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MAY 2021 DoSouthMagazine.com
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Contents 04 06 14 28 54
Letter from Catherine What’s New - Contests
12
Get Bookish:
We Love Your Pets
May Recommendations
Profiles: Salon Spotlight
53
Best Night
{TASTE}
44 46 48
Avocado Shrimp Salad Citrus Zing Shrimp Strawberry Rosé
Special Feature: All About Kids
{PEOPLE}
16 20 24
{ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT}
{COMMUNITY}
08
Nonprofit Spotlight:
Roots of a Kindred Spirit
Girls Inc. Fort Smith
Best in Show
10 13
Little Child Blue
{FICTION}
50
French Lessons
Project Zero Shop Local
OUR COVER Image Credit: Aaron Burden
{ T R AV E L }
34
Your Big Backyard
{OUTDOORS}
34 Your Big Backyard 40 Kayaking The Natural State
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Letter from Catherine
T
C E L E B R AT E
The school year is winding down and we’re looking forward to celebrating summer! In anticipation of family fun, we're sharing things across our great state in our feature, Your Big Backyard. For those who are a little more adventurous, check out Kayaking The Natural State!
Want to bring a little of the outdoors in? Check out our story on Kindred Roots, located in Downtown Fort Smith. They are extremely knowledgeable and can help you find something you won’t kill – even if you don’t have a green thumb!
And, did you know Arkansas has an American Kennel Club affiliated club? We're introducing you to Donald and his humans. He’s one of five Newfoundlands, all current and former competitors, cared for by Bill and Bonnie Bennett of Cabot, Arkansas, who are well-known for their expertise raising and showing champions. Continuing our profile series, we're recognizing select salons and spas who set the bar for excellence and are committed to giving their clients the very best. Also, our annual All About Kids Guide is back! We’ve partnered with the best of the best,
MAY 2021 OWNER - PUBLISHER - EDITOR Catherine Frederick COPY EDITING Charity Chambers GRAPHIC DESIGN Artifex 323 – Jessica Meadors CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Jade Graves, Dwain Hebda CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Scott Faldon, Catherine Frederick, Dwain Hebda, Sara Putman, Liesel Schmidt ADVERTISING INFORMATION Catherine Frederick I 479.782.1500 catherine@dosouthmagazine.com
bringing you information you need from educational opportunities and specialized healthcare, shopping, exciting activities, and local entertainment to keep your kids healthy, active, and entertained all year long! We’re taking a closer look at the effects covid-19 continues to have on our children in Little Child Blue. Local mental health professionals discuss the challenges and how they can help. Sprinkle in our recipes, a selection of fiction, a must-attend event, book reviews, a non-profit spotlight, and contests, and you have one incredible issue of Do South ®. Enjoy! I'll see you in June.
Catherine Frederick Owner/Publisher/Editor
FOLLOW US ©2021 Read Chair Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the permission of the copyright owner. Opinions contained in Do South ® are exclusively those of the writers and do not represent those of Read Chair Publishing, LLC. as a whole or its affiliates. Any correspondence to including photography, becomes the property of Read Chair Publishing, LLC. Do South ® reserves the right to edit content and images. Printed in the U.S.A. | ISSN 2373-1893
Annual subscriptions are $36 (12 months), within the contiguous United States. Subscribe at DoSouthMagazine.com or mail check to 4300 Rogers Avenue, Suite 20-110, Fort Smith, AR, 72903. Single issues are available upon request. Inquiries or address changes, call 479.782.1500.
catherine@dosouthmagazine.com
To reserve this free space for your charitable nonprofit organization, email: catherine@dosouthmagazine.com.
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what's new
FOLLOW US Send comments and suggestions and advertising inquiries to catherine@dosouthmagazine.com.
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What’s better than reading Do South® Magazine every month? Having it delivered right to your door, of course! Enter to win a one-year subscription to Do South® Magazine, and your favorite magazine will come to you! Interested in hosting a contest with us? Contact Catherine at 479.782.1500 or email catherine@dosouthmagazine.com for details!
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community community
Nonprofit Spotlight words Catherine Frederick with Amanda Daniels, executive director Girls Inc. Fort Smith
DS: How did Girls Inc. of Fort Smith come to be? We were established in 1934 in Fort Smith as part of Girls Clubs of America and in the early 90’s, Girls Clubs of America across the nation, became Girls Inc. affiliates.
DS: Who does Girls Inc. serve and in what ways? We serve girls age 5 - 18. In 2019, we served 1,441 girls. When the pandemic hit, our programs came to a halt. When we started back we had to keep our numbers low, so in 2020 we served about half the girls we normally would. Each week/month we serve approximately 300 – 500 girls depending on the time of year and if we have a recreational sports league in season. We offer after-school programming, summer programs, recreational volleyball, basketball, and dance as well as outreach partnerships with schools. Of course, some of this has had to change, or at least our normal way of facilitating these under current circumstances with COVID.
DS: Tell us how Girls Inc. impacts our community. Our programs offer parents an affordable option for after-school and summer care while providing a safe, girls-only environment where they also continue learning when out of the classroom. Our sports programs are a great way for girls to learn a
Girls Inc.’s mission is to inspire all girls
sport and develop teamwork skills among other traits to help make them successful
to be strong, smart and bold, providing
and confident. We also partner with schools to provide several different options for
more than 1,400 girls in Fort Smith and
outreach programs. The Girls Inc. experience consists of people, an environment, and
surrounding areas with life-changing
programming that, together, empower girls to succeed. Trained staff and volunteers
experiences and solutions to the unique
build lasting, mentoring relationships in girls-only spaces that are physically and
challenges girls face. Do South reached
emotionally safe and where girls find a sisterhood of support with shared drive,
out to Amanda Daniels, Executive
mutual respect, and high expectations. Hands-on, research-based programs provide
Director, to learn more.
girls with the skills and knowledge to set goals, overcome obstacles, and improve
®
academic performance. Informed by girls and their families, Girls Inc. also works with policymakers to advocate for legislation and initiatives that increase opportunities for Girls Inc. of Fort Smith
girls. At Girls Inc., girls grow up healthy, educated, and independent.
1415 Old Greenwood Road Fort Smith, Arkansas
DS: How can our community get involved and show support?
479.782-0375
Volunteers - especially coaches for our sports leagues. However, volunteers
girlsincfortsmith.org
can come for a one-day event as well, such as speaking to our girls about their profession or a topic of interest. There are also projects for groups such as helping with landscaping, painting, etc.
Next month, we’ll showcase another worthy charity in our area free of charge. If you have a nonprofit you’d like to see recognized, email us at catherine@dosouthmagazine.com.
DS: Are there any upcoming events our readers should know about? We are extremely excited to bring back our fundraisers in-person! Our first event is coming up quickly on Thursday, May 13th. This is our annual Women of Vision luncheon and we are blessed to have Danyelle Musselman as our guest speaker. Other events for the year will include Fest of Ale on Friday, Sept. 10th and our annual Championship Fore Charities golf event on Monday, Oct. 4th.
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community community
These two siblings – big sister
Kaston being a little brother! These two love
Autumn and her younger brother Kaston – are
being around each other and love being part of
waiting for just the right fit with a family. Their
a family. Autumn enjoys spending time playing
path to the Heart Gallery has been a winding
with her dolls and dressing up, and Kaston loves
one, not due to any issues on their part but
playing outside where he can climb on things and
to those of their family. Despite the starts and
run around. They both told us that pizza is their
stops along the way, both Autumn and Kaston
favorite food, and Kaston likes pineapples on
are happy kids who get along with each other
his! These two kiddos need a two-parent home
really well. Autumn tells us that Kaston likes to
to continue their progress and development, so
mess with her stuff sometimes, but that’s just
if that’s you, let us know.
In partnership with Project Zero and the Arkansas Heart Gallery, each month Do South® will feature a waiting child, or sibling group, in foster care in Arkansas. To inquire about these incredible children, please visit theprojectzero.org.
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Autumn and Kaston Ages: 11 and 8 IMAGE courtesy Van Dover Photography
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entertainment community
Get BOOKISH
Enjoy these four must-read books from our friends at Bookish, Fort Smith, Arkansas’s only independently-owned bookstore. Shop hours: Monday 11am-4pm, Tuesday - Friday 10am-6pm and Saturday 10am-4pm. Need curbside delivery? Call 479.434.2917 or email orders@bookishfs.com.
