GRATITUDE

IIt’s hard to believe November has arrived—it seems like we were just welcoming summer, with its long, sun-filled days. Time truly flies, doesn’t it?

I’ve given up trying to slow it down and instead focus on savoring all the present moments and the things I’m grateful for—my family, my health, this magazine, and the simple joys of life.

This month, we’re sharing stories of those whose hearts are full of gratitude. We begin with the inspiring journey of Michael Beaumont, whose path from high school coaching to collegiate athletics—working alongside legends like Coach Houston Nutt and Pat Summitt—led him to Fort Smith, where he continues to make an impact as Director of Athletics and Activities.

In this season of thankfulness, I am reminded that creative sparks can bring joy and fulfillment. We’ll meet John Goodwin, who discovered it’s never too late to rekindle your passion, and Surennah Werley, who shows us how handmade goods and a circle of friends can create a ripple of warmth.

As Veterans Day nears, we reflect on all we owe to our veterans. Robert Jack VFW Post 1322 in Van Buren honors their legacy of service, keeping alive the memory of one local soldier while supporting veterans and their families.

November also brings our annual Profiles in Healthcare and our Nonprofit Guide, a beloved feature that never fails to inspire hope and giving throughout our community. Many of these nonprofits need our help, especially during this season when our focus shifts to the deepening issue of food insecurity in our region. It’s a time to reflect on how we can contribute to the well-being of others through action.

I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with joy. May this season of giving remind us of the importance of community and compassion. See you in December!

NOVEMBER 2024

OWNERPUBLISHER - EDITOR

Catherine Frederick

COPY EDITING

Charity Chambers

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Artifex 323 – Jessica Meadors

PHOTOGRAPHY

Jade Graves Photography

CONTRIBUTING

WRITERS

Marla Cantrell

Catherine Frederick

Dwain Hebda

Sara Putman

Bob Robinson Jim Warnock

ADVERTISING

Catherine Frederick

479.782.1500

catherine@dosouthmagazine.com

NOVEMBER EVENTS

NOVEMBER 1, 7P / SIMMONSBANKARENA.ORG LAINEY WILSON TOUR

Simmons Bank Arena, North Little Rock

NOVEMBER 1-2 / CSAFORTSMITH.ORG

CSA PRESENTS: FROG AND TOAD KIDS

King Opera House, Van Buren

NOVEMBER 2 / RMHCOFARKOMA.ORG

14TH ANNUAL RED SHOE SHINDIG

Wyndham City Center, Fort Smith

NOVEMBER 2, 9A-4P / ARHOLIDAYMARKET.COM

ARKANSAS RIVER HOLIDAY MARKET

Kay Rodgers Park, Fort Smith

NOVEMBER 2, 8A-12P / RIVERVALLEYRUN.ORG

FCA RIVER VALLEY RUN

The Bakery District, Fort Smith

NOVEMBER 7-9 / UAFS.EDU

BECKY'S NEW CAR

UAFS Breedlove Auditorium, Fort Smith

NOVEMBER 7-8 / CSAFORTSMITH.ORG

CSA PRESENTS: MOANA, JR.

King Opera House, Van Buren

NOVEMBER 9, 10A-6P / FACEBOOK

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

Main Street, Van Buren

NOVEMBER 9, 9A-12P / FACEBOOK

INTERNATIONAL FOOD FESTIVAL

Saints George and Alexandra Orthodox Church, Fort Smith

NOVEMBER 9, 11A-3P / WHITNEYSRACE.ORG

WHITNEY'S RACE & REIGN FESTIVAL

U.S. Marshals Museum, Fort Smith

NOVEMBER 9, 12-2P / CHAFFEECROSSING.COM

12TH ANNUAL REGIONAL

VETERANS DAY PARADE

Chaffee Crossing Historic District, Fort Smith

NOVEMBER 9 / FACEBOOK

CHARLESTON HOLIDAY BAZAAR

Charleston Community Center

NOVEMBER 9-10 / FACEBOOK

BARRACKS BEER FESTIVAL

The Barracks at Chaffee / CONEX Bar

Fort Smith

NOVEMBER 9-18 / FSLT.ORG

FSLT PRESENTS:

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Fort Smith Little Theatre

NOVEMBER 10 / FORTSMITHCONVENTIONCENTER.COM

JOE GATTO: LET'S GET INTO IT

Fort Smith Convention Center

NOVEMBER 10, 8A / VANBUREN.ORG VETERANS DAY PARADE

Van Buren Historic District

NOVEMBER 12, 7P / UAFS.EDU

JAZZ CATZ

UAFS Breedlove Auditorium, Fort Smith

NOVEMBER 12, 6P / OLDFORTWM.NET

ELEVATE HER CYBERSECURITY

WORKSHOP

Fort Smith Riverfront Park Pavilion

NOVEMBER 12-17 / WALTONARTSCENTER.ORG

DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS!

Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville

NOVEMBER 13-DEC. 15 / FORTSMITHOPTIMIST.COM THE OPTIMIST CLUB OF FORT

SMITH'S FESTIVAL OF TREES

The Bakery District, Fort Smith

NOVEMBER 14, 7P / UAFS.EDU ORCHESTRA

UAFS Breedlove Auditorium, Fort Smith

NOVEMBER 14-23 / FSLT.ORG

FORT SMITH LITTLE THEATRE

PRESENTS: THE OUTSIDER

Fort Smith Little Theatre, Fort Smith

NOVEMBER 15, 9A-4P / FACEBOOK

PILOT CLUB OF FORT SMITH'S CANDY AND NUT SALE

Ashley Furniture Parking Lot, Fort Smith

NOVEMBER 15-17 / CSAFORTSMITH.ORG CSA PRESENTS:

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, JR.

King Opera House, Van Buren

NOVEMBER 18, 7P / UAFS.EDU

JAZZ BAND

UAFS Breedlove Auditorium, Fort Smith

NOVEMBER 21, 7:30P / AACLIVE.COM

AACLIVE! PRESENTS: MOONSHROOM

801 Media Center, Fort Smith

NOVEMBER 23, 12-1P / MARSHALSMUSEUM.ORG

CURATOR TALK:

ODD CASES OF U.S. MARSHALS

U.S. Marshals Museum, Fort Smith

NOVEMBER 30, 6-8P / PARISARKANSAS.COM

CHRISTMAS PARADE AND LIGHTING

Paris Downtown Square

ACHE RESEARCH

INSTITUTE HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER

– FORT SMITH

WELLNESSCENTERCLASSES.AS.ME FITNESS

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

Strength & Tone: Wed., 5:30p, Sat., 9:30a

Yoga: Mon., Wed., Fri., 12p (no Fitness classes Nov. 28-29)

NUTRITION

Hogwarts Feast Cooking Class, 5:30p

CERAMICS

Nov. 4: Homeschool Hangout (kids), 9:30a

Nov. 6: Adult Christmas Cookie Plates, 6:30p

Nov. 11: Homeschool Hangout (kids), 9:30a

Nov. 15: Arkansas Magnet Painting (kids), 3p

Nov. 16: Adult Wheel, 6p

Nov. 18: Homeschool Hangout (kids), 9:30a

Nov. 22: Adult Wheel, 6:30p

ARTS ON MAIN – VAN BUREN

ARTSONMAINVB.COM

Nov. 2: Special Weekend Brunch Culinary Class, 10a-12p, (ages 21+)

Nov. 9: Stained Glass Mosaic, 10a-1p (ages 18+)

Nov. 9: Twisted Traditions Culinary Class, 4-6p (ages 21+)

Nov. 22: Friendsgiving Paint & Sip, 5:30-7:30p (ages 18+)

Nov. 23: Intro to Watercolor, 2-4p (ages 15+)

Dec. 14: Christmas Cookie Decorating, 1-3p (ages 15+)

Dec. 14: Holiday Card Collages, 12-2p (ages 15+)

*various pottery classes available,

visit website for info.

BOOKISH – FORT SMITH

BOOKISHFS.COM

Storytime: Saturdays, 11a

THE BAKERY DISTRICT

– FORT SMITH

BAKERYFS.COM

Trivia: Mondays, Mad Ox Bar, 6:30p

Bingo: Tuesday, Mad Ox Bar, 6:30p

Disc Golf: Tuesdays, Collection room, 6p

Cornhole: Wednesdays, Collection room, 6:30p

Yoga: Tuesdays & Thursdays, Cooler room, 5:30p

Karaoke night: Thursdays, Mad Ox bar, 8p

Story Time @ Bookish: Saturdays, 11a

Nov. 2: Foodie films $$, Collection room, 6p

Nov. 14: Jazz Jam, 6p

Nov. 15: Bikes at the Bakery, 6p

Nov. 17: Blues Jam, Patio, 1p

Nov. 28: Segue, Cooler room, 6:30p

UAFS ATHLETICS

UAFORTSMITHLIONS.COM

Nov. 1: Volleyball vs. Missouri Southern, 6p

Nov. 25: Homeschool Hangout (kids), 9:30a

* Kid classes recommended for ages 5+ **Adult classes recommended for age 18+

DANCE

Beginning Ballet: Tues., 4:15p (ages 5-7)

Adult Ballet: Tue./Thurs., 8:30a (register waballet.org) (last class for semester Nov. 21)

Nov. 5, 12, 19 - 5:30p: Kids with DanceAbilities, (ages 6 & up) (register melissaschoenfeld.com)

Moving with Parkinson’s: Wed., 1p

FAB LAB FORT SMITH

(AT ACHE RIHWC)

FABLABFORTSMITH.ORG

Open Lab: Wed. & Thurs. - 9a-4p; 1st & 2nd Sat. - 12p-5p

Nov. 1: Fort City Slam, 6p

Nov. 2, 19, 23: Writers' Workshop, 2p

Nov. 7: Entrepreneur's Book Club, 12p

Nov. 12: Fort Smith Writer's Guild Meeting, 6p

Nov. 14: Romance Book Club, 6p

Nov. 15, 16: Stems & Stories, 6p ($50)

Nov. 30: Little Jesus Chronicles

Book Launch with Kim Gordon, Story & Craft, 11a

FORT SMITH REGIONAL ART MUSEUM

FSRAM.ORG

RAM Saturdays: 12-3p (FREE)

Guided Tour Sundays: 2p (FREE)

To Dec. 1: Tammy Harrington, Quiet Moments

To Dec. 1: Art of Living Artists

To Dec 1: The Hearts Project: A Covid-19 Memorial

To Jan. 19: Students of Sonja Ayres

To Jan. 19: Ed Pennebaker, Growth & Diminishment

Nov. 2: Volleyball vs. Central Missouri, 1p

Nov. 12: Men’s Basketball vs. Univ. of the Ozarks, 6p

Nov. 15: Volleyball vs. Emporia State, 6p

Nov. 16: Volleyball vs. Washburn, 12p

Nov. 16: Women’s Basketball vs. Texas A&M International, 6p

Nov. 17: Women’s Basketball vs. Southwest Baptist, 3p

Nov. 22: Men’s Basketball vs. Southern Nazarene, 5:30p

Nov. 23: Women’s Basketball vs. SE Oklahoma State, 1p

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

NOVEMBER FUN-RAISERS

November 2: The 14th Annual Red Show Shindig benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkhoma will be held at Wyndham City Center in Fort Smith. RMHCOFARKOMA.ORG

November 2: The River Valley FCA hosts the Fellowship of Christian Athletes River Valley Run . RIVERVALLEYRUN.ORG

November 9: Whitney’s Race and Purple Reign Festival takes place at the U.S. Marshals Museum . WHITNEYSRACE.ORG

good news

ROUND OF APPLAUSE

John Mays Jewelers proudly celebrates their 25th Anniversary of serving the jewelry needs of our community.

The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith has been named one of the 2025 Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Reports

Jessica Whorton , Stage II Paralegal, Caddell Reynolds Law Firm , has been promoted to Stage II Manager within the personal injury department.

Sarah Sharum , Area Director for Arkansas Division of Children and Family Services , has been recognized as the 2024 DCFS Area Director of the Year

Jefferson Maldonado , director of robotics and automation with ArcBest Technologies , was recognized at the SJoven 2024 Jarabacoa Outstanding Young Recognition Gala in the Vision and Innovation of the Future category.

