KEEN - JUNE 2022 by Do South Magazine

KEEN

june 2022 DoSouthMagazine.com

june

Contents 04 14 46 52

Letter from Catherine Financial Profiles Just Peachy

09 12

{ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT} What’s New: June Events June Book Recommendations

Shop Local Our Community Cares:

Project Zero

{PEOPLE}

24 28

36 38

Up in the Air Winding Rivers

{TASTE}

42 44

Hand It Over The Juicy Peach

The Greatest American Hero The Art of Saying Yes to Something New

{HEALTH}

{ T R AV E L }

Girl’s Inc.

Special Feature: House and Home

06 08

{COMMUNITY}

{FICTION}

Heaven Knows

Water Works

OUR COVER

Fun in the Sun

Image Credit: pixeydixey/Shutterstock

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Letter from Catherine

FUN

When the kids were little, we’d head to the beach for a weeklong vacation every summer. As they got older and busier with life and sports, our annual trip came to a halt. The sound of seagulls and crashing waves replaced by a basketball bouncing on courts across the United States as we watch our son play AAU basketball. He’s still playing ball, but we are squeezing in a week at the beach, this year with the entire family, all ten of us, in tow!

Whether you’re staying home or taking a trip this summer, we have you covered! For the homebodies we feature our annual House and Home Guide. We’ve partnered with local experts to show you how to improve the home you love, what to do if you’re ready to buy a new one, and steps to take to protect one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make. Looking for adventure? Check out Winding Rivers on page 38 and plan your next float trip. Looking for a unique vacation close to home? A weekend up in the trees could be the answer – discover more on page 44. We’re also sharing two delicious recipes that call for fresh peaches so we’ve included a list of locations around Arkansas where you can pick a bushel! In this issue, you’ll meet local artist, Angela Vennum. Changing directions in life can be daunting, but Angela relied on her faith and discovered that letting go allowed her to say yes to something new. We’re also sharing the first of a two-part story on officer Tommy Norman from North Little Rock. Tommy is known worldwide for his positive community policing and has received national attention for his interactions with those in his community, most notably his charitable actions toward youth and families. Tommy is on a mission to make a difference, one interaction at a time. Don’t forget, Father’s Day is June 19! I encourage you to pay the advertisers in this issue a visit. Not only are they the reason you’re holding this issue in your hands, but they are who make our community the incredible place that it is! We thank you for inviting us into your home and heart every month – see you in July!

Catherine Frederick

Owner/Publisher/Editor catherine@dosouthmagazine.com

JUNE 2022 OWNER - PUBLISHER - EDITOR Catherine Frederick COPY EDITING Charity Chambers GRAPHIC DESIGN Artifex 323 – Jessica Meadors CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Jade Graves CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jenny Boulden, Lydia Dobbins, Catherine Frederick, Dwain Hebda, Sara Putman, Liesel Schmidt ADVERTISING INFORMATION Catherine Frederick I 479.782.1500 catherine@dosouthmagazine.com

FOLLOW US ©2022 Read Chair Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the permission of the copyright owner. Opinions contained in Do South ® are exclusively those of the writers and do not represent those of Read Chair Publishing, LLC. as a whole or its affiliates. Any correspondence, including photography, becomes the property of Read Chair Publishing, LLC. Do South ® reserves the right to edit content and images. Printed in the U.S.A. | ISSN 2373-1893

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

To reserve this free space for your charitable nonprofit organization, email: catherine@dosouthmagazine.com.

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entertainment

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DOSOUTHMAG

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JUNE EVENTS APT United Way Charity Golf Classic June 6: Hardscrabble Golf Course, Fort Smith, Arkansas

ArcBest Performing Arts Center June 7: Baby Shark Live!, Fort Smith, Arkansas

Food Truck Festival June 11: Van Buren Fine Arts Center, Van Buren, Arkansas

Annual Judge Isaac C. Parker Memorial Chili Cookoff June 11-12: Columbus Acres, Fort Smith, Arkansas

Moon Over Buffalo June 15-18: Fort Smith Little Theatre, Fort Smith, Arkansas

Annual True Grit 5K Run/Walk June 17: Terry Street, Inside Chaffee Crossing, Fort Smith, Arkansas

32nd Annual Riverfront Blues Fest June 17-18: The Majestic, Fort Smith, Arkansas

Walmart AMP, Rogers, Arkansas June 9: Cheer Live! June 10: Jimmy Buffett & the Coral Reefer Band June 12: Steely Dan June 17: REO Speedwagon & STYX June 21: Backstreet Boys June 23: Chicago and Brian Wilson June 30: ZZ Top Send comments, suggestions and advertising inquiries to catherine@dosouthmagazine.com.

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entertainment

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

Siren Queen

Back to the Prairie

Darling Girl

Book Lovers

by Nghi Vo

by Melissa Gilbert

by Liz Michalski

by Emily Henry

Vo’s book, set in the heyday of Hollywood starlets, lives up to the title. Luli will do anything to be an actress on her own terms, but this is difficult especially when the real monsters in Hollywood aren’t the ones on screen. It’s dark and gritty, but also inspirational as we discover a Chinese-American from Hungarian Hill’s plight to live the magic that is Hollywood stardom.

Many of us grew up watching Gilber t play Laura Ingalls Wilder in the television series Little House on the Prairie . Told with humor and a dash of privilege, Gilber t’s memoir focuses on her family’s transition during the pandemic from Hollywood to a rustic cabin in the Catskills. As she rediscovers her life, she finds that she didn’t have to stray too far from where she star ted.

In this retelling of the classic Peter Pan , the dark currents of fairy tales are exposed as Wendy’s granddaughter, Holly Darling, works to rescue her children from the clutches of Peter Pan. As it turns out, he isn’t the innocent storybook hero everyone thinks he is. Michalski can bring the magic of fairy tales to light while still exploring grief, aging, sacrifice, and motherhood.

What do you get when a literary agent and brooding editor find themselves thrust together in the most serendipitous situations? You get the newest rom com by Henry that is rife with literary themes. The bookish world is the background and even though all the tools are at the reader’s disposal, the secrets Nora and Charlie unravel will keep readers – and the characters – turning the page.

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shop

DON’T FORGET FATHER’S DAY! words Catherine Frederick imageS Jade Graves Photography and courtesy vendors

Father’s Day is June 19th. Shop local and find the perfect gift for Dad!

Tag Heuer Carrera Chronograph, Stainless Steel, Automatic 02 Movement, 80 Hour Power Reserve

Maui Jim Sunglasses for Men

DR. STEVEN B. STILES OPTOMETRY 479.452.2020

Whiskey Freeze Cooling Cups, Jim Beam Family of Brands 3-Pack or Individual Bottles of Jim Beam Black, Basil Hayden’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

JOHN MAYS JEWELERS

IN GOOD SPIRITS 479.434.6604

479.452.2140

Blake’s Rainbow Seeker Hard Cider, Bulleit Manhattan and Old-Fashioned Cocktails, Ménage à Trois Hot Pink Rose, Risata Blueberry Moscato, and Blake’s Triple Jam Hard Cider

Hear Traffic Sounds and Eliminate Wind Noise with Motorcycle Ear Plugs by Westone

SODIE’S WINE & SPIRITS

CENTER FOR HEARING

479.783.8013

479.785.3277

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health

Fun

in the

Sun

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

Summer is filled with all sorts of outside and

burns can result in fever, nausea, weakness, and confusion

water-centered activities which bring about a health concern

and may require urgent medical attention. Mild burns can

that can sometimes be overlooked: Sun Damage. According to

be treated at home with a cool bath, application of a gentle,

the American Academy of Dermatology, only half of Americans

scent-free topical skin moisturizer with soothing agents such

protect themselves properly from the sun. Sun-related skin

as aloe and the use of Tylenol or Motrin for discomfort. Never

damage can result in sunburns, premature aging of the skin,

apply topical antibiotic, numbing, or steroid ointments unless

and the serious consequence of skin cancer which occur when

directed by a physician. Widespread blistering or symptoms

the skin is exposed unprotected to ultraviolet light. While the

of fever and confusion should be evaluated immediately by a

sun is the most powerful and damaging source of UV light,

physician. Additional sun exposure should be avoided until the

tanning beds are also a source of concentrated UV light

sunburn has healed. As the skin heals, there may be dryness,

exposure that can result in skin damage. UV rays are present

itchiness, and peeling and a topical moisturizer should be used.

year-round, but the risk is much higher in summer when rays are

Application of anti-itch medications is not recommended as it

concentrated from ten o’clock in the morning until two o’clock

can result in increased itching and skin damage. Prevention is

in the afternoon. Much of this exposure occurs as children play

the best cure for sunburn and its damaging effects!

outside and unfortunately, this is the least protected and most

PREMATURE SKIN AGING

common cause of sun-related skin damage.

