ADORE FEBRUARY 2023

I HEART

It’s fair to say that this issue is about matters of the heart. Not necessarily the chocolates and flowers and romance kind, but the things in our lives that move us deeply, that bring us laughter and joy, sadness, and tears. Matters that touch our hearts, fill them up, and sometimes break them into a million pieces. Matters of the heart are what connect us all, and I am thankful to all of those who allowed us to share their story this month.

Do South® is a community-focused publication and our mission is to connect you to the heart of our community – the people, places, and things that make it special. From locally owned businesses to inspiring people, we strive to shine the spotlight on the most positive aspects of living in and around the River Valley.

This month, in addition to our amazing stories, you’ll also find our annual wedding guide, book recommendations from our friends at Bookish, delicious recipes for a chocolate raspberry panna cotta and a raspberry cocktail, informative attorney profiles, and ideas on where to explore Arkansas, naturally!

While February may be the shortest month of the year, there is no shortage of exciting things to do. Check out our event calendar on page 6. You’ll find live musical performances, UAFS athletic events (GO LIONS!), the Fort Smith Home Show, run/ walk 5k’s, and more – there is plenty to enjoy! You’ll also find lots of free events taking place at Fort Smith Regional Art Museum and our local libraries on our online events calendar. Want to add an event to our calendar? It’s free and easy, just visit dosouthmagazine.com and click the submit event button.

If you are new to the area, welcome! I hope that Do South® will serve as a guide to what’s best about our community. I hope you enjoy this issue and encourage you to check out all our past issues online at dosouthmagazine.com, paying special attention to our incredible business partners that make Do South® possible. They truly make our community vibrant and unique. Thank you for reading, see you in March! XOXO

Catherine Frederick, Owner/Publisher/Editor

catherine@dosouthmagazine.com

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FEBRUARY 2023

OWNER - PUBLISHER - EDITOR

Catherine Frederick

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GRAPHIC DESIGN

Artifex 323 – Jessica Meadors

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Jade Graves

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jeanni Brosius, Catherine Frederick, Dwain Hebda, Sara Putman, Bob Robinson, Liesel Schmidt

ADVERTISING INFORMATION

Catherine Frederick I 479.782.1500

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©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

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.

It’s time to nominate outstanding citizens as candidates for the Fort Smith Noon Exchange Club’s 80th annual Book of Golden Deeds Award! Details at fortsmithnoonexchange.com. Deadline is February 17th.

FEBRUARY EVENTS

February 3

FORT CITY SLAM OPEN MIC!

Bookish, Fort Smith, Arkansas

February 3-4

JASON BOLAND & THE STRAGGLERS

TempleLive, Fort Smith, Arkansas

February 4

BATTLE OF THE FORT VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

Fort Smith Convention Center

Fe bruary 4

PAUL CAUTHEN

The Majestic, Fort Smith, Arkansas

Fe bruary 4

KAT WILLIAMS 2023 AND ME TOUR

Simmons Bank Arena

North Little Rock, Arkansas

Fe bruary 4-5

CHAPEL HART

TempleLive, Fort Smith, Arkansas

Fe bruary 7

COLSON WHITEHEAD CRAFT TALK

UAFS Windgate Art and Design

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Fe bruary 9

TOBY MAC'S HITS DEEP TOUR

Simmons Bank Arena

North Little Rock, Arkansas

Fe bruary 9, 12, 10-11, 15-18 ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN

Fort Smith Little Theatre

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Fe bruary 9-19

MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL

Walton Arts Center

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Fe bruary 10

COFFEE WITH THE CALL

Fort Smith Coffee Co. at the Bakery

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Fe bruary 10

NORTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL

BASKETBALL V. FAYETTEVILLE

Northside High School

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Fe bruary 16

MATT SCHOFIELD

AACLive!, Fort Smith, Arkansas

Fe bruary 17

FORT SMITH HOME SHOW

Kay Rodgers Park, Fort Smith, Arkansas

Fe bruary 17

PECOS AND THE ROOFTOPS

The Majestic, Fort Smith, Arkansas

Fe bruary 17

DWIGHT YOAKAM LIVE IN CONCERT

Simmons Bank Arena

North Little Rock, Arkansas

Fe bruary 18

HEART ACHE 5K RUN

Arkansas Colleges of Health Education

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Fe bruary 18

PONY BRADSHAW

The Majestic, Fort Smith, Arkansas

Fe bruary 18

CHRIS CAGLE

TempleLive, Fort Smith, Arkansas

Fe bruary 23

VBHS EMPTY BOWLS

BOWL SALE AND SOUP DINNER

Arts on Main, Van Buren, Arkansas

Fe bruary 24

ASHLEY MCBRYDE

TempleLive, Fort Smith, Arkansas

Fe bruary 24

TURNPIKE TROUBADOURS

& THE AVETT BROTHERS

Simmons Bank Arena

North Little Rock, Arkansas

Fe bruary 23-25

SEASON OF ENTERTAINMENT: THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE

Breedlove Auditorium

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Fe bruary 23

SATISFACTION - INTERNATIONAL ROLLING STONES

TempleLive, Fort Smith, Arkansas

Fe bruary 25

5K VFW 6527 RUN/WALK FOR WARRIORS

Greenwood, Arkansas

Fe bruary 25

PERSPECTIVES CHAMBER

CONCERT: SONIC DREAMSCAPES, FORT SMITH SYMPHONY

King Opera House, Van Buren, Arkansas

FORT SMITH REGIONAL ART MUSEUM AND REGIONAL LIBRARY EVENTS AT DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS FORT SMITH ATHLETICS

Fe bruary 2

UAFS BASKETBALL V. TEXAS A&M

INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

Gayle Kaundart Arena - Stubblefield Center, Fort Smith, Arkansas

Women - 5:30pm / Men - 7:30pm

Fe bruary 4

UAFS BASKETBALL V. W TEXAS A&M

UNIVERSITY - KINGSVILLE

Gayle Kaundart Arena - Stubblefield Center, Fort Smith, Arkansas

Women - 1pm / Men - 3pm

Fe bruary 4

UAFS MEN'S TENNIS V. HENDERSON STATE UNIVERSITY

10am, Fort Smith Athletic Club

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Fe bruary 16

UAFS BASKETBALL V. WESTERN NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY

Gayle Kaundart Arena - Stubblefield Center, Fort Smith, Arkansas

Women - 5:30pm / Men - 7:30pm

Fe bruary 16

UAFS WOMEN'S TENNIS V. HENDERSON STATE UNIVERSITY

2pm, Fort Smith Athletic Club

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Fe bruary 18

HOMECOMING | UAFS BASKETBALL V. EASTERN NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY

Gayle Kaundart Arena - Stubblefield Center, Fort Smith, Arkansas

Women - 1pm / Men - 3pm

Fe bruary 23

UAFS BASKETBALL V. OKLAHOMA

CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

Gayle Kaundart Arena - Stubblefield Center, Fort Smith, Arkansas

Women - 5:30pm / Men - 7:30pm

LLast October as I relaxed in my comfortable theater seat, mere feet from the AACLive! stage listening to seven-time Blues Music Award-winner Rory Block preach the blues, I considered myself a blessed man. After a two-year shutdown due to COVID, it was great to have this one-of-a-kind music venue in Fort smith reopen its doors.

“AACLive! is the very kind of venue we love and appreciate,” stated Rory. “An intimate, highquality room run by dedicated, knowledgeable people who go out of their way to make you feel comfortable, and an equally wonderful, appreciative audience."

For over two decades, Artist, Audience & Community Live (AACLive!) has introduced River Valley music aficionados to some of the biggest names in the music industry. Leon Russell, Tab Benoit, Sam Bush, Samantha Fish, John Hyatt, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Marcia Ball, Asleep at the Wheel, Richie Havens, Janice Ian, Paul Thorn, James McMurtry, Ray Wylie Hubbard, and numerous other, not-so-well-known, entertainers have graced the AACLive! stage.

The dedicated AACLive! board members have worked diligently to preserve this successful legacy, established all those years back by the organization’s founders, John McIntosh, and the late Dick Renko.

