Fort Smith Chamber Book

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FORT SMITH 2017 COMMUNITY PROFILE

BUSINESS | LIFE | FOOD | ACTIVITIES | THRIVE

GROWING BUSINESS

growing community

JOB OUTLOOK

THE NEIGHBORS

beloved communities and the people who live here FORTSMITH.COM >> PUBLISHED BY THE TIMES RECORD

ANNUAL EVENTS HEALTH ADVANCES AREA TREASURES

Mercy Hospital Fort Smith 7301 Rogers Avenue Fort Smith, AR 72903 479.314.6000 mercy.net/FortSmithTeam

Care with compassion – whenever you need us. 2600 co-workers 162 integrated physicians and providers 49 outpatient clinics 1 health care team Your life is our life’s work.

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CONTENTS 24

HISTORIC HOMES CAPTURE UNIQUE SPIRIT OF THE CITY

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GETTING TO KNOW FORT SMITH

From artists to industrialists to pioneers, Fort Smith boasts a culture of hard work and innovation.

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10 THE BREAKDOWN

HIGHWAY, RAIL, RIVER OR AIR

Fort Smith continues to be among the lowestcost places to live in the country. See how they size up in other key area.

16 JOB EXPANSION All signs are pointing to a healthy economy and more jobs added by key business leaders.

19 Elected Officials 20 Utility Services

A central location and no shortage of options on routes, Fort Smith offers easy in and out for businesses looking to transport goods.

MORE GROWTH ON THE HORIZON

Fort Smith is gearing up for another surge in some of its leading industries.

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20 Utility Services 28 Apartment Listings

32 STUDENT MATTERS A plethora of choices with a challenging curriculum is the focus for educators.

ON THE COVER

This mural was designed and painted by Bryan Alexis, assistant professor graphic design at UAFS. Students who assisted in the project were Riley Casher, Brent Cherry, Josh Hendricks, Ashley Khakeo, Amber Lane, Karolyn Manas, Eden Martin, Nathan Meyers, Phuc Ngo, Tien Pham and Laney Taggart.

The Unexpected brought urban contemporary art to Fort Smith, and recognition and praise from around the country. Photo by Rachel Putman, Photographer for the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith

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THESE ARE A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS

Some traditions never grow old. See our list of the top 10 must-experience annual traditions.

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DIVERSITY SHINES Meet a Vietnam couple that made Fort Smith a land of opportunity.

36 Church Listings

38 SOUTHERN

HOSPITALITY

Fort Smith’s hotels provide a comfortable place to host a meeting, sleep or just relax.

39 Lodging Listings

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40

CELEBRATING A RICH HISTORY

DINING FLAIR

Pioneer blood, a rebel’s spirit and a strong work ethic are just a few of the foundations to remember as Fort Smith advances.

44 BACKYARD FUN

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See what’s new and rediscover some old loves in dining out in the area.

Outdoor activities, parks, lakes, rivers and trails await all over the greater Fort Smith area.

50 HEALTH MATTERS A look at the growth in area medical services.

THE LAST WORD

A local couple share their thoughts on settling in and falling in love with the best of Fort Smith — its people.

FROM THE PRESIDENT Tim Allen, Chamber President & CEO, joined the Chamber staff in November 2011. Prior to becoming Chamber President in 2014, Tim VHUYHG DV WKH &KLHI 2SHUDWLQJ 2IĂ€FHU He is responsible for Economic Development for the Fort Smith MSA, overseeing Chamber staff and functions, and working with community leaders to improve the regional quality of place.

The Fort Smith region continues to be among the most dynamic locations for businesses that choose to locate or expand. Fort Smith is proud to be the home of 10 internationally owned corporations as well as dozens of nationally recognized businesses; many were created right here in Fort Smith. The primary focus of the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce is economic development. At this time, we are the only Chamber in the state of Arkansas that does not operate with taxpayer dollars. We are solely dependent on the partnership with our members. Our revenue is derived from donations, chamber membership dues and revenue from the events that we host throughout the year. It is with this funding and the generous support of our members that we are able to recruit, attract and retain companies. The Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce is UHVSRQVLEOH IRU VHYHUDO VLJQLĂ€FDQW HFRQRPLF GHYHORSPHQW announcements such as Glatfelter, GNB (Exide), Umarex USA and Mars Petcare, just to name a few. We also worked with existing companies such as ArcBest, Gerber, Georgia 3DFLĂ€F 0DUV 3HWFDUH DQG 6KDUHG 6HUYLFHV &HQWHU RQ WKHLU recent expansions. Whether businesses choose to locate in Fort Smith or in a neighboring community, our entire UHJLRQ ZLOO H[SHULHQFH WKH HFRQRPLF EHQHĂ€W The strength of our community is in its diversity. Fort Smith is one of the most diverse communities in Arkansas. Our diversity makes us stronger and is a key selling point for our entire region.

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(re) Discover

HOME The Times Record, in partnership with the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to announce the launch of its latest endeavour, FortSmith.com. It launches in conjuction with our annual Chamber magazine that you are reading today. Visitors will ÀQG PXFK RI WKH FRQWHQW IURP WKLV magazine, but additional content will be added regularly. The new website is powered by the Times Record award-winning newsroom and features coverage of Fort Smith businesses, events, dining, shopping, education and lifestyle. Whether you’re looking to see the latest business updates, or you want to get more information about upcoming events, fortsmith.com is a place to keep updated about what’s happening in the region. The website will work as a guide for discovering what Fort Smith is all about, from annual events to restaurant openings to what’s new with the Fort Smith economy. We’ll be adding in new, fresh

New lifestyle and business website

voices from throughout the diverse community. Debuting this month, the website will feature new columnists, Mark and Audra Titsworth (also featured in The Last Word in this magazine), who bring their insights on living and working in the Fort Smith area. We’ll feature new restaurants, things to do and activities to experience. Chamber of Commerce members

can access the complete and invaluable business directory, featuring great contacts to know in the Fort Smith business scene. This content will now be updated regularly. We’re just getting started, but the team is excited about creating a new, online portal to bring together the best this vibrant region has to offer. We welcome input and suggestions as we grow.

FORTSMITH.COM www.fortsmith.com

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Welcome F ort Smith offers historic sites and a scenic riverfront downtown, not to mention thriving retail and culinary treasures. The Fort Smith Region is as diverse and modern as it is beautiful and historic. It is one of the most dynamic places to live in the United States.

Residents enjoy an overall cost of living that is 87 percent of the national average, according to the cost of living reports.

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Affordable living with a high quality of place makes the region desirable to an array of individuals and businesses alike. Whether you’re looking for a place to call home, a place to raise a family, a place to begin your career or a place to locate a business, the Greater Fort Smith Region embodies all the characteristics of an ideal community. Fort Smith’s blend of Old West rumble with traditional Southern charm and

hospitality creates an environment that is clearly different. Nestled along the Arkansas River, between the Ozark Mountains and the Boston Mountains, Fort Smith and the surrounding area provide some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable. From Lake Fort Smith State Park to a plethora of other parks, golf courses and the 170-acre Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center, residents are never far from nature. The Fort Smith Region also enjoys a cost of living that consistently ranks DPRQJ WKH ORZHVW ÀYH LQ WKH QDWLRQ In 2010, Kiplinger.com named Fort Smith as the most affordable city among those with a metropolitan population of 75,000 or more in

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America based on cost of housing, utilities, transportation and other expenditures. Residents enjoy an overall cost of living that is 87 percent of the national average according to the cost of living reports. Fort Smith is a leader in Arkansas’ manufacturing communities and is home to national and international companies like Baldor, Graphic Packaging, Mars Petcare, Kraft Heinz (Planters Peanuts), Pernod Ricard, Gerber and Umarex. The Fort Smith Region produces everything from baby food to bourbon. In fact, more goods are produced here than in the rest of Arkansas. In addition to these companies, Fort Smith is also home to several corporate headquarters;

Arkansas Best Corporation, Walther Arms, Thermold Magazines and OK Industries. Fort Smith is home to an array of arts and boasts Arkansas’ oldest orchestra, the Fort Smith Symphony. The Fort Smith Regional Art Museum is a haven for artisans in the region to work and to showcase their pieces. The Fort Smith Little Theatre is Arkansas’s oldest continuously running all-volunteer theater with highly entertaining performances. The “Season of Entertainment� at University of Arkansas Fort Smith continues to bring remarkable, talented artists to Fort Smith each year. During spring and summer months, weekend nightlife along Garrison

Avenue in downtown Fort Smith provides a variety of live music — from blues to rock and jazz to country. A great show is never far away. The Fort Smith Region is also home to award-winning public school systems and the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, which offers two- and four-year degrees in areas ranging from dental hygiene to graphic design. The region also boasts a satellite campus of Arkansas Tech University at Ozark, satellite campuses of Webster University and John Brown University, both in Fort Smith, and Carl Albert State College in eastern Oklahoma. We encourage you to discover this YDULHG DUHD RI PDJQLÀFHQW VFHQHU\ rich tradition and booming business.

www.fortsmith.com

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COMMUNITY PROFILE

$223,885 14.2 The average price for a 1,800-squarefoot home is $223,885 compared to the national average of $313,000.

25% In Fort Smith, the housing costs are 25% below the national average.

11%

14.2 minutes is the average commute time in Fort Smith compared to the national average of 26.3 minutes.

The Fort Smith MSA includes 1,805 square miles in the ďŹ ve county MSA of Crawford, Franklin and Sebastian counties in Arkansas and LeFlore and Sequoyah Counties in Okalhoma. In Fort Smith, the city is 50 square miles.

298,592

Approximate population In the Fort Smith MSA. In the city of Fort Smith, latest census numbers show 88,194. www.fortsmith.com

Median age in Fort Smith

1,805

Overall cost of living in the Fort Smith area is 11 percent below the national average.

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36

20%

The percent of the population 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree. Six percent of the population 25 and older hold a graduate or professional degree.