Galen Hunter and Tim Varner of MAHG Architecture were honored at the 2024 AIA Arkansas Convention . Hunter received the Fay Jones Gold Medal and Varner received the Emerging Professionals Young Architect Award

more good news

SAVE THE DATE

DECEMBER 8: Junior League Fort Smith hosts their annual Holiday Home Tour . JLFS.ORG

DECEMBER 9: U.S. Marshals Museum hosts An Evening in The Past – Theodore Roosevelt . MARSHALSMUSEUM.ORG

DECEMBER 6, 7 & JANUARY 10: Christmas

Honors hold their annual Wreath Workshop & Assembly, Wreath Event and Pick Up & Storage at the Fort Smith Convention Center . CHRISTMASHONORS.ORG

DECEMBER 21 & 22: Western Arkansas

Ballet presents their annual performance of The Nutcracker at ArcBest Performing Arts Center . WABALLET.ORG

EMPOWERING DREAMS

Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House received a $20,000 donation from Art on the Border proceeds.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace received a $2,000 grant from First United Methodist Church to continue their mission of building beds for children in need.

Fort Smith Little Theatre announced the Arvest Foundation made a $10,000 donation toward an upcoming major capital improvement to the community theatre’s facility.

CASA of Sebastian County received a $4,202 donation from the First United Methodist Church Foundation to continue their mission and train additional volunteers.

NEW FACES & PLACES

& Co. Realtors welcomes newest agent, Izzy Day.

Submit Good News to catherine@dosouthmagazine.com.

Linsey

McGraw Realtors welcomes Matt Cravey to their team.

The GOODS

imageS Jade Graves Photography and courtesy vendors

Bird Dog Flavored Whiskeys IN GOOD SPIRITS

Hearts On Fire Vela Crossover Pendant, 18kt Yellow, Rose or White Gold, .30ct - 1.30ct JOHN MAYS JEWELERS

ONYX Aesthetics and Wellness is a luxury health and wellness clinic. Our practice was founded by Julie Rowland and Jamie Powers, nurse practitioners who share a passion for aesthetics, full body wellness and age management. The focus at ONYX revolves around helping patients feel their best, while enhancing their natural beauty! Neurotoxins • PRP Treatments •

MEDICAL AESTHETICS

WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAMS FACIALS TREATMENTS HORMONE THERAPY LASER TREATMENTS URGENT SICK CARE VISITS

Owners/Nurse Practitioners: Julie Rowland and Jamie Powers LESLIE

Q+A

with The CALL in Crawford & Sebastian Counties

The Call's mission is to educate, equip, and encourage the local Christian community to provide a future and hope for children and youth in foster care. Do South® reached out to Emily Treadaway, County Director, to learn more.

DS: How did your organization come to be?

The CALL was founded almost twenty years ago in Little Rock when one woman asked what she could do to help the foster care crisis. She began recruiting foster parents in her local church, which spread the mission throughout the state. We are now in all seventy-five counties in Arkansas, with the CALL in Crawford & Sebastian Counties celebrating their fifteenth anniversary!

DS: Who does The Call serve, and in what way?

We serve local children and youth in foster care by recruiting and training foster and adoptive homes to help care for them. Once these families have children in their homes, we support them in a variety of ways, including monthly support groups, fun family events, and tangible goods like diapers, car seats, and cleaning supplies. We are renovating our new office to provide family visitation space so children can visit their biological parents while in foster care.

DS: How does The Call impact our community?

We are the number-one recruiter of traditional foster homes in Arkansas. This is especially important in an area like Fort Smith, where almost one in fifty children and youth are in foster care. Without The CALL and other faith-based organizations, local children would be in a far worse situation without foster families to care for them.

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

The CALL is completely funded by donations, whether monetary or tangible. We always need diapers and pull-ups, household cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, and gift cards to Walmart or fast-food restaurants.

DS: With so many great organizations to support, why should others choose to help you?

Foster care is a cycle that usually begins with poverty, and there could be other factors, such as addiction, mental illness,

479.353.0767

401 N. Greenwood Ave. Fort Smith, Arkansas thecallinarkansas.org

or lack of education. Still, it's ultimately the children who pay the price when they are removed from their homes. Whether you support The CALL or other local organizations, we are all trying to stop the cycle from continuing. To me, it's less about which organization you support and more about the fact that everyone should be involved somehow, whatever that looks like for you.

DS: What message would you like to convey to readers interested in learning more about your mission?

Our message is simple: there are over four hundred forty children and youth in foster care in Crawford and Sebastian Counties, and there are only enough beds available for seventy percent of them. Whether you can open your home to foster care for five years or one year, we need you. We need more families to step into the gap and provide a loving and safe environment until their parents get back on their feet. Remember that one is enough; one family and one choice can make all the difference.

Next month, we'll showcase another nonprofit in our area free of charge. Requests for this free feature will be accepted beginning October 2025. Email Catherine@DoSouthMagazine.com for details or call 479.782.1500.

Words Catherine Frederick with Emily Treadaway, County Director

ABIGAIL & LEXI

AGES 12

Meet Abigail and Lexi – two sisters searching for their forever home, where they can be loved and cherished for who they are.

Abigail is sweet and kindhearted, with a gentle spirit. She enjoys playing games on her tablet and spending time with her sister. Abigail’s favorite foods are simple pleasures—chicken nuggets, French fries, spaghetti, and pizza. Like many siblings, she enjoys doing things independently. Abigail faces some challenges, including intellectual and developmental delays, so she needs a home filled with love, patience, and understanding.

Lexi is sociable and carefree. She’s the kind of person who brings light and laughter wherever she goes. Lexi

shares an incredible bond with her sister and loves spending time with her. She looks up to Abigail, so naturally, she enjoys all the same foods. Lexi also has intellectual and developmental disabilities that require extra attention.

These amazing sisters need a home filled with patience, love, and flexibility to support their special needs. Whether it’s a single-parent or two-parent household, what matters most is a family who will embrace Abigail and Lexi’s unique journey and help them thrive.

In partnership with Project Zero, Do South® features a waiting child, or sibling group, in foster care in Arkansas.

To inquire about these incredible children, visit theprojectzero.org.

IMAGE courtesy Jenny Stricklin

WELLNESS & FITNESS GUIDE

‘Tis the Season for Sneezes

As temperatures drop and we gather indoors, respiratory illnesses become more common, peaking between December and February. Whether at schools, workplaces, or social gatherings, contagious illnesses like the flu, colds, COVID-19, and RSV spread quickly through airborne droplets when we cough, sneeze, or talk. But how can you tell if your symptoms are from allergies, a cold, flu, COVID-19, or RSV? And with numerous over the counter (OTC) treatments available, how do you know which option is best for relief?

ALLERGIES VS. RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES

Allergies, triggered by environmental allergens like ragweed, mold, pet dander, and dust mites, are prevalent in the fall. Allergy symptoms include sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, and nasal congestion. Allergies, however, do not cause fever or body aches. OTC antihistamines and nasal sprays help control symptoms. Minimizing your exposure to allergens and starting treat-ment early can reduce discomfort.

THE COMMON COLD

The common cold is caused by various respiratory viruses, with rhinoviruses being the most common. Cold symptoms typically include a stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, and cough. Unlike allergies, colds may be accompanied by a lowgrade fever or body aches. Symptoms usually last seven to ten days.

WORDS Jacqueline Phillips, APRN, Phillips Medical Clinic, Fort Smith Image Dragana Gordic/Shutterstock

While there’s no cure, supportive care with OTC remedies like antihistamines, throat lozenges, and cough suppressants can help. Antibiotics are ineffective against the common cold since it is caused by a virus, not bacteria. Staying hydrated and getting rest is crucial for recovery.

FLU, COVID-19, AND RSV

Influenza (flu), COVID-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are viral respiratory illnesses that vary in severity. While these illnesses share some symptoms, each has distinct features.

Flu: The flu often strikes suddenly, with fever, body aches, fatigue, and respiratory symptoms like a sore throat and cough. Flu season spans from October to March. Antiviral medications can shorten the flu if taken within forty-eight hours of symptom onset.

COVID-19: COVID-19 symptoms vary but can include fever, fatigue, congestion, body aches, loss of taste or smell, nausea, and shortness of breath. COVID-19 symptoms often last longer than those of the flu or a cold. Paxlovid, an antiviral medication, is effective when started within five days of symptoms but has become expensive for some.

RSV: RSV primarily affects the lower respiratory tract and is dangerous for infants, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include fever, coughing, and wheezing — a high-pitched whistling sound during breathing. RSV can lead to more serious conditions like pneumonia in vulnerable groups. Currently, no antiviral treatments exist for RSV, but supportive care helps manage symptoms.

Vaccines for flu, COVID-19, and RSV are available and may reduce the risk of severe illness. These vaccines are especially important for high-risk groups, such as children, the elderly, and those with chronic health conditions.

OTC MEDICATIONS

OTC medications can help manage respiratory illness symptoms. Long-acting twenty-four-hour antihistamines are generally more effective than short-acting antihistamines for treating runny noses and post-nasal drip. Expectorants like guaifenesin can help loosen respiratory secretions during the day, while

cough suppressants containing dextromethorphan are helpful at night for reducing coughing and improving sleep. For nasal congestion, decongestants like pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, or oxymetazoline nasal sprays can provide short-term relief but should be used for no more than three days. Those with certain medical conditions should avoid decongestants.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce fever and body aches. However, antibiotics are ineffective for viral infections, and overuse can contribute to antibiotic resistance, a significant global health threat.

SEEK MEDICAL CARE

While most respiratory illnesses can be managed at home, medical care is necessary if symptoms persist for more than two weeks, worsen, or are accompanied by shortness of breath. Establishing a relationship with a primary care provider is key to personalized treatment during illness.

Some respiratory conditions, especially in vulnerable groups, can lead to serious complications like pneumonia. Timely medical intervention helps prevent severe outcomes and speeds up recovery.

STAY PROACTIVE

Understanding the differences between respiratory illnesses like colds, flu, COVID-19, and RSV can help you manage symptoms effectively. Vaccines, early symptom management, and OTC medications are critical tools in preventing illness and relieving symptoms.

When in doubt, consult your primary care provider to ensure you receive the best care for your health needs. By staying informed and proactive, you can navigate respiratory illness season while protecting yourself and others.

Jacqueline Phillips, APRN, is a regular healthcare contributor to Do South® Magazine.

Phillips Medical Clinic 613 Lexington Avenue, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.242.9797 I PhillipsMedicalClinic.com

2024 PROFILES IN HEALTHCARE

Do South® is proud to recognize the expertise and contributions of healthcare providers in our community who set the bar for excellence with their professionalism and quality of service. These healthcare specialists are committed to providing the very best to those in their care.

Baptist Health Radiation Oncology-Fort Smith

Baptist Health Radiation Oncology-Fort Smith recently invested in new technology and equipment to provide better and more precise treatment for cancer patients in the River Valley.

This new system utilizes Surface Guided Radiation Therapy (SGRT), a multi-angle camera system that communicates in real-time with the treatment machine. This technology offers a more comfortable, non-invasive experience without compromising precision or effectiveness, with many treatments being completed in just one session.

SGRT is particularly beneficial in certain breast cancer treatments. When coupled with specialized breathing techniques, as instructed by Baptist staff, it can target other areas of the body while protecting vital organs like the heart from radiation.

"Cancer care is evolving and improving rapidly," said Dr. Daniel Schroyer, a radiation oncology specialist. "In order to provide the

best treatments, hospitals and healthcare systems need to invest and improve their equipment. I'm very excited about our ability to treat patients locally with cutting-edge treatments rather than sending them out of the community.

"Going through cancer treatments can be challenging enough from an emotional and physical standpoint, so telling a patient they must travel hours away for treatment compounds all those issues. Our goal is to provide cutting-edge cancer care close to home for the River Valley."

Dr. Schroyer is board-certified and serves as the medical director of radiation oncology at Baptist Health-Fort Smith. He has more than twelve years of clinical experience. Baptist Health Radiation Oncology-Fort Smith is located at 1502 Dodson Avenue. For more information about Dr. Schroyer and the services he provides, visit Baptist-Health.com or call 479.709.7190.

Arkansas Vision Development Center

Dedicated to personalized care, the medical professionals at Arkansas Vision Development Center believe that optimal vision and visual health are essential to overall health. The state-of-the-art facility provides a wide range of eye care services, including dry eye treatments, developmental vision testing, specialized vision therapy, eyeglasses and contact lenses, and routine eye exams, all under one roof.

Developmental optometry is a specialized field within optometry that focuses on the visual development and processing abilities of individuals. Vision therapy can provide a non-invasive approach to treating a lazy eye, or a strabismus, and improve eye tracking, focus, eye-hand coordination, and depth perception.

The doctors at Arkansas Vision Development Center serve patients of all ages, including infants and those with special needs. Leading this revolutionary practice are Dr. Wanda Vaughn and Dr. Katherine Ramey, two of Arkansas' six boardcertified developmental optometrists who provide skilled, compassionate care in a friendly, patient-centered environment. "Our approach is to understand each patient's unique needs," says Dr. Vaughn. "As physicians, we are committed to creating personalized treatment plans tailored to promote wellness, enhance visual skills, improve visual performance, and foster overall well-being."

