DELECTABLE - JULY 2024

KINDERGARTEN

Van Buren School District School Supply Lists

• 1 Plastic Rest Mat

• 2 Boxes of 24 Count Crayons

• 4 Elmer’s Glue Sticks

• 1 School Box

• 2 Boxes of Tissues

• 1 Package of #2 Pencils

• 2 Black Dry Erase Markers

GRADES 1 – 2

• 1 School Box

• 4 Elmer’s Glue Sticks

• 2 Packages of #2 Pencils

• 1 Package of Pencil Top Erasers

• 2 Boxes of Tissues

• 2 Boxes of 24 Count Crayons

• 2 Black Dry Erase Markers

GRADES 3 – 5

• 2 Composition Books

• 1 Package of 24 Count #2 Pencils

• 1 Solid Color, Wide Ruled,

One-Subject Spiral Notebook

• 1 Box 24 Count Crayons

• 1 Package Notebook Paper

• 2 Glue Sticks

• 2 Boxes of Tissues

• 1 School Box

• 2 Black Dry Erase Markers

• 1 One-Inch, Three-Ring Binder

All students need tennis shoes to safely participate in their Physical Education (PE) class.

MIDDLE SCHOOL | GRADES 6 - 8

• 6 Three-Prong Folders with Pockets

• Colored Pencils

• #2 Pencils

• Loose Leaf Notebook Paper, Wide Ruled

*Replace as needed

• Pencil Pouch

• Tissues

• 1 Package of 3” x 3” Post-it Notes

• 5 Composition Notebooks

• 2 Glue Sticks

Band students in grades 7-8 also need a one-inch binder.

VAN BUREN FRESHMAN ACADEMY & VAN BUREN HIGH SCHOOL

• Students will receive their individual class supply lists at schedule pick-up.

BE SURE TO FOLLOW @VBSDPOINTERS FOR OTHER BACK TO SCHOOL INFORMATION!

SCHOOL BEGINS AUGUST 14, 2024.

VAN BUREN SCHOOL DISTRICT

WWW.VBSD.US • (479) 474-7942

WWelcome to our exciting July issue, packed with inspiring stories and valuable resources that celebrate our vibrant community and the remarkable individuals who call it home.

As we kick off July, we're thrilled to highlight the grand opening of Choctaw Landing in Hochatown, Oklahoma, the ACHE culinary competition for kids, and Subiaco Academy's innovative approach to education. We also explore how to become a Master Gardener and learn more about the 4th Annual Fort Smith International Film Festival.

We'll also introduce you to the exceptional teams at two local dental practices that enhance smiles and oral health. We're also sharing our annual senior resource guide on healthcare and staying active.

We begin our feature stories with Mary Jo Brinkman, an 82-year-old local who has conquered the world's most prestigious marathon races, including London, Boston, Tokyo, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. Her remarkable achievement has placed her among the world's greatest runners, honoring her indomitable spirit and dedication.

Artist Amy Scoggins' passion project is currently on display at the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum's Inclusive exhibition. Her traveling art installation, raising awareness of Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, is a moving tribute to her daughter and a powerful call for awareness and understanding.

We also share the heartwarming story of Arkansans Thell and Margie Ellison, who have been married for an astounding eighty-three years! At 106 and 99, they are the oldest living married couple in the state, embodying enduring love and commitment.

Lastly, we take an up-close look at the Waters of Oklahoma and Arkansas Whitewater Park (WOKA) in Oklahoma. This whitewater adventurer's playground promises thrilling experiences for all ages.

Sit back and enjoy this issue, brimming with stories that inspire, inform, and entertain. Our calendar of events is full of activities, and you won't want to miss our delicious recipes, perfect for celebrating summer. I appreciate your support of Do South® — see you in August!

To inquire about this free

JULY 2024

OWNERPUBLISHER - EDITOR

Catherine Frederick

COPY EDITING

Charity Chambers

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Artifex 323 – Jessica Meadors

PHOTOGRAPHY

Jade Graves Photography

CONTRIBUTING

WRITERS

Marla Cantrell

Catherine Frederick Dwain Hebda

Sara Putman

Bob Robinson

Andrea Smith

ADVERTISING

Catherine Frederick

79.782.1500

catherine@dosouthmagazine.com

JULY EVENTS

JULY 3, 10, 27, 7A – 12P / FACEBOOK

FORT SMITH FARMERS MARKET

North 2 nd & Garrison, Fort Smith

JULY 4, 5P / FACEBOOK

JULY 8-12 / USMARSHALSMUSEUM.ORG

US MARSHALS MUSEUM SUMMER CAMP

MAYOR'S 4 TH OF JULY CELEBRATION

*fireworksbeginat9:30p

Harry E. Kelley Park, Fort Smith Riverfront

JULY 4, 7P / VANBUREN.ORG

CITY OF VAN BUREN FIREWORKS

Field of Dreams, Van Buren

JULY 4, 3P / GREENWOODARKANSAS.COM

FREEDOM FESTIVAL 2024

Veterans Memorial Square, Greenwood

JULY 4, 7-9A / GREENWOODARKANSAS.COM

FREEDOM FEST 5K

Veterans Memorial Square, Greenwood

JULY 5, 8P / CHOCTAWCASINOS.COM BRETT YOUNG

Choctaw Casino Resort, Durant, OK

JULY 5-14, 7P / KINGOPERAHOUSE.COM STEEL MAGNOLIAS

King Opera House, Van Buren

JULY 6, 6:30P / CHOCTAWCASINOS.COM A DAY TO REMEMBER

Choctaw Casino Resort, Durant, OK

JULY 6, 8P / CHOCTAWCASINOS.COM GRAND FUNK RAILROAD

Choctaw Casino Resort, Durant, OK

JULY 8-12, 9A-12P / UAFSBASKETBALLCAMPS.COM

UAFS MEN'S BASKETBALL YOUTH CAMP III (GRADES K-8)

UAFS Stubblefield Center, Fort Smith

9A, GRADES K-2 / 1P, GRADES 3-5

*attendoneoralldays–online

registration required

US Marshals Museum, Fort Smith

JULY 9, 10A-1P / UAFSBASKETBALLCAMPS.COM

UAFS MEN'S BASKETBALL ELITE CAMP (GRADES 9-12)

UAFS Stubblefield Center, Fort Smith

JULY 10, 7A-12P / FACEBOOK

FORT SMITH FARMERS MARKET

North 2 nd & Garrison, Fort Smith

JULY 11, 10A-12P / CITY OF FORT SMITH FACEBOOK

POP UP PLAY DAY: NINJA

Creekmore Park, Fort Smith

JULY 12 / CITY OF FORT SMITH FACEBOOK MOVIES IN THE PARK: WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

*moviebeginsatdusk

Tilles Park, Fort Smith

JULY 13-14 / CJSINC.ORG

2024 CJS PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT

The Hangout Fitness & Sports, Fort Smith

JULY 19 / CITY OF FORT SMITH FACEBOOK MOVIES IN THE PARK: TROLLS BAND TOGETHER

*moviebeginsatdusk

Creekmore Park, Fort Smith

JULY 19-20 / FACEBOOK

ART ON THE BORDER ART SHOW & SALE

ACHE Research Institute Health & Wellness Center, Fort Smith

JULY 19 / HOMETOWNALMA FACEBOOK MOVIES ON MAIN: THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS

*moviebeginsatdusk

Corner of Fayetteville and Spring Streets, Alma

JULY 20, 8A-12P / FACEBOOK

HOMETOWN ALMA FARMERS MARKET

The Shed, Alma

JULY 20, 8A-12P / FACEBOOK FARMERS AND ARTISAN MARKET ON THE SQUARE

Town Square, Greenwood

JULY 20, 8P / CHOCTAWCASINOS.COM

BRUCE BRUCE

Choctaw Casino Resort, Pocola, OK

JULY 22-24, 9A-12P / UAFSBASKETBALLCAMPS.COM

UAFS MEN'S BASKETBALL ELITE CAMP (GRADES K-8)

UAFS Stubblefield Center, Fort Smith

JULY 23-25, 10-11A & 1-2P / CITY OF FORT SMITH FACEBOOK KIDS IN THE KITCHEN *pre-registrationrequired(479.784.2368)

Creekmore Community Center, Fort Smith

JULY 27, 6P / SEBASTIANCOUNTYFAIR.COM

SEBASTIAN COUNTY FAIR PAGEANT AND TALENT SHOW

Greenwood Performing Arts Center

Greenwood

JULY 27, 6P / FACEBOOK

BOOZY BOOK FAIR

Prohibition Bar, Fort Smith

JULY 27-28, 10A / FORTSMITHCC.COM

FORT SMITH COMIC CON

Kay Rodgers Park, Fort Smith

ARTS ON MAIN –

VAN BUREN

ARTSONMAINVB.COM

July 8-12: Summer Art Camp (ages 6-14)

July 10, 17, 24, 31: Crafting with Thread (ages 8-12: 12-2p / ages 13-17: 3-5p)

Jul y 14: Youth Acting on Camera Work shop (ages 18 & under / 12-4p)

July 15-19: STEAM Camp (ages 8-13 / 9a-12p)

Jul y 15-19: Mountainburg Library

Summer A rt Camp (ages 6-14)

July 20: Intro to Acrylic Painting, 12-4p

July 22-26: Film Camp (ages 6-14 / 10a-2p)

Jul y 22-26: Mulberry Library

Summer A rt Camp (ages 6-14)

July 27: Adult Acting on Film Camera Work shop (age 18+ / 12-4p)

FORT SMITH REGIONAL ART MUSEUM

FSRAM.ORG

RAM Saturdays: 12-3p (FREE)

Guided Tour Sundays: 2p (FREE)

To Dec. 31: Liz Whitney Quisgard

To July 21: Amy Scoggins: Reclaimed & Landscapes of the Permanent Collection

To Aug. 18: Zoe Crook

To Aug. 25: Inclusive

SPLASH PADS

FORT SMITH

8a-8p FREE

Woodlawn: 2006 N. 6th Street

MLK: 1815 N. Greenwood Ave.

Compass: 100 North A Street

Tilles: 3700 Grand Ave.