72/49 The average high in Fort Smith is 72 degrees Fahrenheit. The average low is 49 degrees Fahrenheit.

ENERGY SAVING DESIGNED FOR ARKANSAS

Save energy and money with OG&E Arkansas’ brand new Àià `i Ì > > ` V iÀV > i iÀ}Þ ivwV i VÞ «À }À> ð Featuring no-cost energy assessments and rebates that make Õ«}À>` } Ì ivwV i Ì ÌiV }Þ >vv À`>L i] OG&E is here to help Arkansas save°

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

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n the Fort Smith Region, you’ll ÀQG D XQLW\ RI SXUSRVH ³ D XQLW\ of community. We share a drive to build something unique and special for ourselves, our families and our businesses.

College Grads Make Up 18 Percent Of Region’s Workforce

With world-class natural amenities surrounding us and a historical legacy of tenacity and determination, we understand the future of our region is about realizing and capitalizing on that vast potential. The Fort Smith Region’s scenic beauty is a hallmark of our quality of life, but it is certainly not our only outstanding asset. Fort Smith is also noted for the strong work ethic of its citizens, the clean and progressive industry that drives the economy, a burgeoning tourism trade, a thriving business and retail base and a strong agricultural and manufacturing tradition. Our energy, water and available land combined with a lower cost of living keeps the Fort Smith Region at one of the best Cost of Doing Business (CDB) ratios in the nation. In fact, Fort Smith has been ranked by Forbes

Magazine as the No. 6 city in America for cost of doing business based on FRVW RI ODERU HQHUJ\ WD[HV DQG RIÀFH space. And, of course, business leaders also praise the region’s transportation assets, communication facilities, mild climate, high quality of life, recreational opportunities and its natural scenic beauty. The Fort Smith Region has an economy blessed with a stable and diverse industrial base. The location of such a progressive industry in the area is no accident. Economic development doesn’t just KDSSHQ ,Q )RUW 6PLWK \RX ZLOO ÀQG D continually improving, vital economy that is diverse in its makeup and regionally inclusive in its approach. Developing business infrastructure has been a priority in our region for more than a decade. It has helped bring both current and prospective business and manufacturing opportunities into our area. It is a long-term solution that secures an uninterrupted supply chain and manufacturing support. Business and industry are drawn to the area by our strong pro-business

INVESTING IN home. www.fortsmith.com

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climate, nationally recognized schools, outstanding medical facilities, one of the lowest cost of living indexes and a labor force that ranks as one of the best in the nation with regard to productivity and ethical standards. As one of the largest and most GLYHUVLÀHG EXVLQHVV FRPPXQLWLHV LQ Arkansas, the Fort Smith Region draws its workforce from more than six counties in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Working with our community partners in a six-county area allows our businesses the ability to take advantage of a larger market of consumers DV ZHOO DV WKH QXPEHU RI TXDOLÀHG workers available for employment. The region boasts a labor force of skilled, productive individuals with more than 80 percent of the workforce having an education level of high school or higher and more than 18 percent

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having a bachelor’s degree or higher. The Fort Smith Region is known for its outstanding work ethic and labor force, which have helped Fort Smith alone see the creation of thousands of jobs. The Fort Smith regional community provides a talent pool of more than 300,000 who live, work and play while continuing to develop world-class

products and innovations. Our sense of community combined with a strong work ethic helps our region deliver the goods. The Fort Smith Region is all about people, place and progress. Explore what our region has to offer and surround your business with greater opportunity.

To help us travel safely, America can count on the strength of Gerdau steel. The strength of transformation.

Gerdau steel has the strength of transformation. The automotive industry has evolved to manufacture vehicles that DUH VDIHU PRUH HI¿FLHQW DQG IULHQGO\ WR WKH HDUWK *HUGDX VSHFLDO VWHHO LV WUDQVIRUPHG LQWR KLJK VWUHQJWK SURGXFWV WKDW EHFRPH VDIHW\ FULWLFDO SDUWV LQ WKH FDUV WUXFNV DQG EXVHV WKDW WUDYHO WKURXJKRXW RXU

www.gerdau.com/northamerica

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The Arkansas Osteopathic College of Medicine will begin inaugural classes in August 2017 with about 150 students. Right: Many of Fort Smith’s businesses have grown and expanded in recent years, including Baldor (top from left) Glatfelter, Mars Petcare, Chaffee Crossing (bottom left) and Sparks Medical System. Bottom right: Baldor plant manager Ben Roe shows one of the ABB robots during a tour by Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce members.

Several Fort Smith-based businesses plan expansions in 2017, including Mars Petcare and ArcBest, while York, Pa.-based Glatfelter is eyeing late 2017 or early 2018 for the opening of its new facility, with 83 new jobs making an average of $25 an hour.

GROWTH

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he Fort Smith area has had ongoing business growth in recent years, and 2017 will be no different.

Glatfelter is a global manufacturer of specialty papers and is currently on the third of four phases to repurpose the building originally intended for windmill power generators. Glatfelter expects to have its new “air laid” paper materials operation up and running by late 2017 or early 2018. The manufacturer Mitsubishi Hitachi’s

purchased unused

Job expansion expected to continue in 2017 JOHN LOVETT // Times Record

ArcBest’s new facility at Chaffee Crossing is expected to open by summer 2017. The company announced in 2014 that it is expected to create 975 jobs as it expands. The new facility will house about 850 employees from ArcBest corporate, ABF Logistics and Panther Premium Logistics.

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200,000-square-foot facility at Chaffee Crossing.

Mars Petcare will invest $72 million in its plant over the course of several years to add 130 jobs. The plant, which opened in 2009, has seen more than $130 million invested to create about 250 jobs at the facility.

There is actually a “potential investment up to $110 million” over the next several years, according to the company. The Arkansas College of Osteopathic 0HGLFLQH ZLOO EHJLQ FODVVHV IRU LWV ÀUVW batch of students in August 2017. The Arkansas Colleges of Health Education employs about 50, and there are plans to expand.Elite Comfort announced it would expand its manufacturing facility in Fort Smith with plans to add 100 jobs over the next three years. Elite, at 4921 State Line Road, is a newly formed branch of Hickory Spring Manufacturing. Stainless Innovations, a custom restaurant and kitchen equipment fabricator at 3501 Tulsa St. in Fort Smith, expanded its operations in the former Southern Steel and Wire building in 2016 and has added 25 jobs to employ 65 with “room to grow.” Zero Mountain Cold Storage and Gerber both recently expanded their operations in Fort Smith as well.

www.fortsmith.com

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ELECTED OFFICIALS ELECTED OFFICIALS FEDERAL

CITY OFFICIALS

U.S. Rep. Steve Womack

FORT SMITH MAYOR

479-424-1146

Sandy Sanders

U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton

479-784-2204; 479-784-2430 SSanders@fortsmithar.gov

U.S. Sen. John Boozman

FORT SMITH CITY ADMINISTRATOR

479-751-0879 202-224-4843

STATE SENATE Sen. Jake Files DISTRICT 8 479-648-9216; 479-646-7924 jake@ffhland.com Sen. Terry Rice DISTRICT 9 479-637-3100 Terry.Rice@senate.ar.gov

STATE REPRESENTATIVES Rep. Marcus E. Richmond DISTRICT 21 479-299-4416 marcus.richmond@arkansashouse.org Rep. Jon S. Eubanks DISTRICT 74 479-438-0533 jon.eubanks@arkansashouse.org Rep. Charlotte V Douglas DISTRICT 75 479-276-7777 charlotte.douglas@arkansashouse.org Rep. Mathew W. Pitsch DISTRICT 76 479-883-2072 mathew.pitsch@cox.net Rep. Justin Boyd DISTRICT 77 479-262-2156; 479-262-2264 justin@colemanrx.arcoxmail.com Rep. George B. McGill DISTRICT 78 479-651-2107 georgemcgill@sbcglobal.net

Carl Geffken

479-784-2201; 479-784-2430 CGeffken@FortSmithAR.gov DEPUTY CITY ADMINISTRATOR Jeff Dingman 479-784-2201; 479-784-2430 jdingman@fortsmithar.gov CITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kevin Settle City Board of Directors Vice Mayor City Director At-Large kevinsettle6@aol.com Don Hutchings City Director 479-782-9121; 479-709-9535 donhutchings@hotmail.com Tracy Pennartz City Director tmpennartz@aol.com Keith Lau City Director, Ward 1 479-242-4001; 479-242-4004 Management keithlau45@gmail.com Andre Good City Director, Ward 2 Good4Ward2@gmail.com Mike Lorenz City Director, Ward 3 479-226-5424 directorlorenz@hotmail.com George Catsavis City Director, Ward 4 georgecatsavis@gmail.com

Rep. Gary Deffenbaugh DISTRICT 79 479-719-8197 gary.deffenbaugh@arkansashouse.org www.fortsmith.com

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ELECTED OFFICIALS UTILITIES ARKANSAS OKLAHOMA GAS Kim R. Linam, President & CEO 479-783-3181 800-842-5690, 115 North 12th Street Fort Smith AR 72901 www.aogc.com ARKANSAS VALLEY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE Greg Davis, Key Accounts/ Member Services Manager 479-667-2176 800-468-2176 1811 West Commercial Drive, Ozark AR 72949 memberservices@avecc.com avecc.com CITY OF FORT SMITH Carl Geffken, City Administrator 479-785-2801 623 Garrison Ave., Fort Smith AR 72901 fortsmithar.gov

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AT&T 479-452-5919 7110 Rogers Avenue #100 Fort Smith, AR 72903 www.att.com/stores/arkansas/ fort-smith COX Todd Parker, Regional Sales Manager 479-573-2206 4900 S. Zero St. Fort Smith AR 72903 terri.rice@cox.com www.cox.com OKLAHOMA GAS & ELECTRIC COMPANY Rob Ratley, Community Affairs Manager, AR 479-649-5301 219 Garrison Ave., Fort Smith AR 72901 ratleyra@oge.com www.oge.com

