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JuLY 2021 DoSouthMagazine.com
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july
Contents 04 05 12
22 56
Letter from Catherine What's New: July
06
Nonprofit Spotlight:
Advertiser Spotlight:
Ronald McDonald House
Sodie’s Wine & Spirits
Charities
Profiles: Financial Advisors Special Feature: Senior Life
{PEOPLE}
14 38
Bilt with Style Country Tales
{ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT}
10
{COMMUNITY}
July Book Reviews
08 11 18 30
Project Zero
{OUTDOORS}
46
It’s Electric
{ T R AV E L }
42
Discover Norfork
Shop Local It’s Market Time Watermelon Wars
{FICTION}
52
Lost Love Letters
{TASTE}
34 48 51
The Diner Things in Life American Pie Red, White and Boozy
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OUR COVER Image Credit: Pixel-Shot/ Shutterstock
04
Letter from Catherine
S
F I N A L LY
Summer is here! With the acceleration of the vaccine roll-out and most businesses reopen, I believe life is returning to a bit of normality. I’m planning our summer, visiting farmers markets, and enjoying meals at local restaurants with family and friends. As you begin to do the same, Do South® is here to inspire you!
This month, we’re all about the outdoors! We visited farmers markets across the state, starting in Fort Smith. Always dreamed of owning a greenhouse to grow your own bounty of fruits and veggies? We talked with locally owned Yoderbilt Greenhouses. The beauty will catch your eye, but the workmanship and commitment to service make a lasting impression. We also attempted to settle the best watermelon debate. Are they found in Hope, they claim the world’s largest, or in Cave City, where they claim the sweetest? While you’re out and about, visit Norfork, Arkansas – a small town with a big heart for visitors, offering mountains, rivers, and a lake, making it the perfect destination for fishing, camping, hiking, water sports, or relaxing. Looking for an electrifying adventure that won’t wear you out? Check out E-Bikes.
JULY 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
They’ll get you active but kick in with extra wattage to power you up a hill if needed. We share the best places to E-Bike and the gear required. Being outdoors will work up an appetite, so we also rounded up some of the best diners from around the state
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to satisfy any hunger. Once you’re back home, relax and enjoy an account of life growing up in the country, as told by one of our beloved readers, ninety-two-year-old Dorothy Johnson. We’re thankful she shared her story with us! Thanks to all who support this magazine – our loyal advertisers and readers who stuck with us through challenging times. We've emerged stronger than ever, so rest assured Do South® will continue to bring you all that is great about our community and our state for years to come. Happy July, have fun, be safe – I’ll see you in August!
Catherine Frederick Owner/Publisher/Editor
©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
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.
catherine@dosouthmagazine.com
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FOLLOW US Send comments and suggestions and advertising inquiries to catherine@dosouthmagazine.com.
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CONTESTS (Deadline is July 30) 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!
BOOKISH: AN INDIE SHOP FOR FOLKS WHO READ
Fort Smith’s only independent bookstore has two locations in Downtown Fort Smith where you’ll discover local presses and the latest fiction and nonfiction. Enter to win a $20 gift card from our friends at Bookish! CODE: BOOKISH CALICO COUNTY
Chicken fried steak, hearty burgers, the best homemade ranch dressing, and mouth-watering cinnamon rolls! How will you spend your $25 gift card from Calico County? CODE: CALICO CARD + CLOTH
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! CODE: CC
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 Ronald McDonald House Charities come to be?
In Philadelphia in 1974, Dr. Audry Evans, a pediatric oncologist, worked at The Children’s Hospital. After seeing families staying several nights while their children received treatment, she envisioned a simple house where families could stay during uncertain times. At the same time, the Philadelphia Eagles were raising funds for a player whose daughter was in treatment for leukemia. It was then the Eagles’ general manager learned of Dr. Evans’s concept. He reached out to McDonald’s, received approval to have the proceeds of the Shamrock Shake benefit the House, and the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House was born. RMHC of Arkoma has been fulfilling its mission, with the help of the Northwest Arkansas and River Valley communities, since 1999, serving over 12,000 children and families, thanks to your support!
Ronald McDonald House Charities
DS: Who does Ronald McDonald House Charities serve, and in what ways?
of Arkoma’s mission is to create,
We provide a home-away-from-home for families of children under 21 who are
find and support programs that
active patients receiving medical treatment. Distance from the hospital, financial
improve the health and well-being
situation, nor the unit the patient is in exclude a family from utilizing the space. The
of children in Western Arkansas
Ronald McDonald House in Fayetteville and the Ronald McDonald Family Rooms in
and Eastern Oklahoma. Do South®
Rogers and Fort Smith provide a comfortable space for families to stay while their
reached out to learn more.
child receives medical treatment. Private rooms, food, toiletries, entertainment, and more are available at no cost.
Ronald McDonald
DS: Tell us how RMHC's mission impacts our community.
House Charities of Arkoma
We provide a comforting place to sleep, eat, and relax at no cost, which eases the
1333 Arapaho Avenue, Suite C
emotional burden of being away from your sick child and the financial burden of
Springdale, Arkansas Fort Smith Family Room/House 7301 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.756.5600 / rmhcofarkoma.org
paying for a hotel. Being close allows caregivers to be a part of their child’s treatment and provides healthcare workers an opportunity to educate for continuity of care. DS: How can our community get involved and support RMHC?
We have begun the public phase of a $3,015,000 capital campaign to build an 11-bedroom House at Mercy Fort Smith! The House will provide many amenities for families to ensure they are comfortable. Through the generosity of the River 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.
Valley and Northwest Arkansas communities, we have been able to raise 85% of our goal, and we need your help to complete the remaining 15%! Ways to give can be found at thefortsmithhouse.com. DS: Tell us about your immediate needs or upcoming events.
We are hosting our 7th Annual Red Shoe Soiree at Osage House in Cave Springs on July 9 and our 11th Annual Red Shoe Shindig at The Bakery in Fort Smith on October 23. For more information, sponsorship, and tickets, visit us online at redshoesoiree.com and redshoeshindig.com. DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
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community community
These siblings are
he wants makes him frustrated, which can lead to
just precious! Older brother Qammell is full of
physical, and occupational therapies to get him back
energy and loves running, jumping, and playing
on even ground with his peers. Little sister Mauria
with his fire trucks. He’s got a great appetite, too,
has some communication issues, too, but like her
and isn’t picky about what he eats. Little sister
brother she’s making great progress. These two
Mauria has a big personality and loves playing with
will keep blossoming when they find their forever
her brother. Mauria loves fruit, especially grapes!
home. You’ll need to set some firm boundaries and
Big brother Qammell can be a little impulsive and
a consistent routine for these siblings, but they’ll
bossy at times, and he struggles with some speech
respond quickly to your guidance and support.
delays. Not being able to communicate the way
They’re ready to be home!
some issues. But he’s receiving some great speech,
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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MAURIA and QAMMELL Ages: 2 and 4 IMAGE courtesy Van Dover 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.
Black, White, and the Grey
Crying in H Mart
Libertie
Brat
by Michelle Zauner
by Kaitlyn Greenidge
by Andrew McCarthy
Zauner grapples with grief and we watch her unravel, come together, and unravel all over again. Her memoir is a raw glimpse into the ways in which grief changes us. She explains how arbitrary grief is. How it comes in waves – triggered by a scent or a sound. Her grief starts in the aisles of the grocery store but takes us to her childhood and often to the hospital where she watched her mother die. You’ll cry, but you’ll begin to search for something that connects us to the ones we love, our culture, and the old family recipe that you crave when nothing else will do.
Libertie is coming of age in Reconstruction-era Brooklyn. There is a separation between the lives of the black and white communities, and danger seemingly lurks around every corner. Themes of freedom and liberty abound but as Libertie finds love and moves to Haiti she realizes she must fight for freedom not only because of the color of her skin, but also because of her gender. It’s a work filled with history – and a tribute to the first Black female doctors in the United States. Greenidge integrates rich detail of garden herbs as remedies and historical figures to paint an immersive picture.
In McCarthy’s newest book, we are transported back to the '80s. In this memoir, he highlights the years leading up to his first paying gig. Aloof about most things and lucky in a lot of others, he has a certain amount of wisdom in his reflection that allows us to find him even more endearing. He recognizes the arrogance he was known for was mostly just a survival mechanism, and his experience as a director colors the way he describes his early scenes as an actor. Even if you didn’t grow up loving McCarthy when he was an '80s heartthrob, you’ll appreciate his journey and the lessons learned on and off camera.
JUly Recommendations courtesy Sara Putman, Bookish
by Mashama Bailey and John O. Morisano Mashama Bailey is a black woman, born in Savannah and relocated to NY. John O. Morisano is an Italian American. Together, they opened The Grey, a restaurant in Savannah, GA, which was an old Greyhound station. Bailey believes regional cooking is the simplest way to learn about culture. Eating together humanizes us; restaurants are woven into the fabric of cities. This book will make you think about our own community, and the way the local restaurants reflect who we are: the good and the bad.
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shop
Summer Shopping words Catherine Frederick imageS Jade Graves Photography and courtesy vendors
Summertime, and the living is easy when you keep it local! Relax and unwind while visiting our local shops this summer. It’s vital to our community, our friends, and neighbors. Be sure and tell them Do South® sent you!
Protect Your Ears This Independence Day With a FREE Pair of Disposable Foam Earplugs, Available at Center for Hearing
CENTER FOR HEARING
Kinky Cocktails in Blue, Aloha and Pink
IN GOOD SPIRITS 479.434.6604
479.785.3277
Hearts On Fire Juliette Oval Halo Diamond Engagement Ring, Available in Platinum and 18kt White, Yellow and Rose Gold
Oliver Peoples Sunglasses
SODIE’S WINE & SPIRITS
JOHN MAYS JEWELERS
DR. STEVEN B. STILES OPTOMETRY
479.783.8013
479.452.2140
479.452.2020
Deep Eddy Lime Flavored Vodka, Great Raft Life Itself Salted Watermelon Gose, Swig Life Koozie, Queen of the Sierra Wines, Smirnoff Pink Lemonade Vodka, and Una Lou California Rosé
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advertiserSPOTLIGHT
ADVERTISER SPOTLIGHT
SODIE’S WINE AND SPIRITS
Scott and Deborah Clark, Owners
ABOUT SODIE’S WINE AND SPIRITS
5401 Phoenix Avenue Fort Smith, AR
Sodie’s Wine & Spirits is a full-service beverage
When founded: Opened 2012 Number of employees: 17 Employees
store offering a wide selection of wines, spirits, beers, and other complementary assortments.
sodiesliquor.com
Their service area includes Western Arkansas
479.783.8013
and Eastern Oklahoma.