BARLING

7a-8p FREE

800 East H Street

BOOKISH – FORT SMITH

BOOKISHFS.COM

Storytime: Saturdays, 11a

July 1: Book Launch with Eli Cranor, 6p

July 6: Writers Workshop, 2p

July 11: Romance Book Club, 6p

July 12-13: Stems & Stories, $50, 6p

July 18: Small Press Book Club, 6p

July 20: Writers Workshop, 2p

July 26: Mostly Fiction Book Club, 6p

July 27: Boozy Book Fair at Prohibition Bar, 6p

THE BAKERY DISTRICT – FORT SMITH

BAKERYFS.COM

July 13: Pop Up on the Patio, 10a

July 13: Tory Eatmon, 11a

Live Music on the Patio: Thursdays, 7p

Jazz Jam: 2nd Thursday, 6p

Blues Jam: 3rd Sunday, 1p

Trivia: Mondays, 6:30p

Yoga: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5:30p

Cornhole (Bags): Wednesdays, 6:30p

Movie Night: 3rd Thursday, 6:30p

Segue: Every Last Thursday, 6p

Bikes at the Bakery: 3rd Friday, 6p

COMMUNITY SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS – FORT SMITH

CSAFORTSMITH.ORG

July 8-12: Beginners Summer Strings (grades K -6 / 9a-10a)

July 8-12: Preschool Summer Camp (ages 3-5 / 9a-11:30a)

July 15-19: Pop, Rock and All That Jazz Camp (ages 7-12)

Jul y 15-19: Intermediate Summer Strings ( grades 1-7 / 9a-10a)

July 19-20: Auditions - Joseph and the A mazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

July 22-Aug 3: Joseph and the A mazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

FORT SMITH MARSHALS BASEBALL

July 4: Marshals vs Abilene Flying Bison

July 5-7: Marshals vs Piney Woods TimberHogs

Jul y 11-13: Marshals vs Joplin Outlaws

July 14: Marshals vs Texarkana Rhinos

July 17-18: Marshals vs Abilene Fl ying Bison

July 30-31: Marshals vs Sherman Shadowcats ACHE

RESEARCH INSTITUTE HEALTH

AND WELLNESS CENTER

– FORT SMITH

WELLNESSCENTERCLASSES.AS.ME

Barre: Mon., Wed. 9:30a / Tues. & Thurs. 12p

Strength & Tone: Wed. 5:30p, Sat. 9:30a Yoga: M on., Wed., & Fri. 12p

FAB LAB OF FORT SMITH FABLABFORTSMITH.ORG

Open Lab Wed. & Thurs. 10a-4p*

July 2: Edible Art in Partnership with RAM – Decorative Pie Crust 2p

July 8-11: Culinary Camp (ages 11-13) 8:30a-2:30p CERAMICS

July 1: Picasso Clay Faces (ages 8-12) 10a

July 2: Shoeprint Turtles (ages 5-8) 2p

July 5 & 10: Adult Wheel 6:30p

July 9: Clay House Facades (ages 8-12) 9a

July 15: Pinch Pot Not-So-Scary M onsters (ages 5-8) 9a

July 18: Summer Fruit Trinket Dishes (ages 8-12) 9a

Jul y 22: Tic-Tac-Toe Boards (ages 5-8) 2p

July 24: Design Your Own Magnet Set (ages 5-8) 9a

Submit events online at dosouthmagazine.com or email catherine@dosouthmagazine.com.

Choctaw Landing Hochatown Welcomes Guests

words and IMAGEs Choctaw Landing

Choctaw Landing, the Choctaw Nation's newest 100-room luxury resort and casino in Hochatown, Oklahoma, held its grand opening on May 23. Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Chief Gary Batton presided over the ribbon cutting and celebration, which included around 300 attendees.

"Any time you can bring our culture and history together, along with economic development for our tribal members and the citizens of this area, it's a great day," Batton said. "We broke ground down here two years ago, and to see our grand opening today and all the things we're going to be able to bring to McCurtain County, it's exciting. I love that we're seeing our culture and history displayed here and that it's an economic boost to this area. Hopefully, people will learn more about Choctaw Nation than ever before.”

Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell spoke at the ribbon cutting, stating that tribal governments' role in tourism is integral to the third-largest industry in the state. The inauguration of the $238 million Choctaw Landing resort has been a significant catalyst for the

local economy, generating over 400 jobs in southeast Oklahoma. It's projected to have a staggering $95 million economic impact on the region.

The resort includes:

- 100 guest rooms with fifteen suites

- Three conference rooms and over 4,300 square feet of meeting space

- One hotel restaurant and three outdoor dining/bar options

- Resort fitness center

- Pool area with nine cabanas, two hot tubs, and three fire pits

- Amphitheater with seating for 125

- Casino with 600 slot machines and eight table games, including roulette and blackjack

- Mercantile with gifts, groceries, a deli, a Starbucks, and a twenty-fourpump fuel station

Incorporating the Choctaw culture throughout, Choctaw Landing has partnered with more than twenty Choctaw artists from around the country to create original artwork for the resort. There are forty pieces of artwork in public spaces and another 600 displayed in guest

rooms. Two large exterior sculptures, including an interactive steel sculpture showcasing Choctaw dancers, will be installed during the summer.

To celebrate these artists, Choctaw Landing has developed an Art Hike to provide guests with a fun, interactive, and educational look at the Choctaw art featured throughout the resort. Using advanced AI technology, a digital twin of Choctaw Chief Gary Batton will guide visitors as they learn about the culture, art, and history of the Choctaw Nation.

"From the planning stages years ago, we knew that we wanted to bring something to this community that brought culture first and foremost," said Heidi Grant, senior executive officer over commerce. "Culture was prevalent in the design and development stages. We were very considerate about the nature and community aspects and how we could fit and complement this area."

Choctaw Landing

272 North State Hwy. 259A, Hochatown, Oklahoma choctawlanding.com / 800.522.6170

Cooking Up a Storm

Culinary Kids: A Taste of Health and Fun at ACHE's First Cooking Competition

WORDs and IMAGEs ACHE RIHWC

When Ashleigh Smith first joined the ACHE Research Institute Health & Wellness Center (RIHWC) of Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) in January, she brought along a zest for culinary creativity and profound nutrition knowledge. This summer, she's set to channel both passions into an event that promises to be as educational as it is delicious: the first-ever Culinary Kid cooking competition.

The RIHWC's state-of-the-art kitchen will transform into a vibrant arena of youthful energy and innovative cooking as kids aged 8-12 compete for the top junior chef title. Overseen by Ashleigh Smith, a Le Cordon Bleu St. Louis graduate with a master's degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Eastern Illinois University, the competition underscores her commitment to nurturing healthy habits in the community.

Ashleigh, who also serves as a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES), is known for her dynamic approach to nutrition education. From teaching Diabetes Education and SugarFree Baking to leading the Edible Art series in collaboration with the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, she is an example of culinary wisdom and creativity. This competition is one of the many ways she brings her expertise to the forefront.

THE COMPETITION HEATS UP

The Culinary Kid cooking competition kicks off with preliminary rounds August 5-9, where young chefs can impress a panel of judges, including local fine dining chefs and the Mayor of Fort Smith, the Honorable George McGill. The excitement will culminate in the final rounds from August 12-16, narrowing the field to seven finalists. Dishes will be judged not only on taste and presentation but also on healthfulness and nutritional value— core values that Ashleigh promotes.

Local businesses such as First National Bank, Harps Food Stores, Yeager's Hardware, Anders Group, and Geno's Pizza generously support the event. These sponsors reflect the community's commitment to fostering a healthier, more informed younger generation. The grand prize of $500, sponsored by First National Bank of Fort Smith, is a significant incentive for budding chefs.

JOIN THE CULINARY REVOLUTION

For those eager to participate or to support this event, the RIHWC invites submissions of signature recipes from young chefs by August 1, 2024. Aspiring participants can email Ashleigh at ashleigh.smith@achehealth. edu. Sponsorship inquiries may be directed to wellness@achehealth.edu.

This cooking competition is more than just a contest; it's a celebration of health, community, and the joy of cooking. As Ashleigh puts it, "We're not just teaching kids to cook; we're empowering them with the knowledge to make healthier choices for a lifetime."

For more details on the Culinary Kid cooking competition and other events, visit the RIHWC's official website at wellnesscenterclasses.as.me.

Ashleigh Smith

JULY FUN-RAISERS

July 19-20: Art on the Border will occur at ACHE Research Institute Health and Wellness Center in Fort Smith. Over eighty fine artists and artisans will present their original artwork as a fundraiser for local charities, including Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House , Arkansas True Vision Children's Home, Maggie House and Young Homes , and The Good Samaritan Clinic .

July 13-14: Comprehensive Juvenile Services hosts a pickleball tournament at The Hangout Fitness & Sports in Fort Smith with proceeds to benefit the Clay Roper Western Arkansas Youth Shelter Building Campaign . cjsinc.org

good news

EMPOWERING DREAMS

The Degen Foundation awarded ARCOM students Kelsey Ellis and Kelsey Hays the 2024 Legacy Keepers Award for developing a skin cancer screening clinic at Good Samaritan Clinic. The clinic also received a $2,000 donation.

Oliver Springs Elementary received a $20,000 grant from Casey’s as part of their Cash for Classrooms programs. The grant was issued for outdoor playground improvements.

Fort Smith Boys and Girls Clubs College Scholarship Program awarded $52,050 in scholarships to club members for the 20242025 academic year.

Mulberry Chapter of Arkansas Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Vice President Noah Pratt won 2nd place in Computer Program Solving at District and State, qualifying him to go to Nationals in Orlando, Florida.

SAVE THE DATE

ACHE Research Institute Health & Wellness Center will host their annual Backpack Giveaway on Saturday, August 3 from 9a-12p.

Manes and Miracles will host their annual fundraiser, Denim and Diamonds, on August 24 at ACHE Research Institute Health & Wellness Center.

WISH LIST

Harbor House is seeking support for their scholarship initiative which allows donors to assist in funding a client’s treatment ($4,000). No donation is too large, or too small.

Submit Good News to catherine@dosouthmagazine.com.

more good news

ROUND OF APPLAUSE

Fort Smith Public Schools awarded the See Think Build Award to Fort Smith Symphony for educational programs.

Fort Smith Boys and Girls Clubs presented prestigious awards during their 2024 Volunteer and Youth of the Year Banquet to:

Robert A. Young III, Arlyn Bates, The Yaffe Family, Keith Cummings, New Covenant Church, Mr. Ben Hornung, Mr. Doug Wyatt, Mr. Jeff Ramsey, Andrew Reeder, Cassidy Langwell, Kobe Branham, and John Parkinson.