ELECTED OFFICIALS TRANSPORTATION

MOVING

FORWARD

centrally located &

CONNECTED

>>>>>

When you talk about being in the center of things, you must be talking about Fort Smith. The city is located near the center of the 48 contiguous states, and it is connected to all compass points by a network of highways, waterways, rail lines and airlines. That makes WUDQVSRUWDWLRQ LQÀQLWHO\ ÁH[LEOH 0DQXIDFWXUHUV like Fort Smith because it’s easy to move

>>>>> www.fortsmith.com

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>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> products out. Shippers like it because they can leverage the savings to be had in water or rail transportation or the time to be saved by plane or truck. Families like it because Fort Smith offers the friendliness and hometown values of a small town while just a hop, skip and a jump from larger cities. To the near north are Fayetteville, the University of Arkansas and the other attractions of northwest Arkansas; a wider circle presents Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Little Rock, Dallas and Kansas City, Mo. Beyond that, Memphis, St. Louis and Houston are within a day’s drive. This proximity makes major connections and distribution channels a simple equation. In all directions, your market is within your reach. Maybe that’s why so many major corporations are located here, such as ABF Corp., Baldor Electric

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Co., Rheem Manufacturing, Graphic Packaging, O.K. Industries, Gerber Products Co., Pernod Ricard, Georgia3DFLÀF 0DUV 3HWFDUH DQG .UDIW +HLQ] (Planters Peanuts). Whether you’re traveling by land, sea, air or even rail, the Fort Smith Region HQMR\V WKH EHQHÀWV RI EHLQJ D PDMRU transportation hub for the mid-South. Home to many major corporations and more than 300,000 people, the region takes advantage of all major modes of transportation to help people get where they desire to go.

>>>BY LAND The Fort Smith Region is easily accessible from Interstate 40 — the nation’s main east/west corridor stretching from North Carolina to California. The I-540 extension also allows for easy north/south

travel especially between Fort Smith and northwest Arkansas including Fayetteville, Rogers and Bentonville. According to the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department, more than 32 billion miles are driven on these roads each year. The Fort Smith Public Transit also provides public transportation and operates passenger mini-buses that run Monday through Saturday. The service is only $1.25 and offers curb-to-curb service along four routes through the city. The city also operates a 25-seat trolley that travels through Fort Smith’s downtown and historic districts. For more information or for schedule and routes, call (479) 783-6464.

>>> BY AIR The Fort Smith Regional Airport

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> is a vital transportation outlet for the citizens of western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. Established in 1939 with two sod runways, it has quickly grown into a major airline terminal with full air transportation DFFHVV 7ZR DLUOLQHV RIIHU GDLO\ à LJKWV to and from Fort Smith with service to Atlanta and Dallas. These regional airlines offer onestop service to practically anywhere in the world from the nationally UHQRZQHG ÀUVW FODVV WHUPLQDO A complete FBO services military and general aviation alike, and the airport’s two runways can accommodate the largest aircraft in the world. TAC Air — (479) 646-1611 — offers complete FBO services with excellent customer service. The Fort Smith Regional Airport is conveniently ORFDWHG ÀYH PLOHV HDVW RI GRZQWRZQ Fort Smith and offers short- and longterm parking at competitive rates.

with America’s entire inland waterway system from Houston and New Orleans to Pittsburgh and Minneapolis. For more information, call the Fort Smith Port Terminal at (479) 785-2837. Five Rivers Distribution and Consolidated Terminals & Logistics services the Port of Van Buren. Five Rivers Distribution has the newest intermodal port facility on the Arkansas River System. The port is located at river mile 299 and is served E\ 8QLRQ 3DFLÀF DQG $ 0 5DLOURDGV Five Rivers has three handling docks, one of which is covered and served

by a 60,000-pound overhead crane that traverses the length of the 76,500-square-foot climate-controlled U.S. Customs Bonded Warehouse.

>>>BY RAIL Commercial and passenger rail service is provided by the ArkansasMissouri Railroad — (479) 751-8600; the Fort Smith Railroad — (479) 7822511 — and the Kansas City Southern Railroad — (816) 983-1372. These providers offer freight service to Fort Smith and one shipment daily from Fort Smith.

The Port of Fort Smith on the Arkansas River offers access to a 9-foot, ice-free channel, open year-round with low-cost transportation between Fort Smith and all points reached by navigable waterways. Port services are available with numerous carriers that serve Fort Smith. The public port is in operation with two on-site warehouses — an 80,000-square-foot heated warehouse and an additional 17,200-square-foot warehouse. The port also has another 120,000-squarefoot warehouse located off-site. The port has two docks, two cranes with a 65-ton capacity and lift trucks with a 30,000-pound capacity. The Port of Fort Smith is part of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System that runs through the heart of the nation. The waterway not only connects the Fort Smith Region to ports of the world but also

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LIFE

EXPLORING THE HISTORIC DISTRICT

Old LOVES ARTICLE AND STORIES BY LARRY WILLIAMS // Times Record

Arkansas’ fifth oldest city is filled with beloved, preserved homes

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he phrase, “They don’t make ‘em like they used to,â€? readily comes to mind when one strolls through the Belle Grove Historic District of Fort Smith. Some might describe many of the houses in this neighborhood as “oldâ€? or, if they want to soften the blow, they might say “olderâ€?. If they dig GHHS WKH\ PLJKW HYHQ Ă€QG WKHLU LQQHU Realtor, and describe them as “turn-ofthe-century,â€? because that is exactly what many of these home actually are. Located two city blocks northwest of Fort Smith’s commercial downtown DUHD ZLWK *DUULVRQ $YHQXH Ă€OOLQJ the role of “Main Streetâ€?, Belle Grove contains 22 square blocks, and within those blocks, there’s a lot of history. “It’s really fun having people stand in the front yard, and to tell them about all of the history in this house and this area,â€? said Julie Moncrief,

executive director of the Clayton House Museum, of the walking tours given by Clayton House. The neighborhood was home to many early Fort Smith politicians, merchants, lawyers and bankers. Most famously, District Attorney William H. H. Clayton (b. 1840-d. 1920), who served 14 years in the court of Judge Isaac C. Parker, lived there. The Clayton House still stands today as a landmark and museum near the southern border of Belle Grove. “For many people, it is the highlight of the district,� said Moncrief. The number of Victorian-era and Victorian-style homes left standing across the country is small, Moncrief says. Fortunately, Clayton House can count itself among that number. In fact, the entire Belle Grove area has one of the highest number of Victorian

The Belle Grove School, constructed in 1886, in the Belle Grove Historic District has been restored to the Schoolhouse Apartments, which are available for rental units. Left: One of the historic homes in the Belle Grove Historic district along the 500 block of North Seventh Street.

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File Photo

File Photo

LIFE

The Clayton House, located at 514 North Sixth Street, was build during the 1850s, but was enlarged and remodeled in 1882. It was the home of William Henry Harrison Clayton who served as U.S. Attorney during the tenure of Isaac C. Parker, also known as the hanging judge.

homes in the state. One of the other famous homes in the neighborhood is Bonneville House, with a marble plaque on the porch that details the names of its famous owners. The McKibben-Bonneville House (circa 1870), is located in the 300 block of North 7th Street, and its most notable owner was Sue Neis Bonneville, widow of General Benjamin Eulalie de Bonneville. General Bonneville was known for his expeditions to the West. It’s easy to forget, but at the turn of the last century, Arkansas was one of the western-most states in the union. To go beyond the borders of what was then a “frontier town� was to truly go into the American “Wild West�. “There’s a story of a house owned by a railroad conductor whose job it was

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The Bonneville House at 318 North Seventh Street was built in 1870 and purchased in 1878 by Susan Bonneville, the widow of General Benjamin Bonneville who served in both the Mexican and Civil Wars. The home is now used for weddings, showers, business meetings and other private events.

There’s no such thing as a cookie cutter home in Belle Grove ... each one was crafted with a distinct owner in mind. to take marshals into Indian Territory,â€? said Moncrief. “He’d have to take the train into an area where they were going to possibly arrest someone, and EXOOHWV ZRXOG EH Ă \LQJ DQG KH¡G KDYH a bowie knife in one boot, and a gun in the other.â€? But it’s not just the famous homes, the homes with names and with plaques on their porches, that make Belle Grove a glimpse into the city’s past. Every house, and virtually

every building, within the historic neighborhood follows the same Victorian-era style that has almost vanished completely in modern architecture. There’s no such thing as a “cookiecutter� home in Belle Grove, with minor variations to differentiate between residences. Instead, each one was crafted with a distinct owner in mind. The Belle Grove School, now Schoolhouse Apartments, is the 600 block of North 6th Street, and is the largest single structure in the neighborhood, acting as the centerpiece for the eclectic collection of homes. “During the Civil War, Union soldiers entered Fort Smith in 1863,� said Moncrief. “They occupied the school, and turned it into a hospital

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Another unique historic home in the Belle Grove district, located in the 700 block of North Sixth Street. Its classic design, with the wide front porches and large columns, points to a style from years ago that is nearly vanished in modern architecture.

for wounded soldiers.â€? Schoolhouse Apartments once served as the longest-standing public school in the city, serving a total of 90 years. In 1870, the city purchased the building that would become the city’s Ă€UVW SXEOLF VFKRRO IRU “A lot of homes in this area have so much history because so many of WKH FLW\¡V Ă€UVW OHDGHUV OLYHG KHUH Âľ VDLG Moncrief. While Belle Grove is no longer as KLJK SURĂ€OH DV LW ZDV LQ LWV KH\GD\ it’s a testament to the neighborhood and its residents that so many of the homes — especially in their original forms, with original materials — are left standing. It’s also a testament to the city of Fort Smith that its residents, even today, respect the past and want to preserve its history—and the unique Ă DYRU RI RQH RI LWV Ă€UVW QHLJKERUKRRGV