John McIntosh and Dick Renko shared a vision to bring live music to the River Valley. Sure, there was live music at bars, but they sought a more

words Bob Robinson imageS courtesy AACLive!, Rob Robinson and Carmen Taylor

Slaid Cleaves

intimate setting that served the needs of both, artist, and audience.

So, in 2000, they began to craft a plan. Originally, the idea was to stage acoustic performances at friends’ homes. What could be more intimate than having guests over to listen to live music? The comfortable setting would be inviting for artists and listeners. When they couldn’t find homes able to accommodate performers and guests, they sought other settings.

“It was a matter of having the right combination of people and good timing,” John explained about the period that followed.

Mike Hart had moved his 5 Star Productions operations to a new location in downtown Fort Smith. The facility included a 2,500-square-foot area that he had no plans to use. John and his wife Judi decided they would invest the money to transform that space into a performing arts theater. As remodeling began, Dick remembered seeing theater chairs in the basement of the Eureka Springs convention center. When John contacted the center about buying the chairs they replied, “If you have a truck, come and get them.”

It turned out the chairs were originally from an old theater in New Orleans. They were a perfect fit for the casual, laid-back atmosphere they sought to create. John quickly contacted a friend who owned a small furniture shop and had the chairs restored to their original glory. Once they had an appropriate venue and the seating, the other pieces began to fall into place.

Dick had the music connections to recruit artists, being a promoter and entertainer himself, performing with David and the Immatures. John, owner of The McIntosh Group advertising agency, had the business connections to make it all happen. With the help of their wives Suzanne Renko and Judi McIntosh, the 801 Concert Series opened its doors in the fall of 2000.

Rob Goodfellow, AACLive!’s current president, said, “Dick Renko was the secret sauce that made it a success in the early years.” Dick reached out to performers traveling between weekend gigs in Chicago and Austin or Nashville and Oklahoma City. He offered them a “routing show” in Fort Smith on a Wednesday or Thursday. The offer of being treated like royalty, performing for an appreciative audience, and having a nice hotel layover, plus an added paycheck, appealed to many groups.

Word spread among the music industry about the great acoustics, the friendly audiences, and the plush treatment artists received at the venue and it wasn’t long before promoters began reaching out to Dick for bookings.

“The management here treats you like family,” Earl Cate of The Cate Brothers stated. “That and the sound quality is top-notch.” The “King of Sound” himself, Tom Ware, receives credit for the sound systems that artists rave about. Recruiting him demonstrates from the get-go, AACLive! has been all about the music.

Tom Ware The Cate Brothers

The 801 Concert Series was a hit from the beginning. Early into the inaugural season, they announced ticket sales for season two. Even though the lineup was not established, they sold enough season tickets to guarantee a successful follow-up year, and the series continued to grow. With the intention of attracting larger audiences and even more well-known performers, they relocated in 2007 to a larger building and changed their name to Second Street Live. The new venue was a beautiful two-hundred-fifty-seat facility that hosted numerous memorable artists during its tenure. Eventually, the scale of the multi-faceted operation proved too large of a commitment for the mostly volunteer operation and so the series returned to the Media Center at 5 Star Productions and was rebranded as Artist, Audience & Community Live! – in line with Dick’s credo about the three core tenets of the original series.

seating in the back of the room. If seats are available, tickets may be purchased at the door on the day of the event. Sad Daddy was a sellout.

Most recently, AACLive! welcomed Sad Daddy, a four-member band playing a mix of American Roots music, entertaining audiences with their sounds of early blues, jazz, and jug bands, early country, folk, old-time bluegrass, soul, and funk.

Sad Daddy’s van pulled in front of 5 Star Productions around 4:30 in the afternoon, and AACLive! board members Rob Goodfellow, Grant Nally, and Tom Ware began moving the band’s equipment inside. Megan and her husband Lee Young, in charge of artist hospitality, already had an array of refreshments for band members in the VIP room.

These days, it’s Tom who does most of the heavy lifting, from booking the artists, arranging sound equipment, and working with performers to dial in their instruments and vocals. Fellow board members contribute in many other areas, but Tom is in charge of all things music related.

“The acoustics in here are great,” exclaimed Sad Daddy vocalist and standup bass player Melissa Carper, after completing the sound check with Tom. “The band has already decided we want to be the permanent house band here.”

There are eighty seats available, and seating is first come, first served. Those who arrive early can choose from one of eighty cushioned theater seats or twenty seats in the café-table-styled

Patrons usually arrive early enough to order a beverage at the full bar operated by Kevin Dorey of 21 West End and mingle with friends. By 7:30 that evening, everyone made their way to their seats. Rob Goodfellow approached the stage to introduce artists, share announcements and remind everyone this was a music-listening venue, meaning phones off, voices low, and to enjoy the show.

Joe Sundell opened the evening with an energetic tune in his renowned “Joe bounce’ ragtime jazz feel” style. One by one, each band member led the group with renditions of songs showcasing their talents. Brian Martin was a hit with his masterful kazoo and mouth horn solos.

By the fourth song, the group had adjusted to the venue's unique intimacy, conversing with the audience between songs and sharing tales of life as an entertainer. Artists and audience had become family. I’m sure John and Judi McIntosh, who are still regulars at AACLive!, whole heartedly agree – the original mission was accomplished.

Sad Daddy

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imageS Jade Graves Photography and courtesy vendors

The Bandit Queens

by Parini Shroff

Greeta’s husband disappeared. He walked out on her five years ago, but there is a rumor in her village that she killed him. However, it seems being a “selfmade” widow has its perks: she has money, freedom, and no one messes with her, which starts to look good to other women in the village. This is a great antivalentine read full of wry, witty women, and heart.

Dickens and Prince

by Nick Hornby

Dickens and Prince is the pop culture love story you didn’t know you needed. Most readers wouldn’t lump the Victorian author and 20th century pop icon in the same category, but author Nick Hornby does what he does best, and illustrates the ways in which our culture was shaped by their art, their tragedies, and their ridiculous ability to outwork everyone around them.

Enjoy these four must-read books from our friends at Bookish, Fort Smith, Arkansas’s only independently owned bookstore.

The Sun Walks Down

by Fiona McFarlane

Set in a small colonial Australian town, six-year-old Denny goes missing and the entire community is caught up in the search. Through McFarlane’s words, we hear their opinions, arguments, longings, and terrors. The beauty is in McFarlane’s narration, showing us the lives of schoolteachers, maids, farmers, mothers, and many more vivid characters set against the background of the landscape they inhabit.

Really Good, Actually

by Monica Heisey

Maggie is a twenty-nine-year-old divorcee. She’s broke and her graduate thesis has hit a wall, but she’s totally fine. As she steamrolls through single life: dating, taking up new hobbies, and “getting back out there,” she quickly uncovers the perils of modern love. Wickedly funny and full of witty observations about love and friendship, Heisey’s work is a really fun debut novel for February.

February Recommendations courtesy Sara Putman, Bookish

Do South ® Cares

words Jeanne Hill, Director of Marketing & Fundraising, Bost, Inc.

Bost, Inc. supports individuals with disabilities and behavioral health needs in meeting their life goals through their vision of communities working together and empowering individuals to improve their overall health and achieve greater independence. Do South® reached out to Jeanne Hill, Director of Marketing & Fundraising, to learn more.

One in four adults in America has a disability. In Arkansas, Bost strives to be the provider of choice, offering those with intellectual or developmental disabilities, or mental health needs, opportunities for growth, learning, and greater independence throughout their lives.

As the needs of those we serve grow, so do our services. Funding for innovative therapy and learning options, expanded art programs, transportation, new technology, or building renovations isn’t always available through traditional means. That is why our Grape Escapes fundraiser was created over twenty years ago and is still going strong today. Those we serve still need us and we still need YOU!

We are so pleased Grape Escapes is returning on March 3, 2023, from 6 to 9pm, with MORE than a Vine Affair! We’ve changed venues to the new ACHE Research Institute, located at 1000 Fianna Way in Fort Smith, allowing us to offer a beer garden and outdoor cigar bar, along with the delectable food and wine you’ve come to love. Adding to the fun, we are partnering with ArTs at Bost from 9 to 11pm to bring our guests an “Arty” After-party featuring special treats and a cash bar!

