RUSTLE - SEPTEMBER 2023

W LIFE

Well, it’s official. My husband and I are now empty nesters, and I do not like it – at all. We moved our son into his dorm at UAFS mid-August. And while we are so proud of him and excited for all that’s to come, we sure do miss him. It just doesn’t seem fair that you get to have them in your presence every day for eighteen years and then on a random Wednesday, it all changes. It’s life, but for now this change is tough!

I pray that our son continues to work hard and follow his dreams and this issue is filled with incredible individuals who have done just that. Eli Cranor traded in his football pads to become an award-winning novelist. Amy Gibbons’ desire to add to her family’s legacy (she also owns Anderson’s Pharmacy) lead her to open Goodies on Garrison, a candy store filled with treats for every sweet tooth. Tay Stratton is bringing the world to the Natural State one zesty spice blend at a time. And Arkansas Colleges of Health Education officially opened the doors to the Research Institute Health & Wellness Center in Fort Smith, where their students and the community can participate in health & wellness programs and a variety of classes.

September is packed with things to do around town and there’s something for everyone! Levitt Amp kicks off their fall music series, several local nonprofits are hosting fundraisers, fall festivals and activities abound and we’re sharing all the details!

Speaking of festivities, this month marks the beginning of our fourteenth year in publication, and we are so excited! I am so thankful for my small but mighty, supertalented team and feel beyond blessed for the support you show us by picking up every issue. And finally, thank you to our amazing family of advertisers; without you, there is no us! Happy September, everyone – let’s enjoy every moment!

SEPTEMBER 2023

OWNER - PUBLISHER - EDITOR

Catherine Frederick

COPY EDITING

Charity Chambers

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Artifex 323 – Jessica Meadors

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Jade Graves

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Marla Cantrell, Catherine Frederick, Dwain Hebda, Sara Putman, Bob Robinson, Liesel Schmidt

ADVERTISING INFORMATION

Catherine Frederick I 479.782.1500

catherine@dosouthmagazine.com

©2023 Read Chair Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the permission of the copyright owner. Opinions contained in Do South® are exclusively those of the writers and do not represent those of Read Chair Publishing, LLC. as a whole or its affiliates. Any correspondence, including photography, becomes the property of Read Chair Publishing, LLC. Do South® reserves the right to edit content and images. Printed in the U.S.A. | ISSN 2373-1893

Catherine Frederick, Owner/Publisher/Editor catherine@dosouthmagazine.com

Annual subscriptions are $36 (12 months), within the contiguous United States. Subscribe at DoSouthMagazine.com or via mail, 4300 Rogers Avenue, Ste. 20, PMB 110, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72903. Single issues available upon request. Inquiries or address changes, call 479.782.1500.

SEPTEMBER EVENTS

Se ptember 2

FORT SMITH SUMMER JAM

Ben Geren Regional Park, Fort Smith

Se ptember 2

TERRANCE SIMIEN & THE ZYDECO EXPERIENCE

Riverfront Amphitheater, Fort Smith

September 3

FORT SMITH MU SEUM OF HISTORY

ANNUAL ICE CREAM SOCIAL Fort Smith Museum of History

Se ptember 7-9

ANASTASIA THE MUSICAL YOUTH EDITION

King Opera House, Van Buren

Se ptember 9

DJARIN @ LEVITT AMP

Riverfront Amphitheater, Fort Smith

Se ptember 9

OPENING RECEPTION FOR HAROLD KELLER: PORTALS

UAFS Gallery of Art and Design, Fort Smith

Se ptember 9

DOWNTOWN JUNK FEST

Van Buren, Arkansas

Se ptember 9

THE FORT SMITH BOYS HOME

ANNUAL CAR SHOW & SILENT AUCTION

Ben Geren Storm Shelter, Fort Smith

Se ptember 9

100 YEARS: A CENTURY OF MUSIC

ArcBest Corporation Performing Arts Center, Fort Smith

Se ptember 14

ACHE RECEPTION

Research Institute Health and Wellness Center, Fort Smith

Se ptember 14 FEST OF ALE Uncork’d, Fort Smith

Se ptember 15

REHAB W/ DARK BELOW The Majestic, Fort Smith

Se ptember 16

AAC LIVE! PRESENTS TIM O'BRIEN & JAN FABRICIUS

801 Media Center, Fort Smith

Se ptember 16

OPENING GALA WITH CHAD BURRIS

Arts on Main, Van Buren

Se ptember 16

PARAGON RAGTIME ORCHESTRA

King Opera House, Van Buren

Se ptember 16

ARKANSAS RIVER VALLEY WALK TO END ALZHEIMER'S

University of Arkansas Fort Smith

Se ptember 16

BRANJAE MUSIC @ LEVITT AMP

Riverfront Amphitheater, Fort Smith

Se ptember 21-30

ARSENIC AND OLD LACE

Fort Smith Little Theatre

Se ptember 22

HTA SCHOLARSHIP GOLF CLASSIC Eagle Crest Golf Course, Alma

Se ptember 22

THE CASH & CLINE SHOW

King Opera House, Van Buren

Se ptember 23

VOLTAJE @ LEVITT AMP

Riverfront Amphitheater, Fort Smith

Se ptember 23

FORT SMITH FALL FESTIVAL

Fort Smith National Historic Site

Se ptember 23 - October 1

ARKANSAS OKLAHOMA STATE FAIR

Kay Rodgers Park, Fort Smith

Se ptember 24

FORT SMITH MARATHON

Riverfront Pavilion, Fort Smith

Se ptember 28

SCOTTY AUSTIN OF SAVING ABEL

The Majestic, Fort Smith

Se ptember 30

DYER DAVIS @ LEVITT AMP

Riverfront Amphitheater, Fort Smith

Se ptember 30

PAINT DOWNTOWN PINK

Fort Smith

ARTS ON MAIN – VAN BUREN

ARTSONMAINVB.COM

Fridays: Throw & Go Pottery

Saturdays: Paint a Pot (8 & up)

Sept. 1: Paint and Sip (21+)

Sept. 5-28: Intro to Pottery Wheel

Starting Sept. 6: Mini Makers

Sept. 8: Tea & Tea Lights Candle Painting

Sept. 9: Cooking up Romance

Sept. 11, 18, 25: Hand Building Pottery

Sept. 15: Pizza Beats & Eats

Sept. 16: Rock Weaving

Sept. 23: Needle Felted Artworks

Sept. 29: Vegetarian Cooking

Sept. 30: Stained Glass Basics

Sept. 30: Scratch to Sauce

UAFS ATHLETICS

UAFORTSMITHLIONS.COM

Sept. 22: Volleyball vs. Lubbock Christian University, 6p

Sept. 23: Volleyball vs. Eastern New M exico University, 2p

BOOKISH: AN INDIE SHOP FOR FOLKS WHO READ – FORT SMITH

BOOKISHFS.COM

Storytime: Saturdays, 11a

Sept. 1: Fort City Slam Open Mic, 6p

Sept. 4: Foodie Book Club, 6p

Sept. 9: Author Harold Trisler

Sept. 14: Romance Book Club, 6p

Sept. 16: Annie’s Garden Blooms, 10a

Sept. 21: YA Book Club, 5:30p

Sept. 29: Mostly Fiction Book Club, 6p

COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF THE ARTS – FORT SMITH

CSAFORTSMITH.ORG

SEPTEMBER CLASSES

High String Ensemble

Rhythm Section Lab

Ballet & Tap

Musical Theatre Choreography

Beyond the Crayon

Beginner Ukulele

Creative Movement & Dance

Homeschool Piano Group

Piano Friends

Annie Kids

James and the Giant Peach

A Christmas Story The Musical

Improv Comedy Troupe

THE BAKERY DISTRICT – FORT SMITH BAKERYFS.COM

Yoga: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5:30p

Cornhole (Bags at The Bakery): Wednesdays, 6:30p

Fort Smith Jazz Jam: 3rd Thursday, 6:30p

Bik es at The Bakery: 3rd Friday

Fort Smith Blues Jam: 3rd Sunday, 1p

FORT SMITH REGIONAL ART MUSEUM

FSRAM.ORG

Permanent exhibits: Sparks Sculpture

Garden, The Touch Gallery, Dr. W. E. Knight Porcelain Gallery

RAM Saturdays: 12-4p (FREE)

Drop in & Draw: Thursdays, 1-3p (FREE)

Sept. 3: Guided Tours, 2p (FREE)

Sept. 15: Paint N Sip: Vincent Van Gogh

Sept. 17: John Bell, Jr. Landmark Lessons

Sept. 22: Lecture, M. Speer, 5p (FREE)

To Oct 15: John Bell, Jr.: A Painted Legacy

To Oct 15: Patsy Lane: Cast in Bronze

To Nov. 5: M. Speer An Artist’s Journey

To Dec 31: Select Works, Liz Whitney Quisgard

Fall for Fun

words Liesel Schmidt

Fort Smith has a long history rich in heritage and culture—and as it has grown and changed over the years, it has only become more special. Beautiful scenery, friendly community, and so much history combines to create a city that people love, and they all come together to celebrate the season and events not to be missed.

FEST OF ALE SEPTEMBER 14

Craft beer lovers will want to mark their calendars for the 10th annual Fest of Ale, presented by Sodie’s Wine and Spirits. The only local craft beer event, the festival offers an exclusive opportunity to be the first to try a new beer before it hits the market from Burford and Belle Point Distributing.

Hosted by Uncork’d, the restaurant closes to the public making it a private and intimate affair—complete with food pairings based on the flavor profiles of the beer. Ticketholders will enjoy one red and white wine food pairing, along with as many as twenty craft beers paired with eight-to-ten dishes.