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APARTMENTS CHAPELRIDGE OF FORT SMITH Joanie Hutchins 479- 649-8400 7500 Jenny Lind Road, Fort Smith AR 72908 jhutchins@erc.com www.erc.com/fortsmithlistings CROWNRIDGE APARTMENTS Joanie Hutchins 479-649-8400 7114 Texas Road, Fort Smith AR 72908 jhutchins@erc.com www.erc.com/fortsmithlistings FOREST OAKS APARTMENTS Lois Zinnamon 479-996-1409 1485 East Center Street, Greenwood AR 72936 FORREST BROOK APARTMENTS Tiffany Taylor 479- 259-4701 3014 Presley Street, Fort Smith AR 72903 Tiffany.Taylor@trinitymultifamily.com Trinitymultifamily.com FORT SMITH HOUSING AUTHORITY Mitch Minnick, Executive Director 479-782-4991 2100 North 31st Street, Fort Smith AR 72904 jhatley@fortsmithha.com www.fortsmithhousing.org GARDENWALK OF BARLING Molly Kirbo 479- 452-6041 710 ‘’A’’ Street, Barling AR 72923 gwbarling@belmontmgt.net

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HARBORTOWN APARTMENTS Bobby Stephens, Owner 479-452-5082 9608 Meandering Way, Fort Smith AR 72903 www.fortsmithrentalproperty.com HUNTINGTON CHASE APARTMENTS Cliff Cabaness, Business Manager 479-434-6407 6400 Massard Road, Apt. 102, Fort Smith AR 72908 IVORY HOUSE LOFTS Amanda Mondier, Manager 479-478-6788 823 Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith AR 72901 amanda@southwestresources.com www.mojosivoryhouse.com MARINA APARTMENTS Lois Zinnamon 479- 484-7266 10810 Old Harbor Road, Fort Smith AR 72903 www.southwestresources.com MID-TOWN APARTMENTS Kerri Norman, Property Manager 479-783-1089 1411 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith AR 72901 kerri@midtown.arcoxmail.com OAKWOOD GARDENS Alexis King, Community Director 479-782-5155 3500 S N Street, Fort Smith AR 72903

SHADOWBROOK APARTMENTS Lois Zinnamon 479-646-7850 2601 Oakview Road, Fort Smith AR 72908 www.southwestresources.com SOUTHPOINT APARTMENTS Lois Zinnamon 479-648-1036 8500 South 28th Street, Fort Smith AR 72908 www.southwestresources.com THE COTTAGES OF FORT SMITH Charlotte Jones 479-646-8780 6100 South 66th Street, Fort Smith AR 72903 cottages@canyonviewproperties.com THE LINKS AT FORT SMITH Robert & Cyndi Glass 479-648-8080 5100 South Zero Street, Fort Smith AR 72903 manager@linksatfortsmith. apartments www.lindseymanagement.com

THE RESERVE AT CHAFFEE CROSSING Beverly Soucy, VP of Operations 479-222-6322 9505 Chad Colley Blvd., Fort Smith AR 72916 beverly@southwestresources.com www.srgapts.com THREE CORNERS, LLC Dusty Robinson 479-452-1063 3600 South 74th Street, Fort Smith AR 72903 WEST END LOFTS Joanie Hutchins, Manager 479- 649-8400 109 N. 3rd Street, Fort Smith AR 72901 jhutchins@erc.com www.erc.com/fortsmithlistings

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ELECTED OFFICIALS EDUCATION

Curricula challenge students at every level

From pre-kindergarten to beyond 12th grade, schools in the Fort Smith Region provide comprehensive services for students of all ages. Developmentally appropriate and challenging programs are the standard in all district classrooms. The Gifted and Talented programs as well as honors and advanced placement courses are available in the district high schools. Art, music and physical education programs are integrated into elementary and secondary classrooms. Library and media services provide access to traditional libraries and more technologically advanced components. Counselors in schools offer all students the advantage RI FRQĂ LFW UHVROXWLRQ DQG HVWHHP building programs. A variety of activities and sports are available to secondary students, while 32

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Students work to ďŹ ne tune their robotic farm implement during the Frontier Trails BEST (Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology) Regional Championships for Middle, Junior High & High School robotics teams at the Fort Smith Convention Center, hosted by the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith.

PTAs and community programs, such as Partners in Education, support the efforts of teachers. The students in the Fort Smith Region consistently score above their state and national counterparts on norm-referenced tests. Student scores on the American College Test and Stanford Achievement Test are examples of sound achievement. Northside and Southside High Schools along with Immaculate Conception

Elementary School have all earned recognition as National Blue Ribbon Schools. The Fort Smith Region also provides a complementary alternative to the public school system. Parochial and private institutions have established education from Pre-K to 12th grade and provide programs including music, arts, physical education, athletic programs and Advanced Placement courses.

JAMIE MITCHELL //Times Record File Photo

STUDENT MATTERS

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS Ballman, 2601 S. Q St., 783-1280 Barling, 1400 D St., Barling, 452-0211 Beard, 1600 Cavanaugh Road, 646-0834 Bonneville, 2500 S. Waldron Road, 478-3161 Carnall, 2524 S. Tulsa St., 646-3612 Cavanaugh, 1025 School St., 646-1131 Cook, 3517 Brooken Hill Drive, 646-8880 Euper Lane, 6601 Euper Lane, 452-2601 Fairview, 2400 S. Dallas St., 783-3214 Howard, 1301 N. Eighth St., 783-7382 Morrison, 3415 Newlon Road, 782-7045 Orr, 3609 Phoenix Ave., 646-3711 Pike, 4111 Park Ave., 783-4506 Spradling, 4949 Spradling Ave., 783-8048 Sunnymede, 4201 N. O St., 783-6327 Sutton, 5001 Kelley Highway, 785-1778 Tilles, 815 N. 16th St., 785-5606 Trusty, 3300 Harris Ave., 783-7720 Woods, 3201 Massard Road, 452-5808 SECONDARY SCHOOLS Belle Point Alternative Learning Center, 1501 Dodson Ave., 783-7034 ChafďŹ n Junior High School, 3025 Massard Road, 452-2226 Darby Junior High School, 616 N. 14th St., 783-4159 Kimmons Junior High School, 2201 N. 50th St., 785-2451 Northside High School, 2301 N. B St., 783-1171 Ramsey Junior High School, 3201 Jenny Lind Road, 783-5115 Southside High School, 4100 Gary St., 646-7371 PUBLIC SCHOOLS Fort Smith Public Schools, 479-785-2501, www.fortsmithschools.org Greenwood School District, 479-996-4142, www.greenwoodk12.com Van Buren School District, 479-474-7942, www.vbsd.us

POST SECONDARY Excellent education does not stop at the high school level. The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith LV WKH VWDWH¡V Ă€IWK ODUJHVW IRXU \HDU institution of higher education and is constantly growing and expanding educational opportunities for the community. More than 13,000 people EHQHĂ€W DQQXDOO\ IURP 8$)6¡ FUHGLW continuing education, and business and industry programs. Students can

PRIVATE/PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS Christ The King Elementary School, 479-783-0614, www.christ-king.org First Lutheran Elementary School, 479-452-5330, www.1stlutheran.com Fort Smith Montessori School, 479-646-7225, www.fsmontessori.com Grace Academy, 479-739-2285, www.graceacademyarkansas.com Immaculate Conception Elementary School, 479-783-6798, www.icschoolfs.org St. Boniface Elementary School, 479-783-6601, www.stbonifaceschool.org Trinity Junior High School, 479-782-2451, www.trinitycatholicjh.org Union Christian Academy, 479-783-7327, www.unioneagles.org POST-SECONDARY SCHOOLS Academy of Salon & Spa, 479-782-5059, www.mellies.org Arkansas Job Corps — Odle Management, 479-424-3404,

earn bachelor’s and associate degrees in a variety of areas, including health sciences, education, liberal arts, business and technology. John Brown University offers students undergraduate degree completion programs. The degree completer program helps working adults with two or more years of college credit to complete a bachelor of science degree in organizational management or early childhood

www.odlemanagement.com Arkansas Tech University — Ozark Campus, 479-667-1707, www.atu.edu/ozark Carl Albert State College, 918-647-1200, www.carlalbert.edu Fort Smith Wellness, 479-648-1107, www.fortsmithwellness.com John Brown University, 479-646-0082, www.jbu.edu/advance University of Arkansas — Fort Smith, 479-788-7007, www.uafs.edu University of Phoenix — Northwest Arkansas Campus, 479-986-0385, www.phoenix.edu Webster University, 479-484-7747, www.webster.edu/fortsmith EDUCATION RESOURCES AND SUPPORT ELS Language Centers — Fort Smith, 479-788-7940, www.els.edu/fortsmith Fort Smith Adult Education Center, 479-785-1232, www.adulteducationfortsmith.com

education in as little as a year and a half. Webster University, located in downtown Fort Smith, offers masters degree programs in Human Resource Management and Masters of Business Administration. Webster creates a unique educational environment by blending the conveniences of a small university with the opportunities of a large one. It has offered graduate programs in Fort Smith since 1989.

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LIFE

celebrating

DIVERSITY BY ALEX GOLDEN // Times Record

+DYLQJ VSHQW WKH Ă€UVW \HDUV RI KLV life in Vietnam, a Fort Smith resident brings a perspective unmatched to the majority of the city’s residents. Pham Quang Tam was 35 years old and in the Vietnamese Air Force when KH ZDV Ă RZQ IURP *XDP WR &DOLIRUQLD in the 1970s, he said. After working in a factory there for about a year, he came to Fort Smith, where he taught WKH LQĂ X[ RI 9LHWQDPHVH VWXGHQWV DW Fort Smith Public Schools. Former Deputy Superintendent Johnny Owen hired people, including Pham, to help teach the Vietnamese students English and to help them adjust to the United States. Overall, the transition went well and the students were ready to learn, Owen said. Parents were invested in helping their children learn, although there were cultural barriers, Pham said. “One thing that struck me was the close relationship between boys and girls in school,â€? Pham said. “That’s a no no in my country.â€? He also noticed how much freedom children have in the United States, such as in their extracurricular or outside-ofschool activities. In Vietnam, parents often expect their children to go into Ă€HOGV VXFK DV PHGLFLQH WHDFKLQJ RU engineering, he said. “Engineering was off limits to girls in my country, but in this country, it’s open,â€? Pham said. “In fact, both of my girls majored in engineering.â€? After a 22-year stint in Iowa, Pham and his wife, Thuan Tran, moved back to Fort Smith in 2001. Pham has taught math at Kimmons Junior High School. Pham Quang Tam and his wife, Thuan Tran, talk about a few of the souvenirs they picked up on one of their return trips to Vietnam.

