FOXY - NOVEMBER 2021 by Do South Magazine

FOXY

NOVEMber 2021 DoSouthMagazine.com

november

Contents 04

Letter from Catherine

{COMMUNITY}

08 10

Shop Local

Fort Smith Little Theatre

Advertiser Spotlight:

Yoderbilt Project Zero Local Nonprofits Guide

What’s New Get Bookish: November

Recommendations

{PEOPLE}

18 22 30 34

{TASTE}

38 39

40 42

Apple Raisin Tart Rustic Pumpkin, Fig, and Walnut Salad Perfect Pumpkin Pancakes Spiced Pumpkin Pie Latte

Hammers & Hearts May We Never Forget It Takes One to Know One

{FICTION}

All About Eve

The TV Stars Next Door

OUR COVER

{ T R AV E L }

06 16

Nonprofit Spotlight:

14 50

{ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT}

Mad About You: El Dorado

{OUTDOORS}

Fall in Love with

Mountain Biking

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Image Credit: VictoriaArt/ Shutterstock

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Letter from Catherine

N OV E M B E R

Since our son Tyler was a toddler, I’ve felt the hands of time spinning out of control. On countless occasions I’ve demanded time slow down. Tyler is now sixteen and a junior in high school, and the days seem to slip through my fingers, now more so than ever. I recently read something that caused me to reconsider my demand. I read it’s not time that needs to slow down, it’s me. Wow! I felt that in my bones.

My life is hectic, sure, but what I learned is I don’t need to slow down physically, but mentally. Slow down my thoughts, breathe, and capture all that’s happening in the moment, then commit it to memory. As we welcome this holiday season, I’ll be present in the moment, not take a single minute with my family for granted and remain utterly thankful. I discovered we have much to be thankful for as we put this incredible issue of Do South® together. For starters, how about the eighteen local organizations featured in our annual Local Nonprofit Guide? I‘m in awe of all they do for our community and thank them for their dedication and commitment to those in need. I encourage you to learn more beginning on page 50 and find out how you can help!

NOVEMBER 2021 OWNER - PUBLISHER - EDITOR Catherine Frederick COPY EDITING Charity Chambers GRAPHIC DESIGN Artifex 323 – Jessica Meadors CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Jade Graves CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Scott Faldon, Catherine Frederick, Dwain Hebda, Sara Putman, Liesel Schmidt ADVERTISING INFORMATION Catherine Frederick I 479.782.1500 catherine@dosouthmagazine.com

Giving thanks and helping others are common threads that run through this issue, and I think once the last page is turned, you’ll agree. Whether you’ve trusted us to

share your story in a previous issue or you’re a faithful reader, THANK YOU! I am honored you chose Do South®. Please take notice of our advertisers and visit them often. They are our friends and neighbors and I’m grateful they too have chosen Do South and continue to grace our pages. ®

I hope you’ll join me in being more mindful this holiday season, enjoy every moment, and soak it all in. I can hardly believe the holidays are upon us. See you in December!

Catherine Frederick

Owner/Publisher/Editor

©2021 Read Chair Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the permission of the copyright owner. Opinions contained in Do South ® are exclusively those of the writers and do not represent those of Read Chair Publishing, LLC. as a whole or its affiliates. Any correspondence, including photography, becomes the property of Read Chair Publishing, LLC. Do South ® reserves the right to edit content and images. Printed in the U.S.A. | ISSN 2373-1893

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

catherine@dosouthmagazine.com

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

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entertainment

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NOVEMBER EVENTS ARKANSAS RIVER HOLIDAY MARKET — NOVEMBER 6 Held for one day only at Kay Rodgers Park in Fort Smith, it’s a holiday market extravaganza featuring exciting and unique gift buying opportunities to start your holiday season in 100 booths. Santa will also be there! Tickets are $5, for those age 12 and up. BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS HALL OF FAME DINNER — NOVEMBER 8 The 2021 dinner honors Chris Whitt, Eric Burnett, Dr. John Cross, Judge Stephen Tabor, and Bennie Westphal. Held at the Wyndham in Downtown Fort Smith, the reception begins at 6:30, followed by dinner. RSVP and purchase tickets by calling 479.782.7092. FORT SMITH LITTLE THEATRE “PARFUMERIE” — NOVEMBER 11-14 & 17 – 20 A warm romantic comedy, in "Parfumerie," we follow the tangled tale of George, who after being fired in a case of mistaken identity, discovers the stranger he has fallen in love with is a co-worker with whom he constantly feuds! Visit fslt.org for tickets. VETERANS DAY PARADE & CELEBRATION — NOVEMBER 13 The celebration kicks off at noon in the Chaffee Crossing Historic District. Enjoy a Veteran Honors Ceremony, a Jeep display, food festival, live music before and after the parade, museums and more! Details at chaffeecrossing.com. 4TH ANNUAL TURKEY WOBBLE — NOVEMBER 22 Walk a 3k around the Fort Chaffee Entertainment District area and receive a new drink at participating locations. Tickets are $20 and include one drink at each stop and T-shirt. Enjoy food trucks, music and more. All ages welcome!

HEARTS OF GOLD DRIVE-THRU DROP-OFF — DECEMBER 1 Give from the heart to Project Compassion’s Hearts of Gold Campaign for local nursing home residents. Drop off new, unwrapped gifts from 11a-7p at St. Luke Lutheran Church. Santa has goodie bags for everyone! See the list of items at projectcompassion.com. Send comments, suggestions and advertising inquiries to catherine@dosouthmagazine.com.

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shop

Talk Turkey to Me words Catherine Frederick imageS Jade Graves Photography and courtesy vendors

Wobble into our favorite local shops and find the perfect gift for everyone on the nice list!

The Bloody Buddy Bloody Mary with Vodka

IN GOOD SPIRITS

Tom Ford Eyewear

479.434.6604

DR. STEVEN B. STILES OPTOMETRY 479.452.2020 S’mores Kit

BLACK BISON COFFEE COMPANY 479.551.2880 Hearts on Fire Charmed Chevron Earrings

3M™ PELTOR™ Tactical Sport™ Communications Headset

JOHN MAYS JEWELERS

CENTER FOR HEARING

479.452.2140

479.785.3277

Brittle and Chocolate Assortments

KOPPER-KETTLE CANDIES Fort Smith 479.783.8158 Van Buren 479.474.6077 Fall Wine and Spirit Variety

Rocky Mountain Fusion 30 Mountain Bike

SODIE’S WINE & SPIRITS

THE WOODSMAN COMPANY

479.783.8013

479.452.3559

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18 10

community community Fort Smith Little Theatre closed in March 2020 due to Covid-19

Our Community Cares words Catherine Frederick with Sherry Hester, Board President, Fort Smith Little Theatre

guidelines. When did you reopen and what’s coming up next?

After eighteen long months of being dark, FSLT reopened in September with the quirky comedy “Clue” with near-capacity crowds at every performance. The rom-com “Parfumerie,” the original story that became the basis for “The Shop Around the Corner” and “You’ve Got Mail,” will open November 11. On December 9-11, we will offer a hilarious off-season production, “The Holiday Channel Christmas Movie Wonderthon.” DS: Is there anything else our readers should know about?

2022 marks our 75th Anniversary Season! We are planning lots of celebration activities and a great line of shows. Founded in 1947, FSLT was the first community theatre in Arkansas! We have a rich history, an intimate 200-seat facility in downtown Fort Smith, and a 75-year tradition as an all-volunteer organization. DS: Can FSLT offer any gift ideas?

Come downtown for year-round

FSLT makes shopping easy! You can buy a gift certificate in any denomination

entertainment from comedies to

online or by calling our box office. Alternately, give us a call to purchase a gift

dramas and musicals to mysteries.

Season Pass. From November through January, we offer three types of passes for

The Fort Smith Little Theatre’s casual,

Season 2022. Each option offers savings and plenty of perks. Advance tickets with

comfortable setting is perfect for date night, a matinée with mother, or girl’s night out. Do South® reached out to Sherry Hester, 2021 FSLT Board President to learn more.

assigned seating may be purchased online at fslt.org or by calling our box office. Walk-ins are also welcome. Additional details can be found on our website or call to request a season brochure. DS: If our readers wish to volunteer, how can they sign up?

Building sets, helping backstage, acting, ushering, making coffee at intermission – there are plenty of jobs to do and friends to be made at FSLT. Just come to

Fort Smith Little Theatre 401 North 6th Street Fort Smith, Arkansas, 72901 479.783.2966 | fslt.org facebook/instagram/twitter

auditions to discuss what interests you. Show and audition dates are posted at fslt. org and on social media, but rehearsals, set building, and/or performances occur seven days a week, forty-nine weeks a year. FSLT operates year-round, providing more than seventy shows and involving hundreds of volunteers annually. DS: How do you find the actors for your performances?