Did you know that blue light emitted from your smartphone,

SUNBURNS

computer monitor, and television screens adds to the damage

A sunburn is the most common form of sun damage. It can range

caused by the sun? Indirect sun exposure through the windows

from redness of the skin to blisters, swelling, and pain. Severe

of our homes and cars, while not a usual cause of sunburn,

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

health

also contributes to the combined effect of premature skin

Basal cell carcinoma commonly appears as a shiny, palpable

aging. This aging accelerates the loss of collagen, which gives

bump on sun-exposed skin. The bump will often appear

young skin its shape and elastin, which gives skin’s tautness

translucent, pearly white (fair complexion) or glossy black

and elasticity. Also, prematurely aged skin loses proteins such

(pigmented complexion) and usually is a slow-growing lesion.

as hyaluronic acid that help the skin retain moisture resulting

Basal cell carcinomas should be evaluated and removed by a

in firmness, softness, and fullness. These result in fine lines and

dermatologist to prevent invasion of surrounding skin.

wrinkles as well as the appearance of dryness and unsightly sagging of the skin. Damaging UV light exposure also results

Finally, the most dangerous is melanoma. An estimated one

in abnormal pigmentations such as sunspots. Protection is key;

million Americans are living with melanoma and twenty of

you may need to seek medical-grade skin care products to

those individuals will die every day from metastatic melanoma.

combat the premature aging process of the skin.

Melanoma usually begins as a skin lesion. Risk factors for lesions that should prompt evaluation include: (A) asymmetry—part

SKIN CANCER

of the lesion is different than the other, (B) border—irregular

The most severe consequence of UV light skin damage is

or poorly defined borders, (C) color—varying colors in the

skin cancer. It is the most commonly occurring cancer in the

lesion, (D) diameter—lesions larger than a pencil eraser, and

United States, occurring in one out of every five Americans.

(E) evolving—the lesion changes size, color, or shape. Any of

Unprotected sun exposure is the single most common and

these factors should result in evaluation by your physician and

preventable risk factor for skin cancer. According to board-

a referral to a dermatologist.

certified dermatologist Mark D. Kaufmann, MD, FAAD, president of the American Academy of Dermatology: “If you

Prevention is centered on reducing the amount of exposure. The

are getting a tan, you are definitely not doing a good job of

sun and tanning beds are the most concentrated forms of UV

protecting yourself from the sun. There is no such thing as a

light and tanning beds should be strictly avoided! Sun exposure

safe tan. Every time you tan or burn, you are also damaging the

can be reduced by seeking shade. Using a sun umbrella, tent, or

DNA in your skin.”

canopy with a sun protection factor of 50+ is also recommended. Wearing lightweight, long-sleeve protective clothing with SPF

There are three main types of skin cancer associated with UV

of 50+ with wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses during periods

light-related damage: squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell

of sun exposure is helpful. Finally, sunscreen with an SPF of 30+

carcinoma, and melanoma. Squamous cell carcinoma is the

should be applied to exposed skin daily. Sunscreen should be

most common. It is generally detected early as actinic keratosis

reapplied every two hours when directly exposed to the sun,

(precancerous lesions) appearing as erythematous (scaly patches

especially when swimming and sweating—reapply immediately

of skin in sun-exposed areas). When detected early, actinic

after water activities. Everyday use of an SPF 30+ sunscreen will

keratosis can be treated topically with cryotherapy (freezing) or

help to protect against premature aging of the skin. Remember,

topical agents to stop progression to cancerous lesions. When

when it comes to protecting your skin from painful sunburn,

cancerous progression does develop, topical chemotherapy

unsightly premature aging, and dangerous skin cancer, an

agents are the most common treatment.

ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure!

Kendall Wagner, M.D. is a regular healthcare contributor to Do South® Magazine. Chaffee Crossing Clinic 11300 Roberts Boulevard, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.242.5910 | chaffeecrossingclinic.com

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

community

Our Community Cares

DS: How did Girls Inc. of Fort Smith come to be?

words Catherine Frederick with Amanda Daniels, Executive Director

numbers low. In 2020 and 2021 we served half the girls we normally would. Our

We were established in 1934 in Fort Smith as part of Girls Clubs of America and in the early 90’s, Girls Clubs of America across the nation, became Girls Inc. affiliates. DS: Who does Girls Inc. serve and in what ways?

We serve girls ages 5 - 18. In 2019, we served 1,441 girls. When the pandemic hit, our programs came to a halt and when we started back, we had to keep our numbers vary depending on the time of year or if our recreational sports leagues are in season. We offer after-school programming, summer programs, recreational volleyball, basketball, and dance, as well as outreach partnerships with schools. DS: How does Girls Inc. impact our community?

We offer affordable options for after-school and summer care while providing a safe, girls-only environment so they continue learning even when out of the classroom. Our sports programs are great options for girls to learn a sport, develop teamwork skills, and make them successful and confident. We also partner with schools to provide several different outreach programs. The Girls Inc. experience consists of trained staff and volunteers who build lasting, mentoring relationships in girls-only spaces that are physically and emotionally safe where girls find a

Girls Inc.’s mission is to inspire all girls

sisterhood of support with shared drive, mutual respect, and high expectations.

to be strong, smart, and bold, providing

Hands-on, research-based programs provide girls with skills and knowledge to

more than 1,400 girls in Fort Smith and

set goals, overcome obstacles, and improve academic performance. Informed by

surrounding areas with life-changing

girls and their families, Girls Inc. also works with policymakers to advocate for

experiences and solutions to the unique

legislation and initiatives that increase opportunities for girls.

challenges girls face. Do South ® reached out to Amanda Daniels, Executive

DS: How can our community get involved and show support?

Director, to learn more.

Volunteer! We need you, especially coaches for our sports leagues. However, you can come speak to our girls about your profession or a topic of interest. There are always group projects such as helping with landscaping, painting, etc.

Girls Inc. of Fort Smith 1415 Old Greenwood Road

DS: What’s something many people may not know about Girls Inc.?

Fort Smith, Arkansas

The most significant one may be our scholarship program. We’ve given over half a

479.782-0375

million dollars in college scholarships to Girls Inc. girls. This year alone we will give

girlsincfortsmith.org

out nearly $25,000! DS: What’s the best thing about working at Girls Inc.?

Without a doubt, it’s the girls! As the Director, I don’t have much interaction with Next month, we’ll showcase another worthy nonprofit in our area free of charge. We will accept requests for this free page beginning in October, 2022. Send questions to catherine@dosouthmagazine.com.

the girls on a day-to-day basis, but if I need a pick me up, I walk out of my office and get hugs from the girls and hear about their day or what’s going on in their life. It puts it all back into perspective and reminds me of why I’m here and why Girls Inc. is so important.

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community

AUSTIN AGE 15

Think back to when you were a teenager. What did you need most? If you thought of things like structure, guidance, and love, you may be a fit for our friend Austin! He is a sweet, caring, fun, and outgoing teen looking for IMAGE courtesy Van Dover Photography

his forever home. He tends to be a bit reserved at first, and he takes a minute to warm up to new people, but once he’s comfortable, he becomes very

talkative. Austin loves meaningful conversations with family and friends. Like some teenage boys, Austin can get into trouble with his words as he likes to argue and tends to pick fights with adults and peers alike, but with the proper guidance, he can be redirected. For this reason, Austin would do best in a two-parent household with strong structure and clear guidance, along with loving patience where he is the only child. Could your family be the right fit for Austin? Reach out today to learn more!

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

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2022

FINANCIAL PROFILES SPECIAL FEATURE PRESENTED BY

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

Do South® Magazine is proud to recognize the expertise and contributions of local banks, 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 discover how they help their clients reach their financial goals.

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LIBBY MEYER E D WA R D J O N E S Libby Meyer has built a thriving financial advising practice on

A graduate of Alma High School and the University of Tulsa, Libby

the time-honored principles of expert advice and the ultimate in

has been in the financial service business for nearly a decade. She

customer service. Building on the firm foundation put down before

said her favorite part of the job is seeing people work toward their

her by her father, the late Mike Gurlen, Libby’s fundamental element

dreams, no matter at what stage.

of success lies in the bond she creates with every single client to craft a strategy that’s right for them.

“A lot of times people hesitate to visit with a financial advisor because they think they don’t have enough money or they’re not

“I have a desire to help others plan for what’s important,” she says.

sure what that financial advisor is going to do,” she says.

“I believe it is important to help people understand their financial situation in order to set a plan to achieve realistic dreams and goals."

