Greenwood Life OCTOBER 2019. VOLUME 1. ISSUE 7
C O M M U N I T Y | S C H O O L | FA M I LY | FA I T H
BUSINESS IS BOOMING 5
Highlighting newly opened businesses complete with owner profiles and customer reviews
Out&About Leadership Night Grandparent’s Day Fun Days, Fair Days
TENACIOUS & TRIUMPHANT
JENNIE WALKER
OWNER OF RECENTLY REVEALED J. WALKER STUDIO
FS-0001259293-01
Your School + Your Community = Bright Future
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Greenwood Life EDITOR/COORDINATOR
SUMMER AINA
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
KRISTYN SIMS
PRODUCTION
CHRISTY MORRISON RACHEL POWELL
DISTRIBUTION ADVERTISING
Greenwood Life
contents
BILL NEEDHAM JULIE NEWMAN TARA LYNCH KATHIE SMITH ASHLEY YEARY MIKE OPOLKA MATTHEW MOCK BETHANIE STARR ANNA HERNANDEZ
All opinions, beliefs and views presented in editorials and letters are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Greenwood Life. POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to: Greenwood Life, 5111 Rogers Ave., Suite 471, Fort Smith, AR 72903 (USPS 229-440)
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Greenwood Life is a publication of
Days, Fair 06 Fun Days
SUBSCRIBE TODAY: Have every issue of Greenwood Life delivered to you montly. Subscribe online today at GreenwoodARLife.com. One-Year Subscription (12 issues) rates are Sebastian County, $30; In Arkansas, $38; Outside Arkansas; $42.
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All about the Kristen and Elliott Brown wedding.
Call 479-996-4494 or email greenwoodlife@gatehousemedia.com 4for more WWW.GREENWOODARLIFE.COM | OCTOBER 2019 | Greenwood Life information.
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Hometown Hero
Lavon White seeks comfort with dog named Sargeant Romeo.
Volleyball Managers
Wesley Johnson and Ruby Gray don’t let their disabilities get in their way.
See all the fun at this years Grandparents Day at East Hills
Scenes from this year’s Sebastian County Fair at Greenwood.
Comes 08 Here the Bride
Grandparents Day
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Jennie Walker Read all about owner of new hair salon J Walker Salon.
OUR CREW THIS ISSUE Our talented batch of contributors for October 2019
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SCOTT CUTLIP
SHARLA DERRY
JADYN WATSON-FISHER
SCOTT SMITH
KEVIN TAYLOR
MAX BYRAN
MORGAN SKAGGS
JAMIE MITCHELL
Writer
Writer
Photographer
Writer
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30 Doggy Styles Real all about new mobile grooming business. Complete with before and afters.
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Greenwood Nutrition Den Read about a new healthy option in Greenwood.
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Roma Italian Restaurant
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Newly opened and getting attention. Read about the new Italian Restaurant in town.
36 Toodles Groomers
Read what people are saying about the new groomer in town.
Westark Barber College
See all the ins and outs of the new barber college.
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Writer
Writer
Leadership Night
See who is out and about at Leadership Night at Westwood Elementary.
Photographer
Greenwood Life
Photographer
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Greenwood Life
Fair Days
OUT & ABOUT WITH MORGAN SKAGGS
Sebastian County Fair Greenwood Fair Grounds August 17-21, 2019
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Kristen & Elliott
BROWN Married September 21, 2019 at The Loft at Stone Oak in Greenwood with reception following ceremony Kristen Robertson and Elliott Brown are both from Greenwood. Kristen’s parents are Pam and Wes Robertson of Charleston. Elliott’s parents are Kimberly and A.C. Brown, Jr of Greenwood.
HOW WE MET: It always amazes me that we never met
when we were younger because we ran around with the same groups of friends throughout junior high and high school when Elliott lived in Greenwood and I lived in Fort Smith. We met our freshman year of college at a party in Russellville. Elliott went to Arkansas Tech and I went to UCA and I had come to Tech to visit a friend.
THE PROPOSAL: Elliott proposed to me August 31,
2013. We had just finished moving into our first house in Fort Smith from Little Rock. He had all of our family over while I was out with my mom running errands. I thought the surprise was a special dinner with our loved ones but the night got even better when he got down on one knee and popped the question. Of course I said YES! And of course we celebrated with the best chocolate cake ever!
OUR WEDDING DAY: Something special about our
wedding day, September 21, 2019, is that it is exactly the same day we met eleven years ago in 2008. Our wedding colors were Burgundy, Navy, Gold and Blush and The Loft in Greenwood was the perfect venue to have an outdoor ceremony followed by an indoor reception. We had a full Thanksgiving-style meal with the idea of showing how thankful we are for each other and all of the loved ones we were celebrating our big day with.
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Greenwood Life
WEDDING VENDORS: First and
foremost we want to thank our family and friends for all that they have done to support us over the years and for making our dream wedding a reality. We love you all so very much! Wedding Planning and Design: I Do Wedding Consulting, the AMAZING Mary Ann Sandifer and her AMAZING team! Venue: The Loft at Stone Oak in Greenwood Arkansas, Terry and Rusty Smith Photography: Sterling Imageworks, Callie and Jaison Sterling Linens: RSVP Rentals in Fort Smith Floral designs: Booneville Flower Shop Catering and Desserts: Tina Skaggs Catering Wedding Cake: Confectionately Yours in Fort Smith Cinnamon Rolls: Sandee Atkins Spirits: In Good Spirits, Karen Hawthorne Garlands and Accent Florals: Greenwood Flower Shop, Khristi Phillips Bride/Bridesmaid Hair and Makeup: Adrianne Wilson-Jobe, Madison Kay Fisher, and Caroline Longoria of Tone Beauty Bar
A special thank you goes out to Johnson Dermatology and the Laser Treatment girls there for coming to the rescue when this bride broke her nose and cut open her lip a week before the wedding. Their daily encouragement along with the laser treatments to reduce bruising gave me incredible results and genuine confidence when I thought all hope was lost.
Greenwood Life
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AREA WORSHIP GUIDE ASSEMBLY OF GOD
BAPTIST
FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD Hwy. 10 Spur and Park, 996-6030, John D. Miller, Min.; SS 9:45 a.m.; Worship 10:30 a.m & 6 p.m..; Wed. 6:30 p.m.
ARKOAL COMMUNITY BAPTIST Pastor Gene Gullick 8937 Old Arko Rd., Huntington, AR., SS: 10 a.m.; WS 11 a.m., 7 p.m., Wednesday Service, 7 p.m.
ECHO ASSEMBLY OF GOD 1202 Echo Rd., Barber Community; Steve Quick, Pastor 928-4424
BURNVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH 5 mi. East on Hwy. 10, Tyler Thompson Pastor, SS 10am; Worship 11am & 6pm
MIDLAND ASSEMBLY OF GOD 6th & Adams, Midland, AR., SS: 10 a.m.; WS 11 a.m. Sunday Evening 6 p.m.; Wed. 7 p.m.; Pastor, Andy Jones; 639-2096 CALVARY CHAPEL ASSEMBLY OF GOD 201 Greenwood St., Hackett; 479-561-8998, Pastors Tim & Gaylene Smith, SS 9:30 am, WS: 10:30 am & 6pm, Wed: 7pm Bible Study calvarychapelhackett@yahoo.com LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY WORSHIP CENTER Hwy. 71 S., Witcherville, 479-928-5654, Pastor Tommie Rhamy, SS 9:45 am; Worship 10:45 am; Prayer 5:30 p.m.; Sun Eve 6 pm; Wed., Bible Study & Youth 7 pm BONANZA ASSEMBLY OF GOD 701 McConnell Ave., Bonanza, AR. 72916, Rev. Ricky Yarberro
CENTRAL FREE WILL BAPTIST 17 E. Central Ave, Central City. Steve Mclain Pastor, 452-2308; SS 9:45 am, WS 10:45 am, 6:00 pm; Wed. 7 pm DAYTON BAPTIST CHURCH Pastor Robert Presson, 2305 Apple Blossom Rd., Mansfield, 479-996-5495, 912-294-2281
LIBERTY MISSIONARY BAPTIST 705 E. Gary St. • P.O. Box 3225, Pastor, Cavan Gappmayer SS 9:45 am; WS 10:45am; SEW 5 pm, WEW 6 pm WESTWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH Hwy. 10 Spur - 996-6220, Dewey Hickey, pastor, SS 9:45 a.m.; Worship 11 am, 6 pm; Mon. 7:10 pm, Wed. 7 pm PALESTINE BAPTIST CHURCH 1207 Young Ridge Road, Pastor Jordan Martin, SS 10:00 am, Worship 11am & 6pm. and Wed night for Children & Youth 6-7:15 pm
EXCELSIOR BAPTIST CHURCH 3421 Smokey Rd, Greenwood; Pastor Mark Griffith; Sunday School and Worship 10 am
SHADY GROVE FREE WILL BAPTIST 6425 New Hope Road; SS-9 am, Worship 10:30 am; & 6 pm; Wed. nights 7 pm. Danny Owenby Pastor.
FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH 14511 Old Jenny Lind Loop; 996-6456, James M. Jones, min.; SS 9 a.m.; WS 10 a.m., 6 p.m.; Wed. 6:30 p.m. FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH Atlanta & Adair Streets, 9962166; Pastor Ronnie Deal, Worship, 8 am SS & Worship 314 W. Center St., Suite B, Greenwood • 996-9311 9:15, 10:45 am & 6 pm
Tricia Miller TMiller@ShelterInsurance.com
FIRST FREE WILL BAPTIST 504 S. Fowler St, 996-4374, Jim Walker, SS, Worship 10:50am, 6pm; Wed 7pm
GREENWOOD TIRE & ALLIGNMENT 803 West Denver 996-7510 Don Lamberson, Owner Greenwood Life
FS-SPAD1105185825
HACKETT FIRST BAPTIST 401 E. Greenwood St. 638-7363; Pastor, Joe Silva
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JENNY LIND FIRST BAPTIST 1910 Gate Nine Road, 996-2513; Clay Kibler, min.; SS 9:30 a.m., WS 10:45 a.m.; SEW 6:30 p.m.; Wed. 6:30 p.m.
DENVER STREET BAPTIST CHURCH 1413 W. Denver St., Greenwood; Alan Davis, Pastor, 479-9967544, SS 9:45 am; WS 10:45 a.m. & 6 p.m., Wed. 6 pm
HOWARD HILL ASSEMBLY OF GOD Past. Quinton Rowan, 3515 Gate 9 Rd., 996-2496 howardhillag.com
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597-6644. Sun 8:30am coffee/donuts, 9:01am SS, 10:10 WS, 5pm Discipleship Training, 6pm EW. Wed. 5:30pm Adult Prayer Meeting, 6pm Youth Services, 5:45pm AWANA Registration, 6pm-7:30pm AWANA.