5812 Remington Circle

Fort Smith, AR 72903

479.478.5600 bost.org

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.

Tickets, which are $100 each and are limited, can be purchased online at grapeescapes. org or by calling 479-652-4553. All attendees must provide a valid ID at the main event and the after-party verifying age.

In addition to supporting Bost, this is a wonderful opportunity to experience the excellent catering services, dining options, wines, and beer available right here in our hometown! Be sure to bookmark grapeescapes.org or hold on to your event program as it will prove to be a fantastic resource as you plan all your upcoming events. The sponsors, restaurants, caterers, and wineries that participate in Grape Escapes are nothing short of amazing!

Community support doesn’t begin and end with Grape Escapes! Consider Bost if you have an open position that could be filled by one of the adults in our Work Development Program. Think of Bost when you have a friend or family member looking for a job. Give us a call if you have children’s books or gently used clothing to donate. We are here for those we serve and their families in our community, but we need YOU!

All funds raised by Grape Escapes will be used LOCALLY to fund critical services and supports for individuals with disabilities. For more information about Bost or Grape Escapes, please contact Jeanne Hill at jhill@bost.org or 479.652.4553.

IT’S A GUT FEELING

It is the season of love – our thoughts are on chocolate covered strawberries and sweet delights, but that feeling in your stomach may be more than nervous flutters before your big date. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a functional gastrointestinal disorder affecting up to ten percent of otherwise healthy individuals, is associated with a myriad of abdominal symptoms including pain, bloating, gas, and the urgency to have a bowel movement. IBS symptoms are at times worse (relapse) and other times are improved or gone (remitting). Many patients with IBS will also experience frequent variations in bowel movements ranging from diarrhea to constipation. IBS is a chronic condition that must be managed symptomatically.

Although sometimes debilitating, IBS is considered a functional ailment and not associated with adverse outcomes such as bowel obstruction, difficulty in the digestion or absorption of nutrients from food, or malignancy.

While anyone can be affected by IBS, symptoms occur most commonly in young adult women. Additionally, IBS is seen more frequently in the setting of psychological stressors such as anxiety and depression. While the cause of IBS is not completely understood, a growing body of evidence suggests the symptoms could stem from impaired communication between the brain and gut. Interestingly, the predominance of serotonin, a neuropeptide important in mood regulation, is synthesized and stored in the intestinal tissue (gut). While serotonin takes many forms and plays many roles, it is clear extensive communication occurs between the centers of the brain regulating stress response/mood and the gut. Additionally, research has shown the importance in balancing healthy verses unhealthy bacteria and organisms that occupy our intestinal tract. Finally, disturbances in the gut may contribute to leaky gut which leads to food sensitivities and additional abdominal symptoms.

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

Individuals with IBS symptoms usually report a long-standing history of abdominal issues with abdominal cramping and bloating as the most common complaints. Some individuals may also experience pain related to the passing of bowel movements. Urgency to have a bowel movement immediately after eating a meal can be very distressing socially and is a common trigger for a physician visit. These individuals report psychological distress if they are not near a restroom after eating. The urgency may also interfere with professional and social interactions.

Individuals with IBS may also have a long-standing history of diarrhea, often meal associated, and constipation requiring frequent laxative use. Many report fluctuation between diarrhea and constipation over time and changes of stool appearance, color, and mucous content. Evaluation of the patient presenting with IBS concerns includes a detailed history of symptoms, effect of dietary changes, and evaluation for warning signs that may suggest a more severe underlying condition. Patients experiencing unintentional weight loss, rectal bleeding, persistent vomiting, or who have a family history of inflammatory bowel disease may need additional evaluation or referral to a gastroenterology specialist.

It is important to differentiate irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). While these two conditions sound similar, their symptoms and management are very different. Whereas IBS is a functional condition managed symptomatically, IBD is an autoimmune condition requiring aggressive management by a gastroenterologist. If not managed effectively, IBD is associated with severe bowel disease including obstruction, strictures, and perforation of the bowel which may lead to serious injury or death. Additionally,

patients and families with a history of inflammatory bowel disease may require more aggressive screening for colon cancer. A discussion with your primary care physician can identify if your symptoms are consistent with irritable bowel syndrome or if further evaluation for inflammatory bowel disease is warranted.

There is no specific laboratory test or imaging study needed for a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome, however your physician will take a history and perform a physical examination. An empathetic approach to care is needed for patients with IBS as these symptoms can be very debilitating. The initial approach to symptom management may focus on reduction of stress and dietary changes. Highly processed foods found in fast food restaurants and convenience items must be eliminated from the diet. A high fiber diet is usually recommended with a focus on whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Highly processed fats and oils should also be reduced/avoided. Some physicians may prescribe a food elimination diet or perform specialized testing for food sensitivities. Referral to a nutritionist/dietician may also be helpful in dietary management of symptoms.

While medication is not routinely recommended for irritable bowel syndrome, for patients with symptoms that are difficult to treat or manage, artificial fiber, antispasmodics, and serotonergic medications may be prescribed.

Healthy diet, good sleep, and regular exercise go a long way in promoting optimal gut health and preventing/reducing functional conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. If you experience persistent or worsening abdominal symptoms, talk to your physician. Your physician will determine if an additional evaluation is needed and provide insight into dietary changes or treatments appropriate for you.

ELIJAH, AGE 15 MELIYA, AGE 13

Meet the dynamic duo, Elijah and Meliya –siblings looking for a forever home! Elijah is the oldest and has a very witty personality. Like most boys his age, he enjoys sports, outdoor adventures, and playing video games. He loves basketball! In fact, he has mentioned wanting a basketball of his own and perhaps playing on a team. His favorite NBA team is the Los Angeles Lakers! When the weather keeps him indoors, RC video games will do because Elijah also likes race cars. Meliya has a big personality, loves to laugh, and likes attention. In her spare time, she loves to draw, but you can also catch her surfing the web on her tablet or watching TV.

Many children in our care have challenges to overcome, and Elijah and Meliya are no different. When Elijah sets his mind to something, it can be hard to redirect him. However, he is working hard to address these issues. Meliya can be headstrong, but this is nothing abnormal for a teenager. A bit argumentative and defiant at times, she too is working hard to overcome her challenges.

For these reasons, it is important that Elijah and Meliya are placed in a two-parent home where they are the only children, and with a family that will provide structure and discipline combined with patience and love as they come to learn the rules of the house and what is expected of them. Could your family be the right fit for Elijah and Meliya? Submit an inquiry at theprojectzero.org to learn more!

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

2023 ATTORNEY PROFILES

PRESENTED BY

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

Do South® is proud to recognize the talents and contributions of select attorneys in our community. They set the bar for excellence and are committed to providing their clients the very best. Join us as we salute the passion they share for their profession.

The Law Offices of David Powell combines decades of expertise and a solid track record of success to serve clients in practice areas ranging from criminal defense and family law to personal injury, estate planning and disability claims.

“Our practice was founded on the belief clients should not have to meet a new legal team for each legal issue they face,” says David Powell. “That’s why our firm practices in many legal areas and strives to retain our clients for life.” The practice operates offices in Fort Smith, Farmington and Ozark, Arkansas, as well as Sallisaw, Oklahoma. Each attorney in the practice was handpicked to carry forth the practice’s legacy of service and outstanding legal expertise.

“Throughout my years of practice, I’ve been devoted to helping clients obtain the best possible outcome to their legal matters,” he says. “I’m available day or night and will take the time to meet with clients after hours and on weekends. As we’ve grown, I’ve selected team members who feel as passionately about serving clients as I do. “People who place their trust in us can rest assured we will provide quality legal defense. We will keep them informed about their case at all times. Our clients never have to worry if there might be something wrong or wonder where their case stands.”

After earning a degree in English, David attended law school at Barry University in Florida and completed his law degree at UA Little Rock’s William H. Bowen School of Law. He was admitted to the bar in 2011 and has pursued his passion for the legal process ever since. “I believe you can’t really call it ‘work’ if you enjoy what you do,” he says. “I opened this firm with a focus on helping clients navigate some of the most stressful times of their lives. No matter what type of legal expertise someone needs — criminal defense, divorce, child custody, personal injury or other legal matter — we’re here to help.”