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advertiserSPOTLIGHT
IN A CROWDED MARKETPLACE, WHAT SETS SODIE’S WINE AND SPIRITS APART? Sodie’s offers every customer the ability to taste an assortment of wines, craft beers, and spirits. We also offer an online pickup and delivery option through our Sodie’s app. In addition, we have over 24,000 loyalty reward members who earn in-store credit toward future purchases. Rewards members receive select pricing on items every day. Recently, we were recognized as Top 100 Retailers in America by Beverage Dynamics, and voted Best of Best by Times Record since the contest’s inception. WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST CHANGE TO YOUR BUSINESS OVER THE YEARS AND HOW HAVE YOU ADOPTED THIS CHANGE AND TURNED IT INTO A POSITIVE? The importance of understanding your customers cannot be overstated, their wants and needs continue to expand and evolve. Sodie’s offers training that provides our staff with the necessary skills to strengthen the customer’s experience, including communication and consistency, as well as adaptability. WHAT'S THE FUTURE FOR SODIE’S WINE & SPIRITS? Soon a Sodie’s van will be moving around the city of Fort Smith delivering your favorite products to your doorstep!
HOW HAS TECHNOLOGY IMPACTED YOUR OPERATIONS? Sodie’s has implemented many new avenues to communicate and serve our customers better. Sodie’s is the first wine & spirits store in the area to offer online ordering. Browse our inventory, place your order, then pick up in the drive thru. Sodie’s has also adopted Podium, a messaging platform that allows us to reach customers anytime, anywhere. IF YOU HAD TO SUMMARIZE THE PHILOSOPHY OR CULTURE AT SODIE'S, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE IT? Three words I would use to describe Sodie’s culture are connected, progressive, and innovative. Sodie’s employees are engaged and share a common goal. Sodie’s is always growing, focusing on shaping the “Sodie’s Experience” through technology and continued innovation. WHAT ADVANTAGES DOES FORT SMITH PRESENT FOR SODIE'S? The citizens of Fort Smith are very loyal to local businesses! HOW DOES SODIE’S WINE AND SPIRITS INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITY AND HOW DO YOU ENCOURAGE YOUR EMPLOYEES TO DO THE SAME? We invest in the community by giving back to various nonprofits throughout the year, as well as employees’ involvement in an educational tasting event for clubs and organizations.
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people
BILT WITH STYLE WORDS Dwain Hebda images courtesy Shannon Walker
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I
people
IN 2010, AVID GARDENER ANGELA YODER
“I thought, ‘If I’m not the only one having these problems
was in the market for a greenhouse to help feed her
maybe there’s a business here,'” he says. And just like that,
dirt addiction year around. Her husband, medical and
Yoderbilt Greenhouses was born.
pharmaceutical sales rep Travis Yoder, dutifully went online to peruse models to put on the couple’s property. Before
Travis
started
advertising
his
chic,
fully
constructed
long, he noticed a pattern.
greenhouses on Craig’s List in April 2011 and by the end of summer had his first sale, a greenhouse he built with his own
“I started looking around and everything I saw was ugly,
two hands. In the early days, company growth was measured
expensive, flimsy and came in the form of a kit,” Travis says.
in trees, jokes Angela.
“I thought, 'Well, if everything looks like this and is this "The first place [Travis] started building them was under a
expensive, I think I’ll just build one.'”
shade tree in our front yard area and my dad came on board Despite having limited experience beyond light remodeling,
a few months after,” she says. “[Dad] started building with
Travis sketched out some ideas, and through trial and error
Travis and they moved to two shade trees. Then we sold more
constructed a greenhouse of both style and substance.
of the greenhouses, and we expanded to two shade trees and a shed when we hired two more guys.”
“After I built one for [Angela], I remember talking to my mother and Angela’s mother and asked if they knew I was
“That first year under the shade tree was the hottest summer
building the greenhouse,” Travis says. “They were like, ‘Oh
I can ever remember in all of my forty-seven years,” Travis
that’s neat. I’d love a greenhouse.’ I kind of asked them all – if
notes. “That was the year where we saw one-hundred-
you want a greenhouse why haven’t you got one? Everybody
and-ten to one-hundred-and-eighteen-degree temperatures
said the same thing, ‘Well, they’re ugly.’”
for two weeks straight in late July and early August. The trees lost all their leaves because it was so dry and hot. So, we lost
As it turns out, Travis had not only built a stylish enclave for his
our shade tree shelter.”
wife, he’d also unknowingly built the prototype for something people all around him wanted and couldn’t find anywhere on
For the first eight years of the company, Travis was a one-man
the market. His entrepreneurial ear started ringing.
wrecking crew, covering as many bases as he could himself
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people
Travis Yoder
from buying materials to construction to delivery. As business
but they’ve changed. It’s a little bit different design now. It’s
picked up, he stopped working on the production end and
a shutter-style window.
delivered the finished product to the customer’s door, part of his obsessive commitment to customer satisfaction.
“It took us about eight years to get there, but after eight years I ran out of things to tweak.”
“The areas I picked to advertise to were within about a two-hundred-and-fifty-mile radius from Mansfield, Arkansas,
Perfecting the components and production methods still
where we live,” he says. “That included Oklahoma City,
left one ingredient missing in Yoderbilt’s overall strategy,
Tulsa, Northwest Arkansas, Joplin, Springfield, Little Rock,
however. And that was, to coin a phrase, a woman’s touch.
Shreveport, Louisiana, down to Dallas, Texas. It included a pretty good area and today we still serve a geographic area
“I’ll be honest with you; for the first few years in the company’s
that’s only about two hundred and fifty to three hundred
history, it was men running the company and men doing the
miles from where we’re located.”
marketing and all of that,” Angela says. “Probably about a year and a half ago, maybe a little more than that, Travis
Throughout those first eight years, Travis also tweaked design
realized men were marketing what was basically a women’s
elements and production steps to boost both product features
product. Most of our customer demographic is women.”
and construction efficiency. He said he had the ideal testing lab setup by getting feedback from Angela as she worked in
Angela and her friend, professional photographer Shannon
her greenhouse, the accidental model for the whole business.
Walker, came aboard in sales and marketing roles to cast the greenhouses in ways that appealed to women. Thus,
“For the most part the general shape and design has not
Yoderbilt’s social media posts look like something out of
changed from ten years ago, just the general structure,” Travis
home and garden magazine spreads, complete with staging
says. “As far as optional add-on features, those have grown
and artful photographs that frequently feature Angela and
over the last ten years, for sure. I’ve added more things; the
the Yoders’ thirteen-year-old daughter Olivia.
electric package and exhaust fan we started doing probably two or two and a half years ago.
It was a home run of a move. From selling fifty greenhouses over the first two years, the company skillfully sold nine
“Side windows have been a part of it from day one, although
hundred seventy-five units in 2020. Employee count has also
the side windows have changed. I used to build them all out
grown to more than thirty workers, and that’s even allowing
of wood and over time, I just realized wood windows are not
for market seasonality where peak-of-summer and winter
as good as a vinyl window. We do have wooden windows still,
orders typically drop off.
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people
Travis has grand visions for the future, plans that will take
Then I’ll have local drivers deliver them from there throughout
the Yoderbilt brand well beyond the limited market area it’s
that market. We’re also going to do the same thing in the St.
operated in for almost a decade.
Louis market. We’re going to be able to grow, hopefully, to two new markets by this fall. The goal is to grow east and
“What’s next is scaling to other locations,” he says. “We
north as fast as we can.”
realize we have a business that works. It’s here to stay. Now it’s time to grow to multiple markets and that’s where we’re
Even as that next chapter unfolds, the Yoders haven’t missed
at right now. The next place we’re going, is what I would call
the opportunity to reflect on how far they have come over
the Nashville region. It will service a two-hundred-and-fifty-mile
the past decade. Looking around, they see that greenhouses
radius around Nashville. We hope to be there August first.
aren’t all that they’ve been building during that time.
“We’re in the process of building our next shop. It’s underway
“When I started doing this, I didn’t understand the concept
and we’re going to transport the greenhouses three or four at
of what it meant to build a brand. I was just trying to build
a time to the Nashville market in what I would call a drop zone.
greenhouses and feed the family and grow a business,” Travis says. “But I have witnessed it firsthand,
The Yoder Family
watching the company grow, that we have almost like a cult-like following among our customers. I never intended to do that, but we have built a true brand that people recognize and the name Yoderbilt, people know who we are. I’m shocked by that, but they do.” “This definitely has been an adventure for the past ten years. It’s been a fun journey,” Angela adds. “It’s had its ups, it’s had its downs, but overall, it has definitely provided a wonderful life for us. It also allows us to just be a family. We’re together. He doesn’t travel. That was one thing that was hard before with medical sales, he was always gone. So, it’s allowed us to be home together. “Every choice we’ve made has circled back around to us being able to be a family unit and be together and do things together. The greenhouse business has allowed that. It’s just been really good and I’m ready to continue that journey because we’re not finished yet.”
Yoderbilt Greenhouses 22401 U.S. 71, Mansfield, Arkansas 479.849.4385 | yoderbilt.com
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It’s Market Time WORDS Liesel Schmidt images courtesy featured markets
AH…SUMMER!
