should I say, “a little sassy!” My youngest would usually add an exclamation point at the end of her two word sentence. I know! As an adult, my oldest daughter says it almost apologetically, as if a frowning emotion icon followed her words. I know.

While watching the knock-out rounds of the popular reality music show, The Voice, I heard it! The words were subtle, almost under the breath, with head down, and an occasional foot shuffle, it was there. The words co-mingled with an occasional OK. The artist, who responded with a carefully placed ‘I know’ during the grueling practices for the knock out rounds, typically did not make it to the live performances. An attitude and belief they truly knew what they need to do. I know.

Framed in the roadmap of diabetes education, ‘I know’ is one of the major barriers to self-management. Other barriers include not enough time, not enough money, can’t get motivated, lack of confidence, or no support system. Not enough money is certainly in the top three. I could go on and on, but ‘I know’ is almost impenetrable from an educator’s perspective.

Diabetes is a difficult, yet manageable disease. When asked what diabetes means, the typical response I get includes the words pancreas, liver, insulin, and maybe even humor. “I’m too sweet.”

Or “I’ve been bad.” But brass tacks are this: too much glucose (blood sugar) in the blood is diabetes, and it causes damage. The glucose belongs in the cells of the body, 10 trillion cells by some estimates. And the sugar might as well be brass tacks because of the hideous destruction it has on every organ of the body. Have you heard the expression, “You can pay me now, or pay me later.”?

That is uncontrolled diabetes knocking on the door.

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I could sugar coat how diabetes ravages the body (pardon the pun), but a person with diabetes is at a higher risk for: xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx

Heart Disease and Stroke Blindness Hearing Loss Kidney Failure Nerve Damage Lower Limb Amputations Bacterial and Fungal Infections of the Skin Urinary Tract Infections

This damage can be postponed or reversed with medication, monitoring, healthy eating, exercise, and the right attitude!

It is important to manage this complicated and sometimes overwhelming disease. It means having a plan. It means obtaining the tools needed to follow the plan. It means having support to make the plan possible. The understanding of how to self-manage is truly the beginning of knowledge. I know.

The journey is for a lifetime. There will be detours and missteps.

Sometimes the barriers go up without warning. Occasional indulgences and laziness will lead us astray. After all, we are human. But with the right attitude, a supportive health care team, loving friends and family, and for some a faith in a higher power - a person with diabetes can stay on course and arrive at their final destination. To be healthy and enjoy life at full throttle!

egina, a resident of Bald Knob, Arkansas, was diagnosed with diabetes 10 years ago. Today she says, “I think I have finally turned the corner.” I had not seen Regina since August. She had come in for her diabetes self-management education appointment. Since our last visit, her insulin had been cut by almost half, and her blood sugars were near normal. “I am fixing to go back to work, and guess what?” She had my attention.

“I took up sewing. I made an apron!” Her smile was catching and eyes gleaming. I am so proud for Regina. She has come so far since we first met in the spring of 2014.

As I called her name, she slowly came to her feet and turned towards me, a defeated expression, if any at all. The weather still cool, her jacket smelled of heavy smoke. She never broke a smile.

As I began to ask questions, she began to tell me her story.

She admitted for several years it was nothing for her sugar to be 300-500mg/dl (or higher) at any given time. And she kept eating whatever she wanted. She doesn’t remember how many times her medications were changed. “In the beginning, I was told I was ‘borderline’ diabetic and I could control it with my diet.” But she did nothing.

She admitted she kept eating whatever she wanted. And she revealed that previous education she had had in the past was always negative. “The doctors would tell me you can’t have this or you can’t have that.” No white bread, no potatoes, no fruit, no candy, no soda. She said, “At one point I had it (diabetes) under control with medication and was even able to stop my insulin.”

But her old habits crept back.

Back in April, she complained of weight gain after restarting her medications, and with further questioning she admitted to not

being consistent with her insulin administration. Her blood sugars were uncontrolled, her diet was inconsistent, and she lacked the confidence she could self-manage.

Month after month, she came to her appointments, glucose log in hand, no excuses, wanting to know more about the numbers, what they meant, and how she could do better. We would spend the hour problem solving, finding answers to her most pressing questions, coming up with a revised plan each visit.

Regina Mason From the first meeting till mid-July, her blood sugars remained erratic, and, admittedly, she was not following the nutritional recommendations provided by her nutritionist. She had made progress on decreasing the number of cigarettes she smoked. I congratulated her. Because nicotine compromises our cardiovascular system, and high blood pressure usually accompanies diabetes, this was an enormous success. She was one step closer to self-management.

Our team praised her at every opportunity. We provided the support she needed to be successful (the registered dietician, the nurse, the pharmacologist, and the provider). Do you have your medications? Are you taking them? Do you need refills? Do you need diabetes supplies? What obstacles have you experienced?

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We encouraged her to set attainable goals and she reported back each month.