“I don’t look to serve just the clients who have a lot of money. I look to form relationships with people who have goals and ambitions and

"Relationships are key, so we meet face-to-face with clients to build

maybe don’t know where to get started. That’s where I can open up

strong, lifelong partnerships.”

opportunities and help people start to reach those goals.”

edwardjones.com

Libby R Meyer, CRPC®

Member SIPC

IRT-1848G-A

Financial Advisor

106 N 9th Street Fort Smith, AR 72901 479-494-7119

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Ann Kinder K i n d e r F i n a n c i a l S t r at e g i e s Fort Smith native Ann Kinder began her financial planning career in 1986 and has seen many things come and go in the financial planning industry. One thing that has remained consistent throughout that time is her commitment to serving each client as an individual, with a unique set of needs and goals for their future. “I’m the biggest caretaker-type person in the world, down to the DNA level,” she says with a laugh. “I literally want to help everybody with everything. I am at my heart and core a teacher in the way I approach everything. I do what I do in this business because I genuinely enjoy taking care of people.” Ann has built a sterling reputation for integrity and customer service over many years. She serves clients of all ages and stages of financial literacy, taking time to explain to each the fundamentals of saving and investing to meet various goals. It’s this hands-on approach that she likes best about her business. “ That is exactly what I do, and that relationship-building is, I think, one thing that sets me apart,” she says. “If you’re someone who wants to randomly buy and sell stocks and bonds, I’m not your best option. I want us to define dreams and goals and, then, help you form a plan to pursue them. And, most importantly, I want you to understand and be comfortable with the risk you take.” “We’ve summarized that in our slogan ‘Direction Defined,’ and we really try to live by that.” Transparency is another of Ann’s critical operational principles. In fact, she’s gone so far as to produce a pamphlet that outlines her payment structure in plain English, a personal touch that starts out any client relationship from a position of trust. And she reinforces that trust at every stage of the client's financial journey. “Clients’ goals change as their lives change,” she says. “As a financial planner, I have to be able to pivot as their needs evolve. Ultimately, I’m trying to get every client to what I call their ‘walk-away money,’ which is the amount they need to live their dream on their own terms, whatever that might be.” “I’ve had the great privilege of helping many people reach that point over the years. The feeling I get from being part of that process is indescribable.”

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www.directiondefined.net

farm Credit o f w e s t e r n a r k a n sas Farming is a complex business. As a farmer, you rely heavily on the tools of your trade, daily, to ensure success. Tools keep the tractor running, fencing repaired and your truck on the road. What’s the one tool you refuse to farm without? If you didn’t answer good financing, Farm Credit wants to change your mind. As a producer good financing is, by far, your most valuable tool. Good, reliable financing with a lender you trust, and who understands your operational needs, can impact your balance sheet in a big way. From interest rates and loan terms tailored to your operation’s needs to structuring a payment schedule that matches your cash flow cycle, good financing can impact your bottom line. Financing is a tool, and you should be utilizing it as such. With interest rates on the rise, look at your current bank note. Is your loan on a variable, adjustable or balloon rate? If so, your loan will be repricing as interest rates rise. This means your payments will increase, too. Are you prepared to put more of your profit toward loan payments? Farm Credit can help you lock-in a long-term, fixed interest rate today. Use financing as a tool to protect your farm’s cash flow. Locking-in a long-term rate now will protect you from rising rates. Since your rate never increases, your payment never increases. Locking-in a rate now will provide peace of mind when it comes to your operational costs. That’s a valuable tool in uncertain economic times. Trusted for more than one hundred years, Farm Credit understands Arkansas agriculture and the rural lifestyle. Farm Credit’s lending staff understands your needs and can tailor loans to fit those needs everyday – for farmers just like you. With locations in Fort Smith, Alma and across western Arkansas, there’s a Farm Credit lender near you. A lender will be happy to listen and show you how good financing may very well be the most valuable tool for your operation.

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Brad lewis United Financial Advisors With decades of expertise under his belt, Brad Lewis, owner of United Financial Advisors, could be content to merely rest on his laurels in the local financial planning market. But that’s not the code by which the longtime entrepreneur and Navy veteran lives his life or runs his practice. Brad continues to deepen his knowledge and expand his presence to serve families throughout the region as they pursue their financial dreams and reach their goals. Licensed to practice in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Texas and Oklahoma, Brad recently earned his license to be a Wealth Management Certified Professional (WMCP). He also partnered with an office in Conway, bringing the same attentive service and personal touch to central Arkansas as he’s been known for in Fort Smith for years. “Our motto is ‘Providing Financial Confidence and Dignity Through Every Stage of Life,’ ” he says. “ That doesn’t always happen between nine and five. It takes commitment on the part of a financial professional to be truly available to clients, that’s something we take great pride in through our firm, helping clients feel confident in a strategy that will allow them to retire and live with dignity.” One of Brad’s not-so-secret weapons in his practice is his focus on educating the client. He and his staff go to great lengths to explain the finer points of financial planning, not only in one-on-one consultations, but in his popular lunch-and-learn series and other events. Brad says the valuable community resource was inspired by his mother, especially as it applied to women. “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,” he says. “And I give copies of this booklet away to every woman who comes through the door of our various events.” Brad is equally committed to the community outside of financial planning. He founded an annual Women’s Celebration Dinner, celebrating International Women’s Day with local vendors, a guest speaker and a locally catered dinner. He’s served on the boards of several nonprofit organizations in town and is a member of the Fort Smith Chamber, Grand Avenue Baptist Church and Gideons International. It’s little wonder the firm was awarded “Best Wealth Management” in the annual Best of the River Valley rankings. “There are people who want you to know how much they know, and there are people who want you to know what they know,” Brad says. “I’ve made a lot of new friends through this business. I work very hard to be a blessing to them.”

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clients that we only focus in one area. We’re set up to where the client has access to anybody,” says Marc Lux, owner. “We allow our staff to communicate with the clients in order to resolve things quickly and provide that continuity as we’re working on their stuff For more than three decades, companies and individuals in western Arkansas have turned to Przybysz & Associates, CPAs for unsurpassed expertise in attestation services. Founded in 1991 by John Przybysz, the firm quickly became known for quality and service in individual and business tax services, bookkeeping and payroll services, and auditing services with an emphasis on nonprofit and governmental entities. And while the company’s reach has grown from serving just Fort Smith to building a highly satisfied clientele from Bella Vista to Texarkana, eastern Oklahoma to central Arkansas, Przybysz & Associates, CPAs still does business according to the same small-town values upon which it was built. In other ways, the firm has changed. Przybysz & Associates, CPAs only works in the attestation field, for instance. “It is better for the

from one year to the next.” Marc says the company’s expansion over the years grew out of its desire to be as accessible to customers as possible. The firm’s highly qualified staff of professionals is dispersed among three offices in Bentonville, Fayetteville and Fort Smith. “We try to provide the value that big firms can’t do,” Lux says. “That doesn’t mean big firms don’t do good work, but they’ve got a lot of overhead they must cover. We typically don’t charge to answer questions and we have several pro bono engagements for organizations that provide a good service to the community.” “That’s what has driven customer loyalty. This is a small town. We’ve had some clients who have been doing business with us for twentyplus years, because they know we’re here to serve.”

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Lucigerma/Shutterstock

people

The Greatest

American Hero PART I WORDS Dwain Hebda IMAGES courtesy Tommy Norman

Tommy Norman

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

people

In the mid 1990s, the mere appearance of a

He’s also got his share of celebrity and big-time media fans –

police cruiser in some North Little Rock neighborhoods was

in addition to local press, the Today show did a segment on

cause for people to scatter, blinds to be drawn, walls to come

him in 2015 as did CNN which was tipped off to Tommy from

up. A parked police car meant especially big trouble in the

an on-air shout-out by rapper Killer Mike, one of Tommy’s

Black and poor neighborhoods, an indication a cop was here

legions of social media followers.

to book somebody or, residents believed, to hassle somebody. But the best and most telling coverage he gets is that of his

Tommy Norman, in 1998 a newbie cop and a proud son

own design, through the videos he takes of his encounters

of Dogtown, knew this code of the streets from his very

that bring smiles to the millions who follow him worldwide

first neighborhood patrol with the North Little Rock Police

on YouTube, Facebook and especially Instagram. But this is

Department. But he parked his car anyway.

no Kardashian-esque self-promotion tour he’s on, each of his tens of thousands of posts tells of the power of loving your

“At first I worked midnight shift,” he says. “Nobody was

neighbor and challenging others to be their best while striving

awake, and I didn’t care for that because the kind of officer

to be a better version of yourself.

that I am and my personality, I wanted to be around people. Then they put me on two-to-ten shift. This is a shift that I

Along the way, he’s become the walking Arkansas version of

want to be on. There’s a lot of people out in the communities

seven degrees of separation. Even if you’ve never met him,

and the neighborhoods.”

if you live in central Arkansas, you know someone who has, and that connects us all, pulling us into his orbit. It’s the best

“So, what I would do is, I would park my police car and I would

kind of celebrity, but celebrity just the same with its own

walk. I tried to walk one or two blocks a shift, depending on

weightiness and responsibility.

how busy we were.” In time, Tommy would bring bottled water and Gatorade, snacks, vouchers for new shoes, backpacks for underprivileged students or just a warm hug and encouragement along on his patrol. But for those first few walks, he had nothing but a smile and a twenty-ton conviction that things can be made better when someone cares enough to make the first move. “Initially, I remember I’m walking down these streets and people would go inside their house, they would turn their backs. Some people wouldn’t speak to me because I’m a new officer, I’m a new face,” he said. “Although I did grow up in the city, me wearing that uniform, I had to reestablish my

“It’s easy to say when you get home, and you take your uniform off that you leave your job at the front door. But my job is not just a job, it’s a way of life for me,” he says.

reputation because as we all know, not everyone trusts police officers. The badge is just not going to do it. You have to go

“I took a different approach to policing as soon as I got out

out and earn that trust.”

of the police academy. When I went to that two-to-ten shift, that’s when I decided to take a different approach. When my

It’s hard to imagine anyone who doesn’t know Tommy Norman

shift ends and I come home and take off my uniform, I don’t

now, and not just north of the river. On patrol or on his own

stop caring.”

time, wherever he goes – to playgrounds, visiting schools, in parks, at senior centers or hospitals – the yield is always the

Tommy Norman was born into a blue-collar family of nine on

same, a smiling elder, a grateful homeless man, a beaming teen

August 22, 1972, in the Levy neighborhood of North Little

in a hospital bed, mobs of kids.