Harry Robinson Buick was awarded the prestigious Bud Jackson Partners in Education Award from Fort Smith Public Schools.

Mayor George McGill will celebrate Mr. Cabbagehead and the Screaming Radishes for 40 years of entertainment during a tribute concert at the Mayor's July 4th Celebration. Larry B . will also be performing!

Sam Sicard received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Points of Light Foundation at the Partners in Education Celebration for his many years of volunteer service to the United Way of Fort Smith Area, UAFS – Fort Smith Alumni, Fort Smith Public Schools and Fort Smith Boys and Girls Clubs.

Fort Smith Boys and Girls Clubs have received a $100,000 grant from ABB to support the development of a state-ofthe-art STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Lab at their Jeffrey-Glidewell Unit.

Dr. John D. Terrell of Baptist Health Urology Clinic-Fort Smith recently completed his 100th Aquablation Therapy procedure for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms due to an enlarged prostate.

NEW FACES & PLACES

Baptist Health-Fort Smith welcomes Amit Taggarse, MD, and Devon Hughes, PA-C, to their Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgery Center. Dr. Taggarse is a cardiothoracic surgeon who specializes in caring for high-risk cardiac patients with advanced heart failure. With more than ten years’ experience, Hughes earned a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Northeastern State University and a Bachelor of Science in Imaging Sciences from the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith.

River Valley Primary Care Services, Northside Pediatrics welcomes Devin Hogan, Pediatric Development RN. Devin's role is crucial in identifying and addressing developmental milestones and potential concerns early on, ensuring every child gets the best possible start in life.

Welcome Aspire Medical Aesthetics , locally owned by Dr. Kendall Wagner and Kathie Wagner . Services include neurotoxins, fillers, facials, weight loss programs, and hormone replacement therapy.

Institute for the Creative Arts announced its founding dean for the new school, Mrs. Audra Titsworth. A native of Arkansas, Mrs. Titsworth holds a Master of Science Degree in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University, a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from University of Central Arkansas, and an Instructional Specialist Special Education PK-12 in Special Education from the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith.

Welcome Horizon Renewal Center, a residential recovery center in Booneville, supporting individuals on their path to wellness and recovery.

JULY RECOMMENDATIONS

WORDS Sara Putman, Bookish

Enjoy these recommendations from our friends at Bookish, Fort Smith, Arkansas’s only independently owned bookstore located in The Bakery District.

The Wide Wide Sea  by

Hampton Sides

Consider this the summer of seafaring, at least in my reading life. In Sides' newest historical narrative work, he follows Captain Cook's last voyage. If you read David Grann's The Wager and want more swashbuckling and back-stabbing, this book is perfect for you.

Not only do we get to see how the captain navigates the Pacific, but Sides also portrays a nuanced and respectful way in which Cook's voyage impacted the peoples he encountered: the Aboriginal Tasmanians, the Maori, the Tahitians, the Hawaiians, and Native Alaskans. At times, Cook was a savvy seaman and led with justice and compassion, but there were other times when Cook reacted uncharacteristically with violent retaliation.

Cook's moti ves are dissected and questioned throughout, and readers will get an in-depth look at the complexities and consequences of the Age of Exploration. The Wide Wide Sea is a fast-paced, full-of-intrigue, real-life sea adventure.

Captain Cook's fateful final voyage.

Memory Piece  by

Lisa Ko

Ko's newest novel follows three friends who meet in New York as preteens in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2024. Giselle is an artist, Jackie has a career in tech, and Ellen is an activist. Over the years, their paths weave in and out of each other’s lives as they grapple with big questions like art, friendship, and memory.

Bless Your Heart  by

Lindy Ryan

In 1999, in Southeast Texas, the Evans women managed the only funeral parlor in town, embodying southern charm and big-hearted resilience. Despite a haunting past, they've always handled their business with grace. When a local gossip rises from the dead, they discover vampires are back. The Evans women must now protect their town and face their secrets.

Long Island  by Colm

Tóibín

In 1976, Eilis Lacey, an Irish immigrant in her forties with two teens, lived in Lindenhurst, Long Island, with her husband Tony Fiorello's large Italian American family. One day, an Irishman claims Tony fathered his pregnant wife's baby, threatening to leave it on Eilis's doorstep. Tóibín's novel explores Eilis's emotional struggles and her reconnection with her Irish roots.

Getting ready to start school

Preparing for school begins at birth. Daily interactions with family and other caregivers promote learning. Talking, reading, and playing may seem simple but are critical activities that help children’s minds and behaviors develop.

Family involvement will continue to be a major factor in school success. Better Beginnings online resources provide fun and interesting hands-on activities for learning with family. Kick off 2025 kindergarten readiness this summer

The Getting Ready for Kindergarten Calendar guides families, week-by-week, with activities and suggested reading that help children learn literacy and math basics and creative activities to help them develop the fine motor control needed to hold a pencil correctly and use scissors – essential skills for kindergarten. Children are encouraged to develop self-help and problem-solving skills as well as various social skills.

Better Beginnings is administered by the Arkansas Department of Education.

Written by Kelli Hilburn, Better Beginnings Program Administrator

The Kindergarten Readiness Checklist helps families focus on areas of development their child may need help with before starting school. All resources are free and available online for download.

We encourage families to partner with their child’s early educators to help their child start kindergarten with confidence.

Looking for your early education partner?

Better Beginnings early care and education providers prepare children for kindergarten with positive experiences, researchbased curriculum, and learning through play.

Click the orange banner at ARBetterBeginnings.com to find star-rated quality early care and education providers who help children get ready for kindergarten through ageappropriate and positive learning experiences.

Q+A

with United Way of Fort Smith Area

United Way of Fort Smith Area's mission is to improve lives by uniting people and resources in their six-county area.

479.782.1311 | unitedwayfortsmith.org | 120 North 13th Street, Fort Smith

DS: How does United Way of Fort Smith Area contribute to our local community?

Since 1928, United Way of Fort Smith Area has led the community in identifying and implementing funding programs that are both preventative and reactive in the areas of health and human services while providing funding to thirty-one local nonprofit partner agencies. Our six-county community (Logan, Franklin, Sebastian, Crawford, Leflore, and Sequoyah) rely on United Way and its partner agencies to lend a helping hand in times of need.

DS: What are some of United Way of Fort Smith Area's main programs or services?

We assist in combating food insecurity, providing prescription cost savings, meeting the needs of the elderly, lifting individuals out of homelessness, responding in times of crisis, or meeting many other health and human servicerelated needs within our community.

DS: What is something people may not know about United Way of Fort Smith Area?

Due to the generosity and support of Mr. Roland "Rollie" Boreham, we are blessed with an endowment fund that covers all operating expenses, such as staff salaries, utility costs, supplies, etc. This fund

allows 100% of contributions received each year to directly impact a partner agency or program that we support.

DS: What are the primary funding sources for United Way of Fort Smith Area?

Funding comes from payroll deduction campaigns within local organizations, private foundation gifts, individual donations, and grants.

DS: Is an exciting event coming up for United Way of Fort Smith Area?

July 26th and 27th is our annual Fill the Bus initiative that allows community members to donate school supplies so that children have the necessary items for a successful school year. We will have volunteers and drop-off areas at thirteen Walmart locations throughout our six-county community.

DS: Can you share a success story that highlights the impact of United Way of Fort Smith Area's work?

SingleCare, an initiative of United Way, is a free prescription savings program with no eligibility requirements or annual fees, that can save members up to 80% on 10,000+ brand-name and

generic drugs. In 2023 alone, United Way saved our six-county community more than $288,000. A local educator who utilized the program saw her monthly prescription cost decrease from $240 (with insurance) to $20. Having SingleCare not only ensures individuals and families have access to affordable medications but helps prevent them from choosing between purchasing food and paying for utilities and their monthly medications.

DS: What message would you like to share with readers interested in supporting United W ay of Fort Smith Area's mission?

We encourage giving, advocating, and volunteering. Giving helps maintain vital resources and services provided by our partner agencies, advocacy empowers individuals to be the influential voice for advancing the understanding of our mission, and volunteering creates opportunities for collaboration between agencies and individuals, bridging crucial gaps necessary for a healthy community. We encourage everyone to visit our website, call, or follow us on social media at United Way Fort Smith!

Next month, we’ll showcase another worthy nonprofit in our area free of charge. Requests for this free space accepted beginning October, 2024. Send inquiries to catherine@dosouthmagazine.com, or call 479.782.1500.

Celebrating Healthy Vision Month

July is Healthy Vision Month; a time to consider the importance of eye health and encourage everyone to take steps to protect their sight.

Regular Eye Examinations

Regular eye examinations are critical in maintaining healthy vision as they can detect early signs of diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, even before symptoms appear. Adults should have their eyes examined every year.

Protect Your Eyes from UV Rays

Ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage your eyes and increase the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. Wearing sunglasses that block 100% of UV rays is a simple way to protect your eyes.

Maintain a Healthy Diet

A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids can support eye health. Spinach, kale, and carrots are high in antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin, which are beneficial for the eyes. Omega-3 fatty acids in salmon and tuna help maintain the retina's health and reduce the risk of dry eyes. Vitamins C and E, zinc, and beta-carotene are essential nutrients for preventing age-related vision problems.

Manage Chronic Conditions

Diabetes and hypertension can significantly impact eye health. Diabetic retinopathy, caused by high blood sugar levels damaging blood vessels in the retina, is a leading cause of blindness. Managing your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels through medication, diet, and exercise is essential to protect your vision.

Practice Good Eye Hygiene

Take regular breaks when working on a computer or reading. The 20-20-20 rule is a helpful guideline: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds to help reduce eye strain and fatigue. Ensure the area is well-lit to avoid eye strain. Avoid rubbing your eyes, as this can introduce bacteria and lead to infections.

Quit Smoking

Smoking is harmful to nearly every part of your body, including your eyes. It increases the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and optic nerve damage.

Stay Hydrated and Get Enough Sleep

Proper hydration is essential for maintaining healthy eyes and preventing dry eyes. Getting adequate sleep is also crucial for eye health so your eyes can rest and recover.

Need an eye exam? Call or text the experts at Stiles Eye Group today at 479.452.2020 for an appointment.

The information provided is for general informational purposes only and not intended as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The author is not a licensed healthcare professional. The use of any information provided in this article is solely at your own risk.