CATHOLIC
SSTS SABINA & MARY CATHOLIC
Jenny Lind; Saturday Mass at 4pm. Father Matt Garrison. OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC 616 Cherry St., Booneville, Pastor-Fr. Alejandro Puello; Regular Liturgy Schedule, Sat. Vigil Mass: 6pm; Sun. Mass 8:30am; Wed: Mass: 6:00 meal & youth activities, Thurs. Mass in Chapel 8:15 am, First Fri. of Every Month Mass at 5:30 pm adoration followins. Confessions; 30 min. before Wed/Sat/Sun Masses or by appt. This local church directory is made possible by these supporting businesses that are positioned around the Worship feature and this directory. The basic church listings are provided at no charge to all our area churches in Sebastian County. If your church is not listed or an information change is needed, please contact us at greenwoodlife@gatehousemedia.com or call 479-996-4494.
McConnell FUNERAL HOME 137 N Main St, Greenwood, AR 72936
(479) 996-2131
AREA WORSHIP GUIDE CHURCH OF CHRIST
DAYTON CHURCH OF CHRIST 2230 East Hwy 252, Huntington, 479-928-4034. Sunday morning Bible class 9:30 am, Sunday morning worship 10:30 am evening worship at 6 pm and Wednesday night Bible classes at 7 pm. GREENWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST Hwy. 10 & Bell Rd, 996-6635 WS 10 am, 6 pm; Wed. 7 pm. JENNY LIND CHURCH OF CHRIST Old Hwy. 71, Sunday WS 9 a.m. NORTHSIDE CHURCH OF CHRIST 1240 W. Center, 996-2626; WS 10:45 a.m., 6 p.m.; Wed. 7:30 p.m. VALLEY VIEW CHURCH OF CHRIST Hwy. 10 West, 996-6040; WS 10:50 a.m., 6 p.m.; Wed. 7 pm WASHBURN CHURCH OF CHRIST 9911 Old Hwy 10, 252-1213. Sun Bible Study 9:30 am, Morning worship 10:15 am, Evening 6pm, Wed Bible study 6pm
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS GREENWOOD WARD: CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST 915 West Center St, Greenwood. Sun 10:00 am. English. http://Churchofjesuschrist.org FORT SMITH WARD: CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST 8712 Horan Drive, Fort Smith. 479-484-9907, English and Spanish. Sun 10:00 am. http://Churchofjesuschrist.org
EPISCOPAL ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S 2701 Old Greenwood, Ft. Smith 783-2101, SS 9:15, WS 8 & 10:30 Sun., WS 5:30 Sat.
LUTHERAN
GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 18218 Hwy. 71 S, 996-7747; Jason Zirbel, Pastor; WS 10 am SS 9 am
METHODIST
PRESBYTERIAN GOOD SHEPHERD PRESBYTERIAN Bass & Denver St., 996-0750. SS 10 a.m.; Worship 11 a.m., Orin Frank, min.
OTHER
WASHBURN UNITED METHODIST Paster, Geral L. Holloway, Sunday: 9 a.m. UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 10 W. Denver, 996-6397, Wed.: Meal 5:30 p.m., Youth Wed. & Sun. nights, Traditional Sun.: 8:15 & 11 a.m. in Sanctuary, Contemporary 9 a.m. in Family Life Ctr. SS:10 a.m., Rev. John Embrey, Senior Pastor. Rev. Lyn Poplin, Associate Pastor
NAZARENE CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE Hwy. 10 West, 996-4688; SS 9:45 a.m. WS 10:45 a.m., 5:30 p.m.; Wed. 6:30 p.m.; Jon Newlin, pastor.
PENTECOSTAL CALVARY TEMPLE UNITED PENTECOSTAL 47 Ware Rd (Off of Hwy. 96), 996-HOPE; www.ctupc.net; SS & WS 10 a.m.; Sun. eve. WS 6pm, Wed 7 pm Family Connect; Trent Hampton, Pastor. CITY HARVEST PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF GOD Hwy. 10 East & Dawson. Sun. 10-12pm, Wed. 6:30 pm. Billy L. Goines, Pastor, 996-1663 FREEDOM FELLOWSHIP 12311 Hwy. 96, 479-221-8740; CV Lewis, Pastor; Sunday. 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m. CROSS ROAD CHURCH 15024 Hwy. 71 S. Jenny Lind Community; 252-6700. Pastors: Michael & Keshia Tom; Sunday WS 11 a.m., Sun. eve. WS 5:30 p.m., Wed. services, and Youth Night 7 p.m.
COMMUNITY BIBLE CHURCH-GW 601 Ulmer St., Greenwood. Communitychurch.com. Service time is Sunday at 10 am LIVING WORD TABERNACLE 1848 Hwy 10 • Booneville, 675-4820; Pastors Robert & Melissa Jones; Sunday Worship 10:30 am, Wed. WS 7:00 pm HUNTINGTON COMMUNITY CHURCH 216 East Vine St., Huntington Sun. Worship Service 11 a.m. RIVER VALLEY COMMUNITY CHURCH Pastor Phillip McClure and Pastor Adam Kareus. 7030 Taylor Ave, FS in Chaffee Crossing. Sevice Sunday 10am Modern Worship, Classic Christianity ROSE GARDEN FULL GOSPEL Jenny Lind, 928-5745; SS 9:45 am, WS 11 am, 6 pm; Wed. 7pm; Weldon Bratton, min. TYRO COMMUNITY CHURCH 8401 W Hwy 252. Hackett. Pastor: Chris Scott, Sun. 10am & 5 pm, Wednesday 7pm CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF GREENWOOD 110 S Coker, Ste 1, Greenwood. Sunday bible study - 10 am, Morning Service 11 am, Evening Service 6 pm, Prayer Service Wed. 6 pm
Pink Bud Nursing Home 400 S. Coker, Greenwood • 996-4125
Golden Years Retirement Village Residental Care & Independent Living 1570 West Center, Greenwood • 996-9945
301 West Center, Greenwood • 996-4440 Greenwood Life
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Recommended Reading SCOTT-SEBASTIAN REGIONAL LIBRARY
18 NORTH ADAIR, GREENWOOD, AR • 479-996-2856 OPEN MON. 9 A.M. TO 7:30 P.M.,TUES. - FRI. 9 A.M. TO 5 P.M. AND SAT. 9 A.M. TO NOON.
Books are available at the library or through ebook form at https://lib2go.overdrive.com/
NOT QUITE SNOW WHITE
(2019)
by Ashley Franklin,
Illustrated by Ebony Glenn Born to dance and sing, Tameika’s perfect place is the stage. Excited for her first possibility to play a princess, Tameika signs up to audition for the musical, Snow White. As classmates express doubt that she can be Snow White based on her appearance, Tameika starts to doubt herself as well. Northwest Arkansas native, Ashley Frankin, tells the story of a young girl who must look inside herself, ignore all the naysayers, and realize she IS good enough to play Snow White.
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Greenwood Life
DEAR JUSTICE LEAGUE (2019) by Michael Northrop Written in graphic novel form, the heroes of the Justice League answer fan mail in Dear Justice League. Superman is asked if he ever messes up, Wonder Woman is asked about her birthday parties, and Batman is asked if he was ever afraid. The super heroes’ responses are clever and funny.
LIFE AND OTHER INCONVENIENCES
(2019) by Kristan HIggins
Seventeen years after being kicked out of the house and ignored by her Grandmother Genevieve, Emma London receives a phone call from her estranged grandmother asking her to return home to be with her on her deathbed. Without any other family and experiencing an additional difficult situation, Emma has not forgiven her grandmother for the banishment. Told in alternating storylines, Emma and Genevieve, tell their side of the story including past history. Just as she is about to tell her grandmother that she will not be visiting her, Emma and her 17 year old daughter’s lives get turned upside down. Emma decides getting out of town is a good idea and arrives on Grandmother Genevieve’s front door step to see if forgiveness is possible.
GOLF FOR DUMMIES By Drucilla Hughart
For the past several months I have become interested in the game of golf. In fact I spend a lot of Saturday afternoons and most Sunday afternoons watching golf on TV. I love it. No, I have never played a round of golf. Frank did take me out to Fort Chaffee to the golf course one time. He bought me a bucket of golf balls. I can’t remember how many, if any, that I hit. It probably wasn’t any. I have learned by watching that there is a real art in playing golf. I have seen a player lie down on his stomach to gaze the distance to the hole. All the many games that I have watched I didn’t know a birdie from a bogey or what par was. Bless brother Jim’s heart I think he felt sorry for me. So for my 90th birthday he bought me the book Golf for Dummies. It sure has helped my “Golf Game.” While watching a game one Sunday afternoon my family called and invited me to go Fridays to eat. I sure did hate to leave my golf game. My favorite player was on the last two holes. When I got to Fridays I have to admit I sat on a bar stool to watch the last of the round. When asked what they could get me I told them I was just watching to see if my favorite had won. There I was sitting at a bar on a Sunday afternoon but I couldn’t miss the last of the golf tournament. I have often heard people make fun of golfers by saying, “They just get out there and hit a little white ball.” I can tell you it takes a lot of concentration, walking, and using your body in a swing to play a round of golf. It “ain’t” easy to get that little ball in that little hole. To me it takes a lot more mental concentration to play golf than it does football or baseball. Sorry Sports Fans who think otherwise. I say this in fun. In our younger days Frank and I never missed a football game. Not even when I was overdue expecting Connie. We went to Dardanelle to a game. We
listened to the St. Louis Cardinals faithfully. I wish Frank had taken up golf. The winner yesterday won 15 million dollars. It all went home with him to Ireland. I am so glad Brother Jim gave me that book “Golf for Dummies” because it has really improved my golf game. I’m so sorry all my Greats have outgrown miniature golf. I could always use them have a reason to go play a game. Remember when Croquet was the game of choice? In fact Greenwood had one of the BEST Teams or should I say players in the county and the best of croquet courtyard to be found. It was one of the tragedies of the tornado. A person would not dare walk across it. The late Earl Floyd kept it as smooth as ice. All the croquet players are gone now. Among the players were Willie and Bun McConnell, Earl Floyd, Miro Spicer, Grady Robinson and several others. I can tell you they took their game seriously. Oh, the heated arguments. One could hear them in a distance. There were benches around the court. Often times someone passing through Greenwood would stop and watch a game. Rain or shine, winter or summer nothing seemed to deter them from the game. I know there had to be a lot of Greenwood housewives who hated to see the Court go. It gave many retired men somewhere to go. I think all the golf tournaments have been played, baseball is about over so I guess I’ll take up football. I wonder if there is a Football book for Dummies?