Rock. He was spared, technically, from being the baby of the DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

18 26

community people

family by his four-minute-younger twin sister but is and has

one on. There was an infomercial called Feed the Children. It’s

always been an unabashed mama’s boy. Even today, he credits

where you can send money to another country to sponsor a

his mother, Modina, for the steadfast morals and personal

family and in return, they send you a picture of the family.”

accountability that’s made him who he is. “So, I asked my mom, ‘Can you take this money that I made “My mom always taught me, and all of my siblings, to care

from mowing grass and send it off to help this family?’ She

for other people and most importantly to care for people that

stopped and she looked at me and she said that she was fine

maybe didn’t have as much as we had, people that didn’t

with doing that, but these are people that we will never even

look like us, people that maybe didn’t know what a smile or

meet. These are people that are strangers to you. I told her

friendship was,” he says. “We learned from the best which

that it didn’t matter to me. This commercial really captured my

was my mom. And thankfully, she’s still here today.”

heart and I really feel like at that time in my life, I knew what my calling was. In August, it will be thirty-five years ago that

Among the lessons Tommy learned early was the value of hard

I really knew I wanted to live my life helping other people.”

work. His mother’s wage working in nursing homes and home health care and that of his father Dean, a construction worker,

As clear as that goal was, the means of carrying it out

fed nine kids, but with little left over, so the brood had to

was anything but. Tommy didn’t head straight into law

pitch in. Tommy mowed lawns in the summertime for extra

enforcement after graduating from North Little Rock’s Old

money, a side hustle that provided its own valuable lessons

Main High School in 1990 and was torn between health care

and foretold of the life of service he would one day lead.

and becoming a police officer, having worked for Baptist Health as a Certified Nursing Assistant, in nursing homes

“I was out mowing grass at probably fourteen, fifteen years

and at Centers for Youth and Families’ Stepping Stone youth

old, and I had probably mowed nine or ten yards,” he says.

shelter serving homeless children.

“I come home, grass covered my legs and grass all over me. I remember going to my room and turning on the TV. At the

In fact, health care held the edge on his future when he applied

time, I was a huge Michael Jordan fan. I remember turning on

to the North Little Rock Police Department. He did so thinking

the TV looking for the Chicago Bulls game but there wasn’t

he wouldn’t get accepted anyway, and that would be that.

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people

“I loved working with people. Didn’t matter their age, their race, as long as I was able to interact with people, especially people that, I think, society had forgotten about,” he says. “At the time, the nursing supervisor at Baptist Hospital in North Little Rock offered to send me to nursing school because she had heard and seen I worked so well with the patients.” “I’d thought about being a police officer, but honestly didn’t have the confidence in myself that I could become one. I thought police officers were these big, muscular individuals who really didn’t get a chance to get out and interact with the community.” Fate had other ideas, of course. Tommy hit the streets as an officer in 1998 with the intention of changing the face of policing in his hometown. “Initially, my goal was to be able to step foot onto someone’s front lawn,” he says. “Your front lawn is pretty sacred. It’s a private area. Then I wanted to be able to make it onto their front porch. Then ultimately, when you get invited into someone’s house and they want to feed you or pour you a cup of coffee, that’s really special because inside of your home is even more of your private domain.” “When you complete an application to be a police officer, there’s nowhere on that application that asks you what kind of heart you have. Do you have a heart for people? Are you just in it to go out and arrest people and pull people over? Thankfully for me, my mom taught me at a young age simply to be nice to people. There’s nothing wrong with being a police officer being nice.” Over the next two decades-plus, Tommy’s personal police crusade, and his following, would grow to larger-than-life proportions. Ultimately, no one could have predicted the tragedy that lay ahead in his own family – the kind that would push his body and spirit past the breaking point. Part II of Tommy’s story will appear in our July issue.

Follow Officer Tommy Norman at facebook.com/tommy.norman.35574 or on Instagram at tnorman23.

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people

THE ART OF SAYING YES TO SOMETHING NEW

WORDs Jenny Boulden images courtesy Angela Vennum Art

THROUGHOUT HER CAREER, clients have been

growing profits and demand for her talents. “Creating art is

showing Angela Vennum pictures and asking, “Can you do

what I’m here to do on this earth,” she says, finally at age forty-

this?” Signs, illustrations, murals, custom lettering, painted

four confident about her purpose. “It’s a total blessing that I’m

ornaments, or furniture — her answer has always been, “Yes.”

able to make a living at it.”

Whatever the style was, she could replicate it, no problem. Angela was born in Idaho but raised in Fort Smith since infancy. But now, Angela’s emerging from the pandemic with a different

“My father was a Bible teacher at Fort Smith Christian, where

perspective, fresh artistic yearnings, a new Angela Vennum Art

I attended from kindergarten to graduation,” she says. After

studio in Brunswick Place and a head full of exciting ideas. She’s

graduation Angela attended Westark (before it joined the

starting to turn customers down, not because she can’t give

University of Arkansas system and became UAFS) becoming

them what they want, but because her focus is now on creating

certified to teach elementary school. Much to her surprise,

art that flows directly from her imagination.

she discovered teaching young children was emphatically not her passion, or even work she enjoyed. “To be honest, I

Angela admits it’s improbable she’s had a more than twenty-

hated it, though I love kids,” she confesses. “It wasn’t where

year career as a working artist at all, much less one with steadily

my skills lie.”

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people

Through all her education, Angela had enjoyed art and displayed some artistic talent, but she’d never studied it. “It didn’t seem like something I could expect to do for a living,” she says. But after some years in retail, she decided to “give it a go,” starting small. “It started with baby showers, doing name signs for people, that sort of thing, then sort of grew from there by word of mouth. Fort Smith is really great about that,” Angela says of her hometown. “I’ve never had any formal training. So, as far as rules, and how art should be, I’ve never had that. I think that’s been a good thing for me because it’s never inhibited me. I’ll just try it, and if I can’t do it, then I’ll try something different.” In the ‘00s, she went into business with Carmen Geoates at Keep it Gypsy, a custom decor, sewing and monogramming shop. Angela did all the artwork. She enjoyed the work, but Angela knew she needed a change when her life suddenly turned upside-down: twentyseven weeks into her first pregnancy, she gave birth to a premature baby boy. “That time was a crazy, scary nightmare,” she says, recalling all the concern for her son’s health as he was so tiny and fragile. “I decided I really wanted to be at home with him, so it would be better to be doing my own thing.” In 2010, Angela decided to brand “doing her own thing” as Cross My Art. Two years later, with practically no money and just a feeling and a prayer it would take off, she opened Cross My Art studio. The studio hosted painting parties, often for groups of women who enjoyed a Girls’ Night of painting attractive designs while imbibing wine. Within two or three years, Angela employed a whole staff of artistic people. Soon, they moved to a larger location to accommodate demand. People couldn’t get enough of the recreational group painting. But the success had its downside. “The thing I started doing for the love of art, turned into a business with me managing, administrating,” she explains. At the same time, she was still doing “commission after commission” for clients who wanted her artistry in their homes or DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

Angela Vennum

people

businesses. “I started to feel a little bit of pressure, and realized that for me, bigger is not always better.” Angela says, “I decided after about six years, when my son was older, ‘I think I’m going to try to just be a mom and focus on him and not miss out.’ So, I closed my studio, but kept the Cross My Art name.” She worked from her house and a small home studio. Though other

businesses

shuttered,

her

commissions

continued

throughout 2020 and 2021. “It went great for two years, especially during Covid,” Angela says. “I was able to work at home, make my own hours and stay consistently busy.”

While she resists being pigeonholed into a category, and still works in a variety of styles, her latest original works have

At the same time, the type of hand-lettering she loved to do,

tended to be abstract pieces that lend a warm sophistication to

such as inspirational quotes or scripture in beautifully painted

their surroundings.

script, had become so trendy, it was easy to buy in stores. That bothered Angela. “I started to see this trend where everything

“I did two big pieces that I just poured my heart into. And then

I was creating, people could just go buy at Hobby Lobby,” she

another friend had lost her husband, and so creating that work

says. “That’s not satisfying for an artist. I wasn’t creating art

was very emotional,” she says. “I’ve been able to really pour

that’s in my heart. And I felt God going, ‘Well, why not? Why

into some stuff without feeling held back.”

are you holding back? Why don’t you just try? Trust that this will happen,’" Angela continues. “I wanted people to see me, to

Another now-regular challenge started as large gatherings

see the art I’m creating that’s in my brain, in my heart. And it’s

returned to the calendar: live painting at weddings. “That’s

not this you-come-to-me-and-I’ll-help-you-paint-something-

becoming popular, and now I’m booked for weddings every

cute. I really wanted to be seen as an artist. Being a creative

weekend,” she says. “The first few I did were super scary.

person, you’re always struggling with imposter syndrome. ‘Can

But it’s fun now, painting the ceremony or the first dance in

I really do it? Am I really legit?’”

front of everyone, trying to capture the feeling of someone’s beautiful day."