Advanced technologies at the doctors' disposal include corrective lenses in glasses and contacts, Neurolenses, and other special prism lenses for patients suffering from headaches and visual stress, and electrodiagnostic testing to assist in diagnosing amblyopia, also known as lazy eye. Advanced computer programs, including VIVID, a specialized virtual reality 3D program, are also utilized along with Intense Pulse Light (IPL) treatment of dry eye and, coming soon, Botox or Xeomin to address ptosis or lid droop.

Dr. Ramey emphasizes the importance of a team-based approach, highlighting the skills and compassion of the center's staff. “Together, we help families make informed decisions about their overall visual health. Our team is essential to this effort," she explains. "Vision is more than just 20/20.”

Dr. Vaughn earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry. She is a Fellow of the Optometric Vision Development and Rehabilitation Association. Dr. Vaughn serves as an adjunct professor at three universities and is the clinic's supervisor for the residency program.

Dr. Ramey graduated from the University of Houston College of Optometry. She completed her Bachelor in Biochemistry at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and her residency in vision therapy, rehabilitation, and pediatric optometry at Arkansas Vision. She is a Fellow of the Optometric Vision Development and Rehabilitation Association and a co-supervisor of the residency program.

Dr. Wanda Vaughn

Dr. Katherine Ramey

Baptist Health Women's Clinic-Fort Smith

Michael Colgrove, MD, and Tiffany Alexander-Rawlins, MD, recently joined Baptist Health Women's Clinic-Fort Smith. Each brings a unique perspective to obstetrics and gynecology but shares the same passion for empowering women to take control of their reproductive and sexual health.

Dr. Colgrove has over twenty years of experience caring for women, although he initially planned to become a general surgeon. "During residency, I fell in love with delivering babies," Dr. Colgrove said. "The best part of my job is sharing that moment when a couple becomes a family."

In addition to caring for mothers, Dr. Colgrove also provides care for women who are experiencing symptoms of perimenopause or menopause that affects their quality of life. "Decreased libido and sexual dysfunction are common in women but often overlooked because it's hard to talk about," Dr. Colgrove said. "But, I tell all of my patients to listen to their bodies and never be afraid to ask questions of their care team."

Dr. Alexander-Rawlins' experiences as a patient during early adulthood inspired her to advocate for women's health. "I like my patients to have a lot of information when it comes to their reproductive goals," she said. "I highly recommend preconception counseling for women who want to become pregnant in the future so that we can address all aspects of health that could later impact their ability to become pregnant."

She recommends women start seeing a gynecologist when they become sexually active or by age 21. She also evaluates and treats teen girls who experience issues with their menstrual cycles.

Dr. Alexander-Rawlins stresses the importance of regular visits with a gynecologist. "My biggest piece of advice is to get your annual exams and go to followup appointments if you've had an abnormal pap smear," she said. "I've seen patients ignore recommendations and later get diagnosed with cervical cancer."

The physicians, certified nurse midwives, and staff at Baptist Health Women's Clinic-Fort Smith provide a supportive atmosphere where women can be heard and address their health at every stage of life. "Life can be stressful in many ways for different people; the goal is to make sure our patients are as healthy as they can be in their current situation," Dr. Alexander-Rawlins said. "Don't wait until there is a problem; let's work toward the best outcome together."

Both board-certified physicians offer a variety of services, including prenatal and pregnancy care, hormone and menopause management, routine wellness exams, and treatment for abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain, and urinary incontinence. Baptist Health Women's Clinic-Fort Smith is located at 1500 Dodson Ave., Ste. 230. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 479.709.7490.

Tiffany Alexander-Rawlins, MD

Michael Colgrove, MD

Center for Hearing and Balance

When Dr. Kelley Linton opened Center for Hearing and Balance, she envisioned a medical audiology clinic unlike anything the River Valley had ever seen. Twenty-six years later, the practice continues to set the bar for audiological care, including cuttingedge treatments usually reserved for much larger practices.

"We are deeply rooted in faith here," Dr. Linton emphasizes. "Every step taken since 1998, has been with a sense of divine guidance. We believe in being the best at what we do, driven by our love for the community and our commitment to delivering the best care possible."

This philosophy is not operated in a vacuum, as evidenced by Center for Hearing and Balance's success in adding top specialists to its staff. The clinic now has four audiologists, the most recent being Dr. Kailey Thompson, who joins Dr. Linton, Dr. Trace Cash, and Dr. Lori Boyd. Committed to providing the most cutting-edge testing and treatment plans, the doctors continually educate themselves on new ways to provide the best hearing care.

Balance and vestibular testing, unveiled in 2022, is among the services offered. Most recently, the practice gained the additional distinction of being the first and only provider in Arkansas for Lenire, a proven and FDA-approved treatment to reduce the effects of bothersome tinnitus. Tinnitus is a constant noise that might sound like ringing, crickets, or roaring and can hinder a person's sense of well-being. In addition, Center for Hearing and Balance offers the latest innovations in hearing aid technology.

"There have been a lot of advances in hearing aids," Dr. Linton says. "Some of the newest generations of aids give the wearer the ability to understand speech while filtering out noise in a way that we are very excited about.

"Seeing people who have struggled with hearing issues for years light up when they can hear clearly is one of the blessings of the work we do. As audiologists, we know that improving a person's hearing greatly improves their quality of life, and we love being able to help our community in this way."

PROFILES IN HEALTHCARE

Dr. James E. Kelly III

One of the most often overlooked medical specialties is plastic, hand, and reconstructive surgery, a field of medicine critical to restoring form and functionality in patients suffering from birth defects, illness, or trauma. Dr. James E. Kelly III, founder and owner of Western Arkansas Plastic, Hand, and Reconstructive Surgery in Fort Smith, has been a leading practitioner in this important field of medicine for decades.

"The thing I love most about this brand of medicine is how lifechanging it is for patients," he says. "We help people overcome their most difficult health experiences, restoring what an accident or disease has taken from them. It is a tremendous responsibility and a great honor to do so."

Through his private practice and affiliation with area hospitals, Dr. Kelly has helped thousands of people take that final step of recovery. This is particularly true in his skill as a hand surgeon, arguably the body's most versatile appendage, a specialty for which he is particularly distinguished.

"Obviously, there is a lot of medical training that goes into what I do, but there's another side to it as well," he says. "Plastic, hand and reconstructive procedures, unlike other types of surgery, have to consider the cosmetic elements, balancing symmetry, shape and appearance, as well as functionality."

Dr. Kelly received his medical education at Queen's University and completed plastic and hand surgical residencies at McMaster University, both in Canada. He also completed two fellowships, one in hand surgery at Kleinert Institute and one at Cosmetic Surgery Hospital. He is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and holds an additional board certification by ABPS for hand surgery.

"I was inspired to go into medicine to help people, and I have been able to achieve that," he says. "We are grateful for every patient who allowed us to be part of their healing journey, and look forward to helping many more enjoy a higher quality of life through our work."

Dr. Kendall Wagner and Kathie Wagner

In just a few years, Dr. Kendall Wagner has emerged as a leader in specialized care, serving families through his private practice, Chaffee Crossing Clinic. Now, he's teamed up with his wife, Kathie, to bring an exciting new venture to the River Valley: Aspire Aesthetics. The venture addresses skin health, vitality, and wellness to promote an improved quality of life.

Board-certified in adult and pediatric medicine, Dr. Wagner left corporate health care three years ago to form Chaffee Crossing Clinic, which provides a higher level of attention and service to the families he serves. "Prior to [private practice], I had a pediatric-heavy practice, but I wasn't able to use all my training," he said. "I wanted to provide a very high level of care, almost concierge-level, to whole families." The concept struck a chord with the community, and the practice grew considerably. At the same time, Dr. Wagner and his wife, a licensed and certified occupational therapist, spent time pursuing training in functional medicine and researching and developing nutritional and medical-grade skincare protocols.

"Functional medicine focuses on the root cause of disease and maintaining health," Dr. Wagner says. "Our focus is helping people achieve and maintain health and move beyond or away from disease."

The couple opened Aspire Aesthetics to bring that knowledge to the public. Aspire offers medical aesthetic and wellness services, including facials and injectables. The key difference is an innovative approach using research-proven, medicalgrade products and cutting-edge InMode Technology for body contouring and feminine health rejuvenation. Physician-directed bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for both men and women is also offered.

"We want to help people be more confident in who they are," Dr. Wagner says. "Aspire is an outstanding extension of the personalized care patients receive at Chaffee Crossing Clinic but expanded to a broader service line and offerings. For me, as a physician, it's exciting."

Ray of Sunshine Pediatric Therapy

Offering occupational, physical, and speech therapy services to patients aged newborn to twenty-one, Ray of Sunshine Pediatric Therapy approaches each child with unsurpassed expertise in a warm and compassionate environment. "Our mission is to meet the needs of children and their families by offering child-led therapy services at a convenient location," says Heather Ray, founder. "Our clinicians provide individualized, one-on-one care focused specifically on each child's therapy needs. Plus, we are a mobile, community-based clinic, allowing us to bring highquality care to the patient's doorstep, offering therapy at home, or at locations within the community such as daycare, preschool, or even the library."

Based in Fort Smith, Ray of Sunshine offers therapy services to clients in Arkansas and Oklahoma who are facing various developmental challenges or delays. "Our staff has been a part of Arkansas communities for more than fifteen years," Heather says. "Our clinicians have advanced training in autism, sensory integration, vision, primitive reflexes integration, kinesiology taping for pediatrics, SOS Approach to Feeding, DIRFloortime,

and burn-related needs, allowing us to best serve our families with specialized care. We also educate parents on childled play and ways to increase engagement, focus, attention, sensory integration and processing, as well as emotional/ behavioral regulation through play.” The practice's three areas of expertise, speech (language, articulation, and feeding), physical (muscular strength and endurance), and occupational (complex skills that contribute to functional independence), work in concert during normal development.

Heather says parents should pay attention to any disruption or delay and bring the child in for evaluation if detected. "There are many signs a child may need therapy assistance," she says. "Difficulty pronouncing words correctly, excessive falling or bumping into things, not being able to write their name or the alphabet by age five and having difficulty responding to their name, are all common things we see in children we evaluate. We invite families to let us help their child learn, grow, and play by contacting us for a free developmental screening or further therapy needs."

Stiles Eye Group

In any healthcare specialty, experience and expertise are of the utmost importance, and when dealing with the precious gift of sight, even more so. That’s exactly what people experience at Stiles Eye Group, where Fort Smith native Dr. Steven Stiles has been protecting patients’ vision for four decades.

“I went into this profession for one simple reason – a commitment to helping people,” he said. “All these years later, I feel fortunate to have served my community in this way.”

While the medical field has advanced rapidly over the years, Dr. Stiles still maintains the same level of commitment to helping others as he did the day he hung out his shingle. That caring and compassionate attitude extends to his team, which in 2021 included the addition of Dr. Camille Friday.

“I knew I wanted to enter this field early in life,” she said. “I had a number of eye issues starting when I was a toddler, and I always appreciated the doctors I had and the way they treated me. I want to extend that same caring experience to all our patients.”

In addition to a full suite of traditional eye care services, Stiles Eye Group offers a range of innovative specialties, including myopia treatment, pediatric eye exams, dry eye syndrome, and diabetic eye health exams.

Stiles Eye Group also offers an extensive eyewear collection featuring designer frames, including Prada, Krewe, Tiffany & Co., and Tom Ford, ensuring patients find their personal style in professionally fitted eyewear.

Dr. Stiles attended Hendrix College and received his Doctor of Optometry degree from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis. He completed an externship at the Gesell Institute of Child Development in New Haven, Connecticut.

Dr. Friday attended Missouri State University and completed her optometric doctorate at Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry in 2017. She’s also completed an externship focusing on diabetic eyecare, specialty contact lens fitting, low vision, and pediatrics.

FOCUSED ON YOU

Your eyes are as unique as your lifestyle. At Stiles Eye Group, we provide compassionate eye care using the latest imaging technology. Our patient-centered approach fosters strong connections, ensuring a more holistic and valued healthcare experience.

Udouj Orthodontics

Fort Smith native Dr. Henry Udouj III is living proof that his orthodontic patients can enjoy the best of all possible worlds: unsurpassed expertise in treatment, unrivaled customer service, and access to some of the latest advancements in orthodontia.

"We pride ourselves in treating all orthodontic cases, from simple to complex procedures that require jaw surgery," he says. One of the latest additions to Dr. Udouj's orthodontia repertoire is Invisalign, a popular straightening system that uses clear liners instead of traditional brackets and wires. For those who require more traditional hardware, Dr. Udouj is the only dental professional in the area who offers Iconix aesthetic braces, which provide the durability of brackets and wires but in a much more subtle way.