“This event supports Girls, Inc. of Fort Smith and helps provide funds to support their afterschool and outreach programs for approximately 1,000 girls each year,” explains Amanda Daniels, Executive Director of Girls, Inc. “Our organization inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold, providing life-changing experiences and solutions to the unique challenges that they face. Our mission is to help make girls successful and confident, and we also work with policymakers to advocate for legislation and initiatives that increase opportunities for girls. At Girls, Inc. girls grow up healthy, educated, and independent.” Tickets cost $80 per ticket or $150 per couple and can be purchased online, via phone or in person at Sodie’s or Girls, Inc. For more information, visit girlsincfortsmith.org.

FORT SMITH FALL FESTIVAL SEPTEMBER 23

Since it was established in 2018, the Fort Smith Fall Festival has been the perfect welcome to the season, bringing together everything that makes the area so special—all in one fun event. “The festival is unique as it encapsulates what Fort Smith is so well known for: amazing people, incredible heritage and history,” says Cody Faber, who created the festival and wears the many hats of park ranger as well as volunteer/living history/ historic weapons coordinator at the Fort Smith National Historic Site. “Visitors to the event will see everything from outdoor events, vendors, and food trucks to special museum programing like historic reenactment trials, cannon shoots, cavalry charges, and more. Ride the historic trolley, stop by the recently opened U.S. Marshals Museum, and enjoy hands-on kids programming at the National Historic Site. There's no other event for which all the museums and sites downtown come together in this special way.”

The event is free to attend, and most sites will either have lowered admission fees or will offer free admittance for the festival. Proceeds support local museums and attending vendors.

Coordinated by the Fort Smith National Historic Site, sponsors include the Fort Smith Museum of History, the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, the Fort Smith Trolley Museum, the Fort Smith Convention and Visitors Bureau and the U.S. Marshals Museum. For more information, visit fortsmith.org.

OKTOBERFEST OCTOBER 7

The month of October would be incomplete without a nod to the German tradition of Oktoberfest, and the Fort Smith Downtown Business Association, in partnership with the Bar and Restaurant Committee and all businesses and organizations downtown, is pleased to be presenting the local area with a fantastic event for the second year. “We believe this free event will create a family-friendly atmosphere downtown and help build a cheerful outlook about downtown Fort Smith among the public,” says Stephanie Nugent, director of the Fort Smith Downtown Business Association.

The event takes place on October 7, beginning with the 3rd Street Oktoberfest Block Party from 8am – 5pm, hosted by Olen & Co Market. Partygoers will enjoy a “vendor village,” great food, live music and more. For anyone interested in some spooky history, Haunted Walking Tours/Ghost Stories will take place throughout the day, hosted by the Fort Smith Museum of History. At noon, 708 Cornhole Oktoberfest Street Fling will take place at 3rd and Garrison, hosted by Rham Cunningham. Shop around at the Harvest Market in the First National Bank parking lot from 1pm to 6pm. Hosted by Fort Smith Downtown Business Association, the market includes a variety of attractions as well as food and live music. Car enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Show n' Shine Car Show, hosted by Fort Smith Downtown Business Association, running from 1pm to 6pm. Raise a glass at the Pub Crawl from 10am to 2am, and visit participating area pubs, bars and restaurants for your Entertainment District commemorative cups, great beer, and an unforgettable experience. For more information, visit godowntownfs.org.

HAVANA NIGHTS OCTOBER 16

Kicked off a decade ago at the home of Susan and Sam Fiori, Havana Nights is the result of Susan Fiori and Patti West’s efforts to create a unique and fun fundraiser for the Fort Smith Children’s Shelter Foundation. “We create a relaxed but lively atmosphere for our guests,” says Lauren Pruitt, director of development at FSCSF. “Everyone is encouraged to come in flip-flops, fedoras, and tropical attire.”

This year’s event will feature a premium liquor tasting during cocktail hour, with appetizer stations, a cigar lounge that is open throughout the evening, Cuban-themed cuisine, a silent and live auction, an epic after-party with music from The Get Down, and food from Taco Bell— “For our fourth meal cravings!” Lauren says.

All proceeds for this ticketed event benefit the Fort Smith Children’s Shelter Foundation, which supports the GetREALU program to support youth aging out of foster care. “These events bring people together to raise awareness and hope for those that are in great need in Arkansas and in our community,” Lauren notes. “GetREAL provides healing and guidance, cultivates healthy and life-long relationships and transforms trauma into hope as each individual realizes their potential to become productive members of society.” Tickets cost $175, with tables available for purchase. For more information, visit getrealu.org.

LAKE FORT SMITH STATE PARK

words and images courtesy Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism

A beautiful multi-use area on the banks of Lake Fort Smith, this is a scenic, well-maintained park in the Boston Mountain Valley of the Ozarks with camping, fishing, kayaking, hiking, and mountain biking. For backpackers, it is the western terminus of the 240-mile Ozark Highlands Trail. The park offers 30 campsites (20 Class AAA and 10 Class B), 10 cabins, a swimming pool, marina with boat rentals, pavilion, picnic sites, and group facilities including a dining hall and two group lodges with full-size kitchens. The visitor center houses a replica pioneer log cabin and covered wagon with exhibits and programs on the area’s early history. Park interpreters lead guests on nature hikes and lake tours year-round. Swimming, water skiing, stand-up paddle boarding, and jet skiing, are not allowed on the lake. The park is located at 15458 Sheperd Springs Road in Mountainburg, Arkansas. Plan your adventure at arkansas.com or call 877.879.2741.

RUN FOR A CAUSE

Walk to End Alzheimer’s

September 16, 2023

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

The Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's is the world's largest fundraiser for Alzheimer's care, support, and research. Participants enjoy local vendor booths and join in for a walk at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. There is no fee to register for the event, but participants are encouraged to raise funds to further research toward methods of prevention, treatment and, ultimately, a cure. Register to walk at alz.org/ARwalk!

Fort Smith Marathon

September 24, 2023

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

The start/finish of this challenging race is the beautiful University of Arkansas-Fort Smith campus. Participants will take a running tour of the city including Chaffee Crossing and Ben Geren trails. The cost is $200 for a relay team, $100 for the marathon, and $75 for the half marathon. The Good Samaritan Clinic has been chosen as the beneficiary of the event. Register to run at fortsmithmarathon.com.

Paint Chaffee Pink 5k

September 30, 2023

The Vue Venue, Fort Smith

Paint Chaffee Pink 5K raises money to support breast cancer awareness education, and services for patients and families through the Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House in Fort Smith. Tickets are $25 and are available on Eventbrite.com/ paintchaffeepink or on Paint Chaffee Pink’s Facebook page. All

proceeds go to the Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House in Fort Smith. In 2022, the Paint Chaffee Pink event raised $10,000 for the house!

Survivors' Challenge

Saturday October 21, 2023

Donald W Reynolds Cancer Support House

Fort Smith

The Survivors’ Challenge, a family-friendly event, celebrates its 32nd year and is one of the largest races in the River Valley featuring a 10K run, 5K run/walk and a Celebration Walk. The cost is $35 for the 10K, $25 for the 5K run/walk, and $20 for the Celebration Walk. Paid registration includes a T-shirt and goody bag! Register at reynoldscancersupporthouse.org. Don’t want to walk/run? Volunteer! Whitney’s Race Contact natalie@ reynoldscancersupporthouse.org.

Whitney’s Race

October 28, 2023

The Bakery District, Downtown Fort Smith

In 2018 Fort Smith resident and avid runner, Whitney Marsh, age 41, passed away from pancreatic cancer. Her family wanted a way to remember who she was and not what cancer made her. Whitney’s Race is a 5k/10k that raises funds and honors her memory. Cost is $30 for the 5k, $40 for the 10k, $20 for supporting spectators with a t-shirt, and $10 for a virtual race. To become a runner, donor, vendor, or sponsor, visit whitneysrace.org.

words Catherine Frederick image courtesy Whitney’s Race

Levitt Amp Fall Music Series

WORDs Bob Robinson images courtesy 64.6 Downtown

GRAB YOUR PICNIC BASKET, ice chest, and lawn chairs and get ready for five weekends of live music during the month of September. The Levitt Amp Fall Music Series is bringing bands from around the country to Fort Smith’s picturesque Riverfront Amphitheater. World-class live entertainment for the entire family. And it’s FREE!

The music series is sponsored in part by the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation (levitt.org), with additional support from the City of Fort Smith, Dream Alliance Foundation, and Choctaw Casino & Resort. Since 2015, the Levitt Foundation has provided funding to bring the joy of free, live music to more than fifty small to mid-size communities across America.

In 2017 the Levitt Foundation grant appeared on the radar of Talicia Richardson, Executive Director of 64.6 Downtown. Talicia and Fort Smith City Administrator Carl Geffken began reviewing the specifics of the grant. They found the Riverfront Amphitheater and downtown community met all the core values defined for the grant. With the City's full support, Talicia applied for the grant in 2019. It was approved and concerts on the riverfront began in 2021. The grant includes funding for the music series through 2026.

The Riverfront Amphitheater is an ideal location to host family-friendly community gatherings. The terraced stone seating built into the hillside will accommodate approximately five hundred spectators. Each level provides an unobstructed view of the stage, plus ample space for attendees to set up lawn chairs or spread a blanket to watch performers. If the music motivates listeners to dance, there is plenty of room to let loose. The 6pm start time will also gift audiences with a scenic sunset across the Arkansas River.

The amphitheater was created in 2001 as part of the Riverfront Master Plan to extend Harry E. Kelley Park. The city already owned property north of the park; however, the elevation was twenty-two feet higher than the existing park. Gaylen Hunter of Mahg Architecture, Inc. said the original design proposed a walkway for visitors to transition down the incline to reach the Donald W.

Dyer Davis September 30

Voltaje September 23

Djarin September 9

Branjae September 16

Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience September 2

Reynolds Stage. Gaylen saw the gentle sloping grade as an opportunity to create something unique for the park. He and John McIntosh traveled to Chattanooga, Tennessee, to see how they had developed their riverfront. They returned to create this amazing, natural outdoor performance venue.