She began to be choosier about the commissions she accepted, learning to say no to projects that didn’t feel challenging or

Angela routinely asks herself the same question people once

interesting to her. “That’s been hard, learning to say no,” she

asked her: “Can you do this?” What’s changed is the “this.”

says, explaining why she rebranded as Angela Vennum Art,

Her gaze is now on the blank canvases before her, ready to

dropping the Cross My Art name that had defined her work.

be filled not with familiar shapes and colors, but whatever

“I really can’t move forward if I’m still trying to hang on to the

heretofore visions flow out of her creative mind.

one thing I used to be.” Ruminating on her son’s premature birth, two painful divorces She now treasures commissions where her clients trust her

and twenty years of hustling to forge an unlikely career as a

to create her original vision in their space, with only minimal

working artist and single mom, she says, “Everything in my past

parameters like the size and color palette. A new area she’s

has led me to now. I know all of this is a gift from God, and I think

particularly enjoying is collaborating with decorators on original

if you use your gift for something good, you will be blessed.”

projects for their clients’ spaces. One of these relationships is with Kelsea McBride of Azalea Home in Fort Smith and in Broken Bow, Oklahoma. Kelsea has commissioned Angela to create art for a series of high-end luxury cabins in Broken Bow.

Angela Vennum, 479.739.2440 or on Instagram at Angela Vennum Art.

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people

WATER WORKS WORDs Liesel Schmidt images courtesy Michelle Cernak and FotoDuets/Shutterstock

Leaky faucets, running toilets, burst pipes…such is a

diner. “He liked the business structure at Westark and

day in the life of a plumber. And while they may be in

their employees’ work ethic,” Michelle says.

an industry of professionals whose primary purpose is solving problems, the team at Westark Plumbing gives

Being the business mind he is, Bryan jumped at the

their clients a level of service that goes above and

chance to buy Westark Plumbing when it went up for

beyond, making even the biggest plumbing nightmare

sale in 2007. “We saw the growth potential—after all,

one that is as painless as possible.

everyone has a toilet!” Michelle says with a laugh.

Initially opened in 1993, Westark Plumbing is under

The fit couldn’t have been more perfect. “Bryan was

the ownership of husband-and-wife team Bryan and

ready to get out of the restaurant business and had

Michelle Cernak, who bring their expert skills and

worked construction in the past,” Michelle explains.

passion to the table. A master plumber in Oklahoma

“He is really a jack-of-all-trades and worked the field

and Arkansas, Bryan is also a contractor in Oklahoma

before, so he relates well with his crew. Bryan is also

and a serial entrepreneur. During his time as owner

a great teacher and is very patient. He cross-trains

of Ed Walker’s Drive-In, Bryan was first introduced to

our crew to keep building our success in the field and

Westark Plumbing, utilizing the company as his go-to for

genuinely wants the plumbing industry to succeed.

clogged drains, leaky sinks, broken water heaters, and

What better way to do that than to create plumbers

any other plumbing issues that arose at the landmark

from the beginning and train them like apprentices?”

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people

Because he understands technicalities and also grasps the

As well as the company president, Michelle is the “numbers

need for explanation in layman’s terms, Bryan also assists with

and marketing girl,” boasting a professional background in

customer service. “He has a special way of helping people

accounting and marketing. She, like Bryan, is also heavily

understand technical situations that can be very confusing if

involved in the community. “It’s the only way to stay

you don’t know how a plumbing system works—which is most

connected, and I love the ‘boots on the ground’ method of

clients,” Michelle notes. “They expect water to appear when

running a business. Being an active community partner with

they need it—as they should. But sometimes, an easy-to-

the chamber and local nonprofits, we ensure we don’t just

understand explanation is needed not only for a reason for the

hand someone an invoice."

repair but exactly how we intend to fix it. Bryan is incredible at giving that explanation to people, so they feel comfortable

"We understand and appreciate that everyone uses water,

and understand the process.”

sewer, gas, and grease and know the infrastructure needs to be in good operation for our customers to thrive in their

Customers receiving those explanations appreciate the extra

business and homes.”

attention as it builds a level of trust that not all plumbers forge with their clients. It is one of the hallmarks of Westark Plumbing

Married for more than twenty-five years, the Cernaks know

and its team—which includes a total of fifteen employees

teamwork. “We respect and trust one another to do the right

comprised of a drain team, plumbing crew, grease and septic

thing every time, without question,” Michelle says. “Bryan is the

team, as well as an office staff of three: office coordinator and

brains of the field, and I know how to make sure the company

lead dispatcher, Robyn Barker; office assistant, Devin Neill; and

is strong by keeping Westark Plumbing fresh and known, our

company president, Michelle Cernak.

credentials up-to-date, and everyone paid on time.”

“The office team’s goal is to keep Bryan, our service manager,

Their goal, aside from fixing plumbing issues in Fort Smith and

equipped with information and tools to keep the plumbers

surrounding areas, is at its heart, customer service. “We build

and drain cleaners performing efficiently out in the field while

relationships based on quality service, dependability, and the

assisting our valued customers,” Michelle explains.

technical expertise,” Michelle says.

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people

“Our goal at Westark Plumbing is to serve our clients to the best of our ability and ensure our abilities are always at their very best.” That is essentially their mission statement and something that sets them apart—as is their dedication to prompt service. “We answer our phones every time someone calls,” Michelle contends. “We take care of you immediately! We believe that what goes around comes around, and trust is our biggest asset. We provide people with honest, reliable, quality work with the kind of customer service that brings peace to our clients. Face it—no one calmly calls when they have a busted pipe or an overflowing toilet. We understand, and we care. We’ll make the problem disappear so our customers can continue like it never happened.” Michelle Cernak

As with any small business, they face their fair share of challenges. “Finding licensed plumbers to add to our team is difficult,” Michelle admits. “Also, inflation is a big challenge.

the crew. “If we feed our cars junk, they don’t run well,”

Prices have tripled in the last year, and it’s hard to charge

Michelle observes. “Bodies are the same. I lift weights with

customers more to meet the increase in the cost of materials

the guys and walk around the office property with the office

and everything else, but it's something we must do so we can

staff. We want it to be a healthy, fun environment, and I

continue to serve when needed.”

believe we’ve achieved that.”

Westark is a company in which the Cernaks and their employees

Whether faced with a small leak or a significant backflow

take pride. “We pride ourselves on our quick turnaround for

issue, Westark Plumbing can be counted on to give honest,

emergencies,” Michelle says. “Most customers can't wait, and

quality work with integrity and heart.

we understand. We build relationships, and customers have grown to trust us. We make ourselves different by the things that we do: We communicate with customers, keep up with safety and code regulations, we treat people like humans that share the same planet, and we play well with others!”

For more information, visit westarkplumbing.com or call 479.646.5151.

They also encourage their employees to be healthy, offering an onsite gym and access to healthy snacks and hydration for

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travel

Up in the Air WORDS Dwain Hebda IMAGES courtesy Papa Fitz Treehouse Experience

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travel

With gas prices being what they are this summer, more people are considering a staycation to enjoy the many attractions in their own Arkansas backyard. For some, that means a trip to Bentonville and its acclaimed attractions from Crystal Bridges of American Art to world-famous mountain biking trails. And to that list of amenities, you can now add Papa Fitz Treehouse Experience, a unique lodging option from the imagination of its owner, Mike Fitzgerald. “As a kid, I loved being up in the trees,” he says. “I’d seen a couple of treehouse master shows and we bought a piece of property that had what seemed like four perfect trees.” Mike enlisted his fellow construction craftsmen for the project, including some specialized help from a local builder who concentrates on such projects. They helped him get the project, literally, off the ground. “A really important part of this was the treehouse would be fully elevated by the trees and no other supports,” Mike says. “We never really had a blueprint for the treehouse. It was just drawings and in the first drawing I had the treehouse a little too big to be fully elevated.” The resulting treehouse is a gorgeous structure stretched between tree supports, fifteen feet above the surface. The main structure includes a kitchen, living room, bathroom with walk-in shower, plus a loft bedroom. Additional sleeping space is provided via a living room Murphy bed. A deck surrounds the perimeter of the 500-square-foot house, connecting to a walk-over swinging bridge between the trees. At the end of the bridge is a covered lookout patio and rope landing, a lounge space constructed of heavy-duty rope netting. The airborne elements of the structure are supported by massive thirty-foot wooden beams and additional steel supports. At ground level of the single lot, the property also includes an entertaining area with outdoor kitchen and a large open-air patio that abuts a swimming pool with waterfall. A pool house completes the structure, offering sleeping room for four and its own bathroom and loft. While treehouses are not unheard of in Arkansas, many are simply houses on stilts and not actually nestled into trees themselves. As such, Mike initially got some unusual looks as the local building codes department didn’t quite know what to

Michael J. Fitzgerald

make of his ideas. “We did get some strange looks at first,” he says. “Right around that time, they were dealing with tiny houses. They really didn’t have any code for them, and that’s kind of what this is, a tiny house in a tree. We had to have an engineer sign off due to the structure being supported by the trees but other than that we just went by the auxiliary dwelling codes. The project did bring out my artistic side. It was a lot of fun completing all the little details. This place truly is a work of art.”