Apeirogon
The Office of Historical Corrections
The Scientist and the Psychic
by Danielle Evans
by Christian Smith
Evans’s collection is full of loosely connected shor t stories and a novella. These tragic and traumatized characters highlight large issues like race, culture, and history. Through the introductions of black and multiracial characters, Evans takes us through universal conflicts like lust, love, grief, and justice. Through each story, we are forced to see ways in which history has shaped us and what our role might be in justice.
Smith is a molecular biologist, but he was raised by a relatively famous psychic. By the time Smith was eight, he had witnessed a seance, traveled the region to watch his mother give readings, and constantly had been bullied at school because his mother was a “witch.” They moved to LA so Geraldine could work with murder victims and convicted murderer Jeffery MacDonald. This work eventually led to health conditions and addiction, so Smith and his mother were estranged for a while. The two are mending the divide in this one-of-a-kind story of skepticism, science, and the power of familial love.
May Recommendations courtesy Sara Putman, Bookish
by Colum McCann McCann takes us to the Middle East to tell us the story of two real-life friends, Bassam Aramin, a Palestinian, and Rami Elhanan, an Israeli, two men brought together by the deaths of their daughters: Smadar at the age of thirteen by a suicide bomber, and Abir, assassinated aged ten by a trigger-happy member of the Israeli army. In their grief, they join a parent’s group whose mission was to try to bring a peaceful resolution to the conflict. There is rarely unity in the chaos, but there is always storytelling. The book is often poetic, powerfully executed, and interspersed with photographs of the men and the place.
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Mary Jane
by Jessica Anya Blau This is the perfect summer read – set in Baltimore in the 60s. When Mary Jane gets her first summer job as a nanny for the new family in town, her rigid, overprotective mother couldn’t be happier. It’s for a doctor’s family after all. Mary Jane soon realized that the doctor is a psychologist and Jewish, but they are also so different from her own family, it takes her a moment to adjust. Soon, though, she falls in love with the entire family – including the top-secret patient who comes to town for the summer.
shop
Shop Small & Support BIG DREAMS! words Catherine Frederick imageS Jade Graves Photography and courtesy vendors
Hearts On Fire Signature Petal Bezel Pendant
JOHN MAYS JEWELERS
Tiffany & Co. Sunglasses
DR. STEVEN B. STILES OPTOMETRY
Ready-to-Drink Cocktails
IN GOOD SPIRITS 479.434.6604
479.452.2020
479.452.2140
Stylish Ear Protection for Infants, Toddlers and Children
CENTER FOR HEARING 479.785.3277
Hard Seltzer, Wines, Vodka, Gin, and Cider
SODIE’S WINE & SPIRITS 479.783.8013
Laura Zindel Handmade Ceramics
BLACK BISON COFFEE COMPANY 479.551.2880
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We Love Your Pe ts! We asked you to share a photo of your pet on our Do South® Facebook page, and wow, did you deliver - over 550 photos were shared! Check back in June for more adorable pet photos!
Adeline - April Ross
Gracie - Debbie Griffin Bandimere
Lucy - Paige Lokey
Max - Ling Ling M
Misha - Paige Lokey
Lulu - Ling Ling M
Toby - Lauren Cox
Duce - Darla Hardgrave Walker
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Disney - Mary Jo Larney
Rio - Dussie Schwarz
Skittles - Shelly Wade Roberts
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ROOTS OF A
Kindred Spirit
words Liesel Schmidt IMAGEs courtesy Brooke Cagle, Tributary Studio
KINDRED.
North. In both cases, they created something spectacular and memorable, establishing what has become known as the
By definition it’s a word that means “similar in kind” or
“Kindred Experience”—a phrase that conveys a dedication to
“related.” It also refers to family and relations, though
going above and beyond in service to the client.
a kindred spirit may share no family ties with you at all, connected to you only through a deep bond that seems to
After the move, it only took a few months for Samantha to
transcend blood relation.
meet and become friends with Dave and Jenny Marrs, who were, at the time, filming their first season of HGTV’s Fixer
For Nick and Samantha Daniels, that word is at the root of
to Fabulous. That connection led to some important things
their businesses, something that has driven the concept for
for Samantha. “After a few photo shoots and an episode
everything they’ve put their hand to. Fittingly called Kindred
premier event together, Dave and Jenny graciously offered me
Concepts, it all started with Kindred Barn in 2016—an event
a spot on their team for the second season of their show,”
venue that takes the whole idea of a barn and turns it on
she explains. “I quickly dove into the world of styling homes
its head. In 2017, the couple moved to Northwest Arkansas
with decor and live plants and flowers. That work sparked an
to renovate a second breathtaking venue called Kindred
interest for me to have a studio space of my own that also
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offered various house plants and home decor. I’ve been doing flowers for my wedding venues for years now and needed to move away from doing them in my living room.” By September of 2020, Samantha was ready to open All Things Kindred, launching this particular dream with faith that it would survive even in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. “We opened during it and despite it,” Samantha says with an edge of confidence in her voice that testifies to her conviction that she knew it was the right move to make, despite the circumstances. “We knew it could seem risky for us to do it, but we were willing to take the leap, just like we have always been. Even back when we were twenty-five and Kindred Barn first became a reality. We knew that people were spending a lot more time in their homes, and we have seen how bringing live plants into the home boosts morale and also purifies the air.” Populating the space with succulents, tropical plants, pots, and beautiful flowers sold by the stem, the store is a light-filled haven for anyone in search of beauty. With exposed beams, white walls interrupted only by simple wood shelving and potted plants hanging jauntily from pegs, the play of textures is stunning, giving the store just that right amount of something that makes you want to stay and look at absolutely everything. Being the marketing genius that she is, Samantha saw the value in creating a pop-up version of All Things Kindred and met with the owners of the Bakery District, located in Fort Smith, Arkansas, about using a space adjacent to Fort Smith Coffee Co. “We knew that the very same people who drink coffee also buy plants, and we fell in love with the culture of the Bakery District,” says Samantha of the meeting that took place in January of 2021. “Fort Smith Coffee Co. owners Gabe and Kaity DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
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Gould have been so gracious and supportive of us, and we love watching our businesses complement each other.” By February 2021, they had launched Kindred Roots, opening its doors to all who would come and offering not just beautiful plants and flowers, but the Daniels’ particular brand of hospitality and service. “Keeping up with the Kindred branding and paying tribute to our roots in Fort Smith, we wanted the name to be connected but also for this storefront to have its own identity. My sister, Ashley Parker, runs the store and has actually been interested in plants longer than I have,” says Samantha, who left her retail job in 2012 to focus full time on photography. “Honestly, we opened this store for her. She is extremely knowledgeable about plants and will help you find something that you won’t kill—even if you aren’t particularly good with plants and living things. "Our success as a storefront is credited to the people who frequent our shops and support local. Now more than ever, people are seeing the importance of supporting local businesses, and we are thrilled to be a marketplace for other local makers, including a local clay earring maker, Bashful
Nick and Samantha Daniels
Bluebird. Their earrings match the vibe of our store, and we are proud to be a vehicle for their success alongside our own.” Set in a simple storefront whose adornments are only the
ones,” says Samantha, whose three-year-old daughter Arbor
plants themselves, covering wood and pipe shelving and
will grow up watching her parents build their dream. “What
every surface in sight, Kindred Roots feels every bit as
started out as just a young couple with a single business has
connected to its name as Samantha could have hoped. It
now led to six full-time positions across all of our companies.
isn’t just that it’s visibly lush with green—it feels green. In
That’s an amazing thing to consider, looking back at where
its simplicity, it makes a statement, one that is authentic,
we started. We are also passionate about offering people
wholesome, and—let’s face it—just plain pretty. Their
affordable and unique items that they can’t find just anywhere,
offerings are focused and concise, a minimalism that makes
a business principle that has been with us since the beginning
perfect sense in the space, in those surroundings, and
of our self-employment career.”
with their brand. Much like All Things Kindred, a variety of tropical plants, succulents, pots, flowers by the stem, and
As the year marches on and the pandemic that brought the
various home decor items fill the space at Kindred Roots
world to a halt fades, Nick and Samantha can look back at
and liven it, giving it a unique energy that makes you want
the leap of faith they took and know that their faith has been
to touch some things and leave with…everything.
rewarded—not only through success, but also through the many kindred spirits who have walked through their doors.