The sunny weather,
the long days, the weekends filled with things to do and see. Your calendar is quickly filling up; and, if you’re like countless people all over the country, you may already be planning a trip to the farmers market. By definition, farmers markets are public assemblies of farmers (or, as the case may be, their representatives) selling their crops or products straight to their customers without the middleman. In these times of big box stores and grocery chains, it’s a way to forge a personal connection between farmers, shoppers, and communities that is beneficial in multiple ways. Farmers receive more money for their products, shoppers receive the highest quality local foods, and local economies prosper. For thousands of cities across the nation, the local color and flavor of the region is displayed at their local farmers markets. In fact, since 1994, the number of USDA registered markets in the U.S. has grown from just under 2,000 to more than 8,600, proving both the success and the popularity of these community events. There are, of course, guidelines that must be followed for any vendors participating in farmers markets and operating rules that ensure the farmers market consists primarily of farms selling products that they have produced. And while the offerings at these markets may widely vary, they always reflect a region’s agriculture and seasons. Some markets are seasonal and comprise a small number of vendors, while others involve hundreds of vendors and are held all year long. Some markets concentrate on produce, while others offer everything from fruits and veggies to baked goods, meat, eggs, flowers, and dairy products. It’s common for farmers markets to include locally made crafts or
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community
prepared foods, as well; and as the number of markets grows, so does the variety of foods available. As a state filled with agriculture, Arkansas is rich with farmers markets. Naturally, they reflect their local resources, making them unique from one another. Still, they have one commonality: fun. “During each of our markets, we feature vendors offering seasonal produce, local honey, baked goods, coffee, and handmade jewelry and crafts, as well as artisans who display original woodworking, knives, paintings, pottery, and more. Because we want to appeal to families and make it fun for the whole community, the event also includes live music, local talent acts, kids’ activities, and seasonal attractions, as well as a presence by local food trucks,” says Lorie Robertson, Director of Marketing for Chaffee Crossing Farmers & Artisans Market, in Fort Smith, Arkansas. As a monthly event, the Market market is something that the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority makes genuinely spectacular, with themes and featured activities that draw the community in and make them want to participate. At the heart of it all, however, is still the concentration on local flavor. “We can have up to seventy-three vendors on the square in the busiest part of the season; and while we are mostly a farmers market, we do have art and craft vendors as well as food vendors who sell processed products that are locally made,” says Teresa Maurer, Vendor Coordinator at Fayetteville Farmers Market, Market which was founded in 1973. “In addition to fresh fruits and vegetables, we also have people who sell locally produced honey, meat, cheeses, and baked goods. Our market requires that all products are grown or made within the counties of Washington, Benton, Carroll, and Madison.” Naturally, COVID has taken a toll on the farmers markets, but we are seeing a resurgence in their numbers. “During the scaled back COVID-19 market, we’ve had roughly sixty vendors at the markets; but during a traditional year, we see between eighty and one hundred,” says Bentonville Farmers Market Manager Stephanie Marpe. For more than fifty years, the market has been held every Thursday and Saturday from mid-April to October, offering such goods as mushrooms, meat, bread, salsa, jerky, pasta and pasta sauce, tons of produce, baked goods, handmade items, candles, berries, apples, peaches, leatherwork, DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
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community community
and woodwork. “Bentonville Farmers Market is a maker/
running into folks you know or meeting new people—it just
producer-only market, and the people selling the items are
enriches all of our lives and makes our community stronger.”
often the makers or producers themselves.” “Farmers markets offer a chance for customers to interact “We average fifty to seventy-five vendors per week, with
directly with the people who make or grow the products that
local, in-season farm fresh produce as well as regional,
they buy,” adds Teresa. “They offer a chance for sellers—
out-of-season fresh produce,” says Diana Long, Director of
especially farmers—to offer their products directly and get
River Market Operations for Little Rock Convention & Visitors
income each time they are at market. Also, the dollars spent
ittle Rock Farmers Market. Market Held Bureau, which operates the Little
at a farmers market cycle in the local community many more
every Saturday from May through September since 1974,
times than dollars spent for groceries and other products at
the market is in its 47th year. “We also have several Hmong
national retail stores.”
families that live locally and grow a variety of Asian specialty crops that would not be common to our area otherwise,
“Not only do farmers markets support the local economy
including bok choy, Japanese long bean, bitter melon, squash
and encourage community, but they make farming a more
flowers, and Thai peppers. We’re very much a public market,
profitable venture, preserve our rapidly disappearing farmland,
so while we focus on and prioritize the local produce and
and encourage a new generation to take up farming,”
meats, we also have locally prepared foods, artists, crafters,
Stephanie asserts.
boutique clothing, and more. During a normal season, we also host a variety of community programming at our market for
Even in these times of convenience and technology, farmers
both adults and children.”
markets are a reminder of what our hands can create, what the land has to offer, and what quality tastes like. Take time
While the fun may be a significant factor, the importance of
to explore what is all around you, and you may find treasures
the markets is undeniable. “Farmers markets are critical in
you never realized were in your own backyard.
getting fresh, healthy food to people in need, especially in food deserts and rural areas,” says Diana. “The healthier the food we can get people to eat, the better off our population is in terms of quality and length of life. The sense of community a farmers market creates is also a huge benefit to people who live here as well as people who enjoy the market as a visitor. The unique experiences with local folks and local products,
Chaffee Crossing Farmers & Artisans Market: ChaffeeCrossing.com Little Rock Farmers Market: RiverMarket.Info Fayetteville Farmers Market: FayettevilleFarmersMarket.org Bentonville Farmers Market: DowntownBentonville.org
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2021
financial advisor 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 Financial Advisors and Wealth Managers in our community. They set the bar for excellence and are committed to providing financial confidence for their clients. Join us as we bring attention to their expertise and discover how they help their clients reach their financial goals.
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The story of Arvest is one of commitment started by its founders, an intense dedication to focusing on the customer. This philosophy has remained the same during Arvest’s growth from a small bank to a group of community banks able to provide a complete range of financial services. “Every firm has the same tools in the toolbox for investing,” says Darin Drennan, Arvest vice president and trust wealth advisor. “What sets Arvest Wealth Management apart is our holistic approach to meeting the financial needs of the client and having full plan coordination through Arvest Blueprint. We do this through the Pillars of Wealth Management: Investment Management, Retirement Income Draw Down Strategy, Incapacity Planning and Estate Plan.” Arvest’s approach to customer service completes the strategy, Darin says. “Our customer service is based on building relationships with each individual and earning their trust,” he says. “We are committed to listening to their needs, understanding their goals and implementing a plan that serves them not only today, but throughout their life. We live this in every client interaction through availability, involvement, follow-through and finishing with successful outcomes.” Finally, Arvest ’s technological tools augment the customer experience by putting clients’ information at their fingertips at a time that works best for them. “ We are ever-improving our technology to meet clients' expectations in an ever-changing technological world,” Darin says. “ Whether through our website or app, our focus is on turnkey solutions with information available at the touch of a button anytime, anywhere.”
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Travis Teague, Dale Brunk, Geoff Rosen
Landmark Financial LLC Skillfully bringing together all aspects of a client’s financial picture is what sets Landmark Financial apart in the local financial services market. The firm, which has been in business for nearly two decades, provides tax-optimized wealth management services with the ability to draw expertise from Landmark CPAs. “Accounting and wealth management by themselves only capture part of the picture,” says Dale Brunk, advisor. “At Landmark, our clients have access to two very distinct disciplines in one location that work together to achieve the maximum outcome.” Within each of these service segments, Landmark’s experienced team brings unique skillsets to each account, providing customized solutions to virtually any client issue or goal. “Our advisors each have a background and a level of specialization that is different from the other,” Dale says. “Whether it’s a CPA-first mentality or a wealth management-first mentality, our professionals work together to create unique, comprehensive plans for our clients that take into account their whole financial picture.” “In this manner, we foster an environment of experts working collaboratively for the benefit of our clients, leveraging the full range of our expertise, not just one individual advisor’s expertise. At the same time, we all have the autonomy to do what is best for the client.” A tenured member of the firm, Dale loves working with motivated clients to help them as they pursue their long-term financial goals. “As an advisor, I learn something new every day, whether it is about people or investments,” he says. “I also enjoy meeting many different people from many different backgrounds. For me, success is about the willingness to adapt. It’s about being willing to change your thought processes and preconceived notions and have the ability to consider other options.” Another thing setting Landmark Financial apart is the relentless drive for perfecting the customer experience, whether through impeccable customer service or by coming up with new and creative ways to work towards the client’s desired outcome. “What makes us so successful is that our entire team is constantly looking for ways to improve our clients’ lives and financial wellbeing through new changes in the tax code and new investment opportunities,” Dale says. “In short, we don’t accept easy, one-size-fits-all answers.” “I tell clients all the time, ‘You should not like all of our ideas. If you like all of our ideas, then that means we aren’t bringing you enough ideas.’ We need to bring clients enough different perspectives to give them the information to make an informed decision.” Securities offered through Avantax Investment ServicesSM. Member FINRA, SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Avantax Advisory ServicesSM. Insurance services offered through an Avantax affiliated insurance agency.
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Brad lewis United Financial Advisors To borrow a well-worn phrase, when Brad Lewis speaks, people listen. As an entrepreneur, financial advisor and Navy veteran, there’s a lot to appreciate in his work ethic and experience. But as his clients will tell you, it’s his empathy for people that stands out above all. “As a comprehensive financial planning firm, our motto is ‘Providing Financial Confidence and Dignity Through Every Stage of Life,’” he says. “We use an educational approach to planning to help clients feel confident in a strategy that will allow them to retire and live with dignity.” Brad learned the value of hard work from his father, a longtime restauranteur, and his commitment to others’ needs from his mother. “My mother has been widowed twice and now uses that experience to help other women as they become widows,” he said. “She’s made a difference helping so many women going through a very difficult time, so I decided to take that help farther.” “I created a booklet titled, ‘WOMEN: What You Need to Know,’ that has inspirational stories, including my mother’s, plus financial guidance and an estate planning checklist. I give copies of this booklet away to every woman who comes through our door.” Brad reinforces the lessons in the book with a popular long-running women’s luncheon, an event he recently adapted for men. Each luncheon includes a guest expert speaking on a topic of interest, including other local business owners discussing the lessons learned in entrepreneurship. He holds professional licenses to practice in Arkansas, Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma in addition to his Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation and ASPA Certificate for the Tax Exempt & Government Plan Administration. He’s also served on the boards of several nonprofit organizations in the community and is a member of the Fort Smith Chamber, Grand Avenue Baptist Church and Gideons International. For all his success, Brad is still humbled by the faith and trust invested in him by his clients toward helping guide them to their long-held goals. “People can tell the difference between you trying to sell them something and you sincerely trying to help them,” he says. “I’ve discovered a great joy in meeting new people. Everyone has an interesting story and I’ve made a lot of new friends through this business. I work very hard to be a blessing to them.” “There are people who want you to know how much they know, and there are people who want you to know what they know. If you visit a financial advisor who talks more about themselves than asking about you, you should probably keep looking.” Securities and Investment Advisory services offered through Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. (RAA) member FINRA/SIPC. RAA is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of RAA.