The Walker Law Group, established in 1983, brings a long history of experience to the local legal community. The firm is also notable for its expertise, as evidenced by its AV rating, the highest that can be awarded by Martindale-Hubbell, the internationally recognized rating service for attorneys’ skill and ethics. As anyone who knows will tell you, a legal firm is only as good as the people behind it and here is where Walker Law Group truly shines in its founder, Eddie Walker, Jr., an elder statesman in the legal community.

“My greatest foundation is that I treat people the way I would want them to treat me,” Walker says. “I have a very strong belief that if you represent people the way you would want to be represented then your practice will be what it should be. I have adhered to that philosophy my entire practice and don’t intend to vary from it at this point because it has served my clients well and it has served me well.

“My staff has been here for a number of years so they’re all well trained. They’re all personable and they all pay attention to detail. However, I don’t delegate things to other people that should be the responsibility of a lawyer. There are certain things I think a lawyer needs to pay attention to as opposed to expecting their staff to take care of it.”

Graduating high school in Gethsemane, Arkansas, Eddie attended college and law school at the University of Arkansas. Prior to launching his practice, he worked for Western Arkansas Legal Services, then as an administrative law judge for the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission. Today, he is one of the most respected attorneys in Arkansas, handling primarily workers’ compensation cases, and some premises liability and motor vehicle accident cases.

“I take very seriously a lawyer’s ethical responsibilities to clients,” he says. “I’m a past chairman of the Arkansas Supreme Court Committee on Professional Conduct and I have committed a considerable amount of time in terms of trying to make sure that ethical matters are properly addressed.”

After practicing law at established law firms in Fort Smith for over a decade, Jackie Mock knew well the niche she wanted to serve in her hometown of Fort Smith when she and her husband decided to make her dream of owning her own law firm a reality.

Strong work ethic was instilled in Jackie at a young age. “My grandfather and my grandmother had their own small business before I was born. My parents worked locally as a banker and a salesman my whole life,” she says. “I come from an average, working-class, middle-of-the-pack kind of family. We didn’t really struggle financially, but everything we had, we worked for it. That’s always been near and dear to me and those are the people I really wanted to help as a lawyer."

Jackie’s affinity for her clientele is reflected in several ways through her practice. In the first place, she’s a generalist, a one-stop shop for

people seeking help with family law, estate planning, misdemeanor criminal defense, personal injury and business advice. She’s also adopted a unique business model to bring quality legal representation within easier reach of her target clientele.

“I don’t take a retainer and charge hourly billing, I charge a flat fee,” she says. “When you hire me, you know exactly how much you’re going to spend, no matter what happens with your case. I also arrange payment plans based on income and pay periods.”

The business model may be unique, but Jackie’s attention to detail and commitment to the client are the model of what an attorney should be. She handles each client’s case personally, gives straightforward, honest counsel and works as hard as the people who come to her for help.

“We don’t have all the mahogany and marble, but I don’t think you need that,” she says. “I think you just need someone who’s going to zealously represent you and be honest with you. I like to say we have four core principles – affordability, accessibility, communication and results. I try to hit all of those with all my clients.”

HER BROTHER'S KEEPER

EEverywhere Lisa (Neumeier) Bobel Hearn goes, she hears about her big brother Bill.

“People are like, ‘Oh my gosh, you wouldn’t believe what your brother did for me,’ or ‘One time I needed this, and do you know what your brother did?’ It is nonstop; it is constant,” Lisa says. “I am so proud when I run into people, and they all talk about him.”

Bill Neumeier spent the entirety of his life in Fort Smith, first as a member of the well-known Neumeier clan who spent decades in the nursery business and then as proprietor of Neumeier’s Rib Room and Papa’s Pub and Pizzeria. He was also a passionate supporter and organizer of the Riverfront Blues Festival and

Peacemaker Festival. Whether you came for the food or for the excellent lineup of musical acts he booked over the years, you knew Bill.

“Everyone in Fort Smith knew him,” Lisa says. “He had a passion for Fort Smith, and he was a big promoter of downtown. He’s been passionate about that since we were teenagers.”

Lisa lets out a soft laugh here and there talking about her brother, fits them in wherever she can. For the past two years, laughter has tucked itself into corners and under beds and between the pages of books, usually followed by the familiar pangs of grief and the maddening refrain of the same solitary question, “Why?”

words Dwain Hebda images courtesy Lisa Neumeier Bobel Hearn

Bill Neumeier

“I thought, what would Billy do? It would be something somehow to help someone else. That’s the avenue I’ve got to take to deal with it. I want someone else to get help, so they don’t have a sister who’s broken, or a family who’s broken.”

-Lisa Neumeier Bobel Hearn

Why did a man with so much love and support end up feeling so alone? Why had one of the best-known people in Fort Smith kept such a secret? And why couldn’t he, with multiple options to meet any situation, only see one way out?

“We have a gazillion questions,” Lisa says, her voice cracking delicately. “It’s like you become a forensic. You just have to figure it out.”

William “Bill” August Neumeier, Jr. entered the world Dec. 7, 1963, the eldest of the Neumeier kids. From the very start, he and his two younger siblings knew family, faith and hard work as the devout Catholic clan’s life revolved around the family nursery and St. Boniface Church in Fort Smith.

“He was wild and crazy growing up,” Lisa says. “Every family has a wild child and Billy was ours. We all grew up working; you walked out the door and you worked. But if there was a way he could get out of work in some ornery little way, he would. Nevertheless, we all learned to work hard!”

Bill was a natural intellect, graduating from Subiaco Academy in 1982 and later attending College of the Ozarks. He also fell in love with music early, thanks to his mother’s record collection, just one of the things the two held closely in common.

“When we were younger and the nursery was smaller, I mean we were really little, there was a little office and our house

was in the back part of it,” Lisa says. “My mother always had records playing and it was always the best music. When Bill expanded the Rib Room, I remember him toasting Mom at the grand opening and saying how he grew up listening to great music that gave him a passion for listening to music.

“We all joke that he was the favorite child, but it is the honestto-God truth. And we’re OK with it. My mom and he, personality wise and everything, are so alike. Mom would always say, ‘I know what you’re going to do before you do it.’ And she was so close to him.”

All of that makes the events of November 19, 2018, all the more enigmatic. Bill was a man of moods – ranging from the wild child of his youth to the guy who sat on the periphery even on nights his restaurants were full of music and people. Which one held sway depended on the circumstances of his personal life or the business or just because it was that day. The family didn’t always know the what or when of a bad day, even as they stood by to lend whatever help and support they could.

“Anytime that he was having a low, he always would contact a family member or friend,” Lisa says. “If it was certain good friends that knew us as well, they’d call us. I would just go stay with him, or my mother would. We’d stay close.”

But it would come to pass on this last occasion that no call would come, no hint given, and no explanation left behind.

The Neumeier Family Bill Neumeier Bill with Jerry Presson

All the shell-shocked family would stumble across in the aftermath of Bill taking his own life three days before that Thanksgiving, were the words he left behind.

“There were just these little notes,” Lisa says. “They were literally in a row, ‘I love you, Mom and Dad,’ ‘I love you, Joseph,’ ‘I love you, Lisa.’”

The impact of Bill’s passing and the unanswered questions that came with it had a crushing effect on the close-knit Neumeier family as each member tried in their own way to cope with what had happened. Things that felt sure and unshakable one moment fractured under their feet the next. The passing of time helps only a little; in Lisa’s case, raw feelings still work their way to the surface.

And it was on a particularly tough day, one haunted by questions asked for the thousandth time about what they should have noticed, that Lisa finally turned Bill’s final acts back onto his memory.

“I thought, what would Billy do? It would be something somehow to help someone else,” she says. “That’s the avenue I’ve got to take to deal with it. I want someone else to get help, so they don’t have a sister who’s broken, or a family who’s broken.”

Nearly two years to the day of Bill’s death, Lisa founded the Bill Neumeier Foundation for Suicide Awareness, a nonprofit that hopes to raise funds and award grants to local organizations focusing on suicide awareness and prevention. Lisa hopes to grow the foundation into something that funds the kind of programs that promote knowledge and intervention skills to prevent other families from losing a loved one.