To date, concerts were held on Thursdays. For 2023 the ten concerts were split into two separate series. Five performances during the spring season in May, and June, with the remaining scheduled for Saturday’s in September. Talicia is excited about hosting a portion of the series at the end of summer. She believes this will expand the reach of their audience.

“UAFS classes will be in session,” Talicia explained. “Students who attend the university from out of town would not have been attending classes during the first half of the series. It will also allow families to join the festivities who had been unable to work it into their busy weekday schedules during the spring series.”

She believes the Saturday concerts will encourage attendees to tie the Levitt performances with other activities and spend the day exploring the downtown area. They can visit the recently opened U.S. Marshals Museum, the Regional Art Museum, or stroll along the Gregg Smith River Trail, then conclude the day with an evening of live music. Or attend the concert first and head downtown afterward for dinner. They could also double down on live music at one of the clubs on Garrison Avenue. Performances at most of those venues normally strike up the bands after the 9pm finale of the Levitt Amp performances.

Those attending the Levitt music series living outside Fort Smith might choose to make it a weekend event. Reserve a room at one of the nearby downtown hotels and walk to the Levitt Amp. Music lovers who own a camper can set up their home on wheels at the new Riverfront RV Resort less than a mile downriver from the amphitheater. The downtown area offers a wide array of activities for visitors to explore.

Attendees will discover a diverse mix of music genres, from Louisiana Creole Zydeco to classic funk rhythm & blues. And the backgrounds of the performers are equally wide-ranging from BAM (Black American Music) singer Branjae to Hispanic

rock band Voltaje. The series is an excellent opportunity to experience music you may never have had the chance to before now. This checks the box for one of the guiding principles for the Levitt Foundation’s grants, “high-caliber arts programming that reflects a wide range of tastes and cultural traditions.”

“Diversity of the genre is important to them,” explained Talicia. “Their mission is to expose people to music they may not normally listen to.”

The Levitt Foundation encourages audiences who would not normally attend the same events to come together, to engage with one another and expand their circle of family and friends.

Read the stories behind this collection of interesting musicians coming to the Riverfront Amphitheater at the 64.6 website. However, do not allow unfamiliarity with a style of music to influence your decision to attend. Embrace the differences. Mark the dates for all the performances on your calendar! You never know, classic traditional Latin rhythm may become your new favorite music playlist.

Perhaps by bringing followers of diverse music categories together for five consecutive weekends, we will discover we aren’t all that different, just as Mortimer and Mimi Levitt had intended.

For more details on upcoming performers, visit 646downtown.com.

Boots & Bow Ties

words Bryan Thompson and Catherine Frederick

Like many local nonprofits, the majority of the Hope Campus operating budget is funded through community donations. Some months are plentiful while others find the budget stretched beyond limits. To raise much needed funds, they are hosting a new event, Boots & Bow Ties, on October 21, 2023!

Boots & Bow Ties is the theme, so you’re sure to find hay bales and boots galore. Everyone in attendance is encouraged to don their favorite pair of boots, and of course, a bow tie! The atmosphere will be lively, complete with awesome music from Mr. Cabbage Head and the Screaming Radishes, lots of dancing, delicious food catered by Betsey Joannides Catering, and a silent auction (we hear a generous family donated their condo in Indian Shores, Florida for an entire week)! All the fun takes place at The Bakery District in downtown Fort Smith – the perfect setting for all the festivities.

Hope Campus wants our community to know that stability, wholeness, and restoration is possible! The direction for their mission has never been clearer; however, they need our support to continue this worthy calling. At Hope Campus, dedication is steadfast, resolve unwavering, and hearts are full of hope!

Hope Campus seeks to be the stabilizing factor for those in need to rebuild their lives and restore selfsufficiency and wholeness. Their mission impacts our local community in a way that empowers our neighbors in a healthy and prosperous, positive direction.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from Boots & Bow Ties goes to Hope Campus to support their programs and services. Tickets are $75 per person, $125 per couple, or $600 for a table of eight. Visit riverviewhopecampus.org for tickets and to learn more!

Boots

Boots & Bow Ties

OCTOBER 21, 2023

THE BAKERY

OCTOBER 21, 2023

70 SOUTH 7TH STREET

THE BAKERY

5:30 - 10:00 P.M.

TICKETS: $75 PER PERSON

70 SOUTH 7TH STREET

$125 PER COUPLE

5:30 - 10:00 P.M.

TICKETS:

TICKETS: $75 PER PERSON

TABLE OF 8: $600 SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE

$125 PER COUPLE

TABLE OF 8: $600 SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE

Don your favorite boots and enjoy food, music, and fun all to

Don

Don

Fall in Love with Shopping Local

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L’Originale Wines in Mango & Chili, Pineapple & Chili, and Lime & Chili

IN GOOD SPIRITS

Farmhouse White Bread from Harvest Moon Bakery, Local Arkansas Honey, Suzy’s Maple Honeynut Granola

MARKET BY THE PARK

479.785.0685

Hearts On Fire Vela Solitaire with Diamond Gallery Inset in the Vela Cocktail Ring

JOHN MAYS JEWELERS

479.452.2140

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Hear Everything and Protect Your Hearing with SoundGear Electronic Hearing Protection. CENTER FOR HEARING AND BALANCE

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imageS Jade Graves Photography and courtesy vendors

2023 LOCAL SHOP PROFILES

special ADVERTISING FEATURE pRESENTED BY

WORDS Dwain Hebda and Catherine Frederick some interviews have been edited for length and clarity

Do South® Magazine is proud to recognize local shops in our community committed to providing the very best in home décor, apparel and unique gift items!

THE BLACK BISON COMPANY/ MARKET BY THE PARK

Looking for that one-of-a-kind item for a gift or to treat yourself? Look no further than Black Bison Company and Market by the Park, unique shops offering merchandise to suit every occasion or taste.

Black Bison Company boasts an eclectic mix of kitchenware, home décor, luxury soaps and lotions, table wear, handbags, seasonal items, candles, and a curated selection of men’s gifts.

“One of the newer things at the Black Bison gift shop is bridal registry and baby registry,” says Carey Thompson, co-owner. “That’s brand-new for us with the expansion of many additional items for home décor and in the kitchen.”

Black Bison’s inventory can best be described as casually elegant, delivering a warm Southern-chic look without being overly fussy. Combined with the offerings at its sister store – the new Market by the Park – the company offers everything the modern home can want in things of good taste and that taste good.

“The Market now carries all our specialty foods, including our signature Black Bison coffee,” Carey says. “You’ll also find specialty gourmet food from local artisans as well as Arkansasmade food items.”

Market by the Park, which shares a building with longtime favorite Sweet Bay Coffee Company, offers a line of gourmet food items that are sure to please every foodie in the family.

“One of the things that has been very popular is our line of gourmet take-and-bake meals,” Carey says. “The oils and vinegars that we have started carrying from Olivelle are another popular item. We also feature an oil and vinegar tasting room onsite, which is very cool.”

Both businesses will soon ramp up for the holiday shopping season, Carey says.

“We’ll start getting our holiday items in the next four weeks,” she says. “There’s always something special in that, so we invite everyone to come by and check us out.”

MEREGOLD HOME & DÉCOR

Meredith Marney started her career as a television reporter, but she always had a passion for decorating. Growing up, her parents owned a retail store which planted the seed for entrepreneurship in the back of her mind. A few years ago, she launched Meregold Home & Décor in a modest booth space at a local flea market.

“I thought it would be a fun business,” Meredith says of the shop. “I remember one weekend I went home and presented my parents a business proposal. I wrote it up and everything. I was like, this is what I’m going to do. They were on board and have really supported me ever since.”

In four years, Meregold Home & Décor grew to be the market’s largest booth and a little more than a year ago it moved into its first brick-and-mortar location.

“It started as a little side hustle, just something that I really, truly enjoyed,” Meredith says. “Since then, we’ve branched out a lot. When we first started, we just did home décor and that’s been the

primary focus still today. But over time, we’ve had a little fun with it and got into some clothing and accessory items.”

The merchandise is as varied as it is charming. Casual clothing, tabletop and home décor share space with items for the garden, game day and even the man cave. “We try to offer a little bit of everything for everybody,” Meredith said. “My mother works with me in the business, and we have so much fun together and we continue to learn from each other every day.”

Some of the store’s big sellers include an Arkansas-made line of candles and a collection of broad-brimmed women’s hats boasting collegiate spirit by Patina Rose Hattery. Seasonal items are also huge for Meregold Home & Décor, which stocks everything one needs to welcome the changing of the calendar and holidays in style.

“Our inventory blends the old with the new; combining old antiques with up-to-date décor,” Meredith says. “That’s what our customers look for and that’s what we’re proud to bring them.”

THE POLKA-DOTTED ZEBRA CHILDREN'S BOUTIQUE

Ever since Sheila Bailey opened her charming boutique The PolkaDotted Zebra, parents and grandparents alike have flocked to her store to shop an adorable collection of children’s clothes, shoes and accessories. And now with its new location, a 2,620-squarefoot showplace in Fort Smith’s bustling Chaffee Crossing district, the store enters a new chapter serving families throughout the River Valley.

“We’re in an outstanding area, The Village at Heritage,” Sheila said. “This is an up-and-coming, very nice area and a neighborhood with lots of families. We’re definitely very excited to be here and serve our wonderful customers.”

The address may be new, but the merchandise features the same quality name brands for which the store has always been known. Pink Chicken, Me & Henry, Properly Tied, Magnetic Me, Millie Jay, Mabel+Honey, SouthBound, Natives, SunSan and Baby Bling are just a few of the favorites to be found here.

Sheila curates the unique inventory of items personally, shopping the famed Dallas market twice a year with the goal of bringing the most unique, trendy, and special pieces and gifts to customers for every season and holiday.

“The companies that I buy from mostly don’t sell to big department stores,” Sheila said. “Most of them are catering to boutique sales outlets such as ours. These aren’t items you can generally find. It’s more of the unique items and that’s what we’ve built our business on.”