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Kenneth Siebenmorgen Ameriprise Financial Balancing tried-and-true financial expertise with cutting-edge tools and unparalleled client service is the winning formula for private wealth advisor Kenneth Siebenmorgen. It’s a business philosophy rooted in never accepting “good enough” as good enough. “One of our long-term clients has said many times, ‘The client pays all the freight bill,’” Kenneth says. “Consequently, meeting the client’s request is never acceptable – we have to exceed the client’s request. Very simple items such as maintaining a rigid yet flexible schedule, expanded hours of doing business and returning calls, texts and emails promptly are the norm in today’s instantaneous society.” “Our phones seldom go to voice mail; we meet when and where the client can meet, and follow-up occurs faster than the client expects. In some cases, a client’s financial plans may involve their CPA, attorney, loan officer and company human resource officers, so communicating with all of the client’s advisors is critical to a great experience.” Meeting the client as he or she is most comfortable often means sitting across the table, but for those who prefer, Kenneth also employs leading technology for clients' convenience. “We embrace changing technology; this area of our practice has radically changed over our 31 years in business,” Kenneth says. “If you fight the change, you’ll always be left behind. In our initial meeting with a client, we introduce them to the mobile app and the secure online experience they will enjoy.” “Some clients, especially those in the Baby Boomer generation, are concerned with using technology that they are not familiar with. However, we assure them we have rock stars on our team that understand and can mentor them on the use of mobile technology.” The firm’s technological tools allow clients to sign documents, see progress towards their financial goals, access values of investments, transactions, rate of return and other information at any time. Cloud-based and mobile technology has also been critical during the pandemic in allowing the 10-employee team to work remotely and at multiple office locations to provide advice and service to clients. For everything that’s new in the industry, the most rewarding parts of the job have remained exactly the same, Kenneth says. “I started in this career because I loved the business of helping others,” he says. “It then became a passion to develop a team to advise more. It is now an obsession to give the client a great human experience. Seeing clients reach their goals of providing education for kids or grandkids, having a confident retirement, giving to charities, planning their estate and other goals is what it is all about.” DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
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community
Watermelon Wars words Dwain Hebda images courtesy Rodney Steele and Cave City Festival Organizers
A
Arkansas is a land largely unmarred by military conflict, save one: the Civil War Battle at Pea Ridge. Fought in the northwest corner of the state over three days in 1862, it cost nearly four thousand lives with Confederate dead outnumbering those of the Union by a thousand. It’s not only the lone major battle fought in The Natural State, it’s the only one that comes close to the passion and ferocity with which residents of Cave City and Hope have defended their respective claims as the globe’s top spot for watermelons through the years. To be fair, both sides admit there’s a difference in their titles – Hope claims the World’s Largest Watermelon and Cave City the World’s Sweetest – and that has managed to maintain the détente between the two communities, which sit roughly diagonal to each other in the northeast and southwest corners of the state. “Well, you know, I’m going to be a typical politician, though I’m not a politician,” says Julie Johnson, chairperson of the Cave City Watermelon Festival. “I think Arkansas is plenty big enough to have two watermelon festivals. “We are the home of the world’s sweetest watermelons and Hope is the home of the world’s largest watermelons. So, it’s just apples and oranges. You can’t really compare. Ours are sweeter. Theirs are bigger.” “There’s something in the soil, whether it’s in Hope or Cave City, that’s the key,” says Beckie Moore, executive
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community
director with the Hope Hempstead County Chamber of
festival had somebody come from, I don’t know if it was the
Commerce. “We’re home to a wonderful family, the Bright
University of Arkansas, I honestly can’t remember. They had
family, where watermelon history runs deep. Anytime you
this device that measured the sweetness of watermelons and
hear the Bright family is coming to a growing contest, you
ours had a higher sugar content than the ones in Hope.
know they’re going to win.” “We’ll have people drive from Chicago just to get our Such pleasantries have been hard-won; if there were ever
watermelons; they come from Dallas, they come from
any tensions between the two towns over the question of
Missouri. They’ll make a trip and they’ll come and get twenty,
whose melons are best, they quickly faded last year when
thirty, forty watermelons, whatever they can haul.”
both were forced to cancel their summertime festivals due to covid-19. The loss of tourism dollars and a piece of town
All well and good, Beckie counters, while pointing out Hope
heritage – neither had ever canceled their festivals before –
has endorsements and pedigree of its own.
was a pain the two communities held in common. "Ivan Bright, the patriarch of the Bright family, planted “It was the only year it was canceled, and it was devastating
watermelons years ago,” she says. “He has a Guinness world
to the committee, to the chamber board of directors and
record for the largest watermelon grown and his son took
all those that made the decision, as well as to Hope and
that over. Hope watermelons are in the Guinness Book of
Hempstead County,” Julie says. “2020 was difficult.”
World Records three times, the last record was 268.8 pounds.
Happily, festivalgoers and vendors have missed the events
“That’s another thing; tourists are always shocked when we
as much as city officials. Cave City attracted about fifteen
say ‘Oh we have small melons this year. They’re only 100
thousand guests in 2019 and Hope about twenty thousand.
pounds.’ That's just something that we can boast about.”
Both organizers say all signs point to a 2021 attendance that’s well beyond that after a year away.
Oh we have small melons this year.
Julie says as with many good feuds, the combatants in this debate have far more in common than what separates them
They’re only 100 pounds.
and that’s a desire to keep tradition alive. Watermelons are a big part of civic pride as well as a keystone of the local
What is not in dispute is Hope’s festival dates back far longer
economy, she said.
than the Cave City version. Hope’s Chamber of Commerce started cashing in on the mammoth fruit beginning in the
“We’re both relatively small communities,” she says. “I spent
mid-1920s with one-day affairs that consisted of a parade, a
a lot of time on the phone with the organizers of the Hope
Watermelon Queen pageant and serving ice-cold watermelon
festival last year. You know, we were commiserating with
to train passengers. Twenty thousand people would routinely
each other and trying to figure out what to do. We really do
attend, causing the event to collapse under its own weight
want the best for each other.”
during the Great Depression.
Still, with all current niceties and semantics, both towns have
More than four decades later, Hope celebrated its centennial
gone to great lengths to substantiate their melon-related
to great fanfare in 1975 leading city officials to search
claims. In that effort, they have shown they’re not above a
around for ideas for an annual festival.
little gamesmanship. "A wonderful gentleman named Pod Rogers worked for “This has been proven scientifically; there is sandy soil in
the Hope Star [newspaper] and he thought it was time to
this area, and it just grows sweeter watermelons,” Julie says.
resurrect the watermelon festival, which looks similar to
“Here a few years ago, the people who were running the
what we do today, a full-blown festival,” Beckie says
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community
The revived Hope event was gaining steam when Cave City decided to try their hand at their own event in 1980. It was an inauspicious debut as an exceptionally dry growing season caused a low yield and shortage of the very fruit the event was built to promote. Had local grower Herschel Runsick not planted his melons in the Strawberry River bottoms that year, the festival might have suffered the irreparable indignity of not having had enough namesake produce for the inaugural watermelon feast. But survive it did and with it the long-simmering debate over the epicenter of watermelon greatness in Arkansas with its attendant acrimony. For a spell, the two festivals refused to budge from scheduling the same weekend just to tweak the nose of the other. In the 1990s, Hope got a lot of mileage that notoriety to plug the festival.
Cave City Watermelon Festival
Cave City, meanwhile, has for years generated annual
July 29-31
summertime
cavecitywatermelonfestival.com
out of native son Bill Clinton’s Hope homeplace and used
headlines
warning
the
public
about
unscrupulous third-party vendors passing off counterfeit Cave City product. This has led to growers applying a sticker
• Free entertainment, capped by country star
certifying the authenticity of their melons that, while extra
work and expense, brings a measure of satisfaction, too.
• 5K run
After all, they reason, no one ever tries to copy the second-
• Kiwanis pancake breakfast
best of anything.
• Parade and car show
Tracy Byrd headlining on Saturday
• Free watermelon feast sponsored by local growers All in good fun, Julie insists, with much of the so-called
• Craft and food vendors
feuding a charade to drive interest, like two heavyweight boxers pumping up a title fight. “They just want the best for their community, like we do,”
Hope Watermelon Festival
Beckie says. “We want people to know about our product. We take a lot of pride in our product and if us picking back
August 5-7
and forth at each other kind of stirs the pot and gets people
hopewatermelonfest.com
talking, that’s good. That’s okay. “We’re both relatively small communities and we want the best for each other. It is all in good fun.” She pauses, then adds with a grin. “Well, I’m not certain that it has always been in good fun.”
• Musical and talent entertainment throughout
the weekend, headlined by Phil Vassar
• Axe throwing contest • Camel and pony rides, petting zoo • Watermelon eating and seed-spitting contests • Antique and classic car and antique engine shows • Watermelon Olympics
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taste
The Diner Things in Life Words Dwain Hebda images courtesy featured restaurants
A few years ago, a group of us spent some time in Fort Smith attending the Old Fort Days Rodeo. After a particularly entertaining evening on the grounds, we were looking for a late dinner that showed off the local fare. It was only our second or third trip to the city, so we didn’t know our way around well and we stuck to the downtown area where we were staying. Wanting to eat, the non-bar options appeared slim that night until we turned a corner and Benson’s Grill came into view. We slid into a booth, unaware that we were about to eat like kings, as fascinated by the fact there was still an independent, 24-hour spot to be had as we were impressed by the impeccable burgers and sides. Upon doing some research, we found Fort Smith actually
enjoys a trove of riches when it comes to diners. Ed Walker’s Drive-In (for the French Dip) and Miss Anna’s on Towson (try the plate lunches) have also enjoyed a long and flavorful partnership with the community, providing home cooking and tradition to a restaurant scene increasingly dominated by chains. Being as this is Arkansas, a land of patchwork small towns and close-knit communities, the hometown diner is as alive and well here as anywhere. We sniffed out a few of these below, but what follows is nothing close to an exhaustive list. That’s the fun of diners and small-town cafés: you never know when you’re going to discover something delicious. So, get off the highway and take the backroads this summer and drop us a line about what you discover. We’re always hungry to hear from you.