"Iconix have a coating that blends in beautifully with teeth and aren't quite as noticeable," he says. "These are particularly popular with adults who want to straighten their teeth and have

the durability of traditional braces, but are more understated than the bright silver steel variety."

Another product offered is the Synapse Dental Pain Eraser, which allows patients to escape the residual discomfort of dental procedures. "We provide this in the office as well as take-home units," he says. "It's a tool about the size of a toothbrush that patients apply to their gums and teeth, altering nerve activity. It decreases nerve activity for up to forty-eight hours, removing the pain associated with braces. We keep up with the latest advancements and continuing education courses to stay on the cutting edge."

A graduate of Baylor Dental School and St. Louis University School of Orthodontics, Dr. Udouj continues his father's legacy of dentistry by providing expert and compassionate care. "I've always believed in treating every patient like I would treat my own child," he says. "That's the standard of care we strive to live up to every single day."

Creating Beautiful Smiles

Xs and Os THE MICHAEL BEAUMONT STORY

When Michael Beaumont charged onto the field with the Arkansas Razorbacks football team, it seemed too good to be true. The year was 2006, and Michael was recently hired to help with special teams, serve as academic counselor for the offensive team, and work with operations.

Now, there he was, with the U of A marching band forming the letter "A" in front of him and the crowd beyond, mostly dressed in Razorback red, raising the roof, as only tens of thousands of fans can do.

As his feet hit the turf, Michael looked for familiar faces. There in the stands stood his wife, Susan, and their two daughters. Michael's heart swelled so much it almost felt like a medical

emergency. After he got his bearings, he spotted some of his former Lincoln High School football players. Teens he'd been coaching just weeks before.

He would have still been coaching at the high school level, but the phone call came. Houston Nutt, Arkansas' head football coach from 1998 to 2007, wanted Michael, Lincoln High's coach and athletic director, to join his staff.

Michael had been in the head coach's sights for years. "I worked football camps for Coach Nutt during the summer. Any and every football camp the university had, I was at. I did that for nine years, every summer, trying to learn, but I also had that dream of getting noticed."

WORDS Marla Cantrell IMAGES courtesy Michael Beaumont

His plan finally worked. In the midst of acclimating, he found a friend in Coach Louis Campbell. "He gave me a crash course on how to lead a collegiate football program from the administrative side."

In early 2008, Houston Nutt left Arkansas for Mississippi. In Oxford, he took control of the Ole Miss football program, bringing Michael along as assistant athletic director and head of operations. College sports is a fickle business, and in 2011, Coach Nutt was fired, which meant he and Michael were out of a job. In 2012, Michael found himself at the University of Tennessee.

"I had done a college internship at Knoxville. I met Pat [Summit] and Holly [Warlick] back then. Fast forward twenty-four years, and they're in the SEC. I'm in the SEC. We rekindled our friendship... I was asked to come and interview, and I did. I became the head of basketball administration for the Lady Vols, so I go from a world of testosterone to a world of estrogen."

When the team traveled, the women needed extra time to get ready and several more changes of clothes. Michael's rigid schedule he'd designed didn't allow for that. He laughs, remembering Coach Warlick taking him aside to explain. "I wasn't coaching men's football anymore."

He'd arrived at a fraught time. In 2011, Coach Summit announced she had early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Michael's heart broke for her and for Coach Warlick. "They were friends for more than thirty years. They were like sisters,” said Michael. "You see this persona on TV of this hard college coach, this leader of people, but, man, those two women had the biggest hearts in the world."

Coach Summit died in June 2016 at sixty-four years of age. She'd coached the Lady Vols for thirty-eight winning seasons, becoming the first NCAA coach to amass 1,000 wins and earning eight national championships. Michael calls her hands-down the best basketball coach that ever lived.

"My years of learning from Coach Nutt and Coach [Frank] Broyles, and now my years of learning from Pat Summit and Holly Warlick, made me afraid that this dream would end. That someone would pop the bubble. At Tennessee, we win the SEC, we go to NCAA tournaments, we go to championships. I was lucky and blessed."

In 2019, Fort Smith Public Schools was looking for a director of athletics and activities, and the position caught Michael's attention. "I'd been an administrator. I'd worked with male and female athletes. I was ready for a new challenge." And in a way, he was coming home.

Just one mile from Michael's office sits Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, where his parents, Wayne and Connie, were married fifty-seven

years ago. His mom came from Peru and was attending the St. Edward Nursing College. His dad was playing baseball for Westark Community College (now UAFS). "It's been a full-circle life," Michael says. "The Lord has a way of bringing everybody back to where you start from."

Michael's dad, Wayne, had served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He'd retired as a sergeant in the U.S. Army. But Wayne was also a teacher, an administrator, and one heck of a coach.

"Dad was the greatest man I've ever known. He taught us to be humble, whether we're winning or losing. Whether it's greatness or failure. I think you could ask anyone who played for him or was a student of his, and they'd say he loved them. He was hard; he was a disciplinarian. He was two cups love and one cup discipline."

Growing up, Michael played several sports and tried to play the saxophone in the sixth grade. He didn't last a semester.

He went to college on a baseball scholarship. "The funny thing is that when you're on scholarship, you're also supposed to go to school. I didn't do that part very well." He lost his scholarship,

and his father believed the fix would be the United States Army. "In Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, I learned I should have listened to my father while I was still in school. When I returned to school, I was an incredible student."

Wayne passed away in October 2010, "during Alabama week at Ole Miss," Michael says, citing the heartache in sports terminology. Childhood memories show up daily, like this one. Michael has two younger brothers, each two and a half years apart. Each graduated from a different high school. The boys grew up on the biggest playgrounds, which were football fields, baseball fields, and gymnasiums. "Everywhere he was, we were."

Michael sees the same goodness in the Fort Smith Schools. "I can go on and on about what our coaches and directors have done for our kids. Providing a meal, not just for the student, but for the whole family. Somebody's sleeping in a car, and they take them in. They do so much more than what you see on the fields or the courts. They're teachers of life, and I'm blessed to be a part of them.

"We have a saying. The greatest thing about our job is that it matters. The hardest thing about our job is that it matters

Monica Beaumont Stanley and Rachel Beaumont, 2006

Army Col. (ret) Denise Beaumont, Army Lt. Col. (ret) Steven Beaumont, and Michael Beaumont

every single day.” He recalls Coach Nutt driving to the parking lot where the Razorback band was practicing just so he could encourage them. He remembers Coach Summit and Coach Warlick giving surprises to the cheer squad and band members while traveling, making sure they knew they were appreciated. "I learned from the best," he says.

And while Michael is driven to win, it's not the only point. "The ball won't always fall your way, but you can't fall apart. We're teaching life lessons. You're going to lose a parent one day, you're going to have a child who gets sick, you're going to fail in college, or go on a thousand job interviews. It's more than just a game of Xs and Os."

Michael was in three Cotton Bowls in a row, one with Arkansas and two with Ole Miss. While he remembers those days fondly, he says his current job is the best in the world. In 2025 and 2026, the Great American Conference college basketball tournament will be played in Fort Smith.

The conference move from Shawnee, Oklahoma, to Fort Smith took some doing, but the school system worked with the Fort Smith Visitors Bureau to make it happen. A point of pride is that the college coaches were impressed by the Northside and Southside facilities.

On the bookshelf behind Michael is a trove of inspirational quotes, sports memorabilia, and family photos. One sign reads, Make your best the standard.

Michael calls himself the luckiest guy in the room, the eternal student, the man who depends on others for the plan. But it's one of those understatements leaders make. That REAL leaders make. They like to say they stand on the shoulders of others, but the truth is they are the foundation holding the house on steady ground.

The ball won't always fall your way, but you can't fall apart. We're teaching life lessons... It's more than just a game of Xs and Os.

-Michael Beaumont

TO HONOR AND SERVE

Saint-Mihiel, France , is a long way from Van Buren, Arkansas, both in miles and culture, but thanks to a simple white cross standing a post, the unlikely connection between the two places remains steadfast.

The marker denotes the final resting place of Robert Jack, a River Valley farm kid turned World War I casualty, who was felled in battle.

"When everybody was signing up for the draft, they all went down to Camp Beard, Louisiana," says Matthew Hicks, commander of Robert Jack VFW Post 1322 in Van Buren. "Six months prior to everyone else leaving, they had what they call the June auto replacement draft and Robert Jack was one of the volunteers that wanted to go, so he left six months before all of his other buddies did."

WORDs Dwain Hebda images courtesy Jade Graves Photography and Robert Jack VFW Post 1322

L to R: Matthew Hicks, Johnny Gothard, Chris Nichols, Chester Star

Robert Jack was assigned to Delta Battery, 150th Field Artillery Regiment, and was killed during the waning hours of the Battle of Saint-Mihiel offensive in France in September 1918. Seven years later, his name would become synonymous with a landmark in his home state that survives to this day.

As an organization, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, or VFW, traces its roots to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War of 1898 and the Philippine Insurrection of 1899 to 1902 founded local organizations to assist veterans who were otherwise left to fend for themselves to cope with injuries, illness and financial hardship related to their service in battle.

Some groups banded together to form the VFW, with the first chapters established in Ohio, Colorado, and Pennsylvania. Local Arkansas veterans followed suit, including in Van Buren, where vets from the SpanishAmerican War and World War I formed a post in Robert Jack's name.

"Our post was founded in February of 1925, and according to some of the documents I found and newspaper clips and things, we were the third post in the state, only by twenty-four hours," Matthew says.

"There was a post formed in Little Rock, and of course, that post is no longer with us. Then the second post that was formed in the state, I believe, up in Prairie Grove, and that post has closed. So, even though we were the third one in 1925, we managed to actually be the oldest surviving post in the state."

"Membership is limited to individuals who have served honorably in a conflict or a combat zone area, although you don't necessarily have to have had combat service," he says.

"We also have an auxiliary comprised of the family members of veterans eligible to join the VFW. Folks who like what we're doing come to us, but may not be eligible to join; we try to help them research their family history. If they've got family who may have served in a combat zone, that will allow them to join our post in the VFW Auxiliary."

Matthew, who actively served in the Army from 1994 to 2004 and was deployed to Afghanistan, continues to serve as a medic in the Arkansas National Guard. He first got interested in the VFW in 2004 while living in Carroll County, but family obligations kept him from being active. Moving to Van Buren in 2009, he discovered Post 1322 and joined in 2011, drawn by a desire to serve the community and his fellow veterans.

"The VFW allows us to continue to serve in different capacities," he says. "Several years ago, my wife and I started hiking for mental health because when we first got married, we were both broke, and we were just looking for some fun, easy things to do. We'd go hiking and it was good for me as far as getting things out of my head as we walked around. We thought, let's try this through the post, and we started inviting our friends. Now, it's turned into a monthly event, weather permitting, and we'll take anybody who wants to hike a trail."

Now on the brink of its centennial anniversary, Robert Jack VFW Post 1322 remains unique for reasons beyond mere longevity. Unlike many other VFWs, the post doesn't serve alcohol, which helps foster a family-friendly atmosphere. The group is as dedicated to the community in its programming as it is to the needs of its members, sponsoring patriotic and educational events for youth, clean-ups around the community, and other events promoting civic pride. Matthew attributes these efforts to upping the organization's visibility and contributing to its survival, especially given the membership eligibility for VFWs, which is narrower than other groups.

Like most of the organization's activities, the programming serves double duty both on the face of it and as a continued series of touch points between veterans and their buddies to help provide assistance when needed by connecting to local resources or lending an understanding ear. The VFW was formed to address physical and emotional wounds, and that continues today in ways large and small.

"Take that little deal that my wife and I started with hiking for mental health. When we go hiking these trails, we try to make

the hike manageable because you're not required to stay with the group. It's an on-your-own thing, so if you want to sit or talk to your friends, just look around, or get into or out of your head, that's what it was designed for.

"And then, of course, when we have new veterans in the area, we'll introduce them to the Fort Smith VA and put them in contact with resources to help get them into counseling if needed. Or, we'll put them in contact with our county veteran service officer, who will help initiate their paperwork with the VA so they can get services. If you will, it's a circle by which we continue to try to help all these folks that come in."

Matthew closed another circle recently when he visited Robert Jack's gravesite in France. He describes the experience as a powerful one.

"When I deployed to Germany, we were training Ukrainians," he says. "Since we were so close to SaintMihiel, France, I got to see Robert Jack's grave. Our assumption is that I'm the first person from Arkansas to visit his grave since his mother came when they started the Gold Star Mother program back in the 1930s. We're pretty sure nobody else has gone to see him since then."

At this, Matthew paused, as if reliving in his mind the moment of visiting a brother in arms who had fallen decades before yet remains connected to his home thousands of miles away thanks to the VFW post formed in his honor.