Like our volunteers, our actors come from throughout River Valley and Eastern Oklahoma. What’s great is FSLT provides a real showcase for local talent and an open door for involvement, so those without experience can learn from those with Next month, we’ll showcase another worthy nonprofit in our area free of charge. We will begin accepting requests for this free page beginning in October, 2022. Send requests to catherine@dosouthmagazine.com.

professional theatrical training. DS: Do you have certain Health and Safety Guidelines?

Yes – we have policies for attendees, cast, crew and all volunteers. As Covid-19 conditions and CDC guidelines change, our policies are subject to change as well. Please check our website for the latest information prior to auditioning or attending our productions.

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advertiserSPOTLIGHT

ADVERTISER SPOTLIGHT

YODERBILT GREENHOUSES Travis Yoder CEO of Yoderbilt

When founded: 2011 Number of employees: 40 yoderbilt.com

IN YOUR INDUSTRY, WHAT SETS YODERBILT APART? At Yoderbilt, we pride ourselves on attention to detail and our outstanding customer service.

IF YOU HAD TO SUMMARIZE THE PHILOSOPHY OR CULTURE OF YOUR ORGANIZATION, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE IT? Yoderbilt is very customer oriented. We constantly strive to provide the best customer service and experience possible.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST CHANGE TO YOUR BUSINESS OVER THE YEARS? Over the past few years, we’ve been blessed to experience tremendous growth as well as made the transition to selling direct to consumers to offer the best price to our customer.

WHAT ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS HAS REMAINED THE SAME OVER THE YEARS? One thing that has not, and will never waiver, is our dedication to building a top-notch, high-quality product.

HAS TECHNOLOGY HAD AN IMPACT ON YOUR OPERATIONS? Technology is ever changing, and we are thankful it has given us the ability to connect with our customers directly through social media. Whether it’s sharing new designs, gardening tips, or our customers’ finished products, social media allows us to reach potential customers quickly.

WHAT ADVANTAGES DOES OUR REGION PRESENT FOR YOUR COMPANY?

ABOUT YODERBILT

We are in close proximity to lumber producers, which is the main material used in

We custom build and provide fully assembled greenhouses, delivered to your location, servicing a 300-mile radius from Mansfield, Arkansas.

the manufacture of our greenhouses. This is very helpful to our growing business, and it allows us to maintain trusted relationships with our vendors.

WHAT'S THE FUTURE FOR YODERBILT? We are excited to announce our plans to expand our region further north and east to further serve customers with our exceptional products!

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18 14

community

MARY AGE 14

our friend mary is a young lady who needs to be the center of your world. We don’t mean that she demands attention at all times. Far from it. She has never consistently been IMAGE courtesy Jaylee Davis Photography

given the attention and one-on-one support that a child needs to be confident and secure in life, and her self-esteem and confidence has suffered as a result. Mary needs to know that she is valued and loved and wanted and worthy, both as an individual and as a member of your family. It won’t take you long to see that Mary is certainly deserving of feeling that way. She’s a wonderful young lady who enjoys arts and crafts and loves baking – especially anything with blueberries! We can just imagine Mary in the kitchen as you share family recipes with her and make some amazing memories (and sweets!). Mary needs to see what we all see – that she’s a talented, creative, strong young lady who deserves to be loved and to

be happy. Ideally, Mary will need to be in a home with no other children so that she can finally get the attention and support that she needs to grow and learn her value. Whether you’re a two-parent home or a single mom, you could be the perfect match for Mary. Inquire today and learn more about this amazing young lady!

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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community entertainment

Get BOOKISH

Enjoy these four must-read books from our friends at Bookish, Fort Smith, Arkansas’s only independently-owned bookstore. Shop hours: Monday 11am-4pm, Tuesday - Friday 10am-6pm and Saturday 10am-4pm. Need curbside delivery? Call 479.434.2917 or email orders@bookishfs.com.

An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed

When Ghosts Come Home

We Are Grateful

The Lincoln Highway

by Helene Tursten

by Wiley Cash

by Traci Sorell and illustrated by Frane Lessac

by Amor Towles

Tursten is a Swedish writer of crime fiction, and her “cozy” mysteries often have a wild twist. In six interlocking stories, memories of unfortunate incidents from Maud’s past keep bubbling to the surface. The stories and memories get darker and darker, and you soon realize that this sweet-looking old lady is a raging psychopath. In the same way you loved Backman’s A Man Called Ove, you’re going to find a warm place in your heart for Maud, and just when you think you have it all figured out, the elderly lady will surprise you.

In Cash’s fourth novel, we meet Sheriff Barnes in the midst of a re-election campaign. In the first few pages, Barnes is awakened by a low-flying plane in the middle of the night. When he goes to check it out no amount of experience can prepare him for what he finds: the plane has crashed and is sitting sideways on the runway. There are no people around except for the body of a local man, dead: shot in the chest and lying near the crash site. Thus begins the murder investigation that drives the story along. The pace of the novel is lightning fast, and there is just enough suspense to keep you turning pages.

November Recommendations courtesy Sara Putman, Bookish

Sorell is a member of the Cherokee Nation, and her picture book highlights an entire year of Cherokee celebrations and experiences. Readers young and old will delight in the message of gratitude all year long and learn Cherokee words to go along with it. With a mixture of traditional and modern, Lessac’s illustrations are vibrant folk art. Follow along with Cherokee families as they enjoy family outings, participate in rites, and even plant strawberries all while being “otsaliheliga,” or grateful, even for the little things.

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Buckle up for a ten-day road trip with Emmett and friends! From the author of A Gentleman in Moscow comes a journey filled with humor, charm, shenanigans, and friendship. Set in 1952, Emmett is released from prison to find nothing left of his family farm. His father has died, and the family farm is repossessed to pay his debts. He goes home one last time to pick up his younger brother Billy so they can start a new life and finds two stowaways from prison in his garage. Needless to say, Emmett heads east instead of west and you’ll enjoy every minute of it. Towles constructs rich characters and thoughtful storytelling.

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people

Hammers and Hearts

words Liesel Schmidt images courtesy Virgila Dale's Photography and Aaron and Hope Ann Harris

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people

When Aaron Harris first reached out to the woman who

we couldn’t afford, so we built them,” explains Hope Ann.

would one day become his wife, the couple couldn’t have

“We built benches for our dining room table, built a desk

had any idea of where life—and love—would take them.

for our office/guest room, and built a backdrop cross for our wedding. Our first house together needed a new covered

At the time, Hope Ann was a college student at OSU, so

deck badly, so we built a ten-by-twenty covered front porch.”

the pair talked regularly on the phone and FaceTime for a couple of weeks before they met face-to-face, when Hope

Naturally, it takes more than just skills with power tools to

Ann was on fall break. After a first date at a wedding, they

become a house flipper. It takes drive, determination, time,

started dating that November; and by December, Hope Ann

and planning and organizational skills—all of which the

was moving back to Fort Smith to start nursing school at

Harrises have as a team. But house flipping, while an amazing

UAFS. By the following fall, they had moved in together and

way to build wealth when it’s done right, wasn’t always on

were engaged. On December 28, 2018, Aaron and Hope Ann

their radar. “We always knew we weren't meant to work the

were married.

eight-to-five, W2 job forever. We’ve always wanted to be our own bosses because we’ve both watched people work their

From there, the story gets interesting. The couple are both

entire life away for someone else,” says Hope Ann. “Flipping

registered nurses, both working in long-term care facilities,

honestly fell into our lap by accident. We purchased a home

Aaron as nursing supervisor and Hope Ann as the director of

to invest in as a rental and got so far into renovating it that

nursing. Hope Ann also works as an RN aesthetics injector.

we realized it was no longer a good investment for a rental.

Both are in administrator school to become administrators at

So, we flipped it. Our goal is to retire young and live off

their respective long-term care facilities, and both are also in

our real estate investments. Originally, we didn’t have the

nurse practitioner school, with a goal to specialize in family

liquid cash for down payments required, and we didn’t really

practice and medical aesthetics.

want to ask for help getting started. So, we talked with a few bankers and came across a construction loan we utilize

If all that doesn’t sound harrowing enough to make a normal

to remodel with nothing down, as long as we stay within

person’s schedule filled to bursting, the Harrises have a side

eighty-five percent of appraised value for our loan. Flipping

hustle that really gets their hands dirty: They flip houses.

houses has helped us build up necessary cash for building our rental portfolio, and we will continue to remodel houses

From pretty much day one, the couple have enjoyed building

because we enjoy the final product. Nothing beats seeing the

things together—both out of necessity as well as the fact

buyers’ faces light up at the transformation.”

that they just like being creative. “When we were in nursing school, working full time and on a budget, there were things

BEFORE

AFTER

Since the couple began investing in real estate April 2020,

BEFORE

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AFTER

people

they’ve flipped and sold two commercial properties and are currently remodeling their third property in Sallisaw. They also remodeled their personal home in September 2020 and have one rental in Sallisaw that they completely remodeled. They’re now under contract on a set of duplexes with an open lot in Muldrow that they plan to remodel and keep as long-term rentals, with a few acres in Sallisaw that they plan to build duplexes on and keep long-term for rental properties.