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Find Papa Fitz Treehouse Experience on Airbnb.

outdoors

winding rivers words and images courtesy Lydia Dobbins, The Woodsman Company

SUMMER VACATION HAS BEGUN. Days filled with

me, my sister, and a couple of friends five miles upriver in the

air conditioning, ice cream cones, and frequent visits to the

morning and choosing a time and take-out point for later in the

local swimming hole bring moments of relief, and as such, the

day. We spent the day floating and swimming, exploring the

urge to escape those sultry days becomes the quest of every

winding river, and tasting freedom for the first time. Freedom

man, woman, child, and animal who lives in the South.

from chores, or demands on our time, just hanging with friends and enjoying the sun.

As a child, some of my most memorable times were lazy days of floating down the river in an inner tube with a sack lunch

Rivers, for me, have always held a particular spot in my heart.

and water bottle trailing behind. I remember my mother driving

I find solace in rivers, whether floating, fishing, or swimming.

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outdoors

The sound of the water filters out the world's craziness and

get big and wild, so I encourage new paddlers to wait for a

gives me a moment to simply be. There’s no pressure to do

dry spell when the water level is more manageable. When

something or be something; the river gives me the gift of a

renting a kayak or canoe, it is essential to take time to get

unique moment in time.

basic instructions and always wear a life jacket. Accidents on the water happen more often because of downed trees and

Those special moments are hard to capture as the demands

obstructions than actual rapids.

of life pile up. We often find ourselves so bogged down we don't know how to reclaim free time. With work, school,

Beautiful rivers that are floatable most of the year include the

extracurricular activities, and personal responsibilities, time

Buffalo River, Ouachita River, Mulberry River, Piney River, and

away is difficult to manage, yet it is something we must plan.

the Illinois River in Oklahoma. Most of the rivers have outfitters that rent kayaks or canoes. These outfitters can give information

Arkansas abounds with places to float and escape. The Buffalo

about their river, including fishing conditions, water levels, and

National River is a fantastic place to unwind and immerse

traffic levels. Always call to arrange for transportation and

yourself in the beauty of the Ozarks. Moss-covered rock

rentals and to check water levels before the day of your trip.

bottoms are an excellent background for the many fish species

Holidays are usually a high traffic time for rivers in Arkansas, so

you will see on the Buffalo River. As you float the river, below

extra patience may be required.

the majestic cliffs and bluffs of the Ozark highlands, your eyes will be captivated by sights above and below. Perhaps you'll

Exploring less traveled, off the beaten path waters may

catch a glimpse of a river otter or a soaring eagle. More often

require a purchase of a kayak, canoe, or inflatable. Owning

than not, a hatch of aquatic insects or migration of butterflies

your watercraft allows you to explore creeks and stretches

or dragonflies will surround you with the rhythm of life.

of rivers that most people don’t get to see. Lee creek and Frog Bayou are incredible creeks to float and fish when the

Setting aside time and planning may seem daunting, but the

water is high enough to navigate them. Usually, your local fly

Buffalo National River system has multiple outfitters with

shop or outdoor store will have an employee or two that float

kayak and canoe rentals. The key to locating an outfitter is to

and fish in those less known areas. Employees in these retail

decide what stretch of river you want to explore and see. A

establishments seek out less trafficked areas for solace and

popular stretch to float and one of the most scenic is Ponca

sometimes share their insights with enthusiastic newcomers.

to Kyle’s Landing. This section is almost eleven miles long and takes four to six hours to complete. Big Bluff and Hemmed in

Selecting a watercraft to purchase can be overwhelming. Think

Hollow are great stops along this float. I highly recommend

about the areas you will float, other activities, will you be

accessing Hemmed in Hollow via float trip versus hiking. The

carrying it alone, and how many hours you will spend in it. Most

hike up and out of Hemmed in Hollow is quite a workout for

kayaks in Arkansas are hard-sided boats and sit-on-top kayaks

the legs and lungs. The Buffalo National River also has a great

due to so many rocks in our rivers and creeks. The hard-sided

trail system and campsites surrounding it. When exploring this

kayaks hold up to the abuse of running into the rocks and have

area, give yourself several days to explore, as it is brimming with

a longer float life than their counterparts. Before sit-on-top

incredible sights and wonders.

kayaks, people floated sitting in the kayak, feeling every bump and swirl as they went along. Paddling requires more shoulder

Looking for a day float closer to home? The Mulberry is a

and arm movement, which wears a body down by the end of

stunning river with numerous rapids and great swimming holes

the float.

to explore. Byrd’s Adventure Center and Turner Bend have kayaks and canoes as rentals. The opportunity to explore the

Sit-on-top kayaks are incredibly safe because they are wide and

river over a three or five-mile stretch will be a delight for the

handle movement very well. Most come with a stadium chair

senses and a cool and refreshing adventure in the outdoors.

that allows your shoulders and arms to relax as you paddle,

Remember that floating after substantial rain is not ideal for

taking the stress off of your body during the float. Another

a beginner paddler. Given enough rain, Arkansas rivers can

benefit is the chair can be removed and sat on the bank when

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outdoors

The Dobbins Family

you stop to swim or have a picnic. The sit-on-top kayaks come

gear, so our family graduated to a raft. The days of floating

standard or loaded with various components for fishing and

with a sack lunch and water bottle are gone. We now have

hauling you may need on your float.

coolers full of lunch, snacks, and water for the whole family, towels for drying off after swim stops, fishing poles and nets,

Inflatables are another option for floating and include

extra paddles in case we lose one or break one, and of course,

paddleboards, inflatable kayaks, and rafts. Paddleboards are a

our dog! To some, it may seem we're floating down the river

popular option for those who want to stand and paddle down

in a bus instead of a sleek romantic canoe, but it's perfect for

the river. They are great for short stretches of rivers and lakes

our family.

but can be tiring on a long float. Inflatable kayaks are a new and growing category. They have detachable seats, just like the

Our family has stepped back in time by discovering Arkansas's

sit-on-top kayaks, weigh thirty-five to forty-five pounds, are

beautiful river systems. I highly recommend setting aside time

packable and stored in a bag about the size of a large rolling

to be free from the daily responsibilities and stresses. It is pure

suitcase, and you can transport them to lakes, rivers, or creeks

magic to see a child's, or an adult’s, face light up when they

and then blow them up! The downfall to inflatable kayaks is

catch their first fish or swing off their first rope swing!

they don’t track water flow well, which requires a little more effort when paddling. Rafts are a growing category that takes floating rivers to a new level. A raft requires rowing versus paddling and hours of experience before proficiency can be achieved. A raft’s

Planning your next outdoor adventure? Visit The Woodsman Company in Fort Smith for all your adventure needs! 5609 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Arkansas I 479.452.3559 I thewoodsmancompany.com

benefits are a larger carrying capacity for dogs, children, and

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taste

Hand It Over!

Peach Hand Pies Recipe adapted sugarysweets.com image iuliia_n/Shutterstock

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taste

ingredients for the filling

for the crust

• 3-4 small peaches, chopped

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour • 1 ¼ teaspoons salt

(about 12 ounces) • ¼ cup granulated sugar • ¼ cup light brown sugar

• 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, cold & cubed

• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

• egg wash (egg and water)

• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg

• sanding sugar (optional)

• ¼ teaspoon almond or vanilla extract

• ¾ cup vegetable shortening, cold

• 1 Tablespoon lemon juice, fresh

• ½ cup ice water (water with ice,

• pinch of salt

not just cold water)

method for the crust

ASSEMBLY

In large bowl combine flour and salt. Add butter and

Roll out dough on a floured surface using only a

shortening. Using two forks, combine the butter and

small amount of force. Roll from the center out in

shortening with the flour mixture until pea-sized bits

all directions, turning the dough as you go to ensure

of dough form.

it’s even. Cut dough into 5” circles. Divide the filling evenly among the circles, about 2 Tablespoons each.

Add 1 Tablespoon of ice water at a time to the dough,

Rub a little water along the edge of the dough, then

stirring after each. Stop adding water when large

fold over to form a half circle. Pinch edges together

clumps start to form (about ½ cup to ¾ cup). Only add

or use a fork to seal. Place a small cut in the top of

1 Tablespoon at a time! Move the dough to a floured

each pie to vent.

surface (dough should not be too sticky). Work dough with your hands until fats are combined and dough

Combine egg and water to make an egg wash. Brush

forms a ball. Divide dough in half and flatten each

a small amount over the pie tops. Sprinkle with

to a 1" disc. Wrap each portion in plastic wrap and

sanding sugar (optional). Bake pies 15- 20 minutes,

refrigerate for 2 hours before using.

until golden brown. Cool for 10 minutes. Transfer pies to a wire rack to cool. Enjoy!

for the filling In a bowl, combine the peaches, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, extract, lemon juice and salt. Stir to combine.