In addition to a thriving clientele of new parents and parents of young children, The Polka-Dotted Zebra has created an equally large and enthusiastic customer base among grandparents.

“Actually, if I had to guess, I’d say grandparents are probably my largest customer segment,” she said. “Parents, a lot of times, are concerned with covering the necessities, while grandparents are in a position to spend a little extra on the fun things, the cute things. I’ve got a lot of parents that are excellent customers as well, but grandparents are definitely a big part of the business.”

Do South ® Cares

GetREALU seeks to create a safe and stable environment where at-risk youth who are aging out of foster care or have become homeless learn the fundamentals of adulthood to empower them to overcome the cycle of dysfunction.

Who does GetREALU serve and in what ways?

We serve youth in the state of Arkansas, ages 18-21, in the process of aging out of foster care. In 2021, we raised funds to help local non-DHS youth in crisis. Many times, these teens had once been in foster care but were placed back with a family member and later ended up homeless. In total, GetREALU serves 19 young adults.

What specific needs in the community does this program address?

We equip kids who have been in foster care their entire life with tools they need to survive as adults. Sebastian County has one of the highest foster care populations in the state, and Fort Smith has a large homeless population. We recognized the need to expand the non-DHS side of our program to help teens break the cycle of homelessness.

How long has GetREALU served the community?

3015 South 14th Street

Fort Smith, Arkansas

479.783.0018

getrealu.org

GetREAL was founded by the Children’s Shelter Foundation in 2016 after watching young kids that had stayed in the former Children’s Emergency Shelter, sign themselves out of DHS care on their 18th birthday. They longed for freedom from the system, but didn’t have families to return to, skills to survive, or money to pay bills. A feasibility study determined the GetREAL program was needed, so the Children’s Shelter purchased a 24-unit apartment complex adjacent to the former shelter for housing.

Are there any upcoming events our readers should know about?

Next month, we’ll showcase another worthy nonprofit in our area free of charge. Requests for this free page accepted beginning October, 2023. Send inquiries to catherine@dosouthmagazine.com, or call 479.782.1500.

Yes! The 10th anniversary of our fundraiser, Havana Nights, is Friday, October 6 at The Bakery District! Havana Nights is a casual, Cuban-themed event for all to attend. Guests are encouraged to wear tropical attire, flip-flops, & fedoras! We will have a Cuban cuisine buffet, bourbon tasting, Winston’s cigar lounge, LIVE & silent auction, and an after party with a live band! Proceeds benefit the Children’s Shelter Foundation and GetREALU. For tickets visit getrealu.org!

What else should our readers know about GetREALU?

The REAL in GetREALU is an acronym for Restorative, Empowering, Aspiring, Living. We Restore brokenness in the lives of young adults who grown up in foster care. We Empower young adults aging out or facing homelessness to find their true potential to overcome adversity. We Aspire our members to become educated by attending college, vocational school, or a career choice to support them after state funding ends on their 21st birthday. Our young adults are Living in a community that understands their trauma and helps navigate healthy relationships and a path to success. We have a long waiting list of youth in crisis who have applied to our program. We seek to build a new “Commons” building on our campus to house fifteen additional young adults plus a resident assistant. It is a great honor to be able to serve this population and we want to equip the future generation with hope, healing, and guidance so they can break the cycle and find their place in society.

words Catherine Frederick with Lauren Pruitt, Director of Development, GetREALU, A Program of Fort Smith Children’s Shelter

TONIE, AGE 10

Meet Tonie, an amazing preteen who is interested in dancing and cheerleading and whose favorite fast food is McDonalds! One of her favorite memories is visiting her aunt’s and getting to play with a puppy. So, if your family has dogs, Tonie would love it! She is a typical preteen who doesn’t like to get in trouble, and doesn’t like to discuss her behaviors with people, but she is attending therapy, taking medication for ADHD, and is working on becoming a better version of herself, just like the rest of us! Tonie would do well in a home that has good structure, and has parental figures who are soft spoken, but firm and who are willing to be patient and loving towards her. Tonie has a lot of love to give and is ready to be in a home where there is much love given in return. If this sounds like you or your family, please contact us at Project Zero for more information!

In partnership with Project Zero and the Arkansas Heart Gallery, each month Do South® will feature a waiting child, or sibling group, in foster care in Arkansas. To inquire about these incredible children, please visit theprojectzero.org.

IMAGE courtesy Jon Yoder Photography

MAKING THE GRADE

While school is officially back in session, for many families this presents challenges as they navigate learning, multitasking, and organizational skills. Attention deficit/hyperactive disorder is a prevalent diagnosis among school-aged children and teens. Data obtained from health surveys conducted in 2016 demonstrated 6.1 million children are being treated for ADHD, an increase of 2 million from 2003. Over time, this has led to an increase in adult-residual ADHD among college students and adults in the workforce.

WHAT IS ADHD

ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood and will often last into adulthood. It is characterized by difficulty paying attention, poor control of impulsive behaviors (acting without considering consequences) and being excessively active. This spectrum disorder comprises three subtypes: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive/impulsive, and combined presentation.

PREDOMINANTLY INATTENTIVE

Individuals may find it hard to complete a task, especially if it requires multiple steps, sustained attention, or has many details. Conversation may be affected, especially in an environment with other distracting elements. Difficulty in completing and maintaining daily routines may also be experienced.

PREDOMINANTLY HYPERACTIVE/IMPULSIVE

Individuals may find it difficult to sit still for a long period (attending a lecture, sitting for a meal, or completing homework). Young children may run, jump, or climb at inappropriate times. Older children, adolescents, and adults may fidget or get restless during periods of waiting. Examples of impulsive behaviors include interrupting others, grabbing a desired object from another without asking, and difficulty waiting in line. Impulsivity may result in poor decisions; leading to accidents or injuries as consequences are not often considered.

WORDS Dr. Kendall Wagner, Chaffee Crossing Clinic Image StepanPopov/Shutterstock

POTENTIAL CAUSES

While the exact cause of ADHD is not fully understood, it is thought to be a combination of genetics, birth history/trauma, environment, and sometimes traumatic brain injury related to sports or recreational activities. It is clear from family studies that the diagnosis of ADHD occurs more frequently in some families. However, it has also been demonstrated that ADHD increases among student athletes who have had a concussion, premature infants, and those who were exposed to neurotoxins both prenatal and postnatal. Environmental factors such as poor sleeping habits, excessive screen time, and increased sugar intake may exacerbate underlying symptoms. Another growing concern is the effect of artificial food dyes on behavior. In 2011, the FDA stated that synthetic food dyes had no adverse effects, however studies suggest that red dye 40 and other synthetic food dye additives may increase symptoms in some children. While the effect appears small, certain individuals may react more strongly when exposed so a trial of avoidance may be helpful to see if ADHD symptoms worsen after exposure.

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis of ADHD is completed by a doctor or a mental health professional. While there is no single test for ADHD, a combination of medical history and physical examination may be combined with Conner’s Index or Vanderbilt Assessment rating scales. It is important to rule out factors such as hearing and vision problems as well as specific learning disabilities, mental health challenges such as anxiety or depression, and sleep disorders. Blood tests to assess heavy metal toxicity or vitamin deficiencies may also be evaluated.

TREATMENT

While there is no cure, the goal is to reduce symptoms and increase functionality. Treatment may begin with improving sleep schedules, ensuring a healthy balanced diet, and evaluating the need to remove excess sugar or artificial food dyes. Establishing a healthy routine, especially concerning

bedtime and the use of electronic devices, has demonstrated improvement in sleep and ADHD symptoms. Checklists, organizational folders, and electronic reminders may help complete detailed or multistep tasks in personal care, interpersonal relationships, and the workplace.

Cognitive behavioral therapy, a mental health therapy focused on strengthening wanted behaviors, such as increased focus, and eliminating unwanted behaviors, such as impulsivity, may be considered. In addition to a healthy, well-balanced diet, vitamin supplements such as vitamin D, magnesium, theanine, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and natural caffeine extract (coffee or green tea) may also be helpful in managing ADHD symptoms. Some supplements may not be appropriate for young children or certain patients with cardiac concerns, and any supplements should be discussed with your physician prior to starting them. For some patients, treatment with prescription medications is required. These medications work by increasing the “alertness” of the brain while decreasing hyperactivity and impulsivity. Non-stimulant medications allow the brain to react less impulsively and decrease “background noise” of thoughts or stimuli that might divert focus and attention.

Treatment may also include addressing any underlying mental health concerns. Anxiety and depression occur very frequently in patients with ADHD. Substance abuse and self-treatment with stimulants may occur in patients not adequately treated for ADHD and associated mental health concerns.

If you feel you or your child may be experiencing symptoms of ADHD, the first step is a conversation with your physician or a mental health professional. Your child’s teacher or counselor may also provide input. Additionally, many colleges have mental health services available to students. When it comes to ADHD, making the grade begins with a conversation – and the good news is help is available!

September Recommendations courtesy Sara

Putman, Bookish

Enjoy these recommendations from our friends at Bookish, Fort Smith, Arkansas’ only independently owned bookstore located in The Bakery District.

Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey

by Florence Williams

What this personal narrative about a woman going through divorce lacks in professional tone, it gains in variety of sciences. Divorce is different than grieving a loved one or getting over a childhood crush. Williams shares the misery of being rejected by someone to whom you are still deeply attached. Unlike many science-based books, she offers a chronological plot. We grow and heal alongside her. We see her kids learn to drive and we revisit data that was gathered in years one, two, and three. She is a special writer with the uncanny ability to pack a book full of research while making it accessible – even entertaining. Even if you’re not experiencing heartbreak, you’ll find her journey relatable.

The Connellys of County Down

by Tracey Lange

I love a good dysfunctional family story! This one begins as our protagonist is released from prison after serving eighteen months on a drug charge. Tara Connelly now must rebuild her life at thirty years old, and even her release from prison isn’t simple. Upon release, Tara moves in with her siblings, Tara and her older brother Eddie were raised by their older sister Geraldine when their mom died of cancer and their dad abandoned them. It’s the age-old story of families failing to communicate their feelings to the ones they love the most, but Lange puts a spin on it, that the Irish in all of us will appreciate.