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taste
Bluebell Cafe & Country Store
Ozark Cafe JASPER, ARKANSAS
STORY, ARKANSAS If you’re going to stand out in arguably At the Bluebell, the story is a rich one,
the most beautiful spot in the country, you
intertwined with small town pride in the
better be on your game. Which is exactly
local culture and the natural grandeur that
what the Ozark Café can claim, for one
surrounds it.
hundred twelve years and counting. Situated in tiny Jasper, a popular shoving-off spot
At the heart of this legendary spot is owner
on the Buffalo River and home to soaring
Lori Carly, a den mother of sorts, particularly
bluffs, meandering elk and breathtaking
for the hikers that drop off the Ouachita
natural beauty, the café boasts generations
Trail and the mountain bikers tackling the
of well-fed tourists as well as the undying
Womble Trail nearby. In addition to being
loyalty of locals, all under one roof.
a wealth of information about both routes, she’s also famous for shuttling hikers and
Opened in 1909, the café welcomes
bikers to their respective shoving off points.
guests from around the world every year, bolstered by social media. No less than the
She’s so well-known in these parts among
New York Times newspaper, Food & Wine
trekkers that the Bluebell is listed as a
magazine and TV show “Man vs. Food”
landmark on Ouachita Trail enthusiast
among other media outlets have paid a visit
websites and in 2019, the café was listed
to the spot. The second-oldest restaurant
as one of the twenty Best Restaurants on
in The Natural State, it sits as proudly on
America’s Long Distance Hiking Trails by
the town square as it does on the National
thehikinglife.com.
Register of Historic Places.
The burgers get much of the attention
Ordering can be an issue given the wide
here, but the menu also includes other
range of options, but everything is made
sandwiches as well as excellent home
fresh and served with a smile. A headliner
cooking and a full breakfast menu. And, as
is the Excaliburger, a beefy monstrosity that
any café of its stature would, the Bluebell
substitutes grilled cheese sandwiches for
is open seven days a week. A special treat
hamburger buns. But even the less-dramatic
is to visit on Saturday night and experience
home-cooked dishes are big-portioned and
the long-standing tradition of jam sessions
done exceptionally well. In fact, Delish.com
by locals who sit, strum and sing. No matter
called the place’s chocolate gravy Arkansas’s
where you’re from, you’ll feel right at home.
must-try dish from a list of delicacies in all fifty states and the New York Times
Bluebell Café & Country Store
Magazine’s Grub Street blog dubbed Ozark
8 Hwy 298 East, Story, AR
Café the state’s must-try spot for foodies.
870.867.3999 bluebellcafeandcountrystore.com
The Ozark Café
Mon-Sat 4 a.m. to 6 p.m.
107 East Court St, Jasper, AR
Sun 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
870.446.2976
Saturday night jam session 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
ozarkcafe.com Sun-Sat 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
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taste
Olde Crow General Store
everything is made when you order. Even the impressive selection
BENTON, ARKANSAS
of pies and cobblers came out of the oven fresh that day.
Rounding out our list of great community diners is the Olde Crow General Store located near the unincorporated community
Last year was a tough one for independent restaurants and
of Crows in Saline County. The low, whitewashed building is
those businesses serving small, rural audiences. Caesi Holt,
home to fresh local produce and meats as well as a selection of
Olde Crow’s owner, said the store’s clientele rallied to the
Arkansas-made goods. It’s also a spot that serves some of the
cause by supporting the store when it needed it most. Spend a
best sandwiches you’ll find anywhere.
little time enjoying the wonderful food at this unique spot and you’ll easily see why.
The Rubicon is a star; the store’s toasty take on the Reuben sandwich. Other standouts are the Boss Hogg with shaved
Olde Crow General Store
ham and Swiss cheese and a terrific club sandwich on wheat. A
17202 Highway 5, Benton, AR
burger made with meat sourced locally also gets high marks. All
501.794.2393 | oldecrowgeneralstore.com
sandwiches feature artisanal-quality bread, fresh ingredients and
Tue-Fri 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. / Sat: 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Oark General Store
delegation trips to Azerbaijan. They jumped at the chance to buy
OARK, ARKANSAS
the store as newlyweds, despite having zero experience in food
There can only be one that can lay claim to being “the” oldest
service. Today, the couple is every bit a part of the landmark as
of anything and if you truly want to go back to the beginning,
the one-hundred-thirty-one-year-old building itself.
you must visit Oark General Store, opened in 1890. To be clear, the place is not the oldest restaurant in Arkansas as its food
The burgers are a sound choice here as is the patty melt
lineage doesn’t go back as far as the centenarian-plus general
sandwich. Whatever you do, save room for pie, Oark’s calling
store suggests. But the same building that gave Newton County
card. Try the oatmeal pie, routinely ranked as one of the state’s
travelers a welcome break from horseback or wagon seat
best, or any one of the fruit-in-season varieties.
now does the same for those nosing their Harleys along the Oark General Store
sweeping mountain highway.
117 County Road 5241, Oark, AR Husband and wife ownership team Brian and Reagan Eisele
479.292.3351 | oarkgeneralstore.com
are former Congressional aides who met when taking staff
Wed-Mon 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed Tuesday)
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people
Dorothy and her siblings
Floyd Johnso n, age 18 Dorothy Johnson, age 18
COUNTRY TALES words and images courtesy Dorothy Johnson
Dorothy Johnson currently resides in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Recently, Dorothy shared stories from her life to pass on to her family and friends. As Dorothy spoke, Kara Billingsley, a member of Dorothy’s church family at Assembly of God in Barling, wrote what Dorothy said, word for word. What follows is Dorothy’s story, and we are so thankful she chose to share it with us.
to bring him back for child support. When I was older, I loved to go to her house because there was no supervision and we really had fun! My dad and mother came from different backgrounds and had different personalities. My dad was a strict disciplinarian while my mother loved to laugh, have fun, and was very easy to get along with. We had two big black mules, a cow, pigs, chickens, two dogs and several cats. I was a little afraid of the
I was born August 1, 1928, to a tobacco farmer and his wife
mules because they were so big. The dogs belonged to my
in the hill country of western Kentucky. I was the last of seven
brother, so being almost an only child, I made friends with the
children. Two brothers and one sister were already away from
chickens and cats. In the mornings, I got up and raced to the
home when I came along. There was one brother born before
barn very early to see if the kittens had opened their eyes or
me who died at a very young age. As you can see, I was a
started to purr. I think to me; this is like what the kids do today
child during the Great Depression. We were never hungry, but
when they play games on the television. I learned to read very
I believe some of our neighbors were. One day I went home
early and searched out every book in the old house. I think I
with a school friend from recess. For lunch, we had a large
learned to read so early because when my brother was forced
jar of canned tomatoes and cornbread. Still, we laughed, ate,
to read to me, he would say “Oh my aching back!” However,
and had fun. They had ten children and their daddy had run
I did develop a love for books that has lasted a lifetime.
away to parts unknown. In those days, no one went after him
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people We lived in a big white house on top of a rocky hill which
to the city where they were sold to tobacco manufacturers.
led down to a gravel road. At the end of the lane, there was
The market was usually close to Christmas time. Oh, were
a mailbox. Each day, a rural mail carrier brought the mail. I
the farmers and their families overjoyed with the money they
remember when he came in a buggy. Later, he came in a car.
received! They would pay the debt of the grocery bill that had
The mail was of great interest to us every day, even if it was
accumulated over the year and still had some left to enjoy.
only sales papers. Later, when I got to be in my teens, my daddy and I chased each other every day to see who got to the
When I became a teenager, my brother gave me twenty
mailbox first. I often got letters from fellows in the service and
dollars for Christmas. I went to town and bought a new dress
daddy wanted to intercept them before I did!
and presents for everyone in the family. Yes, we did wash up with a wash pan and we took a bath on Saturday nights
The gravel road from our house led down to what we called
in the wash tub. Still, we kept pretty clean. We drank water
“the bottom.” There was a river, and when it rained, we were
from a dipper and bucket drawn from the well in the yard. My
shut off from the rest of the world for a while. On pleasant
mother washed it often, especially if a gentleman came with
days, we could hear voices down at “the bottom,” especially
a mustache.
on Sundays. Then we knew company was coming for an unannounced Sunday dinner. So, we would kill a chicken and
In the early summer, my sister and I would go blackberry
put in a few more vegetables. After dinner, we would go to
picking. We would put on boots and heavy pants. We picked
the little white church for preaching. After coming home, the
the wild blackberries and later they were cooked in a very hot
older men would sit on the porch and argue over what the
kitchen heated by a coal stove. They were made into jellies to
preacher said.
eat at breakfast on hot biscuits or canned to make blackberry cobbler for dinner. None of this was easy, but it sure did taste
I was five years old before I saw my first car. It was
good on winter days.
Thanksgiving, and relatives had come from the city to visit. They owned a car and we decided to go visit my aunt who
When autumn came and the trees were red and gold and all
lived a few miles away. It had snowed and it was very slick. My
the bushes were aflame with color, my mother, my sister,
young cousin was driving, and my mother said, “Do you think
and I would make our way down a path to the field, as the
he can drive?” Sure enough, he ran off into the ditch and we
water was low at home. There, we would wash the household
walked the rest of the way.
supply of quilts, making a fire under a black kettle. Once the quilts were washed, my sister and I would wring them dry, one
I walked a mile to a one-room school. There were no other
of us on each end. We would laugh and laugh. We would then
children in the houses on the way to school. My brother told
hang them on a fence that belonged to a neighbor while the
me there were “racer snakes” in the bushes. He said the racer
cows looked on. The cows never bothered the quilts. The next
snakes would come out of the bushes and chase me all the
day, we would come and gather the dry quilts, ready for the
way to school. So, I walked in fear. When I got to school, it
use of the household. Oh, did they ever smell good! Just like
was a lot of fun. At recess, we sat in the grass and ate from
the clothes we hung on the line on wash day. That smell has
our tin lunch pails. Our teacher was what they called an old
never been equaled by fabric softener or dryer sheets!
maid in those days. She was a great teacher and ate lunch with us. As we ate, some kids only had peanut butter and
In the summer it seemed like storms came up often, or maybe
crackers in their tin lunch pails. I had individual pies my sister
we noticed it more. We had a storm cellar dug into the
made me, butterscotch, vanilla, and chocolate.