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taste

The Juicy Peach Recipe adapted sipandfeast.com Image Carey Jaman/Shutterstock

ingredients (makes 2) ° 3 ounces tequila ° 2 ounces Cointreau ° 2 ounces fresh lime juice ° 1 cup sliced fresh or frozen peaches ° 1 Tablespoon agave syrup ° 1 cup ice ° fresh peach slice for garnish

method Blend all ingredients until fully combined – shorter time for a more frozen texture, longer for more liquid. Pour into the glasses, garnish with fresh peach slice, and serve! Please drink responsibly. Never drink and drive.

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travel

JUSTHY! C A E P

Make plans now to visit a local orchard and pick a bushel or two of peaches! Perfect for slicing, pies, and jams, you just can’t beat a juicy peach freshly plucked. Readiness is weather dependent so be sure you call ahead for operating hours and availability.

BARNHILL ORCHARDS LONOKE, ARKANSAS/ 501.286.2677 Open daily from 9am – 5:30pm, this family-run operation is not a U-pick, but you can drive-thru and pick-up! Friendly people and delicious fruits and veggies!

CADRON CREST ORCHARD GUY, ARKANSAS / 501.679.3243 Pick all the peaches and blackberries you want (apples in July). Prepicked are available! Call for daily hours, availability, and pricing.

COX BERRY FARM AND NURSERY CLARKSVILLE, ARKANSAS / 479.754.3707 Cox Berry offers several varieties of peaches and you do the picking – they even provide the bags for you to pick in and take home!

FAULKNER LAKE ORCHARD NORTH LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS 501.961.9988 Pick peaches to your heart’s content! Sold by the pound Monday through Saturday from 8am – 5pm. Stop by their farm store for their house-made jams and jellies!

PEACH PICKIN’ PARADISE LAMAR, ARKANSAS / 479.754.2006 U-pick ‘em! They plan to have a wonderful season, full of juicy, delicious peaches! Operating times vary so call or check Facebook before you go!

TAYLOR’S ORCHARD GENTRY, ARKANSAS / 479.736.2004

words Catherine Frederick

Peaches should be ripe for picking in late June and then blackberries in July. Follow them on Facebook and call before you travel for daily details.

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fiction

Heaven Knows words Liesel Schmidt image anon_tae/Shutterstock

I DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

fiction The night sky is lit with the light of billions of souls, shining

“Jack’s gone.”

in the blackness, and illuminating the darkness, watching from above. And the prayers we whisper float weightlessly

It was too cruel to be true, too heartbreaking to believe. But

on the gentle breeze, delivered like messages on the wings

it was. And there were no more phone calls, no more long

of birds. And, once in a while, we hear the answers to

email exchanges that got both of us through tedious days.

those prayers. I had gone to the viewing feeling numb, unwelcomed to the “I’m sorry it took me so long to come,” I whispered, feeling tears

funeral by a family that had been estranged from him for

burn my throat and well in my eyes. “I’m so sorry for that.”

years. They’d descended on his home like vultures scrabbling over a carcass, picking it clean and rifling through his things

I knew better than to expect an answer. None would be

with an irreverence that angered me. I’d wanted only one

coming. Not now. Not ever. But I could still hear that voice,

thing—that signaling mirror. But they had denied even that.

the unmistakable sound of him. Even after all these years of silence. I felt a breeze ruffle my hair, sending my curls dancing.

His older brother had been my only ally, an unexpected

A tear rolled down my cheek as my eyes traced worn letters,

champion in my corner. And so, like Jack in so many ways.

barely legible in the stone. Still, he wasn’t Jack. No one was. Wells Jack T.

And here I stood, fifteen years later, staring at a stone on

MAJ USMC

a small patch of earth at the military cemetery, surrounded

1955-2007

by others who had worn the same uniform, taken the same

SF, In All Things

oath. Such a small stone for such a big life. It was almost too much to comprehend, how someone so full of fire, so

SF. Semper Fidelis. Always Faithful. And he was. It was the

accomplished and enigmatic, could be reduced to this.

ethos he lived by, personally, professionally…In all things. We hadn’t been on the best footing when he died. It was

The inscription described him to a tee.

something that haunted me, something that I wished to my Jack hadn’t just been a Marine. He’d lived and breathed it. He’d

core I could change. Our friendship had become so deep, and

been everything the Marine Corps exemplified, all wrapped up

he’d come to depend on me so much. It had been a lot to

in a wiry man who could outlast anyone in the wilderness,

carry, at twenty-three. I was his only confidante, this stoic

armed with only a pocketknife and a signaling mirror; outrun

Marine who never let anyone see his vulnerabilities, never

even the most seasoned runner; outtalk the most articulate

discussed his feelings. He had entrusted me with that part of

debater. He was complex yet simple, and we’d become the

him, and I had buckled under the weight of the responsibility.

best of friends under the worst of circumstances.

I had taken a step back, put up a wall because I was frightened by how greatly he relied on me to be there, every time he called, anytime he needed to talk. One day I hadn’t been, and

And then, he was gone.

the result had been an onslaught of calls that were frantic in Just like that, in the blink of an eye. In the split second of

a way that alarmed me.

metal against metal as truck collided with motorcycle and Jack was thrown through the air, one last flight for a man

But we had been finding our way back, regaining our

who had guided helicopters through war zones.

balance. Rebuilding and mending the damage done by his disproportionate response and my retreat. And then, he

The call had come on a Wednesday. An ordinary Wednesday

was gone, and I was left with echoes of the words I had

that turned into anything but, ripping my heart from my chest

spoken to him, my recoil at his desperate need for someone

with two words that held more weight than I could carry.

to steady him.

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fiction

I felt the weight of all of it as I stood there, staring at that stone.

way of explanation, sensing my surprise. “He thought the world of you.”

“Jack, I’m so sorry,” I whispered again, the words carried off in the wind that was picking up speed. My curls ruffled. Jack

I smiled sadly. “I thought the world of him, too,” I shook my

had always loved my hair. “I’m sorry for all of it.” More tears

head in disbelief. “It’s incredible he’s been gone for this long.”

came, blurring my eyes and making my nose burn. “I know,” said the man. “I feel the same. I’m Greg, by the “Are you okay, ma’am?” The voice startled me out of my

way.” He smiled and extended a hand.

reverie. I hadn’t expected to hear anyone else, not here, in this quiet place where I’d been alone—just me and the

I took his hand, feeling his warm grasp. He had strong hands,

ghosts of my guilt.

calloused with labor and clearly capable. “Nice to meet you, Greg. Do you visit often?” I asked, looking toward the marker.

I turned around quickly to see who was speaking, swiping at

He followed my gaze and nodded, just once. “I try to come

my eyes as I did. Whoever it was didn’t need to see my tears.

every couple of months. Sometimes I’m more successful than

“I’m fine,” I replied, trying to sound resolute and convincing.

others. But I owe him,” Greg said. There was a weightiness

“Thank you, though.”

in the words, and I wondered what was behind them. But knowing Jack, I knew it was probably true. He’d left his mark

The man in front of me nodded, looking dubious. He was tall

on many people’s lives—mine included.

and well built, strong without being overly muscular. A square jaw was outlined in the barest hint of stubble, and serious

Greg’s words made fresh tears well in my eyes. And then,

brown eyes assessed me carefully. His closely shorn hair was a

words that I had never said out loud came out, unbidden.

dead giveaway for his military background—as was his bearing.

“I hurt him so badly before he died. There are things that I never got to say I’m sorry for. And it’s too late.”

“Please, don’t let me disturb you,” he said in a deep voice that bore the faintest Southern accent.

By now, the stream of tears was flowing freely down my cheeks. Greg moved closer and pulled me into a hug,

I shook my head. “No, no. You’re not,” I assured him, pulling

enfolding me in strong arms that felt like they could carry

myself out of the black hole I had sunken into. “Who are you

the weight of the world. Pressed against his chest, I took a

here for?”

deep breath, trying to slow the tears.

He nodded his head, indicating one of the stones directly

“Forgive yourself, Hannah. He has,” Greg said, his voice a

behind me. “Wells,” he said simply. “The major was my

low rumble that I could feel through his chest.

greatest mentor. I wouldn’t be the man I am today if it hadn’t been for him.”

I pulled away enough to look up into his eyes. “How do you know?” I asked, hearing my voice break again.

I felt the ground fall out from under my feet. “You knew Jack?” I asked, barely able to get the words out.

Greg smiled, making his eyes light and fill with warmth. “Because you were all he talked about, to the day he died,”

His intense eyes studied me for a moment. And then a light

he said. “He loved you, always.”

of recognition dawned. “Hannah? Are you Hannah?” The words made waves of tears wash over me. I crumpled back My eyebrows knitted together in confusion. How did he know

into Greg’s arms and felt them tighten around me. “In all things,”

my name?

he said in a whisper, like a promise carried on the breeze. And in that moment, I could feel the weight of fifteen years lifted, an

He smiled. “Wells talked about you all the time,” he said by

answer to the prayers I hadn’t ever spoken aloud.

