®
FLOURISH
april 2021 DoSouthMagazine.com
02
april
Contents 04 05 14
What’s New - Contests
06
Nonprofit Spotlight:
Advertiser Spotlight:
Manes & Miracles
Dr. Steven B. Stiles – Eye Group
Letter from Catherine
16 We Love Your Pets 22 Profiles: Realtor Spotlight 54 Special Feature:
Healthcare Specialties
{PEOPLE}
18 30
In the Hands of a Potter:
Osage Clayworks
How ‘Bout Them Cowgirls?
{COMMUNITY}
08 11 12
{TASTE}
46 49
Chia Berry Smoothie Bees to Honey
Project Zero Shop Local Celebrating 60 Years
{OUTDOORS}
38 Swamp Boogie 42 Chasing Waterfalls
{ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT}
10
Get Bookish:
April Recommendations
34
Arkansas’ Souvenir Cities
{FICTION}
50
In Your Eyes
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OUR COVER Image Credit: JONG16899/ Shutterstock
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Letter from Catherine
I
ADVENTURE
I once read that you should fill your life with adventures and not things, so you have stories to tell and not stuff to show. So, imagine how pleased I was as we traveled across the great state of Arkansas in search of adventure, to find we could do both!
Adventure abounds in this issue and we’ve got the souvenirs to prove it! From paddling the murky Arkansas Water Ways to get an up-close view of a land frozen in time to chasing incredible waterfalls, we’ll show you where to get your heart pumping. And, as promised, whether your adventure finds you petting alligators or digging for diamonds, there’s a trinket to memorialize the trip, don't miss Arkansas’ Souvenir Cities. Looking for a road trip? We suggest Osage, Arkansas. Nestled in the heart of the Ozark Mountains is Osage Clayworks, home to some of the most unique pottery in the state. We’ll also introduce you to three rodeo cowgirls, sisters in fact, who thrive on competition. Continuing our profile series, I am proud to recognize the talents and contributions of select realtors in our community. These Realtors® set the bar for excellence and are
committed to going the extra mile for their clients. Join us as we salute their incredible achievements and the passion they share for their profession.
APRIL 2021 OWNER - PUBLISHER - EDITOR Catherine Frederick COPY EDITING Charity Chambers GRAPHIC DESIGN Artifex 323 – Jessica Meadors CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Jade Graves, Dwain Hebda CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jeanni Brosius, Scott Faldon, Catherine Frederick, Dwain Hebda, Sara Putman, Liesel Schmidt ADVERTISING INFORMATION Catherine Frederick I 479.782.1500 catherine@dosouthmagazine.com
This month, we also feature our annual Healthcare Specialties Guide! You’ll discover helpful information from leading providers and facilities, so you can narrow your search
FOLLOW US
and receive the expert care you expect for your family. As for my family, our son just turned sixteen! I’ve dreaded this rite of passage for some time, and while I may not be ready to let him go out into the world without me, I know he’s ready, and what an adventure it will be! Enjoy this issue of Do South® then plan an
©2021 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 to 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
adventure of your own - see you all in May.
Catherine Frederick Owner/Publisher/Editor
catherine@dosouthmagazine.com
Annual subscriptions are $36 (12 months), within the contiguous United States. Subscribe at DoSouthMagazine.com or mail check to 4300 Rogers Avenue, Suite 20-110, Fort Smith, AR, 72903. Single issues are available upon request. Inquiries or address changes, call 479.782.1500.
To reserve this free space for your charitable nonprofit organization, email: catherine@dosouthmagazine.com.
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what's new
FOLLOW US Send comments and suggestions and advertising inquiries to catherine@dosouthmagazine.com.
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CONTESTS (Deadline is April 15) Go to dosouthmagazine.com, click on “Contests” at the top of the page. All who enter will be subscribed to our mailing list. Once notified, winner must pick up prize from the participating business. Please see rules and policies on our Contests page!
KOPPER KETTLE CANDIES .............................................. CODE: KOPPER
Chocolate covered strawberries are HERE! Will you use your $25 gift card for delicious berries or decadent chocolates? You can’t go wrong with anything you choose from our friends at Kopper Kettle Candies! CMC MANAGEMENT .............................................................. CODE: CMC
Our friends at CMC Asset Management are proud to host a contest and support another small business in our community! Enter for your chance to win a $25 gift card to Links BBQ at Chaffee Crossing, courtesy of CMC Management! CARD + CLOTH ....................................................................... CODE: CC
You’ll have so much fun deciding how to spend your $25 gift card to Card + Cloth! If you’re shopping for yourself, or someone you adore, you’ll find what you need in store! Now with two gorgeous locations to serve you! DO SOUTH® MAGAZINE ................................................ CODE: DOSOUTH
What’s better than reading Do South® Magazine every month? Having it delivered right to your door, of course! Enter to win a one-year subscription to
Do South®, and your favorite magazine will come to you! Interested in hosting a contest with us? Contact Catherine at 479.782.1500 or email catherine@dosouthmagazine.com for details!
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community community
Nonprofit Spotlight
DS: How did Manes & Miracles come to be? Manes and Miracles started in 2018 with only four patients in a pilot program at an open-air arena donated for temporary use. Our goal was to increase access so people with disabilities wouldn’t have to travel by car over an hour one way to attain equine-assisted therapy. We currently serve thirty-six patients per
words Catherine Frederick with Amber Herndon, Development Director, Manes & Miracles at Chaffee Crossing
week. Cabaness Farms donated forty acres of land near Chaffee Crossing for the purpose of building a permanent location, which will allow us to serve more patients and expand our services to include care for Veterans and those in need in the Fort Smith area.
DS: Who does Manes & Miracles serve and in what ways? We currently provide equine-assisted therapy to children with special needs. By
Manes & Miracles at Chaffee Crossing offers equine-assisted therapy to help those with a wide variety of disabilities, providing both emotional and physical
using the horse as a tool and a program called hippotherapy, our therapists create a comprehensive treatment plan based on individual needs. Patients often show improvement in flexibility, balance, and muscle strength. Additionally, the relationship formed with the horse can help increase confidence, patience and self-esteem.
therapy for the patient. Equine-assisted
DS: Tell us how Manes & Miracles's mission impacts our community.
therapy can help individuals suffering
Our mission is to create an environment where opportunity replaces limitations
from autism, seizure disorder, anxiety
and to help children and adults learn the power of the words "I can." We facilitate
disorder, learning disorders, brain injury,
independence for those we serve. The impact is that we have more functional active
behavioral problems, and many other
participants in the community, by reducing the barrier of disability. One parent said
physical and emotional disorders. Do
her child, age four with Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy, was able to discontinue use
South reached out to Amber Herndon,
of her walker after one year of participating in our program.
®
Development Director, to learn more.
DS: How can our community get involved and support Manes & Miracles? P.O. Box 11828 Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.970.8351 manesandmiracles.org
Volunteer! We match your time, talent and interest to our needs. We hold once-aweek therapy sessions for patients in an open-air arena, weather permitting. Loss of consistent services slows down the positive effects of therapies, thus funding for a covered arena at the new location is of utmost importance. As a nonprofit we rely heavily on the generosity of caring individuals and organizations. If you feel led, your financial or in-kind gift of any amount is appreciated.
Next month, we’ll showcase another worthy charity in our area free of charge. If you have a nonprofit you’d like to see recognized, email us at catherine@dosouthmagazine.com.
DS: Are there any immediate needs or upcoming events our readers should know about? RAISE THE BARN 5K 10K Walk or Run is April 24 with a Virtual Race option. Pre-register before April 17 to receive a free dri-fit race t-shirt! Not a runner? Breakfast only tickets are available. Channel 5’s Darren Bob will emcee! Details and ticket links are on our website and Facebook page. DINNER AND ALL THAT JAZZ takes place September 18. Sponsorship opportunities are available for both events. By supporting Manes and Miracles, you help little miracles happen every day.
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community community
These two lovely ladies
Older sister Avianna is calm and sweet, but it takes
are Avianna and Arianna. Like many of the kids on
her a little while to open up to new people. She
the Heart Gallery, they have experienced a great
loves soccer and really enjoys cooking with her
deal of chaos and instability in their young lives.
foster parents. Arianna is a dancing queen and loves
They’ve moved around so much, every few months
gymnastics, but she can get upset a little too quickly
or so, they start expecting to have to change
sometimes. We asked the girls what kind of home
homes again. Think about that for a second. Most
they wanted to live in, and they said they’d prefer
of us wake up every day worrying about things
an African American family where they’d be the
that feel awfully important to us at the time, but
only kids in the home. No matter what, Avianna and
Avianna and Arianna wake up wondering where
Arianna will need a home filled with love, patience,
they’re going to live tomorrow. Folks, we can do
and consistency where they can get a lot of attention
better by these kids! They just want to be home
and support. Somewhere out there is a family for
where they’re loved and wanted.
these two sisters. If that’s you, let us know!
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.