Greenwood Life
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Gavin Fiser with his Grandmother Jan Surva
Bryce Howard with his grandparents Hilda Mayo, along with Dean and Anna LeeBarnes
Jax Sharum with his mimi Debbie Flannigan
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Kendrick Yocum with her Grandmother Lana Wheeler
Greenwood Life
Bethany Campara with her Grandfather Mike Campbell
Gavin Fiser with his Grandmother Jan Surva
Addison Littleton with her Grandmother Kathleen Johnson Johnson
OUT &ABOUT
WITH MORGAN SKAGGS
Grandparent’s Day East Hills Middle School September 5, 2019
Brazton Moore with his Grandparents Sam Watts and David Scott
Arinna Mora with her Grandmother Sherry Duncan
Landon Fanklin with his Grandparents Janis and Alan Shepard, Helen Westfall and great GrandFather Steve Westfall
Greenwood Life
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HOMETOWN HERO
COMFORT with a FURRY FRIEND Pet helps ease frustration for local Alzheimer’s patient By Jadyn Watson-Fisher CONTRIBUTING WRITER “Romeo and Juliet” is considered a great classic love story by many, but the love story between a Greenwood man and his version of Romeo is a lot sweeter than fictional literature. Lavon White, an 88-year-old Navy veteran, has Alzheimer’s and now needs help doing everyday tasks. His speech and reading abilities were the first skills he lost, which his wife, Billie White, said is hard to see, especially considering how much he used to read. That’s where Sergeant Romeo, a little yorkie poo, comes in.
The small dog, no bigger than 10 or 12 pounds, brightens the White home with his devotion to the family and his calming nature. Romeo, wearing his blue and white tie collar, perks up when he hears people talking about him and his “grandpa.” He knows his name and knows who his best friend is. “(Romeo) wakes him up every morning, and they have their coffee and cookies together,” said Billie White with a smile. “He’s just special.”
Pets are important for a lot of people, but Romeo is more than just a furry friend for the Whites. He’s what some would consider an emotional support pet and others would liken to a fluffy family member.
And despite not being able to speak a full
Lavon White receives at-home care through
Hometown Heroes!
FS-0001217684-01
Supporting All Of Our Heroes eroes Everyday!
718 Rockside Drive • Greenwood, AR 72956 479-996-9288 • “24 Hour Emergency Service” FS-0001068763-01
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sentence, Lavon still managed to share a story about a time Romeo knocked over some water and went running. His speech isn’t anything like it used to be and it might take him a minute to get out what he is trying to say, but those 10 words are full of love.
Greenwood Life
McCONNELL FUNERAL HOME IS PROUD TO SUPPORT OUR HOMETOWN HERO’S.
THANK YOU
FOR YOUR DEDICATED SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY! McConnell Funeral Home • 479-996-2131 Manager: Jackie Davis
FS-0001222877-01
Home Instead Senior Care and enjoys talking with his primary caregiver, Chuck Howard. When he can’t remember a word or struggles to form his sentences properly, Romeo is there for snuggles and pets, which calms the visible frustration. Howard and Cassie Skinner, client care coordinator, said a lot of people the organization works with have pets. Most have dogs or cats, though others have birds. There is one older man who has a robot dog, Skinner said, and it barks and whimpers like a live one. “It gives them something that they are holding and taking care of instead of somebody always taking care of them,” Howard said. He regularly helps with bathing, shaving, dressing and other small household tasks Lavon can no longer do on his own, but “grandpa” is able to provide care for Romeo, feeding the dog out of his hand or helping take
GREENWOOD SENIOR, NAVY VETERAN FINDS NEEDED FRIENDSHIP WITH YORKIE POO him outside on walks. Howard said he views each visit like a trip to see his own parents, helping with whatever is needed. Home Instead doesn’t have a formal animal therapy program. Howard mentioned an organization in Little Rock that takes shelter pets to nursing homes, which he thinks could potentially be replicated in the River Valley, and Skinner said there has been consideration about providing a service dog caretakers could take on visits.
“The pets can make a big difference,” Howard said. “They really can.” Caretakers can see a difference, Howard said, when a client’s pet dies or isn’t with them for a time, because they become “such a part of you.” Billie White said animals provide protection, friendship and something to do and think about. It’s especially hard to forget about Romeo when he is following Lavon around like a little shadow. And though the world sometimes feels tough, like there’s little love left in it, Romeo can more than likely be found with his head on his grandpa’s lap as they sit in the recliner together. All is right in the small home in Greenwood. It’s truly an example of friendship, even when things are hard. “He’s just as happy as he can be right there,” Billie White said. “Lavon is, too.”
Greenwood Life
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DISABILITIES NOT HOLDING BACK PAIR OF GREENWOOD VOLLEYBALL MANAGERS By Kevin Taylor CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Larkin Luke is guiding bright-eyed Wesley Johnson into a world she barely knows. Right behind her is Ruby Gray, small in stature, her infectious smile is as broad as the Arkansas River. Gray is deaf, relaying her words through translator Stephanie Ott. Standing in Greenwood’s volleyball locker room, Luke is giggling as the music begins to play. She is teaching Wesley a dance move she calls the “wobble,”
or the “wob.” Just then, as the music kicks into high gear, Johnson begins imitating Luke’s dance moves. It’s 4:40 p.m. and the Greenwood Lady Bulldogs are dancing. Wesley Johnson can’t stop dancing. “We taught her how to ‘wob’ and how to ‘dab,’ and Wesley loved it,” Luke said. “She wanted to go back and do it again!”
Johnson and Gray don’t get to partake in kills, digs and aces. But they’re in the middle of the team’s huddle, during every single timeout, because they belong. Gray has embraced the team, and the team has embraced her. It’s 23-21, emotions are running high, and Gray is in the huddle with her teammates. Many have learned to sign. “I love to do the cheers with the girls,” Gray tells Ott, her assigned interpreter. “When we get in the huddle, we all put our hands together and they’ve learned to (sign) ‘win’ and ‘team.’” Hired by Greenwood schools, Ott follows Gray from class to class over the course of an eight-hour day. She’s with her at volleyball games, too. “It means a lot,” Gray said. “This is a team of champions, and they’ve learned to sign with me, so I really cherish that they have learned to communicate with me. When they don’t know (what I’m saying), they get Ms. Ott.” Ott and Gray actually had a relationship prior to being reunited in January 2018, when Gray enrolled in Greenwood schools for the second semester of her freshman year. They actually met when she was younger. When Ott was assigned to her, Gray was overcome with joy. Greenwood volleyball player Ruby Gray looks to her interperter, Stephanie Ott, for instructions as Assistant coach Kimberly Lowe, from left, Wesley Johnson and Gray’s mother, Danielle Durbin, watches from the sidelines. Photo by Jamie Mitchell
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Greenwood Life
“I started working with her here, when she started in ninth grade,” Ott said. “On the first day walking in, she did a heel click in the hallway.” “I knew that we would be a good team,” Ott said. “I was very excited.” For Johnson, it’s more difficult but not necessarily without cause. She’s able to retrieve balls during hitting practice. She’s affectionate and has a sense of place. But she’s unable to function on her own. Johnson was born with a syndrome called Cri-DuChat, a French expression for “cry of the cat.” She lives in a make-believe world none of her Greenwood teammates could understand. “Generally, kids with her diagnosis are pretty low-functioning,” her dad, Dr. Lee Johnson, explained. Yet, as one of Greenwood’s managers, Johnson, a sophomore, is embraced by her teammates with an outpouring of love that almost automatically brings tears to strangers’ eyes. “Wes is a pretty low-functioning kid,” Dr. Johnson said. “She’s always going to need supervision. She’s always going to have to have someone with her — to help her get dressed in the morning, to help her with the restroom, and to help get going.” The Johnsons, doctors Lee and Jennifer Johnson, learned of Wesley’s handicaps when she was barely 2 weeks old. “With Jennifer and I both being in medicine, we both had an idea of how hard this might be, and certainly what kind of limitations Wesley would have,” Lee Johnson said. “(But) if you would have asked Jennifer or me, even four years ago, that she would be able to sit on the bench and just be a participant in any fashion, we would have never thought she’d be able to do anything.” Greenwood volleyball coach Jennifer Golden ap-
proached the Johnsons back in the spring. “She’s not shy at all; she wants to be right in the middle of it,” Golden said. “She’s not real verbal, and you have to decipher what she says, but she’s the type of kid I thought would do good around a bunch of girls. We had a meeting last spring and I kind of presented it to her parents, and they thought it was a great idea. Starting in late April, they started bringing her up seventh hour, which is our period to play, and she loved it.” So do the players. Johnson and Gray are as much a part of the team as star players Zoie Benton, Camryn Presley and Brooke Jones. “I feel like it’s cooler for us than for them, because we get to be around them and love them,” Luke said of the team’s managers. “It’s something that other kids don’t get to experience. We get to grow with them as a team. For them, they like being around us.
Wesley Johnson, left, and Rudy Gray are surrounded by their teammates as the players stretch before the Lady Bulldog volleyball team practice.
“When you see them they’re smiling.”
Photo by Jamie Mitchell
The Johnsons’ two older kids, Luke, 22, and Will, 19, are former Greenwood athletes. To have Wesley, whom the family refers to as “Wes,” involved in something is an added bonus.
the way they include her is a tremendous thing for her self-esteem, and it’s great pride for her parents.”
“Her perception, even though she doesn’t understand what’s going on in the game, is that she’s right there with them,” Lee Johnson said. “(But) everybody needs to be a part of something, and for these girls,
Golden was hired as a special ed teacher and volleyball coach 19 years ago by Greenwood schools. She has developed a “Golden” touch with special needs kids.
SPECIAL TEACHER
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Continued from page 19 A graduate of Central Arkansas Christian High School “I teach a special ed English class, and I have done some aspect of special education since I started here,” Golden said. “This is my third year to ever teach a P.E. class. Last year, a lot of the self-contained kids were put into my P.E. class for the inclusion. We didn’t get to do a whole lot because there were so many kids in there. This year, they gave me an adapted P.E. (class), which is almost the best part of my day. These kids come in and we just get to play. “Since school has started, we’ve had 12 regular kids get to come in and interact and play — it’s a fun 50-minute class.” Everyone wins, Golden said. “Basically, these kids just want to be involved,” she said. “All you have to do is say, ‘Hey, let’s go play.’ “You should see the smiles on both sides — it’s very cool.”