“When Billy hit that low, we didn’t know about it and that’s the one thing I hate,” she says. “I can tell you right now we would have been at his door. If he’d locked the door, we would’ve kicked that door down. I’m often like, ‘You should have called, Billy, you should have called, you should have called.’

“But the thing I keep reading about suicide awareness is, there are so many people who don’t have someone to talk to or don’t know what to do. There are people out there who are

not going to call or they’re not going to get the help they need because they’re too embarrassed or they think this is just not me, I don’t really have that problem. I want to raise as much money as I can so that I can write a check to whoever has the ability to answer those phone calls or go knock on that door of someone needing help.”

At this, Lisa stops and takes a long breath. In the new year she’s got fundraisers to execute and donors to approach and money to raise. There are so many people to help and so much work to do and such need hangs in the air it can feel like too much sometimes.

But come what may, she will see this monumental and unfamiliar undertaking through, as a testament to her brother’s life, a life she’s determined to help stand for more than how it ended.

“I need all the help I can get, but we’ve got to make this happen,” she says. “No matter what it takes, no matter what, it’s going to happen.”

If you are having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. For more information or to support the Bill Neumeier Foundation, visit billneumeierfoundation.com, or scan the QR code.

Bill with Bobby Vick

THIS LITTLELight

WORDs Liesel Schmidt images courtesy Carly and Company Candles

O“One of the huge mistakes people make is that they try to force an interest on themselves. You don't choose your passions; your passions choose you." – Jeff Bezos

In the case of Carly Grayce Low, the passion that chose her was candle making. For the very entrepreneurial-minded teen, it was a creative venture that utilized her love of making things and gave her a certain amount of financial independence—something that was very important to the then fourteen-year-old. “I wanted to start my own business, even at such a young age, because I loved the idea of making my own money and being my own boss,” says Carly Grayce, who picked up candle making as a hobby to keep herself occupied during COVID and watched YouTube videos to learn the process. “I have always found myself trying to make new things and gain a profit from them. I made slime when I was in grade school and sold it to friends on the playground. My mother also took me to a slime rodeo in Dallas, where I sold out. I also made bath bombs and lip gloss before discovering candles, but the candles just seemed to stick. Being able to turn my hobby into a profitable business is a dream come true.”

More than two years in, the business has a moniker—Carly and Company Candles—and has been met with incredible success. “It’s growing so fast!” Carly Grayce notes. “We sold out three times in December. We’ve reinvested our profits to continue to grow, and we are always considering new marketing ideas—like creating exclusive signature scents for retail stores and for events like weddings.”

The we she refers to includes her mother and two aunts, each of whom own twenty-five percent of the business as her partners. “They put in so much work towards candle making, packaging, and advertising,” Carly Grayce explains. “They have the same work ethic as me, and the business has grown so much because I have had their help and support.”

With so many candle companies on the market, the key, of course, has been uniqueness. And Carly Grayce’s business

has set itself apart not only in the fact that it is one hundred percent women-owned and founded by a young entrepreneur, but additionally in the way that Carly and Company Candles are packaged. Rather than using the same containers across the board, Carly Grayce and her team pour the candles into recycled and repurposed containers, making them unique and more eco-friendly.

“We are always on the hunt, everywhere, for beautiful containers to use, and we even reach out to our Facebook friends for Yoplait Oui jars,” she says. “I decided to use recycled and repurposed containers to minimize the waste of products, and because it's fun creating something new out of something old. We started out using Yoplait Oui jars because they are a great size and shape for the candles, and then we moved on to using blue and white porcelain and cut crystal containers. All that helps set us apart, and it’s also a really pretty way to package the candles.”

The process Carly Grayce uses is relatively simple—once you know the science of candle making. “It’s definitely a scientific process, but it’s one that allows room for experimentation,” she says. “We mix our fragrances, melt, and infuse our wax, and hand pour and wrap every candle. We only use one hundred percent American-grown soy wax and the safest, highest quality non-toxic fragrance oils on the market, so all

CharleneWade,CarlyGrayceLow,SerenaSutton,ShirleySkulman

our ingredients are high quality. We are committed to making the cleanest burning candles possible, and we do not use any petroleum-based wax.”

Fragrance is another area where Carly and Company creates distinction. “Our scents vary from delicious baked goods to upscale perfumes,” Carly Grayce says. “We even have a new line of unscented survival kit tins, and we are developing a men’s line, since guys are buying our candles too!

"Some of our best sellers are Trippy Hippy, which is a smoky patchouli; Pumpkin Chai that is a yummy fall scent; Saddle Up, which has leather and tobacco; Bookends that smells like real pages of a book; and Chandelier, which is an upscale floral and musk. We are constantly developing and testing new scents, because we want to stand out and be one-of-a-kind so that our candles are as creative and unique as possible.

"On a more personal note, I love mixing scents to create new fragrances. I also love the joy it brings my family and friends when they receive a candle that I have made—and how proud they are of me for making this all a reality and seeing it through.”

Carly and Company Candles are available through companyhosted events as well as local farmer’s markets, in Fort Smith at Sunshine & Oak in The Shops at BrickCity and at booth 526 at Remember When Antique Mall, and in Tulsa at Garden Deva Sculpture. They can also be purchased through Facebook, Etsy, and on their website, carlyandcompanycandles.com. “We are looking into some wholesale opportunities and our candles may be found in retail stores soon!” Carly Grayce says proudly.

Naturally, as she’s still in high school, Carly Grayce must balance the business with her schoolwork. “I make school my top priority, because I know the importance of graduating high school and getting into a quality college,” she says. “My business is my second priority, but I try to put a few days of my week into it. I have my mother and two aunts that help me with this business, and they support me and enable me to do both.”

Even with the heavy load of business ownership, Carly Grayce sees the value in what entrepreneurship has taught her. “It has taught me a lot of responsibility and money management,” she

says. “I believe that I am working for the customer, and their satisfaction is my top priority. From the labels and packaging to the actual product itself, everything must be just right.”

That level of perfectionism is serving her well, and as the business continues to grow to a point at which it is profitable, Carly Grayce has definite plans for what she’ll do with her share of the profits. “Once we start to profit from our business, I plan to save my share to go towards college expenses,” she says, displaying her clear and level-headed approach to her future. “I plan to go to college to become a physical therapist. As for Carly and Company, I hope the business continues to grow to where we have a storefront in Fort Smith. That would be incredible! Another goal is, of course, going wholesale and as well as being sold in other stores across the country.”

From hobby to business, Carly and Company Candles is a vision brought to life—not to mention a testament to what hard work and dedication can create. It’s also a reminder that dreams know no age, that creativity should be rewarded, and an entrepreneurial spirit should be allowed to shine. Inspiration is a powerful thing—and Carly Grayce has built something to inspire others, with every candle lit.

For more information, visit carlyandcompanycandles.com or find them on Facebook.

The Art of Education

TThere’s a palpable artistic energy coursing through Fort Smith these days. The city has developed a thriving arts scene across all disciplines, from public art and community music festivals to productions and exhibits on stages and galleries, large and small.

Less visible but no less vital is the mission of one nonprofit working to help produce the next generation of art careerists. Community School of the Arts, founded in 2006 at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith and established as a nonprofit in 2016, provides kids and young people unique opportunities to gain early exposure to art forms, nurture those interested in art careers, and foster lifelong creative expression.

“We’re an arts education organization, and the philosophy behind our program is very much like athletics,” says Dr. Rosilee

Russell, founder, and executive director. “That is, to start a child as young as we can in the arts and train them and keep them all the way from preschool age through high school. Our goal is to prepare them to either go on to college in the arts, or to do what they want to do with their artistic talent.”

Given the response to and growth of Community School of the Arts programming, this mission has struck a nerve with parents and school administrators alike. Participation has grown tenfold since the organization was established, today reaching more than one thousand local students across all grade levels.

“Prior to COVID, we had off-site programs where we would go to underserved, underreached schools and service those kids after school,” Rosilee says. “We now have an after-school program, recently named for Arkansas’ former First Lady Susan

words Dwain Hebda images courtesy Community School of the Arts

Hutchinson, and it services all of these kids, from young children all the way through high school.”