As with all truly great entrepreneurs, business for the Daniels is more than just the bottom line. It’s about people—again, forming that kindred spirit connection. “Nick and I are passionate about creating jobs for people, especially our loved
Kindred Roots is located at 70 South 7th Street, in Downtown Fort Smith, Arkansas (the Bakery District). Find them online at Facebook.com/KindredRootsFS.
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(BEST IN SHOW)
words Dwain Hebda images Dwain Hebda and courtesy Bill Bennett
Donald enters the room with the force of a stiff
mad at us. They see this fluffy head of hair and they think we
wind blowing open a screen door. The adult Newfoundland
named him after Donald Trump.”
is massive from every angle; head like a cannonball, paws the
size of grapefruit, chest like the gas tank of a dump truck.
Donald is one of five big canines Bill and his wife Bonnie
currently own, all of them Newfoundlands – or Newfs, as they
And yet something is unmistakably gentle about the jet-
often like to call them – and all of them current or former
black beast. He’s immediately obedient to his handler and
competitors. Ever since the 1980s when the Pennsylvania
owner, Bill Bennett, despite having the physical wherewithal
couple discovered the breed, the duo has participated in
to tow Bill and anyone else in the room along in his wake.
American Kennel Club dog shows and have become well-
And he’s a big teddy bear to any guest within reach of
known for their expertise raising and showing champions
giving him an ear scratch, too. He’s even ambivalent to the
like Donald.
outrage he sometimes causes – unintentionally, of course –
when out in public.
“There’s nothing like a Newfoundland,” Bonnie says simply.
“They’re a gentle giant.”
“When he was a puppy, he had kind of a waddle when he
walked,” Bill says. “So, we named him Donald, after Donald
Despite their long show history, Bill and Bonnie don’t
Duck. Well, you should see the people at shows who get so
fit the image most people have of American Kennel Club
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competitors. And, considering all most people know of the
To give you an idea of how popular such competitions are,
activity is from the televised Westminster Dog Show in New
the August 2019 event held at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds
York, it’s a stereotype that’s easy to understand: Pampered
welcomed more than eleven hundred entries from thirty-five
pooches preening and strutting for the delight and bragging
states, Canada and Puerto Rico.
rights of their well-heeled owners.
Clubs focus on one or more of the various elements of AKC
Bill, retired career Air Force, and Bonnie, fly squarely in the
competitive programs including obedience, tracking, agility
face of that picture as two regular, friendly citizens of Cabot,
and what most people know, conformation.
Arkansas, who love the camaraderie and competition that
comes with shows. “The biggest misconception is that the
“What you see on TV, that’s a conformation show,” Bill
Kennel Club is for the rich and famous, and everybody’s a
says. “The dog is supposed to look like this, and the judge is
snot, and nobody wants to let in any new people,” Bill says.
supposed to pick the one that looks the most like this. AKC
“We meet people from all over the country doing this and
has a written standard for each breed and the one that looks
we’ve made some really good friends in the process.
the most like the standard is the one that’s supposed to win.”
“If you show Newfs for any length of time, you know virtually everybody that shows regularly in the United States. We know people in Wisconsin, we know people in Oregon, we know people in Washington, we know people in Florida. And not just know their name, but we know them because there’s a real social aspect.”
If you’re surprised to hear that Arkansas even has an American Kennel Club affiliated club, you’re not alone. The fact is, there are around ten clubs statewide, according to the national AKC website. Not only are there that many clubs in Arkansas, but the history of the Arkansas Kennel Club – to which the Bennetts belong and of which Bonnie is vice president – goes back nearly eighty years. The group held its first AKC licensed show in November 1944. In that competition, owners were competing largely for War Stamps and the Best in Show winner took home a twenty-five-dollar War Bond donated by Union National Bank. The Arkansas club would become a member of the American Kennel Club (formed in 1884) seven years later and has held shows regularly until last year. In fact, the group is only twelve shy of one hundred fifty shows held during its history; its centennial competition being conducted in January 2000.
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Bill and Bonnie Bennett
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As he enunciates the words, “supposed to,” Bill gives the listener a glance under raised eyebrows. “As in anything that is subjective, it is very political,” he says. “You can have a good dog and walk away empty-handed from a show. The bigger the show and the higher the class you’re in, the more political it becomes.” Newfoundland owners happen to be scarce in Arkansas and so prior to covid-19, the couple would routinely drive within a six-hour radius of home to show their dogs. Between travel, lodging, dog-sitting for the pups back home and contest entry fees – to say nothing of the day-to-day care of the animals on an ongoing basis – it is not an inexpensive hobby, Bill says. Dog shows have even spawned their own cottage industry in pre-show primpers and professional dog handlers who work the animal in the show ring, adding another layer of expense for those owners who utilize their services. The format of a conformation starts with the breed, for instance a pack of bloodhound entries or Dalmatians. The winners in each breed category then advance to their respective group, of which there are seven: working, herding, toy, hound, sporting, non-sporting, and terrier. The winners of each group then square off in a field of seven from which the Best in Show is awarded.
hasn’t been in the ring since,” Bill says. “She wants to ride in the car, but once you get there, she doesn’t want to do anything. She’s very odd in a lot of ways.” “She is very regimented where other dogs aren’t like that,” Bonnie adds. “We had another dog, Ben, and we could not take that dog to a show by himself, he had such bad separation anxiety. But as long as he had a buddy, he was fine.” The duo shares these stories as if reliving moments about their children, which in a way they are. Like most every child,
The differences in dogs within any given grouping are difficult to detect with the untrained eye. A Newfoundland like Donald, for instance, is subject to minutiae ranging from the length of his ears to the alignment of his body structure to the diameter of his chest. Show dogs are trained to stand and move in ways that show off their attributes – at Bill’s command, Donald stretches into a competition pose and raises his head.
the Bennett kids grew up and moved out, but the Bennett Newfs are always there, even as the faces and names change. “We know a lot of breeders that as soon as the dog’s career is over, they let them go to pet homes,” Bill says. “That’s fine, but we generally keep our dogs. Around here, Reba’s nine, gonna be ten; Liza is seven gonna be eight. They won’t go anywhere.”
The couple can’t put a number on how many dogs they have owned through the years; at their peak they had twenty and for several years averaged between ten and fifteen. In all that time, they have become very good at spotting the attributes of a competitor, although the quirks of personality can sometimes be a wild card that only reveal themselves with time. “Our dog Liza didn’t like competition. Once she finished her championship run, she finished it about age two, she
To Learn More: American Kennel Club: akc.org Arkansas Kennel Club: Teresa Kuntz, teresa1@ipa.net Fort Smith Kennel Club: William Gemmell, amfmgem@aol.com Northwest Arkansas Kennel Club: Cynthia Luper, cyndijo505@yahoo.com
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LITTLE CHILD BLUE
E n s u r i n g C h i l d r e n’s We l l b e i n g During Covid-19
Words Dwain Hebda images Jade Graves Photography and courtesy Kenneth Roy
As a mental health professional, Rebecca Whitson of The
loneliness and isolation and an increase in relational issues,”
Whitson Group in Fort Smith has grown accustomed to seeing
she says. “For some kids, the safety net of going to school
teens and young adults stuck in dark places. Specializing in
was taken away from them in March of last year. For many
serving individuals fourteen and up, her clientele includes
teenagers, as it should be developmentally, the biggest part
kids for whom high school, college or just daily life is a
of their life is social. That’s exactly what we would expect
constant or near-constant struggle with anxiety, depression,
and hope for them and so much of that was taken away.”
and the loneliness of mental illness. A pause. But for all she’s seen, the covid-19 pandemic threw something new into the mix. Never before have conditions been so
“I think we will be seeing the effects of [covid-19] on mental
dramatically compounded, never before has she had to find
health for years,” she says.
ways to convey empathy and caring exclusively through a video monitor. And never before has she been as concerned
In so many ways, it’s hard to fully comprehend what the
over what happens next.
past year has thrown at us. No one could have imagined the masks, the social distancing, the people dying alone in
“What I’m seeing is almost across the board, an increase in
hospitals because their families were barred from visiting
anxiety, an increase in depressive symptoms, an increase in
them. No one had heard of contact tracing, Zoom or drive-
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through graduations on New Year's Day 2020. Ninety days
health in their teen year-over-year. The C.S. Mott Children’s
later, it felt like we would never speak of anything again
Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health, spearheaded by
except within the context of the pandemic.
the university, gathered responses from parents of kids ages thirteen to eighteen.