TINY DANCER At 4-foot-11, Ruby Gray is standing next to her shadow — 6-foot-6 junior middle hitter Hannah Watkins. The two are inseparable. Golden allows Gray, a dancer, to take part in exercise drill prior to the team’s workout. You can always find her next to Watkins. “She got to come in and be around the girls (last spring),” Golden said. “One of our team camps, we went to Hot Springs. And from there we went to Shreveport to watch a national match. That was really the first introduction where the kids really got to know her.” Now, Gray bleeds Greenwood blue. “She holds a balloon at pep rallies so she can feel the beat of the music,” said Tammy Brewer, one of Gray’s former teachers. “She also gave me my deaf name to mean she liked my dimples.”
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and UALR, Ott knew she wanted to teach sign language while in high school.
“My junior and senior year, I knew that’s what I wanted to do,” she said. “I didn’t really intend on being an educational interpreter, but then this little one shows up and I wanted to work. I had heard great things about this (Greenwood) school district. “Now, I’m doing the 11th grade all over!” She’s learning about extracurricular activities, too.
Ruby Gray
“I never thought I would have the chance to interpret for musical theater class or a sports team,” Ott said. “I have been floored at how this school has been able to integrate her (Gray) into everything. I love watching the kids sign, because then they don’t depend on you.”
DANCE STUDIO Gray is involved in Greenwood’s musical theater class. She also takes an inclusive dance class once a week with Johnson at Greenwood Dance Studio. “Our musical theater teacher, Tim Peerbolte, has a vest she wears that vibrates with the music,” Golden said. “She went to dance camp, too, with her sister, Lilly, who is on the (Greenwood) dance team.” “That was really fun,” Gray said. “I won a bunch of ribbons, too.” Gray plans on going to college. “After I graduate, I would like to continue to teach people how to sign — everyone, every age,” Gray said. “I would like to do something with the art field.”
WESLEY’S FUTURE What’s next for Wesley Johnson? That’s something Dr. Lee and Dr. Jennifer Johnson have discussed many times. “At some point, for an adult child with special needs, you’re not doing them a favor if you don’t create for them some sort of environment that is independent of
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Wesley Johnson you, where they have some sort of quality of life,” Lee Johnson said. “Because we’re going to die; she’s likely to outlive us by 20 years. “If we haven’t created some sort of support system that doesn’t involve us, then we’ve done her a disservice.” By law, special needs kids can attend public schools until they’re 21. “Right now it’s easy, because she can be at school until she’s 21,” Lee Johnson said. “Figuring out that next step is the hard thing. She’s always going to need somebody.” For now, she has the volleyball team. So does Ruby Gray.
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ALWAYS MOVE
FORWARD Advice from Jennie Walker on coping with an incurable disease while balancing a happy home life and career. STORY BY
Scott Smith
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
Not even a major, incurable disease has been able to keep Jennie Walker away from her family, her career and her after-hours activities. The 1998 Greenwood High School graduate and owner of the recently opened Greenwood salon, J. Walker Studio, has lived with Interstitial cystitis for years. The condition, which also is known as IC, is a chronic bladder health issue that presents a feeling of pain and pressure in the bladder area, as well as lower urinary tract symptoms that can last weeks, without having an infection or other clear causes. “After my son, Brett, was 19 years ago, I started having symptoms and was diagnosed with IC; IC is basically an inflammatory bladder disease,” Jennie said. “It wasn’t a well-known condition back then, and it took awhile to get it all figured it out. It’s an incurable disease but I was able to find a doctor in London, England, who is curing people with this through anti-
Sharla Derry
biotics.” After spending many hours hunting for information, Jennie found Dr. James Malone Lee on Facebook. She and her husband, Jared, traveled to see Dr. Lee in May, a visit that led to Jennie taking Dr. Lee’s prescribed antibiotics. “It will be about a year-long treatment,” said Jennie, whose appointments with Dr. Lee take place via Skype. “The doctor probably will tweak things, but after the year, we’ll just keep an eye on things. The doctor thinks a year of treatment is all I need.” Thanks to the treatment, Jennie is able to split her work time alongside independent specialists at J. Walker Studios, 1740 W. Center St., Suite B in Greenwood, and the first business she opened, J. Walker Salon, 6301 Arkansas 45, Suite E in Fort Smith. “After years and years of symptoms, most of
my symptoms are gone,” she said. “ The symptoms before included chronic pain. The best way to describe it was a UTI that is constant. I feel better now.” Despite her busy work schedule, Jennie makes time for Jared and Brett, who is now 19, and their daughter, 17-year-old Olivia. A Disney cruise is one of several fun-themed outings that rest on the horizon for the Walker clan. “My son and I are huge New England Patriots fans, so we are going to go to a game in Boston,” Jennie said. Jennie’s love for her children can be seen in her eyes when she discusses family activities. Her memories of when her children were younger and smaller light up her face. “I remember the first haircut I gave,” Jennie said before covering her mouth and grinning. “It was my daughter, and I was terrified. She
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“I LOVE THAT YOU CAN GO INTO A STORE OR RESTAURANT IN GREENWOOD AND SEE PEOPLE YOU KNOW. ” Jennie Walker OWNER OF J WALKER STUDIO FAMILY PORTRAIT Jennie Walker with her husband Jared, son Brett Walker (19) and daughter Olivia Walker (17). Photo by Shannon Walker
wasn’t old enough to know if it was a good haircut or not. I said to myself, ‘Oh no! I don’t want to screw up my baby!’” Born in Portsmouth, N.H., Jennie is a self-proclaimed “Air Force brat.” She and her family moved to Greenwood when she was a teenager. Life at Greenwood High School for Jennie was, in her words, “fairly uneventful” but enjoyable.
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“I did percussion in band at school, but I didn’t do that for very long,” she said with a laugh. “I’m not musically inclined at all. But I can really play the radio.” Jennie described her musical tastes as “all over the map.” She leaves room for some pop, rock, country and alternative music, but it might be Christian groups like Casting Crowns and MercyMe that oc-
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cupy the No. 1 spot. “My husband plays guitar — he does electric and acoustic guitar — and I think he’s good,” Jennie said. “He plays in groups and does praise and worship for church, but, no, I don’t think I’ll go back to playing percussion.” The time Jennie met her husband is one she tells with a broad grin and wide eyes.
“He was a police officer here in Greenwood at the time, and he pulled me over,” she said before laughing. “He said I was speeding. I didn’t think I was.”
from my mother, Teri Hicks, who would craft, paint and sew — but with two businesses now, I don’t paint these days.”
Jennie then laughed again.
When asked what her favorite part of owning two businesses, Jennie smiled and sat quiet for a few seconds.
“I don’t know, though,” she said. “I didn’t get a ticket, so there you go.” Jennie married Jared on June 12, 1999, and later attended the Academy of Salon and Spa in Fort Smith. If there’s a nearby workshop or an online class to help one improve skills and continue education in the field, it’s a safe bet that Jennie will be participating. “There are new techniques and new colors that come along, so me and some of the girls will try to attend,” she said. Jennie and her family make attending Rye Hill Baptist Church a priority. She and Jared also are spotted frequently at their children’s activities. “I used to have free time,” Jennie joked. “I used to paint when I had free time — the painting comes
“All of my clients are so precious,” she eventually said while smiling. “I love to visit with people and I love to talk. It’s nice to have a captive audience, and for me to be a captive audience member for them.” Jennie then laughed. “I love to hear what’s going on with their families, how their kids are doing and what Bible studies their churches are doing,” she said. “I love that you can go into a store or restaurant in Greenwood and see people you know. So many clients who have moved here have children, and those children meet other children in Greenwood and become friends. All of the small-town stuff, it’s what I like.”
(BELOW) Pictured with Megan Lee and Alexis Sterling.
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&
JENNIE WALKER more about owner of newly opened J Walker Studio
AS THE OWNER OF TWO HAIR SALONS, YOUR LINE OF WORK IS MORE PHYSICALLY DEMANDING THAN SOME MIGHT REALIZE. HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THAT? They teach you more about things to deal with that. You learn about chair height and how to stand and position your hands. I do go to a chiropractor and that helps me.
ARE YOU ABLE TO GET AWAY FROM AND ENJOY YOUR FAMILY? We love to travel. We love going to Mexico. We do live kind of out in the country, so we get to watch sunsets. We get to see deer just about every night, so that’s really nice.
DO YOU LIKE ANIMALS?
Yes. We have three dogs. We have an Australian Shepherd, a Goldendoodle and a little rescue. The rescue is a Chihuahua mix. When we go on vacation, and if the kids aren’t with us, then we start missing the dogs. They’re our babies, too.
DO YOU PREFER MUSIC OR MOVIES?
Movies. Oh yes, movies. My favorite movie of all time is “Tombstone.” I love the story in that movie, the acting, just all of it.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD TO EAT?
Italian food. I love anything with pasta. I’m a vegetarian so I can’t eat meat. Someone once told me, “You’re not a vegetarian. You’re a carboterian. You like everything with carbs — bread, dessert, pumpkin pie and such.”
WHAT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT HAIRCUT REQUEST YOU’VE HEARD?
The hardest is when someone comes in and says, “Just do what you want.” And I’m saying to myself, “But what if you hate it?” I’m a perfectionist, and I want to do a good job and I want everyone to love their hair when I’m done.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT LIVING IN GREENWOOD?
I love the small-town feel of this community. I love how the community comes together. Greenwood is a very welcoming environment.
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WOULD YOU DO ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY?
I don’t think so. It was nice that I was able to stay at home with our kids until they got into elementary school. I’m glad I was able to do that, and it’s nice to be able to set my schedule with work now. I’m just excited to see what comes next in life.
Photo by Sharla Derry
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DOGGY STYLES Mobile Grooming By Scott Cutlip CONTRIBUTING WRITTER
Erica Spoon never intended to be a dog groomer, despite the fact that both her mother and her aunt were. However, she moved to St. Louis and found herself in need of a job quickly. She applied for a bather position at a dog grooming salon, and after working there for 18 months, her boss decided she wanted to close the salon and only do mobile grooming. She trained Spoon, and Spoon did that in St. Louis for an additional four years. Spoon took her experience with mobile dog grooming to Greenwood. She originally attempted to open a business at the end of 2017/ beginning of 2018, but had to stop for a brief period of time. She came back in August of 2019 to a clientele that welcomed her enthusiastically, to the point that her bookings filled up quickly. Spoon’s van is an old church van, which was rebuilt by her husband Kyle to match the visualization of what Spoon wanted. It took Kyle Spoon roughly three weeks to complete the van. “I’ve always been an animal person,” she said. “When I grew up, we had tons of dogs all the time, and cats and horses. I didn’t hang out with people; I hung out with my animals. I
Doggy Styles Owner, Erica Spoon, holding sassy little schnauzer, Chrissy Hicks, owners are Phil and Teri Hicks with Shelter Ins. In Greenwood. Her favorite color is pink.