ground just below our house. We kept jars of vegetables and jellies in the cellar. Snakes got into the cracks of the cellar
Our country was tobacco country. The men worked all
and sometimes even got into the empty fruit jars. When it
summer as large green tobacco plants grew. In the fall, they
thundered, my mother was afraid and she would call “Get up
were harvested and hung in the barns. When ready, they were
girls, we are going to the cellar!” My father was not afraid,
taken down and placed on a large truck which took them
but still my mother would call him. He would say “Leave me
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people
Dorothy's mother, Katie Terry, age 14
Two country boys
Dorothy's uncle, with his fine tobacco crops
alone and let me sleep!” My sister would lay down on a quilt
I had a pretty easy life until my sister left home. Being the
in the cellar, but I stayed up and watched for snakes!
baby, they allowed me to sleep longer than all the others who got up early. Every morning, there was a clean starched dress
There was not much social life in the country in those days. In
at the foot of the bed for me to put on. In the summers, I
summers, there would be ice cream dinners and pie suppers.
didn’t wear a lot more, and no shoes. After eating a biscuit
Ice cream dinners meant they would sell ice cream in cones.
and bacon, I would run out to play all day. I was thirteen when
Pie suppers meant the girls would decorate baskets with crepe
my sister took a job in the city. By that time, my mother had
paper and put the pies they made inside. They were sold and
become sick and was not able to do any housework. So, there
the boys tried to find the basket that belonged to their best
were meals to cook and somehow dust got in the house in
girlfriend. The older people talked and gossiped together
the country, and it had to be swept with a broom and dusted
while the kids jumped rope and played. The young people
every day. What I recall being very hard was rubbing the
paired off together with someone who might later become a
overalls and thermal underwear that were worn by the men in
boyfriend or girlfriend.
the winter on a washboard. A good thing I remember about wash day was that my mother cooked, and never did beans
It seemed very cold in wintertime. Only one room was heated
and cornbread taste so good as they did that day!
in our house by a large fireplace. The room my sister and I slept in had no heat, but our mother heated irons in the
I still found time in the afternoons to sit in the swing and
fireplace and put them in our beds and we had heavy quilts,
look out over the hills and dream of prince charming coming
so we survived. When it snowed, we were really happy, as
to carry me away. When he finally came, he was in an old
we made what we called “snow cream” with sugar, milk and
beat-up green car wearing an old army uniform, because he
vanilla. This was a real treat for us!
was just out of the army. I was eighteen years old when this
DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
people
Dorothy, age 16, with her best friend
Dorothy today with daughter Pat
happened, and I had not had much of a dating life because my
the smells, and see the beautiful dawns and the sunsets. The
daddy believed that dating meant sitting on the couch in the
awaiting of things in spring and the beautiful colors of fall.
parlor. Well, this was the 1940’s, men had cars then and were
Would I want to go back to the inconveniences of the country
not interested in sitting on the couch. This prince charming
where I grew up? No, but never will I forget the sights and
was willing to sit on the couch! So, we courted and then got
smells of the country, as no one who grew up there could.
married in the little white church on Sunday after preaching. A few years ago, my brother and sister-in-law graciously took One year later, we had a baby girl, and in the hospital the
me back to see the country once again. The gravel road was
doctor said, “She must be a bottle baby.” Well, there was
paved, still we walked up the same rocky hill. The house was
not such things in the country in those days. It was hot in the
gone; it had burned down. The big trees that stood in the yard
summer, and we had no refrigerator or icebox. To solve our
were gone. The hundred-acre farm was made into a wildlife
problem, there was a well in our yard and we drew up the
refuge. All I could see of the old farm was an old pond and a
cold water every hour and we set bottles in pans of cold water
barn that was about to fall down. Still, I can dream, and I
from the well. So, she grew and prospered.
can remember walking down the gravel road on a Sunday afternoon with my best beau, hoping that my daddy would
That fall we moved to the city, and I never lived in the country
not see me, and sitting under the big oak tree in the yard.
again. Today, I am a ninety-two-year-old great-grandmother.
At night smelling the fragrance of the lilac tree and knowing
My prince charming has been gone for fifteen years. I live with
the moon and stars were bigger than they will ever be in
my daughter, and I look out my window at paved streets and
the city. May you who read this feel just a bit of enjoyment
trimmed grassy lawns. Still, as I sit in my rocker, I can close
thinking of these country tales.
my eyes and I can almost see the sights of the country, smell
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travel
discover Norfork
Where
T wo
Rivers
Collide
words Jeanni Brosius IMAGEs Jeanni Brosius and courtesy Norfork Brewery
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travel
After a quick morning shower,
There’s also another place downtown that shouldn’t be
the sun finally began easing out from between the clouds.
missed, Heidi’s Ugly Cakes, which serves much more than
Entering the small, unassuming town of Norfork, Arkansas
just cakes. Heidi makes delicious sandwiches, too. There
– population 530 something – the downtown area seemed
may be a long line at the take-out window, but it’s well
like any other small Arkansas town. But it’s not.
worth the wait.
Business owners are preparing for a large influx of summer
There is also a little jewel of a Tex-Mex restaurant right on
visitors who come to fish, shop, eat, or relax on the water
Highway 5, and the name may sound familiar to some visitors.
or in the mountains. Just an hour and a half from Branson
Little B’s Grill is owned by Bryan Littleton, a.k.a. Little B,
and twelve miles from Mountain Home, Norfork, Arkansas
who has, in the past, owned several Little B’s Grills across
is a great vacation spot.
Arkansas. However, Bryan has settled and lives in Norfork, where he opened his only remaining Little B’s last summer.
Norfork, one of the oldest settled areas in northern Arkansas, is where the North Fork River and the White River converge to
Bryan is no stranger to the restaurant business, and that
create a fisherman’s paradise. With Mountains, rivers, and a
shines throughout the restaurant, from the restorations to
lake, Norfork is a wonderful getaway destination for fishing,
the building down to the perfectly plated food. “There is
camping, hiking, water sports, or relaxing. Visitors will also
not a plate that comes out of that kitchen that I have not
discover great restaurants and an incredible brewery.
overseen,” Bryan said as he took a little timeout between the end of serving lunch and preparing for the dinner rush.
One of the first stops before exploring the town should be to visit Captain Jim Smith, who owns the River Ridge Inn along with
Working in the food industry most of his life, Littleton
his wife, Liz. The couple opened River Ridge on the banks of
credits his job at his father’s restaurant as a teen. “My dad
the North Fork River more than twenty years ago. The two gave
purchased the first El Chico franchise when I was fourteen,”
up their stressful corporate lives to create a place for anyone
Bryan said. “I opened my first Little B’s in Hope in 1992.”
who wants to get away, relax and have fun. River Ridge is close to town but secluded, too. Whether it’s a stroll through the
As customers trickle into the restaurant, they are greeted by
spectacularly manicured gardens or casting into the water for
an aroma from the kitchen that will make them hungry even
trout, the seven-acre property has 1,250 feet of river frontage.
if they’ve just eaten a full meal. Under a glass dome on the
It borders the Leonard B. Smith Conservation Easement, which
counter sits the most decadent chocolate cake just waiting
means more than a mile of protected river frontage property.
for those with a sweet tooth.
“Some people like to sleep in the loft to watch the moon rise
One of the most popular dishes on the menu is the fajitas,
over the water,” Jim said as he gave a tour of the Riverside
served sizzling hot with sauteed bell peppers and onions,
Chalet. Jim works closely with local fishing guides who offer fly
cilantro-lime rice, and Borracho beans. Whether you get
fishing lessons or guided fishing trips for his guests. He is also
the beef, chicken, shrimp, or a combination, the meat is
a licensed U.S. Coast Guard Captain. Whether it is a corporate
seasoned and cooked to perfection. Bryan also threw down
event, family reunion, or a weekend getaway, River Ridge can
a challenge, stating he would put his burger up against
accommodate your party for a weekend or a weeklong visit.
anyone's and win.
After settling in, it’s time for lunch and to explore the area.
Another noteworthy attraction in the middle of town is a
The Norfork Café, a local diner, will prepare a brown bag
two-story log house overlooking the White River. Major
lunch to take on a hike, a boat ride, or a picnic in nature.
Jacob Wolf had the house built in early 1800s. The yellow
Don’t forget to ask for a slice of pie with your lunch. I
pine saddlebag or dog trot style house was built by local
highly suggest the coconut or chocolate!
workers using no nails. The hand-hewn logs are dove-tailed
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travel
into place. In its heyday, the house was a stagecoach stop,
In the front of the brewery, customers can enjoy freshly
and Davy Crocket and Sam Houston both have stayed there.
made pizza, games, beer, and, on occasion, live music. However, in the back, beer is brewed in small batches,
After perusing through some of the little shops downtown, such
all with non-GMO grains, and canned for distribution to
as the Norfork Adventure Supply, the last stop of the evening
restaurants and stores in Arkansas and Oklahoma.
should be Norfork Brewing Company, also on Highway 5. The brewery will soon open satellite locations in Calico The small town of Norfork seems like an unlikely place to
Rock and Mountain Home, but the beer will still be brewed
find a brewery, but somehow Norfork Brewery has made its
in the Norfork location. “Calico and Mountain Home have
mark with uniquely named beers, such as Ez Ryder Lager,
been on our minds for a while now,” Mitch said. “We felt
The Scurvy Dog, and Calico Dirty Blonde.
it would be good for the communities and for us to have a place to gather, relax and enjoy.”
There is also a mug wall with unique vessels made specifically for dedicated customers. Having a Mug Club is common in
Although Norfork prepares for many visitors throughout
taprooms and the brewery works with local artisans, with the
the summer months, many call the small community home.
mugs handmade by potter Judy Munn of Mountain View.
“My favorite thing is the cozy hometown vibe, the people are friendly, and you are surrounded by nature, the majestic
The owner of the Brewery, Jason Aamodt, is someone else who
mountains and calming waters,” said Brittany Bennett, who
has made a home in Norfork. Jason is an attorney who specializes
recently purchased a home in Norfork. With something for
in Native American Indian and energy law. According to the
everyone, Norfork is well worth a spot on your bucket list.
brewery's website, he’s also a dedicated beer drinker with an undergraduate degree in chemistry and biology. “Jason found Norfork on a fishing trip some years ago and loved it so much he bought a home here,” said Mitch Krauss, Jason's best friend and general manager of the brewery.
To book a visit or a fishing guide, contact Jim Smith at riverridgeinn.com, jimsmith@riverridgeinn.com or call 870.499.7775.