"It's all about the comradery," Matthew says.

Matthew Hicks

A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO Christmas Joy

Last year, not even Scrooge could have dreaded Christmas shopping more than I did. I'd been through a season of personal growth. The kind of growth you never want because it sprouts from a well of immense loss. So, the songs of Christmas only irritated me, and the Hallmark Christmas Channel, a previous guilty pleasure, stayed off. No one needed that much holiday propaganda.

Bah. Humbug.

One Saturday in early December, I headed to downtown Fort Smith to do an interview for an upcoming article. When I finished, I drove past Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Parish Hall, where their annual Holiday Market was being held. I wouldn't say it was divine intervention, but something did make me turn my car around. Once I parked at the church, I had the kind of debate most introverts have when facing a new experience. Was it worth the effort? What if I had to, good heavens, talk to someone I didn't know?

I went anyway.

This is where it gets sappy. From the moment I stepped inside the Parish Hall, I felt the spirit of Christmas. Like, the real sentimental spirit of Christmas. So much kindness, from the women who greeted me to the vendors selling things like a tabletop Santa and his reindeer with a wooden, hand-sawn sleigh. The bulk of the centerpiece was made of wine corks. Did I buy it? How could I not?

There were hand-embroidered pillowcases I couldn't resist. Home-baked goods. Eggrolls and tamales made by local cook, Maria Diaz. Crocheted baby blankets, hand-made stuffies. Hand-crafted jewelry, candles, soaps. Rosaries and nativities. Pottery. Plus, a lunch of homemade tacos and spinach and cheese pupusas was being served. The smell was divine, but did I eat? No, I did not. You can lead an introvert to an unfamiliar lunchroom, but… Well, you know.

WORDs Marla Cantrell image courtesy Immaculate Conception Church

I remember the smiles most, the background noise of customers' delighted voices. Laughter. Gentle reminders of the goodness of the season. And in my really hard year, it was like a magic potion.

What I didn't know was how the Holiday Market started. This year, I was determined to find out. Here's what I learned.

In 2015, the church's Amistad Multicultural Ladies Group proposed the idea of a market to raise money and support all the talented craftspeople and small businesses in the area. Since that time, they've used money made from the market to buy sound equipment, televisions for classrooms, and food and prescription medicine for those in need.

"The multicultural group meets Monday evenings, and it's for women who work during the day," Surennah Werley, the religious education director, says. "All year long, we look for projects. We've made rosaries, Advent wreaths, tote bags, crocheted items. We've sewn numerous quilts out of scrap fabric that we give to Hope Campus. We make baby items for Heart-to-Heart Pregnancy Center. People bring us scrap fabric, and we find a way to use it.”

Attendance at the meetings runs from fifteen women to forty. Their ages range from thirty to eighty-two. "It's always potluck. Miss Eva, who's eighty-two, gets wool from Germany, where she's originally from, and knits socks. She'll have a space at this year's Holiday Market. "That's how we met her; she was a vendor. She asked us about Amistad, and we invited her. You don't have to be Catholic to come.

"Last year was the first year we sold out of everything… Our goal is to fill the place with people and have traffic flow all day long. We want you to find gifts you'll not find at Target, Walmart, or Amazon. That somebody right here made.

"Mr. Johnson comes every year. He's in his eighties and makes wooden objects. I buy a nativity from him every year. And we have another lady that makes magnetic jewelry to help with your circulation. My daughter swears by the bracelets.

"We had a lady last year who baked gluten-free items, they were delicious, and mint cupcakes that were incredible. A group of parents from Trinity [Catholic School] baked for the market, and a local man with beehives that sold honey."

The Amistad ladies, many of whom are incredible cooks, serve the lunch. The cost? Only eight dollars. And Father Christmas is on hand for photos. The youngest vendor, a fifteen-yearold girl from Conway who used to live in Fort Smith, makes custom hand-beaded jewelry.

"I love the vendors," Surennah says. "They spend the day catching up with each other. Sometimes, it's the only time they see each other, and they've formed a friendship.

It was about the fourth year when I knew we were on to something great because the vendors started telling other vendors about the Immaculate Conception Holiday Market." Surennah says the market is another way to love people, a task she takes seriously.

She came to Immaculate Conception in the 1970s at the request of a boy she liked. Surennah should have known the façade of the building well; she'd shopped in the nearby Abilities Unlimited store for school clothes often enough. But she'd never taken in its grandeur, never felt the presence she did as she sat on the back pew, where she could escape if needed.

A protestant, albeit a casual one, she didn't know if Catholicism was for her. She taps a spot on her chest. "I felt something here," she says, speaking of her heart. "Something I'd never felt before." She kept both the church and the boy. She and her husband have now been married forty-five years.

Surennah carries the spirit of Christmas with her year-round. Or maybe it's the evidence of God's love. As for the feeling she had when she first experienced Immaculate Conception Catholic Church? It happens still, that otherworldly, unexplainable event of the heart. That's what lets her know she's in exactly the right place.

The Immaculate Conception Holiday Market will be held December 7, 2024, 9a – 3p in the Parish Hall - 22 North 13th Street, Fort Smith.

This event is free to attend.

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WORDs Dwain Hebda

TThe Heart of Hunger

he holidays are upon us as we prepare to gather and feast at the Thanksgiving table. A tradition that stretches back to colonial times, the holiday is meant to inspire us to reflect upon our many blessings and share what we have with those who are less fortunate.

In Arkansas, there is plenty of the latter to go around. No matter how one slices it, the Natural State's standing in hunger and food insecurity is sobering and getting worse.

Feeding America reported in 2020 nearly 445,000 Arkansas residents, or almost fifteen percent of the population, of all ages, backgrounds, and ethnicities, are food insecure, meaning they lack access at times to enough food for an active, healthy life, as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture. According to the USDA Economic Research Service, by 2022, that number had grown to more than 555,000. Of these, almost 169,000 are children, reports the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance.

In September, Arkansas was dubbed the hungriest state in the country for 2023, according to the USDA's Household Food Security in the United States survey. That document reported the percentage of Arkansas households that experienced low or very low food security rose from a three-year average of about seventeen percent in 2022 to nearly nineteen percent last year. That rate of food-insecure households is nearly five percent higher than the national average.

Given the enormity and prevalence of the problem, it is little wonder why so many organizations, in part or in whole, focus on hunger as their mission of choice in communities across the state. Fort Smith is no exception, which is why Do South® reached out to a few of these groups to discover the scope of the issue locally and to relay ways concerned citizens can help be part of the solution.

COMMUNITY RESCUE MISSION

A transitional shelter, Community Rescue Mission was founded forty-three years ago to serve families in crisis. The organization hosts up to fourteen families at a time, providing shelter, food, hygiene items, case management, clothing, and other basic needs, per Heather Sanders, executive director. Community Rescue Mission served about forty-three thousand meals in 2023, at a rate of three meals a day.

"We transitioned into a family shelter about six years ago when Hope Campus opened, and since then, we are constantly on a waitlist," Heather says. "We served eight hundred and five people last year, and I believe we have seven families on the wait list right now. That has continued to increase in the last six to eight months.

"Unfortunately, inflation is creating some issues. We lack affordable housing in our communities, and many families are one paycheck away from having to knock on our door. We recommend that anybody in need call as early as possible; if you're struggling and behind, call now, get on the wait list because we don't know how long it will be until we can get you in."

The group serves a clientele of families, defined as groups that include minor children, be it a single-parent or dual-spouse household. The children can be of any age; in fact, Heather said the group has hosted families released directly from the hospital after having a baby.

Client families stay for an average of six months while they get back on their feet from various life situations. Attending to their needs takes volunteers and donations, both of which are gladly and readily accepted from the community.

"We absolutely accept all kinds of food," Heather says. "If it's cooked food, it can't be opened or needs to come directly from a restaurant. As for canned goods and perishable items, we take them all the time. They do need to be within the date, which is a requirement for the health department. We are always in need of milk and fresh fruits and vegetables. That's one thing that we continuously struggle with.

"In addition, we have a meal calendar where companies and volunteers can sign up to come in and help cook and serve meals. We rely very heavily on volunteers."

Heather adds that in addition to food, the organization provides personal hygiene products, baby items such as diapers, and housewares. They have also launched a bed ministry to help families set up housekeeping when they move out of the shelter.

310 North F St., Fort Smith 479.782.1443 | fscrm.org

RIVERVIEW HOPE CAMPUS

A relatively new organization, Riverview Hope Campus opened nearly seven years ago and is the largest low-barrier homeless shelter in the six-county region of the River Valley. Services include case management and advocacy for individuals, as well as employment services, life skills classes, and even kennels for those with pets. Riverview Hope Campus also acts as a conduit for individuals to access additional community services, including health care, mental health services, and counseling.

On any given night, the organization hosts one hundred forty individuals in-house and serves an estimated thirteen thousand meals per month, says Phylis Savoy, the group's community development coordinator.

"As inflation is rising and prices are increasing, we see a lot of people who aren't even necessarily experiencing homelessness. They're in a situation where they can't afford groceries, coming to eat here," she says. "Over the past two months, we've seen an increase in women with children coming to eat a balanced, nutritious meal."

With a steady flow of people seeking help from the shelter, keeping food supplies stocked takes constant effort. Phylis says grocery prices have strained the organization's resources and forced it to think creatively about how to fulfill its mission to feed the hungry.

"We don't necessarily have a lot of funds to buy the food that we need, so we rely heavily on community support for donations for our kitchen," she said. "We do not have restrictions on anything that we can accept. We only ask that it is edible and not past its expiration date. As long as it's edible and safe, we're willing to accept it, whether that's canned or fresh produce, milk, dairy products, anything anyone is willing to give and help us; it is greatly appreciated.

"Every quarter, we also host a canned food drive where we partner with different agencies. Sometimes it's churches, and this past quarter it was our educational partners, such as our local schools."

The group also relies on help from volunteers and local groups, which has paid big dividends in the kitchen and donations, including hygiene items, diapers, and other supplies.

"We serve three meals a day, and have volunteers, mostly church groups, that come in and help cook and serve meals, bringing food in themselves," Phylis says. "We are filled up on our kitchen volunteers until about February because we have a very giving community behind us."

301 South E St., Fort Smith 479.668.4764 | riverviewhopecampus.org

RIVER VALLEY REGIONAL FOOD BANK

Tracy Engel, director of the River Valley Regional Food Banks, minces no words when describing the scope of local hunger. "I can tell you right now the need at the River Valley Regional Food Bank in the River Valley area is probably higher than it was during the height of COVID," she says. "When I say that, everybody says the same thing, they say, wow. They can't believe it, but that's where we are.

"It's the perfect storm between economic conditions, the cost of transportation, the cost of food. You've got people who have never had to go to a food pantry or a food bank asking for food. We have one hundred seventy food pantries that are members of the food bank in an eight-county service area, and we're all feeling it."

Tracy says in the decade she's been with the food pantry, she has never seen conditions as they are now, resulting in severe shortages of items that are usually plentiful. "This morning, I was on the phone with our corporate partners telling them we are in a protein crisis," she says. "I need protein. I've never had to do that before."

The food bank, one of two hundred that makes up Feeding America nationally and one of six in the state, serves eight counties in Arkansas. It supplies a network of front-line food pantries and other organizations that feed the hungry and serve the public directly.

The food bank distributed eighteen million pounds of food last year, fighting against hunger trends that place seventeen percent of River Valley households and twentyfive percent of local youth in the food insecure category.

Tracy says one of the food bank's significant needs, besides monetary donations, is volunteers. "Without volunteers, food banks do not operate," she says. "That's just hands down all there is to it. People can come out to the food bank and volunteer. We're always packing boxes and sorting product that comes in. There's always those things to do. Come by and help us with distribution; our next one is November 19, you will really get to see what food banking is all about.

"In the community, you can host a food drive, pick a rival school or company, and see who can collect the most cereal or canned goods. We just had that happen; one school did peanut butter, and the other did jelly, and now we've got peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for days. Everything helps."

1617 South Zero St., Fort Smith

479.785.0582 | rvrfoodbank.org

Looking for a way to get involved? Check out this partial list of organizations feeding those in need locally and be part of the solution!

Antioch for Youth and Families

479.459.0669

antiochyouthfamily.org

First Presbyterian

First Sunday Supper

479.783.8919

1pres.org

First United Methodist

Last Sunday Breakfast & Taking It to the Streets Programs

479.782.5068

fsfumc.org

Harvest Time

Food Pantry & Clothes Closet

479.646.6001

htchurch.com

Immaculate Conception

Sack Lunch Program

479.783.7963

icchurch.com

Salvation Army

479.783.6145

southernusa.salvationarmy.org

St. Bartholomew's Episcopal

The Sack Lunch Program

479.783.2101

stbartsfs.org

The Next Step Day Room

Homeless Service

479.782.5433

thenextstepfs.org

Painting the Blues

JOHN GOODWIN, AN ARKANSAS ORIGINAL

John Goodwin’s work, alive with movement and color, captures the spirit of the Delta and the world beyond, blending his love for art, music, and storytelling.