Introducing art curriculum to kids is more than just a way to liven up the day; it also pays substantial dividends in children’s development. According to multiple sources, the arts play a key role in performance in school, developing children’s critical thinking and problem-solving skills as well as providing an outlet for self-expression that may otherwise be difficult for them.

What’s more, evidence abounds as to the positive outcomes that accompany an exposure to the arts throughout one’s childhood and adolescence. A ten-year national study by Stanford University found students involved with impactful non-school arts programs were four times more likely to win an academic award and did better on college entrance exams than those who didn’t. Community service, interest in STEM curriculum and school attendance were all likewise positively affected by kids participating in art programs.

Despite these documented outcomes, arts curriculums have

come under steady budgetary assault in recent years, severely curtailing or eliminating such programs altogether from the school day in the name of cost cutting. While not exclusively a problem at home – a 2021 proposal in England to cut art funding to schools and public universities in half being a notable recent example – it is an issue with which many school districts in the U.S. continue to struggle.

Into this void step organizations to shore up artistic opportunity, providing cash-strapped schools with art supplies, giving art lessons directly to students and other programs that help turn kids on to various art forms. And in the case of Community School of the Arts, this exposure cuts a very wide swath of ages and backgrounds in order to help kids discover and develop their own artistic interests.

“This past fall, we started the first ever Arkansas arts-based preschool called the Preschool for the Creative Arts,” Rosilee says. “That’s for ages three, four and five, and they literally do everything through the arts – music, theater, dance, visual arts. All their curriculum is arts-based, and it is going extremely well.

“It’s not simply combining arts into a curriculum; the curriculum centers around the arts and those children are learning at a faster rate than a child would in a traditional preschool.”

On the heels of that successful program, Community School of the Arts is currently bringing to life an equally ambitious program called the Institute for the Creative Arts. The Institute, the first in the state, targets high school students entering grades nine through twelve, providing them with school credit for half-day study in various classes that develop students’ talent and interests and expose them to careers in their chosen field of expression.

“We’re also building a new facility, the Center for the Creative Arts, on our river front,” Rosilee says. The organization currently operates out of the former St. Boniface School in Fort Smith.

“It’s a 40,000-square-foot facility housing all our arts programs. We’re looking at housing, eventually, five hundred high school students daily in our program. We hope to start next fall with two hundred. We have thirty-nine school districts that can participate, not counting private schools, home school and online students. And we’re crossing the border into Oklahoma, as there are Oklahoma districts that wish to come here and participate."

The success of the organization is personally gratifying for Rosilee, who completed twenty-six years at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith as a professor there and as a touring concert pianist. Given her background, she thoroughly understands what her students are looking for and leads with that in mind. “What we’re creating is a conservatory model where you come here and you eat, live, and breathe the arts during your school day. It’s a lot of work, but it is very rewarding,” she says. “Kids in the arts want to be together. They want to hang out with each other, and they understand each other. Our center is going to be a place where they can do that.”

For more information about the programs and classes offered at the Community School of the Arts, visit them online at csafortsmith.org, or call 479.434.2020.

Rhythm of the Heart

words Dwain Hebda image copyright E.Y.Yanagi 2015

It’s been said medicine is as much art as science and the same can be said about Dr. Ashley Mohadjer, who arrived in Fort Smith in 2022 as Baptist Health’s newest interventional cardiologist.

Ashley landed in the River Valley having completed more than a decade of medical training which she relies on to guide her in making medical decisions. But before that, she spent almost as many years studying ballet, something every bit as technical and physically taxing as medical school or residency ever was.

“I’ve always been the type of person who loves a good challenge and a good puzzle,” she says. “The challenge and the discipline of the [ballet] art form were appealing to me. And just the freedom of movement; there’s just something I think in all of us, in any form of dance, that’s just this innate almost spiritual thing where we feel like this is what I should be doing. It’s fulfilling and a lot of fun.”

Ashley didn’t just dabble in ballet, she worked hard enough to rise through the ranks of an elite dance company during her formative years growing up in Southern California. It was a surprising ride considering how lukewarm her introduction to dance was.

“My mom encouraged me to try it, but I wasn’t forced to do anything,” she says. “To be honest, I was a little averse initially. I wasn’t sure I was going to like it. I thought it would be too stiff and boring for me, but I agreed that I would go to one class and see what happened.

“I ended up going to ballet class and, to my surprise, fell in love with it, loved the challenge. I thought, ‘I’ll go a couple times a week and see how this goes.’” Ten-year-old Ashley was getting what is considered in ballet circles a very late start, a fact that landed her in the beginner’s class with girls much younger than she was. But her natural ability and determination to get better lead her to advance quickly.

“My mom had this conversation with the director of the company and the school who said, ‘Well, if she’s willing to put a few months in and learn the basics, I think it’s going to really benefit her in the long run as long as she can hang with a class of kids who are younger than her,’” Ashley says.

“So, I did that, and I was a pretty quick study. Within a few months I’d picked up the basics and started moving up the levels of the academy. I don’t recall the exact amount of time it took to match my colleagues, but I picked it up pretty quickly.”

Ashley more than matched her classmates and the validation she received from being on stage was intoxicating. “As you start moving a little higher in the school, there are opportunities to perform with the ballet company the school is affiliated with,” she says. “The first opportunity for me was The Nutcracker Being able to see these young women who are doing all these really amazing things and being able to perform on this stage, that was a very fun experience.

“Even at that young age, in an obviously limited role, it was gratifying. I wanted to continue and try to be like those older girls. I think that really kept things interesting as well.” This desire drove her to practice even harder, which in turn made her stand out from her peers. With each success, Ashley became more determined to explore her limits in dance and push past them.

“Some of that validation happened when there were more limited roles for young dancers in performance,” she says. “There was an audition and girls in the class who I’d been dancing with didn’t get selected for those things and I did. It wasn’t necessarily because I was more talented than them, a lot was also based on work ethic. I was just motivated to really put the time in and do the cross-training and different aspects that happen outside of the classroom to try to improve myself.”

By the time she was a teenager, Ashley was invited to become an apprentice with Inland Pacific Ballet in Montclair, California, the regional company affiliated with her dance school. She also was landing spots in prestigious summer ballet camps, eventually attending the School of American Ballet, one of the top ballet schools in the country.

“During high school I started apprenticing with that regional company and moved up the ranks,” she says. “It was during high school that I was able to be a professional ballet dancer, essentially, balancing time with my schoolwork, which was insane.” Approaching high school graduation, Ashley began to look at her career options more pragmatically.

“The conversation kept coming up about college or this dance thing,” she says. “I always liked school and I knew I wanted to continue my schooling. I think in a perfect world I would have done both for as long as I possibly could, but that’s not realistic.

“It was a difficult decision to navigate, because I didn’t really know what my career aspirations were and then over here there’s this huge thing that’s been a big passion and huge part of my life. But when you think about the longevity of a dancer, how long is that career? Once you’re in your twenties or thirties, you’re starting to get injured; there’s only so much your body can handle. I decided I would prioritize my schooling and go to college and still dabble in the ballet world as much as I could.”

Ashley earned her undergrad from Scripps College in California, majoring in biology-chemistry, during which time she set her sights on medical school. She took a year off, then entered Western University of Health Sciences, an osteopathic medical school, from which she graduated in 2015. From there, she did her residency in internal medicine at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, followed by a cardiac fellowship at the University of Florida in Gainesville, which she completed in June 2021. She then went on to complete her interventional cardiology training at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

Dance remained on the fringes of her hectic schedule, providing stress release and fitness during the demanding days of medical education. And she says the art form came into play in other ways, such as the ability to multitask efficiently, just one of the skills she uses to this day.

“The most obvious one, to those who know anything about the dance world, is just discipline,” she says. “Medical school is really challenging. There’s a lot of information thrown at you in a small period of time and that can become very overwhelming. I think having fifteen or sixteen years in the dance world gave me a lot of discipline and focus.

Dr. Ashley Mohadjer – Baptist Health – Fort Smith

approach as you’re going along. Some of that adaptability I certainly gained from having been a dance understudy.”