Tom Lake

by Ann Patchett

Ann Patchett is the darling of the literary world; her essays and novels have spotlighted the nuances in American families and relationships for decades. In her newest novel, and I think one of her very best, Lara Nelson tells the story of the time she was almost famous to her three grown daughters during COVID. While they’re all stuck together on the family farm, Lara and Joe’s present weaves in and out of the past. It’s a beautiful look at family and the choices we make, and it’s set in an idyllic cherry orchard in Tom Lake, Michigan. Fans of Our Town will enjoy the references to the play, and fans of great storytelling will enjoy the rest.

The Museum of Human History

by Rebekah Bergman

In her debut novel, Bergman takes our knowledge of fairy tales and weaves it into a story centered on a young girl in a comatose state. You know how Sleeping Beauty and Snow White slept soundly until a prince arrived? Well, this is like that, except there isn’t really a prince and Bergman’s speculative fiction asks readers to revisit existential questions like memory, time, and aging. As Maeve sleeps, the characters grapple with a mysterious new technology and medical advances that promise to ease anxiety and end pain, but instead cause devastating side effects. Bergman’s novel deals with issues like the opioid epidemic, hazards of biotech, and obsession with self-improvement and staying young.

The Sweet Writing Life of Award-Winning Novelist Eli Cranor

WORDs Marla Cantrell images courtesy Eli Cranor

Eli Cranor and Layla

IIt’s one o’clock on a Tuesday afternoon when award-winning novelist Eli Cranor walks into Dog Ear Books in Russellville, Arkansas. Conjure up an image of a nose-to-the-grindstone writer, and you might imagine rounded shoulders, a gaze rising above a pair of strong eyeglasses, the slight paunch of someone who sits for too long, day after day, bathed in the artificial glow of a computer screen.

Eli is none of that. The former football star—quarterback at Russellville High School; quarterback at Ouachita Baptist University; quarterback for the pro team, the Carlstad Crusaders in Sweden—moves with the grace of a longtime athlete. He’s spent twenty-nine of his thirty-five years keeping his eye on the ball, first on the field and later as a high school coach. With that behind him, he now swims every day, not far from his house on nearby Lake Dardanelle.

In the water, he is alone with his thoughts, and those thoughts are anchored in what he’s writing. The rugged stories that materialize are set in fictionalized towns in Arkansas, populated by characters wise in the ways of the Ozarks.

In both of his novels, Don’t Know Tough, published in 2022, and Ozark Dogs, published in 2023, Eli shows the underbelly of Arkansas, the places where poverty abounds, where desperate people who dare to dream at all, dream modestly, and football is always the biggest game in town. Arkansas is a character itself, where survival can depend on how well you know the land, how well you can navigate the cliffs and valleys, waterways, and woods. Especially when someone’s hunting you down. Because in Eli’s hard-boiled books, there’s always someone out to get you.

The nation has taken notice of his writing, of lines like this one: Arkansas hills produce crazy like the Earth’s mantle produces diamonds. The sentence is given extra meaning when you consider the Crater of Diamonds in Murfreesboro, the only place in Arkansas or the nation where diamonds are mined.

In a stroke of acclaim rarely given to first-time novelists, New York Times writer Sarah Weinman praised Don’t Know Tough in her review, in March 2022. The book was later named one of the Best Crime Novels by the prestigious newspaper. It also won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel by An American Author and was the winner of the Lovesay First Crime Novel Contest.

Eli carries these accolades carefully, holding them in grateful hands. As he walks past a display in Dog Ear Books, where copies of Ozark Dogs sprawl across a prominent shelf, he smiles, drawing in the light around him. He is wearing a St. Louis Cardinals jersey. He has a covey of soft bracelets on one wrist. He has sunglasses tucked in the V of his shirt. Later he will laugh and say that a noted writer once described him as “a bald, bearded, white guy from Arkansas.”

Eli dedicated Ozark Dogs to his father, penning: for Dad, who taught me how to write with a bucketful of baseballs

Baseballs. Not footballs. Curious choice of words.

The story goes like this. Eli’s dad, Finley Cranor, did teach his son how to write, but not in the way you might imagine.

Eli strokes his beard, so long it covers his throat. “’You’re not coming out of the room, son, until it’s done,’” he mimics his father, his voice booming.

As the only child of two devoted schoolteachers, Eli had the good fortune of growing up feeling safe and loved. He learned perseverance, the relief of tackling a project early in the day. He visited a magnitude of worlds contained in the pages of books. But that was not the end of the story.

“Dad used to make me throw a hundred strikes from one of those five-gallon buckets. He would sit on the bucket of baseballs and hold his catcher’s mitt, and he would call the strikes. Who knows how many pitches it would take to get to a hundred called strikes? We did that every day, and I hated it. We would go to the beach with our whole family, and before it was time to hit the beach, we’d be out in the condo parking lot.”

Like a kid who recovers after being forced to take bitter medicine, Eli now appreciates the rigor of his childhood. Most days, he’s up at five in the morning, writing longhand, waiting for the sun to rise.

While he credits his dad for giving him the gumption to write, he also says he wouldn’t be where he is without Ouachita Baptist professor Johnny Wink. Eli would likely be writing legal drafts, arguing cases in court, if not for him.

“It was my junior year when I took Intro to Creative Writing.” Eli makes a zero with his thumb and forefinger, then holds the circle to his eye and says, “Johnny Wink wears Coke-bottle glasses. Only wears homemade, screen-printed shirts, with couplets from Shakespearian sonnets—like ‘Winged speed no motion shall I know.’—on them.

“Johnny has a parlor trick. He has all 154 of Shakespeare’s sonnets committed to memory, still, and he turns eighty this year, and he’s still teaching. He’d walk in with the collection of sonnets, and he’d throw the book on the table, and he’d ask somebody to pick a sonnet. You’d pick sonnet fifty-one, and he’d say, ‘Pick a line.’ So, you’d say line nine, and then he’d recite it. He does it like this: he walks, and as he walks, he goes through the sonnets sequentially. Early on, I asked him why he did it. Johnny said, ‘It’s beautiful furniture for the brain.’

“By the fourth grade, my dad thought I was becoming too much of a jock,” Eli says. “So, the summer leading up to the fifth grade, he made me write a page in a journal and read twenty pages of any book I wanted, before I could get on the bike and go play with the kids. I did this until I was a sophomore in high school.”

“I felt a spark in that class. I realized I didn’t want to be a lawyer. I then took Advanced Creative Writing with him, and to this day, I call him every Tuesday. He’s my momentum because every week, I have to gear up because I read to him at the end of the call. He’s a big cheerleader, but you can kind of gauge when he really likes something, so I pick the best scene I’ve been working on.”

As Eli is describing what led him to the page, a woman with short hair and a bright T-shirt stops by to say hello. She’s just finished reading Ozark Dogs, and says, “I was up until three in the morning, Eli. I had to find out what happened.” Eli beams, chats for a minute, and the woman moves on.

Eli taps his sandaled foot, takes a sip of the coffee he bought when he arrived. Just outside the door and across a parking lot sits the Methodist church where he grew up, and where he still plays music. Eli’s wife, Mallory, was a schoolmate, although the two didn’t connect until after Eli was home for a break, when he was playing football in Sweden. They now have two children, a daughter who’s six and a son who’s three.

Another new development? Eli’s the brand-new Writer in Residence at Arkansas Tech University, just over a mile from where he sits. “It’s a dream,” he says, describing the writing class he’ll teach, the high schools he’ll visit to introduce kids to the college. The time he’ll carve out to write.

Already, his third novel is on its way. Broiler, which tackles the chicken industry in Northwest Arkansas, will be published in 2024. Eli sighs, the first sign that he might understand he’s working at breakneck speed in an industry that’s known to move slower than traffic after an Arkansas ice storm.

There are so many stories to tell. Ones with characters like Bunn, Belladonna, and Evail Ledford. Jeremiah Fitzjurls, Dime Ray Belly.

Eli rubs his neck and looks at the time. His next stop is the lake, where he’ll swim and hope for a new story to emerge. The lakes and rivers and creeks of Arkansas hold secrets, and sometimes Eli can hear them. It’s the same with the Ozark hills, where somebody will be dreaming big tonight. An actual brick house one day. A night’s sleep not interrupted by someone

fighting in the house. No more shut-off notices from the utility companies. Eli hears it all, and when he transfers it to paper, the story becomes magic.

In his hands, an entire world appears, purely southern, authentically Arkansas. You may not know tough before you read Eli, but you certainly will once you’re finished.

Eli Cranor’s books are available locally at Bookish in Fort Smith, Chapters on Main in Van Buren, and Dog Ear Books in Russellville. Don’t Know Tough and Ozark Dogs, published by Soho Press, Inc., are also available from all major bookstores.

Mallory and Eli Cranor

LIKE A KID IN A CANDY STORE

AAmy Gibbons wears a T-shirt emblazoned with the name of her candy store, Garrison Goodies. She stands in a halo of light that rushes into her business from just outside her doors at 317 Garrison Avenue, in downtown Fort Smith. Above her is the original 1895 tin ceiling. Exposed brick, also more than a century old, makes up the walls where bins of bright Now and Later squares sit next to bottles of Mermaid Lip Gloss Candy and pastel candy necklaces, made of sugary disks looped through a piece of elastic string. There are even candy cigarettes, Lord help us, that many of us remember posing with, movie-star style, back when stars puffed out tobacco smoke as innocently as if they were sipping a Coca-Cola.

Amy Gibbons

WORDs Marla Cantrell images Jade Graves Photography

A necklace made of sugar. Cigarettes made of sugar. A stick or two of Laffy Taffy in our pockets. Mention these things, and entire generations recall what it was like to grow up with the kind of freedom that kept us on our bikes with our friends until our parents called us in as evening fell. It reminds us of treehouses and televisions with only three channels. It reminds us of the thrill of penny candy. We got it as a treat or bought it with our weekly allowances, often no more than twenty-five cents for seven days of behaving more or less like a civilized person.