There was, of course, a learning curve. “It doesn’t happen overnight,” Hope Ann says. “Knowledge comes with time and experience. Through each milestone, we’ve gained so much knowledge. Between hanging sheetrock, running new electric, repairing floor joists, and laying flooring, we have learned as we go, asked for help, and taken a lot of advice from people with experience!”

Aaron and Hope Ann Harris

a basic home inspection. We ended up replacing all the electrical and plumbing. We put our heads down and worked through it and made a positive learning experience from a bad situation.” At the end of the day, however, it’s all about the finished result. “Our favorite part is seeing everything come together and knowing that we did it together, with our hands,” says Hope Ann. Interestingly

enough,

working

together

has

actually

strengthened them as a couple. “Things never go as planned, Still, with timelines that run from sixty to ninety days from

and we’ve learned that whenever we run until a wall, we will

start to finish, there is one thing that is always a challenge:

climb over it or find a way around it,” says Aaron. “It’s not

time. “There’s never enough of it,” Hope Ann admits. “Our

the end of the world. As long as we stick together, we can

work ethic is relentless. We grind everyday between our

get through it. We’ve learned how to overcome adversity

jobs, schoolwork, gym time, and real estate investments. We

together! Hope Ann and I both have a strong work ethic,

get so focused on setting ourselves up for success in the

and we are each other’s motivation. We have a ongoing joke

future that we have to remind ourselves of the importance

that our marriage made it through hanging sheetrock. But if

of taking a breather, living in the present, and spending time

anything, it has brought us closer because we’ve had to rely

with friends and family. If you’re not living for now, then the

on and support one another during our renovations because

future isn’t worth working for.”

it’s just us two renovating.”

Naturally, with all the homes they’ve worked on, there are

While they may not have much spare time, the Harrises do

some stories. “Hope Ann was tearing out paneling at one of

have some favorite ways of stealing time for themselves.

the properties, and hundreds of dead roaches started falling

“We enjoy entertaining, going to the gym, driving around

out of the paneling!” recalls Aaron. “We were very grateful

in our ’68 Mustang ‘Eleanor,’ and going on vacation,” says

that they were dead at least, but stranger things happen

Aaron. “Family is very important to us, so we love any time

every day.”

we get to spend time with our family.”

Adds Hope Ann, “The first house we flipped was our worst

From the time they sign the papers to the day they pound

one. We didn’t have processes in place to check on electrical,

their last nail, Aaron and Hope Ann put all of themselves into

plumbing, and HVAC. Of course, there is always an inspection

every project, making the region even more beautiful, one

done, but any house flipper knows you must dig deeper than

house at a time.

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people

May We Never Forget WORDS Dwain Hebda IMAGES Dwain Hebda and Leigh Prather/Shutterstock

sixty-seven

The experience left an indelible mark on the future

communities across all fifty states, there’s a movement

hero, who decades later would campaign in his home

afoot, a movement to bring a somber, dignified truth to

state for a monument to Gold Star Families, the term

parks and public spaces. The truth – that freedom is the

reserved for the families of fallen servicemen and

farthest thing from being free – is carved into the face

women. That monument became a reality in 2013 and

of Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments from coast

inspired Woody to dream bigger, of monuments across

to coast, each crafted from slabs of black granite and

the United States reminding the populace of the price

adorned with a resolute gold star.

of liberty. To date, his foundation has helped eighty

Across

the

nation,

one

hundred

monuments become a reality with eighty-seven more The monuments are the vision of the United States’

in process.

last surviving World War II Marine to earn the Medal of Honor, Herschel Woody Williams, a West Virginia farm

The following snapshots tell of Arkansas’s own

kid who distinguished himself for valor at Iwo Jima.

monuments – two completed, one unfolding – as seen

Before entering the war, Woody was a Western Union

through the eyes of people of different perspectives but

courier who delivered news to families that their loved

a common commitment.

one had fallen in defense of freedom in far-off Europe and the Pacific.

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people

THE WIDOW When Chelsey Swindle works in her Beebe food service company, Gold Star Meal Prep, she sees the future. When she looks out the window onto the sharp outline of jet-black granite across the street, she lets her mind drift to the past. The Gold Star widow runs her eyes across the monument’s profile and thinks of her husband Jason. On Sept. 20, 2012, U.S. Army Sgt. Jason Swindle and his patrol were nearly back to base in Afghanistan when a rocket-propelled grenade struck their vehicle. The twenty-fouryear-old father of two was the only casualty. Six years later, Chelsey joined the committee to bring a Gold Star Families Memorial to the community as a reminder of all those who paid the ultimate price. “This was important because it honors not just the heroes but the families as well, because they have lost something so significant of themselves,” she says. “Most people don’t know what a Gold Star Family is necessarily, so it’s important for them Chelsey Swindle

to hear the term and relate it to something.” The committee found tremendous support for the monument, especially from the city which not only donated $10,000 to the $44,000 project, but allowed it to be installed on city property,

THE VETERAN

thereby ensuring the site would be maintained properly. The It only takes a second to recognize the pride Dwight Witcher

marker was dedicated in 2018.

of Conway has in his status and responsibilities as a retired Chelsey likes the idea that the monument will help educate

U.S. Marine. The Cabot native is a past officer in the Marine

future generations as well as present ones. Her frequent

Corps League – Department of Arkansas and current chairman

visits to the marker don’t erase the pain of her loss but do

of the Arkansas Military Veterans’ Hall of Fame. But for all that,

provide comfort.

talking about the Little Rock Gold Star Families Memorial that now stands in the western shadow of the State Capitol grounds

“They say it gets easier with time, but we just celebrated the

brings a singular tone to his voice.

nine-year anniversary of his passing and I'm still as emotional,” she says. “When I start thinking about it, there's some memories

“This right here, this is a labor of love,” he says, his eyes

I have of when I found out and the process of a funeral and

sweeping over the face of the monument. Dwight heard about

getting him home. It just brings it all back, as if it was yesterday.

the Woody Williams Foundation while attending a convention of the Marine Corps League in 2016. There, the West Virginia

“I would give anything, give up everything, just to have my

delegation made a presentation that included a photo of the

husband here. At the same time, I’m so proud for what he did,

original monument.

not only for us as a family, but for his country. There’s not a day that goes by that I’m not thankful for him.”

Upon arriving home, Dwight called the foundation and asked how he might get the ball rolling for a monument in The DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

18 24

community people

THE PATRIOT

Dwight Witcher, John Smallwood, Paul Garrett

As second-generation owner of Humphrey Funeral Service in Russellville, Jim Bob Humphrey has seen, like his father Herman before him, the community’s fallen heroes and their grieving families up close. “He and I have met trains and aircraft to receive the remains of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines as they were returned by the military to their families,” Jim Bob says. “Those events, and my father had many more than I did during World War II, are powerful experiences that stay with you.” Natural State. The surprised person on the other end informed

Jim Bob has worked in the community to serve and honor

him the staff had just met that morning to discuss which states

veterans through the Pope County Salute to Freedom Task Force

they wanted to recruit volunteers in, and Arkansas topped the

and recently unveiled his company’s new memorial park with a

alphabetical list. “I said, ‘Well, let’s consider this my being

dedicated section for veterans that mimics the layout of national

recruited then,’” he says with a chuckle.

cemeteries. Bringing a Gold Star Families monument to town is the latest way to mark military members’ and families’ sacrifice.

Dwight was quickly joined in the effort by fellow Marine vets John Smallwood of Cabot and Paul Garrett of Jacksonville who

“A funeral can celebrate a life, but it’s a short-lived event,” he

served as co-chairs for the monument committee. The trio

says. “A monument is a place that a family can go as a place to

crisscrossed the state multiple times selling the vision of the

remember and to reflect. And in that way, it’s a place of honor.”

marker and drumming up donations, roughly $500,000 in all. That, and the heroics of their construction partner, Nabholz

Jim Bob says fundraising efforts for the memorial will hit full

Construction, brought the project to reality, dedicated shiny

throttle in 2022 with a goal of breaking ground late in the year

and gleaming in September 2019.

and dedication in early 2023. It’s a tribute, he said, to stand for all generations.

“We spent a lot of time talking to Gold Star Families during the process of getting this built,” he says. “Their number one

“Symbols and monuments are everywhere around us,” he says.

concern wasn’t their own loss; their number one concern was,

“We need them to remind us of what’s happened in the past,

‘Please don’t let our loved ones be forgotten.’ Having this

of the sacrifices that have been made that we ourselves did not

monument on the grounds says the people of Arkansas have

have to make. If one hundred years from now, by some miracle,

recognized their sacrifice.”

we’ve not fought a war, we still need the symbols of past wars to remember. “My hope is this monument will cause people to stop and reflect on all that’s been done for us. As the prophet in the Old Testament said, ‘We are drinking from fountains we did not dig.’ We can never forget that.”

Jim Bob Humphrey

Learn more about the Russellville Gold Star Memorial, visit humphreyfuneral.com and click on the “Salute Freedom” tab.