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Greenwood Life
- Photos by Erica Spoon
feel like I interpret them very well. They can’t speak, so I kind of speak for them.” Mobile grooming is a different experience than what most people would be used to. Spoon comes to the client’s home. Spoon spends approximately 90 minutes to two hours grooming a dog. She only works on one dog at a time. The dogs are comfortable in the van, she said, because they can see their house the whole time. There are no cages used. “I don’t like the feel of the salon environment,” she said. “It gives me anxiety, so I know it gives the dogs anxiety. I want them to be the most comfortable they can be. That’s your child, basically, with fur. I wanted to offer something to people who can’t get out and about, or their dogs just can’t go to the groomers. I specialize in a lot of anxiety and older dogs and dogs that can’t sit in a kennel all day. I’m just different because I cater more to the dogs than trying to get them in and out, as many as possible.” Doggy Styles services Greenwood, Lavaca, Barling, Hackett, Mansfield, Huntington, and Charleston. Spoon hopes to add Fort Smith in 2020. Spoon said she is certified in dog CPR/first and is working on her dog esthetician cer-
tificate, which would allow her to understand more about any skin issues. Doggy Styles also specializes in creative grooming. “If you want your dog to look like a unicorn, I can do that,” Spoon said. “I can make it look like a tiger, a cheetah. I like to do Halloween themes. I use all animal-safe products. Everything I use is biodegradable, washable. Nothing that harms the dog’s skin.” Spoon, originally from Lavaca, said she likes the hometown feel of Greenwood. “Everybody here knows everybody, it’s just very connected, and it’s a very upbeat town. Everybody is active in the community,” she said. Because Doggy Styles Mobile Grooming is, well, mobile, Spoon doesn’t have an office for people to go to. She can be reached for appointments or questions on her Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/doggystyls/, or she can be reached by phone at (479) 4079696. The business hours are not set in stone, as Spoon tends to schedule based on her clients’ schedules, but she does work Monday through Friday and throughout the course of the day. Spoon also offers a latchkey service with references, in which the owners can give Spoon their garage or security code, so that she can do the grooming on the dog and lock the house back up.
The talk around town... Erica groomed my cocker spaniel Gabby for years until she moved out of state. Her love and compassion for the animals really shines through. I have never been more comfortable having my dog groomed than when Erica was right outside my house. I knew my dog was in the best of hands and she came out beautiful every time. Anyone lucky enough to live in the area Erica grooms in definitely needs to hire her. No one I ever knew had a bad experience with her, and I knew a lot of people that had her groom their dogs. She is an amazing, one of a kind dog groomer.
Erica does an amazing job with these dogs, and has such patience with them. She is so loving to them and the end result is amazing. My baby always looks like a star when she’s finished.
- Jan Skinner
She is amazing to work with--the best animal stylist I have met, and she makes my two mini dachshunds completely at ease inside her custom grooming bus. Which by the way is completely decked out, clean & just awesome! She comes directly to my
- Sue Kiphart
home or work, if the dogs are with me, which makes my day even
I had used Erica before she married Kyle. It was so easy for us and our dogs to have her come to the house. When she left to get married we started to use another groomer and were happy with the groomer, but it was more work for us to drive that far and then go back to pick up. Our dogs were a senior Bichon almost 15 years old and a little rescue half chihuahua and half pug about 5. Unfortunately in June our Bichon passed away very suddenly. Our little guy Winston went into grieving for his lost friend. Taking him and leaving him alone at the groomer was out of the question. Erica came to the house and set up inside where he could still hear and see us. And she told me something I guess I hadn’t realized, Winston had been Harley’s shadow, so to speak, and his confidence was gone. Realizing this we went in a different direction with how we interacted with Winston to get his ‘bark’ back. Winston is fine now to go into the mobile unit, but the point is Erica will go above and beyond to help your dog feel comfortable.
and with the other grooming services that are available he freaks
- Phyllis Housh
(LEFT) Ruby Sue Hardgrave a Maltipoo owner is Stacy Hardgrave of Lavaca. Ruby Sue enjoys a luxury spa day at her home. (BELOW) Briggs Pennington owner Hannah Pennington of Greenwood. Briggs had a total transfurrmation. - Photos by Erica Spoon
easier and the pups more comfortable. I have one that is blind out into a panic attack, but Erica is a dog whisperer that makes Jaxon feel at ease, comfortable during the entire grooming process, and he comes out looking like a perfect little fluffy prince! I give her a 10 Star review from one woman who runs a business to another - she has busted it to get where she is and I wish her nothing but success and growth in our community.
- Amanda Blake
My husband and I just moved to Arkansas from California and were looking for a groomer for our fur babies, when we found Doggy Styles. Erica did an amazing job; my two babies never looked so good. We hope to have a long standing relationship for Holly and Milo with Erica.. I highly recommend her.
- Sheila Huddleston
Erica groomed our boxer and corgi. I’ve known Erica for years and she’s grown up around animals. I felt very comfortable leaving my fur babies with her. She texted me throughout our appointment and let me know how they were doing. She also didn’t separate them since that might bring on anxiety. I have started scheduling monthly appointments with her; that way my babies are always taken care of. Thank you, Erica, for helping our family so much!
- Tera Winters
Erica grooms both of my babies. They are more than dogs to me; they are family. Lucy is 16 years old and blind. Erika talks to her and is so kind. I know I don’t have to worry about her being left on a table to walk off. My rowdy boy is a rescue, so he’s a little nervous and Erica just talks him through it. They are always happy to see Erica. We love her. No other groomer for us! BEFORE
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Greenwood
NUTRITION DEN
For the owners of the Nutrition Den in Greenwood, it’s less about selling shakes and teas; it’s about selling a lifestyle. That philosophy has worked, the owners of the Nutrition Den have stores open in Arkadelphia and Glenwood, as well as stores under other names in cities such as Searcy and Hot Springs. Their most recent store, On Pointe Nutrition, opened in Van Buren September 30. This is something they believe in.
The genesis for Nutrition Den started with Jason Cantwell and Meagen Florence, two personal trainers who met after college in Dallas. The two of them
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By Scott Cutlip CONTRIBUTING WRITTER
went to a nutrition center much like the ones they would later open, and it was a revelation to them. Florence said that, despite being a personal trainer, she was overweight. Using the meal replacement shakes and teas, she lost 35 pounds in three-and-ahalf months.
They decided that not only did they want to make it part of their lifestyle,they wanted to make it their business. Cantwell volunteered for a year at the nutrition center they had visited, before opening the first Nutrition Den in Arkadelphia.
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They opened Nutrition Den in Greenwood on July 16, along with co-owners Randy Alexander and Ricky and Cassandra Pettis. Nutrition Den is currently staffed by four employees, including three of the owners. The sense of community that they try to bring to their business is evident. Cantwell and Alexander met at a gym, and Alexander said Cantwell was the one who got him into the business, which he is currently doing while also driving a truck and setting up portable storage buildings. He has driven through Greenwood many times, and the town
seemed perfect for the nutrition business where they feel they could be more a part of the community than in a larger city. As for what makes their products special, Florence said,” We call it healthy fast food. They are meal replacement shakes. They’re super good for you. We use a plant-based protein. All of our shakes have 24 grams of protein, and we use all-natural sugar. There are no additives in them. They have nine grams of sugars, four grams of fat, and then anywhere from 13 to 18 grams of carbs. They’ve got 21 vitamins and minerals in them. And the teas have three things in them: they’ve got liftoff, which is B12; aloe, which helps with digestion; and then the tea itself, which is a herbal tea, and it boosts metabolism and burns calories.”
The talk around town... This place has been such an amazing place not only to get healthy, energizing teas and protein shakes, but to hang out and enjoy all the positive vibes from the people working the counter and the customers enjoying their drinks! I made a small change in my daily routine of stopping by every morning before work to get their product and since then I have lost 18 lbs! Also, they are super kid-friendly; my two stepdaughters love their shakes, too. So you can treat your kiddos to a yummy shake or kid-friendly tea and not feel guilty about loading them up on sugar and things that don’t benefit their health. I highly recommend this shop to everyone, no matter if you are trying to lose weight or just want to grab a tasty treat and hang out with good people.
- Faith Nicole Speigel
I just want to say the owners are awesome, Their drinks do everything they say. Me and my family are hooked. The owners listen and are very helpful. So glad you all came to Greenwood.
- Rebecca Medlock
This place is the best pick-me-up. They have delicious teas and shakes that help keep me energized after a long day!
- Bayleigh Williams
The staff is the friendliest I have ever encountered! The teas and shakes are also delicious (the Pom tea is incredibly tasty and by far my favorite). I will be making regular stops atThe Nutrition Den when I’m in Greenwood.
According to Florence, the Nutrition Den has over 150 flavors of shakes, including ones such as French Toast, Pistachio Dream, Salted Caramel, Dulce De Leche, and more. In addition to the 24 grams of protein, many of the shakes advertise only 200 calories. The teas have multiple flavors, also, including Tropical Paradise, Peach Wave, Berry Blast, and Tropical Tiger.
The Nutrition Den is amazing. The workers are so upbeat and nice every time I go in there. I honestly love going there,
In addition to their teas and meal replacement shakes, the Nutrition Den launches several transformation challenges throughout the year. The challenge last six weeks, and offers coaching, grocery lists, and meal plans.
Have yet to have a shake I didn’t love! Always amazing cus-
- Shayne Weaver
GND Owner Meagan Florence and employee Jayda Spoo.
and the shakes and teas are amazing!
- Summer Nelson
- Photos by Morgan Skaggs
Great meal replacement shakes. Friendly staff and quick service.
- Pam Ganatta
tomer service!
- Taylor Jones
The Nutrition Den has thrown itself into the Greenwood community, contributing a portion of one day’s proceeds to support the Blue Dazzlers and offering free combos to first responders on 9/11. It also offers first responders half off items on other days. Additionally, the Nutrition Den goes out every week to provide free teas to a business. The Nutrition Den is located at 910 W Center Street. The hours are 6:30 to 6 Monday through Friday, and 7 to 2 on Saturday.