Ask what it feels like to own Garrison Goodies, and Amy laughs. “I can tell you what my husband thinks. He says he’s like a kid in a candy store,” she says, the truth of it so obviously joyful. This place is fun and nostalgic, and sweet. It is also much different than Amy’s other business, Anderson’s Discount Pharmacy, which is on Lexington Avenue, not so very far from here.

Amy moved to Fort Smith from the little town of Mulberry in Crawford County when she was only six years old. Her father opened Anderson’s Discount Pharmacy, and the family roots pushed deep into the Fort Smith soil. In 2002, she bought the pharmacy, securing the family business for the next generation.

“When we first opened the pharmacy in 1987, we were open from eight in the morning until midnight. So I grew up in a really hard-working, entrepreneurial family,” Amy says.

Amy had a vision of an old-time candy store, and she knew just where it belonged. She’d been to other downtowns with lots of foot traffic. She’d go into their candy shops, see what products they were carrying. She’d notice the happiness on customers’ faces.

“I wanted to open something kid-friendly, and I wanted to be on this end of Garrison—we’re close to restaurants and Creative Kitchen. It’s worked out. Often the wife will go into Creative Kitchen, and the husband gets dropped off here.”

Already, she knew what it was like to run a successful business. Anderson’s Pharmacy is a staple in town. And she knew that hiring friendly, talented people would secure her spot on Garrison Avenue. Sure, she’d be busy, but Amy thrives in busyness. Like the year, almost a decade and a half ago, when she delivered her daughter in January, and that same December, her twin sons. The three bundles of joy complete the family she shares with her husband, Dr. Greg Gibbons, who practices in Fort Smith.

In 2020, Amy started looking in earnest for the perfect place. On September 23, 2022, she opened the doors to Garrison Goodies. Today, approximately 1,000 individual items are in the store, from pickle-flavored cotton candy to truffles handcrafted in Vermont to homemade fudge. There’s the trendy freeze-dried candy—like Jolly Ranchers and Gummy Bears—and candy-coated grapes, made on-site. You can also order a custom birthday cake, and they’ll have it ready the same day. Garrison Goodies also makes candy bouquets, and bakes cookies, cupcakes, cake balls, cheesecake cups, and pretzel rods.

What would autumn be without a candied or caramel apple?

Garrison Goodies has those on the weekends, plus, for the fall, a cheesecake-stuffed apple, and a candy charcuterie board that’s sure to be a hit at Halloween.

Amy looks across the globe for products that surprise and delight. Like Milka Chocolate Bars from Germany and England,

treats from Belgium, and chips and candy from as far away as Japan, Thailand, and China. While it’s all a hit, there’s something about the old standards.

“When we first opened, parents would come in to show their kids the candy they loved as a child. Like Zots [a hard candy shell filled with a baking soda combination that fizzes when you take a bite], Sixlets [candy-coated chocolate balls], and Beemans licorice gum [from the nineteenth century]. We even carry the Nicco Wafers [thin disks of sugary candies, both in assorted flavors and chocolate, that first appeared in 1847].

“I love Friday afternoons because that’s when schoolkids come in for their treats. The holidays are busy—a lot of people remember the old ribbon candy, so we carry that. We have sixty-five percent repeat customers—who come in and get the same thing every time. We have customers who can’t find the candy they want anywhere, so we’ll order it for them.”

More and more, she’s greeting those from nearby Oklahoma and tourists from across the country. She’s seen an uptick since the US Marshals Museum opened at 14 North Third Street, in July. Often, tour buses stop by, or church buses, like the one from Goddard United Methodist. That group really liked the Nicco Wafers and lemon drops. The store swells with first-time customers if there’s a convention in town or a music festival, like the recent Peacemaker Festival.

On Friday and Saturday, Garrison Goodies stays open until ten at night, and a whole different crowd shows up. Couples on dates, friends who gather to listen to live music at the Bricktown Brewery or La Huerta Mexican Restaurant, and those who are downtown for a little nightlife. Often, customers waiting their turn to get a tattoo at a nearby shop come by, filling a few eager minutes. The one common denominator? Everyone who stops by has a sweet tooth.

Amy uses every inch of this building. Upstairs she has a party room for rent. In recent weeks, lots of local kids celebrated their birthdays with candy and a slime-making party. Ever been to a slime-making party? Let’s just say it’s much better if you don’t have it in your home.

When Amy came up with the idea of Garrison Goodies, she wanted to be a bigger part of the community. This is where her family is, her friends, and longtime customers from Anderson’s Pharmacy. Her goal was to open a happy place. She’s been thrilled by the response she’s gotten.

It will also be part of her family’s legacy. Her three children are teens now, and each is autistic. “With Garrison Goodies, I wanted a place where my kids could work one day. And we love accommodating kiddos with special needs by ordering their favorite candies. I understand the importance of a specific goody because of my kiddos.”

Amy’s face softens as she talks about the children that populate her days and her heart. In the background are the sounds of two tweens sharing the treasures they’ve discovered in this one-of-a-kind store.

It’s a whirlwind of a life but one that Amy adores. She spends six days a week either at Anderson’s Pharmacy or Garrison Goodies and takes one day off to recover. But even then, her mind is swirling with ideas for her next big adventure. Who’s to say what it will be? But whatever it is, it’s sure to be another sweet surprise.

Garrison Goodies, located at 317 Garrison Avenue in Fort Smith, celebrates their first anniversary this September. Follow them on social media to find out about their upcoming celebration! Call the shop at 479.222.6851 or visit online at garrisongoodies.com.

Mind, Body and Spirit

The Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) may be best known for its educational programs including Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine, ACHE School of Physical Therapy and ACHE School of Occupational Therapy; however, there is a new location with additional educational programs, all of which are aimed at the community. The ACHE Research Institute Health & Wellness Center (RIHWC), located at 1000 Fianna Way, officially cut the ribbon in March. Since then, people from across the area have benefitted from programs designed to meet the mission of bringing transformative health to the region.

“What makes our institution unique is that in addition to our traditional campus located at Chaffee Crossing, our students and our community have access to RIHWC and are able to participate in health & wellness programs and a variety of classes,” says LaVona Traywick, PhD, senior executive director of transformative

WORDs Dwain Hebda images courtesy Arkansas Colleges of Health Education

Many times, health brings cooking and movement to mind. Yet, it’s crucial to recognize that health encompasses a spectrum of dimensions: the physical, the emotional, the social, the spiritual, and the intellectual.

~ LaVona Traywick

wellness initiatives and director of the health and wellness center. “RIHWC functions as the outreach arm of ACHE, and the classes that take place here are geared for those interested in art, fitness, and nutrition.”

Immediately visible upon entering the 318,000-square-foot building are the art galleries, ceramics labs, applied arts lab, fitness center, dance studio, and teaching kitchen. “On a daily basis, we have groups and individuals from all around the community viewing art, sweating in a fitness class, or immersing their hands in clay creating pottery."

"A listing of classes and times can be found on our website at achehealth.edu/wellnesscenter. On Wednesdays our Applied Arts lab, in conjunction with Fab Lab Fort Smith offer free classes where participants can learn everything from computer coding, cyber security, laser cutting, and more.”

“Many times, health brings cooking and movement to mind,” she explains. “Yet, it’s crucial to recognize that health encompasses a spectrum of dimensions: the physical, the emotional, the social, the spiritual, and the intellectual. Our aim isn’t solely centered around achieving physical well-being, but to holistically nurture all the facets of health. Take for instance our curated ceramics lab and pottery sessions; these spaces are

teeming with activity that goes beyond creating a bowl. We find compelling research that highlights how participating in artistic expression can be a potent tool in diminishing stress and amplifying overall well-being.”

“Classes are open to everyone, and some participants even have physical and occupational therapists working alongside them. They may be on the pottery wheel where they can target hand and arm strength and coordination or focusing on the neurological aspects of working the mind and body, and best of all, just having fun.”

LaVona says even something as simple as taking in an art exhibit can pay health dividends. “That’s what it is with art; it’s stimulating your brain in different ways. Sometimes it’s to relax you and sometimes it’s to stimulate you and sometimes it’s to cause you to think in a different way than you thought before. That’s why we rotate our art, so that we have different pieces at different times because the various works of art affect people in different ways.”

The programs also began to address social and community health through special events, such as the weeklong STEAM Camp funded by Summit Utilities, held this summer for kids experiencing homelessness.

“We invited different community groups each day who helped the students cook the food that they ate for lunch,” she says. “After preparing the food, we sat around a great big table, family style, to have a conversation. The community members who were there talked about their job, what they did, the path they took to get there and the opportunities that existed for the students to one day come work for them.”

“Mercy Hospital was one of our groups and each of them had a completely different job from the hospital. Not one of them was a doctor or a nurse. They all talked about their unique roles, and it really opened the students’ eyes to the many different careers you can do at a hospital. We also had Fort Smith police there, which was good for the students as it allowed them to see members of our police force as a friend. We were very intentional about who we invited to attend and interact with the kids.”

“In August, we hosted a backpack giveaway which was met with resounding success; one thousand students showed up for backpacks filled with school supplies. ARCOM students and faculty provided sports physicals and our ACHE OT students demonstrated the proper way to wear a backpack to avoid back injuries,” said LaVona. “Everything we do here relates back to our mission,” LaVona says. “Creating outstanding graduate level programs, educating future doctors, developing healthy living environments, bringing health and wellness classes to our

community. We are successfully making a positive impact on our area.”