Even in the first rays of 2021’s new dawn – where vaccines have picked up steam and society has started to take the first
According to poll responses, one in three teen girls and
tenuous steps into the sun – there’s much about the past
one in five teen boys had experienced new or worsening
twelve months that we are just now starting to understand.
anxiety. While parents of teen girls generally appeared to
Among these, the cruel irony of children and teens largely
notice worsening mental states at a higher rate than those
spared the physical effects of covid-19, yet now struggling
of teen boys – in some cases by a wide margin – some
to deal with its impact on their mental health.
issues appeared to impact both genders equally. Instances of changes in sleep, withdrawing from family or aggressive
“It’s been an adjustment for everyone,” says Kenneth Roy,
behavior was reported more or less the same by parents,
director of clinical services at the Methodist Behavioral
regardless of the gender of the child.
Hospital in Maumelle. “We already had stressors that we were dealing with daily, but then we added social isolation and loss.
And, as a growing body of research suggests, such challenges
A lot of our clients lost family members; this was something
are largely universal without regard to ethnicity or national
that not only impacted them, but their entire family.”
place of residence. Last summer, TIME magazine reported on a Chinese study published in JAMA Pediatrics that examined a
*****
sample of more than twenty-three hundred schoolchildren for signs of emotional distress following one month of quarantine.
Around the country, mental health experts are just beginning
Nearly a quarter of the children reported depressive symptoms
to unravel the tangled ramifications of covid-19 and
after just thirty-three days separated from normal activities
associated events on young patients and the nation’s mental
and one-fifth were experiencing anxiety.
health in general, something most believe will take years to fully understand.
None of which is particularly newsworthy to a mental health professional like Rebecca who has seen the issue daily.
In March, University of Michigan Health reported the findings of a new poll in which nearly half of the almost one thousand
“These kids are experiencing real pain. It’s real,” she says.
parents surveyed reported seeing signs of worsening mental
“Often, I think what an adult may describe as ‘acting out,’
Becca Whitson
Kenneth Roy
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people
it’s real and it’s serious. And they want someone who listens
Such tools don’t compare with the real things, experts say,
and validates what they’re going through. I read something
and do have their share of limitations. But as Kenneth points
the other day that said when teenagers experience social
out, it’s technology that is here to stay and definitely better
distress, it’s registered in their brain the same way physical
than nothing.
pain would. I see that; to them, it feels like things will never be different.
“The things that we had to be mindful of were, we’re working with families that may not have access to internet
“We have the ability, as adults, to know that this is not going
or their internet connection may not support some of the
to last forever, to know that a bad day is not a bad life. But
virtual technology that we were using,” he says. “In those
to adolescents, their brains aren’t even fully developed yet.
cases, we had to accommodate them with telephone calls
Often, they do not have the ability to know that a bad year
and just being mindful that they may have limited resources.
of school does not mean this is what my life will be forever.”
All of those things, in considering how they affect the child, have been important considerations for us.”
The scenario seems to underscore just how important routine is in the development of young people overall and how
An even stiffer future challenge, Rebecca says, is likely to
absolutely critical it is to children and teens dealing with mental
be demand for services overwhelming the supply of mental
health issues. And while losing access to friends or activities
health professionals in Arkansas going forward, particularly
was damaging enough, the situation was made worse by the
among underserved and low-income families.
way covid-19 affected treatment modalities, further upending schedules, and increasing feelings of isolation.
“I am concerned. Many of us, our caseloads are full, and we have waitlists,” she says. “It’s a conversation I’m having with
“Prior to covid, I’d say maybe fifty to sixty percent of our
colleagues pretty consistently. I’m seeing more clients every week
engagement was in-person,” Kenneth says. “Our families
than I have ever seen. I think most of us, at least people that I’ve
were coming for visitations in-person. They were coming
talked to personally, we’re all in that same boat; we want to
in-person for family sessions. They were picking up their child
protect our own mental health, but we feel a responsibility to
for therapeutic passes, where they had the opportunity to
care for the people that come to us and need care.
practice the skills in the community that they were learning here in treatment.
“One other thing I see, I’m in private practice and working with clients who either have self-pay or private insurance. I
“All of those things shifted once covid arrived because we
think the difficulty in finding good care for families who are
didn’t have that capability. It was a shift for the kids and
uninsured or just have Medicaid can be very difficult and
for our clinicians, making sure that we’re trying to keep our
provide a lot of additional challenges.
families engaged. That was a challenge, for sure.” “Just like we know that the pandemic affected certain ******
populations more than others both physically, but also financially with their jobs and all of those things. I think mental
Despite the challenges of 2020, neither the Whitson Group
health care is the same thing. The people who may be most
nor the Methodist Behavioral Hospital paused operations
vulnerable also may have the most difficulty finding help.”
last year, instead developing workarounds to continue to deliver care. Both organizations had been experimenting with distance therapy previously, but the pandemic boosted that expertise to better serve patients up close and digital.
The Whitson Group, Fort Smith: whitsongroupcounseling.com Methodist Behavioral Hospital, Maumelle: methodistfamily.org Association for Children’s Mental Health, Lansing, MI: acmh-mi.org
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2021 Salon
spotlight special feature PRESENTED BY
WORDS Dwain Hebda and Catherine Frederick some interviews have been edited for length and clarity
Do South® is proud to recognize the talents and contributions of select salons and spas in our community. They set the bar for excellence and are committed to giving their clients the very best. Join us as we salute their incredible achievements and the passion they share for their profession!
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Raw Beauty Salon & Spa rawbeautysalonandspa.com
Looking to bring something completely different to the local beauty scene in Fort Smith, Madysn “Mady” Casteel brought her vision for a nontoxic, organic salon experience to life with Raw Beauty Salon and Spa in 2019. Since then, the unique spot has steadily gained a loyal following. “Raw Beauty Salon and Spa’s ultimate goal is to provide a nontoxic, organic experience for our clients and our environment,” Mady says. “Because we absorb up to sixty percent of substances that we apply to our skin, Raw Beauty strives to offer skincare products that are natural rather than those containing harsh chemicals.” A licensed cosmetologist, Mady has worked in all facets of the beauty industry for the last nine years, always driven by her passion for nutrition and skincare. She built her business offering organic, nontoxic skincare products, and hair care products. Her skilled team provides a range of services including hair, facials, brows and lashes and waxing all in a relaxed, luxurious environment.
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Salon Elements salonelements.com Over the years, Salon Elements’ troupe of full-service beauty professionals has grown to seven stylists, plus lash pros, extensions, and color experts and, through the brand-new spa at Salon Elements, specialists offering the best in spa services. But, as owner and stylist Marcie Comstock points out, it’s what hasn’t changed that keeps bringing people back. “Our customer experience starts with our client’s arrival and we work as a team to make sure everyone who enters the salon has an amazing experience with a positive outcome,” Marcie says. “Professionalism and a willingness to listen are key; we make sure we give each client that personal touch and we listen to what our clients want.” Marcie doesn’t just preach these values, she hires for them. Thus, each member of the team reflects her high standards for technical expertise, creativity and most of all, perfecting the customer experience. “Working with Marcie and seeing the commitment to quality and hard work she brings to her business is inspiring,” says Donna Reamy, medical massage therapist. “She has a huge heart and cares deeply for the clients and staff. She enables us to do our job to the fullest in service to our fabulous clients.” "I love the whole vibe of the salon,” says Brooke Leonard, esthetician, and lash artist. “You walk in and immediately feel like you belong. My number-one goal is to make sure my clients are one hundred percent satisfied with their service and I know I’m not the only one who feels that way." “My goal with every client is to help people feel better, whether that is getting stronger, improving balance and coordination or improving bone density,” agrees Kristy Holland, the spa’s personal trainer and TruSculpt 3D technician. “I love how we all take a team approach here. Everyone supports each other and will gladly step in to help when needed.” Marcie says this all-for-one attitude is an important element of the salon’s success. Everyone on the team has a role to play and each is the best at what they do, from clientfacing beauty professionals such as Gayla Jepson, one of the salon’s wig specialists, to support staff such as Laura Bullington, salon coordinator, who ensures everything exceeds the customer’s expectations. All of which combines to offer customers the finest salon and spa experience anywhere in the region. “Our clients are everything to us; without them, we are nothing,” Marcie says. “That’s why we, as a team, will always give our best for them. That’s been my personal guarantee since Day One.” DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
C a l l f or you r p r i vate co nsultati o n!