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community
Avianna and Arianna Ages: 11 and 10 IMAGE courtesy Samantha Daniels Photography
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community entertainment
Get BOOKISH
Enjoy these four must-read books from our friends at Bookish, Fort Smith, Arkansas’s only independently-owned bookstore. Shop hours: Monday 11am-4pm, Tuesday - Friday 10am-6pm and Saturday 10am-4pm. Need curbside delivery? Call 479.434.2917 or email orders@bookishfs.com.
The Chicken Sisters
The Survivors
Shine
What Could Be Saved
by KJ Dell’Antonia
by Jane Harper
by Jessica Jung
by Liese O’Halloran Schwarz
This hilarious and blissfully dramatic family drama centers on two family chicken joints located in tiny Merinac, Kansas. The first point of contention occurs when Amanda, who works for her mother at Mimi’s Kitchen, marries Frank Pogociello and begins working for Frannie’s Kitchen – Mimi’s arch nemesis. Tensions rise when Amanda sends an SOS to Food Wars , and her sister Mae, who is also trying to revive her career, shows up to save her mother’s business. Hear tfelt and laugh-out-loud ridiculous at times, this is the perfect feel-good read.
Is there anything sexier than a brooding Aussie? In Harper’s newest suspense novel, we meet Kieran Elliot and his young family as they visit their hometown of Evelyn Bay. We quickly learn of an accident which occurred over a decade ago that haunts not only Kieran, but the entire town. Dark and atmospheric, The Survivors will keep you turning the page as the secrets the town keeps are uncovered one after the other.
Even if you’re not familiar with the world of K-Pop, you’ll fall in love with Rachel Kim, as she gives up everything to become a star. The rules are pretty simple: practice like crazy, monitor diet and exercise, and of course, no boyfriends. This sweet YA novel will take you away with the luxe lifestyles of the characters and the genuine relationships between Rachel and Jason, the DB Enter tainment golden boy. The author is a former K-Pop star which makes the details of the extravagance and the hypercolor world pop even more!
As Liese plants little nuggets of information throughout time and across the world, readers learn more and more about what really happened to the Preston family in Bangkok, 1972. Oscillating between 2012 Washington DC, the events surrounding Phillip Preston’s kidnapping and the ways in which the Preston sisters dealt with such a traumatic event are uncovered with a phone call forty years later. Aside from the beautiful language, What Could Be Saved is one of those novels that allows you to reconsider your own perspectives.
April Recommendations courtesy Sara Putman, Bookish
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shop
Spring In to Local Shops! words Catherine Frederick imageS Jade Graves Photography and courtesy vendors
We’re celebrating spring by showcasing a few must-have products from some of our favorite local shops. Stop in and pay them a visit and be sure to tell them Do South® sent you!
Eyewear by Krewe
DR. STEVEN B. STILES OPTOMETRY
Texas Ranger Coconut Pecan Flavored Whiskey, Naturalis Wines in Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon, 21 Seeds Valencia Orange Infused Tequila
479.452.2020
SODIE’S WINE & SPIRITS 479.783.8013
Aurora Cluster Earrings, 2.42cts., Available in 18kt White, Yellow and Rose Gold
Reduce Wind Noise & Protect Your Hearing with Custom Earmolds Designed to Wear Under Your Helmet
JOHN MAYS JEWELERS
Neon Zebra Non-Alcoholic Mixers in Mojito, Margarita and Strawberry Daquiri – Just Add Spirits
479.452.2140
IN GOOD SPIRITS 479.434.6604
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CENTER FOR HEARING 479.785.3277
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community
Celebrating 60 Years words Methodist Village Senior Living
Methodist Village Senior Living (MVSL) celebrates their great heritage of 60 years of caring for elders! Located on Wildcat Mountain, the MVSL property was previously the site of a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project for housing transient workers during the Depression years. The WPA erected veranda type barracks with porches for the workers and white stone pillars at the entrance. Now the intersection of 74th Street and Euper Lane, the pillars are all that remain of the original WPA construction. The need for housing transient workers began to decrease in the late 1930’s and the Arkansas tuberculosis sanatorium in Booneville had the need for more beds. In January 1937, the board of control of the state tuberculosis sanatorium recommended that it ‘take over and operate Wildcat Mountain.’ In March 1937, forty-three patients arrived and soon the Wildcat Mountain Sanatorium was filled to capacity at one hundred patients. Census in the sanatorium declined in the 1950’s as treatment became available for tuberculosis and the Wildcat Mountain annex closed its doors in December 1958. In the 1950’s major changes occurred in the care and housing of the elderly and the government began providing funds to build custodial units to house those who needed long periods of ‘recovery’ when leaving the hospital. Long-term care facilities were created to provide a place for acute long-term care. In 1959, the land which previously housed transient workers, and then a tuberculosis sanitorium, was donated to the city for the purpose of building a longterm care facility. Members of the North Arkansas Conference of the Methodist Church met to discuss the development of Methodist Nursing Home. The matter was brought before a district conference and a campaign was organized and trustees elected. Funds in the amount of $300,000 were raised in the city and from churches in the area to begin building the project. Opening its doors in March of 1961, Methodist Nursing Home was equipped with a skilled care unit that had thirty-three beds. The North Arkansas Conference of the Methodist Church transferred ownership of the 30-acre property to Methodist Nursing Home of Fort Smith, Inc. in February of 1963. The skilled care unit (Care Center) has now grown to 145 beds. In 1974, apartments were built to provide affordable independent living. In 2019, they expanded their mission to encompass assisted living and memory care with the opening of a forty-five room Assisted Living/Alzheimer’s Special Care Unit which has now grown to seventy-one beds. As part of their 60th Anniversary celebration, MVSL will feature a social media campaign to raise $60k in 60 days for their 60th year and “Legacy of Faith – Vision for the Future” Capital Campaign! For more information on how you can help, visit methodistvillage.com. DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
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advertiserSPOTLIGHT
ADVERTISER SPOTLIGHT
STILES EYE GROUP
Dr. Steven B. Stiles
STILES EYE GROUP
Optometric Physician / Owner
We offer comprehensive eye exams, diabetic eye exams, dry eye evaluations, all types of contact lens fittings (including sclerals), advanced dry eye treatment, glaucoma diagnosis and treatment, plaquenil exams, glasses frame styling and lens designing. Our products include frames by the best brands and hottest designers, such as Tiffany & Co., Tom Ford, Oliver Peoples, Lindberg, Lunor, Robert Marc NYC, Face a Face, Oakley, Ray Ban, Nike, and Cost Prescription lenses by Essilor, Shamir, and Transitions.
479.452.2020 2401 S. Waldron Road Fort Smith, Arkansas stileseyegroup.com When founded: 1978 Number of employees: 8
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advertiserSPOTLIGHT IN A CROWDED MARKETPLACE, WHAT SETS STILES EYE GROUP APART?
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST CHANGE TO YOUR PRACTICE OVER THE YEARS?
HAS TECHNOLOGY HAD AN IMPACT ON YOUR OPERATIONS?
We are committed to the patient experience,
Technologies in the diagnosis and prevention of
Yes, every day! Our eye exams, while
providing our patients the highest level of
serious eye conditions are constantly evolving
personal, are also very technology-driven,
professionalism and technologies and we stay on
and we’ve experienced major technological
utilizing the latest innovations to ensure our
top of trends in the industry. We succeed because
improvements in eyeglasses, lenses and
exams are comprehensive and efficient. We
of our warm, friendly, caring staff! We’ve struck
coatings. In today’s environment, time spent on
use digital imaging and computerized vision
the perfect balance of exceptional medical
computers, cell phones, televisions, and personal
testing to aid in diagnosing, preventing,
eyecare with our love for amazing eyewear. One
devices, has dramatically increased, resulting in
and treating both eye diseases and vision
of our mottos is “Eyewear is the most important
significant dry eye disease and vision-related
problems. We also offer our patients
element of your wardrobe.” Eyewear reflects
conditions. This becomes even more profound
two-way texting for ordering, and home
your personal style and projects your image. Your
with the increase of patients taking systemic
delivery of contact lenses.
eyes are the first place others look when meeting
medication for related health issues such as
another person, and we always have the hottest
diabetes, auto-immune diseases, hypertension,
styles of unique exclusive eyeglass frames
poor diet, and sleep apnea. We fully understand
WHAT ADVANTAGES DOES FORT SMITH PRESENT FOR YOUR PRACTICE?
that we personally curate. Our staff is trained
how it’s all connected and what should be
Fort Smith is a true gem and has become
to take the stress out of picking out eyewear!
addressed to better serve our patients.
the healthcare hub for western Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma. Our central location off
They know which styles will look best based on
Rogers Avenue in Fort Smith has served our
edge treatment for dry eye issues using the latest
WHAT ABOUT YOUR PRACTICE HAS REMAINED EXACTLY THE SAME OVER THE YEARS?
technologies as well as primary and preventive
We have so many long-lasting relationships with
medical eye exams for individuals with diabetics
our patients. This makes for a relaxed, enjoyable
and other eye-health issues. Because the eyes
and more personalized experience not only for
HOW HAVE YOU ADJUSTED TO COVID-19 PROTOCOLS TO CONTINUE TO SERVE CLIENTS WHILE KEEPING EMPLOYEES SAFE?
are the window to the body and not just an
our patients, but our entire team! Even though
We are following all CDC protocols for
isolated organ, we try to dig deeper to look at
we are well established we always welcome new
masking, continuous disinfection, limiting the
the cause of eye-health issues. We don’t just fit
patients. Our wonderful staff is truly the heart
number of people in our clinic at one time for
for glasses and contacts; we provide a thorough
and soul of our practice.
proper distancing, and are vaccinated. Our
your face shape, complexion, and prescription requirements. We also offer innovative, cutting-
medical eye-health exam!
practice and our patients well.
team now schedules everything, from eyewear shopping to dispenses to adjustments. We are
HOW DOES STILES EYE GROUP INVEST IN THE COMMUNITY?