JAMIE MITCHELL >> Times Record

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He considers himself “semi-retired” as he continues to tutor students, he said. “I have a feeling that I am cut out to be a teacher,” he said. Pham also noted that things such as books, transportation and sometimes meals are included in free public education. “Kids have all kinds of means and resources to do well if they want to do well,” he said. Pham is a homeowner, which he said is point of pride for Vietnamese people in Fort Smith. They likely would not be able to own a home in Vietnam because banks do not give out loans, he said. “The Vietnamese who come to this country notice a land of opportunity,” Pham said.

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Celebrating FAITH

With more than 200 congregations in Fort Smith alone, there is a ministry opportunity for all residents. The Fort Smith Region recognizes and embraces the diversity of its more than 300,000 regional residents. Many houses of worship are established throughout the area, serving a variety of faiths and denominations, including temples, mosques and churches.

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CHAMBER MEMBER CHURCHES The ministries of the Fort Smith Region are as vast as they are varied, and the region has opened its arms to a multitude of religious traditions and denominations. From the numerous Christian churches, three Catholic chapels, an abundance of ethnic churches, including Hispanic, Vietnamese and Korean, the Jewish synagogue, a Laotian Buddhist temple, two Vietnamese Buddhist temples and a Muslim mosque, all faiths are welcomed in the Fort Smith Region. St. Scholastica Monastery in Fort Smith serves as a landmark for the region. Founded in 1879, its towers are visible day and night. Until 1968, the nuns of St. Scholastica ran a boarding school, and until 1994, they ran various hospitals in Arkansas and Missouri. Today, the sisters continue their volunteer work in the region and have a retreat center located at the monastery. Trinity Junior High School also is located on the St. Scholastica campus.

Cavanaugh Free Will Baptist Church (479) 6462806 cavanaughchurch.com

First Baptist Church (479) 788-6100 fsfbc.org

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (479) 783-7963 icchurch.com

Central Christian Church (479) 4521901 centralfs.org

First Lutheran Church and School (479) 785-2886 1stlutheran.com

New Life Church (479) 4621018 newlifechurch.tv

Christ The King Church and School (479) 7837745 christking.org

First United Methodist Church (479) 782-5068 fsfumc.org

St. Boniface Church and School (479) 7836601 stbonifaceschool.org

Community Bible Church (479) 452-9201 communitychurch.com

Grand Avenue Baptist Church (479) 783-5161 grandfamily.net

St. Scholastica Monastery and Retreat Center (479) 7834147 stscho.org

Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA) (479) 242-7737 cpcfs.org Evangel Temple (479) 7829121 ExcitingET.com

Harvest Time (479) 646-6001 harvesttime.net

West Ark Church of Christ (479) 452 1240 westarkchurchofchrist.org

*-678 92-8)( 1)8,3(-78 8 ',96',

Join us for Sunday Worshipb 8:30am Roebuck Chapel 11 ambSanctuary 11 amb Family Life Center Wednesday Communionb 5:30pm Roebuck Chapel

200 N. 15th Street Fort Smith, AR 72901 (479)782-5068 fsfumc.org

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Fort Smith’s hotels provide a comfortable place to host a meeting, sleep or just relax, including the new DoubleTree Fort smith City Center (left). Pictured here is the new lounge area during the business after hours social before the official ribbon cutting and grand opening of the new hotel at 700 Rogers Avenue in downtown Fort Smith.

Southern

HOSPITALITY As a major crossroads for travelers, overnight stay is a specialty here

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Fort Smith is a major crossroad for travelers, vacationers and business groups, and the region has plenty of comfortable lodging choices that cater to every budget and lifestyle. Whether a business trip or a vacation with the family, the city’s lodging choices are plentiful. The region is home to more than 100 hotels. Fort Smith is home to several wellknown hotel chains including the downtown DoubleTree by Hilton and the Courtyard by Marriott. Both are within walking distance of Garrison Avenue shops and restaurants, as well as the Fort Smith National Historic Site, the Kelley Riverfront Park and the Fort Smith Convention Center. Other hotels are located conveniently to Interstate 540, including the Best

Western Inn & Suites, Baymont Inn, Quality Inn, Hampton Inn in Fort Smith, the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites and Sleep Inn & Suites in Van Buren. Looking for something closer to the airport? Try the Holiday Inn Express or the Candlewood Suites. Visitors wanting an extended-stay option should try the Residence Inn by Marriott or the Hilton Homewood Suites. Want something close to all the action? Try the Aspen Hotel & Suites, Comfort Inn, GuestHouse International Inn, Van Buren Hampton Inn, LaQuinta Inn & Suites, Motel 6, Comfort Inn in Van Buren or Hometown Inn & Suites. These hotels are sprinkled throughout the region yet are still a brief drive to all attractions.

CHAMBER MEMBER LODGING OPTIONS Aspen Hotel & Suites (479) 452-9000 aspenhotelandsuites.com

Courtyard by Marriott (479) 783-2100 marriott.com/fsmcy

Baymont Inn & Suites (479) 484-5770 baymontinns.com

GuestHouse International (479) 646-5100 guesthouseintl.com

Candlewood Suites (479) 424-3800 candlewoodsuites.com/ fortsmithar

Hampton Inn (479) 452-2000 hampton-inn.com

Choctaw Hotel & Casino (800) 590-5825 choctawcasinos.com/Pocola. aspx Comfort Inn & Suites — Fort Smith (479) 434-5400 (800) 424-6423 choicehotels.com Comfort Inn — Van Buren (479) 474-2223 comfortinn.com/hotel/ar001

Hampton Inn — Van Buren (479) 471-7447 hamptoninn.com Hilton Homewood Suites (479) 452-7100 fortsmith. homewoodsuites.com Holiday Inn Express (479) 452-7500 hiexpress.com

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites (479) 471-7300 holidayinnexpress.com

Quality Inn (Alma) Sai Ram Hotels (479) 632-4141 qualityinn.com

Home2 Suites by Hilton 479-452-2100 home2suites3.hilton.com

Residence Inn by Marriott (479) 478-8300 (800) 627-7468 residenceinn.com

Knights Inn 479-646-3411 www.super8.com LaQuinta Inn & Suites (479) 484-0303 6043.lq.com Motel 6 Rogers Ave Location (479) 484-0576 Towson Ave Location: 479-785-1401 (800) 466-4356 motel6.com

River Valley Inn & Suites (479) 646-2931 rivervalleyinnandsuites.com Sleep Inn & Suites (479) 262-6776 sleepinnvanburen.com The Executive Hotel at City Center (479) 783-1000

Quality Inn (479) 484-0227 qualityinn.com

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DINING OUT IN FORT SMITH

(re)new

DINING FLAIR Eclectic remodeled restaurant touts growing wine list, more

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Article by JOHN LOVETT//TIMES RECORD Photos by PHIL CORBIN

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KLV XSVFDOH HFOHFWLF Ă€QG PD\ EH ROG to some, but a stylish refresh and expansion is turning heads. 21 West End celebrates its 10th anniversary in Fort Smith in 2017 following a complete renovation in 2016 and a growing wine list with tastes from around the world. The contemporary and eclectic restaurant is at 21 N. Second St. downtown, tucked in a historic rock building with two dining rooms and a spacious atrium where weddings and receptions are often held. “We want people to feel comfortable,â€? 21 West End owner Kevin Dory said of the dining experience at 21 West End. The remodeling designed by restaurant manager Michael Chronister

and Dory allowed 21 West End to seat 22 more people for a total of 90 guests. Chronister became manager two years ago and set out to expand the wine list beyond Californian wines to include more European wines and single-source, family owned vineyards to pair with “Chef Paul’s tendencies to blend old world cooking with a bit of a southern twist,â€? Chronister said. 21 West End now offers about 150 wines from around the world. “I really wanted to bring these fun, funky old world wines to this area to merge the beautiful relationship there between food and wine,â€? Chronister said. “That’s pretty much been my focus during this expansion ‌ to bring these

New design and more room: Expanded seating areas and a growing wine list are just a couple items 21 West End owner Kevin Dory boasts with his recent renovation.

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FOOD & DRINK

The Artistic Bean opened at 615 Garrison Ave late in 2016 following renovations to the former antique store between R. Landry’s New Orleans Cafe and the Fort Smith city officies at the Stephens Building. Stan Ramsey brought franchise over from Tennessee to Arkansas with a twist by tailoring it for Fort Smith with a handmade Italian espresso machine and a mural by local artist Pat Riggs, which recreates a scene from Cisterna, Italy. Cisterna and Fort Smith developed ties that stem from the liberation of Cisterna by Col. William O. Darby in World War II. Darby was the commander of the Army Rangers during that conflict and a native of Fort Smith. “People will want to come in just to look at this coffee machine,” Ramsey said. “It’s hammered copper and just beautiful.”

small, family cult wines to western Arkansas, where we could potentially have wines that even in northwest Arkansas and Little Rock markets just can’t have.” Chronister also brought in smaller 375 milliliter wine bottle options for those who may want to try something new without paying for a more expensive 750 milliliter bottle. “It’s one thing I also wanted to try

that you don’t really see in this market a whole lot, is not only stretching our legs to encompass small glimpses of wine, both new and old world, we really wanted to play with the format,” Chronister said. “Every situation is a little bit different, and trying to sell a 750 bottle of wine is not always appropriate, so we brought in a fun selection of both large and small formats. And going to a 375 format has for some of the wines has really seemed to be a hit with our guests.”