479.649.3435
314 Lexington Ave., Fort Smith, Arkansas | salonelements.com
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Salon Savvy at The Hub facebook.com/salonsavvyatthehub When Samantha Sims opened the doors of her first salon last fall – Salon Savvy at The Hub in Fort Smith – she did so with the goal of providing an experience unlike anything available in the area. So far, the luxury salon has been right on point with that goal. “We are focused on being that higher end salon, a luxurious experience with the really high-end brands that we carry,” she says. “I visited salons all over the region and getting my hair done in those high-end salons inspired me to want to create a vision of something like that here in Fort Smith. We strive to make it a really luxurious experience to get your hair done.” The experience starts with the quality of the staff. Salon Savvy’s well-trained and experienced crew is top-of-the-line, offering a variety of services to make each client look their best. “We do specialize in blonde and we specialize in hair extensions as well, both hand-tied and tape-in,” says Samantha, a native Oklahoman with nearly a decade in the beauty business. “We also have an esthetician on staff; she specializes in lash extensions, facials and skin care as well.” Samantha picked her location at The Hub at Providence, an upscale development in Fort Smith’s Chaffee Crossing, not just for its proximity to clients, but for its growing list of amenities. “We not only have clients from Fort Smith, but those who travel from all over Northwest Arkansas and the surrounding counties in Oklahoma,” she says. “The Hub was the ideal location; you can walk next door and grab a coffee or walk down to the Italian restaurant for lunch. You can make a day of things.” Asked the secret that sets Salon Savvy apart, Samantha says it’s more than just technical skills and good coffee. At its heart, it’s the way the staff pampers clients that makes the salon a truly enjoyable experience. “I am really picky about professionalism and interacting with the client and connecting one-on-one,” she says. "I am adamant that no client should ever leave unhappy. I have handpicked my team who are as adamant on the same things as I am. We are all professionals who treat clients with the utmost respect.” Sims says as the salon continues to grow, these are the professional qualities she looks for in new team members, as well. “I'm always interviewing for new booth rent stylists, estheticians, lash artists and nail technicians,” she says. "I always tell people we’re looking for the kind of employee who wants the client to leave the salon looking or feeling their very best and won’t be satisfied with less than that.”
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The Hub at Providence
479.551.2403
9101 R.A. Young Jr Drive, Suite 104 Fort Smith, arkansas DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
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travel
Your Big Backyard words Dwain Hebda IMAGEs courtesy Hot Springs & Arkansas State Parks and Tourism
With the school year winding down and summer break right around the corner, many families’ thoughts are turning to getting away from it all. And can you blame them? After a 2020 of everyone being in lockdown and a school year that was still dominated more by what kids couldn’t do than what they could, families from Texarkana to Pocahontas are chomping at the bit for some R and R. That’s music to the ears of the Arkansas Tourism industry, which suffered mightily under covid-19 related restrictions. As vaccines continue to gain momentum and the number of new cases continues to shrink, businesses from one end of the state to the other are open and ready to welcome guests. Here are a few family-friendly destinations that are sure to provide plenty to see and do during your Arkansas family getaway.
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests/Blanchard Springs exploretheozarksonline.com If your idea of a good time is out in nature, look no farther than the Northeast Arkansas stretch of the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest. Here, you can take your vacation as lazy or as active as you like with a number of natural and manmade amenities to satisfy every member of the family. Blanchard Springs Recreation
If you’re woodsy, set up a base camp at Blanchard Springs Recreation Area. (If you’re not, there’s plenty of lodging in nearby Mountain View.) Fill your days with brisk hikes through the woods, pausing to take a dip in one of the area’s two designated swimming holes. Here, you’ll also find Blanchard Springs Caverns, a walk-in cave system that has to be seen to be believed. (Be sure to call ahead for availability, as the caves have recently been closed.) Still more adventure awaits on the Syllamo Mountain Bike Trail, a series of interconnecting loops encompassing fifty miles of mountain bike trail, much of it single-track. There are stretches for every rider but assess your skills honestly before tackling the gnarlier parts; as an IMBA Epic Ride, Syllamo will expose a poser in a most uncomfortable fashion. For a slightly tamer thrill, pack up for a side trip to Mountain View and the Loco Ropes treetop park featuring rope courses and ziplines that the
Blanchard Springs Caverns
kids will love.
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Mid America Science Center
Mid America Science Center
Adventureworks Zip Line
Festival of Magic
Hot Springs National Park
For the nature lover, there’s plenty to do and explore, including
hotsprings.org
hiking trails and great mountain biking, some of it accessible right off downtown. Two of Arkansas’s favorite lakes are also
Another spot in The Natural State offering the best amenities
here, Lake Ouachita and Lake Hamilton (Lake Catherine is just
of the city and countryside, Hot Springs National Park has
over yonder, too); local outfitters will rent you everything from
been a favorite in-state vacation spot for decades.
a kayak to a party barge for an enjoyable day on the water.
Indulge your love of local history with a visit to the Gangster
At night, the city comes alive from the historic downtown
Museum of America to learn about the city’s sordid past,
to the local gems hidden in various neighborhoods. Don’t
followed by lunch at The Ohio Club where many a made man
miss the chance to eat at the legendary McClard’s Bar-B-Q,
whet his whistle. Or follow the Historic Baseball Trail and
a favorite of professional athletes, entertainers, and the
see where the giants of the game came to play, both on
occasional U.S. president since 1928. Or treat yourself to
and off the field. Treat the kids to a day at Magic Springs
authentic German fare at Steinhaus Keller then make the
amusement park, Mid America Science Museum, or a treetop
short walk to Maxwell Blade’s Theatre of Magic for a night of
ride at AdventureWorks zip line.
family-friendly entertainment.
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Fort Smith fortsmith.org Arkansas’s second-largest city provides plenty of entertainment and attractions for families of all ages. No matter what you’re into, chances are Fort Smith has got something that meets your fancy. For the history buff, check out the Fort Smith National Historic site, preserving eighty years of history from the city’s frontier and wild West days. Wander among the somber headstones in the National Cemetery or visit the Fort Smith
National Historic Site
Museum of History, all of which are in the city’s historic downtown district. Or tour Fort Chaffee and see where the King of Rock and Roll Elvis Presley was mustered into the U.S. Army. But unlike other former frontier towns, Fort Smith isn’t just about the past, but maintains thriving attractions appealing to today’s experience-oriented traveler. The city’s arts scene is all around, from soaring murals to public sculpture to numerous music and cultural festivals. Concerts by national touring musicians and comedians, a resident symphony orchestra and a brand-new International Film Festival are just a few of the attractions the city offers. And for something really special, get your cowboy on as you check out the return of the Old Fort Days Rodeo May 31 to June 5 in historic Kay Rodgers Park.