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MillaF/Shutterstock

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HOUSE AND HOME

House and Home Home is where the heart is! Where you live and how you maintain the place you

call home are big decisions and can quickly become overwhelming. Do South® has partnered with local experts with the experience and professionalism needed to help you get the job done right! When you utilize these local businesses, you give back to

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our community, making it an even better place to call home!

Ekaterina Mangorielle/Shutterstock

HOUSE AND HOME

7101 Highway 271 South, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.649.9989 allisonsalesonline.com

115 North 12th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.784.2000 aogc.com

We are a family-owned flooring store, proud to be your Go green with paperless billing! As an AOG customer, you

enclosure, framing, mirrors and more! We have a huge

can enjoy the convenience of paperless billing while making

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more information, visit aogc.com.

or schedule an estimate today.

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trusted source for sales and installation of flooring, shower

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HOUSE AND HOME

The Black Bison Company 3716 South 87th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.551.2880 Find them on Facebook As Fort Smith natives, we love supporting our community and providing a service to our customers! You’ll be drawn by the beauty of our 111-year-old barn, originally the Ozark

6121 S. Zero, Fort Smith, Arkansas 725 S. 48th Street, Springdale, Arkansas 479.648.3483 / 479.754.5511 burtonpools.com

Mountain Smokehouse. Shop our gift store and boutique to discover one-of-a-kind items including home décor, fine art,

Nothing can bring a family together, turn special moments into

jewelry, and gourmet foods. We’re also a small batch coffee

lasting memories and improve your health like a swimming

roaster, selling whole beans by the bag – enjoy a free cup

pool in your own backyard! Vacations are over in the blink

of fresh roast coffee while you shop! We offer unique gifts

of an eye, but an investment in a swimming pool can last a

and gift baskets for special occasions, weddings, birthdays

lifetime. Call Burton Pools & Spas today! We are your source

or just for yourself. We support other local businesses by

for backyard fun. We have everything you need to create

offering frozen meals from Taliano’s Italian Restaurant and

the perfect backyard resort, including outdoor furniture and

Jeff’s Club House in store. Keep shopping local and hope to

grills, to help your family enjoy the time you spend together.

see you soon!

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HOUSE AND HOME

Meadows at Chaffing Crossing is ideally located near Wells Lake & many family outdoor activities in Chaffee Crossing. Third-generation home builder, Tim Mays, is the exclusive builder and works with Becky Ivey and Kim Kelly of Chuck Fawcett Realty to make your buying experience seamless. Homes will be beautifully appointed with efficiency & comfort. Call for more information.

1323 Main Street, Van Buren, Arkansas 479.474.0533 ddfloorcovering.com

HOUSE AND HOME

Chaffee Crossing Branch 9026 Mayswood Place Fort Smith, AR 72916 479.651.2092 chuckfawcettrealty.com

D&D Floor Covering proudly serves the River Valley area. Our team is dedicated to being the flooring experts for your home or business. We are known for our excellent customer service, professional installation, and custom work. D&D can help make your vision a reality. From stylish, waterproof floors and custom tile showers to beautiful window treatments and unique area rugs, we’ve got you covered. Our showroom is bursting with a large selection of flooring, bath, kitchen, and window treatment options. We offer free design assistance with every project. Let our experts help turn your vision into a reality today.

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HOUSE AND HOME

3407 Industrial Park Road, #B Van Buren, Arkansas 479.478.8668 eliteroofingllc@aol.com

4300 Rogers Avenue, Suite 32 Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.420.4008 hummingbird-boutique-fort-smith.myshopify.com Hummingbird is a unique boutique offering home décor,

Elite Roofing is locally owned and operated. We were here

gifts, and clothing for all ages! Founded and operated by

when the last storm hit, we will be here when the next one

a local mother-daughter duo, we’ve curated beautiful and

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residential and commercial roofing and are here to serve you

us happier than moms, daughters, grandmothers, and

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companies and are licensed and insured in both Arkansas

you will find clothing, décor, candles, journals, books,

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religious items, inspirational gifts, jewelry, and more!

home will probably be the largest investment you will ever

Customers complement our inviting interior, peaceful

make. We take pride in knowing that when it comes to your

shopping experience, and our safe and close parking. We also

roofing needs we have you covered!

offer complimentary gift wrapping and a website to browse and purchase online. Since opening, we’ve quadrupled our

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inventory—so you’re sure to find something for everyone!

HOUSE AND HOME

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HOUSE AND HOME

2501 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.431.4168 linseycompany.com At Linsey E. & Co., clients are working with the best team in the River Valley, focused on delivering superior service that is tailored to you whether buying, selling, or investing. Doors always open at Linsey E. & Co.! We are conveniently located in Fort Smith, Arkansas and serve Arkansas and Oklahoma. Our experienced and knowledgeable Realtors offer a premium customized level of service, and our full-time office manager is available to answer all your questions. Linsey E. & Co. Realtors® can help you find that perfect place. Contact

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us today!

3407 Industrial Park Road Van Buren, Arkansas 479.474.4444 lumberone.org Lumber One has been and remains the area’s only locallyowned and operated full-service lumber yard since opening in May 2002. Lumber One is here to provide a level of service that sets us apart as the best in the marketplace against our competitors. We can supply you with the materials to tackle your projects whether you’re a professional home builder, commercial contractor or do-it-yourselfer. Lumber One is part of the Greater Fort Smith Association of Home Builders. Let our experts give you the assistance you need and the materials to get the job done right!

HOUSE AND HOME

3011 Stateline Road, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.783.0060 majesticmarble.net

Find your escape right at home! Luther Stem Pools &

Family owned and operated, we pride ourselves on

Spas is a recognized leader in concrete swimming pool

fabricating and installing the finest material. We purchase

design and construction with eight “National Spa and Pool

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Institute” Design Awards and eight “Aqua 100” Awards.

of style, color & quality. We offer granite, marble, quartz,

We specialize in new construction and remodeling of

travertine, quartzite, and onyx. We know you have options

commercial and residential in-ground concrete pools and

when shopping for natural stone and quartz, and we thank

above-ground vinyl pools. Luther Stem Pools & Spas has

you for making your home Majestic for more than eighteen

built quality swimming pools in Arkansas and Oklahoma

years. Call us for your next project!

since 1962. We focus on quality, service, and products made in the USA, come visit our showroom today!

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5011 Old Greenwood Street Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.646.7772 lutherstem.com

HOUSE AND HOME

Glidewell "Ready To Serve You" Nick & Ellie

Sagely & Edwards Realtors 479.729.6333 nickandellie.com

5100 South 35th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.262.6261 mrrooter.com/greater-fort-smith

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Mr. Rooter is your plumbing & drain cleaning service provider, Put real estate market knowledge on your side! In real

servicing Fort Smith, Van Buren, Alma, Greenwood! At Mr.

estate transactions, the more knowledge you have, the more

Rooter® Plumbing, our plumbers are all licensed, bonded,

likely you’ll enjoy a favorable outcome. Realtors Nick & Ellie

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Glidewell have been providing their clients with up-to-date,

hands. They are equipped to handle every major and minor

accurate market knowledge for more than twelve years.

plumbing repair. Our licensed and skilled service professionals

As long-time agents with Fort Smith’s Sagely & Edwards

can repair a gas or water leak, install a new water heater, or

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a home should be a smooth, predictable process. Go with the

repairs will be handled quickly, effectively, and professionally.

team that will take the time to get to know your needs and

We are thankful to have served this community since 2008!

deliver the right knowledge about local market trends, home-

Give us a call for fast, quality plumbing services.

staging, property amenities, money matters and more.

HOUSE AND HOME

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HOUSE AND HOME

1414 Fayetteville Rd, Van Buren, Arkansas 479.474.4505 thepaintstorevanburen.com Looking for the perfect color and the perfect paint? You’ll find it at The Paint Store in Van Buren – we’re here to help! Hands down, the most popular colors can be found here – on large, real sheetrock and wood samples! Details count when it comes to paint, so we ask a lot of questions to enable us to share the best tips and techniques. For thirty-three years we've kept records of the paint you use – you can depend on consistency with us. Higher quality, better service, excellent knowledge – The Paint Store in Van Buren.

3117 Waco Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.646.5151 westarkplumbing.com Why choose Westark Plumbing? We are locally owned, and we have kept the River Valley flowing since 1993! We stand behind our work, and our vendors stand behind us with their products. We are organized and productive, honest, and available, and have excellent work ethic with the licensing and the right equipment to get the job done. Water, sewer, gas, and grease, we take care of your needs, and trust is our main asset. Please depend on our team for all plumbing installations, repairs, and replacement needs! We are very thankful for your continued trust!

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Read Chair Publishing, LLC 4300 Rogers Avenue, Suite 20-110 Fort Smith, AR 72903

479.452.2140 | 5622 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith johnmaysjewelers.com

KEEN - JUNE 2022

Articles inside

Special Feature House and Home

Just Peachy

Heaven Knows

Winding Rivers

Up in the Air

The Art of Saying Yes to Something New

The Greatest American Hero

Fun in the Sun

Our Community Cares Girl’s Inc.

Letter from Catherine

Shop Local

Water Works

June Book Recommendations