WORDS Do South® staff Image David Travis

SAMUEL

AGE 17

Meet Samuel, a tech-savvy teenage boy with a confident and resourceful attitude, often proclaiming, "I can fix anything." His passion for computers and technology reveals an inquisitive, problem-solving mind. Samuel also loves the outdoors, particularly hunting. Samuel has great promise and capabilities; however, he does face challenges with anger and anxiety, making emotional management an important part of his journey.

the stability and support he needs to navigate his emotions effectively. Not a picky eater, Samuel is adaptable and easy-going when it comes to food.

Samuel’s preference for being an only child suggests he thrives in environments where he receives undivided attention and care. A loving home, where he is the sole focus, would provide

The ideal family for Samuel would offer a nurturing and understanding environment where he feels safe to express himself, and where his passion for technology and the outdoors can be encouraged. In such a setting, Samuel’s confidence and skills can continue to grow.

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

IMAGE courtesy Eli Murray Photography

Outdoor grilling using natural gas is one of the most convenient ways to serve tasty, sizzling meals the whole family will love.

Reliable, always-on heat: Never run out of fuel. Natural gas is ready when you are!

Preheat and get going!: With instant ignition, natural gas grills provide quick heat compared to other outdoor grilling options.

High heat: Arguably one of the best traits of natural gas grills, they can easily reach temps up to 700° and maintain high heat at stable levels.

Even, controlled temps: natural gas grills evenly distribute heat across the cooking surface.

Plus, natural gas grills come in different styles and configurations to appeal to a variety of grill masters!

Visit www.aogc.com to learn more!

The GOODS

imageS Jade Graves Photography and courtesy vendors

Crown Royal Whisky Lemonade in Peach, Blackberry, Lemon and Mango, Clubtails Crushers, The Original Clubtails IN GOOD SPIRITS

479.434.6604

Eyewear by Face à Face STILES EYE GROUP

479.452.2020

Hearts on Fire Barre Floating Single Diamond Pave Climber Earrings, 18kt Yellow Gold, .80cts. JOHN MAYS JEWELERS

479.452.2140

Protect Your Hearing with Fashionable Earmuffs and Custom Hearing Protection CENTER FOR HEARING AND BALANCE

479.785.3277

Sauvignon

Ozark Wheat Summer Ale, Mothers Madres Mexican Lager, Pantalones Tequila Reposado SODIE’S WINE & SPIRITS

479.783.8013

Leyda Reserva Pinot Noir, Juggernaut

Blanc, Betty Booze Sparkling Lemonade,

RIVER CITY DENTAL

Providing quality dentistry with a caring touch, River City Dental has quickly become the provider of choice for individuals and families throughout the River Valley. In fact, the practice has such a good reputation that it has steadily grown to include three dedicated and experienced dentists to keep up with patient demand.

“We are a general dentistry office specializing in meeting the needs of the whole family,” said Dr. Emily Steininger, who is joined in the practice by Dr. Amin Nasehi and Dr. Peyton Aven. “Everything we do is to provide the best dental care for our patients in a comfortable and relaxed setting, from the moment they enter our office to the moment they leave.”

A Fort Smith native, Emily graduated from the University of Arkansas as an undergraduate and graduated from dental school in 2011 from the UT Health Science Center in Memphis. Amin earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Buffalo in New York. He also completed three years of specialty training in prosthodontics at Stony Brook University in New York. Peyton, a native of Mississippi, graduated from Ole Miss University and then completed his studies at the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry.

Together, the trio provides a full range of dental services, including cleanings, fillings, crowns, bridges, and dentures. River City Dental also offers ZOOM in-office whitening. In addition to general dentistry, the clinic provides a prosthodontist, a dental professional specializing in implants and dentures, in the office a couple of days a week.

Combining world-class experience and the latest diagnostic and treatment technologies with unparalleled expertise and compassionate, small-town friendliness, River City Dental offers its patients the best dental services.

“Taking care of teeth and gums is important for maintaining positive oral and overall health,” Emily says. “Our practice offers many preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dental services designed to keep your teeth looking and feeling great.”

“Serving families is rewarding, especially when it comes to getting children started on good habits regarding oral hygiene,” Peyton says. “Our entire team, from the dentists to the office team, looks forward to the chance to serve the community and help our patients enjoy a smile for a lifetime.”

River City Dental has proudly served the Fort Smith community for decades, offering personalized care tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Our patient-centered approach ensures everyone receives the highest level of attention and care. We are committed to helping patients maintain healthy, beautiful smiles that they feel great about!

Dr. Peyton Aven

Dr. Emily Steininger

Dr. Amin Nasehi

UDOUJ ORTHODONTICS

In 1999, Dr. Henry Udouj returned to his hometown of Fort Smith after completing dental school and advanced training at Baylor Dental School and St. Louis University School of Orthodontics, respectively. Since then, he has combined new technology with old-fashioned expertise to create smiles that are living works of art.

“I love orthodontics because it is not monotonous, every case is different,” he says. “What doesn’t change is the care I show every patient. I always begin by saying, ‘What would I do if this were my child?’ When you genuinely care about your patients, it shows.”

Dr. Henry carries on a fifty-plus-year legacy of service and excellence established by his father, who practiced in Fort Smith from 1972 to 2017. During his time in practice, Dr. Henry has enhanced the family’s reputation by staying up on the latest technological advancements in order to deliver optimum patient results.

“We specialize in all types of orthodontic cases from simple to complex procedures that require jaw surgery,” he says. “We’re constantly keeping up with the latest advancements in the orthodontic world and regularly attend continuing education courses to stay on the cutting edge.”

Technological advancements at work in the practice include the latest digital panoramic and cephalometric X-rays to create customized treatment plans. Udouj Orthodontics also offers a range of corrective orthodontia, from traditional metal braces to ceramic braces to Invisalign, according to the needs and preferences of the patient.

“Our practice treats kids through seniors. It’s never too late in life to get the smile you want,” Dr. Henry says. “Offering multiple options for braces helps us create a customized solution that is effective and also fits into the patients’ lifestyle, budget and comfort level.”

For everything that’s new in the practice’s Fort Smith and Poteau, Oklahoma locations, one thing remains exactly the same as the day Dr. Henry saw his first patient: customer ser vice and compassionate care are of the highest priority.

“The customer experience is everything,” Dr. Henry says. “We’ve created offices that are bright and cheerful, and our staff takes a genuine interest in the lives of our patients. It’s a wonderful responsibility to give someone a smile that enhances their self-confidence, and that’s something we take very seriously.”

Unlock Your Green Thumb Become a Master Gardener!

WORDs Arkansas Cooperative Extension Office IMAGEs Jean Carlo Emer

WHO ARE THE MASTER GARDENERS?

Master Gardeners are volunteers of all ages and levels of expertise who are interested in gardening, willing to learn, desire to help others solve their gardening problems, and value community service.

Master Gardeners complete forty hours of horticulture training by the University of Arkansas and Cooperative Extension Service faculty, experienced Master Gardeners, and other experts. After training, Master Gardeners are qualified to work under the supervision of the local county extension agent with the title of Master Gardener. They must volunteer at least forty working hours and earn twenty education hours in the first year. Each subsequent year, they must volunteer twenty hours and obtain twenty education hours to retain Master Gardener status.

The Arkansas Master Gardener Program includes opportunities for involvement and continuing education throughout the year. Members can participate in monthly online classes and attend the annual Arkansas State Conference, a fantastic opportunity to learn, network, and celebrate their shared passion for gardening. The River Valley Master Gardener Program has monthly business meetings with informative

programs and speakers. Education can include seminars, books, podcasts, magazines, TV programs, and visits to botanical gardens.

WHAT DOES “MASTER GARDENER” MEAN?

The title is used by those who have completed the program and only when the volunteer actively participates. If active participation ceases, the designation of Master Gardener becomes void.

WHAT DO MASTER GARDENERS DO?

The program offers a wealth of opportunities for gardening enthusiasts. Statewide, Master Gardeners work on beautification projects for city and county buildings, develop demonstration gardens, and work on gardening projects at schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and other nonprofit entities. They present seminars, conduct garden tours, hold plant sales, and do various other gardening-related projects in the community.

MASTER GARDENER OPPORTUNITIES

∑ Education

∑ Social Activities

∑ Gardening

∑ Travel Opportunities

∑ Community Projects

∑ Workshops

∑ Volunteerism

∑ Fellowship with Other Gardeners

RIVER VALLEY GARDEN PROJECTS

Alma

The Popeye Garden

Fort Smith

Clayton House Herb Garden

Nancy Orr Healing Garden, Baptist Health

Learning Fields, Chaffee Crossing

Miss Laura’s Visitor Center

Officer’s Garden, National Historic Site

Greenwood

Old Jail Museum Gardens

Mountainburg

Public Library Educational Garden

Van Buren

Drennen-Scott Victorian Garden

Hebe Fountain, Courthouse

Master Gardener training classes will be available in person and online beginning in October. Applications will be available online in August at uada.edu, under Arkansas Master Gardener Program – Become an Arkansas Master Gardener. Contact the Sebastian County Office Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service at 479.484.7737 or email Sebastian-ftsmith@uada.edu for additional information.

Subiaco Academy A School Like No Other

WORDs Staff IMAGEs courtesy Subiaco Academy

Nestled in Arkansas’ River Valley is Subiaco Academy, an all-boys international boarding and day school that has graciously educated and guided young men since 1887.

Located on an expansive 1,500-acre campus against the backdrop of the Ouachita and Ozark mountains, students enjoy the richness of nature with activities like swimming, hiking, trail runs, fishing, mountain biking, and conservation work. On weekends, staff plan

adventures around the region, including at the Subiaco cabin on Lake Dardanelle. The memories and friendships made at Subiaco Academy endure a lifetime.

The school boasts a diverse student body from across the United States and worldwide. Located two hours from Little Rock and three hours from Tulsa, an international airport can be accessed with ease. Smaller airports in Fort Smith and Northwest Arkansas are even closer, with transportation available through Subiaco staff.

BENEDICTINE EDUCATION FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

Rooted in centuries of the Benedictine tradition, Subiaco Academy's essence is focused on whole-person development based on four pillars: Faith, Scholarship, Character, and Brotherhood.

Faith is the foundation upon which Subiaco students are morally inspired to grow in grace, humility, and well-being. Scholarship is the exceptional academic performance that cultivates the appreciation of life-long learning. Character

is developing the whole person with an emphasis on emotional intelligence, entrepreneurship, leadership, and integrity. Brotherhood is the uniquely supportive environment in which Subiaco teaches its students to respectfully serve their brothers and sisters in the community.