Fort Smith Murals
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Crystal Bridges Infinity Mirror Room
Amazeum
Bentonville visitbentonville.com In reality, you can go just about anywhere in Northwest Arkansas and find something to do. This emerald corner of the state is one of the fastest growing in the nation, with amenities to match. But for sheer family fun, it’s hard to beat tidy Bentonville. One stroll around the picture postcard-perfect town square tells you everything you need to know about how special this place is. A slice of Americana reformatted for the modern age, Bentonville’s downtown features a farmers’ market, unique shops, great food and even an old-time soda fountain. Bentonville is home to not one but two amazing attractions that appeal to families. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art offers plenty of
Mountain Bike Trails
greenspace and interesting permanent and traveling exhibits for all ages. Scott Family Amazeum features 50,000 square feet of hands-on exhibit and interactive learning spaces that will captivate even the youngest visitor. Another good option is the Museum of Native American History featuring artifacts from the area’s native peoples. Bentonville is also one of the most bicycle-centric communities you’ll ever find and that's saying something considering the entire region is known for its two-wheeled adventures. Pick up the Razorback Regional Greenway and enjoy riding for miles. Need a break? Hop off at any one of the funky food or drink spots situated right along the route for a cold brew or a tasty pizza or sandwich.
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Little Rock/North Little Rock
Little Rock Zoo
northlittlerock.org No list of family destinations would be complete without mentioning Little Rock and North Little Rock, right in the heart of Arkansas. The two cities provide the perfect setting for any family getaway with surprises around every corner. Families will want to check out the Little Rock Zoo, home to more than seven hundred animals. The zoo is situated in War Memorial Park, just one of the many greenspaces to be found in the Capital City, and a stone’s throw from the Hillary Rodham Clinton Children's Library and Learning Center offering special events and programs all year long.
Big Dam Bridge
Visit the River Market District for dining and shopping, especially the Saturday farmers’ market during the summertime. The Clinton Presidential Center sits on one end of this neighborhood, offering a fascinating look at the Clinton presidency. Nearby, pick up the Arkansas River Trail which runs the length of the city or pick it up at the Big Dam Bridge which connects Little Rock to North Little Rock via Burns Park. Speaking of Burns Park, it’s the largest municipal greenspace in The Natural State. Spread out over 1,700 acres, the attraction offers two golf courses, a dog park, a BMX track, playgrounds, amusement park, paved walking
River Market District
trails and centers for baseball, softball, soccer, and archery, just to name a few amenities. Face it, if you can’t find it here, you don’t need to do it. While in North Little Rock, aka “Dogtown” don’t miss the Argenta neighborhood, home to the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub, a maker space catering to young inventors. Nearby on the riverbank, tour the USS Razorback decommissioned submarine. You can ride the trolley to an early dinner at one of the neighborhood’s unique restaurants or brewpubs, then catch an Arkansas Traveler’s baseball game at Dickey Stephens Park. No matter how your family likes to spend its time on vacation, Arkansas is open and ready for business. This
For details and even more getaway ideas, see arkansas.com.
year, why not spend 2021 making memories in The Natural State where there’s something for everyone to enjoy. DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
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KAYAKING THE NATURAL STATE words Scott Faldon images courtesy Jason Crosby and Arkansas Department of Tourism
Cane Creek
Saint Francis Sunken Lands Water Trail
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outdoors
BUT IF YOU’RE NEW TO IT , what kind of kayak do you want? What accessories do you need? The first step to answering these questions is determining what type of kayaking you want to do. In general terms, there are three styles of kayaking in our region – recreational, fishing and whitewater. Since whitewater kayaking is more advanced, the other two genres are where most start. While many people automatically think of sit-in kayaks, the most popular boats now are sit-on-top versions. The openness of the boat combined with more width and stability makes sit-on kayaks perfect for beginners and experts alike. They are easier to re-enter should you wind up in the water. Sit-on-tops are also self-bailing. Water goes in, then it goes right out of the scupper holes, unlike sit-in kayaks.
Recreational Kayaking Recreational or “rec” kayaking is also known as floating. If you’ve ever rented a kayak on the Mulberry or Buffalo, you’ve been rec kayaking. Boats like the Crescent UltraLite, the Jackson Staxx, the Jackson Cruise and the Vibe Skipjack 90 are great choices for this type of kayaking. In addition to the Buffalo and Mulberry, the Illinois River, Ouachita River, Frog Bayou, King’s River and Big Piney Creek are popular nearby floats. Depending on the water level, you may run into some small rapids on these waters. But, for the most part, the floating is easy and relaxing and well-suited for family outings. You’ll either need two vehicles to shuttle between the start and end points of your float. Or, you can arrange a shuttle through various outfitters on some of the rivers. Guidebooks like A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to the Ozarks by Tom Kennon and Paddling the Ozarks by Mike Bezemek are good starting points for research.
Kayak Fishing Kayak fishing has exploded in the past few years. Organizations like the River Valley Kayak Anglers host bass tournaments most weekends. But unlike big boat tournaments they don’t have a weigh-in. Instead, each angler must have a certified measuring
Arkansas Post National Memorial NPS Water Trail
stick (aka a “hawg trough”) and then take photos of each fish DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
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outdoors
Spring River
caught. Those are texted to the tournament official who totals
A high-quality personal floatation device is your most-
up the length of the day’s catch to determine the winner. If
important safety item. Unlike life jackets used for boating,
competitive fishing isn’t your thing, kayaks still make a great
PFDs designed for kayaking are more comfortable and less
way to stealthily approach highly pressured bass or trout. They
restrictive while paddling thanks to their low-profile designs.
also allow you to get into spots unreachable by bigger boats.
A whistle attached to your PFD for signaling and a throw bag
Lake Fort Smith, Blue Mountain, Shores Lake, Jack Nolan and
of rope for pulling other boats round out a basic safety kit.
the various city lakes like in Charleston or Muldrow are easily
Don’t forget the sunscreen.
accessible from Fort Smith. The previously mentioned streams and rivers have great fishing opportunities as well.
While sandals like Chacos and Tevas seem like the right footwear choice for floating, closed-toe water shoes like those
A Jackson Coosa or Big Rig, a FeelFree Moken 10, a Vibe Sea
by Astral or Keen offer more protection from hazards such as
Ghost 110 or a Crescent CK1 Venture or LiteTackle make
rocks, stumps or treble hooks.
great fishing platforms. Jackson even makes a kayak designed Quality dry bags to protect your phone, spare clothes and
specifically for fly fishing in the Mayfly.
vehicle key fobs are needed. A small cooler like an IceMule will
What To Take
strap in behind the seat to hold cold drinks, snacks and lunch.
Regardless of what type of paddling you’re doing some things don’t change. You’ll need a paddle, but paddles aren’t
If you’re hitting a river or stream, be sure to check the water levels
one-size-fits-all. They need to be sized to fit the kayaker’s
via the US Geological Survey’s real-time website at dashboard.
height and the width of the boat. For longer days on the
waterdata.usgs.gov. American Whitewater also has detailed river
water, lighter paddles made of carbon fiber reduce fatigue.
and stream descriptions at americanwhitewater.org.
Planning your next outdoor adventure? Visit The Woodsman Company in Fort Smith, Arkansas for all your adventure needs! 5609 Rogers Ave, Suite D, Fort Smith, Arkansas | 479.452.3559 | thewoodsmancompany.com
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taste
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Citrus Zing Shrimp & Avocado Salad words adapted everylastbite.com image Anna Shepulova/Shutterstock
Prepare our delicious citrus zing shrimp recipe for one meal, then reserve some of the shrimp for our avocado salad the next day. The salad can also be prepared with chilled shrimp or shrimp seasoned and to your liking.
Ingredients (serves 4)
° 1 pound medium shrimp
° 1 avocado, sliced
° 1 shallot, minced
(citrus zing shrimp recipe follows)
° 8 cups spring mix greens
° red pepper flakes
° extra virgin olive oil
° kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
° juice from half a lemon
° lime, cut into wedges for garnish
method Shrimp can be served warm or cold in this salad. Toss the shrimp with the spring mix greens in a large bowl. In a small bowl, combine a generous drizzle of olive oil with the juice from half a lemon, shallots, a pinch of red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper. Whisk to combine. Drizzle over salad and gently toss to coat. Add avocado slices, garnish with lime wedges. Serve with crusty French bread.