Since landing in Fort Smith, Ashley has scoped out some potential dance studios in the hopes of resuming her love affair with the art form that continues to feed her creative side and buttress her professional life.

“I never saw myself as a ballet teacher or running a ballet company for the long haul,” she says. “I think I needed something more cerebral in addition to that artistic side and here I am, a doctor. But it’s a different level of self-awareness that athletes have and so I definitely want to keep doing dance for as long as I can.”

Find

ESSEnce of SoMA

words Jeanni Brosius images Jeanni Brosius and courtesy Nancy Nolan

Anita Davis is a visionary when it comes to people and place, and she also happens to collect handbags. So many in fact, selections from her personal collection were featured in a traveling exhibit, “The Purse and the Person: A Century of Women’s Purses,” from 2006 to 2011.

When the exhibit was on display at the Historic Arkansas Museum in Little Rock, Anita said it was the most attended exhibit the museum had ever had, which prompted the idea for her to make her collection a permanent exhibit. In 2013, Anita opened the ESSE Purse Museum in Little Rock, one of only two purse museums in the world. The name Anita chose for the museum, ESSE, is derived from the Latin verb meaning “to be,” and Anita believes that a woman’s purse holds her identity.

A woman’s purse reflects her womanhood. These sacred and private handbags hold the essence of who she is. It carries her identity, her valuables, her memories and all the things that make her unique. Whether she carries an expensive designer purse or a vegan leather handbag, it tells a little about what she believes, how she feels and oftentimes her social status. The style of the handbag also reflects what is going on in the world at the time. During WWI, clothing was simpler, but handbags became more elaborate. In the 1920s, plastic became readily available and opened a chance for novelty shapes, and the glamour of Hollywood and magazines have always inspired a woman’s style. As fashion changes, the exterior of the bag may follow the trends, but the personal space inside of a woman’s purse stays the same.

Despite its name, the ESSE Purse Museum isn’t simply a museum of fashion history. It is a historical museum celebrating the progression of the 20th century American woman, decade by decade from 1900 to 1999, through the bags they carried and the contents inside them. Through the collection and artful displays, the ESSE Purse Museum portrays woman’s struggles, accomplishments, and the challenges of the era in which she lived.

One of the bags on display was found inside a wall during a renovation of an old home by a contractor. The purse still held its original contents, a mirror, glasses, and a tube of lipstick. “It’s about the women who came before you,” Anita says about the exhibit. “What women went through and the ones who have paved the way for us.”

In addition to over 300 purses (some from Anita’s personal collection, others donated), the museum also features four temporary exhibits, usually on a quarterly basis. These exhibits focus on a range of experiences and expressions that touch on the museum’s core mission of empowering and honoring all women.

One of the permanent art installations in the museum is what Anita describes as a stream of consciousness, depicting four female figures sitting with beautiful purses streaming from their minds, as if dreaming. Each purse is encased in an acrylic box, some appear to be floating, others attached to the wall.

The museum also offers a gift shop featuring ESSE logo items, high-quality and highly unusual handbags around the world, as well as jewelry, books, and other items handcrafted by local, national, and international artisans. Anita’s book, What’s Inside: A Century of Women and Handbags 1900 – 1999 , is also available.

In and of itself, the museum is a worthy destination, but the surrounding businesses in Little Rock’s SoMa District, also known as SoMa, offer visitors a variety of dining and shopping options. Much of the revitalization of the district can be attributed to Anita.

A Murfreesboro native, Anita had a vision for this little downtown section of Little Rock. She believes the small “mom and pop” stores draw people in not only from Arkansas but those visiting from other states, too. She wanted a walkable neighborhood, and that is exactly what she has achieved through the acquisition of several buildings in the area which now house Boulevard Bread Company, Green Corner Store, Loblolly Creamery and Root Café. “I wanted it to be local things that are unusual,” Anita says. “It is revitalization with intent, some kind of reason, not just to make money. There had to be a philosophy behind it.”

That philosophy is food, art, and green living. All of which come into play with Anita’s creation of Bernice Garden, a tribute to her grandmother, Bernice. Anita created this green space to benefit the entire community.

“It was a Captain D’s, and it burned, leaving a blank lot,” she says. “I felt like the area needed a little oasis, more dirt and plants.” Anita worked with a landscape architect and stayed true to her philosophy. All the materials in the garden

are locally recycled, and the roof collects rainwater that is funneled into a fifty-gallon cistern, providing a sustainable source of water for the plants. The garden provides a space for events as well as a weekly farmer’s market. Thanks to Anita’s vision, the SoMa District is now an eclectic, thriving, walkable, family friendly destination for shopping, dining, and one highly unusual museum, attracting visitors from all over the world.

Anita Davis

SoMa District, Little Rock, Arkansas

Chocolate Raspberry Panna Cotta

ingredients

(4 servings) for the raspberry topping

° 1 ½ cups fresh raspberries, chopped (plus more for garnish)

° 3 Tablespoons sugar

° 1 Tablespoon water

for the panna cotta

° ½ Tablespoon powdered gelatin

° 1 Tablespoon water

° 2 cups heavy cream

° 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar

° 2 Tablespoons Chambord raspberry liqueur

° ½ teaspoon vanilla

° 2 ½ ounces dark chocolate, melted (plus more for garnish)

Recipe adapted anitalianinmykitchen.com image Ala Shauratskaya/Shutterstock

for the panna cotta

In a small saucepan add cold water and gelatin. Allow to stand for 1 minute, then heat on low for 1-2 minutes until gelatin dissolves. Remove from heat. Stir in Chambord until combined.

Roughly chop chocolate, melt in microwave, heating in short increments until smooth.

In a separate saucepan, combine cream and sugar. Using low to medium temperature, heat until cream just begins to boil and remove from heat immediately. Add the gelatin mixture and vanilla, stir to combine, then add in melted chocolate. Stir until well combined.

Transfer panna cotta into dishes, cover and refrigerate overnight, or at least 8 hours. Raspberry topping should be made and added shortly before serving, recipe follows.

for the raspberry topping

In a small saucepan, combine chopped raspberries, sugar, and water. Cook over medium heat. Stir occasionally, allowing to boil until thickened. Cool before adding to the panna cotta. Spoon raspberry sauce over panna cotta in an even layer. Refrigerate until ready to serve or garnish and serve immediately.

True

Love’s

Kiss

RECIPE adapted kitchenswagger.com image Elena Veselova/Shutterstock

ingredients

° 1 ounce vodka

° ½ ounce Chambord liqueur

° 3 ounces pineapple or cranberry juice

° ½ ounce Grand Marnier

° dash of lime juice

° rimming sugar, fresh raspberries and mint (garnish)

method

Rim martini glass with sugar if desired. Combine all ingredients over ice in a mixing tin. Shake well to chill and combine. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish as desired. Enjoy!

ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY. NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE.

ExploringArkansas,Naturally ExploringArkansas,Naturally

The Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission (ANHC) is charged with the responsibility of protecting the best of the last remaining vestiges of the state's natural communities. ANHC does this through its System of Natural Areas that are open to the public for exploration and use. These natural areas represent some of the best, and last, remaining examples of Arkansas’s original natural landscape.

Arkansas’s natural areas are special places that protect rare natural communities and provide vital habitat for a host of plant and animal species, some of which are considered to be

rare, threatened, or endangered. Under the guidance of the Division of Arkansas Heritage, ANHC manages, preserves, and sometimes also restores these lands.

Prior to settlement, Arkansas was marked by an expansive mosaic of natural communities. In all, more than forty different natural community types occurred across Arkansas's landscape. Since the 1800s, however, urban development, agriculture, fire suppression, and the spread of invasive plant species have destroyed or degraded many of these diverse ecosystems.

Natural areas are more than just a glimpse into the past. What these areas ultimately can provide are blueprints for understanding how Arkansas's diverse ecosystems originally functioned. Such information will be especially vital as Arkansas continues to develop and address important environmental issues into the future.

While all these natural areas are open to the public, they offer different types of outdoor recreation such as hiking and hunting. Of the seventy-nine natural areas, more than twentyfive offer outdoor enthusiasts hiking and water trail options.