NEW IN FORT SMITH In addition two new coffee shop/ roasters in the heart of downtown with The Artistic Bean on Garrison Avenue and Fort Smith Coffee Co., in the works on Rogers Avenue, a popular new 42

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bistro called Jeff’s Club House opened up recently at May Branch Square on Old Greenwood Road. Jeff’s Club House at 2801 Greenwood Road, Suite 16, has received high marks for its fresh salads, wraps, soups and sandwiches and developed a loyal following in the Saturday brunch buffet. In the former Gourmet Gallery suite, Jeff’s Club House shows off Fort Smith landmarks in a collection of black-and-white photographs. There’s seating for about 75 people at Jeff’s, and as its name would imply, the Club House is a sandwichlovers paradise with everything from a D.B.L.T. (Double Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato) to Ralph’s Cuban with ham and pulled pork. Sandwich sleuths will notice that Ralph’s Cuban is directly tied to Ralph’s Pink Flamingo BBQ in

the same shopping center. Ralph Taylor has won awards for his barbecue and passed down some secrets to his son, Jeff Taylor, at Jeff’s Club House.

A late 1920s oil and gas station is now the home to Fort Smith Coffee Co. at 1101 Rogers Ave downtown. Gabe and Kaity Gould are wellknown local coffee roasters with their brand Hawk & Horse, often sold at the local farmer’s market. The new coffee shop and roastery will offer sweets, sandwiches, soups and salad.

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OUT & ABOUT FORT SMITH RIVERFRONT PARK

Backyard ADVENTURES BEN GEREN REGIONAL PARK JANET HUCKABEE RIVER VALLEY NATURE CENTER CAROL ANN CROSS PARK

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Camping, Golfing, Hiking just a few of the options From water sports to hiking trails, Fort Smith and the surrounding communities have everything you need for that next outdoor adventure. With thousands of acres available for all types of outdoor enthusiasts, getting back to nature in the Fort Smith Region is as easy as stepping out your back door.

LAKE FORT SMITH STATE PARK 15458 Shepherd Springs Rd, Mountainburg, AR (479) 369-2469 Completely renovated, this state park is surrounded by some of the highest peaks in the Ozarks and adjoins a 1,705-acre fishing lake. The newly renovated facilities include 34 camping sites and a group lodge. Lake Fort Smith is immediately adjacent to the beautiful Ozark National Forest that offers boating, fishing, swimming, hiking and picnicking areas. Visitors can stay at 30 campsites offering electricity and water and rent a boat from the park’s marina.

JANET HUCKABEE RIVER VALLEY NATURE CENTER 8300 Wells Lake Road (479) 452-3993 The Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center sits on 170 acres of land in Fort Smith that were previously a part of Fort Chaffee. The building overlooks Wells Lake, and the center focuses on the wide variety of animals and birds that call the area home, including colorful songbirds, turtles and small mammals. Visitors can tour interesting exhibits inside, hike nature trails outside or spend time canoeing and fishing in the lake. The center is open year-round Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 1-5 p.m.

HIRE EDUCATION www.atu.edu/ozark

BEN GEREN REGIONAL PARK 7200 Zero St. (479) 646-2444 This 1,300-acre county park has everything from a public golf course to a frisbee golf course. The park offers a mixture of sports facilities including lighted softball fields, tennis courts, 27hole golf course and is also the home of Parrot Island Water Park. For the trail enthusiast, there’s backwoods hiking/ biking, walking trails, picnic facilities and open space. The new children’s playground accommodates around 200 kids at one time with modern play activities, as well as new swing sets, benches and landscaping. There’s something at this park for everyone.

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CREEKMORE PARK Rogers Avenue and South 31st Street Located on 27 acres in the heart of Fort Smith, this city park offers charcoal grills, a community center building with public meeting rooms, concessions, drinking fountains, flower gardens, a playground, a lighted basketball and tennis court, miniature golf, a nature area, benches, picnic area, rest rooms, swimming pools, a miniature train, volleyball court, walking/exercise trail, shuffleboard and a gazebo. The steam train at Creekmore is a Fort Smith favorite.

THE PARK AT WEST END 15 North B St. Rides are only $1 on the iconic Ferris Wheel and Carousel. Restaurant on site.

“WHEN YOUR LOAN IS THE ONLY ONE THAT MATTERS” ROSE CATALANO

SWBC MORTGAGE CORPORATION BRANCH MANAGER | NMLS #204458 2525 Rogers Ave | Fort Smith, AR 72901 CELL: 479.650.2882 | OFFICE: 479.783.4400 EMAIL: rcatalano@swbc.com swbcmortgage.com/catalano © 2017 SWBC. All rights reserved. Loans are subject to credit and property approval. Other restrictions and conditions may apply. Programs and guidelines are subject to change without notice. Rates are subject to change daily. SWBC Mortgage Corporation, NMLS #9741. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org) Corporate office located at 9311 San Pedro Avenue, Suite 100, San Antonio, TX 78216.8540-5888 03/17

CAROL ANN CROSS PARK 1601 S. 74th St. Located on 51 acres, this city park offers, fishing piers, a nature area, pedal boats (seasonal), picnic pavilion, walking trails, flower garden and playground.

FORT SMITH PARK 5301 Riverfront Drive at the Arkansas River This 43.3-acre park offers 33 picnic sites, a large picnic pavilion, a walking trail, soccer fields, basketball courts, a gazebo, a playground and a boat ramp.

FORT SMITH DOG PARK Corner of Massard Rd, Louisville St. This dog-lovers park provides an off-leash experience and socialization opportunity for all of Fort Smith’s fourlegged friends while also offering special 46

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events and programs. The park also features a mutt mitt station, benches and a pond.

HARRY E. KELLEY PARK North A Street and Clayton Exp. Located on 5.1 acres off near downtown Fort Smith, this riverfront park contains a large amphitheater, picnic area, fishing and a two-mile levee trail along the Arkansas River.

LEE CREEK RESERVOIR Highway 59 North This 1,443-acre park offers boating, fishing, a nature area and walking and hiking trails.

MARTIN LUTHER KING PARK Greenwood Ave. & North O Street This 19.4 acre city park contains playgrounds, a skate park, a swimming pool, pavilions, lighted baseball and soccer fields, a lighted basketball court and a lighted walking trail.

SPRINGHILL PARK Highway 59 West (479) 452-4598 This U.S. Corps of Engineers park adjacent to the Arkansas River offers mountain biking trails, camping, fishing, boating, playgrounds and pavilions.

WILLIAM O. DARBY R.V. COMMUNITY 11601 Darby Avenue (479) 242-0799 This park offers 39 RV camping sites with full hook-ups.

GOLF COURSES BEN GEREN REGIONAL PARK (479) 646-5301

FIRST TEE OF FORT SMITH www.thefirstteefortsmith.org (479) 648-9833 The facility includes a 6-hole course, a 3-hole short course, a complete practice area with driving range.

DEER TRAILS GOLF COURSE www.chaffeecrossing.com (479) 478-6971 Public 9-hole golf course with pro-shop and full grill/restaurant

27-hole public golf course offering carts, lessons and pro shop.

FIANNA HILLS COUNTRY CLUB www.fiannahillscountryclub.com (479) 646-7861 18-hole private golf course, tennis courts, swimming pool, and dining for members and guests.

HARDSCRABBLE COUNTRY CLUB www.hardscrabblecc.com (479) 783-3731 18-hole private golf course, tennis courts, swimming pool, and dining for members and guests.

EAGLE CREST GOLF COURSE www.golfeaglecrest.com (479) 632-8857 18-hole golf course in Alma with Pro Shop, RV Park, and “Eagles Nest” grill.

Abigail Epker gets a big push from her dad, Justin Epker of Dallas, on the swings at Ben Geren Regional Park children’s play area.

TIMES RECORD FILE PHOTOS Wild Cat Mountain Lake at Carol Ann Cross Park.

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ACTIVITIES: OUT & ABOUT

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FILE PHOTOS 1,4, 6, 8 BY BRIAN SANDERFORD >> TIMES RECORD

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FILE PHOTO BY COREY S. KRASKO

Annual

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3

FILE PHOTO BY RACHEL RODEMANN

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There’s some things that just never seem to grow old. That’s how we tend to feel about some of our annual festivals and events. Yes, it’s about community and seeing old friends. It also is about sharing in celebrations that remind us of people and events we don’t want to forget, and why we’re still proud to live here. For the newcomers, the just-visiting or longtime natives who just haven’t tried some old favorites, we encourage all to come out for a little fun and festivities. Here are our top 10 favorites:

TRADITIONS 48

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

FEBRUARY//Fort Smith Marathon: Held annually in downtown Fort Smith. Includes a full marathon, half-marathon and relays. MAY//: Steel Horse Rally: A threeday weekend full of excitement for motorcycle enthusiasts. Held in downtown Fort Smith. MAY// Western Heritage Month: Fun re-enactments and exhibits on the Old West are a highlight of the monthlong look at Fort Smith’s heritage. MAY-JUNE// Old Fort Days Rodeo: Fort Smith has hosted the annual rodeo since 1933. Begins on Memorial Day. JUNE// True Grit Ride 100: Held at Chaffee Crossing and includes five road-biking courses, a 15mile guided mountain bike ride and a 5K run/walk. JUNE// Riverfront Blues Festival: Held on the banks of the Arkansas River, the festival is one of the longest-running in the nation. JULY// Peacemaker Festival: Music and arts festival held in downtown Fort Smith. JULY// The Unexpected Project: International artists venture to Fort Smith during this weeklong festival. SEPTEMBER// Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair: Includes the Mighty Thomas Carnival and youth livestock show. Held at Kay Rodgers Park each fall. DECEMBER// Christmas Honors: Hundreds of volunteers help lay wreaths at the graves of the Fort Smith National Cemetery, where they remain through the holiday season.