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ROMA
By Scott Cutlip CONTRIBUTING WRITTER
Italian Restaurant
Jordan Sanchez had been looking at Greenwood for at least two years. It seemed like a perfect place for him to open a new restaurant. It seemed like a perfect place for him to raise his three-year-old son, Isaac. When an opening came, he made the leap, and Greenwood has a new restaurant, Roma Italian Restaurant, which opened September 23. Although only 25, he has already opened a previous restaurant, Leona’s Italian Restaurant in Poteau. Jordan started the restaurant when he was 22, and it was in business for over three years, receiving ratings
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of 4+ stars on Yelp and Facebook. Jordan, who had previously worked in restaurants, including Italian, Mexican, and fast food, for ten years, wanted to take the experience he had earned in Poteau to his new restaurant in Greenwood. While Leona’s got good reviews, the opening of his first restaurant was a hectic process. With Roma Italian Restaurant, he’s more prepared and took his time, so that when the restaurant did open, it would be in seasoned operation mode for his customers. “I want to get things done right the first time, instead
Greenwood Life
Owner of Roma Italian Restaurant, Jordan Sanchez. - Photos by Morgan Skaggs
of opening real fast, and you don’t know how things are going to work out,” he said. “There was a learning curve the first time. I’m training everyone properly. We are doing things right the first time.” Jordan put out a preliminary menu in July, but admitted he might make changes. However, no matter the changes he plans to serve pizza, steaks, seafood, and chicken dishes, including what is his favorite dish, the Isaac Special, which is an 8 ounce Angus ribeye over a bed of fettucine pasta, topped with a creamy mushroom Alfredo sauce and grilled shrimp.
“I’m thankful to God for the opportunity that has brought me here,” Jordan Sanchez Along with some of his signature dishes, Jordan will be serving traditional Italian dishes such as lasagna, fettuccine alfredo, and chicken parmigiana. The pizza will be New York style pizza. Jordan said Roma will be making its own dough and its own sauce. “I’m pretty confident,” Jordan said. “I know my quality. I know my prices. I know my recipes. What I have to offer is pretty good.” Currently, Jordan’s concentration is fully on making Roma Italian Restaurant the go-to restaurant in Greenwood, but eventually he hopes to expand, continuing the entrepreneurial spirit he learned at a young age from his grandfather. Jordan believed the opening a restaurant in Greenwood was meant to be. “I’m thankful to God for the opportunity that has brought me here,” he said. “He’s the one who has provided for me. That’s why I’m
OWNER OF ROMA ITALIAN RESTAURANT
big on closing Sundays, because I wouldn’t have time for me to go to church with my son.” Jordan said the people he has met in Greenwood have been welcoming to him. An Italian restaurant serving dishes with fresh ingredients has proven to be tempting, as both the Roma Facebook page and the group Hey Greenwood, What’s Happening have been abuzz the last few months about the restaurant’s opening. “We’re happy for people to come and try us out,” Jordan said. “And thank you for the opportunity, because without the support they have shown me, we are nothing. I’m happy. I’m just excited to start this new venture.” Roma Italian Restaurant is located at 1275 W Center Street. Its hours are 11 to 9 Monday through Thursday and 11 to 10 Friday and Saturday.
The talk around town... Comments from Roma Italian Restaurant’s Facebook page: I happen to be their first dine in customer. I was extremely satisfied with everything. I would recommend it. Delicious.
-Bub Mars
Great food. Go check it out!
- Sharon Morse
Our family Loved the food and the friendly service.
- Amanda Davis
We ate there last night. Loved it.
Greenwood Life
- Teresa Hine
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TOODLES GROOMERS
By Scott Cutlip CONTRIBUTING WRITER Crickett Keaton was raised around animals most of her life. She loves animals. She made extra money washing dogs. So while starting one’s own business can be a scary thing, Keaton did it without hesitation, opening Toodles Groomers in April, a month after she moved to Greenwood herself. Toodles, named after the nickname of Keaton’s grandmother who passed three years ago, has already had its business expand beyond what Keaton thought possible. Her business, which is located at 1275 W Center Street, Suite G, is not viewable from the road. It is right next to Julz Bakery, and in the same building as Jam Mart, Split Endz, and the newly opened Roma Italian Restaurant. Despite the lack of visibility, word of mouth (and posts on Facebook) has kept the groomer busy. Currently, it is just Keaton and one other employee, but she said she sees if business keeps coming in, she might have to hire another employee. She said she would eventually like to start boarding, also, but that’s not something coming on too quickly.
Future plans also include gourmet dog treats and a small boutique with dog clothes. Keaton said she already has several regulars who bring their dogs in from every two weeks to every six weeks. Building up regulars is important, she said, particularly when winter comes and people don’t have their dogs shaved down as often. According to Keaton, opening a dog grooming salon was a perfect fit for Greenwood, since there are so few options for people in the Greenwood area. She is willing to groom large dogs and pit bulls, which she said some salons will not do. Toodles Groomers also allows dogs to be dropped off early during the day and picked up later, because Keaton has room for the dogs to stay. While the business is coming in quicker than Keaton expected, she said she is usually able to take the same week and sometimes the same day the owner schedules. Keaton, a Mulberry native, moved to Greenwood after her sister and
Crickett Keaton owner of Toodles Groomers. - Photos by Morgan Skaggs
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Greenwood Life
her children had, and felt at home. Keaton also has an aunt and uncle in Greenwood. “We absolutely love it here,” Keaton said. She liked the schools and the small-town feel, and thought it would be a great place to raise her own daughter, who recently turned 3. Toodles Groomers runs a two breeds of the week specials every week, one for deshedding baths and one for full grooms, with 30% off the cost of that breed’s service. Keaton will also offer other specials occasionally on Facebook. Toodles Groomers’ prices are based on the size of the dog and hair length. Prices can go from $20 for a small, short-haired dog to get the basic package (shampoo, condition, ears cleaned, nails trimmed and filed, and a cologne spritz) to $50 for a large, long-haired dog to get the spaw package (same as basic with a Dead Sea mud bath, as well as a facial and teeth brushing). Toodles also offers flea and tick baths (add $7 to any package) and a deshedding bath (add $10 to any package). Keaton said the deshedding bath can reduce shedding up to 90% after repeated baths, which she recommends doing on a monthly basis. Toodles also provides puppy baths (up to 12 weeks) for $15. Puppy baths have the same services as the basic package. Toodles Groomers’ motto is “to make your fur baby as comfortable as possible. Their comfort is most important. You have our promise that we will treat your fur baby as they were our own.” “We love dogs here,” Keaton said. “We love being around them. We love playing with them. We want to treat them as family.” Toodles Groomers is open from 9 to 5 Tuesday through Friday and from 10 to 2 on Saturday. They can be reached at (479) 719-2639 or on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook. com/Toodles-Groomers-627115681087081/.
The talk around town... My dogs love going to Toodles Groomers. My large dog, Bailey, is a lab mix and is hard for me to bathe. She always comes home smelling wonderful and softy. She loves her S-paw day!
- Angela Taylor
I brought in our 17-month-old Great Pyrenees, weighing 120 pounds. They spent two hours with him, and it was amazing. They bathed him , deshedded him and clipped his nails and cleaned out his ears. He looked amazing. We had no more loose hair flying everywhere. He was so clean, and his fur felt so soft. We were so happy, well worth our drive. We stopped at places on our way home and had so many compliments and photos taken of him. It’s been a few weeks, and he still smells and looks good. Can’t wait for another visit , plus the staff are extremely friendly.
- Delia Lyons
I brought in our two Labrador Retrievers, Zeus and Hunter, for the first time ever being in a groomer’s to get a deshedding special twice now. Both are approximately 117-120 pounds and look like hulking beasts to passersby! Toodles staff took them in, housed them together and when they were ready 1.5 hours later, called me and what a difference in them! There looked to be a large furry animal on the floor under the tables where they had been deshedded - it was like 20 pounds was removed off both of them. It was awesome and my furry babies loved it! I have now set them both up on monthly-recurrring standing appointments to do deshedding up thru Christmas 2019. What an amazing establishment this is - bring your beloved furry babies here - you can’t go wrong with the staff at Toodles Groomers.
I took my little dog Roxie to them yesterday. Was a great experience. The girls are so nice and educated about their grooming business. I would recommend them to anyone. Oh, and my dog is old with several health issues; they were so kind with her.
- Janine Nichols
I’ve used Toodles for my husky/wolf. They did the deshedding on him, and he looks amazing. Very sweet people; I don’t worry about leaving my Jax there at all. They’re wonderful.
- Pauline Conley
I have used Toodles Groomers several times for my sevenyear-old border collie mix and my seven-month-old lab mix. Each time I’ve taken my two into Crickett Keaton, I have witnessed my fur babies treated with great care and gentleness while being pampered at Toodles. Our oldest must be de-shed regularly and the shampoo, as well as the brushes they use, keeps Zoey soft and with a softer coat.