Regina said if she could share one thing it would be this: “You have to get your diet right.” She said this over and over again during our interview. “I know now, back then changing my lifestyle was what I needed to work on.” When asked why she kept coming back, even when her blood sugars were out of control, she simply said, “The doctors I saw in the past focused on what I couldn’t do or couldn’t have. Ya’ll let me make mistakes and kept encouraging me that I could do this.”

Regina attributes her success to prayer, her family, healthy eating choices, and her healthcare team. “My relationship with God has given me a more positive attitude.” Regina said she wants to live a healthy long life! Not only for her son, two daughters, five grandchildren, mother, dogs, and cat, but a healthy life for Regina!

I think it is safe to say, she truly knows.

“She wants to succeed.” said Nikki Taylor, APRN, Regina’s primary care provider. In a recent interview, Mrs. Taylor said it has been a delight to work with Regina. “She is taking her healthcare seriously, comes prepared to discuss her healthcare needs, and that is the way it should be”.

A person should be tested for diabetes if they are at risk. Risk factors for diabetes include being overweight, inactive, family background (American Indian, African American, or Hispanic), parent or sibling with diabetes, high blood pressure, or high blood fats.

Talk with your healthcare provider if you are 45 years of age or older. Testing may be right for you. If you are younger than 45, obese, and one of the above risk factors, it is highly recommended you speak with your doctor about being tested for diabetes.

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The ARcare Diabetes Self-Management Program is proud to be an AADE recognized education program. Our Diabetes Self-Management Program offers individualized assessments and nutrition planning with a registered dietician. Our program also includes one-on-one education, classroom education, support group meetings, cooking classes, and exercise classes at two nursing homes. You can use the fitness equipment at our Wellness Centers in Brinkley and Augusta as part of your healthy exercise plan. Please contact our friendly staff to learn more about how the ARcare Diabetes Self-Management Program can help you. (870)347-3426

Left to Right: Merica Finley, Regina Mason, Gail Nelson, and Jada Brooks.

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A few months ago I heard about a new race that was

going to take place in my town called the Well Done Run. I had never heard of another race like this before and the entire concept was intriguing. The race website described it this way: “Think of it as a 5K with baggage. Runners/Walkers will be given a 1-gallon jug at the beginning of the race. At the halfway mark, the participants will fill their water jug in a creek and carry it for the last half of the race. You can’t start without a jug and you’re not officially finished without one either. This is to shed light on the sad truth that millions of people around the world live without access to clean water. We can’t help them all, but we can build one well at a time.” All the proceeds from this race went towards building a well for a village in Honduras.

When I mentioned this 5K to my kids, my oldest son was very interested. I thought this could be the kind of learning experience that he might remember for many years. The night before the race we watched a short informational video on the race website to explain what the race was emulating. I will admit, my son actually got a little scared. When he saw the boy walking, carrying a big jug down a dirt path, he thought he was going to be running where that boy was walking. I had to explain that is what some kids in other parts of the world do every day, just to get water for their family to drink.

We got to the race a few minutes early so we could get my son registered and collect his milk jug. Before the race there was a prayer and a few race reminders. This was definitely a family event. There were many other parents with their children and young families with strollers.

When the race started my son took off, holding onto his jug. I knew this would be the fastest mile since his jug was empty and he 62 Your Hometown Magazine

wouldn’t have to stop to fill it yet. Along the path were scriptures and facts about clean drinking water.

At the halfway point of the race, we stopped for a few minutes at the water station. My son grabbed a cup with some clean water to drink. I’ve stopped at many drink stations in races during my life and I’ve never thought twice about being thankful that the water was clean. I’m always too concerned about my pace and the time I’m “wasting” getting something to drink. My son had no time concerns. He stopped and drank as much as he wanted. Then he filled his jug in the tub that had been pumped full of water from the nearby creek along the trail. The water was dirty and muddy- a complete contrast to the clean drinking water next to it at the water station. It was just another reminder of how blessed we are.

It took a little longer coming back from the water station. My son was determined to carry the water jug by himself. Occasionally we would stop for a few seconds and then we’d start back up again. When we neared the finish line, he picked up his pace a little to sprint it in to the finish line. My oldest daughter was near the finish line cheering and she said her favorite part of the race was that everyone told the finishers, “Well done!” She thought it was appropriate since the name was the “Well Done Run 5K!” What an experience this was! It was so different from any race I have ever seen. I hope this becomes an annual event, because we will be back and plan to bring the rest of the family next time. The race was very organized and all the volunteers did an excellent job keeping the race centered on its purpose.

I’m so proud of my son for wanting to do this race. Honestly, if it wasn’t for him I don’t know that I would have participated. I hate to admit it, but I tend to get so competitive and into racing that “fun runs” aren’t even on my radar. This wasn’t that kind of fun run. It had a purpose and a message. I went into it thinking that my son would learn from the experience, but I think I learned even more in the process. I’m pretty sure that the next time I grab a cup of water from a race volunteer my mind will go back to the muddy creek water and I will remember to be thankful for the little things I take for granted, like clean water.

For more information on the Living Water International Ministry visit: www.water.cc.