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THRIVE: HEALTH & WELLNESS

Advances in

HEALTH FILE PHOTO

New Facilities

From a new medical college to family clinics, area health care is moving forward

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Healthcare providers are choosing to invest and grow in Fort Smith. In 2016 officials broke ground on a $10.5 million UAMS Family Medical Center at the corner of South 12th and South E streets. The facility will be located three blocks from Sparks Regional Medical Center, the teaching hospital affiliated with UAMS West.

ort Smith is a rapidly growing health-care destination. With fullservice hospitals and an orthopedic hospital, a growing number of free-standing clinics that provide specialists, generalists and walk-in care, a proposed medical school and new residency spots to support it, western Arkansas looks on track to continue the growth. Mercy Hospital Fort Smith, Sparks Regional Medical Center and Mercy Orthopedic Hospital promise residents of the greater Fort Smith

region and beyond excellent inpatient services as well as diagnostic tools and cutting-edge, life-saving procedures. Since the Rev. George Degen of 6W -RKQ·V (SLVFRSDO &KXUFK ÀUVW collected money from merchants along Garrison Avenue in 1887 to open St. John’s Hospital, that facility, now known as Sparks Health System, has been growing. In 2009, Sparks Health System was purchased by Health Management Associates, which also

Cancer Center: Summer Bonner a radiation therapy technologist with Hembree Mercy Cancer Center describes the operation of the Varian True Beam STX during an open house tour of the Cancer Center.

BRIAN SANDEFORD >> TIMES RECORD

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www.fortsmith.com

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WHEN IT COMES TO FAMILY CARE,

WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED. SAME-DAY APPOINTMENTS:

WALK IN TODAY:

Alma Family Medical Clinic 937 Hwy. 64 East, Alma 479-632-3855

Sparks Clinic Family Medicine 6100 Massard Rd., Fort Smith 479-709-7250

Sparks Pediatrics 5428 Ellsworth Rd., Fort Smith 479-709-7337

Cornerstone Family Medical Clinic 14 Gothic Ridge Rd., Van Buren 479-474-1100

Sparks Clinic Family Practice 4700 Kelley Hwy., Fort Smith 479-573-7990

Sparks Plaza Family Practice 1500 Dodson Ave., Fort Smith 479-573-7910

5RCTMU (QTV 5OKVJ Family Practice 1500 Dodson Ave., Fort Smith 479-573-7840

Spiro Family Medical Clinic 702 West Broadway, Spiro 918-962-2442

Greenwood Family Medical Clinic -i Â…>LÂ?> iĂƒÂŤ>šœÂ? 1480 West Center St., Greenwood 479-996-5585 5QWVJ2QKPVG (COKN[ 2TCEVKEG 3808 Gary St., Fort Smith 479-709-7120 Sparks Clinic Family Medicine 2010 Chestnut, Suite H, Van Buren 479-471-4280

Sparks Medical Clinic (formerly at Central Mall – PQY LWUV CETQUU VJG UVTGGV PGCT 9CNFTQP 4F 5428 Ellsworth Rd., Fort Smith 479-709-7440 ':6'0&'& *1745 12'0 9''-'0&5

CarePlus 14 Gothic Ridge Rd. Van Buren 479-471-0011 ':6'0&'& *1745 12'0 9''-'0&5 Sparks Family /GFKEKPG s 5QWVJ 8600 South 36th Terrace Fort Smith 479-709-7465

Same-day appointments available for established patients.

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COREY S. KRAKUS // TIMES RECORD FILE PHOTO

Sparks officials provide a tour to the public to show off upgraded facilities. Sparks uses telemedicine technology to provide around-theclock emergency stroke care.

Strong Medicine Since 1920 Independent and physician-owned, Cooper Clinic is a multi-specialty medical group with doctors in 25 specialties. Whether you need a primary care physician or access to many of the area’s leading specialists, you’ll find the quality care you need at Cooper Clinic. 479.274.2000 | cooperclinic.com Main Clinic: 6801 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith

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operates Sparks Van Buren, a 103-bed acute care center formerly known as Summit Medical Center in Van Buren. That same year, Sparks helped found the AOK (Arkansas/Oklahoma) Healthcare Consortium, which uses telemedicine technology to provide around-the-clock emergency stroke care, now available in 11 regional hospitals. Mercy Hospital Fort Smith, Mercy Orthopedic Hospital and Mercy Clinic are part of the sixth-largest Catholic health-care systems in the United States. In the Fort Smith region, they offer an outpatient surgery center, a women’s center, a cancer center as well as a sleep center, home care and hospice and palliative care. In the last several years, Mercy Clinic has opened several clinic locations staffed by physicians and other healthcare providers, including physician assistants and advanced-practice nurses. Sparks and Cooper Clinic also

Medical career programs at UAFS include dental hygiene, nursing, nursing technology, radiography, respiratory care and surgical technology. Fort Smith cares for children at its neonatal ICU, Bost Inc., and the Gregory Kistler Treatment Center, which hopes to provide an opportunity for all children to lead full, productive lives with the assistance of occupational, speechlanguage and physical therapy.

The Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House offers education, encouragement and hope to cancer survivors at any point in their journey. Health care is big business in the greater Fort Smith Region, accounting for 20,000 jobs. Numerous medical facilities are top employers in the region, including Area Agency on Aging, Bost, Cooper Clinic, Mercy Health System and Sparks Health System.

/Â?Ä„Ä„Ä„Ä„ÂŚĂŁĂ›ÂŚĂ›ĂœÂ?Ä„²

uses these “physician extendersâ€? help to meet the medical need in the area. Another measure expected to extend health care in the area is the proposed Arkansas Colleges of Health Education at Chaffee Crossing. The construction of the new $31 million, 102,000-squarefoot medical school is within a few months of being completed as the American Osteopathic Association’s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation continues its review. Mercy Clinic broke ground in 2016 on a new $7.9 million clinic near the college in Chaffee Crossing. Mercy Clinic Fort Smith and ACHE have collaborated to build the 13,500-square-foot clinic, which will feature 28 exam rooms, X-ray, triage and laboratory and conference space to accommodate training requirements of the new osteopathic medical college. The clinic will house eight physicians, three advance practice nurses and about 30 support coworkers. The college is expected to HQUROO LWV Ă€UVW FODVV IDOO 7. Mercy Fort Smith also has been approved to offer two physician residency positions in fall of 2018 or 2019. Fort Smith’s Cooper Clinic is the largest physician-owned multi-specialty group in Arkansas. Founded in 1920 the clinic has doctors in 25 specialities and subspecialties practicing in 16 locations. In addition to MRI and PET, 4D Cardiac Echo, lower-radiation CT, and Bilateral Breast MRI are among the diagnostic tools available to Cooper Clinic patients. Fort Smith is also home to UAMS West, one of eight regional centers of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. UAMS West has a family medicine residency program and offers community education and outreach programs. The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith graduates hundreds of healthcare workers in the area each year.

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jJAMIE MITCHELL >> TIMES RECORD FILE PHOTO

THRIVE: HISTORY

BRIAN SANDEFORD >> TIMES RECORD FILE PHOTO

F

ort Smith began as a western frontier military post, and in the late 1800s, it became the last law-and-order stop on the way to the Wild West. More U.S. marshals are buried in the greater Fort Smith region than anywhere else in the nation, and the Marshals Service selected Fort Smith as the future home for its national museum that will showcase 222 years of history. Visitors to the Fort Smith National Historic Site can take a step back in time on the very spot overlooking the Arkansas 5LYHU ZKHUH WKH ÀUVW PLOLWDU\ RXWSRVW ZDV EXLOW LQ 2Q WKH grounds nearby is a replica of the famed Fort Smith gallows where 80 men were ordered hanged by Judge Isaac C. Parker.

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History includes Marshals, Bordello and the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll

The fully restored courtroom of “Hangin’ Judgeâ€? Parker and early frontier jail known as “Hell on the Borderâ€? are housed in the renovated barracks building, which also houses the site’s Visitor Center. Visitors may enjoy an interpretation of 1DWLYH $PHULFDQ KLVWRU\ UHĂ HFW DORQJ WKH 7UDLO RI 7HDUV DQG VHH displays highlighting the U.S. Marshals and deputies who rode for Parker to protect the West. Celebrating the marshals’ colorful history, in 2012 Fort Smith GHGLFDWHG $UNDQVDV¡ Ă€UVW HTXHVWULDQ VWDWXH WKH ODUJHU WKDQ life Bass Reeves statue at the foot of the Fred Patton Garrison Avenue Bridge.

PHOTO COURTESY OF RACHEL RODEMANN

BRIAN SANDEFORD >> TIMES RECORD FILE PHOTO

Clockwise from left — Bottom left: The Deputy U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves monument at Pendergraft Park. Top left: Travis Joiner, Director of Photography for “Step Into: Miss Laura’s,â€? checks camera angles, during the scene when Miss Laura leaves Fort Smith, ďŹ lmed at the Fort Smith Trolley Museum. Below: Visitors walk the grounds of the Fort Smith National Historic Site. Below right: Granted national status in 1867, the 21-acre U.S. National Cemetery contains almost 13,000 graves.

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Rangers in World War II. The house is a tribute and memorial to Darby and all U.S. Rangers and contains artifacts from Cisterna, Italy, the sister city to Fort Smith. The Darby House is open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission is free. Bob Neely gets a G.I. buzz cut from Elvis’ barber’s son, Jimmy Don Petersenat the Chaffee Barbershop Museum during the Fourth Annual Elvis Haircut Day. Petersen’s father, James P. Petersen, is shown cutting Elvis’ hair in the background photograph on March 25, 1958. BRIAN SANDERFORD >> TIMES RECORD FILE PHOTO

Fort Smith was named the Top True Western Town for 2013 by True West magazine, recognition of the city’s commitment to preserving its Old West heritage through museums, special events, promotion of historic resources and preservation of historic buildings.