WHAT'S THE FUTURE LOOK LIKE FOR STILES EYE GROUP? We will continue to offer the same exceptional
staying healthy in and out of our office.
Stiles Eye Group gives back to our community
eyecare and eyewear our patients have come to
in various ways, such as school screenings,
expect and look forward to serving our patients
donations to local charities, and our generous
and their families for years to come. Be sure to
support to local fundraisers.
stay in touch as we have exciting news to share later this summer!
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committed to keeping our staff informed on
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community
We Love Your Pe ts! We asked you to share a photo of your pet on our Do South® Facebook page, and wow, did you deliver - over 550 photos were shared! Check back in May for more adorable pet photos!
Titus - Megan Woodruff
Jackson - Amy Goff
Willard - Melissa Blevins
Duchess - Shannon Stoddard
Gema - Jenifer Foster
Waylon Drake - Amanda Marie Ali Mae and Myrl - Jayme Turner
Jack and Bear - Catherine Frederick
Libby - Marla Cagle-Keady
Dottie - Tracy Long
Clark - Jayme Turner
Graham and Ritz - Becky McCune
Joan - Brandi Alexander
Bandit - Jessica Meadors
Blue - Michael Lejong
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Fred - Lilly Perkins
Bernice - Greta Pryor
Dennis, Rhett, Scarlett - Kati Garner
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people
HOW 'BOUT THEM
Cowgirls? Words and images Dwain Hebda
Raby Sisters
I N T H E FA R R E AC H E S
of Faulkner County,
There’s not a cowpoke in the bunch save for Robbie Raby,
Arkansas, the land yawns wide and flat. Around every bend
the father of this brood and a former bull rider. But he’s well
in the road, the windbreaks cradle flat pastures billowing in
outnumbered by the latest generation, three straight-talking
the breeze. Here and there a house or barn dots the hillside,
and competitive sisters who don’t back down from anyone in
but mostly all you see are ranch gates and dirt roads.
the arena, especially each other.
On a spread just outside of Mt. Vernon near the county line
“It’s been pretty intense from time to time,” said Gracie,
sits the Raby place, home to one of the most prolific rodeo
nineteen, and a sophomore at Henderson State University on
families in the state if not the nation. The Rabys have been
a basketball scholarship. “It’s like, we all want each other to
tied up in rodeo for four generations, and they’re not done
do well, just not better than yourself, you know?”
yet with the current crop of the family’s competitors arguably the greatest in the family line.
If you didn’t know coming in, there’s no mistaking which of the three Raby girls is the oldest. As successful as her
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people
younger sisters Kenlie, eighteen, and Marlee, fifteen, have
champion junior high breakaway roper and last year placed
been, there’s an aura about Gracie that tells you she’s set the
fifth at the National High School Finals Rodeo. Next year,
bar for the other two to reach. When she was younger, she’d
she’ll compete at the college level, having accepted a rodeo
routinely take on the boys in rodeo events and always left
scholarship to Missouri Valley College in Marshall.
them knowing who they were up against, so you can imagine how hard she drove herself against other girls, kin or not.
“In a team sport, if you’re having a bad day, people can help pick you up. That’s not how it is in rodeo,” she says. “It’s what
“The first time I competed, when I was in with the big girls
your capability is in the arena, and that’s it. So, if you’re having
– and when I say big girls, I mean they were eight, nine – I
a bad day, guess what? That sucks. It does. But it’s a reflection
was maybe six. By the time I was eight, the competitiveness
of your own practice and time you put into it.”
had kicked in, and I was like, ‘I want to win,’” Gracie said. “Rodeo is a lot of hard work, and I can’t even tell you how
Where Gracie and Kenlie exude a palpable determination
many hours of practice it takes to get really good at it. As
and intensity, Marlee comes off like the family Zen master.
much as I love it, it’s very hard work.”
With a few more years between her and her sisters, she’s been less of a competitive threat and more the student,
Gracie’s grit paid off with world rankings in junior high and
soaking up the lessons of her siblings.
high school. Over her career, she’s done every rodeo event possible, but she built her reputation on breakaway roping
“Growing up, I knew there was a lot to look up to,” she says.
and goat tying, pushed from behind by Kenlie.
“Gracie has always been a super-big role model for me, and I always looked up to Kenlie, too. Gracie set the standard
“Well, we’re only sixteen months apart, so Gracie and I have
super-high for Kenlie, and seeing what Kenlie had to do to
always been close. But the competitiveness — I’ll say this,”
reach her goals to get up there with Gracie, that helped me.”
Kenlie says. “I’ve always been runner-up to her. I was always mad and upset about it and stuff, but it did push me to want
As a freshman, this is the first year Marlee has directly
to be better. You want to be practicing with the best and
competed against one of her sisters on the school team,
be able to ride behind her. I appreciate it now that I’m older
something she admits adds pressure for the first time in her
because I know what it takes to be good.”
rodeo career, knowing the expectations laid out for her.
One look at Kenlie’s competitive achievements tells you she
“At times, it did get tough,” she says. “It makes you want
learned the hard lessons well. In 2017 she was a reserve world
to quit a little bit, just because of feeling like I’m not going
Kenlie Raby
Gracie Raby
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Marlee Raby
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people
to be good enough as my sisters. My parents have always been super supportive, and they’ve shown me what it takes to reach those goals and that it’s going to take hard work to get what you want. “If you want something, in order to get it you have to work hard in practice. Kenlie always told me, ‘Don’t be upset if you haven’t done what it takes to win. If you’re not going to work hard for it, you shouldn’t expect to win.’” The girls’ parents – Robbie and Jennifer – stoked that The Raby Family
work ethic with inviolate conditions for the girls’ rodeo participation. Both have the sport in their blood, Robbie from his competitive days and Jennifer from her family’s long
“They had to mature and take on responsibilities at a very
history of managing the sport locally. Her grandparents, Roy
early age,” Robbie says. “Gracie started when she was in
and Kris Lee started the Flying L Rodeo in 1959 here in Mt.
second grade and all three of them started out when they
Vernon. They’d eventually pass it down to their kids – Jim
were really young. I feel like they were exposed to some
Lee, Joyce Lee, and Jennifer’s mother, Barbara Warren – who
hard times, good times, a lot of pressure, how to handle all
operate it to this day.
of that at an early age.”
Given her pedigree, it’s the height of irony that Jennifer is the
Robbie
only household member to have never competed in the sport.
among four highly competitive and opinionated women,
Growing up, she gravitated toward basketball which led her
demonstrating an acute eye for individual temperaments
to college on a scholarship, a sporting legacy she passed on
and knowing what makes them tick, the better to get the
to all three girls. But after college, she came home and traded
best out of his cowgirls. After all, he contends that rodeo
buckets for the broncs of the family business as a scorer.
is less of something you do and more something you are.
After marrying, the Rabys toted the girls to the arena before
“I mean, it’s really just a way of life,” he says. “Rodeo is a
they could walk, and once they started competing, Mom laid
very unique sport. I know people out there that don’t care
down the law about playing to win.
one way or the other, whether they win or lose. They just do
is
philosophical
about
being
the
only
man
it for pure enjoyment, pleasure. And then I know people out “I have an enormous competitive streak,” Jennifer says. “I
there that they’re not going to stop until they reach the top
always believed that if you are going to do something, you
tier of the sport. I feel like it’s a sport that anybody can get
should do it to win and not do it halfway. That probably
involved in and anyone can enjoy. It’s just up to that person
sounds terrible, but it’s true.”
where they want to take their rodeo career.”
Rodeo is not inexpensive, Jennifer notes. Saddles, feed, entry
And as for his girls?
fees, and a trailer the size of a small motor home in which, she says, “we all travel around in like a bunch of carnies,”
“I hope they take away that hard work and commitment will
cost money. Thus, it was also made clear early on that there
get them wherever they want to go in life.”
were high expectations when it came to the girls tending their animals, taking care of equipment, and putting in the practice time.