SEEING CHRIST IN OTHERS

To see Christ in others is a core teaching of Saint Benedict, and it guides the school's mission. Educators guide students in their response to God, aid the development of their known and hidden talents, and foster their growth into manhood. Students learn to walk closely with God in their school journey, promoting strength and a distinct character.

ONE-OF-A-KIND PARALLEL CURRICULUM PROGRAMMING

While many of today's junior and high schools emphasize only technological and entrepreneurial skills to prepare students for the ever-changing world, Subiaco Academy differs by integrating both curricular and co-curricular activities.

The curricular emphasis of an institution is critically important when focusing on whole-person development. Subiaco Academy's liberal arts-focused course of study is defined by more than just the pursuit of knowledge. This model is associated with character and personality formation, effective communication, leadership growth, and appreciation of differences. A liberal arts education is about learning to bring multiple perspectives to complex problems and issues and using critical thinking skills to solve them, preparing individuals to live in a free society and foster constructive citizenship.

The co-curricular life of Subiaco Academy presents many opportunities for student growth and maturation. Students experience activities like residential life, confidence building through athletics and performance, forming lifelong brotherhood through teamwork, and strengthening one's personal faith through mass and daily prayer. The result is a young man who is well-rounded, faithful, and ready for the world. The intersection and integration of the curricular and co-curricular program is where Subiaco Academy produces students who thrive!

For more information or to request a free tour of Subiaco Academy's campus, visit subiacoacademy.us or call 479.934.1000, ext. 1034.

MARY JO BRINKMAN Runs the World

WORDs Marla Cantrell images courtesy Mary Jo Brinkman

IN 2005,

Mary Jo McDermott Brinkman could barely make it around the track at Marvin Altman Fitness Center in Fort Smith, Arkansas. And no wonder. She’d already survived a spin class and climbed a flight of stairs. What more could you expect from a sixty-three-year-old?

Mary Jo, now eighty-two, had grown up on her family’s farm in Colon, Nebraska, a town of approximately 100. From her parents, she’d learned tenacity and hard work. From her genetic makeup, she’d inherited a competitive spirit. Mary Jo did not like to be outdone.

As a girl, she’d attended a one-room school where she learned to speak fluent German. When it was time for college, she attended St. Mary’s in Omaha, the same place her mother, a teacher, had gone. The closest she’d gotten to physical activity was playing saxophone in the marching band.

Even the dress code discouraged rigorous exercise. When she and her classmates (St. Mary’s is a women’s college) were taken outside to stretch their limbs, they wore what she describes as pantaloons—modest attire but not the least bit practical.

“I don’t think there were any sports for girls back then,” Mary Jo says and shrugs. She is perched on a plush chair in her living room, wearing a slim black and white shift dress. Her eyes are brilliant blue.

By the time she was in her early sixties, Mary Jo had begun to gain a few pounds. Small-boned and only 5’3”, she knew she had to do something. In 2005, she found herself in a class at Marvin Altman taught by Susan Coon. “I started in her spin class. Then she added the stairs, and one day, Susan said, ‘Let’s run.’ The faster ones were up ahead; she stayed back with me.”

Mary Jo knew she could do better. One day, she’d keep up with the faster classmates. After that, who knew?

In 2006, she found herself at her first marathon in San Diego. “My legs gave out at Mile 18, and I had to walk in.” The standard length of a marathon is 26.2 miles. Runners have six hours to complete the course.

I’ve never had a runner’s high; it’s a struggle. It’s never been easy. It’s mind over matter every time.

Sixty-four by then, she could barely walk the following day. “But I trained really hard, and the next January, I ran Dallas.” It was there she qualified for the 2007 Boston Marathon, the world’s oldest such race. She’s now run the Boston Marathon five times. Mary Jo was there on April 15, 2013, when the Boston bombing occurred. More than 26,000 athletes from across the globe were running.

“I was about five miles from the finish line, and I had taken my shoe off because it hurt so bad. I never ever stopped that far into the race, but I think that’s what saved me. I was very close.”

The first homemade bomb detonated about five hours into the race. Twelve seconds later, the second bomb exploded.

It took Mary Jo a bit to realize what was going on. “The police told me to stop, and I didn’t. After you’ve run twentysome miles, things don’t register. People were coming back toward me, and I wondered what they were doing. Finally, a policeman said to me, ‘Ma’am, there is no finish line; it’s been blown up. People are dead.’”

Up ahead was the bus that had taken runners to the starting line in Hopkinton. It had moved past the finish line in Boston

to pick up those same passengers, and Mary Jo’s things were inside. “I got to the bus and found my bag, and they started yelling, ‘Drop those bags, there could be bombs in them! Get out of here! Walk, get a ride, go!’”

Cell service was shut off. The city was in lockdown. Air traffic was restricted, and buildings were being evacuated. Every route to Mary Jo’s hotel was barricaded. Someone had wrapped a foil blanket around her shoulders. Ambulances screamed in the background. It was chaos.

The crime scene covered fifteen square blocks. Three spectators were murdered, the youngest an eight-year-old boy. More than 280 were injured, 100 of them seriously. The FBI was called in to investigate. Two brothers were identified as the domestic terrorists responsible for the devastation. One was killed in a shootout with police. The other was sentenced to death and now sits inside a prison cell.

Mary Jo was seventy-one years old at the time. She raced in Boston the following spring. Not once did she consider not going.

In the eighteen years since Mary Jo has been running the world, she’s competed in more than thirty marathons in the

United States, Europe, and Japan. Her Berlin run almost didn’t happen. While training in 2022, Mary Jo fell, gashing her head and injuring her knee. “Dr. Tobey looked at the MRI. He said my knee looked a lot like a football injury, where a helmet hits a knee. I wasn’t able to run for months, but I could bicycle.”

Cycling was enough. Mary Jo made it to Berlin, finishing in five hours and thirty-seven minutes. In her heyday, she could run a marathon in four hours and fifteen minutes, but slowing down is a natural consequence of aging.

She’s run past the Eiffel Tower in Paris, through Dublin, in Madrid, across London. Not that it’s been easy. In her early seventies, she developed sciatica. Mary Jo’s had knee problems. Through it all, she’s learned to respect her body. If there’s trepidation, it’s this. “I fear falling. I look down at my feet a lot. It’s not great posture. I don’t do trail running; I’m too clumsy. I have to stay on the road.”

Earlier in 2024, she finished the Tokyo run, the last leg of six prestigious races (London, Boston, Tokyo, Berlin, Chicago, New York City) that ushered her into an elite group of athletes. She smiles as she holds the medal she received after that race, the Abbott World Marathon Majors Wanda Age Group World

Championship award. She is officially one of the world’s greatest runners.

Mary Jo brushes back her thick, shoulder-length hair from her face. She lifts another award – the Abbott World Marathon Majors Six Star medal – from a nearby wooden table, and it covers her small palm. Only 17,000 runners have earned the award since its inception in 2006.

In 2025, she plans to run the London Marathon again. Mary Jo runs nearly every morning. On Monday nights, she runs with her team from the Western Arkansas Runners. On Thursday nights, she’s with the True Grit Runners. Mary Jo still cycles at Marvin Altman, and her daughter, Bridget, a yoga instructor, helps keep her in shape. Her son Sean, once an All-State track star at Southside High, gives her occasional tips.

Others pace themselves. That doesn’t work for Mary Jo. “I run as hard as I can, as long as I can. I don’t get tired, but things start to hurt.” The strategy was especially helpful in Tokyo, where runners were timed as they ran. The ones going too slowly were pulled from the marathon.

Mary Jo works full-time at Baptist Health. Retirement is not in her future. She’s unsure what to do with an entire day without a plan. Her free time is spent with family, especially her grandson, Leo, who recently graduated from the fifth grade. The two have even run a marathon together.

“I thank God every hour of every day for my life,” Mary Jo says of her longevity and good health. “I’m in His presence. And one day, when I’m not here anymore, I’ll be with Him.”

In the Bible, Christians are advised to fight the good fight and finish the race. Keep the faith. Mary Jo may be the best example. Her feet are swift, her faith strong, and her heart uncompromised. Mary Jo’s race, though, is far from finished.

Mary Jo helps organize the 5K and 10K Stampede Run in Fort Smith, held September 21, 2024. For information, visit The Stampede on Facebook.

FOCUS BETTER

Painter with a Purpose

WORDs Andrea Smith images courtesy of Amy Scoggins, Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, and Emilie Marston Photography

Artist Amy Scoggins' passion project has debuted in the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum's Inclusive exhibition, marking the first stop for her traveling artwork, which raises awareness of Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

The Caretaker and the Warrior

As the daughter of a painter, sixteen-year-old Ada Scoggins has grown up a muse to her mother, Amy, appearing in numerous sketches and portraits that typically don’t leave their house. But this summer, not only is Ada’s likeness on public display at the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum – her story of living with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is unfolding in a vulnerable way.

The RAM currently features artist Amy Scoggins’ work in a solo exhibition, Amy Scoggins: RECLAIMED, and in a group exhibition, Inclusive: RAM Annual Invitational 2024. Amy says that creating the pieces in RECLAIMED rekindled her artistic flame and gave her the confidence and platform to launch a project that brings awareness to Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, the “invisible illness” plaguing her family and many others.

Since birth, Ada has suffered from a variety of ailments that persisted despite numerous treatment attempts and doctors’ promises that “she’ll be okay.” But Amy knew her child wasn’t “okay.”

She filled binders with notes chronicling Ada’s joint pain, stomach aches, brain fog, and other seemingly random discomforts. She tracked triggers and pleaded with doctors to dig deeper to find the root cause of her problems. “What that did for me as a mom is, for sixteen years, I thought, ‘What am I missing? What have I done wrong?’” Amy reflects, the words coming out shaky with emotion.

Ada says her mom “has a lot of emotions,” but perhaps that’s ideal for an advocate and an artist. “Her research has been obsessive,” Ada observes. “She’s constantly reading and looking at new medical papers and medical journals.”

Year after year, appointment after appointment, Amy and Ada grew exhausted and nearly gave up searching for a cause and cure until a friend pieced together the puzzling symptoms as those consistent with Hypermobile EhlersDanlos Syndrome. This friend encouraged Amy to investigate the inheritable connective tissue disorder, and a doctor confirmed the diagnosis in 2022.