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Citrus Zing Shrimp words adapted bakersroyale.com image Larisa Blinova/Shutterstock
Ingredients (serves 6)
° 1 Tablespoon olive oil
° 1 Tablespoon fresh flat leaf parsley,
° 1 cup fresh orange juice
minced
° ½ cup fresh lemon juice
° red pepper flakes
° 2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
° black pepper
° 2 Tablespoons dry white wine
° kosher salt
° 5 garlic cloves, minced
° 3 pounds medium shrimp,
° 1 Tablespoon shallot, finely chopped
peeled and deveined (tails on)
method In a medium bowl, combine olive oil, the orange, lemon, and lime juice, dry white wine, garlic, shallot, 2 teaspoons of parsley, a pinch of red pepper flakes and the shrimp. Cover and let chill for one hour. Remove and pour into a large skillet over medium heat. Simmer until the sauce is reduced by half, then add shrimp, stir to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook until shrimp are no longer translucent, about 5-6 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining parsley. Serve with pasta, risotto, or fresh veggies, just be sure and save some for the salad – I sometimes make a double batch, it’s just that good!
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y r r e b w a r St é s o R
Recipe adapted Epicurious image Oleksandra Naumenko/ Shutterstock
INGREDIENTS
(makes 1)
° 5 strawberries, hulled, sliced ° 1 teaspoon white sugar ° 2 ounces tequila blanco ° 1 ounce fresh lemon juice ° lemon, sliced for garnish ° ¾ ounce dry rosé
METHOD
In a cocktail shaker, muddle sugar and 2 strawberries to lightly crush.
Add rosé, lemon juice, tequila, and ice cubes to shaker. Cover and shake until outside of the shaker is well chilled. Pour contents into a rocks glass – no need to strain. Garnish with remaining strawberries and lemon. Please drink responsibly. Never drink and drive.
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fiction
French Lessons
L
Laurel stared out the window. It was the perfect day: cloudless azure sky, bright sun, just a tinge of warmth in the air to hint that spring was on its way out and summer was approaching. The neighborhood kids were off on holiday—though, for the life of her, she couldn’t have told you which one it was. They seemed to have so many of them these days. And then there was Marjorie Lazuli from next door, a slip of an old woman who walked her Chihuahua at the exact same time, three times a day, every day. She was somewhat the neighborhood novelty— in part because she wore a different shade of lipstick every day of the week, and one could tell what day it was simply by looking at her carefully done lips. Further adding to the mystique was the fact that she spoke with a French accent, though no one knew just where in France she was from. The dog was equally an oddity, as Mrs. Lazuli dressed him in a bowtie and tiny blue beret. His name was Guillaume. They were both out this afternoon, on their second walk of the day. Laurel looked at her watch. Two o’clock, just as always. But unlike always, she was at loose ends. She had been for the past week, ever since that phone call. The phone call that reminded her just how risky this had all been.
words Liesel Schmidt image Nejron Photo/Shutterstock
She turned away from the window and padded across the kitchen floor to the table where she had her laptop set up. She’d started her own business a year ago, leaving the company she’d worked with since she was twenty years old to do something of her own, something that she could
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truly call hers. As exciting as it had been, it had also been
though she had a nodding acquaintance with everyone in
terrifying; and now the riskiness of it all had come home to
the neighborhood.
roost. A year in, and she was nearly drowning. “What can I help you with, Mrs. Lazuli?” Laurel asked finally, Laurel checked her email, her heart sinking at the lack of
unsure she really wanted to know.
activity in her Inbox. Not that she hadn’t been trying. She’d marketed herself and sent out résumés to all of the builders
The old woman’s face broke out into a smile. “I have a
in the area. With as much experience as she’d had as an
proposition for you, cherie.”
architect, she had hoped to have more success by now. But she’d always been anonymous, just a name at the bottom of
Laurel arched an eyebrow. A proposition? The woman was
the page that never shined because the names on the door
nothing short of a book character with the way she looked
and across the letterhead were so much brighter. Now hers
and spoke. Still, it somehow worked for her.
was the only name, but it didn’t seem to matter because no Mrs. Lazuli spoke again before Laurel had a chance to get a
one knew it. Not yet.
word out. “You are an architect, no?” A tapping at the window startled her. Laurel straightened. She hadn’t even realized how hunched
She whipped around in her chair to see who was there, half expecting one of the neighborhood hoodlums to be
her posture had been, standing there in the doorway. “Yes, I am,” she replied, finally finding her voice. “Come in.” She stepped aside to let the woman pass, trailing a reluctant Guillaume behind her. She showed Mrs. Lazuli into the living room, where the little
there with their face pressed against
woman perched herself on the couch, her back rod straight.
the pane, trying to scare her. Instead,
I must insist that you call me Marjorie. Much better we are
she saw Mrs. Lazuli’s wrinkled little face peering through, the oversized frames
She crossed her ankles primly. “Before we go any further, friendly, n'est-ce pas?” Laurel could only gape at her for a moment. It was just all too surreal. “I completely agree. Call me Laurel,” she said with what she hoped was a smile.
of her glasses like goggles.
“Good. Laurel.” Marjorie cocked her head to the side and Laurel gave her an uncertain smile and gestured at her to
nodded thoughtfully, like she was giving her approval of the
come to the front door.
name. Honestly, though, Laurel thought her name sounded much better coming out of the French woman’s mouth.
“Beautiful day we are having, no?” Mrs. Lazuli asked in her
“You are an architect. I need an architect.”
thick accent once Laurel had opened the door. Her lips were a deep red today—Monday’s color. Meanwhile, Guillaume
“Are you moving, Mrs.—Marjorie?” Laurel caught herself.
regarded Laurel with disinterest. He was much more
Calling the woman by her first name was going to take
concerned with the ladybug that had lighted on the stoop.
getting used to.
Laurel nodded at the question, wondering what might have
Marjorie gave her a puzzled look. “Moving? No. Why would
precipitated the visit. Mrs. Lazuli kept largely to herself,
you think this?”
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52
fiction
“Your house is so lovely. But the lot is too small for an
***************************************
expansion, and the home is already three stories.” Laurel paused. “I also know for a fact that you renovated every
Laurel held the phone in her hand and lifted it up to her
room in that house last year.”
ear to hear the message once again. That message. “Ms. Michaels, this is your lender. Our records show that you’ve
Marjorie pursed her lips, and Laurel couldn’t gauge whether
fallen behind on your mortgage. Please give us a call at your
she was amused or perturbed at having people know her
earliest convenience.”
business. In any case, she seemed happy enough to continue. “You are correct in all of your assessments, and so very
It was short, but the message had sent chills down her spine.
astute, cherie. This is what I am looking for.” Again, the
It had been a reminder of all she had risked, and how far she
approving nod. “But I am not looking for my house. Not this
had fallen from the dream.
one. I have, though, a second home. A pied-à-terre. I use it whenever I go to see my grandson in the city. I need my own
She took a deep breath and smoothed the front of her
space, you see. And he needs his. He is like you, young—and
blouse. Then she walked, one foot in front of the other, into
I am not so young.” Her hand fluttered in the air as she said
the lobby, stopping only to give her name to the doorman.
the words, like she was waving them away.
It took only a short elevator ride to the top floor—the penthouse—where she stepped out directly into the foyer of
Laurel was still trying to digest everything happening in her
an apartment. She looked around, taking in what she saw.
living room. Guillaume had abandoned his post at Marjorie’s feet and begun to explore the rest of the house. She hoped
Marjorie’s apartment—her pied-à-terre—was spacious and
he hadn’t peed in the plants…
full of windows that afforded spectacular views of the city skyline. The bones were there, good bones. Laurel walked
“So, you want to hire me to renovate your…second home?”
around and did a visual survey of the floorplan, noting the
Laurel asked, knowing she probably sounded simple, but she
different spaces, the high ceilings, the original detailing, the
wanted to make sure she was following.
play of the light in certain rooms. It was almost breathtaking, realizing that this—this—was her project.
Marjorie smiled beatifically and nodded. “Oui. I want you to do it. I have done my research, cherie. I know of your past
“Welcome to my home, Laurel,” Marjorie said, coming up
work. And I wish to help support a woman in business. I
quietly behind her. “Now is your time to shine.”
know it is not an easy path, a woman working for herself.” Laurel’s mouth tipped up in a slight smile of agreeance. She had no idea.