Eryn Musgrove-Hunt
- Tammy Phibbs-Holcomb
Greenwood Life
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Westark
By Scott Cutlip CONTRIBUTING WRITER
BARBER COLLEGE Steve Moore and Richie Cagle have taken their combined experience of nearly 50 years in the barbering industry to pass on their knowledge to a new generation of barbers. Westark Barber College, which opened on November 25, 2018, is the center in which they teach and prepare, as well as being a place for men, women, and children to get haircuts at inexpensive prices. Moore owned a barber college of the same name in Fort Smith for a time; he also worked for his father, himself a barber, before that. Cagle, who became a barber after working 13 years at Whirlpool, owns Taylor Made Cuts in Greenwood, where Moore has worked, also. Cagle’s aunts were beauticians, and he saw firsthand the type of work they did. Both Moore and Cagle live in Greenwood. As for why they felt the need to open a barber college, Cagle said, “I feel like that for a long time barbers were a dying breed. There are 2,500 barbers in the state of Arkansas, and there are over 3 million people here. I would love to see bringing barbers back to Mayberry--to the Greenwoods, the Hacketts, the Mansfields, Arkadelphias, the Menas--put barbers back in communities. I think barbers are one of the dying things that are needed in this world. People would stop and get directions from the local barber. You don’t know anyone else in town, you see the barber pole, hey, there’s a guy who knows what’s going on.” Westark Barber College currently has eight students. According to Cagle, they would be able to have as many as 28 students at a time, although he feels the optimum number would be 15. The
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teaching involves classroom work, work on mannequins, and, most importantly, work on live models. In addition to instruction from Moore and Cagle, the new students learn from the more experienced students. Current students include Peyton Cagle, Richie’s son, who is close to graduation. After getting his license, he plans to work for his dad for about a year before opening up his own barber shop. He said he’d like to open one in Mansfield, which he says does not currently have one. Also attending Westark Barber College is Allison Taylor, who is already a licensed aesthetician. She hopes to open her own kids’ salon that will double as a nonprofit for special needs children. “We try to give a little more than just your average school,” Moore said. “We try to teach them real life lessons about what they’re going to face when they get in the barbering world--what you’re looking at with rent, utility, taxes, savings.” The course lasts approximately ten and a half months. The students are required to attain 1,500 hours before they can apply for their license exam, which consists of 100 written questions and a shave and a haircut on a male model. Classes start at any time (all the current students have different projected graduations, with Peyton Cagle set to graduate in October, while another student had just started this week). Tuition is $6,875, which Moore said is $10,000 less than any other school in the area. The prerequisites for joining Westark Barber College are that each student must be at least 16 ½ years old, must have completed eighth grade, and must not be a felon in the state of Ar-
Greenwood Life
(ABOVE) Ryan Manuel is a student giving a cut to Jerrod Ricketts. (BELOW) Steve Moore (Owner) giving Terry Barnhill a haircut. - Photos by Morgan Skaggs
kansas. “I think the thing that makes us different is that Steve and I are both barbers,” Cagle said. “One of us will be here every day. When you have an owner’s touch on something, they just care more. We want to be hands on. We take a personal interest in how we prepare them to go off. When you leave here, you’re a barber,” Westark Barber College is located at 16012 Highway 71 South in Greenwood. It is open 12 to 5 on Monday and 8:30 to 5 Tuesday through Friday. Haircuts and shaves are $5. Shampoo, haircut, and a shave (or shampoo, haircut, and a style for women) is $15. Perms, highlights, and hair colorings are $25 each (extra for long hair Steve Moore (owner) is with his students Peyton Cagle, Ryan Manuel, Ally Taylor, Will Chandler, Jake tucker , David Strickland, and Julio Martinez.. - Photos by Morgan Skaggs
The talk around town... Steve has cut my hair for about 20 years. They work really well with my autistic son. I was so happy to see them come to Greenwood.
- Jana Petty
What can I say about Westark Barber College? All the students are polite and likable. Steve is great he is always interested in anything in our lives. He is always encouraging my three boys who all get their haircuts there, along with my husband. Asking them about school, how they hurt their arm and how good are they in basketball. Once we came there and he even shot the basketball with my oldest son Lane and coached him on what to do and to keep his head up, keep working hard. He isn’t just teaching these students how to cut hair but how to communicate, and make everyone feel important. He is teaching them to be
good human beings, which I can say is more of what we need in this world! We love this place and always leave smiling!
- Paula Williams
They are simply the best. They make you feel at ease from the second you walk in the door until the second you leave. Their students are very knowledgeable and the final check by the instructor is valuable to their clients and a great hands-on teaching opportunity for the students. Hats off to them.
- Kim Fontana
I cannot say enough great things about this place. They are very welcoming, professional, and so great at what they do. My son had his first haircut when he turned one and Ethan was so patient with him and did fantastic. They all reassured me
it would be okay and we were so pleased when we left. My husband has been getting haircuts from Ryan and you can’t beat the work he does for $5! All these young men are going to do wonderful things. It was hard for us to find another place since we relocated, and I’m thankful we came across them. Highly highly recommend.
- Sarah Elmore
I’ve known both Steve and Richie for several years (Steve for over 25 years and Richie for over 10 years). Its great to see these guys bring Westark Barber College back to the area. It’s wonderful to see Steve putting His 31 years of experience to work carrying on his family’s legacy at WBC which started 27 years ago. It also brings a smile to the face to see him working alongside and instructing Richie’s sons Peyton and Ethan as they work following in their dad’s footsteps
Greenwood Life
cutting hair, as well as working with other students looking to start their career in the field. The patience and dedication shown by both instructors and students at WBC is unmatched.
- Chad Moore
Westark Barber College has cut my boys’ hair several times. I have three boys, ages 9, 7, and 4. The staff is always friendly and professional. The longest we had to wait was maybe 10 minutes, so it’s great for busy families. My boys have gotten everything from a simple fade to razored designed to flat tops. We have been pleased with every haircut, especially for the price. No more “Mama’s specialty” buzz cuts in the backyard. I highly recommend them, and I’m glad they are in our town.
- Charleigh English
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What and If . . . In the movie �e�ers to �uliet a love le�er was wri�en that centered around two li�le words� what and if. “What and if are two words as nonthreatening as words can be; but put them together side by side and they have the power to haunt you for the rest of your life” (excerpt). What if can build dreams and help you work toward goals you may have thought impossible. What if can derail those plans if you decide to be nega�ve. �ut what if can also strengthen us by choosing to not do things that could harm us as well. Some one once asked me, “Why don’t you drink alcohol? It will relax you!” My answer, “What if I liked it?” Why not smoke, or buy lo�ery �ckets? Again, What if I liked it? What roads would it lead me down? When our children were teens we would have conversa�ons and ask them, “What are your no’s?” You must know your no’s so you don’t choose a path that requires twice the trip back! This world provides derailment opportuni�es at every turn. �hoosing to stay strong, standing for what you believe, and choosing to get back up no ma�er the �mes you are knocked down helps build courage and strength. With children you should have what if conversa�ons to help them learn to choose and understand rewards and consequences. We believe preschool years are important and help our students to become confident future leaders with the opportuni�es we strive to create every day. �ur guiding force is what if today is the day that a child understands, or shares, or shows empathy, or cuts a straight line for the first �me?! That is the magic of what if . . . today could be the day. With love, Mrs. Tina
VETERANS DAY ASSEMBLY - NOVEMBER 8TH H.B. Stewart Bulldog Arena
This year’s community wide Veterans’ Day Assembly will be held Friday, November 8th beginning at 10:30 in the H. B. Stewart Bulldog Arena located on the Greenwood High School Campus. The assembly is hosted by the Hannah Harris VFW Post 6527, the GHS Air Force JrROTC, and the GHS Beta Club. The theme of this year’s assembly is “Saluting our Military and their Families”. The community is encouraged to email pictures of their military families (especially those depicting generations of service) to joella.skaggs@greenwoodk12.com to be included in a video designed by Senior Seminar students. Pictures may include servicemen and women currently in service or those who have previously served. Pictures may also be brought to the high school office to be scanned and returned immediately. All veterans are asked to participate in the Parade of Veterans at the beginning of the assembly. Veterans will be presented and march in according to their branch of service. Veterans are invited to request GHS student escorts during the parade. The escort can be a relative, a neighbor, or friend and must be a part of the GHS student body. Because of the expanded seating in the Arena, the 7th, 8th and Freshman students will be invited to attend and veterans may be escorted by students from grades 7-12. Veterans and escorts will meet in the hospitality room of the arena (downstairs) prior to the start of the assembly and the parade will proceed on the arena floor. Seating for veterans and their families will be on the arena floor. Greenwood High School Challenge Coins will be presented to those participating in the parade. Immediately following the assembly, all veterans and those currently serving in the military will be asked to assemble for a group picture. The GHS Beta Club, with assistance from Wal-Mart and the GHS Cafeteria Staff, will again be hosting lunch for the veterans and their families in the Student Union immediately following the picture. Golf cart transportation will be provided for those needing assistance from the arena floor to the Student Union. For more information concerning the assembly please contact the high school office at 996-4141.
Greenwood Life
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SCHOOL NEWS WILLIAM HUTCHINSON RECOGNIZED AS NATIONAL MERIT SEMI-FINALIST
“ROLL-UP” KEYBOARDS DONATED BY BESHEARS The Music and Choral Department at Westwood Elementary School just became more “tuned in” through the generosity of Kathy and Eddie Beshears. Music Teacher, Leigh Ellon Leonard, submitted a teacher grant request though the Greenwood Education Foundation, which caught the eye of the Beshears’ and they generously funded the request to purchase eight of the keyboards. The “Roll-Up” keyboard is flexibile and durable with easy portability, and can be easily stored when not in use – excellent features for an elementary music classroom. The young students not only are able to learn key signatures, note values and play the melody of the songs they are learning, but also have fun doing it and are inspired to develop their musical talents. The Beshears are pictured with their granddaughters, Aly and Ella Beshears, Westwood students.
The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the PSAT test during their junior year. Only the top scorers in each state are designated as Semifinalist. To become a Finalist, students must submit a detailed scholarship application, which includes the student’s essay and information about participation and leadership in school and community activities. They must also earn SAT or ACT scores that confirm their earlier performance on the PSAT. About 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing in the spring, and more than half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title. William is the son of Bill and Nicole Hutchinson and plans on majoring in chemical engineering at UA Fayetteville.
GREENWOOD JR. HIGH QUIZ BOWL TAKES THIRD PLACE AT TOURNAMENT Greenwood’s Jr. High Quiz Bowl Team took third place at the Russellville Pre-season Quiz Bowl Tournament Saturday, Sept. 21. Freshmen co-captains Cooper Young and Hayden Webb led the team in scoring, each answering 28 toss-ups during the tournament. Other team members were 9th graders Mary Hutchinson and Adyson Crowe; 8th graders John Wagner, Emma Powell, Miriam Alzufari, and Elaina Stewart; and 7th graders Michael Turner, David Coggin, and Jameson Stewart. The team is coached by Rick Clow.
Greenwood Life
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Felicity and Gavin Napier having a blast on leadership night.
Titus, Caleb, DJ, Malachi, Alexis, and Jayden are performing in a “ A Night of Nursey Rhymes”
Alex Vincent Reading to Bart from “3 Girls Animal Rescue”
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Alex and Lexie Vincent Reading to Bart from “3 Girls Animal Rescue”
Greenwood Life
Oliver Morgan and Ali Houston reading to Magic from “3 Girls Animal Rescue”
Eli Billingsley reading his new book from the book fair.
Annabelle Bennett reading to JoJo the loveable Poodle. Johnson
OUT &ABOUT
WITH MORGAN SKAGGS
Leadership Night at Westwood Elementary School September 10, 2019
Tyler Buff, Josie Pettway, Elena Thompson and Harley Terry are, in “Intro to Education” at GHS through ATU, and volunteering their time.
Adyson and Brantley Dehart enjoying dinner while being goofy
Aleah and Deb Linder enjoying Leadership night.