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46
outdoors
It’s electric!
While cycling experienced a quarantineinduced boom last year, one segment of the bike industry has been growing steadily since before COVID-19 changed the world…E-bikes.
words Scott Faldon images courtesy The Woodsman Company
“E-bike” is shorthand for electric bicycle. While some operate more like a motorcycle with a throttle that controls speed and require no pedaling, most E-bikes in the US are electric-assist. That means you’ve got to pedal, and the electric motor will add power as needed depending on the setting you choose and the terrain. If you’re gently pedaling along the Greg Smith River Trail on a low setting, you might not engage the motor. But if you put it in a higher power setting as you’re climbing up Custer Blvd. headed east toward Deer Trails Golf Course, it will kick in with extra wattage to power you up the hill. “There’s very little lag in the assistance, when it senses a drop in power from the pedaling then the motor will start adding more,” Scott Chapman, manager of The Woodsman Company’s cycling department said. “What a lot of people don’t realize is you don’t even have to use the boost. But it’s there in case you do want it. Let’s say you’ve gone for a ride and there’s a hill between you and home, you can then add some boost to help you get there.” E-bike models come in a variety of styles and power outputs. From traditional road bike designs to mountain bikes to gravel grinders perfect for country roads to cargo bikes designed for hauling heavy loads, there is an E-bike for every riding style. In addition to flattening out hills, E-bikes allow people of varying cycling ability to ride together. A grandparent can keep up with a youngster. A spouse who is a casual rider can maintain the same pace as their counterpart who is a devoted cyclist. Somebody working at getting fit can ride alongside their buddy who knocks off century Scott Chapman on the Greg Smith River Front Trail
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rides once per month.
outdoors
Chapman, a former elite road racer, admits when E-bikes first came along, he joined others in scoffing at them. He considered them “cheating.” But a couple of things changed his mind about the bikes. First, he saw a video about Paul Basagoitia, a professional, freeride mountain biker who was paralyzed from the waist down in 2015. After years of rehab, Basagoitia is riding again thanks to an E-bike. “Truthfully, that opened my eyes to the possibilities for E-bikes,” Chapman said. “I realized these were tools for people with medical conditions or injuries to get out and
The Liv Tempt E+
enjoy riding a bike in a way they normally couldn’t.” The second thing to convince Chapman of E-bike’s place in the cycling world? He rode one.
Best places to e-bike CHAFFEE CROSSING
“They are a blast,” Chapman said. “You step on the pedal,
GREG SMITH RIVER TRAIL A TOUR OF THE UNEXPECTED MURALS
and you feel that power … it’s really cool.” Growing research studies are showing the positive benefits of E-bikes as well. One study showed that riding an E-bike
What You Need (in addition to a bike)
would burn between 280 to 390 calories per hour (about
• Helmet
half of a non-electric bicycle) when ridden around 12mph. While Colorado State University researchers discovered when non-active people were given an E-bike and told to
•
Water bottles or hydration pack
•
Panniers (if you’re commuting)
ride for at least forty minutes three times per week, one hundred percent of the study’s participants rode more than asked as they improved their fitness, blood sugar levels and
What to Know
percentage of body fat.
Bicycles are treated like all other vehicles when it comes to traffic laws – with few exceptions. That means you
Aside from health benefits, Chapman said E-bikes can make
should ride on the right side of the road, with the flow
commuting in hilly Fort Smith much easier. “There are a lot of
of traffic and not into it. One of the big exceptions
people who might live within five miles of where they work
is Arkansas has recently legalized the Idaho Stop for
or a store they go to often,” Chapman said. “With a regular
cyclists. This means red traffic lights may be treated like
bike they may not be comfortable making that trip, but with
stop signs and stop signs may be treated like yield signs.
an E-bike they’d be much more likely to not drive their car.” E-bike prices begin at $1,900. That may seem high, but the number of E-bikes could be getting a boost from Congress in the near future. A bill filed earlier this year proposes a thirty percent tax credit for E-bikes that cost up to $8,000. Proponents of the legislation cite increasing physical activity and decreasing traffic congestion as reasons to pass it into law.
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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taste
DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
taste
American Pie words Catherine Frederick image Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock
method Combine flour and salt in large bowl. Add butter and shortening. Use a
C athe r i n e’ s Favo r i t e P i e C ru s t
pastry cutter to combine the butter and shortening into the flour mixture until it forms into pea-sized bits of dough. If you don’t have a pastry cutter, just use two forks.
Add 1 Tablespoon of ice water at a time to the dough mixture, stirring after each Tablespoon you add. Don’t add more water than you need,
Ingredients
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ¼ teaspoons salt
6 Tablespoons unsalted butter,
cold & cubed
¾ cup vegetable shortening,
cold
½ cup ice water
(water with ice, not just cold water)
stop adding when large clumps start to form, anywhere from ½ cup to ¾ cup, but be sure you add it in 1 Tablespoon increments.
Move the dough to a floured surface. The dough should not be too sticky! Work the dough with your hands until all the fats are combined, and you can form it into a ball. Divide it in half. Flatten each half into 1" disc. Wrap each portion in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Dough can be made up to 5 days in advance but cover well with plastic wrap. When it’s time to roll out the crust, work on a floured surface and use only a small amount of force with your rolling pin. Roll from the center out in all directions, turning the dough as you go to ensure it’s even.
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taste
F ru i t Filling
method Preheat oven to 425°. Place berries in separate bowls, set aside. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and sugar and stir to combine. Add ¼ of the sugar mixture along with 2 Tablespoons of lemon juice to each of the berry bowls, then toss to coat. Add remaining sugar mixture, almond extract, and 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice to the blueberries, toss
Ingredients
to coat and set aside.
2 ½ cups fresh strawberries,
On a floured surface, roll out dough to a ¼-inch-thick circle. Transfer disk to a 9-inch
hulled and sliced
pie pan. Fold a piece of foil several times to create a 2-inch-wide V-shaped strip to divide
2 cups fresh blueberries
the berries into ¼ and ¾ sections. Using a slotted spoon to strain out extra juices, add
½ cup sugar
the blueberry mixture to the ¼ section. Then, spoon the strawberry mixture into the ¾
¼ cup cornstarch
3 Tablespoons lemon juice
½ teaspoon almond extract
1 egg
water
section of the crust. Remove foil carefully!
On a floured surface, roll out another portion of dough to ¼-inch thick. Use a knife to make wavy strips, then place over the strawberries. Next, cut out 5–7 star shapes using a star shaped cutter and place them over the blueberries. Prepare your egg wash and brush it over all the crust, then sprinkle with sugar.
sugar
Place prepared pie on a baking sheet and cover the edges with a pie shield or create your own using foil to prevent over browning. Bake for 15 minutes then remove pie shield/foil and reduce cooking temperature to 375°. Bake for an additional 25-30 minutes until the crust is lightly browned and filling is bubbly. Remove from oven and allow to cool for a minimum of 2 hours before serving.
DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
taste
Recipe adapted ahealthylifeforme.com image Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock
eR dte, i h W& Boozy
ingredients (makes 1) for the blue layer
2 cups ice 2 oz. Blue Curacao 1 cup lemonade (we like Simply Lemonade)
for the white layer
2 cups ice 2 oz. Smirnoff Red, White & Berry vodka 1 cup lemonade
for the red layer
1 ¼ cups strawberries, quartered 2 oz. Smirnoff Red, White & Berry vodka ¼ cup lemonade
method Combine ingredients for individual layer in a blender and blend until smooth. Rinse blender and repeat for each layer. Store in freezer until ready to serve. Pour each layer in glass of choice and serve immediately.
Please drink responsibly. Never drink and drive.
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fiction
Lost Love Letters words Liesel Schmidt image Cheryl Casey/Shutterstock
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fiction
Meg blinked. Work. Did she even really want to do it
“What are you thinking about, Meg?”
anymore? Really, what was the point? The voice intruded on her thoughts, ripping her from the memory she’d just been lost in. And it was such a good
She nodded, keeping her eyes trained on the shrink. Because
memory, a perfect memory of a perfect day. She blinked and
that’s really what she was, in Meg’s mind—someone who
looked at the severe little woman sitting across from her. Her
wanted to get into her head and shrink everything down into
mouth was pinched in a moue, showing her displeasure at
little pieces that could be examined and analyzed. She wanted
Meg’s silence and obvious disconnect from present reality.
to distill everything that Meg had been through into something that could be written down on a piece of paper and worked
“You’ve been coming here for a month now, and you’re
through with words. So many words. It almost gave Meg a
giving me nothing. You have to speak if you want to get
headache just thinking about it. She closed her eyes again.
anything out of these sessions. I can’t help you unless you help me.” It was the same thing Meg had heard before, on
“That is what you want, isn’t it, Meg?” The disembodied
each of their meetings, near the end of those interminable
voice probed.
fifty minutes that were billing her insurance one hundred
Meg’s eyebrows knitted together in puzzlement. Could the
fifty dollars an hour. But she wasn’t here because she wanted
woman read her mind?
to be. She was here because her job made it a requirement, to deal with whatever grief or stress or shock that came from
She took a deep breath and opened her eyes again, flicking
losing someone like she had. It was protocol, really; but it
them toward the clock on the wall…And three, two, one…
didn’t make it any easier. Or any less torturous. “I want you to think about that answer and tell me in our Meg shifted on the couch and let out a small sigh. She closed
next session.” Dr. Helmut rose to usher her toward the door.
her eyes and opened her mouth to speak. She could almost
Meg nodded silently and reached to collect her purse from
see the psychiatrist—Dr. Helmut, that was her name—leaning
the floor next to her feet, then rose. She towered over the
forward in anticipation of whatever words might be coming.
other woman by almost a whole foot. Not that she was tall,
She was about to be thoroughly disappointed.
at five foot six inches; but Dr. Helmut seemed to have missed the line when they’d been handing out the gene for height
“I’m thinking what a waste of time this is,” Meg said at last.
in heaven. It was a weird little thought that made Meg smile
“I’m fine. There’s no reason for me to be here.” She opened
slightly, then catch herself.
her eyes again to look at Dr. Helmut. “See you Thursday, Meg,” Dr. Helmut said. Again, Meg The woman shook her head, and amazingly, not one hair
nodded without a word. She walked out the door and onto
moved out of place. She was the picture of control: Her
the porch, a route that completely bypassed the waiting
clothes were perfectly ironed and had creases that could slice
room—something that was supposed to lend itself toward
through a tomato without damaging it, her patent leather
privacy and the anonymity of other patients, like it was
heels looked spit polished, her makeup carefully applied and
shielding them from one another. Meg looked out at the
just barely there. She had ramrod posture, almost military
flowers growing in the bed bordering the old wooden porch
bearing. And she wanted Meg to talk.
and almost hated them for being so cheerful looking. If they’d just had to spend fifty minutes in a session with that
Dr. Helmut looked as though her tight grip on control was
woman, Meg thought, they wouldn’t look like that.
being tested. “You went through something traumatic, Meg. That is why you are here, and that is what you need to deal
She walked quietly to her car and got in, pausing to let the
with. You can’t go back to work until you deal with that, and
warmth of the sunbaked interior wash over her before she
you know it.”
turned the key in the ignition. How had she gotten here?