“It broke open everything and catapulted us into half a dozen specialists’ offices. These new doctors listened and began to put together the pieces – some better than others,” Amy says. “Now my whole impetus for this body of work is trying to be that friend to somebody else – to spare some other little girl or momma the years of pain and illness.”

Creating "The Caretaker and the Warrior," the piece now appearing in the RAM's Inclusive exhibition, has

Amy Scoggins and her children

allowed Amy to visualize and communicate Ada's challenges to onlookers. It's a three-dimensional painting over seven feet tall, featuring medical vials, a shattered mirror, a rug from their home, pulsating red lights, a hidden QR code, and scraps of Amy's research notes.

Amy also taught herself the art of casting and sat with Ada for hours to create body casts of her daughter's face, hands, and feet. "I wanted it to be our story and clearly a specific person… There's something very humanizing about actually being able to see the pores on her nose and to look at her fingernails that are so realistically her and try to piece together what is going on here."

“We had a lot of misfires with body casting,” Ada remembers, laughing at the memory of sitting like a statue while the goop slopped off her face.

Installing “The Caretaker and the Warrior” at the RAM felt like launching a mission into space: “Standing back and watching that unfold – I didn’t know what to anticipate, if all the pieces would work and if people would really respond to it as I had hoped,” Amy describes. “But it worked, and it was

really beautiful. People were lining up, and crowding around, and going across the gallery and bringing other people to it.”

The 3D painting reminds people “to have compassion for the lives of the chronically ill and be mindful of invisible disabilities,” states RAM Gallery Manager Casey Seamans.

“It is clear from the multiple hospital bracelets hanging around the wrist of the ‘Warrior’ in the painting and the faint red glow around her head, that she is not well,” Seamans details. “From the mixed media, patterned wallpaper to the 3D face, hands, feet, and carpet almost floating off the canvas – ‘The Caretaker and the Warrior’ demands to be noticed.”

Amy's work is financially supported by an Artists 360 grant, a Mid-America Arts Alliance program funded by the Walton Family Foundation. "The Caretaker and the Warrior" is the first of many "traveling, teaching pieces" in Amy's developing exhibition, the Chronic Illness Initiative. She's reaching out to hospitals, medical schools, and owners of community venues to discuss viewing opportunities in non-art spaces. Until then, the painting will remain at the RAM through August 25, 2024.

As Ada continues to ride the rollercoaster of life with

Hypermobile EDS, Amy persists in researching the ups and downs of her daughter's health. When Ada gets a cold, Amy feels relieved to catch it too, which means the new symptoms are common and temporary – not another EDS-related mystery to solve. "It's been extremely frustrating, still," Amy says. "It's terrifying because our well-meaning doctors are still uninformed about it, and I'm still fighting at every appointment."

Throughout their search for relief, the Scoggins family amassed support from a Facebook group for Arkansans with EDS. Dr. Thomas Lowder, the Director of Educational Research for the Baptist Health—University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Graduate Medical Education Program, estimates there are 3,000 Arkansans living with EDS and says this patient population has difficulty obtaining a diagnosis and treatment.

"It's not that this disease is so rare, but it is often misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all,” Lowder states. “There are few physicians who specialize in identifying or managing this disease. This is not just a problem in Arkansas; this is a problem everywhere." The National Institute of Health’s Genetic and Rare Disease Information Center estimates nearly 200,000 people in the U.S. have Ada’s particular type of Hypermobile EDS.

When asked how she feels about her story going public, Ada shrugs and gives two thumbs up. She isn't one to seek the spotlight and usually lets the art do the talking. She'll discuss her health when warranted, but she'd rather talk about Star Trek, science and biology, or whatever witty sci-fi novel she's reading.

Ada starts her senior year of high school in the fall, with plans to potentially move away for college. Amy sees these next twelve months as crucial for training Ada to advocate for herself. "Ada is making so much progress, physically and in her spirit," she affirms.

Meanwhile, Amy stays motivated by her faith and guided by Bible verses like 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, which describes a “God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble.”

"The Lord continues to rescue us by teaching us new things," Amy reflects. Those revelations allow her to help the other caretakers and warriors persevere.

To learn more about Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, visit ehlers-danlos.com.

For updates on Amy's work, go to scogginsart.com.

The Bride Wore Blue

Arkansas’ Longest-Married Couple

Thell and Margie Ellison are believed to be the longest-married couple in the state. The Natural Dam couple was honored by the Arkansas Legislature earlier this year.

Eighty-three years after the fact, Margie Rose Ellison can still close her eyes and see the most important dress of her life. It was blue, handstitched by her aunt, her prettiest dress. She wore it to the midweek service at Pleasant Grove Freewill Baptist Church in the Lee Creek community of Crawford County, Arkansas. The dress had not gone unnoticed, at least not by Thell Ellison, who couldn’t take his eyes off her.

Margie Rose was sixteen, Thell was twenty-three, and they were in love. When the church service ended that night, a neighbor boy with a truck drove Margie and Thell to the Justice of the Peace to tie the knot. The date was June 24, 1941.

Today, Margie is sitting in her recliner. She is wearing a pink top and a skirt with a floral pattern. Her soft gray hair frames her lovely face. She looks decades younger than her ninety-nine years. Thell sits in a similar recliner in the Natural Dam home they’ve shared for decades. At 106, he is in remarkable shape. “I only take one pill a day,” he says.

Most days he spends in his workshop, making furniture from newly planed cedar from his neighbor’s sawmill. Several yards away is the garden that his daughters help tend. The night before, the couple had fresh corn and new potatoes with supper. Margie cooks two to three meals a day. “I’ll bet I’ve made a pond full of flour gravy over the years,” Margie says

WORDs Marla Cantrell images courtesy Thell and Margie Ellison and Arkansas Secretary of State

Thell and Margie Ellison with Senator Jim Petty

with a laugh. The way to a man’s heart might really be his stomach; after all, Margie has more than eighty years of proof.

Thell grew up working on his family’s farm near Lee Creek. They raised beans, grapes, apples, cotton, corn, potatoes, watermelon, and pumpkins. He got one pair of leather shoes a year, but they didn’t last too long.

“We worked in the rain. We worked in the snow,” Thell says. “Those leather shoes would get wet and come apart. I went barefoot about eleven months out of the year. We’d finish cotton about November 1, and we’d plant potatoes on February 14. We were lucky if the shoes lasted that long.”

He demonstrates the motion of sawing timber. “We didn’t have chainsaws, so me and my brother, just older than me, would clear the land using a hatchet and a cross saw.” Thell rakes his hand through his thick hair. “I was working while I was still in diapers.”

The community school Thell and Margie attended only went to the eighth grade. “That’s all we got,” Margie says. “That’s the way things were.”

Once the Ellisons married, they moved to a little log cabin. There was no electricity, no running water, and Margie cooked on a wood stove. But they had a fabulous dining table.

“Kids today think they have to have so much to get married. Well, I borrowed my dad’s wagon and mules,” Thell says. “There was a sawmill across the creek, and they had a slab pile full of pine. They said we could take all we wanted. I made a dining table and cabinets.”

He made furniture without a pattern or instruction. Margie was the same kind of self-starter. One of her first presents from Thell was a sewing machine, and she became proficient at making clothes for the family and quilting.

In 1942, the Ellisons had a son, Ernest (now married sixty-two years himself). Four daughters followed in the years to come. One of those daughters, Wanda, died at thirty-one from cancer. “That was the hardest time of our life,” Margie says. Above Margie is a sign that reads Bless Our Home. Above the fireplace is a starburst clock, and on the walls is a multitude of family photos. “Wanda had two little girls,” Margie says, her voice shaky. “We leaned on each other, and our faith is strong. We are not perfect, but God is.”

The air in the house seems to still for a moment. The Ellisons’ daughter, Norma Shults, is sitting with her parents. When she

The Ellison family

speaks, it’s of happier times. “I didn’t have a store-bought dress until I was in the ninth grade.” Norma beams. “Mom could sew anything.

“Lee Creek was our swimming hole and our bathtub. Mom and Dad loved us unconditionally, when we were good, and when we weren’t. When it turned cold, Dad would find a bunch of icicles—we didn’t have a freezer. He’d bring them home in a tub, and Mom would make us homemade black walnut ice cream in front of the fireplace.” Norma holds her palms out. “We were free and happy.”

The Ellisons’ first vehicle was a Studebaker truck. They raised hogs, chickens, and sorghum cane to make sorghum. Norma became a great baker. The Sunday before their interview, she’d made two lemon cream pies for couples in their church who’d had wedding anniversaries. Thell, a deacon at Independence Freewill Baptist, also teaches an adult Sunday school class.

on the floor beside her bed. She turned her head on her pillow and looked at me, and the last thing she said was, ‘God bless my curly-headed boy.’”

Thell, a lifelong farmer, wipes his eyes. “I’ve had a blessed life. The prettiest wife. The best children. We’ve had good health. Good meals. We had common sense. We lived off the land and listened to what our bodies needed.”

Just outside stands Thell’s workshop. Stacks of cedar planks, the bark still attached, lay on the floor. An old wall calendar lifts with the breeze. Near the door are two custom trestle tables he made for his kids. But none of that fills the room like the handmade pulpit in the corner. Its top is just big enough for Thell’s large Bible. When he wearies of working with his hands, he turns to the Good Book, where the words have guided him for more than a century.

"Every Sunday, I'll have his outfit put together, hanging up for him to find. I take care of him that way. I always get up early to make breakfast, and I fix his lunch. Cook good suppers. Take care of his clothes," says Margie.

“My mama was stricken with polio when she was thirty-six years old. I was twelve. That was a terrible hard time. Mother was paralyzed and in a wheelchair. Then, later on, my daddy got heart trouble and couldn’t take care of my mom. In 1977, we added on to our little house so they could move in. I’m so glad we could take care of them. They both lived to be ninety.”

Thell, dressed in a western shirt, jeans, and sturdy leather shoes, looks exactly like a man who would take care of his in-laws. “I’ve been blessed by two good women,” he says. “Margie is the ideal wife, and I know my mama loved me.”

He tries to control the quiver in his voice. “I don’t remember my mama. But I was told that while she was dying, I was playing

Norma steps outside the house into a yard full of her mother’s flowers. The American flag is planted near the front walk. The monarch butterflies are out. Of her parents, she says, “They don’t make ‘em like that anymore.”

Margie doesn’t think she and Thell are anything remarkable. They married young, loved each other through thick and thin, and they loved the Lord. When they had children, they did their best to be a good example.