WORDs Jim Warnock images courtesy Jim Warnock and John Goodwin

If you've ever thought you heard blues music in the distance or felt the urge to dance while visiting an art museum or walking along the Hot Springs Greenway Trail, you might have been viewing the work of an artist named John Goodwin. His paintings seem to stir with music and motion as varied as his imagination and the scenes captured in his travels across Arkansas and beyond.

John's interest in communicating through art and language began early. As a sophomore at El Dorado High School in south Arkansas, he and a couple of classmates published an "underground" newspaper called The Renegade in the attic of one of the local churches. It was rich with satirical humor and featured John's recreations of the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers comics but only ran five issues before school authorities shut it down.

John went on to study art at Louisiana Tech University, graduating with a degree in graphic design, but stopped creating art for thirty-five years while building his family and working in sales for a Little Rock graphic design company. Later, while working for an advertising agency, he served as the lead account executive for the Fort Smith area's visitors guide, regularly staying in Fort Smith to call on local businesses.

In 2017, John was attending an arts festival in Little Rock when he came across a vendor booth selling black velvet-style portraits of musicians. He quietly commented to his teenage son, Trevor, that they didn't look very good. With a smirk, Trevor said, "I guess you think you could do better?" John thought, yes, I used to be able to. Trevor continued, "So, why don't you paint me a Bob Marley?"

A few days later, John went to his garage, found his old paintings and a piece of art board, and secretly painted a portrait of Bob Marley. When he finished, he felt a sense of satisfaction, and decided to give Trevor his first painting since college as a Christmas gift, a thank-you for challenging him. Since John had two sons, he painted Johnny Cash as a gift for

his other son, Barrett. That year, there were many surprised looks around the Christmas tree, and John's passion for painting was reignited.

John's love of music, and respect for those who create it, became a focus of his work from that Christmas forward. As a longtime fan of comic books, he began to add brightly colored shapes and musical notes flying through the air to express sound and emotion, creating a blend of fantasy and realism in his art. It didn't take long for John to realize that his unusual paintings were finding an audience and catching the eyes of music lovers and art enthusiasts.

As an original Arkansas River Blues Society member, John volunteered with annual blues festivals on the Arkansas River in Little Rock and North Little Rock. John has a quiet manner about him, and it's easy to imagine him slipping into blues clubs and rural honky-tonks while using his artist's eye to capture the culture and personalities of the musicians he hears.

In 1986, John attended the first King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena. He dreamed of one day having his art featured on the festival's annual poster. Though his dream was set to come true in 2021, the festival was canceled due to the pandemic. Thankfully, his artwork was showcased in 2022, and John would go on to win the poster contest in 2023. Today, his paintings are part of the permanent collection at the Delta Cultural Center Museum in Helena.

During that same period, John also had paintings selected for display in 2022 and 2023 on the Hot Springs Greenway Trail as part of the Hot Springs Area Cultural Alliance's outdoor exhibit, Art Moves . In 2024, his painting, Red's , was selected for inclusion in the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum's exhibition entitled, Inclusive Red's was then selected for display on the Times Square jumbotrons in New York City

as part of the Harmony & Diversity exhibit by HMVC Gallery New York.

When asked about his increasing notoriety, John noted, "I never dreamed that my art would be so well received because it's so much different than traditional gallery art." But the recognition just keeps coming.

He recently had a painting selected for the Food Story 2024 Exhibition, a portrait painting chosen for the Portraits 2024 Exhibition, and a landscape for the Scenic 2024 show sponsored by the international online art gallery, Gallerium. John recently learned that his painting, Dreamland, was chosen to be included in the 50th issue (September 24) of Astonish magazine, a monthly art publication with a circulation of over one hundred thousand.

Does he worry about running out of inspiration? "I just hope I live long enough to paint all the ideas I already have," he says. John knows it's never too late to reignite your creative gifts, even those that fall to the wayside while making a life. "Just begin! And enjoy the journey," says John. "You never know where it might lead."

John Goodwin

Fort Smith REBRANDED

Main Street America (MSA) has a proven track record of helping grow downtown communities' economic development. Founded in 1980, it has helped generate over $101 billion in local reinvestment, rehabbed 335,000 buildings, created 728,000 new jobs, and launched 175,000 new businesses in over 2,000 communities.

Fort Smith joined the MSA community in 2020, thanks to the dedicated work of former 64.6 Executive Director Talicia Richardson. Membership gives the city access to various nationally recognized corporations, foundations, government entities,

and organizations that deliver grants and technical services to support thriving local economies.

When Amanda Hager stepped up earlier this year to fill Talicia's position, her marketing background led her to believe the timing was right to rebrand the 64.6 organization. One of her first official acts was to change its public name to "Main Street Fort Smith" (MSFS). "By rebranding 64.6 to Main Street, I believe it will give people a better sense of what we are," Amanda rationalized. "When people hear Main Street, it presents a defined image. They think downtown, historic, central hub of the city,

WORDs Bob Robinson images courtesy Main Street Fort Smith

a place I want to walk around. These are connotations we want visitors to associate with the organization."

Amanda is no stranger to the Fort Smith area. Formerly an executive producer for Channel 5 News and Oklahoma City's KWTV – News 9, she was teaching at Haas Hall Academy in Rogers when approached about the 64.6 position. She agreed to the position in part because this was where her family and closest friends lived – and her "Home." Another contributing factor was a desire to serve her community, which she previously achieved in her news and teaching positions. Her role with MSFS will provide further opportunities to accomplish this goal.

THERE IS MORE TO MAIN STREET FORT SMITH

Amanda's project experience helped prepare her for managing MSFS. She is accustomed to juggling numerous "balls in the air" at once. She admits it was initially a bit overwhelming, but she is settling in and can now keep an eye on all the active projects, even if only in her peripheral vision.

MSFS's mission is "To create economic vitality through diverse commerce with arts, culture, and business." She works closely with the Downtown Business Association, Central Business Improvement District, and other organizations to achieve their

goals. On projects where MSFS is not the lead, they support others' ventures.

MSFS has signed a Contract of Services with the city to promote downtown while supporting its property and business owners. MSFS creates events such as Ghouls on Garrison and Christmas on Cisterna, which offer great opportunities for people to meet downtown merchants.

Amanda's job description continues beyond creating events that attract visitors to Fort Smith's downtown. She is also the contact for anyone interested in purchasing, renovating, or expanding downtown buildings. She is also the first stop for business owners with questions about historic preservation rules and research grants for historic structures' restoration and renovation. "I want to be the go-to person for anyone wanting to start or expand their business downtown," Amanda explained. "I have the resources to connect them with the right person."

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Main Street Fort Smith will present Invest Fort Smith on November 13 at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith's Center for Economic Development located at the Bakery District in downtown Fort Smith. This annual one-day conference will focus on entrepreneurs interested in starting a small business downtown or expanding their business.

Assorted panels conducted by city, county, and business directors from local companies share real-world experiences

related to social media marketing, procurement, and other business practices. The conference will also include panels on preparing for growth associated with the 85th Fighter Wing group, as well as a panel to help startups utilize AI to further their businesses.

Amanda is also working on the Alley Activation Installation, which involves installing professional bistro lighting in the alley between the State Office and 702 Garrison building. "This will provide a well-lit, attractive walkway that connects Garrison with Rogers Avenue and the Bakery District," Amanda explained. "It will become a popular venue for pop-up events,

such as concerts and food/merchant fairs." She is also applying for a public grant to add art to dress up the alleyway.

Looking ahead, Main Street Fort Smith is bringing back a community favorite—the Levitt Amp Music Series—set to return in the spring of 2025. This free concert series on the banks of the Arkansas River promises live music in a beautiful setting, offering another reason to visit and enjoy downtown Fort Smith.

To learn more about scheduled events and future downtown activities, visit mainstreetfs.org. To reach Amanda, call 479.462.9132 or email director@mainstreetfs.org.

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Empowering Futures

WATC Network Engineering

Through hands-on training, supportive learning environments, and strong community ties, the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith (UAFS) is shaping a new generation of skilled workers ready to meet the demands of the River Valley's rapidly evolving job market. As the manufacturing landscape continues to evolve, UAFS is dedicated to equipping students with the skills necessary for future success. By focusing on future-oriented training, UAFS ensures that its programs remain relevant and impactful.

Dr. Latisha Settlage, UAFS College of Business and Industry dean, shared about the future. "This is an exciting time to be in

Fort Smith because there are a lot of things that are changing, and in particular, those changes are centering on manufacturing. Manufacturing is changing."

Training for the Future

Dr. Settlage explained how UAFS is responding to the needs of the River Valley's industry. "We've surveyed our manufacturing constituents at UAFS on our advisory boards, and we find that not only do we have partners who are already integrating technology into the manufacturing process, but many have plans to continue to do that."

words and images courtesy University of Arkansas – Fort Smith

UAFS is developing a unique Bachelor of Science degree program in advanced manufacturing that will transform engineering education in the region. This program is unlike any other in the state and is expected to attract companies to Fort Smith by providing the skilled workforce and educational resources they require. Enrollment for this advanced manufacturing degree is set to begin in the fall of 2025.

A Supportive Environment

UAFS is committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere for all students. Adrianna Munoz, a Future School of Fort Smith graduate and an Electronics Technology student participant in the Youth Apprenticeship program at UAFS Western Arkansas Technical Center (WATC), noted how her classmates supported her journey. "Everyone was incredibly kind, very encouraging. I never felt excluded because I was female." She is now a UAFS student working at Gerber as a youth apprentice. This culture of inclusivity is crucial for attracting and retaining diverse talent in the manufacturing sector.

Hands-On Experience Matters

One of the core themes emerging from the experiences of UAFS students is the value of hands-on learning. Adrianna shared, "It gave me the hands-on experience I needed in my career field. I get to take what I learned in the classroom and apply it to a real work environment." This practical approach enhances students' skills and prepares them for real-world challenges.

Christian Muck, a WATC youth apprentice at ABB and student at Lavaca High School, echoed this sentiment. "I enjoy being hands-on and solving problems. It's taught me to work out problems on my own." For students like Christian, the ability to engage directly with the tools and processes of manufacturing fosters a deeper understanding and passion for their work.

Pathways to Career Advancement

UAFS provides multiple pathways for students to advance their careers. Daniel Hernandez Donato, who studied network engineering while attending Southside High School in Fort Smith, emphasized the benefits of earning college credits in high school. "It's good for students who aren't necessarily geared towards college. They can start early and explore their options." He is now attending UAFS as a university student pursuing a degree in computer science and has enlisted in the Arkansas Air National Guard. This approach allows students to build a strong foundation and enter the workforce with relevant skills and experiences.

Stephanie Tindall, an HR professional at International Paper, expressed excitement about the next generation entering the workforce. "Students are coming in, they're getting that education behind them, and they can stay local. They can grow with employers partnering with UAFS." This local focus helps students find employment and strengthens the community's economic health.

Mentorship and Guidance

Mentorship is another vital aspect of the UAFS experience. Randy Kent, a WATC electronic technology instructor, emphasized the importance of guiding students. "Students need

Adrianna Munoz

Christian Muck

guidance. What we're trying to do now is bridge that gap and get them to the [UAFS] campus where we build on the foundation that we've laid here [at WATC]." This commitment to mentorship helps students navigate their career paths and gain the confidence needed to succeed.

Diverse Fields of Study

UAFS offers a wide array of programs tailored to meet the needs of the advanced manufacturing sector. Dr. Settlage remarked, "We have a lot of opportunities in advanced manufacturing, engineering, and technology." By providing diverse fields of study, UAFS ensures students can pursue their interests while preparing for in-demand careers. UAFS is not just preparing students for jobs but empowering them to build successful futures in local industries. Through hands-on experience, supportive environments, diverse opportunities, and strong mentorship, UAFS is significantly impacting both individuals and the broader community.

For more information, please visit uafs.edu/WATC.

WATC Health Professionals

WATC Welders

Welcome, Friends!

words Do South® Staff Image Shutterstock.AI

Looking to bring a warm, inviting atmosphere to your home this holiday season? This lemon, rosemary & vanilla combination is said to be the signature scent of Williams-Sonoma stores (and who doesn’t love how incredible it smells in there?). It’s an easy and affordable way to make your home smell amazing and doubles as a thoughtful last-minute gift!