The ground floor of ACHE Research Institute Health & Wellness utilizes 64,000 square feet of the 318,000-square-foot facility to implement these programs including a number of other spaces, such as conference rooms and an event center which is available to host events large and small. The floors above contain the largest osteopathic research center in the nation, along with offices that house organizations such as Haas Hall, Arkansas Tech, and Summit, just to name a few. According to LaVona, one long-term goal is for the facility to become a bridge to the rest of the community, helping to further integrate ACHE as a go-to resource.

As the RIHWC continues to thrive and adds more programs, LaVona extends a warm invitation to the public. “We hope the community will join us in celebrating the RIHWC and art at our Art Gallery Reception on Thursday, September 14, at 5pm. We are committed to serving our community and upholding our mission.”

Savor the Flavor

WORDS Dwain Hebda images courtesy Jaime Lee Photography

Variety is truly the spice of life. Just ask Tay Stratton, who’s built a thriving business on the simple concept that things are only as good as they taste. It’s a simple philosophy that’s led this Arkansas native to bring the world to The Natural State, one zesty spice blend at a time.

“I grew up on a farm south of Pine Bluff in the Delta,” Tay says. “It gave me a background of the agricultural part of things and an appreciation for plants and what they can do. That’s kind of been my stronger suit before I got into the cooking side of it.”

Tay not only traces her familial roots to the family farm, but her culinary ones as well. Specifically, she said a patch of wildgrowing mint was the taproot for all that would come after.

“I give all credit to this wonderful patch of Kentucky mint we had growing on the side of the house out on the farm,” she said. “As a young child, a ten-year-old or nineyear-old, I would pick that mint and just be mesmerized on how I could crunch it and release the smell and then the taste. I think that herb is really what drove me into starting to study and understand spices.

“Honestly, my parents were not great cooks and so I don’t have that wonderful history; it was the opposite. That’s part of why I created what I did, is because a lot of people were like I was then. Spices were confusing, yet they are just amazing when used correctly. What I’ve tried to do is simplify things.”

Tay didn’t figure out how to express her passion for spices right away. A collegiate swimmer, she studied landscape architecture and spent more than three decades as a swim coach. Her spice blends slowly came into being like a lot of entrepreneurial ventures do – as a side hustle that became more and more refined.

jump into this full force. I was like, ‘We’ve got to get some good stuff out there.’”

In 2018 Tay’s brand, Fennel and Fire, was unleashed on the general public and quickly became a hit at farmers markets and, soon after that, specialty retailers. Over the past five years, she’s perfected twelve year-round blends into which she rotates another ten seasonal products.

Her products aren’t luxury-level expensive, per se, but are considered premium compared to the mass-produced shakes in the grocery store. And, Tay is quick to add, for good reason.

“Being artisan, I’m using a small batch so it’s keeping the product really fresh,” she says. “I’m making something once a month so you’re getting a spice blend that’s probably made three weeks ago. And then buying in small quantities, we’re using incredibly fresh spices.

“The other thing is you’re looking at no fillers, no MSG, no chemicals. There’s no GMO, no gluten. That’s another passion of mine, the organic side and the healthy side. I think that’s very, very important for us, partly because I grew up on that farm. I saw the pesticides, I was around the fertilizer, I saw that and I understand I don’t want it.”

Producing a superior product also means the spice blends deliver their intended flavor efficiently. Thus, a $10 package of Fennel and Fire blends yields about thirty servings, which means thirty meals out of one container.

“I was doing really well, and people wanted me to make blends for them,” she says. “I was starting to study the different fillers and all the chemicals that are put into commercial spices. I started studying spice blends and that’s really what helped me

“That stretches a long way,” Tay says. “I think the difference is really just what’s in the makeup of the spice blend. [National brands] use a lot of fillers, they use a lot of salt to try to bring their price down. People sometimes will need to add salt using my blends, because I don’t use salt as a filler. I use it simply as a tasting element of what I think is exactly right for the blend.”

Tay also recognized early that many home cooks, having been brought up on cheap spice blends, don’t really know how to

harness flavors and marry them to dishes in creative ways. That why she’s made consumer education a big part of her company’s overall approach. Every package of Fennel & Fire contains usage instructions, from what to pair the spice blend with to when to introduce it in the cooking and serving process.

“A lot of it came out of the process that I had to go through, because I didn’t come from the grandma who cooked forever. I had to learn it,” she says. “When do we use this? How do we use this? I wanted to share that with everybody because it is important to know how to use [spice] properly.

“I’m here to help you find those flavors. A lot of times you see these spices and it’s confusing and the consumer doesn’t know what to do with them. That’s what I’ve tried to do with my packaging, is just make it simple. Then, as customers become better cooks and more adventurous in the kitchen, they can start playing with things differently. We help people learn how to keep moving forward, exploring in the kitchen.”

In 2019, Tay took her company to yet another level, opening Fennel and Fire Crafting House, a brick-and-mortar location in Little Rock, where clients can get an even more immersive experience in the company’s product line. She’s also branched into creating loose leaf tea blends in recent years, which she’s created and curated in the same way she’s done her spice products.

“I got interested in tea just for my own health benefit,” she says. “I’d always heard how healthy it was and wanted to be one of those tea people and I just never could get there.

Through the business, I started having people contact me with good teas and sending me samples and I started tasting and I was like, oh wow, now I get it. It was a whole different world from that tea bag I had tried to like. So, the teas started me on a quest again. It’s an art form and I absolutely love it.”

Between her retail and online business and a booming wholesale component, there’s plenty to keep Tay busy in her venture. Which, she said, is part of the fun, as it stokes her creativity as well as her culinary interests.

“I like to keep it fresh and exciting and keep things moving,” she says. “I was blessed with the gift of creativity, and I am wanna-be artist. Creating spice blends was really an art; it’s almost like all those spices are your palette and then you’ve got to know what to pull in and mix to create the flavors. You’ve got to know how to not take it too far and not go too little just to hit that magic mark.

“A lot of it is intuitive. A lot of it is education. I’m constantly reading and studying and tasting. I’ll order it from all over different parts of the world to taste the different ones to see which one I want to use. It’s all part of the curiosity of it all and that’s what drives me.”

Tay Stratton

SPICY SWEET

Recipe Catherine Frederick images siamionau pavel/Shutterstock

INGREDIENTS METHOD

FOR THE PIZZA

» Stonefire Original Naan (or any ready-made crust)

» mozzarella cheese, cube or shredded

» Peppadew peppers

» spicy Sopressata salami

» black olives, sliced (optional)

» pepperoni

» Calabrian chili oil

» Mike’s hot honey

» arugula

FOR THE SAUCE

» 1-28 oz. can San Marzano tomatoes

» 5 leaves fresh basil, chiffonade

» 1 teaspoon sea salt

» ¼ teaspoon black pepper

» 1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

» 1 Tablespoon fresh garlic, roughly chopped

FOR THE PIZZA

Preheat oven to 400°F. NOTE: For a crispier crust, pre-bake the Naan for 3-4 minutes before adding toppings. Place Naan on a pizza stone or a baking sheet. Top crust with desired amount of sauce, then drizzle on desired amount of chili oil. Top with mozzarella, peppers, Sopressata, pepperoni, and black olives. Bake for 10-15 minutes. Remove and top with arugula and drizzle with hot honey. Slice and serve!

FOR THE SAUCE

This recipe makes more sauce than you need for one pizza but can be stored in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks. Drain off the juice from the tomatoes. Place the tomatoes in a medium bowl and hand crush the tomatoes until chunky. Add salt, pepper, garlic, basil, and olive oil. Mix until well blended.

Blackberry Sour

INGREDIENTS

for the blackberry syrup

• 1 pint blac kberries, mor e for garnish

• 2 cup s white sugar

• 2 cup s red wine vinegar

• mint lea ves for the cocktail

• 2 o unces whiskey

• ½ o unce Cointreau

• ¾ o unce fresh lemon juice

• ¾ o unce blackberry syrup, mor e to taste

• Pino t Noir

METHOD

for the blackberry syrup

Combine blackberries, sugar, and vinegar in small saucepan. Cook on medium, stirring until sugar dissolves. Let cook 3-5 minutes more. Remove from heat, add handful of mint. Cool 10-15 minutes. Strain into jar, pressing berries; set aside. Keep in fridge for 2-3 weeks.

for the cocktail

Combine whiskey, Cointreau, lemon juice and blackberry syrup in ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into ice-filled glass. Add a generous splash of Pinot Noir, garnish as desired.

Please drink responsibly. Never drink and drive.

Team Henry

IIt started off as a dream for Hunter Henry. Growing up in Little Rock, Arkansas, Hunter watched every Arkansas Football game, but little did he know the impact and the legacy he’d leave on the state. Arguably the greatest tight end in Razorback program history, Hunter led the Football Bowl Subdivision (the top half of Division I college football) in almost every statistic as a junior (2015-16), leading him to All-American honors from every national media outlet. Hunter also won the John Mackey Award as a junior, an award given to the nation’s best collegiate tight end. The six-foot-five tight end hauled in sixty-nine percent of his targets and averaged almost ten yards per reception in 2015, a stat remarkable for his position. Hunter also caught at least one pass in twenty-three straight games, a Razorback program record among tight ends.

words Will Whitson imageS courtesy Hunter Henry

Hunter Henry

Hunter Henry and family

Football was always a priority in the Henry household, and Hunter, the oldest, was always determined to be where he is now. “When I was in elementary school, I wrote that I wanted to be a professional athlete. I had teachers tell me to shoot for something more realistic, so I thrived on people not believing in me,” he said. He gives credit to his family. “From a young age we were competitive, and we worked hard in everything we did. That gave me a drive to want to be the best.”

When you think of Hunter, you may think of the miraculous “Hunter Heave,” one of the greatest miracles in college football history. The play started on a fourth and twenty-five in overtime, with the game on the line. Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen threw the ball to Hunter on a twenty-yard crossing route on the Ole Miss twenty-five-yard line. Hunter brought two defenders after the reception, and instead of trying to shake them and head towards the end zone, he threw the ball back ten yards over his head. After it bounced off the ground once, Arkansas running back Alex Collins picked the ball up, got behind a few blockers, and picked up the first down. Two plays later, the Hogs won the game off a Drew Morgan touchdown reception and a Brandon Allen two-point conversion draw.