Many of these natural areas are open to specific forms of hunting through a cooperative agreement between the ANHC and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. All have unique conservation elements.

For example, Dardanelle Rock Natural Area has been a major landmark along the Arkansas River since the days of early Arkansas exploration. Garrett Hollow Natural Area is marked by rugged topography. Like much of the Ozarks, this natural area contains a number of karst features that provide critical habitat for the federally endangered Ozark big-eared bat.

Hall's Creek Canyon Natural Area

Dardanelle Rock Natural Area

Specific types of hunting are allowed here – see the Arkansas Hunting Guidebook for details at agfc.org.

The thirty-three-acre Hall's Creek Canyon Natural Area is the only known site in Arkansas for the wall-rue spleenwort (Asplenium ruta-muraria), a rare fern of vertical cliff faces that are uncommon in this part of the Ozarks. The property contains important historical features including several springs, for which the town of Ravenden Springs was named. Several bluff overhangs were used by early residents. One such cave, "School Cave" has been documented by several secondary sources as the site of Arkansas's first free school, founded in the early 1800s.

Kings River Falls Natural Area includes more than three miles of the Kings River, a clear mountain stream. There is a two-mile in-and-out trail to the scenic Kings River Falls. This river is relatively unique for the Ozarks because it flows from south to north. Rock Creek Natural Area contains one of the highest concentrations of rare plants in Arkansas. The natural area lies within the Harold Alexander Wildlife Management Area and specific types of hunting are allowed here. There’s also a 1.2-mile roundtrip, easy-to-moderate trail meandering through various habitats such as an upland oak-hickory forest and several glades. The appropriately named Bubbling Springs is the main highlight found at the end of the trail.

Discover all seventy-nine Natural Areas in Arkansas and plan your trip at arkansasheritage.com.

Kings River Falls Natural Area

Rock Creek Bubbling Springs

2023 Wedding Guide

It’s wedding season! Whether you are planning your engagement, selecting the venue, choosing your photographer, or looking to add unique details to make your special day memorable, we’ve partnered with the best local vendors, who are committed to making all your wedding dreams come true!

8000 South Zero Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas

479.310.8444

Find us on Facebook /Instagram

Choose 4 Corks for all your event, entertaining and gift-giving needs! We have everything you need to make your Valentine’s Day, wedding day, or any day special. As Fort Smith’s one-stop shop for spirits, vino, and brew, we offer a large selection of wines, in all price ranges, and welcome you to browse the area’s best wine cellar featuring wines from all around the world! We also carry a vast variety of every popular craft beer, along with all the popular beer brands. You’ll also find your favorite liquors, liqueurs, bourbons – even cigars! Enjoy the experience for yourself at 4 Corks Wine and Spirits!

320 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Arkansas fortsmithmuseum.org

479.783.7841

Housed in the distinctive 1906 Atkinson-Williams Warehouse building in the heart of historic downtown Fort Smith, the Fort Smith Museum of History offers two unique venue spaces set apart by original architectural elements of the building. Rustic brick walls, plank flooring, and exposed wooden beams and columns milled locally in the early 1900s make the Main Hall a beautiful space that can be customized to fit any event. The Soda Fountain gives a turn-of-the-century feel with abundant light and Victorian flair. Our rental spaces accommodate conferences, workshops, weddings, and parties with rooms that seat 40 to 150 guests with flexible rates and times.

479.763.5417

wellonwheelsmobilebar.com

Well on Wheels Mobile Bar is a mother-daughter owned and operated beverage service serving the River Valley and surrounding areas. Our bartenders are licensed, insured, and committed to keeping your guests safe and smiling! Our newly renovated horse trailer bar is a unique addition to any wedding, event, or party. All our bartending packages include custom decor, cups & napkins, delicious cocktails and more! Let us help you make your event an unforgettable one. Visit our website www.wellonwheelsmobilebar.com for more information.

314 Lexington Avenue, Fort Smith, Arkansas

479.649.3435

salonelements.com

Feel and look your absolute best on your wedding day! We will cater to you and your bridal party, ensuring you look picture perfect with exquisite makeup and hair. If you wish to explore pre-bridal day packages to prepare in advance of your special day, we would be happy to personalize a custom plan for you! This package can include a facial, lashes or lash extensions, and hair treatments. We offer many options for hair extensions; you can even rent them for your wedding day. Our team here at Salon Elements is delighted to have the opportunity to care for you and your family on one of the most important days of your life!

5622 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Arkansas

479.452.2140

johnmaysjewelers.com

Roses are red. Violets are blue. We love diamonds, and so should you! It’s time to show appreciation to that special someone in your life who means the most to you. Whether you are celebrating your first Valentine’s Day together, or like our founders, John and Katherine, your 56th Valentine’s Day together, we invite you to come see some of our gorgeous new pieces in store. If you’re looking for a beautiful Jay Strongwater frame to accent a special picture, or if this is the year you get down on one knee and profess your love with a gorgeous Hearts on Fire diamond engagement ring, we have you covered!

1805 Hickman Bluff Road, Lavaca, Arkansas

479.926.8486

Hickmanhillevents.com

Locally owned and operated, Hickman Hill is tucked away from the hustle and bustle, located in Lavaca, Arkansas, just minutes away from Fort Smith. Our modern barn venue is nestled on over six acres and offers gorgeous views of the surrounding area. You’ll love our newly renovated catering kitchen and women’s restrooms plus our barn offers heat and air for you and your guests’ comfort. Call 479.926.8486 for more information, visit our website at hickmanhillevents. com and find us on Facebook and Instagram at Hickman Hill Events. We can’t wait to help you plan one of the most important days of your life. Your forever begins here!

3720 South 87th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.926.6083

Find us on Facebook/Instagram

The Barn by Two Brothers, an original hay barn built in 1910, is located in Fort Smith, Arkansas! The Barn is the perfect location for your wedding, bridal shower, rehearsal dinner and all your special occasions! Our packages include an on-site coordinator and staff who will set everything up before you arrive. Visit our website (www.thebarnbytwobrothers.com) to read about our micro-wedding package, one-day rentals, two-day rentals, and hourly rates. Check out our Facebook and Instagram to see a lot of pictures from past events! Interested in a tour? Call or text 479.926.6083; we would love to show you The Barn by Two Brothers!

5401 Phoenix Avenue, Fort Smith, Arkansas

479.926.2YOU

wedeliver@Sodies2you.com

Sodie's 2 You is the first mobile bartending and beverage catering service in the River Valley, making it easier for you to host amazing parties anywhere! Let us know about your event and we'll help you arrange what you need. We pick up your prepaid liquor from the store, ice it down and bring it to your event. We can even arrange for licensed bartenders to serve your guests. Our Custom Bartending Trailer is also available, featuring a dual-top margarita machine, two cocktail stations, wine refrigerator, taps for kegs, and iced beer bins. Contact us at 479.926.2YOU or wedeliver@Sodies2you.com.

994 Mountain Harbor Road, Mt. Ida, Arkansas 870.867.2191 / 800.832.2276

mountainharborresort.com

For a wedding venue as beautiful as your love, choose Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa. Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa on Lake Ouachita, hosts a variety of unique wedding locations from the serene lakeside East Cove Conference Center to gorgeous pavilions along the lake. Mountain Harbor's striking lakeside facilities are unique to Lake Ouachita, in a setting of Arkansas pines and wilderness lake beauty for stunning wedding photos. With award-winning service and a wide array of lodging options for all your guests, Harbor makes destination weddings happen! Enjoy Turtle Cove Spa, rated Arkansas’s top spa, perfect for the bridal party, wedding guests or post-wedding recovery. Plan your perfect lake wedding at MountainHarborResort.com.

479.996.5199

jadegravesphotography.com

I am a River Valley-based photographer specializing in wedding photography and lifestyle portraits. I love clean, timeless styles, and while I appreciate a flattering pose, I cherish the moments captured when everyone forgets the camera is near. I promise to value your family, your memories, and your time. I’ve captured hundreds of weddings and thousands of lifestyle portraits and I take pride in providing my affordable, high-quality products. Message me on Facebook, Instagram, or at jadegravesphotography@ hotmail.com for details!