W SHARE

Welcome to our incredible April issue, filled with so many amazing stories and features! For starters, I’m featuring three of my favorite Arkansas state parks. Two thousand twenty-three marks the centennial for the Arkansas State Parks system, which calls for celebration! You’ll also find Egg-dorable ways to decorate eggs for Easter and a no-bake Easter-themed cheesecake recipe. If you’re like me and eager to get in the garden, you’ll want to check out the tips on page 26. There are new book reviews on page 22 and regular Do South® health contributor, Dr. Kendall Wagner, discusses food allergies on page 34!

Spring roars in with lots of entertainment! This month we’ve got details on Fort Smith Symphony’s once-in-a-lifetime musical event: Native American Legends, the upcoming Carpenter’s Country Fest, and live music at the Whippoorwill restaurant in downtown Fort Smith. More events are listed in our calendar, page 6!

I’m honored to share ways you can get involved with several local nonprofits. Hamilton Center for Child Advocacy hosts their second annual Hunt the Fort on April 15 and Monarch 61 Project will host a Mother and Daughter Empowerment Tea in May. Local volunteer organization, Quilts of Valor, shares how they support veterans touched by war and CASA of Sebastian County discusses their mission and need for volunteers.

We’ll also introduce you to three incredible locals! Leroy Casalman, owner of Leroy’s Barber Shop, shares the secret to a long and happy life. Leroy says he’s never worked a day, even though he’s been barbering for six decades. Next is Bryan Thompson, volunteer coordinator at HOPE Campus in Fort Smith. Bryan explains how they provide hope for their clients now, and their future. And then, David Scherrey, who was recently reunited with four children he saved from a fire in 1972 – it’s a full circle story you don’t want to miss.

Finally, you’ll find our annual Healthcare Specialties Guide and Realtor Profiles. We’re proud to partner with the best local experts and share these resources with you! Enjoy this issue and please visit the advertisers who support Do South® often. Along with you, they make our community an incredible place to call home. See you in May!

April 2023

OWNER - PUBLISHER - EDITOR

Catherine Frederick

COPY EDITING

Charity Chambers

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Artifex 323 – Jessica Meadors

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Jade Graves

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Catherine Frederick, Dwain Hebda, Liesel Schmidt, Sara Putman, Bob Robinson, Dr. Kendall Wagner

ADVERTISING INFORMATION

Catherine Frederick I 479.782.1500 catherine@dosouthmagazine.com

Follow Us

©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.

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