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

Pneumonia: Not Getting Vaccinated May Take Your Breath Away

By William Doles, PharmD and Rodney Richmond, RPh, MS, CGP, FASCP

H

ow many of our readers out there are afraid to receive a shot? Well, maybe you are not afraid, but maybe you do avoid receiving shots because you do not like them? This was the case for my grandmother several years ago. She did not like receiving shots, so she refused to have her pneumonia vaccine when it was offered. She eventually ended up with a case of pneumonia that nearly cost her life and actually left her with permanent lung damage. I tell you this story in hopes that you will choose to receive your pneumonia vaccine if it is recommended. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can be caused by many different types of bacteria, viruses, or fungi that are commonly seen in Arkansas. The adult vaccine provides protection against 23 of the most common strains of bacteria

responsible for causing pneumonia. This means that it is still possible to contract pneumonia after receiving the vaccine, but your chances are greatly reduced. The pneumonia vaccine is recommended for all people over 65, any residents of a nursing home, those with a poor immune system, or patients who smoke.

Most people only require one dose for life, so it is not necessary to get one every year like the flu vaccine. Pneumonia is a potentially deadly infection, so talk to your healthcare provider today about whether the pneumonia vaccine is right for you.

Thank you for taking the time to read this medication tip brought to you by the Harding University Center for Drug and Health Information.

“Most people only require one

[pneumonia vaccine] dose for life, so it is not necessary to get one every year like the flu vaccine.�

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Fab

center island As a part of my kitchen remodel, I built a center island. Although the island is brand new, I wanted it to appear older. One of my favorite ways to add age to a wood piece is with apple cider vinegar and steel wool.

This is not only a simple process, but has the added bonus of not having the strong fumes that traditional wood stains have.

1

To begin, I combined the steel wool and vinegar in a container.

Allow to sit at least overnight, but three or four days is best.

(For a darker gray color use a larger amount of steel wool.)

3

After drying overnight, I applied a finishing wax.

2

Next, I applied the mixture over the entire island using a sponge brush. A rag and spray bottle can also be used. The color will start to change immediately, but the full effect will show after the piece dries.

Before

4

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To customize the island, I applied several of my grandmother’s old recipes to the top using mounting putty. Family photos, children’s artwork, or dried herbs would also add a personal touch.

5 To make the island more functional and durable, I added a plexiglass top. Most big box home improvement stores will cut plexiglass to size at no charge. Scoring tools are also available.

6 To fasten the plexiglass to the island, I first applied masking tape to help avoid any cracking or splitting. I then drilled a hole through the plexiglass large enough for a screw in each corner and installed the screws.

The finished product is a one of a kind piece that adds both character and functionality.

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One Pot Cheesy Chili-Mac

The only cookware this dish requires is a Dutch oven. Woohoo!

True story: My husband apparently had a bad experience with Chili Mac, as a kid. I recently told him we were having this (a new recipe at the time) for dinner one night, and I honestly thought he was going to head to the fridge, searching for leftover alternatives. He was THAT afraid to eat something that would potentially trigger a flashback to his mother’s attempt at Chili Mac. Current status: I’ve made it three times already since then, and we eat every single bite; my 14 year old loves having it for breakfast. I’m not even kidding. When I accompany it with a big hot skillet of buttermilk cornbread it will serve 6 to 8, but I’m tellin’ ya.......we REALLY like it a lot! Even using all organic ingredients it won’t break the bank either! I have a feeling this might just be your new favorite cold weather dinner.

INGREDIENTS 1/2 lb ground beef (Seriously! Only 8 ounces!)

1 Tbsp olive oil 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced 1 onion, diced 4 c. good chicken broth 14 1/2 ounce can diced tomatoes 1 can pinto beans* 1 can kidney beans* 2 tsp chili powder 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin 10 ounces elbow macaroni 2 c. shredded cheddar cheese (8 ounces) 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley (1 Tbsp dried will be okay, just not as yummy) * Instead of canned beans I cook dry beans and use them in this recipe.

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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brown

In a Dutch oven (mine is enamel, cast iron and it works beautifully with this dish), brown ground beef with the oil, garlic, and onion until meat is no longer pink and onion is clear.

add

Add broth, tomatoes, beans, chili powder, and cumin; bring to a boil. Add macaroni, cover with a lid, and reduce heat to med-low; cook 13 - 15 minutes or until pasta is done.

complete

Stir in cheese and parsley. Cover to keep warm until ready to serve.

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Across

2. Mike and Beth quickly learned the job as directors is all-________.

3. What has been around since the beginning of time?

7. The diabetic journey is for a ________.

8. Healthy ________ are the backbone of community and culture.

9. The Well Done Run helped build a ________ in Honduras.

When is homework not homework?

Down

1. Junior Auxiliary changed Sara’s ________.

2. Every moment deserves to be lived ________.

4. Another name for “Broken Heart Syndrome”.

5. Doris is an esthetician and ________ artist.

6. ________ has the ability to counteract depression.

What jumps when it walks and sits when it stands?

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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