Greenwood Life
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City News ROUND-UP WATER, SEWER WORK UNDERWAY IN GREENWOOD
providing fire protection from Liberty Drive and U.S. 71 to Denver Street, in addition to crossing U.S. 71 to a piece of property the city of Greenwood purchased for a future fire station. It is providing about 10 or 11 fire hydrants, as well as wastewater for future development.
Greenwood Life Staff
The Greenwood City Council accepted a $470,135 bid from M Phillips Construction for the U.S. 71 corridor water/sewer extensions project and entered into a contract for the work during its meeting July 1.
Work is underway in Greenwood on a means to offer water, wastewater and fire protection services to a potential new development. Greenwood Water Distribution Director Tim Posey said the contractor for the U.S. 71 corridor water/sewer extensions, the Magazine-based M Phillips Construction Inc., is on-site performing the work, which began Aug. 22. M Phillips Construction began with the water part of the project at the intersection of Liberty Drive and U.S. 71 at the southernmost entrance of Walmart, Posey told the Greenwood Water/ Wastewater Commission on Monday. This will involve some directional boring going underneath drainage culverts. Posey said previously that the project is
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Discussion regarding meetings with the James Fork Regional Water District was also on the meeting agenda. “There was some discussion about acquisition of water rights along (Arkansas) 10 Spur,” Posey said. “We’re currently looking at options and pricing with James Fork representatives, trying to acquire some water rights that they currently have so that we could serve the area with fire protection for potential future growth.” No vote on water rights was taken at the meeting, Posey said.
Greenwood Life
REGIONALISM KEY TO CITIES’ SUCCESS Greenwood, Alma, Van Buren mayors look to future By Max Bryan Mayors in the Fort Smith region hope to promote not only their individual cities but their region as a whole for its uniqueness. Fort Smith Mayor George McGill, Greenwood Mayor Doug Kinslow, Van Buren Mayor Joe Hurst and Alma Mayor Jerry Martin in a panel at the second annual Invest Fort Smith event Thursday night said they intend to collectively promote their cities in the same way city officials in northwest and central Arkansas have done. But to do it successfully, the mayors said, they need to play on the strengths of the towns — specifically their historical significance, their proximity to the Arkansas river and their differences as municipalities.
“We have to work together. If we do, and we continue to do that, and we continue with that mindset, we’re going to be unstoppable,” Martin said. Western Arkansas in recent years has often been overshadowed by other parts of the state that have seen more growth, specifically northwest Arkansas. Kinslow said this is not necessarily because there aren’t job opportunities in the region, but because the region’s public perception, lack of promotion and lack of large employers like those in northwest Arkansas. McGill in the panel said he would like to see an effort to convince Walmart and Tyson, which are based out of northwest Arkansas, to use the Arkansas River for transportation of goods. He estimated this mode of transportation would cut down their transportation costs 20% to 30%. He also said the Arkansas River is “an amazing asset” for Fort Smith. Hurst agreed with him in regard to its impact on his town. “There’s lots of land to develop,” McGill said of the riverfront.
Kinslow said all four cities must “compete with people” — specifically young people — to give them reasons to stay in the region. He listed Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine as one measure that will keep people here. But even with this progress, Kinslow still said there’s work to be done.
begin with a mindset.” “(Regionalism) has really been a big change for my perspective,” Hurst said. “When it comes to our economy, when it comes to attracting jobs, it’s a regional thing. When you say, ‘northwest Arkansas,’ you don’t necessarily say, ‘Bentonville,’ or ‘Fayetteville,’ or ‘Springdale.’”
“We’ve got a big old factory that’s right in the heart of town,” CKinslow said said, which he said is owned by a man in California and is “kind of a blight” to the city. 64.6 Downtown Director Talicia Richardson during an earlier panel gave a similar example of property owners in downtown Fort Smith who do not lease out or properly maintain their buildings.
McGill said the mindset of regionalism applies to how the four cities add amenities as well. He said placing a fishery in the region from the water in Lake Fort Smith would be a measure that would benefit everyone.
On the flip side, there has been interest in the region from outside sources, McGill said. He said people from New York and North Carolina recently met with him to discuss the future of historic buildings in downtown Fort Smith.
“It starts with communicating and embracing our diversity,” he said. “As we do that, we’re going to connect, and as we connect, we’re going to celebrate each other’s victories, and as we do that, we’re going to grow together as a region. This is what other regions of the state have figured out a long time ago, and we now have the leadership in our region that not only understands that but embraces that.”
Hurst added that promoting western Arkansas often goes beyond the towns themselves and looks to convey an image to the outside world. He said drawing attention from outside the region “has to
At the same time, Martin said it’s important for each city to be proud of what makes it unique.
Greenwood Life
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Greenwood Area Births
Shonda Riley and David Cheely of Greenwood announce the birth of a daughter born on August 26, 2019, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, AR.
Cara Godfrey and Michael Lensing of Greenwood announce the birth of a daughter born on September 12, 2019, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, AR.
Sheaonna Eudey and Christopher Albin of Greenwood announce the birth of a daughter born on August 28, 2019, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, AR.
Casey and Joshua Sherrouse of Greenwood announce the birth of a son born on September 13, 2019, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, AR.
Alexis and Zachary Sawyer of Greenwood announce the birth of a daughter born on August 29, 2019, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, AR. Haley and Jesse Cox of Greenwood announce the birth of a daughter born on September 3, 2019, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, AR. Krista and Tyler Bradshaw of Greenwood announce the birth of a daughter born on September 9, 2019, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, AR.
Lauren and Alex Sexton of Greenwood announce the birth of a daughter born on September 15, 2019, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, AR. Chanel and Robert Payne of Greenwood announce the birth of a daughter born on September 16, 2019, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, AR. Casey and Clayton McCoy of Greenwood announce the birth of a daughter born on September 16, 2019, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, AR.
SEND US YOUR MILESTONES! Email a photo and the details of your wedding, engagement, anniversary or birth to greenwoodlife@gatehousemedia.com.
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Just Right For You. Just Right For Your Family. With BancorpSouth, you have a bank that’s just right for you. Whatever your financial needs, we’re here to help. Greenwood Branch 803 W Center St | Greenwood, AR | (479) 996-9082
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© 2019 BancorpSouth. All Rights Reserved. Member FDIC.
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HOME TOWN
Happenings OCTOBER 27
FALL FRENZY 2019 Hosted by First Assembly of God - Greenwood. Sun, Oct 27 at 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM CDT at the First Assembly of God - Greenwood, 725 Park Dr, Greenwood, Arkansas 72936. Join us for Fall Frenzy 2019! Face-painting, snacks, bounce house, obstacle course, games and more! FREE to all but please register.
OCTOBER 26
GREENWOOD RUN, WALK AND ROLL 2019 PLUS COSTUME RACE Join Focus on Greenwood for our second annual Greenwood Run, Walk and Roll! To benefit a prosthetic recipient. Race will be held in downtown Greenwood, 1.5K Walk, 5K Run, or 10K Roll, There will be something for everyone in this family friendly event! Door prizes, Costume contest prize money, Finisher medals for the RUN and ROLL. Chip timing for the RUN Male/Female age division medals for the RUN and overall male/female trophies for the RUN T-shirts to all who register by October 1, 2019. Check in: 8:00 AM - 8:45 AM/ Race Starts: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: 10:00 AM Awards Ceremony & Costume Contest Winners Are Announced! Sign up is live NOW! Get your tickets: https:// runsignup.com/Race/AR/Greenwood/ GreenwoodRunWalkandRoll
NOVEMBER 18
SHOEBOX DROP-OFF Hosted by First Assembly of God - Greenwood. Nov 18 at 9:00 AM - Mon, Nov 25 at 3:00 PM CST at First Assembly of God - Greenwood, 725 Park Dr, Greenwood, Arkansas 72936. First Assembly will serve as our area drop-off location for Samaritan’s Purse: Operation Christmas Child. Groups and individuals can participate by collecting items for children and packing them in a shoebox. Please check out the list of acceptable items online. If your group or organization would
like to volunteer during National Collection Week, please call 479-996-6030. Let’s work together to ensure boys and girls around the globe receive a gift this year.
DECEMBER 7
MERRY MARKET VENDOR EVENT 10AM-4PM, Attention area Vendors & Shoppers! First Assembly of God-Greenwood will be hosting the third annual Merry Market. Admission is FREE; however, please remember this is a Fundraiser for our Food Bank. Canned or boxed meals are appreciated. Merry Market on Dec. 7, 2019. Come shop unique, one of a kind vendors that have partnered with us to offer shoppers a family friendly shopping experience. Remember the Holidays are fast approaching. Please contact info@ greenwoodfirst.com or 479.996.6030 for more information. Proceeds will support the First Assembly of God-Greenwood’s Food Bank ministry. To make an online donation, please visit www.greenwoodfirst.comfgive-online.
GREENWOOD LIFE COMMUNITY EVENTS are Sponsored By:
415 E Main St, Charleston, AR 72933 • (479) 965-2369 FS-SPAD0403150002
Greenwood Life
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At the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, you’re never just a number. We pride ourselves on being large enough to make a difference in our world, but small enough that every student can make an impact. We keep our classes small so you know your faculty, and we make sure our campus feels like home to every Lion.
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EASTSIDE
CONVENIENCE STORE
Daily specials MOND MO NDAY ND AY
THUR TH URSD UR SDAY SD AY
CORNDOGS
BBQ SANDWICH, ONE SIDE AND 20oz FOUNTAIN DRINK
99¢ TUES TU ESDA ES DAY DA Y
5.99
$
BURGER/FRENCH FRIES W/ 20oz FOUNTAIN DRINK
5.99
$
WEDN WE DNES DN ESDA ES DAY DA Y
CHICKEN STRIPS
FRID FR IDAY ID AY
FRIED CATFISH, HUSH-PUPPIES, FRENCH FRIES AND 20oz FOUNTAIN DRINK
7.29
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October specials PEPSI 20oz 2/$
SAUSAGE EGG & CHEESE BISCUIT
ANY SIZE FTN DRINK
CRISPITO 2/$
3
1.29
$
1.99
$
3
FS-0001259285-01
1425 E Center St., Greenwood, AR 72936
(479) 996-4562 Wade & Susan Dunn, Owners Laundry, Tanning, Deli, Car Wash
THIRSTY THURSDAY 1/2 PRICE FOUNTAIN DRINKS EVERY THURSDAY
Trick or Treat
No tricks...just straight forward talk about life insurance for your little ghosts and goblins. Call me today for details.
Phil Hicks LIC#1668203 1740 W. Center Street, Greenwood, AR 72936 (479) 996-2127 ShelterInsurance.com/
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