Follow them on Facebook, search FlyingLRodeo.
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2021 realtor
spotlight special feature 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 realtors in our community. They set the bar for excellence and are committed to going the extra mile for their clients. Join us as we salute their incredible achievements and the passion they share for their profession!
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Top 3 Reasons to Hire a Realtor Experience: The legal paperwork alone can be overwhelming to us. But to Realtors, it’s just part of their daily life. Plus, they can help you get the best deal possible, and help you avoid mistakes by using their hard-earned knowledge.
Negotiation: Let’s Make a Deal is a great TV show, but it’s not so much fun when you’re negotiating on your own. You need a professional on your side to make sure you get the best deal possible.
The People They Know: Realtors have connections with real estate attorneys, home inspectors, mortgage brokers, movers, even people who stage houses. That network can make buying or selling a house so much easier!
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Linsey Yates and Vicki Bush L i n s e y E . & Co . R e a lto r s ® As one of Fort Smith’s most prolific hometown success stories, Linsey E. & Co., Realtors® gains their clients’ loyalty the old-fashioned way – they earn it. “We’re not a franchise, we’re a locally-owned boutique real estate firm that is selective when hiring agents,” said Linsey Yates, principal broker and co-owner. “We focus on quality versus quantity by employing agents with strong local knowledge, credibility and connections within the community.” After graduating from the University of Arkansas, Linsey began her real estate career on grit and hustle; canvassing neighborhoods and knocking on doors where she saw a “For Sale by Owner” sign in the yard. Mostly, she just plain outworked the competition, en route to being recognized as one of the top agents in the Fort Smith area. “For many years, it was routine to work seven days a week,” she says. “That established hard work and dedication as the foundation for what would become Linsey E. & Co., Realtors®.” Along the way, Linsey recruited Realtor® Vicki Bush and the duo quickly realized how beneficial it was to collaborate each other’s strengths. Both women have nearly twenty years of real estate experience under their belt and Linsey’s magnetic personality and negotiation skills combined with Vicki’s finance and marketing expertise make for an unbeatable combination. Together, they formed the company three years ago and have watched it evolve into the fastest growing and most respected real estate firm in the area, with fifteen agents and counting. “The needs of our clients come first,” Vicki says. “Most people who want to get into real estate get into the business because they think they can set their own schedules. Well at our firm, the clients set the schedules. We always put their needs first.” The duo, both River Valley natives, hold themselves accountable to this philosophy every day, setting a high bar for expertise and customer service. And it works – despite the challenges of 2020 with the Covid-19 pandemic, Linsey and Vicki enjoyed their highest sales volume ever. “We offer one-on-one training for all agents and have a variety of personalities to match our clients’ needs,” Linsey says to explain their success. “Rest assured, the entire office is dedicated to the best interest of the client.” “Our company offers a premium and customized level of service that all clients are looking for,” adds Vicki. “We have proven our ability to compete with the larger real estate firms.”
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Nick & Ellie Glidewell Sa g e ly & E dwa r d s R e a lto r s ® As natives of Fort Smith, Nick and Ellie Glidewell of Sagely & Edwards Realtors® treat every one of their real estate clients less like customers and more like family. Individually, they represent years of real estate experience and together, they are a formidable ally to anyone looking to sell or buy the home of their dreams. "As a Realtor® and now a broker, I’ve learned a lot of valuable life lessons as well as quite a few important lessons about real estate,” Ellie says. “The main one being that real estate is first and always a people business. I like to help simplify the real estate transaction process for those who trust me to provide them with outstanding service and expertise.”
Glidewell "Ready To Serve You" Nick & Ellie
“I’ve had the privilege of living my whole life in Fort Smith,” says Nick. “I love this community and truly believe this area is one of the best spots in the world to live. I like the people and the land, so real estate was a logical way for me to have great encounters with both.” The couple says there are important differences in Realtors® and that clients should be prepared to ask questions when shopping around for one. For the Glidewells, market knowledge and experience combine with top-of-the-line customer service. “Our focus has always been on what the client wants," Ellie says. “We’ll advise them on all of the small print they’ll be facing, sure, but we never let our expertise overshadow their needs and desires.” "We listen to what people say, that’s the bottom line,” adds Nick. “Clients are the ones who have to live with their transaction, so we serve them best by maximizing our role as agents who solve problems." One of the ways that the couple meets these challenges is through technology. Nick and Ellie harness professional photography, drone videos, virtual 3D home tours as well as their website, YouTube and social media to aid in showing and viewing homes. This has proven especially important in the era of Covid-19. But, as Ellie is quick to point out, technology can never replace one-on-one service and expertise as the key tool in the Realtor’s® toolbox. “It’s not just the technologies; it’s how we customize and structure our use of them for each individual we work with,” she says. “No two buyers or sellers are the same, just like no two properties are the same. We put a lot of thought into creating an optimal marketing environment for each transaction, balancing the right technologies with a human touch.”
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When You’re Buying or Selling a Home,
Everything Should Revolve Around You
Buyers:
Learn about and visit only the properties that match your specific desires and budget. We’ll advise you on every move, every decision, every step of the way.
Sellers:
Benefit from proven selling technologies like 3D Virtual Home Tours and stunning photo and web promotion. We pay for these strategies – not you. Discover how simple and rewarding it is to buy or sell a home with Nick and Ellie Glidewell, Realtors who are 100% invested in your ultimate delight and satisfaction.
Call or visit:
(479) 739-6333 NickAndEllie.com
Jeanette Marie Jones R e / M a x e x e c u t i v e s r e a l e s tat e The phrase “big enough to serve you, small enough to know you,” aptly summarizes Jeanette Marie Jones’ fifteen years in real estate. The Realtor®, principal broker and perennial market sales leader co-owns RE/MAX Executives Real Estate with her husband of thirty-four years, Andrew Jones. “We are a locally owned and operated franchise with a worldwide brand that has a proven history,” Jeanette says. “I do believe that’s one of the primary things that sets us apart. “RE/MAX agents have experience, the tools and the know-how. They come on and they’re trained to take a transaction all the way through from contract to closing.” The payoff of these many resources is reflected in sales performance. Michael Jones, Realtor® and executive broker, says RE/MAX Executives Real Estate agents average more than twenty-six transactions and $3.9 million in sales annually, well above other agents in the market area. “RE/MAX’s presence is well-known nearly everywhere you go in the United States or abroad,” Michael says. “The agents we train have a lot of knowledge, making it easier and smoother for us to help new buyers and sellers as well as those who are experienced.” One major advantage to being part of a global network is an excellent referral system that gives the company a leg up on new residents moving into the community. “Other parts of the country, even other parts of the world that are connected with RE/MAX agents, come into our area and they like the reputation that RE/MAX agents have,” Michael says. “On the other side of it, we’re building our own referral business by the way we serve clients locally. When we do a good job for someone, we’re going to get them back when they sell or get their kids or their mama or whoever. We’re building generations of business off of that first encounter, so we treat every client with the utmost respect.” For all that’s changed in Jeanette’s years atop the sales charts – from digital tours to GPS to nearly paperless mortgages – the most important elements of RE/MAX Executives Real Estate have remained intact from Day One. “It’s still all about relationships and you still build relationships through communication, hard work and responsiveness,” she says. “All the technology and tools we have certainly make things easier, but at the core of it all people really care about is if you’re honest, if they can trust you and that you know what you’re doing. That hasn’t changed in the slightest.”
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Jeanette Jones 479.414.6898
9207 Hwy 71 S, Ste 6 Fort Smith, Arkansas
Michael Jones
Dakota Salisbury
Ethan Adams
Diamond Cantrell
Hunter Cardwell
Larry Rhodes
Amanda Hester
Michelle White
Monika Jones
Nicole Menasco
Tina Stratmann
Wilma Griffith
479.530.5190
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DON'T WORRY, WE'VE DONE THIS A MILLION TIMES! L o c a l l y, i n d e p e n d e n t l y, a n d p r i v a t e l y o p e r a t e d .