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travel

El Dorado

MAD About You WORDS Dwain Hebda IMAGES courtesy Murphy Arts District, El Dorado, Arkansas

Looking for a way to close out your year with a bang? You’re

“I’ve been here since 2016, since it was nothing,” she says. “We

not alone – according to Marketplace.com, travelers have

weren’t even completely built yet. I’ve seen us grow, definitely.”

returned in droves after a year on lockdown and are spending more when they get where they are going. Wider vaccinations

When MAD was formed, many people outside of this Union

and travel deals have steadily stoked demand bringing numbers

County town thought it was a pipe dream to spend tens of

close to, though not at, 2019 levels.

millions on entertainment venues in the hopes of attracting enough performances and special events to pack in the tourists.

But while things have loosened up considerably over last

Sure, the city had enjoyed success with its long-running music

year, you might not yet be in the mood to battle through

festival, but many other festivals were failing and even the

airports or cram into airplane seats. Fortunately, The

home-grown MusicFest was starting to get long in the tooth.

Natural State offers lots of attractions and events over the

Not everyone thought doubling down on entertainment as

remainder of the year, perfect for celebrating the season or

economic development was the way to go.

for just a quick weekend getaway. By every conceivable measurement, MAD has proven the Your to do list should include El Dorado, which is staking its claim

doubters wrong. Not only has the venue attracted a full

as a major entertainment hub for the state thanks to a thriving

slate of national performers every year except 2020, but the

downtown and programming by Murphy Arts District (MAD).

enhanced amenities are also well-used by community events

Joanna Benson, MAD marketing coordinator, has seen the group

and attractions. This includes the centerpiece of the winter

– and its programming – grow from the ground up.

season, a public ice-skating rink.

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travel

“We started this back in 2019, just something that was an

“Adding the ice rink is just a bonus to that experience, because

idea that someone had, you know, ‘Hey this would be cool,

people can shop and then walk down to the ice rink and skate

let’s do it,’” says Joanna. “We did it and it was actually pretty

which is highly unusual in the South. Some days it will be 70

successful. Everybody talked highly of it, it was well-liked by the

degrees outside, but, you’re skating on real ice. And I do want

community, and we had several visitors come from outside El

to emphasize the fact that it’s actually real ice.”

Dorado which is the ultimate goal.” This year, the MAD on Ice rink will operate November 20 The

and

through January 2. In addition to the amenities downtown,

the downtown district, each one feeding the other, Joanna

attraction

straddles

the

line

between

MAD

concessions will also be available thanks to MuleKick@MAD,

says. She said locals and visiting families alike experience the

formerly the Griffin Restaurant.

ultimate in walkable entertainment, visiting the shops and cafes downtown, then making the short jaunt to the ice rink.

“They’ll have concessions at MAD on Ice which includes hot chocolate and other things,” Joanna says. “Plus, their main

“We have a beautiful historic downtown area with lots of

dining room will be open along with the other restaurants that

little boutique and restaurants that are only a couple of blocks

are within walking distance.”

away,” Joanna says. “It’s almost like a Hallmark card; people often tell us ‘Oh my gosh! Your downtown is so cute. I love

Other family events coming to El Dorado's award-winning

the historic buildings and the shops were great. People are so

downtown to close out the year include the holiday lighting

friendly here.’”

ceremony on November 18, when former NBA great Karl “The

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

18 28

community travel

Mailman” Malone will throw the switch at the courthouse. On

Joanna had the following advice for first timers to El Dorado:

November 21 is the downtown-wide Open House offering plenty

“People ask us about parking quite a bit, because we don’t

of enjoyment plus other festive attractions. Santa even makes

have a parking deck and we don’t have a big lot that’s strictly

an appearance to the downtown area on November 27. Finally,

dedicated to concert parking,” she says. “My tip is don’t freak

December 2 features the community’s annual Christmas Parade.

out about parking because the area is really contained. If you’re coming to a show, there’s plenty of street parking. You will

Those looking for more grown-up fare will want to catch one

only be parking maybe two blocks away at most and it’s free.

of MAD’s final concert performances for 2021. Comedian Ron

On rare, rare, rare occasions there will be little pop-up places

White, star of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, plays the First

that will charge, like they’re doing it to raise money for their

Financial Music Hall on November 11 and classic rock stalwarts

church group or whatever.”

Three Dog Night come to town November 20. Christian rock artist Zach Williams will round out the year on December 10 with

“That leads me to my other tip: Always wear comfortable shoes.

a Christmas-themed show, featuring special guest Anne Wilson.

There are so many women who come to shows that I’m seeing in high heels, and I am like, why? The floor that you’re standing on is hard and even though two blocks to your car isn’t that far, the right shoes make all the difference. If I were to give some advice, that would be it.”

For more information on events or for trip ideas, contact: Murphy Arts District (MAD) Eldomad.com | 870.444.3007 Main Street El Dorado Mainstreeteldorado.org | 870.862.4747

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people

Melanie Taylor

It Takes One to Know One WORDS Dwain Hebda images courtesy Melanie Taylor

Melanie Taylor sits quietly as the client wipes her eyes. It’s a good session today, but good sessions usually hit the hardest and the young woman has been overcome by

emotion

than

once.

Anger,

hurt, and sadness commingle in her voice like musical notes in a discordant chorus, balanced by the calm, even patter Melanie gives in reply. The woman’s tale is everywhere at once, not really knowing where to start or where this will all lead. Abuse speaks a language of its own that

over

time

becomes

all

but

unrecognizable, diluted by endless apologies, shaded by promises to change, distorted by the next time he comes out swinging. The woman doesn’t even know why this latest beating finally made her leave, almost instinctually lurching out of the door and well down the street before snapping out of her haze. “No one really knows what it’s like,” she says at last, then falls silent. But that’s where this fictional woman – and many of the real women who come to Healing Tree Women’s Counseling – are wrong. Melanie does know what they’re talking

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people about; knows all too well, in fact, the fear and shame and self-

to love and protect her had begun to cross-circuit her

loathing that makes up the daily soundtrack that domestic

thinking into familiar patterns that could justify just about

violence victims keep time with every day.

any behavior out of her tormentor.

“Trauma affects everybody. Emotional wounds, none of

“It was, ‘Well, he didn’t punch me in the face,’ or ‘He didn’t

us escape them. I mean, we don’t,” she says. “Whether

break anything. He just shoved me and knocked me and

it’s a divorce, being broken up, whatever it is. We focus

my son over,’” she says. “Over time he got worse, and I

on healing, because that’s the part that lets you look at

got to a place where I left multiple times, but always came

what happened, love who you were when you were in that

back because I didn’t think I deserved better. In my family,

space, and then move forward.

with what I had grown up with, what I was being shown was actually a little better than what I’d had.”

“[Abuse victims are] taught to hate who they are, so the whole love yourself thing is hard. You don’t go from

She doesn’t know what finally made her leave for good, only

loathing yourself to loving yourself overnight. It’s a process.

that it was good and fast, too, with two hundred dollars to

Sometimes it just starts with, as I tell my clients, ‘Why don’t

her name and little kids in the back of a beat-up gray car

you just be Facebook friends with yourself. Let’s just be

she hoped would make it to Fort Smith. The road back

acquaintances, you know?’”

started with baby steps – a job, an apartment. She even enrolled in courses at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith,

She laughs a well-educated, world-wise laugh. “We don’t

not knowing the missing pieces of her life story would jump

have to love who we are,” she says. “But let’s just start

off the page like a pop-up book.

getting to know you.” “The second class I took was lifespan development,” she To

have

would

known

Melanie

have been

Taylor

to play

from

the

witness

beginning

says. “The teacher said, ‘We’re going to learn about healthy

years

childhood development,’ and I was like, ‘Wait, there’s a

trauma. Abused in multiple ways throughout her growing

manual? That’s a thing?’

up, she reached eighteen fully conditioned by a definition of love perverted by manipulation and reinforced to the point her identity blurred pain and fear into normality. “I believed I was bad because I wasn’t taught that I was good. I wasn’t taught that I was for loving. I wasn’t taught that I was for protecting,” she said. “And because I wasn’t taught those things, I constantly looked for who I was in the eyes of everybody else. Because I had no idea who I was. “When you come out of that type of environment and that day-to-day living, you don’t learn to thrive. My childhood didn’t prepare me for adulthood, it prepared me to survive. You don’t learn how to form healthy friendships because you don’t keep healthy people around you. Healthy

“Suddenly I saw something different, and it just spurred this fire. If this happened to me, then it had to have happened to others. I can’t be the only one. I graduated and went into the counseling program because I wanted to work with women in domestic violence situations.”

people feel weird.” It would be nice if the epiphany carried with it automatic Her mother had sought to escape, toting her daughter to

redemption of who she was and what she’d lost, but

women’s shelters, but as an adult Melanie was on her own.

recovery, like life, doesn’t work that way. Even as she

By then, years of mistreatment by those who were supposed

would go on to serve others through a variety of counseling

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people

roles – culminating in Healing Tree opening in 2017

triggered, but I dealt with that with a therapist of my own.