BASS REEVES LEGACY MONUMENT Ross Pendergraft Park 200 Garrison Ave. The imposing bronze statue of Bass Reeves astride his mount reminds people that the U.S. Marshals who rode for Judge Isaac Parker were determined to bring order to the lawless frontier. Fort Smith leaders aided by schoolchildren worked for nearly a decade to raise awareness and gather financial support to honor Reeves, a former slave described by a noted historian as “the greatest frontier hero in American history.”

BELLE GROVE HISTORIC DISTRICT North Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth sts. This 22-block area reflects a variety of architectural styles from the past 150 years featuring restored homes and buildings lining the streets with lush, 56

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mature trees and foliage. The district is on the National Register of Historic Places and delights visitors young and old who enjoy a stroll down memory lane.

CLAYTON HOUSE 514 N. Sixth St. 479-783-3000 Originally built in the 1850s, this Italianate-style home was remodeled and enlarged in 1882 by William Henry Harrison Clayton, the U.S. district attorney in Judge Parker’s court. The house is authentically restored and boasts a complete collection of 19th century furnishings throughout, including Clayton family belongings. The house is open for tours from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday, and by special appointment during the week. Private rental for events is also offered. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for Seniors (65+), $3 for ages 6-17 and free for children under the age of 6.

DARBY HOUSE 311 General Darby St. 479- 782-3388 The Darby Foundation, founded in 1977, restored the boyhood home of William O. Darby, famed leader of Darby’s

CHAFFEE BARBERSHOP MUSEUM 479-452-4554 Visit this restored barbershop where enlistees, including Elvis Presley in 1958, received their signature Army buzz cuts. The museum features memorabilia from the base used by the Army to house German prisoners of war, Cuban refugees and relocated Vietnamese citizens. Built in the early 1940s, Fort Chaffee served as a training facility for soldiers heading to the front lines of World War II. Today, the post is used for training National Guard troops. “Biloxi Blues,” “Tuskegee Airmen” and “A Soldier’s Story” were all filmed at Fort Chaffee. The Barbershop Museum is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Admission is free.

FORT SMITH MUSEUM OF HISTORY 320 Rogers Ave. 479-783-7841 For more than 100 years, the Fort Smith Museum of History has been telling the intriguing and exciting stories of Fort Smith’s colorful past. The museum acquires, preserves, exhibits and interprets objects of historical significance relevant to the Greater Fort Smith Region from frontier justice to manufacturing. A gift shop full of unusual gifts and a 1920s soda fountain are also available for guests. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children 6-11. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday yearround, and also from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday Memorial Day through Labor Day.

BECAUSE

REAL LOCAL NEWS MATTERS

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ur readers look to us now more often, and in more ways, than ever before. Whether breaking news alerts by email, photo shares on social media, reviewLQJ R̆HUV IURP ORFDO EXVLQHVVHV RU UHDGLQJ WKH GDLO\ LQ GHSWK VWRULHV RI ORFDO state and national news as part of a beloved morning routine, the Times Record continues to serve as the No. 1 local news source for the River Valley area.

Trusted news coverage for the greater Fort Smith area for more than 100 years.

swtimes.com

FORT SMITH NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE 301 Parker Ave. 479-783-3961 At the Fort Smith National Historic Site, visitors can walk where soldiers drilled, pause along the Trail of Tears and stand where justice was served. The park includes the remains of two frontier forts, the Federal Court for “Hanging Judge” Isaac C. Parker, the barracks/ courthouse/jail, gallows and J.M. Sparks 1887 home. The site is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Admission is $4 for ages 16 and above. Individuals ages 15 and younger get in free when accompanied by an adult.

FORT SMITH REGIONAL ART MUSEUM 1601 Rogers Ave. 479-784-2787 The Fort Smith Regional Art Museum offers greatly expanded educational programming and diverse exhibitions, including nationally and internationally recognized traveling exhibitions.

FORT SMITH TROLLEY MUSEUM 100 S. Fourth St. 479-783-0205 The Fort Smith Trolley Museum is full of fascinating displays of vintage cabooses, passenger cars, locomotives and railroad

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and other transportation memorabilia with a Frisco 4003 Steam Locomotive on display. Visitors can take a ride on a 1926 restored Birney Streetcar for a nostalgic ride through downtown. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission. The trolley runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1-5 p.m. Sunday during the summer (May 1 to Oct. 31). From Nov. 1 to April 30 winter hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Tokens are $2 for adults and $1 for children.

MCCLURE AMPHITHEATER 7201 Massard Road (479) 784-2368 Originally built in 1953 at Fort Chaffee for Army training, this recently renovated outdoor stadium offers a beautiful view of Fort Smith as well as a performance area, benches, pavilions and a walking trail. The entire facility may be rented at a daily rate of $100 with a $100 deposit.

MISS LAURA’S VISITOR CENTER 2 North B St. 479- 83-8888 Miss Laura’s, the only bordello listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is now the unique setting for the Fort Smith Visitor Center. Built just before the turn of the century as the city’s unique Riverfront Hotel, the ornate building soon became widely known as “Miss Laura’s,”

the premier bawdyhouse in the roughand-tumble part of Fort Smith along the Arkansas River. Today, visitors can expect to see the same ill-repute women of the night in complete costume or ride a trolley through the historic district. The center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1-4:30 p.m. Sunday.

U.S. NATIONAL CEMETERY 522 Garland and South Sixth streets 479-783-5345 Land was set aside for a military cemetery when the first fort was built in 1817. Granted national status in 1867, the 21-acre U.S. National Cemetery contains almost 13,000 graves. Some of its most famous residents include Judge Isaac Parker, Darby’s Rangers founder William O. Darby and numerous federal marshals. The cemetery is known for its colorful “Avenue of Flags” displayed each year on patriotic holidays and for “Christmas Honors”, when each grave is decorated with a wreath each Christmas. Cemetery gates are open daily with office hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and is closed on all federal holidays except Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Admission is free.

VAN BUREN HISTORIC MAIN STREET 479- 474-5155 Art galleries, antique shops, boutiques, Victorian accessories, restaurants and historical attractions all dot historic Main Street located in downtown Van Buren. Attractions include the Crawford County Bank Building where marble mantles, lavatories, waterworks and electric lights were the marvel of Van Buren’s first bank. There is also the Crawford County Courthouse that was built in 1842 and is the oldest working courthouse west of the Mississippi. The Old Frisco Depot, built in 1901, is also located on Main Street and has been restored and serves as the Van Buren Visitors Center. The depot is the departure point for the Arkansas and Missouri passenger railroad that travels through the scenic Ozark Mountains.

My wife and I moved to Fort Smith about seven years ago after selling our tiny, one bathroom starter home in central Arkansas. A conversation took place during the sweltering July madness of moving across the state about how we never really talked to any of our neighbors, and we both agreed that was a shame. We arrived in Fort Smith in our mid-twenties, ready to start new jobs, blissfully childless, with very little money, and entirely too many dogs. Our ratio of children versus canines has since began trending in a different direction. However, in that time, we’ve had the pleasure of living in three different parts of Fort Smith and now adore each area for the uniquely cherished experience that they were. A loft apartment downtown, a 1940’s style craftsman in the middle of the city, and now our own small claim of a quiet cul-de-sac on the south side of Fort Smith. And what have a couple of young adults learned from our transition from one nest to the next? Several things, actually. We’ve learned little else on this earth compares to the unpleasantness of moving all of one’s belongings in our unrelenting summer heat and humidity. We’ve learned that I can get a burger in my hands around the clock within minutes of any neighborhood in the city. Although, perhaps more valuable, we’ve learned that the ELJJHVW EHQHÀW RI )RUW 6PLWK FLW\ OLYLQJ is the neighborhoods. You read that right: neighbors! You know the ones. Those strangers walking awfully close to your driveway clenching a leash full of dogs, while simultaneously dragging a tricycle their toddler abandoned three blocks back. Why, they’re practically everywhere! And you never get a weird one. Okay, maybe that’s not true; however, even the strange neighbors provide that perfectly odd shaped puzzle piece your life may be missing.

— THE LAST WORD (S) —

ON THE NEIGHBOR JACKPOT BY MARK AND AUDRA TITSWORTH // Contributing Writers

We’ve met doctors, writers, and retirees. Companions to watch ÀUHZRUNV ZLWK DQG KHOS FXW GRZQ trees. Friends to share Hog games, ÀQDOHV DQG GDQFH VKRZV 3DOV WR mend fences, watch wind storms, tornados. We’ve met painters, artists, and yard-mowing crooners. Lots of strong women and some who cheer Sooners! It’s easy to get complacent with the standard nod, wink, or accompanying ÀQJHU JXQ JHVWXUH ZKLOH JUDEELQJ the morning paper or dragging your trash bin to the curb under cover of GDUNQHVV EXW WKH UHDO EHQHÀWV FRPH from making meager efforts to meet these people that almost call your address home. $VLGH IURP WKH DGGHG EHQHÀW RI having someone close by to have your home and property’s back when you’re RXW RI WRZQ QHLJKERUV PDNH WHUULÀF people watching and maybe even lifelong companions. And believe me, they’re watching you too. Forming relationships with your neighbors may annihilate petty annoyances, teach you something brandnew, and make misunderstandings more understandable. In short, getting to know those nearby next-door neighbors can add a new layer to your life you didn’t even know was missing and may even be WKDW HOXVLYH LQGHÀQDEOH TXDOLW\ IRU which every city in America seems to be searching. So, next time you bake too many cookies, wrap them up, walk next door, and say hello. You too, may feel as though you hit the neighbor jackpot.

Mark and Audra Titsworth live in Fort Smith with their precocious 2-year-old daughter Junie and more than a few furry friends. Both are teachers in the Greenwood school district. In the fall, Mark will be joining the Van Buren School District as assistant vice principal.

www.fortsmith.com

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