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In the Hands of a Potter words Jeanni Brosius IMAGEs courtesy
OSAGE CLAYWORKS
Amy McGhee and Newton “Newt” Lale, own and operate Osage Clayworks, out of what he describes as “a neat old building,” which was love at first sight for Newt. And, while it was a mutual passion for pottery and not love at first sight for the two, pottery is the glue that has held them together for the past thirty-eight years. Osage Clayworks is located in beautiful downtown Osage, Arkansas, in a 118-year-old general store, nestled in the heart of the Ozark Mountains within an hour of Eureka Springs, Fayetteville, the Buffalo National River, and Branson, Missouri. Each piece of Osage Clayworks pottery is handmade, fired in store, and utterly unique. Looking at this old structure through the eyes of an architect, Newt knew he wanted this building, which was originally home to the old Stamps General Store Building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, built in 1901. “Osage is a tiny town,” Amy said. “There is our store, a great Baptist church, and about eight families living in Osage.” DOSOUTHMAGAZINE
people
“I tried to stick my foot in my mouth continually,” Newt said about when he met Amy. “I was at my booth in Memphis and this little fuzzy-headed girl walked in and asked where I was from. I told her. ‘You wouldn’t know. It’s a little town in the hills of Arkansas.’ So, she said, ‘Try me, I might.’ After I shined her on a little more, I finally said, ‘Osage.’ She asked, ‘Does Frank Stamps still run that store?’ I was flabbergasted. I asked, ‘How do you know Frank?’ She told me she grew up in Alpena and had been in the store many times as a child.” Amy chimed in, “I grew up about ten miles from the store in Alpena. So, for me it was a homecoming to come to Osage. I had been in Conway working with a group of potters at Pickles Gap. I met Newt at that craft show in Memphis and visited with him the next time I was home to visit my mother. There was both the common interest in pottery and a natural attraction between us.” Newt was attending college at Texas A&M when he elected to take a
Amy left St. Joseph School in 1981, and then
pottery class the summer before his senior year. He loved it so much that
became a full-time potter for nineteen years
during his last year, before earning his degree in architecture, he took
while raising their daughter, Jessa. Then, she
night classes for pottery. After graduation, Newt leased an old gas station
was offered the opportunity to teach special
in Dallas, Texas, to sell his creations. “I graduated from college in 1974
education in the Alpena School District, which
and started making pots full time, right away,” Newt said.
she did for another nineteen years.
One of his pottery teachers came to Osage from Dallas and bought forty
Amy and Newt will tell you Osage is not just
acres on a natural gas pipeline that crosses from Harrison to Huntsville. It’s
pottery, it’s an experience. They love to visit
important to a potter to have access to natural gas because if a propane
with their customers, and they especially
tank runs out during a firing, it can be disastrous. “I came here to visit him
love for children to come in. “One thing we
and walked in the store at Osage to ask directions; that was definitely love
do with kids is just give them a piece of clay
at first sight,” Newt said about the building. “I bought forty acres and built
and help them make a pinch pot,” Amy said.
a studio for myself on the hill overlooking Osage. I asked Frank Stamps, the
“Then we have fired pinch pots other kids
owner of the building, several times to sell to me, but he would always reply,
have made for them to take home with them.
‘No, Newt. I need to die here.’ After Frank passed, his nephew came and
It is a pay it forward program. You make a pot,
asked if I was serious about buying the store, and I jumped at the chance.”
and you take a pot. That lets them have a clay experience and have something to take home
Amy, on the other hand, was teaching at St. Joseph School in Conway. She
with them. We do not charge for this. It is just
had always played with clay and would dig it out of the road out by her house
a chance to have a good time with the kids
when she was a child. She took a class in college and never stopped making
and provide them with an experience.”
it. Then, one day she met Newt at a craft show in Memphis.
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When you drive up to the store, the first thing
When you step inside, two things immediately catch your attention. First are
you’ll see is Ol’ Henry, the 1926 Model T Ford
the pillars of turned pine that run down the center of the store and stretch
– which still runs – parked out front. Newt
fourteen feet up to the ceiling. The second is the antique cases and fixtures,
purchased the Model T about five years ago.
all filled with pottery. One of the stipulations of buying the old building was
“I had to make 400 mugs that sold for twenty-
the antiques had to stay with it. “We were too broke to buy the contents,
five dollars each to pay for the transaction,”
and we just assumed they would have an auction,” Amy said. “They took
Newt said with a laugh. “Although it still has a
out a couple pieces that they wanted for themselves then asked us if they
crank in front, it has been converted to 12-volts
left them would we commit to not selling them off. We shook hands on the
and has a starter. Most riding lawnmowers have
deal, and we refuse to sell any of the antiques that came with the store.”
more horsepower than Henry. Even with highperformance heads, it only has 22 horsepower.
Beauty and joy are found in the various pieces created by Amy and Newt.
Top speed, downhill, is 45 mph. I still can’t
Amy loves to create small pieces like bud vases, small bowls and coffee
imagine loading up and driving to California
cups. She said there is something wonderful about a pot that fits neatly in
during the Depression, but many did, back
your hand while Newt prefers making bird feeders. The birds love them,
in the day.”
which makes Newt and his customers happy. The best-selling items are their unique coffee mugs and other drinking vessels. Yet, perhaps the most
The front of the massive building is striking.
interesting pieces they’ve created were a set of dinnerware for Johnny and
The arched windows, the eyes of the store,
June Cash. Cash was doing a show for a time in Branson, and he wandered
seemingly gaze back at you. The store seems old
into the store and he and Newt struck up a conversation.
and wise. All of the rock was hauled in a wagon and stacked by hand. It’s easy to see why Newt
As a business that takes such pride in its personal relationships with
fell in love with the place all those years ago.
customers, the pandemic hit Osage Clayworks especially hard. They were forced to close for a long period of time, which was especially lonely for a family-run business. After staying closed for almost a year, they opened by appointment only in November and December for Christmas shopping. Amy said their Etsy shop and selling online was what kept them afloat. Thankfully, March has led to the store opening back up full-time. Amy and Newt are happy and grateful. “We love making pots and love to have people stop to visit us. This last year has been very lonely. We are glad to be open again,” Amy said. Newt and Amy’s daughter, Jessa, and son-in-law, Donald, are also getting their hands in clay and now work the business part-time. Excitedly, Amy says they have expressed interest in taking on even more in the future. Eager to serve their customers, Amy encourages everyone to visit them in person or online at their Etsy shop. Amy says, “We can figure something out. We work with people to be sure they get what they need.” Osage Clayworks is worth the drive, back to a simpler time – a treasure waiting to be explored.
Shop online at etsy.com/shop/osageclayworks. 16501 Arkansas 103, Osage, Arkansas | 870.553.2513
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’ S A S N A ARK ouvenir Cities S
Anyone will tell you that the best part about spring break and summer vacation is the places families get to visit, as told by the souvenirs they bring home with them. T-shirts, drink cups, and a million other tchotchkes remind us of our adventures, sparking the old line, “Remember when...” Arkansas has its share of unique attractions with mementos to match. Herein lies a mere sample of what can be experienced in The Natural State and what to bring back from your adventures.
Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center Fort Smith, Arkansas agfc.com The Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center is the perfect
Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center
diversion for getting the family some sunshine and fresh air. Built on 170 acres of land that was part of Fort Chaffee, the center includes wooded grounds that offer nature trails and Wells Lake, a popular spot for fishing and watching birds and other wildlife. Inside the main building at the center, visitors find a variety of exhibits demonstrating the local ecosystem. Included are representations of the Ouachita and Ozark mountains, a life-sized oak tree exhibit crawling with game and nongame animal displays, and a 1,200-gallon aquarium with native Arkansas fish. River Valley is one of five nature centers operated by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission statewide, along with three education centers. Together, the structures educate and enlighten visitors as to the diverse habitat and geography of a given area as well as local species. These centers are free to the public, paid for by the one-eighth-
Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center
cent Conservation Sales Tax, passed in 1996.
words Dwain Hebda IMAGEs courtesy Hot Springs & Arkansas State Parks and Tourism
SOUVENIR: The public is welcome to fish Wells Lake (valid Arkansas SOUVENIR fishing license required) and, whatever you catch you can take home for dinner. There is also a variety of programming at the Janet Huckabee Nature Center such as classes on how to make a turkey call. And if all else fails, be sure to visit the gift shop. Proceeds help maintain the nature centers and keep them free to visit.
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Crater of Diamonds State Park Murfreesboro, Arkansas arkansasstateparks.com If you’ve ever wondered why there’s a diamond on many Arkansas license plates, it’s because diamond mining was once a booming business here. In fact, for a time, Arkansas was known as The Diamond State, thanks to what started as one man’s treasure in Pike County. There, farmer John Wesley Huddleston first found the gems on his property, and when his neighbor did the same, word got out that there were diamonds in them thar hills.
Crater of Diamonds State Park
Within a few years, Arkansas Diamond Company and Ozark Diamond Mines Corporation owned almost all of the land in the area and competed fiercely for four decades. During this period, a workman for ADC found the Uncle Sam diamond, a forty-carat monster that still holds the record as the largest diamond ever found in the United States. The two companies joined forces in 1952 to open Crater of Diamonds, a tourist attraction that charged visitors a fee, allowing them to search for diamonds and keep what they found. Buoyed by publicity over sporadic spectacular finds – including the fifteencarat Star of Arkansas (1956), the six-carat Gary Moore diamond (1960), and the thirty-four-carat Star of Murfreesboro (1964) – the attraction provided ample motivation for amateur prospectors. Now a state park, the tradition continues for the only diamond mine open to the public, with open field digging and additional amenities, including a hiking path and wildlife viewing area. SOUVENIR: Well, a diamond, of course! The park averages two SOUVENIR gems found per day, but even if fortune doesn’t smile on you to that degree, you might stumble over other semi-precious stones such as amethyst, agate, jasper, quartz, calcite and barite to name a few. And if all that fails you, the park’s gift shop ensures
Crater of Diamonds State Park
that no one has to know.