and River Valley Teen Center last year – Melanie was doing

I’m very aware of what I’ve come through. I don’t trauma

equally hard work on herself, learning to reset thinking and

share. That’s something that happens a lot when people first

instincts alike.

start to heal, they tend to want to share everything that’s happening. As you heal, those things don’t bother you like

Each door she opened in this process helped, even if

they once did.”

it opened onto room after room of broken mirrors reflecting shards of herself that had to be systematically,

To all the world, Melanie Taylor looks and sounds like

painfully put back together. It’s a strange and delicate

any successful entrepreneur, one who provides jobs

truth that the more she struggled to deal with her own life

for twelve and an eye on growing even more. She’s remarried

experiences, the better she became for those who’d come

and supportive of her own kids working through the residue

to her for help.

of the abuse they’ve seen. Not every day is perfect – not every day is good, even – but on balance, there’s more

“In the beginning it was a search, I think, for me. This is what

laughter than tears.

healthy looks like,” she said. “The more I learned about it, the more I wanted to know about it. And the more I wanted

“The words ‘pride’ and ‘proud’ are something I had to work

to know about it, the more I wanted to teach others about it.

through for myself a couple of months ago and it was really tough,” she said. “Growing up, if you were proud that

“Going into this [business], yeah, there were times I got

meant you were sinning, so being proud was bad. No one ever taught me the other side. “When we recently purchased Healing Tree’s building, I was sitting there signing these loan documents and this feeling came over me. I was like, ‘What is this? Is this success? What is this?’ And then it was, ‘This feels good. I like this.’ I’ve found out what the other side is and now, it’s like, ‘OK, now I can do this.’”

If you or someone you love is in an abusive situation, there's help available. IF YOU ARE IN DANGER, call 911. For non-emergency help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 800.799.7233 or the Fort Smith Crisis Intervention Center, 800.359.0056 (Hotline), 479.782.1821 (Office) To locate a domestic abuse shelter in Arkansas, visit domesticshelters.org or the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence at domesticpeace.com.

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people

The TV Stars Next Do or WORDS Dwain Hebda images courtesy The Discovery Channel

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people

Spending time talking to Jenny and Dave Marrs – the Arkansas power couple behind the hit home improvement show Fixer to Fabulous – is less like a brush with celebrities and more like a catch-up chat at a class reunion. Sure, it takes a little bit to get on the couple’s schedules these days and interviews are not the duo’s favorite thing to do. But at the end of it, having touched topics of faith, family and the cult of personality embodied by social media, you come away with an unshakable belief that these are two of the most genuine and ordinary of people thrown an extraordinary opportunity and trying to make and do the best of it as they can. It sure wasn’t to become famous, as both of them will tell you straightaway. “Jenny and I, the reason we said yes to this in the first place was to shed a light on our nonprofit work,” Dave says. “There’s also just so much trash on TV. There’s just a lot of it. We wanted to be a show that a family can sit down and watch together. I think there is a longing for, even among people who live in New York or live in a big city, to get back to this small-town community, neighborly feel that people find appealing.” That nonprofit work, for a group called Help One Now that teaches orphaned and abandoned teens in Zimbabwe how to farm, a trade and other life skills, speaks to the servant heart and deep faith the couple shares, something of much deeper value than reality TV fame. And lest you roll your eyes at that, let’s not forget the Marrs didn’t go looking for HGTV, the network came looking for them after scouting the area and getting their names from some happy clients. It’s still a source of amusement to the couple, right down to discounting the network’s initial email as a joke. “I honestly think the first thing was, they really liked this area,” Jenny says. “The network was really interested in the Northwest Arkansas region and that Bentonville is a small town and it has that small-town feel but also so much culture, so much great food, a great art scene. You kind of have a mix of both big city, small town which is unique and pretty cool.” “The way they explained it to us is really, the first year of a television show the viewers care more about the projects that DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

Jenny & Dave Marrs

people

you’re doing, what’s getting done, and as the show develops

one hundred and twenty hours that they get on film and then

that’s where you go into more family stuff,” Dave says. “I

they edit it. Life happens, you know? Things happen. We have

guess they were probably not interested in us at all when it

five kids. We have a farm full of misfit animals that there’s always

started, which is probably fine. But as that has changed, being

something going on there. I think they probably did a good job

comfortable with it, I think, comes from the production crew

picking a family where they knew there was going to be a whole

that produces our show. We spend twelve hours a day together

lot of natural drama here. We don’t need to make any up.”

so you just become like family.” Including the couple’s children has been another evolving The actual family behind the show began in 2002 when Dave

process. The kids are never compelled to appear on camera

and Jenny met through their jobs at Newell Brands' Rubbermaid.

and the couple restricts social media usage to help shield them

After just a couple of years, Dave tired of the corporate rat race

from fans and trolls alike. Still, just talking about it, you hear the

and decided to launch a home-building business. Jenny took the

mama bear snarl enter Jenny’s voice.

leap with him, and the couple married in 2005. “That’s been a big challenge. It’s one of the reasons we originally By 2008, the Marrs were caught in the economic downturn

said ‘No’ to even going down this path at all,” she says. “I should

just like every other home builder and while they came through

say ninety-nine percent of the people are so kind. It’s just that

intact, they started looking around for additional opportunities

one percent and we want to protect our kids from the crazies

for the business. Historic homes and renovations caught their

out there. That is the one thing that’s hardest for me about

eye and led them to Bentonville where they started to build a

doing the show. I don’t care if you don’t like the paint color that

solid reputation.

I picked for the house, but if you say something about my child or about my parenting, you have no right. None, none.”

Today, the houses you see on the show are not show homes, but actual projects for actual clients. And the couple is as real as

“Eventually at some point we’ll have to have different

the projects they take on.

conversations as they get older. But for now, we try to keep their world very small. We don’t want them to ever think we’re

“On the show, we only do remodels because new home builds

any sort of a big deal at all. We’re just our family and we just are

are boring to watch,” Jenny says. “[The network] doesn’t want

doing our thing, and this is just our work.”

us doing new homes because there’s no discovery, no drama, if you want to call it that. In the remodels there always are issues.

The couple is promising some surprises in upcoming episodes

It never goes smoothly, ever, ever, never.

and is also working to convert an 1870s home in Rogers into a working bed and breakfast. Shows around that project are

“But we also try really hard to not have any fake drama on our

airing on Discovery+ and will eventually make it to HGTV. On

show. We want it to be as real and as authentic as possible. In

camera or off, it’s a pretty good life and they’re making the

terms of the action that unfolds, that is real. You never know what

most of every moment.

you’re going to find behind the walls and that sort of thing.” “We’re all trying to do the best job we can, tell a good story” Both Dave and Jenny admit it took a little while to be themselves

Jenny says. “There’s a beautiful house at the end of it, but also

on camera, but that they’ve long since learned how to ignore the

we really want to honor the families that we work with and tell

lens and crew. And they give credit to their production team for

their story and make sure that we’re doing their stories justice.

knowing how to put everything together in a way that works.

That’s important to us.”

“We film about one hundred and twenty hours of footage per every forty-three-minute episode,” Dave says. “So, you can

Discover more about Help One Now at helponenow.org.

guarantee I’m going to make a moron of myself at least once in

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METHOD

taste

for the crust Combine sugar, salt, flour in a bowl. Add butter. Using your hands, or a pastry cutter, mix until pea size crumbles form. Add ¼ cup ice water, smash mixture with fork until combined. If dough is too dry, add more ice water— up to 2 Tablespoons. Mix dough with hands until a nice dough ball forms. Flatten dough ball into a thick circle,

APPLE RAISIN TART

wrap in Saran Wrap, place in refrigerator for

RECIPE ADAPTED onceuponachef image MaKo-studio/Shutterstock

1/8-inch-thick slices (about 4 cups).

INGREDIENTS for the crust

for the filling

° 1 ½ cups flour

° 3 large apples (Honey Crisp, Fuji, Granny Smith or Gala)

° 3 Tablespoons sugar ° ¼ teaspoon salt ° ½ cup cold, unsalted butter (chunked) ° ¼ cup ice water, more if needed

cup sugar

° 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ° 1 teaspoon cinnamon, plus more for garnish

a minimum of 1 hour. Tip: Pop butter in freezer for 15-20 minutes before cutting into chunks.

for the filling Wash, peel, core, and cut apples to Combine apples, raisins, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, melted butter, and salt in a large bowl and stir to combine.

to assemble Roll cool dough out to a 14-inch circle about 1/8 inch thick. Prepare pan with cooking spray and gently place dough in pan. Sprinkle dough lightly with flour and arrange apples in overlapping circles to the edge. Sprinkle turbinado sugar and a bit of cinnamon over the tart. Place in refrigerator to chill for 15-20 minutes.