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54
fiction
Less than two months ago, she’d been on the fast-track
Dear Ms. Evans,
to making sergeant, a hot shot in the department. And then it had happened—two terrible seconds that changed
We have been instructed per the wishes of Mr. Laurie to send
everything about her life. Some kid who’d been on a hair-
you these contents in the event of his death. Please contact
trigger and had lashed out, pulling her partner over the edge
our office if you have further questions.
of a roof when he’d tried to talk the kid down and offer a hand. Two seconds that she saw over and over in her head,
We offer our condolences on your loss.
like a movie reel. With regards, Meg sighed and started the car, checking her mirrors before pulling out of her parking space. She caught a glimpse of
The offices of Maynard, Blenheim, and Stuart
herself in the mirror and noticed the lines around her eyes. She looked tired—exhausted, really. And old. She felt old. At
The tears blurred Meg’s vision and began tracing a path
thirty-seven, she might not have been young, but she wasn’t
down her cheeks. She swiped at them to clear her eyes. Then
old, either.
she opened the letter. Andy’s letter. It was written in his chicken-scratch scrawl, his unmistakably bad penmanship.
“I look old, Andy,” she said out loud, knowing how ridiculous it was. “And it’s all your fault.”
Meg,
Meg shook her head at the silence, the lack of the quick-
If you’re reading this, I’m not there anymore. I’m not there
witted response he would have given if he’d been there. Oh,
to give you a hard time about how tired and old you look
how mercilessly he had teased her. He would have been all
after a hard shift or tell you that you need to loosen up and
over that one.
live a little.
Twenty minutes later, she was home, walking into a silent
I’m also not there to tell you how much I loved you. I never
apartment that seemed equally to feel the lack of Andy’s
said it, but I think you know. You were my partner, but you
presence. Everywhere felt different, really, like there was a
were more than that. You were the love of my life. Even
void. The world turned, time went on, people lived their lives
though I never told you that, you were. As much as you
without knowing he was gone; but Meg knew. Meg knew,
drove me crazy, I loved all of it. I loved all of you.
and she felt it like the loss of a limb. I know that you’re probably having a hard time right now, She dropped her keys on the small table by the door and
wondering why you’re doing the job anymore. Wondering if
stopped to thumb through her mail. She went still when she
any of it is worth it. It is. What we do—what you still do—is
came to an envelope with an official-looking sender, the
important. You are there, on the front line, helping keep the
elegant script of a lawyer’s masthead standing out from all
people of this city safe. That matters. You matter. Keep it
the bills and junk mail that usually populated her mail. Her
up, kid. Keep it up and show them, every day, that you care.
breath caught in her chest, and she felt tears sting her eyes. Go out there, Meg, and do it for both of us. Make my life They’d always joked about this. Had he really done it?
matter—make my death matter. And remember what I said. You were loved. You are loved. Even though I’m not there,
Meg carefully worked her finger under the flap of the
let yourself feel that. I’ll always love you.
envelope and freed the letter. There were three pages, the top-most being a cover letter from the lawyer.
Andy
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SENIOR LIFE
Senior Life Now is your time – time to do what you've always wanted. Perhaps you are looking to travel or spend more time with family. No matter what's on your list, you want to take care of yourself and have fun too! Do South® has partnered with local businesses to help with everything from senior living and insurance options, expert healthcare, incredible relaxation and entertainment, and more!
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of the American College of Phlebology in 2009. She and her certified ultrasound staff are an accredited peripheral vascular lab since 2013. Dr. Smith is joined in practice for aesthetics by Janet Newman, RN. Our aesthetic care goals are to provide our patients with the absolute best care and results using leading techniques and technology. As a physician owned and led practice, Arkansas Vein Clinic and Skin Care is a unique and personal environment where familiar staff greet patients by name and treat them like family.
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479.785.3277 4300 Rogers Avenue, #15, Fort Smith, Arkansas centerforhearing.net
479.262.6466 / legacyheights.org 479.474.7233 / memorylanevb.org 1012 Fayetteville Road, Van Buren, Arkansas
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Legacy
Heights,
an
upscale,
all-inclusive
retirement
As part of our commitment to stay on the cutting edge
community,
of hearing technology, Center for Hearing now offers
housekeeping, paid utilities & more, all offered alongside
the world's first FDA cleared, Cognivue Thrive, as part of
the
our audiological evaluations. This is not an IQ test or a
create more time for residents to do things they enjoy
list of questions, rather a simple automated assessment.
most, without the responsibility of having to care for or
The results help our audiologists determine your cognitive
maintain a home. The residents at Legacy Heights feel a
health along with your hearing health. This important
sense of belonging that comes with being surrounded by
information helps our audiologists make sure if hearing
a neighborhood of friends. Memory Lane, established in
correction is needed. We know how important hearing and
2009, is a Licensed Assisted Living Facility certified as an
brain health is to keeping you active and social. We don't
Alzheimer’s Special Care Unit. We seek to enhance the
want anyone to suffer from social isolation because they
difficult journey that individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease
can't hear well enough to enjoy a good visit or outing. Call
or Dementia encounter and provide a secure environment
479-785-3277 to schedule your appointment today!
while promoting individual dignity & optimum health.
freedom
provides of
nutritious
independent
meals living.
daily, Our
weekly
amenities
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479.452.1611 7425 Euper Lane, Fort Smith, Arkansas methodistvillage.com
1.800.OAKLAWN Hot Springs, Arkansas oaklawn.com
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The great heritage at Methodist Village Senior Living began sixty years ago. Since 1961, we have been proud to be Fort
Experience a new level of excitement at Oaklawn. See live
Smith’s only local, faith based, nonprofit organization dedicated
Thoroughbred racing every January through May from the
to enhancing quality of life for our active adult and elder
stands or from the comfort of Oaklawn’s newest dining
population. We encourage the independence of our residents
experience, The Bugler. Take in the high energy of the year-
through comprehensive care focusing on their physical,
round casino, featuring slots, live table games, high limits,
intellectual, social, and spiritual needs. Our Life Plan Community
and sports betting. Plus, the new, 200-room luxury hotel
is growing and expanding to continue to raise the bar when
featuring The Astral Spa, an outdoor pool with private
it comes to caring for seniors. We offer comprehensive total
cabanas, several dining options, and an 18,000-square-foot
patient care through assisted, independent, long-term, memory
multipurpose event space. Nestled in the heart of beautiful
care, respite, and inpatient/outpatient rehabilitation. These
Hot Springs National Park, Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort has
services allow for a community that enables seniors to live on
all you need for the ultimate getaway.
one campus throughout their life, as their needs change.
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479.478.3000 1300 Strozier Lane, Barling, Arkansas mercycrest.com
479.431.5632 2613 Market Trace, Fort Smith, Arkansas priceinsuranceservices.com
Mercy Crest Assisted Living has been providing quality Assisted
Medicare gives us many options. We would encourage you to
Living level II and Independent Resident Services in Barling,
investigate those options with a local, trusted resource that
Arkansas for the past 29 years. Since 1992, Mercy Crest
you can meet in person and will be available to you throughout
has provided services that advance the quality of life for the
your Medicare years. Our focus is education for not only you
elderly and disabled residents in the most appropriate, least
but family that you want to involve for those inevitable times
restrictive, Christian environment. Resident-centered care
when someone needs to help us through a crisis. Let us be your
planning allows our licensed and certified team members to
mentor in finding the correct solution for you. We will be the
care for our residents' individual needs in a way that promotes
same people you talk to when you sign up and when you need
privacy and independence. Our services now include a 10-unit
to review your choices or have problems. Contact us at Kendall
Memory Care wing, Restorative Nursing Care and Pastoral Care
Price Medicare Insurance, 479.431.5632 and visit us online at
programs. Call us today to schedule a tour, at 479-478-3000
priceinsuranceservices.com.
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extension 152, or email resident.liaison@mercycrest.com.
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479.459.9565 / Sally Curtis-Ware 479.650.1832 / Denise Auman Find Us on Facebook
479.648.9949 6301 Highway 45, Suite A, Fort Smith, Arkansas windsorins.com
River Valley Estate Sales offers professional, compassionate
Windsor Insurance Services started serving clients in August
estate sales services. Whether you are downsizing, relocating,
of 2001. Aaron Windsor LUTCF, CSA, saw a need to help
or liquidating a loved one’s estate, we provide courteous and
people on Medicare understand their many insurance
timely service. With every sale we manage, we have the honor
options, secure the proper coverage and back that coverage
to serve a family going through a major life transition and we
with unmatched service. Annual insurance reviews follow to
take great pride in assisting our clients during this time. Our
make sure the client’s insurance coverage and service needs
team handles every aspect of an in-home sale from start to
are being met. Our independent agency works with top rated
finish, including organization, staging, pricing, and advertising.
and reputable insurance companies to find the absolute
Our proven process brings buyers and provides better sales
best and most affordable coverage possible. Clients learn
totals. River Valley Estate Sales is licensed and bonded in the
about their best options in a comfortable and no-pressure
state of Arkansas, and we look forward to finding the solution
environment. The growth of our agency has been such a
that best suits your needs. Call us for a free consultation!
blessing and we are grateful for our clients' trust and the many referrals they have provided through the years.
HEARTS ON FIRE STORES, AUTHORIZED RETAILERS, HEARTSONFIRE.COM
Read Chair Publishing, LLC 4300 Rogers Avenue, Suite 20-110 Fort Smith, AR 72903
479.452.2140 | 5622 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith johnmaysjewelers.com