Many fans believe the miracle in Oxford that Saturday night was planned, but Hunter says that’s not the case. “The funny thing about the whole play is that no one told me to do what I did. I was actually in the huddle before the play and I was mad, I didn’t want to run an underneath route on the play and be short of the sticks. Once we got to the line of scrimmage, I just thought to myself that if Brandon throws this ball to me and I cannot make the first guy miss, I’m going to make sure

to keep the ball alive. It happened just like I thought it would and everything worked out perfectly, almost like we drew it up.” Hunter’s instincts and football IQ engraved an everlasting memory in Hog and college football fans everywhere.

After an incredible three years of college football, Hunter declared for the 2016 NFL Draft, fulfilling his childhood dream. He was drafted thirty-fifth overall by the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers were expected to draft a tight end and selected Hunter, as Hall of Famer Antonio Gates’ career was coming to a close. Hunter’s rookie season put the NFL on notice, scoring the second-most touchdowns by a rookie tight end in the last decade. He scored the Chargers’ last touchdown in San Diego, as the team now resides in Los Angeles.

Twenty-eighteen was panning out to be a huge year for Hunter, after two great seasons. However, he was sidelined by an ACL tear during spring practice, forcing him to miss the entire 2018-19 season. Recovery from his injury wasn’t easy, but it came with a few unforgettable lessons and memories. “That was one of the toughest years I have ever had to go through,” he said. “I got football ripped away from me, but I learned perspective. God truly opened my eyes, showing me that dependence on him is the only thing that can satisfy me. I was just rehabbing that year, so I got to spend a lot of time with my wife (Parker), a huge blessing that we both still think about. It was a tough year physically, but I was able to learn a lot about myself and come back better.”

After fully recovering from his knee injury, Hunter returned in 2019 with another career high season. He performed seemingly unphased by his injury, adding ten more receptions

and eighty more yards than his previous season, in two fewer games. He finished the season with 652 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

COVID-19 had the world in a chokehold in 2020, but one thing sports fans could look forward to was football. The NFL continued to play, and Hunter showed he could be consistent regardless of circumstances. Bringing in 613 yards and four touchdowns, he set himself up for a big deal in free agency. In the spring of 2021, his free agency gave him the option to sign with a new team. His time in Los Angeles came to a close after he signed a three-year, thirty-seven-and-a-half milliondollar contract with the New England Patriots.

Just shortly after signing the deal, Hunter erupted for the best season of his career, after he more than doubled his touchdowns from the previous year with nine. For two straight seasons, Hunter played all seventeen games, a feat uncommon for his position. He now enters the final year of his contract

and looks to take New England to the promised land once again. “I am excited for this year. We have a lot of potential, but we are going to have to work to earn everything.”

Bill Belichick will go down as one of the best, if not the best, coaches of all time, and for Hunter, it’s an honor to play for him. “I love Coach Belichick. It’s pretty unreal that I get to be coached by arguably the greatest coach ever. He is brilliant and holds every player to a high standard. He is what you want in a coach.” The Henry-Belichick combination seems to be a good one, as Hunter fits perfectly in the Patriots system on and off the field. “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard enough,” is a quote Hunter lives by, and is a prime example of the “Patriot Way.”

This season marks Hunter’s eighth year in the NFL, his third year with New England. Hunter, now twenty-eight-years-old, lives in Boston with his wife Parker and year-old son, John Ace. The couple are expecting a baby girl in September.

PROFILES IN MENTAL HEALTH

SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

Caring for our mental health is vital to our overall health and wellness, including our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Our mental health affects how we feel, think, and act. It determines how we handle stressors, how we relate to those around us and assists in making healthy life choices. Positive mental health is essential at every stage of our life, from childhood into adolescence and throughout adulthood. Do South® is proud to profile local mental health experts here to help you through whatever challenges life throws your way.

Baptist Health Senior Care Behavioral Health-Fort Smith is proud to be a presenting sponsor of the 2023 Walk to End Alzheimer's in the River Valley on Saturday, September 16, at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. You can join our team, create your own or simply donate by visiting https://act.alz.org/. We know your senior years can be some of the best and most active years of your life. That’s why for the last two decades, we’ve provided excellent behavioral and mental health services to the area’s aging population.

Our specially trained physicians, nurses, mental health professionals, rehabilitation specialists and case workers inside our 23-bed inpatient geriatric psychiatry unit at Baptist Health-Fort Smith provide diagnoses and customized treatment plans for adults, ages 55 and older, experiencing acute mental health problems. Those conditions can include neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease or more common issues such as anxiety disorders, dementia, depression, or sleep disorders. Our program, offered in a safe, comfortable environment, supported by group activities, recreational therapy, spiritual enrichment and more, is led by a professional and experienced staff. From family therapy sessions and education to help loved ones better understand mental health issues as we age, to providing guidance on how to access services that may be needed upon discharge, our compassionate team supports both patients and caregivers. For more information, call (479) 441-5601 or visit Baptist-Health.com today.

Did you know hearing loss is linked to decline in cognitive health, which is the ability to think clearly, learn, and remember? Hearing is a brain activity, your ears hear the sounds, but your brain makes sense of them. If your hearing loss is untreated and you’re not hearing the number of sounds you once did, your brain is not processing those sounds. This can lead to under-stimulation and loss of the brain staying sharp. It may also lead to social isolation and depression because activities that were enjoyed are now avoided because hearing is no longer optimal in social settings. The good news is that taking control of hearing loss may delay or slow cognitive decline!

We are proud to offer cognitive screenings to patients using a new technology called Cognivue. Our technology can measure your current cognitive health, and it’s not an IQ test or a list of questions, but rather a simple, automated assessment that takes only 8-10 minutes to complete in our office. The results help our audiologists have a greater understanding of your current cognitive health while ensuring a hearing-correction solution that is right for you.

Balance issues, dizziness, or vertigo are also conditions that should be addressed. In addition to cognitive and diagnostic testing, we also offer neurodiagnostic testing! The inner ear is home to the hearing and balance centers. The receptors within the inner ear allow signals to be received and processed by a variety of locations within the central nervous system and the brain. Unlike imaging studies, which only show the anatomy or structures, our testing allows physicians to better understand how the system is working and where a problem is located. Your physician may recommend evaluation of the hearing center, balance centers, or both. Hearing health is linked to brain health, and we must care for our hearing just as we do other health concerns. Call 479-7853277 to schedule an appointment today!

Clinical Psychology of Fort Smith has been providing professional psychological services since 1991. It began with Dr. Phil Barling and Dr. Richard Murphy, grew into a group practice, and now consists of two practitioners: Dr. Phil Barling and his daughter, Candace York, MS, LPC, CCPT.

Dr. Barling now limits his practice to working with adults. Candace York has 25 years of experience in a variety of local settings and joined the practice full time in 2022. She works with adults, families, and children and also holds a certification in play therapy. Play therapy is a multi–dimensional approach not only to understanding children and their emotions, but also to providing alternative outlets for expression and processing of these emotions. Parents are also involved so they can understand their child’s journey and how to better support them at home.

At Clinical Psychology of Fort Smith, we treat a variety of mental health issues and care for you throughout all stages of life. Our staff is committed to meeting you where you are and helping you set goals to become a healthier, happier you. We will work to help you develop psychological skills that can help you attain a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Whether you are an adult struggling to navigate life’s greatest challenges, a teenager struggling to handle the pressures of school or life, or a parent who needs help understanding and supporting your child, we have the expertise and tools for you.

We have recently relocated our office to a new location and are ready to address your mental health needs.

5004 South U Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.883.2223

healingtreetherapy.com

Women live healthier, happier lives when they feel confident about who they are. Healing Tree provides women the tools they need to uncover their true potential and embrace the life each was meant to live. Our therapists help women address difficulties including struggles with anxiety, perfectionism, childhood trauma, PTSD, mood disorders, and post-partum depression. All Healing Tree clinicians are trained in multiple trauma therapies including EMDR, hypnotherapy, brain spotting, and trauma-conscious yoga. With two board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners on staff, our focus is to provide women with hope and understanding in a nonjudgmental environment.

Our targeted counseling for teen girls brings together creativity, life skills, and emotional healing to create a space where teens feel safe and connected. Girls today have it much harder than we did growing up. When we were kids, there weren’t completely unrealistic reality shows on every channel and unattainable expectations for appearances on social media. Our bullies stayed at school— they couldn’t follow us home on social media. Healing Tree therapists help teen girls develop the wisdom, strength, and confidence to handle the non-stop barrage of social media and peer pressure.

We all need a place to throw out the thoughts and feelings in our heads, sort through them, and uncover the reasons our lives are not where we want them to be so that we discover the path we were meant to follow. Our services include counseling and where appropriate, we also provide medication management to help reduce the symptoms of emotional overwhelm many women feel.

While medication is not suitable for everyone, it can play a key role in treating certain mental health issues. Discovering the right medication can reduce or even eliminate symptoms and greatly improve daily life. It’s vital to understand that the effectiveness of medication varies from person to person and it’s critically important to work with a professional with a keen understanding of the patient’s medical history so they can customize a medication plan. After medication is determined, our focus shifts to monitoring the medication’s safety, reconciling other medications, and ensuring the medication is producing the desired effect. It’s important not only to understand when medications should be taken and in what dosage, but also to understand the medication’s purpose, safety, side effects, effectiveness, as well as any potential risks from mixing medications with certain foods or other supplements. We can even provide medication management to our patients in Arkansas and Minnesota via telehealth for convenience.

At Healing Tree, we believe in a holistic approach to mental health and work hard to ensure our patients receive the highest quality care. We specialize in helping women find calm amongst the chaos so that they learn to feel more in control of their thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Our mission is to provide healing, expertise, and knowledge so that women gain the inner resources they need to live healthier and happier lives.