Arkansas Alligator Farm & Petting Zoo Hot Springs, Arkansas alligatorfarmzoo.com With live alligators in the cement pond and wild and domesticated animals around every corner, this place screams one-of-a-kind. Where else can you hold a baby gator and witness its older kinfolk and live to tell the tale?
Arkansas Alligator Farm & Petting Zoo
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The Arkansas Alligator Farm is one of those
Other than the hot mineral springs themselves, the alligator farm
curiosities that used to lie around every bend of old
bills itself as the oldest attraction in the Spa City. Opened in 1902,
state highways but have become harder to find in
it featured 1,500 gators as well as a small curiosities museum.
the era of the Interstate. The Hot Springs attraction
The venue changed ownership hands several times since, with
has weathered these changes by providing a one-of-
subsequent proprietors adding monkeys, raccoons, and loggerhead
a-kind experience for tourists and natives alike. Live
turtles to the mix. Today, you can also experience wild animals
adult alligator feeding shows are every Thursday,
(primates and Arkansas mountain lions) and tamer species (pygmy
Saturday,
goats and sheep in the petting area).
and
Sunday
at
noon,
May
through
mid-October, and yes, you can hold and even stickSOUVENIR: With alligators being the headliners here, one could SOUVENIR
feed a baby gator during feeding season.
say coming home with all fingers and appendages intact is a souvenir in itself. But as with any tourist attraction worth its salt, the Arkansas Alligator Farm has a gift shop stocked with all the gator-themed merchandise you didn’t know you needed. Spring for a t-shirt, a shot glass, or even a plush critter to remind you of your prehistoric adventure.
Ozark Folk Center Mountain View, Arkansas arkansasstateparks.com Nestled into the picturesque Ozark Mountains lies the Ozark Folk Center State Park, a celebration of the unique environment and people that settled the area. From herbal remedies and mountain gardening to crafts and music handed down through the generations, visitors are given a fascinating, first-hand look at Ozark culture. Arkansas Alligator Farm & Petting Zoo
Artisans are everywhere in Mountain View, both at the center and spilling throughout the historic downtown. Whatever you’re into – pottery, basket-weaving, broom-making, blacksmithing, or handmade jewelry – you'll find it among the twenty Ozark craft artisans who produce and sell their creations within the state park’s craft village. Plan your stay around the many scheduled classes throughout the season and learn how to make items on your own. Check the park website for a full roster of classes as well as restrictions or limitations due to covid-19 precautions. Also within the park, experience performances headlined by folk music with seasonal festivals honoring bluegrass and other genres also being held here. The park’s large auditorium is a familiar stop for national touring musicians and special events such as the Arkansas State Old Time Fiddle Contest and the
Ozark Folk Center
American Roots Music Concert Series.
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entertainment SOUVENIR: If you take a class, you come away with a unique piece SOUVENIR of your own handiwork that far surpasses any t-shirt or bumper sticker. If you don’t have the time or inclination to learn it yourself, the park’s artisans are only too happy to sell you one of their creations to remind you of your visit.
Fayetteville Ale Trail Northwest Arkansas fayettevillealetrail.com Founded in 2013, this glorious tour has turned thousands of people
Ozark Folk Center
onto Arkansas’ thriving craft beer industry. The Ale Trail is a product of Experience Fayetteville and includes breweries throughout the bustling Northwest Arkansas corridor. The concept is simple – you pick up a passport at the Fayetteville Visitor's Center downtown on the square and start your journey from one brewery or taproom to the next. At each stop, be sure to get a stamp for your passport as you enjoy the many different brewers’ styles and engage locals in friendly conversation. Now obviously, common sense quickly comes into play here. I last made the trail – on assignment, no less – in less than a day and a half in 2016, back when it contained just ten stops. My designated driver and I hit two locations upon arriving around the supper hour and eight the next day. Since then, the Ale Trail has ballooned to seventeen stops, including one in Eureka Springs and one in Siloam Springs. Given that, don’t try to do the whole trail in less than a weekend. Start on Friday, or split it up among multiple visits.
Fayetteville AleTrail
Another word to the wise is to stick to flights and tasters, smaller drams that give you enough of a beer to get the idea without having to knock back a full pint at each stop. Even then, you have to be mindful of your sea legs and build in some chow stops while you make the tour. Not all of the breweries serve food, so advance planning is a must. And while it shouldn’t have to be said, be sure you have a non-drinker behind the wheel at all times. SOUVENIR: Completed passports can be taken back to the Visitor’s SOUVENIR Center to redeem for a free prize, but I still have mine. It still makes me smile to remember how much fun it was to fill it up. And there’s swag for sale at most of the stops if you really fall in love with a particular brewery. A pro tip: Ask for a couple of logo-adorned cardboard coasters to take with you, and every time you enjoy a cool one at home, you’ll be reminded of your adventure.
Fayetteville AleTrail
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SWAMP BOOGIE
SWAMP BOOGIE
DEBBIE DOSS LIFTS THE PADDLE
head out of
the latte-colored water and lets it rest on the kayak. Her bright vessel drifts smoothly, deliberately, like a horse let off its lead, past gargantuan trees in the flooded timber of Bayou DeView. Overhead, the azure sky is spattered with overhanging tree branches, grating the light into shards while echoing bird calls emote from every direction. Debbie has paddled this route hundreds of times, but still, the sight of the place, the Sistine Chapel of the Arkansas Water Trails, never fails to take her breath away. “Nature is my only religion, and the outdoors is my only church,” Debbie told me. “DeView is a very sacred one.”
words Dwain Hebda images courtesy Debbie Doss
If you’ve ever wondered what primeval looks like, you’ll find it on the Arkansas Water Trails, paddling routes that deliver a mind-bending view of The Natural State. It’s a scene you
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outdoors
experience visually and viscerally – at once astonishing in its
Game and Fish Commission on some, which all seem to be in
age and beauty and terrifying in its sheer size and mystery.
the eastern part of the state right now. We’re working with one called Wapanocca over close to Memphis that is a nice little lake
The mind plays tricks here as the chocolate water swirls and
paddle that we’re going to add to the state water trails.”
the silence overpowers you amid grove after grove of trees. Cypress, tupelo, and various water-loving oaks. The oldest of
“We’re also looking at places to paddle up on the Black
them are easily 900 years old if that tells you anything. Put
River, which comes out of Missouri on the eastern side of
into context, Christian Europeans were still waging Crusades
the state and joins the White River near Newport. And in the
in the Holy Land when these ancients were saplings.
southwest and western part of the state, Sulphur River is one that people should check out.”
“All of the trails have their own characteristics, and each one is different and unique in its own way,” Debbie says. “Some
If the system has patron saints, it’s undoubtedly Debbie and
of them are more open and some of them, like DeView, are
her husband Cowper Chadbourn, who have been crucial
actually a river, so you do have current. It’s generally slow-
activists for creating the trails and overseeing certain routes.
moving, but you do have current.”
Following the spring 2021 snowstorm, they paddled the most popular trails to check for damage and inspect the reflectors
“At Grassy Lake, which is near Mayflower, it’s a green tree
and signage nailed to trees that mark paddlers' route.
reservoir, which also has cypress. But there’s really no current at all because it’s an impoundment. You still need the trail because you’re still going through a whole lot of flooded timber and stuff.” There is literally no other place in the state quite like the marshy, swampy environs of the Arkansas Water Trails. Designated by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and currently numbering fourteen statewide, these trails give paddlers an up-close view of time frozen in place, by turn majestic, eerie, natural and alien. The visitor is just one of a cast of thousands here, among the birds, insects, fish, frogs, turtles and who-knows-what sliding and slithering under groves of lily pads and around the bases of trees. “We’ve got other places, like down at Arkansas Post, where it’s more marshy and open and where you can see alligators and things like that,” grins Debbie, who never met a reptile she didn’t like. “Generally, they go the other way.” The Arkansas Water Trails can be found throughout the southern half of the state, with additional trails as far north as Marion and Poinsett counties. More are being considered for inclusion in the state’s collection and even more are waiting to be discovered. “There’s a lot of places to paddle that are just great that are not yet official water trails,” Debbie says. “I’m working with the DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
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“They’re all in pretty good shape now,” she says. “We
skills can get out there and do just as much as anybody else.
checked out the main ones that get the most use here in
Adrenaline is the attraction for whitewater sports, but this is
Central Arkansas, which is Grassy Lake and Bayou DeView
endorphins and serotonin. It’s a place where you can go and
and Wattensaw Bayou. Those are all good to go.”
be enclosed by a natural experience.”
“Over the years as people have gotten used to the trails, we’ve had fewer issues with sign removal. We still get some a little bit every year during hunting season. There’s some
Adventure Awaits
competition to get out to the duck holes and people will
The Arkansas Water Trails includes 14 routes,
sometimes take signs down. But we always go out after the
each with its own flavor and mood.
season’s over, just to make sure that you can still find your way around the trails without any problems. Everything is
- Arkansas Post Water Trail (Arkansas County)
looking pretty good, so far. We’re ready for spring.”