Thell remembers the first time he kissed Margie. He was walking her home. She turned toward him, and he kissed her cheek. She was the prettiest girl in the valley and would be his wife one day. He just knew it.

Thell and Margie Ellison

Recognized as the longest-married couple in Arkansas Married April 24, 1941 Five Children, Fifteen Grandchildren, Thirty-four Great Grandchildren, Twenty-nine Spouses 112 in the Ellison family

Silver Screen Dreams

WORDs Dwain Hebda

IMAGEs courtesy Brandon Chase Goldsmith and thenatchdl/Shutterstock

There's a consensus that sequels are rarely as good as the originals in terms of moviemaking. However, the Fort Smith International Film Festival is now entering its fourth installation and keeps improving with each new iteration. This year, the event is scheduled for August 22 through 24. It has become one of the premier stops on the nationwide circuit of film festivals.

"We received a record five hundred and forty-one entries from over fifty countries, nations, and tribes for the 2024 event.

Counting this year, we have received a total of 1,754 entries," says the event's executive director, Brandon Chase Goldsmith.

Brandon said that only a small percentage of the entries received will be selected to screen during the festival. The exact number of films that will be shown is a moving target.

"The number of films we will screen depends on time and our schedule," he says. "We do not simply pick the films we like as we have built out the entire festival program before notifying filmmakers they were selected. Some excellent films don't get screened just because there's no time to schedule all of them."

In 2019, Brandon became the driving force behind the formation of the River Valley Film Society. Brandon says that while the festival is arguably the film society's most visible function, it is just one small part of a more extensive suite of programming throughout the year.

"Our yearlong programming is one of my favorite aspects," he says. "We promote the festival throughout the year, screening movies with partners across the River Valley and beyond.

"We have regular showings at the Bakery District in Fort Smith, King Opera House in Van Buren, and have expanded to Eureka Springs, working with the NWA Screenwriters Collective and the Writer's Colony at Dairy Hollow to put on workshops. Our mission to bring film and culture to our region continues well past the festival."

The primary goals of this philosophy are to raise the image of Arkansas as a state to be considered for movie production

and an educational resource to inspire the next generation of native filmmakers. In addition to being a creative engine, the festival is about accelerating creativity while nurturing the business side of film.

"The goal is to grow our entire region's creative economy," Brandon says. "We will have the only film market within a six-hour radius [of Fort Smith], which includes Oklahoma City, Wichita, Kansas City, St. Louis, Memphis, Jackson, Shreveport, and Dallas.

"Our collective success is measured through workforce development. We create jobs by making films with budgets where the crew gets paid at industry rates, and those budgets become possible when a market exists. In a few years, we will establish ourselves as an innovative filmmaking hub in the middle of the United States."

The society took a giant leap toward realizing that bold ambition last year when it partnered with Porter+Craig Film

Brandon Chase Goldsmith

and Distribution of Beverly Hills, California. The top films are offered distribution deals through this partnership, and all festival participants and film enthusiasts can attend panel discussions.

"Regional economics play a crucial role in the future growth of Arkansas' filmmaking industry," Brandon says. "Highquality movies are expensive to make. You need a trained crew, quality actors, and industry-standard infrastructure, from entertainment lawyers to production facilities.

"Filmmakers need the ability to sell their movies, and the festival's success makes the market possible. The films we receive offer unique narratives and documentaries that buyers and distributors will not see at West Coast or foreign markets."

The five-year partnership with Porter+Craig creates the MidAmerica Film Market, a resource for filmmakers. "The MidAmerica Film Market is important because it will provide opportunities for stories from the middle of America and the South to reach national and international audiences," Brandon says. The festival and the market will run alongside each other, benefiting each other and growing together.

"The MidAmerica Film Market aims to fill distribution gaps, and, in a few years, we will establish ourselves as an innovative filmmaking hub in the middle of the United States."

For now, Brandon and his legions of volunteers focus on producing a film festival of the highest quality. The 2024 event will utilize multiple venues to carry off its ambitious slate of screenings and related activities.

"We had around eight hundred people attend in 2023, and we aim to grow to one thousand this year," he says. "As the River Valley Film Society, we plan to have ancillary events at the Fort Smith Museum of History, King Opera House in Van Buren, and the Greenwood Pavilion.

"The film festival and market will be held at Temple Live and across the street at The Bricks. If you count our screeners, it takes a couple hundred volunteers to make the festival happen."

Brandon says he's looking forward to the day Arkansas is a sought-after state for movie production and for the festival to become the recognized educational authority for the next generation of filmmakers. More than that, he said the most important thing he wants the 2024 event to instill in audiences is a love for film and an appreciation for the voices in the various works featured.

"The festival provides an outlet to tell the unique stories of our region," he says. "It is also about representation; Fort Smith is an incredibly diverse city where dozens of languages are spoken. Being an international film festival allows us to host an event where people from different cultures can experience their stories on the big screen.

"It also serves as a form of education where people can learn about and from others across the globe. For me it is not so much the differences that stick out but our similarities, our common humanity."

Tasty Tarts

ingredients

° mini tart shells, store-bought

° 1 ¾ cups milk

° 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

° 5 egg yolks

° ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt

° ½ cup sugar

° 3 Tablespoons cornstarch

° assorted fresh fruit, cut to size

° 1 jar fruit jam, (we like strawberry)

° mint leaves (gar nish)

method

FOR THE PASTRY CREAM

Combine milk and vanilla extract in a saucepan over medium-high heat, let simmer, then remove from heat. Remove ¼ cup of milk from the pan, set aside.

Combine sugar, salt, and cornstarch in a small bowl, then mix in egg yolks. Gradually add the ¼ cup of milk, whisking constantly to keep the egg mixture from curdling.

Place saucepan with remaining milk on low heat and add egg mixture, whisking constantly. Increase heat to low-medium and whisk continually until mixture thickens. Pour the mixture into a bowl, cover with Saran Wrap, and cool in refrigerator for 2 hours.

ASSEMBLE THE TARTS

Add a teaspoon (more if desired) of jam into the bottom of each tart shell. Place cooled pastry cream into a piping bag or a Ziploc ® bag with corner snipped off. Pipe cream over the jam and top with fruit of choice. Garnish with a fresh mint leaf.

BOOZY POPS

RECIPe adapted gingerwithspice.com

Image Rimma Bondarenko/Shutterstock

INGREDIENTS

(makes 10)

• 4 cups preferred juice

• 1 cup preferred liquor

• fresh fruit of choice (optional)

METHOD

Combine juice and liquor in a large pitcher, then pour liquid into molds. Freeze for 4-6 hours. Remove pops and serve immediately. TIP: Use any combination of juice and liquor, but ensure a 4:1 ratio of juice to liquor so the mixture freezes.

if adding fruit

Wash, then cut into small pieces. Only fill molds ¾ of the way full of juice mixture. Once the mixture begins to set (about 2 hours in), add fruit. Use a utensil to press fruit into the slush. You can also puree the fruit, but be sure to include it in the ratio of juice to liquor.

Always drink responsibly. Never drink and drive.

Surf's Up

WORDs Bob Robinson images Bob Robinson and courtesy WOKA

Area whitewater enthusiasts no longer depend on Mother Nature's whims to enjoy their sport. The surf is always up at Waters of Oklahoma and Arkansas Whitewater Park (WOKA) in Watts, Oklahoma.

The WOKA site has long been a venue for outdoor adventure. In the 1920s, Tulsa businessman Julis K. Livingston created Forest Park Lake Resort (later renamed Lake Frances), constructing a dam on the Illinois River. Over time, flooding destroyed repeated attempts to maintain the dam—until now.

Grand River Dam Authority's vision for WOKA began in 2011. They are responsible for shepherding WOKA to reality, with the support of hundreds of groups, agencies, tribal organizations, individuals, and a 35-million-dollar donation by the Walton Family Foundation.

The park hosted a soft opening in September 2023, inviting visitors to play in the waves. With feedback from experts like Mason Hardgrove, a Jackson Kayak team member, the park continued to tweak the waves to prepare for its official grand opening in April 2024.

A SWELL TIME

Set in the scenic Ozark Mountains, WOKA is a destination the entire family will enjoy. The 100-foot-wide by 1,200-foot-long channel is an adventurer's playground designed to accommodate a variety of whitewater vessels and floater's abilities. The eight waves offer everyone a heart-pumping, exhilarating challenge: expert whitewater kayakers looking to hone their skills, stand-up paddleboarders, paddlers new to the sport, and tubers just out for some fun in the waves.

The only charge for visitors who bring their equipment is a ten-dollar parking fee, and WOKA offers a wide range of rentals if you do not own gear. Rentals include inflatable solo and tandem siton-top kayaks, solo and family-sized tubes, surfboards, stand-up paddleboards, and related safety gear—everything needed for a safe and enjoyable experience. You can choose the All-Float Pass to test-ride all available options.

I visited the park two days after it reopened following a high river flow closure, and the waves were still perky. I explored the park, walking the paved pathway bordering the waterway, mere feet from boaters and tubers riding out the turbulent waves.

A mom, dad, and two children on a family tube floated past, laughing and screaming uproariously. I watched as they entered wave three, sailing down its long, swift approach before abruptly smashing into the wall of foamy water. When previous tubers I had seen met this abutment, it flipped the tube's front straight up, dumping its passengers backward into the frothy stream, but not this group. They managed to stay upright and continue merrily downstream.

I watched Simon Mitchell, an experienced whitewater adventurer I’d spoken to earlier, enter wave five. He explained that the park had recently tweaked the wave by adjusting metal plates installed on the stream floor. "It has more of a hole now," he stated. "This gives it good retentiveness to hold you so you can do tricks."

Tricks is an understatement for the acrobatics he performed, which include cartwheels, wave wheels, spins, peel-outs, and others. Words alone would not do justice in describing these feats. Find Simon on YouTube and be prepared to be amazed.

One of the great features of WOKA is accessibility. If you get flushed out of a wave working on a trick, it's just a short paddle to the bank. You can climb out of your kayak, walk a few steps up the path, and reenter the wave to try again. If your children are young and inexperienced, they can take their tubes or surfboards to waves seven and eight. These are smaller waves, and kids will never tire of unlimited repeats.

The park is a great place to visit, even for those who are not into being repeatedly splashed in the face and drenched. Concessions, restrooms, and an elevated shaded viewing area offer visitors a bird's-eye view of all eight wave features. Given the extraordinary acrobatics performed by some adventurers and the

heartwarming antics of children in tubes, WOKA makes this a fun spectator sport.