° ½ cup raisins

° 1 egg for egg wash (beaten)

° 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

for assembly & baking

teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350°F and set oven rack in the center position. Bake tart 20-25 minutes, adding time in 5 minute increments, until apples are tender and

° 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour

crust is golden brown. When about 5

° 2 Tablespoons turbinado sugar

minutes remain, remove from oven, and

° ½ cup walnuts, roughly chopped

sprinkle the top with chopped nuts. Continue baking. Remove from oven when done, let cool. Slice, serve, and enjoy!

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taste

RUSTIC PUMPKIN, FIG AND WALNUT SALAD METHOD Heat the oven to 425ºF. In a bowl, combine 1 Tablespoon of olive oil, 1 Tablespoon honey, pumpkin or acorn squash, salt, pepper, and thyme. Make sure all pumpkin slices are evenly coated. Place on grill and cook for 10-15 minutes, until soft and tender. Toast walnuts in a small pan over medium heat until warm and fragrant. Remove from heat. On a baking sheet, sprinkle figs with salt RECIPE ADAPTED halfbakedharvest image Anna Shepulova/Shutterstock

INGREDIENTS

and pepper and a drizzle of 1 Tablespoon of olive oil and 1 Tablespoon of honey and bake for 10 minutes until figs are soft. Remove from oven. Combine remaining olive oil, lemon juice,

° ½ medium pumpkin or acorn squash

° 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar

° 6 Tablespoons olive oil

° 2 teaspoons fresh orange juice

Set aside.

° ½ Tablespoon orange zest

Arrange roasted pumpkin and figs with

° 4 Tablespoons honey ° 1 Tablespoon fresh thyme ° 1 teaspoon sea salt ° walnuts, roughly chopped ° 6-8 small figs (fresh or dried), halved

° ½ teaspoon black pepper ° spring mix salad greens ° 4 Tablespoons fresh pomegranate seeds

orange juice, vinegar, orange zest and a dash of salt and pepper in a small bowl.

salad greens, top with pomegranate seeds and toasted walnuts. Drizzle with prepared dressing and enjoy! *NOTE: If using dried figs, reduce baking time to 5 minutes.

° 1 Tablespoon lemon juice

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taste

PERFECT PUMPKIN PANCAKES RECIPE ADAPTED thebusybaker.com image Anna Shepulova/Shutterstock

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

° 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

° 1 cup pumpkin puree

Whisk together flour, baking powder, brown sugar,

° 3 teaspoons baking powder

° 2 large eggs

salt, and pumpkin pie spice in a large bowl. In

° 2 Tablespoons packed light brown sugar

° 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

° 1 teaspoon kosher salt

° butter, for cooking

° 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

° chopped nuts of choice

reduce heat, and pour desired amount of batter

° maple syrup

into pan. Once bubbles begin to form on the edges

° 1 cup milk

another bowl, combine milk and pumpkin puree, eggs, and vanilla. Mix wet and dry ingredients together and stir until combined. In a large nonstick pan, melt butter over medium heat. Once melted,

and pancake is golden brown on the bottom, flip and continue cooking until the other side is golden brown. Repeat with remaining batter, serve hot with warm maple syrup, and chopped nuts.

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taste

Please drink responsibly. Never drink and drive.

Spiced Pumpkin

Pie Latte

Recipe adapted bettycrocker.com image Julia Sudnitskaya/ Shutterstock

INGREDIENTS METHOD ° 1 cup milk

° ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Heat milk, pumpkin, and sugar over medium

° 3 Tablespoons canned pure pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)

° ½ cup hot coffee

heat until hot, do not allow to boil! Remove

° 1 ounce dark rum

from heat and stir in vanilla, pumpkin pie

° 2 Tablespoons sugar

° 1 ounce Kahlúa coffee liqueur

° 1 teaspoon vanilla

° whipped cream

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

spice, coffee, dark rum, and Kahlúa. Pour into large mug and top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.

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outdoors

Fall in Love with

MOUNTAIN BIKING

words Scott Faldon images courtesy Arkansas Department of Tourism, Ashley Hout, and Holly Morgan

The number and variations of bikes can be overwhelming

FALL IS THE PERFECT TIME to get into mountain biking. While

comes into play. “The first thing I ask is what kind of riding

those words might cause you to imagine people speeding

they will be doing,” Scott said. “Do they want to ride mild

downhill at breakneck speeds or jumping off dirt ramps like a

trails or maybe dirt roads or do they want to go off jumps

gravity powered Evel Knievel, the sport has many levels, and

or race? That plays into the type of bike that will suit them

our region has hundreds of miles of trails to accommodate

best.” A hardtail bike like a Cannondale Trail 8, Giant Talon

cyclists of all skill and bravery levels. “The number one thing

4, Liv Tempt or Rocky Mountain Fusion 10 are designed for

for beginners is to know their limits and the limits of their bike.

beginner or casual mountain bikers. After the bike, safety

You don’t want a beginner to go out there and start on a black

equipment is next. A good helmet designed for mountain

diamond (expert) rated trail,” Scott Chapman, The Woodsman

biking will offer more protection than a similar one intended

Company’s cycling manager, said. “Plus, you don’t want

for use on the road. Try on a Giro Fixture MIPS, Cannondale

somebody to take a bike that isn’t capable of performing on a

Intent or POC Axion SPIN.

to a novice. That’s where the staff of your local bike shop

trail like that off four- or five-foot drops.” Scott also recommends gloves to improve your grip and a While the number and styles of mountain bikes can be

hydration pack like those from CamelBak or Osprey. “A lot

overwhelming, Scott said beginners should focus on a basic

of people use water bottles when they’re riding, but just

model that only has front suspension (aka a hardtail). As they

remember everything you ride through gets thrown off your

advance their skills and begin tackling more challenging trails,

tire directly at your water bottle,” Scott said. “I’d rather not

then they can consider moving to a full suspension bike that has

drink out of a muddy mouthpiece, so I prefer a hydration

shock absorbers for both the front and rear wheel.

pack.” A hydration pack also has enough room for a small

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

outdoors

emergency kit which should include a CO2 inflator or hand

be pushing your bike to the top. Falls are going to happen –

pump, a spare tube or two, tire levers, a small first aid kit and

especially as you try to expand your skills on more challenging

perhaps some snacks if it’s a long ride.

trails. Keep your hands and arms tight to your body and try to land on a shoulder.

Once you’re outfitted, practice a few basic skills in an open space like a parking lot or a quiet street. For starters, always

After some practice, you’re ready to hit a trail. Springhill Park’s

look at where you want to go – not at the tree, rock, or other

9.4-mile trail and Parker Loop (1.8 miles) at Ben Geren Regional

hazard you’re trying to avoid. The bike will go where you look,

Park are the best nearby trails for beginners. From there, Devil’s

so maintain a focus fifteen feet or so in front of your bike

Den State Park is the ancestral home of mountain biking in

and pick the best line. There are two main body positions in

Arkansas. The entire Fayetteville to Bella Vista corridor is now

mountain biking – neutral and ready. In the neutral position,

world famous for the hundreds of miles of mountain bike trails

you’re more upright with just a slight bend in the knees and

that have been built in the past few years.

elbows and at least two fingers on the brake levers. “They’ve built hundreds and hundreds of miles of trails up When you get into more technical terrain (steeper or with

there, but I’m partial to Devil’s Den,” Scott said. “That’s really

roots and rocks), it’s time to shift into the ready position.

where mountain biking started in Arkansas in the 1980s and

You’ll lower your hips and slide backwards a bit. Flex your

I’ve ridden hundreds of miles there. You can’t beat it.”

knees and elbows need more (think 90-degrees for your elbows) and lower your chest toward the handlebars. When it’s time to brake, do it gently. Grabbing a handful of the front brake will send you over the handlebars. Remember, momentum will carry you over small obstacles. Figuring out the right mix of braking and momentum is the first step to becoming a good mountain biker. Practice shifting until it’s

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

drilled into your muscle memory. Shift to an easier gear before you start climbing that hill – not in the middle of it or you’ll DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

fiction

All About Eve words Liesel Schmidt image Anna Jurkovska/Shutterstock

AS HARD AS SHE TRIED , Eve couldn’t quite figure out how

dumped from a bin. Eve was glad she was sitting. She caught

to begin the conversation. For months, she’s sat across from

his eye—those steely blue eyes—and found herself smiling

the guy in the suit, with his serious, quiet manner and eyes

awkwardly. He raised an eyebrow and smiled back. And time

that looked straight into your soul. They were like a stormy

stopped again.

sky, those eyes, a blue-grey so intense they were almost startling. The first time she saw them, her breath caught in

How did he do that? Eve wondered. She shook her head at the

her throat, and time stopped.

silliness of the thought and looked away, up at the handrails, then down at her hands, tightly folded in her lap. Anywhere

The bus hit a pothole and jostled everyone, tossing the

but at his face.

straphangers around and jumbling them together like toys DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

fiction “They should really do something about the potholes on this

lot like the people in it. She took a deep breath and pulled the

road,” a voice said, forcing her to look up.

glass door open, the brass handles icy in her grasp.

He was talking to her.

The elevator whisked her up to the fifteenth floor, depositing her to the bustling world where she felt so utterly out of place.