- Bayou Bartholomew Water Trail
Arkansas’ Water Trails represent some of the last remaining enclaves of Arkansas wilderness. Once covering as much as a third of the state, these ecosystems were fed by seasonal
(Ashley, Jefferson, Lincoln counties) - Bayou DeView Water Trail (Monroe County)* - Crooked Creek Water Trail (Marion County)
flooding of the Mississippi River, blessing Arkansas with some
- Cut-Off Creek Water Trail (Drew County)
of the richest soils on earth. However, this very flooding
- Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge Water Trails
made large-scale cultivation impossible in many areas and so
(Union and Ashley Counties)*
began a decades-long effort to tame the land for habitation
- Grassy Lake Water Trail (Faulkner County)*
and agriculture.
- H Lake Water Trail (Arkansas County)
Over time technology allowed that very thing to occur, with state and federally funded reclamation programs. Arkansas
- Islets Cove Paddle Trail on DeGray Lake (Clark County)
gained millions of acres of rich farmland at the expense of the
- Lake Ouachita | Rabbit Tail Water Trail
flood-flush-fortify system that helped create and nourish it in
(Garland and Montgomery counties)
the first place.
- Little Maumelle River Water Trail (Pulaski County)*
Bayou DeView, and places like it, might have disappeared altogether were it not for a battery of conservation groups – Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, The Nature Conservancy, Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission and others – that have
- Robe Bayou Water Trail (Monroe County) - St. Francis Sunken Lands Water Trail (Poinsett County) - Wattensaw Bayou Water Trail (Prairie County)*
worked to bring them under protection. Debbie has gone so far as to found the Arkansas Water Trails
* Arkansas Water Trails Partnership Trail
Partnership to promote and protect these untamed spaces, providing benefits for generations. The group works with various partners to develop public paddling trails throughout the state, creating well-mapped accessible day and overnight trips in a variety of settings and for all levels of paddling experience. “It’s a perfect thing for a novice just learning to paddle,” she says. “There are certain things you still need to learn just for
To learn more: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission agfc.com/en/explore-outdoors/wildlife-viewing/water-trails/ Arkansas Water Trails Partnership arkansaswatertrails.com
safety, but as far as skills in the boat, people with rudimentary DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
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outdoors
chasing WATERFALLS Twin Falls
words Scott Faldon images Arkansas Tourism, West Texas Fish, Epic Imaging Photography
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T
outdoors
The old saying is April showers bring May flowers, but for
the February cold snap, dozens, if not hundreds, of photos of
many people in The Natural State, changing it to April showers
a frozen-over Glory Hole Falls were posted to social media.
bring waterfall season is much more accurate. Hemmed-In Hollow Falls is another natural Arkansas landmark.
While a few Arkansas waterfalls flow year-round, most only
Located near Ponca off Highway 43, it is the highest waterfall
run during wet weather. That makes a rainy spring the perfect
between the Appalachian and Rockies, with a drop of 209
time to hit the trails to visit them. Summer and fall are usually
feet. Just half a mile away from Hemmed-In Hollow Falls,
the worst times to chase waterfalls in Arkansas, thanks to the
Diamond Falls drops 148 feet from lip to pool.
lack of rain. While many waterfalls require a solid hike or even off-trail The most famous Arkansas waterfall is The Glory Hole Falls
bushwhacking to reach, some are close enough to see from
– which is about sixty-five miles from Fort Smith, north of
your vehicle. Natural Dam, just up Highway 59, is a popular
Clarksville on Highway 21. Over the eons, the feeder-creek
picnic spot and swimming hole location that can be enjoyed
has bored through a bluff and drilled a hole through it. During
without ever leaving your car.
Glory Falls
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outdoors
Natural Dam
Car Wash Falls takes it one step further, by spilling onto an
wet trails and slippery rocks of the hiking trails. Hiking poles
unpaved county road so you can drive through it. It is featured
aren’t a bad idea either, especially for the more remote falls.
in the opening credits of the Exploring Arkansas television
A backpack containing water, snacks, and a good first-aid kit
show airing on Arkansas PBS.
is a requirement. Depending on the weather that day, throw a rain jacket or fleece in as well.
The best way to begin chasing waterfalls is to start with easily reachable ones. Lake Alma has a small pour-over called
Keep children close when waterfalling, as there are often
McWater Falls that is located on its trail system. Head out of
ledges and cliffs along the routes. Use some good bug spray
the parking lot to the right (to the north) and look for signs
to keep the emerging ticks off you.
pointing you to a spur trail that leads directly to the small waterfall. It’s just a bit more than half a mile from the parking
Prolific outdoorsman and author Tim Ernst has published
lot to the falls.
Arkansas Waterfalls. In it, he details how to reach more than 200 waterfalls and cascades in the state. Some, like Car Wash
Twin Falls at Devil's Den State Park requires just a 1.5 miles
Falls, are easy to see, while others require serious hiking skills
roundtrip hike on a well-marked and heavily used trail. If you
and a solid knowledge of how to use GPS. Tim’s guidebook
follow the entire loop, you can also check out Devil’s Den and
is a must-have for anyone looking for waterfalls in Arkansas.
the Devil’s Icebox.
Another great resource is a Facebook group called The Waterfalls of Arkansas. With more than 82,000 members, it
Since waterfalling is a wet-weather activity, good hiking boots
fills up with photos of flowing waterfalls every time it rains.
or shoes are recommended. You’ll want a solid grip on the
Planning your next outdoor adventure? Visit The Woodsman Company in Fort Smith, Arkansas for all your adventure needs! 5609 Rogers Ave, Suite D, Fort Smith, Arkansas | 479.452.3559 | thewoodsmancompany.com
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46
taste
recipe adapted papernstitchblog.com IMAGE Kolpakova Svetlana/Shutterstock
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taste
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48
taste
(makes 4 servings)
FOR CHIA PUDDING
FOR BERRY SMOOTHIE °
1 banana, frozen
°
1 cup fruit, plus more for garnish
°
6 Tablespoons chia seeds
°
2 cups vanilla almond milk,
(strawberries, blueberries, peaches and
sweetened or unsweetened
pineapples, all make delicious smoothies)
°
½ teaspoon agave or honey
°
1 cup vanilla almond milk,
°
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
sweetened or unsweetened
°
½ - 1 cup water
°
agave or honey, sweeten to taste
°
fresh fruit of choice (garnish)
Combine pudding ingredients, cover and place in refrigerator for at least two hours. Blend together the frozen banana, almond milk, and fruit of choice for smoothie layer. Add agave or honey, sweeten to taste. Thin smoothie to desired thickness with water. Line the inside of your glass with kiwi or strawberry slices. Layer chia pudding on the bottom of glass, then top with smoothie mixture. Add fruit of choice for garnish. Enjoy!
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taste
Recipe adapted cookieandkate.com image Oleksandra Naumenko/Shutterstock
INGREDIENTS
(makes 1)
° 2 ounces gin ° 1 ounce fresh lime juice ° ¾ ounce honey syrup ° club soda ° lime (optional garnish) ° mint sprig (optional garnish)
METHOD Prepare honey syrup by heating ¼ cup of honey and a ¼ cup of water, stirring until combined. Remove from heat, reserving extra for future cocktails. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously, then strain into a glass, top off with a splash of club soda. Garnish with a lime wedge if desired. Please drink responsibly. Never drink and drive.
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50
fiction
In Your Eyes
I
words Liesel Schmidt image Nejron Photo/Shutterstock
I was sitting alone, folded forward in a padded chair as I
at a man somewhere around fifty years old, his pleasant
considered the shoes on my feet with the concentration of
face arranged in grave contemplation. Blue eyes assessed my
someone making a life-altering decision. My left foot was
mismatched feet, narrowing in single-minded focus.
encased in a bright red patent-leather ballet flat, beacon-like in its shiny cheerfulness. The right foot wore its alter ego,
“Yes. Definitely the red,” the man said again, nodding as he
executed in hot pink.
spoke. Short, chestnut-colored hair had flecks of gray showing at the temples and reached just over the top of his forehead,
Pink. Red. Pink. Red.
swept to the side and slightly ruffled. It made him look more
Both?
approachable, less formal than he might have otherwise.
Pink. Red.
“You don’t think they’re a little too Wizard of Oz?” I
“I vote the red,” said a voice that floated above my head.
asked, hoping I wasn’t showing the surprise I felt at his
The toes of a pair of well-worn leather loafers pointed in my
unexpected approach.
direction, curtained by dark jeans with the perfect amount of length and break.
He considered for a moment. “No. I think they’re great. And I happen to like the whole ruby slippers thing,” he
I turned my head and lifted my gaze to find myself looking
replied, smiling.