Safety is a priority at WOKA, which should not be considered a theme park ride. Visitors must be prepared for a challenging adventure in an actual whitewater environment. There are no lifeguards on duty at the park. A life jacket, whitewater helmet, and secure footwear are required. Visitors may bring their own life jackets, but they must be US Coast Guard-approved.

Visitors can extend their adventure and camp on the banks of the Illinois River at Gypsy Camp & Canoe. Just upstream from WOKA, historic Gypsy Camp was started in 1928 as Gypsy Camp for Girls. It opened in 2018 as a River Outfitter and Camp.

Check current conditions, find rental details, and plan your visit at visitwoka.com. 918.610.WOKA (9652)

Park Hours: 8a - 7p / Rental & Concession: 10a - 6p

SENIOR LIVING SPECIAL FEATURE

Welcome to our special feature dedicated to the health and well-being of seniors in our community. Inside, you'll find invaluable resources designed to enhance the quality of life for seniors and their families.

From the comprehensive healthcare services at Baptist Health to the wellness programs at Marvin Altman Fitness Center, we're spotlighting the best in senior care. Discover the advanced audiological solutions at the Center for Hearing and Balance, rejuvenate with leisure options from Burton Pools and Spas, and navigate your healthcare coverage with confidence with Price Insurance Services Medical Specialist of Arkansas. Together, these professionals bring a wealth of support, ensuring that our senior community thrives with health, happiness, and peace of mind.

Caring for the Minds of Our Aging Community

If you’ve noticed troubling mood or memory changes in a parent or loved one, the specially-trained physicians and staff at Baptist Health Senior Care Behavioral Health-Fort Smith can help.

Our specialists provide diagnoses and customized treatment plans for adults, ages 55 and older, experiencing acute mental health issues. From medication management to family therapy and education, our compassionate staff can help you through the mental health challenges we face as we age.

1001 Towson Avenue, Fort Smith 479-441-5601 baptist-health.com

1001 Towson Avenue, Fort Smith, Arkansas

Your senior years can be some of your life's best and most active! That's why, for more than two decades, we've provided excellent behavioral and mental health services to our area's aging population. Our specially trained healthcare professionals inside our 23-bed inpatient geriatric psychiatry unit provide diagnoses and customized treatment plans for adults, ages 55 and older, experiencing acute mental health problems. Those conditions can include Alzheimer's disease or more common issues such as anxiety disorders, dementia, depression, or sleep disorders. Join us for the 2024 Walk to End Alzheimer's on Saturday, September 21, at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. Join our team, create your own, or donate at https://bit.ly/RVWalktoEndAlz. For more information, call or visit us online! 479.648.3483 /

6121 S. Zero, Fort Smith, Arkansas 725 S. 48th Street, Springdale, Arkansas 136 Lillie Lane, Fayetteville, Arkansas

Water therapy is a fantastic way to stay fit, feel better, and enjoy life as we age. Pools and hot tubs provide a safe, lowimpact exercise environment, helping improve cardiovascular health, flexibility, and muscle strength without straining the joints. Hot water hydrotherapy helps hot tub owners manage stress, sleep better, reduce muscle pain and soreness, and ease arthritis symptoms. Regular water therapy can also enhance mental well-being and improve sleep quality. Embrace a healthier lifestyle with a pool or hot tub from Burton Pools & Spas. Visit one of our three locations to learn more about the rejuvenating benefits of water therapy!

Fayz A. Hudefi, MD

Natalie Jordan, MD

Kelley Linton, Au.D. Kailey Thompson, Au.D.

Are you experiencing balance issues, dizziness, vertigo, or recently sustained a concussion? In addition to diagnostic hearing tests, we also offer neurodiagnostic testing! The inner ear is home to the hearing and balance centers. The receptors within the inner ear allow signals to be received and processed by various locations within the central nervous system and the brain. Unlike imaging studies that only show the anatomy or structures, our testing allows physicians to understand better how the system works and where a problem is located. Depending on your condition, your physician may recommend evaluating the hearing center, balance centers, or both, as they are all part of the inner ear. 479.441.5469

Marvin Altman Fitness Center offers a wide variety of low-impact fitness classes including yoga, aqua fitness, SilverSneakers Classic and  cardio dance. The fitness center offers an air conditioned indoor track and an indoor lap pool to provide a safe and comfortable environment for our members to exercise in during the hot summer months. Memberships are available for families and include designated family swim times in the pool. Ages ten and up are allowed to participate on the fitness floor. The fitness center also features many desirable amenities, such as saunas, whirlpools, and locker rooms stocked with towels, soap, conditioner, and hair dryers. For more information, including class schedules and hours of operation, visit us online or call today!

ACTIVE AS WE AGE

GREAT ACTIVITIES FOR SENIORS

1. Walking : It requires no special equipment other than a good pair of shoes. It’s a low-impact activity that provides cardiovascular benefits and enhanced joint mobility.

2. Swimming and Water Aerobics : These activities are low impact yet effective in building strength and flexibility. They can improve cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and joint mobility without stressing the joints. Consider a swim spa from Burton Pools and Spas or join a class at Marvin Altman Fitness Center !

3. Yoga : Enhancing flexibility, balance, and relaxation, it can be modified to suit

As we age, maintaining an active lifestyle is for physical and mental well-being. Regular physical activity can help manage chronic conditions, maintain independence, and improve overall quality of life. Exercise is not just about adding years to your life; it’s about adding life to your years!

WHY STAY ACTIVE?

Regular physical activity offers numerous benefits such as healthy weight, reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, and can manage conditions like diabetes and arthritis. Exercise strengthens muscles and bones, improving balance and reducing the risk of falls. It can also lift mood and alleviate depression and anxiety. Staying active can also potentially delay dementia and Alzheimer's disease, while social interaction during group activities combats loneliness and fosters a sense of community, essential for emotional well-being.

different ability levels, and chair yoga is available for those with limited mobility.

4. Strength Training : At home or at a fitness center, light weights, resistance bands, or body weight exercises can help maintain muscle mass and bone density.

5. Dancing : Ballroom, line dancing, or even Zumba, dancing is a fun way to stay active. It improves cardiovascular health, coordination, balance, and is a great social activity.

6. Cycling : Riding a bike is an excellent cardiovascular exercise that’s easy on the joints.

7. Gardening : Gardening involves a range of activities such as digging, planting, weeding, and watering which can improve strength, flexibility, and endurance. Consider becoming a Master Gardener –details on page 26 !

8. Golf : Walking the course, carrying or pulling a golf bag, and swinging the clubs contribute to cardiovascular and muscular health.

9. Group Exercise Classes: Marvin Altman Fitness Center Fitness Center offers classes, such as their SilverSneakers class, specifically for seniors, which provide structured exercise routines and socialization.

Staying active as you age is vital for maintaining health and independence. Consult with your healthcare provider to find the activities just right for you!

Market Trace, Fort Smith, Arkansas

We've merged with Medicare Specialist of Arkansas to provide even more Medicare expertise and personal attention and double our years of experience and resources. Medicare gives us many options. Make sure you talk in person with a local, trusted agent who will be available throughout your Medicare years. We always focus on education but also on your family so they feel confident during times of crisis. Let us be your mentor in finding the right solution for you! We are here when you sign up, need to review your choices or have any issues. More than a voice on the other end of the line, we're local and here to help. Call 479.431.5632 or visit us online at priceinsuranceservices.com.

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• Highl y

• Exceptional design

• Local circulation

• Robust website

We take pride in guiding our clients through their health insurance needs, including when they become eligible for Medicare. Our mission is to present the best plan for your individual needs. When it’s time to enroll, or you’re looking for a change, call us, your local Medicare specialist.

SECURING THE GOLDEN YEARS

The Importance of Financial Planning & Investments for Seniors

As we age, the importance of financial stability becomes increasingly crucial, especially during retirement. A wellthought-out financial plan and smart investments can significantly enhance the quality of life in your senior years.

WHY PLANNING MATTERS

Many live into their 80s and 90s, necessitating a robust financial plan to support a longer retirement. Healthcare costs, particularly unexpected medical expenses, can deplete savings rapidly, making it essential to have a financial cushion and adequate insurance coverage. A comprehensive financial plan accounts for inflation, ensuring your savings maintain their value and your lifestyle remains comfortable. What seems like a substantial amount of money today might not suffice in the future due to rising costs of goods and services. Proper financial planning such as trusts and wills, ensures your assets are managed and transferred according to your wishes, minimizing the tax burden on your heirs.

INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

Diversification involves spreading your investments across various asset classes to reduce risk. A well-diversified portfolio might include a mix of stocks, bonds, real estate, and cash equivalents to help mitigate the impact of market volatility on your portfolio. Risk Management is important as your risk tolerance can decrease as you age. Including more conservative investments, such as bonds and dividend-paying stocks, can provide stability and predictable income.

Reviewing and Adjusting your plan and portfolio ensures they align with goals and needs. Consulting a financial advisor can provide valuable insights and help you make informed decisions. Income-Generating Investments Investments create a steady

income stream and are vital in retirement. Investments such as annuities, dividend stocks, and rental properties can provide regular income, reducing the need to draw down your principal, which helps preserve your capital and provides financial security.

PRACTICAL STEPS

Assess Your Current Financial Situation Assess Your Current Financial Situation by evaluating your current financial status, including assets, liabilities, income, and expenses. Knowing where you stand is the first step toward creating an effective plan. Set Financial Goals Goals and identify short-term and long-term goals, such as covering daily living expenses, funding healthcare needs, traveling, or leaving an inheritance. Create a Budget Budget to help manage expenses and ensure spending aligns with goals. Track income and expenditures to identify areas where you can save or reallocate funds.

Plan for Healthcare Costs

Plan for Healthcare Costs as it can be one of the most significant expenses in retirement. Consider options like long-term care insurance, Medicare supplements, and health savings accounts (HSAs) to cover medical costs without depleting savings. Seek Professional Advice from a financial advisor who specializes in retirement planning can be very beneficial as they help navigate complex financial decisions, optimize investment strategies, and ensure your plan adapts to changing circumstances.

Financial planning and investments are not just about securing your present but also ensuring a stable and fulfilling future. Take proactive steps now to enjoy your senior years with peace of mind, knowing you are financially prepared for whatever comes your way.

WORDS Do South® staff Image Kenny Eliason