“They really should,” she agreed. Eve inwardly rolled her eyes

Everyone else here was sleek and self-assured, confident in

at herself. It was such an obvious reply. Couldn’t she have

their place on the food chain. Eve was just here because she’d

come up with something better than that? Some bit of witty

somehow managed to slip past the well-placed gatekeepers

banter to show him just how interesting she was?

who kept out the riffraff. They had looked at her résumé and waved her through, and now she was here, a dandelion in a

Eve felt a sharp jab at the realization that she really wasn’t all

hothouse full of orchids.

that interesting. She’d been riding this bus, quietly riding it to a job that she’d been at for years, working for a company that

It hadn’t always been this way. She’d once been part of

barely registered her presence. It was maddening. But still she

something that made her feel alive, feel seen and appreciated.

stayed, unsure of what she would do or where she would go

But it had all fallen apart under the weight of competition,

if she left.

greed, and complacency. And then, she somehow landed here—out of desperation and despair, out of all the things

Mr. Blue Eyes rose from his seat as the bus slowed, coming to

that kept her locked up in a job she felt sucked the marrow

a halt at his stop. He shot her a quick smile as he walked past

from her bones.

her, moving toward the open doors and off the bus. She’d caught his eye as she’d smiled back, and time had done that

“Eve?” Ted, the head of HR said, walking up to her. “Need

thing again. And then they were off, three more stops until

you in the conference room.”

hers, where she would disembark to start a day without any He was off before she could offer a response, so she hurried

distinction from the rest.

after him. He was already in the conference room by the time As the bus drove on toward her stop, Eve considered her life.

she caught up.

She was two years away from forty, unmarried and completely lacking in prospects of the romantic or professional kind. But

“Ted, what’s—” her voice caught in her throat when she

on both fronts, she felt stuck and completely powerless to

looked up.

change things. A move on either would require bravery that Eve felt she didn’t have, so she didn’t see her circumstances

The man with the blue eyes from the bus was sitting at the

altered anytime soon.

table, next to Ted. He offered a small smile of recognition, and then straightened his mouth into a grim line.

The bus’s brakes shrieked to a stop, and Eve realized it was hers. She rose to her feet, settling her long purse strap across

And time stood still.

her chest as she walked toward the front of the bus. She nodded at the other familiar faces she passed and spoke a

“Eve Chisholm?” he said, flicking a glance down at a folder in

quick good-bye to Glen, the bus driver who had been on this

front of him on the table.

route for as long as she could remember. He’d turned fifty last month, and she’d brought him a gluten-free, vegan cupcake,

She nodded dumbly.

since he’d started a new diet. “Please, sit,” he said, indicating the chair opposite him with a nod. Eve stepped from the bus onto the sidewalk, and then started walking toward the tall building at the end of the block. It was

Eve sat, still saying nothing as a thousand thoughts ran

an imposing structure, all steel and concrete and glass. Cold, a

through her mind.

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fiction

Who was he? Why was he here? Why did he want to see her?

“I shouldn’t really be doing this, but—” he cut himself off, shaking his head. He locked eyes with her and seemed to find

“I’m Wesley Evans. I’m an efficiency expert your company has

resolve. “You don’t belong there, Eve.”

hired to streamline workflow and economize where possible,” he said. It sounded rote, like something he’d said a thousand

“I beg your pardon?” She wasn’t sure she’d heard him right.

times, to a thousand different people, in a thousand different

Was he firing her? In a coffee shop? Could he even do that?

settings. “You’re not about to be let go,” he said reassuringly. “Don’t Eve studied his face as he spoke, watching his eyes, watching

worry about that. But you don’t belong there. There’s

his mouth. Would he mention anything about the bus?

something in you that needs more than this, I can see it. But you feel safe, so you stay.” He paused and measured his

“I need to talk to you a bit, see what your role is here, what

words, then leaned forward and almost whispered. “Take a

you feel you bring to the company, what your goals here are,

risk. You owe it to yourself, Eve. Find something that makes

things like that,” he said, finally sounding a little less scripted.

you feel alive and go for it.”

He took a deep breath and offered an almost apologetic smile. Eve offered a wan smile. “You make it sound so easy,” she

“Sound good?”

replied, hearing the resignation in her own voice. “It’s not. I Eve nodded.

did that before and I lost everything.”

****************

Wesley sat back and considered her. Then he shrugged. “That happens. But you keep trying, even when you lose,” he said,

Eve stared unseeingly at the menu on the wall. Coffee. All she

rising. He reached in his coat pocket and pulled out a card,

wanted was coffee, just plain coffee with none of the frills or

laying it on the table in front of her. “Give them a call.”

ridiculousness that made ordering coffee take thirty minutes. Why was that so difficult? *************** “Eve?” Eve had been at the new job a few weeks and was thriving, She turned around and came face to face with him. Mr. Blue

coming alive. Her life had changed immensely, all thanks to

Eyes. Wesley.

that card—and Wesley.

“Mr. Evans,” she said, trying not to sound as flustered as she

She’d also been taking a different bus route, one that took her

felt. She’d just spent the better part of an hour talking to him

to work in this new part of town. She didn’t see him anymore,

about herself. Her job, her goals…all the things she felt would

but she thought of him. And she missed those blue eyes.

be what he wanted to hear to keep her in her job. “Go to dinner with me, Eve?” “Can you sit?” he asked, nodding toward a table. She heard her name and looked up from her computer. She nodded, wondering what he could possibly want to talk to her about.

And time stood still.

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LOCAL NONPROFITS DO SOUTH® MAGAZINE

Local NonProfits

The River Valley is home to many nonprofit organizations doing incredible work. Our 3rd annual Do South® Guide to Local Nonprofits serves to further each of their missions and allows you to discover how you can get involved and commit your support to organizations near and dear to your heart.

LOCAL NONPROFITS

Bost has evolved tremendously since the original Bost School’s

In 1997, the Fort Smith Children’s Shelter welcomed its first

purpose of providing education to school age children, to our

5 children. Twenty-four years later, the FSCS has provided

current multitude of services and programs for individuals of all

a safe haven to over 4,300 abused and neglected children

ages, with a wide range of disabilities and mental health needs.

and young adults in foster care. Our mission is to be a safe

From getting children ready for school, to assisting adults with

and stable home that provides long-term, evidence-based,

becoming more independent, Bost is here when you need us.

trauma-informed, resident-centered and family-focused care

Services are customizable to meet the ever-growing needs of

to youth in foster care who exhibit emotional and behavioral

those in our care. All Bost facilities are following guidelines

challenges due to neglect and/or abuse. Their needs for food,

and recommendations to ensure the health and well-being

clothing, shelter, transportation, tutoring, life skills, and social

of those we serve. Employment opportunities are available at

opportunities are provided. In addition, they receive therapy

www.bost.org/careers. #iambost #wearebost

and emotional support to grow, heal, and transition into a traditional home environment. Please support our children by making a financial donation to the Children’s Shelter.

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479.478.5600 bost.org

3015 South 14th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.783.0018 fschildrensshelter.org

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LOCAL NONPROFITS

479.926.0939 or 479.652.3553 christmashonors.org

Regional Office: 1606 South J Street Fort Smith, Arkansas Regional Phone: 479.785.4031 cjsinc.org

Christmas Honors is back for 2021! On December 1 we have our Wreath Workshop and then on December 4 the

Our mission is to serve the needs of youth and their families

Christmas Honors Ceremony and Laying of Wreaths. Our

by providing community-based intervention and advocacy

mission is to place green wreaths with beautiful red bows

services to reduce family conflict, promote family reunification,

upon every single gravesite at the Fort Smith National

prevent juvenile delinquency and entry or further advancement

Cemetery. We’ll pay tribute to Veterans, past and present,

into the juvenile justice system. We seek to redirect the lives of

and to their families who shared them! All 16,500 gravesites

youth and families, empowering youth to become successful

will be decorated with respect and remembrance for their

and productive adults. Referrals come from the court system,

service and sacrifice. Remember, a Veteran’s greatest fear is

law enforcement agencies, school personnel, health care

not of dying, but of being forgotten. Let us NEVER forget

agencies, churches, family members or by youth in person.

them! For more information, please contact us via phone,

Licensed by the Arkansas Department of Human Services as a

visit us online or Facebook.

licensed Child Placement Agency and as a licensed Emergency Residential Child Care Facility, we proudly serve Sebastian, Crawford, Logan, Montgomery, Scott, and Polk counties.