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fiction
I couldn’t help but smile back. It seemed so rare that anyone stepped out of their own orbit to make contact with a stranger––unless, of course, it was to complain about something. Pleasantries seemed reserved for only the closest acquaintances and came at a premium when exchanged between strangers. It was shameful, really, though it certainly made moments like this that much more notable. “So, you’re a Judy Garland fan?” I asked. “Me? No, not at all. I just like a pretty lady in shiny shoes.”
We stayed like that for a moment, hands clasped in the friendly gesture of a handshake, eyes locked in silent
He laughed.
exploration. It was
“Well,” I said, smiling shyly. I could feel my cheeks coloring
odd, this sensation
brightly to match the shoes on my feet. Both feet. First the hot pink, then the red. Apparently, even at thirty years old, I wasn’t too old to blush. “And don’t worry. I don’t actually work here, so I have no stake in your decision. Consider me an unbiased second opinion,” he paused slightly, looking around the small shoe boutique. “Unless, of course, you already have one?” It took a moment for me to register the meaning of the question. I shook my head.
in my repertoire are all women. Having a male perspective is certainly helpful.” I smiled at him again, hoping none of my lipstick had migrated to my teeth. “Thank you,” I said, feeling slightly awkward.
********** “Michael, I’d like you to meet Edie, my mom.”
a good friend, someone I went to often for advice when I wanted an unbiased opinion—especially when it came to my unsuccessful attempts at dating. Unlike my mother, he could offer a viewpoint outside of that seen by a parent. And despite the twenty-year age difference, we seemed to have a great deal in common.
“Michael,” he supplied, extending his hand. It was strong and capable looking.
He encased my mother’s finely boned hand in his, lingering only a moment in the formal greeting. I watched in surprise as he abandoned the gesture and swept her into an embrace,
“Christine,” I said, taking his hand.
his easy affection making the movement fluid and almost
We stayed like that for a moment, hands clasped in the friendly gesture of a handshake, eyes locked in silent exploration. It was odd, this sensation that seemed to shiver
Familiar, somehow, like we had met before.
through me at his touch.
Two months later, the stranger in the shoe store had become
“No. No second opinion givers here, and the only ones I have
through me at his touch.
that seemed to shiver
dance-like. It seemed to come without hesitation, as though he was greeting a friend. My mother’s chocolate brown eyes widened in surprise, creeping back down to size as she relaxed into Michael’s arms and returned his embrace. When they separated, her face was flushed and smiling shyly.
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fiction
“Edie,” Michael said, his deep voice edged with some
in her eyes, something searching and contemplative.
emotion that I couldn’t really pinpoint. “You’re just as
Something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.
beautiful as I remember.” He paused, a look of concern crossing his face. Lines etched his forehead as his eyebrows
Michael laughed, sending a whisper of delight that drifted
rose, creeping toward his hairline. “You do remember me?”
past my ears and tickled the skin at the nape of my neck. I
Michael’s smile returned as he looked at my mother. “I could
loved the sound of his laughter; it was full, rich, and warm.
never forget you.”
It seemed to come from his soul. “That she is,” he agreed. “I’ve really enjoyed getting to know her. You raised a fine
“Of course, I do,” my mother replied, tucking an errant lock
woman, Edie. You should be proud. And I would imagine her
of hair behind her ears. At fifty, my mother’s dewy youth had
father was, too.”
matured into a refined glow––like a gemstone smoothed and shined by the slow, abrasive processes of a tumbler. Lessons
Beside me, my mother had grown still––so motionless that
of life had made her wiser, though she had never allowed
I couldn’t even detect her breathing. The only movement
them to make her bitter or harsh. To me, she was the most
came from a tear that had escaped, slowly tracing the curve
beautiful woman in the world.
of her cheek as she stared silently at the man who stood in front of her.
She looked at me for a long moment before she spoke again. “Christine, Michael’s actually an old friend of mine,” she said,
“You still like lasagna, I hope?” The question seemed to come
pausing again. “It’s been thirty years, hasn’t it, Michael?”
from nowhere, an obvious attempt to shift the conversation. I watched her carefully, the thoughts in my mind running
He gave it a moment of thought before answering, then
wild.
nodded. “Yes, I suppose it has. Amazing how fast time gets away from us, isn’t it?”
I’d grown up with just my mother, never clear on what had happened between her and my father. She’d told me
My mother gave a small smile, one that was darkened a bit
throughout my childhood that he was a good man that she
by what could only be sadness—though what might have
had loved very much, and I had his eyes. When I was older,
been the cause of it I had no idea.
I had learned the whole story. She had fallen in love with a handsome young man who had been part of her life until
Michael broke the silence. “I’m sorry for that, Edie. I never
he was sent overseas. He’d gone on to have a distinguished
meant to stay away so long.”
career, rising in the ranks of the military with ease. And she had kept his baby a secret, determined not to stand in the
My mother tilted her head and considered him. “Don’t
way of his ambition. Her decision not to tell him had been
apologize, Michael. I understand. Life, right?” There was
something that I had never understood—and it had been
that sad smile again.
something that had made me angry.
“Yes, life.” He shifted his gaze to me. “And it looks like
Now, standing in the middle of these two, my mother on
you certainly had one of your own,” Michael said, his face
one side and Michael on the other, I could finally see. It was
breaking out into a smile as he caught my eye.
there in the way that they looked at one another, the way they spoke, even after all these years. There, in his eyes—my
I couldn’t help but smile back.
eyes—was love that had never died, never been forgotten. He turned and looked at me again, this time with recognition.
“I have. Christine has been my greatest gift,” my mother
And in those eyes, there were the tears of a man who had
replied, studying Michael as she spoke. I could see something
finally found his way home.
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479.441.4000 baptist-health.com
55 W. Sunbridge Drive, Fayetteville, Arkansas 801 SE Plaza Avenue, Ste.5, Bentonville, Arkansas 502 N. Walnut Street, Harrison, Arkansas 3901 Parkway Circle, Ste. 125, Springdale, Arkansas
479.442.6266 breastcenternwa.com
Baptist Health is your partner for a healthy, happy life! You don’t just need a primary care provider, you need a healthcare partner. At Baptist Health, our primary care physicians connect you with the quality care you need, for whatever stage of life you are in. Whether you need a check-up, treatment for a common illness or are experiencing unexplained issues, we partner with you to help create your healthiest, happiest life. Your primary care provider will help guide you through making healthy everyday decisions as well as life’s big changes, like starting a family or overcoming an illness. Your primary care partner will also refer you to the best practitioners for any specialty care you may need.
Don't
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4300 Rogers Avenue, Ste. #15 Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.785.3277 centerforhearing.net
7901 Dallas Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.782.7936 eyegroupmd.com EyeGroup MD is a practice of ophthalmologists who stand ready to serve you and your family with quality, comprehensive eye care. Drs. Knox, Price and Geren are Board Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.
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Their clinic is a regional center for comprehensive and
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314 S. 17th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.782.1444 lpgkids.com
7425 Euper Lane, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.452.1611 methodistvillage.com
Learn, Play, Grow Children's Therapy Services is an near
For sixty years, our mission has been “to provide wonderful
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other and to the community at large. A place where they participate, share, learn, and grow!
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7805 Phoenix Avenue, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.242.2442 passmoreplasticsurgery.com It’s time to wow them when you unmask. Achieve a new look in the new year by combining affordable pricing with the expertise of Dr. Ann Passmore. Voted Best of the Best for the past six years, Dr. Passmore offers virtual consultations or in-person appointments at her new Phoenix Avenue location. At Passmore Plastic Surgery, you’ll receive products and procedures selected for your skin and your budget, and the best possible results from a Board-Certified cosmetic surgeon. 2020 is behind us. It’s a brand-new year. Celebrate a new you and call for a consultation today!
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WEST CENTRAL CENTER ON AGING
612 S. 12th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.478.8635 UAMScentersonaging.org Located in Fort Smith, the UAMS West Central Center on Aging (WCCOA) provides healthy aging and caregiver education to a 14-county region. Part of the UAMS Centers on Aging and the Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, the
Physician: Thomas Wood, D.O. Physician Assistant: Amanda Spahn, PA-C Nurse Practitioner: Elizabeth Scherrey, APRN 8101 McClure Drive, Suite 100 Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.459.6528 wchwfs.com
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WCCOA offers free programs to seniors, including exercise, nutrition, healthy living, support groups, Alzheimer’s/
Dr. Thomas Wood, a leader in women's health in the River
dementia and more. During the pandemic, the center is
Valley, is moving locations and will begin seeing patients at
offering online and limited in-person programming that
Women’s Center for Health and Wellness beginning May 3,
follows all CDC guidelines. The site has a limited, technology
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lending library for senior adult program participants. We
services. Schedule your appointment via phone or online! Once
also offer caregiver support and education including Family
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forward to the opportunity to better serve our community!
H E A R T S O N F I R E S TO R E S , AU T H O R I Z E D R E TA I L E R S , 8 7 7- P E R F E C T, H E A R T S O N F I R E .CO M
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