Ingredients

1 lemon, sliced

2-3 sprigs of rosemary

1-2 vanilla bean pods (or vanilla extract) water

Method

In a small to medium-sized pot, add water until it’s about an inch or two from the rim. Add lemon slices, rosemary, and vanilla pods (or a splash of vanilla extract). Simmer on low, allowing the delightful scent to fill your home.

A Crafty Christmas

WORDs Do South® Staff image Katerina Morozova/Shutterstock

Creating Christmas characters out of empty toilet paper rolls is a fun and easy craft that brings the holiday spirit to life. From Santa Claus to the Grinch, these easy-to-make characters add a whimsical touch to your holiday décor, perfect for kids and adults alike to get into the Christmas spirit!

MATERIALS: empty toilet paper rolls • construction paper white felt • cotton balls • craft paint • glue • Sharpie ® pom poms • various embellishments • scissors

Roasted Pumpkin and Goat Cheese Crostini

INGREDIENTS

makes 8

· 2 cups raw pumpkin, diced

· 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

· 2 teaspoons fresh sage, chopped

· salt and ground black pepper to taste

· 2 Tablespoons butter

· 1 leek, thinly sliced

· 1 French baguette

· 1 clove garlic

· 4 ounces goat cheese, room temperature

· 1 Tablespoon balsamic glaze

METHOD

Preheat oven to 400ºF and line baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss diced pumpkin with 1 Tablespoon olive oil, sage, salt, and pepper. Bake for about 20 minutes, until tender. Meanwhile, melt butter in a pan over medium heat. Add leek and cook for 5-7 minutes, until softened. Stir in roasted pumpkin and remove from heat.

Slice baguette into 1/2-inch pieces. Brush one side of each slice with the remaining olive oil. Bake for 5-8 minutes, turning halfway, until lightly browned. Rub the oiled side with garlic 3-4 times. Spread goat cheese on each slice, top with the pumpkin mixture, drizzle with balsamic glaze, and serve immediately.

Enjoy incredible student performances this fall! Reserve your seat at uafs.universitytickets.com.

Becky’s New Car

7 p.m. shows Nov. 7-9

3 p.m. show Nov. 9

Jazz Catz

7 p.m. • Tuesday, Nov. 12

Orchestra

7 p.m. • Thursday, Nov. 14

Jazz Band

7 p.m. • Monday, Nov. 18

Season’s Greetings Concert

7 p.m. • Tuesday, Dec. 3

Cinderella

7 p.m. • Dec. 5 and 6

For showtimes and ticket information, scan the QR code or visit uafs.edu/season

UAFS athletics

Volleyball

Nov. 1 vs Missouri Southern

Nov. 2 vs Univ. of Central Missouri

Nov. 15 vs Emporia State

Nov. 16 vs Washburn

Men’s Basketball

Nov. 12 vs Univ. of the Ozarks

Nov. 22 vs Southern Nazarene

Women’s Basketball

Nov. 16 vs Texas A&M International

Nov. 17 vs Southwest Baptist

Nov. 23 vs SE Oklahoma State uafslions.com

Cranberry-Jalapeño Relish

INGREDIENTS

makes 3 cups

· 1 cup dried cranberries, chopped

· ½ cup orange juice

· ½ cup red onion, finely diced

· ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

· 1 teaspoon garlic, minced

· 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced

· ¼ cup fresh lime juice

· ½ teaspoon ground cumin

· ½ teaspoon salt

METHOD

In a mixing bowl, add cranberries, orange juice, onion, cilantro, garlic, jalapeño pepper, lime juice, cumin, and salt to taste. Stir to combine. Chill for 2 hours before serving.

PUMPKIN SPICE MARTINI

RECIPe adapted KyleeCooks.com

Image Julia Mikhaylova/Shutterstock

Ingredients

(makes 1 serving)

• 2 ounces vanilla vodka

• 1 ounce Pumpkin Spice RumChata

• 2 Tablespoons pumpkin puree

• 1 ounce maple syrup (plus more for rimming the glass)

• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• pumpkin pie spice (plus more for rimming the glass)

• ground cinnamon (for rimming the glass)

Method

Dip rim of glass in maple syrup, then twist rim in mixture of equal parts pumpkin pie spice and ground cinnamon. Chill glass in the refrigerator. Combine ice, vodka, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and a dash of pumpkin pie spice in a cocktail shaker. Shake to chill. Stir in Pumpkin Spice RumChata, strain into prepared glass, and enjoy!

Always drink responsibly. Never drink Then drive.

THE NONPROFIT GUIDE

The River Valley is home to many incredible nonprofit organizations doing amazing work with limited resources. Our 6th annual Nonprofit Guide serves to further each of their missions and allows you to discover how you can get involved with those which are near and dear to your heart.

VOLUNTEER Your time, your expertise. GIVE New or gently used items. DONATE Big or small, anything helps.

3600 Wheeler Ave., Ste. 2, Fort Smith 479.783.4500 agingwest.org

Area Agency on Aging of Western Arkansas, Inc. is a nonprofit dedicated to helping you and your loved ones realize a better quality of life through individually tailored home health services. It is our vision to establish a quality aging-at-home environment for people within the communities of Western Arkansas. From personal care, information & assistance, nonemergency medical transportation, Senior Centers, grant programs, and elder housing to more intensive needs such as home health, case management, Ombudsman services for those in long-term care facilities, caregiver & respite assistance, elder victim of crime assistance, and hospice: Area Agency on Aging of Western Arkansas, Inc. goes far beyond just home health. Our heart is in your home!

Donating to Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF) empowers low-income single parents to reach their academic and career dreams — and inspires their children to do the same! Your gift provides flexible scholarships and mentoring to help single parent students graduate college or trade school. Because with a higher education degree, they can land better jobs, boost their income, and show their kids what’s possible! Learn how you can help end single parent poverty at aspsf.org.

OUR HEART IS IN YOUR HOME

Wrap their future in hope.

Your generosity isn’t just a gift — it’s a miracle that single parents can believe in! Give now to support single parent scholarships at ASPSF.ORG/GIVE.

Bost has grown tremendously from our humble beginnings, where we provided education and opportunities to schoolaged children in Fort Smith, to now offering a wide range of services and programs for individuals of all ages with disabilities and mental health needs across Arkansas. At our core, we are a community committed to helping those with disabilities and behavioral health challenges achieve their life goals. By tailoring our services to each individual, Bost provides a lifetime of care that fosters independence, no matter the level of disability. Services are available in the community or at Bostowned locations. Employment opportunities can be found at bost.org/careers. #iambost #wearebost

The CALL partners with local families interested in fostering or adoption, guiding them through the process of opening their homes. Our vision is for a future where no children in Arkansas are waiting for families — where there are more than enough foster and adoptive homes to provide the best care for children and youth in need. These children, who have often experienced abuse or neglect, need the stability of a family to support their healing. We accomplish this by recruiting, training, and supporting foster families, adoptive families, and dedicated volunteers. If you’re ready to open your home, donate, or volunteer, contact us today!

Find them on Facebook 479.926.0939 or 479.652.3553

christmashonors.org

Join us for the 16th Annual Christmas Honors event to honor our veterans and their families! On Friday, December 6, volunteers will work to prepare the 16,000+ wreaths at the Fort Smith Convention Center. No sign-up is required, just come and help! Then, join the community at the Fort Smith National Cemetery on Saturday, December 7 for a ceremony and the laying of the wreaths. Every veteran’s headstone will be honored by laying a green wreath with a bright red bow to remember their service and sacrifice. Let us never forget them. Visit ChristmasHonors.org for the schedule of events and more! Facebook @ChristmasHonors.

310 North F St., Fort Smith 479.782.1443

fscrm.org

Community Rescue Mission, a faith-based Christian organization, has served the homeless community for over forty years. While families live with us in our transitional program, we provide for all their basic needs, help them find employment or return to school, encourage them to attend counseling and support groups, and provide parenting classes, financial literacy classes, nutrition classes, job skills, recovery resources, and peer support. We instill hope and empower the lives of families and children in crisis due to homelessness by providing safe shelter, meals, case management, and spiritual enrichment to prepare families to acquire jobs and live successful, independent, productive lives.

Since 1981, Community Rescue Mission has EMPOWERed our participants to transition from homelessness to independence in a faith-based, high-barrier environment. With a holistic approach, we support residents on their journey to self-sufficiency. We are debt-free, and every dollar raised serves families in need!

805 People Served 2023 BY THE NUMBERS

16,207 Nights of Rest

42,463 Meals Served

310 North F Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas fscrm.org | 479.782.1443

The Center for the Creative Arts is a new riverfront facility in Fort Smith. Sitting behind the United States Marshals Museum on the Arkansas River, the new fine arts facility houses Community School of the Arts and the Institute for the Creative Arts. Both organizations focus on the arts. But what are their differences?

ICA is a fine arts public charter high school. Students can study tuition free as Arkansas residents. Half of the school day is spent in arts classes of their choosing while the other half is spent working toward graduating with their GED. School began this fall with grades 9-11 and is open for enrollment year round. Graphic design, dance, theatre, music and more will be offered. Artist teachers have been hired from across the country.

CSA serves the community as an afterschool arts program by offering arts classes, lessons, and camps to all age groups during after school hours and in the summer. Play an instrument, join a theatre production, paint, or attend a summer camp. Professional instructors meet the needs and interests of all students, including adults. Both organizations offer public shows and performances throughout the year.

Tours of this facility are available to the public. Call today!

For more information on ICA: icafortsmith.org | 479-434-2114

For more information on CSA: csafortsmith.org | 479-434-2020

1101 Riverfront Dr., Fort Smith 479.434.2020 csafortsmith.org

Welcome to Community School of the Arts! We specialize in a curriculum of activities for children and young people that will explore their artistic talents and develop their social skills in positive and exciting ways. CSA provides talented and highly trained instructors who are leaders in their field and love working with young people. We develop programs that meet the needs and interests of all people, from the amateur to the highly gifted. We meet students where they are and use the arts to bring out their absolute best. In addition, we offer a unique performance series that gives our students opportunities to perform live on stage while providing great family-friendly concerts and shows for our entire community. If you are looking for a place to connect with the arts, CSA is for you!

1606 South J St., Fort Smith

479.785.4031

cjsinc.org

CJS serves the needs of youth and families struggling to navigate difficult teen years. With offices in Sebastian, Crawford, Logan, Scott, Polk, and Montgomery counties since 1977, we determine the specific needs of each individual and refer to the services most appropriate to provide the help needed. Our services include casework, mentoring, aftercare/re-entry, peer recovery support program, strengthening families program, parenting classes, workforce program, emergency shelter, classes for life skills, anger management, substance abuse, social media/sex education, mental health assessments and therapy, residential care through the Fort Smith Girls Shelter, community service programs, and electronic monitoring. Call 479-785-4031 for details or to make a referral.

Juvenile Services

DONATIONS STILL NEEDED!

Every

Comprehensive Juvenile Services

invites you to join our efforts to positively impact the youth of our community. The Clay Roper Western Arkansas Youth Shelter is underway with a matching grant ftom the Windgate Foundation. We are counting on your sup port to make this a reality for the Western Arkansas region.

The Clay Roper Western Arkansas Youth Shelter is NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION thanks to a matching grant from the Windgate foundation. We need YOUR support to complete the project! Comprehensive Juvenile Services invites you to join our efforts to positively impact the youth of our community!

Across our four Fort Smith Club locations, we’ve been empowering youth for over 90 years through programs that spark academic success, leadership, and creativity. From opportunities in recreational therapy, gardening, STEAM, nutrition, and scholarships to sports like soccer, basketball, and NFL Flag Football, kids grow essential life skills in a safe, inspiring space. Be part of the community where youth thrive! #GreatFuturesStartHere

479.646.9519

fsbgc.org

Across our four Fort Smith locations, we’ve been empowering local youth for over ninety years through a wide variety of programs that ignite academic achievement, leadership, and creativity. In addition to sports like soccer, basketball, and NFL flag football, we provide a safe and inspiring space for kids to explore recreational therapy, gardening, STEAM, nutrition, and scholarships for college or trade school. All this (and more) is offered while fostering essential life skills that help shape their futures. Be part of a community where our youth have the opportunity to truly thrive! #GreatFuturesStartHere

479.783.2966

fslt.org

Come downtown for year-round entertainment featuring comedies, dramas, musicals, and mysteries. The Fort Smith Little Theatre’s casual, comfortable setting is perfect for date night, a matinee with mom, or a girls’ night out. Looking for friendship and a chance to learn new skills? Join the fun as a volunteer. Building sets, ushering, making coffee, acting — there are plenty of jobs to do and friends to be made at FSLT, your all-volunteer community theatre since 1947. And remember, a gift certificate or 2025 Season Package would make a great Christmas gift. Learn more at fslt.org or find us on social media. Next Up: The Outsider, Nov. 14-23.