Want more fiction? Visit DoSouthMagazine.com/Fiction.
“Well, you will do this work for me. And then everyone will know your name. Watch. Wait. You will see.” And just as quickly as she had come, the little French woman was gone, leaving only a whiff of perfume behind.
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entertainment
Don’t miss the party that’s been two years in the making!
food (served boxed), social distancing, silent auction, photo
Support the Good Samaritan Clinic’s mission of helping
booth, and for even more fun, we’ll be giving out custom
neighbors in need at Best Night! Enjoy a night of classic country
western bandana ‘masks’ for everyone! It will be a beautiful
music and dancing with music from Jumpsuit Jamey and They
night of GOOD fun,” says Good Samaritan Clinic’s Executive
Can’t Wait to Playboys.
Director Patti Kimbrough.
“It’s exciting to be returning to normal, a new normal, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate. Jumpsuit Jamey will keep the audience entertained with music and dancing, and make
More info at GoodSamaritanFS.com or connect with them on Facebook!
sure you take a ride on our mechanical bull! We’ll have great DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
53
ALL ABOUT KIDS
All about Kids
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Our children mean the world to us, and there's not much we wouldn't do to give them the future they deserve. Our focus is keeping them healthy, safe, and happy, and Do South® is here to help! Each year, Do South® partners with the best of the best, bringing you the information you need from educational opportunities and specialized healthcare, shopping, exciting activities and local entertainment to keep your kids healthy, active and entertained all year long!
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6121 S. Zero, Fort Smith, Arkansas 725 S. 48th Street, Springdale, Arkansas 479.648.3483 / 479.756.5511 burtonpools.com
104 North 13th, Van Buren, Arkansas 479.474.7767 art-ed.org The Center for Art and Education is at the heart of our creative community providing fun and exciting art experiences that inspire us and foster community well-being. We believe arts
moments into lasting memories, offer good, clean fun for
education can open up exciting new possibilities through
years to come, and improve your health, all without leaving
personal and professional development or just for the fun
the comfort of your own backyard? We all know the family
of it. CAE will be opening Arts On Main, a new state-of-
that spends thousands of dollars on family vacations that
the-art facility in downtown Historic Van Buren, AR in early
require months of planning, but then they’re over in the
2022. Anyone can get involved at the art center! Come visit
blink of an eye. Invest in a swimming pool to provide those
CAE or contact us for more information about our exciting
moments of family fun, and you’ll find you never need to
new programs, calendar of events, and how you can get
go anywhere else. Call Burton Pools & Spas today — we
involved. Creating art experiences!
are your source for backyard fun!
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What other product can bring a family together, turn special
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4300 Rogers Avenue, Suite 32 Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.420.4008 hummingbird-boutique-fort-smith.myshopify.com
The leader in Gymnastics and Tumbling instruction in the
We are a unique boutique offering gifts and clothing
River Valley, Flame offers over 20,000 sq. ft. of gymnastics
for all ages! Founded and operated by a local mother-
fun & fitness. The finest equipment & the most experienced
daughter duo, we’ve curated beautiful and unique items
instructors ensure your child will learn & enjoy their
waiting for you to explore. Nothing makes us happier than
experience! We offer Recreational, USA Junior Olympic
moms, daughters, and grandmothers shopping together at
Competitive Teams (Levels 3-10), and Tiny Tot and Preschool
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Gymnastic Classes. Love competition? We’ve produced
find clothing, decor, candles, journals, books, religious
35 State Champion Teams & more than 600 Individual &
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great selection of gifts for First Communion, Baptism, and
Gymnastics, Tumbling, and even Urban Gymnastics. During
Confirmation! Customers compliment the inviting interior,
the summer, kids nine months to twelve years old can learn
peaceful shopping experience, and safe, close parking. We
to swim (beginners, advanced beginners, intermediate, and
also offer complimentary gift wrapping and delivery. New
advanced). Call to start your child on the road to fun & fitness!
inventory has arrived, just in time for Mother’s Day!
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5912 S. 28th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.646.1616 flamefs.com
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223 South 14th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.783.6798 icschoolfs.org Immaculate Conception Catholic School, following the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary, develops the whole
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child, instills Gospel values, inspires a love of learning, and promotes academic excellence in a diverse nurturing community. We believe the hallmark of quality education is learning and the appreciation of learning. Therefore, the teachers and the administrators of the Immaculate Conception Catholic School (preschool through 5th grade), in partnership with parents, pledge themselves to achieve and maintain professional and personal excellence to share knowledge, develop useful skills, teach Catholic doctrine, and instill a high Christian value system that reflects Christlike attitudes. Ask about our summer programs!
314 S. 17th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.782.1444 lpgkids.com Learn, Play, Grow Children's Therapy Services is an outpatient pediatric therapy provider conveniently located at the corner of Rogers Avenue and 17th! We offer physical, occupational, and speech therapy services to children of all ages, diagnoses, and abilities, in a relaxed patient-focused, family-centered setting. We offer both ongoing and short-term therapy programs provided by therapists who have a passion for working with children. We accept most forms of insurance and payment, including Arkansas Medicaid, Oklahoma SoonerCare, TRICARE, BCBS, United Healthcare, and private pay. Call to schedule your tour, or to make an appointment today!
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Raising children is one of life’s greatest adventures
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5901 Riley Park Drive, Suite B Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.763.3050 premierpediatricsfs.com
1333 Arapaho Avenue, Suite C Springdale, Arkansas hello@rmhcofarkoma.org rmhcofarkoma.org
Is your child up to date on well checks? You know your child Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkoma provides
schedule well-child exams regularly as these examinations
support and resources that help keep families close to their
provide the best opportunity for Premier Pediatrics to observe
critically ill children in the hospital. The Ronald McDonald
the child, detect problems through screening tests, provide
Family Room, located on the fourth floor of the Labor &
immunizations, and get to know one another. They are also
Delivery Department at Mercy Fort Smith, provides a place
a good time for parents to raise questions and concerns
for families to relax, regroup and regain the strength they
about development, behavior, nutrition, safety, and overall
need to support their child. Our program opens its doors
wellbeing. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends
to families each day, regardless of their distance from the
this schedule for routine visits: 3-5 days, 2 weeks,
hospital, financial situation, or unit of the hospital the patient
2,4,6,9,12,15,18,24 and 30 months, 3 years, and once every
is in at no cost. In fall 2021, we are excited to expand our
year thereafter for a visit that includes a physical exam as well
operations with an 11-bedroom stand-alone House at Mercy
as a developmental, behavioral, and learning assessment.
Fort Smith, increasing our capacity by 300%.
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should be seen when they are ill, but it’s also important to
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2101 Dallas St, Fort Smith, Arkansas 808 S. Broadway St, Poteau, Oklahoma 479.782.3021 udoujorthodontics.com
4201 Windsor Drive Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.783.7327 unioneagles.org
Udouj Orthodontics has provided orthodontic excellence in Union Christian Academy is the only fully-accredited preschool
staff takes the time to get to know each patient and makes
through 12th grade private Christian school in the River Valley.
appointments fun! Utilizing the latest technological advances
At Union we are a family where your student can start here
to ensure you receive the most effective care possible, we
and finish here. Each day starts with scripture and prayer. With
offer comprehensive orthodontic treatment for children,
an average student-to-teacher ratio of 15-to-1, our teachers
teens and adults, including early interceptive and growth
can create dynamic learning environments that encourage all
modification treatment, as well as treatment with fixed
our students to reach their highest God-given potential. The
braces. From traditional metal brackets and wires to tooth
success of our model is seen in our 100% graduation rate
colored appliances, we design your orthodontic treatment
and 100% college acceptance rate. And our income-based
to suit your lifestyle and preferences, and also offer ceramic
tuition model means that more families can afford an excellent
braces and clear aligners. Schedule your appointment today
Christian education than ever before. Call to set up a tour or
and let us help you create a beautiful, healthy smile!
enroll today, 479-783-7327.
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a friendly and compassionate atmosphere since 1972! Our
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Read Chair Publishing, LLC 4300 Rogers Avenue, Suite 20-110 Fort Smith, AR 72903
479.452.2140 | 5622 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith johnmaysjewelers.com