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LOCAL NONPROFITS

1617 S. Zero Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.785.2303 cscdc.net

4905 North O Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.782.7093 fsbgc.org

Crawford-Sebastian Community Development Council is a community action agency that makes improvements in the

Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs has served our area since

lives of low-income individuals and families in the River Valley

1928, enhancing the quality of life for the youth in our

area, so that a greater level of self-sufficient living can be

community. Our organization consists of four Club sites

achieved. Our assistance programs include home ownership

(Jeffrey, Evans, Stephens, Goldtrap), offering after-school

assistance and construction, the Community Dental Clinic,

and summer programs for ages 6-18. Club hours are 3pm

utility assistance, home weatherization, the River Valley

until 7pm. Monday thru Friday during school months and

Regional Food Bank, childcare food program, a food pantry,

Monday through Friday 8am until 5pm during the summer.

and a social services program which offers job skills training

Free snacks and meals are provided year-round! Programs

and certifications. To Donate or to learn more about us, please

include mentoring, sports, arts, music, education, field

go to CSCDC.net, or write to CSCDC, 1617 S. Zero St., P.O.

trips, social recreation, Tech lab, and more. We even have

Box 180070, Fort Smith, AR 72918.

a FSBGC shuttle program to transport students from several

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school sites to the Clubs daily!

LOCAL NONPROFITS

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LOCAL NONPROFITS DO SOUTH® MAGAZINE

1601 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.784.2787 fsram.org

1421 South Dallas Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.242.3163 fschildrensshelter.org/get-real-24

The Fort Smith Regional Art Museum (RAM) is a 73-year-old

GetREAL24 is Fort Smith Children’s Shelter’s independent

nonprofit with a mission to foster art appreciation. RAM offers

living program for youth in foster care ages 18 and older.

free entry to its exhibitions and free art education classes for

We aim to give youth “aging out” of care a place to live

all ages. These programs are possible because of support from

independently among their peers while obtaining life skills

individuals through RAM memberships and donations, and

necessary to break the cycle of dysfunction and become

sponsorships by businesses. Art – viewing, discussion, and

successful, contributing members of society. We seek

creation – is good for your physical and mental health. Thank

support from the community through volunteers who serve

you for considering a RAM membership or donation today

as sponsor families or mentors—helping create positive

to help strengthen our region’s only art museum that meets

relationships and a social safety net of support. Help is also

national museum standards. Donations may be made online

needed from volunteers with special skills or talents that

at fsram.org/support, mailed, or best yet, given on your next

could be taught in a life skills class. In addition, internships,

visit. New adventures are always just around the corner with the

shadowing, job training and career opportunities from the

community’s support!

community are also needed.

LOCAL NONPROFITS

421 Towson Avenue, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.783.2766 habitatfs.org

Our mission is to improve the health in our region by providing

By shopping at your local Restore, you’re helping to build

access to compassionate, quality healthcare and we have

homes in our community for your neighbors in need. Habitat

proudly served the uninsured and underinsured in the River

for Humanity has placed over 100 families in new homes in

Valley area for over eighteen years. We provide medical and

the River Valley and money spent in our Restore will help us

vision care, limited dental care and counseling services for

continue that mission. These new homes and families that

adult patients, and children by appointment (the clinic is closed

inhabit them become integral parts of our communities by

on Fridays). Walk-in patients are seen for basic medical care

supplying tax dollars, stabilizing neighborhoods, and giving

and we offer extended hours every Tuesday until 8pm. Visit us

families a sense of pride. You can also support our affiliate

online or call 479.783.0233. As a 501c3 charitable clinic, one

by donating used appliances, building supplies, etc., to the

hundred percent of our funds stay local. You may not need

Restore. Help us to continue helping others!

us, but we are certain you know someone who does. Call us today! #iamgoodsam Are you?

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615 North B Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.783.0233 goodsamaritanfs.com

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LOCAL NONPROFITS

417 South 16th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.434.2365 479.452.2260 heart2heartpsc.org

LOCAL NONPROFITS

2713 S. 74th Street, Suite 204 Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.783.1002 hamiltoncca.org Child Abuse. The words alone are hard to hear. And when a child has been abused, it is even harder to know

Heart to Heart Pregnancy and Family Care Center, formerly

where to turn for help, guidance, and understanding. The

Heart to Heart Pregnancy Support Center, has served the

Hamilton Center for Child Advocacy has the experience

River Valley and surrounding areas for over 35 years. This

to help families navigate a complex system while staying

year has been a year of great growth. In the month of June,

focused on what matters most: child safety and well-being.

we added an exciting new service for expectant women, free

Our team of dedicated professionals are here to pave the

limited ultrasounds! We have partnered with Dr. Riche of

way to health, safety, and healing for victims of abuse and

the Mercy McAuley Clinic which allows our clients to begin

their non-offending family members. Our services include

prenatal appointments even sooner. Our free services include

advocacy, forensic interviews, sexual assault medical exams,

pregnancy testing, limited ultrasounds, monthly baby supply

mental health therapy and prevention education. If you

closet, parenting classes, and a maternity closet. Heart to Heart

suspect child abuse, do not hesitate to call 1-800-SAVE A

is making a difference one heartbeat at a time. Donations are

CHILD. Be the voice.

tax deductible and always appreciated!

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LOCAL NONPROFITS DO SOUTH® MAGAZINE

P.O. Box 11828, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.970.8351 manesandmiracles.org

1205 South Albert Pike, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.783.2273 projectcompassioninc.com

Manes & Miracles offers equine-assisted therapy to children

We are a Fort Smith based nonprofit founded in 1972 by the

with special needs. Our vision is to expand services to

late Gloria White. Her mission to bring joy, companionship,

Veterans. With the help of a horse and certified physical,

and enhanced quality of life to nursing home residents

occupational and speech therapists, we provide a unique

remains the heartbeat of our organization. Volunteers visit

treatment tool called hippotherapy. Mother Lawanda reports

one-to-one with residents, accompany them to activities,

her daughter Angel couldn’t even hold her head up when

and encourage maintaining interest in people and events.

she started, now she is walking hundreds of steps in a gait

We offer music, pet therapy, fidget blankets, calls, and cards

trainer. As a nonprofit, we rely heavily on the generosity of

throughout the year. Our Hearts of Gold program provides

caring individuals and organizations. Donations provide care

Christmas gifts of warm clothing to residents without friends

for therapy horses and help local children receive services.

and family. We are a United Way of Fort Smith agency serving

#GivingTuesday Facebook fundraiser is November 30 and

26 long-term care facilities. We partner with businesses,

please remember us for year-end giving. Donations are tax

schools, churches, and civic organizations. Visit our website

deductible. Thank you for your kind heart.

to donate, volunteer, and get connected!

LOCAL NONPROFITS

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LOCAL NONPROFITS

1617 South Zero Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.785.0582 rvrfoodbank.org

5521 Ellsworth Road, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.353.0767 thecallinarkansas.org

The River Valley Regional Food Bank acquires and distributes

The CALL works with local churches to recruit, train and support

food from local and national food producers and grocers, as

foster and adoptive parents to provide homes for the over 630

well as local food drives. We distribute that food to 166 partner

children and youth in foster care in Crawford and Sebastian

agencies in eight counties in the River Valley. We feed 94,000

Counties. Since our founding in 2007, we have opened over

low- to moderate-income residents a month and distribute 22

2,600 foster and adoptive families and those families have

million pounds of food annually. In the River Valley, 1 in 6

cared for 24,545 children and youth statewide. Check out

people are food insecure, including 1 in 4 children. Those we

our Facebook page or website for more details, and to see

serve depend on us to feed their families. Without our services,

dates and locations of upcoming events. We are completely

many families would go hungry. This holiday season, thanks to

funded through donations of time, money, and in-kind items.

our partnership with Feeding America, $1 provides 20 meals to

If you’d like to help us serve the children and youth in our area,

families in need. To donate, visit rvrfoodbank.org.

email Emily Treadaway, County Coordinator at etreadaway@

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thecallinarkansas.org.

LOCAL NONPROFITS

3304 South M Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.785.4677 kistlercenter.org The founding of The Gregory Kistler Treatment Center was based on integrity and generosity – the dream of a housewife ago, has grown to become a respected outpatient treatment center known throughout the region. The Kistler Center offers occupational, physical, speech-language, and aquatic therapy to children. We are a certified provider for the Autism Waiver program for children 18 months to 5 years, an EPSDT autism provider, and a certified provider for children and adults in the Community Employment Support Waiver program. From out-patient therapy services to in-home waiver services, the Kistler Center is here for you. Your journey is our journey.

We are a nonprofit community behavioral health center serving Western Arkansas. We provide care for children, adolescents, and adults in the treatment of mental, emotional, behavioral, and substance use disorders. Our staff includes licensed counselors, clinical social workers, psychologists, APRNs, and psychiatrists who are educated and specialize in the treatment of mental and substance use disorders. Utilizing a multi-disciplinary approach, we care for a multitude of needs. Services include but are not limited to general stress/ anxiety, depression, family and group therapy, substance use, chronic behavioral health issues, medication management, and psychological testing. Our services are designed to enhance quality of life, reduce symptoms, and improve functioning.

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and fireman. What was born out of one family’s need, 43 years

Fort Smith, Van Buren, Ozark, Booneville, Paris, Waldron, Mena Emergancy After Hours Crisis Line: 1.800.542.1031 Non-Emergency Warm Line: 479.452.6655 wacgc.org

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LOCAL NONPROFITS

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

479.452.2140 | 5622 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith johnmaysjewelers.com