Fort Smith Little Theatre

FSLT is an all-volunteer organization and the oldest community theatre in the state. From comedies to dramas and musicals to mysteries, more than 60 shows are performed annually in downtown Fort Smith. Backstage, under the lights, or in the audience — come join the fun!

Reminder:

5 South 7th St., Fort Smith 479.452.7575 fortsmithsymphony.org

The Fort Smith Symphony is the oldest professional orchestra in Arkansas, now in its 101st season. The Symphony performs five season concerts each year at the ArcBest Performing Arts Center, three Perspectives Chamber Music Series pop-up concerts, four educational programs serving 6,500 students across the River Valley, and a free community concert. The Symphony performs a variety of classics, pops, holiday, and film music season concerts, followed by After Parties hosted by the Bakery District. The Symphony has proudly produced five commercial recordings of influential and under-represented regional composers under Naxos Records, the world’s largest classical music label. The Fort Smith Symphony is conducted by John Jeter, now in his 27th season.

1415 Old Greenwood Rd., Fort Smith 479.782.0375 girlsincfortsmith.org

Celebrating ninety years! Girls Inc. inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold, providing more than 1,000 girls in Fort Smith and surrounding areas with life-changing experiences and solutions to the unique challenges girls face. The Girls Inc. experience consists of people, an environment, and programming that, together, empower girls to succeed. Trained staff and volunteers build lasting, mentoring relationships in girls-only spaces that are physically and emotionally safe and where girls find a sisterhood of support with shared drive, mutual respect, and high expectations. Hands-on, research-based programs provide girls with the skills and knowledge to set goals, overcome obstacles, and improve academic performance.

Friends of Girls, Inc. of Fort

By joining, you will demonstrate your commitment to the success of local girls and support unique opportunities and programming to help them set and achieve their goals. Your annual membership provides essential financial support to foster future growth and expand outreach!

Visit GirlsIncFortSmith.org for membership levels and additional information. *Past membership to Girls Inc. not required to join.

The Good Samaritan Clinic has moved to 1400 S. Zero Street in Fort Smith, and we would love to see you soon at our new location. We have plenty of convenient parking, a spacious lobby, ten exam rooms, a private counseling room, a large lab, a procedure room, and more! We are open Monday –Wednesday from 8am – 6pm, and Thursday 8am – 5pm, closed Friday – Sunday. Serving the River Valley since 2003, the Good Samaritan Clinic offers non-emergent primary healthcare, prescription assistance, patient education, vision care, chiropractic, and counseling in both English and Spanish. If you are uninsured and need medical care, contact us today at 479-783-0233 or online at goodsamaritanfs.com. #wearegoodsam, are you? 479.452.2260

Heart to Heart Pregnancy and Family Care Center has served the River Valley and surrounding areas for thirty-seven years. We proudly serve women, men, and families with children up to age three. We provide families with much-needed free monthly supplies such as diapers, wipes, formula, clothing, and more. We gratefully accept gently used and new clothing, shoes, blankets, etc. We are also thankful for the faithful financial support of our donors. If you are interested in connecting with Heart to Heart as a client, volunteer, or supporter, please reach out to us at 479-452-2260. Together with our great community, we are making a difference, one heartbeat at a time.

2713 S. 74th St., Fort Smith

479.783.1002

hamiltoncca.org

The Hamilton Center for Child Advocacy is a vital resource for our community, serving nearly 1,000 children and families each year. As a trusted partner to law enforcement, child protection services, and local organizations, the HCCA ensures that children experiencing trauma receive specialized support and advocacy. With forensic interviews, medical exams, and therapy sessions, HCCA addresses the immediate needs of children in crisis, while family advocates guide them through legal and healing processes. By fostering collaboration through our Multidisciplinary Team and providing families with critical resources, the Hamilton Center strengthens the community’s response to child abuse, offering hope and stability to victims and creating a safer, more supportive environment for all.

Main Street Fort Smith is a nonprofit organization committed to creating vibrant spaces in downtown Fort Smith through business development, arts and culture, special events, and the promotion of attractive amenities. We are dedicated to preserving the rich heritage of downtown Fort Smith while driving towards a vibrant future.

Main Street Fort Smith (formerly 64.6 Downtown) mainstreetfs.org @mainstreetfortsmith

411 Garrison Ave., Fort Smith 479.462.9132 mainstreetfs.org

Main Street Fort Smith is an accredited Main Street organization working to revitalize downtown Fort Smith through business development, arts, culture, and placemaking. We organize the Levitt AMP Fort Smith Music Series, a 10-week concert series offering free, family-friendly outdoor concerts. We also host Invest Fort Smith, a free annual conference focused on economic development for small businesses and entrepreneurs. As a Main Street Arkansas member and part of the Main Street America network, we preserve historic downtowns and foster stronger communities. Through intentional design and beautification, we create meaningful connections that enhance the quality of life for all. Learn more at mainstreetfs.org or follow us on social media.

Wednesdays, 12p, Golden Corral

1801 S. Waldron Rd., Fort Smith 479.806.2738 fortsmithoptimist.com

Optimist International is a worldwide volunteer organization made up of more than 2,500 local clubs whose members work each day to make the future brighter by bringing out the best in children, their communities, and themselves. The Optimist Club of Fort Smith began in 1946. We have historically supported Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs, Girls Shelter of Fort Smith, Fort Smith Boys Home, Reynolds Cancer Support House, and Optimist Oratorical and Essay Scholarship Contests. We want to extend an invitation to you to join our club. We meet every Wednesday at noon at Golden Corral, 1801 South Waldron Rd. Contact our club president, Roger Ayers, at 479-806-2738. Find us on Facebook at FortSmithOptimistClub or online at fortsmithoptimist.com.

1205 S. Albert Pike, Fort Smith 479.783.2273

projectcompassioninc.com

After fifty-two years of serving residents in long-term care, our mission to bring joy, companionship, and enhanced quality of life remains essential. Our volunteers visit, befriend, and engage. The bond between residents and volunteers is powerful and builds over time. Residents enjoy receiving cards, laughing and dancing with our “Bordertown Belles,” and playing dominoes. GrandFriends (age 5-17) bring music, energy and fun. Fidgeteers provide colorful blankets with embellishments to keep idle hands busy and comfort those with dementia. Our Hearts of Gold program provides gifts of clothing at Christmastime to residents, particularly those without family visitors. We are a United Way of Fort Smith agency serving twenty-six long-term care and senior living facilities. Visit us online to donate, volunteer, and get involved!

Project Compassion Inc.

Hearts of Gold

GIFT COLLECTION FOR AREA NURSING HOME RESIDENTS

Shopping List

** New Items Only Please **

• Sizes: Small – 5XL

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

10:00A – 1:00P & 3:00P – 6:00P

ST. LUKE LUTHERAN CHURCH

5401 Free Ferry Road

Fort Smith, Arkansas

• Sweatshirts /Sweatpants

• Lounge Pants & Pajama Sets

• Nightgowns

• Plain T-shirts (Colors)

• House Shoes (Closed toe/heel)

Donation Drop-Off

Locations (Thru Dec. 16)

• Project Compassion Office

• Arkansas Best Federal

Credit Union

(Old Greenwood Rd.)

• Simmons Bank Branches: (Stonewood, Albert Pike, Zero St.)

1205 South Albert Pike, Fort Smith, Arkansas, 72003

The U.S. Marshals Museum is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit established to form a national center of heritage and legacy, disseminate knowledge, and inspire appreciation for the accomplishments of the U.S. Marshals Service. Set on the banks of the Arkansas River, the Museum shares the stories of our nation's first federal law enforcement agency. The Museum’s unique exterior with a modified star-shaped design signifies the star badge worn by courageous U.S. Marshals. Inside, five immersive galleries educate guests on the critical, ever-evolving role the Marshals have played in upholding the Rule of Law, driven by justice, integrity, and service. The Museum’s educational programming combines the Museum experience with education focused on the Constitution, the Rule of Law, and civic literacy.

The United Way of Fort Smith Area is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping local communities thrive. By partnering with a wide range of organizations, the United Way provides critical resources to those in need. Their focus areas include education, health, financial stability, and crisis support services, with the goal of improving the lives of people throughout the region. With a strong commitment to accountability and transparency, the United Way ensures that donations are used effectively and efficiently. From supporting after-school programs to providing meals to homebound seniors, the impact of the United Way can be seen in every corner of the community. By giving to the United Way of Fort Smith Area, you can help build a better future for everyone in the region.

The United States Marshals Museum (USMM), with unobstructed 180-degree views of the beautiful Arkansas River, is the perfect location for any event. Offering intimate spaces and a gorgeous 14,000 square foot atrium, the USMM has it all.

UPCOMING EVENTS

“We Are Cherokee: Cherokee Freedmen and The Right to Citizenship” exhibit On display through January 19, 2025

An Evening in The Past – Theodore Roosevelt December 9, 2024 | 6:30-8:30p Winter Family Camps

“The Case of the Snowy Woes” December 20 & 21, 2024 | 6-8p/1-3p

3304 South M St., Fort Smith 479.785.4677 kistlercenter.org

The Gregory Kistler Treatment Center has been dedicated to serving individuals and families in the River Valley since its founding by the Kistler family. We provide essential therapy services, including occupational, physical, and speech therapy, to children under 20, helping them achieve greater independence and quality of life. Our services extend beyond the clinic with in-home support through the Community Employment Support (CES) Waiver and the Arkansas Autism Partnership, providing tailored care for individuals with developmental disabilities. With a compassionate and experienced team, the Kistler Center remains a beacon of hope and growth for local families. Together, we’re helping to build brighter futures, one step at a time.

4701 Grand Ave., Fort Smith 479.785.0152 waballet.org

Western Arkansas Ballet announces the thirty-ninth annual production of The Nutcracker on Saturday, December 21, at 7pm and Sunday, December 22, at 2pm at ArcBest Performing Arts Center, Fort Smith. Tickets are available for purchase beginning November 11 and are $30/adults, $20/ children, and students with valid ID. The Sugar Plum Fairy Tea will be held on Sunday, November 24, 2024, at 2pm at the Riverfront Glass Pavilion, 100 North B Street, Fort Smith. Join your favorite Nutcracker characters for a delightful afternoon of goodies, crafts, and fun. Adult tickets include refreshments. Tea tickets are on sale now, at waballet.org, $30/adult and $20/child.

GRATITUDE - NOVEMBER 2024

GRATITUDE

NOVEMBER 2024

NOVEMBER EVENTS

ACHE RESEARCH

ARTS ON MAIN – VAN BUREN

BOOKISH – FORT SMITH

THE BAKERY DISTRICT

UAFS ATHLETICS

FAB LAB FORT SMITH

FORT SMITH REGIONAL ART MUSEUM

NOVEMBER FUN-RAISERS

good news

ROUND OF APPLAUSE

more good news

SAVE THE DATE

EMPOWERING DREAMS

NEW FACES & PLACES

RECOMMENDED READING

Playground

The GOODS

Q+A

ABIGAIL & LEXI

AGES 12

WELLNESS & FITNESS GUIDE

‘Tis the Season for Sneezes

ALLERGIES VS. RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES

THE COMMON COLD

FLU, COVID-19, AND RSV

OTC MEDICATIONS

SEEK MEDICAL CARE

STAY PROACTIVE

2024 PROFILES IN HEALTHCARE

Baptist Health Radiation Oncology-Fort Smith

Arkansas Vision Development Center

Baptist Health Women's Clinic-Fort Smith

Center for Hearing and Balance

PROFILES IN HEALTHCARE

Dr. James E. Kelly III

Dr. Kendall Wagner and Kathie Wagner

Ray of Sunshine Pediatric Therapy

Stiles Eye Group

FOCUSED ON YOU

Udouj Orthodontics

Creating Beautiful Smiles

Xs and Os THE MICHAEL BEAUMONT STORY

TO HONOR AND SERVE

A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO Christmas Joy

ENJOY WHAT YOU SAVE!

OUR MISSION:

TThe Heart of Hunger

COMMUNITY RESCUE MISSION

RIVERVIEW HOPE CAMPUS

RIVER VALLEY REGIONAL FOOD BANK

Painting the Blues

Fort Smith REBRANDED

THERE IS MORE TO MAIN STREET FORT SMITH

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Empowering Futures

Training for the Future

A Supportive Environment

Hands-On Experience Matters

Pathways to Career Advancement

Mentorship and Guidance

Diverse Fields of Study

Welcome, Friends!

Ingredients

Method

A Crafty Christmas

Roasted Pumpkin and Goat Cheese Crostini

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

UAFS athletics

Cranberry-Jalapeño Relish

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

PUMPKIN SPICE MARTINI

Ingredients

Method

THE NONPROFIT GUIDE